Abolition of the Wicked - Chapter 216

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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#216

Do Pyeong-su, having listened carefully to Go Shin-ji’s account, spoke up.
“Can royalty really be that virtuous?”
“I know, right? It’s strange to hear someone of royal blood speak sense.”
Yeon Geum-hong joined in the conversation between Do Pyeong-su and Seo Seok-san.
“Why did those fools try to put an eight-year-old child on the throne and fail? If they’d wanted to make Ji-u’s mother the empress, we could have helped them succeed.”
“You didn’t even know us back then.”
“Then should we try again now?”
Seo Seok-san nodded in agreement.
“Why not? With your senior brother’s intellect and our martial strength, replacing an emperor would be child’s play.”
Kang Chan-sik ventured cautiously, “But there’s an official present here, so talking of treason is a bit…”

“Why? Are you going to report us?”
Kang Chan-sik nodded gravely.
“Of course there must be an official involved in treason for it to succeed smoothly, wouldn’t you say? Absolutely.”
“That man is still alive for a reason, I’m telling you.”
Just as had been anticipated when this gathering began, they all agreed to join in the fight against an unknown enemy.
“Come now, don’t rush—nobody’s going to steal your food. Eat slowly.”
The five young people ate the corn that Gwak Jeom-mae was roasting for them with relish.
“We need to eat quickly and go practice our martial arts.”
“Don’t strain yourselves. Rest between exercises.”
“You said we need to get stronger fast so these things disappear.”
Gwak Jeom-mae reached out with her weathered hand and gently touched the face that Il-ho had indicated.
“It’s all healed now. All better.”
Though not entirely healed as Gwak Jeom-mae claimed, the improvement was remarkable compared to before.
The red scabs that had covered their faces had begun to fall away, and fresh skin was growing in their place. That was why the five young people no longer wore masks.
After each of them quickly finished four ears of corn, Il-ho held out two silver coins.
“This is for the corn.”
“Would I take money from you children? Where would that even come from…”
“We have our own money. We just haven’t needed to spend it until now.”
I-ho nudged Il-ho in the ribs with her elbow as he spoke.
“What is it?”
Following I-ho’s gaze, Il-ho turned and suddenly jumped to his feet in alarm.
“Lord Jang!”
Standing before them were Geom U-bin, Hyeolpung Saja, Yang Dae-gong, and Kang Chan-sik, who had become Provincial Governor.
“That corn looks delicious!”
Do Pyeong-su crouched down and quickly reached for an ear, asking Gwak Jeom-mae, “Grandmother, how much for this?”

Gwak Jeom-mae snatched the corn away from Do Pyeong-su’s mouth with surprising speed.
“Not selling!”
“Why not?”
“Even if I’m just selling corn on the street, that doesn’t mean! How dare a green young upstart speak to me so rudely!”
Do Pyeong-su, bewildered, let out a hearty laugh.
“Even looking like this, if I’d married early and had children, I’d have a daughter as old as you by now. If I’d married even sooner, I’d have a granddaughter. So hand over that corn.”
But Do Pyeong-su was forced to dodge the corn.
“You cheeky little brat! Do I look senile and doddering to you already? What nonsense is this—spouting foolish words like a boiled squash with no teeth!”
“No, I’m serious…”
“Not selling!”
“Tch! What a temperament that woman has.”
Kang Chan-sik stepped in.
“Lord, if you’d like some corn, just ask me. Grandmother, how much do I owe you?”
The moment Kang Chan-sik, dressed in his official robes, asked the question, Gwak Jeom-mae quickly bowed.
“Oh my, you’re a man of government service!”
“Haha! It happened quite by chance.”
Do Pyeong-su tapped the back of Kang Chan-sik’s head, whose shoulders had puffed up with pride.
“You there, living off the state’s grain—must be nice.”
But even as Do Pyeong-su spoke, Gwak Jeom-mae’s palm came down hard across his back.
“How dare you lay hands on a government official doing the work of the state!”
To the elderly, there was nothing higher than a civil servant.
“Ah, this old woman!”
Unable to raise a hand against a commoner, Do Pyeong-su merely beat his own chest, and the sight sent everyone into laughter.
The five youths moved with them to the Oseong Merchant Association Branch.
“But what brings the five of you all the way here?”
Yang Dae-gong had met them while passing through the streets and still didn’t know Geom U-bin and Hyeolpung Saja’s purpose for coming.
“We’re inspecting the major branches of the Oseong Merchant Association.”
“Seeing the five of you traveling together, I don’t imagine this is a casual visit?”
“No, there’s something the branch leader can help us with. There are quite a few skilled Murim martial artists not just here in Zhejiang Province, but in nearby Anhui and Jiangsu as well, aren’t there?”
“They’re quite skilled compared to me, though perhaps not impressive enough for the eyes of the lords and masters?”
“First-rate masters would be ideal, but even those who fall short would be acceptable. We’re hoping to gather Murim martial artists who don’t belong to any specific faction.”
“That’s rather vague. I can’t very well tell them to join me under promise of monthly wages, can I?”
“We’re still deliberating whether to form a faction under the Oseong Merchant Association or the Oseong Merchant Society. For now, branch leader, just classify the people you can recruit.”
“Are you thinking of establishing a Murim faction at Oseong Jang-won?”
“It’s turned out that way somehow.”
“A Murim faction doesn’t just happen somehow, does it?”
Yang Dae-gong’s expression darkened, and Seo Seok-san spoke up.
“What’s troubling you?”
“With the martial arts of the lords and masters and the wealth of the Oseong Merchant Association, you could build a force far greater than the Gudaemun Faction in no time.”
“Hmph! We could destroy the Gudaemun Faction right now if we wished.”
“Exactly my point. Such accomplished people creating a faction—how powerful would it be? And why build such a faction in secret?”
Geom U-bin spoke.
“The branch leader is concerned that we might bring bloodwind to the Murim, isn’t that right?”
“Though I’m merely a former bandit of little account, I have no desire whatsoever to take part in a force that would ignite a blood incident.”
“I’m relieved the branch leader feels that way. Let me be clear—we will absolutely not do such a thing. Rather, we’re preparing for the bloodwind that approaches.”
“What? You’re saying bloodwind comes to the Murim?”
“I cannot yet speak to the details, but if you ever feel we’re acting against your convictions, you’re free to leave at any time.”
“If the lord speaks that way, I must trust you.”
Trust is built not through words, but through actions shown over time. In that sense, Oseong Jang-won had given Yang Dae-gong ample reason to believe.
“But what of those five children outside?”
At Yang Dae-gong’s question, Geom U-bin glanced at Jang Man-dok.
“There’s nothing we plan to do with them.”
“Nothing? You healed their sickness and taught them martial arts, yet you have no plans?”
“That happened by chance, and since they’re nearly recovered, I told them to find their own way in life.”
Yang Dae-gong looked between Geom U-bin and Jang Man-dok before asking.
“Lord Jang hasn’t said a word, though…….”
“I can tell from his expression alone.”
Yang Dae-gong looked between the two of them again.
“What troubles me most right now is that I’m believing such an absurd thing. What exactly have you done to me? No, never mind. I’d believe anything anyway—there’s no point in hearing it. It would be better to speak to those children directly about matters concerning them.”
They went to the room where the five youths were waiting.
They were all sitting when the others entered, and they sprang to their feet, bowing respectfully.
No matter how many times they met, these were formidable people—the lords and masters of Oseong Jang-won—and Jang Man-dok especially so.
Seeing their nervous tension, Geom U-bin smiled and spoke.
“Hello. I’m Geom U-bin.”
As the youths fidgeted, Yeon Geum-hong spoke.
“If your senior brother has greeted you, you should greet him in return.”
The boy in the center opened his mouth.
“I’m Il-ho. This is I-ho…….”
And so he introduced them through to O-ho.
“For what it’s worth, she and I are women.”
I-ho pointed to herself and Sa-ho as she said this.
“You children—are you speaking informally to your senior brother?”
At Do Pyeong-su’s oppressive tone, Geom U-bin stepped forward.
“We’re about the same age, so of course it’s natural.”
“Natural? Even sewage has waves, yet how dare mere children presume to match a senior brother…….”
“That’s not what matters now, so let’s move past it. The teachers are all outside.”
“What? What are you planning to do?”
“These kids are scared because of the masters.”
“What have we done?”
“The masters are frightening just by existing. Please leave.”
Geom U-bin ushered the Bloodwind Four Lions out and took a seat at a table with the boys and girls.
“Have you perfected the Gui-myon Ma-do Technique?”
I-ho answered Geom U-bin’s question.
“Not yet, but we’ve all reached the tenth stage.”
“Impressive. That means you’re stronger than that pirate captain, doesn’t it?”
“I’m not sure about that, but the lord said there’s only one person our age stronger than us.”
Sam-ho asked.
“Is that one person you, U-bin?”
“Probably.”
“Are you really that strong?”
“Compared to the masters, I’m nothing.”
“Isn’t a senior brother normally stronger than a master?”
“Usually, but we’re a bit different. Anyway, have you thought about what you’ll do going forward?”
“We’re planning to do whatever the lord tells us. He cured our illness and taught us martial arts—he’s our benefactor, so we have to follow him unconditionally.”
“I already mentioned that, but the master said you should do whatever you want.”
They could only look at each other’s faces, saying nothing.
Children who’d never once possessed free will in their lives looked like lost kittens in a dead end.
I-ho spoke hesitantly.
“Couldn’t we just do whatever we’re told to do?”
“You’re going to live doing whatever the master tells you?”
“Of course.”
“So you want to live as slaves?”
“We’re not slaves!”
“What else do you call living by doing whatever others tell you?”
The reason no other word came to their minds wasn’t merely a lack of vocabulary.
“We’ll leave in one double hour, so think carefully about what you truly want to do of your own will.”
With that, Geom U-bin left the room.
The room wasn’t particularly soundproof, and the Bloodwind Four Lions had sharp ears, so they didn’t ask what had been discussed.
“What were you all talking about?”
There was one person with dull ears. Do Pyeong-su shot back at Kang Chan-sik as he asked.
“Why are you even here, Governor of Hangju?”
“I have official business to attend to in Nanjing in Jiangsu Province, and since the route happened to be the same, I came along. I already told you this.”
“If you were heading to Nanjing, you should’ve kept going. Why are you still here?”
“It seemed interesting.”
“Damn you!”
“Ow! My ear’s coming off! I’m going, I’m going!”
After sending Kang Chan-sik off to Nanjing, Do Pyeong-su asked.
“Senior brother, why did you let those five brats make such a decision? If they say they’ll do whatever you tell them, just command them.”
“The fights ahead will be far more dangerous for those with us than for us.”
“That’s obvious since they’re weak.”
“Which is why they should decide for themselves whether to risk their lives.”
“Are you going to ask everyone that individually?”
“That’s impossible. But I wanted to ask at least those five. They’ve never had free will their entire lives.”
Seo Seok-san spoke to Do Pyeong-su.
“Your mind can’t grasp this, so stop bothering the senior brother.”
“I understood it fine.”
“Really?”
“Of course! If you die, it’s because of your choice, so don’t blame me. This is it!”
“That’s exactly the level of understanding I’d expect from you.”
Do Pyeong-su was about to shout back when Yang Dae-gong’s voice came from beyond the door.
“The children wish to see the lords.”
Geom U-bin had given them one double hour, but it took only a quarter hour to reach their decision.
“Let them in.”
The moment Do Pyeong-su finished speaking, the door opened and the boys and girls filed in one by one.
Their expressions made it clear they had come to a decision.
“That was quick.”
Il-ho picked up on Geom U-bin’s remark.
“There was no need to deliberate. What we’ve always thought about is one thing and one thing alone. Whether you call it slavery or something else—it doesn’t matter. This is a decision we’ve made of our own will.”
The gazes of the five children converged on Jang Man-dok.
“Please use us wherever you need us, Lord.”
Jang Man-dok’s eyes shifted from them to Geom U-bin. It was a silent question: ‘What should we do?’ And Geom U-bin answered with equal silence: ‘You decide, Master.’
Jang Man-dok, who had been about to speak with only his expression, instead brought his finger to the table and traced words into the surface.
―Entrust your lives to my senior brother.
Jang Man-dok always wrote and erased his words, but these words on the table he did not erase.
The boys and girls, who had been staring at the characters, turned toward Geom U-bin.
“You are our master now.”
Geom U-bin waved his hand.
“No, no. Master didn’t mean for you to become servants. So don’t call me master. If you insist on using a title, you can just call me Lord. And…….”
Do Pyeong-su cut him off before he could finish.
“Please don’t suggest we call you by your personal name. That would diminish our standing.”
“Is, is that so?”
Bloodwind Four Lions bore such resolve in their expression that Geom U-bin couldn’t press the matter.
“Understood.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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