Abolition of the Wicked - Chapter 246

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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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#246

They tapped the hilts of the swords strapped across their backs and spoke.
“Of course. We’ve been searching all across Zhongyuan for our ancestor’s relics, and to discover them here is surely a blessing from heaven. The true master has appeared—hand over the Palgak-gyeong that you’re holding.”
That they were descendants of Hwa-ryong Seonin was undoubtedly a lie. The only thing they had in common with Hwa-ryong Seonin was that they wielded swords.
“Even if I had it, I wouldn’t give it to you. But I don’t have the Palgak-gyeong.”
The eyes of the man in the middle narrowed.
“So you mean to deny what we already know?”
“It seems these aren’t people who will listen to words.”
Geom U-bin didn’t even give them time to draw their swords. With a single step, he closed a distance of three zhang in one breath and struck each of them cleanly on the jaw.
Geom U-bin’s movements were so swift that they eluded not only the three fallen swordsmen but also Ma-o-ryang, who had been watching from a distance.
Ma-o-ryang watched Geom U-bin walk away as if nothing of import had occurred.
‘What… what is this person?’
He knew martial arts were this one’s strength. But that movement he’d just witnessed went beyond anything Ma-o-ryang could have imagined.
‘Who is he, exactly?’
At that level of skill, the person shouldn’t yet be old enough to have earned the title of a later-generation master. Yet he’d never heard of any later-generation master with such martial prowess among the Gudaemun Faction, the Five Great Families, or even the evil sects.
‘A monster has appeared in the Murim.’
He knew it was wise to keep such people at a distance.
And yet Ma-o-ryang continued to follow—partly from curiosity, and partly because this person didn’t seem like a villain.
‘That’s right. He’s not a bad man. If he were, he would’ve killed me and Gil Sang-do, and those three just now as well.’
But there was another compelling reason: he had to know how this mysterious figure kept finding him wherever he went.
“It looks like you’re heading toward Gilmyeong Estate anyway. I’ll travel with you.”
“Why not? Your back’s a fine sight, but I’d rather see your face.”
Ma-o-ryang, having let slip a joke, drew alongside Geom U-bin.
“Our karmic bond seems to be no ordinary fate, so let’s at least exchange names. I’m Go Chang-su.”
Ma-o-ryang had given a false name. The mysterious Shintu could never reveal his true identity to a stranger—especially not someone who might become an enemy.
Geom U-bin smiled with an expression Ma-o-ryang couldn’t quite decipher, then spoke.
“I’m Jang Seo-yeon. You chose a good alias. I envy you.”
“What? Envy me for what?”
“You came up with a good false name.”
“A, a false name? But my name is——”
“Ma-o-ryang.”
“Yes, Ma-o… wait! How do you know my real name? In all the world, only those dead and living together number less than ten who know my true identity!”
“Well, once I spread word of it, that number will grow longer than your hair.”
“No, no, Lord Jang—we should discuss this seriously. How is it that you know so much about me?”
In truth, all Geom U-bin knew of Ma-o-ryang was a name that Hyeolpung Saja had mentioned in passing.
But for Ma-o-ryang, it was bewildering. His belief that he was the most secretive person alive had just shattered.
Geom U-bin saw no need to correct Ma-o-ryang’s misunderstanding.
“You might believe yourself to be the most secretive person in the world, but that’s a delusion. Between you and me, who do you think is truly more secretive?”
Ma-o-ryang’s jaw dropped. This man calling himself Jang Seo-yeon seemed to have mastered the art of reading minds.
‘Jang Seo-yeon might not even be his real name.’
“That’s quite a feminine-sounding name.”
Geom U-bin felt a twinge inside, but fortunately it didn’t show on his face.
“I’m told my parents named me this way hoping I’d have a long life—a tradition of giving feminine names for longevity.”
Though standing before Geom U-bin felt like being laid bare, Ma-o-ryang didn’t abandon his plan to travel alongside him.
Even if the other was formidable, he was still human. There had to be a weakness somewhere, and if he found it, Ma-o-ryang would have a chance to win.
Besides, he hadn’t abandoned his pursuit of the Palgak-gyeong. With the Cheon Gwang-an in his possession, all he needed was the Palgak-gyeong to obtain Hwa-ryong Seonin’s martial arts.
As the two men rounded the wall of Gilmyeong Estate, a shout erupted from within.
“Hand over the Palgak-gyeong at once, or I’ll slaughter not only you but every servant in this estate!”
Without seeing inside, they could understand what kind of situation was unfolding.
Geom U-bin unhurriedly crossed the threshold into the estate. The courtyard was crowded with people.
There was Gil Sang-do, the master, along with his wife and daughter, and perhaps a dozen servants going about their work.
Facing all of them were six armed men making threats.
All wielding swords and blades, dressed in dark blue robes that marked them as belonging to the same organization.
“Fine, let me show you what happens——!”
A man in his forties was speaking when Gil Sang-do, catching sight of Geom U-bin, broke into a look of welcome.
“Master!”
The six men’s expressions crumpled the instant they turned.
“Who are you?”
Geom U-bin dismissed them without a glance.
“Master Gil, has anyone been hurt?”
“Not yet, but…….”
Gil Sang-do cast an anxious look toward the thugs. Geom U-bin turned to Ma-o-ryang. “Deal with them for us, would you?”

“Why should I?”
“You’ve got debts to settle. Besides, this whole mess wouldn’t have happened if not for you.”
“If you expose my identity here, what then?”
“Is it really such a grand secret?”
“It might not be a big deal to the young master, but it matters to me!”
“Either way, I need to speak with the master here. Take care of those thugs while we talk.”
“Curse it! I’m not your servant…….”
Yet Ma-o-ryang grumbled his way toward them anyway. These were clearly just local strongmen with a bit of pull—obvious from a mile away.
“Oh, and subdue them only.”
“Don’t kill them?”
“Right. They may yet serve as witnesses.”
“Witnesses to what?”
“Just do as I say.”
“Tch!”
Ma-o-ryang threw himself at the thugs. While he grappled with them, Geom U-bin spoke to Gil Sang-do. “It seems the Palgak-gyeong has brought unwanted trouble upon you.”
“I’ve kept it secret all these years, yet I’m at a loss now for what to do.”
“There’s an old saying: a man may be innocent, but possessing treasure is a sin. Perhaps it would be wise to surrender the Palgak-gyeong. What is any treasure, no matter how precious, weighed against a human life? And this burden falls not on you alone.”
“Then what am I to do?”
“Send it somewhere it can be safely entrusted. Somewhere worthy of such a relic.”
“You don’t mean……you yourself……?”
Geom U-bin shook his head.
“I’ve never had interest in such things. If I were to choose, I’d say the Shaolin Temple would be most suitable.”
The Shaolin Temple had the strength to protect the Palgak-gyeong without selfish motive.
“Hurry up and finish already.”
Geom U-bin clicked his tongue at Ma-o-ryang’s sluggish work. He’d thought them mere rabble, but they proved competent enough that subduing them took time.
“Curse it! If you’d let me kill them, I’d be done by now!”
Subduing was twice as difficult as killing. Impatient as a thirsty man digging a well, Geom U-bin finally stepped in himself.
Four of the six fell in an instant—Ma-o-ryang had already subdued two.
He’d only struck their pressure points, leaving them conscious to hear his exchange with Gil Sang-do.
“Master Gil, I strongly advise you to deliver the Palgak-gyeong to the Shaolin Temple at once. If you cannot even handle ruffians like these, the Palgak-gyeong will surely bring calamity upon you.”
It was all Geom U-bin could do for the man. He couldn’t play bodyguard to the Gilmyeong Estate forever.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
Geom U-bin turned to go, but Gil Sang-do called out.
“Wait, just a moment!”
He addressed Geom U-bin directly.
“Please, wait here.”
Gil Sang-do went inside and returned carrying a wooden chest containing the Palgak-gyeong.
“Why don’t you take it with you instead?”
“I……?”
“I may love treasures, but not enough to stake the lives of my family. Take it—do with it what you will. Keep it or deliver it to the Shaolin Temple, as you see fit.”
“No, thank you. I’ve no interest in the Palgak-gyeong. It would only be a burden to me…….”
Ma-o-ryang cut in.
“Then give it to me.”
Gil Sang-do’s gaze shifted to Ma-o-ryang.
“And who are you……?”
“Someone on intimate terms with the young master here…….”
“This is Shintu. I mentioned him earlier.”
“The man who stole my golden Buddha statue?”
Gil Sang-do looked between them both.
“Are you truly on such intimate terms with him?”
“He dogs my steps and pesters me relentlessly. I can’t very well kill him for it, so I suppose I’m forced to watch over him. Still, this is our first proper meeting. I wouldn’t call it intimate.”

Ma-o-ryang cleared his throat before speaking.
“Ahem! They say even brushing sleeves is fate, so surely between Lord and me in a past life…….”
“Enough! Every bit of this trouble happened because of you!”
At Gil Sang-do’s words, Ma-o-ryang’s expression faltered.
“Well…… that’s true enough, but if I’d known Lord had the Palgak-gyeong, I would’ve stolen that instead of the Geum Buddha Statue.”
“And you expect me to hand the Palgak-gyeong over to someone like you?”
“It’d be a hundred times better than watching you and your household die.”
Gil Sang-do thrust the Palgak-gyeong into Geom U-bin’s arms.
“You take this with you.”
“Ah, no, I really…….”
Before she could protest, Gil Sang-do turned to the ruffians sprawled across the ground.
“You see? The Palgak-gyeong has passed to this young woman. Don’t come looking for trouble with me again.”
The ruffians could only roll their eyes; none dared speak.
“Now off with you! Quickly!”
Gil Sang-do issued the order to leave, clutching the Palgak-gyeong. At that moment, his daughter Gil Ye-in, who had been trembling, called out to Geom U-bin.
“Young master, wait a moment!”
Gil Ye-in blocked Geom U-bin’s path and spoke with a demure expression.
“Might I learn the honorable name of my benefactor?”
“My name? Why……?”
Gil Ye-in asked in a shy voice.
“If I’m to find you again, shouldn’t I at least know your name?”
Gil Sang-do’s wife rushed over and struck Gil Ye-in’s back relentlessly.
“Are you seriously trying to flirt at a time like this? You foolish girl!”
“Ow! Why are you hitting me!”
“When will you ever break that habit of throwing yourself at any handsome man you see?”
“There’s handsome and then there’s handsome! Do you know how rare it is to find a man this beautiful!”
“At least have the sense to choose the right time and place!”
“You’ve always said opportunities must be seized when they come! Wait, young master, where are you going? Mother, let go of me…… Ow!”
Geom U-bin slipped away from the commotion and hurried out of the estate.
“So the young master obtained the Palgak-gyeong after all. With mere words, no less. Some people certainly know how to live easy lives.”
The comment ended in grumbling. Ma-o-ryang had paid dearly for information from his sources, conducted preliminary reconnaissance, mapped out entry and exit routes, and then nervously executed a theft at precisely the right moment—yet Geom U-bin had obtained what he wanted with a few casual words.
As Ma-o-ryang pondered how unfair the world truly was, Geom U-bin spoke.
“It’s all a matter of emptying one’s mind.”
“Emptying your mind?”
“Whether I obtain the Palgak-gyeong this way or whether Lord Gil brings it to Shaolin Temple as I’ve suggested—either outcome suits me. You could say I’m content either way.”
“But you might not have obtained it at all.”
“I don’t need Hwa-ryong Seonin’s martial arts.”
“Is that lack of ambition? Or confidence in your own skill?”
“If I must choose one, I’d say the latter.”
Ma-o-ryang shook his head.
“In my judgment, that’s youthful recklessness.”
“Hwa-ryong Seonin may have been the Supreme Martial Master five hundred years ago, but martial arts have advanced tremendously in those five centuries. Isn’t it natural that the martial arts of today surpass those of then?”
Theoretically, his words held truth. Yet supremacy has always transcended common understanding, and without witnessing Hwa-ryong Seonin’s martial arts firsthand, there was no way to gauge their true measure.

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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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