Abolition of the Wicked - Chapter 34

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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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#034

Crack!
Gwak Bong’s head snapped forward as the blow landed, and she stumbled onto her knees.
“Why are you hitting me!”
She yelped in protest and caught another blow to the back of her head from Do Pyeong-su. For all her pride in being strong enough to face the Gangseо Samak alone, Hyeolpung Saja’s strikes were impossible to evade.
“What’s with the backtalk?”
“Because you’re hitting me for no reason!”
“No reason? Just look at the size of these logs—they’re all different.”
At Oseong Jang-won, room and board weren’t free; in exchange, Gwak Bong had been assigned the task of chopping firewood.
She wasn’t shameless enough to simply loaf about, so she’d done whatever work was given to her—and this was the thanks she got.
“How else am I supposed to cut logs? They can’t all be exactly the same size!”
But she had cut them. Eight pieces from a single swing of the axe, each one identical down to the measure of a hair.
“Besides, they’re just going to turn to ash anyway, so what does it matter if they’re—”
Crack!
“Do as you’re told, nothing more.”
As Do Pyeong-su walked away, Se-hwa drifted over to Gwak Bong, who stood there with a miserable expression—looking like an immortal fairy bringing comfort.
“Don’t rub the masters the wrong way right now.”
“Why not?”
“Because the Mistress left on a long journey alone. She must be terribly anxious, and if you provoke the masters now, there’s no telling what they might do to you.”
“Surely they wouldn’t actually kill me?”
“They might. Brutally, too. Limbs severed, tongue torn out—that sort of thing.”
Se-hwa left behind that chilling remark and drifted away with an awkward, ungainly gait that belied her beauty.
‘This is definitely not an ordinary household.’

***

From horseback, Geom U-bin caught a glimpse of a man in his early twenties—Kang Hak-pyo, who’d dropped the Hwamyeon Cho from his pocket that day. It was unfortunate that he’d ended up joining this caravan as a hired hand.
‘Should I warn the Pyodo?’
Hwamyeon Cho, when burned, produced smoke that induced deep sleep when inhaled. It was a costly medicinal herb, rare enough that even wealthy households often couldn’t procure it.
The fact that a mere hired hand possessed a considerable quantity was decidedly suspicious.
Yet it wasn’t enough to accuse Kang Hak-pyo of wrongdoing. After a decade of service at Seoyang Pyogo, he had earned considerable trust from everyone.
He could simply claim he used it privately for insomnia, and there would be no choice but to let it slide.
‘It’s possible, I suppose’—that thought occurred to him, but the odds were less than one in ten.
Three laden wagons moved slowly toward Anhui Province, their banners bearing the Seoyang Pyogo emblem fluttering front and rear with enough prestige to secure passage on many roads.
Of course, even Seoyang Pyogo couldn’t avoid bandits entirely. But the highwaymen they encountered were nothing like what Geom U-bin had vaguely imagined.
Three bandits blocked the caravan’s path, and an older man stepped forward.
One of the Pyosa explained to Geom U-bin.
“A negotiator. Someone with ties to the bandit gangs.”
Bandits didn’t simply attack caravans without reason.
To do so would only tighten security on future shipments, which wouldn’t serve the bandits’ interests either. Especially with large pyogos like Seoyang Pyogo, skilled masters rode alongside as guards—numbers alone wouldn’t help.
Bandits were human; they understood the value of their own lives.
Pyogos wanted to avoid losing Pyosa and hired hands to bloodshed, just as bandits wanted to avoid needless casualties. So both sides stepped back—a method called the Tonghang-se, the passage tax.
With a modest sum, the goods could be transported safely, which pleased the pyogo; the bandits could earn without spilling blood, which pleased them as well.
The negotiator spoke briefly with the bandits, then received a pouch from the Pyodo and handed it over.
Once the bandits confirmed the amount, they even offered a salute before vanishing. Despite having encountered highwaymen, the caravan continued on its way as if nothing had happened.
For Geom U-bin, it was all a novel experience.
The night passed without incident. They’d lodged at an inn in a place called Seobang County.
The caravan left the city and entered a stretch where fields spread on either side. Geom U-bin, who’d fallen behind, quickened his horse’s pace to catch up with the Pyodo, O Sang-jun.
O Sang-jun spoke first upon seeing him.
“We should reach the Namgung Family Estate by tomorrow afternoon.”
“Then we’re camping tonight?”
“Yes. There’s nowhere suitable to lodge along the way. But how did you know that?”
O Sang-jun had been consistently respectful toward Geom U-bin.
In Hangju, the name So Ju-seon occupied a position far higher than Geom U-bin had imagined.
“I guessed at the route and made an educated estimate.”
“I’ve had plenty of experience with field camps, so it shouldn’t be too uncomfortable.”
“Master Noh, have you ever tasted Sagi Liquor before?”
O Sang-jun’s Adam’s apple bobbed sharply at the mere mention of Sagi Liquor.
“Yes. I’ve had just half a cup, truth be told. On my monthly wage, it’s far too expensive a drink to afford.”
“I have a small amount of Sagi Liquor that I own personally, not from the company stores. I’d love to treat everyone, but since there isn’t much, I’m afraid I can only offer it to you, Master Noh Dong-sang, and Master Seong Ju-myeong—just the three of you.”
Noh Dong-sang and Seong Ju-myeong were two of the six Pyodo of Seoyang Pyogo.
Typically one Pyodo accompanied each Pyohang, but this expedition carried such valuable cargo that three Pyodo had been sent out.
“I hope offering wine during a Pyohang isn’t improper.”
Geom U-bin stepped back slightly, and O Sang-jun eagerly seized the opening.
“Not at all. A cup or two after the day’s work and before sleep is perfectly fine.”
Once the conversation ended, Geom U-bin, who had withdrawn to the rear, watched Kang Hak-pyo closely.
‘His face is full of unease, and he’s more concerned with what’s happening inside than without.’
Suspicion had hardened into certainty. As Noh Dong-sang passed by Geom U-bin’s side, he whispered.
“I could handle three cups myself.”
It was a playful hint for a larger share of the Sagi Liquor.
When Geom U-bin nodded reassuringly, Noh Dong-sang’s face brightened.
As the sun began its descent, preparations for the evening camp commenced on the mountainside. The basin shape sheltered them from the wind, and the flat ground was ideal for making bedding.
The Pyosa and Jaengjasu, seasoned in field camps, moved busily preparing meals and firewood.
Geom U-bin had nothing to do. The moment he bent to gather a few twigs, the Pyosa and Jaengjasu stopped him firmly.
“Please, just rest, Master.”
“If dirt gets on Master’s hands, we’ll catch hell for it.”
Geom U-bin himself couldn’t fathom why he was being treated this way.
When all the work was done, four people gathered in one place—atop a broad rock in the forest, far from the sight of the others.
“Don’t you feel bad drinking just among ourselves?”
Seong Ju-myeong’s remark drew a response from Noh Dong-sang.
“Then go sleep if you’re so troubled.”
“Ha ha ha! My palate always triumphs over my conscience.”
Geom U-bin drew four small bottles from his robe—so small that each held no more than two cups.
“We’re on a Pyohang, so we mustn’t overindulge, yes?”
“Of course. This amount is perfect.”
Geom U-bin did not drink. He had already consumed the antidote to Hwamyeon Cho.
The Sagi Liquor with the antidote would taste slightly different, yet the three Pyodo continued to exclaim in delight nonetheless.
Though they drank sparingly, the quantity was so meager that the drinking session didn’t last long.
“When we return to Hangju, I’ll treat you properly.”
“Is that so?”
“What, would a Sagi Liquor distillery possibly lack Sagi Liquor?”
Geom U-bin thus soothed the three Pyodo’s lingering disappointment. Most of the Pyosa and Jaengjasu had already retired to their bedding.
Geom U-bin too settled into his comfortable sleeping roll and waited for the incident to occur. If nothing happened tonight, then what Kang Hak-pyo was after must be something the Namgung Family actually possessed.
Fortunately (or perhaps not), he didn’t have to wait long.
Though the movements were careful, rustling sounds reached his ears.
Then came the smell of burning Hwamyeon Cho tickling his nostrils.
With little wind in the basin, the smoke was drawn into the nostrils of everyone sleeping there.
Just as Geom U-bin had predicted, a quarter hour later Kang Hak-pyo slipped from his bedding. Unlike when he had added the Hwamyeon Cho to the fire, there was no trace of caution now.
Soon new presences stirred in the forest.
Even with his eyes closed, he could sense there were four of them.
“You handled that well.”
By his voice, he was a middle-aged man. Kang Hak-pyo’s voice followed.
“Give me the money you promised.”
“Gambling addict selling out your brothers. Your life’s a real mess.”
“The caravan loses money—how am I betraying anyone?”
“The caravan loses coin, and they lose their lives.”
“What are you saying? You’re not going to kill the Pyosa and Jaengjasu, are you?”
“Do you know why we’re called the Muryeong Sajan? We leave no evidence, no traces—that’s the shadowless part. The final stroke is…….”
A dull thud, followed by Kang Hak-pyo’s low groan.
“Wait—the promise…….”
“Because we show the very pinnacle of cruelty.”
The sound of Kang Hak-pyo collapsing followed.
“Been a while since we got to cut a sleeping man’s throat.”
“The night dew waits for no one—let’s be quick.”
Geom U-bin could no longer pretend to be asleep.
“It’s too noisy. I can’t sleep.”
Noh Dae-bang, one of the Muryeong Sajan members who had been about to plunge his blade into the Pyosa’s chest, started in alarm. He had never seen a human who remained awake under the Hwamyeon Cho.
“How… how are you awake?”
“You were making so much noise—did you expect me not to wake?”
This time, voices came from another direction. The three Pyodo had emerged from their sleeping blankets as well.
“This can’t be happening.”
Seong Ju-myeong bellowed at the Pyosa and Jaengjasu who were still asleep.
“You dogs! Get up! Are you all deaf?”
Geom U-bin spoke.
“Those people inhaled something called Hwamyeon Cho and passed out cold.”
The three Pyodo had already found it strange that only they had awakened.
“Hwamyeon Cho?”
Geom U-bin pointed to Kang Hak-pyo, who had been killed by a blade, and explained the entire situation from beginning to end.
“So Hak-pyo was in league with those Muryeong Sajan members and put us to sleep? And the reason we didn’t fall asleep was because the Sagi Liquor you gave us contained an antidote?”
“Yes. That’s why the Sagi Liquor didn’t have its full flavor today. The Sagi Liquor we drink when we return to Hangju will taste better than today’s.”
“Today’s Sagi Liquor was outstanding, though… no, that’s not the issue right now.”
The three Pyodo’s gazes turned toward the Muryeong Sajan.
“So you’re the Muryeong Sajan whose infamy is so widespread.”
The Muryeong Sajan were infamous for their ability to erase all traces of their crimes cleanly, their cruelty, and their martial prowess.
Unlike how masters of high martial skill became famous through that alone, the Muryeong Sajan had grown even more notorious precisely because their martial arts were unremarkable despite their widespread reputation for misdeeds.
The fact that men who were not masters had committed so many crimes and run rampant for a decade proved how meticulous they were.
But now, exposed by Geom U-bin, who had only recently entered the Murim, their time had come.
“Shall we see just how unremarkable the Muryeong Sajan’s martial arts really are?”
The Muryeong Sajan drew their blades in unison.
“We may not be masters, but we’re not the type to be pushed around by mere Pyodo. And in numbers, we have the advantage.”
Geom U-bin spoke.
“Your criminal intellect is sharp, but your arithmetic is hopeless. It’s four against four.”
The Muryeong Sajan burst into laughter together.
“You think a mere boy without even a whisker on his upper lip can stand with us?”
Geom U-bin smiled at Jang So-il, the middle-aged man with the mustache who had spoken.
“Then you and I should be well matched.”
“Arrogant wretch!”
Jang So-il rushed at Geom U-bin without hesitation.
He had seized the opportunity to claim the seemingly easiest target, Geom U-bin, without missing a beat.
He hadn’t even drawn a weapon.
Naturally, the remaining three descended into combat with the three Pyodo.
Jang So-il swung his blade at Geom U-bin’s throat as though determined to kill him in a single breath.
The momentum alone was telling, but when Geom U-bin saw the blade’s trajectory, he was certain.
‘Weak.’
Strength and weakness were ultimately subjective judgments, but Jang So-il was no match for Geom U-bin.
Geom U-bin spent a while evading the blade Jang So-il swung, observing the three Pyodo’s fight.
Though the Muryeong Sajan’s martial arts were not particularly strong, the three Pyodo pressing forward with such ease demonstrated that they possessed genuine skill as a foundation.
As his first true bout, he would have liked to fight longer, but Jang So-il was far too weak an opponent.
Geom U-bin drew his blade across his own head and, taking a large step forward, struck Jang So-il’s chest with an open palm.

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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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