Abolition of the Wicked - Chapter 55

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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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#055

Gwak Bong startled. “That man is the Patriarch of Jincheon Ilinfact?”
“That man is the Patriarch of Jincheon Ilinfact?”
Gong Seong-tak thrust his arms across his chest with unmistakable pride.
“Did Geom tell you about me? Then this should be easy. So who is Geom’s master?”
“What brings you here?” Seo Seok-san asked.
Seo Seok-san asked.
“We’ll have a sparring match, and whoever wins becomes Geom’s master. Doesn’t that work? A stronger master is better for Geom, isn’t it?”
“What?”
Gwak Bong burst out laughing, a short, incredulous sound.
“Is… is this generation’s Patriarch of Jincheon Ilinfact… an idiot? How could anyone think like that?”
“You! How dare you speak so disrespectfully—”
“No, exactly! What sane person proposes sparring with a master to steal away their disciple?”
“It’s still better than learning weak martial arts!”
“Weak? Whose martial arts are weak?”
Gwak Bong’s voice shot up, sharp as a blade.
No matter how foolish someone was, no matter how ignorant of the world—you didn’t speak like that to people like these.
“Fine, I grant you that Jincheon Ilinfact’s martial arts are impressive. So tell me—did this generation’s Patriarch master the Jincheon Leigak to grand mastery?”
When Gong Seong-tak’s face went pale and he couldn’t answer, Gwak Bong nodded as if she’d expected exactly this.
“Everyone in the Murim knows that Jincheon Leigak is nearly impossible to master. And beyond that, even if you did master it, you still couldn’t become his master.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re no one to presume! The Lord’s master is—”
A blow to the back of Gwak Bong’s head cut her off mid-sentence.
“His master passed away long ago,” Seo Seok-san said quietly.
“What? Geom’s master is dead? Then I can take him on as my disciple without any problem! Right?”
“I can’t believe I’ve been listening to this nonsense,” Do Pyeong-su muttered.
Do Pyeong-su stepped forward.
“Stop talking about being anyone’s master. Leave. Now.”
“No. I’ll tear this entire estate apart if I have to, but I’m taking Geom as my disciple.”
“This is…”
Do Pyeong-su’s playful expression hardened as he fixed his gaze on Gong Seong-tak.
“I let you roam around thinking you might be useful to my senior brother. But the Patriarch of Jincheon Ilinfact shows his true colors—presuming far beyond his station.”
Gong Seong-tak took a step back.
Do Pyeong-su’s presence bore down with the weight of a steel wall—an immense, crushing pressure.
An absolute master.
Gong Seong-tak lowered his stance and adopted a careful martial posture.
His instincts told him exactly how formidable the man before him was. But he couldn’t retreat now.
It had to be Geom U-bin.
Only Geom U-bin could grasp and master the secret essence of Jincheon Leigak within five years—perhaps even three.
To think of his dream, something he’d yearned for but never pursued because he was too busy training, something he’d forgone for twenty years while playing the role of master… it was unbearable.
“What’s going on here?” A voice cut through suddenly.
At the sound, the pressure bearing down on Gong Seong-tak vanished like mist. Geom U-bin had emerged from behind the Bloodwind Four Lions, and Gong Seong-tak was the first to greet him.
“Geom!”
His face brightened like a master reunited with his long-lost disciple. The sight drew a long sigh from Geom U-bin.
“You’re remarkably persistent.”
“It’s a trait of our Jincheon Ilinfact. Subtlety, perseverance, and passion.”
Do Pyeong-su said it flatly.
“Senior brother, I’ll handle this. Please don’t trouble yourself further. Focus on your training.”
“No, unnecessary conflict is best avoided.”
Though those were Geom U-bin’s words, he too found himself at a loss for how to dispose of Gong Seong-tak, who clung like a burr.
After a moment’s thought, Geom U-bin spoke.
“Sir, don’t you feel something being here?”
“Impressive,” Gong Seong-tak breathed.
“And?”
Gong Seong-tak’s eyes swept across everyone in the courtyard before he whispered something under his breath.
“A place where they make spirits, you said? Why are there so many masters here?”
“That’s right.”
Geom U-bin exhaled a long sigh before asking.
“Is there anyone weaker than you, sir?”
Gong Seong-tak’s finger pointed at Gwak Bong without the slightest hesitation. Gwak Bong’s expression twisted, but she didn’t argue.
“Again?”
Her trembling finger curled inward.
She seemed a straightforward, simple sort—rough around the edges but fundamentally good-hearted. Yet pride flickered across her face as she thrust out her lower lip.
“But I’m confident I won’t lose!”
“Sigh…”
Geom U-bin let out another exasperated breath. This man truly couldn’t take a hint.
“Just suppose you beat everyone here. Would you really think I’d become your disciple if there were four people stronger than me?”
Only then did something click. Gong Seong-tak’s face crumpled as understanding dawned.
“But… if you don’t become my disciple, what am I supposed to do? You’re my only hope.”
Geom U-bin was about to respond when someone appeared through the open doorway.
“Excuse me…”
Ha Seok-mun, who had been speaking carefully, brightened the moment he saw Geom U-bin.
“U-bin!”
“Chief Administrator Ha, what brings you here?”
“Remember that matter you asked me to look into last time? I came because of that…”
Ha Seok-mun continued as he glanced around the estate.
“I’d only heard about it before, but seeing it now—it really is impressive!”
It seemed best to handle Ha Seok-mun’s business first.
“Please wait here for a moment, sir.”
Geom U-bin left strict instructions that there was to be absolutely no fighting, then led Ha Seok-mun to the reception room.
“You’re asking about delivering Saegiuju to Wol-ha Giroo?”
“It won’t be easy, I’m afraid.”
“Why? Is it a matter of price?”
“No. Saegiuju sells no matter how expensive it is. The problem isn’t the price—it’s the Hwang Jo-gil Clan. They own Wol-ha Giroo. Word is they’ve already intimidated most of the pavilions and inns throughout Hangju, warning them that anyone who takes in Saegiuju should be prepared to make an enemy of them.”
“What? The Hwang Jo-gil Clan’s threats actually work?”
“That’s the thing.”
Ha Seok-mun spoke with evident discomfort.
“The previous lord was so unpretentious and quiet about his business that you wouldn’t have noticed, but the Hwang Jo-gil Clan wields enough power to control Hangju’s commerce entirely. There’s even a saying that you can’t pass through Hangju without treading on their ground.”
According to Ha Seok-mun, the Hwang Jo-gil Clan didn’t merely run Wol-ha Giroo—they operated numerous enterprises of remarkable quality, supplying tea, silk, grain, and salt to the Imperial Palace itself, along with many other ventures.
“The previous lord ran Wol-ha Giroo as a space for entertaining guests, but the current lord, Hwang Jo-gil, has different ideas. He squeezes every last coin and profits from it ruthlessly.”
“Yes, the rumors aren’t favorable. In any case, we’ll be halting deliveries to Wol-ha Giroo.”
“What will you do instead?”
“A new outlet will open soon.”
Now wasn’t the time to mention that Se-hwa was reopening Hang-ho Giroo. Of course, he’d learn of it eventually.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.”
“Not at all. I’ll be in touch soon.”
When Geom U-bin returned to the courtyard, Hyeolpung Saja and Gong Seong-tak were still standing there.
But the atmosphere had shifted oddly.
Contrary to Geom U-bin’s concern that they simply not come to blows, there seemed to be an unexpected intimacy between them now.
Once Ha Seok-mun had left and Geom U-bin came back in, Gong Seong-tak spoke.
“I won’t ask you to become my disciple again.”
With only those words, Gong Seong-tak vanished.
“What just happened?”
Do Pyeong-su grinned and spoke.
“Turns out he’s someone you can actually reason with.”

***

The news that Saegiuju deliveries would cease was naturally met with displeasure. But since no formal contract had been drawn up, Wol-ha Giroo had no means to compel further deliveries.
On the way back, Geom U-bin stopped by Hang-ho Giroo.
“No! Leave that area empty! That’s where we’ll hang the decorations later! Sir! The partition goes there, not there—I already told you!”
Se-hwa was rushed off her feet, darting about the interior overseeing the construction work.
“How many times do I have to explain this?”
Her expression had been taut with frustration, but the moment she spotted Geom U-bin in the doorway, her face broke into a radiant smile.
“Master!”
Dust scattered in all directions as Se-hwa ran toward him, her skirts trailing behind her.
“What brings you into the city today?”
“I’ve cut off our supply of Saegiuju to the Wol-ha Giroo.”
“Really? Then we have a monopoly now? Should we change the pavilion’s name altogether?”
“Change it to what?”
“The Oseong Pavilion. Ah, but wouldn’t that bring shame to the names of Lord Geom and Master Yeon?”
“I don’t mind.”
Se-hwa took hold of Geom U-bin’s arm and turned her charm on him.
“Would you speak kindly to them on my behalf? I really want to use the name Oseong Pavilion.”
“Consider it done.”
Geom U-bin answered readily when a sudden crash echoed from across the way.
“Oh no! Sir! The Fairy Statue—what will we do if it breaks!”
The colorfully painted Fairy Statue lay in fragments on the ground.
“You shouldn’t have left it where it got in the way.”
“Excuse me?”
Se-hwa’s expression hardened at the man’s impudent retort.
“Having a woman oversee things is the problem. She doesn’t know where anything should go. Her voice is shrill and grating—it’s distracting. Let me take over as supervisor. I’ll get the work done faster and better than she could. Of course, it’ll cost you more. Or perhaps we could settle it another way. Hehehehe….”
Eight workers gathered nearby erupted in raucous laughter at the rough-featured carpenter’s words.
“Are you mocking me for being a woman?”
“Mocking? It’s the truth, nothing more. Just hire me as supervisor instead, miss. I’ll work faster and more reliably than you. Though it will cost extra. Or you could pay in other ways. Hehehehe….”
Se-hwa kicked at the shattered remains of the statue. A few fragments struck the carpenter’s foot.
“This Fairy Statue was worth three silver coins. What a shame. After deducting everything you’ve earned so far, you still owe two coins and two hundred copper pieces.”
“What? This cheap trinket costs three coins?”
It was actually worth six hundred copper.
“Wait—are you seriously charging me for the statue? Have you lost your mind?”
“No—the one who’s lost their mind is the one who strikes the hand that pays them.”
“You? Did you start this hoping I’d rough you up today?”
The carpenter’s massive hand—as large as a cauldron lid—flew toward Se-hwa’s cheek.
Se-hwa caught his wrist lightly. Neither the carpenter nor the workers standing nearby watching for sport had expected her to be able to intercept his blow.
“This woman…! What? What is this?”
The arm gripped in Se-hwa’s hand wouldn’t move an inch.
He tried to wrench his body backward, but no amount of force could break free.
“L-let go!”
The carpenter threw his free left hand at her.
For such a delicate-looking girl to be able to immobilize him was the ultimate humiliation.
Se-hwa brushed aside the incoming fist with her palm.
Light as it was to her, the impact sent a bone-jarring shock through the carpenter.
“Ugh!”
A short gasp gave way to a long one, which soon turned into a shriek as Se-hwa’s fingers bore deeper into his wrist.
“P-please… let… go….”
“What was that?”
His legs trembled uncontrollably as the strength drained from his knees.
Se-hwa kicked at his ankle, sending the carpenter spinning sideways before he crashed hard onto the ground.
The impact sent up a thick cloud of dust, but Se-hwa didn’t blink once.
The carpenter, clutching his wrist and shaking, wasn’t worth another moment’s attention.
She swept her gaze across the gathered workers and spoke.
“Is there anyone else here who’d like to mock a woman?”
“N-no, not at all!”
The men hastily denied it, averting their eyes from her steady stare.
“People learn the hard way—pain teaches what words cannot.”
Se-hwa brushed off her hands and scurried back to Geom U-bin.
“I’m so sorry. Did I embarrass you in front of the Lord?”
“That was entertaining.”
Geom U-bin, leaving her with a parting jab to work harder, turned toward the Estate. As he passed through a quiet forest, a voice suddenly rang inside his mind.
—The meridians flow toward the blood vessels, and the blood channels flow as Qi. From the Baihui point to the Yongquan point, there is no blockage. Thus flows the practice of Jincheon Leigak.
Geom U-bin stopped in his tracks and surveyed his surroundings while the mantra of Jincheon Leigak continued to bore into his thoughts.
“What are you doing?”
Though he couldn’t see a figure, he could tell the direction, so he shouted toward where a large rock stood. But Gong Seong-tak didn’t stop the telepathic transmission until he had finished reciting one complete section of the mantra.
Once he had finished the entire passage, Gong Seong-tak emerged with an artlessly innocent smile.
“Well? Can you understand it?”
“You said you had no intention of becoming my disciple!”
“I’m not forcing you to become my disciple. It would be nice if you did, but if you don’t, there’s nothing to be done about it.”
“Then why are you teaching me the Internal Energy Mantra?”
“So you can master the Jincheon Leigak.”
“But you just said you weren’t taking me as a disciple.”
“You don’t need a formal discipleship ceremony to learn martial arts, do you?”
“What do you mean?”
“I was trying to tempt you with the power of the Jincheon Leigak, but after visiting the estate, I realized that approach was misguided. So I’ve abandoned the idea of becoming your master. However, surely we can’t allow the Jincheon Leigak of our Jincheon Ilinfact to be lost to history, can we?”
“But what does that have to do with you transmitting martial arts to me?”
“A genius like you could penetrate the Secret Essence of the Jincheon Leigak within three years, five at the latest. Reaching Grand Mastery would require far longer training, but you don’t necessarily need to achieve that yourself. Find someone suitable and carry on the Jincheon Ilinfact’s lineage through them. That’s all I ask.”

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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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