Abolition of the Wicked - Chapter 80

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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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#Episode 080

“Se-hwa! Oh! Has the Lord arrived?”
“You’re working hard.”
“Hard work? It’s enjoyable.”
“What’s the matter?”
Gwak Bong had labored long guarding the Oseong Pavilion construction site, so Se-hwa’s manner had grown considerably warmer toward her.
“Se-hwa, have you heard anything about Ogiju?”
“Ogiju? Not Sagiju?”
“The Wol-ha Giroo has been selling it for two days now, and there’s talk that it tastes exactly like Sagiju.”
Se-hwa’s expression made clear her disbelief.
“Impossible. There’s no spirit in the world that tastes anything like Sagiju except Sagiju itself.”
“I thought the same, but those who’ve tasted this Ogiju say the flavor is truly identical.”
Even a rumor without foundation becomes truth given enough time and circulation.
“Can you get some of this Ogiju?”

***

Hyeolpung Saja rolled a sip of the Ogiju that Geom U-bin had brought around on his tongue.
Two of them spat it out; two swallowed it down.
“It tastes nothing like my Hwagok-ju. Tasteless,” Jang Man-dok, who had spat alongside Do Pyeong-su, nodded in agreement.
But Seo Seok-san, who had swallowed, thought otherwise.
“It’s inferior to my Pungryuji, but to those with a dull palate, it would be indistinguishable from Sagiju. As for these unimaginative fools—what kind of name is Ogiju? If you’re going to counterfeit the taste, at least be original with the name.”
Yeon Geum-hong shared Seo Seok-san’s view.
“About nine parts out of ten, it’s similar. This much is enough to captivate people. Remarkable. What spirit craftsman managed to replicate our Sagiju so faithfully?”
It would likely come from the Wol-ha Giroo, so discovering the truth shouldn’t prove difficult.
“How dare they steal from us. They deserve to die.”
Do Pyeong-su muttered, then turned to Geom U-bin.
“They’ve stolen the secret of Sagiju—that’s a capital crime, isn’t it?”
Geom U-bin, who had been thinking intently, spoke at last.
“Master Do, was your Hwagok-ju secret stolen?”
“Not exactly my secret, but—”
“What about Master Yeon? Master Seo? Master Jang—you’ve lost nothing, have you? None of you has had your secret stolen. Someone simply studied Sagiju and created something with a similar flavor, that’s all.”
Do Pyeong-su shifted uncomfortably. “Still, it’s infuriating.”
Geom U-bin nodded. “Infuriating, yes—but not a capital crime. In truth, Sagiju itself was once someone’s creation long ago, and yet no one accuses the masters of theft for imitating it.”
Yeon Geum-hong asked, “So you’re saying we should overlook this imitation of our Sagiju as mere skill?”
“What crime could you actually charge the maker of Ogiju with?”
Do Pyeong-su pondered the question for some time before answering. “The crime of offending us!”
“They’ve provoked Hyeolpung Saja’s anger—in the old days, they’d be dead. But the masters now aren’t the masters of old.”
“So there’s no crime to speak of?”
“About nine parts are similar, but the remaining one part differs. Those with a refined palate will seek out Sagiju.”
In the end, Hyeolpung Saja could do nothing despite their Sagiju being replicated.
With Geom U-bin gone, only four remained.
“Times like these make me miss the old days. Someone offended us, we killed them. Much simpler.”
Do Pyeong-su’s words hung heavy. Yeon Geum-hong poured spirit into her cup.
“Does the Ogiju go down your throat?”
“It’s drinkable enough. But whoever made this fake pursued nine parts of the true flavor—they just couldn’t cross that final wall. That’s the counterfeit’s limit.”
Yeon Geum-hong continued after swallowing. “Still, one part short leaves something wanting, doesn’t it?”
“Sorely wanting. Even similarity leaves a bitter taste.”
“What if we raised that insurmountable wall to about five parts instead?”
Do Pyeong-su looked at her, bewildered.

“How?”
“By creating a new liquor. Do you remember what Master taught us back then?”
“Master wasn’t one for idle chatter, but she did say quite a lot to us. How are you supposed to remember all of it?”
“Idiot, you only need to remember what she said about liquor.”
“Who are you calling an idiot!”
Seo Seok-san intervened between the bristling Do Pyeong-su and Yeon Geum-hong, speaking with measured calm.
“You mean that saying—if we pool our efforts on liquor, we could craft something tastier than Sagiju?”
“Exactly. That’s why we researched together for days. The results weren’t great, though.”
Disagreement was the natural result, and back then the Bloodwind Four Lions had clashed far more fiercely with one another.
After Yeon Geum-hong broke her ribs, Seo Seok-san’s nose shattered, Do Pyeong-su lost a tooth, and Jang Man-dok’s arm snapped—a genuine catastrophe—the collaborative liquor-making effort went nowhere.
“You want to try that again?”
“Just now you yourself said we’re different from who we were back then.”
“True, we’ve changed a lot, but…”
Seo Seok-san looked around at the three of them.
“Can we actually create a new liquor without fighting like we did then?”
None of the Bloodwind Four Lions could answer with certainty.
“We have to try. Besides, we did discover something possible back then, didn’t we?”
Do Pyeong-su picked up where Yeon Geum-hong left off.
“My memory’s different. I thought the last thing we said was that the finest liquor comes from a base of Yeogeum-ju?”
“That’s because it was true.”
“True my foot! You wouldn’t even try experimenting with my Hwagok-ju!”
Screech!
Seo Seok-san dragged his fingernails across the table in the pavilion, producing a sound that made teeth clench involuntarily. The noise cut short the brewing argument between Yeon Geum-hong and Do Pyeong-su.
“This time, let’s each set aside our pride. This isn’t about individual egos—it’s the pride of all the Bloodwind Four Lions at stake. If we can’t create a liquor that definitively outshines Ogiju, then we lose. Agreed?”
They had no choice but to accept Seo Seok-san’s words.
“If we can just make something several times more delicious than Ogiju, I don’t care whose liquor forms the base.”
The Bloodwind Four Lions exchanged glances, then Yeon Geum-hong drew another line beside the one Seo Seok-san had made.
Her intention was clear, so the other two added their own lines as well. Once again, the decision would be made by drawing lots.

***

Jo Ja-myeong stared blankly at the fifty taels of silver on the table before turning his gaze to Kang Chan-sik.
“What is this?”
“Your brother’s medical expenses. You need it, don’t you?”
The sunken eyes, dark complexion, and unkempt beard spoke volumes about Jo Ja-myeong’s current life.
At thirty-seven, he looked a decade older.
“What do you want in return?”
“Your head. Not your life—use that sharp mind of yours for me.”
“You’re asking me to become your subordinate.”
Jo Ja-myeong rose unsteadily, catching the table to steady himself.
“I’ve already left the Triad, and I have no desire to return.”
“Why not?”
“So they can cut off my other leg?”
“You think one leg is worth fifty taels? Six years ago, you lost that leg because you were shaking down Do Tae-su for his money to pay for your brother’s treatment. This time, no shakedown needed—I’ll give it upfront. Food and livelihood for your whole family too.”
Fifty taels were desperately needed by Jo Ja-myeong, but his hesitation stemmed from his brother, as did his refusal.
“I promised my brother I’d never do anything wrong again. So I won’t become part of the Triad.”
“That’s exactly what I want! No more wrongdoing!”
Jo Ja-myeong’s expression turned bewildered.
“The Triad, yes—but a good one! And that’s why I need your head.”
“Does that make any sense?”
“If it made sense, would I call you in and hand over fifty taels? No matter how I think about it, it makes no sense. That’s why I’m calling on you—can your sharp mind find a way? Got any good ideas?”
Jo Ja-myeong studied Kang Chan-sik for a long moment, then asked.
“You really want to build a Triad that does no wrong?”
“I do.”
“Why?”
“For various reasons… but mostly, I want to try living a better life.”
Sincerity shone from Kang Chan-sik’s flushed face. Jo Ja-myeong reached out and took the fifty taels from the table.
“I’ll start work tomorrow.”

***

Hwang Seo-min, the manager of Wol-ha Giroo, wondered if he’d misheard Wang Do-bong.
“What did you just say?”
“Protection money is going up to two hundred taels of silver per month.”
He’d heard correctly.
“I’ve heard that after the Heuksahoe stirred things up, Lord Kang seized control. Allow me to offer my congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
“Is the sum of two hundred taels per month Lord Kang’s decision?”
“Every decision made by the Oseong Society flows from our Society Leader’s will.”
Hwang Seo-min nodded.
“You’ve made a preposterous decision. No matter how much Wol-ha Giroo may be called the finest establishment in Hangju, don’t you think two hundred taels in protection money is exorbitant?”
“If you’re asking what I think, I don’t think. The Society Leader does the thinking—I simply deliver the message. The payment is due in ten days, yes? I’ll return in ten days.”
Hwang Seo-min called out as Wang Do-bong rose to leave.
“And what happens if we don’t pay? Will the Oseong Society come down on us in force?”
“As I’ve said, I don’t think about such things. So I have nothing to tell you.”
“I hear that other establishments—tea houses, inns, taverns—all had their protection money reduced by thirty percent. Why is Wol-ha Giroo alone facing a twentyfold increase?”
“I…”
“Ah! I’ve asked a pointless question of a man without thoughts. Never mind.”
The moment Wang Do-bong left, Hwang Seo-min’s fist came crashing down on the table.
“These fools are thoroughly mad!”
If it were just an ordinary establishment, the Heuksahoe could push it around easily. But Wol-ha Giroo had the Cho-Hwang family behind it. The Oseong Society couldn’t be ignorant of that, yet they dared make a move on Wol-ha Giroo anyway!
Either they had something to rely on, or Kang Chan-sik was the most foolish man alive.
“The Oseong Society. What connection could they possibly have with Oseong Jang-won?”
Muttering to himself, Hwang Seo-min shook his head. Given the reputation of Oseong Jang-won, it was unthinkable that they’d be involved with a triad.
“Someone needs to teach them the truth—excessive greed brings calamity.”

***

The thought ‘I should have just finished it then’ arose naturally enough, but only because Yeon Geum-hong had won in the end.
If she’d said she wouldn’t make it, that would be one thing—but once she’d committed to the task, there was no room for shortcuts. The Bloodwind Four Lions tasted each ingredient that would go into their respective brews with meticulous care, seriously appraising one another’s secret methods.
―I want to taste the finest liquor you can create.
Because of their stubborn foolishness, that wish of Hwa-juk San’s would never be granted.
Yet incomplete was better than undone. Though Hwa-juk San was dead, his spiritual successor, Geom U-bin, stood by their side.
“I must show my brother the finest taste of liquor.”
A new goal had been added to their original objective—crafting a liquor twice as exquisite as Ogiju—and so the Bloodwind Four Lions’ dedication grew fiercer than ever.
Watching the Bloodwind Four Lions labor without sleep for three days straight in the Brewery, Geom U-bin began to grow uneasy.
As Geom U-bin paced outside, Seo Seok-san emerged looking haggard.
“What are you doing here?”
“Are the masters all right?”
“Staying awake for three days is nothing. Just wait a little longer. Soon I’ll let you taste liquor far superior to Sagiju.”
“That sounds like it’ll take another three years.”
“Three years? Don’t you trust us?”
“Your masters’ confidence won’t slow the aging of my years, now will it?”
“Ah, that’s true. Still, you can taste a sample. Have faith.”
Seo Seok-san hurried toward the Blacksmith Shop nestled deep within the back garden of the estate.
“Master Gong! Master Gong!”
Gong Seong-tak, who had been honing the edge of a sickle, greeted Seo Seok-san warmly.
“It’s been too long. How goes the new liquor?”
“That’s what I’ve come about—can you craft an iron vessel for me? Five chi on each side, and it mustn’t melt even in a furnace. The lid must seal perfectly.”
Gong Seong-tak nodded, paused to think, then nodded again.
“I believe I can manage it, though I’m curious—what use could such a strange object possibly have?”
“Liquor production, of course. I need it in three days, so I’m counting on you.”
Gong Seong-tak meant to say that three days would be difficult.
But by the time he’d nodded in acknowledgment, Seo Seok-san had already vanished.
“Now I’ll be the one working myself to exhaustion.”

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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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