Karmic Retribution (10)
Minssi barked an order at her servants.
"Beat these bastards black and blue and throw them out!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Soon the servants grabbed their clubs and began pummeling Ma Jeong and his nephews with wild abandon.
Having witnessed their mistress's humiliation up close, the servants put their full fury into every swing.
"Argh!"
"Ugh!"
"We'll leave! Just let us go!"
They scrambled out of Minssi's house to escape the beating.
"Grr... I won't forget this... Achoo!"
Ma Jeong growled furiously at his nephews.
"Let's try that house over there."
"Yes."
Blind to their own misdeeds, they seethed only over Minssi's rejection.
Ma Jeong soon arrived at another house and knocked on the door.
"Ahem, anyone home?"
"Who is it?"
A moment later, the door opened, and a man stepped out.
"We're moving in here starting today, so get out."
"Pardon?"
"I said get out."
"Did you leave the clan lord's estate just to squat in this shack?"
"Ahem, circumstances."
The homeowner eyed Ma Jeong's group.
They looked like drowned rats, clothes singed and covered in bruises from some recent thrashing.
He recalled a certain handsome young man who had visited earlier that day, saying Ma Jeong was now penniless, his guards gone—no need to grovel anymore.
He hadn't quite believed it then.
But seeing them like this, at his own door? It had to be true.
"Hold on a moment."
The man went inside, fetched a bucket of water, and hurled it straight at Ma Jeong's group.
"Gah!"
"Glub glub!"
"What the hell? Get lost!"
Bam!
The door slammed shut amid roars of anger.
"......"
Ma Jeong ground his teeth.
"Just you wait! I won't forget this humiliation!"
"Um, maybe we should head back to the annex now."
"Yeah, let's go."
His nephews tried to dissuade him gently, but Ma Jeong's pride flared.
"No! I have my dignity! I can't give up like this! Let's try that house!"
But they never should have gone to the house next door.
It belonged to the family of Ma Jeong's third wife.
"Anyone home?"
After several calls, someone finally emerged.
"Who might you be?"
This time, Ma Jeong shoved the man aside and barged in, issuing commands with haughty arrogance.
"Fix us a proper spread."
"Pardon?"
"What are you waiting for? Food, now! And we're staying here starting today, got it?"
"......"
That was when it happened.
"What? Food? You're staying here? You damned wretch!"
They whipped around in alarm, but it was too late.
The homeowner—Ma Jeong's former father-in-law—swung a club at him.
Crack!
Stars exploded in Ma Jeong's vision.
"You killed my daughter, and now what? You bastard! Perfect timing! Today, I'll avenge her by killing you!"
Thwack! Thud!
Arms toughened by years of labor packed a brutal punch. Ma Jeong and his nephews took a thorough beating.
"Aigoo, save me!"
One oblivious nephew piped up at his cry.
"Even Deok-bae betrayed you, right?"
"The guards won't come even if you call now."
"Shut your mouth... Gahk!"
Another club joined the fray—wielded by the man's son, who hated Ma Jeong just as fiercely for murdering his sister.
"H-Help! Mercy!"
"You call yourself human? You're worse than a beast!"
It was only after a long pummeling, just shy of death, that they managed to flee the house.
But the thrashing had left their bodies throbbing. Limping along, Ma Jeong muttered gloomily.
"Back to... the annex."
"Yes."
In the end, they had no choice but to return to the annex Eun Seo-ho had provided.
Their clothes were in tatters, soaked and frozen stiff.
Shivering, they barely managed to light a fire, only to burn their rice.
Thus passed a nightmarish night for the three men, until dawn broke.
Having lain awake all night, Ma Jeong stepped outside. He planned to beg Eun Seo-ho for help.
At least a maid or two, right?
That was when a troop of government soldiers swarmed toward their annex.
A glimmer of hope lit Ma Jeong's eyes.
Of course! Ji-hyeon must have heard my plight and sent help! After all I've done for him!
The soldiers approached and asked.
"Are you Ma Jeong?"
"That's me. Ahem! Can't you tell?"
"I thought you were a beggar."
"Insolent! How dare you speak to......"
"Shut it. Where's your family?"
Something was off about their tone—no usual deference.
"In there......"
"The murderer of multiple counts and his blood kin! Seize them!"
"Yes, sir!"
The soldiers swiftly subdued Ma Jeong and his nephews, binding them with ropes.
"Wh-what is this outrage? Untie me at once! I'll remember every face! You think I'll let this......"
Crack!
His head snapped sideways from a soldier's fist.
"Quiet! A criminal mouthing off?"
"Criminal? Me?"
"You slaughtered eight innocent women—what else would you call it?"
"What are you......?"
"Gag him."
"Yes."
* * *
I received word from Ji-hyeon and headed to the county office.
"You......"
I held up a hand.
"Why the sudden formality? Keep it casual like before. Eyes are watching."
"Ah, right. Haha. You've arrived?"
"Yes. How's the interrogation going?"
Ji-hyeon nodded readily, his face radiating genuine relief.
"He's confessed to a mountain of crimes so far."
"Including the murders of his wives?"
"That's just the start. He's spilling everything now."
"And his brothers?"
"Still ongoing. Want to see?"
"Sure."
I followed Ji-hyeon to the torture chamber.
As we drew nearer, the stench of blood thickened, mingled with screams.
"Gaaah! W-wait! I'll talk! I'll tell you everything!"
A man hung from the wall, enduring torment.
He wailed desperately.
Whoa...
Is that even human?
The thought crossed my mind; he looked that wretched.
But knowing his crimes, pity was the last thing I felt.
"Th-that day... I pushed my eldest brother off the cliff. I told him to fetch my shoe stuck there......"
Listening to his confession, I thought:
He could use a bit more.
.
.
.
A few days later, a messenger from the imperial palace arrived in Taegyeong County.
"Ji-hyeon of Taegyeong County, heed His Majesty's decree!"
Ji-hyeon dropped to his knees at once.
"Ji-hyeon of Taegyeong County......"
The order was to escort Ma Jeong and his family to the palace.
I'd sent a letter to the Emperor in advance.
Using the authority he'd granted meant reporting it.
Post-facto was fine, but I'd submitted the report early this time.
It was a perfect case for public example; he wouldn't let us handle it locally.
As expected, the Emperor ordered their transport—and summoned me to the palace as well.
Clatter, clatter.
Inside the wooden mobile prison cart sat Ma Clan Lord.
Behind trailed carts with his nephews.
The horse-drawn cages were floored with mere brambles.
As we left the county office, Taegyeong's residents lined the road.
It looked like the whole town had turned out.
They weren't there to bid Ma Jeong farewell, of course.
Proof: each held a handful of sand.
Originally stones, but I'd tipped off Ji-hyeon to switch to sand.
Stoning during an imperial escort? If Ma Jeong died, it'd be trouble.
However fierce their grudge, they couldn't defy the Emperor.
"You filthy dog!"
"My daughter's dead because of you!"
"Worst scum in the world!"
"You fucking bastard!"
The townsfolk hurled curses and sand at Ma Jeong.
But he seemed broken, taking the barrage in silence.
Then he spotted me and lurched up.
"Pl-please help... Gack!"
Sand filled his mouth mid-plea. I smirked at his panic.
Probably begging, "Please help me!"
Why see me as his lifeline?
A moment's reflection would show everything went south after meeting me.
He still hadn't grasped this was karma.
I turned to the side.
"How's it feel?"
"Wonderful."
Han Jae-ik the young hero stood beside me.
"So, decided?"
He nodded.
"Yes. I'll join the Eunhae Merchant Group."
"Welcome aboard. I'll find you a good spot."
The next day,
Hanga Martial Hall buzzed with moving preparations.
Han Su, Jae-ik's father and hall master, had recovered enough from his injuries to travel.
That was when.
"Master!"
A boy dashed into the hall.
"Don't go!"
"Yun-seok?"
"We were wrong! For not coming when Mom and Dad said no, for skipping practice behind your back... I'm sorry!"
Yun-seok wasn't alone in clinging to Hall Master Han.
Hordes of children, youths, and even parents swarmed in.
"Master!"
"Master! Don't leave us!"
"Hall Master Han, what will we do if you go?"
"Give us a chance to atone for our sins against you."
Han Su's eyes reddened as he gazed at them, then turned to me.
"What's wrong?"
"Seems I didn't live in vain all this time."
"Be proud. It's the virtue you've built."
Han Su gave a wry smile and said,
"Sorry, Young Branch Leader. Looks like I can't leave this village after all."
I smiled back.
"Wise choice."
"Pardon?"
"As Taegyeong's sole martial hall, you must protect it."
I continued.
"Perfect timing. I was wondering what to do with the old Ma estate. It'll be Hanga Martial Hall from now on."
"What?"
"The courtyard's huge—ideal for a hall."
"Ah......"
Han Su's eyes wavered.
"Also, please manage the cotton fields well."
"B-but I'm no good with numbers......"
"Don't worry. We'll send someone from the group soon. And there's Chief Manager An-suk, right? His help will suffice."
"Understood."
I turned to Han Jae-ik.
"And you, Young Hero Han?"
"I......"
I read the hesitation in his eyes.
Leaving his parents behind, no doubt. Natural, given his family devotion.
"Stay here too, Young Hero Han. With your help, those vast fields will be easier to manage."
"Is that allowed?"
"Of course."
I nodded.
"Once Hall Master Han heals and spring warms, visit the Eunhae Merchant Group. Father's the leader; you should meet him."
"Thank you!"
I smiled at the workers.
"Great. Take those belongings to the estate."
The workers, pleased, shouted heartily.
"Yes!"
To Han Su and Jae-ik, I said,
"We'll be off then. Best wishes ahead, and send word if needed."
I stepped back.
Clap!
They cupped fists in salute.
"We won't forget your aid to Hanga Martial Hall."
I returned the gesture, then turned and left the estate.
Truth be told, spreading the rumor of their departure was my plan.
Tensions between them and the villagers were real.
But both had reasons, united against their common foe: "Ma Clan Lord."
As the saying goes, hardship forges bonds. This trial would strengthen them.
Plus, a martial hall guardian was invaluable.
For managing the cotton fields, locals were best.
Frankly, with business booming, we were short-staffed. Time to recruit talent fast.
Now, homeward...
No—to the palace.
I was headed there anyway.
Matters to settle before spring.