Murim Login - Chapter 106

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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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Chapter 106
“Let’s travel together to Hangsan Inspection Bureau.”
“Pardon?”
“Exactly as Young Master Jin heard. I also have business at Hangsan Inspection Bureau.”
“What sort of business?”
“I’m afraid I can’t discuss that? I’m quite strict about separating public and private matters.”
I gave a bushel and received a peck in return.
My own words came right back to me. Wol-hwa’s smile deepened as she watched my embarrassment.
“I’m only joking. I happen to have something to receive from Hangsan Inspection Bureau. More precisely, something the Taewon Jin Family promised to deliver.”
“What… ah.”
A memory suddenly surfaces. During the height of the war with Hangsan Inspection Bureau, the secret pact that the Taewon Jin Family and Haowen Sect had forged.
‘In exchange for providing information, we promised to grant ownership rights to the properties and lands held by Hangsan Inspection Bureau, didn’t we?’
Haowen Sect—or rather, Wol-hwa—kept her promise. The annihilation of Hangsan Inspection Bureau’s vanguard in the early stages of the war was possible only because of her assistance.
The Taewon Jin Family received further aid from Haowen Sect afterward and ultimately won the war, but the problem came after.
“As Young Master Jin well knows, our position has become rather delicate. We won the war, but we can’t lay hands on the spoils.”
The strong devour the weak. Such is the law of Murim.
But the Grand Elder’s appearance ruined everything. Once it became clear that the Taewon Jin Family and Hangsan Inspection Bureau had been manipulated by his schemes, the justification for claiming the spoils grew murky.
‘So that’s why we’re proceeding with the merger.’
Now is the time to sheathe the sword and negotiate with the brush. To quietly and smoothly absorb them within a range that won’t draw the world’s condemnation—that is the picture Jin Wi-kyung paints.
Wol-hwa wants her compensation before that happens.
“If Hangsan Inspection Bureau accepts our proposal, then we could demand compensation at that time.”
“That’s only possible if the Taewon Jin Family is a tyrant of Shanxi Province, not merely its lord. If we try to seize things rashly in the current situation, the smaller sects will withdraw their support. Moreover…”
She suddenly fixed me with a meaningful gaze and shook her head.
What on earth is this about?
“Moreover, what?”
“Nothing. Anyway, the Patriarch did make me a proposal.”
Wol-hwa continued, puffing on her long pipe.
“He offered either treasures equivalent to what was promised, or to cede territories under the Taewon Jin Family’s control.”
That seems reasonable enough, but when viewed from the perspective of a leader commanding not an individual but an entire organization, it’s different.
‘She wants to expand their sphere of activity.’
Wol-hwa’s true nature is neither courtesan nor innkeeper—she is an information merchant.
It was clear she wanted to use this opportunity to extend Haowen Sect’s influence into the northern regions of Shanxi Province, which had been relatively weak due to Hangsan Inspection Bureau’s blockade.
‘Jin Wi-kyung naturally wants the Taewon Jin Family to dominate all of Shanxi Province.’
The Taewon Jin Family has wielded considerable influence over the central and southern regions of Shanxi Province for a long time. Ceding a few prime territories won’t diminish the influence they’ve accumulated so far.
‘This is exactly like a redevelopment zone.’
Hangsan Inspection Bureau, which had gripped the north and blocked external forces from entering, is crumbling. With the green belt lifted and the zone becoming available for redevelopment, a push-and-pull game has begun between Jin Wi-kyung and Wol-hwa.
‘Both of them are serious business.’
Yesterday’s ally has become today’s rival.
I’m reminded once again that people are never just what they appear to be.
“So I thought I’d visit our adorable new Sect Leader, collect on some debts, and travel to Hangsan Inspection Bureau with you… what do you say?”
Without further deliberation, I answered.
“I must refuse.”
“Wow, that’s quite decisive, isn’t it? You cut me off like a blade before even hearing the terms of the deal.”
“I cannot become a younger brother and sully Elder Brother’s path with filth.”
Though we shared not a drop of blood as brothers, I had long since accepted his existence and this Murim in the depths of my heart.
“Hmm.”
Wol-hwa, who had been gazing at me intently, set down her long pipe with a sharp tap.
“Very well, then.”
“Yes, understood.”
I thought she would tempt me further, but she surrendered immediately.
Well, as far as I was concerned, ending the conversation quickly brought me peace of mind.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
I nudged Hyuk Moo-jin, who still sat with his lips sealed, and rose from my seat. It was then that Wol-hwa smiled with an enigmatic expression and spoke.
“Ah, would you tell Jin Tae-kyung something? There’s an ancient pine tree in the rear garden—it’s quite valuable, so please be careful with your training around it.”
This inn was operated by Shanxi Province’s foremost information merchant. Since entering this place, it was as though my internal organs were laid bare before her.
“Of course.”
“If you need anything, just say the word. Since it’s a request from our young master Jin, we’ll procure whatever you need.”
After glancing at her winking eyes and leaving the room, I suddenly remembered something I had forgotten.
“Moo-jin, why do you let your mouth run so freely?”
Smack! Smack! Smack!
“Ow! Ow! Ow!”
One striking, one receiving blows.
When we returned to the Separate Annex, several neatly severed ancient pine trees and Jin Moo-kyung with a satisfied expression awaited us.
“There’s a certain pleasure in cutting.”
“….”
“….”
Someday I wish to cut down that bastard.
* * *
The guest room fell silent. It was only long after Jin Tae-kyung departed that Wol-hwa, who had been smoking her long pipe all the while, finally opened her mouth.
“Did you investigate what I instructed before?”
The Ha-o Gate Member waiting outside the room answered in a low voice.
“All that was confirmed four days ago. We continue to gather additional information, but….”
“There’s nothing more to uncover?”
“Yes, the prospects are slim.”
“Slim? Then there’s still a possibility? Keep digging. I’ll give you plenty of time, so don’t rush. You know what happens if we touch the Taewon Jin Family now, don’t you?”
“Understood.”
It was Wol-hwa’s next words that stopped the Ha-o Gate Member from withdrawing.
“A third-rate ruffian became the Shanxi Sleeping Dragon in less than two months. What do you make of it?”
“It’s possible. According to the rumors.”
“Ah, that.”
Wol-hwa let out a soft chuckle. It was a rumor that had begun spreading ever since Jin Tae-kyung defeated Jo Pil.
The whisper claimed that everything Jin Tae-kyung had shown until now was merely an act, and that in truth, he had been learning martial arts under full support since childhood.
By now, this tale had spread so widely throughout Shanxi Province that there was scarcely a soul who hadn’t heard it.
“Do you believe it?”
“It’s an absurd rumor, of course. However….”
“People believe it. Not because they’re foolish, but because they have no choice but to believe. But we’re different.”
Shanxi was already a frontier region that the Central Plains barely acknowledged, yet the Haowen Sect had been relentlessly gathering intelligence.
As for the direct line of the Taewon Jin Family, one of Shanxi’s most influential clans, there was little to say—their only real oversight was failing to accurately assess the Grand Elder, who had been active during the chaotic period of warfare.
But their information on Jin Tae-kyung was nearly flawless.
“Alcohol, women, gambling. He’d been indolent since childhood, his mind consumed entirely by pleasure. One would wonder if such a person had ever truly existed in the history of the Taewon Jin Family.”
“When the branch director arrived two years ago, his very first order was regarding this matter, sir.”
“Right. Comprehensively assess all developments in Shanxi. And conduct a focused investigation into Jin Tae-kyung.”
By nature, talent is inherited. The direct line of the Taewon Jin Family had been composed of exceptional martial talents across generations, and the current family head, regarded as an eccentric, along with his two sons, were no exception.
Among them, Jin Tae-kyung’s existence stood out with such stark incongruity that the Haowen Sect had initiated their investigation.
“The results were disappointing.”
“He turned out to be exactly as he appeared.”
Apart from slightly superior bone structure and meridians—a gift of his bloodline—there was nothing remarkable about him.
“Did we overlook something back then?”
“He was the sort who slept at the Giru every other night. Even if one were to sacrifice sleep to train, martial arts cannot be mastered in such a manner, can it?”
“I know. I know well.”
Wol-hwa was someone who had cultivated her martial arts to a fairly mature level even among the first-rate masters. She could not possibly be ignorant of such truths.
As frustration consumed her, she drew long drags from her long-stemmed pipe before exhaling a prolonged breath.
“In the end, there’s only one possible answer.”
“Indeed.”
That Jin Tae-kyung had risen from third-rate to supreme master in the span of merely two months. Wol-hwa was astounded by her own conclusion, yet there was nothing to be done about it.
“Disregard the order I gave earlier. Regarding him, ask no further questions and seek no further knowledge. Issue a strict command of silence—let no one speak of this matter.”
“Understood. I shall make it abundantly clear.”
“And one more thing. I’ll be departing early tomorrow, so make the preparations.”
“Who are you planning to take with you?”
“Alone.”
“Branch Director, that is….”
“That’s an order.”
“…Understood.”
As her subordinate withdrew, silence descended upon the guest chamber. Wol-hwa brushed away the charred tobacco leaves and contemplated.
‘Jin Tae-kyung.’
If everything he had accomplished thus far was true, then trivial matters like extracting northern rights from the Hangsan Inspection Bureau were utterly insignificant.
‘Has there ever been anyone in all of history who grew at such a breathtaking pace?’
Her gaze fixed upon the seat where Jin Tae-kyung had been sitting, her eyes growing profoundly distant.
* * *
The following morning.
I realized something was wrong the moment I met the manager responsible for the Separate Annex.
“Lodging fees: twenty-five silver taels, meals: five taels, and damages to furnishings: fifty taels. Total: eighty silver taels.”
Hyuk Moo-jin, who had been gleefully boasting about emptying the Horse Bandits’ pockets yesterday, fell silent with his mouth agape.
“Damages to furnishings? Fifty silver taels?”
“When I checked the Rear Garden, I found five ancient pines lying on their sides.”
Those were the trees Wol-hwa had mentioned were expensive.
Both Hyuk Moo-jin and I turned our heads simultaneously. Jin Moo-kyung, whose gaze met ours, flinched before speaking.
“I got carried away while practicing my sword technique.”
“…Damn it. So when you get carried away, you can just slash everything in sight? Really?”
“Sigh…”
Hyuk Moo-jin couldn’t say anything and just exhaled heavy sighs of frustration.
Looking at it plainly, the amount we owed clearly exceeded our budget. Still, if it were only slightly over, we might be able to negotiate some compromise…
“Moo-jin, how much do you have on you right now?”
“Forty taels, sir.”
Compromise be damned. We didn’t even come close.
“Would you perhaps accept credit?”
That was the moment the kind smile vanished from the manager’s lips.
“Young Master Jin, what are you doing here?”
A beautiful woman in flowing martial robes approached us.
At this moment, Wol-hwa’s appearance was like a lifeline to us.
I felt uneasy about having firmly rejected her proposal last night, but this wasn’t the time to be picky.
“Well, you see…”
As I explained the situation, Wol-hwa’s eyes widened.
“Eighty taels? That can’t be right.”
“Exactly. Something seems off about this.”
“Let me see that.”
She took the bamboo slip the manager was holding and began reading it.
Seeing her frown deepen, it was clear the calculations were thoroughly wrong.
‘I knew it.’
After reading through the entire slip, Wol-hwa’s voice turned icy cold.
“Can’t you do your job properly?”
“I-I’m terribly sorry.”
“Do you have any idea who these people are? How dare you try such a thing… Write down the correct price.”
Hyuk Moo-jin whispered softly.
“Thank goodness.”
“Right? I almost ended up washing dishes.”
“Why do we have to suffer because of that young master?”
“Don’t even mention that bastard. Just hearing about him makes me sick.”
“What’s sickness?”
“…It’s something bad.”
In the meantime, the manager, perspiring profusely as he recalculated the price, bowed deeply and apologized to us.
“I sincerely apologize. My thoughtlessness led me to commit a grave discourtesy.”
Hyuk Moo-jin accepted the apology with an arrogant air.
“See that it doesn’t happen again. You should gauge your audience before attempting such jests. So, what is the total?”
“One hundred fifty silver taels and twenty-three copper coins, sir.”
“…?”
“…?”
What is this? Am I dreaming?
My head turned toward Wol-hwa of its own accord.
“What did he just say?”
“He arbitrarily reduced the price, claiming I was an acquaintance. How dare he treat the young masters and mistress of the Great Tae Won Jin Family so lightly? I apologize once more.”
“I beg your forgiveness!”
“Well….”
I spoke with a throat tight with tension.
“Credit is possible, yes? Naturally.”
“Not at all. Naturally not. Not once in all these years.”
“What if we established a precedent this time?”
“I have no intention of doing so just yet. Perhaps another opportunity will present itself.”
Wol-hwa added with a radiant smile.
“Is there anything else you wish to say?”
“…Ah, Hangsan.”
“Pardon?”
I squeezed my eyes shut and continued.
“Would you care to travel with us to the Hangsan Inspection Bureau?”
“Well, I certainly wouldn’t mind.”
That insufferable smile. At Wol-hwa’s gesture, the manager seized the wooden tablet and vanished at lightning speed.
“We needn’t worry about travel expenses from now on.”
While there were those like Hyuk Moo-jin who accepted reality, there were also those who voiced staunch opposition.
“Nonsense! How can we bring a woman along on a mission for the family’s honor!”
“Then stay behind and wash dishes.”
“….”
“Who here cut down the old pine tree?”
Jin Moo-kyung did not raise his hand, and Wol-hwa lifted the hem of her skirt slightly toward him in greeting.
“I look forward to working with you, Jin Moo-kyung.”

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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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