Murim Login - Chapter 121

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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 121
The battle had been fierce enough that corpses formed mountains and blood flowed like rivers, yet most of the Hangsan Inspection Bureau’s structures remained intact. Like this pavilion now.
I collapsed into a chair, my body sagging against its frame.
“Ugh, I’m dying.”
After a major battle like this, exhaustion always follows.
Physical fatigue can be recovered through leveling up, but mental exhaustion is another matter entirely.
After brushing against death’s threshold like today, it’s far worse.
‘That was genuinely dangerous.’
Jo Pil, the Grand Elder, Pung Yang.
Whenever I get entangled with those so-called peak masters, nothing good comes of it. There have been more than a few moments when I wished I had five lives to spare.
“Commander, you’ve worked hard.”
“Yeah.”
“Whew, your shoulders are terribly knotted.”
Hyuk Moo-jin approached gently and began kneading my shoulders.
Wol-hwa and Hyuk Moo-jin, who had been guarding Chul Moo-baek outside, joined us during the survivor search operations once the fighting had largely concluded.
“If I’d been there, that bastard Pung Yang would have just—you know what I mean?”
“Yeah, of course I know. He’d have just dropped dead.”
“….”
“Well, come on. Press a bit harder.”
Hyuk Moo-jin grumbled but applied more force, digging into my shoulders with purpose.
“Where’s Jin Moo-kyung? I mean, my second brother?”
“He’s already been taken to separate quarters. The physicians say there’s nothing to worry about. The other wounded are recovering quickly as well.”
“Is that so? Then that’s a relief.”
“Could they be quacks? Young Master Tae-kyung was badly injured internally, and Chul Moo-baek sustained considerable internal damage as well.”
“They were sent by Haowen Sect. Let’s trust their skills.”
In truth, what I’m relying on isn’t the physicians’ abilities—it’s the potency of my items.
Without the [Exceptional Wound Salve] that heals even serious injuries within days, and the [Ten-Year Fleece Flower Root] that excels at treating internal injuries, several of them would have already crossed the river by now.
‘I’ve done the minimum emergency treatment, so the physicians should handle the rest.’
Haowen Sect—or rather, Wol-hwa—moved swiftly without our knowledge. Days ago, when she sent her subordinates back from the Ancestral Shrine, she issued a mobilization order to nearby branches.
Half a day after all fighting ceased, Haowen Sect’s reinforcements arrived and immediately began cleanup operations.
‘While everyone looked forward, she thought of what came after.’
Haowen Sect’s reinforcements were organized for relief, not combat.
They brought not just physicians but cooks and laborers as well—their foresight and preparedness were truly remarkable.
‘She’s definitely no ordinary person.’
Haowen Sect is both an information organization found everywhere under heaven and a martial sect.
For someone in her mid-to-late twenties to hold the position of branch director in a sect of that scale, Wol-hwa is certainly no ordinary individual.
‘Come to think of it, Wol-hwa is a pseudonym too.’
Her real name, which I discerned through qi-sensing, was Eun So-wol. As for why she hides her name from us—perhaps it’s similar to a codename in spy films.
What’s certain is that making an operator of that caliber an enemy would be troublesome.
‘Not too close, but maintaining proper distance. Yes, that’s just about right.’
Fortunately, it wasn’t a difficult task. Wol-hwa had harbored inexplicable goodwill and curiosity toward me from the very beginning.
Whether that sentiment was genuine or merely the curiosity of a veteran information merchant, I would need to observe further to discern.
“Moo-jin.”
“Would you like me to massage harder?”
“No, not that. What do you think of Wol-hwa?”
“She’s beautiful.”
“And?”
Hyuk Moo-jin, who had been pondering, answered.
“She’s incredibly beautiful.”
“…Massage my forearm instead of my shoulder.”
I was a fool for asking him anything at all.
Just as Hyuk Moo-jin was about to respond with a wounded expression, light footsteps gradually drew closer and stopped before the door.
‘Wol-hwa?’
No. The energy emanating from beyond the door was far smaller and weaker compared to hers. After a moment of silence, the unexpected visitor spoke.
“Young Master Jin, may I enter?”
A clear and distinct voice. It was Lee So-gun.
* * *
Once Hyuk Moo-jin left the Pavilion, Lee So-gun and I were left alone. I gazed out the window at the gradually darkening sky and let out an awkward cough.
“Ahem. Cough.”
Being alone with a woman at this hour—and such a strikingly beautiful one at that—was nothing short of torment.
Especially when she was the leader of the Hangsan Inspection Bureau, with whom I had fought like sworn enemies mere moments ago.
Though they say new wine goes into new wineskins, she was Lee Cheon-baek’s only daughter, the man who sought to destroy the Taewon Jin Family, and our names had been linked in scandal.
‘What in the world should I say?’
May the departed soul rest in peace? No, that would make the atmosphere far too heavy. She had already lost her entire household not long ago, and then lost most of her subordinates in the battle against Pung Yang.
After much deliberation, I opened my mouth.
“Have you eaten?”
“….”
“I understand you’ve endured hardship, but at times like these, you must keep your strength up… I apologize.”
Damn it, I should have just kept my mouth shut.
As I was drowning in regret, Lee So-gun rose from her seat and bowed deeply to me.
“Lee So-gun of the Hangsan Inspection Bureau offers her respects to the Benefactor.”
Before I could stop her, it happened. Flustered, I hastily helped her to her feet.
Benefactor? It was accurate, but it felt awkward.
“Please, why do this? Benefactor is hardly…”
“It is only right. A person should know gratitude and repay kindness. Please do not shame me by refusing.”
Her tone was so resolute that I could say nothing more.
‘She’s not wrong.’
Had Jin Moo-kyung and I not intervened, the Hangsan Inspection Bureau would have closed its doors today. They should erect our statues rather than merely bow.
If they designated today as “The Day the Shanxi Sleeping Dragon Arrived” and made it an annual holiday for the Hangsan Inspection Bureau… that might be going too far, but regardless.
“Now, compose yourself and sit.”
“I shall follow your guidance, Benefactor.”
“Must you keep calling me Benefactor?”
“Yes, Benefactor.”
This was maddening. Only after Eun So-wol settled into her seat with that composed expression did I finally learn the reason for her visit.
“I’ve come to deliver our response to your letter.”
“Letter? Ah.”
She meant the invitation—that formal summons disguised as a courteous dinner invitation from the Taewon Jin Family on New Year’s Day.
Now that the Taewon Jin Family held Shanxi’s martial world in their grip, it was obvious as fire that any sect refusing the invitation would face a bleak future.
The Hangsan Inspection Bureau, barely escaped from annihilation, was no exception.
“So, what is your answer?”
“We are honored to accept your gracious invitation.”
It was the response I had fully anticipated.
Yet Eun So-wol did not stop there and continued speaking.
“Furthermore, as atonement for past transgressions, our sect shall cede all rights we possess to the Taewon Jin Family.”
“All rights?”
“Yes. Every right pertaining to the territories our sect currently controls.”
In other words, she was offering to hand over all of Northern Shanxi entirely to the Taewon Jin Family.
‘To this extent?’
The Hangsan Inspection Bureau’s submission to the Taewon Jin Family was already a foregone conclusion. In that process, Jin Wi-kyung would certainly demand substantial compensation, but he wouldn’t completely swallow everything whole.
Wol-hwa had mentioned something similar in our previous conversation.
‘Yet she’s serving it up on a silver platter.’
All that talk of “Benefactor, Benefactor”—it wasn’t empty flattery after all.
Right. Gratitude truly cannot be expressed through words alone. Hmm.
“Thank you. My Elder Brother will be most pleased.”
“There is more.”
What? There’s still more?
Eun So-wol withdrew three books from her robe and handed them to me. I slowly read the titles inscribed on their covers.
“Blood Wolf Sword Technique, Blood Wolf Movement Technique. And…”
“The Asura Annihilation Fist. The sword and movement techniques were personally created by my father, while the Asura Annihilation Fist is my uncle Chul Moo-baek’s secret transmission. All three are exceptional supreme martial arts.”
“Supreme martial arts…”
I swallowed hard.
One of the harsh truths I learned in the martial world was the paramount importance of martial techniques. Even I, barely supplementing my deficiencies through the system, felt this acutely—let alone ordinary martial artists.
For warriors, exceptional supreme martial arts are treasures beyond price.
‘Rights to Northern Shanxi, and more.’
If the rights the Hangsan Inspection Bureau possessed were branches, then these three secret manuals before me were the roots.
Eun So-wol was now placing her father’s legacy—the most precious things the Hangsan Inspection Bureau possessed—on the scales.
“Is this also a gift?”
“No, this is a trade.”
As I suspected. I knew it would be.
A trade. Jin Wi-kyung would accept such a trade by any means necessary. Three supreme martial arts were at stake, after all.
‘What on earth is she asking for?’
Wealth? Assurances of safety? Or something else entirely?
Currently, Eun So-wol—or rather, the Hangsan Inspection Bureau—finds itself in a situation beyond desperate, verging on hopeless. Even if I offered martial techniques at rock-bottom prices, it would still be an unreasonable demand. I quietly retreated.
“I’m curious what sort of deal you have in mind… but I’m afraid I lack the authority to make such decisions.”
Eun So-wol fixed me with an unwavering gaze, her eyes as clear as a mountain lake.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, I hold no official position. It would be best if you discussed this separately with my Elder Brother later.”
“My assessment differs from yours.”
“Pardon?”
“You possess sufficient authority to make this decision. Of course, much discussion will need to take place first.”
“A trade worth three supreme martial techniques… then what must we provide in return?”
“A person.”
“A person?”
In that instant, a smile graced Eun So-wol’s lips.
It was the second time I had witnessed her smile, and this time it was no illusion.
“Marry me.”
* * *
“Then I shall take my leave.”
Hyuk Moo-jin, who had been pacing in the pavilion’s courtyard, turned at the sound of a woman’s voice behind him. A beauty descended the pavilion’s steps—the mere sight of her made his heart flutter.
‘Ah, what exquisite beauty.’
Though they stood dozens of paces apart, it seemed as though the fragrance of flowers mingled with the bitter winter wind and drifted toward him.
‘Our leader certainly is blessed.’
A handsome face, the youngest young master of the Taewon Jin Family—universally acknowledged as the foremost clan in Shanxi—and martial prowess to match.
When he stood beside Wol-hwa, they were the very picture of a perfect couple.
And now, the Sect Leader of the Hangsan Inspection Bureau as well.
Hyuk Moo-jin watched Eun So-wol’s receding figure disappear into the distance and exhaled deeply.
‘Brief though it was, I loved you, my lady.’
When Hyuk Moo-jin returned to the pavilion, he found Jin Tae-kyung in a daze, his spirit half-departed.
“Leader, what troubles you?”
“….”
“Leader. Come to your senses!”
Hyuk Moo-jin grasped his shoulders and shook him until his glazed eyes finally cleared. He asked with concern etched across his face.
“What happened? Why are you like this?”
Jin Tae-kyung swallowed hard and barely managed to speak.
“Moo-jin.”
“Yes?”
“How old is Eun So-wol?”
“Eun So-wol? You should call her the Sect Leader or Miss. That’s more proper.”
“Unless you wish to be remembered as the late Hyuk Moo-jin, shut your mouth and answer.”
“…How old was she again? I believe she was approaching marriageable age.”
Hyuk Moo-jin, who had been pondering deeply, suddenly slapped his forehead.
“Ah, I remember now.”
“W-wait, how old are you?”
“Seventeen.”
Jin Tae-kyung’s mouth fell open in shock.
“Damn it, you were still in school?”

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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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