Murim Login - Chapter 132

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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 132
“If it’s not too much trouble, would it be alright if I ate just one Bing Tang Hu Lu?”
The unexpected request caused my mind to momentarily blank.
‘What in the world is he saying?’
Not “Do you know the Way?” but asking politely if he could eat just one Bing Tang Hu Lu.
A peak master I’d just met begging for Bing Tang Hu Lu in the most courteous tone imaginable was not part of my plan.
Growwwl.
Now even his stomach was tugging at my heartstrings. Without thinking, I thrust the Bing Tang Hu Lu I was still holding toward him.
“H-here you go.”
“Thank you, my benefactor.”
Look at the cost-performance ratio of Bing Tang Hu Lu—I’d become a peak master’s benefactor in ten seconds of meeting him.
Hyuk Moo-jin and I watched in stunned silence as the young man, Chung Poong, eagerly sucked on the candy like a child.
“Leader, do you know him?”
“No.”
After devouring the single Bing Tang Hu Lu like a crab hiding its eyes, Chung Poong stared at Hyuk Moo-jin with the ravenous gaze of a starving beast.
More precisely, at the two Bing Tang Hu Lu held in his hands.
“…Moo-jin.”
“Yes?”
“Give them to him.”
Hyuk Moo-jin quickly hid his hands behind his back.
“I refuse.”
“You refuse?”
“Yes, this is the first time I’ve eaten this in five years. I haven’t even taken a bite yet.”
“I see. So our Moo-jin wants to die fifty years earlier than his expected lifespan.”
“…”
After letting out a heavy sigh, he held out the Bing Tang Hu Lu, and Chung Poong’s eyes gleamed brilliantly.
“Thank you, my benefactor!”
In the next instant, with a whooshing sound, the Bing Tang Hu Lu transferred to Chung Poong’s hand.
“Gasp.”
Truly incredible speed. Hyuk Moo-jin caught his breath and whispered to me in a trembling voice.
“Th-this is no ordinary beggar, is he?”
What expression would he make if he knew the shabby young man before us was a peak master?
I observed Chung Poong intently as he inhaled the Bing Tang Hu Lu.
‘He looks far too young to be a peak master.’
I’ve also heard rumors over time. Even when prestigious major sects pour endless elite education and resources into their disciples, peak masters are born as rarely as beans in a drought.
That’s why Jin Moo-kyung, who hailed from Shanxi Province—treated as a remote backwater even in the world—became famous.
Because he reached the peak realm ten, twenty years ahead of others.
‘But…’
A peak master who appeared to be my age, whose level I couldn’t even discern through my senses.
I’d never heard of such a young peak master existing in Shanxi Province.
‘Where in the world did this guy crawl out from?’
Just then, Chung Poong lifted his head. His mouth was smeared with sticky sugar from eating so hastily.
“Phew, that was delicious.”
“You must have been quite hungry.”
“Yes. I haven’t eaten all day.”
“My, how did that happen?”
“I lost my travel funds. Still, it was an interesting experience.”
“….”
How could starving all day because of poverty be an interesting experience?
From the moment we first met, I sensed it—this fellow certainly has an unusual way of thinking.
Chung Poong smiled brightly and clasped his fist in salute.
“Ah, I apologize for the late introduction. I, Chung Poong, offer my respects to my benefactors.”
“I am Jin Tae-kyung.”
“And I am Hyuk Moo-jin, his right arm and heart.”
I cleanly ignored Hyuk Moo-jin’s nonsense and studied Chung Poong.
Despite my appearance, I’m quite a notable figure in Shanxi Province.
Until a few months ago, it was for the wrong reasons, but now there’s hardly a soul in Shanxi Province who doesn’t know my name—for entirely opposite reasons.
‘Will he recognize me?’
Just as I harbored this quiet anticipation, Chung Poong’s face went rigid.
“You wouldn’t happen to be….”
“Yes, that’s right. I’m the one.”
“If it’s not too presumptuous, could I trouble you further?”
“Pardon?”
“I’ve been hungry for quite a while.”
Right on cue, a thunderous sound rumbled from Chung Poong’s stomach.
Growwwl.
“…Then let’s share a meal.”
“Thank you, benefactor!”
I can’t tell if I’m being charitable or played for a fool.
* * *
The interior of the Honghua Inn bustled with early dinner patrons.
Jeom So-i hurried over and guided us to one of the few remaining tables.
“What would you like to eat?”
I handed Chung Poong a wooden Murim-style menu.
“Order whatever you’d like.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t. I’m not some ungrateful beast, so how could I….”
“It’s fine. Order whatever you want.”
“Then I’ll take everything on here.”
“….”
I’ve never seen such an ungrateful beast.
The arrival of the large order kept only the kitchen busy. Before long, the dishes came pouring out in an endless stream.
“Shanxi White Pork is ready. This dish is made by slicing boiled pork thinly….”
“Mm.”
“Fish-Fragrant Pork Strips is ready. Pork cooked with bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, and….”
“Mmm.”
“Beijing Sauce Pork Strips.”
“Mmmm!”
“Beggar’s Chicken.”
“Mmmmm!”
While Jeom So-i’s explanations grew progressively shorter, Chung Poong’s reactions became increasingly animated.
Dishes continued to fill the table relentlessly. Just as space was running out, Jeom So-i presented a new plate with the expression of someone entering a moment of enlightenment.
“Maegu.”
“Maegu?”
I knew of Megumi from that island nation next door, but this was my first time hearing of Maegu. Jeom So-i answered my gaze with obvious irritation.
“Plum-Picked Braised Pork.”
“….”
Now she’s even resorting to abbreviations.
While I stood there bewildered, Chung Poong was rapidly clearing his plates.
“Crunch, crunch.”
“Please, eat slowly. Slowly.”
“Aheho. Hafuihuphi.”
“…Just eat. Don’t try to talk.”
“Kangsahaphi!”
Hyuk Moo-jin whispered with a look of complete loss of appetite.
“Is he really not a beggar?”
“Didn’t you see how he snatched that ice candy earlier? Absolutely not.”
“Munch, munch!”
“…He probably isn’t.”
“What if he’s a master from the Beggar Clan?”
“The Beggar Clan.”
I’d seen them ad nauseam in martial arts novels. In fact, they exist in the current Murim as one of the Nine Major Sects and One Alliance.
I hadn’t encountered them yet, but one of the beggars loitering at the inn entrance could very well be from the Beggar Clan.
“Should I check if he has any knots to verify his identity?”
The masters of the Beggar Clan supposedly distinguish their rank by knots on their belts?
I shook my head.
‘No, he’s definitely not from the Beggar Clan.’
If he were, he would have reacted when he heard my name. There’d be no reason to pretend ignorance since we’d be from the same Orthodox faction.
‘Then which sect is he from?’
A young master at his peak wouldn’t just fall from the sky.
He must be from some renowned sect…. My curiosity about this mysterious youth only deepened.
“Phew, that was delicious.”
Chung Poong finally finished his meal and was patting his belly when he noticed me and Hyuk Moo-jin, causing him to pause mid-gesture.
“Since everything was new to me, I’m afraid I displayed poor manners in front of my benefactors. I hope I wasn’t too excessive….”
You were already excessive enough, my friend.
Still, I was grateful he possessed at least some self-awareness.
“It’s fine. I do that sometimes too, you know.”
“We seem to share common ground. Haha.”
I laughed along with Chung Poong and opened my mouth to speak. Now was the right moment to begin my investigation into his background.
“But since everything was new to you, it seems you don’t usually eat greasy foods.”
Chung Poong shook his head with a melancholic expression.
“It’s not that I don’t eat them—I couldn’t eat them. If I’d known such delicious foods existed, I would have come down from the mountain much sooner.”
“Ah, so you lived on a mountain. That must have been quite difficult.”
“Mountain life? It was enjoyable. The scenery was beautiful, and there was plenty to eat all around. My grandfather lived alone on a mountain his entire life too.”
“Your grandfather?”
“Yes. But I….”
“Please, go on.”
“Could I order some alcohol? I’ve never had a chance to drink before.”
“…By all means, order whatever you’d like.”
This fellow has missed out on quite a lot.
Still, some vestige of conscience remained, so I ordered the cheapest bottle of wine available.
Shortly after, Chung Poong drank the wine without hesitation, and with his face slightly flushed, he murmured.
“Ah, so this is what intoxication feels like. But what were we talking about again?”
“About how your grandfather lived alone on a mountain his entire life.”
“Oh, that’s right. Anyway, I’ve lived with my grandfather since I was young. Since I was five years old, that makes it fifteen years now.”
“Really? That’s quite a long time.”
I tried not to show my surprise.
A master at the peak of his powers in his early twenties—this meant he was a genius at least equal to or surpassing Jin Moo-kyung. The more we talked, the more curious I became about his true identity.
“Where is this place? If it’s such a pleasant place to live, I’d like to visit sometime.”
Chung Poong, who seemed about to say something, suddenly stopped.
“Oh, I’m afraid I can’t tell you about that.”
“Come on, you can’t even tell me that much?”
“Because my grandfather dislikes it intensely… In fact, he moves our residence once or twice a year because of it.”
“He moves your residence?”
“Yes. Strange people keep coming to find us.”
Strange people? Troublesome hikers, perhaps?
Though I suppose that would be inconvenient for someone living on a mountain.
His eyes grew distant with memory as he continued.
“When I was ten years old, dozens of people suddenly came swarming in and caused a commotion. I remember my grandfather shouting at them to leave before he set the mountain on fire.”
“Ah, so that’s why he keeps moving…?”
“Yes, fortunately the mountain is vast, so for the past ten years he’s managed to evade them successfully.”
“….”
Ten years? That grandfather is quite the remarkable man.
Hyuk Moo-jin, who had been listening to Chung Poong’s story with great interest, asked a question.
“Then why did the young master come down from the mountain?”
Chung Poong, who had been sucking on the mouth of the wine bottle with a regretful expression, answered.
“Because of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes.”
“The Ten Dragons and Phoenixes? What’s that?”
At my question, Hyuk Moo-jin responded with a look that suggested he’d seen every strange thing imaginable.
“How can the leader not know about the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes?”
“It’s possible I might not know, friend.”
“What? Last year at Giru you got drunk and boasted about becoming one of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes, then got humiliated for it.”
“That wasn’t me… never mind. So what exactly are the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes?”
“Are you genuinely asking because you don’t know?”
“Is it forbidden not to know?”
“Of course it is. The young master here is one of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes right now.”
Wait, really?
As I blinked in surprise, Hyuk Moo-jin launched into an impassioned explanation.
“The greatest rising talents of the Orthodox Martial Arts World! The dragons and phoenixes who will lead the future Murim! How can you not know about the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes?”
“Hey, hey. Lower your voice. People are staring at us.”
It wasn’t just idle talk—the nearby patrons were indeed glancing our way because of Hyuk Moo-jin’s resonant outcry.
“Let them stare. This is too much even for the leader! Are you making fun of people, sir?”
“I don’t know about making fun, but I’m quite good at hitting.”
“I seem to have gotten too excited. My apologies.”
Leaving Hyuk Moo-jin, who had regained his composure in an instant, behind, I offered Chung Poong a good-natured smile.
“Please, continue your story.”
“It’s nothing special. I simply had a youthful impulse in that moment.”
Chung Poong gazed at me with slightly unfocused eyes. He seemed unwilling to dispel his intoxication with inner energy, still appearing somewhat tipsy.
“Among us and those others, who would be stronger? I wanted to find the answer to that question.”
So it came down to a martial artist’s competitive spirit.
The desire to venture into a new world, the urge to prove one’s martial prowess by defeating the strong—I could sense these were the impulses that had drawn his footsteps down the mountain.
‘He seems to possess the skill to entertain such thoughts.’
Jin Moo-kyung had reached the pinnacle in his youth and made the Central Plains buzz with his name. Now he was counted among the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes, the greatest rising talents of the Orthodox Martial Arts World.
The Chung Poong before me possessed martial talent at least comparable to Jin Moo-kyung.
‘He has every right to think that way.’
It was at that very moment I was nodding inwardly in agreement.
“Puhahahaha!”
“Kuk, kekuk. Ah, I got scolded for holding in my laughter.”
I lifted my head toward the source of the sound.
On the second floor, five men and women dressed in silk robes looked down at us with contemptuous smiles plastered across their faces.

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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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