Murim Login - Chapter 133

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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 133
Woo Jin-tae lifted a golden goblet. At a table laden with delicacies and fine wine sat five people in total, including himself.
“To the endless prosperity of the Sanseo Five Gates!”
“To prosperity!”
“To prosperity!”
As the wine circulated in rounds, smiles bloomed across all five faces.
“The Honghua Inn truly lives up to its reputation. I don’t know who the chef is, but the food is exceptional.”
“Indeed. It melts on your tongue the moment it touches your lips.”
Woo Jin-tae burst into hearty laughter.
“Ha! Loosen your belts and eat your fill. I’ll cover everything today.”
“My, what a generous brother! At this rate, won’t you be uprooting the very foundations of the Seongyun Escort Agency?”
“My goodness, can you afford it?”
Woo Jin-tae chuckled softly, gazing at the two men and two women before him.
A coalition of twenty minor sects. These were the scions of the Sanseo Five Gates, the most prominent among them, yet they had to yield to him.
“Heh, I am Woo Jin-tae. Woo Jin-tae of the Seongyun Escort Agency! I could buy this entire inn without breaking a sweat, so don’t worry and eat as much as you like.”
There was a touch of bluster to his words, but they weren’t entirely false.
The Seongyun Escort Agency, which dominated the Samun Gorge region, reaped enormous wealth each year through transportation, security, and various other enterprises.
Woo Jin-tae was the heir who would inherit the Seongyun Escort Agency.
‘Money truly is supreme.’
The Sanseo Five Gates were, after all, merely scions of mediocre minor sects. With the financial backing of the Seongyun Escort Agency behind him, there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish.
“Thanks to everyone here, our Seongyun Escort Agency has risen a step higher. Don’t you think such hospitality is only fitting?”
At Woo Jin-tae’s words, the others hastily waved their hands in protest.
“Oh no, how could it be thanks to us? It’s all thanks to the Agency Lord and you, brother, working tirelessly for the agency’s development.”
“That’s right. We couldn’t possibly accept such credit.”
They say money can even move demons—how much more so living people?
‘Working tirelessly, they say. Well, that’s not entirely wrong.’
The Seongyun Escort Agency, neither a martial family of standing nor a proper Murim sect, had gained entry into the Sanseo Five Gates by spending money lavishly.
To the sect leaders, elders, and scions of some twenty minor sects, he had dispensed wine and wealth without cease, day and night. The results were certain.
‘The Sanseo Five Gates.’
A position that could be called the representative of the minor sect coalition in the south.
For an ordinary Murim sect, it would have been mere empty prestige. But for the Seongyun Escort Agency, which generated profits through various enterprises, it was like gaining wings.
Woo Jin-tae lowered his head with an air of solemnity.
“Not at all. The Seongyun Escort Agency exists because of you all. Just a few months ago, those vile old demons kept us from drawing a proper breath… I thank you once again.”
“Old demons? Do you mean those traitors?”
“Goodness, let’s not even speak of them. If not for this matter, we would all have been nothing but pawns in their game.”
Everyone gathered here were scions of the Sanseo Five Gates, but that had not been the case merely months ago.
The Samdo Gate, the Gung-gwi Sect, and three other sects—they were the former Sanseo Five Gates. Yet they were all annihilated without exception in the Eight Thousand Swordsmen battle, where it was revealed they were the Grand Elder’s instruments.
“Now that I think about it, those fellows were particularly vigilant against the Seongyun Escort Agency.”
“It must have been because they feared the Agency Lord and you, brother, would see through their deception.”
Woo Jin-tae suppressed the laughter threatening to burst forth. The reason the former Sanseo Five Gates’ sect leaders had been vigilant toward the Seongyun Escort Agency was simple.
‘That’s precisely the situation I was concerned about back then.’
The Sanseo Five Gates of that era were far more formidable, and their bonds ran deep.
But not anymore. Everyone in this room has already tasted the sweetness of the Seongyun Escort Agency’s wealth. It’s only a matter of time before they nibble away at various privileges using this as an excuse.
“Now then, let us toast to our friendship.”
“To friendship!”
The festive drinking continued. Woo Jin-tae slipped gifts—bribes in all but name—into their hands at opportune moments.
“This is Shu brocade we brought in from Sichuan this time. I set aside the finest piece, thinking it would suit Miss Huang beautifully.”
“My, the Shu brocade I’ve heard of?”
“Yes. Being the highest grade, the colors are remarkably vivid. I’ve had my servant load it onto the carriage already, so please take it with you.”
“Goodness, Woo Jin-tae. I’m so grateful.”
“There’s no need for gratitude. Simply consider it my affection for the young lady, and accept it.”
“Yes, yes?”
“Haha, I misspoke. Please pretend you didn’t hear that.”
The sole daughter of a martial sect boasting over a hundred disciples blushed at Woo Jin-tae’s charming smile.
Once you’ve created a debt of gratitude, there will always be a day to call upon it.
“Elder Brother, I feel slighted. You’re only looking after the young ladies?”
He winked at the young martial family heir with whom he’d grown close.
“I could never forget you, Hyuk Moo-jin. Just wait. I’ve prepared something truly spectacular for you.”
“Ah, truly worthy of Elder Brother.”
“Haha, surely you haven’t forgotten me, Woo Jin-tae?”
“How could you say such hurtful things? I simply have gifts suited to each person, which is why I mentioned them separately.”
It was simple enough. For the women: expensive silks and jewels. For the men: beautiful courtesans and wealth.
Conveniently, there was the Honghwa House, the finest pleasure establishment in all of Shanxi Province, nearby.
Woo Jin-tae smiled as he watched the delighted faces around him.
“Your spirits seem sufficiently lifted. Shall we conclude this gathering here? What do you all think?”
Before receiving their gifts, they would have felt disappointed. But now was different.
The women nodded eagerly, wanting to inspect the silks and jewels loaded in the carriages, while the men’s hearts raced with certainty that they’d be moving to the pleasure establishment.
“Then let’s have a few more rounds and call it a night. And don’t forget about tomorrow’s midday feast.”
The crowd chuckled at Woo Jin-tae’s words.
“No matter how drunk we get, how could we forget that?”
“Woo Jin-tae, you’re quite something. Aren’t you underestimating us?”
“Just being cautious. Hahaha.”
The midday feast with the Provincial Governor of Shanxi.
That was why the scions of every martial sect of note in Shanxi had gathered here. Woo Jin-tae drained his cup and reflected.
‘Tomorrow is going to be interesting.’
A provincial governor barely ten years old.
He was masterful at winning people over. He’d already completed all preparations to have the young governor eating out of his hand.
‘I hear he’s quite the mischievous one… but being of imperial blood, I wonder what he’ll be like?’
As Woo Jin-tae sat lost in thought, a resounding cry erupted from the floor below.
“The Orthodox Martial Arts World’s finest rising stars! The dragons and phoenixes who will lead the next generation of Murim! How can anyone not know of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes?”
“Hey, hey. Keep your voice down. People are staring.”
Ten Dragons and Phoenixes? At those words, five pairs of ears perked up.
Who were the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes? They were geniuses already writing the opening chapters of legend, the future of the Orthodox Martial Arts World.
The Ten Dragons and Phoenixes were objects of admiration for the younger generation of the martial world, and those gathered here were no exception.
“Who are they? Martial artists?”
The person sitting closest to the railing craned his neck and peered down to the lower floor.
“Three of them. One appears to be a young master, one looks somewhat like a martial artist… and the other looks like a beggar.”
“What kind of combination is that?”
“Shh, let’s keep listening.”
At Woo Jin-tae’s words, everyone fell silent and turned their attention back to the conversation below.
Since they were all members of martial families with trained bodies, listening in wasn’t particularly difficult.
“Please, continue.”
“It’s nothing special. I just had a childish thought for a moment.”
A brief silence. Then came the next words.
“Who among us would be stronger? I wanted to confirm the answer to that question.”
The younger generation of the Sanseo Five Gates exchanged glances.
“Did everyone hear what he just said?”
“Yes, who said it?”
“That beggar from earlier. I’m seeing all kinds of lunatics these days.”
Then Woo Jin-tae shook his head.
“He’s probably a martial artist, not a beggar.”
“A martial artist… you say?”
“Anyone who would mention the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes must be one. As for how he ended up looking like a beggar, well, I can guess well enough without asking.”
A faint smile crossed Woo Jin-tae’s lips.
“It’s obvious, isn’t it? Some third-rate martial artist who learned a few techniques, wandered aimlessly through the martial world, and will eventually die.”
“Ah, now that you mention it, that makes sense. Truly worthy of you, Woo Swordmaster.”
“The more I think about it, the funnier it gets. How could someone like that even mention the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes?”
The laughter of the younger generation grew louder as they looked at each other.
“The company he keeps is just as pathetic as he is. Should we go slap that madman and leave?”
“What are the young master and the martial artist with him doing?”
One of the younger generation glanced down and spoke while suppressing his laughter.
“I’m not sure about the martial artist, but the young master is nodding his head to himself.”
“Ha.”
“Really?”
“Man, you should see the expression on his face. He actually seems to believe what that beggar is saying.”
The younger generation rose from their seats and approached the railing. Among them was Woo Jin-tae, unable to contain his curiosity.
‘Let me at least see what kind of fellows they are.’
And the moment he saw the young master’s face, which bore a serious expression as he nodded, a burst of laughter erupted from his mouth.
“Puhahahaha!”
At the same time, the other younger generation members began laughing loudly as well.
“Hehehehe! Oof, my sides hurt from laughing so hard.”
“Kahahaha! These bastards don’t know the first thing about martial arts, and they’re spouting off about the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes?”
After what felt like an eternity of laughter, they finally noticed something—a single gaze fixed upon them with unwavering intensity.
“Done laughing?”
At the young master’s words, the followers froze in their tracks.
Every one of them had been raised as pampered darlings. When was the last time they’d heard such casual, disrespectful speech?
The oppressive silence that descended was shattered by Woo Jin-tae’s dry voice.
“Then what?”
The young master broke into a wide grin.
“Get down here right now, you bastards. My throat’s sore.”
* * *
Hyuk Moo-jin asked with eager eyes.
“Shall we have a match?”
“Just watch what they’re doing.”
“Didn’t you just call them bastards? That’s a declaration of war, isn’t it?”
“That too. See all their spit on my face?”
“It’s quite a bit.”
Hyuk Moo-jin wiped my face clean with his sleeve.
“What if they don’t apologize?”
“They should.”
“Look at their expressions. They absolutely won’t apologize.”
“Then they’ll have to get beaten senseless.”
“But there are women among them….”
“I’m an egalitarian.”
“Pardon?”
“I hit everyone fairly.”
Chung Poong, who had been silently observing, looked at me with sparkling eyes.
“Oh, I don’t fully understand, but that sounds pretty cool.”
“You’re easily impressed… Anyway, thanks.”
I wanted to say more, but time ran out.
Five of them—no, five ruffians—leaped down from the second floor.
Thud.
A graceful landing befitting a first-rate master. One figure stepped forward from among them, fixing his gaze on me.
Level 45. Tall and handsome. The same one who laughed first.
“I am….”
“Are you the leader?”
“Leader?”
“Among those five, are you the boss?”
He smirked.
“You should watch your tongue. If you knew who the people here are….”
I smiled back at them and scanned through the level windows of those guys.
“Sung Yong, Cheon Woo, Myung Hwa, So Hye, and finally you—Jin Tae. Tell me your family name too?”
“…!”
“…!”
Five pairs of eyes widened in shock. No—seven pairs, including Hyuk Moo-jin and Chung Poong, all fixed on me.
“Ah, and this is a personal request: please don’t ask how I knew. I’m tired of that line. If you say it, I’ll hit you.”
“How did you…!”
“Do you have cotton in your ears?”
The next instant, my palm connected with his cheek.
Crack!

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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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