Murim Login - Chapter 142

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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 142
“Lee Poong, an inner disciple of the Huashan Sect, pays my respects to you, Chung Poong, my martial uncle.”
The Zahasin Divine Technique and the Plum Blossom Sword Method. The final word that escaped Lee Poong’s lips—martial uncle—sealed it all.
At this incomprehensible turn of events, Gong Il-hyuk’s face darkened to an ashen hue.
‘Then… could it really be him?’
Even if he wasn’t the Sword Saint’s direct grandson, one thing was certain.
That fool bowing repeatedly with a bewildered expression was the successor who had inherited everything from the Sword Saint, Mae Jong-hak.
“This… this can’t be. This is absolutely absurd…”
As Gong Il-hyuk stammered in denial of reality, a smooth voice reached his ears.
“Master Gong.”
“Ah, Director Hong.”
Upon spotting Hong Jin, Gong Il-hyuk’s expression brightened considerably.
The Zhongnan Sect conducted various enterprises through their connections with government officials, and Hong Jin was a powerful figure in Shanxi Province whom he had come to know through these dealings.
He was the only person who could extend a hand of salvation in this predicament.
“How did this come to pass?”
At Hong Jin’s gentle voice, Gong Il-hyuk’s heart eased.
“It seems I was momentarily mistaken.”
“Mistaken? What could you possibly have been mistaken about?”
“I merely thought he was a charlatan peddling the Sword Saint’s name…”
“Well, I confess martial arts are entirely beyond my expertise, but he hardly strikes me as a fraud.”
“Ah, it was merely a small misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding, you say…”
Hong Jin, murmuring softly, fixed his gaze squarely upon Gong Il-hyuk.
“Master Gong.”
“Yes, Director Hong.”
“Do you know why I invited you and the others of the Zhongnan Sect to this gathering?”
“I do, quite well.”
There were two reasons.
First, to establish a connection with the Sangshan King, the Provincial Governor of Shanxi and a member of the imperial family, and to obtain his approval for a new venture.
Second, to thoroughly humble Lee Poong, Hong Jin’s rival.
“However, as you well know, I’ve been rather occupied of late. In my haste, I failed to inform His Highness that another guest would be arriving.”
“I see.”
His voice, stripped of its nasal inflection, was utterly dry. Gong Il-hyuk asked with an anxious expression.
“But why mention that now…”
“I would prefer it if you left for today.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Surely an uninvited guest would put His Highness in an uncomfortable frame of mind?”
It was an unmistakable order to leave. And with it came the word—uninvited guest.
Gong Il-hyuk protested.
“Uninvited guest? Director Hong, what in the world do you mean by that?”
“My goodness, must I repeat myself? I said exactly what I mentioned before. I simply hadn’t had the chance to inform His Majesty yet.”
Hong Jin was originally an eunuch of the inner court. He had stood by the Sangshan King’s side since infancy, and through that loyalty, he had secured the position of Director of the Eunuchs—the true power behind the Shanxi Provincial Government and second-in-command of the military.
For someone who held the young king’s favor so completely to turn away a guest merely because he hadn’t mentioned it beforehand? It was absurd.
“I, I’m not entirely certain what you mean, Director….”
Hong Jin offered a slight smile toward the flustered Gong Il-hyuk.
“Master Gong.”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t think so, but you’re rather slow-witted, aren’t you?”
“…Pardon?”
“Or perhaps you simply lack perception?”
The sudden insult rendered the surroundings silent. Gong Il-hyuk and the other two members of the Zhongnan Three Hands trembled with barely suppressed rage.
“That’s quite an excessive remark.”
“Oh, if you felt that way, then you’ve grasped my intention correctly. I did lay it on rather thick intentionally, after all.”
“Director!”
“Lower your voice. This is the Great Hall.”
“Why are you suddenly acting this way? Surely you’re not disappointed in me over what just happened!”
“I said lower your voice. And I’m not disappointed in you, Master Gong. We’re not friends, and we’re not people who should expect things of one another or feel let down.”
“Then… have you forgotten our agreement with the Zhongnan Sect?”
“Agreement? Ah, you mean that business about opening a path through Shanxi Province?”
Hong Jin chuckled softly and continued.
“That’s simply how transactions work. Before a deal is finalized, it can fall apart at any moment. Surely you don’t believe that a few words settled everything before His Majesty has even given his approval?”
Gong Il-hyuk barely suppressed the fury rising within him.
He had already made grand promises to the Zhongnan Sect, his master sect, as if the matter were concluded.
If this succeeded, he would receive appropriate compensation, but if it failed, he could not escape censure. He had to do everything in his power to win over this eunuch before him.
“If this matter succeeds, wouldn’t it be beneficial for Director as well? The Zhongnan Sect never forgets either kindness or enmity.”
Kindness was one thing, but the deliberate addition of enmity was a subtle threat—a warning that one of the Nine Major Sects and One Alliance could become an enemy.
Hong Jin, who had spent his entire life as an eunuch witnessing countless intrigues since childhood, could not possibly miss the hidden meaning in those words.
‘Tsk, tsk. This is why martial artists are so troublesome.’
Hong Jin clicked his tongue inwardly.
Every word and gesture was clumsy and transparent.
Compared to someone like Gong Il-hyuk—worn smooth by mediocrity—Lee Poong, who was taciturn and resolute like a true martial artist, was a far more formidable opponent.
‘They don’t even realize who holds the sword now.’
If they had a goal they desired, they should have crawled and begged; instead, they added threats. But because of this, his resolve hardened.
“Master Gong. A delicate person like me gets frightened by words like that and can’t work together with someone.”
“Ah, if there was any misunderstanding….”
Just as Gong Il-hyuk was about to apologize while pretending ignorance, Jin Tae-kyung, who had been watching the two with a bored expression, casually dropped a remark.
“Misunderstanding? Even a stray dog wouldn’t believe that.”
“Th, this…!”
“Uh, Zhongnan Sect seniors. I’m not sure what grand business you’re conducting, but couldn’t you discuss it separately later? I’m already devastated that the meal got ruined.”
Watching Jin Tae-kyung lick his lips as he gazed at the food scattered across the floor, Hong Jin let out a genuine laugh.
“Don’t worry. Once these gentlemen leave, I’ll have fresh provisions brought in. Isn’t that right?”
Now they were literally pushing him toward the door. Gong Il-hyuk’s jaw clenched.
“Provincial Inspector. I acknowledge that my judgment has been lacking. However, I implore you to carefully consider what we stand to lose and gain from today’s events.”
“You seem to be under a misapprehension. This decision was made after thoroughly weighing practical benefits.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
“The project will continue. We’ll establish a dedicated trade route connecting Shaanxi and Shanxi, build trading posts, and expand operations.”
“Then shouldn’t we be cooperating even more closely with the Sect?”
At his desperate cry, Hong Jin’s eyes widened.
“Is the Zhongnan Sect the only martial faction in Shaanxi? From what I understand, there’s a sect that’s far older and enjoys much better public perception.”
“…Are you perhaps referring to the Huashan Sect?”
Gong Il-hyuk’s face contorted.
Huashan and Zhongnan had been bitter rivals, locked in countless political maneuvers over the past several centuries.
If this opportunity fell to Huashan instead of another faction, it would be far more than a light reprimand.
“How could you do this to me!”
“Naturally I can. There’s a better option right before my eyes.”
“The Sect is in no way inferior to Huashan. In fact, in this generation, I would dare say we’ve surpassed them.”
“You ‘would dare say.’ Your loyalty to your sect is admirable. But wouldn’t I prefer to hear something universally acknowledged by both insiders and outsiders?”
Hong Jin continued without hesitation.
“Great Hero Gong, let me ask you directly. Does the Zhongnan Sect have a master of the caliber of the Sword Saint?”
“…That is…”
“What about an exceptional rising talent like the young hero over there?”
“…”
All three of the Zhongnan Three Hands, including Gong Il-hyuk, found themselves unable to speak.
The Sword Saint? The Zhongnan Sect’s sect leader, the Feng Yun Sword Lord, was occasionally compared to the Ten Kings, but that was the extent of it.
As for a monster like Chung Poong—they’d never even heard of such a thing. Gong Il-hyuk’s face flushed red, especially since he’d made the first move and had to kneel within a single exchange.
“B-but the number of supreme masters belonging to our Sect is in no way inferior to Huashan’s.”
“I’ve heard that the strength of a Murim faction depends not on how many masters it has, but on what ‘kind’ of masters it possesses.”
Hong Jin’s words struck the heart of the matter, and Gong Il-hyuk was momentarily speechless.
Yet somehow, by any means necessary, he had to prevent Huashan from taking this position.
“Furthermore, all our past collaborations with the government have concluded successfully. Meanwhile, Huashan has no experience undertaking such ventures. They’re bound to be clumsy and make mistakes.”
“Is that so?”
Hong Jin smiled and turned his head toward someone.
“Inspector Lee, what do you think?”
Lee Poong, who had been watching silently, answered.
“That’s true. Huashan does tend to maintain a clear distinction between official and martial affairs.”
Hong Jin frowned, and color returned to Gong Il-hyuk’s face, when Lee Poong’s weighty voice continued.
“But doesn’t everyone have a first time?”
“Lee Poong, you bastard!”
Hong Jin burst out laughing.
“Our Inspector Lee has really grown quite sharp.”
“Who do you have to thank for that?”
Though we’d had the same conversation less than an hour ago, the atmosphere couldn’t have been more different now.
The two of them continued their exchange in a warm, cordial tone.
“I wish this inspector would let me stay. What do you think?”
“Of course. I’ll send a messenger to Master. When the Sect Leader hears this news, he’ll be delighted as well.”
“And do let him know we have such an esteemed guest here.”
Lee Poong smiled softly as he followed Hong Jin’s gaze.
“That’s news the Grand Tutor will be pleased to hear.”
“This is off to a good start.”
“I quite agree.”
Gong Il-hyuk, now completely excluded from the conversation, trembled with rage.
The situation had spiraled too far to salvage. His eyes swept across the assembly, burning with fury and betrayal.
“How dare you disrespect the Zhongnan Sect!”
“By the way, I’ve been meaning to say something.”
Jin Tae-kyung interjected abruptly, a smirk playing at his lips as he continued.
“It’s not that I disrespect the Zhongnan Sect—I disrespect you. I actually love the Zhongnan Sect. Domination… anyway, I’ve faithfully watched all thirty-four volumes.”
“What nonsense! The Taewon Jin Family, with no lineage to speak of, has no place here!”
Jin Tae-kyung turned to Chung Poong with a wounded expression, poking him in the ribs.
“Chung Poong. That gentleman says our family has no lineage.”
“What? To our benefactor?”
“Yeah. Even if he’s a senior, isn’t that too harsh? I’m too scared of the Nine Major Sects and One Alliance to respond, so Chung Poong, could you say something on my behalf?”
“M-me? I’m not very good at that sort of thing.”
“Aren’t I your benefactor? Was I only a benefactor in name?”
“No, of course not.”
“Then say what I tell you to say.”
After their hushed exchange ended, Chung Poong opened his mouth hesitantly.
“G-g-…”
“Chung Poong, louder! You can do this!”
Emboldened by Jin Tae-kyung’s encouragement, Chung Poong squeezed his eyes shut and bellowed.
“Get lost, you stubborn old fools!”
“…!”
“…!”
Stubborn old fools? He wasn’t entirely sure what that meant, but it didn’t matter. The word “fools” at the end said everything.
“You little brat, I’ll beat you to death!”
Gong Il-hyuk and his two companions’ eyes widened in fury.
Who were they? Disciples of the Zhongnan Sect’s main temple. For those accustomed to the admiring gazes of the masses, this was an unbearable humiliation.
But…
“Tch, let’s go!”
Gong Il-hyuk turned away, swallowing his rage. Neither the opponent nor the location was suitable for settling this insult.
‘I will repay this humiliation someday. Without fail!’
His clenched fist trembled with rage, blood dripping from his knuckles.
As he stormed out of the Great Hall with heavy, furious strides, the voices of Jin Tae-kyung and Chung Poong followed in his wake.
“Wow, you’ve got quite the mouth on you. Is this your first time cursing like that?”
“Yes, that’s the first curse I’ve ever uttered!”
“For a first attempt, you’ve got real talent. You should learn plenty from me going forward. Life has a way of forcing you to use words you’d rather not, whether you like it or not.”
“Yes!”

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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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