Murim Login - Chapter 143

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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 143
As Zhongnan Three Hands departed in a thunderous huff, Hong Jin withdrew a small bell from his robes and shook it.
“Well then, now that our uninvited guests have left, we should tidy up.”
Ding, ding, ding.
Precisely three chimes. Before the sound had even faded, the iron doors swung open and dozens of servants filed in, bowing deeply.
“Clean the Great Hall thoroughly and bring fresh food.”
“We shall obey your command.”
Bowing once more, they moved with perfect synchronization.
Shattered tables, scattered food, even Chung Poong’s vomit—they began clearing everything away without so much as a raised eyebrow.
‘Professional, truly professional.’
Any cleaning service would pale in comparison.
Unlike me, who stood marveling at the sight, Chung Poong wore an uncomfortable expression and cautiously approached the servants.
“I’m, I’m sorry. Please, let me help.”
One of the servants shook his head.
“No, sir. This is our duty.”
“But I made this mess, so at least let me—”
No matter how sturdy these servants were, they faced a master of the highest caliber. They had no choice but to yield to Chung Poong’s wishes.
Yet as Chung Poong forcibly took the cleaning tools and began wiping away the filth, his movements suddenly froze.
“Uurgh, uuuuuuech!”
“….”
Please, just stay still. Don’t create more work for yourself.
Watching him heave violently once more, Hong Jin turned to Lee Poong with a suspicious gaze.
“Military Commander, is that young man truly the disciple of Sword Saint Mae Jong-hak?”
“He is, without question.”
“Then why is he in such a state?”
“Ahem.”
Lee Poong coughed awkwardly, his face flushed. To him, Chung Poong was the disciple of Sword Saint Mae Jong-hak and a senior of his sect, yet he couldn’t deny the fact that the young man was somewhat… peculiar.
“It seems that having lived a life so removed from the secular world, he has become unaccustomed to such matters.”
“Still, surely the Great Martial Master taught him the basics, at least?”
“Well… from what I understand, the Sword Sage is also quite an extraordinary individual.”
An extraordinary individual, indeed.
It was a masterful euphemism, but to my ears, it sounded like ‘he’s cut from the same cloth.’
Hong Jin seemed to share the sentiment, falling silent for a moment.
“We can entrust this matter to the Huashan Sect, correct?”
“…Yes.”
Noticing Lee Poong’s delayed response, Hong Jin shook his head in disapproval.
“We’ll discuss that later. Shall we depart now?”
Sensing his hesitation, I asked.
“Depart where? The Prince hasn’t even arrived yet.”
“That’s precisely why we’re going—to receive the Prince.”
“Pardon?”
“If we wait much longer, the sun will set. I have a rough idea of where His Majesty is.”
I watched Hong Jin turn away with a wink and found myself thinking.
‘He’d be decent enough if he’d just stop doing that.’
I’m grateful he took our side, but that’s one thing and this is another.
My backside is precious, after all.
* * *
Hong Jin and Lee Poong walked side by side at the front.
Following behind them, I could roughly gauge what position they held here and what standing they possessed.
“Salute!”
Emotions always seep through in a person’s eyes, bearing, and voice.
In the vigorous military salutes directed at Lee Poong, I could read boundless respect.
‘And rightly so.’
Lee Poong, a lay disciple of the Huashan Sect, is a first-rate master. Venerating strength is instinctive for men, and he exuded a distinctly masculine aura. From what I observed, he was steadfast and taciturn.
‘Yet not entirely rigid.’
The fact that he accepted Hong Jin’s proposal proved it. Though they’d clearly been at odds, he knew when to grip and when to release.
No one dislikes a superior with reasonable flexibility.
‘Then what of Hong Jin?’
I shifted my gaze to the side.
Hong Jin, swaggering along with his hips swaying frivolously, received no respect from any of the soldiers. Some even cast contemptuous glances his way.
And yet….
“M-Military Commander, we greet you.”
“Yes, yes. Good work.”
“Yes, sir!”
The few officials and servants we passed on the way fawned over him with exaggerated deference.
Trembling voices and cautious steps. The emotion they displayed was unmistakably fear.
‘Respect and fear.’
Contradictory emotions, yet identical in one respect.
It was the art of managing people. Lee Poong and Hong Jin each commanded their subordinates’ support—one through respect, the other through fear.
‘So one controls the military, and the other holds the civil administration?’
Though Shanxi Province was called a frontier region, its scale was not to be dismissed.
With vast territory and millions registered in the household registers, it was a formidable autonomous region.
Where land exists, people gather; where people gather, power and wealth flow. Within the Shanxi Provincial Government, an invisible struggle for dominance continued relentlessly.
‘From what I’ve heard so far, Hong Jin seems to have the upper hand, but… it’s not my concern.’
I had no intention of involving myself in another’s power struggles when I was barely scraping by.
After walking while lost in such thoughts, we passed through nine gates and encountered a contingent of soldiers.
“Military Commander and Military Commander, you’ve arrived.”
The tenth gate was unusually large and tall. Whether it was actually built that way or merely appeared so because of the hundred soldiers stationed around it with airtight vigilance, I couldn’t say.
‘My, the security is formidable.’
Only a master at the peak, one capable of wielding sword energy, could hope to accomplish anything against them. Clad uniformly in armor and armed with spears, swords, and bows, they gleamed with sharp eyes beneath their helmets.
Even Chung Poong, who had been marveling at everything around us until now, lowered his voice and whispered to me.
“Wow. What do these people do?”
“I’m not entirely sure, but they’re probably the Royal Guard protecting the Sangshan King, Your Majesty.”
“The Royal Guard? That’s so cool….”
Chung Poong, muttering with a dazed expression, clenched his fists tightly.
“Benefactor, I’ve made a decision.”
“About what?”
Why do I feel uneasy every time this guy opens his mouth?
Of course, my premonition proved accurate once again.
“I want to join the Royal Guard too!”
“…That doesn’t seem like such a good idea.”
This is news the Sword Saint won’t be pleased to hear.
I rubbed my throbbing forehead and spoke.
“Shouldn’t you at least get your grandfather’s permission?”
“It’s fine. Grandfather said so. Life is short, so if you find something you want to do, just try it.”
“And that something is the Royal Guard?”
“Yes.”
Chung Poong stared intently at the Royal Guard lined up like a sword’s edge, his eyes gleaming. More precisely, he stared at their gleaming black armor.
No, surely he’s not…?
“…Could it be that you just think the armor looks cool?”
“Gasp.”
Bingo. I’ve never seen such a madman.
‘Who in their right mind joins the Royal Guard because they covet the merchandise?’
Lee Poong, who had been listening to our conversation, approached with a face that had aged ten years.
“Young Master Chung Poong, though I am but a humble lay disciple, you are a direct successor who must bear the future of the Huashan Sect. To abandon the sect and throw yourself into the Military Gate—please, I beg you to be more careful with your words and actions….”
Chung Poong, standing there with a guilty expression, frantically waved his hands.
“No, no. That’s not it at all.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes, yes!”
“Then I shall understand it that way. If you need anything, I was planning to give you a suit of armor before you go….”
Snap.
“I’ll gratefully accept it. Great Hero.”
“….”
“….”
No, is this guy serious?
Oblivious to the awkward atmosphere around us, Chung Poong laughed with a grin.
“This Great Hero is a good person.”
“It’s not Great Hero, but Senior Brother. Young Master Chung Poong.”
“Senior Brother, Senior Brother. Those terms feel strange… Can’t we just call each other by comfortable names?”
“No. The hierarchy of our sect is strict. From now on, call me Senior Brother. Only then will I give you the armor.”
“Hmm. Still…”
Lee Poong delivered one final blow toward the hesitant Chung Poong.
“If you call me ‘Master’ from now on, I’ll also provide you with the weapons used by the Royal Guard.”
“Gasp…!”
Game over.
Merchandise completion follows the set item rule. Chung Poong, having obtained the [Royal Guard Armor Set], spread both arms wide with a face full of joy.
“Master Lee Poong!”
Lee Poong answered awkwardly.
“Y-yes, Young Master Chung Poong.”
“I love Master Lee Poong more than anything in the world!”
“…Thank you, Young Master.”
I felt sorry for the Sword Saint, who had raised such a fellow as his grandson for twenty years.
While even the Royal Guard were distracted by this unexpected farce, Hong Jin let out a deep sigh and opened his mouth.
“What are you doing? Open the door.”
* * *
Would it barely reach my chest? The young king, Sangshan King Ju Pyo, was far smaller than I had imagined, and yet far stronger.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
This was not a sound that should come from a sword wielded by a mere ten-year-old child. Sharp blade technique, footwork that swiftly traversed the Training Ground floor.
Even for someone like me, who was not particularly well-versed in swordsmanship, the level was enough to command respect.
‘It wasn’t without reason that he invited us.’
When I first received the Sangshan King’s invitation, there was only one thought on my mind.
Go and tell him a few tales of valor that he wanted to hear. Just that much?
But this child was different. Perhaps I would need to teach him about martial arts rather than tales of valor.
“What are your impressions of His Majesty?”
Hong Jin, who had dismissed all the attendants waiting outside the Training Ground with a single gesture, asked.
Even so, the young king immersed in martial arts had not noticed who came or who left.
“What exactly are you asking for my impressions of?”
“Well, first of all, his martial arts?”
I answered honestly.
“Better than expected. No, rather exceptional. When did he begin learning?”
“He began showing interest in martial arts three years ago.”
“Three years…”
“Yes. From the day he first held a sword, he has not missed a single day of martial arts training without special circumstances.”
Lee Poong added with a pleased smile.
“In many ways, he is not like a child at all. A person of remarkable determination. Much like Young Master Jin, I would say.”
“Me?”
“Indeed. Young Master Jin also underwent bone-grinding efforts from childhood, did he not? Living up to his reputation as a master cultivated with great care by the Taewon Jin Family in secret, he is making great accomplishments.”
“Ah… yes.”
That was merely a rumor spread by the Taewon Jin Family for public consumption.
I don’t even remember what I was doing when I was ten years old.
‘He probably went to elementary school or something.’
Lee Poong continued speaking.
“Your Majesty was so delighted when he heard the tale of Shanxi Sleeping Dragon. I’m certain he has been eagerly anticipating meeting Young Master Jin today.”
“…Yet he didn’t seem to wait very long for that, did he?”
I felt like we’d waited nearly an hour. Perhaps it’s because he’s a king—this young boy already lacks basic manners.
As I grumbled timidly, Lee Poong smiled faintly.
“His Majesty has a habit of immersing himself in martial arts whenever he grows tense. If his feelings were hurt, I offer my apologies.”
Why apologize again? Just as I was waving my hand dismissively, Hong Jin cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted.
“Your Majestyyyy—!”
At the drawn-out cry, the small figure wielding the sword technique came to an abrupt halt. Soon after spotting us, the boy waved his hand.
“What is that?”
“His Majesty is calling for you, sir.”
“Are we some village mongrels?”
“Wow, I’ve never played village mongrel before!”
“…Please, just close your mouth. Nobody here has ever played village mongrel.”
I suppressed my frustration and approached the Training Ground.
Sangshan King Ju Pyo. With each step, his face drew closer.
‘It’s always the rude ones who are handsome.’
Despite his young age, his features were already refined and well-defined, and his dark eyes gazed intently at me.
As I reached him, a voice still tinged with youth emerged.
“Do you know who I am?”
I had already learned the basic courtesies. I knelt on one knee to meet Ju Pyo’s gaze.
“Yes. Your Majesty, Sangshan King.”
“I do not yet know your name.”
“I am Jin Tae-kyung of the Taewon Jin Family.”
A faint glimmer of surprise flickered across his dignified eyes.
“You mean… Shanxi Sleeping Dragon Jin Tae-kyung?”
“That is correct.”
I wondered what reaction he would show.
The young king, who had been silent for a moment, suddenly produced something from his garments—a wooden tablet the size of an adult’s palm and a short blade.
“This is…”
“…?”
He handed it to me, so I accepted it, but what was I supposed to do with it?
To my bewilderment, Ju Pyo spoke with solemn authority.
“I request your signature.”
“…”
Ah, he’s asking for my autograph?

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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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