Murim Login - Chapter 181

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 181
“You cause trouble the moment you take your eyes off something.”
Baek Moo-sung lightly reprimanded his disciple before bowing his head toward Woo Hwang-tae.
“It seems there was merely a small misunderstanding between us. I trust you’ll forgive us with your generous heart.”
His voice was as gentle as his appearance.
Woo Hwang-tae was closer to a merchant than a martial artist. While his martial skills were first-rate, he took pride in the keen eye he had cultivated through running his escort service—an eye he considered to have reached its peak.
Perhaps under normal circumstances, the moment he saw Baek Moo-sung, he would have thought this.
‘Extraordinary within the ordinary.’
Unfortunately, Woo Hwang-tae was not in his right mind at this moment.
Baek Moo-sung’s refined features, which had intruded so suddenly, appeared contemptible, and his courteous voice, which carried the composure of a strong man, sounded only arrogant.
“What did you say? Forgive with a generous heart?”
He snarled in a seething voice, raising his eyebrows.
“Who do you think you are, telling me what to do?”
“That was not my intention, but if I’ve offended you, I apologize.”
“An apology? Ha, you upstart fool.”
Crack.
Once consumed by rage, the mind naturally becomes clouded.
The other sect leaders hurriedly stopped Woo Hwang-tae as he stepped forward with clenched fists.
“Lord Woo, it would be best to stop here.”
“Lord Song speaks wisely. What good would come from causing a commotion?”
“These fellows who crawled in from who knows where are acting arrogant, and you want me to endure it? Do you all look down on me as well?”
“No, that’s not what we mean.”
“Then what are you trying to say?”
His tone had become half-disrespectful. The sect leaders of the Sanseo Five Gates frowned inwardly but had to prevent unnecessary conflict.
“It’s simply that the timing and place are wrong. Have you forgotten our situation?”
“If you insist on it, we won’t stop you further… but there’s no need to cause a disturbance when the Taewon Jin Family already views us unfavorably.”
“I understand your anger, but please consider our position as well. Let’s all try to survive together.”
Again, again. That cursed Taewon Jin Family!
Woo Hwang-tae barely restrained the curses threatening to burst forth. Had there not been so many eyes and ears around, he would have hurled every obscenity imaginable and smashed everything in sight.
But one final thread of reason held him back.
“Ughhhh.”
Woo Hwang-tae, having barely composed himself, glared at Baek Moo-sung. The man remained standing in place, his expression still composed.
“If I had my way, I’d beat you to death on the spot without hesitation… but I’ll overlook it as the mistake of a country bumpkin. Get out of here before I change my mind.”
Baek Moo-sung, who had been quietly observing him, bowed his head.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Hmph, lucky fellows.”
Yet it was Woo Hwang-tae who was fortunate.
Had Baek Moo-sung not sent a transmission to stop him first, he would have been on death’s door by now.
– Second, stop.
The figure of Pae Hwa-kwon, the second of the Three Plum Blossoms, who was about to launch himself forward, came to an abrupt halt.
A voice inaudible to others leaked through the gaps between his teeth.
– He’s the kind who dares to lay hands on even the Elder Brother.
– It doesn’t matter.
– It matters to me. Just one hit, couldn’t I land just one hit?
– That sounds like you want to beat him to death.
– …I’ll go easy. Really, just one hit.
– That’s just beating him to death gently. Have you forgotten Master’s strict orders not to draw unnecessary attention?
Chul-woo, conflicted, slowly lowered the fist he had been clenching tightly.
“Phew, this is driving me mad.”
Baek Moo-sung patted his shoulder as if impressed.
“Well done holding back. This too is training.”
“How is this training? I’ve learned martial arts only to never use them when I need to.”
“Indiscriminate killing will only destroy you. Martial arts are about refining your spirit, energy, and mind—not about taking someone’s life.”
“Every time I see you, Elder Brother, I get confused. Am I a disciple of the Huashan Sect or a monk of Shaolin Temple?”
“Could someone with your temperament ever become a monk? I only feel sorry for the wooden fish blocks you’d destroy.”
At Baek Moo-sung’s amused chuckle, Chul-woo sighed.
He deeply respected his Elder Brother, but the man was far too good-natured—that was the problem.
“Those bastards deserve to have their mouths smashed in….”
“Ahem, watch that tongue!”
“Yes, I understand.”
Chul-woo watched Woo Hwang-tae’s retreating figure, now distant, and smacked his lips.
‘I’ve memorized your face. Just let me catch you once.’
Baek Moo-sung could hardly fail to read such thoughts from his disciple. He shook his head slowly.
“Forget such idle musings and find the youngest first.”
“Has Eun-hyang disappeared again?”
“Yes, just like you.”
Chul-woo flinched.
“I, I only went to relieve myself.”
“That’s what you say. But if you only went to relieve yourself, why did you get into trouble in such a crowded place?”
“I was just coming back after finishing up. No, Elder Brother, you don’t trust me? I haven’t even washed my hands yet—would you like to smell them?”
“…Never mind.”
Baek Moo-sung rubbed his temples. His disciples were dearer to him than anyone, yet they were extraordinarily difficult to manage.
At least Chul-woo was large enough to spot quickly, but Eun-hyang, the youngest disciple, was nowhere to be seen in this throng of people.
“Do you see her anywhere?”
Chul-woo, whose head rose two heads taller than most, swept his gaze across the surroundings.
“I’m not sure. There are just too many people.”
Finding a small girl among the endless, crowded masses was difficult even for the eyes of a supreme master.
There were so many people that even the merchants who had spread their stalls in various spots were visible.
“By the way, was the Taewon Jin Family really this prosperous? I’d never even heard of it before coming here.”
“Those who know, know. The current sect leader, the Shanxi Qi Xia, is well-known, and Jin Cheon Sword is also quite renowned, isn’t he?”
“I’m not familiar with the Shanxi Qi Xia, but if you’re talking about Jin Cheon Sword, isn’t he the one they call part of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes or something?”
“Watch your tongue. Such disrespect.”
“He’s just some scholar who attends academies. What’s the big deal? In my opinion, Elder Brother is far more——”
“Tsk. Where did you learn such a terrible habit of judging people before you’ve even met them? He is clearly a talented individual.”
“Well, if that’s the standard in Shanxi Province, it’s hardly different from a dragon rising from a ditch.”
Chul-woo, who had been responding with indifference, suddenly furrowed his brow.
“By the way, besides Jin Cheon Sword, there’s another one—whether he’s a dragon or a loach—isn’t there?”
“A dragon? Are you referring to the Shanxi Sleeping Dragon?”
“Ah, yes. The Shanxi Sleeping Dragon.”
“Not quite on the level of Jin Cheon Sword, but I’ve heard he’s quite a capable talent.”
“Dragon or loach, I’ve heard about him so much on the way here that I should at least see his face.”
Baek Moo-sung’s lips curved upward slightly as he watched Chul-woo clench his fists.
“Do you want to test yourself against him?”
Chul-woo scratched the back of his head as he answered.
“Well, not necessarily. I’m bound to win anyway.”
“Competitive spirit is admirable, but you should avoid causing trouble.”
“What trouble could there be? Since we’re here anyway, let’s just see what he’s made of.”
Baek Moo-sung gazed intently at his second disciple.
Despite his words, his curiosity was plainly evident.
Chul-woo’s temperament, combined with years of being cooped up on Huashan facing the same people every day, had left him eager for excitement.
“You’ll see soon enough. Though first, I suppose I need to find the youngest.”
The words that followed came out almost like a sigh.
The gates of the Taewon Jin Family had already opened, and the invited guests were pouring in like clouds.
It was just as I was wondering if I should climb a tree to search.
“Elder Brother, you don’t mind a little noise, do you?”
“What?”
Chul-woo flashed a grin and drew in a deep breath.
And in the next moment, a thunderous cry erupted.
“Eun-hyang!!!”
There was no time to stop him. Chul-woo’s voice was as formidable as his frame.
People around them covered their ears and sank to the ground, while countless others who had been laughing and chattering fell silent.
It was as if cold water had been poured over everyone when the silence fell.
“Elder Brothers! I’m here!”
Spotting a young girl jumping up and down in place far ahead, Chul-woo spoke with triumphant satisfaction.
“Hahaha! Elder Brother, I found her!”
“…Yes, well done. Very well done indeed.”
It was just as Baek Moo-sung pressed his hand to his forehead.
Whoooosh.
As if a reed field were parting in the wind, hundreds of people murmured and cleared a path.
And at the end of that path stood a man like an iron tower, whom Chul-woo found himself muttering about without thinking.
“Is that a man or a bear?”
“A man. Without him, the Taewon Jin Family would not exist today.”
Baek Moo-sung offered a respectful fist salute to Jin Wi-kyung, who resembled a bear.
* * *
Thud-thud-thud-thud!
The landscape blurred past in streaks. Hyuk Moo-jin, riding beside me, shouted over the thunder of hooves.
“The journey here was slow, but the return is incredibly fast. Was it because we took it leisurely two days ago?”
“Everything has its reasons.”
“What reason is that?”
“As long as someone doesn’t attempt to eat something while riding a horse, the pace quickens.”
“Ah.”
Chung Poong’s expression remained gloomy throughout. Before our departure, I had stopped him from packing an enormous amount of food.
“I’m hungry.”
I replied coldly.
“Endure it.”
A supreme master’s digestive capacity was equally supreme. Whatever Chung Poong consumed, he expelled in equal measure, and whatever he expelled, he consumed again. With such frequent eating came frequent… well, I’d rather not dwell on this filthy matter.
Damn it, I should stop here.
“How far have we come?”
“The ninth village just passed… I’d estimate we’ll arrive in half a shichen at the shortest, or within a full shichen at the longest.”
The blazing sunlight stung my eyes. I gazed at the sun climbing steadily toward its zenith.
“We should arrive around noon.”
“Likely so.”
“We’re late, aren’t we?”
“Of course we’re late. Why else would I be riding like this to minimize the delay?”
That was fair.
Instead of answering, I spurred my horse forward. With each gallop, the long bundle strapped to my back struck the horse’s flank.
‘Damn, this is infuriating.’
The bundle contained the [Nameless Sword].
It was something I should have returned to Jeok Cheon-gang, but circumstances forced me to carry it again.
In the Murim, where law is distant and fists are near, I had no choice in the matter.
‘I can’t exactly store it in my inventory either.’
I could make excuses about keeping the Flame Divine Technique’s secret manual in my robes, but if a sword suddenly materialized from my pocket, there would be no explanation. It would be impossible to deny.
If I were alone, perhaps it wouldn’t matter, but with others watching, I’d be branded as a follower of the Demonic Heretical Way in an instant.
‘This really is a terrible situation.’
My complaint wasn’t merely about being burdened with this troublesome burden. It was the prospect of meeting that terrifying old man, Fire King Jeok Cheon-gang, again.
‘I’ll have to see him again soon.’
See him? For what?
Every time I recalled what I’d heard a few shichen ago, my stomach churned.
Hyuk Moo-jin, who had been glancing at me intermittently, asked.
“Why do you have such an expression on your face?”
“I’ve been thinking about Fire King.”
“Good heavens. Isn’t it enough to dwell on happy thoughts without conjuring such dreadful imaginings?”
“Wouldn’t you think of him too? He’ll be back soon enough.”
“That’s precisely why I’m asking—couldn’t you grant me some leave? I’ve suddenly grown homesick for my family.”
“This bastard wants to abandon me.”
“Who knows what fate holds? Before I meet my end, I should at least see my parents’ faces once more.”
“For someone who hasn’t shown his face in years, you’re hardly in a position to speak of filial piety.”
“This time, I wish to become a dutiful son.”
“No. Absolutely not.”
I cleanly ignored Hyuk Moo-jin’s nonsense and gazed up at the heavens with a sigh.
“The heavens are indifferent indeed. Why did that old man insist on giving me such a thing?”
“It’s a nuisance to carry around, isn’t it?”
“That’s the only reason?”
“Given who he is, it seems entirely plausible.”
“….”
That’s actually quite persuasive.
“I could lose it along the way, or perhaps I could just dispose of it myself.”
“You, Master Jang?”
Hyuk Moo-jin laughed as though he’d heard some grand jest.
“What have you done all this time? If it hadn’t been a matter of life and death, you’d still be merely holding onto the Yeolhwa Divine Elixir.”
“That’s… true enough.”
“Just hide it away where no one will notice. Who knows? Perhaps that great Fire King might even teach you a technique in gratitude.”
“Teach me? Not a chance. Not to someone who killed his disciple.”
I let out a snort at such an absurd notion.
The Yeolhwa Sect was said to be a lineage of single-succession, never transmitting to outsiders. Yet this man spoke of teaching martial arts to me, an outsider, regardless of personal sentiment.
“You need to know when to stop talking nonsense, or it stops being funny.”
“Well, now that you mention it, you’re right.”
Just then, Chung Poong, who had been sprawled about like a corpse repeatedly complaining of hunger, opened his mouth.
“Isn’t he trying to take his benefactor as a disciple?”
“…?”
“…?”
“Am I wrong? It seemed to me that Grandfather Jeok was observing his benefactor quite intently.”
“Me?”
“Master Jang?”
My gaze and Hyuk Moo-jin’s collided in mid-air. His expression was one of utter bewilderment. Mine was probably much the same.
We both let out a dry chuckle simultaneously.
“How fortunate. Master Jang, allow me to offer my congratulations in advance.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you.”
Me, whom he’d known for barely a day or two?
The notion was so preposterous it didn’t even register as a joke.
“Is it or isn’t it? Which is it?”
As Chung Poong uttered those nonsensical words and tilted his head in confusion, Hyuk Moo-jin raised a finger to point beyond.
“Do you see it?”
I could see it. People walking along a well-trodden path. And far beyond, a vast expanse of land surrounded by throngs of humanity.
‘The Taewon Jin Family.’
After four days, I had finally returned.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————