Murim Login - Chapter 184

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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 184
It wasn’t merely hundreds—it looked like there could be a thousand. We pushed through the massive crowd, escorted by the martial artists of the Taewon Jin Family.
‘This feeling is incredible.’
It’s like being a celebrity in the Chinese sphere. Like that Korean wave phenomenon.
Well, I’m actually Korean, so it’s not entirely wrong, is it?
“Shanxi Sleeping Dragon! Just look this way once!”
“Kyaaah! Young Master Jin!”
“Eeeeek!”
Even a stray dog eats half its meal at home before leaving, as they say.
No matter how famous the Three Plum Blossoms were, they couldn’t defeat the pride of Shanxi Province, the son of Taewon, on his home ground.
Chul-woo whispered to me as I waved my hand with a pleased smile.
“Look at those corners of your mouth lifted up. You’re happy, aren’t you?”
“Look at those corners of your mouth drooped down. Are you sad?”
“You Shanxi Province bumpkin.”
“Yes, next question.”
“This damn dog….”
“What, this….”
Just as sparks were about to fly again, a single strand of transmission pierced my ear.
– Sam-gong-ja!
Wi Paeng was glaring at me with a menacing expression. He looked like he wanted to slap my cheek right then and there.
He’d apparently sent a similar transmission to Chul-woo as well, for he too added a word with a displeased face.
“I’ll let it slide.”
I answered with a snort instead.
When I first heard the crowd’s cheers and learned that Chul-woo was quite a rising star even within the Hua Mountain Sect, I was fairly surprised, but that was all.
‘So what if he’s one of the Three Plum Blossoms?’
I’d already experienced the martial arts of the Hua Mountain Sect plenty. Thanks to a certain person walking beside me with that carefree gait.
“I’m hungry. I’m hungry.”
“….”
Strange as he always is, there’s no denying that Chung Poong is a supreme master who has mastered the Hua Mountain Sect’s supreme techniques.
Because of this, I was confident I could counter whatever martial arts Chul-woo used. The only thing he had over me was the backing of the Hua Mountain Sect.
“….”
Ah, no. Cancel what I just said.
Thinking about it again, the difference in backing is severe. No matter how much the Taewon Jin Family’s status has risen, the Nine Major Sects and One Alliance is overwhelming.
‘Damn it, I lost.’
The Nine Major Sects and One Alliance, the Five Great Families of the Land—they’re basically a corporate conglomerate of the Martial World. Already powerful megacorporations forming a coalition and ganging up means there’s no one who can stand against them.
Fortunately, they’re righteous enough not to encroach on the alley markets, so mid-sized enterprises like the Taewon Jin Family can still climb upward.
‘In that sense, it’s certain that the Hua Mountain Sect is paying considerable attention to this matter.’
Baek Moo-sung of the Hua Mountain First School.
If what Hyuk Moo-jin had been spouting was true, he was essentially the undisputed successor to the Hua Mountain Sect’s leadership.
Among the rising stars of the Hua Mountain Sect, there was only one other worthy opponent to match him….
“Master, I’m really hungry. Do you have any leftover dumplings?”
“No, I’m afraid not.”
“Ah. Ahhhhh….”
Chung Poong will never make it, I’m quite certain.
It would happen faster for all the Hua Mountain Sect disciples to convert to Islam than for that man to become the sect leader.
Even from my perspective as a third party, I wonder how such a person exists—the Hua Mountain Sect members must be utterly bewildered.
‘Only after experiencing everything the world has to offer will he eventually say he wants to try being the sect leader. Hmm.’
As I was imagining this rather plausible future, Chul-woo opened his mouth with an irritated expression.
“Did some ghost of a man who died from not eating dumplings possess you? Please, close your mouth.”
“…?”
“…?”
“…?”
Suddenly receiving the gazes of Wi Paeng, Hyuk Moo-jin, and myself all at once, Chul-woo flinched in surprise.
“W-what? Why are you all looking at me like that?”
“Hey, you don’t….”
“Master Chul-woo, you don’t recognize him?”
“No way. You’re one of the Three Plum Blossoms—there’s no way you wouldn’t know.”
Faced with this barrage of responses, Chul-woo’s eyes rolled around like a bull’s.
“What? Why are you doing this?”
Why indeed—even our master’s elder couldn’t recognize him.
By generational rank, Chung Poong is the youngest disciple of Cheon Geom Jin-in, the current Hua Mountain Sect leader and disciple of the Sword Saint.
To Chul-woo, he would be a master’s peer—a senior uncle in the sect hierarchy.
‘Ah, thinking about it, it’s possible he wouldn’t know.’
Chung Poong was a disciple raised by Geom-seong Maejong-hak during his seclusion. Only an extremely small number within the sect would know his face and identity.
Watching Chul-woo fail to recognize his senior uncle right before his eyes, I clicked my tongue.
“Tsk tsk. The lamp at the base of the stand casts no light.”
“So what does that mean?”
“Nothing, you’ll understand soon enough.”
“This is driving me crazy.”
As Chul-woo struck his chest in frustration, we passed through the cheering crowds and entered the main gate of the Taewon Jin Family Estate.
Simultaneously, roughly a hundred pairs of eyes and whispers descended upon us from all directions. The atmosphere was distinctly different from outside the gate.
“That young man….”
“The Shanxi Sleeping Dragon, is it? He’s as impressive as the rumors say.”
“And there’s Pae Hwa-kwon too. Isn’t he the second disciple of Cheon Geom Jin-in?”
“But who are those two young men beside him?”
“I couldn’t say.”
Roughly a hundred people of all ages and genders mingled together. Their clothing and bearing exuded the wealth and leisure they possessed.
‘The elite of Shanxi Province.’
Among them were sect leaders of the First Gate, wealthy merchants from the commercial world—all those with sufficient power and ability to receive formal invitations to this gathering.
‘At first glance, it resembles an aristocratic ball.’
I moved forward, wrapped in an indescribable sensation.
The fact that these men, who could be called the ruling class of Shanxi Province, were merely supporting players in this gathering, and the curious, admiring gazes they directed toward me—it all sent a peculiar tingling through my chest.
And then it happened.
“I am Jang Se-pal, leading the small Haekok Sect.”
“Ah, yes. Hello.”
“The thing is, I have long admired the reputation of the Taewon Jin Family and the Shanxi Sleeping Dragon in my heart….”
Beginning with the middle-aged martial artist who went on at length about how honored he was to meet me this way, people began swarming toward me like a horde of the undead.
“Greetings. I operate a small martial academy near Yangcheon….”
“Pardon? Ah, yes.”
“Jin, I have something urgent to discuss. Would you be willing to move to a quieter place….”
“Now? That’s a bit….”
“This girl is my daughter. She wanted so badly to see the Shanxi Sleeping Dragon, so I brought her along. If she happens to catch your eye….”
“Yes, yes.”
“Oh, then shall I send a matchmaker right away?”
“Wait, wait a moment! I gave the wrong answer!”
What on earth was happening?
Requests for handshakes—no, a barrage of fist salutes—poured in from all directions, threatening to drain the very soul from my body.
If Wi Paeng hadn’t stepped in when he did, I would have had to accept every flattering request and marriage proposal that came my way.
“Everyone, show restraint!”
At the cry of a peak master channeling his inner force, people flinched, and I seized the opportunity to slip away. Chul-woo clicked his tongue in disgust.
“They’re quite zealous. Are all the people of Shanxi Province like that?”
There’s no way that could be true. This situation was just unusually special.
Among our group, only Wi Paeng remained unperturbed. He opened his mouth with a composed expression.
“You’ll encounter this frequently from now on, so you’ll need to grow accustomed to it gradually.”
“You’re saying I’ll have to deal with days like this often?”
“Sam-gong-ja is a direct descendant of the Taewon Jin Family, after all.”
“I almost ended up arranging five marriages just now.”
“For a promising young talent without a spouse, it’s only natural.”
“I heard someone mention that I’ve already made a marriage agreement with someone. Is that actually true?”
“Does it matter whether it’s true or false? Think of it favorably.”
My hair stood on end. For twenty-seven years in my previous life, I had remained a lifelong bachelor, and now it seemed I was about to be married off through matchmaking.
And in the Murim, a land ten thousand miles away at that.
‘This won’t do. I have Song-i.’
I cried out, my neck flushed with urgency.
“No, marriage is such an important matter—you can’t just brush past it like that! Love between a man and a woman! Pure emotion! Don’t I deserve such things?”
“No. You do not.”
“Why! How could that be!”
Wi Paeng swept his gaze over me as if looking at an insect.
“Is that something a man who’s been frequenting Giru since he was sixteen should say? Did you scatter your conscience along with silver coins?”
“”
“Let us proceed quietly. Our lord awaits.”
I would have preferred to go myself—at least then I wouldn’t feel so wronged.
Giru, damn it all. I never even got to visit a hunting tavern.
Unable to voice my grievances, tears of blood flowing silently within, Chul-woo quietly asked me.
“Is it true?”
“What is?”
“That you’ve been going to Giru since you were sixteen?”
“There’s nothing to know about it. And why are you suddenly asking such things?”
Chul-woo faltered for a moment, speaking in circles.
“Well, how should I put it? Mere personal curiosity, perhaps. About a man who has walked the righteous path of a martial artist with unwavering resolve….”
“Do you want to go to Giru?”
“Ahem!”
“…Just continue walking the path of a martial artist. Don’t stray down side roads for no reason.”
It was then that I answered, my tone dripping with contempt.
“Jin Tae-kyung speaks a hundred times rightly. How long has it been since you left the Main Sect Headquarters, and already you forget the fundamental duty of a martial artist?”
The voice was stern yet tinged with amusement.
The owner of this unfamiliar voice was a man of neat appearance. He approached with an unwavering gait and respectfully performed a martial salute.
But it was not directed at me or Wi Paeng.
“Baek Moo-sung, First Disciple of the Hua Mountain Sect, pays respects to his teacher.”
Chung Poong, who had been silent for a moment, responded.
“Who are you?”
* * *
Was he around sixty years old?
He was an old man with a lean frame and striking eyes that were sharply cut.
Between his lips, which bristled with stubble, came a hoarse voice laden with age.
“So you suffered humiliation at the hands of some nameless, unknown soldier?”
“Elder, that is not quite….”
The three men standing before the old man were sweating profusely.
Though they were called the Zhongnan Three Hands, they had to be cautious with every word and gesture before their sect’s elder.
Especially when that person was the Angry Sword Immortal, counted among the five greatest masters of the Zhongnan Sect and renowned for his fiery temperament.
“Then what is it? No matter how I listen, my ears hear only that you have brought shame upon the great Zhongnan Sect.”
The Zhongnan Three Hands trembled under his piercing gaze.
Just as the Angry Sword Immortal was about to issue his harsh command, a man who had kept his mouth firmly shut throughout suddenly spoke.
“He was not a nameless soldier.”
“What?”
Gong Il-hyuk, his arm in a splint, continued.
“He said he was a disciple of the Sword Saint.”
The revelation was so shocking that the Angry Sword Immortal, who had been at a loss for words, asked in disbelief.
“…The Sword Saint?”
“Yes.”
“A Sword Saint who’s been in seclusion for decades has taken a disciple?”
“We were skeptical at first, but it appears to be true.”
“What’s your evidence?”
“Lee Poong, an outer disciple of the Hua Mountain Sect, is currently stationed with the Military Gate in Shanxi Province. Based on his reaction, it seems certain.”
“Lee Poong?”
My already furrowed brow deepened further.
My memory wasn’t sharp enough to recall some outer disciple of the Hua Mountain Sect.
“Is that all?”
At my lukewarm response, Gong Il-hyuk hurriedly opened his mouth.
“At a young age, he mastered the Hua Mountain Sect’s signature technique to its peak. He displays martial arts one after another that are only permitted to the direct disciples of the Main Sect Headquarters.”
After hearing the full account of the situation, the Angry Sword Immortal silently rubbed his sword hilt.
‘The Sword Saint’s disciple, the Sword Saint’s disciple.’
It had already been decades since the Sword Saint entered seclusion.
His disciple, whose very survival was uncertain, suddenly appearing in the Martial World?
It was hard to believe, yet my heart had already leaned toward acceptance.
‘At least I should verify this myself.’
After a long silence, the Angry Sword Immortal rose abruptly from his seat. An order fell upon the startled Zhongnan Three Hands.
“Guide me.”
“Where to, sir?”
“To the Sword Saint’s disciple, perhaps.”
Unlike the two bewildered men, Gong Il-hyuk’s eyes gleamed with light.
“If I’m not mistaken, he’s traveling with a member of the Taewon Jin Family.”
“A member of the Taewon Jin Family? Is that the Jin Tae-kyung you mentioned earlier?”
“Yes. He’s half a day’s journey from here.”
The Angry Sword Immortal clicked his tongue.
“A cunning one. That’s also why you came seeking me, isn’t it?”
“Due to the incompetence of my disciples, the Zhongnan Sect’s name has been dragged through the mud. Aren’t you the one who cherishes the Main Sect Headquarters more than anyone? I heard you happened to be in the area on business, so I thought—”
“Enough. From what I’ve heard, this Jin Tae-kyung fellow is quite arrogant himself.”
“Indeed. Such a man deserves a thorough beating.”
Gong Il-hyuk added as if he’d just remembered something.
“A gathering is being held at the Taewon Jin Family, I hear.”
“A gathering?”
“They’ve invited all the sects in Shanxi Province to display their prestige.”
“Holding a gathering while trampling on the Main Sect Headquarters?”
Anger flashed in the Angry Sword Immortal’s eyes.
“I need hear no more. Lead the way.”
“I accept your command, Elder.”
A satisfied smile played at the corners of Gong Il-hyuk’s lips as he bowed his head.

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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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