Murim Login - Chapter 188

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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 188
She had grown more mature and beautiful than the last time I saw her, dressed in plain clothes.
With each step closer, a subtle fragrance drifted toward me.
‘Honestly, it’s easy to see why Chul-woo would be smitten.’
Not just Chul-woo—half the men gathered at the Taewon Jin Family Estate right now might be reconsidering their confessions.
‘And this girl proposed to me.’
She was still young, and it was essentially a political marriage proposal, but I couldn’t help feeling oddly affected by it.
Soon, she approached me and greeted me.
“It’s good to see you again. Have you been well?”
“Yes. And how have you been?”
The moment I said it, I regretted it. Her family was dead, and her sect had nearly been annihilated. How could she possibly be well?
“Well….”
Eun So-wol answered for me in that awkward moment.
“I’ve been well. Thanks to you, Young Master Jin.”
She added another word with a slight smile.
“And I will continue to be.”
I could hear a firm resolve in her voice—as if she had grown one step further from the difficult crossroads of near-annihilation and the oath of loyalty she had sworn.
I spoke with sincerity.
“I hope so.”
It was just as Eun So-wol nodded with a faint smile.
“H-hey there, Tae-kyung!”
“…What are you doing?”
I stared at Chul-woo with an incredulous expression. He was putting his arm around my shoulder with an awkward expression and tone.
“You’re in the way. Move your arm.”
“Ha, ha ha! Why are you like that? We’re sworn brothers for life—what’s a little arm around the shoulder?”
“Weren’t we supposed to be strangers?”
“Oh, you’ve gotten quite the sense of humor! Uh ha, uh ha ha ha!”
“Does it sound like a joke to you?”
“Ahem, but who is this lovely lady?”
“…So that was your goal all along.”
The atmosphere crumbled. Chul-woo, having executed his terrible acting flawlessly, bowed ninety degrees toward Eun So-wol.
“Greetings! It is an honor to meet you!”
“Ah… Yes. The honor is mine as well.”
“As for myself, I am this friend’s companion of ten years….”
I decided to add a clarification for the bewildered Eun So-wol.
“We met for the first time today.”
“Though we only met today, we have built a friendship that could be called….”
“We’re not close at all.”
“But this is fate, so perhaps you could sit beside me….”
“He’s just flirting because you’re pretty. Don’t fall for it.”
Chul-woo ground his teeth, and Eun So-wol’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Really?”
“Yes. Can’t you tell just by looking?”
There were limits to being oblivious. If someone lacked this much perception, it was a serious problem.
As I exhaled a sigh, Eun So-wol stepped closer to me.
“No, that’s not what I meant.”
“Pardon?”
“Do you think I’m pretty too, Young Master Jin?”
“Wait, hold on a moment.”
Her voice was sultry, her eyes sparkling with intent.
‘What is she doing? Why is she acting like this?’
Chul-woo’s gaze, watching both her and me, grew visibly melancholic.
* * *
“Woooow!”
“Drink! Drink!”
The atmosphere at the Grand Training Ground was, in a word, spectacular. The dance troupe—or rather, the dancers—hired from Honghwa House captivated all eyes with their dazzling performance, and the crowd reveled in eating and drinking meat and wine.
Even the distinguished guests, who had worn uncomfortable expressions at first, now displayed relaxed demeanor.
‘These fools wouldn’t know sense if it hit them in the face.’
Many of the distinguished guests owed debts to the Taewon Jin Family, yet they had remained neutral during the recent war.
Neutrality was a polite word for it—they had withdrawn out of fear of retaliation from the Hangsan Inspection Bureau.
‘Now that they’ve accepted the Hangsan Inspection Bureau, they feel reassured.’
Before their very eyes, Jin Wi-kyung had embraced the Hangsan Inspection Bureau, their greatest enemy, and seated Eun So-wol at the place of honor.
This signified that he would no longer hold them accountable for their past actions.
Warmth naturally flowed among the distinguished guests, followed swiftly by oaths of loyalty and a barrage of gifts.
“Young Master Jin. Sangdo Gate and I wish to align ourselves with the Taewon Jin Family.”
“Ah, how grateful I am.”
“This is a small token I’ve prepared as proof.”
“Thank you, Hwang Jin-su.”
“Great Hero Jin. I lead the Sangbang faction….”
“Though modest, I hope you will accept it….”
Luxuries and precious metals and treasures piled up like mountains in no time. Unless I was mistaken, Jin Wi-kyung wouldn’t have to worry about budget headaches after today.
Once matters had progressed to a certain point, Jin Wi-kyung approached me.
“How was it?”
I gave him a thumbs up.
“It was impressive. But shouldn’t you leave soon? It seems there are still people you haven’t spoken with.”
“That’s precisely why they’ll be anxious.”
“Sir?”
“How do you think those who haven’t had a chance to speak with me today feel?”
“I suppose they feel quite far behind compared to others?”
“Exactly.”
Jin Wi-kyung tilted his cup and winked at me.
“The more desperate they become, the more they’ll offer up. It’s only the first day. I find myself looking forward to the final day even more.”
“Heh.”
He was going to suck them dry down to the marrow.
Especially the sect leaders of the Sanseo Five Gates staring at us from below with faces twisted in anguish—they would undoubtedly be the highlight of the final day.
“But youngest, tell me something.”
Jin Wi-kyung asked in a low voice.
“Why is Pae Hwa-kwon acting like that?”
Chul-woo, who had somehow moved to the far end of the upper seat, was watching me with a gloomy expression.
He glared at me with smoldering eyes, and whenever I exchanged even trivial words with Eun So-wol, he would heave heavy sighs.
“Well, you see…”
How was I supposed to explain this? Eun So-wol was sitting not far away, making it difficult to speak freely.
‘I should have practiced sound transmission in advance if I’d known this would happen.’
Upon reaching the pinnacle realm, I had gained the ability to use [Sound Transmission], but it was something that could be mastered through practice—not something I could use immediately.
“Your complexion looks poor. Are you unwell somewhere?”
Unwell, certainly. In the heart.
“He just seems to be in a bad mood, I suppose.”
Just as I brushed it off vaguely, the festive music that had filled the Grand Training Ground abruptly ceased, and the crowd began to murmur.
‘Who is this now?’
A young man walked confidently through the startled dancers, and upon surveying his surroundings, he offered a respectful fist salute toward the upper seat.
More precisely, toward Jin Wi-kyung.
“I am Chu Do-hwan of the Iron Blood Sect from Hanan.”
Jin Wi-kyung’s eyes widened.
“Could you be the Iron Fist, Chu Do-hwan?”
“I am merely living up to an undeserved reputation.”
“I have heard much of your name. But what brings a disciple of the Iron Blood Sect here without prior notice?”
The Iron Blood Sect of Hanan was well-known enough that I had heard of it a couple of times.
‘Based on his sect alone, he would likely rank among the top three most distinguished guests here.’
Under the concentrated gazes, Chu Do-hwan revealed his purpose for stepping forward.
“I have come to request a martial match.”
“A martial match? Now, of all times?”
“Yes. I apologize for the imposition and humbly request your consideration.”
Of course he should apologize. What kind of occasion was this?
Yet surprisingly few people frowned. With several cups of wine already consumed, most seemed to accept it as an intriguing surprise entertainment.
“Hmm.”
“If you will not accept, I shall offer my sincere apologies and withdraw.”
At least he knew proper etiquette. Even Baek Moo-sung, who had been observing the situation, added his comment.
“I too have heard the name Iron Fist Chu Do-hwan. As befits a disciple of the Iron Blood Sect, his fist and foot techniques are said to be exceptional, and his character is upright.”
“You could even nominate Baek as your opponent.”
Baek Moo-sung smiled faintly.
“My disciples and I would be more than welcome.”
“Are you certain?”
“Of course. I am grateful for the opportunity to add to the festivities as a guest on such a fine occasion.”
His response carried the composure and courtesy of a true master. Jin Wi-kyung rose from his seat and spoke.
“I accept Chu Do-hwan’s proposal.”
“Thank you.”
Jin Wi-kyung did not stop there.
“Moreover, anyone here who wishes to participate in the martial contest may step forward! The final victor shall receive one hundred silver taels and a magnificent weapon befitting their triumph!”
“Roooaaarrr!”
Cheers erupted at this magnanimous gesture—after all, there was nothing more entertaining in the world than watching a good fight.
The young warriors, still brimming with vigor, gleamed with anticipation at the chance to test themselves.
“Very well, Chu Do-hwan!”
Jin Wi-kyung’s commanding voice drew all eyes as he addressed Chu Do-hwan.
“Name your first opponent.”
“The opponent I wish to face is….”
A disciple of the Iron Blood Sect, renowned for their fist techniques. His very epithet was “Iron Fist.”
‘How predictable.’
Chu Do-hwan named exactly whom I expected.
“Pae Hwa-kwon, Chul-woo!”
“…Me?”
Chul-woo, who had been sitting in a daze, rose his massive frame. His dark, brooding eyes turned toward Chu Do-hwan.
“That works for me.”
“Let us test our strength!”
I watched the level window floating above Chu Do-hwan’s head and thought to myself.
‘He’s going to get beaten senseless.’
[Lv.65 Chu Do-hwan]
And my suspicion soon became reality.
* * *
Crack! Crack! Crack!
There was no technique, no finesse. The gap between the pinnacle and first-rate was like heaven and earth, and Chu Do-hwan had nothing to bridge it.
Thud!
“Cough! H-how easily…”
“You’re the Iron Fist? Why are you so soft?”
Meanwhile, Chul-woo moved like a monster. Superior in martial prowess, blessed with raw strength, physique, and durability, he knocked his opponent unconscious in barely fifty exchanges.
Though it seemed he was even going easy on him.
“You’ve got some decent fists, but… it won’t work against me anyway. Concede now.”
Chu Do-hwan clenched his teeth.
“Impossible! It is not over until it is truly over!”
“Stubborn fool.”
Crack! Boom! Thump!
It’s finally over.
The moment Chu Do-hwan lost consciousness, the Taewon Jin Family warriors who had been standing by rushed forward with a stretcher and carried him away.
“Whoooosh.”
“As expected of Pae Hwa-kwon!”
“Iron Fist Chu Do-hwan is considered quite a master in his own right, but he’s no match for the Three Plum Blossoms of the Huashan Sect.”
According to the simple rules we had established, the victor had to accept further challenges, and only when no more challengers came forward could they designate their successor.
Eun So-wol, who had somehow claimed the seat beside me, whispered softly.
“Do you think anyone else will challenge?”
I let out a quiet laugh.
“After seeing Iron Fist in that state? Absolutely not. I’d wager both my hands on it.”
Just then, some fool in a hero’s hat suddenly burst forth and shouted.
“I am Hwang Jin-su of the Hwang Family! I challenge Pae Hwa-kwon!”
“….”
“….”
Damn it. I should’ve just kept my mouth shut.
Crack! Thud!
Before I could even regret my words, Hwang Jin-su of the Hwang Family collapsed, scattering teeth like seeds. It was the inevitable result of a level 25 stepping forward.
“Now?”
“Didn’t you just see? He got hit even harder than Iron Fist. His bones might heal, but his teeth? They’re done for, finished.”
“My hands….”
“Ah, I’m betting, I’m betting. Last time it was my left wrist, this time my right. Look. Now truly no one will come forward.”
A bandit wearing a bamboo hat stepped up.
“My name is Gal Mo. Though I’m just a nameless rogue, surely I can exchange a few moves with you?”
“No need for words. Come up.”
Does this bastard have honey smeared on his fists? The challengers just keep coming.
After roughly an hour, Chul-woo, who had defeated over a dozen opponents, roared.
“Is there anyone who can stand against me!”
Despite having fought so many matches in such a short time, he still flew about with vigor. The skill gap was so vast that even the other warriors were clearly growing tired of watching.
I seized the moment and opened my mouth.
“No one’s coming now. Truly no one. I’m betting my wrists.”
Eun So-wol answered kindly.
“Those were the ones from before. Both of them.”
“Then my left ankle.”
“That was the fifth match.”
“Oh, my right ankle?”
“Already in the sixth.”
“My neck….”
“The eighth match….”
Damn it. This is what they call being a living corpse.
Seeing my blank expression, Eun So-wol burst into laughter.
“It’s fine. I won’t accept it anyway.”
“…Were you planning to accept it?”
“Well, if you’d just do me one favor.”
“What favor?”
Just as Eun So-wol was about to open her mouth.
“Shan! Xi! Zhen! Long!”
A tremendous roar shook the Grand Training Ground. Chul-woo, who had defeated every challenger, was beckoning me with his finger.
“Jin Tae-kyung, come out.”
At the same moment, a system notification chimed.
Ding.
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[Lv.95 Chul-woo]
has designated you as a sparring opponent!
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[There is a man who loves you so much]
Quest has been created.
– Do you accept the Quest?
– Refusal will result in severe penalties!
“….”
Without a doubt, this is the most absurd quest title I’ve ever received.

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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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