Murim Login - Chapter 269

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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 269
It felt like walking on a bed of thorns—or rather, a path strewn with them.
With each step I took following Geom-seong Maejong-hak, gazes rained down upon me, and my face burned under their weight.
Those eyes carried reverence and curiosity in equal measure.
Now everyone knew the truth. Just days ago, a young man dismissed as a fortunate provincial martial artist was revealed to be none other than the legendary Sword Saint.
“That’s him, right? The great master Geom-seong Maejong-hak.”
“Heavens, so youthful in appearance. I thought the tales of Half-Step Immortality were nothing but absurd fabrications.”
“Indeed, Master Maejong-hak. You’ve turned the Murim upside down.”
The hushed conversations of the crowd pierced my ears relentlessly.
“But who’s that beside him?”
“Isn’t that Jin Tae-kyung, the Shanxi Sleeping Dragon? I heard from someone yesterday that the Shanxi Sleeping Dragon was grabbing people by the throat, calling them this and that, in front of Master Maejong-hak, and then—”
“Good heavens. If that’s the case, shouldn’t he be called the Soaring Dragon instead of the Sleeping Dragon?”
“….”
Damn it. Did I do that on purpose? I did it without thinking.
When I glared at the gossiping crowd, Geom-seong Maejong-hak burst into hearty laughter.
“It’s fine. Friends can act that way sometimes, what’s the harm?”
He was killing me twice over.
We moved to a secluded courtyard away from the crowds.
Though it was still early spring, the weather was warm and flowers bloomed in full splendor. As Geom-seong Maejong-hak walked, gazing at flowers whose names I didn’t know, he spoke.
“First, I should offer my thanks.”
“For what…?”
“Chung Poong. I heard you’ve been a great source of strength for that child.”
“I’m not sure I’ve done much of anything.”
“I may not know all the details, but if that child calls you a benefactor, you must have helped considerably.”
“….”
Even without knowing the details, I knew far too much.
I was curious what expression Geom-seong Maejong-hak would make if he learned I’d earned the title of benefactor by handing over a few Bing Tang Hu Lo.
“Truth be told, I’ve worried greatly about that child. But seeing you now has put my mind at ease. I owe you a debt of gratitude.”
“Ah, yes.”
I shouldn’t mention the Bing Tang Hu Lo. The Sword Saint had incurred a debt of gratitude—no need to diminish my own standing by revealing the truth.
“How is So-hyup doing?”
“He’s recovered enough to move about. The moment he opened his eyes, he insisted on going to see you.”
“Really? What happened then?”
“Hmm? He quieted down as soon as I gave him dumplings.”
Twenty years of parenting experience truly shows its worth. He knew exactly how to handle Chung Poong.
“And how is Jeok Cheon-gang?”
“He hasn’t regained consciousness yet. Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask you about that matter….”
“Ask whatever you wish.”
I opened my mouth with difficulty.
“Is there a possibility he may never wake up…?”
“Hmm.”
Mae Jong-hak stroked his smooth chin thoughtfully.
“What did the physician I sent have to say?”
“Ah, that person?”
Recalling the mouse-like old physician who had visited briefly yesterday, my mood soured considerably.
“He was a complete charlatan.”
“A charlatan? You mean the Luoyang Eccentric Physician?”
“Whether he’s the Luoyang Eccentric Physician or whoever—he examined him for a moment, then declared there was nothing he could do and rushed out. How is that not a charlatan?”
I couldn’t fathom what gave that old man such audacity. When I grabbed his arm, he shrieked so loudly my ears nearly burst.
He thundered that he would never treat Jeok Cheon-gang again, leaving me no choice but to release him.
Mae Jong-hak clicked his tongue upon hearing the account.
“The Luoyang Eccentric Physician is renowned throughout the Central Plains as a master healer. His temperament may be as eccentric as his name suggests, but his skill is beyond question.”
“Then….”
My heart sank as I watched Mae Jong-hak nod slowly.
The thought must have been written plainly across my face, for he patted my back gently.
“Don’t worry yourself too much. If Jeok Cheon-gang’s condition were truly critical, the Luoyang Eccentric Physician would not have simply departed.”
It was a warm reassurance, yet my unease did not entirely dissipate.
Jeok Cheon-gang seemed as though he would shake it off and rise again soon enough.
Over the past year, he had been my master, generously imparting all his knowledge to me, and in many ways, he was like my own grandfather.
‘No. It should be fine.’
I suppressed the anxiety rising within me.
Already, some of the finest martial masters and physicians in the realm had examined Jeok Cheon-gang’s condition. For now, all I could do was trust in them.
Having settled my thoughts, I changed the subject.
“Have there been any new revelations regarding Dark Heaven?”
“Dark Heaven….”
Mae Jong-hak gazed at the flower garden with an enigmatic expression.
“It’s utterly incomprehensible.”
“In what respects?”
“All of them.”
“Pardon?”
“Let me ask you instead. Haven’t you found anything strange about this incident?”
I fell into contemplation before speaking.
Yesterday, events unfolded so urgently that I hadn’t noticed, but there were certainly aspects that troubled me.
“There are indeed several things that strike me as odd.”
“What are they?”
“First, I cannot discern their true intentions.”
“Continue.”
“If Dark Heaven’s goal was merely to strike a blow against the Murim, they should have prepared something far more devastating.”
The leaders of the Orthodox Martial Arts World had gathered in one place.
If Dark Heaven’s objective was to topple the Orthodox Sects and seize control of the realm, they should have at least planted explosives.
Regardless of the success rate, it’s a golden opportunity to annihilate the enemy’s leadership in one fell swoop.
However, only the Dharma King Hung-do and Shaolin Temple were sacrificed. They moved with a clear target from the beginning.
“If they revealed themselves in this manner, it means they’ve prepared for combat to some degree… but by openly exposing their identity while taking iron coins instead of silver, it feels different.”
Geom-seong Maejong-hak, who had been listening quietly, suddenly spoke up.
“Your analogy is off. Shaolin Temple is the symbol of the Orthodox sects. Dark Heaven destroyed that symbol while imprinting their own existence.”
“Was there a need for that?”
“Several theories have emerged. First, that they desire a direct confrontation.”
“…Surely not.”
“Don’t underestimate the Demon Cultivators. They are beings governed solely by blood and power. The Demon Cult during the Righteous-Demonic War was no different. They’re utterly unpredictable.”
Geom-seong Maejong-hak shook his head and continued.
“Second. Dark Heaven is merely a veil.”
“A veil?”
“Do you know who caused the blood calamity at Shaolin Temple?”
“The Yin-Yang Twin Demons… ah.”
“Yes. The great demon lords who wreaked havoc under the Demon Cult’s banner during the Righteous-Demonic War. Though many years have passed, the likelihood they still follow the Demon Cult remains high.”
Dark Heaven could be a franchise of the Demon Cult. Or perhaps a subordinate organization. There was certainly enough possibility for Geom-seong Maejong-hak’s theory to hold merit.
However, there was one nagging detail.
“The Blood Lord—is he also affiliated with the Demon Cult?”
“I’m not certain.”
Geom-seong Maejong-hak answered without hesitation, then scratched his chin.
“The Latent Power Technique you acquired, the Explosive Blood Demon Art used by those who attacked Shaolin, and this figure called the Blood Lord. They certainly carry the scent of the Demon Cult, but… something is different. It’s become far darker and more sinister.”
Geom-seong Maejong-hak is a living witness who experienced the Righteous-Demonic War with his entire being. He must have personally experienced the martial arts of countless enemies through combat.
A preeminent authority on Demonic Arts in the Orthodox Martial World. His words are virtually gospel in academic circles.
“Especially that technique I witnessed at the end—I myself have never experienced anything like it.”
It was neither a divine technique nor a lightness skill.
I’ve heard tales of bizarre techniques within the Demon Cult, but I never imagined such things were actually possible.
Even I, accustomed to magic, stood with my mouth agape in astonishment.
‘At that level, it’s practically sorcery.’
Martial artists, considering all possibilities, conducted thorough searches of the area, but the Blood Lord was never found. He vanished as if swallowed by the earth itself.
“There are also divided opinions on where such numbers of enemies appeared from. If they could deploy such techniques on a large scale….”
“The very thought is terrifying.”
The word “ambush” hardly does it justice. If enemies appeared and disappeared like Hong Gildong, it would be no different from a bolt from the blue.
‘The leadership must be in chaos as well.’
The atmosphere was already unsettled when I briefly attended the previous day, so it’s certainly no better now.
As I was pondering such thoughts and clicking my tongue, it happened.
“Ever given thought to something?”
Geom-seong Maejong-hak’s transparent eyes fixed upon me.
“Why they were so fixated on the Green Jade Immortal Lamp.”
“I’m not sure. Because it’s a sacred treasure of Shaolin Temple?”
“They could simply break it.”
“I suspect they’re more focused on taking it away than anything else. To be honest, I’m not even sure what they’d use it for.”
The Green Jade Staff I remembered was nothing more than a somewhat special walking staff.
It appeared so magnificent only because the authority of the Shaolin Abbot and the thousand-year history of Thousand Year Shaolin had seeped into it.
What would anyone do with a green fluorescent staff, not even made of elderwood?
“Yes, that could be the case. Others shared that opinion as well.”
With those words, Mae Jong-hak, who had been lost in thought, suddenly opened his mouth.
“Do you know that Dharma King Hung-do left me a letter?”
“I’m hearing this for the first time.”
“He seemed to have sensed his own fate and left instructions. In the letter, he wrote that you are the Morning Star who will drive back the darkness.”
“….”
“You are a genius unlike any I have seen before. Look around you. Is there another young person who has reached such heights at your age?”
I paused briefly before answering.
“Chung Poong.”
“Ah, I see.”
“….”
“That boy broke through the peak wall at eighteen. I suspect you’ve done the same by now?”
“It was a different situation back then. My epithet was the Night King.”
“Oh, comparable to the Ten Kings. What does that mean?”
“No. I just frequented Giru so much.”
“Ah, I see.”
“….”
“….”
An icy silence fell between us.
Mae Jong-hak, unable to find words for a moment, scratched the back of his head and let out a hollow laugh.
“You truly are my grandson.”
“…I should take my leave now.”
As I turned to go, Mae Jong-hak’s voice rang out behind me.
“I’ll visit again soon! I’ll bring news that will astound you!”
Ah, somehow my energy is drained.
* * *
“Welcome back.”
As I returned to the room where the Red Sky River lay, Hyuk Moo-jin bowed his head in greeting. Unlike before, his bearing was taut and disciplined, and I smiled with satisfaction.
“Good. That’s how you stand guard. You can draw your blade at any moment—how convenient.”
“Of course. I will guard this place like an iron fortress.”
“Yes. You may go now.”
“As you command!”
It was just as Hyuk Moo-jin was about to slip out of the room.
“Put back the gold nugget you’ve hidden in your sleeve.”
“….”
“If you don’t put it down by the time I count to three, you’ll be dead by my blade. One, two.”
Clatter.
Hyuk Moo-jin set down the golden mask he’d held together with sheer force, his head drooping weakly.
“Ah, you knew all along?”
“Do I look like a fool to you?”
“Captain, please—I’ve even borrowed against the Yama Debt this time….”
Over a hundred thousand taels wasn’t enough, so he’d resorted to loan sharks. The man had lost his mind.
I clicked my tongue in disapproval and tucked the gold ingot into my robes.
“Judging by what you’ve done.”
“Gasp—what do you mean by that….”
“I’m going to rest now, so don’t let anyone in. Not even Elder Brother.”
“N-not even the Lord of the Castle?”
“That’s right. Tell him I’m exhausted and sleeping.”
Gazing out the window, my eyes caught the sky gradually turning crimson.
“The deadline is tomorrow morning. Can you manage it?”
Hyuk Moo-jin nodded with resolute determination.
“I will stake my life on it.”
“You weren’t going to anyway, so just keep your word on what I’ve asked.”
“I obey!”
He sounded ridiculous saying that.
Hyuk Moo-jin, his face brightening, grinned and left the room.
I gazed at Jeok Cheon-gang’s sleeping face for a long moment before lying down on the adjacent bed.
‘How long has it been.’
The past year, running without pause. Now I yearned to loosen the reins and return to the embrace of family.
‘Logout.’
Ding.
With the familiar notification sound, my vision faded to black.

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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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