Murim Login - Chapter 334

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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 334
Time flows like a river.
Though it was a common and worn metaphor, those four days aboard the swift vessel felt precisely like that to me.
‘Thanks to that, I’ve saved considerable time.’
True to the name Yangtze River Water Bandit Alliance, each of Moo-song’s and Water Dragon Stronghold’s boatmen were exceptional sailors, and they navigated the lower reaches of the Yangtze that wound through Sichuan as intimately as the lines of their own palms.
“We’ll be arriving soon, Old Master Noya.”
I murmured while gazing at the weathered face of Fire King Red Sky River.
Only a few weeks had passed, yet his already frail and emaciated frame was gradually weakening.
It was a truth I recognized anew each time I fortified his vital essence through Qi Channeling, as I did today.
‘Recovery is impossible. For now, slowing the decline is the best I can do.’
That he could endure at all was because he possessed the profound cultivation of a supreme master.
And… my only hope rested with one person who had attained the Divine Physician’s realm of medicine.
‘The Divine Physician.’
A mysterious figure whose face, name, age—even gender—remained uncertain.
Only that the name first emerged some forty years ago suggested they were at least past sixty.
‘I will surely find you… and awaken you.’
So please, wait just a little longer.
The moment I added this in a voice too soft for anyone to hear, light footsteps approached, and a murmuring conversation drifted through the cabin door’s gap.
“Stop, stop, stop. Move and I’ll cut you.”
“Ah, please don’t cut me! You know who I am.”
“I do. But nothing—not even a rat—gets past me. Certainly not some brat who’s been rolling around who-knows-where. Could be an assassin.”
“An assassin? To a Physician? What a dreadful thought!”
“So what brings you here?”
“M-Moo-song the Master told me to deliver a message.”
“Impossible. Unless you surpass Hyuk Moo-jin, Vice Commander of the Jinryong Squad of the Great Taewon Jin Family, no one shall—!”
Crack! Thud!
At the sight of the Vice Commander of the Jinryong Squad of the Great Taewon Jin Family collapsing after striking his head on the door frame, Moon-kyung’s mouth fell open.
“H-he’s dead.”
“He’s not dead.”
“B-but even so, that’s a serious head trauma—”
“Enough. What did Senior Moo-song tell you to say?”
The boy, whose face had been twisted in terror as he looked between me and Hyuk Moo-jin, finally spoke.
“H-he said we’re almost there, so prepare yourselves.”
“Ah, is that so? Understood. You pack your things too.”
“I’ve already finished preparing.”
Moon-kyung’s belongings were sparse.
The boy withdrew acupuncture needles from the small bundle he clutched to his chest, examined Hyuk Moo-jin’s condition, then released a sigh of relief.
“Thank goodness. Miraculously, nothing is torn.”
“That’s because he’s got a thick skull.”
“Truly, the Murim practitioners are something else…”
“Tsk, you’re being nosy.”
“Ugh. I spoke out of turn!”
When I made a gesture as if to flick his forehead, Moon-kyung flinched in surprise, and a soft laugh escaped me.
“I’m just teasing, you fool.”
“You startled me.”
Traveling day and night aboard the swift pleasure boat proved to be unexpectedly grueling.
Between circulating my qi and contemplating martial techniques, I would walk the deck for fresh air, and each time I noticed Moon-kyung there.
‘He was always checking on the condition of those around him.’
A good lad. Moreover, his skills seemed exceptional—even the water bandits who had been skeptical at first would shyly approach him for treatment, a sight I witnessed frequently.
‘After conversing with him several times, his personality seems bright too.’
Unlike his composed first impression, Moon-kyung possessed a boyish cheerfulness.
Upon learning of our group’s identity from someone, he had grown curious about the Murim and asked questions about this and that.
‘Young Master Jin is a disciple of Fire King Red Sky River? Wow!’
‘I’ve heard much of Sword Saint Mae Jong-hak’s reputation. Young Master Qing must be quite formidable as well.’
‘Wow! The Beggar Clan! Hu Gae!’
‘Deputy Commander of the Jinryong Squad? Ah, yes….’
In any case, Moon-kyung had naturally blended into our group over those four short days.
‘After all, this face-to-face conversation will be our last.’
Once we reached Chengdu, we would naturally part ways.
I rose on my tiptoes and grabbed Moon-kyung’s shoulder as he craned his neck to peer over it.
“Ow, that hurts!”
“What are you so curious about, peeking like that?”
“Oh, nothing. I just thought I saw someone’s feet through the crack in the door a moment ago.”
This boy’s eyes were quite sharp. I had hastily covered it with leather, yet he had managed to spot the exposed part.
But I responded without panic, speaking as naturally as possible.
“You’re mistaken.”
“It doesn’t seem like it….”
“Moon-kyung.”
“Yes?”
“Do you really want to see what’s inside that badly?”
At my ominous tone, he gasped and retreated step by step.
“W-why are you like this?”
“I asked you. Do you want to see?”
“No. No, I don’t! I don’t want to see!”
“Why not. Come in and take a look. It’ll be fun.”
“Eek!”
Thud, crash!
Moon-kyung stumbled backward, stepped on Hyuk Moo-jin, and fell, then scrambled up and fled.
Hyuk Moo-jin, whose back had been stepped on unexpectedly, groggily opened his eyes.
“Huh? Wait, I was just talking with Moon-kyung a moment ago….”
The bewildered man’s face hardened with shock as he looked around.
“I couldn’t even see the movement. He must be an Assassin who has reached the pinnacle!”
Smack!
“Ow! Why did you hit me!”
“Stop spouting nonsense and pack the luggage. We’re almost there.”
I gave Hyuk Moo-jin a satisfying whack on the back of his head, returned to the cabin, transferred Red Sky River onto a carrying pole, and stepped out onto the deck.
Geo Han, who stood at the stern of the fast boat as it gradually slowed, turned his head and acknowledged me.
“Ah, junior.”
“Yes, senior.”
“…Your words seem shorter somehow. Must be my imagination?”
“Entirely your imagination. My voice has always been rather quiet.”
Geo Han, Moo-song, regarded me with a lukewarm expression, then called over a nearby subordinate and gave an order.
“Lower the blue flag and raise the white flag.”
“Yes, boss.”
You might think this was some sort of blue and white flag game, but it was actually a legitimate signaling method used by the Water Dragon Stronghold—a signal indicating we would cause no trouble, or something like that.
“This may be a rude question, but is it acceptable for a water bandit vessel to approach such a bustling area?”
“It is a rude question, but I’ll answer anyway. It’s possible.”
“How so?”
“Do you see?”
Moo-song pointed toward the dock drawing steadily closer.
Tall wooden structures stood packed tightly together, and the common folk passing by either glanced at the fast boat’s arrival and continued on, or cast curious glances.
Though we were still in the outer reaches, Chengdu was the capital and heart of Sichuan Province. Yet the people’s reaction was merely that.
“What do you think? They seem accustomed to it, don’t they?”
“Indeed. Strangely indifferent.”
“It wasn’t always like this. That cursed Hwang Tae-gu caused so much trouble before I arrived.”
He ground his teeth audibly and continued.
“I went through hell changing their perception. Well, thanks to that, the officials now turn a blind eye to us to some extent.”
“Officials? You mean the empire’s bureaucrats?”
“Exactly. Truth be told, they found us troublesome too. Requesting an official fleet from the court was burdensome, but constantly being on edge with us was exhausting for everyone. So we reached a compromise at a reasonable level.”
“A compromise, you say….”
“I’m different from Hwang Tae-gu. Only a complete fool would kill defenseless commoners. It’s like murdering our own customers with our own hands.”
….
“Of course, it’s because I’m averse to killing. Not for the money.”
I found that hard to believe.
No matter how I thought about it, Moo-song’s reluctance to kill people seemed entirely motivated by profit.
‘A water bandit obsessed with money.’
I couldn’t deny that Moo-song had considerable talent for extortion.
In any case, unlike Hwang Tae-gu, who indiscriminately robbed and killed, the moderate Moo-song attempted negotiations with the officials and demonstrated considerable skill.
“Our operating range expanded somewhat, and the officials received fewer complaints about deaths caused by water bandits. Mutual benefit, wouldn’t you say?”
“Still, they actually permitted you to penetrate this far into the city?”
“Of course not openly. Besides, they’re already approaching.”
At the end of his gaze sat an enormous warship equipped with cannons.
As the distance closed enough for even those untrained in martial arts to distinguish one another, a middle-aged man clad in armor suddenly poked his head out from the stern.
“Who goes there?”
“General, it’s me! I’ve come to drop off a few people.”
“People? Who might they be?”
“My juniors. I personally vouch for their identities.”
The guarantee of the Yangtze River Water Bandit Alliance leader. That would certainly work.
At that moment, the Royal Official called out powerfully.
“By all means!”
…Damn, it really does work.
Then Moo-song suddenly pulled something from his bosom and hurled it forcefully.
“Catch!”
The Royal Official snatched the bundle as it traced a long arc through the air, breaking into a grin.
“You needn’t do this every time. Thank you. Next time, I’ll buy you a proper drink.”
“Well then, let’s do that. How fares the City Lord?”
“He was blessed with a son nine days ago.”
“Ah, what wonderful fortune! I’ll be sure to attend the first birthday celebration.”
“Of course you will. The City Lord will be delighted.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
“May fortune favor your martial endeavors, Stronghold Master!”
…Hell, the state of the realm runs smoothly indeed.
After wrapping up the cordial exchange, the warship turned back the way it came, and the swift vessel glided leisurely toward the dock.
“There’s no need to drop anchor, is there?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes.”
“Shocked? That’s simply how the world works. Besides, now you’re finally acting your age.”
Indeed, far worse transpires in reality, so what complaint could there be?
I cupped my fist in salute toward the hearty laughing Moo-song.
“I’m grateful for your assistance. Thanks to you, Senior, I’ve traveled comfortably.”
“Such a trivial matter hardly warrants thanks. Just say the word. I’m Seon Hwa-a, Moo-song!”
“Ah yes, truly the greatest senior! You’ve turned the Yangtze River upside down!”
“Ahahaha!”
I chuckled along with the laughing Moo-song.
“Then I’d be grateful for your assistance on the return journey as well.”
“….”
“Senior?”
Moo-song, whose eyes trembled with some emotion, finally spoke.
“I’ll send my men.”
“Thank you so much!”
The Yangtze River taxi service—truly a sweet deal.
* * *
Was it merely my imagination that the swift vessel seemed to cut through the water far faster than usual?
I watched the boat surge urgently through the currents as though fleeing some oceanic leviathan, then turned my body away.
There stood the Bermuda Triangle and young Moon-kyung, grinning brightly.
“Thanks to you, sir, we arrived quickly. I’m truly grateful.”
“The oarsmen and helmsman deserve the credit, not me. I don’t know where you’re headed or why, but stay well.”
Though it had only been a few days, this felt like a worthwhile connection.
A boy innocent on the surface yet with depths beneath—he’d overcome the pain of losing his parents at such a tender age with admirable resilience.
I genuinely hoped he would become an excellent physician.
“I have nothing to give you at parting. Take this as travel money.”
I withdrew several silver coins and pressed them into his palm. Moon-kyung’s eyes widened in surprise.
“S-sir, this is…”
“Never mind. Think of it as pocket money from your elder brother.”
“But the amount is too much.”
“Then repay me later. When you become a physician who rivals the Divine Physician himself, come find me at the Taewon Jin Family Estate.”
“The Divine Physician…?”
“Yes. If you’re going to do it, be the best.”
Moon-kyung blinked, glancing between the silver coins in his hand and me, a faint smile blooming at the corners of his mouth.
“Yes. I’ll do exactly that.”
“Good. I’m leaving now. Take care of yourself.”
After exchanging farewells with the Bermuda Triangle, I turned to go.
Hyuk Moo-jin, who had suffered from prolonged seasickness, quietly sidled up beside me and spoke.
“Captain, I hate to ask, but couldn’t we rest for half a day before departing?”
“No. Half a day’s journey and we’ll be there—rest when we arrive.”
“But that requires using the Rejuvenation Technique. And I’ve heard the Sichuan Tang Family people are so terrifying… we’ll be afraid to even breathe.”
“Then don’t rest. Die instead.”
“How can you say that to your right arm?”
“What? I can’t hear you well—you’re just my left pinky finger.”
It was at that moment Hyuk Moo-jin’s jaw dropped.
“Um, did you just say you’re heading to the Sichuan Tang Family?”
“…”
“…”
I turned slowly, and there stood Moon-kyung, his eyes sparkling like morning stars.
“It just so happens I’m also heading to the Sichuan Tang Family. If I might travel with you, I swear this debt of gratitude shall remain etched upon my soul through death and rebirth, a thousand times over, for eternity…”
“Hey.”
“Yes?”
“I get it. Shut up and follow me.”
Damn it. The Bermuda Pentagon.

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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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