Murim Login - Chapter 377

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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 377
“Have they… departed?”
The Guard Captain answered the anxious question posed by the Sichuan Provincial Governor, a middle-aged man whose flesh had grown soft and round.
“Yes. An hour ago, the fast ship of the Yangtze River Water Bandit Alliance that they boarded set sail.”
“Phew.”
The Sichuan Provincial Governor exhaled a deep sigh of relief so profound that his belly rippled, then waved his hand dismissively.
“Very well, you may withdraw. Should any news regarding the Murim arise, report it to me at once.”
“Understood. However, regarding the troops stationed near Chengdu…”
The Sichuan Provincial Governor’s brow furrowed.
“Listen, Guard Captain.”
“Yes?”
“Must I concern myself with such trivial details? Handle those minor matters amongst yourselves. Consult with the Commander-in-Chief—that stubborn fellow—and sort it out, will you?”
“…”
The Guard Captain found himself utterly exasperated.
This was absurd. The Provincial Governor’s incompetence and habit of foisting work onto his subordinates were nothing new, but this was beyond the pale.
‘I don’t recall it ever being quite this bad.’
Ever since he took a concubine some years ago, he had been consumed by carnal pleasures, relegating his administrative duties to the background.
The Guard Captain sighed inwardly and offered a weary bow.
“…I shall obey your command, Provincial Governor.”
“Of course you shall. Now, do your best. I have pressing matters to attend to.”
Only then did the Sichuan Provincial Governor nod with satisfaction and rise from his seat.
The Guard Captain watched his retreating figure, breathing heavily from excess weight, and muttered under his breath, barely audible.
“Pressing matters, indeed. He’s probably just going to embrace that concubine again.”
The Guard Captain’s prediction proved accurate. Upon leaving the Great Hall, the Sichuan Provincial Governor’s first destination was a lavishly appointed private chamber.
“Ae-hyang! Ae-hyang!”
A beautiful woman lying half-naked upon a silk bed larger than most rooms rose at the sound of his voice.
“Brother. Why did you take so long? I’ve been waiting for you.”
“Is that so?”
The Sichuan Provincial Governor’s eyes glazed over—once at her sultry gaze, and twice more at the glimpses of her alabaster skin peeking through the blankets—his mouth falling open in stupefaction.
“Forgive me. The Guard Captain was being troublesome.”
“Him again? When you’re already so busy, why does he have to make things difficult for you?”
“Indeed, what you say is true.”
“This is why incompetent subordinates are such a problem. Without you, they can’t accomplish anything, can they?”
“That’s right! Only our Ae-hyang truly thinks of this brother!”
Had the Guard Captain heard this exchange, his eyes would have rolled back into his head.
The concubine spread her arms wide toward the Sichuan Provincial Governor, whose cheeks trembled with emotion.
“Come here, Brother. You’ve worked so hard—let me hold you close.”
“Ae-hyang…!”
At the sultry and bewitching smile of his beloved concubine, the Sichuan Provincial Governor’s eyes grew hazy and unfocused.
“Is there truly a woman in all the world as beautiful as you?”
Born into the bloodline of a powerful family that produced the Three Excellencies, the Sichuan Provincial Governor had walked a smooth path his entire life.
With inexhaustible wealth at his disposal, he frequented establishments of pleasure and held countless beauties in his arms.
Whenever his heart was moved, he had taken several as concubines, yet because he had encountered so many women, none could hold his interest beyond a year before wilting away.
‘But this girl is different!’
He swore he had never seen a woman like her before. Her voice, the light in her eyes, the slightest movement of her fingertips—everything about Ae-hyang captivated and enchanted the Sichuan Provincial Governor.
Though he had been watching her for years now, he never tired of her. No, rather, he found himself falling deeper and deeper, almost frighteningly so.
“I love you. I love you, Ae-hyang!”
The cry of the Sichuan Provincial Governor, barely past fifty, carried the desperate yearning of a young man newly in love.
As if entranced, he drew near and embraced his concubine, beginning as he always did to recount the day’s events. For the Sichuan Provincial Governor, his concubine was the only person to whom he could bare his most intimate secrets.
“…And so, at last, those troublesome ruffians have departed.”
“Ruffians? You mean those martial artists who visited before?”
“Yes. Those who carried the Sangshan King’s credentials.”
“Hmm.”
“What troubles you?”
“Nothing, my lord. But surely this affair has caused you great hardship. I hear that disputes broke out among the martial artists, leaving many dead and wounded?”
The Sichuan Provincial Governor shook his head with a weary expression.
“Don’t even mention it. Where they obtained them, I cannot fathom, but they dared don official military garb and threw the great nation’s order into chaos.”
“My goodness, truly?”
“Unbelievable as it may seem, it is fact. Regardless of other matters, I must certainly submit a report to the court regarding this….”
“How admirably principled you are. But, my lord.”
The concubine smiled sweetly and stroked the head resting upon her lap.
“If the imperial court learns of this, might the matter not grow larger?”
“Eh? What?”
“Consider it, my lord. One day you shall rise to the position of the Three Excellencies, overseeing all civil and military officials while assisting the Emperor…I worry that those envious of you might seize upon this incident as a weapon against you.”
“Hehe. Indeed, only you, Ae-hyang, think of me so deeply.”
The Sichuan Provincial Governor gazed upon his concubine with eyes overflowing with affection.
Yet he was not entirely a fool either.
Though the official government and the Martial World maintained a mutual non-interference agreement, treating each other with indifference, over the past seven days and nights more than a thousand people had perished across Sichuan’s lands.
While he could leave the tedious cleanup to his subordinates, at minimum this required his direct intervention.
“Your concern is touching, but in matters as grave as this, concealment often becomes the greater problem.”
“My lord, surely you don’t think I’m unaware of that?”
“Hmm? Then what do you propose?”
“Conceal what must be concealed, and amplify the merit.”
Her voice, dripping with seductive charm, tickled the Sichuan Provincial Governor’s ear.
“A great dispute arose among martial artists, and you, my lord, mobilized your official forces to quell this crisis.”
“I see.”
“You become the benevolent governor who restored the great nation’s order, thrown into disarray by ruffians, and cared for the common people. Of course, it would be best to omit any mention of the official weapons and uniforms—to avoid misunderstanding.”
“If only matters could unfold as you suggest, Ae-hyang. But fabricating an official report is rather….”
“My lord, look at me.”
The hesitant Sichuan Provincial Governor gasped softly upon seeing eyes that gleamed beautifully like black obsidian.
“Ah.”
“Don’t you understand that this Ae-hyang harbors feelings of admiration for you?”
“That is, well….”
The Sichuan Provincial Governor found himself unable to continue.
The moment his eyes met the Concubine’s, his mind had long since emptied of all thought.
His heart trembled at her bewitching form, and his senses grew hazy from the fragrance like flowers.
An infinite trust and affection that surged forth from nowhere, along with an irresistible desire, consumed him entirely.
“Ae-hyang, Ae-hyang!”
His voice was desperate. Yet the Concubine grasped the Sichuan Provincial Governor’s hand as it reached to caress her body.
“My lord, your answer?”
“Of, of course I shall follow your wishes. I would do anything for you!”
The smile at the corners of the Concubine’s lips deepened.
“You’ve done well. Just as you have until now, continue to do so going forward. Do you understand?”
“Yes, yes!”
The Sichuan Provincial Governor, seized by intense desire, could not perceive it.
The ominous sight of an eerie crimson light seeping into the eyes of the Concubine he loved so dearly.
“My, how obedient. Our Provincial Governor. He listens so well.”
The Concubine laughed aloud with delight.
Everything was flowing in the direction she—or rather, That Person—desired.
* * *
“Hmm?”
“What is it?”
“No, I thought I just heard some mad woman laughing.”
“A mad woman? Here?”
“Yeah. It was strange.”
Hyuk Moo-jin and I surveyed our surroundings. The three fast ships bearing the Water Dragon Stronghold’s flag moved unobstructed along the vast tributary of the Yangtze River, and naturally, there was no woman anywhere aboard them.
“Did I mishear? That’s odd.”
After all I’ve been through lately, I suppose I’m hearing things now.
As I pondered this, Hyuk Moo-jin opened his mouth with a serious expression.
“Could it be that….”
“What is it?”
“Isn’t it that young lady standing fourth from the right in the front row that you cannot forget?”
Gung Ki-bang shook his head.
“Nonsense. It’s the third from the left. That’s a beauty one couldn’t possibly forget.”
“Ah, so that’s what this was about?”
I gazed at the two rascals with a benevolent smile.
“I have a feeling today will be an unforgettable day for both of you.”
As I gestured with a radiant smile, several burly water bandits who came running at the sight bowed their heads respectfully.
“You called for us, Jin Dae-hyup?”
“Is there something you wish us to do?”
“Grab those bastards and give them a little dip in the Yangtze River.”
The water bandits exchanged bewildered glances.
“A dip, sir?”
“Forgive us, but we’re rather rough men. What exactly is a dip?”
“A dip isn’t exactly a refined cultural practice—rather, just keep dunking their heads in and pulling them out until I tell you to stop.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Simple enough.”
“Wait, hold on!”
“Squad leader!”
Gung Ki-bang and Hyuk Moo-jin tried to resist, but it was futile.
One had only a single functional leg, while the other was wrapped head to toe in bandages.
As a swarm of muscular, martial-trained men rushed over to seize their limbs and begin the dunking spectacle, I turned my attention to the system window I’d left floating in the air.
– You have an unnamed subordinate item. Would you like to check it?
‘Of course, yes.’
Ding.
Item Window
[???]
Type
: Armor
Grade
: Divine Artifact
Restriction
: Jin Tae-kyung
Description:
Armor imbued with the spirit of an ancient master blacksmith whose name has been lost to time. Possesses formidable defensive properties. The previous owner’s death has transferred ownership to a new master. Once you give it a name, it can be used freely anywhere.
‘The previous owner died and ownership transferred to me?’
I suspected as much, and it seems my hunch was correct.
After rummaging through my inventory, I confirmed the new subordinate item. And an involuntary sigh escaped my lips.
“…to me?”
What lay in my palm was merely a small fragment. It was once called the Black Dragon Armor.
‘I definitely blasted it away with a single strike alongside that Western Heavenly Demon Lord at the end. Since it’s a subordinate item, it must have automatically entered my inventory.’
The image of the Black Dragon Armor shattering into pieces was still vivid in my mind.
But I had no idea what I was supposed to do with just this tiny fragment.
‘If I slip it into the front of my pants, it would certainly feel reassuring.’
Ah, is that why it’s classified as armor?
I was just tugging down the front of my waistband to find the right position when—
“What are you doing over—”
“…ah.”
A cold silence descended in an instant.
The boy’s face went rigid as stone, staring at my loosened pants and the hand I’d slipped inside.
After confirming no one was nearby, Sal-sung—or rather, Moon-kyung—opened his mouth.
“Why here of all places?”
“Wait, hold on. I think there’s been a misunderstanding.”
Just as I scrambled to explain myself, Moon-kyung’s eyes grew cold and sharp.
“I told you when we departed. Treat me as Moon-kyung in front of anyone except the Fire King and Chung Poong.”
I answered with an aggrieved expression.
“You’re speaking casually too, you bastard.”
“…!”
“Ah, my apologies.”
Moon-kyung’s face twisted with conflicting emotions as he glanced sideways at the nearby water bandits and clicked his tongue.
The terrifying Sal-sung transformed into the appearance of the Divine Physician’s disciple—a bright-eyed young physician—in an instant.
“What were you doing?”
“What good would it do you to know?”
“…!”
This was oddly entertaining. But I couldn’t pull it off a third time.
I quickly extended my hand toward the speechless Moon-kyung.
“It got caught in my trouser cuff.”
Of course, there was a slight discrepancy with the truth, but Moon-kyung paid no mind to such details. More precisely, his gaze was fixed on the fragment of the Black Dragon Armor.
“This is….”
“Do you happen to know what this is? Or rather, do you know what it is?”
“Where did you obtain it?”
“From that man.”
Moon-kyung, understanding I meant the Western Heavenly Demon Lord, nodded.
“You’ve acquired a divine weapon of exceptional quality. I’m not certain how only fragments remain, though.”
“He called it the Black Dragon Armor.”
“Black Dragon Armor?”
“Why? Is that different from the name you knew?”
“I’ve read of it in ancient secret histories. A tale of a mysterious suit of armor that has no fixed name, and whose form and nature change according to its owner.”
“Its form and nature change? How?”
Moon-kyung answered with a look of exasperation. And only then did I realize what I needed to do next.
‘Inner force.’
Inner force itself was the form and nature possessed by its owner.
Ssshhhhh.
Following the incantations of the Blazing Divine Art at the eighth level, I channeled molten-like energy toward the armor fragment.
The dark grey energy that had clung to the fragment’s surface vanished, and cyan-white heat-yang energy filled the void.
That object, inscribed with patterns as if flames were flickering, could no longer be called the Black Dragon Armor.
‘Fire Dragon Armor.’
Simple, yet no more fitting name could exist.
As I smiled with satisfaction, a cheerful chiming sound rang out.
Ding.
– You have granted a subordinate item
[???]
a new name!
– From now on, you can use
[Fire Dragon Armor]
freely anywhere!
–
[Fire Dragon Armor]
resonates with your energy! It desires the owner’s power to repair its damaged sections on its own!
Whoooosh.
I felt it—an enormous torrent of inner energy draining from my body, surging toward the Fire Dragon Armor.
I pretended to cradle it like a sponge absorbing that power, then stored it in my inventory.
‘Automatic repair, that’s incredible.’
I had certainly obtained something useful.
I was fortunate. The Fire Dragon Armor was the final gift from this journey.
As I turned to leave, Moon-kyung stared at me with wide eyes.
“Where are you going, sir?”
“What does it matter to you?”
“…!”
Ah, I think I’m becoming addicted to this.
I waved my hand at Moon-kyung, who was surely reciting words of patience in his mind.
“I’m going to sleep. Don’t wake me.”
“…?”
Yes, it was time to awaken from this long slumber.
But….
‘Why does this feel so unsettling? What did I forget?’
Tilting my head in confusion, I settled into the cabin of the Fast Ship and closed my eyes. Taking a deep breath, I spoke the command aloud.
‘Logout.’
Ding.
– Logging out in 10 seconds. Ten, nine, eight, seven….
With the final count, the faint sound of splashing water and someone’s cry echoed distantly in my ears.
Splash, gasp! Captain, help! Gasp!

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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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