Murim Login - Chapter 492

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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 492
It was natural enough to say, but the reason so many had gathered in one place was not to pray for the Water Dragon’s repose.
And among them, there was one person whose selfish intentions were particularly evident.
“Remarkable, truly remarkable.”
Je-gal Poong’s eyes sparkled with rapture as he caressed the silver scales.
“This incredible strength, this beauty. I can scarcely believe it.”
Though the Water Dragon had met death without ever becoming a true dragon, it was a divine imoogi that had lived for five hundred years.
The Water Dragon’s body, already proven through one fierce battle, was itself both formidable armor and weapon.
“This is… a treasure beyond all price.”
There was not a shred of exaggeration in Je-gal Poong’s words.
Scales harder than steel could not be completely severed even by sword energy, and the bones hidden within boasted strength surpassing the scales themselves.
Even in the modern world where magical refining techniques had advanced, materials of this caliber were said to command whatever price one asked—and in the Murim, it was beyond calculation.
‘Though not quite on the level of ten-thousand-year cold iron… it’s undoubtedly an extraordinary treasure.’
The Water Dragon’s body, stretching across some hundred-odd scales, was composed entirely of such treasures.
Armor forged from those scales would be impenetrable even to crossbows, and weapons crafted from the bones would yield implements of war with strength and sharpness exceeding meteorite iron.
Secret martial arts, elixirs, and superior weapons—three elements that no martial artist could help but covet.
It was only natural that greed gleamed in the eyes of Je-gal Poong and several others.
“If we made a Dog-Beating Staff from that…”
Hyuk Moo-jin countered Gung Ki-bang’s murmur.
“Make a Dog-Beating Staff from bone? We should forge a sword instead. A bone sword made from an imoogi’s skeleton—just imagining it is exquisite.”
“Are you disrespecting the Beggar Clan right now?”
“No, sir. I’m only disrespecting Gung So-hyup.”
“Want to get beaten like a dog?”
“Please, have mercy. With that much material, we could easily forge a hundred Dog-Beating Staffs or swords and still have leftovers. Why the fuss?”
“Fair point. Then I’ll reserve one Dog-Beating Staff for myself.”
“And I’ll reserve one sword…”
Smack! Smack!
“Ugh!”
“Argh!”
Gung Ki-bang and Hyuk Moo-jin, having each received a blow to the back of their heads with perfect harmony, spun toward me and bellowed.
“Why did you hit us!”
“At least explain your reasons before striking, please!”
These bastards still hadn’t come to their senses.
Frowning, I brandished my massive fist menacingly.
“You useless wretches who couldn’t do a damn thing during the actual battle—Dog-Beating Staffs? Swords? Reservations?”
“Well, that is…”
“It’s unavoidable for martial artists…”
“If not for the Water Dragon, Hubei Province would have been devastated long ago. A few rogue fish wouldn’t have been the end of it.”
It was undeniable that countless lives had been lost to the Water Dragon.
Yet that had not been of its own volition, and had the Gate opened completely, Hubei Province would have become a living hell.
“Of course, the corpse will be put to good use, but at the very least, if you’re going to call yourselves human, show some gratitude. Understood?”
The two of them flinched at my rebuke, muttering in voices barely audible as ants.
“We’re… sorry…”
“To be honest, Team Leader, you don’t have much room to talk either. Look what you did to Dongjeong Fisherman Elder.”
Smack! Crack!
Two more impacts echoed through the air, followed by two more cries of pain.
I barked at Gung Ki-bang and Hyuk Moo-jin, both clutching their heads again.
“Are those two things the same? Are they? Huh?”
I had plenty of grievances myself on this matter.
True, I felt sorry for what happened to Dongjeong Fisherman Elder, but it was unavoidable on my part.
Dongjeong Fisherman Elder, who had been directly exposed to the corrupted Water Dragon’s aura, was not in his right mind when he harmed people, and all the evidence at the time pointed to him as the culprit.
Even if his limbs were broken, at least he kept his life. When you think about it, getting beaten to a pulp by me was what allowed him to escape the aura’s influence.
‘Fists triumphed over the aura.’
This wasn’t exactly a victory for humanity—rather, we each had our own circumstances.
I’d even visited him to pay my respects out of guilt. Though he was unconscious, so we couldn’t talk.
“Regardless, show some gratitude. Do you understand?”
It was right as I was waving my fist threateningly at the two of them.
“Jin is right.”
A voice that resonated with profound sage-like wisdom. Xuangong Zhenren of the Wudang School stepped forward with a complicated expression.
“When I first heard about this incident, I was skeptical, but seeing it with my own eyes now, I understand. Truly, a divine creature sent by heaven itself.”
Jin Wi-kyung, who was witnessing the Water Dragon for the first time today just like Xuangong Zhenren, nodded solemnly.
“Your words are absolutely correct, Zhenren. By sacrificing itself to prevent an even greater calamity, this great serpent deserves to be called a divine dragon.”
“It is truly a lamentable affair. Having received such tremendous grace, would it not be fitting for us all to pray for its peaceful passage together?”
Xuangong Zhenren was indeed a venerable Daoist who had cultivated profound spiritual power at the Wudang School, the sacred site of Daoism.
He was fundamentally different from human dregs like Gung Ki-bang and Hyuk Moo-jin, who couldn’t muster even a shred of gratitude.
I felt an infinite surge of faith in the Primordial Celestial Worthy and quickly pressed my palms together.
“Amen.”
Xuangong Zhenren, who had been reciting Daoist scriptures, turned around with a start.
“Amen?”
“My mistake. Amitabha Buddha.”
“…Try again. Infinite Life Buddha.”
“Ah, my apologies. Infinite Life Buddha.”
“Excellent. May the Primordial Celestial Worthy look favorably upon you, Jin.”
“Yes, of course.”
Does the Wudang School have missionaries too?
Xuangong Zhenren, grinning contentedly like a civilization player aiming for a religious victory, recited a brief scripture and gazed up at the heavens.
“Divine serpent, I pray that in that place, you shall become a celestial dragon and soar through the sky.”
“Ahhh…”
“Truly, you are a sage, Zhenren.”
As Je-gal Poong and Jin Wi-kyung eagerly flattered him, Xuangong Zhenren smiled benevolently in response.
“Heh heh. I merely did what was proper. But then again….”
“Yes, Zhenren.”
What kind of profound wisdom would spill from that old Daoist’s lips?
It was at that moment when everyone, including myself, bowed their heads respectfully and listened intently.
“Now then, shall we divide the spoils?”
“…?”
“Well, what must be done must be done, wouldn’t you say?”
“…!”
As I lifted my head, I could see it clearly.
The burning greed and desire for the weapon gleaming in Xuangong Zhenren’s eyes. And the silent cry transmitted through his pupils.
‘I am the Song Family’s Ancient Sword! I claim one Song Family’s Ancient Sword!’
This wasn’t a Daoist—he was a scoundrel.
Watching Xuangong Zhenren’s true nature, which I had briefly believed in, I came to understand once more.
Indeed, all these Murim folk were hopeless creatures without exception.
* * *
The end of a Raid Team operation doesn’t mean all combat has concluded.
There remains a process that must be fought through with intensity equal to, and sometimes even greater than, the Raid Team operation itself.
‘Distribution of byproducts, final settlement.’
In the end, Hunters do this to earn their bread.
Perhaps top-tier Hunters with annual earnings in the tens or hundreds of billions wouldn’t care. But in Raid Team parties composed of lower-ranked Hunters, it was common to see faces flush red over byproducts worth mere tens of thousands of won. That’s why contracts are essential.
And the corpse of the Water Dragon was itself a treasure of immense value.
Had this been the Modern World, launching into a Raid without even a written contract would have sparked enormous disputes.
But this was not the Modern World—it was the Murim, and those gathered here were physical types who preferred dialogue conducted through their bodies rather than through haggling words.
And I know the most appropriate term to describe such people.
‘Suckers.’
Turning my head to scan the surroundings, they were all just watching each other’s reactions.
Well, two people here were exceptions.
One of them, the patriarch of the Je-gal Family Estate, who could be called Hubei’s greatest magnate, spoke first.
“Ahem.”
Je-gal Poong, clearing his throat to begin, continued casually.
“Regarding this matter, the Main Residence has no choice but to yield. The Je-gal Family Estate will take only what we’ve earned, so the rest should go to the other distinguished guests….”
“Stop right there. You’re trying to pull a fast one.”
“What!”
I cut off Je-gal Poong’s words and let out a snort of laughter.
“Earned? What great deed did you accomplish to deserve a share? If you keep trying to get something for nothing, you’ll get indigestion.”
“Now, now….”
“Am I wrong? No matter how much I respect Je-gal Dae-hyup, this is crossing the line.”
To claim a share when you’ve done nothing—how dare you attempt such blatant robbery.
Je-gal Poong flinched at my piercing gaze and opened his mouth again.
“Done nothing? If it weren’t for the information provided by our Je-gal Family Estate, you would have been as blind as a man with eyes wide shut. You certainly wouldn’t have made it this far.”
“Your tongue is quite sharp, isn’t it?”
“Tsk!”
“From that information, you’ve concluded that Dongjeong Fisherman Elder is the culprit, haven’t you? Are you saying he was lying in bed, then suddenly sprang up, did five somersaults in mid-air, and came bounding here through empty space?”
“That, well….”
As Je-gal Poong’s words caught in his throat, another figure among them—the only one maintaining composure—smiled gently.
Indeed, it was the smile of a capable strategist who had elevated the Taewon Jin Family to its current position.
“Je-gal Dae-hyup. I apologize on behalf of my younger brother’s rudeness.”
“Ahem, ahem!”
“It’s entirely my fault for teaching my brother poorly.”
“His words were rather harsh, I’ll admit.”
“I fear I’ve offended you. This shouldn’t have happened.”
“It’s fine. Still, it seems the family head and I can understand each other, so I’m relieved….”
“No, no. He deserves a proper scolding. Tae-kyung, you wretch! Why aren’t you apologizing at once!”
At Jin Wi-kyung’s thunderous rebuke, I quickly bowed my head.
“I apologize. My words were excessive.”
“No matter how much Je-gal Dae-hyup might try to take advantage, there are still lines that must be respected!”
“I apologize again.”
“Wait, wait. Family Head Jin?”
Je-gal Poong, sensing something amiss, opened his mouth, but Jin Wi-kyung’s tirade continued.
“You played the greatest role in defeating Water Dragon! You essentially saved Je-gal Dae-hyup’s life! Yet he is still the head of a prestigious family and an elder of the Murim!”
“I deserve death for such a transgression.”
“Now, now, Family Head.”
“No matter how poorly raised he may be, for a green boy like you to treat Je-gal Dae-hyup—whose reputation echoes throughout the Murim—with such shamelessness! The moment I return to the Main Residence…!”
“Family Head!”
Je-gal Poong called out desperately, waving his hand with an exhausted expression.
“I understand. I understand it all, so please, spare us further trouble.”
“Then you accept our apology, the apology of these two brothers?”
“I’m sorry, Je-gal Dae-hyup!”
“Ah, you said you understand. Let’s end this now, both of you.”
“Thank you. While I may not go so far as to help with your next task, the Je-gal Family will be well provided for.”
“Beggar Clan is standard practice.”
“…Sigh.”
Game over. The season of victory.
As Je-gal Poong collapsed helplessly, his body and spirit utterly drained, Jin Wi-kyung and I exchanged satisfied smiles.
In terms of intellectual prowess, I could never catch up to Je-gal Poong even if I died and came back, but this kind of negotiation cannot be learned from books.
‘This is the wisdom of life.’
Me, who threw a fit during the settlement process demanding one more goblin poison sac, and Jin Wi-kyung, who spent years honing his administrative skills in obscurity due to our father’s mysterious absence.
If everyone else here were marks, we were the con artists.
‘Judging by the role I played, I’m clearly the star.’
The one who fights is the one who reaps the rewards.
This is a fight I cannot retreat from, and I must not retreat from.
Only when I stand firm and face any opponent with confidence, regardless of who they are, can I truly become a genuine Hunter and a member of the Murim.
– Hand it over. Give it to me. Otherwise, offer up your neck.
– I’ll comply.
But there are exceptions to every rule.
…Damn it.

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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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