Murim Login - Chapter 499

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Chapter 499
Though spring had fully arrived, the night breeze sweeping across the winding waters of Dongting Lake carried a chill.
Jang Tae-bo entered Jin Wi-kyung’s military camp, constructed from thick canvas, and immediately claimed a spot before the brazier to warm himself.
“Phew, now I can finally breathe again.”
Jin Wi-kyung smiled at the sight and handed him a teacup.
“You’ve had quite the journey getting here.”
“It’s fortunate I was in Hanan at the time. Had I been in Shanxi, not even the Governor’s request would have brought me. Here you are, putting an old man waiting for death to work.”
I observed Jang Tae-bo’s imposing musculature and thought to myself.
‘He’s certainly capable of being worked.’
Look at that physique. This transcends mere vigor—the man is absolutely robust. While others lose years to overwork, Jang Tae-bo would merely suffer some muscle loss at worst.
Wi Paeng, apparently sharing similar thoughts, glanced sidelong at his own forearm compared to Jang Tae-bo’s, then opened his mouth.
“I’ve heard detailed accounts of what transpired in Sichuan and Hubei. I came personally, hoping to resolve the Hanan situation as well, and it appears the timing was fortuitous.”
Jin Wi-kyung laughed heartily and patted Wi Paeng’s shoulder.
“Wi Paeng. You are truly my Zhang Liang!”
“I am merely a martial artist, sir.”
“Ah, then let’s call you Han Xin instead.”
“Han Xin was ultimately purged, was he not?”
“Then Xiao He.”
“Xiao He was a civil official, sir.”
“….”
Jin Wi-kyung stared at Wi Paeng with an expression suggesting he wanted to purge him on the spot, then let out a hollow cough.
“Ahem. It seems you’ve accumulated quite a bit against me over time.”
In a typical lord-retainer relationship, Wi Paeng would have demurred with false modesty, but he was perhaps the only person who could openly needle Jin Wi-kyung.
“Yes, quite a bit. Were you unaware?”
“I suspected as much, but I didn’t expect you to be so direct after coming all this way.”
“I didn’t come of my own accord—you summoned me. Are you aware you’ve been absent for nearly three months? Recently, the sect leader herself came asking if something had befallen you.”
“Ahem!”
Watching Jin Wi-kyung’s repeated coughing, it was clear he had much to feel guilty about.
Wait, hold on. The sect leader Wi Paeng just mentioned—could it possibly be…?
“Could you be referring to the young lady Eun So-wol?”
Wi Paeng shook his head at my question.
“Not a young lady, but a proper sect leader of the First Gate. Third Young Master.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
The Hangsan Inspection Bureau, which once sought dominion over Shanxi Province, had been utterly devastated by successive calamities.
Yet Eun So-wol, the sole bloodline of the Blood Wolf Sword, survived through my intervention and pledged loyalty to the Taewon Jin Family.
Though her position was that of a retainer, a sect leader remained a sect leader.
‘The last time I saw her… has it been over a year already?’
It was around the time I left the Taewon Jin Family with Jeok Cheon-gang, heading toward Jiuhua Mountain. By Murim’s reckoning, a year had passed, and counting the modern world as well, far longer.
I recalled that day’s memory with perfect clarity.
‘There, sect leader.’
“Miss.”
“Pardon?”
“Please call me Miss.”
“Ah, yes. Then, Miss.”
“Please, speak freely, Young Master Jin.”
“May your household enjoy peace and prosperity.”
“….”
“May your sect’s endeavors flourish, and well, in any case, I hope all your undertakings meet with success.”
It seemed we had parted on rather pleasant terms.
The Eun So-wol I remembered possessed both the resolve and backbone befitting a martial family’s daughter—she had not flinched even before Pung Yang, who had led the Red Wind Bandits in their assault. By now, the once-fallen Hangsan Inspection Bureau must have grown considerably under her guidance.
“So, how has Miss been faring these days?”
Wi Paeng, who had been contemplating for a moment, finally answered.
“If one measures by her well-being, then well enough. Though in other respects, perhaps not entirely.”
“Why? Are matters not progressing smoothly?”
“Regarding the sect itself, the Hangsan Inspection Bureau has already completed its reconstruction. Under this Sect Master’s command, it grows swiftly, and the number of disciples increases daily.”
“I see.”
“Moreover, Chul Moo-baek, the Hangshan Tiger and an old friend of the late master, has emerged from seclusion and actively participates in the sect’s affairs.”
“Excellent.”
Then everything seems to be going well?
Noticing my tilted head, Wi Paeng’s eyes narrowed.
“Third Young Master. If I may be so bold, I must ask one thing. Have you truly sent no word since then?”
“Word? What word?”
“…Sigh. Never mind. Forget I said anything.”
The atmosphere had grown peculiar. Watching Jang Tae-bo click his tongue beside me, a sudden thought flickered through my mind.
Surely not? No, that can’t be it. Though perhaps… No, it’s not that.
My sudden confusion was dispelled by a single remark from Jin Wi-kyung.
“It’s fortunate the Sect Master is doing well. But what of the second son? I haven’t seen him in months now.”
Wi Paeng, who had been regarding me as though I were a simpleton, sighed before speaking.
“Unchanged. He sustains himself solely on the grain-free pills provided in the Training Pavilion and has not set foot outside for even a single step.”
“That wretch Jin Moo-kyung. What in heaven’s name is he trying to accomplish….”
Jin Wi-kyung’s concern was not without reason.
Before I departed for Jiuhua Mountain, Jin Moo-kyung had been defeated in a martial contest against Chung Poong. From that day onward, he had secluded himself in the Training Pavilion, revealing himself to no one.
A year had passed, the Seonglae Tournament had been held, and now Dark Heaven loomed like a storm cloud overhead—yet still he remained.
‘He swore he would not emerge until he achieved great merit.’
Once, the entire Murim had called Jin Moo-kyung a prodigy of the ages.
Even the direct disciples of the Nine Great Sects and One Alliance, lavished with superior techniques and rare elixirs, could not compare to him. And Jin Moo-kyung, bearing the blood of a martial family long fallen into obscurity, had overcome that very limitation through martial prowess alone, standing prominently among the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes.
‘Then he encountered Chung Poong.’
For Jin Moo-kyung, Chung Poong’s existence must have been both a tremendous shock and a profound stimulus.
The fact that he continued his secluded cultivation even now, a full year later, was proof of that.
‘He will surely accomplish something remarkable. I’m certain of it.’
The Jin Moo-kyung I knew was undoubtedly a genius beyond question.
He was never blessed with instruction from the Sword Saint, that supreme warrior, nor given exceptional spiritual medicine or seasonal techniques.
Yet having come this far through his own strength alone, I couldn’t begin to imagine what form he would take when he finally emerged from his closed-door cultivation.
‘The real question is when exactly he’ll come out.’
Surely he wouldn’t emerge after reaching sixty years old.
If he could endure until then on nothing but Grain-Avoidance Pills, I’d be more than willing to respect him and honor him as an elder brother.
In truth, merely persisting through a year of closed-door cultivation while consuming that flavorless substance was already remarkable enough.
Why else would the Wudang Sect Taoists bring dried meat instead of Grain-Avoidance Pills when they undertook wall-facing meditation?
‘Even those militant vegetarians who flip over grills at meat restaurants would crave samgyeopsal the moment they chewed a Grain-Avoidance Pill.’
While I entertained such thoughts, the conversation had already shifted toward Jang Tae-bo.
“But Master Jin, won’t you finally tell this old man why you summoned him?”
At Jang Tae-bo’s grumbling question, Jin Wi-kyung abruptly dropped a single phrase.
“Iron Vessel Party. What do you think?”
“I’ve never heard of such an organization within the Taewon Jin Family.”
“That’s because it was only established a few days ago.”
Jang Tae-bo’s brow furrowed.
“It’s a familiar name indeed. It reminds me of the Iron Technique House where this old man once served.”
“I named it after Old Master Jang. Iron Vessel Party Leader—doesn’t it sound fitting?”
“Master Jin.”
Jang Tae-bo exhaled a long sigh before continuing.
“I left the Iron Technique House long ago.”
“Then it seems about time you returned.”
“I’m old and weary—I lack the strength to even lift a hammer.”
Jin Wi-kyung, who had been staring intently at Jang Tae-bo’s imposing musculature, smirked.
– Youngest brother.
By this point, I couldn’t help but understand why Jin Wi-kyung had summoned Jang Tae-bo here.
Already having discerned Jin Wi-kyung’s intentions, I deliberately let the White Flame spear slip from my back.
Clang!
“Oh my. Dropping a divine weapon forged by a blacksmith too old and weary to even lift a hammer!”
“…”
“My spear, made from that notoriously difficult-to-work eternal cold iron! Whoever forged it….”
Jang Tae-bo glared at me with eyes that could kill.
“Stop it.”
“Why? Isn’t that what you said?”
“I made it!”
“How could that be? You said you lack the strength to even lift a hammer.”
“…Ugh. That damned brat.”
Jang Tae-bo exhaled a sigh deep enough to collapse the earth, then looked toward Jin Wi-kyung.
“Is this why you’ve been helping me all this time?”
“Not at all. It was purely goodwill toward the craftsman who forged a divine weapon for my cherished younger brother.”
“Then allow me to answer your proposal.”
“I’m listening.”
“Impossible. That is the only answer this old man can give you. Even with a blade at my throat, it would not change.”
I raised my hand sharply.
“What about the spear?”
“Silence. Before I take it back and smash it to pieces.”
“Ten-thousand-year cold iron special. Damn solid.”
“…Why would I have crafted a spear for someone like you so I could enjoy wealth and glory?”
“Just become the master of the Iron Vessel Party. You’ve received plenty of help from our side anyway.”
“I’ll repay it with wealth, but do you think at my age I’d endure such hardship again?”
“So you really won’t do it?”
“Then what will you do? I’ve already said no.”
“Please tell me your conditions instead. I’ll do my best to meet them.”
“Conditions?”
A smug smile suddenly crossed Jang Tae-bo’s lips.
“Do you remember this time last year? I’ll set the same conditions as then.”
“If those are the conditions from back then, surely not.”
“The Herb of Immortality, Heavenly Azure Stone, a dragon’s claw, and the Pearl of Harmony. Bring me any one of them.”
Ding.
– Sudden Quest,
[Impossible Anyway]
has been generated!
– Quest Objective: Obtain any one of the items Jang Tae-bo mentioned.
Crash, bang!
I shot to my feet and bellowed.
“What are you talking about! A dragon’s claw? There’s no such thing!”
“Whether it’s a water dragon or a true dragon, if you can bring me its claw, I’ll bury my bones in the Taewon Jin Family. If you can’t, then stay quiet.”
Ding.
– Quest objective has been updated.
– Quest Objective: Obtain a water dragon’s claw.
I nodded as I confirmed the updated system window.
“Alright, that works. Here you go.”
“My resolve hasn’t changed, so don’t waste your effort… What is this you’re suddenly giving me?”
“A water dragon’s claw.”
“Huh?”
“A water dragon’s claw. You asked me to bring one.”
“…What?”
An earthquake erupted in Jang Tae-bo’s eyes.
He was among the three greatest master craftsmen in the world and had once served as the master of the Iron Vessel Party, the finest blacksmith collective.
In Jang Tae-bo’s bewildered gaze fixed upon the water dragon’s claw, suspicion and astonishment at witnessing an unknown material mingled together.
“A-a water dragon’s claw? Truly?”
“Just by the length, it couldn’t possibly be mine.”
“But… where on earth did you…”
“I caught it.”
“What?”
“There are bones and scales as well.”
“That’s absurd!”
“When the sun rises, come see it yourself. Wi Paeng has only heard about it through letters, so take this opportunity to visit together.”
*Ding.*
– Sudden Quest,
[Impossible Task]
has been successfully completed!
– As a Quest reward,
[Taewon Jin Family]
has
[Jang Tae-bo]
been acquired!
– Achievement,
[Wow, You Actually Got It]
has been unlocked!
With the cheerful chime of the system notification, Jin Wi-kyung wrapped a warm arm around Jang Tae-bo’s shoulders.
“I look forward to working with you from now on, Master of the Iron Vessel Party.”
“…!”
The eyes of Jang Tae-bo, now enlisted as a servant—no, a slave—of the Taewon Jin Family, were utterly hollow.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————