Murim Login - Chapter 529

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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 529
Clink.
“Welcome!”
Jeom So-i’s spirited greeting rang out as the door chimed open.
Yet disappointment flickered across Ju Hwa-ran’s eyes as she bolted upright with a glimmer of hope, only to have it extinguished in an instant.
“Ah…”
It wasn’t him. Though the angle from above obscured the face, that alone was enough to distinguish. No, if it truly were him, I could have recognized him by his shadow alone.
Perhaps I could have known from his shadow alone.
‘It wasn’t him. That Person didn’t come.’
Sigh.
Ju Hwa-ran exhaled softly, her eyes lingering with regret as she gazed down at the first floor once more.
Nothing would change by looking again, yet somehow the longing refused to fade.
The men seated at the table with her let out awkward coughs.
“Ahem.”
“Ahem.”
They had been watching Ju Hwa-ran’s every movement from the start.
They were far too perceptive to miss the meaning behind her actions.
Three men sat across from Ju Hwa-ran with the table between them, and the gazes of two of them tangled silently in the air.
No—what passed between them was far more than mere glances. Subtle transmissions of sound already flowed between their barely trembling lips.
– Listen here, Hwangbo Ak. Who do you suppose the young lady is waiting for?
A handsome man with immaculate white robes and unblemished skin.
At the silent transmission from Baek Woo, universally acknowledged as the Kunlun Sect’s foremost late-stage prodigy and one of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes, the sharp-featured young nobleman’s brow furrowed slightly.
– I wouldn’t know.
– I can only think of one person. If my guess is correct, it must be that Crimson Fire Divine Dragon, Jin Tae…
– Don’t speak of that.
Hwangbo Ak, the young lord of the Hwangbo Family and another of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes known as the Shandong Fist Dragon, replied coldly, his mood thoroughly soured.
‘For Hwangbo Ak to be treated as inferior to another…’
It was unthinkable. Especially for someone as narcissistic as Hwangbo Ak, it was a reality difficult to accept.
Though the Hwangbo Family was not counted among the Five Great Families of the realm, the name Hwangbo carried considerable prestige throughout the Martial World.
As the long-standing hegemon of Shandong and a martial clan with deep roots, none could dispute their standing.
Hwangbo Ak was the young lord of that very family.
Moreover, he was a martial prodigy worthy of being called one of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes, and a handsome man who shone wherever he went.
An excellent lineage, vast wealth and honor, and a beautiful face—it was only natural that his popularity among women soared to the heavens.
Yet the greatest problem was that all those things he had enjoyed throughout his nearly thirty years of life now felt utterly meaningless in this very moment.
‘Eun Bi-hwa, Ju Hwa-ran.’
The moment he first saw her, Hwangbo Ak understood. All the countless beauties he had met before were but fireflies before the sun.
Unlike other women, her face bore not a trace of cosmetics, yet an indescribable beauty radiated from her; the simple, unadorned martial robes she wore held more grace than the most elaborate palace silks.
He had fallen for her at first sight.
‘Why did I not meet such a woman sooner?’
Hwangbo Ak gazed at Ju Hwa-ran as though entranced.
Every small movement of hers, every glimmer in her eyes like the morning star, made my heart flutter and awakened desires that had been buried deep within.
But….
“Sigh.”
At Ju Hwa-ran’s wistful sigh, my brow furrowed.
I already knew what emotion lay behind that sigh, and toward whom it was directed.
‘Blazing Divine Dragon Jin Tae-kyung.’
A title and name I quietly cursed in my heart.
My hand, resting beneath the table, involuntarily clenched into a fist.
‘What’s so special about that bastard.’
I had already heard what connection existed between Ju Hwa-ran and Jin Tae-kyung.
Though the details of what transpired between the Yongbong Escort Agency and the Zhongnan Sect two months ago had not been widely disclosed.
Yet the shocking news that Tae-eul Mujeong Sword, one of the top three masters of the Zhongnan Sect, had knelt before someone barely past their coming of age had already swept through the Martial World.
‘It’s impossible.’
By common sense, it should be impossible—and shouldn’t have happened. Hwangbo Ak simply dismissed it as mere rumor and clicked his tongue.
But more important than that was the unpleasant suspicion that Ju Hwa-ran harbored some feeling toward Jin Tae-kyung because of it.
– Are you certain?
At the sudden transmission of sound, Konryun Un-ryong Baek Woo’s ears perked up.
– What?
– I asked if what you said earlier was certain. Blazing Divine Dragon Jin Tae-kyung. Is he really the one the young lady is waiting for?
– Then surely she’s waiting for Hu Gae?
– ….
Even Hwangbo Ak had to admit that wasn’t the case.
No matter how peculiar Ju Hwa-ran’s tastes were, there was no way she’d favor Gung Ki-bang, who reeked of stale dog food just sitting beside her.
– So you’re really saying it’s him? A worm crawling out from some backwater corner of Shanxi Province, someone our young lord can’t even match?
– Not a worm, but a divine dragon. And Shanxi Province is no longer a backwater. It’s become the latent seat where the dragon Jin Tae-kyung rose, and the center of trade routes through the Northern Plateau.
Baek Woo lightly corrected Hwangbo Ak’s words and continued the transmission.
– Hwangbo Ak. The Taewon Jin Family you knew before is not what it was. Since you brought it up, I noticed it long ago when I saw Jin Cheon Sword, that friend of ours.
– Jin Cheon Sword? Jin Cheon Sword Jin Moo-kyung?
– Is there another Jin Cheon Sword besides the one we know?
Hwangbo Ak’s eyebrows trembled slightly.
Had it not been for Ju Hwa-ran sighing continuously across the table and that young escort officer of unknown origin staring at her, he would have long since twisted his face into a scowl.
– Don’t mention that name. Do I look like I’m asking because I don’t know who that bastard is?
– Ah, now that you mention it, Jin Cheon Sword and you were at the Cheon-mu Academy….
– Stop. Stop it!
– Goodness. Alright, alright. Why are you shouting?
Hwangbo Ak’s fist, tensed with force, flushed red.
Jin Moo-kyung. Probably one of the names Hwangbo Ak would never forget until death.
He had made me feel an insurmountable wall before someone who thought he had everything, and inflicted tremendous humiliation upon me.
‘Damn it.’
And now, following that elder brother, even the younger one blocks my path forward.
Hwangbo Ak’s subtle irritation was evident, and Baek Woo’s lips trembled with a cautious expression.
– Hwangbo, if I may offer some advice?
– What now?
– You know what you said to Bin-do? If the Crimson Flame Divine Dragon ever comes, don’t breathe a word of it. Better yet, don’t even open your mouth.
– Hmph. Are you worried I’ll provoke him with my words?
– No, that’s not it. I’m afraid Bin-do will get dragged into this too.
– …What?
Baek Woo fixed Hwangbo Ak with a gaze full of compassion and concern.
– If you’re going to die, die alone.
– …!
– You were in seclusion during the Seonglae Tournament, so you wouldn’t know. But Bin-do still thinks of him, and… well. Just know that. Understood?
What in the world was this supposed to mean? Die alone?
Hwangbo Ak, who had been staring at Baek Woo with a bewildered expression while keeping his mouth shut, transmitted his voice.
– Are you serious right now?
– By Amitabha Buddha and the Original Heavenly Ancestor, I swear this with utmost sincerity.
– Have you no pride as a martial artist?
– That vanished during the Seonglae Tournament. Do you know what it felt like to unleash the Cloud Dragon Eight Forms and have my head trampled?
– Even so, that’s no excuse!
– There is no excuse. That man is a monster.
– This… where did the noble crane that was Konryun Un-ryong go? Where is the Baek Woo I once knew?
Baek Woo’s eyes grew distant, lost in memory.
– Now that I think about it, Hu Gae said something similar to Bin-do back then. But in the very next trial, he was beaten like a dog by Jin Tae-kyung. I heard that Gung Ki-bang tried to grab his hair when he fell behind in the Gyeongsin Method, nearly losing his head in the process.
– …!
– By Amitabha Buddha. Let me be blunt. Do you think everything the Crimson Flame Divine Dragon showed was mere rumor?
– Of course!
At Hwangbo Ak’s resolute answer, Baek Woo released a quiet sigh.
– Why?
– How could a person accomplish such things? It’s clear that the Fire King resolved everything and took the credit for himself!
– True, it doesn’t make sense logically. How could someone barely past their twenties reach the pinnacle of martial arts?
Finally hearing a sensible answer, Hwangbo Ak nodded with conviction.
– That’s exactly what I’m saying. The Fire King Red Sky River must have stepped in, and the credit was simply attributed to his disciple.
– I’m worried, so I’ll say it again—don’t mention that credit in front of the Crimson Flame Divine Dragon. I don’t want to be bound as your battle companion and die with you.
– …What are you trying to say?
– By Amitabha Buddha. It’s simple. Don’t apply logic. Don’t try to understand. Just accept it.
Faced with Baek Woo’s enlightened words, Hwangbo Ak fell silent for a moment, then changed his approach.
– Ah, wait. Don’t you have feelings for the young lady Ju?
– Young lady Ju? Of course I admire her. What man wouldn’t be drawn to her?
– That very young lady Ju has her heart set on Jin Tae-kyung. Yet you’d protect your rival?
– Bin-do’s life is more precious to me than young lady Ju. Same with his hair.
– What?
Baek Woo, who had been gauging the atmosphere around him, naturally lowered his head slightly.
Between his neatly arranged hair, a conspicuously bare crown became visible.
– Infinite Buddha. Did you see it?
– No, what on earth are you—
At the sight of Hwangbo Ak unable to continue the transmission, Baek Woo offered a sorrowful smile.
– Ever since my scalp got trampled during the Seonglae Tournament, my hair hasn’t grown back….
– …!
– Give up. It’s easier when you give up. Though if you really can’t bring yourself to surrender, please do it when there’s no one around. I’d like to survive too.
What kind of insane nonsense was this.
Hwangbo Ak swallowed dryly.
Though anger still lingered, hearing Baek Woo—a companion he’d known for quite some time and a martial artist of considerable pride—speak so candidly sent a chill down his spine.
‘Is this real?’
He had never once believed all the rumors surrounding the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes to be entirely true.
But truly, if by some infinitesimal chance all those rumors were absolute truth without a shred of falsehood….
‘A monster beyond comprehension.’
Yes. Undoubtedly a monster beyond all doubt.
And simultaneously, an unbearable sense of humiliation enveloped Hwangbo Ak’s entire being.
‘This, this damnable situation.’
His fists clenched tightly, and as a groan escaped between his gritted teeth, Ju Hwa-ran, sensing the ominous atmosphere, opened her mouth.
“Hwangbo So-hyup. What’s wrong?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Nothing at all.”
At Hwangbo Ak’s strained response, the young escort agent who had been sitting idle without purpose let out a snort of laughter.
“It certainly looks like something to me.”
“…I said it’s nothing.”
“Suit yourself. By the way, the food here is quite delicious.”
Hwangbo Ak’s eyes narrowed.
From his actions to his words—though he had specially permitted him to sit at the table as Ju Hwa-ran’s escort, everything about this fellow rubbed him the wrong way.
A low murmur escaped between his twisted lips.
“This is why those without proper breeding are….”
Ju Hwa-ran was no fool. In that instant, a chill swept across her beautiful face, which had been filled with unease.
“Hwangbo So-hyup.”
“Ah, I hope the young lady doesn’t misunderstand. That remark wasn’t directed at your friend.”
Hwangbo Ak, forcing a smile, pointed toward a distant table and continued.
“It was directed at those Demonic Heretical Way bastards over there.”
And the moment his voice, neither loud nor soft, rang out through the space.
Scrape.
Someone rose from their seat.

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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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