Murim Login - Chapter 534

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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 534
Clang. Thud.
As the bell’s final ring faded and the Inn’s door closed behind me, the prying gazes that had been boring into the back of my head throughout the descent vanished with it. Yet I already knew the truth—this was not an ending, but merely the beginning of something else.
“Those two who just left Gowol Pavilion….”
“Right?”
“Certain. The Black Dragon Demon Gate’s rumor-spreader is Sa Ma-pyo himself. The massive one beside him is that monster who crushed Hyul Gon’s skull seven days ago.”
“They say he clashed with the Hwangbo Family’s young master just now, yet he continues stirring up trouble in times like these. Tsk tsk.”
“Let him be. That’s precisely why he’s Demonic Heretical Way. To drive out Dark Heaven, we need to borrow the hands of creatures like that.”
“I still don’t like it. Who knows when he’ll stab us in the back?”
“My thoughts exactly…. Shh. The massive one is looking this way.”
Countless gazes fixed upon me and whispered murmurs. No matter how quietly they spoke, the distance was close enough that every word reached my ears with perfect clarity. Yet despite the voices clawing at my consciousness, my expression remained unmoved as I continued forward.
‘There’s nothing strange about this.’
It was a situation I had grown far too accustomed to. Even in Gansu, the Black Dragon Demon Gate’s stronghold where their influence reigned supreme, it had been the same. The label of Demonic Heretical Way that had followed me since birth was a shackle I could never shed.
“Huff.”
A rough breath escaped from beside me. I glanced at Tae-san, whose bulbous eyes were rolling about erratically, and my lips curved slightly.
– Stop.
In that instant, Tae-san’s hand, which had been sliding toward the Great Cudgel strapped to his back, froze. My transmitted voice carried unmistakable force.
– Tae-san. You wretch.
– …Understood, my lord. Tae-san will endure.
– Good. Well done.
– Tae-san listens well. Lord is pleased. Hehe.
As if nothing had happened, Tae-san grinned widely, and I let out a soft chuckle.
– Yes, I’m quite fond of you too.
– Tae-san. Received much praise today.
– Oh? And who was this generous benefactor?
– Yes. Yeolhwa Shinryong praised Tae-san.
My pace slowed.
– Yeolhwa Shinryong Jin Tae-kyung?
– Yes. Jin Tae-kyung. He said Tae-san was a good child.
– It seems he’s taken a liking to you.
– Good. Incredibly strong. And kind. He praised Tae-san.
I gazed intently at Tae-san’s profile as he strode forward with renewed vigor.
Though blessed with exceptional martial prowess and divine strength, an accident long ago had damaged his mind, leaving him little more than a child. Perhaps because of those memories, he was cautious and wary, opening his heart to no one save me.
‘For him to speak so favorably of someone other than myself is exceedingly rare.’
Yeolhwa Shinryong Jin Tae-kyung.
The image of that carefree yet cunning youth flashed before my eyes—his serene expression and voice concealing an immeasurable and boundless aura of power.
‘There was reason he was called Shinryong.’
The world is vast and masters are countless. The masses revered the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes as the Martial World’s greatest rising talents, gazing upon them with admiration, yet I had never once acknowledged them.
‘They are merely hollow reputations proclaimed within the fences they themselves erected.’
Those who exist beyond the fence face rejection as reality. I have encountered more than one or two Orthodox Sect martial artists who brazenly committed shameful acts while brandishing such hollow words as righteousness and the righteous path.
But….
‘He was different. He was certainly different.’
Yeolhwa Shinryong Jin Tae-kyung.
Though our meeting was brief, Sa Ma-pyo had come to understand one thing clearly: Jin Tae-kyung was a special existence. His martial prowess, which far transcended the late stages of mastery, was remarkable enough—but what truly set him apart was his attitude, so unlike that of others.
The conversation I had shared with Jin Tae-kyung moments earlier flickered through my mind.
‘I wonder if you’ve heard of the Black Dragon Demon Gate.’
‘So, what brings someone of your standing—a vice-leader of the Black Dragon Demon Gate—to a place like this?’
‘Is that all?’
‘Then what more do you need?’
‘…!’
It was an unexpected counter-question, and for a moment, my words caught in my throat. It was a question that had never appeared on the path I, Sa Ma-pyo, vice-leader of the Black Dragon Demon Gate, had walked until now.
‘What more is needed? What more….’
The thoughts churning in my heart never escaped my lips. My mouth moved silently as I turned my head to gaze upon Tae-san.
– Let me ask you one thing.
– …?
– If you had to fight Yeolhwa Shinryong Jin Tae-kyung, what would you do?
It was but an instant. The cheerful smile that had been playing across Tae-san’s face hardened like stone. And then, without a shred of hesitation, a voice transmission flowed forth.
– Tae-san has received great kindness from my lord. If my lord commands, I will fight anyone.
– Did you not say you liked Jin Tae-kyung?
– Jin Tae-kyung. He pleases me. But not as much as my lord. Tae-san. If my lord commands, I will stake my very life.
– Yes, I see.
Sa Ma-pyo let out a soft chuckle and shook his head.
– That’s enough. You’re a good lad.
– Tae-san is good. And good Tae-san is hungry.
At the sight of the large child wearing a pitiful expression, Sa Ma-pyo burst into laughter.
“Yes. Let’s go anywhere. Tonight, I’ll feed you until your belly bursts.”
“Hehe. My lord promised. Tae-san believes.”
“Of course.”
“But my lord.”
“Hmm?”
“That woman from before. She was beautiful. Very beautiful. Who was she?”
In that instant, Sa Ma-pyo’s footsteps came to an abrupt halt. Sensing something amiss, Tae-san tilted his head in confusion.
“My lord?”
“No. Yes, she was quite beautiful.”
“Yes. Beautiful, and kind.”
“They say you can know the depths of ten fathoms of water, but not the heart of a single person. How can you discern hidden intentions from merely seeing a face for a moment?”
Tae-san shook his head vigorously.
“No! Beautiful women are kind!”
“…Don’t speak so loudly. People are staring.”
“Admit it! Tae-san is right! If she’s beautiful, she’s kind!”
“Damn it. That cursed bastard. I’m leaving first.”
“My lord! My lord!”
Leaving Tae-san’s anguished cries behind, Sa Ma-pyo’s face was as parched as desert sand.
‘Ju Hwa-ran… I never expected to meet her in a place like this.’
Whether it was coincidence or fate, Sa Ma-pyo could not fathom.
But one thing was certain: the woman who had once been his betrothed, however briefly—Eun Bi-hwa Ju Hwa-ran—would regard everything connected to him as a karmic curse.
‘A karmic curse… that’s not wrong.’
Sa Ma-pyo’s gaze turned glacial.
* * *
The meal concluded without incident. Beneath the innkeeper’s lavish hospitality and the cascade of attention from those around us, we slipped from the inn and exchanged farewells. Or rather, it would be more accurate to say Ju Hwa-ran did.
“I should be going. There are matters related to the Escort Agency that require my attention.”
Poke.
At the subtle jab to my ribs from Gung Ki-bang’s hand, I—who had been standing dazed—reflexively opened my mouth.
“Ah, yes. Safe travels.”
“You as well, Jin Dae-hyeop.”
Poke.
Damn. That wasn’t it.
“Miss Ju, if I may…”
“Yes?”
“Would you allow me to escort you to your quarters?”
“I appreciate the offer, but that won’t be necessary. I hear you’re quite pressed for training time as it is.”
“Ah, who told you that? I’ve been busy lately, but…”
Poke. Poke poke.
Thanks, you bastard.
Following the navigation system’s repeated course corrections, I gripped the steering wheel tighter.
“Still, strange characters might approach, so perhaps I should escort you after all…”
“Haha, no. I’m a martial artist myself, after all.”
“Ah, that’s right. I didn’t mean to overlook that, but…”
“Not at all. My martial skills are indeed lacking compared to Jin Dae-hyeop. Besides, Song is here as my escort.”
Then Song Il-seom spoke in a gruff voice.
“If any such characters approach, I’ll cut them down without hesitation. Don’t trouble yourself with needless worry.”
“You heard that?”
“…Yes, I did.”
Poke poke. Poke poke poke poke!
My ribs are going to have holes in them, you ass.
But this time, I couldn’t think of anything to say. My already muddled mind scattered into fragments. And that brief silence meant the moment had passed.
“Well then, I’ll be heading in. Perhaps we’ll meet again.”
Ju Hwa-ran smiled softly and turned her body. Her silken hair swayed, and a delicate fragrance drifted through the air. As I stood wordlessly, watching the two figures recede into the distance, that was when it happened.
“This is seriously pathetic.”
“Wow. You’re quite something, Captain.”
“….”
There was no need to verify what kind of people they were. I gazed at Gung Ki-bang and Hyuk Moo-jin with a look of utter despair.
“Where did things go wrong? How did this even happen?”
The two of them answered simultaneously, as if they’d been waiting for the question.
“When you spat food on Miss Ju’s face.”
“Wasn’t the problem with you from the very beginning, sir?”
Different answers, but two undeniable commonalities. First, they infuriated me. Second, they were facts I couldn’t refute no matter what.
“Damn it.”
I kicked at the ground beneath my feet. Honestly, I felt wronged. How was I supposed to stay composed in that situation?
‘A betrothed, out of nowhere.’
Even thinking about it now made my mind spin. This wasn’t just a grenade—it was a ballistic missile. The only consolation was the single character “former” attached before the word “betrothed.”
“That’s why I told you. Don’t ask.”
I answered Gung Ki-bang with a sigh.
“If I’d known it was like this, I wouldn’t have asked either. And Miss Ju brought it up first.”
“You kept showing curiosity, so that’s why she said it.”
“So-hyup is right. You could have just thought there was a reason for it and moved on. Why did you….”
“The one who shit his pants should keep his mouth shut.”
“…Yes, sir.”
“Since I didn’t shit mine, I can keep talking.”
“You will be soon. You’ll be bleeding from your ass.”
“…Calm down. First, lower your fist.”
Truth be told, I didn’t even have the strength to hit them.
I lowered my fist at the client’s request and muttered while staring into empty space.
“Ah, I wish I could turn back time.”
“You can’t.”
“You cannot, sir.”
“But didn’t it not show much after that? I was really composed.”
Gung Ki-bang and Hyuk Moo-jin opened their mouths with warm smiles.
“Right, right. It didn’t show at all. Except you knocked over six glasses of water.”
“You also dropped your chopsticks seven times, sir.”
“The best part was when Jeom So-i asked if you wanted to add anything else to the order, and you stared at her like you were trying to kill her.”
“Wow, how did you even connect the order form and Sa Ma-pyo in that situation? It took me a while to understand.”
“You were practically insane.”
“It was at least Dark Heaven level, sir.”
“….”
I get it, so shut up, you bastards.
I wanted to beat them senseless, but lacking the strength, I could only shuffle forward. I didn’t even have the presence of mind to care that my face was visible beneath the tilted bamboo hat, or that people were recognizing me.
“Um, um, that person, could they be….”
“Gasp! Yes, that’s right. Yeolhwa Shinryong Jin Tae-kyung.”
“But why is he acting like that?”
“How would I know that?”
“From the look of you, it seems like some woman rejected you.”
“Heh. This fellow’s got jokes.”
“….”
Don’t laugh. It’s not a joke.
These days, I’m getting hit with problems just by breathing. I let out a deep sigh and adjusted my bamboo hat. My mind was still in complete disarray.
‘An ex-boyfriend. No, an ex-fiancé.’
I’d already heard the gist of it. Ju Hwa-ran had laid bare her past with calm honesty.
‘It was a political marriage. I’d never even seen his face before that.’
It was a common story. The Yongbong Escort Agency was declining day by day, and the Black Dragon Demon Gate had extended a hand to Ju Hwa-ran. With an offer that couldn’t be refused.
‘It was my decision. For my fallen father.’
That was when Ju Hwa-ran’s calm voice and expression lingered before my eyes.
“Youngest.”
I blinked. Before the Quarters, which I hadn’t noticed arriving at. Jin Wi-kyung, a man with a large frame though not quite as imposing as Tae-san, spoke to me.
“The Dae-hyeop. No, the Leader is looking for you.”

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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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