Murim Login - Chapter 624

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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 624
Ju Hwa-ran informed me that her grandfather, King Biao Ju Gong-san, had left behind these words regarding the Southern Beast Palace:
‘The Southern Wilderness is nothing less than a kingdom unto itself, and the Southern Beast Palace is a vast pasture encompassing five districts.’
The words of King Biao, who once traversed the Four Seas Five Lakes and the Nine Provinces Eight Wastelands, rang true.
The territory directly governed by the Southern Beast Palace stretched across five districts, and in terms of sheer area, even the Nine Major Sects and One Alliance or the Five Great Families of the Central Plains could not compare to the Southern Beast Palace.
‘Perhaps it comes down to the difference between direct and indirect rule.’
In the Central Plains, the Emperor reigns supreme, but in the Southern Wilderness, the Southern Beast Palace holds the highest authority.
Given such circumstances, while one could not claim it surpassed the Orthodox Sects’ great schools in raw martial might, its influence was inevitably far greater.
However, if there was one inaccuracy in King Biao’s words….
‘It would be a safari rather than a pasture.’
Never before had I encountered a place with such bewildering diversity of animals and plants, with temperatures and terrain so chaotically jumbled together.
Following Ya-ryul Mok and his subordinates across grasslands and through jungles, scaling mountains and crossing rivers, I could only shake my head in amazement.
“What in the world is this weather?”
At my muttering, Ju Hwa-ran, riding her horse to my right, opened her mouth.
“One mountain contains four seasons, and the climate changes every ten li. It’s a saying that perfectly captures the unpredictability of the Southern Wilderness.”
“Now that I’ve experienced it firsthand, I cannot deny it. Miss Ju, what possessed you to undertake an expedition to such a place?”
“I didn’t expect it to be this extreme either. I’ve traveled here before following my father, but venturing this deep into the Southern Wilderness is my first time.”
White breath poured from between Ju Hwa-ran’s lips as she smiled, a thick fur cloak draped across her shoulders.
When people speak of the Southern Wilderness, the image of jungle dominates. Like most Central Plains folk, I had harbored the same assumption.
Yet this bewildering land bizarrely housed subarctic, temperate, subtropical, and tropical climates all crammed together like a corridor-style apartment complex.
“At this point, it’s practically cursed land.”
“…Watch your tongue, will you.”
Given our current positions, Ju Hwa-ran occupied my right side, while Nam Ho claimed my left.
The elderly Shadow Pavilion agent, riding atop a black leopard alongside Ya-ryul Mok’s subordinates, glared at me fiercely even as he hunched his body to dodge branches.
“If these people heard what you just said, they’d be quite pleased, wouldn’t they?”
“What does it matter? It’s the truth anyway. Besides, I spoke in the Han language—they won’t even understand.”
At that moment, Ya-ryul Mok, riding several lengths ahead, suddenly spoke up.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d close that mouth of yours.”
“…Han language.”
“…He speaks Han?”
How did that happen.
I felt like a card sharp caught palming cards at a gambling table.
Exchanging a meaningful glance with Nam Ho at the sight of Ya-ryul Mok speaking halting but unmistakable Han, I asked:
“Did you learn the Han language?”
“A little. I lost interest and gave it up quickly.”
“Ah. A little? And you gave it up that quickly?”
Ya-ryul Mok answered my hopeful question with a flat expression.
“Still, I understand enough without difficulty. For example, words like ‘cursed land.'”
“….”
“Once we arrive soon, we can escape this cursed land, so I’d appreciate your silence until then.”
I found myself at a loss for words. As I fell silent, Nam Ho smiled with the wisdom of a sage and spoke.
“Well done, well done indeed. Thanks to your efforts, the Southern Beast Palace and the Martial Alliance will be able to join hands quite easily.”
“You’re being rather sly about it. Still, it’s good news to hear.”
“For Dark Heaven, it would be good news. The Martial Alliance’s foremost rising star came to propose an alliance, yet asked the Young Palace Master of the Southern Beast Palace about your grandfather’s existence and called the Southern Wilderness a cursed land. Now I’m wondering—are you perhaps Dark Heaven?”
“Do I look like Dark Heaven?”
“No. But I must admit, I’m growing suspicious. Stop spouting nonsense and tell me what this good news is that I don’t know about.”
I answered with confidence.
“We’re arriving at the Southern Beast Palace very soon.”
“What the hell….”
“Please, no cursing.”
“How can I not curse right now? Whether it’s Tae-san or whatever golden mountain he claims to be, that beast of a boy is problematic enough. But from what I see, you’re no walk in the park either, young master. You’re already like this before we even arrive, so what will happen when you actually face Beast King Miao Wang? If that peculiar affliction of yours flares up, what then?”
“An affliction? That’s harsh language. Even if I seem reckless, I know where to lie down before I stretch out my legs. And Tae-san, despite his shortcomings, is a major asset. When the time comes, I’ll do my part well, so please don’t worry too much.”
At that moment, a mournful beast’s cry erupted from behind us, followed by an urgent shout.
Gwooooooo!
“Y-Young Palace Master! This big Han bastard is biting off my bear’s ear!”
“Tae-san! Bear meat!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Tae-san! Stop! Stop eating!”
“Seize that Han bastard at once!”
As we ran, I glanced back briefly at the chaos behind us and added a comment to Nam Ho.
“Of course, his appetite is indeed a problem.”
“Damn it. Appetite is one thing, but is that a beast or a human?”
I couldn’t deny it. I too was beginning to suspect that Tae-san existed somewhere in the murky boundary between human and beast.
‘Fire Dragon Pavilion. Is this really acceptable?’
Tae-san was chewing on the bear’s ear while riding it, and Sa Ma-pyo was trying to stop the animal violence of his subordinates.
As I gazed at the bear expressing its refusal to continue with cries of pain, Ya-ryul Mok finally opened his mouth with a sigh.
“We’ve arrived. Please, just get down now.”
He was right. The biting cold that had permeated the air vanished without a trace, replaced by humid, sultry heat and dense tropical jungle awaiting us.
And beyond that….
Gugugugugung.
An iron gate covered in tree bark creaked open, revealing countless pavilions and dwellings.
It was a glimpse of the Southern Beast Palace, a kingdom built by its own people in the deepest and most secretive reaches of the Southern Wilderness, tens of thousands of leagues away from the Central Plains.
* * *
The Taewon Jin Family and any sect or clan of considerable scale typically divided their organization into an Outer Hall and an Inner Hall.
This structure was designed to prepare for attacks by enemies, establishing defensive lines both outside and within.
However, the Outer Hall of the Southern Beast Palace that now came into view far exceeded the scale of a typical sect.
‘This is practically city-level.’
King Biao had not spoken without reason when he called it a kingdom.
Strange architectural styles unseen in the Central Plains caught my eye, along with countless buildings.
On one side, a market seemed to be in full swing with haggling underway, while children who appeared to be six or seven years old played and laughed with young beasts.
Countless people, buildings, and various commercial and manufacturing activities filled the landscape.
Hyuk Moo-jin’s mouth hung open at the sight—a vista that resembled the capital of a small nation.
“Wow, I thought I’d seen and experienced quite a lot myself, but this place exceeds my imagination entirely. Leader, do you see that over there? It’s truly remarkable.”
“Indeed. But the most remarkable thing is something else entirely. Would you like to know what it is?”
Hyuk Moo-jin, who had been gazing distractedly at his surroundings, asked.
“What’s the most remarkable thing?”
“Us.”
“Ah.”
“If you’ve grasped the point, close your mouth and stop gawking about. We’re already drawing enough attention as it is.”
Judging by the residential areas visible before us and their scale, the number of households alone in the Outer Hall likely numbered in the thousands.
Moreover, the Southern Beast Palace was situated in the deepest reaches of the Southern Wilderness and strictly forbade entry to outsiders, so it was only natural that we—a mere handful by comparison—would stand out.
Many here had likely never laid eyes upon Han people before.
Making a fuss in such circumstances would serve no purpose. Especially not in an atmosphere like this.
“Are those Han people? They look somewhat similar to us, yet strangely different.”
“Shh. Don’t even make eye contact. Haven’t you heard the recent stories from the Northern Lands? Some Han bastards supposedly slaughtered an entire Miao village. These might be part of the same group.”
“Of course I’ve heard. But what could those wretches possibly do here? They clearly look like they’ve been captured by the Young Palace Master.”
“From what I can tell, they don’t appear to be prisoners… In any case, how did Han people manage to crawl all the way here? What in the world is happening?”
Languages varied as much as their appearances and clothing.
Nam Ho, Ju Hwa-ran, and I—those of us who could understand their speech—exchanged words in hushed tones.
“It seems the rumors have already spread, hasn’t it?”
“I can only understand the speech of the Miao and Bai peoples, but the overall atmosphere feels decidedly ominous.”
“This incident occurred mere days ago. While inter-tribal conflicts erupt dozens of times annually, incidents involving outsiders are so rare in the Southern Wilderness that they occur perhaps once a decade. Rumors spread quickly in such circumstances.”
Had we cultivated a favorable reputation, we would have been welcomed anywhere. Instead, the massacre of the Miao village that occurred roughly a month prior had produced the exact opposite effect.
Hyuk Moo-jin, who had instinctively shrunk back, grumbled.
“These madmen are unbelievable. The Cheon-ma Escort Agency or whatever. Why did they have to commit such an atrocity despised by both heaven and earth in the Southern Wilderness of all places?”
“Indeed. Why did they?”
Sa Ma-pyo, who had suddenly opened his mouth, continued with an amused tone.
“Why now, specifically? Such an incident occurring at this particular time warrants further consideration. I suspect that friend over there has been harboring similar thoughts as mine all along. Am I not correct?”
Song Il-seom answered Sa Ma-pyo’s question calmly.
“Correct, yet incorrect.”
“…What do you mean by ‘correct, yet incorrect’?”
“It means that regardless of my thoughts, I have no desire to converse with you. So refrain from speaking to me.”
“Quite stubborn, I see. Well then, so be it.”
At the warning in my gaze, Sa Ma-pyo raised his eyebrows slightly and took a step back first.
Yet apart from the emotional conflict between those two, the question Sa Ma-pyo had posed was something I myself had carried in my heart throughout our journey.
‘The Cheon-ma Escort Agency, was it.’
Whether coincidence or inevitability, the timing of the tragedy was remarkably suspicious.
As for what the truth might be, it was still premature to draw conclusions.
‘Still, if this is the extent of it, then perhaps I’ve avoided the worst-case scenario?’
Truth be told, until meeting Ya-ryul Mok, I had been somewhat—no, deeply—concerned.
I feared that Dark Heaven’s sinister plot had already begun, and that the gates of Hell itself had been unleashed upon the Southern Beast Palace.
Of course, the Han Clan’s brand image had plummeted to the level of a pro-Japanese enterprise, but the mere fact that nothing had transpired yet was sufficient reassurance.
‘Even if I face criticism, this is far better.’
As I muttered this to myself, I suddenly lifted my head, seized by an inexplicable sense of déjà vu.
‘This is…’
While others remained oblivious, I could perceive it.
The air itself had grown heavier, so subtly that it escaped notice.
Beyond the cacophony of noise and human presence, someone’s aura erupted forth with savage intensity.
Following the trajectory of that overwhelming presence, my gaze was drawn to the far end—where, seated upon vine-covered steps, sat an elderly man.
His upper body was fully exposed, revealing the muscular frame of a towering giant.
Before the old man could even open his mouth, I had already discerned his identity.
‘Beast King Miao Wang.’
It was him.

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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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