Murim Login - Chapter 63

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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 63
Creak.
The man entered the inn around the hour of Wei.
The old wooden door groaned, yet no one inside turned to look. Not even the proprietor or the serving girl, who should have rushed to greet the customer.
“So, so what happened?”
“Come on, don’t keep us in suspense—tell us what happened!”
At the crowd’s fervent reaction, the old man tapped his empty cup rhythmically.
Only after the proprietor poured the green leaf tea to overflowing did the Story Merchant resume his tale.
“A fierce battle erupted. Blood Wolf Sword Lee Cheon-baek brought with him roughly thirty thousand men. In contrast, the Taewon Jin Family had only three hundred elite warriors.”
“Thirty thousand!”
“Heavens, thirty thousand!”
“How is that possible? The Hangsan Inspection Bureau isn’t one of the Nine Sects and Ten Families…”
The Story Merchant spat out the tea mid-sip.
“Damn it. This tea tastes like garbage. I’m leaving—you lot can hear the rest from whoever was babbling about the Nine Sects and Ten Families.”
“Now, now, don’t be like that.”
“Who was that fool who just spoke!”
A young man was shoved backward as the atmosphere turned hostile.
Only then did the Story Merchant lower himself back onto his seat. But his pride was wounded, and his demands had grown bolder.
Tap, tap.
Everyone frowned at the Story Merchant tapping his empty cup. Now he wanted money, not tea. The crowd engaged in a silent battle of wills.
Ting.
“Huh?”
The Story Merchant’s drowsy eyes widened. A glimmering silver coin had flown from somewhere.
“Well, someone’s got nerve.”
“Who was that?”
“Why are you looking at me? You trying to get me beaten by my wife?”
Then, from behind the crowd, a voice spoke.
“I’d like to hear more of the story.”
A soft voice, yet resonant. It was the man who had entered the inn earlier. His face was obscured by the wide-brimmed hat pulled low, and his entire body was wrapped in a dust-covered traveling cloak.
‘A martial artist.’
Without anyone needing to say it, everyone came to the same conclusion about the man’s identity.
The Story Merchant swallowed hard, glancing between the coin and the man.
“Thank you, Great Hero. Is there a particular story you wish to hear…?”
From his experience, the line between ruffians and martial artists was razor-thin. The Story Merchant had lived long enough, but he had no desire to die by the blade in a place like this.
Fortunately, the man in the hat belonged to the latter category.
“Simply. The facts.”
From the sound of his voice, he was clearly a young man—a young man trained in martial arts. One could not treat him carelessly. The Story Merchant rubbed his palms together.
“I shall tell you everything I know, sir.”
“The battle the old man mentioned—was that five days ago?”
“Five days ago, yes.”
“Who won?”
“The Taewon Jin Family swept them clean. I heard the Shanxi Lurking Dragon made quite the impression.”
“Then the Hangsan Inspection Bureau is… what did you just say?”
“Pardon?”
“Shanxi, what?”
“Ah, you mean the Shanxi Lurking Dragon?”
“Yes. It’s the first time I’ve heard that epithet.”
“If you’re from out of town, that’s understandable. The young master Jin only recently came into prominence.”
“You mean Jin Wi-kyung, the second master of the family?”
“No, no, not at all. The second master is impressive too, but the one who truly shone this time was the young master Jin.”
“So this young master Jin… wait, could this Shanxi Lurking Dragon possibly be connected to the third son, Jin Tae-kyung?”
“One and the same person.”
The man, who had been silent for a while, flicked his finger. A second silver coin landed precisely in front of the Story Merchant.
“Keep it simple. I thought I asked for just the facts.”
“I’ll stake my manhood on it.”
At the Story Merchant’s resolute answer, the man let out a sigh.
“Very well then. What became of the Hangsan Inspection Bureau?”
“Nearly on the verge of closure. The second young master Lee So-gun died long ago, and the sect leader Blood Wolf Sword Lee Cheon-baek fell in battle. Two days later, the eldest son, his successor, also perished fighting a bandit horde.”
“Bandits?”
“These audacious bastards, upon hearing that Blood Wolf Sword had fallen, descended upon the Hangsan Inspection Bureau. Apparently they’d been lurking in the area from the start, waiting for this very opportunity.”
“A complete mess.”
“More like a bandit’s paradise. What else would you expect from such rabble?”
The tavern fell silent as a tomb. The patrons expected the broad-shouldered martial artist to drive a third silver coin into the Story Merchant’s forehead, but instead he rose from his seat without a word.
“I’ve heard enough.”
Even after the man departed, the Story Merchant’s tales continued. They drank without pause, and the appetizers never ceased coming.
The martial artists spoke in unison about the power struggles within Murim, victories and defeats, and the legend of a young hero rising like a morning star.
“It won’t be long before the Taewon Jin Family stands tall across Shanxi and into the Central Plains. With a second master skilled in both literature and martial arts, and the Shanxi Lurking Dragon who just proved himself. And… and who else was there?”
“The Heavenly Sword?”
“Ah yes, the second young master Jin Moo-kyung!”
“That youth is remarkable too. They say he’s a martial genius born once in a century?”
“But where is he now and what’s he doing?”
“Who knows. At this hour, he’s probably sleeping.”
Even as the tavern’s drinking continued, the man drove his horse forward in silence. His lips remained firmly sealed, yet his ears were wide open to every word.
“Did you hear about this?”
“Another Shanxi Lurking Dragon story? My ears are bleeding—give it a rest.”
“But this is first-rate information. I heard it from a warrior of the Taewon Jin Family’s Gate Master’s Office.”
“What’s so dramatic about it?”
“Do you know of the Cheonryeok Bandits?”
“The Cheonryeok Bandits from the Green Forest Eighteen Masters? That bandit chief who’s supposedly a supreme master?”
“That’s the one. Apparently the Shanxi Lurking Dragon defeated him!”
“Is that just a rumor? Why would someone of Cheonryeok Bandits’ caliber travel all the way to Shanxi Province to banditry?”
“Who knows? What’s even more shocking is that the Yama Whip was apparently there too.”
“What? The Yama Whip as well!”
“They say he’s been disguised as a coachman at Honghwa House. Be careful if you have business there.”
Among the endless conversations of the crowd, two terms dominated: the Sleeping Dragon of Shanxi and Jin Tae-kyung.
As I drew closer to my destination, the rumors snowballed, growing larger with each passing moment.
‘The most beautiful man in all history, a heavenly martial physique bestowed by the heavens, a righteous swordsman who cannot abide injustice.’
The man in the bamboo hat spurred his horse faster. Merely hearing the name of the Sleeping Dragon of Shanxi made my insides churn and my head throb as though I’d suffered internal injuries.
Finally, I arrived at my destination the following morning.
‘It’s been a while.’
The place I returned to after years away remained unchanged.
If there was any change at all.
“Halt! I am Hyuk Moo-jin, the hegemon of Shanxi Province, commander of the Gate Guard Unit of the Great Tae Won Jin Family, and the right arm of the Sleeping Dragon of Shanxi. Surrender your identity and purpose at once….”
It was that someone in obviously poor condition had taken the position of Gate Guard commander.
Jin Moo-kyung, the man in the bamboo hat, let out a sigh.
“Shut your mouth and open the gate.”
* * *
Whoooosh.
The current flows. Gently, and without obstruction.
The inner force that emanated from my dantian raced through hundreds of meridians before finally returning to its proper place.
Ding.
–
[Breathing Cycle]
has been completed successfully.
–
[Jin Family Heart Method]
has advanced to the eighth stage.
I opened my eyes as the system notification sounded.
‘Eighth stage.’
It’s certainly good news, but I can’t help feeling slightly disappointed.
The notification I was truly waiting for was different.
‘If only my inner force would increase.’
It’s been two months since I gained access to the system. The breathing cycle has become routine by now, yet my inner force remains stagnant.
‘At this rate, it’ll take another ten years.’
The greatest advantage of the Jin Family Heart Method I’ve mastered is its exceptional stability. Unlike ordinary inner force cultivation techniques, I can operate it even while moving.
The problem is….
‘The speed of inner force accumulation is dreadfully slow.’
For a martial artist, the absence of inner force is a fatal weakness.
I could easily handle first-rate or second-rate masters, but facing a supreme expert as an enemy means even two lives wouldn’t be enough.
After directly experiencing the Grand Elder’s power this time, I felt it with absolute certainty.
‘That old master was truly remarkable.’
Even now, five days later, I cannot forget it.
No—this was a sight I would not forget even fifty years from now.
The sword energy and sword force that swept across the battlefield. And that absurd number: level 95.
‘If it had been a one-on-one duel, how long could I have lasted?’
I doubt I could have held out even a minute, even if I squeezed out every last ounce of strength.
But unforeseen variables turned the tide, and I was able to drive my spear through his chest.
And the system did not forget to reward me.
“Open status window.”
Ding.
Status Window
[Lv.50 Jin Tae-kyung]
Occupation
: First-rate Martial Artist
Renown
: 1180 (+150)
Titles
: 4 (Title Effects Applied)
– Shanxi’s Hidden Dragon (All Stats +10, Renown +100)
– Scion of a Renowned House (All Stats +5, Renown +50)
– Novice Cultivator (Training Speed +10%)
– Gambler (One-on-One Combat: Combat Stats +10%)
Strength
: 135 (+15)
Endurance
: 142 (+15)
Agility
: 130 (+15)
Intelligence
: 25 (+15)
Charm
: 25 (+15)
Cultivation
: 15 years
Remaining Points
: 100
– Please allocate your remaining points.
“Hah.”
I’ve checked this status window dozens of times over the past few days, yet it never grows old. This effervescent sensation coursing through my veins.
‘It was worth fighting the Grand Elder.’
Since it was a life-or-death gamble, the rewards were substantial.
I jumped thirteen levels in a single bound, my fame crept into the triple digits, and my title underwent a transformation.
“Check title.”
Ding.
Status Window
[Hidden Dragon of Shanxi]
Rank
: Peak
Effect
: All stats +10, Fame +100
Description
: Your fame now spreads throughout Shanxi Province. Yet the realm is vast and masters are plentiful. Never grow complacent!
Not yet a household name across the nation, but in my territory of Shanxi Province, I was becoming someone of note.
‘So that’s why Hidden Dragon of Shanxi?’
Like a local tough in Goyang City. A bloodbath in Incheon. That sort of feeling.
In any case, this was good fortune for me. With the excellent title of Hidden Dragon of Shanxi, the [Family Disgrace] label that had clung to me like a curse until recently vanished—it felt as refreshing as having a rotten tooth extracted.
‘So I’ve grown stronger once again.’
Suddenly, a conversation I’d had with Choi Team Leader before returning to Murim came to mind. He’d said that next time he saw me, he’d need to revise the contract.
He’d probably taken it as bluster, but I’d made it reality.
‘I’ll return as strong as possible.’
I would obtain every ounce of power available to me before returning.
Internal energy, martial techniques, stats—whatever it took, I’d seize it all.
By my next logout, I’d be at least a B-rank hunter, or perhaps even A-rank, and return in glory.
“Huh?”
Wait, hold on.
I feel like I’m forgetting something incredibly important right now.
‘What is it?’
It was then, as I stopped everything I was doing and pondered the source of this nagging déjà vu.
“Is it here?”
“Yes, without a doubt.”
Two voices murmuring outside the door. The moment I recognized one of them as Hyuk Moo-jin.
Crash!
The door was torn from its hinges with a thunderous bang.
* * *
I am someone who values basic decency.
Trash goes in the trash bin. Cigarettes are smoked in designated areas. Adult videos are Japanese.
And when entering someone else’s room, you knock.
Especially those who burst into a man’s private quarters without so much as a knock—I believe they deserve life imprisonment.
“There you are.”
By that standard, this bastard deserves execution.
Destroying the door means life imprisonment. Speaking casually on first meeting warrants aggravated sentencing.
I responded with measured composure.
“Ah, here you are.”
His eyes widened in shock. It looked like he’d spent about twenty years laboring in the Aozji coal mines—his face was caked with grime so thick it had turned nearly black.
A shabby appearance on someone young. The story practically wrote itself.
‘A wandering swordsman.’
An extra who’d come seeking me out after hearing the reputation of Shanxi’s hidden dragon.
I turned to Hyuk Moo-jin, whose expression mirrored the stranger’s bewilderment.
“Who is this?”
Hyuk Moo-jin froze solid. He looked as though he’d seen a ghost.
“You don’t know?”
“How would I know? You have to introduce people for me to know them.”
I grumbled and drew up my [Perception]. A blue circle stretched outward toward both figures.
[Lv.??? Jin Moo-kyung]
Jin Moo-kyung. His level seems quite high.
“Huh? Jin Moo-kyung?”
I glanced at the level window. Then at his face.
After repeating this cycle three or four times, I approached him with trembling anticipation.
“Wait, just a moment.”
“….”
I rubbed away the grime.
My clean sleeve turned black with soot. Then a handsome face emerged. It was a face I’d seen somewhere before—the same face I saw every morning while washing up.
‘We’re practically identical.’
Ha.
I laughed awkwardly. The wandering swordsman was staring at me with an icy gaze.
“It’s been a while, Elder Brother.”

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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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