Murim Login - Chapter 679

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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 679
The Scouting Party, composed of swift and elite warriors, moved with remarkable speed.
Despite numbering over two hundred, they reached the Northeastern Border in merely four days, taking brief respites along the way.
Yet none of them—not even the two Tribal Chiefs leading the Scouting Party—anticipated that before encountering the Blood Monk, an enigmatic and monstrous entity, other uninvited guests would arrive.
And this unexpected situation paled in comparison to the news they brought.
“What did you just say?”
“What do you mean!”
Jang Tribal Leader and Chief Go opened their eyes wide in disbelief.
Shocking information that no one had anticipated.
Had the source not been the Young Palace Master of the Southern Beast Palace, they would have dismissed it as mere nonsense.
No, they would have hoped it was nonsense.
Yet despite their fervent wishes, Ya-ryul Mok’s answer remained unchanged.
“It is all true.”
Truth gleamed in those trembling eyes. Only then did the two Tribal Chiefs accept that all of this was reality, and they could only sigh.
“What in the world is this…?”
“Why would the Palace Master make such a choice? Why!”
Ya-ryul Mok, his fists clenched so tightly that blood threatened to flow, opened his mouth.
“Father foresaw that once many Tribal Chiefs had joined hands with Uncle Baek—with Baek Sang—the tide could not be reversed.”
“Even so, how could he deliberately invite such danger merely to save a handful of Han Clan members?”
“He did not deliberately invite danger.”
“What?”
“When Father sent me and others to the Underground Prison, he spoke these words: To repay righteous action with righteousness is honor, and to turn away from those who helped us is dishonor. Therefore, today I shall stake my fate on honor—on two people: Jin Tae-kyung and Baek Sang.”
“…!”
“…!”
The two Tribal Chiefs closed their eyes with shallow sighs.
They, who had long served at the side of Beast King Miao Wang, had dimly sensed it already—what kind of man he was, what choice he would make.
But…
“This time, the Palace Master was wrong. He should have gathered all the strength of the tribes that follow him and the Miao Clan to eliminate the traitors within the Inner Palace.”
“At most, his decision to trust Jin Tae-kyung might have been correct—if what the Young Palace Master said is true, then he left alone to uphold his honor. But Baek Sang is different.”
As the two Tribal Chiefs spoke with such certainty, Ya-ryul Mok, who had been watching with a glimmer of hope, opened his mouth.
“It is too early to judge hastily. If Baek Sang has heeded Father’s request…”
“Young Palace Master.”
Jang Tribal Leader cut off Ya-ryul Mok’s words and continued in a hollow voice.
“Subdue the Han Clan members within the Scouting Party and escort them to the Inner Palace. That was the only order we received, and it was our first and last. Do you understand what that means?”
At that moment, Nam Ho, who had been quietly observing from behind, suddenly grasped something and murmured like a groan.
“He deliberately did not inform them.”
“Old Master Nam, what do you mean?”
“Without question, the two Tribal Chiefs here and the warriors of the Scouting Party are those who follow the Palace Master. Had he revealed the troubles that occurred in the Inner Palace, they would certainly interfere in some way. So he planned to summon them only after everything was resolved. Or perhaps…”
Nam Ho continued with penetrating eyes.
“He intended to entrust the matter to that old demon, the Blood Monk.”
“…!”
“Borrowing a knife to kill—a stratagem worthy of Baek Sang and Dark Heaven. Or perhaps in this situation, it’s not even another’s blade. The Blood Monk is likely in league with them as well.”
A chilling silence enveloped the gathering. Nam Ho felt his heart grow heavy as he observed their wavering gazes.
‘This is dire. The worst possible scenario.’
Behind them lay the Southern Beast Palace, now likely under the control of Baek Sang and Dark Heaven. Before them stood an unfathomable master of supreme skill they could not hope to match alone.
And in this critical moment, even Jin Tae-kyung, the most reliable among them, was absent.
‘What in heaven’s name can we do?’
Even for one who had devoted his entire life to the Silver Shadow Pavilion, no clear answer emerged. Yet a decision had to be made before it was too late.
Trapped within a suffocating despair as if invisible chains bound his entire body, Nam Ho forced his lips to part.
“Where are the others?”
The Jang Tribal Leader, grasping Nam Ho’s meaning, replied.
“The Han Clan members are being held in custody as a precaution. We’ve applied no harm—merely sealed their sleep points.”
“….”
“Are you thinking of sending them back to the Central Plains?”
A remark that struck precisely at the heart of the matter. Nam Ho, after a brief silence, nodded heavily.
“Forgive me. But this is our best course now. If they cross the Yangtze and spread word of the Southern Wilderness’s plight, the Martial Alliance will never ignore what transpires here.”
“…The Martial Alliance.”
“I was born in the Southern Wilderness and spent half my life in the Central Plains. Though I am but a powerless old man, I understand the circumstances of both regions better than anyone. The Martial Alliance I know will find a way to aid the Southern Wilderness.”
His voice was calm yet carried unwavering resolve.
The two tribal chiefs, who had been conflicted as they gazed upon the endless expanse of the Yangtze River beyond the dense grass where they lay hidden, finally spoke with a sigh.
“Damn it.”
“What should we do?”
Nam Ho, having already made his decision, answered without hesitation.
“Two paths lie before us. First: release the Han Clan members, flee this place at once, and evade Baek Sang’s gaze while we wait for an opportunity. Second: journey to the Central Plains together with the Han Clan.”
“Journey to the Central Plains together? There are no vessels of sufficient capacity in these waters. How could we possibly….”
“There is. A ship capable of carrying us all.”
A voice suddenly emerged from nowhere. As all eyes turned in its direction, Sa Ma-pyo appeared, unsteadily rising with Tae-san’s support.
“Is this truly the case?”
To the Jang Tribal Leader’s question, Sa Ma-pyo answered with a pallid face.
“How do you suppose we reached the Southern Wilderness in the first place?”
“You mean to say….”
“The Yangtze River Water Bandit Alliance’s fast ship lies not far from here. Half a day’s journey westward—perhaps even less—and we could rendezvous with it.”
At this unexpected good fortune, hope kindled in the eyes of both tribal chiefs.
Following the tributaries of the Yangtze to Sichuan alone would bring them within the domain of the Central Plains martial world.
Even should Baek Sang and Dark Heaven seize control of the Southern Beast Palace, the reinforcements of the Martial Alliance—with the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families at the vanguard—would be more than sufficient to turn the tide.
‘Sichuan alone boasts three renowned major sects. Even if official Martial Alliance reinforcements are delayed, they will not be.’
Nam Ho calmly assessed the situation.
The Emei Sect, the Qingcheng Sect, and the Sichuan Tang Sect.
Though they had shed much blood and weakened in the recent Sichuan bloodshed, their roots ran deep and firm enough that even Dark Heaven could not uproot them in a single stroke.
Moreover, all three sects regarded Jin Tae-kyung as their benefactor. Should they answer his call and lead the full might of Sichuan’s martial world southward….
At fastest, it would take seven weeks to return. At the latest, ten days.
Nam Ho was neither a hot-blooded youth nor a martial artist who blindly trusted his own skills. Because of this, his judgment was colder and more precise than anyone else present.
If we retrace the path we took to lead these people here now, it means certain death. But if we can draw upon the power of the Central Plains, our chances of victory are sufficient. Until then, Jin Tae-kyung and Beast King Miao Wang must….
I could only trust them.
Please hold on. Live until we return.
And at that very moment when Nam Ho himself harbored a hope he could not even be certain of.
Boom. Boom. Boooom!
Nam Ho—no, all those lying in ambush within the forest overlooking the endless expanse of river could see and hear it.
The low rumble of a drum and a sleek hull cutting through the waves of the Yangtze River as it approached.
“That is….”
“The Yangtze River Water Bandit Alliance. It’s a fast ship from the Yangtze River Water Bandit Alliance!”
But in the next moment, the two tribal chiefs who had rejoiced with brightened faces felt something amiss and closed their mouths.
Why would a fast ship that should have traveled west for at least half a day appear here?
The question that suddenly crossed their minds transformed into unease the moment they saw the hardened expressions of Nam Ho and Sa Ma-pyo, and became reality with Nam Ho’s words that escaped like a groan.
“Prepare for battle.”
“…!”
Engulfed in chilling dread, Nam Ho recalled.
One person who was not by his side now. His presence, more desperately needed than ever.
‘Damn it. I’m sorry.’
Along with the thought that he might die before even rescuing him.
Splash. Thud.
The hull that cut through the water without hesitation rose roughly onto the sandbank.
And….
Step.
In the wake of the waves that swept past, a single footprint was carved into the sand.
* * *
Whoosh!
Two streaks of light flying through the space.
Toward the dual wheels that descended like lightning despite their strange trajectory, I brought White Flame down at an angle.
Crash! Bang-bang-bang!
A tremendous explosion and the shockwave that erupted shook the space, but this was not the end.
My five senses, sharp as a blade, read every movement of the dual wheels occurring behind my back.
‘They’re coming again.’
I seized Mu Ya-ho’s nape as he was pushed back, twisting my body simultaneously.
Whoosh, scrape!
A blue flash grazes my body by a hair’s breadth. Along with a sharp cutting sound, I see Baek Ho’s pure white fur scatter into the air.
In my tilted vision, the wild-haired Mysterious Warrior charging like a maddened bull.
“You bastard!”
Black Hand Fist Demon.
Over those unfamiliar fists, black qi gathered, and then shot toward my chest.
Whoosh!
I felt it. The ripple of air. And the terrifying power contained within his fist. But…
‘This won’t be enough.’
With a subtle shift, I straightened my twisted body. In that instant, black energy surged before my eyes, emanating an ominous light.
Beyond it, the pupils of the Black Hand Fist Demon gleamed with madness, as if whispering to me.
You’re dead now.
Eyes brimming with certainty. The very same look I’d seen countless times before from many enemies.
From third-rate swordsmen to supreme masters. Regardless of martial prowess, they were always the same, and when everything ended, it was always I who remained standing on two feet.
Swish.
In the slowed world, the cool sensation of the spear shaft slipped from my grasp.
The Black Hand Fist Demon’s exquisite assault had stripped away the spear’s advantage.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I released the shaft and extended my palm instead.
Boom!
With a deafening crash, two streams of energy in different colors collided.
Everything within a radius of ten paces melted in the terrible heat, and the Black Hand Fist Demon’s eyes widened.
“You…”
Just one exchange. But it was enough to gauge each other’s strength.
Despite reacting half a beat late due to the Twin Wheels’ influence, I easily blocked the Black Hand Fist Demon’s punch. Watching his trembling eyes, I spoke calmly.
“A nobody. Isn’t that right?”
“…!”
He must have realized something was wrong, but it was already too late.
I clenched my other empty fist.
Crackle.
Cyan-white flames erupted, wreathing my fist.
Extinguishing Flame Divine Fist.
Boom!

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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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