Murim Login - Chapter 72

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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 72
“You died once today.”
His voice cut through the air like ice.
“Limbs severed, bones shattered, throat slit. The shape and magnitude of suffering may differ, but you died. Without question.”
The relief of being alive evaporated, replaced instantly by fury.
I staggered to my feet on trembling legs, swallowed the blood pooling in my mouth, and glared at Jin Moo-kyung.
‘This insane bastard.’
I wanted nothing more than to drive my fist into that smug face, but I held back. Not because I was weaker than Jin Moo-kyung, but because I knew his words rang true.
“…So? What are you trying to say?”
The answer came as if he’d been waiting for the question.
“Your lifespan is running short.”
“What?”
“You’re a half-measure. Neither a true martial artist nor a rogue—a half-measure. Someone as incompetent as you stepping into Murim is asking to die.”
A half-measure.
Perhaps that was the most accurate description of my current state. I was a Hunter and a martial artist simultaneously.
“Shanxi’s Hidden Dragon? A supreme master? A stray dog would laugh. You’re nothing but a brawler. Too clumsy to be a true martial artist, and you don’t fight with the pragmatism of a rogue either. Don’t mistake dumb luck for skill.”
I barely managed to open my mouth.
“Then what about Jo Pil? Is that luck too, by your logic?”
“Jo Pil of the First Gate’s One Strike? Obviously he was stupid enough to let his guard down before an enemy. You simply had one last move to flip the situation.”
“…!”
“Why? Do you think I’m too accurate for someone who didn’t even witness it?”
Jin Moo-kyung clicked his tongue.
“Even a deaf old man knows the third son of the Taewon Jin Family is a reckless fool. Jo Pil just ended up dead the moment he got careless.”
This bastard is a stalker or something.
I felt like Sun Wukong in Buddha’s palm. His deductions were that precise.
“Let me be clear.”
Jin Moo-kyung fixed me with a penetrating gaze.
“That luck of yours ends here.”
“…”
“Murim swarms with monsters. And they won’t be careless like Jo Pil. You’re no longer the reckless third son—you’re Shanxi’s Hidden Dragon.”
Each word pierced my core. Everything Jin Moo-kyung said was true, and now I had to accept reality.
“Damn it.”
He was right. I was a half-measure.
I’d survived this far thanks to the System—the greatest stroke of luck in my life—but apparently that was all it could carry me through.
But…
‘Still, my luck is extraordinary.’
Not only did I discover the problem early, but the perfect solution stood right before my eyes.
“Help me.”
Jin Moo-kyung.
A martial artist already perfected, a genius of martial arts.
And then.
“…Elder Brother.”
My elder brother.
Ding.
Time remaining
: 9 days 20 hours 23 minutes
* * *
Those who dwell in the Murim are a prideful breed. Even third-rate rogues who wear rusted blades and drink cheap wine carry themselves with arrogance, yet the scions of prestigious sects possess pride so towering it pierces the heavens.
“Help me, Elder Brother.”
In that sense, this fool had become a man. Three years ago, he would have rushed to his elder brother in tears…but he had grown. Beyond all expectations.
‘A peculiar one.’
His temperament and martial prowess are impossible to pin down. That is both an advantage and a disadvantage. But one certainty remains—nothing works against a ‘true master.’
‘Yet his talent is genuine.’
Over the past three years at Cheon-mu Academy, Jin Moo-kyung had encountered countless prodigies, but Jin Tae-kyung’s growth rate was unparalleled.
‘He possesses advantages they lack.’
Eyes that grasp martial techniques at a glance. Exceptional combat instincts and ears open to others’ counsel.
‘Though still a half-formed jumble for now.’
As time flows, his deficiencies will be filled and his excesses will settle. Then Jin Tae-kyung’s martial arts will be perfected.
Like the harmony of the Tai Chi.
‘Tai Chi—am I being too grandiose?’
This is beginning to feel burdensome.
Yet I cannot help but wonder. How will he grow? How far will he ascend?
‘He has far to go.’
He must depart within a fortnight at the latest and return to Cheon-mu Academy. Jin Moo-kyung finally opened his mouth.
“What are you doing? Pick up the spear.”
“Elder Brother!”
Watching Jin Tae-kyung’s face brighten, a thought suddenly crossed my mind.
‘When did this bastard become so obedient?’
It was the moment the training intensity climbed to the next level.
* * *
Thump.
Jin Wi-kyung stamped his seal on the final document, his eyes bloodshot and strained.
Freed from nearly ten hours of grueling labor, yet he felt no joy. By morning, fresh work would inevitably pile up again.
‘These things breed like rabbits when I’m not looking.’
At least there was a glimmer of hope that the end was finally in sight.
Having completed his final review, Jin Wi-kyung rang a small bell. Before its clear chime had even faded, two sturdy servants appeared.
“You called, Young Master?”
“Take these away.”
“Yes, sir.”
The servants were skillfully stacking documents onto a cart and about to withdraw when it happened.
“Ah, you stay.”
The Servant’s eyes widened in surprise at being singled out.
“You mean me, sir?”
“That’s right, you.”
Left alone with the Servant, Jin Wi-kyung opened his mouth with a solemn tone.
“Tell me, how are things going these days? Is the work manageable?”
“Yes, sir. All thanks to the Young Master’s generosity.”
“Is there anything uncomfortable or troubling you?”
“Oh no, sir, not at all.”
The Servant, Chil-deuk, merely nodded repeatedly. Though he couldn’t read a single character—illiterate as they come—he possessed ears to hear and eyes to see.
The Taewon Jin Family, victorious in this recent war, had risen to become the foremost clan in Shanxi, and the Young Master Jin Wi-kyung had begun earning the title “Gentleman’s Sword” through his swift recovery efforts and fair judgment.
‘Why would such a great man call upon me?’
His heart raced with tension. Had I made some mistake? Or could it be he’s recognized my talent for martial arts?
If the former, it would be dire; if the latter, it would be a chance to turn my life around.
‘My constitution is sturdy, at least. I haven’t suffered a single stomach ailment since childhood.’
The image of himself wielding a sword and fluttering a hero’s cape already danced before his eyes.
Meanwhile, Jin Wi-kyung flinched upon seeing Chil-deuk’s unfocused, dreamy gaze.
‘What is this?’
Those eyes—burning with desperate longing, as if his very soul yearned for something.
It was not the sort of look a man should cast upon another man.
‘Surely not?’
The rumors of forbidden desire he’d only heard whispered about… No, no. Hasty misunderstandings must be avoided. Wasn’t this man a member of the Taewon Jin Family, whom I must trust and cherish?
Jin Wi-kyung pushed aside his suspicions and spoke.
“I’ve heard much about you.”
“About… about me, sir?”
“Of course. I’ve been watching you for quite some time.”
To be precise, not for quite some time—only since four days ago.
Jin Wi-kyung had been searching for a trustworthy servant to entrust with a very important task, and Chil-deuk was the ideal candidate he had personally selected.
“A talent possessed of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom. That is precisely who you are.”
“This cannot be…!”
A first-rate servant possessed of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom—Chil-deuk trembled. Though he couldn’t read a single character and had no idea what those virtues meant, the word “talent” struck him like a perfect fit.
‘Me? A talent?’
He’d heard praise for his strength and diligence before, but never had he been called a talent. And to receive such an evaluation from none other than the Young Master himself, whom he revered like heaven itself.
Was this a dream or reality? Chil-deuk was seized by intense excitement. So overwhelmed was he that his tongue twisted.
“I too! I have always been watching over you, Young Master!”
In that instant, Jin Wi-kyung’s body stiffened.
What did I just hear?
“…What do you mean by that?”
“I have long dreamed of this moment. The day I would stand behind you, Young Master!”
“Wait. That doesn’t sound right. Why would you specifically stand behind me?”
“Hah!”
Chil-deuk swallowed hard. Don’t stand behind me. In other words, take the lead and earn merit.
“Then I shall take the front position!”
“No! That’s strange too!”
But Chil-deuk’s wild charge showed no signs of stopping.
“I shall gladly offer this humble body!”
Jin Wi-kyung’s vision went dark!
“No. Don’t. Don’t offer yourself!”
“Young Master!”
Huff, huff. Chil-deuk breathed heavily, and Jin Wi-kyung drew upon his inner strength.
‘How could such a thing happen.’
No matter how open-minded I considered myself, this was beyond the pale.
Personal preferences were one thing, but becoming the object of such attention was another matter entirely. Jin Wi-kyung swallowed hard.
“You… are you truly inclined toward men…?”
Chil-deuk’s eyes flew wide open. His heart thundered at the thought of wearing the indigo martial robes that the warriors of the Taewon Jin Family donned.
“Yes! Just command me!”
“You dare set your sights on me? Not a chance, you fool!”
Crack!
A master’s slap was formidable. Jin Wi-kyung gazed down at Chil-deuk, who collapsed like a puppet with severed strings, breathing heavily as he frantically rang the bell.
Ding. Dong.
“Young Master, you called… Gasp. Chil-deuk!”
Jin Wi-kyung spoke to the startled Servant.
“Drag him out at once!”
“W-what is the meaning of this?”
“That fool tried to… no, never mind.”
There was no way to explain this to the household staff. For the first time in his life, Jin Wi-kyung felt tears threatening to spill from the mixture of rage and sorrow he experienced.
“I-I shall handle it.”
As the quick-witted Servant hoisted Chil-deuk onto his back, Jin Wi-kyung added the most important instruction.
“And that fool.”
“Yes?”
“Remove him from his post.”
“Understood.”
The Servant suddenly recalled Chil-deuk’s assigned duties.
‘Meal delivery.’
Chil-deuk, a premier Servant possessed of all the virtues of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom, had been given the most important task: bringing meals to Jin Moo-kyung and Jin Tae-kyung at every sitting.
“Keep him away from my younger brothers. Do you understand!”
“Yes, sir!”
* * *
[Training Day 1]
I decided to start keeping a diary from today.
It was to ensure I wouldn’t forget what I’d learned from this training.
Under Jin Moo-kyung’s guidance, I wielded nothing but the spear all day long. Each day began and ended with sparring matches. I took a beating severe enough to kill, but it was bearable.
For the first time in my life, I ground ink, and surprisingly, it’s rather enjoyable.
[Training Day 2]
Today I swung the spear until I nearly died. Thanks to that, my strength and stamina stats increased, and the Jin Family Spear Technique reached the ninth stage.
It’s progressing far faster than when I trained alone, but I wonder if it would be better to use this time to learn other peak martial arts instead.
But Jin Moo-kyung must have his reasons.
Grinding ink has become somewhat tedious. I’m exhausted.
[Training Day 3]
It’s the Jin Family Spear Technique again. I asked him to teach me a different martial art and got beaten to a pulp. He said my mind was rotting away.
While desperately dodging his attacks, the Jin Family Footwork reached the eighth stage. Damn, this is surprisingly effective.
[Training Day 4]
Since training began, I haven’t slept more than two hours a day.
Most of it is repetition: training with Jin Moo-kyung, sparring, training, sparring. Since yesterday, I’ve even started skipping meals and using Qi-Sustaining Pills instead.
Despite having the system, I’m reaching my physical limits.
[Training Day 5]
My arms ached, so I only ground ink a little.
The sky is yellow. I’m sleeping.
[Training Day 6]
I don’t understand why the system doesn’t have a memo function.
I got frustrated grinding ink and broke the inkstone. Jin Moo-kyung beat me for it.
[Training Day 7]
The Jin Family Footwork reached the ninth stage. At the same time, my level increased by one.
I’ve practiced it so relentlessly that lately, even when I walk around normally, I find myself using the footwork. It gave me chills.
[Training Day 8]
Today my hands and feet feel tangled. It doesn’t feel like the martial arts I knew.
Techniques I’ve performed thousands, tens of thousands of times feel unfamiliar. Jin Moo-kyung said it was a natural phenomenon.
What nonsense is that?
I got beaten for my disrespectful expression.
[Training Day 9]
I think I understand now.
* * *
Boom!
Condensed air burst from the tip of the wooden spear. Jin Moo-kyung, pushed back with a skidding motion, clicked his tongue as he looked at the broken sword.
“A narrow success.”
I didn’t answer. I stood dazed, gripping the spear as I pondered.
‘So that’s what it was.’
I thought I understood the martial arts I’d learned inside and out. But I was wrong. It was merely the delusion of someone standing halfway up a mountain, mistaking themselves for having reached the summit. With each advancement in martial arts, a new landscape reveals itself.
‘Just like now.’
Ding. Ding. Ding.
–
[Jin Family Sword Technique]
has reached mastery!
–
[Jin Family Footwork]
has reached mastery!
– Achievement,
[Master a First-Rate Martial Art]
has been unlocked!
– As a reward, a new skill,
[Secret Crafting]
has been created!
– All stats have increased significantly!
– Level Up!
– Level Up!
A wave of system notifications washed over me.

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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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