The Wizard Who Endured the World of Murim - Chapter 19

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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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Surviving in the Martial Realm as a Mage: Episode 19
The commission had been completed successfully.
Hak In-bo and the other ronin had returned safely.
An Won-myeong, the original target of the commission, had also returned without incident.
Save for the minor issue of An Won-myeong throwing a tantrum and demanding that Ilhyang become his subordinate.
The commission had yielded results far exceeding expectations.
“This commission would have failed without you.”
Hak In-bo and the other ronin were conscientious fellows.
They praised Ilhyang for returning safely after facing the monsters of the Mansizong.
They willingly surrendered half of the payment they had agreed to receive upon completion of the commission.
Furthermore, they also relinquished half of the completion bonus that had been posted with the Ronin Guild.
Clink—
A rather hefty pouch.
A money pouch larger than Ilhyang’s own head.
“There’s no need to go this far, but I won’t refuse.”
Clink clink—
As I tucked the heavy pouch of money into my breast, I smiled brightly.
Perhaps not later.
But at this moment, money was of utmost importance.
So I accepted their kindness without hesitation.
‘Seven hundred fifty silver coins from a single commission.’
I had earned such a substantial sum all at once, which was extraordinary for someone who had only recently begun working as a ronin.
“Take what you’ve earned—you deserve fair compensation. Still, commissions of this scale are rare, so consider yourself fortunate.”
“Thank you.”
Among the ronin of Giyang County, this incident had become major gossip.
The revelation of the Magistrate of Giyang’s hidden son had caused quite a stir.
But the mention of the Mansizong was even more significant.
The name Mansizong carried tremendous weight and gravitas.
“But then again….”
As I pretended to place the money into my belongings, I secretly slipped some silver coins into my sleeve.
And.
I had already anticipated what question they would ask me and answered preemptively.
“I don’t know the identities of the people I left at the physician’s clinic. Even if I did, I couldn’t tell you.”
“Hmm. I suspected as much….”
Five martial artists bearing scars across their entire bodies had returned to Giyang County with me.
Their injuries were so severe that they had been immediately entrusted to the physician.
“That said, they are not affiliated with the Mansizong. I can assure you of that.”
“Well, that’s good enough then. The Guild was worried about it.”
I brought the tea from Yunwol Pavilion to my lips.
My gaze took in the sight of the well-maintained garden visible beyond the window.
Then, quite suddenly, I recalled what had happened when I returned to Giyang County.
‘The Namgung Clan….’
Why had a master of the Namgung Clan been in that place at that precise moment?
The forces they displayed seemed far too meager to have come to suppress the Mansizong.
‘Should I have pressed them for answers until the very end?’
Truthfully, if I had been so inclined at the time.
I could have beaten those half-dead wretches into revealing everything.
‘But there seemed no pressing need to go that far.’
There were several reasons I had let the matter slide.
And the most crucial reason was that they appeared to be useful.
‘The Namgung Clan is a family of considerable standing in Kangho, after all.’
Though I didn’t fully understand it.
The Namgung Clan could be regarded as a provincial lord possessing military might equivalent to a border count or duke.
‘It’s rather absurd that a single family—and one without even an official position—wields such power.’
The First Family Under Heaven.
The Namgung Clan possessed power befitting their legendary renown, so I thought that if I placed the family under some obligation to me.
It might make acquiring necessary resources considerably easier in the future.
‘Though it was odd how readily those men obeyed my commands.’
In fact, Ilhyang found this aspect particularly troubling.
My body appeared outwardly to be merely a child of ten years or so.
Yet those men who identified themselves as warriors of the Namgung Clan.
From the moment our eyes met.
Obeyed with almost excessive deference, even using respectful speech.
‘Was it because I killed that Mansizong mage?’
But their expressions had been far too fearful for that explanation.
I stroked my soft chin thoughtfully and tilted my head, but soon set the matter aside.
Such things were not important now.
‘Regardless, I shall secure resources with the funds obtained this time.’
Upon investigation, this world also possessed spirit stones like mana crystals and elixirs—spiritual stones and spiritual medicines.
And naturally, they were traded at exorbitant prices.
‘Money is one thing, but I have no channel through which to purchase them.’
Initially, I had attempted to purchase them through the Ronin Guild.
But the Ronin Guild had expressed reluctance.
“We can neither purchase nor sell such premium goods.”
“Why not?”
At the Giyang County branch of the Ronin Guild.
Mak Chung, the reception desk manager, sighed as he spoke.
“Because the Merchant Alliance would never permit such a thing. The Ronin Guild respects their domain.”
He spoke of respecting their domain, yet his expression seemed decidedly reluctant.
Hmm, so this world too had its own complicated circumstances lurking beneath the surface.
‘Though I did introduce them to the trading company.’
Verification was necessary.
I would need to deal in rather expensive goods going forward.
It was wise to test even a stone bridge before crossing it.
So Ilhyang set down his teacup and asked.
“Hak Dae-hyeop, are you familiar with the Cheongwha Trading Company?”
“The Cheongwha Trading Company? You mean the one based out of Myeongju Fortress City? I’ve met their branch director here in Giyang County a few times.”
Fortunately, it seemed to be a well-known establishment.
From what I’d heard, they appeared to have considerable scale.
“Are they trustworthy?”
“Hmm… they’re a decent outfit. They calculate commission fees with precision.”
Go An-jeok, the one-eared ronin beside him, answered readily.
Observing the expressions of the other ruffians, their assessment was not unfavorable.
They seemed quite satisfied with this commission.
They treated Ilhyang with considerable warmth.
Yu Geosa.
Yu Jeong-ui adjusted his newly tailored azure scholar’s robe and asked.
“It seems you have need of something, Master Ilhyang.”
“Yes, I was thinking of purchasing some spirit medicine.”
Yu Jeong-ui nodded.
Indeed, carrying around such a sudden windfall could attract unwanted attention, so it was wise to spend it quickly.
Then Three-Fingers, who had been quietly sipping tea and maintaining silence.
Gyeong Hap-gi answered in his characteristically heavy, low voice.
“The Cheongwha Company should suffice. Their prices run somewhat high, but at least they don’t play games with their merchandise.”
Ilhyang smiled broadly at the ruffians.
It was fortunate.
That was exactly what I wanted to hear.
* * *
“That comes to six hundred and eighty silver taels in total.”
“…Is this price correct?”
Upon hearing the price, Ilhyang’s brow furrowed involuntarily.
Though I had come on the Ronin Guild’s recommendation.
The clerk looked so young that I wondered if I was being taken for a fool.
At that, the clerk from the Cheongwha Trading Company responded with an awkward expression.
“Spirit medicine prices have risen considerably of late. There are simply many people seeking it. To be honest, I could actually sell it to you somewhat cheaper than this. If you were to go to Tianzhong Holy Path, you could likely find it about ten percent less expensive.”
The clerk with the warm impression was quite courteous.
And if he was saying this much, then this must be the market rate.
In the end, Ilhyang left the establishment with a sigh, holding the small medicine bottle in his hand.
‘I feel like I’ve been swindled with my eyes wide open.’
Nine-Ring True Elixir.
The lowest-grade elixir commonly traded in the market, capable of enhancing one’s inner strength by approximately five to ten years.
‘Five hundred silver coins per bottle.’
And then.
Adding medicinal ingredients that increased the absorption rate of the elixir.
In an instant, six hundred and eighty silver coins vanished into thin air.
What was even more shocking was that this price already included a discount for being an acquaintance.
‘That’s right. I just need to earn more.’
What was money earned for if not this?
This was precisely what I earned it for.
Ilhyang purchased the elixir and left, suppressing the sting in his heart.
He returned to Manseok Inn and consumed it immediately.
The moment he placed the crimson pill into his mouth and swallowed the supplementary medicinal ingredients in succession.
A concentrated stream of mana was absorbed into the circle at his heart.
Thump—
Along with a dull ache near the heart, a sharp, metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.
This sensation was quite familiar.
Though it had been a long time, I could focus immediately.
‘I must absorb every last bit without any waste.’
How much did this cost?
I’d heard that even when taking supplementary medicinal ingredients together, nearly half of the inner strength would be lost.
But I had no intention of allowing that.
‘I’ll add rotational force to the mana circuit to prevent the mana from leaking outward.’
I sat in lotus position for nearly two hours.
And ultimately absorbed every last bit of mana the elixir possessed without a single loss.
Then.
Crack—
The muscles throughout my body subtly relaxed and tightened.
The mana circuits in my body became slightly more robust.
Simultaneously, two circles rotated around my heart.
“…Mm.”
I opened my eyes and spread my palm open.
That was honestly close just now.
Just as the clerk at Qinghua Trading Company had warned.
If the elixir I’d consumed had resulted in roughly half the inner strength being lost, reaching the Second Circle would have been impossible.
“But I succeeded.”
Two circles rotating in crisscross patterns around my heart.
I had reached the Second Circle.
The rotation speed of the circles was certainly faster than before.
And the absolute amount of mana I could use had doubled from what it was previously.
“The growth rate is definitely fast, but….”
From Ilhyang’s perspective, having already achieved the 9th Circle in his previous life, this growth rate felt frustratingly slow.
“I need to reach the 3rd Circle as quickly as possible.”
The 4th Circle presented the first major barrier, so breaking through it wouldn’t be as effortless as it had been so far.
But reaching the 3rd Circle required nothing more than accumulating sufficient mana.
Ilhyang’s expression grew complicated for a moment before he rose from the bed and brought the teacup resting on the table to his lips.
Draining the cheap leaf tea exclusive to Manseok Inn, Ilhyang let out a quiet chuckle.
‘Still, I shouldn’t rush things. One step at a time—that’s all I need to do.’
When he thought about it, there was no reason to feel anxious.
He still had far more time ahead of him than he’d had in his previous life.
And beyond that—
I held a firm conviction that this world brimmed with mysteries even I hadn’t yet discovered.
‘I wonder if those Mansizong bastards will visit again.’
Reflecting on it, every time I encountered those Mansizong people, I received excellent gifts.
They were dangerous, certainly, but the rewards matched that danger.
Clack—
Ilhyang set the empty teacup down on the table with a sharp sound and lay back on the bed.
Closing his eyes, he conjured the scene from several days prior in his mind.
‘The compression density was quite impressive.’
I’d truly witnessed something remarkable.
Though the space had been limited.
I’d encountered a mage capable of creating her own ‘domain’.
‘A field of purple thorned flowers, no less. There’s a certain romance to it.’
Ilhyang’s lips curved upward as he lay on the bed.
That little girl from Mansizong.
The magic she’d unleashed was remarkably destructive yet aesthetically beautiful enough to captivate.
Had the old mages from the Magic Tower witnessed it, they would have showered it with artistic praise.
Yet the flowers’ forms lacked clarity, and the effective range was disappointingly modest in scale.
‘Had it been me, I would have concentrated it in one location.’
That kid seemed to struggle with such flexible manipulation.
Besides, it didn’t appear to be magic of her own creation.
If I had to guess, it was a secret technique belonging to the organization she served.
Ilhyang drifted into deep slumber, his mind replaying that scene.
And from the next day onward—
Master Gongchu, with whom I’d arranged contact beforehand, came to visit.
Through him, I resumed my studies in writing and took on commissions once more.
A month passed swiftly in this manner.
* * *
“I believe further instruction at the next level is unnecessary.”
“Hmm… that’s quite unfortunate. You possess the caliber to challenge the provincial examination… are you truly certain you won’t take it?”
“I have no interest in official position.”
“What a shame… truly a shame.”
Master Gongchu taught Ilhyang, whose aptitude was extraordinary, and burned with genuine passion that transcended mere payment.
Receiving such fervent instruction, Ilhyang spent a month studying diligently while taking on minor commissions in parallel.
And I finally succeeded in creating the third circle, my original goal.
It was an achievement far swifter than my initial projections.
Pondering the reason, a possibility came to mind.
‘This young body must be brimming with talent beyond my expectations.’
In that moment, I wondered—if I’d known this beforehand, would I have even needed to purchase the vitality elixir?
…Such a rather disloyal thought flickered briefly.
But I quickly swept it from my mind.
There was no guarantee I would have managed without the elixir.
In any case, as early autumn approached.
After completely finishing my studies with Gongchu.
I resolved to relocate to a new base.
I decided to venture out to a larger major city.

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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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