The Wizard Who Endured the World of Murim - Chapter 31

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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 31
In stark contrast to Jin Yu-seong’s extreme shift in expression, the masters among the water bandits—led by Maeng Ryeo—contorted their faces in dismay.
“Young Master Il of the Small Guild—no, Young Master Il himself has rendered such tremendous service. On behalf of Jinseong Escort Agency, I express our deepest gratitude!”
Jin Yu-seong clasped his hands together and bowed with utmost sincerity to Ilhyang.
Just moments ago, the situation had been utterly hopeless, yet in an instant it reversed as if by illusion.
I genuinely wondered if this was all a dream.
To be honest, I still couldn’t fathom what that monstrous ape was—the one now silently observing the water bandits from the shattered deck.
But one thing was certain.
It was a beast under the command of that genius Kid, Ilhyang.
“Yes, I appreciate your gratitude. However, this matter has clearly exceeded the scope of the original commission, so I would like to request additional compensation. Would that be acceptable?”
“Of course. I shall compensate you as generously as needed!”
What did mere money matter?
When his family and business were on the brink of total collapse.
The moment the conversation between Ilhyang and Jin Yu-seong ended.
Soon Hong-dan, the son of Sun Tae-go, cried out as if shrieking.
“We can offer twice what Jinseong Escort Agency can! Money if you want money! Women if you want women! We can give you anything!”
“Oh?”
Soon Hong-dan was as cunning as he was intelligent.
So he quickly assessed that if he didn’t seize this moment, death awaited him.
Ilhyang observed with interest as the familiar-looking Soon Hong-dan stood among the water bandits rather than with the escort agency, then spoke.
“It seems you have much to offer me?”
“Of course. I am the legitimate successor of Jiao Long Faction. Naturally, I can offer far more than what Jinseong Escort Agency can provide!”
“Is that so?”
As Ilhyang stroked his smooth chin thoughtfully, as if deep in contemplation.
Jin Yu-seong spoke with urgency in his voice.
“Young Master Il. The compensation need not come from Jinseong Escort Agency alone. The Namgung Clan here will surely offer proper gratitude once this escort mission concludes. Is that not so, Kyungcheon Sword?”
“Indeed. The Namgung Clan never forgets a debt of gratitude.”
Kyungcheon Sword Namgung Min answered with certainty.
Ilhyang’s head turned toward them once more, quite distinctly.
At this, Soon Hong-dan spoke with even greater urgency.
“We are no different! It is not only Jiao Long Faction present here. Do not forget that Yan Wang Faction and Blood Wolf Faction stand united with us. I would hope you do not underestimate the wealth we have accumulated—it is no less than that of the Namgung Clan and Jinseong Escort Agency!”
“Ooh… So that is the case. Jiao Long Faction is quite wealthy, then?”
“Of course! Among the Yangtze River Bandits, Jiao Long Faction likely possesses the greatest fortune.”
Ilhyang gave no direct answer, merely wearing an expression of amusement.
‘Is this fool an idiot?’
After all, the Jiao Long Faction leader was already dead.
And the remaining water bandits of Jiao Long Faction were in the palm of my hand.
Whether Soon Hong-dan or whoever else yielded or not.
‘All of Jiao Long Faction’s wealth has become mine, hasn’t it?’
Moreover, since this was spoils of war, there was no need to share it with anyone else.
He spoke as though he were offering something that had already become his own property.
‘Does he truly believe this constitutes a transaction?’
At first, it was utterly absurd.
But Ilhyang maintained an expression of intrigue.
Because that fool kept raising the stakes.
In turn, the Namgung Clan and Jinseong Escort Agency were voluntarily adding their own sweeteners to the pot.
So there was nothing to do but keep silent.
In any case, Jin Yu-seong felt his heart burning at Ilhyang’s ambiguous attitude.
A chance to survive had finally appeared.
Yet the thought that everything could collapse at this critical moment gnawed at him.
“Young Master Il. If there is anything you desire, speak freely. Jinseong Escort Agency stands ready to offer you everything.”
“Mm.”
As both factions gazed at him with desperate longing.
Ilhyang deliberately prolonged the moment, as though lost in contemplation.
Meanwhile.
Cheolhyeol Sword Maeng Ryeo and Soon Hong-dan were frantically exchanging silent transmissions.
『Do you have confidence you can handle that monkey?』
『It seems difficult. When the ship sank earlier, I landed a swift blade strike, but it didn’t even leave a scratch.』
『Damn it. What has become of Father?』
『At this point, shouldn’t we assume he’s dead?』
At those cold words, a flicker of anguish ignited in Soon Hong-dan’s eyes for a moment.
But Maeng Ryeo could not bring himself to offer false comfort and hopeful words.
If things went wrong.
He too could be dragged down by this entire affair.
Just when everything seemed settled, ash was suddenly scattered upon the cooked rice.
『So what do you intend to do?』
『I am currently in discussion with the leaders of the other water sects. One moment.』
The water bandits racked their brains fiercely, each trying to find a way out of this predicament.
Namgung Min and Jin Yu-seong were likewise taking inventory of what they could offer.
In this situation, the ones truly in the most difficult position.
Were the masters from the water sects other than the Jiao Long Faction.
They wished to withdraw from this affair.
Naturally, Soon Hong-dan would not allow it.
『How amusing. If that monster lets you escape, do you think it will simply ignore the rest of us?』
『Keke. Interesting fellow, aren’t you? Young pup, do not entangle us further in this matter. If need be, we can simply dive into the river and be done with it.』
Soon Hong-dan bit his lower lip.
Indeed, these masters from the water sects each possessed their own formidable skills.
Their mastery of water techniques was nothing short of supreme.
Once they entered the water, they were confident they could swim away faster than ordinary fish.
No matter how skilled that one who commands the monkey monster might be.
How could they possibly track and capture someone in the water?
While everyone wore expressions of casual confidence, peering for opportunities from the ship’s railing.
Ilhyang observed their faces, then lifted one corner of his mouth slightly as he spoke.
Snap—
“Well! I’m grateful to all of you for such excellent suggestions. Being a Ruffian with nothing to my name, I’ve had much to consider. However, it seems some of you here are laboring under a misunderstanding. From this moment forward, no one leaves this place without my permission.”
It was a warning.
A warning not to attempt escape.
At that, one middle-aged water bandit standing precariously on the railing let out a scornful laugh.
“Hmph, your skills seem somewhat extraordinary, I’ll grant you that much. But I don’t understand why you spout such nonsense. Don’t you know the saying that even Nataryongwang himself cannot pursue the shadow of water bandits upon the river?”
The Buchaejoo of the Yan Wang Faction.
A one-eyed master of the highest caliber. So Eul-yeom spoke with a contemptuous smile, brimming with confidence.
Ilhyang met his gaze and smiled back.
“Since your faith seems to be lacking, I was planning to demonstrate another skill I possess.”
Snap—
Ilhyang flicked his fingers.
In an instant, the temperature around them plummeted abnormally, and the river water surrounding the command ship and Nataryongwang froze rapidly.
Crack-crack-crack—!
Along with the sound of wood warping.
The command ship and the wedge-shaped vessels encircling it froze solid upon the river as if taxidermied.
“What? Wh-what!”
“The, the river! The river is freezing!”
Crack-crack-crack—!
The ice thickened rapidly, and everything in the vicinity came to a standstill.
Truly, an absurd situation.
Within the visible landscape around them.
This place alone had transformed into winter in a single moment.
The entire nearby river had frozen solid.
“…!”
“What, what in the world is this…?”
All the water bandits watching were left stammering at this catastrophic disaster.
So Eul-yeom’s single remaining eye gleamed.
He swiftly hurled himself into the river water that hadn’t yet completely frozen.
His judgment was impulsive, but it was certainly wise.
He was attempting to save at least his own life.
But.
Wisdom alone does not guarantee success in all matters.
The Black Monkey, which had remained motionless on the deck and appeared sluggish until that moment.
Moved like lightning, stretching its long arm with precision to seize So Eul-yeom’s head as he attempted to pierce through and break past the ice below the railing using martial techniques.
Simultaneously.
Groooowl—
“Gack, gaaaaahhh!”
A pressure as if my brain would burst.
So Eul-yeom screamed with an unsettling metallic shriek, his remaining eye nearly bulging from its socket under the excruciating pain.
Yet the Black Monkey demonstrated remarkable control over its strength.
In the end, his skull never did shatter.
The Black Monkey simply swung its long arm and hurled So Eul-yeom from the river onto the deck.
Thud—
Watching So Eul-yeom sprawl grotesquely across the deck.
Soon Hong-dan and Maeng Ryeo, along with all the water bandits present, could finally abandon hope entirely.
“We entrust all matters to Young Master Il’s judgment! We beseech your merciful decision!”
The son of Gyolyong Chae-ju.
Soon Hong-dan shifted his stance and prostrated himself on the deck with utmost deference.
Maeng Ryeo as well.
Just moments before.
Recalling how he had momentarily lost sight of the monkey’s movements, he set down his beloved weapon—his great blade—beside Soon Hong-dan and bowed respectfully.
In truth, when the monkey had chased after So Eul-yeom.
Had he fled swiftly in the opposite direction, it would have been close, but he certainly could have escaped.
‘But it’s already too late.’
In the Kangho, life and death are decided in mere instants.
Realizing that the sole opportunity for escape had just passed.
Maeng Ryeo’s composure cracked.
An unbearable sense of frustration welled up in his chest.
‘Damn it, I had a bad feeling from the start when that stingy Gyolyong Chae-ju offered such generous payment.’
As Cheolhyeol Sword Maeng Ryeo heaved an inward sigh.
The remaining water bandits, sensing the mood, hastily prostrated themselves on the deck one after another.
“Gal Pyeong of the Yan Wang Faction begs for the young master’s mercy.”
“Mi Chok of the Blood Wolf Faction begs for the young master’s mercy.”
“Sa Da-gang of the Jiao Long Faction begs the great hero’s….”
Masters of the pinnacle realm from each faction, without exception, cast down their weapons and competed to beg for their lives.
To their eyes, that Kid was a monster.
Had his martial prowess merely been strong, they would not have been terrified to this degree.
But.
‘He froze the river solid.’
Though it was early autumn.
This was certainly a place bathed in the scorching heat of midday.
Yet this lunatic technique had frozen an entire corner of the vast Liu Chang River—such madness.
‘Truly a monster wielding the harmony of heaven and earth at will.’
Not a single soul here possessed the audacity to gamble with their lives against such a monster.

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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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