The Wizard Who Endured the World of Murim - Chapter 34

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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 34
Seo Jang-gwe observed the young boy lost in deep contemplation before him and pondered.
‘The Lord surely mentioned that he would be a master of Banrowhwandong.’
Good heavens, Banrowhwandong, no less.
Truly, it was a realm one heard of only in legends.
Seo Jang-gwe repeatedly whispered “Banrowhwandong” in his mind to avoid being deceived by that innocent exterior.
Remarkably, beneath that deceptively pale and plump appearance—a boy who looked even younger than a grandchild playing at home—
there dwelled a ginger root worn smooth by countless years.
Admittedly, his guess had been slightly off the mark.
Yet it proved close enough to the truth.
And then.
“Hmm, I’m afraid disposing of the ship and other spoils immediately would be difficult.”
Whether Seo Jang-gwe’s intuition was correct or not, the cute-faced boy seated before him offered an answer that deviated slightly from expectations.
Ilhyang continued, seeming somewhat reluctant as he smacked his lips.
“It appears to have personal utility. However, should the need to dispose of it arise in the future, I shall commission Jinseong Escort Agency. Would that be acceptable?”
“…Of course. Whenever you contact us, we shall do our utmost to handle the disposal.”
Seo Jang-gwe had considered the possibility that Ilhyang might reject the proposal.
Only very slightly, though.
‘Yet I assessed the probability of converting it to coin as quite high….’
A ship was not something easily converted to currency, but if used properly, it could serve as a stable means of generating wealth over the long term.
‘Unfortunate, but unavoidable.’
Had he been tasked with disposing of vessels of this magnitude,
he could have involved himself in tremendous profits through various merchant guilds, even without receiving a separate disposal fee.
Such an opportunity had slipped away.
As Seo Jang-gwe brought his teacup to his lips to compose his expression, an unexpected thought crossed his mind.
The Liu Chang River spanned Lanzhou, Jungzhou, and Myeong Province—
a colossal river cutting horizontally across three provinces.
The Yangtze River Bandits were what controlled this entire river.
‘If one could suppress all of the Yangtze River Bandits and control the entirety of the Liu Chang River….’
Even without plundering like common water bandits,
the logistics fees alone would amount to an astronomical sum.
‘Could it be possible for this person before me?’
He had subdued the Jiao Long Faction single-handedly.
Why would other places be any different?
Just as Seo Jang-gwe’s imagination reached that point,
“Seo Jang-gwe?”
“…Yes? Yes. Please, speak, Young Master.”
As Seo Jang-gwe snapped back to attention and resumed his respectful demeanor,
Ilhyang opened his mouth.
“In fact, aside from the spoils obtained this time, I understand the Jiao Long Faction has hidden away considerable wealth. Somehow, it appears I shall be taking possession of that as well….”
Seo Jang-gwe swallowed dryly for a moment.
From this point forward, he could roughly discern what Ilhyang was about to propose.
“Would you be willing to accompany me and assist in the disposal of those items, Seo Jang-gwe?”
“Well… hmm….”
In truth, it was a proposal he should naturally refuse, given that an important escort operation was underway.
However, he had already received advance instructions from Jin Yu-seong, the lord of Jinseong Escort Agency, on how to handle such circumstances should they arise.
Jinseong Escort Agency, having received such tremendous favor, now found itself in the position of the debtor—obligated to accommodate Ilhyang’s every request.
“Our Jinseong Escort Agency is prepared to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to any matter concerning the great hero Ilhyang. Should you require assistance with the task you’ve just mentioned, I can personally attend to it and expedite the process through tireless effort.”
“Well… there’s truly no need to go to such lengths….”
“On the contrary. The matter you resolved for us this time was nothing less than salvation for our agency, was it not? Separate from any formal compensation, we shall handle all such affairs entirely on your behalf.”
As mentioned before, the disposal of such physical goods could yield considerable profits beyond mere commission fees.
When Seo Jang-gwe broke into an unconscious grin.
Ilhyang, who had seen through his true intentions from the start, smiled knowingly in return, for the arrangement was hardly unfavorable to him either.
“I’m grateful for that. Then I’ll entrust that matter to you.”
“Yes! Leave it entirely to me!”
Thus Ilhyang ushered Seo Jang-gwe out of Nataryongwang’s Captain’s Quarters.
He immediately summoned the next visitor into the cabin.
“This humble junior presents himself to you, sir.”
Gong Jeol-gang, a Celestial Watcher of Cheonsa-ok.
He had been brought to the Captain’s Quarters with a visibly gaunt face—the toll of mere hours.
Upon meeting Ilhyang’s gaze, he offered a greeting before.
Suddenly pressing his forehead to the floor in a full prostration.
“I am Gong Jeol-gang! I wish to become your loyal servant! Please, I beseech you to take in this inadequate person!”
“…?”
Watching Gong Jeol-gang throw himself down without preamble, Ilhyang’s expression shifted to one of bewilderment tinged with indifference.
The shift in attitude was simply too dramatic.
Just hours ago.
Had they not been locked in mortal combat, each seeking the other’s death?
Thus his intentions now seemed deeply suspect.
“Raise your head.”
Gong Jeol-gang immediately lifted his head.
Before him stood a young boy in black robes, regarding him with an impassive gaze.
“What reason would I have to take you under my wing?”
“…Well, that is….”
Gong Jeol-gang’s eyes darted about uncertainly.
At this, Ilhyang smiled and spoke.
“There go your eyes again, working overtime. Don’t scheme before me—speak honestly. That would be the wiser course of action.”
“….”
Gong Jeol-gang swallowed dryly several times before steeling his resolve.
One must never judge this person by appearances alone.
Just the ice-freezing technique that had encased the entire river mere hours ago—
The depth of such mastery was beyond all measure.
Awe and dread toward Ilhyang had stripped Gong Jeol-gang of all pretense.
“…In truth, if I return, I am a dead man, sir.”
“Why?”
Why? Did he truly not understand?
Gong Jeol-gang’s throat tightened.
But when he met Ilhyang’s cold, piercing gaze, reason reasserted itself, and he bowed his head submissively.
“I have failed the contract and lost the Original Sect’s secret puppet. That alone is a crime worthy of death.”
“A puppet? Ah, Dae Heuk-sung? Yes, that is certainly a fine object.”
Dae Heuk-sung.
The Black Monkey.
It was indeed a treasure beyond measure.
For it was no ordinary golem—it possessed a faint but living ego, an Ego Golem.
And a golem with mana circuits as intricate as that, even if all resources for its creation were readily available—
Even I could not guarantee success without considerable effort.
The complexity of the circuits granted diverse functions.
Yet that same complexity created internal conflicts and interference.
Such internal flaws devastated the golem’s overall performance catastrophically.
Moreover, this method of construction severely compromised what mattered more than raw power to a golem: durability.
In other words, the golem’s heart.
The core component known as its nucleus suffered severe degradation.
‘And yet Dae Heuk-sung possessed a remarkably balanced distribution of strength.’
Even I had to admire it genuinely.
Multiple unstable conditions meshed together internally with astonishing precision.
Creating a perfectly harmonized golem.
‘Of course, balance was achieved by reducing the overall scale of its functions.’
For something obtained without cost, it was undeniably an extraordinary acquisition.
To what degree?
It was a better prize than the ten Blood Corpses of Mansizong that were barely pursuing us from that distant shore.
“So what is it you wish me to do?”
“Please take me under your wing, sir!”
The resolute determination in his voice made me blink for a moment.
Then I met Gong Jeol-gang’s earnest gaze directly.
‘This man….’
Sensing that Gong Jeol-gang spoke with genuine sincerity, my lips curved slightly.
This was a scene not unfamiliar to me.
“Do you understand what it means to come under my wing?”
“Yes. I would gladly become your subordinate or your disciple!”
“Your ambitions run high. You could become my slave this very instant.”
“Even so, that is more than acceptable. I simply ask that you allow me to serve at your side!”
Ilhyang found himself genuinely surprised by Gong Jeol-gang’s answer, delivered without a moment’s hesitation.
Gong Jeol-gang was the second genuine mage I had encountered in this world.
And wherever one traveled, genuine mages were exceedingly rare and revered beings.
‘The Mansizong and Heavenly Blood Sect members I’d met before—they all seemed skewed in some direction. But this one is different.’
Gong Jeol-gang possessed relatively balanced foundations.
‘His methods are primitive, certainly….’
Yet with proper refinement, he could genuinely be cultivated into a true mage.
His age was a drawback, but with sufficient resource investment, I could extend his lifespan considerably.
“Do you have the resolve to stake your life on this?”
“…Of course, I do.”
Gong Jeol-gang spoke with absolute sincerity.
The young man before him.
The youth who had apparently performed Banrowhwandong had revealed an entirely new realm of sorcery.
For Gong Jeol-gang, who had long stagnated in place, this being might well become the one to open a new path forward.
“Hmm….”
Ilhyang fell into contemplation once more.
I tapped my fingers lightly against the table in a steady rhythm.
In truth, accepting elderly mages as disciples in this manner had been a common occurrence for me since long ago.
Ever since I first created the Magic Tower.
Countless old mages scattered across the continent had willingly bowed their heads to me.
‘There is no need to overthink this.’
This situation was identical to those of the past.
Ilhyang quickly resolved his deliberation and spoke with a faint smile.
“Your phrase about sheltering beneath my wings—it was quite poetic and pleased me. I shall accept you as my first disciple in this world.”
“I am merely an inadequate disciple entrusting my life to you, Master!”
Gong Jeol-gang rose from his seat and performed nine deep bows.
Thus, Ilhyang gained his first disciple in this world.
Though outwardly, his disciple appeared to be at least fifty years his senior.
Neither Ilhyang nor Gong Jeol-gang.
Found anything peculiar about that aspect whatsoever.
“Good. Then as your master, I must come to understand those who will become my enemies, yes?”
“Of course. This inadequate disciple shall provide detailed explanation regarding Cheonsa-ok. The Cheonsa-ok to which this disciple belonged is a sorcerous organization with twelve hierarchical levels….”
“Wait. Stop there.”
Ilhyang raised his palm to halt Gong Jeol-gang’s report and immediately turned his head.
And.
“This is….”
I gazed upon the Jinseong Pyobuk Command Ship following closely in the wake of the Nataryongwang.
From that vessel, at this very moment.
An extraordinarily dense aura of wind spirits was emanating forth.
And the meaning was unmistakable.
“…The seal has broken?”
“Pardon?”
I rewound through time in my mind, playing events backward at accelerated speed.
I could roughly guess why the seal had shattered.
‘This morning, Dae Heuk-sung caused quite the rampage on that command ship.’
Likely the seal had been exposed to the river water at that moment.
Or perhaps some part of it had been damaged.
Ilhyang hurriedly exited the captain’s quarters and rushed toward the tail section of the Nataryongwang.
And the young boy’s eyes—stark black and white—gleamed as he immediately leaped from the ship.
“Wait! Master!”
When Gong Jeol-gang startled and clung to the stern railing.
Ilhyang was already treading through empty air, gliding toward the Jinseong Escort Agency’s command ship.
It was merely an application of basic flight magic.
But those watching perceived it quite differently.
“L-Lightness skill of the highest order!”
“A supreme master!”
“Wow~ a supreme master at that age?”
“You idiot, what have you been listening to? That person’s a master from Banrowhwandong.”
As the water bandits and masters of Jinseong Escort Agency erupted in admiration and cries of astonishment.
Ilhyang had already landed smoothly on the deck of the Jinseong Escort Agency’s command ship.
“W-What is the matter, Young Master Ilhyang?”
The Lord of Jinseong Escort House, Jin Yu-seong, who happened to be on deck, approached with a respectful bow to greet Ilhyang.
From his expression and demeanor, it appeared he was unaware of the accident unfolding below.
“It seems the seal has broken. Would it not be prudent to verify?”
“A seal, you say….”
Jin Yu-seong tilted his head in momentary confusion.
Then his gaze suddenly shifted urgently toward the cabin.
“S-Surely not?”
“Yes. I speak of the cargo—right now.”
Just as Jin Yu-seong, his complexion drained pale, hurried to descend into the cabin.
A grotesque sound scraped across our ears.
Tssssss—!
Crack—
From the lower hull of the command ship came the sound of something snapping.
And something burst through the ship’s flank like wind, tearing free.

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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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