The Wizard Who Endured the World of Murim - Chapter 37

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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 37
“Ugh… I haven’t had such a wretched dream in ages.”
The command ship of the Jiao Long Faction.
Nataryongwang had arrived at Sungsin Harbor, the destination of Jinseong Transport Company, and was now busily unloading cargo.
Ilhyang, observing the scene from the deck railing with a furrowed brow,
gazed toward the undulating river with an expression of profound complexity.
“I can’t remember the last time I had such a damnable dream. Cursed bastard.”
In the dream, the Demon King’s final words continued to replay endlessly in his mind.
The gods are already dead, he had said.
Then what of the Goddess Aonia whom I encountered?
What was she, truly?
Yet that unlucky Demon King,
in his final moment,
had left far too many unsettling questions for me to dismiss his words as mere nonsense.
Just then,
a shaggy water bandit came sprinting over from afar, drenched in sweat, and bowed deeply.
“The unloading of all the prepared goods is complete, Boss!”
“Ah, if you call me boss, doesn’t that make me sound like a bandit? Just call me Young Master instead.”
“Yes, understood, Young Master.”
The water bandit spoke with an exaggerated bow and servile demeanor.
He was the temporary captain of Nataryongwang—Gui Yun-gaek Ho Sam.
Ho Sam treated Ilhyang with the utmost deference, and such humble conduct was undoubtedly a wise judgment on his part.
“What did I tell you before?”
At Ilhyang’s casual question, Ho Sam swallowed hard and glanced around nervously before
whispering his reply in a low voice.
“…The item you instructed me to bring is now waiting in the cabin of the third vessel. Apart from my direct subordinates, no one knows of this matter.”
“Good, you’ve handled it well.”
During the two days the ship traveled to this harbor,
Ilhyang had given Ho Sam covert instructions.
He had sent a trustworthy subordinate to divert one vessel and make a secret detour.
And what had been quietly transported on that swift ship was none other than—
‘Thanks to this, I was able to have the Jiangshi arrive on time.’
Ten Jiangshi that had been diligently following from across the river.
The most useful force currently at Ilhyang’s disposal.
He had sent a swift vessel under cover of night to quietly bring these ten Jiangshi aboard and integrate them into his forces.
“In return, I’ll arrange for you to temporarily control one of the creatures I’ve brought. If you were to suddenly die, it would be troublesome for me as well, so I’ll provide you with protection.”
“Th-thank you so much.”
Ho Sam could not hide his terrified expression as
he wiped the cold sweat from his brow and humbly accepted Ilhyang’s consideration.
So this young master was actually a monster who could even command Jiangshi.
At the very beginning.
When Ho-sam first heard from his subordinates that they had brought back a Jiangshi from across the river.
Ho-sam had screamed internally like a young girl.
‘As expected, a Celestial Watcher of Banrowhwandong!’
For those in the Murim, the Celestial Watchers were objects of both fear and reverence.
Except for the Moshan Sect, most Celestial Watchers had been declared public enemies of the Murim.
Though one rarely encountered them in practice within the Kangho, the Celestial Watchers were nonetheless fearsome beings that no martial artist dared to treat carelessly.
So Ho-sam, who had been watching for an opportunity to flee if circumstances allowed, found himself in a different situation entirely.
They were kindly offering to assign a Jiangshi to him.
What could this possibly mean?
‘Damn! This isn’t simply about protection—it’s about monitoring my every move!’
The leash had been fastened.
Ho-sam, being an opportunist acutely sensitive to the currents of power, cleanly abandoned any thoughts of escape.
From now on, he had no choice but to serve loyally beside this Banrowhwandong monster.
He could only pray that the rope he had grasped would hold firm.
Of course, Ilhyang had genuinely assigned the Jiangshi out of goodwill.
But that hardly mattered between the two of them at the moment.
“Go and prepare for departure.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
After sending off Ho-sam, whose complexion had grown noticeably paler,
Ilhyang slowly began to plan for what lay ahead.
‘Let me return directly to the Jiao Long Faction and organize the inventory of assets first.’
Would there truly be as many hidden treasures as the heir to the Jiao Long Faction had boasted?
‘Haha, what if there are too many resources?’
For the first time in a long while, Ilhyang felt the excitement of a child.
The thought of opening a treasure chest with guaranteed rewards filled him with joy.
Then.
“Ahem, are you truly not planning to visit the Main Family House? If you come with me to the Main Family House, I’m certain we can offer you far greater compensation than what you would normally receive.”
Kyungcheon Sword Namgung Min approached with a regretful expression and made his proposal once more.
In truth, he had subtly extended this invitation throughout their journey.
But Ilhyang’s answer had always been a refusal.
“Surely you wouldn’t withhold compensation simply because I didn’t visit in person? Not the Namgung Clan.”
Ilhyang’s gaze conveyed: you’re not that petty of a family, are you?
Namgung Min stammered in embarrassment.
“W-well, of course not….”
Ilhyang cut off Namgung Min’s faltering words and continued.
“I have matters that require my direct attention here, so I cannot go. The compensation promised by Kyungcheon Sword will be received later through the Jinseong Transport Company.”
After all, the Jinseong Transport Company would arrive at the Namgung Clan
and then have to return by crossing the Liu Chang River again.
The compensation could be received at that time.
There was no reason to go out of my way to the Namgung Clan and show my face.
‘I’m not a subordinate, after all.’
Others might desperately try to cultivate connections with the Namgung Clan.
But I was different.
A short while ago, I had briefly considered visiting the Namgung Clan.
That was when the Namgung Clan still possessed the Wind Spirit’s token.
The Namgung Clan now?
Well.
It held little significance for me.
Yet Namgung Min seemed determined to bring me along regardless.
His explanation had become somewhat more candid than before.
“Well… to be honest, I wanted to introduce you to the elders at the Main Family House.”
When Namgung Min finally revealed his true intentions, I tilted my head on the deck.
“Is there a particular reason?”
“Of course. The Main Family has always placed great importance on cultivating bonds with talented individuals. You are more than qualified to become a distinguished guest of our house. Perhaps you might even become our son-in-law.”
Namgung Min spoke the last words with emphasis, his expression tinged with desperation.
Likely because he had lost a precious token.
Like substituting chicken for pheasant, he seemed intent on bringing me back and presenting me to the elders as some prize catch.
The problem was that I, the person in question, could see through his scheme all too clearly.
His transparent intentions were rather endearing, admittedly.
But they weren’t enough to sway my decision.
My eyes were already half-mad with desire for the Jiao Long Faction’s treasures.
“I truly appreciate the offer, but I’m afraid my current business takes priority.”
“Ah… I see.”
After exchanging a few more meaningless pleasantries, Namgung Min eventually lowered his head in defeat and disembarked with heavy steps.
I watched his departing figure with indifference.
Then I turned my gaze toward Ho-sam, who had been observing from a distance.
“We can set sail immediately, yes?”
“Yes, of course, Master!”
The departure preparations were already complete.
Ho-sam answered briskly.
I allowed myself a faint smile.
“I wonder how many treasures await in the Jiao Long Faction’s vault.”
I also needed to properly collect payment for the peak-realm masters I had confined in the cabin below.
There was quite a bit of work ahead.
Even now, Seo Jang-gwe, who had come on assignment from the Jinseong Escort Agency,
was busy transferring between the sailing ships and assessing the value of the goods there.
Then.
I felt a gaze fixed upon me from afar—someone watching intently without riding in a carriage.
Jang Geo-i of the Cruel Sect.
He had been the leader of the Ronin Group that had traveled with us.
Clearly a master of the pinnacle realm, yet one who concealed his true strength.
Oddly enough, he was someone whose gaze I found myself drawn to frequently.
『I hope to see you smiling next time.』
Jang Geo-i conveyed his words from a distance through sound transmission.
I simply nodded with an expressionless face.
“May the Cruel Sect also prosper.”
Why was it?
Jang Geo-i’s expression looked somewhat complicated as he boarded the carriage that had been prepared in advance.
But I didn’t pay it much mind.
Such farewells were common in the world of Ronins.
Rather.
“Father. No wait, the schedule’s done now, so I can call you casually, right? Right, Ilhyang?”
“….”
Blood Wind Spear Yang Cheon-jo.
This madman was a peculiar sort.
He’d been wandering nearby chewing on dried meat, and then approached me in a familiar manner.
I regarded such a fellow with cold, icy eyes and spoke.
“Why don’t you disappear now? Didn’t you say you had somewhere to be?”
“Uh… well, normally I would, but…”
Unlike the other Ronins, Yang Cheon-jo did not disembark from the ship.
Instead, he awkwardly remained aboard.
Lingering hesitantly near my side.
Like a dog desperate to relieve itself.
He clearly had something he wanted to discuss.
I had deliberately ignored it until now, but once the Jiao Long Faction’s fleet departed from the ferry dock, I decided to settle the matter and asked directly.
“Speak your purpose clearly now. Before, there were others around, so I let it slide. Now there are no eyes watching but ours—be honest with me.”
Otherwise I’d hurl him straight into the river.
I kept that thought to myself.
“Uh… I suppose I should, shouldn’t I?”
Blood Wind Spear Yang Cheon-jo rolled his eyes about.
As my gaze grew progressively colder, he finally relented and revealed his purpose hesitantly.
“The thing is… I actually wanted to talk to you alone for a moment.”
Yang Cheon-jo glanced sideways at Gong Jeol-gang, who stood beside me like a stone monument.
“This one is my disciple, so you can speak freely.”
“Uh… really? Oh, I see? Uh, when did he become your disciple?”
“Does that matter?”
“No, no, that’s not…”
As Yang Cheon-jo hesitated, what he finally revealed actually piqued my interest considerably.
“…You found a Secret Realm?”
“Yeah.”
So what exactly is that?
Ilhyang turned his head and glanced sideways at Gong Jeol-gang.
Gong Jeol-gang whispered with a slightly startled expression.
“A Secret Realm is essentially a treasure vault created by exceptionally skilled Celestial Watchers and sealed completely with formation magic. Occasionally, something called the Heavenly Secret Realm—a Secret Realm that has broken away from the Upper Realm—appears, but that’s extremely rare. It happens only once every few decades.”
Ilhyang’s eyes gleamed.
“So a Secret Realm is like a dungeon?”
“A dungeon? What is that?”
“Something equivalent to a Secret Realm.”
“…I see. I understand now.”
As Gong Jeol-gang murmured the word “dungeon” to himself, committing it to memory,
Yang Cheon-jo swallowed dryly and opened his mouth.
“Our Master discovered this one himself. He sealed the entrance so thoroughly that no one has been able to enter it yet, or so he said.”
“Hmm?”
To be the first to enter a dungeon?
That was quite an enticing proposition.
Though I had no idea what treasures might lie within.
Formation magic, after all.
Magic circles were difficult to install and consumed vast resources.
It was common knowledge that dungeons protected by formation magic contained exceptionally valuable treasures.
“So you came out into Kangho to find a Celestial Watcher who could dismantle the formation magic in that Secret Realm?”
“Yeah, me and all my senior brothers are out searching for one.”
Ilhyang unconsciously kneaded his own soft chin.
This had become a habit somehow.
The smooth sensation calmed my restless mind.
Yang Cheon-jo’s story was fascinating enough to warrant such composure.
“The formation magic installed there couldn’t be broken even by a supreme master’s full power?”
“Right. Even our Master couldn’t break through it. He claimed he only used half his strength, but from what I saw, that was a lie. He definitely went all out. Regardless, that’s not the important part. What matters is that an extremely powerful formation magic is definitely spread throughout that Secret Realm. So there must be incredible treasures inside.”
Formation magic that couldn’t be shattered even by a supreme master’s full strength.
An even more tantalizing prospect.
Knead, knead—
Ilhyang organized his thoughts while manipulating his own chin.
What people in this world commonly called techniques.
By my assessment, they were a primitive and unsystematic form of magic, yet—
‘Precisely because they’re primitive and unsystematic, they’re all the more ingenious and creative.’
In other words, I couldn’t simply dismiss this world’s magic as inferior.
Moreover, for someone like me who constantly thirsted for new magical formulas,
this world was filled with all manner of creative and fascinating ideas—
a veritable treasure chest.
A treasure chest brimming with unpolished gemstones.
It was an opportunity to touch the raw gemstones within that jeweled box.
Yet Ilhyang clenched his teeth and spoke.
“…For now, I’ll hold off.”
“Why! Just why!”
“I’m busy at the moment. Have you forgotten why I brought Seo Jang-gwe from the Jinseong Escort Agency here?”
The reason Ilhyang had not accepted the Namgung Clan’s earnest invitation.
It was to ensure the safe and complete ownership of the resources I had secured right now.
I needed to know exactly how much the Jiao Long Faction’s resources were before deciding my next move.
And.
Those dozens of ships following in Nataryongwang’s wake.
The water bandits aboard those vessels.
Could never be controlled by Gui Yun-gaek Ho Sam, who was merely a first-rate master.
‘They’re only bound here because they see me.’
The tremendous divine presence I had displayed.
Terrified by it, those savage water bandits obediently heeded my commands without question.
But if I were to leave this place?
Those bandit dogs would undoubtedly flee with not only the wedge ships they rode, but also the sailing vessels—the Jiao Long Faction’s core assets.
From my position, it would be impossible to chase down and capture each one who escaped.
And I had no reason to endure such tedium.
When Ilhyang gestured toward the rear with his chin, Blood Wind Spear Yang Cheon-jo’s face momentarily grew bewildered.
But he wasn’t completely foolish, so understanding roughly what was happening, he merely smacked his lips in disappointment.
“There’s no helping it.”
“Even if not right now, I can still help. First, go get permission from your master.”
“Really? You mean it?”
“Yes. If it’s urgent, I suppose I could look for someone else.”
“No. No way! My master will wait for you, won’t he?”
Besides, Yang Cheon-jo only knew of one Celestial Watcher—myself.
And since Celestial Watchers were such rare beings to encounter.
In truth, Yang Cheon-jo had no other choice.
“I’ll give you one wedge ship. Go meet your master and come back.”
“Got it! I’ll be back as fast as I can!”
“I’m telling you, you can take your time.”
Ilhyang shook his head.
This fellow still refuses to listen to a word people say.
After sending Yang Cheon-jo off like that.
Ilhyang steered the ship toward Sungwha Island, where the Jiao Long Faction’s outpost lay.
And upon arriving at Sungwha Island.
I encountered a scene I had never anticipated.

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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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