Murim Login - Chapter 312
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I will re-publish the earlier chapters to fix those issues with the translation. I apologize in advance if it did not meet your standard. Please comment the chapters you find that is lacking in quality so I can fix them ASAP. Thanks for understanding!
Current re-published chapters (270 - 305)
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After the bandits of Heukseokchae surrendered, the first to regain her composure was Ju Hwaran, the small leader of Yongbong Escort Agency.
She looked at me with an indescribable gaze before deeply bowing.
“You have done us a great favor.”
“Oh, it was nothing, really. I was just passing by.”
I was being honest. I was just on my way, and it didn’t take much time. The level-up alone was quite satisfying.
Of course, from Ju Hwaran’s perspective, it was probably a lifeline.
“If it weren’t for your help, our Yongbong Escort Agency would have perished here. I had heard of the reputation of the Silent Dragon of Shanxi, but the rumors about you being a hero who can’t stand injustice seem to be true.”
“Hero? That’s just something people say to make it sound nice.”
“Pardon?”
“Even when I see injustice, I sometimes hold back. I only get rid of the ones that bother me. But the ones that bother me always seem to be the real villains, like those guys from the Cheonryuk Group.”
I glanced at the corpse of a Cheonryuk Group member being dragged away by a bounty hunter and continued.
“And my family also runs an escort agency.”
“The Jin Family Escort Agency?”
The Seongun Escort Agency, formerly operated by the Woo family, was rebranded as the Jin Family Escort Agency and was thriving. I heard they already had over five branches.
Since Shanxi and Shaanxi are neighboring regions, it’s inevitable that we would cross paths with the Yongbong Escort Agency someday.
“So you know about the Jin Family Escort Agency. Please be kind to them if you ever run into them. Like today, let’s live helping each other out with the spirit of partnership.”
“Partnership spirit?”
“Is there a problem?”
“You do know that the Jin Family Escort Agency and our Yongbong Escort Agency are competitors, right?”
Huh? They were competitors?
I blinked and asked again.
“Is that true?”
“You really didn’t know?”
“Yes, I don’t pay much attention to family business.”
“If you hadn’t saved us today, the Jin Family Escort Agency would have expanded into Shaanxi. Despite appearances, we still dominate this region.”
“I see.”
“This business is quite competitive. There are many hidden conflicts and occasional clashes.”
“Well, if they can’t expand, so be it. I’ll tell my older brother to be friendly with you.”
Ju Hwaran, who had been watching me with a curious expression, suddenly burst into laughter.
“That’s kind of you.”
Wow, her laugh was beautiful. It was just a laugh, but why was it so lovely?
I swallowed the exclamation that almost escaped my lips when I heard whispers behind me.
“My goodness, I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than Miss Isowol.”
“Ju Hwaran, also known as Eunbi Flower, is one of the Three Beauties of the North. I don’t know who Isowol is, but how dare she compare?”
“Seriously? Hero, go rub your face on a rock or something. It’s filthy.”
“What did I do wrong?”
“You’re a beggar, aren’t you?”
“Well, that’s true.”
A naive voice followed.
“No, Miss Isowol is pretty too.”
“Hero Cheong, what’s the matter? You can say such things?”
“And I think Hero Gun is pretty too.”
“…Then go rub your eyes with the pretty Hero Gun.”
It was obvious they were the Bermuda Triangle.
Under normal circumstances, I would have introduced them, but the level of conversation was so low it was embarrassing to even speak.
As I tried to hold back a laugh, Ju Hwaran peeked over my shoulder.
“Who are those people?”
“I don’t know.”
“But you came together.”
“They’re travel companions.”
“Really?”
“I swear to the heavens.”
I thought I had lowered my voice, but the Bermuda Triangle heard the conversation and erupted like wildfire.
“Leader! Are you ashamed of us?”
“Am I ashamed?”
“Hero! It’s fine! Be proud of us!”
“They’re actually my friends.”
“It’s obvious to anyone.”
Saying it was obvious to anyone was crushing in its own way.
Ju Hwaran chuckled at my expression and raised her hands towards the three men.
“I am Ju Hwaran, small leader of the Yongbong Escort Agency. Thank you for your help.”
I’m not sure why they were being thanked, but the Bermuda Triangle bowed their heads.
“I am Hyeok Mujin, temporary deputy leader of the Jin Family’s elite Jinryong Brigade and the right-hand man of the Silent Dragon of Shanxi.”
I corrected him in a calm voice.
“He’s not just a deputy leader but an interim one, and he’s more like my left pinky finger than my right-hand man.”
Next, Gung Gibang spoke.
“I am Gung Gibang, the beggar.”
“He’s the next leader of the beggars.”
Lastly, it was Cheong Pung.
“Hello! Pretty!”
“As you can see, he’s a bit unwell. He’s a bit slow but a kind friend.”
Ju Hwaran’s lips parted slightly after hearing their stormy introductions and my kind explanations.
Her large, dark eyes showed a shock.
“Uh, so… left pinky finger, next leader of the beggars, and a bit slow but kind friend, is that correct?”
“Yes, precisely.”
“This is the first time I’ve heard such explanations.”
“Shall I repeat it?”
Ju Hwaran sighed deeply and looked at each person in turn before speaking.
“I’ve heard stories about the Quick Sword, who made significant contributions in subduing the northern bandits.”
“Quick Sword?”
Hyeok Mujin looked at Ju Hwaran with a bewildered expression.
I don’t know when he got that nickname, but it seemed to be true given his reaction.
Before anyone could say more, Ju Hwaran continued.
“The person next to you is Hero Gung Gibang, the disciple of the Chief of the Beggars’ Sect, known for his long journey and many deeds.”
“Thank you for your kind words.”
“And finally, I’m honored to meet Hero Cheong Pung, the Fiery Dragon of Mount Hua. My father and grandfather always spoke of your master, the Sword Saint, with great respect.”
The title “Fiery Dragon of Mount Hua” was given to him by people after the Seongra Tournament.
Cheong Pung widened his eyes in surprise.
“Wow, how do you know all that?”
Ju Hwaran smiled brightly.
“I’m the small leader of the Yongbong Escort Agency.”
A short but meaningful answer.
We left Hanan just days after the Seongra Tournament ended.
‘She gathers information quickly. Moreover, unlike Cheong Pung or Gung Gibang, Hyeok Mujin only operated within Shanxi. Despite that, she knew his nickname and name accurately. This means Ju Hwaran is more thorough and intelligent than I thought.’
‘Eunbi Flower. A hidden blade.’
Her hidden blade wasn’t just one. It included her exceptional martial arts, brilliant mind, and captivating beauty.
‘She’s indeed one of the best young talents in Murim.’
‘Amazing. With this level of capability, she should run the escort agency well.’
According to what I heard from Gung Gibang, Yongbong Escort Agency had faced hardships for the past two years.
I shook off my thoughts.
“Eh, what’s the point of worrying about it?”
Now, finding Shini is more urgent.
With nearly an hour already lost, we must hurry to reach our destination before dawn.
“Miss Ju, we should get going now.”
Ju Hwaran paused at my sudden statement.
“Now?”
“We have urgent business.”
“It’s already late. Why not stay the night…”
“That’s not possible. We need to be in Xian by tomorrow.”
She seemed to hesitate, wanting to say more, but finally spoke.
“Will we meet again?”
“Of course. If fate allows.”
As I turned to leave, Ju Hwaran’s voice followed.
“I won’t forget the grace of saving our lives.”
“Don’t mention it. Even without me, the worst wouldn’t have happened.”
“Still…”
“Of course, there might have been some damage.”
Does she still not understand? Well, it’s possible.
I smiled warmly at the confused Ju Hwaran and glanced at the young escort warrior with fierce eyes before turning away.
‘Indeed, Murim is vast. Someone of his skill is just an escort warrior?’
He had been watching us the entire time.
His gaze made my back itch throughout my conversation with Ju Hwaran.
‘But why is he glaring at me like that? Did I offend him?’
It wasn’t just me who felt his unpleasant stare. Cheong Pung, who was following closely behind, whispered to me.
“Hero, did you feel that too?”
“Yes. I don’t know why, but it’s very blatant.”
“Right? I think he’s interested in you, Hero.”
Please, stop with the nonsense.
※ ※ ※
The four of us shot out like the wind. As Ju Hwaran watched our receding figures, someone approached her.
“Hwaran.”
“Uncle Heo.”
Heo Jun, who had finished tying up the bandits and cleaning up, turned his head to follow Ju Hwaran’s gaze.
“The Silent Dragon of Shanxi, Jin Taekyung. Truly an impressive young man. And the others too.”
“Indeed. They say the rumors in the martial world can’t be trusted, but this time they seem understated.”
Ju Hwaran recalled Jin Taekyung’s display of martial prowess.
It was truly an overwhelming sight.
She shuddered at the memory and felt a pang of bitterness.
‘If only I had such power.’
If she had that kind of strength, the Yongbong Escort Agency wouldn’t be in its current situation.
Suppressing a bitter word, Ju Hwaran suddenly opened her mouth, sending a voice transmission.
-Uncle, please investigate Chief Song Ilsom thoroughly.
Heo Jun, seasoned from years of experience, responded with no sign of his feelings.
-Understood. I’ll look into it discreetly.
From the confidential leak concerning the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng to the continuous attacks over the past few months, Ju Hwaran planned to root out the deep-seated betrayal.
‘Especially the last thing Hero Jin said bothers me.’
He said the worst wouldn’t have happened even without his help.
That meant there was a master within the Yongbong Escort Agency capable of dealing with the Cheonryuk Group.
‘And… that look.’
It was only for a moment, but she clearly saw it.
The look Jin Taekyung gave Song Ilsom as he turned around.
And the faint surprise in his eyes.
‘There’s definitely something there.’
Ju Hwaran suddenly recalled the past two years. The numerous failures she faced while leading the escort agency at such a young age.
If the cause of those failures was her trusting nature, or if it was due to someone’s betrayal, what should she do?
As the cold wind howled, Ju Hwaran stood there for a long time.
※ ※
“Could you provide me with a quiet room?”
The man, dressed in white, had a noble appearance and spoke in a refined manner, making it difficult for anyone to refuse his request.
His dignified presence reminded the guard at the entrance of a lofty crane.
‘Who is he? I’ve never seen his face before.’
The guard was stationed at Seonganlu, the most prestigious inn in Xian.
To stay here, one needed not only money but also status. The regulars were always familiar faces.
‘A young man alone, without a carriage or servants…’
Normally, he would have been turned away without a second thought.
But something about him made the guard pause. He dismissed his subordinates and personally attended to him.
“Have you visited our inn before?”
“No. I couldn’t afford such luxuries.”
The young man blushed and rubbed his cheek, and the guard’s eyes widened.
‘That…’
On the young man’s white sleeve was a bright red plum blossom.
It was clearly a fully bloomed plum.
The guard stammered.
“May I ask your name?”
“I am Baek Mu-seong, a Taoist of the Baek family.”
“Mountain Cranes of Mount Hua!”
The guard’s voice trembled as he recognized the masterf