Murim Login - Chapter 321
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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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“What… did you just say?” Hwangbo Eom’s voice was on the verge of breaking, his once serene and sage-like demeanor cracking.
His once calm and white beard now puffed up in agitation, and his cold eyes fixed on me with an icy glare. I responded with a soft smile.
“I said I came to see what kind of tricks you were up to. By coincidence.”
At that moment, a blue flame seemed to ignite in Hwangbo Eom’s eyes.
“Ha!” he shouted, his voice echoing like a thunderclap.
A massive wave of energy radiated from him, causing the ground to shake as if it were a ship caught in a storm. The table, the entire room, was engulfed in a violent tremor. Dozens of tea sets shattered with a cacophony, and tea splashed everywhere.
The innkeeper, who had been watching from the corner, collapsed with a gasp.
I clicked my tongue as I shielded Ju Hwa-ran from the splashing tea with my sleeve.
“For someone of your age, causing a scene in someone else’s establishment isn’t very becoming, especially with other people around.”
“You insolent brat…”
The aura from Hwangbo Eom intensified. The very presence of the greatest swordsman of Jongnam was overwhelming. Even the elite swordsmen surrounding him were startled and stepped back as if burned, while Ju Hwa-ran and the Yongbong Escort Agency members turned pale.
“Huff!”
“Ah!”
No matter how skilled they were, the difference in power between them and Hwangbo Eom was like heaven and earth. Even Baek Mu-seong of Hwasan and Gung Ki-bang of Gaebang were no different from Ju Hwa-ran.
Of everyone here, only about three people remained unfazed.
One of them, naturally, was me.
“Savior, when are the sweets coming out?”
The second was Cheong Pung, who was completely fixated on the sweets, indifferent to the Taeeul Mujeong Sword’s presence. And the third…
It was Song Il-seom, the escort with the fierce eyes.
Though he let out a small sigh under Hwangbo Eom’s pressure, he frowned and turned away when our eyes met.
I don’t like you either, you bastard.
From the first time we met, Song Il-seom had always given off a suspicious vibe. It wouldn’t take long to determine whether my suspicions were justified or not.
“The air feels stuffy. Perhaps the ventilation is poor,” I said calmly, activating my internal power. The hundred years’ worth of energy from my dantian spread out like an invisible barrier across the table.
Finally free from the oppressive atmosphere, Ju Hwa-ran exhaled the breath she had been holding.
“Miss Ju, are you okay?”
“Yes, yes.”
Ju Hwa-ran, still panting, grabbed my sleeve tightly.
“Thank you, Jin Taekyung. But this—”
“Enough.”
Her voice was cut off by Hwangbo Eom’s stern command.
He had transformed from a sage to a malevolent spirit, glaring at me with killing intent.
“You impudent brat.”
“I tend to be quite good at being impudent. I practice with a spear.”
“Do you realize what you’re doing right now?”
“Of course.”
I leaned back in my chair, speaking leisurely.
“I’m rescuing innocent people from a trap someone set for them. Coincidentally, as I was passing by.”
“A trap, you say. You must be referring to this matter involving us.”
“Think what you will.”
The anger in Hwangbo Eom’s eyes subsided, replaced by a clear smirk.
“It seems you don’t understand the weight of your words.”
“Considering I’m here, it seems I understand quite well.”
“Boy, you have insulted us with baseless accusations. Do you wish to turn the Jongnam Sect into your enemy?”
“It’s amusing to hear the righteous Murim Sect talk about enemies. Are you perhaps part of the Demonic Sect?”
“You—!”
“I already know the situation with the Yongbong Escort Agency. That’s why I’m here.”
I picked up the ginseng on the table and continued.
This item in my hand was undoubtedly a rare elixir. However, its name hadn’t changed under my item appraisal.
Hundred-Year Snow Ginseng.
It was known that the Jongnam Sect had entrusted the transportation of the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng to the Yongbong Escort Agency. An elixir that could grant a single gulp of immense inner power, a treasure that Murim warriors would risk their lives for.
‘According to Gung Ki-bang’s information, the Yongbong Escort Agency had staked everything on this delivery.’
Ju Hwa-ran wasn’t foolish enough to neglect such an important item. So, where had the Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng gone, and why was there only a Hundred-Year Snow Ginseng here?
‘It’s obvious.’
It could only be that the Jongnam Sect, or Hwangbo Eom himself, had tampered with it. Moreover, the Jongnam Sect had deeply involved itself in the downfall of the Yongbong Escort Agency over the past two years.
The Seokhyeon branch of Gaebang, known for its intelligence capabilities, had already figured out most of the situation.
‘This is their final strike.’
The Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng was the final blow to bring down the Yongbong Escort Agency. They dangled an irresistible bait and set a trap that was impossible to escape from. And the result was now laid out before us.
But…
“In my experience, life is full of surprises. Just when you think it’s all over, something unexpected happens to throw everything into disarray.”
Hwangbo Eom looked at me with disdain as I muttered quietly.
“You still have milk on your breath, boy, and you think you’re a match for the Fire King’s disciple?”
“I’m young, so there’s no need to worry about me. Instead, perhaps Hwangbo Daehyup should be concerned about his eyesight.”
“How should I tear apart that vile mouth of yours?”
“I don’t know about my mouth, but I know about Jongnam Sect’s specialty. They can’t say a word in front of true power. Was it a year ago? Your senior showed us firsthand.”
I clearly remembered the scene. The Roaring Sword Master pressuring the Taeweon Jin family with the name of the Jongnam Sect, only to be chased away by Jeok Cheon-Gang.
I looked at Hyeok Moo-jin, sitting silently beside Hwangbo Eom.
“And just yesterday, we reviewed that lesson.”
Hwangbo Eom, a shrewd old man, seemed to understand what was going on. He clicked his tongue and muttered.
“Rats infesting our sect.”
“Well, a rat is better than a poisonous insect. At least in my view, getting drunk and causing trouble is better than ruining an entire escort agency.”
“You call me a poisonous insect? Hahaha!”
Contrary to my expectations, Hwangbo Eom remained completely composed. He looked down on all of us as if he were a hawk ready to swoop down on its prey.
“Boy, do you understand what it means to turn the Jongnam Sect and me into your enemies?”
His wrinkled hand touched the table, and the spilled tea rose slowly, forming into a sharp arrow aimed precisely at my forehead.
“If I wish, today could be your funeral.”
That’s what you think.
I thought to myself and spoke.
“Well, from my perspective and yours, it seems like a poor choice for both sides.”
“That’s why you’re still alive. I will deal with you personally later. If you don’t want to die a dog’s death, leave. This is a matter between us and the Yongbong Escort Agency.”
Just as I was about to reply, a hand tugged at my sleeve.
Simultaneously, a trembling voice whispered into my ear through internal energy.
Jin Taekyung…?
Ju Hwa-ran’s eyes, once clear and bright, now swirled with confusion and fear. Fear of the current situation, anger, and relief mixed with worry over my sudden appearance.
I understood what she was thinking and trying to say.
I appreciate your consideration, but he’s right. This is between the Yongbong Escort Agency and the Jongnam Sect. If you get involved, you’ll only be in danger.
Looking into Ju Hwa-ran’s eyes, memories of a year ago surfaced.
On the day the Roaring Sword Master threatened the Taeweon Jin family with absurd demands, what would have happened if Jeok Cheon-Gang hadn’t appeared?
‘Righteous Sect? That’s nonsense.’
The justice envisioned by the powerful is different from that of the weak. I don’t believe everyone in the Righteous Sect is evil, but neither do I believe they are all good.
Even in the Shaolin Temple, there could be those with wicked hearts, and in the Demonic Sect, known for its evil, there might be kind souls.
Justice, Demonic, Human. Good and evil coexist everywhere.
‘It’s not about the sect; it’s about the individual.’
Ultimately, it comes down to people. And this old man before me is one of the worst.
Taking a deep breath, I spoke to Ju Hwa-ran aloud.
“Miss Ju.”
“Jin Taekyung?”
“You’re right. This is between the Yongbong Escort Agency and the Jongnam Sect. Getting involved would only cause trouble for me. No matter how strong the Taeweon Jin family was, they couldn’t stand against the name of the Jongnam Sect.”
Ju Hwa-ran’s eyelids fluttered, and she lowered her head in resignation. But I wasn’t finished.
“As I came here, I wondered if I was doing the right thing. Should I just pass by and ignore it?”
“Jin Taekyung, you can stop now.”
“No.”
I shook my head and continued.
“At first, I thought it was just because I kept thinking about Miss Ju’s face. But then…”
Turning my gaze, I saw Hwangbo Eom watching with an amused expression. The eldest of the Nine Great Schools, the Jongnam Sect’s most powerful martial artist.
Higher in martial arts, more meticulous in personality, but still the same kind of person as the Roaring Sword Master.
I stared straight at Hwangbo Eom and spoke.
“It’s disgusting.”
“!”
Even if unseen, the energy in the room stirred.
I sighed and continued.
“Justice. That’s what the Righteous Sect is supposed to represent. But this isn’t justice. If that’s the case, they should call themselves the Choco Pie Sect instead.”
Never in my life had I considered myself a good person. I became a hunter for money, and in the Murim world, I thought about abandoning others to survive.
I was a shade of gray, nothing more, nothing less. But now, for some reason, I felt different.
“Maybe I’m whiter than I thought, considering how far I’m going.”
“You insolent—!”
“Hwangbo Daehyup.”
I smiled at the enraged Hwangbo Eom.
“Earlier, I mentioned that life often throws unexpected surprises that mess up everything.”
I reached out and touched the air. Only I could see it, the dominoes Hwangbo Eom had set up were collapsing.
“Why would I have such a long conversation with an eighty-year-old grandfather unless I had a plan?”
Hwangbo Eom’s face contorted in realization. He sensed it too, the approaching presence of several people.
“What are you up to?”
“I didn’t pull any tricks. I made a plan.”
At that moment, the door burst open, and a dozen people rushed in.
Five beggars carrying piles of bamboo slips led the way. They were the Seokhyeon branch of Gaebang.
And standing at the front of another group was someone I knew well.
“Congratulations on your promotion. Long time no see.”
“Oh my, our young master. A congratulatory greeting after a year. How fast you are.”
It was Wolhwa, the head of Haomun’s Seomseo branch. She winked playfully.