Murim Login - Chapter 328
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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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Gurgle, gulp.
Blood gushed from the gaping wound in Heo Jun’s throat. He clutched at his neck, but it was too late. Ju Hwaran’s sword strike had been swift and precise, leaving no room for error.
“Grrrk…”
That was the death rattle of a dying man. What could he have wanted to say? Was it anger, a plea for mercy, or a curse to carry into the afterlife? Heo Jun’s lips moved feebly, producing nothing but a choking gurgle before they froze in place. His limbs stopped thrashing, and the light faded from his eyes as he stared at Ju Hwaran with a mixture of emotions.
Haa…
His final breath dispersed into the air. Chief Escort Heo Jun, who had served Yongbong Escort Agency for thirty years and was a sworn brother of the Noble Sword Ju Hogun, died at the hands of his own niece.
“…Uncle Heo.”
Her voice came out softly. Ju Hwaran’s back seemed strangely desolate. She stared at Heo Jun’s lifeless body for a moment before turning around slowly. Her obsidian eyes glanced over the escorts of Yongbong Escort Agency, then the outsiders, and finally, they settled on me.
One by one, she looked at everyone before bowing deeply.
“Ju Hwaran, the head of Yongbong Escort Agency, apologizes for her rudeness before the seniors of the martial world.”
Pain often matures a person. I hoped that she had grown from this experience.
‘She seems more composed than I expected, which is a relief… but the atmosphere feels a bit awkward.’
As I mused, something pressed down on my foot. Looking down, I saw an ornate pair of shoes, the kind a woman might wear. There was only one person here who would wear such shoes.
When I looked at her questioningly, Wolhwa gestured subtly with her eyes to the sides. I then noticed the stares from the people around us. The crowd had parted, and Ju Hwaran stood at the end, bowing.
‘What is this?’
Did I have something on my face?
Wolhwa whispered just loud enough for me to hear.
“Young Master Jin, say something.”
“What?”
“She’s waiting for you to respond. You should accept her apology on behalf of everyone.”
“Why should I do that?”
“Quickly. She’s waiting.”
Alright, alright. She must have aged ten seconds just waiting.
I didn’t understand why I had to be the one to speak, especially with the esteemed leaders of the Huashan Sect, the Beggars’ Sect, and the Hao Clan present. Nonetheless, I nodded reluctantly.
“There’s no need to apologize. And I’m not a senior of the martial world, so you can treat me casually.”
“How could that be?”
Ju Hwaran straightened and spoke calmly.
“You and the other seniors are benefactors of Yongbong Escort Agency. Without your help, we would have faced great trouble and would not have been able to deal with the traitor.”
Her last words carried a hint of bitterness.
Realizing this, she spoke with renewed determination.
“I will repay the favor shown today without fail.”
It indeed required significant effort and assistance from various factions to help Ju Hwaran and her agency. They owed us a great debt.
‘Even so, being called a “great hero” is a bit much.’
I wasn’t used to it, but it felt like I’d evolved to the next level. I almost felt like I should grow a beard. I redirected the conversation.
“Instead of repaying me, repay the others. What will you do next?”
“I plan to take care of the bodies and return to the agency. There are many matters to attend to.”
“You must be very busy.”
With her father in a coma, Ju Hwaran had to manage the entire agency. After the lengthy escort mission and the recent tumultuous events, she would be overwhelmed.
Nodding, she spoke again.
“Still, I have enough time to properly host you and your companions.”
“That’s fortunate… What?”
“You saved me and my people. I can’t let you leave without proper hospitality.”
“Miss Ju, but…”
“Are you very busy?”
I was. Very busy.
Jeok Cheon-Gang’s treatment would take at least six to eight months. I needed to scour the vast region of Sichuan to find the mysterious healer known as Shin Yi.
‘It took a week to get from Hunan to Shaanxi. Even if I hurry, it’ll take another week to reach Sichuan.’
That’s assuming I use my best speed techniques. Finding Shin Yi, an elusive figure shrouded in mystery, could take an unpredictable amount of time. This urgency made me anxious even after spending just a day in Xi’an.
‘We’re already running late.’
The sun had long passed its zenith, and we had wasted significant time dealing with the Zhongnan Sect. I needed to move quickly.
But then…
“No, I’m not busy.”
Before I realized it, those words had escaped my lips. What just happened? That’s the opposite of what I intended to say.
Ju Hwaran cautiously asked me, seeing my momentary daze.
“Are you sure? If you have urgent matters, we can postpone this.”
Thank you for bringing that up yourself. You’re so perceptive and considerate.
She was indeed quick-witted. Her words hit the nail on the head, and I answered without hesitation.
“No matter how urgent, I can’t miss a meal with you.”
“Yes.”
“I was hungry anyway after all that effort. Let’s go.”
Am I an idiot? I need to get to Sichuan, not Yongbong Escort Agency.
But by the time I came to my senses, I was already saddled up.
As I sighed inwardly, I noticed someone standing apart from all this. He caught my eye, and I stared at him.
“Why? Got something to say?”
It was the first time I heard someone use such casual speech upon first meeting me. It was strangely refreshing.
“Just wondering if you’re not coming along.”
“I’ve got no business there.”
“Make some. Let’s have a chat.”
“Chat?”
“Yeah, a chat.”
Song Ilseom, who had been leaning nonchalantly, straightened up.
Early spring. The sun, which had shone brightly, disappeared behind the western mountains within two hours of our arrival at Yongbong Escort Agency.
In the guest room lit by lanterns, a feast was laid out on the table. Cheongpung and Gong Ki-Bang devoured the food with wide eyes.
“Slurp, slurp. This is delicious. Slurp.”
“…Eat all you want, but please don’t talk.”
The food did look good.
Until Cheongpung showed me his half-chewed mouthful.
“Chomp, chomp. This agency’s food is excellent. Miss Ju, could you perhaps share some leftovers with my clan?”
Gong Ki-Bang was a beggar to his core.
Ju Hwaran nodded toward the glutton.
“Of course. If you’re hungry, come anytime.”
“Anytime?”
“…Not too often, though.”
If the Beggars’ Sect members from Shaanxi alone came, the forty thousand taels we got in settlement might vanish as food expenses.
Gong Ki-Bang grinned, showing his yellowed teeth.
“Don’t worry. I’ll make sure it doesn’t become a problem.”
Hyuk Mujin, who had been eating more decorously, whispered.
“I’m more worried now.”
“Indeed.”
Isn’t Yongbong Escort Agency more likely to collapse because of the Beggars’ Sect than the Zhongnan Sect?
I mentally noted to keep an eye on this. Ju Hwaran spoke to me.
“It’s a pity the others couldn’t join us.”
“Indeed, the food is delicious.”
Apart from my group, Baek Moom and Heuk Geolgae, along with Wolhwa, had declined the invitation.
I suspected it might have been Wolhwa’s influence, given how she glared at the two.
Whatever the reason…
“You’re not eating much.”
“No, it’s good. See? I’ve finished two bowls of rice.”
“Strange. It seems like you’ve eaten less.”
“It’s relative. Look at them. They’re having a battlefield with their food.”
Chomp, chomp!
Gulp, gulp!
Slurp, slurp!
Ju Hwaran nodded as if enlightened.
“I see.”
“We’re normal. The real small eater is over there.”
Song Ilseom replied gruffly.
“I’ve said it for ten years, the food here is too salty. Spicy and salty food is too stimulating and makes the body sluggish.”
“That reminds me of someone. If they were here, they’d beat you with a ladle.”
“Who?”
“There’s such a person. If you got hit once, you’d scream. I’ve been hit countless times and could never dodge.”
“Jin Dae-hyup, are you serious?”
“Are you?”
Ju Hwaran asked in surprise, and Song Ilseom’s eyes gleamed.
“If you, who defeated Taeul Mujong Sword, say so, they must be an incredible master. Could you tell me their name and title?”
“Kim Jeong-hee. Her title is ‘The Ladle Master’.”
“Hmm. Never heard of her.”
Well, of course not. She’s my mom.
Without showing any reaction, I continued in a serious tone.
“Anyway, she always said that eating a variety of foods helps you grow strong.”
“Hmm.”
“So, stop complaining and eat.”
Song Ilseom, who had been pondering seriously, picked up his chopsticks and started eating the side dishes. The more I saw him, the stranger his personality seemed.
‘Strange, but not dangerous, I think.’
A few hours ago, I had seriously doubted Song Ilseom’s identity. It was a reasonable suspicion. A high-level master who had hidden his skills for ten years was a rare case. I had experienced something similar in Shanxi Province with Amcheon, the Grand Elder, and the Shanxi Five Gates.
But the more we talked, the more my doubts faded, leaving only curiosity.
‘What kind of person is he?’
His gruff demeanor and actions seemed crude, yet there was an inexplicable elegance about him.
Perhaps that’s why his informal speech felt natural.
‘Interesting.’
I gazed at Song Ilseom thoughtfully. He chewed his food with a grimace and then swallowed.
“You’re making that face again. What?”
“Just thinking about your identity.”
“Is it that important?”
“Yeah, very.”
Talking with him was like a conversation on an open highway. It felt easy.
Soon, Ju Hwaran and the others perked up their ears, listening intently to Song Ilseom.
He seemed displeased with the attention, raising an eyebrow.
“It’s nothing special. I stayed with Yongbong Escort Agency because of an old connection.”
“An old connection?”
“My father owed a great debt.”
Wait a minute. I feel like I’m about to remember something.
When I turned, Ju Hwaran was staring at Song Ilseom with wide eyes. It was clear this was news to her as well.
“Could I ask your father’s name?”
“Song Pyo-san.”
“Song Pyo-san… I’ve never heard of him.”
“That’s not surprising. It happened almost fifty years ago.”
Fifty years ago? During the Great Martial War?
Before we could ask further, Song Ilseom continued nonchalantly.
“The Guangdong Chen Family was long forgotten. My mother, saved by Escort Chief Ju Gong-san, feared greedy martial artists and let me carry her surname. It was a wise choice.”
It felt like being struck in the back of the head. Ju Hwaran looked at Song Ilseom with trembling eyes.
“Are you…?”
Instead of answering, Song Ilseom pulled out a faded jade hairpin from his chest.
It was the only payment a young escort surnamed Ju received from a heavily pregnant woman fifty years ago.