Murim Login - Chapter 329
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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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*TL Note: I apologize for the names and terms used here. It’s quite difficult to figure out what they meant so I’m directly translating it. I might change it in the future once I get a more clearer translation about it.
The revelation of Song Ilsom’s identity left everyone astounded.
Hyuk Mujin, who had admired Murim even before joining the Taewon family, was naturally familiar with the stories about him, and Cheongpung also pretended to know, claiming he had heard about it from the Sword Saint.
“Grandfather said the Pyo King was a good person,” Cheongpung said, munching. “He really did.”
“Swallow it all before you talk, please.”
“Okay! Chomp chomp.”
Since even Cheongpung knew, there was no need to mention the other two.
Juhwa-Ran, the granddaughter of the Pyo King, looked at the jade hairpin with trembling eyes, and Gung Kibang was so excited that he spat out the contents of his mouth.
“The Guangdong Jingga!”
Song Ilsom deflected the dozen or so rice grains Gung Kibang had spewed out with his chopsticks and responded.
“As I said, the Guangdong Jingga lineage has already been severed. And could you do something about that mouth of yours?”
“My master also spoke of the Pyo King’s Thousand-Mile Escort. And the child in that story was you?”
“Did you hear me through your nose? That child was my father. And it’s disgusting, so stop spitting.”
“Did you say the Guangdong Jingga’s martial arts were lost because the family was destroyed?”
“People didn’t believe that. Even within the realm of justice, greed knows no bounds. Some sought the pinnacle of the Guangdong Jingga’s martial arts, beyond the Pyo King’s capability to handle.”
A chaotic world.
Thinking of these two words, I could imagine the situation the mother and child had to endure.
In a chaotic world, rules between people collapse, instincts take over, and morals fade. To protect her child from people’s greed, the mother fled without telling anyone.
“Although my grandmother couldn’t even handle a third-rate swordsman, she was wiser than ten top martial artists combined.”
After a moment of silence, Song Ilsom added a word.
“Of course, no one can escape the cycle of life and death.”
“So…”
“She passed away from illness when I was ten. She gave me this jade hairpin and told me everything. It was a shocking story to hear for the first time.”
Despite his seemingly blunt demeanor, Song Ilsom had a knack for storytelling.
However, one question lingered about his parents, but knowing he wandered the streets after his grandmother’s death, there was no need to ask.
Sadly, it was clear both had died early.
And as one question was answered, another took its place.
“How did you achieve such skills without the Guangdong Jingga’s martial arts?”
Song Ilsom’s answer was simple.
“On the battlefield.”
“Did you live as a ronin?”
“I had no talent for begging. More people found my expression unpleasant and beat me rather than give me a coin.”
Listening quietly, Gung Kibang nodded empathetically.
“Even begging has its own rules. A beggar needs a face and expression that elicits sympathy. If you’re handsome like Song Sohyup and me, earning even pocket change is tough. I often went hungry.”
Song Ilsom said sternly.
“Hugye, your comment is quite offensive. Please don’t insult me.”
“Why? Did you see my face as a child? Without exaggeration, I was so handsome that even Song Yu would cry.”
“Song Yu would cry?”
Song Ilsom stared at Gung Kibang’s Picasso-like face intently.
“With that face, I can see why. If I encounter you at night, stay far away. If I see you unexpectedly, I might accidentally slash you.”
Song Ilsom, debating whether to just cut him down now, continued his story.
“Anyway, I was terrible at begging and had no real job prospects. After starving for three days, the sky turned yellow. Rather than starve to death, I thought it would be better to become a sword boy.”
“A sword boy? The one who holds the sword?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t that for people with some money? They leave it to others because holding a sword is annoying.”
“Do you think people with money would hire a beggar child from nowhere?”
“That’s true.”
“Unexpectedly, ronin hire the most sword boys. They make them do all sorts of chores and use them as shields in emergencies.”
I thought it would be a great part-time job, but it turned out to be hellish.
“It wasn’t a comfortable or pleasant experience.”
Song Ilsom recounted his past indifferently.
He served amidst constant abuse and violence, collecting weapons amidst flying arrows.
When the ronin fled to save their own lives, leaving him behind, it was truly hellish.
“I hid among corpses for four days. When I barely escaped and found the ronin, the first thing he asked for was the sword he had entrusted to me.”
“Wow, what a madman.”
“Fortunately, the two swords I was holding were safe. I hadn’t let go of them even while escaping.”
“Wow, truly a madman.”
“I wasn’t as mad as him. He claimed he originally entrusted me with three swords and told me to get lost if I didn’t want to die. Of course, he gave me nothing for the year I had worked.”
Song Ilsom swept his fallen bangs back and murmured.
“I was furious.”
Naturally, he chose a quicker path instead of filing a complaint with the labor department.
“Luckily, I had two swords. I picked up one. It was heavy.”
“You won, didn’t you?”
“I killed him.”
Song Ilsom lightly corrected my words, twirling his chopsticks.
“It wasn’t difficult. I had always watched his martial arts, and it was predictable. Like a prearranged move, I dodged ten times and stabbed once. He fell.”
Gulp.
Hyuk Mujin swallowed dryly and asked.
“How old were you then?”
“Twelve? Thirteen? I don’t remember well, but it was around that age.”
“Then, the opponent was…”
“A third-rate ronin. If he had been first-rate, I wouldn’t have dared to fight him.”
I hadn’t even graduated elementary school at that age. Fighting a Murim warrior itself seemed insane.
‘What was I doing at that age?’
I don’t know. Probably picking my nose and playing around.
This guy had talent.
There are countless Murim sects and families in the world.
If the names of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Noble Families are considered first-tier, there is naturally a second-tier as well.
According to Jeok Cheon-Gang, the Guangdong Jingga was one of them.
‘Is it true that the blood of a martial family doesn’t lie?’
Achieving such accomplishments without the family’s secret martial arts made me think he was indeed exceptional. At that moment, Gung Kibang, who had been silent, suddenly looked at Song Ilsom in shock.
“You, by any chance, are you the Chuhon Guest?”
“I was called that ten years ago. By the way, is your mouth a bottomless pit? How are there still so many rice grains…”
“The famous Chuhon Guest is someone my age?”
Chuhon Guest. That seemed to be Song Ilsom’s nickname.
Judging by his skills, he was quite famous, and even Juhwa-Ran widened her eyes.
“The Chuhon Guest, who won a hundred life-or-death duels, is you?”
“Precisely a hundred and two. It’s all just a name. No need to make a fuss. There are two here younger and greater than me.”
Cheongpung, having devoured most of the food, grinned and replied.
“No, Song Sohyup is still amazing.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, he’s strong. Weaker than me, though.”
“…Are you mocking me?”
Cheongpung slurped what looked like sujeonggwa and spoke.
“No, I mean it.”
With Cheongpung’s helpful translation, Song Ilsom turned his gaze to me.
“What about you?”
“I’m definitely mocking you.”
“…Is there any alcohol? I’d like a drink after a long time.”
The meal, which started in the early evening, ended around midnight.
Ignoring the good liquor, Song Ilsom downed several rounds of strong huaju and was now slumped over the table. Juhwa-Ran, who had been sipping slowly, had rosy cheeks.
And…
‘It’s really time to go.’
As I stood up, Gung Kibang dispelled his drunkenness with his internal energy, and Hyuk Mujin, already drunk, hoisted the snoring Cheongpung onto his back.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Ju.”
“Are you leaving already?”
“I’d like to stay longer, but I don’t think I can this time.”
“Is that so.”
Her eyes, softened by drunkenness, curved like crescent moons.
Graceful steps like dancing. Dimples prominent on her cheeks. It seems her drunken behavior is laughter.
“Shall we walk for a bit?”
“Walk? The garden is in full bloom.”
“Oh. Congratulations. They must be beautiful.”
A burst of laughter. Before I could ask why she was laughing, Juhwa-Ran giggled and stepped outside.
I followed her in a hurry but hesitated and turned back.
“Aren’t you coming?”
“…Are you human?”
“…You’re worse than a beggar. A beggar-like guy worse than a beggar.”
“What’s with your eyes?”
“It’s my feelings.”
“It’s my heart.”
“Let’s go. Miss Ju said the garden is in bloom. Let’s take a look and then head out…”
Their words were cut off by the sighs of Gung Kibang and Hyuk Mujin.
With expressions of utmost horror, they shook their heads one after the other.
“I need to use the restroom.”
“Me too. We’ll take turns, so take your time.”
“Okay.”
What’s with them today? Maybe they’re really unwell. Their expressions look almost demonic.
It must be my imagination that I saw contempt and anger in their eyes.
I quickly stepped outside and started walking alongside Juhwa-Ran through the garden.
“Jin Daehyeop, you’re quite interesting.”
“Really?”
“Sometimes you’re frustrating, but… well, that’s also a strength in its own way.”
What is this? Is she indirectly criticizing me?
Seeing my puzzled expression, Juhwa-Ran’s smile deepened.
“It’s been so long since I’ve laughed out loud. Over six months, I think.”
“Huh? Didn’t you laugh last time? When we passed by Heuksuksan.”
“Oh, right?”
“Maybe you just don’t remember. It’s only been three days.”
“I guess. Is that so?”
Muttering in a floating voice, Juhwa-Ran suddenly pointed to the sky.
“Jin Daehyeop, do you see that?”
“Yes, the full moon.”
“The moon is really bright tonight.”
“Do you know why the moon is bright? Because it reflects light from the sun.”
“What?”
“It’s true. It’s a well-known scientific fact… or rather, I heard it from a scholar. Somewhere near the palace.”
She laughed softly again.
“No, it’s true…”
“Alright, I believe you. Anyway, Jin Daehyeop.”
“Yes?”
“Take this.”
She handed me something long and solid—a wooden box I had seen once before.
“Is this…”
“Yes, the hundred-year-old ginseng.”
“It’s a small token for what you’ve done. Please accept it. It will ease my mind.”
Without saying a word, I alternated between looking at Juhwa-Ran and the box. Should I accept or decline…
After several internal debates, I finally nodded.
“I’ll accept it gratefully. Thank you.”
Juhwa-Ran smiled brightly, brighter than the moon in the sky.
After chatting about trivial things for a while, the flowers began to dwindle.
Juhwa-Ran’s steps slowed beside me.
“Jin Daehyeop.”
“Yes, Miss Ju?”
“Can I do well?”
Her voice suddenly sounded damp and desolate.
Maybe she drank to talk about this.
But sometimes, there are days when emotions cannot be suppressed, no matter what.
The moment when the emotions you’ve been trying to suppress come flooding out.
“Can I really do well?”
I opened my mouth suddenly.
“It’s okay if you can’t.”
There are times when no words of comfort seem enough.
Of course, it’s not okay, and an outsider can’t fully understand the person’s situation, and telling someone to cheer up doesn’t suddenly give them strength.
Today, I didn’t offer clumsy comfort because she was already struggling enough.
“You’re human too, Miss Ju. It’s okay not to do well, and it’s okay not to be strong.”
Just go with the flow, at your own pace, not anyone else’s.
“That should be enough.”
Tears welled up in her eyes, looking up at me, then they curved into crescent moons.
Thud!
I kicked off the ground. The scenery blurred as I sped past the landscape.
The voices of Juhwa-Ran and the people of Yongbong Pyo Bureau faded and then ceased altogether.
Finally, the two girls who had been waiting for the right moment spoke up.
“Miss Ju’s eyes were swollen earlier…”
“Did she cry? No way.”
It was dark, yet they noticed carefully.
When I didn’t respond, Hyuk Mujin pointed to his bulging chest and asked.
“What’s that?”
“Oh, this.”
I forgot to put it in the inventory.
I chuckled and replied, remembering a lie someone once told me.
“It’s the thousand-year-old ginseng.”
“What?”
“Huh?”