Murim Login - Chapter 330
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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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Around midnight, the four figures from Yongbong Escort Agency disappeared in an instant.
The servants of Yongbong, who had come out to see them off, shivered in the cold wind, but Juhwa-Ran stood still, unmoving, as if waiting for someone to return at any moment.
As she gazed into the thick darkness, a voice startled the guards.
“They’ve left.”
The sudden voice, coming without a trace of presence, made the guards step aside in surprise. However, Juhwa-Ran remained composed.
“Yes, they’ve left.”
“Do you regret it?”
“It would be a lie to say I don’t.”
“People leave, and others stay. That’s the natural order.”
“The natural order…”
Juhwa-Ran murmured softly as she turned around.
“Which side are you on, Song Pyo-Du?”
“Me?”
Song Ilsom chuckled, shaking the bundle on his shoulder as if to show off.
“Which side do you think?”
“Is that why you pretended to be drunk?”
“It’s been ten years. I’ve done my part, haven’t I? Isn’t that enough?”
“No, it’s not enough. You still haven’t fulfilled your duty.”
Song Ilsom frowned at Juhwa-Ran’s unhesitating response.
“Still not enough? Even after protecting Yongbong and you for ten years?”
“Can it compare to the life-saving grace my grandfather bestowed upon you?”
As Song Ilsom raised his voice and took a step forward, the surrounding guards flinched and gripped their sword hilts. To those who didn’t know the details of his background, Song Ilsom was still a figure to be wary of. Especially the other two escort leaders from Yongbong, who showed outright hostility.
“Lower your voice. It’ll be better for you.”
“No matter what the young master thinks, we don’t trust you. You still seem highly suspicious to us.”
Just as the two leaders blocked Song Ilsom’s path with stern faces, Juhwa-Ran spoke in a calm voice.
“Stop. Step back.”
“But young master, this man hasn’t cleared all suspicions…”
“I said step back. I have important matters to discuss, so return to your duties.”
“Uh… understood.”
The two leaders, who seemed to have more to say, reluctantly nodded and led the other guards away slowly. Watching their retreating figures, Song Ilsom clicked his tongue at Juhwa-Ran.
“It’s hard to tell if they’re loyal or foolish. They still can’t tell friend from foe even now.”
“You’re mistaken.”
“What?”
“They’re neither loyal nor foolish, as you think.”
In an instant, a thought crossed Song Ilsom’s mind.
‘Could it be?’
The realization was immediate. Despite being a natural-born warrior and fighter, he wasn’t lacking in intelligence.
Understanding the situation, Song Ilsom muttered quietly.
“This is a mess.”
Juhwa-Ran nodded.
“They intentionally sabotaged the escort contracts, embezzled funds in the chaos, and manipulated the ledgers. Uncle Heo couldn’t have done it all alone.”
“How far and wide does this conspiracy go?”
“We’ll need to identify the exact numbers and details, but… at least two people should be included.”
Juhwa-Ran’s gaze shifted from the retreating figures of the two leaders to Song Ilsom.
“I plan to root them out completely.”
“Why not reveal it at the scene of the Chief Escort’s death?”
“It would have caused more chaos. And if I can’t handle this on my own, I’m not fit to be the leader of Yongbong Escort Agency.”
“Do you have confidence?”
Juhwa-Ran looked at Song Ilsom steadily.
“Why don’t you unpack your bundle in a year?”
“You want to use me to root out the traitors?”
“Song Pyo-Du, right now, I need a sharp sword capable of cutting down anyone. The right person is right in front of me.”
“I refuse. And stop calling me Pyo-Du.”
“How about hiring the Chuhon Guest instead?”
“What?”
Juhwa-Ran shrugged her shoulders.
“It might cost a bit to hire the renowned Chuhon Guest, but given our past connections, I’m sure you’ll consider it.”
“You want me to repay the life-saving grace with this?”
“If that were the case, I would ask for something bigger.”
“Earlier, you said I hadn’t fulfilled my duty to repay the Pyo King’s grace.”
“That was because there were many eyes watching. My grandfather also said it was just a person saving another person.”
“Ha!”
Song Ilsom couldn’t help but laugh. He remembered the words Grandfather Joo-Ho Gun said to the young man holding the old jade hairpin who had come to him ten years ago.
‘Although we met through past connections, now that you’ve come to me, it’s enough. Don’t be bound by past ties and live your life.’
‘Your late father said it was just a person saving another person. I think the same. And thank you for growing up so well.’
It was a shock.
Song Ilsom’s life had been a series of struggles since childhood. His parents died young, and when his only support, his grandmother, passed away, he had to fend for himself with no one to help him.
He scavenged weapons from corpse piles and killed a ronin who tried to cheat him out of his rightful earnings. He proved himself through countless life-and-death battles.
‘I thought he would demand something.’
For Song Ilsom, who had lived as a ronin, that was the norm.
If Joo-Ho Gun wanted someone eliminated, he would have done it without hesitation. Though it would be unpleasant, it was just another job among many.
But Joo-Ho Gun was different.
He was the first ‘adult’ Song Ilsom met after becoming an orphan.
Perhaps that’s why, almost involuntarily, Song Ilsom had spoken.
‘Ten years.’
‘Hmm?’
‘I will leave in ten years. Though all I know is killing people, I will protect the young master and the child no matter what happens, just as the Pyo King did decades ago.’
Song Ilsom kept his vow.
He became an escort of Yongbong Escort Agency, faithfully following orders and protecting the young master like a shadow during his stay at the agency.
As the child grew into a beautiful woman, strange rumors arose, but he didn’t care.
Even when the chief escort collapsed and the agency fell into disarray, Song Ilsom remained steadfast.
‘Just fulfilling my duty.’
Song Ilsom opened his eyes, which had been closed tightly. He abruptly spoke to Juhwa-Ran, who was watching him.
“I’ll leave in a month.”
“…”
“If you find out the identities of the traitors, I’ll help you root them out. A month should be enough.”
Seeing Juhwa-Ran’s expression, Song Ilsom spoke bluntly.
“Don’t look like that. I’m just stopping by Hamyang to get some medicine.”
“Medicine?”
“Yes. With it, we can treat the chief escort’s illness. The thousand-year-old ginseng is too powerful and could be counterproductive, but the medicine I got this time should be effective.”
“How did you get such medicine?”
“Don’t ask. It’s a long story.”
Song Ilsom waved his hand dismissively.
It was a rare medicine he had painstakingly obtained after searching for over two years. Though it wasn’t as legendary as the thousand-year-old ginseng, it was perfect for treating the chief escort’s condition.
He had spent his entire fortune as the Chuhon Guest to acquire it, but wealth can always be regained.
“Do you know?”
Song Ilsom continued in a calm voice.
“Nothing is as difficult as saving a person. What seemed obvious to you… was the hardest thing for me.”
Song Ilsom had spent his life killing people.
It was only after joining Yongbong Escort Agency that he started protecting someone.
“Song Pyo-Du…”
Juhwa-Ran, looking at him with teary eyes, hurriedly corrected herself when she saw his narrowed eyes.
“Ah, Song Daehyeop.”
“How long will you keep getting it wrong?”
“Sorry, I was so surprised…”
“Then create a new position.”
“What?”
“I don’t want to be the chief escort. I’m terrible at managing escorts and dealing with people.”
“What?”
“Bodyguard leader. Yes, that sounds good.”
While Juhwa-Ran stammered, Song Ilsom turned around and walked away, heading not towards the dark gate but towards his own quarters.
“I shouldn’t have packed my bundle.”
As he murmured softly, Juhwa-Ran watched his retreating figure, dimples forming on her cheeks.
The taut sails and cutting bow.
The speedy ship glided like the wind, with bronze-skinned men pulling ropes and rowing oars. The number of people on deck easily reached fifty.
With five such ships, their total force numbered about three hundred.
“Faster, faster!”
“You fools, how can you call yourselves members of Water Dragon Gang if you’re so slow!”
The Water Dragon Gang was a large bandit group affiliated with the Yangtze River Route Alliance.
They proudly called themselves heroes of the Yangtze River, but common people knew them by a less flattering name.
“Bandits! Bandits!”
“Damn it, why are those bastards here!”
The ship owner, seeing the five ships approaching, fell to his knees in despair.
The enemy wasn’t just any bandits but the Water Dragon Gang of the Yangtze River Route Alliance. Their fast ships couldn’t be outrun, and fighting them was out of the question.
‘This is bad. There’s only one way to get through this quietly.’
The ship owner, looking despondent, called out to the youngest crew member.
“Hey!”
“Yes, ship owner?”
“Tell the passengers to pay up.”
“What?”
“Collect money! We need to pay the toll!”
It was both unfortunate and fortunate that the enemies were from the Yangtze River Route Alliance. Once caught, there was no escape, but at least they didn’t resort to violence indiscriminately.
The Yangtze River Route Alliance prided themselves on being a cut above common bandits, but in reality, they were all the same.
“Phew… today’s business is ruined.”
As the ship owner sighed deeply, someone tapped his shoulder.
“Excuse me.”
“Ah! Who are you?”
“I’m a passenger.”
“I can see that.”
The ship owner looked at the young man standing before him, sword at his waist, seemingly a martial artist.
‘He looks a bit dull. His mouth sticks out like he talks too much.’
The world is full of third-rate martial artists.
What’s one more? The ship owner sighed and spoke.
“Why are you here? If it’s about the money, go back to your seat. Don’t act recklessly and end up crossing the River of Three Paths.”
The young man, watching the approaching ships, asked.
“Are those bandits?”
“Can’t you see? They’re from the Water Dragon Gang of the Yangtze River Route Alliance. Everyone in Sichuan knows them.”
“The Yangtze River Route Alliance…”
“There’s no use running. Their fast ships are unbeatable. Once they spot you, it’s over.”
“Those ships must be really fast.”
“Is that even a question…?”
The ship owner was about to reply irritably when he suddenly fell silent, swallowing his words.
Behind the young man, a shadow loomed large.
A burly figure with tousled hair and a huge leather bundle on his back stood towering over the ship owner.
The giant, who had been staring at the ship owner, spoke to the young man.
“Mujin.”
“Yes?”
“Let’s take that ship.”
The ship owner couldn’t believe his ears.