Murim Login - Chapter 438

Jeok Cheon-Gang’s gaze burned fiercely as he looked at Moon Kyung.

“Did you dare to pressure my disciple, Tae-Kyung, while I was away?”

“…Who’s ‘Tae-Kyung’ now?” I muttered in bewilderment, feeling my surprise snatch away any trace of tears.

“Silence!” Jeok Cheon-Gang bellowed.

Moon Kyung and I replied in unison.

“I think you’re louder, sir. You’re practically shouting ‘Tae-Kyung’ like it’s the center of the universe right now.”

“With a voice that strong, you’ll probably live another ten years.”

It’s like he swallowed a train whistle and roasted it in an air fryer.

Thankfully, Moon Kyung was blocking the sound with his qi manipulation; otherwise, people would’ve already rushed over.

Watching Jeok Cheon-Gang’s face redden in fury, Moon Kyung clicked his tongue softly.

“I was merely talking to him. What could an old man gain from bullying a young pup like him?”

Jeok Cheon-Gang turned to me.

“You there, answer me. Was he really only talking to you?”

“Well, we were just talking, but he did say if I answered wrong, I’d end up at the bottom of the Yangtze.”

At my complaint, Moon Kyung added nonchalantly,

“I may have given him a little scare.”

“You miserable old bastard! Did you think you’d get away with this?” Jeok Cheon-Gang roared.

“Calm down. I merely wanted to ask about his Middle Dantian.”

Jeok Cheon-Gang, who seemed ready to charge, paused abruptly.

“The Middle Dantian?”

“Indeed. Don’t tell me you hadn’t noticed.”

“It’s impossible to open the Middle Dantian in such a short time. It’s not something that can be explained away as luck or fate.”

As Jeok Cheon-Gang looked between Moon Kyung and me, he gave a small chuckle.

“So that’s all it was.”

“…What?”

“So, are you trying to imply he’s learned demonic arts or something?”

“Well…”

“I’ll make it simple. No.”

Moon Kyung was momentarily silenced by Jeok Cheon-Gang’s calm and assured response. Jeok Cheon-Gang then gestured to me with his finger.

“What are you doing? Come here already.”

“Huh?”

“Didn’t you ask me to help with your training? We’ll start now.”

“Oh, yes.”

The situation was flowing so smoothly that even I felt a bit thrown off. Sensing my confusion, Jeok Cheon-Gang asked,

“Still curious, are you? How exactly did you open your Middle Dantian?”

“Well, I had a dream, and an old man with a sword…”

“Did you meet the Sword Immortal Yeong Dongbin or something?”

“…Well, if you listen to him, it seems that way.”

“Then it was a fated opportunity. The heavens must be helping you. There are often things in this world that defy human comprehension.”

Though his gaze was fixed on me, his words were clearly directed at Moon Kyung.

As if to underscore his point, Jeok Cheon-Gang abruptly swung his wrinkled hand.

Smack!

“Ouch! Why’d you hit me?”

“I just felt like it. Got a problem?”

“And if I do?”

“Then you’ll get hit again.”

Whack!

“Ow!”

“You thick-headed brat. Enough complaining. Follow me.”

Is it really okay to leave like this?

As I stole a glance at Moon Kyung’s unreadable expression, Jeok Cheon-Gang’s thunderous voice interrupted.

“What are you standing around for, you rascal!”

“Alright, alright. Please, stop shouting.”

“Do you even intend to train properly, moving so sluggishly?”

Leaving Moon Kyung behind, I followed close behind Jeok Cheon-Gang, muttering as I did so.

“But, aren’t you curious to ask more?”

Without turning his head, Jeok Cheon-Gang answered gruffly,

“About what?”

“Well, about the Middle Dantian…”

“Enough nonsense and follow me. And from now on, stay away from that old man.”

“Yes, sir.”

That’s exactly what I wanted. I have zero interest in floating downstream to Hubei alongside the river fish.

“If I catch you in another mess like this, I’ll give you a severe punishment next time. Understood?”

“…But I’m the victim here.”

“Quiet. I almost obliterated everything just moments ago.”

“Now that I think about it, you really held back.”

“If I hadn’t, would the ship even be intact?”

“You’re right. We have to think about Senior Mu Song, after all. Did you see his face when he boarded the Quicksilver Ship?”

Jeok Cheon-Gang suddenly turned his head with a scowl.

“What nonsense are you spouting? Why would I care about the sailors’ troubles?”

“Uh…”

“If we lose this ship here, we’d have to transfer everyone to another ship, which would only slow us down with the extra weight.”

“…Oh.”

“Think before you speak. We need to get off this accursed Yangtze as soon as possible. It’s damp, unstable, and endless.”

Talk about a temper.

Watching him grumble as he walked on, an idea suddenly popped into my mind.

‘Could we just burn everything and travel by land?’

On second thought, I kept this to myself. Knowing Jeok Cheon-Gang, he’d probably do it.

I ignored the prickling sensation of Moon Kyung’s gaze on my back and continued following Jeok Cheon-Gang.

—

The Quicksilver Ship sailed on without hesitation.

Seeing the Yangtze River Water Alliance flag fluttering high above, the other boats made way, and even the government warships, tied to the alliance through shady ties, were no exception.

The river pirates, who knew every turn of the lower Yangtze like the back of their hands, rowed with all their might at Mu Song’s command, while the sails caught the wind blowing in from the distance.

Like the turbulent waters of the Yangtze, that day seemed to flow by quickly.

And… as he sat at the bow, staring into the darkened river, Moon Kyung greeted an unexpected visitor with a low voice.

“You’re later than expected.”

“It took time to find the booze that fellow Mu Song was hiding. He clung to it to the end, refusing to hand it over.”

Jeok Cheon-Gang, seated on the railing, pulled out a small jar as if handling a sacred object and carefully removed the seal.

The moment he did, the fragrant aroma of wine filled the air, and for the first time, a crack appeared in Moon Kyung’s usual stoic expression.

“Is that Geonnam Spring?”

“Of course, Sichuan’s Geonnam Spring. It’s worth the journey for this taste.”

“This doesn’t seem like ordinary Geonnam Spring.”

“According to him, his master gave it to him. As a Sea King, he wouldn’t give his disciple just any wine… Thanks to him, my taste buds are getting a rare treat.”

Jeok Cheon-Gang took a hearty swig directly from the jar, savoring the taste.

“Hah, this is divine. Want a sip?”

Moon Kyung, who had been looking at the jar of Geonnam Spring, shook his head.

“I told you, I gave up drinking a long time ago.”

“That response was too slow. The so-called greatest assassin of all time is that easy to read?”

“It’s still better than a childish old man who can’t act his age.”

“What did you say?!”

“Enough small talk. I assume you have something to say to me?”

Yesterday’s visit had been unannounced, but today was different.

A few hours ago, Jeok Cheon-Gang had sent a message, saying he’d come by, and Moon Kyung had waited for him.

“Such impatience. Hardly fitting for an assassin.”

“I’m a doctor, not an assassin.”

“Then perhaps a killer doctor.”

“Like master, like disciple. Your words are exactly alike.”

Ignoring Moon Kyung’s frown, Jeok Cheon-Gang took another swig and wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

“Our words may be similar, but we’re worlds apart. That kid’s a monster beyond common sense.”

Moon Kyung nodded in silent agreement.

There was no denying that word, ‘monster.’ For Jin Tae-Kyung to reach the peak realm so young was astonishing enough, but to advance further without pausing for breath?

‘When exactly did he reach the peak realm?’

Moon Kyung’s mind drifted to distant memories.

In his younger days, sharp and taciturn, he had devoted himself wholly to martial arts.

Through countless experiences, both in secret and direct confrontations, he had honed his skills and eventually reached the exalted realm open only to the chosen few.

‘I was in my mid-thirties then.’

Even he, the infamous Killing Star and the so-called greatest assassin, hadn’t reached the peak realm until he was over thirty.

And he only opened his Middle Dantian years later, close to forty.

Yet Jin Tae-Kyung, barely past twenty, had already carved his name into the ancient martial world’s history.

In Moon Kyung’s eyes, it was an unthinkable feat, achievable only by a demonic art of the highest order.

“It seems… this conversation will be a long one.”

“No, it will end quickly. There’s not much I can say.”

Moon Kyung’s gaze darkened at Jeok Cheon-Gang’s response.

“Why not?”

“Because I haven’t seen or heard anything like it before. There’s nothing left to say but to accept it.”

“Don’t tell me you actually believe that nonsense about the Sword Immortal appearing in his dream to grant him enlightenment.”

“Maybe, maybe not. Even if it’s true, I wouldn’t be all that surprised. Heh, heh.”

“Fire King!”

Moon Kyung’s thunderous shout reverberated off the sound barrier surrounding them.

But the fury quickly dissipated with Jeok Cheon-Gang’s next words.

“This kid.”

“…What did you say?”

“In just two years, he shattered the peak realm and opened his Middle Dantian. If I were Yeong Dongbin, I wouldn’t just visit him in a dream; I’d come down personally to see what kind of monster has appeared in the mortal world.”

Moon Kyung first questioned his ears, then doubted Jeok Cheon-Gang’s sanity.

But the small old man looked back at him with eyes that were clearer and more sincere than ever.

“Don’t doubt it. When dealing with that kid, clear every single preconceived notion from your mind and face him without expectation. Do you understand?”

“That boy and the Sword Saint’s disciple… they’re like divine dragons—unseen by anyone, only to be imagined.”

Shwaa.

White foam sprayed up at the bow. After a long silence, Moon Kyung finally spoke.

“I can’t believe it.”

“I didn’t say to believe it. I said to accept it.”

“But that’s… impossible.”

“I realized one thing as I aged. You can’t control someone else’s heart.”

Jeok Cheon-Gang only understood this after his first disciple left him.

And it was only on the day he wholeheartedly accepted a young man he met by chance that he learned something else.

The pain he’d felt every time he thought of that day had gradually faded.

“You’ll understand if you watch him. Just like I did.”

As Jeok Cheon-Gang turned and walked away, Moon Kyung called out.

“What’s that boy doing now?”

Jeok Cheon-Gang glanced back, laughing under the moonlight.

“He’s sleeping like the dead.”

—

The training in Yeolhwadong was a marathon; this time, it’s a sprint relay.

During the week-long journey to Hubei, I decided to split my time between the modern world and the Murim.

Ding.

– Logout complete!

As the familiar sound echoed, I opened my eyes. I was in the private jet heading to Korea.

Everyone else was sound asleep from exhaustion, except for one monster staring at me with wide, unblinking eyes.

“What are you staring at, punk?”

The Skeleton King replied,

“So, this is it. Hm. Do all humans sleep as if they’re dead?”

“I’m just special.”

“Not bizarre?”

Whack!

This guy really does ask for a beating.Chapter 438