Murim Login - Chapter 467

I have always believed that the process is just as important as the result.

However, sometimes, I deliberately choose to overlook the process.

After all, not every process needs to be perfect or beautiful.

‘…The important thing is the result. The result.’

Yeah, that’s just how it is.

And after disregarding the process—along with everyone else—an excellent result finally emerged.

‘Cough.’ Splaaash.

With a sound of coughing, water trickled from cracked lips.

Cheongpung, who had shown a tearful spirit of self-sacrifice against the Dongting Fisherman, spoke with a peculiar expression.

“This feels strange.”

Exchanging glances with Hyeok Mu-jin, Gong Gi-bang, and the old boatman, I replied in a heavy tone.

“It always feels strange the first time.”

“Did you feel the same way, Benefactor?”

“…Of course.”

Even though I’ve never experienced it, I highly doubt I’d feel like Cheongpung. Or at least, I shouldn’t.

As I avoided his gaze, Cheongpung nodded and took a deep breath.

“But this… I just don’t understand it.”

“It’s because you’re excited. That’s all.”

“There was a strange smell too. Like fish.”

Of course, there was.

Recalling the Dongting Fisherman chewing on raw fish before the fight, I answered.

“It’s just your imagination.”

“My stomach feels queasy.”

“That’s hormones kicking in. Kissing improves immunity and reduces stress, you know…”

“What?”

“Nothing. Forget I said anything.”

“I just… I feel too nauseous. I want something sweet.”

With a guilty look, Hyeok Mu-jin patted Cheongpung’s shoulder.

“I’ll treat you later, Cheong So-hyeop.”

“You will, Sir Hyeok?”

“Yes. I’ll make sure you eat so much you’ll feel stuffed.”

“But you’re not well-off yourself, Sir Hyeok. Last time, I saw you picking up loose coins at the dock…”

“My father is wealthy.”

Hyeok Mu-jin had been through a lot following me, but considering his family’s prospering business, he was indeed the child of a wealthy household.

At his bold declaration of relying on his father’s resources, the other two, who had been looking at Cheongpung with pity, chimed in.

“Cheong So-hyeop, I’ll even beg if I must to chip in.”

“I’ll try to reduce the ferry fare a little.”

“Wow! Really?”

A pang of guilt welled up in me. Still, it couldn’t be helped. It was his choice after all.

After rationalizing the situation to myself, I turned to check on the Dongting Fisherman.

“How’s he doing?”

Hyeok Mu-jin answered from behind me, and I nodded.

“Alive and kicking.”

“…He doesn’t look all that alive to me.”

At that moment, I found myself speechless as I looked down at the Dongting Fisherman.

His arms were twisted at odd angles. His clothes were shredded, revealing wounds all over.

This was only what was visible to the eye—internal injuries of a severe degree were a given.

“What exactly happened?”

I briefly summarized the events in the underwater cave.

“I was cautious at first, but since he was weaker than I expected, I beat him up and dragged him out.”

After a moment of silence, Hyeok Mu-jin spoke.

“Wait, but isn’t the Dongting Fisherman an expert in water techniques?”

“That’s why I fought him on land. There was even a cave.”

“You have a knack for making difficult things sound simple.”

“It wasn’t too easy, but it wasn’t unbearably difficult either.”

“The important thing is that he’s still breathing.”

“Though it’s miraculous he’s still alive.”

“Given what he’s done until now, he deserves to die.”

“True. Anyway, it’s a relief. Not just the Dongting Fisherman, but I was worried if he had other Dark Heaven allies with him.”

That had also been a concern of mine.

According to Hong Ran’s testimony, the Dongting massacre was orchestrated solely by the Dongting Fisherman.

However, the slaughter at Dongting Village, including the massacre of the Yangtze River Waterway League, must have involved at least two or more top-tier experts.

‘Moon Kyung also mentioned that.’

Even if I had made rapid progress, fighting two top-tier experts simultaneously… Well, that’s a scenario I would hesitate to face.

After all, even among those of similar ranks, skill levels vary greatly.

‘The Dongting Fisherman was a notch below me.’

I was lucky. Had he been working alongside another Dark Heaven expert, the tables might have turned against me.

Of course, I wouldn’t have initiated a fight where victory seemed slim in the first place.

“But why hasn’t this old man woken up yet? He should be conscious by now, right?”

At Gong Gi-bang’s remark, Cheongpung, who had been rinsing his mouth in the river, replied.

“He’s in a sealed state, isn’t he, Benefactor?”

“Yes, exactly.”

Currently, the Dongting Fisherman’s pressure points are sealed, including his vital and nerve points.

Even if he regains consciousness, his body is paralyzed, and he won’t even be able to open his mouth to resist.

“What’s your next move?”

“Since we’ve achieved our goal, we’ll head back.”

We weren’t the only ones aware of this location. If Dark Heaven caught wind and sent reinforcements, we’d be in a precarious position.

‘If a monster like West Heavenly Demon showed up, we’d have no choice but to accept death.’

Cheongpung and I had our limits.

While it was certain that Dark Heaven was involved in this chain of events in Hubei, the biggest problem was the uncertainty surrounding their whereabouts and members.

However, if we could get the Dongting Fisherman to talk, we could uncover everything about them and plan a counterattack.

With legends like the Fire King and the Killing Star, as well as the renowned Wudang Sect and Zhuge Clan joining forces, the retaliation would be unstoppable.

“Let’s depart. Right now.”

But a barrier I hadn’t foreseen stood in my way.

“Um, great warrior…”

The old boatman suddenly spoke. Hesitant at first, he finally continued with a stiff expression.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think this will work.”

“…What?”

“As you know, great warrior, the current state of Dongting Lake is…”

‘RUMBLE, CRASH!’

The sound of thunder booming from all directions swallowed the old boatman’s words.

He shrank his shoulders in fear and gestured nervously at his surroundings, speaking with unease.

“Look around. How can anyone launch a boat in this situation?”

His terror was not without reason.

The sky had turned pitch black, with occasional bolts of lightning flashing through the gloom. The rain poured down in thick sheets, and the swollen waters of Dongting Lake lashed against the cliffs and rocks, creating violent whirlpools.

‘Why now, of all times?’

Before entering the Dongting Fisherman’s hideout, the weather hadn’t been this severe. Yet, in less than an hour, the conditions had worsened drastically.

However…

“We must go.”

“Gr-Great warrior…”

“I understand your fear, but it’s not possible. You saw with your own eyes how we got here.”

Although I’d sustained minor internal injuries, I was still in good condition.

Cheongpung, an expert of the highest caliber, was with us, along with Gong Gi-bang, a martial artist of considerable skill. Even Hyeok Mu-jin could lend a hand if necessary.

No matter how bad the weather and waters were, it wasn’t impossible to make it back.

But the old boatman thought otherwise.

“I have rowed the waters of Dongting Lake for over forty years. It’s my first time hosting such extraordinary martial artists like yourselves, but it’s also my first time seeing weather this dreadful.”

His voice trembled as he stammered his words.

“I’m just an old man who knows nothing but reading the waterways and rowing boats. Yet, after spending half my life on this lake, I know what’s impossible.”

“Listen, boatman—”

Before Gong Gi-bang could step forward to speak, the old man shook his head firmly.

“I know what you’re about to say. But no matter how skilled you may be, you won’t get far in this storm.”

“And why do you think that?”

“The boat won’t hold.”

His resolute words left us all wide-eyed.

He was right. No matter how sturdy it seemed, a ferry was still a ferry.

To reach the Dongting Fisherman’s hideout, we had opted for a light, small boat for maneuverability. But in these conditions, its advantages had become its greatest weaknesses.

‘To reach land, we’d need at least two hours of travel… If the boat sinks before then?’

The answer to my question was clear: failure.

‘Even with qi to perform ‘Deungpyeong Dosu’ (Walking on Water), the remaining distance is too far. That’s assuming the weather wasn’t like this. If the boatman is right, the ferry won’t hold.’

Looking at the battered ferry pulled ashore, I could already see spots where the wood was splintered.

Like its elderly owner, the boat was aged and weathered, and today’s turbulent waters were proving too much for it.

‘Damn it.’

No amount of persuading the boatman would change the reality of the situation.

Although the [Lifesaver of Waters] title’s effects or inventory tricks from last time might work, the risks outweighed the benefits.

“Captain.”

Hyeok Mu-jin’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I saw everyone’s expectant gazes.

After a brief hesitation, I bit my lip and asked, “What about incoming routes?”

“Huh?”

Turning to the old boatman, who flinched at the rumbling thunder, I spoke slowly and clearly.

“If leaving is difficult, then entering must be just as hard. Especially in these conditions.”

“Ah, well, yes. With the narrow waterways, only ferries like mine could pass through. And in this mad current, coming in would be even harder than going out. Launching a boat on Dongting Lake in this weather is insanity in the first place.”

That was at least a small relief. If Dark Heaven planned to send reinforcements, nature itself would block them for now.

‘We’ll stay here until the weather calms down.’

I had just finished my thought and was about to give instructions when—

‘Plop, Plop, Plop!’

Sudden movements nearby caught everyone’s attention.

Turning my head toward the sound, I widened my eyes along with the others.

‘What the…?’

The small, frail figure of the Dongting Fisherman, who had been lying motionless as though dead, was trembling.

Even as we watched, his convulsions grew stronger and more pronounced.

“But his pressure points were sealed… How?”

Cheongpung muttered, voicing everyone’s confusion. I, the one who had sealed his points, was just as baffled.

But there was no time to remain stunned. Before I could fully process what was happening, my body moved on instinct.

‘Whoosh!’

I shot forward like the wind, quickly reaching out.

First, the Sleep Point. Then the Numb Point. Finally, the Mute Point.

After sealing his pressure points again, I realized something startling.

‘The seals hadn’t been broken. This… This is his body reacting involuntarily, separate from his will.’

My hesitation was brief.

‘Grab!’

Suddenly, a hand shot out and gripped my wrist.

Looking up, I found myself staring into the Dongting Fisherman’s eyes.

Unlike before, his gaze was that of a normal human, and it was filled with fear.

Then, in a hollow, soulless voice, he whispered:

“Run.”

What?

Before I could question him, an overwhelming explosion roared behind me.

‘BOOOOM!’