Chapter 527

Ever since the day the world called the Songshan Mountain Murin Alliance declaration, seven days and nights had quietly passed.

Under the roaring cheers of countless Murim warriors, the flag of the Murim Alliance was raised once more, and the news that the alliance had officially revived after decades spread like wildfire, shaking the entire Murim world beyond just Henan.

‘Time flew by in a blur.’ At first, I thought there wouldn’t be much for me to do, but I quickly realized how naive that was—barely half a day after the Murim Alliance was formed.

“Captain, someone came looking for you downstairs.”

“What do you mean ‘came looking for you downstairs’? That’s a weird way to say it.”

“Cheongpung said he ran into them on the way back from buying dumplings. They’re waiting downstairs.”

“Now I want dumplings. And I’m not meeting them.”

“I just got a glance, but they looked important.”

“What, and I’m some lowborn? Send them back with care.”

“How could I do that? They said they had an appointment.”

“What nonsense. I’ve never made any appointments here. It’s not like I know many people.”

“Well, that’s true. You don’t have any friends.”

“Really? Sounds like you’re about to lose your neck.”

“Hmm. Could it be someone you talked to from the So Family?”

“This guy’s not even scared anymore.”

“Three years with Hyeok Mu-jin and a man gets three lives.”

“Enough nonsense. Send them back. Wait, who exactly is this precious guest?”

“Uh, hold on. I’ll go ask.”

“Go ahead.”

Hyeok Mu-jin leisurely went downstairs—only to return at lightning speed.

“G-G-Gongdong Sect! The Head of the Gongdong Sect!”

“Bring them in! Right now!”

Why is big bro coming out from there?

It started with the Head of the Gongdong Sect, one of the Nine Great Sects. One after another, people referred to as the famous mentors of the Murim began arriving.

Of course, people I was already acquainted with came too—like the head of the Namgung Family. But more often than not, it was people I had never met, trying to build a connection with me through any sect or family I’d crossed paths with.

“Um, Captain.”

“…Who is it this time?”

“It’s the Ak Family from Shandong. The head himself came.”

“…Show him in respectfully.”

“Representatives from Guizhou’s Murim also came…”

“…Bring them in too.”

“Oh, and Captain—”

“…Bring them in.”

I didn’t realize I was this famous. No—more accurately, I didn’t expect it to be to this extent.

And after meeting people nonstop, I finally reached my limit on the third day.

‘Screw this, I can’t do it anymore.’

If it were a blind date with a pretty woman, maybe. But having to deal with over ten old men every day was soul-crushing.

Even the scent of tea started making me nauseous, and every conversation over a teacup felt the same.

“Oho, you must be the famed Blazing Fire Dragon!”

It was like they all read the same book titled [Conversation Guide for Talking to Jin Taekyung].

Even the most obedient child has their limits. At first, I forced a smile and exchanged empty words, but eventually, I started speaking my mind.

“I’ve heard much about you.”

“I’ve also heard much about myself.”

“A young hero has emerged in the Murim! Truly a joyous event. Hahaha.”

“I’m the most joyous one here, hahaha.”

“By the way, I have a daughter of marrying age…”

“I have two older brothers of marrying age.”

“My word! Throwing your daughter out like that right away—is this man insane? Jin Sohyeop, don’t take that guy’s words too seriously.”

“It’s fine. I wasn’t going to take them seriously anyway.”

“Then listen to my story instead.”

“Wow, that’s how this is going, huh?”

“Actually, I also have a daughter. You’ll like her.”

“I’m willing to bet Hyeok Mu-jin’s balls that I won’t.”

“What did you say?! What man could reject a beauty?!”

“A beauty, huh… Is your daughter really that pretty?”

“Are you kidding? She’s already famous throughout Fujian!”

“Oh, ohh.”

“Everyone knows! You can ask any passerby. She’s already beautiful, but in five years, she’ll be the top beauty in all of Fujian!”

“Oooh, the top beauty of Fujian… Wait a second. Why five years from now?”

“She’s twelve.”

“Get out.”

I could hardly remember how the seven days and nights went by.

Some who visited were people I already knew or came out of curiosity, but the majority were looking to establish a link with me or the Taewon Jin Clan.

And yes, not all of them were Murim people.

“Captain. Someone from Jungwon Merchants’ Association wishes to meet you.”

“Not ‘bring them in.’ What does a merchant group want with me? If it were my eldest brother, sure, but…”

“Well, I’m not sure why, but judging by my gut, they didn’t seem like bad people. I think it wouldn’t hurt to meet them once.”

“…Hey.”

“Y-Yes?”

“You bastard. You took a bribe from the Jungwon Merchants’ Association, didn’t you?”

“Gasp! H-How did you…”

“Spit out everything you got and send them back. I’m being nice right now.”

Now there were even people bold enough to bribe Hyeok Mu-jin.

Most visitors so far had scheduled through Jin Wi-gyeong, so I had no choice but to meet them.

If someone came directly despite knowing that Jin Wi-gyeong was the only gatekeeper, it usually meant one of two things.

‘Either they were already rejected by Jin Wi-gyeong due to disqualification, or they had such a high status that they could drop by anytime.’

Of course, the former was far more common, and those types often pulled cheap tricks and left without even seeing my face.

Why would they go to such lengths? I had already guessed why the spotlight was suddenly on me.

‘It’s because of the flag.’

On the day the Murim Alliance was formally declared, I stood with Ma Jong-hak, Jeok Cheon-Gang, and Cheongpung to raise the banner of the Alliance.

It was a moving moment for me, but I didn’t give it too much weight—yet it must’ve been a massive cultural shock for those who saw it.

‘Well, I guess it makes sense that two young guys stealing the spotlight from all the elders would be a big deal.’

On stage that day were figures from the Nine Great Sects, the Five Great Clans, and other prestigious factions.

Murim had gotten so old it might as well have been a retirement home. Even the few in their forties lucky enough to stand there were basically serving tea. And then there was me and Cheongpung, barely past our teens, daring to take part in such a glorious and historic event.

That spectacle was undoubtedly shocking to everyone.

Some acknowledged the ability and worth of us young guys with a nod, while others clearly couldn’t stomach it.

‘Like the Zhongnan Sect, for example.’

I’d bet good money they were boiling with rage.

Things had already been escalating ever since my bad blood with the Zhongnan Sect and the Taewon Jin Clan began. It started with the Three Fools of Zhongnan, the Zhongnan Three Scoundrels, and worsened when the Old Tiger Swordsman stormed the Taewon Jin Clan’s banquet, only to get beaten like a dog by Jeok Cheon-Gang.

And it didn’t end there. Even Taiyi Heartless Sword, one of Zhongnan’s top masters alongside their sect leader, Wind and Cloud Sword Sovereign, lost to me and sealed their disgrace.

After all that humiliation, they must’ve been seething to see me in the spotlight now.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they were badmouthing me, the Taewon Jin Clan, and Jeok Cheon-Gang right this very moment.

Given the personalities of those I’ve met from Zhongnan, I wouldn’t be shocked if they were cozying up to Dark Heaven.

– ‘Hey, Zhongnan Sect.’

– ‘Welcome, Dark Heaven.’

– ‘The Murim Alliance was just born—why the long face?’

– ‘It’s Jin Taekyung. That damned brat pisses me off.’

– ‘Kekeke. Want a stress relief pill?’

– ‘Sure. Make it a strong one.’

I can see it. I can picture it perfectly.

Of course, as an esteemed orthodox sect within the Nine Great Sects, they wouldn’t be stupid enough to directly team up with Dark Heaven. But they were definitely going to pick fights in one way or another.

‘Seriously though, why’s everyone targeting just me?’

As that thought crossed my mind, I glanced toward the little rice worm—no, dumpling worm—wiggling in the corner with Mimi-chan.

“What is it, benefactor?”

“Whoa, the worm speaks.”

“Pardon?”

“Nothing. But hey, Cheongpung, why do you seem so relaxed? No one’s visiting you.”

“I don’t meet anyone when I’m full. Even if they don’t bring anything tasty, I won’t see them.”

I thought for a moment, then asked again.

“You’re always full though.”

“Yep. That’s why I don’t meet anyone.”

“…Oh. Right.”

Must be nice, living so carefree.

If we were picking the most ‘do-whatever-he-wants’ guy in all of Murim, Cheongpung would win hands down.

Even during the Songshan Resolution, he was hopping around with joy just because he got to raise the Murim Alliance flag.

‘Genius or lunatic?’ Probably both. Hm.

As I muttered inwardly, Cheongpung yawned and opened his mouth.

“Also, I’m not slacking off. I’m training right now.”

“What kind of new bullcrap is this?”

“It’s true. Look.”

Cheongpung, still sitting, lowered Mimi, the Thousand-Year Venomous Horned Serpent, from his shoulders and began shifting his posture.

“…Sorry to interrupt, but… are you evolving into a bug right now?”

“Nope. This is martial arts.”

“Martial arts? You made it by watching Mimi move.”

Yet somehow, I couldn’t see anything martial about it. I asked sincerely,

“Is the name something like ‘Wriggle’ or ‘Harden’? Something like that?”

“Nope. It’s a footwork technique.”

“…Then you should be on your feet, idiot.”

“Oh, right. Forgot.”

Do I really need to tell him that?

While I was speechless, Cheongpung got up and took a step forward.

Or rather, the moment I thought he took a step, his body vanished.

Swoosh!

With a faint sound, he appeared at the far end of the wide room, grinning brightly.

“Tada~! What do you think?”

‘…What the hell did I just see?’

Goosebumps raced down my back.

It wasn’t ghostly—it was serpentine. Definitely a footwork technique, yet not a footwork technique.

Cheongpung didn’t walk. He slid.

And he moved so fast that even I, of all people, could barely catch it with my eyes.

“I mixed a few things—Mimi’s movements, some martial techniques. Moving like this makes me feel like I’ve become Mimi too!”

“…You mixed them?”

“The name’s Mimi Steps! Want me to teach you, benefactor?”

He’s completely insane. In so many ways.

I just stared at Cheongpung, mouth agape, then shook my head.

“No. Hard pass.”

“Aww…”

And just as the dejected Cheongpung drooped, Hyeok Mu-jin’s voice came from beyond the door.

“Captain. You have a visitor.”

A visitor? There was still someone left?