173 - Murim Login

Chapter 173 With a look of amazement in Cheongpung's eyes, Hwa-wang (King of Fire) Jeok Cheon-gang smiled faintly. "Have you heard of me?" "My grandfather would occasionally mention you." "Oh ho, it seems that old friend hasn't forgotten about me. What did he say?" "He said your martial arts skills are powerful, but your personality is... quite dirty." In truth, Jeok Cheon-gang wasn't exactly the most sociable person. Actually, rather than just not being sociable, he was notoriously difficult. After experiencing all sorts of hardships in his youth, mistrust towards people was deeply rooted in him. He later grew up under a master with a peculiar personality, so perhaps it was inevitable. "I heard that during the Great Demon War, you often got into fights. They said you've probably had a go at everyone from the Nine Great Schools back in the day..." "Ahem, who said I beat everyone up?! Besides, I was young back then. It's natural when one's blood runs hot..." "Weren't you in your sixties at the time?" "Kuh-hem!" Jeok Cheon-gang, who couldn't defend himself further, was left to awkwardly clear his throat, while Cheongpung added another comment. "Still, he told me that if you look past the surface, you're a good person. If I were ever to meet you, I should treat you as I would him." The corners of Jeok Cheon-gang's mouth twitched. "Hmm, that old friend Mae Jong-hak really knows me well." Jeok Cheon-gang's time during the Great Demon War lasted just about a year. It was rare for two martial artists of extreme skill to be on the same battlefield, and although he only met Mae Jong-hak about ten times, it was a relationship that could be called knowing one's inner self. 'He's trained his grandson well.' But wait, did he ever get married? Jeok Cheon-gang examined Cheongpung's face closely. He found no resemblance to Mae Jong-hak's face as he remembered it. 'Doesn't seem like a direct grandson...' Well, it doesn't matter. Bloodlines mixed or not, it was clear this boy was his successor. Going by his actions and words, you might even say their souls were intertwined rather than just their blood. With a satisfied smile, Jeok Cheon-gang said to Cheongpung, "Looks like I've gained a hearty grandson today. Now, offer your grandfather a grand bow." "What?" Cheongpung tilted his head and asked again. "Why?" "...Why, you ask?" Caught off guard, Jeok Cheon-gang stammered. "Didn't Mae Jong-hak say to treat me as you would him?" "Yes." "So, if a grandson sees his grandfather, he should bow deeply." "My grandfather doesn't care for such things. He said only stubborn old men cling to such formalities." "...!" Suddenly labeled a stubborn old man, Jeok Cheon-gang trembled slightly. "What's the word for this? I learned it recently." Cheongpung, lost in thought, clapped his hands. "Oh, right. 'Kkondae'!" "Kkon, what?" "Kkondae. There's also the similar term 'kkonmeori'." Kkondae? Kkonmeori? The words themselves were unpleasant, and their sound even more so. He wasn't entirely sure what it meant, but he got the gist. 'Have I been stuck in the mountains too long?' The younger generation was stronger than he imagined. But he couldn't just go beating up the grandson of a dear friend... Feeling a headache coming on, Jeok Cheon-gang spoke, "Is that like a trendy thing among the youth these days?" "I don't know, I just heard it recently too." "From whom?" "From my benefactor." Jeok Cheon-gang turned his head in the direction Cheongpung indicated. There, his gaze met a young man squinting. "Hey, come over here." Did he see? Our eyes met for a split second... No, he didn't see. I shut my eyes immediately; how could he have seen? I trembled, pretending to manage internal injuries, even adding a groan for effect. "Nggh!" "Hey, I said come over here." Stay calm. It's just a baseless accusation. Rushing over would be amateurish. In intense situations like this, you need to tighten your core and maintain the act to be recognized as a master. "Huuugh!" "Don't force yourself too hard. I've seen many end up pooping themselves." Point taken. I eased up slightly, taking Jeok Cheon-gang's advice. "Hoooo!" "You there, this is the final call. Will you come to me, or shall I come to you?" Final call. I can't be swayed by such words. You must endure until the very last moment. "Fine, I'll come. You'll regret this." "...I'll come over." With tears brimming, I opened my eyes. Two fiery eyes were fixed on me. He truly embodied the nickname Hwa-wang (King of Fire). 'Damn, the King of Fire...' Why the hell is he here... No matter how many times I thought about it, I couldn't believe this situation. But reality doesn't change. That stubby old man was none other than the King of Fire, one of the top 20 martial artists in the world. 'I sensed it from the start.' I'm probably the first among those present to realize his true identity. When I first sensed Jeok Cheon-gang's energy, the system had ominous things to say. Ding. - Your [Yeolyang Spirit] responds enthusiastically. - Harmonizes with the energy infiltrating your body. - Your energy slightly increases. It all happened in an instant. At first, I thought I'd get roasted alive, but then a comforting warmth spread through me as if I’d had a hearty meal, with my energy increasing. 'What just happened?' Initially, I absurdly took it as a good thing, but soon realized it wasn't the right time to be so carefree. 'Wait a minute. My Yeolyang Spirit arose from consuming the Fiery Physique Pill.' It's odd to not be affected despite sharing the same Yeolyang. Even compounded with its absorption. After a moment of intense contemplation, I concluded it was due to us both originating from the same source. Which means, that old man belongs to the Yeolahm sect, and as far as I know, it’s a single succession school, with the current master being... 'Hwa-wang... no way, it can't be. The guy who vanished for nearly forty years suddenly shows up here and now?' At that time, that was my thought. The first stage in the psychological process that cancer patients experience is denial. It was the same for me too. The only difference is that it didn’t even take me five minutes to reach the final stage of acceptance. 'The Sword Saint was close friends with him, lived on Mount Gu during the Great Demon War, and was killed when the Demonic Cult set it ablaze...' Damn, it’s the King of Fire, isn’t it? The more I listened to the conversation between Jeok Cheon-gang and Cheongpung, the clearer his identity became. Though he never explicitly said he was the King of Fire, it was a level where not knowing would be foolish. Thus, upon finally reaching acceptance, a chill ran down my spine. 'Damn it.’ I recalled Jo Pil, whose body I had split in half with a single strike. The [Nameless Sword] and the [Flame God Scroll] stashed in my inventory were problematic too. To make matters worse, I had already consumed the Fiery Physique Pill and stored it securely in my dantian. 'Ugh, this burns.’ Whether or not Jo Pil was a disciple of that old man was a problem in itself. My mind tangled with complexities, I moved slowly like an ox being led to slaughter when Jeok Cheon-gang raised his finger. "I'll count to three. One." Whoosh! I rushed forward with all my might, and Jeok Cheon-gang looked at me with a bemused expression. "Hey." "Yes, sir!" "Whoa, I’m not deaf, speak softly!" Smack! A crisp hit landed on the back of my head, making it throb. I’d never been hit like this in the martial world before. Naturally, challenging him was out of the question. The opponent was a fearsome martial arts master with a notoriously bad temper. Jeok Cheon-gang observed me, his eyes narrowing. "Look at you, much more compliant than before, huh?" "No, sir." "Don’t deny it. You’d sooner fool a spirit than me. Even the way you blink has changed." Cheongpung approached with a concerned expression. "Savior, is your body alright?" Bodily, yes. But my heart feels like it’s dying. I responded in a half-dead voice. "Yes, I’m managing..." "Managing, really?" Jeok Cheon-gang leaned in without any warning, surveying me up and down. "Hmm, come to think of it, why is someone who should be immobilized for half an hour from energy circulation moving so freely?" Why indeed, except that I absorbed the Fiery Physique Pill. But of course, I couldn't say that out loud. Under his suspicious gaze, my mouth went dry. “You're quite peculiar the more I look at you. Which sect do you belong to?" "I’m from the Tae-Won Jin family." "Tae-Won Jin family… that sounds familiar." Jeok Cheon-gang furrowed his brow and then exclaimed, "Ah, was it the Flash Fire Sword? Right, Jin Baek-yang from the Tae-Won Jin family." The Flash Fire Sword, Jin Baek-yang, was, none other than the head elder. Of all things to come up here... "And you are...?" "That’s right." “We met a few times in passing, and he was a decent fellow. Had a bit of a gloom to him, but then again, most people did at the time. Quite well-mannered too." In the end, nothing remains but memories. Especially for those like Jeok Cheon-gang, who don't have many days left. 'Why did it have to be the head elder who left an impression?' Moreover, the memories seemed relatively fond. Up till recently, no one could predict the elder's actions. Back during the Great Demon War, he was a strong candidate for the family head, renowned for his martial prowess and popularity. “You seem to have inherited the Tae-Won Jin family’s bloodline based on your accomplishments. What is your relationship to the Flash Fire Sword?" “He’s my great-uncle.” In truth, it was a relationship of life and death, but I wasn’t lying. Hearing I was related by blood, Jeok Cheon-gang’s gaze softened. "Oh. I see, really?” "How old are you?" "I'm twenty this year, just reached adulthood." “Seems like you've learned the Flame Spirit Technique. Did you receive guidance from the Flash Fire Sword?” “Yes.” He did indeed guide me, a couple of months ago at Palcheon Gorge. He was so passionate, that my head nearly split open from his sword energy. “For your age, your achievements are quite remarkable. You’re much better than what the Flash Fire Sword achieved at your age.” Jeok Cheon-gang even offered words of encouragement. The atmosphere was generally warm. Until the next moment when he spoke again. “So, how is he doing?” “Well…” He’s doing well… in his grave, that is. “Reckon his martial skills have improved considerably. Should I stop by and see his face?” “That…” Visiting is possible, but seeing his face... not really. The head elder’s grave is tucked away in a corner of the Tae-Won Jin family’s communal grave site. Though the family elders opposed it vehemently, Jin Wi-gyeong pushed it through. Feeling a sense of guilt for her grandfather, the former family head's mistakes. “We should share a drink if I visit. He wouldn't take offense to an old friend.” I imagined Jeok Cheon-gang pouring alcohol over the elder’s grave. Damn, that's going too far. I took a deep breath and decided to speak up. "I have something to say." "What is it? Speak up." "He passed away." “…What?” “About two months ago, unfortunately.” In the brief silence that followed, Jeok Cheon-gang murmured. “Already? At such a prime age?” Prime? He was well over eighty. Although, with his strong internal energy, he might have lived another twenty years had he stayed put. “How did it happen?” “He died in battle.” “In battle?” A flicker of anger sparked in Jeok Cheon-gang’s eyes. “Was it those from the Demonic Cult?” “It wasn’t like that. The situation is so complex and sensitive that it's difficult to explain.” “Do you know who killed him?” “Have you avenged him? From the Tae-Won Jin family’s perspective, no amount of revenge would be enough.” Hearing all this, I felt like my bones were melting. As I lowered my head in sorrowful silence, Jeok Cheon-gang sensed the heavy atmosphere and paused. Great, it was perfect. And it was a stroke of luck that Hyuk Moo-jin was still unconscious. Had he been awake, he'd have been sneaking glances at me, shouting, "He's the culprit! He’s the one who killed him!" ‘Once I get out of this place, I need to flee fast. Maybe even log out entirely.' And then, realization struck me. "Wait. Isn’t the Flash Fire Sword, Jin Baek-yang, the person you killed, Savior? Isn’t that right?" I had completely forgotten about that guy.