175 - Murim Login

Chapter 175 In an old guest room, an elderly man with a short stature quietly gazed at the young man lying on the bed. ‘Jin Taekyung of the Jin family.’ Even though Jin Taekyung hadn’t regained consciousness yet, his face looked serene. At a glance, he seemed to be lost in a deep sleep. ‘To think he only suffered this much against the Fire King’s technique.’ The elderly man, Jeok Cheongang, inwardly clicked his tongue. It was none other than an ultimate martial art unleashed by his own hands. Even though he had controlled his strength, it wasn’t a force that a young one who had just crossed the wall of mastery could endure. There was only one conclusion, and Jeok Cheongang already knew the answer. ‘This guy has mastered a Qi similar to mine.’ Not all ‘Fiery Qi’ is the same. In some aspects, martial energy is akin to a weapon. The essence is singular, but its forms are manifold. The internal cultivation method of the Ascension School reveals individual uniqueness, much like the Zhahashin Technique of the Mount Hua Sect. And this fact was something that aligned even with Jeok Cheongang’s Fire Gate School. ‘There’s no way he learned the Fiery God Technique.’ For hundreds of years, the Fire Gate School has strictly adhered to a single-person transmission principle. Jeok Cheongang, being the current head, knew well there was no leak during the succession process. Despite this, traces of the school’s influence were evident in Jin Taekyung, which meant... ‘It must be that, after all.’ The Fiery Elixir. No matter how much he thought about it, it couldn’t be anything else. Jeok Cheongang gave a bitter smile; anyone who knew him would find his expression surprisingly desolate. “Has it come to this, after all?” His aged voice echoed emptily in the old guest room before dissipating. After a long time chasing something unseen and intangible, Jeok Cheongang’s gaze fell on Jin Taekyung’s face. It was contorted, as if tormented by a nightmare. “What should I do with you, brat--?” At that moment, Jin Taekyung muttered as he groaned. “Uuuh, kimochii.” “......!” Ki... what? Though he couldn’t understand it, just hearing it left him inexplicably uneasy. Jeok Cheongang shook his head as he watched Jin Taekyung twitch and repeatedly murmur “kimochii.” ‘What a strange fellow.’ He left the room once “kimochii” changed to “yamete.” Unable to endure the discomfort any longer, Jeok Cheongang stormed out of the guest room, his forearms prickling with goosebumps. ‘...Could it be sorcery?’ Suspicions deepened at that moment. * * * As I opened my eyes, I saw an old ceiling. The flickering red lantern and the darkening view outside the window brought an unintentional sigh of relief from me. “Pheww.” I’m alive. Though I suffered a slight internal injury, I’m grateful it’s just this much. Considering the opponent was the Fire King, it was nothing short of a miracle. ‘Was he not truly intending to kill me? No matter how skilled I am, I’m no match for the Fire King. The same goes for Cheongpung. Yet, here I am, lying on a bed...’ “Are you awake?” “Whoa!” I jumped up like a startled carp. Something in the dark corner suddenly rose. “You scared me, you lunatic!” Heok Moojin replied curtly. “What’s so surprising? It’s not the first time you’re seeing my face.” “Look at your face. How am I supposed to get used to it?” “What’s wrong with my face? I’m quite handsome. My parents were worried about me when I was young.” “Afraid you’d have trouble making a living with that face?” “No, afraid I’d be kidnapped because I was too pretty for a boy.” Is he out of his mind? With a face like that, they should’ve been worried he might become a kidnapper. “...Tell them not to worry anymore.” “I will, later.” As he approached with a wobbly gait, Heok Moojin suddenly let out a groan and sat down heavily. “Uh, ah! Hold on a sec.” “What’s wrong with you?” Heok Moojin answered with a pained expression. “A cramp, a cramp.” “...You’re really trying everything today. Are you even a martial artist?” “It can happen if you sit in one place for too long. And because of you, I was stuck in that corner.” “How is it my fault?” “You kept saying weird things. Kimochi, yamete.” It was as if the language was etched into my soul. Familiar, not just familiar, it was endearing. I flinched slightly as I asked. “...Me?” “Yes. It was so creepy, I couldn’t stay inside. Even Jeok the Great said if I didn’t want to burn to death, stay inside quietly. He told me to report as soon as you woke up.” With a face overcome by sorrow, Heok Moojin continued. “He said it might be sorcery, so plug my ears. But even then, Captain, you kept going on. Like, oh? Ah, kimochi, kimochi.” “...Enough.” This was truly an unprecedented level of embarrassment. Somehow, when I woke up, I felt a sharp thrill; it seems I had quite a pleasant dream. On a hunch, I discreetly slid my hand under the blanket. Oh, clean. No issues here. Having solved one problem, it was time to focus on another. The importance of the next issue was incomparable to the previous one. Because this was a matter of life and death. “That old man. Where is he now?” It was clear whom I was referring to. Heok Moojin answered in a lowered voice. “He’s downstairs. Drinking with Cheong the Younger.” “Is that so? How long?” “I don’t know for sure since I woke up not long ago either, but I overheard from an attendant that it’s been more than three hours.” There was no need to even focus my energy. My hearing has become more acute, able to clearly catch the noisy revelry coming from downstairs as I reached the peak of perfection. ‘Look at them, carrying on without a care.’ The old man who flings his fists first and asks questions later, and the fool who jumped in and caused this mess. In my heart, I wanted to take a bottle and smash it over those scoundrels’ heads and proclaim justice, but I held back. ...Precisely speaking, I couldn’t help but hold back. “Phew.” Being powerless is such a crime. Sighing deeply, Heok Moojin cautiously offered a suggestion. “Um, Captain.” “What?” “Shouldn’t we head down by now?” “Where are we going down?” "Earlier, Master Jeok said to come down as soon as you regained your senses…” “Don’t call that old man a master. How is he a master?” “Well, you’d call him ‘Master’ too if you were face-to-face with him.” True enough. But going downstairs now would be like throwing oneself into a tiger’s mouth. I began putting on the clothes draped over the table at lightning speed. “What are you doing?” “Getting ready to bolt.” “What?” “I’m escaping. Why, do you want to come along?” Heok Moojin grabbed my arm with a confused expression. “Why are you running away?” “That old man could decide to roast me any moment, wouldn’t you want to flee?” “Is this because of earlier?” “If by earlier you mean with Elder Jo?” “Yes. Although, Choongpoong and I…” I cut him off resolutely. “You’ve already explained everything by now. Any misunderstanding should be cleared up.” “Ah, you already knew.” “Do you think I’m stupid?” I fainted at noon, so at least half a day has passed. No matter how hot-tempered Jeok Cheongang is, he surely would’ve investigated the situation to ascertain the facts. Choongpoong and Heok Moojin would have tried to clarify the misunderstanding as well. Hearing my words, Heok Moojin tilted his head. “Then it’s fine, isn’t it? There’s no reason to run.” Every second counts. I pretended to rummage through my inventory, producing an item and waving it. “Here’s the reason.” [Flame King’s Technique]. Seeing the cover of the old booklet, Heok Moojin muttered quietly. “Ah, damn it…” “Now, here’s the question. What exactly is the relationship between Jo Pil, who had the Flame King’s technique, and Jeok Cheongang?” “You’re getting a sense, right? I’d bet my hand and all my money that they were master and disciple. What would you bet?” Heok Moojin didn’t bet anything. Instead, he began a desperate dance of vivid imagination, filled with dreams and hopes. “Hold on a second. They might not be master and disciple.” “If not master and disciple, then what? Father and son? Their temperaments are similar, so it’s plausible, huh?” “Jo Pil could have stolen it from Master Jeok.” I snorted. I snorted so hard even a booger flew out. “Does the Fire King look like the neighborhood grandpa? Who would dare steal from him?” He burnt down a town and killed a thousand cultists for it. Even if Jo Pil was crazy, he wouldn’t have dared dream of it without some sort of divine intervention. After a momentarily hesitant nod, Heok Moojin agreed. “…Alright, let’s say he is the disciple.” “I’m telling you, he definitely is. And if you’re not coming, let go of my arm. I’m busy.” Heok Moojin paid no heed and stubbornly continued the conversation. “Even if Jo Pil is Master Jeok’s disciple, we only did our duty. Jo Pil attacked first, after all.” “Right, you and Choongpoong should be fine, so pass that message instead. I’m out of here.” “Captain!” “Alright, Moojin. Let’s assume what you say is true. Even if that cantankerous old man were to acknowledge his disciple’s wrongdoing and let it slide…” As I unclasped the grip on my arm, I continued to question. “Then we’d need to return what Jo Pil stole, right?” Heok Moojin nodded emphatically. “Of course. Do you want to roast alive by being greedy?” “But what if we can’t return it?” “What? Are you… interested in the Flame King’s technique?” “Have I lost my mind? My motto is to live quietly and at length. That’s why I take dumps so long.” Under normal circumstances, Moojin would have given me a disgusted look for that dirty talk. Instead, he swallowed dryly. “Then what’s the problem?” “The problem is there was more than just the Flame King’s technique on Jo Pil.” I spread out three fingers and began folding them down one by one. First, the Flame King’s Technique. Second, the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Steel Sword. And finally, the third. “The Fiery Elixir.” Heok Moojin, who was already slack-jawed at the mention of the Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Steel Sword, asked with a hesitant expression. “…Are you talking about that thing? The one that enormously boosts martial power but sets your body on fire?” “Yes. It’s been ages since I wanted to pass it on to you along with the Flame King’s technique.” “Where…where is it now?” “Moojin.” I gazed out the window with eyes wet with nostalgia, in the direction of Hangsan Sword Sect in the north. “Remember when we visited Hangsan Sword Sect last time?” “Why bring that up all of a sudden?” “That guy, the rogue leader, was stronger than I thought. How could I defeat someone who bested both Cheolmubaek and Jin Mugyeong?” “Wait, wait. So back then?” “Yeah. The elixir helped.” I caressed my abdomen with the spirit of a three-week pregnant woman who just confirmed a positive pregnancy test. “Stored it here. The Fiery Elixir.” “They say it’s the Fire Gate’s secret essence. To return it, they’ll have to cut my abdomen and extract it.” “So, don’t stop me any longer. I’m throwing off all shackles and bondage and seeking my way…” At that moment, Heok Moojin moved more swiftly than ever before. With a dash, woosh! The sight of him, clutching his satchel tightly, leaping out of the wide-open window, reminded me of a bird. ‘Well, that rascal.’ Daring to attempt an escape before me? And with the satchel full of coins and provisions? “Hey, Heok Moojin!” The moment I stealthily shouted, it was already too late. With a look of enlightenment, his shape plummeted downwards. “Damn it.” I needed to escape quickly too. Just as I hurriedly ran to leap out of the window. Bam! Thud! All of a sudden, Heok Moojin, who had been running energetically, crumpled like he’d been shot. What struck him in the temple was an object I recognized well. “…A chicken bone?” Then, the next moment. An elderly voice called out from below. “You fool. Can’t tell the difference between a chicken and a duck?” The sound of steady footsteps drew closer. A small shadow danced along the lanterns at the inn's entrance. Soon, a wrinkled face suddenly appeared, looking up at me as I leaned against the window, chuckling mischievously. “Where do you think you're heading off to?” After contemplating 14,000,605 possible futures, I formulated the most appropriate response. “To the outhouse.” “Want to bleed from your rear?” “No.” As expected, it didn’t work.