184 - Murim Login

Chapter 184 It seems like there might be not just hundreds but around a thousand people. We navigated through the overwhelming crowd, escorted by the martial artists of the Taeweon Jin family. 'This feels amazing.' It's like becoming a star in the Chinese sphere, perhaps similar to the Hallyu wave. But really, since I'm Korean, it's not entirely incorrect, is it? "Shanxi Dragon! Please look this way just once!" "Kyaa! Jin So-hyup!" "Waahhh!" They say even a mutt has its day in its own yard. No matter how famous the "Plum Blossom Trio" are, they couldn't overcome the pride of the Shanxi province, the son of Taeweon, in his hometown. Cheerfully smiling and waving to the crowd, Cheolwoo whispered to me. "Look at you grinning. You happy?" "Look at your frown. You gonna cry?" "This Shanxi bumpkin." "Alright then, next up, the wild man." "You little…" "What the…?" Just as sparks were about to fly again, a voice cut through to my ears. - Third Master! Wipeng was glaring at me with a fierce expression. He looked as if he wanted to slap me immediately. He must have sent a similar message to Cheolwoo as well, judging from the disgruntled look on his face. "I let it slide." I responded with a snort. Hearing the crowd's cheers, I remembered my shock upon realizing that Cheolwoo, from the Huashan Sect, was making quite a name for himself as one of the "Plum Blossom Trio," but that was all. 'So what if they're the Plum Blossom Trio?' I've already experienced enough of the Huashan Sect's martial arts, all thanks to a certain someone walking lazily beside me. "I'm hungry. I'm so hungry." "..." No matter how odd he might seem, it's undeniable that Cheongpung is a master of the Huashan Sect's true techniques. Because of this, I was confident I could confront any martial arts Cheolwoo might use. All he has over me is his background with the Huashan Sect. "..." Oh, wait. I take back what I said. Upon reconsideration, the background difference is substantial. No matter how esteemed the Taeweon Jin family becomes, the Nine Great Schools are overwhelming. 'Damn, I lose this one.' In my perspective, the Nine Great Schools and the Five Grand Families are akin to a corporate alliance in the martial world. Even already powerful conglomerates band together to suppress others, making it impossible to resist. Fortunately, claiming to be an orthodox sect, they don't encroach on small businesses, allowing mid-sized groups like the Taeweon Jin family to rise. 'In that sense, it's clear the Huashan Sect is quite invested in this matter.' Baek Mooseong of Huashan. If what Hyuk Moojin said is true, he is virtually acknowledged as the next leader of the Huashan Sect. There's just one person among Huashan's future stars who might rival him... "Benefactor, I'm really hungry. Aren't there any dumplings left?" "No, there aren't." "Oh no... Aaah..." Cheongpung won't make it, probably. The chance of him becoming the Huashan Sect leader is slimmer than the sect converting to Islam. Even as a third-party observer, I wonder what kind of person he might be, so how much more baffling would it be for the Huashan people? 'After experiencing everything the world has to offer, it'll likely be then that he considers becoming the Huashan Sect leader.' As I vividly imagined a realistic future, Cheolwoo spoke with an annoyed tone. "Look, are you haunted by the ghost of someone who died without a dumpling? Please, shut up." "...? "...? "...? In that moment, Cheolwoo was suddenly startled upon realizing he was the focus of my and Wipeng's stares, as well as Hyuk Moojin's. "What, what's up with the looks?" he asked, baffled. "Hey, you don't know, do you?" "Cheol So-hyup, you're not aware?" "No way. As one of the famed Plum Blossom Trio, it's impossible not to know." With responses flowing row by row, Cheolwoo's eyes darted around like those of a trapped bull. "What is it? Why are you all like this?" Obviously, it's because they don't realize the elder of their sect. According to lineage, Cheongpung is the disciple of the Sword Saint and the youngest disciple of Cheon Geomjin, the current leader of the Huashan Sect. To Cheolwoo, he's like the disciple of his master's brother, a Sasu (師叔). 'Ah, when I think about it, I suppose he might not recognize him.' Cheongpung was raised in seclusion by the Sword Saint Maejonghak. It's likely only a few in the sect know his face and identity. I clucked my tongue at Cheolwoo failing to recognize his Sasu right before him. "Tsk tsk, as they say, it's darkest under the lamp." "Exactly what does that mean?" "Nothing, you'll find out soon enough." "This is absolutely maddening." When Cheolwoo sighed with frustration and pounded his chest, we left behind the cheers of the crowd and entered the main gate of the Taeweon Jin family. Simultaneously, we were met with the eyes and murmurs of hundreds of people. The atmosphere inside was distinctly different from outside. "Is that young man..." "So, he's the Shanxi Dragon. As impressive as rumored." "The Paduk Fist is here too. He's the second disciple of Cheon Geomjin?" "Who are the two young men beside him?" "Hmm, not sure." Around a hundred people of all ages mingled around. Their attire and demeanor exuded wealth and leisure. 'The influential figures of the Shanxi province.' Among them were leaders of clans and wealthy merchants. They were powerful and capable enough to be formally invited to this gathering. 'At first glance, it feels like a noble's dance party.' Caught up in a peculiar mood, I moved forward. The fact that these rulers of the Shanxi province were merely supporting players in this meeting, and the curious and admiring glances they cast, sent a ticklish sensation inside me. And then it happened. "I'm Jang Sepal, leading a small sect called Hagokmun." "Ah, yes, hello." "As a longtime admirer of the Taeweon Jin family and the Shanxi Dragon, it's an honor to meet you..." As a middle-aged martial artist began a lengthy monologue, others started gathering like a horde of zombies. "Hello. I'm operating a small martial hall near Yangcheon... "Sorry? Oh, yes." "Jin So-hyup. I have something urgent to discuss, can we move somewhere..." "Now? That's a bit..." "This child is my daughter. She was desperate to meet the Shanxi Dragon, and if possible..." "Yes, yes." "Oh, so should I send a matchmaker right away?" "Wait, wait a moment! I answered wrong!" What in the world is happening? With requests for handshakes, no, I mean, fist-bumps coming at me from all sides, I was on the verge of losing my mind. If Wipeng hadn't intervened just in time, I would've ended up agreeing to every kind of favor and marriage proposal filled with all kinds of flowery words. "Please, everyone, calm down!" We managed to slip away during the stunned silence created by the shout of a master-level martial artist, who imbued his voice with inner strength. Cheolwoo shook his head, overwhelmed. "This is insane. Are all Shanxi province people like this?" Of course not. This is a special situation. Wipeng was the only one among us who didn't seem fazed. He spoke calmly. "You'll have to get used to these kinds of events; you’ll encounter them more frequently." "I have to deal with situations like today frequently?" "You're a direct descendant of the Taeweon Jin family, after all." "I almost had five marriages just now." "It's a common thing for a promising young master with no spouse." "They even mentioned having a marriage alliance with me before birth... Is that true?" "What if it is or isn't? Just think positively." I shuddered internally. For 27 years in reality, I'd lived as a singleton, and now I was supposed to consider arranged marriages out of nowhere? In the midst of martial world, no less. 'No way. I have Song Yi.' I exclaimed defiantly, looking a bit overheated. "How can one treat marriage, such an important matter, so lightly? It's about the love between a man and a woman! Pure emotions! Don't I have those at least?" "No, you don't." "Why not! Why!" Wipeng scanned me with a look as if inspecting a worm. "Is that something someone who has been frequenting brothels since the age of sixteen should say? Did you sprinkle away your conscience with the silver?" "Let’s proceed quietly. The lord is waiting." It'd be less frustrating if I had at least visited one brothel. Heck, I've never even been to a pickup bar. As I remained internally crushed and silent, Cheolwoo slid over and asked. "Is it true?" "Is what true?" "That you went to brothels since sixteen." "It's none of your business. And why bring that up out of nowhere?" Cheolwoo hesitated awkwardly, fumbling for words. "Well, you see, it's a personal curiosity, perhaps. From someone who's walked the straight path of a martial artist his whole life..." "You want to visit a brothel?" "Ahem!" "...Just keep walking your path as a martial artist. Don't stray." Weary of the nonsense, I replied just as a new voice joined the conversation. "Jin So-hyup's words are absolutely right. Not long since you've descended from the main sect, and you've already forgotten the duty of a true martial artist?" The speaker had a stern yet slightly amused tone. A stranger, a man with a clean impression, approached us with unwavering steps and respectfully gave a martial salute. His target wasn’t me, nor was it Wipeng. "Baek Mooseong, first disciple of the Huashan Sect, greets my teacher." A brief silence followed before Cheongpung responded. "Who are you?" He looked to be around his sixties. He had a slender build, and his piercing eyes were striking. A raspy voice emanated from between his cracked lips. "So they you've been embarrassed by an unknown lowly rascal?” "Now, Elder, it wasn't exactly like that…?" The three men standing in front of the elder, a man of the Three Hands of Zhongnan, were drenched in sweat. Despite being known as the Three Hands, in front of their sect's elder, they had to be cautious with every word and action. Especially since their elder was a renowned master and a ferocious disposition made him all the more intimidating if he were displeased. "Then what was it? No matter how I hear it, all I get is that you’ve brought shame to the name of the Zhongnan Sect." His sharp gaze made the Three Hands tremble. As the elder's fiery reprimand was about to erupt, a man who had been silent all along suddenly spoke up. "It wasn’t an unknown lowly rascal." "What?" The man with his arm in a splint, Gong Ilhyuk, continued speaking. "They claimed to be the Sword Saint’s disciple." The remark was so shocking that it left the elder speechless for a moment, and he questioned in disbelief. "... Sword Saint?" "So you're saying the Sword Saint, who has been in seclusion for years, has raised a disciple?" "Initially, we doubted it as well... but it seems true." "Do you have proof?" "The young Huashan Sect disciple named Ipung is currently serving in the Shanxi military. Judging by his reaction, it’s certain." "Ipung?" His already wrinkled brows furrowed. His memory wasn’t perfect enough to recognize any low-ranking disciple of the Huashan Sect. "Is that all?" With a lukewarm response, Gong Ilhyuk quickly continued. "A man in his early twenties has mastered the true Huashan Sect techniques to perfection. He displayed martial arts that are allowed only to the main sect’s core disciples. Later, after hearing the reports of the events, the elder silently stroked his gauntlets." 'A disciple of the Sword Saint, a disciple of the Sword Saint.' The Sword Saint had been in seclusion for many decades. To suddenly have his disciple appear in the martial world, whether he was alive or dead was uncertain. While the facts were hard to believe, his mind was already stirred. 'At the very least, I need to confirm this.' After a long silence, the elder stood up with determination. He gave an order to the startled Three Hands. "Guide me." "Wh-where to exactly?" "Are you talking about the Sword Saint's disciple?" Unlike the confused pair, Gong Ilhyuk's eyes gleamed with a realization. "I believe he’s traveling with someone from the Taeweon Jin family." "Someone from the Taeweon Jin family, you mean that Jin Taekyung you mentioned earlier?" "Yes. It's half a day's journey from here." The elder clicked his tongue. "Clever rascal. I suppose you came to find me because of this." "Our inadequate actions have sullied the Zhongnan Sect’s name. Renowned Elder, you are as invested in our main sect’s reputation as anyone. When I heard you were nearby..." "Enough. From what you say, that Jin Taekyung seems like an arrogant youth." "Indeed. Such a brat needs to be taught a serious lesson." Gong Ilhyuk added as though the thought just occurred to him. "And it so happens there’s a gathering at the Taeweon Jin family." "A gathering?" "They're showing off their influence by inviting all the sects of Shanxi." "And they dare hold a gathering that tramples on our sect's honor?" The elder's eyes flashed with anger. "There’s nothing more to discuss. Lead the way." "I obey the elder’s command." Bowing his head, a triumphant smile played on Gong Ilhyuk's lips.