188 - Murim Login

Chapter 188 Dressed simply, she appeared more mature and beautiful than the last time I saw her. With every step she took closer, a subtle fragrance wafted in the air. 'Honestly, it's no wonder Cheolwoo is smitten.' It wouldn't be surprising if half the men gathered at the Taewon Jin family residence were reconsidering their chances of confessing. 'And yet, she proposed to me.' Although she’s still young and the proposal is akin to a marriage arrangement, I couldn't deny the odd feeling it stirred. Finally, she approached me and greeted me. "It's been a while. How have you been?" "Yes. And you, Miss?" I immediately regretted asking. She's the one whose family perished, and her martial sect was on the verge of collapse. How could she have been well? "Well…" Lee Sowol answered, momentarily taken aback. "I've been well, thanks to you, Young Master Jin." She added with a gentle smile. "And I will continue to be." Her voice carried a firm resolve. Perhaps it was the sense of growth from being at a crossroads between the crisis of annihilation and pledging her allegiance. I replied with sincerity. "I truly hope so." As Lee Sowol nodded with a faint smile, that was when— "H-Hey, Taekyung!" "…What are you doing?" I looked at Cheolwoo with disbelief. He was draping an uneasy arm over my shoulders with a tone that didn’t match. "Move your arm. You're in the way." "Heh, hehehe! Come on, we're lifelong friends! What's so strange about this?" "Weren't we sworn enemies?" "This guy! Your humor's improved!" "Does that sound like a joke?" "Haha, but who might this lovely lady be?" "So this is your true intent." The atmosphere tightened. With exaggerated theatricality, Cheolwoo dramatically bowed to Lee Sowol at a perfect 90-degree angle. "Greetings! It's an honor to meet you!" "Ah… yes. The honor is mine." "As for me, I'm a decadelong friend of this fellow here…" Before flustered Lee Sowol could continue, I interjected. "We just met today." "Even though it was just today, we've formed a friendship spanning a decade…" "We're not close at all." "This is destiny, would you care to sit next to me…" "He's making a move because you're pretty, Miss. Don't fall for it." Cheolwoo ground his teeth, and Lee Sowol’s eyes widened. "Oh, really?" "Yes. Can’t you tell just by looking?" Even if you’re obtuse, there's a limit. Being this oblivious is concerning. As I sighed, Lee Sowol took a step closer to me. "No, not that." "Pardon?" "Do you think I'm pretty, Young Master Jin?" "Wait, hold on." Her whisper cut right through, her eyes shone brightly. 'What is she doing? Why is she acting like this?' Cheolwoo’s gaze on us was sinking into despair. * * * "Wow!" "Drink! Drink!" The atmosphere in the grand martial hall was electrifying. Dancers, or rather performers, recruited from Honghwa House dazzled with their choreography, stealing every gaze as the crowd indulged in drink and meat, reveling in the moment. Even the esteemed guests, initially wearing uneasy expressions, let down their guard and relaxed. 'These fools should be groveling on the ground.' Many of these guests owed Taewon Jin a debt but maintained their so-called neutrality during the last war. It was neutrality in name only; in reality, they feared reprisal from the Hangsan Sword Sect. 'Accepting the Sword Sect must have put their minds at ease.' Jin Wi-kyung openly embraced Hangsan Sword Sect and seated Lee Sowol in a place of honor before their eyes. This signaled that the past would no longer be held against them. It was only natural that warmth spread among the guests. Swift declarations of loyalty and a shower of gifts followed. "Young Master. We at Sangdomun wish to pledge our allegiance to Taewon Jin." "Oh, how grateful we are." "This small gift is a token of our intentions." "Thank you, Lord Hwang." "Jin Master. I am leading the Sangbang(上枕) and… “Please accept this humble offering…” Mountains of luxury goods and gold accumulated rapidly. No doubt after today, Jin Wi-kyung would have no budget concerns to worry about. Once things settled a bit, Jin Wi-kyung approached me. "What did you think?" I gave a thumbs up. "It was impressive. But are you sure you should be here? It seems there are still those who haven't had a chance to speak with you." "That's why they'll be anxious." "Pardon?" "How do those who haven’t spoken with me feel now?" "Well, probably like they're lagging far behind everyone else." "Exactly." Jin Wi-kyung raised his glass knowingly. "The more desperate they are, the more they'll offer. It's only the first day. I'm looking forward to the last day even more." Indeed. He's set on squeezing every last drop. Especially the anxious faces of the leaders of Sanso sect down below; they’ll likely mark the highlight of the final day. "But youngest," Jin Wi-kyung lowered his voice to ask. "What's going on with Pahwa-kwon, why is he acting like that?" Somehow, Cheolwoo had shifted to the far edge of the honored seats, casting sidelong glances at us with a sullen face. He glared fiercely in my direction only to sigh heavily whenever I exchanged even the smallest words with Lee Sowol. This... How should I explain this? Lee Sowol wasn't seated far enough to grant me the comfort of sharing a cautious explanation. 'I should've rehearsed [Transmission] more ahead of time.' Having reached a certain stage, I could now use [Transmission] but it required practice to master. I couldn’t use it now. "He doesn’t look well. Is he feeling unwell?" It’s his heart that’s aching. "Perhaps he's just in a bad mood." I vaguely responded just as the music that had filled the grand martial hall suddenly ceased, stirring a murmur among the people. 'Who is this now?' Amidst confused performers, a young man walked confidently, taking a formal stance with a bow towards the head seat. Specifically, towards Jin Wi-kyung. "I am Choo Dohwan from Hanam Iron Blood Gate(鐵血門)." Jin Wi-kyung's eyes widened in recognition. "Are you by any chance Iron Fist(鐵拳) Choo Dohwan?" "It's merely a name," he said modestly. "I’ve heard quite a bit about you. But what brings a disciple of Iron Blood Gate here without any prior notice?" Iron Blood Gate from Hanam was a well-known sect, one I’ve heard of a few times. 'Based solely on the sect's prestige, it would certainly rank among the top three here.' Choo Dohwan, unfazed by the attention, stated his reason for coming. "I’ve come to request a martial duel." "A duel? Right now?" "Yes. I apologize for the inconvenience, but I humbly ask for your consideration." Of course, he should apologize. This is no ordinary gathering. However, surprisingly, there weren’t many frowning at the disruption. Many, who’d had a few drinks, seemed to take it as an exhilarating surprise event. "Hmm." "If you refuse, I'll apologize sincerely and withdraw." At least he knew his manners. Baek Mu-seong, observing the situation, added. "I’ve also heard the name Iron Fist Choo Dohwan. As expected from Iron Blood Gate, his hand-to-hand combat skills are exceptional, and I've heard he's a straightforward individual." "Perhaps he intends to challenge you, Scholar Baek." Baek Mu-seong chuckled. "My disciples and I would welcome it anytime." "Are you sure?" "Of course. On this fine day, I’m just grateful for any opportunity to liven up the occasion." A response that showcased both a strong composure and humility. Jin Wigyeong, having stood up, spoke. "We accept Associate Choo's request." "Thank you." But Jin Wigyeong did not stop there. "If anyone here wishes to participate in the duel, they are welcome! The final winner will be rewarded with one hundred silver liang and a fittingly excellent weapon!" "Wow!" Cheers erupted at the bold move to capitalize on the situation. After all, there's nothing more entertaining than watching a fight. Many of the young martial artists, still full of vigor, seemed eager to participate. "Well then, Associate Choo!" Drawing attention with his booming voice, Jin Wigyeong addressed Choo Dohwan. "Choose your first opponent." "The one I wish to duel is… A disciple renowned for his hand-to-hand combat from Iron Blood Gate. His epithet was Iron Fist. 'It's obvious.' As expected, Choo Dohwan pointed to one particular person. "Associate Cheolwoo Paehwagwon!" "…Me?" Still in a daze, Cheolwoo rose, his damp eyes fixing on Choo Dohwan. "That's a good choice." "Let’s test our strengths!" I glanced at Choo Dohwan's level displayed above his head and mused. 'He's going to get beaten.' [Lv.65 Choo Dohwan] And my guess soon became reality. Bam! Bam! Bam! There was no technique or strategy involved. The difference between the peak and the first-class levels was as vast as heaven and earth, and Choo Dohwan had nothing to bridge that gap. Thwack! "Cough! To be defeated so easily…" "Are you really Iron Fist? Why are you so soft?" Cheolwoo, on the other hand, was like a rampaging beast. His martial arts level was superior, and with his strength, stature, and resilience, he knocked down his opponent in just fifty exchanges. I suspect even that was with considerable restraint. "He might be able to throw punches, but… No one can beat me here. Just give up." Choo Dohwan clenched his jaw. "No! It's not over until it’s over!" "Quite stubborn, aren’t you?" Wham! Pow! Thud! Now it's really over. Once Choo Dohwan passed out, the martial artists from Taewon Jin family came over with a stretcher and carried him out. "Wow." "Indeed, Paehwagwon!" "For Iron Fist Choo Dohwan, who’s a recognized master, to fall to Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Trio?" According to the simple rules, the winner had to continually accept new challengers, or select one themselves when there were no more willing fighters. Lee Sowol whispered to me, seated by my side. "Do you think anyone else will challenge?" I chuckled. "After seeing Iron Fist end up like that, do you think anyone will? I’d bet my arm that no one else will come forward." Suddenly, a man brandishing a ceremonial sword stepped forward and shouted. "I am Hwang Jinsu from Hwang family manor! I challenge Paehwagwon!" Ah, damn. I should've just kept quiet. Bam! Crash! While I regretted speaking, Hwang Jinsu from the Hwang family crumbled, scattering teeth. Considering he was only level 25, the outcome was expected. "And now?" "Didn't you see? He got beaten worse than Iron Fist. While bones heal, teeth are gone forever." "And your arm?" "Oh, fine. I'll bet it. Earlier, it was my left wrist. This time, it’ll be my right. Just watch, there's really nobody left to step up." A vagabond wearing a bamboo hat stepped forward. "Greetings. Though I am but an unknown wanderer, may I have the honor of fighting you?" "You don't even need to ask. Step right up." Does this guy use honey on his fists or something? The challengers just keep coming. In about a quarter-hour, Cheolwoo had downed over a dozen challengers and roared with confidence. "Is there no one who can face me?" Despite the numerous duels in a short span, he remained energetic. The level disparity was so immense that even the other martial artists seemed increasingly disinterested. Taking the opportunity, I spoke up. "Now, really, nobody's going to come out. I’m betting my wrist." Lee Sowol kindly reminded me. "You actually already did. Both of them." "Then my left ankle." "That was in the fifth round." "What about the right ankle?" "Claimed during the sixth." "My neck…" "During the eighth." Ugh. Looks like I'm a walking corpse now. Seeing me in despair, Lee Sowol chuckled softly. "It's okay. I won’t hold you to it." "…Did you actually plan to?" "Well, if you fulfill one small request." "What request?" Just as Lee Sowol was about to speak. "Mountain! West! Drag-!" An earth-shaking shout reverberated through the grand martial hall. Cheolwoo, having defeated all challengers, was now looking my way, beckoning with a crooked finger. "Jin Taekyung, come forth." Simultaneously, a system notification sounded. Ding. -[Lv.95 Cheolwoo] has designated you as his opponent for a duel! -A quest [There's a Man Who Loves You Too Much] has been generated. -Would you like to accept the quest? -Refusal will incur severe penalties! Undoubtedly, this was the most absurd quest title I had ever encountered.