205 - Murim Login

**Chapter 205** How long had I been unconscious? My body felt as light as a feather, and my mind was clear. I must have dozed off for a brief moment, yet the world around me had drastically changed. 'What is this?' Simple furniture and a few ornaments surrounded me. The room, freshly constructed, was imbued with the subtle scent of wood. It was a familiar sight, yet it felt more alien than ever before. 'This is...' With trembling eyes, I surveyed my surroundings. The air was saturated with energy, and it felt as though someone had installed night vision in my eyes, illuminating everything around me. Even the moon, visible through the latticed window, seemed eerily peculiar. Why is there a moon when it’s this bright? Could it be the sun in disguise? I stood there, bewildered, considering the oddity like a ghostly apparition, until realization struck. "Ah." This world, the martial realm, was as I remembered it. The only thing that had changed was me. A small mutter escaped my lips unconsciously. "The Ren and Du meridians..." When a blocked tunnel clears, light floods in. For someone accustomed to the darkness within the tunnel, the light can only feel strange. And that's exactly how I felt. Once I overcame the massive obstacle of the Ren and Du meridians, I finally witnessed a light I hadn't known before. "Have you awoken?" The voice suddenly addressed me, its owner leaning against the doorway, his face clearly visible even in the unlit room, showcasing each age spot and wrinkle. "It is you." Hwawang Jeok Cheon-gang replied as if anticipating my awakening. "Indeed." “You’ve aged quite a bit.” I added another remark to the speechless man before me. “And you’re powerful. More than anyone I’ve ever seen.” This wasn’t a mere follow-up to my previous statement or flattery. It was 100% sincere. Now that I have opened the Ren and Du meridians, I could glimpse the terrifying martial arts hidden within his small physique. “Heh, such obvious words.” Jeok Cheon-gang, seeming slightly embarrassed, changed the subject. “So, how do you feel?” “Fantastic.” There was no need to read a system message or rally my energy to check my body. I could feel it the moment I opened my eyes. At my unwavering response, the corner of his mouth twitched. “As expected. Do you know how much trouble I went through... No, I dealt with it rather easily, but it’s not something just anyone could do.” “R-really!” “I didn’t even say anything.” “Doesn’t your expression seem disrespectful! Your expression!” That’s because your intentions are so obvious to me. Compared to his unfathomable martial arts, his personality was crystal clear. Violent and eccentric, but surprisingly easy to understand. To me, Jeok Cheon-gang was such a person. “I have ptosis, so I often cause misunderstandings.” When I brazenly denied it, Jeok Cheon-gang huffed indignantly. “Why are all the people here like this? The young master neglects important family matters just to check on you, and the so-called doctors here are all quacks, endlessly jabbering about life and death.” “Wait a moment. Did someone get seriously hurt?” “Who else could it be?” With Jeok Cheon-gang’s meaningful gaze, I asked with disbelief. “Could it be me?” “Indeed. For the past seven nights, the household was in complete turmoil. Had I known this would happen, I would have left you under a rock until you regained consciousness.” I didn’t even hear the last bit. I blinked my eyes in bewilderment. “Did I really remain unconscious for seven nights?” “You say it as if it were a long time. Seven nights is quite brief. I expected you to be bed-ridden for at least a month, but indeed, the Heavenly Martial Body is remarkable.” “...This isn’t some side effect, is it?” Look at this brat’s attitude when speaking. After all my effort to clear the Ren and Du, what does he say? Side effect?” "Just moments ago, you said it was dealt with rather easily.” Jeok Cheon-gang flinched before shouting back. “That’s entirely separate! Even when defecating, one must clean up afterward. Since I’ve expelled the accumulative toxins from your body, you need time to adapt to your renewed form!” "......" Though the analogy was a bit strange due to his excitement, I understood his point. ‘It’s like an optimization process or something.’ Indeed, pulling someone back from the brink of death just by unblocking the Ren and Du is absurd. Even leveling up accumulates mental exhaustion, causing one to faint. But still, seven whole days? “So, the assembly has already concluded.” “Whatever meeting or gathering it was, it ended three days ago.” Despite still being visibly upset, Jeok Cheon-gang continued speaking. “The one called Akbul-gun? He remains.” I tilted my head at the unexpected name. Initially, Akbul-gun, the leader of Cheon Moo Academy, came to the Jin family in Taewon to take Jin Mu-kyung back. Could he be waiting for Jin Mu-kyung to finish his seclusion? “Why is he staying?” “Ask him yourself.” Come on, I said I’m sorry, so can’t you just tell me already?” Jeok Cheon-gang curtly replied. “Does this old man seem so petty? He’s coming this way, so hear it from him directly.” “Ah.” Indeed, it was as he said. Soon enough, two individuals emerged with an audible presence. “Little one!” Jin Wei-gyeong, discovering I had awakened after seven days, uttered emotionally, while from behind him, Akbul-gun spoke in a stern voice. "Master Jeok is here as well. Is it okay to discuss something important?” Jeok Cheon-gang replied decisively. “No, get lost.” “It also concerns the whereabouts of Jin So-hyup.” “...Damn it.” Jeok Cheon-gang silently swore under his breath and sat back down. Akbul-gun wasn’t particularly eloquent, matching his stern appearance. After intently listening to his dry explanation, I spoke. “So, you’re inviting us, right? That gathering, Seongla…” What was it again? His explanation was so dull that I could barely remember what I had heard. Jeok Cheon-gang stepped in as I hesitated. “The Seongla Grand Banquet (星羅大宴).” “Ah, right. The Seongla Grand Banquet.” “It’s a grand event where martial artists from all over the world gather to test their skills and strengthen their bonds. It’s held every two or three years, and this time, it will be hosted in Hanam.” Jeok Cheon-gang chuckled at Akbul-gun’s additional explanation. "The unity of the martial world is a joke. It's just a place where the powerful gather to congratulate each other and build connections." Such frankness. Seeing Akbul-gun nod slightly without objection, it didn't seem like an incorrect assessment. Jeok Cheon-gang continued in a sharp tone. "It was the same forty years ago. How long had it been since we drove out the demon sect that we were fighting over interests again...? So much disgraceful behavior." I could almost picture the situation. A chaotic world is an opportunity. Those who are greedy and powerful never miss an opportunity. It might also partially explain why Jeok Cheon-gang chose to retreat to Mount Gu. ‘Still, it seems to be an enormously large event.’ At my curious gaze, Jeok Cheon-gang squinted his eyes. “Why are you looking at me like that?” “Oh, it's nothing. I just wondered why someone who dislikes crowds and nuisances would attend such an event.” “I was asked.” “......?” Was Jeok Cheon-gang the type to comply simply because someone asked him to? The doubt I felt vanished with the utterance of a certain nickname. “God of Martial Arts (Mu-shin).” “Ah.” The God of Martial Arts I had only heard of in stories. It's said there are ten kings on earth, three stars in the sky, and one god above them. If it was a request from that God of Martial Arts, Jeok Cheon-gang wouldn't have refused easily. “He was the one who created the Seongra Grand Banquet and asked this old man to attend. The gathering of Ten Kings, Three Stars, and the One God happened then for the first and last time.” As if reminiscing about those days, Jeok Cheon-gang tapped the armrest of his chair with a faint gaze before suddenly fixing his eyes on Akbul-gun. “How is he doing?” "He hasn't shown himself in a long time. There are even unfavorable rumors..." “They say the God of Martial Arts might be dead? Ha. With so many blockheads around.” Jeok Cheon-gang, laughing dryly, turned his gaze to me. “So, what do you think?” "Hmm." “Even though it’s a festival for the powerful, you can’t deny that the Seongra Grand Banquet is a gathering of the world’s martial artists. There, one can freely demonstrate their abilities regardless of origin.” “Well…” I couldn’t easily respond and scratched the back of my head. The Seongra Grand Banquet. A place where the world’s martial artists gather to forge bonds and compete. It's an opportunity to test my skills against formidable opponents and to make a name for myself throughout the central plains. But… ‘Is that really important?’ Since coming to the martial world, I’ve sometimes found myself wondering. Why do I practice martial arts? Even when I’ve become strong enough to protect my loved ones and myself, why do I continue to train? After long contemplation, I found the answer not long ago. ‘Because it’s fun.’ As I once told Cheongpung, I like martial arts. They’re enjoyable. Even if I were to amass unimaginable wealth and fame, I wouldn’t stop training. I’ve already become addicted to martial arts, understanding the joy and immense thrill that comes with growing stronger. “Jin So-hyup.” Akbul-gun’s low voice interrupted my thoughts. It was time to respond. After taking a deep breath, I began to speak. “I…” The expressions of the three people listening to my answer changed subtly. After they left, I was alone in the room, reflecting on the final conversation with Jeok Cheon-gang. ‘You want to become stronger. Is that your answer?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Does that mean you want to go to the Seongra Grand Banquet?’ ‘I don’t care where it is, as long as I can become stronger than I am now.’ ‘You’re already young and sufficiently strong. Participating in the Seongra Grand Banquet could inscribe your name in the martial world, bringing wealth and fame. Aren’t you tempted by those?’ ‘I am tempted. By martial arts. By reaching even greater heights.’ “......!” Jeok Cheon-gang, gazing at me with trembling eyes for quite some time, said one last thing before leaving. ‘Come to my quarters when the day breaks.’ With his parting words lingering in my mind, I sat on the bed. My vision was bright as daylight, and the footsteps and breathing outside the hall were as vivid as if they were beside me. ‘Sufficiently strong.’ That was what Jeok Cheon-gang had said before leaving. Hwawang Jeok Cheon-gang himself acknowledged me. But there were other words I longed to hear. ‘Stronger than anyone.’ When I was an F-rank hunter, my wish was to become an E-rank hunter. When I first set foot in the martial world, my goal was to surpass Hyeok Mu-jin. As time passed, I grew stronger and my dreams more ambitious. Some might call this greed. But there is a distinction between greed and dreams. Right now, I harbor a dream. And Hwawang Jeok Cheon-gang is the guide who will help me pursue that dream. ‘I look forward to the morning.’ There were about three hours until daybreak. It’s going to be a long night, for both myself and Jeok Cheon-gang. ‘Especially for me, it’ll be an unimaginably long night.’ I lay flat on the bed. Now it’s time to leave behind the many events of the martial world and return. ‘Log out.’ Ding. With the light, cheerful system alert, my eyes slowly closed.