Murim Troubleshooter Dan Mujin

Chapter 59: Suspicious New Joiner

“At this rate, I won’t even have to poke Hwang Noya, huh?”

I murmured to myself, looking down at the glittering bundle of silver coins.

By scraping together every kidnapping and missing person case, I’d taken down a human trafficker—and the reward money had piled up nicely.

It was enough to afford wheat noodles, grilled sparrow, and even some sweets.

To taste cooked meals and sweet desserts in this barren Central Plains... what luxury.

“Who’s Hwang Noya?”

Jo Harang asked curiously, munching on her rations as she appeared.

“He’s the Boss’s master.”

Ilhong, who was standing nearby, answered in my stead.

“...Why would you want to stab your master?”

“Exactly.”

The two women shook their heads at me as if they couldn’t comprehend.

Anyway, we rescued all the remaining kids for whom we didn’t even have specific requests and sent them home.

You never know what might happen on the road, so we made sure to escort each one to their doorstep.

“Ahh, children…! Thank you! Truly, thank you!”

Those kids Jo Harang had clutched under her arms while escaping—turned out they were offspring of a minor nearby sect called Chiljimun.

As soon as we stepped over the threshold, a woman named Madam Jo clung to the children and bowed her head in gratitude.

“If not for the righteous spirit of you chivalrous warriors, these children would’ve…”

Though the sect was small, it had a long-standing history as a Righteous Sect. However, its Sect Leader had passed away from illness a few years ago, and their fortunes had plummeted ever since.

Unable to even hire help, she said she’d been personally scouring the lands to find the children.

“Really, I don’t know how I could ever repay this grace, Master.”

“It’s fine, your heartfelt thanks is enough.”

That ‘Master’ title—it always tickled somewhere deep in my chest when I heard it.

Between the mountain bandits we crushed not long ago and this case, I felt like I’d accumulated several months' worth of Righteous Energy all at once.

‘Kill (殺)…’

And Heaven-Slaying Star was staggering on the brink of collapse under the nonstop barrage of accumulated Righteous Energy. I chuckled watching the scene.

“Still, I can’t let you leave empty-handed after saving our children. That wouldn’t be right.”

With that, Madam Jo pulled something from her bosom and held it out to us.

It looked like an envelope. I was about to wave it off with a ‘Come on~’ sound, but upon closer inspection, it wasn’t money.

It was a letter, adorned with entwined dragons and phoenixes.

“What’s this?”

“It’s the Yongbong Gathering Martial Duel Invitation distributed by the Murim Alliance, Master.”

The Yongbong Gathering—an event hosted by the Murim Alliance to gather the most promising prodigies in the Murim and select the true heroes.

Just as Lord Jo traveled a great distance to witness it, it was a major Central Plains event that drew immense public attention.

“I already have one of those. You take it.”

Jo Harang, being a renowned wanderer from a Righteous Sect herself, said she’d already received a copy.

Still, her eyes sparkled with anticipation at the thought of me participating.

“All the young experts raised on spiritual elixirs by the Nine Sects One Gang will be swarming the place. Is there even a point for me to go?”

Besides, such tournaments weren’t about killing—they had little killing intent. That meant I couldn’t fully unleash my abilities.

In other words, a lot of hard work with not much gain.

“I’m not saying you have to win. Just putting on a noticeable performance will boost your reputation a ton.”

According to Jo Harang, all the notable gossips would be in attendance, making it a golden opportunity to raise one’s name—and one’s clan’s name.

“She’s right, Boss. Just making it into the top sixteen would flood us with requests, and your alias would naturally change too.”

Ilhong added her two cents. Could it be that I could finally get rid of this weird nickname even the mountain bandits and Rogues’ Guild laughed at?

As I listened, I began to feel like it might be worth enduring the hassle to give it a try.

“Master, by the way, the champion gets a chest of gold, and just making the top sixteen comes with a hefty monetary reward.”

As I hesitated, Madam Jo delivered the final blow.

“On behalf of Chiljimun, I’ll show them what I can do. Just place your trust in me!”

I said, snatching the martial invitation.

Come to think of it, I was already on my way to the Murim Alliance anyway. It wasn’t a life-or-death match, so trying it once along the way wouldn’t hurt.

Besides, even if I opened my own Troubleshooter Office later, a signboard reading ‘Top Sixteen of Yongbong Gathering’ would attract more clients than some random ‘Delivering Righteousness Wanderer.’

“Alright, if someone like you can make good use of it… he would have no regrets either.”

Since there was no one else to compete, holding on to the invitation was pointless, she said.

Her face clouded with bitterness—perhaps recalling the current state of her sect.

“If I win a prize, I’ll share some with you.”

When someone gives you an opportunity, it’s only right to repay it accordingly.

“Eh? Ah, no! Master, I didn’t mean it like that at all…”

“Refusing is not an option.”

It was a chance to grab fame and fortune in one go.

To just gobble it up for free felt a bit shameless.

And even though she said she gave me nothing, that single ‘Master’ was already more than enough to pack my Righteous Energy to the brim.

“Let’s meet again two months from now, after the tournament.”

Having declared so grandly, it’d be embarrassing if I came back empty-handed.

I tucked the martial invitation deep into my robes and mentally prepared myself.

As we passed the threshold of the old, crumbling sect building—

It took us a bit longer to leave because I had to calm down Madam Jo, who insisted she couldn’t accept any more favors.

“Hehe.”

Ilhong disappeared, saying she had business at the Black Spot in Kaifeng, and Jo Harang, walking beside me, kept chuckling meaningfully.

“What are you smirking about?”

At my sharp question, Jo Harang’s smile deepened at the corners of her lips.

“I’m just in a good mood… the energy got stronger.”

“What energy?”

“…There’s just something.”

What the heck? That’s just teasing. You make me curious and then give me a vague answer?

Really, she was an odd one. When we first met, she was all serious and wary of me, and then later she got all friendly on her own and kept smiling as she came near.

She didn’t even realize Heaven-Slaying Star was right in front of her when she declared she’d beat him up, and she kept bringing unexpected chaos wherever she went.

“Mujin, if things go well, we might even face off at the Yongbong Gathering.”

Jo Harang, playing with the hilt of her greatsaber, wore an eager expression.

“I’d rather avoid that.”

Despite being only two years older than me, she was a martial artist on the verge of Peak Master Level. It was only smart to steer clear of such a monster.

But come to think of it, it was strange. I heard her sect was just a small one.

So why was her martial progress as rapid as that of descendants from prestigious clans who were showered with spiritual elixirs?

“No, I want to face you at least once. Last time, I noticed your staff technique isn’t ordinary.”

Jo Harang pointed at my long Dog-Beating Staff.

After beating down over a dozen mountain bandits at Mount Danghwi, and now crushing a human trafficker, it seemed the mastery of the Dog-Beating Staff Technique had finally reached First Star.

The technique, which I’d forcibly crammed into my body while being beaten to a pulp, had finally formed a proper foundation.

Indeed, Heaven-Slaying Star was a being that grew stronger by consuming blood and screams. At this rate, with a few more live combat encounters, I might even reach Second Star.

‘Once the Dog-Beating Staff Technique reaches Second Star, I’ll naturally be able to imbue the Dog-Beating Staff with Internal Energy... or so Hwang Geolgae said.’

Imbuing Internal Energy into a weapon outside one's own body—this was a precursor to Peak Master Level, the path to First Rate Martial Artist.

“By the way, how long have you been learning martial arts? I heard you’ve only been a wanderer since last year.”

She really was oddly curious about me.

Ilhong was much more comfortable—she followed the silent rule from our beggars’ days of not prying unless someone spoke first.

“I’ve been seriously learning martial arts for about two years now?”

I answered while scratching my chin.

In my past life, and even this body before me, I hadn’t stepped into martial arts at all.

“No, you’re joking, right? You gained that level of martial prowess in just two years? I’ve been bleeding in training since I was ten just to barely reach this stage...”

“...Of course it’s a joke. Why would you take something like that seriously?”

Her expression shook so much I had to walk it back.

Come to think of it, martial arts were ultimately about beating people to death. There was no one more gifted in that domain than Heaven-Slaying Star.

Every time I complained about my slow progress, Hwang Geolgae would stare at me like I was full of crap.

I guess I really had been whining with a full stomach.

“Still, to become a wanderer at that age, your progress was fast.”

“Something like that.”

“Can I ask about your sect or your master?”

Even if you ask like that, I hadn’t been formally recognized yet, so I felt hesitant to mention my sect.

If I said I was from the Beggars’ Union and they turned around and said, ‘Who are you?’ that’d be awkward.

“I don’t really have a sect, but my master is someone named Shinpung Jin-in.”

Lately, more people had heard of him around Beijing. Previously, he was apparently called by another alias.

“Shinpung? Don’t you mean Heopung Jin-in?”

“Ah, he did go by that at one time.”

Back when I was confined in a small room, the only person who visited and spoke to me was a sister who told me about this eccentric Daoist who only did bizarre things.

Thanks to that, I’d even stepped on a landmine in front of the man himself.

“I know that guy. My sect trains in a Taoist heart cultivation method, so he suddenly barged in demanding we teach him martial arts.”

“...Hmm.”

What a nuisance. Barging into another sect and demanding their secrets?

Honestly, for the good of the world, maybe it’d be best to throw him back into the Beggars’ Union.

“Hey, what’s your sect?”

I asked Jo Harang, who was swinging her massive saber like a storm.

“Me? It’s a place called Purple Star Sect. That’s where I trained and stepped into the murim.”

According to her, it was a gentle sect situated on Mount Song, the leader among the Five Sacred Mountains.

“Never heard of it.”

“Right? That’s why I’m going to do my best at the Yongbong Gathering... Let’s both give it our all! For our masters!”

I’m telling you, I’m not trying to make Hwang Geolgae’s name famous.

As you could tell from that last conversation, the guy was already notorious for various eccentric antics.

“Alright, but let’s not meet in the same group.”

Watching her swing that saber up close was truly terrifying.

Have you ever seen a human trafficker cleaved in half, their upper and lower bodies separating in chunks?

“Hmm, so you want to meet in the finals? Got it!”

No, that’s not what I meant.

I shook my head while adjusting the short scabbard still firmly attached to my belt.

Jo Harang, thrilled by my participation, ran off saying she needed to train immediately.

“Still, the Yongbong Gathering, huh.”

I glanced at the antique dagger Murong Cheonghye had given me.

A grand martial arts tournament where all the righteous sects would gather—surely martial artists from the Murong Clan would also join.

Not that I had any reason to be intimidated, having already tested the power of the Human-skin Mask through my sister.

“Guess I’ll need a few more real fights on the way.”

To break into the top ranks, I’d need to sharpen my martial skills further.

If only the Dog-Beating Staff Technique could reach Second Star. But that meant I needed real combat.

Or, at the very least, training that simulated real combat with killing intent.

“Who knew I’d miss Hwang Geolgae’s training methods that half-killed people.”

The world really was unfathomable sometimes.

Two days later, we were leaving Kaifeng.

“Kaifeng really is a lively city. Did you all rest well?”

Jo Jangju asked as he looked our way, his face shiny from eating and playing well during the sightseeing.

Then he tilted his head, noticing something about our appearance.

“Why do you all look so haggard?”

We’d washed off the blood, but after brawling with dozens of people, our martial arts uniforms were torn to shreds.

Jo Jangju and his family looked at us curiously, asking what had happened.

“A lot happened, really. It was tough.”

I glanced at the troublemaker Jo Harang.

She scratched her cheek awkwardly, looking a bit guilty.

“Anyway, our next destination is Shaolin Temple, so be prepared. Oh right, I should introduce someone first.”

With a wave of Jo Jangju’s hand, a young man stepped forward.

Neatly dressed, a smiling mouth, and a nontrivial aura of presence.

“This is So-hyeop Ma Jungcheon, known in these parts as Shinpung Hero. We met at an inn, and he’s such a bold and chivalrous fellow that we quickly became sworn brothers. Hahaha.”

Apparently, there had been a commotion at the inn, and when this young man waved his hand—bam!—Third Rate Martial Artists flew out like autumn leaves.

“Oh, hyung-nim, you flatter me. All I did was knock down a few drunken troublemakers.”

Though he had a proper alias and was clearly a skilled martial artist, he showed an odd amount of friendliness.

Jo Jangju, who had influence but no real martial prowess, seemed very pleased that such a famed martial artist treated him with respect and warmth.

Even though they’d only shared drinks for a couple days, they now seemed like the closest of friends, and he was cheerfully allowed to join.

“Then, I’ll be in your care. Haha.”

He offered us a polite clasped hands greeting.

“Hey, who’s that guy?”

I nudged Ilhong’s shoulder and asked.

He was a martial artist with notable presence at that age—surely the Rogues’ Guild would have him on record.

“Shinpung Hero, a fist-user active in the Henan region. He’s known for taking down both the Hideous Ghost and Inverted Grave four years ago.”

Ilhong responded with a faintly furrowed brow, like she was pulling from her mental WoodWiki.

“Really? Sounds like a big shot.”

Both opponents had been wanted criminals at the level of First Rate Martial Artist.

Despite having such skill, he casually called a government official he’d shared drinks with his brother—he had quite the cheek.

“But that person… there was something strange.”

“Why, what?”

I perked up my ears at Ilhong’s words.

Did he have a shady past? Figures. The stronger they are, the more arrogant they tend to be. That rule of mine had never failed.

“According to the remarks section of the report I saw, that Shinpung Hero is almost certainly from the Beggars’ Union. Ninety percent sure.”

“…”

I turned my gaze silently toward the so-called Shinpung Hero.

As if he’d sensed it, the moment our eyes met, he subtly turned his head away.

“Seriously now.”

There definitely was something up. A Beggars’ Union member sneaking into this trivial sightseeing party while hiding his identity?

Well, now that I knew, it didn’t matter.

He wouldn’t have guessed that I had the daughter of the Rogues’ Guild Leader at my side.

A nameless Beggars’ Union operative who got caught the moment he infiltrated.

“Let’s see what tricks you’re up to.”