ML Chapter 69

In the deep night when everyone was asleep, Jin Wi-gyeong awoke with a scream.

“Kuhugh!”

After flailing his arms wildly for a moment, he soon realized he’d returned to reality.

The flickering lamp and desk full of documents. The familiar scenery of his office.

Whew.

Jin Wi-gyeong sighed in relief as he massaged his nape. Perhaps due to the nightmare, his neck was damp with cold sweat.

Thought I was going to die.

A dream where the earth split and the sky collapsed. His last memory was falling while running breathlessly from thunderous sounds that shook heaven and earth.

Maybe I’m overdoing it.

Work keeps piling up but manpower is severely lacking. Days of blood-draining work had only accumulated fatigue.

“Ugh. Need to hire people soon. I won’t live out my natural lifespan at this rate.”

The world is vast and talents are numerous. Yet still not having even one decent strategist showed the Taiyuan Jin Family’s insufficient capacity.

Why would anyone join the Taiyuan Jin Family in Shanxi when they could go to the major sects and famous clans of the Central Plains who welcome them with open arms?

It might be the natural choice for them.

Until now, that is.

Everything will change now. If they unite the Shanxi martial world at the coming New Year and continue expanding their influence… Soon, talents from across the world will flock under the Taiyuan Jin Family’s banner.

…Though I might die from overwork before then.

Just as Jin Wi-gyeong was sighing deeply at the savage pile of documents—

Clang.

A very faint sound. So small that only a master like Jin Wi-gyeong could notice it.

What’s that?

He sharpened his senses. Focusing his internal energy on his ears, the sound became clear.

Clang. Clank.

Small but distinct. The sound of clashing steel.

Someone was fighting. And in this late hour. The reason Jin Wi-gyeong’s face hardened wasn’t just because of this fact.

That direction is…

Where Jin Mu-gyeong’s quarters are. And where one more person moved in just yesterday.

Surely Mu-gyeong wouldn’t… No, he wouldn’t.

He’d earnestly asked them to get along—they wouldn’t be fighting already? He firmly believed in his beloved brothers.

Clank. CLANK!

Jin Wi-gyeong quietly rose from his seat.

Using his lightness technique in earnest, he quickly reached Jin Mu-gyeong’s quarters.

The problem was that the sounds became more concerning as he got closer.

…He must be training alone in the training ground?

Should he enter the pavilion or not? After brief consideration, Jin Wi-gyeong poked his head over the wall.

And witnessed a shocking scene.

“I told you. Second rule—oh?”

BANG! CRASH!

Jin Mu-gyeong swinging his scabbard non-stop. And one person desperately fleeing from him.

“L-logout!”

Before Jin Tae-kyung’s desperate cry could finish, the scabbard flew in. The scabbard that narrowly missed shattered the blue stone of the training ground.

BOOM!

“You bastard, heart demon, Ren Du Yang meridian!”

“Logouuuut!”

What’s this about logout and heart demons and Ren Du Yang meridian?

Though the flow of conversation made no sense, one thing was clear.

This could get dangerous.

At this rate, they might really need to call either a physician or undertaker.

I’ll protect my youngest!

Just as Jin Wi-gyeong was about to charge in with determination—

“Why is your flank open again? You’re that desperate to get hit?”

BAM!

“Kugh!”

Jin Tae-kyung staggered after taking a hit to his side. Jin Mu-gyeong didn’t miss the opportunity, following up with his scabbard.

BAM BAM BAM!

“Ack, ack, ack!”

“Don’t curl up when you get hit. Especially your lower half!”

THUD!

“Yeek!”

“Well well.”

Jin Mu-gyeong smiled derisively at his brother charging in with gritted teeth.

“You don’t even have the basics. Fix that habit of flailing your hands and feet by instinct. Martial arts are learned by humans, not beasts.”

“Shut up!”

“Bad memory too. Sleep well. When you wake up, I’ll explain the rules again.”

SWISH! THUD.

Taking a direct hit to the chin, Jin Tae-kyung’s form crumpled. After silently looking down at him sprawled spread-eagle, Jin Mu-gyeong slowly spoke.

“Come out.”

It was clear who he was talking to.

Jin Wi-gyeong emerged from behind the wall with an embarrassed face.

“You knew?”

“How could I not? Every time this guy got hit, I could hear you swallowing your spit like thunder.”

Jin Wi-gyeong examined fallen Jin Tae-kyung’s condition with worried eyes.

“The injuries aren’t too severe. That’s a relief.”

“He won’t die, will he?”

“Mu-gyeong!”

“Don’t worry. His physique is remarkably tough.”

“Really?”

“He lasted two hours while getting beaten like this. With this level of stamina and tenacity, he’ll soon… Why are you smiling?”

Jin Wi-gyeong, who had been watching his brother’s face with an odd smile, answered cheerfully.

“It’s fascinating. Isn’t this the first time you’ve praised the youngest?”

Jin Mu-gyeong paused at those words.

Praise? Me? That guy?

Impossible. A brother with not even an eye booger’s worth of good qualities.

To think he praised someone who spent his time drunk and whoring while ignoring clan matters.

Jin Mu-gyeong firmly shook his head.

“…I did no such thing.”

“I see.”

“Really!”

“Alright. Who said otherwise?”

“You’re still smiling!”

“I’m not.”

“Brother!”

Jin Wi-gyeong tried to hold back his laughter. Though it pained him to see his precious youngest hurt… it was something he had to experience eventually.

Can’t keep him in my embrace forever.

Hidden Dragon of Shanxi. Another genius nurtured by the Taiyuan Jin Family.

Seeing his grown brother, he felt both joy and anxiety. No, perhaps it was fear.

Is this even possible?

Too fast, even for rapid progress. Even to his eyes, having watched the genius Jin Mu-gyeong most closely, Jin Tae-kyung’s growth rate was incomprehensible.

I can’t even gauge it.

In his youth, Jin Wi-gyeong was a promising talent but never a genius. How could an ordinary person like him understand and teach a genius?

As his worries deepened, Jin Mu-gyeong returned.

Jin Wi-gyeong seized the opportunity and put the two together.

I was worried since they didn’t get along well…

But seeing today, those worries were needless.

Though the method was rough, it wasn’t one-sided beating but tempering.

Tempering to make Jin Tae-kyung—who grew quickly but was still immature—harder and sharper.

Though his body would suffer.

It’s all for your sake.

Jin Wi-gyeong, gazing at his fallen youngest with endless affection, spoke.

“I’ll be going now.”

But Jin Mu-gyeong wasn’t one to let that slide.

“Where are you going alone? Take this guy with you. I can’t live with him.”

“It’s ten days. Can’t you endure even that much?”

“I went easy today because of you, brother. If you insist, call an undertaker tomorrow.”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes. Taking him away now would be better for him too.”

“If that’s really how you feel…”

Jin Wi-gyeong nodded and continued.

“Then do as you please.”

“What? Pardon?”

“Do what you want.”

Dropping those words casually, Jin Wi-gyeong started walking away.

A small laugh escaped imagining Jin Mu-gyeong’s expression.

This will be a good experience for you too.

This uncomfortable cohabitation wasn’t just for the youngest’s sake.

Geniuses are always lonely. He believed without doubt that these two geniuses would greatly stimulate each other.

“Get up, you bastard!”

Jin Wi-gyeong had to suppress the urge to look back the entire way home.

“You up?”

“I know you’re up. Answer me.”

“Last chance. If you’re not up by the count of three, the training ground becomes your grave!”

“One, two—”

Bastard. Counting fast as hell.

I slowly got up and stretched.

“Ahh, slept well.”

Glancing sideways, I saw Jin Mu-gyeong with snake-like eyes.

Seeing that face brought back yesterday’s memories fresh and clear. Heartless bastard. Going to kill him.

I spoke in a casual voice.

“Oh? Brother. When did you arrive?”

“…Just now.”

Seeing Jin Mu-gyeong clicking his tongue with a disappointed face, I thought using honorifics was a divine move. He’d beat me like a dog on a hot summer day if he found even one thing to nitpick.

Fuck… Being weak is a sin. A sin.

I’m a prideful person too. But in bare-handed combat, I couldn’t handle Jin Mu-gyeong even if I died and came back.

While he was learning systematic fist techniques and footwork, I was watching UFC fights. He’s not someone I can challenge with pride alone.

That’s why logout was my last resort.

Though it failed spectacularly.

Can’t logout during combat? Fucking hell.

Should’ve told me beforehand. Not knowing that, I almost got logged out of life. I side-eyed Jin Mu-gyeong.

“Hey.”

“Yes?”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Me?”

At his cold voice, I made my eyes as bright and innocent as possible. Now I have to look good just to get hit less.

“You… Hah. Watch yourself.”

“Yes, brother.”

Jin Mu-gyeong made a disgusted face at my suddenly polite attitude. But he couldn’t hit me for being respectful.

“About yesterday…” I quickly bowed my head.

“My fault. Making noise while you were training. I deserved those hits.”

“No, hey.”

“Oh no, your hands must hurt from hitting me yesterday. Should I blow on them?”

“This guy’s completely insane.”

Jin Mu-gyeong seemed to consider hitting me but finally gave up and lowered his fist.

“Never mind. Follow me.”

“…Where to?”

“Training ground.”

Correction to what I said earlier. Looks like he’ll hit me in the training ground. Right, he can’t destroy my room again.

Seeing my stiffened expression, Jin Mu-gyeong clicked his tongue.

“Not that. From today, we train.”

“Train?”

“Yes. I’ll fix your horrible martial arts from scratch.”

The guy who beat me every time suddenly wants to help train? Even using his own time?

I’d sooner believe Demon Lord Asmodeus found redemption.

Perhaps sensing my suspicious gaze, Jin Mu-gyeong heaved a deep sigh.

“Brother visited yesterday.”

“Ah.”

He might be a pain in the ass but he knows his place. If Jin Wi-gyeong personally asked, this situation makes sense.

“We have several empty buildings, why do you think he sent you to me? Damn. Should’ve refused from the start.”

…He really doesn’t want to teach me.

But I desperately need his help. Even learning just one decent combat technique would surely be useful.

“Please.”

Jin Mu-gyeong shook his head.

“Think before you speak. It’ll be tough meeting my standards. If you’re going to give up when it gets hard, quit cleanly now.”

If I’d given up whenever things got tough, I wouldn’t have made it this far.

“I want to become strong.”

Did he sense the sincerity in my voice? After staring at me for a while, he finally spoke.

“Come to the training ground.”

Ding.

• -Quest created.

 

[Trial? Training Period]

• Train under Jin Mu-gyeong’s guidance for the set period. No matter how strong you become, the quest fails if Jin Mu-gyeong isn’t satisfied!
• Grade: Master
• Restriction: Jin Tae-kyung
• Task: Gain Jin Mu-gyeong’s acknowledgment (Incomplete)
• Reward: ???
• Failure: ???
• Time remaining: 9 days 23 hours 51 minutes 10 seconds

Jin Mu-gyeong’s acknowledgment, huh.

Though an abstract task, I’m confident enough. With the system’s cheats and my effort combined, I can grow fast enough to make Jin Mu-gyeong’s eyes pop out.

I can do this. Just as I was steeling my resolve—

“Oh right. You use a spear?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Bring that too.”

Jin Mu-gyeong is a swordsman. So I naturally thought he’d teach mainly fist techniques. Confused, I carefully asked.

“Why suddenly the spear…”

“Train like you fight. Haven’t you heard that saying?”

Jin Mu-gyeong added with a bright smile.

“Got permission from brother too. He said calling an undertaker is fine.”

As I blankly watched his back disappearing with light steps, I barely managed to speak.

“…Logout.”

Beep.

-Logout is restricted during this quest.

Fuck this shit.