How to Live as a Mage in the Murim World

Chapter 11 – Episode 3: The Bet (2)

‘Interesting.’

Ma Jin-gwang smirked.

Frankly, it felt like he’d been slapped in the face. To think someone could make me lose my way on a mountain.

He wasn’t sure what it was, but some energy in this area was interfering with his ability to accurately perceive his surroundings.

It wasn’t life-threatening—more like a minor puzzle that could be solved with a bit of focus.

‘I’m not sure what trick he pulled, but I’m quite curious.’

He was a blacksmith by nature, and he enjoyed creating things or tinkering something.

“I’ll just catch them and ask.” Of course, that would happen only after he won the bet.

For now, he decided to set the mystery aside as the fog thickened around him.

His curiosity could be satisfied by escaping from here and capturing that disciple candidate and the scholar.

‘If the problem stemmed from this strange energy, I can just blast it all away.’

As a martial arts master standing at the Peak Realm, projecting his qi outward to influence the surrounding area isn’t something out of his reach.

He gripped the battle axe on his back. Unlike Im Jun-gyu’s great axe, his axe had a shorter handle, making it versatile—not just for cleaving enemies but also for devastating the surrounding terrain.

Just then, Zhuge Hyeonmong’s voice cut through the mist.

“Master Ma.”

“Hm?”

“The place you’re in now is called the Bewildering Maze Formation. It’s a formation that hinders perception.”

“It’s the first time I’ve seen of such a devilish technique.”

“Have you ever read the Romance of the Three Kingdoms? You can think of it as something like the Eight Trigrams Formation.”

“…What?”

Ma Jin-gwang was shocked by those words.

Although he wasn’t well-versed in the history of Three Kingdoms Era, but he roughly knew that such a thing existed.

‘Is he talking about that Unreturning Formation that Zhuge Liang supposedly deployed!’

He was about to marvel for a moment, but Ma Jin-gwang soon shook his head.

“Bullshit! That’s just some made-up mumbo jumbo from stories, isn’t it?.”

‘He’s not wrong.’

Zhuge Hyeonmong, who knew this fact better than anyone, nodded.

But what was important wasn’t the truth. Lies and manipulation were.

“Yet, what you are experiencing right now is reality isn’t it, Master Ma? Surely, you’re not the type to ignore the reality in front of you and mistake some abstract, inner delusion for the truth, are you?”

Zhuge Hyeonmong words were deliberately grandiose and convoluted.

And sure enough, Ma Jin-gwang slowly fell to them.

It took him a moment to even understand what the hell the kid was babbling about.

“Let’s put that aside. If my guess is correct, you’re about to swing that axe of yours to break the formation, right?”

“You bastard, are you watching me?”

“I just thought you might. But you really shouldn’t do that.”

“And why the hell should I listen to you?”

“Well, because I’ve placed your precious great axe at the core of the Formation.”

“!!!”

Zhuge Hyeonmong pondered. He didn’t know for sure, but he suspected Ma Jin-gwang wasn’t local. For him to come all this way alone, without any subordinates or back-ups, suggested something more than just wounded pride or saving some face.

‘Moreover, judging by this guy’s reaction, my conjecture isn’t that far off.’

Zhuge Hyeonmong looked at the sullen Im Jun-gyu.

He recalled Im Jun-gyu’s dismayed expression when told to place the great ax within the core of the Formation.

—Do we really have to leave it? Can’t we just take it with us? I think we could just lie about placing the axe and run away, and he wouldn’t know.

—No, we can’t. Given Master Ma’s temperament, if he loses both the axe and the potential disciple, who knows how he’ll react? Other than that, do you want to carry the evidence of your wrongdoing and potentially risk him knowing about our identities?

—But, still…

—Then you wanna stay here and explain it to him? I can go on my own, you know.

Even Im Jun-gyu, who had only briefly touched the axe, coveted it this much.

Even Zhuge Hyeonmong, who wasn’t a martial artist, could tell it was something special. It must be incredibly valuable.

Thinking this, Zhuge Hyeonmong continued speaking.

“The Formation won’t last long. Whether you break through the Formation within that time or wait for it to naturally dissipate, that’s your choice, Master Ma.”

Hearing Zhuge Hyeonmong ‘s words, Ma Jin-gwang burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! Hahahahaha!”

“……”

“Hey, kid, what’s your name?”

Zhuge Hyeonmong’s mind raced for a split second.

Giving his name to a martial artist—whether for good or ill—risked future entanglements. But lying would be fatal if later exposed.

He didn’t want his head cracked open later if they unfortunately met again and his lie was exposed.

“I’m just a certain nobody from the Zhuge Family.”

“Zhuge.”

Zhuge Hyeonmong didn’t drag the conversation out any longer.

“Farewell.”

He turned and mounted one of the horses they’d prepared, slowly starting down the mountain path in the direction the Great Dragon Escort Agency had fled.

They rode for a good while, finally reaching the main road well after sunrise.

Only then did Im Jun-gyu, feeling a bit more at ease, ask Zhuge Hyeonmong .

“Zhuge Hyeonmong. Is that true?”

“What do you mean?”

“That you have a connection with the Zhuge Family.”

Im Jun-gyu had been somewhat intimidated due to his past interactions with Zhuge Hyeonmong.

You never know, right?

It might turn out that Zhuge Hyeonmong was really a hidden member of the Zhuge Family.

Normally, he’d laugh off such a story, but after seeing Zhuge Hyeonmong’s incredible feats, it didn’t sound so far-fetched anymore.

“Oh, that. I didn’t lie.”

“Re, really?”

“Yes. A very distant branch family. Although we haven’t had any exchanges with the main Zhuge Family for a long time, we do share the same roots. So technically, it’s true that I’m a certain nobody with a connection to the Zhuge Family?”

“……”

Im Jun-gyu was genuinely impressed by Zhuge Hyeonmong.

He had always thought he was a strange guy. It seemed like he was living in a different world, which was quite displeasing.

But now, he realized he wasn’t just strange, but rather seemed a bit crazy.

‘I should avoid picking fights with this guy from now on.’

Im Jun-gyu sincerely thought so.

At that moment, Zhuge Hyeonmong spoke as if he had remembered something.

“Ah, come to think of it. I saved Escort Im’s life.”

“Yes. I’ve been really sorry all this time. From now on…”

“The compensation earned from this escort mission will be mine, right?”

“…”

Zhuge Hyeonmong ignored Im Jun-gyu’s glare and thought to himself

While there had been many incidents during this escort mission, it was ultimately a profitable one.

They soon rejoined the Great Dragon Escort Agency.

“Well done, truly well done! You are indeed my Zhuge Liang!”

Im Chung, who had clearly been worried, patted Zhuge Hyeonmong back with teary eyes.

As he was being patted, Zhuge Hyeonmong inwardly grumbled.

‘It would be nice if there was some kind of spell that could make this not hurt.’

Even though Im Chung was holding his strength back a lot, a martial arts master’s physical attributes are way more higher than a frail scholar like him. Each thud of the pats rattled Zhuge Hyeonmong’s bones.

The return trip was much faster.

Having encountered bandits, everyone was eager to get back.

Plus, they were all probably a little freaked out that Ma Jin-gwang might still be chasing them.

But, things were a bit different on the road this time.

“Heave-ho.”

Normally, whenever he boarded a cart during the journey, he’d usually get some side-eyes, even if it wasn’t Im Jun-gyu giving them.

Glances that seemed to say, “Why is he getting such special treatment?”

But now, things were a bit different.

“Master Zhuge. Is there anything you find uncomfortable? Here’s a blanket. Please use it to support your back and travel comfortably.”

Starting with the First Squad Leader…

“You’re riding in my cart today! Leave it to me. I’ll drive as if I’m transporting the highest-grade cargo. Hahaha!”

…all the way to the coachman.

Everyone seemed to treat Zhuge Hyeonmong with the utmost care as if he is their parent.

“Eat this. They say spring potatoes are delicious these days.”

“Suddenly feeling a bit nauseous, could you stop?”

“W-what?”

Even Im Jun-gyu was acting strangely. It seems the image he had shown recently must have been quite impressive.

Zhuge Hyeonmong gave a wry smile.

He wouldn’t deny that his contribution to this mission had been significant, but it was a bit burdensome.

‘It was just luck.’

He wasn’t being modest. Zhuge Hyeonmong truly thought so.

The Bewildering Maze Formation he had deployed was only at three-tenths or fourth-tenths of completion at best. The Formation described within the books wasn’t something that could be undone just because a Peak Realm martial master went wild in it.

Moreover, his spells were rudimentary and limited.

‘I wish I could have another dream like that.’

But that wasn’t something he could control.

Anyway, at least he could rest for a while after this long trip.

Soon, he heard the escorts shouting.

“Chengdu is in sight!”

It was the end of the escort mission.

***

Once an escort mission was completed, the agency would hold a small celebration

Zhuge Hyeonmong wasn’t one to enjoy drinking parties.

‘Alcohol dulls the mind.’

Maintaining a sharp intellect was crucial for casting spells.

‘If only there was a spell to sober up.’

As Zhuge Hyeonmong pondered this lightly, he suddenly recalled an anecdote.

He recalled stories of martial arts masters expelling alcohol from their bodies using their internal energy. Perhaps magic could achieve the same.

Lost in these thoughts as he drank, Zhuge Hyeonmong suddenly noticed Im Jun-gyu pouring drinks with a gloomy face.

“What’s wrong?”

“Fucking shit… Is that you Hyeonmong?”

“Bullshit Hyeonmong at your service.”

“I said fucking shit…”

(The Korean for Zhuge is Jegal. While what Im Jun-gyu said previously is Jaeril, meaning shit, fuck, etc.)

Im Jun-gyu sighed deeply..

“Why the long face? We made it back safely.”

“Actually…”

“Actually?”

“I can’t stop thinking about that great ax.”

“…”

Im Jun-gyu’s wistful expression gave Zhuge Hyeonmong goosebumps.

He bowed slightly.

“I see. Well then, good work, Escort Im.”

“Wait! Damn, I mean, Zhueg Xiameng. Isn’t there any way?”

‘Anyone listening would think I owed him something.’

Zhuge Hyeonmong replied offhandedly.

“Why don’t you ask the blacksmith to make something similar?”

“Oh! I knew consulting you was the right choice! As expected of a Zhuge!”

Im Jun-gyu’s voice drew the attention of others.

“Oh, look. He’s solved another problem.”

“Indeed, a descendant of Zhuge… It’s the second coming of Marquis of Wu.”

“…”

Reincarnation of Zhuge Liang, seriously?

Just as Zhuge Hyeonmong about to speak something, Im Jun-gyu chugged his drink and dashed off towards the blacksmith.

Thanks to this, Zhuge Hyeonmong couldn’t achieve his real reason for approaching Im Jun-gyu.

“Hey, Escort Im, my money… Haa.”

Zhuge Hyeonmong sighed heavily.

Feeling exhausted, Zhuge Hyeonmong decided to head home. When he expressed this, Im Chung said regretfully:

“You’ve worked hard. Ah, and about the payment for this job… After discussing with everyone, we decided to deposit part of the profits from this escort mission in your name at the Golden Fortune Bank.”

“…Ah.”

“Hm? What’s wrong? Is there something you’re not satisfied with?”

“Ah, no. Thank you for your consideration.”

Zhuge Hyeonmong said this as he trudged home.

‘The Golden Fortune Bank?’

A forgotten memory resurfaced.

As he arrived home, his unease became reality.

A pockmarked man was waving at him with a bright smile.

“Hey, I heard you made some money? Time to pay up, eh?”

‘Ah, father.’

Zhuge Hyeonmong couldn’t help but inwardly lament.

Despite the debt of gratitude for giving birth to and raising him, he couldn’t help but sigh at this moment.

How did he end up in debt?

And a debt of fifty thousand silver taels, at that.