Murim Login - Chapter 155

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 155
The office fell silent. Seven Scholars worked frantically, absorbed in their duties.
With haggard faces, they processed bamboo slips stacked like mountains one by one, while reporting various matters to the master of the office.
“A dispute has erupted between the Haowen Sect and the Xiaogong Sect. They’ve requested mediation from the Main Residence….”
“We’ll arrange a seat for the First Day of the Year. Let’s discuss it then. Inform the Inner Lord beforehand.”
“What should we do regarding the matter of the Sanseo Five Gates?”
“Ah, is this related to the Third?”
“Yes. The lords of the Sanseo Five Gates are waiting to convey their apologies.”
“Send them away. If they were truly sorry, they should have come in person instead of sending subordinates. And inform the Inner Lord of this as well.”
“Next, from the Southern Commerce Association….”
Even as he received reports, Jin Wi-kyung, the master of the office, kept his eyes fixed on the bamboo slips.
However, the next report forced him to look up.
“Young Lord. Horse Bandits from the northern highlands near Datong are showing suspicious movements.”
“Horse Bandits? Is this information from the Haowen Sect?”
“Yes. If we leave this unchecked, there will be large-scale plundering targeting the common people.”
“What’s the scale?”
Five bandit groups have allied, with approximately five hundred members gathering in succession.”
“Bandits. They’re always causing trouble.”
Jin Wi-kyung rubbed his brow with a weary expression.
While the Taewon Jin Family’s power was formidable, it was still insufficient to control all of Shanxi Province.
Even knowing of the Red Wind Bandits’ destruction, the bandits continued to watch for opportunities.
“Should we dispatch martial artists?”
At the Scholar’s words, Jin Wi-kyung immediately shook his head.
“Impossible.”
“The martial artists who have recently entered the Main Residence are countless. We have sufficient reserves.”
“That’s precisely why we’ve already shed too much blood. Besides, those we’ve accepted recently lack experience. Even if we send hundreds, hundreds will die.”
The Hengshan Sword Sect.
One of the three legs supporting the tripod of Shanxi Province had broken, and the water it contained began to spill over.
Before being scalded by the boiling water, measures had to be taken.
After a moment of contemplation, Jin Wi-kyung spoke.
“For now, focus on establishing and stabilizing branch offices in each county and district. That’s the priority.”
“Young Lord!”
The Scholar exclaimed in surprise. The others, who had been concentrating on their respective tasks, looked up.
With hundreds of bandits attacking, establishing branch offices was the priority? Did he not care whether the common people lived or died?
As disappointment spread across the Scholars’ faces, Jin Wi-kyung continued.
“Instead, request support from the Sanseo Five Gates. Two hundred should be adequate, don’t you think?”
“That’s nowhere near enough.”
There were few in this office who could speak so directly to the Young Lord of the Taewon Jin Family.
Jin Wi-kyung chuckled as Wi Paeng pushed the door open and entered.
“Is that so? I think it will be sufficient.”
“What are the Sanseo Five Gates like now? They’re obsessed with the previous conflict. They keep their carefully cultivated elite hidden behind walls and send us nothing but incompetent second and third-rate fighters.”
“That sounds plausible.”
“Plausible doesn’t even begin to cover it—I’d wager eight out of ten. Those bandits will be grinning ear to ear when they see these soft, fluffy young recruits.”
“Ha, so we need to step in?”
“What choice do we have? If you provide me with capable men, I’ll handle it personally. Then the Sanseo Five Gates won’t be able to pull any underhanded tricks.”
“True. Nothing’s more terrifying than a ghost blade, is it?”
At Jin Wi-kyung’s teasing tone, Wi Paeng shook his head slowly.
“Enough of that. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve already devised a plan, haven’t you?”
“A plan? I thought your suggestion was excellent.”
“Remarkable. Since when do you listen so intently to my words?”
“Everything that comes from your mouth is precious to me.”
Wi Paeng exhaled deeply and turned his gaze toward the Scholar standing at a distance.
“What do you think?”
“Y-yes?”
A gaunt frame, a pale complexion—the very picture of a bookish scholar who’d spent his days buried in texts in some corner.
The Scholar stammered in response to Wi Paeng’s sudden question.
“I believe… we’re undermanned.”
“Is that all?”
“We need to… requisition more personnel…”
Jin Wi-kyung, watching the exchange, interjected with a smile.
“That’s enough. And you there.”
The Scholar, intimidated by Wi Paeng’s sharp presence, flinched.
“Yes.”
“Send word to the Sanseo Five Gates and the Shanxi Provincial Government. Tell them bandits are swarming near Datong and we need their assistance.”
“The Shanxi Provincial Government, sir?”
“When the people are in danger, the state must act. And slip a hint to the Sanseo Five Gates about it as well.”
“Given the government’s passive stance over recent years, the chances of success seem slim.”
“Then make it happen.”
Jin Wi-kyung added another word, his expression now devoid of amusement.
“Isn’t that your job?”
“Ah.”
The Scholar’s eyes widened. He’d been exhausted from several sleepless nights, and his thinking had grown dull.
Requesting aid from Shanxi Province—Wi Paeng’s suggestion, coming from someone steeped in martial ways to his very bones, was far more practical.
“My apologies.”
“You’re still inexperienced, so I understand. But what the Main Residence needs isn’t a scholar—it’s a wise man who can devise the best strategy for the family’s sake. Remember my words well.”
Silence fell. Seeing the faces of not just the Scholar before him but everyone else flush red, Jin Wi-kyung spoke once more.
“You’re all exhausted. Call it a night and get some rest.”
No one would refuse a command to rest—especially not those who’d been surviving on catnaps with bamboo slips as pillows for three days straight.
As the Scholars withdrew their weary bodies, Wi Paeng pulled an empty chair toward himself.
“Are these the newly recruited ones?”
“Indeed, handling everything alone proved insufficient. Still, they’re better than nothing.”
“I suppose so. Though they all seem rather… unremarkable.”
“How many of them do you think actually studied to enter the Main Residence? It’s only natural, really.”
Jin Wi-kyung stretched languidly, his joints cracking loudly with a series of sharp pops.
“It’s only been a few days. We need to separate the jade from the stone and let those who don’t belong move on.”
“Is that also why you haven’t revealed the secret accord with the Shanxi Provincial Government?”
“Why is it called a secret accord? The fewer people who know, the better.”
In truth, securing the Provincial Government’s assistance hadn’t been particularly difficult. Hadn’t he already exchanged much with Hong Jin, the Provincial Military Commander, during his visit five days prior?
“The Main Residence hasn’t fully established itself yet. If rumors spread that we’ve made a secret accord with the authorities, it would be troublesome.”
“That’s certainly true. And even more so if it’s not merely rumor but fact.”
The conversation with Hong Jin contained several topics that the smaller sects of Shanxi, particularly the Sanseo Five Gates, would find most unwelcome.
Especially if the Seongyun Escort Agency learned of the exchange between Jin Wi-kyung and Hong Jin, they might well foam at the mouth in fury.
“Well then, are the other preparations proceeding smoothly?”
“Yes. I’ve completed the personnel arrangements as you instructed. The leaders of the inner and outer halls remain in place, and I’ve established three new divisions…”
Wi Paeng’s report covered the very first matters Jin Wi-kyung had addressed after the conflict ended.
The current Taewon Jin Family shone like a rising sun. For the passionate young warriors of Shanxi, it was the finest choice available.
To embrace all those who continuously arrived, the family’s capacity had to expand ever further.
“…I’ve handled it thus far, but given that our scale will continue to grow, it appears we’ll need further reorganization in the future.”
“That’s what we must hope for.”
Upon hearing Wi Paeng’s report, Jin Wi-kyung strove to appear composed.
The Taewon Jin Family had been gradually, steadily declining since the Great Martial Tournament. Yet now, the Taewon Jin Family was rapidly recovering its former glory.
‘Perhaps it will even become stronger than before the Great Martial Tournament occurred.’
If that were to happen…
Then the family would truly qualify as a Great House.
Transcending the status of a provincial martial clan, standing shoulder to shoulder with the great powers of the realm.
‘A Great House, a Great House indeed.’
The very thought made my heart race.
Just as all martial artists dream of becoming a Martial Sage, I had long harbored the desire to establish my family upon the foundation of a Great House.
‘The First Day of the Year approaches soon.’
On that day, before all the sects of Shanxi’s Murim, the Taewon Jin Family would be recognized as the true hegemon of Shanxi Province.
I had no doubt that the coming New Year’s first day would be the first stepping stone and the beginning of the Taewon Jin Family’s ascension to Great House status.
And it was precisely at that moment, as I clenched my fist in secret determination.
“Um, may I come in?”
“Hmm? Of course.”
The voice that followed belonged to one of the Scholars who had just departed.
“What is it? Did you forget something?”
“It’s not that…”
Under the puzzled gazes of Jin Wi-kyung and Wi Paeng, he continued carefully.
“There’s news I failed to report earlier.”
“You’re quite the conscientious one. You’ve gone days without proper sleep and suffered greatly—don’t worry about it and get some rest inside.”
“No, sir. I should have told you sooner, but it slipped my mind….”
“Ah, it’s fine. Just go rest now.”
Wi Paeng added his voice as well.
“The household lord is right. You’re not a corpse—you need sufficient rest to have strength for tomorrow….”
“The Hua Mountain Sect sent the Three Plum Blossoms.”
Jin Wi-kyung and Wi Paeng shot to their feet simultaneously.
“What!”
“What did you say!”
The Three Plum Blossoms—who were they?
The elite swordmasters of the Hua Mountain Sect. Among them, the most brilliant and exceptional talents had risen to prominence.
In particular, Baek Moo-sung of the Hua Mountain School was regarded as a towering figure destined to become the next sect leader and carry the Hua Mountain Sect’s future on his shoulders.
Hearing such news, the eyes of both men could only bulge from their sockets.
“Is that truly so?”
“Yes, I meant to tell you at the end, but then. And there’s one more thing.”
“One more?”
“Another? Speak quickly!”
The mere visit of the Three Plum Blossoms was astonishing, but there was something else.
The Scholar furrowed his brow and continued.
“They say the Grand Master has disappeared. It seems he went to the Main Residence, and they asked that if you meet him, you convey a message…but who is this Grand Master?”
The Scholar, still unfamiliar with the ways of the Martial World, wondered what this meant, but Jin Wi-kyung and Wi Paeng’s mouths fell open.
“If it’s the Grand Master of the Hua Mountain Sect….”
“That, that, that….”
Sword Saint Mae Jong-hak. The two men, unable to speak the name aloud, merely gaped silently as they swallowed hard.
The Hua Mountain Sect still wished to keep the Sword Saint’s whereabouts under wraps. In times like this, it was best to hold one’s tongue.
“That, what did you say?”
“That, that thing, there’s something like that.”
“Yes?”
“You go on now. Erase what happened here from your mind. Understood?”
As the Scholar bowed his head in confusion and left, the words they had been holding back finally burst forth.
“The Sword Saint is coming!”
“Shh, lower your voice. We’re not even certain yet.”
Despite his words, Wi Paeng’s face was flushed crimson with excitement. To a swordmaster like him, Sword Saint Mae Jong-hak was more than the Jade Emperor himself.
To meet such a person directly! And perhaps even receive instruction from him.
“But, why would the Sword Saint come to the Main Residence?”
“For what reason else?”
“Ah.”
In their excitement, they had forgotten who was currently at the Taewon Jin Family Estate.
“That Sword Saint has broken his seclusion to find his beloved disciple.”
“It’s still speculation, but the likelihood is quite high. He raised him like his own grandson—imagine how deep that affection must run.”
Jin Wi-kyung chuckled to himself.
Regardless of the reason, the Sword Saint’s visit was something to be welcomed with both hands, whether as a martial artist or as the young master of the Taewon Jin Family.
“You said Chung Poong, right? Where is that friend now? I recall hearing some time ago that he was training the youngest in the Bihogong technique.”
“The Bihogong training ended two days ago, and now he’s….”
“Now he’s?”
“Beating the third young master senseless, sir.”
“What in the——!”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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