Murim Login - Chapter 17

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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 17
Qi Circulation Breathing.
A method of regulating one’s vital energy by controlling the breath. The act of drawing external qi inward, circulating it, and accumulating it within the body.
I was currently performing qi circulation breathing with the Taewon Jin Family’s core technique applied.
‘This never gets old.’
I hadn’t realized my body contained so many meridians.
I’d heard in passing that the human body possessed around 360 meridians, but through direct application of the core technique, I sensed far more than that.
Perhaps it was because I was a virtual character in a game?
‘Well, it doesn’t matter.’
Ten years of accumulated power drawn from my dantian circulated through my body. If power were a car, the meridians were highways. I simply sat at the wheel and pressed the accelerator.
The power that raced through the body’s meridians—repeating straight lines and curves—returned once more to my dantian.
‘And this is where the real problem begins.’
I took a long, deep breath. And I felt it.
Another force occupying my dantian like a massive boulder, unmoved by my will.
‘What exactly are you?’
It had been a mystery since my first qi circulation breathing. An unidentified energy settled there like a permanent resident.
I didn’t know where it came from, how it formed, or why I couldn’t use it, but one thing was certain: this mysterious energy possessed far greater power than my ten years of accumulated cultivation.
‘Until now, I didn’t dare touch it.’
To be precise, I hadn’t even considered it. Just days ago, I was content to merely survive while secretly waiting for rescue.
But now things were different.
‘I need power.’
The situation had changed. To escape on my own, I had to fulfill the logout quest condition, which was reaching the [First-Rate] realm.
And I’d learned that becoming first-rate required power comparable to Lee So-gun’s.
‘I’ll make it mine.’
I began carefully moving my power.
The moment I directed my energy toward the mysterious force with equal parts anxiety and anticipation, I understood.
‘Not even close.’
Power was, strictly speaking, formless qi itself. Yet the moment it made contact, I felt intense rejection and repulsion.
No—it was actually pulling me in. At this rate, I’d be consumed.
‘Wait, wait, wait!’
I hastily withdrew my power. I repelled the mysterious energy that clung stubbornly to me. Simultaneously, a system notification chimed.
Ding.
–
[Taewon Jin Family Core Technique]
has been trained. Your power increases slightly.
– As a result of repeated training, your muscle meridians and bone structure each increase by 1.
“What? There’s something like that too?”
I calmed my startled mind and opened my status window.
Status Window
[Lv.17 Jin Tae-kyung]
Occupation
: Second-rate Martial Artist
Renown
: 70
Titles
: 4 (Title effects active)
– Scion of a Prestigious House (All stats +5, Renown +50)
– Family Disgrace (All stats –5, Renown –50)
– Novice Cultivator (Training speed +10%)
– Gambler (One-on-one combat stats +10% during duels)
Strength
: 65
Stamina
: 65
Agility
: 75
Intellect
: 10
Charm
: 10
Cultivation
: 10 years
Remaining Points
: 0
My status window now displayed remarkably impressive figures.
I’d climbed three levels at once through the Martial Duel Quest, and distributed thirty points evenly across Strength, Stamina, and Agility.
Yet gazing at my status window filled me with bitter frustration.
‘Damn it, my Cultivation hasn’t budged an inch.’
This wretched system claimed my Cultivation had increased, yet the number displayed in my status window remained unchanged.
‘Spirit Pills, Spirit Elixirs… should I consume something like that?’
I thought of Jin Wi-kyung. If I closed my eyes and asked him directly—Elder Brother, just give me one Spirit Pill—he probably wouldn’t refuse outright.
I’d have to ask him next time we met. And about that mysterious energy residing in my dantian as well.
Creak.
The entrance to the Training Pavilion swung open, and two figures stepped inside.
“Excuse me, Young Master Jin?”
It was Han Yeop. Behind him stood a warrior I’d never seen before. With a gruff tone matching his stern appearance, the warrior spoke.
“The Patriarch commands your attendance at the Family Council.”
“The Patriarch?”
Perfect timing. I had questions for him anyway.
* * *
“Without a doubt. There were a few fractures and some internal injuries, but certainly nothing of that severity….”
“You’re certain? You’ll stake the Medicine King Master’s name on it?”
“Yes, I’m telling you! I examined him myself!”
“Fine, then. Why are you dropping formalities with me? What, because I’m treating you as an equal master, I look foolish to you?”
“But you started speaking informally first, White Tiger Master!”
I stared blankly at the Council Chamber ceiling. My ears throbbed from the cacophony of shouts and curses erupting from all sides.
‘What is this?’
This wasn’t what I’d imagined a Family Council to be. I’d pictured something quiet and orderly—a place where people exchanged views and found common ground, something like that….
“Just because you’re a master doesn’t mean all masters are equal! What does a mere Physician know?”
“Listen to this brat talk. I ought to jam a thick needle right into your acupoint.”
Watching two middle-aged men with receding hairlines grab each other by the collar and shake made my head pound.
The real problem was that scenes like this were breaking out everywhere.
Perhaps because of the chaos, most people hadn’t even noticed when I’d entered and taken my seat.
– You came?
A voice that seemed to reach my mind rather than my ears. Telepathy.
When I turned my head, my eyes met those of Jin Wi-kyung seated at the head position. He offered a weary smile.
– It’s a mess, isn’t it?
Tell me about it. Why did you summon me to this chaos, you old fool?
As I sent him a reproachful look, Jin Wi-kyung’s expression flickered with guilt as he transmitted his thoughts.
– I had no choice. The Elder Council demanded your attendance. In any case… you are involved in this matter, Tae-kyung.
The Elder Council? They say I’m involved in this?
‘What could I possibly be involved in… Ah. The Hangsan Inspection Bureau?’
I quickly assembled the puzzle amid the din of shouting voices.
The only recent matter connected to me was the Hangsan Inspection Bureau incident, and apparently that’s what brought me here before this Elder Council or whatever it is.
‘Now that I think about it, there are some grandfathers I haven’t seen before.’
Four of them. All with faces covered in age spots and hair white as snow.
They watched the bald men’s scuffle with cold eyes. Anyone could tell they were the Elder Council.
– And… the Grand Elder is present.
I turned my head toward Jin Wi-kyung without thinking and flinched.
‘What? That old man.’
When did he get there? I’d only just noticed, but the head position today had two seats. The elderly man sitting to Jin Wi-kyung’s right, staring at me, made my face tingle under his gaze.
‘Is that old man the Grand Elder?’
White hair, white beard, white eyebrows—he looked like an immortal sage stepped out of an ancient painting. His straight posture, broad shoulders, and taut skin made his age seem irrelevant.
‘But why is he staring at me like that?’
I was about to meet his gaze with intensity, but I quietly averted my eyes. Not because I’d lose in a staring contest, but out of respect for my elders. Respect for elders. Really.
‘…I’ll just keep my head down.’
Meanwhile, Jin Wi-kyung’s telepathic voice continued steadily.
– You don’t remember due to your lost memories, but the Grand Elder is your grand-uncle and the highest elder of our family. Be especially careful with your words and conduct.
I’ve never even seen my father’s face, and now I have a grand-uncle.
Perhaps there were also distant cousins and great-uncles by marriage sitting here. I gave Jin Wi-kyung a slight nod.
– And… from this moment on, you must not panic under any circumstances. Confess only the truth, calmly and clearly. Do you understand?
I didn’t know the exact situation, but one thing was certain: Jin Wi-kyung was on my side. When I nodded slightly again, Jin Wi-kyung rose with a faint smile.
“Everyone, please maintain order.”
His voice, infused with martial power, swept across the Conference Hall.
“This is the Family Council of the Taewon Jin Family, and we have gathered to address a grave matter. Now that a witness has arrived, I wish to begin the interrogation.”
At the center of the now-silent Conference Hall, with all eyes fixed upon him, Jin Wi-kyung opened his mouth.
“By my authority as the Young Master and acting Family Head, I commence this interrogation. Third Young Master Jin Tae-kyung, step forward.”
I felt the weight of countless gazes upon me as I walked forward. Up to this point, everything was as I’d anticipated. They wouldn’t have summoned me without reason.
But…
“I ask you: did you poison Lee So-gun of the Hengshan Inspection Bureau?”
I hadn’t expected that.
* * *
“No, I did not.”
I barely managed to speak. My mind was reeling from the sudden accusation.
Lee So-gun is dead? Poisoned?
“Speak truthfully. If you are found to be lying…”
“Lee So-gun’s poisoning has no connection to me whatsoever.”
At my sharp response, Jin Wi-kyung exhaled a sigh tinged with relief.
– Just keep going like this.
The interrogation proceeded swiftly. They asked, and I answered.
Questions poured forth in succession, beginning with Jin Wi-kyung.
Half of them concerned whether I was connected to Lee So-gun’s poisoning, and I continued to deny it.
‘Because it’s the truth.’
Just to be certain, I discreetly opened the system window to verify. It was clear: none of my martial techniques or abilities had any connection to poison. I possessed no such items either.
That’s why I could answer without hesitation.
“No.”
The problem was that at some point, the atmosphere in the Conference Hall had begun to shift in an unsettling direction.
“Perhaps you have evidence to prove this?”
“Evidence?”
The White Tiger Master—or whatever his name was—fixed me with a decidedly unfriendly gaze.
“Indeed. Evidence. Evidence sufficient to prove the Third Young Master’s innocence.”
What the hell is this bastard saying?
“Why should I be the one to prove that?”
“What?”
“You’re speaking informally.”
“Now see here, Third Young Master!”
“You can suspect me all you want, but shouldn’t you be the ones finding evidence? Shouldn’t you? Isn’t that how it works?”
These bastards were really testing my patience. I glared at the White Tiger Master as he settled back into his seat, when I suddenly noticed something odd.
‘Huh. Look at that.’
The White Tiger Master’s gaze flickering toward the Elder Council members.
The irony was that all those interrogating and pressuring me with their questions bore a striking resemblance to one another.
With their numbers approaching nearly half of those present, it would have been shameless to pretend otherwise.
‘Factions. That’s what this is.’
Jin Wi-kyung and the Elder Council.
A power struggle between the family’s elder and his grandson-in-law was unfolding before my very eyes at this very moment.
‘The family’s doing just wonderfully.’
Few remained now. The problem lay in their composition—age-spotted faces, cunning eyes. They were the old men of the Elder Council.
The oldest and heaviest among them opened his mouth.
“Enough of this pointless banter. What this old man wishes to say is simple: where did this problem originate?”
The senior members aligned with the Elder Council answered as if they had been waiting for this moment.
“The Third Young Master, sir.”
“Who has tarnished the family’s reputation with his dissolute conduct and reckless behavior?”
“Again, the Third Young Master, sir.”
The same answer echoed from various corners.
“Then, who touched the Hengshan Sword Sect’s precious treasure and brought about this current catastrophe?”
….
Just kill me already, you bastards.

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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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