Murim Login - Chapter 537

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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 537
“The fragrance is truly exquisite.”
The first to speak was a middle-aged man with graying hair.
Considering his actual age well past sixty, his appearance seemed at least a decade younger.
Yet the face of the man sitting across the tea table bore an unmistakable tension and displeasure.
“Great Master Mae. Or rather, Alliance Leader.”
The leisure to savor tea’s fragrance is granted only to those with an empty mind.
Unable to contain his impatience any longer, the middle-aged man finally spoke, and Sword Saint Mae Jong-hak responded with a faint smile.
“I’m listening. What brings you here?”
“Surely you already know. Cheon Myeon Ho-ri….”
“The Shadow Pavilion Master.”
“Yes. That very Shadow Pavilion Master must have already submitted a report.”
“What sort of report?”
“If you truly haven’t heard, then yes, allow me to tell you directly myself.”
If the other party feigns ignorance, one must reveal their hand first.
Hwang Bo-gun, the head of the Hwangbo Family, bit his lip firmly before speaking.
“It concerns my son.”
Mae Jong-hak’s eyes widened.
“Wait, you have a son?”
“Alliance Leader!”
Hwang Bo-gun’s voice rose involuntarily, and he quickly lowered his head in embarrassment.
Though they once shared a bond on the battlefield, the man before him was the Alliance Leader of the Martial Alliance.
The Sword Saint Mae Jong-hak of old would smile good-naturedly through any situation, but showing disrespect to the Martial Alliance Leader could narrow the Hwangbo Family’s standing.
“I apologize. Forgive my rudeness—matters concerning one’s children stir the heart.”
Mae Jong-hak raised his teacup with a smile as clear as his youthful appearance belied his years.
“Think nothing of it. Such things happen. How many times did we fight together on the battlefield?”
“I am grateful for your understanding.”
Hwang Bo-gun’s expression brightened slightly.
Though it was ancient history and their current standings were worlds apart, Mae Jong-hak clearly remembered their old bond. Perhaps, he thought, things might work out after all.
“I shall speak plainly. The reason I requested this private audience is….”
From Hwang Bo-gun’s lips poured forth events that had occurred mere hours before.
Of course, they were exaggerated tales with details subtly twisted from the truth, yet Hwang Bo-gun saw them differently.
‘How dare he commit such an act!’
A late-born only son, obtained after he had nearly reached fifty. He had overlooked every misdeed, paid no mind to the endless scandals with women.
Yet that precious son had suffered countless humiliations before the eyes of many witnesses.
For Hwang Bo-gun, this was an affront he could not possibly ignore.
“How can such a thing be? No matter how far the ways of the martial world have fallen, a wretched Demonic Heretical Way spawn attacking the young master of the Hwangbo Family? Furthermore….”
Hwang Bo-gun’s voice, thick with rage, suddenly dropped.
“An Orthodox sect member who witnesses such injustice yet shields the Demonic Heretical Way spawn can no longer be called Orthodox. Yeolhwa Shinryong Jin Tae-kyung. That man.”
“Hmm. So such a thing occurred.”
Clink.
Mae Jong-hak set down his half-empty teacup and tilted his head curiously.
“But what exactly is it that you want?”
“Pardon?”
“I’ve heard your account and understand what happened. So now, tell me what it is you’re seeking.”
Hwang Bo-gun, who had been watching Mae Jong-hak in silence, finally spoke.
“Punishment. I seek appropriate punishment.”
“Such as?”
“My retainers investigated and discovered that the one who attacked my son was a disciple of the Black Dragon Demon Gate from Gansu.”
“The Black Dragon Demon Gate, I see. Very well.”
As Mae Jong-hak nodded immediately, Hwang Bo-gun’s expression brightened considerably.
Believing that the Martial Alliance Leader was taking his side, his voice grew firmer with the words that followed.
“And Yeolhwa Shinryong Jin Tae-kyung—he too should face disciplinary action.”
“Discipline, you say….”
“As you’ve heard from me, you know well that despite witnessing such an incident before his eyes, he sided with the Demonic Heretical Way instead.”
“That is indeed troubling.”
“For such a man to hold the position of Pavilion Master of the Great Martial Alliance is most regrettable—not just for me, but for many others as well.”
Though he had softened the word “regrettable,” this was truly the point that had infuriated Hwang Bo-gun most.
‘That mere boy as a Pavilion Master!’
The position of Pavilion Master in the Martial Alliance was no trivial matter. It ranked among the top twenty positions within the Alliance and wielded tremendous authority, commanding multiple squads and divisions beneath it.
‘Though directly under the Alliance Leader’s Office without subordinate units, a Pavilion Master is still a Pavilion Master. How could such a thing be justified!’
Even his own son, counted among the current Martial World’s finest rising talents, could barely hope to attain the rank of Pavilion Chief, yet Jin Tae-kyung had already ascended to a position far beyond that.
Considering how the momentum of the Taewon Jin Family had recently extended even to Shandong, where the Hwangbo Family was situated, this was something that had to be stopped by any means necessary.
“The appointment of Huashan Shinryong as Pavilion Master is a blessing for the Martial World, worthy of celebration with both hands raised. But Jin Tae-kyung himself….”
Hwang Bo-gun deliberately trailed off, casting a sidelong glance at Mae Jong-hak.
His eyes gleamed with anticipation—given how smoothly the conversation had gone thus far, he expected Mae Jong-hak understood perfectly what he was implying.
And in the next moment, Mae Jong-hak’s response exceeded Hwang Bo-gun’s expectations entirely.
“Come to think of it, your words have considerable merit. I’ll consider not only disciplinary action against him, but personnel reassignment as well.”
“Th-thank you, Alliance Leader!”
Discipline and personnel reassignment?
His joy was all the greater for having never expected matters to unfold so favorably.
Mae Jong-hak watched with a smile as Hwang Bo-gun repeatedly bowed, then suddenly murmured to himself.
“The teacup is empty.”
“Yes? Ah.”
“Time has been passing so quickly lately.”
Hwang Bo-gun paused for a moment, then understood the meaning behind those words and rose from his seat.
No matter how much he was the patriarch of the Hwangbo Family, how could he presume to monopolize the Martial Alliance Leader’s time?
The hour of their private audience had already ended.
“It seems I’ve overstayed my welcome. Haha.”
“Hmm? You’re leaving?”
Hwang Bo-gun’s heart warmed at those words alone, a gesture of restraint offered for propriety’s sake.
He had gained far more than anticipated, and he was grateful for Mae Jong-hak’s consideration in preserving his dignity. The camaraderie forged on the Great Hall battlefield seemed to deepen, growing ever more resilient.
“I cannot impose upon your precious time any further. I shall take my leave now, Alliance Leader.”
“Then it cannot be helped.”
“Yes, then I shall go.”
“Travel safely. We shall meet again soon.”
Pat, pat.
To dare pat the shoulder of the Hwangbo Family’s patriarch—had it been anyone else, it would have been offensive. But the man was the Sword Saint himself, the Martial Alliance’s leader.
Hwang Bo-gun, his face beaming with joy, withdrew shortly after.
Click.
Within mere moments, the door opened and a figure entered the office. A wooden prosthetic leg attached to one limb produced a dull thud.
“For the patriarch of the Hwangbo Family to request a private audience over something so trivial… he must be quite desperate for attention.”
“That fellow seems to have grown lax in his martial training. His temperament has changed somewhat too.”
“Oh?”
“No, it’s nothing of consequence. Please, sit.”
Mae Jong-hak, who had been gazing quietly at the hand that had patted Hwang Bo-gun’s shoulder, gestured for him to take a seat.
Cheon Myeon Ho-ri Song Ho, the director of the Martial Alliance’s Shadow Pavilion, opened his mouth as he glanced at the teacup that Hwang Bo-gun had scarcely emptied.
“There are those who harbor discontent with this recent appointment.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“Before the Hwangbo Family patriarch requested this private audience, he held secret meetings.”
“That is possible.”
“Rather than confronting matters directly, it appears they have been inciting the Hwangbo patriarch.”
“Now that I think of it, Hwang Bo-gun has always had a tendency to step forward. During the battle in Gwiju, he even took the vanguard.”
“…Sigh.”
At the sight of Cheon Myeon Ho-ri exhaling deeply, Mae Jong-hak’s eyes widened.
“Hmm? What troubles you?”
“That is not what I meant to address.”
“But ultimately, isn’t it all about people—who does what and how? Haha.”
Cheon Myeon Ho-ri, who had been about to respond, faltered.
He was not wrong. It all came down to who, how, and what they did.
There were moments, like now, when Mae Jong-hak’s casual remarks seemed to contain profound mysteries.
“By the way, you made a promise to the Hwangbo patriarch that you cannot keep.”
“A promise?”
“Did you not say you would impose discipline and appropriate personnel measures upon the Black Dragon Demon Gate and Yeolhwa Shinryong?”
“Ah yes, that. I have been contemplating that very matter.”
“Alliance Leader. That is—”
“Wait. Just wait a moment.”
Mae Jong-hak, scratching his chin, took only an instant before speaking again.
“Very well. It is settled. Then we shall consider the matter forgotten.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ve given it considerable thought, and I don’t think I need to remove you from your position. I’ll have to issue a disciplinary measure, but I’ll think about the specifics later.”
“…!”
Cheon Myeon Ho-ri, whose eyes had been trembling as he gazed at Mae Jong-hak, let out a hollow laugh.
“Indeed. The Alliance Leader did not say you would merely consider the matter.”
“Still, he was once a comrade-in-arms who fought alongside me. A promise should be kept, shouldn’t it?”
“The Hwangbo Family head will be holding his head in frustration.”
“Ah, but surely that friend will understand?”
“Ha ha. Who knows.”
“My intentions were sincere. If he cannot understand, then so be it.”
Cheon Myeon Ho-ri suppressed his laughter with effort.
Mae Jong-hak was far more suited to the position of Alliance Leader than he had initially thought.
Without needing to deliberate or scheme, his natural temperament was so serene and accepting that no matter how much pressure came from those around him, he remained unshaken.
‘His inner resolve is straight and unwavering.’
This exceeded his expectations. Cheon Myeon Ho-ri called out to Mae Jong-hak with genuine warmth.
“Alliance Leader.”
“What is it?”
“I simply felt like calling you.”
“Mm. That’s fine.”
“Ha ha, ha ha ha!”
Mae Jong-hak tilted his head at the sight of Cheon Myeon Ho-ri laughing aloud and opened his mouth.
“Ah. By the way, how are matters progressing with the Southern Beast Palace and the Northern Sea Ice Palace?”
Cheon Myeon Ho-ri, the smile fading from his lips, answered.
“Neither has sent a reply yet. We sent letters to both earlier than scheduled, but given the distance involved….”
“I see.”
“Yes. However, as you know, the situation with the Green Forest Alliance and the Yangtze River Water Bandit Alliance is quite favorable. Both Alliance Leaders have even expressed their intention to come to Hanan directly.”
Though they did not belong to the Orthodox Martial Arts World, the leaders of these two organizations were undoubtedly formidable figures in the Martial World.
They possessed forces comparable to the great orthodox sects and commanded exceptional masters.
“Their joining would be of great assistance.”
Mae Jong-hak nodded slightly, then suddenly spoke.
“Ah. And regarding the disciplinary measure.”
“The disciplinary measure? Ah, yes.”
“I will summon him now, so write a letter and deliver it to Yeolhwa Shinryong—no, to Director Jin.”
“Understood.”
Cheon Myeon Ho-ri bowed respectfully with his fists clasped. Jin Tae-kyung’s role going forward would be extremely significant.
Even if the disciplinary measure was severe, he had to maintain his position as Director.
* * *
I could not believe my eyes and ears.
“A disciplinary measure? For me?”
The martial artist directly under the Alliance Leader’s Office nodded.
“Yes.”
“Why on earth would she do that all of a sudden? And this punishment is far too harsh.”
“I have made my message clear. That will be all.”
Whoosh!
What kind of situation is this, anyway?
I stood there dazed, watching the martial artist vanish like wind, until Hyuk Moo-jin approached me cautiously and asked.
“Punishment? What on earth is she talking about?”
I let out a heavy sigh before answering.
“She says I have to fast.”
“Pardon?”
“Skip dinner.”
“…?”
“Ugh, I was looking forward to roasted duck tonight.”
Muttering softly, I kicked Hyuk Moo-jin’s rear.
“Come on, let’s go.”
“But what kind of punishment is that? And where are we going?”
“To recruit allies.”
“Huh?”

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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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