Murim Login - Chapter 538
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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 538
I asked Hyuk Moo-jin, whose eyes had widened in surprise.
“Why are you so shocked? If I’ve become a Pavilion Master, it’s only natural that I save people.”
“Well, that’s true, but…”
“But what?”
Hyuk Moo-jin answered with a bewildered expression.
“It’s the disciplinary action that concerns me more. What kind of bizarre order was that? It’s not even child’s play.”
“That bizarre order, which seems like child’s play, was apparently issued directly by our Alliance Master.”
“Hmm. Now that I think about it, this punishment must contain some profound wisdom. Since food, clothing, and shelter are the most important things in life, and the order to skip dinner in particular must have some deep meaning…”
…
Stop forcing meaning into this, you bastard.
They say that once you become famous, people will applaud even if you defecate. That saying fits this situation perfectly.
I fixed Hyuk Moo-jin, who changed his tune the moment I mentioned Mae Jong-hak’s name, with a penetrating gaze.
“Even you know that’s complete nonsense.”
“…Yes.”
“Then shut up and follow me. Don’t worry about the discipline.”
Shaking my head, I opened the door and stepped outside. Hyuk Moo-jin hurried after me, muttering.
“Isn’t it stranger not to worry about it? You’ve been appointed Pavilion Master for less than two hours and already you’re being disciplined. Did you perhaps defecate in the Alliance Master’s chamber?”
To hear such words from someone who had defecated alone in a crowded inn—I clicked my tongue softly and replied.
“It’s a crude and creative imagination, but similar yet wrong.”
“If it’s similar but wrong, did you perhaps urinate?”
…This damn bastard.
Suppressing the urge to punch him, I answered.
“There are people who’ve become upset about me becoming a Pavilion Master.”
“Ah.”
“Well, that’s how life goes for everyone.”
Yiryong Gate Master.
That was my official title.
At first, I found the unexpectedly impressive name quite appealing, and next, I was surprised that a Pavilion Master of the Martial Alliance held a far more significant position than I had imagined.
‘I never expected it to be this much.’
The prestige that came with the title of Pavilion Master was immense.
Directly beneath me was a Division, and the multiple Units belonging to it were also included in the organization.
Considering the current scale of the Martial Alliance, it was a critical position commanding anywhere from several hundred to over a thousand martial artists.
‘At my age, this is a position I could never have dreamed of.’
In truth, until now, the organizational structure of the Martial World had been of no concern to me.
If anything, my entire employment credentials consisted of serving as the Scout Unit commander when war broke out between the Taewon Jin Family and the Hangsan Inspection Bureau.
After that, well…
‘I traveled around relentlessly.’
Whether my fate carried the mark of the Wanderer’s Star, after completing a year of training on Jiuhua Mountain and descending, it had been nothing but endless movement.
I couldn’t even tell if my role in the Martial World was that of a martial artist or a traveling merchant.
But my long stint as a freelancer came to an end today.
The problem was that several company executives dissatisfied with my conversion to permanent status were standing firm in their opposition.
“Who could it be?”
“Who else would it be?”
“Well, actually there are some names that just came to mind….”
“Then that’s enough. It’s bound to be one of the names you’re thinking of anyway.”
The primary reason for this disciplinary action was undoubtedly the Hwangbo Family’s involvement, but there was no need to spill every detail to Hyuk Moo-jin.
‘Well, it’s something I half-expected anyway.’
Even those kind and good-natured to everyone cannot escape the envious and jealous gazes of others.
The world is such that even round, balloon-like people get bounced around by something, so what of a sharp, angular sixteen-sided figure like me?
‘No, this is actually better.’
Better to be a sixteen-sided shape that doesn’t get a scratch even when poked, than a balloon that deflates when jabbed by the words and weapons of those around me.
Jin Tae-kyung has lived that way until now, and will continue to live that way.
“If they push further, I’ll just destroy them.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. Let’s go.”
I flicked the back of Hyuk Moo-jin’s head as he wore a bewildered expression at my softly muttered words, then resumed walking.
News had apparently spread that a new young pillar of the Martial Alliance had been born, for the eyes of the martial artists walking along the main road burned with intensity.
“See that over there? Yeolhwa Shinryong Jin Tae-kyung….”
“Shh. Don’t speak his name so carelessly. Haven’t you heard the rumors? He’s now a proper pillar of the Great Martial Alliance.”
“Bah. What does that matter? Don’t start trouble over something trivial. He’s barely past his coming of age—just a young lad, really.”
At the blunt middle-aged martial artist’s words, his companion clicked his tongue.
“Young lad? Did his brain ossify just from learning martial arts?”
“What?”
“Think about it. From what I can tell, Hyung-jang has also joined the Martial Alliance. That makes Jin Dae-hyeop practically his superior. And he’s only grown old without having any sons to show for it.”
“Well, that’s true, but… why are we even talking about this here?”
“Because I don’t want to get caught in the crossfire. The Enforcement Division of our Alliance has been prowling Hanan with their eyes wide open, and I’d rather not end up dragged away with you on charges of disrespecting a superior.”
The middle-aged martial artist’s face crumpled.
“Are you picking a fight with me?”
“Not a fight. Never mind. This is why you never got married at your age. Just watch that mouth of yours.”
“Fine, I got it. You little brat.”
“What did you say? I’ve never seen such a rude bastard….”
Are these people insane? How do they even fight like that?
‘It’s not like they’re a warrior race or anything.’
Come to think of it, could this planet where the Murim exists actually be called Planet Vegeta?
As I scanned the surroundings with kingly composure, searching just in case for yellow hair, whispers from others drifted into my ears.
“What do you think? Should we make a mark now?”
“Are you perhaps thinking of applying to the Yiryong Gate?”
“Hmm. I’m still considering it. Though Yeolhwa Shinryong is quite young in terms of seniority, there are rumors that as a martial artist, he’s already comparable to the sect leaders of prestigious factions.”
“Surely it’s not that extreme. And even if Yeolhwa Shinryong’s martial prowess is as remarkable as the rumors suggest, you’d be better off staying out of it.”
“Why?”
“Think carefully about the movements Yeolhwa Shinryong has made so far. Even accounting for bad luck, how is it that every step they take leads them straight into a death trap? Setting achievements is fine, but if someone of my caliber or yours enters Yiryong Gate, well…”
“Still, we need to earn merit, don’t we?”
“If you want to erect a tombstone first, be my guest. And Yiryong Gate doesn’t have just one leader—there are two. Hwasan Gate might actually be the better choice. Isn’t he the youngest disciple the Alliance Master raised like his own grandson? The Alliance would surely take good care of you in many ways.”
“Going there might just get me killed faster.”
“Hmm? Why’s that?”
“I heard the serpent that Hwasan Gate’s leader carries around bites people.”
“…My goodness.”
The speed at which rumors spread is remarkable.
Suddenly, I found myself thinking that if this were the modern world, there would surely be a Martial Alliance petition board for this.
[Hwasan Gate’s Chung Poong’s serpent bit my groin. I request punishment for this. Please show your support and concern.]
Cheonmyeonho: I agree.
Gunggi: I agree.
“Jeokcheon: Haha, you bastard snake, I knew you’d do something like this someday~~!”
Cheong: No. Mi-mi doesn’t bite people.
Dangsa: Ah, Mi-mi…
The moment the countless comments and agreement count hit ten thousand, Mi-mi’s fate would be sealed. Well.
It was precisely at that moment when I was letting my imagination run wild.
“About an hour ago? I heard that some commoner passing by the main road saw the serpent, got such a fright that they stumbled backward and fell, getting hurt a bit.”
“My. And then?”
“Some young physician who was with Hwasan Gate’s leader apparently took them to the Medical Hall. Since it was just an accident caused by their own startlement, it’s not really a serious matter… huh.”
The martial artist speaking faltered, swallowing hard.
Their eyes trembled violently as they looked at me, who had stepped forward without them noticing.
“J-Jin Dae-hyeop?”
“Ah, don’t be alarmed. It’s nothing serious. I just had a question for you.”
“W-what could you possibly want from me?”
“That Medical Hall—where is it located?”
“The Medical Hall? Ah, if you go straight that way…”
Whoosh.
The martial artist, stiffened by the sudden situation, raised their hand to point out the direction.
I gave a light nod of thanks and turned my steps toward the direction they indicated, when Hyuk Moo-jin asked with a bewildered expression.
“Why are you suddenly going to the Medical Hall?”
“Didn’t I say earlier? I’m going to find my companion.”
“Pardon? You don’t mean Cheong So-hyup?”
“…Does that even make sense?”
This isn’t some Chung Poong-less Chung Poong team.
Chung Poong is now a proper leader in his own right, and I can’t simply pull him under my command.
“Think about it first before you speak. Think.”
“Then besides Cheong So-hyup, who else would be worth finding there…”
Hyuk Moo-jin trailed off, his eyes widening.
“Surely not. Right?”
“Who knows.”
I gave an ambiguous answer while silently cursing myself inwardly.
‘Open Quest window.’
Ding.
A cheerful notification accompanied the sudden appearance of a translucent holographic window in the air.
It was the first Quest generated the moment I joined the Martial Alliance as the leader of Yiryong Gate.
Quest
[Become My Comrade!]
At last, you have become a member of the Martial Alliance and been appointed as the leader of Yiryong Gate.
However, an individual cannot become an organization. Thus, the Martial Alliance has entrusted you with the authority to recruit.
So find new members as quickly as possible, establish your organization, give it a name, and be reborn as a true Gate leader!
Rank
: Peak
Restriction
: Jin Tae-kyung
Objective
: Secure at least five or more comrades (Incomplete)
Give a name befitting the established organization (Incomplete)
Reward
: ???
Failure
: Acquire Title [Loner]
“….”
Look at that title. Damn it.
If I fail this Quest, the system will officially recognize me as an outsider.
I had to succeed, and considering the hardships that lay ahead, I needed to choose my members with even greater care.
‘Exclude those who would follow without me saying a word. I need someone I can convince first and pull to my side. Someone who can provide substantial help at the same time.’
A thought that came to me immediately after confirming the Quest. And my deliberation didn’t take long.
The person I needed to recruit first was essentially predetermined from the beginning.
‘His personality is quite abrasive, but….’
He’s someone who can help in multiple ways.
What the hell. Let’s just try it.
Taking a deep breath, I headed toward the direction of the Medical Hall.
* * *
“Tony Tony Chopper—no, Moon-kyung. Become my comrade!”
This madman’s acting up again.
I’m hardly surprised anymore. It’s always been like this.
Moon-kyung stared at Jin Tae-kyung with deeply sunken eyes as he suddenly called him out alone, claiming he had something to discuss, only to spout nonsense.
“No.”
“Why not?”
It was absurd to even ask the question.
Why? There were countless reasons. But Moon-kyung possessed the most fitting answer at this moment.
“I’ve already committed myself elsewhere.”
“…What?”
“You’re simply too late. Isn’t that so?”
“Ah, my apologies, Benefactor.”
A figure appeared alongside the sudden voice. Jin Tae-kyung’s eyes widened as he gazed at Chung Poong.
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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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