Murim Login - Chapter 540
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Chapter 540
As the old saying goes, words without feet travel a thousand leagues.
And now Henan Province was like a cauldron boiling over hot coals.
Before even two days had passed, news that two young Divine Dragons had been appointed as branch leaders by the Martial Alliance Leader’s direct command spread throughout Hanan like wildfire.
“Have you heard the news?”
“I’ve already heard it, so don’t mention it. Even the street dogs in the back alleys know by now.”
Whenever two or more people gathered, they were quick to gossip about it.
Though opinions varied, most martial artists viewed Jin Tae-kyung and Chung Poong’s appointment as branch leaders favorably.
“Branch leaders, indeed. If anyone deserves it, it’s those two.”
“Still, considering their age, doesn’t it seem like they’ve taken on too heavy a burden?”
“That’s precisely what makes it remarkable. Who else their age could achieve such divine status and merit?”
“Now that you mention it, that’s true.”
“Damn it. Listening to this makes my stomach ache so much I can’t stand it.”
“…Who is this person speaking?”
“Well, you see. Some people are born into good families, meet good masters, learn supreme techniques, and now they’re even becoming branch leaders of the Martial Alliance?”
“By that logic, all the successors of the Nine Great Sects and Five Great Families must be supreme masters, right? And why are you complaining about this to us…?”
“I just felt disgusted listening and had to butt in.”
But where there is light, there is also shadow.
The names of Jin Tae-kyung and Chung Poong were objects of both admiration and envy—not only among rough-living rogues but also among disciples of prestigious major sects.
“Damn it. Does this even make sense?”
“What can we do? It’s not just anyone—the Alliance Leader himself issued the direct command. Even the sect master of the Main Sect has firmly warned us not to say a word about this matter.”
“Then what about you?”
“Sigh, what’s the point of saying anything? I’m just a third-generation disciple. A few hours ago, one of my peers misspoke and got thoroughly beaten. Our Senior Uncle, furious, ordered us to line up by rank, and…”
“I see.”
“Some madman even called our master over, which completely ruined the atmosphere. We got scolded from head to toe. We even heard complaints like, ‘Even the much younger Yeolhwa Shinryong and Hwasan Gate are doing so well, so what are you all doing?'”
“Is that even fair? Why blame us for those two being monsters?”
“Exactly. Besides, they couldn’t have done it themselves either.”
“Wait. You don’t mean…?”
“Am I crazy? I didn’t do it. But that madman who called our master over didn’t even give anyone a chance to stop him before blurting it out. Their masters are the Fire King and the Sword Saint.”
“Good heavens, what am I hearing? Look at my arm. I’ve got goosebumps.”
“If you’re in this state just hearing about it, imagine how I and the other senior brothers felt hearing it directly. Even now, thinking about it gives me goosebumps everywhere.”
“I’m just saying this to be safe, but there’s no need to show us.”
“…Even if you begged me on your knees, I absolutely wouldn’t show you. Anyway, because of those two, the atmosphere is no joke. Though probably not as much as the Hwangbo Family.”
Everyone knew the rumor that Shandong Fist Dragon, the minor patriarch of the Hwangbo Family and one of the Ten Dragons and Phoenixes, had been utterly humiliated.
And now he had been appointed as the Great Master of the Outer Hall of the Martial Alliance—the gap between him and Jin Tae-kyung, a branch leader directly under the Alliance Leader’s office, was like the difference between heaven and earth.
“According to rumors circulating, the patriarch of the Hwangbo Family personally met with the Alliance Leader in private and demanded punishment…”
“If the patriarch spread the word himself, it’s probably true. As for the result, you already know it anyway.”
Hwang Bo-gun, the patriarch of the Hwangbo Family, had boasted about the contents of his private meeting with the Martial Alliance Leader, but within less than half a day, he had to endure the humiliation of the disciplinary measures delivered.
First: Two Dragon Pavilion Branch Leader Jin Tae-kyung took sides privately despite a dispute occurring before his eyes, and is hereby ordered to fast for a limited period.
Second: Tiger Giant Tae-san of the Black Dragon Demon Gate committed two offenses.
Causing a disturbance on the Main Road and harming innocent civilians—that is the first offense. Ignoring the Alliance’s regulations and wielding weapons without proper procedure—that is the second offense.
However, given the testimony and eyewitness accounts of multiple parties, we recognize some justification in his actions. Therefore, he shall pay ten times the damages to all those harmed by his conduct.
Third. The crimes of Hwangbo Ak, the Shandong Dragon, are similar to those of Ho Geo-ah Tae-san.
Yet considering that he provided the actual cause of the dispute and made statements that could prove problematic, we impose a period of self-reflection.
For Hwang Bo-gun, it was enough to drive him mad.
When rumors spread the next day that Jin Tae-kyung had emptied ten bowls of soup at the seat where he sat and patted his belly, his fury only intensified.
The Orthodox purists who agreed with him also voiced their discontent, but the shadow cast by the giant known as Sword Saint Mae Jong-hak was too immense, and they could not challenge the Alliance Leader’s authority over such a trivial matter—so they could only swallow their resentment.
And amid the attention of people whose admiration and jealousy were intertwined, Jin Tae-kyung, newly appointed as the master of the Two Dragon Pavilion, made yet another bold move in just a single day.
It began with a single notice plastered boldly on the walls of the Main Road where countless people passed.
“Hey, did you see that?”
“If it’s about the Two Dragon Pavilion, I’ve already heard about it until my ears bled. Wait—see? What are you talking about?”
“About half an hour ago, some guy named Hyuk—Hyuk something—plastered huge notices all over the Main Road.”
“Why should I care about some guy named Hyuk something?”
“Because that Hyuk something is the right hand of Yeolhwa Shinryong Jin Tae-kyung. The notice says the Two Dragon Pavilion is recruiting people.”
“What?! Is that really true?!”
“No doubt about it. But the contents of the notice are… a bit strange. There are other people too, but it’s just… everything about it is strange.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, it’s like… no, never mind. You should just go see and hear it for yourself.”
“…Hear? What else is there to hear?”
Every piece of news related to the Two Dragon Pavilion had become a hot topic in Hanan.
Yet the youngest pavilion master in the Murim’s long history, who had already demonstrated unparalleled genius and accomplishments, was stirring up trouble again?
“Ah, I can’t stand this!”
Those already belonging to a faction, those still seeking a place to belong, and even curious commoners—they all flocked to see.
And when they gathered in one place, they could finally witness it.
★From a nameless soldier to a Murim hero at the Two Dragon Pavilion?!★
The words written in letters as large as a gate, accompanied by bizarre symbols.
The crowd that gathered like clouds before it all let out gasps of astonishment, their eyes wide open.
“That, that is!”
“Whoa!”
How could the wording be so simple, straightforward, and bold? The text written below it also struck the eye immediately.
Recruitment Requirements
First. Those with the enthusiasm to do anything.
Second. Those with an upright character.
Third. Those who have reached at least the realm of Sword Qi Wounding (劍氣傷人).
#Recruiting at all hours #We don’t accept anyone below the peak realm #We don’t care about gender or sect origin #Age doesn’t matter #Life begins at eighty #Hey, you can do this too.
Truly, each line was nothing but bold innovation!
Simply by reading with their eyes, the people felt their blood boil and their hearts race at this succession of inspiring words, and passionate cries erupted among the crowd.
“Yeah, I can do this too!”
“You? Me too!”
“Aaaah! The Two Dragon Pavilion is calling me!”
“Damn it. A Sword Master Merchant!”
The moment hundreds of people in the room confirmed the contents and erupted in cheers and exclamations.
Ting-a-ling.
A clear and cheerful melody drifting from somewhere.
As if by agreement, people parted to make way, and a group that appeared from nowhere crossed through with steps as light as treading on clouds.
“That is….”
“Looks like the orchestra from Hongxue Tower?”
“No, why would an orchestra appear here?”
The sudden appearance of a renowned orchestra counted among the top ten in Henan Province.
Then, before the bewildered crowd, a breathtakingly beautiful woman appeared and smiled sweetly.
“Hong Mae? It’s Hong Mae!”
“Waaaaaah!”
The most beautiful courtesan of Hongxue Tower, renowned for her enchanting voice, bowed gracefully and winked, whereupon the musicians recognized the signal and began to play.
Ting-a-ling. Clang!
A melody so clear and cheerful it was beyond compare.
And the moment the first verse of the song flowed from the courtesan’s lips.
The martial artists present realized as if enchanted.
“Join the Martial Alliance’s Two Dragon Pavilion, and my era of success begins~”
“…!”
That to succeed, one must absolutely enter the Two Dragon Pavilion.
* * *
I had always been this way. There was no particular reason. I simply had never been fond of songs or children.
But today was an exception.
“Hehehehe. Those rascals.”
I chuckled contentedly, listening to the sound seeping through the window cracks.
Outside the window, children who appeared to be elementary school age were running about energetically, singing.
“Join the Martial Alliance’s Two Dragon Pavilion, and my era of success begins~!”
“Join the Martial Alliance’s Two Dragon Pavilion, and many sects came seeking me~!”
“Join the Martial Alliance’s Two Dragon Pavilion, and my life changed~!”
“A new era, a new hero!”
“Martial Alliance’s Two Dragon Pavilion!”
Even the finale was perfect.
As I clapped my hands together in self-congratulation, I noticed Hyuk Moo-jin staring at me with a dumbfounded expression.
“What, man.”
“…I’m just astounded. I’ve never heard of or seen a method like this before.”
“How is it? Revolutionary, isn’t it?”
Hyuk Moo-jin nodded reluctantly.
“The effect seems certain. I’ve been observing the surroundings just now, and it’s absolute chaos. People thought Dark Heaven itself had invaded.”
“I knew it would be like this. Hehehehe.”
“Especially that melody… it’s causing a stir everywhere. There are even rumors circulating that you’ve released poison into the Murim, Commander.”
“What are you talking about? Poison?”
“It’s said to be even more addictive than opium.”
“Oh. Ohhh.”
Ah, how satisfying.
What an utterly rewarding situation this is. I might face plagiarism charges from some cyber university in Seoul, but this is the Murim.
‘I’m sorry and grateful. I’ll write good songs.’
Thus was born the greatest masterpiece of this era—a composition that would mercilessly ravage the eardrums of these uncultured Murim provincials.
The expressions worn by the orchestra director and the musicians when I first taught them the melody I’d hastily conceived still send shivers down my spine.
‘It was the face of a primitive man discovering fire.’
I wonder if Prometheus from Greek mythology felt this way.
The only difference is that instead of donating my organs to an eagle sent by Zeus, I have to deal with a flood of applicants.
“Are all the applications for recruitment finished?”
At my question, Hyuk Moo-jin looked at me as if I’d lost my mind.
“Are you serious?”
“It seems there are more than I expected.”
“It’s insane. Absolutely insane. I’m starting to suspect even Dark Heaven sent in applications.”
Hmm. The effect seems far more potent than I’d imagined.
I’d attached the requirement of being a peak master precisely to avoid this, but it appeared the world was vast and masters were plentiful.
“Then let’s do it this way. First….”
Just as I, who had been lost in thought, was about to open my mouth.
Crash!
The door shattered, and a figure emerged.
“I’ve entered the Yiryong Gate of the Martial Alliance. My era of success has begun.”
The most sinister melody in the world. A chilling expression.
Faced with those crimson eyes, I froze completely as Fire King Red Sky River spat out his words.
“Because of this damned song, I nearly fell into demonic cultivation.”
“…Welcome.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————