Murim Login - Chapter 17

Qi Cultivation.

It was a way to discipline myself in order to breathe evenly to gather energy. By circulating external qi into internal energy, I would be able to accumulate it.

I was using the Jin Sect Cultivation Technique in order to cultivate qi.

‘I’m always amazed every time I do it.’

I didn’t know. That I had this many acupoints in my body.

I heard the other day that the body had 360 acupoints throughout the body, but I was actually able to feel it through cultivation.

Maybe it was because I was a virtual character inside a game?

‘Who cares.’

10 years worth of qi was being circulated from my dantian. If my qi was a car, than my acupoints were the road. All I needed to do was sit in the driver’s seat and press on the accelerator.

My qi was repeatedly going in straight lines and curves through my acupoints and then returning to my dantian.

‘And from here is the real problem.’

I took a deep breath. And I could feel.

Something that didn’t even budge with my will, a different large rock-like qi that was taking up space in my dantian.

‘What on earth are you.’

It was a question I had asked myself ever since I first started Qi Cultivation. It was an unidentifiable energy that was confidently taking up space.

When, how it came to be and why I wasn’t able to use it, I didn’t know but at least I knew one thing. This unidentifiable energy seemed stronger than the 10 years worth of qi that I currently had.

‘I didn’t dare touch it.’

To be more specific, I didn’t feel the need to mess with it. Until a few days ago, I didn’t feel like my life was in danger and I was in the position to be rescued.

But now it was different.

‘I need qi.’

The situation was different. If I wanted to use my own strength to escape, and satisfy the conditions of the Log Out quest, I needed to raise my occupation to First Rate.

And in order to become a First Rate Murim-in, I needed enough qi like Lee So Geun.

‘I will make it mine.’

I started to focus on moving my qi.

I felt half anxious, half expectant as I moved my qi towards the unidentifiable energy, when I realized.

‘There’s no point.’

Strictly speaking, the qi had no shape, in it of itself. But even just coming into contact with it, I could feel a strong refusal and backlash.

No, actually I could pull on it. If I kept going like this, I felt like it would chew me up.

‘Hey, hey, hey. Hold on!’

I quickly withdrew. I shrugged off the unidentifiable energy that I had been pulling on. At the same time, the system alarm rang.

Ring.

“What the heck is this?”

Calming myself down, I opened the status window.

It was now a status window with high stats. Through the one-on-one battle, my level went up by 3 levels, I resulted in gaining 30 points for my Strength, Stamina and Agility.

But my heart felt bitter as I looked at my status window.

‘Huu, only my Qi has stayed the same.’

This crappy game would only say through words that my Qi rose, but when I looked at my status window, the Qi was exactly the same as before.

‘Medicinal pills, elixirs, don’t I need to take something like that?’

I thought of Jin Huikyung. If I said, Hyung, could close your eyes just this once and give me an elixir, I don’t think he would reject me.

At least regarding the unidentifiable energy taking up space in my dantian.

Thud.

At that moment, the doors to the training faculty opened and two people walked in.

“Excuse us, Master?”

It was Han Yeop. And behind him was someone I didn’t recognize. Like his appearance, he spoke stiffly.

”We have received orders from the Clan Leader that you need to participate in the meeting with the Elders.”

“The Clan Leader?”

It was good timing. I did need to ask him something.

—

”There’s no doubt about it. There were some broken and slight internal wounds but there’s no way…”

“Are you sure? Can you swear on the infirmary?”

“Ah, I’m sure. I examined him myself!”

”If you’re sure it’s fine. Why are you speaking informally? Huh? You must think light of me because I was treating you well as a fellow Captain!”

”You started speaking informally to me first!”

I stared blankly at the scene in the conference room in front of me. My ears were prickling from the shouts and curses all around me.

‘What is this.’

The meeting I envisioned in my mind wasn’t like this. I thought it would be quiet and orderly, where everyone would listen to one another’s opinions, something like that…

“You think all Captains are on the same level! You floundering lawmaker.”

“Look at what this person is saying. Just pierce my heart with a needle.”

It hurt to watch two old men grabbing each other by the collar and shaking each other.

The problem was that this was happening in this kind of situation.

Maybe it was because of that but no one even noticed when I came into the room and sat down.

— Have you come?

It wasn’t through my ears but it was a voice I heard in my mind. It was a sound technique.

I turned my head and met eyes with Jin Huikyung who was sitting at the center. He smiled at me tiredly.

— It’s a mess right?

It was. So why did he call me here to this mess.

Seeing my reproach, Jin Huikyung guiltily replied.

— I wasn’t able to do anything. The Elders demanded your presence. Anyways… it’s the truth that you’re involved in this.

The Elders? I was involved in this?

‘What was I involved in… Ah. Mount Heng Sword Sect?’

I quickly put the puzzle pieces together amidst the loud noises.

First, if it was something that involved me then the only thing left was the Mount Heng Sword Sect, and through that the Elders called me. It was this.

‘Now that I see, there are a lot of grandfathers I don’t recognize.’

There were four of them. Like one, they had faces full of age spots and white hair.

They were staring with cold eyes. No matter who looked, they were seniors, no Elders.

— And… the Head Elder is here as well.

I glanced inadvertently towards Jin Huikyung’s way.

‘What. It’s that old man.’

Since when was he there? Today there were two seats at the center. He was sitting to the right of Jin Huikyung and was staring towards my way.

‘That old man is the Head Elder?’

White hair, white salt, white rice.¹ It was a face that was like an old painting that caught your attention.

An upright posture, wide shoulders, and firm skin that looked colorless.

‘But why is he staring so hard at me?’

I put strength into my eyes and I was going to stare at the Elder… but I sneakily turned my gaze away. If I was against him, I had a feeling I would lose, no it was out of respect for the elder. Really.

‘… Let me just crouch down.’

In that space, Jin Huikyung sent me a message.

— You might not know since you lost your memories but the Head Elder is your grand-uncle² and the highest Elder. Pay special attention to what you say or do.

I haven’t even seen my father’s face but to think he was my grand-uncle.

Who knew, maybe they were my in-laws or second cousins, or even fifth cousins. I slightly nodded towards Jin Huikyung’s way.

— And… you mustn’t be taken aback by what’s about to happen. Only speak truthfully and calmly. Do you understand?

Even though I didn’t know what was happening, I knew for certain that Jin Huikyung was on my side. I nodded slightly again and Jin Huikyung smiled faintly and stood up.

“Everyone please quiet down.”

A voice full of qi resonated throughout the room.

“This is a meeting held by the Jin Sect, and we have gathered here today to discuss a matter of grave importance. As the witness has arrived, we shall start the interrogation.”

Suddenly the room became silent. Standing at the center of attention, Jin Huikyung opened his mouth.

“As the Clan Leader and interim leader, we shall start. The Third Master, Jin Taekyung, please come forward.”

Feeling the gazes of the people around me, I walked out. I predicted up until here. Because I couldn’t have been called for nothing.

But…

“I shall ask. Did you poison Mount Heng Sword Sect’s Lee So Geun?”

I didn’t predict this.

—

“I did not.”

I barely managed to open my mouth. At the unexpected words, my mind was in chaos.

Lee So Geun was dead? And not only that but by poison?

“Speak the truth. If we find out you are lying…”

“I have no connection with Lee So Geun’s poisoning.”

At my knife-like response, Jin Huikyung let out a breath.

— You just need to continue like now.

The interrogation moved quickly. They asked, I answered.

Jin Huikyung started and the questions came one after another.

Half of the questions were about if I was connected to poisoning Lee So Geun, and I kept on denying it.

‘Because I’m telling the truth.’

Just in case, I snuck a peak at the system window and it was for sure. The Mugong I had and the abilities I possessed, had nothing to do with poison. I didn’t even have that kind of item.

So without hesitation, I answered.

“It’s not me.”

The problem was that the mood in the conference room was becoming strange.

“Are you able to provide evidence?”

“Evidence?”

Did he say he was the Captain of the White Tigers? I didn’t even know his name but he stared at me unpleased.

“Right. Proof. Some kind of proof that you’re innocent.”

What was this fucker saying.

“Why do I need to provide evidence?”

“What?”

“What is informal.”

“Look here. Third Master!”

“It’s understandable that you suspect me, but shouldn’t you be the ones to find evidence? Yes? Don’t you agree?”

These fuckers must think I’m a wrapping cloth³. I squirmed in my seat and glared at the Captain of the White Tigers and discovered something odd.

‘Huh. Look at this.’

The appearance of the Captain of the White Tigers as the Elders sent him glances. Coincidentally, everyone who was questioning me and pressuring me had similarities.

It was a sorry state to watch the number of participants who pretended not to know anything.

‘There are factions.’

Jin Huikyung and the Elders.

Even now a fight was occuring between the Elders and the Clan Leader.

‘The household sure is running well.’⁴

There weren’t many remaining members. Faces riddled with age spots. Sly gazes. The Elders were seniors.

And the oldest and fattest senior opened his mouth.

“I would get rid of the questions and answers that have no substance. What this old man wants to say is just one thing. From where did this problem originate?”

They waited respectfully for the Elder to finish speaking.

“From the Third Master.”

“Who has tarnished the Sect’s reputation with his promiscuous behavior and actions?”

“Again, the Third Master.”

At the same response, the question came out.

“Then, who has angered the Mount Heng Sword Sect and brought us to where we are now?”

“…”

Just kill me now, you fuckers.

1. Sorry the translation is unclear. I wasn’t sure what this meant or if I even translated it correctly? I think he’s basically saying his hair is as white as salt or rice?
2. In Korean, there are different terms for your aunts/uncles on your father’s side and your mother’s side. They use the word ‘younger grandfather’, which means he’s the uncle of their father, who is younger than their grandfather.
3. Bojagi, Korean wrapping cloth
4. Sarcasm. Probably obvious, but just in case wasn’t.