Chapter 540

There’s an old saying: “Words without feet travel a thousand li.”

And right now, Henan Province was boiling over like a cauldron on a charcoal fire.

Under countless watchful eyes, news that two young Divine Dragons had been appointed as new pavillion lords by direct order of the Murim Lord spread across the land of Henan in less than two days.

– “Hey, did you hear the news?”
– “I’ve heard it already, so don’t even bother. Even the mutt in the back alley knows by now.”

As soon as more than two people gathered, the topic of conversation was that very news.

Opinions were divided, but a considerable number of martial artists were supportive of Jin Taekyung and Cheongpung’s appointments as pavillion lords.

– “Pavillion lords, huh? Well, if it’s those two, they’re more than qualified.”
– “Still, considering their age, don’t you think they were given too much responsibility too early?”
– “That’s exactly why it’s impressive. Who else at that age could have attained such status and merits?”
– “Now that you say it, I suppose that’s true.”
– “Damn it. Just hearing this is making me sick with jealousy.”
– “…And who are you?”
– “Come on, think about it. Some people are born into good families, meet good teachers, learn peerless martial arts, and now they’re even becoming Murim Alliance pavillion lords?”
– “By that logic, all the successors of the Nine Great Sects and the Five Great Clans must be peerless masters. And why are you yelling at us over it…”
– “I just got pissed listening and decided to butt in.”

Of course, where there’s light, there’s shadow.

Jin Taekyung and Cheongpung’s names were objects of admiration but also targets of jealousy, and not just among roving martial artists but even among the disciples of renowned sects.

– “This is just ridiculous…”
– “Nothing we can do. It’s not just anyone, the Murim Lord himself gave the order. Even our sect leader made it clear we shouldn’t say a word about it.”
– “What about you, then?”
– “Phew, what’s the point in talking? I’m only a third-generation disciple. One of my peers made a careless comment a few hours ago and got destroyed. Our senior uncle went off and called us all in top to bottom…”
– “That sounds brutal.”
– “It got even better when some nutcase brought in our master too. The atmosphere was insane. We were told that the Blazing Fire Dragon and the Fire Dragon of Mount Hua are doing so well at such a young age, and what are we doing with our lives?”
– “Is that supposed to be a lecture or an insult? Why blame us for those two being monsters?”
– “Exactly. Honestly, even our masters didn’t reach that level.”
– “Wait, don’t tell me you—”
– “Am I crazy? I didn’t say anything. But that lunatic who dragged in the master blurted it out right away. You know their masters are the Fire King and the Sword Saint, right?”
– “My god, what did I just hear? Look at my arm. I’ve got goosebumps.”
– “If you’re reacting like that, imagine how we felt hearing it in person. Just thinking about it still gives me goosebumps all over.”
– “Just so you know, there’s no need to show me.”
– “Even if you begged, I wouldn’t. Anyway, because of those two, the mood in the sect has been intense. Though not as bad as the Hwangbo Clan.”

It was no secret anymore that the Hwangbo Clan’s young heir, the Shandong Fist Dragon and one of the Ten Phoenix and Dragons, had been utterly humiliated.

And now he was only appointed as the head of the Murim Alliance’s outer hall, whereas Jin Taekyung, directly under the Alliance Lord, had become a pavillion lord—a difference like heaven and earth.

– “There’s talk going around that the head of the Hwangbo Clan personally met with the Murim Lord to demand punishment…”
– “Apparently he bragged about that himself, so it’s probably true. And we already know the result.”

The clan head of the Hwangbo Clan, Hwangbo Gun, proudly blabbed about his private audience with the Murim Lord, but less than half a day later, he was forced to swallow his pride at the delivered verdict.

1. Pavillion Lord Jin Taekyung is to be given a temporary food restriction due to showing bias during a conflict that occurred directly in front of him.

2. Tiger Cub Taesan of the Black Dragon Demon Sect committed two offenses:
– Causing public disorder and harm to civilians.
– Violating Alliance rules by drawing weapons without proper procedure.
Given multiple testimonies and some justification for his actions, he is to pay tenfold compensation to the affected parties.

3. Shandong Fist Dragon Hwangbo Ak is similarly guilty.
However, as he instigated the conflict and made inflammatory remarks, he is to be placed on probation for a set period.

It was enough to drive Hwangbo Gun mad.

Rumors even spread that Jin Taekyung cleared ten bowls of soup the next day and patted his belly in satisfaction, which only made it worse.

Though purist members of the orthodox sects grumbled, the looming shadow of the Sword Saint Ma Jonghak was heavy, and none dared openly oppose the Murim Lord’s judgment over something like this.

And amidst all the attention, both admiring and envious, Jin Taekyung—now a pavillion lord of the Twin Dragon Division—made yet another shocking move after just one day.

It began with a single recruitment poster boldly posted on the wall of the main thoroughfare where people constantly passed by.

– “Hey, did you see that?”
– “If it’s about the Twin Dragon Division, I’ve already heard enough to go deaf—wait. ‘See’ what?”
– “About half an hour ago, some guy named Hyuk—Hyuk something went around putting up big recruitment posters all over the streets.”
– “And why exactly do I need to hear about some Hyuk whatever?”
– “That Hyuk-something guy is the right-hand man of the Blazing Fire Dragon Jin Taekyung. According to the poster, the Twin Dragon Division is recruiting.”
– “What? Is that true?!”
– “No doubt about it. But the content of the poster is… weird. Others said the same thing too. It’s just… all weird.”
– “What do you mean by that?”
– “Well, you see—ah, never mind. You’d better go see and hear it for yourself.”
– “…Hear it?”

Right now, anything related to the Twin Dragon Division was the hottest topic in Henan.

And now the youngest-ever branch lord, a genius whose accomplishments were nearly unheard of in Murim’s long history, had stirred up yet another incident?

“Oh, I can’t miss this!”

Martial artists with established affiliations, wanderers still searching for a home, and even curious civilians began to flock in.

And once gathered, they were finally able to witness it:

★From a nameless nobody to a Murim hero?! Only at the Twin Dragon Division!★

Emblazoned in massive letters alongside a strange emblem.

The crowd that gathered in front of it all widened their eyes and gasped in awe.

“That—that!”

“Whoa!”

So simple, so bold, and so outrageous. Every line underneath was equally eye-catching.

Recruitment Requirements
1. Must have the will to do anything.
2. Must be of upright character.
3. Must have reached at least the level of cutting with sword qi.

#Open recruitment around the clock
#Below peak level? Don’t bother
#We don’t care about gender or background
#Age doesn’t matter
#Life begins at eighty
#Hey, you can do it too!

Every single line was jaw-dropping.

Just reading it set blood boiling and hearts pounding—it was a masterpiece that stirred the soul. And among the crowd, an explosive cheer burst out.

“Yeah! I can do it too!”

“You too? Me too!”

“Waaah! The Twin Dragon Division is calling me!”

“Damn it, sword qi level?!”

Just as hundreds were shouting in both excitement and despair upon seeing the poster—

Ding-ling.

A clear and pleasant melody rang out from somewhere.

As if by some unspoken agreement, the crowd parted. A group of people strode through as though walking on clouds.

“Wait, is that…”

“That looks like the Honghakru musical troupe?”

“Why the hell is a musical troupe showing up here?”

One of the ten most famous troupes in all of Henan had suddenly appeared.

Then, standing in front of the confused crowd, a stunningly beautiful woman flashed a graceful smile.

“Hongmae? It’s Hongmae!”

“Woooow!”

Honghakru’s most beautiful performer and famous singer bowed with poise. Then, with a glance, she signaled to the musicians, who began to play.

Ding-ling. Charang!

Clear, vibrant music filled the air.

And the moment the first verse slipped through the lips of the singer, every martial artist present was captivated.

“Join the Twin Dragon Division of the Murim Alliance, where your age of success begins—♪”

In that moment, they all realized it:

If you wanted success, you had to join the Twin Dragon Division.

I’ve always been this way.
No special reason.
I just never liked songs or idols all that much.

But today was an exception.

“Keheh. Those punks…”

Listening to the sounds drifting through the window, I smiled with satisfaction.

Outside, children who looked like elementary students were running around energetically, singing.

“Join the Twin Dragon Division of the Murim Alliance, where your age of success begins—!”
“Join the Twin Dragon Division of the Murim Alliance, every sect is calling for me—!”
“Join the Twin Dragon Division of the Murim Alliance, my life has changed—!”
“A new era, a new hero!”
“Murim Alliance, Twin Dragon Division!”

Even the finale was flawless.

I clapped my hands softly in self-congratulation—then spotted Hyuk Mujin staring at me with a dumbfounded expression.

“What?”

“…I’m just stunned. I’ve never heard of anything like this.”

“What do you think? Isn’t it revolutionary?”

Hyuk Mujin gave a reluctant nod.

“It’s definitely effective. I just came back from checking the area, and it’s complete chaos. I thought the Dark Heaven had invaded or something.”

“Knew it. Huhu.”

“Especially that song… it’s causing a stir everywhere. Some folks are saying you’ve poisoned Murim.”

“What? Poison?”

“They say it’s more addictive than opium.”

“Oooh… Ooooooh.”

Ah, what satisfaction.

How rewarding this is.
Sure, I might get sued for plagiarism by some cyber university in Seoul, but this is Murim.

‘My apologies, and thank you. I’ll be using your song well.’

Thus was born the greatest hit of this barbaric Murim era—one that would ravage the eardrums of uncultured martial hicks.

The look the music director and the singer gave me when I first hummed the melody… even now, thinking of it gives me chills.

‘Like a caveman discovering fire.’

I wonder if this is how Prometheus felt in Greek mythology.

Only difference is, instead of getting my liver eaten by Zeus’s eagle, I had to deal with a flood of applicants.

“Have all the applications been submitted?”

At my question, Hyuk Mujin looked at me like I’d lost my mind.

“Are you serious?”

“Is it more than I expected?”

“It’s insane. Totally insane. I’m starting to suspect even people from Dark Heaven sent applications.”

Hmm. Seems like the effect is even stronger than I imagined.

That’s why I added the sword qi level requirement. Still, the world is vast, and there are plenty of masters.

“Then let’s do this. First…”

Just as I opened my mouth after a brief moment of thought—

BANG!

The door burst open, and a man stepped through.

“Join the Twin Dragon Division of the Murim Alliance, where your age of success begins—♪”

The eeriest tune in the world. A horrifying expression.

Frozen stiff as I met those crimson glowing eyes, I heard the Fire King Jeok Cheon-Gang growl through clenched teeth.

“Because of that goddamn song, this old man nearly suffered qi deviation.”

“…Welcome, sir.”