Became a God-Level M Chapter 224 : Are They a Murim Faction?

Chapter 224: Are They a Murim Faction?

Murim Alliance, Grand Conference Hall.

Chief Strategist Sama Baek looked over the leaders of the Orthodox Faction with a heavy voice and spoke.

“By the authority of the Murim Alliance, we will order a ten-year closure upon the Baek Li Clan and the Qingcheng Sect. Furthermore, every core mber of these factions shall be subject to investigation by the Hall of Criminal Law and the White Sword Hall. Are there any objections?”

Everyone nodded in agreent to Sama Baek’s proposal. After all, those groups had colluded with the Myriad Gold Manor—specifically the second child, Ha Cheong-a—and committed acts unworthy of an orthodox faction.

Should the Qingcheng Sect and Baek Li Clan refuse this decision, they would be expelled from the Orthodox Faction.

In such a clear situation, no one dared to defend them out of personal friendship.

“Very well. With that, the resolution regarding the two factions is settled…”

Sama Baek fell silent, deep in thought.

Tily information had poured in about the Martial Palace and Guest Dragon’s party, allowing the Tang Clan, the Wudang Sect, and other powers to arrive at the scene on ti.

Had Guest Dragon killed the second child of the Myriad Gold Manor without them present, the situation could have escalated far more disastrously.

‘It was a deliberate leak to support Seong-un.’

The culprit was as obvious as day.

Aside from the Murim Alliance and the Demonic Cult, only three organizations were capable of handling such intel:

The Imperial Palace, the Beggars’ Union, and the Hao Sect.

‘Even the Hao Sect Leader now has his eyes on him.’

Indeed, it had been odd for them to remain silent for so long.

A re innkeeper, a forr waiter, had repeatedly demonstrated overwhelming martial prowess and moral action, rescuing the weak ti and again.

Jin Seong-un possessed every trait the Hao Sect Leader would covet.

Even Sama Baek himself, wanting to bring Jin Seong-un into the Murim Alliance, was growing impatient—when the Poison Lord of the Tang Clan cautiously spoke up.

“Have you heard? That Seomun brat has reached the realm of a Peak Master.”

Sama Baek responded with delight, as if he’d been waiting for this topic.

“A joyous and astonishing matter. I still rember the lad when he briefly stayed in the Murim Alliance. Who could’ve imagined such growth?”

Everyone nodded in fierce agreent.

Even if one of the Later-generation Prodigies from the Five Dragons and Three Phoenixes had achieved such a feat, it would be noteworthy—but for that infamous troublemaker to do so?

“There must be sothing in that inn.”

When a man made that remark, all eyes turned to him. A striking middle-aged man, whose sharp, slanted eyes gave off a cold impression.

Clan Head of the Namgung Clan, the Sword King Namgung Won, had personally attended the conference.

The Sword King continued.

“More precisely, there’s sothing about that innkeeper—Guest Dragon. Not a day goes by without his alias or na being ntioned. Even my daughter, who rarely talks about others, brought him up repeatedly after returning from Yichang.”

Everyone nodded, having had similar experiences.

“So, is there anyone here who truly knows the level of Guest Dragon’s martial prowess?”

At the Sword King’s question, the room looked around at one another.

Most eyes landed on the Poison Lord, who was closest to Jin Seong-un.

However, even he had never directly exchanged moves with Jin Seong-un and couldn’t gauge his level accurately.

“Then does anyone know which sect or family he hails from?”

The response was much the sa.

As no one answered, a faint smirk ford on the Sword King’s lips.

“So, he’s not tied to any group. I believe he’s just about twenty. Seems he primarily uses the sword…”

The Poison Lord’s eyes widened at that. That damned swordsman looked like he was plotting sothing.

So, he quickly spoke.

“I can’t say for sure, but Guest Dragon and So-yeon are quite close. I’ll ask her directly.”

“Heh, but from what Rin tells , Poison Phoenix is closer to that chef than to Guest Dragon.”

“Hahaha, and from what I heard, Sword Phoenix didn’t get involved at all in this incident.”

The eyes of the two middle-aged n sparked with sudden tension.

As this unexpected rivalry flared, others began calculating swiftly in their heads.

‘How old was my grandniece this year again…’

‘With Qingcheng weakened, now’s the ti to recruit talent and expand influence. Perhaps offer the captain's post first…’

Sama Baek felt the atmosphere growing increasingly strange.

Similar emotions flickered in the eyes of all the faction leaders gathered.

Aside from the hopelessly outdated Ei Sect and the Beggars’ Union, everyone wanted Jin Seong-un.

Even the Vinaya Head of the Shaolin seed to be picturing Guest Dragon’s bald head in his mind.

‘…This is bad.’

It was an age where talent was everything.

An unaffiliated individual—not from any clan or sect—had repeatedly proven overwhelming genius and chivalrous spirit. Moreover, he distanced himself from the Unorthodox and mingled mostly with the Orthodox.

Naturally, the faction leaders couldn’t help but covet Jin Seong-un.

Sama Baek was no exception.

‘I should’ve listened when the White Sword Hall Leader said we should bring in that waiter from Yichang…’

Feeling inexplicably anxious, Sama Baek quickly changed the subject.

“It is difficult to predict how the Demonic Cult will respond to this incident.”

The mood shifted instantly.

No one present took matters involving the Demonic Cult lightly.

Sama Baek continued.

“The elders and combat unit from Hanma Heaven have all been killed. Earlier, during the Qinghai Iron Workshop incident, even an elder from Sword Demon Heaven died—so the Demonic Cult will likely take this very personally.”

“Hmm…”

Muffled murmurs spread throughout.

If the Demonic Cult were to go on a rampage, as history had shown ti and again, the Central Plains would drown in blood.

Sama Baek spoke with force.

“To prepare for the worst, I plan to assu a quasi-war posture and reorganize our forces. Are there any objections?”

There were none.

Sama Baek nodded in satisfaction.

The last topic was the trickiest and most sensitive. Taking a breath, he spoke.

“There is a possibility that the Myriad Gold Manor has colluded with the Demonic Cult. The eldest son, Ha Joo-myeong, has distanced himself by calling it his younger sibling’s personal deviation—but this must be thoroughly investigated.”

The faction leaders in the room cleared their throats and averted their gazes, showing ambiguous reactions.

Sama Baek understood their hesitance better than anyone.

Even if they hadn’t had direct dealings with the Myriad Gold Manor, the leaders of the current powers had all taken their money at one point or another.

That included the Sima Clan and the Murim Alliance as well.

However, since this involved the Demonic Cult, they had no choice but to act. After all, the very purpose of the Murim Alliance’s existence was to check and suppress the Demonic Cult.

Sama Baek continued.

“First, I will confirm the Imperial Palace’s stance on the matter.”

The Myriad Gold Manor was deeply intertwined with the Imperial Palace.

With the burden of imdiate decision lifted, everyone looked visibly relieved.

As Sama Baek observed their reactions, he realized—

This might beco a long and difficult battle.

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.

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After the eting, Sama Baek returned straight to his office. Inside, several strategists, including his right-hand Vice Strategist, were gathered around a janggi board, their brows furrowed in deep thought.

In fact, Sama Baek had already ordered a reorganization of the troops in preparation for a potential war with the Demonic Cult.

Now that the leaders had given their consent at the eting, all that remained was to reorganize the forces according to the prearranged plan.

However, contrary to expectations that this would have been finished by now, the strategists were scratching their heads in frustration.

Sama Baek asked,

“Is there a problem?”

“We’ve aligned the forces according to a quasi-war structure focused around the Nine Sects One Gang, the Five Great Clans, and the Murim Alliance’s top-level units, but…”

The Vice Strategist trailed off, pointing to a janggi piece. Written on it was the character ‘客’ (guest).

“Is the Seong-un Inn… a Murim faction?”

All eyes turned to Sama Baek.

He, too, narrowed his eyes at the janggi piece.

What was a Murim faction?

Simply put, a faction that existed within the Murim.

Then what was Murim?

An individual or group that placed martial prowess above all else.

If you took away the sword from the Namgung Clan, what would remain?

This applied to all Five Great Clans, Nine Sects One Gang, and even the Murim Alliance.

They were Murim factions because they identified as such.

But the Seong-un Inn was different.

Rather than intentionally trying to exert power through martial strength, they simply did business quietly in Yichang—and trouble just happened to erupt around them.

Considering Jin Seong-un’s personality, it was highly likely he didn’t even view himself as part of the Murim.

“Neither Murim, nor a faction.”

The strategists nodded.

It was a hard judgnt to make, so they decided to follow the Chief Strategist’s lead.

As the janggi piece was about to be removed from the board, Sama Baek added,

“However, in terms of martial force, it’s equivalent to a quasi-clan.”

“…”

“There are three Peak-level Masters. The other waiter is only at Master Level, but he’s capable of moving an entire Shui Stronghold. If a day ever cos where Seong-un Inn goes to war, who would rise to support them?”

“The Tang Clan and Wudang Sect would. The Moyong and Seomun Clans, who’ve sent children there, would also act. Among the comrcial world, Hwa-un Trading Company, Red Cliff Escort Agency, Falling Fla Manor, and the Jingzhou rchants’ Association would move as well. From the governnt, the Inspector of Hunan Province would likely intervene…”

Even as he recited them, the Vice Strategist trailed off in awe.

A re inn had co to exert an influence that could not be ignored in their ti.

“We’ll exclude them for now. However, if the day cos when Seong-un Inn becos a Murim faction—whose banner should they be under?”

“It must be the Murim Alliance. Guest Dragon is a fierce sword. If he were taken in by the Demonic Cult or even the Nine Sects One Gang or the Five Great Clans, it would upset the balance of power.”

“Well said. Now then…”

Sama Baek looked around at the now deeply focused strategists and asked,

“What is the most urgent task for the Military Division?”

“…”

To formulate a plan to bring Seong-un Inn into their fold.

Word was, Guest Dragon had killed the Food Butcher, the Southern Black Lotus Lord, an elder of Sword Demon Heaven, and the son of the Heavenly Poison Alliance Leader—and shalessly referred to himself as just an innkeeper.

Bringing such a person into the Murim was no easy feat.

What made it even more difficult was that he was already being targeted by many—not just anyone, but the Tang Clan, Wudang Sect, and other elite figures.

The Vice Strategist understood his situation clearly. So, in response to Sama Baek’s question, he replied,

“It’s going to be overti. Likely tomorrow too, and the day after…”

Sama Baek raised the corners of his lips slightly and nodded.

Publicly, Sama Baek was highly praised for his abilities and character. But behind that were the countless wrists and souls of strategists worn down to the bone.

Of course, Sama Baek himself always stayed behind in the Military Division when the strategists had to work late.

That only made it harder for the strategists.

The most infuriating boss is one who’s incompetent but overzealous. But the most terrifying is the one who’s passionate and capable.

That was Chief Strategist Sama Baek.

With the standard-bearer of the Orthodox Faction burning the midnight oil himself, no re strategist could dare utter the word “leave.”

Hubei Province, Mount Wudang.

The Wudang Sword Immortal asked Jin Seong-un in a very serious tone,

“What do you plan to do now?”

It was a question with many layers.

Due to the recent incident, Jin Seong-un’s worth—long concealed by the Wudang Sect and Murim Alliance—had now been officially revealed to the world.

Various factions would now be eyeing Jin Seong-un. And not only from the Orthodox Faction.

Among them, the Myriad Gold Manor, who had lost two sons to him, would certainly begin to move.

The Heavenly Poison Alliance too—given their temperant—would not take the death of their heir lightly.

From the perspective of the Wudang Sword Immortal, Jin Seong-un was standing at the most pivotal and dangerous turning point in his life.

Every choice and incident he would face from now on would heavily shape the path of his life.

Jin Seong-un mulled over the Sword Immortal’s profound question just as seriously, then replied,

“I think I’ll start deliveries as soon as I return. In an age with so many inns, we can’t rely on conventional strategies to stay competitive…”

The Wudang Sword Immortal was at a loss for words.

Clearly, this man’s mind was filled with nothing but that inn.