The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Chapter 65

[ … words ]

***

I had to talk for a long time to defend myself.

When I even explained the part where I did not know the identity of the Pung-baek-pa-geom and that I had responded to the herb-gatherer old man’s joke with a joke, their expressions became a little more relieved.

“Your name is slowly spreading throughout the Jianghu. For your own sake, you must be especially careful with your actions.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

I gnashed my teeth toward the Pung-baek-pa-geom.

It was the most important time for the Tae-eul-mun, so why did he have to ruin it like this?

“Next, I have something to ask…….”

Hong Mun-gi’s expression quickly turned bittersweet.

It was an expression as if he were about to burst into tears again at any moment.

“Is it truly the authentic transmission of the Tae-eul-geom-nim?”

The old elders and the Pavilion Heads were looking at me with the same expression.

“Yes.”

“Hoo…….”

“Hup!”

The elders closed their eyes and stroked their white beards.

The Pavilion Heads were staring at my mouth, not wanting to miss even a moment of blinking, with their eyes wide open.

“Where…… how did you discover it?”

Because there was a part I could not tell the truth about, I told a made-up story that I had accidentally discovered it after entering the Ma-ryeong Highlands and falling into the Myeol-hon-jin (Soul-Extinguishing Formation).

“……Did you go into that dangerous place alone?”

Hong Mun-gi’s eyes were shaking violently.

“……No. I had a connection with Miss Seong-mo of the Cheol-geom-mun and Miss Namgung Seon-hwa of the Namgung Clan in Agyang, so I was with them.”

They looked a little surprised that I had been with the Cheol-geom-mun, but they did not make much of an issue about that part.

However, their expressions full of worry remained the same.

“Why do you not think of yourself a little more? I know that you are working harder than anyone else for the Tae-eul-mun. But do you not know that no matter what miraculous medicine you give, it cannot be exchanged for you?”

“…….”

Yes, this was the kind of sect it originally was.

How much had I resented such a sect in my previous life?

“……I am sorry.”

Gang Chae-seok cleared his throat and intervened.

“Mun-ju-nim, how about stopping here on such a good day? Thanks to So-un, has the transmission of the Taesa-jo-nim, which was on the verge of not being passed down forever, not been continued?”

Hong Mun-gi, who had been watching me for a while, nodded.

“Yes…… did you offer your greetings properly to the Taesa-jo-nim?”

“Yes. I did my best to show respect. The Taesa-jo-nim worried about the disciples remaining in the Tae-eul-mun until the moment he passed away.”

“You have fulfilled his last wish. That is the most joyful thing right now. I cannot help but praise you.”

“You praise me too much.”

Following that, I told them the reason why the Tae-eul-geom-je had been trapped there.

They could not hide their great astonishment that the Ji-ok-ma-je (Hell Demonic Emperor), who had suddenly disappeared from the world, had been buried together with the Tae-eul-geom-je, and they were indignant that the reason he had eventually been trapped there was because of those who ruled the Murim at the time.

“Who was it! Who was it that led the Tae-eul-geom-nim into a trap?”

I had people I roughly guessed, but I did not bother to speak of them. Right now, the Tae-eul-mun was not in a situation to worry about that.

I alone was enough to be the incarnation of vengeance.

How terribly painful is a life lived while harboring resentment?

“You will not be able to specify anyone. Because to them at that time, the Tae-eul-geom-nim must have been as fearful as the Am-heuk-ma-je (Dark Demonic Emperor) was. If I had to say, all the masters who were leading the Murim at the time would be the culprits.”

“…….”

“…….”

Even though I had spoken as indirectly as possible, the faces of the figures in the hall were stiff.

Perhaps they all had people roughly coming to mind.

And they would know well how great those people had become now.

Even so, it was clear that the shame of five hundred years they had experienced was something that could not be easily shaken off because it was eventually due to someone’s scheme.

I continued to speak to change the atmosphere.

“I think the truly important thing is how we should fly up now.”

There are still many problems scattered in the future to live while looking back at the past.

At my words, Hong Mun-gi nodded.

“You are right.”

“Here, this is what I recorded of the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s transmission. I wrote it down as it was, so it will need to be organized to make it into a secret manual later.”

I took out the book I had written myself from my bosom and held it out.

It was delivered to Hong Mun-gi through the hands of the Pavilion Head of the Bu-saeng-dang, who was closest.

Hong Mun-gi carefully opened the book, which was several times thicker than a regular book.

What I had written down was only the transmission and the last message of the Tae-eul-geom-je.

I did not write down the transmission of the Ji-ok-ma-je or the secret art the two had created together.

It was best for such secrets to be known by the minimum number of people.

Because the fact that the Tae-eul-geom-je and the Ji-ok-ma-je had created martial arts together would, just by itself, create another unnecessary justification.

“……Hmm.”

Hong Mun-gi, who had examined the book for a while, quickly closed the book again.

“I have never imagined a situation like this even once, so I do not know what to do. I hope you all will share your wisdom.”

Powerful martial arts suddenly regained.

And the Tae-eul-mun, which was far too weak to digest it.

Problems one has not experienced make it impossible to solve regardless of age.

“……Well.”

“I will follow the Mun-ju-nim’s opinion.”

Neither the elders nor the Pavilion Heads could bring up any particular story.

“For now, how about announcing that the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s transmission has returned and informing the Jianghu? Then wouldn’t a situation like the Yongbong-jihoe not happen again?”

Gang Chae-seok could not erase a smile from his lips as if his body were itching. Most of the young Pavilion Heads nodded as if they felt Gang Chae-seok’s idea was good.

However, Hong Mun-gi, as well as Jin Tae-san and the elders, looked very worried.

Hong Mun-gi, who had been contemplating for a while, looked at me with eyes full of expectation.

“So-un, what are your thoughts?”

“This disciple just follows what you say.”

At my answer, Hong Mun-gi sighed softly.

“……However, if it is alright even if it is a thoughtless story, I will offer one word.”

“Yes! You hold the position of the first disciple. I will not blame any opinion, so speak comfortably.”

I spoke of the things I had planned from the moment I discovered the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s transmission.

“First of all, the Tae-eul-mun will close its gate (Bong-mun).”

“…….”

People tilted their heads.

Bong-mun was generally the same act as declaring surrender to enemies one could not oppose.

Because it meant not existing as a sect of the Jianghu, it was thought of as a shameful act to the people of the Jianghu.

Moreover, when closing the gate, one must remove the signboard.

Considering how much martial arts sects risk their lives for this signboard, the word Bong-mun meant the same as death.

“……Bong-mun, you say?”

Since they were in a situation where it would not be enough even if they flew up with new wings now, it was a matter of course that they would have questions when I talked about Bong-mun.

“Yes.”

“Did we not just receive the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s transmission?”

“That is why we must Bong-mun. And in the fastest time possible, everyone in the Tae-eul-mun must learn the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s martial art.”

“……Can that not be done without Bong-mun?”

It is the Tae-eul-mun that had not done Bong-mun even once during the 500 years of time, even with that weak power.

It was a part where one could know how uncomfortable Bong-mun was even to Hong Mun-gi.

“Thanks to Senior Moyong Gang, we were able to persuade the Yongbong-jihoe. Since he personally announced it, there will be no one who questions the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s martial art externally. However, will there really be no one who is interested in the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s martial art?”

“…….”

“For example, it is just an example, but what about the descendants of those who threw the Tae-eul-geom-nim into hell together with the Ji-ok-ma-je 500 years ago? Do you think they also only think that the records of the Tae-eul-geom-nim are nothing but absurd rumors? And will they be able to allow us to actually be inheriting and learning the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s transmission?”

Moans came out from here and there.

I know how strong the obsession of the people of the Jianghu for powerful martial arts is.

They had already felt the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s martial art indirectly through me.

It was a story that could never be overlooked.

“I do not not know how important the meaning the adults here have for the signboard is. However, no matter how important the signboard is, the adults of the Tae-eul-mun and the young junior disciples are more important to me.”

It is nothing more than an object that will disappear as ashes without a trace in less than half a day in front of a flame.

“I do not think one becomes an owner because one possesses a treasure. I think one becomes an owner of a treasure only if one can protect it.”

“!”

The people in the hall looked at me in unison.

Their eyes were shaking violently like Hong Mun-gi’s eyes.

I put the final touch.

“The quail that moves freely between the bushes mocks the Great Peng that is curled up in its nest every day. But when the typhoon comes, the Great Peng risks its life to fly up and cover the world. We are in a moment where we must wait for the typhoon.”

Ending my words, I shut my mouth.

The gazes that had been concentrated and shaking on me were soon lowered as if ashamed of themselves.

Hong Mun-gi, who had closed his eyes for a long time at my story, looked at Jin Tae-san and asked.

“Outer Pavilion Head.”

“Yes.”

“How about we pick a new Mun-ju?”

“Yes?”

“Pardon?”

At the sudden words, both the Pavilion Heads and the elders were astonished and looked at Hong Mun-gi.

“I say this because a young disciple is looking further and better than the Mun-ju who leads the sect. It seems it would be better to just pass the Tae-eul-mun to that guy and rest comfortably in the Elder’s Hall.”

Hong Mun-gi, who has a full smile on his face.

Only then did the expressions of the people, who realized that Hong Mun-gi’s words were a joke, loosen one by one.

“Heh heh. Do not say such absurd things, Mun-ju Hong. The Elder’s Hall is so narrow that there is a lack of space for you and your Sahyeong-je (fellow disciples) to reside.”

“Is that so?”

Hong Mun-gi looked at me and asked.

“How is it, So-un? If you build a new Elder’s Hall, I will give you the Mun-ju position.”

At Hong Mun-gi’s words, treating the position of Mun-ju of the Tae-eul-mun like the position of a neighborhood alley leader, I shook my head.

“I am sorry. I still have to go to and from the world to watch and play, so please endure a little more, Mun-ju-nim.”

“You wicked guy……. Even though you were such a sincere and kind child in your childhood…….”

With the short joke, the atmosphere had loosened up significantly.

Hong Mun-gi said with a calm expression.

“So-un’s words are correct. For now, is it not more important how to convey the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s transmission to the disciples than to let the outside world know? If so, first, we must properly inherit the transmission ourselves.”

“……However, Mun-ju, the Bong-mun is…….”

It seemed that there were still some among the elders who had a resistance to Bong-mun.

“I know what you are worried about. It was a signboard that had not been removed even once for 500 years even when we had no martial arts. However, did So-un not say it? If the Great Peng is swayed by the mockery of a quail, is that not a Great Peng?”

“…….”

“Also, the Taesa-jo (Great Grandmaster) left us martial arts for our sake, so if we cannot properly protect this because of pride, how ashamed should we be later.”

The elder who had brought it up thought about it carefully again and soon nodded.

“The Mun-ju’s words are right. I thought wrongly for a moment.”

In a situation where opinions were agreeing to some extent, Father poured cold water on it.

“I am against it.”

“Why is that?”

“There is no money in the Tae-eul-mun right now.”

“Ah…….”

“Didn’t you say you would think about really making an escort agency a little while ago, Mun-ju-nim?”

Gang Chae-seok stepped forward abruptly.

“Isn’t money coming out of the iron ore mine? Is that not enough?”

“How many people do you think are residing in the Tae-eul-mun right now? The Mo-san Sect is installing the Gi-mun-jin-beop (Strange Gate Formation) without receiving money, but isn’t that limited to labor costs? Shouldn’t we pay for the material costs or their stay? Moreover, the Changgung-sang-dan has not yet given an answer regarding the distribution of iron ore. You should think of this as a refusal. In the end, it is a situation where we have no choice but to rely on the Wang family.”

Gang Chae-seok turned to look at me.

“As expected, that guy is from the Wang family…….”

Jin Tae-san cut off Gang Chae-seok’s words and said to Hong Mun-gi.

“There will be overflowing places where money will go in the future. It is not the end just because we obtained martial arts, is it? To make the disciples inherit the Tae-eul-geom-nim’s transmission, we must also obtain miraculous medicines. To do that, there is no choice but to earn money somehow.”

“Hmm…….”

Hitting the wall of reality, Hong Mun-gi fell into deep thought again.

At that moment, the elders stepped forward.

“Then how about we go out separately and operate an escort agency?”

“……I am grateful for your heart, but how can we eat comfortably and sleep?”

The average age of the Elder’s Hall is in their sixties. Those who have not learned powerful martial arts like other sects cannot go out to the living grounds and work.

In a situation where everyone could not do this or that, I carefully opened my mouth.

“If it is that, I think it can be solved.”

“Hmm?”

“What does that mean?”

The one who was most glad was, as expected, Gang Chae-seok, who was crazy about martial arts.

I took out an envelope, a letter, and two Dae-yeon-shin-dan from my bosom and handed them over to the Pavilion Head of the Bu-saeng-dang.

Hong Mun-gi, who received the items with a dumbfounded expression, widened his eyes while reading the letter.

“What is this…….”

“Why are you like that?”

“You read it too.”

After Hong Mun-gi handed the letter to Father, he hurriedly took out the property deed and unfolded it.

Following that, Father’s eyes also became rabbit eyes.

“……Th, this, how did this happen?”

“What on earth is written in it for you to be like that?”

Gang Chae-seok could not endure and asked.

“The Namgung Clan says they will hand over the Hefei branch of the Changgung-sang-dan.”

“Isn’t Hefei the headquarters of the Changgung-sang-dan? Was there a separate branch?”

“They say they changed that headquarters into a branch. They say they will hand that over.”

“Yes?”

“Eh?”

Everyone looked at me with eyes wanting an explanation.

I scratched my head and said,

“I received it as a reward for saving the Shin-geom-nim’s granddaughter.”

“…….”

“…….”

Everyone in the hall looked at me without a word with their mouths wide open.

In particular, Father was looking at me with blood vessels even standing in his eyes as if he were very moved.

‘Huh? Is he moved to the point that his teeth are grinding?’