The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Chapter 66

[ … words ]

***

In the end, it was decided that people from the Elder Council would go to the Changgung-sang-dan.

And naturally, Jin Tae-san, the Dang-ju of the Outer Hall, was to become the center of it.

Perhaps thanks to the financial breathing room, my father let out long, continuous sighs.

Because the Mun-ju and the Dang-jus had to reorganize the Tae-eul-mun internally while simultaneously learning the martial arts of the Tae-eul-geom-je, they could not rest for even a moment, even if they sealed the sect.

Fortunately, among the elders, there were those who had worked in small merchant groups or escort agencies in the past to manage the Tae-eul-mun’s livelihood, so there would not be any major difficulties.

Moreover, Wang So-so was in the Tae-eul-mun, and it was a matter where they could request help from Wang Geum-san if needed.

Even though the work had been sorted out to some extent, the elders and the Dang-jus did not rise from their seats.

Everyone looked as if they could not bear to wait to see the progress of the Tae-eul-geom-je.

In response, Hong Mun-gi ordered liquor and snacks to create a seat for viewing the progress while holding a small congratulatory banquet.

And while interest had turned to progress, I quietly slipped out of the Dae-hyeon-jeon.

I went straight to find Wang So-so.

As sealing the sect became certain, there was something the Mun-ju and the adults were overlooking.

It was that the Murim Alliance would never end things like this.

Although there had been Moyong Gang’s acknowledgment and the Yongbong-jihoe’s acknowledgment, in the midst of that, the Diancang Sect and the Mount Hua Sect had suffered great wounds to their pride.

It would be one thing if it were just one person, but two people had suffered great wounds to their pride. And those two people were the greatest talents of Mount Hua and Diancang, respectively.

If these two sects banded together, among those who had been snooping around, people interested in the progress of the Tae-eul-geom-je would emerge.

And if such public opinion became the mainstream, the acknowledgment from the distant Moyong Gang would be of no help.

At the very least, it was necessary to stall for time until the Tae-eul-mun completely sealed the sect and the connection to the outside was cut off.

“Oppa! I’m here!”

I approached Wang So-so, who was practicing with other disciples at the Kwae-hwa-dang’s training ground.

In the few months I hadn’t seen her, she had grown significantly and was already about to shed her girlishness.

‘They say girls grow up early.’

Moyong Seol, Namgung Seon-hwa, Seong Mo-ran, the Yongbong-jihoe, etc.

I had seen countless beauties famous in the Jianghu, but Wang So-so’s beauty did not fall short of theirs in the slightest.

No, since she still had more growth ahead of her, it was something to look forward to in the future.

‘I understand now why fathers with daughters hated sons-in-law so much.’

Just thinking that Wang So-so would marry someone someday already made me feel as if I were losing a younger sister.

“Your swordsmanship has improved a lot.”

“I am working hard. In a little while, I might even be able to spar with Eun-ho for over a hundred techniques.”

“Eun-ho is someone who ranks within the top ten even among the disciples, isn’t he?”

“That’s why.”

“But what is this matter you wanted to ask me about?”

“There must be a lot of gold ingots in your house, right?”

Wang So-so tilted her head.

“Is it just gold ingots? There are gold toads, gold dragons, gold deer, and…….”

“Yes, yes. Could you do me a favor?”

“You could ask for two, you know? You can even ask for three.”

I held out a 100-nyang promissory note.

“Huh?”

<><><>

“What is the meaning of that?”

Moyong Seol told the story of what happened with Jin So-un.

“……Yes, I made a mistake with Jin So-un Gongja.”

“Hoo…….”

Moyong Gang never erased his smile, even in normal times.

His unique, playful, and mischievous face made his grandchildren feel that he was an existence they could easily approach.

However, right now, it was as if he had seen a scene where a puppy he adored had broken a precious piece of pottery.

“I am sorry.”

“Did you not also clearly see that the Yongbong-jihoe brats were the ones in the wrong?”

Moyong Seol, who had always monopolized Moyong Gang’s love, found her grandfather more unfamiliar than ever.

“Tsk, tsk. I had painstakingly created an opportunity to connect you, but now it has become useless.”

“……?”

Neither Moyong Seol nor Moyong Jae-hwa knew what Moyong Gang was talking about, but they did not argue with his words.

“Life in the Jianghu does not always flow according to the scriptures.”

Moyong Gang’s voice was calmer than ever.

“When an opponent tries to stand by stepping on you, you must never prove that you are an easy existence. In such cases, a more cruel hand could also be one method, could it not?”

“…….”

Moyong Seol had no words, even if she had ten mouths.

On the other hand, she also felt a little curious as to why Moyong Gang was talking to this extent.

Of course, she could not ask that.

“If I were in that situation, I would have destroyed that fellow Hwa Jeong-san’s dantian.”

“…….”

“Tsk, tsk. I thought that going to the Murim Alliance would make your thinking a little more flexible, but you have become even stiffer.”

“…….”

“He is the one who saved your father. You know well what your mistake is without me saying more, right?”

“Yes. I know it well.”

“Go, apologize politely, and make it so that there are no hard feelings left for him or you.”

“Yes…….”

“And now, quit that Yongbong-jihoe thing. If you continue to stay there, it seems like you will harden just like this. Let’s return to the main house with me this time.”

“……I understand.”

Moyong Gang muttered as he rose from his seat.

“I heard there is a connection with that child Seon-hwa, too. I hope that fellow Namgung Tae-ha isn’t already targeting her…….”

Of course, Moyong Jae-hwa and Moyong Seol still could not know what their grandfather was talking about.

<><><>

Moyong Seol immediately conveyed her story to the Yongbong-jihoe.

A shadow fell over Il-myeong’s face upon hearing the story.

Except for emergency summons of the Yongbong-jihoe, there was no compulsion in their activities.

There was a reason that the Yongbong-jihoe did not particularly engage in any activities other than inspection activities of the Murim Alliance branches and the 108 Peaks, but because each and every person constituting the Yongbong-jihoe was too important to their respective sects and the Murim Alliance, they had given them autonomy in advance.

Therefore, in this activity of the Yongbong-jihoe, Wudang’s Yong So-a, the Namgung Clan’s Namgung San, and Emei’s Hye-yeon were missing.

If Moyong Seol were to also drop out while the conditions of Jong Byeok-gi and Hwa Jeong-san were not good, in reality, one had to consider the activities of the Yongbong-jihoe as having stopped.

“There will be a setback in the schedule.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine. Everyone has their own circumstances.”

Il-myeong said with a heavy face.

“Isn’t it unavoidable? The Tae-eul-mun, unlike our expectations…….”

Chung-seong’s So Je-ho, who was speaking, trailed off at the sharp gazes of Jong Byeok-gi and Hwa Jeong-san.

In particular, Jong Byeok-gi’s grudge was deep in his bones.

“That damn brat…….”

He had been defeated in a place he never expected, by someone he never expected, in a way he never expected.

Moreover, with the appearance of Moyong Gang, all methods to reverse the defeat had also turned into bubbles.

Now, it was a situation where one had to worry about whether the Moyong Gang would cause any harm instead.

“I, I…… absolutely……. Ah!”

Jong Byeok-gi, who was speaking, grabbed his head due to the extreme pain ringing in his temples.

One side of his head was swollen largely, as if a giant horn had grown.

Dang Seo-hee, who was treating Jong Byeok-gi, grabbed Jong Byeok-gi’s hair and dragged him back down to the floor.

“Did you not hear me tell you to stay still? If you don’t want to live with a headache for the rest of your life as a side effect, it would be better to stay still.”

“…….”

Dang Seo-hee was a crazy person who would use poison even on people of the same Murim Alliance if her mood was twisted.

Jong Byeok-gi became mute and was grinding his teeth.

Il-myeong’s brow, watching them, did not easily smooth out.

‘Should I consider it…… to the extent of Yong So-a…….’

Il-myeong was tasting the same feeling as when he first met Yong So-a through Jin So-un.

“Perhaps…… a blue wave will rise in the Jianghu.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that I must re-evaluate the Tae-eul-mun.”

“Damn it, it can’t end like this.”

Upon hearing Il-myeong’s words, Jong Byeok-gi jumped up.

At that moment, Dang Seo-hee, whose anger had soared to the top of her head, stuck a needle into Jong Byeok-gi’s ma-hyeol (paralysis point).

“Ugh!”

“Did you not hear me tell you not to move? Do you want to taste the pain of Bun-geun-chak-gol (tearing muscles and breaking bones)?”

“N-no. No, I am. I will stay still…….”

Jong Byeok-gi quickly asked Hwa Jeong-san for help.

“Jeong-san, you try saying something too. This isn’t something that can just be passed over like this, is it?”

“…….”

Hwa Jeong-san was just sitting silently with sunken eyes.

“What if we don’t just pass it over?”

At Seo Sa-ryeong’s question, Jong Byeok-gi rolled around his eyes.

“Naturally, we must report it to the Murim Alliance. That a martial art of unknown origin has appeared!”

“But Elder Moyong Gang has already publicly declared it.”

Jong Byeok-gi stared at Moyong Seol.

“Hmph! Have you forgotten what our mission is? It is to conduct inspection and surveillance activities without being influenced by external pressure. Is that not so, Jeong-san?”

“…….”

Hwa Jeong-san did not answer Jong Byeok-gi’s words, and instead, Moyong Seol’s eyes sank coldly.

“Do you think the Moyong Clan will sit still?”

“Did I not say that it is an unrelated matter anyway? Because everything is a matter for the Murim Alliance to decide. Can the Moyong Clan ignore the Alliance’s decision?”

Watching the war of nerves between Jong Byeok-gi and Moyong Seol, Il-myeong’s eyes sank once again.

There was some reality in Jong Byeok-gi’s words.

If Jong Byeok-gi and Hwa Jeong-san stepped forward, Diancang and Mount Hua would move simultaneously. On top of that, if today’s event were reported, even more people would become interested in the martial art, and if it reached that point, even the Pa-geom (Sword Breaker) of the world would not be able to block it alone.

Because that is what justification is originally.

“Hmm…… would it be okay? That person, Jin Gongja, his personality doesn’t seem easy at all.”

At the appearance of Seo Sa-ryeong, who was stroking her red lips with her white fingers, Jong Byeok-gi swallowed his saliva without knowing it and spoke even more confidently.

“Just wait and see. I will certainly make it so. If Diancang and Mount Hua step forward first, perhaps other sects will also become interested.”

Jong Byeok-gi, planning exactly what Il-myeong had anticipated.

Il-myeong knew that his own sect could also not be free from this place.

Could they not be interested in the martial art of the Tae-eul-mun that had destroyed the Geum-gang-ban-yak-jang (Diamond-Vajra Palm)?

At that moment, Moyong Seol looked behind her.

Following her, Seo Sa-ryeong and Hwangbo Yeon also looked behind them.

Before long, a young man carrying bundles in both hands walked in over the wall.

“Jin…… Gongja…….”

At Moyong Seol’s words, Jong Byeok-gi and Hwa Jeong-san’s eyes became sharp.

Jong Byeok-gi begged Dang Seo-hee to release his ma-hyeol, but she was just watching Jin So-un without a word.

“I came because the Mun-ju-nim asked me to inquire if there were any inconveniences.”

A smile was drawn on his face, and his attitude was confident.

It was as if he had completely forgotten about the desperate sparring match that had taken place a day ago.

Il-myeong also smiled at the corners of his mouth and stepped forward a few paces.

“Thanks to you, we are staying very comfortably. I don’t know if this is being rude for no reason.”

“Is welcoming the Yongbong-jihoe not the glory of all martial sects? You may not be able to stay for long, but please stay comfortably while you are here.”

At Jin So-un’s words, the eyes of the Yongbong-jihoe members trembled violently.

Didn’t they fight too desperately to be talking so casually like that?

“Are you alright, So-hyeop?”

“I, too, have places that ache everywhere here and there. Indeed, the sword of Mount Hua is fierce beyond comparison.”

“…….”

Hwa Jeong-san glared fiercely at Jin So-un.

Jong Byeok-gi next to him was also glaring with a stiff body, but rather than scary, he was ridiculous.

“I am sorry to Il-myeong Monk, but I brought some Gok-cha (liquor).”

Gok-cha is a slang term monks use for alcohol.

“Hehe, Gok-cha, you say?”

“Among my disciples, there is a child from the Wang family, and I begged that child to obtain a little Geumbun Myeongju (Gold-Powder Famous Liquor).”

Geumbun Myeongju was a precious liquor produced directly by the Wang family. It was a specialty of Hefei, but it was difficult for just anyone to taste it.

When I unwrapped the bundle, five gorgeously decorated liquor bottles came out from it.

“……Still, since you have come all the way here, I thought you should taste a little of the local specialty.”

“Thank you. I won’t be able to drink, but others will be able to enjoy it. Truly, we are indebted to the Tae-eul-mun in many ways.”

“Don’t mention it. Are we not all peers gathered under the banner of the Murim Alliance? Hahahaha.”

So-un showed a hearty laugh, but not a single man among them could laugh.

It was because the feeling of being pushed by So-un, who was several years younger, was great for some reason.

On the other hand, the eyes of the women watching So-un sparkled.

“Jin Gongja, how can you be so strong? I was very surprised by the fact that the martial art of the Tae-eul-mun was to that extent.”

At Seo Sa-ryeong of the Seop-hon-seo-si (Soul-Enticing Poem) speaking in a tone as warm as spring flowers, Jong Byeok-gi had an expression of ‘oh no’.

Seo Sa-ryeong of the Seop-hon-seo-si had subtly conveyed her opinion that she would withdraw from this matter.

“…….”

Furthermore, she even gave Jin So-un an opportunity to talk about martial arts.

As expected, Jin So-un did not miss that opportunity.

“Actually, regarding that part, I would like to express my gratitude to Hwa Dae-hyeop.”

People tilted their heads.

“…….”

“Actually, we had a hard time retrieving the martial art of our Tae-sa-jo (Great-Grandmaster), but we were worried about how to let the world know about this. We could have just announced it, but we didn’t know what kind of trouble we would be involved in if we did. Like today, for example.”

Il-myeong’s surprised mouth slowly opened.

“But just in time, Hwa Jeong-san Dae-hyeop said, ‘I want to see the sword style of the Tae-eul-geom-je,’ so I was able to get a good opportunity.”

“Th-that is…… Ahem.”

Hwa Jeong-san could not say anything.

The moment he revealed that his original intention was ridicule, the one who would fall would be Hwa Jeong-san himself.

“Therefore, it is true that I was excessive, and it is also true that Dae-hyeop was wounded because of that. In response to this, the Mun-ju-nim is very concerned about having wounded a benefactor.”

At the word ‘benefactor’, Hwa Jeong-san’s face flushed red.

Il-myeong was watching Jin So-un, who spat out such words casually, as if observing a mysterious creature.

Jin So-un approached Hwa Jeong-san.

And he put down the small bundle in his other hand and pushed it to Hwa Jeong-san.

“……What is this?”

“Because we are such a small sect, we have no miraculous medicine or items to restore energy within the sect. This is in its place.”

“……Hmph, whatever the Tae-eul-mun prepared…….”

Hwa Jeong-san’s expression, as he roughly opened the bundle with a grumbling look, began to change strangely.

When he opened the treasure box that flowed with ancient beauty, a plum tree carved from ox horn and gold came out from inside.

It was to the extent that the eyes of Seo Sa-ryeong, who usually wore many flashy gold and silver treasure decorations, flashed open.

“Hoo…….”

“It is an item I happened to obtain a few months ago, and I think perhaps it was to create this kind of connection. I hope that with this, Hwa Jeong-san Dae-hyeop can obtain miraculous medicine to recover.”

“……A connection?”

“You may not know well, but in the past, the Dang-ju of our Bu-saeng-dang was a lay disciple of the Mount Hua Sect. In the end, the Tao of Mount Hua turned and turned and even reached our Tae-eul-mun.”

“…….”

“In the midst of that, I committed such a mistake, so how sad must the Mun-ju-nim’s heart have been.”

Hwa Jeong-san had already lost words, and Jong Byeok-gi, who had been watching with his body stiffened on the side, had his face turn mottled.

“Hwa Jeong-san, just return that kind of thing. Why should we forgive just because of something like that?”

At Jong Byeok-gi’s words, Hwa Jeong-san looked at him with spicy eyes.

“……You, be quiet!”

“What?!”

“Isn’t it because you needlessly interfered that things grew this big!”

Jong Byeok-gi’s face flushed red beyond comparison.

“Hut!”

Moreover, a huge backer named Moyong Gang stood firmly behind Jin So-un.

With that eccentric personality, high-level martial arts, and a huge family, the risk compared to the investment was too great to turn him into an enemy.

Perhaps Hwa Jeong-san had been speechless until now because he was contemplating if there was any way to escape.

Jong Byeok-gi glared at Jin So-un with venomous eyes.

“Brat! Don’t think that this is the end!”

Then Jin So-un also stared at Jong Byeok-gi with cold eyes.

“That is also what I want to say. The Tae-eul-mun will remember today’s event for a long, long time.”

“I am Jong Byeok-gi of Diancang! Do you think I will be scared!”

“……You should be scared. Since Senior Moyong Gang said he would take you with him.”

“Ugh! Th-that, what is that!”

“Since you disturbed his eccentric activities, shouldn’t you pay the price? Oh, right, they also say he will send a letter to the Mun-ju of the Diancang Sect. You should also be prepared for disciplinary action when you return.”

Jong Byeok-gi’s face turned sallow, and a sigh of relief was exhaled from Hwa Jeong-san’s mouth.

“……Could you tell the Mun-ju-nim that I am reflecting on the fact that a junior acted rudely?”

At Hwa Jeong-san’s words, Jong Byeok-gi and the Yongbong-jihoe members were shocked.

“Did I not tell you? He says he is rather grateful. Didn’t you say that the expert whom the New Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua admires the most is the Tae-eul-geom-je?”

“Ahem…… I did.”

“Where else could there be a greater compliment to the Tae-eul-mun than this.”

“Ahem…… what kind of words are those? Seeing your sword style, I have also become convinced that my thoughts in the meantime were correct.”

Watching Hwa Jeong-san smiling and having a conversation with Jin So-un without any pride, Jong Byeok-gi’s face gradually changed grotesquely.

And Il-myeong, who had watched the whole series of processes, had a cold feeling in his heart.

‘A scary…… person.’

That appearance Jin So-un had shown in the sparring match was not just to show the retrieved progress.

The appearance as if he had met an irreconcilable enemy.

The tenacity with which he wanted to see blood in the end.

And yet, he was convincingly telling a lie that such actions were not sincere.

Because of the Moyong Gang, it was safe to say that there was no problem with the relationship between the Yongbong-jihoe and the Tae-eul-mun.

The problem was that Diancang and Mount Hua, the biggest victims of the incident, were the problem, but he did not compensate both of them, but gave generous compensation only to Mount Hua, and even brought up past connections.

Because of this, Hwa Jeong-san had no choice but to let go of his grudge against Jin So-un, and Jong Byeok-gi, who was left alone, ended up having his own fault become even bigger, let alone having a justification.

‘His martial arts were not easy either, but his scheming is even more excellent.’

The great thing about Yong So-a is that he has talent that cannot be surpassed. But he is not a scary existence.

Yong So-a is not a scary opponent because he cannot become a politician.

On the other hand, Jin So-un possessed a deep scheming ability that could control people.

‘From now on, the Jianghu will be greatly shaken because of the Tae-eul-mun……, no, because of that young man.’

Jin So-un looked at the Yongbong-jihoe members with a comfortable face again and said.

“Then please rest comfortably. I will return now.”

Just as Jin So-un was about to turn around.

“You must stop for a moment.”

Dang Seo-hee called Jin So-un, and the people of the Yongbong-jihoe looked at Dang Seo-hee with surprised eyes.

It was because there was no case where she spoke to a stranger she was seeing for the first time.

“You have work to finish with me.”

“Ah…. that matter, you say.”

Jin So-un made a troubled expression for the first time.

“I decided to just let the Gold-Dragon hidden weapon matter pass. There was the Shin-geom-nim’s letter, and regarding today’s event, it contains the meaning of an apology.”

Some stories that the Yongbong-jihoe did not know.

One thing was certain: Dang Seo-hee also showed that she had no intention of joining in on Jong Byeok-gi’s matter.

“Th-thank you.”

“Instead, you must have a sparring match with me next time.”

“!!”

That Dang Seo-hee asked for a sparring match was an expression of interest.

“Do you mean today?”

“Today is not a good time.”

Jin So-un, who had no way of knowing that, just nodded lightly.

“Please teach me a move someday.”

“Then it is a promise.”

Like that, Jin So-un went out the door.

“I will go now too.”

Moyong Seol stepped out without waiting for an answer. To anyone’s eyes, it looked like she was following Jin So-un.

“Oh my, did Seol-i have such an active side?”

Seo Sa-ryeong covered her red lips and giggled.

“……This is truly embarrassing in many ways.”

“…….”

“…….”

The men of the Yongbong-jihoe, who had nothing to envy in the world, shut their mouths tightly at the strange sense of defeat they were experiencing for the first time in their lives.