The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Chapter 71

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71. The First ‘I’ Gate of the Hell Entrance Exam (5)

***

Human mental strength exerts as much influence as martial force.

The fear of an opponent deeply engraved in one’s mind had a nature that could not be overcome by the degree of improvement in one’s own martial force.

“Dae-sa-hyeong (Eldest Disciple)…….”

The Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers were like that right now.

The fear of Gye Yeon-seok, who had reigned over the Tae-eul-mun for the past years. That memory was not something they could easily escape from just because they had learned new martial arts.

“Should we go somewhere else…….”

Gye Yeon-seok’s uncomfortable gaze and Gye Cheol-yeong’s distorted face. The three brothers, who could not withstand that pressure, read my expression with anxious eyes.

“Why? From what I see, this inn seems fine.”

“No…… that is…….”

Dong-ryong, who had glanced at Gye Yeon-seok’s side, quickly avoided his gaze.

I said bluntly.

“Did you do something wrong?”

“……That is not it…….”

“Do you owe them money?”

“…….”

“The Gye-ryong Merchant Group received back all the money they had sponsored in the meantime, citing Gye Cheol-yeong’s withdrawal as the reason. With interest added on top of that. They are no longer our creditors.”

In my words, they pursed their lips, pretending to agree, but their shaking eyes could not be helped.

At that moment, someone called me from behind.

“Jin So-un.”

It was Gye Yeon-seung, who had once been our Bu-saeng-dang-ju (Hall Leader of the Bu-saeng-dang).

“It has been a long time.”

“That is so. Have you been well?”

“…….”

Gye Yeon-seung’s lips trembled slightly. It seemed the Gye-ryong Merchant Group had not been doing well in the meantime.

That was understandable, as Gye Yeon-seung had ultimately been nothing more than a tool to raise Gye Cheol-yeong. Since Gye Cheol-yeong had become like that, it was impossible for Gye Yeon-seung to be doing well.

“The Merchant Group Leader (Sang-dan-ju) says he wants to see you for a moment.”

I raised my head and looked at Gye Yeon-seok.

Bloodshot eyes. A raw appearance filled with resentment toward the opponent. It was understandable that the young Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers would be afraid.

“If he wants to see me, tell him to come down himself.”

“…….”

But what about that?

To me, they were nothing more than people who had tried to use us like tools and throw us away.

“Don’t you see how much we have suffered? We are just now trying to eat a meal.”

“……He means to share a meal together.”

“Why? Are you going to pay for the meal?”

“……At one time, I was the Hall Leader who taught you.”

“Dang-ju-nim. All you taught us was to submit to Gye Cheol-yeong, wasn’t it?”

“……!”

Gye Yeon-seung’s face crumpled like a sheet of paper. It was fascinating that he did not easily draw his sword even though I was scratching his nerves significantly.

He could have drawn his sword, citing that he was a lay disciple of Mount Hua, long ago.

“…….”

Gye Yeon-seung, who was wiggling his fingers, looked at Gye Yeon-seok.

Gye Yeon-seok, who had been watching us quietly for a moment, nodded.

“Since the Merchant Group Leader says he will treat you to a meal, let’s go up together.”

“……That sounds good. Hey!”

I immediately called the waiter who was passing by.

“Cancel what we just ordered, and prepare eight of the most expensive dishes in this inn. Ah! You heard that the people over there are paying for it, right?”

“……Ah, yes. I understand.”

In my words, Gye Yeon-seung and Gye Yeon-seok both had expressions full of dissatisfaction.

“Let’s go up.”

“……Sa-hyeong, can’t we eat here?”

“I thought about the next training. Now that your footwork has been mastered, how about walking while standing on your hands?”

“Geum-pyo Hyung! What are you saying! We can’t let Dae-sa-hyeong go alone!”

“That’s right! I’m disappointed, Geum-pyo Hyung!”

Dong-ryong and Eun-ho jumped up, and Geum-pyo looked at the two as if they were traitors before rising slowly.

Gye Yeon-seok had rented the entire second floor.

The Nangin (ronin/wanderers) were gathered in groups of three or five, drinking liquor and eating food, and among them, the most expensive food and liquor were placed on the table where Yeon Chu-ak, Han Geum-tak, and Dam Cheol-gak were sitting.

Before going to Gye Yeon-seok’s table, I pointed to an empty table and said to the three brothers.

“You guys eat here.”

“Ah! I understand! Go and come back! Dae-sa-hyeong!”

Geum-pyo clasped his hands in a salute as if he were excited.

I sat down facing Gye Yeon-seok and Gye Cheol-yeong.

“It has been a long time.”

“……Your complexion is bright. Since you abandoned the Gye-ryong Merchant Group and lived as a parasite on the Wang family, has your living situation improved a bit?”

“To be precise, it is not that the Tae-eul-mun abandoned the Gye-ryong Merchant Group, but that the Gye-ryong Merchant Group ran away from the Tae-eul-mun as they pleased. And Gye Cheol-yeong paid the price for that.”

“Aue, au, aue.”

Gye Cheol-yeong, filled with resentment for some reason, was drooling and

glaring at me as if to kill me.

“Yes, does the taste of the Wang family’s money taste a bit different?”

“Did you not know? The Tae-eul-mun recently discovered a mine. Ah, we also came

to possess the Hefei branch of the Changgung-sang-dan. Now, there is no need to

endure people who show off with money like before. Although the Wang family head

has had a different personality from the Gye-ryong Merchant Group Leader from

the beginning.”

“…….”

“Oh, and you must have heard that we retrieved the progress of the

Tae-eul-geom-je, right? Hahaha, you should have waited just a little longer. If you had, Gye Cheol-yeong might have been able to participate in the Murim Entrance Exam directly by inheriting the progress of the Tae-eul-geom-je.”

In Gye Yeon-seok’s eyes, a longing for the opportunity he had missed right in front of his nose was dwelling.

Even an ordinary person would feel aggrieved if they were in Gye Yeon-seok’s position, but I could not guess how hellish a day he would spend, as he was a

greedy person.

“Enough, why did you call me? We are not in a relationship where we sit together and share a meal like this.”

From the moment he came out to take the Murim Academy Entrance Exam with his son

who had become a wreck, Gye Yeon-seok’s desire was no different from falling into hell. I have no hobby of tormenting people living in hell. Just let him live like that.

“……The Tae-eul-mun owes me a debt.”

What kind of novel bullshit is this?

“It was the Gye-ryong Merchant Group that reached out when the Tae-eul-mun was having the hardest time.”

Gye Yeon-seok, who used to show off with money, is gone.

The merchant group and gold power must have still been intact, but as Gye

Cheol-yeong became like that, all the future plans he had set were scattered, and since Gye Yeon-seok had to go out to take the Murim Academy exam leading Nangin, the dignity he had built up with gold power in the past had long since disappeared.

“The fact that the Tae-eul-mun was able to hold the Wang family’s hand, and the fact that you now possess the mine and the Hefei branch of the Changgung-sang-dan—all of that is thanks to the Gye-ryong Merchant Group.”

I quietly listened to his bullshit.

“…….”

“It does not disappear just because you paid back the money, just because you paid the interest. A debt of gratitude can only be repaid with gratitude!”

He continued his story as if to be certain of his own story.

“Your debt. The debt of your Sa-hyeong-je (fellow disciples). You repay it.”

“……?”

The Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers, who were eating food from one table, stopped their hands and looked this way.

“Join forces with our Cheol-yeong. Help each other and enter the Murim Academy.

I have already found a hundred famous Nangin. This will never be a losing

business for you either. Repay my gratitude with that.”

“…….”

I thought about it quietly. Why on earth is Gye Yeon-seok saying this to the

Tae-eul-mun, which he considers insignificant, and especially to me, who is the cause of Gye Cheol-yeong becoming a wreck?

And it did not take long to get the answer.

‘Ah, it must be because of the Yongbong-jihoe.’

The incident of the Yongbong-jihoe did not spread externally.

The Tae-eul-mun had gagged them, and it was unlikely that the Yongbong-jihoe

would spread the mistake they made themselves everywhere.

But if it was someone who had been continuously watching the Tae-eul-mun……

someone who had been thinking of taking revenge on the Tae-eul-mun someday…….

‘They would have no choice but to know.’

And they must have thought that I, who had not retreated even an inch against Hwa Jeong-san and Jong Byeok-gi of the Yongbong-jihoe, would be helpful to them.

Then Gye Yeon-seung’s attitude and the patience he had shown all become

understandable.

“Puhuhuhu.”

As the series of thoughts organized themselves, laughter burst out.

“……!”

I laughed lightly, but the atmosphere on the second floor sank coldly in an

instant.

The Nangin sitting with Yeon Chu-ak also stopped their hands while drinking.

The three Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers put down their chopsticks and were preparing to draw their swords at any time.

“You should have shown that gratitude properly in the first place.”

“…….”

“Forget it. Nangin only move when their employer tells them to.”

“Hoo, look at this fellow.”

When Gye Yeon-seok, who was watching that scene, shook his head slightly, the

Nangin spat and turned back.

“……Are you not thinking of joining us?”

“If you say that I can only enter the Murim Academy if Gye Cheol-yeong enters

the Murim Academy……, I will give up on the Murim Academy.”

“…….”

Gye Yeon-seok’s eye corners were trembling.

“I…… if our Cheol-yeong cannot enter the Murim Academy, I will not sit still and

watch the Tae-eul-mun entering the Murim Academy either.”

“…….”

“I will throw away everything I have to block you and the Tae-eul-mun.”

Tuk.

Dong-ryong dropped the spoon he was eating food with without knowing.

“Can I accept that as a declaration of war right now?”

“…….”

“I am willing to offer my life to protect the Tae-eul-mun.”

I looked straight into Gye Yeon-seok’s bloodshot eyes and said.

“Therefore, you must also be prepared to that extent when touching the

Tae-eul-mun.”

I rose from my seat.

At the same time, Yeon Chu-ak, Han Geum-tak, and Dam Cheol-gak rose from their seats and glared at me.

“Brat, have you ever heard the Jianghu proverb that you should not easily make enemies?”

“Among the proverbs, there is also a saying not to look down on an opponent just because they are young.”

I looked at the three brothers and asked.

“Did you finish eating?”

Although they had only eaten about half the food, they nodded intensely as if the seat was uncomfortable.

“Let’s get up.”

<><><>

Gye Yeon-seok’s party departed first that day.

We finished taking a bath as scheduled, rested for a day, and only finished

preparations for departure on the next morning.

I gathered the children before departing.

“You saw yesterday’s event well, right?”

“…….”

Remembering the heavy exchange of emotions, the children remained silent.

“The Jianghu is such a place. Even if I do not harm someone, if I am weak, I

cannot protect my precious people.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

“I will keep it in mind.”

The three brothers’ eyes were shining stronger than ever.

I took out two wooden boxes from the bundle.

“The Mun-ju-nim has bestowed these for us.”

“What is that?”

“It is the Namgung Clan’s Dae-yeon-shin-dan.”

“Yes?!”

The three brothers’ mouths opened wide like a bowl.

“The reason I made you practice the Haeng-gong (practice of circulating internal energy) to death with the Tae-eul-jin-gyeong all this time is, along with the

reason I told you before, to digest this miraculous medicine.”

Unfortunately, the three brothers’ internal energy is around the 10-year mark.

Eun-ho, who is excellent in talent for mental cultivation methods, had 12 years of internal energy, and Geum-pyo and Dong-ryong’s internal energy did not even fill that 10 years.

“Your internal energy is not at a level to withstand the spiritual energy of the

Dae-yeon-shin-dan. Therefore, the moment you eat this miraculous medicine, you must operate your Haeng-gong to death, more than you have done so far.”

“……Sa-hyeong.”

“Why?”

“There are only two, so how do we share and eat them?”

I tilted my head. The Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers were children with such thorough yielding spirits that they would yield to each other even if they couldn’t eat it. I wondered if they couldn’t help it in front of miraculous

medicine.

“There are four people, but there are only two, so how about Sa-hyeong eats them all?”

“……Why does the calculation become like that?”

At Geum-pyo’s words, Eun-ho continued.

“Geum-pyo Hyung is right. We will take a long time to digest it anyway, and we will just hold Sa-hyeong back for no reason. Just eat them all, Sa-hyeong.”

“I also think my brothers’ opinion is right. Even without that, I have a

constitution that doesn’t accept medicine well, so I didn’t even take

restorative medicine was good when I was young.”

Watching the fellows making excuses, I split the two Dae-yeon-shin-dan in half.

Then, a clear fragrance spread throughout the room. I handed them half-pieces to the fellows who were looking at the scene blankly.

“…….”

The fellows were drooling while looking at the Dae-yeon-shin-dan, but they could not think of bringing it to their mouths carelessly.

“You said you told the Mun-ju-nim that you would put me into the Murim Academy?”

“Uh…… that is…….”

“Ahahaha.”

“…….”

I looked at the fellows who were looking awkward and said.

“I have no intention of entering the Murim Academy alone. I will enter the Murim Academy together with all of you.”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

I said something quite moving, but they just looked at each other and tilted

their heads.

“Sa-hyeong, honestly, isn’t it realistically impossible?”

“Then is it realistically possible for me to enter the Murim Academy alone?”

“……If it is Dae-sa-hyeong, wouldn’t it be possible?”

“Yes. I think it is possible.”

How on earth are they looking at me?

“Then believe in me and follow me.”

“……I would like to do that, but honestly…… aren’t we too weak? We couldn’t even lift our heads among the Nangin yesterday.”

“Honestly, I was scared.”

The feeling I also felt for the first time when I went out for mandatory service to the Murim Alliance in my previous life.

“Don’t worry. When you enter the Murim Academy, no one will be able to look you in the eye. I will make it so.”

“…….”

The three Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers were speechless with their mouths open.

–

Even after mastering the footwork using Haeng-gong, they did not climb the

mountain again.

Instead, this time I made them walk on the main road while unfolding the sword formation.

Not only do they unfold the sword formation, but they also move together.

At first, their feet got tangled, and the sword formation dissolved on its own,

but gradually, the time they maintained the sword formation lengthened.

In addition, since I occasionally swung the Black Dragon Sword to strike the sword formation, the proficiency level of the sword formation began to rise rapidly.

As children who had memorized the sword formation by blocking their eyes and ears, their proficiency rose quickly.

“Chomp chomp. Sa-hyeong. But is it okay to go so leisurely?”

While the three brothers were eating food on the street, I wrote a letter to be delivered to the Hao-mun and tied it to the leg of a Cheol-eung (Iron Hawk), and then I emitted killing intent toward them.

“……Ugh!”

“…….”

“Kuek.”

Geum-pyo and Dong-ryong made expressions like they were going to throw up, and Eun-ho was unaffected.

“Haa… can’t we just eat when we eat?”

“How much of the Dae-yeon-shin-dan have you melted?”

“……About half.”

“If a fight breaks out unexpectedly while doing that, that energy could flow

backward.”

“……Haa, I understand.”

Thanks to learning the Tae-eul-jin-gyeong, they were melting the Dae-yeon-shin-dan faster than I expected.

“Sa-hyeong, at this rate, won’t we not even be able to pass the ‘I’ Gate? How many mountain camps are left?”

“They say there are eight hundred and ninety-eight left.”

Because the mountain camps moved quickly into the deep mountains after hearing the news that the Murim Academy’s first exam was bandit subjugation, the speed of bandit subjugation was slowing down.

Even so, it was something to be shocked about that three thousand one hundred mountain camps had already disappeared in just half a month.

“At this rate, we won’t even be able to see a mountain camp. It seems we are using too much time for our training……. Honestly, I don’t even know how well prepared we are.”

I smiled faintly at Geum-pyo’s worry.

“Perhaps an opportunity to test how good your skills are will come soon.”

Even though they were now using Haeng-gong, stepping on the footwork, and unfolding the Baekho-geom-jin (White Tiger Sword Formation), there was no appearance of them being uncomfortable.

They were at a level where they could skillfully block even if I struck the

sword formation continuously with fake and real techniques using the

Ssang-cheon-geom-gyeol (Twin Heaven Sword Formula).

“Sa-hyeong, but what is the story about the opportunity to show our skills just now?”

“After leaving the Geum-gung-gaek-jan (Gold Palace Inn), I requested two things through the Cheol-eung. One of them was grasping the movements of Gye

Yeon-seok.”

The three brothers tilted their heads as if they didn’t know what I was talking about.

“But this morning, I received a message that three experts of Gye Yeon-seok’s convoy were not visible.”

The reason I wanted the qualification of a ‘Guest’ of the Hao-mun while knowing all the information regarding the Murim Academy Entrance Exam was because I needed information about the people moving inside it. Even so, I didn’t know I would have to use it this quickly.

“The money is all gone…….”

Geum-pyo, who was continuing his words, looked forward as if it were strange.

At the end of the main road, three men were standing, blocking the road.

A man with a strange fishing rod on his shoulder came forward.

“Why are you moving so slowly? Because of you, our client went away alone.”

Next to him, a man holding a huge axe and a man who covered his hands with long hanging sleeves walked out.

“……Why are those people…….”

They were Yeon Chu-ak of Yeom-ra-bu (King of Hell’s Axe), Han Geum-tak of Mu-pung-ma-gan (Windless Demon Staff), and Dam Cheol-gak of Sam-su-gwi-won (Three Hands Returning to Origin), who were supposed to be moving with GyeYeon-seok.

“They must have been waiting for us.”