The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Chapter 113

[ … words ]

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“What did you say?”

Yong So-a’s two eyebrows shot up.

The members of the Yongbongjihoe, who were listening to So Je-ho’s report together, were more surprised by Yong So-a’s expression than the content of the report itself. To the Yongbongjihoe, who had been with Yong So-a since the academy, Yong So-a was essentially a being without emotions.

“Jin So-un dragged his party and entered Sahwang-bong. He is a crazy bastard.”

So Je-ho reported this while somehow looking like he had been beaten black and blue.

“…”

“He seems to really dislike you, to a considerable extent.”

Moreover, Dang Seo-hee, who was usually as quiet as Yong So-a, was speaking as if she had suddenly become talkative.

“…I do not understand.”

“What?”

“Sahwang-bong is not an option that one could choose in the first place. No, rather, it would only worsen the situation.”

Yong So-a nodded.

There were clearly better options for him.

-Enter the Murim Academy with excellent grades alone.

-Fail the exam with the party.

And the answer he chose was an option that not only guaranteed failure in the exam but also created a risk to his life.

“I think the Black Flame Dragon has some kind of plan.”

“…”

Yong So-a’s gaze stared at Dang Seo-hee.

So Je-ho, as well as the members of the Yongbongjihoe, knew well the pressure Yong So-a’s gaze gave, so they swallowed their saliva without realizing it.

“No, such a thing cannot be.”

“There is a rumor that the Black Flame Dragon has the nameplate obtained from the Maryeong Plateau. That is also something he obtained thanks to Yong So-a.”

“…”

A cold air circulated.

An unprecedented, unknown pressure descended upon the area, and the members of the Yongbongjihoe began to unknowingly raise their internal energy to protect their mental strength.

“Do you know why the Black Path does not step into the events of the Murim Alliance?”

“It is because burying what happened in the regular exam is limited to the White Path.”

“Yes. The prohibition of retaliation or revenge for what happened in the regular exam is limited to the White Path. …Conversely, the Black Path, which tried to use the regular exam, becomes the target of such venting by the White Path.”

The names of the Black Path sects that were destroyed in the last regular exam, such as the Hwangsa-mun, Mahyang-bang, Jogeuk-bang, and Hanho-mun, were listed.

“Although Sahwang-bong is said to be one of the strongest forces in the Black Path, it actually possesses forces that are not even as good as a single sect of the Nine Great Sects. Moreover, the White Path sects that have a just cause gain the legitimacy to punish the Black Path. Sahwang-bong can absolutely not move.”

At Yong So-a’s words, Dang Seo-hee nodded.

“Then there is nothing more to worry about.”

“…That is correct.”

“Then why are you still here?”

Yong So-a’s eyelids trembled.

Whether or not he cared, Dang Seo-hee continued.

“The Yongbongjihoe has a lot of work to do.”

So Je-ho swallowed his saliva as he watched Dang Seo-hee narrowly cross the line.

“…That is true. What is the next task?”

So Je-ho quickly handed over a scroll.

“It has been reported that Song Baek of the Hwayang Escort Agency mobilized the warriors of the military officers who were applying in this regular exam. Even though Song Baek is dead, the Alliance’s guideline is to investigate the Hwayang Escort Agency.”

“In a situation where the Wang clan is showing strange movements, if even the Hwayang Escort Agency falls out, the hole will grow larger. Still, we have to check it first.”

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Meanwhile, Jin So-un, leading his injured body, headed toward the Daemak-gak of Sahwang-bong.

It was Namgung Seon-hwa who supported him, as he was uncomfortable moving due to his injuries.

If it were usual times, it would be one thing, but within Sahwang-bong, she was in the position of being a representative of her clan, so Gang Seo-pyo quickly stopped her.

“Young Lady, as a representative of the Namgung Clan…”

“Team Leader Gang, please do not say anything. I know everything too.”

At her unwavering expression, Gang Seo-pyo eventually had no choice but to take a step back.

Because Jin So-un’s serious injury was, after all, something that happened while saving Namgung Seon-hwa.

Moreover, as they approached the Daemak-gak, the atmosphere became heavier, so they could not argue any further.

“The discipline is excellent.”

At Cho Mu-bin’s appreciation of the Black Path warriors standing at the entrance to the Daemak-gak, Gang Seo-pyo nodded spontaneously.

“It is a completely different appearance from what I knew until now.”

Commonly, when people said ‘Black Path,’ the image of madmen craving blood within the law of the jungle was strong.

However, the true aspect of them that he saw properly felt like looking at well-trained beasts, one by one.

Moreover, as they headed toward the Daemak-gak, the building standing at the very center of Sahwang-bong, the level of the warriors was rapidly improving.

“Setting aside the exam… I hope we can survive and leave.”

“…”

They were regretting their judgment in following his opinion, having had the confidence that they could escape in the worst case when they first heard Jin So-un’s story.

As they entered the Daemak-gak, an overwhelming main hall, as large as the size of the huge building, came into view.

On both sides, those who appeared to be elite warriors of Sahwang-bong were emitting fierce energy, and on the high dais, a man with a huge body wearing splendid silver armor was overwhelming the crowd.

“This is Jin So-un of the Taeeul Sect and his party.”

Hwang Bu-sik finished only with a simple explanation and stood by the left side of the Master.

“They said the name of the Black Flame Dragon rang through the world, but looking at his current state, that name is a waste.”

Cha Seok-du, the Master of Sahwang-bong.

His booming voice, which did not make the name ‘the greatest power of the Black Path’ meaningless, rang through the hall.

“…”

Jin So-un let go of Namgung Seon-hwa’s hand and took a couple of steps forward.

“…”

His body, which trembled every time he moved one step, let them guess his condition.

Jin So-un said with a serious expression.

“Do you know how much trouble I have gone through because of that damn nickname?”

“…”

In the heads of Gang Seo-pyo, Cho Mu-bin, and Baek Won-gak, the thought ‘We are screwed’ popped up simultaneously.

Murderous intent invaded the hall.

Those standing in the hall were each person who claimed to be the strongest within the Black Path.

Since he had spat insults at Cha Seok-du, the Master they respected the most, Jin So-un had effectively chosen his own funeral day today.

“…Khut.”

Unable to withstand the murderous intent, Jin So-un spat out a mouthful of blood.

As Namgung Seon-hwa turned pale and tried to run to him, Jin So-un raised his hand to block her.

“Please clear away those murderous intentions. Do Black Path warriors have no eyes? To spray murderous intent in front of a patient.”

“…”

A strange silence hung over the hall.

Jin So-un’s party stared at Jin So-un with nervous hearts, and the Sahwang-bong warriors stared at him with displeased eyes.

“Keu-heu-heu.”

“…”

“Keu-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-hat!”

As Cha Seok-du’s laughter erupted, the warriors in the hall also began to withdraw their murderous intent one by one and laugh along.

Gang Seo-pyo, Cho Mu-bin, and Baek Won-gak, who had been dumbfounded by the sudden laughter, quickly rode the wave of that laughter and laughed even louder to try to lighten the atmosphere.

“You are still interesting. Still, I think the nickname was chosen well. Thanks to that, every time your name rings out in the Kangho, my name is spreading along with it.”

“What is ‘Black Flame Dragon’ to a White Path elite warrior anyway? Black Flame Dragon.”

“To be honest, the Taeeul Sect is not a traditional prestigious White Path sect, is it?”

“Huh. You are speaking too harshly, considering this is the Master’s front yard.”

“Heu-heu. So? Do you want to have a go?”

“My physical condition is like this, so I will let it pass this time.”

It was not only Jin So-un’s party who were confused by the conversation between the two. The Sahwang-bong warriors were also glancing sideways endlessly at Cha Seok-du, who was usually solemn and serious, acting as if he were treating his own grandson.

“Yes, I heard there were many hardships in taking the regular exam?”

“It is natural for a guy who has nothing to have a hard time when trying to get ahead.”

“Then how about switching to a Black Path sect this time? We haven’t had corruption solidify like the Nine Great Sects of the Murim Alliance or the One Hundred Eight Peaks yet.”

“If I do that, wouldn’t everything I have suffered so far be in vain?”

At Jin So-un’s words, Cha Seok-du nodded.

“Because of that, I visited you so suddenly to ask for a favor. Please forgive me if there was any rudeness.”

As soon as Jin So-un’s words ended, the smile slowly disappeared from Cha Seok-du’s face.

“I will speak before you speak. Give up on the regular exam, or make a reasonable deal with those people outside.”

“…”

“I heard you have a lot of entrance passes? You or one or two of your party members will be able to enter the academy through a deal. If you want, I will meditate.”

Seeing him act as if he knew what favor Jin So-un would ask, the party looked drained.

Because if the deal here failed right now, there was nothing they could do.

“Even if I say I will use the nameplate?”

“…”

At Jin So-un’s words, Cha Seok-du’s face stiffened, and the pressure in the hall rose.

“The nameplate is just a guarantee that you will try. You should know at least that you cannot solve a grave matter that involves your sect and your own life.”

“…”

“For Sahwang-bong to get involved in the Murim Academy’s regular exam is something that could be a very grave threat to our sect. It is impossible for me to accept it if asked to do such a thing. Keep the nameplate well. You will need to use it in the future.”

Cha Seok-du’s face, which had been looking at Jin So-un like his own grandson, was full of disappointment.

“If you intend to give up on the exam anyway, you can stay here. I will attach good rooms and maids so you can live comfortably.”

As if there was nothing more to see, Cha Seok-du stood up from his seat.

At that moment, Jin So-un, who had been silent until now, opened his mouth.

“That is not what I am asking for.”

In Cha Seok-du’s eyes, as he turned his head, disappointment was added to by anger.

“Are you intending to play with me?”

“I have not yet said what I am asking you to do.”

“…”

With a serious expression, Cha Seok-du sat back down on the dais.

“I hope this position will not be a position that disappoints me. I was already disappointed from the moment I heard that you entered Sahwang-bong to avoid the Nine Great Sects.”

It was just a flat voice, but those who heard that story from the side were shuddering at his overwhelming presence.

“What I am asking of you is that I want Sahwang-bong to become the center of the Black Path Murim.”

“…?”

In the absurd story, people tilted their heads one by one.

“The Black Path Murim has had no central point like the Murim Alliance from before. It is the same now. Because of that, even when a large-scale disaster occurs, there is no proper way to respond.”

A story that had always been told in the Black Path Murim.

Everyone needed a central point, but there was no one who had achieved it.

“It is the same on the Maryeong Plateau. The damage was greater on the Black Path side, but in the end, it was the Murim Alliance that moved people, and the Black Path Murim had no choice but to stomp their feet and wait.”

“…Wait, wait, I do not understand. Why does that story come out here? No, before that, even if you ask to become a central point, how am I supposed to do that?”

“It is not a very difficult thing.”

“Not very difficult?”

Many Black Path sects had attempted to create an alliance, but they had never succeeded. Because there was no trigger like the Murim Alliance, and there was no place with overwhelming martial power.

“Please hold a non-violent march to memorialize those who were sacrificed on the Maryeong Plateau. From here in the Dabie Mountains to Wuhan, where the Murim Alliance is. Using the protest as a trigger to elicit people’s opinions, and in the end, found an alliance.”

“…”

Cha Seok-du’s mouth dropped open.

Not only the elite warriors gathered in the hall but also Jin So-un’s party.

Is a disciple of a White Path sect trying to do the work of creating a central point for the Black Path Murim?

From here and there in the hall wrapped in silence, people began to whisper that he was a ‘crazy bastard.’