The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Chapter 102

[ … words ]

***

“Look at that! I told you! My sa-hyeong would do it!”

Although she said that, Wang-geum-san knew.

He knew that ever since the senior brothers had left the Tae-eul-mun, Wang-so-so had been offering clear water and praying every dawn.

Because it was pleasant to see her jumping around while holding the letter sent from Nam-ak, Wang-geum-san just pretended not to know and nodded.

“Indeed, you are right. They really did it.”

In truth, Wang-geum-san’s feelings were not much different from Wang-so-so’s.

The Hell Regular Admission had started with only four people.

He had just thought they would go around the Jianghu once to gain some experience.

But, they had not only passed the First and Second Gates with excellent grades, but they had also snatched the Third Gate token from the Wudang Sect in the Third Gate.

And all four disciples of the Tae-eul-mun had done so.

There was no doubt that this result was due to Jin-so-un’s ability.

Even if one were to bring anyone else in the world, they would not have been able to create the same result as Jin-so-un.

‘If I had known this would happen, I should have proposed he become a son-in-law, not an employee.’

For a while, a rumor had circulated that he was aiming for Jin-so-un to be his son-in-law.

He had laughed it off, saying it was a misunderstanding, but looking back now, that had been the best opportunity.

“Tsk.”

As a merchant, he felt great regret over the missed opportunity.

“Come to think of it, why did Wudang point out the senior brothers?”

Wang-so-so’s face, which had been laughing heartily, turned cold. Wang-geum-san thought, ‘Oh no,’ to himself.

“……W, well. Wouldn’t Wudang also point out the weakest existence in the Third Gate? Looking at it from that aspect, it would be natural for them to point out the Tae-eul-mun.”

Wang-geum-san hoped that Wang-so-so would just not know and move on, but Wang-so-so’s face, lost in thought, did not look like she would ever let it pass like that.

“……So, they are holding a grudge about what happened on the Ma-ryeong Plateau.”

“…….”

And she pierced through it accurately.

The Wudang side had not hidden their uncomfortable feelings regarding the weakening of Yong-so-ah’s prestige after the incident on the Ma-ryeong Plateau.

Furthermore, it was a time when they were receiving attention from the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Families in that they had regained the essence of the Tae-eul Sword Emperor through Mo-yong-gang’s acknowledgement.

Wudang had pointed out the Tae-eul-mun to check the sword style of the Tae-eul Sword Emperor in addition to the matter of Yong-so-ah.

“Father, how much business does our Wang Family Manor do with Wudang?”

“……Hey, So-so.”

Just a short while ago, she had cut off transactions related to the Huashan and Diancang Sects.

Wang-so-so, who had been outraged by the actions taken by the Dragon-Phoenix Meeting when they came to the Tae-eul-mun, had told Wang-geum-san the whole story and had hoped he would pressure Huashan and Diancang.

However, Wang-geum-san, who had the cold head of a merchant, would not allow business that would result in a loss due to such childish emotions.

“I will make twice the profit that comes from Huashan and Diancang.”

Wang-so-so’s new businesses began with that determination.

After dismantling all the business partners that had been connected to Huashan and Diancang, she started to create new transactions in the North and the Western Regions.

There was no bearing of losses at the start of the business, either.

The moment Wang-so-so’s touch reached them, the counterparts who reached out as if they had been waiting expanded the Wang Family Manor’s territory along with their immense profits.

Of course, it was not that there were no side effects.

As transactions with Huashan and Diancang were cut off, they could not expect their protection in the Shaanxi region, and because of this, the Wang Family Manor had to invest heavily to increase its own martial power.

‘That’s not a bad thing either.’

Because growing in size meant that the force they could expand became bigger.

The real side effect was that Wang-geum-san himself was too exhausted.

Even if So-so made the proposals or plans for new businesses, the execution of the work eventually had to be done by Wang-geum-san.

For Wang-geum-san, who wanted to spend more time with So-so than the development of the family, it was a time like torture.

“Wudang does not have many businesses with us. And don’t most of the things in the Jianghu go around like this? Let’s just let it slide.”

Wang-so-so was resolute.

“No! Father, if you back down once, you have to back down twice. If the Wang Family Manor had been a family that persistently bit its opponents, would an incident like my kidnapping have happened?”

As expected, blood could not be fooled; Wang-so-so was indeed the daughter of the Wang Family Manor.

Her business means, of course, and the tens of thousands of books she had read while being forcibly kept in the house her whole life had broadened her horizons, and furthermore, her innate gift of gab did not allow her to take even one step back from her opponent.

“Phew…….”

And eventually, she achieved what she wanted.

“If Wudang doesn’t have many businesses with us, I will have to take their businesses away.”

“…….”

“Father, I will submit a plan. Could you look at it and see if it’s okay?”

She asked him to evaluate if it was okay, but Wang-geum-san knew better than anyone that there was no way that plan would not be okay.

Wang-geum-san brought up another story out of a strong desire to rest even a little bit more.

“But, rather than that, shouldn’t we celebrate the victory of the senior brothers now?”

When the story of the Tae-eul-mun disciples came up, her face changed softly again.

The child who had been like a fierce wolf had already turned into a puppy.

“How about holding a small party and spending time with the people of the Tae-eul-mun?”

If they held a party for about a week, wouldn’t they forget about revenge or whatever it was?

“Really? But they said there was still a really important gate left. If we hold a party rashly for no reason.”

Wang-geum-san’s heart began to beat fast.

“Regardless of the results of the exam, the fact that a disciple of the Tae-eul-mun defeated a disciple of Wudang is a symbol that will remain in history for a long time. Isn’t it more important to accept this process more meaningfully?”

As he poured out his words with a desperation that hadn’t even arisen when he was dealing with the royal court, Wang-so-so’s head nodded.

“That…… would be so, right?”

“Of course. Isn’t the process more important than anything else?”

“Thank you, Father!”

Wang-so-so jumped into Wang-geum-san’s arms.

Wang-geum-san’s heart swelled again at the warmth of his daughter, whom he was hugging for the first time in a while.

“It would be okay to let the Tae-eul-mun senior brothers know this news, right?”

“Yes, do so.”

As soon as the words were finished, Wang-so-so ran out.

Wang-geum-san grabbed her shoulder to stop Wang-so-so without even realizing it.

“So-so, you shouldn’t run….”

He had clearly thought he had grabbed So-so’s shoulder, but Wang-geum-san’s hand had passed through So-so’s image.

“A, afterimage?”

When he raised his head, Wang-so-so was already running far ahead.

Wang-geum-san could not hide his inner surprise. It had been clear that Wang-so-so could only learn the basic martial arts called the Tae-eul Heart Method because of her constitution.

How could her every step and movement be filled with mysterious energy?

“Huu….”

Wang-geum-san thought he would have to visit the Tae-eul-mun for an inquiry sooner or later.

“In addition, I should also bring up the story of the son-in-law.”

<><><>

“Huu….”

“Hmm….”

“Ahem….”

An awkward silence hung in the air.

Every time they made eye contact, uncomfortable groans burst out.

“Weeell… I, I am fine.”

At Mo-yong-jae-hwa’s words, Seong Mo-ran and Namgung-seon-hwa could not hide their pathetic gazes.

“We are not fine! You idiot!”

“Ugh… how am I supposed to look at Sister Seol….”

Seong Mo-ran and Namgung-seon-hwa had each defeated the Grand Elder and acquired the Third Gate token, and the atmosphere should have been enough to hold a party as the disciples of the Tae-eul-mun, who were expected to be defeated, had all won against Wudang, but in reality, the promising Mo-yong-jae-hwa had been defeated by a disciple of Wudang, throwing cold water on the party.

“Bu, but isn’t it fortunate that all the people of the Tae-eul-mun, including the senior brother, passed? Wouldn’t this prove that the justice of the Jianghu is standing upright? Haha.”

“…….”

“…….”

Jin-so-un, of course, and the warriors of the Mo-yong Family also looked at him with absurd gazes.

While Mo-yong-jae-hwa was making an awkward smile.

Namgung-seon-hwa looked at Jin-so-un and spoke.

“We should leave right away, right?”

Jin-so-un shook his head.

“We are resting today.”

“Yes?”

At the unexpected answer, Namgung-seon-hwa’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s. She had naturally thought they would leave faster than anyone since they had obtained the gate token.

“The items I ordered for the final great journey have not arrived yet. Furthermore, I intend to leave at the same time as those who passed on the 2nd day to divide the pursuers a little.”

“The items you ordered?”

“They are items that will make the great journey a little more comfortable.”

“…….”

While Namgung-seon-hwa could not even guess what kind of items they were, Mo-yong-jae-hwa approached Jin-so-un gently.

“Senior brother, by any chance, can’t we join you?”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

Jin-so-un, of course, and Seong Mo-ran and Namgung-seon-hwa also looked at Mo-yong-jae-hwa with cold eyes.

“You… shouldn’t you obtain the Third Gate token?”

The only opportunity left for Mo-yong-jae-hwa was to snatch the Third Gate token during the great journey.

If he moved with Jin-so-un’s group, who were in a situation where they had to run away unconditionally, he could lose even his last opportunity.

“I think there is no hope anyway. Furthermore, if I stay with senior brother, wouldn’t an opportunity arise somehow….”

“…….”

Mo-yong-jae-hwa still had eighty personnel. If he chose someone who had the Third Gate token well and played the game at the optimal moment, there was a possibility of passing.

“Would that be okay?”

“Of course.”

“No, if you stay with us, I don’t think Pa-geom (Broken Sword) would just let it slide. I am asking if that would be okay.”

“……Ah! I, it will be okay.”

Mo-yong-jae-hwa mumbled small, “I’m going to be beaten to death anyway, so…”

Jin-so-un let out a small sigh and asked the captain of the Mo-yong Family. A conversation with Mo-yong-jae-hwa, who seemed to have already lost his reason, seemed impossible.

“Wouldn’t it be better to chase the Third Gate token?”

Baek-won-gak, the captain leading the Mo-yong Family warriors, sighed.

“The Young Master already said last night that he wanted to be with you.”

“But since he hasn’t obtained the Third Gate token….”

“The Young Master’s stubbornness is not inferior to Pa-geom’s. I am also worried about Young Lady Namgung and Young Lady Seong, and furthermore, doesn’t our family also owe a debt to So-un?”

Baek-won-gak mentioned the matter of Mo-yong Sang-won, although he did not say it directly.

And only then did they realize that Mo-yong-jae-hwa had given up his remaining exam for them.

Except for the wounded, they could not undertake the great journey with fewer than forty personnel.

For them, Mo-yong-jae-hwa had decided to give up his exam and be with them.

“……Okay, then let’s do that.”

When Jin-so-un, who could not refuse Mo-yong-jae-hwa’s thoughtfulness, let out a small sigh, Mo-yong-jae-hwa, who had been tearing his hair out, brightened and jumped around.

<><><>

The next day, two carriages of strange shapes had arrived in front of the inn.

On the outer surface of the crude-looking carriages from which the decorations had been removed, iron plates were attached here and there.

Mo-yong-jae-hwa looked at the carriages with curious eyes and asked.

“Senior brother, what on earth is the purpose of this?”

“I intend to use them for sleeping during the great journey.”

“Ah, did you order them separately because of the young ladies?”

“No, everyone will take turns sleeping.”

“Are you taking turns sleeping one day at a time?”

“No, we will take turns sleeping while marching.”

“Yes?”

“We will keep moving except for the time we eat. If we do that, don’t we need time to sleep safely even for a little bit?”

“…….”

Mo-yong-jae-hwa was looking at me with unbelievable eyes with his mouth wide open.

I took out the newly ordered shields from the carriage and distributed them to the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers.

“Whew…….”

“Tsk.”

Geum-pyo and Eun-ho still accepted them while letting out long sighs.

“Why? Do you dislike them?”

“How could that be? How lamentable my parents would be.”

“If you dislike them, you don’t have to wear them.”

“Yes?”

“Really?”

Geum-pyo and Eun-ho brightened at my words.

“Huh? Did you order new ones? We had already ordered a few more as spares.”

Namgung-seon-hwa, who approached from the side, had a small shield like the ones we were wearing strapped to her left arm.

“In the Puyang Plain, this looked so enviable.”

Not only Namgung-seon-hwa, but Seong Mo-ran, the Chang-gung troops, and the warriors of the Iron Sword Sect were all wearing small shields.

Mo-yong-jae-hwa and the warriors of the Mo-yong Family were just looking at that sight with stunned eyes.

“You did well. In the upcoming great journey, this will become absolutely necessary.”

“Huh? Are Geum-pyo and Eun-ho not wearing these?”

When Namgung-seon-hwa asked with surprised eyes, the two answered with awkward smiles.

“What are you talking about? We were just putting them on now.”

“I can’t use martial arts without this.”

I turned my gaze to Mo-yong-jae-hwa with a bitter smile.

“Since I brought shields as spares, distribute them to those who want them among the Mo-yong Family warriors.”

“Ah…… Ye, yes.”

<><><>

The great journey that started like that.

From the moment they left Nam-ak, people began to follow them one by one.

Just like before, those who followed at a distance and those who narrowed the distance and followed were mixed.

“As expected, there are many who are chasing.”

Because it was still the 2nd day, there were many people taking the exam, so it was only to this extent.

The moment it became the 3rd day when the Third Gate exam ended and the dropouts were confirmed, the pursuit would become even fiercer.

“I will increase the speed as much as possible.”

“……Wouldn’t it be a bit difficult if we speed up from the beginning?”

“After passing Puyang, there is one valley. I will rest for a while after arriving there as early as possible.”

“Rest? Didn’t you say you prepared that steel carriage to not rest?”

“I intend to strike Wudang there.”

“Eek?”

Namgung-seon-hwa’s eyes widened.

I pointed to the back.

“The opponent we should be most wary of among them is Wudang. If we don’t deal with them, it will become even more difficult throughout the great journey.”

“No, even so, to launch an attack in the middle of this.”

At that time, Dong-ryong suddenly interjected.

“Seon-hwa sister, you said that when you are chased without a reason, you should make a reason.”

“What?”

Namgung-seon-hwa’s brows furrowed heavily.

“No, who on earth taught you such an absurd thing?”

Dong-ryong pointed at me with a proud expression.

“…….”

“No, that was not originally meant in that sense….”

An awkward silence flowed between me and Namgung-seon-hwa.

I feel unjust.

That was not what I told him to use it for in such a case.