The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Chapter 118

[ … words ]

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After the results of the Murim Regular Exam were announced to the world, Hefei in Anhui Province was bustling with the names on the results list.

“Taeeul Sect? Was there such a sect?”

“Aren’t you talking about the Taeeul Martial Hall?”

“Taeeul Martial Hall, you person! Do you not know about the authentic Taeeul Sect?”

“Hey, you! Do you think I don’t know that you’ve been mocking it by saying ‘Taeeul Sword Emperor’ this and that every day?”

Although interest had suddenly increased, because the Taeeul Sect had taken down its signboard and entered seclusion, people’s curiosity was not satisfied.

However, that did not mean things passed by quietly inside the Taeeul Sect.

No, on the contrary, a party that could be called quite large was held inside the Taeeul Sect.

“Keu-heu-heu, to think our So-un ended up as the top graduate.”

“Didn’t Sect Leader Gang Chae-seok mock Great Senior Brother So-un every day?”

“Hey, you! That was all because there was affection for him!”

“Then you must not have any affection for Senior Sister So-so. You couldn’t even swear once in front of Senior Sister So-so.”

“You, come here. Have you mastered the Twin Heaven Sword Tactics?”

“Who trains at a party?”

All the sect leaders and disciples gathered in one place, and in addition, the parents of the disciples were also invited.

Among them, what focused people’s attention the most was the parents of the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers, who ran a mill.

“Congratulations. How did you get all three brothers into the Murim Academy? Please tell us the secret.”

“Ah…that, we just worked…”

“Oh my, so the children were motivated by seeing their parents themselves. How did you do it?”

“Ah… that, just to listen well to the senior martial brothers and the masters…”

The parents of the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers, who had been subtly despised their whole lives while running a mill, could not properly come to their senses in the current situation and were just nodding their heads.

“Whew… Since the Great Senior Brother entered as the top graduate, our shoulders will become even heavier from now on.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

Gwak Sam-nam looked at Wang So-so and Je-gal Cheon-gi, who were eating chicken skewers.

“From now on, won’t we get cursed at if disciples from the Taeeul Sect do not produce grades like the Great Senior Brother?”

“I’m not going to take the Murim Regular Exam?”

“Yes?”

At Wang So-so’s words, Gwak Sam-nam’s eyes widened like a rabbit’s.

Although she started learning martial arts later than him, hadn’t Wang So-so’s achievements risen steeply? Especially, her achievement of internal energy was overwhelmingly indescribable.

Even though he could clearly win with sword techniques and footwork, Gwak Sam-nam had never won against Wang So-so even once because she poured out overwhelming internal energy like a wave.

That such a Wang So-so would not take the regular exam?

“I’m going to go to the Murim Alliance for mandatory service.”

“…As a low-ranking warrior?”

He had heard that Wang So-so was so precious to the Wang family that they had hidden her tightly in her room all her life.

In addition, he had recently heard rumors that she was putting her hands into the family’s affairs and making huge profits. How could such a Wang So-so enter as a low-ranking warrior of the Murim Alliance?

“Because that way I can act together with the Great Senior Brother.”

“…”

At that moment, Je-gal Cheon-gi spoke while chewing on a chicken skewer.

“I will also enter as a low-ranking warrior. Sam-nam, you have many burdens on your shoulders.”

“What is that… No, then I also…”

“No! We are lay disciples. You have to take the Murim Regular Exam.”

“Where is such a law?”

“It’s here, where else would it be?”

“Then I will send Yu-seong to my place.”

“Yes?!”

Gang Yu-seong, who was taking care of food for his younger sisters, was startled.

“You started entering the sect later than me, but you have far superior skills than I do.”

The children of the Taeeul Sect who had gone to the Moyong Clan as exchange disciples along with the Pae-geom (Flag Sword) had returned with skills that had improved day by day.

Moreover, even though Gang Yu-seong entered the Taeeul True Scripture later than the other disciples, he was already at a level to compete with Gang Chae-seok in achievement.

Gwak Sam-nam patted Gang Yu-seong’s shoulder.

“You are the disciple who will make the name of the Taeeul Sect widely known in the next round. I’m counting on you, Yu-seong.”

“No, I am also  a low-ranking warrior…”

Yu-seong looked like he was about to cry, and Gwak Sam-nam, Wang So-so, and Je-gal Cheon-gi looked at each other and giggled.

<><><>

A place a little away from the four people.

“Why are you alone?”

Someone spoke to Jin Tae-san, who was sitting alone, unable to permeate the pleasant party atmosphere.

“Ah, have you come? Sect Leader.”

Wang Geum-san stopped Jin Tae-san, who was trying to stand up, sat next to him, and put down a bottle of liquor.

“It is called Baekhwa-okroju (Hundred Flower Jade Dew Wine).”

Jin Tae-san’s eyes widened. Wasn’t it a famous liquor of the Imperial Palace, said to be made with a hundred types of flowers as ingredients? A strange scent was already wafting from the narrow opening.

“Isn’t it appropriate to drink on a day like today?”

“It, it is undeserved.”

Jin Tae-san’s hand, receiving the Baekhwa-okroju, trembled.

It was liquor as precious as that to a drinker. Wang Geum-san, who was watching that appearance, smirked.

“Are you not happy?”

Jin Tae-san’s body, who had been drinking the Baekhwa-okroju halfway, came to a sudden halt.

Jin Tae-san, who was agonizing over whether he should drink the liquor left in the cup or stop for now, eventually drank all the liquor.

Then, whether it was because he was admiring the scent of the liquor or because he was lost in deep thought, he stared into the empty cup for a long time.

“…Where in the world is there a father who is not happy about his child’s success?”

Regret was full in Jin Tae-san’s eyes as he stared at the empty liquor cup.

“Still, I am just worried if the kid will get hurt badly after falling from climbing too high.”

A child’s success is connected to a parent’s anxiety.

Anxiety that one might not be able to become a safety net when the child falls.

Anxiety that perhaps the child’s limits were set because of the shackle called himself, even though the child could have flown more.

Every time a child grows up in leaps and bounds, the parent looks back at themselves.

“Aren’t you worrying too fast? It seems like he has just started to fly.”

“I am a person who worried about whether the kid would do well even in the position of the Outer Hall Master. He is a person who only has the capacity of that degree. But the child only flapped his wings once, and it rang through the world, so I cannot help but be anxious.”

It was a ladder that could not be climbed by normal methods.

Because of that, it was clear that he must have thrown reckless moves and gambled.

Considering that the only thing one can bet on in the gambling board of life is one’s own life, I did not even want to guess how many times he had risked his life until he reached that position.

“Are you doing so because of the connection with the Black Path Murim?”

“…”

That simple example would be the nickname ‘Black Flame Dragon.’

Jin Tae-san laughed bitterly and poured the Baekhwa-okroju into his cup himself.

“Still, isn’t it fortunate? Didn’t the big shots of the Black Path testify that it has absolutely nothing to do with them?”

“Puhuu.”

“No, why the precious liquor?”

Jin Tae-san, whose mouth corners became fragrant because of the liquor he spat out, looked at Wang Geum-san with bewildered eyes.

What fool in the world would see that scene and think that Jin So-un and the Black Path Murim had nothing to do with each other? Right now, even he himself was curious about how this rotten guy, Jin So-un, had become connected to the Black Path bastards.

“…”

“It’s a joke. A joke.”

Wang Geum-san, who was patting his shoulder and pouring the Baekhwa-okroju.

“…”

His appearance was gradually different from when he first saw this person.

He kept telling senseless jokes.

Because of the unique sternness and seriousness he possessed, it was confusing, so he could not easily laugh even when he told a joke.

“Therefore, Master Jin just needs to work harder. You just need to become a good safety device that is safe no matter when he falls.”

“They said that if he becomes the representative of the academy, he must organize the executive staff as the academy representative. Is there really anyone who will help a guy with no money and no background?”

If he sent all the profits coming out of the mine right now, he could organize the executive staff with money, but if he did that, the roots of the Taeeul Sect, which had just started to settle down, would be pulled out, so that was also impossible.

“If that is difficult, there is a slightly comfortable method.”

“What method are you talking about?”

Wang Geum-san paused for a moment and poured the liquor.

It is something I feel every time I drink, but the scent is truly amazing.

To the extent that I wanted to lick up what I spat out a little while ago.

“Please have a drink.”

“What method is it?”

“…Please listen while you drink.”

Jin Tae-san slowly savored the brilliant golden liquor.

“How about coming in as the son-in-law of the Wang family? Then I think it would be a good background.”

“Puhuu!!!”

<><><>

“Are you joking right now?”

“…”

I had expected that life at the Murim Academy would not be easy.

However, even though the semester had not even started yet, to think they would plot such a scheme.

Truly, it was clear that the roots of the Murim Alliance and the Murim Academy were rotten.

“It is not fun. Stop and give me proper clothes.”

“…These are those clothes.”

“…There is something I did not tell you in advance. I do not like jokes very much.”

“…”

Seeing the faces of the maids standing still with expressionless faces, it did not seem like a joke, so I became even more anxious.

“Are these really the clothes I have to wear at the banquet?”

The clothes the maids brought were a gorgeous shape with gold threads embroidered on white silk cloth.

Moreover, the ceremonial crown and the gold-leafed waist belt. Even the white shoes that seemed completely useless in real life, they were exactly like the clothes worn by the immortals who descended from the sky.

Up to here, it was fine. But….

“Really? Swear?”

The problem was the golden letters ‘Top Graduate’ engraved in large letters on the chest.

I could not hide my astonishment at the fact that these clothes, which looked like nothing more than a punishment no matter how I looked at them, were the ceremonial robes worn by the top entrance students of all time.

“Let’s just wear my martial uniform and go.”

Rather than wearing something like this, it would be better to walk around naked.

I tried to pass by the maids to attend the banquet, but a middle-aged woman who looked the oldest blocked my way.

“These are the ceremonial robes that all top entrance students of all time must wear. Without wearing this, you cannot take even one step out of here.”

“…Then I will not attend the banquet.”

If I went out wearing that, my social honor (?) that I had built up so far would be thrown onto the floor, and at the same time, my authority as the Great Senior Brother whom the juniors respect would hit rock bottom.

I will absolutely not wear it.

“What are you doing, the Young Master is changing his clothes.”

“Uh-huh! Wh, what are you doing! Let go of this! I’m telling you in advance, I recently obtained 3 gapja of internal energy!”

I tried to resist, but I could not stop the unstoppable hands of the maids in the end.

“Now, look. How much of a heroic man you look like.”

“…”

The maid proudly shone the bronze mirror.

“I think I have seen this appearance somewhere.”

“Where are you talking about?”

“In street plays, princes who have become fools, or children of noble families usually come out wearing clothes like this.”

The head maid lightly ignored my words and nodded.

“Then enjoy the banquet pleasantly.”

“Although I am already not in a good mood…”

“…Perhaps if you see the appearance of others looking up to you, Young Master, your thoughts will change.”

<><><>

“Pfft!”

“Keuk!”

As soon as Geum-pyo and Eun-ho saw my appearance, their faces turned red, and they bit their lips tightly.

Look, I told you it would definitely become a laughing stock.

“Are you laughing?”

“Ah, no. I was just thinking how good it would have been if the Sect Leader and the people of the Taeeul Sect had seen such a proud appearance… and my emotions just stopped… Sob, sob.”

Geum-pyo turned his head while making a strange sound that I couldn’t tell if he was crying or laughing.

From the side, Eun-ho said.

“Great Senior Brother, could you lend me some silver coins?”

“What… is there somewhere to use them?”

“If I go quickly now and call a painter…”

“Shut up.”

Dong-ryong and Moyong Jae-hwa were staring with dazed eyes.

“Is it that strange?”

I asked out of embarrassment, and Dong-ryong shook his head from side to side.

“You look just like a prince who descended from the sky.”

“Hyung-nim, it seems you are wearing clothes that truly suit you.”

“…”

At the words of the guys who poured in their sincerity, I became even more embarrassed, and Geum-pyo and Eun-ho finally burst into a round of laughter.

I found it even harder to endure, so I quickly changed the subject.

“What about the young ladies?”

“Don’t women originally take a long time to prepare?”

Fortunately, the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers and Moyong Jae-hwa came to use one room. Originally, dormitories were assigned by grades, but Moyong Jae-hwa, who had the entrance pass, wanted to use a four-person room together with the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers, so it was assigned like that.

Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran were assigned to a two-person room, but they said they were using it with different people. Since the distance was not that far, neither of them felt that sorry.

“What about Sa-ryeon?”

As soon as I entered the Murim Academy, I tried to meet Sa-ryeon.

However, Sa-ryeon, who had shown her face to the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers, was not showing her face only to me.

I did not know what the reason was when they said to do the first [N O V E L I G H T] meeting at the banquet hall, but I waited silently because I knew it would not take that long.

“Senior Sister Sa-ryeon will come soon too.”

“Everyone is late.”

“Let’s go in for now.”

“Let’s do that.”

I am bothered by the gazes of the servants coming and going outside the banquet hall. It was natural that gazes gathered because I was shining alone in a place full of darkness, but the strange laughter that I did not know was admiration or ridicule was enough to make me bothered.

As I headed to the banquet hall, a long line was standing from the entrance of the banquet hall.

It seemed they were waiting to be guided by the maids and enter one by one, but their clothing was unusual.

Including myself, the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers were wearing ceremonial robes that were clearly given by the academy, but the other academy students were wearing luxurious clothes with patterns symbolizing their families or sects.

That splendor was not inferior to my clothes, which had ‘Top Graduate’ gilded on them.

Seeing that the word ‘Taeeul’ was not engraved on the clothes worn by the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers, it seemed that the academy students had each ordered and worn their ceremonial robes.

“Because of this, I don’t know who the main character is.”

Just like Eun-ho said, I felt like I had become their clown, and they looked like the parties who had come to enjoy this banquet.

“Are you Jin So-un?”

When I was waiting at the very end of the line, someone who looked like an administrator spoke to me.

“Please go this way. The seat for the top graduate is prepared separately.”

“Now it truly seems like the main character.”

The Geum-Eun-Dong brothers and I began to walk forward, ignoring the line following the administrator’s guidance.

The gazes of the academy students who were standing in a long line gathered. However, the gazes were not favorable.

“If you wait here for a moment, a maid will guide you to your seat.”

The administrator who said that disappeared again.

The Geum-Eun-Dong brothers, who came to the very front, were staring blankly at the huge scale and splendor of the banquet hall, which was slightly visible from the entrance. When I was also admiring it without showing it. A familiar voice was heard.

“Isn’t the facility too poor for a top educational institution of the Murim Alliance?”

I, who confirmed the owner of the voice, suppressed my excitement and spoke.

“…You finally passed.”

“That is right. When I had the pass gate stolen by Young Master Jin, I thought I had failed without any choice. I have finally grabbed the opportunity to take revenge again.”