WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Chen

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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈

Chapter 113: Black Path Night Walk (3)

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“What did you say?”

Yong Soa’s brows shot up.

The Dragon-Phoenix Association members who had listened to So Jeho’s report alongside Yong Soa were more startled by Yong Soa’s expression than the report itself.

To those who had been with Yong Soa since the Martial Arts Academy, he was practically emotionless.

“Jin Sowoon took his group into the Four Emperors Association. That crazy bastard.”

For some reason, So Jeho was delivering the report sporting a swollen black eye.

“…”

“It seems he really hates you.”

Even Dang Seohui, who was nearly as silent as Yong Soa, was talking as though she had suddenly found her voice.

“…I don’t understand.”

“What don’t you understand?”

“The Four Emperors Association was never an option he could choose. No, it would only make the situation worse.”

Yong Soa nodded.

There had clearly been better options available to him.

- Enter the Martial Arts Academy alone with excellent results.

- Fail the examination alongside his group.

Yet the choice he had made would not only mean failing the examination, but also putting his life at risk.

“It seems the Black Flame Dragon has something in mind.”

“…”

Yong Soa stared at Dang Seohui.

So Jeho and the other Dragon-Phoenix Association members knew the pressure in Yong Soa’s gaze well, and they unconsciously swallowed.

“No. That can’t be.”

“There is a rumor that the Black Flame Dragon possesses the Lord’s Token he obtained at Demon Spirit Plateau. He obtained it thanks to Yong Soa as well.”

“…”

A chill filled the air.

An unprecedented, indescribable pressure settled over the area, and the Dragon-Phoenix Association members unconsciously circulated their internal energy to protect their minds.

“Do you know why the Black Path does not involve itself in Martial Alliance events?”

“Because only the White Path lets what happens during the regular examination pass.”

“That’s right. The prohibition against retaliation or revenge for what happens during the regular examination applies only to the White Path. On the other hand, Black Path groups that try to exploit the regular examination become targets for the White Path to vent its anger on.”

Names of Black Path sects wiped out during the previous regular examination were listed one after another, including the Yellow Sand Sect, Demon Fragrance Gang, Joguk Gang, and Hanho Sect.

“The Four Emperors Association may be one of the Black Path’s strongest forces, but it still has less strength than any actual sect of the Nine Sects One Gang. And White Path sects with a just cause gain the right to punish the Black Path. The Four Emperors Association cannot move.”

Dang Seohui nodded at Yong Soa’s words.

“Then there is no reason to concern ourselves with this any longer.”

“…That’s right.”

“Then why are you still here?”

Yong Soa’s eyelids trembled.

Unbothered, Dang Seohui continued.

“The Dragon-Phoenix Association has much to do.”

Seeing Dang Seohui tread so close to the line, So Jeho swallowed.

“…I see. What do we need to do next?”

So Jeho quickly handed him a scroll.

“There are reports suggesting that Song Baek of the Radiant Flower Escort Agency mobilized martial artists from the martial arts schools he had supported for this regular examination. Although Song Baek is dead, the Alliance has instructed us to investigate the Radiant Flower Escort Agency.”

“If the Radiant Flower Escort Agency withdraws while the Wang Family Estate is already making strange moves, the gap will become too large. Still, we need to confirm it first.”

#

Meanwhile, Jin Sowoon headed toward the Four Emperors Association’s Grand Desert Pavilion, dragging his injured body along.

Namgung Seonhwa supported him as he struggled to walk.

Under normal circumstances, Gang Seopyo would have said nothing, but Namgung Seonhwa was here as the Namgung Clan’s representative, so Gang Seopyo hurried to stop her.

“My Lady, you are also the representative of the Namgung Clan…”

“Unit Leader Gang, please don’t say anything. I know all of that too.”

Namgung Seonhwa’s expression did not waver, and Gang Seopyo could only step back.

After all, Jin Sowoon had been severely injured while saving Namgung Seonhwa.

The atmosphere also grew heavier as they approached the Grand Desert Pavilion, leaving no room to argue further.

“Their discipline is impressive.”

At Choe Mubin’s remark after seeing the Black Path martial artists stationed along the path to the Grand Desert Pavilion, Gang Seopyo nodded without thinking.

“They are completely different from what I knew.”

When people thought of the Black Path, they usually imagined bloodthirsty madmen living by the law of the strong devouring the weak.

Yet now that they saw their true nature, each of them seemed like a well-trained beast.

The closer they came to the Grand Desert Pavilion, the central building of the Four Emperors Association, the greater the martial artists’ skill became.

“Forget the examination. We should hope we make it out alive.”

“…”

They regretted following Jin Sowoon’s plan. When they had first heard him out, they had been confident they could escape in the worst-case scenario.

Inside the Grand Desert Pavilion, they saw a great hall as overwhelming as the enormous structure itself.

Elite martial artists of the Four Emperors Association stood on either side, exuding fierce auras. Atop a high platform, a huge man clad in splendid silver armor dominated the room.

“They are Jin Sowoon of the Taeul Sect and his companions.”

After giving only a brief explanation, Hwang Busik stood to the left of the Lord.

“They said the Black Flame Dragon’s name shook the world, but seeing you now, that name seems wasted on you.”

Cha Seokdu, Lord of the Four Emperors Association.

His booming voice echoed through the hall, befitting the Black Path’s foremost leader.

“…”

Jin Sowoon slipped free of Namgung Seonhwa’s support and took a couple of steps forward.

“…”

His body trembled violently with every step, making his condition plain.

Jin Sowoon spoke with a serious expression.

“Do you know how much trouble I’ve suffered because of that damned epithet?”

“…”

Gang Seopyo, Choe Mubin, and Baek Wongak all had the same thought at once.

We’re screwed.

Killing intent swept through the hall.

Every person standing there was among the strongest in the Black Path.

Jin Sowoon had just cursed Cha Seokdu, the Lord they respected most. It was practically the same as choosing today as the date of his own funeral.

“…Kuh.”

Unable to endure the killing intent, Jin Sowoon coughed up blood.

Namgung Seonhwa went pale and tried to rush toward him, but Jin Sowoon raised a hand to stop her.

“Please get rid of that killing intent. Don’t Black Path martial artists have eyes? How can you throw killing intent around when there’s an injured man right in front of you?”

“…”

An odd silence fell over the hall.

Jin Sowoon’s companions watched anxiously, while the Four Emperors Association martial artists glared at him with displeasure.

“Heh.”

“…”

“Hahahahahaha!”

When Cha Seokdu burst into laughter, the martial artists in the hall gradually withdrew their killing intent and began laughing along with him.

Gang Seopyo, Choe Mubin, and Baek Wongak were dumbfounded by the unexpected laughter, but they quickly joined in and laughed even louder to ease the mood.

“You are still amusing. Still, I think I gave you a fine epithet. Whenever your name echoes through the martial world, mine echoes with it.”

“What sort of epithet is Black Flame Dragon for an elite White Path martial artist? Black Flame Dragon?”

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

“Hah. You are being rather harsh just because this is your own courtyard, Lord.”

“Heh. So? Shall we have a match?”

“My condition is like this, so I’ll let it pass this time.”

Jin Sowoon’s companions were not the only ones confused by their conversation. The Four Emperors Association martial artists also kept glancing sideways at Cha Seokdu, who was usually solemn and serious, as he treated Jin Sowoon like his own grandson.

“So, I hear you faced many hardships while taking the regular examination?”

“It’s only natural for someone with nothing to struggle when trying to rise in the world.”

“Then why not use this opportunity to join a Black Path sect? Unlike the Nine Sects One Gang or One Hundred Eight Peaks of the Martial Alliance, we are not yet steeped in corruption.”

“Wouldn’t that make all the hardships I have endured until now meaningless?”

Cha Seokdu nodded at Jin Sowoon’s words.

“That is why I came to ask you for a favor. Please forgive me if I have been discourteous.”

As soon as Jin Sowoon finished speaking, Cha Seokdu’s smile gradually vanished.

“I will speak before you do. Give up the regular examination, or make a suitable deal with those outside.”

“…”

“I hear you possess many Academy Admission Tokens. Through negotiations, you and one or two of your companions could be admitted. If you wish, I will mediate.”

It was as though Cha Seokdu already knew what favor Jin Sowoon intended to request, and his companions looked drained.

If the deal here fell through, there was nothing they could do.

“Even if I use the Lord’s Token?”

“…”

Cha Seokdu’s face hardened at Jin Sowoon’s words, and the pressure in the hall rose.

“The Lord’s Token is only a guarantee that we will make an effort. You must know that it cannot resolve a matter serious enough to place your sect and your life at stake.”

“…”

“For the Four Emperors Association to interfere in the Martial Arts Academy regular examination would be a grave threat to the sect. We cannot accept such a request. Keep the Lord’s Token safe. You will need it someday.”

Disappointment filled Cha Seokdu’s face as he looked at Jin Sowoon, whom he had regarded like a grandson.

“If you intend to abandon the examination anyway, you may stay here. I will provide you with fine rooms and maidservants so that you may live comfortably.”

As though there were nothing more to discuss, Cha Seokdu abruptly rose from his seat.

Then Jin Sowoon, who had remained silent until now, spoke.

“That is not what I wish to ask for.”

When Cha Seokdu turned his head, his eyes held not only disappointment but anger as well.

“Are you trying to toy with me?”

“I have not yet said what I intend to ask of you.”

“…”

With an ominous expression, Cha Seokdu sat back down on the platform.

“I hope this meeting will not leave me disappointed in you. I was already disappointed when I heard that you had entered the Four Emperors Association to avoid the Nine Sects One Gang.”

His voice was even, yet everyone listening shuddered beneath his overwhelming presence.

“What I wish to ask is for the Four Emperors Association to become the center of the Black Path martial world.”

“…?”

The abrupt words made everyone tilt their heads in confusion.

“The Black Path martial world has never had a central force like the Martial Alliance. That remains true even now. Because of that, when a large-scale disaster occurs, there is no proper way to respond.”

It was something the Black Path martial world had always discussed.

Everyone needed a central force, but no one had ever succeeded in creating one.

“The same was true at Demon Spirit Plateau. The Black Path suffered greater losses, yet the Martial Alliance was the one that ultimately mobilized people, while the Black Path martial world could only wait helplessly.”

“Wait, wait. I don’t understand. Why are you bringing this up here? No, before that, even if you ask me to become the center, how do you expect me to do that?”

“It is not particularly difficult.”

“Not particularly difficult?”

Countless Black Path sects had attempted to establish an alliance, but none had ever succeeded. They lacked a catalyst like the Martial Alliance’s, and none possessed overwhelming martial strength.

“Hold a nonviolent march in remembrance of those who died at Demon Spirit Plateau. March from the Dabie Mountains to Wuhan, where the Martial Alliance is located. Use the demonstration to win public support, then establish an alliance in the end.”

“…”

Cha Seokdu’s mouth fell open.

So did those of the elite martial artists gathered in the hall, as well as Jin Sowoon’s companions.

A disciple of a White Path sect wanted to create a central force for the Black Path martial world?

From all around the silent hall, people began whispering.

“That bastard is insane.”

Footnotes:

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