WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 114: Black Path Night Walk (4)
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“That mad bastard...”
As expected of a Black Path leader, Cha Seokdu swore as naturally as he breathed. Still, perhaps because I felt terrible, I had the strange impression that Seong Moran behind me had muttered something similar.
No matter how generously I looked at it, my body was no longer in any condition to take the regular examination.
If I forced myself through it, I might somehow complete the examination, but I would suffer deep damage to my dantian like the Green Forest Battle King and end up unable to live properly.
In the end, the best option was to set the Four Emperors Association in motion.
“...Hah...”
Cha Seokdu, who had maintained his dignified manner until now, forgot that his subordinates were watching from all around. His mouth fell open, and he became as still as a statue.
It was only natural. He could never have expected to hear the very thing he desired most come from my lips.
The Black Path martial world had long wanted to form an alliance like the Martial Alliance.
Yet their forces were too evenly matched for anyone to become a central figure.
And since an alliance would bring immediate losses as well as benefits, the simple-minded fools who hated taking losses considered an alliance nothing but an unnecessary burden.
In the end, the Black Path Alliance could only be created after the Demonic Cult's invasion had begun in earnest and most of the Black Path martial world had already been devastated. Considering that the alliance, reduced to half its strength, lasted even less time than the Martial Alliance, it had not even served as a stopgap to buy time.
“Unless someone possesses overwhelming power, the best way to create an alliance is through public discourse and a just cause. Think of how the Martial Alliance has endured for the past five hundred years by making the eradication of the Demonic Cult, its common enemy at the time of the Alliance's founding, its justification.”
Cha Seokdu stood blankly for a long time before moving his lips and speaking.
“You want us to publicize the matter of Demon Spirit Plateau?”
“That is correct. Many people in the Black Path martial world are already deeply weary of the Martial Alliance's control over the martial world. You can see it in how most Black Path sects take a period of rest whenever the regular examination is held, just to avoid trouble.”
“But the matter at Demon Spirit Plateau happened half a year ago.”
“Public discourse and just causes have always been built from whatever is available. Is the Martial Alliance's present justification still the eradication of the Demonic Cult?”
“...It is not as though I have never considered it. But what truly matters is what comes afterward. Even if we create a Black Path Alliance, there is no guarantee people will gather as they do in the Martial Alliance and build our strength.”
That was the greatest reason the Black Path Alliance had collapsed.
People naturally gathered in the Martial Alliance. They competed within it, then spread throughout the world again.
The system already in place continued to make the Martial Alliance stronger.
The Black Path Alliance had no such system. Worse, the principle most deeply rooted in the minds of Black Path martial artists was survival of the fittest.
As long as that remained, Black Path martial artists would never care about the hierarchy and system painstakingly established for them.
That was likely Cha Seokdu's greatest concern as the Lord of the Four Emperors Association.
Gathering people, then making them follow a hierarchy and system.
“That part is not difficult.”
“...Not difficult?”
Cha Seokdu's eyelids trembled. Without realizing it, he leaned slightly forward.
“We make it a meritocracy.”
“...How is that any different from chaos?”
“It is completely different. You guarantee everyone a path to success. No matter where they come from or where they belong, if they possess ability, you open the road to advancement completely freely.”
“...”
“What is the greatest sickness within the Martial Alliance? Is it not that advancement and benefits differ depending on whether one comes from the One Hundred Eight Peaks, including the Nine Sects One Gang and Five Great Clans? The Black Path Alliance must break completely free of that. Among people who compete without end and improve without end, the Black Path Alliance's system will become firmly established.”
“...”
Not only Cha Seokdu, but even the Four Emperors Association's masters looked lost in thought, their expressions complicated.
Only after a long time did Cha Seokdu speak.
“Is that why you suggested the march?”
“Yes.”
“But I do not know what a nonviolent protest is.”
“All martial artists will lay down their weapons, wear nothing but black martial uniforms, and carry black flags. Then they will march to Wuhan with a funeral bier at the center. It will be a march to honor those who died at Demon Spirit Plateau.”
“...It will be strange.”
“That is why it will draw the attention of the entire world.”
“...And you intend to join that march as well?”
“I, too, cannot suppress my desire to honor those who died at Demon Spirit Plateau.”
“...”
Hwang Busik spoke from beside us.
“Lord, whatever happens, if we hold that march, at least we'll get to see those White Path bastards' dumbfounded faces.”
Starting with Hwang Busik, the masters gathered on either side began speaking one after another.
“There could be no better way to condemn them for failing to act then.”
“They did not merely refuse to help. They even got in our way. I still cannot forget it.”
“That is right. This is worth trying.”
As favorable words began pouring out, relief appeared on my companions' faces as well.
Cha Seokdu nodded for a long while, then waved a hand. All voices fell silent.
“It is a fine idea. A thought worthy of the Black Path Divine Star, the Black Flame Dragon. But why must we do this now? Would your involvement not damage our justification?”
“...”
“Rather, it would be better to do it after the regular examination ends, on the anniversary.”
As expected of a Black Path leader, he knew how to maximize his own benefit. Still, if I had come here only to have my idea taken from me, I would not have come at all.
“Do you think that will be possible?”
“Would it not be better than doing it right away?”
“No. I mean, are you confident you can persuade those ignorant Black Path fools?”
“...”
The masters who had agreed with me moments earlier glared at me with cold eyes once more.
“How many of them will understand and support the need for public discourse and a just cause? And will the others agree to you monopolizing that cause, Lord?”
Was it truly because Cha Seokdu lacked a cause that he had failed to establish an alliance until now?
Most had not supported him because they could not understand his grand ambition, or because their own greed mattered more to them than that ambition.
“If you can do that, then that is fortunate. It seems there is nothing more I can do, so I will go out, surrender, and withdraw from the examination.”
“...”
“Thank you for your hospitality these past few days. I will see you again.”
I immediately turned around and led my dazed companions away. We had taken around three steps when someone called out.
“W-wait!”
“...”
The dignified Cha Seokdu had stepped forward.
“Are you saying that you have a way?”
“I cannot make them understand the justification or persuade them through public discourse, but I can make them move.”
“How?”
I untied the bundle in my hand.
Clatter. Clatter.
The Lord's Tokens that Black Path martial world veterans had given me at Demon Spirit Plateau, just as Cha Seokdu had, scattered carelessly across the floor of the Four Emperors Association's grand hall.
#
“Hoho, Young Master Jin needs to wake up soon.”
Gang Seopyo's lips trembled as Gang Seopyo struggled to hold back a smile.
Choe Mubin found the sight quite irritating.
After speaking with Cha Seokdu, Jin Sowoon had collapsed again the moment he left the grand hall.
Namgung Seonhwa had stepped forward to tend to him.
There were maids and servants of the Four Emperors Association, as well as a resident physician. Even though it could have been embarrassing to step in, Namgung Seonhwa seemed too distracted to notice anything around her. She remained glued to Jin Sowoon's side, unwilling to leave him.
Choe Mubin knew Jin Sowoon's condition should come first, but could not help feeling annoyed whenever Gang Seopyo grinned.
“Is this something to be so happy about?”
“What do you mean?”
“If Young Master Jin completes the examination with the Four Emperors Association's help, will that not cause problems in its own way?”
Baek Wongak, who had been listening beside them, nodded.
“Some may question the examination results themselves. After all, the White Path's sworn enemy is the Black Path. The Four Emperors Association is the strongest force in the Black Path martial world. And if this truly leads to the creation of a Black Path Alliance...”
“That is true.”
Gang Seopyo smiled meaningfully.
“But you two only see part of the picture.”
“What?”
“Right now, the examination may seem important, but if you look further ahead, it may not be.”
“What are you talking about?”
Gang Seopyo clicked their tongue as though pitying the two.
“At this rate, when will either of you ever rise beyond your Unit Leader positions?”
“...”
“...”
“Yesterday, did you not both feel that the Lord of the Four Emperors Association's intentions were not very different from Young Master Jin's?”
The need for a Black Path martial alliance was no new idea, so the two nodded at once.
“If this incident truly gives rise to a Black Path Alliance, what do you think will happen?”
“The Martial Alliance will be thrown into chaos.”
“That is right. A war may even break out. Still, in the end, the alliance will be formed. That is already the state of the martial world. The people of the Black Path martial world, oppressed by the Martial Alliance all this time, have been waiting for any opportunity.”
“...You seem quite pleased at the prospect of a Black Path Alliance being created.”
“Listen to the end. If a Black Path Alliance is established, it is obvious that the Four Emperors Association will become its central force. Then tell me, what would be the best way for the Martial Alliance to contact the Black Path Alliance?”
“...!”
“...!”
Gang Seopyo continued.
“Considering how the Martial Alliance has oppressed the Black Path martial world until now, creating a contact network from the beginning would be impossible. They would need someone connected to both the Black Path Alliance and the Martial Alliance...”
“That would be the Taeul Sect.”
“And Young Master Jin.”
“Exactly.”
Gang Seopyo's words left Choe Mubin and Baek Wongak with even more complicated feelings.
Looking back now, they could not help wondering whether visiting the Four Emperors Association during the regular examination had truly been a coincidence.
“The greatest issue is whether the Four Emperors Association decides to move...”
For the Four Emperors Association to act during a Martial Alliance event was extremely dangerous.
Moreover, a protest that required everyone to disarm could, if things went wrong, become an opportunity to purge the Black Path martial world.
“That is why the Four Emperors Association must still be discussing it.”
Four days had already passed.
There had been no word from the Four Emperors Association.
“It is almost time for us to make our own decision about what to do.”
The end of the examination was close.
If they delayed any longer, they might end up with nothing to show for it.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
The three, who had been crouching in the courtyard and talking while drawing in the dirt, rose at once and looked toward the entrance.
A massive man entered, having to lower his head deeply to pass through the doorway.
Hwang Busik, the Colossal Tyrant.
He looked at the three with his usual fierce eyes.
“Where is the Black Flame Dragon?”
“He is still...”
At that moment, the door to the inner hall opened and Namgung Seonhwa emerged.
“Young Master Jin is waiting for you.”
“He woke up?”
“Yes.”
“That is fortunate.”
The three watched Hwang Busik enter the inner hall with anxious expressions.
#
Thousands of martial artists gathered near the Dabie Mountains in Henan Province stared sharply at the Four Emperors Association.
Inside were piles of Academy Admission Tokens that could bring glory to their sects.
Their sect elders had ordered them to cooperate with other sects to retrieve the Academy Admission Tokens, but had also warned them not to fall behind in the competition. Tension had quietly risen between them.
The situation was tolerable for only a day or two.
By the fifth day, those gathered at the Dabie Mountains were growing increasingly tired.
They had not prepared at all for sleeping outdoors, so the few inns near the Dabie Mountains had become packed. Supplies were running out rapidly, and even when merchants raised their prices, there was no time to bring in goods from nearby villages. They had no choice but to pay exorbitant amounts.
Still, the greatest problem was the mounting pressure as the regular examination deadline approached.
“How long are we supposed to wait?”
“At this rate, we will fail the examination as well.”
“Could they be waiting for that to happen?”
What could a White Path disciple possibly be doing inside the Four Emperors Association?
“Why not attack the Four Emperors Association?”
“Have you gone mad?”
“Am I wrong? The Four Emperors Association has already interfered with a Martial Alliance event. Is that not clearly a violation of the agreement?”
Unable to advance or retreat, people naturally began directing their anger at the Taeul Sect, Iron Sword Sect, and Namgung Clan.
“Some upstart with no roots makes a fuss about taking the regular examination, and now even the meaning of the examination is being ruined.”
“That is not all. The real problem is that the Namgung Clan and Moyong Clan are with them.”
“What a disgrace to the name of the Five Great Clans, when they are supposed to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Nine Sects One Gang.”
On the sixth day, the representatives of the Nine Sects One Gang gathered in one place to decide on their next course of action.
“Once today passes, Jin Sowoon's party will be eliminated anyway, so let us wait a little longer.”
“The Four Emperors Association is moving!”
“Did the Four Emperors Association finally send Jin Sowoon out?”
Everyone gathered near the Dabie Mountains in preparation for any emergency drew their swords at once.
The densely packed blades surrounding the Dabie Mountains on all eight sides formed a forest of steel.
They had prepared for the possibility that the Four Emperors Association would intervene in the regular examination.
“Prepare for battle!”
At someone's shout, thousands of martial artists simultaneously raised their internal energy and sent killing intent toward the Four Emperors Association.
Creak. Boom.
Hundreds of people slowly began walking out from within the Four Emperors Association.
“...Th-that is...”
“No, what in the world...”
Those who had been preparing to fight lowered their swords in shock and stared at the Four Emperors Association.
“...A funeral bier?”
Hundreds of people dressed in black martial uniforms began a long march, with an enormous funeral bier at its center.
Footnotes:
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