WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 115: Black Path Night Walk (5)
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“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Forgetting that they were in the Elders' Council, Daoist Myeonghyeon blurted it out.
“...”
Twenty-eight elders were present at the regular legislative session, far more than enough for a quorum. Eleven Alliance Laws needed to be passed, four budgets required review, and two major plans for the following year were on the agenda. Normally, they would not even have had time to glance at any other reports.
Yet after hearing the urgent report, Daoist Myeonghyeon could not stop themself from swearing.
“So... Jin Sowoon is moving with Black Path martial artists?”
“...Yes, that is correct.”
The Alliance member spoke as though guilty of some crime, but Daoist Myeonghyeon dismissed the matter as trivial.
“Then simply disqualify him. You may leave now. Do you know what sort of meeting this is?”
Even after being dismissed, the Alliance member remained visibly uneasy.
“It isn't that simple.”
“Are you going to keep speaking without realizing how important this legislative session is?”
“Ahem...”
The Alliance member fidgeted as though their life were on the line. Then Moyong Cheong spoke.
“Let us hear them out first, Daoist Myeonghyeon.”
“It is nothing of importance. No matter how significant the Martial Arts Academy's regular examination may be, could it outweigh this legislative session?”
“There must be a reason this important meeting was interrupted.”
With Moyong Cheong's words and Daoist Myeonghyeon's reluctant approval, the Alliance member cautiously continued.
“Jin Sowoon's group is heading toward the Academy, but large forces from the Four Emperors Association, the Demonic Path Sect, and the Black Lion Society have surrounded them. The other candidates are unable to approach.”
“The Four Emperors Association is one thing, but why the Demonic Path Sect and the Black Lion Society? More importantly, they dared interfere with a Martial Alliance event?”
“They claim they are not protecting Jin Sowoon's group.”
“...”
Daoist Myeonghyeon furrowed their brow deeply, unable to understand what was happening.
“They claim to be holding a nonviolent protest in memory of the martial artists who died unjustly on Demon Spirit Plateau.”
“A, a nonviolent protest?”
The Black Path was holding a nonviolent protest? What kind of bullshit was that?
“Yes. They have all disarmed themselves, donned black martial uniforms, and are heading south while carrying a massive funeral bier.”
“No one forced them into Demon Spirit Plateau. Who exactly are they protesting against?”
“They say the damage grew worse because the Martial Alliance, which is responsible for peace in the martial world, failed to act in time...”
Not only Daoist Myeonghyeon, but most of those in the Elders' Council were left speechless.
Since the Demonic Cult's disappearance, had Black Path forces not been the Martial Alliance's foremost enemy?
“Ah, anyway, what about Jin Sowoon's group?”
“They are moving at the very center of the procession, so the candidates cannot approach them.”
“...”
“They have already crossed Henan Province and entered Hubei Province. The examiners are struggling to determine how to handle this matter.”
“What is there to determine? Naturally, he should be disqualified!”
“I see it differently.”
Daoist Myeonghyeon sharply turned their head. It was Moyong Cheong, the man who had interrupted the meeting.
“Did he ask the Black Path forces for help?”
“The Four Emperors Association says this has nothing to do with Jin Sowoon's group...”
“Then did he pay to hire Black Path martial artists?”
“The Four Emperors Association says this is purely an event of the Black Path martial world.”
“Then... there is no problem. Did Jin Sowoon's group not simply happen to be there?”
Daoist Myeonghyeon looked at Moyong Cheong in disbelief.
“Are you in your right mind?”
“What is unreasonable about that? Has this child named Jin Sowoon broken any rules?”
“How can you even say that...?”
“More importantly, if the Four Emperors Association, the Demonic Path Sect, and the Black Lion Society have moved, what are the other Black Path sects doing?”
“People are gradually gathering.”
“This could become quite serious.”
Moyong Cheong rose from his seat.
“Let us call off this regular meeting. It seems something has arisen that must be dealt with immediately.”
With those words, Moyong Cheong and nine others left the Elders' Council. Only members of the Orthodox Society and representatives of the One Hundred Eight Peaks remained.
#
The funeral procession had begun at the Dabie Mountains with eight hundred people. By the time it crossed Mount Yungjung and entered Yicheng, it had tripled in size.
Not only had the sects that received Lord’s Tokens joined them, but so had those directly or indirectly involved in the Demon Spirit Plateau Incident, as well as people who had long resented the Martial Alliance.
Wannabes came along, hoping to make a name for themselves, while others followed to profit from the movement of thousands. It no longer resembled a memorial procession. It was a complete mess.
“Hey! You! Think you're tough? Do you know who I am?”
“Fine Bamboo Leaf Liquor! Bamboo Leaf Liquor for sale!”
“You bastards! Don't you know only black clothing is allowed in this procession? Where do you get off showing up to a funeral procession in yellow? You hopeless little bastard!”
That was not all.
The examination candidates, who had initially targeted me but now resembled dogs staring up at me on the roof, grew increasingly nervous as the number of Black Path martial artists continued to rise.
“I said I just want to pass through! Someone in there has something of ours. He really is a thief!”
“If you want to catch a thief, go to the authorities. You are not passing through!”
“Damn it! Why is Black Path riffraff going on about the authorities?”
“What did you say? If we weren't holding a nonviolent protest, I would have cut off your head in a single stroke!”
“How does a nonviolent protest even make sense for Black Path bastards?”
Small and large disputes continued, and several nearly escalated into major fights. Each time, some of the Black Path martial world's greatest masters stepped in and prevented them from going further.
After all, martial artists did not become nonviolent simply because they had no weapons.
There was not a single person in the Black Path martial world without underhanded tricks, so neither the regular examination candidates nor the martial artists traveling with them could act rashly.
“Those ignorant fools are really coming to us on their own.”
At my side, the Lord of the Four Emperors Association could not hide his broad smile.
A stage had appeared where he could bring his greatest ambition, the Black Path Alliance, into public debate.
Through this, the Four Emperors Association, the Demonic Path Sect, and the Black Lion Society had gained justification to stand at the center of the Black Path Alliance. They had also gained an opportunity to lead it in the future, so there was no way he could be dissatisfied.
“Isn't it because they have heard of Your Lordship's usual magnanimity and followed you?”
I mixed in a suitable amount of flattery, desperately hoping this Black Path leader would not take offense midway through and throw us to that wolfish pack of White Path martial artists.
“No, no. This is all thanks to the Black Flame Dragon.”
“No! My lord, people will misunderstand if you say that.”
Was this man determined to ruin the bright future of the White Path Divine Star before it had even begun?
“Yes, yes. Keep it between us until you enter the Martial Alliance, rise to a high position, and hand the whole Alliance over to us.”
“...”
What was this insane Black Path leader talking about?
“I knew it from the moment you spoke of the Black Path Alliance's hundred-year plan. A place where people are judged only by their ability, regardless of status. Isn't that the paradise in the martial world you wish to build? I know well how deeply Taeul Sect has suffered under the martial world and wider jianghu.”
This man was starting to say dangerous things.
“Come on, enough already. Do you know how many misunderstandings I've suffered because of the epithet you gave me?”
“Kuahahahaha!”
Cha Seokdu laughed heartily for a while, then abruptly wiped the smile from his face.
“It will only get worse from now on.”
“What?”
“The thing I just said. There will be people who say it aloud.”
“...”
I knew.
The first place Cha Seokdu's words would find an audience in the near future would not be the Black Path martial world, but the White Path martial world. More specifically, within the Martial Alliance itself.
To the Martial Alliance's politicians, so thoroughly seasoned in slander, schemes, and false accusations, someone like me would be an especially tasty morsel.
“So you should prepare yourself. In the worst case, you may be branded a spy for the Black Path Alliance.”
“...”
This was only my second meeting with Cha Seokdu.
Neither time had I intended it, and he had not wanted it either.
Even so, the advice he gave me was on a different level from that of the countless Martial Alliance figures I had met in my previous life.
I did not need him to say it for me to know that, beyond ideology and conviction, he genuinely worried about me.
“I'll keep it in mind.”
“Good. If you are branded a spy, don't worry about it. Join the Black Path Alliance. I will leave a good position open for you and your sect.”
“...”
“Ah, and when we establish the Black Path Alliance, I will add you to the invitation list for the founding celebration. I suppose we could see you there as the Martial Alliance's representative.”
I take back what I said about him worrying for me.
True to a leader of the Black Path, he was a man filled with nothing but dark intentions to corrupt the White Path's divine star by any means possible.
#
Jingle. Jingle. Jingle.
Bells rang as men in black martial uniforms walked slowly forward.
At the center stood a massive funeral bier, symbolizing the several coffins it carried. Behind it, people in black martial uniforms stretched on without end.
“Whose funeral is this to be so grand?”
“I heard it is for people who entered Demon Spirit Plateau and died there.”
“Weren't the people who died there all Black Path bastards who did bad things?”
People were fascinated by the unusual procession passing before them, but could not hide their surprise upon learning that most of them were Black Path martial artists.
To them, Black Path martial artists were nothing more than ignorant bandits who plundered like mountain brigands and pirates.
The sight of them moving solemnly in matching attire and observing formal rites did not resemble bandits at all.
The procession that began at the Dabie Mountains passed through Yicheng and Tianmen before reaching Wuhan.
When the end of the enormous procession reached the Martial Arts Academy, people in black martial uniforms began circling its entrance.
On the final day of the regular examination, the examiners waiting at the Academy entrance to receive the last successful candidates were deeply flustered by the sudden arrival of the Black Path forces.
“We finally made it here.”
“...”
“...”
Not only our group, but the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers could not speak, seemingly overcome by emotion.
Thinking about it, we had not spoken much during the journey from the Dabie Mountains to the Academy.
“...Sigh, I wonder what Grandfather will say.”
“Will they even let us in?”
“Rather than be humiliated at the entrance, perhaps we should simply return to the clan.”
Around us, candidates and martial artists from the Nine Sects One Gang who had followed the procession watched us with hostile eyes.
Amid the various complaints, Seong Moran stepped forward.
“It is better to take the blow first.”
She dropped the Academy Admission Tokens she had earned in front of an examiner.
After arranging the tokens, the examiner announced,
“Seong Moran of the Iron Sword Sect, passed!”
“Ohhh!”
“Waaah!”
As the Iron Sword Sect martial artists shouted three cheers, the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers presented their Academy Admission Tokens to the examiner at the same time.
“Geumpyo of Taeul Sect, passed!”
“Eunho of Taeul Sect, passed!”
“Dongryong of Taeul Sect, passed!”
The three brothers tearfully embraced one another, and Namgung Seonhwa received word that she had passed as well.
Only Moyong Jaehwa and I remained.
“Brother, I will always be cheering for you.”
“...What?”
Moyong Jaehwa was preparing to return with the Moyong Clan martial artists.
“It is unfortunate that I cannot attend the Academy with you, but thanks to this journey with you, I have realized the path I must walk.”
Moyong Jaehwa proudly held up his bow, while Baek Wongak clutched his head in concern.
“Are you sure about this?”
“What do you mean?”
“Will your grandfather forgive you for taking up a bow?”
“...Ahem, that is why I was thinking of wandering for a while instead of going straight back to the clan...”
“You are at an age when every moment counts, yet you wish to wander? You truly are carefree. Don't do that. Enter the Academy with me.”
“What? No, what do you mean...?”
I took out the Academy Admission Token Jegal Somyeong had given me and tossed it to him.
Moyong Jaehwa stared at it with a puzzled expression, then his eyes widened.
“B-Brother, this is...”
“Even without a Gate III Token, that will let you pass, won't it?”
“Ah... Ah...”
Moyong Jaehwa was so flustered that he did not know how to react.
It was understandable. The Academy Admission Token in his hand was a treasure so precious that no amount of money could buy it.
“...”
Baek Wongak, who had watched Moyong Jaehwa hesitate despite my readily giving it to him, immediately spoke.
“Young Master Jin, thank you for granting us such a favor.”
“N-No, Unit Leader Baek, this is too great a thing to simply...”
“Young Master, this is the opportunity of a lifetime that Young Master Jin has given you. Will you let it slip away?”
At Baek Wongak's earnest expression, Moyong Jaehwa, who had been wavering, firmly closed his mouth.
“I understand. Unit Leader, Brother, I, Jaehwa of the Moyong Clan, declare here that I will establish an independent school of archery.”
“Young Master, there is no need to decide your future so hastily...”
Worried that the Moyong Clan's family line might end like this, I tried to stop him as well.
“Yes, you can think it over after entering the Academy...”
“No. Brother has lit the path before me and even shown me the way. How could I betray that? I will definitely, definitely become a man who makes his name through the way of the bow.”
With that, Moyong Jaehwa handed the Academy Admission Token to the examiner.
“Moyong Jaehwa of the Moyong Clan, passed!”
Then it was my turn.
“You have all worked hard.”
I greeted the martial artists who had traveled with me, and they responded with fist-and-palm salutes.
“May martial fortune accompany Young Master Jin on the road ahead.”
I turned the small bundle upside down before the examiner.
Clatterrrrr.
Gate Tokens spilled from the bundle, and the eyes of the Nine Sects One Gang disciples watching nearby began to gleam.
Two examiners counted the Gate Tokens, compared them with the names on the roster, then called out my name.
“Jin Sowoon of Taeul Sect... failed!”
Footnotes:
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