WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 116: The Black Flame Dragon in Golden Garments
──────
The Martial Alliance's Elders' Council was not to be taken lightly.
To become an elder, one had to have served in the Martial Alliance for over twenty years or personally represent one's own sect or several factions.
After such stringent screening, most who became elders were either hardliners who despised the Black Path or politicians by nature.
That was why the actions of the Black Path martial world and Jin Sowoon had split the Elders' Council in two.
Those who held one grievance or another against Jin Sowoon nearly saw red when they witnessed the incident.
“You want to admit someone who colluded with the Black Path into the Martial Arts Academy?! What kind of nonsense is that? Are you speaking or passing gas?”
“Calm yourself. You're discussing flatulence in the Elders' Council. And honestly, can you say with certainty that he colluded with them?”
“They threatened, intimidated, and kept the other candidates from even approaching! If that isn't collusion, then what is?!”
Meanwhile, members of the Five Great Clans with ties to Jin Sowoon fought desperately to defend him.
“Exactly. Why send disciples who had already finished the examination all the way to Henan Province?”
“W-What?! Do you have proof?!”
“To hell with proof. Do you think we don't know why people who took the examination in Jiangnan crawled all the way to Henan Province? It was to strike at Jin Sowoon, who had the best results.”
“T-They probably just wanted better scores. Ahem.”
As the Orthodox Society members' faces soured, the White Path Society members sneered at them.
The greatest point of contention was not whether Jin Sowoon had truly joined hands with the Black Path.
In this examination, disciples of the Nine Sects One Gang had claimed second through fifth place. If not for Jin Sowoon, they could have taken first place, but because of him, every one of them was about to be pushed down a rank.
The Martial Alliance elders were full of the belief, “Even if it does not benefit me, I can accept it if you suffer a loss.” The White Path Society could not let this chance to strike at the Orthodox Society's interests slip away.
“To suggest Jin Sowoon be failed is to suggest that everyone who traveled with him should be failed as well. Are you saying the young members of the Moyong Clan and the Namgung Clan should be failed too?”
Among Jin Sowoon's companions were young members of the Moyong Clan and Namgung Clan, both affiliated with the White Path Society. The White Path Society had no room to retreat.
“...I hear Jin Sowoon was the one who planned and led it. Let us fail only him for now.”
“Then what of Jin Sowoon's junior brothers? Those three brothers are the most celebrated youths in the martial world these days. If they are failed, the Martial Alliance will surely be condemned for favoring only disciples of prestigious sects.”
“...Did they not act as their senior brother Jin Sowoon instructed? Let them pass as well.”
“Then what is the reason for failing Jin Sowoon?”
The foundation of politics was reaching a reasonable compromise after taking one step back, but the White Path Society, having sunk its teeth into the Orthodox Society's weakness, showed no sign of retreating.
Their justification was sound as well.
They could not damage the reputation of the Martial Arts Academy regular examination, known far and wide for its fairness.
So the Elders' Council forgot even its original duty of drafting Alliance Law. After endless discussion and debate, they decided to personally determine whether Jin Sowoon had committed a crime and uncover the truth behind the incident. Despite their aged bodies, they would travel to the Martial Arts Academy.
#
Fortunately, I had not failed.
To be precise, I had to undergo a review.
It was an extremely unusual occurrence in the regular examination, where the number of Academy Admission Tokens alone decided whether one passed or failed. That was why the examiner had phrased it that way, and it had nearly caused a disaster.
“...Seonhwa, even so, you shouldn't have acted so quickly.”
“I'm sorry, Sister. But I couldn't keep myself under control.”
The moment Namgung Seonhwa heard that I had failed, she had nearly killed the examiner.
The examiner had been about to explain the reason for my failure when several blasts of sword qi unleashed through the Changgung Unhindered Sword Art nearly severed the examiner's head.
Gang Seopyo, Seong Moran, and Choe Mubin barely stopped her, saving the examiner's life. Still, the review platform was smashed to pieces, and those admitted after us had to receive dirt-stained acceptance notices at low tables set on the ground.
“But... if Young Master Jin truly fails the examination, I will not enter the Academy either.”
“...You...”
Moyong Jaehwa, fidgeting with the Academy Admission Token I had given him, added,
“I will follow Brother to the Taeul Sect as well.”
What?
Putting aside not entering the Academy, why would he follow me to the Taeul Sect?
The Geum-Eun-Dong brothers, seemingly unaware of what I was thinking, wore determined expressions and tried to say something too. I quickly stopped them.
“Enough. The result has not even been decided yet. Do you think I would quietly accept failing?”
If I could not pass in the first place, I would not have done something as insane as throwing myself in with the Four Emperors Association.
If they said I could not enter because I bore the Black Flame Dragon epithet and had joined hands with those Black Path bastards, I had no intention of going down alone.
“Attention! Everyone, stand properly! The entrance ceremony has not even begun!”
“You there, move closer. Why are you standing so far away?”
The instructors told everyone to line up, but no one readily moved.
Except for the space where we stood, the incoming students had formed a wide circle around us, unwilling to approach as if we carried some plague.
The instructors raised their voices, but everyone came from impressive backgrounds and was not easily swayed by such flimsy authority.
They could not form proper lines before the entrance ceremony began. When those entering alongside the Martial Arts Academy Head saw the disorderly atmosphere, they frowned.
“What in the world is this commotion?”
“Ah, that is... the matter of admissions has not yet been settled.”
They were meant to hold an entrance ceremony, but the matter of admissions had yet to be settled.
At this unprecedented situation, even the candidates' parents and other associates watching the entrance ceremony from the stands began murmuring among themselves.
What a spectacular scene.
In the middle of the stands sat people whom the other parents and associates did not wish to approach, just as they avoided us.
The grandees of the Black Path martial world.
Why were they attending this?
The funeral bier procession, which I had naturally expected to head toward the Martial Alliance, halted its march when news of my failure arrived.
At this point, there was no way to deny that I had ties to Black Path sects.
Just as one would expect of the Black Path, they were casting dark clouds over this White Path man's gleaming future.
“Everyone, please pay attention. Before the entrance ceremony begins, there is a serious dispute over the examination results. We will settle that matter first.”
Everyone's eyes turned toward me.
They did not need to hear what the dispute was to know it involved me.
“As this matter has become such a point of contention, we have invited distinguished figures from the Alliance to judge the results of this examination.”
The people introduced so respectfully by the Martial Arts Academy Head were the members of the Martial Alliance's Elders' Council.
At their appearance, not only the incoming students but everyone seated in the stands rose to their feet.
Naturally, the Black Path grandees remained seated, giggling among themselves because someone they knew had appeared.
“...”
Nearly thirty members of the Elders' Council had come in person. Seeing them move their heavy bodies just to disqualify me showed how much they hated the Black Path.
Yet there was another strange sight. The elders of the Orthodox Society, led by Daoist Myeonghyeon, and the elders of the White Path Society, led by Moyong Cheong, were subtly keeping their distance from each other.
“Candidate Jin Sowoon, step forward!”
Leaving behind Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran's quiet encouragement, I stepped forward with a calm expression.
Daoist Myeonghyeon, whom I had known in my previous life as well, glared at me with the same contempt-filled expression.
“I have heard that Candidate Jin Sowoon dared violate the solemn and strict rules of the Martial Arts Academy regular examination, caused a disturbance, and threw the review proceedings into chaos.”
“...”
It was Namgung Seonhwa who had nearly cut the examiner's throat.
“The Martial Arts Academy is an institution that trains talent to purge evil and destroy demons on the Martial Alliance's front lines. Yet you dared join hands with the cruel and lawless Black Path, damaged the essence of the examination, and made the other candidates feel relatively deprived.”
Daoist Myeonghyeon foamed at the mouth as he spoke, while the candidates and Academy officials alike looked upon us with contempt.
“Therefore, no matter how high your score may be, we hereby declare that we cannot permit your admission to the Academy.”
Crack. Crack.
Namgung Seonhwa was loosening up behind me. Had she forgotten that a member of the Namgung Clan's collateral line was watching from an elder's seat?
“Is that the Martial Alliance's decision?”
“What? I...”
“Or is that the opinion of the entire Elders' Council?”
“...”
Daoist Myeonghyeon glanced toward the White Path Society. The Orthodox Society had likely won the battle of justification, but if the White Path Society retracted its opinion simply because it had lost the fight, it would not be a true politician.
“As you have said, the Martial Arts Academy is a place that nurtures righteous youths who will purge evil and destroy demons.”
I took a step forward and poured internal energy into my voice.
“From that perspective, I, Jin Sowoon of the Taeul Sect, can say that I took this examination with perfect fairness, without a speck of stain! Therefore, I can only conclude that Daoist Myeonghyeon and the Orthodox Society have pulled strings because the Nine Sects One Gang's carefully groomed candidate failed to take first place.”
“!!”
“The four of us passed Gate I without hiring a single martial artist, passed Gate II without spending a single coin, and passed Gate III fairly and squarely. What reason is there for someone like me to be denied admission to the Martial Arts Academy?”
“Do you not think that is the problem?! Who in the world could take an examination that way?”
Just like in my previous life, Daoist Myeonghyeon lost his reason and made a blunder whenever he grew agitated.
“Ah... Then was the Martial Arts Academy regular examination originally designed so that those without money or power could not pass? Is that the sort of examination I passed?”
“Nngh...!”
Daoist Myeonghyeon's face twisted fiercely. Pressured by the elders behind him, he regained his composure and spoke again.
“Then what of finishing the Great Journey by colluding with the Black Path rabble?”
“I have never colluded with the Black Path rabble!”
“That's absurd...”
I pointed at the Black Path grandees, whom everyone avoided like the plague.
“Since they just so happen to be here by pure coincidence, why not ask them yourselves? Listen, Black Path lackeys! Did Jin Sowoon, this chivalrous White Path hero overflowing with justice, collude with the likes of you?”
At my words, the Black Path grandees all grimaced and spat curses.
“I ought to flay that bastard.”
“You White Path brat! Do you want to die in a single strike?!”
The Lord of the Four Emperors Association answered with a snicker.
“That lunatic is spouting dog shit. You are not the Martial Alliance Leader. Why would we have any reason to collude with a measly Taeul Sect disciple?”
I turned back toward Daoist Myeonghyeon.
“You saw that, did you not? The issue of colluding with the Black Path rabble has been settled as well. Then what legitimate reason remains for denying me admission?”
Daoist Myeonghyeon's face turned bright red. The Orthodox Society elders could only stare blankly at the Black Path grandees, their wits scattered.
I poured even more internal energy into my voice.
It carried through the training grounds and to every corner of the stands.
“Then in the end... is the true reason that a disciple of the Nine Sects One Gang failed to take first place?! Is that truly it?!”
The greatest force driving the Martial Alliance was neither martial strength nor influence.
Righteous cause.
The Martial Alliance was moved by righteous cause, and I possessed an abundance of weapons concerning the righteous cause they loved so dearly.
It would be foolish not to throw such good weapons straight into their faces.
And I was not a fool.
“If that is the case! If not only the Martial Arts Academy, but even the Martial Alliance has forgotten fairness and become an organization that pursues only its own interests!”
Politicians truly loved using an opponent's weakness to lump everyone together as a single group.
As expected, the expressions of the Elders' Council members under attack darkened.
It was time for the finishing move.
“I will not enter the Academy as you wish. No, even if you tell me to enter, I will not.”
As I spoke, I threw the Academy Admission Tokens I had obtained onto the ground.
Academy Admission Tokens, each worth more than a mansion, rolled across the ground like pebbles.
Then Namgung Seonhwa, standing behind me, threw her own Academy Admission Tokens on top of mine.
“If a place is this unfair, I do not think there is anything for me to learn here either. I will not enter.”
Clatter.
She had far fewer tokens than I did.
Yet the stands stirred far more than they had for me.
Then Seong Moran, the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers, and even Moyong Jaehwa poured out their tokens. The Gate Tokens scattered across the ground looked as insignificant as pebbles along a riverbank.
“Nngh...!”
I looked at Daoist Myeonghyeon's flushed face and adopted a resolute expression.
“Not once have I questioned the Martial Arts Academy regular examination! I have never wondered why disciples of our White Path sects must fight until blood is spilled, or why we must squander our family fortunes until the foundations are torn out to take this examination!”
The most important thing when using malevolent qi was emotional resonance.
I pounded my chest hard as I spoke.
“Why? Because I believed all of this was necessary for the peace and stability of the martial world, and I accepted it as natural.
“But if all this was nothing more than the ranking system you created! If our desperate efforts were no more than a backdrop for your benefit! Then no matter what honor you offer, I will reject it!”
Historically, most first-place entrants had come from the Nine Sects One Gang.
The Five Great Clans occasionally produced one as well, but the Nine Sects One Gang had vastly greater numbers. It had become customary for them to produce most of the first-place entrants.
Yet the small stone I had thrown created huge ripples in the river. They had always thought the examination was strange too. They had simply lived believing that was natural.
“Nngh! That damned bastard, how dare you...!”
Perhaps feeling insulted, Daoist Myeonghyeon's face turned crimson. His martial robes billowed as though he wanted to leap out at any moment and snap my neck.
I, too, was just about to draw up my internal energy in case something happened.
“Cackle, cackle. Why have these old fools dragged their heavy bodies all the way here only to smear filth across their own faces?”
At the voice openly mocking the Elders' Council, Daoist Myeonghyeon and the other elders sharply turned their heads.
The speaker strode into the center, seemingly unconcerned by the elders' fierce glares.
“Move aside. Have you forgotten that you had no authority to decide pass or fail in the first place?”
Daoist Myeonghyeon's eyes widened.
“W-What do you mean... Grand Strategist Jegal, are you saying you intend to defend Jin Sowoon?”
Regardless of what Daoist Myeonghyeon said, the sudden appearance of the unwelcome guest put everyone present on edge.
Then, as though unconcerned with those around them, they took the Martial Arts Academy Head's seat after its occupant stepped aside and gently fanned themself with a feather fan.
“You truly cause trouble wherever you go.”
The Martial Alliance's Grand Strategist.
Jegal Somyeong had arrived.
Footnotes:
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried