WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 132: The Black Flame Dragon Proving Himself (2)
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“What a pity. Hahaha.”
Even Hyeok Mugang could not help frowning at Jegal Somyeong’s words, which carried not the slightest hint of regret.
Perhaps it was that irritating side of them that made the Elders' Council dislike Jegal Somyeong so intensely.
In any case, Hyeok Mugang could not hide his disappointment, just as Jegal Somyeong had said.
“Hmm... Even so, considering Jin Sowoon’s strategic acumen and ability, wouldn't it be better for him to come to the Alliance Leader’s Hall?”
He had even sent a shadow warrior to assess Jin Sowoon’s strength. In return, he had been granted one chance to recruit him into the Alliance Leader’s Hall, only to be rejected to his face.
“What are you saying? You had only one chance to recruit him.”
Had it been the Elders' Council, they would surely have found some pretext to accuse Jegal Somyeong of conspiring something, considering Jegal Somyeong’s usual disposition. Yet Hyeok Mugang had heard Jegal Somyeong make that serious offer from roughly three hundred meters away, leaving him no room for such suspicions.
Even so, he could not help adding one more thing.
“If you believe he is someone capable of leading the Martial Alliance in the future...”
“Hoho, Alliance Leader, the Elders' Council or the other Pavilion Masters would have a fit if they heard you say that. Please restrain yourself.”
“...”
When had Jegal Somyeong ever cared what those people thought?
After considering that for a moment, Hyeok Mugang let out a quiet sigh.
There was still plenty of time, after all, and no guarantee that Jin Sowoon would work solely for the Mantong Office forever.
When another opportunity arose, he could bring it up again.
With his thoughts settled, Hyeok Mugang felt he could finally discuss Jin Sowoon at ease.
“What was your impression of him, Grand Strategist?”
“He is precisely the sort of talent the Mantong Office needs.”
“I understand. I won't mention the Alliance Leader’s Hall again, so let us speak calmly.”
Despite being past sixty, Jegal Somyeong had been fretting like a child afraid someone would take away their favorite toy. They nodded calmly.
“His passing the regular examination as top student was no accident.”
Some people claimed Jin Sowoon had simply been lucky, using his sly mind to steal the top position.
That perception was also a major reason people still refused to acknowledge his position as Academy Representative.
“He must have possessed that level of martial strength to freely exercise his strategic acumen.”
By Jegal Somyeong’s calculations, Jin Sowoon could have passed the Martial Arts Academy regular examination alone without anyone’s help, had he wished.
Yet he had led all his junior brothers and companions through it, and still claimed the position of top student.
That was precisely what made Jegal Somyeong covet him.
“Exceptional martial strength and deep strategic acumen. He is a talent who could become a pillar of the Martial Alliance.”
There was already Yong Soa when it came to astonishing martial ability.
Yet perhaps because of his innate background and talent, Yong Soa had never felt the need to display deep strategic acumen.
Maeng Juwon already possessed remarkable strategic acumen.
But Maeng Juwon could not properly exercise it because of his weak martial strength.
The Martial Alliance had already become an enormous political arena, and thus a vast battlefield.
One had to mobilize martial artists who wielded actual power, using all manner of justifications.
If that could not be done properly, the Martial Alliance had no future except fragmentation.
“It may seem all right because no enemy stands before us now, but if the Demonic Cult appears, a Martial Alliance in disarray will not be able to defend itself.”
There were many capable of devising strategies. Yet even within the Martial Alliance, only a handful possessed the political power, background, strategic acumen, and martial strength needed to push those strategies through.
In particular, there was no talent like Jin Sowoon, someone unaffiliated with any one faction.
“For now, I suppose what he lacks is a proper background.”
From Jegal Somyeong’s brief explanation alone, Hyeok Mugang saw through both what they expected of Jin Sowoon and what Jin Sowoon lacked.
“The Mantong Office and Alliance Leader’s Hall won't be enough, will they?”
Jegal Somyeong nodded.
“If his sect does not hold real power, Jin Sowoon’s room to maneuver will be limited.”
“Then it would be best to support the Taeul Sect.”
“Direct support would only draw the suspicions of others. Besides, once people learn that the Alliance Leader’s Hall and Mantong Office are supporting Jin Sowoon, they will not sit quietly.”
The Alliance Leader’s Hall and Mantong Office were organizations directly subordinate to the Alliance Leader and Grand Strategist, respectively. They also held the greatest authority within the Martial Alliance.
Considering how both the Orthodox Society and White Path Society were trying to expand their influence over those two organizations, if word of this discussion leaked, the established factions might try to eliminate Jin Sowoon by any means necessary.
“I will consider ways to support the Taeul Sect through the Mantong Office.”
“And doesn't he need someone to oversee his martial arts training?”
“...”
The most pressing problem was Jin Sowoon’s martial arts.
For some reason, despite possessing an enormous Three Gapja of internal energy, he had not shown any proper means of dealing with sword force.
“The Taeul Sect has never produced an expert capable of sword force. He must have recovered the Taeul Sword Emperor’s secret legacy and trained alone ever since.”
“...Hmm.”
Even after encountering a fortunate opportunity, without someone to guide and steady them, it took longer to walk the path of an expert.
Considering that the Martial Arts Academy had only one expert capable of sword force, its director, it meant Jin Sowoon would once again have to train alone.
“About where would you place him?”
Hyeok Mugang considered sending one of the shadow warriors to teach Jin Sowoon.
The truth was, Hyeok Mugang did not need shadow warriors. He believed that if a time came when they were needed, the Martial Alliance would already be finished.
“Wouldn't it be fair to say he is slightly below Yong Soa and Ilmyeong?”
“Hmm...”
Jegal Somyeong focused more on civil matters than martial ones, while Hyeok Mugang had kept his distance and could not closely observe Jin Sowoon’s spar, which had been decided in a fleeting instant.
“Muyeong.”
No sooner had Hyeok Mugang finished speaking than the man who had sparred with Jin Sowoon appeared between him and Jegal Somyeong.
“What do you think?”
“...”
“You have sparred with both Yong Soa and Ilmyeong. You should have a rough idea of his level, no?”
“When I sparred with Yong Soa, I drew sword qi first. When I sparred with Ilmyeong, Ilmyeong used fist qi first.”
“Oh... Then Jin Sowoon is at Yong Soa’s level?”
“I believe they are somewhat different.”
“Different?”
“Yes. Yong Soa’s enlightenment and attainment are higher, while Jin Sowoon seemed to possess an outstanding instinct for battle. He made full use of his surroundings, and at times, he would casually say things that confused his opponent’s mind.”
Jegal Somyeong asked as they listened to Muyeong.
“If you had to choose which of the two would be more difficult to spar with?”
“...Of course, Yong Soa.”
Jegal Somyeong nodded as though they understood. Then Muyeong added,
“But if I had to choose which one I would rather not meet on a battlefield, I would choose Jin Sowoon.”
“...?”
“...!”
Muyeong continued in an even tone.
“If Yong Soa’s sword is meant to prove his own strength, Jin Sowoon’s sword feels as though it exists only to kill his opponent.”
“...He values efficiency over empty formalities or honor?”
It somehow felt very much like Jin Sowoon.
Hyeok Mugang gently asked Muyeong, “Do you think any of you would be suitable to become his martial arts teacher?”
“...”
Muyeong did not answer for a long while. Then, just as he was about to respond, his face suddenly turned pale.
“What is wrong?”
“I... I apologize...”
Muyeong tried to leap away, but vomited blood instead.
As Muyeong hurriedly wiped away the blood, shocked that he had vomited blood during such an important meeting, Jegal Somyeong and Hyeok Mugang stared at him in surprise.
“...Is that because of your spar with Jin Sowoon?”
Muyeong hesitated before answering.
“...Yes. I was trying to treat my internal injuries when you suddenly summoned me...”
“...What a stubborn fool.”
“...”
Muyeong was the leader of the Alliance Leader’s Hall shadow warriors.
Hyeok Mugang and Jegal Somyeong could not even begin to guess whom they should secretly assign as Jin Sowoon’s martial arts teacher.
#
Just when I thought I could finally get up, my spar with that man from the Alliance Leader’s Hall left me bedridden for another two days.
I had no internal injuries, but after moving so intensely, my whole body was sore for the first time in a long while. Getting around was impossible.
I had pushed myself so hard that even qi-regulating breathing could not easily shake off the fatigue.
Still, it wasn't as though I had suffered nothing but losses.
‘Can I assume I'm at the level of the Alliance Leader’s Hall shadow warriors?’
According to the materials in the Profound Mystery Pavilion, the Alliance Leader’s Hall shadow warriors could serve only after attaining at least the eighth level of the Tiger Command Divine Art, a secret internal cultivation method passed down solely among them.
Considering that he had even used sword force, he had to be at least at Peak Realm.
If I was at that level as well, it would make sense.
“Still, I never expected Ten Thousand Swords to block sword force.”
The secret ultimate art of the Taeul True Scripture was clearly the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven and Earth Sword Art. Yet I had not used it properly until now because my attainment had progressed so slowly and its efficiency was extremely poor.
The Twin Heavens Sword Art could toy with an opponent’s vision using dozens of illusion swords, while the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven and Earth Sword Art forced me to fight with fewer than five Ten Thousand Swords.
It also consumed an enormous amount of internal energy, so using it carelessly carried the risk of completely emptying my dantian.
“Still, at this level, it's more than worth using.”
I had been in quite an awkward situation because I did not know how to attain sword force.
Everyone from the previous generation of the Dragon-Phoenix Association, including Yong Soa, would likely be able to use sword force. There would also be people among the current Academy students who could use it.
If nothing else worked, I had even considered visiting the Namgung Clan or Moyong Clan to receive separate instruction.
“I had no idea it possessed this kind of power.”
Now that I knew Ten Thousand Swords could counter sword force, even if only partially, I could worry less about sword force.
Once I had formed a rough plan, I looked toward one corner of the room.
A half-burned log as thick as my thigh stood there by itself.
“I don't know why they suddenly changed their mind.”
In exchange for agreeing to spar, I had asked the Grand Strategist for the Demon-Subduing Divine Wood.
But that was only if I won, or at least drew. It was not something I should have received after a thorough defeat.
“Did something good happen to them all of a sudden?”
They said Jegal Somyeong was someone who kept their word absolutely and calculated everything perfectly, but perhaps that was not entirely true.
At the very least, rather than becoming a signboard for some nameless sect, it was now meant to be made into protective talismans. That would save at least a few dozen more lives, wouldn't it?
After resting for another two days, I resumed my academic schedule.
Namgung Seonhwa, Seong Moran, Hong Saryeon, and, for some reason, even Eun Seollan joined in to scold me for overexerting myself. Still, their scolding felt better than waking up and seeing Jegal Somyeong.
#
The atmosphere at the Academy had changed considerably.
Even though I attended lectures as usual, more eyes were watching me for some reason.
Before, people had either ignored me or looked at me as though I were no different from a cow or chicken. Now, more of them watched me with strange, unreadable expressions.
As I sat in an empty seat and prepared for class, I overheard a conversation beside me.
“I heard we're going to Sichuan for our field training.”
“Sichuan? If we're going somewhere, why not Beijing or Nanjing? What is there to see in Sichuan?”
“Who knows? I heard something happened in Sichuan during the regular examination... They said we're being sent there to investigate it.”
In the Martial Alliance of my previous life, they believed the incident in Sichuan during this regular examination had been caused by remnants of heretical martial artists.
So they sent Martial Arts Academy students as investigators under the excuse of field training, and more than half of them met horrific deaths at the hands of the Corpse Mountain Blood Cult, which they had thought had disappeared.
‘So it still happens this way?’
Even though I had changed much of the past, some of the major currents did not change much.
If the encounter with the Corpse Mountain Blood Cult could not be changed, then I at least needed to move up the Hyeongsan Sect’s invitation event.
I listened to their conversation without realizing it, then made eye contact with them.
They were not people who usually gave me unfriendly looks, so I tried to avoid their gazes out of annoyance. Then something strange happened.
“Is your body all right?”
“...?”
For a moment, I turned around, thinking someone else stood behind me.
But their eyes remained fixed on me.
“We were very worried.”
“You did something truly incredible.”
Perhaps feeling awkward because I did not respond, they gave stiff nods and returned to their conversation.
What was going on?
“People’s opinion of Young Master Jin completely changed because of the Orthodox Society incident.”
I tilted my head at Seong Moran’s words.
“What do you mean?”
“You risked your life for something that not only the Academy students belonging to the Orthodox Society, but even the elders, did not dare step forward for. When you emerged looking half-dead, some of the Academy students even burst into tears.”
“Ah...”
It seemed overworking myself had produced a good result.
“That doesn't mean you should do something like that again.”
“Ahem, yes. But doesn't the atmosphere seem a little strange if it's only because people think better of me?”
“...The people expelled from the Academy were not members of the Nine Sects One Gang.”
“Haha.”
Three Academy students had ultimately been expelled as ringleaders in this incident, but none of them belonged to the Nine Sects One Gang.
There must have been some internal deal, and they had accepted it, taken the blame, and withdrawn on their own. But outsiders did not view it favorably.
“From the very beginning, the fact that none of the conspirators belonged to the Nine Sects One Gang was an obvious sham.”
“There is some truth to that.”
Moreover, because of the Orthodox Society members, the time limit of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation had run out. As the Soul-Destroying Formation, which had remained intact for a month, vanished, the people originally meant to enter it never got the chance.
In any case, the turmoil within the Orthodox Society showed no sign of subsiding after that incident.
The White Path Society and Twelve Peak Alliance continued trying to recruit Orthodox Society members amid the confusion.
“Tsk. They're working awfully hard at things that will all be pointless.”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“Nothing. When are the others coming?”
When they said I had to treat everyone to a proper meal for making them worry by entering the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation, I readily agreed.
There had been the Martial Arts Academy regular examination as well, and it felt as though we had never spent any time relaxing together.
“They're coming over there. But...”
Seong Moran slowly lowered the hand she had been waving.
Namgung Seonhwa, Hong Saryeon, Eun Seollan, the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers, and Moyong Jaehwa were all approaching from the distance.
“...”
A man with a shaved head was walking behind them.
“I somehow feel as though I've become an unwelcome guest.”
“...”
Ilgak spoke with a gentle smile, but no one answered him.
“I cannot tell you how relieved I am that Benefactor Jin emerged safely from the Soul-Destroying Formation.”
At Ilgak’s words, everyone’s brows furrowed.
Not wanting to ruin my good mood, I cut him off.
“I don't think this is a situation where we can speak so warmly. Why don't you get to the point?”
“...”
Ilgak paused. His face began to tighten, then he restored his benevolent smile.
“The elders of the Orthodox Society have formally invited Benefactor Jin.”
“...!”
“...!”
Everyone present stared at Ilgak in shock.
Footnotes:
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