WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 150: Those Who Wear Black Masks (9)
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With the matter settled, we decided to spend our vacation as promised.
The Geum-Eun-Dong brothers donned the clothes they had ordered on the first day.
It was their first time wearing such luxurious outfits, and perhaps because they felt awkward, they walked with their backs ramrod straight and their chests puffed out, drawing laughter from passersby.
Namgung Seonhwa, Seong Moran, and Hong Saryeon strolled through the streets, as dazzling and beautiful as they had been the other day.
Their attire outshone even Yueyang's glittering night streets, making them objects of admiration among countless men.
A few young playboys even approached the three women with smiles.
“If you don't mind, may I escort you tonight?”
“I'm the eldest son of the Nam Family Estate. You needn't worry, I'm not some suspicious person.”
“Come now, wouldn't it be better for everyone if you joined us? Let's go together.”
Each of them had some standing, and they tried to drag the women away by flaunting their status or martial arts.
Before Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran could reveal their backgrounds or take matters into their own hands, the Geum-Eun-Dong brothers stepped in front of them.
“Brats, get out of the way!”
“You lowborn nobodies dare?”
“Do you have any idea who I am?”
The three brothers looked at me at the same time.
Their eyes asked what they should do.
I answered firmly.
“When have I ever chosen my opponents?”
It didn't take long.
The three of them unleashed the Myriad Blossoms Invincible Fist at once. Their opponents couldn't even mount a proper defense before being sent flying some thirty feet and crashing into market stalls.
Once the flies had been swatted away, no more playboys came buzzing around us.
“Yueyang seems more chaotic than usual,” Seong Moran said.
As she said, the atmosphere in Yueyang felt different from normal.
Though the moon hung high in the sky, groups of martial artists in martial robes moved through the streets. Fires burned in places far from the entertainment district, and screams could be heard in the distance.
“The tiger has left the mountain, so all that remains is for them to fight over who will take its place.”
With the Yuwol Sect exposed as the culprit behind the kidnappings that had plagued Yueyang, Mount Cang Sect's authority weakened in an instant.
Mount Cang Sect said it wouldn't forgive anyone trying to use the incident for personal gain, but no one listened. In truth, they had lost all justification for controlling Yueyang.
Then the Black Talisman Palace and Black Blood Sect led the Black Path factions into action.
Naturally, the Black Path's first target was the Yuwol Sect.
The Yuwol Sect had amassed enormous wealth under Mount Cang Sect's protection and had effectively served as Mount Cang Sect's Yueyang branch. To the Black Path factions, it was prey they could never ignore.
Mount Cang Sect, however, wasn't the kind to let others take food from its bowl.
Less than a day after the incident, Mount Cang Sect attacked the Yuwol Sect, and the Yuwol Sect disappeared from history.
Having lost such a tasty prize, the Black Path factions began seeking other prey.
With Wudang Sect driven out and even Mount Cang Sect withdrawing, Yueyang had become a masterless city.
Not a single Black Path faction wanted to let such an opportunity pass.
“Still, it's a shame. Not only did the Yuwol Sect have all that wealth, but this was a chance to become the master of Yueyang's massive commercial district.”
“What if the Iron Sword Sect expanded into Yueyang this time?”
“Eh? What nonsense are you talking about?”
That was right.
You shouldn't put food you can't swallow into your mouth.
Ignoring the commotion around us, we headed for the docks.
That was where we encountered some unexpected people.
“Eh?”
“Oh?”
They also looked flustered to see us here, as though this meeting was particularly inconvenient.
I spoke first.
“This isn't a place that suits a monk.”
“......”
Ilgak of Shaolin Temple.
He was waiting for a ship at the docks with members of the Martial Alliance's Orthodox Society.
#
If I had to name the moment I enjoyed most in my previous life, it would be when someone got flustered after having their shame exposed.
At times like these, no matter how much I mocked and ridiculed them, all they could do was clench their fists.
If they threw a punch, they would expose their own pettiness. If they ignored me, it would be no different from admitting their shame.
It had been the only chance a powerless person like me had to tease others.
Even after I became strong, that pleasure hadn't changed.
“Oh? Do monks these days spread their sermons in entertainment districts as well?”
“......”
“Well, the Buddha's grace reaches everywhere, so I suppose there's no reason you can't come to a place like this. My apologies.”
“......We came for a regular meeting.”
“Even so, since a monk is among you, they could have shown some consideration. Doesn't the Orthodox Society care about Shaolin Temple at all?”
By then, the faces of the other Orthodox Society members began to stiffen one by one.
I truly enjoyed moments like this.
Seeing those expressions as they wondered whether they should act or not was always fresh and thrilling.
“Watching the Orthodox Society hold meetings about the future of the martial world in a place like this, it seems the Orthodox Society is quite a lively gathering. Had I known, I would've joined long ago.”
“......”
Ilgak's face darkened. At this rate, he might truly end up in hell.
“Venerable, there is something I am truly curious about, so I will ask.”
At my one-sided questioning, the eyes of the Orthodox Society members gradually turned toward me.
“How do you endure it when you hold meetings in brothels?”
“......I've listened to enough from this brat.”
One Orthodox Society member beside Ilgak bristled and stepped forward.
Ilgak stopped them with a stern expression, then tried to change the subject.
“What brings the Academy Representative here?”
“Unlike the Orthodox Society, we came here to enjoy our vacation.”
“......I see.”
Ilgak tried to turn away.
He probably thought he could escape like that, but I had no intention of letting him go.
“You still haven't answered my earlier question. When you hold meetings in brothels, do you consider it part of your training?”
“......”
The Orthodox Society members raised their killing intent as though they could no longer tolerate it.
Our group answered with fighting spirit, and the atmosphere around the docks quickly grew so tense that a battle could break out at any moment.
“What a wicked tongue you have for a child.”
At the deep voice, the Orthodox Society members withdrew their killing intent and stepped back together.
Ilgak, who had stood at the front with a stiff expression, moved aside as well and respectfully bowed his head.
“So the rumors were true. The Black Path martial world has raised a rising star.”
The middle-aged bald man wore the same robes as Ilgak.
It was my first time seeing him in this life, but he looked little different from how I remembered him in my previous life.
“Would a venerable monk be swayed by such wicked rumors?”
“Are you saying that while knowing who I am?”
Golden Buddha Hyesung.
He was the current abbot's martial brother and the leader of the Vajra Unit.
His influence within the Martial Alliance was immense, making him one of the key figures leading the Orthodox Society.
“Could anyone in the martial world fail to recognize Great Master Hyesung?”
“You have sharp eyes to match that sharp tongue, child.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“But you still haven't answered my question. I hear you have deep ties to the Black Path martial world. Is that true?”
“The Taeul Sect has been a blood ally of the Martial Alliance for five hundred years and has never once left the One Hundred Eight Peaks.”
“That is precisely why I am suspicious. If one wished to raise a spy, where would be better than the Taeul Sect? I also hear the Taeul Sect's martial arts have improved by leaps and bounds lately.”
Hyesung spoke with a faint smile.
Having cultivated an unshakable heart through long years of training and gained political skill through his life in the Martial Alliance, his schemes were impressive enough to outmatch most statesmen.
‘Still, he's no match for the Sojeong Unit.’
Those bastards had been closer to criminals than martial artists. It wasn't as though I had spent only a year or two entangled with them.
I asked with a serious expression.
“Have you insulted Elder Wind-Splitting Sword?”
“......What?”
“Elder Wind-Splitting Sword clearly acknowledged that it was the Taeul Sword Emperor's martial art... Yet you call it the martial art of a Black Path sect... The Moyong Clan won't stand by quietly.”
“......”
Hyesung's smile twisted slightly.
“I should send an urgent message at once. I wonder whether Elder Wind-Splitting Sword will truly let this pass.”
“......You think Shaolin Sect fears the Moyong Clan?”
“Would the renowned Shaolin Sect do such a thing? But Great Master Hyesung would find Elder Wind-Splitting Sword frightening, wouldn't you?”
Laughter slipped from among my companions. It was the kind that couldn't be held back no matter how hard they tried.
Hyesung composed his expression and said, “You are quite an insolent brat.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Hyesung, who had barely managed to regain his composure, immediately scowled.
“Fine. Did you come here to board a ship?”
“I promised my companions that I would give them the finest vacation.”
“Then why not board our ship, as I just said? The ship chartered by the Orthodox Society has plenty of room.”
Hyesung pointed at the vessel waiting for them.
The Orthodox Society had chartered the entire large ship, which had a two-story deckhouse.
“The Orthodox Society's prestige is impressive, as expected. I appreciate the offer, but I must decline. We've already chartered a ship as well.”
“Wouldn't this ship be better than a small ferry?”
“It isn't a small ferry. Ah, it's arriving just now.”
I pointed at the enormous pleasure boat approaching the docks.
It had four decks.
“I paid so much to charter it that it would be a waste not to use it. If you don't mind, would the Orthodox Society like to board with us?”
Hyesung's face twisted violently, as though he had tasted shit.
It felt wonderfully refreshing.
#
After boarding the pleasure boat, my companions couldn't calm their excitement for a while.
We were the only ones who could fully enjoy a ship more splendidly lit than any other on Dongting Lake.
“Is this really all right, Young Master Jin?”
Seong Moran, who had been marveling at the night view of Dongting Lake for quite some time, suddenly asked as though the thought had just occurred to her.
“What do you mean?”
“In the end, Mount Cang Sect wasn't punished, was it? And the Orthodox Society is still operating openly like that.”
“Ah... That. Of course it's all right.”
“What?”
“Everyone who needs to know understands. They know Mount Cang Sect was behind this.”
“That is true.”
“They also know that the Yuwol Sect was sacrificed. From now on, the sects under Mount Cang Sect will start weighing whether they should remain or leave.”
“But Mount Cang Sect's name still carries weight...”
“Of course. For now, it's more advantageous to stay and pretend nothing happened than to leave. But once a second or third incident occurs, they won't find any reason to remain.”
“You think something like this will happen again?”
“Why do you think it won't?”
I looked at the countless boats floating like stars upon Dongting Lake.
“A massive entity like Mount Cang Sect will never collapse because of one or two immoral people. Mount Cang Sect itself has already become a huge living organism.”
“Then what do you plan to do?”
“It's simple. I'll break it apart little by little, one step at a time, as though savoring it.”
“Mount Cang Sect?”
I turned my gaze to Seong Moran.
“Mount Cang Sect, or anyone else.”
“I really don't understand you, Young Master Jin.”
Seong Moran shook her head.
“Still, the Yuwol Sect must have amassed a tremendous fortune. It's a shame to think Mount Cang Sect swallowed it all, even if it was originally theirs.”
Namgung Seonhwa quickly cut in as the conversation ended.
She looked uneasy, as though she were somewhere she was not supposed to be.
“Young Master Jin. Is this... all right?”
Namgung Seonhwa pointed at the floor.
“I think we're the only people on this ship.”
“Didn't I tell you? If we're going to have fun anyway, shouldn't we do it properly?”
“Still... this is a little excessive. We're the only ones on such a huge ship.”
Even Namgung Seonhwa had apparently never wasted money on this scale.
As she said, I had chartered the largest ship on Dongting Lake. Yet, we weren't the only ones aboard.
“Oh my, I'm hurt. Have you forgotten about me?”
Haeryeong appeared as she spoke.
The Geum-Eun-Dong brothers, who had been ordering food like mad after hearing there was no limit on orders, froze in place and stared at Haeryeong.
A splendid gold crown and fluttering silk robes.
Her attire suited this magnificent vessel better than anyone else here.
“Lady Haeryeong...”
“Master of Manbin Pavilion...”
“......”
Not only Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa, but even Saryeon, who was seeing Haeryeong for the first time, stared at her in a daze.
“The cleanup is finished, Young Master Jin.”
“As expected, you are excellent.”
“Then shall we enjoy the banquet after we finish the rest of our work?”
“Let's.”
My companions tilted their heads, unable to understand the exchange between Haeryeong and me.
I looked at Seong Moran.
“You said it was a shame that Mount Cang Sect swallowed everything the Yuwol Sect had amassed, didn't you?”
“Hm? Yes...”
“If you come with us now, you won't feel that way anymore.”
“What?”
Seong Moran and Namgung Seonhwa exchanged puzzled looks.
We headed below deck.
Haeryeong led us between storerooms piled with every sort of goods, and we followed her.
After making our way through the winding passages, we reached one of the storerooms.
Everyone's mouths fell open.
“...Why is that person here?”
Footnotes:
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