WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Chen

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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈

Chapter 151: The Black Flame Dragon Amid the Chaos

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Namgung Seonhwa squeezed her eyes shut, opened them again, then blinked several times.

"Isn't that man... the leader of the Yuwol Sect?"

A middle-aged man with his hands and feet bound behind him, a gag in his mouth.

He looked at me expectantly, so I turned my gaze to Haeryeong.

"When Young Master Jin attacked the estate, we headed for the Yuwol Sect."

"Huh..."

Seong Moran's mouth fell open.

"I thought the Mount Cang Sect had attacked the Yuwol Sect first..."

The Yuwol Sect had served the same purpose as Mount Cang Sect's warehouse in Yueyang.

The Black Path knew that too, which was why they had tried to move as quickly as possible.

It was the perfect opportunity to seize the vast wealth Mount Cang Sect had accumulated in Yueyang.

Of course, Mount Cang Sect would not simply stand by and watch.

Before the Black Path could take it, they would naturally reclaim what was theirs, even if it meant dirtying their hands.

That was why Mount Cang Sect had cut ties with the Yuwol Sect ahead of everyone else and attacked them.

But...

"They were one step too late."

Why would we pass up such a fine opportunity?

Besides, even if Mount Cang Sect had lost wealth that was practically theirs, they could not complain to anyone.

The moment they did, word of their secret deal with the Yuwol Sect would spread.

That was why I had not been upset at all when Seong Moran asked whether I was angry.

'By now, they must be so sick over their lost fortune that their heads are spinning.'

As I struggled to suppress a smug smile, Seong Moran glared at me.

"So you caused all that chaos on purpose to draw attention away?"

"Well... there were several reasons."

"I nearly died!"

"That is why you are enjoying a banquet aboard a ship now, isn't it?"

"Don't think you can wipe your hands clean with this!"

I had not intended to do that anyway.

I looked at Haeryeong.

She took two IOUs from her sleeve and handed one each to Namgung Seonhwa and Seong Moran.

"What's this?"

"Your shares."

"Pardon?"

The two hurriedly unfolded the IOUs, then their expressions froze.

"T-two thousand nyang in gold?"

"This is our share?"

Even Namgung Seonhwa could not hide her shock at the amount written on hers.

I nodded as the two women looked to me for an explanation.

"As you said, Miss Seong risked her life, while Miss Namgung even put her name on the line. Of course, there should be compensation for that."

"Wow... you're really generous. I've never held this much money before."

"If I ever leave the Namgung Clan, could I join the Taeul Sect?"

Wow, that was a serious look. Was she sincere?

While the two women stared at the IOUs bearing a fortune they had never possessed before, Eunho and Hong Saryeon had their lips sticking out a mile.

"What's wrong with you two?"

"What do you mean?"

"Why are your lips sticking out a mile?"

"My mouth is naturally shaped a bit like a fish's."

I snorted at Eunho's sarcastic answer.

"With that attitude, I suppose you do not need these."

"Pardon?"

I took out four pellets and a money pouch from my robes.

A strange medicinal scent began to fill the room.

"What's that, Senior Brother?"

"Pocket money and Danwol Pills. Mount Cang Sect likely gave them to the Yuwol Sect. I was going to give them to you, but with that attitude..."

"Senior Brother! I have never once questioned any of your decisions."

"Me neither!"

"...I, I haven't either."

Only after seeing even Eunho awkwardly cling to me did I hand over the wooden box and money pouch.

The four of them immediately headed outside the warehouse to absorb their spiritual medicines.

I watched them leave before turning toward the Yuwol Sect Leader.

The sect leader had watched the entire affair with eyes so wide they looked ready to pop out.

I approached and removed the gag.

"Do you feel wronged?"

The Yuwol Sect Leader ground his teeth. "Do you think you'll get away with this? You may not know it, but all that wealth belongs to Mount Cang Sect. Mount Cang Sect will never leave you alone."

I looked at Haeryeong.

"You haven't told him yet?"

"No."

I explained it to the Yuwol Sect Leader.

"You seem to be mistaken. We're protecting you and your family right now."

"What nonsense..."

"Mount Cang Sect is searching all over Yueyang to silence you permanently."

"What?"

"The people who killed the most Yuwol Sect martial artists were none other than Mount Cang Sect."

"..."

The Yuwol Sect Leader stared at me as though he could not believe it.

But what could he do? The truth was the truth.

#

Haeryeong and I moved elsewhere.

"The Sect Leader asked me to pass along her regards, Young Master."

"Is she doing well?"

"Yes. She says the Hao Sect is about to spread its wings, and she has been more active than ever."

"That's good to hear."

"It's all thanks to you, Young Master."

Feeling a little awkward, I drank some tea. Haeryeong smiled, then took ten IOUs from her sleeve.

"This is the amount obtained by immediately liquidating the gold, silver, treasures, and IOUs stored within the Yuwol Sect."

"..."

Ten IOUs worth ten thousand nyang each.

"It brought in this much?"

The figure was so far beyond my expectations that it nearly made my head spin.

"Yueyang is Hunan Province's foremost commercial city and one of Jiangnan's most famous tourist destinations. Considering that Mount Cang Sect had been gathering funds to establish a branch in Yueyang, this amount is actually low."

"Low?"

"We were not able to dispose of tangible assets like the inns and restaurants owned by the Yuwol Sect. If we touched those, it would leave a trail."

"That makes sense."

They might discover it someday, but it was not urgent. Even if Mount Cang Sect found out, there was little they could do, so there was no need to worry about it.

I handed two of the ten IOUs back to Haeryeong.

"...?"

Haeryeong looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"Those are the fees. At some point, the Hao Sect began waiving their fees."

"Ah... that is only because you are a guest retainer..."

"I have never heard of guest retainers receiving that much consideration."

"..."

It was likely consideration from Haeryeong, Yang Gunbaek, and the others, which was why no fees had been deducted.

Still, a business arrangement that depended on such consideration was bound to cause problems someday.

"Take what you're owed and produce the best results possible. That's what I want."

Haeryeong studied my face for a while before letting out a long sigh.

"...I truly cannot get the better of you, Young Master. Are you really sure?"

"Without the Hao Sect's help in this matter, it would have taken longer. Besides, people should be paid for their work."

"Then I'll accept it gratefully."

Haeryeong carefully folded the two IOUs and tucked them into her robes.

"Having received such a gift from you, my own gift will seem rather shabby."

"Hm?"

At Haeryeong's gesture, a maid approached carrying a wooden tray.

On it lay a dried, shriveled herb root with nine stalks and a book that looked as though it would crumble to dust at the slightest touch.

It did not look much like a gift...

"What are these?"

"They came from the Yuwol Sect Leader's secret vault."

"A secret vault?"

There had already been an enormous amount of stolen wealth in the warehouse. What could have been hidden in a secret vault?

"Have you heard of the Nine-Spirit Divine Herb?"

"..."

The moment I heard the name, my gaze shifted to the shriveled root.

"Th-this is the Nine-Spirit Divine Herb?"

A miraculous spiritual medicine said to contain all the world's spiritual veins within its nine stalks.

Its medicinal potency was so powerful that even masters with considerable internal energy could have their organs melt if they consumed it incorrectly.

"It seems the Yuwol Sect Leader knew he could not absorb it and intended to offer it up."

"..."

Even as I wondered how greatly my internal energy would rise if I consumed that spiritual medicine, Haeryeong continued.

"The other is the Blood Jade Hand."

"..."

My gaze, which had been captivated by the Nine-Spirit Divine Herb, snapped back to Haeryeong.

"The Blood Jade Hand... Is it the Blood Jade Hand I know?"

Haeryeong nodded instead of answering.

The Blood Jade Hand was one of the Ten Great Forbidden Arts designated by the Martial Alliance.

"It seems he had kept invoking the Demonic Cult because he possessed this."

Everything made sense as I listened.

No matter what he did or what suspicions it drew, he must have believed he could overturn every accusation at once by planting the Blood Jade Hand on the other party in the end.

"If it had not been for you, Young Master Jin, everything would likely have gone according to Mount Cang Sect and the Yuwol Sect's wishes."

"...That's fortunate."

Even as I spoke, I could not help the rough taste lingering in my mouth.

For someone who had once risked his life for justice, it was not pleasant to see that the desires of those at the forefront of the Martial Alliance, shouting about sweeping away demons and eliminating evil, had strayed from the righteous path.

"This is a small gift from me."

As Haeryeong pushed the tray toward me, I asked, "If it was a secret vault, you did not need to tell me about it."

Even as a guest retainer, the Hao Sect had no obligation to reveal everything to me.

"Of course, there were also ledgers recording the high officials and powerful figures the Yuwol Sect had bribed. We thought those would be more useful to us, so we kept them separately."

"No, what I meant was..."

"Young Master."

Haeryeong spoke firmly.

"We are information brokers who buy and sell information, but we are also an organization that analyzes it. According to our analysis, this is the moment when your value is at its lowest."

"..."

"We consider you far more important than you seem to think."

Haeryeong's eyes were filled with firm conviction.

Caught off guard by her words, I could only swallow.

"So if you feel burdened by it, think of it as the cost of being friends."

A smile naturally spread across my lips.

"Did you hear that from Yang Gunbaek?"

"I gave him a thorough scolding. I asked him if that was all it took to make a friend."

"Then I'll accept it gratefully."

I carefully stored the Nine-Spirit Divine Herb and the Blood Jade Hand inside my robes.

Haeryeong watched me like a mother watching her child eat.

Feeling oddly awkward, I quickly changed the subject.

"Who do you think will become the master of Yueyang from now on?"

Yueyang's seat of power was vacant.

The fierce clash between the Black Path and White Path martial worlds was ultimately a battle over who would claim Yueyang.

"I believe the Black Path martial world, including the Black Blood Sect and Black Talisman Palace, will likely rule Yueyang."

"Hm..."

So she thought so too.

The White Path sects led by Mount Cang Sect had lost their credibility in this incident.

For a while, Mount Cang Sect's influence over the sects that had followed it would surely weaken as well.

Unable to unite while watching one another's moves, they would no longer be able to boast the same prosperity as before.

And if someone from the White Path, including Mount Cang Sect, wanted to reclaim Yueyang, they would have to pay an enormous price in blood again.

"Can the Hao Sect exploit the opening?"

"Pardon?"

For once, Haeryeong's eyes widened like a rabbit's as she blinked.

Her expression said she could not believe what she had heard.

"The Black Path will want a share, and Mount Cang Sect will struggle not to lose its footing. Can't the Hao Sect slip into the gap between them?"

"...As you know, Young Master, we cannot reveal ourselves openly."

"Then reach out in secret."

"..."

She looked as though she did not understand at all.

Since we had such a good relationship, perhaps I should give her a gift.

"What about becoming the Yueyang Branch Head?"

"What?"

"The current Yueyang Branch Head will likely be reassigned soon. By custom, the person recommended by the former branch head often takes the position."

"That's... true. But I have not heard that the Yueyang Branch Head is being reassigned. Do you know where someone of that standing would be going?"

"The Yueyang Branch Head will come to the Taeul Sect as a dispatched craftsman."

"What?!"

Haeryeong, who had never once lost her refined composure until now, gaped at me and could not take her eyes off me.

'Was that really so surprising?'

Haeryeong's reaction stung a little.

Footnotes:

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