WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 187: Rewriting the Sichuan Bloodbath (7)
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After the Mountain King Challenge, everything went smoothly.
First, we requisitioned wagons from the Flower-Strict Stronghold to carry the wounded.
Instead of merely collecting tolls, they had often attacked merchants, so the stronghold was filled with sturdy carriages and wagons.
“You dared attack innocent merchants?”
It was only natural for Bang Duchil to fly into a rage and beat the stronghold leaders up.
The beating stopped only after they blurted out, “We'll only collect tolls from now on!”
We selected experts from the stronghold to serve as escorts and stand night watch on the road from Flower-Strict Stronghold to Chengdu.
The strange party of Martial Arts Academy students, Martial Alliance members, and bandits traveled together for several days before finally reaching Chengdu.
Then Bang Duchil's group, who had accompanied us all the way, said their farewells.
Whatever the circumstances, I was grateful that he had come running at my call without asking for anything in return.
“Where do you plan to go now?”
“For now, I intend to travel around Sichuan.”
“At this time, I'd recommend visiting Guizhou Province instead of Sichuan.”
“Why?”
Because a great war would soon break out in Sichuan.
Of course, I couldn't tell him that.
“Sichuan will become unsettled for a while. I don't think you'll be able to travel comfortably here.”
“Hmm... Is that so?”
Judging by his expression, he seemed more inclined to remain in chaotic Sichuan.
It looked as though he had already noticed, at least vaguely, what was happening.
As expected, Baek Soryeong stepped in first to settle things.
“Dear, do as Young Master Jin says. When have you ever lost out by listening to him?”
“Should I? I was planning to visit other strongholds on the way back anyway, so moving a little faster wouldn't be a bad idea.”
He said it lightly, but it wasn't hard to imagine him visiting every one of the Green Forest Seventy-Two Strongholds and issuing a Mountain King Challenge.
‘Has the path of the Fighting King already begun?’
His conquest of Jiangnan had begun far later in my previous life. This was a truly dramatic change.
“Jiangnan will soon lie beneath your feet, Brother.”
Bang Duchil's lips twitched.
“Will it?”
But north of the Yangtze wouldn't be nearly as easy.
Most of the true experts among the Green Forest Seventy-Two Strongholds were gathered there.
Even so, he would probably unite them several years faster than he had in my previous life.
Thinking that far made me realize just how surprising this was.
We had been somewhat acquainted even in my previous life, but not enough for him to move at the mere arrival of a letter.
I had prevented Bang Duchil from suffering an injury to his dantian, but I couldn't clearly tell whether that had truly been for his sake or mine.
Even so, Bang Duchil showed me boundless trust, and that pure, profound faith weighed on my heart.
“Just listen to your wife, and there won't be much hardship on your path, Brother.”
“Ahem, ahem!”
I offered that advice sincerely.
The rough-looking Bang Duchil flushed red and cleared his throat, while Baek Soryeong covered her lips and giggled.
It was a scene I had dearly missed, and I was glad to see it again.
“Take care of yourself too, little brother. From what I've heard, neither what you've gone through nor what lies ahead seems likely to be smooth.”
“...”
Bang Duchil's face turned serious.
“People like you and me stand out wherever we go. Being rejected for it is only natural. Even if we hide and conceal it, we won't blend in easily. A hawk looks far too different among ducks.”
Bang Duchil continued with words unusually full of insight.
Then his eyes gleamed, and he grinned.
“But why should we become ducks? We can rule as hawks, or become predators. That's all there is to it.”
Had there ever been a time when he, too, had wanted to belong among the ducks?
As I thought he must have lived through difficult times, Bang Duchil stared straight at me.
“So don't curse your talons and sharp beak. Each of us has a place where we belong.”
“...”
He was suddenly saying this because he had seen me among the Academy students over the past few days.
Even to him, I must have seemed terribly unsuited to the Martial Arts Academy.
“Thank you, Brother.”
I spoke sincerely.
His advice left a deep mark on my heart.
We had become sworn brothers almost by accident, but I hadn't expected to find such dependable thoughtfulness in him as an older brother.
He gripped both my shoulders with his large hands.
“So come back to Black Dragon Stronghold anytime. Flower-Strict Stronghold is under your command now too, isn't it? You have two strongholds to lead.”
“Ah...”
Was that what all the talk about ducks had been leading to?
Damn it.
The feeling of dependability and thoughtfulness crumbled away.
“Listen well. Once I've conquered all of Jiangnan, I'll head north of the Yangtze! Then we'll stand together as the Twin Dragons, and...”
“Dear! Let's go!”
Perhaps Baek Soryeong sensed that my expression had turned dangerous, because she began dragging Bang Duchil away.
Even as she pulled him along, Bang Duchil didn't stop talking.
“If that happens, you'll rule north of the Yangtze and I'll rule Jiangnan! The two of us will have the whole world beneath our feet! Mmph!”
In the end, Baek Soryeong even covered his mouth.
How was I supposed to change that damned Black Dragon Stronghold name?
I pressed firmly against my throbbing temples.
#
The moment we arrived at the Martial Alliance's Chengdu Branch, Elder Suheo and Elder Sangwon were the first to leave the group.
As soon as they finished meeting privately with the Chengdu Branch Head, they requisitioned the branch's carriages, loaded the other elders inside, and departed at once.
Even the disciples looked dumbfounded as they watched the elders leave without saying goodbye.
We entrusted all the wounded to the branch's medical hall, while the Academy students were assigned rooms at the branch and packed in three or four to a room.
At the moment, neither inns nor lodging mattered. We only needed to recover from the exhaustion of the long journey.
I had intended to wash immediately, but someone came looking for me.
“The Chengdu Branch Head wishes to see me?”
“Yes. He asked to see you at once.”
“...”
The Elder Council was effectively responsible for this operation, followed by the Tiger Hall Master.
Why would someone as important as a Martial Alliance Branch Head need to meet the Academy Representative?
“Black Dragon Stronghold is a misunderstanding...”
If I had to guess, this summons was likely because of the enormous snowball called Black Dragon Stronghold, created by Bang Duchil's foolish wish and Baek Soryeong's teasing.
All the Academy students had learned that I took part in the Mountain King Challenge. Someone must have reported it.
‘Damn them. I only stepped in to save their hides.’
Wouldn't we have suffered considerable losses if I hadn't taken part in the Mountain King Challenge?
I had only done my best...
“Please come with me.”
I looked steadily at the servant urging me along.
“Do I really have to?”
“Pardon?”
Their expression asked why I would question something so obvious.
Right. Of course.
It would be stranger not to go after coming all this way.
Still, I didn't want to.
Even in my previous life, I had no good memories of dealing with the heads of the Martial Alliance's regional branches.
They were all arrogant, self-righteous, selfish people.
At least as an Academy student, I received summonses and orders. During my days in the Sojeong Unit, they hadn't even treated me like a person.
I had risen so far that it made my head spin compared to my previous life, but my old sense of defeat still remained.
“Please come. The Chengdu Branch Head has been waiting for some time.”
In the end, I began walking with heavy steps.
When I reached the Chengdu Branch Head's office, someone else was already there.
“Tiger Hall Master.”
I greeted him, but he only gave a brief nod without any other reaction.
Was he keeping his distance now because I was the Stronghold Leader of Black Dragon Stronghold?
I hadn't thought he was that kind of person...
It was a natural reaction, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disappointed.
‘And I was even planning to buy the Tiger Hall members items for banishing evil and suppressing spirits.’
As I raised my hands in a fist-and-palm salute toward the Chengdu Branch Head, he abruptly rose from his seat.
“Young Hero Jin, thank you for coming despite your exhaustion.”
“...”
His first words were deeply strange.
‘Young Hero?’
A Martial Alliance Branch Head held a position treated as equivalent to a Pavilion Master within the Alliance.
He ruled his region while also serving as the Martial Alliance's voice.
It was a high position that represented the Martial Alliance in each region.
That wasn't a position someone of ordinary birth could rise to.
Even Chengdu's Branch Head was an elite from Mount Cang Sect, from a graduating class so much older than mine that he might as well have belonged to another generation.
Tang Hyeokje, the former Yueyang Branch Head, had been unusual. Most Branch Heads didn't even consider Academy students full-fledged martial artists.
“What tea do you prefer? I have Dragon Well tea and Junshan Silver Needle...”
He was even letting me choose the tea?
What was going on?
“I think Junshan Silver Needle suits my taste.”
“Ah, ah... I see?”
What was that?
For a moment, he looked as though he regretted offering it.
If it was that precious, why mention it?
“It was worth saving enough for exactly one serving.”
The Chengdu Branch Head seemed to be trying desperately to win over a creditor.
‘What is happening here?’
Before coming here, I had expected to be dragged off to prison and interrogated about my relationship with Bang Duchil, or questioned over whether I was an agent of Black Dragon Stronghold.
“The tea has an excellent fragrance.”
“I'm relieved it suits your taste, Young Hero.”
“Why did you wish to see me?”
He had gone out of his way to humble himself first, so there was no reason for me to do the same.
I straightened my hunched shoulders.
Crack. Crack.
The joints throughout my body popped.
The Chengdu Branch Head smiled at me as if he had met a benefactor beyond compare.
“I can't express how grateful I am that you prevented the Orthodox Society's losses from becoming much worse.”
“I only did what I was supposed to do.”
“To think that you consider sacrificing for others a matter of course... The future of the martial world is very bright.”
A Branch Head was practically half politician.
The Chengdu Branch Head's tongue rolled smoothly in his mouth as if it had been coated in oil.
Having never received flattery like this in either my previous life or this one, I found it more unsettling than pleasant.
No matter what, the Chengdu Branch Head's attitude was clearly strange.
‘Did Daoist Myeonghyeon leave without saying anything?’
I had thought Daoist Myeonghyeon, who bore a grudge against me, would poison this junior from his sect against me before leaving the branch. Why was this supposed junior bending over backward to please me?
“This incident has also greatly unsettled the Chengdu Branch in Sichuan. That's why I can't express how grateful we are for your help.”
“...”
The Chengdu Branch Head was speaking as if I were his superior.
When I remained silent with a stiff expression, he finally seemed to notice something strange, cleared his throat, and tried to get to the point.
“I heard that you have a good relationship with Stronghold Leader Bang Duchil, the Green Dragon of Zhejiang.”
Hmm... From the Chengdu Branch Head's perspective, it was more than simply a good relationship.
He asked in a subtle tone.
“Perhaps your chivalrous spirit moved even the heart of a mere bandit like Stronghold Leader Bang Duchil?”
“...What are you trying to say?”
It was too frustrating, so I asked directly.
The Chengdu Branch Head's lips moved repeatedly.
“May I ask how close you are to Stronghold Leader Bang Duchil?”
My gaze turned toward the Tiger Hall Master.
Even without asking through sound transmission, he seemed to understand what my look meant. He gave a small shake of his head.
‘Setting aside the Tiger Hall Master, Daoist Myeonghyeon and the Mount Cang Sect Academy students hadn't said anything either?’
From the atmosphere, it seemed the Chengdu Branch Head didn't know that Bang Duchil and I were sworn brothers.
Naturally, he also appeared unaware that I was the Stronghold Leader of Black Dragon Stronghold.
Those bastards had more loyalty than I thought.
I felt strangely touched.
“Forgive me for asking something so personal. But the survival of the Chengdu Branch in Sichuan now rests with you, Young Hero.”
So, it seemed the Chengdu Branch Head wanted to ask Bang Duchil for something through me.
I placed one foot over my opposite knee.
My legs hurt after sitting tensely for so long.
Then I stretched as well.
The Chengdu Branch Head's eyebrows seemed to twitch, but...
It was hard to speak when my body was stiff.
I lightly cleared my throat.
“Ahem. It's a delicate matter for a promising junior of the White Path to say, but... you may consider us almost sworn brothers.”
“Oh! Is that so?!”
The Chengdu Branch Head's eyes widened.
Gu Jeongryong, who had been glancing at me, also opened his eyes in surprise.
“I heard that Stronghold Leader Bang Duchil brought the Green Forest strongholds beneath his feet through the Mountain King Challenge. Would it be possible to ask him for help?”
Now I roughly understood.
The Orthodox Society had come to Sichuan and suffered losses in the Blood Cult's attack. As soon as the Blood Cult's identity was revealed, the Martial Alliance would dispatch a large number of martial artists, and a war against the Blood Cult would begin in Sichuan.
Why did the Chengdu Branch Head want Bang Duchil, then?
“This is for the peace and stability of the martial world.”
That was how he dressed it up, but he was probably afraid that the Green Forest strongholds wouldn't stand idly by while the Martial Alliance's massive force marched through Sichuan.
The Chengdu Branch Head was already in danger of losing his position because he hadn't known that the Blood Cult had established itself near Sichuan. If he couldn't control the Green Forest strongholds and the Black Path as well, his head would truly roll.
Mount Cang Sect had also suffered heavy losses. If he returned to the sect headquarters like this, the sect would surely find some excuse to punish him.
‘Peace and stability, my ass. What a crafty bastard.’
Listening to his hypocritical words made the back of my neck stiffen.
I turned my head from side to side, loosening my neck.
The Chengdu Branch Head pleaded with a servile expression.
“...It is truly important.”
With his neck hanging in the balance, it was only natural for him to call even a much younger junior “Young Hero.”
To be honest, I had already planned to make the Green Forest strongholds restrain themselves, regardless of his shameless behavior.
If they barged in at this point, the Green Forest strongholds would be left with nothing.
For the sake of a complete Green Forest Alliance in the future, I had planned to tell them to keep their heads down.
‘That doesn't mean I'll help for free.’
Even that bastard was looking after his own safety under the banner of peace in the martial world. There was no reason for me to play the fool.
Still, I couldn't reveal my true thoughts outright.
‘If it's for the peace and stability of the martial world, then of course I should help.’
That would be a good way to begin.
I composed myself as the Academy Representative and a promising junior of the orthodox factions.
Then I spoke the words I had prepared.
“How much are you prepared to pay?”
The Chengdu Branch Head and Gu Jeongryong both stared with their mouths open.
“...?!”
“...?!”
What was with this silence?
Confused by the strange atmosphere, I looked from one face to the other.
‘Huh? What? Ah!’
Then I realized that my thoughts and my spoken words had switched places.
“Haha, my mistake...”
Had playing the Stronghold Leader of Black Dragon Stronghold once made me as intelligent as Bang Duchil?
Footnotes:
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