WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 188: Rewriting the Sichuan Bloodbath (8)
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“What did you just say...?”
The Branch Head looked at me as though filthy water from a manure carrier had splashed onto his new clothes.
Well, I could understand that reaction.
To those loyal to the Martial Alliance, peace and stability in the martial world were values worth protecting even if they had to sell their own underwear.
I had been the same in my previous life.
But hadn't I played the sucker enough in my previous life?
A trace of contempt and disgust appeared on the Branch Head's face, which had maintained a forced smile until now.
Since my true feelings had already slipped out, I looked at him brazenly.
“Of course, I too wish to protect peace and stability in the martial world more than anyone.”
“Then why do your words and actions differ?”
“Of course I'd like to, but isn't it difficult to send a letter to Hero Bang?”
“You can simply use the Branch's martial artists.”
Why was this man so slow on the uptake?
Unless he had won his position as Branch Head through gambling, he should know exactly what I was getting at.
“Hero Bang doesn't particularly like Martial Alliance martial artists. I need to use a very special method to send the letter. That isn't something a few coins can settle.”
“What do you mean...?”
“Ah! Even if I explained it, you probably wouldn't understand. It's a special method used only by the Green Forest.”
By now, the Branch Head seemed to have caught on. His eyes rolled in their sockets.
“...I am disappointed in you. You have such a reputation as a divine prodigy full of chivalry that I believed you were more sincere than anyone about upholding justice.”
He must have hated the thought of simply giving in, because he began attacking me personally.
It was the easiest way to provoke someone when the situation was unfavorable.
So he had not obtained his position through gambling after all.
Still, he was mistaken about one thing.
As someone from the Sojeong Unit, I had no personal dignity left to attack in the first place.
“I am more sincere about upholding justice than anyone as well. Otherwise, why would I have come all the way to Sichuan to save Academy students from the Mount Cang Sect, who had been at odds with me until now?”
“...”
Given what I had accomplished, even the Branch Head could not casually slander me.
His face soon darkened like that of a sucker who had realized he was sitting at a rigged gambling table.
All right, the momentum had tilted back in my favor.
“I also wish to help with the selfless heart of someone who would discard his own life. But sending a letter isn't easy, so what can I do?”
“Huh... You need to send it through a special method?”
“That is right. An extremely special method, so it takes quite a bit of effort.”
“...”
As I put on an expression of helplessness, the Branch Head asked with murderous eyes.
“What do you want?”
Good. He had taken the bait.
I answered calmly.
“Please provide one thousand nyang in gold and hire a carriage for my party.”
“Whaaat?!”
The Branch Head let out a strangled cry.
“One thousand nyang in gold... That is already absurd enough, but setting that aside, why do you need a carriage?”
“I have to make a difficult request of Hero Bang. If my body and mind are unsettled, won't that unease seep into the letter as well?”
“...”
The Branch Head now looked at me openly as though I were a con artist.
How hurtful. We both wanted peace in the martial world.
“...Are you certain you can persuade Bang Duchil?”
“Ask the Hall Master about my relationship with Hero Bang.”
The Tiger Hall Master, who had been watching with his mouth hanging open, finally recovered and spoke gravely.
“...He said he had not originally planned to come to Sichuan. He only stopped here because Jin Sowoon asked him to...”
“...”
Even with the Tiger Hall Master's testimony, the Branch Head did not lose his suspicious expression.
At times like this, there was no need to try to earn someone's trust.
At times like this...
Creak.
Without hesitation, I rose from my seat.
“Why are you suddenly standing?”
“Isn't this matter uncomfortable for you as well, Branch Head? Making a request of Hero Bang is also quite burdensome for me. If this isn't urgent, it would be better for both of us if you found another way.”
All I had to do was make him trust me of his own accord.
“W-wait!”
Like a man trying to buy the last remaining erotic painting, the Branch Head grabbed at my sleeve.
“Will you give me some time? The Branch's funds...”
“Oh, no! How could you say that? Are you telling me to take Martial Alliance money and give it to Green Forest bandits? I absolutely refuse.”
“Th-then...?”
I gave the Branch Head a bright smile.
“Of course, you should empty the personal coffers of the Branch Head who is so sincere about peace and stability in the martial world.”
“...”
“Then I shall be going...”
“Hey! You there! Why are you in such a hurry? Wait a moment! I will check my bank drafts and return at once.”
When the Branch Head hurried into the inner chamber as though his tail were on fire, silence filled the room.
One thousand nyang... What should I do with it? Should I build Jang Dowon's forge on a grand scale?
Would that make the Scarlet Radiance Sword be completed sooner?
As I enjoyed the fragrance of Junshan Silver Needle tea, Gu Jeongryong asked me a question.
“...What are you doing?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know how hard I... no, we worked to conceal that weakness of yours? Yet you're provoking the Branch Head like this!”
From Gu Jeongryong's perspective, it must have looked as though I were repeatedly placing my neck beneath a guillotine blade.
“Hall Master, how many times have you been passed over for promotion to Great Hall Master?”
“What?”
Gu Jeongryong flinched at the sudden question.
“At your age, shouldn't you already be due to become a Great Hall Master? Or are you so attached to Tiger Hall that you don't want to leave it?”
“...”
Gu Jeongryong frowned as though I had struck him where it hurt.
“If that isn't the case, why has the Hall Master of Tiger Hall, Azure Dragon Pavilion's strongest combat organization, been passed over for promotion again and again?”
“Does that have anything to do with what we are discussing?”
Of course it did.
All of this came down to relationships between people.
The reason a Branch Head from Mount Cang was calling me “Young Hero” this and “Young Hero” that while paying me the utmost respect was because the favor he needed from me was important.
If the Sichuan Bloodbath had not happened, the moment he heard I was close to the Green Forest, he would have flown into a rage and thrown me into prison.
Even now, when he needed something from me, it was the same.
Would he really feel grateful to me if I used Bang Duchil to help him?
Once the Sichuan Bloodbath ended, he would gladly grind me up and drink me for the sake of his own promotion.
High positions in the Martial Alliance were trees nourished by the blood and flesh of countless people.
That was why I couldn't simply help him.
Even if I helped, I needed to make sure he had a foot in it as well.
The unreasonable sum of one thousand nyang for a single letter would prevent him from pretending ignorance later.
To the Inspectorate, would I look more suspicious for sending Bang Duchil a letter?
Or would the Branch Head who handed over one thousand nyang for that request look more suspicious?
“...Huh, isn't that going too far? One thousand nyang is not a small sum, no matter how you look at it...”
“Of course it isn't a small sum.”
“It isn't an amount a Branch Head can afford from his monthly salary.”
I tilted my head.
“Monthly salary?”
“Then where would a Mount Cang Sect disciple get that much money?”
Wow, this man was truly innocent.
Did he not know that a capable Branch Head could build a palace-like mansion with fifty rooms during his first year in office?
There was no point explaining such things a hundred times.
“Well... just watch.”
By the time I had drained the last of the Junshan Silver Needle tea, the Branch Head returned in a rush.
His hands were full of crisp bank drafts.
“Fortunately, I happened to have exchanged some bank drafts recently. What a relief. This means there will be no problem with you sending the letter, correct?”
I shrugged at Gu Jeongryong, then answered the Branch Head.
“This may sound strange, but you may as well assume the Green Forest strongholds have already dug tunnels and vanished underground.”
Bang Duchil must have beaten the stronghold leaders senseless. If I sent just one letter, they would not even collect their usual tolls.
“Wh-what! I-is that so? Then there is no need to worry.”
“You can sleep soundly now. Sichuan's problem will resolve itself.”
“What a relief! It is truly fortunate that someone like you exists!”
Even after paying the enormous sum of one thousand nyang in gold, the Branch Head was delighted as though he had hit the jackpot.
Gu Jeongryong looked at him as though he could not understand the man's attitude at all.
He really was an innocent man.
I called to the Branch Head again, who was smiling as brightly as a child.
“Oh, and may I ask a personal favor as well?”
The Branch Head's smile vanished. He looked at me suspiciously.
“You are not about to say that it isn't enough money, are you?”
“Of course not.”
I looked at Gu Jeongryong, who sat silently and awkwardly out of place, and continued.
“Tiger Hall's Hall Master has helped me greatly during this affair in Sichuan. Yet I heard in passing that such an excellent Hall Master has repeatedly failed his promotion reviews.”
Since the situation had already been set up, I should give the Tiger Hall Master a taste of reality. He had helped me a great deal this time too.
“As someone who must someday serve in the Martial Alliance and protect peace and stability in the martial world, I believe this is unacceptable. Is there anything you can do to help, Branch Head?”
“Hmm...”
The Branch Head stroked his chin, then slapped his palm with his fist.
“I see! Such a thing must never happen! Tiger Hall Master, how about I write you a letter of recommendation under my name?”
“Pardon? Ah, th-that would of course...”
“Come now, Branch Head! Why are you being so modest when you are someone who will become a Regional Head in the future?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you not intend to become a Regional Head?”
The Branch Head swallowed hard.
“H-how could I...?”
“When I return, won't I at least meet with the Mantong Office department head?”
“...You may even meet the Grand Strategist.”
“Exactly. Before that person, won't I say that thanks to the Branch Head's contributions in Sichuan, we prevented disaster before it could occur?”
“W-what?”
“I never forget those who understand chivalry and justice.”
The Branch Head's eyes went hazy as though he had been struck by dark arts.
Even if he were caught in some Blood Cult illusion formation right now, he would probably remain more clear-headed than this.
“Please contact the Branch Heads you know well and collect as many letters of recommendation as possible.”
Gu Jeongryong's eyes widened.
The Branch Head nodded repeatedly, apparently finding it plausible.
“Yes! That would surely raise his evaluation score. I will send letters at once and obtain the recommendations.”
The Branch Head now held hope not only of preserving his own neck, but of being promoted to Regional Head.
“I will also send the letter as quickly as possible and ensure that Sichuan's Green Forest strongholds cannot make a move.”
“Things are going smoothly thanks to you.”
“You flatter me. It is all thanks to your earnest desire for peace and stability in the martial world, Branch Head.”
“You really do have a smooth tongue! Hahahahaha!”
“How could I compare to you, Branch Head! Hahahahaha!”
Everyone had become happy, but Gu Jeongryong still seemed unable to adjust to the situation.
That man was going to have a difficult time getting promoted too.
#
The Academy students' return proceeded quickly.
Yet they faced several problems.
The first was how to bring the injured members of each sect back to the Academy.
Although it had been an event hosted by the Elder Council, the elders had returned to the Martial Alliance on their own first, leaving the Academy students stranded. Jin Sowoon was the one who solved the problem.
“The patients in the medical hall? They will be transported in carriages. Those in serious condition need treatment before they can travel.”
“Money? Why would money be necessary? The Branch Head agreed to pay.”
“Ah! The Branch Head and I have already discussed everything, so there is no need to worry.”
Even within the Orthodox Society, everyone competed to rise above the others.
They had expected anyone who was not a Mount Cang Sect disciple to be excluded, but disciples of every sect received equal treatment.
The second problem was the desperate lack of supplies for the journey.
On the way to Sichuan, the Elder Council had freely opened its purses. They had stayed in fine inns and traveled comfortably, as though they were on a leisurely boat ride.
Yet their financial backer had vanished on the road back to Wuhan, and they had no one to guide them either.
Jin Sowoon also relieved the worries of those who had nearly been left high and dry.
“All Academy students will return on horseback. Dark-Leaf Escort Agency has agreed to serve as guides, so there is no need to worry.”
“Of course, we cannot afford to stop at inns. Three meals a day? Naturally, you will receive them. Everyone will be treated fairly, so do not worry.”
“The Branch Head agreed to pay for the horses and the escort agency, so there is no need to worry. No, I told you, the Branch Head and I are close! There is no need to worry! Hahahahaha!”
Thanks to that, the burden of the return journey was noticeably lighter.
Tiger Hall had also been forced to take responsibility for the Academy students after the Elder Council's sudden disappearance, so its burden had been considerable.
Once Jin Sowoon eased it, some of them began joking around again and brought out the liquor they had hidden away.
“...Why has the Chengdu Branch Head suddenly shown us such favor?”
Unable to find an answer no matter how hard he thought, Gam Cheonak asked Gu Jeongryong.
“...”
“Hall Master!”
“H-huh?”
Gu Jeongryong snapped awake and looked around.
He was doing it again.
Ever since they had left Chengdu a few days ago, Gu Jeongryong had been acting strangely.
He often sat blankly on horseback, and even while lifting a spoonful of food, he would suddenly grin like someone who had lost his mind.
His condition was so odd that Gam Cheonak had asked Jin Sowoon whether he had fallen victim to dark arts. Jin Sowoon had only snickered and repeatedly told him it was nothing to worry about.
‘What in the world happened?’
He had been like this ever since the day he went out at the Branch Head's request, so something must have happened then...
“I asked whether you knew why the Chengdu Branch Head was being so excessively generous.”
“Ah... It's nothing. The Chengdu Branch Head owes Jin Sowoon a debt.”
“A debt...?”
A Martial Alliance Branch Head's position was sometimes compared to that of a county magistrate.
The wealth that came simply from sitting in such a position was unimaginable, yet he owed a debt to a mere Academy student?
“He asked Jin Sowoon to pass along a request to the stronghold leaders of Sichuan's Green Forest Seventy-Two Strongholds, asking them to restrain themselves during the Martial Alliance event.”
“...”
“According to Jin Sowoon, depending on how the Blood Cult incident turns out, the Branch Head's neck may end up like this.”
As Gu Jeongryong made a slicing motion across his neck with the side of his hand, Gam Cheonak's face hardened.
“...Jin Sowoon accepted that request?”
“Huh? He did.”
“...We're screwed.”
“...Huh? What is?”
Gam Cheonak lowered his voice.
“Shouldn't we visit the Inspectorate the moment we return?”
“...What are you talking about?”
“Hall Master, get a grip. The other party is the Chengdu Branch Head of the Martial Alliance. Do you think he will simply overlook the fact that Jin Sowoon has ties to the Green Dragon?”
Gam Cheonak glanced around before continuing quietly.
“...Once the affairs in Sichuan are settled, Jin Sowoon will likely be dragged into the Inspectorate.”
Gu Jeongryong's expression crumpled.
Yet Gam Cheonak still did not seem to grasp the mood and continued with a serious face.
“I thought Jin Sowoon would naturally hide it thoroughly... How could he do something so foolish...?”
“...”
“Hall Master, if we don't wish to be implicated, we need to go to the Inspectorate first.”
Whether he understood the urgency of the situation or not, Gu Jeongryong smacked his lips as though chewing bile and stared ahead.
“Hall Master!”
When Gam Cheonak pressed him, Gu Jeongryong finally could not contain himself and shouted.
“You're a complete bastard!”
“...Pardon?”
“Hey, you bastard. You want to go to the Inspectorate over some worthless rumor that he's the ‘leader of Black Dragon Stronghold’? And you think you're qualified to become Tiger Hall's Deputy Hall Master?”
“...”
What was this man talking about now?
Had he not heard it himself?
That Jin Sowoon, the leader of Black Dragon Stronghold, had also taken command over Flower-Strict Stronghold.
Why was he suddenly calling it a rumor?
Besides, Bang Duchil's voice had been so loud that day.
Surely some people in Sichuan had heard it.
Then why was the Hall Master suddenly defending Jin Sowoon?
As Gam Cheonak stood there in confusion, he heard someone clicking their tongue above him.
“Wow... So for your own safety, you don't care about comrades who have shared life and death with you? You'd probably stab me in the back someday too, huh?”
What the hell was he talking about?
Before Gam Cheonak could grasp the situation, Gu Jeongryong sharply turned his head and shouted at the Tiger Hall members.
“Everyone, this guy says he wants to report Jin Sowoon to the Inspectorate.”
The moment his voice rang out, those who had gone with Jin Sowoon to eat the supposed dish “banishing evil and suppressing spirits” rushed at Gam Cheonak.
“You bastard of a Deputy Hall Master, I knew it!”
“That guy has the face of a traitor. Don't form a sword formation with him from now on.”
“No wonder my mother told me not to spend time with that bastard.”
“Let us impeach the Deputy Hall Master and appoint Jin Sowoon as Deputy Hall Master instead!”
“Appoint him! Appoint him!”
Struck by an impeachment crisis out of nowhere, like lightning from a clear sky, Gam Cheonak could not understand what in the world was happening.
Footnotes:
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