WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 207: Musical Chairs (6)
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“Just as expected, is the Blood Cult still the Blood Cult?”
Jegal Somyeong let out a quiet sigh while reading the damage report from Sichuan.
The losses had not reached the level predicted before the deployment, but the damage was still considerable.
Worse, after the Blood Cult stopped lingering and resumed its eastward advance, the numbers had begun rising exponentially.
The Poison King of the Tang Clan personally led the Poisoner Corps into battle, while Qingcheng Sect’s sect leader entered the fight with elite warriors. Still, the Iron Zombies were being used too strategically for them to claim an overwhelming victory.
“At least the illusion-related losses are relatively low. That is fortunate.”
Jegal Somyeong nodded at Maeng Juwon’s words.
If they had not learned the Blood Cult’s true nature in advance.
If they had not discovered that those bastards yet to be dispatched to Sichuan had already sold off the Spirit-Sealing Orbs.
If they had not received word that Hyeongsan Sect’s Demon-Subduing Talismans helped overcome the Blood Cult’s illusion arts.
They would have suffered losses far beyond the pre-deployment estimates.
‘Just thinking about it makes my head spin. That brat Jin Sowoon...’
How much did he know, and how far ahead could he see?
A smile rose to Jegal Somyeong’s lips as they recalled Jin Sowoon’s ever-composed expression.
“It is fortunate, if nothing else.”
If the Blood Cult’s campaign ended like this, the Martial Alliance’s strength would remain intact.
No, perhaps it would grow stronger, like black iron mixed with scrap metal being reforged.
Once the impurities were removed, its density would become even greater.
Maeng Juwon had been restlessly fidgeting for some time.
“Shouldn’t we reward him somehow after he’s done something this remarkable?”
As Jegal Somyeong’s gaze turned toward them, Maeng Juwon emphasized every syllable.
“For example, granting him preliminary acceptance into the Mantong Office.”
“...”
Jin Sowoon had certainly made an enormous contribution during the Sichuan bloodshed.
The problem was that he had committed an equally serious offense afterward.
Ak Jupyeong’s joints had apparently bent in directions they were never meant to move.
After hearing the full story, Jegal Somyeong could understand why he had done it. Still, why did that brat always act without considering the consequences?
According to the report submitted by the Academy Head, the Shandong Ak Clan had already tried to punish Jin Sowoon privately by dragging him to the Inspectorate.
‘Those Ak Clan idiots have some nerve acting like the victims. Stupid bastards.’
Of course, Jegal Somyeong had summoned the Inspectorate’s Pavilion Master to the Mantong Office and thoroughly grilled them over the matter. Still, Jin Sowoon had nearly been branded a Black Path spy without Jegal Somyeong even knowing.
‘My head hurts...’
Since becoming the Grand Strategist, had they ever been this troubled over a single Academy student?
Even so, they had no intention of giving up on him.
“Besides, Jin Sowoon saved the Academy students in Sichuan and stopped the Blood Cult.”
That was exactly why.
Even the Martial Alliance’s elite forces were struggling in Sichuan.
Yet Jin Sowoon had entered Sichuan with only a handful of people, gathered every Academy student he could find, and brought them all back safely.
In the process, he found a way to defend against the Blood Cult’s illusion arts, faced Iron Zombies, and even cut off the Young Cult Leader’s head, stopping the Blood Cult’s eastward advance.
It was hard to believe, but Jin Sowoon had accomplished all of it.
His actions made it seem as though he were operating in an entirely different world.
Even among the Martial Alliance’s elite warriors, some wondered whether the reports of Jin Sowoon’s accomplishments had been exaggerated.
They likely never imagined they would struggle on a battlefield where a single Academy student had run wild.
While Jegal Somyeong remained deep in thought, a rhythmic shout began ringing out beside them.
“Preliminary acceptance letter! Preliminary acceptance letter! Preliminary acceptance letter!”
Watching Maeng Juwon repeatedly chant about acceptance letters as if protesting beside them, Jegal Jeonggi felt the urge to chop them across the throat.
“Stop talking nonsense!”
Did preliminary acceptance letters even exist in the first place?
If something like that were issued, every hall and department in the Alliance would start handing them out to Academy students they liked, trying to claim them first.
Maeng Juwon, one of the Mantong Office’s finest talents, could not possibly be unaware of that.
“...But if we do nothing, someone else may take Jin Sowoon from us.”
“What? What are you talking about? Alliance Leader’s Hall promised not to interfere.”
Maeng Juwon shook their head.
“It is not just Alliance Leader’s Hall. The Sichuan report was circulated throughout the entire Alliance. Every combat pavilion and hall that saw it has started taking an interest in Jin Sowoon.”
“...”
Maeng Juwon paused. For the briefest instant, killing intent flashed in their eyes.
“If we sit back and do nothing, someone may take him.”
They had forgotten. That bastard was crazy too...
“It is impossible, no matter what! Besides, if he has any sense, he will crawl into the Mantong Office on his own.”
“...Someone might really take him...”
The dejected Maeng Juwon presented another report.
Jegal Somyeong tilted their head as they read it.
“The Jegal Clan visited the Academy?”
“Yes. They have arrived for the event being prepared by the White Path Society.”
“...What an idiot.”
“Yes?”
Jegal Somyeong shook their head as though it were nothing, and Maeng Juwon cautiously spoke again.
“Should we... stop them from entering?”
“The White Path Society wants to spend its own money to demonstrate an arcane formation. Who would stop them?”
“But Jin Sowoon may lose this time. If he falls from his position as representative, he will be expelled from the Academy.”
It was true that the entire martial world was buzzing with anticipation for the Dualities Eight Trigrams Myriad Manifestations Formation.
This might truly be a dangerous situation for Jin Sowoon.
Jegal Somyeong had personally seen how extraordinary the new formation developed by the Jegal Clan was.
But...
“...Forget it. Let them in.”
Even so, they were not particularly worried.
They could not imagine Jin Sowoon falling to something on that level.
Yet Maeng Juwon still anxiously stamped their feet.
“B-but if he gets expelled from the Academy...”
“Wouldn’t that be even better for you? You could recruit him specially and bring him to the Mantong Office.”
“Ah... You are right.”
Maeng Juwon smiled foolishly and scratched the back of their head.
It was impossible to understand why such a clever person became so stupid whenever Jin Sowoon was involved.
#
The Dualities Eight Trigrams Myriad Manifestations Formation.
This wildly grandiose arcane formation was certainly superior to the Seven Stars Seven Locks Formation.
Immediately after the Orthodox-Demonic War began, sects that had installed the Seven Stars Seven Locks Formation could not avoid destruction. In contrast, half the sects that installed the Dualities Eight Trigrams Myriad Manifestations Formation survived.
Of course, once the Orthodox-Demonic War reached its middle stages, even the Dualities Eight Trigrams Myriad Manifestations Formation was eventually conquered by the Demonic Cult’s Demon Brain.
Still, the formation had not been widely distributed in my previous life.
The cost of dismantling the Seven Stars Seven Locks Formation and installing the Dualities Eight Trigrams Myriad Manifestations Formation had played a part.
More than that, though, the Jegal Clan had realized that unveiling a new arcane formation secured them a source of income. They began releasing improved versions every year, leaving sects that wanted the Dualities Eight Trigrams Myriad Manifestations Formation waiting endlessly for the final version.
‘The Jegal Clan of my previous life was full of smart little bastards. Will they be different in this life?’
I did not know how well they would live up to my expectations and become a clan that truly benefited the martial world, but I could not deny that the Dualities Eight Trigrams Myriad Manifestations Formation was an excellent arcane formation.
That was why Jegal Jeonggi had arranged for the Martial Arts Academy to host its unveiling, his secret weapon for securing the White Path Society’s position.
I had also made an improved version of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation that could be installed easily for situations like this. Still, thanks to the useful item I had acquired, I no longer needed to go through the trouble of setting up the complicated Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation.
“Buddha damn it... Buddha damn it... Buddha damn it...”
Nam Hwaseong kept cursing as though he were calling upon some Buddha.
It was not as though he had been the only one digging.
“Can we really compete with the White Path Society using this?”
“Of course we can.”
Even after my answer, the crease between his brows did not ease.
“...Even ten-year-olds can pass through the Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation.”
“Oh? Then you’re worse than a ten-year-old.”
“Damn it!”
Covered head to toe in clumps of dirt, Nam Hwaseong strode toward me.
“What will you do if I pass through it?”
“If you pass through it?”
“Yes! If I pass through it!”
His eyes suddenly gleamed.
“...Don’t ever call me a spy again!”
“Hmm... Fine.”
For some reason, Nam Hwaseong puffed out his chest with confidence and burst into laughter.
“Then start it now! I’ll show you how I shatter the Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation in an instant!”
Nam Hwaseong stood before the Living Gate, looking more confident than ever.
I stood before the stone cairn erected at the center of the Nine Palaces Formation.
It was the formation’s central axis, the pillar supporting the Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation.
The formation deceived people with illusion arts, but if someone located this pillar through its energy and destroyed the pillar, they could break the formation.
‘If I add... this to it...’
I took out the Illusion Token I had seized from the Blood Cult’s Young Cult Leader and slipped it onto my finger.
It was a strange divine artifact that turned even an ordinary arcane formation into a Blood Cult illusion formation.
This event was also an opportunity for me to test just how effective this artifact was against Academy students, the rising elites of the martial world.
‘Everyone is focused on the Dualities Eight Trigrams Myriad Manifestations Formation, so they’ll pay less attention to how I made this illusion formation. Heh heh.’
I recited the formula for the Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation and poured my energy into the Illusion Token.
-Kyaaaaaaah!
-Keuaaaaaaah!
-Kyah kyah kyah kyah kyah!
The Illusion Token was no ordinary item. The moment it absorbed my energy, countless screams began raging through my mind.
I suppressed the chaotic thoughts clouding my head and poured the energy gathered in the Illusion Token into the Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation.
Rumble.
With a rattling sound, the stone cairn partially collapsed, and several rocks tumbled down.
At the same time, red mist began creeping from the cairn, spreading in every direction.
The red mist did not leave the area occupied by the Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation, but it began pooling there like a lake.
The red mist that had sloshed around my ankles soon rose to my thighs, then filled the entire Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation.
The sudden change made the confident Nam Hwaseong begin backing away.
“W-what is this...?”
Once the red mist filled the area, the Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation vanished without a trace.
The pillars and stone cairns that should have stood before us disappeared, and the training ground had returned to how it looked before we began digging.
Confusion filled Nam Hwaseong’s face as he stared at the lone Living Gate left before him.
I gestured at him with my chin.
“What are you waiting for? Get in.”
“I-is this really the Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation?”
“You made it yourself. What, scared?”
“D-damn it!”
Provoked by my words, Nam Hwaseong gritted his teeth and took a step forward.
The moment he did, he was sucked straight into the Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation.
Soon after...
“Ugh!”
“Keuk!”
“W-why is there a damned monster here?!”
“S-save me!”
“Argh!”
“Jin Sowoon, you bastard!”
“Gweeek!”
His colorful cries began echoing from within.
“Hmm, it’s working properly.”
Nam Hwaseong, who looked as though he would destroy the formation’s pillar at once, showed no sign of emerging even after quite some time had passed.
After roughly two gak, about half an hour, I lightly kicked one of the pillars forming the Eight Gates and broke the Nine Palaces Bewildering Formation.
Then...
“Argh!”
Nam Hwaseong appeared, drooling from the corner of his mouth as he flailed around pathetically.
I kicked him once.
“Get a hold of yourself.”
“Huff! Huff! Huff! D-damn it...!”
He panted heavily and stared at me with a dazed expression.
“T-this is Blood Cult dark arts, isn’t it? What in the world happened?”
I answered him with a satisfied smile.
“What do you think? This should get everyone interested, right?”
“...”
Nam Hwaseong clamped his mouth shut, unwilling to admit it.
“Answer me, spy!”
“D-damn it!”
In the end, he answered with a curse and accepted that his life as a spy had been extended.
#
News of the battle against the Blood Cult in Sichuan had not yet spread through the martial world.
Information was being handled in strict secrecy, and everyone was extremely wary of operations being leaked.
Even so, those with real influence naturally found out what was happening in Sichuan.
“Tch.”
Jegal Jeonggi of the White Path Society was one of them.
He deeply furrowed his brow in displeasure.
“Are the Martial Alliance’s combat pavilions truly inferior to a single Academy student?”
News that they were struggling against the Blood Cult was more than enough to irritate Jegal Jeonggi.
The more incompetent the Martial Alliance appeared, the more Jin Sowoon’s accomplishments would stand out.
Because of that, Jegal Jeonggi felt the need to draw people’s attention elsewhere in case things went wrong.
If the Sichuan matter drew attention, everyone would focus on Jin Sowoon’s event.
If the Sichuan matter was buried, everyone would focus on his own event.
The entire White Path Society understood this, so they did everything they could to cover up the information.
Well, rather than burying it, they worked hard to quietly spread new information.
There was just one problem.
“The budget is nearly exhausted. Is there really a need to go this far?”
It was the budget.
Jegal Jeonggi gave a firm order.
“If the White Path Society takes charge of the delegation, the upper ranks will provide additional funding. So don’t worry and proceed.”
“...Understood. Then we will make a request to the Beggar Sect.”
“No, don’t rely solely on the Beggar Sect. Put the gossipmongers to work as well. Nothing is more powerful than word of mouth.”
The White Path Society scraped together the last of its dwindling budget to hire the Beggar Sect and gossipmongers, using them to quietly spread information about the Dualities Eight Trigrams Myriad Manifestations Formation.
Whenever public interest began fading, they released a little more information. It was enough to steadily heighten people’s curiosity, and every sect became even more focused on the Martial Arts Academy, where the formation would first be revealed.
As a result, the Academy students’ attention began shifting from Jin Sowoon’s event to the White Path Society’s event.
At the Martial Arts Academy’s main gate...
“That is the situation. It is very urgent.”
“...”
Just as Jin Sowoon had said, people began wavering as the White Path Society gradually released information about the Dualities Eight Trigrams Myriad Manifestations Formation.
The more interest grew in the new arcane formation, the more people who had said they would participate in Jin Sowoon’s event began hesitating.
That was the situation, but...
‘Why am I here?’
A thick stack of papers rested in Ilgak’s hands.
The sash crossing from his shoulder to his waist bore the slogan, “Rule Dark Arts, Reign Over All Under Heaven.”
“Benefactor Jin... I understand the situation. But... why must I do this?”
Ilgak’s body shook more violently than it had during any of his greatest inner struggles.
Jin Sowoon looked at him and spoke with the manner of a back-alley thug.
“Obviously, because you failed to bring in the White Path Society’s people.”
Ilgak barely held back his trembling as he replied.
“Benefactor Jin... as I said, I cannot do the work of a spy.”
“That is why I’m giving you different work. ...Oh! Hello! You know about the event being held by the Martial Arts Academy delegation this time, right?”
Jin Sowoon casually approached an Academy student in the middle of speaking and handed over a stack of papers.
In other words...
Jin Sowoon was soliciting customers, like an inn attendant or a thug from an entertainment district.
And he had brought Ilgak along to do it, a rising talent of Shaolin Temple who had overcome wall-facing meditation and even mastered the Muscle-Tendon Change Classic.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you going to work?”
“G-good day...”
Ilgak held out a paper with trembling hands.
For some reason, the passing Academy student was overwhelmed with fear at Ilgak’s demeanor and hurried away without taking it.
“W-wait! Why are you... just leaving?”
Watching this, Jin Sowoon clicked his tongue.
“Tch. You can’t bring people in! You can’t even hand out flyers! What can a rising talent of Shaolin Temple actually do?”
“...”
Every harsh word from Jin Sowoon drove another nail into Ilgak’s heart.
Footnotes:
“Buddha damn it” preserves a Korean pun in which Nam Hwaseong’s curse sounds like the word “Buddha.”
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