WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 235: Darkness Within Darkness (5)
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“What?”
Dam Ak asked again, as though he could not understand what he had just heard. The subordinate who had been reporting answered nervously.
“I-I mean, Jin Sowoon started a group brawl at the Yellow Sand Sect’s residence...”
Is he insane?
“A group brawl?”
“Yes. First, he fought the Yellow Sand Sect martial artists, then the other martial artists watching nearby joined in as well...”
“Is he really insane?!”
“Y-Yes. No one in their right mind would...”
“That’s war, not a fight!”
The subordinate, who had been cursing Jin Sowoon alongside him, suddenly realized Dam Ak’s outburst had been directed at them.
“I-I'm sorry.”
Without even looking at the subordinate, Dam Ak asked, “So how many casualties were there?”
“Several Yellow Sand Sect members suffered serious injuries, but no one died.”
“...”
Dam Ak’s face stiffened as he listened.
No one from the Yellow Sand Sect had died. Then...
He had received orders to look after Jin Sowoon only yesterday.
“...Is the Black Flame Dragon dead?”
It was regrettable, but there was nothing to be done.
He had trusted in his paltry skills and caused a disturbance in the heart of enemy territory. If he had been beaten to death, he had brought it upon himself.
Then...
The subordinate, watching Dam Ak cautiously, continued.
“T-The Black Flame Dragon isn’t dead.”
“...What? How?”
The Yellow Sand Sect was powerful enough to serve as one of the pillars during the Black Alliance’s founding ceremony.
Not only had its members attacked, but even the people watching nearby had joined in. How had Jin Sowoon survived?
Just as Dam Ak’s expression began to twist strangely between disbelief and admiration...
“Elder Blood Brawl took Jin Sowoon away.”
“Ah, I see.”
Only now could he roughly see what had happened.
Unable to cast aside the arrogance unique to the White Path, Jin Sowoon had acted under the banner of righteousness, landed himself in danger, and been rescued by Blood Brawl in the end.
Jin Sowoon did not know it, but Blood Brawl’s true role was closer to that of a guardian pretending to be his watcher.
His head began to ache again.
“I told him not to cause trouble.”
Whenever Cha Seokdu got drunk, he spoke of the Black Flame Dragon, so Dam Ak had held some expectations.
Yet Jin Sowoon’s actions had been no more than those of a disciple from the White Path sects Dam Ak despised.
No, the careless way he had acted in the heart of enemy territory was even disappointing.
In the end, Jin Sowoon was only an immature fool who had been overestimated through sheer luck.
Tap. Tap.
As Dam Ak tapped the desk with his fingers and organized his thoughts, the subordinate got to the main point.
“Due to Jin Sowoon’s actions, the people gathered in the Black Alliance have begun voicing their dissatisfaction.”
The one who should have been named a criminal was openly wandering around, picking fights under the pretense of an investigation.
It would have been stranger if they were not already calling for Jin Sowoon’s head.
“Hmm...”
“What should we do? Shall we let them continue?”
Once the delegation was offered up as a sacrifice, the Black Alliance would quiet down somewhat.
Jin Sowoon had even caused a fight himself and provided them with justification. If they claimed he had died in the chaos, the Martial Alliance would not be able to act rashly either.
But...
“Stop them. Tell them that anyone who acts rashly will be punished severely as an example to the rest.”
The hesitant subordinate lowered their head at Dam Ak’s words.
“...I will relay the order.”
After the subordinate withdrew, only Gun Yuhyeon and Dam Ak remained, and the room was filled with deep sighs.
“What on earth is he trying to do...?”
Gun Yuhyeon studied Dam Ak’s expression before asking carefully, “Will that be all right? The backlash from the others won’t be insignificant.”
“...What else can we do? For now, I can only obey the Black Alliance Lord’s command.”
Gun Yuhyeon smiled faintly as he watched Dam Ak grumble.
“You must dislike Young Master Jin quite a bit.”
Dam Ak snorted and answered at once.
“I have never seen anyone so brazen in my life.”
“Still, wouldn’t it be better to build a good relationship with him? If war breaks out, we’ll suffer serious losses.”
For a moment, Dam Ak stared into the distance as though deep in thought.
“...I’m not afraid, but we should still be cautious.”
He revealed feelings he had shown no one but Cha Seokdu.
In this Black Alliance, which could never be a place of comfort for Dam Ak, Gun Yuhyeon was the only friend with whom he could share his heart.
As though he understood, a faint smile rested on Gun Yuhyeon’s lips.
“War only demands sacrifice from everyone. Chief Strategist Dam, you know that better than anyone.”
Dam Ak nodded heavily.
“I know it better than anyone. But I also know that if we avoid everything out of fear, we’ll accomplish nothing.”
“That is true.”
“Besides, I don’t believe that man can find the hidden murderer we have failed to find until now.”
At Dam Ak’s firm statement, Gun Yuhyeon thought for a while before speaking.
“Hmm... Having faced him myself, I think he may be able to find them.”
Gun Yuhyeon was not someone who easily acknowledged others.
He had secured influence within the Black Alliance by overcoming unfavorable conditions himself, so few people impressed him unless they were truly capable.
Yet he acknowledged Jin Sowoon.
Dam Ak’s brow furrowed without him realizing it.
“Why do you think so?”
Gun Yuhyeon lifted the teacup before him.
“I worry that if I tell you what I felt while gambling with him, I might only trouble your mind further.”
“I’ll judge it for myself, so speak freely.”
“Hmm...”
Gun Yuhyeon paused, took a sip of tea, and began.
“He seemed like someone who would produce the result he wanted somehow. It’s only that the process irritates other people.”
The Black Flame Dragon, Jin Sowoon.
He was certainly a man like a jagged stone.
But...
“I believe he is unquestionably someone who gets the results he wants.”
He was clearly exceptional and outstanding.
Dam Ak listened quietly before shaking his head.
“Irritates people... Doesn’t that mean he could be dangerous, someone who creates greater problems while solving the first one?”
“Heh heh... That may be true. If I had known from the beginning how he won our gamble, I would have been quite angry as well.”
Silence passed between them.
Then Dam Ak stood as if he had made up his mind.
“I must meet the Black Flame Dragon. At this rate, even if he finds the hidden murderer, the atmosphere is such that war may break out.”
Gun Yuhyeon nodded.
“We must prevent such a tragedy.”
The Black Alliance had only just managed to take its first step.
Having only just risen to its feet, it could not collapse already.
Dam Ak strode toward the door.
“Oh, right!”
As though he had remembered something, he turned back.
“...What happened to my friends’ families?”
A dark shadow fell over Gun Yuhyeon’s face.
Looking ashamed, he clenched both fists.
“We’re searching everywhere, but they seem to have left behind no trace of where they went.”
“Is that so...”
“Don’t worry. We will never give up.”
At the comforting words, Dam Ak forced a smile.
“I’m sorry. It seems I’m always indebted to you.”
Gun Yuhyeon had already hidden the shadow on his face. He shook his head and laughed bitterly.
“Isn’t this about all I can do?”
#
Just as I had expected, the investigation became much easier from the following day.
Bae Hwanjang of the Yellow Sand Sect, whom I had not been able to meet the previous day, came to my lodgings with an expression full of displeasure.
What are you going to do if you don’t like me, then?
“What were you doing at the time of the crime?”
Bae Hwanjang ground his teeth. “Jin Sowoon, I’ll chew you up and swallow you one day.”
“Yes, yes. I understand, so answer the question for now.”
“...I summoned courtesans to a pleasure house and held a small banquet with my subordinates.”
A banquet would have been enough, but he even summoned courtesans? These people really knew how to have a good time.
“You were having quite the celebration while your sect leader was being murdered.”
Bae Hwanjang ground his teeth again.
After questioning each subordinate who had attended the banquet and sending Ilmyeong to the pleasure house to verify the facts, I proved that Bae Hwanjang had not been at the scene.
I then investigated Gal Munjeong, the vice-leader of the Four Dragon Sect, and his subordinates in the same way.
Mae Bongsik of the Demonic Path Sect and his guards.
Do Bongsu of the Blood Sword Sect and his sworn brothers.
I finished questioning all of them.
During that time, I received roughly eight death threats and eighteen threats to burn the Taeul Sect down and wipe it out.
Even so, identifying the culprit remained as difficult as ever.
“Then this concludes the investigation. You may leave.”
As Do Bongsu of the Blood Sword Sect and his sworn brothers, who had been spouting vulgar curses, left the interrogation room...
The Red Phoenix Bangle gave a faint vibration.
‘Hm?’
It was extremely weak, but a small trace of energy seeped into my body through the Red Phoenix Bangle.
I thought it only reacted to demonic qi... Does it react to Black Path martial arts as well?
As I fell into thought over the unexpected development, Blood Brawl spoke to me.
“It’s remarkable that the investigation became easier as you predicted, but the culprit is nowhere to be seen. What will you do now?”
I had begun to grow used to Blood Brawl’s mockery, so I answered without concern.
“I never thought this kind of investigation would reveal the culprit in the first place.”
“What?”
You seem more innocent than you look.
“Would someone who committed murder openly show themselves in this kind of formality?”
“Then?”
I looked at Blood Brawl and grinned.
“I’m waiting for the culprit’s next move.”
“Next move?”
Those who plotted schemes were sensitive to the mood of the masses.
They created justification, stirred people up with it, then used that agitation to achieve their own goals.
That was the specialty of schemers.
The circumstances for this incident had been set as well.
Gu Gyeak’s death had created the atmosphere, and the Black Alliance was boiling inside because I, a member of the delegation, was causing a scene under the excuse of an investigation.
For the culprit hiding in the dark, it was the perfect opportunity.
The temptation was one they could never let pass.
“The culprit will definitely make another move.”
“...”
As Blood Brawl frowned, Ilmyeong approached us.
“Benefactor Jin, a man named Dam Ak has come to see you.”
Hmm, I was wondering why he hadn’t come.
I nodded at once.
“I’ll go see him.”
#
Dam Ak was like a thorny problem to me now.
Thinking of the Orthodox-Demonic War in the distant future, it would be better for him to serve as the Black Alliance’s Chief Strategist.
Still, right now, he was a troublesome opponent as someone standing against the Martial Alliance.
For some reason, he also seemed to hate not only the Martial Alliance, but the White Path as a whole.
That was never a good sign.
Moreover, judging from how he had smoothed over the trouble I caused and kept the Black Alliance members in line, he appeared to have already gained control over a significant portion of the Black Alliance.
His strategic brilliance, which had been exceptional even in my previous life, shone just as brightly in this one.
Unlike his usual manner, Dam Ak walked quickly toward me.
“What are you doing?”
It seemed he was displeased by a situation beyond his control.
I shrugged.
“As you can see, I’m investigating.”
“Do you have a death wish?”
His normally sharp gaze looked especially fierce today.
As he gradually took control of the Black Alliance through his outstanding strategies, I had thrown a wrench into his plans.
Of course he could not help but hate me.
“Wouldn’t my death be good for you, Chief Strategist Dam?”
“How can you say that...?”
That was why I wanted to know.
Whether he was someone destined to become an enemy of the Martial Alliance now, or a comrade I could stand beside in the future.
If it was the former, it would be regrettable, but removing him would be easier. If it was the latter, I had to keep him alive somehow and let him take control of the Black Alliance.
I deliberately provoked him.
“Aren’t you part of the war faction, Chief Strategist Dam?”
“Does not fearing war mean one wishes for war?”
“Well... I suppose that is true.”
At my calm response, Dam Ak pressed his temples, perhaps trying not to lose his composure, and muttered, “What are you thinking? The Yellow Sand Sect incident, calling the heads of every sect under the pretense of an investigation... Do you know what result your actions could bring about?”
“It was what I expected.”
Dam Ak’s eyes widened.
“Are you truly trying to make this place your grave?”
I looked steadily at Dam Ak.
“There’s something I want to ask.”
As my mood changed, Dam Ak’s gaze settled as well.
I did not avoid his eyes.
“Why do you hate the Martial Alliance?”
A brief silence passed.
Dam Ak leaned back and answered far too defensively.
“...I am the Black Alliance’s Chief Strategist. Isn’t it natural for me to hate the Martial Alliance?”
Well, knowing how he had run himself ragged in my previous life to ensure the Martial Alliance’s survival, I could not easily accept those words.
He was not the sort of person who used his intelligence only for wealth and glory.
As he leaned back, I leaned toward him.
“Someone who truly hates the Martial Alliance would not pretend to belong to the war faction. They would quietly wait for war to break out.”
“...!”
“Isn’t your deliberate effort to raise your voice and make threats meant to ensure that the war faction believes you are on their side?”
Dam Ak, who had been glaring at me as though he wanted to kill me, furrowed his brow.
“...You misunderstand something. Everything I have done was sincere. If necessary, I believe we can go to war with the Martial Alliance. I am confident we can win as well.”
Of course he was.
Was he not the genius strategist who had led a Martial Alliance unit on the verge of destruction and desperately held the Demonic Cult back?
Still, it seemed my political instincts were a little better than his.
“If Chief Strategist Dam were truly that kind of person, you would have left this situation alone instead of working hard to settle it. Once the rage of the Black Path martial artists tears the delegation apart, war with the Martial Alliance will inevitably follow.”
“...Did you not consider that I was acting because of the Black Alliance Lord’s orders?”
Dam Ak smoothed his brow and glared at me again with an impassive expression.
“I hate the hypocritical martial world of the White Path. I hate the Martial Alliance, which speaks of justice while practicing it only with words, even more. If you had truly been righteous as you claim yourselves to be, my master and friends would not have died...”
He suddenly fell silent, ran a hand over his face, then added, “...If the day comes when the Martial Alliance collapses, I will be standing before it with a smile.”
A fragment of whatever had fostered his hatred had just revealed itself.
‘His master and friends...’
His hatred ran far deeper than I had thought.
I nodded lightly.
“I see.”
“If you intend to make excuses...”
“I have none.”
“...”
No one knew the nature of the Martial Alliance or the hypocrisy of the White Path better than I did.
So I had nothing more to say.
“Whatever happened to Chief Strategist Dam, the Martial Alliance must have been at fault. I do not want to offer excuses or justifications for it.”
As though my answer was unexpected, Dam Ak’s face crumpled.
Without minding it, I continued.
“I also know well how the Martial Alliance operates and how many unjust things happen within it. Even if I made excuses, they would not heal Chief Strategist Dam’s wounds.”
“...”
I dipped my head slightly toward him as he stared at me.
“Still, I would like to apologize.”
It was not something I had done, nor something committed by someone connected to me.
I did not know what had happened, but if I looked into it, I was sure it would involve the kind of people I despised.
Even so, as someone affiliated with the Martial Alliance, I apologized with a sense of guilt, hoping to offer him even a little comfort.
I did not know whether it would reach him.
“...”
Dam Ak recovered his composure.
“...It had nothing to do with you, so there is no reason for me to accept your apology.”
Soon afterward, Dam Ak rose as though he no longer wanted to face me.
“Do not cause any more disturbances. If you cause more trouble, you may not be able to keep your life.”
I called out to Dam Ak as he turned to leave.
“Chief Strategist Dam. I recommend increasing your guards, just in case.”
“What do you...?”
“If the hidden murderer wants war, then Chief Strategist Dam, who is now controlling the Black Alliance, will be a thorn in their side. They will definitely make a move against you.”
“...I will handle my own affairs.”
“And there’s one more thing I would like to ask. Do you know a man named Gun Yuhyeon of the Tian'gwan Sect?”
“...I know him.”
“What do you think of him? Is he trustworthy?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I had never heard of the Tian'gwan Sect before.”
Dam Ak furrowed his brow.
“The Tian'gwan Sect is a small sect located in the South Sea. It is also an old sect with a history of nearly a hundred years.”
“Is it trustworthy?”
“...Are you suspicious of Gun Yuhyeon?”
“That isn’t it. I would like to ask for some assistance, but first I wanted to hear Chief Strategist Dam’s opinion.”
“Both the Tian'gwan Sect and Gun Yuhyeon are trustworthy. They joined the Black Path only because they were cast out by the Martial Alliance after taking decisive measures to stop pirates who raided nearby fishing villages.”
“Hmm... That could be.”
Dam Ak spoke with his usual sharp gaze.
“Do not place a burden on the Tian'gwan Sect and Gun Yuhyeon. Their position is too precarious to bear the burden that is you.”
Hmm... Still, if he was someone so trustworthy, I could not help but borrow that brain of his.
I deliberately did not answer and instead saw him out.
Dam Ak seemed about to say something, but then sharply turned his head as though it were bothersome and left the inner room.
The next morning...
Do Bongsu was found dead at the Blood Sword Sect’s residence.
And Feather Needles, commonly used by the Tang Clan, were found in the body.
Footnotes:
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