WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Chen

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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈

Chapter 256: Time for the Fruits to Bear (3)

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“Welcome.”

As Jin Taesan entered, Hong Mungi and Gang Chaeseok greeted him warmly.

“Why does it feel like you're aging more by the day?”

Jin Taesan's face scrunched up at Gang Chaeseok's offhand remark.

“A man who spends his days eating and loafing around wouldn't understand the burdens of life.”

“W-who are you calling a loafer?!”

Jin Taesan narrowed his eyes.

“When exactly do you plan to bring forth sword force?”

“...D-do you think it's as easy as drawing something from a lottery?!”

Gang Chaeseok had once been the strongest martial artist in the Taeul Sect. More than anyone, he had welcomed the recovery of the Taeul True Scripture and thrown himself into training, thrilled by the thought that he might finally surpass his limits.

Yet perhaps because of his age, he had made little progress.

“If Yuseong brings forth sword force first, we'll have to make him the Hall Master of Gwaehwa Hall. When that happens, you can go back to completing Gwaehwa Hall's training.”

“...”

Gang Chaeseok had thrown out a joke only to have one thrown back at him. As though trying to wash away the bitterness in his gut, he downed cup after cup of liquor.

Hong Mungi, who had watched the two bicker, turned to Jin Taesan.

“Are you all right?”

Having placed every burden of the Taeul Sect on Jin Taesan's shoulders, Hong Mungi had always felt guilty toward him.

Yet Jin Taesan, who understood the Sect Leader's feelings better than anyone, gently shook his head.

“I'm fine. Compared to ten years ago, our circumstances are a hundred times better now.”

He said that, but the sight of him rubbing his face only made Hong Mungi feel more sorry for him.

Sensing those feelings, Jin Taesan shook his head again.

“Please don't worry. If I weren't ambitious myself, I wouldn't be working this hard. If we let this hard-won opportunity slip away...”

He looked toward the training ground, where the children would be.

“Wouldn't we regret it for a long time to come?”

There was not the slightest wavering in his eyes. Hong Mungi silently raised his cup and drank.

“So, what brings you here today?”

“Have I come somewhere I shouldn't? Why are you asking all of a sudden?”

“Ha ha, listen to this man. You haven't set foot in the Taeul Sect once these past few months.”

“...”

Jin Taesan scratched his cheek in embarrassment, and Hong Mungi smiled kindly.

“Don't worry. I'm not blaming you for that. I asked because your face is full of worry, and I wanted to share your burden.”

Jin Taesan hesitated for a long while before finally speaking.

“How much longer will it be before we can reopen the Taeul Sect's gates?”

“What?”

Both Hong Mungi and Gang Chaeseok raised their brows.

It would be one thing if they had not closed their gates, but having done so, they needed to make thorough preparations before reopening.

They also possessed the Great Heaven Merchant Group now.

The moment the Taeul Sect reopened its gates, pressure would come from every direction.

Jin Taesan knew that better than anyone, so there had to be a reason for his question.

Hong Mungi let out a low hum and asked carefully.

“Why do you ask?”

After looking at Gang Chaeseok and Hong Mungi in turn, Jin Taesan slowly began.

“The Shura Sect sent someone.”

“...”

“They said they wanted to buy the Great Heaven Merchant Group.”

“What?”

Both men widened their eyes. Gang Chaeseok slammed his fist onto the table.

“The Great Heaven Merchant Group is already a pillar of the Taeul Sect. Who thinks they can talk about buying and selling it as they please?!”

“...”

Only then did Hong Mungi understand why Jin Taesan had made time in his busy schedule to come all the way to the Taeul Sect.

“Did they invoke Shaolin Temple?”

“...They mentioned it.”

“They must be planning to come out openly.”

The Great Heaven Merchant Group had already surpassed what the Changgung Merchant Group branch had once been.

It monopolized the distribution of supplies to Martial Alliance branches throughout Anhui Province. It had also secured part of the commerce around Mount Cheonmok, along the official road connecting Anhui Province and Zhejiang Province.

The day it entered Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province's greatest tourist destination, was not far off. Before long, it would dominate distribution throughout Zhejiang Province.

Naturally, nearby merchant groups and sects coveted the Great Heaven Merchant Group.

“Estate Lord Wang was greatly angered and said he would step in as well, but that would only give the Shura Sect grounds to draw Shaolin Temple in.”

“Yes. If that conflict continues, the Martial Alliance will eventually intervene.”

It was easy enough to predict what would follow.

Holding them responsible for causing the conflict, the Martial Alliance would reclaim the monopoly over supply distribution in Anhui Province. Then merchant groups belonging to the Shura Sect and other sects would divide the distribution rights among themselves.

The Great Heaven Merchant Group would shrink back to the level of a local merchant group, just as it had been before.

Jin Taesan clenched both hands into fists.

“Would reopening the sect be impossible?”

Gang Chaeseok hesitated at that question and let out a sigh.

Hong Mungi, on the other hand, firmly shook his head.

“I'm sorry to say this, but we cannot reopen the sect yet.”

“...”

“If we reopen now, the children will be driven into battle. Once they have taken up swords, they cannot fear fighting. Even so, we cannot send children who are not ready into certain death.”

Jin Taesan nodded.

He had expected as much. No, he already knew the answer would be no.

He only wanted to ease the stifling feeling in his chest, if only a little.

“I thought so as well...”

“Instead!”

Jin Taesan paused as he raised his cup.

“I'll go out myself.”

“Sect Leader!”

Gang Chaeseok could not hide his shock.

“I've placed the burden on you all this time. Isn't it my turn now?”

“...”

Jin Taesan stared quietly at Hong Mungi.

Since acquiring the Taeul True Scripture, Hong Mungi had not missed a single day of training.

His strength, once stuck at the second-rate level, had risen quickly, and he had recently reached the realm of a Sword Qi Master.

But that was all.

Within the Taeul Sect, the realm of a Sword Qi Master was impressive. Yet even in Hefei alone, there were countless experts stronger than him.

That was the Taeul Sect's greatest chronic problem, the lack of masters capable of teaching others.

Gang Chaeseok, the strongest martial artist in the Taeul Sect's history, had only reached the first-rate level. Anyone seeking a higher realm had no choice but to study deeply on their own.

‘If only there were someone who could at least teach them...’

Jin Taesan could not burden Hong Mungi with other matters when even his personal training was already overwhelming.

After thinking it through, Jin Taesan shook his head.

“No, Sect Leader. You don't need to do that.”

“What?”

“I've already prepared another way.”

Confusion filled Hong Mungi's eyes.

“Another way?”

“Yes.”

Of course, he had no other method prepared. Still, this burden was one he had no choice but to carry himself.

Rather than answer the two curious men, Jin Taesan forced a smile.

If he said anything unnecessary, Hong Mungi and Gang Chaeseok would obviously be ready to throw away their lives.

At times like this, he had to offer a suitable excuse and handle it alone.

“So please, don't worry.”

As Jin Taesan forced a smile through the pressure, his son's face suddenly came to mind.

‘Was that brat forcing himself to smile every time too?’

Thinking back, Jin Sowoon had always smiled in situations like this, the very worst kind.

When no one in the sect could help him, the boy would smile and say that he could handle it himself.

Just how great a burden had he been carrying in his heart?

As Jin Taesan realized anew how much pressure his son had borne until now, something surged up in his chest.

‘Damn brat... Did you find your own father so unreliable?’

He cursed under his breath, overwhelmed by guilt.

Then, after a moment, he wished that foolish son of his were here, smiling in front of him.

He desperately wished they could overcome this hardship together.

#

“Hmm...”

This wasn't an ordinary matter.

The moment I read the secret letter delivered by the inn waiter, my brow furrowed.

“Whut's wrong, nom nom?”

At the muffled voice, I looked up.

“...”

Dang Seohui was looking at me with wide eyes, the sauce from her twice-cooked pork smeared all around her mouth.

“Honestly... Come here.”

I pulled out the cloth I carried just in case and carefully wiped her mouth clean.

...Was I here as a member of the delegation or as a babysitter?

Still, I was relieved that she was no longer running around trying to play the part of a chivalrous hero.

“It says there's a problem at my sect.”

“A pwoblem?”

“Benefactor Jin, what sort of problem?”

“...”

Ilmyeong and Ak Byeongbi both turned toward me.

There happened to be a Shaolin Temple disciple right here.

I asked Ilmyeong seriously.

“Senior Ilmyeong, do you know the Shura Sect?”

“...”

The Taeul Sect's “problem” and the “Shura Sect.”

Those two words alone were enough for the sharp Ilmyeong to grasp what had happened. A wrinkle formed between his brows.

“Is this a matter between the Shura Sect and the Taeul Sect?”

I nodded.

“It appears that the Shura Sect is preparing to expand its influence... and I think the Taeul Sect is their target.”

“Amitabha...”

As Ilmyeong closed his eyes to think for a moment, Ak Byeongbi asked me.

“Are you planning to go?”

“I don't know.”

The delegation had already accomplished its purpose.

Even if I stepped away for a while, it would not disrupt its schedule. The representatives would handle the academy schedule themselves, so aside from the issue of attendance days, there should not be much trouble.

“The Great Heaven Merchant Group is the Taeul Sect's only asset and source of income. It would be a lie to say I wasn't worried.”

I spoke deliberately loudly enough for Ilmyeong to hear. Ilmyeong, who had been sitting with his eyes shut, slowly opened them.

“...I do not know much about the matters decided by the elders of Shaolin.”

“Of course you don't.”

I said nothing and simply stared at Ilmyeong.

“C-cough...”

I waited until he spoke first.

At last, after a brief pause, Ilmyeong let out a quiet breath.

“...Please lend me your wisdom. What should we do?”

He really was a monk who could be reasoned with, unlike someone else.

That was why I liked this senior.

I answered at once.

“Please make sure Shaolin Temple does not intervene. The Shura Sect can act up only because it trusts in Shaolin Temple's backing, can't it? Surely... the monks of a temple so pure and incorruptible wouldn't try to expand their influence out of greed?”

“...But whether the elders of Shaolin will heed what I say...”

Crack, crack.

Left with no choice, I loosened my wrists.

“Then... I suppose it's time to truly go up against the Shura Sect.”

“...”

At my stubbornness, Ilmyeong's eyelids trembled.

After thinking for a long time, he finally let out a deep sigh.

“I will speak to the elders of Shaolin.”

As I watched Ilmyeong's scalp twitch, Ak Byeongbi spoke with concern.

“Will you go there right away?”

“I wanna go too.”

Could you at least finish swallowing what you're eating... Tch, forget it.

I shook my head.

“No. It's fine. If Shaolin Temple doesn't intervene, there's no need for me to go.”

“What? The Shura Sect holds an upper-middle rank even among the One Hundred Eight Peaks...”

“The Taeul Sect isn't that weak either.”

Even after I spoke confidently, Ak Byeongbi still looked unconvinced.

“Why are you making that face, Commander...?”

“Cough, it is nothing.”

...The moment we end our period of closing our gates, I'm challenging the Shandong Ak Clan to a friendly martial contest.

Well, that was how people viewed things right now.

Even I did not think the Taeul Sect, as it was now, could withstand pressure from the Shura Sect.

‘But I've prepared something else.’

I wiped the sauce around Dang Seohui's mouth once again.

#

“What have you decided to do?”

Jin Taesan answered Wang Geumsan's question as though it were nothing.

“There is nothing to consider. It is not yet time to reopen the sect.”

“Hmm... I thought so.”

Regret clouded Wang Geumsan's face, prompting Jin Taesan to let out a hearty laugh.

“You needn't worry. The Taeul Sect may only be one of the One Hundred Eight Peaks, but it still holds a place among them. The Shura Sect will not be able to act carelessly.”

Wang Geumsan understood better than anyone that Jin Taesan was not at ease, despite what he said.

At the same time, Wang Geumsan felt even more attached to him for refusing to ask for help in such a dangerous situation.

All his life, he had seen people stretch out their hands to ask him for help. Had there ever been anyone who had tried to help him instead?

Perhaps Wang Geumsan had become friends with Jin Taesan because Jin Taesan saw him not as the wealthy master of the Wang Family Estate, but as a person.

And for such a friend, he was willing to use his power as much as needed.

“Don't worry! The Shura Sect? If those bastards start picking a fight, the Wang Family Estate won't sit still. The Wang Family Estate handles Martial Alliance supplies too, after all.”

Yet Jin Taesan only smiled and avoided answering.

He knew well how great a burden it would be for Wang Geumsan if the Wang Family Estate became involved in the affairs of the martial world.

“Why? You don't trust me? I've pressured the Mount Hua Sect and Mount Cang Sect too! Do you know how badly they suffered from funding problems because of me?”

The branches across Shaanxi Province had been utterly wrecked by that incident, and the Wang Family Estate itself had been shaken once. It had only recovered now because of the trade route to the Western Regions Wang Soso had opened.

“...I know very well.”

They cared deeply for one another, but no clear solution emerged. Just as a sigh was about to escape them, a servant carefully entered the office.

“Merchant Group Head Jin. A guest has arrived.”

Wang Geumsan's expression stiffened at the servant's words.

“Those people must be in quite a hurry.”

“Are they from the Shura Sect?”

The servant shook their head.

“No. They say they came on the introduction of someone named Jin Sowoon. Since he shares your surname, I thought I should report it to you.”

“Jin Sowoon?”

At the name Jin Sowoon, the two men exchanged looks.

“Show them in.”

“Yes.”

A short while later, a middle-aged couple entered with a young girl who appeared to be their daughter.

The white-haired man had a bold, solid bearing, while the middle-aged woman gave off a calm air.

The rosy-cheeked girl seemed frightened to be before strangers and half hid behind her mother's legs.

Jin Taesan rose from his seat.

“Greetings. My name is Jin Taesan. You came on Sowoon's introduction?”

Jin Sowoon occasionally sent people to the Taeul Sect and the Great Heaven Merchant Group.

More than one or two people, such as Yuseong and Jang Dowon, had come to the Taeul Sect through Sowoon and settled there. By now, Jin Taesan simply accepted it.

Jin Taesan offered a light fist-and-palm salute. The man returned it and spoke.

“We tried to make a living on our own, but it was not easy, so we came here despite the burden.”

At the middle-aged man's words, Wang Geumsan, standing behind him, quietly muttered, “Another money-hungry spirit has come knocking.”

Jin Taesan shot him a look that shut his mouth.

Regardless, these were guests sent by his son.

There had to be a reason Sowoon had sent them. Helping them as much as possible was, at the very least, one way to help his son.

Jin Taesan asked politely.

“If it is not too forward of me, may I ask your name? I will see if my son left a letter.”

“Ah, my apologies. I did not even give you my name.”

The middle-aged man scratched his head as though embarrassed.

A moment later, he again offered a fist-and-palm salute and introduced himself politely.

“My name is Baek Haegwang.”

It was the simplest introduction Jin Taesan had ever heard.

Footnotes:

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