WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Chen

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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈

Chapter 263: Brocade-Clad Night Journey (4)

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After hearing the story, I was dumbfounded.

“...So.”

Yayul Geuk had apparently sought Ak Jupyeong out whenever he had the chance and unilaterally challenged him to martial contests.

Even when Ak Jupyeong refused, Yayul Geuk started the martial contest anyway and harassed him at all hours.

Wow, this...

“Are you out of your damn mind?”

“...Senior Brother.”

Whoops. I meant to keep that thought to myself, but it slipped out.

Still, so what?

I patted Eunho's shoulder and looked back at Yayul Geuk.

What are you going to do if you glare at me like that?

“Hey, want to fight? Watch where you're looking while I'm still asking nicely...”

Crash.

“Let's fight!!”

Look at that temper.

Yayul Geuk sprang up, fuming.

With a sigh, Eunho struck his paralysis acupoint.

“Fortunately or unfortunately, the Academy hasn't said anything yet.”

Of course not. They must have seen Buk Wonpyeong, my senior brother and the Academy Director, call in the Third Hall Master and tear him apart. The people beneath him would not dare act so readily.

“On top of that, the Third Hall Master was away at the Black Alliance as the delegation leader, so it seems Ak Jupyeong reported it directly to his main family.”

“And?”

“That’s all I know.”

“Hmm...”

I nudged Yayul Geuk, sprawled on the floor, with my foot.

“Hey, can't you just make up and get along?”

Unable to move, Yayul Geuk answered by baring his sharp teeth and growling.

...What is he, some wild animal?

“I can't live under the same sky as that bastard!”

“...”

As I sighed at the sight of this untamable fool...

“Tsk, tsk. Those who act as they please don't live long.”

Dang Seohui, who had been drinking Seven-Colored Flower Tea beside me, began tossing peanuts at him one by one.

Well, you're not exactly one to say that...

“Gah! Does this little runt want to die?!”

Ha... My head was spinning. Seriously.

Yayul Geuk glared at Dang Seohui with the face of a yaksha, but she just kept tossing peanuts at his face as though it were a target.

“You're the smaller one.”

“Let's fight!”

Stop. She's the White-Handed Divine Maiden, idiot.

After a quiet sigh, I asked again.

“You still can't overcome it?”

“What?”

Yayul Geuk looked at me as though he wanted to kill me.

I met his eyes directly.

“Fear. I asked if you still can't overcome it.”

Yayul Geuk's expression froze.

Even when he was hurt, he snarled like a wildcat and charged in because he was desperately struggling not to be consumed by fear.

Fear built up over a long time couldn't be overcome overnight.

Day after day, beginning each morning with fear and helplessness, was nothing but an unbroken stretch of hell.

‘Yayul Jae, the Sojeong Unit, and I... We struggled through every single day.’

I understood Yayul Geuk's feelings better than anyone.

He was only flailing desperately so he would not drown in water that had risen to his throat.

“...”

Yayul Geuk's mouth, which had been hissing like a wildcat, pressed shut.

“I... can't forgive.”

“Yeah, after being bullied that badly, it isn't easy to forgive. That's...”

“I can't forgive myself for running away helplessly.”

“...What?”

Yayul Geuk's eyes had turned red.

Apparently, he had been forcing himself not to cry.

“I worked so hard... to enter the Academy, but I let this chance slip away because I was too helpless to even run away... I can't forgive myself for that!”

Drip. Drip.

Large teardrops finally fell from Yayul Geuk's eyes.

He hadn't said it aloud, but after carrying his brothers' sacrifices on his back, he seemed to bear far more guilt and responsibility than I had expected.

“...”

And when I thought about how he had tried to give up on life at the end, that helplessness must have overwhelmed him even more.

“I... hate myself.”

As he said, he was pathetic and hateful.

Maybe I saw him that way because the image of myself, still unable to overcome my fear even in my second life, overlapped with him.

As I watched him grit his teeth and tremble, lost in thought for a moment...

Clunk.

Dang Seohui suddenly rose, walked over to Yayul Geuk, and crouched beside him.

“...?”

...Then she stroked his hair.

“Everyone has times like that. You don't need to blame yourself for it.”

For some reason, her words made one corner of my chest ache.

“You mustn't hate even that version of yourself. You need to cherish yourself more and love yourself more.”

At those words, something that had pierced my chest surged up my throat.

Dang Seohui had a side like that?

Then...

“...Giving the Ak Clan a pretext would be even more foolish.”

Without warning, Dang Seohui brought that hand down on his head with a thump.

“You are stupid.”

...Of course.

Yayul Geuk's face turned wildcat-like again after taking that surprise blow.

“Who's stupid?! You're the stupid one!”

“No. I've already proven myself through the Dragon-Phoenix Association. Can you enter the Dragon-Phoenix Association?”

“...Let's fight!”

Dang Seohui smacked the back of Yayul Geuk's head once more as he writhed on the floor, then returned to her seat.

I pressed my temples at their noisy voices and tried to endure.

Eunho sighed as well before speaking to me.

“Since Yayul Geuk has joined the representative corps, the Ak Clan will be cautious even if they decide to act.”

“...That doesn't mean we can put someone who does no work into the representative corps.”

I prodded Yayul Geuk with my toe.

“I'll acknowledge fights arising from martial contest challenges, but I won't allow surprise attacks or cheating beyond that.”

“What’s it to you?!”

I added calmly.

“That’s as far as I can protect you. Don't underestimate the Five Great Clans. There’s a reason their strength has endured for five hundred years.”

I'd said enough. I hoped he would understand now.

Instead, he stopped moving and stared up at me.

“Protect... me?”

Rather than answer, I gave him one more light kick and turned away.

What a troublesome bastard.

Eunho, who had been looking down at Yayul Geuk, asked me with a puzzled expression.

“What do you intend to do?”

“I'll talk to someone first.”

“...With Ak Jupyeong? Senior Brother, Ak Jupyeong hates you even more than he hates Yayul Geuk.”

I gave Eunho a faint smile.

“Why would I talk to a little brat like that? I need to speak with someone higher than him.”

“What?”

I didn't know why, but we had gotten along well for a while.

I wondered if this would ruin that relationship.

‘...Still, it's better than letting that bastard die.’

A face came to mind, someone who would grieve if Yayul Geuk died.

I'd rather watch that person smirk and brag about their martial arts. I didn't want to see them fall into despair because their younger brother had died.

“Well, I have to try.”

I looked at Yayul Geuk again, who had once more become Dang Seohui's peanut target.

He wore an expression that said he had no idea what was going on.

Don't look at me like that. I don't understand myself either.

#

Ak Byeongbi tried his best to calm his emotions.

Although he had begun meeting the Chief Strategist more often recently, even as the Inspectorate's Third Hall Master, meeting the head of the Mantong Office was an enormous burden.

‘Whew... A private audience...’

He knew why Jegal Somyeong had asked to see him alone.

The intention had already been clear when he was appointed delegation leader.

‘It must be related to Jin Sowoon.’

Ak Byeongbi knew Jegal Somyeong intended for him to closely investigate Jin Sowoon's suspicious actions, and that he was the right person for the task.

But hadn't he already conveyed the results of his investigation together with his delegation report?

He had spoken sufficiently of Jin Sowoon's contributions and said that the suspicion that he was a Black Path spy could be set aside. Still, the thorough Jegal Somyeong had clearly arranged this meeting to hear his opinion directly.

‘The Chief Strategist truly is the Chief Strategist...’

The rumor that Jegal Somyeong had gained their position through the Jegal Clan's backing felt laughable now. Jegal Somyeong was running the Martial Alliance admirably.

According to the retired seniors of the Inspectorate, the Martial Alliance would have been overturned several times already by the influence of powerful sects and clans.

Martial Alliance Leader Hyeok Mugang had been able to hold the position for nearly twenty years in no small part because Jegal Somyeong had led the Mantong Office for the same period.

At last, the door opened and Jegal Somyeong strolled in.

“Sorry to keep a busy person waiting.”

Jegal Somyeong entered the inner chamber with a faint smile on their lips.

“What kind of tea do you like?”

“I’m fine with anything.”

“Is that so? The Junshan Silver Needle that came in this time is quite good.”

Ak Byeongbi started to rise when he saw Jegal Somyeong preparing the tea personally.

“Ah, I...”

“It’s fine. I called a busy person out, so it's only natural that I do it.”

As the Chief Strategist hummed while preparing tea, Ak Byeongbi tightened his guard more than ever.

Presenting a relaxed appearance to make the other party lower their guard.

It was a method commonly used by the Inspectorate when interrogating people.

A short while later, two steaming teacups sat before them.

“Please, drink.”

Jegal Somyeong slowly drank their tea and savored its fragrance, while Ak Byeongbi did not even touch his.

After watching him for a moment, Jegal Somyeong set down their cup.

“What, don't you like the tea?”

“No.”

“Then why aren't you drinking it?”

“...”

Their gazes met in the air for a moment.

Ak Byeongbi turned the matter over in his mind, trying to grasp Jegal Somyeong's intentions.

Then he suddenly spoke.

“...Jin Sowoon is not a Black Path spy.”

“Hm?”

Jegal Somyeong looked surprised.

Ak Byeongbi clenched his fist.

The best way to overcome psychological tricks was to confront them head-on.

He looked at the Chief Strategist with unwavering eyes.

“While serving as the delegation leader to the Black Alliance, I observed Jin Sowoon from the closest position and never let him out of my sight. He certainly has an insolent and ill-behaved side, but I believe presuming that his aspirations lie with the Black Path would be no different from crushing a promising sapling that could grow into a great tree of the White Path martial world.”

Jegal Somyeong, who had silently listened to Ak Byeongbi, tilted their head.

They had only planned to discuss his upcoming personnel evaluation, yet unexpected words poured from his mouth.

Interested, Jegal Somyeong ran a finger around their teacup.

“Hmm... A tree that will grow into a giant, is it? Do you really think so?”

“Of course, I believe he will face many difficulties. He lacks natural talent and a strong backing.”

Ak Byeongbi shook his head, then took a breath and spoke firmly.

“But that child certainly has the qualities to become a great tree of the White Path martial world.”

“Hmm...?”

Jegal Somyeong fell into thought at Ak Byeongbi's words.

The Inspectorate's Third Hall Master was well known in both the Black Path and White Path martial worlds.

He was as upright as bamboo, unmoved by temptation, and without a flaw to exploit.

His attachment to his clan was strong, but who among those active in the Martial Alliance was any different?

Wasn't that why people struggled to enter the Martial Alliance by taking absurd tests like the Martial World Regular Examination and the Academy examinations?

In the end, what mattered was whether they balanced those interests well and benefited the Martial Alliance, or acted like parasites that only pursued their own gain.

That was why Jegal Somyeong had deliberately sent him as leader of this delegation.

They wanted to see how someone who fiercely hated and despised the Black Path would handle a transaction with them.

From the position of Great Hall Master onward, one needed the ability to see the bigger picture more than the ability to handle the duties inherent to the office.

Yet during a meeting to assess those abilities, Ak Byeongbi had abruptly begun praising Jin Sowoon.

It was both odd and amusing, so Jegal Somyeong listened in silence.

“The greatest obstacle faced by someone without means who wishes to rise is not their shameful past or their flaws. It is often the eyes of those who envy them. That is why I believe the Inspectorate and Enforcement Hall must not become the twisted weapons of such people and bring down a bird trying to fly high.”

Jegal Somyeong nodded.

“Of course. But what if the matter involves one's own sect or clan? Could you remain impartial then?”

The words pierced deeply into Ak Byeongbi's chest.

He answered calmly at the reference to his past.

“I am ashamed of it. If you tell me to take responsibility, I will do so without complaint.”

“Tsk, tsk. Enough. How many people in the Martial Alliance do you think don't pursue that much personal interest? Don't try to run away from the matter and dump it on someone else for no reason.”

Jegal Somyeong lightened the mood with a teasing joke, then continued.

“Anyway, you're saying Jin Sowoon isn't a spy and has no chance of becoming one in the future?”

Ak Byeongbi immediately nodded.

“Jin Sowoon possesses the spirit of the White Path martial world more firmly than anyone, and he does not hesitate to put righteousness into practice.”

“Hmm...”

Silence lingered for a while.

“Heh heh heh.”

A moment later, a laugh escaped Jegal Somyeong's lips.

“It’s hard to believe those words came from the Inspectorate's Third Hall Master.”

Ak Byeongbi's face flushed at the laughter echoing through the inner chamber.

“Very well. I've learned all I need to know, so you may leave now.”

After Ak Byeongbi left, Jegal Somyeong, sitting alone, murmured.

“Turning someone with a grudge into an ally. Is he truly that broad-minded? Or has upright bamboo become a reed?”

The smile did not leave Jegal Somyeong's lips as they drank their tea.

#

Returning to the Inspectorate's Third Hall, Ak Byeongbi collapsed into his seat with a sense of exhaustion and let out a long sigh.

“It’s difficult.”

Just as he thought it would be easier to bring in a hundred people suspected of being spies and investigate them...

“Hall Master. You have a visitor.”

“A visitor?”

“Yes. Young Master Ak Jupyeong.”

Ak Byeongbi tilted his head briefly, then called out.

“Let him in.”

“Yes.”

A short while later.

Ak Jupyeong entered with a slight limp in one leg.

“Uncle...!”

The moment Ak Byeongbi saw Ak Jupyeong's expression, as though he might burst into tears at any moment, his face hardened.

Footnotes:

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