WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Chen

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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈

Chapter 31: The Second-Rate Martial Artist Seeking a Legend (3)

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“Senior Sister suddenly asked whether I had any intention of going to the Martial Arts Academy. When I asked why, I learned that you and Eldest Senior Brother were planning to take the regular examination.”

It seemed Saryeon had been searching for a way, despite knowing there was none. I did not know whether to call that foolish or not.

Then, something about what he had said struck me as odd, and I tilted my head.

“Even if it was impossible, why did you refuse?”

The Martial Arts Academy was the dream gateway for every young talent in the martial world. Someone like Geumpyo, who had reached the semifinals, should have been tempted, so it was strange that he had refused outright.

“Senior Sister is the Sect Leader's daughter. Even aside from that, I do not think I could peacefully eat at the Martial Arts Academy after sending Senior Sister into such danger.”

“...”

His words left me speechless.

They had grown up like siblings, though they were not truly related. Seeing how deeply they cared for one another left me feeling both grateful and saddened.

“So please take us with you.”

“Please take us with you.”

“Please take us with you.”

I came to my senses and shook my head.

“No. The regular examination is not as easy a path as you think.”

“...”

The three brothers lowered their heads like rain-soaked puppies at my firm refusal.

“However, if what I am planning succeeds, and if all of you complete every assignment I give you in the meantime, I will consider it.”

“Really?”

“Really?”

“Really?”

“If you are all going to give the same answer, only one of you should speak.”

The three brothers looked delighted, as if they had already entered the Martial Arts Academy.

“Every morning, run from Huayun Mountain to its summit and back three times.”

“What?”

“Why? Can you not do it?”

“No! We can.”

“Also, practice the sword formation I teach you from today onward fifty times each day. You have half a year. Even if the three of you cannot see, hear, or speak to one another, your coordination must be flawless.”

Gulp.

The three brothers swallowed at the same time.

“And you cannot neglect your lessons at Gwaehwa Hall, either. Complete everything there as well, and then I will consider it.”

“...”

“The Martial Arts Academy examination defeats and injures one young talent after another from the Nine Sects One Gang and the Five Great Clans. People die even among them. If you do not have that level of ability, taking you with me would be no different from telling me to take the examination while carrying a burden.”

The brothers' expressions darkened.

“So you must have a purpose beyond merely wanting to enter the Martial Arts Academy. You need the resolve to shed blood for your brothers and sisters of the Taeul Sect, and the effort to support that resolve. Without those things, you can simply remain under Saryeon's and my protection.”

Then Dongryong, the youngest, hesitantly spoke.

“Then... aren't Eldest Senior Brother and Senior Sister shedding blood for us?”

I stroked his head.

“It is fine. That is what I must do as the eldest senior brother. Saryeon would think the same.”

“...I will do it.”

Dongryong spoke as though making a solemn vow. Eunho and Geumpyo followed.

“I will do it.”

“I will do it.”

My plan had been to give them an intentionally difficult task and frighten them into giving up, but it had produced an unexpected result.

Of course, I did not think they could accomplish all of it.

Still, the fact that they possessed such determination mattered. I needed to become the destination of their efforts.

“Very well. I will decide after seeing your achievements in half a year.”

“Yes!”

“Oh, and this must remain secret from everyone. The elders of the sect will never permit you to take the regular examination.”

#

After separately paying my respects to Sect Leader Hong and Father, I packed lightly and left the Taeul Sect for Wang Residence Village.

Since I would be away for the next half year, I should have brought plenty of supplies. But I could not rent horses every time I moved, so I had no choice but to trust my internal energy and travel on foot.

“Maybe I should have taken some money from selling the Seven-Colored Jewel.”

My first destination was Suzhou.

Distance would not be a problem if I used my movement art, but there was no easy way to relieve the exhaustion that would accumulate.

“Should I dig up some treasure?”

I knew of several treasure maps that had not yet become known to the world, but they were too far away.

“I should start moving and think about it later.”

Wang Residence Village lay on a vast stretch of land half a sijin from the Taeul Sect.

It had been built from the beginning for people connected to the Wang Family Estate, so its structure differed greatly from that of an ordinary village.

In particular, because it served as the headquarters for the Wang Family Estate's businesses, Wang Residence Village had earned the nickname, the village where the lights never went out.

Yet for some reason, the entire village felt quiet.

At the residence of the Wang Family Estate's Clan Head in the center of the village, people connected to the business world were nowhere to be seen. Instead, cauldrons had been set up, soup was boiling, and meat was roasting over fires.

The chief steward who guided me said, “The Clan Head has an important appointment today, so he cleared his entire schedule.”

“Then did I come at a bad time?”

“Hehe, not at all.”

As I wondered whether I should turn back immediately, the chief steward led me to Wang Geumsan with an odd smile.

“This junior of the martial world, Jin Sowoon, pays his respects. Have you been well?”

Wang Geumsan was not alone in his quarters. His only daughter, Wang Soso, was with him as well.

“Ha ha. I thought I had made up for my mistake toward you a little back then, but apparently that was not the case.”

“What do you mean? What you have already given me is more than I could ever repay.”

“So you have not forgiven me. You have not.”

Wang Soso covered her mouth and suppressed a laugh.

I spoke honestly.

“Why did you suddenly ask for me? I nearly ended up being sold off to repay a debt.”

“That was because I wished to repay the debt I owed you.”

“You nearly ruined the favor you owed me while trying to repay it.”

“How would that ruin anything? You would gain power that is not easily obtained.”

“...?”

“Is martial strength the only power in this world? Wealth can accomplish countless things that martial strength cannot.”

It was not wrong. In fact, the greatest obstacle preventing the Demonic Cult from ruling the martial world had been the Three Great Merchant Houses.

After Wang Geumsan disappeared, the Three Great Merchant Houses had united and refused to yield to the Demonic Cult's pressure.

The Demonic Cult had destroyed merchant families with the force of a storm, but their remaining retainers had not submitted and continued to resist.

Nothing in the world could function without money.

In the end, even the Demonic Cult had been forced to negotiate with the Three Great Merchant Houses, and they remained in the martial world after the Martial Alliance vanished.

“Still, you continue walking your own path as though you are certain of something. That is why I thought I had made another mistake.”

“No. Thank you for your concern.”

“Are you planning to take the regular examination?”

“!”

He had struck at me with an unexpected question from an unexpected direction.

Wang Geumsan's eyes were already filled with certainty. The title of one of the Four Great Merchants was clearly not earned by just anyone.

“What do you mean, Father?”

Wang Soso asked, but Wang Geumsan did not answer. He merely stared directly at me.

When I did not answer either, Wang Soso's complexion gradually worsened.

“Brother! That is absurd. Even someone like me, who has spent their entire life at home, knows how terrible the regular examination is.”

“Soso. Your father is discussing something important. Speak of your personal concerns later.”

“...”

Even with the daughter he cherished so dearly, Wang Geumsan was firm this time.

I could not spoil the mood either, so I answered obediently.

“How did you know?”

“You yielded the One Hundred Eight Peaks privilege to your junior sister and began moving urgently when only half a year remained before the regular examination. At such an important time, when no one knows how the Taeul Sect may rise again. Is there any other answer?”

“...”

Wang Geumsan had his own intelligence network, so he could not have deduced this from fragmentary information alone.

Still, the way he had predicted my goal from my actions alone showed that the wealth Wang Geumsan had amassed was no accident.

“Traditionally, it is said that the Nine Sects One Gang mobilize an entire squad just to send one prodigy into the Martial Arts Academy. The Five Great Clans use two squads. Even then, countless examinees fail to enter the academy. The Taeul Sect does not have such resources. What do you intend to do?”

“The regular examination was originally designed to be passed through the examinee's own ability.”

“Yes, and as competition for that examination grew, matters became what they are now.”

“Even so, its fundamental nature has not changed.”

“Hm. You intend to simply face it head-on?”

Regret flickered in Wang Geumsan's eyes as he looked at me, apparently believing I had no plan.

“I may fail. No, I will certainly fail. But failing after trying and giving up without trying are different.”

“But is it not far too dangerous an examination for that? That is why you cannot tell others about it.”

“What matters is the spirit of never giving up. Even if I fail, if that spirit endures, my junior brothers and sisters will work harder and prepare more thoroughly. Their disciples will work even harder and prepare even more thoroughly. This is not merely a matter of entering the Martial Arts Academy. I believe it is the path our sect must follow.”

At my words, Wang Geumsan pressed his lips together as though he had swallowed honey. Wang Soso, on the other hand, stood with her mouth open in surprise.

After a long silence, Wang Geumsan murmured as though speaking to himself.

“They say a dragon can rise without distinguishing between a stream and the sea.”

He nodded.

“Whether you take the regular examination or do anything else, make sure you return alive. Even if you lose everything, as long as you retain the will to begin again, it is not failure. It is experience.”

“Thank you.”

“I called you here because I believed I could be of some help on your journey.”

When Wang Geumsan looked at Wang Soso and nodded, she brought over a silk-lined wooden tray.

On the tray rested a silver token the length of a finger and a small pouch.

“This is the Silver Wang Token used by members of our Wang Family Estate.”

I swallowed at Wang Geumsan's words. The Silver Wang Token was essentially a certificate of credit used only by the Wang Family Estate's direct family members.

It allowed its bearer to use businesses operated by the Wang Family Estate and to borrow money from money houses contracted with the estate.

“Th-that seems far too valuable for me.”

“Hmm? What are you thinking? If you spend money at a money house, I intend to bill the Taeul Sect for all of it.”

Wang Geumsan clearly possessed a talent for instantly ruining another person's pleasant mood.

“This is for you to use the businesses operated by our Wang Family Estate. If you intend to roam all across the land, should you not at least be able to freely use horse stations?”

“Ah... Yes. Thank you.”

I was deeply grateful, though I also felt a strange sense of disappointment.

“Oh, and this is something Soso threw a tantrum and insisted that I give you.”

“Father, when did I ever throw a tantrum?”

Wang Soso lowered her flushed face.

“I sent her to the Taeul Sect hoping she would become a little more mature, but only her body has grown. She is still a child. A child.”

I glanced at the slightly open pouch and my eyes widened.

Instead of the coins I had expected, the bulging money pouch was full of gold.

“Well? Have you forgiven me yet?”

“What do you mean? I have always greatly respected Clan Head Wang.”

The moment the money pouch slipped into my clothes, my tongue became far more supple.

Long live the rich.

#

In my previous life, while I was committing the documents from the Profound Mystery Pavilion within the Mantong Office to memory, my hand had once stopped abruptly.

Taeul Sword Emperor.

It was only natural that the sudden appearance of those words made me stop.

The legendary master who had ruled heaven and earth with ten thousand swords and forced all who stood before their blade to kneel.

This absurd legend was a story people of the martial world used to mock the Taeul Sect for sharing the same name.

Naturally, even the Taeul Sect's own disciples did not believe it. So when the subject of that ridiculous legend appeared in the deepest part of the Profound Mystery Pavilion, I had no choice but to stop.

The oldest records in the Profound Mystery Pavilion.

The name Taeul had appeared among documents that had accumulated for centuries because no one could even determine their importance any longer.

Dark Heaven's influence intensified and obscured the sun.

The master of Ten Thousand Swords stepped before the masses.

Ten Thousand Swords drove back Dark Heaven.

The Masters of the Sun feared that Ten Thousand Swords would fill the place left by Dark Heaven.

The Masters of the Sun decided to separate Dark Heaven and Ten Thousand Swords from the mortal world.

Beside the Tray of Chu. The hell where heaven and earth meet. At its end, Dark Heaven and Ten Thousand Swords were sealed. Then all under heaven was at peace.

At the time, they had been nothing but ciphered accounts from which I could draw no conclusion.

Only much later, after I had secluded myself in a remote mountain valley and reviewed the Profound Mystery Pavilion's materials to pass the time, did I finally understand the importance of this information.

Within the Martial Alliance's cipher system, the Martial Alliance is generally compared to the sun.

Conversely, the Demonic Cult is represented by the Heavenly Demon and referred to as Dark Heaven.

Then whom did Ten Thousand Swords refer to in this cipher?

At first glance, it might have indicated a force of ten thousand people, but that did not fit with the mention of sealing it.

The cipher clearly referred to the master of Ten Thousand Swords.

As I deciphered that much, my body trembled.

“Was the Taeul Sword Emperor real?”

The Taeul Sect had joined the One Hundred Eight Peaks when the Martial Alliance was founded.

For nearly five hundred years, it had never once been excluded from the One Hundred Eight Peaks.

Only factions with exceptional traits, such as the Gangcheon Sect or Mount Mao Sect, which possessed strength comparable to the Nine Sects One Gang, could do such a thing.

Yet the Taeul Sect had never truly developed, and still had not left the One Hundred Eight Peaks for four hundred years.

That was when I began to think the legend of the Taeul Sword Emperor might be true.

“Could the Taeul Sect have been kept within the One Hundred Eight Peaks in preparation for the master of Ten Thousand Swords, who may someday emerge again?”

That was why, with half a year remaining before the Martial Arts Academy regular examination, I was seeking the Taeul Sword Emperor rather than spiritual medicines and treasures.

Identifying the first location was not particularly difficult.

The Tray of Chu.

The word tray was often used to mean a lake.

The Tray of Chu implied a tray so representative that it could stand for Chu itself. Thinking of the most famous lake in a place called Chu led me to the State of Chu from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States period.

In the end, the answer pointed to Hunan Province, where Dongting Lake lay.

“But it will not be easy... It just so happens that this is when Hunan Province will be at its most chaotic.”

During this period in my previous life, the Mita Sacred Water, a peerless spiritual medicine, was discovered in Hunan Province.

This spiritual medicine possessed an intensely yin nature. Its cold was so severe that an ordinary person who merely touched it would suffer frostbite and have to amputate their entire arm.

But if a martial artist consumed it through a special method, it had effects comparable to Rebirth, while also activating the lesser meridians.

Furthermore, though it possessed a yin nature, both men and women could consume it. Any person who practiced martial arts would covet it.

“Many people died because of it, too.”

Five hundred people died among those who entered the underground valley of Demon Spirit Plateau in search of the Mita Sacred Water.

It was an excessive number even considering that bloodshed accompanied every appearance of a spiritual medicine in the martial world.

Moreover, this incident became famous throughout the land because among those five hundred were members of the Namgung Clan and Namgung Seonhwa, granddaughter of the current Clan Head.

That was also why I hesitated despite possessing a gapja of internal energy.

If even the elites protecting the Namgung Clan's young lady had entered and failed to return alive, could I preserve my life by entering alone?

“Should I have told him?”

Namgung San suddenly came to mind, but I immediately shook my head.

“Forget it. One wrong step, and I could end up becoming a widower.”

Saving people who would die in the future was only something I could do within the limits of my own actions.

Neigh!

While I was lost in thought, the horse I had rented from the horse station snorted, apparently eager to run.

“You want to run too? Then let us have a good ride.”

I gripped its reins tightly and turned it toward Yueyang.

#

Upon reaching Yueyang, I first visited a horse station operated by the Wang Family Estate to leave my horse there.

The horse had run a great distance and was covered in dust, already quite exhausted. The owner of the horse station clicked their tongue when they saw it.

“Tsk, tsk. What was so urgent that you worked the horse this hard?”

“My schedule is tight.”

“I apologize, but I cannot exchange your horse for another.”

“Ah, I only came to leave it here...”

“Hm?”

The horse station owner looked me up and down, then clicked their tongue again.

“Then would it not be better to go elsewhere? Our horse station is famous for being expensive within Yueyang.”

“Ah, I do not intend to pay.”

“What?”

The horse station owner's eyes sharpened.

I hurriedly showed the Silver Wang Token I had received from Wang Geumsan.

“Clan Head Wang said I could use anything I wanted if I showed this.”

The horse station owner's eyes rounded upon seeing the Silver Wang Token, and they quickly bent at the waist.

“Ah, I-I am sorry. I failed to recognize such an honored guest.”

They had a bright future ahead of them, judging by how swiftly their attitude changed.

“It is fine. Please rise.”

“...Ah, yes. Th-thank you.”

At my sudden informal speech, the horse station owner's face twisted into an odd expression that was neither smiling nor crying.

“Would you only like us to keep the horse for you?”

“Ah, does this horse station have a room where I can stay?”

“What?”

After riding without rest for four days, my entire body ached. I planned to stay a few days to recover from the journey and make preparations.

“...”

“What? Is that not possible?”

I had originally intended to find an inn, but their earlier contempt at the thought that I had no money annoyed me enough to make me decide to stay here.

“N-no, not at all. I will personally attend to you. Please come inside.”

“Lead the way.”

After spending three days at the horse station operated by the Wang Family Estate, recovering from my journey and handling several matters, I left.

Yueyang was as lively as I remembered from my previous life.

Countless people moved along the main road, while merchants before their stalls raised their voices to sell their wares.

After passing such respectable-looking shops for some time, I entered an alley a short distance from the main road.

The stores there looked shabbier than the respectable shops I had seen before.

I stopped before a cloth shop situated among them.

Ha Cloth Shop.

“New inexpensive martial uniforms and robes have arrived. Please have a look.”

The owner of the cloth shop called out to customers while displaying cheap cotton cloth.

I approached the owner and spoke.

“I am looking for a special cloth.”

“What kind of special cloth are you seeking?”

I looked directly into the owner's eyes and whispered softly.

“I would like cloth that is as dark and deep as possible.”

The owner's expression stiffened for a moment before they quickly composed themself and smiled brightly.

“As it happens, cloth from the Western Regions has arrived, though we have not yet put it out. Would you like to come inside?”

“Of course.”

As I followed the owner inward, a small corridor appeared.

The owner stopped briefly before a door, then blocked my path with only the bare minimum of courtesy.

“Ah, before that, would you mind if I confirmed that you have the money?”

“Of course. I have more than enough, so do not worry.”

The owner's gaze changed in an instant.

“That is not the correct answer.”

Their expression turned cold as they drew a blade from their waist. At the same time, blades flew in from all directions and formed a ring around me.

I calmly explained.

“I know. However, I do not have a Black Token, so I entered first.”

“Turn back if you do not wish to die.”

“While you call out to sell cloth that will not sell, you do not call out to an important customer?”

The owner gave a mocking laugh.

“Most people who say such things are nothing special.”

“I will place my hand inside my clothes for a moment.”

I carefully drew out the Silver Wang Token and showed it to them.

The owner's eyes flashed wide.

I looked at them and shrugged.

“Would this be enough to make me an important customer?”

This place, which appeared to be an ordinary cloth shop, was the Hao Sect's Yueyang Branch.

#

The owner led me to a staircase descending underground at the end of the cloth shop's corridor.

At the bottom was a large room without even a crack through which light could enter. Night-Luminous Pearls illuminated the chamber instead.

“I apologize for failing to recognize such an honored guest. Please excuse the delay in confirming your identity.”

They meant the time required to send and receive carrier pigeons to verify the authenticity of the Silver Wang Token.

The Wang Family Estate had issued the Silver Wang Token less than a week ago. Even if few people possessed one, it could not have been easy to know in advance whether it was genuine.

“I hesitate to ask this as compensation, but please give me a Black Token. I think I will use your services often.”

“Please, there is no need to mention it. We will prepare a top-grade Black Token for you.”

Strange devices and weapons filled the room.

There were unusual items unavailable on the open market, poisons, mechanisms, and fine swords that appeared to have been taken from someone.

“What do you require? We have everything from concealed weapons to spiritual medicines. If it is not here, we will search all under heaven to obtain it for you.”

“I am well aware of your reputation. But what I need now is information.”

“Ah... Information can sometimes demand a greater price than a fine sword.”

The owner rubbed their palms together once and spoke.

“What information do you seek?”

“Find me a place name in Hunan Province that would suit the description, ‘the end of the hell where heaven and earth meet.’”

It was such a sparse clue that I expected it to take time.

But then...

“The price is twenty taels of gold.”

“What?”

I tilted my head at the answer that came far too quickly.

The owner tilted their head as well.

“Did you not come seeking the Mita Sacred Water?”

What was this?

At the appearance of words that should not have come from their mouth, my eyes widened.

Footnotes:

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