The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything - Chapter 320

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Chen

◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈

Chapter 320: The Matter of Responsibility (3)

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The Mantong Office.

One of the three institutions that divided the Martial Alliance's authority.

Though it was a leadership body that formed one pillar of the Martial Alliance, it handled more practical work than any other department.

It decided matters as minor as how many hours the Martial Alliance guards would stand watch.

It determined how the annual budget and donations would be managed, as well as how they would be distributed among the various administrative departments.

It even managed the finances of the Martial Alliance's branches.

Considering that the authority to appoint branch leaders rested with the Mantong Office, it was also the place that made the most decisions.

Yet this bloated organization operated with fewer people than one might expect.

When I first began cramming the Mantong Office's documents into my head, a question occurred to me.

‘Does the Mantong Office start by training everyone to write in the same handwriting?’

Since people wrote the documents themselves, surely it would become difficult to review information efficiently if every document had different handwriting.

I thought it was a pretty good deduction.

It was completely wrong, of course.

The reason the Mantong Office's handwriting looked so similar was because they worked a small number of people to the bone.

In other words, the same tiny group had written that enormous volume of documents, which gave them a sense of uniformity.

‘Then why does this man keep coming and going from the Academy so often?’

I looked at Maeng Juwon standing before me.

Was Maeng Juwon also someone who secured free time by working subordinates to the bone?

“Aren't you busy?”

“What are you talking about? I'm busy every day! That's why I come here every day!”

I tilted my head at the incomprehensible answer.

Still, judging by the dark circles around Maeng Juwon's eyes and poor complexion, Maeng Juwon did seem busy.

“As you said outside earlier, the Academy Representative's dormitory is a private space. If you keep dropping in without an appointment like this...”

“Ah! Don't worry about that. I changed the regulations. Mantong Office personnel are now allowed to go anywhere when it concerns Alliance business.”

“...”

Why did coming to the Academy Representative's dormitory count as Alliance business?

Maeng Juwon snorted and thumped their chest.

“Am I not the Mantong Office itself? Then my business is Mantong Office business, and Mantong Office business is Martial Alliance business.”

It made no sense, so I let it go.

This was hardly the first time Maeng Juwon had come here to spout nonsense.

At least Maeng Juwon was not drunk and repeatedly begging me to save them.

‘Why does Maeng Juwon keep asking me to save them in the first place? It's not like their life is in danger.’

In my previous life, the person who died at Je Geumhak's hands was Jegal Somyeong.

Maeng Juwon had been in the same place, but barely survived. Maeng Juwon later led the Mantong Office alone, only to be dragged down by others and forced into retirement. Still, Maeng Juwon had not died at someone else's hands.

“...Anyway, what brings you here again?”

“Am I someone who can't come without a reason?”

“...That's what I thought.”

Maeng Juwon's shoulders drooped.

“That's hurtful... It really is!”

“If you have no business here, then I'll be...”

“I was going to tell you what would happen with the Jeondeung Sect. What a shame.”

“...It would be a shame to part ways like this. Shall I make you some tea?”

“Tea? Do you have time to drink tea?”

“As it happens, I have some good tea.”

I brought out the cheapest tea in my quarters and served it to Maeng Juwon.

I had only tried it once before. The aroma had been so awful that I never touched it again.

“Mm... It has a fine aroma.”

The smell was clearly terrible, yet a satisfied smile spread across Maeng Juwon's lips.

“Hehe... This kind of leisure... You could enjoy it if you joined us, you know?”

“What do you mean?”

“Ah, never mind.”

With a strange smile, Maeng Juwon set down the teacup.

“The Alliance Leader Decree will soon be proclaimed.”

Maeng Juwon's expression became serious.

“To put it simply, only the Martial Alliance will investigate forbidden arts.”

“Is the situation that serious?”

“Do you know how many sects disappear in a single day now?”

“...”

“After wiping out an entire sect, those bastards are asked for evidence, and they insist they burned it because it was corrupt. There are plenty of people like that now.”

Contempt crossed Maeng Juwon's face.

“They are doing things to one another on the White Path that make one wonder if they have gone too far. Their methods are more brutal than when they hunted the Black Path.”

They had no choice but to be more cruel and ruthless than when fighting the Black Path.

When attacking innocent people, they had to leave no opening for retaliation.

A thought suddenly came to me.

‘Was there too little bloodshed during the Sichuan Bloodbath?’

Perhaps the blood that should have been spilled during the Sichuan Bloodbath had changed course and begun flowing here instead...

No matter how much I changed history, perhaps I could not change humanity's desire to see blood spilled.

“Did the elders agree?”

Once the Alliance Leader Decree was activated, it would be enforced immediately.

Would the elders simply stand by and watch?

It was practically the same as stripping them of their rights.

Maeng Juwon furrowed a brow slightly.

“To some extent... Still, everyone agrees outwardly that it would be dangerous if this continued for too long.”

Maeng Juwon added, “Though there are people dissatisfied that the Alliance Leader Decree is being announced so quickly.”

“Because they haven't had a chance to make use of it yet?”

Maeng Juwon's expression became complicated.

“You... are a truly strange person.”

“What do you mean?”

At my question, Maeng Juwon immediately replied.

“Yes. They regret that they haven't had a chance to use it for themselves.”

This tendency in the martial world came from absolute faith in the Martial Alliance.

The belief that the Martial Alliance would never fall, no matter what enemy appeared, turned outside enemies into political tools for internal struggles over interests.

As a result, when a truly dangerous enemy finally appeared, they failed to respond.

As I fell into thought, Maeng Juwon warned me.

“So don't go too far either.”

“Hm? With what?”

“Your hostility toward the lecturers.”

“...Isn't the problem that the lecturers were replaced after only a year?”

“That... The Chief Strategist has already turned the Education Hall upside down over that matter. Take comfort in that.”

“Turned it upside down?”

“Didn't you know? Do you know how many people were dismissed from the Education Hall this time?”

Oh. That was useful information.

Maeng Juwon stroked a chin and sighed.

“Anyway, the Education Hall and the Mantong Office both agree that the lecturers already appointed cannot be replaced again.”

“Because of how it would look to outsiders?”

“They can't be replaced. The appointment seals have already been stamped onto the new arrivals' documents, so even the Chief Strategist had no choice but to accept them.”

Hmm. I see.

“Then isn't that better?”

“...What's good about it? In any case, remember that these new people will determine your graduation evaluations. If they give poor evaluations, your grades and those of the Taeul Sect disciples may end up a complete mess.”

Well, hearing that gave me another idea.

“...What does that expression of yours mean? You seem unhappy about something.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

When I feigned ignorance, Maeng Juwon shook their head.

“Anyway, stop causing trouble. The Orthodox Society and the White Path Society are already keeping a close eye on you. If you keep this up...”

As if Maeng Juwon had something very important to say, they gripped my shoulders tightly.

“It will become difficult for you to enter the Mantong Office later.”

“...”

Seriously, why did Maeng Juwon think I would join the Mantong Office?

I almost voiced my thoughts, then stopped.

The last time I said I would not join the Mantong Office, it caused a huge uproar.

I shouldn't poke the hornet's nest for no reason.

Yes. That was right.

“Hehe...”

When I gave no answer, Maeng Juwon looked strangely satisfied. They patted my shoulder and left.

Two days later, the lecturers contacted me.

It seemed Maeng Juwon's warning had worked.

Even if it only lasted two days.

Still, since Buk Wonpyeong himself would participate in the discussion, I had no choice but to meet them.

“Want me to come with you?”

“Young Master Jin, I'll go with you.”

Seong Moran, who seemed unconcerned, and Namgung Seonhwa, whose face was full of worry, stepped forward. I refused them both.

It wasn't like I was a child.

Did they think I would be frightened just because a group of lecturers came after me?

“Good grief! We're worried you'll cause trouble, Young Master Jin!”

What did these people take me for? Where else could they find someone as calm and rational as me?

...Well, there were times when I couldn't hold back, but that was only when the other side crossed the line.

There were times a proper man shouldn't endure, after all...

“You were thinking about causing trouble again, weren't you?!”

I hurried out of the representative's office.

The discussion was held in the Academic Affairs Department's meeting room.

Buk Wonpyeong sat at the end of a long table, while the lecturers and instructors sat in a row along one side.

Quite a sight, seeing them arrive in such a large group.

“Where should I sit?”

At my question, a lecturer seated in the middle answered coldly.

“Sit anywhere.”

“Then...”

“...Just sit in the middle. This matter is to be resolved between the Academy Representative and the lecturers.”

When I tried to sit near Buk Wonpyeong, the lecturer in the middle voiced a quiet complaint.

Then say that from the start.

When I sat down, the lecturers looked at me as though they wanted to kill me.

“...Sit properly.”

“Are you going to waste time picking fights over petty things? I'm busy.”

“...You rootless...”

“Huh? Academy Director, this person is insulting me.”

Buk Wonpyeong sighed softly.

“Both of you, stop it. Academy student Jin Sowoon, take your feet off the table. And Lecturer No Jinha, you did not come here simply to hurl insults, did you?”

“...”

The brief disturbance subsided, and No Jinha, the lecturer I had crushed in an internal energy contest, spoke.

“You know very well what you did, don't you?”

“I don't.”

“You publicly apologize first... Hm?”

No Jinha stopped mid-sentence and opened and closed his mouth like a fish.

I put on an innocent expression and slowly shook my head.

“I don't know. I really can't think of anything.”

“...Attacking a lecturer is subject to severe punishment...”

“You told me to prove my skill, so I proved it. You started the fight... No, you asked for it yourself, so why are you blaming me?”

I tilted my head, then struck my fist into my palm as if I had just realized something.

“Ah! Is the problem that I beat you so humiliatingly?”

“...”

“But that's not my fault, is it? Ah, that doesn't mean it was your fault either, Lecturer.”

At my last words, No Jinha's face seemed to ease slightly.

Why were you already relieved? I wasn't finished yet.

“Isn't it the Qingcheng Sect's fault for raising such a stupid disciple?”

Bang!

The table shook as though it were about to break.

“Do you truly want to die? How dare you disgrace my sect!”

Crunch.

No Jinha ground his teeth so hard it seemed his jaw would break.

Tch. You should have used that strength to win the internal energy contest.

I wiped the amusement from my face and spoke quietly.

“The Qingcheng Sect must not be disgraced, but the Taeul Sect can be?”

“...”

“Whether it is a first-rate sect like the Taeul Sect or a third-rate sect like the Qingcheng Sect, everyone feels attached to their own sect. You were the one who first disgraced another's sect because you were stronger.”

The expressions of No Jinha and the other lecturers stiffened.

“On top of that, you are now pressuring an innocent person to apologize. Should I comply with such nonsense?”

Once the subject turned to sects, No Jinha could not continue.

Then a lecturer beside him with a gentle-looking face smiled and spoke.

“Now, now. We did not gather here to kill one another.”

Kang Suntak pressed down firmly on No Jinha's shoulder and made him sit.

“Restrain yourself. It seems you were overly enthusiastic during class, Jinha. That was certainly wrong.”

“...”

What was that one's name again? He was also from the Qingcheng Sect... Kang... Right, Kang Suntak!

Kang Suntak rebuked No Jinha before turning to me with a kindly smile.

“Try to understand. Since ancient times, lecturers and instructors have sometimes deliberately humiliated Academy students to create a solemn atmosphere. It happened in our day as well.”

Wow, now we were getting the whole “back in my day” speech.

“Anyway, Jinha clearly crossed the line, so I will apologize in his place. It was a small ‘mistake,’ wasn't it? A man should be generous enough to let something like this go. Ha ha! Isn't that right?”

He spoke as if it were nothing, without considering the other person's feelings at all.

Why could they not put themselves in our position?

If they thought about it for even a moment, they would understand how we felt.

“Still, regardless of the circumstances, a lecturer being humiliated before an Academy student could become a problem for future instruction. So, to restore even a little of a teacher's authority... how about ending this matter with you publicly apologizing to Lecturer No?”

But I understood now.

They did not need to think from our perspective.

Because they believed they would never be in our position.

They had always stood above us before, and they were confident they would always stand above us in the future.

So there was no reason for them to care.

They only needed to pretend to hear us out, then preserve things as they were according to their own intentions.

Just like this.

“Would it not be best for everyone if you publicly apologized and we accepted it, resolving this matter amicably?”

They knew.

They knew how hard the weak had to struggle to respond to injustice.

So they soothed us just enough to make us give up.

After all, they thought things would naturally quiet down and return to normal with time.

I had experienced it countless times in my previous life.

I would respond while carrying a burden. Then I would believe a few sweet words from the other side and give up.

Because I lacked strength. Because I was afraid. Because I wanted to believe that even if I relied on their lies, a hopeless reality could change.

“That is how justice is established. Is it not?”

But now I knew.

“I don't want to.”

“...Pardon?”

I knew their idiotic version of justice.

And I believed in my own strength.

“I said I don't want to. Why should I apologize when I did nothing wrong?”

These hypocrites revealed their true colors the moment the other side refused to move as they intended.

Just like this man.

“...Can you handle the consequences? We will evaluate you and your junior disciples until you graduate.”

“Does that mean scores may change depending on your feelings, Lecturer?”

“...”

“You are not denying it.”

Kang Suntak gave a scornful laugh.

“I heard your martial epithet contains Flame, but it is written with the character for Thought. Your thinking is shallow, as expected. Do you believe antagonizing us like this will benefit you?”

He looked down on me.

“Ah, do you know this? Even after you enter the Martial Alliance, the people here will evaluate you. Do you want to throw your rosy future into a shit pit right here?”

That was why it was important to hit back.

Unless harm came to them, they would never consider the other person's position.

“Why do you think I will be the only one harmed?”

“Do you believe we have anything to lose?”

People only become careful once they themselves start bleeding.

“Half of the Academy curriculum consists of demonstration classes with lecturers and instructors. There are more than ten sparring matches among them.”

“...Hm?”

I leaned comfortably against my chair and looked at Buk Wonpyeong.

“Academy Director, what happens if a lecturer dies during a sparring match held as part of the Academy curriculum? Ah, I should ask this first. Has there ever been such a precedent?”

“...Hey! Jin Sowoon...”

Buk Wonpyeong was so startled that he dropped his formal speech.

I paid him no mind and continued.

“Hmm... Then what happens if a lecturer suffers an unfortunate accident? If he is left with a disability he cannot recover from, he will naturally be forced to retire, correct?”

Kang Suntak, who had been speaking so confidently, shouted in disbelief.

“Have you lost your mind? After doing something like that...”

“What? It would just be a small ‘mistake.’”

“...!”

You were the ones who said it was just a small “mistake.”

“Besides, my future and those of the Taeul Sect disciples have already been thrown into a shit pit, haven't they?”

“...”

“I truly do not understand why you thought all the damage would fall on only one side.”

What a shame.

You were not the only ones who could make small “mistakes.”

“Did my junior disciples and I look like the sort of people who would simply take it?”

The Education Hall being unable to send any more new lecturers meant these people had to resolve matters themselves.