WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 378: The Overflowing Waves (3)
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The Mantong Office reception room was not somewhere the Martial Alliance's Chief Strategist would normally have any reason to use.
If someone important enough to warrant a personal welcome from the Chief Strategist arrived, the current Martial Alliance Leader should receive them in the Alliance Leader’s Hall.
If they were not important enough for the Chief Strategist to receive personally, a Hall Master under them or the Head of the Mantong Office would handle the matter.
The Chief Strategist would only use the reception room to receive members of the Elder Council or key figures from the various sects.
Jegal Somyeong despised nothing more than people gathering to engage in pointless political maneuvering. If only to keep such meetings short, they would deliberately meet guests in their office rather than use the reception room.
Yet Jegal Somyeong found themself quietly surprised as they looked at the person who had met all those difficult conditions.
‘The Black Alliance's Chief Strategist...’
When the Black Alliance was first formed, the greatest question for Jegal Somyeong and the Mantong Office had been who would serve as its Chief Strategist.
Blood Brain, the Cold-Blooded Elder, and the Sleeping Demon had sufficient ability and experience for the role, but they belonged to Jegal Somyeong's generation. They were older than Cha Seokdu, the new Alliance Lord, and did not suit the position of Chief Strategist, who was meant to assist him.
The Mad Scholar, Ghost Pine Adept, and the Thousand-Pain Killer had the right age and experience, but their madness ran too deep. They would surely rot the Black Alliance from within.
In the end, Jegal Somyeong had expected the position to go to the Cliff-Carved Blood Buddha, the Red-Green Scholar, or the Thousand-Faced Heavenly Lord...
“I am Dam Ak, Chief Strategist of the Black Alliance.”
Defying every prediction, a scholar named Dam Ak had ultimately taken the position of Chief Strategist.
‘He really is young, just as the reports said.’
His origins, to say nothing of his remarkably young age.
It was hard to believe that the pale-faced scholar before them was the Chief Strategist of the savage Black Alliance.
The Mantong Office had predicted it would take the Black Alliance at least three years to firmly establish itself. Yet in less than two years, it had become the center of the Black Path martial world.
And at the center of it all stood this man.
No one could deny that Dam Ak, praised as the brain of the current Black Path martial world, stood at the Black Alliance’s center.
What was even more surprising upon seeing him in person was...
‘Hah... Has he not even learned martial arts?’
What kind of place was the martial world?
It was ruled by the law of the strong devouring the weak, where even the finest cause or reasoning was ultimately crushed beneath strength and power.
Even the White Path martial world, which claimed to uphold justice, was like that. So how had Dam Ak, who had not learned even a scrap of martial arts and had no powerful backing, dealt with the leading figures of the Black Path martial world, where such tendencies ran even deeper...?
“Is there something on my face?”
Dam Ak's voice brought Jegal Somyeong back to their senses.
“Ahem. No.”
As Jegal Somyeong considered what excuse to offer for their rudeness, Dam Ak smiled faintly and continued.
“The White Path martial world is certainly different. Most people who meet me first try to initiate an energy clash... Is that what it is called?”
“...”
It sounded like praise for the other side, yet Jegal Somyeong quietly admired how Dam Ak had naturally revealed his own composure at the same time.
Ordinary scholars who had not learned martial arts instinctively feared martial artists.
Yet...
‘Does he believe he can get whatever he wants from me as well...?’
He clearly possessed very little, but he made no effort to hide his shortcomings or put on empty bravado.
Instead, he exposed an opening and waited for the other side to exploit his weakness.
He likely intended to strike back the moment they let down their guard and obtain what he wanted.
For some reason, Jin Sowoon came to mind.
‘He resembles that brat. Though that brat is worse, actively leading his opponents into striking at his weaknesses.’
Jegal Somyeong calmly shook their head.
“How could I commit such discourtesy while receiving a guest?”
Dam Ak possessed confidence and nerve beyond his years.
Still, Jegal Somyeong was not naive enough to be led along by his intentions.
They decided to make the first move.
With an opponent like this, taking the initiative and leading the exchange would make their future relationship easier.
“Strategist Dam is no ordinary guest. You are a valued guest with whom we will have much to pursue in the future. Especially since...”
Jegal Somyeong added slowly and quietly.
“You are someone Sowoon risked his life to save.”
Jegal Somyeong calmly recounted Gun Yuhyeon's assassination attempt against Dam Ak in the Black Alliance and how Jin Sowoon had saved him.
Perhaps realizing Jegal Somyeong's intent, Dam Ak's lips curved into a faint smile.
His voice relaxed slightly as it filled the room.
“I wondered when I might be able to come and see Young Hero Jin... This was a good excuse.”
Thinking Dam Ak was gradually being drawn in, Jegal Somyeong began making moves in earnest to seize him by the hair.
“People will likely think the Black Alliance has repaid the debt it owed the Martial Alliance through this matter. Of course, saving your Chief Strategist cannot be settled merely by attending a graduation ceremony.”
Though the unexpected attack should have caught him off guard, Dam Ak only nodded calmly.
His tone did not rise in the slightest.
“Perhaps people who do not know the situation would think so... But would those who know not believe that the Martial Alliance has already received considerable help from the Black Alliance through what happened in Sichuan?”
When he brought up how the Black Alliance had calmed the Black Path martial world during the Sichuan Bloodbath, Jegal Somyeong let out a quiet groan.
“Besides, I have heard that Young Hero Jin Sowoon is not especially welcomed within the White Path martial world. Even what happened in the Black Alliance was not viewed as proof of the Martial Alliance's strength. The general opinion was more along the lines of, ‘How fortunate for the Martial Alliance to possess such a divine prodigy.’”
Against Jegal Somyeong, an experienced negotiator, Dam Ak gently slipped free of the hand reaching for his hair.
“It also seems that what Young Hero Jin did in the Black Alliance has not been recognized as much of an achievement.”
Then he tried to grab Jegal Somyeong by the beard instead.
Jegal Somyeong knew they should not answer, but could not think of another move and eventually replied.
“Jin Sowoon is already a promising divine prodigy who represents the Martial Alliance as the Academy Representative.”
“And yet such a person has not even been assigned a position after graduation?”
“That is due to internal circumstances...”
“I see. Internal circumstances.”
Dam Ak nodded as though he understood everything, making Jegal Somyeong's brow crease slightly.
At this rate, even their remaining beard would be seized.
Jegal Somyeong swiftly overturned the board.
“Also... Since Strategist Dam brought it up, how can what happened in Sichuan be considered entirely beneficial to the Martial Alliance? The entire martial world was exposed to the Blood Cult's threat. The Black Path martial world could not have acted recklessly either.”
“Perhaps. But if the Black Alliance had exploited what happened in Sichuan, we could have established ourselves a year sooner.”
During the Sichuan Bloodbath, the Black Alliance had restrained the Black Path martial artists who wanted to attack the White Path martial world. That had unquestionably been a great help to the Martial Alliance.
If the Black Alliance had seized that chance and risen by exploiting the Martial Alliance's weakness, the Martial Alliance would likely be half destroyed by now, locked in an endless conflict with the Black Alliance.
“If the Black Alliance were a person, would it not still be like a child? Wounds suffered in childhood leave deep scars.”
“Mustn't a person endure hardship to truly become an adult? No matter how old someone grows, can they be called an adult if they lack substance?”
“...”
Dam Ak was saying that the more the Black Alliance bled, the more firmly established it would become.
For a moment, Jegal Somyeong wondered if this was Dam Ak's method.
After all, it was common for Black Path martial artists to pursue their goal over the process, no matter what sacrifices were required.
‘Was that always his nature? Or was he changed by living among the Black Path?’
Yet the question remained.
If he had taken this position only because he had nerve, there were plenty of people in the Black Path martial world with more extreme beliefs than Dam Ak.
And hollow bluster was easily shaken when one's life was truly threatened.
Jegal Somyeong lowered their voice.
“People who sit in positions where they give orders often make the same mistake. They believe they will remain safe until the very end.”
“...”
“For example, if the Black Alliance were the Martial Alliance's enemy, would it not be best to eliminate its capable Chief Strategist while he was visiting the Martial Arts Academy?”
At the same time, Jegal Somyeong subtly released killing intent.
Psychological pressure and the pressure of internal energy caused physical reactions, which in turn branded fear deep into one's heart.
That was why Jegal Somyeong had continued practicing martial arts, even cutting back on sleep.
Just as expected, beads of sweat began to form on Dam Ak's face.
“...”
No matter how sharp his mind or remarkable his nerve, anyone facing a threat to their life would eventually reveal their limits.
Jegal Somyeong thought they had finally taken control of the situation.
“What do you think? Is the Black Alliance...”
They smiled as they looked at Dam Ak's face.
“An enemy of the Martial Alliance? Or a friend?”
A heavy silence settled over the reception room.
Only after a long pause did Dam Ak calmly speak.
And what came from his lips was...
“If I die here, the Black Alliance will truly become one.”
It was far beyond anything Jegal Somyeong had expected.
Having said that, Dam Ak quietly closed his eyes.
He did not add another word or try to find a way out.
He simply waited for death without a trace of fear.
It was Jegal Somyeong who became flustered instead.
They could not sense even the slightest attachment to life, something any person should possess, within Dam Ak.
His detached attitude, as though it did not matter what happened afterward, was something Jegal Somyeong had never imagined.
Then, in that moment, Jegal Somyeong realized it.
‘Was this it?’
Though Dam Ak came from a scholarly background and had not learned even a scrap of martial arts...
This was why he could control and move the leading figures of the Black Path.
‘I see... So this was it.’
He treated not only others, but himself, as a piece on the board.
Not because it would bring greater gain.
No-Mind.[1]
He acted simply because it was right.
And such an unfathomable state of mind overwhelmed those who witnessed it.
‘Has he reached such a realm through learning alone?’
Once again, Jegal Somyeong felt how vast the world was.
“My apologies.”
Jegal Somyeong was the first to speak in the end.
Dam Ak was too sincere for them to dismiss it as a joke and move on.
The only way to avoid losing out here was to offer a respectful apology and concession.
This was likely why the Black Path's leading figures had ultimately let Dam Ak seize them by the hair. They could not lower their heads in situations like this.
Jegal Somyeong was not as foolish as they were.
They bowed their head very slightly.
“My jest went too far. I suppose I wanted to know how you dealt with martial artists.”
Dam Ak opened his eyes and nodded as if it were nothing.
“I accept your apology.”
Jegal Somyeong admitted they had no choice but to be led by Dam Ak.
Their beard was now completely in his grasp.
“I hope you understand that even if we cannot become friends, we must not become enemies.”
“I understand. I hear there are many people now stirring up trouble while impersonating the Demonic Cult and the Black Path?”
The White Path martial world's greed had given those watching for an opportunity the justification they needed. Jegal Somyeong did not want the Black Alliance to join this chaos as well.
‘True chaos is coming.’
They could not form an alliance with the Black Alliance before the Demonic Cult began openly showing its strength, but unnecessary conflict had to be prevented.
“If we can at least show that the Black Alliance and the Martial Alliance have a cordial relationship, fewer people will impersonate the Black Path martial world.”
It was a warning to those who used chaos as an opportunity. At the very least, do not impersonate the Black Alliance.
This time, Dam Ak nodded deeply.
“I understand. That is why I came.”
After all that circling, it had become the Martial Alliance asking the Black Alliance for a favor.
Jegal Somyeong tried not to show the sense of defeat they had not felt in a long time.
Still, it was too soon to feel exhausted. They had no idea what someone who could abandon even himself might demand.
Without relaxing their guard, Jegal Somyeong asked Dam Ak, “What does the Black Alliance want? Logistics rights in the northeast? Control over Shanxi Province? I may be worrying needlessly, but White South, Black North is unacceptable.”
Jegal Somyeong drew the line while prepared to concede at least the first two.
No, perhaps it was more accurate to say they had set limits on what the Black Alliance could demand so it would seem as though the Martial Alliance had offered something substantial.
Dam Ak remained calm and relaxed.
As Jegal Somyeong grew increasingly anxious while watching him, Dam Ak slowly parted his lips.
“There is only one thing I want.”
Jegal Somyeong swallowed.
What enormous demand was he about to make...?
“Please allow us to congratulate Jin Sowoon, a student of the Martial Arts Academy, on his graduation in the name of the Black Alliance.”
“...”
Jegal Somyeong wondered whether they had heard incorrectly and nearly went to wash out their ears before stopping themself.
Then their mind began racing.
To throw away an opportunity to gain tremendous profit, only to ask for mere congratulations?
‘Yes, this must be...’
There had to be some terrible, deep-laid scheme Jegal Somyeong had failed to anticipate.
“...”
Yet no matter how hard they thought, they could not grasp Dam Ak's intention at all.
The Martial Alliance's Chief Strategist had encountered one of the most vexing problems since taking the position.
[1] No-Mind (無心): a Buddhist and martial-arts ideal of acting without attachment to self, gain, or survival.
Footnotes:
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