The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything - Chapter 395

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Chen

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈

Chapter 395: Personal Revenge (5)

──────

Wuhan Entertainment District

“They escaped?”

Qingxiu Zhenren studied the informant’s face for a moment before taking a sip from his cup of liquor.

“How did they manage to escape?”

Wuhan was the Martial Alliance’s stronghold and, in effect, the front yard of the Orthodox Society, the Nine Sects One Gang.

Martial Alliance facilities were scattered throughout the city, and businesses affiliated with the Nine Sects One Gang filled every alley. While conducting trade, they also served as branch offices and watch posts.

In other words, all of Wuhan lay in the Orthodox Society’s palm.

And yet they had escaped Wuhan.

It was like failing to catch a slow insect crawling across one’s palm.

“M-my apologies. They mixed dozens of carriages together...”

Apparently, they had gathered dozens of carriages and used them to deceive their pursuers.

Even so, this was not a gambling table where sleight of hand could be used. How could they lose track of an entire delegation?

“Martial artists... The person you lost was not some tiny bean.”

Had they used dark arts unknown to them? As one of the leading figures of the Black Path martial world, Dam Ak knowing a dark art or two would not be strange.

A fresh sense of crisis washed over Qingxiu Zhenren. They had ultimately let someone escape who could so freely trample the laws of all creation.

The mere thought of how deeply that person might plunge the world into misery filled Qingxiu Zhenren with grim thoughts.

“Um... I regret to report that three people were seriously injured during the pursuit.”

“Seriously injured?”

“Yes... Two lost an arm, and one suffered damage to the dantian.”

“How much damage did you inflict on the enemy?”

“...”

“You failed to harm them at all. What a shame.”

“...”

Qingxiu Zhenren tapped the desk with his fingers, already lost in other thoughts.

When the informant bit down hard on their lip, Qingxiu Zhenren’s gaze turned cold.

“What are you dissatisfied with?”

“Nothing.”

“Are you not concerned? Think of how many people the Black Path leader you let escape will exploit and corrupt.”

“...I apologize. I deserve death!”

“Are martial artists truly so pained by nothing more than scratches on their own bodies?”

“N-no! Absolutely not!”

Four Evils.

For the past five hundred years, the Martial Alliance had stood at the forefront of eradicating those Four Evils.

Countless chivalrous warriors had shed blood to stop those wicked beings from bringing chaos to the world.

Yet now, as though denying all those lives and spilled blood, a leader of the Black Alliance had ravaged Wuhan after joining a delegation to the Martial Alliance.

When Dam Ak attended the sacred Martial Arts Academy graduation ceremony, Qingxiu Zhenren had even felt the humiliation of a personal insult.

Hyeok Mugang and Jegal Somyeong, whom they had installed as figureheads, had colluded to make a mess of the Martial Alliance.

The martial world’s peace, built atop countless corpses, was being destroyed for private gain.

“Your strength exists for the sake of this world. Will you refuse to bear the responsibility that comes with great strength and think only of gaining influence and wielding power?!”

“...”

At some point, martial prowess had become power, and power had become authority.

The world was falling into disorder.

And in a chaotic world, the line between righteousness and evil grew blurred.

Dam Ak of the Black Alliance daring to set foot in Wuhan was proof enough.

Only Dam Ak’s blood could cleanse this corruption.

“I will bring back Dam Ak’s head.”

The informant’s eyes regained their light, and Qingxiu Zhenren waved a hand.

The informant silently left the inner chamber.

Qingxiu Zhenren picked up the Hundred-Flowers Dew from the table where a drinking feast had been held moments earlier and filled his cup.

After taking a single unhesitating sip, Qingxiu Zhenren looked to the side.

“Do you find me disgusting?”

“...”

The delicate-featured man looked back with an impassive expression.

Qingxiu Zhenren asked again.

“Answer me, Hyeonyeong. Do you find me disgusting?”

Hyeonyeong’s expression remained unchanged. Then his lips slowly parted.

“I do, Master.”

Even at the disciple’s insolent answer, so bluntly calling his master disgusting, Qingxiu Zhenren merely smiled coldly.

Hyeonyeong continued.

“And I find you equally pitiful, Master.”

Qingxiu Zhenren’s gaze wavered at the unexpected answer.

“Why do you think that?”

“Are you not the one who bleeds and suffers more than anyone else?”

“...”

“If Wudang Sect and the Martial Alliance could follow only the Dao and the natural order, would you not be the first to leave the secular world behind?”

By the time Hyeonyeong finished speaking, Qingxiu Zhenren had regained composure.

Looking down at the cup, Qingxiu Zhenren comforted his disciple.

“You need not understand my heart so deeply. At times, resenting someone can comfort one’s own heart.”

“I have never resented you, Master.”

That unexpected answer made Qingxiu Zhenren look at Hyeonyeong, his direct disciple.

The child he had intended to raise as the next sect leader.

The child who had shown brighter talent and more fervent effort than anyone else.

That child, once like a shining light, had been reduced to a shadow by the appearance of Yong Soa, his junior fellow disciple.

Yong Soa’s talent and ability were so extraordinary that they could be called an error in all creation. Qingxiu Zhenren had willingly discarded the future of Hyeonyeong, the direct disciple he had treated like a child.

“From the beginning, there was no place for me among the dragons and phoenixes.”

Yet Hyeonyeong’s voice held not the slightest trace of regret.

“I am only grateful that I can become nourishment for the Established Way.”

It was enough if Hyeonyeong’s existence could be of even the slightest help.

It may have been the right thing to do, but the heart of someone who had extinguished a child’s future with their own hands could not be at peace.

Still, seeing a disciple who did not lament his circumstances and instead wished to become nourishment for justice made Qingxiu Zhenren’s eyes grow moist.

What disciple in the world could understand a master’s heart so well?

“You... You make this old master weep.”

Qingxiu Zhenren downed another cup of Hundred-Flowers Dew and settled his emotions.

“What troubles me is that Jin Sowoon has stepped in.”

“Is he not simply one of the wicked?”

Qingxiu Zhenren shook his head.

“He is different. Estate Lord Wang is helping Jin Sowoon’s plan. No sect in the Nine Sects One Gang could receive such assistance from Estate Lord Wang.”

“...This disciple is foolish and does not understand.”

That was understandable. Hyeonyeong was intelligent, but he was still young.

“Jin Sowoon acts as though he is content in poverty and delights in the Dao, yet his gaze openly seeks wealth and high station. Still, he is not swayed by wealth, rank, or glory. In the face of so many temptations, he remains as unmoved as wood and stone. Estate Lord Wang was likely captivated by that outward appearance and extended a hand to him.”

“If he is such a person, is it not our duty to make him repent and guide him along the righteous path?”

“If that were possible!”

Qingxiu Zhenren’s gaze darkened while recalling the encounter with Jin Sowoon in the entertainment district.

“I would have done so.”

“...”

“He is not merely difficult to predict. That boy is disorder and chaos itself, as though he enjoys it. Sound dynasties throughout history have always fallen because of people like him.”

“Do you believe he threatens the Established Way?”

“He does.”

Silence followed for a moment. Then Hyeonyeong rose and offered his master a fist-and-palm salute.

“This disciple will gladly cover himself in filth.”

“Can you do it?”

“I beg you to grant me the opportunity.”

Seeing his disciple prepared to throw himself into danger for the Established Way, Qingxiu Zhenren did not hide his satisfaction.

“Good. Do not fear being dirtied for the Established Way.”

Hyeonyeong readily answered.

“Watching you, Master, who stepped into the mire before anyone else, I vowed and vowed again.”

The master and disciple, utterly convinced they were walking the right path, took another step forward.

Honestly, I didn’t hold any particular grudge against the Orthodox Society.

Of course, if the Sojeong Unit members from my previous life heard that, they’d laugh until they farted and tell me to stop spewing bullshit. Still, I really didn’t hate the Orthodox Society that much.

I just loathed them a little.

They had brought peace to the chaotic martial world five hundred years ago, laid the foundation of the Martial Alliance, and fought hard for chivalry all this time.

If they hadn’t at least shouted about justice and acted under the banner of a cause, the martial world could have become far worse.

Yeah, even a rotten croaker still had its uses. They had been useful to some extent.

The problem was that they’d been doing it for five hundred years.

In a world where even the mountains and rivers changed in ten years, they had clung to power for five hundred.

The confidence and pride built up over five centuries had hardened into stone, becoming an unbreakable pagoda. Now, they believed everything they did was truth and justice.

Just look at this mess.

They were trying to assassinate the invited guest, Dam Ak, because he might become a future threat.

They didn’t see the Black Alliance as fellow people of the martial world, but as contamination that shouldn’t exist in the world.

What was more, they were so full of themselves that they didn’t even bother hiding what they were doing.

‘Fucking bastards... Shouldn’t you at least hide those obvious movement arts?’

I turned around when my energy sense detected them. Qingcheng Sect’s Floating Cloud Skimming Flight, Zhongnan Sect’s Milky Way Drifting Steps, even Wudang Sect’s Taiji Divine Steps. What a sight.

At this rate, they might as well stick their sect names to their foreheads instead of wearing masks.

“Hyah! Hyah!”

I tightened my grip on the reins, and the horses ran even faster.

The pursuers, who had been following from far behind, hurriedly increased their speed.

They still didn’t know who rode in which carriage, so they seemed determined to somehow check inside.

‘Like I’m going to make it easy for you.’

The chase had only just begun.

The strength of their encirclement would depend on how much farther we could widen the gap between this carriage and the others.

For now, all we could do was run.

-The pursuers are getting closer. Shall we shake them off?

It was a sound transmission from one of the delegation guards, disguised as an escort warrior.

Good grief.

A mere escort warrior shaking off the elite of the Nine Sects One Gang...!

That would be the same as shouting, ‘Dam Ak is here!’

-Absolutely not.

-But they are getting closer.

-Do not engage them.

-...Is it because they are Martial Alliance people?

We had built up a little trust, and they were already suspicious of me? That was hurtful.

Still, I could understand how they felt.

-We could clear out the pursuers and those blocking the road now, but if they discover Dam Ak is here, we will never get out of Hubei Province.

-...I apologize.

The guard bowed deeply and asked no more questions.

They simply moved from beside the carriage to its roof, preparing to act at any moment.

“Hyah! Hyah!”

I kept increasing the carriage’s speed, but even fine horses pulling a heavy carriage couldn’t completely shake off martial artists who had mastered movement arts.

As the distance slowly narrowed, the pursuers soon began openly revealing themselves.

-They are within ten zhang.

The guard on the roof continued reporting the distance behind us.

-Eight zhang.

Each time I lashed the reins, the horses screamed and ran faster.

“Young Master Jin... We are going too fast.”

The driver beside me had gone pale.

But I couldn’t slow down.

-Six zhang.

The pursuers had already come close enough to see with the naked eye.

-Four zhang!

Shing.

I heard the guards carefully draw their swords behind me.

I had no time to stop them, so I swung the whip even harder.

Neigh!

The horses’ cries echoed through the forest surrounding the main road.

Then the driver pointed ahead in alarm.

“T-there!”

Where the driver pointed, a group of people stood blocking the road. Braziers burned beside them as they signaled us to stop.

-Two zhang! What should we do?

I answered firmly.

-Do not engage.

The guard’s fierce gaze bored into me.

I could even feel their resentment, as though they were asking what the hell I was thinking.

I knew.

But this was a contest of nerve.

The first bastard to lose his nerve died.

-One zhang!!!

Perhaps because the urgency had them worked up, the guard’s sound transmission was especially loud.

Fuck, why weren’t they coming? They should’ve arrived by now.

And at that very moment, a massive wave of fist force burst from the forest and swept through the pursuers.

Kwaaaaang!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

At the same time, palm force rained down on those blocking the road ahead.

“Argh!”

“Who the hell are you?!”

Pained screams and startled shouts echoed throughout the forest.

Thinking they were the only ones wearing masks, they failed to react to the sudden ambush and were thrown to the ground.

I immediately sent a sound transmission to the guard, who looked ready to leap in.

-Do not worry. They are people I called.

The horses raced on, mercilessly trampling those sprawled across the ground.

“Guhhhk!”

“Argh!”

Horrible screams rose from beneath the carriage, but I easily ignored them.

Why did they have to recklessly block a carriage’s path?

After we finally shook off all the pursuers, a man jumped onto the carriage roof.

The guards tried to attack, but sheathed their swords at my signal.

The man calmly removed his mask and sat beside me.

“Fuck! You’re late! I almost died.”

Even at my rough swearing, the man remained calm.

“You never said you would be coming this way.”

The face beneath the mask belonged to Cheol Sunjik.

I continued urging the carriage onward and asked, “Why are you and Nam Hwaseong both here?”

“We stationed enough people along the other routes too, so you don’t need to wor...”

Thump.

Nam Hwaseong landed on the carriage roof right after him.

“Jin Sowoon, are you really going to do this crazy thing? No, you’re already doing it... Hah, are you going to keep doing it?”

Always complaining.

“Go work already. There are still more pursuers to deal with, aren’t there?”

“How much longer do we have to keep at it?”

“Of course, until dawn! That way, they’ll be even more confused.”

“...Are you really planning to take this all the way?”

“Of course. Why would I start if I planned to quit halfway?”

I couldn’t see his face, but I could imagine his expression.

“Damn it... I’m going to make sure we get paid well for this.”

What was he talking about? Who did he think we were suffering like this for?

“Why take it from me? You should collect it from Chief Strategist Dam Ak.”

“We are following you because you said... Ah, forget it.”

Nam Hwaseong awkwardly scratched his head. Soon afterward, muttering, “How am I supposed to collect anything from the Black Alliance’s Chief Strategist?” he kicked off and vanished into the forest.

Cheol Sunjik remained seated quietly beside me.

He watched me for a long while with his weasel-like eyes, then spoke softly.

“This is a race against time.”

“I know.”

“Once they become impatient, it will not be only lay disciples who move.”

“I know that too.”

“In the worst case, to buy time...”

“Then hurry up and go work!”

“...”

Silence passed.

“Then let’s both make it out alive.”

Cheol Sunjik also launched himself into the dark forest.