WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 469: The Anxiety of Goodness (6)
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Trust was like river ice that changed with the weather. At times, it was thick enough to withstand any amount of jumping.
At other times, a single misstep was enough to crack the thin ice and put everything in danger.
That was exactly the state of our relationship with Tanghyeon Sect.
The Martial Alliance had secretly conducted an inspection and launched a purge operation, only to fail in the end.
Since the inspection had been halted after a serious mistake, they could not conduct another openly.
Yet the suspects had committed crimes too serious to simply abandon the investigation.
The Martial Alliance had not handed the Dragon-Phoenix Association the Inspectorate's list directly. Instead, it broadened the group of sects we would visit, a political measure meant to make people think our visit was not an inspection.
If their ally, the Martial Alliance, regarded them as people who practiced forbidden arts and researched dark arts, how furious would they be?
The sects receiving visits from the Dragon-Phoenix Association likely understood that as well.
That was why they were probably wearing such political smiles, trying to show they did not care about this so-called inspection and had nothing to hide.
‘This is so damn complicated.’
The Dragon-Phoenix Association had to investigate Tanghyeon Sect amid this complicated, confusing, delicate situation that required the utmost caution.
After much deliberation, they dumped the entire burden onto their Society Leader, Gwak Susan.
Gwak Susan, formerly the Fourth Group's Unit Leader of the Life-or-Death Unit and the youngest of the Jongnam group, had to approach this complex and sensitive matter without letting the other side notice.
Gwak Susan, a sharp-minded man raised among Jongnam Sect's elite, spoke.
“I'd like to have a look around Tanghyeon Sect.”
“Pardon?”
“Ah, it just looks so impressive.”
Mak Hyowol's gaze turned toward the buildings.
“......?”
Their exteriors were neither especially grand nor impressive.
“......!”
Still, Mak Hyowol was capable.
They understood Gwak Susan's intentions and granted permission.
“Don't worry about imposing. Feel free to look around.”
At Mak Hyowol's permission, Gwak Susan clenched a fist where only we could see it. Danmok Gyoryeon and Deung Hyanghyang immediately pinched his sides.
“Ah!”
Sang Jayang, who introduced themself as the general steward, took charge of showing us around Tanghyeon Sect.
It was rather unusual for someone who looked no older than their mid-thirties to be entrusted with managing the sect's entire household.
“Ha ha, I originally studied for the civil service examination.”
They had even taken the examination.
When we expressed our amazement, Sang Jayang modestly waved a hand.
“I am simply a failed scholar and martial artist. I ended up neither one thing nor the other.”
Whether they were general stewards or inner hall masters, people who managed money usually had a stubborn, fussy side to them. Sang Jayang showed none of that.
They were more like a bold wandering martial artist.
As we walked with Sang Jayang, I realized they were quite close to the people of Tanghyeon Sect.
It was completely unlike my father, who spent every day arguing with sect members while trying to save money.
When I mentioned that, Sang Jayang laughed heartily.
“If you spend money where it is needed and save it where it is not, there is no need to be stingy.”
What was that supposed to mean?
Were they taking a jab at my father?
“It cannot be easy to look after so many people.”
“Tanghyeon Sect has a total of four hundred and eighty-eight members, making us the largest sect near Akseo. Fortunately, we have no competitors, so there are no great difficulties in maintaining the sect.”
Sang Jayang continued.
“Another great advantage is our large fields and rice paddies, passed down through generations. We do not need to make separate preparations for winter.”
Sang Jayang openly discussed matters that most general stewards would have hesitated to reveal.
Perhaps because they liked Sang Jayang's manner, the Dragon-Phoenix Association spoke comfortably as well.
“On our way here, there was not a single village that did not praise Tanghyeon Sect.”
At Gwak Susan's words, Sang Jayang scratched their head for the first time, looking embarrassed.
“In truth, that is entirely because of the Sect Leader.”
“What do you mean?”
“To be honest, I do not particularly enjoy giving away Tanghyeon Sect's assets and helping people outside the sect.”
“Ah......”
“Our Sect Leader can be a little excessive, even in my opinion.”
Despite those words, pride was plainly written across Sang Jayang's face.
“The Sect Leader considers peace in the martial world and stability in ordinary society most important. Helping as many people as possible while one has the means, that is what they call chivalry.”
Sang Jayang's chest swelled with pride.
“Tanghyeon Sect is likely the sect in Hubei Province with the most disciples who grew up as orphans.”
“Wow......”
Sang Jayang had every reason to be proud.
For that moment, the Dragon-Phoenix Association set aside Tanghyeon Sect's influence and standing and felt nothing but sincere respect.
Such contributions were not easy for any sect to make, regardless of its size.
Perhaps embarrassed by our genuine admiration, Sang Jayang quickly resumed the tour.
“This way, please. We should begin with the training grounds.”
They were truly thorough.
“This is where Tanghyeon Sect's people eat. Would you like to see where the meals are prepared as well?”
It was as if Sang Jayang knew exactly what we wanted.
“These are the third-generation disciples' quarters. They are arranged four to a room to ease the children's anxiety......”
They showed us even places we did not need to see.
“Since you have come this far, would you like to see the Golden Prison as well? It is hardly used these days, since prisoners are handed directly over to the Martial Alliance......”
As we followed Sang Jayang, Ilgak sent me a sound transmission.
-Has the person with hair noticed anything strange?
It seemed he was still not over it.
-Are you still angry over that joke?
-I am not angry. I merely asked whether your richly covered head had noticed anything strange.
That narrow-minded bald monk....
Hair or no hair, there was nothing worth picking at or suspecting.
They had shown us a storage room we did not even need to see, then stomped heavily on the floor while telling us there was no hidden chamber beneath it.
If I had to find something suspicious, it would be that they had opened even the place where the martial arts manuals were stored.
Of course, we could not see the contents because every manual was covered. Still, even if it was to prove their innocence, was it not excessive to reveal the place where the sect's martial arts were kept?
Or perhaps it was a subtle expression of dissatisfaction over our coming here to inspect them.
“This is it. The Golden Prison was built beneath Pine and Plum Hall as a precaution in case evildoers escaped. Preventing them from knowing whether it is day or night is another way to confuse them. No matter how vicious a person may be, after just one week here, many prisoners lose their will and sometimes even their minds.”
I could certainly believe that.
The Golden Prison, located deep beneath Pine and Plum Hall, did not have a single window. It had been designed so that no light entered even when the guards came and went.
The only things illuminating the darkness were the torches hanging on the walls, and Sang Jayang said those torches never went out.
All I could think was that anyone imprisoned here would slowly wither away without ever knowing day from night.
“You have now seen all of Tanghyeon Sect. I would like to show you the buildings and land owned by the sect as well, but it would be too late today. How about seeing them tomorrow?”
The sun had not yet set, but if we went somewhere far away, it would surely be dark by the time we arrived.
We decided to accept Sang Jayang's suggestion.
“Then let us leave. Staying here too long is not good for one's state of mind.”
As we followed Sang Jayang outside, my eyes became fixed on one of the cells.
“You said it has been a long time since the Golden Prison was used, correct?”
“Pardon? That is correct. Why do you ask?”
“Oh, it is nothing. The straw looks quite old. Do you also imprison female prisoners here?”
The straw spread across the cell floor had dried and crumpled so badly with age that it no longer served its original purpose.
“We do not replace the straw just because a criminal enters. Nor do we separate men and women. People are brought here to atone for their crimes, not to be accommodated.”
I nodded at Sang Jayang's words and followed them out.
Yet for some reason, I could not easily take my eyes off the red hair ribbon lying among the straw.
#
“Ah, it is finally over.”
Seo Cheonpung, Blue Mountain One Fist, groaned and flopped onto a bed in the lodging.
The other Dragon-Phoenix Association members were not much different.
“Standing all day really is exhausting.”
“I kept thinking martial arts training would be easier.”
Even bodies tempered by martial arts could not become accustomed to tedious work.
“But why are you so perfectly fine, Brother Jin?”
Seo Cheonpung asked in wonder.
“The difference in our usual training.”
“......What?”
That was not really it. I had done so many tedious tasks in my previous life that walking around all day had become nothing to me.
Someone like Seo Cheonpung, who had grown up like a hothouse flower all their life, would not understand.
“......”
Thinking about it that way made me feel strangely sad.
Then Ilgak sent his energy sense sweeping through the area.
“......?”
We stopped talking and looked at him.
He was probably confirming that no one besides us was within range.
“Let us discuss our work. Did anyone notice anything suspicious while we were looking around today?”
“......”
“......”
“......”
No one from the Dragon-Phoenix Association spoke.
“I wouldn't say I found anything suspicious. If anything, I feel guilty.”
Seo Cheonpung pressed their temples and continued.
“Honestly, it's been a long time since I encountered a martial sect with such a kind atmosphere. To put it bluntly, I didn't even see a single slacker, the sort that every sect has.”
Danmok Gyoryeon nodded.
“To be honest, they even gave us a welcome more generous than we deserved...... It makes me uncomfortable too.”
“They were the first to resolve anything that could have raised suspicion.”
Perhaps realizing the discussion could not continue like this, Ilgak asked a different question.
“Then let us at least force ourselves to list anything that might be suspicious.”
If we let sentiment guide us, we might miss something important.
“Hmm, they are overly kind.”
“If we have to pick something, perhaps their excessive hospitality is suspicious.”
“It was a little forced for them to halt everyone's schedules and make the entire Tanghyeon Sect wait for us.”
Still, they were only forcing themselves to criticize good things. There was nothing truly suspicious.
“Benefactor Jin...... Why have you not said anything?”
Since I had remained silent the whole time, everyone's attention turned to me.
“Benefactor Jin?”
I remembered the red hair ribbon I had seen in the Golden Prison, along with the child in the village who had pulled Danmok Gyoryeon's hair.
“Did Benefactor Jin not find anything suspicious either?”
A red hair ribbon was something anyone could get.
It was not unusual to see a child who had lost their parents and their mind.
It made no sense to suspect Tanghyeon Sect over that.
I erased the red hair ribbon from my mind.
“No.”
There was something suspicious even without that.
“I did find something suspicious.”
“......What is it?”
Ilgak and the Dragon-Phoenix Association focused on me even more intently.
But Ilgak's gaze quickly turned toward the lodging entrance.
Someone was approaching.
We quickly relaxed our expressions.
Step.
The person who approached while making their presence known was none other than...
“Ahem.”
The Tanghyeon Sect Leader.
“Huh?”
“Ah! Sect Leader!”
We could not hide our surprise.
This was someone we had never expected.
Anyone else might have come, but the master of a sect would not normally visit the quarters of their guests.
“Ho ho, it seems I interrupted your rest for no reason.”
The Sect Leader appeared to have noticed Ilgak spreading his energy sense.
“Not at all. We were just having a conversation.”
“Is that so? That is good to hear. Is there anything making you uncomfortable?”
“We are staying very comfortably, thanks to your consideration.”
After a few polite exchanges, the Tanghyeon Sect Leader got to the point.
“I would like to speak with Young Hero Jin Sowoon for a moment.”
Me, suddenly?
Everyone looked at me, surprised by the unexpected request.
I was just as bewildered.
“Would that be all right?”
The Sect Leader smiled warmly.
“Ah.”
If I wanted to know what they were plotting...
“Of course it is.”
I simply had to face them directly.
Footnotes:
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