WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 500: The Beginning of Night (5)
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Screee!
The cry of an Iron Hawk rang out above the carriage.
I took the black token from my robes and raised it over my head.
The Iron Hawk circling in the distance immediately changed direction and swooped down.
“W-Whoa!”
The horse handler, who had been staring blankly at the sky, flinched and ducked.
The Iron Hawk spread its wings to slow itself, then carefully landed on my shoulder and held out the leg carrying a letter.
“Cute little thing.”
I gave it three pieces of jerky. It snatched them all up at once, then flew to one side of the carriage roof and began swallowing them.
After watching it for a moment, I checked the letter.
“Haa... Was I too late?”
It was not good news.
“Is something worrying you?”
When I turned around, Dang Seohui had somehow climbed onto the roof. Crouching low, she was trying to steal the Iron Hawk’s jerky while locked in a silent standoff with it.
“Senior Dang, don’t steal the Iron Hawk’s snacks.”
“...I was only playing with it.”
Dang Seohui looked regretfully at the Iron Hawk before coming to sit beside me.
“What are you worried about?”
“It says the Moyong Clan’s investigation unit has already entered the Sword Tomb.”
I had tried to use the Hao Sect to send word as quickly as possible, hoping to stop them from entering or at least delay them.
Yet even at the fastest pace, Hubei was far too far from Gansu.
“Hmm...”
Dang Seohui chewed on the jerky I had given her and tilted her head.
“I heard it isn’t only the Moyong Clan. People from the other Five Great Clans and the Nine Sects One Gang have entered as well.”
Having already finished her jerky, Dang Seohui held out her hand again.
“What are you worried about?”
I thought it was time to tell her the truth about the Sword Tomb.
They should not enter a place like that based only on vague conjecture.
“The Sword Tomb isn’t just a grave. It’s an enormous and extremely dangerous trap.”
“...”
Dang Seohui stared at me as she chewed the jerky I had handed her.
“Are you saying someone created it deliberately?”
“Yes.”
Her hand reached for the jerky pouch, so I pulled it behind my back.
“...?”
“We’re having a serious conversation.”
Dang Seohui rested her chin on her hand as if considering my words, then tried to take the jerky pouch with seizing arts.
If she got serious, something might go wrong, so I took out two pieces of jerky and handed them to her.
Dang Seohui looked back and forth between the jerky and me with narrowed eyes, then stuffed both pieces into her mouth and began chewing.
“Isn’t that surprising?”
“That isn’t it.”
She looked rather calm for someone who said that.
“It’s just that I don’t think anyone entering the Sword Tomb would do so without being prepared for that much danger.”
Dang Seohui looked at me with her usual half-lidded gaze.
“A martial artist’s treasure has appeared, and treasures draw martial artists in. No one thinks they’ll be able to search for treasure peacefully in there.”
Was she so calm because she did not understand the Sword Tomb well, or because she was prepared for almost anything?
For some reason, I felt it was probably the latter.
Calmness alone could not carry someone through the Orthodox-Demonic War to the very end, and Dang Seohui had survived that war until the end in my previous life.
“Do you have some connection to Moyong Seol?”
If I included my previous life, my connection with her was deeper and longer than that.
But I could not talk about it.
“...I met her when the Dragon-Phoenix Association visited the Taeul Sect.”
“...Hmm.”
Dang Seohui’s hand darted forward again.
Since it was almost time to eat, I stopped her hand.
Tap, tatatat, tatatatat.
“...”
Dang Seohui’s eyes darkened as she stared at me through narrowed eyes.
“Do you like Moyong Seol?”
“...What kind of question is that?”
“Then I don’t understand why you would worry so deeply about someone you met only once.”
Memories I could not speak of were hidden within the stories I could not tell.
[If you want to live like that, then keep living.]
Even recalling those memories filled me with guilt so painful that my chest ached.
So although my heart bled, I continued as though nothing was wrong.
“I have a connection with Elder Moyong Gang, and Jaehwa is practically one of my sworn brothers.”
“...Moyong Seol isn’t weak, so there’s no need to worry.”
She was not someone weak enough for me to worry about.
Even so, the unease in my heart did not fade easily.
“...”
Whoosh.
Dang Seohui, wearing a sullen expression, reached out again.
I could clearly feel she was putting more force into it than before. Thinking she might take the pouch this time, I quickly spoke.
“It’ll be time to eat soon. If you don’t eat properly, snacks will be banned.”
Dang Seohui puffed out both cheeks.
“I don’t like that.”
I did not know exactly what she disliked, but the way she puffed out her cheeks was so cute, like a squirrel, that I patted her head.
#
A strange tension filled the Sword Tomb.
Regardless of whether they belonged to the Black Path or the White Path, everyone inside was competing over the few treasures within.
It was only natural that tensions would rise.
Fortunately, the Moyong Clan seemed somewhat removed from that danger.
Half the people in the Sword Tomb were White Path martial artists.
Few among them considered the Moyong Clan a competitor.
Even Black Path martial artists hurriedly hid their ill intent the moment they saw the Moyong Clan’s martial uniforms.
That did not mean they could relax completely.
“My Lady, there’s a corpse.”
The deeper they entered the Sword Tomb, the more frequently they found bodies.
“They appear to be from the Qinghua Sect and the Golden Peak Sect.”
Moyong Seol’s expression hardened when a martial artist handed her the identification plaques.
“Did they have any other belongings?”
“No. There was nothing.”
Near the corpses, there were no provisions or water flasks they should have carried, nor even their favored weapons.
“Are there any corpses belonging to the killers?”
“No.”
Both the Qinghua Sect and the Golden Peak Sect were martial sects that followed the White Path.
Unless the two sects had fought each other, there should naturally have been traces of their killers.
Yet there were no bodies of the killers, nor even a trace of them. Only the victims’ corpses remained, stripped of their belongings.
“Should we assume looting has already begun?”
Still, the Sword Tomb had only opened recently.
“...”
No one could easily answer in this unfamiliar environment.
The strange occurrences continued.
“There are corpses here too.”
This time, they found around ten bodies.
It was obvious from the evidence that White Path and Black Path martial artists had fought one another.
The White Path side seemed to have won in the end.
As Moyong Seol looked at the piled corpses, a question came to mind.
“Why did they leave the bodies behind?”
“...”
If the White Path side had won, it was only right that they collect their comrades’ bodies at the very least.
Yet the dead White Path martial artists lay scattered across the ground just like the Black Path martial artists.
“Perhaps they didn’t have time?”
“Were any belongings left behind?”
“There were none.”
“...”
They had time to gather belongings, but not enough time to collect bodies?
A chill slowly crawled up her spine.
‘...It must be my imagination.’
Moyong Seol shook her head, collected herself, and addressed her group.
“It seems the fighting inside the Sword Tomb is escalating. If we find treasure or a martial inheritance, we should avoid that area as much as possible.”
“Yes, understood.”
They had not come for the Sword Venerable’s martial inheritance or treasures from his life.
They had come to find his remains.
Following a martial inheritance might have been a better way to find those remains, but it was not worth staking the lives of the clan members.
‘Everyone else will be interested in the martial inheritances and treasures.’
Their goal was to preserve the Sword Venerable’s remains without allowing them to be desecrated, then leave the Sword Tomb.
The Moyong Clan investigation unit advanced with even greater caution.
Tap-tap-tap! Tap-tap-tap! Tap-tap-tap!
About a day later, a large group rushed past the Moyong Clan.
“Where is everyone going?”
“The Sword Venerable’s martial inheritance has been found.”
“Where?”
The White Path martial artist kindly pointed out the cave marked on a treasure map.
“The Yellow Springs Sect bastards are trying to take the Sword Venerable’s martial inheritance and leave the Sword Tomb. Shouldn’t we catch them before that happens?”
As soon as the martial artist finished speaking, they left and ran with their companions toward the cave.
“...”
“W-What should we do, My Lady?”
The Yellow Springs Sect was a newly established Black Path sect that had recently joined the Black Alliance.
If the martial arts of the Sword Venerable, the supreme master of the White Path martial world, fell into their hands, it could affect the entire martial world. It was more than a matter of pride.
Moyong Seol calmly shook her head as the Moyong Clan members wavered.
“We will not go.”
“What? But...”
“The Sword Tomb is enclosed and filled with narrow passages, so it would not be easy to respond to an ambush. If we are caught up in a large battle, the losses could be severe.”
“...”
There was nothing wrong with Moyong Seol’s words, but no one answered, as though they could not readily accept them.
She sighed and continued.
“Even if it is the Sword Venerable’s martial inheritance, I do not consider it more important than your lives. Please follow my decision.”
“...”
The martial artists wore strange expressions at her words, then gradually nodded.
“Understood. Where shall we go?”
“Considering where the Sword Venerable’s martial inheritances have been discovered so far, I think we should investigate the end of this central passage.”
“Understood. I’ll take the lead this time.”
They had given up on the inheritance, but the Moyong Clan investigation unit continued exploring the Sword Tomb with energetic steps.
Then, two days later, when they reached their destination...
“M-My Lady...”
Inside the black wooden box brought by a Moyong Clan martial artist...
“I believe this is the Black King’s martial inheritance...”
There lay the secret manual of Twelve Tyrant King Hands, one of the Black King’s supreme arts. The Black King had once been an absolute master of the Black Path martial world.
#
“So, how are things going with the Taeul Sect?”
A man with a scar on his cheek climbed a mountain path at a leisurely pace as he spoke. The person attending him replied from beside him.
“For now, we have dealt with all the miscellaneous Black Path scum around Hefei. We are slowly poisoning those with some reputation and making their deaths appear mysterious.”
“Hm... Will progress be made at such a slow pace?”
“The White Path does not like anyone who stands out. They are jealous by nature, so whenever someone suddenly prospers, they paint that person as evil.”
“What a thoroughly vulgar temperament.”
The scarred man clicked his tongue, and the man in silk robes continued.
“Still, it is having an effect little by little. More inns and merchant associations in Hefei are asking the Taeul Sect for protection.”
“I still do not like it.”
“There is no need to worry. Several White Path sects, including the Mount Mao Sect, have already begun following the Taeul Sect. The visit from the Martial Alliance Leader and the Chief Strategist had a great effect.”
The scarred man nodded.
“What about their financial situation? If their power grows so quickly, they will need a great deal of money.”
“Once the Martial Alliance’s inspection of Hwapung Estate is lifted, an enormous amount of money will flow into the Taeul Sect.”
The man listening suddenly furrowed his brow.
“Tsk. Why did they have to unseal the Demon-Subduing Madman?”
“They say the Demon Brain could not contain their curiosity. They asked that an apology be delivered to the Little Demon.”
“Hm.”
The man called the Little Demon still looked displeased, so Attendant Jang Ogeuk carefully watched his expression and continued.
“Perhaps you may see him this time.”
“Who?”
“Jin Sowoon.”
“Hm? I heard he was not included in the investigation unit.”
“The Mantong Office took separate measures and dispatched him on another matter.”
“Oh... Is that so?”
A smile formed on the Little Demon’s lips.
“Then this time, together with Yong Soa...”
Clop-clop-clop!
At that moment, rough hoofbeats cut off the Little Demon’s words.
Neigh!
A horse cried out, kicking up a cloud of dust.
“You fucking bastards! Who the hell do you think you are, blocking the middle of the road?!”
Beyond the dust, around fifty people with vicious auras glared murderously at the Little Demon and Jang Ogeuk.
“Ah, my apologies. We were talking and did not notice you approaching.”
“What? You didn’t notice?!”
At the Little Demon’s words, the man on horseback waved his hand as though he had heard enough.
Whoosh!
A threatening finger wind shot from his fingertips toward the Little Demon’s face.
Boom!
Strangely, an explosion burst out right in front of the Little Demon’s face.
“How dare you...”
There stood Jang Ogeuk, who had somehow stepped forward, extended one hand, and glared straight ahead.
“Do you know who this person is...?”
His eyes had turned redder and more vicious than fresh blood.
“Ha!”
The man on horseback bared his teeth and laughed.
“Then do you bastards know who we are? We are the Black Alliance’s...”
“I have no need to know.”
“What?”
The Little Demon cut him off, slowly lowering Jang Ogeuk’s hand as the corner of his mouth curled up.
“What does the identity of a corpse matter?”
“You crazy bastard...”
At the same moment the Little Demon spoke, the man on horseback’s head burst apart.
Splash!
His headless body fell from the horse, spraying blood like a fountain.
The martial artists behind him all drew their weapons at once, but...
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Before they could use even a single move, their heads burst one after another.
“W-What is this...?”
Those who had lost their senses at the impossible sight urgently pulled their reins to flee.
“How dare you insult the Little Demon and think you would return alive?”
Jang Ogeuk had somehow appeared in front of them.
“How dare you insult the honored Little Demon...”
He swung his hand through the air.
Slash! Slash!
Following his fingertips, the fleeing people and their horses were casually sliced into pieces.
Only the bloodstained threads revealed what weapon had struck them.
“L-Little Demon?”
The last remaining man wet himself as he repeated the name of the grim reaper.
Boom.
His head burst as well, and he collapsed to the ground.
Silence fell over the area.
The Little Demon looked over the dozens of corpses and muttered quietly.
“What a pity...”
“They should have died in far greater terror.”
His words carried a regret thicker than the blood soaking the ground.
“I apologize. I could not endure it when they dared speak so disrespectfully to you, Little Demon...”
“...”
“Do not worry. The Central Plains people who entered the Sword Tomb will never meet peaceful deaths.”
One corner of the Little Demon’s lips slowly lifted as he looked at Jang Ogeuk, who had lowered his head.
“Yes. That is how it should be.”
=======
Author’s Note
Fellow martial artists who work day and night for the peace and safety, justice, happiness, joy, and delight of the martial world.
I hope you have all been well.
As the northern knife winds gradually begin to rage, it seems the Winter Solstice is swiftly approaching.
It is already the second winter, which feels quite moving.
It is also hard to believe that the story that began with last spring’s breeze has now reached its five-hundredth installment.
Every night, I ground ink and drank dark tea to chase away sleep, confidently declaring, “I will collapse before reaching five hundred installments!”
And yet... I have not collapsed yet!!
I believe the strong hopes and support sent by all of you from every corner of the world became thoughts that moved my brush and arm.
Once again, I bow my head and bend at the waist in gratitude. That does not mean I bowed twice.
I could not have come this far without the love and support, affection and wishes, passion and understanding, trust and sympathy, concern and patience of my fellow martial artists.
And I expect that will remain true in the future.
I will also do my best to repay what I have received from all of you.
Therefore, throughout November, I intend to post installments even on Saturdays.
May you always be happy.
Please be sure to take spiritual medicine this winter as well, and take good care of your health.
Thank you always.
Jeokseolmok.
=======
Footnotes:
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