WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: Chen

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈

Chapter 53: The First-Rate Martial Artist Who Amazed the Divine Sword

──────

“The Black Flame Dragon told us to go ahead.”

Again.

Jin Taesan, the Outer Hall Lord, felt his temples throb.

A modest procession had arrived with two carriages.

At its head were a young master of perhaps thirteen or fourteen and a female swordswoman who appeared to be his guard.

Neither bore the markings of a clan or sect.

Still, even Jin Taesan, who could barely tell fine clothes from rags, could see that the young master’s garments were unusual in both cut and fabric. He had no choice but to be cautious.

“And this Black Flame Dragon would be...?”

Jin Taesan asked again to make sure, and the young master answered without hesitation.

“I mean my elder brother, Jin Sowoon.”

“Haah...”

He had been hearing the title Black Flame Dragon constantly of late, but he still could not get used to it.

‘Of all people, a Black Path leader was the one who gave him that title.’

The first time he had heard it was when an enormous convoy arrived.

A hundred sacks of rice, a hundred bolts of silk and cotton, all kinds of equipment, and two hundred high-quality Blue Steel Swords.

As the Outer Hall Lord, he should have been delighted by the gifts, yet suspicion came first.

‘The Wang Family Estate would never have failed to tell us in advance.’

If they had not sent them, then where in the world had such excessive gifts come from?

“They were sent by the Lord of the Four Emperors Association.”

“What?!”

Jin Taesan had nearly jumped out of his skin upon hearing the name Four Emperors Association.

If the White Path martial world had the Nine Sects One Gang, the Black Path martial world had the Four Sects, Two Gangs, One Association.

The Four Emperors Association occupied that final position, one of the leading powers of the Black Path martial world.

“I believe these goods have been sent to the wrong place. We are Taeul Sect in Hefei.”

The escort warrior, whom Jin Taesan had naturally assumed would take the goods back, checked the documents and nodded.

“Yes, this is correct. It says they are for the Black Flame Dragon of Taeul Sect.”

“...Taeul Sect is correct, but no one in our sect has a title like Black Flame Dragon.”

Just as expected of Black Path martial artists, Jin Taesan thought it was quite a sight to see them force words such as Black and Flame into the title of a rising young talent.

Then the escort warrior’s next words left him dumbfounded.

“...Well, is there not Young Hero Jin Sowoon of Taeul Sect?”

“D-Don't tell me...”

“Yes. Is Young Hero Jin Sowoon’s title not Black Flame Dragon...? Ah! It seems the rumors have not yet reached Anhui Province. The Lord of the Four Emperors Association personally bestowed the title Black Flame Dragon upon Young Hero Jin Sowoon.”

What in the hell had that bastard been doing to receive a title from one of the Black Path martial world’s leaders?

That was how Jin Taesan learned of the incident at Demon Spirit Plateau.

After hearing the whole story, he could not bring himself to say a word.

“...”

“Young Hero Black Flame Dragon’s deeds at Demon Spirit Plateau in Hunan Province will surely be remembered for generations as an achievement no young talent under heaven can match.”

Everything else was fine.

It was all well and good that he had acted righteously without distinguishing between the Black and White Paths. What father would not be glad to see his child benefit the world?

But still.

‘Black Flame Dragon? Doesn’t it sound like some rising star of the Black Path martial world?’

He truly did not like the title.

“Very well, I understand. Yet as one of the One Hundred Eight Peaks affiliated with the Martial Alliance of the White Path martial world, we cannot accept such excessive gifts.”

Taeul Sect’s precarious status as one of the One Hundred Eight Peaks could be placed in grave danger by gifts from the Four Emperors Association.

Yet the escort warrior’s next words made Jin Taesan’s mouth hang open once more.

“Ah... It says here that if you refuse the goods, they will consider their sincerity lacking and personally bring their disciples to Taeul Sect...”

“Where do I sign?”

“...”

The escort warrior did not look kindly on his sudden change in attitude, but surely it was better than having to share drinks with the Lord of the Four Emperors Association.

Besides, the respected elders of the White Path martial world would not look down on Taeul Sect just because it accepted gifts once.

But then...

“...”

“The Black Lion Society’s leader has sent gifts to Young Hero Black Flame Dragon.”

“The young sect leader of the Blood Tiger Sect has sent gifts to Young Hero Black Flame Dragon.”

“The leader of the Nine Dragons Gang has sent gifts to Young Hero Black Flame Dragon.”

The stream of gifts never ended.

It was a time when Taeul Sect could expect financial prosperity unlike anything in its five-hundred-year history, yet Jin Taesan felt like fleeing in the middle of the night.

‘Doesn’t this make it look as though we have formed an alliance with the Black Path martial world?’

At least after the gifts from Black Path sects kept arriving, White Path sects began visiting as well.

“The Sangyang Sect Leader asked me to convey their gratitude to the Sect Leader of Taeul Sect for raising such an outstanding disciple.”

“Oh, please, it was nothing. Come in and stay for a few days.”

Their gifts were no more than a drop in the bucket compared to those sent by the Black Path sects, and the visiting sects were not remotely as influential. Still, at least they did not keep calling Jin Sowoon the Black Flame Dragon.

Jin Taesan gladly made them stay at Taeul Sect for several days, practically forcing those who declined to remain. He even held a banquet that Taeul Sect would normally never have held, then sent them on their way.

At least if people saw this, perhaps they would be less likely to suspect Taeul Sect of colluding with the Black Path sects.

Just when he had finally caught his breath, twenty people dressed like scholars came to Taeul Sect.

“What brings you to our sect...?”

“Ah! My introduction was late. I am Yu Jiryang of Mount Mao Sect. I was dispatched by my sect to repay the debt we owe Young Hero Jin.”

“Uh... Uh... Uh...”

Jin Taesan’s mind stopped for a moment, and he could not say anything.

Mount Mao Sect?

Did they mean that Mount Mao Sect of the One Hundred Eight Peaks?

Mount Mao Sect might not be counted among the Nine Sects One Gang, but in terms of importance, it was no less significant than the Jegal Clan of the Five Great Clans.

Their arcane formations, in particular, were an excellent alternative for those unable to have the Jegal Clan install its own formations.

Why would such a Mount Mao Sect come all the way to Taeul Sect?

“Young Hero Jin asked us to install an arcane formation at Taeul Sect, so we have come.”

Jin Taesan’s mouth fell open so wide it could have swallowed a basket.

“What? How could he possibly afford that?!”

Was that fearless brat planning to buy the whole world with a single Seven-Colored Jewel? He had boldly hired Mount Mao Sect without a trace of fear.

For a brief moment, Jin Taesan felt proud, only for Jin Sowoon to become the most infuriating wretch under heaven in his eyes. Then unbelievable words came from Yu Jiryang’s mouth.

“Ah, our sect will cover all the costs. You need not worry about anything.”

“!!!!”

After that series of events, Jin Taesan no longer had the energy to be surprised by Jin Sowoon’s title. He was confident that no matter who came looking for Jin Sowoon, nothing would surprise him anymore.

Calming himself, Jin Taesan addressed the handsome young master before him.

“What brings you to Taeul Sect, young master?”

“Ah, please speak plainly. I’m far younger than you.”

The way he behaved, the way he spoke, even the refinement in his bearing, all resembled the manners of a high-ranking noble.

“Ahem. Very well. What has that Black Flame Dragon fellow asked of you, young master?”

“...Isn’t ‘fellow’ a bit harsh?”

“Hmm?”

A moment ago, the young master had politely asked him to speak casually, but now his attitude had completely changed.

The female swordswoman beside him also gave off a dangerous air.

“He saved nearly five thousand lives at Demon Spirit Plateau and captured Ironclad Heungmang Great Master to protect the stability and peace of the villages around Mount Yungjung! He is not someone so insignificant that you should call him ‘that fellow’!”

The previously polite young master looked as though he had encountered his parents’ killer, while the female swordswoman seemed ready to draw the twin swords on her back.

Jin Taesan swallowed hard and hurriedly calmed them down.

“M-My apologies. Jin Sowoon has done so many unexpected things that the words came out harshly. I apologize if I offended you.”

“...”

“...”

For some reason, the expressions of the young man and woman became strange after his apology.

They exchanged glances before the young master carefully asked Jin Taesan, “If it is not rude, may I ask what your relationship is with Great Hero Jin Sowoon?”

“Me? I am Jin Sowoon’s father.”

“!”

“!”

Their eyes widened like rabbits’ as they dropped to their knees on the dirt and bowed their heads to the ground.

“F-Forgive me! I dared to speak disrespectfully to our benefactor’s father. Please pardon me.”

“Please pardon me.”

“Uh, what?”

Whether they knew their fine clothes were getting dirty or not, they looked ready to roll across the ground. Jin Taesan grew anxious instead and helped them to their feet.

“It’s fine. It’s fine. No, that is not right. You defended my son, so I am even more pleased. Please rise.”

“I am deeply sorry, Father.”

“I am deeply sorry.”

Seeing the young master and female swordswoman return to their polite behavior, Jin Taesan let out a hollow laugh.

“Ha ha, really. I said it’s fine.”

The young master stepped forward with a resolute expression.

“Father, I have resolved to serve Great Hero Jin Sowoon as my elder brother for the rest of my life. Please feel free to treat me as family from now on.”

“Uh... You have sworn brotherhood?”

“Yes. I have. I originally wished to serve him as my lord, but my elder brother firmly refused.”

The young master looked deeply disappointed.

Jin Taesan chuckled.

From his perspective, it was much better for Jin Sowoon to become the elder brother of such a bright child than to become someone’s lord.

Unlike Jin Sowoon, the young master also seemed to have a sensible side to him.

Of all the things Jin Sowoon had done without his knowledge, this was the one Jin Taesan liked most.

“Ha ha, even to me, being brothers sounds better than being lord and subject. It feels as though I have gained another son. It is reassuring.”

“My elder brother’s father is the same as my own father. I will serve you with all my heart.”

“You are far better than Jin Sowoon. I am grateful even for your words.”

“I will prove them through my actions.”

The young master still had not shed all traces of childhood, so his attempt to act like an adult was rather adorable.

“Very well. What is your name?”

“Cheongi. Please call me Cheongi.”

“Cheongi. That is a fine name. What is your surname?”

“Yes. I am of the Jegal Clan.”

“...Hmm? Was there a surname called Jemal(?)”

“The Jegal Clan, Father.”

“...”

“And your father’s name is...?”

“Jegal Hyeonun.”

“Ah... Then your grandfather is...?”

“Jegal Somyeong.”

“...”

The doubt Jin Taesan had harbored became certainty when he heard the name Jegal Somyeong.

“Ah! Then your grandfather must work for the Martial Alliance?”

“Yes. I have always been proud of him.”

“...”

His belief that nothing could surprise him anymore was cut short once again.

“Father?”

“Yes?”

“Are you all right?”

“Yes? I am fine.”

“...?”

“...Shall we go inside, young master?”

“...?”

Jin Taesan had begun to sincerely wonder what his son, who seemed more like his nemesis, had been doing all this time.

#

“Why are my ears so itchy?”

While researching the Azure Dragon Bangle and the Red Phoenix Bangle, I scratched at my ears.

“The only people who would speak badly of me are the future Sojeong Unit and my father as he is now...”

I had not met the Sojeong Unit yet, and to my father as he was now, I was a filial son sent by heaven. Neither seemed likely.

“...Anyway, I should study how to use these things a little more.”

After much thought, I concluded that I could not use the Azure Dragon Bangle recklessly.

No matter how renowned I became in the martial world or how many people I saved, if others witnessed me absorbing an opponent’s true qi, they would see me as nothing more or less than a demonic practitioner who had learned a forbidden art.

The exhaustion I felt while absorbing demonic qi was also considerable.

“There has to be a way.”

The Red Phoenix Bangle possessed the ability to purify demonic qi.

My current hypothesis was that if I used it properly with the Azure Dragon Bangle, I could absorb true qi without suffering exhaustion while absorbing demonic qi.

‘If only that were possible...’

Even if the Orthodox-Demonic War broke out in the future, I would not have to retreat helplessly like I had in my previous life.

Unfortunately, I had no opportunity to test it against anyone who cultivated demonic qi.

“It’s not as though I will never meet them again. There are more demonic practitioners than I could ever need.”

I stopped thinking about it, stretched, and glanced around the luxurious room.

I was currently staying at Cheongmyeong Escort Agency.

The bodies of the Flame Demon Ghost-Eye Unit, recovered the previous night, were taken away by martial artists from the Moyong Clan. I heard there had been much discussion about the martial arts they had used.

In the end, Moyong Sangwon decided to send some bodies to the Moyong Clan and the rest to the Martial Alliance.

The Demonic Cult had been absent for five hundred years, so their appearance would likely cause confusion about their identity for some time.

The one small hope was that, having found even a trace of them, people might become wary sooner than in my previous life. Of course, there was an even greater chance that the report would be lost somewhere along the way.

“Are you awake?”

An attendant asked from outside.

“...Yes.”

Three attendants soon entered one after another, carrying a basin, clothes, and other things.

“The Young Clan Head said he will begin the banquet this evening and insisted that you attend.”

When I repeatedly tried to stop Moyong Sangwon from taking me to his clan, I had only managed to calm him by promising to visit without fail next time. In the end, he suggested holding a banquet at Cheongmyeong Escort Agency instead.

‘Even though this is not his clan estate, he insists on holding a banquet...’

Moyong Sangwon clearly intended to publicly declare me his benefactor.

Regardless of martial skill, publicly proclaiming that I was the benefactor who had saved his life was practically the same as telling the world that the Moyong Clan owed Taeul Sect a debt.

A debt exchanged through an identity plaque was normally a private matter between individuals. A banquet like this held much greater public significance.

‘Should the Young Clan Head really make such a decision so easily?’

Holding a banquet with even the Namgung Clan members who had come to help showed just how firmly Moyong Sangwon intended to make that declaration.

I had no choice but to nod at his sincerity.

“Very well. Please tell him I will prepare.”

“Yes.”

Yet the attendants did not leave after finishing their business.

“Have you finished washing your face?”

“I feel very refreshed.”

“Then let us go.”

“Pardon?”

Five more attendants suddenly entered and led me to a steaming wooden bathtub.

“Uh, this is... No, wait! Then why did I wash my face? Wait! Do not take off my clothes!”

Before I could say anything else, the attendants stripped off my clothes, placed me in the bathtub, and began scrubbing every inch of me.

After they forcibly finished bathing me, they dressed me in black silk clothes and even applied oil to my hair, arranging it neatly.

When I looked into the bronze mirror, an elegant young master with a delicate face I had never seen before stood there.

“A Black Flame Dragon indeed, Jin Sowoon. You’ve come a long way.”

It was an appearance I had never seen even once in my previous life.

Perhaps it was what I had imagined a hero would look like before the Orthodox-Demonic War.

A man of great martial skill, dashing through the martial world with a handsome appearance...

“If the Sojeong Unit brats saw this, they would clutch their bellies and collapse laughing.”

#

After the sun set, an attendant guided me to the banquet hall.

The escort warriors of the agency, the martial artists of the Moyong Clan, and the martial artists of the Namgung Clan were already seated there, chatting among themselves.

“Oh! You have come!”

Moyong Sangwon sprang to his feet as I entered. At the same time, the Moyong Clan martial artists, Namgung Clan martial artists, and Cheongmyeong Escort Agency escort warriors all rose.

“...!”

A hush descended over the banquet hall, as though the banquet had stopped entirely.

“Come this way.”

Still dazed by their sudden behavior, I followed Moyong Sangwon’s gesture and sat beside him.

With a thump, the Moyong Clan, Namgung Clan, and Cheongmyeong Escort Agency members all sat down in unison.

I was starting to get frightened.

“Allow me to introduce him. This is Young Hero Jin Sowoon, the benefactor who fought with his life on the line several times to save me when I was near death.”

No sooner had Moyong Sangwon finished speaking than the Moyong Clan martial artists and the escort warriors of Cheongmyeong Escort Agency stood again.

They clasped their fists in salute and shouted in booming voices.

“““We thank you for your grace, Young Hero Black Flame Dragon!”””

I froze at the unexpected gesture. Moyong Sangwon winked and lightly nudged my side.

“...Ah, yes. I also thank you for the warm welcome.”

Their imposing presence left me dazed, and I awkwardly returned their fist-and-palm salute. Then they all sat down together.

Moyong Sangwon looked pleased, and the Moyong Clan martial artists seemed satisfied with themselves as well.

‘If I had known a banquet of gratitude would be this embarrassing, I would have avoided it somehow too.’

Just as I was thinking that, one of the Namgung Clan martial artists seated in front of Namgung Seonhwa stood up.

“We would also like to offer the greeting we could not give last time.”

Before I could even finish thinking, Why are you all doing this too?, the Namgung Clan martial artists also rose to their feet. As though they were competing, they shouted even louder than the Moyong Clan martial artists.

“““We thank you for your grace, Young Hero Black Flame Dragon!”””

“...Yes, I only did what was natural.”

I truly wanted to crawl into a mouse hole if one existed.

I would rather fight the Flame Demon Ghost-Eye Unit again than ever attend another banquet of gratitude. I swore it again and again.

“Now that is finished, right?”

“Puhahaha. Your face has turned red as a ripe persimmon.”

Once the banquet finally began and people paid a little less attention to me, I was able to start eating.

Then Namgung Seonhwa set down her chopsticks with a sharp clack.

“...Is something wrong, Miss Namgung?”

She had looked displeased since the banquet began. Wondering whether she had some complaint about the banquet, I asked her.

“Why are you so reckless?”

“...Me?”

“Yes, you. No matter that it was for the Young Clan Head, it was absurd to charge into such a place alone.”

“...”

Namgung Seonhwa did not know the details of my situation, so she was not wrong. Still, this was not something to say at a gathering like this.

After all, was this not a banquet held to thank the Young Clan Head’s benefactor? Namgung Seonhwa was not someone who would fail to understand such manners, yet her expression did not change.

In the end, Namgung San intervened.

“Seonhwa. I know you are worried about Young Master Jin, but this is not appropriate for the occasion. Apologize to the Young Clan Head.”

“But...”

Moyong Sangwon spoke then.

“No. You did well, Seonhwa. You said what I wanted to say, so there is no need to apologize.”

Moyong Sangwon laughed heartily, though he could have taken offense.

“But, Senior...”

“No! Seonhwa is clearly right this time. Sowoon, even if your exceptional memory allowed you to grasp the positions of every trap, what you did was certainly reckless. Do not do such a thing again. Always remember that just as you value others, there are people who value you.”

“...I will remember that.”

Moyong Sangwon looked at me with the eyes of a father gazing upon a successful son.

Just as the atmosphere of the banquet was about to naturally settle thanks to Moyong Sangwon, Namgung San spoke after much serious thought.

“Perhaps it was not reckless.”

“Hmm?”

The enemies I faced were ones that even Moyong Sangwon and his escort martial artist had been unable to handle.

Yet Namgung San continued as though it were obvious.

“Every calculation must have been in Young Master Jin’s mind.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“I... once visited Taeul Sect for certain reasons and sparred with Young Master Jin.”

“You and Sowoon?”

At Namgung San’s words, all the martial artists attending the banquet stopped their conversations and began listening closely.

“Yes.”

“What was the result?”

The Namgung Clan martial artists who had been listening swallowed hard and focused on the story.

“I lost.”

“What?”

“Huh?!”

Those listening let out sounds of confusion rather than admiration.

“Tell us in detail.”

“At first, I promised to use only thirty percent of my internal energy. It would not have been fair if I had used my full strength from the start.”

Moyong Sangwon nodded.

“Of course. No, even thirty percent of your internal energy would have been excessive.”

“Yet during the spar, I had no choice but to break that promise.”

“Good heavens!”

“Hmm!”

This time, startled exclamations burst from all around.

“So that was how you lost.”

“No, that is not it. I lost the original contest, but even after breaking that promise, I won the spar. Yet I could not consider it a true victory.”

“Then...”

“In the end, I raised my internal energy to eighty percent, but... I still lost.”

“You? How could that be?!”

Moyong Sangwon looked back and forth between Namgung San and me with wide eyes.

“He caught a sword covered in sword qi with his hand.”

“What?!”

Cries of alarm erupted among the martial artists.

“W-With his hand?”

“I was so shocked that I stopped my sword, and Young Master Jin’s sword was already at my throat.”

“Ha ha...”

The martial artists’ gazes, which had been looking at me as though I were their benefactor, changed in an instant into the gazes they might give a madman.

Moyong Sangwon shook his head and let out a long sigh.

“But what came after was even more impressive.”

“Hmm?”

“Later, I went to ask him why he had gone that far when his fingers could have been cut off. I asked what made a spar worth such a risk.”

Namgung San stared at me as though recalling that time.

“He said it was because his junior disciples were watching. Since they had seen him defeat a martial artist of the Namgung Clan, they would have hope in their sect’s martial arts.”

Namgung San smiled mischievously.

“He also said he had calculated that I would be so shocked that I would stop my sword.”

“What? Hahaha!”

Moyong Sangwon burst into hearty laughter.

“Our Sowoon gave you quite the blow!”

“Yes, it was a blow that left my head ringing.”

“Hahahahaha!”

Feeling embarrassed, I did not know what to do and turned my gaze away.

But in the direction I turned, numerous martial artists were already staring at me with intense gazes filled with indescribable meanings.

“...”

When I looked away again, Namgung Seonhwa was staring at me with the expression of a rabbit watching a carrot sway before it.

The heat in their eyes weighed on me so heavily that I could not even swallow water.

‘If I ever attend another banquet of gratitude, I am not human!’

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