WeTried Translations

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◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈

Chapter 67: Hell's Entrance Exam: Gate 'I'

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After splitting the Dragon-Phoenix Association in half from within, I smiled at the distant look on Jong Byeokgi's face as I walked away.

"With no one willing to stand by him, it will be difficult for him to plot against the Taeul Sect alone."

Hwa Jeongsan and Jong Byeokgi had one thing in common. Both had been complete bastards to me in my previous life.

Besides, today's events had not made me forget my grudge against Hwa Jeongsan.

'A gentleman's revenge is not too late even after ten years.'

In any case, I had separated those two damned fools, who always worked perfectly together whenever they were up to no good. It would take them ages just to repair their relationship.

By then, the Taeul Sect would only need to complete its preparations step by step.

Then.

"Hm?"

I sensed a familiar presence and slowed my steps.

"Young Master Jin..."

Moyong Seol had appeared before I knew it and called out to me with a hesitant expression.

I gladly answered her.

"Miss Seol. Is there something you need?"

"Um... well..."

Moyong Seol lowered her head and lightly kicked at the ground.

A smile naturally formed on my lips at a side of her I had never seen in my previous life.

"You may speak freely. You are my guest, after all."

"I... wanted to apologize for what happened yesterday."

"Yesterday?"

"Yes... I said something I shouldn't have."

"Hm?"

I searched my memories for anything she might have done wrong, but she had only acted like herself. She had not wronged me at all.

"What do you mean?"

"...I said you were being too harsh on Hwa Jeongsan. I spoke with shallow knowledge, without understanding how the martial world worked. I wanted to apologize."

Moyong Seol's face turned bright red.

So this was what she looked like when she was embarrassed.

I couldn't hold back my laughter.

"Hahaha, what are you saying? Anyone could have said that."

"...Pardon?"

"Even if I had my reasons, it is true that I pressed him too hard. I do not think what you said was wrong."

"..."

"Rather, your words kept me from being disappointed in the Dragon-Phoenix Association. If the Dragon-Phoenix Association dismisses ideal morality because of the logic of strength, would that not make us no different from the Black Path?"

Moyong Seol stared at me with her mouth slightly open.

Her young face held so many expressions.

In my memories of my previous life, she had only worn a faint smile or a sorrowful expression as she struggled not to cry.

Every one of these expressions brought me joy.

"Miss Seol. I like that side of you."

"Pardon? Wh-what do you mean...?"

Moyong Seol widened her eyes like a startled rabbit, as though she had been struck by lightning.

Just watching her expressions change was enjoyable. Was that why the epithet Beauty Who Topples Kingdoms had always followed her?

When had she lost this side of herself?

If it had been after Moyong Sangwon's death, then seeing her restored expressions was more than enough recompense for saving him.

"Ah... I meant that I like how upright you are."

For some reason, Moyong Seol looked disappointed at my clarification.

"Ah... I see."

I still had many debts to repay her.

"I hope you will not feel guilty. Otherwise, I would feel sorry for changing you."

Moyong Seol's eyes trembled.

After holding that expression for a long time, she suddenly came to her senses and blushed again.

"Ah... and I heard that you saved my father."

"Ahahaha. You could have found out a little more slowly."

I scratched my head awkwardly.

"I'm sorry. I should have thanked you sooner. I did not even know..."

Moyong Seol bowed deeply.

I quickly helped her up and met her eyes.

"Miss Seol. I only returned something I had once received. If you do this, you will only embarrass me."

"...Um, my hand..."

"Oh. I grabbed it without thinking."

With regret, I let go of the hand I had casually taken.

"Miss Seol. Meeting you is very precious to me. That is why I hope we can meet comfortably."

"Pardon? What do you mean...?"

"But if you feel sorry toward me or carry a burden in your heart, would it not be difficult for us to meet comfortably?"

"R-right."

"So please be at ease around me. It would be better for me as well."

Moyong Seol, now red as a ripe persimmon, barely managed to answer.

"...All right."

#

"How much has been completed?"

The next day, I visited Yu Jiryang with Jegal Cheongi.

After exchanging brief greetings, Yu Jiryang immediately led us to the site where the arcane formation was being installed.

Now that closing one’s gates had been decided, completing the arcane formation and Mechanism Formation to block outside intruders was more urgent than anything else.

The arcane formation was being built within walls that enclosed an area deliberately larger than the Taeul Sect's original grounds.

As I had suggested, Father had bought the landlocked parcels surrounding the Taeul Sect, built walls around them first, and was now having the arcane formation installed inside.

"It is only thirty percent complete."

"Is that so?"

When I questioned the slower progress than expected, Yu Jiryang clicked his tongue and laughed.

He looked even more haggard than when he had left Demon Spirit Plateau.

"Hm... It is taking longer than I expected."

"Why do you say that?"

"We may need to activate the formation sooner than expected."

"Is that so? That should not be a major issue."

"If it is only thirty percent complete... would it not be difficult to activate the formation?"

"If we had only installed an arcane formation, it would already be more than eighty percent complete. But we decided to build it in a new way this time. Thanks to that, it can operate to some extent even in its current state."

"A new method?"

Rather than answer, Yu Jiryang shifted his gaze to Jegal Cheongi beside him.

Jegal Cheongi saw my confusion, then unfolded a large sheet of paper.

"It is a method I devised to combine the arcane formation and the Mechanism Formation into one."

"...You combined the two? Is that even possible?"

Even Jegal Cheongi in my previous life had never attempted such a thing.

He had continued researching Mechanism Formations because they could be cost-effective, nothing more.

"Thanks to Hero Yu, we were able to install a Mechanism Formation within the arcane formation."

When I looked at Yu Jiryang, he gave a bitter smile.

"It is less thanks to me than to Young Master Cheongi's exceptional skill. Even the formation masters of my sect questioned it at first, but they had no choice but to concede once they saw the design he presented."

Put simply, the arcane formation combined with a Mechanism Formation would deal with intruders without human intervention by placing the Mechanism Formation inside the arcane formation.

Even if someone understood the arcane formation, they could not escape without knowing about the Mechanism Formation, and the reverse was true as well.

"My sect was astonished by this new approach, and we are searching for ways to develop the concept further."

Mount Mao Sect had always lagged a step behind the Jegal Clan.

Through Cheongi's Mechanism Formation, they had seen the possibility of surpassing them.

"This is all... thanks to Young Master Cheongi."

Yu Jiryang smiled at Jegal Cheongi despite his exhausted face.

When I affectionately ruffled Cheongi's hair, he rolled his head around like a puppy.

At times like this, I forgot he was supposed to be an unprecedented genius.

Yu Jiryang watched the sight, then bowed to me.

"I must also thank you, Hero Jin. Thanks to you, my view of the world has broadened."

"Would that not ultimately be of help to the Taeul Sect?"

When I grinned, a flicker of unease crossed Yu Jiryang's face.

He really was quick-witted.

"You mean this? We are already short on time every day, studying and improving the formation."

"Hm... Would it be troublesome if I kept an old promise at a time like this?"

Yu Jiryang's shoulders noticeably shrank.

Jegal Cheongi, on the other hand, looked at me with sparkling eyes.

I took out a book containing the experiences I had recorded inside the Soul-Destroying Formation and handed it over.

"Near the end of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation, I was able to return to the original path even though I had not followed it. I recorded my realizations and observations about it. I hope they are useful."

Yu Jiryang's lips trembled as he looked at the book.

Jegal Cheongi, meanwhile, immediately looked excited as he read through the notes.

With a calm expression, I asked Yu Jiryang, "Hero Yu, since things have come to this, what do you think of adding the effects of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation to this formation as well?"

"Pardon?"

It was obvious he was pretending not to understand.

I smiled even more deeply.

"I think it would be better."

"Pardon?"

Yu Jiryang kept pretending he had not heard me.

#

I headed for Daehyeon Hall at Hong Mungi's summons.

The previous day's drinking celebration must have lasted a long time. Hong Mungi, Gang Chaeseok, and Father all looked exhausted.

"I told you to prepare to soar, but it seems you intend to collapse instead."

Gang Chaeseok spoke to Hong Mungi as though lodging a complaint.

"See what I mean, Sect Leader? Look at that brat's manners. He treats a Hall Lord like a dog he raised."

Hong Mungi knew the relationship between Gang Chaeseok and me, so he only chuckled. Then he got straight to the point.

"Hero Moyong Gang said he would take exchange disciples. He also said he would help those exchange disciples consume the Clear Mind Pellets."

"I see."

"Who do you think would be best to send as the two disciples?"

"Two? Did he not say he would give us three Clear Mind Pellets?"

Hong Mungi smiled faintly.

"Should you not be included as the eldest martial brother of the fourth-generation disciples?"

"Uh..."

Even at my troubled expression, Hong Mungi only shook his head.

"Do not yield the opportunity to your junior disciples. The Wind-Splitting Sword said he would personally teach you. It makes no sense to let that opportunity pass."

Hong Mungi's expression also held reassurance and affection.

Hm, I think he was misunderstanding something...

"No... that is not it. I cannot go."

"Hm? Why not?"

I answered briskly.

"Because I must take the Martial Arts Academy regular examination."

"...!?"

The atmosphere changed in an instant, and Jin Taesan and Gang Chaeseok shot to their feet.

"What?!"

"What did you say, brat?!"

I shrugged as they cried out in shock.

"The timing will not work, will it?"

Even Hong Mungi looked dumbfounded at my calm answer.

I met each of the gazes focused on me and grinned.

"Did I not tell you six months ago that I had a plan for the Taeul Sect's future?"

#

The Dragon-Phoenix Association left early in the morning.

The junior disciples did not cling to them, asking for signatures as they bid farewell to the elders, including the Sect Leader.

They only watched them with eyes full of hostility.

Soon afterward, Moyong Gang and the three chosen disciples prepared to depart.

Hong Mungi opposed my taking the regular examination until the end, but he eventually gave silent permission when I told him that passing the Martial Arts Academy would allow me to protect my junior disciples when they later entered the Martial Alliance.

I thought the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers would go to the Moyong Clan, but Gang Yuseong and two other children were ultimately sent as exchange disciples instead.

I heard that the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers said they would take the regular examination with me, and the Sect Leader clutched his head.

I had naturally assumed the Sect Leader would not permit the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers to take the regular examination, but I became curious when I heard they had somehow persuaded him to let them take it as well.

"Eldest Martial Brother... is it truly all right for me to go?"

Gang Yuseong asked uneasily, watching the other junior disciples.

In truth, I was the one who had recommended Gang Yuseong.

Whether in seniority or time spent in the sect, he was at a disadvantage.

Yet he possessed talent and diligence that overcame those disadvantages completely.

In my previous life, he had reached the realm of the Sword Fool through self-study alone.

I could not even imagine what he would become if he received instruction from the Wind-Splitting Sword from a young age.

"Yuseong. Do you think becoming an exchange disciple is a benefit?"

"...Is it not?"

I shook my head as I looked at his wavering eyes.

"No. You are becoming an exchange disciple to bear responsibility."

"Responsibility?"

"Yes. The responsibility to advance on behalf of the other junior disciples who cannot receive that education. That is why you are going, to fulfill that responsibility."

The junior disciples listening behind him faintly nodded.

Gang Yuseong lowered his head slightly, as though deep in thought.

"...Ah."

"So do not waste a moment. You must devote yourself to training. While you are away, the disciples remaining at the Taeul Sect will be learning the Taeul Sword Emperor's teachings."

He raised his head. His eyes no longer wavered.

"I will risk my life and save every moment to learn as much as I can."

The children's resolve had become frighteningly firm lately.

I could hardly tell them to take it easy. Ahem.

I hid my joy for no reason and patted his shoulder.

"...No, you do not need to risk your life. You have your sisters, do you not?"

As I spoke, Moyong Gang approached after saying farewell to the Taeul Sect's elders. He was accompanied by Moyong Seol, Moyong Jaehwa, and Jong Byeokgi, whose broken arm was splinted.

"Your junior disciples are better than their eldest martial brother. At least these young disciples are not thinking only of wandering around for fun like you."

"Do you think I wander around for fun? I am doing my best as well."

"Chuckle. You should work hard. It will not be long before the three children I am taking grab their eldest martial brother by the hair."

Moyong Gang's teasing smile made it impossible for me to control my expression.

The most important moment for the Taeul Sect had been ruined by Moyong Gang's joke.

I politely clasped my hands.

"There is one thing I wish to ask."

"What is it?"

"If someone strikes you while you are traveling in your herb-gatherer guise, would they be striking that guise? Or would it count as striking Senior Moyong Gang himself?"

That was what I was most curious about.

Moyong Gang looked blank for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Hoho, look at this brat. You still have not come to your senses. Sect Leader Hong!"

"Ah! No! I was only asking because I was curious!"

Moyong Gang placed his hands behind his back, an impish smile appearing on his lips.

"They would be striking the herb-gatherer guise."

"Oh? Is that so?"

"But if I become too irritated, I may count it as striking Moyong Gang himself."

"I heard you were serious about your eccentric journey. I am disappointed."

"Hehehe. It is a pity you cannot come with us."

Moyong Gang briefly glanced at Moyong Seol before looking back at me.

"I have something to ask you as well."

"What is it?"

Was it my imagination, or was there a strange heat in his eyes...?

"Do you have a woman you have promised to marry?"

"...Why would you suddenly ask that?"

"I am only asking. Has your father arranged a marriage for you?"

As if there would be.

I gave a hollow laugh and replied.

"Senior, we are the Taeul Sect. In Hefei, people say it is better to marry an escort agency's porter than a Taeul Sect martial artist."

"So you have no arranged marriage. Then, is there a woman you have set your heart on?"

"Why do you keep asking such things?"

Without realizing it, I stole a glance at Moyong Seol.

Moyong Seol was also watching this way with gleaming eyes, but the instant our gazes met, she quickly looked away.

"Chuckle, so there is no one. Then again, who would even look twice at a wretch like you?"

This old man truly had no filter.

"Senior? Where will you travel next? I would really like to know."

"I will remain at the clan for a while. There are children I must teach after such a long time. Hahaha."

After laughing wildly for some time, Moyong Gang suddenly turned serious.

"You remember that you owe me a debt, do you not?"

"..."

It was the promise I had made when Moyong Gang stopped Jong Byeokgi.

"I remember. What do you want?"

"I will not collect now. If I collect now, the scales would tip too far in our favor. But remember this clearly. I have marked you as mine."

"...?"

Moyong Gang spoke words I could not understand, as was fitting of an eccentric hero.

As he prepared to leave, I quickly clasped my hands toward Moyong Seol and Moyong Jaehwa.

"Travel safely. I hope we meet again."

"...Yes. I will see you again."

Moyong Seol clasped her hands with a flushed face, as though she had not yet entirely let go of her guilt toward me.

"Hero Jin! We did not have a chance to speak much this time, but Moyong Jaehwa hopes to have a long conversation with you next time."

Moyong Jaehwa spoke with shining eyes. I looked at him with mixed emotions.

'Come to think of it, I have not told him anything.'

His youth had been marked by wandering. His future held many years of frustration and pain, yet I had been too busy with my own affairs to say a word to him.

I quickly lowered my voice as much as possible and whispered.

"Young Master Jaehwa. Listen carefully to what I say."

"Yes?"

"Do not become too obsessed with the sword."

"...?"

Moyong Jaehwa looked like he did not understand. Still, with Moyong Gang, the Clan Head, watching with blazing eyes, this was all I could tell him.

"Not everyone must achieve greatness with a sword."

When Moyong Gang noticed something suspicious and looked this way, I hurriedly clasped my hands again.

"I also hope that Young Master Jaehwa finds his own path."

Moyong Jaehwa still looked confused.

Once Moyong Gang saw that the farewells were over, he immediately left the Taeul Sect. As an added gesture, he smacked Jong Byeokgi on the head when he lagged behind.

#

I packed my things and went to the training ground.

Gang Chaeseok and Father, whose face was full of exhaustion, stood there.

It seemed Father enjoyed working so much that he did not even realize he had stayed up all night. What if he harmed his health like that...?

"Father, how about taking some restorative medicine?"

"...!"

Touched by my filial concern, Father rushed over to hug me. Gang Chaeseok barely stopped him from displaying his intense affection when he saw the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers approaching together.

The three brothers stood with identical black martial uniforms and simple bundles neatly placed beside them.

"Did you have those martial uniforms made?"

Geumpyo answered.

"Are we not the junior disciples of the Black Flame Dragon?"

Ah, that damned Black Flame Dragon.

I held my aching head.

"...Let me make this clear in advance. I do not particularly like that epithet."

The Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers all tilted their heads in the same direction.

"It even has dragon in it, Eldest Martial Brother. You also carry the Black Dragon Sword."

"...That is exactly the point. It is obviously a good epithet, yet I do not like it."

Eunho, who had silently listened to me, casually added a remark.

"You are spoiled."

"What did you say, brat?"

These brats truly had no fear when speaking to their eldest martial brother.

I stared at the three brothers one by one.

"But why do you insist on following me? Now that the Taeul Sect has powerful martial arts, would it not be better to remain here and learn them? The Martial Arts Academy regular examination is no joke."

A single mistake could cost them their lives.

It was not called the Hellish Exam for nothing.

"Did you not say that shedding blood for one's brothers and sisters proves one is a true Taeul Sect disciple?"

"...Huh? What nonsense are you talking about?"

It was the first I had heard of it.

There was no way someone with absolute memory could be confused.

"Did you not also say that Taeul Sect disciples must offer even their lives for the sect?"

"I never said anything like that."

The Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers ignored even my absolute memory and nodded among themselves.

"And would it not be enough for you, Eldest Martial Brother, who possesses absolute memory, to teach us martial arts yourself? In any case, we did everything you told us to. We went up and down Huayun Mountain five times every day, and we practiced every sword formation you taught us."

"I said three times."

Eunho curled his lips into a grin.

"We thought you would not be able to leave us behind if we did it five times."

Their bodies looked as solid as those of martial artists who had trained external arts.

"You will see. If you do not meet my standards, you will not come with me."

"Shall we begin now?"

"Yes."

The three brothers began taking something out of their bundles.

Gang Chaeseok asked, "Are you trying to avoid taking them?"

"What was the Sect Leader thinking, allowing those children to take the examination?"

"Do you not know? Those brats said other sects took the examination with dozens of martial artists, so could you really take it alone? They said they would absolutely get their eldest martial brother into the Martial Arts Academy."

"..."

Who was going to get whom in...?

With his hands behind his back, Gang Chaeseok carefully watched the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers.

"Take them. Their training so far has not been lacking."

"...What do you mean?"

"Look."

I followed the direction Gang Chaeseok pointed and saw the three brothers blindfold their eyes with black cloth and plug their ears with white cotton.

"How are they supposed to perform a sword formation like that?"

I asked in astonishment, but Gang Chaeseok tilted his head instead.

"Did you not tell them the three of them had to work in perfect harmony even without seeing, hearing, or speaking to one another?"

"No, I only meant that they should become that coordinated."

"Ha. You should be more careful with what you say in the future. Just watch. It will be interesting."

I looked at the three brothers doubtfully.

"We will begin."

Geumpyo struck the ground three times with his scabbard.

The three children simultaneously drew their swords in three directions.

Clang!

They pulled their swords back, each shifted position once, then struck downward with force.

After that, they returned to their original positions and sprang forward at the same time, forming a sword formation. They gathered again and guarded one another's backs.

The White Tiger Sword Formation, which Jegal Cheongi had once created based on the White Tiger Sword Art, the Martial Alliance's official sword art, unfolded through the three brothers.

"At first, they did not sleep at all. They practiced the sword formation with wooden swords, and there was not a day when they did not end up injured. Before fifteen days had passed, their hands and feet began working together. By the second month, they could coordinate without speaking. By the fourth month, they could perform the sword formation with their ears plugged. Even I had not seen them blindfold their eyes until now."

"..."

"I do not know why those brats are working so hard, but with that level of persistence, the three of them can do the work of ten martial artists."

I forced down the tight feeling rising in my chest and spoke.

"...Only ten? Together, they can do the work of a hundred."

After finishing the White Tiger Sword Formation, the three brothers removed their blindfolds, checked their positions, and cheered together.

"You saw that, did you not, Eldest Martial Brother? You must keep your promise."

I barely steadied my voice and patted their shoulders.

"All right. Pack your things. Send word to the Sect Leader."

Gang Chaeseok also watched us with a pleased expression and offered a warning.

"Be careful. If it seems dangerous, give up midway. The Taeul Sect now has many possibilities."

"I will return with Academy Admission Tokens."

I bowed toward Father, who looked soaked in exhaustion.

"I will be back."

"...Damn brat."

It seemed Father had recently made an enemy.

#

After leaving the Taeul Sect with the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers, I headed straight to the Martial Alliance branch in Hefei.

The area around the branch was packed with all sorts of people.

Identical notices had been posted in a long row along one side of the Martial Alliance's wall. Young men carrying all kinds of weapons looked at the notices and cursed.

"Ha! Those crazy bastards!"

"Does this make any sense?!"

"Do they want to recruit people or not?!"

"No wonder only those bastards from the Nine Sects One Gang and Five Great Clans get in every year!"

"Damn it!"

The people ahead checked the examination details, spat on the ground, and left.

"..."

Not knowing why, the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers tilted their heads and slowly moved forward whenever someone left the line ahead of them.

When our group finally read the notice, Geumpyo asked with trembling eyes.

"This is a joke, right?"

Eunho gave a hearty laugh.

"Haha, of course it is a joke. ...Right?"

Dongryong blinked and waited only for my answer.

"..."

There was nothing else I could say.

The Martial Arts Academy regular examination was not called the Hellish Exam for nothing.

● Martial Arts Academy Regular Examination, Gate I

Public Safety

Examination: Clear at least one bandit stronghold.

Details: The world is in turmoil because of bandits who threaten the safety of the people.

Those who step forward to carry on the martial world's legacy must not hesitate to uphold justice.

Conditions:

● Only bandit strongholds at or above the scale designated by the Martial Alliance may be cleared.

The larger the stronghold you subjugate, the more points you receive.

Footnotes:

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