The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 115

Chapter 115
“What sort of nonsense is this supposed to mean?”

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon blurted out, completely losing sight of the fact that he was standing within the Elder Hall.

“……”

A total of twenty-eight Elders had gathered for this single session of the Regular Legislative Meeting. Given that this assembly vastly surpassed the required quorum and was tasked with ratifying eleven Alliance Laws, evaluating four separate financial budget drafts, and finalizing two major Great Plans for the upcoming year, it would have made perfect sense if they completely disregarded any external notifications. Yet, upon receiving this sudden, critical update, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon found himself uttering a profanity entirely by reflex.

“So…… Jin So-un is currently traveling alongside individuals from the Black Path?”

“……Yes, that is precisely the situation.”

Observing the posture of the Alliance member, who appeared as though he were confessing to a personal wrongdoing, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon treated the matter as entirely inconsequential.

“In that case, we can simply disqualify him. You are dismissed. Are you unaware of the gravity of the assembly taking place here?”

Though he had issued a stern directive to send the messenger away, the Alliance member remained rooted to the spot, visibly troubled.

“The reality is…… it cannot be resolved as easily as that.”

“Hoh. You clearly understand the vital nature of this Regular Legislative Meeting, yet you persist in wasting our time?”

“Ahem……”

The Alliance member looked incredibly distressed, as if his very life depended on the outcome of this report.

Sensing the tension, Murong Cheong chose this moment to intervene.

“Let us permit him to speak first, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon.”

“This is hardly a pressing concern. Regardless of the weight carried by the Murim Regular Exam, how could it possibly rival our Legislative Meeting?”

“He must have a compelling justification to disrupt a gathering of this magnitude.”

Following Murong Cheong’s intercession, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon grudgingly gave his consent, allowing the anxious Alliance member to softly continue.

“The group led by Jin So-un is currently making their way toward the Academy. However, massive factions belonging to the Demonic Path Sect, the Black Serpent Gang, and Four Emperors Peak have completely encircled them, making it impossible for any other examinees to even get close.”

“Setting Four Emperors Peak aside for a moment, what business do the Demonic Path Sect and the Black Serpent Gang have with this? More importantly, how do they possess the audacity to meddle in an official function organized by the Murim Alliance?”

“According to their own statements, they claim they are not acting as a bodyguard for Jin So-un’s group.”

“……”

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon creased his forehead into a deep frown, thoroughly baffled by the bizarre turn of events.

“They maintain that they are participating in a peaceful, nonviolent protest meant to honor the fallen warriors who perished unfairly upon the Demon Spirit Plateau.”

“A p-peaceful protest?”

A collection of syndicates from the Black Path engaging in a demonstration, and a nonviolent one at that?

What kind of absolute ridiculousness was he being forced to listen to now?

“Yes, sir. Consequently, every single one of them has laid down their weapons, outfitted themselves in black martial arts uniforms, and they are currently escorting a massive ceremonial funeral bier on a journey heading southward.”

“This is absurd. It is not as though anyone forced them at swordpoint to march into the Demon Spirit Plateau. Who exactly are they lodging a complaint against?”

“Regarding that…… They assert that because the Murim Alliance, which bears the duty of maintaining order across Jianghu, failed to intervene swiftly enough, the scale of the tragedy was severely amplified……”

It wasn’t just Daoist Master Myeonghyeon; nearly every single figure present in the Elder Hall felt a sudden tightness in their chest from sheer, unadulterated astonishment.

From the very moment the Demonic Cult vanished from the world, had the various factions of the Black Path not stood as the primary adversaries of the Murim Alliance?

“S-Setting that aside, what is the status of Jin So-un’s group?”

“They are traveling directly within the absolute center of the massive crowd, meaning the other candidates are utterly blocked from reaching them.”

“……”

“Reports indicate that they have already traversed Henan Province and have officially entered Hubei Province. The proctors on the ground are at a complete loss regarding how to handle this unprecedented development.”

“What is there to contemplate? The answer is obvious—he must be given a failing grade!”

“My perspective on the matter differs.”

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon whirled around instantly to face the speaker.

Once again, it was Murong Cheong who had disrupted the flow of the discussion.

“Is there any evidence that he reached out to the Black Path organizations to request their assistance?”

“The representatives from Four Emperors Peak maintain that this occurrence has absolutely no connection to Jin So-un’s group whatsoever……”

“Did he perhaps offer financial compensation to secure the services of these Black Path figures?”

“Four Emperors Peak insists that this is entirely an independent manifestation of the Black Path Murim.”

“If that is the case…… then no infraction has occurred. Is it not merely an instance where Jin So-un’s group simply happened to find themselves in the exact same location at the exact same time?”

Hearing Murong Cheong’s assessment, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon could only stare back with a face full of utter disbelief.

“Have you completely lost your senses?”

“Wherein lies the issue? Has the young man named Jin So-un violated a single established regulation?”

“To call that a valid point of order……”

“Furthermore, if Four Emperors Peak, the Demonic Path Sect, and the Black Serpent Gang have all mobilized, what does that mean for the remaining sects within the Black Path?”

“Large crowds of people are steadily flocking to join them.”

“This is bound to escalate into an incredibly massive situation.”

Murong Cheong stood up from his chair, adjusting his robes.

“Let us bring this Regular Meeting to an immediate close. An issue has surfaced that demands our direct and undivided attention.”

Following his lead, a group of ten individuals, with Murong Cheong at the forefront, exited the Elder Hall. This left behind only the members aligned with the Righteous Path Association and the various leaders representing the One Hundred Eight Peaks.

—

The massive procession accompanying the funeral bier, which had initially commenced at the Dabie Mountains with a mere eight hundred participants, had expanded to nearly three times its original volume by the time it navigated past Mount Longzhong and arrived in Yicheng.

The crowd now included not only the specific sects that had mobilized upon receiving official nameplates, but also numerous individuals who possessed direct or indirect ties to the tragedy at the Demon Spirit Plateau. There were those who harbored a perpetual grudge against the Murim Alliance, superficial martial artists looking to exploit the chaos to elevate their own reputations, and even traveling merchants trailing the massive throng to profit off the needs of thousands of moving people. It had completely ceased to be a solemn memorial march; it was now nothing short of total pandemonium.

“Hey! You over there! Do you actually have any skills to back up that look?! Do you even realize who stands before you?”

“Get your ice-cold, refreshing Bamboo-Leaf Clear Wine! Exquisite Bamboo-Leaf Clear Wine available right here!”

“You utter fools! Are you blind to the rule that only black attire is permitted within this march? What gives you the right to show up to a funeral gathering dressed entirely in yellow? Your entire future is looking incredibly bleak, isn’t it?”

The chaos extended beyond just the marchers.

The examinees who had initially pursued me as targets—only to end up like helpless hounds staring blankly at a prize completely out of reach—were growing increasingly nauseous and frantic as they watched the sheer volume of Black Path martial artists continue to multiply around them.

“Listen to me, I only need to walk through for a brief second! One of the scoundrels hidden inside that crowd is carrying property that belongs to us. He is a genuine crook, an absolute robber!”

“If your goal is to apprehend a criminal, take your grievances to the local magistrate. You are not permitted to cross this line!”

“Are you out of your mind? Why is a piece of garbage from the Black Path lecturing me about going to a government office?!”

“Watch your mouth, you bastard. If we weren’t currently bound by the rules of a nonviolent protest, your head would have been separated from your shoulders in a single strike!”

“Does a concept like ‘nonviolent protest’ even compute when coming from the mouths of Black Path scoundrels?!”

Minor disputes and heated arguments flared up continuously along the route, threatening to boil over into full-scale bloody conflicts on multiple occasions. However, each time a flashpoint arrived, the absolute peak masters of the Black Path Murim stepped in to block the escalation, preventing the friction from devolving into a massive brawl.

After all, among martial artists, the mere absence of unsheathed weapons did not automatically equate to true ‘nonviolence.’

Furthermore, given that every single person within the Black Path Murim was bound to have some sort of underhanded agenda, neither the candidates taking part in the Regular Exam nor the auxiliary warriors accompanying them dared to act recklessly.

“Those short-sighted fools are practically delivering themselves to us on a silver platter.”

Walking right beside me, the Peak Lord of Four Emperors Peak was completely unable to suppress the triumphant grin spreading across his face.

An ideal platform had successfully been generated to thrust the creation of the Black Path Alliance—his ultimate, long-held ambition—directly into the public eye.

Because of this single event, Four Emperors Peak, the Demonic Path Sect, and the Black Serpent Gang had secured the perfect moral justification to position themselves at the absolute apex of the Black Path Alliance, while simultaneously cementing their right to govern the faction moving forward. From his perspective, there was absolutely no reason to be anything other than ecstatic.

“Is this not simply the natural result of them recognizing your legendary benevolence, Four Emperors Peak Lord, and choosing to follow your banner?”

I offered a carefully measured dose of sycophancy, praying fervently that this supreme commander of the underworld wouldn’t suddenly take offense midway through our journey and hand us over to the predatory Orthodox Path factions.

“No, no. The credit for this masterpiece belongs entirely to the Black Flame Dragon.”

“Please, no! Peak Lord, if you continue to utter such phrases, people are going to form a massive misunderstanding.”

Was this individual genuinely intent on completely sabotaging the promising future of a rising star within the Orthodox Path?

“Ha, very well. I shall maintain absolute discretion until you successfully infiltrate the Murim Alliance, secure an influential rank, and eventually deliver the keys to the entire institution right into our hands.”

“……”

What kind of unhinged delusions was this supreme leader of the underworld spouting right now?

“I saw through it the very moment you outlined the hundred-year Great Plan for the Black Path Alliance. A realm where individuals are evaluated solely on the merit of their prowess, completely detached from their social lineage. When all is said and done, what you truly desire to construct is a literal utopia for martial artists, is it not? I deeply empathize with the profound grief the Taeul Sect must have endured, constantly marginalized by the Murim Alliance and the broader Jianghu for all this time.”

The statements leaking from this man’s mouth were becoming exponentially more hazardous by the second.

“With all due respect, I must ask you to draw the line at a reasonable point. Are you aware of the sheer volume of slander and suspicion I have had to endure solely because of the title you bestowed upon me, Peak Lord?”

“Kahahahaha.”

Cha Seok-du let out a booming, hearty laugh that stretched on for a long moment, before his amusement vanished instantly as he assumed a deadly serious expression.

“The storm ahead will only intensify from this point onward.”

“Pardon me?”

“The words I just uttered. There will soon be plenty of individuals who will echo those exact accusations using their own voices.”

“……”

I was well aware of that reality.

The environment where the narrative Cha Seok-du had just spun would first take root in the immediate future wouldn’t be the Black Path Murim at all; it would sprout directly within the Orthodox Path Murim.

Specifically, right inside the belly of the Murim Alliance.

To the cutthroat politicians navigating the Murim Alliance, whose entire careers were forged in the fires of defamation, intricate plots, and fabricated charges, an individual in my position would look like nothing more than an incredibly enticing, defenseless target.

“Therefore, you would be wise to steel your resolve completely. If things take a turn for the absolute worst, you might find yourself condemned as a deep-cover operative working for the Black Path Alliance.”

“……”

This marked my second official encounter with Cha Seok-du.

On both occasions, our paths had crossed through circumstances that I had never intended and he had never sought out.

Even so, the guidance he was offering me was operating on a fundamentally different plane of sincerity compared to the self-serving bureaucrats of the Murim Alliance I had encountered a thousand times over during my previous existence.

Even without him explicitly voicing it, I could clearly perceive that he harbored a genuine sense of concern for my well-being, one that transcended opposing philosophies and allegiances.

“I will etch your words into my memory.”

“Good. Should the day arrive where you are officially cast out as a traitor, do not let it distress you; simply pledge your full talents to the Black Path Alliance. I will ensure a premium rank is held vacant for both you and your school.”

“……”

“Ah, that reminds me. Once the Black Path Alliance is formally inaugurated, I shall personally include your name on the guest list for the opening gala. Who knows, by that time, I might find myself welcoming you as the grand emissary representing the Murim Alliance itself.”

I immediately rescinded my previous thought about him being genuinely worried.

True to his nature as an absolute tycoon of the criminal underworld, this individual was completely consumed by a dark, relentless ambition to thoroughly corrupt a bright prospect of the Orthodox Path by any means necessary.

—

Jingle. Jingle. Jingle.

To the rhythmic chime of small bells, rows of men clad in dark martial arts uniforms advanced with measured, deliberate strides.

Positioned at the absolute center of their formation was an immense ceremonial funeral bier, designed to signify the presence of multiple caskets resting within. Trailing closely behind it, a seemingly endless river of individuals outfitted in matching black attire stretched back into the horizon.

“Exactly whose passing could possibly warrant a memorial service of such staggering proportions?”

“Word is that it is meant to pay tribute to the souls who lost their lives after venturing into a perilous territory known as the Demon Spirit Plateau.”

“Weren’t the people who perished out there supposed to be nothing but a bunch of villainous Black Path scoundrels who committed all sorts of atrocities?”

The common folk watched with immense curiosity as this extraordinary parade unfolded right before their eyes, though they remained visibly startled by the fact that the overwhelming majority of the participants hailed from the Black Path.

To the average civilian, the textbook definition of a Black Path martial artist was fundamentally synonymous with a common bandit or a coastal pirate—uncouth outlaws who possessed zero refinement and lived solely by pillaging others.

Yet, because this specific gathering maintained flawless order, wore uniform attire, and advanced with profound solemnity, the onlookers found it impossible to categorize them as mere brigands.

The grand march that had originally mobilised at the Dabie Mountains cut a path directly through Yicheng and Tianmen before finally arriving at Wuhan.

The moment the vanguard of this gargantuan procession arrived at the perimeter of the Murim Academy, the sea of black-clad martial artists began to systematically and deliberately form a massive ring around the primary gates of the institution.

As the final day of the Regular Exam reached its climax, the proctors stationed at the entrance of the Academy to welcome the successful candidates were completely paralyzed with shock by the sudden, overwhelming arrival of the Black Path host.

“Against all odds, we managed to survive the journey all the way to this gate.”

“……”

“……”

Not only the main members of our group, but even the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers were struck entirely mute, seemingly overwhelmed by the weight of the moment.

Looking back across the trek, it felt as though they had barely uttered a single word during the entire arduous journey spanning from the Dabie Mountains to the steps of the Academy.

“……Haa, I can only begin to dread what grandfather is going to say to this.”

“Are they even going to permit us to set foot inside the grounds in the first place?”

“Instead of subjecting ourselves to total public degradation right at the threshold like this, I honestly believe it would be far wiser to just turn around and head back to our family.”

All around our immediate vicinity, the candidates and accompanying guardians representing the Nine Sects and One Gang—who had trailed behind the grand march—were glaring in our direction with expressions dripping with pure contempt.

Amid the wave of anxious murmurs and hesitant complaints echoing through the crowd, Seong Mo-ran took a decisive step forward.

“They say it is far better to face the inevitable blow as early as possible.”

With a sharp clatter, Seong Mo-ran emptied the collection of Entry Tokens she had accumulated directly onto the table in front of the proctor.

After carefully counting and organizing the tokens across the surface, the proctor projected his voice clearly.

“Seong Mo-ran of the Iron Sword Sect, you have passed!”

“Ooh!”

“Waaah!”

While the contingent from the Iron Sword Sect erupted into three simultaneous, roaring cheers, the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers stepped up as a unit, presenting their own collections of Entry Tokens to the official.

“Geum-pyo of the Taeul Sect, you have passed!”

“Eun-ho of the Taeul Sect, you have passed!”

“Dong-ryong of the Taeul Sect, you have passed!”

The three siblings, completely conquered by their surging emotions, began to weep openly as they wrapped one another in a tight embrace. Right alongside them, Namgung Seon-hwa stepped forward to collect her official confirmation of passing.

At last, the moment had arrived where only Murong Jae-hwa and I remained to cross the threshold.

“Brother, no matter where your path leads, you will always have my absolute backing.”

“……Hm?”

Murong Jae-hwa was actively making arrangements to depart alongside the martial artists of his own house.

“It brings me immense sorrow that I will be unable to study within the Academy by your side, Brother. However, through the trials of this journey we shared, I have finally gained absolute clarity regarding the specific destiny I must pursue.”

Murong Jae-hwa unslung his bow, offering a proud, resolute expression, while Baek Won-gak stood nearby, gripping his temples as if a massive headache were coming on.

“Are you entirely certain you want to go through with this?”

“What exactly do you mean by that?”

“Do you truly believe your grandfather will grant you forgiveness for abandoning the blade in favor of a bow?”

“……Ahem, well, that is precisely why I was calculating that, rather than returning immediately to the family estate, I might spend some time traveling the lands as a wanderer……”

“To throw yourself into aimless wandering at such a tender age when every passing second is absolutely vital. You possess an incredibly carefree disposition, don’t you? Abandon that foolish notion. You are entering the Academy right alongside me.”

“Pardon me? No. What on earth are you saying……”

Reaching deep into the folds of my inner robes, I produced the Entry Token that had been gifted to me by Jegal So-myeong and tossed it directly into his hands.

Murong Jae-hwa, who had initially stared down at the token with an expression of pure bewilderment, suddenly widened his eyes to the size of saucers.

“B-Brother, this object is……”

“Even in the absolute absence of a Third Trial Token, a candidate can easily secure a passing rank using that specific item, can they not?”

“Ah…… Ah……”

Murong Jae-hwa was thrown into such a state of cognitive dissonance that he seemed completely incapable of forming a coherent response.

His reaction was entirely justified, given that the specific Entry Token he now held in his grasp was effectively a priceless relic that could not be purchased even if one possessed a mountain of gold.

“……”

Baek Won-gak, who had been observing Murong Jae-hwa’s paralyzed hesitation with an increasing sense of exasperation as the young man failed to seize the incredible gift I had freely provided, immediately intervened.

“Young Master Jin, words cannot express our gratitude for you bestowing such profound benevolence upon us.”

“N-No, Captain Baek. To dismiss it so lightly when the magnitude of this gift is so staggering……”

“Young Master, this represents a golden, once-in-a-lifetime destiny that Young Master Jin has personally laid at your feet. Do you truly intend to let a miracle like this slip through your fingers and vanish?”

Moved by the fierce intensity etched across Baek Won-gak’s features, the wavering Murong Jae-hwa clamped his jaws shut and steeled his resolve.

“I understand completely. Captain, Brother, I, Jae-hwa of the Murong Clan, solemnly swear to everyone present that I will successfully pioneer my very own martial legacy centered entirely around the Archery Way.”

“……No, Young Master, to cast such a definitive judgment on your entire future in such a panicked rush……”

Suddenly struck by the horrifying realization that the primary bloodline of the Murong Clan might inadvertently meet its absolute end through this decision, even I attempted to inject a voice of reason.

“Indeed, that is a matter you can contemplate at a leisurely pace after you have safely settled inside the grounds……”

“Absolutely not. Brother has personally illuminated the darkness of my path and gone so far as to physically hand me the map. How could I possibly dishonor that sacrifice? Without fail! Without a single doubt! I will transform into an individual who echoes across the lands through the mastery of the Archery Way.”

Having delivered his passionate declaration, Murong Jae-hwa marched forward and presented the elite Entry Token to the proctor.

“Murong Jae-hwa of the Murong Clan, you have passed!”

And then, finally, my turn arrived.

“Every single one of you has performed exceptionally well to bring us to this moment.”

I executed a deep, respectful bow toward the assembled martial artists who had stood by our side throughout the entire ordeal. In unison, they formed a solemn clasped-hands salute and offered their response.

“We pray that boundless victory and unmatched fortune guide your steps forward, Young Master Jin.”

I stepped up to the proctor’s desk, raised my traveling bundle, and flipped it completely upside down.

Clatter, clatter, clatter.

As an avalanche of Trial Tokens cascaded onto the table from the depths of the small fabric sack, the eyes of the watching disciples belonging to the Nine Sects and One Gang instantly locked onto the display, gleaming with intense focus.

A pair of proctors immediately began sorting and tallying the massive mound of Trial Tokens, verifying the total count against the official roster of names, before finally projecting the verdict into the open air.

“Jin So-un of the Taeul Sect…… you have failed!”