The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 123

Chapter 123
Chapter 123. The Black Flame Dragon Who Gives Opportunities (3)

-Esteemed Older Brother.

I hope you have been in excellent health and spirits during this time.

While I never harbored any doubt that you would achieve the highest marks at the Academy, receiving the official confirmation made me want to depart for Wuhan immediately.

Please forgive your younger brother for being unable to leave due to my current obligations here.

Operations at the Taeul Sect have been progressing smoothly without any major trouble.

Not long ago, the personnel sent from the Maoshan Sect completed setting up the Mystic Gate Formation and have since departed for the Wang Estate.

Once I finish establishing the Mechanism Formation here at the Taeul Sect, my next task is to head to the Wang Estate to set up an identical system, though I am uncertain if I can manage the timeline properly.

As of now, the blueprints for the Mechanism Formation are fully prepared, but we are facing a shortage of craftsmen capable of manufacturing the required components.

Both the Outer Hall Master and the Wang Estate Master are actively searching far and wide for capable artisans, but the task is proving difficult.

I am anxious to conclude these duties as quickly as possible so I can rejoin you, Elder Brother, but I know you would be deeply disappointed if I abandoned my responsibilities prematurely.

I am determined to complete this assignment flawlessly and present myself to you as a mature and reliable man.

On a brighter note, Senior Brother Eun-ho forwarded an illustration of your magnificent appearance, which brought me immense joy. The shimmering golden characters marking you as the ‘top scorer’ captivated me, and I spent hours doing nothing but admiring the artwork.

Senior Sister Wang even summoned a local painter to replicate the piece on a much grander scale, and the Sect Leader expressed his intention to display the original painting sent by Senior Brother Eun-ho right at the front of the Great Mysterious Hall, which has caused many junior disciples to…….

Reading to that point, I cast the parchment aside abruptly.

Tap.

“……Where did Eun-ho disappear to?”

Murong Jae-hwa raised his gaze curiously.

“If you are looking for Brother Eun-ho, he slipped away just as you opened that correspondence, Elder Brother.”

“……That wretched creature.”

Over the past several days, I had frequently spotted him in the company of an unfamiliar face, leading me to assume he had simply formed a companionship within the Academy walls.

To think that individual was actually an artist hired for such a purpose.

“That absolute scoundrel…… Where on earth did he obtain the funds?”

What expenses could one possibly incur within the Academy, where sustenance, attire, and lodging were entirely taken care of?

Furthermore, the provisions here far exceeded the quality of what they had been accustomed to at the Taeul Sect, meaning that while others might complain, the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers were profoundly satisfied with their current lifestyle.

He had never requested financial assistance from me either, so beyond the meager allowance I provided, he should have been entirely destitute.

“…….”

“My goodness, my muscles feel quite tense. I believe I shall go stretch a bit.”

Seong Mo-ran abruptly stood up from her place.

“Lady Seong.”

Seong Mo-ran stiffened, her shoulders giving a slight twitch.

Highly dubious. Extremely questionable behavior.

“……Oh, Seon-hwa, would you care to join me for a brief training session?”

“Were you aware of this as well, Lady Seong?”

“…….”

“So it appears Lady Seong was the financier behind this scheme.”

“N-No, absolutely not. Whatever gave you that impression……! I possess no involvement in this matter.”

“…….”

“I-It is the truth. I merely provided Eun-ho with some funds when he mentioned he wished to commission a few portraits.”

“Eun-ho remains a mere student of the Academy. What guarantee did you have regarding his ability to reimburse you?”

“Well…… You see, it was hardly a significant sum. One might say I was compensated with an item of equal value…… Or perhaps wealth is no longer an issue of great concern to me at present…….”

Seong Mo-ran babbled mindlessly, unable to form a coherent thought.

To make matters worse, even Namgung Seon-hwa was actively avoiding my gaze, nervously playing with her fingers in a guilty fashion.

“Oh, that reminds me! S-Speaking of which, Monk Il-gak extended a formal invitation. Have you perused it yet?”

Namgung Seon-hwa clumsily attempted to redirect the conversation.

Letting out a soft breath, I chose to follow her lead for the moment.

“Are they organizing yet another gathering?”

This marked the third occurrence already.

Initially, the Twelve Peak Citadels had taken action, followed shortly by the Five Great Clans. Now, even the Nine Sects and One Gang were preparing to host a grand social event.

“That is precisely my point. Meanwhile, the Academy Representative has yet to coordinate a single function.”

Seong Mo-ran agitated her fan rapidly, clearly frustrated by the situation.

“More to the point, shouldn’t we be organizing our own grand event at this juncture?”

“Even if I chose to host one, who would bother showing up?”

In normal circumstances, once the Academy Representative Delegation was fully established, the academic term for the students would commence with an inaugural feast, but the opposing factions had completely usurped that privilege.

“But if things persist in this manner…….”

A fortnight had already elapsed since the educational curriculum was set to begin.

As our familiarity with the responsibilities of the Academy Representative Delegation grew, our operational efficiency improved drastically, allowing us to clear the massive volume of paperwork that initially seemed insurmountable for our small group.

However, the genuine obstacle was the complete absence of participants for the educational schedules I had mapped out.

Should this boycott persist for a duration of three months, I would be forced to relinquish my title as the Academy Representative. That very pressure was what had driven the Three Pure Ones Peerless Sword to resign previously.

“They are not individuals I can compel to show up through mere regulations. Rather than squandering resources on a fruitless gathering, it would serve us better to shift our focus.”

“Shift our focus to what?”

The insights contained within my mind were far from limited to clearing the administrative documents of the Academy Representative Delegation.

I possessed comprehensive knowledge on how to manipulate and utilize Mantongbu, the department tasked with managing and authorizing expenditures, and I understood exactly how to leverage it to my advantage.

“There is zero requirement to plead for their attendance. We merely need to establish a scenario where every single one of them is desperate to participate, correct?”

And I had absolutely no intention of surrendering my position without a fierce struggle.

“What on earth is the meaning of this paperwork!”

Jegal So-myeong bellowed in sheer exasperation, yet the staff members in the room remained completely indifferent to his outburst.

Under normal circumstances, following the conclusion of the Academy Regular Exam, the lack of ongoing duties meant the entire staff was simply idling away the time until the upcoming recess. Now, however, an administrative deluge equivalent to the scale of the seasonal examination had suddenly been dumped upon Mantongbu.

“The origin of these files is Murim Academy.”

“The Academy? Since when did those fools possess the capability to process documentation at this volume?”

“It does not stem from the main administrative branch of the Academy. It was submitted by the Academy Representative Delegation.”

“What did you say?”

Jegal So-myeong instinctively grabbed one of the folders and flipped it open.

“…….”

The layout of the reports was impeccably structured, devoid of any superfluous verbiage or errors.

“How many revisions did this document undergo before reaching this state?”

“It was approved on the very first submission.”

“What?”

Typically, even the most capable Academy Representative Delegation required a learning curve to grasp the complex protocols of the Murim Alliance. Generally, a report would only achieve proper clarity after being rejected numerous times and undergoing extensive corrections.

Yet, this piece of work read as though it had been drafted by a veteran bureaucrat who possessed decades of experience in navigating these exact channels.

“Did that old fool Maeng Ju-won actually lend his expertise to assist the Academy Representative Delegation?”

As he muttered this theory, assuming it was the only logical explanation, a nearby subordinate shook his head in denial.

“What are you implying? He is the very department leader who manufactured entirely pointless tasks for the sole purpose of harassing Jin So-un.”

“And the boy managed to clear even those hurdles?”

“Indeed.”

In the center of the overwhelming mountain of paperwork, Maeng Ju-won sat slumped in his chair, looking utterly broken and catatonic.

“Furthermore, he has abruptly filed a requisition for an astronomical sum, claiming it is vital for the upcoming academic curriculum.”

“What sum?”

“Take a look at this document.”

Given that the majority of events organized by the Academy Representative Delegation were designed to foster social networks, they typically revolved around hosting lavish galas or bringing in prominent figures of the martial world to demonstrate political leverage.

“Th-Thirty thousand gold taels?”

Believing the young man lacked any significant connections to exploit, Jegal So-myeong had assumed the request was merely for a standard banquet fund.

However, the figure specified was immense enough to shock even Jegal So-myeong, an administrator rarely fazed by large numbers, into a state of disbelief.

“……He has lost his mind. Does he intend to secure the presence of all the Ten Greatest Masters under Heaven for a single evening?”

The clerk merely offered a bitter smirk without providing a verbal reply. Occasionally, individuals would demand outrageous sums under the guise of speaker fees for legendary martial artists, but Jegal So-myeong would never permit such an exploitation of funds.

“This will naturally face an immediate rejection.”

“Well…… The issue is that we are practically obligated to grant it.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Read his justification for the expenditure.”

The proposal, meticulously detailed from the preface to the conclusion, offered an ironclad argument detailing the absolute necessity of the funds, the precise allocation of every coin, the projected outcomes, and the immense strategic advantages the Murim Alliance would reap from the venture.

Furthermore, the prose was so remarkably articulate that not a single phrase felt out of place or awkward.

calamitous
“…….”

“Is there any legitimate ground upon which we can deny this?”

This request existed on a completely different plane compared to the crude demands of the Elder Hall or the Martial Pavilion, whose members routinely barged in demanding budget increases without a shred of documentation.

This was a financial request that could not be denied under any sensible interpretation of the rules.

In fact, they would likely be forced to siphon funds from other operational sectors just to satisfy this single requisition.

“Haha, that brat is truly something else…… shreds.”

Jegal So-myeong found himself thinking that Jin So-un possessed a level of administrative talent that would warrant an immediate appointment as a deputy department head within Mantongbu.

‘A deputy? No, he possesses the intellect required to manage Sim Hyeon-gak entirely.’

As Jegal So-myeong indulged in these optimistic evaluations, the clerk interrupted his train of thought.

“Regardless, because of this massive undertaking, the volume of data we must cross-reference has multiplied exponentially. That is the reason the chief is currently incapacitated.”

“Tsk, tsk. He brought this entirely upon himself by seeking out trouble.”

Maeng Ju-won, who had been staring blankly at the staggering towers of files encircling him, suddenly jolted back to reality and turned his head with a slow, mechanical stiffness.

The expression on his face was deeply unsettling, and just as Jegal So-myeong instinctively took a step back—

“G-Grand Strategist…….”

“Do not look to me for assistance! You dug this grave, so you shall lie in it!”

“Grand Strategist!!!”

Maeng Ju-won threw himself to the floor, crawling forward frantically to seize the edge of Jegal So-myeong’s robes.

“I already stated I will not lift a finger to aid you!”

“Have you gazed upon this? This masterpiece right here?”

Maeng Ju-won waved the very budget proposal the clerk had been presenting moments prior.

“Jin So-un must be integrated into Mantongbu immediately upon his completion of studies. No, he needs to be transferred here this very instant. Give him my title as department chief. I will gladly serve beneath him as a deputy, or even a basic clerk!”

“Y-You have completely lost your wits…….”

“Grand Strategist!!!! I beg of you!!!!! We need Jin So-un!!!!”

“What are you all standing around for? Pull this lunatic off me this instant!”

It required the combined physical effort of nearly five clerks to finally detach Maeng Ju-won from his target. As Jegal So-myeong practically fled from the halls of Mantongbu, Maeng Ju-won’s desperate cries echoed behind him.

“Grand Strategist!!! Jin So-un belongs in Mantongbu!!!”

“…….”

“I utterly fail to comprehend your stubborn refusal to don this attire.”

The head maidservant released a heavy, weary sigh.

From my perspective, however, this was a point where compromise was out of the question.

“……I nearly met my demise the last time I wore that monstrosity.”

“Excuse me? Whatever do you mean by that……?”

“My reflection in the polished bronze mirror was so thoroughly mortifying that I felt an overwhelming urge to throw myself into the nearest body of water.”

“……H-How can you utter such blasphemy? Geumbun, the most renowned seamstress in all of Hubei Province, dedicated a full hundred days to perfecting this piece…….”

“Which is precisely why I am questioning the necessity. Why must I drape myself in this when we are not even attending an official state ceremony?”

The head maidservant persisted in her relentless attempt to force me into the ostentatious ‘top scorer’ uniform.

“Be that as it may, this gathering will be attended not only by your fellow Academy peers but also by highly influential dignitaries of the Murim Alliance. It is imperative that you arrive in an outfit that commands the room’s attention.”

“I would rather perish than wear that thing tonight.”

Utilizing the Taeul Eighty-Thousand Divine Steps, I vanished into a blur, leaving the attendants grasping at empty air before they tumbled onto the floorboards.

“W-Wait! Fine, I yield! Just promise me you will not attend the gathering in that dreary combat uniform that looks completely devoid of any aesthetic consideration.”

calamitous
“…….”

I lowered my eyes to inspect my current attire for a brief moment.

It was a relatively recent acquisition, meaning it showed no signs of wear or fraying. Furthermore, I hadn’t found myself engaged in any frantic physical altercations lately, so it was devoid of any noticeable blemishes.

What about this could possibly be considered dreary?

“……I took the liberty of preparing an alternative garment just in case.”

As the head maidservant signaled with an expression that suggested she had aged a decade from this ordeal, the assistant maids came forward bearing a fresh set of robes.

“Please, at least agree to wear this for the evening.”

The fabric retained the deep black color that I favored, yet it possessed a brilliant luster indicative of premium material, accented by delicate silver needlework tracing the borders of the sleeves, lending it an air of refined elegance.

“……You ought to have presented this option from the very beginning.”

While I was generally indifferent to matters of fashion, this particular outfit was entirely acceptable. In all honesty, my standard black training uniform did appear somewhat plain when compared to the lavish garments worn by the other students.

Whenever I stood amongst them, there were moments where even I questioned whether I was present as their peer or as a common servant tasked with attending to their needs.

The outer robe featured long, flowing sleeves, and with every stride I took, the silver-embroidered motifs across the shoulders shifted in a striking display.

“Had I anticipated your cooperation, I would have ensured the honorary title was embroidered onto this piece as well.”

The veteran head maidservant clearly found it impossible to abandon her fixation on the ‘top scorer’ moniker.

“Had you attempted such a stunt, this outfit would be lying on the floor alongside the other one.”

“Why do you harbor such an intense aversion to receiving recognition? Is that not the primary reason you are encountering so many hurdles in your social life at the Academy?”

For some reason, the middle-aged attendant seemed remarkably perceptive regarding my current social predicament.

When I chose to remain silent, her eyes widened in sudden realization and alarm.

“Forgive me. I overstepped my bounds with that remark.”

“No, it is fine. It can hardly be considered an overstep when it is accurate.”

She wasn’t entirely incorrect in her assessment.

With that, I began making my way toward the grand social function arranged by the Nine Sects and One Gang.

The pathway leading to the venue was illuminated by rows of beautifully crafted lanterns.

Guests were traversing the illuminated route in small clusters of three or four.

Roughly half of the attendees appeared to be students from the Academy.

The remaining individuals were figures seeking to establish political or personal connections with these promising youths.

The sheer extravagance of their garments and the glittering accessories they flaunted made it abundantly clear that no one present was of low birth.

Though a considerable distance still separated me from the main hall, the vibrant sounds of celebratory music were already drifting through the air.

With the departure of winter’s chill and the arrival of milder weather, numerous refreshments and wine stations had been arranged throughout the outdoor courtyard. Disciples representing the Nine Sects and One Gang could be seen bustling between these tables, exchanging pleasantries and forging new alliances.

“You have arrived.”

Turning toward the source of the voice, I observed Jegal Jeong-gi offering a polite, traditional greeting.

“Did you come without any companions?”

“The rest of my circle claimed to be feeling under the weather.”

In reality, I was the one who had firmly instructed them to stay behind when they insisted on accompanying me.

Knowing full well that their presence alongside me would only invite hostile and uncomfortable stares from the crowd, there was no reason for them to endure a burden I could easily manage on my own.

“You possess a remarkably empathetic nature.”

Jegal Jeong-gi let out a faint, unreadable smile.

“In any case, it surprises me to see you attending a function hosted by the Nine Sects and One Gang.”

“As you are well aware, the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Clans are not locked in open warfare.”

“Perhaps, but that does not mean they operate as a singular entity, does it?”

If they weren’t adversaries, then what could possibly explain the savage, bloody conflicts they waged against one another in my previous existence?

“One could describe it as a temporary marriage of convenience.”

“If that is the case, isn’t the adversary you both stand against a bit underwhelming?”

“Are you merely feigning ignorance, or do you truly lack comprehension?”

“…… shreds.”

“Young Master Jin represents a ‘symbol’. Specifically, a symbol of a significant fracture within the system.”

“I am?”

“And as we all know, monumental chaos invariably stems from a minute fracture, does it not?”

“…….”

Jegal Jeong-gi scrutinized me intently before releasing a quiet sigh.

“Regardless of the politics, why has the Representative delayed hosting a proper gathering? So long as the official Academy Representative refrains from organizing an event, those of us who have already held ours cannot truly legitimize our positions, can we?”

“……If I were to arrange an event, do you genuinely intend to show your face?”

“Naturally, I have zero intention of participating. However, who can say for certain? There might be factions covertly offering their allegiance to the Academy Representative.”

Glancing across the courtyard, my eyes locked with Cheol Sun-jik, who was engaged in conversation alongside Nam Hwa-seong.

For a brief second, their expressions stiffened upon noticing me, and they promptly shifted their focus elsewhere.

“Therefore, you should hasten to organize a gathering. If you continue to push it off indefinitely, you will go down in history as the sole Academy Representative to be ousted without ever hosting a single function, let alone a proper academic event.”

“May I pose a single question to you?”

I locked my eyes onto his mocking smile.

“Certainly. Ask whatever you wish.”

“Why do you never utter a single inquiry regarding Jegal Cheon-gi?”

“…….”

For the briefest moment, his composed demeanor faltered.

“From what I understand, the Jegal Clan does not determine its succession based on primogeniture, but rather through individual capability. Are you harboring apprehension toward Cheon-gi due to that rule?”

“……That is an internal affair concerning my lineage. It is hardly an appropriate topic for Young Master Jin to meddle in.”

“Or perhaps it is because Cheon-gi himself represents a fracture in your structure?”

“…….”

The relaxed and leisurely expression that Jegal Jeong-gi had maintained up until this point instantly morphed into a mask of pure, unadulterated fury.

“Young Master Jin, you are a profoundly destructive individual. The true tragedy is that you remain entirely oblivious to your own nature.”

In my past life, Jegal Jeong-gi had never granted me the basic dignity of viewing me as a human peer, so I suppose causing him this much agitation could be considered a form of personal advancement.

“And you operate under the delusion that the entire world is flawed, rather than acknowledging the fault lies within yourself.”

Jegal Jeong-gi’s tone grew increasingly loud and sharp.

The surrounding chatter began to die down as nearby guests turned their attention toward our confrontation.

“That precise trait is what makes Young Master Jin an incredibly volatile threat. Do you comprehend what I am saying?”

Right at that tense moment, a cluster of mature gentlemen began steering themselves in our direction.

“What is the meaning of this unseemly disturbance at a gathering hosted by another faction?”

Each of these older individuals was draped in incredibly opulent robes, adorned with extravagant belts encrusted with precious stones, and as if by prior arrangement, every single one of them was rhythmically fluttering a silk fan.

Upon recognizing the newcomers, Jegal Jeong-gi’s hostility vanished, replaced by an expression of alarm as he hastily offered a profound bow.

“I extend my humblest respects to the esteemed leaders of the Murim Alliance. I am Jeong-gi representing the Jegal Clan.”

The gentleman leading the delegation of elders regarded Jegal Jeong-gi with a passing glance before shifting a cold, sharp gaze onto me.

I executed a slow, measured, and deliberate hand greeting.

“I offer my respects. My name is Jin So-un.”

“If you neglect to state your affiliation and the lineage from which you hail, how do you expect anyone to recognize you, you insolent whelp?”

The lead elder deeply knitted his brows in profound irritation.

“Are you claiming you do not recognize my identity?”

“Why on earth should I have any knowledge of who you are?”

“Did you not just characterize this event as a ‘gathering hosted by another faction’? You uttered those words because you were fully aware that neither Jegal Jeong-gi nor I belong to the ranks of the Nine Sects and One Gang, correct?”

“…….”

The countenance of the lead elder twisted into a grimace—or rather, the expressions of all the senior figures who were actively orchestrating the internal discord within the Murim Alliance hardened severely.

“……Young Master Jin. Are you aware of the standing of the individual you are addressing with such unmitigated impudence?”

The hairless figure clad in traditional monastic vestments spoke up with a look of genuine concern. It was none other than Il-gak of the Shaolin Temple.

“I am Jin So-un, a disciple of the Taeul Sect.”

As I repeated my polite hand greeting and spoke with calm assurance, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon let out a sharp, mocking scoff.

“Hmph. There were rumors circulating that the reputation of the Black Flame Dragon, bolstered by the unorthodox elements of the martial underworld, was formidable, and it appears those rumors were well-founded.”

“A falsehood has been transformed into a perceived reality precisely due to your machinations, Elder Myeonghyeon, and I am enduring a fair amount of inconvenience as a consequence.”

“Are you audacious enough to suggest that my actions are the reason you are failing to execute the responsibilities of the Academy Representative?”

“If that were not the case, would the factions of the Nine Sects and One Gang, the Five Great Clans, and the Twelve Peak Citadels have dared to disregard my authority so brazenly? This entire boycott manifested because you senior figures actively sabotaged my initiatives.”

“What? What did you just utter?”

A volatile, suffocating energy instantly blanketed the courtyard, and an intense weight bore down on me from every possible angle.

“Did your masters never impart the lesson that running your tongue so recklessly in the martial world will cost you your very life?”

Not merely Daoist Master Myeonghyeon, but all the surrounding elders unleashed a synchronized burst of invisible martial pressure directly toward me, acting with a singular, lethal intent that made the simple act of drawing breath an agonizing struggle.

Standing right beside me, Jegal Jeong-gi was completely caught off guard. He clutched desperately at his throat with both hands, his face contorting into a mask of pure panic.

As the crushing aura locked him in place and starved him of oxygen, his skin rapidly took on a pale, bluish tint, making it look as though he would lose consciousness and perish within moments.

Circulating the energy of the Taeul True Scripture with every ounce of my willpower, I forcefully pushed back against the suffocating unseen force.

“Hup.”

A muffled gasp of astonishment echoed from the ranks behind Daoist Master Myeonghyeon, and the immense pressure relented just enough for me to fill my lungs with air.

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon fixed his eyes on me, a flash of genuine astonishment crossing his features.

“It appears your ascension to this position was not a mere stroke of fortune.”

The moment those words left Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s mouth, the crushing weight that had colonized the space vanished entirely. Jegal Jeong-gi collapsed heavily onto the stone tiles, gasping frantically for air as he tried to stabilize himself.

Observing Jegal Jeong-gi reduced to a shivering heap while I stood perfectly composed in the exact same space, the gathered crowd began to look upon me with an entirely new level of intrigue and respect.

Though my internal organs were screaming for me to mimic Jegal Jeong-gi and collapse to catch my breath, I clenched my jaw tight and refused to show any weakness.

“Indeed, from what has reached my ears, you have failed to coordinate a single academic event, let alone host an inaugural gala in your capacity as the Academy Representative.”

“For whose benefit should I organize an extravagant feast that amounts to nothing more than a hollow, superficial performance?”

“This is precisely why dealing with the unrefined is such a chore…… Tsk.”

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon clicked his tongue in disdain, his lips curling into a sharp, mocking grin.

“If that is your stance, then what serves as the justification for your request of thirty thousand gold taels?”

The moment that massive figure escaped Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s lips, a wave of collective shock rippled through the entire courtyard.

“Th-Thirty thousand taels?”

“An ordinary Academy Representative is granted access to that volume of wealth?”

“What sort of madness is transpiring here?”

Thanks to Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s public revelation, every single eye in the courtyard—from the students celebrating the banquet to the external figures seeking entry into the inner circle of the Nine Sects and One Gang—locked firmly onto me.

“The funds are naturally allocated for the execution of the academic curriculum.”

“Thirty thousand gold taels for a curriculum?”

“Precisely.”

“Do you intend to present an entire brick of solid gold to every individual who deigns to show up to your classes?”

As I deliberately paused before delivering my response, a profound, heavy silence enveloped the courtyard, akin to a dense woodland suddenly quieted by a torrential downpour.

“Naturally, that is not the plan.”

“Then give an accounting of where such a massive fortune is to be spent. If you harbor any secret intentions of misappropriating these funds to line the coffers of your own sect, I will personally ensure it is blocked so long as I breathe.”

“You speak of us with profound contempt, as though we are a collection of destitute beggars.”

“In that case, clarify to the masses exactly how that capital will be utilized.”

The festive music that had been echoing from the main hall had ceased entirely. While it had not been my original plan to create this scene, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s interrogation had actually made the execution of my strategy far simpler than I could have hoped.

Infusing my vocal cords with deep internal energy, I let my voice carry across the entire area.

“I am completely certain that every soul present vividly recalls the harrowing atrocity that transpired upon the Demon Spirit Plateau.”

“…….”

“That catastrophic slaughter matrix where, irrespective of an individual’s martial prowess, once you stepped inside, you were fated to become a wandering corpse.”

With every step I took forward, hundreds of intense stares tracked my movements.

“To ensure that such a tragedy never repeats itself, I have made the decision to openly distribute the countermeasure to the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation. And as we speak, for that very objective, the exact parameters of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation are being constructed upon the Grand Riding Ground of the Murim Academy.”

A collective gasp of sheer disbelief and awe erupted from the crowd.

“Heavens…….”

“So that explains the unusual architectural projects taking shape out there.”

“He genuinely intends to impart the secrets of that matrix?”

“Even the grand masters of the Maoshan Sect publicly declared that no viable method for breaking that formation existed…… shreds.”

The moment I projected my voice again, the rising chatter instantly died down, vanishing like mist before the morning sun.

“A few among you might already be aware, but I stand as the solitary individual who successfully navigated that Soul-Destroying Formation, entered its depths, and brought survivors out alive. Should you choose to participate in this academic term, you will gain the knowledge necessary to preserve your own lives, even if you find yourselves ensnared within the Soul-Destroying Formation in the days to come.”

The surrounding murmurs multiplied, growing into a deafening roar of excitement.

“Furthermore, you will also glean the foundational principles required to replicate and establish the Soul-Destroying Formation within the domains of your respective lineages.”

The moment my explanation concluded, the excitement reached a fever pitch.

The grand banquet hosted by the elders was completely forgotten, cast to the back of everyone’s minds as the guests frantically began debating and discussing the terrifying events of the Demon Spirit Plateau.

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon, his fellow senior leaders, and the elite students belonging to the Nine Sects and One Gang glared at me with eyes filled with burning intensity.

Paying them absolutely no heed, I casually stepped back toward Jegal Jeong-gi.

“Did you not just define me as a mere fracture in the system?”

“…….”

His countenance remained frozen in a mixture of shock from the immense martial pressure he had just endured and absolute bewilderment at the announcement I had delivered.

Leaning down, I let my words drop softly into his ear.

“Your assessment was entirely accurate. I am indeed a fracture. And that very fracture is destined to become the initial breach that completely shatters the grand dam you and your peers have spent generations reinforcing.”