The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 124

Chapter 124
Chapter 124. The Black Flame Dragon Who Gives Opportunities (4)

Rumors regarding the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation created a massive stir across both the Academy and the entire Murim Alliance.

“Is it true that a way out exists?”

“A solution has always been there. The issue was the requirement to commit two million formation routes to memory.”

“He couldn’t possibly expect us to memorize all two million pathways, right?”

“According to what is being said, Jin So-un claimed he would share a technique to escape without needing to master every single route.”

Furthermore, the speculation intensified because the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation was restricted by a specific duration of operation and a strict quota on entrants.

The headquarters of the Academy Representative Delegation, which usually remained deserted aside from my immediate companions, suddenly became flooded with all sorts of individuals demanding explanations about the capacity limits or voicing their grievances.

“What is the reason for spending such massive funds only to run this for ten days?”

“Because the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation carries extreme peril. If a mistake occurs, a deadly zone could materialize right within the Academy.”

“Then why restrict the participants to a mere two hundred?”

“Because the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation is highly hazardous, and this restriction serves to minimize potential casualties among the Academy students should things go awry.”

“These arrangements appear to be nothing more than the individual whims of the Academy Representative!”

“Because the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation is exceptionally dangerous, I ask for your understanding that I cannot accommodate every single demand.”

No matter the nature of the protest or inquiry, I constantly relied on the ultimate justification of it being “too dangerous,” forcing even the loudest complainers to eventually fall silent on their own.

Consequently, individuals began fabricating conspiracy theories.

“Are you not purposely constructing a lethal formation to eliminate the Academy students?”

“The ceiling of two hundred people was implemented precisely to avoid such a hazardous scenario.”

“Could it be that you are restricting this knowledge to those two hundred in a deceptive move to reinforce your personal faction?”

“Do I even possess a faction to speak of? Furthermore, that statement completely contradicts your previous accusation.”

Like arrogant children who had been overly pampered, they could not comprehend a reality that failed to cater to their desires, giving rise to all kinds of wild rumors.

To grant them a reality check regarding the harsh nature of the world, I consistently deployed the stance of “What exactly do you expect me to do?” and thoroughly suppressed the backlash.

“What if your behavior deters everyone from showing up?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“The current sentiment holds a very poor view of the Academy Representative, so I thought you might want to placate and win them over.”

Faced with Seong Mo-ran’s inquiry, I locked my gaze onto her.

“W-Why? Looking at me so suddenly like that……”

“Lady Seong.”

“Y-Yes!”

“If you discovered the whereabouts of a Divine Weapon or Treasure Weapon that possessed only a single use, would you seek it out?”

“What? Why ask that out of nowhere…… Well, even with a single use, if it had the power to protect my life, I would definitely search for it.”

“But suppose that artifact rested deep within the territory of the Black Path murim, and your relatives prohibited your journey. Would you still pursue it?”

“I would have no choice but to go. You described it as a Divine Weapon or Treasure Weapon. Even given a single application, an item of that magnitude demands that I seek it out.”

“Exactly. You would make the journey. For your own sake and for your lineage. The current situation is no different. No matter how unfair or troublesome it appears, if they can acquire the key to the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation, are martial artists not compelled to arrive?”

“Ah……”

Hearing my explanation, not only Seong Mo-ran but also Namgung Seon-hwa and Murong Jae-hwa, who were listening nearby, gaped in sheer astonishment.

“In any case, that sly mind of yours is something else……”

Right next to me, Eun-ho, who was nursing a severely bruised and darkened eye while keeping his arms raised, muttered under his breath.

“What was that?”

“Ah, nothing at all! Truly worthy of the Eldest Senior Brother! You are absolutely incredible! The absolute greatest!”

“Keep your arms extended properly.”

“Understood, sir!”

Namgung Seon-hwa, who had been observing with a stunned expression, suddenly recalled something and interjected.

“If that holds true, what was the purpose of setting a boundary on the headcount? Since you are proceeding with this regardless, wouldn’t it be far more beneficial for you, Young Master Jin, to raise the limit to three hundred and integrate them into the official academic schedule?”

“I am required to manage five additional academic schedules over the upcoming three months. Filling the numbers entirely at this moment would render future plans pointless.”

“Ah…… Clearing one obstacle only reveals the next one.”

自由自在“It remains manageable. That is precisely the reason I instituted the participant limit.”

“Excuse me?”

“What kind of absolute nonsense is this!”

Jang Seok-do of the Zhongnan Sect roared.

Faced with this sudden outburst, Geum-pyo unbothered wiped away the saliva that had sprayed onto his face and responded.

“Did I not clarify this before? Anyone wishing to acquire the solution for the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation must take part in five future academic schedules organized by the Academy Representative.”

“There was never any mention of such a rule!”

“Is it not completely standard for the regulations to be displayed directly on the registration document?”

“You insolent fools, I have tolerated your behavior so far, but……!”

“Dong-ryong.”

Following Geum-pyo’s utterance, Dong-ryong, who stood to the side firmly gripping the hilt of his blade, stepped forward.

Jang Seok-do flinched, instinctively retreating two paces.

He was thoroughly aware of the terrifying reputation associated with the Black-Blood Three Dragons of Class None.

‘Is it true that if those three unite, they can hold their own against an entire battalion?’

The Nine Sects and One Gang, the Five Great Clans, and the Twelve Peak Citadels all harbored immense dissatisfaction toward the conduct of the Taeul Sect.

Just as he had previously miscalculated against Jin So-un of the Taeul Sect and suffered for it, other students within Class None had challenged these three siblings, only to end up with broken limbs for their arrogance.

Even after that, individuals who still harbored intense resentment attempted to isolate Dong-ryong, who appeared to be the youngest and most vulnerable, hoping to corner him alone.

‘They say that diminutive youth possesses incredibly brutal martial skills.’

However, Jang Seok-do also recalled the accounts stating that the three martial artists who ambushed him ended up with completely shattered arms and legs, sustaining wounds severe enough to keep them bedridden for half a year.

“If you have no intention of signing up, please step out of the way. The queue behind you is quite extensive.”

Turning around, Jang Seok-do observed a massive line of individuals who, much like himself, had covertly arrived to submit their registration papers.

Scanning their countenances, it was evident that every single one of them held minimal status within their respective domains.

As a student of the Zhongnan Sect, standing alongside such low-ranking figures felt deeply humiliating. However, the moment word regarding the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation reached the Main Mountain, he had received strict directives to secure the solution, forcing him to endure these degrading looks and wait his turn.

“Curse it…… Hand it over. Where do I sign my name?”

Regardless of how exhausting daily life within the Academy might become, considering his future prospects within the Murim Alliance and his ultimate return to the Main Mountain, complying with the orders of the Main Mountain was his only logical path.

“Sign here, here, here, and over here. Kindly apply your personal seal as well.”

“This is an extensive amount of paperwork.”

“For your awareness, this agreement has been officially validated by Mantongbu. Should you violate any terms, a financial penalty of one hundred gold taels will be enforced.”

“What did you say?”

“This rare opportunity is strictly reserved for a maximum of two hundred individuals. Mantongbu intends to avoid any financial losses caused by individuals who register but fail to show up.”

“……項目”

“Naturally, as long as you maintain proper attendance, you will face no such fine.”

“……項目”

No matter how heavily biased the terms felt, defying the direct mandate from his Main Mountain remained out of the question.

“Excellent, you have made a wise decision. Next person, please.”

Murim Academy’s Grand Riding Ground.

At this place where a specialized Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation was currently being assembled, I encountered a very familiar person.

“I searched for your whereabouts the moment I arrived at Murim Academy, Great Hero Yu. What caused you to miss the Murim Regular Exam?”

Hearing my query, Yu Ji-ryang, who appeared visibly leaner compared to our previous meeting, let out a soft laugh.

“Murim Academy certainly presents a wonderful prospect, but I declined to participate because an even more monumental opportunity presented itself at the Taeul Sect right now.”

When I relayed my intentions to the Maoshan Sect utilizing the network of Mantongbu, Yu Ji-ryang, who was previously occupied setting up the Mystic Gate Formation at the Wang Estate in Hefei, rushed over with incredible speed.

“Besides, getting a chance to assist in erecting an authentic Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation is something I simply could not pass up.”

Though he had shed a noticeable amount of weight, the profound clarity reflecting within his eyes felt sharper and more vibrant than ever.

“Have you attained a new level of comprehension?”

“I would attribute it to taking another step forward through the text you provided, Great Hero Jin, alongside the collaborative breakthroughs achieved with Jegal Cheon-gi.”

Yu Ji-ryang possessed a naturally adaptable and modest disposition. For someone of his caliber to confidently state he had progressed meant his insights during this period were extraordinarily profound.

“As expected, your talents are truly exceptional. You have my congratulations.”

Bowing his head slightly in response, Yu Ji-ryang fixed his intent gaze directly into my eyes.

“I find myself thinking that the truly exceptional one is you, Great Hero Jin.”

“Me?”

Yu Ji-ryang shifted his gaze across the expansive grounds of the Grand Riding Ground.

Within the arena, five hundred laborers were completely engrossed in erecting a network of three hundred massive pillars and temporary scaffolding.

“I am aware of the rumors concerning the challenges you currently face, Great Hero Jin. Yet, even if I were in your shoes, I would never have willingly disclosed the secrets to overcoming the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation to the public.”

“That is a fair assessment.”

“May I inquire as to what drove you to make such an arrangement?”

I possessed various other tactics to draw the interest of the Academy students.

Nevertheless, if I had to pinpoint the core motivations behind choosing this path, they boiled down to two specific reasons.

The first involved the Demonic Cult.

Due to the Demonic Cult already possessing the means to bypass the majority of the Mystic Gate Formations utilized throughout the murim, I concluded it was necessary to bring the mechanics of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation to light.

And the second reason was—

“Is it not deeply sorrowful?”

“Pardon me?”

“The interior of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation contains nothing but emptiness. No Demonic Beasts emerge to attack, and no grand cataclysms occur. Those trapped within and those on the outside waiting powerlessly for an escape share nothing but an agonizing period of uncertainty with zero guarantees.”

“……項目”

In that moment, the memory of the Grand Patriarch surfaced—someone who must have spent his final moments waiting for demise inside a formation steeped in despair.

“Whether one walks the Path of Black or White, there are instances where forces manifest that demand we confront them purely through our shared human resolve, do you not agree? To me, the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation embodies that exact challenge. Given that a Soul-Destroying Formation believed to have vanished three centuries ago has surfaced once more, this peril will inevitably threaten humanity again in the future. If human diligence can grasp the solution, then it is only proper that it be distributed.”

“Ah……”

Yu Ji-ryang stared at me with wide, astonished eyes for a considerable duration.

“Remarkable, Great Hero Jin. Your perspective completely transcends any boundaries I could fathom.”

“You praise me far too highly.”

At that moment, a subtle smile crossed my face as I added,

“Furthermore, simply possessing the theory behind the solution does not guarantee that one can successfully execute it under pressure, does it?”

The Soul-Destroying Formation would serve as a recurring fixture throughout my tenure as representative.

Those who experienced the psychological weight of the Soul-Destroying Formation even once would develop a profound dread of it, while simultaneously craving the means to conquer it. That intense desire would guarantee their consistent attendance at my scheduled events.

If this did not constitute a flawless strategy, I did not know what would.

“……項目”

Observing my expression, Yu Ji-ryang, who had been listening in a daze, allowed a knowing, clever smirk to form at the corners of his lips.

Recognizing that look, I spoke with absolute confidence.

“You have engineered your own adjustments as well, have you not, Great Hero Yu?”

He gave a subtle nod of affirmation.

“Would you happen to possess the capacity to memorize five hundred twenty-four thousand eight hundred unique formation routes?”

“Incredible.”

As I voiced my genuine admiration, he went on.

“It would likely prove utterly ineffective against someone of your caliber, Great Hero Jin, but even if the original architect of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation were to rise from the grave, they would find themselves entirely incapable of escaping the specific formation layout I have arranged.”

It was the sort of knowing smile shared exclusively by true masters of the craft.

The two of us stood there, exchanging matching, cunning grins.

“In the end, we did not manage to occupy every single slot.”

“Is this not merely the opening day?”

The construction of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation had concluded flawlessly, leaving a series of bizarre columns and structures of incomprehensible design standing prominently in the center of the Grand Riding Ground.

Not only the enrolled participants but even the general Academy students and instructors who had gathered simply out of curiosity were craning their necks to catch a glimpse of the spectacle.

“Do you truly believe they will continue to sign up in the days ahead?”

In response to Namgung Seon-hwa’s question, I gave a firm nod.

“Every individual present in this place is someone who must constantly gamble their life for survival in the future. A priceless, life-saving opportunity is being presented right before their eyes; no martial artist would be foolish enough to simply let it pass.”

For those raised from birth within the martial world, there existed an innate survival instinct that was impossible to suppress.

While I could not see it directly, they were undoubtedly engaged in a tense psychological standoff, assessing the behavior of their peers while calculating the perfect moment to break rank and claim a spot on the roster.

“Shall we initiate the process?”

Answering Yu Ji-ryang’s query, I stated,

“Yes, let us begin.”

Ascending to the elevated platform, Yu Ji-ryang hoisted a blue banner, brought it down, and subsequently raised a red banner high into the air.

“Trigger the formation!”

A group of fifty specialized spell practitioners belonging to the Maoshan Sect each assumed control over an assigned pillar, initiating the flow of energy to activate the grand array.

Simultaneously, as fifty distinct energetic currents surged to life, the highly sensitive horses within the nearby stables began to panic and bolt wildly, drawing the absolute focus of every spectator toward the heart of the Grand Riding Ground.

“Look at that!”

“Is that the actual formation manifesting?”

A dense, pale mist began to seep outward from the temporary architectural frameworks constructed at the center of the Grand Riding Ground.

The white vapor advanced at a deliberate pace, traveling from the inner core toward the perimeter before halting abruptly against the boundary stones where the spell practitioners stood. From there, it began to accumulate, thickening layer by layer.

It created the illusion that a massive storm cloud from the high heavens had materialized directly upon the earth.

The accumulating fog wove through the uniquely contoured pillars, completely enveloping the expanse of the Grand Riding Ground. Before long, every single pillar and structural framework was entirely swallowed by the dense vapor, obscuring everything from view.

“I shall conduct the initial test.”

As Yu Ji-ryang stepped toward the perimeter of the Soul-Destroying Formation, I interjected,

“Would you prefer that I step inside instead?”

Yu Ji-ryang offered a confident smile and replied,

“I have attained enough mastery to navigate a layout of this level safely.”

During the design phase of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation, Yu Ji-ryang and I had integrated a specific fail-safe mechanism. Should any individual attempt to cross into the array from any point other than the designated Life-and-Death Gate, the currents would automatically eject them harmlessly outside the boundary of the Soul-Destroying Formation.

During his tenure at the Taeul Sect in Hefei, Yu Ji-ryang had clearly dedicated immense effort to his studies, allowing him to seamlessly actualize the concepts I had envisioned.

“Gulp.”

As Yu Ji-ryang stood poised at the threshold of the Soul-Destroying Formation, an absolute, breathless silence fell over the gathered audience.

Step.

With his very first stride, his entire form vanished entirely into the dense white fog.

“……項目”

A brief moment later.

Step, step.

With his eyelids completely closed, Yu Ji-ryang calmly walked out from the edge of the Soul-Destroying Formation, entirely unaffected and whole.

“Upon crossing the threshold, I merely shut my eyes and maintained a perfectly straight trajectory forward.”

This confirmed that our integrated fail-safe functioned flawlessly.

“You have performed excellently.”

Turning my attention toward the initial assembly of practitioners slated to enter the Soul-Destroying Formation, I addressed them.

“Are you prepared?”

Witnessing the successful deployment of the Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation, an additional fifty individuals stepped forward to register their participation within the span of a single day.

The realization that a significant portion of these new applicants belonged to the Nine Sects and One Gang caused a fair amount of agitation within the leadership of the Righteous Path Association.

Originally, the Righteous Path Association had issued strict directives prohibiting their members from taking part in any event hosted by Jin So-un.

“We still have individuals within our ranks who are wavering. Our internal oversight must be heightened immediately.”

“Rather than enforcing restrictions, we should put pressure on the Academy to mandate that the solution be distributed to everyone openly.”

“We have already attempted to negotiate that angle, but our demands were flatly rejected.”

Lately, an increasing number of practitioners had begun operating under direct mandates received from their respective Main Mountains, causing a noticeable decline in internal compliance and solidarity.

Furthermore, because this involved an unparalleled opportunity regarding the legendary Boundless Indestructible Soul-Destroying Formation, they lacked the authority to completely forbid people from seeking it out.

“If the situation has come to this, we should simply acquire the secret and distribute it amongst ourselves.”

“What? Are you implying we should capture Jin So-un and force the information out of him through interrogation?”

“How could that be feasible? I am suggesting we deploy our own trusted operatives to enroll, master the methodology, and then covertly disseminate the knowledge within our organization.”

“……項目”

“Ultimately, every representative here must have received directives from their Main Mountains. Their respective sects possess no desire to be left behind regarding such a vital breakthrough.”

“Let us proceed with that strategy. Instruct the Elder Hall to tighten discipline among our affiliates. Furthermore, inform them that we will designate specific individuals to learn the solution, which we will then circulate internally through our own channels.”

“Understood.”

“This operation must remain strictly confidential. According to the binding agreement, any unauthorized sharing of this knowledge incurs a severe financial penalty of one hundred gold taels.”

No matter how cleverly someone attempted to restrict access, a loophole could always be found.

The leadership figures governing the factions openly scoffed at what they perceived as Jin So-un’s short-sighted schemes, concluding their strategy session on that note.