The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 128

Chapter 128
The leadership of the Righteous Path Association, having fully bet their fortunes on the downfall of Jin So-un, were now frantically scrambling in all directions to prevent a mass exodus of members triggered by the recent disaster. Prior to these events, a considerable number of followers who felt marginalized due to their involvement in the Soul-Destroying Formation trial had already severed ties, and currently, an even greater wave of departures seemed imminent. What fueled the outrage further was the blatant revelation that not one follower from the Nine Sects and One Gang had actually stepped foot inside the Soul-Destroying Formation during the crisis.

“We falsely believed that by aligning ourselves with the Righteous Path Association, we would be granted the identical privileges enjoyed by their elites. Clearly, we were mistaken.”

“I never anticipated equal treatment anyway, considering we do not possess the status of the Nine Sects and One Gang. Even so, watching them idly observe with total indifference while the youths of the Academy were on the brink of death crosses a line.”

“The Righteous Path Association shows no concern for our future prospects, much less our survival.”

Confronted by this backlash, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon alongside several high-ranking elders affiliated with the Righteous Path Association abandoned their usual duties at the Elder Hall, spending all their time wearing down the doorways of the Murim Academy to hold desperate consultations with the student body. The representatives from the Nine Sects and One Gang remained completely steadfast, as they were the primary benefactors and rightful commanders of the Righteous Path Association. Nevertheless, given that ordinary adherents constituted nearly seventy percent of the Righteous Path Association’s entire manpower, this sudden instability among the Academy students threatened to severely diminish the faction’s influence.

Furthermore, if the truth regarding these recent occurrences reached the home clans and parental lineages of the Academy students, the association would face the fierce wrath of schools that had exhausted their core resources just to enroll their progeny into the institution. These households had sacrificed their entire life savings to secure a single spot for their offspring at the Academy, only to realize their children were treated as expendable pawns to be thrown away. It would surprise no one if these furious factions renounced all promises of future prestige and withdrew from the Righteous Path Association without a second thought.

Naturally, had an ally of the Righteous Path Association been occupying the seat of the Academy Representative, such internal friction would have been dismissed as trivial. True authority naturally possesses a magnetic pull, ensuring that even if a few members departed in anger, fresh recruits would swiftly take their place. Instead, the title of representative belonged to an outsider of obscure and humble beginnings, while the Nine Sects and One Gang had disgracefully breached Academy regulations to surreptitiously acquire the secrets of the Soul-Destroying Formation. Consequently, they risked entirely forfeiting their legitimacy as the true face of the Murim Alliance.

This did not imply that the Orthodox Path Association or the Twelve Peak Citadels viewed the unfolding chaos with pure detachment, treating it solely as an opportunistic moment to poach defectors from the Righteous Path Association. Human nature remains remarkably consistent, and the petty calculations of ruling elites rarely differ. They themselves had intended to exploit the Soul-Destroying Formation right after the Righteous Path Association finished, meaning they were simply observing from the periphery, secretly relieved that their rivals had taken the brunt of the blow for acting too eagerly. Ultimately, it was the Righteous Path Association that bore the full weight of this devastating crisis.

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon exerted himself to the point of absolute exhaustion, desperately trying to salvage the disastrous mess left behind by the Academy students.

“The decree for your dismissal from the institution has already been finalized and remains unalterable. Nevertheless, the Righteous Path Association guarantees that you will receive ample restitution for what transpired.”

Despite these assurances coming directly from Daoist Master Myeonghyeon, a prominent figure within the Murim Alliance’s leadership who presided as the leader of the Righteous Path Association, the remaining survivors responded with distinct coldness. This stood in stark contrast to their past behavior, where they would have abandoned any shred of dignity just to curry favor with him or gain a shred of his recognition.

“But should the blame for your dismissal rest solely upon your shoulders? Is the primary culprit not the individual who engineered this catastrophe by enforcing an absurd schedule and restricting the participant pool from the beginning?”

“…….”

“This situation demonstrates that the true fault resides with the person who committed an act entirely unbecoming of an Academy Representative. Would you not agree?”

“……What course of action do you propose?”

Observing the survivor seemingly suppressing a deep wave of resentment, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon allowed a faint smile to return to his features.

“Of course, we intend to hold him thoroughly accountable for his transgressions. Utilizing this predicament, we shall depose the current Academy Representative and appoint an appropriate replacement.”

Believing he had successfully stabilized his own faction, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon pressed forward. Possessing a natural instinct for governance and intrigue, his subsequent action was thoroughly calculated.

“Haha, to have the esteemed leader of the Righteous Path Association grace this modest establishment is an unexpected honor.”

“Disregarding any distinctions between the Orthodox Path Association and the Righteous Path Association, are we not fundamentally a singular entity bound by the laws of martial virtue? Affiliation should hardly divide us.”

Listening to Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s hypocritical flattery, the leader of the Orthodox Path Association sneered internally while offering a polite nod.

“Let us speak plainly. What is your objective?”

“I am well aware that certain parties are capitalizing on the current turmoil within the Righteous Path Association to draw our members to their side.”

“If we truly share a single foundation, what harm is there if a few individuals alter their allegiance?”

“Should we not define such opportunism as a complete breach of integrity?”

“Perhaps. Yet was it not your faction that repeatedly absorbed minor groups loyal to the Orthodox Path Association in the past?”

“Even if our position is temporarily compromised, do you honestly believe the Orthodox Path Association is capable of claiming undisputed control over the alliance?”

“…….”

Faced with Myeonghyeon’s sharp observation, the leader of the Orthodox Path Association fell silent.

“In my view, this current predicament offers us a unique advantage.”

“……What exactly are you suggesting?”

“We need to permanently cancel that ridiculous trial and oust the Academy Representative.”

“Regarding the Soul-Destroying Formation, a large number of figures within the Alliance hold a deep fascination for its secrets. We lack the authority to unilaterally dismantle a project that the Grand Strategist explicitly funded.”

“Which is precisely why a collaborative effort is required.”

“…….”

“I am fully aware that the Orthodox Path Association harbors resentment toward the reigning Academy Representative. Should we squander this moment, neither the Righteous Path Association nor the Orthodox Path Association will stand a chance of securing that title for the remainder of this term.”

Although Jin So-un, the central figure tied to the debacle, remained unconscious, Myeonghyeon used the youth’s absence to expedite the convention of a Disciplinary Committee.

“Daoist Master Myeonghyeon, the Academy Representative remains completely unresponsive. What justifies convening a Disciplinary Committee so prematurely?”

“Has the Academy Representative not already openly stated his lack of involvement regarding these circumstances? What purpose does it serve to await his testimony upon waking? Furthermore, this entire matter constitutes a direct breach of Alliance Law. Allowing this to linger will only exacerbate the growing unrest.”

While Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s ulterior motives were transparent, his relentless maneuvering alongside various representatives from the Elder Hall—who continuously pressured the Execution Pavilion—ensured that the Disciplinary Committee commenced within forty-eight hours of the disaster.

The panel members, dominated by loyalists of the Righteous Path Association, closely adhered to the agenda crafted by Daoist Master Myeonghyeon. They sought to attribute the blame not just to the surviving perpetrators who had broken Alliance Law, but to cast equal culpability upon Jin So-un as the organizer. Witnessing this farce, Jegal So-myeong prepared to intervene and disband the proceedings, but held back as the accused individuals began to speak.

“The fault for this catastrophe rests entirely upon us for breaching Alliance Law driven by our own avarice.”

“What?”

Present at the hearing, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon detected an unexpected shift and attempted to interject, but the testifying survivors gave him no chance to interrupt.

“The Academy Representative placed his own survival on the line, plunging directly into the Soul-Destroying Formation to rescue us, despite our attempts to plunder his techniques. We wish to publicly express our profound gratitude to him today.”

The narrative was pivoting in an unforeseen direction, as the survivors spoke in perfect unison, defying the outcome Daoist Master Myeonghyeon had orchestrated.

“……Do you harbor no malice toward the Academy Representative who orchestrated this trial and exposed you to such mortal peril?”

An interrogator aligned with Daoist Master Myeonghyeon attempted to steer the testimony, but the youth remained resolute.

“During our prolonged confinement within the Soul-Destroying Formation, the Academy Representative surrendered his own nourishment, going without a solitary Fasting Pill for our benefit. To curse such a man? Though my past conduct is far from flawless, I refuse to act as a treacherous beast devoid of a conscience.”

“He speaks the truth!”

“If blame must be assigned for this debacle, it belongs squarely to the senior members of the Righteous Path Association within the student body. Had they not instigated our actions, we would never have embarked on such a perilous path.”

These proclamations triggered an uproar throughout the chamber. The assembly grew chaotic, leaving the panel and Daoist Master Myeonghyeon himself utterly bewildered as their carefully laid plans disintegrated.

‘Could their demeanor during our previous discussion have meant something else?’

Myeonghyeon recalled the tightly constrained fury visible on the survivors’ faces when he had previously approached them.

‘Their wrath was aimed at me, not at that wretched Jin So-un!’

“Students of the Academy, confine your statements strictly to the matter at hand!”

The panel issued a stern warning, but this attempt at intimidation only further incensed the speakers.

“We are well aware of the facts! Reports confirm that not a single soul from the Righteous Path Association volunteered to aid us! While one might expect such cowardice from ordinary peers, it is appalling that the high authorities of the Elder Hall behaved identically!”

“Silence! Order in the room! Silence!”

“Consider the immense tributes our organization has bestowed upon you over the years! You urged us into a slaughterhouse, only to turn your backs and feign ignorance when disaster struck!”

The outcasts bellowed without restraint, entirely indifferent to the consequences.

“Though our Dual Sword Sect is insignificant when measured against the Nine Sects and One Gang, never again! Never shall we place our faith in the promises of the Nine Sects and One Gang again!”

“Had I anticipated this betrayal, my loyalty would have belonged to the Academy Representative from day one. At the very least, he endangered himself to protect us!”

“Order! Silence, or severe penalties shall be enforced!”

To individuals already facing permanent expulsion, threats of disciplinary marks held no power, serving only to inflame their collective fury.

“My family patriarch is absolutely incensed by this outcome!”

“Our clan will remember this insult…….”

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon watched in stunned silence as the Disciplinary Committee collapsed into utter anarchy.

Following a protracted slumber spanning several days, I finally awoke to find my physical frame remarkably rejuvenated and unburdened.

Someone had evidently provided me with a fresh set of garments, and the previous odor of grime and exertion had been replaced by a subtle, clean fragrance.

‘Did someone actually bathe me during my unconscious state?’

As I looked around, the absolute stillness of the room made me question if it was currently the dead of night.

I had anticipated finding the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers maintaining a vigilant watch over me, or perhaps Lady Namgung and Lady Seong Mo-ran tending to my recovery, ready to deliver a stern lecture the moment I regained consciousness.

Instead—

*Chirp, chirp*

Bright rays of sun filtered through the window frame, accompanied by the active fluttering of local wildlife.

Had they departed for their morning lessons?

Deducing that their absence was merely due to academic requirements, I suppressed a brief pang of loneliness and prepared to sit up.

“!”

Suddenly, my gaze locked onto a recognizable figure from behind, causing me to freeze.

‘What brings him back here?’

Throughout my past existence, catching a mere glimpse of his countenance from a distance was an extreme rarity, yet in this current life, following our encounter at the Iron Sword Sect, this marked our second private consultation. The striking similarities between both scenarios filled me with an uncanny sense of repetition.

“Are you conscious?”

I swiftly averted my gaze, feigning deep sleep.

He murmured softly, as if speaking to the open air.

“For an Academy Representative, who fundamentally serves the Murim Alliance, to remain resting idly in the presence of the Grand Strategist shows a profound lack of respect. I wonder what sort of penalty would be fitting?”