The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 133

Chapter 133
## Chapter 133. The Black Flame Dragon Who Proves Himself (3)

“Everyone is currently gathered at Hwawol Pavilion.”

Hwawol Pavilion stood as one of the most celebrated establishments of pleasure not merely within Wuhan, but across the entire expanse of Hubei Province.

Its opulence was so overwhelming that even the offspring of prominent High Officials and Nobles found it difficult to frequent, yet the scholars of the Murim Academy constantly strove to make an appearance there.

Since influential leaders of the Murim Alliance, such as various Pavilion Masters and Hall Masters, routinely patronized the venue, the youth exerted themselves to the utmost to establish any possible rapport with them.

“We have additionally arranged a distinct space for your associates, so please join us together.”

With an air of complete certainty, Il-gak turned around and began to lead the way, and my companions prepared to follow him as if it were the expected course of action.

“I decline.”

“……!”

“!”

Not just Seong Mo-ran and Namgung Seon-hwa, but even Il-gak wheeled around to stare at me, their expressions filled with shock.

“I already have a previous commitment.”

“…….”

A slight grimace twitched across Il-gak’s features.

“I explicitly stated that the Elders of the Righteous Path Association have requested your presence.”

“Then you ought to have informed me beforehand.”

“…….”

“Is it not a breach of proper manners to abruptly label something an invitation and command my attendance without prior notice?”

In the minds of these arrogant individuals, anyone who did not belong to the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Five Great Clans was viewed as less than human.

A common stray would approach its owner and a stranger with the same lack of discretion.

As a representative of the Taeul Sect, I could accept being a loyal hound, but I refused to act like a common stray.

“I am well aware that the seniors of the Elder Hall are distinguished figures. Even so, they surely lack the authority to arbitrarily dictate orders to the academy representative, who is far from a common scholar, do they not? Or are they attempting to summon me not through official channels, but merely as seniors addressing a junior in the martial world?”

Il-gak’s expression contorted further.

At this rate, the tension would ripple all the way to his hairline.

Ah, teasing a monk in this manner might very well guarantee me a place in purgatory.

I would stake my own hand that prior to my arrival at the academy as the highest-scoring freshman, those Elders possessed absolutely no knowledge that a group called the Taeul Sect even existed.

During my past life, when I was employed at the Mantongbu and absorbing vast quantities of data, those Elders would frequently stop by out of sheer curiosity.

A few of them had even been under the impression that the Taeul Sect had vanished from the world ages ago.

“Setting aside the official titles of the Elders, even when viewed strictly through the lens of seniority within the martial world, I believe it is highly inappropriate for Benefactor Jin to dismiss their summons so abruptly.”

Il-gak spoke, his wrinkled forehead…… rather, his face, still tense.

“Those venerable seniors previously treated me as if I were a deceptive infiltrator from the Black Path Murim.”

“…….”

“Are they perhaps gathering tonight with the intention of offering an apology for those past events?”

Il-gak appeared completely caught off guard by this defiance, displaying a clumsy demeanor as he struggled to maintain his composure.

He knew as well as I did that they would never offer an apology.

Most certainly not to a mere disciple of the Taeul Sect.

“In that case, I find myself with even less incentive to attend.”

Il-gak released a heavy, drawn-out breath.

“I recognize that numerous friction and misunderstandings have occurred between Benefactor Jin and our side.”

From behind my shoulder, Seong Mo-ran gave a quiet scoff, muttering, “I didn’t realize the definition of a misunderstanding had shifted so drastically,” but Il-gak pressed on regardless.

“Nonetheless, if Benefactor Jin persists in acting so willfully, it will ultimately bring no benefit to you either.”

“…….”

“Regardless of your personal feelings, Benefactor Jin, those individuals are the very pillars upholding the Murim Alliance.”

“You certainly wrap your warnings in polite language.”

“…….”

“It does not concern me, so please convey to them that I am unable to make it.”

“…….”

I turned to resume walking, but after a few paces, I paused and called out to Il-gak once more.

“Oh, that reminds me. Furthermore……”

Il-gak looked back at me with a gaze that clearly communicated, *I knew you would yield.*

“Why do you insist on addressing a practitioner of a Daoist martial sect as ‘benefactor’? It feels entirely out of place.”

Il-gak’s countenance instantly shifted, resembling one of the fierce Four Heavenly Kings guarding a temple entrance.

If I kept this up, I truly might be bound for hell……

—

### A Drastic Path

“Are you certain this is a wise choice?”

Once Il-gak had departed, Namgung Seon-hwa, who had observed the monk’s darkening expression with immense surprise, spoke up with clear anxiety in her tone.

“They are not just Pavilion Masters; they command absolute reverence within the Murim Alliance. If you harbor any ambitions of elevating your status in the future, making enemies of them is highly disadvantageous.”

“I have no desire for conventional advancement.”

“And why is that?”

Because a comfortable, distant future was something that would never materialize for me from the start.

I had already stared down the brink of destruction dozens of times, so when would I ever find the peace of mind to plan for the long term?

“Because my hands are entirely full dealing with the immediate matters concerning the people right beside me.”

“……Mm.”

Namgung Seon-hwa gave a slow nod of understanding.

“Well, I suppose the Righteous Path Association does not hold a monopoly on power, and the Namgung Clan possesses significant leverage within the Orthodox Path Association as well.”

“Pardon?”

“It is nothing. Regardless, that is simply how things stand.”

—

### Seeking the Proper Armament

Following our meal, I requested Murong Jae-hwa to accompany me as we made our way to a local smithy.

Murong Jae-hwa had been dedicating his efforts to mastering the Archery Way utilizing the specialized bow we seized from the Ghost Bow Sect, but the weapon had recently shattered under the strain. Because the standard bows provided by the academy were of inferior quality, his practice had ground to a complete halt.

“The armaments forged by the master craftsmen in our workshop are renowned for their exceptional durability.”

The bow presented by the tradesman was a robust, heavily reinforced weapon constructed with an ox horn core. However, after testing the tension of the string a few times, Murong Jae-hwa’s face fell with disappointment.

“It feels as though it will snap at any moment…….”

Hearing Murong Jae-hwa’s critique, the craftsman let out a booming laugh.

“This White Bow has withstood the might of advanced masters channeling their internal energy to the absolute limit. Give it a proper trial. If it breaks, I shall waive the fee entirely.”

Reassured by the blacksmith’s confidence, Murong Jae-hwa gave a nod. He then flooded the weapon with the specific internal force of the Breaking Bow technique and drew the string back with maximum exertion.

*CREEEAK—.*

The dense bow fashioned from shaped ox horn began to emit an ominous, straining noise. Then, with a sharp *CRACK*, the layers of wood and horn split apart and ruptured completely.

“Uh……? What in the world……?”

The weaponsmith stood frozen in utter bewilderment, while Murong Jae-hwa offered the ruined fragments back with an expression laden with guilt.

“Would it be feasible to forge a bow entirely out of solid iron?”

Remembering the unique weapon that Breaking Bow had wielded in my previous life, I posed the question. The blacksmith, still staring blankly at the shattered remains, knitted his brows in disbelief, clearly thinking the suggestion was utterly preposterous.

“Who could possibly construct a bow from such unyielding metal? To begin with, it would entirely lack the necessary springiness, and even if it did flex, no ordinary bowstring could ever endure that kind of tension.”

Ultimately, Murong Jae-hwa walked out of the shop empty-handed, his posture slumping with discouragement.

He had committed himself to pursuing the path of the Archery Way, yet he now found himself without the foundational tool required to train.

“If I were to approach my relatives, I believe they might be able to craft something comparable…… But if I take that route, my Grandfather will undoubtedly……”

If he submitted such a bizarre and highly unusual request to his own family, it would inevitably trigger an immediate investigation.

It was highly likely that Murong Gang would race to Wuhan in a single bound to demand answers.

“Do not fret over it. I will handle the matter for you.”

“Y-You truly mean it, Brother?”

I had already intended to arrange a meeting with Jang Do-won in the near future.

If anyone possessed the ingenuity to bring a metallic bow to life, it would certainly be Jang Do-won.

After all, one of the famous Fifteen Divine Weapons he had successfully crafted in my past existence was indeed a specialized bow.

“Ah, and I have also secured an expert to guide you in the Archery Way, so you must commit yourself fully to your lessons.”

“Is that true?”

There were only a handful of factions within the martial world that dedicated themselves entirely to the study of the Archery Way, so identifying an available tutor capable of teaching the fundamentals had required considerable effort.

This arrangement was only possible due to my authority as the academy representative, which granted me the leverage to assign a dedicated Archery Way specialist specifically to Murong Jae-hwa.

The solitary issue that gave me pause was the specific background of the instructor.

*‘It will undoubtedly cause some friction, but…… it ought to suffice.’*

After a brief moment of anxiety, I cleared my mind of the unsettling thoughts.

When all was said and done, the primary objective was accelerating Murong Jae-hwa’s growth.

Once he mastered the core principles of the Archery Way, Murong Jae-hwa’s combat proficiency would escalate at an incredible pace.

When that happened, the legendary figure of Breaking Bow, who had struck absolute terror into the hearts of Demonic Practitioners, would manifest far ahead of schedule.

Unaware of the complex machinations behind the scenes, Murong Jae-hwa was entirely unable to repress his excitement.

—

### Schemes within the Hwawol Pavilion

The Elder Hall of the Murim Alliance was not structured as an executive body designed for direct action.

In stark contrast to the alternative Pavilions, it possessed neither the infrastructure to harvest intelligence nor the administrative power to deploy martial artists into the field.

Even so, the Elder Hall was widely recognized as one of the three core pillars of authority, alongside the Alliance Leader’s Hall and the prestigious Mantongbu, precisely because it held the exclusive right to legislate and alter codes of conduct.

Given that the internal regulations of the Murim Alliance effectively dictated the laws governing the entire martial world, it was entirely logical that an endless stream of individuals sought to curry favor with the Elder Hall to advance their personal agendas.

Even if petitioners lingered around the Murim Alliance headquarters for months on end, bearing priceless treasures that blurred the line between standard gifts and outright bribery, only a select few would ever secure an audience with the Elders.

The high-ranking figures who held this immense sway had all assembled inside Hwawol Pavilion for the sole purpose of receiving a single junior from an obscure, low-tier sect. Consequently, even as they imbibed vintage spirits that cost more than the monthly earnings of a standard foot soldier, the mood in the room remained incredibly sour.

“And despite everything, that arrogant brat claimed he ‘refused to attend’?”

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon was so visibly startled by the report that his fingers slipped, nearly dropping his ornate chalice.

Reflecting his outrage, the remaining figures in the room made no effort to conceal their deep irritation.

Even if it were the formidable chief of the Execution Pavilion, an invitation to a gathering of this magnitude would be met with compliance.

Yet a mere student had dismissed them by citing a prior personal engagement?

“That insolent child secures a minor title of authority and immediately loses all sense of humility.”

It was completely expected that Daoist Master Myeonghyeon and the assembled council were absolutely furious.

“We are truly living in degenerate times. Absolute ruin. A mere trainee at the academy views the venerable leaders of the Murim Alliance as nothing more than common cattle.”

“This is the natural consequence of elevating a nameless bastard to a position of prominence; he completely forgets his proper station.”

“We must strip that child of his representative status and ensure his prompt banishment from the institution.”

Their desires extended far beyond merely removing him from his official post; they wished to expel both him and his fellow disciples from the premises entirely. Furthermore, they wished to forcefully evict the Taeul Sect from its designated place among the One Hundred Eight Peaks. However, they were restrained by the distinct impression that both the Alliance Leader’s Hall and the Mantongbu were actively shielding him.

In previous times, a disruption of this scale would have been swept aside, but the Mantongbu had gone so far as to exile the perpetrators behind the Soul-Destroying Formation catastrophe while simultaneously levying the massive repair costs upon the Righteous Path Association.

When the Righteous Path Association voiced their vehement protests, they were met with a chilling warning that the Execution Pavilion would be deployed to launch a comprehensive audit, leaving them with no choice but to swallow their pride and remain silent.

Compounding their issues, the general sentiment within the student body had also turned intensely bitter toward the Righteous Path Association.

The opportunistic Orthodox Path Association and the rival Twelve Peak Citadels were actively capitalizing on the situation, attempting to siphon away the wavering factions within the One Hundred Eight Peaks.

It was a critical juncture where an entirely new narrative was desperately required to shift the momentum back in their favor.

“Ultimately, this confirms that the brat has absolutely no intention of relinquishing the secrets regarding the Soul-Destroying Formation.”

No matter how exorbitant the financial penalties were, they represented a drop in the bucket compared to the massive reserves of the Righteous Path Association.

The true objective was reclaiming the moral high ground and public support for the Righteous Path Association. To achieve that, the most effective strategy would be exposing the operational details of the Soul-Destroying Formation to the student body and the broader Murim Alliance.

“Does that wretched youth expect us to swallow our pride, grovel at his feet, and beg?”

At one council member’s remark, the surrounding leadership erupted into scornful laughter, finding the concept entirely absurd.

“He truly is a remarkably conceited fool.”

“Let us simply construct a narrative linking him to the sinister Black Path Murim and utilize that to cast him out.”

“What of exerting severe leverage against the Taeul Sect itself?”

A barrage of tactics was tossed around the room, yet every person present was internally aware that none of these options provided a viable resolution.

They were merely utilizing the discussion to vent the deep-seated anger that had accumulated against Jin So-un.

Observing that the indignation had reached its peak, Daoist Master Myeonghyeon gave a measured nod.

“Calm yourselves, everyone. Pressing issues that yield no definitive answers will only serve to inflate that boy’s ego further.”

“Ahem…….”

“Mm…….”

Though Daoist Master Myeonghyeon had called for order, dissatisfaction lingered heavily on the faces of the council.

To speak candidly, how many strategic blunders had he overseen at this point?

Whispers were already circulating that it might be time to transition the leadership of the Righteous Path Association Chairman to someone new.

Daoist Master Myeonghyeon was acutely sensitive to the shifting dynamics, yet he maintained his composure and pressed forward.

He had fought fiercely to attain this peak of authority; he had no intention of relinquishing it so carelessly. Especially not over a minor setback such as this current debacle.

“Does Daoist Master Myeonghyeon possess an alternative strategy?”

“If I were empty-handed, would I have convened this discussion?”

“Please enlighten us. We are eager to listen.”

He detested their demanding attitudes, but he recognized that this was a moment requiring absolute patience.

“The dilemma is not as insurmountable as it appears. We simply require a shift in public perception.”

“But does public perception not remain fixed until the underlying crisis is fully resolved?”

This exact lack of political foresight was precisely why he could not allow the chairmanship of the Righteous Path Association to slip away.

If these men possessed such a superficial grasp of political maneuvering, how had they ever expected to anchor the Righteous Path Pavilion within the power structure of the Murim Alliance?

“With the passage of time, old crises naturally fade from collective memory. If we intentionally alter the public focus by introducing an entirely separate event, the current complications will vanish from popular discourse at an even faster rate.”

“……!”

“……!”

Deep lines of concentration formed on the brows of the gathered Elders as they found themselves thoroughly captivated by Daoist Master Myeonghyeon’s reasoning.

—

### An Unconventional Instructor

The academic curriculum at the Murim Academy was designed with a reasonable degree of flexibility.

This structure existed because the primary mandate of the institution was producing elite operatives tailored for the specific needs of the Murim Alliance, while simultaneously ensuring ample downtime for the personal refinement and independent study of scholars who trained in vastly different martial traditions.

In keeping with this routine, Murong Jae-hwa typically retreated to a secluded clearing situated on the rear slopes of the academy grounds to practice the Archery Way in isolation after his morning lectures concluded.

Given that every single candidate from the Ghost Bow Sect had been weeded out during the selection process of this particular intake, Murong Jae-hwa stood as the solitary individual pursuing archery.

On this particular afternoon, however, his solitude was broken.

“Uh…… well…… code……”

This was the very instructor he had been eagerly anticipating, yet upon locking eyes with the man, Murong Jae-hwa was seized by such a profound sense of awkwardness that he found himself entirely tongue-tied.

“……I-It has been quite a while. I trust you have been keeping well?”

The words were forced out, resulting in a stiff and clumsy greeting.

The veteran standing before him, gripping a massive, heavily reinforced bow, narrowed his eyes and let out a cold snort.

“Keeping well? What a distasteful attempt at humor. That is hardly an appropriate remark to offer a man who was forced to vacate his prestigious position as a Hall Master simply because our young master crashed out of the Regular Exam, leaving me to report to this institution as a mere guest tutor.”

Faced with this biting retort, Murong Jae-hwa felt an intense wave of frustration.

The instructor’s phrasing made it sound as though the young master’s failure was entirely his personal fault.

*‘An examination is naturally something where candidates either succeed or fail……’*

The master archer unstrapped the heavy quiver from his shoulder, placing it on the ground before speaking.

“Murong Jae-hwa, correct? You are the firstborn son of the prominent Murong Clan, if I am not mistaken?”

Though this marked their second face-to-face encounter, they had never formally exchanged names until now.

“Ah, yes, that is correct. However, regarding your own name, Instructor……”

“Yeo Sam-tong of the Ghost Bow Sect.”

The realization hit him cleanly.

This was the very same elite marksman from the Ghost Bow Sect with whom they had exchanged lethal strikes and flying arrows during the chaotic phases of the academy’s Regular Exam.

Furthermore, he was the dedicated Hall Master who had been tasked with protecting the heir of the Ghost Bow Sect from the absolute closest proximity.

*‘Brother So-un. Why on earth did you choose him of all people……’*

While it was an unwritten rule that conflicts arising during the Regular Exam were to be left in the past once one entered the academy gates, human resentment was not an element that could be discarded so easily.

“It must be a luxury to be an elite student. You possess the influence to summon an expert instructor merely to indulge in a casual hobby. If our own young master had secured admission, do you imagine he could have commanded a private tutor from the Murong Clan?”

Responding to the thick sarcasm dripping from Yeo Sam-tong’s words, Murong Jae-hwa spoke up firmly.

“I am not pursuing this as a mere hobby.”

“What did you say?”

“I stated that the Archery Way is far from a casual pastime to me.”

dishonesty
“…….”

Hearing this, Yeo Sam-tong’s eyebrows arched in surprise.

“Are you attempting to claim that you have cast aside your family’s legendary sword techniques in order to wield a bow?”

“…….”

“Did you obtain formal authorization from your elders?”

“…….”

“Ha! You took up this path without even securing their blessing?”

When Murong Jae-hwa offered nothing but a silent nod of affirmation, Yeo Sam-tong reached down and retrieved the quiver he had just set aside.

“This clearing is evidently a place I should have avoided from the very beginning.”

“Why are you reacting in this manner?”

“Are you truly that blind? If I commit to instructing you in the nuances of the Archery Way, how do you expect me to survive the inevitable fury of Lord Sword-Breaker? I have absolutely no desire to invite that kind of destruction upon myself.”

As Yeo Sam-tong turned on his heel to descend the mountain trail, Murong Jae-hwa stepped forward to block his exit.

Their shared history was incredibly tense, but regardless of past grievances, this man was the solitary figure available who could properly ground him in the absolute fundamentals of advanced archery.

Brother So-un had undoubtedly secured his services despite the intense awkwardness because he recognized that no other archer of comparable skill was within reach.

“I absolutely must master the Archery Way, no matter the cost.”

“To begin with, what bizarre motivation drives the primary heir of the Murong Clan to obsess over the bow? Is the sword style of the Murong Clan not universally revered as one of the absolute pinnacles within the entire martial world?”

“T-That is true, but……”

“I refuse to court disaster for a student who lacks the transparency to even reveal the true resolve behind his choices.”

As Yeo Sam-tong shifted his weight to push past, Murong Jae-hwa reached out and firmly grasped the instructor’s arm.

“B-Because I genuinely believe that the ultimate King of All Weapons is not the sword, but the bow.”

Yeo Sam-tong’s movements froze instantly.

“Perhaps your assessment is accurate, Instructor. Perhaps I am turning to the bow because I proved entirely inadequate with the blade.”

“…….”

“But when I held my sword, I lacked the power to protect a soul. Conversely, when I raised my bow, I successfully preserved the lives of every single person who matters most to me.”

“In that precise moment, absolute clarity washed over me. If I dedicate my life to the bow rather than the sword, I will never have to harbor fear again. To my mind, the bow stands as a far greater King of All Weapons than any blade ever could.”

Yeo Sam-tong slowly turned his gaze back to study Murong Jae-hwa’s face.

“Therefore, I humble myself to ask for your instruction.”

“…….”

Long after Murong Jae-hwa’s explanation fell silent, Yeo Sam-tong continued to scrutinize him with an unreadable expression.

Then, breaking the silence, he lowered his quiver once more and stepped closer.

“You have been practicing entirely on your own? What is the extent of your current progression?”

“Pardon? D-Does this mean you agree to instruct me?”

“How could a true master of the craft turn his back on a student who explicitly states he wishes to utilize the bow to shield those he holds dear?”

“Th-Thank you immensely.”

“Ah, let us be entirely clear on one point. If Lord Sword-Breaker should ever demand to know who provided your training, my name must never escape your lips.”

“Ah…… understood.”

“Excellent. Furthermore, be forewarned that my regimen is exceptionally brutal. I will tolerate no half-hearted efforts, nor will I allow you to abandon the training or flee.”

“Understood! I swear I will not run away!”

“For the record, do not harbor any foolish notions that I intend to weaponize our clashes during the Regular Exam as a pretext to inflict petty suffering upon you. I am far above such childish behavior.”

“……Is that so?”

An inexplicable wave of apprehension washed over Murong Jae-hwa as he processed Yeo Sam-tong’s defensive remarks.

Why did the instructor feel a sudden compulsion to offer such an unsolicited reassurance?

“Now, catch this.”

Yeo Sam-tong tossed a vibrant, perfectly ripe red apple toward him.

As it happened, Murong Jae-hwa’s stomach was rumbling from hunger, so he immediately raised the fruit to his mouth and took a large bite.

*CRUNCH—.*

“……What do you think you are doing?”

Yeo Sam-tong stared at Murong Jae-hwa, who was contentedly chewing the fruit, with a look of absolute, unadulterated shock.

“Yes? Did you not hand this to me so that I might eat it?”

“Why on earth are you consuming the designated target?”

Murong Jae-hwa blinked, shifting his gaze back and forth between the bitten fruit and Yeo Sam-tong’s severe expression.

“……The target?”

“Precisely. March over to that far marker, balance what remains of that fruit directly upon your head, and stand perfectly still.”

“……Excuse me?”

“The absolute most efficient methodology for grasping the true nature of projectiles is to experience being shot at directly. Stop wasting time and take your position. Once daylight fails us, our progress for the day is entirely finished.”

“…….”

An overwhelming realization settled deep within Murong Jae-hwa’s gut that this entire arrangement was heading in a terrifyingly wrong direction.