The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 141

Chapter 141
## Chapter 141. The Black Flame Dragon Who Meets the Monster of the Ten Thousand Book Repository (5)

“Hehehe…….”

Geum-pyo cackled as though he had completely lost his senses.

“Hehehehehe…….”

Right next to him, Eun-ho joined in, snickering as if his mind had also slipped away.

“Hehe.”

Dong-ryong chuckled along, trailing his older brothers as he watched them.

Eun-ho, who had collapsed carelessly onto the ground, directed his gaze toward the dumbfounded Sa-ryeon and spoke, “How did it look, Senior Sister?”

“…….”

Sa-ryeon stood frozen, her mouth hanging wide open even after witnessing the fresh sword formation displayed by Geum, Eun, and Dong.

“……What on earth did I just witness?”

“This is the White Tiger Sure-Kill Sword Formation.”

“Sure-kill?”

She was well aware that the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers had experienced a massive surge in their capabilities owing to the Regular Exam.

Even so, the tactical sword display they had just demonstrated went far beyond anything she could have anticipated.

“We have been analyzing the specific sword movements that Dong-ryong utilizes for quite some time now.”

Following Eun-ho’s explanation, Sa-ryeon shifted her attention over to Dong-ryong.

Was his fate referred to as the Heavenly Killing Star?

Fortunately, rumors had reached her that his destructive, murderous nature had been brought under control through the application of the Taeul True Scripture and rigorous mental visualization practice.

She had also learned that Geum-pyo and Eun-ho had successfully emulated and mastered the lethal sword techniques born from the innate gifts of the Heavenly Killing Star, but still…….

“Furthermore, we integrated the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven-Earth Sword Formula into it.”

The coordinated attack the three had just executed was structurally rooted in a basic White Tiger Sword Formation, yet the sheer devastating impact it unleashed could never be equated with an ordinary White Tiger Sword Formation.

“…….”

A quick scan around the training area was all it took to grasp the extent of that destructive force.

The stone flooring was fractured with cracks, and the training dummies constructed from heavy timber had been reduced to splinters.

Never in her life had she heard of a three-person sword formation capable of generating such immense power.

“……And you are implying this isn’t even the finished product?”

Faced with Sa-ryeon’s completely stunned inquiry, Eun-ho offered a proud reply.

“You have also achieved entry into the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven-Earth Sword Formula, haven’t you, Senior Sister?”

Sa-ryeon gave a nod of assent.

Upon arriving at the academy, she had studied the martial texts of the Taeul Sword Emperor. Thanks to the profound Marrow-Cleansing and Hair-Shedding process granted to her by the Divine Sword, paired with her own ceaseless endeavors, she had recently succeeded in manifesting a singular Ten Thousand Swords via the Ten Thousand Seas Heaven-Earth Sword Formula—the peak mystery of the Taeul Sword Emperor.

“Senior Sister, if you step in alongside us, the four of us can execute this sword formation as a unit.”

“……Is that really a good idea? I have never coordinated my movements or paired my blade with the three of you before…….”

“In its original design, the White Tiger Sword Formation was constructed precisely so that practitioners of entirely different martial disciplines could merge seamlessly without friction. Moreover, haven’t we all been raised on the exact same martial foundations?”

As Sa-ryeon nodded along with Eun-ho’s reasoning, an abrupt realization sparked a question in her mind.

“But why is my presence required in particular? The three of you have spent years aligning your physical coordination and timing.”

“Because the moment you step into the fold, Senior Sister, this lethal sword formation will reach an entirely different level of power.”

“It will become stronger?”

The White Tiger Sword Formation was traditionally renowned for its defensive utility rather than its offensive capability.

What goal could they possibly have in mind by deliberately amplifying the striking power of such a formation?

“We intend to deploy it against Eldest Senior Brother.”

“What?”

“Hasn’t Eldest Senior Brother spent all this time worrying himself sick over his younger martial siblings? Shouldn’t we seize this perfect chance to take him down a notch and demonstrate clearly that his anxieties are no longer necessary?”

“……Are you by any chance seeking a bit of payback?”

“…….”

The look on his face made it painfully obvious that she had hit the nail right on the head.

Dong-ryong was naturally so reserved and gentle that he would never dream of such a scheme, but Geum-pyo and Eun-ho were notorious mischief-makers who regularly found themselves receiving discipline from Jin So-un.

Could this be the true motivation behind their obsessive training over the past months?

“……Of course not. Seeking vengeance against our Eldest Senior Brother, who stands as lofty as the heavens above us? Such a thought has never even crossed our minds. Our sole intention is to present the fruits of our growth to him.”

Somehow, every single phrase slipping past his lips felt entirely fabricated.

……Nevertheless, regardless of their underlying motives, the prospect of delivering a solid, unexpected blow to him didn’t sound like a bad proposition at all.

“If we are going to strike him, we might as well do it thoroughly.”

“Pardon?”

“Which position should I occupy?”

For the first time in a very long while, Hong Sa-ryeon felt an intense wave of competitive motivation for martial practice burning within her.

—

I retrieved the specific text that the Sword Demon had been hunting for from the depths of the Ten Thousand Book Repository.

The Sword Demon poured over those pages repeatedly.

At certain moments, he read while weeping openly, and at others, his expression turned incredibly rigid as he flipped through the leaves.

After reviewing the volume multiple times in that manner, the Sword Demon instantly mobilized to go hunt them down, forcing me to intervene and restrain him by main strength.

“……Where exactly do you plan on charging off to in such a frantic state?”

The geographical coordinates left behind by Seop So-jeong pointed directly toward Jilin Province.

To reach that destination, one had to journey straight through Beijing and cross into Liaoning.

“And you mentioned that this correspondence reached you half a decade ago. How can you be certain she still resides there?”

“If she has departed, then I will commence my search anew from that very spot.”

“What if the entire thing is an elaborate deception?”

“…….”

“Are you prepared to comb through the entire world?”

Naturally, considering the precise details contained within the text and the message, it was packed with intimate personal history known strictly to the two of them, meaning it was virtually impossible to be a forgery. Yet, even so, nothing in this life could be guaranteed absolutely.

Furthermore, the Sword Demon possessed an abundance of adversaries.

He was a figure viewed as an intolerable nuisance by both the Orthodox Path and the Black Path alike.

It was entirely possible that an enemy had devised a clever ruse to halt the Sword Demon’s relentless path of combat challenges, where he would aggressively march straight into the domains of those who despised him just to demand a duel.

“For the time being, dispatch someone to verify the situation. If they have relocated, tracking them down through an intelligence network will be far more efficient than you wandering blindly, Sword Demon. Besides, didn’t you give me your word that you would instruct me in martial arts?”

“Are you suggesting I employ the services of the Beggars’ Sect? I do not possess any funds…….”

“……I will handle the financial costs. Consider it my instructional fee.”

Thus, while we waited for confirmation regarding Seop So-jeong’s current status, my private martial education under the guidance of the Sword Demon officially commenced.

“Who permitted you to wrap your blade in sword qi like that? Is your sword qi attempting to function as a common lantern?”

“Sword qi has no requirement to be massive. Quite the contrary, the more condensed it is, the more potent it becomes.”

“What? If it lacks size, you believe you will be overwhelmed in sheer presence? Why are you so preoccupied with physical scale? Are you harboring some sort of inadequacy elsewhere?”

“Sword qi is fundamentally about concentration. You envelope your blade in sword qi to heighten its absolute density. If you can successfully compress that density, the outer dimensions become entirely irrelevant.”

The training style of the Sword Demon was aggressive and frequently dealt blows to my personal pride, yet it undeniably offered profound, practical insights that were immensely valuable for actual combat.

For me, this marked the very first instance since my time with Hall Master Kang Chae-seok that I was receiving direct guidance from a true Martial Arts Master. Consequently, I began resolving all the lingering uncertainties and technical flaws I possessed by leveraging the Sword Demon’s expertise.

The Sword Demon analyzed my inquiries—which were rooted in orthodox martial principles—through his own distinct perspective and broke them down. His explanations were so straightforward and uncomplicated that they frequently brought an amused smile to my face.

“Are you questioning the value of stance and form? Naturally, they hold weight. But if they cannot be executed under the pressure of live combat, what purpose do they serve? That does not mean I am advising you to discard stance and form entirely.”

“What? You hold the belief that you must cast aside structures to attain the subsequent tier of comprehension? You absolute lunatic! Have you somehow ascended to some mythical divine realm?”

“Sword Force? Have I not explicitly warned you against obsessing over Sword Force! Confound it, has the spirit of some fool who perished in a past life due to a failure to master Sword Force latched itself onto your back? Cast your gaze toward those idiots from the Heavenly Dipper Sect. Swordsmen utilizing concepts like Water Force or Fist Force find their limbs severed cleanly by a single thrust of a rapid blade. That demonstrates that studying Sword Force for a hundred days amounts to absolutely nothing.”

“The foundation of sword qi must be brought to perfection first. Once your sword qi is flawless, Sword Force manifests naturally as a consequence. A Sword Force manufactured without a perfected foundation of sword qi is as flimsy as a scrap of parchment. ……Do my explanations strike you as utter nonsense? Would you care to test your Sword Force against my actual sword qi this very instant?”

Needless to say, given his incredibly volatile and abrasive personality, absorbing his lessons was an exhausting endeavor.

Despite the friction, a bond grew between us to the point where I abandoned traveling back to the quarters entirely, choosing instead to remain alongside him in his modest cabin, training from dawn until dusk.

Then, a particular day arrived.

In the midst of a sparring session with the Sword Demon, I detected a peculiar rhythm and deliberately brought the Black Dragon Sword to a halt.

The Sword Demon’s eyebrows knit together in a harsh frown.

“Our session is not concluded. Lift your blade.”

“The sequence you just displayed—isn’t that your personal signature technique, Sword Demon?”

“Oh, so it turns out you possess functioning eyes after all, given that you can identify a superior martial art at a mere glance?”

Good grief, the sheer arrogance in this man’s speech…….

“I mentioned it previously, but my capacity for observation and my retention are exceptionally sharp.”

“Puhehe. Even if you manage to commit my physical movements to memory, do you truly believe you can replicate them?”

“…….”

“It is known as the Three Forms of the White Moon Governing Heaven.”

I was deeply familiar with it.

In the days to come, the Sword Demon would use that very style to bring the entire Black Path Murim under his sole dominion.

“If you possess the capability to pilfer it, then by all means, attempt to do so.”

He possessed absolute certainty that I could never successfully copy his art.

Just as he stated, despite facing the Three Forms of the White Moon Governing Heaven day in and day out, I found myself unable to truly grasp even the opening sequence.

“Why does my Ten Thousand Swords shatter so easily against a simple tree branch that isn’t even reinforced with sword qi?”

“The core essence of the initial form rests entirely upon Extreme Swiftness. What is the fundamental requirement to achieve unmatched velocity?”

“Physical power?”

“You require absolutely nothing.”

Had he not just explicitly asked what was needed?

“…….”

“True velocity can only be achieved when you exist in the absolute lightest state. Is it not basic logic that a speed which nothing can pursue cannot be obstructed by anything?”

“Yet it clearly made physical contact with the Ten Thousand Swords I deployed.”

“Because I intercepted its trajectory before your Ten Thousand Swords could even manifest completely. Did I not explain that sword qi is defined by its density? An uncompleted technique is nothing more than a structure of sand destined to fall at the slightest touch. Your Ten Thousand Swords is no exception.”

In this manner, a full month slipped away. Even when intelligence finally arrived concerning Seop So-jeong, whom we had tracked to Jilin Province, I remained entirely incapable of overcoming the Sword Demon’s opening form.

“…….”

The Sword Demon watched me with intense focus as I prepared to break the seal on the dispatch delivered by the Hao Gate.

“What are the contents?”

“……I am uncovering them right now.”

The Sword Demon took a sharp breath, his posture practically begging me to hurry through the text.

I gave a soft shake of my head and scanned the lines.

And then.

“The individuals in question are currently residing within Liaoning Province.”

Upon hearing the update I provided, the skin near the edge of the Sword Demon’s eyes twitched visibly.

“Are those two…… truly the ones I have spent these years seeking?”

“The report indicates that a mother and child possessing remarkable grace are living there, sustaining themselves through primitive farming.”

“…….”

I extended the documentation regarding Seop So-jeong over to the Sword Demon, who had frozen completely, looking precisely like a carved block of wood.

“In the grand scheme of things, I am the one who came out behind. I didn’t even manage to acquire proper mastery of your techniques.”

The Sword Demon, breaking from his rigid state as he digested the text, scowled deeply.

“Did you not successfully cross the threshold into the realm of Sword Force regardless!”

“Ah, well, that much is true.”

I had finally stepped into the domain of Sword Force, an achievement I had yearned for quite desperately.

Even so, perhaps because I had been exposed to the Three Forms of the White Moon Governing Heaven—his ultimate martial secret—every single day for a month, I couldn’t completely mask my lingering sense of lack, despite securing the very Sword Force I had wanted.

“You intend to depart immediately, correct?”

“…….”

“Are you considering staying behind?”

“Seop So-jeong was the designated successor to the Hundred Flowers Palace. I am at a loss as to how I should process the reality that an individual of her background is living as a simple farmer in the wild.”

The Sword Demon, who hadn’t so much as blinked when facing the maximum output of my Ten Thousand Seas Heaven-Earth Sword Formula, allowed his posture to sink as though pinned down by an invisible weight.

“She endures a life of hiding and shame because, as a daughter of the Hundred Flowers Palace, she brought the offspring of a Black Path warrior into this world. Well.”

“What!”

“Is that not an unalterable reality?”

“…….”

“Regardless, I have spent some time reflecting on this. Why did Senior Seop choose not to reveal her precise whereabouts to you directly, opting instead to leave you searching through the Ten Thousand Book Repository, Senior Sword Demon?”

“…….”

“When it comes down to it, wasn’t she waiting for you to arrive at a definitive conclusion?”

“A conclusion?”

Had her goal been to force him into assuming parental accountability, she could have simply confronted him directly alongside the youngster.

If that had been far from her thoughts, she had no reason to let the Sword Demon know of the youth’s existence in the first place.

Instead, Seop So-jeong had deliberately laid out a tortuous and challenging path for him to walk.

“It is my belief that she was testing whether you could cast aside the heavy burdens of your past, in the exact same manner that she severed her ties with the Hundred Flowers Palace.”

“…….”

“Doesn’t it imply that should you choose to remain the infamous Sword Demon, you have no right to show your face to them?”

The Sword Demon’s eyes shuddered, as though an internal revelation had suddenly struck him.

“……I believe your assessment is entirely accurate.”

“Do you still possess some lingering pride or affection for the title of Sword Demon?”

“…….”

The Sword Demon looked down, inspecting his own palms.

A brief interval of quiet filled the space.

Ultimately, he gave a firm shake of his head.

His features adopted an expression more unburdened than I had ever witnessed, devoid of even a shred of regret or attachment.

It caught me entirely off guard to see the Sword Demon capable of looking so utterly at peace.

—

“How does it feel? Does the fit seem appropriate?”

The Sword Demon, adjusting the fabric of his attire, appeared highly uncomfortable and rolled his shoulders repeatedly.

“It strikes me as a bit overly decorated.”

The garments the Sword Demon wore at this moment were items I had specifically ordered from the Head Maidservant.

It was an unpretentious, elegant robe blending shades of white and sky blue. Yet to a man like the Sword Demon, who had ignored personal presentation for his entire existence, even this modest outfit felt excessively extravagant.

“You must present yourself at least to this standard if you wish to blend in with the public.”

“I maintain that traveling on foot at maximum speed would be far more efficient.”

“You are welcome to utilize your speed in abandoned stretches, but the moment you traverse populated settlements, will you not draw immense scrutiny?”

“I suppose that makes sense…….”

The Sword Demon had entirely abandoned his deceptive persona of a crippled, bent old man.

Having dissolved the physical alterations of both the Bone-Altering Art and the Appearance-Altering Art, he now presented the visage of a perfectly typical middle-aged fellow.

“This token grants you access to the transit mounts managed by the Wang Estate. Furthermore, this is the Black Token representing the Hao Gate. Should you encounter difficulties, display it at your hip, and an operative from the Hao Gate will promptly make contact.”

“……I am no infant. I am perfectly capable of navigating to my destination without a guide…….”

“Oh, spare me the arguments. Frankly speaking, how can I place my complete confidence in a man who began his search from the very first corridor just to locate a text hidden by Senior Seop?”

“…….”

Securing both the transit token and the Black Token within his clothing, the Sword Demon fixed his gaze upon me silently.

“What is your motivation for displaying such benevolence toward me?”

While I couldn’t predict the exact path the Sword Demon would walk moving forward, the moment the Great Righteous-Demonic War erupted, this individual would inevitably step back into the chaotic currents of the Jianghu.

Anticipating that future, this level of material support was an investment I was more than willing to make.

“You remain my Martial Arts Master, do you not? It is only natural for a student to look after such arrangements.”

“Hmph……! With your amateurish capabilities, calling yourself a student……? Make absolutely sure you do not go around claiming to have received even a breath of instruction from me. I will ensure you regret it if you do.”

“Of course, of course.”

I extended a pouch of currency toward him.

“Unless an absolute emergency arises, refrain from exposing the gold pieces contained within. Whenever transactions are required, ensure you utilize only the silver and copper denominations…… smokescreening your wealth.”

“Do you take me for some brainless simpleton?”

The Sword Demon, barking in mock irritation, peered inside the wealth pouch briefly before tucking it away securely beneath his layers.

“The moment I depart, ensure you obliterate every remaining indicator of my presence in this location.”

“That was already my intention.”

“And take possession of these items; clear them out along with everything else.”

The Sword Demon indicated a small manual and a polished container crafted from timber resting upon the wooden bench.

“You were still occupied with analyzing that record…….”

As my eyes fell upon the contents of the book, I froze instantly.

Rows upon rows of detailed text were written out, charting the explanations for the three unique sword techniques.

Accompanying those forms were meticulous Breakdowns of the specific vulnerabilities belonging to every major adversary he had battled throughout his lifetime, alongside the grand realizations derived from those deadly encounters.

It was nothing short of the complete martial legacy of the Sword Demon, distilled perfectly into a single bound volume.

“Is this truly the Three Forms of the White Moon Governing Heaven?”

The Sword Demon offered no verbal confirmation, simply gesturing with a slight nod of his chin toward the accompanying wooden box.

I lost no time in unlatching the lid.

Instantly, a refreshing, crisp scent reminiscent of a deep woodland drifted into the surrounding air.

It was an elixir radiating an astonishing spiritual potency, easily rivaling the legendary Small Reversion Pill of Shaolin that I had consumed in my past.

I stared at him, completely bewildered by the magnitude of such a parting offering.

“……Are these not resources that you stand in far greater need of than I do at present? Depart from here and ascend to the summit of the martial world, precisely as you intend.”

How could he possibly still hold onto a statement I made so far back in the past?

Just as a wave of genuine emotion began to well up, threatening to bring tears to my eyes—

“Ah, one more thing. If you dare to transmit these secrets to another soul without my explicit consent, be certain that I will personally end your life.”

My sentimental tears evaporated in a flash.

He truly possessed an unmatched talent for ruining a profound moment with a single sentence.

“In any case, please receive this student’s formal gesture of respect.”

Though a traditional master-disciple bond could not be officially declared, had I not essentially accepted his complete martial inheritance regardless?

Even if a full ninefold prostration was out of the question, performing three traditional bows was the bare minimum required of a decent human being.

Thud.

Yet, as my frame began to lower itself to initiate the bow, my muscles refused to comply.

It felt precisely as though my physical form had been locked in place by an invisible, absolute pressure of qi, leaving me completely immobilized.

Glancing toward the Sword Demon in utter perplexity, he met my gaze with a detached, frosty expression.

“I harbor zero desire to establish a formal master-disciple tie with you, meaning your prostrations are entirely superfluous.”

“……Then what explanation should I provide when others demand to know the origin of these techniques?”

“Inform them that you pilfered it.”

“……Utterly ridiculous.”

Stealing a grand style directly from the legendary Sword Demon?

Who in the entire martial world would ever buy into such a preposterous claim?

“From the Sword Demon himself?”

“……You insolent brat, how much longer do you intend to throw that title in my face? I cast that moniker aside days ago.”

It has literally been a mere forty-eight hours since you resolved to abandon it.

“……In that case, favor me with your actual name.”

“Baek Hae-gwang. That is the name I answer to.”

It was highly probable that Baek Hae-gwang insisted on this distinction because he wished to shield me from inheriting the massive blood-debt and karma tied to his old identity.

His spoken words were consistently harsh, yet his underlying intent was remarkably compassionate.

“What course of action do you intend to pursue once you reunite with Senior Seop?”

“……I have not allowed my thoughts to travel that far ahead.”

“Surely you do not envision a permanent existence carved out of primitive wilderness farming?”

“Hardly. Yet I find myself uncertain of where to begin or how to establish a proper foundation.”

To be completely realistic, neither Baek Hae-gwang nor Seop So-jeong were the types of individuals who could smoothly transition into a thoroughly mundane lifestyle, even if they dedicated themselves to the attempt.

“If that is the case, why not consider founding an independent martial organization?”

“An organization? A sect?”

“Neither of you can realistically return to your respective original schools or clans, correct? Furthermore, one of you hails from the foundational Orthodox Path, while the other is a feared powerhouse of the Black Path with an infamous legacy. There is no existing faction that would readily accommodate your presence.”

“……A sect.”

“If you establish a compact but fiercely powerful sect, it can serve as a secure, tranquil sanctuary for Senior Seop and your young child to call home. You cannot spend the remainder of your years permanently concealed or fleeing from shadows, can you?”

The Sword Demon found himself nodding in slow, deliberate agreement.

“Yet as you are well aware, I possess no resources. Initiating a sect is no simple undertaking, and it is not as though I command a loyal following of subordinates…… Sochi.”

“As it happens, I am well-acquainted with an exceptional patron. What would you say to residing as an honored Guest Retainer within his faction for a period, utilizing that time to assemble the necessary groundwork for your own future school?”

“A patron?”

“You certainly have no desire to erect some lawless, unprincipled Black Path syndicate, do you?”

Given the sheer power of the Sword Demon, he could march into any prominent Black Path faction this very second, subjugate the entire membership through absolute violence, and declare himself the supreme leader.

However, what he truly desired now was not the chaotic existence of a dark world figure, but rather an unassailable shield capable of safeguarding Seop So-jeong and his daughter.

No matter how grueling the process might prove to be, he needed to construct it piece by piece with his own hands from the absolute ground up.

“……But would an individual of that stature truly agree to sponsor someone of my background?”

“The current leader of the faction in question possesses such immense benevolence that the local populace praises him constantly. Having been raised under the wing of such a figure, it is said that his successor likewise holds zero bias when it comes to forging alliances with diverse individuals. If it is him we are speaking of, he will undoubtedly step forward as your benefactor.”

“An individual like that truly exists……? Who precisely are you referring to?”

Who else could it possibly be?

“Jin So-un of the Taeul Sect. Who else could fit the description?”

tyranny.

“…….”

Perfect. He swallowed the bait completely.

—

“Hehehe.”

Even as my brush moved across the parchment to compose a message to Father, I found myself entirely unable to suppress my chuckles.

Baek Hae-gwang had stated that he would finalize all major choices only after reconnecting with Seop So-jeong.

I was merely taking the initiative to provide Father with an advanced warning to ensure he was fully prepared for when that moment arrived.

Securing the profound Three Forms of the White Moon Governing Heaven along with a mythical spiritual medicine was an extraordinary windfall. Yet if I had to pinpoint the absolute greatest victory, it was the distinct reality that the legendary Sword Demon might very well end up operating as a Guest Retainer for the Taeul Sect.

And that arrangement would include bringing Seop So-jeong and their child along into the fold.

Where else could a figure like the Sword Demon, who had accumulated endless notoriety throughout the martial world, possibly find a reliable place to anchor himself?

Furthermore, erecting a completely new martial sect was an endeavor that couldn’t be accomplished overnight; it was a grand project that would inevitably span several years into the future.

Ultimately, the Sword Demon, possessing no alternate destinations, would take up residence within the boundaries of the Taeul Sect, spending an extended duration of time there.

“Hehehe, the moment anyone attempts to cause trouble for the Taeul Sect, they are completely finished~. Because we will have the absolute terror of the Sword Demon backing us as our Guest Retainer~.”

As I continued drafting the correspondence while humming to myself, the familiar tones of recognizable voices reached my ears, accompanied by the distinct footfalls of people drawing near.

“Why does Eldest Senior Brother bear an expression that radiates such immense self-satisfaction?”

“It appears highly likely that he is plotting something incredibly underhanded. That is the exact facial expression he assumes whenever he is in the middle of orchestrating a prank on someone else.”

I barked back at them instantly.

“You lot truly possess zero filter when speaking to your Eldest Senior Brother.”

The moment my eyes locked onto the entering figures of the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers alongside Sa-ryeon, I was rendered completely speechless.

“……What in the world have you all been doing to yourselves?”

When it came to the Gold-Silver-Copper trio, they were perpetually chaotic individuals, so their state wasn’t entirely shocking. Yet even Sa-ryeon looked so thoroughly disheveled and battered that a street beggar would probably greet her as a senior colleague.

At that exact instant, Geum-pyo exchanged a series of knowing glances with his fellow martial siblings before taking a deliberate stride forward.

“Eldest Senior Brother. We have a formal declaration to make.”

“Go ahead.”

“Engage us in a combat round right now!!”

Oh, spectacular. It looks like you ungrateful brats have finally decided to stage a full-blown rebellion.