The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 143

Chapter 143
Chapter 143. Those Wearing Black Masks (2)

“If you have encountered your senior, you ought to extend a greeting first. What do you think you are doing!”

Demanding a courtesy that no one desired to give was a clear attempt to openly mock and look down on the opposing party.

“…….”

By the way, I had believed Elder Murong Gang had disciplined him a bit, but perhaps the thrashing had not been severe enough.

Or maybe his endurance for taking a beating was far superior to my expectations.

“Were we ever on such terms that we would exchange polite greetings? Would it not be more appropriate to exchange blades instead?”

I attempted to provoke him, but he did not erupt into a fury like he used to do before.

“This is precisely why lowborn things without roots are…… Tsk, tsk.”

Flying Cloud Fresh Wind Jong Byeok-gi.

He was supposed to be actively participating with the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, yet for some reason, he was here alone in Hunan Province.

“Miss Namgung, human beings possess something known as ‘class.’ If Miss Namgung keeps company with fellows of this caliber, how lightly will the rest of the world regard you?”

“Class…… you say?”

Namgung Seon-hwa cast a glance of sheer contempt toward him, then proceeded to tie her hair back up securely with her hairpin.

It was her way of showing that he was not worth even the slightest verbal response.

She shifted around and sat back down, but Jong Byeok-gi clearly had no intention of letting the matter drop there.

No, the individuals accompanying him began to display a sudden interest in Namgung Seon-hwa instead.

“If she is indeed Namgung Seon-hwa, is she not the biological granddaughter of the Divine Sword himself?”

“It is truly an honor to meet you.”

“I manage a prominent merchant guild right here in Hunan Province…….”

The men, deck out in lavish and expensive accessories, vied with one another to introduce themselves in rapid succession, but Namgung Seon-hwa did not even offer a pretense of listening and instead focused on managing the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers’ meal.

Unable to watch this play out any longer, Jong Byeok-gi stepped forward.

“Miss Namgung, I was delayed in properly introducing these gentlemen. They are…….”

They were either the offspring of high-ranking officials and noble houses or the heirs of massive merchant guilds.

There were also the children of shipowners who commanded hundreds of vessels operating on Dongting Lake.

They were truly the figures said to wield immense influence within the region of Yueyang.

Each time their names were uttered during the introduction, the individuals being named puffed out their chests with pride, but Namgung Seon-hwa maintained a completely detached expression.

“I see.”

“That is correct. Since crossing paths like this is also a stroke of good fortune, how about we relocate to another table and share a conversation together?”

At Jong Byeok-gi’s suggestion, Namgung Seon-hwa ran her cold gaze across the group of men.

“To associate together…… you are individuals who simply do not match the status of the Namgung Clan.”

“…….”

“……!”

At Namgung Seon-hwa’s blunt declaration, the expressions of Jong Byeok-gi and the men turned sour, as if they had simultaneously bitten into filth.

Seong Mo-ran bit down hard on her lip to suppress her rising laughter, and for some reason, the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers were gazing at Namgung Seon-hwa with wide, glittering eyes.

Even though they had been transparently insulted, not a single man among them erupted in fury or stormed away from his seat.

Just as she had pointed out, Namgung Seon-hwa was a figure of such standing that they could not easily reckless approach.

Jong Byeok-gi also sensed that heavy atmosphere and quickly tried to smooth things over.

“Ah, Miss! I sincerely apologize for speaking a bit too harshly just moments ago.”

“Why are you offering an apology to me? Were the ones targeted by your insults not the disciples of the Taeul Sect?”

“Ah…….”

“Please depart now. You are disrupting our dining.”

At Namgung Seon-hwa’s direct command to leave, Jong Byeok-gi was finally on the verge of backing away.

“I will consider that apology fully accepted. In that very spirit, how about Senior Jong covers the cost of this meal?”

At my sudden interjection, Namgung Seon-hwa turned her gaze upon me, her eyes as sharp and fierce as hatchets.

But was that behavior not entirely expected?

I could not simply allow Jong Byeok-gi to walk away so easily after running into him again after such a long time.

As a matter of principle, a hound that snaps at people without cause must be taught a lesson with a sturdy rod.

Should I not seize this perfect opportunity to provide him with a bit more of the discipline that Elder Murong Gang seemed to have left incomplete?

“…….”

Jong Byeok-gi was shifting his eyes back and forth between me and the grim faces of the men standing just behind him.

“And since we have mended fences, please join us at the table.”

“S-should we?”

The most ridiculous instances I had encountered since entering this current life were when I witnessed these foolish, dim-witted tendencies of those miserable bastards.

Why on earth had I been so utterly terrified of those cretins in my previous life?

I felt a wave of self-disgust and profound regret washing over me.

Jong Byeok-gi and his companions eagerly claimed the vacant seats and settled down, but Namgung Seon-hwa did not grant them even a single glance.

There were also those who attempted to show interest in Seong Mo-ran, but Seong Mo-ran had already completely stripped away any shred of goodwill toward them.

When an uncomfortable, suffocating silence dominated the entire table and only the rhythmic clattering of the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers’ chopsticks filled the space, I finally spoke up.

“By the way, what exactly occurred with the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly for you to travel all the way to this region?”

“……That is solely because you…… shreds of…….”

Jong Byeok-gi, who had clearly been about to hurl a barrage of venomous words, quickly monitored Namgung Seon-hwa’s facial expression before shifting his tone.

“I arrived here to seek out skilled craftsmen for the Main Mountain.”

“If it is Diancang, do you not already possess highly capable craftsmen within your borders?”

“Did you honestly believe our Diancang was a destination that could be sustained by a mere handful of craftsmen? Is the Namgung Clan not in the exact same position?”

“…….”

Namgung Seon-hwa completely ignored Jong Byeok-gi’s remarks.

As the interaction gradually veered in this direction, Jong Byeok-gi’s mounting irritation began to redirect itself straight toward me.

“I received word that you managed to secure entry into the academy through sheer luck. But if you wish to preserve that miserable, insignificant status, do you truly possess the luxury to waste time in a place like this?”

“Did you not receive the news? The report that I obtained perfect scores in both the scholarly and combat segments of this examination?”

“……You did?”

The men who had shown absolutely zero interest in my existence up to this point stared at me one after another with eyes dripping with disbelief.

“Furthermore, I did not travel to this place for mere amusement either. I came to secure the services of a craftsman to cooperate with my master’s sect.”

“What? ……Keuheuheu, hahahat.”

Jong Byeok-gi suddenly erupted into a fit of mocking laughter, and his companions, though completely unaware of the underlying reason, joined in with awkward chuckles.

“Would there truly be any self-respecting craftsman in this area who would willingly cooperate with a fallen entity like the Taeul Sect?”

“What is wrong with the Taeul Sect? Regardless of its current state, is it not the very sect established by the legendary Taeul Sword Emperor?”

“You are still babbling that kind of ridiculous…….”

Just as Jong Byeok-gi was preparing to bellow at the top of his lungs, I dropped my voice to a low murmur.

“It appears that Elder Murong Gang’s disciplinary rod was not particularly agonizing, Senior Jong.”

“…….”

At my quiet remark, Jong Byeok-gi’s facial features contorted violently, as if he had swallowed something foul.

And no sooner had my words left my mouth than his companions interjected with highly astonished expressions.

“Oh, I had heard rumors that you once journeyed alongside Elder Sword-Breaker, and it appears those reports were entirely accurate.”

“I was under the impression the Murong Clan rarely associates with external sects, but that is truly remarkable.”

“When might we have the privilege of meeting Elder Sword-Breaker alongside you?”

It seemed he had taken the reality of Murong Gang dragging him along by absolute force and repackaged it to look as though they shared a profound, intimate bond, because his eyes were trembling erratically now.

“Could it be that you led them to believe you were on close terms with Elder Murong Gang?”

“…….”

Jong Byeok-gi’s companions turned their collective attention back toward me.

Their facial expressions indicated that while they had no desire to converse with me directly, they desperately wished to hear the rest of the tale.

“Elder Murong Gang did not even consider Senior Jong worthy of being treated as a human being. He stated that a vile dog had to be educated through severe beatings, and intended to haul him back to the family estate so he could thrash him into unconsciousness.”

Jong Byeok-gi’s face flushed a deep crimson and then a pale blue from the sheer weight of the humiliation, while his companions displayed expressions that made it clear they had no inkling of how to respond.

“A-ahem, p-perhaps we should take our leave at this time?”

When Jong Byeok-gi’s companions finally managed to sputter out those words, Jong Byeok-gi also silently pushed himself up from his chair.

“Oh, that reminds me. Since you explicitly stated you would cover the meal as a token of our reconciliation, please ensure you settle the account on your way out the door.”

“…… Bors.”

The gaze Jong Byeok-gi locked onto me was burning with a murderous, savage fury, as though he were staring directly at the slayer of his own parents.

However, in the end, he simply turned and quietly walked out.

“……What precisely were you plotting?”

Seong Mo-ran questioned me sharply, as if demanding an immediate explanation for my behavior.

I stared in the direction of the exit he had just vanished through and remarked, “I fully anticipated he would be unable to restrain himself. Yet he held back remarkably well. Has his capacity for tolerance somehow expanded?”

Prior to heading toward our primary destination, we made a brief detour into a textile establishment first.

Since we had successfully avoided the expense of a costly dinner, I desired to have brand-new garments tailored for the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers.

Stepping inside the grand and lavish textile shop, gorgeous silks of every imaginable shade were displayed in neat rows.

“Please provide me with garments featuring the exact same material and texture as Eldest Senior Brother’s.”

“Me as well.”

“Me as well.”

What the three Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers requested was entirely black, traditional martial arts uniform-style attire.

Just who did they take after in this regard? Their preferences in clothing were undeniably austere.

“You can have standard black martial arts uniforms tailored inside the academy grounds as frequently as you desire. Since we have journeyed all this way, seek out garments appropriate for an elegant feast or banquet.”

“Hmm…….”

After contemplating my words for a brief moment, Dong-ryong looked over at the proprietor of the shop and spoke up,

“Please utilize pristine white silk and carefully embroider the characters for ‘Taeul’ upon the chest region using brilliant golden thread.”

“Halt right there!”

Austere, my foot……!

I lunged and grabbed hold of Dong-ryong in absolute terror.

What in the world was running through his mind, attempting to don attire of that nature?

He desired to plaster ‘Taeul’ directly across his chest?

It was a fashion sensibility so utterly atrocious that even the great Taeul Sword Emperor, who had long since departed to become a Lonely Ghost, would seize the back of his own neck in horror and faint away on the spot.

“Eldest Senior Brother dons white vestments during major ceremonies and events, does he not? As his formal junior brothers, is it not only natural that we coordinate our appearance to match his?”

At Dong-ryong’s rationale, Geum-pyo and Eun-ho also turned visibly pale.

It seemed my ceremonial garments had left a profoundly deep impression upon Dong-ryong’s mind.

As I pondered how I could possibly talk him out of this disastrous choice, Namgung Seon-hwa intervened on my behalf.

“Dong-ryong, would an arrangement like that not completely overshadow Young Master Jin’s unique radiance? How about selecting a deep blue shade instead? It would likely complement white vestments exceptionally well.”

After mulling over Namgung Seon-hwa’s alternative for a brief moment, Dong-ryong quickly nodded his head in agreement.

“Let us proceed with that plan. In exchange, please ensure the word ‘Taeul’ is embroidered exceptionally large across the chest area.”

“Dong-ryong, that is absolutely not the way to go.”

Eun-ho stepped forward to desperately restrain Dong-ryong’s enthusiasm.

To begin with, the trio had previously agreed to have matching garments crafted that all three of them could wear in unison.

“Brother Eun-ho, are you genuinely embarrassed by the Taeul Sect?”

Due to the completely innocent expression plastered across Dong-ryong’s face, Eun-ho was suddenly painted as a disgraceful man who felt intense shame toward his own master’s sect.

“No……! Why does the conversation always get twisted in that fashion? It is simply incredibly awkward to slap the name directly across one’s chest!”

In the end, following a fierce and sharp dispute between Eun-ho and Dong-ryong, they arrived at a compromise to beautifully embroider the characters for ‘Taeul’ along the sleeves of the garments instead.

I guided the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers, who were already thoroughly exhausted from that single round of intense verbal bickering, along with the women, who were beginning to brighten up as though this were merely the opening act, toward our true destination.

The bustling streets of the pleasure district.

The Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers flushed a deep scarlet, yet their attention was completely compromised as they stared wide-eyed at the young maidens dressed in revealing garments through which their skin was easily visible, while the facial expressions of the women gradually soured.

At long last, we arrived at the very terminus of the pleasure district street.

The jewelry and ornament establishment managed by Jang Do-won finally came into view.

“…… shreds.”

“……Is this truly the location?”

However, the ornament boutique, which by all rights should have been bustling with active commerce, already had all its lanterns extinguished.

I skirted along the outer perimeter wall of the establishment and knocked firmly on Jang Do-won’s residential door situated at the rear of the property.

“Is anyone present within!”

After a protracted silence with absolutely no sign of life, the wooden door creaked open slightly, and Jang Do-won stepped into view.

“It has been a significant amount of time, Elder.”

“…….”

Jang Do-won left the entrance wide open and turned to retreat back into the interior.

When I cautiously crossed over the threshold, a completely neglected courtyard and a cold, unlit blacksmith’s forge met my gaze.

Jang Do-won sat slumped upon the wooden veranda, staring out with a completely vacant, hollow expression.

“Elder?”

“…….”

“Elder?”

Only after I called out to him repeatedly did Jang Do-won finally shift his head upward.

“……What brings you here?”

“That is precisely what I intended to inquire about. What on earth has transpired here?”

The entire residence was completely abandoned and unmaintained, looking for all the world as though a spirit haunted the premises.

Jang Do-won, who had always been brimming with vitality despite his advanced years, was now existing like a broken, ruined soul.

“……It concerns you not. For what purpose have you traveled here?”

Originally, my objective had been to request that he forge Murong Jae-hwa’s specialized bow and present him with an offer to join the Taeul Sect.

However, the current circumstances did not look like an environment where I could possibly voice such matters at all.

“I do not believe that is what requires attention right now. What precisely has occurred to you?”

“What occurred……. What occurred……. What occurred, you inquire……. What exactly happened to me?”

Jang Do-won’s speech pattern became jumbled and erratic, as though his mind had entirely fractured.

Then, as if a sudden realization had struck him forcefully from behind, his eyes snapped wide open.

“……Seol-yeon.”

“Yes?”

“Seol-yeon…….”

Jang Do-won’s previously blank countenance contorted in an instant with raw agony.

Then, heavy tears began to spill down his worn, weathered face.

“Seol-yeon was forcibly taken. Seol-yeon……! My precious granddaughter Seol-yeon was abducted by the vile Demonic Cult……. What am I supposed to do now…….”

The Demonic Cult.

Once more, the shadow of the Demonic Cult had manifested itself.