The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 145

Chapter 145
Chapter 145. Those Wearing Black Masks (4)

“I pay my respects to my savior.”

The passage of time had left delicate marks across her visage, with silver threads highlighting her dark hair here and there.

Though her youth had waned, this lady, who still carried an aura of striking and ethereal elegance, was offering me a profound courtesy.

I hurried forward to guide her upward.

“They say that mimicking true courtesy becomes an empty formality. By both age and standing within the Jianghu, I am far younger, so receiving such grand treatment makes me uneasy.”

Despite my protest, a gentle smirk merely played upon her features.

“If the person who protected a mother’s only child is not deemed a savior, then who else on this earth deserves such a title?”

She was Hae-ryeong, the chief student of Yeo Mi-mi, the Master of the Hao Gate.

Straightening herself gracefully, Hae-ryeong made an elegant motion toward the seating area. For some reason, her poised demeanor seemed to make Seong Mo-ran and Namgung Seon-hwa grow incredibly tense.

“Shall I serve some refreshments for everyone?”

“…….”

“…….”

Hearing Hae-ryeong’s offer, the two young women gave a synchronized nod. Hae-ryeong chuckled softly under her breath, seemingly amused by their rigid posture.

Trickle.

Her movements as she prepared and poured the liquid were seamless.

Refinement seemed woven into her every gesture. This must have been the very definition of what people called true grace.

Seated across from her, Seong Mo-ran and Namgung Seon-hwa remained perfectly still, looking like nervous pupils sitting before an austere instructor.

The rich aroma of the brew drifted up, and since my throat felt quite dry, I emptied my cup without hesitation. Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran instantly stared at me with wide, shocked eyes.

“……!”

What was the meaning behind those expressions?

“Is something the matter?”

“……It’s nothing at all.”

“…….”

I shifted my stance, wondering if I had committed some social blunder, but neither woman offered an explanation.

Instead, Hae-ryeong hid her smile behind her hand and chuckled softly, finding the exchange highly entertaining.

“You haven’t altered one bit, Young Master.”

“Surely too little time has gone by since our previous encounter for a person to truly transform?”

“Within that brief window, your reputation across the Jianghu has expanded to a degree that rivals the distance between the earth and the heavens.”

“How could such renown be credited to my efforts alone? It was only achievable because a prominent organization like the Hao Gate lent me their support.”

“I am simply grateful for your kind words.”

As Hae-ryeong and I carried on a dialogue filled with mutual understanding, Seong Mo-ran and Namgung Seon-hwa observed me with expressions that betrayed their deep inquisitiveness.

“Pardon me…… could you tell us who this lady is……?”

Witnessing the biasanya bold Seong Mo-ran act with such refined reserve, I wondered if Hae-ryeong possessed some imposing presence that I simply couldn’t perceive.

I found myself at a loss for how to introduce the chief student of the Hao Gate.

In truth, I hadn’t anticipated running into Hae-ryeong in this place, and even if I had expected it, knowing her preference for discretion, I would have naturally requested Seong Mo-ran and Namgung Seon-hwa to remain outside.

Yet, as if reading my inner hesitation and rendering it moot, Hae-ryeong stood up and delivered a formal greeting.

“I am Hae-ryeong, the Master of the Hao Gate’s Ten Thousand Guests Pavilion.”

“…….”

“…….”

Upon hearing her declaration, Seong Mo-ran and Namgung Seon-hwa stared at one another, their expressions gradually shifting to absolute disbelief.

“If you are indeed the leader of the Ten Thousand Guests Pavilion…… that would make you the primary disciple of the Hao Gate Master…….”

“Indeed. She chose to guide someone as flawed as myself.”

“My goodness…….”

“……I was under the impression that the Hao Gate guarded the identities of its prominent leaders with absolute secrecy.”

Hae-ryeong shifted her gaze between myself and the two young women before answering.

“That rule is set aside because you are companions of our Young Master Jin.”

“……’Our’?”

“……She distinctly utilized the word ‘our,’ didn’t she?”

Following Hae-ryeong’s remark, the two women looked as though their thoughts had plunged into a state of utter confusion.

While they remained trapped in their bewilderment, Hae-ryeong turned her attention back to me.

“Your arrival here is linked to the situation involving Elder Jang, am I correct?”

“You were already aware?”

“We have been keeping tabs on the matter from our end. The moment we learned that the Young Master had reached Yueyang, I anticipated you would make contact.”

If she had foreseen our actions to that extent, there was no chance the Hao Gate had remained idle.

Clearing my throat, I posed the question that mattered most.

“……So, is the Demonic Cult truly behind this?”

The critical inquiry.

The two young women, who had been momentarily lost in thought, instantly focused their attention at the mention of the “Demonic Cult.”

Hae-ryeong stood up and stepped toward a nearby storage unit.

“The primary reason for my journey to Yueyang was to investigate that specific talk. The disturbing whispers claiming that the Demonic Cult has been seizing people.”

Hae-ryeong unrolled a massive parchment across the center of the tabletop.

It revealed a detailed rendering tracking every corner of Yueyang.

Crimson markings and dark markings were scattered across various sections of the map.

“The crimson markings represent individuals whose passings have not been verified, while the dark markings show those whose deaths are certain.”

“Is this the full extent of it?”

The sheer quantity and scattered placement of the markers across the layout indicated that the abductions and killings were too widespread to pinpoint any single territory.

“There is no visible thread connecting the deceased or the missing either. For instance, this individual named Heo Hu was an octogenarian grain merchant, whereas this vanished girl named Jeonghwa was a musician performing at an upscale establishment.”

“……Their motives remain entirely hidden.”

“Precisely.”

As I took in the details, I brought up the fundamental doubt that had gripped my mind.

“Where did the initial claim originate that blamed these actions on the Demonic Cult……?”

Had the genuine Demonic Cult been operating, they would have ensured their presence remained hidden.

If their involvement had been exposed, the Murim Alliance would already be mobilised for war.

“That remains a mystery to us as well. Shortly after the events commenced, everyone throughout the local markets began associating the name ‘Demonic Cult’ with the crimes.”

Their ultimate goal was dominance through dark authority, not random lawlessness.

Furthermore, these pointless killings and kidnappings would only serve to heighten defenses against the Demonic Cult.

As my reasoning brought me to this conclusion, a surge of irritation began to build within me.

“Someone…… is using the name of the Demonic Cult to advance their own agenda…… that appears to be the reality.”

Hae-ryeong offered a silent nod of agreement.

In my past existence, how many tragic passings had I witnessed while fighting against the Demonic Cult?

Immeasurable loss and heartbreak had been born from their actions.

To treat such a threat as a mere tool for personal gain was an absolute outrage.

“……Those miserable degenerates…….”

Regardless, this specific dilemma was one where, even if I combed through every historical account within my inner repository, I could find no tie to the Demonic Cult.

Simply put, an event that had never taken place in my former life was unfolding in this current one.

“Do you know exactly when these occurrences began?”

Hae-ryeong rapidly turned the pages of her records and responded.

“Six months prior to today. The initial incident took place on the Day of Gapjin during the Month of Imin.”

“Six months ago… six months ago……. Was there any significant event happening in Yueyang around that period?”

“Yueyang itself was peaceful, but a major conflict erupted in the neighboring Hubei Province.”

“In Hubei Province? What took place there?”

Hae-ryeong looked in my direction and smiled softly.

“Young Master Jin guided the factions of the Black Path to confront the Murim Alliance.”

“Ah!”

I had been so consumed by the current mystery that I had completely overlooked an event centered around myself.

“What are you implying? That is a total misconception. I merely stood alongside both sides as an intermediary because their intentions were honorable.”

“We shall ensure the public narrative reflects that version as well.”

For some reason, Hae-ryeong concealed her mouth and chuckled quietly, clearly finding the matter quite humorous.

It left me feeling slightly self-conscious.

“……In any case, did these crimes manifest in Yueyang right after that event?”

“Not immediately. The Black Path factions established here in Yueyang, specifically the Mukhyul Gang and the Black Axe Palace, engaged in a sudden, violent dispute with the Yuwol Sect and the Changseong Sect, resulting in heavy casualties.”

“Weren’t those latter two groups the traditional authorities in this region?”

“Driven by resentment over the outcomes at the Demon Spirit Plateau, it appears the Mukhyul Gang and the Black Axe Palace sought to fabricate a pretext to split control of Yueyang following the gathering of the Black Path Murim. Ultimately, their plans fell through, leading instead to the creation of the Seongsa Tea Garden by the Diancang Sect.”

“That suggests the Black Path factions might be executing these acts out of spite regarding that failure.”

Hae-ryeong nodded in agreement.

“And yet, our investigations yielded no incriminating evidence against either the Mukhyul Gang or the Black Axe Palace.”

“…….”

The investigation had rapidly stalled.

Had Hae-ryeong uncovered the perpetrators, she would have simply handed over the solution.

Securing her assent, I began flipping through the registry detailing the lost and the deceased, committing every name to my memory.

I did this on the chance that some detail might serve as a vital link later on during our investigation.

However, as I systematically stored the names away, my hand froze at a particular entry.

“The Silver Peak Inn, isn’t that property managed by the Shandong Ak Clan?”

“Correct. It stands as one of the premier lodging houses in Yueyang. Following the demise of the proprietor, the Silver Peak Inn suspended its operations entirely.”

“…….”

“Did you notice something unusual?”

Rather than giving a verbal reply, I proceeded to memorize the remaining sections of the text.

I reviewed the contents once more, cross-referencing them with the historical data stored in my mental repository.

It felt as though a vital strand of information was just within my grasp, yet it kept slipping away.

And the instant that elusive connection became clear.

Tap.

“Among the individuals associated with the Diancang Sect, not a single person has gone missing or been killed.”

“……!”

“…….”

An heavy quiet settled over the space.

It wasn’t merely due to our location far below the surface.

“Do your files contain specifics regarding these casualties? For instance, what became of their properties or relatives following their deaths……?”

“……They do.”

Exhaling slowly, Hae-ryeong retrieved a massive bound collection from a nearby shelf.

It wasn’t bound like a standard book, appearing more like a collection of grouped records, but it served perfectly for verifying the facts.

“Following the demise of the elder Heo Hu, his commercial distribution privileges were transferred to a transport firm managed by the Changseong Sect.”

“……The parent of the musician named Jeonghwa runs the Blue Bamboo Pavilion. That establishment was recently finalizing a transfer of ownership to the Diancang Sect.”

“……Meaning the entities that continually reaped rewards following these tragedies were Diancang and the factions allied with them…….”

As we verified each piece of data, the atmosphere in the room turned increasingly suffocating, weighing down on everyone present.

Once the examination concluded, no one was eager to break the silence.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

Based on the patterns we had uncovered, we lacked definitive proof to openly accuse Diancang of orchestrating the crimes.

One could argue that these events were entirely accidental, and that the parties benefiting afterward simply happened to have ties to Diancang…….

“……Accidental, my foot.”

Hearing my muttered profanity, the three individuals who had been lost in thought shifted their attention to me.

“Those who claim to be protectors of the Murim Alliance actually stooped to pretending to be the Demonic Cult just to line their own pockets?”

“…….”

At my statement, Hae-ryeong offered a cautious remark, her gaze filled with apprehension.

“Young Master, using only this level of correlation…… it would be unwise to make accusations.”

Naturally, there remained a chance they were blameless.

However, there was no logical way Diancang could remain untainted by this scenario, given how intimately the Yuwol Sect and the Changseong Sect were tied to the outcomes.

Realistically, such operations could never succeed without the tacit approval of Diancang.

Hae-ryeong’s underlying message, delivered with subtlety, was that bringing charges against the Diancang Sect was currently an impossibility.

Even if we involved the Execution Pavilion to launch an inquiry, the matter would hit a wall the moment the Diancang Sect denied the allegations.

Furthermore, the blame would likely pivot back onto me, handing them a perfect excuse to claim I had slandered their honor.

It might even provoke the students of the Diancang Sect to march upon the Murim Academy seeking retribution.

“I am aware.”

“…….”

“Nonetheless, this isn’t an atrocity we can look past. Wouldn’t you agree?”

In contrast to Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran, whose expressions betrayed deep concern, Hae-ryeong released a quiet breath.

“What actions would you like me to take?”

“You are willing to assist?”

“You intend to proceed regardless of my involvement, do you not?”

—

We made our way back to the residence of Jang Do-won.

I conveyed our discoveries to the disciples of the Taeul Sect, and the four of them reacted with even greater indignation than we had.

Still, our anger didn’t change the reality that we couldn’t simply make a public scene.

“If we move against Diancang, it won’t just impact us; the Namgung Clan and the Iron Sword Sect will find themselves in a precarious position as well.”

I conceded that Sa-ryeon’s assessment was accurate.

Unraveling this knot was imperative, but an reckless move would result in a severe counter-stroke that could ruin us.

“The Namgung Clan will not stand idly by and permit such corruption.”

Namgung Seon-hwa voiced her stance, but if we provided Diancang with a legitimate grievance, we couldn’t risk destabilizing the Namgung Clan, which had only recently recovered its footing.

“Ultimately, that implies we must locate the abducted individuals while avoiding the scrutiny of Diancang.”

Hearing Eun-ho’s point, I gave an affirmative nod.

“The Hao Gate is mobilizing resources to search thoroughly, but such efforts require time. Furthermore, if the culprits realize we are investigating, they will likely eliminate any remaining proof.”

Eun-ho fell silent for a brief moment, then looked up, rubbing his jaw.

“This…… might seem unrelated, but whenever we receive treats, Brother Geum-pyo and I consume ours immediately, whereas Dong-ryong always squirrels his away to enjoy later.”

“……Pardon?”

I furrowed my brow at the sudden anecdote, but Eun-ho kept going.

“Because we know Dong-ryong hoards them, we constantly hunt for his hiding spots, which forced him to get increasingly clever with his placements.”

“……And then?”

“So on one occasion, I confronted Dong-ryong about a hidden treat. I told him it was incredibly sweet, and warned him that leaving it there would surely draw a swarm of insects.”

As if the memory still rankled, Dong-ryong’s gaze sharpened instantly.

“Dong-ryong evaluated us for a beat, then hurried off to inspect his stash, allowing the two of us to intercept and share the treats he had hidden.”

“You rascal…….”

The moment Eun-ho finished his tale, Dong-ryong lunged at him in irritation, while Eun-ho attempted to fend him off with an air of mock maturity.

“……Hmm.”

Instead of hunting for the location ourselves, prompt the culprits to return to it on their own terms…….

The strategy held promise.

Leaving Eun-ho and Dong-ryong to continue their squabble, I turned my gaze toward Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran.

“Shall we put this into motion?”

“……Put what into motion?”

—

The evening atmosphere of Yueyang proved far more vibrant than its daytime counterpart.

A massive influx of travelers had arrived from all quarters to take in the night views of Dongting Lake, alongside merchants navigating the crowds to maximize their evening profits, creating a dense sea of people.

Such was the nature of Yueyang after dark.

The attention of the crowd, which typically ignored even notable figures or high-ranking masters of the Jianghu, began to concentrate entirely on two arriving women.

“Good heavens…… are they mortals? Or celestial beings?”

“I believed Soul-Capturing Xi Shi and Jade-Faced Little Smile represented the pinnacle of grace, but my perspective has been entirely rewritten today.”

“Who could those two possibly be?”

“Don’t even contemplate approaching them. Just moments ago, the associates of the Flower Young Master attempted to greet them and were sent flying ten yards through the air, crashing hard into the paving stones.”

“Their prowess in combat matches their appearance?”

The two women drawing everyone’s focus directed their steps toward the Flower Moon Pavilion, an establishment renowned for its premium pricing even among the high-end lounges of Yueyang.

A substantial crowd of admirers who had been captivated by their presence trailed after them, and the host at the entrance of the Flower Moon Pavilion, eager for premium clientele, quickly swung the doors open, sensing an incredible business opportunity.

The instant the duo stepped inside, the ambient noise within the Flower Moon Pavilion died down completely.

“…….”

As if instantly losing track of the conversations and laughter they had been sharing just moments prior, the patrons began to converse in hushed whispers while stealing glances at the newcomers.

The service staff practically sprinted forward, competing for the privilege of guiding the two women to their respective sections.

“I assure you that I will provide unmatched service this evening.”

“Please allow me to attend to your needs.”

“Do you have a particular preference for company? I will scour the entirety of Yueyang to find the ideal match for you.”

Faced with the staff’s intense bidding, the two women shared a brief look, smiled subtly, and then gave their response.

“We did not come here for entertainment, drinks, or music.”

“Ah, in that case……?”

“We are seeking my younger maternal cousin. I was informed that she performs on the zither within this establishment.”

“Ah…… is that so? Might we learn her name?”

“Jeonghwa.”

Following Namgung Seon-hwa’s answer, the staff looked at one another, looking entirely puzzled.

“Was there a performer by the name of Jeonghwa?”

“The name doesn’t ring a bell.”

“We have no individual by that name employed at the Flower Moon Pavilion.”

The workers answered in near-unison.

“How unusual. I was quite certain she performed her music here.”

While the senior attendants debated how to handle the situation, a junior staff member stepped forward to query further.

“If I may ask, what is the reason you are seeking this particular musician?”

“It is nothing overly complex. My grandfather requested her presence at an upcoming gathering for the Namgung Clan.”

“What did you say?”

The worker looked completely taken aback, prompting Namgung Seon-hwa to tilt her head in curiosity.

“Why does that piece of information surprise you?”

“Ah, no reason. By any chance, my lady, are you……?”

“I am Namgung Seon-hwa.”

“…….”

“Jeonghwa is a distant relation, but she remains a younger sister whom my family and my grandfather held in high regard.”

“……I-I understand.”

“If she isn’t present, then there is nothing more to be done.”

Ultimately, Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran, having failed to locate Jeonghwa—or more accurately, having never expected to find her in that location—turned to leave the Flower Moon Pavilion.

As the attention of the street crowds locked onto them once more, they adjusted their veils to conceal their features and vanished into a dark side street.

After navigating the shadows for a considerable distance, a focused vocal projection reached Namgung Seon-hwa’s ears.

-Excellent performance from both of you.

The sender of the message was none other than Jin So-un, who had been tracking the entire interaction from his vantage point atop the roof of the Flower Moon Pavilion.

Namgung Seon-hwa offered a miniscule nod, keeping it imperceptible to any onlookers.

-Is there movement?

-Indeed, one of the attendants is currently slipping past the kitchen staff and making a hasty exit out the back.

-That matches the individual I engaged with.

-Undoubtedly.

The target was moving to verify the hidden stash.