The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 160

Chapter 160
Chapter 160. The Black Flame Dragon Who Calms the Chaos (5)

“Aaaaargh!”

A sharp shriek escaped Snake Evil’s lips as he stared down at the blade of Sword Evil, which was buried deep within his upper leg.

Even as the members of the Mukhyul Gang stood frozen in absolute confusion, uncertain of how to react to this sudden turn of events, Sword Evil, who had been thrown a distance of five jang, dragged himself back up to his feet while dripping blood.

“That promissory note…… I am going to rip you apart…….”

“Snake Evil was the one who struck you, so why are you threatening to murder me instead?”

Sword Evil cast a single glance toward the agonizing Snake Evil before responding,

“……I can deal with Snake Evil at a later time. Right now, your life ends.”

I gave a slow nod.

“That sounds marginally more logical. Assuming, naturally, that you possess the ability to actually lay a hand on me.”

Before either Sword Evil or the surrounding warriors of the Mukhyul Gang could initiate an attack, I activated the Unrivaled under Heaven Movement Art and launched myself straight into the air.

BOOM!

The ground beneath shifted and erupted like a massive wave, completely obscuring Sword Evil’s sight as he charged forward, allowing me to use the pavilion as a stepping stone to instantly break away from the Mukhyul Gang’s perimeter.

From behind me, the furious shriek of Sword Evil echoed through the night as he desperately attempted to give chase.

“Give me back my promissory note!!”

I had already told him to stop treating human beings like mere currency.

My destination was the local outpost of the Hao Gate.

Though my window of opportunity was incredibly narrow, there should still be a brief delay before tidings of the clash with the Mukhyul Gang managed to reach the ears of the Yujang Sect.

Nevertheless, executing maximum caution, I pushed my physical limits to accelerate toward the cloth establishment, though upon my arrival, I stopped short and blinked in confusion.

“What is this?”

Given the late hour of the night, I had fully expected to have to rouse the cloth shop proprietor from sleep, yet the establishment’s lanterns were fully lit, and Hae-ryeong was positioned right outside the entrance.

“What is going on here?”

“I had a strong premonition that you would make an appearance, so I decided to wait out here for you.”

It was clear that one did not achieve the rank of the Hao Gate Master’s top apprentice through sheer luck.

“My apologies, but time is of the essence, so I will cut straight to the core of the matter.”

“Understood. Please tell me.”

“I need you to circulate a specific rumor. Spread word that the Yujang Sect alongside various factions of the Orthodox Path have pooled their resources together to contract professional killers, and that these hidden executioners are on the verge of launching their operations in full force.”

“Do you truly believe anyone will buy into that story?”

“They won’t. But their belief is irrelevant. My sole objective is to plant a seed of severe paranoia in their minds.”

If it were the righteous organizations of the Orthodox Path, they would likely pay little heed to such gossip.

Conversely, from the vantage point of the Black Path, who viewed the employment of paid executioners as a standard practice, such a tactical decision would seem entirely plausible, thereby generating intense psychological strain on them.

“What is your intended course of action once that is done?”

“The situation has already gained the unstoppable momentum of riding a tiger, meaning it is far too late to halt the aggressive advances of Yueyang’s Black Path forces. Consequently, I intend to throw a wrench into their gears instead.”

“……Are you planning to initiate a Decisive Martial Duel?”

“Precisely.”

A shadow of deep anxiety clouded Hae-ryeong’s features.

“Even if a Decisive Martial Duel is successfully arranged, it is highly probable that the Eight Evils will step forward to represent them. The individual members of the Eight Evils are incredibly formidable adversaries.”

I was well aware of that reality, having clashed with them personally.

If those two opponents had not grown overly confident and had maintained their seamless, long-standing coordination, my tactical execution using the Transplanting Flower and Grafting Tree Art would have fallen entirely flat.

“I have already devised countermeasures to handle them.”

“……I understand. Is there any other assistance you require?”

“Out of curiosity, what is the exact number of individuals within the Hao Gate who are proficient in the martial arts?”

“What makes you ask such a question?”

“In the wake of this recent conflict, multiple sects belonging to the Orthodox Path have completely disintegrated, and the resulting shockwaves are bound to batter the factions of the Black Path as well. Does this not present a golden opening for you to command your followers and claim a share of the vacated territories and resources?”

“……Is it truly acceptable for us to intervene in that manner?”

Hae-ryeong appeared thoroughly uncomfortable with the idea of placing her own utensils at a banquet that I had entirely orchestrated from scratch.

Should this intense conflict between the forces of the Black Path and the Orthodox Path persist into the foreseeable future, the most stable resolution would be to split the territory of Yueyang into three distinct spheres of influence.

Under such a tri-partite balance, neither the Orthodox Path nor the Black Path would dare to take reckless actions against one another.

At the very least, it would prevent the small and mid-sized sects from being utterly annihilated by the collateral damage of their warfare.

I deliberately spoke words of comfort to ease her mind.

“Did you not previously promise to split the gains with me? If there isn’t a baseline level of profit to be made from this, I won’t have any motivation to exert myself either.”

I sprinted back toward the headquarters of the Yujang Sect at a velocity so intense that it felt as though my lungs might burst.

Unlike my stealthy departure earlier in the evening, I intentionally created a loud disturbance as I descended directly into the central grounds of the Yujang Sect.

THUD!

The sudden, heavy impact caused an immediate wave of alarm outside the immediate perimeter of the Yujang Sect, yet none of the onlookers made a move to intervene.

“Good heavens! Young Master Jin, what on earth have you been doing?”

“What do you mean?”

“Look at all these lacerations across your person! Merciful heavens, what has happened to your hand?”

Only when prompted did I cast an eye over my own physical state, noting that my left hand was far from the only casualty; my arms and legs were completely crisscrossed with bleeding gashes.

Then again, considering that my opponents had been two prominent figures of the Eight Evils, escaping with only this degree of physical harm was a highly favorable resolution.

“It is of no great consequence. More pressing is the current status of the rest of the occupants?”

“They have been maintaining a watchful guard and taking turns resting in short intervals, precisely as you instructed, Young Master Jin.”

Since they had managed to secure at least brief pockets of sleep, their physical exhaustion should be mitigated to some degree.

“Go and rouse every single person immediately, and command them to prepare themselves for imminent combat.”

“Excuse me?”

“On this occasion, instruct them not to disperse themselves across the wider perimeter, but rather to assemble collectively right here at the Grand Riding Ground.”

“Has some crisis arisen?”

“The hostile forces are going to advance upon us shortly.”

Seong Mo-ran departed to awaken the sleeping occupants, her demeanor still laced with lingering skepticism, while I quickly performed rudimentary first aid on my own lacerations.

As the martial artists assembled, a heavy, anticipatory silence settled over the expanse of the Grand Riding Ground.

A mere handful of moments later, a chaotic din erupted just beyond the perimeter walls.

“What sort of absolute nonsense is this!”

“An infiltrator? Is there a blaze?”

“What? Identify yourself!”

The frantic shouting, which sounded like a chaotic search for a specific target, grew increasingly intense until it escalated into full-blown roars, and the raw, aggressive Fighting Spirit was potent enough to spill over the defensive barriers and permeate the interior of the Yujang Sect.

Gulp.

The assembled martial artists within the Grand Riding Ground collectively swallowed their anxiety as they bore witness to the rapidly deteriorating environment outside, tightening their holds on the hilts of their weapons.

CRASH!

The structural integrity of the already compromised perimeter wall gave way entirely, and a wave of Black Path warriors, spearheaded by a man brandishing a lethal scythe, poured aggressively into the courtyard of the Yujang Sect.

“Jin So-un!!”

The moment the invading Black Path forces vocally demanded my presence, Seong Mo-ran along with the remaining members of my inner circle turned their gazes toward me in unison.

Their expressions practically demanded to know what kind of outrageous catastrophe I had orchestrated this time around.

In response, I began channeling and condensing the energy of the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm within my hand.

RUMBLE, RUMBLE, RUMBLE.

“Wait, look!”

“Th-that technique is…”

Having already experienced the devastating power of the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm previously, the vanguard of the Mukhyul Gang hesitated at the edge, lacking the courage to advance any further into the grounds.

Only the individual wielding the scythe stepped out into the open ahead of his comrades, completely devoid of trepidation.

“Was it truly your doing that brought ruin upon the Mukhyul Gang tonight?”

“Whatever could you be referring to?”

Faced with my utterly unbothered demeanor, the scythe-wielding leader ground his teeth in pure fury.

“A message was just dispatched from our headquarters. A covert saboteur has completely reduced the Mukjon Pavilion to ashes.”

“My goodness! Did an event that terrible truly transpire? In that case, shouldn’t you be rushing back there posthaste to manage it?”

“Jin So-un!!”

“Take so much as a single step closer. I will ensure you experience the exact same flavor of the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm that broke you just yesterday.”

The man holding the scythe recoiled slightly, frozen in his tracks, though he did not fully retreat.

“Do you genuinely believe a solitary hand is capable of overcoming ten-fold your number?”

“Go and summon your Deputy Gang Chief. I have terms to discuss with him.”

In an instant, the man’s features twisted into a mask of pure rage and suspicion.

“……For what reason are you demanding the presence of the Deputy Gang Chief rather than our Gang Chief? I stated that there was a destructive fire. At no point did I declare that our Gang Chief had lost his life.”

I offered a swift reply, deliberately adopting a look of poorly feigned shock.

“Ah! A slip of the tongue on my part.”

“……So it was indeed an assassination executed by your hand that claimed the life of our Gang Chief.”

Upon hearing the scythe-wielding warrior’s confirmation, the gathered members of the Yujang Sect let out a collective, hushed gasp of absolute astonishment.

The trio of Gold-Silver-Copper looked as though they might lose consciousness from sheer terror right then and there.

“Deliver this message to your Deputy Gang Chief. Should he fail to present himself here by tomorrow morning, then even if the Yujang Sect is completely wiped from existence, the very next head to roll will be his own. Tell him that.”

“Grrr.”

The suffocating, razor-thin tension hung over the courtyard for what felt like an eternity.

The man brandishing the scythe glared into my eyes as if he wished to grind his own teeth to dust, but ultimately, he spun around and led his forces away.

The moment the immediate threat dissipated, the warriors of the Yujang Sect as well as the young disciples of the Taeul Sect collapsed to the stone floor one after another, completely drained of strength.

“Phew……. For a moment there, I was entirely convinced my life was at an end.”

Hearing Geum-pyo’s breathless commentary, I dissipated the residual energy of the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm and clicked my tongue in disapproval.

“If you find yourself paralyzed with fear by a mere collection of Black Path garbage like that, how do you ever expect to survive within the wider Jianghu?”

Yet, for some bizarre reason, the expressions of the people around me twisted into looks of utter disbelief.

“Huh? What are you even talking about right now?”

“……Hmm?”

Geum-pyo stared at me as if I had completely lost my mind.

“I was referring to the fact that you, Senior Brother, are the one who is truly terrifying. ‘Ah! A slip of the tongue on my part??’ What kind of chilling, unhinged statement was that? I nearly lost control of my bladder.”

Eun-ho shuddered visibly as he added his own thoughts to the critique.

“Brother, did you catch the unsettling smirk on your face when you uttered those words? I genuinely thought a malevolent specter was standing before us.”

To describe their own Eldest Senior Brother as a malevolent specter was a bit much.

“…….”

Tsk.

Was my behavior truly that unsettling?

As the first rays of dawn broke across the horizon, a modest wooden table was erected within the central courtyard of the Yujang Sect.

The piece of furniture had been requisitioned directly from the Murim Alliance’s Yueyang Branch, accompanied by exactly three wooden chairs arranged neatly around it.

The entire future and survival of the Yujang Sect would be determined around this unassuming arrangement.

In the early hours of the morning, I had approached the Yujang Sect Leader in order to brief him on the critical talking points for the day and the specific boundaries of the upcoming negotiations.

To my surprise, the Yujang Sect Leader adamantly declined to participate.

“This is an undertaking far beyond my current capacities. I request that you step forward to represent us in my stead.”

“Pardon me?”

“Were it not for your direct intervention, the Yujang Sect would have already been wiped off the face of the earth, and every soul remaining here would have been reduced to nothing more than Lonely Ghosts. Consequently, the individual who rightfully belongs in that chair is you, not myself.”

While there was undeniable merit to his perspective, this negotiation directly dictated the very existence of his lineage.

It felt highly inappropriate for a mere disciple belonging to an entirely separate sect to take center stage.

“I possess absolutely no knowledge or talent when it comes to bargaining with Black Path entities who wield power vastly superior to my own. Yet, you managed to single-handedly cripple the Mukhyul Gang and went so far as to terminate the life of the Mukhyul Gang Chief himself. The rightful occupant of this seat at this current juncture is you, not me.”

“…….”

“Rest assured. Simply because I am delegating this decision-making authority to you does not mean I intend to shirk the eventual consequences of your choices.”

Seeing that he had laid bare his convictions to such an extent, I had no choice but to incline my head in agreement and respond,

“Very well. Under those terms, there are two distinct matters I must clarify with you.”

“Name them.”

I locked my gaze directly with the Sect Leader’s eyes, which still exhibited a faint, unstable tremor.

“What is the maximum collateral you are prepared to put on the line?”

“…… shreds of pride?”

“I must be fully aware of what you are willing to forfeit if I am to negotiate effectively on your behalf.”

Following a brief interlude of intense contemplation, the Sect Leader offered a firm nod, meeting my gaze with absolute directness.

“……I will place my own life and the sacred signboard of the Yujang Sect on the gambling table.”

“Father!”

“““Sect Leader, you cannot!”””

Jang Woo-jae along with the remaining disciples of the Yujang Sect surged forward in absolute panic, but the Sect Leader raised a stern hand, cutting off their protests instantly.

“I desire no material gain or personal safety. My solitary requirement is that you guarantee the survival of our kin, ensuring they do not perish simply for bearing the name of the Yujang Sect.”

Though his physical frame still bore the heavy marks of ruin, his eyes burned with a fierce, absolute intensity.

It was the look of a man entirely resolved to bear the heavy mantle of his position until his very last breath.

Observing that profound resolve in his eyes, an overwhelming certainty washed over me that the final chapter of the Yujang Sect would not be written on this day.

History showed that the leaders of the lineages that managed to preserve their flame through the brutal aftermath of the Great Righteous-Demonic War almost universally possessed those exact same eyes.

In that very moment, Jang Woo-jae, who had been standing steadfast at his father’s flank, spoke up, his own eyes mirroring the exact same burning resolve.

“If that is the case, then I shall throw my own life onto the scale as well!”

“Woo-jae, step back!”

“Father! I refuse to stand idly by while you march alone into the jaws of destruction. Representative Jin! I will share the burden of this responsibility alongside him.”

Jang Woo-jae’s posture and intense gaze were so utterly unyielding that even the Sect Leader realized any further attempts to dissuade his son would be entirely futile.

“Understood. I have officially accepted the pledge of both your lives. Now, allow me to pose my second query.”

I paused for a brief moment to steady my breathing.

The upcoming question was of such a nature that it possessed the potential to deeply wound the pride of not just the Sect Leader, but every single member of the Yujang Sect hierarchy.

“Do you, Sect Leader, possess the martial capability to secure an absolute triumph against a top-tier expert from the Mukhyul Gang?”

Demanding that a dedicated martial artist explicitly quantify the precise boundaries of their own combat prowess was an action that struck at the absolute core of their identity and dignity.

In broader terms, it was practically identical to the crass, insulting provocations utilized by common thugs and Black Path criminals when attempting to humiliate an adversary.

“…….”

Predictably, the glances directed at me by the surrounding Yujang Sect martial artists turned incredibly cold.

Even so, it was a question that absolutely demanded an answer.

A strategic framework could only be constructed with flawless precision when backed by entirely accurate intelligence.

“Who is the opponent…… that I am expected to match blades with?”

The Sect Leader spoke with a tone that suggested he had already deciphered the underlying strategy I was organizing.

He possessed a remarkably sharp intellect.

“The Deputy Gang Chief.”

“……!”

While it was true that the former Gang Chief of the Mukhyul Gang had met his demise due to his own arrogance and poor judgment, that fact did not mean one could trivialize the martial capabilities of either the Mukhyul Gang Chief or his Deputy.

When all was said and done, these were the individuals who spearheaded a Black Path faction that had successfully maintained its dominance for half a century within the territory of Yueyang—an environment simultaneously overseen by the likes of Wudang and Diancang.

Evidently, the younger disciples of the Yujang Sect likewise deemed such an engagement to be entirely suicidal, as the color drained completely from their faces.

‘As I suspected, is such a match beyond his reach?’

The upcoming Decisive Martial Duel needed to be contested by the primary stakeholders to the maximum extent possible.

The absolute instant that the elite entities from the Eight Evils took up all the slots within the Decisive Martial Duel, the entire confrontation would be effectively forfeit.

Furthermore, even if we managed to limit the participation of the Eight Evils to a bare minimum, should the representative from the Yujang Sect suffer a defeat, that outcome would present an catastrophic crisis.

As the Sect Leader remained locked in silent hesitation, I shifted my gaze toward Namgung Seon-hwa.

She represented the secondary asset currently at my disposal.

At the very least, the opposing coalition would be utterly powerless to lodge an objection against a Decisive Martial Duel that featured the direct participation of Namgung Seon-hwa.

Just as I was running various alternative strategies through my mind, the Sect Leader of the Yujang Sect finally shattered the heavy silence.

“Victory is within my grasp.”

“Excuse me?”

Ah, my genuine astonishment had gotten the better of me.

The declaration had caught me so thoroughly off guard that the words slipped out automatically, and though I attempted to quickly mask my reaction, the Sect Leader simply offered a reassuring nod.

“There is no need for concern. To the wider world, it is commonly accepted that my personal martial cultivation is thoroughly mediocre. However, I possess a hidden, ultimate martial technique that I have kept entirely obscured from public knowledge for my entire existence.”

The Sect Leader paused momentarily, letting his eyes drift across the gathered disciples of the Yujang Sect.

He took a measured breath before continuing in a powerful, steady voice.

“Therefore, I request that you formulate your strategy under the absolute assumption that I will emerge victorious from my bout.”

In a flash, the entire atmosphere within the courtyard underwent a radical shift.

The countenances of the Yujang Sect faithful softened as a wave of profound emotion seemed to well up from within them.

I gave a slow nod of respect.

Had he spent his entire life adhering strictly to the ancient Jianghu maxim that counsels an expert to always conceal at least thirty percent of their true capability?

My evaluation of the Yujang Sect Leader shifted dramatically in that single instant.

“Then we shall proceed on that basis. If we can secure one additional representative from the Yujang Sect……”

“Representative Jin, allow me!”

True to form, the swiftest reaction came from Jang Woo-jae.

He locked his unblinking eyes onto mine and offered a resolute nod.

While his raw martial power was certainly nothing to boast about, his demeanor and actions radiated an immense courage and a profound conviction that appeared entirely insulated from fear.

It was certainly no freak accident of fate that caused the powerless individuals within the Murim Academy to gather so loyally around Jang Woo-jae.

“Then our roster is set.”

The moment I voiced my agreement, a representative official dispatched from the Murim Alliance stepped into our perimeter to notify us that all the relevant factions had successfully assembled.

Just as I prepared to take my first steps toward the designated negotiation pavilion,

“Hold on a moment, is a Decisive Martial Duel not traditionally contested by a collective of three distinct combatants?”

The Sect Leader inquired, a look of confusion crossing his features.

I halted my advance for a brief second, cast a final glance back in his direction, and stated simply,

“I shall fill the final slot myself.”

The Mukhyul Gang, the Black Axe Palace, the Ghost Sword Pavilion, the Spear Ghost Sect, the Blood Serpent Sect, the Western Evil Sect…… and a multitude of others.

A total of nine prominent Black Path organizations that were driving this entire campaign within Yueyang had descended upon this location in full force.

An estimated crowd of nearly three thousand hostile combatants had completely surrounded the immediate vicinity of the Yujang Sect.

The local merchants who typically operated their businesses nearby had hurriedly packed away their merchandise, and the residents who had opened their windows quickly slammed them shut, terrified that they might accidentally lock eyes with the cutthroats outside.

Yet, the deeply ironic element of the situation was that interspersed among this hostile crowd were individuals who had shared the brutal experiences of the Demon Spirit Plateau alongside me.

These specific individuals were actively waving their hands and hoisting their weapons into the air as if greeting an intimate companion, going out of their way to make their presence known to me.

‘Absolute lunatics.’

I maintained a steady, deliberate pace as I approached the negotiation table.

Occupying the central seat of authority was Dang Hyeok-je, his facial features twisted into an expression of profound irritation, while positioned directly across from him was a man who appeared to be the reigning Gang Chief of the Mukhyul Gang, his lips pulled back to expose his teeth in a low growl.

Stationed directly behind his flank were Sword Evil and Snake Evil, the latter possessing a lower leg that was heavily bound in medical dressings.

Positioned adjacent to them was the reigning Palace Lord of the Black Axe Palace, flanked by the formidable figures of Spear Evil, Tiger Evil, and Axe Evil.

Their collective presence was an unmistakable, blatant declaration that should these proceedings fail to yield their desired outcome, they were prepared to completely slaughter every living soul within the Yujang Sect.

“For what reason has the actual Sect Leader of the Yujang Sect vanished, leaving a worthless whelp like yourself to step forward?”

“I have been granted absolute, unreserved diplomatic and decision-making authority by our Sect Leader. Besides, was I not the exact individual you were so desperate to confront in the first place?”

So Gyeong-chu, who held the rank of Deputy Gang Chief within the Mukhyul Gang, allowed his features to distort into an expression resembling a wrathful demon.

“Do you honestly believe that peaceful negotiations remain a viable option after the outrageous atrocities you dared to commit against the Mukhyul Gang?”

“If that is truly your stance, then for what reason did you crawl all the way out to this table?”

“C-crawl……?”

Dang Hyeok-je, whose expression had remained incredibly tense, sucked in a sharp breath and immediately transmitted his voice directly into my mind.

-Is it entirely impossible for you to exercise even a modicum of diplomacy with your vocabulary?

Naturally, it was completely impossible. Most especially in an environment such as this.

I completely dismissed the mental transmission and pressed forward with my verbal assault.

“Did you not drag yourself out here precisely because even your own intellect has realized that this entire situation is spiraling disastrously out of your control?”

“……Mind your tongue, boy. We retain the absolute capability to physically crush this entire estate into the dirt this very second.”

“Oh, I am sure you think you can.”

“What did you say?”

“The absolute instant that all of your factions begin operating as a singular, unified military coalition rather than isolated, independent organizations, the Murim Alliance will be forced to intervene with their full martial might. The Black Path Alliance hasn’t even celebrated its official founding yet. Do you genuinely possess the suicidal confidence required to wage open warfare against the Murim Alliance?”

“…… shreds of defiance.”

Dang Hyeok-je’s face drained of color, turning completely ash-white.

“Furthermore, even the leadership of the Black Path Alliance would find it incredibly problematic to permit your factions entry as founding members if you initiate your existence by directly offending the Murim Alliance. When all is said and done, the Black Path Alliance cannot simply disregard the authority of the Murim Alliance.”

So Gyeong-chu’s features stiffened into a rigid mask.

BANG!

As the sound of my palm striking the wooden table reverberated through the air, So Gyeong-chu flinched involuntarily, his eyes erupting with pure fury.

The absolute focus of every single individual present locked onto me.

“What I am explicitly stating is that you have managed to corner yourselves into an absolutely abysmal predicament.”

“…….”

I could actively sense the psychological advantage and the momentum of the meeting shifting entirely into my grasp.

I shifted my posture, leaning back comfortably into my chair as I intentionally adopted a far more relaxed, conversational tone.

“I am prepared to offer you an escape route. Let us bring a definitive end to this bloody conflict between the Mukhyul Gang and the Yujang Sect by means of a formal Decisive Martial Duel.”

“Do you genuinely hold the absurd belief that we would ever agree to such terms?”

I maintained a silent, unblinking glare fixed entirely on So Gyeong-chu.

“…….”

I brought my hands together, interlacing my fingers to mask the lower half of my face, continuing to pierce him with my gaze until the sheer discomfort of the silence began to weigh heavily on him.

“My current emotional state is exceedingly unpleasant.”

I let my eyes slowly drift across the assembled members of the Eight Evils and the various chieftains of the Black Path factions, taking them in one by one.

“You launched merciless assaults against adversaries who had explicitly vocalized their unconditional surrender, and you actively hunted down and slaughtered individuals who had entirely lost the capacity or desire to fight back.”

TAP. TAP.

I intentionally broke my speech, letting my fingertips drum a couple of rhythmic beats against the surface of the wooden table.

“……As I sit here looking at you right now, you do not register to my senses as human beings. You look precisely like a collection of rabid beasts.”

“You insolent whelp!”

“Watch your goddamn mouth, brat!”

So Gyeong-chu along with the various masters of the respective Black Path organizations roared in pure outrage, but their displays of anger meant absolutely nothing to me.

In the grand scheme of things, the core philosophy behind the creation of the Black Path Alliance was to forge a united front capable of resisting a far more cataclysmic evil. It was never intended to serve as a shield to swallow a thoroughly putrid piece of fruit and pretend it was perfectly wholesome.

“If the Yujang Sect is ultimately wiped from existence by the military might of the Mukhyul Gang, I will cast aside all other obligations and systematically slaughter your Gang Chief, your Deputy Gang Chief, your Hall Masters, your Deputy Hall Masters—every single bastard who draws breath under the banner of the Mukhyul Gang. I will execute them in the exact same manner that I executed your previous leader.”

“…Do you truly believe the Mukhyul Gang is such a pathetic target that you can threaten us so easily?”

“You witnessed the aftermath with your own eyes, so you should already know the reality. My proficiency in the Concealment Art is of such a caliber that none of your people can hope to pierce it, and my mastery of Movement Art ensures that not a single soul within the Mukhyul Gang—including Snake Evil—possesses the speed to track me down. From this day forward, your leadership will be forced to sleep in perpetual terror and unease for the remainder of their natural lives.”

tyranny. “…….”

So Gyeong-chu snapped his head around, directing a questioning look toward Snake Evil.

Snake Evil offered no verbal rebuttal, merely glaring back in my direction with an expression that screamed of an intense desire to tear me limb from limb.

His absolute silence served as ironclad confirmation to everyone present that my assessment of the situation was entirely flawless.

“Should you choose to commit to such an extreme course of action, it will become nigh impossible for you to maintain any semblance of a functional existence within the Murim Alliance either.”

A soft, mocking chuckle escaped my lips.

“If I possessed even a shred of anxiety regarding my standing or future operations within the Murim Alliance, do you honestly think I would have initiated an event like the Black Path Night March in the first place?”

“…….”

So Gyeong-chu locked his eyes with mine, staring in absolute silence for a protracted interval before ultimately choking down a bitter grunt.

“What are the stakes regarding the outcome of this Decisive Martial Duel?”

“In the event that the Yujang Sect suffers a defeat, they will completely forfeit all claims to their lands, their estate, their school signboard, and their associated commercial properties, subsequently vacating the territory of Yueyang permanently. The title of the Yujang Sect will be completely erased from the history of the world. Conversely, should the Mukhyul Gang suffer a defeat, your faction will provide full material restitution to the Yujang Sect for all structural and financial losses incurred throughout this campaign, alongside substantial blood money delivered to the surviving kin of the deceased.”

“…….”

“I highly advise against spouting any pathetic nonsense claiming that these terms are inherently tilted against you.”

“You miserable brat. Your mouth is utterly foul.”

I gestured with a slight tilt of my chin toward the figures of Snake Evil and Sword Evil.

“Had those specific two individuals not been present on the field of battle, your Gang Chief would certainly not have been the solitary casualty discovered on your grounds yesterday morning.”

“…….”

“Do not even entertain the foolish notion of packing all three of your combat slots with the elite members of the Five Evils whom you contracted for assistance. A minimum of two distinct seats must be occupied exclusively by genuine martial artists belonging to the Mukhyul Gang. Never lose sight of the fact that this is fundamentally a territorial dispute between the Yujang Sect and the Mukhyul Gang.”

So Gyeong-chu cast a look toward the individual brandishing the scythe.

The scythe-wielding expert offered a subtle, conceding nod.

“We accept.”

“The confrontation shall be staged exactly one week from today, right here on these grounds.”

“We engage in combat this very moment.”

“Do you possess so little decency that you do not even intend to properly inter the corpses of your own fallen Mukhyul Gang comrades first?”

“……In that case, three days from this moment, at this exact location.”

Three days…… seventy-two hours…… regardless of how I calculated the parameters, it represented an incredibly compressed window of time.

However, judging from the intense waves of dissatisfaction radiating from the crowd and the murderous glares targeting me from those Black Path degenerates, even securing that brief window of peace was a highly fragile victory.

I gave a firm nod.

“So be it.”

Pushing myself up from my chair, I turned my back to the table and began walking toward the entrance of the Yujang Sect, before pausing briefly to glance over my shoulder, pointing directly at Snake Evil.

“Though I must ask, for what reason did you go through the immense hassle of dragging that utterly useless, crippled foot all the way out here to the negotiation table?”

Snake Evil glared back at me with a ferocity that suggested he wished to murder me on the spot.

What exactly are you staring at? What could you possibly hope to achieve about it anyway?