The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 161

Chapter 161
## Chapter 161. The Black Flame Dragon Who Calms the Chaos (6)

“The avenues are silent.”

Dang Hyeok-jae gave a nod of agreement at my remark.

“Everyone is practicing extreme caution. Fear has taken hold of them.”

Yueyang had fallen into a deep stillness.

If the quietude up to this point had been from citizens ducking low in dread of clashing blades, the current hush was the eerie stillness preceding a tempest.

The street vendors hawking sweets and rice cakes had vanished entirely, and even the shopkeepers accustomed to pulling in buyers had merely arrayed their goods while keeping a hyper-vigilant eye on their surroundings.

“Word is spreading that stealth killers are stalking the area. That would be your handiwork, correct?”

“……What makes you believe it is merely a rumor?”

“Because the intelligence is traveling far quicker than normal. Regardless of how much common folk love a good story, there are physical constraints to how rapidly news can circulate. Do you truly believe that will suffice?”

As anticipated, sharp minds were not easily hoodwinked by such a basic stratagem.

“An individual of your stature, Branch Chief, possesses the intellect to dissect and separate reality from fabrication, but those scoundrels lack that capability.”

That reality was plain enough simply by observing that the Black Path Sects had halted their advances for the moment.

Every single faction had pulled protectors into their quarters and intensified their defensive measures.

Spreading one’s domain was fine and well, but if they perished in the same manner as the Gang Chief of the Mukhyul Gang, they would merely be securing benefits for their underlings.

Consequently, Yueyang managed to secure a brief truce, fleeting though it might be.

Naturally, a handful of Orthodox Path Sects unable to cope with the mounting anxiety gathered their belongings and departed from Yueyang.

No one could predict how the situation in Yueyang would ultimately resolve.

“In that case, should I begin packing my belongings once more?”

“What prompts such an inquiry?”

“If you perish, will the Taeul Sect still honor the funding?”

Why was he uttering such grim nonsense?

“For some reason, even if I survive, I am tempted to revoke the funding commitment altogether.”

Dang Hyeok-jae appeared utterly flabbergasted.

“Is that not merely practical logic? If you lose your life, what purpose would I have in traveling to the Taeul Sect?”

“My good man, truly. The further this conversation goes, the worse it gets. Who exactly says I am dying?”

“The forces of the Mukhyul Gang will undoubtedly deploy Sword Evil. Sword Evil is widely regarded as an equal to the Three Calamitous Evils.”

The Three Calamitous Evils signified those who held three positions within the notorious Eight Evils.

Dragon Evil, Blood Evil, and Dao Evil.

These three were deemed to possess a tier of hazard effectively a cut above the remaining Eight Evils, and they concurrently served as primary targets of surveillance for the Murim Alliance.

“I am well aware of that.”

Furthermore, Sword Evil was currently consumed by malice due to the demise of the Mukhyul Gang Chief and my previous actions against him.

Even if a different figure from the Eight Evils volunteered, there was an incredibly high probability that Sword Evil would demand to take the field personally.

It was a confrontation I could not evade, even if I sought to.

I shook away the brooding thoughts that threatened to weigh me down and pivoted the conversation.

“What is the status of the request I made of you?”

“I received word that they have departed from Changsha. Their arrival should be roughly the day after tomorrow.”

“Two days? Will they not be tardy then?”

“What alternative is there? Physical geography cannot be ignored.”

“Why did you fail to establish even a single Tang Clan branch within Yueyang to begin with, considering you took on the role of Yueyang Branch Chief?”

“Good heavens. Anyone listening would assume you had charged me with that task from the very dawn of time.”

Dang Hyeok-jae made a disgruntled expression.

“Do you wish to witness the demise of your financial backer?”

“……I commanded them to travel with utmost urgency without pausing for sleep. The margin will be narrow, but they ought to make it in time.”

The expression Dang Hyeok-jae directed toward me was brimming with apprehension.

“Kindly ensure you do not perish.”

Abruptly, I felt a pang of curiosity regarding his true sentiments.

“Are you uttering those words out of genuine concern for my well-being? Or are you simply terrified that your financial backer will meet his end?”

In that brief second, Dang Hyeok-jae’s eyes wavered intensely.

“…….”

“Disregard it. I have no desire to hear your response.”

Sword Evil was daunting enough, but what exactly did the world take me for?

—

Upon returning to the Yujang Sect, I was strolling past the training grounds when a peculiar sight caused me to pause.

‘What could he be aiming for?’

The Sect Leader of the Yujang Sect, Jang Sa-gyeong, was pacing about while inspecting every corner of the Yujang Sect properties.

For an individual scheduled to engage in a life-or-death confrontation in a mere forty-eight hours, his demeanor was entirely too unhurried.

‘Does he possess absolute certainty in the hidden trump card he has kept concealed?’

Typically, in the countdown to a critical duel of life and death, it would be customary to exploit every spare second for conditioning, yet for some reason, he appeared completely unbothered.

“Oh? Young Hero Jin!”

Jang Sa-gyeong’s countenance lit up upon spotting me, and I offered a measured clasp of my hands in salutation.

“You have been out on the grounds?”

“I was evaluating the extent of the destruction inflicted upon the Yujang Sect’s structures.”

Jang Sa-gyeong appeared utterly convinced of the Yujang Sect’s ultimate triumph.

Otherwise, he would not be openly making arrangements for such a distant tomorrow.

“Would you care to accompany me for a brief stroll?”

“I would.”

Jang Sa-gyeong set a slow pace through the estate, pointing out various landmarks to me.

The outbuilding where he had clandestinely hidden as a youth when avoiding his daily exercises.

The courtyard where his nuptials had been celebrated, the chamber where Jang Woo-jae had drawn his first breath, and so forth.

He gradually shared the kind of personal history that could only be amassed by someone who had spent their entire existence within the confines of the Yujang Sect.

“My apologies.”

When he suddenly offered this expression of regret, I tilted my head in bewilderment.

“For what reason?”

“Are you aware that Woo-jae holds you in high regard? No…… it would be more accurate to say he idolizes you.”

“Pardon?”

“Following his departure for the institute, greater than half of the correspondence Woo-jae sent home revolved around you. Not a single time did he omit details of how grand a warrior you were, how extraordinary and magnanimous your character was.”

“…….”

“He expressed a desire to transform into such a man himself, and wished to strike out on the same path alongside you.”

“Is that the case?”

“Which is why I restricted him. ……Because the journey you tread is far too grueling and fraught with agony. I counselled him to select the less demanding route.”

It was only natural that any parent would wish to shield their offspring from a path strewn with briars.

“I comprehend. It was a reasonable choice.”

“Which renders my own conduct all the more disgraceful. I persistently opted for the path of least resistance, and ultimately, I find myself relying upon your assistance.”

Jang Sa-gyeong pressed his palms together and executed a profound bow.

Though there were Yujang Sect disciples scattered in the vicinity, he paid them absolutely no heed.

Caught off guard, I swiftly reached out to assist him back up.

“I am concerned others might witness this. Pray, stand upright.”

As Jang Sa-gyeong lifted his gaze, his eyes swam with a tempest of complicated sentiments.

“When I observe you, I find you truly commanding of veneration. I fully grasp why our Woo-jae holds you in such high esteem.”

“You speak too highly of me.”

“I harbor genuine remorse. Life, by its very essence, is destined to be fraught with hardship, so why did I perpetually endeavor to flee from it?”

—

As we resumed our walk, no further words passed between the two of us.

Then, just as our circuit concluded and we prepared to separate, Jang Woo-jae came into view.

However, he was not unaccompanied.

Jang Woo-jae was passing a sack of coins to an individual who had arrived as reinforcement from the Murim Alliance, receiving a miniature wooden container in exchange.

I sensed a peculiar gravity regarding the contour of that wooden container and lengthened my stride toward him.

“Ah! Representative Jin!”

The agent from the Murim Alliance departed with haste as though retreating from danger, while Jang Woo-jae offered a strained grin.

There was unquestionably something amiss.

“What do you have there?”

“Pardon? What are you referring to?”

“The item you just traded with that individual.”

“……Ah, it is of little consequence. With the critical martial challenge looming, I procured a modest medicinal supplement in the hope it might provide a slight advantage.”

“May I inspect it for a moment?”

“……It is genuinely of no great value. Should you require aid, Representative Jin, I shall secure an item of far superior quality for you.”

“No need. I wish to examine that specific object.”

With those words, I deployed my White Phoenix Hand and extracted the wooden container from within the folds of Jang Woo-jae’s vestments.

“Ah! R-Representative!”

“…….”

As anticipated, the design was one I recognized all too well.

Ignoring Jang Woo-jae as he lunged to reclaim the container, I pried it open to reveal a deep, crimson-tinted pellet.

“…….”

I shifted my focus and locked eyes with Jang Sa-gyeong.

His expression, too, registered profound shock.

I forced down a heavy breath.

“Do you truly comprehend the nature of a Blood-Explosion Pill, to handle it with such recklessness?”

“…….”

“If you harbor doubts regarding your victory, you could simply allow another to take your place.”

“That is incorrect! I am entirely capable of winning. I merely secured this to guarantee an absolute triumph.”

I recognized the underlying sentiment driving him.

It was undoubtedly his determination to employ every available resource for the preservation of his own lineage.

Yet the present circumstances diverged drastically from yesterday. This was not a catastrophe so dire that he needed to resort to an act of self-immolation.

*Crunch.*

As I pulverized the Blood-Explosion Pill along with its wooden casing, Jang Woo-jae proved incapable of concealing his horrified countenance.

I stared directly into his eyes.

“This is an object that not a single soul within the Yujang Sect would desire.”

I then promptly redirected my attention to Jang Sa-gyeong.

“Most assuredly not a spectacle your sire would ever wish to behold.”

Jang Sa-gyeong was staring at Jang Woo-jae with a visage as rigid as carved stone.

“…….”

While Jang Woo-jae remained unable to lift his gaze from the floor, Jang Sa-gyeong delivered a stern command.

“Attend me inside!”

I silently tracked the pair with my eyes as they departed the area.

How mortifying must it be to present one’s progenitors with the spectacle of actively seeking one’s own demise?

—

Even after crossing the threshold into the chamber, Jang Woo-jae could not bring himself to look up.

Only after a considerable stretch of silence did Jang Sa-gyeong’s resonant voice break the quiet.

“Are you conscious of where your error lies?”

“……‘The physical form, hair, and skin are inheritance from one’s progenitors, and one must not presume to damage them, as this marks the dawn of filial devotion.’ I transgressed against the core tenet of filial duty.”

A furious shout erupted from Jang Sa-gyeong’s throat.

“Incorrect!”

“……!”

Jang Woo-jae glanced up at his father in utter bewilderment.

His eyes were filled with confusion.

“Do you genuinely fail to comprehend?! Your failure lies in your attempt to shirk your true obligation!”

“……What intent lies behind those words?”

“What constitutes your true obligation?! As the successor of the Yujang Sect, is it not your charge to safeguard the adherents of the Yujang Sect and ensure their survival?!”

“…….”

“The solitary individual permitted to offer up his life for the Yujang Sect is the Sect Leader. Have you already assumed the mantle of Sect Leader for the Yujang Sect?”

A shadow of disappointment began to settle into Jang Sa-gyeong’s gaze.

“How could you attempt to flee via the avenue of death merely to liberate yourself from a demanding cross? Did the Young Hero Jin whom you so thoroughly venerate ever conduct himself in such a manner?”

“Father…….”

“If you observed his conduct over such a duration, there must have been a lesson you absorbed. I demand to know if this wretched display is the sum total of what you gleaned from studying Young Hero Jin.”

dishonesty
“…….”

Beholding his son, who had bowed his head in deep shame, Jang Sa-gyeong let loose a protracted sigh.

“Simply by observing Young Hero Jin conduct terms with the Mukhyul Gang yesterday, I could fathom the reasoning behind your desire to emulate him. What wisdom did you extract from that encounter?”

“……A courageous disposition?”

“No! Should the Yujang Sect face defeat, the terms dictated that we surrender the property and the adherents would simply depart. In that precise instant, had Young Hero Jin not already preserved every soul within the Yujang Sect?”

“Ah……!”

Jang Woo-jae’s eyes widened in realization.

To think he had internalised such a monumental truth only at this late stage.

Noticing the shift in his son’s expression, Jang Sa-gyeong moderated his tone.

“That is precisely why the realm refers to him as the Black Flame Dragon in the Jianghu. The Taeul Sect, which previously commanded no renown whatsoever, became a topic of conversation across the lands in a mere handful of years, and that reality was made manifest because his contributions were monumental.”

“…….”

Hearing Jang Sa-gyeong deliver such high praise regarding Jin So-un, Jang Woo-jae felt a wave of ignominy so profound he wished the earth would swallow him whole.

“Do you recognize your misstep now?”

“……I selected…… an overly simple…… far too effortless a route…….”

At Jang Woo-jae’s response, which was delivered in a hushed, halting murmur, a faint grin touched Jang Sa-gyeong’s features.

“Precisely! That is the core of the matter!”

“…….”

“The rationale behind my choosing you rather than delegating the task to an alternate warrior is because you, too, bear a solemn obligation as the heir to the Yujang Sect.”

“I shall hold that truth close.”

“I express my regrets for instructing you in the past to forge alliances exclusively with the Nine Sects and One Gang. From this day forward, consistently observe and absorb the ways of Young Hero Jin. And deliberate upon what measures you can execute moving forward for the sake of the Yujang Sect’s people.”

“…….”

“That is the primary charge you must indubitably discharge as the true successor of the Yujang Sect.”

Jang Sa-gyeong’s solemn lecture pressed down upon Jang Woo-jae’s posture with greater weight than any physical castigation.

—

Following the departure of Jang Sa-gyeong and Jang Woo-jae, I found myself solitary once more and made my way toward the private training sanctuary reserved for the Sect Leader.

I had secured clearance beforehand, so my passage went unhindered.

The paramount objective demanding my focus at this juncture was the impending duel with Sword Evil.

The dilemma lay in the reality that the martial style of the Taeul Sect possessed a highly disadvantageous matchup when positioned against Sword Evil.

Particularly, that signature elusive and rapid swordsmanship of his was incredibly troublesome to counter.

Naturally, were I to engage in a contest wherein I unleashed the entirety of my absolute capabilities, the outcome remained uncertain, but I was forced to anticipate how the Black Path would maneuver following a victory by the Yujang Sect.

‘Those treacherous bastards who strike from the shadows will never acknowledge a loss and depart peacefully merely because they were bested in a formal duel.’

One way or another, I was required to secure a decisive victory in the match and arrange matters such that the Mukhyul Gang would be deterred from launching a chaotic assault.

For that reason, I could not afford to resolve the duel by completely exhausting my internal energy reserves.

Fortuitously, an alternative presented itself.

The Three Forms of the White Moon Governing Heaven, a technique I had recently acquired courtesy of the Sword Demon.

Yet the complication remained that a span of two days was entirely inadequate to master such an intricate tier of martial knowledge.

“I scarcely anticipated a scenario where I would deploy this method.”

There existed a concept I had speculatively entertained during my past attainment of Harmony of Essence, Qi, and Spirit, sparked by guidance imparted by the Divine Sword.

It involved exploiting my unique affliction.

I carried a recollection so agonizing it felt akin to a spiritual blight.

Furthermore, I had attained the tier of Five Dragons Offering the Sage and completed the Harmony of Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

Recently, through a stroke of fortune, I had advanced past Sun and Moon Joining as One to reach the elevated state of Jade Stamen Golden Flower.

It represented a superior plane where my physical form executed actions simultaneously with my thoughts, and the circulation of my internal energy encountered zero resistance as it surged and receded.

I intended to fuse these two assets to internalize a martial technique within an incredibly condensed timeframe.

“Did Senior Baek execute the forms in this manner?”

The image of Baek Hae-gwang materialized within my mind’s eye, initiating the display of the Three Forms of the White Moon Governing Heaven.

I summoned forth not merely Senior Baek Hae-gwang’s physical postures, but also the cadence of his respirations, the engagement of his muscular structure, and even the precise spacing of his footwork, all reproduced with flawless precision.

The mental projection was so sharp it felt as though he stood directly in front of me.

I spoke the mnemonic formula of the Three Forms of the White Moon Governing Heaven in tandem with directing my physical form to duplicate Baek Hae-gwang’s execution precisely.

*Crack.*

My arm had not even reached its full extension before the sound of tearing fibers echoed out.

*Pop, pop.*

As my palm reached its apex, my articulations wrenched violently and my skeletal structure ground together harshy.

*Thump, thump, thump.*

Likely alarmed by the sudden, intense exertion, my pulse began racing at a frantic pace.

In that precise moment,

“Aaaagh!”

*CLANG.*

Ultimately, the physical strain proved too great to withstand, and the Black Dragon Sword slipped from my grasp to the floor.

“Haa, haa, haa.”

This represented a protocol for compressing time, a stratagem I had formulated using the principles of Harmony of Essence, Qi, and Spirit.

A perilous endeavor that only an individual endowed with my flawless recall could hope to execute.

I forced my physical vessel to mirror my target’s exactly, bypassing in a single flash the years of repetitive training he had endured to perfect a single strike.

Grasping my throbbing joint, I gave voice to a low complaint.

“Confound it, what manner of brutal regimen did he subject himself to?”

The physical frame was an entity designed to adapt incrementally through extended practice and recuperation, so it was entirely predictable that forcing it to leap across a decade of development in a single evening would inflict immense trauma upon the body.

Moreover, the more elevated the target’s martial tier, the more the resulting agony appeared to amplify exponentially.

As I reached downward to retrieve the Black Dragon Sword, my limb shuddered independent of my volition.

Even if I had refused to acknowledge it intellectually, my flesh had registered an instinctive terror.

Nevertheless, a breakthrough often manifests precisely when one encounters the absolute threshold of endurance.

“Hoo, hoo, hoo. If I abandon the effort now, the entirety of this suffering will be for naught.”

I compressed my lips tight and extended my hand once more toward the Black Dragon Sword.

“Aaaagh!”