The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 165

Chapter 165
### Chapter 165. A Sea of Blood Spreading through Sichuan

Our departure from the Yujang Sect was delayed by three days.

This extension was partly due to my poor physical state, but primarily because we needed to pay our respects at the collective funeral for the Yujang Sect Leader and the disciples who had perished in the recent conflict. The ceremony itself was conducted modestly, as the survivors desperately sought to restore normalcy to their daily lives as fast as possible.

“Representative Jin.”

Jang Woo-jae approached me, his face showing the heavy toll of going three full days without a moment of rest while overseeing the mourning rituals.

“You have endured so much for us.”

“Please, do not mention it. Are you feeling any better?”

While the funeral was underway, I had confined myself to a private room, dedicating every hour solely to recuperating. Thanks to that uninterrupted rest, my thoroughly exhausted frame was regaining its strength, and the deep fatigue was finally lifting.

“I am much restored.”

“That brings me great relief.”

“I was deeply anxious that your health or state of mind might have suffered on our account.”

His words reflected the immense hospitality the Yujang Sect had shown me during those three days. High-quality meat dishes were delivered to my quarters for every single meal, and steaming water was readied for me each evening, significantly accelerating my physical recovery.

“I deeply appreciate the attentiveness of the Yujang Sect.”

“……Ah.”

Jang Woo-jae faltered, looking hesitant.

“Is there something on your mind?”

At my inquiry, he rubbed the back of his neck rather self-consciously.

“The truth is…… I know it is quite late to ask, but would you allow me to join your representative delegation?”

As things stood, more than half of the executive positions within the student delegation remained unfilled. I had never barred anyone from applying, yet no one had stepped forward to claim a spot.

“Are you certain you want this? Taking this step means you will likely face harsh scrutiny from others.”

Faced with my protective concern, Jang Woo-jae quickly reached out and grasped my hand.

“Thank you. I was genuinely afraid you might reject me out of lingering resentment for my past behavior.”

“……?”

“My father’s dying wish was for our sect to stop relying on the strength of others and to forge our own path forward. Furthermore, I want to do whatever I can to repay the immense debt of gratitude I owe you, Representative Jin.”

Jang Woo-jae had effectively become a central figure among the external factions within the Murim Academy. If he aligned with me, it meant a faction I had previously failed to recruit was now willingly stepping to my side. I had absolutely no reason to turn him away.

“If you are truly willing, it is I who should be grateful…….”

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Before I could even complete my sentence, Jang Woo-jae was repeatedly bowing in gratitude. Honestly, I was the one who felt indebted to him.

—

Following the defeat of the Mukhyul Gang in the “Decisive Martial Duel,” the aggressive campaigns launched by the Black Path in Yueyang mysteriously ground to a halt. Though intimidating actions persisted—such as demanding submissions or forcing rival factions to isolate themselves behind closed doors—the Orthodox Path Sects began standing firm together, presenting a unified front against the oppression of the Black Path.

The arrival of the martial artists dispatched by the Murim Alliance also played a critical role. Once they established a presence, the indiscriminate slaughter effectively ceased.

“……At least, that is how you perceive it.”

“Excuse me?”

Dang Hyeok-jae took a slow sip of the tea he had prepared himself before continuing.

“Those scoundrels initiated this conflict fully aware that the Murim Alliance would be slow to act. Do you truly believe a mere reinforcement squad from the Murim Alliance would make them change their ways?”

“Then what caused the shift?”

For some reason, Dang Hyeok-jae was giving me an intensely uncomfortable, lingering look that felt impossible to shake off.

“They are simply terrified of upsetting the individual they believe to be the joint successor of the Black Path Alliance.”

My face fell instantly.

“What absolute rubbish. Who on earth is fabricating such ridiculous lies?”

“Regardless of the source, your actions against the Mukhyul Gang clearly terrified them. Because of that fear, the mindless slaughter has noticeably dropped off.”

Given that the outcome benefited everyone, I chose not to press the matter further.

“……Sigh.”

“But tell me, did you actually master the techniques of the Sword Demon?”

“It just sort of worked out that way.”

“Good grief…… A rumor far more terrifying than the one about you leading the Black Path Alliance is bound to break out now.”

“Is the Sword Demon not generally considered a neutral figure between the righteous and evil factions anyway?”

“The current story circulating is that you plundered those techniques directly from the Sword Demon himself, is it not?”

“…….”

Surely no sensible person would buy into such utter nonsense.

“As we speak, tales regarding your connection to the Sword Demon are spreading like wildfire across Chang’an. Some are even claiming that you are his illegitimate son.”

My original plan was to head straight back to the academy, but it seemed a detour to the Hao Gate was in order to commission a specific cleanup job.

“…Dammit.”

If I didn’t put a swift end to these fabricated stories, the internal energy instability that I had managed to avoid during my intense training might actually strike me down out of pure frustration.

“Well, in any case, I should start packing my things again, shouldn’t I?”

Watching Dang Hyeok-jae clear his throat and speak as if his departure with me was a given, I gave him a skeptical look.

“Didn’t you completely settle in here already?”

This was the same guy who had been entirely convinced I would meet my end at the hands of Sword Evil, and now he was casually asking about packing. His audacity left me completely speechless.

“It was a stroke of luck that Axe Evil took the stage instead of Sword Evil, wasn’t it? Since it turned out well, there is no harm done. Besides!”

Dang Hyeok-jae suddenly elevated his tone.

“Besides! Did I not go entirely out of my way to summon a medical expert all the way from my family’s estate in Changsha for you?”

“…… shreds of truth.”

“Do you have any idea how much flak I took from the Tang Clan for doing that? Operating as the Yueyang Branch Chief is one thing, but bringing a clan physician into this could easily be interpreted as the Tang Clan officially entering the war, you know?”

“…Which means you didn’t actually inform the Tang Clan physician about any of this beforehand, did you?”

“…….”

“……Well, things are a bit complicated to explain in full……”

I simply shook my head in disbelief.

“Regardless, this whole ordeal has made me reconsider our financial arrangements. It is difficult to find the motivation to provide investment capital when the recipient shows so little faith in the investor.”

“Ahem!”

Dang Hyeok-jae cleared his throat nervously several times before retrieving a wrapped package from his side and sliding it across the table.

“What exactly is this?”

“Unwrap it. Consider it a token to celebrate our partnership contract.”

“…… shreds of truth.”

Undoing the cloth revealed roughly twenty bronze mechanisms shaped like tightly closed flower buds.

“This looks like……”

“It is an upgraded model of the Hundred-Mother Fire Cylinder, which I have dubbed the Thousand-Mother Fire Cylinder.”

“……Does it actually hold ten times the amount of fine needles as the old one?”

“Well, not quite. The capacity is up by roughly twenty percent, but the internal mechanism remains identical.”

“Then why call it the Thousand-Mother Fire Cylinder?”

“The original Hundred-Mother Fire Cylinder was blacklisted as a banned tool by the Tang Clan, was it not?”

“…….”

Did he honestly believe the Tang Clan elders wouldn’t recognize his work just because he altered the exterior color and adjusted the title? They weren’t fools.

“The primary reason the Tang Clan outlawed my creation in the first place was due to the exorbitant production expenses. They likely won’t give this one a second thought.”

Dang Hyeok-jae made the claim with absolute certainty, though he inspired zero confidence. If the Tang Clan came looking for trouble over it, I would simply throw him to the wolves.

Even so, holding a variation of the Hundred-Mother Fire Cylinder after all this time brought back a wave of nostalgia. I vividly recalled using that very weapon to rescue Namgung Seon-hwa from the midst of hundreds of hostile fighters…….

“Hold on a moment……”

I narrowed my eyes at Dang Hyeok-jae.

“If you had this ready prior to our clash with the Mukhyul Gang, wouldn’t it have been incredibly helpful to me then?”

“……If it had been completed at that time, I obviously would have handed it over.”

“……You didn’t rush to assemble this only after you saw I survived, did you?”

dishonesty.

It suddenly made sense why this man, who usually enjoyed a relaxed lifestyle as a Branch Chief, looked completely sleep-deprived with massive bags under his bloodshot eyes. He had clearly been working around the clock to compensate for his lack of faith.

“You truly…… believed I was going to die out there.”

Avoiding my stare entirely, Dang Hyeok-jae lifted his empty cup and pretended to take a long drink.

*Sip—.*

My dear friend, that cup has been bone dry for minutes. Why are you making swallowing noises with your mouth?

Gleaning my reaction out of the corner of his eye, Dang Hyeok-jae smoothed over the awkwardness as if nothing had happened.

“What matters is that it is all behind us now, right……?”

This man was truly something else.

—

If one were to identify the true beneficiary of the chaos that gripped Yueyang, it was neither the Mukhyul Gang nor the Black Axe Palace—it was the Hao Gate.

With both the Chief and the second-in-command of the Mukhyul Gang removed from the picture simultaneously, an intense power struggle erupted among the remaining Hall Masters, plunging the organization into internal chaos. Meanwhile, the Hao Gate capitalized on the distraction, smoothly taking over the commercial properties previously held by the gang. They even managed to seize the assets abandoned by the Orthodox Path Sects who had fled the city under the cover of night.

This transition was seamless because the vast majority of the laborers operating those businesses were secretly aligned with the Hao Gate to begin with. To make matters better, the individual designated to take over as the incoming Yueyang Branch Chief was someone the Hao Gate held significant leverage over due to his massive gambling debts. His vices ensured he would neglect his administrative responsibilities, rendering him a perfect pawn for the Hao Gate to manipulate.

“We owe all of this success to your actions, Young Master Jin.”

“Please, Lady Hae-ryeong, you flatter me. I could never have accomplished any of this without your guidance.”

“The financial returns have far exceeded our projections. Have you considered using this momentum to establish a permanent presence within Yueyang?”

“A presence in Yueyang?”

The city was located far too far from the territory of the Taeul Sect. It wasn’t a distance where our authority could easily be maintained, and the Taeul Sect itself lacked the sheer scale required to project power across such vast regions.

“I believe the Taeul Sect is not yet ready for such an expansion.”

Hae-ryeong offered an understanding smile, having anticipated my response.

“Naturally. However, the situation is quite different for the Great Heaven Merchant Guild, is it not?”

“The Great Heaven Merchant Guild?”

“Precisely. The core of trade relies on purchasing regional goods at low rates and transporting them to areas where they can be sold for a premium. The foundational step for any expanding merchant operation is the establishment of local branches.”

“Ah, has the Great Heaven Merchant Guild grown to that extent already?”

I recalled that my father had taken control of the former Azure Sky Merchant Guild and rebranded it as the Great Heaven Merchant Guild. However, I hadn’t imagined he could expand its reach so rapidly.

“It appears your father possesses a remarkable mind for commerce.”

Perhaps his decades of scraping by as a destitute Outer Hall Master had left him with suppressed talents that were finally flourishing now that he had the opportunity. Regardless, knowing that my father was thriving and happy brought me immense satisfaction as his son.

“That sounds like an excellent venture.”

“If you give the word, our network will handle all the logistical groundwork.”

“My father will be absolutely thrilled.”

The image of my father becoming emotional upon receiving this news via carrier pigeon brought a slight sting to my eyes. Being able to demonstrate the filial piety I had failed to show in my previous life brought a deep sense of peace to my heart.

Since she had provided such an incredible opportunity, it was only right that I offer something valuable in return. Adopting a serious demeanor, I shifted the conversation.

“A massive conflict is on the horizon for Sichuan. It would be wise for your network to begin taking precautionary measures.”

“In Sichuan, you say?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm……”

“The forces involved aren’t the absolute most terrifying entities out there, but the upheaval they cause will be immense.”

“The Murim Alliance is already keeping a close eye on Sichuan. Are these entities formidable enough to genuinely threaten the Alliance?”

I shook my head.

“The impending disaster will stem from internal fractures rather than external threats.”

Despite the brevity of my explanation, Hae-ryeong caught my meaning and nodded gravely.

“You consistently provide us with such critical intelligence, it makes me wonder if we are offering you enough compensation as our Guest Retainer.”

“Your hospitality is more than generous.”

With the primary business concluded, it was time to address a more personal matter. I dropped my formal tone and spoke with absolute earnestness.

“There is one specific favor I require from you.”

Hae-ryeong’s pleasant expression instantly sharpened into focus.

“What do you need?”

I forced out the words, fighting through my own embarrassment.

“The ridiculous rumor framing me as the chosen successor of the Black Path Alliance…… I need your network to completely suppress it.”

“…… shreds of truth.”

“Oh, and the claim that I am the secret child of the Sword Demon as well. My father is undeniably Jin Tae-san. Anyone with eyes can see the physical resemblance.”

Despite the absolute gravity of my request, Hae-ryeong looked completely taken aback, as if stunned by the absurdity of my concerns. But to me, this was matters of grave importance!

—

Jang Do-won and his granddaughter, Seol-yeon, resolved to liquidate their local holdings and relocate to the Taeul Sect as soon as their business affairs in Yueyang were finalized. Dang Hyeok-jae was set to finish out his official administrative term, after which he planned to travel alongside Jang Do-won’s moving convoy. He claimed he simply lacked the confidence to make the journey to Hefei on his own, though I suspected otherwise. From my perspective, I had plenty of arrangements to oversee at the Taeul Sect before their arrival, so the timeline suited me perfectly.

“Haa…… We are back at the Murim Academy.”

Seong Mo-ran let out a heavy, melancholic sigh as the gates came into view.

I attempted to cheer her up.

“Are you really that downhearted? We can always take another trip when the winter break arrives. What is there to worry about?”

Seong Mo-ran’s expression instantly turned into a scowl.

“What on earth are you talking about?!”

“Excuse me?”

Even the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers shook their heads in absolute exhaustion.

“Senior Brother. If your idea of a vacation involves another trip to Yueyang, I would much rather stay behind and focus entirely on my training at the academy this winter.”

“Eldest Senior Brother, reflecting on it now, it is probably vital that at least one of us remains on campus to manage our duties as executives of the representative delegation.”

I couldn’t comprehend their attitude. During our time in Yueyang, we had worn luxury garments, dined on exquisite cuisine, chartered the grandest vessel available, and enjoyed leisurely excursions on the water. What could possibly be the issue?

As if reading the confusion written all over my face, Hong Sa-ryeon’s eyes flared with annoyance.

“Does it genuinely not register to you that literally everything else we encountered was the problem?”

With even her voicing complaints, I wisely chose to keep my mouth shut. Since when was it unusual for a martial artist to get swept up in a few incidents?

As we walked through the academy grounds, a strange sense of emptiness caught my attention. I stopped and looked around, tilting my head.

“Does the campus feel odd to you guys?”

“In what way?”

“There are barely any students around.”

The vacation period was drawing to a close, and classes were set to resume almost immediately. Under normal circumstances, the pathways should have been teeming with scholars preparing for the upcoming term. Yet, only a fraction of the usual student body was visible.

Right then, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“The vacancy is due to the initiative launched by the Nine Sects and One Gang.”

Cheol Sun-jik answered as he approached us along the path. Accompanied by several figures from the Twelve Peak Citadels, including Nam Hwa-seong, he sported a distinctly smug expression as he elaborated.

“I take it they neglected to secure authorization from the Representative?”

“An initiative?”

“The Elder Council declared they were organizing an instructional excursion for the Later-Generation Talents, and subsequently escorted the disciples affiliated with the Nine Sects and One Gang off-campus.”

I kept my tone entirely flat as I pressed further.

“What was their destination?”

I knew full well they would never dream of asking for my approval for such an endeavor anyway.

“Sichuan.”

The moment the word left his mouth, my composed facade fractured.

So the pieces were falling into place exactly as anticipated. When I had encountered them back in Yueyang, I had a vague suspicion that events would trend in this direction, but I had never envisioned them acting with such terrifying speed.

“You appear agitated.”

“Why would I be?”

“They conducted an official academy function while completely bypassing the authority of the academy representative, did they not?”

“The students themselves had little say in the matter. If the Elder Council issued a direct directive to move, the disciples had no realistic grounds to object.”

The true tragedy was that the esteemed members of the Elder Council had just marched their own sect’s young legacy disciples directly into a slaughterhouse.

“…….”

“Regardless, I appreciate you sharing the news.”

Leaving a visibly disgruntled Cheol Sun-jik standing in our wake, I made my way back toward the residential quarters. I had explicitly brought back souvenirs from our travels so that Murong Jae-hwa and Eun Seol-ran—who had been forced to remain behind for remedial courses—wouldn’t feel excluded from our journey.

However, when Dong-ryong and Sa-ryeon went to retrieve them, they returned to the courtyard entirely empty-handed.

“Huh? Where did they get off to?”

“They informed me that Brother Jae-hwa was forced to leave.”

“What?”

“The same goes for Seol-ran.”

“Where could those two possibly have gone?”

Dong-ryong revealed the grim reality.

“They were rounded up against their will to fill numbers for the Nine Sects and One Gang’s excursion.”

“What did you say?”

Unbelievable. What kind of absolute madness is this?

“The reports indicate Seol-ran faced the exact same treatment. The leadership of the Nine Sects and One Gang arbitrarily forced independent students with no sectarian ties to participate in their deployment.”

Those unhinged lunatics had truly gone too far this time.