The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 167

Chapter 167
When Cheol Sun-jik learned that Jin So-un had made a formal request to travel beyond the academy grounds, he found himself utterly bewildered.

The academic term had barely commenced, leaving him to wonder where exactly the Representative was planning to go.

His initial instinct was to simply shrug it off, muttering internally, ‘Just as I thought, he is an enigmatic person whose actions can never be anticipated.’

However, the moment he discovered that Jin So-un’s intended location was Sichuan, and that the Righteous Path Association had already journeyed there for a practical field study, he found it impossible to just ignore the matter.

How could someone who remained completely unflappled even as lives were being lost inside the terrifying Soul-Destroying Formation now be desperately pursuing a mere field study, which amounted to nothing more than a defiant display by the Righteous Path Association?

On top of that, he was even mobilizing the elite strike force of the Azure Dragon Pavilion?

‘He truly manages to be disagreeable in a multitude of ways.’

To Cheol Sun-jik, who harbored a natural aversion to anything that defied predictability, the very existence of Jin So-un was a source of profound discomfort.

It was precisely this sentiment that prompted him to step forward and volunteer to accompany the group on this expedition.

He was determined to unmask the true nature of Jin So-un, a man who constantly shattered his expectations.

‘Is he simply an immature brat who acts on impulse whenever his feelings get the better of him, or is there something more…….’

The train of thought occupying Cheol Sun-jik’s mind as he stared at Jin So-un’s retreating figure abruptly ceased right there.

“Whosoever lags behind shall be abandoned on the road! Sprint toward Chengdu, Sichuan, using every ounce of strength you possess!”

Hearing Jin So-un’s booming command, Cheol Sun-jik instinctively tightened his grip on his horse’s reins.

The martial artists from the Twelve Peak Citadels who had accompanied Jin So-un on this sudden trek were considered the most formidable among their peers.

They were certainly not the type of individuals who would find maintaining this kind of pace a difficult challenge.

“Brother Cheol, whatever possessed you to insist on taking part in this man’s expedition?”

Prompted by Nam Hwa-seong’s inquiry, Ha Yeong-yeong, Sang Mu-hon, and several others drew their mounts closer to Cheol Sun-jik and spoke up.

Conversing while riding at such a breakneck speed required a high level of martial technique, yet none of them seemed to find it taxing.

Nam Hwa-seong even knit his brows in deep irritation, thoroughly unable to grasp the reasoning behind the choice.

“To make matters worse, you even surrendered full command authority to him.”

Hearing those words, an involuntary, quiet chuckle escaped Cheol Sun-jik’s lips.

Just prior to their departure, Jin So-un had surprisingly agreed to Cheol Sun-jik’s request to join the party without offering any significant pushback.

He had imposed only a single stipulation.

Total, unquestioning obedience.

Though the formidable warriors of the Twelve Peak Citadels, including Nam Hwa-seong, had fiercely protested, Cheol Sun-jik ultimately chose to concede to that demand.

Now, his peers were pressing him for answers regarding the lingering doubts they had suppressed until this moment.

“In all honesty, did the rest of you not tag along because you were equally intrigued by Jin So-un?”

“…….”

A heavy silence fell over the group, as no one offered a reply to Cheol Sun-jik’s counter-question.

“For my part…… I tag along because I want to witness the clash between the Nine Sects and One Gang and Jin So-un. That lunatic always rushes headlong into things without giving a single thought to the aftermath.”

Nodding at Nam Hwa-seong’s blunt assessment, Cheol Sun-jik replied.

“My sentiments align with yours.”

“What?”

“There is invariably a deliberate intent guiding his behavior.”

He was undeniably a man given to making highly unorthodox moves.

An unorthodox move, by definition, represented a path that the vast majority of sensible people would choose to avoid.

And taking a path that most would avoid typically meant that the likelihood of a favorable outcome was drastically diminished.

Yet, that conventional logic somehow ceased to function whenever he was involved…….

His seemingly reckless gambles consistently yielded the absolute grand prize.

It was almost as if he had been handed a hidden answer key from the very beginning.

This held true during the perilous events at the Demon Spirit Plateau.

It held true during the rigorous Murim Regular Exam.

And it held equally true throughout the disaster involving the Soul-Destroying Formation.

“Brother Cheol, have you truly not realized it yet? That individual is completely unhinged. He is nothing but a lunatic whose internal gears have entirely slipped out of place.”

Following Nam Hwa-seong’s harsh words, the rest of the Twelve Peak Citadels members erupted into collective laughter.

“Haha, so you all share that perspective as well?”

It was true that many people held a low opinion of Jin So-un.

They dismissed him as a madman, a eccentric individual, or a rogue from the Black Path who delusional believed himself to be a righteous champion of the Orthodox Path.

Such critical assessments were almost certainly born from the jealousy of individuals who simply could not bring themselves to accept the reality that his bizarre strategies consistently brought about the finest results.

“And that is the exact reason for my curiosity.”

Whether he truly is a mere madman who acts without considering the future consequences…….

Or whether he represents an entirely unique entity forging an extraordinary path that ordinary men dare not tread…….

From Cheol Sun-jik’s perspective, the current generation inhabiting the contemporary murim was already a lost cause.

This stark realization had been deeply etched into his mind from the very moment he crossed paths with Yong So-ah years ago.

Not a single soul of his era possessed the capability to outshine Yong So-ah.

As long as that figure drew breath, Cheol Sun-jik’s generation was destined never to dominate the murim, nor hold sway over the Central Plains.

Regardless of how grand the influence of the Twelve Peak Citadels became or how many legendary experts emerged from their ranks, when all was said and done, no one would ever eclipsing Il-myeong of Shaolin or Yong So-ah of Wudang.

Ultimately, their only recourse was to bide their time until the next generation took the stage.

They had to wait until those two colossal figures finally departed from the Jianghu.

“If there exists a solitary individual capable of breaking free from this absolute certainty of mine…… Ehren.”

Cheol Sun-jik’s sharp, intense gaze fixed squarely upon Jin So-un’s back as the leader galloped further ahead of them.

If he truly was something more than the simple-minded madman most took him for.

If he actually embodied the grand “phenomenon” that Cheol Sun-jik envisioned.

Then it would mean that even within their blighted generation, a beacon of hope had emerged—a figure capable of ushering in a brand-new era that Cheol Sun-jik had failed to foresee…….

“Hey there! Twelve Peak Citadels! What are you all whispering about back there?! Are you planning to pick up the pace anytime soon?”

“…… Ganz.”

Jin So-un, having shattered his internal monologue, was now glaring back at him with a terrifying expression reminiscent of a wrathful yaksha.

Swallowing his annoyance, Cheol Sun-jik attempted to speak with measured calm.

“Representative Jin So-un, do you intend for us to maintain this relentless sprint indefinitely? If we proceed in this manner, the entire company will grow exhausted and break down.”

“What did you say?! You people were the ones who begged me to accompany us! If you intended to travel at a snail’s pace, why on earth did you tags along?! Turn around and ride back to the academy this instant!”

“…….”

Was this man genuinely driving them forward without an inkling of a plan?

If they maintained this absurd speed, it wouldn’t just be the Twelve Peak Citadels that gave out; even the exceptionally sturdy warriors of the Victory Tiger Hall would soon reach their limits.

“……Brother Cheol.”

Nam Hwa-seong called out in a hushed, urgent tone.

“Spur your horse faster. We are currently enduring the insults of that maniac solely because you are dragging your feet, Brother Cheol.”

“No, listen to me, I was just……”

“Weren’t you the one who insisted we embark on this journey, Brother Cheol? Quit talking and just speed up.”

“……My apologies.”

To push a company so ruthlessly without a shred of foresight—perhaps every single one of his past triumphs had been nothing more than sheer, unadulterated fluke…….

For some inexplicable reason, Cheol Sun-jik’s internal assessment of the man began to swerve sharply toward a negative conclusion.

“Our path will take us directly through the heart of Chongqing.”

Upon hearing Jin So-un’s declaration, Gu Jeong-ryong’s eyebrows knitted together in deep consternation.

The vast majority of travelers journeying from Hubei Province toward Sichuan preferred to sail along the Yangtze River, navigating around Shaanxi Province before making landfall in Sichuan.

Utilizing the waterways was far more advantageous in nearly every respect.

While the sheer volume of gear and provisions that could be transported was vastly superior compared to a land route, the primary benefit was the sheer comfort of the voyage.

For this reason, nearly everyone traveling to Sichuan opted for that specific passage…….

Yet this man was proposing to forge a direct path straight through Chongqing?

Such a hazardous route was exclusively meant for a solitary traveler journeying light and moving with extreme urgency.

For a sizable detachment like theirs—heavily armed, armored, and managing an entire troop of mounts—to attempt to cut through Chongqing was an act so reckless it would invite anyone to label them completely insane.

And yet, less than a single day after Gu Jeong-ryong had relinquished his leadership role, Jin So-un was already spouting utter madness.

“Have you lost your senses entirely? Cutting straight through Chongqing? Even if the martial artists manage to survive the strain, our mounts will surely drop dead from exhaustion.”

The sole reason Gu Jeong-ryong had agreed to hand over the reins of command to Jin So-un was due to the desperate, tearful entreaties of Maeng Ju-won.

Given their shared history, it was a favor he could have reasonably granted, but when a man holding the prestigious title of Department Head of the Mantongbu literally begged on his knees in front of the entire assembly, weeping, ‘Please, I implore you, just this once, do it for the sake of my beautiful wife and innocent children……’ he found himself completely unable to turn him down.

‘Wait a moment, wasn’t Maeng Ju-won a lifelong bachelor to begin with?’

Regardless of that fact, witnessing the man’s sheer desperation—to the point of inventing a non-existent family just to sway him—Gu Jeong-ryong figured that since he was going along anyway, he might as well provide full backing to Maeng Ju-won, leading him to fully surrender his command authority.

However, that concession did not mean he was obligated to blindly acquiesce to such completely irrational directives.

“This happens to be the solitary method available to narrow the gap between us and the leading group.”

“What is the reason behind this frantic haste?”

“The prime opportunity to intercept those who set out before us is prior to their arrival at Mount Emei. However, if the Yangtze River’s current remains at its typical rapid velocity, we won’t make landfall until they have already pushed past Badang. If our objective is to overtake them, cutting through Chongqing is our solitary viable option.”

Logically speaking, the argument held water, but it was a concept that existed purely on paper.

Living human beings and flesh-and-blood horses were not entities that could function solely based on theoretical calculations.

“Let us disregard Hubei Province for a moment. There is no official outpost of the Murim Alliance located within Chongqing City to serve as a midpoint haven. Furthermore, the subsequent leg of the journey presents an even greater crisis. On the trail leading to Chengdu, Sichuan, how do you expect to provide sustenance and lodging for nearly a hundred individuals, let alone secure fresh mounts?”

This logisitical nightmare was the crux of the problem.

A state of war had not been declared, yet they were pushing the members of the Victory Tiger Hall to their absolute limits merely to halt an external field study that was essentially a glorified school excursion?

The resentment brewing among the rank-and-file warriors would undoubtedly reach a boiling point.

“That is an issue that requires none of your concern.”

“What did you say?”

“I have already dispatched a request for assistance, so you may put your mind at ease. Mind you, I am entirely uncertain of what steep price that individual will demand from me down the line…… museum.”

Jin So-un’s cryptic remarks left him thoroughly baffled.

Left with no choice, Gu Jeong-ryong delivered a stern, unyielding caution.

“I assume you are fully cognizant of the heavy burden that accompanies the position of commander?”

“Naturally.”

“That burden encompasses managing the grievances of the Victory Tiger Hall members. Overexerting martial artists without offering a transparent, justifiable cause will inevitably incite mutiny.”

“…….”

“Even if we manage to push through to Jingzhou at this breakneck pace, the Jingzhou Branch of the Murim Alliance will have already barred its gates for the night. Do you possess a method to pacify their rising anger?”

Despite Gu Jeong-ryong’s intense interrogation, Jin So-un’s countenance remained entirely unbothered and serene.

“Well, I cannot give you an absolute guarantee, but I can assure you it will be vastly superior to sleeping in the dirt outside the locked gates of the Jingzhou Branch.”

“What do you mean by that?”

Unable to comprehend what the young man was hinting at, Gu Jeong-ryong resolved to simply observe how things unfolded for the time being.

Brushing aside Gu Jeong-ryong’s insistence that the company desperately needed to halt and recuperate before reaching Jingzhou, the detachment pressed onward until the full moon hung high in the night sky. They finally breached the perimeter of Jingzhou just as the Hour of the Pig was drawing to a close.

“Haa…… Huff…… This is completely ridiculous.”

“I predicted exactly this outcome.”

“Curse it all, what sort of nonsense is that Black Flame Dragon bastard trying to pull?”

Just as had been predicted, the Jingzhou Branch of the Murim Alliance had long since locked its gates for the evening.

In short order, the pent-up frustration of the Victory Tiger Hall members began to erupt into open complaints.

“Hall Master, what exactly is the purpose of this madness? We aren’t even marching into an actual battle, so why are we being subjected to this kind of torture?”

“Even if this was requested by the Department Head of the Mantongbu, this treatment crosses the line.”

“Hall Master, if we keep pushing forward at this rate, the entire unit will drop from exhaustion before we even catch a glimpse of Sichuan. We beg you to step in and make a executive decision.”

Hearing the wave of protests accompanied by bitter curses, Gu Jeong-ryong finally decided that the moment had come for him to reclaim his rightful command authority.

“We are heading this way.”

Jin So-un abruptly came to a halt right before the grand entrance of the most luxurious establishment in all of Jingzhou.

“Young Master Jin! We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

The angry murmurs of the Victory Tiger Hall and the Twelve Peak Citadels warriors instantly vanished, replaced by looks of absolute, open-mouthed shock.

The head manager of the Gold Pavilion Inn, universally recognized as the premier lodging house in Jingzhou, was standing outside in a neat formation alongside a small army of attendants, ready to receive Jin So-un’s entourage.

“Tend to the esteemed martial masters immediately!”

Without needing a second command, the attendants promptly rushed forward toward the weary warriors, taking custody of their horses and presenting refreshing, chilled towels for the guests to cleanse their soiled hands and faces.

“Arrangements for both a hot feast and steaming baths have been fully finalized. If I recall correctly, you indicated a desire to set out at the crack of dawn tomorrow?”

In response to the head manager’s query, Jin So-un gave a casual nod of affirmation, clearly accustomed to such high-end treatment.

“We shall take our departure prior to the arrival of the Hour of the Dragon. Have the replacement mounts been successfully gathered?”

“The necessary provisions have been firmly secured across every single outpost located within Hubei Province. Furthermore, within Chongqing City and throughout Sichuan Province, everything will be fully prepared well before your boots touch the ground, Young Master.”

“I deeply appreciate it, and I apologize for forcing such a demanding task upon you on such short notice.”

The moment Jin So-un offered a polite bow, the middle-aged manager of the Gold Pavilion Inn appeared profoundly humbled and quickly gestured for Jin So-un to raise his head.

“Please, Young Master, I beg you not to speak of apologies. It is entirely due to your benevolence that I am able to curry greater favor with Estate Master Wang, meaning that I am the one who owes you a debt of gratitude.”

Staring at this surreal display, the exhausted travelers could only blink in utter bewilderment at Jin So-un.

Estate Master Wang? Could they possibly be referring to Wang Geum-san, the legendary merchant tycoon rumored to possess wealth equivalent to a literal mountain of solid gold?

What struck them as even more bizarre was that the disciples representing the Taeul Sect, alongside Namgung Seon-hwa and Seong Mo-ran—who constantly remained glued to Jin So-un’s side—accepted this extravagant hospitality with complete nonchalance, as if it were a routine occurrence.

‘Could it be that Jin So-un is actually the illegitimate offspring of Wang Geum-san? ……No, that makes no sense, their family names are entirely different, aren’t they?’

After washing away the thick layers of road dust in the luxurious baths, the company filed into the grand dining hall, their eyes nearly popping out of their heads at the sight of a magnificent banquet laid out before them, timed to the exact second of their exit.

“I will permit only a single vessel of liquor per individual. Our destination remains far away, and we cannot afford overindulgence.”

Despite Jin So-un’s restrictive decree, the warriors of the Victory Tiger Hall erupted into ecstatic cheers.

The very individuals who had been spewing venomous complaints mere moments ago began chanting praises for the Black Flame Dragon in unison, completely erasing any memory of their prior dissatisfaction.

“All hail the Black Flame Dragon! Long live the Black Flame Dragon!”

“Junior! You are a magnificent, true gentleman!”

“It is a universal truth that a warrior’s fortune depends entirely on serving the perfect leader!”

Gu Jeong-ryong could only watch in stunned silence as the mood of the Victory Tiger Hall members flipped so spectacularly.

“…….”

Utterly bewildered, to the point where he couldn’t even register the taste of the exquisite delicacies entering his mouth, Gu Jeong-ryong eventually found himself unable to contain his burning curiosity and leaned over to question Jin So-un.

“Are you, by any chance, the clandestine son of Estate Master Wang Geum-san or something of that nature?”

“Pardon me? Whatever gave you that absurd idea?”

“If that isn’t the case, then what could possibly motivate Estate Master Wang Geum-san to orchestrate this level of mind-boggling accommodation for our sake?”

The sprawling, opulent annex was completely devoid of other patrons, reserved exclusively for their group.

This meant that for the sole benefit of Jin So-un, the establishment had willingly absorbed not only the massive loss of an entire evening’s standard revenue, but had also incurred substantial extra expenses.

“Estate Master Wang and the Taeul Sect have maintained a profound bond for generations. Furthermore, his precious daughter happens to be my Junior Sister.”

Hearing Jin So-un’s incredibly casual explanation, Gu Jeong-ryong’s mind only swirled with deeper, more complex questions.

‘If he isn’t his flesh and blood, why on earth would a tycoon of Wang Geum-san’s stature go to such extreme lengths to roll out the red carpet for a mere disciple of the Taeul Sect? Could he perhaps be the chosen son-in-law of the Wang Estate? Just what kind of background does this guy possess?’

His avalanche of doubts remained entirely unquenched.

And yet, for some strange reason, Gu Jeong-ryong found an internal voice suggesting that it would be highly advantageous for his own future to cultivate a much closer relationship with Jin So-un.