The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 169

Chapter 169
## Chapter 169. A Sea of Blood Spreading through Sichuan (5)

‘Things are beginning to feel a bit unusual.’

Cheol Sun-jik cast his eyes downward, observing the members of the Victory Tiger Hall alongside Jin So-un.

Had this shift started back in Jingzhou?

Jin So-un, who initially held nothing more than an empty title as leader, had gradually taken actual charge of a hundred-strong detachment without anyone fully noticing the transition. Even Gu Jeong-ryong, the esteemed Hall Master, had willingly retreated into the background to defer to Jin So-un’s directives.

While every student at the Murim Academy was accustomed to taking direction during the Regular Exam, the critical difference here lay in the identity of the subordinates: these were men of the Victory Tiger Hall. This particular unit was widely considered the most formidable force within the entire Murim Alliance. Hailing from the Azure Dragon Pavilion, they served as an elite vanguard designed exclusively for launching first strikes—the infamous Victory Tiger Hall.

Their sheer combat prowess was undeniable, but it was their notorious, rough-edged temperament that truly forced average travelers to give them a wide berth. For some inexplicable reason, this coarse gathering—famed for turning even the most disciplined Shaolin Temple disciples into rowdy brawlers—was listening to Jin So-un with remarkable compliance. In fact, they had begun bypassing Gu Jeong-ryong entirely, bringing their inquiries straight to Jin So-un.

“Representative Jin! Word has it that an outpost from a Mountain Stronghold is obstructing the path up ahead!”

Jin So-un replied calmly, as if the matter were trivial.

“It is merely a newly established Mountain Stronghold. We shall force our way right through them.”

“Oh, come now, a bandit camp is still a bandit camp. Shouldn’t we just hand over a transit fee and move along smoothly?”

The fearsome Victory Tiger Hall of the Murim Alliance offering bribes to common thieves… It was preposterous; since when did they act as a mere merchant escort? Such ridiculous suggestions were clearly meant to test the resolve of Jin So-un as their leader.

“If fear grips you, feel free to retreat,” Jin So-un countered coldly. “The disciples of my Taeul Sect will clear the path.”

“Hahaha, if you put it that way, we’d look pathetic not helping out, wouldn’t we? Rather than that, why not just double our nightly alcohol ration from one bottle to two?”

Given that Jin So-un had been financing their comforts, it was a predictable piece of extortion. Cheol Sun-jik recognized the pattern instantly from his own past observations.

‘This is exactly why one must never wave their riches about so recklessly.’

True respect within the murim was bought with martial dominance, not gold. To warriors who earned their rank in the Murim Alliance’s premier strike force solely through bloodshed and talent, Jin So-un likely appeared as nothing more than a privileged, naive heir relying on deep pockets. Furthermore, his generosity wasn’t even drawn from his own pockets, but rather from the backing of Wang Geum-san. To veterans so deeply steeped in the ways of the Jianghu, the young commander’s position probably looked utterly farcical.

“Outlaws sighted in front of us!”

At the shout of the scout from the Victory Tiger Hall who had ridden ahead, the warrior who had been bantering with Jin So-un pressed him immediately.

“What is the verdict? It seems a swift choice is required.”

The remaining swordsmen of the Victory Tiger Hall, clearly eager for an excuse to secure more liquor, watched the exchange with keen, expectant gazes. Jin So-un offered the challenging warrior a subtle, quiet chuckle.

“I granted you the utmost respect because your reputation labels you the apex vanguard of the Murim Alliance, yet you wish to capitulate to a trivial, fresh Mountain Stronghold out of cowardice?”

Suddenly, Jin So-un’s eyes hardened with absolute authority.

“Moving forward, our mounts will only be swapped at official relays, and our lodgings will be restricted strictly to Murim Alliance branches.”

“Wait, what?”

This unexpected shift caught the provocateur completely off guard. A wave of alarm washed over the warrior’s face, but before he could attempt to salvage his bargaining position, Jin So-un issued a sharp command.

“Disciples of the Taeul Sect, advance!”

“Understood!”

The Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers immediately advanced to take the lead, closely followed by Hong Sa-ryeon, Namgung Seon-hwa, and Seong Mo-ran. Unsheathing his blade, Jin So-un addressed the lingering vanguard.

“I must ask that none of you interfere. If you choose to step in, I will have no choice but to relegate you to ‘luxurious and cozy’ public inns as well.”

Leaving them with that warning, Jin So-un dashed forward.

—

At that moment, panic erupted among the ranks of the Victory Tiger Hall. Curses and shouts filled the air.

“Are you kidding me, damn it! Hey, you complete idiot! Why did you have to mouth off and ruin everything with your pointless greed!”

“That fool’s big mouth always causes trouble. Somebody break his jaw!”

“……”

The warrior who had carried the hopes of his comrades just moments prior was instantaneously branded a traitor. Terrified of being forced to sleep in austere alliance outposts, the men of the Victory Tiger Hall surged past the Taeul Sect disciples, charging wildly at the outlaws.

“Halt! You have entered the territory of the Akju Stronghold… Wait, what on earth?!”

Confusion and terror seized the brigands blocking the highway. Some of the Victory Tiger Hall warriors were so hindered by the bottleneck of horses that they launched themselves directly from their saddles, soaring through the air to strike down the bandits.

“You pathetic scum don’t even know how proper bandits operate!”

“You absolute morons! The moment you caught sight of the Murim Alliance banner, you should have fled for your miserable lives! Why are you just standing there like targets?”

“Hey! Save some for me! I refuse to spend the night at an alliance branch!”

With every technique unleashed by the furious vanguard, multiple brigands were instantly incapacitated. Seeing a dozen of their men dropped in mere moments, the remaining outlaws finally grasped the severity of the situation and scattered in sheer terror.

Consequently, by the time Jin So-un and his fellow Taeul Sect disciples reached the location, the entire path had been thoroughly cleared.

“Representative Jin, we have swept the road perfectly clean. Pay no mind to the nonsense that idiot was spewing earlier. We will ensure the path remains completely unobstructed from here on out.”

Jin So-un nodded slowly in acknowledgment.

“As expected of your reputation, your combat capabilities exceed my initial evaluations.”

“Naturally! Who do you think we are? We are the Victory Tiger Hall, the finest vanguard force within the Murim Alliance!”

“In that case, there should be no issue if we accelerate our pace even further, correct?”

“……”

They were already pushing a pace that threatened to kill their mounts by nightfall, and now he wanted to increase the speed even more?

“Or perhaps, is this exhausting pace the absolute limit of your heavily praised capabilities?”

Jin So-un’s expression was laced with overt disappointment, silently mocking them for daring to challenge his authority with such meager stamina.

“Hahaha! Of course not! We were actually growing impatient because the journey felt entirely too sluggish until now!”

Only then did Jin So-un’s expression soften into a satisfied nod.

“Then let us pick up the pace. The quicker we cover the distance, the more leisure time you will have to rest, will you not?”

The remaining members of the Victory Tiger Hall turned their murderous glares toward the man who had foolishly tried to push Jin So-un, looking ready to tear him apart.

—

‘He possesses remarkable shrewdness.’

Observing the entire interaction, Cheol Sun-jik quietly marveled at the display. He wasn’t the only one caught off guard by the young leader’s competence. Nam Hwa-seong quietly edged closer to whisper to him.

“Brother Cheol, doesn’t the dynamic here feel incredibly bizarre?”

“……He displays a level of calculation and manipulation that far exceeds his years.”

Another warrior representing the Twelve Peak Citadels joined the quiet conversation.

“He handles himself like an old soul trapped in a youth’s body.”

It was genuinely difficult to view him as a mere twenty-year-old given how tactically seasoned he behaved. Human dynamics were rarely dictated purely by raw martial prowess or immense wealth. The intricate ability to dissect an opponent’s hidden motives, seize control of the narrative, and dominate the room wasn’t a skill born from academic intellect alone; it required sheer experience. Only when seasons of trial accumulated could true leadership manifest.

In that regard, despite originating from the modest and impoverished background of the Taeul Sect, Jin So-un commanded an innate, undeniable authority.

‘He would make an exceptional figurehead.’

This quality had been evident during the Regular Exam as well, making him a highly alluring asset. This was precisely why the alliance with the Twelve Peak Citadels was essential. If Jin So-un could be manipulated like a marionette under the guidance of the Twelve Peak Citadels and presented to the masses, the public would undoubtedly revere him. Naturally, Cheol Sun-jik intended to be the one pulling those strings. Driven by his guidance, Jin So-un could rise to immense heights within the Murim Alliance, far beyond his current status as an academy representative. He might even emerge as the beacon of a generation that had long been eclipsed by figures like Yong So-ah and Il-myeong……

“Hehehe.”

A low chuckle escaped Cheol Sun-jik’s lips at the thought of Jin So-un’s hidden depth.

Right at that moment, Jin So-un abruptly snapped his head around, locking eyes with him.

“Academy Student Cheol Sun-jik! Is this sluggish pace truly the best you can manage?! What is the meaning behind that ridiculous smirking?”

Cheol Sun-jik immediately wiped the expression from his face, adopting a serious posture. He hadn’t even been talking alone; the entire faction of the Twelve Peak Citadels had been conversing. Why was he the sole target of Jin So-un’s ire?

Baffled, he glanced around to look for his peers—only to find that Nam Hwa-seong and the rest of the Twelve Peak Citadels were already sprinting far ahead of him.

What? When did they manage to put so much distance between them?

As Cheol Sun-jik stared back in utter bewilderment, Jin So-un barked again.

“Yes, I am speaking directly to you, Cheol Sun-jik! Are you incapable of moving faster? Do you have an overwhelming desire to sleep on the floor of an alliance outpost?”

“……”

To make matters worse, Nam Hwa-seong yelled back from the distance.

“Brother Cheol! Move your legs! We are all bearing the brunt of the captain’s anger because you are lagging behind!”

“……”

No, weren’t you the one who instigated the conversation in the first place?!

“……Dammit.”

Gritting his teeth in frustration, Cheol Sun-jik snapped the reins violently to accelerate.

‘I was a fool to expect anything rational from this.’

—

The coalition forces, split into five distinct detachments, traversed Mount Emei while scouting the perimeters of Mount Ming and Mount Qingcheng. One particular group had even swept through the Nine Dragons Valley before continuing their advance. Although their total numbers were diminished compared to my previous life, their forces were still scattered wide across the landscape.

Because this vanguard was comprised entirely of elite disciples from the Nine Sects and One Gang along with their affiliate organizations, their operational speed was staggering. By the time intelligence gathered by the Hao Gate managed to reach us, the targets had already relocated, rendering the information fragmented and highly chaotic.

With their loud, chaotic movements tearing through Sichuan, it was impossible for the operatives of the Corpse Mountain Blood Cult—who had spun a comprehensive web of surveillance over the region—to remain oblivious. It was an incredibly perilous trap, poised to spring shut on the unsuspecting forces at any second.

“Increase the pace!”

“Pant… Huff… Pant…”

“Eldest Senior Brother, we must take a brief intermission. If we continue pushing like this, everyone will collapse from sheer exhaustion…!”

“Even the hardened warriors of the Victory Tiger Hall have gone completely silent for hours now.”

Though I had intended to manage their stamina carefully, the extreme velocity of our march had left everyone thoroughly drained. Setting aside my immediate companions and the Twelve Peak Citadels, the Victory Tiger Hall suffered the most severe fatigue due to the heavy weight of the armaments and provisions they were required to transport. Realistically, navigating this perilous territory safely would have been impossible without the protection of the Victory Tiger Hall.

“Chengdu, Sichuan is just on the horizon. Let us moderate our speed slightly,” Namgung Seon-hwa urged, her eyes reflecting deep anxiety. Hearing her plea, I could no longer justify driving them to the brink of collapse.

‘What is the most tactical choice here?’

Given the timeline, regardless of how swiftly we pushed forward from this position, some of the scattered groups would inevitably collide with the forces of the Corpse Mountain Blood Cult. If we moved as one massive, slow-moving block, we would fail to intercept the danger or mitigate the casualties effectively. Ultimately, the only viable strategy was to mirror their fractured movement pattern.

“The Victory Tiger Hall will halt in Chengdu to rest and reorganize before proceeding further.”

If the vanguard responsible for executing the directives of the Mantongbu were to break down before the Elder Council, let alone the forces of the Corpse Mountain Blood Cult, then dragging them across the provinces would be entirely pointless.

“I genuinely believed my life was forfeit if we didn’t slow down.”

“In all my years of training, I have never been subjected to such brutal travel.”

“My lower half is completely raw from the saddle.”

The exhausted members of the Victory Tiger Hall slumped over, gasping for breath. Turning my attention to my inner circle and Cheol Sun-jik, I delivered the next set of instructions.

“While the Victory Tiger Hall recuperates, our unit and the Twelve Peak Citadels will break into five distinct groups. We will maintain communication via messengers while confirming the current positions of the Righteous Path Association.”

Hearing the plan, Cheol Sun-jik tilted his head, his expression furrowed with skepticism.

“Representative Jin, what is the ultimate objective of this entire endeavor?”

“To intercept the current operation and force their immediate withdrawal back to Chengdu.”

“Utilizing nothing but our current, depleted numbers?”

At this very moment, high-ranking Elders were personally overseeing the Righteous Path Association’s deployment. Without the overwhelming martial authority of a force like the Victory Tiger Hall to back us, they would never comply with a retreat order easily.

“If that is the case, would it not be significantly more logical to advance alongside the Victory Tiger Hall?” Cheol Sun-jik questioned, narrowing his eyes slightly. “What benefit is there in rushing ahead independently to deliver a directive that they will undoubtedly ignore?”

“If the Righteous Path Association chooses to remain stubborn to the bitter end, we will ensure the extraction of exactly two individuals.”

Upon hearing this, the expressions of Cheol Sun-jik and the accompanying members of the Twelve Peak Citadels froze completely.

“Only two individuals? Whom exactly are you referring to?”

“Murong Jae-hwa and Eun Seol-ran.”

“……Haha!”

Cheol Sun-jik lowered his head, a frosty, mocking sneer twisting his mouth.

“Are you implying that this entire march was never intended to rescue the Righteous Path Association, but was merely a private extraction mission for two people?”

“Correct.”

“Murong Jae-hwa and Eun Seol-ran…… Those two share a deeply personal history with you, do they not, Representative?” Cheol Sun-jik’s face shifted into an unreadable mask. “In the end, you disrupted the entire academy curriculum and mobilized the elite Victory Tiger Hall across the provinces solely to protect your personal acquaintances?”

“……”

Once again, he had unerringly struck at the most controversial and vulnerable aspect of my choices. He had utilized this exact same toxic methodology against his commanding officers on the battlefields of my past life. I recognized his tactics immediately: Cheol Sun-jik was attempting to employ his signature maneuver—interrogating a leader’s ethical standing, exploiting a moral gray area, and manipulating the situation to suit his own agenda.

A commander stripped of his moral authority loses the ability to lead effectively. To safeguard their reputation, most leaders would capitulate and conform to Cheol Sun-jik’s desires. In my previous existence, he had consistently used this exact strategy to ensure the Twelve Peak Citadels were never exposed to the brutal vanguard of the Great Righteous-Demonic War.

However, I was no longer the naive boy who could be easily manipulated by these predictable ploys.

“That is absolutely correct.”

My unapologetic response caused Cheol Sun-jik’s jaw to twitch slightly. One by one, the brows of the Twelve Peak Citadels warped in profound disapproval. I chose that moment to drive the point home completely.

“I traveled all this way for the sole purpose of securing my people.”

The moment Cheol Sun-jik insisted on joining this excursion outside the academy walls, I had deduced his underlying motives. Witnessing the continuous strategic failures of the Righteous Path Association while the academy representative completely disregarded institutional protocols, he undoubtedly concluded that the perfect opportunity had arrived for the Twelve Peak Citadels to seize prominence. His plan was to discover a critical vulnerability during this joint journey to solidify his own influence.

I was more than willing to let him try.

“If my personal motivations offend your sensibilities, you are entirely free to turn back at this very moment.”

Providing, of course, that you are prepared to pay the corresponding price for abandonment.

“However, if you choose to remain by my side, you will adhere strictly to the mandate I established at the inception of this journey.”

“……Absolute, unquestioning compliance, you mean.”

“Precisely.”

Following my statement, an icy aura settled over the gathered members of the Twelve Peak Citadels.

“Are you fully aware that this reckless course of action could permanently dismantle your status as the representative?”

“I am well aware.”

“Then why do you persist in forcing this agenda?”

Why……? He asks why.

Is it because Murong Jae-hwa and Eun Seol-ran are destined to become monumental pillars of righteousness in the impending Great Righteous-Demonic War? While that holds true, the reality was far simpler: they were individuals I had forged profound, genuine bonds with in this current lifetime.

Murong Jae-hwa had gone so far as to abandon her own standing in the Regular Exam entirely for my benefit. Eun Seol-ran cherished Sa-ryeon as though they were blood relatives, while looking up to me with the devotion of a younger sister. In this life, they were irreplaceable treasures that no asset or title could ever match……

“Because they belong to me.”

Perhaps because I had failed to safeguard a single soul under my care in my previous existence, I was consumed by a desperate, unyielding compulsion to protect them now. I knew these blunt, selfish motivations would leave a bitter taste in their mouths.

Nam Hwa-seong spat fiercely onto the dirt, his eyes ablaze with undisguised fury.

“Are you out of your mind, damn it?! You instigated this entire cataclysmic operational mess just to play savior to your childhood companions?!”

Let them brand me as a self-absorbed tyrant, or cast their scorn upon my character; I simply did not care. Above all else, I refused to watch the people I loved perish needlessly once again due to the sheer arrogance and incompetence of others—regardless of the consequences I would have to endure.

“What if I choose to expose the reality of ‘those statements’ to the public right now?” Cheol Sun-jik challenged.

I met his threat with an open, dismissive scoff.

“The Righteous Path Association, the Orthodox Path Association, the Twelve Peak Citadels. Are you all not cut from the exact same cloth? Do any of your factions ever lift a finger unless it directly benefits your own kin?”

“I would highly appreciate it if you refrained from deflecting the topic.”

I stared directly into Cheol Sun-jik’s gaze, a cold smile touching my lips.

“Proceed exactly as you see fit.”

Hearing my answer, a corner of Cheol Sun-jik’s mouth tilted upward—a distinct, sinister habit that manifested whenever he was plotting something malicious.

“Very well then.”

As Cheol Sun-jik conceded with a nod, Nam Hwa-seong was left looking utterly stranded and bewildered. Turning my gaze to the stunned warrior, I questioned him directly.

“What is your decision? Are you retreating?”

“……Wait, why are you suddenly addressing me so informally?……”

“I never extended an invitation for you to tag along in the first place. Give me your answer. Are you running back home, or are you staying?”

Nam Hwa-seong cast an anxious glance toward Cheol Sun-jik, hoping for a directive, but Cheol Sun-jik remained locked in a silent staring contest with me. Ultimately, Nam Hwa-seong gave a reluctant nod, signaling his intent to remain with the group.

“We shall separate into five individual detachments from this exact moment.”

I systematically organized the squads based on their tactical capabilities, assigning specific geographical targets to every group except the main vanguard. Nam Hwa-seong, whose eyes kept darting back and forth between myself and Cheol Sun-jik, suddenly barked in a panic.

“H-Hold on a minute! I already stated that I would be staying as well!”

The idiot had just finished cursing my character for acting selfishly to protect my friends, hadn’t he? For individuals of his specific temperament, there was an incredibly effective remedy.

“Nam Hwa-seong, you will be embedded directly within my unit.”

I will personally ensure you learn the true definition of suffering on this campaign.