The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 187

Chapter 187
Chapter 187. Remaking the Sichuan Blood Calamity (7)

Following the conclusion of the “Mountain King Contest,” the situation proceeded without further incident.

Initially, we seized wagons from Flower Garland Stronghold to transport the injured.

Perhaps due to their history of frequently raiding merchants to collect tolls, the mountain base was well-stocked with sturdy carriages and carts.

“How dare you prey on innocent merchants?”

It was hardly surprising that Bang Du-chil, who erupted in rage at this discovery, began pummeling the Stronghold Masters.

The beating only ceased once the scoundrels shrieked, “From now on, we will only demand tolls!”

During the trek from Flower Garland Stronghold to Chengdu, we handpicked skilled fighters from the mountain group and assigned them to escort and night-watch duties.

The peculiar fellowship between the Murim Academy students, the Murim Alliance members, and the bandits persisted for several days, until we finally arrived in Chengdu.

At that point, Bang Du-chil’s contingent, who had traveled with us all the way to the city, prepared to take their leave.

Regardless of the circumstances, I felt a genuine debt of gratitude for his willingness to arrive the moment I called, without setting any conditions.

“What are your plans now?”

“For the time being, I intend to explore Sichuan.”

“Given the current climate, I would suggest visiting Guizhou Province instead of lingering in Sichuan.”

“And why is that?”

Because a massive war was about to erupt across Sichuan.

However, I could not voice that reality plainly.

“Sichuan is going to become quite turbulent for a while. I suspect you will find it difficult to travel with any comfort.”

“Hmm…… Is that so?”

Judging by his expression, he seemed to have a burning desire to remain in the chaotic region even more.

It appeared he had already sensed the general state of affairs.

True to form, Baek So-ryeong intervened to resolve the hesitation.

“Dear, listen to what Young Master Jin suggests. Have you ever truly suffered a loss by following his advice?”

“Perhaps you’re right. I was planning to check out other mountain strongholds on our return trip anyway, so moving a bit faster shouldn’t hurt.”

He said it casually, but it was easy to foresee him making his way through the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds one by one to host his own Mountain King Contests.

‘Has the Path of the Fighting King already commenced?’

Considering his campaign for Jiangnan occurred much later in my previous life, this was an incredibly dramatic shift.

“Jiangnan will soon be under your feet, Elder Brother.”

Bang Du-chil’s mouth twitched as he responded.

“You think so?”

But Jiangbei would prove far more challenging.

The most formidable veterans of the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds were predominantly stationed in Jiangbei.

Even so, he would likely unify them several years ahead of the timeline I remembered.

As these thoughts settled, I felt a fresh wave of astonishment.

Even in my past life, I had maintained a level of friendship with him, but it never reached the point where he would mobilize based on a single message delivered by a carrier pigeon like he did now.

I had prevented his qi center from being damaged, but I couldn’t be certain if that act had been for his benefit or my own.

Nonetheless, Bang Du-chil was extending me total trust, and that deep, unadulterated faith weighed somewhat heavily on my conscience.

“Please ensure you move while heeding Sister-in-law’s advice. If you do, you won’t encounter many hardships on your journey, Elder Brother.”

“Ahem, ahem!”

I offered him my sincere counsel.

The rugged Bang Du-chil flushed a deep red and began feigning coughs, while Baek So-ryeong laughed softly behind her hand.

It was a truly familiar scene, and I felt a warmth in seeing it once more.

“Younger brother, you must look after yourself as well. Judging by the rumors reaching me, neither your past actions nor your future path seem particularly smooth.”

“……”

Bang Du-chil’s expression turned unusually somber.

“Men like you and me are destined to stand out wherever we go. Because of that, it is inevitable that we face rejection. Even if we attempt to hide or blend in, we lack the shape to fit. A hawk standing among ducks is far too distinctive.”

Bang Du-chil continued to offer words of unexpected wisdom.

Soon, his eyes glinted, and he broke into a wide grin.

“If that’s the case, why bother trying to be a duck? It is enough to act as a hawk and rule, or to thrive as a predator.”

Had there ever been a moment when he, too, had wished to disappear into a flock of ducks?

As I contemplated the likelihood that he had lived through his own difficult seasons, Bang Du-chil stared directly at me.

“So, do not resent your own talons or your sharp beak. We each have our own designated place.”

“……”

He was likely saying this because he had observed how I navigated among the Academy students over the past several days.

It seemed that even in his eyes, I didn’t quite mesh with the atmosphere of the Murim Academy.

“Thank you, Elder Brother.”

I spoke from the heart.

His words felt as if they left an indelible mark on me.

Though we had become sworn brothers through a twist of fate, I hadn’t expected to feel such a dependable, insightful sense of brotherhood from him.

He rested his massive hands on my shoulders and added:

“Make sure to return to Black Dragon Stronghold whenever you can. You now have not one, but two mountain bases to lead, counting Flower Garland Stronghold.”

“Ah……”

Was that what he meant with all that talk about ducks?

Damn it……. The sense of reliability and thoughtfulness I’d just felt instantly evaporated.

“Listen closely. Once I conquer all of Jiangnan, I am moving to Jiangbei! When that day comes, we will advance together as the Twin Dragons, and then……”

“Dear! Let’s get going already!”

Perhaps picking up on my deteriorating expression, Baek So-ryeong began pulling Bang Du-chil away.

Even while being dragged along by her, Bang Du-chil continued his barrage of words.

“If that happens, you will rule Jiangbei, and I will rule Jiangnan! The two of us will have the whole world beneath our feet! Mmph, mmph!”

Finally, Baek So-ryeong even clamped a hand over his mouth.

How on earth am I supposed to change that cursed name, Black Dragon Stronghold?

I massaged my throbbing temples with frustration.

Upon our arrival at the Murim Alliance Chengdu Branch, Elder Suheo and Elder Sangwon were the first to peel away from the group.

As soon as they concluded a private discussion with the Branch Chief, they hired carriages, loaded the other Elders inside, and departed posthaste.

Watching the Elders leave without offering a single farewell, the disciples stood by, looking entirely bewildered.

All the wounded were handed over to the branch’s infirmary, and the Academy students were assigned to living quarters, crammed three or four to a room.

At that moment, the quality of the inn or guesthouse mattered little; the priority was simply washing away the exhaustion of our long journey.

I intended to scrub away the fatigue of the last few days, but I was summoned.

“The Branch Chief?”

“Yes. He says he wants to see you immediately.”

“……”

In reality, the responsibility for this entire incident lay with the Elder Council, followed by the Hall Master of Victory Tiger Hall.

Why would a high-ranking official like a Murim Alliance Branch Chief feel the need to interview the Academy Representative?

“Black Dragon Stronghold is just a misunderstanding, really……”

If I had to wager a guess, there was a high probability this summons was fueled by the Black Dragon Stronghold—that massive snowball created by Bang Du-chil’s grand ambitions and Baek So-ryeong’s teasing.

Since every Academy student had witnessed my participation in the Mountain King Contest, someone surely must have reported it.

‘Damned idiots. I only stepped forward to save them.’

If I hadn’t intervened in that contest, wouldn’t we have suffered significant casualties?

I had only done my absolute best……

“Please hurry along.”

At the attendant’s insistence, I stared at him in silence.

“Do I really have to go?”

“Pardon?”

His expression betrayed his confusion at such an obvious question.

Right. Of course.

If I refused to attend after traveling this far, it would look even more suspicious.

But that didn’t make me like it any better.

Even in my previous life, I had no pleasant memories of dealing with Murim Alliance Branch Chiefs.

Without exception, they had all been arrogant, self-important, and selfish.

At least, because I held the rank of Academy student, someone had been sent to fetch me properly. Back when I served in the Sojeong Squad, I wasn’t even treated like a human being.

Compared to my past life, my status had risen dizzily, but the ingrained defeatism remained.

“Please, follow me quickly. He has been waiting for quite some time.”

Eventually, I moved with heavy feet.

When I reached the Branch Chief’s office, someone else had already arrived.

“Hall Master of Victory Tiger Hall.”

I offered a greeting, but he only gave a short, curt nod in response.

Could he be trying to distance himself from me now because I was identified as the Stronghold Master of Black Dragon Stronghold?

I hadn’t taken him for that type of person……

It was an expected reaction, yet it would be dishonest to say I didn’t feel a sting of disappointment.

‘I was even planning to purchase some Dispelling Evil and Spirit Suppression talismans for the Victory Tiger Hall members.’

Just as I prepared to offer a formal greeting to the Murim Alliance Chengdu Branch Chief, he bolted from his seat.

“Young Hero Jin, thank you for coming despite how weary you must be.”

“……”

His opening words were bizarre.

‘Young Hero?’

A Murim Alliance Branch Chief’s position was typically treated on par with a Pavilion Master within the Alliance hierarchy.

Beyond governing their assigned region, they served as the primary conduits for the Alliance’s mandates.

This was a high-ranking post that one did not reach through common connections.

Looking at the current Chengdu Branch Chief’s record, he was an elite from the Diancang Sect, and in terms of Academy seniority, he was so far above me it was difficult to calculate.

Dang Hyeok-jae, the former Yueyang Branch Chief, had been the exception. Most Branch Chiefs didn’t even acknowledge Academy students as official warriors……

“What kind of tea do you prefer? I have both Longjing and Junshan Yinzhen……”

He was actually letting me pick the tea?

What on earth was transpiring?

“I believe the Junshan Yinzhen suits my palate.”

“Ah, ah……! I-is that so?”

What was that reaction?

For a split second, his expression looked genuinely regretful.

If he was going to regret it that much, he shouldn’t have offered it in the first place.

“It is worth noting that I have managed to secure exactly enough for ‘one’ serving.”

The Branch Chief looked as if he were desperately currying favor, similar to someone dealing with a dangerous creditor.

‘What is actually going on?’

Before arriving, I had assumed I might be dragged to the prison to be interrogated about my ties to Bang Du-chil, or whether I was a spy for Black Dragon Stronghold……

“The fragrance of this tea is truly exceptional.”

“I am relieved it suits your taste, Young Hero.”

“But might I ask why you summoned me?”

Since the other party had gone out of his way to lower himself first, there was no reason for me to be submissive.

I straightened my shoulders, which had been hunched.

*Crack. Crack.* Sounds echoed from my joints.

The Chengdu Branch Chief watched me and smiled as though he were greeting an irreplaceable, honored guest.

“I cannot express how grateful I am that you prevented the damage to the Righteous Path Association from spiraling into something far more catastrophic.”

“I simply did what felt necessary.”

“To think you view sacrifice for others as only natural……. The future of the Murim is indeed bright.”

Once a person attained the rank of Branch Chief, they were effectively a seasoned politician.

The Chengdu Branch Chief’s tongue was moving as though it had been greased with oil.

For me, someone who hadn’t received this sort of flattery in either my past or present life, it actually gave me chills.

Regardless, there was no denying that the Branch Chief’s demeanor was extremely peculiar.

‘Did Daoist Master Myeonghyeon leave without saying a word?’

I had assumed the Daoist, who harbored a grudge against me, would slander me to his junior disciple at the branch. Why, then, was that very disciple acting as if I were his superior?

“From the perspective of the Sichuan Chengdu Branch, this entire incident was incredibly confusing. That is why I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for your assistance, Young Hero.”

“……”

The Branch Chief was practically speaking as though I were the one in command.

When I remained silent, my expression stiff, the Branch Chief seemed to sense something amiss and cleared his throat to move to the main point.

“I understand that you maintain a positive relationship with Stronghold Master Green Dragon Bang Du-chil of Zhejiang Province.”

Hmm…… In the Branch Chief’s eyes, it was clearly more than a “positive relationship,” wasn’t it?

The Branch Chief asked with a subtle, probing tone:

“Could it be that it was Young Hero’s chivalrous spirit that moved the heart of a simple bandit like Stronghold Master Bang Du-chil?”

“……What exactly are you trying to say?”

The situation was so frustrating that I eventually asked bluntly.

At that, the Branch Chief’s lips continued to move nervously.

“Might I ask how close your friendship with Stronghold Master Bang Du-chil truly is, Young Hero?”

My gaze flicked toward the Hall Master of Victory Tiger Hall.

Even without asking through sound transmission, he seemed to understand my look, shaking his head faintly.

‘Setting aside the Hall Master of Victory Tiger Hall, did even Daoist Master Myeonghyeon and the Academy students of the Diancang Sect keep silent?’

Judging by the atmosphere, the Branch Chief didn’t seem aware that Bang Du-chil and I were sworn brothers.

Naturally, he also appeared ignorant of my role as the Stronghold Master of Black Dragon Stronghold.

Those bastards were surprisingly loyal, weren’t they?

For some reason, I felt a slight swell of emotion.

“I apologize for prying into personal matters. However, the survival of the Sichuan Chengdu Branch depends on you, Young Hero.”

So……. it seemed the Sichuan Chengdu Branch Chief wanted to request something from Bang Du-chil through me.

I crossed one leg over the other.

My leg ached slightly from sitting in such a tense position for so long.

At the same time, I stretched my arms.

For some reason, the Chengdu Branch Chief’s eyebrow flickered.

But if my body remained stiff, the words didn’t come out easily either.

I cleared my throat lightly.

“Ahem, it is a bit cautious for me to speak as a member of the younger generation of the Orthodox Faction, but…… you could say we are practically sworn brothers.”

“Oh! Is that so?!”

The Branch Chief’s eyes widened.

Gu Jeong-ryong, who had been glancing at me, also widened his eyes in surprise.

“From what I hear, Stronghold Master Bang Du-chil has brought the Green Forest strongholds under his sway through the Mountain King Contest. Could you perhaps ask him for his assistance?”

Only then did I finally understand the situation.

The Righteous Path Association had entered Sichuan and suffered heavily from the Blood Cult’s ambush.

Furthermore, once the Blood Cult’s identity was publicly revealed, the Murim Alliance would surely deploy a massive force, igniting a war against the Cult in Sichuan.

Why, then, was the Branch Chief looking for Bang Du-chil?

“This is for the peace and security of the Murim.”

……That was how he framed it, but in truth, he was likely terrified. If the Murim Alliance’s massive force began roaming through Sichuan, he feared the Green Forest strongholds wouldn’t just sit idly by and watch.

He was already at risk of losing his head for failing to realize the Blood Cult had established a foothold near Sichuan. If he failed to manage the Green Forest or Black Path strongholds, he could assume his head would be forfeit.

Furthermore, given the heavy losses sustained by the Diancang Sect, if he returned to their home base in this state, they would inevitably find an excuse to discipline him.

‘Peace of the Murim, my foot……. What a cunning, manipulative man.’

Listening to the scoundrel’s hypocritical rhetoric made the back of my neck stiffen with annoyance.

I rolled my head from side to side to loosen the tension.

The Branch Chief pleaded with a servile expression.

“……This is truly an urgent matter.”

Facing a situation where his own life might be on the line, it was only natural that the title “Young Hero” came out so easily, even to a much younger junior.

In truth, despite his detestable personality, I had been planning to keep the Green Forest strongholds in check anyway.

If they interfered needlessly now, they would end up accomplishing nothing of value.

For the sake of a unified Green Forest Alliance in the future, I intended to tell them to humble themselves.

‘That doesn’t mean I’m doing this for free, though.’

Since he was using the pretense of “peace” to save his own neck, why should I play the role of the naive fool?

Still, one shouldn’t reveal one’s true colors so abruptly.

‘If it is for the peace of the Murim, I should naturally help.’

I could start there.

As the Academy Representative and a promising talent of the Righteous Faction, I straightened my posture.

Then, I spoke the words I had prepared.

“What sort of compensation range did you have in mind?”

Not only the Branch Chief but also Gu Jeong-ryong sat there with their mouths hanging open.

“……?!”

“……?!”

What was with this sudden silence?

Puzzled by the strange atmosphere, I looked back and forth between their faces.

‘Hmm? What is it? Ah!’

I realized that the thoughts in my head and the words I had actually spoken aloud had been switched.

“Haha, dear me. That was a slip of the tongue……”

Had playing the part of Black Dragon Stronghold’s leader just once caused my intelligence to devolve to Bang Du-chil’s level?