The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 190

Chapter 190
The Academy Head’s office was filled with intense pressure. This heavy atmosphere did not stem from Jegal So-myeong, who stood nearby with a furrowed brow and clear frustration, but from another source.

“Hahaha, had I known the Academy Head possessed such refined taste in tea, I would have made an effort to visit more often.”

“……Pardon me? Ah, is that so? Then I shall see to it that this same blend is sent to the Alliance Leader’s Hall……”

“No, no. How could I recklessly spend the Alliance’s funds? I will simply drop by myself from time to time.”

“……”

Buk Won-pyeong struggled to mask his utter bewilderment at Hyeok Mu-gang’s declaration. The thought of the Murim Alliance Leader treating this place as his personal tea house was stifling.

The Alliance Leader, however, pushed further.

“Would it be a burden if I came around frequently?”

“Ah, not at all! How could that be? I am only honored by your presence.”

Though he forced a smile, his eyes and the corners of his mouth betrayed his panic. Watching Buk Won-pyeong act like a rabbit before a predator gave me a strange sense of satisfaction. It served him right; he had dismissed the Chief Disciple’s request so callously that the Grand Patriarch must have orchestrated this visit to humble him.

Hyeok Mu-gang tilted his head slightly and continued.

“At my age, there are few places left that welcome me. It is quite a chore to remain in the Alliance Leader’s Hall day in and day out.”

“……”

“I forged many memories traveling the Murim alongside the successor of the previous Peerless Sword. Those were truly magnificent times.”

*He is talking about knowing my master, and that he actually wandered the land with him?* He spoke with the casual tone of an elder, but his presence was entirely different—he carried an imperial, commanding aura.

That was expected. His legacy was enough to command reverence from every martial artist, whether they walked the path of the righteous or the demonic.

*The fact that even the Nine Sects and One Gang or the Five Great Clans cannot unseat him proves his standing.*

He rose to the rank of the top ten under heaven without the backing of a sect or a master, navigating treacherous political schemes to ultimately claim the position of Murim Alliance Leader. His journey was enough to inspire any warrior.

Furthermore, I held a deeper, more personal respect for him. During the Great Righteous-Demonic War, he had stood firmly on the front lines. Even when the Nine Sects and One Gang failed us and the Five Great Clans lost our trust, the White-Bearded Divine Sword remained a symbol of integrity.

*……Perhaps that is why he ultimately failed.*

He was one of the legendary figures who perished during the Great Righteous-Demonic War, yet even after the conflict ceased, he remained a guiding light in our collective memory. Seeing a hero I once admired from afar standing right before me caused my chest to tighten.

*……Or perhaps I am just trembling from anxiety.*

He had arrived with Jegal So-myeong at the exact moment I was meant to face a reprimand. I had braced myself for Jegal So-myeong’s wrath, but being dismantled by the White-Bearded Divine Sword as well was a prospect I wished to avoid.

Hyeok Mu-gang, having finished his chat with the perspiring Buk Won-pyeong, turned his gaze toward me. I bowed my head low, hoping to avoid the fate of the Academy Head.

Fortunately, Jegal So-myeong’s voice, sharp with irritation, broke the silence first.

“Jin So-un…… Do you have any grasp of what you have done?”

I swallowed hard. *Honestly, I did commit some indiscretions, but were the Academy Students not saved thanks to me?*

I kept my defense to myself, preparing to act as a human shield and absorb his lecture. I had plenty of practice in that role from my previous life.

However—

“Haha, Grand Strategist. Did we not reach an agreement regarding this matter?”

The calm, benevolent voice interrupted.

*What is this?* I remained suspicious.

“That is precisely why I instructed you not to follow me, did I not?”

“Haha, Grand Strategist. In that case, would our pact not be rendered moot?”

Jegal So-myeong looked ready to explode with pent-up rage, but Hyeok Mu-gang quelled him with a gentle, disarming smile. I was shocked.

*Hyeok Mu-gang truly possesses the character of a legendary hero!*

Hyeok Mu-gang turned back to me.

“Representative Jin So-un, your actions this time were truly commendable.”

A soft smile touched his lips, while Jegal So-myeong’s expression crumpled in frustration.

*Oho?* I realized the situation immediately. Jegal So-myeong had clearly intended to berate me before offering any praise, but Hyeok Mu-gang had intercepted him. It seemed the Grand Strategist had traveled all the way to the Murim Academy to lecture me out of sight, only for the Alliance Leader to catch him in the act.

I decided on my course of action and responded with the utmost politeness.

“You are too kind. I merely performed what was necessary.”

Hyeok Mu-gang looked satisfied and patted my shoulder.

“Even that ‘necessary’ act is something few can accomplish. Furthermore, I hear you faced significant friction with the Righteous Path Association during your tenure as Academy Representative.”

“If one wishes to ascend in this world without anyone to pull them up, are such hurdles not expected? Since they were nowhere near as arduous as the burdens you have borne, Alliance Leader, I never considered them true hardships.”

“Hahaha, of course! Precisely. A truly great man must know how to embrace even those who carry flaws. Indeed, indeed.”

Hyeok Mu-gang chuckled for a long time. I had laid the flattery on thick enough. Now, it was time to address my supposed transgressions. I clasped my hands and bowed deeply.

“Nevertheless, I am filled with profound shame.”

“Hm?”

Hyeok Mu-gang, still smiling, looked puzzled. “What do you mean?”

I spoke in a tone of deep misery.

“Though I rescued ‘hundreds’ of individuals and halted the ‘Blood Cult incident’ before it could consume Sichuan—thereby preserving the lives of the Academy Students and the warriors of the Murim Alliance……”

I paused, casting a subtle glance at Jegal So-myeong.

“There remain some who believe I failed to follow proper protocol.”

I turned my gaze back to Hyeok Mu-gang, letting my eyes droop with practiced sorrow.

“For that, I am deeply embarrassed. Should you choose to punish me, I will accept it without a word.”

As I finished, Jegal So-myeong’s glare hardened like an axe. Hyeok Mu-gang merely let out a hearty laugh, then closed his eyes to stroke his long, immortal-like white beard.

After a moment of silence, his eyes snapped open, a golden light flickering within them.

“I…… am truly a fortunate man.”

His gaze toward me was warm.

“Such an exceptional Later-Generation Talent has emerged in my era. Have I not fulfilled my duties as the Murim Alliance Leader faithfully by witnessing this?”

This praise was overwhelming. I forced my shoulders to stop shaking with excitement and maintained my humble posture.

“You flatter me.”

As I kept my head bowed like a condemned man, I heard a scoff beside me.

“Y-you wretched boy……! How dare you attempt to evade your blunders with such slippery words!”

Jegal So-myeong’s face was beet red, clearly dying of frustration. *As expected, I cannot deceive him so easily.* But it didn’t matter; the Murim Alliance Leader was on my side.

I deliberately widened my guilt-stricken expression.

“Grand Strategist…… I am sincerely sorry. But given my limitations, it was the best I could do for the greater cause. If you must punish me…… I will accept it.”

Jegal So-myeong pointed at me, trembling.

“Haa……! Do you see this, Alliance Leader? This boy is truly dangerous. He knew he would be scolded, so he chose to hide behind the Alliance Leader……”

“Now, now, Grand Strategist. Compose yourself. How can you speak this way to our young hero?”

“Wow…… wow…… Truly! Wow……”

After quieting Jegal So-myeong, Hyeok Mu-gang turned his attention back to me.

“Representative Jin So-un, lift your head. The process may have been flawed, but you prevented a massive tragedy in the Murim. Your contributions far outweigh your faults.”

His solemn expression replaced the previous warmth.

“However, that does not mean the end justifies all means. When we rationalize everything by the result, illegalities and violations become the norm. Take this as a lesson to reflect on your methods.”

“I will keep that in mind.”

“If you understand, relax and raise your head. You currently look like a man who has lost his spirit, which does not suit a hero.”

I began to rise, then hesitated, glancing nervously at Jegal So-myeong. The Grand Strategist clutched his own chest in disbelief.

“Wow…… this boy is a brilliant actor. He should not be at the Academy; we should send him to perform Peking Opera.”

“……”

Hyeok Mu-gang shook his head. “Grand Strategist, enough. Is he not reflecting sufficiently?”

“No! Ha…… Hoo……”

Jegal So-myeong eventually let out a long, defeated sigh. I barely managed to keep a straight face. With Hyeok Mu-gang’s intervention, the threat of being reprimanded by the Grand Strategist had effectively vanished.

*This turned out better than I could have imagined.*

Just as I thought I could depart with a light heart, the conversation took a turn.

“More importantly, since you have achieved something great, a reward is in order. What would you like?”

*As expected, is the man who rose to lead the Murim Alliance different from the rest?*

“What reward? Not being punished is reward enough for that rascal,” Jegal So-myeong muttered.

Hyeok Mu-gang laughed, ignoring him. “Grand Strategist, you are being difficult. You were the one debating what we should offer Representative Jin.”

“That was…… before he escaped punishment.”

“Regardless, what shall we give him?”

Faced with Hyeok Mu-gang’s firm resolve, Jegal So-myeong sighed.

“Well. He is not yet an official Alliance Member, so promotion is off the table. And showering a student with wealth is inappropriate……”

As Jegal So-myeong trailed off, Hyeok Mu-gang asked me directly:

“Representative Jin So-un, is there anything you require? Speak freely.”

I searched through my internal knowledge. I needed an item from the Alliance’s reserves—something valuable, yet not so excessive that it would cause a scandal, and preferably something whose true potential was currently overlooked.

After careful consideration, I spoke.

“I would like Diamond Indestructible Iron and Phoenix Wutong Copper.”

“Diamond Indestructible Iron…… is understandable, but why the Phoenix Wutong Copper?”

“I have a personal project in mind for it.”

After a moment of thought, Hyeok Mu-gang probed further.

“Are you perhaps forging a sword?”

“Yes.”

“Hm…… If that is the case, would Black Iron not be the superior choice?”

“Alliance Leader!” Jegal So-myeong cried out, turning pale.

It was reasonable to be shocked. While Diamond Indestructible Iron and Black Iron were both rare, Black Iron was considered the pinnacle of metals in the Murim due to its superior capacity to conduct Qi. My past self had wielded the Red Radiance Sword, which was forged from Black Iron.

*But no one knows that Black Iron is significantly more brittle than Diamond Indestructible Iron.*

That fact would only be exposed after the Great Righteous-Demonic War, once the Demonic Cult’s beasts appeared. I had realized during the Iron Corpse Puppet incident that against enemies with near-impenetrable skin, nothing surpassed the sheer durability of Diamond Indestructible Iron.

Moreover, there was a secret technique known to few: if Diamond Indestructible Iron were alloyed with Phoenix Wutong Copper, it would possess an even greater affinity for Qi than pure Black Iron. If I crafted a blade from these materials along with Blood Sea Jade, I could forge a weapon far superior to anything from my past life.

“Black Iron would be wasted on me, Alliance Leader. Diamond Indestructible Iron and Phoenix Wutong Copper are more than enough.”

“Haha…… As a martial artist, most would be greedy for a more prestigious weapon.”

Hyeok Mu-gang, looking at me with benevolent eyes, turned toward Jegal So-myeong.

“What do you think? Our young hero has made his choice. Are those items in the Treasury?”

Jegal So-myeong’s eyes flickered. “How does he know the contents of our Treasury so precisely……?”

He sighed, resigning himself. “I believe we can authorize that.”

“Then it is settled. Grand Strategist, any further objections?”

“None.”

Hyeok Mu-gang smiled at me again.

“Representative Jin So-un, the formal reward ceremony will take place once the Sichuan affairs are concluded. However, I will see to it that you receive the materials immediately.”

Was the ceremony truly important? Getting the items was all that mattered. His generosity was truly worthy of a hero.

I glanced at the Grand Strategist and bowed quickly.

“Thank you.”

With the situation settled to everyone’s satisfaction—save for Jegal So-myeong—the conversation turned toward the ongoing situation in Sichuan. It was the perfect chance to gain some insight into the Alliance’s recent deliberations. I listened intently.

“Fortunately, the old Poison King and the horse-nosed man from Qingcheng have agreed to intervene.”

“That is a relief. I was deeply concerned about what we would do if they refused.”

“Since the trouble is occurring on their doorstep, it is only right they take responsibility.”

From the Alliance’s standpoint, they had deployed enough personnel, but they lacked the sheer number of supreme masters to combat the Blood Cult’s elite. The news that Sichuan’s top masters had stepped in was a massive development.

*It will be resolved faster than I anticipated.*

In my past life, they had spent an eternity identifying the enemy, allowing the Blood Cult to entrench themselves. Worse, they lacked knowledge of the dark arts being used, leading to catastrophic losses. The presence of Iron Corpse Puppets and Blood Demons had decimated the Alliance’s ranks.

Compared to that reality, the current situation was practically a victory with minimal casualties.

“Still, I find it strange. Why have the Blood Cult bastards ceased their advance to the east?”

“Hm……” The brilliant Jegal So-myeong frowned. “If their presence had remained a secret, perhaps, but now that they are exposed, stalling is a disadvantage.”

“For now, we must advise our forces to stay vigilant. There could be a trap.”

As I listened to them discuss the strategy, I remembered a crucial piece of information I had neglected to share.

“Um……”

When I spoke, the room went silent.

“I should have mentioned this sooner.”

I placed a bundle on the table. Everyone’s gaze shifted to it.

“What is that?” Hyeok Mu-gang asked, his brow furrowing.

I scratched my head, feeling slightly awkward.

“Ah, well. It is the head of the man known as the Blood Cult’s Young Cult Master.”

“……”

“……?”

The three men stared at the bundle, completely blank, as if they hadn’t processed my words.

After a long pause—

“Hm?!”

Buk Won-pyeong made a strange noise and scrambled to untie the knot.

And then.

“Hah……”

When the severed head of the Young Cult Master—still wearing a look of shock from his sudden execution—was revealed, all three men froze in utter disbelief.

I finished my report calmly.

“That, likely…… is why they cannot push eastward. He seemed to play a central role in the Cult’s command structure.”

In truth, the loss of the Blood Sea Jade and the Illusion Ring was likely more debilitating to the Cult, but there was no reason to divulge that detail.

“Y-you did this?” Jegal So-myeong asked.

I nodded. “While we were retreating, I suspected they would launch a rear assault, so I preemptively removed their leader.”

Jegal So-myeong and Buk Won-pyeong looked completely stunned. Even Hyeok Mu-gang, who was desperately trying to maintain his composure, could not hide the tremble in his eyes.

“……”

Their expressions seemed to scream: *What kind of monster is this boy?*

Finding nothing left to say, I quietly took a sip of my tea.

*Slurp.*

Ah, as I thought, it was excellent. There was clearly a reason Hyeok Mu-gang wanted to visit so often.