The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 194

Chapter 194
“Ugh……”

Observing Jin Tae-san laboring while emitting a peculiar sound that was neither a groan nor a cry, Wang Geum-san knitted his brows.

Since Wang So-so had fully dedicated herself to her martial arts, the frantic nature of life at Wang Estate had significantly calmed.

Previously, he had suffered daily from his inability to spend quality time with his daughter, but now, he appreciated the rhythm of his child staying over at Taeul Sect under the pretense of training.

Consequently, Wang Geum-san’s health had visibly improved, but conversely—

‘That man is working himself to death.’

Jin Tae-san’s physical state had deteriorated into a wretched condition.

His scalp showed noticeable bald spots, and his skin was parched and chapped, likely because he hadn’t bothered to wash his face properly.

Who could say how long it had been since he last slept? His eyes were bloodshot, and dark, sunken bags hung heavily beneath them.

‘Didn’t he mention recently that they were constructing a forge?’

He had shared that a renowned blacksmith from Yueyang and an engineer from the Tang Clan had been hired and added to the roster of Taeul Sect.

Taeul Sect had indeed been expanding at a staggering pace over these last few years.

While such growth naturally brought a heavy workload, Jin Tae-san was still pushing forward with relentless ferocity.

“Why don’t you ease up a bit?”

“……”

Jin Tae-san, who had momentarily raised his head, dropped it once more, seemingly ignoring Wang Geum-san to continue his task.

“You’ll collapse at this rate, old friend.”

“……Are you bored?”

“Hm?”

“Or did you arrive just to mock me?”

“Ahem, hem. I’m already swamped with enough work to kill me, so why would I go out of my way to come here solely to taunt you?”

“Then why bring the Candied Fruit and tea? Doesn’t that imply you intended to spend your time here?”

In truth, Wang Geum-san wasn’t entirely sure why he had ventured here on his day off.

While there was some amusement in pestering Jin Tae-san, was it not also quite pleasant to mingle and drink with High Officials, Nobles, and the leaders of prestigious sects?

“……I brought them so you could have a snack. Did I bring them to consume them myself?”

“……I have no hunger.”

Jin Tae-san bowed his head and returned to his labors.

The Great Heaven Merchant Guild was finding its footing in Hefei to a fair degree.

Its volume of trade was expanding rapidly, and he had heard that the newly established branch near Mount Tianmu was doing so well that they were already struggling with a labor shortage.

“You really could take it easier. Why push yourself as if your life depends on it?”

“……Didn’t you lecture me before, saying, ‘The youth these days only focus on being lazy’?”

“Ahem! Hem! That was just something I said.”

Certainly, his goal had been to inspire him, but he never anticipated that Jin Tae-san would take it so literally.

Jin Tae-san’s face, previously filled with grumbling, turned somber for a fleeting second.

“I do this because I feel shame.”

“Hm?”

Still working with his head bowed, Jin Tae-san kept talking.

“You understand well, Estate Master. How terrifying a lack of funds can be.”

“……Naturally, I understand.”

“If you truly find yourself without a single copper in your purse, the world becomes a place of pure terror. More so than you could fathom, Estate Master.”

“……”

Though he had spent his life hearing about the horrors of poverty, Wang Geum-san had never actually been destitute.

Naturally, as he had spent his entire life enjoying a comfortable existence within Wang Estate.

“It would be more accurate to call it ‘desperation.’”

As if recalling agonizing memories, faint lines creased the corners of Jin Tae-san’s eyes.

“The pain of choosing between reducing the grain served to the children’s bowls, or cutting down the firewood used to heat the rooms in winter…… that becomes your daily existence.”

Jin Tae-san set his brush down briefly and, perhaps feeling the strain in his eyes, pressed his palms firmly against them.

“And such suffering inevitably reaches the children, no matter how much the adults try to conceal it. Consequently, children raised in such harsh settings grow up far too soon.”

“……”

“My son was just like that.”

Thinking of Jin So-un, Wang Geum-san spoke with caution.

“……Would it be overly bold to suggest that So-un became such a fine man precisely because of that environment?”

Jin Tae-san’s head snapped toward him.

“Yes. It is bold.”

His gaze was intense, and his tone was uncompromising.

It might have been offensive to some, but Wang Geum-san didn’t feel truly insulted.

Jin Tae-san dropped his gaze once again.

“When I heard that Jin So-un, that stubborn boy, had passed the Regular Exam as the top student, I felt as if my heart were being shredded.”

“……”

“I couldn’t even bring myself to imagine what that boy must have sacrificed in lieu of wealth.”

A note of moisture entered Jin Tae-san’s voice.

“I couldn’t sleep, agonizing over whether I even had the right to call myself his father.”

“……”

“The opportunities Taeul Sect enjoys today were all brought about by that boy.”

Jin Tae-san stared at Wang Geum-san once more.

“Estate Master, let me pose a single question.”

“Go ahead.”

“You stated that nothing in this existence is free, correct?”

Wang Geum-san replied immediately.

“That is correct. That is the fundamental truth.”

“Then, for a sect with no history like Taeul Sect to possess this much wealth in such a short time, what is the price it must pay?”

“……”

This time, Wang Geum-san could not formulate an immediate response.

He had never been in such a position; in fact, he hadn’t even considered it a possibility.

“I cannot simply look at that boy with pure pride. Because the person dearest to me is Jin So-un.”

“……”

“But I cannot stop him, either. Should Taeul Sect slide back into poverty, the other children will be abandoned to a cruel world once again.”

Wang Geum-san nodded in silent understanding.

Jin Tae-san began moving his hands with vigor once more.

“That is why I cannot pause, even for an instant. This is the only thing I can contribute.”

As Wang Geum-san absorbed Jin Tae-san’s heartfelt confession, a slight smile touched his lips.

Heh.

Only now did he comprehend why he had chosen to come here instead of visiting High Officials, Nobles, or sect masters on a holiday as precious as gold.

The simple, unvarnished integrity of facing one’s own flaws and doing everything in one’s power to make up for them.

Wang Geum-san held a great deal of respect for that single-minded, upright man.

“My perspective was limited. Is there any way I can assist?”

“Assistance, Estate Master…….”

Jin Tae-san, pausing to think, scrambled through his stacks of parchment.

Then, he began reciting a list as if he had been preparing for this very moment.

“By sorting goods based on the price disparity between Anhui Province and neighboring regions, we could determine potential profit margins……”

“Ah, forgive me. My words were foolish. It is my holiday, so I really should be relaxing.”

“……”

Just as Wang Geum-san coughed awkwardly, a servant entered the room with a letter.

Jin Tae-san, who had been staring daggers at Wang Geum-san, slowly broke the seal and read the message.

“Hup!”

Jin Tae-san’s eyes grew wide, and he gasped.

Curious about the contents given his reaction, Wang Geum-san stepped closer.

Ordinarily, Jin Tae-san would have hidden the letter, but for some reason, he just gripped it, his hands trembling.

Finally, as Wang Geum-san reached out to read it—

A wild burst of laughter erupted from Jin Tae-san as he threw his head back.

“Mwahahahahahahaha!!!!”

“……What is the matter with you?”

“Read it.”

A massive grin spread across Jin Tae-san’s face.

As Wang Geum-san scanned the letter quickly, a soft exclamation escaped him.

“To be named the exclusive supplier for the Murim Alliance…… That is truly incredible.”

“Mwahahahahahahahaha!!!!”

“Countless merchant guilds must have fought for this right. I cannot imagine what occurred…… Regardless, my congratulations.”

“Of course. I am also delighted beyond words that I have managed to find an opportunity to keep you busy, Estate Master.”

“Hm? What is that supposed to mean?”

When Wang Geum-san looked puzzled, an insidiously happy smile appeared on Jin Tae-san’s face.

“The Wang Estate has always desired regular business ties with the Murim Alliance, has it not?”

“!!!”

As the reality set in, Wang Geum-san felt his hair stand on end.

“N-no. No, it has not. We could never dream of poaching such a wonderful opportunity.”

At Wang Geum-san’s display of feigned humility, Jin Tae-san immediately shook his head.

“What are you talking about? Do you have any idea how much and what variety of goods the Murim Alliance Branches require? Do you expect us to handle all that alone? Naturally, we must collaborate with Wang Estate.”

“I told you that is unnecessary!”

“But I say it is necessary!”

“I refuse!”

“Then I shall be forced to tell So-so.”

“……”

Wang Geum-san’s forehead furrowed in deep frustration.

For the first time in an age, Jin Tae-san felt his exhaustion evaporate, replaced by his own hearty laughter.

—

Yaryul Geuk meets his death.

The primary basis for that conclusion was Yaryul Jae.

In my previous life, Yaryul Jae had mentioned that he lived like a broken man during this period.

He never disclosed the reason, only stating that he spent years drowning himself in alcohol.

Yaryul Jae was not a man prone to easy despair.

Had he been that fragile, he never would have been able to work as a wanderer, master his combat skills, and send every coin he earned to his sect for all those years once he reached adulthood.

Therefore, it was logical to assume that an event causing his ruin occurred around that time.

Second. The fact that Yaryul Jae never spoke of his siblings.

If he never brought them up and I never observed him visiting his family, I could assume that by the time he joined Sojeong Squad, he had either been estranged from them or they were already deceased.

If his kin had perished, and he couldn’t bring himself to talk about their passing, then—

‘……It implies that the death must have been shocking enough to create a lifelong burden.’

Even after years, the painful memories would resurface along with the debris of yearning.

The fact that he kept it buried meant he had been forcing himself to suppress that grief.

In other words, the ‘death’ was not a simple, natural occurrence.

Not an accident, not a chronic illness…….

But something painful enough to haunt him with guilt every time he remembered it.

Third. The fact that after perfecting the Flowing Cloud Divine Art, he was plagued by intense, repetitive regret.

Such behavior clearly indicated a connection between the Flowing Cloud Divine Art and the deaths of his brothers.

Fourth. The fact that he harbored such hatred for his rivals, provided they were students of the Murim Academy.

When all these facts aligned, the conclusion became clear.

‘Yaryul Jae attempted to perfect the Flowing Cloud Divine Art through Yaryul Geuk. Yaryul Geuk was mired in a difficult situation—isolated, subjected to violence, and in the middle of it all…….’

I abruptly halted my line of reasoning.

Because this was still only a guess.

Even so, it felt as though my very breath was being stifled.

“Those brothers are nothing but a source of damned trouble!”

I started scouring the main building’s classrooms.

“Who is sprinting so recklessly through these hallowed grounds?!”

“Halt!”

The Teaching Masters and Instructors attempted to intercept me as I stormed inside, but I utilized the Taeul Eighty-Thousand Divine Steps, leaving afterimages behind to bypass them.

“Young Master Jin!”

At the sudden cry, I turned to see Seong Mo-ran, Namgung Seon-hwa, and Sa-ryeon observing me with shock.

“What is this? Why are you running in such a panic?”

I issued an urgent request.

“Please, help me find Yaryul Geuk.”

“Yes? Who is that?”

“Just please, help me find him.”

Without waiting, I continued sprinting.

I searched every classroom in the main building, then checked both the east and west wings.

Just in case, I scaled the rooftops, but Yaryul Geuk was nowhere to be seen.

‘I must find that idiot.’

The Instructors and Teaching Masters were hot on my heels.

They were shouting commands, but not a single word registered.

Once more, I surged my internal energy and raced toward the dormitory for four.

As I entered the hallway, the students who had stepped out of their rooms fixed their eyes on me.

I moved past them, scanning each face as I went.

“Jin So-un?”

Suddenly, I locked eyes with Nam Hwa-seong as he emerged from his room, drenched in sweat.

He looked completely bewildered.

“What are you doing here?”

“You. Do you know which room Ak Ju-pyeong occupies?”

“Ak Ju-pyeong? Why him of all people?”

“Do you know or not?”

My frigid tone made him flinch.

“Room Thirty-Eight.”

“I see.”

“Hey, what is going on…….”

Ignoring his question, I dashed up to the third floor as if I were weightless and reached Room Thirty-Eight.

CRASH.

Luckily, the door was unlocked; I kicked the panel aside and forced my way in.

The room erupted into chaos.

“……Wh-what the hell!”

“J-Jin So-un?”

Inside, four individuals had been laughing and joking, their smiles instantly vanishing.

I spotted the guy immediately.

“Ak Ju-pyeong.”

The bastard looked at me with a curious, mocking expression as he reclined in his seat.

With a stone-cold face, I spoke.

“You were with Yaryul Geuk yesterday, weren’t you? Where was it?”

“Yaryul Geuk? He claimed to have no relationship with you.”

“I don’t have time for your games. Where is he?”

He gave a sneering laugh.

“And why should I tell you?”

“Because if you don’t, your bones won’t stay in one piece.”

“What?”

Ak Ju-pyeong stopped smiling and stood up.

I am reasonably tall, but his eye level was slightly higher than mine.

He looked down at me, ready to pounce at any moment.

“Do you honestly think that weak title of yours as Representative gives you power over me?”

“Do you think I fear the petty influence of the Ak Clan?”

“You bastard……!”

THWACK.

As he lunged, I channeled qi into my toes and struck his shin.

“Guuurk──.”

Before he understood what had occurred, Ak Ju-pyeong’s shin bent in an unnatural angle; his eyes widened in agony as he gasped for air.

I offered him one final chance.

“Where is Yaryul Geuk?”

“Aaaaaaagh!”

Only then did the pain register, and Ak Ju-pyeong shrieked.

Just as I prepared to snap his other leg in the opposite direction—

“J-Jin So-un! Are you genuinely not afraid of making the Orthodox Path Association your enemy?”

Hearing the voice behind me, I turned to the culprit.

“The Orthodox Path Association, the Righteous Path Association, and the Twelve Peak Citadels are already my enemies, so what else could I possibly fear?”

“Th-that is……”

I bent Ak Ju-pyeong’s remaining leg the other way.

“Aaaaaaaaagh!!!”

Ak Ju-pyeong’s eyes rolled back as he began foaming at the mouth.

Since I had completely shattered his joints, he would likely never be able to perform advanced footwork the same way again, even if he healed.

“Y-Yaryul Geuk was last seen yesterday……! A-after that, we didn’t see him at all……!”

One of Ak Ju-pyeong’s subordinates answered.

“I asked where, I believe.”

“N-near Yangsan Peak.”

“What time?”

“Probably around the Hour of the Pig.”

“……How badly did you hurt him?”

“……Gulp.”

The subordinate gulped hard.

“Do you want joints as flexible as Ak Ju-pyeong’s?”

Terror flooded the man’s face.

“H-he was breathing.”

“He was breathing, you say……”

The man added, on the verge of tears.

“Y-yes. H-he was definitely still alive.”

“Did you confirm he made it back to the dorm?”

“……”

The subordinate swallowed again.

“Yesterday, Yaryul Geuk did not return to the dormitory.”

“……!”

After the scream from Ak Ju-pyeong, students began to gather.

Nam Hwa-seong was standing among the crowd.

“What in the hell…… What did you do?!”

“Nam Hwa-seong. You’ve tormented others plenty, haven’t you? Particularly those weaker than yourself.”

At my blunt question, Nam Hwa-seong looked stunned.

“H-huh?”

“Was Yangsan Peak where you usually did your bullying?”

“Wh-what is that supposed to……”

“Was it?”

After a brief hesitation, Nam Hwa-seong gestured toward a specific area.

“Y-yeah. It’s hard to climb, and it’s hidden from the Instructors’ sight.”

It was autumn, but the temperatures would be freezing in the middle of the night.

“Damn it.”

Every piece of the puzzle had fallen into place.

This wasn’t just a theory anymore.

In the distance, the shouts of the Instructors grew louder.

The Dorm Supervisor was clearly arriving after hearing the commotion.

“Nam Hwa-seong, deal with the fallout here.”

“What? Hey! You bastard!”

I swung the window open and leapt out.

Then, I sprinted straight across the grounds of the Murim Academy toward Yangsan Peak.

The Instructors and Teaching Masters trailing me were struggling to keep up, gasping for air.

I launched myself off the ground, scaled a building, and leaped between the rooftops.

When the buildings gave way, I took to the trees, moving with frantic speed.

How long had I been running?

Finally, I reached the base of Yangsan Peak and headed toward the clearing known for being a spot where bullies stole money.

And there, I saw a tragic figure.

“Damn it. ……Damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it, damn it.”

It was Yaryul Geuk.

His face was drained of color, and his body was ice cold.

Had I been too late after all?

As if to ridicule the confidence I’d felt after the Sichuan incident—the belief that I could reshape the future—I had failed to save my comrade’s sibling in the most hollow way possible.

“This is fucking insane!!!!”