The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 199

Chapter 199
The Representative Executive Staff meeting moved forward quite productively.

“The Mount Heng Sect has committed to overseeing our event.”

At Eun-ho’s announcement, I tilted my head in confusion.

“Overseeing it? Not just sending a few Spell Practitioners?”

“Correct. They stated they would personally manage the curriculum on Dispelling Evil and Spirit Subjugation.”

When I had previously requested the support of their practitioners, they claimed their schedules were packed, suggesting they could only spare help toward the end of the year.

If they were now volunteering to oversee the entire event and curate the lessons, this would effectively elevate the gathering to a level rivaling the prestigious Murim Alliance.

Why was the Mount Heng Sect suddenly pouring so much effort into a Murim Academy event from which they stood to gain nothing?

“They offered no specific reason, and I didn’t press them for one.”

“Hmm… Well, it’s a positive development, but still…”

While I had established a decent rapport with the Mount Heng Sect during the Demon Spirit Plateau incident, it hardly seemed sufficient to prompt such a drastic level of involvement.

I remained completely in the dark regarding their sudden change of heart.

Just then,

“Could this be related to you, Young Master Jin?”

Seong Mo-ran’s comment caught me off guard.

“What do you mean by that?”

“I heard that the Mount Heng Sect’s Demon-Subduing Talismans have been selling incredibly well following the events in Sichuan.”

“Is that so?”

“For some reason, even the Murim Alliance, which possesses its own specialized techniques for Dispelling Evil and Spirit Subjugation, began urgently purchasing their Demon-Subduing Talismans. Word spread, and martial artists across the Jianghu started treating the talismans as essential protective gear, driving the price up several times over.”

“Ah…”

In short, they had stumbled into an unexpected goldmine, and their actions were a natural response to that success.

To think things would turn out this way.

I hadn’t planned for it, but the Mount Heng Sect had profited immensely because of me.

I definitely needed to leverage this to our full advantage.

“This works out well for us.”

“Indeed.”

Regardless of the motive, with the Mount Heng Sect at the helm, recruiting attendees would be simple.

Even without the backing of the Righteous Path Association, news of the Sichuan incident had already sparked widespread interest in Dispelling Evil and Spirit Subjugation.

“Um… Young Master Jin.”

Namgung Seon-hwa began, her tone more cautious than usual.

“Yes, is something wrong?”

“It isn’t that… It concerns my grandfather…”

Seeing her hesitate, I gave a silent nod.

The “Distinguished Guest Invitation” was supposed to follow this event.

It was a platform where students invited notable Murim figures to display their own influence to their peers.

Earlier, Namgung Seon-hwa had been confident she could invite the Azure Emperor Divine Sword, but it seemed the outcome hadn’t been favorable.

‘That’s to be expected. The Namgung Clan has only recently found its footing.’

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword, Namgung Tae-ha, had just finalized the Firmament Cloudless Sword Art and was firmly consolidating power over the collateral branches.

However, that success didn’t mean his word was absolute law.

Furthermore, within the current Murim Academy, factions supporting the Namgung Clan’s collateral lines—including Namgung Gi-pyo and their allied sect disciples—were actively opposing Namgung Seon-hwa.

They had likely extended an invitation to the Azure Emperor Divine Sword as well, and as he was only one man, he would have had to decline one side—or both.

“He hasn’t provided a final answer yet, so I intend to ask him one more time. If that fails, I’ll visit the clan personally.”

If a situation was impossible, forcing it wouldn’t change the result.

Knowing when to retreat is a vital skill.

I shook my head.

“No. If we press the Lord Divine Sword any further, it will only become a burden to him.”

Despite my words, Namgung Seon-hwa bowed her head low, looking like a chastised child.

I deliberately offered more praise to lift her spirits.

“Besides, Lady Seon-hwa, you have far more important tasks to handle for me as part of the Representative Delegation, don’t you? Your role is vital to my success. I believe traveling all the way to the clan for this would be a misuse of your talents.”

“…Yes.”

She nodded, her face slightly flushed, but the look in her eyes suggested she hadn’t fully given up.

It seemed she was determined to try again.

‘I can’t stop her completely. Perhaps the Lord Divine Sword will surprise us and appear after all.’

The “Distinguished Guest Invitation” was shaping up to be my biggest headache.

With everyone expecting guests of at least a Pavilion Master’s stature from the Murim Alliance, I couldn’t exactly invite the Master of the Great Heaven Merchant Guild and expect to impress them.

It meant I needed to find a hidden figure of influence who rarely stepped into the light…

‘The second event is going to be far more troublesome than the first.’

I pushed the thought aside to refocus on our meeting.

Seong Mo-ran and Hong Sa-ryeon provided updates on their respective tasks.

Then, Jang Woo-jae spoke up.

“I’ve compiled a list of suitable candidates to join the Representative Delegation.”

I scanned the densely packed document, tilting my head.

“Why do we suddenly need more staff?”

Jang Woo-jae looked at me, clearly puzzled by my reaction.

“Representative, why wouldn’t we? You’re currently handling everything by yourself.”

“The paperwork is moving along just fine, isn’t it?”

Jang Woo-jae sighed softly.

“The fact that it’s moving along is exactly the problem.”

“…”

“The current Representative Delegation only functions because of your exceptional individual ability. If you were to be absent—like you were recently—the entire organization could collapse.”

It was true; the scale of the Sichuan incident had caused a temporary break in the Academy, and only the unexpected appearance of the Blood Cult had made it feel significant.

“We are severely understaffed. However, since most of these candidates come from merchant guilds or prominent families, it shouldn’t be difficult to train them in our administrative procedures.”

He was sharper than I had given him credit for.

As I showed signs of agreement, he spoke with more conviction.

“We need to focus on properly structuring the Delegation by gradually filling these vacancies.”

He had a point; because of my current workload, I had been forced to commute to Mantongbu every weekend.

Knowing the workload would only increase, reinforcing the team was clearly the highest priority.

I looked at Jang Woo-jae with newfound appreciation.

‘How does he manage to understand my situation better than I do?’

The others were performing their duties well, but Jang Woo-jae possessed a rare talent for personnel management.

Efficiency in an organization hinges on how you manage people.

By delegating to one capable individual, you could multiply your output tenfold.

I clearly have a knack for picking talent.

I gave him a look of deep satisfaction.

“Is there anything else?”

Sensing my intense stare, Jang Woo-jae shifted uncomfortably.

I simply smiled warmly.

“You’re doing an excellent job!”

“…Not at all. It’s only my duty.”

He rubbed the back of his head, looking embarrassed.

Humble, too.

His character was as impressive as his competence.

Excellent. Simply excellent.

Then Nam Hwa-seong spoke up.

“I—I, regarding this event…”

“Let’s wrap up the meeting here.”

“……!”

“Hm? Why so surprised?”

Nam Hwa-seong blinked his large, bovine eyes at me.

“What would a spy do other than try to disrupt the event?”

Nam Hwa-seong shot up from his seat, his face bright red, and slammed his hand onto the table.

“Damn it! I—I’m not a spy!”

“Sure, sure. Let’s go with that.”

“I’m telling you, I’m not! I even planned on gathering people to help with the event!”

“All right. We’ll stick with that.”

In any case, teaching him some restraint was going to be my first order of business.

—

Following the meeting, I exited the tavern’s detached building.

Since we had rented the space, I allowed those who wished to stay and drink to remain, while others headed back to the Academy.

Nam Hwa-seong insisted on staying, latching onto Jang Woo-jae and Eun-ho.

Seong Mo-ran and Namgung Seon-hwa also chose to stay for a drink.

In the end, only Sa-ryeon and I walked back to the Murim Academy.

It had been a while since we had been alone together.

“Eldest Senior Brother. Is this really okay?”

“What is?”

Sa-ryeon looked worried.

Ever since my past life, she had always been the one looking out for me.

“Nam Hwa-seong.”

“Ah… him.”

“Nam Hwa-seong is a disciple of the Three Origins Sect, one of the elite Twelve Peak Citadels. He didn’t come here without a reason.”

I nodded, acknowledging her concern.

“That may be true. But there is no need to worry.”

“Why not?”

“Because Cheol Sun-jik’s influence isn’t evident in Nam Hwa-seong’s actions.”

“…”

Sa-ryeon frowned, still not quite convinced.

“If Cheol Sun-jik were behind this, he would have infiltrated the Delegation himself or sent a more trusted subordinate. Nam Hwa-seong showing up suggests he chose to come here on his own initiative.”

Despite my explanation, Sa-ryeon remained silent, her anxiety clearly lingering.

I offered her a gentle smile.

“Regardless, as we continue to rise in influence, all sorts of people will orbit us. We will inevitably have to cooperate with people like Cheol Sun-jik eventually.”

“Rise higher…?”

I nodded.

“Yes. Consider this practice for what’s to come.”

“…That sounds wonderful.”

“Hm? What does?”

Sa-ryeon’s voice cut through the crisp night air.

“The idea that you will rise higher, Eldest Senior Brother.”

When I turned to look at her, her eyes were shining like stars in the night sky.

“If you ascend, Eldest Senior Brother, it means we rise alongside you. It also means the Taeul Sect will flourish.”

“That is true.”

“It’s a wonderful thing to look forward to.”

“…”

She stepped lightly, filled with the excitement of a child.

How was it in my previous life?

A buried memory surfaced in my mind.

[Eldest Senior Brother Cheol-yeong has ordered a general summons. Everyone, even the youngest disciples.]

[He claims it’s a path forward for the Taeul Sect, but I can’t tell if this is right.]

[I’m so worried. Is this truly for the Sect? Is this truly for the Junior Brothers?]

When we had been forced to join the Murim Alliance ahead of schedule due to Gye Cheol-yeong’s demands, Sa-ryeon hadn’t slept for days.

Back then, even imagining a future a day ahead must have been agonizing.

But look at her now.

“Just as you said, Eldest Senior Brother, I can’t stop looking forward to the future!”

Sa-ryeon was anticipating a future that hadn’t happened yet.

She wasn’t lying awake with fear anymore.

Instead, she couldn’t sleep because she was imagining a brilliant path ahead.

“This is all thanks to you, Eldest Senior Brother.”

She beamed at me, completely free of worry.

I was so moved by the sight that I instinctively patted her head.

“You say such silly things.”

“…”

At my touch, her eyes widened in shock.

I spoke with absolute conviction.

“This is simply what I must do.”

Painful memories from my previous life hit me like waves, but I pushed them away.

I would never let them consume me, my sect, or the people I held dear ever again.

Sa-ryeon must have been deeply affected, as she couldn’t bring herself to lift her head.

“Don’t tell me… you’re moved to tears again?”

I leaned down to tease her.

“…GRIND.”

Huh?

“I told you not to touch my hair!”

In a flash, her eyes sharpened like blades, and she lunged at me.

“Ah! Ah! Junior Sister, wait!”

We were going back to the dormitory to wash anyway, so surely touching her hair wasn’t a capital offense!

I unleashed the Unrivaled under Heaven Movement Art at its peak and bolted.

“Stop right there!”

I’m living a second life, but I still struggle to understand the heart of a woman.

—

The final day of our temporary break.

Tomorrow, the regular academic schedule would resume.

Today would likely be the last time I’d see Yaryul Geuk this frequently.

‘Still, he seems to have grasped the concept that Softness Can Overcome Hardness. He won’t be mindlessly trying to overpower his opponents anymore.’

As I straightened my robes, I heard a sound behind me.

“Master So-un. Shall I have your breakfast served outside again?”

The Head Maidservant asked quietly.

I glanced at the training ground before responding.

“I’ll skip breakfast today. It seems he isn’t coming.”

“…Has something happened?”

“It’s nothing.”

I brushed past the worried woman and headed toward the private training grounds.

Sitting in the center of the yard was a figure as still as a boulder, deep in meditation.

‘What an incredible physique.’

The man was so massive that even Bang Du-chil looked small by comparison.

The spear lying at his feet was far longer than any weapon an ordinary warrior would wield.

Even as I approached, the man didn’t bother to open his eyes.

He simply asked,

“Are you Jin So-un?”

His voice was low, carrying the ferocity of a tiger’s roar.

Though I had never felt intimidated by practitioners of external arts in this life, his presence alone created a suffocating tension.

Still, retreating now would be an insult to the pride of the Sojeong Squad I had served in my past life.

And wasn’t the Sojeong Squad known for having the sharpest tongues and the biggest guts in the world?

“Did you come here without knowing the answer to that?”

Twitch.

At my provocation, the man opened one eye, and killing intent flooded the area like a red tide.

“Are you implying you knew I would come?”

His size was one thing, but his manner of speaking was unusual.

It wasn’t the arrogance of someone who merely trusted their clan’s techniques.

‘Is he a direct descendant?’

As I racked my brain, the man slowly stood up.

“Or… are you saying it makes no difference who I am?”

He wasn’t explicitly releasing his internal qi, yet the Fighting Spirit radiating from him felt raw and dangerous.

More than that,

The thick scent of blood—something that shouldn’t cling to a normal human—hit me, triggering every alarm in my head.

“You truly are an arrogant bastard.”

They say a dog will run away with its tail tucked the moment a butcher appears.

He was dressed in refined, expensive clothing, yet the sight of him stirred a primal revulsion in me.

The low growling sound echoed in all directions.

“That must be why you did that to Ju-pyeong.”

Ak Ju-pyeong was a direct heir of the Ak Clan.

The fact that he referred to him so casually meant this man’s status was at least equal to his.

Suddenly, the man’s boulder-like frame seemed to expand, growing into the silhouette of a mountain.

He stood nearly eight feet tall.

I finally understood why he used such an abnormally long and heavy spear.

THUD.

“Show me what you’ve got!”

SWISH—

Regardless of its immense size, the spear struck out with terrifying speed.

A direct thrust would have been predictable, but that wasn’t his intent at all.

THUD.

Even though I drew the Black Dragon Sword to intercept, the force lifted my body into the air, sending me flying back.

SCRAAAAAPE.

I barely managed to deploy my movement arts to stabilize my footing, only to find the man standing directly before me.

‘How is he this fast?!’

Whoosh.

I dodged the spear shaft using the Iron Bridge technique.

Watching the weapon sweep past my face, I realized it was no ordinary steel.

‘A solid steel shaft…’

No wonder my hand had gone numb when I had barely deflected it with the Black Dragon Sword.

WHOOSH— CRASH.

I narrowly avoided the spear as it arced to crush my skull, and it slammed into the marble floor instead.

The stone shattered, sending deadly fragments flying everywhere.

Only then did I finally identify him from the records in my memory.

“Ak Byeong-bi, Third Hall Master of the Execution Pavilion.”

One of his brows arched.

I ground my teeth and muttered,

“They call you the Blood Ghost Flying Spear in the Jianghu, don’t they?”

He paused his assault for a moment, then straightened his stance.

“My comrades in the Orthodox Path often take issue with my sobriquet.”

“…”

He stared at his own hands for a second, then turned his detached, cold gaze back to me.

“But I do not care. If it is for the sake of defending the justice of the Orthodox Path, I can become a ‘Blood Ghost’ to those in the Black and Unorthodox paths as often as necessary.”

Damn it.

To think he would come here himself.

“So, did you come here as a representative of the Execution Pavilion, just like yesterday?”

“…”

I met Ak Byeong-bi’s gaze head-on.

“Am I… an existence that threatens the justice of the Orthodox Path?”

Not a hint of hesitation flickered in his eyes.

He was one of the seven stars guarding the Murim Alliance.

“What is clear is this: You are not a pure practitioner of the Orthodox Path.”

Among those seven, Ak Byeong-bi, who occupied the Blood Star, was now looking at me as his enemy.