The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 202

Chapter 202
Following the resolution of the situation involving Ak Byeong-bi and Ak Ju-pyeong, my intention to spend the day resting was thwarted by my eldest Senior Brother.

“Are you aware of what this is?”

My eldest Senior Brother produced the legendary wines he had kept hidden in the Head of the Academy’s office, and the temptation proved impossible to resist; I was compelled to drink immediately.

“Gulp… I’m usually not this susceptible to liquor. This high-quality stuff is truly potent. Ahem.”

I had no memory of how I made it back to my quarters the previous night, but waking up, I was struck by a maddening thirst and a throbbing headache that made further sleep impossible.

As I sipped the honey water the Head Maidservant had prepared and recounted the previous night’s events, she released a sigh as if I were a lost cause.

“Even the finest drink under the heavens turns into a toxic substance that breaks a person if you consume it in such a chaotic mixture.”

“……Did I mention that I mixed them?”

“You detailed every single wine you consumed, claiming your eldest Senior Brother served them to you.”

“……”

Just how much did I manage to drink?

“I have heard that those who have mastered martial arts can purge alcohol from their systems……”

A chilling look pierced through me like a blade.

“Why didn’t you do that?”

Yet, I was unwilling to show any weakness.

“……Because it would have been a wasted opportunity.”

It was the truth. It would have been a waste.

I was not a regular drinker, but I couldn’t pass up such a rare chance to enjoy exquisite wine.

How could it not be a tragedy to neutralize the natural effects of such premium alcohol—tasted through such an infrequent chance—by using internal energy?

The Head Maidservant gazed at my brazen expression and shook her head.

“Go wash your face first.”

“Underst……”

SPLASH.

The basin the Head Maidservant had brought was filled with water cold enough to jolt my senses awake.

She was not typically the type to act this way……

“……Don’t you usually prepare warm water for me?”

The Head Maidservant replied without meeting my eyes.

“I was unable to heat the morning water, so there is only cold available. Please use it as it is.”

“……”

The Head Maidservant, who had attended to me flawlessly until now, couldn’t heat water?

Was it just my imagination, or did her stare feel frostier than the water in the basin?

It seemed like a ridiculous excuse, but the atmosphere felt strangely tense, so I refrained from pushing her and simply splashed my face with the icy water.

“Ugh……”

After exposing my face to water cold enough to ache, my senses began to clear.

Shortly after, the Head Maidservant returned with a tray of food.

“Breakfast. Eat before it turns cold.”

My stomach was too nauseous to consider eating.

I was about to tell her to remove it when she held out a bowl.

“It is warm chicken broth. Let this settle your stomach.”

“……”

As I caught the rich, savory aroma of the broth, I found myself swallowing instinctively.

Once I finished the broth, my nausea faded, and the other side dishes began to stir my appetite. I ended up sampling a bit of everything.

The Head Maidservant stood nearby, pushing the dishes I enjoyed closer to me.

“I expect you will not consume alcohol so recklessly in the future.”

Her tone was certainly icy, but genuine concern leaked through.

She was scolding me, yet her care was evident.

It reminded me of a mother looking after a reckless child.

Feeling that sentiment, I simply nodded.

“I will be more careful.”

Once the meal was finished, I dressed in the new garments the maid had brought.

Thanks to the brawl with the Ak Clan the day before, my losses were truly significant in every respect.

The more I dwelled on it, the more furious I became.

‘I’ll have to make them pay for the clothing as well.’

I made that vow to myself and headed for the training field with the Head Maidservant.

“Ha……”

The situation was far graver than I had anticipated.

Not only was the marble flooring of the training field fractured, but the small hill surrounding the area and even the partition wall separating the top representative’s dormitory from the main building were completely demolished.

The Head Maidservant found it hard to even speak.

“……This is the first instance of such destruction since the Academy’s establishment.”

“……”

“To think the most historic section of the Murim Academy has been reduced to this state.”

Was I imagining it, or were her eyes actually glistening?

“Could it be…… that you are resentful of me?”

“……”

At my question, the Head Maidservant abruptly turned her gaze away.

No, Ak Byeong-bi was the one at fault, so why did it feel like I was the one being reprimanded?

“Ahem…… Well, isn’t this a perfect opportunity for a renovation?”

At my optimistic remark, the Head Maidservant’s gaze grew even sharper.

“Renovation? The required capital will not be insignificant, so the Academy will not easily grant approval.”

Under that intimidating stare, I casually avoided eye contact and waved my hand.

“Ah, there’s no need to worry about that. The Ak Clan has already agreed to cover all compensation.”

“……”

After all, I wasn’t the type to just let things slide.

Noticing my confidence, the Head Maidservant’s expression began to soften slightly.

“Someone from the Ak Clan will likely arrive this afternoon. When you inform them of the damages, ensure you demand everything necessary without hesitation.”

“That is a relief.”

I nodded, then swept my eyes across the wrecked floor.

This just wouldn’t do, would it?

“Hmm…… First, have them restore the training field’s flooring to its original state using ‘Blue Steel stone.’”

At my words, confusion flickered across the Head Maidservant’s face.

“Blue Steel stone? The training field was originally paved with marble……”

I immediately shook my head.

“Ahem. It seems you haven’t frequented the training grounds often, Head Maidservant.”

“Pardon……?”

“The training field floor was most definitely laid with Blue Steel stone.”

“……”

That look was clearly saying, What kind of nonsense is that?

I looked her directly in the eye and stated,

“It is the truth.”

Eventually, the Head Maidservant let out a faint sigh.

“I shall convey it to them as such.”

“Oh, and one more thing!”

“What is it now……?”

“Didn’t you mention before that the servants’ living quarters were rather cramped?”

“Pardon?”

I looked toward the servants’ housing attached to one wing of the pavilion.

Because the space was originally constructed as a secondary wing, the servants’ area was built as a temporary structure; it was old and tight.

I contemplated if there was anything else I could squeeze out.

“Hmm, now that I consider it, my personal bath seems a bit small. And you said the kitchen was too cramped for multiple people to work in, didn’t you?”

The Head Maidservant just blinked, speechless.

There was no alternative.

I swung my hand and blew the roof off the servants’ building attached to the pavilion.

CRACK.

There. Now it was roofless.

“W-what are you doing……?”

“Oh dear! The roof is gone! What shall we do…… I feel as though those Ak Clan bastards trampled all over the roof yesterday, too.”

“……”

I rested my chin in my hand and feigned distress.

“Since it is clearly their fault, wouldn’t it be appropriate to rebuild it while we’re at it? Tell that to the representative from the Ak Clan.”

The Head Maidservant displayed a hint of unease.

“……Will they actually do everything we demand?”

It was a reasonable worry.

But I possessed an immense trump card.

“Ah! If they hesitate, just tell them this.”

“……?”

“Ak Ju-pyeong.”

“What is that?”

“A name that makes the impossible possible.”

I’m going to wring them for everything they’re worth. Heh heh.

After instructing the Head Maidservant on what required repair, I set out for the Academy Representative Office.

Or rather, I attempted to.

“Hm?”

Something shoved into a corner of the ruined training field caught my attention.

Seeing the figure lying motionless like a corpse, I furrowed my brow.

‘There were no fatalities in yesterday’s skirmish.’

As I drew near the figure, I began to hear ominous murmuring.

“Ak Clan…… I’ll slaughter you. Jin So-un…… I won’t forgive this. You abandoned me and left.”

“……”

“Ak Clan…… I’ll slaughter you. Jin So-un…… I won’t forgive this. You abandoned me and left.”

The familiar voice repeated itself like a mantra.

Haa.

Why was he laying here like this?

“Ak Clan…… I’ll slaughter you. Jin So-un…… I won’t forgive this. You abandoned me and left.”

Perhaps sensing my approach, the figure sprawled on the ground, immobile, began to roll his eyes.

Then his bloodshot gaze locked onto me.

“……What are you doing here?”

The figure was none other than Yaryul Geuk.

He struggled desperately with a body that refused to obey.

“What, what am I doing? Who was it that left me here……!!!”

“The Ak Clan warriors didn’t release your points?”

“Damn it! Is that even a question……!”

Yaryul Geuk, whose Numbing Acupoint remained sealed, had spent the entire night on the training field cursing the Ak Clan.

I had completely forgotten about him.

No wonder it felt like I had forgotten something.

“Tsk…… In any case, it was entirely the Ak Clan’s fault that your Numbing Acupoint was struck and you were left behind. You understand that, right?”

I attempted to pacify him in my own fashion, but.

SNAP!

Yaryul Geuk’s eyes widened to the point of popping.

“Jin So-un! Do you not remember? You passed by here last night while singing!!!”

Me?

No, when?

“I…… I called out to you so many times! You just looked at me and walked away!”

“……”

For some reason, there was a sting of betrayal in Yaryul Geuk’s voice, and the memories of last night began to flood back.

Suddenly, the scene was vivid in my mind.

Yes. I distinctly remembered mocking Yaryul Geuk as he lay pathetically on the floor……

[How much suffering exists in the martial world~♩]

[With one blade, I strive to shield all under heaven~♪♩]

……And I vividly recalled passing him by while singing at the top of my lungs.

‘Agh. Why did I just walk by?’

Even I had to concede that was enough to hurt his feelings.

“Still, wasn’t the song reasonably good?”

“Damn it, is that seriously all you have to say?!”

Watching Yaryul Geuk growl like an injured predator, I seriously questioned whether it was wise to release his Numbing Acupoint at all.

“I won’t be touching Ak Ju-pyeong anymore.”

I explained everything that happened with the Ak Clan, hoping to soothe his hurt ego.

However, it seemed I had only provoked him further.

“I’m disappointed that you made such a spineless deal!”

Yaryul Geuk, who had been pouting, now glared at me with venomous intensity.

“Do you think I’m going to stay put just because you made such a deal?”

“Of course not.”

“Huh?”

For a second, he looked stunned.

I grinned at him.

“And you shouldn’t.”

I crouched in front of Yaryul Geuk and kept explaining.

“The promise only stated that ‘I’ would not touch him anymore.”

“T-then?”

“What do you mean, then?”

I tapped his shoulder.

“It means I never promised that you wouldn’t touch him.”

“……!”

Yaryul Geuk’s expression shifted in a strange way.

I couldn’t tell if he was angry or pleased.

“Anyway, keep it moderate. You saw it for yourself yesterday, right? The Ak Clan immediately mobilized and tried to drag me to the Execution Pavilion.”

“……D-damn it! I’m not scared of anything like that! Once I master the Flowing Cloud Divine Art anyway……!”

“Sure, sure. You aren’t scared. Still, if the Execution Pavilion tries to arrest you, come to me. I can prevent at least that much.”

Yaryul Geuk remained silent.

What was this? Did he look slightly touched?

After rolling his eyes for a long moment, Yaryul Geuk finally managed to speak.

“……W-why?”

“What?”

“W-why are you helping me?!”

I chuckled and ruffled his hair.

“When have I ever not helped you?”

“……!”

His expression turned even more complex.

Watching his foolish face, he seemed to resemble Yaryul Jae in several ways.

“Anyway, if you intend to complete the Flowing Cloud Divine Art quickly and take vengeance on Ak Ju-pyeong, you haven’t got time to dwell on minor grudges, do you?”

“……”

Yaryul Geuk rolled his eyes and looked at me with a gaze that had noticeably softened.

“……Are you telling me to disregard the fact that you ignored me yesterday and strolled away while singing?”

Honestly, this brat was quick on the uptake.

Feeling as if I had formed a connection with Yaryul Geuk for the first time, I shouted,

“So you are the type who understands what people say!”

“……”

But Yaryul Geuk was still glaring at me with cold eyes.

The treacherous little brat broke his word and lunged at me the moment his Numbing Acupoint was released.

I had no choice but to strike his Sleep Acupoint and force him to slumber.

I tapped it gently, but judging by how he immediately lost consciousness, he must not have slept a wink all night while his point was pressed.

‘What a stubborn bastard…… He could have just slept, yet he spent the whole night cursing.’

He would likely sleep through the entire day.

‘Well, it’s not as if he’s the type to care about missing class anyway.’

After that, I headed toward the Academy Representative Office.

“Representative Jin.”

On the way, I encountered Jang Woo-jae.

Soon, Namgung Seon-hwa, Seong Mo-ran, Eun-ho, and Hong Sa-ryeon joined us.

“Why does your face look half-dead?”

Eun-ho, whose complexion was quite pale, sighed and said,

“I listened to Nam Hwa-seong lament until dawn.”

“Lament?”

“That he isn’t a spy.”

At Eun-ho’s words, everyone chuckled in their own way.

Only Eun-ho remained unable to relax his expression as he spoke.

“Eldest Senior Brother, could you please stop teasing him by calling him a spy? I’m terrified he’s going to keep grabbing onto me from now on.”

“Tsk. If he continues to pester you, just shove him away.”

At my extreme suggestion, Eun-ho scratched his head.

“Could I handle Nam Hwa-seong on my own? Besides, he doesn’t seem like such a terrible person.”

When had these two grown so close?

When we arrived at the building housing the representative executive staff, Nam Hwa-seong was waiting at the entrance.

“Spy! You’re early.”

“……”

Regardless of whether Nam Hwa-seong’s or Eun-ho’s faces crinkled, I moved to enter the building.

“Hm?”

A group of Academy students had assembled by the roadside.

As soon as they caught sight of me, they immediately began approaching.

“Representative!”

The students performed formal, clasped-hand greetings upon seeing me.

As I scanned their faces, I recognized a strange mix.

Some were members of the Righteous Path Association.

Others were associates of Jang Woo-jae.

Some were even members of the One Hundred Eight Peaks.

What was this gathering meant to be?

When I returned their greetings with a puzzled expression, a smile appeared on the face of the student who had called out first.

“Were you surprised that we approached you so suddenly?”

“Well, not quite surprised.”

“The truth is, we wanted to arrange a separate moment to apologize for our discourtesy until now.”

I tilted my head.

“Haven’t we displayed numerous actions that failed to acknowledge you as our representative?”

As he scratched his head in embarrassment, the others cleared their throats or blushed.

Come to think of it, I viewed their faces differently now.

Some had joined the Academy as disciples of lay-affiliated sects.

Others were from lesser-known, powerless sects.

They were individuals forced into positions where they had no choice but to monitor the reactions of those in power around them.

“You all had your circumstances, didn’t you? I understand.”

It had always been that way.

Those without power could not act as they wished and were pushed around by circumstances.

I had been the same in my previous life.

Because there was no other way. Because I had believed it was unavoidable.

But if these weakened people summoned the courage to take just one step, they could become the catalysts that shifted the winds of change.

That was why their courage warmed me.

However, even with my reassurance, they struggled to raise their heads.

“We intend to compensate for our past wrongs again and again in the future.”

The student lowered his voice and added.

“……More importantly, something quite strange has transpired, which is why we came to find you.”

“Something strange?”

He nodded with a grave expression.

“Yes. Some individuals claiming to be the new representative executive staff declared they were holding an event and ordered us to attend.”

“The new representative executive staff?”

The Academy Representative was standing right here, so what new executive staff could there be?

At that moment,

“The first academic schedule of the second semester is complete!”

“The candidate list for the second academic schedule, ‘Distinguished Guest Invitation,’ is ready.”

“I’m heading to Mantongbu for budget approval.”

Noisy voices began erupting from nearby.

We looked at the people working as if they were the Academy Representative Delegation.

“No, what is this……”

“Who in the world…… are they?”

Gazing at the emblem embroidered on their robes, Jang Woo-jae let out a groan.

“That is the Orthodox Path Association……”

“The Orthodox Path Association?”

Why were those bastards suddenly acting so entitled?