The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 205

Chapter 205
## Chapter 205. Seizing the Seat (4)

Was it a natural reflex to be stunned when witnessing something truly ridiculous?

That was exactly my state of mind.

“This guy is a joke. Who is labeling whom as shameless?”

Even with my boot pressed firmly against Namgung Gi-pyo, I couldn’t help but feel bewildered.

“J-Jin So-un……!”

Namgung Gi-pyo squirmed beneath my foot, his neck trapped, wriggling like a worm.

I applied more pressure.

“Lady Seon-hwa, why are you listening to such nonsense?”

“……”

Even when I spoke, she couldn’t bring herself to meet my gaze.

I made my voice deliberately stern.

“If you keep your head bowed like that, won’t it just make this guy’s insults seem valid?”

Only then did Namgung Seon-hwa look up.

Her eyes were clouded with a mix of complicated emotions.

“Was this about the ‘Distinguished Guest Invitation’ event you mentioned earlier? Were you trying to avoid upsetting him?”

Namgung Seon-hwa gave a slight nod.

“……I wanted to be of some help to you, Young Master Jin. I thought it would be even more beneficial if Grandfather attended……”

The sheer, unfiltered kindness she felt toward me was evident.

A smile tugged at my lips before I could stop it.

“Lady Seon-hwa, I have no desire to see you insulted by a fool like this on my account.”

“F-fool……? Jin So-un! Release me this instant! Cough!”

I kicked Namgung Gi-pyo’s struggling face once more before continuing.

“Well, it’s an impossible scenario, but even if I were to lose the representative position, I wouldn’t want you to suffer any ill treatment, Lady Seon-hwa.”

“……”

She held my gaze as I spoke to her clearly.

“To me, Lady Namgung Seon-hwa is far more important than any representative seat.”

“……!”

Maintaining a strong bond with Namgung Seon-hwa was just as vital as securing the position itself.

For the upcoming Great Righteous-Demonic War, the backing of the Namgung Clan was essential.

I had already shared the Shattering Form and prevented the Namgung Clan from fracturing; if I couldn’t leverage that debt during the war, it would be a wasted opportunity.

“R-really?”

Namgung Seon-hwa asked, her face turning crimson, as if doubting my sincerity.

“Of course.”

I couldn’t afford to lose the support of the Namgung Clan’s direct line.

I nodded firmly.

Heat rose to her cheeks, perhaps fueled by the lingering sting of Namgung Gi-pyo’s earlier disdain.

I quickly looked away.

“And regardless of whether you appease a weasel like him, people like those in the Orthodox Path Association are easily dismantled.”

“W-weasel? Jin So-un, are you referring to me?”

I brushed off the writhing man on the floor.

“So, can you promise me that from here on out, you won’t allow someone like him to belittle you?”

“……”

Namgung Seon-hwa’s ears turned pink as she nodded.

As I suspected, she was someone who understood the stakes.

“Excellent. Now, follow me.”

“Pardon?”

“I’m going to show you how I intend to clean up the Orthodox Path Association.”

“……Yes.”

As I took a few steps forward, Namgung Gi-pyo, who had been pinned to the ground, lunged back up.

“Jin So-un! Do you think you can just trample me and walk away because you’re strong?”

*Shing.*

With the mark of my boot still on his face, Namgung Gi-pyo pulled his sword, his face twisted in fury.

People blinded by their temper always made foolish decisions.

I gestured toward him with my chin and looked at Namgung Seon-hwa.

“You need to wash away the unpleasant words you heard earlier, don’t you?”

Her eyes brightened.

“Yes.”

When Namgung Seon-hwa turned, Namgung Gi-pyo let out a cold laugh.

“Seon-hwa! Are you truly prepared to betray the clan?”

She didn’t flinch at his taunts.

“I have never acted against the interests of the clan.”

She glanced at me once before adding,

“In fact, this is the best course of action for us.”

“You fool!”

As Namgung Gi-pyo charged forward, utilizing the Boundless Firmament Sword Art, Namgung Seon-hwa extended her hand.

*Pow, pow.*

“Guh……!”

There was no need for the Firmament Cloudless Sword Art.

Hit square by the Three Heavenly Thunder Palms, Namgung Gi-pyo’s eyes rolled back, and he flew five jang before collapsing in a heap.

It was finished in an instant.

“Well done.”

That was the kind of performance I expected from my team.

“This is……”

The location they reached after following me.

Namgung Seon-hwa asked, looking around.

“It is the dormitory building.”

The Murim Academy assigned rooms based on semester rankings, so the top-tier students from both the Righteous Path Association and the Orthodox Path Association were concentrated here.

The Righteous Path Association members, in particular, considered living in anything less than a two-person suite to be humiliating.

“This is the Righteous Path Hall as well.”

The two-person suites were often referred to by that name.

“Correct. There is someone I need to see here.”

“Someone you need to see?”

I grinned at her confused expression.

“The person who is going to be held accountable for this situation.”

As we entered the hall, the residents cast nervous glances at the sight of Namgung Seon-hwa and me.

Neither of us belonged here, yet no one dared to block our path.

On the contrary, some offered nods of recognition—people who had witnessed what happened in Sichuan.

Ignoring the mix of curious and friendly stares, I strode down the hall.

“Hmm…… I believe it was room 404.”

I climbed the stairs and knocked forcefully on the door.

My attitude was that of a debt collector hunting down a delinquent.

Soon, movement echoed from within.

“Who is causing this racket……”

The door opened to reveal a student in monk’s robes.

“I am in the middle of my training; please come back another time……”

“Hey! Il-gak is in there, right?”

“……”

The monk’s eyes flickered with unease at my blunt tone.

Regardless of age or rank, Il-gak was a formidable figure, having mastered the Tendon-Changing Classic, putting him far above any ordinary student.

Calling someone with such immense Buddhist power like a street hoodlum was unheard of.

The monk attempted to remain composed.

“Academy student Jin So-un, this is disrespectful. The monk is currently meditating……”

I waved my hand as if swatting away a pest.

“Enough. Tell him to settle his karma before he goes back to meditating.”

“……Karma?”

“Yes. A massive amount of it. If he doesn’t address it now, he’s going to have a rough time reaching the Pure Land.”

A vein pulsed on the monk’s scalp.

“……Are you mocking the Buddha?”

I studied the pulse on his head, fascinated, before frowning.

“Just deliver the message. It’s urgent.”

“……”

The student closed the door with trembling eyes.

“Young Master Jin. What is the meaning of this……?”

Namgung Seon-hwa was clearly bewildered.

Il-gak had become the spiritual backbone of the Righteous Path Association.

If I hadn’t seized the representative position, he would have been the one leading the academy.

That was the reason the Righteous Path Association followed him so loyally.

Acting so aggressively toward him was unheard of.

A buzz of voices began to grow in the hallway.

“What’s going on?”

“Jin So-un is looking for Il-gak.”

“Why?”

People peered from their rooms, watching us with guarded expressions.

The good favor I had earned in Sichuan was at risk of disappearing.

Just as Namgung Seon-hwa’s anxiety began to rise, the door creaked open.

Il-gak was seated in the center of the room, his back to us, chanting scriptures.

The monk gestured for us to enter.

We stepped inside, the air heavy with the scent of incense.

“Benefactor Jin.”

Il-gak turned slowly, offering a faint smile.

I grimaced as if I’d tasted something rotten.

“I’ve told you, I am not a benefactor.”

Il-gak ignored my comment and pressed his palms together.

“Benefactor, what brings you here? Have you found interest in the Buddha’s path?”

“I don’t know about Buddha, but I’m currently in a bit of a mess. Personally, I don’t care, but the people around me are worried.”

Il-gak maintained his innocent facade.

“Hmm……. What could have caused such a situation?”

“Come on. Stop playing dumb.”

“Hmm……. I honestly have no idea.”

I took a step toward him.

“To be precise, this is all thanks to the Righteous Path Association, isn’t it?”

Il-gak cleared his throat.

“Ahem. What do you mean…… The Orthodox Path Association and the Righteous Path Association may work together, but we do not influence each other’s internal affairs.”

A sharp smile cut across my face.

“So, you did know.”

“Ahem…… Ahem.”

“You pretended ignorance. Isn’t that shameful in the eyes of Buddha?”

The monk standing nearby interjected, “Even if you are the Representative, how dare you speak that way……!”

Il-gak raised a hand to silence him, keeping his eyes locked on mine.

“Benefactor Jin, that tongue of yours will lead you to disaster one day.”

“My life is already built on disaster, so if my words add to it, I’ll hardly be surprised.”

Il-gak sighed, clearly realizing that arguing was futile.

“Regardless, this is not something the Righteous Path Association can intervene in. Jegal Jeong-gi is not the type to change his mind based on my advice.”

“That’s not what I want.”

Il-gak looked puzzled.

“Hm? Then what is it……”

I leaned against the bed casually.

“Join my executive staff.”

“Gasp!”

“……!”

Both the monk and Namgung Seon-hwa stared in disbelief.

Il-gak was the symbol of the Righteous Path Association.

This was inconceivable.

Even if Jegal Jeong-gi managed to oust me, Il-gak would never align himself with the Orthodox Path Association. It was absurd.

“What kind of nonsense is that……”

The monk’s frustration mirrored everyone’s thoughts, and Namgung Seon-hwa nodded in agreement.

I shrugged, feigning innocence.

“If the Righteous Path Association hadn’t caused such chaos in Sichuan, the Orthodox Path Association wouldn’t have had any reason to take the lead, would they, Monk?”

“……Ngh.”

I pointed at Il-gak and the monk.

“If I had left the Righteous Path Association to perish during the Blood Cult’s scheme, the Orthodox Path Association wouldn’t be fighting over the empty seat. Isn’t that right?”

Beads of sweat began to dot Il-gak’s forehead.

Watching the sweat trickle down, I twisted the knife further.

“And if I hadn’t handled the Iron Corpse Puppet that Shaolin and Diancang encountered, there would be no reason for the Orthodox Path Association to be so aggressive, would there?”

“……”

When he remained silent, I pressed him again.

“In the words of the Buddha……”

“Stop…… Please, Benefactor Jin. I understand your point.”

Il-gak wore a pained expression, as if he were trapped in a deep dilemma.

“Benefactor Jin…… Surely someone else from the Righteous Path Association could take that spot……”

“Impossible! I won’t accept anyone else!”

“Or perhaps the Righteous Path Association could formally support you……”

“Impossible! I have no use for empty support.”

Il-gak sighed again.

“Benefactor Jin……”

I didn’t let up.

“Think carefully. How much internal confusion has there been over a single representative position?”

I hit him where it mattered.

“Is that the ‘path of Buddha’? It is time to decide for the greater good.”

“……”

Il-gak looked up at me, his eyelids flickering.

A heavy silence filled the room.

Finally, he nodded, his decision made.

“Understood. I will join.”

“Gasp!”

“M-Monk! What are you doing?!”

Ignoring the cries of those around us, I reached out a hand.

Il-gak took it.

“Benefactor Jin……”

“I’d prefer it if you dropped the benefactor title. Let’s work well together.”

“Amitabha.”

After my visit concluded, silence returned to the room, broken only by Il-gak’s quiet chanting.

The monk, still baffled, finally broke his silence.

“Monk…… May I ask you something?”

Il-gak opened his eyes, seemingly aware of the monk’s turmoil, and nodded.

“Are you wondering why I joined Jin So-un’s delegation?”

“……Yes. It was far too rash. We owe him, but no one in the Righteous Path Association will accept this.”

“I am well aware of that.”

“Then how could you……”

Il-gak turned to face him.

His gaze was intense, and the monk struggled to hold it.

“Because I need to know.”

“……Know what?”

Il-gak looked off into the distance, as if peering past the horizon.

“Whether he is truly an ‘enlightened one’ or not.”

“……”

The monk’s hands trembled.

“What is that supposed to mean? No matter how gifted he is, how could such a vulgar person, obsessed with money and deals, be……”

“Cheongwon, an Eminent Monk of our temple, lived his entire life like a beggar.”

“……Ngh. But that man is……”

Il-gak cut him off.

“Of course, he has his flaws. He did lose the Demon-Purging Four Spirit Beads, our sacred relic……. Even so, does that negate the enlightenment he passed down?”

The mention of Cheongwon silenced the monk.

He realized now that Il-gak’s choice wasn’t about avoiding a crisis, but about something far deeper.

“Then…… do you think he is someone who will change history, Monk?”

When one person’s life shifts, it is fate; when the lives of many change, it is history.

Il-gak was implying that he was a force of historical change.

Il-gak shook his head slowly.

“I do not know.”

He closed his eyes, recalling the past.

It might have been a trick of the light, but in Sichuan, Jin So-un had truly emitted a radiance.

That wasn’t something an ordinary person could produce.

He opened his eyes again, his gaze clear and thirsty for truth.

“I only wish to see how far he will go. And……”

He smiled at the monk.

“Where better to see that than right by his side?”

“……”

With that, Il-gak closed his eyes again.

He knew well the hardships he would face, yet the smile remained on his lips.

“Amitabha……”

The monk could do nothing but offer the prayer.