The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 24

Chapter 24
## Chapter 24. A Second-Rate Warrior Prepares to Soar (2)

Thud, thud.

The practice grounds had grown quiet, and the heavy thud of a single pair of boots cut through the stillness.

Wang Geum-san kept his posture upright and proud, completely unfazed by the presence of Gye Yeon-seok—a man the members of the Taeul Sect usually found incredibly difficult to handle.

“Since I have disrupted a critical venture of the Gyeryong Merchant Guild, am I expected to pay a penalty?”

Hearing Wang Geum-san’s inquiry, Gye Yeon-seok’s jaw trembled.

“T-That is…”

The merchant could barely form a sentence before Wang Geum-san cut him off smoothly.

“Furthermore, since when did the Gyeryong Merchant Guild possess the authority to look down on the Wang Estate in this manner?”

“C-Certainly not! To say we look down on you!”

Gye Yeon-seok panicked, his posture breaking instantly as he executed a deep, apologetic bow.

“I traveled here today intending to meet those to whom I owe a debt of gratitude. Encountering you making a spectacle of yourself has soured my disposition.”

“Excuse me? A debt of gratitude…”

Disregarding the question, Wang Geum-san let his eyes drift over the collection of fighters the Gyeryong Merchant Guild had brought along, before delivering a final word.

“Depart at once. Lest my disposition degrade further.”

“……”

His wits utterly scattered by Wang Geum-san’s sudden arrival, Gye Yeon-seok could only let out a few breathless stammers before turning around, leading his band of martial artists away from the scene.

Gye Cheol-yeong, who had previously been brimming with arrogance, looked around in utter confusion. Unsure of what else to do, he quickly followed his father back toward the Gyeryong Merchant Guild.

Left behind in the wake of the encounter, Hong Mun-gi was thoroughly bewildered by the turn of events.

“……Are you saying So-un rescued Master Wang’s daughter……?”

Struggling to process the information, Hong Mun-gi repeated the question. Wang Geum-san offered a gentle, validating grin and nodded.

Hong Mun-gi was not entirely ignorant of the situation involving Wang So-so.

Wang Geum-san, the famed Golden King, commanded nearly all commercial operations within Anhui Province and across the entire Jiangdong region.

The frantic accounts of his beloved only child vanishing had circulated widely enough to reach Hong Mun-gi’s ears repeatedly, despite his usual insulation from secular affairs.

Yet, the person responsible for retrieving that very child was So-un.

“Reflecting on it now…”

He recalled an incident from a few days prior when So-un had unexpectedly entered the Great Mysterious Hall to ask for some tea.

The youngster he claimed to have rescued at that time must have been…

“It appears the child in question was indeed mine.”

“……”

Hong Mun-gi could only stare open-mouthed.

Abductions were a frequent misfortune among nomadic groups or transient laborers who lacked the safety of established towns.

He had merely assumed So-un had assisted a child from such backgrounds.

“In all honesty, that particular detail caught me off guard. Throughout Anhui Province, there was virtually no one ignorant of her disappearance. And yet, he merely delivered the girl to the Wang residence and went on his way.”

“He simply left her at the Wang residence?”

As the narrative unfolded, clarity began to return to Hong Mun-gi’s thoughts.

The casual, dismissive manner in which Jin So-un had recounted the events surrounding Wang So-so, combined with the fact that he sought no recognition upon returning her, finally aligned into a coherent picture.

“……Ah, so that is how it was.”

“Are you aware of his reasoning?”

“No. I simply have a small understanding of that young man’s character.”

Wang Geum-san looked slightly taken aback by Hong Mun-gi’s response.

“So-un most likely did not view his own deed as something extraordinary.”

“He placed no extraordinary value on it?”

“If he were to treat the rescue of your highborn daughter as a monumental achievement, how could he look at the abduction of a destitute family’s child with the same importance?”

If he accepted a bounty for retrieving Wang So-so, he would inevitably begin measuring the worth of saving a child whose family possessed nothing to offer in return.

“Such a mindset contradicts the principles of the Taeul Sect.”

Visibly impacted by the explanation, Wang Geum-san nodded in agreement.

“Would it be permissible for me to speak with the young man?”

—

A grand celebration was arranged within the Taeul Sect, utilizing the bountiful offerings Wang Geum-san had delivered.

The cargo included crates filled with exquisite textiles and fine decorations. To one side, a wagon sat heavily loaded with grains, accompanied by another carriage transporting securely locked containers of unknown contents.

‘His bounty exceeds my expectations.’

Observing the subtle twitching of my teacher’s lips—whose brow was usually furrowed with constant anxieties regarding the sect’s finances—it was easy to gauge the sheer volume of wealth Wang Geum-san had provided.

“The Master of the Estate requests a brief moment of your time.”

An individual who clearly held a position of high authority within the visiting entourage escorted me with immense politeness. He led me to the exact detached guest house where Namgung San had previously resided.

“It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Stepping into the detached house, I immediately picked up on subtle indicators of movement that hadn’t been present before.

‘Are they concealing themselves?’

Whether it was because my perception of vital energy had sharpened considerably after my internal cultivation completed One cycles, or simply because even Wang Geum-san’s vast wealth couldn’t secure flawlessly untraceable protectors, the presence of hidden individuals was incredibly clear to me.

As my eyes drifted toward an upper corner of the structure where I detected these faint traces—an experience entirely novel to me—Wang Geum-san’s features shifted with subtle intrigue.

“You can perceive them?”

“Excuse me? I am not certain what you mean…”

“Did you not just discern that someone is stationed up there?”

“Ah… yes, I did.”

“Haha!”

Following Wang Geum-san’s boisterous laughter, the hidden presences became significantly easier to track.

Their controlled respiration was faltering slightly.

“To be perfectly candid with you, the perpetrators managed to seize So-so while evading those very guards. …Or, to put it more accurately, it would be truer to say they simply bypassed them entirely.”

Superior martial prowess can override specialized techniques.

Within the Murim World, it was often observed that a master who deduces the core truths of a single martial path can easily anticipate its lesser variations.

Bypassing sentries who had only been instructed in basic defensive vigilance was likely an effortless task for the elite forces of the Namgung Clan.

“A youth who has not even reached twenty years of age managed to wrest my daughter from the grasp of martial artists capable of bypassing my own guard. Frankly speaking, it stretches credibility.”

Wang Geum-san maintained a penetrating gaze, analyzing me thoroughly.

There was no active malice or intent to harm radiating from him, yet the sheer weight of his lifetime of authority exerted a heavy pressure on the room.

“Furthermore, the assertion that you rescued her purely by chance and immediately walked away without a word—that, too, is a narrative difficult to accept.”

It seemed my actions, which defied his conventional logic, were causing him to form an entirely incorrect conclusion.

“I am sorry if my conduct gave rise to any false impressions.”

“Not at all. It has been a long time since I felt a genuine sense of admiration. …Granted, that depends entirely on whether this is merely a misunderstanding.”

A distinct sharpness crept into his voice.

It was evident that the trauma of the entire ordeal had left him deeply guarded and cynical.

In reality, my choices were bound to provoke skepticism; without my intervention, he would have truly lost Wang So-so forever.

Even so, being interrogated wasn’t particularly enjoyable, and my own responses began to match his coldness.

“What point are you trying to make?”

“I conducted a thorough investigation into your background. Yet, in the end, I uncovered absolutely nothing of substance.”

That was entirely expected.

In my previous existence, my internal nature and motivations were completely transparent to anyone looking.

“Therefore, if there is a hidden agenda you are keeping from me, I would prefer you speak plainly. I am fully prepared to compensate you for the discourtesy of this inquiry.”

“I am unsure what answers could possibly bring peace to a suspicious mind. What is it you truly wish to know?”

Wang Geum-san’s expression remained entirely rigid.

“To begin with, I require an explanation as to why you chose not to accompany her directly to the Wang Estate.”

For a man of his background, it was incomprehensible that someone would willingly bypass an immense financial reward.

“First, because explaining the full context of the situation at that moment would have been highly problematic.”

Wang Geum-san’s doubts seemed to intensify.

“By the time I extracted your daughter, I had been tracking the abductors for three full days. Her physical state was incredibly fragile, and they were actively preparing to end her life to erase any evidence… I had to intervene instantly, leaving no opportunity to seek assistance or send word.”

“……Ahem.”

Even the most stoic individual would find it jarring to hear how close their own child came to an untimely end.

“Second, because of the massive compensation that would inevitably follow.”

“You concealed your involvement precisely because of the potential reward?”

The vast fortunes Wang Geum-san could bestow might seem incredibly appealing at first glance.

However, lacking the immediate strength to defend such wealth transforms a fortune into nothing short of a target.

“Third, because my retrieval of Wang So-so was nothing more than the fulfillment of a personal code.”

“And what entails this personal code?”

“A refusal to stand by in the face of wrongdoing.”

To be entirely precise, it was a refusal to tolerate anyone attempting to wrong me.

Ultimately, my goal required a benefactor influential enough to force the Gyeryong Merchant Guild to back down, making the specific identity of that benefactor secondary.

My choice to involve myself with Wang So-so during that crisis was driven entirely by its connection to my underlying grievance against Namgung Sang-won.

Furthermore, I now possessed the Seven-Colored Jewel obtained from Namgung San.

At this point, relying on the Wang Estate was no longer an absolute necessity.

“With the offerings you delivered today, you have already provided far more than any compensation I might have desired. There is no further need for you to seek me out.”

“Have I caused offense?”

“If a gesture made out of pure goodwill is met with deep suspicion, who would ever choose to offer goodwill a second time? I have no desire to become cynical, and thus I see no reason to maintain an acquaintance with you, Master of the Estate.”

He was an individual who had spent his entire existence competing for gain to reach the pinnacle of commerce, so it was completely understandable that his faith in humanity was practically non-existent.

Yet, that was strictly his outlook.

Because of it, my own day had been thoroughly ruined, which was entirely my concern, was it not?

I stood up from my position and offered a formal, respectful hand gesture to signal my departure.

But the moment I began to pivot away—

Thud.

Watching his sudden movement, my jaw dropped in sheer disbelief.

“W-What exactly do you think you are doing?”

In short order, the hidden guards who had been maintaining their concealment up along the rafters dropped down into plain view.

With their employer actively kneeling on the floor in a deep bow, remaining hidden was no longer an option for them.

“Please grant clemency for my egregious error in failing to recognize a savior sent by the heavens, choosing instead to harbor doubts. Furthermore, for the miracle of preserving my cherished daughter, I shall hold this debt in my heart for as long as I draw breath, offering my reverence every single day.”

“””Please extend your forgiveness.”””

The entire contingent of bodyguards executed identical, sweeping prostrations, leaving me utterly speechless and conflicted.

Who exactly was this man?

Was he not a legendary tycoon capable of amassing mountains of gold, holding the economic stability of countless lives in his palms?

Even the highest authorities in Beijing would hesitate to treat him with disrespect, yet here he was kneeling and offering a profound bow. I rushed forward in an attempt to assist him back to his feet.

“Please, rise at once. How can a figure of your standing bow before a simple martial artist?”

“In the first place, you preserved my daughter’s life, and by extension, you preserved my own. Through that act, my entire lineage was spared, along with the lineages of everyone dependent on my household. How could I possibly offer anything less than a profound bow?”

It was impossible to physically compel a man who refused tobudge, leaving me with no option but to yield and nod in agreement.

“I understand your position, so please return to your feet quickly. I would prefer we do not draw an audience.”

“Does this mean you accept my apology?”

“I understand, so please, stand up.”

Wang Geum-san reclaimed his seat, a radiant beam replacing his previous coldness.

The reputation of being an absolute master of the commercial realm was certainly well-earned.

This individual possessed an incredible talent for manipulating the emotions of those around him.

“You have my deepest thanks.”

“I must insist you drop this overly formal language immediately. If you persist in using such honorifics, I will take my leave.”

“Ha, clear enough, my apologies. However, regardless of how I analyzed the situation, I desperately required a solid foundation for trust. Because certain details remained entirely inexplicable to my normal senses, I resorted to such boorish behavior. I ask for your understanding once more.”

“I comprehend your motives. Let us speak no more of it.”

The intimidating aura that previously made him seem completely unapproachable had vanished entirely. In its place was a complicated expression that blended deep exhaustion with profound relief.

He turned his attention toward his security detail.

“Leave us for a brief moment.”

“Understood.”

The protectors vanished from the room like wisps of smoke, and I could no longer detect even a trace of their presence within the structure or up above.

“May I pose a single inquiry?”

“This pertains to the medicinal compound, does it not?”

The underlying motive driving him to orchestrate this entire confrontation to test my true nature could only stem from that specific remedy.

Had that medicine not been a factor, there would have been no reason to probe my intentions so aggressively.

Even if I had been an accomplice in the initial kidnapping scheme, simply observing my movements over a prolonged period would have eventually revealed my true allegiance.

“Ah, the reports concerning your sharp intellect were entirely accurate.”

“My retention of details is simply sharper than most.”

“That… particular remedy. What is its true nature? My personal physicians are completely baffled by its composition. Their primary concern stems from the highly toxic flora utilized in its creation, warning of a severe risk of toxicity. Yet, So-so insists she will continue taking the compound even if it costs her life.”

Prior to separating from So-so, I had carefully transcribed the exact preparation steps for the daily supplements she required.

As long as she consumed a single dose each day for the rest of her life, the debilitating symptoms of the Solar Body would never bother her again. From her perspective, abandoning the treatment was completely out of the question.

“It is accurate that toxic materials are integrated into the formula. The risk of accumulated toxicity is a legitimate concern.”

“……Then is that not incredibly hazardous!”

“Precisely why I instructed her in the Taeul Heart Method to counteract and balance the toxins. It would have been far more effective to utilize a more advanced internal cultivation technique, but the circumstances were incredibly dire, and that was the only method available to me at the time.”

“In that case… are you asserting that so long as she consumes this remedy and maintains her practice of that specific cultivation method, she will remain perfectly healthy throughout her life?”

“Naturally. However, because she has committed herself to the Taeul Heart Method, she will be permanently barred from practicing alternative cultivation styles. Although I secured your daughter’s consent regarding this limitation, I offer my apologies for the restriction.”

“No, no, that is of no consequence. My concern is different. What sort of lifespan can she expect if she adheres to this regimen?”

The mixture wasn’t some legendary elixir capable of granting immortality, so how could I predict the exact duration of a human life?

“I am no seer… How could I possibly determine the natural span of a person’s existence?”

Wang Geum-san’s eyes widened to the size of coins.

“Then… she is capable of living out a full, natural lifespan?”

“Provided she avoids catastrophic sickness or fatal mishaps, I see no reason why not.”

“How in the world did you acquire the knowledge for such a complex medical formula?”

At this juncture, a fabricated explanation was absolutely necessary.

It was impossible to disclose that the formula originated from the restricted archives of the Murim Alliance’s Mantongbu.

“A long time ago, I found myself on the brink of death after being bitten by a lethal viper out in the wilderness. A solitary elder managed to preserve my life using poisonous vegetation. Following that event, his grasp of herbal medicine proved so extraordinary that I stubbornly followed him around until he finally taught me various pharmaceutical preparations.”

“He neutralized the venom of a serpent using toxic flora?”

As I presented a narrative woven with elements of the poison-countering principles found within the Secret Record of Ten Thousand Herbs, Wang Geum-san fell into deep contemplation before finally speaking.

“You stumbled upon a profound stroke of destiny.”

“A stroke of destiny?”

“Indeed. Throughout the land, the only physician renowned for utilizing toxins to eradicate poison was the legendary Divine Physician of Life and Death. His ultimate fate was never confirmed, leading many to believe his unique lineage had perished with him. To think such a legacy endured through you.”

Given his daughter’s chronic ailment, Wang Geum-san had accumulated an extensive understanding of medical lore himself.

Because of this, the fabricated explanation was easily accepted without further suspicion.

Suddenly, Wang Geum-san reached out and grasped my hand tightly.

He lowered his head completely.

“You have my eternal gratitude.”

“If I am subjected to that phrase once more, my ears will begin to blister.”

Warm droplets of water began to spill onto the back of my hand.

“I shall offer a blessing for your well-being each morning when I rise. This monumental favor will remain with me until my final breath.”

Feeling the tears falling against my skin, any lingering irritation I held toward his initial skepticism dissolved completely.

—

Ultimately, arrangements were finalized for Wang So-so to join the Taeul Sect.

Given the severity of the trauma she had recently endured, one might expect her family to exhibit extreme hesitation, but Wang So-so’s determination was unshakeable, and Wang Geum-san offered no real resistance to her wishes.

Instead, he politely inquired whether it would be acceptable to station defensive guards to ensure her safety. Considering that the Gyeryong Merchant Guild had previously gone so far as to embed a hall master as an instructor within Busaeng Hall, the sect leaders readily agreed, viewing his request as entirely reasonable by comparison.

The individual who had originally escorted me to see Wang Geum-san called me over privately.

Introducing himself as the head administrator of the Wang Estate, he had overseen the transfer of all the mysterious containers from the transport wagon into the detached guest house following Wang Geum-san’s departure.

“What is the meaning of all these crates?”

“These are personal tokens of appreciation from the Master of the Estate, intended specifically for you, Young Master.”

“……?”

The wealth he had already bestowed upon the Taeul Sect was already staggering, to say nothing of his commitment to future financial backing. Yet, there were still additional offerings?

The head administrator began by presenting an elongated container crafted with an elegant, timeless aesthetic.

“This represents one of the most treasured artifacts housed within the Master’s private vault. It is known as the Black Dragon Sword.”

Lying nestled within the container was a blade that exhibited a uniform, obsidian hue from the tip of its steel down to the base of its grip.

“Incredible…”

The flawless symmetry of the edge and the grip, sculpted to resemble a pair of twin dragons ascending toward the heavens, made the object resemble a masterpiece of sculpture rather than a practical tool of war.

“The hilt and the protective sheath were hammered from dark iron, while the edge itself was wrought from diamond indestructible iron. It can engage any legendary or mythical weapon without suffering the slightest blemish to its edge.”

The complete absence of gaudy embellishments gave it an incredibly understated appearance at first glance, yet it possessed a hypnotic allure that commanded one’s undivided attention.

While I remained captivated by the weapon, the lead merchant moved to unseal the adjacent container.

“This garment is designated as the Heavenly Silkworm Treasure Robe, produced via a proprietary technique preserved exclusively by the Wang Estate for generations.”

The form-fitting defensive suit, featuring a design unlike anything I had previously encountered, seemed perfectly optimized for active martial artists who required unhindered agility beneath their standard attire.

“It is constructed by braiding Heavenly Silkworm Thread alongside diamond thread and fine silver strands, granting it exceptional flexibility that never binds movement, while simultaneously offering unparalleled protection. To provide context, even the Murim Alliance attempted to acquire this specific armor on multiple occasions, but due to the scarcity of production, their offers were declined.”

The head administrator delivered his commentary with mounting enthusiasm, seemingly swept up in his own words.

“Given how incredibly rare this armor is, should it not be reserved for the Master himself or Lady So-so?”

“Ah, naturally, both of them are already equipped with their own custom pieces. Due to the extreme difficulty of the manufacturing process, the Wang Estate only produces them as the necessary components become available. On this occasion, every immediate member of the lineage has been outfitted, leaving this final garment to be presented to you.”

As the head administrator, his primary responsibilities were tied directly to the critical oversight of the clan’s vast holdings.

It was quite unusual to witness an individual of his standing explaining these details with such overt delight.

Perhaps sensing my underlying skepticism, the administrator rubbed his weathered cheek and offered an explanation.

“It is likely difficult for you to comprehend the sheer scale of the appreciation we feel.”

“……No, I believe I have a fair understanding.”

“In truth, the Master endured the loss of his parents during his formative years, and his spouse passed away during the delivery of Lady So-so. To the Master, Lady So-so represents his solitary surviving kin, which renders her safety paramount above all else.”

When contrasted with Gye Yeon-seok, the leader of the Gyeryong Merchant Guild, who maintained a household of five wives and consorts combined, the difference in family dynamics was stark.

“The moment we realized the young lady had been taken, we braced ourselves for an all-out conflict. The Master was prepared to secure lethal contracts against three separate sects simultaneously. To finance such an endeavor, he was actively converting his entire commercial empire into liquid assets. Had that come to pass, none of us could have maintained our positions within the Wang Estate either. Young Master, your actions effectively preserved the livelihoods of tens of thousands of souls.”

The head administrator regarded me with profound appreciation reflecting in his eyes.

“He explicitly stated that should you require any form of assistance moving forward, you need only ask. If you ever find it uncomfortable to approach the Master directly, please bring the matter to this old administrator.”

“Haha… I am deeply grateful for the sentiment, but it carries a significant amount of weight.”

“There is absolutely no reason to view it as a burden. Every one of us recognizes that our current lives are a direct result of your intervention.”

“I understand. If we continue along this line of conversation, my embarrassment will become unmanageable, so let us leave it at that. But what of these remaining containers? Did you manage to clear out the Master’s entire private collection?”

Five additional boxes still sat unopened.

“Not at all. We simply brought along items that the young lady no longer requires for her condition.”

“Items she no longer requires?”

The instant he unsealed the first of the remaining boxes, a sharp, freezing draft spilled out into the room, mimicking the atmosphere of an underground ice locker.

“This is identified as the Inner Core of a Snow Carp.”

Clack.

Startled by the intense wave of cold, I snapped the lid shut immediately.

“Then what does this one contain?”

“That is a Snow Lotus Seed. I understand the Dragon-Slaying Escort Agency encountered immense hardship within Bukhae to secure it.”

Peering into the box, the lotus fruit radiated a distinct, azure aura of absolute zero.

She had mentioned spending her entire existence confined to environments resembling frozen vaults, and it appeared those chambers had been artificially maintained using materials and esoteric resources that naturally generated such extreme cold.

“Are you saying the rest of these containers hold similar items?”

The head administrator offered a warm, relaxed smile that perfectly mirrored the grin of Wang Geum-san.

“Indeed they do.”

May the wealthy live long and prosper.