The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 25

Chapter 25
## Chapter 25. A Second-Rate Warrior Prepares to Soar (3)

The time arrived for the official presentation of the chief disciple.

Rising before dawn, I thoroughly cleansed myself, donned my most pristine garments, bound my hair with care, and applied a touch of oil to keep it perfectly smooth.

After offering my respects to the ancestors within the Founders’ Hall, I proceeded to greet the waiting elders one by one.

The hall masters had likewise departed from their usual attire, appearing in their finest garments today.

Knowing that the majority of these garments were tailored from the exquisite textiles provided by Wang Geum-san, I found it difficult to suppress a quiet smile.

Once I finished paying respects to each hall master, the final protocol demanded that I greet Jin Tae-san, the leader of the Outer Hall and my father.

“……”

Jin Tae-san gazed into the distance, remaining quiet for a considerable duration.

“The Sect Leader is awaiting us.”

“Out of all the elders and leaders, I stood alone in objectifying your elevation to chief disciple.”

“……”

“Did that bring you resentment?”

“Why would I feel resentment? It is hardly the first time you have doubted my capabilities, Father.”

“Stepping into the role of chief disciple brings far more than the mere power to command your peers.”

His unfocused eyes suddenly glimmered with moisture, shifting as if he were catching glimpses of a distant era.

“You become the shield standing at the absolute vanguard of the disciples, bearing full accountability for their survival.”

Was my father looking at the person standing before him, or was he visualizing the boy I once was?

“Moving forward, you must place the well-being of your junior brothers and sisters ahead of your own existence. Are you prepared to carry such a massive burden?”

“……”

What parent could truly rejoice watching their offspring accept a responsibility that relegated their own safety to an afterthought?

Though I had never raised a child of my own in either lifetime, I had once commanded subordinates who felt like true kin, allowing me to understand his perspective implicitly.

“Father.”

“……Yes.”

“No matter where I am cast, I will endure.”

“……”

“And directly behind me, my junior brothers and sisters will march in unison.”

Jin Tae-san, looking as though tears might spill at any moment, finally averted his gaze and dismissed me with a wave of his hand.

I deliberately broke the tension, stepping forward to present myself before Hong Mun-gi.

“Disciple Jin So-un. Do you pledge before the ancestors to dedicate your absolute best to the growth and honor of Taeul Sect?”

“Twenty-eighth-generation disciple Jin So-un. I solemnly swear before the preceding ancestors. I shall be the leader who guides my junior brothers and sisters from the front for the advancement and honor of Taeul Sect.”

Sect Leader Hong presented a black headband identical to his own using both hands, and remaining on my knees, I extended my arms to receive it.

Embroidered upon the dark fabric was the silver insignia of Taeul Sect, the definitive mark of the chief disciple.

I deliberately bound the cloth around my forehead and turned to face my peers.

A massive roar erupted.

Disciples converged from every direction, shouting their excitement and showering me with praise.

I acknowledged every individual, exchanging firm handshakes with them all.

Once the initial wave of celebration subsided, I made my way toward Gye Cheol-yeong and Gye Yeon-seok, who were observing from the perimeter.

“I look forward to working alongside you from this day forth, Senior Brother.”

“……”

Gye Cheol-yeong hovered in place, entirely conflicted over whether to offer his hand.

In that instant, Gye Yeon-seok bared his teeth, letting out a sharp hiss.

“Do not think this is the conclusion.”

“What exactly do you mean by that?”

“Do you take me for a fool? I see right through your attempt to usurp our Cheol-yeong’s rightful position at the Murim Academy.”

“Are you not misinterpreting the situation? The Special Admission Track relies entirely on the Appraisal Envoys selecting the premier disciple through an impartial assessment.”

“Hmph! Time will tell.”

Gye Yeon-seok forcefully guided Gye Cheol-yeong away, departing from Taeul Sect.

I was instantly pulled back into the crowd of disciples, laughing and conversing with them once more.

—

“Miserable wretch.”

“Father, what is our next move?”

Anxiety had completely overtaken Gye Cheol-yeong’s expression.

A deep sense of victimization and bitterness rankled within him.

Back at the Iron Sword Sect, he had traveled representing the Gyeryong Merchant Guild, making it impossible for him to intervene when chaos erupted.

Naturally, had he foreseen that the Grand Strategist would ultimately throw his weight behind Taeul Sect, he would have gladly taken action himself.

Setting that aside, the Iron Sword Sect stood as the most dominant powerhouse in Anhui Province, second only to the Namgung Clan.

For the Gyeryong Merchant Guild, which operated its commerce out of Anhui Province, making an enemy of them was out of the question.

The appearance of Namgung San from the Namgung Clan only magnified his sense of injustice.

When all was said and done, had Namgung San not shown restraint at the very end of their clash?

Had Namgung San simply drawn his blade fully in that moment, Jin So-un’s fingers would have been severed, securing an absolute triumph for Namgung San.

Fury burned within him at the idiocy of the masses who celebrated the outcome as a triumph for Taeul Sect.

To make matters worse, what was this sudden development involving Wang Estate……

His grand design to enter the Murim Academy via the Special Admission Track, cultivate alliances with the elite prodigies of the Nine Sects and One Gang and the Five Great Clans, conquer the murim at their side, and eventually elevate the Gyeryong Merchant Guild to the absolute pinnacle of commerce had been utterly shattered.

“There is no cause for despair. Regardless of the disgraceful schemes they employ, you will ultimately be the one chosen for the Special Admission Track.”

Gye Yeon-seok’s empty reassurances failed to register with him.

“Are you unaware? Even if he secures the title of chief disciple, a deficiency in his cumulative score will disqualify him from the Special Admission Track.”

“What are you implying?”

“The Special Admission Track comprises three distinct phases. Initially, they evaluate theoretical understanding of martial principles and the murim. Next, they judge the comprehension of martial routines and internal cultivation. Ultimately, a combat trial tests real-world application.”

“If we remain blind to the specifics of that trial, am I not stranded in the exact same position as the rest of them?”

“You foolish boy! Who do you think you are!”

Gye Yeon-seok erupted in a furious shout.

“You! You are the true successor of the Gyeryong Merchant Guild! Do you still fail to comprehend that from the moment of your birth, you were destined to be entirely distinct from those mediocre fools at Taeul Sect!”

“……”

In that precise moment, three figures entered the courtyard.

They formed a striking contrast: a man with a scholarly aura, a woman bearing the marks of a seasoned combatant, and walking between them, a mature warrior wielding a blade, radiating an undeniable presence.

“Guild Master. It has been quite some time.”

“My goodness! You have finally arrived! I have been anticipating your arrival so intensely that my neck feels strained from watching the road.”

“To receive such a passionate welcome from you leaves this Jang quite humbled. Is the young man standing there Gye Cheol-yeong, the renowned prodigy?”

“Haha, a prodigy is high praise. He is merely slightly ahead of his peers. What are you waiting for? Present your respects.”

Stunned by this sudden turn of events, Gye Cheol-yeong cast a bewildered glance at Gye Yeon-seok.

“You recognize the title of Ace Instructor, do you not?”

Gye Cheol-yeong’s eyes widened significantly.

“It cannot be.”

“Indeed, this is Jang Sa-gun, the Ace Instructor. He served as an Appraisal Envoy for an entire fifteen years and has recently guided every single pupil he managed through rigorous, tailored instruction directly into the Murim Academy.”

Jang Sa-gun assessed Gye Cheol-yeong with an appreciative gaze.

“Regardless of how uninspired a student might be, I have never failed to secure their placement within the Murim Academy. With a exceptional talent like yourself, the task becomes remarkably straightforward, which pleases me greatly.”

Bolstered by such unwavering assurance, and because Gye Cheol-yeong had heard tales of this man’s exploits until his ears were weary, the bitterness that choked him vanished instantly.

‘Jin So-un, you arrogant piece of trash, your comeuppance is arriving!’

—

“Is someone whispering about me?”

“Is it ever just one person?”

Scratching at my ear, I shifted my gaze toward Sa-ryeon inquiringly.

“I have done nothing to merit anyone’s hostility.”

“Yet you constantly execute absolute madness that drives people to the brink of hostility.”

“……”

“Are you aware of what the younger ones tell me the second their drills conclude? ‘Senior Sister, recount the events of the Iron Sword Sect once more.’ I have repeated that tale so frequently that I could recite it flawlessly in my sleep.”

“Oh, come now, how is that madness? It was merely…… a manifestation of a dedication that outshone the rest.”

“And what of your duel against the Great Hero Namgung San?”

“……”

“The hall masters assemble the younger disciples daily to preach, ‘Under no circumstances are you to seize a bare blade with your fingers!’ Is that the sort of lesson an ordinary martial establishment imparts?”

“……Ahem. Will they not understand the wisdom of it once they gain a bit of maturity?”

A sharp glare.

Sa-ryeon’s expression turned remarkably piercing, prompting me to look away and avoid her direct gaze.

“Regardless, what was your purpose in summoning me out here? Surely you did not guide me to this place simply to adopt the lifestyle of recluses together?”

The location I had escorted Sa-ryeon to was Mount Hwaun, situated close to Taeul Sect.

It was a peak I had frequented almost daily throughout my early years.

Midway up the mountain path sat a spacious clearing, where the rudimentary shelter my junior brothers and I had cobbled together during our childhood still stood.

“The Appraisal Envoys will be arriving shortly.”

“That is true.”

“We must initiate our own preparations.”

“We must?”

“Typically, in a situation like Gye Cheol-yeong’s, where an applicant approaches the Murim Academy as a secular disciple, their backing secures an instructor well-versed in the specific criteria of the Appraisal Envoys to provide elite tutoring.”

“What?”

Sa-ryeon looked thoroughly bewildered, as if she had misheard my words.

“This practice exists because the verdicts of the Appraisal Envoys are determined completely outside the sect’s jurisdiction. At this very moment, a retired Appraisal Envoy has likely been retained by the Gyeryong Merchant Guild to provide Gye Cheol-yeong with specialized instruction.”

Even in my prior existence, Gye Cheol-yeong’s penchant for arrogance manifested as a cruel streak toward the younger disciples who stumbled during the Murim Academy trials and fell into hopelessness.

Ace Instructor Jang Sa-gun was legendary for maintaining a flawless success rate regarding the Murim Academy’s Special Admission Track. It was rumored that his curated study materials boasted an accuracy rate nearing eighty percent.

“Th-Then the playing field is entirely uneven.”

“Indeed, it is far from equitable. Yet the vast majority of Murim Academy evaluations across generations have operated on this very basis.”

Sa-ryeon’s countenance slumped, mimicking a disappointed pet.

“That is incredibly unjust.”

“There is no reason to lose heart. We possess the means to implement an identical strategy.”

“What?”

“Did I not mention it previously? Organizing oneself for the assessment ahead of time violates no regulations of the Murim Alliance.”

“But we lack the financial resources required to engage an instructor of that caliber……”

Though their financial circumstances had seen a massive uplift courtesy of Wang Estate, they were hardly in a position to squander a fortune on elite tutoring for the youth.

“Anticipating that hurdle, I compiled a set of projected examination topics myself.”

“You did, Senior Brother? By what means?”

I extended a compiled manuscript toward Sa-ryeon.

“Are you forgetting the precision of my recollection? During my previous journey, I visited a merchant of ancient manuscripts in Hefei, committed every single question from prior evaluations to memory, and compiled them systematically.”

Naturally, this was a complete fabrication.

I had simply extracted the evaluation criteria directly from my previous life, adjusting a handful of phrases and terms to mask the source. At the very least, if they successfully retained the contents of this text, failing the theoretical portion would be impossible.

“Senior Brother…… is this truly dependable?”

“Would your own senior brother mislead you?”

“……Well, given your typical childish antics?”

“Ahem. Consider this my inaugural command as your eldest brother. Order all junior brothers to transcribe and completely memorize the contents of this volume.”

“……Understood.”

Ultimately, Sa-ryeon gave a conceding nod. Still, the physical presence of the manuscript offered her a tangible reprieve from her persistent anxiety.

With that settled, I transitioned into the primary motive for guiding Sa-ryeon to this isolated clearing.

“What is contained within that chest?”

Unlatching the container provided by the head manager of Wang Estate, I revealed its contents to her.

“Oh, the temperature is dropping. What on earth are these? Whence originates this profound icy aura…… icy aura?”

As Sa-ryeon spoke, realization dawned upon her, and she leaned closer to inspect the items nestled within the chest.

“Senior Brother, p-please tell me these are not……”

“Indeed, they are spiritual medicines.”

“Are these mere common herbs? They feel vastly different. This is undeniably pure frost qi……”

Spiritual medicines were categorized by distinct tiers. Items comparable to standard health supplements yielded no benefit toward internal cultivation, offering nothing more than a minor physical invigoration. The majority of such items were practically indistinguishable from standard nourishment.

Conversely, spiritual medicines saturated with distinct elements like frost or flame yielded transformations multiple times more potent than standard variants. Naturally, the hazards associated with their ingestion multiplied accordingly, yet in the hands of an aligned master, they could propel an individual to incredible heights.

“They were bestowed upon me by Wang Estate.”

“Wang Estate provided these? That defies logic. Regardless of their vast affluence, such extraordinary spiritual medicines…… And to provide three distinct specimens.”

“……”

Hearing the number three caused a brief pang of guilt to strike my conscience.

Out of the original five items, the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng and the White Serpent Divine Gall—both perfectly compatible with my own system—had already been ingested.

After staring fixedly at the rare treasures for a long interval, Sa-ryeon puckered her lips and directed her gaze upward.

“Did you drag me out here merely to flaunt your fortune?”

It was evident that the notion of consuming these treasures herself had never even crossed her mind.

“Far from it. I brought you to this place so that you might consume them.”

“What? Me? For what purpose? Senior Brother, you are the one who ought to ingest them.”

“These specific medicines are saturated with the element of Extreme Yin. Were I to consume them at my current stage, I would suffer a severe disruption of my internal energies at best, and perish at worst.”

The foundation of my internal cultivation within my Dantian was composed primarily of orthodox Taeul Qi. Even an expert saturated with rigid yang energy would hesitate to carelessly ingest a treasure of Extreme Yin, and if I—having not yet properly expanded my internal meridians—were to consume it recklessly, disaster would undoubtedly ensue.

For that precise reason, I had restricted myself to the Ten-Thousand-Year Snow Ginseng and the White Serpent Divine Gall, which blended both yang and Extreme Yin elements.

‘As a consequence, my internal cultivation has officially breached the threshold of One cycles.’

Furthermore, the lingering vitality of those medicines, which I had yet to fully synthesize, remained vibrant throughout my physical form. However, to completely utilize these latent reserves, the moment had arrived where I absolutely required a more sophisticated internal manual.

“……No. Regardless of the danger to you, I cannot accept them. It would be better to inform the Sect Leader and distribute them among the other junior sisters……”

“Which is precisely why I ensured our conversation remained completely private.”

“What?”

I had intentionally concealed the acquisition of these spiritual medicines from Wang Estate. Our immediate priority was cultivating an individual capable of anchoring the younger generation of Taeul Sect. Attempting to elevate everyone at an identical pace would take far too long, leaving the entire group vulnerable to being overwhelmed before a true leader could emerge.

‘We require at least three individuals.’

That represented the absolute minimum headcount I calculated must secure entry into the Murim Academy. Counting myself, two additional slots needed to be claimed. As it stood, the only candidates possessing a realistic prospect of success were Sa-ryeon, Dong-ryong—who had once shared his stale rations with me—alongside his kin Geum-pyo, Eun-ho, and a select few others.

Furthermore, these specific medicines possessed an Extreme Yin composition that uniquely favored female practitioners. Had I approached the Sect Leader, the resources would have been parceled out via a standard egalitarian distribution, ensuring that the portion allocated to Sa-ryeon would be insufficient to catalyze a true breakthrough.

“Even so……”

“I intend to commit everything I possess to this Murim Academy evaluation.”

“……?”

“Should I fail the initial selection, I will force my way into the Murim Academy by enduring the General Examination.”

“What? Why push yourself to such an extreme?”

“Failing to secure a presence within the Murim Academy leaves us powerless to shield the younger disciples when they face mandatory conscription by the Murim Alliance. Ultimately, we will all be dragged down together.”

“……Oh, come now, Senior Brother. In an era of stability like our current one, your words are overly bleak…… They will simply fulfill their service for a few brief years and return home.”

Sa-ryeon’s expression, which had initially treated my warning as hyperbole, began to tighten as she noted the utter seriousness of my posture.

“What dark future are you anticipating?”

“Though the surface appears tranquil, skirmishes against the Black Path occur daily along the western boundaries. The leadership of the Murim Alliance remains entirely indifferent to the survival rates of small-sect disciples deployed to the front lines. Are you content to leave the fates of our junior brothers and sisters in their hands?”

“Absolutely not!”

“Then ingest the medicines.”

“!”

“Ingest them, and employ whatever strategy required to guarantee your placement in the Murim Academy. That is the sole path to safeguarding the younger disciples.”

Following a lengthy silence, Sa-ryeon focused her trembling gaze upon me, clearly impacted by my intensity.

“Very well. I shall consume them, so pray cease your terrifying pronouncements.”

“You have mastered the principles of the Great Advance Divine Art, correct?”

The Great Advance Divine Art stood as an advanced internal method within Taeul Sect, accessible exclusively to those who advanced into Swift Blossom Hall. Sa-ryeon had long ago badgered her father, the Sect Leader, into instructing her in both the Great Advance Divine Art and the Flash Thunder Sword Art.

After a brief hesitation, Sa-ryeon offered an affirmative nod.

“Just how deep does your awareness run?”

“You must consume the Inner Core of the Snow Carp alongside the Snow Lotus Seed.”

“Two simultaneously?”

“Intelligence has reached me that Gye Cheol-yeong has acquired an additional Plum Blossom Pill. Do you intend to let yourself be outpaced by him in internal reserves?”

“……”

“Furthermore, deliver the remaining Spirit Blue Stone Fungus to whichever junior sister you deem possesses the fiercest loyalty to Taeul Sect. Naturally, this transaction must remain entirely confidential.”

“This is entirely for the preservation of Taeul Sect, correct?”

“Precisely.”

Sa-ryeon placed one of the spiritual treasures into her mouth, assumed a meditative posture, and initiated the process of Qi Circulation.

I monitored her condition briefly before pivoting away to assume a defensive watch.

‘I have executed every measure within my current power.’

Humanity orchestrates the path, yet destiny dictates the resolution.

While I had successfully refashioned numerous facets of the past, this marked my initial attempt at redirecting a major historical current.

Gazing toward the descending sun, I silently swore that I would not allow history to repeat its tragic course.

One month subsequently.

The Appraisal Envoys arrived at the gates of Taeul Sect.