The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 32

Chapter 32
Chapter 32. A Second-Rate Warrior Searching for a Legend (4)

“The local residents of Hunan Province referred to Demon Spirit Plateau as the territory that brushes the heavens. Because Demon Spirit Plateau never sees a single drop of rain all year round and remains utterly desolate, those who gather herbs have dubbed it hell. This contradicts what most people believe, but it indicates exactly where the Mita Sacred Water can be found.”

Following the proprietor’s statement, I inquired.

“What exactly do those other people believe?”

“Deep within the furthest reaches of Demon Spirit Plateau lies a particular ravine. It is an area that even the most courageous local trackers and herb gatherers absolutely refuse to go near. They call it Despair Valley. Just recently, a lone herb gatherer blundered into that ravine by chance and wasn’t discovered until half a year had passed. That fellow returned with a tale claiming he witnessed a column of ice radiating like the sun hidden within a cavern down in Despair Valley.”

A column of ice radiating like the sun described the raw state of Mita Sacred Water, maintaining its raw Extreme Yin essence before undergoing any refinement.

“Members of the martial world started congregating right here in Yueyang after catching wind of that exact tale.”

Right about then, it occurred to me that if he intended to share all of this freely, what was the point of charging me twenty gold taels?

“Haha, consider this minor detail a token of my goodwill to make up for my insolence from earlier. If you want the true piece of intelligence, that will require the twenty gold taels.”

“What does that intelligence consist of?”

“A layout of the cavern systems hidden inside Despair Valley.”

“A lay……out?”

“Did I not just bring up the herb gatherer a moment ago? We tracked down that very herb gatherer and sketched out a layout.”

“Even so, twenty gold taels strikes me as far too exorbitant.”

“When weighed against the worth of your own survival, wouldn’t you consider it rather a bargain?”

“Furthermore, there is absolutely no guarantee that this layout is precise.”

“That would hold true if your plan involves wandering aimlessly inside those caverns for half a year.”

“……Is the cavern system truly that massive?”

The proprietor pulled his hands from the depths of his long sleeves and retrieved a parchment scroll roughly the length of a forearm.

As the scroll unrolled with a crisp snap, it appeared to be a foot across, revealing hundreds of sketches detailing tiny chambers resembling a subterranean anthill.

“They claim the smaller grottos are roughly the dimensions of this very parlor, whereas the massive chambers are so vast that one cannot help but wonder if they stretch all the way beneath Despair Valley.”

“Ugh.”

“Well now? Does it catch your fancy?”

The proprietor rolled the parchment back up with a swift twist and secured it properly with a leather thong. Kept tucked away, it was a convenient size that wouldn’t easily draw the attention of onlookers, however.

“Regrettably, I am short on funds.”

“Word has it that the Silver Wang Token permits you to draw promissory notes without limit from any banking house.”

“If I attempted to settle a debt of that scale, I wouldn’t be able to pay it off even if I spent my entire life in labor.”

Given that the proprietor had already unfurled the layout in front of me, the image was now perfectly etched into my memory, meaning there was zero purpose in squandering twenty gold taels for no reason. On the contrary, I had a different agenda.

“My goodness…… Your background becomes increasingly fascinating.”

“Ah, instead of dwelling on that, perhaps you would be interested in purchasing a piece of intelligence?”

“……Intelligence?”

“Indeed.”

“What category of intelligence are we discussing?”

During my time resting at the stables, I had drafted a classified report utilizing the specific formatting of the Murim Alliance.

The coin for travel provided by the Wang Estate was ample enough, but leaving valuable insights locked away in my mind without converting them into currency would be rather dim-witted. Furthermore, I had a critical piece of business to conduct with Hao Gate using this very information down the line, so it was necessary to plant the seeds at this moment.

“It is a highly sensitive document concerning the Beggars’ Sect’s impending movement into Hangzhou.”

“…….”

The proprietor’s color completely drained away.

The Beggars’ Sect stood as one of the pillars of the Nine Sects and One Gang, simultaneously functioning as the eyes and ears for the entire martial world.

Because of this role, it frequently locked horns with Hao Gate, which operated in a nearly identical capacity.

When measuring pure numbers and influence, the Beggars’ Sect was vastly superior, but in regions where commerce and nightlife thrived, Hao Gate maintained an absolute stranglehold on information.

This was the precise reason Hao Gate had managed to endure through decades of intense, shadowy conflict.

“Hmm…… It represents excellent intelligence, yet there is no method to verify its authenticity.”

“Let us strike a compromise.”

I pulled the parchment from the folds of my tunic, ripped it down the middle, and proffered one half to the proprietor.

The proprietor took the fragment gingerly, scanned it line by line, and then fixed his widened gaze upon me.

“Are you prepared to buy it?”

“……What sum are you demanding?”

“Twenty gold taels.”

The proprietor’s brow knit together.

“Wouldn’t it be far more straightforward to simply trade it for the layout?”

“No. The layout is of no use to me. Please provide the coin.”

“Are you being serious?”

“I have no illusions about claiming the Mita Sacred Water. My plan is merely to secure some funds and take a stroll around Yueyang Tower.”

“Very well. Kindly grant me a brief moment.”

While the proprietor stepped away for a short duration, I scanned the surrounding trinkets and spotted a particular object that locked my focus.

“Why would this be sitting here?”

It was a mechanism designed to look like a silver flower bud clamped tightly together.

“Does it catch your eye?”

“Why would this be sitting here?”

“Through various twists and turns, it managed to drift into my possession.”

“If the people of Sichuan catch wind of this, do you think they will let it slide?”

When I threw out that subtle test, the proprietor offered a knowing grin.

“Just as I suspected, you are far from a typical traveler. Tell you what, I shall let you have it for a single gold tael.”

“The moment I put this to use, the phantoms of Sichuan will hunt me until my dying breath.”

“Quite true. In that case, what if I present it to you entirely as a gift?”

“You are offering me an item of such high value for nothing?”

“Consider it a token to cement our budding camaraderie.”

“An incredibly hazardous offering. You make for a treacherous companion.”

The proprietor lifted his sleeve to conceal his lower face and let out a soft laugh.

“Isn’t keeping company with a treacherous companion far more entertaining by its very nature?”

The proprietor watched me with gleaming eyes. I could sense his intense desire to unravel my secrets and squeeze whatever utility he could from my person.

As expected of the individual destined to command as the thirteenth Hao Gate Master in the days to come; he possessed an undeniable gravity.

Establishing a personal tie with the future Hao Gate Master Yang Gun-baek was an opportunity that required no sacrifice on my part. I retrieved the mechanism and replied.

“I suppose that is hard to argue.”

“Then I shall count on your goodwill in our future dealings.”

—

Upon exiting the Black Shop, my spirits were rather dampened.

The reality that the location where I expected to find the final remnants of the Taeul Sword Emperor coincided precisely with the zone where the Mita Sacred Water would surface meant that I, too, was forced to plunge directly into that brewing storm.

“Hey there! You think you can just stroll on by? You’ve gone and shattered my shoulder!”

“If your shoulder was truly that brittle, you should have detached it and tossed it away long ago!”

CLANG—! CLANG—!

Wherever martial artists congregated, skirmishes flared up randomly at every corner.

These weren’t simple brawls between common street thugs either. Every single participant was a combatant possessing a terrifying reputation.

‘The Nine-Finger Divine Beggar Ma Go-san, the Golden-Horned Bronze Man Sa Mu-in, the Paradise Child Seo Hyeon-jae…… I am expected to match wits and blades with monsters of this caliber?’

The dark factions weren’t the only ones present. There was an immense gathering of experts representing the righteous factions as well.

Notably, the righteous martial artists donned uniform attire to readily identify companions amidst the chaos, moving in coordinated units numbering anywhere from twenty to a full hundred blades.

‘Will I miss my chance if I delay my entry until after the struggle for the Mita Sacred Water settles down?’

This conflict was bound to drag on for at least two months.

Following that, the righteous organizations, including the prominent Namgung Clan that had suffered the loss of their young lady, along with the dark factions, would likely spend an additional half a year scouring Demon Spirit Plateau to piece together what had transpired within.

If I chose to wait out that entire sequence, I would likely miss the registration window for the Murim Academy Exam entirely.

‘Regardless, I must venture inside.’

That location likely concealed the esoteric techniques of the Taeul Sect. Even if it meant stepping into a graveyard where ten thousand souls perished instead of five thousand, I had zero alternative but to press forward. Furthermore, viewing the situation optimistically, I might just manage to secure the Mita Sacred Water alongside the Taeul Sect’s hidden manual.

“First, I need to execute my immediate preparations.”

In the event that I actually managed to secure the Mita Sacred Water, I required the proper tools to handle it.

I directed my steps toward a small lapidary shop situated at the entrance of Yueyang’s bustling entertainment district.

In stark contrast to the dilapidated storefront, every piece displayed within possessed an extraordinary and exquisite craftsmanship.

Seated dead center amidst the finery, a skeletal elder who paired far better with the decaying shop than the elegant merchandise was packing shredded tobacco into a long, slender pipe.

“Look who decided to show up, you peculiar brat.”

The old man continued to eye me as though he were inspecting a highly untrustworthy character.

Upon reaching Yueyang, I had rested a single day at the stables before arriving directly at this location the following afternoon to leave my Heavenly Silkworm Thread with this precise craftsman.

“Is the work fully completed?”

“You owe me an explanation for how you uncovered my identity.”

On my initial visit to the lapidary shop, I had presented the Heavenly Silkworm Thread out of nowhere, causing the old man to stare at me as if I had completely lost my wits.

Ignoring his bewilderment, I had detailed the exact apparatus I required him to construct, and after a lengthy period of deliberation, the craftsman demanded to know how I recognized him.

Since it was impossible to reveal that our paths would cross in a future timeline, I had simply promised to give him his answer once the device was ready.

“Kindly inform me if the device is ready before we discuss anything else.”

The elder tossed a bundled piece of fabric across the counter to the side.

The object that rolled out from the cloth possessed a highly peculiar structure.

The leather band was far too broad to be deemed a simple wristlet, yet it featured too many mechanical additions to be classified as a standard forearm guard worn on the limbs.

“Your turn to speak.”

“I acquired the information through Hao Gate at the cost of ten gold taels.”

The true identity of this elder was the renowned Ten-Thousand-Hand Artisan, Jang Do-won.

This was a detail I possessed due to the partnership we had developed within the Murim Alliance during my previous lifetime.

At the mere age of ten, he had been indentured to a metalsmith and picked up the forge hammer. Subsequently, he was passed along to a carpentry atelier, a leather tanner, and various other workshops, mastering every discipline along the way.

Despite enduring such grueling conditions, he developed the capacity to forge or construct absolutely anything via his peerless genius, yet because of his impoverished origins and his choice to conceal his mastery, he remained completely hidden from the world.

Down the line, when the Demonic Cult launched its resurgence, he would throw his support behind the Murim Alliance, forging fourteen peerless Divine Weapons or Mystical Treasures for the Nine Sects and One Gang alongside the Five Great Clans before vanishing once more into obscurity.

Because I couldn’t possibly explain that entire timeline, I simply gave a vague excuse about sourcing the information from Hao Gate.

“My entire reputation is valued at a measly ten gold taels?”

Was that the particular detail that rankled him more than his suspicion regarding my motives?

“Is that not simply because the world has yet to comprehend your absolute worth, Old Master?”

“Cut the chatter. Cease your brown-nosed flattery and inspect the mechanism.”

“Oh, it features a draconic motif.”

“I chose to name it the Flying Dragon Claw.”

“How exactly do I operate it?”

Jang Do-won had successfully fashioned such a complex apparatus utilizing the Heavenly Silkworm Thread I had provided in that remarkably brief window.

“Flex your palm backward toward your wrist.”

CLACK.

The mechanism situated over the upper part of my hand engaged, causing a hooked, metallic barb to launch outward.

“It is forged from genuine Cold Iron, meaning it possesses the strength to easily bite into solid rock faces.”

“You expect me to hurl this manually to anchor it?”

“You comprehend the unique properties of the Heavenly Silkworm Thread, do you not?”

“It possesses the unique capability to elongate whenever internal energy is channeled through it. So I project my internal energy to extend its reach, then sever the flow to reel it back in. That is truly remarkable.”

“You brainless child. Do you truly believe I would construct something so rudimentary when provided with such rare material?”

“Huh?”

“The Heavenly Silkworm Thread is capable of altering its trajectory mid-air depending on the precise volume of internal energy directed through its strands.”

“Huh?”

“By intertwining distinct threads into a single cord and varying the flow of internal energy into each component, one can steer its path. Furthermore, because it was tightly coiled from its inception, assuming your internal reserve is deep enough, the Flying Dragon Claw will launch under its own power without requiring a physical throw.”

“What exactly does that mean…….”

“If I have explained this much, you ought to grasp it. If it remains beyond your comprehension, then you have no right to wield it.”

My inquiry hadn’t arisen from a lack of understanding. I had questioned him further simply because the sheer utility sounded unbelievable.

Furthermore, the tips of the metallic barbs were articulated, allowing them to clamp shut or expand outward precisely like the talons of a bird.

“In the first place, I didn’t forge this for an unseasoned youth to fool around with. To command it properly, one requires endless devotion and a degree of minute manipulation on par with advanced acupuncture techniques…….”

Whirrrrr.

The barb launched from the Flying Dragon Claw snaked and twisted through the open air like a live serpent. The Flying Dragon Claw zipped right past Jang Do-won, snatched a silver band from the far edge of the display cabinet, and immediately zipped back.

Whirrrrr.

From the inner chamber of my wrist guard came the merry whir of a miniature spool revolving rapidly, and the moment the entirety of the Heavenly Silkworm Thread had reeled itself back in, the silver band rested firmly inside my palm.

“Is this the proper method to utilize it?”

“Huh……. I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t witnessed it with my own eyes.”

Jang Do-won commanded me to showcase the feat multiple times, and with each attempt, I executed his instructions flawlessly.

“Ahem. Well, it appears you can replicate the basic functions passably well.”

“Just a moment ago, you claimed it was beyond belief.”

“Silence! If your business here is concluded, take your leave.”

“Ah, wait, I have one additional request to commission.”

“Another one? Tsk, you ought to have handed over everything at the start.”

“This wasn’t something I had anticipated either.”

I proceeded to describe the dimensions and shape of the container required to securely capture the Mita Sacred Water.

Upon hearing the description, Jang Do-won’s jaw dropped so low it resembled a wide washing tub.

“Who in heaven’s name are you?”

“Haha, if I reveal that, will you waive the fee for the crafting?”

Jang Do-won’s forehead puckered into a deep scowl.

—

After placing the order for the vessel capable of securing the Mita Sacred Water to prepare for any unexpected turns, I took my leave of Jang Do-won and made my way toward the particular tavern where the heaviest traffic gathered.

For the time being, I judged that it would be far wiser to loosely associate with an existing faction rather than attempt to journey entirely unsupervised.

While I wouldn’t be able to extend absolute trust to them when things grew desperate, at the very least, it would prevent me from catching an unexpected blade in the back during the journey.

As I walked toward the tavern, a specific presence drifted into my awareness, which had grown significantly sharper now that my internal energy had crossed into the threshold of One cycles.

‘What do we have here?’

I possessed no acquaintances I should logically encounter in Yueyang at this juncture.

Even if I recognized a few faces, they would primarily be associations from my previous lifetime—individuals who currently had zero inkling of who I was.

‘It couldn’t be.’

The image of Gye Yeon-seok, who had hurled imprecations at me with eyes bloodshot from pure rage, flashed across my mind.

Could he have contracted a professional killer?

If he attempted to eliminate me within the boundaries of the Taeul Sect, suspicion would immediately lock onto him, so he might be capitalizing on the window of my journey abroad……. When my deductions arrived at that conclusion, a chill ran down my spine.

If a sudden strike materialized from the middle of this packed thoroughfare, mounting a defense would be incredibly difficult.

And that hidden observer deftly parted the sea of pedestrians, rapidly closing the distance toward my position.

Just as I prepared to circulate my internal energy to meet the threat.

“Young Master Jin!! Whatever brings you to these parts?”

The individual tracking me turned out to be none other than Seong Mo-ran from the Iron Sword Sect.

Seong Mo-ran was clutching a skewer of roasted chicken in one hand, beaming at me with a radiant expression.

“Ah…… You gave me quite a fright.”

“Tell me about it! I was caught completely off guard as well. To think I would run into someone so difficult to cross paths with even back in Hefei right here.”

“What brings you to Yueyang, Lady Seong?”

“Me? Naturally, I am here to participate in the pursuit of the Mita Sacred Water.”

Seeming to suddenly remember the roasted chicken skewer in her grip, Seong Mo-ran swiftly tucked it behind her hip as she spoke.

“Are you traveling solo?”

“No. I am accompanied by a younger sister of mine. A handful of companions who are assisting her, along with my personal friends, made the journey with us.”

“Ah…… So you have an established group?”

“Could it be, Young Master Jin, that you have also journeyed here to secure the Mita Sacred Water?”

“……Well, you could say my objectives align closely with that.”

“With which group?”

“I am travelling on my own.”

“Good heavens…… I was aware you possessed immense courage, but you truly have a total disregard for your own safety.”

“……My lady, I find your assessment a bit blunt…….”

“No. It isn’t blunt in the slightest. How could you possibly dream of hunting for the Mita Sacred Water entirely unaccompanied?”

“I was actually in the process of scouting out a group to align with.”

“Ah, is that so?”

“Yes.”

“In that case, how would you feel about journeying alongside our group?”

If she possessed a level of martial mastery on par with Seong Mo-ran, I could comfortably rely on her to watch my back.

Naturally, that assumed she wouldn’t choose to slide a dagger into my ribs.

Then again, I would likely survive such a betrayal regardless, seeing as I was outfitted in the Heavenly Silkworm Treasure Robe.

“Would that be acceptable?”

“Ah, give me just one second.”

Seong Mo-ran glanced over her shoulder and began shifting her lips silently. She was clearly employing a focused sound transmission to converse with someone at a distance.

However, after repeating this silent lip movement for a considerable duration, Seong Mo-ran suddenly shook her head rapidly, her face turning crimson.

It appeared the exchange wasn’t proceeding very smoothly.

“Lady Seong, if this arrangement causes any friction amongst your peers, I have no desire to impose myself.”

“Ah, absolutely not! M-My younger sister was merely poking fun at me, nothing more.”

“Poking fun?”

“Ahem, at any rate, she mentioned it is perfectly fine for you to join our ranks, provided we can reach an accord regarding the primary claim over the Mita Sacred Water.”

In collective endeavors of this nature, parties regularly established a binding pact beforehand concerning who held the primary claim over discovered artifacts or rare Spiritual Medicines.

In the real world, there were endless instances where groups ventured out without such clauses, or chose to violate their terms, resulting in everyone drawing steel against one another at the finish line.

I gave an understanding nod and replied.

“Naturally.”

“She indicated she is making her way toward our position right now.”

A brief moment later, the street ahead grew turbulent as the throngs of people began to clear a path to either side.

I was able to instantly deduce their affiliation based on the uniform garb worn by the vanguard martial artists leading the pack.

‘The Namgung Clan!’

While the pathways of Yueyang were currently swarming with countless fighters, there existed only a rare few organizations that outranked the individuals standing before me.

Because the common crowd understood this reality perfectly, everyone moved aside without hesitation.

I was just about to take Seong Mo-ran by the arm and lead her toward the edge of the street to avoid them.

“Seon-hwa!!”

“!!”

Seong Mo-ran hoisted her hand high into the air and gave a vigorous wave.

“Older Sister! I was incredibly worried when you suddenly vanished from sight. Is this gentleman…… that person?”

“Uh…… Ahem, allow me to introduce Young Master Jin So-un of the Taeul Sect.”

The maiden who had addressed Seong Mo-ran as her senior sibling let a faint grin tug at the edge of her lips.

The onlookers who had retreated to the flanks of the thoroughfare gawked mindlessly, utterly captivated by her exquisite features.

Namgung Seon-hwa brought her hands together in a polite martial greeting.

“Greetings. I am Namgung Seon-hwa.”

The collective I had just consented to ally myself with happened to be the very faction destined to meet its demise in the upcoming conflict.