The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 40

Chapter 40
I felt completely pushed to my absolute limits, as if the very flame of my life was about to be snuffed out.

While most people experience a fading of their spiritual core due to the depletion of their physical vitality and internal energy, my own physical form and vital energy had been continually sustained through the diligent use of specialized inner arts and potent life-restoring medicines. Because of this, the relentless strain was grinding down my raw spiritual willpower instead.

Yet, with powerful figures like Namgung Jin-myeong, the Peak Lord of Four Emperors Peak, and the top leaders of the Black Serpent Gang keeping close watch over me, it was impossible to simply ask for a moment of relaxation.

On the bright side, this grueling ordeal allowed me to experience a level of prestige completely unprecedented in the history of the martial world. I was almost certainly the first person to ever have the absolute masters of both the Orthodox Path and the Black Path taking shifts to protect my body and clear my blocked meridians.

Weighed down by a bone-deep exhaustion that threatened to dissolve my consciousness entirely, I forced my limbs to stir once more and stepped back into the perilous Soul-Destroying Formation. That was when a critical error occurred.

I made a misstep, taking the wrong path through the array.

Strangely enough, the moment I committed that blunder, an entirely unfamiliar route through the labyrinthine Soul-Destroying Formation revealed itself to my eyes. I simply kept moving forward as though nothing went awry. Under ordinary circumstances, such a slip-up would have proven fatal, but since I was alone inside the shifting paths of the Soul-Destroying Formation, no one else could possibly perceive my mistake.

When I later discussed the mechanics of arrays with Yu Ji-ryang in confidence, he mentioned that a foundational aspect of mastering formations involved memorizing the layout of the pathways and absorbing the underlying mathematical equations.

Reflecting on it myself, however, I suspected this breakthrough stemmed from my insights into the Taeul True Scripture.

Ever since I committed myself to the study of the Taeul True Scripture—which is designed to unlock comprehension regarding the natural laws governing all things—my mind had developed a heightened sensitivity to the sensory data filtering in from my environment. With my physical vitality and internal energy operating independently while my consciousness observed from a detached perspective, I had apparently unlocked the deeper secrets hidden within complex arrays.

Of course, this was merely speculation on my part.

Regardless of the exact cause, I ultimately succeeded in bringing the trapped martial artists out alive. Putting aside the casualties who perished from moving recklessly within the array, the severely wounded, and those who succumbed to starvation before rescue arrived, everyone else owed their survival to me. Word was already spreading that the historical records of the martial world contained no prior instance of a solitary martial artist rescuing such a massive number of people simultaneously.

To speak candidly, watching those people perish inside the array did trouble my conscience, but it wasn’t an ordeal I would normally risk my own existence to resolve. Had circumstances been different, I could have negotiated favorable terms, secured valuable concessions, and simply pulled them out as a secondary objective.

I easily could have leveraged the crisis to maximize the political leverage and renown of both the Taeul Sect and myself. However, the moment I discovered that Yong So-ah had escaped toward Wudang under the protection of the Murim Alliance without delivering accurate intelligence regarding the inner workings of the array, I realized I had to ensure the survival of those trapped inside, regardless of the personal peril.

“That is the only way to drag the public’s reverence for Yong So-ah straight down into the mud.”

The primary reason the Murim Alliance—the central pillar of the Orthodox Path—had fallen under the sway of Yong So-ah was due to his overwhelming combat prowess, combined with the unyielding backing of Wudang, the most influential sect within the coalition. Furthermore, whenever devastating conflicts erupted against the Demonic Cult and other factions suffered catastrophic losses, Yong So-ah invariably secured miraculous triumphs through his bizarre, near-superhuman talents.

These repetitive victories had generated an aura of mystical reverence around him, convincing the masses that Yong So-ah represented the sole salvation for the Murim Alliance.

“But that illusion shatters today.”

In the taverns and streets of Yueyang, the sharp divide between the Black Path and Orthodox Path seemed to melt away. The gathered martial artists had formed unexpected bonds, sharing meals, pouring drinks, and boisterously marking the occasion.

Young disciples from the Black Path openly expressed their appreciation to seasoned masters of the Orthodox Path, and in turn, prominent Orthodox figures returned the respect to their counterparts from the dark side of the murim.

Naturally, amidst this widespread camaraderie, Yong So-ah became the focal point of collective animosity. At every table, the patrons spent their time venomously tearing down Yong So-ah’s character rather than enjoying their food, their shared fury mounting with every conversation.

Yong So-ah had left behind an absolute disaster, and Wudang’s clumsy attempt to shield him by recalling him to their mountain stronghold and keeping him out of sight was proving to be a catastrophic political blunder.

As the rescued victims began emerging from the plateau, resources and eager volunteers flooded in from all corners of the martial world, including official channels of the Murim Alliance. Yet, Wudang was noticeably absent from the relief efforts.

“From this point onward, things are going to get highly volatile.”

Even the most massive dam can collapse from a single hairline fracture.

It was safe to assume that, as of this day, a structural crack had formed in the foundation of Wudang, the undisputed titan of the Orthodox faction. Granted, because it was merely an initial fracture, they possessed the means to repair the damage if they acted wisely. But judging by the cowardly behavior they had displayed up to this point, would they actually manage it?

I remained highly skeptical.

Even now, subtle whispers were beginning to circulate, largely originating from the networks of the Beggars’ Sect, hinting that perhaps the layout within the plateau hadn’t actually been that lethal. However, whenever an individual dared to utter such claims aloud, the furious survivors who had actually endured the horrors of the Demon Spirit Plateau would immediately thrash them within an inch of their lives.

Consequently, those ridiculous conspiracy theories were strangled in their infancy.

“I finally look like a living person again.”

Once the last of the trapped souls was brought to safety, we dismantled the central command post along with the temporary medical tents and relocated our base of operations to Yueyang.

The factions took over thirty entire commercial properties, stretching across various inns and residential quarters, prioritizing accommodations for the injured and those utterly drained by the grueling extraction efforts. I was granted a secluded private courtyard separate from the main quarters, allowing me to recuperate in total peace.

Whenever I awakened from my slumber, I would summon an attendant, consume vast quantities of food, regulate my breathing through intensive Qi Circulation, and immediately drift back into sleep. If the sensation of hunger woke me up again, I simply went through the exact same routine.

It took three full days of this cycle before the fog in my mind dissipated and my physical vitality returned to its peak.

The moment I felt clear-headed, my immediate priority was to inspect my internal energy reserves. During the frantic chaos of the rescue, I hadn’t found a spare moment to evaluate the structural changes brought about by the Taeul True Scripture; I had merely routed my energy while in a semi-conscious state. Now that I looked closer, I discovered that my internal energy had surged to the level of Two cycles.

“……Well now.”

It appeared highly probable that the transformative properties of the Taeul True Scripture had permeated my entire physical structure, drawing out and consolidating every lingering scrap of medicinal energy that lay dormant within my body.

The sensation of holding such a vast reservoir of easily accessible internal energy, paired with fully realized martial techniques capable of channeling that power seamlessly, felt profoundly surreal.

“So this explains why the elite figures of the martial world and that wretched Yong So-ah walked around with such unshakeable arrogance.”

It brought a profound sense of self-actualization that I had never experienced in either my past existence or my current life. I felt an overwhelming wave of confidence, believing I could execute every single detail of my long-term strategy without encountering any real obstacles.

Having consumed three full months navigating the perils of the Demon Spirit Plateau, I had a mere three months remaining on my timeline, meaning every single passing second was now a critical asset.

“Regardless, the time invested yielded incredible results.”

Silently marking this personal milestone, I directed my steps toward the workshop of Jang Do-won.

“Haha, you truly are something else…”

The moment his eyes fell upon the container of Mita Sacred Water, Jang Do-won let out a breathless, disbelieving chuckle, his expression a mix of shock and wonder.

“I was prepared to simply be grateful that you managed to return from that hellscape with your life intact…”

“I owe it to your craftsmanship, master. This proved to be incredibly valuable during the ordeal,” I remarked, gently tapping the handle of the Flying Dragon Claw.

“I ended up pouring entirely too much effort into that piece. If I had anticipated you would return to pester me like this, I would have put together a far simpler tool,” Jang Do-won grumbled, though a broad, proud grin remained fixed on his face.

In my previous life, Jang Do-won had shared a particular piece of wisdom with me. He believed that the ultimate satisfaction for an artisan came simply from watching their creation find its way into the hands of a master capable of utilizing it perfectly.

“Return to my shop in three days’ time.”

“Does the process truly require that long?”

“When dealing with concentrated Extreme Yin energy, this particular material is second to none. Do you honestly believe refining something of that nature can be accomplished in the blink of an eye?”

“Fair enough. What kind of sum should I have ready for the payment?”

“Keep your money. Even if I accepted whatever meager coins you have, I have absolutely no use for them at this stage in my life.”

“Is that so?”

“A few of the young martial artists you hauled out of that array happened to be loyal patrons of mine. Let their survival serve as your payment.”

“Wait a moment. If we are tracking obligations that way, shouldn’t the financial transaction flow in the opposite direction?”

“What nonsense are you spouting now?”

“Right now, both the Orthodox Path and the Black Path organizations are scrambling to find ways to compensate me for their people. Given that reality, shouldn’t you be offering me a rare artifact as a token of appreciation?”

“You shameless brat! I suppose you want to watch me lose my composure, ruin the refinement of the Mita Sacred Water, and destroy the material entirely?”

Before the old craftsman could alter his terms, I spun around and made a swift exit from his establishment. Jang Do-won went so far as to slide the main security bar across his shop door, cutting off his regular business to immediately begin working on the refinement.

—

The encounter occurred just as I was making my way back toward my private quarters.

I had spotted a sizeable contingent of martial artists clad in the official organizational uniforms of the Murim Alliance and was preparing to step to the edge of the street to let them pass. For some inexplicable reason, the group of roughly twenty men altered their course and halted directly in my path.

“Are you Jin So-un of the Taeul Sect?”

It was immediately clear that they had already verified my identity.

“That is correct.”

“You are required to accompany us immediately.”

The moment those words left his mouth, two of the Murim Alliance martial artists lunged forward, reaching out to pin my shoulders.

Without a second thought, I thrust both of my palms forward, releasing a concussive burst of energy that slammed into their chests. The unexpected counter-strike sent both men staggering backward three full steps. Startled and enraged, they instinctively reached for the hilts of their weapons.

“Do you dare openly resist an official decree of the Murim Alliance?”

“You have failed to provide your names, your affiliation, or the underlying purpose behind this confrontation.”

In my past life, my immediate instinct would have been to quietly submit and comply to avoid drawing unnecessary attention, but those days were long gone.

“My name is Gong Seok-chan, and I serve as the Branch Chief for the Murim Alliance within the Yueyang region. You cannot possibly claim ignorance regarding the catastrophic events that transpired at the Demon Spirit Plateau, can you?”

I canted my head slightly, feigning confusion.

“I have no idea what you are referring to.”

“Insolent fool! Your school, the Taeul Sect, maintains a recognized position among the One Hundred Eight Peaks. Are you declaring your intention to violate the sacred codes of the Murim Alliance?”

“I gave you a straightforward answer. I stated quite clearly that I do not comprehend your meaning. Furthermore, what systemic violation am I supposed to have committed at that location?”

Gong Seok-chan shot a sharp, meaningful glance toward his subordinates.

Receiving the silent signal, four of the swordsmen advanced on me simultaneously.

Without bothering to unfasten my blade, I immediately executed the Ten Thousand Transformations Invincible Fist.

*THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!*

Blindsided by a sudden torrent of dozens of overlapping fist phantoms, the Murim Alliance enforcers sustained multiple precise strikes to their vital meridians, collapsing to the cobblestones as they gasped desperately for air.

“You miserable wretch! Do you comprehend the sheer gravity of the crime you are committing right now?”

“And what covert agenda are you trying to execute, Branch Chief, while using the alliance codes as a convenient shield?”

“What did you say?”

“The residential compounds where I am currently lodging are actively occupied by prominent representatives of the Namgung Clan and the Maoshan Sect. Had you approached them directly through proper channels, there would have been absolutely no necessity to deploy an enforcement squad to ambush me in the street. Why choose this specific underhanded method instead?”

“……”

“I remain ignorant of your underlying motivations, but if you can produce a legitimate warrant, I will comply. If you cannot, I will not take a single step with you.”

I recalled the intelligence shared with me by Namgung Seon-hwa.

The higher-ups of the Murim Alliance had deliberately chosen to stand by and watch silently while Yong So-ah abandoned the crisis and fled straight into the depths of Wudang. Because of that blatant display of political favoritism, an all-out blood feud had very nearly ignited between the Namgung Clan and the Wudang Sect.

That specific incident had pushed Namgung Jin-myeong into an absolute state of fury, leading him to entirely freeze the Murim Alliance out of the subsequent rescue operations.

In short, there was absolutely no reason for me to show deference to these enforcers simply because they carried the banner of the Murim Alliance.

“There exists a formal suspicion that a specialized mechanism or trap within the Demon Spirit Plateau’s array was linked to your faction from the very beginning.”

I listened to Gong Seok-chan’s declaration without breaking expression, though the logic remained entirely absurd. Seeing my unblinking gaze, he attempted to elaborate.

“Can you provide definitive proof that the grand array constructed at the Demon Spirit Plateau was not an ancient asset belonging to the Taeul Sect?”

“Ha.”

Yong So-ah had failed to unravel it, and the elite masters of the Maoshan Sect had been completely stymied by it, yet an ordinary disciple of the Taeul Sect had navigated it with ease. Therefore, the formation must have been created by the Taeul Sect all along.

That was the clumsy narrative they were attempting to construct.

The sheer absurdity of the accusation caused an involuntary laugh to escape my lips.

“If our Taeul Sect possessed the structural knowledge to engineer an array of that staggering magnitude, do you truly believe our people would have spent generations living in obscurity at the very absolute bottom of the One Hundred Eight Peaks?”

“……The truth of the matter will be determined once you are placed under official interrogation.”

“In that case, I request that you present a formalized directive authorized by the Mantongbu.”

“……What?”

“If this matter is as monumental as you claim, you would undoubtedly possess written clearance from the Mantongbu. Or are you suggesting that you are conducting an unauthorized arrest based entirely on your own personal conjecture, Branch Chief?”

“……”

As expected, he possessed nothing resembling an official authorization.

An arrest warrant concerning an event of this magnitude would require the direct signature of Jegal So-myeong. A strategist of that caliber would never validate such a transparently malicious and conspiratorial accusation.

“……Your persistent refusal to cooperate only serves to deepen the suspicions surrounding your actions.”

Watching Gong Seok-chan’s increasingly desperate and illogical behavior, a sudden realization clicked in my mind, prompting me to ask a pointed question.

“Tell me, Branch Chief… do your true loyalties lie with the Wudang Sect?”

*FLINCH.*

The telltale twitch across his features, which he failed to suppress quickly enough, provided all the confirmation I required.

“Ah. Knowing that you belong to the Wudang Sect makes everything perfectly clear.”

It explained exactly why the Murim Alliance leaders had refused to intervene when Yong So-ah—who had supposedly departed the plateau under the guise of summoning reinforcement—bypassed headquarters entirely and hid himself within Wudang instead.

“This investigation has absolutely nothing to do with my ancestral sect…”

It explained why their leadership had contentedly stood on the sidelines, silently praying that every single witness trapped within the Soul-Destroying Formation would perish before help arrived.

And it perfectly explained why they were now scrambling to fabricate a distraction the moment Yong So-ah’s reputation had been thoroughly dragged through the dirt. Every single piece of the puzzle fell into place.

“Return when you have a valid warrant. Otherwise, stay out of my way.”

Brushing Gong Seok-chan aside, I turned my back on the group and prepared to walk away.

Pushed past his breaking point by the open defiance, Gong Seok-chan finally lost his restraint and launched an attack.

“Hmph.”

I pivoted instantly, preparing to counter his advance by unleashing the full weight of the Ten Thousand Transformations Invincible Fist.

I had yet to test how the martial styles of the Taeul Sword Emperor would fare in a direct clash against the orthodox arts of Wudang, but I possessed absolute certainty about one crucial factor: my raw internal energy reserves far surpassed his own.

Before our techniques could collide, an immense, towering figure suddenly interposed himself between us, swinging a massive saber downward with terrifying force directly toward Gong Seok-chan.

*BANG!*

The giant of a man remained perfectly anchored in place after completing his downward cleave, yet the sheer shockwave of the blow sent Gong Seok-chan hurtling backward through the air, sailing a full two jang before crashing down.

“Arrgh! Y-you… who are you?! How dare you commit an act of violence against an active Branch Chief of the Murim Alliance!”

“A Branch Chief?” the massive warrior boomed, casually resting the heavy spine of his great saber against his broad shoulder.

“A minor bureaucratic official thinks he has the authority to harass the savior of Cha Seok-du of the Four Emperors Peak? Listen closely, boy. If you harbor intentions of dragging this young man away, you had better return with your Alliance Leader in tow.”

The moment he identified himself as Cha Seok-du, the Peak Lord of Four Emperors Peak and one of the most feared martial powerhouses within the Black Path murim, the color drained entirely from Gong Seok-chan’s face.

Stepping out from the shadows beside the dark master with an unhurried, measured stride was none other than Namgung Jin-myeong of the prestigious Namgung Clan.

“I am quite certain I made my position explicit regarding the Murim Alliance attempting to meddle in this situation,” the old master stated coldly.

Confronted by the sheer presence of these two legendary figures representing the absolute pinnacles of the Orthodox and Black Path factions, Gong Seok-chan and his remaining enforcers looked as though they wanted nothing more than to vanish through the floorboards.

Realizing the hopelessness of his position, Gong Seok-chan offered a tense, hurried clasped-hands bow before leading his men in a rapid retreat down the street.

“It seems we finally have the privilege of speaking with our benefactor now that he is on his feet.”

“My young friend, did I not explicitly instruct you to alert our sentries whenever you intended to venture outside the compound?”

Beholding these two massive titans of the Orthodox Path and the Black Path—men who under any normal circumstances would have been locked in a deadly duel to the death—standing side by side in perfect agreement like lifelong companions, my mind grew utterly overwhelmed as I tried to determine the appropriate way to address them.