The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 47

Chapter 47
## Chapter 47. A First-Rate Warrior Who Gathers People (6)

A roar of celebration erupted from the crowd.

They rejoiced at their deliverance from an uncertain, dark destiny, celebrating the reclamation of a normal existence that had felt like a distant, forgotten memory.

In that instant, all boundaries dissolved between the local villagers and the slash-and-burn farmers.

Several locals rushed home to butcher livestock for a grand meal, while those staying behind on Mount Geummok immediately set to work organizing a banquet, digging up cookware and dishes from the wreckage of their belongings.

Before long, containers of alcohol emerged, and the gathering filled with endless laughter, everyone imbibing the sweet brew as if the joy itself was enough accompaniment.

“Step forward, our esteemed Warrior Lord.”

Grasping my hand with paternal warmth, the elderly Herb Gatherer refused to release his grip, all while Chief Heo stood before me with tears streaming down his face.

As the populace celebrated lightheartedly, the left-out members of the Jegal Clan gathered around the carcass of the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent to inspect it closely.

“How can this be…!”

Standing there completely stunned, Jegal Jeong struggled to accept the reality of the sight before him.

“What sort of deception did you use?!”

The celebratory mood abruptly froze, as if a blanket of icy frost had suddenly fallen over the merry crowd.

The revelers cut short their laughter and drinking, turning their gaze toward the Jegal Clan with burning hostility.

“Account for your actions and explain exactly how this creature was captured.”

Gently pulling my hands away from Chief Heo and Old Man Kang, I advanced to face Jegal Jeong directly.

“The Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent is notoriously shunned by those in the Murim. Are you aware of the reason?”

It was never a matter of it being impossible to slay.

Rather, it was a creature that people simply preferred to steer clear of entirely.

“Despite the immense difficulty of hunting it, the monster lacks a Spiritual Pill, and its flesh and inner organs are saturated with lethal toxins dangerous to mankind.”

While using tainted bait is a time-honored hunting practice, the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent is naturally venomous and immune to such substances, rendering standard traps useless.

“I am well aware of that.”

“Which is why I employed a method of reversing toxicity.”

“Reversing toxicity?”

“The specific plants packed into the wild boars break down inside the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent’s belly and combine. When they merge, those otherwise harmless remedies transform into a fatal venom tailored for the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent.”

Following the massive loss of martial artists during the Great Righteous-Demonic War, ordinary citizens within the Murim world were frequently forced to devise ways to solve problems usually reserved for combatants.

“Are you claiming a beast of this magnitude falls just by ingesting cleansing plants?”

“Simply throwing them together will achieve nothing. They must be consumed in a precise, sequential order.”

This specific tactic of subduing the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent through chemical interaction was a hidden strategy developed by the Divine Physician Hall when the Great Righteous-Demonic War was at its peak.

At this point in history, it was a breakthrough that had not yet been revealed to the world.

“This is completely preposterous…”

Jegal Jeong ground his teeth together, his face twisting with irritation.

The accompanying fighters of the Jegal Clan shared his indignation.

Far from feeling relieved by the demise of the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent, they felt bitter indignation that an outsider had effortlessly bypassed an obstacle that had thoroughly stymied them.

“You expect us to believe you took it down using such a ridiculous trick?!”

The martial artists and Spell Practitioners of the Jegal Clan gave slight nods of agreement, echoing Jegal Jeong’s disbelief.

Yet, Jegal Jeong was completely blind to his current situation.

He failed to notice the shifting countenances of the locals.

“…….”

“…….”

The commoners were staring at them with intense loathing, as if confronting a mortal foe.

Their gaze radiated pure fury, laced with genuine lethal intent.

Listening to these noblemen demean the savior who had just liberated them from their nightmare left a foul taste in the villagers’ mouths.

Sensing the dangerous shift in atmosphere, Jegal Hyeon-un prepared to step in and quiet his kin, but I spoke out to the gathered peasants first.

“May I have everyone’s attention for a second?”

The entire crowd shifted their eyes toward me.

Swallowing his unsought words, Jegal Hyeon-un paused and focused on me as well.

“In reality, my intervention against the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent was prompted by a special entreaty from within the Jegal Clan.”

The villagers stared back in utter confusion, bewildered by my sudden statement.

“While formal procedures with the Murim Alliance dragged on indefinitely, a certain noble soul within the Jegal Clan grew too distressed by your suffering to sit idle. They personally commissioned me to slay the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent for your protection.”

At this point, the members of the Jegal Clan themselves looked completely baffled, wondering what tale I was spinning.

“This individual declared that a lone Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent should not be allowed to devastate hundreds of innocent families, and that waiting around for the Murim Alliance was out of the question.”

Allowing a brief, dramatic silence to heighten the tension, I turned and pointed directly at Jegal Jeong.

“While I appreciate your kind words to me, I wanted to ensure that the credit goes exactly where it is due. Grand Elder, would you please take center stage?”

Every single eye in the crowd locked onto Jegal Jeong.

Caught completely off guard, Jegal Jeong hesitated in a daze before awkwardly shuffling to the front.

“This is the very man who ensured the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent would be hunted down for your sake.”

A low buzz of surprised whispers rippled through the populace.

Gritting his teeth, Jegal Jeong leaned in and hissed quietly.

“What sort of game are you playing?”

“Should we not allow an excellent outcome to benefit everyone?”

“Pardon?”

Though inherently cautious and easily shaken, Jegal Jeong harbored an immense craving for prestige and public admiration.

In his younger years, he had promptly retreated to his family estate after finishing his obligatory duties with the Murim Alliance, simply because he lacked the self-assurance to compete against the brilliant Dragons and Phoenixes of his generation.

“Following today, the Grand Elder’s reputation will echo across the entirety of Hubei Province as a benevolent protector of the ordinary masses.”

“…….”

The prospect clearly enticed him; despite his deep scowl, a faint, involuntary smile tugged at the edges of Jegal Jeong’s lips.

Capitalizing on the moment, I addressed the crowd from the Slash-and-Burn Farmer Village once more.

“Furthermore, the Jegal Clan has graciously agreed to cover the full costs of rebuilding everything the Slash-and-Burn Farmer Village lost throughout this crisis.”

“You say what?”

Before Jegal Jeong could voice his objection to my claim.

“Oh, Heavens! My lord!”

Chief Heo ran forward, overwhelmed with emotion.

“I always believed you wouldn’t leave us to rot. My deepest gratitude to you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Watching the elderly leader weep, Jegal Jeong put on a strained, self-important grin and chuckled, “Haha, please, stand up. Didn’t I… didn’t I assure you before? I promised that I would extend a helping hand.”

“Bless you. Thank you so much. Now, I can at least provide for my granddaughter without having to feel ashamed when I face my departed son and his wife in the afterlife.”

Moved by this touching display, the onlookers among the commoners began nodding in approval.

“Indeed, a legendary family like the Jegal Clan would never truly ignore our plight.”

“Exactly. Our entire livelihood relies on the goodwill of the Jegal Clan in the first place.”

With the tension entirely dissolved, the locals began to warmly approach the members of the Jegal Clan.

“Respected warriors, please partake of this liquor. I prepared it myself last season, and it has aged beautifully.”

“Quickly! Prepare more meat! These martial artists have large appetites, so bring out everything we have!”

Completely bewildered but swept along by the sudden hospitality, the Jegal Clan fighters relaxed and joined the festivities.

“Reimbursements? What madness have you locked me into?”

“Just treat it as a charitable gesture. Given the vast coffers of your household, constructing a handful of huts for the Slash-and-Burn Farmer Village is mere pocket change.”

“…….”

“Besides, doesn’t this paint a magnificent picture?”

Looking over at where I pointed—the local peasants and his own clan members sharing drinks and laughing—Jegal Jeong fell into a long, contemplative silence.

“Grand Elder, allow this old servant to pour you a drink.”

As Chief Heo extended a cup, Jegal Jeong wavered for a moment before accepting it and taking a sip.

“Oh? This is remarkably flavorful.”

“It is fermented from cornelian cherry fruit. If you enjoy it, I would be honored to deliver a cask to your estate annually.”

“Hoho, marvelous.”

Joined by the elderly Herb Gatherer, the three old men merrily continued to toast one another.

“Good grief…”

Watching this unfold, Jegal Hyeon-un could only shake his head with a soft chuckle.

“What manner of individual are you truly?”

He stared at me as though examining a completely foreign, unprecedented species.

—

“Truthfully, once I witnessed you effortlessly handle the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent, I anticipated my elder’s reaction. He would never have willingly permitted Jegal Cheon-gi to leave.”

Jegal Hyeon-un and Jin So-un walked side by side toward the Prison holding cells where Jegal Cheon-gi was being kept.

Ultimately, Jegal Jeong had found himself cornered into authorizing Jegal Cheon-gi’s release.

Having been publicly lauded as a saintly savior by the entire populace, he could not openly display pettiness by maintaining his stubborn refusal.

This outcome only heightened Jegal Hyeon-un’s profound intrigue regarding Jin So-un.

“Yet your calculated maneuvers caught me entirely off guard. At what point did you devise that scheme?”

“The moment he showed up to keep tabs on me.”

“Haha! It seems the wit of the Black Flame Dragon truly outpaces even the swiftness of the Traceless Divine Thief.”

“…….”

Jin So-un gave a slight, irritated grimace at the mention of his title, an expression that Jegal Hyeon-un found rather amusing.

Did the young man still feel that the grand moniker of a ‘Dragon’ was too lofty for his standing?

“Regardless, how could you be certain the peasantry would play along and stroke his ego? What would you have done if the Grand Elder proved indifferent to public opinion?”

Jegal Hyeon-un pressed for answers with a barrage of inquiries, acting like an enthusiastic companion catching up after years apart.

Without showing a hint of impatience, Jin So-un laid out his reasoning methodically.

“Observing the Grand Elder’s opulent attire and general demeanor, it was clear he loved displaying his status. Furthermore, his previous interactions with Chief Heo revealed a man desperate for validation. Yet, the local populations surrounding Mount Longzhong harbored deep-seated resentment toward the Jegal Clan.”

“That failure lies squarely on my own shortcomings as a leader.”

“I doubt it is solely your fault. Regardless, when a supervisor arrives accompanied by personal fighters and Spell Practitioners, adhering to rigid protocol despite there being no active conflict, it indicates a profound yearning to be idolized. I simply provided him with the stage he wanted.”

Listening to this masterclass in psychology, Jegal Hyeon-un’s respect for the youth deepened significantly.

The grand designs of the world often appear straightforward from the outside, but understanding the intricate mechanisms behind them evokes pure awe.

That was precisely the revelation Jegal Hyeon-un was experiencing.

“……Honestly, it is a pity you belong to the Taeul Sect; your talents belong within the ranks of the Jegal Clan.”

“I am humbled by your generous praise.”

“To see someone completely manipulate and handle the Grand Elder so flawlessly… even having watched it happen, it still feels surreal.”

“……He certainly cuts a very different figure compared to the Grand Strategist.”

“……What did you say?”

The unexpected reference to Jegal So-myeong’s official title caused Jegal Hyeon-un to freeze in his tracks.

“You are acquainted with my father… that is, the Grand Strategist?”

“Yes, our paths crossed previously during a gathering at the Iron Sword Sect.”

“……Did you analyze his character from a distance back then as well?”

“No, on that occasion, we sat down privately and had a direct conversation…”

“The Entry Token!”

Jegal Hyeon-un gasped as realization struck him.

Jin So-un blinked in surprise, silently wondering how the man could possibly possess that information.

“It was you who received that Entry Token!”

“……How are you aware of that?”

How could anyone in their circles remain ignorant of it?

The incident had triggered a massive wave of gossip among the prominent names of the Murim.

Given how notoriously critical Jegal So-myeong was—refusing to bestow an Entry Token even upon his closest kin—everyone was desperate to discover the identity of the mysterious outsider he had deemed worthy.

“Did… didn’t Namgung San actively hunt you down?”

Jegal Hyeon-un found himself stumbling over his words.

Rumor dictated that Namgung San, acting on behalf of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, had set out to retrieve the token so it could be used to test his own sister’s qualifications.

The story went that a nameless martial artist chosen by Jegal So-myeong had secured the item, prompting Namgung San to depart his domain to reclaim it.

The entire community had been waiting to see who could withstand a confrontation with Namgung San, the premier talent of Anhui Province.

“Yes.”

“Don’t tell me he managed to wrest it from your grasp?”

“I am not in the habit of surrendering my possessions.”

“Good heavens.”

The feats he had already witnessed were staggering enough on their own.

Discovering these hidden layers to the youth left him utterly winded with shock.

“If that is true, then the swordsman from the Taeul Sect who rescued the young lady of the Wang Estate must have been…”

Jin So-un rubbed the back of his neck, looking mildly self-conscious.

The silence was confirmation enough for Jegal Hyeon-un.

He was well aware that Wang Geum-san, the master of the Wang Estate, was aggressively seeking a suitable husband for his daughter.

Yet he had never connected that sought-after prodigy to the young man standing right before him.

“Who exactly are you?”

“Merely a practitioner of the Taeul Sect.”

That single fact made the situation all the more baffling.

Despite technically being a standard disciple of the Taeul Sect, his monumental achievements, tactical insight, demeanor, and brilliant intellect transcended anything ordinary.

If he could orchestrate such outcomes using only the foundations of the Taeul Sect, Jegal Hyeon-un shuddered to think what height of influence he would reach with peak martial cultivation.

‘Come to think of it, the secret techniques of our Jegal Clan are highly formidable as well…’

Following that train of thought, Jegal Hyeon-un suddenly felt a pang of profound regret for not having a daughter of his own.

“I must confess, I deeply covet the fortune of your father and your Sect Leader.”

“My Sect Leader might agree, but I can assure you my father views me with far less enthusiasm. Haha.”

His genuine laughter suggested a warm, comfortable bond with his sire.

He seemed entirely without flaw; the longer one observed him, the more valuable an asset he appeared.

‘No matter. He will be taking Jegal Cheon-gi with him, giving us ample opportunity to strengthen our alliance. If the situation demands it, there are several eligible young ladies within our extended household…’

Indulging in these optimistic calculations, Jegal Hyeon-un walked alongside him until they finally arrived outside the Prison.

The sentries assigned to secure the Prison perimeter had already disassembled and left following the formal approval of Jegal Cheon-gi’s departure.

“Jegal Cheon-gi, you have a visitor.”

CREEEEAK.

The ungreased hinges groaned loudly as the heavy door swung open, revealing Jegal Cheon-gi inside. He was immaculately dressed, resting on a single knee with his hands respectfully cupped.

“I, your devoted follower Jegal Cheon-gi, offer my deepest respects to my lord.”

“……項目”

“……項目”

Taken aback by Jegal Cheon-gi’s dramatic declaration, Jin So-un and Jegal Hyeon-un exchanged a bewildered look.

Raising his voice to ensure total clarity, Jegal Cheon-gi proclaimed:

“In the records of old, Liu Bei Xuande performed the Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage simply to secure the counsel of our Grand Patriarch. Yet, to enlist the service of a completely unexceptional scholar of the Murim such as myself, you went so far as to conquer the Ironclad Black Python Great Serpent. How could my heart remain unmoved? I swear my eternal fealty to you, so I beg you never to abandon me, Great Hero Black Flame Dragon.”

Though stunned by Jegal Cheon-gi’s abrupt theatrics, Jegal Hyeon-un found himself sympathizing with his son’s motivations.

After spending a lifetime being marginalized and dismissed by the very household that raised him, the young man’s fractured spirit had clearly found solace in knowing that an outsider would brave immense peril just to seek his aid.

“…….”

Facing a pivotal crossroad that would shape his child’s entire destiny, Jegal Hyeon-un remained quiet, fixing his hopeful gaze entirely upon Jin So-un.