The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 54

Chapter 54
## Chapter 54. A First-Rate Warrior Who Startled the Divine Sword (2)

My journey would now be shared with the martial artists of the Namgung Clan.

My initial intention was already to make a brief stop at the Namgung Clan’s estate prior to heading back to the Taeul Sect. Namgung San insisted fiercely, stating, “You cannot refuse to accompany us. My grandfather was furious, demanding to know why we allowed you to depart so easily.” Given his unyielding stance, we ultimately set out on the road together.

“We likely won’t cross paths for some time.”

As we prepared to go our separate ways, Murong Sang-won released a deep, melancholic breath.

“I’ll make sure to drop by the Murong Clan whenever a free moment arises,” I offered, hoping to ease his mind.

However, Murong Sang-won shook his head dismissively.

“Do not worry about that. I wouldn’t expect someone with so much on their plate to make unnecessary trips. Instead, I shall make a trip to the Taeul Sect myself.”

“Ah… the truth is, I anticipate being absent from the Taeul Sect quite frequently due to various obligations.”

“Is that right? That works out even better then.”

“Pardon?”

The elder Murong Sang-won uttered a cryptic remark that completely bewildered me.

“Oh, by the way! Do you happen to have a particular aversion to any kind of woman?”

Stunned by this abrupt inquiry, I cocked my head to the side in confusion.

“I cannot truly say. I have never been involved with anyone.”

Regrettably, across both my current existence and my past life, romance had entirely eluded me.

An unexpected wave of embarrassment washed over me as I contemplated my lack of romantic experience.

“Is that so? Well, do you mind being with a woman whose strength far exceeds your own?”

To be fair, if we considered women of my generation who could best me in combat today, none really existed.

Since Murong Sang-won remained ignorant of the true depth of my martial prowess, his query merely elicited a rueful grin from me.

“More than physical power, I believe a gentle disposition matters most in a partner.”

“Wonderful! In that case, there are absolutely no obstacles.”

“…”

His logic remained completely opaque to me. Regardless, we parted ways with Murong Sang-won, who seemed thoroughly pleased with my answers, and directed our course toward Anhui Province.

Journeying alongside the swordsmen of the Namgung Clan proved to be an immensely luxurious experience.

To begin with, our path was entirely clear of obstructions.

A company of one hundred mounted warriors advanced, spearheaded by a rider proudly displaying the colors of the Namgung Clan.

Consequently, bandits from notorious mountain fortresses who typically demanded outrageous tolls dared not even show their faces.

Within the various towns and larger cities along the route, the Namgung Clan possessed their own commercial enterprises and tea establishments, rendering typical tavern arrangements unnecessary.

On the rare occasion that no such facilities were available, scouts from the Namgung Clan would gallop ahead to secure an entire lodging house exclusively for our party.

Furthermore, the quarters provided for my rest were identical in luxury to those given to Namgung San and Namgung Seon-hwa, making this easily the most lavish trek I had ever experienced in either of my two lifetimes.

We had narrowed our distance to a single day’s ride from the Namgung Clan’s main estate.

As we approached Mount Gueom, the final peak blocking our destination, Namgung Seon-hwa guided her mount alongside mine.

“Do you truly hold no reservations about a lady possessing superior martial skill compared to her partner?”

Over the course of this extended march, having shared countless meals and miles, the rigid etiquette that once separated myself, Namgung San, and Namgung Seon-hwa had thoroughly dissolved.

“To what are you referring?”

“Well… you remember. That exchange you had with the young master at the Clear Bright Escort Agency…”

“Oh, that…”

During my past incarnation, the vast majority of female martial artists outmatched me entirely.

Looking back, Hong Sa-ryeon’s combative prowess had surpassed my own, and the distance between myself and Murong Seol—whom I was destined to encounter in the future—was an ocean that could scarcely be bridged.

“If two individuals share a genuine affection, does it truly matter who holds the upper hand in physical capability?”

“Perhaps… but the majority of men harbor an aversion toward ladies who can best them in combat.”

“Shouldn’t that be viewed as a benefit? One would never have to constantly worry about her safety abroad. Furthermore, if she were to actively shield me from harm, I would find that incredibly reassuring.”

“I see…”

Namgung Seon-hwa uttered a thoughtful hum, nodding softly at my perspective.

“Is it truly a fact that you have never courted a woman before?”

Though our interaction back at the Clear Bright Escort Agency had carried a tinge of awkwardness, our growing familiarity had allowed Namgung Seon-hwa to converse with me freely, seemingly putting that past incident behind her.

While interacting with the opposite sex had never been my forte, her constant inquiries and easy banter made her company remarkably effortless to bear.

If there was any downside to our interactions, it stemmed from the fact that Namgung Seon-hwa possessed such breathtaking beauty that travelers and roaming martial artists frequently whispered as we rode together.

“Look at that. That fellow must have used some kind of deceptive charm on her.”

“He’s bound to be incredibly wealthy.”

“For a young lady of the prestigious Namgung Clan to accompany him so closely, his lineage must be extraordinary.”

Because these were merely stray comments muttered by onlookers, I couldn’t very well confront them. Besides, having harbored similar feelings of jealousy toward fortunate individuals in my past life, I found it difficult to feel genuinely resentful of their gossip.

“My entire upbringing took place within the confines of the Taeul Sect. What opportunities would I have had to encounter anyone? Besides, the moment I mention affiliation with the Taeul Sect, any prospective lady would likely run in the opposite direction.”

“Did you perhaps have someone in mind whom you fancied?”

“…”

I felt an odd sensation, as though I were undergoing a relentless cross-examination.

“Judging by your silence, I suppose there wasn’t.”

“You say ‘it seems,’ yet didn’t you claim that any memory you form remains perfectly etched in your mind forever?”

I couldn’t quite fathom my own willingness to endure this constant stream of inquiries, but it underscored the undeniable truth that our rapport had grown vastly warmer since our initial encounter on the perilous Demon Spirit Plateau.

‘How ought I to handle this situation…’

My gaze lingered on Namgung Seon-hwa, filled with a dense knot of conflicting emotions.

Though I had successfully rescued her from the perils of the Demon Spirit Plateau, her ultimate fate remained precarious.

Should Namgung Seon-hwa fall, the Namgung Clan would inevitably plunge into a devastating conflict.

They would utterly annihilate every faction tied to the distribution of the Mita Sacred Water, a bloody campaign that would destabilize the clan’s very foundation.

Concurrently, the treacherous Namgung Clan’s Collateral Line would seize the chaos to launch an assassination attempt against Namgung San.

While Namgung San’s exceptional combat prowess would ensure his survival, the grievous internal trauma he would sustain would permanently cripple his martial cultivation for the remainder of his days.

The ultimate objective of the Namgung Clan’s Collateral Line was to leverage his incapacitation to alienate the Direct Line, thereby snatching absolute authority over the entire Namgung Clan.

Despite the reality that the management of outer relations had historically been entrusted to the Collateral Line, they harbored deep resentment, convinced that the Direct Line monopolized every true privilege.

Yet, the fatal miscalculation they made was underestimating the resolve of the Divine Sword, who would ultimately unsheathe his weapon in fury.

They banked heavily on their shared lineage, believing that because they belonged to the Namgung Clan, they were safe.

They foolishly assumed that the legendary Divine Sword would never stain his hands with the blood of his kin, nor compromise his personal reputation and the integrity of the family by executing them.

Albeit, when fortune permitted the full conspiracy to come to light and exposed the masterminds, the Divine Sword unhesitatingly drew his blade, slaughtering every single member of the Collateral Line who carried the Namgung name.

This internal purge severely depleted the overall military capability of the Namgung Clan, leaving them vulnerable and ultimately leading to their total destruction when the Demonic Cult marched upon them.

At present, the scheme of the Collateral Line remained dormant. However, when they chose to initiate their treasonous plot, a member of the Direct Line would inevitably serve as the initial casualty.

‘If an assault is bound to happen, their focus will undoubtedly center on Namgung Seon-hwa instead of Namgung San.’

While domestic responsibilities currently limited Namgung San’s public endeavors, he maintained a prestigious membership in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, an elite gathering exclusive to the most brilliant minds emerging from the Murim Academy.

Striking at an individual who had already ascended past the rank of a First-Rate master and stood on the precipice of the Peak realm would prove far too hazardous, even for the schemers within the Namgung Clan’s Collateral Line.

As a consequence, Namgung Seon-hwa stood out as the far more logical target for their opening gambit.

It weighed heavily upon my conscience that I possessed this foreknowledge yet lacked a viable method to warn them.

“Why do you offer no reply? Is it that you recall the past but choose to remain silent?”

“Lady Seon-hwa.”

“What is it?”

“Our party is approaching Mount Gueom. It would be wise to hold our tongues for the time being.”

A subtle grin played at the corners of Namgung Seon-hwa’s lips.

“You are quite skilled at deflecting queries. Do you truly believe any local bandit group would possess the audacity to strike a caravan displaying the grand flag of the Namgung Clan?”

Contrasting with her optimistic outlook, my heightened Sensory Perception was already detecting the presence of individuals concealed within the ridges of Mount Gueom.

‘Is the headcount near five hundred?’

While a precise count eluded my senses, approximately that volume of combatants were actively suppressing their breathing and hiding themselves.

This behavior stood in stark contrast to the passive observation we encountered while traversing previous ranges.

On those prior occasions, the local outlaws merely monitored our movements from a safe distance to ensure their own anonymity.

This current group, however, mirrored a predator crouching low in the brush, coiled to spring upon its prey.

As our contingent crossed into the deeper passes of Mount Gueom, the expansive trail began to constrict significantly.

Glancing behind me, I noted that the Namgung Clan’s retinue remained completely at ease, engaging in lighthearted banter.

‘Are they entirely oblivious to the danger ahead?’

Just as I began to ponder how I might safely alert them to the impending threat, Namgung San luckily caught wind of the anomaly. He abruptly thrust his closed fist into the air.

“Halt!”

With a chorus of startled whinnies, the mounts came to an immediate standstill, their breaths hot in the mountain air.

“Prepare yourselves. Hostile eyes are upon us.”

The moment Namgung San’s warning echoed, the martial artists of the Namgung Clan instantly surged with focused Fighting Spirit.

Their swift transition proved the true quality of a renowned family’s elite force.

“Advance with caution.”

The column resumed its march, but the path ahead tightened progressively until it barely accommodated two mounts abreast.

Suddenly, a massive stone monolith blocked our forward progress entirely.

“Unsheathe your blades!”

The sharp, ringing chime of steel clearing scabbards resounded in unison as Namgung San’s command rang out. The Namgung Clan’s swordsmen prepared for battle without a second thought.

Even they recognized that such an obstruction on this path was an intentional trap.

A tense, fleeting stillness gripped the air.

Immediately following it, the distinct creak of tightly flexed bows reached my ears.

I bellowed at the top of my lungs.

“Incoming projectiles!”

A barrage of lethal shafts tore through the air.

The words had barely left my lips when a veritable deluge of arrows cascaded downward from the high cliffs above.

“Agh!”

“Ugh!”

Several swordsmen were struck instantly, their bodies tumbling helplessly off the lip of the narrow trail.

Lacking the opportunity to assist their fallen comrades, the remaining martial artists scrambled off their mounts to seek whatever shelter they could find, or focused entirely on deflecting the lethal iron tips raining upon them.

A thunderous roar suddenly erupted from our rear as a massive rockfall cascaded down, sealing off our escape route completely.

With the hidden archers entrenched securely along the high precipice raining continuous volleys, attempting to scale the vertical rock face seemed nearly suicidal.

“Curse it all! Dismount and leave the beasts!”

A significant portion of our mounts had already succumbed to the lethal volley, riddled with shafts.

By rolling the fallen steeds off the path and down the incline, the Namgung Clan’s swordsmen managed to carve out a meager defensive perimeter.

Namgung San attempted to forge a path through the deadly storm to scale the heights, but the sheer volume of projectiles rendered his efforts nearly impossible.

I leaned in close to Namgung San and declared urgently.

“Brother, provide me with a brief distraction. I shall scale the ridge.”

“You intend to go up?”

“Indeed. I possess a method to breach their lines.”

“Very well.”

Sheathing his weapon, Namgung San focused an immense amount of internal energy into his palms.

With a fierce battle cry, he unleashed the devastating Heavenly Wind Palm Force.

A succession of deafening explosions rattled the valley as the air itself seemed to fracture.

The raw kinetic impact caused a section of the upper cliff face to shatter into rubble, dragging several of the entrenched archers down to their deaths.

Taking advantage of that split-second disruption, I deployed the Flying Dragon Claw against the vertical stone, using the tension to launch myself upward along the rock wall in a singular, explosive motion.

“Look out, above!”

A handful of archers, blindsided by my sudden ascent, frantically loosed their weapons in my direction. Their panic threw off their aim, and by reeling in and redeploying the Flying Dragon Claw, I safely crested the ridge and landed amidst them.

An agonized shriek cut through the air.

Now that I was completely out of the sight of the Namgung Clan’s main force below, I could unleash my true abilities.

I deployed the Twin Heaven Sword Formula, letting its techniques blossom outward like an unfolding fan.

The sounds of flesh being pierced echoed rapidly.

In a flash, fifteen separate Illusion Swords manifested, instantly claiming the lives of five ranged attackers.

Directly behind the line of archers, melee combatants wielding sabers attempted to rush forward to reinforce the line, but their own ranged comrades blocked their path, creating a bottleneck.

Under the immediate threat of death, very few archers could maintain the composure needed to draw their strings.

Bathed in the crimson spray of my foes, I wove effortlessly through the ranks of the bowmen, cutting them down.

When the saber-wielding swordsmen finally managed to engage me directly in close quarters, the clash of steel allowed me to evaluate their combat proficiency.

‘Their capabilities hover somewhere between a Second-Rate and a First-Rate cultivator. Their techniques carry the distinct flavor of the Black Path. Could those bowmen be former military conscripts?’

Given that Anhui Province was firmly under the absolute jurisdiction of the Namgung Clan, no major syndicate of the Black Path could normally operate here.

This implied that the perpetrators originated from outside the provincial borders, possessing enough reckless audacity to attack a convoy despite knowing full well who it belonged to.

‘Could it be that the Collateral Line has launched their offensive already?’

Reflecting on my previous incarnation, following the demise of Wang So-so and the subsequent relinquishment of the lucrative salt monopoly by Wang Geum-san, the Azure Sky Merchant Guild—which secured those valuable rights—had already begun making covert maneuvers.

If anything, launching an attack at this juncture might even be viewed as a delayed response.

“Young Master So-un! Are you unhurt?!”

With the ranged onslaught suppressed, the front rank of the Namgung Clan’s forces managed to scale the high ridge to join me.

“I am uninjured. How fare our companions below?”

“We have sustained injuries, but we hold. However, the moment the arrows ceased, another contingent of hidden adversaries began ascending from the base of the ridge.”

They had successfully pincered our forces from both ends of the road while pressing from the high and low flanks simultaneously.

Even when facing the renowned combatants of the Namgung Clan, a force of five hundred attackers provided sufficient leverage to make such an ambush highly lethal.

“I shall prioritize clearing out the remaining bowmen along the ridge,” I informed them.

“We leave them to you.”

Lacking any deep knowledge of my true combat capabilities, the Namgung Clan’s swordsmen willingly delegated the task to me while they pivoted to intercept the approaching saber-wielders.

Flitting along the rim of the precipice, I systematically eliminated the remaining archers, occasionally casting the Flying Dragon Claw downward to assist our allies in ascending the steep terrain.

“Much obliged, Young Master!”

In the heat of battle, no one possessed the luxury to question how such a slender cord could bear such immense weight and force.

As soon as a sufficient number of the family’s martial artists rallied on the high ground, they immediately organized themselves to execute their specialized tactics.

“Establish the Firmament Sword Formation!”

The moment the intricate Firmament Sword Formation locked into place, the tactical advantage of the enemy’s superior headcount evaporated. They found themselves unable to pierce the defensive line of the Namgung Clan, instead being cut down in droves by the coordinate strikes of the blades.

Having completely neutralized the ranged threat along the upper ridge, I directed my attention back down to the valley floor.

Had I been the mastermind within the Namgung Clan’s Collateral Line directing this coordinated assault, my primary objectives would undoubtedly be the elimination of either Namgung San or Namgung Seon-hwa.

My suspicions were vindicated instantly.

The enemy forces were throwing themselves forward recklessly, desperate to isolate both Namgung San and Namgung Seon-hwa from integrating into the defensive Sword Formation.

While the main body of the Namgung Clan’s swordsmen held their ground effectively within their structured lines, the two siblings found themselves entirely exposed and in dire straits.

Though Namgung San left a mounting pile of enemy corpses in his wake, Namgung Seon-hwa was steadily accumulating lacerations as the pressure on her grew too great.

Leaping from the high ridge without hesitation, I deployed the Flying Dragon Claw mid-air.

Catching a sturdy branch to alter my trajectory, I rebounded off the trunk, plummeted to the earth, and executed the precise thrusts of the Minor Heaven Sword Art directly into the throats of a pair of attackers creeping up behind Namgung Seon-hwa.

“Th-Thank you…”

It was only when the warm crimson spray coated her skin that she recognized the lethal threat she had just escaped.

“Save your gratitude until we survive this,” I replied tightly.

Wasting no time, I channeled the Minor Heaven Sword Art once more.

With a sharp whistle of displaced air, another adversary collapsed to the dirt.

Yet, our position remained entirely constricted as fresh combatants rushed forward to replace the fallen.

The brunt of the enemy’s offensive focused entirely on suppressing Namgung San and Namgung Seon-hwa.

With the two of them pinned down in close proximity, the sheer volume of surrounding foes was far beyond what the three of us could manage to defeat through conventional swordplay.

“My lady, forgive my forwardness,” I muttered.

“What—?!”

Before she could process my words, I pulled Namgung Seon-hwa firmly against my side, discharged the Flying Dragon Claw upward, and used the sudden tension to pull us clear of the melee.

A startled cry escaped her lips as we ascended.

Anchoring the Flying Dragon Claw onto an upper branch, I deposited Namgung Seon-hwa safely onto the high cliff before projecting a direct Sound Transmission to Namgung San below.

-Brother, can you seek immediate shelter behind one of those large rocks?

Locked in a fierce struggle, Namgung San lacked the focus to reply via Sound Transmission, but he offered a sharp nod of comprehension amidst the clash of steel.

-Await my command.

Simultaneously, I reached into the folds of my tunic and retrieved a metallic object resembling a silver blossom.

This was the exact artifact presented to me by Yang Gun-baek, the prominent figure of Yueyang’s Black Shop, as an offering of alliance.

‘The hidden masters of the Sichuan region will undoubtedly harbor fury over its deployment, but if I utilize the name of the Divine Sword as a shield, the repercussions can be managed.’

The Hundred-Hair Fire Cylinder.

This particular item was a highly restricted mechanism engineered by the Sichuan Tang Clan, renowned masters of lethal mechanisms and venoms.

Though its journey from the specialized workshops into the illicit inventory of that venue in Yueyang remained a mystery to me, it represented our sole option for shifting the tides and preserving the lives of the Namgung Clan’s retinue.

As the sea of attackers converged on Namgung San, nearly swallowing his figure entirely, I chose my moment.

-Do it now!

Under normal circumstances, mere blunt force would fail to trigger the mechanism of the Hundred-Hair Fire Cylinder.

However, channeling one’s Internal Qi into a precise pattern along the metallic petals primed the device to discharge upon the slightest jar.

Coinciding with my shout, Namgung San dived securely behind a massive rock formation, and I delivered a sharp, deliberate strike to the Hundred-Hair Fire Cylinder as it swung outward via the Flying Dragon Claw.

A rapid metallic clicking resounded.

The protective silver petals unfurled instantly, unleashing a dense, chaotic swarm of Ox-Hair Needles into the surrounding space.

The air filled with a fine, whistling hum as the projectiles spread across the battlefield.

Mirroring the prior aerial assault we had endured, this metallic squall of Ox-Hair Needles blanketed the canyon floor.

Unlike standard ranged weapons such as heavy arrows, these specialized Ox-Hair Needles were practically imperceptible to the naked eye as they cut through the air.

The enemy combatants pierced by the fine projectiles collapsed instantly, dropping to the earth in heaps like reaped grain.

Choked gasps and truncated cries of agony rippled through their ranks.

“Ugh…”

“Ah!”

“Mercy…”

With roughly fifty ambushers instantly neutralized without warning, an eerie, stunned stillness enveloped the gorge.

Seizing the psychological opening, Namgung San bounded out from his stone shelter, channeling his internal energy into a thunderous Lion’s Roar that shook the canyon.

“Any who harbor the desire to test their mettle to the death against the vanguard of the Great Namgung Clan, stand your ground! We grant no quarter to our foes!”

Faced with this terrifying demonstration, the resolve of the remaining ambushers crumbled; many chose to hurl themselves down the steep embankments, while those along the upper ridges beat a hasty retreat.

A triumphant cheer erupted from the lips of the surviving swordsmen of the Namgung Clan.

As I made my way back down to the valley floor, supporting Namgung Seon-hwa—who remained entirely dazed by the rapid sequence of events—Namgung San strode toward us.

His expression carried a deep, unreadable complexity as he observed me bringing his sister to safety.

“You have my deepest gratitude… I find myself heavily in your debt once more.”

“Think nothing of it, brother.”

Shifting his focus to assess the state of his wounded companions, Namgung San muttered with furrowed brows.

“Regardless, what manner of foe possesses the audacity to orchestrate such an assault within our territory? Could the bandits of the Green Forest have lost their collective senses?”

It was evident that Namgung San had not yet discerned the true nature of the event.

“Observing the conflict from the high ridge, their primary tactical focus was explicitly to isolate you and Lady Seon-hwa, ensuring you could not integrate into the main Sword Formation.”

“What?”

A look of profound confusion lingered on both of their faces.

“It is merely a deduction on my part, but the true objectives of this calculated assault were clearly your two lives.”

The realization hit them visibly.

I drove the point home deliberately.

“Yet, it raises a troubling question. How could any ordinary adversary successfully coordinate an ambush against the Direct Line of the Namgung Clan deep within Anhui Province? Managing to mobilize a force as large as five hundred men without alerting the extensive intelligence networks of the Namgung Clan across the region seems highly improbable.”

Silence fell between them.

As the siblings exchanged a telling glance, their features set into grim, rigid expressions.