The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 57

Chapter 57
## Chapter 57. A First-Rate Warrior Who Startled the Divine Sword (5)

Namgung Tae-ha began his martial journey with a blade at just six years old. Spending over fifty years traversing the Murim, he assumed he had witnessed everything imaginable and encountered individuals far more eccentric than any tavern tale.

Turning sixty, he believed nothing could catch him off guard anymore. Yet, the statement uttered by the youth standing before him—someone who hadn’t even reached his twentieth year—deeply shook him.

“What was your request?”

“I requested the Azure Sky Merchant Guild.”

“Ha……”

A chuckle slipped past his lips from the utter ridiculousness of the proposal.

“You are deliberately making a preposterous demand just to have a reason to turn me down, aren’t you?”

“If I truly possess what the Divine Sword mentioned, shouldn’t this be seen as an opportunity? I have zero cause to refuse.”

His demeanor remained rock-solid, his tone perfectly level. Was this teenager genuinely earnest about making such an outrageous demand?

“Are you demanding a whole three-room thatched cottage just to rid yourself of a single pest?”

The Azure Sky Merchant Guild served as the bedrock sustaining the entire Namgung Clan. Demanding it was essentially equivalent to asking for the entirety of the Namgung Clan’s wealth.

“The roof beams are ablaze. Shouldn’t they be ripped away immediately before the main structural pillars crumble to dust?”

“……?”

The bold youth’s remarks struck an odd chord. Namgung Tae-ha had definitely kept silent on the matter, so how could he possibly know?

“What exactly are you implying?”

“There is an issue concerning the Collateral Line, isn’t there? That is the precise reason you summoned me.”

“!!”

Had a domestic crisis somehow slipped past their walls? That was impossible. Nobody within the Namgung Clan desired for such a humiliating predicament to leak to the public.

Furthermore, the Collateral Line, masking their traitorous designs, would never recklessly expose their own schemes. To do so would draw immediate condemnation and reveal their offenses entirely.

Wasn’t the failure to uncover the perpetrators behind the ambush on his grandson and granddaughter at Mount Gueom due to the Collateral Line keeping everyone completely silent?

Even if clandestine rumors had circulated, this boy was merely a student of the Taeul Sect. There was no conceivable way he could grasp the inner dynamics of the Namgung Clan so perfectly.

“……It can’t be.”

Arriving at this deduction, Namgung Tae-ha began to question Jin So-un’s true identity. He sensed this youth was far more than a simple disciple of the Taeul Sect.

As distrust mounted, his consciousness directed his inner energy, releasing an overwhelming wave of murderous aura. Though the boy possessed remarkable internal arts and potential, this was an oppressive level of bloodlust that he shouldn’t be able to withstand.

“How did you come across that information?”

“……!”

“Answer me. This is a critical inquiry, and your survival rests entirely on your response.”

He projected a lethal pressure that even Namgung Jin-myeong would have collapsed under if struck directly. Yet, incredibly, the youth merely knit his brows and stood his ground firmly.

Wondering if his aura was too mild, Namgung Tae-ha glanced toward Namgung San, who stood off to the side. Namgung San, recognizing the gravity of the talk from afar and keeping his distance, was terrified by the lethal vibe radiating from Namgung Tae-ha and had retreated to the absolute edge of the Great Swallow Hall.

*What on earth……*

While Namgung Tae-ha remained in a state of shock, Jin So-un calmly resumed speaking.

“……My suspicions began when Senior Namgung San arrived to reclaim the Entry Token. The power of an elite power like the Five Great Clans shouldn’t be so diminished that it couldn’t even manage the Murim Academy Regular Exam. Yet he was practically desperate to grab that Entry Token.”

Murderous intent triggered primal terror. Even martial artists who had rigorously disciplined their minds would find it incredibly difficult to withstand a bloodlust released at full strength.

“Second, I gathered another clue when Miss Seon-hwa journeyed to the Demon Spirit Plateau in search of the Mita Sacred Water. Given the Great Swallow Divine Pill provided every five years and the exceptional orthodox heart method of the Namgung Clan, the Mita Sacred Water wasn’t a miraculous medicine worth risking her life over against the Black Path.”

“……”

To endure such lethal pressure, an individual had to have faced an even more terrifying malice before. But what could a teenager under twenty have experienced that surpassed the killing intent of a master at the Divine Sword level?

“Third was the ambush at Mount Gueom. Five hundred combatants moved right through Anhui Province, which is practically the Namgung Clan’s personal domain, to target the Direct Line of the Namgung Clan. Yet the Namgung Clan had no advance warning. This indicates its intelligence network had completely failed.”

Though perspiration poured off him and his complexion turned pale as death, he spoke clearly to the end.

More than the youth’s martial comprehension or his mysterious internal cultivation, Namgung Tae-ha couldn’t help but marvel at the pure mental fortitude required to endure his lethal aura. He appeared like a man who had walked through an abyss where a pressure of this magnitude was trivial.

“Fourth was due to the Divine Sword stating you would acquire the sword technique I possess at any cost. Now that things are clear, would you mind lifting your killing intent? It is getting rather tough to bear.”

“……”

Upon listening to the explanation, Namgung Tae-ha reined in his aura.

*Thud.*

Jin So-un collapsed instantly like a marionette with severed strings. Namgung Tae-ha voiced his genuine thoughts.

“……For the first time in my existence, I feel genuine reverence for another human being.”

“……”

Even though he was praised by the legendary Azure Emperor Divine Sword, Jin So-un offered no reply.

“Are you upset?”

Suspecting the youth might be resentful over the excessive pressure, Namgung Tae-ha stepped closer, only to see Jin So-un unconscious, with a thread of blood seeping from his lip.

“Hoho…… He stood his ground and bore it until he reached his absolute limit?”

Namgung Tae-ha had never encountered such a stubborn individual. Meanwhile, seeing Namgung San rush over from the side upon witnessing Jin So-un fall, he fully grasped why his grandson had been destined to lose.

—

Late that evening.

Three prominent figures of the Taeul Sect—Hong Mun-gi, Kang Chae-seok, and Jin Tae-san—who had been occupied all day, convened together, each holding a bottle of alcohol.

“It has been far too long since we last gathered like this.”

Hearing Hong Mun-gi’s remark, Kang Chae-seok and Jin Tae-san offered weary smiles.

In days past, they would regularly meet to share a drink, but recently, every single day had been so chaotic that they barely had a moment to catch up on their lost sleep. Naturally, everyone understood precisely who was responsible for keeping them so incredibly busy.

“You mentioned there was a significant matter to talk about?”

Their meeting was prompted by Jin Tae-san’s note that there was an “extremely crucial matter to deliberate.” Dark rings had formed under the eyes of Hong Mun-gi and Kang Chae-seok, their expressions clearly indicating a desire to retreat to their beds immediately.

“But why include me? I am already losing my mind dealing with Yu-seong lately.”

Out of nowhere, an Escort had shown up with four children. The missive brought by the oldest boy bore the ridiculous claim that Jin So-un had chosen to take them in as students of the Taeul Sect, requesting that their safety be guaranteed.

“Even now, whenever that moment crosses my mind…… Ah, my head aches.”

“So, do you actually regret it?”

Kang Chae-seok held his forehead and raised his cup, though a subtle grin remained on his face.

The Busaeng Hall training for the fourth-generation students had concluded, meaning that to instruct Yu-seong, they would have to make him wait for the next intake of Busaeng Hall. Doing so might cause him to miss the prime window for martial cultivation, particularly since fourteen was already quite late to start.

Ultimately, they had resorted to offering him private tutelage to help him catch up to the peers at Swift Blossom Hall. Yet remarkably, Yu-seong’s capacity for understanding exceeded any disciple they had ever seen. Grasping ten concepts from a single lesson. He was a prodigy who deduced ten principles when shown just one.

Despite his brief time in the Busaeng Hall program, he had advanced to a point where he could seamlessly fit into Swift Blossom Hall.

“That child might just become the most brilliant prodigy the Taeul Sect has ever produced.”

Kang Chae-seok, who was exhausting himself day and night providing one-on-one lessons to Kang Yu-seong, broke into a loud laugh as if his fatigue had evaporated. Jin Tae-san smiled faintly at the sight.

“That is precisely why I requested your presence too.”

“Hmm?”

“You will need to take on another student.”

“……What are you saying? Did that rascal So-un send another person our way?”

“He did, in fact, send someone.”

“……?”

“……?”

Kang Chae-seok exchanged a glance with Hong Mun-gi. To his knowledge, Jin So-un hadn’t dispatched anyone beyond Yu-seong and his siblings. Hong Mun-gi looked equally clueless.

“You know of Jegal Cheon-gi, correct?”

“……?”

Kang Chae-seok scratched his ear.

“Did I hear you correctly?”

Jin Tae-san simply maintained his wry smile, leaving Kang Chae-seok stunned.

“My friend! Stop playing games! Why summon exhausted men just to joke around?”

“This is no jest.”

“……”

Jin Tae-san addressed Hong Mun-gi:

“Jegal Cheon-gi…… That boy wishes to study the martial arts of our Taeul Sect.”

“……Is such a thing permitted?”

“It is feasible provided the Sect Leader gives his assent.”

“……No, what I’m asking is, would the Jegal Clan ever allow it?”

When Jin Tae-san originally heard this from Jegal Cheon-gi, he had raised the identical question. In response, Jegal Cheon-gi had presented him with a letter.

Jin Tae-san carefully passed the document over to Hong Mun-gi.

“This is a correspondence from Jegal Hyeon-un, the leader of the Jegal Clan and the father of Jegal Cheon-gi.”

Hong Mun-gi took it immediately and scanned the contents. As he lowered the paper, his eyes widened in sheer disbelief.

“The Jegal Clan notes that training as an official core disciple is out of the question, but they would appreciate it if we took him under our wing as a Lay Disciple.”

“……I fail to comprehend this.”

It wasn’t uncommon for a clan member to join a sect as a Lay Disciple. Even among the children of the elite Five Great Clans, there were numerous instances where they enrolled in the Nine Sects and One Gang as Lay Disciples if their family arts didn’t suit them.

However, for a prominent lineage like the Jegal Clan to send someone to the Taeul Sect—which sat at the very bottom tier of the One Hundred Eight Peaks—was baffling even to the Sect Leader.

“……Hoho, extraordinary.”

“He stated that he struck a deal with the clan leader before departing. Once he can adequately defend himself, Yeong-yeong will no longer need to serve as his Shadow Warrior. Because of that, his determination to study martial arts is immense.”

Hearing the details, Hong Mun-gi felt it was impossible to reject him, yet a lingering doubt remained since Jegal Cheon-gi chose to learn the arts of the Taeul Sect while bypassing his own family’s renowned techniques.

“It appears Cheon-gi adamantly demanded to share the same sect affiliation as his sworn brother, So-un.”

At that, Hong Mun-gi couldn’t help but chuckle heartily.

“You truly raised quite an exceptional son.”

“……He is your disciple as well, Sect Leader.”

“Can the bond of master and disciple ever truly match that of a father and son?”

“What is your decision?”

“What choice do we have? We cannot turn away an eager student seeking the teachings of the Taeul Sect. Hall Master Kang Chae-seok, it looks like your workload is going to increase a bit.”

“……Confound it. That rascal So-un manages to torment me from thousands of miles away.”

Despite his complaints, a grin remained on Kang Chae-seok’s face. After all, nurturing exceptional talent always provided a deep sense of accomplishment.

“Besides, I was nearly running out of concepts to introduce to Yu-seong.”

“Already?”

“Don’t even get me started. I thought his intellect alone was astounding, but his work ethic is absolutely terrifying. I have never once caught him resting.”

Kang Chae-seok shook his head in sheer amazement.

“I only hope Jegal Cheon-gi isn’t quite as relentless as Yu-seong. This is the first time I’ve learned how exhausting instructing geniuses can be.”

Hong Mun-gi turned to Jin Tae-san and inquired,

“How are our funds holding up?”

Lately, many transformations had swept through the Taeul Sect, signaling positive progress, but it also meant expenses were mounting rapidly.

“We are managing for the moment, but our reserves will dry up before long.”

“……Hmm. I am uncertain whether to celebrate or worry.”

“Be pleased. We are definitely growing. For the time being, the iron ore mine is beginning to yield results, so we can sustain ourselves a while longer.”

Developing the mine required patience.

“The Master of Wang Estate sent an inquiry regarding whether we might consider founding a merchant guild.”

“A merchant guild?”

“Indeed. Since we already control an iron ore source, he proposed utilizing it as a foundation to establish financial security. He offered to assist with the initial funding.”

“I cannot thank the Master of Wang Estate enough for his generosity. Please convey my deepest gratitude.”

“Understood.”

“Yet, if we launch a merchant guild, Hefei would be the logical choice. But isn’t the Azure Sky Merchant Guild already established there?”

The central operations of the Namgung Clan’s Azure Sky Merchant Guild were based right in Hefei. Aware that the entirety of the Namgung Clan’s commerce flowed from the Azure Sky Merchant Guild, the three men fell into a quiet silence.

“For the present, we plan to center our efforts on the iron trade, gradually expanding to encompass blacksmiths and foundries.”

“Even with the backing of the Wang Estate, there is no reason to provoke the Namgung Clan. I believe our first step should be consulting them about entering the metalworking sector.”

“Understood.”

Hong Mun-gi addressed his companions,

“I recognize the immense effort both of you are putting in. Even so, please persevere a bit longer. I truly believe these shifts in the Taeul Sect are for the better.”

“We share that sentiment.”

“Without a doubt!”

Wearing faint smiles, the trio downed their strong liquor without even needing any snacks.

—

That crazy old man. Projecting such an intense bloodlust so recklessly.

If I hadn’t survived facing the Heavenly Demon Black Sword Unit in my past life, I would have fled instantly. Initially, I held on out of pride, and by the end, sheer stubbornness kept me upright until I blacked out. When my eyes opened, dawn had broken.

Glancing at my surroundings, I realized I wasn’t in the Emperor Pavilion.

Soon after, a serving maid stepped inside.

“Are you awake?”

“Where am I?”

“This is the Great Swallow Hall.”

“……The private quarters of the Clan Head?”

“Correct. The Clan Head awaits you at the practice courtyard.”

Once she departed, I adjusted my garments and stepped outdoors.

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword stood watching the peak of Mount Huang from the practice area.

“Have you recovered?”

The lighthearted demeanor he displayed the previous afternoon had entirely vanished. Due to yesterday’s events, I chose to stay silent.

“……My apologies. I ought to have trusted your insights more readily.”

My brow twitched involuntarily. To think the legendary Azure Emperor Divine Sword would offer an apology to a mere junior of the Murim like myself. Under the circumstances, I couldn’t remain stubborn either.

“Do not worry about it. Given your position, the circumstances were certainly dubious enough to warrant doubt.”

“……Interacting with you feels nothing like speaking to a youth. It feels like dealing with a cunning old demon, slick as a snake.”

Delivering a comment that was part compliment and part critique, the Azure Emperor Divine Sword unsheathed his blade.

“For our negotiations to advance, we require a guarantee that ensures your safety, correct? Only with that established can we move forward.”

With those words, the Azure Emperor Divine Sword initiated a display of blade movements. His forms clearly originated from the fundamental stances of the Boundless Firmament Sword Art, yet the technique quickly shifted into an unconventional rhythm.

“……”

And in the end, it had altered into an entirely different martial art.

Every trajectory his blade traced actively intercepted the standard paths of the Boundless Firmament Sword Art, exploiting its absolute blind spots. The core purpose of this technique was explicitly designed to counter the Boundless Firmament Sword Art.

“What are your thoughts?”

“……This development makes my situation even more hazardous.”

The supreme leader of the Namgung Clan was secretly devising a way to neutralize the Boundless Firmament Sword Art, the ultimate treasure of his own bloodline.

Though it paled in comparison to the Shattering Form developed by Jegal Cheon-gi, anyone could see that Namgung Tae-ha’s creation was an explicit rejection of the traditional Boundless Firmament Sword Art.

“Haha, fret not. As long as you keep this confidential, the secret remains safe.”

dishonesty.
“……”

“Now that your safety is assured, shall we resume our terms? Do you truly hold what I am searching for?”

“I do.”

“Just as I thought…… What is it you actually desire?”

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword repeated his inquiry.

I offered the identical response as before.

“I require the Azure Sky Merchant Guild.”

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword frowned deeply.

“Do you honestly believe that is a reasonable demand?”

“To be exact, I want control over the Hefei Branch of the Azure Sky Merchant Guild.”

“Hmph! The Hefei branch is no mere outpost. It is the core headquarters of the entire Azure Sky Merchant Guild. Asking for that is no different than demanding the whole Namgung Merchant Guild!”

“That is precisely my point. Why should the nerve center of the Azure Sky Merchant Guild reside in Hefei instead of alongside the Namgung Clan here on Mount Huang?”

“That…… is simply because it serves as the central hub for trade routes……”

The Azure Emperor Divine Sword halted mid-sentence, falling silent.

The current instability plaguing the Namgung Clan stemmed precisely from the geographical separation between the main family and the guild’s headquarters.

It was undeniable that the efforts of the Collateral Line had propelled the Namgung Clan’s commercial power into a golden era. However, a headquarters operating independently of the main estate eroded the authority of the Direct Line while boosting the leverage of the Collateral Line running the show in Hefei. This very division was the root cause of the Namgung Clan’s internal strife.

“Don’t you see the contradiction in your own words, Clan Head? While Hefei is undeniably the grandest hub in Anhui Province, it is completely irrational for the Azure Sky Merchant Guild and its affiliates to answer to an independent headquarters there. Their allegiance and guidance should stem directly from the Namgung Clan on Mount Huang?”

“Hoho……”

A hollow chuckle escaped the Azure Emperor Divine Sword.

“A lone remark from you carries the weight of immense wealth. Hearing that almost tempts me to hand the Hefei branch of the Azure Sky Merchant Guild over to you directly.”

“To be completely accurate, it wouldn’t be a mere gift from the Azure Emperor Divine Sword. I would be relieving you of your greatest burden, serving as an asset to your family.”

“Haha, quite true. You speak the truth.”

The amusement drained instantly from the features of the Azure Emperor Divine Sword.

“Nevertheless, the majority of our commercial assets, starting with the Azure Sky Merchant Guild, are currently under the control of Namgung Song-ju. Even if I intended to transfer it to you, the Elder Council would never authorize such an irregular arrangement, and Namgung Song-ju himself would leverage every excuse to block it.”

“I shall convince the leader of the Azure Sky Merchant Guild myself.”

“Hmm? You intend to win him over?”

“Yes. Ultimately, he will find himself with no option but to yield the Hefei Branch of the Azure Sky Merchant Guild to me.”

“……”

Imagining just how delighted my father would be when this succeeded, a persistent grin remained fixed on my face.