The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 63

Chapter 63
## Chapter 63. The Great Roc Waiting for a Typhoon

Murong Gang dropped down directly between the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, myself, and the Ten Thousand Swords. Glancing in my direction, he chuckled.

“Haha. Back in my youth, folks frequently labeled me a lunatic, but even I never attempted anything quite as reckless as this.”

Staring up at the blades hovering in midair, Murong Gang let slip a quiet gasp of wonder.

“I truly believed the ancient accounts preserved in writing were mere exaggerations…”

His gaze held the pure wonder of a youngster gazing at the night sky for the very first time.

“…If anything, those descriptions didn’t do it justice.”

Turning his attention back to me, he commanded,

“You’ve already provided all the confirmation needed, so lower your blade. How could you carelessly tap into Innate Energy without understanding the dangers!”

Gesticulating toward Jong Byeok-gi, I responded,

“That individual degraded me, my school, and our Grand Patriarch.”

“Is it your intention to fight to the death on this spot?”

“I am merely responding in the same manner the Diancang Sect would if their honor were defiled. Jong Byeok-gi! How would you react if someone slandered your own clan?”

“…….”

Murong Gang let out a soft chuckle at my defiance, shifting his focus onto Jong Byeok-gi.

“You long-faced Daoist fool. …Offer your apologies.”

Jong Byeok-gi became utterly bewildered by this unexpected demand for a retraction.

“…Venerable elder, by what right do you meddle in the business of the Murim Alliance?”

“If an apology isn’t issued immediately, neither you nor the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly will leave this place unharmed. Is that difficult to grasp?”

“We belong to the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, so we—”

“My, my. You truly are an obstinate child who refuses to listen to reason.”

Extending his arm toward Jong Byeok-gi, Murong Gang made a sharp twisting motion.

*Snap.*

To everyone’s shock, Jong Byeok-gi’s arm fractured into a grotesque angle, despite the fact that he was positioned entirely behind Il-myeong.

“Aaargh!”

The sheer violence of the move far exceeded ordinary Airborne Object Grasping, yet it couldn’t have been a standard Empty-Air Strike either, considering Il-myeong had extended his protection using the legendary Diamond Indestructible Divine Art.

Not a single onlooker could fathom the technique Murong Gang had just deployed.

“How dare you perform such an outrage?! Do you honestly believe you can get away with—”

*Crash.*

Though Jong Byeok-gi was firmly encircled by the members of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, he was suddenly yanked backward in isolation. It looked as though an invisible cord had dragged him violently into the structural masonry.

*Thump.*

“Groan…”

“Does that satisfy you?”

Murong Gang inquired, shifting his eyes back to me.

“Or would you prefer I end his life right here?”

“…….”

“You catch my interest. I have no desire to see your life cut short or your cultivation destroyed. Your essence and your blade techniques both fascinate me.”

Peering through the slits of his Human-Skin Mask, his gaze flashed with the intensity of a beast tracking its quarry.

A sudden shiver cascaded down my spine, rendering me temporarily mute.

“…….”

“Say the word, and I shall eliminate him on your behalf, regardless of whether it triggers a conflict with Diancang. It might actually be entertaining to trade blows with that old Daoist fool from Diancang once more after all this time.”

“!”

“!”

An expression of dread washed over the faces of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.

Though his identity remained a mystery to them, his relaxed, casual tone only heightened the terrifying reality of his threat.

Directing my gaze back to the remaining members of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, I remarked,

“Throughout Jong Byeok-gi’s tirade, not a soul among you attempted to intervene save for Miss Murong Seol. This leads me to believe the rest of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly shares his perspective.”

Il-myeong protested, sounding defensive.

“…That is inaccurate! We only—”

“Silence!”

Murong Gang cast an amused grin in my direction.

“I’ve encountered plenty of stubborn fools across the lands, but your sheer obstinacy is unparalleled.”

“…….”

“We traveled together for a mere fraction of time, yet you demand an incredibly steep price for my assistance, do you not?”

“Should I survive the aftermath of this confrontation, I shall return the favor in full.”

“Excellent. See to it that you keep that promise.”

Approving with a nod, Murong Gang addressed the gathered Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.

“Listen here, you insignificant hatchlings and insects, do you actually hold the official administrative right as investigators to query the lineage of a sect’s techniques?”

“…….”

A tense silence filled the air as no one ventured to speak.

Despite boasting the prestigious and proud reputation of the Murim Alliance’s Dragon and Phoenix Assembly, witnessing a manifestation of the transcendent domain of Heaven beyond Heaven effectively sealed their lips.

“You, the speck from Mount Hua. Speak up.”

Knitting his brows, Hwa Jeong-san answered,

“In our capacity as official investigators representing the Murim Alliance… we are tasked with preserving stability throughout the murim and—”

“My question was whether you possess the literal jurisdiction, you absolute fool.”

“…….”

The blunt degradation caused Hwa Jeong-san’s face to burn crimson with humiliation.

Seeing this, Il-myeong stepped forward to de-escalate.

“Forgive the intrusion, but could you enlighten us as to your identity, respected elder?”

“For what purpose? To gauge my strength so that, if I appear weak enough, you can invoke the might of Shaolin to suppress me?”

“…….”

Observing how casually the senior dismissed the weight of Shaolin, Il-myeong found himself at a total loss for words.

“Little monk, if you’ve spent any time studying the texts within Shaolin’s Sutra Pavilion, the truth must be apparent to you. Is it not true that this youth’s style perfectly mirrors the historical accounts concerning the Taeul Sword Emperor?”

“…….”

Il-myeong shifted his gaze toward the crumpled form of Jong Byeok-gi.

“Did you intend to claim ignorance? Perhaps it would be better if I displayed the archival documents preserved by my own family?”

A sudden spark of recognition flared in Il-myeong’s eyes as he picked up on a vital hint embedded in Murong Gang’s statement.

“Could it be that your true identity is… Mu…!”

But before completing the thought, recollection seemed to hit him, and he gave a firm shake of his head.

“…No. I understand now.”

“Based on the documentation I have reviewed, the techniques displayed by this boy are undeniably those of the legendary Taeul Sword Emperor. Furthermore, it is common knowledge within the Jianghu that the Taeul Sect holds the legitimate succession to the Taeul Sword Emperor’s legacy.”

Given that the lore surrounding the Taeul Sword Emperor and his subsequent descendants in the Taeul Sect had long been treated as a widespread jest throughout the land, virtually every practitioner across the murim was intimately familiar with the tale.

“Does anyone here care to dispute my assessment?”

Every single eye in the area converged upon Il-myeong.

“…I raise no objections.”

The moment Il-myeong conceded, a wave of visible relief and murmurs spread among the members of the Taeul Sect.

Supporting his shattered, limp limb, Jong Byeok-gi managed to drag himself away from the wall and stagger forward.

His expression seethed with pure malice directed at the elderly traveler.

“What sort of individual are you, old man, to perpetrate such a violent act against us?!”

“What business is that of yours?”

“The Diancang Sect repays every slight tenfold.”

“Haha. Is threatening me from behind the shadow of that pathetic whelp Baek U-mun really the finest retort you can muster?”

Jong Byeok-gi’s features went completely rigid.

Baek U-mun held the supreme authority as the reigning leader of the Diancang Sect, yet this mysterious elder dismissed him as nothing more than an insignificant puppy.

“Remember, you declared that you wouldn’t harbor any regrets.”

Murong Gang reached toward the edge of his throat.

“What are you implying by—”

As Murong Gang peeled away the disguise to reveal his true countenance, the color completely drained from the faces of Jong Byeok-gi and the rest of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly.

“The… The Wind Earl Sword-Breaker…!”

A sharp, mocking smirk crossed Murong Gang’s features.

“You saw fit to disrupt my private wanderings. I trust you arrived here fully prepared to face the consequences of your actions?”

At that moment, Murong Seol let out an astonished shriek.

“G-Grandfather!”

Paying no heed to his granddaughter’s outcry, Murong Gang addressed the entire assembly gathered upon the dais.

“I, Murong Gang, the reigning Master of the Murong Clan and the man recognized throughout the wide murim as the Wind Earl Sword-Breaker, place my full reputation behind this statement. The martial prowess exhibited by this youth, Jin So-un, is beyond a shadow of a doubt the long-lost, authentic style of the Taeul Sword Emperor.”

All around the platform, muffled cries and emotional gasps began to shatter the silence.

“Oh, heavens!”

“To think… that it’s actually real…”

“…Unbelievable.”

Virtually every senior member present found themselves overcome with weeping.

Even Hong Mun-gi, desperate to conceal the tears welling in his eyes, tilted his chin upward and squeezed his eyelids shut, momentarily ignoring the majestic presence of Murong Gang standing right before him.

“There, is that sufficient to settle the matter?”

Murong Gang looked back in my direction, a playful glint returning to his eyes.

I cautiously began to suppress the wild energy circulating through my meridians.

“I presume your internal reserves of Innate Energy didn’t suffer any permanent damage?”

“…No, sir. My core remains undamaged, entirely owing to your timely intervention.”

“Excellent, wonderful. That is a massive relief.”

When I had been on the absolute brink of ruining myself in despair, it was Murong Gang—a stranger I had only crossed paths with recently—who stepped in to save me.

“…….”

Despite never having shared a single bond with this man during my prior lifetime, the profound kindness of his actions stirred something deep within my soul.

Had my own grandfather survived to this day, would he have resembled this old master?

Playful and constantly teasing, yet fiercely protective when the world turned against me…

“With that out of the way, it’s time for the two of us to balance our own books, don’t you think?”

“Pardon me?”

Before the words could fully leave my mouth, a lightning-fast strike flashed forward, impacting my stomach and striking the side of my neck before I could even register the motion to evade.

“Gah…”

Desperately clinging to the shreds of my awareness, I forced my heavy eyelids open to gaze at him.

“What was that for…?”

“It’s a universal law that a lunatic can only be corrected with a sound thrashing. What possessed you to draw upon your Innate Energy with such total disregard for your life?”

“But… I had no…”

As those final words trailed off, darkness reclaimed my vision.

—

Every single one of the Hall Masters alongside the senior Elders belonging to the Taeul Sect convened inside the majestic Great Mysterious Hall.

While the monumental revelation that Jin So-un had successfully unlocked the legendary martial style of the Taeul Sword Emperor kept their minds racing, their immediate focus was fixed on anticipating the arrival of Murong Gang.

The renowned Wind Earl Sword-Breaker, Murong Gang.

He was far more than just a supreme powerhouse within the Jianghu; he held the status of an Eminent Master whom every aspiring swordsman dreamed of encountering at least once in their journey.

The moment Murong Gang crossed the threshold, still clad in his humble attire of a rustic Herb Gatherer, the entire assembly of the Taeul Sect stood up in unison out of sheer respect.

Hong Mun-gi immediately attempted to vacate the primary seat of honor for their guest, but Murong Gang waved off the gesture.

“Please, there is no need for that. Disregarding our relative age and status within the wider murim, are we not currently convening as the rightful leaders of our respective institutions? Respected Sect Leader, do not diminish your own standing.”

Deferring to his wishes, Hong Mun-gi resumed his place at the head of the room, while Murong Gang took a seat directly adjacent to him.

“I am at a loss for words to properly express our immense gratitude for the benevolence you’ve shown us.”

Just as they were on the precipice of a disastrous confrontation with the Murim Alliance regarding the legitimacy of the Taeul Sword Emperor’s techniques, Murong Gang had put his own unmatched reputation and the weight of his entire family on the line to settle the dispute.

This single act placed an immense, unpayable debt of honor upon the Taeul Sect.

“I simply verified the truth—that what rightfully pertains to the legacy of the Taeul Sect should remain with you. Nevertheless, if my intervention brought relief to your organization, then a significant weight has been lifted from my own conscience.”

“…Forgive me? Could you elaborate on what you mean by that statement?”

“Oh? Were you genuinely unaware? The youth from your esteemed school, Jin So-un, actively preserved my son’s life.”

“He did what?!”

“!”

Hong Mun-gi instinctively shifted his gaze over to Jin Tae-san, but it was readily apparent that Jin Tae-san was completely in the dark as well.

*That mischievous boy of mine. Would it kill him to keep his own father informed when he gets involved in things of this magnitude?*

Jin Tae-san was still reeling from the staggering revelation that the eccentric old Herb Gatherer had been the legendary Murong Gang all along.

“Please accept my apologies, Senior. I was entirely oblivious to this matter. I will ensure he is properly disciplined regarding his communication.”

“Hahaha! The fact that he achieved such a marvelous exploit and chose to remain silent about it simply proves he possesses a humble spirit that doesn’t boast of good deeds. I find such humility highly commendable, so Sect Leader, do not treat it as a failing on his part.”

“W-we are deeply grateful.”

A collective sense of bewilderment permeated the chamber, but Jin Tae-san felt entirely overwhelmed.

While it was natural for any parent to dote on their offspring, and to him, Jin So-un was both a beloved son and his vital Chief Disciple, it baffled him to no end why a legendary figure of Murong Gang’s caliber would extend such profound goodwill toward the boy.

“To be perfectly frank, my own foolish boy encountered grave peril while searching the wilderness for a specific Spiritual Medicine to heal his own offspring. Your disciple stepped in to rescue him. In gratitude, my son offered him the exceptionally rare Fire Monkey’s Inner Core. Astonishingly, the boy turned it down, pointing out that he could never deprive a desperate father of a remedy meant to save his child. How could a man of my years not grow immensely fond of a youth possessing such noble character?”

“?!”

“?!”

Hearing the mention of the legendary Fire Monkey’s Inner Core, conflicted emotions spread across the faces of the assembled leaders.

They felt an immense pride swelling in their chests over Jin So-un’s upright refusal to exploit a father’s plight, yet simultaneously, a part of them wanted to pull the boy aside and lecture him for walking away from a miraculous treasure he might never cross paths with again.

Discerning the internal turmoil etched on their faces, Murong Gang smiled warmly.

“While it cannot serve as a true equivalent, as an additional token of our family’s profound appreciation, my son has arranged to deliver three Clear Bright Pills directly to the Taeul Sect.”

“Oh…!”

“Good heavens!”

“We cannot begin to repay such an extraordinary gesture!”

Slowly but surely, the tense anxieties weighing upon the leadership of the Taeul Sect began to dissipate.

“Do not speak of repayments. I am fully aware that even several Clear Bright Pills cannot truly match the rare value of a Fire Monkey’s Inner Core. It is precisely because of this immense debt that I felt compelled to visit the Taeul Sect myself to convey our gratitude.”

dishonesty.

“…….”

The twists of fate were profoundly unpredictable.

Had Jin So-un simply accepted the Fire Monkey’s Inner Core back then…

Murong Gang would have had no reason to ever journey to the mountains of the Taeul Sect.

And without his timely presence, the escalation with the aggressive Dragon and Phoenix Assembly would have permanently alienated them from the Murim Alliance.

Under those dark circumstances, would the members of the Taeul Sect have even been able to celebrate the miraculous rediscovery of the Taeul Sword Emperor’s long-lost teachings?

“Furthermore, I have a certain arrangement I would like to put forward for your consideration, Sect Leader.”

“Please, speak your mind.”

“Given the unique bond that has formed between us, what do you say to establishing a formal disciple exchange program to mark this newfound cooperation between our lineages?”

dishonesty.

“…….”

An educational arrangement of this nature typically involved two independent organizations sending their promising youth to reside within each other’s compounds, allowing them to absorb different perspectives and train side-by-side.

Historically, such arrangements were exclusive domains of peer institutions like the Nine Sects and One Gang or the elite Five Great Clans, utilizing their established martial baselines to shore up technical gaps or broaden the tactical horizons of their successors.

Nevertheless, such reciprocal training programs required a fundamental equilibrium of influence and martial capability.

In a collaborative effort joining the titan Murong Clan and the struggling Taeul Sect, the former stood to gain absolutely nothing of tactical value.

It was blindingly obvious that Murong Gang was intentionally phrasing a massive act of patronage as a mutual partnership to preserve their dignity.

“Are you certain this is appropriate?”

“To what do you refer?”

“Speaking candidly for our Taeul Sect… we currently possess very little that your disciples could benefit from studying… We ourselves have barely begun to comprehend the depths of the Taeul Sword Emperor’s rediscovered style…”

“Hahaha! You misunderstand my intentions entirely, Sect Leader. My desire isn’t for our youths to study the physical techniques of the Taeul Sect. When it comes to sheer martial repertoire, my Murong Clan already boasts an abundance of styles.”

While such words would standardly sound incredibly prideful, coming directly from a figure of Murong Gang’s caliber, it carried only the weight of absolute objective fact.

“If not our techniques, what is it you wish them to acquire?”

“The unyielding character of the Taeul Sect.”

“Excuse me?”

Sweeping away his usual playful demeanor, Murong Gang adopted a deeply earnest and respectful expression.

“I was informed that a comparable situation unfolded previously at the grounds of the Iron Sword Sect.”

Remembering the gravity of that past confrontation, Jin Tae-san and Kang Chae-seok exchanged subtle nods of agreement.

“It is a simple thing to become defensive when someone slights your home. Yet, to look upon an adversary who vastly outmatches you, and still choose to lay down your very existence to defend your honor—that requires a rare brand of courage, does it not?”

Hong Mun-gi found himself nodding along in absolute agreement before he could even process it.

“While I maintain that it was highly irresponsible of him to ignite his own Innate Energy without a single thought for his survival, the sheer impact of the stance Jin So-un struck today ensures one thing. From this moment onward, not a single soul within the Murim Alliance—nor anyone from the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly—will ever dare mock the name of the Taeul Sect unless they are fully prepared to forfeit their lives in the process.”

“Ah…”

“My Murong Clan has never had to endure such mockery, but that luxury is merely a byproduct of our overwhelming strength. My true wish is for the next generation of my family to carry that exact same fearless conviction that Jin So-un displayed, remaining unbowed even if they ever stand before an opponent far greater than the Murong Clan itself.”

“…….”

The gathered Elders and Hall Masters pressed their lips together tightly, fighting back a powerful surge of collective emotion brought on by Murong Gang’s profound validation.

Sensing that his own tears were dangerously close to spilling at the praise leveled at his disciple, Hong Mun-gi cleared his throat loudly and pointed over toward Jin Tae-san to deflect.

“Ahem! If that is your desire, you ought to speak with the gentleman seated over there, our Hall Master of the Outer Hall. He happens to be the biological father of Jin So-un.”

Following Hong Mun-gi’s indication, Murong Gang locked his gaze onto Jin Tae-san with an intensely fascinated look.

“Hehe, I am well aware.”

That familiar, roguish smirk crept back onto Murong Gang’s face.

“Tell me, what kind of parenting philosophy does it take to forge a child with that level of audacity?”

“…Venerable master, your compliments are far too grand for a humble man like myself to comfortably accept.”

“Oh, I inquire out of genuine curiosity. While I was traveling alongside the boy in disguise, I decided to test his patience with a few minor provocations. In response, he looked this very Wind Earl Sword-Breaker dead in the eye and demanded to know if I wanted to experience the full force of a true martial artist’s fist. Pray tell, what is the secret behind rearing a lad with absolutely zero fear?”

“W-What did you say?!”

Jin Tae-san’s jaw dropped in absolute horror.

And looking around the chamber, the faces of every single senior leader mirrored his sheer, unadulterated panic.