The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 70

Chapter 70
## Chapter 70. The ‘First’ Trial of the Hell Regular Exam (4)

—

“This serves as validation that you are recognized as a Guest Retainer of our Hao Gate. With this in your possession, regardless of your location, we possess the means to locate you.”

The object Yeo Mi-mi presented was a compact Black Token.

In what manner did they intend to track me using such an item?

“Ultimately, you are bound to remain within our sphere of surveillance. Even if you attempt to evade us, the interior of the Black Token contains a highly concentrated dose of Hao Gate’s specialized Thousand-Li Tracking Fragrance.”

It became clear that the subtle scent I had noticed earlier was indeed the Thousand-Li Tracking Fragrance.

“Each morning, we shall provide you with freshly compiled intelligence.”

“……Is such a feat truly achievable?”

Regardless of how exceptional an information-gathering network might be, boundaries had to exist. Delivering updates every single morning?

Furthermore, how could they anticipate my daily movements to dispatch an operative without fail?

“How remarkably peculiar. You possess a deeper understanding of us than virtually anyone else, yet concurrently, you appear entirely oblivious to our methods.”

This discrepancy existed because no records existed detailing how a Guest Retainer of Hao Gate actually received intelligence.

Yeo Mi-mi maintained her gaze, clearly amused and intrigued by my reaction.

“We intend to exert our absolute best efforts to assist you in reaching your objectives. Our destiny has been securely linked to your own.”

“……Kindly refrain from making such heavy proclamations without warning. My request was for an alliance, not for you to tether your entire destiny to mine.”

Amused curves appeared at the edges of the lips of both Yeo Mi-mi and Hae-ryeong.

Shaking my head slightly, I began to speak.

“There is a particular matter I require you to handle beforehand.”

“What might that be?”

“I need you to circulate a specific rumor concerning me.”

“A rumor about your person? Is the vast Jianghu not already teeming with tales regarding you?”

“That is precisely why I ask. I need a rumor spread indicating that my prowess in martial arts is actually quite mediocre.”

“Hmm…… Might that prove rather challenging? The reports of your confrontation with the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly have undoubtedly begun circulating throughout the land by now.”

“The members of the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly themselves will certainly not be eager to publicize that event. Furthermore, will the public not require a fair amount of time before they truly credit the validity of such a rumor?”

“Hmm……. In essence, you desire for that particular information to gain traction at a significantly delayed pace.”

“Precisely. That is my objective.”

“Understood. Rest assured on that front. I shall disseminate rumors of such a nature that the martial artists under heaven view you not as the fearsome Black Flame Dragon, but rather as a common earthworm.”

“…….”

While the title Black Flame Dragon brought me no satisfaction, being likened to an earthworm was hardly an improvement.

Trapped in a state of conflicted hesitation where neither alternative appealed to me, I opted to remain silent.

—

Following a solitary night spent resting at a local tavern, I prepared some basic provisions and directed my steps toward Mount Hwaun.

I had previously warned them to descend swiftly if they wished to avoid spending the night stranded on Mount Hwaun, yet I knew that task was practically insurmountable for them.

Even the highly capable Sojeong Squad, operating under immense pressure, had required a full fifteen days to attain basic competence in the Taeul Moving Circulation.

Merely navigating the terrain to exit Mount Hwaun would require no less than three days.

Consequently, I fully anticipated finding them stranded well before the midway point of Mount Hwaun, taking shelter within the wilderness.

“Oh…….”

Yet, upon reaching the initial slopes of Mount Hwaun, I observed the three brothers, Geum, Eun, and Dong, advancing at a surprisingly respectable pace.

“Their current speed makes them look like mere turtles, however.”

Nevertheless, achieving this degree of rapid progress would have left the members of the Sojeong Squad utterly bewildered had they witnessed it.

“Then again, those individuals originally possessed absolutely dreadful levels of comprehension.”

Moments later, Geum-pyo panted to a halt right before me.

“Huff, gasp, huff. Senior Brother…… Your claim that we could complete the descent prior to nightfall was a complete fabrication, wasn’t it?”

“Consume some water.”

Geum-pyo, drenched in perspiration as though he had just survived a torrential downpour, completely drained the water container I offered without taking a breath.

“Did you forfeit your sleep entirely last night?”

“Yes… Quite frankly… gasp, clarify… huff… for me… gasp. Senior Brother… huff, you claim to be employing… gasp… moving circulation… huff. That has to be a lie, correct?”

In response, I pulled out the warm dumplings I had acquired from the tavern.

“Would you care for some dumplings?”

“Huff, gasp, huff.”

Glaring at me due to my lack of a direct response, Geum-pyo abruptly snatched the food and consumed it with astonishing rapidity, vanishing the meal as swiftly as a crab retracting its eyes.

While Geum-pyo attempted to settle his stomach and collapsed onto the earth in sheer fatigue, Eun-ho managed to catch up, with Dong-ryong trailing in the final position.

“Gasp… huff… gasp… Eldest Senior Brother… you deceiver….”

“Huff… gasp… deceiver.”

The remaining two brothers lacked the breath to articulate complete sentences, merely fixing me with gazes dripping with resentment.

“Would your preference be to hydrate first? Or would you rather consume dumplings immediately?”

I distributed the provisions and water to both of them.

—

As time progressed, their traveling velocity began to exhibit a steady increase.

The young men, who had initially advanced at the sluggish pace of turtles, graduated to the speed of young chicks, before eventually matching the steady stride of slow-moving oxen.

Observing this incremental rise in the children’s momentum, I decided to redirect our course away from the established main road, opting for a rugged mountain trail instead.

Predictably, the performance of the three brothers plummeted once more.

“Accelerate your pace and advance quickly. If you continue at this rate, the Murim Regular Exam will conclude before we arrive.”

“Haa… pant… In that case, would it not be wiser to utilize the main road? We were just beginning to establish a rhythm with our strides.”

Navigating a mountain trail presented entirely different challenges compared to a flat road.

The terrain demanded the use of both upper and lower limbs, constantly imposing physical impediments upon one’s posture.

Compounding that with the requirement to simultaneously maintain moving circulation was a combination designed to push them to the brink of insanity.

The ascent, which had commenced prior to the breaking of dawn, yielded negligible progress even as the sun reached its zenith, failing to cover even ten li of distance.

“Failing to attain the crest of this ridge means you will forfeit your midday meal as well.”

“……!”

“……!”

“……!”

An unmistakable aura of killing intent flared within the eyes of the three brothers originating from the millhouse.

“My, you have managed to manifest genuine killing intent without any prior instruction from me? Truly, the benevolence of this Eldest Senior Brother is as vast as the heavens and as deep as the oceans.”

The trio clearly harbored countless objections, yet they forced themselves to remain silent.

Perhaps spurred by that very frustration, the movement speed of the three brothers began to tick upward incrementally.

*SCREEEE—*

Directly above us, a dark avian predator rent the blue sky with a piercing shriek.

The sound resonated so deeply that the surrounding forest birds took flight in unison, while the inquisitive squirrels observing us promptly vanished into their subterranean retreats.

“What sort of creature is that?”

Peering past the canopy toward the open sky, I observed a massive hawk soaring as if it held absolute dominion over the air.

The raptor, which had been traversing the upper atmosphere, suddenly altered its trajectory and began a steep dive directly toward my position.

“Oh? Does it target human prey as well?”

Hearing my remark, the three brothers recoiled slightly, casting their gazes upward.

They locked eyes with the immense hawk, sporting a wingspan exceeding the length of a man’s arm, plummeting toward them at breakneck speed.

“Senior Brother, its trajectory seems locked onto us.”

“It truly does. Th-That… Senior Brother!”

“Tsk! Maintain your moving circulation!”

The moment I directed a subtle hint of killing intent toward the young men, who were on the verge of abandoning their technique to flee, they froze instantly, resembling prey petrified by a apex predator’s stare.

In that precise instant where flight and evasion were entirely ruled out, causing them to squeeze their eyes shut in anticipation, the great hawk abruptly flared its massive wings, arrested its velocity, and drifted gently down toward me.

“What do we have here?”

Sensing it desired a perch, I extended my shoulder, and the hawk settled itself flawlessly upon it.

The three brothers stared in utter disbelief at the bizarre spectacle, while my attention drawn to a slender cylinder crafted from bamboo fastened to the raptor’s leg.

“Fascinating. They employ specialized messenger hawks rather than standard carrier pigeons? Wait a moment…….”

Despite this being our initial encounter, the hawk affectionately nuzzled its plumage against my head before nudging the area near my chest.

That specific location housed both the Silver Wang Token provided by Wang Geum-san and the Black Token issued by Hao Gate.

“You possess incredible training. Have they managed to condition even these messenger hawks using the Thousand-Li Tracking Fragrance?”

Upon retrieving the Black Token and offering the raptor a gentle caress, the creature responded with endearing familiarity, behaving as though it had reunited with its true handler.

I promptly extracted the documents sent by Hao Gate from the leg cylinder and began reviewing the contents thoroughly.

“Senior Brother, what exactly is taking place?”

“It appears an individual who committed to supplying me with intelligence has delivered an update.”

As Geum-pyo drew closer, captivated by the raptor, the bird’s gaze instantly hardened, unleashing a sharp screech.

“……Its temperament is incredibly aggressive.”

“Unlike standard carrier pigeons, messenger hawks retain their primal predatory instincts entirely. While this renders their training exceptionally difficult, it offers the distinct benefit of keeping them safe from common hunters. Refrain from touching it carelessly. It bears the markings of an Iron Hawk, and a specimen of this caliber can easily sever a human finger.”

Hearing this warning, Geum-pyo hastily retracted his hand, his complexion turning noticeably pale.

“Hmm…… flocks of info.”

Upon completing my perusal of the provided intelligence, I extracted the Four Treasures of the Study, transcribed a list of additional details I required, and secured the parchment back inside the bamboo container on the Iron Hawk’s leg.

As if fully comprehending its duties, the magnificent creature launched itself back into the sky.

“What information did it contain?”

Eun-ho enquired, his curiosity piqued by the documents I had just reviewed.

“A concise update regarding current developments. It notes that among the designated target strongholds identified by the Murim Alliance, a total of two thousand four hundred have already been cleared.”

“In such a short time?”

Given that a mere three days had elapsed since the commencement of the Regular Exam, such progress represented an incredibly rapid tempo.

“This lamentable delay on our part is entirely due to your sluggishness in mastering the moving circulation! Should I fail to secure admission to the Murim Academy on account of your shortcomings, how do you intend to compensate me?”

Geum-pyo and Eun-ho stared back at me, appearing thoroughly flabbergasted by my logic.

At the very least, the fierce intensity within Dong-ryong’s gaze remained undiminished.

I could have sworn I caught him muttering something along the lines of, “I am going to end him…….”

I chose to interpret that sentiment as being directed toward our eventual rivals.

The gentle Dong-ryong, who had patiently awaited my return for days simply to offer me a portion of his rice cake, would surely never contemplate harming his own Eldest Senior Brother.

—

“Guild Master! The state of Young Master Cheol-yeong appears highly abnormal!”

“What did you say!”

The sudden resonance of a highly familiar voice and name caused all of us to instantly redirect our focus toward the main road snaking below our mountain vantage point.

A substantial caravan consisting of roughly one hundred traveling mercenaries was passing by, with Gye Yeon-seok positioned at the vanguard.

Prompted by the urgent shout, Gye Yeon-seok separated himself from the front to hurry toward the rear, flanked by Gye Yeon-seung, the individual who had previously served as the Hall Master of our very own Busaeng Hall.

“Could they be embarking on a commercial expedition?”

Given that the Gyeryong Merchant Guild lacked an independent security apparatus and focused exclusively on securing the final distribution rights for various commodities, managing security transport was outside their purview.

Furthermore, the entire caravan featured a mere three transport wagons.

The destination Gye Yeon-seok and Gye Yeon-seung rushed toward was a reinforced iron wagon situated among the freight vehicles.

Upon Gye Yeon-seok striking the window frame, the individual who emerged from within was none other than Gye Cheol-yeong, his facial features contorted into a horrifyingly unnatural shape.

“Ah……”

“Good heavens……”

“How could that happen……”

Having spent nearly five years in his company, the three brothers instantly identified Gye Cheol-yeong despite his monstrously altered physical state.

“Auh, auh. Aaah.”

Gye Cheol-yeong proved entirely incapable of articulating coherent speech.

“Endure the discomfort for just a while longer. A settlement lies just beyond this ridge, where we shall halt to recuperate before continuing our journey.”

“Auu, auu. Auu.”

Saliva leaked continuously from the corner of his disfigured mouth.

Gye Yeon-seok carefully cleansed the fluid from Gye Cheol-yeong’s visage.

“Banish all anxieties. I shall ensure you secure entry into the Murim Academy, without fail.”

As Gye Yeon-seok resumed his position at the vanguard to guide the collective, the caravan resumed its forward progress.

Long after the group had vanished from view, the trio of Geum, Eun, and Dong remained entirely motionless, frozen in profound shock.

In truth, my internal state mirrored theirs.

The chilling spectacle of Gye Yeon-seok dragging his broken, ruined offspring along solely to force him through the Murim Academy Regular Exam served as a stark manifestation of his terrifying ambition.

It was a display capable of inducing involuntary tremors.

“……Is entry into the academy truly worth pursuing at such a horrific cost?”

For the very first time, Geum-pyo exhibited a countenance that suggested he truly comprehended the grim reality of the assessment they were undergoing.

“For generations, the societal hierarchy of the Jianghu has been constructed around the Murim Alliance, dictated entirely by the principles of raw power. It remains entirely logical that Gye Yeon-seok, coveting elevated wealth and authority, is desperate to plant his sole heir within the Murim Academy.”

“Yet in that physical condition…… can he even participate in the testing? Furthermore, even assuming he passes, can he realistically function within the academy?”

Inexplicably, while the Murim Alliance maintained stringent oversight regarding external assistants, they imposed virtually no health regulations upon the candidates themselves.

The logistics of actually surviving the curriculum post-admission was a separate issue, but securing entry guaranteed access to the Murim Alliance’s premier medical treatments entirely free of charge.

Even if his internal martial arts remained permanently shattered, a successful graduation from the academy could still yield at least a bureaucratic designation within the broader infrastructure of the Murim Alliance.

Viewed through that calculated lens, Gye Yeon-seok’s strategy was not entirely devoid of reason.

“We lack the luxury of squandering concern on their plight. Did you fail to recognize the identities of the figures anchoring that caravan?”

“……What are you implying?”

“The individuals flanking Gye Yeon-seok at the head of that column were Yama Axe Yeon Chu-ak, Windless Demon Rod Han Geum-tak, and Three-Handed Ghost Ape Dam Cheol-gak. Those three are recognized as elite, special-grade mercenaries even within the independent martial community.”

“……Windless Demon Rod Han Geum-tak…… Is he not affiliated with the unorthodox Black Path?”

His signature technique—wherein he impaled an adversary’s nasal tissue with a bizarrely modified angling rod, rotating them violently through the air until life departed—was a devastating martial art dreaded even by hardened villains of the Black Path.

“His association with the Black Path was merely a function of his mercenary lifestyle. Provided the compensation is adequate, he is entirely willing to pledge allegiance to the Orthodox Path at a moment’s notice.”

“Senior Brother, according to standard regulations, any master who has attained the First-Rate threshold or higher is strictly prohibited from participating in the capacity of an assistant.”

“That represents the primary loophole. Due to their status as unaffiliated wanderers, their exact combat capabilities lack official documentation. Because the Murim Alliance systematically downgrades the official standing of unaligned martial artists by a full tier, evaluation metrics could easily categorize them as mere First-Rate combatants.”

“Such a blatant mockery of the rules……”

“Consequently, accelerate your movements and advance properly. The nature of the competition is intensifying rapidly, yet our overall progress bogs down continuously owing to your individual delays, does it not?”

Though I continued to apply pressure to the three brothers, this instance did not see the fire leave the children’s eyes.

On the contrary, a distinct fervor seemed to ignite within them.

As a result, the physical velocity of the three brothers began to scale upward significantly.

Anxious to avoid any unwanted intersections with Gye Yeon-seok’s entourage, we bypassed a pair of roadside settlements without pausing, elevating our pace to match that of seasoned travelers traversing mountainous zones.

Observing the three brothers successfully integrating the moving circulation into their stride, I directed our path back toward the established main road.

“We are entirely capable of sustaining our pace along the mountain tracks now.”

“Undoubtedly. We possess full confidence!”

“Why would I subject you to training that offers no genuine difficulty? From this moment forward, we shall advance utilizing our Footwork Art.”

“…… shreds of hope.”

“…….”

“Combining the execution of a Footwork Art with active moving circulation yields an abundance of strategic benefits. Most notably, the Taeul Eighty-Thousand Divine Steps represents a peerless Footwork Art that simultaneously integrates the core traits of Movement Art. Master this technique, and you shall possess the capability to slip away from any adversary’s reach and sustain a sprint indefinitely.”

“……Senior Brother, we have endured outdoor exposures for an entire week without the luxury of basic hygiene. Might we please advance in a conventional manner for today?”

“Is that your desire? In that case, it cannot be helped. Let us make arrangements to recuperate at a suitable tavern ahead.”

The countenances of the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers split into wide, ecstatic grins.

“And following that brief respite, we shall chart a course back to the Taeul Sect. In my capacity as your Eldest Senior Brother, I cannot consciously expose you to mortal peril. Therefore, if training holds no appeal for you, our sole option is to abandon the endeavor and return home together. Ah, if Sa-ryeon is forced to provide for all of our livelihoods, it will truly prove to be an extraordinarily~ exhausting existence.”

The ecstatic expressions on the faces of the three brothers instantly foundered into trembling despair.

“…….”

“…….”

Ultimately, the youngest sibling, Dong-ryong, broke under the psychological weight and vocalized.

“Eldest Senior Brother!”

“Speak.”

“Does this alignment match the correct posture for executing the Taeul Eighty-Thousand Divine Steps?”

Dong-ryong inquired while deliberately shifting his stance upon the dirt, drawing glares from Geum-pyo and Eun-ho that twitched with a profound sense of fraternal betrayal.

“Incorrect. I shall demonstrate the methodology once more. What is the collective decision? It appears Dong-ryong intends to persevere. Shall Geum-pyo and Eun-ho commence their journey back home?”

“……Naturally, we intend to accompany you forward.”

“Precisely! Furthermore, I harbor a deep fondness for sleeping under the stars!”

Addressing the three brothers, who were currently murmuring mnemonic devices while matching their strides to the specific impressions I had stamped into the earth, I announced:

“Should you attain the proficiency required to execute the Taeul Eighty-Thousand Divine Steps without constraint, I shall secure the premier accommodation available in the subsequent township we encounter.”

“What did you say?”

“Is that a true promise?”

“Senior Brother, you are entirely destitute.”

Geum-pyo, Eun-ho, and Dong-ryong delivered their skeptical remarks in sequence, prompting me to flash the heavy pouch brimming with gold specie that I had previously obtained from Wang Geum-san.

“Who among you proclaimed that I lacked capital?”

*Clink, clink.*

The sudden gleam of precious yellow metal caused the children’s focus to sharpen with renewed intensity.

‘An absolute textbook application of the carrot-and-stick methodology.’

Their yearning to consume premium cuisine within a reputable establishment and wash away days of accumulated grime with heated water burned fiercely. In less than three additional days, they reached a proficiency tier where they could seamlessly maintain the Taeul Eighty-Thousand Divine Steps while sustaining their moving circulation.

—

By this point, ten days had slipped past since our departure.

On account of our prolonged lack of conventional shelter, the physical appearance of the young men rendered them entirely indistinguishable from common mendicants of the Beggars’ Sect or destitute disciples of the Taeul Sect.

Perhaps I should consider it a minor blessing that they at least donned uniform black training gear in imitation of my attire.

“Senior Brother! Senior Brother! I have gathered intelligence. They report that the establishment offering the superior quality-to-cost ratio in this locale is that specific structure!”

The moment our group arrived at the base of Mount Huang, Eun-ho actively polled the locals to identify the most advantageous lodging before gesturing toward the Silver Palace Inn.

“That particular facility operates within the premium tier, demanding a tariff of one silver tael per evening.”

I directed his attention to the pristine, newly constructed architectural marvel situated immediately adjacent to the Silver Palace Inn, inquiring,

“Does that structure not function as a place of lodging as well?”

“That establishment is known as the Gold Palace Inn, but the local consensus indicates the tariff scales to an exorbitant five silver taels per night.”

“Is that the case? In that choice, let us direct our steps inside.”

“Pardon me?”

“Did I fail to issue a binding pledge? I distinctly stated I would secure the absolute finest accommodations this settlement had to offer.”

“B-But Senior Brother. Accounting for a party of four, that translates to a expenditure of twenty silver taels.”

Eun-ho’s vocal cords vibrated with visible anxiety as he calculated the sum.

“Provided your training yields undeniable advancement, you shall continue to enjoy equivalent luxuries. For the present moment, concentrate exclusively on banishing your physical exhaustion and preparing for subsequent training regimes.”

Articulating this stance, I advanced toward the threshold of the Gold Palace Inn, prompting the three wavering figures to fall into a compliant line behind my lead.

“Welcome, honored guests!”

Upon our entry, a hosting attendant converged on our position bearing an expansive greeting, only for his features to gradually sour as his gaze registered the disheveled condition of the Geum, Eun, and Dong brothers.

I smoothly retrieved a single gold tael and deposited it into his palm.

“The youngsters bear a rugged appearance due to several continuous weeks of outdoor travel. Kindly arrange suitable chambers, hot bathing facilities, a substantial meal, and fresh martial arts gear for the group.”

The downturned contours of the attendant’s lips instantaneously inverted into a radiant, sycophantic smile.

“We shall accommodate your party with the utmost excellence. Shall I arrange for dinner service immediately?”

“If you please.”

“Follow me this way.”

Just as I prepared to step forward under the guide’s direction, Eun-ho firmly snagged a handful of my outer garment.

“Eldest Senior Brother, direct your gaze upwards over there……”

The trajectory of Eun-ho’s pointing finger led directly toward the decorative balustrade overlooking the main floor from the structure’s second level.

“…… shreds of hatred.”

Standing there, Gye Yeon-seok looked down, his eyes shot through with a crimson, vengeful fury, alongside Gye Cheol-yeong, whose face remained horribly twisted into that unnatural visage, both staring directly at our position.

“Taeul Sect……”

The sheer intensity made it feel as though the sound of Gye Yeon-seok grinding his teeth in pure malice traveled clearly down from the upper floor.