The Martial Genius Who Remembers Everything Novel - Chapter 73

Chapter 73
## Chapter 73. The Black Flame Dragon Who Leaps over the Trial

Once we journeyed past Anhui Province and the peaks of Mount Tianmu materialized on the horizon, Eun-ho’s complexion drained until it was entirely ghostly.

“Eldest Brother, are you truly intent on attempting the First Trial at Twin Curtain Stronghold?”

“Correct.”

“……Could it be that the Taeul True Scripture carries a hidden consequence that compromises one’s sanity……”

Before he could finish, Eun-ho received a sharp smack to the back of his crown.

“You foolish brat, with every mile we travel, you utter more nonsense to Eldest Brother that you shouldn’t dare breathe.”

“No, but realistically, am I wrong? Why must you gamble with your survival by venturing into a territory the Murim Alliance explicitly warned everyone to avoid?”

For this specific iteration of the Hell Regular Exam, the mountain strongholds indicated by the Murim Alliance were fortresses that constantly materialized and vanished without warning.

Conversely, the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds were deeply rooted across primary territories of the murim, effectively reigning as entrenched local despots.

For that exact reason, not a single candidate had volunteered to crush any faction belonging to the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds for their First Trial.

Furthermore, true to the designation of Twin Curtain Stronghold, a pair of distinct bandit fortresses had taken root alongside one another around Mount Tianmu.

In practical terms, it required us to confront two synchronized fortresses simultaneously.

“That is precisely my point. What drives you to intentionally disturb a hornet’s nest?”

Even with those odds, my rationale for targeting Twin Curtain Stronghold rested on the fact that it was far simpler to exploit than the remaining four thousand bandit outposts.

*‘To put it plainly, someone else will perform the labor, and I will reap the rewards.’*

Eun-ho stared at me with an expression that made it clear he found my logic entirely incomprehensible.

“On occasion, a task that appears insurmountable might actually prove quite manageable.”

How could a common sparrow comprehend the vast trajectory of a Great Roc?

Paying no heed to Eun-ho’s muttered complaints, I maintained our swift pace until we arrived at our destination, Mokgi County.

“Eldest Brother, it looks as though a devastating conflict swept through here……”

The condition of Mokgi County was far more wretched than any depiction in the intelligence logs I recalled from my past life.

“This surpasses my worst expectations.”

Structures on the brink of total collapse lined the pathways at irregular intervals, and nearly every establishment bearing signs of former commerce was shuttered tightly.

Along the paths, nothing remained but skeletal elders weaving straw under the blazing sun, alongside youth wandering aimlessly in mud-caked garments.

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

The three siblings, who had babbled incessantly until reaching the settlement’s perimeter, fell into a heavy silence, completely crushed by the ominous aura hanging over the village.

When we stepped into the single tavern we managed to locate to find sustenance, there was not even a server to greet us.

Instead, a stern-faced elderly man emerged from the rear kitchen, drying his palms on a cloth.

“State your request.”

“We have been camping out under the stars for days. What dishes can you prepare immediately?”

“If you desire a proper feast, travel onward to West Lake or Hangzhou. Here, we offer nothing but noodles.”

“……Then please prepare those for us.”

The old proprietor who accepted our request retreated into the cooking area without another word. I scanned the surroundings, verifying if the individual I anticipated had arrived yet.

Regrettably, every patron occupying the tables within the establishment was also advanced in years.

*‘He absolutely should have reached Mokgi County by today.’*

The three siblings maintained their hushed restraint, entirely suppressed by the grim environment.

Only after a significant pause did Eun-ho seem to grasp the pattern, whispering,

“Eldest Brother, there are no young adults anywhere in this settlement. Did they migrate to the metropolis to seek wages?”

The old proprietor, returning with bowls of noodles and a pitcher of water, slammed the items down carelessly.

“Refrain from uttering such thoughtless remarks in this domain. To individuals who possess absolutely nothing left to lose, a warrior’s blade inspires no terror whatsoever.”

“…….”

Faced with the old man’s venomous pushback, Eun-ho became completely tongue-tied, as though his throat were sealed.

I could empathize with the elderly proprietor’s hostility to a certain degree.

Based on the archives compiled by Mantongbu, this settlement known as Mokgi County had historically flourished due to the steady flow of trade and travelers migrating toward Hangzhou and West Lake.

However, once a transition of power occurred within Twin Curtain Stronghold and fresh Chieftains assumed control, their predation of the surrounding settlements grew incomparably brutal.

Consequently, the entirety of the village’s youthful populace had perished, leaving behind only the frail elderly and toddlers.

Furthermore, because the passage tax for Mount Tianmu had skyrocketed to triple its historical rate, traders completely abandoned this route.

With the local populace stripped of all purpose and anticipation for survival, merely lingering for their demise,

*‘There is a figure destined to halt this tragedy and seize control of Twin Curtain Stronghold.’*

CRASH!

The weathered entrance slammed open with such violence it threatened to splinter off its hinges.

Sensing a massive wave of internal energy surging behind my shoulders, I leisurely shifted my position.

“Innkeeper!”

A man strode into the room, leading a cohort behind him.

His commanding voice reverberated through the barren tavern.

He had shown up on the precise calendar date and identical hour noted in the records.

“Serve us five-spice braised beef and a vintage of Hundred Flowers Wine!”

The speaker possessed a titanic frame, with forearms matching the waistline of an average woman, and features as intimidating as a mountain outlaw.

“My love, do you truly believe we can dine on five-spice braised beef in an establishment of this caliber?”

A striking maiden leaned against his chest as she spoke.

These individuals were none other than the future supreme leader of the Green Forest Alliance, Mountain King Bang Du-chil, accompanied by the tactical mind of the alliance, Baek So-ryeong.

The old proprietor emerging from the kitchen contorted his features in deep irritation.

“Five-spice braised beef? If you seek such luxury, make your way to West Lake or Hangzhou.”

I clicked my tongue internally at the old proprietor’s reckless defiance.

He truly conducted himself like a man who feared no consequences in this world.

In our situation, our physical appearances suggested we were merely twenty years of age, which was one matter, but Bang Du-chil’s mere physical presence should have projected an overwhelming aura of dread.

Yet the elderly man, acting as though death held no sway over him, treated every patron with the same prickly defiance.

Who exactly was Bang Du-chil?

A figure boasting power capable of uprooting mountain peaks, and a resolve that could blanket the heavens.

This individual, heralded as the second coming of Xiang Yu, was blessed from birth with the Heavenly Dipper Limitless Body, a transcendent entity who ascended to the Transcendent Peak without relying on conventional cultivation techniques.

Lacking any clan allegiance, he entered the Murim Academy Regular Exam accompanied solely by his partner and a few allies. Along that path, answering a destitute child’s plea backed by a solitary silver coin, he wiped out Twin Curtain Stronghold.

Throughout that conflict, his core energy center sustained severe trauma, which ultimately prevented him from completing the Murim Academy Regular Exam.

Nonetheless, even with a fractured energy center, he subsequently subjugated the entirety of the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds, established the formidable Green Forest Alliance, and claimed the title of Mountain King.

The old innkeeper was truly playing with fire.

“Bwahahahaha! You possess a remarkably sour disposition, old man. Very well. What options are available for consumption?”

“Noodles.”

“Is that the case? Then serve us every single bowl you can manage to boil.”

“……Hold a moment.”

During my previous existence, I had allied with this man on several occasions to repel the advance of the Demonic Cult.

He had reigned as the first genuine sovereign to command the Green Forest, yet as the legendary tale of the single silver coin demonstrated, he was a man brimming with honor and deep empathy.

Had the trauma he sustained during the clash with Twin Curtain Stronghold not deteriorated, leading to his premature demise, and had the Murim Alliance aligned properly with the Green Forest Alliance, the Demonic Cult might have been contained within Jiangnan indefinitely.

Such was the assessment of Jegal Cheon-gi, the brilliant mind behind the Sojeong Squad.

Naturally, certain inconsistencies troubled me.

How could someone endowed with the legendary Heavenly Dipper Limitless Body suffer permanent, incurable destruction to his energy center?

I had pressed him on this matter on multiple occasions while sharing jars of wine, yet he always brushed it off, attributing it to his own youthful recklessness.

“Innkeeper, is this the entirety of it?”

Though the old proprietor delivered a mountain of noodles sufficient to crowd the surface, Bang Du-chil and his followers maintained countenances that suggested they were far from impressed.

“That is all we have. More to the point, do you possess the means to pay?”

As the old man eyed Bang Du-chil with blatant skepticism, Baek So-ryeong offered a radiant smile, retrieving a silver piece and extending it forward.

“If you happen to keep any alcohol on hand, might we request a jar as well?”

“……Very well.”

Even the innkeeper’s abrasive nature seemed to dissolve when confronted by Baek So-ryeong’s mesmerizing expression.

He cleared his throat roughly, preparing to retreat back into the cooking space.

“We have finished our meal.”

I slid forward the compensation for our noodles.

“…….”

The old man gazed blankly at the silver coin I presented, his brow knitting together tightly.

“What sort of customer consumes four simple bowls of noodles and tenders payment in silver?”

“Consider the remainder a gratuity.”

suicide
“…….”

For a fleeting instant, a shadow of remorse flitted across the old man’s features.

“Your community appears to be enduring severe hardship. Are you managing to survive?”

Intending to forge a connection between Bang Du-chil and the elderly proprietor, I deliberately steered the conversation toward their plight.

“……The lack of rain persisted throughout this year. When winter arrives, a heavy snowfall is required if we are to survive the upcoming famine season.”

Regrettably, no snow would grace Zhejiang Province during the coming winter months.

According to intelligence reports dispatched from the Murim Alliance sectors in West Lake and Hangzhou, the dry spell that commenced two seasons prior would persist into the cold months, plunging the entirety of Zhejiang Province into a devastating starvation crisis.

Within the territory enveloping Mount Tianmu, the mortality rate from starvation would be catastrophic, so immense that even the avaricious local administrator would eventually unlock his private granaries to stem the tide.

“Could this crisis be stemming from the actions of Twin Curtain Stronghold?!”

At Eun-ho’s abrupt exclamation, the old proprietor’s features contorted fiercely.

“What did you say?”

“I am inquiring if this village has been reduced to this state because of the relentless extortion by Twin Curtain Stronghold.”

The old man’s gaze darkened into an abyss.

“I cautioned you moments ago. Utter no such reckless words within this territory.”

“Based on my information, Mokgi County serves as a vital crossroad for travelers journeying toward West Lake and Hangzhou, so I understood it to be a hub teeming with commerce and travelers.”

“……That belongs to a time long buried.”

“If their cruelty has reached such heights, have you not attempted to summon aid from the Murim Alliance?”

Eun-ho roared in righteous indignation as though the tragedy were his own, causing the elderly man’s face to flush with matching fury.

“We did! We begged for assistance! But when has the Murim Alliance ever mobilized on behalf of peasants like us, who command neither influence nor wealth?”

“……How could the world allow such a thing……”

As the three siblings stood paralyzed by the bleak reality, Bang Du-chil’s contingent, who had been boisterously devouring their meal, went completely still and focused their attention on our exchange.

“Sigh…… You travelers ought to avoid lingering in this settlement. Depart with all haste.”

The old proprietor abandoned the silver coin on the wood, snatching up the noodle bowls regardless of the fact that we had not fully emptied them.

“Venerable elder……! Please, grant us a moment to speak further……”

As the old man signaled our expulsion, I stood up from my seat first.

Nevertheless, I permitted the silver piece to remain where it rested.

“We appreciate the sustenance.”

“……But Eldest Brother!”

“The elder speaks wisdom. Let us take our leave.”

“But Eldest Brother clearly intended to……”

Observing Eun-ho preparing to contest my decision, I swiftly transmitted my thoughts directly into his mind.

-This environment is unsuited for this conversation. A strategy exists to rectify this entire situation, so vacate the premises for now.

Just as the Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers prepared to exit with dejected postures, a thunderous voice boomed from a far corner of the dining area.

“Innkeeper! That account intrigues me. Disclose the remaining details.”

Bang Du-chil and his companions had finally taken the bait, showing immense interest in the elderly man’s plight.

*‘My immediate objective has been achieved.’*

The old man spun around, glaring at Bang Du-chil with eyes radiating pure wrath.

“Did my previous words escape your ears? Even the Murim Alliance washed their hands of this plight! It concerns none of you travelers either! Depart this instant or shut your mouths and consume your noodles. Select an option.”

“Incredible! I insist on hearing the full account!”

Bang Du-chil loomed upward, hoisting his colossal frame from the bench.

“Let us depart.”

Utilizing the distraction, I guided the three siblings out into the fresh air.

“Eldest Brother! This contradicts the intentions you voiced earlier.”

In stark contrast to his morning panic regarding the assault on Twin Curtain Stronghold, Eun-ho could no longer contain his fury after witnessing the village’s degradation firsthand.

“A plan is in motion, so maintain your composure a bit longer.”

Realistically speaking, it defied all logic for the four of us to directly assault Twin Curtain Stronghold alone.

However, if Bang Du-chil and Baek So-ryeong committed to the fray, leading his entourage to crush Twin Curtain Stronghold, I calculated that we could easily embed ourselves to provide critical support.

I remained uncertain if this trait was inherent to those possessing the Heavenly Dipper Limitless Body, but Bang Du-chil was a man who elevated allegiance and moral righteousness above all other codes.

Whether he ascended as the Sovereign of the Green Forest as witnessed in my past life, or if alternative paths guided him into the ranks of the Murim Alliance, his destiny remained unalterably aligned against the Demonic Cult.

Just as I stepped beyond the threshold of the tavern, content with the execution of my strategy, a youthful voice drifted over.

“Sir…… Are you the legendary Great Hero Black Flame Dragon?”

The young child was caked in grime, clearly neglected and lacking any parental supervision.

In contrast to my own features which tightened into a frown, Dong-ryong failed to suppress his amusement and replied on my behalf.

“What brought you to that conclusion?”

The youngster pointed directly toward my hip.

“Word reached me that you wielded a pitch-black blade, wore dark vestments, and possessed a thoroughly villainous countenance.”

“……?”

What sort of nonsense was this?

Had an incredibly insulting description been tacked onto the end of my description?

“Are you truly the Great Hero Black Flame Dragon?”

“It appears a distorted reputation has preceded me. I am indeed referred to as the Black…… that individual, yes.”

The boy abruptly extended his palms, revealing an object he had been squeezing with immense force.

“In that case, I beg you to rescue my mother and father. Grandfather claimed they departed for the Kunlun Mountains to secure wages, but that is a fabrication. My mother and father are being enslaved within Twin Curtain Stronghold.”

Resting within the child’s small palms was a solitary silver tael, blackened by dirt and sweat.

“What?”

What reason did he have to present this to me?

And what was the meaning behind his claim that his parents survived?

“I was told you liberated a multitude of captives. Please deliver my mother and father from captivity.”

“…….”

The threads of fate appeared to have knotted in an entirely unforeseen manner.

“Young one, are you absolutely certain your parents remain among the living?”

“……Unbelievable.”

“How could you phrase your question so coldly……”

“……Good grief.”

The Gold, Silver, and Bronze brothers cast looks of utter disapproval in my direction.

Yet, I had no alternative.

The intelligence report issued by the Murim Alliance’s Hangzhou sector had explicitly stated that when a child petitioned for vengeance by offering a single silver tael, Bang Du-chil, eager to test the limits of his own prowess, utilized that specific plea as his justification to intervene.

*‘There is no way…… Those wretched hypocrites……’*

Prior to the eruption of the Great Righteous-Demonic War, the animosity dividing the Unorthodox Path from the Orthodox Path ran incredibly deep.

Since the Orthodox factions harbored nothing but disdain for the unification of the Seventy-Two Green Forest Strongholds under a single Green Forest Alliance banner, if they fabricated the official records to minimize their rival’s achievements……

“Those absolute…… degenerates……”

Regardless of their desire to marginalize an adversary, there were moral boundaries that should never be crossed.

“Sir?”

While I remained trapped in my internal processing for a moment, the youngster began to tremble, misinterpreting the expression on my face.

“Ah, forgive me. But do you possess absolute proof that your parents were seized?”

“Wow…… Eldest Brother, you are truly something else……”

“Silence. We must ascertain the facts precisely, must we not?”

The child, tears welling within his eyelids at the mention of his family, clarified,

“I observed them myself on Mount Tianmu. My father was breaking the earth, and my mother was cleansing vessels. Il-seong’s kin and Jeong-jeong’s father are confined there as well.”

“I see……”

A comprehensive restructuring of my strategy was now mandatory.

Even if the future Mountain King inherited a physiology that defied common mortality, he could never unleash his full destructive potential when constrained by the presence of innocent captives.

*‘Furthermore, reflecting on the psychological profile I observed during our past interactions. If captives were integrated into the equation……’*

Only at this juncture did the missing historical fragments from my past life begin to align logically.

The underlying rationale for why a supreme master possessing a Heaven beyond Heaven constitution—someone who should have emerged unscathed—suffered permanent, disabling trauma to his core.

“It was dictated by the presence of the captives.”

I locked eyes with the boy for a brief beat.

With hostages complicating the scenario, the timeline could not be allowed to replicate my past life’s trajectory.

“Do you reside here unattended?”

“I live alongside Grandfather inside.”

The abrasive innkeeper from moments ago was the patriarch of this child’s family.

Grasping the youth’s hand, I reversed our steps and re-entered the tavern.

“Please accept this token.”

The youngster persistently attempted to force the silver piece into my grasp.

“Negative. I am not the rightful recipient of this currency.”

“Then who should take it?”

“Of the individuals gathered within this room……”

Pushing the door aside, I stepped back into the dining space and extended my finger directly toward Bang Du-chil.

“The individual you must present that money to is that terrifying-looking……”

The words died in my throat.

Bang Du-chil was currently mid-execution of a clean shoulder throw on the elderly innkeeper.