The Genius Martial Artist Who Remembers Everything [Novel] Chapter 208

Chapter 208. The Enemy’s Favor

“Phew… It never… ends…”

Despite pouring his entire day into administrative work, Eunho couldn’t help but sigh at the mountains of documents still piled up before him.

He was dividing the workload with the nearly twenty students—children of merchants and officials—that Jang Woojae had brought in, yet the paperwork showed absolutely no signs of shrinking. What made his sighs even longer was the realization that this was only half of the work Jin Soun usually handled.

Ultimately, Eunho and the executive committee had to take over all the administrative duties that Jin Soun had previously managed completely alone.

Jang Woojae, who had confidently volunteered for this task, was now feeling dizzy as the reality of the workload hit him. “Is the Representative some kind of monster?”

“…Good question.”

Faced with Jang Woojae’s genuine disbelief, Eunho could only offer a bitter smile.

It wasn’t the first or second time his Eldest Martial Brother had done something completely inhuman. Just when you thought you were used to him, he would reveal yet another absurd side of himself. Eunho didn’t even have the energy to be surprised anymore.

“He’s always been an unpredictable person…”

“…”

Jang Woojae seemed to harbor some grand fantasy about Jin Soun. Eunho debated for a moment if he should shatter that illusion, but quickly brushed the thought aside.

Well, everyone will figure out he’s a weirdo soon enough anyway…

If you’re going to take a beating, it’s better to get it over with as early as possible. At least then you have time to run away.

Back when Eunho didn’t know any better, hadn’t he suffered endlessly, driven by a foolish fantasy of loyalty, vowing to help his Eldest Martial Brother enter the Academy? If someone told him to do it all over again now, he felt like he’d rather die.

Of course… if he told me to, I’d still do it. Sigh…

But that was only because he was a disciple of the Taeul Sect and Jin Soun’s junior martial brother. He didn’t want to see the good-natured Jang Woojae fall into Jin Soun’s demonic clutches and suffer unnecessarily. He had to reduce the number of victims, even if only by one.

“Anyway… if you’re going to run, it’s better to do it quickly.”

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

Jin Soun had definitely mastered some dark art that made the people around him act strange. Just look at Namgung Seonhwa.

According to Hong Saryeon, who was handling external affairs alongside her, when the Head Instructors and teachers began showing blatant bias toward the White Faction, Namgung Seonhwa gathered them all in one room and slammed her Azure Sky Sword into the table.

“If any of you fear the Jegal Family but not the Namgung Family, feel free to try your little tricks. You will pay for it dearly.”

Originally, Namgung Seonhwa was never the type of person to use her family name to pressure or threaten others. Despite possessing so much, she never showed off. She was like an innocent, friendly neighborhood older sister who was always happy to share what she had. That was why Dongryong, who turned into a bit of an idiot whenever he wasn’t fighting, followed her around like a lost puppy looking for his older sister.

When Eunho wondered how such a person had become so cold and bold…

Eldest Martial Brother… seriously…

Why did the image of his Eldest Martial Brother flashing a despicable smile and laughing “Kyakakakaka” suddenly pop into his head? It was admirable how he could move people and get things done, but it was also incredibly suspicious.

The Taeul Divine Scripture he himself had learned was undeniably an orthodox martial art… But was there some hidden secret within it that turned it into a demonic art if circulated differently?

While Eunho was busy harboring deep suspicions about his senior…

Jang Woojae, who hadn’t run away (yet), looked around with a tired face. “Still, things have mostly settled down now.”

“It’s all thanks to you, Student Jang Woojae.”

“How could I have done it alone? It’s because you and everyone else worked so hard, Eunho.”

Even while Jin Soun was busy preparing for the external event, his executive committee was efficiently handling their respective duties on their own. Eunho and Jang Woojae managed the practical administrative tasks required to run the committee. Seong Moran and Nam Hwaseong were traversing the 108 Peaks, meeting and persuading students. And Namgung Seonhwa and Hong Saryeon were managing external and political affairs.

Though small in number, everyone was faithfully fulfilling their roles. If things kept rolling this smoothly, there shouldn’t be any more major threats to their committee life. And Jin Soun’s committee would no longer face the risk of being ousted.

Yes, if they could just get past this one crisis, just this one crisis…

“Ahem, well… anyway, the number of event participants is steadily increasing…” As Jang Woojae let out a heavy sigh with a worried expression, Eunho unconsciously sighed along with him.

“…Sigh. I’m sorry.”

“A-Ah, no. It’s not something you need to apologize for…” Jang Woojae waved his hands and shook his head in denial. Then, he cautiously spoke up. “But is this really okay? I mean…”

He looked around quickly before lowering his voice even further. “I don’t think Shaolin is going to just sit still.”

How could they possibly be okay with it? Taking Ilgak—the great Ilgak of Shaolin, who had even mastered the Yijin Jing—and forcing him to act as a street barker to solicit customers? Shaolin aside, wasn’t this blasphemous enough to warrant divine punishment directly from the Buddha?

If another crisis erupted because of this… It would all be his Eldest Martial Brother’s fault. Yes, it was entirely the Eldest Martial Brother’s fault.

“I don’t know. If something blows up, that guy will handle it himself. It’s his own fault, anyway. Whatever.”

“…”

As the first major event of the second semester began, a palpable excitement filled the Academy. It was a given that students were far more interested in an event hosted by the student representatives than the standard academic schedule led by the instructors.

Furthermore, this event was a direct clash between the legitimate executive committee and the fake one. By choosing to attend only one of the two events, the students were effectively given a vote to declare their political support.

Naturally, beyond the actual content of the events, everyone was intensely curious about the outcome of this rivalry.

“So, if Representative Jin Soun loses, does he lose his position?” “Nonsense. He entered with the top score and rightfully earned the Representative seat. Of course he should keep it.” “Then I assume you’ll be attending Jin Soun’s event.” “Ahem…” “Why aren’t you answering?” “…I received a direct message from my sect instructing me to gather detailed information on the new mechanical formation.”

Just as students were making their choices one by one, swayed by their personal circumstances and external pressures…

“Ahem, Almsgivers… Do you have a moment to spare?”

“…?” “V-Venerable Monk Ilgak?!” “What are you doing here…?”

Wearing a ridiculous promotional sash and clutching a thick stack of flyers in one hand, Ilgak wore a benevolent smile that felt entirely out of place with his current getup.

“I have come to share some good words with you.”

“…Um.” “…Uh.” “Pardon?”

The students, initially wearing dumbfounded expressions, quickly shook their heads to snap out of it. They were eager to head to their chosen events, but how often did one get the chance to speak directly with the renowned Ilgak?

Moreover, while the Academy events lasted for a week, this might be their only chance to converse with him.

“Y-Yes! Please, go ahead.”

The moment the students agreed, Ilgak nodded. “Do you happen to know about the ‘Righteous Mind’?”

It was a profoundly fundamental yet seemingly obvious question.

“W-Well, doesn’t it mean having a righteous heart?”

Because it seemed so simple, the student answered easily, but Ilgak shook his dazzlingly smooth head. “Unfortunately, the Righteous Mind does not merely refer to a good heart.”

Sensing that they were about to receive some profound, esoteric teaching they had never heard before, the students immediately focused their attention.

“The Righteous Mind refers to an unwavering, steadfast spirit. It represents a natural, unshakeable pillar that holds firm in any situation.”

“…Isn’t that basically the same thing…”

Just as confusion and slight skepticism began to color the students’ faces…

A brilliant light erupted from Ilgak’s eyes. “You there, Almsgiver! Do you believe you possess an unwavering Righteous Mind?”

Overwhelmed by his fierce momentum, the students flinched and stepped back.

“Ahem… I am a disciple of the Namgung Family’s secular faction, so compared to others, my mind is unwaver—”

“Wrong!”

“Pardon? What do you…”

Ilgak stared directly at the students with an intense gaze that felt like it could pierce right through their skulls. “The Righteous Mind does not stem from your sect affiliation or your martial arts.”

In the martial world, it was common knowledge that the Righteous Mind referred to the mental fortitude forged through cultivating inner qi arts. That was exactly why those who practiced pure, orthodox martial arts—like the Namgung Family—were said to possess a more unshakeable Righteous Mind than those who practiced the dark arts of the underworld.

Yet, Ilgak was firmly denying this universally accepted truth.

“The Righteous Mind is not a power obtained simply by practicing inner qi arts and meditating. If that were the case…” Ilgak, who had been speaking with fiery passion, suddenly turned his head and closed his eyes with a sorrowful expression. “…I would not have lost my comrades in Sichuan.”

Knowing full well what the Righteous Faction had endured in Sichuan, the students let out sympathetic sighs.

“I was someone who was more confident in my ‘Righteous Mind’ than anyone else. But through that incident, I was forced to admit just how arrogant I had been.”

Like an ascetic monk who had reached true enlightenment, Ilgak cast his clear, transparent gaze toward the distant horizon.

The students swallowed hard and took a step closer to him. “…Th-Then how can we cultivate our Righteous Mind?”

Even if it wasn’t the Blood Cult, practitioners of the underworld often used sinister demonic arts to corrupt people’s minds. Standing before Ilgak, the students desperately sought an answer to escape such dangers.

Not missing this opening, Ilgak pressed his hands together in prayer—still clutching the stack of flyers. “There is an excellent method. It is to learn and master the arts of exorcism and spirit cleansing.”

“…” “…” “…”

Ilgak swiftly shoved a flyer into each of the students’ hands. “If you attend the Mount Heng Faction’s event right now, you will be given the opportunity to test your exorcism and spirit cleansing skills against a vicious, cunning illusion array used by the Blood Cult, which has been recreated on the horse track. This is a special feature of this event, so please do not miss it.”

The students, who had been listening with dazed expressions, widened their eyes. “I-Is that true?”

Ilgak’s gleaming head nodded vigorously up and down. “Yes. It is. Even if you don’t believe my words, you can simply experience the Blood Cult’s illusion array for yourself. Once you experience it, you will realize just how crucial it is to properly establish your Righteous Mind. Amitabha.”

One of the main reasons the students hadn’t been immediately drawn to the Mount Heng Faction’s lectures was the thought that, even if they learned it, they wouldn’t have anywhere to actually use it. But hearing that a practical training ground was already set up? There was no way they wouldn’t be tempted.

“Venerable Monk! I will attend the Mount Heng Faction’s event, then!”

For a brief second, Ilgak felt an involuntary surge of accomplishment. He quickly suppressed the feeling and composed his expression. “…Then you had better hurry. The line of waiting participants is steadily growing.”

“Ah! I’ll be going now, then. I’ll see you guys later!” “H-Hey! Wait for me! I’m going too!” “Me too!”

Watching the three students sprint toward the horse track in a mad dash, Ilgak looked on with a benevolent gaze, before letting out a long sigh filled with complex emotions.

Right then…

Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.

Someone approached, clapping slowly.

“Almsgiver Jin…” Ilgak’s expression grew even more complicated.

Jin Soun was walking toward him, shaking his head with a look of awe, as if he couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. “I guess I owe you an apology.”

“…For what, exactly?”

“As expected, the talent destined to lead Shaolin is simply on another level. Keugh—”

Jin Soun gave him two enthusiastic thumbs up and showered him with high praise. But not knowing whether he should laugh or cry, Ilgak simply gripped the remaining flyers in his hand even tighter.

“How could the numbers be this low?”

Day Three of the event.

Looking at a participant count that didn’t even reach half of their expectations, Jegal Jeonggi’s brow furrowed deeply.

“Th-That is…” The Jegal Family formation master in charge of operating the mechanical formation fidgeted nervously, acting as if the failure were entirely his fault. “There must be a mistake in the tally. Right? Otherwise, this makes no sense…”

“Actually, the numbers are perfectly accurate.”

“What?”

Jegal Jeonggi fumbled with the report, desperately trying to deny reality.

“Far more people are attending Jin Soun’s event than we anticipated, so…”

“That’s completely absurd…!”

But the reality before him was harsh. This was a brand-new mechanical formation unveiled by the renowned Jegal Family. It was a revolutionary creation meant to surpass the Seven-Star Seven-Catch Formation, a formation every sect in the world desperately wanted to install.

So how could anyone possibly lack interest in it? Especially when the alternative was mere exorcism and spirit cleansing—skills they would naturally pick up anyway once they joined the Murim Alliance.

“Well… it seems the illusion array installed at Jin Soun’s event is so bizarre and incredibly realistic… that it drew everyone’s attention.”

“Incredibly realistic?”

The Jegal Family formation master let out a pained groan as he answered. “…According to the students who went to Sichuan, they said the experience inside it feels almost identical to the actual illusion arrays used by the Blood Cult.”

“Hah…”

“Because those rumors spread, the horse track is practically overflowing every day with students trying to learn the Mount Heng Faction’s exorcism and spirit cleansing arts so they can practice breaking through the illusion array…”

Grit—

Trembling with rage, Jegal Jeonggi clenched his fists. He had expected a few students to be swayed ever since he heard Ilgak was pulling that ridiculous street hawking stunt, but he never imagined the gap in attendance would be this massive.

This was a situation Jegal Jeonggi absolutely could not tolerate. He needed a breakthrough.

“The upgraded version… Did you bring the equipment for the upgraded version?”

At Jegal Jeonggi’s demand, deep panic washed over the formation master’s face. “Y-Young Master… that is still in the research phase…”

“Install it immediately. And tell everyone. Announce that they can experience the upgraded version of the Yin-Yang Eight Trigrams All-Encompassing Formation right now.”

“We cannot do that, Young Master!”

Despite the firm protest, Jegal Jeonggi glared at the formation master with bloodshot eyes. “Then what? Are you saying the great Jegal Family should lose in a battle of formations? And to a mere illusion array that isn’t even a proper mechanical formation?!”

“…”

“Install it immediately. I will take full responsibility for whatever happens afterward.”

Faced with the overwhelming sense of defeat burning in Jeonggi’s eyes, the Jegal Family formation master eventually bowed his head. “…Understood.”

As the formation masters hurried off to retrieve the upgraded equipment…

Jin Soun…

Watching them leave, Jegal Jeonggi clenched his fists tightly. His hands turned deathly pale.

“Truly remarkable… To think that young rising star from back then has already become such an incredible figure…”

Having praise directly plastered onto my face like gold leaf made it hard for my usually smooth-talking tongue to function properly. “I am deeply humbled to hear such words from the Seven Kills Soul-Destroying Great Hero.”

The man standing before me was none other than Song Jeongmu, the senior martial brother of Ha Minjung, who had gifted me the Demon-Subduing Talismans back at the Maryeong Plateau. He had personally come to attend the Mount Heng Faction’s event.

His presence alone was proof of just how much importance the Mount Heng Faction was placing on this event.

“I never expected you to grace us with your presence personally, Great Hero.”

At my polite demeanor, Song Jeongmu offered a warm, grandfatherly smile. “Haha. The Sect Leader personally appointed me, ordering me to ensure this event goes flawlessly without a single gap. Naturally, I had to come.”

I couldn’t help but tilt my head in confusion. Though I did owe them a debt from the Maryeong Plateau, hadn’t that already been paid off when they gave me the Demon-Subduing Talismans? I genuinely couldn’t understand why the Mount Heng Faction was going to such great lengths for me now.

“Hmm… It seems you truly don’t know your own worth.”

“Whatever do you mean…?”

“Do you have any idea how much profit our Mount Heng Faction has made thanks to the symbolism of being the ‘exorcism artifact chosen by the Black Flame Dragon’?”

“Pardon?”

My eyebrow twitched momentarily at the sudden mention of that cursed nickname. Come to think of it, I recalled Seong Moran mentioning something similar recently.

Song Jeongmu patted me firmly on the shoulder and explained. “Aside from massive bulk orders from the Murim Alliance, pre-orders are flooding in from all over the martial world. The Daoists back at our main mountain are completely draining their qi reserves, working day and night just to print more Demon-Subduing Talismans.”

Judging by his beaming expression, they were making far more money than Seong Moran had estimated.

So why is my stomach suddenly cramping with jealousy?

Aside from the Mount Heng Faction raking in cash, I suddenly felt a wave of regret that I hadn’t stockpiled more of those highly effective Demon-Subduing Talismans myself. I had burned through almost all the ones I received last time while handling the mess in Sichuan.

Smack.

As I unconsciously smacked my lips, Song Jeongmu let out a hearty laugh. “Are you upset that we’re the ones making money?”

I shook my head, mixing in a tiny lie. “Of course not. The power of the Mount Heng Faction’s exorcism and spirit cleansing arts is something no other sect can easily replicate, after all. I am merely regretful that I couldn’t buy more talismans in advance. The price must have gone up quite a bit by now, hasn’t it?”

Song Jeongmu nodded continuously. “The speed at which we can produce them simply cannot keep up with how fast they are selling.”

“That is my only regret. I will likely have many occasions to use them in the future. I’m just kicking myself for not purchasing them ahead of time.”

“Hmm… Is that so?” Stroking his chin for a moment, Song Jeongmu continued. “So you believe there will still be many instances requiring Demon-Subduing Talismans even after this Blood Cult situation is resolved?”

Because my mind was entirely focused on the talismans, I accidentally leaked a hint about the future. But well, this much should be fine, right?

“Since demonic arts that the Murim Alliance strictly forbade have already resurfaced, who knows what other dark arts are currently festering in places we cannot see?”

“Hmm…”

I quickly wrapped up my statement. “Please just brush it off as the ramblings of an ignorant youngster who knows nothing.”

However, Song Jeongmu continued to look at me with a deeply serious expression. “Not at all. No. It is still a warning from the world-renowned Black Flame Dragon, after all. I must take it to heart.”

“…What influence could my words possibly have.”

Song Jeongmu slowly shook his head. “I heard the competing event was showcasing a new mechanical formation created by the Jegal Family. Even on our way here, we heard the rumors and assumed our event wouldn’t attract many participants.” He then smiled brightly and looked around the bustling venue. “But look at the result now.”

“…Haha.”

“Naturally, your words carry weight that must be heeded.”

I had no idea how those two things were connected, but regardless, the event was set to end as a massive success. By Day Three, we had already recorded more than double the attendance of the White Faction’s event. On Day Four, the White Faction ended up temporarily suspending their event altogether, widening the gap even further.

Now, all I had to do was wrap up the ‘Renowned Guest Invitation’ cleanly. And then, the facilities the White Faction had built, that magnificent masterpiece of a chair, and all the Seven-Color Flower tea would become mine.

Muhahahaha. My stomachache feels like it’s finally curing itself.

While I was smiling internally, painting a brilliant picture of my future…

Song Jeongmu’s voice broke my train of thought. “Let us return to our previous topic for a moment.”

“Yes, please go ahead.”

“Hmm… Tell me, how would you feel about exclusively using the Mount Heng Faction’s Demon-Subduing Talismans from now on?”

Huh? What kind of question is that?

I answered immediately. “I would love that, of course.”

“Ahem, but under the condition that you do not use exorcism artifacts from any other sect?”

I tilted my head slightly.

In my past life, when the Orthodox-Demonic War broke out, countless sects churned out their own exorcism and spirit cleansing artifacts. However, the ones that actually proved useful were limited to a select few sects, including the Mount Heng Faction and the Maoshan Sect.

Moreover, the Mount Heng Faction’s artifacts boasted the most outstanding efficacy of them all. In other words, this wasn’t even a dilemma.

“Naturally, I would only use the Mount Heng Faction’s talismans.”

“Is that a promise?”

At my firm declaration, Song Jeongmu pulled out three thick leather pouches with a thoroughly pleased expression.

“What is this…?”

Song Jeongmu looked at me with an unwaveringly clear gaze. “If you promise to continue using only the Mount Heng Faction’s Demon-Subduing Talismans in the future, the Mount Heng Faction will ensure that your hands never run dry of them.”

My jaw dropped. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. As long as you promise…”

“Of course! I absolutely promise! Tell them to toss out every other sect’s artifacts!”

Faced with my intensely enthusiastic reaction, Song Jeongmu looked slightly taken aback. “U-Uh. R-Right?”

Damn right, you’d better believe it.

How much profit the Mount Heng Faction made off my name was none of my business, but if they were going to supply me with unlimited Demon-Subduing Talismans? I had absolutely nothing to lose.

“…But why make such a generous decision?”

“What you choose to use dictates the trends of the entire martial world right now. Thus, we wish to secure your exclusive endorsement early through this sponsorship.”

“As expected of a great sect, your foresight is on another level!”

Even if I said it didn’t matter to me, it really was all thanks to my influence, wasn’t it?

Barely suppressing the laughter bubbling up in my throat, I asked Song Jeongmu a favor. “Oh, right. By pure chance, I managed to acquire a piece of Demon-Subduing Divine Wood. Could I ask you to perform a ritual to craft it into a protective amulet for me?”

“Hmm? Well, if you already have the material prepared, it’s not a difficult task. You truly believe there will be many more practitioners of demonic arts appearing in the future, don’t you?”

Not just demonic arts; bastards wielding even far more sinister demonic qi were going to show up. Better safe than sorry. I had no desire to end up pickled in demonic qi and turned into a demon, so when it came to protective artifacts, you could never have too many.

Just then…

Crash!

A loud commotion erupted outside.

“What is that?” “Give me a moment, I will go check.”

When I opened the door and stepped out, I saw an unfamiliar student pinned down and restrained by the executive committee members.

“What happened?”

“He’s a member of the White Faction. He was throwing a massive fit, demanding we let him see Great Hero Song Jeongmu, so we had to…”

“He wants to see Great Hero Song Jeongmu?”

At my nod, Jang Woojae released the White Faction member’s pressure points. The student immediately dropped to his knees and cried out.

“P-Please! Please let me see Great Hero Song Jeongmu!”

“What is the matter?”

“…” The White Faction member refused to answer me.

Soon, Song Jeongmu stepped out and looked down at the student. “What is the matter that you are causing such a disturbance?” He looked noticeably displeased.

However, the White Faction member, acting as if he didn’t even have the luxury to care about that, shouted desperately. “Great Hero! Please, you must hear me out!”

“Is it urgent?” “Yes! It is!” “Then speak.”

“…That is…” The White Faction member cast a quick glance at my face and clamped his mouth shut again.

Song Jeongmu’s face hardened with irritation. “It seems you have nothing to say. Or perhaps it is not as urgent as you claim.”

Under the indirect pressure to speak openly in front of everyone, the White Faction member’s face drained of color. Finally, he bowed his head until his forehead touched the ground and spoke.

“N-No. P-Please, help us! Something has gone horribly wrong with our event!”

“Wrong?”

Curiosity flickered in the eyes of everyone present, myself included.

Looking as if he were about to burst into tears at any moment, the White Faction member choked out the rest of his sentence. “Th-The students… they are unable to escape from the mechanical formation.”

However, Song Jeongmu merely tilted his head in confusion. “And… why did you come to tell me that?”

“Th-That is… I do not know the exact details, but a new piece of equipment was integrated into the formation… and it seems to be corrupting the students’ Righteous Minds!”