◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 454: The Seed of Evil (2)
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‘He sees the future…’
Yong Soa.
That terrifying being had gained an ability as well, becoming a monster beyond this world.
‘No, he was never really human to begin with.’
Even so, I still hadn’t recovered from the shock of learning that he could see far into the future.
‘Fuck, is this for real?’
I flipped off the sky.
I’d always known the world was unfair, but this was so blatantly one-sided that something had to be wrong with it.
Either that, or the beings of the celestial realm had lived so long their minds had gone rotten.
Usually, spirit practitioners and shamans were so gaunt they couldn’t even get a bowl of gruel, then got themselves stabbed to death for wagging their tongues at people in power.
‘But looking at him, he won’t be stabbed to death. He’ll know in advance and have a counterattack ready.’
In any case, I completely disregarded that terrifying madman’s prophecy.
I had another question.
‘Why wasn’t the Mount Mao Sect destroyed in my previous life?’
When I heard Gu Songbaek had been with demonic beings after losing an eye, my mind had gone blank.
He had injured his eye in this life.
In my previous life, he hadn’t lost an eye. He had fought the Demonic Cult’s spirit practitioners fiercely from the heart of the Martial Alliance.
Yet now, that same man would join the Demonic Cult and sweep away the Martial Alliance?
‘Could his foresight be absolute?’
Namgung San’s doubtful reaction instead confirmed just how extraordinary Yong Soa’s ability was. It was too incredible to believe even after seeing it firsthand.
That meant his foresight didn’t create things that didn’t exist.
Still, I drew two conclusions from this.
First, the future would unfold completely differently from the previous life I knew.
Second, Yong Soa’s foresight might not be absolute.
If his foresight showed the same future as my previous life, he would have no reason to target Gu Songbaek.
In the memories I had of my previous life, Gu Songbaek was someone more suited to the White Path than anyone else.
So if Yong Soa was targeting Gu Songbaek now, unlike before…
It meant that the chain of events that had changed from my previous life had shown Yong Soa Gu Songbaek’s defection.
In other words, the future could change depending on the circumstances.
“Senior Brother, everyone’s waiting.”
I headed to where the Mount Mao Sect members had gathered with Eunho.
Those who had hidden after being startled by the invasion gradually emerged.
First, we separated the injured from those still able to move.
“Is there a building unaffected by the Mount Mao Sect’s mystic formation?”
“…”
Yu Jiryang spoke.
“Geoncheong Hall isn’t connected to it.”
“Then we’ll gather everyone there.”
“But…”
Yu Jiryang hesitated.
“It was used as a warehouse. It won’t be suitable for holding out under siege.”
“We won’t be holding out.”
“What do you mean…?”
“It will only be a safe house.”
“A safe house?”
To explain that, I needed to reveal my plan.
“We’ll create two formations that can be set up within a day. One will protect the people in case of emergency. The other will be used to fight the Black Officers.”
“…Even for us, we can’t guarantee the quality of two formations built in a single day. We can’t be sure a mystic formation made that way will serve its purpose.”
I turned to Gu Songbaek, who had listened in silence.
“Sect Leader.”
“Speak.”
“Can you apply your illusion art to the mystic formation set up at the safe house?”
“…”
“I know. A hastily constructed mystic formation won’t endure the Black Officers’ assault.”
The path we needed to choose now wasn’t the best option.
It was the second-best option, one that would prevent the worst outcome.
“But if we can apply the Heaven-Earth Illusory Phantom Art, one of your secret arts, to it, won’t that buy us at least some time? Until the Martial Alliance takes action.”
“…”
The leaders’ faces stiffened.
“Then what about the safe house?”
“Yes. It will be a place for the Mount Mao Sect’s secret arts and essential personnel.”
“…”
“Even if the worst happens, I will make sure those inside survive and take them with me.”
Of course, it was absurd to think a hastily constructed mystic formation could withstand the Black Officers’ attacks.
Naturally, someone would have to buy time in front of it.
It wasn’t my intention, but I was ultimately asking them to make a sacrifice.
A heavy silence settled over us.
They had to decide who would live and who would die, who would abandon the future and who would carry on the past.
It was an unbearably cruel choice, but one they couldn’t avoid.
No one could easily speak beneath a crushing pressure unlike anything they had ever faced.
Then, at last…
“Central Illusion Pavilion Master.”
Gu Songbaek spoke.
“You will go with the children.”
The middle-aged man under Gu Songbaek’s gaze shook his head.
“I cannot. If we’re setting up formations in a day, we can only use the Myriad Illusion Formation and the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Golden Lock Formation. I must be there to set them up.”
“You aren’t needed for that.”
“No. I’m certain. Without me…”
The man’s eyes turned to the sect leader, who was trying to bear everything alone.
“The mystic formations won’t be set up properly.”
Gu Songbaek held his breath for a moment, then sighed softly.
“Wanchang, I understand how you feel. But…”
“…”
“What concerns me is the Mount Mao Sect’s future.”
“Senior Brother Gu!”
“Somaeng and Cheolyang possess fine qualities as teachers as well, but aren’t they lacking when it comes to interpreting our sect’s secret arts, which have been sealed for centuries?”
The Central Illusion Pavilion Master’s eyes trembled.
Gu Songbaek was practically saying he would lift the seals that had remained in place until now.
The other leaders couldn’t hide their surprise either.
“Ha ha, why are you all so surprised? Did I say something I shouldn’t have?”
“…”
The Mount Mao Sect’s illusion arts had often been condemned as unorthodox methods.
Gu Songbaek knew that better than anyone.
“This is the result of watching others’ reactions, suppressing our own identity, and forcing together pieces that don’t fit. Even knowing it was wrong, do you want to keep repeating the same mistake?”
Everyone could keenly feel how deep Gu Songbaek’s resentment ran beneath his hollow voice.
“Wanchang.”
“Yes, Senior Brother.”
“If only you and the children make it out of here alive, never rely on the strong as we did in the past. Build your strength and protect yourselves.”
“…Yes.”
Gu Songbaek turned toward me.
“Young Hero Jin.”
“Please, speak.”
“Could the Taeul Sect take in those children?”
He tried to sound calm so as not to burden me, but his voice trembled faintly.
“It would take too long to rebuild the sect with mystic formations, and I fear the rebuilt sect might be condemned as an unorthodox faction if it uses illusion art improperly.”
I shook my head.
“Why is everyone thinking only of the worst? Of course, everyone here can survive together. Don’t worry.”
“…”
My attempt to change the mood seemed to have sounded like a refusal, and disappointment crossed Gu Songbaek’s face.
I stepped closer.
“Sect Leader.”
“…”
I faced the man who was barely holding himself together as despair threatened to crush him beneath the certainty of a bleak future.
“If, in the absolute worst case… something like that happens, the Taeul Sect will protect the Mount Mao Sect’s people to the very end. I swear it in my name and in the name of my sect.”
“!!!!”
Gu Songbaek’s eyes flew open. He clasped his hands in salute and bowed.
Small drops fell endlessly at his feet.
#
The Mount Mao Sect members began moving urgently.
They carried emergency provisions into Geoncheong Hall, which would serve as the safe house, then selected and moved all the important books, spiritual medicine, and treasures from the Heavenly Book Repository.
At the same time, children and adults alike busied themselves building the mystic formations.
Thump.
Thump.
The sound of the mystic formation shaking rang out steadily. Each time it did, people looked toward it with anxious eyes.
Yet by now, every tremor only made them grit their teeth and work harder.
They divided into two groups. One set up the Myriad Illusion Formation around Geoncheong Hall, while the other installed the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Golden Lock Formation along the path leading to it.
Unexpectedly, my junior fellow disciples were helpful to the Mount Mao Sect as well.
I didn’t know how much Eunho understood, but Eunho stood beside Yu Jiryang and helped calculate the mystic formation. Geumpyo went wherever strength was needed, setting up pillars and hauling rocks.
Dongryong, who had no other way to help, was unexpectedly surrounded by children.
Perhaps because he wasn’t much older than them, the Mount Mao Sect children found comfort in him. They asked one question after another and kept talking to him.
Thanks to that, the adults didn’t need to look after the children separately.
After moving the injured and treating the emergency patients, Saryeon came to me.
“What are you planning to do?”
“I already told you.”
I unwrapped the bandages to examine the injury. The wound was gone, leaving only a scar.
It probably wouldn’t take long for even that scar to disappear.
“…”
Saryeon looked at the scar, then asked again.
“In the end, isn’t all this pointless if you can’t stop Yong Soa?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll stop him.”
“You were completely overwhelmed by him, and you’re still that confident?”
“What are you talking about? I wasn’t completely overwhelmed!”
“Then why couldn’t you even injure him?”
“…”
That was because the bastard had a ridiculous ability.
“Can you really face him?”
“Yeah, I can.”
The suspicion in Saryeon’s eyes didn’t fade.
She probably remembered how shocked she had been when Gu Songbaek and I passed through the Soul-Destroying Formation.
“…There’s no shame in running away.”
Her eyes were full of concern.
“Your opponent is Yong Soa.”
But if I ran, everyone in Geoncheong Hall would die.
“It’s terrible what happened to the Mount Mao Sect. But…”
Saryeon’s gaze hardened.
“I have no desire to trade my senior brother for the Mount Mao Sect.”
“…”
“So if you think things have become dangerous, run. I won’t run until you do.”
Having said it as though making an absolute declaration, Saryeon left.
For words of concern, that sounded terrifyingly fierce.
After seeing Saryeon off, I sat down and began to meditate.
My opponent was Yong Soa, the man who saw the future.
Thinking back on our previous battle was chilling.
He knew every move I would use and prepared for it in advance. Even against techniques I improvised in the moment, he already had a response ready.
At a similar level, there was no way to defeat him. Even if I reached a higher realm, it was uncertain whether I could gain the advantage against Yong Soa, who had perfectly mastered the principles of Move after, control first and Softness Overcomes Hardness.
‘Still, I have to do this.’
If I couldn’t stop Yong Soa, everything would come to nothing.
As though working through a problem with no answer right in front of me, I reviewed our battle again and again and began to devise a way to face him.
#
Thump.
Crack.
Cracks began spreading through the mystic formation.
Black fractures spread through the white mist as though the world itself were breaking apart.
The mystic formation was on the verge of destruction.
The Myriad Illusion Formation had been set up around Geoncheong Hall, with the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Golden Lock Formation before it.
For something built in a day, the mystic formations were functioning properly.
After checking where everyone was positioned, I looked toward Yu Jiryang.
“Hero Yu.”
“…”
Yu Jiryang’s hand trembled as it reached for the formation pillar.
“Hero Yu. It’s all right.”
When I put a hand on his shoulder, the trembling eased slightly.
“Everyone can survive.”
“Thank you, Young Hero Jin!”
Yu Jiryang squeezed his eyes shut and turned a section of the pillar.
The mystic formation protecting the Mount Mao Sect was released all at once, revealing the outside clearly.
Beyond the walls, what looked like hundreds of people had gathered in a dark mass.
“The formation is down!”
“Attack!”
“Leave nothing behind!”
The Black Officers rushed in like a pack of wolves, as though they had been waiting for this moment.
Shing.
Yu Jiryang and I quickly slipped into the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Golden Lock Formation.
“Waaaah!”
The people flooding into the Mount Mao Sect soon realized that no one was there and began eyeing the formation spread out to one side.
“What a useless trick!”
“It was made in a single day! Break it with force!”
As before, the Black Officers fired palm force at the formation in unison.
Boom!
Boom!
But there was something they had misunderstood.
“This isn’t working?”
“This… has no physical form.”
The Eight Directions Stone Heaven Golden Lock Formation wasn’t a physical mystic formation.
Swoosh!
As the Black Officers gathered before the formation, a sharp arrow shot through it and pierced one of their throats.
“Take cover!”
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
Swoosh!
The Black Officers retreated before the sudden rain of arrows.
Several fell, but there were no further casualties.
“Idiots. The Eight Directions Stone Heaven Golden Lock Formation is only a maze formation. Enter with the moonlight as your guide!”
Soon, those who recognized the formation’s nature led the Black Officers flooding into it.
Clang, clang, clang, clang!
The real battle began.
The Mount Mao Sect members knew the paths through the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Golden Lock Formation, while the Black Officers raced to kill them.
Ghk.
Aaargh!
Ghk.
The strategy of hiding behind the maze and ambushing approaching Black Officers seemed successful at first, but the Mount Mao Sect’s skill was the problem.
The gap in martial skill was so vast that, even under such one-sided conditions, the Mount Mao Sect was driven into danger.
“You damned spellcasters…!”
Those who failed to hide behind the maze in time were eventually caught by the Black Officers.
“Move in groups! Their numbers are much smaller!”
The Black Officers began moving in groups of two or three.
The battle started turning in their favor once more.
“Urgh…!”
“Where do you think you’re running, you rat?”
Just as a Black Officer’s sword flashed toward a Mount Mao Sect member…
Bang!
A huge shield drove him back a full zhang.
“Who’s calling who a rat?”
“Ghk! You…!”
The Black Officer faltered before the pressure of the man holding the sturdy shield, then snarled.
“Hmph! Do you think hiding behind a maze will let you deal with so many of us?”
“Yeah, I do.”
Geumpyo adjusted his grip on the shield.
“Our senior brother doesn’t fight battles he’ll lose.”
The battle grew increasingly heated.
Hiding on one side of the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Golden Lock Formation, I spread out my energy sense.
The moment I confirmed that most of the Black Officers had entered the Mount Mao Sect, Yu Jiryang and I rushed out of the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Golden Lock Formation and stood before the same pillar.
“Now.”
At my signal, Yu Jiryang activated the pillar again.
The vanished mystic formation began operating once more, filling the area with mist.
The Black Officers who had failed to cross the formation were swallowed by it.
I quickly poured qi into the Illusion Token.
It was a Blood Cult artifact that could create illusions within any formation.
I didn’t know how useful it would be, but judging by the frequent screams from inside the mystic formation, it seemed to be working…
“Do you believe that method will be effective?”
A voice suddenly rang out.
Yu Jiryang jerked his head around in surprise.
“…Yong Soa.”
“No matter what you do, the Mount Mao Sect will disappear.”
“…”
I called out to Yu Jiryang, who was grinding his teeth.
“Hero Yu.”
He had his task, and I had mine.
“…Young Hero Jin! Be careful!”
With that, Yu Jiryang entered the Eight Directions Stone Heaven Golden Lock Formation.
Yong Soa made no move to stop Yu Jiryang as he left. He only stared quietly at me.
“Do you not believe what I said?”
Did I not believe him?
“I do.”
For a moment, his eyes widened at my answer before returning to normal.
“Then you would meet your death in such a meaningless place?”
He might not understand.
But I had no intention of asking for his understanding.
“That’s…”
Shing.
I drew the Scarlet Radiance Sword.
“…my justice.”
Grrrrr.
The ominous red light spread across the blade, making the golden moonlight seem colorless.
“Who says I’ll go quietly here?”
I charged at him.
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