WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Chen
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 472: Searching for Evidence (2)
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The Martial Alliance had not known peace lately.
Whenever one problem ended, another arose, and before they could even deal with it, yet another disaster followed.
Someone even strongly suggested that the vengeful spirits of those who had died within the Martial Alliance had gathered to lead it to ruin, and that they should hold a grand rite of suppressing spirits.
That opinion was thrown into the trash by a Mantong Office official before it could even reach Maeng Juwon, let alone Jegal Somyeong.
This incident had stirred the Martial Alliance more than any other because its repercussions were spreading farther than ever.
“Is Mount Cang Sect leaving?”
“…But they have not announced anything.”
The people of Mount Cang Sect had begun returning to their main sect.
Those who held positions within the Alliance, as well as those who had not yet completed their mandatory service under the alliance agreement, remained. But Mount Cang Sect disciples who had been voluntarily dispatched to reside at the Alliance were packing their belongings one by one.
The sight came as a great shock to everyone.
“Why are they leaving? They held firm even during the Dam Ak incident.”
“I heard Mount Cang Sect intends to end its alliance with the Martial Alliance.”
“What?!”
Mount Cang Sect was undoubtedly one of the Martial Alliance’s pillars.
Yet the Nine Sects One Gang enjoyed their current prosperity because they were the Martial Alliance’s central forces. If Mount Cang Sect harbored divided loyalties, it was no different from saying they would give up everything they possessed.
“But it seems Mount Cang Sect is not the only sect considering ending its alliance.”
“…?”
“I have been hearing complaints from all over. About the current system under the Alliance Leader and Chief Strategist.”
Or perhaps they were preparing another power separate from the Martial Alliance.
Mount Cang Sect’s members openly packed their belongings and left the Martial Alliance without hesitation. The sight left countless people affiliated with the Alliance with complicated feelings.
“Whew… They have begun in earnest.”
“…I cannot face the Chief Strategist.”
“No, you usually hold yourself back so well. Why did you suddenly…?”
Hyeok Mugang protested as Jegal Somyeong reproached him.
“If I had not acted, would the Chief Strategist not have acted instead?”
If that had happened, Mount Cang Sect would have fiercely condemned Jegal Somyeong and placed Mount Cang Sect and Jegal Somyeong on the same scale.
The Martial Alliance could not trade an organization for a single individual.
If Hyeok Mugang chose Jegal Somyeong in that moment, he would even be suspected of running the Martial Alliance for personal reasons.
In the end, everything would have gone exactly as Mount Cang Sect wanted.
“I had no intention of stepping in at all!”
Jegal Somyeong shouted forcefully, but they knew the truth as well.
At that moment, Hyeok Mugang’s actions had been the best option available to the Martial Alliance.
The situation had worsened nonetheless because matters of the martial world did not flow according to natural order like all things under heaven. They were driven by the sails of power and politics.
This was a situation born from human desire.
“Do you think the other sects will move as the rumors say?”
The real discussion began.
“There have been no notable reactions from the other sects yet.”
“They are watching, then.”
The other members of the Nine Sects One Gang could not possibly fail to notice Mount Cang Sect’s departure.
“They must be waiting to see how public opinion develops.”
If Mount Cang Sect’s actions inspired many others to follow, the other members of the Nine Sects One Gang would gradually distance themselves from the Martial Alliance as well.
Once public opinion supported them and they had a justification, they would establish another organization in place of the Martial Alliance and reshape the order of the martial world to suit their tastes.
And if they failed?
It would not matter. Mount Cang Sect had not taken those holding important Martial Alliance positions or those completing mandatory service with them.
If they failed, they could simply return later, shamelessly reclaim their places, and move on.
The only thing Mount Cang Sect stood to lose in this political scheme was the life of one disciple who had committed a crime.
The Martial Alliance, on the other hand, had been put in a position where it had to defend its legitimacy while being shaken to its core.
“They will likely begin the moment we show a weakness.”
“…”
Hyeok Mugang felt the back of his neck tighten.
He had experienced countless treacherous struggles while serving as Alliance Leader, but he had never faced one on this scale.
What was more, the Demonic Cult waited in the darkness, baring its teeth as it looked for every chance to invade the martial world.
At this rate, not only the Martial Alliance but the martial world itself might disappear.
“Whew…”
Hyeok Mugang once again realized that no matter how lofty his martial realm, he was powerless before human desire.
That was why he trusted Jegal Somyeong so deeply.
Whenever the road ahead seemed hopeless, Jegal Somyeong had found an answer.
“What should we do now?”
But…
“Nothing.”
“…?”
The answer left him stunned.
The Martial Alliance stood on the verge of splitting apart, and the Demonic Cult plotted without rest.
Even standing at the edge of a cliff and stumbling would not be as dangerous as this moment.
Yet they were to do nothing?
“If we act now, we will only be playing along with their scheme.”
Jegal Somyeong let out a long sigh.
“The only thing we can do now is continue doing what we have always done, and do it well.”
There was a different weight behind those words now.
Those behind this scheme clearly intended to use even the smallest pretext to shatter the Martial Alliance.
‘That must be why they had Jin Sowoon join the Dragon-Phoenix Association as well.’
Jin Sowoon’s appointment had been decided under strong influence from the Orthodox Society.
On the surface, they claimed Jin Sowoon was suited for the role because he had uncovered the Inspectorate’s wrongdoing. In truth, that was only an excuse for what they wanted.
“The Dragon-Phoenix Association’s activities will be especially important.”
The moment something went wrong, they would hold Jin Sowoon responsible for everything. That crack would become the foundation for overturning the Martial Alliance itself.
Jin Sowoon was the cornerstone at the bottom of a stone tower, and the small hole in a reservoir.
“If they fail to properly stop forbidden arts and the Blood Cult’s spell arts, there could be no better justification.”
“…”
“Still, there should be no major problem. The mission is difficult enough that, as long as they do not create more unjust victims like the previous Black Officers…”
Jegal Somyeong was certain.
They had not told Jin Sowoon anything, but he would surely realize it.
The man who had recognized Mount Mao Sect’s injustice and even stopped the Black Officers would surely understand the entire situation.
“The Martial Alliance will not be played with in their hands.”
As always, they trusted Jin Sowoon.
#
“Pardon?”
Gwak Susan spoke as though he had malfunctioned.
“Uh, I… I heard that wrong?”
I kindly explained again, slowly and clearly.
“I said we should attack Tanghyeon Sect ourselves.”
Gwak Susan’s jaw dropped like someone who had swallowed a bug while yawning.
“Th-th-th-that, what kind of w-words are those?”
Our mission was already over.
At dawn, Tanghyeon Sect would throw us out, then send courier hawks to the Martial Alliance branch and headquarters to fiercely condemn our rudeness.
They would spread rumors among sects connected to them and block all our future activities as well.
“B-but attacking Tanghyeon Sect… That is the kind of thing only Black Path martial artists would think of. As expected, Black Flame… Hic!”
Gwak Susan seemed badly shaken.
He must have wanted to shorten his life, saying something so absurd.
“Think about it carefully. Tanghyeon Sect showed us everything, to an almost excessive degree. But there are clearly suspicious circumstances, are there not?”
“…”
“What does that mean? It means there is nothing hidden in the places they confidently showed us.”
The Black Officers’ method of investigation was convenient because they could observe their targets for a long time.
They could slip through an opening when their targets let down their guard and uncover every one of their wrongdoings.
“Now that they know we are watching them, they will never reveal their wrongdoing. So we need another method.”
“…What does that have to do with attacking Tanghyeon Sect?”
People did not let their guard down only when they believed others knew nothing about them.
“What would Tanghyeon Sect do if they suddenly found themselves in a crisis?”
When their own lives, and the lives of those more precious to them than themselves, were in immediate danger, people easily revealed their secrets.
“…”
“…!”
Everyone stared at me in horror.
I explained further.
“If they find themselves in a crisis, will they not bring out the hidden measures they have kept in reserve?”
“…”
I leisurely tapped the table and curled the corner of my mouth upward.
“What do you think?”
The shocked expressions remained.
What was wrong with them? Had I said something incorrectly?
“No matter what, that is… absurd. Forget our lack of manpower. If we do that, how would we be any different from the Black Officers who carried out purge operations even while knowing what they were doing was wrong?”
Only then did I realize where the conversation had gone wrong.
‘Did they think I meant we should really attack them?’
I was not insane. Why would I suggest purging people whose wrongdoing had not even been proven?
“What do you take me for?”
Once I calmly explained further, they gradually began nodding one by one.
“If that is possible, it does not sound like a bad idea.”
“We are a little short on people, but these are not just anyone. They are Dragon-Phoenix Association members, so I thought it would be worth trying together.”
“Well, that is true.”
Gwak Susan somehow puffed out his chest.
“Wait, wait! Are you really planning to do this?”
Seo Cheonpung still tilted his head as though he could not accept it.
“Group Leader, after going this far, if we still find nothing… then truly…”
“Then what?”
No one could answer my question.
“The inspection is already over. The only difference is whether we do this or wrap things up without it.”
“…”
There were no more objections.
The final search for evidence began.
#
Just before the operation began, I stopped Gwak Susan as he was about to leave to carry out his assignment.
“What is it, Group Leader?”
“I told you, I am not a Group Leader. Anyway… If it becomes known that Tanghyeon Sect is practicing a forbidden art, how are they supposed to be dealt with?”
Gwak Susan considered my question for a moment before answering.
“This is classified, but there must be a reason Group Leader Jin is working with us. All right, I will tell you. Azure Dragon Pavilion is waiting nearby.”
Just as I expected.
It had been impossible from the start for the Dragon-Phoenix Association alone to deal with a sect practicing forbidden arts or Blood Cult spell arts.
Some people might escape during the process as well.
“I was about to send a courier hawk anyway.”
“I see.”
“Is there something bothering you?”
“If Azure Dragon Pavilion is here, the purge operation unit must have joined them too.”
“That is right.”
Then Yong Soa was surely among them.
Even aside from that, the fact Azure Dragon Pavilion was waiting nearby indicated how serious this was.
“Can you send that courier hawk to the branch instead?”
“The branch…?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Mak Hyowol’s face in the moonlight came to mind for some reason.
“This matter is not certain. We cannot repeat the same mistake as the Black Officers.”
“…”
Gwak Susan stared at me for a moment before nodding.
“All right. I will handle it that way.”
“Good.”
“I trust you, Group Leader Jin.”
After giving a light bow, he turned to leave, then faced me again.
“Even if you told me to enter hellfire, I would go with you.”
His words reminded me of something I had been wondering since earlier.
“But did you really think I meant we should attack Tanghyeon Sect? You did not, right?”
“…”
Gwak Susan pretended not to hear me and quickly left.
“He trusts me…”
For some reason, those words weighed on my heart like a stone.
#
A dream that was too vivid was difficult to distinguish from reality.
Mak Hyowol had witnessed a horrific sight in his dream before suddenly waking.
“Gasp, gasp, gasp.”
After realizing that the horrifying scenes he had just seen were only a dream, relief finally washed over him. Just as he tried to calm his racing heart…
Crackle, crackle.
The sight outside seared itself into his eyes.
‘W-what is this…?’
It was neither the dark of night nor the brightness of morning.
Crimson flames surged as if they would burn through the paper windows, dyeing the entire room red.
“Aaaah!”
“Argh!”
Shadows cast by the red flames fell helplessly beneath the blades of grim shadows.
“Run!”
“Get away!”
Mak Hyowol immediately recognized that desperate voice.
At that moment, he realized that the vivid dream he had experienced had not been a dream at all.
Mak Hyowol grabbed his treasured weapon and tried to leave his quarters.
Just then, the door flew open and a figure stumbled through.
“S-Sect Leader…”
“Jayang!”
It was none other than Sang Jayang, the General Steward.
Their body was melting away, soft and formless, as though they had been struck by poison.
“R-run… The Martial Alliance…”
“You bastards!”
So they had gone through with it.
It was obvious they had found nothing.
Had they learned nothing at all from what happened to Mount Mao Sect, only to do this in the end…?
Uncontrollable rage surged to the top of his head.
The thought that he had briefly considered halting the plan he had been preparing was laughable arrogance.
[I understand your anger, Sect Leader. I know that anxiety as well.]
What did that brat barely past twenty know, for Mak Hyowol to have been moved by his words?
The martial world was cruel after all.
“What about the disciples? What happened to the disciples?!”
“They have been… surrounded.”
“…Already?!”
They had learned from what happened to Mount Mao Sect and even activated the mystic formation, yet the disciples had not gained enough time to escape. His mind went blank.
“Please… at least you, Sect Leader…”
With those final words, Jayang collapsed as though their breath had suddenly stopped.
Mak Hyowol could not even dare touch Jayang’s body as it bubbled and boiled. Filled with grief and rage, he let out an animalistic cry.
‘So this is how it ends…!’
Thinking of Jayang and the other disciples dying in the same dreadful state felt as though a blade heated in fire were cutting his heart into pieces.
“I must save at least one… At least one!”
Mak Hyowol returned to the Sect Leader’s Hall.
He pushed aside the bed to reveal the floor, then seized and pulled the handle beneath it without hesitation.
Rumble.
Part of the floor split apart, revealing stairs leading down.
Mak Hyowol leaped down the stairs, skipping five or six steps at a time like the wind, then entered the vast cavern at the bottom.
“S-save us!”
“P-please spare us! We will not say a word about anything we saw here…”
Ignoring the cries of those imprisoned in the Golden Prison, Mak Hyowol went deeper inside.
The spell arts practitioners were startled by his arrival and quickly bowed their heads.
“At this hour… wh-what brings you here?”
“How far along is it?”
“Th-that thing, you mean? It cannot yet be said to function properly…”
“I asked how far it has been prepared. Can it move?”
After hesitating for a moment, a spell arts practitioner answered.
“It can carry out very basic commands…”
“Then that will do. Bring out all the Blood Men.”
“Pardon?”
Mak Hyowol unleashed a Lion’s Roar at the stunned spell arts practitioner staring at him.
“Tanghyeon Sect is facing the threat of destruction right now!”
“D-destruction…? Sect Leader, we have heard nothing.”
“What do you mean? The buildings are all burning, and the disciples are dying…”
The spell arts practitioners gradually began to look sickened as Mak Hyowol drove them on like a madman.
“Sect Leader.”
A voice came from behind Mak Hyowol.
“They are right.”
“…”
Mak Hyowol felt a chill crawl down his spine.
When he barely turned around with his eyes wide open…
“Sect Leader.”
The brilliant young talent who had once made him envy even the shabby Sect Leader of Taeul Sect stood there.
“Jin… Sowoon?”
“Fortunately, nothing has happened above.”
“Why are you here…?”
The corner of the shining star’s mouth moved faintly.
“Good question… What am I doing here?”
Though Jin Sowoon was smiling, his smile was tinged with bitterness.
Footnotes:
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