◈ The Martial Genius who Remembers Everything ◈
Chapter 471: Searching for Evidence
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The anger of the weak was powerless.
Because there was nothing they could do.
All they could do was clutch the shoulders of others just as weak as themselves and complain, or sharpen their blades again and again.
No matter how much they sharpened those blades, it would not give them strength.
Anger that could not find an outlet eventually turned inward and stabbed itself.
After fleeing the battlefield alone, I sharpened my blade against the Martial Alliance, dwelling on my memories to hide my cowardice.
In the end, I gave my life not to Taechung Divine Sword, Yong Soa, who had come from the Northern Sea to find me, but to Gwak Gung, the enemy I had sworn to kill.
Even if Gwak Gung had not arrived when he did, I would not have died at Yong Soa’s hands.
I had been ready to throw myself from a thousand-foot cliff.
The anger of the weak was powerless.
Yet it was more persistent and longer-lasting than the anger of the strong.
Even if it became a blade that stabbed its owner.
That was why I was certain.
“Tanghyeon Sect is plotting something.”
“…”
“I’m sure of it.”
I did not tell the others what I had felt.
I only repeated that I was certain about the suspicious things I had seen.
“Um…”
Danmok Gyoryeon spoke cautiously.
“Couldn’t it have been some misunderstanding or mistake? Ah, I don’t mean that you made a mistake, Group Leader. I mean Tanghyeon Sect.”
“Of course, that’s possible. But then why did the general steward emphasize that there were exactly four hundred and eighty-eight people?”
Perhaps Sang Jayang did not know that my memory was absolute.
Among four hundred and eighty-eight people, who could notice that only ten had been swapped out, much less be certain of it?
On top of that, Sang Jayang had casually mentioned that all Tanghyeon Sect disciples had stopped working and were waiting within the sect.
They had been given time off while preparing to receive guests from the Dragon-Phoenix Association.
“…”
“…”
“…”
Once I told them that much, everyone fell silent.
These were all nothing more than suspicions.
Other than my own feelings, there was not enough to prove Tanghyeon Sect was guilty.
No one spoke.
The biggest problem was that authority was divided between two sides.
The Dragon-Phoenix Association’s Society Leader was in charge of the inspection, but Ilgak and I were also here. Neither the Society Leader nor the two of us could easily take the lead.
I made my decision.
“Ultimately, the Society Leader of the Dragon-Phoenix Association is in charge of this inspection. I’m only offering advice. We’ll follow whatever the Society Leader decides.”
“…!”
Gwak Susan looked flustered, but he did not hide his opinion.
“Group Leader, are you certain?”
The Life-or-Death Unit had been disbanded long ago. How much longer was he going to call me Group Leader?
“Unfortunately, I am.”
“…I see.”
Gwak Susan did not deliberate for long.
“Then let us conduct a proper inspection.”
Gwak Susan made the decision.
#
As soon as morning came, we told Sang Jayang, who had arrived ahead of us, that we wanted another look around Tanghyeon Sect.
“…Again?”
“We were in a hurry yesterday, so we didn’t have a chance to look around Tanghyeon Sect properly.”
“…”
Sang Jayang’s face twisted at the blunt remark, but soon returned to normal.
“Very well. Let us do that.”
Even so, Sang Jayang nodded without asking why.
“Ah, since we must inspect the outside as well, how about splitting into two groups?”
“But there is only one of me.”
“We heard enough of your explanations yesterday. Wouldn’t it be fine if the group inspecting the interior didn’t have the general steward personally guide them?”
“…Very well.”
Though Sang Jayang looked displeased, they permitted it, and we split into two groups.
“Yes, this is farmland that Tanghyeon Sect has inherited for generations.”
Perhaps because of what had happened that morning, Sang Jayang’s demeanor was very different from yesterday.
Sang Jayang seemed drained. Without any emotion, they continued the introductions stiffly, like someone simply carrying out an assigned task.
They showed us Tanghyeon Sect’s farmland, its fields, and even the tenant farmers working there. We also visited shops run by Tanghyeon Sect in the nearby village, but there was nothing unusual.
“Hmm…”
The other group had found nothing either.
After dinner, a heavy mood settled over us.
“I feel so self-conscious it’s killing me.”
Seo Cheonpung, who liked both drinking and company, shook their head.
“I think everyone has noticed we suspect them. They’re all acting awkward around us.”
As Seo Cheonpung said, it was not just Tanghyeon Sect’s disciples.
Sang Jayang and the hall masters had also begun showing discomfort with our obvious actions.
“Group Leader Jin.”
The resentment naturally turned toward me.
“Are you really sure something is wrong?”
I knew how mentally exhausting it was to suspect people who had welcomed you warmly.
So it was only natural that their resentment would turn toward me.
Even I wondered whether I had missed something or whether this was simply their mistake.
The Sect Leader’s words from the previous day had lingered in my mind all day.
Would it truly be easy to cross that line, no matter how angry one was?
Soon enough, though, I erased all my wishes from my mind.
There were things only I could know.
Things only I could be certain of.
‘If it had been me…’
If I had been the Tanghyeon Sect Leader.
If I had been responsible for the lives of nearly five hundred people.
“I counted Tanghyeon Sect’s people again in front of the dining hall during dinner.”
“…”
“Four hundred and eighty-eight. Five of them had been switched again.”
“…!!!”
If I had been the Tanghyeon Sect Leader, I would have crossed that line without hesitation.
#
There were generally two methods of inspection.
The open inspection conducted by the Inspectorate’s White Officers.
And the secret inspection carried out by Black Officers.
We had come as White Officers and ultimately found nothing. Now, we had to use the Black Officers’ methods.
“If word gets out that the Dragon-Phoenix Association acted as roof thieves in a sect that invited us as guests, that will be the end of any further inspection. You understand?”
We decided to select only those with exceptional stealth arts and the ability to conceal their presence perfectly.
There was much debate over whether Ilgak should be included, but we eventually solved the issue by wrapping his head in a hood.
I had wanted to oppose his participation until the end, but something about Ilgak’s aura felt unusual, so I kept my mouth shut.
Gwak Susan, Cheon Yugang, Danmok Gyoryeon, Ilgak, and I, five in total, would investigate.
Concealing one’s presence was tied to the depth of one’s internal energy rather than one’s skill with stealth arts, so I would inspect the deepest areas, including the Sect Leader’s Hall, the Elders’ Council, and the lodgings where the hall masters stayed.
“Exactly one sichen. No matter what you find, return within that time. Understood?”
The other four began moving over the wall first.
Perhaps because they had been chosen from among already exceptional people, none of them made even the faintest sound.
Once the infiltration team vanished, I used the Ghost Breath Movement Art and headed for the Elders’ Council.
If Tanghyeon Sect was plotting something, they could not exclude its highest-ranking figures.
According to the principles of the White Path, those whose legitimacy was questioned could not become sect leaders.
It was much like how most Black Path sects did not have an Elders’ Council.
Yet no sounds or signals leaked from within.
I could only hear the snoring of people asleep.
Taking advantage of a moment when clouds covered the moon, I slipped deep inside the Elders’ Council.
In the end, I found no unusual devices or traces.
Next, I headed to the lodgings where the hall masters stayed.
The hall masters who had not yet fallen asleep were speaking among themselves.
“Hwang Giu’s progress has been improving by the day.”
“I was thinking of teaching the child proper martial arts soon. The child has been having a hard time training with others their age. I’m also considering establishing a master-disciple relationship.”
“Isn’t that a little early? Are the parents being impatient?”
“The child is an orphan. I suppose they want to become an escort warrior quickly and help their junior disciples. After learning that the Martial Arts Academy’s regular examination costs an enormous amount of money, they’ve grown anxious.”
“Tsk. The child has such good aptitude, yet they don’t plan to enter themselves.”
“That is why I find them admirable. They remind me of you.”
“That’s exactly why I say it. Even after I supported you so much, you still failed the regular examination.”
“Is that something you can pass just because you want to?”
I could not go deep inside because the hall masters were still awake, but there was nothing unusual in their lodgings either.
I even checked beneath the ground just in case, but found nothing.
I had inspected only two places, yet more than half a sichen had already passed.
‘There’s time to check only one more place…’
The senior disciples’ lodgings, the administrative building, and the Sect Leader’s Hall.
After a brief moment of thought, I chose the Sect Leader’s Hall.
If they truly were plotting something, it would have to begin with the current Sect Leader.
Taking more care than ever, I climbed onto the roof of the Sect Leader’s Hall.
I shifted several roof tiles and looked inside.
Mak Hyowol, slightly drunk, was speaking with Sang Jayang inside the hall.
“Cheer up. Isn’t all of this for the good of the martial world?”
“Even so, I believe this has gone too far. There must be some line of courtesy in such matters.”
“I… I’m sorry.”
“How could you apologize, Sect Leader… Hah. Still, you’ve been drinking often lately.”
“Have I?”
“Is something troubling you?”
“…Jin Sowoon.”
My name suddenly came up, and I nearly broke my stealth art.
Fortunately, neither Sang Jayang nor Mak Hyowol seemed to notice me, so I continued eavesdropping.
“Did that man offend you, Sect Leader?”
“No, not at all. He actually offered me words of encouragement.”
“…?”
A sorrowful light passed over Mak Hyowol’s face in the moonlight.
“He said he understood my anger. That he knew my anxiety.”
Mak Hyowol paused, then continued.
“Isn’t it strange? Those words sounded sincere to me, coming from a young man who has never experienced such a thing.”
“Sect Leader…”
“That is why, Jayang. I’m sorry to you, but…”
Just as Mak Hyowol was about to continue,
Ding ding ding ding ding.
A loud alarm rang in my ears.
I knew instinctively.
One of our group had triggered it.
I immediately left and headed for the lodgings.
More quietly and quickly than ever, I returned to our quarters.
“Gasp!”
Wi Gongun, who was in the lodgings, was startled by my sudden appearance, but there was no time to worry about that.
I quickly changed clothes and came back out.
Then Ilgak, Gwak Susan, Cheon Yugang, and Danmok Gyoryeon arrived one by one.
Just as they were about to quickly change clothes and come out, Tanghyeon Sect martial artists burst into the lodgings.
The rustling sounds from inside suddenly stopped. They clearly had not finished changing.
“What is going on?”
At Seo Cheonpung’s calm response, the middle-aged martial artist questioned them in return.
The person was a Hall Master-level martial artist who had introduced themself as Du Jingyun.
“Where are the others?”
“They are all asleep.”
“…With lights on in every room?”
The gazes of Tanghyeon Sect’s martial artists grew colder.
Du Jingyun held up a hood.
It was one of those our group had worn while infiltrating.
“Whose is this?”
“…”
We should have responded more boldly in a moment like this, but Seo Cheonpung did not yet possess that level of composure. Their uncertain attitude only intensified Tanghyeon Sect’s suspicions.
“We will have to inspect the interior.”
At Du Jingyun’s words, Tanghyeon Sect’s martial artists rushed into the lodgings.
Watching their conduct, I spoke quietly.
“Are you treating your guests as thieves?”
“If that is not the case, what are you doing that makes you claim you are sleeping with the lights on?”
“Everyone has private matters. Surely we are not required to report every last one of them to Tanghyeon Sect?”
Du Jingyun’s face turned bright red.
I looked at them.
“We are representatives and envoys of the Martial Alliance, guests who came at Tanghyeon Sect’s invitation. Can you take responsibility for what you are doing now?”
“…”
Du Jingyun ground their teeth, looking ready to turn everything upside down at once.
“Tanghyeon Sect activates its mystic formation from the Pig Hour onward. It belongs to the Jegal Clan, and it has never been breached.”
A calm voice instantly overwhelmed everyone present.
The owner of that voice was…
“Young Hero Jin.”
None other than Sang Jayang, who stepped forward through the crowd.
“Should we believe that the arcane formation, which has never once been breached, was broken through today of all days? Or should we believe that the Dragon-Phoenix Association was caught acting as roof thieves?”
“…”
Sang Jayang took the hood and stared at it.
“Step forward, witnesses.”
Two Tanghyeon Sect martial artists came forward.
“You saw someone heading this way?”
“That is correct.”
Sang Jayang’s gaze turned toward me again.
“So they say.”
“…”
I wondered whether I should stop them from looking inside when Du Jingyun, wearing a triumphant expression, was about to give the order.
“That will do.”
“Hm?”
Sang Jayang threw the hood toward the lodgings.
Perhaps it carried a small amount of internal energy. The hood flew straight toward us and landed on the ground with a soft thud.
“We can hear directly from the Martial Alliance about what happened today. As for all of you, I would appreciate it if you left as soon as dawn comes.”
While Du Jingyun could not contain their anger, Sang Jayang stared at us coldly.
“This is not a request.”
Those who had welcomed us so warmly looked at us with contempt before following Sang Jayang away.
“Whew…”
Seo Cheonpung let out a long sigh.
“It’s all over.”
Then those who had gone in to change clothes cautiously emerged.
When I spotted a figure gleaming in the light, my anger shot to my head and I shouted.
“I told you! Bald heads are trouble! We should have left the bald one out…!”
“…Benefactor Jin, it was not me.”
“Hm?”
Cheon Yugang raised a trembling hand from one side.
“I slipped, and when I caught a falling roof tile, I…”
“…”
“…”
“…”
A heavy silence followed, but that was not the important thing.
“What do we do now?”
Seo Cheonpung’s question precisely described our situation.
There were certainly suspicious signs, but we could not continue the secret inspection.
No, if we were thrown out tomorrow morning, we would not even be able to attempt an open inspection through the Dragon-Phoenix Association.
“A formal inspection through the Dragon-Phoenix Association is now impossible as well. Word will spread.”
Among people of the White Path, hypocrisy was one of the greatest sins.
And the Dragon-Phoenix Association had damaged one of the White Path’s greatest and most important values.
It was a perfect failure, so complete that I could not imagine doing worse.
“Group Leader Jin, what should we do now?”
Gwak Susan was clearly the Society Leader, yet everyone’s eyes naturally turned to me, as if the question were expected.
What should we do…?
I finished thinking after only a moment.
“Attack them.”
“What?”
“Let’s attack Tanghyeon Sect.”
“…????”
“????”
Everyone stared blankly at me, unable to understand.
I slowly smiled at them.
“I said we should attack Tanghyeon Sect.”
After all, a small mistake was best covered up by a larger one.
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