The Genius Warrior Who Remembers Everything Chapter 122

Chapter 122. The Black Flame Dragon Who Gives Opportunities (2)

The Academy student who had asked the question and the instructor who had been snickering both stiffened.

“Young man, your joke has gone too far.”

“Could I possibly make jokes in this sort of atmosphere?”

I pointed at the people in the class. Every single one of them was exuding hostility.

“Are you saying it is not a joke?”

“I only say things I can take responsibility for.”

“Huh…….”

While the instructor looked dumbfounded, the Academy student who had asked the question came out to the training ground, huffing with anger.

“Are you saying I do not even register in your eyes, Representative?”

Jang Seok-do, a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect.

He was an expert in the Splitting Light Sword, and a talent who would rise to the position of White Tiger Pavilion Master in the future.

“Does this look like a situation where I can exchange idle words with someone?”

“Hmph! Or perhaps you think losing to five people would be less embarrassing than losing to one.”

Jang Seok-do drew his sword.

The instructor looked between Jang Seok-do and me, then slowly stepped down from the training ground.

Jang Seok-do soon assumed the starting stance of the Splitting Light Sword.

“Draw your sword.”

“Just come.”

“…….”

Jang Seok-do’s face turned red.

A moment later, killing intent appeared in his eyes. He stepped with the Northern Dipper Heavenly River Step, closed the distance, and struck down with his sword.

Splitting Light Sword, First Form: Opening the Window to Gaze at the Moon.

The sword raised high into the sky split into two and descended as if to cut off both arms.

I waited until the very last possible moment, then used the Minor Heaven Sword Art to unleash the Shattering Form of the Splitting Light Sword.

Clang.

Clatter, clatter. Thud.

Jang Seok-do’s sword flew out of the training ground with a loud noise.

Shhhk.

I deliberately sheathed my sword slowly.

The laughter-filled atmosphere of the hall sank as if cold water had been poured over it, and Jang Seok-do’s face went deathly pale, like a man who had seen a ghost.

“Do I not need four more people?”

I said it while looking at the instructor, but the instructor only stared blankly back and forth between Jang Seok-do’s sword and me.

If the usual atmosphere of Murim Academy had been one where students competed fiercely during the Regular Exam regardless of sect, then rebuilt their friendships once the Regular Exam ended, the atmosphere of this class was so cold it felt as if one were taking each step across a river covered in thin ice.

Naturally, in the Murim Alliance, and even among Academy students who had not yet fully become adults, people tended to act in groups while considering each other’s affiliations. Among the three groups commonly recognized as the Righteous Path Association, the Orthodox Path Association, and the Twelve Peak Citadels, no matter who became the representative, the other two forces would usually cooperate with or check that person according to their mutual interests.

After all, once they completed the Academy, they would spend four years active in the Dragon and Phoenix Assembly. Securing even one more position there would not only help their own careers but also provide great assistance to their sects.

However, because of my existence, the three forces could not form a cooperative relationship. Instead, they had united solely to remove the impurity known as me, and this situation was even affecting the people who had taken the Regular Exam together with me.

“They dragged you behind the building?”

At Dong-ryong’s words, flames lit up in Namgung Seon-hwa’s eyes.

“Who did? What bastard dared to do that?! Where are they now?”

“Ah, they’re in the Physicians Pavilion.”

“What?”

“Each of them had one arm broken.”

“……Didn’t you say five people dragged you away?”

“My brothers and I are three people. And compared to the people we faced during the Regular Exam, well, five people are…….”

Dong-ryong ate candied fruit as though it was nothing, and Namgung Seon-hwa looked at Eun-ho with an incredulous gaze.

“You do not need to worry. We promised not to tell the instructors before we fought, so…….”

“No…… That is not what I meant…….”

“As disciples of the Taeul Sect, being picked on like this has been common since Hefei.”

Eun-ho told her about the time they had fought with the members of martial halls in Hefei, but Namgung Seon-hwa did not look reassured at all.

“Are you all right, Lady Namgung?”

At my question, Namgung Seon-hwa let out a small sigh.

“Well, would it be any different for us? We attend classes together, and they insist on treating us like we don’t exist. Of course, we haven’t gotten into disputes like the Gold-Silver-Copper Brothers.”

Fortunately, it seemed Namgung Seon-hwa, Seong Mo-ran, and Murong Jae-hwa were only being ignored and were not being directly provoked. To begin with, considering their backgrounds, no one could treat them as lightly as the Taeul Sect.

Such incidents were occurring frequently during the academic schedule, but the instructors and drillmasters did not seem to have any intention of interfering in the students’ affairs.

No, rather, they seemed to hold the same thoughts as the other Academy students.

“Young Master Jin, it is time to go to the appointment ceremony.”

“Let’s go.”

“……Hmm, do you truly intend to accept it?”

The Academy Representative appointment ceremony.

Since my executive staff had not been fully assembled, I had attended the ceremony with some of the executives.

“Is there a problem?”

At the appointment ceremony, where only the head of Murim Academy, the administrative officers, and the instructors had gathered, the Academy Head was repeating the same question over and over.

“If you accept this, it truly will be difficult for you to blend into the Academy.”

“I do not think the Academy students will acknowledge me now even if I do not accept this.”

“……I say this because I have experience.”

I knew the story that the successor of the Three Pure Ones Peerless Sword had voluntarily given up the position of Academy Representative, so I nodded.

-Purple Firmament Pill

-White Fragrance Jade

-Thunderclap Flying Dagger

The Purple Firmament Pill, a spiritual medicine of Wudang. The White Fragrance Jade, which gave off a rare fragrance. And even the Thunderclap Flying Dagger, a flying dagger said to be capable of cutting through metal like tofu.

Not one of them could be called insignificant.

“……Phew, listen carefully. The work of a representative is not as easy as you think. The documents you must exchange with Mantongbu alone number in the thousands…….”

And no matter what the Academy Head said, my gaze was fixed on the treasures.

One of the reasons I had absolutely needed to take the top spot was right in front of me.

“Do you understand? If even a single hole appears in your work, the entire academic schedule will fall into chaos. When that time comes, even if we want to rescue you, we will not be able to.”

“I understand.”

“Hm? Then are you giving it up?”

“I meant that I understand what you are concerned about.”

The Academy Head’s brow furrowed deeply.

“One of Mantongbu’s department members told me something. He said the current Mantongbu Department Head seems to hold some grudge against you and is creating a tremendous amount of work. Can you handle all of that as well?”

It seemed he had taken offense because I had refused the offer to help with Mantongbu’s work a few days ago.

“It does not matter.”

“……No, think carefully for a moment…….”

Without waiting any longer, I reached out, put the Purple Firmament Pill into my mouth, and swallowed it.

I had only chewed it two or three times, yet a clear fragrance spread from my mouth in every direction.

“Aaah…….”

The head of Murim Academy stared blankly at my mouth with a pained expression, as if his own flesh were being chewed.

“In the end, you…….”

“I will make good use of the rest as well.”

When I placed the Thunderclap Flying Dagger and the White Fragrance Jade inside my clothes and left the Academy Head’s office, the others who had followed me as executives all wore dazed expressions.

“Is it really all right to just muddle through it like this?”

At Namgung Seon-hwa’s words, I nodded as if telling her not to worry.

“I have decided to break through head-on. If so, there is no need to hesitate.”

For some reason, Namgung Seon-hwa shook her head.

“At least it is fortunate that there is a jewel among this round of treasures. If you sell that, you will earn quite a lot of money. Should we hire people with that?”

“What are you saying? This absolutely cannot be sold.”

White Fragrance Jade.

As its name suggested, it referred to white jade that gave off a fragrance, and it was a rare item produced only in the lands beyond Tianzhu, where the people of colored eyes lived. Because its production volume itself was not large, only a small amount was imported into the Central Plains, making it a jewel that the wives of high officials and nobles fought to buy by pressing money into sellers’ hands.

“……What are you planning to do with a jewel?”

“There is something I will make with this.”

The greatest effect of White Fragrance Jade was its ability to ward off poison and dispel evil. Even a small amount could neutralize around a hundred poisons, and in particular, it had the effect of preventing the mind from being swept away by evil energy. It was an item one absolutely had to possess when facing members of the Demonic Cult or people of the Unorthodox Path.

“Eldest Senior Brother…….”

Beside me, Eun-ho, who had been lost in thought about something, had a face filled with questions.

“It is about what the Academy Head said earlier.”

“Do not take it to heart. Even if I step down from this position now, they will not be pleased.”

“No, no. That is not it. Have you ever met the Mantongbu Department Head?”

At Eun-ho’s question, the three women who had been looking dejected all looked at me at the same time.

“Not long after I entered the Academy, he visited my residence.”

“……So what did you discuss?”

“Nothing much. He told me to help with his work so I could learn Mantongbu’s duties in advance.”

“!!”

“!!”

“!!”

The three women’s and Eun-ho’s eyes went round like rabbits.

Eun-ho’s voice began to tremble.

“Th-Then why is he holding a grudge?”

“I do not know that either. I merely refused the work.”

“Pardon?”

“Y-Young Master Jin, what are you…….”

“Young Master Jin, I must have heard wrong, right? You refused an opportunity to enter Mantongbu?”

“Please say that is not true…… Please say that is not true!”

The one who was surprised by their reaction was me.

“Is Mantongbu that impressive?”

According to my memories, none of the past top Academy scorers had applied to Mantongbu.

“That is because Mantongbu does not accept them!”

“Ah…… Is that what it was?”

“Do you know how picky the Grand Strategist is when selecting people? They say that even if you only do miscellaneous work in Mantongbu, you can secure a Chief Steward position in most sects.”

“Is that so?”

“You really did not know?”

“Even if I had known, I would not have entered.”

“Why not?”

“If I entered that place, I would not be able to stay with my junior brothers.”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

“…….”

I had merely spoken honestly, yet the atmosphere became strange again.

It seemed that wherever I went these days, I made people uncomfortable.

“May I place it here?”

An administrative officer said this as he set down a small carrying frame filled with documents.

“……Wouldn’t it be better to place them on the desk? They are still Mantongbu documents.”

When Namgung Seon-hwa said that, the administrative officer shook his head.

“Ten more carrying frames like this will be coming. If we stack them on the desk one by one, I doubt it will be manageable. Is that all right?”

“……Just put them down there.”

Just as the administrative officer had said, twelve more carrying frames filled with documents arrived afterward.

As work for the Academy Representative Delegation, the executive office was already so full of piled-up documents that there was not even a place to set foot.

Geum-pyo, Dong-ryong, and even Murong Jae-hwa came to help with the work, but among those currently in the executive staff, the only person who had ever done this sort of paperwork was Namgung Seon-hwa. All the others could do was stack the documents from the carrying frames onto the desks like towers.

“Oh my, is this even possible?”

The unfamiliar visitor peeking his head into the executive office was none other than Cheol Sun-jik of the Twelve Peak Citadels.

“What brings you here?”

Even at Namgung Seon-hwa’s sharp reaction, Cheol Sun-jik’s mouth remained full of smiles.

“I heard you had begun your work, so I came because I was worried whether it was proceeding properly. After all, if the Representative Delegation fails to work properly, the damage will fall entirely on the Academy students, will it not?”

“If you are that worried, why don’t you join the executive staff?”

“Why should I? The current representative will be dismissed soon anyway, and the remaining people will form a new Representative Delegation among themselves.”

“……If that is all you have to say, would you leave now? We already have a lot of work to do.”

“May I observe?”

At Cheol Sun-jik’s smiling face, Namgung Seon-hwa clenched her fist tightly.

“Let him watch.”

“Pardon?”

The one who spoke was none other than Jin So-un.

While reviewing documents from the representative’s seat, Jin So-un spoke as if it were nothing.

“Well, did he not come because he wanted to see whether the work was proceeding properly? He also has to grasp the situation on this side and share information with the others. Is that not right?”

“…….”

At Jin So-un’s words, Cheol Sun-jik’s face stiffened faintly.

“But Young Master Jin. If this person is here…….”

“In any case, Academy students can view the Representative Delegation’s work whenever they wish, can they not? Just leave him to do as he pleases.”

“Understood.”

Namgung Seon-hwa glared at Cheol Sun-jik and said,

“I do not care if you observe, but if you interfere with the work, I will not forgive you.”

“Yes, yes. I understand.”

After saying that, Cheol Sun-jik sat down leisurely in one corner of the executive office.

“Is there perhaps any tea?”

“……Do you want to be thrown into a well?”

“My, I did not know Lady Namgung would say something so violent.”

“If you experience it yourself, you will feel it much more keenly.”

“Then I will simply endure.”

Namgung Seon-hwa sighed and looked around, but the mountain of documents only made another sigh come out first.

If they were to begin with sorting, then finish the processes of analysis and decision-making, it was a workload that would be insufficient even with at least fifty people.

Moreover, Jin So-un, the representative, had already begun writing on the documents without even knowing how to process the work.

“……Eh?”

Namgung Seon-hwa was startled and approached Jin So-un.

“Young Master Jin. These documents are not something you can just handle carelessly like…….”

Namgung Seon-hwa’s eyes slowly widened as she looked at the document Jin So-un had been filling out.

“That person called the Mantongbu Department Head must be rather petty. He sent the documents while including every useless formality.”

“……Young Master Jin. How do you know this?”

Namgung Seon-hwa could not hide her surprise.

It was a document about an ordinary clothing plan, but processing it was by no means ordinary.

It was a difficult document that required him to draw up a budget for what had to be provided to the Academy students according to the amount of money, establish the basis for that budget, and secure the funds from Mantongbu.

Even within the Namgung Clan, this sort of document was a budget plan that a Deputy Chief Steward-level person would have to stay up all week with twenty administrative officers to draw up.

Yet Jin So-un wrote it in one sweeping stroke, and the budget amount and the grounds for that amount were all so solid that they felt perfect.

“My father is the Outer Hall Master of the Taeul Sect, is he not?”

Jin So-un said that, then began filling out the next document.

“W-Wait a moment.”

While Namgung Seon-hwa stood frozen, Jin So-un had already finished drafting even the budget proposal related to provisions.

“…….”

Cheol Sun-jik, who had been watching this entire situation from beside them, slowly approached Namgung Seon-hwa and looked at the document she was reading.

And before long, his eyes widened.

“What in the world…….”

The document Jin So-un had prepared was, quite literally, perfect without a single unnecessary detail.

This was work that should have been done only after the full executive staff was assembled and all the disciples who had handled administrative work in each sect were brought in.

It was only natural for the Representative Delegation to be formed with a basic scale of one hundred people.

Yet Jin So-un was handling it alone.

Because Cheol Sun-jik had also done administrative work in his own sect, he knew very well just how remarkable this was.

Jin So-un finished another document as if it were nothing and set it aside, and the cycle of Namgung Seon-hwa and Cheol Sun-jik being shocked and checking the document repeated again and again.

“Why would I call people over for something this simple?”

In truth, handling administrative work had never been difficult for Jin So-un in the first place.

All of Mantongbu’s documents were already inside his head, so the completed versions of the documents exchanged between Mantongbu and Murim Academy at this time also remained in his mind.

And if he simply changed the numbers a little in accordance with this life and wrote them down based on those memories of his previous life, the work was finished.

“Just what…… are you……?”

Cheol Sun-jik and Namgung Seon-hwa stared at Jin So-un with eyes that could not believe what they were seeing.