The Genius Warrior Who Remembers Everything Chapter 20

Chapter 20. A Third-Rate Warrior Who Welcomes an Uninvited Guest

CRASH.

The table made of Seolgaksan ebony, famous for its hardness, shattered into pieces.

The Deputy Captain of the Secret Bow Unit, who had been giving the report, trembled.

Now that the table had shattered, if things went wrong, the next thing to shatter might be his own head.

“What does that mean?”

Namgung Sang-won’s voice, low like a growl, stirred fear all the more.

It was a feeling where one could not tell whether he was expressing his rage or holding it in.

The Deputy Captain’s words began to quicken even more.

“When the Captain did not arrive at the promised time and I led the members there……”

“They were dead?”

“Y-yes.”

“Who was it? Who dared ruin the great plan!”

What Namgung Sang-won held within him was, in the end, rage.

When that rage exploded, killing intent poured out in every direction, even reaching the members of the Secret Bow Unit waiting outside the building, and they had to swallow thickly.

“Th-that is……”

“Speak! Properly!”

“O-one person.”

“One person? You are saying he dealt with twenty members of the Secret Bow Unit alone?”

“Th-that is correct.”

“So who was it?”

“That is……”

The Deputy Captain could not bring himself to open his mouth.

They had been unable to find any trace of the opponent at all.

“We could not know.”

“You bastard……”

“I-it is true. Judging by the shallow footprints and the traces of ambush, I only cautiously predict that it may have been an assassin.”

“An assassin?”

When the Deputy Captain’s desperate desire to live loaded itself into his mouth, words that would not normally come out flowed like a clear mountain stream.

“Y-yes. According to the traces that appeared in common, it seems that in the beginning, they mainly suffered surprise attacks, and after his identity was discovered, he faced them head-on. Th-that is, because we also turned out the lights to hide our identity…… I believe that may have caused such a situation.”

“An assassin……”

Did the Deputy Captain’s desperation get through?

The rage faded from Namgung Sang-won’s face, and doubt circled there instead.

Namgung Sang-won turned his head and asked his son, Namgung Song-ju.

“What do you think?”

“I have heard that assassins use indistinguishable techniques in order not to leave traces of themselves.”

“Then are you saying it truly was an assassin?”

“There is something strange.”

“What is it?”

“The fact that he did not attack with ambushes from beginning to end, but only struck by ambush in the beginning, then fought head-on afterward.”

“That is true.”

“Even if one searches all the Murim, there are only a handful of assassins who could survive after facing the warriors of the Secret Bow Unit head-on. And there is even less reason for them to work for the Wang Estate.”

“That would be so.”

A top-class assassin was an existence that could not be bought with money.

Even if Wang Geum-san had hired an assassin for personal protection, it was absurd to say that an assassin of that level had dealt with the warriors of the Secret Bow Unit.

“What should we do?”

At the Deputy Captain’s words, as he watched their expressions, Namgung Sang-won spoke.

“You erased the traces, did you not?”

“Yes. From the beginning, when we started the mission, we erased all traces.”

“Dispose of the bodies and erase all remaining traces as well.”

After the Deputy Captain left, silence hovered in the inner room where only Namgung Sang-won and Song-ju remained.

Namgung Song-ju asked.

“Do you think the operation leaked?”

“That is impossible.”

“Then do you think it was coincidence?”

“Hmm……”

From the beginning, they had controlled the risk of the operation leaking outside.

They had divided the missions into fragments and made them intertwine with one another, so even the parties involved could only understand what the matter was after finishing their own missions.

The only ones who originally knew the operation should have been Sang-won, Song-ju, the Captain, and the Deputy Captain.

The operation leaking out itself was impossible.

“How did he know?”

“We need only catch him and ask.”

“Can we find him?”

“The Wang Estate. If he saved Wang So-so, would he not want a reward worthy of that? Whether he happened to save her by coincidence or knew the operation, we will know then.”

“I will have them watch the Wang Estate.”

“Do that.”

The great plan of Rebellion Against Heaven had gone awry.

They would have to receive proper payment for this.

One week after Wang So-so’s disappearance.

The Murim Alliance Hefei Branch Chief was inwardly greatly shocked by Wang Geum-san’s appearance, which he saw after a week.

He looked so haggard it was hard to believe he was the same person.

His generous flesh had grown gaunt, and whether he had slept at all, his eyes were filled with blood vessels.

Wang Geum-san parted lips as dry as a desert and spoke.

“Did you find any traces?”

At the scraping sound that could not be believed to be a human voice, the Branch Chief came to his senses and spoke.

“We did find some, but…… this information is not certain……”

“Show me.”

“H-how would it be if we supplemented the information a little more and then reported it to you? Since the matter is so important……”

He did not know where the sparks of this incident would fly, but he was certain that nowhere would remain safe after receiving Wang Geum-san’s wrath right now.

“Give it to me.”

“Master. I understand that your heart is urgent, but if you act rashly……”

“My daughter has an illness. It is a terrible illness that means she cannot endure three days outside this Wangbu. Yet now, a week has passed. There has been no contact from the criminals. Must I show more patience?”

Of course, he understood Wang Geum-san’s feelings well.

That was why he was even more reluctant to hand over his own inadequate report.

Was it said that martial arts substituted for skill?

Although the criminals did not seem to have the skills of experts, they were certainly masters.

Traces remained, but they could not distinguish who they were, and because they could not distinguish who they were, they could not even identify the criminals.

In haste, he had only brought a few lists of those vile enough to do such a thing and those who had been hindrances to the Murim Alliance’s Hefei Branch.

This too was material he had hurriedly prepared on the advice of the Namgung Clan, with whom he had frequent exchanges.

Because if he came empty-handed, it was certain a thunderbolt would fall.

“Do you know how much sponsorship I pay to the Murim Alliance each year?”

“Ah! Of course, regarding the sponsorship you give for the peace of the murim……”

“Are more lengthy words necessary?”

The Branch Chief swallowed thickly.

How far would the ripples of this report spread?

While he was agonizing over that, his hand, disregarding the command of his head, held out the report to Wang Geum-san.

“The Dog Thread Sect…… the Blood Pearl Fortress…… the Tanghyeon Sect? Is the Tanghyeon Sect not a righteous sect?”

“That is why I said it was still inadequate. If we supplement it further……”

“Enough. I have understood your abilities well enough. From now on, Wangbu will step forward personally.”

In the end, something was going to happen.

The Branch Chief thought so.

Could he truly take responsibility for this report?

As he was shaking his head to cast off that brief anxiety,

“Master! Master!!”

Someone was calling Wang Geum-san at the top of his lungs.

And the owner of that voice burst open the door and entered without even hearing Wang Geum-san’s reply.

It was behavior unpleasant enough to make not only the Branch Chief, who was a guest, but even Wang Geum-san, the master, furrow his brow deeply.

But.

“The young lady has returned!!!”

“……What?”

It was not a situation where they could quibble over manners.

THUD.

The report the Branch Chief had painstakingly written fell to the floor with a thud.

The mountain had shed winter and welcomed spring, and the cold wind of midwinter had at some point changed into a warm spring breeze.

In the forest, sprouts were rising between dry leaves, and the sunlight gave off warm energy as it melted the ice that had frozen all winter.

Wang So-so was feeling spring like that.

“This…… is spring.”

“Is this the first time you are feeling the seasons?”

“My room was always frozen solid like midwinter. The summer flowers and autumn fallen leaves outside the window felt unreal, like paintings.”

That life of hers had now changed into a life like that of other ordinary people.

Even if she walked on her own, received sunlight, sweated, and abused her muscles until she grew tired, the solar qi disappeared quietly as if asleep.

“Still, do not overdo it. The medicinal energy has only just risen, so it will take some time for your energy to be stored stably.”

“How can I repay this grace……”

“Has your father not usually bestowed much merit upon people? Think of it as thanks to that.”

Wang So-so’s eyes as she looked at Jin So-un were filled with emotion.

It was already amazing that he had not simply passed by after seeing injustice, but rather than praise his own achievement, he raised up the other person’s merit.

It seemed they were not even very far apart in age, yet he seemed mature, his abilities seemed remarkable, his breadth of heart seemed bold, and his appearance too……

“Ahem.”

“Are you all right?”

“…….”

“Was walking too much after all?”

“That is not it. Um……”

Was it all right to say this?

Facing a boy around her own age for the first time in her life was no easy thing for Wang So-so.

“Please speak.”

“That is…… may I perhaps call you Elder Brother?”

Wang So-so’s voice grew quieter and quieter, and in the end, it became so faint that Jin So-un had to bring his ear close in order to hear it.

“Haha, if that is more comfortable, call me that.”

“……Then please call me So-so. I would like you to speak comfortably as well.”

“All right, So-so.”

Suddenly, at the thought that Jin So-un’s hand seemed about to stroke her head, Wang So-so’s heart began beating rapidly.

“Ah, sorry. This has become a habit. Women dislike this sort of thing, do they not?”

At Jin So-un’s action, flinching and withdrawing his hand, Wang So-so moved her lips with regret.

“Ah…… I-I think I am fine with it. I have not experienced it yet.”

“All right. I understand, so let us go down now. Your father must be waiting.”

On the way back to the Wang Estate,

Jin So-un told Wang So-so about various things in the world she had not yet experienced.

That when one went to the market, there were snacks children could eat, that in summer one could float a boat on the lake and play, and that an autumn mountain, more colorful than anything else, was good for a walk.

He told her about the things Wang So-so had almost never been able to experience, and the things she would be able to experience enough from now on.

“Elder Brother, I want to eat those candied fruits in the market. Could you go with me?”

“Let us do that.”

“Elder Brother, I want to try that boating on the lake too. Could you do that with me?”

“Let us do that as well.”

“Elder Brother, I want to try climbing an autumn mountain too. Could you climb with me?”

“To climb a mountain, you must train diligently. Will you be all right?”

“I learned the Taeul Heart Method too, did I not? From now on, I am a disciple of the Taeul Sect, so I can go train.”

“Then you become my junior sister, do you? Try speaking well to your father.”

In return, Wang So-so explained things about her own world to Jin So-un.

“Once every three years, the people in charge of branches and shops across the nation gather in Wangbu and hold a festival. Food comes out endlessly, and the music never stops midway.”

“That must truly be wonderful.”

“Father will probably hold a great feast for Elder Brother. If he does not, I will pester him and make sure he holds one.”

“Do not make things difficult for your father.”

“He will probably bestow a great reward as well. He cherishes me very much, you see.”

“So-so must recover quickly and show him much filial piety.”

“Our house has truly many treasures too. I think there may be something suitable for Elder Brother.”

“It must have been truly nice to see so many treasures.”

Wang So-so truly spoke excitedly.

It was the first time she had learned that she was such a talkative person.

Even though she had spent the entire day walking and only speaking, she was not bored at all.

Was this because her illness had been cured, or was there another reason?

The still-young Wang So-so did not yet know the reason well.

“……Elder Brother?”

Wang So-so looked at Jin So-un, who had taken one step back.

“You can go alone from here, can you not?”

“Pardon?! What do you mean…… We have to go together!”

Wang So-so felt as if her heart dropped.

“As you know, because of your disappearance, the entire Hefei area has been thrown into chaos. If I go with you at a time like this, there may be room for misunderstandings to build.”

“No! What are you saying! Elder Brother! That will absolutely never happen. Please let me pay you back.”

At that moment, Jin So-un took one long step closer.

Then, with his rough hand, he stroked her head.

Wang So-so was so flustered that she only widened her eyes and opened and closed her mouth like a fish.

“Gaining a new junior sister is already enough repayment. So do not worry.”

“B-but……”

“Did you not say you would enter the Taeul Sect? Then we will be able to see each other often now. So do not worry.”

“Elder Brother……”

After finishing those words, Jin So-un turned around and walked away with dignity.

Wang So-so stared blankly at Jin So-un’s back for a long time.

And then.

“M-miss!!!”

“Miss Wang So-so!!!!”

The people of Wangbu began recognizing Wang So-so one by one.

Although I was tempted by the reward and treasures, I could not blindly follow Wang So-so inside.

If I went in and said I had saved her, they would begin questioning every detail of the incident, and before receiving any reward or treasure, I might be investigated as a kidnapper or an accomplice.

Moreover, even the Murim Alliance’s Hefei Branch had stepped forward, and I had done what they could not.

Would those greedy people truly stay still?

“Still, I achieved the objective to a certain extent.”

I had never imagined that Wang So-so would be suffering because of her constitution.

Thanks to that, she learned the Taeul Heart Method, and Wang So-so herself even said she wanted to enter the Taeul Sect.

I did wonder whether Wang Geum-san would allow that, but in any case, since I had saved his daughter and even cured her constitution, I greatly expected that he would give a sponsorship great enough that we would not miss the Gyeryong Merchant Guild.

If Wang Geum-san helped to a certain degree, the Taeul Sect would lose the reason to yield to Gye Cheol-yeong in this Murim Academy rolling admission.

“Then Sa-ryeon will enter the Murim Academy, and I should give the Entry Token to someone else.”

Whether it was special recruitment into the Murim Academy or entering the Murim Academy with the Entry Token, there were easy paths, but even if I entered alone, I would only be a lonely island in the middle of the sea.

In the coming war, I needed people like my own hands and feet who could move as I wished.

If they did not complete the academy together, it would be meaningless.

The Taeul Sect was at the very bottom even among the One Hundred Eight Peaks.

Even if I tried to form some sort of faction, it would not form at all, like snow that would not clump together.

Along with that, there was another reason I had to take the exam.

“There are also many spiritual medicines that appear during the academy exam.”

The reason the Murim Academy exam was called the Hell Regular Exam was that the academy itself stoked the heat of the exam even further.

One of those things was the spiritual medicines prepared by the academy.

Once those spiritual medicines began being found, the number of deaths rose dramatically.

“I need to possess inner arts of more than One Gapja before entering the academy.”

Roughly eight months remained until winter, when the exam would begin.

I had to increase my inner arts further and also think about what to do with my martial arts.

“I have limits if I use only the Minor Heaven Sword Art forever.”

As my inner arts rose dramatically, the most frustrating part was that there was a limit to the inner arts the Minor Heaven Sword Art could contain.

With the Sword-Breaking Form, I could shatter the martial arts of the major sects of the Murim Alliance, but if they actually used other martial arts, I too had to fight with my own original skill.

And to fight such battles, the Minor Heaven Sword Art had far too clear a limit.

“But my inner arts are too little to use the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm……”

The martial arts secret manual I had obtained together with the Snow Plum Pill.

Surprisingly, the secret manual belonged to the Radiant Heaven Divine Sovereign, who had been one of the Murim Ten Supremes three hundred years ago.

Because he had reached the realm of an absolute master with only a single martial art, his secret manual was exceedingly welcome, but there was a problem.

If I fired the Radiant Heaven Divine Palm once, my inner arts would be completely exhausted and I would faint.

“According to the gossip-lovers, the Radiant Heaven Divine Sovereign could use this Radiant Heaven Divine Palm more than five times in a row. His ultimate art was clearly not palm arts, but inner arts.”

In the end, it could not escape the fate of being a necklace around a pig’s neck.

“In the end, I will have to look for that.”

The deepest part of the library.

A book I had hidden in the deepest part of the library in my head because I could not trust myself.

“Why are you standing there blankly?”

“Hm? Junior Sister Ryeon?”

Sa-ryeon was glaring sharply at me with both cheeks puffed full of air.

“I told you not to call me Junior Sister Ryeon, did I not? Just where have you been wandering around like that?”

“I have been working day and night for my sect, the Taeul Sect……”

“Enough. Hurry and go in. A guest is waiting.”

“A guest? Someone from the Wang Estate came already?”

“The Wang Estate? What in the world are you talking about? Someone from the Namgung Clan has come.”

“Hm? ……The Namgung Clan?”

“Senior Brother, do you know something?”

Had Namgung Sang-won already found out and come looking for me?

My heart dropped.