The Genius Martial Artist Who Remembers Everything - Chapter 366: Invisible Undercurrent (6)
I wrapped up the report, utterly fed up with the pointless questions from these empty-headed fools.
The moment the inquiry ended, the tension in the room—if you could even call it that—dissolved instantly, giving way to immediate chatter.
There wasn't any real tension to begin with.
Judging by the atmosphere, they had no intention of drafting any official documents to share. Not that any truly important questions had come up to warrant it.
Other departments might demand the same meeting all over again. Repeating the exact same work across every division—that was the Murim Alliance's affliction... no, its glorious tradition.
This kind of bureaucratic nonsense wasn't new to the Alliance, but it still drained the life out of me every time.
"It's over—let's grab some drinks!"
"You're buying today, right?"
"The hell I am!"
"Want me to report you for smashing that wall earlier?"
"……."
It was bittersweet, in a way. Their nonchalance in the face of any enemy felt like composure at first glance, but to me, who knew the future, it just looked like complacency.
Then, a low voice murmured in my ear.
"You find them repulsive, don't you?"
I thought it was a bit extreme to put it that way, but I kept my face neutral and turned toward the source.
There stood a man who hadn't asked me a single question throughout, eyeing me with an odd look.
"Impressive nerve. Or are you just good at masking your expressions?"
"What do you mean?"
"Either way, it's not a good attitude. Superiors don't like subordinates they can't read."
"……I see."
I nodded, though I wasn't convinced. And why would I be? This guy genuinely hated unreadable underlings.
Why? Because...
"It might be better to hide your feelings than to presume to judge others' emotions so casually."
...he was the most inscrutable bastard himself, fully aware of his own sly nature. Classic case of self-loathing.
"……What?"
The man's face, usually fixed in a perpetual smile, twisted slightly. Huh, never saw that expression even in my past life. My remark must have caught him off guard.
But...
"Haha. You're an amusing one."
His face quickly reverted to its grinning mask. Yet I felt no warmth or familiarity in it.
Because this was Jeong In-bo, the Great Dangju of Baekho Pavilion.
Jeong In-bo nodded a few times before continuing.
"Cheonmogak has already begun investigating Mukrim. Reports are flying in real-time every day. We weren't hearing you out to learn more about the enemy—it was just to gauge how you responded."
He explained the meeting's purpose in a kindly tone, as if considering my feelings. Now he tells me? A bit late for that.
Ignoring my blank reaction, he flashed a benevolent smile.
"So don't think too poorly of them. Once the culprit behind this incident is revealed, they'll be the busiest ones. They're preparing for the next steps in their own way."
I couldn't bring myself to nod along with his seemingly selfless courtesy and lighthearted kindness.
"……."
Most of the problematic academy instructors came from Baekho Pavilion—his own loyalists. Knowing they were being brutally tortured in the Execution Hall's basement right now...
The person in this room who hates me most has to be Jeong In-bo.
Goodwill and kindness from that—it felt like the grin of the grim reaper right before death.
"That's why these inquiries have to be so casual."
"I understand."
He was a shady figure I couldn't shake off, so I tried to leave as quickly as possible.
But as I edged away, he grabbed my shoulder and whispered softly in my ear.
"Of course, I believe a more thorough—and harsh—investigation is needed."
Why did that word "harsh" echo so loudly?
"About you, naturally."
"……."
He stared at my face intently, as if trying to read every nuance.
I removed his hand from my shoulder.
"I don't know what you're trying to say."
"There's one thing I sensed from both your report and your explanation."
"What?"
"You responded too well."
I was about to snap back that he was just protecting his own, when...
"As if you'd known 'that kind' of enemy would appear in advance."
What the hell is this guy's game?
His sudden aggression threw me off.
"Sorcery? Heaven's Net? Pursuit squads? All predictable. But... how do you explain directing a flawless, synchronized response against an enemy of unknown identity without a single mistake? Just raw talent?"
Jeong In-bo stared straight through me without blinking.
I recited the Tae-eul Jin-gyeong mantra inwardly to stay calm.
"Hmm, let's call it good luck."
"Luck... luck. What a wonderful word."
He tilted his head slightly, as if struggling to maintain eye contact, but his gaze stayed locked on my face—making him look downright eerie.
"Convenient, too. Excuses any need for explanation."
"……."
"Oh, right—I haven't apologized for the trouble caused by our pavilion's instructors. My apologies. I failed to train them properly, and it hurt you."
He spouted insincere drivel and offered a handshake.
Ugh... what the hell? Hesitating, I took his hand—cold and clammy, like snake scales.
"I'd love for you to take an interest in Baekho Pavilion. With our dangjus locked up, there are plenty of vacancies."
"……I'll think about it."
"Good work."
It was the same offer I'd gotten from others in the hall, but from him, it sent chills down my spine.
# Stepping out of Cheonmogak into the fresh air cleared my head a bit.
Lately, these dizzying headaches kept piling up without a moment's respite to sort my emotions—like experiencing war already.
Unsolved problems stacking up, and up, and up.
"Auuugh!!! Uwaaa……."
I tried to yell out the crushing weight, but my eyes met those of a little girl standing right in front of me.
What the...?
Her clothes looked finely made, but she herself was filthy and disheveled. A stark contrast, like she'd received no proper care.
More importantly, what's a kid doing in the Murim Alliance?
Then, the girl who'd been staring at me openly spoke up.
"Mister, are you a martial artist?"
"……No."
"Then why are you carrying a weapon?"
"I said I'm not your mister……."
"So you are a martial artist, mister?"
Ha! Hah! Do I look like—? Handsome guy or not...
"You are a martial artist, right, mister?"
"……."
I scanned around for a guardian, but no one paid the kid any mind.
"How... how did you even get in here?"
"I walked."
"That's not—……."
My head throbbed. I needed to unpack Jeong In-bo's intentions, figure out what he meant about Mugak getting busy...
……But I couldn't just walk away; the kid tugged at me.
"You can't just wander in here."
"Yeah, I know."
"Right... wait, you know?"
Visiting family? Alliance members on duty couldn't freely visit clans or homebases, so relatives often came for visits.
"Yeah. They said not to wear my everyday clothes. So I got new ones."
She spun around, proudly showing off her skirt hem.
She hadn't listened to a word I'd said, huh.
"……."
I might have my certified "Dang Seo-hee babysitter" credentials, but apparently that didn't work on all kids.
Ah... right, Dang Seo-hee was an adult.
Anyway, I stood to hand her off to someone and head back to the academy.
Suddenly—clang! She grabbed my sword.
"I wanna play with big bro."
Ha, big bro? This kid.
"……Too late for the cute act."
She'd already called me "mister" three times—my mood was ruined. Not that I was counting on purpose. My memory just wouldn't let me forget.
"I came to see big bro 'cause they said I could, but I haven't seen him."
"……So it wasn't about me."
Guess I really just look like a mister to kids. Bitter reality.
"Anyway, this not-mister big-br—er, uncle—has stuff to do. Hope you find your big bro. Not much to see around here, but enjoy."
As I turned to go, she clutched my hem tightly and looked up with clear eyes.
Damn, that gaze always softens me up...
"Can't mister help me find big bro?"
"Nope. 'Misters' aren't strong. And I'm not even from here."
"Uncle……."
"Hmm... fine, I'm tired, but I'll take a quick look around?"
Pretending to mull it over, her eyes sparkled. As I stroked my chin thoughtfully, she nodded firmly, like she'd made a big decision.
"On second thought, you're not uncle—you're big bro. Martial artist big bro."
Smart little cookie. Couldn't even hate her for it.
I chuckled and patted her head.
"Alright. I'll help you find him."
"For real?"
"Yeah."
I'd have to backtrack, but visitor areas were limited. Circling those spots should turn up this "big bro" quick.
"What's your big bro's name?"
"Yeah! Big bro's name is Geum—"
"Tae-seon! Geum Tae-seon!"
A woman in her early forties came rushing from behind.
"Mommy!"
"Where'd you run off to?!"
Tae-seon, huh. But the middle-aged woman's outfit was just as odd. New clothes, yet unkempt—like not properly washed or mended. Not as grimy as Tae-seon's, but her collar and wrists were blackened.
She smacked Tae-seon's butt a few times, then bowed repeatedly to me.
"I'm so sorry. Did the child offend you, sir?"
"No need to scold her. I've never seen such a well-mannered kid."
"Pardon?"
The woman gaped at her daughter in disbelief; Tae-seon shot her mom a smug, defiant look.
"Ma'am! Found Tae-seon?"
Others from their group started arriving.
They were an odd bunch. Not quite relatives—too varied in looks. Not one family—ages all over the map. And the elders bowing to my peers? It amplified the weirdness.
"What the hell? We said don't wander."
"Sorry, it was chaos..."
The young guys talking down to them like it was natural rubbed me wrong.
Had I hidden my feelings too well earlier? A sigh slipped out, and one sharp-eyed youth glared at me.
"Who the fuck are you?"
"Nobody imp—er, sorry."
"……What?"
Emotions slipping—words just tumbling out. Should've stayed home. Dragging me to Cheonmogak for nothing...
"Ha...! Say that again. What'd you say?"
"Sheesh, you look young, but your ears clogged already? I said nobody."
"You little shit..."
The punk lunged, but his buddy grabbed him.
They whispered, then the wildcat toned it down.
"You wouldn't be Young Hero Black Flame Dragon, would you?"
"……No."
"Not him... Then Young Hero Jin Sowoon?"
They knew me after all that prodding. No point hiding now.
"Sigh... Yeah. Jin Sowoon."
"……."
A middle-aged man stepped forward from the youths, seizing my hand.
"Oh! We nearly offended a hero—we had no idea!"
……What now? His robes were the most unique yet—worn, but impeccably clean.
Who the hell are these people...?
"I'm Song Ju-saeng, sect leader of Ilhakmun."
"Ah……."
Song Ju-saeng introduced himself, but my eyes drifted to Tae-seon, still pouting from her mom's scolding.
"We've heard all about Young Hero Black Flame Dragon's exploits in Mukrim..."
The kid who'd come for her big bro clearly wouldn't meet him.
"Our Ilhakmun children suffered greatly there..."
Her brother, Geum Tae-jong... had stayed behind in Mukrim in my place.