WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 100: Divine Sword Unit (6)

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The Divine Sword Squad Leader’s eyes seemed to see straight through Jeong Yeon-shin.

His tone was casual, but his gaze flashed like lightning. It was enough to raise faint goosebumps on Yeon-shin’s skin.

The boy understood at once. The Divine Sword Squad Leader’s words had not merely skimmed the surface.

He had seen through Yeon-shin’s constitution and mentioned it as if in passing.

“……”

Seom-ye would die young. The Divine Sword Squad Leader had noticed.

‘This could happen.’

Yeon-shin did not believe the Divine Sword Squad Leader’s inner-energy cultivation was inferior to the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan’s.

Just as that old immortal had immediately recognized Yeon-shin’s constitution, it would not have been strange for the Divine Sword Squad Leader to notice the fate awaiting him.

He had even stroked the boy’s head, where the Baihui acupoint lay.

Yeon-shin unconsciously glanced at his maternal grandfather.

Before their encounter with the Martial Dragon Society, he had heard that Ma Yeon-jeok’s martial prowess had declined in his later years.

It was said to be because the divine art of the Desolate Ma family, which Ma Yeon-jeok had cultivated as the previous Divine Sword Squad Leader, had a clearly defined prime.

Burdened by the sins of the past, Ma Yeon-jeok had not even dared touch his grandson.

Even the Lord of Desolate Fortress had remained silent, leaving Ma Yeon-jeok with no way to know of the constitution fated to die young.

“The Dragon family brat was not entirely wrong. You should take care of your body.”

His grandfather spoke when their gazes met.

‘So the Squad Leader is from the Dragon family.’

Yeon-shin realized anew that, despite the Divine Sword Squad Leader’s great reputation, his name was not widely known. It was strange.

As the boy considered this, Ma Yeon-jeok smiled with satisfaction, as though the Divine Sword Squad Leader’s words were entirely right.

The ends of his snowy-white mustache rose.

“Yeon-shin, you are the treasure of the main fortress. Young talents who have only just ventured into the martial world and raised their names are the future of every sect and clan.”

“Senior, could it be that you have some ailment of old age...?”

The Divine Sword Squad Leader furrowed his brow. Ma Yeon-jeok was saying something entirely different.

Yeon-shin watched the scene as though it were Peking opera. The Divine Sword Squad Leader and his grandfather were talking past each other.

Ma Yeon-jeok, an old master of Desolate Fortress wearing a purple long robe, opened his eyes wide and continued.

“Even if a martial artist cannot avoid a life-and-death duel, that still holds true. Life must come first. It is not merely because Yeon-shin is my grandson. What is the value of Demon Wings Seom-ye? No matter the mission, the main fortress should actively support him so he can always stand on the winning side...”

“So it is an ailment of another sort. What a shame. Catching up to you was once my goal, Senior.”

“Do not talk nonsense, you reckless brat.”

After Ma Yeon-jeok rebuked him, the Divine Sword Squad Leader turned his head. His colorless, gleaming eyes seemed to ask what in the world was going on.

The boy silently met that gaze, then only slightly lowered his head.

Perhaps it looked like a full nod. Clicking his tongue like an old man, the Divine Sword Squad Leader shook his head.

“Just how much karma has our old man piled up...?”

Ma Yeon-jeok, the Desolate Ma Family Head, did not know. Perhaps it was because his abilities had declined, as he himself had said.

There was no telling how he would react if he learned of Yeon-shin’s constitution.

Would his deep affection abruptly change? Or would he actively strive to save his grandson?

‘I already obtained a fragment of the World Tree’s fruit from the Lord of Desolate Fortress. There is no need.’

That was what Yeon-shin thought.

There was no reason to deliberately entangle himself in troublesome matters. He could not advance in rank through achievements someone else had accumulated for him, either. Furthermore, raising his realm was entirely his own responsibility.

“You are Old Man Ma’s grandson? I had never heard the Desolate Ma family had a kid like you.”

Ak Su-rim leaned in with a frown.

Yeon-shin silently nodded, and she shook her head.

“I was starting to like you, but you have unpleasant blood in you. What a shame. There are plenty of people in the Ma family I cannot stand.”

She paid no attention to Ma Yeon-jeok’s fearsome expression.

The way she cheerfully disregarded the previous Divine Sword Squad Leader seemed entirely natural.

Perhaps it was because her strength, said to rank among Desolate Fortress’s strongest Black Uniform martial artists, suited her uninhibited nature.

As Yeon-shin unconsciously thought of Ju Yeon-jeong, an imperial collateral descendant, Ak Su-rim continued.

“Well, the Squad Leader and Old Man are right. It does seem our former Squad Leader Ma has become a doting fool in his old age.”

“……”

“A winner-stays-on format. Seom-ye, you pushed yourself too hard as well. How many young talents can defeat Clear Qilin unharmed? Strength alone is not enough. Luck must also be on your side. Martial artists have days when fights go unusually well, and thankfully, today was one of those days for you.”

Like the Divine Sword Squad Leader, she had many sides to her. Her expression now was utterly innocent.

She even looked younger than Yeon So-ha, who had joined in beside her.

“I was not too worried about the Squad Leader either. I saw the Zhuge Family Head once, and they did not look as impressive as I had heard. I was more surprised that the Namgung Family Head managed to leave our Squad Leader in that state. The Eight Family Heads are supposed to be about half a step below the Nine Sects’ sect leaders, but I suppose the Namgung Family Head was not.”

“This is the Namgung Family. Even among the Eight Great Families, they must be considered exceptional. Their greatest masters likely do not fall far behind most of the Thirteen Heavens or Nine Sects.”

At another Divine Sword Squad master’s words, Yeon So-ha nodded.

“Unless it is Shaolin or Wudang, well... I was more worried when Seom-ye faced Clear Qilin. You really never know about fights in the martial world until they begin. Nobody could have predicted it, right? There are too many variables.”

“Your fame will spread enormously. Once some time passes, it may easily cross two or three provinces.”

Ak Su-rim grinned as she lightly patted Yeon-shin’s shoulder. By now, she seemed to regard him as a rather appealing toy.

She was a Black Uniform supreme master who had undergone Rejuvenation. Was that supposed to be an honor? Yeon-shin stood still.

Yeon So-ha gave a small laugh and nodded.

“Fame, huh. Well, it is not as if only one or two people watched the spar.”

“Right.”

The Divine Sword Squad masters had been chatting lightly with Yeon-shin between them.

“Seom-ye, come here. Let us speak alone for a moment.”

The Divine Sword Squad Leader wiped blood from the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand. He looked as though he had vomited blood to his heart’s content.

With a pale face, he beckoned Yeon-shin. As the Divine Sword Squad martial artists calmly withdrew, Ma Yeon-jeok stepped forward.

He looked displeased.

“You Dragon brat. You are not about to make a rash proposal, are you?”

“Your worries are excessive for someone who claims not to be senile.”

The Divine Sword Squad Leader gave a brief smile.

“From what I can see, Ma Jin cherishes this child dearly. I do not want to bring him in carelessly and hear that eunuch’s curses...”

“What did you just say?”

“It seems you are considering recruiting him into the Divine Sword Squad, but Seom-ye is not particularly needed by us right now. Your concern is pointless. Perhaps it is because the Divine Sword Squad in your day was weak. Was that not how it was until I joined?”

“What?”

“You are angry. What are you waiting for, Seom-ye? Let us hear what you have to say.”

The Divine Sword Squad Leader gestured with a playful expression.

“Just the two of us.”

The brief addition weighed heavily on Yeon-shin. He slowly nodded.

* * *

The hall’s ceiling was set with fragments of stone that gave off a soft glow.

Precious night pearls hung like lamps, making the place bright enough to seem as though moonlight had been drawn indoors.

There were two visitors. A man carrying a purple-clad figure over his shoulder led the way.

Step.

The instant he took a composed step, the glow of a nearby night pearl abruptly went out.

He treated the natural laws within a treasure as though they were candle flames. The man’s hair, illuminated by the beam of light, was pure white.

The same thing happened with every step. Pitch-black darkness spread with each footfall like the breath of a great demon.

Even the words hanging along one side of the corridor, “Sword Gate and Shu Road, Tang Sect’s Heavenly Way,” were silently swallowed by the darkness.

“Something new is put up every time I come. I should have them remove all of it.”

The man continued in a gentle voice.

“It is quite irritating. The Tang Sect people have an unusual fondness for bright things. Does that not suit them terribly poorly? Perhaps it is because they themselves are dark.”

“……”

“Seventh Apostle, why are you so quiet? You have been this way the whole time, even after this Sect Master saved you.”

“I have much to think about.”

The man burst into loud laughter at the woman’s short reply.

“Was the brush with death a shock?”

“……”

“Come to think of it, you too were noble from birth. You were raised with exceptional care in our sect.”

“With exceptional care?”

“When else would you have encountered a peerless master like Desolate Fortress’s Purple Uniform? The Thirteen Heavens’ lords and the Nine Sects’ sect leaders are much the same. They are among the few strongest people under heaven. Even this Sect Master acknowledges that. Do not feel intimidated.”

The man’s languid, captivating voice continued. Every night pearl they had passed went out.

Darkness like an abyss swirled around him like silk robes. It was a sight beyond the human world.

“If this Sect Master’s venerable body had been whole, I would have taken the weary Divine Sword Squad Leader’s head. What a regrettable opportunity wasted. It is good that the owner of Tyrant Sword moves as this Sect Master wishes, but the problem is that he always stops after a single attempt. What a pity.”

“……”

“I hope the Namgung Family Head took at least one of the Divine Sword Squad Leader’s arms. The battle should be decided by now.”

“Tell me the result too. You must.”

At last, the Seventh Apostle spoke.

Perhaps pleased by this, the Blood Flame Sect Master’s next words carried a trace of laughter.

“I know you care for the young Grand Preceptor. So I shall. He is a boy we must bring here someday.”

After that, only footsteps echoed. The movements of those who presided over the world’s fear of blood demons were each different.

The Blood Flame Sect Master’s footwork held a captivating, profound principle, while the Seventh Apostle’s steps were simply light.

Only one thing was similar. Both moved through the darkness as though it were their own home.

They reached the deep darkness within the hall.

“I have told you so many times, yet you refuse to listen. I asked you not to disturb this old person’s cultivation.”

An aged voice rang out, carrying a trace of anger.

It was a large stone chamber built within the hall itself.

An elderly figure holding a small dagger glared at the Blood Flame Sect Master and the Seventh Apostle.

They were gaunt, yet wore silk robes so lavish they seemed to drip gold.

The light of the lone remaining night pearl flowed over their gleaming eyes and short blade.

At the center stood a high bed.

It too was made of stone.

Blood Master, with dark crimson hair, was bound there with eyes wide open. The tip of the elderly figure’s blade rested against Blood Master’s chest.

“Disturb your cultivation? How could that be? I am the one who promised you my full support.”

At the same time, the Blood Flame Sect Master dropped the person he had carried over his shoulder with a thud.

He spoke.

“The Elder Council Head of Desolate Fortress.”

“What did you say? This is madness...!”

Madness spread across the elderly figure’s face.

Disbelief came first. Before two breaths had passed, it began to turn into joy.

“A Purple Uniform peerless master,” the Blood Flame Sect Master said. “This one cannot compare to the Divine Sword Squad Leader, but is this not the finest example for your cultivation? I nearly died once more. My body had not recovered from the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s attack. If the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader had not arrived at that moment, I would have died. It was said that the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader had been defeated by the Zhongnan Sect and entered secluded cultivation, but the accomplishment of the sword art displayed upon returning was astonishing.”

“This one will greatly accelerate the Grand Method.”

The elderly figure paid no attention to the Blood Flame Sect Master. They hurriedly crouched beside the Elder Council Head’s pillow and muttered.

“I had been wanting to study a body that reached the pinnacle through orthodox cultivation. I was deeply troubled, since I could hardly turn your body inside out, Sect Master. You blood demons have truly excellent bodies. Words cannot fully describe the advances your regenerative abilities have brought to medicine.”

“Your audacious words please me. You know the value of this Sect Master’s favor.”

“The first to receive the Grand Method’s procedure will be my own grandchildren.”

“How many can receive its benefits?”

“As I told you before, five is the limit, even after using every medicinal ingredient that can be gathered. Three from your side, two from ours. Was that not our agreement?”

The elderly figure asked.

“Yes, it was.”

The Blood Flame Sect Master’s clear gaze swept through the stone chamber, then stopped at a large drawing fixed to the center of the wall.

It was a diagram of the human body.

It depicted the muscle fibers throughout the body, the acupoints, the twelve regular meridians, and the Eight Extraordinary Meridians.

Among them, the Baihui acupoint at the crown of the head was unusually large. Noticing his gaze, the elderly figure’s lips twisted upward grotesquely.

“Desolate Fortress’s Seom-ye.”

The elderly figure spoke with a crazed smile.

“That is... not a body like ours. It is truly astounding. Even if you include the Blood Flame Sect’s clanspeople or those elven race wretches, it remains so. I am almost mad with anticipation for the Grand Method. The key to the procedure lies there, in how closely we can reproduce the body shown in that diagram.”

“Not a body like ours? What do you think it is?”

A heated, beautiful voice emerged. It was the Seventh Apostle’s first words since entering the stone chamber. As though they had been waiting for the question, the elderly figure continued.

“With an unfathomable arrangement of acupoints like something from tales of strange powers and spirits, and having cultivated a body-tempering art that has reached the level of a peerless divine art...”

The elderly figure’s breathing grew rough. Supreme longing and excitement colored every breath.

“It is closer to a spiritual beast pretending to be human.”

Footnotes:

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