WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Episode 104: Seom-ye Lineage (4)
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“What did you say?”
Languid Flame Dragon asked. His thick eyebrows rose slightly.
Jeong Yeon-shin could tell what he meant just by looking at his face.
He had not asked because he had failed to hear. His expression said he was giving Jeong Yeon-shin a chance to change his words.
“I was locked in an underground thunder prison for so long that my hearing must have gone dull. Say that again.”
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. He was trying to turn the pressure back on Jeong Yeon-shin.
He had once been the Young Family Head of a great prestigious family.
As a powerful local clan in Jinan, Shandong, the Huangbo Family must have enjoyed status comparable to that of most royal houses. His attitude was understandable.
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly.
“If you belong to Demon Wings’ chain of command, you’re under my command.”
“Are you provoking me?”
Languid Flame Dragon’s eyes, which had held a faint smile, narrowed further.
Dark shadows had always hung beneath them, but now he looked as though he might lie down in a coffin at any moment.
Despite his intense bearing, he looked like a ruined man.
Whoosh!
He twisted his lips amid blazing aura. It was a languid smile. He was as strange as ever.
“What’s this?”
“I’ve never seen him before. Is he going to fight Brother Seom-ye?”
“Let’s tell an adult.”
“Idiot. They’re all out on missions. Brother Jeong is the highest-ranking person here.”
Languid Flame Dragon had shouted loudly from the start. Before long, Demon Wings’ unranked disciples had come out to watch.
A boy a few years older than Jeong Yeon-shin stepped forward and ushered the children away.
“Let’s go behind the hall. He’s obviously a master. We’ll only get in Brother Jeong’s way.”
“But that mister doesn’t even have a color.”
“Just go.”
It was welcome help. The boy had taken over Shin So-bin’s role as the only formal martial artist left at the Demon Wings hall.
Jeong Yeon-shin activated Demon's Light and calculated the possible paths of attack.
He intended to block any route by which the aftermath might reach the children. Fortunately, it was easy.
The space behind Languid Flame Dragon was completely open.
He spoke again.
“Orders flow downward. All Divine Sword Squad combat units work that way.”
Languid Flame Dragon snorted.
“The children are cute. In any case, I’ll soon be thirty. Do I really need to call you leader?”
“Senior is enough.”
“I studied under the Huangbo Family Head. He was such an eccentric old man that I don’t even want to call him Father, but he was one of the oldest living ghosts among the Eight Family Heads. Even by martial-world seniority, what you’re saying is strange...”
That was when Shin So-bin, who had been creeping closer from afar, shouted.
“Senior Seom-ye learned from the Lord of Desolate Fortress!”
“...”
Languid Flame Dragon closed his mouth. Martial-world seniority became meaningless before the elven race.
Every argument had been refuted. Languid Flame Dragon awkwardly parted his lips.
“Even so, my age...”
“An unranked disciple talking like that to a Blue Uniform martial artist?”
Shin So-bin asked with catlike eyes. It was an odd scene.
Jeong Yeon-shin and Languid Flame Dragon faced each other while she stood off to the side with her hands on her hips, watching them with pitch-black eyes.
She looked ready to refute everything Languid Flame Dragon said.
Shin So-bin raised her aura to withstand the space occupied by two masters.
Her long white robe fluttered softly like the garments of a young celestial maiden.
Was it innate courage? She did not seem tense in the slightest.
“My family was still one of the Eight Great Families.”
Languid Flame Dragon kept his gaze on Jeong Yeon-shin as he spoke. Shin So-bin answered instead.
“It was destroyed.”
Her words were brief. Still, Languid Flame Dragon could not turn his head.
Jeong Yeon-shin had already activated the Jeong Family Youth Technique, and a deeply settled aura radiated from him.
He had reached a level where he could be called a high-level master.
He had even slain Clear Qilin, said to be Languid Flame Dragon’s friend. Jeong Yeon-shin was worthy of being called an elite master of a major faction.
“Good grief.”
Languid Flame Dragon furrowed his brow as though this had become terribly tiresome.
“...I have a reputation in the martial world. You must have heard the rumors that I dominated the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.”
“White Qilin dominated it too, and he lost to Senior Seom-ye.”
“Consider my position. I was the Young Family Head of a family.”
“What does a family that no longer exists matter? Senior Seom-ye is the direct disciple of the Lord of Desolate Fortress, while I am the legitimate daughter of the Desolate Shin Family. Senior Seom-ye is a Blue Uniform martial artist, I’m a White Uniform martial artist. And you are...”
Shin So-bin raised the corner of her lips. Her face was brazen.
“You said it yourself earlier. You’re just a small fry, an unranked disciple.”
“...”
“Are you in your right mind? If you entered the main fortress, you should follow its laws. How dare you fail to recognize your place and challenge a Blue Uniform master far above you? Do you want to be thrown back into a corner of the thunder prison? My grandfather was the former Elder Council Head. If I say the word, you’ll just...”
Her sharp rebukes grew fiercer. They sounded like a cat’s piercing cries. The epithet White Cat suited her well.
“...”
Languid Flame Dragon gradually reined in his aura, looking completely speechless. Jeong Yeon-shin kept his guard up, but inwardly felt disappointed.
Jeong Yeon-shin was not an unranked disciple younger than Languid Flame Dragon. He had merely asserted rules and principles as a senior of Demon Wings.
Still, Jeong Yeon-shin had liked how Languid Flame Dragon seemed ready to lunge at him.
‘Without having to resort to a provocation, I thought we might be able to exchange a few moves at full strength.’
The boy thought.
Then he slowly opened his mouth.
“By the way.”
“What now?”
“I only know your epithet. What is your name?”
When a powerful master roamed the martial world, they naturally made a name for themselves.
Usually, though, only their epithet spread. The land was simply too vast.
It was especially true in Xinye County, Henan, where Jeong Yeon-shin came from. Unless a rumor was exceptionally significant, it would never reach there.
Still, it was not normal for a Desolate Fortress martial artist not to know Languid Flame Dragon’s name.
There were only eight Young Family Heads among the Eight Great Families.
‘Even during the mission, I only received a facial-feature portrait and his epithet.’
There was a reason. Even Baek Mir-yeo, Jeong Yeon-shin’s Blue Uniform senior, already knew Languid Flame Dragon had little time left to live.
The reason the Huangbo Family had established Languid Flame Dragon, a child of a concubine, as its heir had become known along with the family’s destruction.
He possessed brilliant talent but was destined to die young. They had considered him a disposable asset, meant to raise the family’s prestige before being replaced.
That was why they had not made the Young Family Head’s name known. They sought fame, yet wanted someone who could be easily erased. It was paradoxical.
Jeong Yeon-shin saw himself in Languid Flame Dragon’s circumstances. That was one reason he kept his distance from the Desolate Ma family, his maternal relatives.
Step.
A pleasant fragrance drifted over. Shin So-bin had come to stand beside him.
Their eyes met, and she gave him a bright smile. For a moment, she seemed less like White Cat and more like a puppy.
Jeong Yeon-shin swallowed his confusion. Asking about her sudden change in attitude would only be troublesome.
While he thought that, she pressed Languid Flame Dragon.
“Senior asked you. Answer him.”
“I don’t feel like telling you.”
Languid Flame Dragon replied. The expression of deep weariness suited him despite his age.
It was likely because his features were so outstanding.
Clear Qilin and White Qilin were the same. The direct descendants of prestigious families were all exceptionally attractive.
Come to think of it, Shin So-bin and Ma Se-in were as well.
‘Appearance is also status, she said.’
It was something Desolate Divine Spear Ak Su-rim, who had accompanied him on the last mission, had said.
Jeong Yeon-shin unconsciously thought of the Lord of Desolate Fortress. There was nothing the Lord lacked.
Noble status, peerless martial arts, and even an endless lifespan. Did such a being have any deficiencies at all?
At the same time, Shin So-bin’s eyes sharpened again.
“What did you say just now? You don’t feel like it? This old man still hasn’t come to his senses?”
“It’s a discarded name. I don’t want to bring misfortune on the Huangbo surname.”
Languid Flame Dragon spoke with a faint smile. He seemed to have regained his composure.
He changed his manner of speaking freely without sounding awkward. He was a difficult man to read.
Jeong Yeon-shin could see why he had endured as the Young Family Head of an enormous prestigious family.
“No prior message arrived. Let’s go to the Chief Steward’s Office first and confirm it. I need to verify that you were truly released from the thunder prison and assigned to Demon Wings.”
Jeong Yeon-shin said.
Languid Flame Dragon had come alone, without even a single attendant from the Chief Steward’s Office.
That was highly unusual. If his words were true, he had clearly shaken off the person assigned to guide him.
At that moment, Shin So-bin’s breath lightly brushed his shoulder.
She was about half a head shorter than Jeong Yeon-shin, and it felt a little burdensome when she stared straight up at him.
“Senior, should I come too?”
“No. The children will be anxious. Calm them down.”
He meant Demon Wings’ unranked disciples. They shared with him the warmth he had never received at the Jeong Family Manor.
Everyone in Demon Wings was like that. He could not help caring about them.
“They’re not even children from ordinary homes.”
Shin So-bin pouted and stepped back reluctantly.
Jeong Yeon-shin met the gaze of Languid Flame Dragon, who was grinning at her.
“Let’s go.”
Confirming the facts came first. Jeong Yeon-shin led Languid Flame Dragon toward the Chief Steward’s Office.
Languid Flame Dragon snorted and followed along lazily, swaggering as he went.
They walked for some time beneath the twilight. They had passed several clusters of halls when someone called out.
“Young Hero Jeong.”
They encountered the Grand Chief Steward. He appeared to be heading into the Chief Steward’s Office hall.
He still had a massive build and vigorous energy.
He seemed utterly removed from the hazy struggle of the fading sunset.
Jeong Yeon-shin calmly raised a fist-and-palm salute.
“Grand Chief Steward. I was just on my way to see you.”
“Ah, I think I know why.”
The Grand Chief Steward smiled broadly. He wore the expression of a man looking upon his son.
He glanced behind Jeong Yeon-shin. Languid Flame Dragon stood there with one leg slightly raised.
“It seems to be because of that friend. Is that right?”
“Yes.”
“The formal assignment is genuine. Languid Flame Dragon will become a powerful blade for Demon Wings. Keeping him under control will be the duty of those above him, but I believe you and Demon Wings can manage him well.”
“...Yes, I understand.”
“As expected, it is not something you can readily accept. Still, the Lord of Desolate Fortress personally examined him. You may set your mind at ease. The Lord’s order is sufficient justification.”
“Ah.”
Jeong Yeon-shin let out a small exclamation.
He pictured the Lord of Desolate Fortress watching Languid Flame Dragon.
Leaning against the massive tree trunk that filled the office, the Lord had gazed at him without releasing a trace of aura.
The image came to him vividly. Languid Flame Dragon, reflected in those deep green eyes that held an abyss, looked pitiful.
They were the eyes of the elven race’s supreme transcendent, said to see through one’s essence.
His doubts faded.
“Thank you for telling me.”
Jeong Yeon-shin offered another fist-and-palm salute and turned to leave. The Grand Chief Steward’s voice stopped him.
“If you have no urgent business, why not come into the Chief Steward’s Office for a moment? I hear a dispatch concerning Demon Wings, who were sent to Sichuan, has just arrived. My subordinates should be looking into it now.”
“May I?”
Jeong Yeon-shin immediately asked. A benevolent smile appeared on the Grand Chief Steward’s face.
“Of course. Since the Lord personally accepted you as a direct disciple, there is no reason to doubt your character. Come with me. By now, they should have deciphered the coded letter.”
“Wait.”
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke briefly. He was not speaking to the Grand Chief Steward.
Languid Flame Dragon’s eyebrows rose at being treated like a dog without warning, but the boy did not look back.
Step.
Jeong Yeon-shin followed the Grand Chief Steward into the Chief Steward’s Office.
The moment he crossed the enormous threshold, voices struck his ears as though they had been waiting for him.
The murmuring voices were calm yet chaotic. At times, they carried an urgent edge.
‘A formation.’
Even with his developed senses, he had not heard them from outside. Jeong Yeon-shin once again realized how vast Desolate Fortress was.
“...Two Demon Wings White Uniforms confirmed dead. Their bodies are being recovered. Twenty-three others, including the Leader of Demon Wings, have gone missing after clashing with an unidentified group.”
“It is presumed that a wide-area martial art was used. Hidden weapon traces were found within a radius of eight jang, roughly twenty-four meters. The marks are all densely packed. It is believed to be the Sichuan Tang Clan’s secret ultimate technique, Full Heaven Flower Rain. Whether they are reinforcements or enemies is unclear.”
“The Tyrant Sword Sect Master has appeared in Long’an Prefecture, Sichuan, accompanied by a Tyrant Sword Sect elder.”
“The younger generation of the Thirteen Heavens has gathered at Sichuan Patrol Office. In addition to the Ten Perfect Sect and the Pure Demon Alliance, many Demonic Sect martial artists are present. Several notable masters have been observed among their guards. They are believed to be at least Blue Uniform level.”
“The Jeomchang Sect’s Little Sword Empress, the Ami Sect’s Golden Staff Divine Maiden, and the Qingcheng Sect’s Red Cloud Dragon have appeared. Three of the Nine Sects. They are also at Sichuan Patrol Office.”
This was Desolate Fortress’s Chief Steward’s Office. News from all under heaven gathered here.
Scholars trained in martial arts discussed matters everywhere, their eyes shining sharply.
“Shouldn’t we send reinforcements?”
“We cannot. The main fortress lacks defensive personnel. Fifteen of the Seventeen Squads are already deployed.”
“The Divine Sword Squad units stationed in Sichuan... Demon Wings, Azure Sky Squad, and Swift Heaven Wing Squad. As of this moment, Demon Wings is to be considered out of action.”
Amid the urgency, a deathly silence spread from one spot.
It was near the entrance. Blue robes fluttered.
Though he stood still, aura surged from him like raging waves, rising toward the ceiling.
It was the presence of one person.
“The judgment that we are out of action...”
His voice, now beginning to deepen with adolescence, resounded.
“Would be best postponed.”
Footnotes:
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