WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 105: Seom-ye Lineage (5)

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It was something he blurted out in a surge of emotion. The scholars' murmurs pierced not his ears, but his heart.

‘They have not found them? Any of them?’

For the first time, the boy had acted rashly.

To consider Demon Wings outside the fighting force from now on? It was difficult to say such a thing without assuming they had all been wiped out.

Even if every circumstance pointed to that conclusion, Jeong Yeon-shin could not allow himself to make that judgment.

Jeong Family Manor was nothing. Demon Wings was his home.

"Young Hero Seom-ye."

"This is..."

"You have come somewhere you should not have."

Several scholars rose from their seats. They were people who thought well of Jeong Yeon-shin.

Each offered a cupped-fist salute or a silent bow, but their expressions were uneasy despite their upright bearing.

The only available expert among Demon Wings' Blue Uniform martial artists had just heard the staff's conclusion. Anyone would have found it difficult to bear.

"There are twenty-five people in the main force right now, excluding me, Shin So-bin, and Languid Flame Dragon," Jeong Yeon-shin said, forcing his voice to remain calm. "Earlier, I heard Scholar Geum Jo-mun say that two White Uniform martial artists had died. Were you speaking of Demon Wings?"

He had clearly heard someone say they were recovering two bodies.

"..."

"Please tell me."

Jeong Yeon-shin gazed steadily at a scholar standing some distance away.

The Grand Chief Steward, who had been grave beside him, gave a slight nod. Only then did the middle-aged Scholar Geum answer reluctantly.

"...They say the bodies of Cleansing Cloud Sword Yu Eun-eun and Scattered Fist Do Myeong have been found. The unranked disciples of the main fortress's Sichuan branch sent word that they had recovered them."

The boy fell silent. He knew Cleansing Cloud Sword and Scattered Fist of Demon Wings well.

How could he not? Along with Hyeon Won-chang, they were two of the few White Uniform martial artists in Demon Wings.

When Jeong Yeon-shin had first entered in the white martial uniform, they had eagerly shown him around every corner of the main fortress.

After he was promoted to Blue Uniform, they had teasingly begun speaking to him with honorifics.

Whoosh!

His aura stirred faintly.

The Jeong Family Youth Technique had not slipped beyond his control. Rather, the energy that had risen within him distorted of its own accord in response to his turbulent heart.

Jeong Yeon-shin repeated a line from the Vajra Formula.

‘Let the mind arise without dwelling anywhere.’

It was something he had first heard while creating the Demon-Slaying Azure River Hand.

It had been part of the teachings given by Shaolin's Young Divine Monk and Master Won Jong. It had struck him especially deeply at the time.

That was why he had made it one of the key principles of the mental method he had been devising recently.

The boy observed his racing heart.

It was the first inner tempest he had felt since entering the martial world. Grief and rage surged like a violent current.

No. If he wanted revenge, he could not be swept away.

He stepped back from his emotions and looked upon them from a distance. It was familiar to him.

After all, it was how he turned away from his fear of a limited life.

‘I will retaliate. If they have already died and I am too late, cutting off the enemy's heads comes first.’

The boy thought as a martial artist. He completely cast aside Jeong Yeon-shin the person.

At the same time, he felt the aura gathering throughout his body. He opened his mouth again.

"That leaves twenty-three. By missing, do you mean there has been no message by carrier pigeon or courier from the main force, including the Leader of Demon Wings, for over seven days and nights?"

"...That is correct."

The Grand Chief Steward answered while inwardly admiring him. This was a world where mental methods and Static Training were regarded as methods of qi storage.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that only the Nine Sects, as the written terms themselves suggested, cultivated the mind through the circulation and breathing of qi.

How many wastrels in the martial world had learned profound mental methods?

‘He is far too composed for his age.’

He studied Seom-ye. The Grand Chief Steward could not tell how deep the boy's mind ran, but he could sense a temperament honed cold and sharp as a blade.

Combined with the boy's martial talent, what kind of power would that blade unleash?

Even as alarming reports poured in, he was satisfied as the Grand Chief Steward of Desolate Fortress.

That was when it happened.

"Grand Chief Steward."

"Speak."

Grand Chief Steward Im Jin-myeong answered the Lord of Desolate Fortress's young direct disciple.

Jeong Yeon-shin immediately turned his head. Their eyes met.

"Jeong Yeon-shin of Demon Wings requests permission to travel to Sichuan."

"I thought you would say that."

The Grand Chief Steward stroked his beard. His expression showed clear reluctance.

Jeong Yeon-shin continued without concern.

"Assign me a reconnaissance mission. Three of the Nine Sects, three of the Thirteen Heavens, and Tang Sect are all competing for influence there. Are not the Azure Sky Squad and Swift Heaven Wing Squad, who are stationed there, already hard-pressed just holding their positions?"

"There are no forces to spare."

The Grand Chief Steward shook his head.

"There are only two Divine Sword Squad combat units at the main fortress right now. They cannot be pulled away."

"..."

"Besides them, each squad has a few remaining members, but they are all taking their rightful rest. A martial artist's abilities reach their peak not only through tempering, but through rest as well. Most of them completed their missions within the past month. Even this Chief Steward's Office lacks the authority to call them up immediately. That is the law."

It was as sharp as a blade. Both the tone and the meaning were clear. Finally, the Grand Chief Steward concluded with a sigh.

"At present, it is impossible to form a separate martial unit."

He was right. The time of martial artists who had entered their rest period was protected by law.

That was one of Desolate Fortress's defining traits. Experts returning from missions did not devote themselves solely to martial training.

The life of one in the martial world could be extinguished at any time, so many spent their time with family in the main fortress.

"..."

Jeong Yeon-shin closed his mouth.

This was not a matter in which he could rashly make bold claims.

All of Demon Wings' White Uniform, Black Uniform, and Blue Uniform forces, including the Leader of Demon Wings, had vanished.

The incident was too grave for him to contemplate setting out alone.

The Chief Steward's Office would not permit it either.

Would he simply stay still, then? No.

"If usable forces can be assembled, will you permit the mission?"

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke. The Grand Chief Steward raised his brows, then readily nodded.

"It is something we should naturally seek a solution for as well."

"I know."

In truth, he desperately wanted to call upon the Lord of Desolate Fortress. Yet it was a name he could not dare speak.

As the guardian of the World Tree, a sacred relic of the elven race, she was the most revered person in the main fortress. No one could dare discuss her movements.

The Lord of Desolate Fortress never moved lightly.

That was even more true without a clear and immense objective, such as the main headquarters of the Blood Flame Sect.

‘Just because she treats me specially does not mean I can cross that line.’

The boy suppressed his urge to depend on an absolute being.

"I will gather people."

Had he expected those words? The Grand Chief Steward nodded once more.

Step.

That was the end of it. Jeong Yeon-shin turned at once. The hem of his blue robe swept sharply behind him.

The scholars of the Chief Steward's Office watched in silence and saw him off.

* * *

He did not head toward the Demon Wings pavilion. Instead, he turned in the opposite direction. Languid Flame Dragon, who had been standing outside with a sullen look, asked in confusion.

"Where are you going... sir?"

"Desolate Ma family."

It was a short answer.

When he had returned to the main fortress, Ma Yeon-jeok had urged him to do something.

He had told Jeong Yeon-shin to come to the Ma family and hear Ju Yeon-jeong's apology.

The boy moved, ready to grasp at even a straw.

"It looks like something pretty serious has happened. Your expression is not normal. Ah, I am talking to myself."

Languid Flame Dragon grinned as he fell into step beside him. He seemed full of interest in Jeong Yeon-shin.

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke indifferently.

"Your assignment has been confirmed. You can return to the pavilion."

"No, no. Let us go together. I hate being bored, and this looks more interesting."

Languid Flame Dragon answered with laughter in his voice. Jeong Yeon-shin ignored him and kept walking in silence. He had no room to trade words with Languid Flame Dragon.

After walking for a long time without speaking, they arrived at the main gate of the Desolate Ma family.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked up at the ancient plaque. The inscription read, 'Ma Family Annex.'

‘The last time I saw this place...’

It had been when Hyeon Won-chang devised a scheme that put Ju Yeon-jeong in trouble. Cheong Myeong and Baek Mir-yeo had been there as well.

Every familiar place carried the scent of Demon Wings. His heart had already reached Sichuan.

The boy decided that he would use any means necessary.

"Young Master Jeong."

One of the gatekeepers, who had been whispering among themselves with uneasy expressions, stepped forward.

The gatekeeper cautiously approached Jeong Yeon-shin and gestured behind them. Their conduct was exceedingly respectful.

"We were ordered to guide you inside immediately whenever you arrived. Please come in. But the person beside you is...?"

"My servant."

"Ah, I see. Of course, you may bring him along."

The gatekeeper answered with a faint, tense smile. Jeong Yeon-shin silently nodded and stepped forward.

He paid no attention to Languid Flame Dragon, who was staring at him from the side with an incredulous expression.

The Desolate Ma family's grounds looked as they always had.

The regularly tended gardens were green, and the pavilions of the inner compound stood in neat rows.

Jeong Yeon-shin advanced without hesitation. He had already asked for the elders of his maternal family to be summoned.

"Yeon-shin!"

The message had traveled quickly. Ma Se-in had already come out to meet him.

Sharp eyes and a handsome face. Ma Se-in was the heir to the Desolate Ma family.

The stern dignity unique to a great family vanished the moment Ma Se-in saw Jeong Yeon-shin. His bright smile was almost picturesque.

"I heard you returned! It has not been many days since you came back, so I was only watching for the right time. Everyone probably was."

He welcomed him warmly. Was it because Jeong Yeon-shin had offered words of blessing at Ma Se-in's coming-of-age ceremony, which Jeong Yeon-shin himself could barely remember now?

Leaving aside the influence wielded by Ju Yeon-jeong, a collateral descendant of the imperial family, Ma Se-in's favor toward him seemed to grow by the day.

At a glance, there was even a hint of admiration in the way Ma Se-in looked at Jeong Yeon-shin.

"You have no idea how much interest there is in Seom-ye of Demon Wings these days. You are the talk of the main fortress. Give it a few more days, and people will start visiting the Demon Wings pavilion in person to ask you for martial advice."

He spoke with a smile. Jeong Yeon-shin silently nodded.

Ma Se-in looked him over with smiling eyes, then glanced at Languid Flame Dragon.

Languid Flame Dragon had stopped following behind Jeong Yeon-shin and was surveying the Ma family's pavilions.

"Who is the person behind you? His presence is unusual."

"My servant."

"Mm... I see. How about we talk as we walk inside? As you know, the elders here do not spend long making preparations such as changing clothes."

"All right."

Jeong Yeon-shin began walking beside Ma Se-in.

Then his gaze fell upon the jade stone in his collateral cousin's hand.

It was the size of a child's fist, a piece of blue-green jade carrying a strange energy. Its sea-like color was beautiful.

Ma Se-in immediately noticed his gaze and gave a faint laugh.

"It is called Spirit-Treasured Jade. It can tell you how pure the inner energy you have cultivated is. The martial artists of the main family mainly use it while practicing Static Training, to check the density of their inner energy."

"I have never heard of such an object."

"It was made by the dwarven race."

Languid Flame Dragon suddenly cut in. The servant act suited his mocking expression remarkably well.

"Our master could hardly know of it. You cannot obtain one without ties to the dwarven race, and it is apparently a consumable."

"A consumable?"

"An excellent observation."

Ma Se-in smiled slightly. It seemed he had never believed that Languid Flame Dragon was a servant to begin with.

"Yeon-shin, this is how you use it."

It happened in an instant. Cracks formed in the Spirit-Treasured Jade held between Ma Se-in's fingers.

Fine lines spread across the entire jade stone like parched earth split by drought.

"You simply send in one strand of inner energy, keeping its amount fixed so no aura is produced. The purer the energy, the more cracks it makes. That is why it is called a consumable."

"I see."

Jeong Yeon-shin answered. Under normal circumstances, it would have been an object that intrigued him.

Not now.

All he could see were Ju Yeon-jeong, the many elders of the Desolate Ma family, and his maternal grandfather, Ma Yeon-jeok, walking toward him from afar.

"I will give you one. If you observe its interior, you might find it interesting."

Even then, Ma Se-in placed another Spirit-Treasured Jade in Jeong Yeon-shin's hand.

Did Ma Se-in feel indebted to Jeong Yeon-shin for giving up his position as heir long ago?

He seemed to want to give him something, anything.

At last, Jeong Yeon-shin faced the elders of the Desolate Ma family. Ma Yeon-jeok spoke with an expression as though he might embrace him at once.

"Yeon-shin. Thank you so much for coming. It seems Se-in has already given you Spirit-Treasured Jade. It is quite a pleasing sight."

"Grandfather."

When Jeong Yeon-shin gave a formal cupped-fist salute, the wrinkles at the corners of Ma Yeon-jeok's mouth drooped. He seemed disappointed.

That was when it happened.

"Seom-ye."

A woman in a pitch-black palace robe parted her lips. Her face had aged with remarkable grace, and supreme dignity flowed from her.

Ju Yeon-jeong of the imperial family. Ma Se-in's mother.

She was a martial artist who had mastered the imperial family's Golden Immortal Eight Methods to its utmost level.

Even her gaze was lofty. The bearing of the Desolate Ma family's elders standing behind her was no less imposing.

Each quietly watched Jeong Yeon-shin.

The pressure was immense. The waves of aura approaching without intent were like a tidal surge.

"I greet the elders of my maternal family."

After greeting them as well, the boy glanced at his right hand. Moonlight shimmered within the Spirit-Treasured Jade that he held loosely.

"I came to make a demand, exercising the rights of a neglected blood relative."

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly. At the same time, he raised a strand of qi to withstand their presence.

Perhaps it would be better if he showed them something.

Without a trace of aura, the inner energy of the Jeong Family Youth Technique flowed into the Spirit-Treasured Jade.

The jade reacted immediately. It did not crack as it had when Ma Se-in demonstrated it.

It simply vanished.

Sssaaa...

It scattered upward like dust.

Soft moonlight shimmered in the powder rising over Jeong Yeon-shin's hand like vapor.

Footnotes:

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