Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time - Chapter 147

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 147: Black Uniform (5)

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Things moved at breakneck speed.

Enormous tents were erected in a circle around the main fortress's central Training Hall.

The Training Hall had always served as more than a place for martial practice. It also hosted various events, including promotion ceremonies.

The seating was arranged so hundreds could sit facing the center.

“A little farther left!”

“Lift on two!”

“We're short one stone pillar! Bring a medium-sized one!”

Dozens of servants, unranked disciples, and White Uniform martial artists carried stone and hoisted enormous lengths of fabric.

Wood was rarely used in Desolate Fortress. They were mindful of the Lord of Desolate Fortress, who belonged to the elven race.

Making a venue from nothing but cloth and stone was no simple task, but the unranked disciples and White Uniform martial artists drew on their formidable cultivation to raise stone pillars throughout the grounds.

Their coordination was remarkable. They worked faster than the laborers mobilized by most government offices.

“I never thought even this kind of menial work would resemble military service. Back when I was my family's nuisance, I couldn't have imagined doing this. It's fun. Very unfun.”

The Languid Flame Dragon babbled whatever came to mind. Some members of Demon Wings had also been drafted as laborers.

Hyeon Won-chang glanced at him.

The Languid Flame Dragon carried a stone pillar as large as his body.

Despite his grumbling, he did the work of more than three ordinary White Uniform martial artists by himself.

He ambled along with his feet turned outward like some carefree young noble, yet his balance never wavered.

“You cultivate your footwork through a strange method.”

After watching the Languid Flame Dragon for a moment, Hyeon Won-chang curled their lip slightly.

The hero’s headband tied around the Imperial Hero's forehead was thick with dust, the result of long hours of labor.

“You're quite something too, Senior Hyeon, if you could see that.”

Shin So-bin gave a small laugh beside them as she carried an armful of stone slabs with astonishing strength.

Like the many young talents of the martial world who cared about their appearance, she wore her neatly braided hair hanging below her waist.

Unlike Hyeon Won-chang, she still looked immaculate. That meant she was skilled in the Body Movement Scripture.

The three had been drafted as the juniors of Demon Wings.

Their age and standing made them suitable for menial work, so they had been dragged here with no easy way to slip away.

“You could carry more, but you aren't. They said you were Jinan's foremost young talent.”

At Hyeon Won-chang's complaint, the Languid Flame Dragon's lips curved upward.

“A person only does work befitting his station. When choosing a sect's young sect leader, one considers both martial arts and public esteem. But no one expects a disciple who has only just joined to maintain a perfect horse stance. Isn't this enough from an unranked disciple? Shouldn't the shame lie with a White Uniform martial artist who can't even put in proper effort?”

“Are you being insolent right now?”

“Don't take frank advice that way. A faction can rot like a stagnant well. That's how my family fell. I said conscripting common people for forced labor was madness, but they treated me like a stray mongrel by the roadside. They ignored me like a dog.”

“Frank advice?”

“Very gentle frank advice, wasn't it? Though you don't seem able to hold a candle to the temporary Squad Leader.”

“So you admit you provoked me. An unranked disciple provoking a White Uniform martial artist.”

Hyeon Won-chang answered the Languid Flame Dragon's sly remark at once.

Perhaps they had no objection to that. The Languid Flame Dragon only raised his brows slightly and parted his lips.

“Ah. So that's what it was.”

Thud!

He drove the stone pillar into the Training Hall floor and continued.

“Anyway, isn't this happening because the faction stubbornly insists on using nothing but stone? A martial artist's duty is to cultivate martial arts and character, pursue Martial Extreme, and make a name through chivalry. Yet after being drafted to haul materials around, not one person complains. How strange.”

He spoke like a stuffy Young Family Head from a prestigious clan. His slow manner of speaking oddly suited him.

Shin So-bin shook her head.

“This isn't just any event. It's a promotion ceremony for Black Uniform. No matter what the result is, the ceremony itself is enormous.”

“I roughly understand. You're saying that's the sect's way.”

“Isn't that obvious? Think of it as the occasion where the chief of Shaolin's Eighteen Arhats or the leader of Mount Hua's Plum Blossom Swordsmen is chosen. No, the main fortress's Squad Leader promotion examination is even greater than that.”

“Hmm.”

“What single faction is bigger than us? It can't help being one of the grandest events in the sect. It's a rare festival. The major factions outside will be watching closely too.”

“I suppose so. Still, it's strange seeing people who would be treated as masters outside silently hauling loads like laborers. Even I find it hard to slack off. Huh? That fellow over there looks unsteady... No, never mind. He has some skill with his feet.”

“The Lord of Desolate Fortress will attend in person. What wouldn't they do? There isn't a single master in the main fortress who doesn't admire the Lord.”

“Well... the Lord was overwhelming in many ways. I only saw the Lord once, though.”

The Languid Flame Dragon had become quite used to speaking casually as though he were talking to himself.

It was likely the greatest change he had undergone since joining Desolate Fortress.

He glanced at the seat of honor. It was the white stone throne where the Lord of Desolate Fortress would sit.

Several layers of marble had been stacked beneath it like an altar.

It had been built there from the start, overlooking the Training Hall.

Around the Lord of Desolate Fortress's armchair, the venue was being arranged like a banquet hall for a major faction.

The Black Uniform Squad Leader promotion examination. The scene foretold a grand ceremony.

“Get back to work.”

Even Shin So-bin had little else to say now. The Huangbo Young Family Head had an uncanny sense for where the line was.

Even as the treasured daughter of the Shin Family, she did not have much to criticize. It would be more accurate to say she had given up.

The Languid Flame Dragon ignored her and suddenly asked, “Has Desolate Fortress's Law Enforcement Squad Leader ever lost in an examination like this? She rarely appears outside the martial world, so even my family only knew that she was extremely powerful.”

Rumors had already spread.

Seom-ye's opponent in the promotion spar had become the greatest topic of interest in recent days.

The moment people heard it was the Law Enforcement Squad Leader, their interest soared. They said it would be a rare match.

“Once.”

As Hyeon Won-chang edged closer, Shin So-bin spoke.

“The current Divine Sword Squad Leader defeated her. Other than that, she's undefeated. The Swift Heaven Wing Squad Leader and Azure Sky Squad Leader lost to the Law Enforcement Squad Leader, then challenged other people. I heard it took them a considerable time before they could try again.”

“She must be incredibly strong. The Azure Sky Squad Leader is an exceptional swordsman I've seen myself.”

“Of course she is. There isn't a Squad Leader who isn't an exceptional master. There are advanced masters even within Black Uniform, but that's not a realm we can discuss. Still, more than that...”

“Is there something else?”

“The Law Enforcement Squad's nature is the problem. She knows the martial arts of every Desolate Fortress martial artist entrusted with an important duty. At least, that's what the rumors say. She has to catch martial artists who break the laws with ease.”

“Like my family's Law Enforcement Court. That place was terrifying.”

“The Law Enforcement Squad Leader has everything. Beauty, character, martial arts, and study of counters. She's the idol of the main fortress's female masters who walk the martial path. Senior Mir-yeo is probably no different.”

Shin So-bin's eyes lost focus for a moment. She looked almost entranced.

The Languid Flame Dragon watched her, then shook his head slightly. None of the children of great families were normal.

“So that's why you don't think the temporary Squad Leader has much of a chance?”

“It's hard to say that either. Though only because of something I know.”

Her eyes immediately cleared. Hyeon Won-chang asked with interest, “Do you have some secret with Young Hero Jeong?”

“Senior Seom-ye said so.”

Shin So-bin spoke as if murmuring to herself.

“He said he didn't reveal his martial arts only for merit. He wanted countermeasures to be developed.”

“As expected. That much I already knew.”

Hyeon Won-chang turned away without lingering.

Their departing steps looked remarkably light, fitting for someone who called themself Jeong Yeon-shin's confidant.

Only the Languid Flame Dragon remained, wanting to hear more.

“He wanted that? Why?”

“I'm not telling you.”

Shin So-bin tilted her head with deliberate mischief, the corner of her mouth curling upward.

The Languid Flame Dragon gave a hollow laugh, as if some absurd girl were acting like a teasing superior.

Thud! Thump!

Time passed amid their chatter. The promotion ceremony venue gradually took shape.

There was a reason they had gone to the trouble of decorating the central Training Hall instead of using a separate platform prepared elsewhere in the vast main fortress.

It was because Black Uniform masters carried that much significance.

They were treasured swords entrusted with part of the missions spanning the vast Central Plains.

Their posts required them to handle entire elite groups from major factions.

The Chief Steward's Office pushed the work forward at incredible speed. They had practically lost two peerless masters of Purple Uniform.

A grand ceremony was a good means of drawing the attention of martial artists and raising morale, so they were creating a promotion ceremony on an unprecedented scale.

Below the sparring platform, hundreds had already taken their assigned seats. An immense pressure pulled the air of the ceremony venue taut.

The space was filled with excitement, curiosity, and tension.

The huge tents arranged in a circle alone resembled a splendid palace event.

There were martial artists with their auras honed to a sharp edge, neatly dressed servants, craftsmen proudly displaying the untidy marks of their labor, and guests invited from various places.

It could not help being noisy.

“Hup! Hah!”

At the central sparring platform, a sword dance was being performed to kindle the atmosphere before the ceremony.

More than a dozen blades drew graceful arcs in synchronized movements.

At one side, performers living in the main fortress plucked zithers and sang.

Verses praising the spirit of martial artists flowed on a beautiful melody. It was ceremonial music that blended with the sword dance.

The masters, though, were too busy talking.

“If we're discussing the traits of Seom-ye’s Lineage, it has to be its flow. The forms aren't prolonged, but they're powerful.”

“That's what I saw as well. It focused on short strikes. It felt as though one had to rely on instinct to judge when to execute the martial art.”

“It didn't seem to value an uninterrupted flow. It gained power in exchange.”

“It’s a martial art specialized for brief, decisive battles. Every form is rushed, as though chased by something...”

“Right. They're all single bursts. Each moment is that much more powerful, but...”

“The weakness is clear. When facing a master, there are two things to remember about that martial lineage. Don't exchange too many moves, and don't give them time to adapt to the martial art.”

“It would be easy to disrupt the rhythm. You'd have to overcome it with adaptability. It seems he has managed well enough so far.”

“That's why he's standing at a Black Uniform promotion ceremony. It means he has seized the instant well in every life-and-death duel. It would be impossible without extraordinary instincts.”

Keen observations flashed back and forth.

Blue Uniform martial artists, along with the few Black Uniform exceptional masters, discussed martial theory.

Most of the main fortress's masters devoted their lives to martial arts and the chivalry of protecting ordinary people. Interesting events like this were rare.

How high was Seom-ye's martial attainment? Could he face the Law Enforcement Squad Leader's martial arts, backed by her study of counters?

Would a new Leader of Demon Wings be born here?

It was the most pressing question. No one present could remain indifferent.

Even the old masters of the Elder Council, who had largely ignored the Blue Uniform promotion ceremonies, attended in force.

“You're early.”

The Swift Heaven Wing Squad Leader, seated near the bottom of the broad, long stairs beneath the seat of honor, suddenly muttered while looking into the air.

A slender figure blocked the sun. Accompanied by the shadow of elegant outstretched arms, it slowly grew larger.

The Body Movement Scripture cutting through the air did not look like something a human could achieve. It called Walking Upon Empty Space to mind.

Flap!

With the sound of a pitch-black robe fluttering, she landed in the center of the sparring platform.

The performers dancing with swords and playing instruments stopped. A beautiful exceptional master of the elven race lightly stepped onto the marble.

Tap.

The long hem of her black robe swept the floor like a court dress. The Law Enforcement Squad Leader had appeared first.

The martial uniforms of Black Uniform Squad Leaders each differed. The Chief Steward's Office reflected the Squad Leaders' preferences.

Rumor had it that the Law Enforcement Squad Leader, who held the Lord of Desolate Fortress in the highest reverence, requested cloth only an inch shorter than the Lord's own garments.

Her robe was the longest among the Seventeen Squad Leaders.

“Oh.”

Hyeon Won-chang's brief exclamation rang out. Seated in a corner due to their low status, they hurriedly covered their mouth.

A master who had fully distilled her clan's innate abilities into martial arts had appeared. Silence fell in an instant.

No main fortress martial artist wished to give the Law Enforcement Squad Leader any reason to dislike them. Not even the Elder Council.

“...”

For a moment, silence hung over the venue. Even the blazing white sunlight seemed to freeze.

Then it happened.

Step.

A boy wearing a Blue Uniform robe slowly ascended.

A path opened through the performers, who had begun to disperse.

Jeong Yeon-shin drew his blue sleeve together slightly as he stepped onto the sparring platform.

He wore two swords at his waist, no different from usual.

“Wow.”

This time, it was Shin So-bin.

Jeong Yeon-shin had bathed, purified himself, and honed both body and aura. He looked immaculate.

On the sparring platform stood a boy swordsman who seemed as though he had stepped from a tale. The blood of his attractive parents was beginning to blossom in him.

There was a touch of loneliness in his eyes, while beneath his dark, sharply sweeping brows sat a cleanly defined bridge of the nose.

Facing the Law Enforcement Squad Leader, whose beauty was rare even among the elven race, he cut a fine figure.

Jeong Yeon-shin watched her briefly, then slowly turned his head.

“You need not observe the formalities.”

Before the boy could speak, a clear voice flowed out first.

The sun was gradually rising above the end of the inner fortress's roof on one side of the Training Hall.

A stone throne rested beneath a thick arborvitae tree.

Brilliant white sunlight slanted through the shade, blazing softly before reaching the Lord of Desolate Fortress's hair and rippling there with the muted color of grass.

A peerless beauty, reclining with her long legs crossed, opened her eyes. Beneath her long, clearly defined lashes, deep-green eyes slowly appeared.

“Think of etiquette when you wear the black robe. You may begin the spar now.”

Her downward gaze was deep. The Lord of Desolate Fortress's eyes remained like an abyss.

They seemed to coil around the boy's upturned gaze.

Swish.

In the meantime, the Law Enforcement Squad Leader had already risen after kneeling on one knee.

Unlike most of the elven race, she had pitch-black eyes. She turned her head, and her black eyes fixed on Jeong Yeon-shin were cold.

It did not seem that emotion lay behind them. Rather, she appeared entirely uninterested in the boy from beginning to end.

‘She's a noble swordsman.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought so the instant he met the Law Enforcement Squad Leader's eyes.

The virtues inherent to a swordsman resided in her completely. The cold composure of a clear mirror and still water.

“...”

Without a sign, the two masters faced each other. They immediately entered the spar.

Neither had the temperament to need lengthy words.

Silence continued.

Only the air between them danced without end. The dry wind sweeping through gradually took on force waves.

The ground was sharply scored. This was a battle between masters capable of producing Force Projection with inner energy alone, without drawing a sword.

Exceptional masters competing for the realm of Black Uniform.

Thump!

A True Step suddenly resounded beneath Jeong Yeon-shin's forceful stomp.

He first drew the Desolate Sword from his waist.

The instant the white blade rose and warped the sunlight, the Law Enforcement Squad Leader's sword strike was already upon him.

Clang!

Jeong Yeon-shin's Desolate Sword shattered in an instant. It was a completely different realm.

The sword that had been with him for so long since he entered Desolate Fortress broke into pieces in a single exchange.

The boy did not panic.

He reached toward the fragments of metal that had been like a close friend.

Petals of light twisted in response to the movement of his palm.

Scattering the sunlight in countless streams, the mnemonic formula of a Divine Technique stirred from the very beginning of the spar.