WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 149: Black Uniform (7)

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Whoosh!

The force wave circling Northern Light dispersed completely.

Wind rippled outward, lifting the hems of Jeong Yeon-shin's sleeves before scattering away.

It no longer resembled a place where music had played and sword dances had been performed.

A gentle breeze blowing through the heat haze of the scorching summer sun swept over the boy. The scene was bright and tranquil.

The audience seated beneath the silk tents surrounding the massive duel platform remained silent. It was a silence filled with every sort of emotion.

Awe, excitement, curiosity, and even a trace of regret. They watched the boy who would don Desolate Fortress's Black Uniform at the youngest age in its history.

It was Desolate Fortress's greatest event in recent memory.

The promotion ceremony for a Black Uniform Squad Leader was not yet over.

Had the duel ended with the Law Enforcement Squad Leader's counsel, the crowd would have had to depart as well.

A challenger's defeat meant the promotion ceremony would end early. Yet Seom-ye had defeated the Law Enforcement Squad Leader, so that would not happen.

By custom, the ceremony would continue in grand fashion.

Unlike Desolate Fortress's masters, who openly displayed their feelings as martial artists, the young servants and unranked disciples were simply thrilled.

They would be able to enjoy rare delicacies and the festive atmosphere a little longer.

Only the solemn air kept them from breaking into cheers.

There were other children as well, around fifteen young martial artists dressed in unranked robes.

Their faces were more flushed than anyone else's. The sword-bearing girl and several boys wearing hand wraps even looked exhilarated.

"Honestly, I didn't see a thing. Brother Yeon-shin's swift sword is fast to begin with, but..."

"He went easy on us. Our matches were always training spars."

"Right. If Brother Seom-ye had been serious, we wouldn't have seen even one strike from the start."

"So does that mean Brother Yeon-shin will be sitting in the Squad Leader's room now? We can visit often, right? I saw lots of sweets in the tea cabinet. Are they all ours now?"

"Didn't Captain Ma set those aside? Captain Ma gave me one every time I came by."

Demon Wings' unranked disciples whispered among themselves.

They sat huddled beneath the silk awning, watching Jeong Yeon-shin.

Their eyes gleamed in the sunlight, unable to hide their excitement.

As long as they were not criticizing the series of duels, they were free to speak as they wished.

Desolate Fortress was a faction that valued freedom within its laws. The Law Enforcement Squad's blades and spears only fell upon those who broke them.

Seom-ye Jeong Yeon-shin had led the Returning Wings Squad and Demon Wings on the journey to Sichuan and the return trip.

That meant he had earned the recognition of established masters. The voices of the unranked disciples, who would become the next generation's fighting force, mattered as well.

Their conversation proved Seom-ye's popularity. No one stopped them.

"The mood has shifted. It seems Demon Wings has already accepted him."

"He could sit in a stone seat at Wonpyeong One Sword Hall this instant."

"What matters is how today ends."

Most martial artists now had their eyes on the Law Enforcement Squad Leader.

Even if the result was clear, being acknowledged by the other party was another matter.

She had already offered counsel against the duel.

That counsel no longer suited the outcome. The glittering shards of sword around her and Jeong Yeon-shin proved it.

They flickered noisily beneath the clear sunlight, as if playfully trembling.

They showed how thoroughly the Law Enforcement Squad Leader's dignity had been shattered.

If she refused to concede, she might have to duel again under the Lord of Desolate Fortress's command.

The boy had already removed his hand from Northern Light, but the Law Enforcement Squad Leader remained still with her broken sword in hand.

She simply stood there blankly for a moment, her usual indifferent expression broken.

Her shock was plain to see. Was the result truly that startling for the leader of the Law Enforcement Squad?

Perhaps her earlier misjudgment had left her confused.

"......"

The Law Enforcement Squad Leader's arm slowly lowered.

The hand of that noble swordswoman trembled slightly, unlike before. It was nothing like the powerful unity of sword and self she had displayed during the duel.

The sword-gripping method she had shown as a supreme swordswoman had lost all its strength.

She slowly parted her lips.

"......I lost."

Her pitch-black robes fluttered listlessly. Together with the sword broken in half, they created a strange impression.

"It was a good duel. Thank you."

Jeong Yeon-shin cupped his fist toward her. Despite his proper manners, his expression was indifferent.

It was even colder than the expression the Law Enforcement Squad Leader had worn before the duel. He almost looked cold.

The boy worked to conceal his true feelings.

'That Blue Uniform expert on their side would have been more helpful.'

It felt as though he had expected a new plaything and received a shoddy old one instead.

Perhaps this was how a child born into a harmonious family sometimes felt.

He was resentful enough for the thought of a situation he had never experienced to occur to him.

He had somehow managed to utter words he did not mean. Good duel, indeed.

Those watching sighed in admiration at Jeong Yeon-shin.

"Look at that expression. He's incredibly cool-headed. Such bearing is rare in a swordsman."

"He doesn't even seem that pleased. Was he looking forward to the duel more than the promotion?"

"The Law Enforcement Squad Leader did not have time to reveal all her true, profound arts. Seom-ye Jeong Yeon-shin. If he remains so humble even before becoming a Squad Leader, Demon Wings may truly rise again."

"Isn't he just sulking? I can tell at a glance. That's exactly the face I used to make at my family's worthless fools."

No one paid attention to the Languid Flame Dragon's muttering. The eyes of the Demon Wings masters with him all lifted at once.

The Lord of Desolate Fortress was rising from the grand preceptor's chair.

Rustle.

The hem of her light green martial robe brushed against the stone seat. The faint sound rang out with unusual clarity.

It was like the moment the boy had sheathed Northern Light.

Everyone's gaze gathered on her unhurried movements.

It was as though she wore something that drew in the gazes of all. Her bearing carried a transcendent quality.

"......"

Silence fell once more. It was a silence with a dreamlike quality.

The Lord of Desolate Fortress rose fully to her feet.

Her pale skin shone with a dreamlike radiance. The sunlight resting upon her face seemed to whisper in white.

As though it had brought the stillness of a deep forest here and draped it over the place like a curtain.

"Seom-ye has proven his qualifications."

The Lord of Desolate Fortress spoke.

"Since Un So-yu has admitted defeat, Seom-ye Jeong Yeon-shin shall be deemed to possess skill worthy of the Black Uniform."

"......"

"I permit the promotion ceremony to proceed."

At her words, the surroundings began to stir.

The tension completely broke. Some people even rushed toward the duel platform.

Most were Demon Wings masters and unranked disciples. In an instant, they surrounded Jeong Yeon-shin.

"What was that just now? Did you counter a counterform? How did you even think of using force waves like that?"

"It looked like you blocked the sword path with some supernatural ability. Did you awaken the power of thought used by practitioners of sorcery arts? It makes no sense for that to be a Force Projection technique created through pure internal energy. I can only barely accept it because it was you."

"It will be difficult to speak so casually once you're a Squad Leader, so we should praise you while we can."

"Surely your first mission won't be a solo one, right? Being led by such a young Squad Leader would be a new experience!"

Law Enforcement Squad Leader Un So-yu kept her head lowered until the Lord of Desolate Fortress sat down again.

She did not look dejected. It seemed to be a gesture of respect for the Fortress Lord.

When she finally raised her face, she looked straight to the side.

"My counsel to the Fortress Lord was rash. It must have felt insulting to you."

Un So-yu spoke. Her black eyes, quietly fixed on Jeong Yeon-shin, shone softly.

"I apologize. I misjudged you. I am truly sorry."

"Sister So-yu is talking to him. Back off, all of you. Quickly."

Cheong Myeong pulled the gathered companions away while scolding them. There was considerable strength in his grip.

The elven race swordsman was recovering from the injuries suffered in the City of Master Craftsmen at an astonishing rate.

Jeong Yeon-shin was swept this way and that by the hands of his seniors and juniors before raising his head.

Even if Demon Wings' atmosphere was like wind racing across a field, its hierarchy remained strict.

The hands that had been fussing over the boy's hair, shoulders, and waist fell away.

They withdrew in an instant so the incoming Squad Leader and the current Squad Leader could speak.

Un So-yu greeted Cheong Myeong with her eyes before turning back. Her pitch-black pupils held Jeong Yeon-shin alone.

"As the Law Enforcement Squad Leader, I cannot rashly promise to make amends for my wrong to you. Please understand that I must uphold the Middle Way."

"Of course."

The boy answered briefly. At the same time, the Law Enforcement Squad Leader's black hair flowed down like silk.

She was bowing in apology to Jeong Yeon-shin.

"And."

She slowly raised her head and parted her lips.

"If the opponent had been a lesser martial artist instead."

"Hm...?"

"That was what you said a moment ago. I want to know what you meant."

"......"

Facing the Law Enforcement Squad Leader, the boy was unusually flustered.

If the opponent had been a lesser martial artist, it would have been more helpful.

The wording itself was not harsh, but it was close to an insult.

When Jeong Yeon-shin had carelessly voiced his inner thoughts, it could have seemed like mere regret from the victor. Now, it was likely to be understood as what he had truly meant.

He had destroyed the Law Enforcement Squad Leader's countering sword form that thoroughly.

This was serious.

He had been managing his reputation in preparation for ascending to the position of Divine Sword Squad Leader. He had done so ever since entering Desolate Fortress.

He needed to be even more careful because the other party was the enforcer of the main fortress's laws.

Desolate Fortress was a military-like faction that served its Fortress Lord as a Prince of Commandery. Getting involved in an unsavory matter would be troublesome.

Since he would have to devote great effort to achievements and personnel relationships, the Law Enforcement Squad Leader was someone he should either avoid entirely or build a very close relationship with.

'This is the real crisis.'

Cold sweat formed on Jeong Yeon-shin's neck. It was rare for that to happen.

The boy blamed himself. Careless fool. His former self, when he had still worn White Uniform, had been far better at hiding his thoughts.

How had this happened? It felt like the journey to Sichuan had ruined his temperament.

Was it because he had watched Ma Jin lose an arm and Ma Yeon-jeok grow weak?

'Maybe it's because my arms and legs have changed in length lately. The slight shift in the distance between my sword domain and Hand Arts keeps bothering me. That must be why I'm irritable, as a martial artist.'

He tried to reflect on it, but that was not what mattered now.

His inner self whispered that he needed to mind his conduct. His upper dantian seemed to blaze white-hot.

With his eyes moving at extreme speed, the Languid Flame Dragon was the first person to enter his sight.

That man was quite skilled at smooth social maneuvering. Yet the targets of that conduct were usually enemies he would fight to the death.

At least, that was how the Languid Flame Dragon acted before Jeong Yeon-shin. It meant he was good at provoking people.

Useless Languid Flame Dragon. Shaking his head inwardly, the boy quickly shifted his gaze.

Namgung Hwa-shin, who possessed a clear-headed disposition, came into view. Namgung Hwa-shin was speaking with junior Shin Bin-bin.

Shin Bin-bin's proud eyes had drooped as she faced Namgung Hwa-shin.

She appeared afraid that the senior she admired might transfer to Demon Wings. It was none of Jeong Yeon-shin's concern.

'Young Hero Namgung is too straightforward.'

Namgung Hwa-shin was better than the Languid Flame Dragon. Still, Namgung Hwa-shin was not someone to imitate right now.

The next person to enter his sight was Hyeon Won-chang. Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes widened.

His mind brightened. In his head, the pages of a book recording his experiences began to turn.

His Baihui acupoint stirred as he began to review Hyeon Won-chang's words and actions.

This was how the boy had grown. The companions around him had been precious nourishment. They would continue to be so.

"It was because the Squad Leader was too formidable."

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke, adopting Hyeon Won-chang's usual expression of earnest sincerity.

"I was at a loss over how to counter a sword art that changed without end, and as a martial artist, I entertained a shameful thought. It took great courage to cast aside those distracting thoughts and cross swords with the Squad Leader again."

"Hm......"

Law Enforcement Squad Leader Un So-yu tilted her head slightly.

It was a tiny, puzzled motion. Yet she did not question him further. She had no time to.

Tring.

The banquet began.

The performers returned. Soft strings played as music flowed through the air, while the dignified Grand Chief Steward stood beside the Fortress Lord's stone seat and recited Jeong Yeon-shin's achievements.

It was a time to list his accomplishments one by one.

The paper, decorated with layers of antique green silk, was quite long. Yet the many masters listened to the boy's achievements without the slightest sign of boredom.

"...Thus, he broke the Two-Flame Blood Spirit Formation at the Blood Flame Sect's main headquarters. During the duel against the Namgung Family, he killed Changnyeong Flower Lord Namgung Mi in a single exchange, then defeated and killed Young Family Head Namgung Se-jin."

When the account reached the City of Master Craftsmen, the Qizhou Branch, and Tang Family Fort, the reactions changed again.

The occasional exclamations sank into silence.

Events that had only been the subject of rumors until now had been organized by the Chief Steward's Office and clearly revealed.

His achievement in finding the City of Master Craftsmen, rejoining Demon Wings, then killing the Sword Scorpion Demon and the Pure Demon Divine Hand in succession, was announced before the audience.

The account was extremely detailed.

It covered the extermination of the remaining elites of the Pure Demon Alliance and Ten Perfect Sect, who had attacked the Qizhou Branch; the complete cooperation secured with the Sichuan Tang Clan, whose stance had been unclear; and the process behind driving back the Blood Flame Sect and Ten Perfect Sect at Tang Family Fort.

It was an announcement that made everyone realize what kind of person would take a Squad Leader's seat. No one could deny it.

"...Thus, Seom-ye's name shall be inscribed in Wonpyeong One Sword Hall of the Divine Sword Squad's Seventeen Squads."

"......"

The promotion ceremony fell completely quiet.

Then the Grand Chief Steward spoke again, far more respectfully than before.

His carefully lowered voice differed from earlier. The Grand Chief Steward faced the Lord of Desolate Fortress.

"I believe it would be proper for him to fill a stone seat at Wonpyeong One Sword Hall alongside Ma Jin for the time being and learn the affairs of the Black Uniform rank at the Squad Leader Assembly. Ma Jin will have much to teach and hand over beside him."

"Is there a long robe prepared?"

She asked calmly. The Grand Chief Steward immediately bowed.

"My apologies. It was difficult to predict how the result would turn out..."

"Seom-ye will sit in a stone seat from this day onward. It would be best for him to borrow Ma Jin's black robe."

"I shall ask Seom-ye and have a new long robe made."

The Lord of Desolate Fortress nodded slightly, and her gaze moved.

Jeong Yeon-shin was reflected in eyes that seemed to hold the principles of all things under heaven.

They looked as if they could draw in even a soul. Facing those dark green eyes, the boy straightened his posture.

She slowly parted her lips.

"I command you."

For the first time, the word command was spoken. Wearing tattered clothes, Jeong Yeon-shin knelt on one knee and lowered his head.

The faded, sun-bleached blue hem of his robe fluttered slightly before settling.

The Lord of Desolate Fortress's lips formed a small curve.

"Conduct yourself henceforth as the master of Demon Wings."

"...The Leader of Demon Wings accepts the command."

Footnotes:

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