WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Episode 150: Contact
──────
A newly risen expert had ascended to the Black Uniform of the Demon Wings.
The news spread in an instant, along with word that the youth had only just passed fifteen.
It was a marvel no one had ever heard of.
Even in the martial world, said to be filled with incomprehensible mysteries, it was exceptionally strange. His talent, accomplishments, and martial prowess were all extraordinary.
Even the city center of Xiangyang Prefecture surrounding the main fortress was in an uproar. Naturally so.
An expert comparable to the leaders of the Nine Sects’ martial forces had emerged.
It was an event that would put not only all of Huguang, but even the major factions throughout the Central Plains, on alert.
That was what a Squad Leader of Desolate Fortress was.
‘Hm.’
Jeong Yeon-shin keenly felt that the world around him had changed through the hands carefully examining his entire body.
A middle-aged man in indigo silk robes was inspecting the youth’s build as though he had trained hand techniques.
“Please extend your arm this way.”
Despite his fierce appearance, his speech and manner were respectful. It was as though he were attending to a superior.
Jeong Yeon-shin silently raised his right arm. At the slightest gesture, the man bent his knees slightly and measured its length.
He lightly pinched either end of a silk cord and held it from the youth’s shoulder to his wrist.
Every movement was remarkably meticulous. It was clear at a glance that he was not treating the task lightly.
“You seem accustomed to this.”
The Grand Chief Steward spoke. The ends of his jet-black beard curled up slightly.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not answer. There was nothing to say. He had come after receiving a message from Grand Chief Steward Im Jin-myeong.
After settling his remarkable accomplishments at the Chief Steward’s Office’s main hall, he had arrived at the annex and found himself in this situation.
The office in the annex, faintly scented with raw wood, differed from usual. A tailor said to be from Xiangyang’s finest cloth shop was waiting for him.
Merchants who dealt in cloth usually only bought and sold fabric, but Xiangyang Prefecture had developed its logistics and way of life in many ways.
That was because the enormous Desolate Fortress had taken root there.
Even White Uniform martial artists received their salaries in silver. The city could not help but thrive.
“Come to think of it, I heard Squad Leader Jeong was born into a great landowning family. So…”
“I am pretending to be calm.”
Jeong Yeon-shin answered quietly.
The Grand Chief Steward had spoken lightly of Jeong Family Manor, but Yeon-shin was not offended.
If anything, it made him feel more at ease. The head of the Chief Steward’s Office, seated off to one side as he watched the youth, was experienced.
The rhythm and manner of his speech soothed the young expert’s heart enough for the youth to voice a small concern.
“Lately, I feel as though my cultivation has grown shallow. It troubles me somewhat.”
The Grand Chief Steward laughed from his seat.
“That is natural at Squad Leader Jeong’s age. It is the time when one thinks of spring. It is an age when one can resent even what is reasonable, so how much more so in the martial world, filled with proud martial artists? It is also the age when, after young talents around twenty who hold great ambitions, inexperienced youngsters die away from home the second most often.”
“Die away from home.”
Jeong Yeon-shin repeated the words.
“That is what this old man has seen, at least…”
His smile deepened as he gazed at the youth.
“But such concerns are suited to newly risen talents of the same age. Your martial arts are powerful enough to belie your age. Your standing is also beyond comparison.”
“It is too soon to call my martial arts powerful.”
The youth spoke while thinking of the other Squad Leaders. The Grand Chief Steward shook his head.
“A Leader of Demon Wings of the Divine Sword Squad naturally stands among the upper ranks even in the vast martial world. Even at a Martial Alliance Assembly, you will have no reason to sit alongside young rising talents. That is enough. Surely Squad Leader Jeong would not speak arrogantly to the sect leaders of the Nine Sects or the Lords of the Thirteen Heavens.”
“…”
It was a remark that gave him something to think about. As Jeong Yeon-shin fell silent, the middle-aged tailor stepped away from his side.
“We are finished.”
“To make clothing with heavenly silkworm silk, I would normally need at least a month. But I hear your mission is urgent, so I will reduce it to seven days. It will be possible if I set aside my other work.”
They said he was a craftsman rare under Heaven. Every Black Uniform long robe of Desolate Fortress had been woven by his hands.
He made garments impervious to blades and swords, garments that ordinary force waves could not so much as scratch.
He only acted humbly before the Grand Chief Steward of Desolate Fortress and the Leader of Demon Wings. Among the common people of Xiangyang Prefecture, he was a master craftsman and wealthy man who lacked nothing under Heaven.
“Thank you, Master Jang.”
Jeong Yeon-shin returned the courtesy with a fist-and-palm salute.
“The honor is mine. I know of your record, having taken the heads of countless blood demons. It is an honor to have touched the person of such a noble hero.”
The craftsman surnamed Jang bowed with a composed expression.
Jeong Yeon-shin found it difficult to endure such an embarrassing response. He immediately turned toward the Grand Chief Steward.
“My eye level and arm length change every day. Even if I have clothes made like this, I will soon need new ones. Is it truly all right to repeat this so many times? Heavenly silkworm silk is no ordinary material.”
“It is not something you need concern yourself with as the Leader of Demon Wings. The main fortress’s wealth comes from all under Heaven. The Son of Heaven is on our side, so what does it matter if you have several outfits made from a bit of cloth? It has always been that way. Squad Leaders do not fight only overwhelming battles, after all.”
The Grand Chief Steward spoke calmly. His words made the youth nod.
Commissioning a new long robe made him realize the standing of the Leader of Demon Wings. Before returning to the martial world, he had also received the Grand Chief Steward’s advice.
He had just finished settling the accomplishments he had earned in Sichuan.
They said they would deliver greater rewards than ever before.
He had also heard that wealth would be piled up at the Demon Wings residence. An exceptional-grade elixir pill had been sent through Cheong Myeong, the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword.
‘Ordinary spiritual medicines for replenishment will not help much anymore. The density of the Record of the Dharma Light Wheel is too high.’
The youth thought. Would an exceptional-grade item be different?
After thanking the Grand Chief Steward, he left the Chief Steward’s Office. They said Law Enforcement Squad martial artists would be guarding the rewards delivered to his hall.
He felt sorry for his seniors, who would be stuck with those enforcers of rules everyone avoided.
Yet the youth headed in the exact opposite direction from his residence.
Step.
His footsteps continued.
The Squad Leaders of Desolate Fortress were not entirely free. Unlike when he was a Blue Uniform, his schedule had been arranged. This time, he had to attend a Squad Leader Assembly.
It was to be held at Wonpyeong One Sword Hall, a hall deep within the vast main fortress. It was where he had confronted the Swift Heaven Wing Squad Leader before.
‘The mission has been decided, and they said we would discuss the details.’
Now that every martial artist remaining in the main fortress knew his face through the Black Uniform promotion ceremony, he drew the eyes of everyone he passed.
Some whispered with flushed faces. Girls his age and experts touching their swords were no different.
Unlike when he was a Blue Uniform, though, no one let their competitive spirit get the better of them and challenged him to a spar. No one rashly approached him either.
The youth walked with a faint sense of satisfaction.
‘Nothing bothersome. This is comfortable.’
The hierarchy of Squad Leaders was absolute.
* * *
Usually, only around three martial forces under the Divine Sword Squad were stationed at the main fortress.
There were those who said even that left many behind, considering they had to maintain order throughout the vast martial world.
Some Squad Leaders never saw one another while serving in their posts.
That was why the number of Black Uniform experts currently inside Desolate Fortress was so unusual.
The deputy leader of the Divine Sword Squad.
The Law Enforcement Squad Leader, Leader of Demon Wings, Azure Sky Squad Leader, Swift Heaven Wing Squad Leader, and Annihilation Squad Leader.
Including the former Leader of Demon Wings, there were seven Black Uniform martial artists alone. Add their respective martial forces, and they became a fighting force unmatched anywhere under Heaven.
There was a reason some Squad Leaders operating outside had returned to the main fortress. They needed to discuss the Martial Alliance Assembly.
The stated purpose of forming the assembly was Desolate Fortress’s use of force.
With famine and the martial world’s circumstances changing rapidly, only three seats at Wonpyeong One Sword Hall could not remain occupied.
Yet there was an unwelcome guest. At least, that was how Jeong Yeon-shin saw it.
“Jeomchang?”
The youth murmured.
Before a round table surrounded by eighteen stone seats sat the Jeomchang Sect’s senior disciple, in a separate chair set to one side of the massive table. Her face was beautiful as she smiled at Jeong Yeon-shin.
Sunlight streamed through the windows and brushed over the marble seats.
The light reflecting off the pale stone seats touched her cheek.
“It is good to see you. That spar was very impressive.”
A woman with a vacant-looking face waved her hand. Chwi So-ok, the Little Sword Empress.
She had accompanied them when they returned from Sichuan, then even observed the Black Uniform promotion ceremony.
She showed no sign of leaving, but Jeong Yeon-shin thought that might be for the best.
The Martial Alliance Assembly was an unknown place. Orthodox martial arts he had never encountered would be everywhere. The same went for experts of the orthodox sects.
Since she had safely escorted the Purple Uniform veterans to the main fortress, the Jeomchang Sect’s senior disciple would make a decent ally.
‘It is enough if she takes my side when needed. As the senior disciple of one of the Nine Sects, her voice will carry weight in the alliance as well.’
As he gave the Little Sword Empress only a slight nod, the corners of her lips curled upward strangely.
She seemed somewhat excited. She was an unusual person.
Though it was difficult to guess her thoughts, she openly showed favor toward Jeong Yeon-shin.
The Seventh Apostle came to mind.
‘…I should not entrust my back to her. Nor should I ask her for favors.’
He had received kindness from someone he had considered an enemy several times already. He did not want to add to the confusion.
He turned away from the Little Sword Empress, and his smiling uncle entered his view.
“Chwi So-ok of Jeomchang is here as a consultant. Yeon-shin, sit as well.”
Ma Jin tapped the seat beside him. Unlike the Little Sword Empress, he meant for Yeon-shin to take a stone seat.
It was only natural as a Squad Leader of Desolate Fortress. Jeong Yeon-shin sat beside his uncle.
“The clothes suit you well.”
It was a woman’s voice. The breath mixed into it was firm.
He could tell from that single sentence how deeply she had cultivated her internal art.
Jeong Yeon-shin turned his head, slightly surprised.
Un So-yu, the Law Enforcement Squad Leader, was staring at him with her jet-black eyes.
She had greeted him. Had his earlier conduct, when he thought of Hyeon Won-chang, produced the result he wanted?
The youth became conscious of his clothing once more.
It was a Black Uniform long robe with the lower part of its left sleeve torn away. He had separately asked his uncle for it when Ma Jin tried to lend him new clothes.
“It suits your particular aura. It is not ugly. Along with your signature ultimate techniques, it looks as though it could become a symbol of your own.”
“My particular aura?”
“Dry and still. Like an old master who has lived out a full life.”
After answering briefly, she fell silent.
Looking at the other Squad Leaders and his uncle, Jeong Yeon-shin seemed to be the only one who disagreed. Storms and raging waves had been constantly rising in his heart lately.
‘Again.’
Both knees suddenly began to ache.
The youth furrowed his brow slightly. The cartilage that had hurt only when he was younger was starting to trouble him little by little. It was not enough to affect his martial arts.
Still, among supreme experts, even an inch of difference decided life and death. He had to adapt every day to his visibly changing arm length and eye level.
The need had become stronger recently.
‘And I need to pay attention to Demon's Light Leg Arts. Longer legs are good for the Body Movement Scripture and leg strength, but…’
He sighed inwardly.
“If everyone is here, let us begin.”
The short-haired girl who had been watching him with sisterly eyes spoke. She was the strongest supreme expert among the seven Black Uniforms.
Ak Su-rim, the Desolate Divine Spear. Having undergone Rejuvenation, she opened her mouth with an impish smile.
“It is settled that Seom-ye will go make a scene at that galling Martial Alliance, right? Anyone object?”
It was the free-spirited manner unique to the Divine Sword Squad. It suited a martial artist powerful enough to be considered for the next Divine Sword Squad Leader.
Jeong Yeon-shin thought that since she had put it that way, he would not truly need to focus only on reconnaissance.
‘The looser the mission rules, the better. I just need to avoid causing trouble.’
Seom-ye nodded within him. He looked ready to dance.
The youth deliberately ignored him.
“…”
No one said anything in response to her question.
Then someone raised a hand. Ha Do-un, the Swift Heaven Wing Squad Leader. His muscles showed through sleeves that were unusually tight for a long robe.
He was the Squad Leader who had been hostile toward Jeong Yeon-shin as the direct superior of Namgung Hwa-shin, the White Qilin, and he wore a very stiff expression.
“As expected, no one objects. Our Seom-ye, go do everything you want! Meeting adjourned!”
Ak Su-rim gripped her spear and slammed its butt against the floor.
Footnotes:
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
