WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 163: Leader of Demon Wings (6)

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The sparring matches continued day after day. Many people came and went from Fragrant Rhyme Residence, hoping to forge ties with the Leader of Demon Wings through the sword.

Rumors were quietly spreading through the Martial Alliance Assembly's enormous main headquarters. The young Squad Leader from Desolate Fortress was said to be offering guidance.

The voices were loud enough to be heard beyond the gate.

"Interesting things are happening even before the grand founding ceremony. I heard visitors from the Namgung Family came to see the White Qilin, and those men leaving to welcome Zhongnan's Sword Dragon are amusing too."

"Every sort of person from the martial world has gathered here. A Black Uniform of Desolate Fortress would stand out even among them."

"I heard it from the Qingil Sect Master. They said someone found the beginning of martial insight after just one sparring match... I can't understand it at all. Why would a master of Desolate Fortress teach the martial artists of our alliance? If he did it deliberately, he isn't some hothead. He's a great hero."

"Isn't he far too young to be called a great hero?"

"If you're going to say that, why are you lingering here?"

Jeong Yeon-shin thought that neither side knew the other's intentions.

'I don't need to hear any more.'

He stopped the rotation of the wheel dwelling in his heart. Once he gathered his qi, his hearing dulled again.

The Martial Alliance Assembly could not have been entirely ignorant of Jeong Yeon-shin. Even his publicly known deeds were enough to puzzle them.

Seom-ye Jeong Yeon-shin had always achieved feats beyond his uniform rank. He had slain opponents who should have been difficult to defeat.

The most notable was when he had killed an elder of the Tyrant Sword Sect while still a White Uniform.

The Eight-Fiend Rakshasa Sword.

That had been after facing Zhongnan Sect masters again and again. He had been exhausted enough to show signs of qi deviation.

Jeong Yeon-shin had studied the Eight-Fiend Rakshasa Sword's habits in sword arts, force waves, and sword-path trajectories, then prepared a single counterform.

It had been a gamble. If the Rakshasa Sword had used another technique, Jeong Yeon-shin would have been caught instead.

It was bound to attract attention.

'The Martial Alliance Assembly's leadership must be on guard. Yet they aren't stopping the masters who challenge me...'

Perhaps they believed their gains outweighed their losses.

That was the current situation. Many people focused on the Leader of Demon Wings.

Jeong Yeon-shin, meanwhile, traded blows with each of them only once.

Compared with the information the Martial Alliance Assembly revealed, the information Jeong Yeon-shin gained was shallow. It was as if he alone were facing a rotating assault.

'It's different from the Clear Qilin. Which of us is right?'

"I heard you're skilled at breaking down techniques and the Sword of Destruction. That you unravel well and destroy well. So I have no intention of showing you my sword forms in advance."

Those had been Clear Qilin Namgung Se-jin's words.

He was no ordinary man. During the battle between Zhongnan Sect and the Tyrant Sword Sect, he had confirmed that the Beggars’ Sect had been watching.

That was after he heard that Jeong Yeon-shin had cut down the Tyrant Sword Sect's Eight-Fiend Rakshasa Sword.

When Seom-ye of Desolate Fortress had been chosen as his younger sister's sparring partner, Namgung Se-jin had bought information from the Beggars’ Sect.

'Clear Qilin. Perhaps you were right.'

Using the information gathered by his family, the Namgung Young Family Head had reached his own conclusion. He should not show Seom-ye his martial arts.

"Move."

Jeong Yeon-shin pushed Languid Flame Dragon aside and sat on the artificial hill. Languid Flame Dragon, shoved aside before he knew what had happened, opened his mouth with an incredulous expression.

"I wonder what it'd be like if I became a Blue Uniform. Is this what ambition feels like?"

Grumbling, Languid Flame Dragon stepped along the lakeshore and crossed to the other side.

After stepping into the garden, he clasped his hands behind his head. His manner was that of an idle wanderer, utterly relaxed.

"The young Squad Leader is too indifferent. Desolate Fortress is fine, but a domineering sect would suit the Squad Leader far better."

"If you achieve merit, I'll treat you differently."

The boy lightly tapped the foot of the artificial hill with his heel as he spoke, quietly watching the main gate ahead.

As Languid Flame Dragon said, his expression was indifferent.

Creating the Comprehensive Guide to Breaking the Orthodox Sects and continuing to alter his sword art was all well and good. Yet Fragrant Rhyme Residence was a house in the heart of enemy territory.

He could not completely overlook the alliance's intentions.

"Excellent."

Languid Flame Dragon watched Jeong Yeon-shin for a moment, then snickered. His hands remained clasped behind his head.

"This pitiful subordinate should go have a look around the alliance. Our Squad Leader seems curious about what the higher-ups are plotting."

"You want me to leave the spying to you?"

"Truthfully, I'll be better at it than Hwa-shin, who went out first. The orthodox sects of the White Path are places where people live too. Unless it's one of the Nine Sects, any bastards will enjoy drinking and having fun. Whether it's a lavish drinking party where everyone opens their hearts, a battle of nerves over side dishes, or a sword dance performed when the drink takes hold. And besides..."

The smile on Languid Flame Dragon's lips deepened.

"If you mention the Languid Flame Dragon of the Huangbo Family, in Jinan I was quite well known as a playboy..."

Jeong Yeon-shin considered for a moment whether he should listen to that absurd nonsense.

Then the side gate beside the main gate opened. A man in neat green clothing entered after closing the door behind him, hurried over, and offered a letter.

It was the servant of Fragrant Rhyme Residence who had gone out to procure ingredients. The Martial Alliance had assigned him here.

Born and raised in Hanzhong, he was an ordinary commoner who had learned only the Three Talents Heart Method distributed by the imperial court.

"Squad Leader, you've received word."

"Word? From where?"

Jeong Yeon-shin dropped from the rock and unfolded the letter.

"The Moyong Family. Young Master Moyong Myeong-jun asked that it be delivered."

The servant answered respectfully.

Languid Flame Dragon approached and glanced at the letter beside the boy. Jeong Yeon-shin paid him no mind.

A brief silence fell as they read it together. Soon, Languid Flame Dragon's mouth twisted faintly.

"An invitation. They're trying to check us before the grand founding ceremony. Will you accept?"

"I need information too. The main fortress's martial artists won't have another chance to come this far."

"So it's part of a Squad Leader's duty. Let's go together."

* * *

Creak.

The antique wooden doors swung open. Jeong Yeon-shin, Languid Flame Dragon, and Hyeon Won-chang entered a banquet hall filled with orange lanterns.

It was an evening not far from Mid-Autumn Festival.

The night breeze was refreshing, but the heat of the people was not. The aura radiating from dozens of people was immense.

"Wasn't I right?"

Languid Flame Dragon's earlier words had been correct. It was a lavish interior. Many martial artists ate and drank there, most of them young.

Their energy shone brighter than the lantern light. The place brimmed with life.

The stone ornaments and landscape paintings on the walls looked expensive at a glance. This was a hall built entirely for banquets.

Yet what decorated the room most of all were the Martial Alliance's martial artists themselves.

The air surrounding their bodies spoke of exceptional skill. Their refined bearing blended with the vigor of youth.

They came from the martial lineages of renowned sects and families. It was a banquet of splendor and elegance.

They asked after one another's sects and discussed martial arts. Some exchanged pointed words to probe the other side's intentions.

Others exchanged glances with those they were interested in.

Step.

The hem of Jeong Yeon-shin's pitch-black trousers moved. One step, and the soft sound carried a strange force.

The Record of the Dharma Light Wheel's qi came from a divine art imbued with spirituality. It granted its practitioner an overwhelming presence. He had stepped forward without any particular intent, yet silence fell.

Only then did people turn their eyes toward him.

"..."

The aura of a supreme master. Though he had not tried to draw attention, he created stillness.

The forearm-sized character for Desolate gleamed beneath the lantern light with a golden luster. His jet-black long robe looked like formal attire worn by Beijing nobles.

His temperament and appearance played a major part. So did his black hair, hanging to his shoulders and swaying freely.

It gleamed as though he were confident in close-range combat. No one could say otherwise.

How many masters in that banquet hall could break through the sword domain of a Desolate Fortress Black Uniform and seize his hair?

"That Black Uniform with the character for Desolate... Did they invite the Leader of Demon Wings?"

"Who in the world did?"

Few voiced their doubts. Most of the gazes turning toward Jeong Yeon-shin remained calm.

Languid Flame Dragon had said earlier that this was a check. The schemes of martial artists were crude and straightforward by nature.

Those who had chosen not to participate were not here in the first place.

Yu Hyeon of Mount Hua Sect was nowhere to be seen either. It seemed the order from his sect elders forbidding him from leaving had not been lifted.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought it was deserved.

'What would Yu Hyeon think of this?'

As the crowd watched the lone boy, a swordsman in pink martial robes approached.

He was a handsome young man.

"Leader of Demon Wings."

He smiled and cupped his fists.

"I didn't expect you to accept the invitation. Please, enjoy yourself without feeling burdened."

His words were strangely irritating. It was as though he were asking if Jeong Yeon-shin had truly come. A few people whispered.

Some frowned from the side. Most did not. Jeong Yeon-shin sensed hostility that bordered on territorial behavior.

'Those people whispering... Clear Qilin? I see. It's because of the Namgung Young Family Head's reputation.'

Namgung Se-jin's name reached his ears several times. People were asking whether such a young boy truly possessed that level of martial ability.

After lowering his cupped fists, Moyong Myeong-jun spoke again.

"The desire to invite you came to me too late. There wasn't enough time to inform all my fellow martial artists of the Squad Leader's arrival. It is because I am foolish. I sincerely apologize."

"Young Family Head Moyong?"

Jeong Yeon-shin asked. Moyong Myeong-jun slowly nodded.

"I am Moyong Myeong-jun, the young master of the Moyong Family."

The boy smiled faintly.

"I see. Thank you for inviting me."

He spoke down to him. In that instant, Moyong Myeong-jun's swordlike brows drew together. He could no longer maintain the manner of a host receiving a guest in his own home.

The Moyong clan held a position close to royalty in Liaoning. He was not someone who should be receiving words of praise from a boy far younger than himself.

"Is there a problem?"

The boy asked calmly.

Jeong Yeon-shin was more puzzled inwardly. Had Moyong Myeong-jun really intended to judge his character at a banquet?

Was he foolish enough to think the Leader of Demon Wings from Desolate Fortress would use honorifics with him?

'The Young Family Heads I know are frightening and deeply calculating.'

Namgung Se-jin's face came to mind. Languid Flame Dragon's was an added bonus.

"You're completely transparent, Moyong brat."

That added bonus smiled lazily from beside him.

"A Black Uniform representing Desolate Fortress cannot use honorifics with some mere rising junior. Those who live by the sword should show respect through the sword. Our Squad Leader has mastered that kind of etiquette. If it bothers you, request a sparring match. You'll see some remarkable manners. If you want to earn the Leader of Demon Wings' respect by babbling, destroy your dantian and become a commoner first."

Judging by his manner of speech alone, he seemed to have become a true martial artist of Desolate Fortress. Jeong Yeon-shin shook his head and lightly pushed Languid Flame Dragon away.

When he said he would enjoy himself on his own, Moyong Myeong-jun silently nodded.

He looked as though he had been about to say something to Languid Flame Dragon. The boy ended the confrontation and sat at one side of a table.

The banquet resumed.

Moyong Myeong-jun, who was the first to pour wine and receive a cup, asked for understanding before walking away.

Languid Flame Dragon, who had watched his dignified retreat beside Jeong Yeon-shin, also left. He said there were people he had befriended while he was the Huangbo Family's Young Family Head.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought it would be fortunate if he did not go begging for opium poppy. He barely had a few silver coins left now.

Only Hyeon Won-chang remained, holding a jade wine pitcher. He then poured water for Jeong Yeon-shin, who did not drink.

"Radiant Commerce Sword Moyong Myeong-jun. I heard he pretends to be a scholar no less than the Jegal Family, but he is actually closer to a merchant. A merchant's nature beneath a scholar's skin. They say his swordsmanship is rather good as well. There is a saying that if you keep him close, keep him within arm's reach, and if you keep him far away, it is best not to look at him at all."

Their table was painfully empty.

The banquet hall was enormous, with a diameter of over forty jang. The vacant seats stood out all the more.

The two ignored the many glances cast their way from afar. They simply shared their cups in silence.

'I can see quite well.'

Jeong Yeon-shin thought as he openly observed the Martial Alliance's martial artists.

There were no masters of an elder's caliber. That meant no one could fully conceal their qi.

From the aura he felt against his skin alone, he studied the qualities of the qi they had cultivated.

The pain that occasionally came to Jeong Yeon-shin's knees had grown markedly stronger these days. In turn, the ability of his upper dantian had become stronger.

He could analyze the characteristics of the martial artists' inner-energy fluctuations.

Whenever he conceived countering force waves in his mind, they became the next page of the Comprehensive Guide to Breaking the Orthodox Sects.

"That one over there. The bastard wearing a yellow hero's headband."

"He's a wastrel from the Jinju Eon Family."

Whenever Jeong Yeon-shin asked about someone's identity, Hyeon Won-chang answered at once.

The Imperial Hero had memorized every facial-feature portrait book kept at Desolate Fortress.

He knew the identities of every martial-family figure who paid tribute to the government offices.

About one gak passed that way.

Then, a slender shadow suddenly fell over the table. Long braided hair entered his view first. Jeong Yeon-shin raised his head.

Their eyes met. A woman with remarkably black eyes wore a smooth smile.

"I'm Ak Ye-rim of the Shandong Ak Family."

"Jeong Yeon-shin, Leader of Demon Wings."

"I understand you were with the Clear Qilin at his death. I was once his betrothed."

Her red lips moved. There was no goodwill in her eyes. Her emotions were clear from the way she spoke without preamble.

"The man I knew was a hypocrite. He was always busy hiding his family's shame beneath behavior that made him seem fair and upright."

"..."

"I'm curious what you think, young hero. You shared a life-and-death duel as martial artists of the highest caliber. You must have felt Namgung Se-jin's character more deeply than anyone."

Ak Ye-rim whispered. Her approach made no sense.

Jeong Yeon-shin had experienced the martial world intensely, if only briefly. He knew the young woman before him was deceiving him.

He could tell from the tremor in her lips and the sound of her heartbeat. It was unnatural.

The boy suddenly thought, What are these weaklings trying to do?

"You."

The young Leader of Demon Wings slowly opened his mouth.

"You speak of the Clear Qilin too carelessly."

Emotion filled his words. It was a rare occurrence.

"You're tarnishing his stature."

A sword rose within the boy's heart.

Footnotes:

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