WeTried Translations

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 176: Sword of Autumn (4)

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Hyeon Won-chang, Jeong Yeon-shin's party, and the Heart Martial Union martial artists watched the two of them.

Each had a hand on their weapon. In the distance, the sun slipped behind the gorge.

Before long, twilight filtered in, brushing their faces like a curtain closing on the day.

Jeong Yeon-shin received the first cup. Baek Seo-gun smiled as she poured him wine with one hand.

"You may consider it an honor. Even the Alliance Leader has never received wine from me."

The baptism of swords that stirred his mind filled the boy with a sense of fulfillment.

Just before taking a sip, he spoke evenly.

"I'll accept it gratefully."

Baek Seo-gun paused. Only for a moment. Then the corners of her lips rose again.

"You truly carry Jeong Ban-ak's blood."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Just talking to myself."

After drinking the cup, Jeong Yeon-shin unconsciously turned his head. The Languid Flame Dragon wore a strange expression.

Did he realize it sounded like something he himself would say? When their eyes met, he smiled faintly. It was an irritating smile.

'I should send that bastard away first.'

It was also the right tactical choice.

There might be an ambush on the way back, so it made sense to send the Languid Flame Dragon, the second strongest in their group, ahead as a scout.

Hyeon Won-chang would be next. Then the Little Sword Empress, Gongsun Min, and Moyong Myeong-jun. He would need to drink at least five cups.

'It is a promise from a master of the Demonic Sect... but it does not sound like empty words.'

He turned back.

His gaze met Baek Seo-gun's as she watched him closely. He sensed grayness in her eyes.

It was fatigue he felt through the spirituality of his upper dantian.

If she had deep ties to Jeong Family Manor, she could not have begun her life among the upper ranks of the martial world.

For a woman to be called the Sword Venerable in Henan Province, a land as vast as a distant country, she must have endured many hardships.

He considered it calmly, then felt it through the upper dantian in his mind.

"You've worked hard."

The words slipped out.

It was absurd. The person before him was the Sword Venerable of the Demonic Sect.

Was that not an utterly inappropriate compliment? His upper dantian, which had grown extremely sensitive of late, had reacted to her life and goodwill.

As he set down his cup and furrowed his brow, Baek Seo-gun's expression turned strange.

"It's my turn to receive a cup."

Without another word, she snatched the boy's cup. She was astonishingly fast.

For an instant, her fingers blurred and distorted. It was a movement like a joint lock.

Jeong Yeon-shin, holding the flask instead, slowly tilted it as he recalled Baek Seo-gun's technique.

She had clearly achieved Unity of essence, qi, and spirit. Martial arts were woven into even the smallest gesture. She might truly be capable of exchanging moves with Ak Su-rim, the Desolate Divine Spear.

'It was as though she had deployed an Illusory Sword with her hand.'

It was a method that deceived the opponent's eyes, a principle Jeong Yeon-shin had never experienced.

The tricks used by most lesser martial artists were merely feints that did not even reach the realm of Illusory Sword. The boy's eyes gleamed.

'Her internal art has fused with her swordsmanship, and that swordsmanship has fused back into her body.'

At that moment, Baek Seo-gun's eyes softened. How had she interpreted Jeong Yeon-shin's gaze?

As she raised the cup to her lips, she spoke slowly.

"Your looks are worthy drinking fare. Now I understand how the young ladies who beheld Pan Yue must have felt."[1]

"Did you make me sit here just to say nonsense?"

"I did it because I had something that would help you. With martial prowess like yours at that age, after training so tirelessly, you must have a clear goal. Without question, it is the Tyrant Sword Sect Master's head."

"..."

"When one lives long as a main force of a major faction among the Thirteen Heavens, the quality of the rumors one hears gradually improves. I know much about your enemy."

Jeong Yeon-shin fell silent for a moment.

The Tyrant Sword Sect Master.

When he created the Jeong Family Youth Technique, he had hated Jeong Family Manor, yet still considered it home.

The one who exterminated his family was naturally his sworn enemy. He was said to have helped subdue the Elder Council Head of the main fortress.

Yet it was a name he had kept only in his heart.

His martial strength had not reached that of a peerless master, and the lifespan Heaven had left him was too short for revenge.

He had thought he would seek that person out when the day came that he wore a Purple Uniform long robe.

Yet even a Black Uniform held a position people looked up to.

It was a rank that could range across the world. He might encounter a lord of the Thirteen Heavens at any time.

The Tyrant Sword Sect Master's background was valuable information precisely because that person was his enemy.

"Tell me."

The boy spoke almost as if muttering. His voice was deep.

Satisfaction touched Baek Seo-gun's lips.

"That person is of mixed Bai and elven blood from Yunnan. The royal family of Dali Kingdom welcomed an elf, and that person was the result. The crown prince."

"Dali Kingdom..."

It was the royal house the Lord of Desolate Fortress had destroyed.

She had been the imperial family's Divine Sword. On several occasions, she had erased the royal houses of small nations showing signs of rebellion, along with major factions.

That was why the Lord of Desolate Fortress was never omitted when people discussed the strongest person in the world.

She had displayed the divine might of one who could stand against ten thousand enemies then. It was said that her strength had been truly absolute.

That meant the Tyrant Sword Sect Master was a surviving member of Dali Kingdom's royal bloodline.

"The Tyrant Sword Sect Master also possesses an elf's eyes. Having trained even the Tyrant Sword Sect's eye technique, an advanced secret art, there is no way they failed to recognize the qualities of your body and your comprehension."

"..."

"Since your maternal family is the Desolate Ma family, they must also have considered the chance that you would enter Desolate Fortress. Why spare you when it was obvious an enemy's power would grow? Were they moved by the character of a child? Absurd. You should think it over."

"Do you have any idea why?"

"Well. Even I do not know beyond that. One thing is certain. Your entry into Desolate Fortress cannot have been wholly good for the Lord of Desolate Fortress. If the Tyrant Sword Sect Master were compared to an animal, they would be a clever bear."

She then met Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes steadily.

"Do you understand why I'm telling you this?"

"No."

"I hope your view of the world broadens a little."

"I've already been approached by one of the Thirteen Heavens."

"It means good and evil are not clearly divided in the martial world. If you one day pursue vengeance for your family, the information I have given you will not be useless. The Sword Venerable of the Demonic Sect has given useful intelligence to a Desolate Fortress Squad Leader. Do not reject someone simply because they are a martial artist of the unorthodox sects. I hope you will look kindly on those who do good."

"Are you advising me now?"

"There is no other way to survive long in the martial world. Above all, you must value favors and grudges. Then people will gather around you, and someday, they may save your life. Even I, the Divine Sword of the Heart Martial Union, count the Hao Clan Master as a close friend."

"...I'll remember that."

The unexpectedly gentle attitude of the Spirit Sky Sword Ghost felt unfamiliar. Was she trying to act as his nursemaid? What role had she played at Jeong Family Manor?

The boy tilted his head slightly.

Baek Seo-gun found Jeong Ban-ak's son adorable.

He had exceptional looks, an upright nature, and an unbelievable sword strike, all at such a young age.

Even his somewhat arrogant manner seemed charming to her.

If not for her fortuitous encounter with the Eight Illusions Divine Art, she might have looked after him. The thought that it might have been entertaining crossed her mind.

"You grew up upright. It is fortunate your family disappeared after fulfilling its duty. Even if I had been there, I could not have recommended the path of the Demonic Sect to you."

"...You've received a cup. Send one person away."

"Ah."

She gave a small exclamation, remembering Jeong Yeon-shin's brief silence.

"That's right. I made a promise. Fine, one person may go."

"Languid Flame Dragon."

Jeong Ban-ak's son called quietly.

At one edge of the encirclement around the drinking table, the young man with bare arms due to his burned sleeves crouched down and pretended to be uninterested.

The handsome young master, shadows deep beneath his eyes, was the Young Family Head of the exterminated Huangbo Family.

"This one is not particularly willing. How about sending the burdens away first? The Moyong brat or the Gongsun family's little boy."

"You're a burden too."

"Honestly, that's not true. I can still hold out for ten exchanges with you, Squad Leader, can't I? As the third strongest person here, I am qualified to guard the young Squad Leader's back."

"What ten exchanges? You only lasted because I treated it as a spar."

"Don't be so unlike yourself and let your pride get in the way. I've lasted as long as twenty moves before, haven't I? This young master's martial arts are constantly improving as well."

"That was before I obtained the new sword art. I didn't use Radiant River either."

"I was quite interested in that sword art I had never seen before. In any case, stop mentioning something so vicious as Radiant River and send that Moyong fellow away first."

"Moyong Myeong-jun?"

"His eyes have been unusual since earlier. He looks ready to report every detail of the Squad Leader's martial arts to the Martial Alliance. Wasn't our mission to dominate the Martial Alliance's grand founding ceremony? We cannot leave a fellow like that here. Looking at the mood now, it seems we may even have a light bout with the Sword Demon."

It was a gentle remark. The man in pink martial robes flinched.

Jeong Ban-ak's son glanced at him, then stopped arguing with the Huangbo Young Family Head.

"I will send that one away."

"An excellent choice."

They got along remarkably well. Jeong Ban-ak had not had a friend like that.

Perhaps it had been similar when Jeong Ban-ak taught Baek Seo-gun the Go Ten Precepts.

She signaled to her subordinates.

The Moyong Young Family Head was immediately dragged away by the Heart Martial Union's martial soldiers.

Held from both sides as he went down the gorge, he could not say anything. He only closed his eyes slightly, as if ashamed.

Once he disappeared, the Huangbo Young Family Head spoke.

"If he is ambushed and killed, that is entirely the Sword Star's burden. There is no reason for us to worry that far. We are not people of the Martial Alliance."

"I made a promise under my epithet. Do not tarnish my honor."

Killing intent clouded Baek Seo-gun's voice. She had reached the realm where she could manifest her will through inner power.

As the Huangbo Young Family Head's body stiffened, she turned back.

She was smiling again when her eyes met Jeong Ban-ak's son's. He carried the scent of a tranquil manor from long ago.

They drank four more cups.

The children of the Gongsun Family and Jeomchang Sect went down first. From then on, they did not leave easily.

They wished to uphold their loyalty to the Leader of Demon Wings alongside the Desolate Fortress martial artists.

That was until Jeong Ban-ak's son scolded them as burdens.

"I have never felt so powerless as I did today. I will seriously consider improving my martial arts."

Even the child with the hero's headband left with reluctant steps. Only the Huangbo Young Family Head remained stubborn.

"Ah, do your worst. There are not many entertaining things in life anyway."

"..."

The Heart Martial Union subordinates stared in disbelief at the man lying spread-eagled.

Jeong Ban-ak's son seemed slightly drunk. Had his body, before he trained martial arts, been weak to alcohol?

Shaking his head, he muttered, "Either way, we'd probably die around the same time."

'What?'

The words raised a question in Baek Seo-gun's heart.

She gently released her grip on the flask.

"If I receive any more, I will remain in your memory as an undignified figure. A drinking match only tastes good when both parties are in harmony."

"Then?"

The young Leader of Demon Wings raised his eyebrows.

"Shall we settle this as martial artists? If you gain the advantage for even one move, I will withdraw to Henan. Consider it my own form of respect for a direct descendant of Jeong Family Manor."

"I accept. You also need to save face before the Heart Martial Union Leader."

Jeong Ban-ak's son answered calmly. She shook her head.

"Do not take this lightly. You are a Black Uniform of Desolate Fortress. That is a rank where it is difficult to hold back. If the two of us cross swords, it is hard to predict the result. A limb being severed would be the least of it. You could truly die."

"I know."

"Well. I have seen many gifted talents said to have bright futures. Not one of them has seriously considered their own death. Every one of them thinks they will someday become the strongest person in the world."

Baek Seo-gun said quietly, her arms folded.

She watched the young master of Jeong Family Manor intently. Her words were not a provocation.

The Spirit Sky Sword Ghost was a supreme expert of the Demonic Sect. She lived by repaying favors and engraving grudges in her bones.

Even if her opponent was Jeong Ban-ak's son, she could not violate her duty as an elder of the Heart Martial Union.

She hoped the boy would not regret it at the end of a fight between supreme experts.

"This Squad Leader," the boy began slowly, "has never taken life and death lightly."

"Your tone is heavy. Yes. I've talked too much."

Baek Seo-gun replied softly as she looked the young master over.

She thought that, when she returned, she would properly learn about Seom-ye, Jeong Yeon-shin.

"..."

Silence fell for a moment.

With the drinking table between them, the two sat facing each other and watched in silence. The stillness that suddenly descended was deep.

A gust that swept past the Heart Martial Union's two hundred martial artists and the Languid Flame Dragon curled around the cups.

The wind made a sound as it wandered, blocked at the places where Jeong Yeon-shin's and Baek Seo-gun's lips had touched.

Sring!

Sword resonance rang from Baek Seo-gun's waist. A sharp ray of light slipped from its sheath of its own accord.

It happened in an instant. Jeong Yeon-shin also gripped the sword hilt in a reverse grip with his left hand and drew it upward in a reverse-grip draw.

The Sword Venerable's qi-controlled sword, which had been minutely faster, shot forward without hesitation and struck Northern Light, the Divine Sword.

Clang!

The young Leader of Demon Wings was thrown back by the shockwave.

He immediately flipped through the air and steadied himself, the movement remarkably elegant.

It was an unusual movement technique, as though he had trained the powers of the elven race in his own way.

With a little more refinement, it could rival the Kunlun Sect's Cloud Dragon Eight Steps.

'Who raised him?'

Baek Seo-gun felt pleased as she gestured again. The mnemonic formula of the Eight Illusions Divine Art once more brought forth the power of qi sword control.

The sword rang as inner power passed through the air and flowed cleanly into it.

Hand-Guided Sword.

With her left hand behind her back, she swept her right hand through the air.

Clang! Clang-clang!

The qi-controlled sword's long trajectory tangled with Jeong Yeon-shin's short sword paths. Streams of pure white repeatedly covered the sunset.

Qi and Force Projection crossed. Impacts burst through the air with explosive roars.

Sword-strike force waves scattering from the collision of their force left fine cracks in the ground.

She held an overwhelming advantage in range.

The range of a qi-controlled sword far surpassed a spear and reached that of an arrow. Ordinary methods could not approach it.

Baek Seo-gun stood proudly and watched.

The boy, wielding hard sword, had black sleeves fluttering around him.

The handsome Leader of Demon Wings could not reach her. Naturally.

"Hoo..."

That remained true until the boy drew a long breath.

Baek Seo-gun's eyes widened. She saw that his inhalation remained steady despite his unceasing movements.

It was as though it functioned separately from the fierce Body Movement Scripture. Such a thing should have been impossible unless he was breathing through a divine art.

'Could it be?'

It did not end with his breath.

The black hem behind the boy's back fluttered long. Aura stirred as it resonated with the autumn wind.

The sword, lifted over his head before she knew it, released a strange hum. It sounded like a strong wind passing through a cave.

A familiar quality spread from the body united with the sword.

There was a pulse that swept in like the wind.

From the young Leader of Demon Wings' opening stance, she sensed a numinous aura.

It was no different from the spirituality the elven race had passed on to her, spirituality that raised martial arts into the realm of divine arts and ultimate techniques.

Footnotes:

[1] Pan Yue (반악) was a man famed for his beauty. His Sino-Korean name, Ban-ak, matches Jeong Ban-ak's given name.

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