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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 183: Swordsman (6)

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Hyeon Won-chang's words were quite humorous. Such wit was rare in Hanzhong.

Laughter spread through the spectator stands surrounding the dueling platform, though no one laughed loudly.

Their opponent was one of the Moyong Family's august swordsmen. They could not openly jeer.

There were few here who did not watch the Martial Alliance Assembly's reaction. Only the Desolate Fortress Divine Hero could get away with it.

"...I advise you to keep your subordinate under control."

The Heaven-Treading Sword Squad Leader spoke with Northern Light at the nape.

"He's a fool who doesn't know his place. A wretch who stretches out his legs without seeing where he'll lie. Leader of Demon Wings, one day he'll drag you down. He constantly earns the resentment of major factions, so you can guess how he'll end. He'll never live peacefully as a martial artist."

The words were spat out.

Imperial Hero Hyeon Won-chang had become one of the Martial Alliance Assembly's figures of concern among the Leader of Demon Wings' party. Hyeon Won-chang could be considered second only to Jeong Yeon-shin.

It had begun when Hyeon Won-chang played a major role in getting the Leader of Demon Wings into the grand founding ceremony. Hyeon Won-chang knew how to sway public opinion with the strength of Desolate Fortress's delegation behind them.

Someone who danced with a blade over the slightest pretext. Such a person was especially dangerous to the orthodox martial world.

The Heaven-Treading Sword Squad Leader narrowed their eyes.

"A martial artist entrusted with command of a combat unit should be responsible for the conduct of those beneath them. Your downfall may be closer than you think. Among the noble martial artists of the major orthodox factions, no one will like someone like that."

The words were spoken as if sincerely concerned. The boy slightly tilted his head, his sword still aimed at the squad leader.

"Didn't you lose in a single exchange? You certainly have a long tongue."

"..."

"Disgraceful. Leave."

Jeong Yeon-shin tightened his grip on the hilt of the divine sword Northern Light, turning the blade.

He gently pushed the Heaven-Treading Sword Squad Leader away with the flat of the blade at the nape, then lowered its trajectory and sheathed it in one smooth, picture-perfect motion.

The middle-aged swordsman stepped back and bit their lip. It was humiliating for anyone.

'Someone like that would use bed Leg Arts.'

The boy was impressed anew by the utility of the feint technique bestowed by the Lord of Desolate Fortress.

By studying and refining it alongside his new sword art, he had brought its success rate against masters of equal standing to roughly thirty percent.

Unless the opponent was a supreme master who specialized in eye techniques, being caught by it meant death.

That more than made up for the fact that it was difficult to use twice.

'A dense feint steals the opponent's breath.'

Leader of Demon Wings Jeong Yeon-shin possessed more skills by the day.

Just as the old masters of the martial world possessed all manner of strange and extraordinary methods, the boy too was advancing into the realm of eccentrics.

It was a process of maturing into a full-fledged Black Uniform of Desolate Fortress.

Step.

The Heaven-Treading Sword Squad Leader turned sharply. The hems of pale-pink trousers swept harshly through the air.

It was the moment the Moyong Family's distinctive attire lost its luster before the Leader of Demon Wings' black long robe.

"...Martial artist Seom-ye has won."

Jegal Cheon, who had served as the judge for the duels, spoke from the edge of the platform.

Only then did cheers begin to rise from the spectator stands.

They might hesitate to shame the Martial Alliance Assembly's martial artists, but few cared about appearances when cheering for a master of Desolate Fortress.

Loud cheers occasionally erupted wherever the boy's gaze passed. It did not matter whether they were men or women, young or old.

"Over here, please look over here! How can someone look like that? He looks like one of the elven race!"

"The Heaven-Treading Sword Squad Leader is one of the Moyong Family's finest swordsmen..."

"My eyes have been opened again and again! So-chil, pack the merchant goods within the next two days and keep your eyes on the main gate. We'll follow them when they return to Xiangyang. The road will be much safer that way."

"We should establish ties with the new Leader of Demon Wings. Shouldn't we do it before it's too late?"

Leaving the voices behind, Jeong Yeon-shin began walking. He straightened the black collar of his disheveled long robe as he went.

It was the second day since their intrusion. The Heaven-Treading Sword Squad Leader had been his last opponent of the day.

The boy had sent every opponent down on the second day as well. He remained undefeated.

In another two days and nights, the mission would be complete, whatever the outcome.

"How are the sword wounds inflicted by the Sword Ghost?"

The Languid Flame Dragon asked as he caught up, arriving at Jeong Yeon-shin's side with an elusive movement technique.

They were on the path behind the dueling platform. The crowd could not approach it. It was a narrow route used by participants in the grand founding ceremony when returning to the Martial Alliance Assembly's halls.

The martial artists standing guard on both sides acted as though they did not see them.

Only a few offered respectful nods to the young Leader of Demon Wings.

"They're healing."

The boy muttered softly, glancing at Hyeon Won-chang, who had landed beside him as though flying.

"Imperial Hero, you're earning your keep ten times more than the Languid Flame Dragon."

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke quietly. The reply came at once.

"Do not concern yourself, Squad Leader. Demon Wings is like birds that share a fate. All the martial artists of Demon Wings are birds flapping their wings alongside you. Every word from my mouth is used solely for this squad's benefit and to elevate you, Squad Leader. There is no reason for me to shrink back."

Hyeon Won-chang grinned.

"If there were ten of this young master, we'd need to form another combat unit."

The Languid Flame Dragon, who had lately become Demon Wings' resident freeloader, replied shamelessly. The group chatted idly as they arrived at Fragrant Rhyme Residence.

It was the lodging provided by the Martial Alliance. Contrary to the Assembly leaders' intention to make it the center of unrest, it was being used for something else.

More people were sending messages out of goodwill than hostility.

The provocation by Desolate Fortress masters, who had planted a flag bearing the character for Desolate on the dueling platform.

Refusal was not permitted. The nature of the grand founding ceremony had no choice but to change.

They had to break through the wall of martial prowess erected by the young supreme master and snap the flagpole. That was how martial artists preserved their pride.

Over two days, twenty-three masters of the Martial Alliance Assembly had fallen in succession.

The Leader of Demon Wings displayed a truly terrifying presence. Even with the ten-exchange limit, no match ended without a clear winner.

The martial prowess of Desolate Fortress's Squad Leader became known throughout the land. The number of visitors inevitably increased.

Merchants willing to conduct business in Huguang, escort agencies seeking help with their routes, and Martial Alliance Assembly martial artists whose intentions, whether friendship or espionage, were difficult to distinguish.

Bang! Bang!

It was no surprise that someone was already knocking at the door. Only about fifteen minutes had passed since their arrival.

Jeong Yeon-shin sat in the main hall overlooking the courtyard and heard a familiar voice.

"Yeon-shin!"

It was a boy's voice. Someone unrelated to the duel's result had come to visit. There was only one person in the Martial Alliance Assembly who could address Jeong Yeon-shin so casually.

"Come in."

Jeong Yeon-shin answered calmly.

Before the servants could approach, the main gate opened by itself. The person who peeked inside was not Yu Hyeon of the Mount Hua Sect.

A woman with a somewhat guileless expression entered with a playful smile. It was the Little Sword Empress, Chwi So-ok.

A dark-hued treasured sword hung from the waist of her crimson silk martial attire. She held a jade flask in one hand.

"I moved the muscles around my larynx with qi. I suppose it sounded rather similar..."

She awkwardly brushed back the hair by her ear with her other hand. This time, it was her own voice.

Talents born with an instinct for manipulating inner energy could freely adjust parts of their bodies, much like a disguise art.

The core principle of Wind Body, the movement technique Jeong Yeon-shin had created, also stemmed from that. The difference was that it used Force Projection throughout the entire body, manipulating changes in acupoints and muscles across every part of it.

The boy looked at the Little Sword Empress as he sat upright.

"What is it?"

"I wanted to have a drink to repay you. This is grain wine."

She showed him the jade flask and gave it a small shake.

She had once been captured alongside the Languid Flame Dragon by the Heart Martial Union group led by the Spirit Sky Sword Ghost, who had occupied Sevenfold Gorge.

She had always shown a deep interest in Seom-ye's martial arts, and after Jeong Yeon-shin rescued her, she acted as familiar with him as Yu Hyeon did.

Gongsun Min, who appeared behind the Little Sword Empress, was no different.

"Greetings, Leader of Demon Wings. The young heroes of Desolate Fortress are well today too, I hope?"

His broad grin was quite unrestrained. He had reportedly insisted on taking Moyong Myeong-jun's sword.

It was the treasured sword Jeong Yeon-shin had used to execute Myriad Flowers Rain. Gongsun Min had bragged about it before.

He had said he kept it in the guest quarters of the Gongsun Family heir within the Alliance.

"Of all things, the next sect leader of Jeomchang is imitating the Mount Hua Sect's chief disciple?"

The Languid Flame Dragon muttered in disbelief. He was sprawled across a table beside the courtyard pond.

The Languid Flame Dragon, an unranked disciple of Demon Wings and the oldest person present, chewed on opium poppy and continued.

"No wine. Our Squad Leader hasn't grown enough yet."

He carelessly made up an excuse.

'Trying to be considerate in such a clumsy way.'

Jeong Yeon-shin knew why his useless, older subordinate acted that way. It was because of the sword wound he had received from the qi sword control of Baek Seo-gun, the Spirit Sky Sword Ghost.

The Sword Venerable of Henan had carved the wound into him. The inner energy contained in the sword's force wave was tremendously deep.

The moment he drank alcohol, the effects of intoxication would affect his injuries.

A duel with the Mount Hua Sword Absolute lay ahead.

The martial artists of Demon Wings were focused on restoring their Squad Leader to peak condition.

Even Namgung Hwa-shin had left to use connections to acquire effective miraculous medicine.

The leader of the Mount Hua Sect's Plum Blossom Swordsmen was an opponent it would be difficult to contend with even at full strength. They said the swordsman could be considered the strongest beneath the generation of elders.

The Little Sword Empress, on the other hand, knew none of that. She had not seen the duel between Jeong Yeon-shin and Baek Seo-gun.

It was obvious from the way she forced her naturally downturned eyes upward. She looked as though she had heard something absurd.

"I heard you drank with the Spirit Sky Sword Ghost last time...?"

"This young master said no."

The Languid Flame Dragon looked at her with clear eyes. The Little Sword Empress's expression went blank.

"Who is this young lady?"

Hyeon Won-chang abruptly asked while standing beside Jeong Yeon-shin as a guard, arms crossed.

The raised chin, as though approving of the Languid Flame Dragon's conduct, suited Hyeon Won-chang well enough. Gongsun Min smiled slightly and introduced the girl who had come with them.

"She's the Immortal Dragon's younger sister."

"I am Jegal Cheong-a of the Jegal Family."

Jegal Cheong-a gave a small fist-and-palm salute as she stared quietly at the new Leader of Demon Wings. The eyes of the cherished daughter of the Jegal Family were remarkably strange.

It began with the light in them. A leaf-like gleam flickered through her pitch-black pupils, enough for anyone to see that she had attained uncommon mastery of an eye technique.

'She has trained an unusual ultimate art very deeply.'

Faint interest appeared on Jeong Yeon-shin's face.

"Set a place. I'll join you."

"Squad Leader?"

"I'm not drinking."

The boy casually pushed the Languid Flame Dragon aside and sat at the table in the courtyard. Gongsun Min's face brightened.

The Little Sword Empress shook the wine flask, looking needlessly disappointed.

"I was curious about the sword path you draw when drunk."

More than ten servants of Fragrant Rhyme Residence hurried constantly between the kitchen and courtyard. It seemed the Martial Alliance Assembly leaders had given them instructions.

As though the earlier adjustment to the grand founding ceremony's schedule had nothing to do with the Leader of Demon Wings, they spared no effort in serving Desolate Fortress's party.

They were thorough, as though determined not to leave any room for complaints.

"The food is better than at our own hall... Are they treating us poorly because we're one of the Nine Sects?"

The Little Sword Empress muttered as she took the seat beside Jeong Yeon-shin.

Thin, featherlike clouds cleared above the quickly prepared table of food and drink. The day was bright.

The boy, seated in the place of honor, looked at Jegal Cheong-a across from him. She appeared to be around his age.

"You, state your purpose."

"..."

She was a girl whose current expressionlessness suited her. Her black hair, tied together in one section, hung beneath the collar of her sky-blue clothing.

The sheen of her ebony hair seemed to speak of her noble status.

Even as she met the gaze of the famous Leader of Demon Wings, her expression did not change. She had an impassive face and immaculate bearing.

Jegal Cheong-a slowly parted her lips.

"I heard that the Squad Leader's martial arts are profound, so I came to request a discussion of the sword."

"This isn't a wandering master humoring a junior merely because she's highborn. Miss Jegal is deeply knowledgeable about martial principles. She's a friend of my betrothed, so I know her well. Squad Leader, I think she's someone worth speaking with."

Gongsun Min chattered, his eyes shining more at Jeong Yeon-shin than at Jegal Cheong-a.

"A discussion of the sword."

The young Leader of Demon Wings spoke.

"So that was why."

"What do you mean?"

Jegal Cheong-a calmly asked as she faced the gaze of the Desolate Fortress Black Uniform. Jeong Yeon-shin immediately answered.

"Taiyang acupoint."

"...?"

"Tongziliao acupoint."

He continued briefly. They were names of acupoints on the face.

"Sibai acupoint, Cuanzhu acupoint, Yintang acupoint. You're using an eye technique. The fluctuations in your inner energy are novel. You might even channel it through the center of the palm. I cannot know how you manipulate inner energy through your minor meridians unless you reveal the Jegal Family's secret manual, but if you alter that form slightly and place it within a fan, does it become the Boundless Whirling Wind Fan Art? It's very unusual. I mean your family's ultimate art."

Comprehensive Guide to Breaking the Orthodox Sects, Jegal Family.

The corners of the boy's lips lifted slightly.

"You're interesting. Fine. Recite your knowledge to this Squad Leader. I'll answer."

"..."

All at once.

The clear autumn air brushed against the young martial artists' skin. Sunlight shattered across the ripples of the pond beside their feet.

A breeze, soft as the strokes of a landscape painting, carried several autumn leaves into the air. The presence of nature became unusually vivid.

It was the silence created by the Leader of Demon Wings.

He was telling her to turn off her eye technique before speaking.

Footnotes:

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