WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Episode 192: Bond (7)
──────
Silence overflowed. Immense shock spread through the grounds.
From the spectator stands, which held nearly a thousand people, to the watchtowers occupied by martial artists who had mastered the Body Movement Scripture, few seemed to realize that the grand founding ceremony had ended at that moment.
But only briefly. Cheers erupted from those who did not understand what had happened.
Waaaaah!
“The young expert did it after all!”
“To witness such a remarkable sight in my lifetime! Isn’t it truly awe-inspiring?”
“He defeated so many renowned martial artists from the orthodox sects...”
The crowd could not guess what had happened. Only a handful of supreme experts could infer the single method behind it.
Yet the broader one’s knowledge and the deeper one’s insight, the harder some things were to believe. What had just unfolded before them was one such thing.
“The Fist Exemplar’s inner energy barrier was intact when he struck.”
“An internal heavy-hand technique? He pierced through the Protective Qi Technique of the First Fist of the Eon Family... Is that even possible?”
“His control of qi has already reached flawless perfection. I cannot even imagine how many directions he moved that single strand of inner energy. He turned a point into a surface and set it spinning repeatedly... Even saying it aloud makes it difficult to accept. He invoked the Spinning Thread Force with such precision in that instant?”
“Even catching the exact moment to strike is absurd. His calculations would have to have reached the realm of foresight.”
“So there was a reason he became a Black Uniform of Desolate Fortress at that age...”
“The Fist Exemplar was far too careless. The Leader of Demon Wings had clearly been at a disadvantage, but while she kept talking, that boy had already found the opening he needed. He is a fighter blessed with talent unseen in ages. He should not have been given time.”
“Talent capable of overturning a gap in martial skill... Truly astonishing.”
The crowd filling the stands numbered nearly a thousand. Among them were experts who had come as casually as if they were out for a stroll.
Martial artists from a faction between orthodox and unorthodox, along with experts from factions that had not joined the Martial Alliance Assembly, eagerly exchanged martial discourse.
Underlying it all was admiration for the new Leader of Demon Wings. Some wore peculiar expressions because they did not welcome Desolate Fortress’s rise.
“The Assembly’s scale is unprecedented, so I thought Desolate Fortress would have to hold back for a while... I have no idea how the martial world’s balance will change now.”
“The Martial Alliance has only two paths it can take. It can grow even harsher in defense of its pride, or seek reconciliation with Desolate Fortress.”
“Reconciliation? Desolate Fortress is a major faction that knows nothing of negotiation. Wouldn’t that be difficult without sending a hostage?”
“A marriage alliance may be worth considering. It is a method often used by martial families. Things may change if an important Black Uniform figure and a key figure of the Assembly are joined in marriage.”
“The Assembly is not in such desperate straits... Still, we must wait and see. The upheaval caused by that Leader of Demon Wings will continue on a considerable scale.”
Meanwhile, the leadership tents beneath their splendid white canopies were quiet.
“...”
No one dared speak carelessly. They merely watched the Family Heads and the eminent senior figures representing the faction leaders.
The Zhuge Family Head, whose bearing was lofty, remained silent. A White Crane Fan adorned with dark blue tassels concealed the face.
The snow-white long robe and skin as pale as fresh snow gave off an especially cold air.
It seemed less like shallow anger and more like the contemplation of an absolute being whose plans had failed to unfold as intended.
The Martial Alliance’s grand founding ceremony had become a stage for Desolate Fortress’s triumph.
The new Squad Leader had displayed his martial prowess in the heart of the Assembly. He had even conquered the grand founding ceremony.
Nothing the Leader of Demon Wings, Seom-ye, had attempted so far had offered any certainty of success or victory.
The reclusive Sword Star’s request to defeat the Spirit Sky Sword Ghost. The martial match against the First Fist of the Eon Family, who had received a counterform for Seom-ye’s martial arts.
Allowing the young supreme expert to act and arranging this stage had backfired. The Assembly had fallen into disorder from the very beginning.
“We should give him the Great Revitalization Pill and send him away. It was not ours to begin with.”
A middle-aged swordsman with fierce eyes spoke. It was the Moyong Family Head, the foremost swordsman of Liaodong, clad in a deep pink long robe.
“The longer that brat remains here, the more it feels as if ill fortune clings to Hanzhong. The eyes of the entire martial world are focused here, so the Family Heads and elders cannot make a move. Sending him away is the answer.”
“...”
“Of those the Zhuge Family Head sent to devise counterforms, quite a few have befriended the Leader of Demon Wings. We should remove him before he gains popularity among the orthodox sects. I hear that, unlike his arrogant behavior on the martial stage, his nature is gentle and honest. That is fortunate, at least. If someone recognized by our Alliance after conquering the grand founding ceremony begins digging into this side, hiding what troubles us will become extremely inconvenient.”
The words were blunt. The Moyong Family Head was the only person who spoke his mind before the Zhuge Family Head.
He was indirectly referring to the matter involving the Heart Martial Union and the late Prefect. It was the one remaining source of unease after the grand founding ceremony had ended in disaster.
The Zhuge Family Head only nodded silently. Contempt filled the gaze directed at the fallen Eon Hwa-ryeon.
Fist martial artists of the Eon Family approached her while avoiding the Leader of Demon Wings.
Fresh blood flowed from Eon Hwa-ryeon’s lips, her heart meridian ruptured. Seom-ye, the Leader of Demon Wings, stood to one side holding the flag amid the crowd’s cheers.
At that moment, the boy stood at the center of the world. For now, at least.
The Moyong Family Head glanced at them before turning toward the spectator stands.
The Leader of Demon Wings’ subordinate, who had earlier denounced Eon Hwa-ryeon, was shouting in celebration.
“That man.”
A cold light appeared in the Moyong Family Head’s eyes.
“He seems familiar somehow. Apart from this matter, there was something about him that bothered me. I don’t know where I’ve seen him. It cannot have been a good connection.”
“He is an insignificant wretch. Judging by his conduct, his background appears lowly as well.”
Moyong Myeong-jun spoke from the seat beside him. Following his father’s gaze, he glared at Hyeon Won-chang. He slowly continued.
“He is little more than an idler with a loud mouth. His martial skill is...”
He stopped speaking.
Using the supreme eye technique he had acquired from the tomb of an unknown Heavenly Demon, he examined Hyeon Won-chang.
A strange feeling kept him from making a firm judgment. Hyeon Won-chang differed even from the Leader of Demon Wings, whom Moyong Myeong-jun could not gauge.
Everything should have been plainly visible to his eyes, yet it felt as though his supreme eye technique was urging him to look deeper.
“You did not learn it carelessly.”
The Moyong Family Head glanced at his son.
“Among Desolate Fortress’s envoys, he showed especially notable hostility. Keep watch over him until the Leader of Demon Wings leaves.”
“...Yes.”
Moyong Myeong-jun lowered his head slightly.
The elders of the Assembly’s two largest pillars were equally authoritarian. Both the Moyong Family and the Zhuge Family were like that.
The younger generation with succession rights had no choice but to obey their Family Heads.
Moyong Myeong-jun was even competing with the elder sister who remained at the main family estate for precedence.
The Moyong Family’s eldest daughter had recently gained strength after bringing an elven race expert into the family as a live-in son-in-law.
That person of noble lineage was an eminent master who possessed a secret method capable of making the family’s soil fertile during lean years.
‘I must earn merit.’
His dignity was his father’s dignity. That was how the younger generation of prestigious families was raised. He could not tarnish their standing through careless words or actions.
“I will keep a close watch on him along with the Leader of Demon Wings.”
Moyong Myeong-jun spoke again.
The Moyong Family Head looked at him indifferently, then spoke in place of the Zhuge Family Head.
“In any case, let us finish the remaining schedule within two days and send him away. Only the Sword Star will be disappointed.”
The crowd did not leave. Their boisterous chatter made the clear sunlight seem noisy.
The Assembly leadership, which had been certain of the First Fist of the Eon Family’s victory, took the lead in announcing the next event.
The martial match between the Sword Star and the Leader of Demon Wings was scheduled for tomorrow, but the final event of the day remained.
The Martial Alliance’s grand founding ceremony was a festival that had been widely advertised for a long time. Notices had been posted throughout the Central Plains, drawing tremendous attention.
It had been announced in advance that Shaolin’s Great Revitalization Pill would be offered. Many had gathered in hopes of at least catching the scent of the elixir pill granted to the victor.
“That is...”
“Peerless spiritual medicine lies within that.”
“Doesn’t the air feel clearer?”
People whispered among themselves.
After Eon Hwa-ryeon was carried away by experts of the Jinju Eon Family, the Martial Alliance’s Internal Chief Strategist stepped onto the martial stage. Her robes, reflecting the pure white sunlight, fluttered behind her.
Miss Ye held an antique wooden box in both hands.
Step.
She approached Jeong Yeon-shin with light footsteps. The boy, who had lowered the flag at an angle, silently watched her.
When the Leader of Demon Wings’ black long robe brushed against the clear autumn wind, the two stood facing each other.
“It’s the Great Revitalization Pill.”
Her lips moved.
“I checked it myself, so it’s genuine.”
“Good.”
The boy looked at the wooden box Miss Ye held in both hands.
The reward for spending a rather long time at the Assembly was inside it. He had gained enough merit. All that remained was ensuring his maternal grandfather’s well-being.
Swish.
As he accepted the wooden box, their hands brushed lightly beneath it. A soft sensation touched the side of Jeong Yeon-shin’s finger.
Her fingertips were delicate for a martial artist. That was true even though the subtle principles of her footwork, apparent in every step, were of a considerable level.
She spoke playfully.
“Congratulations, young Squad Leader.”
“Thank you.”
The boy answered. Because of Immortal Dragon Jegal Hyeon, Gongsun Min, the Little Sword Empress, and Cheon Ju-jin, he had stopped holding prejudices against the people of the Assembly.
Miss Ye was different from the other senior figures. Even now, something seemed to flow into him and richly fill his upper dantian.
Miss Ye’s goodwill was pure. She had remained consistent from their first meeting until now.
‘I don’t know what she truly thinks, but I should return the favor.’
Jeong Yeon-shin parted his lips calmly as he thought of the connections he had made.
He intended to invite not only Jegal Hyeon and Gongsun Min, whom he had just recalled, but also Cheon Ju-jin, Yu Hyeon, and the Little Sword Empress.
“If you come to Fragrant Rhyme Residence before leaving, I’ll treat you to Dragon Well tea. I’ve prepared a great deal.”
The boy spoke.
At that moment, Miss Ye’s exhale deepened slightly. Her ruby-red lips curved upward.
How were the eyes beneath the white silk looking at the boy? Her figure was beautiful even without the aid of upper dantian aura sense.
‘Beautiful?’
The boy repeated the thought to himself gruffly.
When he had seen Ak Su-rim, the Desolate Divine Spear, he had sensed death. Along with the throbbing pain in his knees, a strange feeling had come over him. It had never happened before.
He had become conscious of women for no reason. He was growing older. The feeling was even clearer now than it had been then.
Had all those who formed families, including his own mother, lived with such troublesome feelings?
It was strange and frightening. To the boy, natural changes meant approaching ruin.
Death stroked his spine.
Jeong Yeon-shin looked at Miss Ye, whose gaze met his. Her pure white blindfold seemed like her eyes.
Sunlight shimmered regardless of the boy’s confusion, and Jeong Yeon-shin unconsciously looked away.
As though he were turning away from the death drawing near with the end of autumn.
“You invited me, right? I’m really coming?”
“If you don’t send word in advance, my companions will chase you away.”
“Yes, understood. I’ll send a letter first.”
She answered with a smile. It was a clear, red smile without a trace of blemish.
The curve drawn by Miss Ye’s lips seemed to remind the crowd once more that the grand founding ceremony had ended.
Cheers rose again. They were louder than ever.
Shouts rang out as though they would tear open the sky. The joys and sorrows of gambling-loving people of the Central Plains seeped into the blue heavens.
“Leader of Demon Wings! The chivalrous young expert is so formidable!”
“Seom-ye won! This one is a tycoon now!”
“I lost it all―!”
“Thank you for broadening our horizons!”
Amid the tremendous cheers, the boy heard Miss Ye’s footsteps clearly.
Step.
“Rest well today. See you tomorrow.”
She slowly turned around. Her skirt hem, flowing as though she had dressed formally today, brushed lightly against the ground.
A small laugh escaped her. Her black hair fluttered as though it took the place of her smile.
Its color contrasted with her white robes, which resembled palace attire.
Miss Ye walked lightly away.
The boy in black robes stood alone on the martial stage.
He held the wooden box containing the Great Revitalization Pill in his left hand and gripped the Imperial Hero’s white Desolate Banner at an angle in his right.
The cheers grew without end. Respect and goodwill, anger and joy over the grand founding ceremony’s outcome swirled together there.
* * *
The next day.
The boy sat in meditation beside the pond at Fragrant Rhyme Residence and received three guests. They were all renowned figures rarely seen anywhere.
Even the two who were relatively young were like that. The faces of those distinguished guests shone under the autumn sunlight.
Among them was a lofty swordsman of the Mount Hua Sect.
“Setting aside personal matters... I came to tell you the key to binding your sword art into a single whole. The foundation of sword arts lies in linked forms. To receive the Sword Star’s sword, crudely connected sword strokes will not be enough.”
Cheon Ju-jin spoke.
Mountain birds sang from the branches above them. Their chirping was clear.
Only one day remained before the Sword Star’s instruction, a face-saving measure created by the Assembly leadership in preparation for any unforeseen situation.
Footnotes:
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
