WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 197: Sword Thunder Flash Ridge Form (5)

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"Our Seom-ye, it’s been a while. I watched everything... You looked wonderful at the grand founding ceremony, you know? I was a little smitten."

A small, light hand patted his shoulder.

It was Ak Su-rim, a girl in a Black Uniform with short hair falling to the nape of her neck.

Her eyes met Jeong Yeon-shin’s. The dark eyes of the senior who had undergone Rejuvenation gleamed.

"I thought my eyes would fall out from watching. Especially when you were with the Sword Ghost. Eye techniques aren’t even my specialty. Still, I couldn’t let this slide. It was too dangerous."

As she finished speaking, she turned toward the Zhuge Family Head.

Their clear gazes met.

Ak Su-rim was said to be the strongest in Desolate Fortress beneath the Divine Sword Squad Leader.

The Zhuge Family Head had planned the Martial Alliance Assembly and placed the family on solid ground. Which held the advantage? It was a confrontation that would draw the martial world’s attention.

Boom!

A giant who had arrived after knocking down seven pavilions stood to Yeon-shin’s left. His presence was overwhelming.

He did not look like a member of the elven race at all, yet his ears were as pointed as those of any pureblood clan.

His hair was swept completely back, revealing a broad forehead above a handsome face.

The eyes that glanced down at the boy held deep curiosity.

"So you’re Seom-ye. I am Wi-jin of the Desolate Xiahou Family."

His voice was as thick as his build. It seemed to resound from deep within his body, and the inner energy woven into it was immense.

Every word rang through Yeon-shin’s head. Perhaps it was the result of a member of the elven race who had lived for ages without holding back while breathing and circulating qi.

Thousand Fists, Dragon-Powered Divine Official Xiahou Wi-jin.

He was the leader of the Heaven-Treading Forest Squad and famous as the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s trusted subordinate. As a Squad Leader himself, he too wore a Black Uniform.

Since he stood at least three heads taller than Yeon-shin, it almost looked like a cape.

Yeon-shin briefly raised his clasped hands.

"It is an honor to meet you, Senior Xiahou. I am Jeong Yeon-shin of Xinye County."

For now, that was the end of their introductions. An unparalleled master stood before him.

Ak Su-rim spoke again, casting a sidelong glance at the Zhuge Family Head.

"The Tang Family Head, who reveres Seom-ye as a master, will come too. We only need to decisively put down Moyong and Zhuge. It shouldn’t be difficult. This shoddy assembly isn’t complete yet."

She smiled brightly.

Her voice was cheerful, like a lark’s song. In an instant, the atmosphere had become lighter.

Ak Su-rim folded her smooth fingers one by one.

"Let’s see... Me, the Tang Family Head, the big guy, and Seom-ye. Don’t you think we could strike and retreat against a pale fellow like you and that Moyong fool? Our swordplay and footwork are on a different level from those pitiful subordinates of yours. From the looks of it, that Moyong fellow knows everything and has shut himself in, hasn’t he? Look at his aura. It hasn’t moved at all."

The corners of her mouth rose.

"There must be something in there that can’t be seen. The Moyong Family Head must have decided to stop dealing with you after sensing us."

She spoke of the Zhuge Family Head and the Moyong Family Head with shocking familiarity. Yet it was no exaggeration.

Yeon-shin had sensed two auras approaching at terrifying speed. The deeply profound traces of inner energy were familiar.

The Tang Family Head and Cheon Ju-jin. With such a disturbance underway, they would have noticed that something was wrong. It was also obvious which side they would take once they arrived.

The Alliance Leader was neutral. That much was clear from the fact that the leader had not shown himself until now.

Sword Star Hyeon So-baek was an unparalleled master whom common people called an immortal. Though he had risen from the wandering martial world, he had displayed transcendent ability time and again.

It was impossible to guess how far his aura sense extended. The moment the Leader of Demon Wings caused a disturbance, he had likely noticed what had happened to the Clear Qilin as well.

When he had met Yeon-shin, he had spoken of restoring the orthodox path and revealed his anguish. The strongest master in Hanzhong would not appear here now.

As the Martial Alliance Leader, he could not take Desolate Fortress’s side, but neither would he support the Zhuge Family Head.

Under such circumstances, Ak Su-rim and Xiahou Wi-jin had only one role: to safeguard Seom-ye’s actions. They had entered prepared for war, but avoiding unnecessary fighting was the right course.

This was the heart of the greatest enemy camp under heaven. Unless the Zhuge Family Head tried to break through them, there was no need for them to harm the Zhuge Family Head either.

They only needed to watch the Zhuge Family Head’s downfall.

"Desolate Fortress should have no spare forces these days..."

The Zhuge Family Head spoke quietly. Nothing showed on the face.

The fan still hid only the lips, and the figure still looked relaxed, but everyone present knew that attitude was a bluff.

Ak Su-rim casually brushed back the hair hanging like ebony beside her ears.

Then she kneaded her pale nape with a careless hand. Her bold, beautiful bearing gave off an air of freedom.

"Our Seom-ye is clearly Desolate Fortress’s future. Desolate Fortress sent its treasure over to your side. Did you think the main fortress would just sit back and watch? Do you think we’re idiots?"

Though she sneered crudely, the Zhuge Family Head did not answer.

The strongest Black Uniform of Desolate Fortress could contend even with a Family Head.

The rumors that the Desolate Divine Spear had elevated the Ak Family Spear to another realm were no empty tales.

As for the Thousand Fists, Dragon-Powered Divine Official, it was said that his fist art could split a hill. The Tang Family Head and the Sword Absolute were renowned supreme masters as well.

On top of that, the disturbance Yeon-shin had caused was enormous.

He had destroyed the walls within Zhuge Family territory. He had even unleashed Radiant River.

The Martial Alliance Assembly was filled with people at the upper levels of the martial world, people with keen senses. An immense number of them were gathering.

Everything was unfavorable to the Zhuge Family Head.

Even if the pavilion containing the Clear Qilin’s body was concerning, the Zhuge Family Head could not look away with the Desolate Divine Spear and the Thousand Fists, Dragon-Powered Divine Official before them.

The Zhuge Family Head stood atop the roof with elegant composure and did nothing.

Slowly, Yeon-shin straightened himself. He adjusted the sleeve that existed only on his right side and dusted off his body.

Desolate Fortress’s protection felt vast once more.

It was time to meet the deceased. Jegal Cheong-a, who had been trembling without knowing what to do, followed behind him.

Her expression was resolute. She intended to crush the Zhuge Family Head’s reputation among the orthodox sects of the martial world at last.

"Leader of Demon Wings."

The Zhuge Family Head called out in an even voice.

Yeon-shin did not turn around. He did not stop walking either.

A voice as lucid as the Zhuge Wuhou of legend continued.

"Such conduct, unable to distinguish heaven from earth, is not good. You will die young away from home. Even a flower without equal in all ages is meaningless if it cannot bloom. Though your talent may defy past and present, the many powerful people of the world will not look kindly upon you."

"Your kind can’t think the other way around."

Yeon-shin spoke without stopping.

"The Alliance Assembly has crossed me. Remember today, then bring it up again two years from now."

His words brought silence. They were also a terrifying warning.

A talent racing forward at a speed unseen under heaven had promised a future. The more accomplished the master, the more chilling those words were.

The moment the ultimate master with the White Crane Fan fell silent...

"Ha ha ha ha ha!"

"Isn’t he quite proud!"

Xiahou Wi-jin’s laughter summoned the wind. It was not merely hearty, but a roar like a raging gale.

Yeon-shin almost wrapped his eardrums with the Record of the Dharma Light Wheel, but barely endured as he entered the pavilion.

Jegal Cheong-a came with him, breathing in thin, shaky gasps.

Behind them, countless presences rose.

There were martial heroes asking one another what had happened, younger talents including the Little Sword Empress who had rushed over in a single dash, and even Cheon Ju-jin, who had arrived ahead of them.

He could also feel Hyeon Won-chang’s aura, tethered to the Tang Family Head’s presence.

A great disturbance rose like a wildfire.

"How could this happen...?"

"The Leader of Demon Wings may have dominated the grand founding ceremony, but can Desolate Fortress truly act so against all reason?"

"The Desolate Divine Spear?!"

"That bearing in a Black Uniform, a member of the elven race... The Thousand Fists, Dragon-Powered Divine Official is here...?"

"Leader of Demon Wings! Why have you committed such an outrageous act?"

The confused voice of the Cheongil Sect Master rang out as well. During the early days of the Alliance Assembly, the sect leader had exchanged moves with Yeon-shin alongside the disciples.

The Cheongil Sect Master had featured at the beginning of the Comprehensive Guide to Breaking the Orthodox Sects. After arriving belligerently, the sect leader had laughed and parted ways, saying Yeon-shin had given valuable instruction.

It proved that quite a few within the assembly held favorable feelings toward the Leader of Demon Wings.

The number gathering behind them began to exceed several hundred.

Some leaped over the tall walls in a single bound, some ran along the roofs, some sat with their feet on pavilion railings, and others stood tall on the roof opposite the Zhuge Family Head.

"That’s what he was like from the beginning. Martial skill of that level at his age... and the position of being the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s direct disciple. Does he see the world as his toy? He wraps himself in the lofty banner of public welfare, yet refuses to see the martial world for what it is."

"Has his arrogance grown so great that he raised his sword against the assembly’s vanguard? Even looking down on everyone has its limits."

"Does Desolate Fortress truly see the orthodox path and the Demonic Sect as the same? This Three Joys Sect has stood with the people’s will since the grand founding ceremony! Not everyone is like the Huangbo Family!"

Hostility spread like a prairie fire.

The Zhuge Family was the central pillar of the Martial Alliance Assembly.

A martial artist from another faction had violated Zhuge territory within the assembly’s headquarters. Seeing the ruins Yeon-shin had created, they could not help but rage.

The atmosphere was ominous. At last, weapons were drawn, followed by the sound of inner energy being imbued into them.

Shing! Clang, clang!

Many prepared for battle despite seeing Ak Su-rim and Xiahou Wi-jin.

Ak Ye-rim, who had arrived late, did the same.

Her long black braid swayed. The aura rising from her body fluttered her clothes like the wings of a white heron.

She held a spear in both hands.

She only flinched for a moment upon seeing Ak Su-rim, the aunt who looked younger than herself.

She had come after hearing that the Leader of Demon Wings was running wild, but the pavilion complex, more devastated than she had imagined, chilled her heart.

‘I thought things were different from what I believed. That my prejudice had been excessive. That I should be ashamed...’

In Hanzhong, where the Martial Alliance stood, the Leader of Demon Wings of Desolate Fortress had been entrusted with subjugating the Heart Martial Union. Though it meant facing another enemy in hostile territory, he had not refused.

Before facing the Heart Martial Union’s martial troops on West Peak Road, she had learned his true feelings. Seom-ye had killed a worthy rival and restrained himself.

When Immortal Dragon Jegal Hyeon’s advice loosened that restraint, a swift sword form reminiscent of the Imperial Sword Art had appeared.

After that, she saw herself reflected in the Martial Alliance’s decision to move up the grand founding ceremony’s schedule.

Narrow-minded conduct born from stubbornness and the belief that, because they were right, anything was permitted.

She had even stopped Eon Hwa-ryeon when she considered reading the counterform for Seom-ye’s martial arts that she had received from the Zhuge Family Head.

It had disgusted her.

Yet the sight before her now...

‘I don’t understand anything anymore.’

Ak Ye-rim squeezed her eyes shut, her face twisting painfully.

What was right, and what was wrong? What kind of person was Seom-ye truly? Among the Profound Heaven Squad martial artists groaning in the distance were friends with whom she had built ties.

The Leader of Demon Wings, who had entered the small pavilion, did not emerge for a long time.

"Explain why you committed such brutality!"

"Does Desolate Fortress intend to plot against our alliance?"

The air grew hot. Areas crowded with masters of inner energy were usually filled with Scorching Yang qi. It happened even without intent.

The moment inner energy was raised, auras rubbed against one another. In group battles, the stronger one’s power, the higher one’s attainment in the Protective Qi Technique had to be.

"Should you not first deal with the Thirteen Heavens to establish your justification?"

"Seom-ye, come out and speak for yourself! Why are you hiding in the Zhuge Family’s residence?"

Anger produced heat, and Scorching Yang qi fueled their rage further. The cauldron of aura that seemed ready to erupt at any moment steadily expanded.

This was the Martial Alliance Assembly. Anyone carrying a weapon was already a master.

Yet the Desolate Divine Spear, Ak Su-rim, seemed afraid of nothing.

"You’re all yapping so loudly. Even the Zhuge Family Head can’t attack for fear of getting hurt, yet you martial artists are all talk."

"How can you be so lawless in an orthodox martial alliance?"

Some martial artists fell silent the instant she opened her mouth.

"There are three Black Uniforms gathered here."

Ak Su-rim shifted her weight onto one leg and lightly clasped her hands behind her back.

She answered with a snort, and power gleamed from the spear she loosely held behind her back. Her manner resembled a back-alley thug, yet it strangely suited her.

"Don’t you know what that means? This place is Desolate Fortress now too."

With the face of a girl who appeared to have only just passed fifteen, she mocked the gathered martial heroes. She did not strike first, but she was pouring oil onto the fire.

That was Ak Su-rim’s natural temperament. Even if driven to the edge of a cliff, she would smile in that irritating way.

Her personality, so startlingly suited to her peerless martial arts, had created the epithet Desolate Divine Spear.

The cries of resentment intensified. Jeers unbefitting the occasion rang out as well. Some assembly masters had fully tempered force waves into their sword strikes.

It was a hair’s breadth from battle. A fight on an unprecedented scale was about to erupt.

"A pitiful clan keeps chattering without end! How contemptible! I want to crush every last one of you insects to death!"

Bang! Bang!

Xiahou Wi-jin slammed his fists together. Colorless fragments of inner energy fell to the ground. They were qi solidified through Force Projection.

Just as some martial heroes flinched at the sight proving the Thousand Fists, Dragon-Powered Divine Official’s strength...

Step.

A black hem cut through those fragments of overwhelming power like flower petals. It moved with quiet footsteps.

Along with the wind, the young Leader of Demon Wings appeared.

"...!"

The gathered people’s eyes widened.

The boy held a handsome young man in both arms.

Namgung Se-jin’s face, peaceful in death with his eyes closed, retained a vitality no corpse should possess. It was impossible without some kind of method or artifice.

"Ah..."

Ak Ye-rim covered her lips with one hand, holding back a groan as her eyes reddened.

A few sharp-eyed people seemed to grasp the situation quickly. Low groans escaped from every direction.

The Clear Qilin was a famous figure in the orthodox martial world.

Many knew his face. That included the younger generation.

Moyong Myeong-jun quietly slipped away and disappeared. Gongsun Min opened his mouth wide. The Little Sword Empress and Yu Hyeon did the same.

The Languid Flame Dragon had been crouching on the wall, watching the pavilion. At the sight of an old friend’s condition, he wore a bitter expression.

Immortal Dragon Jegal Hyeon arrived late, confusion covering his face.

Shock and questions surged. The crowd’s disturbance grew louder.

"Why is the Clear Qilin in a Zhuge Family pavilion?"

"Why is a corpse that should be buried in dust so intact...?"

The Zhuge Family Head did not take proper action. The head had to endure the gazes of Desolate Fortress’s supreme masters, who were keeping the head in check.

There was no help to expect from the Alliance Leader, who still refused to appear, nor from the Moyong Family Head, who had quickly grasped the situation and fled.

‘I’ve been driven into a corner. Must I live as an outcast?’

The Zhuge Family Head thought calmly.

The Clear Qilin Namgung Se-jin’s body, brought out from here, was overwhelming proof in itself. The defenses of the Zhuge Family’s grounds had been airtight.

One only needed to see the disturbance Seom-ye had caused. The same conclusion applied to the traces of the Mount Mao Sect within the Clear Qilin’s body.

Any senior expert with even slight knowledge of sorcery-based martial arts would recognize their origin. It would not take long before they connected the Mount Mao Sect of Southern Zhili, the Namgung Family, and the Zhuge Family.

That was why the Zhuge Family Head had tried to block it before it happened. Failing to consider Desolate Fortress’s aggressive move had been the fatal mistake.

Then Jegal Cheong-a’s testimony was added. It was the crowning blow.

The girl swallowed lightly and stepped forward, announcing the chain of events.

"As you heroes all know, I am an insignificant person called the Deep Still Eye, the eyes of the Zhuge Family."

Every circumstance was contained in her clear voice. She continued in an even tone.

The head of the Council of Elders, the only surviving direct descendant of the Namgung Family; Seom-ye Jeong Yeon-shin, dispatched to the assembly as Desolate Fortress’s envoy after time had passed; her father’s decision, unable to bear losing face to the young Leader of Demon Wings; and the Leader of Demon Wings’s actions after willingly stepping forward upon hearing Jegal Cheong-a’s words.

The more they heard, the more shocked they became. It could not be otherwise.

"What is this...?"

"The world will laugh at the alliance..."

Those who could not bring themselves to glare at the ultimate master holding the White Crane Fan slowly lifted their eyes from Namgung Se-jin’s body.

The Leader of Demon Wings’s face was reflected in countless retinas.

Alone, he had broken through the family’s defensive formation. He had raced here to recover the body of someone he had met as an enemy.

He had not feared an armed clash with the family in the heart of the assembly.

The faces of the assembly’s martial heroes began to soften. The expressions once filled with anger and resolve gave way to shame.

They belonged to the orthodox path. The Three Joys Sect Master had been right. Not everyone in the martial world was rotten.

Then, from one side, Hyeon Won-chang, who had remained beside Seom-ye of Desolate Fortress longer than anyone else, spoke.

As if composing a verse on the spot, he sang a short melody like a funeral dirge. His voice was clear and pleasant to hear.

"A youth’s moment is worth a thousand gold.

A worthy foe is forever bound within his sword."

"......"

There was no one who did not know of the matters between Desolate Fortress and the Namgung Family.

Silence spread like a tidal wave. Hundreds of people closed their mouths. The sight was as magnificent as a landscape.

What emotions did each of them feel? It was impossible to count the different feelings filling their hearts.

As the gathering, where none were anything less than masters, stood shrouded in cloudlike auras, Hyeon Won-chang carefully continued.

"Now get lost."

Footnotes:

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