WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 206: Demon Wings (7)

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Xiahou Wi-jin's raised eyebrows froze. They looked like strokes drawn in heavy ink.

Even after blurting out his answer, his mouth remained open, making him look somewhat dazed.

The admission that he had not known was plain and immediate. It seemed to have slipped out without thought.

"Yes... I never considered it."

Xiahou Wi-jin spoke again.

His deep voice rumbled softly.

The voice that had poured down over Jeong Yeon-shin's head shifted direction. It now drifted forward as a stunned murmur.

He no longer resembled the man who had burst into the Martial Alliance Assembly halls and smashed them apart to confront a Family Head.

The bearing of an extraordinary supreme master seemed to have scattered.

Whoosh.

A fierce wind suddenly stirred from the giant's black-robed body, flowing out with an aura in an instant.

The ripples along the lakeshore reflected the sunset and distorted.

As the waves spread outward in small concentric circles, Xiahou Wi-jin stamped his foot low as though performing True Step.

Thud.

Dust rose beneath him as he made a short leap.

Whoosh!

He shot upward with astounding elasticity. It was truly elven. Jeong Yeon-shin could distinctly feel the texture of the qi extending from the Yongquan acupoint in the sole of his foot.

The current of inner energy that pushed away the dust was taut yet flexible. There was elasticity in the way he circulated his power.

Jeong Yeon-shin's black hair fluttered wildly beside him.

'He learned it immediately. Good thing he understands.'

A small stamp of Xiahou Wi-jin's foot had lightly lifted that massive body. It was entirely different from when he had unleashed tyrannical fist arts at the Martial Alliance Assembly.

He no longer carried himself with such immense heaviness.

Regardless of his size, he moved like one of the elven race.

The enormously wide sleeves of Xiahou Wi-jin's Black Uniform fell opposite the movement of his body, then rose slightly.

'That is the skill of a Three Flowers Gather at the Crown master. He'll need training to refine it, though.'

Jeong Yeon-shin's gaze traveled from top to bottom.

Xiahou Wi-jin landed with his mouth slightly open and his broad brow furrowed.

The surprise and embarrassment on his face could not be hidden. His straightforward, honest nature came through clearly.

"How can such a secret exist... You know the human body better than I do. I never knew the muscles throughout the body and the twelve regular meridians could have such effects. This... can rightly be called the domain of a secret teaching. I have received instruction. It is precious knowledge, perfectly suited to me."

The Heaven-Treading Forest Squad Leader rambled as he raised his foot again.

"You don't need to start jumping right now..."

The new Leader of Demon Wings spoke cautiously.

"Hm?"

"Didn't you mention the dignity of a main fortress Squad Leader? You said appearances must be considered. Senior Xiahou, if you move like that, merchants and officials passing by may take you for some strange eccentric. It would be best to stop."

"..."

Jeong Yeon-shin took Xiahou Wi-jin's silence as a positive sign. After showing him a useful qi circulation route, he added practical advice.

This senior seemed greatly concerned with the dignity of Desolate Fortress Black Uniforms. It might leave a good impression.

Xiahou Wi-jin blinked his large eyes several times, then changed the subject.

"Training was a life of hardship. My body was not like that of my clansmen. Moving as they did would not produce much effect, yet I could not discard my roots. I had to rack my brain as though I were the founding master of a school."

His bitter voice filled the air. It carried the years of hardship he must have endured before rising to Black Uniform in Desolate Fortress.

"I regret the time I spent training without knowing what you taught me. It is empty. So terribly empty."

"I am glad it helped."

Jeong Yeon-shin replied with a straight posture.

Now that he looked at him, he rather liked Xiahou Wi-jin. They were both frank in word and deed, which made him easy to be around.

He was like the lakeshore at their feet, smooth as a mirror once more. Xiahou Wi-jin would likely accept anything said without embellishment exactly as it was.

So Jeong Yeon-shin continued calmly.

"I understand that you did not know. It can happen."

His tone was strangely dry.

It immediately gave the impression that he had spoken out of mere courtesy.

In truth, he did not understand at all.

He was like boys his own age. He could hardly conceal his feelings, yet his attempts to hide them often provoked the other person's irritation instead.

Xiahou Wi-jin's lips twitched slightly.

He felt conflicted.

He admired this junior, whose knowledge of the body was unbelievably deep. The new Leader of Demon Wings was a truly astonishing Grandmaster of the human body.

He felt profoundly grateful for the benefaction. Yet that was separate from how Jeong Yeon-shin always said the right thing.

His words and actions were so upright they almost seemed careless, scratching at Xiahou Wi-jin's heart.

'This is my problem, isn't it?'

The awareness of his improper feelings turned to shame. Xiahou Wi-jin thought.

Had he lacked the right to lecture others from the beginning? Damn it.

"...Yes, you have given me great martial insight. This is no ordinary realization. You have opened a new path in the Body Movement Scripture that will affect all my martial arts. If I do not repay you, I will be called a petty man. I will give you Kang Chang-mu, the Dawn Tree Sword. Kang Chang-mu is the Blue Uniform martial artist you once called part of your lineage."

Desolate Fortress Blue Uniform masters were already people of some renown.

Jeong Yeon-shin had also heard the epithet Dawn Tree Sword.

Kang Chang-mu was said to be a swordsman who wielded a fierce Illusory Sword. There was an interesting story about Kang Chang-mu.

At dawn, Kang Chang-mu had severed the head of the South Peak Freak with a sword that split like an afterimage.

The South Peak Freak had secretly threatened the Prefect of Wuchang in Huguang and lived luxuriously, until Kang Chang-mu exposed and executed the unorthodox master.

'They say Kang Chang-mu has entered the Radiant Sword Flow and reached the eighth star now.'

Jeong Yeon-shin had heard it on the journey from the Martial Alliance Assembly to the main fortress.

It was tremendous fighting strength. Kang Chang-mu might not defeat Cheong Myeong, the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword, but could at least discuss the sword with Cheong Myeong.

He had gained a Blue Uniform master through a piece of casual knowledge. It would have been difficult to achieve through a contest of pure martial strength.

Jeong Yeon-shin clasped his fist toward Xiahou Wi-jin.

"Thank you for your decision, Senior."

"It is a repayment. A repayment."

Xiahou Wi-jin smiled awkwardly.

Then it happened.

Step.

Ak Su-rim, who had been standing with her hands behind her back, took a step forward and sharply turned to look at them both.

Her hair, black as ebony and falling to her ears, swayed briskly. A black gleam flashed in her eyes.

"One Blue Uniform will not settle this. I hear your side has two White Uniforms of the Seom-ye Martial Lineage?"

"What?"

"The twelve regular meridians and minor meridians throughout the body are deeply mysterious. Blood has been spilled over a single page illustrating a qi circulation route. That is why secret manuals carry such weight. They are not passed down as the secret teachings of sects for nothing."

"..."

"If our Seom-ye had not told you, would someone as dull as you have known how to use your body like that? Repay him properly. Do not be stingy unless you want me to make a fool of you."

Ak Su-rim spoke with a smile.

She was talking about giving three swords to the new Leader of Demon Wings. One Blue Uniform and two White Uniforms.

It was strength enough to dominate a local martial world without a major faction. If they joined Demon Wings, they would be tremendous support.

"...There is nothing wrong with that."

Xiahou Wi-jin replied in an old-fashioned tone.

He did not object to Ak Su-rim's words. He accepted them as reasonable.

With agreement written all over his face, he named two people under the Heaven-Treading Forest Squad.

Ho Un-cheol, the Steel-Breaking Saber Wanderer.

Gongya Mi-ryeong, the Deep Hero Fist.

Jeong Yeon-shin was promised the transfer of two White Uniform martial artists.

He also learned how their move from the Heaven-Treading Forest Squad to Demon Wings would be handled.

A request had to be submitted to the Chief Steward's Office, then the process followed properly.

"The big man will handle that himself. Seom-ye, have the people below prepare a banquet. Think about how you will teach your martial lineage too. That is quite a headache. Our Divine Sword Squad had plenty of people who could not understand a word they heard. Remember, a Squad Leader's greatest virtue is patience."

Ak Su-rim's smiling advice ended as the sky turned dark red.

Under the fading twilight, they each took a different path after promising to meet again at Wonpyeong One Sword Hall, the site of the Squad Leader Assembly.

Desolate Fortress was vast, so the residences of its martial units were scattered everywhere.

While their three shadows stretched in the same direction, Jeong Yeon-shin finally headed toward the Demon Wings halls.

'Who will I see first?'

The faces of his seniors and subordinates passed through his mind.

His chest warmed.

* * *

In front of the Demon Wings Grand Training Hall.

The silence of dusk shattered. A great commotion had arisen at an unexpected hour.

Various auras and voices tangled together, creating a liveliness brighter than light.

"Squad Leader! I have attained the seventh star of Sihwa Boundless Fist! I can now switch freely between True Barrier and Fist Flower!"

"I waited forever after hearing what that Huangbo brat said!"

"Our Imperial Hero must have found the journey exhausting, so he went straight into his bedchamber..."

"Brother Seom-ye, no, Squad Leader...!"

"Tell us your heroic tales! I heard you turned the Orthodox Alliance upside down!"

All sorts of seniors had come to welcome him. Blue Uniforms and White Uniforms alike, even young unranked disciples, ran out and hugged Jeong Yeon-shin's legs.

They greeted their Squad Leader with joy written all over their faces.

Off to one side, the Huangbo brat stood chewing opium poppy, his weight resting on one leg.

He spoke to the unranked disciple beside him.

"Hey, when is the next promotion ceremony?"

"Even if I am younger, I am clearly your senior. I will answer if you speak respectfully. Swallow what you are eating before asking. That is etiquette."

"..."

"That is so cool..."

A ten-year-old boy in unranked robes murmured as he stared at the new black-robed Squad Leader surrounded by people.

His attitude, ignoring the Languid Flame Dragon entirely, was quite bold, but it was nothing unusual in Demon Wings.

Then a woman stepped forward.

"Let go of him and go inside, all of you."

She wore a blue long robe. Her cool eyes left a strong impression, and at her waist hung a sword that gleamed with an even colder air.

The aura surrounding her entire body pressed down like heavy air.

She was a master known, alongside Cheong Myeong, the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword, for both her beauty and sword qi.

Baek Mir-yeo, the One Lotus Sword Plum.

'Senior Baek.'

Warmth entered Jeong Yeon-shin's expression.

The moment their eyes met, Baek Mir-yeo's gaze softened as well.

"The Squad Leader's mission was long, so he must first recover from the journey. Have you not heard several times what happened at the Martial Alliance Assembly? Do not crowd him. It is right to catch up tomorrow."

She spoke in the One Lotus Sword Plum's uniquely even, clear voice.

Her familiar tone came with it.

'Ah.'

Jeong Yeon-shin finally realized that he had returned home.

Tomorrow's announcement of the Comprehensive Guide to Breaking the Orthodox Sects, the rewards from the Chief Steward's Office, and the spars with Squad Leaders to fill the vacancies all drifted from his mind in an instant.

A strange feeling rose within him.

It was as though a gentle sensation had become bedding and wrapped around his mind.

At Baek Mir-yeo's words, those who immediately agreed turned away. The elite martial unit that had fought the Plum Blossom Swordsmen as equals was quick to judge.

More than ten people moved as one. Each nodded, and some offered words of goodwill.

"I look forward to your instruction tomorrow. To be honest, the Squad Leader has not properly acted as a Squad Leader yet, so it feels rather awkward..."

"It is enough that you returned uninjured. Organize the documents and assign us missions. Tomorrow, of course."

"I want the heroic stories! I want to know what the Mount Hua Sword Absolute's Hidden Fragrance, Drifting Flower was like! And how you countered it, Squad Leader!"

"Squad Leader... please submit my promotion application. If possible, I want to go straight to Blue Uniform."

The Languid Flame Dragon, supporting the back of his neck with interlocked fingers, also trudged away.

The Demon Wings compound regained its silence after darkness settled over the twilight.

A crescent moon, like a rolled-up night sky, scattered pale light.

The commotion raised by the Demon Wings masters also vanished into black silence.

Amid it, Baek Mir-yeo and Jeong Yeon-shin's footsteps rang out side by side. Step, step, the sound of feet treading ground that had become home.

"Cheong Myeong is waiting."

Baek Mir-yeo spoke quietly.

She, Cheong Myeong, Hyeon Won-chang, and Jeong Yeon-shin had been Ma Gwang-il's Squad. Jeong Yeon-shin had told them about his life and constitution.

It had been when Ju Yeon-jeong of the Desolate Ma family was pressuring him.

After rising to Black Uniform, he had allowed them to speak comfortably to him in private as seniors and companions. They had earned that right.

"I am glad you are safe. I was worried after hearing you faced the Sword Absolute, Eon Hwa-ryeon, and the Sword Star one after another."

Her voice seeped into the moonlight.

Cheong Myeong was like an elder martial brother, and Baek Mir-yeo was no different from an elder martial sister.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not answer for a while. Feeling their concern was enough. He wanted it to be.

They remained silent as they passed the Grand Training Hall and the residences, until they reached the Leader of Demon Wings' office.

It was enough time for them. Even if Desolate Fortress law recognized no master-disciple relationships, the martial siblinghood of Demon Wings clearly existed.

The two crossed the threshold of the quiet hall.

Step.

They entered the office at once. Jeong Yeon-shin smelled a familiar scent.

The smell of steel and oil mingled with the aged fragrance of ink. The familiar scent drifted over the furniture, including the marble-carved table.

It was the smell of metal. The wall that had once held Ma Jin's many sabers was now filled with treasured swords of the Desolate Ma family.

There were more than ten.

"It's not because I was too arrogant to come greet you. I want our Squad Leader to understand this. Acting as the Leader of Demon Wings is no ordinary task."

A handsome man in a blue headscarf sat sprawled out, skimming through documents.

His features were distinct, and he had a gentle air. Invisible waves of power flowed freely around him, while the ends of the headscarf behind him constantly swayed.

Cheong Myeong always had a mysterious air.

"I have to review the missions we give our companions, refuse when other martial units request our people, spar with the ones who take issue with that, and manipulate the books a little to secure a budget from the Chief Steward's Office."

"..."

"And this, this is a request to borrow Shin So-bin for a while. But Shin So-bin must teach the unranked disciples, so that's not possible. I have to write a rejection that will make them as little angry as possible. If they dislike it, their Squad Leader sends us a challenge letter. What can I do? Their request isn't entirely unreasonable, so even the Chief Steward's Office can't do much about it."

"...You have worked very hard."

Jeong Yeon-shin praised his senior subordinate with great care.

Only then did Cheong Myeong raise his head. Jade-blue eyes narrowed slightly in a smiling gaze.

Cheong Myeong did not seem particularly tired, as befitted one of a noble clan, but the words in that clear voice said otherwise.

"We are half ruined. We get pushed around from every side. Desolate Fortress is a major faction, and like any large faction, it has a tendency for the strong to prey on the weak. Right now, Demon Wings is the weakest. There are no lowlifes who openly act like thugs, of course, but we still have to watch our step in many ways. We shrink back on our own."

Baek Mir-yeo, standing beside Cheong Myeong, nodded slightly.

That was the reality of Demon Wings. It was why Jeong Yeon-shin had planned to reinforce their masters even before returning.

The Seventeen Squads under the Divine Sword Squad Leader were fundamentally in competition with one another. Promotions alone made that clear.

A major faction as large as Desolate Fortress could be called a world of its own.

The prestige of one's martial unit became one's own prestige. The same would be true of the martial strength of the Squad Leader they regarded as their superior.

The new Leader of Demon Wings slowly parted his lips.

"Prepare challenge letters. Also prepare a list of the Squad Leaders remaining in the main fortress."

"Hm...?"

"I will send them to the Black Uniform seniors."

Jeong Yeon-shin stroked the hilt of the divine sword Northern Light.

Footnotes:

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