WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Chapter 21: Middle Dantian

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"...I must have mentioned it when I assigned you the Blood Flame Sect cultist incident. Didn’t I say that the Mount Hua Sect lost the Purple Cloud Pellet?"

"The Shaanxi branch said they lacked the capacity to handle it. Thanks to that, I caught the Blood Master."

"That’s right. It still has not been resolved. The Purple Cloud Pellet is a treasure of that worth. It is spiritual medicine akin to one of the martial world’s greatest treasures. The suspects, the sects that took the lead in interrogating them to win Mount Hua Sect’s favor, and even other sects and martial artists who saw this as an opportunity to settle old debts. Every kind of martial faction in Shaanxi is entangled."

"...Martial artists will swarm there, then."

Jeong Yeon-shin did not look serious. Shaanxi’s martial world, more vast than most small nations, had become completely embroiled. Yeon-shin could not help feeling excited.

Yeon-shin had already realized it. Those who roamed the realm by the sword were scattered throughout Shaanxi.

They were all martial artists who would help refine Sihwa Boundless Fist.

Perhaps those feelings showed on Yeon-shin’s face. Ma Jin, who had made the proposal, could not hide their unease.

"You will accompany the Mount Hua Sect. Until the fighting dies down, you will search for Mount Hua’s Purple Cloud Pellet with them."

"A martial artist from another sect helping them find their own elixir pill...?"

"It also serves as a form of surveillance. Mount Hua knows that. They already had a major clash with a group of unorthodox sects, and one of Xi’an’s largest guesthouses collapsed entirely. The casualties were enormous. Demon Wings’ role is to restrain the Mount Hua Sect’s use of force at the center of the storm."

"Will the Mount Hua Sect accept this?"

"The Mount Hua Sect wants to become the second Shaolin. They seek imperial recognition as the representative of the Taoist sects. Even if you went alone, you would receive considerable hospitality. Of course, they would also keep you in check."

"......"

Jeong Yeon-shin fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking.

"A conflict of this scale in the martial world cannot occur often. With proper justification in place, it will be an opportunity to swing my sword as I please in actual combat."

"Yes. Given the nature of your talent, I believe you can make gains that training could never match. It is an opportunity to freely exchange swords with all manner of renowned martial artists under the name of Desolate Fortress."

Jeong Yeon-shin had already agreed inwardly. Martial arts untested in actual combat were no different from theory.

Sihwa Boundless Fist was a newly created fist art lacking forms. Yeon-shin felt those gaps could be filled through this mission.

There would not be many chances to observe the martial arts of the Nine Sects.

"You have already completed one mission admirably. This time, use your own discretion."

"I’ll go."

Jeong Yeon-shin did not deliberate for long. Yeon-shin also thought it necessary to remain away from the Desolate Ma family for a while.

Yeon-shin did not know how a maternal grandfather possessed by madness might try to persuade them.

The moment Yeon-shin exchanged anything as blood kin, they would become firmly entangled. It could hold Yeon-shin back when it was time to move forward.

‘I should accumulate merits and remain outside as much as possible without taking a break.’

Having made up their mind, Jeong Yeon-shin raised their head.

"How many people will there be?"

"The same as during the Blood Flame Sect cultist incident. Hyeon Won-chang is still a new recruit, while Cheong Myeong and Baek Mir-yeo have yet to finish their punishment over the tavern incident involving the Azure Sky Squad. They volunteered very eagerly. I will be going as well."

"You will be going, Squad Leader?"

"If we are dealing with one of the Nine Sects, someone at the level of a Divine Sword Squad Leader must go to match their standing."

"When will we depart?"

"The group is assembled, so we will set out tomorrow. Pack your things as soon as you return."

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded. It seemed instruction in the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s martial arts would have to wait until after the return.

For now, Yeon-shin needed to refine Sihwa Boundless Fist. The experience gained from this mission would be of great help.

* * *

The sunlight shimmered pale pink over several brilliant falling plum blossoms.

The wind swept through in flowing strokes, like a master calligrapher’s cursive script, brushing past the five martial artists of Demon Wings.

‘It would be nice if the next mission were somewhere with a relay-station road.’

Jeong Yeon-shin regretted the time that had passed.

The rows of fully bloomed plum blossoms felt oppressive, unlike before. Time never seemed to stop.

"What a shame. Isn’t this the heart of Shaanxi’s martial world? Yet we cannot wear Desolate Fortress uniforms."

Hyeon Won-chang grumbled.

They wore ordinary clothes instead of the conspicuous Desolate Fortress uniforms, for the Mount Hua Sect’s sake.

"It does not seem as prosperous as Xiangyang."

Jeong Yeon-shin replied. Yeon-shin had grown accustomed to humoring Hyeon Won-chang’s frivolous remarks.

It was clear from Hyeon Won-chang’s grin, as though they had not been complaining only moments ago.

"I heard Xi’an in Shaanxi is a great city where all kinds of masters gather, aside from the Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect."

"I see."

Jeong Yeon-shin replied calmly and looked around. It was certainly different.

Unlike Xiangyang, whose streets were filled with large merchant companies and all manner of peddlers, this place possessed a more orderly elegance.

It was likely because the city had flourished for a very long time, even before the dynasty’s founding.

The group dismounted before a massive guesthouse said to have a two-hundred-year history.

Its exterior was almost that of a wine house.

They never stayed in shabby places while passing through a city. Such was the wealth of Desolate Fortress.

Ma Jin spoke after dismounting.

"Xi’an is Zhongnan Sect territory. It is not a place the Mount Hua Sect can stir up as it pleases. We must be careful as well."

"Ugh... Before entering the main fortress, I never imagined I would become more familiar with horses than swords."

Hyeon Won-chang patted their waist and thighs.

Then it happened.

The guesthouse doors suddenly opened. At the same time, Jeong Yeon-shin sensed a gathering of intense energy.

"The masters of Desolate Fortress have arrived. We have been waiting."

Male and female Taoists emerged in an orderly line.

There were more than a dozen of them, yet they did not seem disorderly.

The approaching figures felt like a single enormous sword.

Most striking was the plum blossom embroidery on the hems of their white martial uniforms.

‘Mount Hua Sect!’

The middle-aged swordsman at the front possessed a fearsome aura that matched their sharp features. It felt comparable to facing Ma Jin for the first time.

"Daoist Cheon Ju. It seems you have been here for some time. The road was difficult, but we barely arrived in time."

Ma Jin gave a brief cupped-fist salute.

Jeong Yeon-shin sensed Hyeon Won-chang flinch beside them.

Should Yeon-shin praise Hyeon Won-chang for not opening their mouth and making a fuss?

‘The leader of the Plum Blossom Swordsmen.’

Cheon Ju was called the Mount Hua Sword Absolute. It was a famous Daoist name.

It was renowned well beyond Shaanxi.

A formidable master who led the Mount Hua Sect’s elite swordsmen had descended the mountain in person.

"Leader of Demon Wings, One Lotus Sword Plum, Blue-Eyed Demon Sword. Familiar faces."

Cheon Ju scanned the three with an expressionless face.

‘Blue-Eyed Demon Sword?’

Blue-Eyed Demon Sword Cheong Myeong. It was the first time Jeong Yeon-shin had heard that epithet. It was quite unexpected. How did Cheong Myeong fight their enemies?

When Yeon-shin looked toward Cheong Myeong, Cheong Myeong merely gave a soft smile.

Jeong Yeon-shin could not help being curious, since Yeon-shin had only seen Cheong Myeong lightly exchange swords with Blood Flame Sect cultists in Jinpyeong County.

"There is no need for introductions. The swords we exchanged before should suffice."

The clash between all of Demon Wings and the Plum Blossom Swordsmen was an extremely famous incident.

Jeong Yeon-shin had heard that Desolate Fortress had not suffered a single casualty, but Yeon-shin had no idea how the Mount Hua Sect had fared.

"I see how Desolate Fortress views this matter. Even Demon Wings have brought along a disciple."

Cheon Ju’s blade-like gaze seemed as though it would pierce through Jeong Yeon-shin, but Yeon-shin calmly let it pass over them.

Yeon-shin had just met the Lord of Desolate Fortress and the former Divine Sword Squad Leader.

Even a formidable master like the Mount Hua Sword Absolute did not measure up to them.

‘Hm?’

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly noticed a swordsman of their own age among the Mount Hua Sect masters.

The swordsman had a languid air. As though all worldly affairs were beneath notice, they even gave a small yawn.

When their gazes met, the young Taoist smiled faintly and looked up at the sky.

Ma Jin remained still for a moment before speaking.

"That..."

"I see the Desolate Fortress disciple over there is no ordinary person, either. How about letting them exchange swords with our sect leader’s disciple? Though we have acknowledged one another, it will be uncomfortable to travel together. It would make for a small diversion."

Cheon Ju turned to Ma Jin as they spoke.

‘They intend to break my spirit.’

The Mount Hua Sect also knew this journey was a form of surveillance.

It was one of the world’s foremost sword sects. Even if they permitted it because of the imperial court, they could not be pleased.

Since it would be awkward for the leading masters to exchange swords while traveling together, they intended to compare the futures of their sects instead.

"A Desolate Fortress disciple?"

Hyeon Won-chang murmured blankly.

They were Desolate Fortress trainees who had not yet become White Uniform martial artists.

They were like the young Demon Wings members who had come to watch when Jeong Yeon-shin fought the Blue Uniform master of the Azure Sky Squad.

They did not possess officially recognized status. The master-disciple relationships within the main fortress were not acknowledged.

They merely trained from a young age and were ceremonially called Desolate Fortress disciples until they wore White Uniforms.

While Jeong Yeon-shin’s expression alone remained unchanged, the other four members of Demon Wings wore strange expressions.

‘It seems difficult to read skill from presence alone unless one is an absolute master in a Purple Uniform. It may also be because my quantity of qi is relatively low. My aura would be weak.’

Having gained a small realization, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke.

"Squad Leader."

"Hm?"

When Ma Jin turned around, Jeong Yeon-shin lightly tapped the hilt of the Desolate Sword hanging at their waist. It was a sign that Yeon-shin would step forward.

"Martial Uncle is making me do something troublesome again... Will five moves be enough?"

The young Taoist, looking up at Cheon Ju, asked in a languid voice. It was not a quiet voice.

Did the young Taoist believe this level of rudeness was permissible?

For someone who was the disciple of the Mount Hua Sect’s sect leader, the young Taoist appeared remarkably thoughtless.

"You will have something to learn. Give it your all."

"What am I meant to learn? I heard Demon Wings’ Demon's Light is a martial art of the senses."

The young Taoist sighed and walked forward. At once, the front of the guesthouse became an impromptu sparring ground.

They said fights in the martial world often began this unexpectedly.

‘Interesting.’

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the Zhongnan Sect masters at Jeong Family Manor who had inspired the Quick Sword Formula.

Yeon-shin had not been able to observe Zhongnan Sect martial arts then. How profound were the Mount Hua Sect’s martial arts?

The masters of Demon Wings and the Mount Hua Sect formed a wide circle.

Xi’an was not a small city.

Passersby who had been peering over to see what was happening began making a commotion as they turned into spectators, whispering about the Mount Hua Sect from every direction.

"What’s happening?"

"Lower your voice. It’s the Mount Hua Sect!"

"The Mount Hua Sect’s Sword Immortals are in our Xi’an?"

"It looks like they are about to duel. What a rare sight. Look at that extraordinary young Taoist. Their energy is divine."

"It seems martial artists are exchanging instruction. As expected of the Taoist Mount Hua Sect. How generous!"

Jeong Yeon-shin smiled inwardly. Taking an opening stance among the common folk was a fresh experience as well.

It was the first time since the first Desolate Exam, whose test had been the Quick Sword Formula.

The two stood facing each other. Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened their mouth.

"You spoke of five moves."

"Did that offend you? Sorry. I’m not really looking down on you. Training was particularly difficult this morning."

The young Taoist smiled faintly.

"I’m Yu Hyeon of the Mount Hua Sect."

"Jeong Yeon-shin."

Yeon-shin answered briefly. In plain clothes, Yeon-shin could not mention Demon Wings.

Murmurs arose from all around that Yeon-shin was being rude despite receiving instruction.

Some people also cried out in shock at the name Yu Hyeon. There were martial artists from Xi’an among them.

"Mount Hua Sect’s Hidden Dragon!"

"I heard the sect leader’s disciple was a peerless talent. To think we would see them in person!"

"I heard Yu Hyeon mastered Falling Blossoms Palm and the Six Harmonies Divine Sword. Seeing Yu Hyeon in person, they truly live up to their reputation. They are younger than I expected."

"They say Yu Hyeon is the Mount Hua Sect’s future. There were even rumors that Yu Hyeon had begun receiving instruction in the Violet Dawn Divine Art."

The descriptions were extravagant. Jeong Yeon-shin’s smile deepened. There was no need for lengthy words.

When two martial artists stood facing each other, they spoke through martial arts.

Just as Yeon-shin was about to take a step forward, Yu Hyeon’s figure silently loomed larger.

Yu Hyeon rushed in with footwork resembling that of the elven race. It seemed to be the Mount Hua Sect’s Hidden Fragrance Drift.

Whoosh!

With the advancing footwork, the hand that had risen came crashing down. The outstretched palm spread like a floral pattern.

The martial arts of the Nine Sects seemed as wondrous and splendid as sorcery arts when seen firsthand.

‘Is that Falling Petal Palm Art? The seemingly superfluous movements are not superfluous at all. There are many variations, making it impossible to counter the forms.’

Jeong Yeon-shin’s heart filled with interest. If Yeon-shin broke them apart one by one, would Yeon-shin not gain those same variations?

Bang!

Yeon-shin deflected it with the back of a clenched fist. Yu Hyeon’s palm force, meeting Yeon-shin’s fist, felt light.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s inner force remained undiminished as it surged outward like a whirlwind.

The first form of Sihwa Boundless Fist, Helix.

Whoosh!

"Huh?!"

Had Yu Hyeon not expected the counterattack? Yu Hyeon’s face, colored by bewilderment, jerked to the side. A force wave had merely brushed Yu Hyeon.

"What...!"

Jeong Yeon-shin found Yu Hyeon’s stunned reaction, as though faced with power beyond all reason, puzzling.

If Jeong Yeon-shin possessed inner power equal to Yu Hyeon’s, that blow would have broken Yu Hyeon’s neck.

Thud.

This time, it was Yeon-shin’s turn to advance. Following Yu Hyeon as Yu Hyeon staggered backward, Jeong Yeon-shin stepped forward.

The straight punch thrown from behind the waist shot out like a steel arrow released from a bowstring.

The footfall of the second form, Point-Blank Blast, brought thunder from Yeon-shin’s fist.

Boom!

Fragments of force scattered outward, overturning the ground. Dust dimmed the high sun.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes remained fixed directly ahead.

Yeon-shin saw Yu Hyeon, covered in dust, deftly dispersing the residual force with dazzling hand movements.

It possessed the same nature as the palm art shown earlier. The Mount Hua Sect’s Falling Petal Palm Art.

It seemed sufficient to inspire the third form of Sihwa Boundless Fist.

Jeong Yeon-shin smiled brightly and spoke.

"A little longer. I would like to go for around ten moves."

"...!"

Footnotes:

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