WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Episode 212: Turmoil (6)
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The Demon Wings Blue Uniform martial artists furrowed their brows slightly.
“Frightening.”
“It seems Lady Ju has brought every available fighter.”
“Is she really going to defy the law and see this through?”
“Our Squad Leader gave them the pretext. They had nothing to hesitate over from the beginning.”
More than thirty masters stood behind Ju Yeon-jeong, carrying the refined bearing distinctive to a prestigious family.
They were martial artists who had not taken the Desolate Exam. They did not belong to the Divine Sword Squad, but were part of the Desolate Ma family’s forces.
Silk martial uniforms in every color scattered the sunset light in a dazzling display. Not one of them was ordinary.
Their ages varied as well.
The young martial artists, their faces still flushed with youth, did not pose much of a threat to Demon Wings.
The problem was the middle-aged masters whose eyes gleamed with colorless light.
Each stared at Demon Wings with a heavy gaze. They were at the age when their attainment in the Desolate Ma family’s Harmonizing Splendor Divine Art reached its peak.
At the very least, they were worthy of Blue Uniform rank. They could not be regarded as ordinary Blue Uniform martial artists either.
The explosive power of the Ma family’s martial arts was said to be dangerous no matter how cautious one was. Their martial attainments must have been honed to a terrifying edge.
“They even brought the veterans. The former Squad Leader is having a difficult time.”
Cheong Myeong smiled as Cheong Myeong sat on the pavilion roof. The wind enveloping the body did not match that expression.
A biting wind scraped over the blue roof tiles. Threadlike scratches spread continuously along its current.
Kagagagak.
The energy extending from the entire body was as sharp as a refined force wave.
It resembled the movement technique of Seom-ye, the Leader of Demon Wings.
The well-known story behind it made the sight all the more frightening.
Blue-Eyed Demon Sword Cheong Myeong had taught the Leader of Demon Wings the elven race’s movements, and the Leader of Demon Wings had recreated them as a martial mnemonic formula, turning them into a supreme art.
Many waited in the Gold-Piercing Martial Treasury of the main fortress to be granted martial arts.
It had been that way ever since the Leader of Demon Wings sparred with the Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit. A spar between Squad Leaders was an enormous event.
Many from the Desolate Ma family had watched as well. It meant that quite a few had come to recognize Cheong Myeong anew.
“...They certainly do look alike. No wonder rumors say Cheong Myeong contributed to the Leader of Demon Wings’ advancement.”
“You say that because you’re young. Cheong Myeong came first. Cheong Myeong was once discussed as the next Leader of Demon Wings.”
“Remember this, all of you. That elven swordsman is renowned for the sharpness of the blade. You must never let down your guard.”
“Let us test the Harmonizing Splendor Divine Sword against that swordsman.”
Ju Yeon-jeong’s expression turned stern as she stood before the many young and middle-aged masters.
“The Supreme Family Head should rest at the family estate. You must stop shielding the former master’s sins. This matter is more than enough to refer you to the Chief Steward’s Office. Today’s incident will not end with a light punishment, but if you withdraw now, I will show special leniency.”
“Do you know why we’re here?”
Cheong Myeong asked with a grin.
Ju Yeon-jeong was silent for a moment before she spoke.
“...I heard the Leader of Demon Wings obtained a Great Revitalization Pill. It seems he intends to attempt something without going through the Medicine Hall, but it is extremely reckless. Both may suffer harm. You should open the way. You must do so for your Squad Leader’s sake as well.”
“That’s a matter of trust. You have no right to doubt our Squad Leader’s ability. You call yourselves a prestigious family under the main fortress, yet you seem to have little faith in Desolate Fortress Black Uniforms.”
“No one in the main fortress looks down on Seom-ye. I do not either. You must know that.”
“Then why?”
“It concerns the safety of a Purple Uniform master. Do you not understand that it is not for two Black Uniforms to decide? Even if Seom-ye’s mastery is exceptional, there is no guarantee that the Supreme Family Head’s condition will improve. Rather than handling immense energy through a reckless attempt, would it not be right to entrust everything to the main fortress’s Medicine Hall?”
“Our Squad Leader warned us about that. Pointless interference and certainty born from ignorance. Authoritarian people like you are quick to notice things, yet trapped within your own limits.”
“Speak plainly.”
Ju Yeon-jeong spoke in a low voice. Her tone was that of a superior issuing an order, yet perhaps because she came from the imperial family, nothing about her manner seemed unnatural.
Cheong Myeong lightly stepped down from the edge of the roof.
“There’s no need to go around in circles. This can clearly be finished quickly.”
Ju Yeon-jeong gave no further answer. She merely turned her head slightly and signaled to a young martial artist.
“You, go to the Chief Steward’s Office and report this matter in detail. Do not leave out a single thing. Report Demon Wings’ insolent conduct, their assault on family martial artists in violation of the law, and the unilateral actions of the Family Head and Leader of Demon Wings.”
“I obey.”
The young martial artist dressed in a green silk martial uniform answered.
Tak!
They immediately used lightness skill and headed back the way they had come.
None of Demon Wings’ martial artists tried to stop them. Apart from Cheong Myeong, the fifteen or so others simply stood there and watched the retreating figure grow distant.
The hems of their Blue Uniform long robes, each worn with a different air, fluttered faintly in the clear wind.
Cheong Myeong was right.
It was proof of their trust in their Squad Leader.
Ju Yeon-jeong’s eyes darkened.
‘This is no ordinary matter,’ she thought.
Every martial artist of Desolate Fortress had been called a prodigy in their hometown.
Anyone who had cultivated inner energy to the level of a Blue Uniform could not possibly be an utter fool.
She understood that today’s events were unusual.
Perhaps, thanks to the Leader of Demon Wings’ qi guidance, the Supreme Family Head might regain the ability to move.
‘That cannot be allowed.’
It would be difficult to recover martial arts. She had already received word from the physicians of the Medicine Hall.
Yet even the Supreme Family Head being able to move independently would be a problem. A political storm would inevitably sweep through the prestigious Desolate Ma family.
The faction Ju Yeon-jeong had worked so hard to build would be shaken.
The symbolism of Tyrant Hero Ma Yeon-jeok was that immense.
She could not leave it alone.
‘We cannot break through Demon Wings head-on in a short time.’
She calmly assessed their strength.
Most masters of the Desolate Ma family had already been distributed among the Divine Sword Squad’s Seventeen Squads. That was why they received such tremendous support and funding from the Chief Steward’s Office.
Those standing behind Ju Yeon-jeong were about half of the minimum members needed to sustain the family.
They were not a force that could confidently claim to overwhelm the Blue Uniform masters before them. Even if Demon Wings had been weakened by the incident at the City of Master Craftsmen in Sichuan, that remained true.
Demon Wings was one of the seventeen treasured swords that formed the Divine Sword Squad. Even if it was among the weaker ones, its hidden strength could not be underestimated.
She needed a scheme.
“Your schemes are churning furiously. I suppose compromise is impossible?”
Cheong Myeong rested one knee on the roof as Cheong Myeong spoke. Chillingly blue eyes watched Ju Yeon-jeong.
They were the eyes of a noble clan.
“How long will it take?”
The question sounded like Cheong Myeong was speaking to no one in particular. The answer came from below.
―At least several hours, I would think. The Great Revitalization Pill is no ordinary spiritual medicine. If the Squad Leader is to dissolve it carefully with the Jeong Family Youth Technique, he will need to allow plenty of time.
It was Baek Mir-yeo’s sound transmission.
She had already stepped forward.
Step.
Streams of black energy rose from the soles of her feet. It was the precursor to a manifestation of internal cultivation.
With every step, the strange black haze gained another strand.
Qi materialization was an extremely rare attainment. Its origins were difficult for anyone to discern. Attention swiftly gathered upon her.
“Pure, ink-black aura... One Lotus Sword Plum.”
“It is just as I heard. Does it not resemble demonic arts?”
The Desolate Ma family martial artists began to approach.
Ju Yeon-jeong did not stop them. Standing tall with her hands behind her back, she watched the masters of Demon Wings.
“Do not hold back your strength. If he senses the disturbance, the Leader of Demon Wings will open the door and come out himself.”
She spoke with an indifferent expression.
Inwardly, she hoped Seom-ye’s qi circulation would be disrupted. The aura generated by a clash between masters of this number and caliber would be tremendous.
The walls of such a modest pavilion could not block it. That was what Ju Yeon-jeong aimed for.
“A foolish trick.”
Baek Mir-yeo muttered coldly.
Heavenly Demon Divine Formula, Bare-Hand Demon Art.
Saaaaa.
Baek Mir-yeo’s hands turned as white as fresh snow. They formed a stark contrast to the black currents flowing over her entire body.
One Lotus Sword Plum was not the only one who took a stance.
“Keep the aura to a minimum. If you are skilled in the internal heavy-hand technique, strike as quietly as possible.”
“Those clumsy with Harmonizing Force should not give advice. Have you still not grasped the principle of overcoming strength with softness?”
“This is the perfect situation for a sword that strikes true in one blow. We should have brought Hyeon Won-chang.”
“The same goes for scorching yang qi. If that Huangbo bastard were not preparing for promotion...”
One by one, Demon Wings’ Blue Uniform masters drew their swords.
Soon, they stepped forward in silence.
* * *
The stone door carved with trees opened without a sound.
Figures dressed in black long robes slowly entered.
Their heights and builds differed. So did the faint auras they emitted.
Desolate Divine Spear Ak Su-rim, Heaven-Treading Forest Squad Leader Xiahou Wi-jin, Blood Guard Squad Leader Jin Myeong-jo, Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit Cheon So-so, Law Enforcement Squad Leader Un So-yu....
Behind each stood one master in a White Uniform or Blue Uniform. They were warriors escorting the Squad Leaders.
They moved slowly and took their seats before a massive table that looked as though several logs had been joined together.
Each chair was as large and lavish as the grand preceptor’s chair of an ordinary major faction’s leader.
The grayish-white backrests reached nearly to the head of Heaven-Treading Forest Squad Leader Xiahou Wi-jin. There were eighteen in total.
They were seats for the Divine Sword Squad Leader, the Divine Sword Squad Deputy Leader, and the other sixteen Squad Leaders.
Wonpyeong One Sword Hall.
The seats around the stone round table filled with Squad Leaders. The escort warriors stood beside chairs carved from marble. Everyone carried themselves with perfect composure.
Five Desolate Fortress Black Uniforms had gathered.
Wooooong.
Their immense internal power resonated on its own.
A heavy pressure arose.
It was a gathering that seemed capable of standing against anything under heaven.
As the aura formation naturally arose, invisible waves of internal power thickened as though they had taken form.
The escort warriors’ breaths gradually lengthened. It was a place where one could not endure without properly regulating one’s inner-energy breathing.
“Where is the Leader of Demon Wings?”
Xiahou Wi-jin asked in a deep voice.
“He is absent on personal business.”
The answer came through the gap in the door of Wonpyeong One Sword Hall.
Heavy footsteps rang out. Then a large middle-aged man pushed open the stone doors and entered.
“So everyone has arrived. I thought I might have to go catch the Heaven-Treading Forest Squad Leader again.”
He was a burly man who suited a brown long robe.
His thick black beard and large eyes were striking, and affection and resentment mingled in his gaze as he looked over the Squad Leaders.
“What dependable troublemakers,” he muttered.
It was Grand Chief Steward Im Jin-myeong.
Heaven-Treading Forest Squad Leader Xiahou Wi-jin smiled fiercely.
“Personal business? Is there anything more important than the Squad Leader Assembly?”
“There are one or two things. You will soon find out, whether the outcome is good or bad.”
The Grand Chief Steward answered as though it were nothing.
Then he continued slowly.
“You all know that the formation of the Martial Alliance Assembly has become a headache for our Chief Steward’s Office, even if you Squad Leaders are utterly indifferent to our affairs.”
“Are you referring to the rumors that not only the Shaanxi assembly, but orthodox sects across the land, are gathering and breaking apart?”
The elven woman sitting upright asked.
Sharp ears like treasured swords rose through her long black hair. Her calm expression suited her beautiful features. It was Law Enforcement Squad Leader Un So-yu.
The Grand Chief Steward smiled.
“Squad Leader Un is helping this Im fellow. That is correct. Flies like them have learned the power of unity. Even sects that formed the assembly have withdrawn from it and are each seeking their own way to survive. It seems they did not like the Sword Star’s rule.”
“So the enemies of the main fortress have grown stronger? The arrows we once only needed to break one at a time are now being bundled in fives and tens? What a nuisance.”
Ak Su-rim said bluntly.
“What is new about that?”
Blood Guard Squad Leader Jin Myeong-jo parted his red lips.
“You called us because of that, so do you have another solution? We have no choice but to fight to the death. Being stabbed and dying on some remote mountain has always been the lot of us Desolate Fortress martial artists.”
“The words of a blood demon in waiting are as vulgar as ever. Please be quiet for a moment, so the Grand Chief Steward can get to the point.”
Cheon So-so of the elven race spoke as though tossing out a casual remark.
It was a familiar sight.
With a sigh, the Grand Chief Steward reached inside his robes and drew out a book from his chest.
Swish.
The words Breaking White slowly came into view.
Footnotes:
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