Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time - Chapter 226

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 226: Radiant Edge Art (6)

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Creating a martial art for others was difficult.

He had never done it before. It was a path Grandmasters of the previous generation walked in their later years, one hard to imagine for someone not yet twenty.

‘Martial arts are the culmination of studying the human body.’

He had to understand all three hundred and sixty-five acupoints, the twelve regular meridians, and the countless minor meridians beyond them. Without sufficient insight, the body would be ruined.

Even the first step, safely refining the qi circulation route so the flow of qi would not tangle, was immensely difficult.

Creating a particular effect through the flow of inner energy was even more so.

‘It can’t be something only I can realize.’

Jeong Yeon-shin knew his senses were extraordinary.

He did not dwell on it constantly, but he felt both affection and resentment toward the talent that could allow him to contend for a World Tree fruit within three years.

He could not dismiss it as compensation for his lifespan. He should not. Who would accept such a thing if they were the one facing it? It was an unfairness bestowed by heaven.

Nine days had passed since he shut himself inside the Leader of Demon Wings’ pavilion.

As he watched the sunset pour through the crack in the door nine times, Jeong Yeon-shin became consumed by a single question.

If even one senior or junior could not benefit from this new martial art, the whole endeavor would lose its meaning. Everyone had to be able to learn it.

Not one person in Demon Wings could slip through his fingers. Death during a mission was the most terrible kind.

He did not want to lose subordinates as Cheon So-so, the Lord of the Immortal Wood Spirit, had. Nor did he want to be in Ha Do-un’s position, torn over leaving Namgung Hwa-shin, the White Qilin, behind.

‘Senior Jin, the Blood Guard Squad Leader, has a generosity I don’t possess. My capacity is small. I don’t want to send anyone away.’

Jeong Yeon-shin sat cross-legged and drew upon every martial principle in his mind. He needed to create a martial art that anyone in Demon Wings and the Seom-ye Martial Lineage could easily learn.

―Let’s pretend I’m teaching monkeys.

His thoughts converged on one conclusion.

He explained everything simply. He added annotations to every line of the mnemonic formula.

―Demon’s Light is a method of using the body. It is the sum of every consideration of what human hands and feet can accomplish. Its mnemonic formula instinctively selects the optimal path, encompassing every fighting method from close-range unarmed combat to mid and long-range spear techniques, excluding the bow.

He wrote in a single flowing sweep, recalling the time Ma Jin had taught him Demon’s Light.

Even if he died on a mission or his lifespan ran out, he took care to ensure the manual could offer the same guidance as learning from his uncle.

―Demon’s Light is a martial art like a treasured sword for martial artists with exceptional senses. However, it does not apply to linked practitioners, practitioners connected by fate or affinity. Doubt your instincts. You must. Your senses are dull and slow. They do not match what the formula indicates or its intended effect. Since you are not in a position to find fatal paths, it is better to use that principle to perform other martial arts. This martial art serves as the formula for doing so.

‘This is the key, so I should emphasize it. The effect of martial arts follows one’s mental image.’

―You must hold the above principle in your heart. Repeat to yourselves, ‘I am wrong.’ Only then will your attainment in this training improve. The senses of linked practitioners are extremely dull. The mnemonic formula in this manual is correct. Follow only this key principle.

He wrote the passage in neat, clear regular script, close to the Ming standard of calligraphy.

The words he produced were exceedingly calm.

‘As long as they keep this in mind, the rest will follow.’

He altered the key principle of Demon’s Light and connected it to the Seom-ye Martial Lineage. Integration was the right word.

By drawing upon their existing training, they would bring forth the methods of Sihwa Boundless Hand and Radiant Sword Flow, while using the footwork of Phantom Wing Step and stacking the inner energy of the Ultimate Realm.

The mental image was that the optimal combat path itself was his martial art.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not consider it arrogant. He thought about it calmly. Was it not the truth?

Unhindered Adaptability. The flow moved freely, without obstruction.

Demon’s Light, whose forms could be performed without interruption, became connected to the Seom-ye Martial Lineage. An uncle’s teachings met his nephew’s training.

Light bloomed. The inner energy enhanced by the Ultimate Realm became one with the sword-strike force waves of Radiant Sword Flow.

The white radiance deepened. Waves of light flowing from his body became a distinctive trait of the martial art itself.

Nine days later.

It was the trait revealed from Jeong Yeon-shin’s body as he stood in the Grand Training Hall.

Ssssh―

Lingering force spilled from the hand holding his lowered sword, scattering in vivid white streaks.

It rose from his quietly settled Black Uniform sleeves to the ends of his hair near his shoulders.

As fragments of radiance slowly faded, they shimmered in the orange glow of the sunset.

Jeong Yeon-shin, the Leader of Demon Wings, was immensely pleased. He was deeply proud. Only his expression did not change.

For the first time since creating a martial art, he savored that feeling.

‘This turned out well. It’s a decent martial art.’

A greater sense of accomplishment washed over him than with any martial art he had created before. This was a martial art for his people.

At that moment, he confirmed it. A wall that would protect Demon Wings had been completely built.

“…”

The experts surrounding him did not see it that way. The Leader of Demon Wings, standing there motionless, looked like the incarnation of martial arts.

This was not a sight that could be discussed merely in terms of martial level.

Everyone present knew the martial arts of the Seom-ye Martial Lineage. They all knew which forms had been performed.

They also understood how naturally the fist dance and sword dance had flowed. He unleashed consecutive single-strike attacks, yet the flow of qi never broke.

He had changed the nature of the martial lineage. Its weakness, rapidly consuming inner-energy endurance, was clear, yet its overwhelming power more than made up for it.

He was a Grandmaster.

The wind sweeping over the darkening wall was cold. It made their skin tremble.

A silence that seemed to choke everyone’s breath continued until dust rose at the tip of the Northern Light Sword.

“All of Demon Wings.”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke as he sheathed his sword. The pure-white blade traced a smooth arc as it entered the scabbard.

It was an elegant sheathing. Beneath his grip, the blade and scabbard aligned perfectly.

The click rang out with particular clarity as the Leader of Demon Wings finished speaking.

“Use your bodies this way.”

“Uh…”

Deep Hero Fist Gongya Mi-ryeong, the White Uniform martial artist Xiahou Wi-jin had sent, let out a groan before being startled by it.

Even Gongya Mi-ryeong, a bold martial artist who always kept their hair short for close-range unarmed combat, reacted that way.

No one said anything. The reaction represented everyone’s feelings. A martial lineage once counted among the best in single-strike power had become a martial art suited for prolonged battles.

The martial principles within the dance had been woven into one.

“You mean we should use our bodies like that?”

Shin So-bin suddenly asked.

Jeong Yeon-shin noticed that she looked somewhat overwhelmed. Shin So-bin had become a little friendlier after the incident involving the Desolate Shin Family.

Despite her bold nature, she did not seem to have developed any competitive spirit toward martial arts.

The sight added to Jeong Yeon-shin’s sense of accomplishment. Seom-ye’s heart filled with confidence.

The Leader of Demon Wings’ eyes lifted slightly. His back straightened as well.

“It’s easy. I wrote it in great detail. You only need to understand the knack. Any martial artist who has entered either Demon’s Light or the Seom-ye Martial Lineage will learn it very easily.”

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the manuals he had left in his pavilion. Anyone who read them would be moved.

They might become so pleased, like him, that they would live and eat in the Training Hall. He had written them that simply. Even monkeys could become martial artists with them.

“Shin So-bin.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

“I left the manuals on the writing desk in my room. I dried them thoroughly with force waves, so bring them here immediately.”

Jeong Yeon-shin ordered.

There were four manuals. He had heard that none of Desolate Fortress’s official martial artists lacked an exceptional memory, so it would not take Demon Wings long to study them closely.

Tap.

Shin So-bin’s White Uniform fluttered along with her braided hair as she swiftly crossed the wall.

Her foot touched the top of the wall before she shot forward. The elastic movement of the Body Movement Scripture suited the sobriquet White Cat.

Since the incident involving the Desolate Shin Family, White Cat of Demon Wings had acted like the Squad Leader’s trusted subordinate.

“It seems an entirely new principle underlies the martial art…”

Baek Mir-yeo, standing off to one side, trailed off before speaking again. This was a formal setting. She had to speak respectfully.

“What is its name?”

It was a question of great significance. Martial arts renowned throughout the world pressured enemies through their names alone.

Few sects in the martial world did not fear Shaolin’s Hundred-Step Divine Fist or the Heavenly Demon Divine Formula of the Ming Cult.

The ultimate techniques symbolizing the martial world’s major factions each carried weight fitting their names.

It did not matter to Jeong Yeon-shin. He had not made this martial art for achievement.

‘It’s only…’

He thought of a single character.

There were strange characters in the world. Some words contained opposing meanings within themselves.

Gwang was one of them.

Gwang, meaning empty. Gwang, meaning bright. He had thought of that character before shutting himself away.

“…”

Jeong Yeon-shin fell silent for a moment as he looked quietly at the seniors and juniors of Demon Wings.

They were faces that turned the journey back from missions into a homecoming. Whenever he met and spoke with them, he found a warmth he could not obtain from the Jeong Family Manor.

They were unlike his blood brothers, who had rejected the Jeong Family Youth Technique.

Would they gladly accept the martial art he had created, as though they were disciples of the same school?

‘Grow stronger and remain with me…’

It was a feeling difficult to express as a Squad Leader.

―If you disappear, my heart will become emptily hollow. Because of you, it is brightly filled. You taught warmth to one who left his family. I am grateful. It is a kindness I have no way to repay.

Thus, with the name Seom-ye you gave me, I create a martial art and offer it to you.

There was only one phrase that came to mind.

“Radiant Art Formation.”

The Leader of Demon Wings moved his lips. The name of an ultimate technique under heaven emerged.

It was Demon Wings’ time.

Ak Su-rim, standing among them, smiled softly.

Satisfaction rose in her chest like a ball of cotton. It was a feeling that restrained her curiosity. She thought she would have to return later.

‘Where did that Jin Myeong-jo bastard go?’

Ak Su-rim tilted her head slightly, then strode away cheerfully.

* * *

Three days passed.

Awe and bewilderment alternated across three days and nights.

The newly appointed Squad Leader held his first training session after attaining Black Uniform. Demon Wings’ Grand Training Hall became livelier than ever before.

The experts’ gazes converged on the training. The carefree air they had shown while Jeong Yeon-shin was in seclusion had faded somewhat.

“That’s right. A little lighter. Think of moving all the qi in the Hand Yangming Large Intestine meridian to your fingertips. The rest will be easy, and the movement will naturally flow out.”

The Squad Leader had Shin So-bin and Hyeon Won-chang standing side by side. Without taking their pulses, he examined their use of inner energy through aura.

Even Demon Wings’ experts found it striking once more. The image of the boy who had entered as their junior was still vivid, but after seeing the demonstration of the Radiant Art Formation, they looked forward to his instruction.

The Radiant Art Formation was closer to advanced training than an introductory art.

In just a few days, the task of increasing their combat strength had been solved. They had already been powerful experts. Now they could truly be compared to elite members of the Nine Sects, such as the Plum Blossom Swordsman and the Eighteen Arhats.

“Time passes quickly. Is it already time for another promotion ceremony…?”

“That Geum Family fellow, the Group Judgment Blade, picked a fight. His nature isn’t bad, but he acts high and mighty because he’s the child of a major merchant company.”

“A Swift Heaven Wing Squad swordsman? It seems he returned from a solo mission. What did he say?”

“He said it must be nice to have a Blue Uniform position secured, thanks to taking in that Huangbo Family wastrel…”

“It seems he doesn’t know that our Desolate Fortress Divine Hero has lifted seventy percent of the restriction. He only watches out for the Languid Flame Dragon. He’ll pay dearly for that.”

“That’s true.”

The Demon Wings experts spoke with faint smiles.

Time passed quickly after the Radiant Art Formation demonstration. Of Demon Wings’ twenty-three Blue Uniform and seven White Uniform martial artists, one-third had read through the manuals.

They did not pass them around one at a time. They studied them in the martial-strength groups arranged by the previous Squad Leader. Ma Gwang-il’s Squad went first.

Their reactions were strange.

A hint of discomfort mixed with their shock and amazement. Even Cheong Myeong, the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword, reacted the same way.

Desolate Fortress was a gathering of martial arts close to the greatest under heaven. Every official martial artist possessed outstanding talent.

There was not a single one who had not been called a prodigy in the town where they grew up.

“They’re coming out again. Their expressions are strange as always.”

Kang Chang-mu, the Dawn Tree Sword, folded their arms with large hands.

There was no better way to describe the faces of those walking out of the Squad Leader’s pavilion. It was Demon Wings’ Third Squad and one unranked disciple.

Each had raised eyebrows and slightly parted lips. They did not look like clever experts.

Had they received some unimaginable insult? Their amazement seemed to have softened the feeling somewhat.

Only the Languid Flame Dragon wore a smile. He walked along lazily with his hands clasped behind his head.

“This is it.”

He spoke as though reciting to himself.

Kang Chang-mu could not hear him.

“So even that Huangbo Family wastrel, the eldest young master, can make that face.”

The Languid Flame Dragon had defeated Kang Chang-mu before. Kang Chang-mu’s eyes narrowed.

The Languid Flame Dragon judged a person’s worth by talent, yet he wore that expression after only reading a martial arts manual. Naturally, the curiosity of the seasoned newcomers grew.

“I can tell without even seeing it. The movements of those who learned it first have changed. They’ve become skilled at chaining powerful strikes, and they’re clearly stronger than they were a day ago. There must be a limit, though.”

Wi Ye-ryeong, the Moon-Shooting Bow Ghost, spoke.

She stood proudly on the roof with Kang Chang-mu. They stood on the tiles of the Leader of Demon Wings’ pavilion, built on one side of the Grand Training Hall.

Demon Wings’ martial-strength groups had begun training in the secret art. It was only right for them to stand guard.

Looking down at Jeong Yeon-shin, Wi Ye-ryeong spoke. Her blue eyes held the sparkling quality unique to the elven race.

“Squad Leader Seom-ye is a strange person.”

“I know.”

“If you learn that Radiant Art Formation, you’ll understand it’s not on the level you think. It was no rumor that the Lord of Desolate Fortress favors him. He may one day be entrusted with work in our clan’s territory.”

“Do you mean the Squad Leader will be invited into the world of immortals?”

Kang Chang-mu raised an eyebrow.

A clear chirp sounded in the distance. A pure-white swallow flew down from the sky, wings beating.

It was incredibly fast. Its white feathers seemed to reflect the sunlight.

It was a spiritual beast raised by the elven race for Desolate Fortress’s Squad Leaders. The Leader of Demon Wings called it White Swallow.

“That child looks rushed.”

Wi Ye-ryeong had just spoken in a clear voice.

The Squad Leader slightly raised an arm. White Swallow immediately landed on it with its tiny feet.

Jeong Yeon-shin moved his lips.

“You said you were going out to play, but you went to see the Grand Chief Steward.”

“It came from the Chief Steward’s Office…!”

Wi Ye-ryeong’s sword-like ears caught the Squad Leader’s words.