WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Episode 227: Radiant Edge Art (7)
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“Can the Squad Leader sense the spiritual beast’s will?”
Wi Ye-ryeong murmured.
Her face was full of questions as she watched Jeong Yeon-shin stroke the white swallow’s back in the Grand Training Hall beneath the roof.
His pitch-black robe and hair, darker still, stood out against its white feathers.
The newly appointed Leader of Demon Wings commanded a spiritual beast like the ones that symbolized the Squad Leaders. The sight of him was harmonious, yet strange.
Even his rare smile seemed mysterious to Wi Ye-ryeong.
“I can’t sense anything of our clan from him. Could the Lord of Desolate Fortress have...”
A strange light passed through her blue eyes. Suspicion and speculation flashed like lightning, then vanished.
‘A treasure from our tree, given to a Han Chinese? The clan would never permit it.’
It would be a matter more important than anything else. It was unacceptable. Even the status of a direct disciple of the Lord of Desolate Fortress, commonplace within the imperial family, would not suffice.
Unless some unavoidable catastrophe had occurred, or the Leader of Demon Wings had been granted a standing equal to the clan’s...
Just as Wi Ye-ryeong shook her head slightly, Kang Chang-mu, standing at one edge of the roof, spoke casually.
“White Uniform members of the elven race can communicate with spiritual beasts too, can’t they? Our Squad Leader is on a far higher level. Anything’s possible for him. It wouldn’t even be enough to count it as one of the one or two trump cards top-tier Black Uniform masters keep hidden. Squad Leaders at the main fortress have always been mysterious people. Just look at our former Squad Leader’s inner energy alone...”
Kang Chang-mu had come from the Heaven-Treading Forest Squad, where Thousand Fists, Dragon-Powered Divine Official Xiahou Wi-jin had been Kang Chang-mu’s Squad Leader.
“If you judged by qi storage alone, people would say he was worthy of Purple Uniform. Once you reach Black Uniform, it’s normal to possess several abilities like that. And our Squad Leader became a Squad Leader at the youngest age in history. How could he not be even more exceptional?”
“That wasn’t what I meant.”
“Is the Blue Uniform receiving the most attention in Demon Wings now showing off? I thought only the Dark Night Hall bastards among the Thirteen Heavens cared about their clan’s superiority.”
Kang Chang-mu spoke in a deep voice, sounding teasing.
It was true that Demon Wings’ attention was currently focused on Wi Ye-ryeong. Archers were rare, and elven race experts even more so.
Demon’s Light was a close-range martial art. There had been no expert capable of handling medium- or long-range combat.
Until Wi Ye-ryeong arrived.
Moon-Shooting Bow Ghost had countered Jeomchang Sect’s Four Escapes Sword Art with a single arrow.
As a Blue Uniform master from a noble clan, she took charge of the front, rear, left, and right of the martial force.
Among the seasoned newcomers, she had drawn the full attention of Demon Wings’ martial artists.
“You ash-heap bastards.”
Wi Ye-ryeong frowned. It was rare for her to show displeasure.
“The Heaven-Treading Forest Squad Leader is also of the elven race. Don’t you know our clan’s taboo? Never speak of it carelessly again. Don’t even make comparisons.”
“I’ll be careful.”
Kang Chang-mu shrugged broad shoulders and looked down.
After removing a letter from beneath White Swallow’s feet and reading it, the Squad Leader was leaving the Grand Training Hall.
* * *
“Damn it! Damn it all!”
A group of fifty masters raced across barren land. Though their lightness skills pounded against the dry earth, not a speck of dust rose.
The two people at the front wore the Black Uniform long robes of Desolate Fortress.
A huge man and a nimble woman made for a stark contrast, yet the pressure of their presence was equal.
Xiahou Wi-jin crumpled the letter in his hand as he cursed. Despite his furious expression, his steps were as light as the wind.
It was thanks to revising the Body Movement Scripture at the advice of a gifted junior.
“It was already well known that they use strange sorcery arts, but apparently they’re incredibly powerful. The Mount Mao Sect Daoists who were expelled from their sect surrendered before they could even settle in Xinjiang. They may have helped capture the Swift Heaven Wing Squad. Damn it!”
He spoke as though chewing the words.
Cheon So-so’s hair swayed behind her as she ran beside him.
The black hair of the elven top-tier master retained its distinct sheen even against the gale created by their lightness skills. Xiahou Wi-jin was the same.
“They say the Young Sect Master of the Ming Cult isn’t much older than the Leader of Demon Wings. In a way, becoming a Grandmaster of sorcery arts is similar too.”
Her quiet voice, infused with inner energy, rang clearly through the violent wind.
“If the conditions and luck align, it wouldn’t be strange for them to lead their subordinates and defeat an entire martial force.”
She finished calmly. Xiahou Wi-jin shook his head.
“You think Ha Do-un was defeated?”
“It’s been too long since we lost contact with the Swift Heaven Wing Squad. We have to accept that something happened.”
“...They may have set up a killing formation. They must have used some vile sorcery.”
Black Uniform masters were people who discussed the affairs of the martial world.
They had set out as soon as the gathering at Wonpyeong One Sword Hall ended, without even seeing the annotated edition of the Comprehensive Guide to Breaking the Orthodox Sects they had eagerly awaited.
Their mission was to take the head of the Demonic Sect’s leader. They did not immediately need methods to counter orthodox martial lineages. The Grand Chief Steward had sent them out without mercy.
Xiahou Wi-jin recalled Grand Chief Steward Im Jin-myeong’s smug beard and fumed.
“Bastard. He’s younger than me, yet has no manners.”
“If we started counting seniority, the main fortress would fall apart.”
Cheon So-so continued indifferently.
“And I heard you were strangely spiteful toward the new recruit.”
“The new recruit? Seom-ye?”
The name came out at once.
The only new recruit worth discussing among Squad Leaders was the new Leader of Demon Wings, whom the top-tier masters of Wonpyeong One Sword Hall considered the next Ma Yeon-jeok.
Xiahou Wi-jin’s mouth curled upward.
“It wasn’t spite. I pointed out the truth. He held the co, cough, compendium hostage. He had the talent and position to match that conduct, but someone needed to point out his arrogant nature at least once. The truth is the truth, isn’t it?”
“He has ties to Cheong Myeong of Demon Wings.”
She moved her lips slightly.
“I heard what happened. The Leader of Demon Wings didn’t know we would need the annotations. Apparently, he gave it to us with good intentions, but our response was wrong and offended him.”
“What?”
“He has that level of martial skill at such a young age. Maybe he’s only used to his own talent.”
Her tone was low and even. Her calm words stirred Xiahou Wi-jin’s memory.
“I didn’t consider it. Isn’t it a basic martial skill? There wasn’t much space to add annotations, and when facing real combat, I thought you could just do what seemed right...”
It meant he had been sincere. It was hard to believe, but it made sense.
Cheon So-so spoke again.
“A basic martial skill... To the new recruit, that was the truth. You misunderstood it, and toward the new recruit...”
“Aaaaaah!”
Before she could finish, a long roar crashed along the road. Its resonance was close to a Lion’s Roar.
The voice, filled with inner energy and shame, tore through the air. The shockwave that burst from the Heaven-Treading Forest Squad Leader’s mouth reached even the rear of the formation.
The bedrolls tied to the backs of the Heaven-Treading Forest Squad’s White Uniform martial artists were shoved again and again, as though being kicked.
The Heaven-Treading Forest Squad and the Immortal Wood Spirit Squad.
They were on their way to confront the worst of the Thirteen Heavens, which had established itself in Xinjiang.
The two Squad Leaders had their own mission.
They had to complete it.
* * *
While Demon Wings immersed itself in training the Radiant Art Formation, the inner fortress of Desolate Fortress bustled with preparations for a major event.
Stone structures rose everywhere. A fighting platform was built in the central Training Hall of the main fortress.
The promotion ceremony.
It held the greatest significance within the main fortress.
It was an occasion to assess the caliber of the Squad Leaders, an examination that objectively measured the main fortress’s strength, and an event that rewarded martial artists who had worked toward achievement.
There was no greater honor in Desolate Fortress.
The commotion reached even the Demon Wings pavilion. It was only natural. Languid Flame Dragon of the Huangbo Family had long been a famous rising talent.
He had conquered the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering several times and had been called Jinan’s strongest newcomer.
Rumors said he would wear unranked clothing today and seek promotion to Blue Uniform.
His standing was absurdly low compared to his martial skill.
As a member of the Returning Wings Squad led by the current Leader of Demon Wings, he had earned achievements that surpassed most Blue Uniform martial artists.
He had killed several masters of the Ten Perfect Sect and the Pure Demon Alliance, acting as the field commander of the Returning Wings Squad.
At the Martial Alliance Assembly in Hanzhong, he had held off the martial force of the Heart Martial Union’s Sword Venerable. No one had died before the Leader of Demon Wings met Spirit Sky Sword Ghost. His achievements were more than sufficient.
People could not help gathering.
“He’ll handle it himself.”
“So we can’t act like his seniors anymore?”
“We’re unranked, and younger than him.”
The Demon Wings martial artists reacted coolly. The unranked disciples were even more indifferent.
Watching him chew opium poppy and secretly drink alcohol was enough to make even nonexistent fondness disappear. Their attention was focused on the martial art their Squad Leader had created.
They gathered at the Grand Training Hall whenever they could to train in the Radiant Art Formation. They were so absorbed that they seemed to have entered a trance.
They were completely taken with it. White Uniform and Blue Uniform masters alike, as well as the young unranked disciples.
“I heard the Squad Leader went as a witness?”
“That’s right. There’s so much I want to ask him.”
“Do you think Brother Desolate Fortress’s Glib Tongue can change into a martial uniform?”
“Who knows. It’s hard to say. He’s frightening when he holds a sword, but...”
“He can’t undo the restriction. He probably can’t.”
“I hope it works out.”
Jokes and sincerity mixed in their conversation. It also showed the main fortress’s interest in Imperial Hero Hyeon Won-chang.
No one paid attention to him because Languid Flame Dragon’s presence was so great. Even though he had been the first to learn the ultimate technique created by the new Squad Leader.
“Our Squad Leader taught us so kindly, didn’t he?”
“Yeah. He even explained what inner energy was. I thought we were in a village martial hall.”
“Our talents are pretty exceptional too...”
“The Squad Leader was like the Buddha. I never knew he had that side to him.”
“Are there really that many people who know the Leader of Demon Wings well?”
“Of course. We eat from the same pot as one family... Who are you?”
An unranked disciple of Demon Wings turned around.
A woman’s voice had suddenly spoken, and the disciple had answered without thinking.
Step.
A woman with both eyes covered by white silk.
The balanced way she held herself with a straight back was elegant. Sunlight flowed over the black hair falling below her shoulders.
Her dark hair contrasted with her pure white palace robes. Its particularly deep color gradually drew every gaze as Miss Ye of the Martial Alliance Assembly approached gracefully.
“I am the Inner Chief Strategist of the Martial Alliance Assembly in Hanzhong.”
She moved her lips.
“I offer my respectful greetings to the people of the Leader of Demon Wings.”
As she looked around, she smiled.
The moment she spoke to the unranked disciple, a grave air thickened.
The masters of Demon Wings had been watching Miss Ye before she even set foot in the Grand Training Hall.
Kang Chang-mu spoke first.
“...The Inner Chief Strategist of the assembly? What business do you have here?”
“I came to seek an audience with the Squad Leader here. I sent word several times, but received no reply.”
“Outsiders aren’t permitted here. You should leave at once.”
“You should try saying that to the Lord of Desolate Fortress.”
She replied with a smooth smile.
The noise in the Training Hall gradually faded, leaving only the sound of wind rising gently with the dust.
Step.
Cheong Myeong, who had been sitting sideways on one side of the wall, landed on the ground. The sword at Cheong Myeong’s waist flashed with invisible sword qi.
It seemed as if the sunlight bent there.
At the same time, the swordsmen of Demon Wings raised their aura.
Whoosh!
Before them, however, a blue hem cut across the air.
Baek Mir-yeo’s black hair streamed behind her as she landed before Miss Ye.
They were among those to whom Jeong Yeon-shin opened his heart. They had heard many stories.
“First, that blindfold.”
One Lotus Sword Plum Baek Mir-yeo raised her chin slightly.
“Take it off. Now.”
* * *
The new Leader of Demon Wings stood at one side of the fighting platform in the central Training Hall.
An enormous crowd had gathered. It was one of the few events to break the monotony of life.
Hundreds of people murmured around the huge platform. Simply standing before them would have drained most people of their strength.
Jeong Yeon-shin was different. He did not feel even the slightest fatigue.
Though he had handled one task after another since returning, vigorous strength coursed through his entire body.
His body, refined through the Jeong Family Youth Technique, and the vitality bestowed by the Record of the Dharma Light Wheel were extraordinary. Among top-tier masters, he would be among the first mentioned when it came to endurance.
“Next.”
He spoke after a match between White Uniform martial artists ended.
The two combatants glanced at the Leader of Demon Wings as they stepped down from the platform.
Another pair of martial artists climbed up. Their bearing was also extraordinary.
They were a man and a woman, both radiating powerful aura. They were comparable to Jeong Yeon-shin when he had first entered Desolate Fortress as a White Uniform.
It was Desolate Fortress’s promotion ceremony.
A Black Uniform martial artist had to oversee the matches to prevent mishaps. It was his final task before setting out for Shaanxi, and he had been chosen because his aura sense was especially sharp.
The Grand Chief Steward said it was meant to let the new Squad Leader experience the duties of a Black Uniform martial artist.
It had also been decided at Jeong Yeon-shin’s first Squad Leader Assembly. The personnel assignments had already been completed.
“Begin.”
Jeong Yeon-shin’s face remained expressionless as he conducted the ceremony.
Seom-ye, Leader of Demon Wings.
He wore the white Northern Light Sword at his waist and a neatly pressed Black Uniform robe, but discomfort showed in his dry expression.
It was unlike him.
No one nearby approached the area beneath the platform where Jeong Yeon-shin stood.
Jeong Yeon-shin did not notice. There was no need for him to, nor was it the time.
‘Hye-ah.’
He had received news of Zhongnan Sect.
“The Seulun Sword Sect and Chwiho Sect were wiped out. They were Zhongnan’s affiliated lay sects, based in Xi’an. Zhongnan’s main mountain is in even worse condition. Reports say the area below the mountain where the Daoist temples stood has been completely burned, and it is difficult even to estimate Zhongnan Sect’s survivors.”
“There was also a line saying Sword Dragon Weiji Myo-hwa escaped with the Sword Immortal’s disciple. There is no information after that, but that is good news. The moment the Tyrant Sword Sect captures the Sword Dragon, it will have cut off Zhongnan’s lineage. They would have no reason not to announce it to the world. We should assume they are safe.”
Just as he repeated the Grand Chief Steward’s words in his mind, the match began.
Radiant Wind Sword Do Jin and Fist Ripple Demon Xiahou Shan-shan.
A man with a sword at his sturdy waist faced a woman in dark hand guards. One belonged to the Han Chinese Law Enforcement Squad, the other to the elven Annihilation Squad.
They were known rivals. The pairing was deliberate. The Chief Steward’s Office sometimes tested martial artists’ practical skill this way.
“I never expected it to come to this.”
Do Jin’s sharp gaze fell upon Xiahou Shan-shan’s small fists.
“This is good. Let’s settle our grudge with this.”
She smiled and brought her fists together with a thud.
Fist Ripple Demon Xiahou Shan-shan was the cherished jewel of the Desolate Xiahou Family and Xiahou Wi-jin’s niece.
She had once ruthlessly rejected a matchmaker sent by Do Jin’s family.
The martial artists of Desolate Fortress all had different personalities. Countless talents with distinct temperaments had gathered beneath the banner of stabilizing the people’s lives. It was not a faction without conflict.
Do Jin’s lips trembled.
“A grudge? The humiliation your family gave mine...”
“Get your facts straight. You were the one who made advances even though I had no interest, Young Hero Do. You kept at it until I was sick of it, like the currents of the Yangtze River.”
Xiahou Shan-shan answered with a frown.
“Start.”
The Leader of Demon Wings, standing some distance away, spoke curtly.
Do Jin flinched. Xiahou Shan-shan immediately took her opening stance as if she had received an order from her own Squad Leader.
The palm covered by her black hand guard released terrifying power in an instant.
Boom!
A colorless force wave exploded. It was a strike accompanied by palm wind that swept in every direction.
Do Jin’s body flew through the air along with the scattered dust. It felt as though his breastbone had bent inward.
His breath caught. The Protective Qi Technique over his entire body briefly weakened from a single palm strike.
Xiahou Shan-shan went for a quick battle. The inner energy contained in that one blow was enormous.
Her intent to disregard what came after was clear.
It was a fighting style that had become popular in the main fortress after Seom-ye’s exploits.
Do Jin kept a hard expression. He had expected this before coming onto the platform.
He understood the nature of the woman he had once deeply loved and had spent a long time devising a countering sword form.
Everyone knew the strengths of Law Enforcement Squad martial artists. Those who failed to account for them were the foolish ones. The martial world was not generous with human lives.
‘One strike will decide it...!’
Ignoring his uncontrollable breathing, he drew up his qi.
He shaped the inner energy that ran through his grip into a specific structure of power. He worked the Law Enforcement Squad’s secret counter method into his opening stance.
Boom!
Xiahou Shan-shan, who had rushed to within arm’s reach to unleash a barrage of strikes, raised her eyebrows.
The world grew incredibly bright. Groans escaped from all around as Do Jin’s sword, brought down with both hands, drew in sunlight along with invisible qi.
“Radiant Sword, Single Seam!”
A cry of admiration, almost a scream, erupted from the spectators.
Do Jin’s family was a renowned sword house. It was famous for its fierce ultimate sword forms. The sword form he brought down with exquisite timing to target Xiahou Shan-shan’s advancing footwork was no exception.
His strike was so fitting that, for an instant, he looked like a sword demon.
There were times when a martial artist’s skill surpassed the strength they possessed, and that fortunate moment had come for Do Jin today. He had not intended it.
‘I should have struck faster! At such a short distance...!’
Craaaash!
The power of the Collapsing Path Fist Art cultivated by Fist Ripple Demon Xiahou Shan-shan was torn to shreds. Colorless ripples scattered from her body.
It was a sword strike that dissected the structure of qi in its entirety.
It descended amid a powerful wind.
Neither could alter their movements.
It was common.
Martial artists wielded blades, swords, and inner energy. Mishaps during matches were not rare. Nor were deaths caused by them.
Xiahou Shan-shan could not move from the posture in which she had lowered her waist and charged forward. It lasted only a brief moment.
The force wave of the sword strike cut into her, numbing her entire body. At the least, she would be seriously injured. She might die.
Just as the deep milky sword light grew large enough to cut from her collarbone down.
Swish.
A ray of light passed through the hair of both fighters.
It was something they would never have noticed without minds sharpened like sword points.
Do Jin’s sword stopped abruptly.
It had been caught between two fingers.
The Leader of Demon Wings had slipped in beside them at some point and extended his arm.
A pitch-black sleeve hung beneath the hand he calmly raised.
“Fist Ripple Demon lost. Radiant Wind Sword won.”
White strands of light drifted like heat haze from the hand that had stopped the sword. They were force waves from the Radiant Art Formation, which had yet to be revealed to the world.
They transformed his hand into something beautiful, like a polished diamond. Not a single drop of blood flowed amid the radiant current.
It meant his move had been extremely precise.
His mastery was on an entirely different level.
“Hurry down. You’re causing a disturbance.”
The Leader of Demon Wings’ sound transmission entered both their ears.
Words like a whisper rang like thunder.
Footnotes:
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