WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Episode 238: Opening One's Eyes (2)
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It was the quietest place on the battlefield.
Many people stood watching along the gorge. The spectators outnumbered the members of the Demonic Sect factions.
The sect masters of the Seven Great Sects of Xian had arranged it that way to consolidate their control.
“...”
Wi Il-hwa could not answer.
Her enemy had guessed correctly. Her ultimate eye technique was famous throughout Xi’an. Even while fighting the Sword Demon Sect Master, Jeong Yeon-shin had been watching the Sungyeo Branch Master.
The sun had already moved far from its zenith. Winter sunlight settled heavily over the land. The thickets below the gorge trembled to the screams of disciples being slaughtered behind them.
A dry vitality flowed through the barren gorge. The ridge leading from Daewol Gorge to the Guanzhong Plain gleamed like a blade.
‘That move he just displayed.’
That feast of countless afterimages.
It had nothing to do with the inner energy he had cultivated.
His very sense for using his body was different.
The Dark Motion Transcending Time Technique acknowledged it. With a body trained in ways she could not fathom, he executed countless postures with perfect stability. It was entirely a matter of innate talent.
Genius was not enough to describe him. He was unprecedented in ages, worthy of a phrase for something that had not existed for countless years.
She even felt envy unsuited to the situation. What did someone with such senses experience as he lived beneath heaven?
That was why.
Wi Il-hwa, the Sungyeo Branch Master, accepted her enemy’s identity.
He truly was a Squad Leader of the Divine Sword Squad.
The Martial Alliance’s grand founding ceremony in Hanzhong had made the epithet Seom-ye known. The Martial Alliance’s headquarters was in Hanzhong, Shaanxi. Rumors had reached the ears of the sect masters, who were also from Shaanxi.
Among the unbelievable rumors was one concerning his age. They said the current Leader of Demon Wings was extremely young.
Even now, many refused to believe it. The world was vast, and information networks were unreliable.
But if it was true.
If he had truly risen to the rank of Black Uniform in Desolate Fortress at such a young age, he possessed extraordinary talent. His origins did not matter. It had to be regarded as one of the martial world’s mysteries.
The person before her was exactly like that. By talent in using his body alone, he had escaped the Dark Motion Transcending Time Technique. His handsome face still carried traces of youth.
The light swords that had manifested before him with the sound of a whistling arrow also marked him as one of Desolate Fortress’s elite.
No one but him could be the current Leader of Demon Wings.
A half-baked martial artist had ruined her life. A gray figure with one foot in the government and the other in the martial world had interfered in Xi’an’s martial world.
That insolent bastard had dared obstruct the affairs of the Seven Great Clans of Xian.
“You...!”
Wi Il-hwa’s brows rose sharply. Rage overcame her panic. Her face blazing with anger twisted like a vicious ghost.
“Did you not expect this to happen after ruining the people’s lives so thoroughly?”
Jeong Yeon-shin, the Leader of Demon Wings, asked calmly.
He was angry as well.
He had no interest in this trash. He was carrying out the mission only because it was his duty. Originally, he had hoped they would bring the Tyrant Sword Sect’s Elder Council Head.
Yeo So-hyang, the Ghost-Spirit Divine Sword. She was said to oversee the Tyrant Sword Sect’s Demonic Sect factions.
She would know where the missing Zhongnan disciples had gone.
Even if she acted like an immortal indifferent to the world below, she would reveal herself once he dealt with the trash gathered here.
‘So she was the one who examined the Jeong Family Manor’s earth vein.’
That was a separate grudge from the one he held against the Tyrant Sword Sect Master.
The Ghost-Spirit Divine Sword was the only person on Yeon-shin’s mind now. The eye technique he would soon complete was also focused entirely on crushing her.
The Tyrant Sword Sect’s Elder Council Head, and the Tyrant Sword Sect Master’s wet nurse.
The Seven Great Sects of Xian were stepping stones that deserved punishment. He had long since seen through their intention to kill him and offer him as a sacrifice for their rule over Xi’an.
They had treated the common people’s lives lightly as well. He needed to finish this here and draw out the Ghost-Spirit Divine Sword.
Tap.
He kicked aside a fragment of the Sword Demon Sect Master’s blade. Sunlight that had seeped golden into the grains of sand scattered in every direction.
Wi Il-hwa suddenly cried out.
“This cannot be tolerated! How dare a martial artist from another land...!”
“The standoff has lasted long enough.”
Jeong Yeon-shin said only what he wished to say and drew his sword.
Xi’an in Shaanxi had been the capital of countless states. It was a place worthy of a Squad Leader-level mission. The Seven Great Clans of Xian were also exceptionally famous factions.
As the matter had grown so enormous, even a single mission seemed to take a long time to conclude.
This would not do. A swift battle was a key principle woven into Jeong Yeon-shin’s life.
Swish.
With ten thousand people of the great city of Xi’an looking down, he raised his sword toward the sky above the gorge. Northern Light’s pure white sword-tip pointed at the heavens.
It was a high guard stance that brushed past his sideburns. Force waves rising from his entire body swept the fine dust away in all directions.
Thunderclap Flash-Ridge Sword Art, Judging the Qilin.
“Now.”
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.
“I won’t take more than ten breaths.”
* * *
Xiangyang, Huguang Province.
The Desolate Ma family faced a violent upheaval.
Ju Yeon-jeong, who had held the imperial martial art Golden Immortal Eight Methods hostage, was expelled. Completely driven out. It was more accurate to say she had fallen from power.
Her status as a collateral member of the imperial family meant nothing. The prestige of the Supreme Family Head, whose years had been reversed, was supreme.
An event no one had expected had occurred.
Tyrant Hero Ma Yeon-jeok had returned. He was an absolute master with a body like steel, appearing exactly as he had in the prime of his youth.
“Th-that... what in the world...?”
“Huh, so it was true.”
“What I saw was real?”
“How could this be?”
“You people know nothing. The current Leader of Demon Wings...”
“Shut up! Is this something to speak carelessly about?”
An old divine sword had been reforged and filled with overwhelming power. His return had been carried out in utmost secrecy. The world could not know yet.
So long as it remained unknown, the Tyrant Hero’s martial arts would prove infinitely useful throughout the martial world.
He would become the strongest hidden sword in the world. Desolate Fortress had gained great military strength at a time when it was at a disadvantage.
Only members of the Ma family knew of the Tyrant Hero’s Rejuvenation.
Even those who had followed Ju Yeon-jeong crippled their own dantians at a word from the Supreme Family Head. There was no need to worry about anyone revealing it. Their silence could be trusted.
At the same time, Ma Jin, the Ma Family Head, stood at a crossroads.
Even as he walked with the empty left sleeve of his Black Uniform hanging loose, he remained deep in thought. The promotion ceremony had ended, and the remaining martial artists of each martial unit had begun leaving for missions.
As the roads of the main fortress grew desolate, Ma Jin’s heart felt empty as well.
‘Jeong Family Youth Technique...’
The manual in his right hand felt heavy. It was a newly written secret manual from his nephew, Jeong Yeon-shin.
It was not the original, which dealt with all minor meridians and acupoints throughout the body. It recorded only the framework of the youth technique’s major flow. In other words, it was close to a severely weakened copy.
It had been made because his uncle and grandfather had hesitated to release his nephew’s divine art to the family. Jeong Yeon-shin had given it to them.
“This may be better, if anything. It’s easier to learn. I guarantee even a monkey can cultivate it.”
It had arrived with a letter written in calm handwriting. It was the day before his nephew served as an examiner for the promotion ceremony as the Leader of Demon Wings.
Since the matter was important, Blue-Eyed Demon Sword Cheong Myeong had delivered it personally.
That swordsman of the elven race, cheerful and bright yet strangely sharp, had worn an odd expression, as if smiling and frowning at once.
Ma Jin had not paid it much attention. As a former Squad Leader, Cheong Myeong was difficult to read, and Ma Jin was used to that. He had only exchanged brief greetings before parting ways.
And he regretted it deeply.
Whenever he thought of his nephew, Ma Jin thought he should have at least seen his face.
He had been extremely busy. Settling Ju Yeon-jeong’s faction and reckoning their merits and faults had taken much of his time.
It had been necessary to restore the family’s prestige. Only now had he gained a little leisure.
Step.
He entered the quiet inner fortress of the main fortress. His view brightened as pure white marble walls surrounded him on all sides.
He had arrived at the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s residence. It was the most silent place in all Desolate Fortress.
Swish.
The six gate guards greeted him. It was a silent clasped-fist salute.
He merely nodded and passed them by. Abyssal Killer Ma Jin had always been an arrogant absolute master. That was his nature. He only became flustered before the nephew who stirred old guilt within him.
The guards lowered their hands as though accustomed to it.
Ma Jin hesitated for a moment.
‘No... did Yeon-shin learn that from me? They say he takes after the Ma family...’
With that pointless thought, he climbed the stairs. The winding staircase ended at the top of the inner fortress, where an enormous stone door stood.
It too was made of marble.
It was supreme black stone used only by the Duan royal family of the fallen Dali Kingdom. Its deep blackness suited the inner fortress’s silence.
The Lord of Desolate Fortress’s office.
The door opened with a heavy rumble. It was an effortless use of Remote Object Manipulation. Even Ma Jin, who had once been worthy of challenging Ak Su-rim, felt fresh reverence.
‘It has been a long time since I came here too.’
He straightened his empty sleeve and crossed the threshold.
A refreshing scent of foliage drifted over him. Before him, tree trunks twisted like dragons filled his vision.
Though the Start of Winter had passed, green leaves spread in every direction. The rich scent of grass was fragrant rather than overwhelming.
Familiar people were seated to either side.
Ma Jin looked only ahead and knelt on one knee. He brought his hands together and raised them. It was Desolate Fortress etiquette.
“I pay respects to the Lord of Desolate Fortress.”
“Ma Family Head.”
A crystalline voice rang out.
It was the Lord of Desolate Fortress.
She sat sideways atop a thick tree trunk. Her green hair flowed down with a sheen beyond mere luster. It made those who saw her feel that she was the most noble being beneath heaven.
Her eyes, as though they held the depths of a forest, were the same. The principles of all creation seemed to swirl within her deep green pupils.
Ma Jin bowed his head deeply.
“So the eunuch has come?”
A cheerful voice called from the left. Ma Jin slightly turned his gaze. A young woman in a black long robe sat cross-legged, a long spear carelessly lying behind her.
She glanced at Ma Jin as well, sunlight softly rippling across her short black hair.
It was Desolate Divine Spear Ak Su-rim.
Ma Jin furrowed his brow.
“What brings the Divine Sword Squad Deputy Leader here?”
“I’m being punished. You didn’t hear?”
“For what?”
“I had a fight with that Miss Ye from the Martial Alliance Assembly. She kept trying to hover around Seom-ye. She had been bothering me ever since she acted disrespectfully toward the Lord of Desolate Fortress.”
Ak Su-rim spoke as though it were nothing.
The crease between Ma Jin’s brows deepened.
“Someone from the Martial Alliance Assembly is interested in Yeon-shin?”
“It was quite a sight. If you want to act like his uncle, you should take care of these people yourself. Not long ago, the Shin family was talking about sending a matchmaker too. You know that unless someone is sufficiently noble and open-hearted, they won’t be worthy as a spouse, right? Handle it well. Though Seom-ye’s wishes matter most.”
Ak Su-rim, who had been frowning, curled up one corner of her mouth. She seemed to be provoking him.
Even when a cough like a tiger’s roar came from the other side, she did not lose her bright smile. She appeared somewhat unyielding.
‘Isn’t she talking about herself?’
It was a sight Ma Jin knew well. Desolate Divine Spear Ak Su-rim had been like this when Tyrant Hero was her superior. Even if it killed her, she could not abandon her rebellious nature.
Given his father’s temperament and Ak Su-rim’s disposition, it was only natural.
“Did you kill her?”
“No. Her martial arts were absurdly strong. If I’d gone all out, I could have made at least one of her limbs useless, but I stopped midway. It wasn’t intentional, but...”
Ak Su-rim trailed off as she turned her gaze ahead. With the silent Lord of Desolate Fortress between them, Tyrant Hero sat cross-legged across from her, his eyes sharp.
There was an unyielding stubbornness in the strong lines of Ma Jin’s father’s handsome face, restored to youth.
It seemed his father had mediated the incident. He must have sent some chilling sound transmission.
Before whom do you dare violate the laws? I shall punish you severely. Ma Jin did not need to hear more to know. His father had always been like that.
‘He ought to be punished first...’
Ma Jin shook his head inwardly.
How could someone with that temperament be entrusted with missions directly tied to the nation’s safety?
The only proper person in the Ma family was its current Family Head. It was truly lamentable.
He did not even wonder what had brought them before the Lord of Desolate Fortress.
“I have come to make a report.”
Ma Jin spoke toward the Lord of Desolate Fortress.
“Our family has newly acquired a hereditary martial art. As it is a matter that should be reported, I sent word while also asking after your well-being.”
The Lord of Desolate Fortress was a Martial God. She oversaw every martial art incorporated into the main fortress.
She held the right to examine every martial art in the Gold-Piercing Martial Treasury, the Divine Sword Squad, and the families under the main fortress. The same applied when a new martial art was created and brought within.
It had to pass through the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s approval. This was established at the founding of Desolate Fortress, which took place after the founding of the nation, in order to compile the main fortress’s martial arts.
By now, it had become custom.
“The Ma family has received a great blessing.”
She moved her lips.
“Tell me what it is.”
“...The Jeong Family Youth Technique.”
Ma Jin answered while prostrating himself.
The Lord of Desolate Fortress’s eyes were briefly hidden by her long lashes. She had closed and opened them once.
Sunlight scattered by the leaves rested at the corners of her eyes. Deep shadows mottled beneath her beautiful eyes.
A beauty that attested to peerless martial arts flowed from her flawless white face.
Her expression still gave no clue to her thoughts.
She parted her lips.
“You speak of Seom-ye’s?”
“Yes. The Ma family has received his grace.”
“You are right. It will suit the Harmonizing Splendor Divine Art.”
“I regret that family matters prevent me from remaining long. I have made my brief report, so I will now take my leave.”
Custom was only custom. The Lord of Desolate Fortress stood above the laws. Once Squad Leaders and Family Heads reported new martial arts, that was the end of it.
She did not truly examine every martial art. It was a formal report.
That was more comfortable for subordinates as well. Even absolute masters became tense under the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s appraisal.
Swish.
Ma Jin rose, holding the manual.
Even if it was a weakened secret manual, it was still the Jeong Family Youth Technique. Its opening passage, which formed the intent of the martial art, was the same as the original.
It was identical to the first page Ma Jin and Ma Yeon-jeok had read together in Sichuan. That meant it described his nephew’s personal history.
‘The Ma family’s shame may become known throughout the world. But the key principle containing Yeon-shin’s intent... yes, he said it was like a diary.’
Ma Jin felt relieved too soon.
Then the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s clear voice rang out.
“Bring it here.”
Footnotes:
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