WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Chapter 26: Zhongnan Sect

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"The White Uniform isn't enough? What do you mean?"

"Ah, don't misunderstand. I don't have the authority to give you a Blue Uniform. The captain doesn't either."

"Then?"

"Just a moment."

Cheong Myeong turned aside and rummaged through their luggage. Ma Jin and Baek Mir-yeo watched with expressions that suggested they understood.

Soon, Cheong Myeong took out a blue robe and strode up to Yeon-shin.

"I'll lend it to you."

The hem of the robe billowed.

Yeon-shin glanced at how the blue garment draped over his shoulders, then looked up. He was utterly puzzled.

"I don't understand."

Baek Mir-yeo was the one who answered.

"A White Uniform with a blue Desolate Fortress robe. It means you are a rising talent of Desolate Fortress, guaranteed by a Blue Uniform's honor."

A rising talent. In the martial world, that term was not used for just anyone. It was no light designation.

It meant the foremost among the juniors walking the martial path.

Having received such a title less than half a year after entering Desolate Fortress made it all the weightier.

Baek Mir-yeo smiled. It was an enchanting smile, despite containing not a trace of selfish motive.

"You'll have the authority to issue orders to every White Uniform warrior in Desolate Fortress. I was going to give you mine."

"Yours is too narrow around the shoulders."

Cheong Myeong smiled and looked at Yeon-shin.

"If anyone asks, tell them the Demon Sword of Demon Wings acknowledged you. That should keep most trouble away."

"You may also use the epithet One Lotus Sword Plum. I will consider it as though I gave you the robe as well."

"…Thank you."

Yeon-shin gave a slight bow of respect. The unfamiliar sensation stirring in his chest felt strangely ticklish.

Ma Jin, who had been watching with a somewhat complicated expression, nodded.

"It seems that settles things."

"The matter of Mount Hua Sect…"

"We'll handle it. I don't know whether you'll return first or the Purple Cloud Pellet incident will be settled first."

At that moment, Hyeon Won-chang cautiously raised a hand.

"May I accompany Young Hero Jeong? I may not be much help to the captain and the Blue Uniforms, but it may be different for Young Hero Jeong."

"…Granted."

After considering it for a moment, Ma Jin agreed that it made sense.

"Do not forget that the matter of Zhongnan has also become a mission of Demon Wings. Observe the conflict between the Tyrant Sword Sect and Zhongnan Sect, and consider how a war between the two sects will affect the common people. You may intervene in any way you see fit. Above all, think of your lives first."

"We accept your command."

Yeon-shin and Hyeon Won-chang cupped their fists.

Yeon-shin's strengthened gaze turned toward the southern window.

Mount Zhongnan, where one of the prestigious sword sects of the Central Plains had taken root.

His second older brother and young niece were studying martial arts there. Was Hye-ah doing well?

‘The destruction of Jeong Family Manor. If I seek out Great Elder Ye Yil-sin, will she tell me what happened?’

The war between the Thirteen Heavens and the Nine Sects. It was also an opportunity to test how well Yeon-shin's martial prowess measured up in the world.

* * *

Mount Zhongnan was two days away. Only after spending two nights on the road did the two change into their Desolate Fortress uniforms.

They were showing consideration for Mount Hua Sect's honor.

The Desolate Fortress Divine Hero, Hyeon Won-chang, seemed reborn as they let out a refreshing laugh.

Hyeon Won-chang looked back and forth between the characters for Desolate on both shoulders and grinned broadly.

"That's more like it."

"…"

Yeon-shin wore the blue robe Cheong Myeong had lent him over Desolate Fortress's White Uniform.

Before long, Hyeon Won-chang looked over with envy and spoke.

"White robes with a blue outer robe. It suits you very well."

"It feels a little awkward."

"I think Young Hero Jeong will adapt quickly."

"Thank you, Young Hero Hyeon."

"Hm? That wasn't an empty compliment."

Yeon-shin smiled faintly.

Hyeon Won-chang was someone to be grateful for. Without a deeply caring nature, it would not be easy to follow along on a matter so far removed from the original mission.

Before long, the two arrived at the foot of Mount Zhongnan.

From afar, the sheer and majestic mountain terrain had inspired awe. Upon reaching the entrance, though, they could feel the severe atmosphere unique to a martial sect's grounds.

Martial artists were standing guard.

"They seem to be Zhongnan martial artists. So the conflict with the Tyrant Sword Sect truly is real. They've come down from the main gate all the way to the foot of the mountain."

Hyeon Won-chang whispered.

When the two approached, two of the four martial artists on guard stepped forward.

"Please state your sect, name, and purpose."

"As you can see, we are from Desolate Fortress."

Hyeon Won-chang replied leisurely, slightly thrusting out a shoulder before gesturing at Yeon-shin.

It seemed to mean that Yeon-shin, the rising talent of Desolate Fortress, should take responsibility.

At the mention of Desolate Fortress, even the martial artists standing farther back strode forward. Yeon-shin spoke.

"I am Jeong Yeon-shin of Demon Wings."

"And I am Hyeon Won-chang of Demon Wings, Desolate Fortress."

"Um…!"

After examining even their clothing, the others let out low groans.

Their reactions made the reason clear.

Given its position and founding purpose of restraining the martial world, Desolate Fortress was not welcomed by jianghu sects.

"Do you intend to prove your identities with clothing alone?"

A Zhongnan Sect disciple spoke. Their tone was strangely sharp.

The two from Demon Wings first took golden identity tokens from their robes.

Gold-plated Desolate Fortress tokens, engraved with vivid golden tree patterns, appeared in their hands.

They were said to have been made by a dwarven race blacksmith, rarer even than a member of the elven race.

Anyone who saw the patterns, delicately and elegantly engraved, would be convinced.

"Desolate Fortress is a powerful sect. Would young martial artists like you act on your own? Who would…"

Someone pulled the sharp-tongued disciple back. A martial artist who seemed to be a senior brother spoke.

"Regrettably, our sect is currently at war. Please understand that we cannot simply trust the identities of unfamiliar people."

"These people!"

Hyeon Won-chang flared up and roused their energy. In an instant, a distinct aura rippled outward, faintly shaking the air.

Having passed the Desolate Exam without difficulty and adapted to life as a White Uniform of Demon Wings, Hyeon Won-chang possessed solid inner strength despite their usually carefree disposition.

"…!"

"They truly are from Desolate Fortress!"

Hyeon Won-chang took satisfaction in their reactions, but the Zhongnan disciple who had stepped back shouted.

"How dare you utter such outrageous words on Mount Zhongnan!"

"What are these people…!"

Hyeon Won-chang looked dumbfounded.

As Yeon-shin watched them quietly, a sense of familiarity arose.

Jeong Family Manor came to mind.

When Yeon-shin had said that he would create and learn martial arts, the first thing to appear on the younger siblings' faces had not been disbelief, but something else.

Surprise and jealousy. His younger siblings had been just like those disciples.

‘It seems the fight with the Tyrant Sword Sect is not going well. The pride of the Nine Sects has been damaged, and youngsters have appeared, boldly claiming to be martial artists of Desolate Fortress.’

Hyeon Won-chang's display of force had only made things worse.

It was said that the martial artists of the Nine Sects were known for their self-discipline.

Perhaps because the situation had combined with youthful hot blood, the Zhongnan Sect disciples before them looked no different from young martial artists in the secular world.

"We cannot believe it. Young people like you pretending to be martial artists of Desolate Fortress, especially in times like these."

The tone grew even firmer. It felt as if Yeon-shin's chest had tightened.

Guarding the gate was an important responsibility, but the senior figures who led a sect would not be assigned to security.

Those guarding the mountain entrance to Zhongnan Sect were all young.

They were vigorous because of their age, and they also carried the lofty pride of disciples from a prestigious great sect like Zhongnan.

"This…!"

Perhaps Hyeon Won-chang had remembered that Yeon-shin had blood relatives here.

Even in this situation, Hyeon Won-chang glanced at Yeon-shin and restrained their anger. The sight pleased Yeon-shin. He was just about to step forward when someone spoke.

"Even if they truly are from Desolate Fortress, that is a problem in itself. How could Desolate Fortress trust these two enough to send them to great Zhongnan? It seems the illustrious name of mighty Desolate Fortress is now a thing of the past."

The one who had remained silent until then spoke harshly.

The force in the disciple's narrow eyes suggested no ordinary temperament.

The line had clearly been crossed. Yeon-shin placed a hand on the sword hilt at his waist.

"Perhaps you should reconsider your words and conduct. You have insulted martial artists of another sect for no reason."

Yeon-shin spoke calmly.

* * *

Jeong Joong-san was a rough-featured young man wearing an undyed cotton Daoist robe.

He was the second son of Jeong Family Manor and also a disciple of Zhongnan Sect.

Lately, there had been many days when he wondered how his life had come to this.

Even if the destruction of Jeong Family Manor had been like a natural disaster, human feelings could not accept such a calamity so easily.

Though not a disciple of Buddhism, he thought about karma.

"Perhaps being a foolish and inadequate older brother was the reason for this misfortune."

He had also taken to muttering to himself more often.

He sat leaning against the roof ridge of Zhongnan Sect's Patrol Pavilion.

The scenery in view was truly peaceful.

Featherlike clouds made gentle waves in the blue sky. Beneath them stretched the ridges of the Qinling Mountains, and several clumps of bamboo rose above the fence.

Still seated on the pavilion roof, he lightly stamped a foot against the tiles.

The clear sound of blue roof tiles striking one another brought a small sense of satisfaction.

At the same time, an elderly voice thundered from below.

"You rascal! I told you to fetch water for the rice, yet you forgot again and are idling about?"

"Ah!"

Jeong Joong-san hurriedly leaped down and bowed toward the source of the scolding.

An elderly swordmaster with a stern expression sat on the main hall porch, watching with displeasure.

"I apologize, Elder."

"It makes me sigh. This sect is losing every decent sword art and disciple it has."

Such words could be spoken only by someone of elevated martial seniority. Jeong Joong-san bent lower at the waist.

Though Zhongnan Sect was fighting the Tyrant Sword Sect, he was not a martial artist fit to join the forces of the Nine Sects.

Naturally, he had come to wait upon the elder.

The elder clicked their tongue.

"Our sect is having difficulty obtaining supplies. Go down the mountain and procure grain. I cannot afford to be another drain on our stores. The Tyrant Sword's scoundrels must be swept away soon."

"Yes!"

"Elder Jong is troubling an innocent grand-disciple again today."

At the sudden sound of a woman's voice, the elder's expression softened a little.

"Myo-hwa, you've come."

"Huh?"

Jeong Joong-san's eyes widened at the soft patter of an approaching figure. The woman looked around twenty, at the threshold between girlhood and womanhood.

Beautiful features and clear eyes made a striking impression.

The first thing to catch the eye was the strange feather ornament binding her black hair.

The wide hem of the blue martial robe fluttered in the wind with every step.

A white treasured sword hung from the jade-decorated belt.

Weiji Myo-hwa of Zhongnan Sect.

She was also called the Cloud Sword Dragon. It meant a sword hero who stood above the clouds.

It was an era when dragon was an epithet reserved for men.

There had been a reason that, at Jeong Family Manor's farewell, Jeong Joong-san had called the Cloud Sword Dragon Eldest Senior Brother despite never having seen the person before.

Weiji Myo-hwa was different. She was Zhongnan Sect's strongest rising talent, a woman known as a Sword Dragon.

To Jeong Joong-san, Weiji Myo-hwa was someone whose gaze he could not even meet.

"I needed a porter, so this is perfect. Jeong… Junior Brother? Come down with me."

Seemingly unable to remember his name, Weiji Myo-hwa trailed off before turning around.

When the elder gestured with their chin as if asking what was taking so long, Jeong Joong-san hurried after Weiji Myo-hwa.

The two did not exchange a word until reaching the foot of Mount Zhongnan.

Jeong Joong-san found the renowned Eldest Senior Sister, younger in age but lofty in status, daunting. Weiji Myo-hwa simply seemed to hold no interest at all.

"Uh…?"

Suddenly, Jeong Joong-san made a vacant sound. He nearly rubbed his eyes, as though he had seen something impossible.

Weiji Myo-hwa came to a dead stop. Together, they saw the senior brothers receiving visitors.

The atmosphere was steadily growing more hostile, but that was not what mattered to Jeong Joong-san.

"Yeon-shin?"

"Hm? Do you know someone?"

It was the first time Weiji Myo-hwa had shown any interest.

"Ah!"

The sight reflected in Jeong Joong-san's eyes was truly shocking.

Though he had not even seen the sword being drawn, Yeon-shin was already sheathing it. Before his own younger brother, the sword of a senior brother he revered as lofty as the heavens flew backward.

Suddenly, a fierce gust blew from beside him. Weiji Myo-hwa had kicked off the ground and rushed forward.

Footnotes:

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