WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Chapter 3: Destruction of the Family (2)
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‘What was that?’
Jeong Yeon-shin hurriedly lowered his head again. He did not understand the gaze, but he did not attach much meaning to it.
‘It is not as if the masters of the Zhongnan Sect will demonstrate their martial arts here.’
It was enough to observe them firsthand and sense their aura.
The immortal aura of Mount Zhongnan, the birthplace of Taoism, was indeed different from that of the martial artists of Jeong Family Manor, steeped in the grime of the secular world.
The efficacy of their inner-energy cultivation method was so profound and mysterious that its refreshing quality seemed to touch his skin.
“Raise your heads. We did not come to boast of our seniority.”
Ye Yil-sin still spoke with a hint of laughter. The people rose one after another and straightened themselves.
Jeong Dae-myung, the Family Head, quickly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead before speaking.
“We have committed a discourtesy despite your long journey. To leave the Sword Immortals of Zhongnan standing... I will guide you.”
The masters of the Zhongnan Sect followed the Family Head.
As Ye Yil-sin passed the household members, she cast another peculiar look at Jeong Yeon-shin.
“I think the elder was looking at me.”
“Not you. It must have been me.”
The bickering from behind grated on him.
What did it matter whom that renowned elder of the Zhongnan Sect had looked at? It was not as though Ye Yil-sin would take either of them as a disciple.
Jeong Yeon-shin turned away. As he headed straight for the Training Hall, he sank into thought.
‘Jeong Family Youth Technique cannot advance any further.’
What should he train next?
After attaining mastery of one martial art and facing the aura of Zhongnan Sect masters, it felt as though his perspective had changed.
His desire for achievement had begun to overcome his aversion.
‘The sword... Should I try training with the sword now?’
What would it feel like to experience the realm of mastery through a proper sword technique?
As he headed for the Training Hall, Jeong Yeon-shin carefully dismantled the mnemonic formula of the Jeong Style Divine Sword he had seen as a child. His steps were light.
* * *
The household was bustling, but the Training Hall where the boy stood was utterly quiet.
He held his sword raised to his torso in the middle stance. His breathing was calm.
His breathing, deepened through the Jeong Family Youth Technique, created a cloudlike fullness with a single inhalation.
Then, with each exhalation, he melted away distracting thoughts like rainwater sweeping over the earth.
Jeong Yeon-shin reached a state of selflessness. With a single breath, he poured his entire self into the sword.
Jeong Style Divine Sword, Soaring Grace.
The sword moved.
The Jeong Style Divine Sword, composed of three sword intents and twenty-one forms, was majestic.
It incorporated Zhongnan sword arts, albeit only shallowly, and bore the distinctive feeling of orthodox Taoist mysticism.
A martial art from the main sect would be both upright and profound. The Jeong Style Divine Sword was only upright.
It felt unnatural. Like a worldly swordsman imitating a Taoist priest.
Before thought could arise, Jeong Yeon-shin instinctively felt that way.
What did a worldly swordsman descended from a Taoist school pursue? Wealth and fame.
Those who blocked the path only needed to be killed with a single stroke.
What did a swordsman without depth need? Speed. The sword needed to be swift.
Whiiik!
The sword stance changed. The blade that had been swung with weight became light.
Energy raced through the acupoints throughout his body, following his new intent.
The qi of the Jeong Family Youth Technique thrashed violently, contracting every muscle in his body.
The mnemonic formula of a swift sword entered his sword technique, naturally opening a new path for the blade.
Slaaash!
Startled by the iron sword tearing through the air, birds scattered into the night with cries.
It was a strike found nowhere in the Jeong Style Divine Sword. It was an entirely new sword formula.
“Haa.”
He let out a long breath, filled with a swelling sense of fulfillment.
Jeong Yeon-shin looked down at the hand holding the sword hilt.
When he began the sword stance, he had tightly gripped it with all five fingers according to the Jeong Style Divine Sword’s sword-gripping method. Now, however, the strength in his thumb and index finger had loosened appropriately.
So this was how it was done.
“This is swiftness.”
The boy who had realized the mnemonic formula of the swift sword and created a sword form of his own was immensely excited.
It was different from Jeong Family Youth Technique, a Static Training method he had completed through patient effort, like stitching thread one stitch at a time.
With a single thought inspired by the Zhongnan Sect masters, he had immediately created a new plaything.
“This is fun. Really.”
After practicing the newly acquired Quick Sword Formula several more times, Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly looked up.
The sky was black, as if dark silk had been spread across it.
Perhaps clouds had blanketed the heavens, for neither the stars nor the moon was visible.
‘If I want to train Jeong Family Youth Technique at dawn, I should sleep now.’
Smiling with satisfaction, he headed straight to his quarters.
The body honed through Jeong Family Youth Technique had not shed a single drop of sweat.
Feeling no need to wash, the boy fell asleep at once.
* * *
After rising early and completing his dawn training, Jeong Yeon-shin headed straight to the breakfast hall.
Normally, he had servants bring him breakfast to eat alone, but this time was different.
The Family Head would surely be dining with the Zhongnan Sect masters, whose length of stay was unknown.
‘Being shameless is hardly a big deal.’
Had he not already gained inspiration simply by seeing their clear auras?
Having tasted a great achievement, the boy put on a brazen face and joined the family breakfast.
He had no interest in the household members casting surprised glances his way.
Jeong Yeon-shin fixed his gaze on the Zhongnan Sect figures seated in the places of honor.
“Ahem. Since you are here, sit.”
Jeong Dae-myung spoke after clearing his throat.
It must have been difficult for him to reprimand his child before such distinguished martial artists.
That was precisely what Jeong Yeon-shin had intended.
The meal began.
The boy tried not to make it obvious as he stole glances at Ye Yil-sin and the other Zhongnan Sect disciples.
He wondered what sort of training would allow someone to possess the uniquely serene aura they displayed.
A person’s energy changed in nature according to their emotions, yet their clear aura seemed to have brought the pure energy of Mount Zhongnan itself. That was why it fascinated him.
Then his eyes met those of Ye Yil-sin, an elder of the elven race. She smiled faintly.
“The Family Head’s young son possesses remarkably clear eyes. He appears truly intelligent.”
“Hm...! I am deeply ashamed. My third son’s cultivation is greatly lacking...”
Startled, Jeong Dae-myung leaned back slightly and glared at Jeong Yeon-shin.
The boy lowered his head slightly and ate some vegetables.
Strangely, Ye Yil-sin’s gentle smile weighed on him more heavily than Jeong Dae-myung’s open scowl.
Something was different.
‘It is not only clear. It is deep. Is that what they call supreme inner power?’
It was his first time seeing a realm where qi condensed within the body naturally manifested outside it.
Its power was clearly perceptible despite being invisible.
It felt as though the limits of his knowledge regarding how strong inner energy could become had been shattered.
‘Jeong Family Youth Technique is not the end. It can develop further.’
The vegetables on their way to his mouth stopped.
He had glimpsed the beginning of a new martial art.
Come to think of it, what Jeong Yeon-shin had cultivated through Jeong Family Youth Technique until now was his own body.
Foolishly, he had not known there was a next step.
No one had taught him, amid everyone’s indifference and faint hostility.
‘The body is a vessel. To have an aura like that, I must cultivate energy.’
What he had done was not wrong.
Thanks to it, he had focused wholly on training and completely established the foundation through which qi circulated.
Essence first, qi afterward. Clean the vessel first, then fill it with water.
Now, all he had to do was pour energy into it.
Jeong Yeon-shin had fully realized the most basic yet ultimate principle.
Jeong Family Youth Technique could advance further.
It would evolve once more and transform into a new martial art.
‘This time, it is truly Static Training.’
He hummed inwardly.
Countless flashes of inspiration struck his mind like lightning.
Numerous methods using breathing techniques to receive the energy between heaven and earth intertwined, weaving themselves into a framework.
‘What should I call the art after Jeong Family Youth Technique?’
For a moment, the boy’s eyes gleamed sky blue, but Ye Yil-sin of Zhongnan was the only one who witnessed it.
A doubtful look appeared on Ye Yil-sin’s unusually beautiful face.
* * *
“The grounds here are better than expected.”
“Indeed. With earth energy of this caliber, it is no wonder the Tyrant Sword Sect would covet it.”
The speakers were the two Zhongnan Sect disciples who had accompanied Ye Yil-sin to attend to the elder.
The three martial artists, Ye Yil-sin and the two disciples, were drinking tea in the guest room provided by the manor lord of Jeong Family Manor.
Perhaps because the room had been carefully arranged in consideration of their status as disciples of one of the Nine Sects, the neat room and faint fragrance of tea lent it a certain charm.
“It is certain that they are coming. The plan to counterattack is sound, but... I am still reluctant to see this family suffer casualties.”
“Our aura sense remains open at all times.”
“Would we not be able to move out and defeat them before they cross the wall?”
Confidence showed on the faces of the two disciples, both over thirty.
Ye Yil-sin sensed the battle intent radiating from the sect’s disciples and said no more.
They were the elites of Zhongnan, one of the Nine Sects.
It could not be called reckless bravado.
Ye Yil-sin changed the subject.
“What did you think of the child who is to become your martial nephew?”
“I am not sure.”
“I feel the same.”
The two disciples responded matter-of-factly.
After living for more than two hundred years, one could infer a person’s character and aptitude from their bearing and conduct even upon a first meeting. Even in Ye Yil-sin’s eyes, the second child of Jeong Family Manor showed nothing particularly remarkable.
“Rather, the third son’s eyes were steadfast.”
“I thought the same.”
“Even at a glance, he is not of an ordinary mold. He may one day win renown as the sword representing this family. If he becomes a registered disciple of the main sect, he cannot inherit the family legacy. Is that not why the Family Head deliberately sends the second child instead?”
Ye Yil-sin’s words were speculation, but the tone was close to certainty. Surprise crossed the two disciples’ faces.
“To that extent?”
“Then perhaps we should bring the third son into the main sect...”
“That would violate the rules. Our sect has already chosen its registered disciple. Even if we changed our minds now, the Family Head would not accept it. The great Zhongnan cannot act so frivolously.”
At the Great Elder’s low rebuke, the disciples lowered their heads.
They reflected on the carelessness of their words and conduct.
Leaving them to do so, Ye Yil-sin tapped the table with long fingers.
‘He truly is a peculiar child.’
The boy had displayed a strange disposition all along.
It was not the kind of aptitude described among the elven race as being loved by nature.
If it were, things visible only to Ye Yil-sin’s eyes would have surrounded the boy.
It was different in nature from that.
‘That child seemed especially distinct between heaven and earth.’
Supreme masters of inner energy such as Ye Yil-sin communed with the heavens.
The qi that had opened the Baihui acupoint atop the head was truly mysterious. At times, through the upper dantian, it granted abilities akin to foresight.
For Ye Yil-sin to feel such a strong sense of otherness, the boy was surely no ordinary child.
But this was not the time to concern herself with him.
“The Tyrant Sword Sect is a great enemy. Do not let your guard down, and hone your sword qi.”
* * *
After breakfast, Jeong Yeon-shin received a visit from the Chief Steward. He could guess the purpose.
The Chief Steward was looking at him with a troubled expression on a normally dignified face.
“Chief Steward.”
“Third Young Master.”
“I wonder if I have done something wrong. Lately, I have been thinking that more and more.”
“Third Young Master.”
“My mother’s energy was exhausted when I was born? Is that why I cannot even show my face before this family’s honored guests?”
“...It is the manor lord’s will.”
The Chief Steward answered. Seeing the troubled expression on the Chief Steward’s face, Jeong Yeon-shin fell silent.
The Chief Steward was a good person.
Regardless of personal wishes, the Chief Steward was an extension of Jeong Dae-myung, both manor lord and Family Head, overseeing the household’s affairs.
At times like this, Jeong Yeon-shin found himself missing the maternal family he had never seen.
Yet Jeong Family Manor would not send him to them.
Jeong Yeon-shin’s maternal family was connected to a very powerful faction.
They had never sought out their maternal grandson after his birth mother passed away, but the household members who mistreated Jeong Yeon-shin remained wary and uncomfortable around him.
“I am sorry.”
The boy spoke. A look of pity briefly crossed the Chief Steward’s face.
“...I understand that the Young Master’s Training Hall lacks training materials. I will have new supplies prepared.”
“Thank you. I will wait.”
As Jeong Yeon-shin turned away, he reproached himself.
Whenever he saw the masters of the Zhongnan Sect, he gained enlightenment. That had made him reveal a childish impatience.
It was unlike him.
‘Let me try weaving together a Static Training method.’
He regulated his breath according to the mnemonic formula of Jeong Family Youth Technique and calmed his mind.
Footnotes:
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