WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Chapter 32: Master
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The intuition of masters was said to sometimes transcend the realm of understanding. This time was different.
Many watched with expressions that showed they could not make sense of it even as they saw it. Even the masters of the Zhongnan Sect were the same.
The young swordsman held the head of an Elder of the Tyrant Sword Sect in hand. No one could have imagined such a sight.
“Eight-Fiend Rakshasa Sword...? Is that truly the old master?”
“H-How could such a thing happen? At the hands of a child like that?”
“The Eight-Fiend Rakshasa Sword has died? I can scarcely believe even that...”
The sight, beyond all common sense, sapped the warriors’ will to fight.
Even the Tyrant Sword Sect was no exception. Monstrous strength and chaotic spirits.
That was the kind of situation Jeong Yeon-shin had created. It was something the human mind could not comprehend.
It was then that Hyeon Won-chang sprang to their feet. Aura flared around Hyeon as though Hyeon had never been sent sprawling, shaking even the dust from Hyeon’s robes.
With a hero’s headband tied around Hyeon’s forehead and fluttering, Hyeon threw their shoulders back as if to display a tall frame and handsome appearance, then shouted.
“Guest of the Zhongnan Sect! Seom-ye of Desolate Fortress, Jeong Yeon-shin!”
Qi filled Hyeon’s voice.
Hyeon’s cultivation was stronger than Yeon-shin had expected. Hyeon’s voice, brimming with power, echoed in all directions with remarkable mastery.
“He has severed the head of an Elder of the Tyrant Sword Sect!”
An overwhelming roar erupted. It was astonishing that such inner energy had been hidden away.
With such a tremendous feat accomplished, Hyeon accurately revealed Yeon-shin’s identity and secured credit for Yeon-shin’s achievement.
It was quick thinking befitting the Desolate Fortress Divine Hero.
“Young hero Jeong truly...!”
“The Eight-Fiend Rakshasa Sword is dead!”
“Waaaaah!”
The young masters of the Zhongnan Sect were stirred. Awe and delight showed on many faces.
Some even broke into cheers unlike any before.
“That boy!”
“He truly did it!”
The sword strikes of Ye Yil-sin and the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan began to display unparalleled effectiveness.
They pressed the bewildered enemies, unleashing their momentum.
The shift in the battle that a single boy, Seom-ye of Desolate Fortress’s Demon Wings, had brought about was as fierce as a waterfall.
The Tyrant Sword Sect was pushed back without resistance. Blows from every side dealt damage from which it would not easily recover.
Amid it all, Yeon-shin stared at the Tyrant Sword Sect leader. Their gazes met.
Even while deflecting the Zhongnan Sect leader’s sword, the Tyrant Sword Sect leader looked anew at the boy, as if determined to engrave him in memory.
‘Wait.’
A powerful opponent, difficult even to look up at. Merely meeting that gaze now made it seem as though his soul trembled.
Time was certainly Yeon-shin’s enemy. Yet it was also a friend that would grant him boundless strength.
‘Four years should be enough for you as well.’
The Tyrant Sword Sect leader would not die here. Yeon-shin turned away.
* * *
The Tyrant Sword Sect was ultimately defeated. It was a great victory for the Zhongnan Sect.
A battle between the Thirteen Heavens and the Nine Sects was by no means common.
The very fact that they had clashed and reached a visible conclusion was an enormous event. The Central Plains were said to be reacting.
Rumors had begun to stir from Xi’an.
At the forefront was the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan, whose divine might had astonished the world.
The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan had severed the Tyrant Sword Sect’s Elder Council Head’s arm and slain five elders.
The prestige of Sword Dragon Weiji Myo-hwa, who had led the disciples against mid-rank masters, rose once more.
And stories of the young master of Desolate Fortress gradually spread.
A swordsman of fifteen or sixteen had beheaded an Elder of the Tyrant Sword Sect. It was a tale difficult for anyone to believe.
Those who claimed to know even a little of the martial world were said to scoff at it. Because of that, the rumors spread slowly.
Still, it was certain that the epithet Seom-ye had entered the world.
“It is enough that the masters of the Nine Sects know. What does it matter what foolish people babble about?”
Bang!
Hyeon struck the table with a fist.
Hyeon, who said a drink had already been had at an inn below the mountain, was venting frustration.
Hyeon had heard people in the market disparaging the young master of Desolate Fortress.
Hyeon said they had nearly broken the noses of those ignorant people.
Yeon-shin did not care much. He felt little interest in things without practical value.
His gaze was fixed only on the World Tree fruit at the end of his life.
“Does fame help with missions?”
“Of course it does! It helps greatly! It means you can get another cup of wine at an inn!”
Hyeon managed to draw a smile to Yeon-shin’s lips.
They enjoyed the aftermath of victory. Even the familiar paths they had walked felt new with the scent of fresh earth.
The war between great sects had come to an end, and they had slain even the masters of the Tyrant Sword Sect.
Their mission as martial artists of Demon Wings had been fulfilled in abundance.
The masters of the Zhongnan Sect regarded not only Yeon-shin but Hyeon warmly.
It would be difficult to find more pleasant days than these.
“More than that, you should consider sects such as the Beggars’ Sect and the Hao Clan. If you are to travel the martial world, you cannot overlook the information they provide. I do not know whether young hero Jeong has ever received the Beggars’ Sect’s help, but they will treat you differently now.”
Weiji Myo-hwa, who was drinking tea with them, spoke.
The small smile on her face was more beautiful than the spring flowers beginning to bloom around them.
“It is embarrassing to say so myself, but the Nine Sects are said to stand above the clouds, even within the martial world. Naturally, it is extremely difficult for common people to learn news of the Nine Sects, unless it is a great event like this one.”
“I see.”
Yeon-shin replied after sipping the golden Jingwei Fu tea.
A smile touched Myo-hwa’s eyes as she looked at him.
“That is why people often avoid the truth and believe strange stories. But the Beggars’ Sect is different. There is a reason it is grouped with the Nine Sects as the Nine Sects and One Gang. They will know exactly what happened. Outside the battlefield, I saw several beggars who had learned lightness skills.”
Beggars had learned martial arts? They appeared to be disciples of the Beggars’ Sect, which he had only heard of.
Hyeon nodded in satisfaction.
“This will not be our only journey through the martial world, so that alone is gratifying.”
“It is young hero Jeong’s affair, yet young hero Hyeon is gratified. The camaraderie of Desolate Fortress differs from what I heard. Then which of you is the senior brother?”
“Senior brother?”
Hyeon’s eyes widened as though hearing the term for the first time.
Yeon-shin was interested as well.
“I learned Demon's Light first.”
“Come now! Did we not both receive it from the Squad Leader at the same time? Does greater mastery make someone the senior brother? Desolate Fortress is not one of those rootless unorthodox sects!”
“It is a faction without master-disciple bonds, so perhaps that much is possible.”
“Must you really be like this?”
Time passed amid an unusually comfortable conversation.
It had been a complete victory with few casualties for the Zhongnan Sect, so the atmosphere was warm.
As the sun set, Myo-hwa would occasionally smile beautifully at Yeon-shin as if looking at a younger brother.
The next day, Yeon-shin received the Flowing Cloud Plaque bestowed by the Zhongnan Sect leader.
He was told that showing it to the lay-affiliated sects beneath Mount Zhongnan would earn him the highest courtesy.
As Jeong Family Manor had also been a branch of Zhongnan, he could act as their benefactor without having given them anything.
“In addition, if you ever need the sword of our sect, do not hesitate to send word.
“Even if it concerns the political affairs of Desolate Fortress, we will help you once.”
Gu Yang-sin, the Western Heaven Sword Duke, spoke. A faint warmth rested on the otherwise expressionless face.
They were said to have swallowed a considerable portion of the Tyrant Sword Sect’s territory. The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan had provided that information.
Once the unorthodox sects withdrew and the orthodox sect protected the common people, donations would come in without the need for coercion. As the sect’s leader, Gu Yang-sin considered Yeon-shin’s contribution great.
“I will accept it gratefully.”
Yeon-shin did not refuse. There would come a day when he needed it while carrying out a mission or challenging for the position of Divine Sword Squad Leader.
Yeon-shin put the wooden plaque engraved with clouds into his robes before speaking.
“Then, I believe it is time to hear it.”
“Mm. You have earned the right.”
Ye Yil-sin, seated beside Gu Yang-sin, nodded.
At last, the hidden story behind the destruction of Jeong Family Manor came to light.
“Everything began with the World Tree.”
“The World Tree, you say?”
“It is the divine tree that supports the world. All principles of creation are firmly established through the mystical World Tree. It must draw heavily upon the earth’s energy, and Jeong Family Manor’s land was exceptionally fertile. You called them the great landowners of Xinye County, did you not? The divine tree’s roots even folded distance to stretch toward their land.”
“...”
“Every spiritual medicine recognized by all is the same. They are created through wondrous means according to the principles governing all living beings. It is a matter separate from martial arts or sorcery.”
“Then the reason Jeong Family Manor was destroyed...?”
“It is said that the formidable martial arts of the Lord of Desolate Fortress are sustained by consuming the World Tree fruit. The Tyrant Sword Sect and Blood Flame Sect are sects completely hostile to Desolate Fortress. That must have been more than enough reason for them to destroy a small martial family. Xinye County is now said to have been turned into a wasteland by their hands.”
Yeon-shin was speechless for a moment. Ye Yil-sin sighed with an expression that seemed to wish to comfort him before speaking again.
“We happened to be nearby, so we received a letter from the Lord of Desolate Fortress. It was a request to protect Jeong Family Manor. In the end, we failed...”
“...”
“I am deeply sorry to you, Joong-san, and Hye-ah.”
* * *
Shouldn’t the living go on living?
For now, Yeon-shin decided to eat the World Tree fruit. He set aside the complicated circumstances and paradoxes.
They offered no help whatsoever to survival.
It would not be too late to ask the Lord of Desolate Fortress after becoming the Divine Sword Squad Leader. She was said to live eternally.
The sky was clear. A cloudless blue covered the entire world.
Yeon-shin and Hyeon packed their bags and stood at the entrance to Mount Zhongnan.
Many people had gathered to see them off. The goodwill they had earned within the Zhongnan Sect was not small.
“Come visit when you have grown up. Once you become a master, you will be able to visit Desolate Fortress.”
Yeon-shin consoled his niece, who clung to him in tears.
When he looked at his second older brother, Jeong Joong-san, Joong-san stared at Yeon-shin with an indescribable expression.
His face was marked by regret and pride. Yeon-shin merely gave a slight nod.
They had not yet grown close enough to treat one another without reserve.
Weiji Myo-hwa, standing before him, parted her red lips.
“Would it be all right if I went next time?”
“If there is no mission, I will be the one asking for instruction in Sword Dragon’s martial arts.”
Her lips drew a smooth arc. The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan laughed heartily.
“The younger generation has formed a bond. It is a pleasing sight. It is truly delightful for an old man who should soon consider Golden Basin Washing.”
Golden Basin Washing referred to a martial artist settling debts and grudges before retiring from the martial world. Yeon-shin shook his head.
“You seem as though you could live another hundred years.”
Laughter broke out from all sides. They had become like grandfather and grandson.
The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan smiled kindly.
“Yeon-shin. I hope you achieve your will.”
The words held many meanings. Yeon-shin calmly gave a clasped-fist salute, then mounted the fine horse he had received from the Zhongnan Sect.
As always, Hyeon rode beside him with their horses’ heads aligned.
Yeon-shin did not look back as he left. After riding for half a day, they arrived at a village.
The sunset hung over the land as though the sunlight were reluctantly looking back.
Crimson silk dyed Yeon-shin’s vision in a distant haze.
They left their horses in care and entered an inn. It was a noisy place.
“There are quite a few wanderers here.”
Hyeon, seated with him near the entrance, muttered.
It was so crowded that they had to share a table with some middle-aged people. They exchanged greetings with silent nods.
The waiter who took their order did not look pleased.
It seemed to be because of the people carrying swords and shouting all around.
Among them were men and women in silk martial attire who appeared to be children of martial families.
It was uncommon for so many martial artists to gather in such a small village.
Something seemed to be happening, but the wanderers, who loved to boast of their prowess and discuss rumors, readily provided the explanation.
“...Mount Hua Sect secretly received Desolate Fortress’ aid. The Nine Sects and Desolate Fortress are setting suns now. Only Zhongnan Sect, which defeated the Tyrant Sword Sect, can still throw its weight around in Shaanxi!”
“Young sir, you must be new to the martial world for me to tell you this. A person must keep their mouth shut if they wish to live long in the martial world.”
The well-born young man appeared to be from a martial family. Though his fine attire gave him enough standing to act imperiously, he was remarkably courteous.
Two women who appeared to be companions, both wearing swords, smiled faintly and nodded.
The wanderer at the opposite table, who had been rambling loudly, furrowed their brow.
“I told you, I am not new! Where was I wrong? Otherwise, how could they fail to catch even a single Fighting Demon? They say one eye of the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword, Demon Wings’ pride, was torn out! Blue Uniform masters of Desolate Fortress? Their reputations were hollow all along!”
The wanderer looked around, seeking agreement.
Thwack!
It happened with incredible speed. A chopstick tore through the air without a sound and embedded itself completely in the table.
The force wave carried within it was so powerful that the chopstick’s end trembled. The table cracked around the point it had pierced.
Everyone turned toward the entrance. A boy in a long blue robe calmly watched the wanderer.
“That story.”
Sky-blue light flickered in Yeon-shin’s eyes.
“Tell me more.”
His voice was low, but qi from the Jeong Family Youth Technique filled it. No one in the inn could have failed to hear him.
The inn, which had been noisy with sword-bearing martial artists, fell silent in an instant.
Hyeon reached out and adjusted the fabric at Yeon-shin’s shoulder slightly forward.
The character meaning “Desolate,” embroidered in white thread on the blue robe, was revealed.
Footnotes:
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