Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time - Chapter 33

WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Chapter 33: Master (2)

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“...Desolate Fortress?”

The nobleman who had admonished the wandering martial artist broke the silence.

His previously relaxed demeanor as he chatted with the two women beside him shifted, showing slight bewilderment and interest.

The wanderer looked Yeon-shin up and down.

“Are you truly a warrior of Desolate Fortress?”

Yeon-shin did not answer.

“You insulted my sect with what you said. Do not think my patience will last long.”

Hyeon Won-chang spoke with an unusually serious expression. The moment he drew his sword, his killing intent would reveal itself.

Having witnessed Won-chang fight before, Yeon-shin did not want to waste time.

Without a word, he spun the remaining chopstick between his index and middle fingers. The wanderer’s complexion changed drastically.

“I-I had no intention of insulting Desolate Fortress. I merely...”

“I am not curious about your business. You said the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword lost an eye. Tell me about that.”

Yeon-shin looked at him calmly, one hand resting on his sword hilt.

“It was Fighting Demon! They said the Blood Flame Sect was behind Fighting Demon! Several Blood Masters and a Blood Flame Sect Apostle clashed with Demon Wings, and the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword met with misfortune while protecting a family of commoners...”

“...”

It seemed like something Cheong Myeong, who was exceptionally kind within Demon Wings, would do.

“After the Tyrant Sword Sect, now the Blood Flame Sect.”

Won-chang muttered with a sickened expression. Yeon-shin slowly nodded.

Of the other Thirteen Heavens, he had not even seen the hems of eleven of them. Yet these two kept becoming entangled with him.

It seemed to be because Henan and Shaanxi were the regions where they mainly operated.

“You must have spoken after staking your life on it.”

Perhaps it was the force in Yeon-shin’s voice. The wanderer’s body stiffened.

After the Mantis Sect, then the Zhongnan Sect and the Tyrant Sword Sect, he had repeatedly gone through bloody group battles.

His temperament could no longer remain as it had been before. Jeong Yeon-shin was gradually becoming a martial artist.

“I-I apologize!”

The man prostrated himself, as though he saw Yeon-shin as a grim reaper.

The name Desolate Fortress and the single move Yeon-shin had displayed seemed to have caused it.

“This is the first time I have felt that drawing the Desolate Sword would be such a waste.”

Contrary to Won-chang’s words, Yeon-shin felt as if he were looking into a mirror.

Abandoning one’s pride to preserve one’s life. One’s own neck was that precious.

The sight created by the wanderer did not feel like someone else’s affair. That was himself.

Seom-ye of Demon Wings, who had to bargain over merits with the Lord of Desolate Fortress.

“Eat your meal. Pay the innkeeper for the table.”

He spoke without thinking. Even he himself did not know why. Perhaps he wanted fate to show him the same mercy.

“With martial strength like that at his age, he could have been reckless...”

“As expected, a master of a prestigious sect has dignity.”

Yeon-shin’s attitude seemed to have been taken as the magnanimity of a strong person.

It was likely because he had released a force wave through a chopstick, enough for others to infer his martial ability.

Not only the other wanderers, but even the men and women who appeared to be scions of distinguished martial families expressed admiration for his bearing.

The wanderer who had risen from his seat called the innkeeper and paid for the table Yeon-shin had broken.

He clearly wanted to leave, but seemed too afraid of Yeon-shin to do so.

The nobleman rose from his chair and approached Yeon-shin.

“Is your epithet, by any chance, Seom-ye?”

When Yeon-shin nodded, the interest on the man’s face seemed to deepen.

“To see the person who will become the light of Desolate Fortress after White Qilin Namgung Hwa-shin is truly a pleasure. I am Jin Yul of the Jin Family in Shaanxi.”

“I am Jeong Yeon-shin of Demon Wings, Desolate Fortress.”

Won-chang and Jin Yul’s companions exchanged greetings as well. They claimed to be daughters of a nearby martial academy.

The people who had originally shared the table awkwardly departed after Jin Yul pressed coins into their hands.

“I have long admired the warriors of Desolate Fortress. Those of us who belong to small families cannot help but remain close to the lives of ordinary people as well as the martial world. Whenever I see Desolate Fortress strike at the martial world, it is deeply satisfying.”

Jin Yul spoke with a smile.

“Desolate Fortress has a rising young master, a young hero whose martial ability far exceeds their years, or so I have heard. They said you were active in Shaanxi. I believe that young hero must be you.”

“Elder Brother, your ears are remarkably keen!”

Embarrassed, Yeon-shin did not answer and merely bowed in silence. Won-chang laughed as he praised Jin Yul, looking thoroughly pleased.

“If the people of Demon Wings are heading for Lantian, may I request to accompany you? I know it is discourteous of me, given that we have just met. However, I wish to build ties with the masters of Desolate Fortress.”

“What do you think, Young Hero Jeong?”

Won-chang did not agree blindly.

Although he seemed to treat Yeon-shin as a younger brother, he never violated their hierarchy.

The blue long robe acknowledged by Cheong Myeong and Baek Mir-yeo stood above every White Uniform.

Yeon-shin opened his mouth.

“You guessed our destination? Do you know the circumstances in such detail?”

“After the conflict between the Zhongnan Sect and the Tyrant Sword Sect, Demon Wings and the Mount Hua Sect have become the foremost topic in Xi’an’s martial world. Everyone’s attention is focused on them, so even those from small and middling martial families like ours cannot help but know of such major events.”

Jin Yul answered without losing his smile. Yeon-shin looked at him for a moment before nodding.

* * *

Xi’an was one of the foremost cities in the Central Plains.

Lantian was a county on the eastern edge of the great city. Since they had set out from an inn near Mount Zhongnan, they had to ride for quite some time.

During that time, Jin Yul and Hyeon Won-chang became quite close.

“That was when I shouted, ‘Seom-ye Jeong Yeon-shin of Desolate Fortress has beheaded an Elder of the Tyrant Sword Sect!’ My roar must have been no less mighty than Shaolin’s Lion’s Roar. Every martial artist of the Zhongnan Sect and the Tyrant Sword Sect snapped their heads around. You should have seen it.”

“Would a warrior of Desolate Fortress speak falsehoods? How could I not believe it?”

The two had been easygoing from the start. They quickly dropped formalities and spoke comfortably.

Jin Yul did not seem like an ordinary person from a small martial family. His knowledge was remarkably broad, and he knew how to praise others.

He possessed the dignity of a nobleman and an air that drew people in. Before long, even Won-chang was conversing with him warmly, the corners of his mouth lifted high.

“Did Young Hero Jeong truly behead the Eight-Fiend Rakshasa Sword?”

One of the daughters of the martial academy, who was riding alongside them, asked.

Her tanned face, as though she had devoted herself to training, was filled with curiosity.

Yeon-shin shook his head.

“It was merely a rotating assault. Senior Sword Dragon, Senior Martial Spirit Fist, Senior Sheer Cliff Sword, and Young Hero Hyeon had worn him down. An Elder of the Thirteen Heavens is a master of an entirely different caliber.”

“I did receive one move from him! The finishing touch was Young Hero Jeong’s dazzling single strike, but still!”

Won-chang laughed heartily. He looked very pleased by Yeon-shin’s praise.

“Let us rest for a while.”

Jin Yul, who had been smiling with them, suggested it. The sun hung high in the sky.

It was time to eat, and a stream flowed near the road where they could water the horses.

Yeon-shin nodded.

Won-chang volunteered to handle the horses. Leaving him behind as he gathered the reins one by one, Yeon-shin headed to the stream.

As he bent over to fill the gourd from his clothes with water, Jin Yul, seated nearby on Yeon-shin’s left, glanced at him and spoke.

“Does Young Hero Jeong happen to use the left hand as well?”

“I use a sword with my right hand. I have only learned Hand Arts superficially.”

“I see. Then your left side must be a weakness.”

His tone was as ordinary as if they were discussing everyday matters. Only afterward did Yeon-shin realize the meaning of his words.

Swish.

Jin Yul thrust out a dagger at astonishing speed, without generating even a trace of martial force.

His ambush was incredibly stealthy. It was as though he were using a fast sword with a dagger.

The qi of the Jeong Family Youth Technique stirred within his body. The inner energy filling the minor meridians throughout his body was heavier than before.

Yeon-shin had been prepared from the moment he allowed Jin Yul to accompany them.

For someone ordinary, Jin Yul was far too extraordinary.

Even though they had met at the first inn Yeon-shin entered after descending Mount Zhongnan.

‘As though he had been waiting.’

The instant he operated the mnemonic formula of the Sihwa Boundless Fist in his left arm, a chilling sword light rose from a diagonal angle.

The flashing trail raced forward and instantly severed Jin Yul’s neck.

Splat!

“I knew this would happen.”

Hyeon Won-chang stood atop Jin Yul’s corpse, its upper body plunged into a puddle.

He lifted the hem of Jin Yul’s robe and wiped his Desolate Sword clean.

His face was calm, as though he had never befriended the man he had just killed. Yeon-shin watched him silently.

“I was going to do it.”

“I am no less perceptive than Young Hero Jeong.”

Won-chang grinned and kicked Jin Yul’s head away.

The moment it fell into the stream, something like ink dyed the clear spring water black.

Vivid red hair began to show from the tips.

After glancing at it briefly, Yeon-shin spoke.

“He appears to have been an assassin of the Blood Flame Sect.”

“You have become a target. It seems they recognized Young Hero Jeong’s heroic deeds and reputation. You are now, in name and reality, an enemy of the Blood Flame Sect. It means you have truly stood as a martial artist. I cannot help but envy you.”

“What about his other companions? The ones who claimed to be daughters of a martial academy.”

“They are probably crossing the Sanzu River. They were just like him.”

Won-chang muttered.

It seemed Hyeon Won-chang had been ambushed the moment Yeon-shin went to fetch water.

So this was how grudges and ties were formed in the martial world. They called it a mountain of blades and forest of swords.

He finally felt that he had stepped into the true martial world.

Yeon-shin’s reaction was indifferent, like Jin Yul’s tone when he had muttered before attempting the assassination.

“We will arrive in half a day.”

“Let us hurry.”

* * *

“Yeon-shin, you accomplished an unbelievable feat.”

Cheong Myeong spoke with a smile. A strip of plain cloth was wrapped around his head, crossing over his left eye.

Even his ragged appearance could not diminish the prominence of his nose.

He was a senior Yeon-shin was grateful to, yet found irritating for no reason.

Yeon-shin had thought only he and Won-chang would cause Demon Wings concern.

Cheong Myeong only continued to smile brightly.

“To kill an Elder of the Thirteen Heavens. Even I have not done that yet.”

“It was reckless. It is fortunate that nothing serious happened.”

Baek Mir-yeo gripped Yeon-shin’s shoulders with very cold hands, her gaze passing over his whole body.

Won-chang, standing nearby, seemed to be asking with his expression why no one was looking after him.

The four sat together in the room where they had first stayed when meeting the Mount Hua Sect.

“What happened? It seems the Squad Leader is not here either.”

At Yeon-shin’s question, Baek Mir-yeo parted her lips.

As she brushed back the hair by her ear, Yeon-shin thought her fingers looked paler than usual.

It seemed to be the aftereffect of driving a particular martial art to its utmost.

“Our Squad Leader has gone in pursuit with the Mount Hua Sect’s masters, including the Sword Absolute. The Blood Flame Sect that had been lurking in the background has revealed itself. The situation has taken on a different complexion. We do not know what scheme they may attempt with the Purple Cloud Pellet, but support from the main fortress is now likely.”

“What about Senior Cheong Myeong’s eye?”

“Fighting Demon used a concealed weapon. It happened while Cheong Myeong was facing three Blood Masters. This fool could have avoided it, but there was a civilian residence behind him. He had no choice but to deflect it with his sword.”

“What kind of weapon could cause that much damage?”

“A trigger-fired concealed-weapon tube from the Sichuan Tang Clan. It is called the Flying Strike Explosion. Its power is tremendous.”

Though she answered calmly, Baek Mir-yeo’s sharpness did not fade.

Cheong Myeong, who smiled without any awareness of it, interjected.

“I cut off his left wrist as well. In any case, we should raid the Tang Sect sometime. There are rumors they secretly make fire bombs too. Should our next mission be there?”

It was then.

Boom!

“There will be no next for you.”

An explosion came before the voice. Moving even faster, Cheong Myeong seized Yeon-shin and Won-chang by the neck and brought them down.

“The Squad Leader is not doing their job.”

Crash-crash-crash!

A barrage of flashing attacks poured through the window, like rain falling sideways.

They had nearly been pierced through. The Great Ming Empire’s way of life used chairs and tables rather than floor seating.

Baek Mir-yeo had already crouched like a beast, poised to counterattack. However, her eyes widened when she saw Yeon-shin rise at once and vault through the window.

He had immediately shaken off Cheong Myeong’s arm. As he sprinted, Yeon-shin’s field of vision narrowed.

A middle-aged man of slight build came into view.

‘What? The Purple Cloud Pellet was not their objective?’

More than one powerful aura had entered the inn.

Baek Mir-yeo’s sound transmission reached his ear, saying that she would handle the Blood Flame Sect.

“A blue robe and white garments. You must be Seom-ye.”

The middle-aged man greeted Yeon-shin with a smile. Yeon-shin noticed the attacker’s loose silk sleeves.

Killing intent spread from the man as though killing the masters of Desolate Fortress was his life’s purpose.

“You manipulate light? That is an epithet too grand for a brat.”

More and more people had begun recognizing him. Was this how fame was built in the martial world?

“Are you Fighting Demon?”

Yeon-shin advanced as though he knew nothing of proper combat distance. He did not wait for an answer.