WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Chapter 38: The Old Monk’s Gratitude and Grudge (2)

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The martial artists whispered among themselves.

“Desolate... Desolate Fortress...?”

“That can’t be. Why would Desolate Fortress come to a place like this?”

“Shaolin’s eminent monks were with that bastard of a county magistrate! There’s no reason Desolate Fortress couldn’t come!”

They were a perfect display of the Black Path’s disorder.

When back-alley ruffians learned inferior martial arts and became martial artists, they were called the Black Path. They were ruffians who had fallen short of joining the unorthodox sects.

It was then that a hefty, bald brute pulled the axe embedded in the table free.

The brute seemed to have learned martial arts suited to their inborn strength. Their eyes, gleaming red with drunkenness, glared at Yeon-shin.

“A brat like that is an expert of Desolate Fortress? And you call things like that brothers!”

The brute gripped the axe handle and threw it without warning. The sound of it tearing through the air was tremendous.

Hyeon Won-chang remained motionless with arms crossed. Hyeon Won-chang even smiled.

Boom!

Yeon-shin drew the sword and struck in the blink of an eye.

The axe shattered at once. The aftershock of force that briefly gathered in the hand gripping the Desolate Sword created a fierce gust of wind.

Fragments of the axe scattered through the air.

“Fist force in a sword strike...!”

Hyeon Won-chang, who had been smiling calmly nearby, exclaimed in admiration.

Hyeon Won-chang seemed to have recognized the first form of True Barrier, the second technique of the Sihwa Boundless Fist. Perhaps it was because Yeon-shin created and used martial arts himself.

Yeon-shin was easily reaching the stage where he could freely apply force intended for different uses.

‘Desolate Fortress, the Nine Sects, and the Thirteen Heavens are far above the clouds.’

At that moment, Yeon-shin realized that his martial arts belonged to a world different from that of ordinary regional martial artists.

Compared with the Eight-Fiend Rakshasa Sword of the Tyrant Sword Sect, this attack felt no more threatening than a gnat.

There was no need to use Ultimate Realm to layer qi. The axe throw had felt truly light.

“Was throwing axes your way of starting a conversation?”

As Yeon-shin stepped forward with the sword lowered, the Black Path martial artists recoiled in terror. Yeon-shin paid them no mind and strode closer.

The others could be spared, but the hefty bald brute could not be allowed off easily. That throw had clearly been a killing move.

The ease with which the brute had acted was as natural as flowing water. It showed how casually the brute had harmed others until now.

The brute was unlike the Mantis Sect, which had been obliged to welcome Yeon-shin into its sect.

There had to be more than a few commoners who had fallen victim to them.

“Wait, wait, let’s talk!”

As though the brute had lost the will to resist after witnessing the force of True Barrier, the brute waved a hand. At the same time, the Desolate Sword flashed.

White radiance spread across the long blade, illuminating the brute’s despairing face.

Slash!

The splattered blood smeared vividly, as if demanding an answer. The remaining martial artists’ complexions changed.

* * *

They began by saying that a bloody wind had swept through the marketplace after the Jeong Family Manor was annihilated.

There had been a war among Black Path groups over the local commercial district.

That was what Yeon-shin heard.

The Chief Steward of the Jeong Family Manor had formed a merchant company amid the chaos and expanded it with remarkable skill.

Its main goods were agricultural products. Their quality was excellent, but the Chief Steward’s skill in bargaining and distribution had also allowed the company to swiftly expand beyond Xinye County.

However, the forests and assets of the annihilated manor were the merchant company’s foundation. The Black Path martial artists would not have left them alone.

It was said that they had used enormous wealth to blind the county magistrate, then attacked the merchant company and dismantled it completely.

That was how a sect called the Xinye Baekmu Faction came to be.

“Rotten bastards!”

Hyeon Won-chang flew into a rage.

The courtesans who had been with the martial artists of the Xinye Baekmu Faction quietly returned to the brothel.

They did not even scream. They seemed accustomed to blood.

There was no telling what the county magistrate had been doing.

“I trust you will handle it well.”

“A day should be enough, right?”

“This concerns your family’s land. If you ask, I can help.”

It was a trivial matter for the experts of Demon Wings.

The seniors patted Yeon-shin, the youngest, on the head or shoulder before heading toward the guest rooms.

With a calm temperament and steady martial prowess, Seom-ye had already earned the trust of Demon Wings through only two outings.

“Can I punish the county magistrate?”

“It will be possible once you become Black Uniform.”

Ma Jin answered Yeon-shin’s question, then continued.

“You have already annihilated the Mantis Sect alone. You are clearly stronger than you were then. A Black Path sect in Xinye County should not prove difficult. Do you need more help?”

“I appreciate the offer.”

“As soon as I return, I will investigate this county magistrate. It seems a great deal will come to light.”

Yeon-shin thanked Ma Jin and gave a fist salute. When Yeon-shin turned, Hyeon Won-chang was grinning.

“I will go with you. Sending young hero Jeong, not even twenty, on a chivalrous undertaking alone? The title of Desolate Fortress Divine Hero would weep.”

“It is not a chivalrous undertaking.”

“How is sweeping away a Black Path sect not a hero’s work? It is something others cannot do for fear of receiving even a scratch.”

“Should I add young hero Hyeon’s name to the Jeong Family Manor’s Fish Scale Map?”

The Fish Scale Map was the Ming land registry.

It was a joke about giving Hyeon Won-chang a piece of land, but Hyeon Won-chang turned serious and shook their head.

“A divine hero accepts no reward.”

Hyeon Won-chang only appeared frivolous within Desolate Fortress. Lately, Yeon-shin had increasingly found himself thinking that.

Perhaps Hyeon Won-chang was the kind of great hero worthy of appearing in stories.

Hyeon Won-chang was also a handsome figure with a bold impression. The hero’s headband tied around their forehead suited them perfectly.

‘It just doesn’t feel real.’

The two headed straight for the Xinye Baekmu Faction. It was not far away.

They arrived quickly without needing to use Desolate Fortress’s lightness arts.

The sect seemed to have taken over the small manor of a local notable. Its antique front gate was firmly shut.

“It is almost a shame to cut it down.”

Despite those words, Hyeon Won-chang had already drawn the Desolate Sword.

With a single footwork step, Hyeon Won-chang whirled like a northern wind.

A refined force wave gathered along the sword’s edge, and a sharp sword resonance rang out. As the sword strike sent out with Spinning Thread Force cut through the gate, Yeon-shin kicked off the ground.

Crack!

Wooden fragments scattered in the currents of wind surrounding Yeon-shin.

Through the fully opened entrance, martial artists carrying all manner of weapons came into view. They had already prepared themselves.

It was said that the major sects were the ones who hesitated to clash with Desolate Fortress.

The small and medium-sized factions were poorly informed and could scarcely grasp the reality behind such rumors. They lacked the ability to know themselves and their enemies where martial strength was concerned.

Cheong Myeong’s words came to mind. The term “ignorant” was meant for people like them.

The Xinye Baekmu Faction was truly brimming with arrogance.

“Two fearless ignorant fools came alone! I will turn you into fertilizer for the forests as well!”

The martial artist who stepped forward with an arrogant expression had an imposing build. They appeared to be the Xinye Baekmu Faction’s sect leader, the one called its boss.

“What are you all doing? Kill them!”

Yeon-shin did not stop charging.

With a hazy beam of light, the Radiant Sword Flow swept across the sect leader’s neck.

* * *

After Yeon-shin shattered the underlings’ dantians and gathered documents related to the Jeong Family Manor, four people crossed the threshold of the Xinye Baekmu Faction.

Shock and astonishment filled their eyes as they surveyed the surroundings.

It seemed to be because so many Black Path martial artists lay groaning on the ground.

“Oh, we are already too late.”

“This, this is... what in the world...?”

There were two monks, a middle-aged person nearing old age, and Xinye County’s county magistrate in official robes.

They seemed to have heard the news at the tavern and rushed over at once.

“Y-you... Aren’t you a child of the Jeong Family Manor?”

The county magistrate, whose cheeks were thick with flesh, recognized Yeon-shin.

Although they had not interacted often, they knew each other’s faces.

Martial sects and a county magistrate were not separate entities.

It was common for martial sects to lend a hand with public security when manpower was lacking.

The county magistrate’s side also provided conveniences in tribute and business, so they maintained a symbiotic relationship.

“D-Desolate Fortress? You?”

“Young master!”

Leaving the stammering county magistrate behind, someone rushed over and stopped before Yeon-shin.

“You truly became a martial artist of Desolate Fortress! Good heavens, a blue long robe! It is truly like a dream!”

The Chief Steward of the Jeong Family Manor stood before Yeon-shin, their face suddenly brightening.

It seemed the rumors of Demon Wings Seom-ye, which had gradually spread from Shaanxi, had not yet reached Henan.

“I heard that you had not been doing well, Chief Steward.”

“I lacked strength.”

The Chief Steward gave a wry smile. Yeon-shin narrowed his eyes. The aura emanating from the Chief Steward was different from before.

It was quite clear and carried weight. It was a change difficult to attain without studying proper orthodox martial arts.

“Did you join an orthodox sect?”

“Yes. At my age, I became a secular disciple of Shaolin. Fortune favored me. It is truly something to be grateful for.”

It was indeed remarkable. How long would it take to describe in words the twists and turns from losing the merchant company to becoming a disciple of Shaolin?

The complicated emotions on the Chief Steward’s face were enough.

The Chief Steward seemed to have sought to borrow Shaolin’s strength to defeat the Black Path martial artists of Xinye.

Yeon-shin had sensed something extraordinary about the Chief Steward even during the calamity that annihilated the Jeong Family Manor. Yeon-shin had thought that such a remarkable person had been wasting away at the Jeong Family Manor.

The Chief Steward introduced the old monk standing quietly beside them.

“This is my master.”

“I am Won Jong.”

The old monk in yellow kasaya raised their right hand before their chest.

It was a single-palm salute, a greeting unique to Shaolin.

Won Jong stared intently at Yeon-shin. Wrinkles of age lined their face.

“So you are Venerable Won Jong. I am Jeong Yeon-shin of Desolate Fortress.”

Yeon-shin gave a fist salute.

“The young hero’s methods are truly extraordinary! I am Gak Jeong!”

The young martial monk who had been wandering around and examining the area approached.

Gak Jeong was exceptionally handsome. Their well-shaped head and long ears, which gave an impression of abundant virtue, were striking. They were a martial monk of the elven race from Shaolin.

Before speaking with someone of the elven race, it was difficult to judge their seniority or generation. However, it was obvious at a glance that Gak Jeong was not of an elder’s generation.

Young Divine Monk Gak Jeong. It was already a famous name.

Gak Jeong was said to be one of the Eighteen Arhats of Great Shaolin and a master of Shaolin fist arts. They were no ordinary rising talent.

“Martial Uncle, may I speak with this person?”

“As you wish. But first.”

Venerable Won Jong fixed weary eyes directly on Yeon-shin.

“Do you have some connection with our monastery?”

“This is my first time meeting experts from Shaolin.”

“Yet your body is exceedingly remarkable. It is as well tempered as if you had cultivated the Muscle-Tendon Change Scripture.”

Bodhidharma’s Muscle-Tendon Change Scripture. Few martial artists would be unfamiliar with it. Its origin was widely known.

It was said that Bodhidharma had created it to cultivate monks’ bodies and inner energy.

Shaolin’s Seventy-Two Arts were said to begin with the Muscle-Tendon Change Scripture and return to the Muscle-Tendon Change Scripture.

The Chief Steward and Gak Jeong both widened their eyes.

“Come to think of it...”

Gak Jeong’s words trailed off as they examined Yeon-shin’s physique. The Chief Steward merely stood there with an expression of admiration.

Even though the Chief Steward knew that Yeon-shin had created the Jeong Family Youth Technique and tempered his body for nearly ten years, they remained silent.

Though the Chief Steward had become a secular disciple of Shaolin, they did not speak carelessly.

“Young hero Jeong. I do not think you stole and learned our temple’s secret arts. Such a thing is impossible.”

Gak Jeong spoke.

“Still, a good idea occurs to me. I know your methods are quite reasonable from a worldly perspective. However, to one who has cultivated only martial arts and the Buddhist path in a mountain temple, they seem somewhat excessive. It is clear that you will someday become one of the foremost masters under heaven, so this foolish monk cannot help but worry.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“A martial artist speaks through martial prowess. Of the Seventy-Two Arts’ external techniques, I have cultivated Iron Sand Palm and the Muscle-Tendon Change Scripture. Although the Muscle-Tendon Change Scripture also serves as an inner-energy cultivation method, you too seem to have built your body through dynamic training. How about comparing our physical attainments and granting the winner’s request? If you accept, I will give you this.”

Gak Jeong took a wooden box from inside their kasaya and opened it.

A sharp herbal fragrance spread as a small pill was revealed.

“It is the Myeongjeong Pill. I had it made by passing my clan’s secret art to our temple’s Medicine King Hall.”

“The Myeongjeong Pill!”

Hyeon Won-chang, who had been watching with a sulky expression, made a great fuss.

Hyeon Won-chang had just emerged after entering a pavilion to search through wealth that would be distributed to the commoners.

Though the Great Revitalization Pill and Lesser Revitalization Pill were renowned throughout the world, medicines such as Shaolin’s Myeongjeong Pill had also become known in recent years.

Yeon-shin had heard that it instantly healed injured qi and blood. It was said to be because Shaolin’s Medicine King Hall’s medical arts had been combined with the elven race’s secret techniques.

‘I heard it is quite a precious medicine.’

Even if one suffered internal injuries, they could immediately fight once more. Was this Shaolin’s sense of fairness?

The fact that Gak Jeong cautiously offered medicine first despite intending to admonish Yeon-shin left an impression.

It would be difficult to find such a thing in other martial sects.

Yeon-shin gazed quietly into Gak Jeong’s clear eyes, then nodded.

As Yeon-shin accepted the wooden box, Gak Jeong grinned.

“Venerable Gak Jeong is giving me a gift. I will give it my all.”

“Haha! Thank you for accepting my meddling. And one never knows. Young hero, you may need to take that medicine immediately.”

It was an amusing provocation. Gak Jeong was saying that Yeon-shin might suffer internal injuries while competing with them in external techniques.

Considering Shaolin’s formidable martial arts and the Young Divine Monk’s reputation, it was plausible enough.

“What is your request, Venerable?”

“If I win, listen to my lecture on Buddhist doctrine for one shichen.”

“...?”

“What, did you think I would tell you to shave your head and enter the main temple as a disciple?”

As Gak Jeong began loosening their limbs, they struck Yeon-shin as a peculiar person.

A martial artist’s competitive spirit and a Buddhist disciple’s transcendence seemed intertwined to create an unusual temperament. Gak Jeong did not leave a bad impression.

“Let us begin.”

“Good.”

As Yeon-shin took his stance, he instinctively knew.

If both of them used inner energy, Yeon-shin would still be far inferior to Young Divine Monk Gak Jeong.

However, the degree to which their bodies had been tempered was different. Yeon-shin had trained only in the Jeong Family Youth Technique for a long time and brought it to great completion.

It seemed worth trying.

Crash!

The moment the martial contest began, dazzling fists and kicks poured down. Fists and legs traced all kinds of trajectories as they struck Yeon-shin’s entire body.

Only Yeon-shin’s eyes moved according to his will. He took in the essence of Shaolin’s fist and Leg Arts one by one.

Flap! Thud!

The fist that struck Yeon-shin’s shoulder was not light. Even without qi, powerful martial skill unfolded from Gak Jeong’s body.

For twenty exchanges, Yeon-shin did not make even a single effective counterattack.

It was then. Gak Jeong’s robes suddenly sank sharply, then fluttered crisply.

It lasted only a moment. Stamping down with both feet in a True Step, Gak Jeong instantly lunged along a forward diagonal.

It appeared to be Dragon Fist, one of the famed Shaolin Five Fists.

Thud!

The fist sent forth with Force Projection exploded against Yeon-shin’s solar plexus. Was it a fist art that manifested a waterspout through the human body?

Though it carried no inner energy, dust burst upward. It was enough to make one wonder if Gak Jeong had struck to kill.

“Hm?”

Instead, Gak Jeong was pushed back two steps. Their footprints sank deeply into the dirt ground.

Yeon-shin stood still with a calm expression. He had not moved from the spot where he had planted his feet when the martial contest began.

“...”

“Have you finished, Venerable?”

Yeon-shin asked quietly.

Footnotes:

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