WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Episode 389: Divine Sword Corps (5)
──────
Sichuan had once been the land of ancient Shu. It had originally been a kingdom of its own.
The Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Regional Military Commissioner held civil affairs, finances, and military affairs across Sichuan Province in the palms of their hands.
Their status was comparable to that of princes of commandery in their respective territories. Unless they were in Beijing, they had little reason to curry favor with anyone.
And yet.
‘The Leader of Demon Wings’ favorite food...?’
What kind of absurd question was that? The Regional Military Commissioner frowned, about to speak, then paused.
The Provincial Administration Commissioner glanced at him and gave the faintest shake of his head, as though warning him not to act rashly.
‘This person...?’
Of course, the Regional Military Commissioner had heard of Wishspring Leader Bukgung A.
They said she was not someone one could reason with. Someone capable of making a cliff collapse with a single punch, who regarded high officials as little more than rocks blocking her path.
Still, were any of the squad leader-class figures in Desolate Fortress any different?
‘They’re all renowned for being combative and proud, after all.’
The Regional Military Commissioner stole a glance at the Wishspring Leader.
“Is he someone with particular tastes? I don’t recall the Leader of Demon Wings being the sort to openly show what he likes or dislikes...”
She spoke to herself without a care.
It was the disposition of someone who recognized no equal.
Her eyelids lowered slightly as though she had fallen into thought. Her eyelashes were long and thick, yet they could not entirely conceal her jade-blue eyes.
It was as though thunderbolts had been gathered within them.
A sharp gleam constantly shone in her gaze. It attested to the Wishspring Leader’s temperament, bloodline, and mastery of inner energy.
The Regional Military Commissioner quietly closed his mouth. Reality had suddenly struck him.
There were thirteen leaders of the martial units under the Divine Sword Corps. This was the most dangerous place in Sichuan.
The Provincial Administration Commissioner standing opposite them let out a long breath. It sounded like a sigh of relief.
“What a pity. Someone of the Wishspring Leader’s standing would surely know...”
At those words, doubt entered Bukgung A’s eyes, where a fierce gleam had gradually begun to sharpen.
She had just been frowning, wondering why she was even thinking about something like this.
“Surely know?”
“Yes. Hmm... It is valuable information, so I understand why you would hesitate to speak of it. The Leader of Demon Wings will one day become the nation’s divine sword. How many people will flock to him, seeking personal advancement and power? Such knowledge could only be entrusted to the Wishspring Leader, whose bloodline, achievements, and martial ability are all supreme. It seems I was too greedy.”
The Provincial Administration Commissioner added an apology, then laughed heartily.
His voice was as grave as one would expect from a high official, yet his easy manner was not entirely light. It differed from the way he had spoken with the Regional Military Commissioner inside the carriage.
“That’s excessive flattery.”
Bukgung A lowered her brows. She looked as though she had seen something revolting.
The Provincial Administration Commissioner, however, felt relieved. The reaction he had initially feared had been avoided.
Earlier, he had discussed the matter of urging the Divine Sword Corps squad leaders to disperse with the Regional Military Commissioner. With the Wishspring Leader’s martial ability, she would have had more than enough ability to overhear them. Escaping the situation was the urgent priority.
‘Of all people, the first one we encounter is the Wishspring Leader, famous for being the most volatile among the Black Uniform’s Three Strongest... Still, I have no choice but to use her as a foothold to negotiate with the Divine Sword Corps squad leaders. This is the best course.’
It would be even better if he truly learned the preferences of Jeong Yeon-shin, the Leader of Demon Wings.
The Provincial Administration Commissioner looked further ahead. That was separate from urging the squad leaders to disperse.
The Leader of Demon Wings was someone destined to rise to Beijing. If luck allowed him to earn Yeon-shin’s favor, it would provide an immense advantage.
“This is not flattery. The honored people of Desolate Fortress are deeply appreciated by officials like us. Even if the Divine Sword Corps’ chivalrous activities occasionally cause us trouble, it is something we should naturally bear...”
“I don’t talk to people with tongues as long as yours. I don’t know how I might get tangled up in your words.”
Step.
Bukgung A cut off the Provincial Administration Commissioner and stepped down from the carriage.
She immediately began walking, without using the Body Movement Scripture to soar forward. It seemed to mean that they should follow.
The Regional Military Commissioner, who had silently watched the two, spoke.
“May I bring the soldiers with us?”
“What?”
“You are all far too formidable. Even a slight flick of your fingers could turn into Finger Wind and harm us. I fear we may feel intimidated before we can even exchange pleasantries. We already have enough to worry about with this land’s safety...”
Bukgung A laughed with her back to them.
“As you wish.”
There was not the slightest trace of tension in her answer. The government troops fell silent.
* * *
The government troops, led by the Provincial Administration Commissioner and the Regional Military Commissioner, followed the Wishspring Leader over the threshold of the Ten Perfect Sect.
It was an expansive place.
Training Halls were visibly scattered here and there across the broad grounds, and every pavilion in sight bore soaring tiled roofs.
Its imposing grandeur perfectly reflected the late Ten Perfect Sect Master’s tastes.
Warriors in White Uniform were scattered about. They appeared to have come from Desolate Fortress’s Sichuan branch.
“I smell blood.”
A military officer who had approached behind the two high officials whispered. He spoke aloud what could have been conveyed through sound transmission.
It was meant to sharpen his comrades’ vigilance.
“Of course you do. Did you think the vermin who lived here would leave quietly?”
The Wishspring Leader answered without looking back.
The two officials swallowed their groans. The Ten Perfect Sect, once counted among the Thirteen Heavens, had been wiped out. They had heard about it, but witnessing the aftermath was another matter.
Barely more than a dozen people had toppled three pillars of the Demonic Sect. It was truly so.
‘The squad leaders of Wonpyeong One Sword Hall. How terrifying...’
Anyone with power would have no choice but to remain wary of such strength. Not even the imperial family would be exempt.
The Provincial Administration Commissioner considered what to say once they sat down. The Regional Military Commissioner could not be allowed to speak first.
He glanced at the companion beside him.
“Please keep watch at my side.”
“Of course I will.”
The Regional Military Commissioner answered while tapping his sword hilt. Having passed the military examination, he had risen to the highest military office in Sichuan Province.
He was not as powerful as a Desolate Fortress Black Uniform, but he still possessed considerable martial skill. If he was willing to risk his life, preserving his dignity was not beyond reach.
“Stand here and look imposing.”
“...?”
The Regional Military Commissioner could not ask what the Provincial Administration Commissioner meant.
A strange figure was perched on a pillar that appeared to serve as a watchtower, above bloodstains that looked as though corpses had been dragged across them.
The figure’s body was wrapped entirely in ash-gray bandages and covered by a pitch-black long robe. His silhouette was lean and angular, but his build was not slight. Only two things could be inferred: a man, and a Black Uniform.
“The Nethercurrent Squad Leader...!”
The Provincial Administration Commissioner whispered. Beside him, the Regional Military Commissioner flinched and stopped gripping his sword hilt.
The strange man’s gaze descended upon them.
“...”
His face was wrapped in bandages as well, so his eyes could not be seen. Even so, they could feel his gaze.
The Provincial Administration Commissioner trembled faintly. It felt as if the surrounding air was crawling across his skin.
‘He’s a walking embodiment of supernatural phenomena...!’
Only the Wishspring Leader remained calm.
“Any word from above?”
She asked a question whose meaning they could not understand. The Nethercurrent Squad Leader slowly nodded.
“Got it. Good work.”
Bukgung A did not wait for a response before striding forward on long legs. Her gait was remarkably wide, as though she had returned to her own home. The government troops, now quieter, followed after her.
“Is that the Azure Sky Squad Leader?”
It was the Regional Military Commissioner’s voice. The Provincial Administration Commissioner looked up.
A man leaned against the gate of a nearby pavilion, embracing a long sword. His limbs were long like an ape’s, yet he projected needle-like sharp energy for dozens of paces.
The air around him constantly shimmered, half-transparent. It was as though he was sharpening sword qi throughout his entire body.
He was training.
His expression was lofty as he stared into the distance. He seemed to be waiting for something.
‘What is he watching?’
The Provincial Administration Commissioner followed his gaze, then froze.
A pale man stood rigidly atop the roof of the pavilion directly opposite them.
His jet-black long robe was wrapped around him like a cloak, making him resemble a bat standing upright.
The inner-power fluctuations the government troops had been forcibly releasing faded like mist.
The Blood Guard Squad Leader, Divine Blood Extreme Demon.
The Nethercurrent Squad Leader and the Azure Sky Squad Leader were at least known to be comparatively restrained with officials.
The Divine Blood Extreme Demon was different.
He was exceedingly elusive. His methods were so ruthless that what he had done in Hainan had reached even the Forbidden City in Beijing.
He had left different stories behind in Shaanxi, Sichuan, Guangxi, Guangdong, and every other province. Every one of them had been a bloodbath.
“I’ll stand here and look imposing.”
The Regional Military Commissioner completely removed his hand from his sword hilt.
Beyond the pavilion where the Divine Blood Extreme Demon stood, several Black Uniforms were watching in the same direction as the Azure Sky Squad Leader. The government troops no longer noticed them.
This place was a den of demons. To protect themselves, they had to ignore the superhuman auras around them.
* * *
Sunlight spread diffusely through the paper windows.
Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly opened his eyes. The bed gently supporting his entire body felt strangely new at that moment.
“A force of martial troops has arrived. Around thirty...”
He had sensed their synchronized fluctuations of inner power. The martial bearing unique to soldiers trained in martial arts was flowing through the doorway.
Their auras had been trained into straight lines, suited for using combined-attack formations and arranging battle lines.
They were fairly strong and forceful.
Ak Su-rim, seated in a chair pulled up beside the bed, gave a vague nod. Her face was buried in some book.
“They cultivate the Mind Art of Aiding the Ming. Word arrived before you woke up.”
“Government troops?”
“Yeah.”
Her answer was absentminded.
Jeong Yeon-shin glanced down at her.
She showed no sign of moving the leg she had propped on the edge of the bed.
Her manner was almost that of an idler. Her toes fidgeted in every direction, as though stepping through footwork in her mind.
“So this is how they linked it together. Yeoryeong really does have plenty of obscure tricks. So it’s called Mayfly’s Wingbeats...?”
Ak Su-rim was talking to herself.
She said she had recently been studying a copy of the Comprehensive Guide to Annihilating Evil Demons. She had acquired it from the main fortress’s Gold-Piercing Martial Treasury after going through a complicated process.
Since beginning to focus on recuperation, Jeong Yeon-shin had not seen the other squad leaders. Only the spiritual medicine and Wound-Healing Pills left in his hands let him feel the warmth of his senior squad leaders.
No one had come to see Jeong Yeon-shin since he arrived at the Ten Perfect Sect.
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.
“They are cavalry riding fine horses. If they came from the government, I can guess their business as well... Wouldn’t the person leading them be of high status?”
“Status? Our Bukgung brat is more than enough. She may not look it, but she’s northern royalty.”
“Isn’t Senior Ak the leader of this group?”
“What leader is there among Black Uniforms? I only keep things organized at Wonpyeong One Sword Hall. If I leave them alone, it turns into a mess. But...”
Ak Su-rim’s forehead slowly rose above the book.
“How does your body feel? Can you move now?”
“Yes, I have recovered greatly. I thought I would need a long recovery period, but...”
It was thanks to the pile of spiritual medicine the senior squad leaders had given him. Its effects were extraordinary. Even without a proper method of taking it, his internal injuries had healed simply by constantly circulating the Jeong Family Youth Technique.
The wounds carved into his skin like sword marks had never been especially significant. They did not greatly affect his ability to raise qi or move.
“Really...?”
Ak Su-rim asked.
Her eyes appeared next. They slowly rose over the book and swept across Jeong Yeon-shin’s entire body. She seemed to be assessing his condition.
“How much better?”
“I can operate Light Wheel qi at its peak.”
“So you’re completely fine now...?”
“We can discuss where we should go next. What effect our gathering is having on the state of the realm...”
“No, we can’t.”
An invisible curtain instantly enclosed the room. An aura barrier had arisen from Ak Su-rim’s body.
How much had she been holding back? The way she carefully closed the book and tucked it into her clothes contrasted with the sudden shift in her calm expression, which was like a thunderclap bomb.
“First, I have plenty to ask about how you fought the Golden-Wing Sect Master...!”
“Hey, what is this? What’s going on!”
A dignified voice like that of a high official rang out. Ak Su-rim’s aura barrier had been pierced the instant it rose.
The next moment, Jeong Yeon-shin saw Black Uniform silhouettes surrounding his bed.
Whoooosh!
The backblast from immensely powerful lightness skills tore down every wall.
A rumbling vibration raced from the floor to the ceiling, and the dust blooming between them clouded every direction.
“Any Black Uniform who came for frivolous reasons, stop. The Leader of Demon Wings has spoken of the state of the realm.”
It was the Annihilation Squad Leader’s voice.
Footnotes:
Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried
