WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Chapter 40: Natural Enemy Martial Art

──────

"Dharma Power Martial Arts! Truly...!"

Won Jong exclaimed in shock at the sight of Jeong Yeon-shin.

The wrinkles around the old monk's eyes trembled as though the monk were utterly stunned. In contrast, the Seventh Apostle appeared at ease.

"Easy to deal with, you say? It looks like martial arts on the level of Shaolin's, but it is only fairly effective against Blood Arts. It cannot overcome the gap in our martial ability. You are still far beneath me. How adorable."

The Seventh Apostle smiled faintly. At the same time, her figure seemed to fragment and disappear.

The fiery aura she unleashed, as if she had made up her mind, was tremendous. This time, even Jeong Yeon-shin could not react.

Boom!

Ma Jin stepped in to block. The collision of the two supreme experts crushed the air.

A terrifying force rose from Ma Jin's advancing body.

The Leader of Demon Wings' great saber seemed powerful enough to push aside the Seventh Apostle's hand.

She narrowed her eyes.

"Leader of Demon Wings. It seems you had placed great hopes in that youngster, Seom-ye."

"Shut up."

"Attack."

At the Seventh Apostle's brief command, the Blood Flame Sect members reacted. It was a word that called forth chaos.

They converged from every direction, surrounding them with weapons.

With so many pressing in, it began to feel as though they had been dropped into the heart of a war.

Blood-red heads appeared in every direction. The keen edges of countless blades closed in from all sides.

Jeong Yeon-shin saw eyes widened by madness.

Something more than human dwelled in every crimson pupil.

Creatures like the ferocious beasts Jeong Yeon-shin had seen at Jeong Family Manor filled the area. Jeong Yeon-shin tightened his grip on the sword.

Clang!

Jeong Yeon-shin swung upward, completely shattering one opponent's saber. Stepping forward, he cut through the opponent's neck.

The sensation of striking bone lasted only a moment. The smoothly curving trajectory entered the realm of Ascending Swordsmanship.

The Desolate Sword in Jeong Yeon-shin's hand gave off a dim light as it began tracing its sword path.

'Radiance.'

Streams of light flowed like waves. Everything that followed was a sword strike.

The Radiant Sword Flow Jeong Yeon-shin had developed at Mount Zhongnan possessed an uninterrupted flow. It differed from the days when he used only the Quick Sword Formula.

Without expending much strength, Jeong Yeon-shin's sword flowed over three blades and sent five heads flying.

"Seal his hands!"

"Sink your teeth into his neck!"

The Blood Flame Sect members were out of their minds. They attacked with methods Jeong Yeon-shin could not have imagined.

Throwing themselves forward was commonplace. They tried to seize and cling to Jeong Yeon-shin's limbs as though they meant to exploit every weakness.

Some scattered coins like hidden weapons. Every coin was charged with qi, requiring Jeong Yeon-shin to deflect or evade them.

Jeong Yeon-shin took the Phantom Wing First Step, brushing past a crescent-shaped ring weapon.

"Seom-ye! This way!"

Baek Mir-yeo's shout was drowned out by the sword-strike force waves of the Blood Masters. There were more than one or two.

At the county level, more than twenty of them would reign as kings.

'The Squad Leader is tied down by the Seventh Apostle, and there are more Blood Masters than Blue Uniforms.'

Jeong Yeon-shin grasped the situation through instinct for group combat. Cheong Myeong and Baek Mir-yeo were said to be exceptional even among the Blue Uniform masters.

The other Blue Uniforms also faced several Blood Masters without retreating. The one Jeong Yeon-shin needed to worry about was himself.

With his left hand, Jeong Yeon-shin circulated the mnemonic formula of the Sihwa Boundless Fist. A force wave burst forth from his clenched fist.

At the same time, the air twisted and warped. The second move, True Barrier, shattered both the ring weapon and its wielder's head.

Thud!

Perhaps the opponent had been on the verge of becoming a Blood Master. The rebounding force from the fist was considerable.

Even so, it had taken only one strike. The Demon Wings senior standing relatively close by stared in surprise.

'Still not enough.'

It was impossible to turn the situation around. Jeong Yeon-shin still lacked the power to lead the battle within the realm of supreme experts.

That was the responsibility of Desolate Fortress's Black Uniforms. Unless Ma Jin killed the Seventh Apostle, the situation would not be easily resolved.

Slash!

Using the Radiant Sword Flow in a swift-sword form, Jeong Yeon-shin severed another neck in an instant. The opponent died without sensing the sword strike.

At the same time, Jeong Yeon-shin sank inward. The martial art that had activated when he caught the Seventh Apostle's dagger had subsided again.

He could not awaken it at will. It seemed the mnemonic formula had not yet taken concrete form.

"Haap!"

An aged cry rang out close to Jeong Yeon-shin's left.

Turning his gaze, Jeong Yeon-shin saw Monk Won Jong unleashing a palm technique with a shout. No particularly powerful aura could be felt.

'A martial scholar monk, was it?'

Such monks studied the principles and mnemonic formulas of martial arts. It was said Shaolin's strength came from them.

However, they were less active in the martial world than fighting monks and rarely made a name for themselves.

It was then.

"You cannot even deal with a single one?"

"Kill the old monk first."

Two Blood Masters approached Monk Won Jong. Harming a monk had been taboo regardless of the era.

Yet they showed no hesitation.

It meant the Blood Flame Sect's doctrine was free from the conventions of the world. That was why it was an unorthodox sect.

Jeong Yeon-shin swept the surroundings with every sense. Somehow, he had already drifted far from the Demon Wings.

So what if he had omnidirectional perception? Controlling distance as he wished amid a melee between experts was another matter.

At this moment, Jeong Yeon-shin was the only one who could help Won Jong.

Jeong Yeon-shin kicked off the ground. The wind stirred by his movement brushed past his eyes.

The figures of the enemies wearing cold smiles rapidly grew larger.

A hazy glow appeared at the edge of Jeong Yeon-shin's vision. It was the sign of the Radiant Sword Flow gathering on the Desolate Sword.

Jeong Yeon-shin cleaved through the gale sweeping over the back of his hand.

Slice!

The Radiant Sword Flow slashed upward through the space between one opponent's brows just as the opponent turned around.

The opponent dropped dead instantly. The sword strike did not stop. It met the opponent who had already turned and prepared.

Clang!

"What sword power...!"

Dismay filled the Blood Master's eyes.

Jeong Yeon-shin had no leisure to spare. The fact that the opponent could speak proved there was still strength left.

The Blood Flame Sect trusted in its numbers. Because it was a heretical cult, it spread all the more widely. It was paradoxical.

"Venerable! To the north!"

Jeong Yeon-shin finally made a decision. Before the ambush, Ma Jin had mentioned the Heavenly Sword Sect.

If Ma Jin had anticipated a situation where they would be scattered like this, it was something Jeong Yeon-shin had to consider as an option.

Following the movements of Demon's Light, Jeong Yeon-shin kicked the back of a Blood Master's knee. The kick carried the amplification of True Qi.

With a thud, the opponent collapsed. Jeong Yeon-shin cut the opponent's throat and passed on.

Slash!

Monk Won Jong, who had been hidden behind the opponent's body, came into view. The old monk's eyes were wide.

"I had guessed you were no ordinary youth since you faced Gak Jeong...! How can you possess such martial arts at that age...?"

"That does not matter. Let us move."

The battlefield kept expanding. It was because the Demon Wings and Shaolin were strong.

Jeong Yeon-shin and the others had left the Xinye Baekmu Faction behind long ago, and the expanding battle had already reached the marketplace.

"How far do you intend to go?"

"Ask them!"

The Blood Flame Sect seemed determined. The hundred or so members already present were not their entire force.

Seeing the Blood Flame Sect members pouring in without end, Jeong Yeon-shin wondered what the local soldiers were doing.

Jeong Yeon-shin had not expected Xinye County to be this corrupt. At this point, it was a great battle in the martial world.

Fortunately, their route of escape was favorable. They passed the tavern where the Demon Wings had unpacked their belongings.

They recovered two fine horses and mounted them. Jeong Yeon-shin did not worry about the others.

'If I can get out, everyone else can too.'

Among the Demon Wings masters sent on the mission, only Hyeon Won-chang was weaker than Jeong Yeon-shin. Even that did not cause much concern.

Hyeon Won-chang was a master who overlaid a killing sword upon Demon's Light. It meant that Hyeon Won-chang was skilled at killing.

It would be a sword art of greater use in a melee than any other martial art.

"This way!"

Won Jong followed behind Jeong Yeon-shin as he spurred the horse onward. Only the sound of galloping filled the street.

Every nearby home had barred its doors, the residents trembling in silence. Jeong Yeon-shin felt apologetic while thinking of the others.

Returning could make him a burden. The Seventh Apostle was still an expert Jeong Yeon-shin could not handle.

Avoiding a battlefield where he could not protect himself was the way to help.

The elderly monk who had become a companion, if only briefly, seemed to understand as well. Riding beside Jeong Yeon-shin, Won Jong spoke.

"They do not seem to be pursuing us."

"For movement arts to outpace horses would be difficult even for an ordinary Blood Master. Besides, we killed two of them."

"You did."

With those words, Won Jong fell silent. The old monk seemed to have complicated feelings.

Jeong Yeon-shin paid no mind and pictured Henan's terrain.

A map of the Central Plains was a treasure only Squad Leaders and above in Desolate Fortress could consult, but Ma Jin had made Jeong Yeon-shin memorize it for this mission.

'We need to cross the river.'

The horses' hooves soon reached the water's edge. They had completely left Xinye County behind.

"Let us board that."

"That pleasure boat?"

Jeong Yeon-shin wondered whether they would have to abandon the valuable horses, but a pleasure boat happened to be passing leisurely nearby.

It was a large flower boat with a canopy at its center.

It was the season when young people enjoyed the air of spring. Perhaps boat rides like this were common at this time of year.

Still, Jeong Yeon-shin could not relax because of the incident nearby.

"Come here."

Monk Won Jong spoke with qi infused into his voice. Jeong Yeon-shin muttered, "What did you say?"

As a martial scholar monk, Won Jong seemed to have devoted a lifetime to Buddhist teachings and martial mnemonic formulas, leaving little experience of the world.

For someone who had undergone more than ten years of wall-facing cultivation, Won Jong was rather eccentric.

Perhaps the monk had been of high birth before entering the monastery.

The pleasure boat turned and began to approach. Jeong Yeon-shin's brows drew together slightly.

Ten warriors standing guard as though escorting the boat caught Jeong Yeon-shin's eye.

The young men and women within, looking over with strange smiles, were secondary.

In a world where blades commanded a high price, it was not easy to find warriors with the character and martial skill worth keeping at one's side.

'Children of a prestigious family? They seem to have learned martial arts properly.'

Jeong Yeon-shin was reminded of Jin Yul, who had approached as a friend before attempting an assassination. The boat seemed even larger as it drew close.

The timber forming its hull was luxurious and fitted together flawlessly. No matter how one looked at it, it was no ordinary vessel.

The first to speak was not one of the noble young men holding wine cups.

"It seems the venerable monk needs traveling companions."

A young lady who appeared to be the daughter of an influential family stood and approached the boat's rail.

She appeared to be around eighteen. Her adornments suited her splendid beauty, and she seemed to be the center of the group.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not care about her appearance. His gaze fell upon the treasured sword at her waist.

He could sense an aura. She was a martial artist. What sect did she belong to?

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke to the young lady.

"The venerable monk is devoted to cultivation and failed to observe proper manners. Please forgive that."

"What is this fellow saying?"

Monk Won Jong abruptly turned, but she laughed aloud.

"I was becoming bored, so this is amusing. Would you like to come aboard? As you can see, it can easily carry a couple of horses."

There was no particularly powerful energy. Jeong Yeon-shin lowered his head slightly and stepped onto the boat.

He ignored Monk Won Jong's sidelong glare.

The inside was even more luxurious than the exterior. It was difficult to tell whether they were aboard a boat or inside a banquet hall.

Those seated greeted the newcomers with their eyes.

They were mostly young men around the young lady's age, and they did not seem to feel the need to stand and offer courtesy.

The young lady seated herself and gave a slight nod.

"This is a meeting of rising talents from the Profound Martial Alliance. My fellow martial artists call me the Blossom of Sword Skill."

The epithet of a flower gifted with the sword was beside the point. At this moment, Jeong Yeon-shin's martial world expanded.

The Heart Martial Union. It was another of the Thirteen Heavens. It was said to possess power no less than the Tyrant Sword Sect and the Blood Flame Sect.

This was a gathering of rising talents from Demonic Sect factions.

'It seems the successor to the Alliance Leader of the Heart Martial Union is not here.'

No one looked particularly strong. Perhaps Jeong Yeon-shin's standards had simply risen.

They, too, were likely promising figures of the Heart Martial Union.

A noble young man seated close to Geom Ye-hwa rested his chin on one hand.

"You appear to be a martial artist of Desolate Fortress. Why are you in such a hurry to cross the river?"

"Blood Flame Sect members are rampaging nearby. We fled while listening to the monk's teachings."

Jeong Yeon-shin stated the truth and watched their reactions. The group had identified itself as the Heart Martial Union.

The Thirteen Heavens were not a single alliance, but they often cooperated with one another.

There was a strong possibility they already knew what had happened in Xinye County.

As expected, they did.

Each of them let out a soft laugh with strange expressions. The noble young man smiled.

"Desolate Fortress tucks its tail before the Thirteen Heavens. Something interesting has happened."

Laughter erupted from all around. This was not merely a pleasure ride for the children of wealthy families.

Refined sneers filled the boat.

"Do you know? Those blood-sucking ghosts were worried about minnows like you escaping. I did not expect a Shaolin martial scholar monk to be caught up in it as well."

"It is the best place under heaven to silence people."

Geom Ye-hwa smiled faintly. Her words alluded to the water, where it would be difficult to find a body.

The boat drifted farther and farther from the shore. There was no turning back now.

"Amitabha."

Monk Won Jong quietly recited the Buddha's name, while Jeong Yeon-shin silently gripped the sword hilt.

"You do not seem very afraid, youngster."

Geom Ye-hwa muttered. She was already holding her sword.

"Should I spill some blood first?"

With that light remark, an aura rose from Geom Ye-hwa's slender body.

A sword draw followed at once, as though proving her epithet. The rising sword light headed somewhere unexpected.

A woman bringing food widened her eyes without understanding why. She seemed unrelated to the Heart Martial Union.

That was why they were Demonic Sect factions. They treated human lives cheaply.

Seated across from them, Jeong Ye-shin was already circulating the Jeong Family Youth Technique.

The wooden floor cracked apart beneath a single step.

With his left hand, Jeong Yeon-shin gently pulled the woman's arm and stepped forward.

Anger rose like mist from the riverbank as he thrust out the Desolate Sword.

The light of the Radiant Sword Flow dyed the mist white. The sword charged forward like lightning.

After deflecting Geom Ye-hwa's blade, it raced onward like a tremor and cut through her throat.

Slash!

'Hm?'

Jeong Yeon-shin had exceeded his own expectations. Turning away from the rolling head and straightening up, he spoke in a low voice.

"Do not play tricks."

Those who had been reaching for weapons flinched.

The sneers that had filled the boat were swallowed by fear and panic. Geom Ye-hwa had been the strongest martial artist among them.

"How can there be such a sword strike...?"

The noble young man stammered.

The others could not even open their mouths. Now, they seemed more like underlings of the Demonic Sect than children of prestigious families.

They merely differed in their discernment of the true essence of that single sword strike.

They were on the water with a superior martial expert who regarded them as enemies. Was there any greater terror in the martial world?

"She, she is the treasured daughter of the Heart Martial Union's Seong Family Manor! Are you not afraid of the consequences?"

"You should be the ones worrying about Desolate Fortress's retaliation. You aimed for our necks. For now, we will leave it at heading north. Your punishment will be decided then. You row."

Having lost interest, Jeong Yeon-shin even sheathed the sword. His expression remained impassive.

'The true elite of the Heart Martial Union must be elsewhere.'

Perhaps that thought showed on Jeong Yeon-shin's face. The noble young man's face turned red.

"She is Geom Ye-hwa of Seong Family Manor! Do you truly not know who she is?"

"We have not exchanged names."

Jeong Yeon-shin lightly tapped the sword hilt.

"Demon Wings, Seom-ye."

Footnotes:

Join our discord at https://dsc.gg/wetried