WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Chapter 43: Promotion

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The Seventh Apostle had lost her left eye. Jeong Yeon-shin unwittingly mocked her field of vision, which had been cut in half.

After exhaling, his gaze shifted to one side for an instant.

From quite a distance away, Cheong Myeong, wearing an antique eyepatch, was handling five Blood Masters alone. He probably had not heard.

Beside Jeong Yeon-shin, Ma Jin stammered, something rare for him.

"What, what is that?"

"Demon-Slaying Azure River Hand. It is a martial art that splits open the crowns of blood demons."

Jeong Yeon-shin answered vaguely. The Seventh Apostle glared at him with her one remaining red eye.

They were more than twenty steps apart. Even so, a terrifying presence came stabbing toward him.

It felt as though blades were flaying his skin. Wicked was the only fitting word for it.

"You're called Seom-ye, right?"

She suddenly smiled. A mad smile bloomed red and smooth across her face.

She was different from the Blood Masters. Was she ignoring all that overwhelming pain? She recovered her composure with astonishing speed.

"You're impressive. Where did you find such a divine art? It seems like a martial art created with the annihilation of our sect in mind. It is even more surprising that you have mastered it to this degree. At your age, no less."

"......"

"Even a martial art containing the slightest trace of dharma power is difficult to learn. If it were easy, would Shaolin have left us alone? To master such methods, one must be born with talent beyond compare. You..."

The Seventh Apostle's smile deepened. She looked utterly crazed.

"I covet you. Your nape looks even lovelier."

"Shut up!"

With Ma Jin's shout, the ground rumbled. He charged in at once.

With momentum unlike anything he had shown before, he began to overwhelm the Seventh Apostle.

She no longer seemed willing to fight. Ma Jin had been right. Their movement techniques had poor compatibility.

Her Body Movement Scripture resembled a bat's fluttering wings.

Her fragmented movements seemed to have entered the realm of supreme mastery. Ma Jin could repel her whenever she approached, but he could not keep her pinned down.

The same was true for Jeong Yeon-shin, who stood still. Landing a strike on the Seventh Apostle at all had already exceeded his usual ability.

It was a miracle born from her carelessness, the assistance of the Blood Masters, and the extreme compatibility of the Demon-Slaying Azure River Hand.

He had already fulfilled his role. He had completely reversed a situation that could have ended in defeat.

It was not something he could have achieved with his original martial prowess.

"Until we meet again."

Her voice was coy. Jeong Yeon-shin ignored the Seventh Apostle's words.

Her hair streamed out behind her. Smiling faintly, the Seventh Apostle fled the battlefield with astounding lightness art.

She did not seem to care about her remaining subordinates. Her retreating figure moved at a speed he had never seen before.

‘Is that also the realm of Desolate Fortress's Black Uniform masters?’

Jeong Yeon-shin approached Ma Jin, whose saber hung at his side.

The battlefield was already being cleared. The Apostle had fled.

There was no way the morale of those fanatical cultists could remain intact. As the Blood Masters were subdued one after another, the Blood Flame Sect followers either knelt or killed themselves.

"Squad Leader, you alone failed to fulfill your role."

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly. Ma Jin gave a slight nod.

"I know."

"In terms of martial prowess, you seemed at least half a step above the Seventh Apostle. Is my maternal family's Body Movement Scripture normally like this?"

"...I have trained it well."

"I see."

"......Yes."

Ma Jin did not know that merit was his nephew's lifeline.

Jeong Yeon-shin forced a smile. It was a moment between uncle and nephew. Was it because his first failure had made him anxious?

He had unwittingly acted like someone his own age. It was the first time since he had entered Desolate Fortress.

"This mission was a failure. Even if I fulfilled my share, my merit will be downgraded. Thanks to this, I can drive myself harder. I must become stronger."

While Ma Jin remained silent, all the martial artists cleaned up the Heavenly Sword Sect estate, which had become a battlefield.

Disposing of the corpses alone required immense manpower and time. The stench of decay already seemed to rise alongside the smell of blood.

The captured Blood Flame Sect followers were confined in the thunder prison within the family estate. It was said that any great family had at least one prison.

In the midst of this, Monk Won Jong approached. Deep emotion filled his reddened eyes.

"You have shown that martial arts with dharma power driven to their limits truly exist..."

"It was thanks to you, Master."

"The martial art that took the Seventh Apostle's eye, that spiritual force wave... I will not forget it until the day I die. A heavenly talent, truly splendid."

As he praised Jeong Yeon-shin's talent, saying it was splendid indeed, perhaps some of the monk's resentment had been eased.

If Jeong Yeon-shin survived, he intended to take the head of the Blood Flame Sect Master as well.

When that day came, he hoped all the old monk's remaining regrets would fade away.

"If you ever come to Shaolin, I will treat you to Dragon Well tea. There will be many rascally monks wishing to discuss dharma power with you. My senior brother, the Abbot, will surely be unable to hide his curiosity as well."

Won Jong spoke with a broad smile. His expression was gentler than ever before.

The Young Divine Monk Gak Jeong, who approached with heavy steps, widened his eyes in surprise.

"Martial Uncle, you mentioned Dragon Well tea? You avoided it as you did grain wine, calling it nothing more than extravagance."

"Your words are amusing. Just because one belongs to Buddhism does not mean one should shun worldly ways. It is not monks who fill a temple's coffers. Distinguished guests should receive the proper hospitality."

"Well..."

The Young Divine Monk sighed as if at a loss for words, then looked at Jeong Yeon-shin.

"I cannot say I disagree. I have never seen someone like you, young hero. The very fact that you carry such martial arts within you is astonishing. You are truly worthy of becoming Shaolin's guest."

"I believe I will remember the Young Divine Monk's sermons for a long time as well."

Jeong Yeon-shin's words made him laugh heartily. He was an exceptionally boisterous monk.

"Visit Mount Song at least once. As my martial uncle said, my master will welcome you as well."

"The Abbot of Shaolin..."

Jeong Yeon-shin murmured quietly.

It felt strange to utter the title of an absolute figure among the orthodox schools.

Jeong Yeon-shin was from Henan. He had grown up hearing Shaolin's great reputation from the day he was born.

He slowly cupped his fists in salute.

"One day, I will surely climb Mount Song as well. Please look after me then, too."

"Amitabha."

Won Jong and the Young Divine Monk Gak Jeong returned his greeting with palms pressed together.

With this, Jeong Yeon-shin had formed ties with three of the Nine Sects. It was a day when sunlight poured down amid the thick scent of blood.

* * *

Hyeon Yu-ryang, the Young Family Head of the Heavenly Sword Sect, could not let go of his lingering attachment.

He seemed determined to match his sister with Jeong Yeon-shin somehow.

This time, even the Family Head stepped in. Refusing them took some effort.

Jeong Yeon-shin only went back and forth between the Training Hall and the guest quarters until the day Demon Wings departed.

"I heard the Lord of Desolate Fortress presided over your coming-of-age ceremony."

"I will choose a date and send a matchmaker to the main fortress. Give it careful thought."

The Young Family Head Hyeon Yu-ryang and Family Head Hyeon Mook saw Demon Wings off.

Several experts of the Heavenly Sword Sect who had fought in the battle against the Blood Flame Sect were also present.

Among them, a girl wearing a face veil that covered the area beneath her eyes gazed quietly at Jeong Yeon-shin. Her eyes were beautiful.

But there was no fate between them. Jeong Yeon-shin silently cupped his fists in salute and spoke.

"I have enjoyed my stay. I wish you all good health."

"I wish you continued success."

The Family Head, whose large eyes and pale skin resembled the Young Family Head's, returned Jeong Yeon-shin's greeting.

All of Demon Wings mounted fine horses and set off. Ma Gwang-il’s Squad and Lee Jo were both unharmed.

Some had suffered wounds from Blood Arts qi, and their bleeding was slow to stop, but considering they had fought one of the Thirteen Heavens in a group battle, they said it was a small price to pay.

"The Heavenly Sword Sect would be an incredible marriage prospect."

"There are few places that compare unless they are among the Eight Great Families. It is not as though he is marrying into the Thirteen Heavens."

Hyeon Won-chang and Cheong Myeong got along well. On the journey back, they often teased Jeong Yeon-shin.

They seemed to have found enjoyment in discussing Seom-ye's marriage prospects.

‘They should find partners for themselves first.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

The time came to part with the two Shaolin monks as well, since their paths diverged.

Won Jong repeatedly insisted that Jeong Yeon-shin visit Shaolin, while the Young Divine Monk Gak Jeong could not let go of his particular curiosity and lingering attachment.

"Amitabha. There are still countless sermons for you to hear..."

"I have heard enough already. Your goodwill is enough."

"You never know. You can certainly be considered part of the younger generation. You may even represent Desolate Fortress at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. If I have the time, I will attend as well, so let us continue what we could not finish then."

"The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering?"

"You did not know? It is a gathering where promising younger-generation martial artists from orthodox schools and sects that are a faction between orthodox and unorthodox mingle. Many promising young martial artists gather to test their skills and form connections."

"I know that."

"Some become joined in fate like a pair of mandarin ducks. They discuss martial arts and chivalry, and love blooms as well. Men and women called the foremost among their peers gather from across the world in one place. It would not be an exaggeration to say all the romance of the martial world is found at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. Even a half-baked rascally monk like me feels his heart race at the thought, so how could others not?"

The Young Divine Monk grinned.

Jeong Yeon-shin had little interest. It was enough to pursue martial arts and perform chivalrous deeds himself. Matters of fate were also trivial to him now.

A shadow had fallen over his promotion to the Blue Uniform.

There was not enough time even to press his maternal uncle Ma Jin and consider his next mission.

"Are you not one of the Eighteen Arhats, Young Divine Monk? Can you truly be considered part of the younger generation? You seem at least ten years older than me."

Jeong Yeon-shin casually spoke to change the subject, and Gak Jeong's face stiffened.

"Someone like me still belongs to the younger generation. I have not even reached thirty yet, so of course I do. If you attend the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, I will certainly show you the skills of a young Shaolin monk. A cup of grain wine can draw out more than just Drunken Fist from me..."

"You disgrace the temple."

Won Jong grabbed Gak Jeong's arm and pulled him away.

The two monks pressed their palms together once more before departing. They had promised to meet again.

The group rode peacefully onward. They passed through the ruins of Xinye County once more.

Jeong Yeon-shin passed through without expression from atop his horse. He only repeated the names whose heads he needed to take.

The Tyrant Sword Sect Master and the Blood Flame Sect Master.

They were still distant, absolute figures.

‘The Chief Steward must be managing well.’

The Chief Steward of Jeong Family Manor had remained at Mount Pingzhong. Shaolin was nearby, making it a good place to establish a new trading company.

Several days later, the group arrived in Xiangyang.

Seeing Desolate Fortress reveal its magnificent ramparts in the distance filled him with complicated feelings.

‘Blue Uniform...’

It was his first failure in three missions. Jeong Yeon-shin did not doubt his own potential.

He thought of his uninterrupted success. If he endured the time of effort and hardship, he believed he could reach his goals faster than anyone else.

It truly seemed possible.

‘It is not enough to do only what I am good at. That is the martial world.’

His train of thought branched out. The young Grandmaster was troubled.

What could he do? How could he make use of his own distinctive talent?

Lost in thought, he entered Desolate Fortress through its main gate.

Reporting the mission's progress and results was Ma Jin's responsibility. Jeong Yeon-shin was about to leave with his seniors and Hyeon Won-chang when a scholar-official from the Chief Steward's Office, whom he had seen at the Martial Arena, called out to him.

He recalled that the official's name was Do Yu-won.

"I have been waiting for you."

"Scholar Do...?"

Do Yu-won smiled at Jeong Yeon-shin's puzzled words.

"I have been waiting as well, but the martial artists of the main fortress have likely awaited you even more eagerly. A White Uniform martial artist took the eye of a Blood Flame Sect Apostle... Carrier pigeons fly more steadily and swiftly than martial artists who use lightness arts. The news spread everywhere. After hearing you had been ambushed, we dispatched the remaining Demon Wings experts and the Annihilation Squad, but such astonishing news reached us that everyone returned."

"Ah."

"You have weakened an Apostle who can contend with even Black Uniform masters. That very day, a fortress-wide event was scheduled. Promotion to the Blue Uniform. It is a challenge for every White Uniform martial artist who has accumulated sufficient merit. The summons was issued the moment Captain Ma and you young heroes entered Xiangyang."

Do Yu-won led him toward the center of the main fortress. Hyeon Won-chang and even the seniors of Demon Wings followed behind.

Their faces looked as though the exciting event had erased all fatigue from the journey.

Jeong Yeon-shin approached Ma Jin and lightly touched his arm.

"I was too harsh before."

"......"

In the meantime, Baek Mir-yeo muttered.

"They will not even give us time to rest?"

"It is the Lord of Desolate Fortress's will."

Do Yu-won shook his head slightly, as if he did not know either.

Jeong Yeon-shin instead considered it the Lord's consideration. He had heard that once someone became a Blue Uniform martial artist, the scope of their authority changed.

Many began carrying out missions alone from the beginning.

‘I will be able to accumulate merit without pause. I am looking forward to it.’

They soon arrived at their destination.

As Do Yu-won had said, many White Uniform martial artists had gathered. There seemed to be dozens.

There were many faces Jeong Yeon-shin had never seen in vast Desolate Fortress. They were all competitors.

Seniors from other martial units stood in a great circle, seemingly there to cheer on their juniors' promotion.

The Demon Wings seniors who had remained behind instead of going on the mission waved at Jeong Yeon-shin.

A solitary large tree stood atop the central platform.

Featherlike clouds flowed like waves across the clear sky, white and bright.

Beneath the fortress walls, amid sunlight that rippled brilliantly, a beautiful woman reclined lazily, making all the scenery appear noble.

The hem of her light martial attire, the color of pale grass, fluttered in the wind.

Beneath the shade of a cypress tree three armspans thick.

The Lord of Desolate Fortress, leaning against its bronze-colored trunk, opened her eyes.

Deep green eyes slowly appeared between her pale green bangs.

Jeong Yeon-shin stared quietly up at her.

For an instant, his gaze tangled with the Lord of Desolate Fortress's. The moment their eyes met, he thought he saw her smile.

"From this moment."

The Lord of Desolate Fortress parted her pale pink lips. Her crystalline voice rang out, bringing silence.

"I will test your qualifications for the Blue Uniform."

As cheers erupted, Jeong Yeon-shin, who had stepped toward the center, paused.

Stern presences were pressing down on him from all directions. Was it an attempt to seize the initiative?

Frosty energies were openly directed at him. He glanced around.

They were all White Uniform martial artists, his competitors.

‘Interesting.’

Blade-like presences poured toward Jeong Yeon-shin without pause. Even those who did not turn their heads projected the same pressure.

Some merely smiled when their gazes met. It seemed to be an expression of their competitive spirits.

This was Desolate Fortress. As long as they obeyed the Lord's orders, they expressed everything else through martial prowess.

Even the chivalry they pursued for the people's welfare was embodied through martial arts.

"Seeing the presences of all my seniors,"

The corners of Jeong Yeon-shin's lips rose slightly.

"the future of the main fortress seems bright."

He spread his five fingers and slowly wrapped them around the scabbard of the Desolate Sword. The flow of Jeong Family Youth Technique arose.

At the same time, he began to effortlessly turn aside every energy directed at him. It was exceedingly easy.

He felt it himself. He had already completely stepped into the realm of the Blue Uniform.

Footnotes:

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