WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Chapter 44: Promotion (2)
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The hierarchy of the martial world was like the Yangtze River. Its upper and lower reaches never changed.
No matter how strong one’s martial arts were, one could not stand above one’s master, senior martial uncle, or junior martial uncle.
Desolate Fortress was different. It was called the sword of the Ming Empire.
The very word promotion was foreign to the martial world. It revealed Desolate Fortress’s unusual nature.
They valued the sharpness of a sword highly. That was why they prohibited teacher-disciple ties and introduced promotion.
“It is like the Desolate Exam. It will proceed in two tests.”
The speaker was a gaunt middle-aged man with sunken eye sockets. His Black Uniform long robe was cut generously.
His thin frame stood out all the more, yet no one laughed. He was the Annihilation Squad Leader.
They said his martial prowess stood shoulder to shoulder with the Leader of Demon Wings.
After the Lord of Desolate Fortress declared the examination open, the Lord closed their eyes again. The Annihilation Squad Leader had taken charge of the examination.
“Insight and martial strength. The other categories will be replaced by records of merit. I will present the questions.”
Perhaps because of Desolate Fortress’s unusual origins, it resembled the civil service examinations used to appoint officials.
Those seated in a long row received blank sheets of paper. Yeon-shin sat near the middle and spread his out.
The brush and ink beside him felt unfamiliar. Perhaps because it had been so long since he had held them after the destruction of Jeong Family Manor.
Cheong Myeong’s words suddenly came to mind.
‘He said it was nothing.’
It was not.
All kinds of stone tablets, rocks, and tree bark were lifted up.
The White Uniform warriors had to identify which sect and which ultimate martial art had left the marks on them.
The more renowned the martial art, the more distinctive its characteristics tended to be. It was a test of one’s attainment in eye techniques and breadth of experience.
Seniors with greater attainment in eye techniques watched over them. Yeon-shin had no leeway to look elsewhere.
With his limited knowledge of the martial world, Yeon-shin answered three questions correctly.
The Zhongnan Sect’s Thirty-Six Swords and Great Primordial Invisible Sword, as well as Mount Hua Sect’s Plum Blossom Sword.
His time at Zhongnan Sect, where he had interacted with masters, had helped greatly.
‘I even saw the Blood Flame Sect.’
There were times when he recognized the sect but did not know the name of its ultimate martial art.
After the first test ended, he returned to the Demon Wings group.
Cheong Myeong sent a barbed remark with a smile. Three out of twenty questions was enough to fail.
That was, unless Yeon-shin brought back a nearly perfect score in the second test.
“It cannot be helped.”
“It normally takes more than ten years of broadening one’s knowledge to become a Blue Uniform warrior.”
“There is no precedent for someone like Seom-ye.”
The Demon Wings seniors patted Yeon-shin’s shoulder and comforted him. Ma Gwang-il’s Squad and Lee Jo were different.
Their faces showed no trace of concern as they exchanged everyday conversation. When others asked, they only smiled faintly.
“Go on ahead. I will follow shortly.”
Hyeon Won-chang spoke with a determined expression.
His thoughts were difficult to grasp, so Yeon-shin often simply accepted them as they were.
He had seen Hyeon Won-chang wield a killing sword several times. Yet he still could not tell which was Hyeon Won-chang’s true self.
Yeon-shin smiled faintly.
“It seems we will be together on the next mission as well.”
“Hm? How do you know that, young hero?”
“It is just a feeling.”
He brushed it off. As his upper dantian grew, there were times when some premonition stirred in his mind.
Most of them came true, from the most trivial matters to inspiration concerning martial arts.
It was not a very good feeling. It was as though heaven gave him alms before his early death.
“The opponent has been decided. It is someone called Red Noon Sword from the Annihilation Squad. He is not a good opponent.”
A junior brought the news. She was a girl with clear, bright eyes, said to be the same age as Yeon-shin.
That was right. After carrying out several missions, Yeon-shin had acquired juniors.
Rumors had spread that she was a peerless talent following Seom-ye. She had not borrowed her family’s strength.
She had entered Desolate Fortress after taking the Desolate Exam this time.
‘Was it Shin So-bin?’
She was said to be the younger sister of the young heir to the Shin Family of Desolate Fortress. Yeon-shin had seen that young heir before.
The young heir had endured the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s aura alongside Yeon-shin and Ma Se-in during a coming-of-age ceremony.
Yeon-shin thought their delicate facial features and high bridge of the nose resembled each other.
“Red Noon Sword? I have never heard of the name.”
“Of course not, Senior. For people like me, who have practically lived in the main fortress, he is rather well known.”
Shin So-bin chattered boldly. She seemed to have grown up cherished by everyone in a prestigious family.
She was the very embodiment of a precious child.
“He has been a White Uniform warrior for twenty years. He is deeply embittered. They say he uses all kinds of trick techniques with great skill and even turned Lazy Donkey Roll into a supreme move. Senior should be careful as well.”
“All right. Thank you.”
Yeon-shin answered calmly.
Using Lazy Donkey Roll as a supreme move? That was enough to tell him about Red Noon Sword’s disposition.
It meant enduring humiliation and rolling across the ground. It meant not caring about one’s dignity.
Since it was a rumor, there was likely some exaggeration.
Still, it was enough.
‘They said Desolate Fortress has warriors of every kind.’
He would encounter all sorts of things when he went on missions in the future.
Perhaps this promotion would also be a valuable experience.
Yeon-shin gave Shin So-bin a slight nod. It was a gesture of thanks.
Her expression became complicated.
“Senior, are you truly on guard? You will have to deflect hidden weapons too. The less experience someone has in the martial world, the worse an opponent like this is.”
“I am always tense.”
“Yes, well. Senior has a reputation too. I am sure you will handle it well.”
The other seniors seemed to watch the two younger juniors’ exchange with peculiar satisfaction.
Yeon-shin paid no mind and started walking. Before long, the Annihilation Squad Leader was calling Seom-ye’s name.
“Young Hero Jeong! You must be thinking of celebration wine!”
Hyeon Won-chang’s shout came from behind him, along with Baek Mir-yeo’s rebuke not to put pressure on him.
* * *
“Seom-ye and Red Noon Sword. I can see the intention behind this match.”
“A clash between a newcomer’s flashing ingenuity and seasoned combat skill.”
“What are the odds?”
“Judging by merits, Seom-ye clearly has the advantage. But Red Noon Sword has accumulated many years as well. Perhaps he will become Blue Uniform this year.”
Those gathered around them murmured while a stern-looking examiner watched.
Yeon-shin felt a sense of familiarity. It had been like this during the Desolate Exam as well.
It had not been long.
Less than half a year had passed, yet he stood in a place like this again.
At the time, the reputation of White Qilin Namgung Hwa-shin, his opponent then, had not felt real to him.
‘So many things were unfamiliar.’
It had been the day he knocked on the door with the single thought that he had to survive. It was no different now.
The greater number of gazes and auras did not trouble him in the slightest.
Only one unfamiliar middle-aged warrior filled his sight.
The colors of Desolate Fortress uniforms had clear standards. They differed from the martial world’s vague distinctions of realm.
The unfamiliar White Uniform warrior gave Yeon-shin a chance to learn his current standing.
“Seom-ye.”
Red Noon Sword’s bearing differed from what Yeon-shin had expected. After hearing Shin So-bin, he had imagined a dishonorable black-path fighter.
That was not the case. Could this be the bearing of a ten-man squad leader who had weathered countless battles in the Northern Army?
He gave the impression of a black-path fighter who had learned proper martial arts.
The scarred warrior continued solemnly.
“I have heard of your reputation. The rumors of you that have spread somewhat through the martial world fall short of the truth, but Desolate Fortress is different. We accurately understand your skill and merits. Everyone must feel the same. The appearance of an outstanding junior is welcome.”
“I have long heard Senior Red Noon Sword’s name as well.”
“Thank you.”
Red Noon Sword gave a bitter smile, then changed his expression.
“That is why I will unleash the true principles of all my martial arts. There may be many things you have not yet experienced. You may become bewildered, even enraged. Will you endure it?”
“I believe we can now form a friendship through our swords.”
Yeon-shin answered. He was not accustomed to such embarrassing words.
Before he knew it, his hand had moved to his sword hilt, calling for the duel. At the same time, aura erupted from Red Noon Sword’s body.
“Good!”
The Annihilation Squad Leader stepped back from between them.
Red Noon Sword took the initiative. Two daggers drawn from his robes flew like lightning.
Yeon-shin had not expected him to use throwing knives immediately. He took a step forward and drew his sword.
Clang!
He deflected both with one ringing strike. His drawing stroke had fully traced the sword path of Demon’s Light.
He had reached the realm of mastery. The sensation running up through his grip was light.
Yeon-shin immediately stepped with True Step.
The Training Hall platform boomed. Dust rose from beneath his foot and scattered from the tip of his upward-striking blade.
Sunlight seemed to gather from the ground.
The powers of the Jeong Family Youth Technique and the Ultimate Realm emerged at the same time. The hazy radiance of the Radiant Sword Flow burst forth in an instant.
Boom!
The single step Yeon-shin took with his sword strike had gone beyond the realm of martial arts.
Overwhelming genius.
In an instant, he claimed a distance at which Red Noon Sword could not properly gather power into his sword draw.
Yeon-shin had gone all out from his first move. He did not draw the fight into a fundamental contest of martial might.
He had already pushed the ability of his upper dantian, formed from blessing and curse, to its limit and calculated the exchange.
It was enough that he had seen the speed of Red Noon Sword’s techniques and the position of his hands and feet when he threw the daggers.
Clang!
One sword strike ended it.
Sword force surpassing White Uniform sent Red Noon Sword’s blade flying.
“What...”
The hastily drawn sword could not withstand the Radiant Sword Flow.
Red Noon Sword’s eyes widened as he looked at the sword held to his throat.
The Annihilation Squad Leader watching from nearby was the same.
“...This is not martial arts. Is it inborn martial aptitude?”
Colorless light gleamed in the Annihilation Squad Leader’s eyes. He appeared to be a supreme master completely mad for martial arts.
“No warrior of equal standing could possibly withstand Seom-ye. Is this Desolate Fortress’s great blessing? This is the first time I have envied Ma Jin. Yes...”
His eyes met Yeon-shin’s.
“You have won, Seom-ye.”
“Thank you.”
“There will be no next duel for you. You have received full marks in this promotion examination. Red Noon Sword, prepare for your second match.”
“Yes, Squad Leader.”
Red Noon Sword nodded and turned his gaze to Yeon-shin.
He seemed ashamed of having spoken about the true principles of his martial arts, but Yeon-shin did not mind and offered a respectful salute.
Red Noon Sword eventually smiled.
“Work for the people’s welfare. You have the talent to reach the pinnacle under heaven.”
Yeon-shin silently raised his clasped hands.
The walk back to the Demon Wings group was fairly quiet. Only murmurs like ripples could be heard.
Few warriors here lacked insight. Seniors from other combat units, seeing him for the first time, seemed newly astonished.
The White Uniform seniors who had projected their auras at him also remained silent.
Yeon-shin merely recalled the time his sword had broken against Namgung Hwa-shin’s single strike. The passage of time felt immense.
“How did you do that? What kind of footwork was that?”
Shin So-bin rushed over as though she would grab Yeon-shin by the collar. Her feet even stamped in place.
“No, what was that sword technique that scattered light? They were all martial arts I had never seen before. What family did you say you were from, Senior? Ah! Congratulations on winning!”
“...”
Yeon-shin gently pushed the frantic junior away by the shoulder.
Her uninhibited approach, despite still being unfamiliar with him, felt burdensome.
He turned his gaze away. Cheong Myeong, Baek Mir-yeo, and several other seniors were smiling. Hyeon Won-chang was as well.
“You made up for it.”
Cheong Myeong spoke. Yeon-shin slowly nodded.
The promotion ceremony that followed was quite grand. Performers such as dancers and musicians danced and played in the Training Hall.
That was the meaning of the Blue Uniform. It was said to be a symbol marking its wearer as part of Desolate Fortress’s main force.
Cheong Myeong told him it was only natural.
“May the sunlight never fade from the path before you.”
The Lord of Desolate Fortress recited a distinctive blessing of the elven race, then personally dressed Yeon-shin in a long robe.
Their hand movements were delicate. It was not Cheong Myeong’s clothing, which had been slightly too large for Yeon-shin.
What he now wore was his own blue uniform.
A Blue Uniform warrior of Desolate Fortress.
It was a title that allowed one to act with imposing authority wherever one went under heaven.
It was a stage at which one was treated as a master anywhere in the martial world.
Commoners who understood how the world worked often treated them with respect.
“Congratulations.”
“The youngest, and in the shortest time!”
The Demon Wings seniors welcomed him.
They said Demon Wings was always short-handed among the Divine Sword Squad’s Seventeen Squads.
Each Blue Uniform warrior was an extremely powerful force said to rival the finest elite of the Nine Sects.
‘I have heard that often.’
They were so accustomed to scattering across the world for missions.
Now, Yeon-shin was one part of that force. He had been fully acknowledged.
“This way.”
Do Yu-won, a scholar-official of the Chief Steward’s Office, guided him. Yeon-shin was still disoriented.
All the etiquette he had learned after entering Desolate Fortress was suddenly being assessed.
Barely had he finished dressing before he headed elsewhere.
He went with those promoted alongside him, but the place they arrived at was unfamiliar.
It was deep within Desolate Fortress, somewhere he had not even known existed.
It was an exceptionally splendid palace hall.
The Blue Uniform warriors who had been informed of the final event looked uneasy.
Their faces were noticeably stiff. Only Yeon-shin alone maintained a calm appearance.
“The Imperial Grandson is prone to sudden changes of heart. Please take every care in your conduct.”
Do Yu-won spoke.
They had come to meet the Imperial Grandson, who remained in Desolate Fortress to train in martial arts.
Yeon-shin had heard rumors in passing. The Imperial Grandson’s mood had not been good.
Because the Lord of Desolate Fortress, the Ming Empire’s Grand Preceptor and Prince of Commandery, had turned their attention to Seom-ye.
‘What do they expect me to do about it?’
Yeon-shin had somehow come to think like a true martial artist. He was inwardly surprised by the thought that had arisen without his realizing it.
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