WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 53: Huangbo Clan

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The blank expressions of the younger martial artists and the Huangbo Family Guard Corps vanished in an instant. Dozens of faces changed one after another.

“Desolate Fortress? Why is Desolate Fortress here...?”

“What kind of aura is that?”

“A Desolate Fortress Blue Uniform? Isn’t that Demon Wings?”

“They said he was from some minor sect. With that aura and those Black Uniform martial robes, aren’t those Desolate Fortress Squad Leaders? How can there be three of them...?!”

The members of the great families, who prided themselves on being able to discuss all under heaven, could not hide their true feelings.

Even Tyrant Sword Huangbo Jun faltered. His bewilderment was laid bare. Everyone appeared to be filled with doubt and shock.

“A Desolate Fortress Blue Uniform at that age... I have heard of him.”

Huangbo Myeong-rin’s lower lip trembled. So did her voice as she continued.

“Seom-ye... Gu Gwa, you bastard... you were Desolate Fortress’s Seom-ye?”

“My name should not have spread as far as Shandong. Is it not quite far away?”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered, slightly puzzled. Yeon-shin had heard that people like Huangbo Myeong-rin existed.

People who took an interest even in martial artists with no influence over the greater currents of the martial world and collected rumors.

The well-known examples were the Beggars’ Sect and Hao Clan.

Desolate Fortress was watched closely by the martial world. While looking into newly risen experts, Huangbo Myeong-rin appeared to have encountered the epithet Seom-ye.

“Why? Why would you do that? We would have treated you more generously than anyone.”

Huangbo Myeong-rin’s question was more baffling than anything. Yeon-shin simply relayed what they had heard.

“Generously is laughable. Everyone knows the martial world treats Desolate Fortress coldly.”

“...Why did you hide your identity?”

“I am a martial artist of Desolate Fortress. What reason would I have besides a mission?”

“A mission?”

Tyrant Sword cut in. The middle-aged swordsman’s formerly overwhelming presence had vanished.

His face had settled into a grave expression, while his eyes moved uneasily over the experts of Desolate Fortress.

Then someone cried out.

“I-I failed to recognize royalty!”

One of the younger martial artists abruptly dropped to their knees. The dull impact was anything but light.

Those nearby tried to stop them, their faces filled with confusion.

“Young Hero Cheon, what are you doing? What do you mean, royalty?”

“If he is the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s direct disciple, is he not royalty? I heard it has always been that way. He does not even seem to be of the elven race. How could an ordinary person receive martial arts from that person?”

It was a ridiculous commotion. Yeon-shin did not answer and turned away.

As Ma Jin approached, Yeon-shin met their gaze.

Concern seemed to linger in the scar crossing Ma Jin’s face.

Yeon-shin’s appearance must have been that poor. Even someone not of the elven race could tell at a glance.

“...Even I did not anticipate a barrage of thunderclap bombs. Are your internal injuries all right?”

Ma Jin asked, the corner of their mouth twisting slightly. Yeon-shin readily nodded and spoke.

“You came after learning what happened in Huizhou. Do you know what became of Yu Hyeon of Mount Hua Sect?”

“The youngest disciple of Mount Hua’s sect leader? The Namgung Family responded at once and protected him. That young Daoist, Yu Hyeon, has already destroyed a couple of branches of the Blood Flame Sect alongside the Plum Blossom Swordsmen. Mount Hua Sect left Huizhou long ago.”

“I see.”

Their separation in the chaos, with no telling when they would meet again, had been weighing on Yeon-shin.

Yeon-shin felt immense relief, though they were also surprised.

Yu Hyeon was one of Yeon-shin’s few friends, but they had not known each other long. Yeon-shin had not realized they had grown so attached.

‘Is it because Yu Hyeon approached me so warmly, saying he would come to Desolate Fortress?’

Come to think of it, Yeon-shin could count the people of a similar age whom they knew well on one hand.

Prince Ju Yun-myeong did not count yet. There were Yu Hyeon, Shin So-bin, and Ma Se-in of the Desolate Ma family.

Weiji Myo-hwa, the Sword Dragon of the Zhongnan Sect, felt like an older sister somewhere between them and Baek Mir-yeo.

Yeon-shin seemed to make one friend each time they went on a mission. Thinking about it now, that was not so bad.

If Yeon-shin failed to eat the fruit of the World Tree and died, there would be people who remembered them.

‘Not something I want to think about.’

Tyrant Sword Huangbo Jun stepped forward.

“From what I have heard, you are not royalty. You bastard, no.”

Ignored by Yeon-shin and Ma Jin, he trailed off. It seemed to be the first humiliation of his life.

He let out a long breath and straightened his posture.

“Young Hero. And Hero Ma.”

He raised a measured fist-and-palm salute. His entire attitude had changed.

Had it only been Demon Wings, one of the Eight Great Families would not have humbled itself like this.

Seeing the three combat squads of the Divine Sword Squad gathered here, Huangbo Jun seemed to have guessed something. Cold sweat even formed on the back of his neck.

“I have long heard the great name of the Leader of Demon Wings. I, Huangbo Jun, failed to recognize the direct disciple taken in by the Lord of Desolate Fortress and spoke falsely. I ask for your understanding.”

“What false words?”

Ma Jin asked. For a moment, there was no reply.

“Vermin, lowborn wretch, a rootless fool.”

Shin So-bin quickly cut in, chattering away. They seemed delighted.

“Isn’t all that an insult to the Squad Leader as well? I heard Senior Seom-ye also carries the blood of the Desolate Ma family. He became famous at his nature-awakening ceremony, did he not? They said he shouted, ‘This is the martial world!’ and drank the Thunder Immortal Treasure Wine all at once.”

“...”

Ma Jin’s face turned cold and expressionless. The aura rising like frost from their scar was chilling.

By now, anyone who knew enough knew that Seom-ye was the Desolate Ma family’s reverse scale.

They said Ma Jin was warm and affectionate beneath their outward appearance. There was no way they would forgive someone who spoke of Seom-ye’s roots.

“Huangbo Family.”

Ma Jin spoke without expression.

“The crime of a mere powerful clan forcing the people into labor is grave. The number has reached a thousand.”

“...”

“You asked about Seom-ye’s mission. It was to tear open a gap among the powerful Huangbo clan that ruled Jinan through force, so we could secure grounds for your extermination. He completed it splendidly. After all, you are all here.”

“What are you...?”

Huangbo Jun let out a low groan.

Those were the words of a Squad Leader under Desolate Fortress’s Divine Sword Squad. No one could take them for an empty lie.

That did not mean they could admit their crimes. Even if Desolate Fortress had brought back damning evidence, they had no choice but to deny it.

It was the same whether the evidence was people or documents. Anyone with sense would not admit it here.

Even Yeon-shin, inexperienced in the martial world, understood that.

Yeon-shin turned around. Taking in Ma Jin, the Annihilation Squad Leader, and the Azure Sky Squad Leader at once, they raised a fist-and-palm salute.

“I humbly ask permission. May this junior announce the beginning of battle?”

“Mm.”

The Annihilation Squad Leader was so gaunt that the broad folds of their Black Uniform long robe stood out.

For three combat squads to act together, their chain of command had to be unified.

Yeon-shin had heard that the Annihilation Squad Leader held temporary command because they were nearly fifty and had served as a Squad Leader for many years.

Ma Jin and the Azure Sky Squad Leader were in their thirties. Both were considered remarkably young for Squad Leaders.

“Seom-ye of Demon Wings. I watched your promotion examination from nearby. It left quite an impression.”

The eyes of an ultimate inner energy master studied Yeon-shin carefully.

The moment Yeon-shin met that black gleam, they could not help tensing.

This was unlike the Lord of Desolate Fortress, who had completely concealed their energy. Yeon-shin could fully feel the Annihilation Squad Leader’s martial power.

‘Not even close yet. Squad Leaders are on an entirely different level.’

As Yeon-shin grasped the realm of Desolate Fortress’s Black Uniform, the Annihilation Squad Leader slowly spoke.

“Announcing the beginning of battle... that was your mission. Permission granted.”

“Thank you.”

Yeon-shin bowed slightly while maintaining the salute, then lowered their arms.

Step.

Yeon-shin turned around once more and walked forward alone. They put the Myeongjeong Pill held in their left hand into their mouth.

Like Languid Flame Dragon, who enjoyed chewing opium poppy, Yeon-shin carelessly chewed it without stopping.

They headed straight for the younger martial artists and the Huangbo Family martial artists gathered together.

‘They said I would not need to regulate my breathing or circulate my energy. They were right.’

It was said to be a combination of the elven race’s secret arts and the medical techniques of Shaolin’s Medicine King Hall.

A cool energy seemed to rise through the minor meridians throughout Yeon-shin’s body. Mysterious medicinal power spread through them, healing their internal injuries.

No one dared make a rash move. The three combat squads of Desolate Fortress exerted terrifying pressure.

Yeon-shin passed Tyrant Sword. They ignored Languid Flame Dragon as well.

Originally, Yeon-shin had intended to take Tyrant Sword’s head first, as the strongest among the enemies. Huangbo Myeong-rin would have been next.

Yeon-shin’s thoughts had changed after sensing the Annihilation Squad Leader’s imposing presence on the battlefield.

They were a Blue Uniform martial artist beneath the Black Uniform Squad Leaders.

To exchange swords with Tyrant Sword for dozens of exchanges? That would be nothing more than reckless bravado driven by greed for merit.

With the Squad Leaders’ martial prowess, they could kill Tyrant Sword in only a few moves.

As someone aiming to become the Divine Sword Squad Leader, Yeon-shin could not afford to draw the displeasure of the Azure Sky Squad Leader and the Annihilation Squad Leader.

‘I have now been incorporated into the mission to strike the Huangbo Family. It is enough to make them remember me.’

Yeon-shin stopped three steps before Huangbo Myeong-rin.

They had entered so deeply into their midst that no one could imagine they would act alone.

Slowly, Yeon-shin spoke.

“Let us settle our debts.”

“What did you say?”

“You may answer as you please. I will say what I came to say.”

“...”

“You told me to offer up my arm. You said you would interrogate me, then take my head. The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering was the same. Shin So-bin could have died. If I had not saved them, that would have happened.”

“...I acknowledge the prestige of Desolate Fortress’s Blue Uniform martial artists. And if you are the direct disciple of the Lord of Desolate Fortress, you may be arrogant enough to act this way.”

Huangbo Myeong-rin straightened her back. Though she looked wretched after her long flight, dignity began to return to her bearing.

“But you cannot fabricate words that I never spoke. I stand blameless. I have never done anything that goes against the righteous path.”

“You keep saying that. It no longer matters.”

“...?”

“The remaining mission is the annihilation of the Huangbo Family. Whatever lies you tell no longer have any meaning.”

Yeon-shin tightened their grip on the hilt of the Desolate Sword. Aura burst from the back of their hand and spread in every direction.

It was the sign of a sword technique being unleashed. Yeon-shin stood in the middle of enemy lines.

Before Huangbo Myeong-rin, her face full of shock, could even reply, veins stood out on the back of Yeon-shin’s hand.

Huangbo Myeong-rin was incomparably weaker.

It showed first in her expression. The terror of a martial artist facing an irresistible sword form filled her face.

“What? Please...!”

At the same time, the Desolate Sword flashed.

Radiant Sword Flow, a quick sword form.

The blade warped like a beam of light at a speed too fast to react to.

Shhk!

White lightning struck across her neck. It was a quick sword that had reached the realm of Blue Uniform.

For a brief moment, Huangbo Myeong-rin’s head remained in place. Even the panic in her eyes had not faded.

Her blood erupted a breath later.

Fwoosh!

Her head rolled limply to the ground, and her body collapsed.

Tyrant Sword charged at Yeon-shin in horror from behind, but the experts of Desolate Fortress were far faster.

The Annihilation Squad Leader arrived first with ghostly footwork, seized Tyrant Sword by the back of his head, and slammed him into the ground.

Bang!

The inner energy contained in that slender arm was immense. The ground cracked apart.

“Rin!”

“My Lady!”

“Corps Leader!”

The Second Young Master and the Huangbo Family Guard Corps cried out. The younger martial artists seemed frozen in place.

The faces that had been indifferent when speaking of Yeon-shin’s arm and head had now come fully alive. Desperation and fear filled them.

Thud!

Ma Jin and the Azure Sky Squad Leader leaped into their ranks.

The two supreme masters released heavy aura in every direction as they drew saber and sword in fluid motions.

They gave no warning. Destructive energy raged from the saber and sword strikes that began cutting through everything in their path.

Tyrant Sword rolled away in panic and barely escaped the Annihilation Squad Leader’s grasp.

He gritted his teeth and sprang to his feet, as if to unleash the Huangbo Family’s sword technique.

Boom!

With a savage stomp, Ma Jin tore through the air.

They rushed forward at an explosive speed.

In that instant, the black saber in Ma Jin’s hand buried itself in Tyrant Sword’s chest.

Crunch! Crack!

The impalement lasted only a moment. Ma Jin twisted at the waist and cut horizontally through Tyrant Sword’s upper body.

A great spray of blood burst forth with the sound of ribs splitting apart all at once.

That overwhelming force became a presence of its own, freezing time.

“D-Desolate Fortress. It was all true.”

“We cannot fight them! We need to flee...!”

The Leader of Demon Wings of Desolate Fortress.

Tyrant Sword had died with shocking ease. Ma Jin did not seem to attach any meaning to it.

They immediately charged toward the Huangbo Family martial artists again.

Ma Jin’s saber cut down five more people in an instant.

The black saber shadows that swept through like a storm left thunderous whistles as they cut necks, hearts, and waists.

Entrails and blood spilled from torn muscles.

It was terrifying. Tyrannical was the only word for it.

That was how the Leader of Demon Wings treated those who had threatened their only nephew.

Thud!

Even the dust left from Ma Jin’s leap was torn to shreds.

The suffocating killing intent pouring from their entire body constricted all eight directions before converging into an overwhelming force wave at the saber.

“Run! Run away!”

At last, some even turned their backs. Ma Jin’s momentum seemed to have stripped away the fighting spirit of the martial artists from the great families.

The three Squad Leaders pursued and killed them. They shattered backs with palm strikes and cut through necks.

It was a scene that revealed the fundamental difference between them and martial artists of the martial world.

They viewed martial artists who harmed the people’s livelihood entirely from the imperial court’s perspective.

Thugs who did not even properly pay tribute. Desolate Fortress was merciless toward those who brought harm to the nation.

“The Squad Leaders are not leaving us any openings. Not unless the enemy force is much larger.”

“We will have to earn merit when we strike the Huangbo Family’s main house.”

“I envy Seom-ye. Has he not already accomplished something quite significant?”

Only a small number of members from Demon Wings, the Azure Sky Squad, and the Annihilation Squad had joined the Squad Leaders.

Most had not even entered the battle and came forward. Some seized the younger martial artists and interrogated them.

“Ah, arrest me. I am the wicked Young Family Head of the Huangbo Family. Hm? You cannot do that. Give my opium poppy back, please. Please...”

Languid Flame Dragon was among them.

Footnotes:

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