WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Episode 61: Imperial Hero (4)
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Many people had gathered because of the commotion. Everyone who had followed Jeong Yeon-shin and Weiji Myo-hwa had mastered lightness skills.
Though they had arrived late, they still witnessed the movements of the two masters.
Jeong Yeon-shin paid them no mind. Every ounce of his attention was focused on rescuing Hyeon Won-chang. He was completely absorbed.
For the first time, the upper dantian in his head, which seemed to blaze with radiance, felt so welcome.
Only when they reached the hall did they have a chance to catch their breath.
“I heard you were Blue Uniform, but...”
Weiji Myo-hwa spoke. She had been showing signs of surprise at Jeong Yeon-shin’s Demon-Slaying Azure River Hand and altered force wave.
He continued to display martial arts and refinement that he had not possessed when he faced the Tyrant Sword Sect at Mount Zhongnan.
Not even half a year had passed. In the eyes of the woman meeting him again, even the phrase “one must look at him anew” felt inadequate.
There were limits to how much one could improve while out of sight.
“So you were not a White Uniform warrior wearing blue robes after all. Young Hero, you have now truly become a Blue Uniform warrior, have you not?”
“Yes.”
Jeong Yeon-shin answered as he took a long stride forward.
Weiji Myo-hwa sighed inwardly. Through the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan, she knew of Jeong Yeon-shin’s short life.
‘Like a flame.’
She had never heard of such a rate of advancement. Even if the end of one’s life had been set to arrive early, it was extraordinary.
He alone walked through a different flow of time.
She had heard of a rising talent in distant Xinjiang who was forcing masters of the demonic path to their knees.
Yet he did not wield sorcery like that figure from the rumors.
Weiji Myo-hwa decided not to be surprised anymore. She had realized the vastness of the world at an early age and earned the title Sword Dragon.
She had even overcome the inner demon she gained from Jeong Yeon-shin. She possessed none of the envy or distrust that anyone might feel.
Standing beside Jeong Yeon-shin, Weiji Myo-hwa regarded him with clear eyes.
“I am only hearing this joyous news now.”
Her faint smile was beautiful. As she stepped forward beside Jeong Yeon-shin, she continued.
“It is regrettable that the timing and circumstances will not allow us to celebrate properly. Let us share a drink with Young Hero Hyeon.”
“...Thank you.”
Jeong Yeon-shin expressed his thanks calmly. Her words gave him strength. Hyeon Won-chang had to be alive.
They soon stood before the hall.
Jeong Yeon-shin clenched his fist and circulated the formula of the Sihwa Boundless Fist. He sensed many presences within.
There might be innocent people alive inside. No matter how boldly he acted, he could only destroy the front gate.
‘No.’
Jeong Yeon-shin furrowed his brow. The aura brushing against his skin felt strange.
It felt as though a chilling tension were holding its breath. Even the scent of blood seemed to drift out.
This was different from before. Weiji Myo-hwa, beside him, appeared to sense the incongruity as well.
As her lips curled slightly, Jeong Yeon-shin felt the upper dantian’s foresight scatter without a trace.
Thud!
There was no time to hesitate. He immediately stamped down with True Step.
The force wave of True Wall of the Poetry-Painting Limitless Fist erupted explosively from his toes.
The Force Projection accumulated in an instant gathered around his fist, and Jeong Yeon-shin thrust out his arm.
Crash!
A fierce wind burst forth with the force wave. The brief sensation of wood against his fist was instantly driven away.
Jeong Yeon-shin and Weiji Myo-hwa rushed through the shattered fragments, their eyes widening.
“What!”
“What is this now!”
Two groups had been startled.
They appeared to have divided into factions and were keeping each other in check. The blood demons with crimson hair stood closer to Jeong Yeon-shin.
Those who appeared to have been captured held their breath on the opposite side.
For some reason, they had been freed and now faced the Blood Flame Sect.
Hyeon Won-chang stood at their head.
His skin was rough, and he wore an expression Jeong Yeon-shin had never seen before. Hyeon’s handsome face was twisted like that of a vicious ghost.
A corpse with blood-red hair mixed with a little black lay at Hyeon’s feet.
It was the Blood Master, likely the leader of this Blood Flame Sect branch.
Hyeon held a dagger that appeared to have been seized from the enemy.
His reverse grip looked remarkably practiced. Blood heavily coated the blade.
He seemed to have repeatedly slashed the Blood Master beneath his feet.
‘He pushed himself too far.’
Jeong Yeon-shin understood at once.
The Blood Flame Sect was an unorthodox sect that stole qi. They would not have shattered Hyeon’s dantian.
That must have allowed Hyeon to forcibly break the sealed acupoints and strike back.
It could not have been easy.
Tearing apart someone else’s qi after it had occupied one’s internal acupoints? Anyone knowledgeable in inner-energy arts would call it madness.
Hyeon must have suffered devastating internal injuries. Recovery might not even be possible.
Despite killing the Blood Master, Hyeon had been unable to deal with even a few remaining Blood Flame Sect members.
‘It must have been a dangerous situation for both sides.’
It was easy to tell how long the standoff had lasted. The commoners cowering behind Hyeon repeatedly drew in and stretched out their legs.
“There is another great hero over there.”
Someone spoke.
The Jianghu martial artists who had followed Jeong Yeon-shin and Weiji Myo-hwa were craning their necks to look. There were dozens of them.
The Blood Flame Sect members froze and could not even open their mouths.
“Hm?”
How engrossed had Hyeon been in the standoff? Though Jeong Yeon-shin had destroyed the gate, Hyeon seemed to come to his senses only now.
His eyes met Jeong Yeon-shin’s.
“Uh...?”
Hyeon’s fiendish glare at the Blood Flame Sect members changed completely. His face went blank with disbelief.
“H-how did you get here so quickly?”
Those were Hyeon Won-chang’s first words.
* * *
Every Blood Flame Sect branch in Xuzhou was swept away.
As dawn broke, the name Imperial Hero began to spread.
It was an epithet praising Hyeon Won-chang.
Dozens of Jianghu martial artists in Xuzhou had witnessed Hyeon, his body battered beyond recognition, protecting the commoners.
It was different from Jeong Yeon-shin’s overwhelming martial strength.
Many also called Seom-ye of Desolate Fortress a great hero, but Hyeon was honored not for martial prowess, but wholly for chivalry.
“I heard that destroying the Blood Flame Sect is a great merit in Desolate Fortress. The imperial court declared it an evil cult.”
Weiji Myo-hwa spoke as she sat with Jeong Yeon-shin at an inn.
She smiled slightly.
“There are many witnesses to the merit Young Hero has earned, so this matter will be fully recorded as well. I can testify too.”
“Thank you.”
Jeong Yeon-shin gave a brief reply. His heart was troubled.
Hyeon’s internal injuries were severe. The previous night, Hyeon had fainted as soon as he saw Jeong Yeon-shin and offered a faint smile.
When Jeong Yeon-shin checked Hyeon’s pulse and examined his condition, he could not help groaning.
The fine meridians throughout Hyeon’s body had been terribly damaged.
‘He may never be able to practice martial arts again.’
Weiji Myo-hwa, who had been carefully watching Jeong Yeon-shin’s expression, spoke.
“Young Hero Jeong seems to have a reason for caring deeply about the merits of your sect. Am I right?”
“...Yes.”
Jeong Yeon-shin answered slowly. This much could be shared.
They had not been friends long, but Jeong Yeon-shin had sensed the depth of the Sword Dragon’s character.
Many at Demon Wings and the main fortress already knew of it.
Even if he concealed his constitution, he could not completely hide his fixation on earning merit.
“You may be able to restore Young Hero Hyeon’s body while earning merit for Desolate Fortress.”
As Weiji Myo-hwa spoke, Jeong Yeon-shin leaned toward her.
Weiji Myo-hwa did not pull away as she continued.
“Our sect fought the Tyrant Sword Sect for quite some time. There were many disciples with internal injuries like Young Hero Hyeon’s. In roughly a month, he will no longer be able to use martial arts, but things would be different if he had even a mid-grade spiritual medicine.”
“Spiritual medicine...”
“Since the ruined Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, the Namgung Family and the Blood Flame Sect have been locked in a great battle. It is enough to call it a war. The Namgung Family is also the closest major faction to Xuzhou. They are both in Southern Zhili.”
Wisdom shone in Weiji Myo-hwa’s eyes. The Sword Dragon’s experience in the Jianghu came forth.
Her breath against Jeong Yeon-shin’s nose carried hope.
“Make them owe you a favor. Among the Eight Great Families, the Namgung Family is uniquely upright. They will certainly repay the favor. There is only one problem.”
She said, “Whether Young Hero possesses enough martial strength.”
“...”
Show chivalry through martial arts, and be repaid with another act of chivalry. Weiji Myo-hwa had spoken of the Jianghu’s nature.
‘They are fighting the Namgung Family? The Blood Flame Sect must have committed tremendous forces as well.’
Destroying them would be Jeong Yeon-shin’s personal merit. Now, there was another goal.
Earn enough merit for the Namgung Family to recognize it as a favor and give him an elixir pill? It would be exceedingly difficult. Yet there was no other way.
The next destination of Seom-ye of Demon Wings was decided. From Xuzhou, he would head to Huizhou.
“To obtain an elixir pill from another sect... Ordinary merit will not be enough.”
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke quietly.
A martial art immediately came to mind. Sword Song.
At the Huangbo Family branch, he had lost three days of his life.
He had decided to seal it until his mastery of inner-energy circulation approached that of a Black Uniform master.
If exceptions kept occurring, it might gradually become impossible to control. It had been a firm decision.
‘This is the last time.’
Jeong Yeon-shin made the vow inwardly. He made the decision because he could both restore Hyeon Won-chang’s martial arts and earn merit by annihilating the Blood Flame Sect.
This would be the final use of Sword Song before he reached the realm of a squad leader.
The main force that had gone to attack the Huangbo Family was likely still in Shandong Province.
The territory of an Eight Great Family was vast. Eliminating only the main family and a few branches could not be called the destruction of a clan.
‘I only need to inform the Blue Uniform seniors who came down to Southern Zhili. I can leave a message at a government office.’
Considering Hyeon’s condition, even waiting to reunite with them would be a luxury.
Jeong Yeon-shin decided to refine the martial art here. He sat down and immediately entered meditation.
‘Sword Song’s killing range is separate from the reach of its sword resonance.’
Alongside the ability of the upper dantian, his mind began breaking down every part of the formula.
‘All I need to do is limit the emitted qi so it does not spread as far as the sword’s resonance. Even if I cannot identify each target, I can set an approximate range.’
Jeong Yeon-shin focused his awareness on the lightning continuously flashing through his mind.
He became completely absorbed. It was a world no one else could comprehend.
“Young Hero?”
Even Weiji Myo-hwa’s questioning voice quickly faded from his awareness.
* * *
At the border between Huizhou and Chizhou lay a long valley. It was called Clear Night Valley.
At the founding of the dynasty, a peerless master of the elven race had fought some evil spirit there, illuminating the night with sword light.
It was now broad daylight. The pouring sunlight fell indifferently upon blood scattered everywhere.
Clang! Boom!
Terrifying sword force collided, and True Steps stamped down from every direction, shaking the ground.
Hundreds of martial artists with crimson hair clashed with warriors dressed in blue.
The battle line stretched so far that it was hard to believe this was a war between Jianghu factions.
“That Apostle bastard refuses to move.”
The atmosphere where the Namgung Family’s senior members stood was ancient and dignified despite the battle.
It was separate from the urgency of the front line. The distinctive bearing of a prestigious family remained lofty even on the battlefield.
“How long must we stand by?”
A young man standing with the family elders asked. His eyes sloped gently downward. He was the Namgung Family’s heir.
He had already drawn his sword. The martial robe woven from luxurious azure silk suited him perfectly.
He possessed looks and martial arts impressive enough for the people of the Jianghu to call him the Clear Qilin.
“Two Apostles and thirty Blood Masters are watching for an opening. Do not act rashly.”
The Namgung Family Head spoke with their back turned, dressed in a pure white robe.
“Even without us, the ordinary cultists can be handled. As the Young Family Head, you must remember this. The issue in a family battle is not winning. Give your full attention to preserving the lives of the family members.”
“That is right. We must strike back the instant the real masters step forward, so there will be fewer casualties.”
His annoying younger sister supported their father’s words.
The sight of that bronze-colored face peeking out was unbearably irritating. The Clear Qilin, Namgung Se-jin, clenched his teeth.
“The martial artists dying right now are members of our family.”
His voice slipped through clenched white teeth. Even his younger sister could not reply this time.
“Remember the decision made when Hwa-shin was cast out. As one who leads the family, do not keep every individual in your mind.”
The Family Head’s tone did not change.
The battle grew more intense, yet the enemy leaders did not step forward.
The figures standing atop a peak to one side of the valley and looking down in proud poses were exceedingly irritating.
Two Apostles and thirty Blood Masters.
Though they were a formidable force, whenever the Namgung Family’s greatest masters challenged them, they kept their distance and retreated.
“How many days has it been? Do they intend to continue this war of attrition?”
Namgung Se-jin bit his lip.
His father, the Family Head, must have been deeply troubled as well.
The Blood Flame Sect was immense.
One family elder had once been unable to endure it and stepped forward. Fifteen Blood Masters had then pushed into the battle line.
It was mockery. A warning not to act carelessly. They were exploiting the weakness of a family whose members were all blood relatives.
They seemed intent on pressing forward with numbers before deploying their masters, but the Namgung Family had yet to find a proper answer.
The battle had already lasted more than half a month. The morale of the martial artists fighting at the front was poor.
That was true even though the family’s greatest masters remained unharmed.
Then it happened.
The Family Head and several elders suddenly turned their heads. Namgung Se-jin, whose five senses were exceptionally keen, did the same.
Something was rapidly approaching from behind the Blood Flame Sect’s camp.
From very far away.
Whooooom!
It gradually spread toward the valley. Was it the cry of a giant bird said to have once crossed the heavens?
A resonance began softly, then rapidly spread wider and wider.
A sound none had ever heard before came to the battlefield.
Footnotes:
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