WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 64: Blood Flame Sect (3)

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The Blood Flame Sect was a cult exactly as the imperial court had declared. Its members were impossible to predict in word, action, or thought.

The sect was large enough that the content of its sermons should have leaked out commonly, yet even the imperial court had failed to fully uncover its doctrines after many years.

Jeong Yeon-shin quietly asked,

“Did you summon me?”

“Yes, Grand Preceptor.”

The Blood Master answered while kneeling with their forehead pressed to the ground.

“...”

Jeong Family Manor was the foremost family in Xinye County, Henan.

One needed refinement to avoid looking ridiculous while displaying authority.

Even children cast out from the family could not put down their studies.

Jeong Yeon-shin had at least superficially studied the Book of Changes, one of the Four Books and Five Classics.

They said all things under heaven had clear causes and effects. Incidents in the martial world were no different.

When one traced back an incomprehensible result, there was always an incomprehensible cause.

The Blood Flame Sect, a gathering of madmen, was said to be unfathomable. Seom-ye of the Demon Wings possessed similarly unfathomable talent.

Jeong Yeon-shin had created a martial art that countered the Blood Flame Sect, something no one had achieved since Bodhidharma.

Jeong Yeon-shin had even founded the Sword Song, which brought about widespread slaughter through sword resonance. The Sword Song was especially unprecedented.

It was something far beyond the level of martial arts Jeong Yeon-shin possessed.

That was why abducting Jeong Yeon-shin was only natural. Cheong Myeong and Baek Mir-yeo had said so long ago.

If another sect learned of Jeong Yeon-shin’s talent, it would have no choice but to recruit Jeong Yeon-shin or kill them.

The Blood Flame Sect had simply chosen the former.

“I have spread word of you throughout the main headquarters.”

The Seventh Apostle curled her lips. Her smile was not wholly beautiful, perhaps because of the madness that seemed to cut at his skin.

Her single red eye slowly swept over Jeong Yeon-shin as she whispered,

“Your astonishingly rapid achievements, your creative talent unlike anything under heaven, and your disposition that does not hesitate to cut down bandits. What would happen if Blood Arts were planted within you? Our sect may witness the birth of a Young Sect Master for the first time in over a hundred years.”

Blood Arts was said to be a martial art within the realm of sorcery arts.

Jeong Yeon-shin had heard that the moment one learned it, the nature of every minor meridian from the Baihui acupoint to the brain became twisted.

It created a state that made it easier to instill the Blood Flame Sect’s doctrine.

A martial religion of madmen.

Because they had brainwashing in mind, they broke convention again and again. They did not hesitate to elevate an enemy of their sect as a Grand Preceptor.

It could not be understood through common sense. It was the sort of thing a cult would do.

Jeong Yeon-shin answered evenly.

“It isn’t even funny to hear you talk about a Young Sect Master. I’ve cut down plenty of your followers.”

“Those children who faithfully scattered blood according to the doctrine shed their flesh and travel to Peach Blossom Paradise. Our retaliation is not simply revenge. It is burning spirit money with blood while wishing Peach Blossom Paradise to be filled with bliss.”

“Long-lived rulers have never welcomed heirs.”

“That is precisely the needless worry. He alone will sit upon the Sect Master’s throne for all eternity.”

The Seventh Apostle smiled with her one eye.

“Young Sect Master means exactly what it says. As Grand Preceptor, become my little sect master.”

“Grand Preceptor!”

“Perfect Blood Arts even further!”

By then, many people had gathered around them. Perhaps it was because the Blood Master had paid respects in the middle of the street.

A circle of red-haired people had formed. It was a bizarre sight.

As though pleased by this, the Seventh Apostle infused her voice with qi.

“I told you about your talent. Our sect has an old doctrine. It is the third line of the Flame Fire Verse.”

“Overcome it with fortitude!”

The Blood Master who had called Jeong Yeon-shin Grand Preceptor shouted with a solemn expression.

When the Seventh Apostle lightly nodded, the Blood Master bowed as if overwhelmed by grace.

The Seventh Apostle studied Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes and said,

“It is a line about red hair. It is a heavenly affliction borne the moment one learns Blood Arts in the Central Plains. Every bit of trash that sees red hair tries to capture and kill our followers.”

“Don’t you people capture and kill commoners whenever you please?”

Jeong Yeon-shin said what had to be said while surrounded by more than a hundred Blood Flame Sect followers.

Jeong Yeon-shin wanted to judge their reactions and decide how to act. Yet no one responded. Not even the Seventh Apostle.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt as though they had fallen alone into another world.

The Seventh Apostle continued with a thin smile.

“It should have been natural. The glorious mark of Blood Arts became a heavenly affliction because of two groups. The orthodox sect, who boast that they are righteous. The imperial court, which calls us a cult.”

“...”

“You will let them overcome it. You can alter the qi storage mnemonic formula of Blood Arts so it is easier to control inner energy. You have the talent to create martial arts imbued with dharma power. You can make these children’s red hair black.”

She was asking Jeong Yeon-shin to make Blood Flame Sect followers indistinguishable by appearance.

She was telling Jeong Yeon-shin to commit an act that would amount to a disaster.

The instant the Seventh Apostle finished speaking, several people leaped to their feet.

“Overcome it with fortitude!”

“Perfect the sacred Blood Arts!”

“Grand Preceptor! Ahhh! Grand Preceptor!”

‘Madmen,’ Jeong Yeon-shin muttered inwardly.

They called Blood Arts sacred and demanded improvements to its mnemonic formula.

They spoke of overcoming it while asking Jeong Yeon-shin to change the color of their hair. Was that not a contradiction?

Jeong Yeon-shin had thought a cult might be conservative. It was not.

Their nature was close to chaos. They were simply satisfied with whatever pleased them.

They had made Jeong Yeon-shin their Grand Preceptor because they wanted to run rampant through the Central Plains.

Their intentions were obvious, yet the looks they gave Seom-ye of Desolate Fortress already held admiration.

The Seventh Apostle smiled amid the frenzy.

“Young Grandmaster. You will pave the future of our sect.”

Jeong Yeon-shin did not answer. The youth only stood there in silence, gaze lowered as they sank into thought.

Only after they had caused one round of chaos did the followers disperse.

The Seventh Apostle reached out again. Waves of qi habitually gathered around her long fingers.

The density Jeong Yeon-shin felt was tremendous. It seemed she had reached a realm where controlling inner energy placed no burden on her intent.

She gently grasped Jeong Yeon-shin’s sleeve, as if the youth could never escape.

The Seventh Apostle moved her lips.

“Come. My Young Sect Master. Our Grand Preceptor.”

Jeong Yeon-shin followed without a word.

A single gust of wind brushing the youth’s cheek in the Blood Flame Sect’s main headquarters suddenly felt welcome.

Perhaps it was because Jeong Yeon-shin had recognized their short life early on. Or perhaps the youth had been born with a rather stout heart.

The Blood Flame Sect was an entirely different world. Jeong Yeon-shin’s thoughts could not help but move further.

‘Wouldn’t their qi storage martial art be unusual as well?’

It was said to possess the ability to regenerate.

Perhaps, just perhaps, Jeong Yeon-shin could change fate through martial arts instead of the World Tree fruit.

The young Grandmaster walked on in silence.

After passing several palace compounds with the Seventh Apostle, they reached a grand hall that resembled an imperial palace.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been memorizing every sight within enemy territory, counted the tiers of the wide staircase at a glance.

Thirty-six.

It was a number with many meanings.

‘The thirty-six Heavenly Dipper Stars, Taoism’s baleful stars. Buddhism’s thirty-six afflictions.’

Sects based on religion were said to have many symbolic structures within them.

Such things were often used as clues to interpret secret martial arts.

Jeong Yeon-shin climbed the stairs, careful not to let the Seventh Apostle notice the youth’s glances.

The moment they reached the top, a scarlet gate opened on its own.

“Come closer.”

The voice was smooth.

A handsome white-haired man sat alone in a grand preceptor's chair and beckoned.

His pale face and sharply raised nose gave him features noble enough for royalty, yet he reclined carelessly with one leg resting on the broad seat.

No particular presence could be felt from him. Yet he was the Blood Flame Sect Master, one of the strongest martial artists under heaven.

‘Could he be...’

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the Lord of Desolate Fortress enjoying the breeze with a gentle smile.

It had been right before the Lord’s spar with Ma Se-in, an heir of the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s maternal family. Only much later had Jeong Yeon-shin noticed the treasured sword at the Lord’s waist.

“The Sect Master has spoken. Did you not hear?”

One of those lined up on either side of the Blood Flame Sect Master spoke in an overbearing tone.

The middle-aged man had jet-black hair.

Unlike the Blood Flame Sect Master, he was surrounded by overwhelming force. It was obvious at once that he was another Apostle.

“Is an Apostle above the Grand Preceptor?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked without changing tone.

The youth had claimed the position of Grand Preceptor personally.

The Seventh Apostle burst into laughter beside Jeong Yeon-shin.

Joy filled the eerie echoes that rang through the splendid hall.

Her laughter did not cease, even before the Sect Master.

“Your question is valid. The ranks of Grand Preceptor and Apostle are no different.”

She answered with a radiant expression.

“It is disgusting to see a Desolate Fortress wretch call themself our sect’s Grand Preceptor. Whether you will remain here has not even been decided.”

The middle-aged man spoke with a calm expression.

The Apostles displayed all manner of words and actions before the Sect Master.

They were unlike the followers, including the Blood Master. Their atmosphere was so free that it was difficult to believe.

The man continued slowly.

“I have already received the Sect Master’s permission. If what I have heard of your talent is true, even if we grant you Blood Arts, our sect’s ways will be unable to cleanse your body and mind. You will face countless trials from now on.”

“Third Apostle. Listen carefully.”

The expression vanished from the Seventh Apostle’s face. Aura spread from her entire body as though she were about to convulse.

“Your son is not fit to become the Young Sect Master. Do not be jealous.”

“What a stale argument.”

It was the Blood Flame Sect Master’s voice.

He lazily gestured, and his long white hair swayed slightly. It moved as if it possessed a life of its own.

Whoosh.

A cool breeze swept through the hall. The energy that had been swelling and churning within the Sect Master’s Hall was swept away in an instant.

Even the Seventh Apostle’s uniquely seductive and sharp presence vanished without a trace.

It was a technique so profound that its principle was impossible to guess.

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly felt a wrist pulled taut. The Seventh Apostle’s hand had tightened around the youth’s sleeve.

“First.”

Under the Sect Master’s protection, the Third Apostle spoke slowly.

“I must experience your martial arts. There are endless reports about you, and the Seventh Apostle has been captivated by you, so shouldn’t I see it for myself? It is a very basic matter.”

“Your affairs are complicated. Let’s get this over with.”

No one became angry at Jeong Yeon-shin’s reply.

The leaders of the Blood Flame Sect were as calm as a still mirror.

However twisted the paths they followed, each had cultivated their own path to a great height.

They were frightening as people, even apart from their martial arts.

“There is no need to speak at length. Come.”

The Third Apostle extended one arm.

Hummm!

The energy of Blood Arts rose from his palm. Faint red currents layered over each other and began to form a circle.

It was not the power of Force Projection. Rather than combining martial technique and qi, he had created a barrier using inner energy alone.

‘Attack and defense as one.’

Jeong Yeon-shin saw through the man’s method. Extremely sharp energy swirled before the youth. It was a storm of cutting force raised through qi.

It was surely much weaker than thrusting forth both one’s hand and inner energy together. Even so, it was an unreal feat.

“His qi control ranks among the finest under heaven.”

“Isn’t that Desolate Fortress wretch at a level normally seen only among the Black Uniforms?”

Those standing in line did not hide their admiration.

Jeong Yeon-shin stared quietly at the inner energy barrier that had appeared at a distance. The Seventh Apostle whispered in the youth’s ear.

“It is the test our sect’s younger talents undergo when they are promoted to Blood Master. Endure for a single breath, and you will be granted spiritual medicine.”

“What happens if I tear it apart?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked calmly.

Whoosh.

The youth stepped forward and unleashed the Demon-Slaying Azure River Hand. Clear aura spread in every direction from the right hand raised before the chest.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not drag it out. The youth turned the hand into a blade and struck down at the barrier.

Fwoooosh!

The moment it landed, red gusts swept in all directions.

Visible red currents surged outward from Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand.

The hand blade embedded in the barrier shone with cold blue light. It unraveled the wall of inner energy built up through an exalted realm, strand by strand.

It did not even take an instant for it to vanish. Silence briefly followed as the red wind scattered.

“If that truly is a martial art you forged yourself...”

The Third Apostle spoke.

“You truly are a dangerous bastard...”

He took a step back.

The sharpness in his expression did not match his retreat. Jeong Yeon-shin noticed it at once.

Some sinister scheme seemed to be coiling within the Blood Flame Sect Apostle’s heart.

Then the Blood Flame Sect Master spoke.

“That inner force, that method of qi control.”

“...?”

“As expected, it was not something to worry about.”

The mood in the hall changed when he began speaking. Even the Apostles became followers listening to a sermon and lowered their heads in succession.

“Could one learn peerless martial arts from mnemonic formulas alone? Then there would be no reason for great sects to carefully examine talent when accepting disciples.”

“...”

“Your hand art is even more so. I can sense an independent interpretation of the dharma power of Destroy Evil, Reveal Righteousness within it. Inner energy possesses specific characteristics not only because qi circulation paths differ so greatly. Intent is important. That is why one needs a master.”

The Blood Flame Sect Master spoke with a smile, as if he were Jeong Yeon-shin’s master.

‘He is right.’

Jeong Yeon-shin agreed inwardly. The Seventh Apostle had already said so when the youth took her eye.

Even the slightest trace of dharma power in a martial art made it difficult to learn.

One needed talent unmatched through the ages to master it.

If Buddhist martial arts had been easy to learn, the Blood Flame Sect would have been exterminated long ago.

That was true. No one had managed to learn it.

Jeong Yeon-shin was not a fool. Naturally, the youth had created a martial arts manual and handed it to the Desolate Fortress martial treasury.

The Demon-Slaying Azure River Hand was a rare high-grade martial art. Jeong Yeon-shin had gained great merit for it.

Yet the last news the youth had received had diminished that achievement. Even the Squad Leaders had been unable to begin learning it.

“You were the one problem.”

The Blood Flame Sect Master smiled faintly.

“And now you have entered our sect.”

“...”

“You resolved the trial with outstanding skill. There should be a reward for the Grand Preceptor. Bring it.”

The moment he clapped once, someone stepped forward.

Judging from the cautious steps, they appeared to be an attendant.

They held a tray covered in golden silk above their head. An ancient-looking box placed atop it caught the eye.

The Blood Flame Sect Master gave a small gesture. When the attendant knelt and raised the tray, the Sect Master opened the box and took out a dark red pellet.

“What is it?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked evenly.

At the same time, an uncanny atmosphere stirred from the Blood Flame Sect Master’s body. Something was not normal.

When he lightly raised the tip of his beautiful chin, an allure blossomed as explosively as qi.

There were countless stories about the master of the Blood Flame Sect. They said he sank his teeth into the napes of his victims and drained their qi and blood.

Even then, many victims died smiling.

The Blood Flame Sect Master curled his lips.

“It is a bloodway-narrowing poison. A secret of our sect.”

His smile held a demonic charm. It bewitched people.

Footnotes:

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