WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Episode 73: Ma Clan
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“...Isn't this excessive?”
Jeong Yeon-shin was silent for a moment before asking. Fifty taels of silver alone was an enormous sum.
It was enough to support a household and live idly for years. Yet the rewards listed afterward surpassed even that by far.
‘A martial robe woven from heavenly silkworm silk, and the martial arts of the Divine Sword Squad Leader...’
There was a saying: a treasure beyond price. It referred to something that could not be measured in value.
Clothing that could not be torn by blades and martial arts from the martial world's highest realm were such things.
The same went for the spiritual medicine Desolate Fortress, a major faction, deemed high-grade.
“Excessive? Not at all.”
The Grand Chief Steward leaned their broad shoulders back slightly.
“If it had only been the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, perhaps. But your achievement in destroying the Huangbo branch family with only three Blue Uniform warriors was considerable. I heard it was thanks to your unique martial art. From Blue Uniform onward, even a single warrior is too valuable to spare. Minimizing the forces diverted to strike the main house was your third great achievement.”
“...”
“You seem unaccustomed to praise. How amusing.”
The Grand Chief Steward's smile deepened. The Grand Chief Steward seemed more cheerful than their appearance suggested.
“Shall we discuss the second? You single-handedly defeated six Blood Flame Sect branches in Xuzhou. The local blood demons were wiped out. A letter even arrived from the Xuzhou government office, praising Desolate Fortress as the Great Ming's Divine Sword.”
The Grand Chief Steward looked immensely pleased.
“Securing influence over government offices is a major task of the main fortress. A Blue Uniform warrior alone secured the support of a Prefect? You are a fine example for the warriors of the main fortress, who treat local officials like innkeepers. This is worth rewarding generously and publicizing widely.”
The Grand Chief Steward praised Yeon-shin to their face. Yeon-shin's expression stiffened slightly. Such great praise felt awkward in a way Yeon-shin had never experienced.
The Grand Chief Steward studied Yeon-shin closely before speaking.
“This was your first venture into the martial world as a Blue Uniform warrior, correct? You must grow accustomed to such things. All the more so as a Blue Uniform expert of the main fortress and the Lord's direct disciple.”
“...Thank you for your advice.”
“It was nothing.”
The Grand Chief Steward gave a soft laugh and continued.
“The foremost of your assessed achievements is the Clear Night Valley incident in Southern Zhili. You intervened in the war between the Namgung Family and the Blood Flame Sect. Young hero, you are Desolate Fortress's lawful guardian of the Great Ming Code. If a heretical sect designated by the imperial court is involved in battle, you may intervene regardless of the circumstances. The Namgung Family is no more than a powerful clan, so they should naturally have treated you with due respect.”
Hum.
Aura stirred from the Grand Chief Steward's body.
It was the realm where intent rose alongside qi.
Yeon-shin was greatly startled.
It meant the Grand Chief Steward's command of inner energy had reached the realm of Desolate Fortress's Black Uniform warriors.
“Those baseborn scum stood by and watched? That is what the martial world's major secular factions are like. They see the main fortress as a thorn in their side. It is rare for the people's welfare, protected by the main fortress, to coexist with the interests of martial experts.”
The Grand Chief Steward's words carried immense force.
“They wished to kill without staining their hands with blood. A rising expert who would one day become Desolate Fortress's treasured sword.”
Great fury settled over the Grand Chief Steward's face. Even while speaking of the past, they looked frightening.
An attendant handed Yeon-shin a teacup.
Yeon-shin brought the lightly held cup to their lips and waited for the Grand Chief Steward's anger to subside.
It was Yeon-shin's first time drinking the famed Dragon Well tea, but even after several sips, they could not tell what made it special.
‘Tea appreciation must not suit me.’
It was tea meant to be savored at leisure. Yeon-shin realized anew that it was a hobby unsuited to their life.
“I was briefly discourteous.”
The Grand Chief Steward dipped their head slightly.
“You killed many blood demons, but the main fortress gained a far greater justification. We will place the Namgung Family at the vanguard when striking the Thirteen Heavens.”
“Do you mean you will request their cooperation?”
The Grand Chief Steward shook their head.
“I mean we have gained justification to compel them by force. To suppress an orthodox sect, we must consider the martial world's attention, but this incident has allowed us to replace Namgung's leadership. We intend to punish those who stood by and watched you according to the martial world's laws.”
Even after the Grand Chief Steward calmed their aura, their smile was chilling.
The martial world's laws, in this context, were obvious. It meant acting as the stronger party.
They intended to seize the Namgung Family and drive it into the Thirteen Heavens like a battering ram.
‘Using the grievances of the Lord's direct disciple as justification.’
Yeon-shin felt winter descend upon the martial world. It was a bitter winter, even though it was Desolate Fortress's plan.
Yeon-shin recalled the chaotic Central Plains the Blood Flame Sect Master had spoken of. Desolate Fortress was already one of its major powers.
The Grand Chief Steward spoke as if they found it amusing.
“You could call it killing with a borrowed knife, or fighting poison with poison. Those scum tried to cut you down with the Blood Flame Sect's blade. They will have nothing to say when the same happens to them.”
Yeon-shin removed their hand from the teacup.
“That will be part of a mission as well, correct?”
“That is right. It will be a martial contest in the form of a life-and-death duel rather than a war. We will bind Namgung through justification and remove only its leaders. We are persuading capable members of Namgung's collateral branches to replace them. We told them that if they fought the main fortress, they could not avoid the destruction of their family. If they wished to preserve the clan, they must cooperate.”
“...May I ask when this will happen?”
The Grand Chief Steward smiled faintly.
“It is too early to give you a definite answer. This is a mission where defeat cannot be tolerated, so should you wish to volunteer, focus on recuperating. There may be competition among the applicants. The warriors of the main fortress also stake their lives on honor. They will not wish to miss the chance to witness Namgung martial arts and cut down their practitioners. A selection contest based on martial prowess may be held.”
“Thank you for telling me. Then what of the Blood Flame Sect's main headquarters...?”
“It is late. We will first compare your written report with your assessed achievements. The reward for that matter will likely be beyond what I can authorize.”
With a gentle smile, the Grand Chief Steward signaled that the meeting was over.
“The silver and heavenly silkworm silk martial robe will be sent to the Demon Wings pavilion soon. The Divine Sword Squad Leader is away, so once they return, our Chief Steward's Office will send an order bearing the Lord's seal. What will you do with the spiritual medicine?”
“I will take it once I have finished recuperating.”
“Very well. We will leave it with the Medicine Hall under the name of Seom-ye of Demon Wings. And.”
The Grand Chief Steward stopped Yeon-shin as Yeon-shin rose. An ambiguous smile rested on the Grand Chief Steward's lips.
“If I may offer advice out of concern, I believe it would be best for you to keep your distance from the Desolate Ma family.”
“Why...?”
Yeon-shin gazed steadily at the Grand Chief Steward. They were bringing up Yeon-shin's maternal family and criticizing its conduct. That was a different matter. Had the Grand Chief Steward crossed a line?
The Grand Chief Steward waved a hand.
“I fear you may misunderstand. I say this out of goodwill. Powerful prestigious families are bound to have factions within them... I can only tell you that your recent journey through the martial world has caused a great disturbance on that side. It would be awkward for me to say more, since it is not my family matter.”
“...Thank you for the advice.”
Yeon-shin slightly lowered their head and gave a cupped-fist salute.
The Grand Chief Steward returned the courtesy, then scratched their head.
It was not merely one or two things about the Grand Chief Steward that did not suit their age, build, or martial prowess. It seemed to be their natural disposition.
“Take care.”
The Grand Chief Steward grinned as they saw Yeon-shin off.
* * *
On the way back.
There were five days left until the summer solstice. Would this year's fifteenth day of the sixth month be closer to early summer than late spring? Dusk had already begun to fall.
A faint streak of crimson sunlight seeped into Yeon-shin's sleeve. It was a sunset that unsettled their heart.
‘The Desolate Ma family keeps holding me back. And now I hear from someone else that I should be wary of my maternal family.’
Yeon-shin drew their clothes closer as they thought. The wind brushing their cheek and slipping beneath their collar was quite cold.
Every time Yeon-shin returned from a mission, they had to be mindful of their conduct.
It was unwelcome. There was barely enough time to focus on achievements and reputation alone.
‘I told Grandfather clearly.’
Yeon-shin had told him not to use their blood ties to pressure them. After defeating Ma Se-yeon in their martial contest, had Yeon-shin not made that perfectly clear?
Yet Yeon-shin's bloodline had become known through the coming-of-age ceremony.
The way people looked at Yeon-shin had changed.
Yeon-shin was no longer a martial artist from a rural martial family who would establish their own household. Yeon-shin was a rising talent from a prestigious family whose actions would inevitably be tied to the Desolate Ma family.
The same was true when Yeon-shin's Demon Wings senior had mentioned disputes between prestigious families.
This would not do.
Family matters did not remain confined to the individual. Yeon-shin might become entangled in grievances that had nothing to do with them.
There was not much time left. Troublesome matters needed to be kept at a distance before they arose.
...Fortunately, a good measure came to mind.
That was why.
“Yeon-shin!”
The handsome boy rushing toward Yeon-shin was welcome.
He was a familiar White Uniform warrior, and his lightness skill was remarkably refined. He was the collateral relative Yeon-shin had defeated twice.
There was no way Yeon-shin could forget.
‘Ma Se-in.’
He was Grandfather Ma Yeon-jeok's adopted grandson and the heir of the Desolate Ma family.
Yeon-shin had encountered one of the culprits behind their troubled thoughts. The cause and effect that heaven had casually cast before Yeon-shin had come together here.
Something serious must have happened for Ma Se-in to come straight to see Yeon-shin on the day Yeon-shin regained consciousness. Had the unreliable maternal uncle, Ma Jin, told him?
It was just before the day ended.
Yeon-shin stepped forward and asked, “What is it?”
“Let me catch my breath...”
Ma Se-in stopped three paces away and steadied his breathing.
When it came to sheer reserves of inner energy, he surpassed Yeon-shin.
Their circumstances had differed from birth, and he had likely consumed spiritual medicine as if it were food. Yet he must have run for quite a while.
Yeon-shin waited through three exhalations.
“Speak now.”
“Uh, well...”
Uncharacteristically for someone so proud, he gauged Yeon-shin's reaction.
Yeon-shin silently urged him on with a tilt of their chin. Ma Se-in sighed and spoke.
“The elders of the family want to see you.”
“The elders?”
“The elders and my mother...”
“Let's go. We can visit them now, right? You seemed to come in a hurry.”
He looked rather surprised. It seemed he had not imagined Yeon-shin would agree so readily.
The two soon began walking together.
“Isn't it outside the main fortress?” Yeon-shin asked.
“The main house is. But many household members followed Grandfather here. They are all staying in the main fortress now. They have taken over an entire pavilion because Grandfather seeks the position of Elder Council Head. They came to lend weight to his bid.”
His tone was considerably gentler. He had always been like this since the coming-of-age ceremony.
They exchanged a few more words. During that time, Ma Se-in kept glancing at Yeon-shin's profile.
“I heard you suffered rather serious internal injuries.”
“And?”
“Your aura is the same as before. Can that happen after becoming weaker? No... Have you grown that much stronger in the meantime? In such a short time?”
“More importantly.”
Yeon-shin avoided answering and changed the subject.
“Does Grandfather know they summoned me?”
“...No. He went to the Lord's office.”
Ma Se-in appeared to feel that something was off as well. Still, he did not seem to know the details.
A slight smile rose on Yeon-shin's lips.
“Your powerful fist technique was impressive.”
Yeon-shin said it as if tossing the words at Ma Se-in. They recalled the True Barrier move of the Sihwa Boundless Fist, which they used whenever it proved useful.
“You said prestigious families possess dozens of martial arts. Do your family members practice martial arts different from yours?”
“Of course they do.”
“Interesting.”
That was all Yeon-shin said. They did not continue the conversation.
They walked in silence until they reached the pavilion where the Desolate Ma family's leaders were staying.
Ma Se-in signaled to the guards.
“This is it.”
Even the main gate was immense. It rivaled the Demon Wings pavilion.
Even though they were only borrowing it, it was this grand. One could guess how great the family's influence was.
‘Hm.’
The moment Yeon-shin entered, they felt eyes on them. It was not merely one or two.
Every gaze seemed to contain aura. The pressure was formidable.
Had they intended to meet Yeon-shin today no matter what?
The front courtyard had been turned into a banquet hall, with dozens of people seated there.
They carried the refined bearing unique to prestigious families. At a glance, there was not one ordinary person among them.
One person stood out above all the rest.
“You.”
A middle-aged woman in a pitch-black palace robe parted her red lips.
The silk enveloping her had been dyed as black as lacquer. Her beautiful features overflowed with dignity.
She seemed to have mastered a special energy art, for an aloof aura surrounded her. Her gaze looked as though it surveyed the entire world from above.
“Are you the child who bears the Jeong surname?” she asked from the seat of honor.
Had she deliberately mentioned the Jeong surname? A hint of her true feelings showed through.
Yeon-shin did not answer and turned their head.
“Is that your mother?”
“...Yes.”
Ma Se-in answered reluctantly.
Footnotes:
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