WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 76: Ma Clan (4)

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‘If I simply refuse whatever the Ma Clan tells me to do, that is that, but...’

Jeong Yeon-shin was concerned about debts and grudges.

A renowned martial family was like a garment stitched together from countless favors and vendettas.

Someone who regarded Ju Yeon-jeong as an irreconcilable enemy could turn a sword on Jeong Yeon-shin.

Others might demand that Jeong Yeon-shin repay the favors received from the Ma Clan.

Time would have to be spent on matters outside missions. The blood relatives of a renowned martial family were a whole unto themselves.

‘Was that enough?’

Today, Ma Yeon-jeok had gone to inspect the people’s welfare in Xiangyang.

The former Divine Sword Squad Leader’s outing had been conspicuous. It meant that anyone could tell Ma Yeon-jeok was away.

That was why Hyeon Won-chang had moved so quickly.

The martial prowess of a Purple Uniform master was said to be truly transcendent. Hyeon Won-chang had acted swiftly to prevent any unforeseen variables.

Rumors that Seom-ye’s maternal family was the Desolate Ma family could only spread from here.

So Hyeon Won-chang had cut them off at the main fortress. The aim was to separate Jeong Yeon-shin from the Ma Clan, if only a little.

Hyeon Won-chang relied on the eyes and mouths of the Desolate Fortress martial artists.

Hyeon Won-chang would cause a commotion, draw people from the main fortress, and become the Ma Clan’s target.

The moment one of their leaders stepped forward, Jeong Yeon-shin would take the blow in Hyeon Won-chang’s place.

That would make Jeong Yeon-shin’s connection to the maternal family unmistakable. It was the bare minimum.

“...Your antics are laughable. I suppose I cannot go along with this.”

Ju Yeon-jeong slowly parted her lips.

“Seom-ye. I understand that your resolve is firm. Give it time. I will accept all that you want, as long as it does not concern severing ties or succession. I hope you will think it over carefully.”

“...”

She turned away. The Ma Clan martial artists followed after her.

The Ma Clan elders who had watched from one side also turned their backs.

That was the dignity of a renowned family. They did not involve themselves in something so frivolous. Conveying their intentions was enough.

Hyeon Won-chang lowered their head slightly. Chasing after them and clinging to them now would look strange. It was half a success.

Hyeon Won-chang sent a sound transmission.

-Young Hero Jeong, how did it go? They said they would accept your wishes...

-Being struck by her palm technique is enough. Many experts saw it.

Jeong Yeon-shin gently pushed Hyeon Won-chang’s hand away.

As Jeong Yeon-shin slowly rose, unfamiliar martial artists approached.

They had been watching the incident. Blue Uniform and White Uniform warriors were mixed among them, seemingly experts from other combat units.

“Are you all right?”

“I cannot comment on another’s family affairs, but if you trained at the Ma Clan, that was an unacceptable sight.”

“Your movement technique was impressive.”

Many people briefly looked Jeong Yeon-shin over before leaving. Whatever the case, they seemed to view it as a matter between blood relatives.

Perhaps they also knew that nothing good came from becoming entangled with a powerful family.

Still, a middle-aged man approached to speak.

“This is my first time seeing the rumored rising star. The main fortress is vast, after all.”

“Demon Wings, Seom-ye.”

“I am Jin Ju-rim of the Swift Heaven Wing Squad.”

It was the Divine Sword Squad’s Swift Heaven Wing Squad. Jeong Yeon-shin had heard it was a combat unit founded around the same time as the Demon Wings.

The sleeves of a blue robe trailed from the clasped hands Jin Ju-rim raised in a cupped-fist salute.

He was a Blue Uniform warrior. Though he was a senior entitled to speak casually to Jeong Yeon-shin, his bearing was polite.

Jin Ju-rim smiled with his drooping eyes.

“Now that I see you up close, your complexion does not look too bad. Shall we talk for a moment?”

“May I ask what you wish to discuss?”

“Seom-ye Jeong Yeon-shin. I have heard much about you from Hwa-shin, even before you were promoted to Blue Uniform.”

“Hwa-shin...?”

“Is his epithet more familiar? I mean the White Qilin, Namgung Hwa-shin.”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded faintly.

They had been apart for so long that Namgung Hwa-shin had not come to mind right away.

He was the man who had admitted defeat even after defeating Jeong Yeon-shin in the Desolate Exam.

He was a young talent who came closer than anyone to embodying fairness and justice. Jeong Yeon-shin had heard that he was active in the Swift Heaven Wing Squad.

“I know him. Has Young Hero Namgung been well?”

“He became a Blue Uniform warrior about a month ago. He may seem slightly slower than you, but that is because he did not take on mission after mission without rest. Hwa-shin’s promotion speed is no joke either.”

Jin Ju-rim spoke with a faint smile.

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded. Not even a year had passed since entering Desolate Fortress.

Compared to Jeong Yeon-shin, who had carried out years’ worth of missions without stopping, Namgung Hwa-shin’s promotion was the truly exceptional one.

“Do you know? There is an interesting rumor going around the main fortress.”

Had Jin Ju-rim extended his senses? A thread of inner energy swept across Jeong Yeon-shin’s entire body. It was extremely subtle.

“The White Qilin and Seom-ye. Among the many young talents of the main fortress, the two of you have stood out the most. Which one is sharper? I was curious myself. But...”

The middle-aged Swift Heaven Wing Squad expert, who had likely fought countless battles, spoke with an amused expression.

“Now, I think Hwa-shin would be at least two moves ahead. It is probably because you are not at full strength.”

He meant that the White Qilin was at least two moves superior. He seemed to be saying it after sensing Jeong Yeon-shin’s aura.

Jeong Yeon-shin sank into thought for a moment.

Before long, the matter of the Desolate Ma family had left Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind. The missions ahead took its place.

A life-and-death duel with the leadership of the Namgung Family. It was impossible to consider it without thinking of Namgung Hwa-shin, the White Qilin.

‘The Grand Chief Steward said so. Competition would be fierce from the very assignment of the mission.’

Namgung Hwa-shin was a man who had left his family and devoted himself to Desolate Fortress.

If he wanted to rise through the ranks at the main fortress, he could not neglect this matter.

He might even volunteer for the duel. The martial world was that kind of place.

If Namgung Hwa-shin competed with Jeong Yeon-shin, he would be an immensely formidable opponent.

‘Senior Jin Ju-rim is Blue Uniform. The stronger an expert is, the less likely one is to judge an opponent by the amount of energy alone.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

The information conveyed by the fluctuations of qi contained within the body was not simple.

The density and nature of one’s inner-energy training, along with the precision of one’s intent, were indirectly revealed through it.

Martial experts could even infer how an opponent would unleash techniques from that. That was how people of the martial world assessed an enemy’s prowess.

Jin Ju-rim’s opinion was no different. It was not something Jeong Yeon-shin could dismiss.

“You seem to have much on your mind. That is only natural.”

Jeong Yeon-shin did not offer any particular response. He merely raised a cupped-fist salute calmly.

“Thank you for the advice.”

“It was no advice. I only stated the facts.”

Jin Ju-rim looked at Jeong Yeon-shin quietly.

“Were you not involved in the Clear Night Valley incident? Since you have debts and grudges with the Namgung Family, your justification cannot be any less than Hwa-shin’s, who wishes to turn his sword on his own family. It is also a martial artist’s virtue to resolve what one has caused. I hope you triumph.”

After offering those good wishes, he departed.

Jeong Yeon-shin bowed to the companions waiting nearby. Cheong Myeong and Baek Mir-yeo had sheathed their swords.

“Thank you.”

“What are you thanking us for? Worthless maternal relatives are common enough. Tell us whenever they make trouble.”

Cheong Myeong ruffled Jeong Yeon-shin’s hair. A strangely mysterious air clung to the grin.

Was it the confidence unique to the elven race? Cheong Myeong showed no sign of fearing a renowned martial family.

Baek Mir-yeo extended long fingers and placed them against Jeong Yeon-shin’s solar plexus.

As though observing the meridians, Baek Mir-yeo briefly closed then opened their eyes before speaking.

“Your qi circulation is remarkable. It turned out just as you said. It will not affect your recovery.”

“This is how we can deal with the Ma Clan from now on. But...”

Cheong Myeong quietly watched Jin Ju-rim’s retreating back before speaking.

“It will not be easy for Seom-ye to receive the mission either. The White Qilin, huh.”

“If the main fortress has decided to cut down the Namgung Family’s leadership through a duel...”

Baek Mir-yeo brushed back a lock of hair near an ear and spoke.

“It means they intend to preserve appearances. If that is the Chief Steward’s Office’s intention, they will send main fortress martial artists whose ages match their opponents’. Among the Namgung leadership around Seom-ye’s age, there are only the Young Family Head and his sister. There are not many spots. The White Qilin is certainly a competitor.”

“But did Young Hero Jeong not subdue the Languid Flame Dragon at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering? They say even the White Qilin must yield a move to the Huangbo Young Family Head, who is several years older. Has the White Qilin already surpassed the Huangbo Young Family Head? Does he possess martial talent that transcends even severed meridians...?”

Hyeon Won-chang muttered the question as though to themself.

‘The Languid Flame Dragon.’

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the Huangbo Family’s Young Family Head. Hyeon Won-chang was not wrong.

Jeong Yeon-shin had countered one of the man’s techniques. Yet that had only been possible because Jeong Yeon-shin had first watched Mount Hua Sect’s Yu Hyeon duel the Languid Flame Dragon.

Between Jeong Yeon-shin and the Languid Flame Dragon, Jeong Yeon-shin had been the one overwhelmed in their first meeting.

Their second encounter had been different. Jeong Yeon-shin had won by using innate senses to strike an opening in the opponent’s defenses.

If the Languid Flame Dragon had used other martial arts, Jeong Yeon-shin would have struggled. In terms of martial prowess alone, the man had been more accomplished than Jeong Yeon-shin.

He had been born with the Sun God Meridian and trained in martial arts for far longer.

It was meaningless to say that the Languid Flame Dragon of the past had been stronger than the White Qilin.

Jeong Yeon-shin had never seen the Languid Flame Dragon’s full strength.

Could Namgung Hwa-shin be assessed just because Jeong Yeon-shin had countered one of the Languid Flame Dragon’s Hand Arts? It was nonsense.

‘Demon-Slaying Azure River Hand, Sword Song.’

One was a demon-subduing technique, while the other was wide-ranging Sound Arts. Jeong Yeon-shin had used them to achieve feats beyond his martial prowess.

Great accomplishments had been earned by creating unique martial arts.

‘This time will be different.’

Jeong Yeon-shin had to win using only his core martial arts. A return to the beginning was necessary.

On the way back with three companions, Jeong Yeon-shin considered it. The amount of inner energy and the length of training... How could the disadvantages in such vital factors be overcome?

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly looked up at the sky.

A silver-gray crescent moon, as though it had rolled up the darkness, scattered pale moonlight.

The commotion caused by Hyeon Won-chang and the companions also vanished into the pitch-black silence.

There was not a trace of it left. The quiet of the night seemed to warn against resolving the countless affairs of the martial world with petty schemes.

* * *

The very next day, an official notice from the Chief Steward’s Office was posted throughout the main fortress. The commotion at the Desolate Ma family was pushed aside.

Its contents had that much impact.

A large notice was also posted on the central wall of the Demon Wings’ Grand Training Hall.

Experts read through the official notice from their respective spots.

Many stood atop rooftops with their arms crossed, or sat loosely at a distance, moving only their eyes.

They had cultivated eye techniques. They could see as far as hawks and follow even swift swords as though they moved slowly.

“This is serious.”

“This will not be an ordinary event.”

The Namgung Family was mentioned from the very first line. So was Seom-ye of the Demon Wings.

It stated that they had repaid the favor of the Lord of Desolate Fortress’s direct disciple with enmity.

[...The Namgung Family’s conduct has crossed the line. This Desolate Fortress will correct the behavior of Southern Zhili’s Namgung noble clan. Therefore, at Great Heat in the seventh month, the main fortress and the Namgung Family shall engage in a life-and-death duel. Martial artists of the Seventeen Squads under the Divine Sword Squad are to consider carefully and volunteer.]

Hyeon Won-chang read the lines of the notice aloud.

They looked like a scholar checking the results of the civil service examination.

“...If there are many volunteers, preliminary trials will be held. They will be divided by age and compete one on one. This is to select the worthy on the premise of complete victory in the mission, so main fortress warriors must prepare accordingly.”

“As expected.”

Baek Mir-yeo spoke.

“This is how missions are normally assigned, unless the Lord of Desolate Fortress gives an order. A matter that would usually be settled by the Black Uniform squad leaders has unusually come down to us. There will certainly be preliminary trials. The Namgung Family’s name carries that much weight.”

“Azure Firmament Boundless Sword Art, Imperial Sword Art.”

Cheong Myeong spoke with a smile.

“If you shatter martial arts famous throughout the world, honor follows. No martial artist will hesitate to make their epithet famous. The mission’s merits will be great as well. Competition is inevitable.”

“Seom-ye, we will not volunteer.”

Baek Mir-yeo looked directly at Jeong Yeon-shin. Cheong Myeong did as well, though the slowly curling smile was different.

“Cheong Myeong and I are not desperate for merit. You should win and take the mission. Can you do it?”

Jeong Yeon-shin did not answer for a moment. It was because they said they would not volunteer.

There was consideration behind their decision. It was likely because they had learned about Jeong Yeon-shin’s constitution.

‘Is this simply gratitude...?’

A feeling difficult to express stirred within Jeong Yeon-shin. His heart tingled.

“...It is difficult to say for certain right now. Later... later... I think I’ll know after I return.”

“Go where?”

“I received word. The Lord of Desolate Fortress has summoned me.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered in as even a tone as possible.

A letter from the Chief Steward’s Office had arrived. Jeong Yeon-shin had received it approximately four hours earlier.

It said that the Lord of Desolate Fortress would bestow a reward for the matter of the Blood Flame Sect’s main headquarters.

‘Do not get your hopes up.’

Jeong Yeon-shin repeated it inwardly. A tempest raged within.

It had been that way since morning. The companions seemed unaware because Jeong Yeon-shin had made every effort not to show it.

There had been two sheets.

Another letter had been enclosed with the official notice. Jeong Yeon-shin had taken it out without thinking and was startled, for the author was someone unexpected.

It was the Lord of Desolate Fortress.

She had told Jeong Yeon-shin to read it and burn it, so Jeong Yeon-shin burned it. But Jeong Yeon-shin could not erase it from his mind.

Her elegant words had been etched into Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind as clearly as if they had been seared there with fire.

[I bestow a small piece upon you. When the full moon rises, come to me.]

That was all it said.

Footnotes:

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