WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

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◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 79: Contest (3)

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Whoosh!

The instant Jeong Yeon-shin shattered the sword qi with one punch of True Barrier's force wave and one step of Phantom Wing Step, they realized they had returned to the basics.

They felt as though the martial formulas had been carved into every meridian in their body.

Namgung Hwa-shin’s face came into view. Despite clenched teeth, White Qilin’s pale complexion remained calm.

Was it because White Qilin could overwhelm an opponent with sheer power even when falling behind in technique?

Jeong Yeon-shin paid it no mind. They drove their slightly inclined torso forward.

They had just broken the force wave unleashed by the opponent’s sword strike with footwork. Their left palm and the sword in their right hand were both free to move.

‘Now.’

They had to settle the match here. Their qi was running dry. If it dragged on any longer, they would lose.

They decided to use it once more.

The moment they thrust out the white Desolate Sword in their right hand, they activated the conflicting formula with their left. Their mind cleared.

Power surged forth from the Neiguan acupoint beneath their wrist.

They wrapped the Demon-Slaying Azure River Hand around the Blood Arts qi that had begun spreading wildly.

Whoooong!

They entrusted their fate to the unfinished fourth form of the Sihwa Boundless Fist.

Then white sword light filled their vision. Namgung Hwa-shin, having deflected a strike from the Radiant Sword Flow, launched a counterattack.

The force of the Boundless Firmament Sword surged toward them like invisible arrows. The air split into several streams and gave a brief cry.

Jeong Yeon-shin ignored it and opened their palm.

Swish!

Namgung Hwa-shin’s figure whirled like sleet. White Qilin charged in along a gently curving path.

The movement technique was exquisite, a body movement that combined evasion and counterattack. It seemed White Qilin intended to graze past Jeong Yeon-shin’s side and strike.

‘If it is Young Hero Namgung...’

They had expected it. White Qilin was a master capable of responding at once even to a slight preparatory stance.

Jeong Yeon-shin could guess the intent behind that Body Movement Scripture. It was a movement born of caution toward the fourth form’s power.

They had used it once in this match. Namgung Hwa-shin did not know this form’s weakness. Not yet, at least.

That was enough.

Whooong!

They swept their hand back. They were not aiming forward.

It was a form that released palm force to their rear.

They filled the Hand Jueyin Pericardium meridian, which ran from their shoulder through the center of their left arm, with layered qi of the Ultimate Realm.

Then, without hesitation, they unleashed the conflicting palm art of Blood Arts and the Azure River Hand.

Boom!

It felt as though a cannon shell had exploded within the arm held firm by qi. The scenery warped like a storm as it flashed past their vision. Enormous pressure bore down on their left foot, the pivot, but they endured it with inner energy and spun.

“...!”

At the edge of their vision, they saw Namgung Hwa-shin’s face. White Qilin’s eyes had widened.

Having already changed direction once to use the movement technique, even White Qilin could not respond again in time.

The charging speed of the Unimpeded Pure Current Body was truly swift.

White Qilin had already thrust a sword from point-blank range at Jeong Yeon-shin’s side, but a single palm strike had changed their relative positions.

Swish!

Jeong Yeon-shin felt their body complete a full rotation. It was like a raging gale.

It happened in an instant.

Their innate senses came alive. The uncontrolled whirlpool of force seemed to guide their body of its own accord.

They tightened the fibular muscle at their ankle and redirected the flow of strength upward.

It traveled through their thigh and waist, reaching their right arm in an instant.

Clang!

A sword was knocked away. The spinning blade flashed repeatedly before falling to the ground.

Flutter!

Jeong Yeon-shin spun twice more with the Desolate Sword before coming to a stop.

The hem of their blue robe fluttered once, then settled. They held the hilt of their sword.

Sunlight shimmered along the blade of the Desolate Sword lowered from their right hand.

That final move was a technique they had first learned in Demon Wings.

Charged Strike. It was their own Spinning Thread Force, learned from watching Cheong Myeong’s swordsmanship. They had poured every martial art they possessed into it.

‘It hurts.’

Their grip throbbed. Numbing vibrations climbed all the way to their wrist.

“...”

Silence fell for a moment. Everyone watching had clearly seen what had happened.

White Qilin, Namgung Hwa-shin, had dropped the sword.

A young genius who had mastered the ancient divine art of one of the Eight Great Families had been defeated by a younger master.

No one but Namgung Hwa-shin could easily speak.

That was why one of the people involved in the match broke the silence.

“It was not a real battle.”

Namgung Hwa-shin slowly parted their lips.

“It would be petty to mix in more Hand Arts.”

Swift Heaven Wing Squad’s foremost prospect, an outstanding young master, smiled faintly.

There was no hesitation in the gesture of raising both hands in a formal salute. Perhaps White Qilin did not care about the result.

White Qilin had fought so hard to win, yet smiled as though satisfied with the match itself, regardless of the reward.

“Young Hero Jeong, it was a good match. I lost.”

White Qilin looked the same as when admitting defeat during the Desolate Exam.

The upright bearing was that of a model orthodox martial artist. Jeong Yeon-shin found White Qilin deeply impressive.

‘During the entrance exam... my sword was knocked away.’

A strange feeling welled up within them. Perhaps it was the passage of time. They vividly remembered losing hold of their sword hilt because they could not withstand Namgung Hwa-shin’s sword force.

It felt like only yesterday that they had relied on White Qilin’s generosity during the entrance exam, yet a day like this had arrived.

It was proof of their growth.

Jeong Yeon-shin spread qi through the meridians of their entire body and straightened their posture. The aftermath of the fierce battle had stiffened their body.

Throughout the match, they had endured power beyond their own cultivation.

Namgung Hwa-shin seemed to be in better condition despite the loss, but Yeon-shin gave no sign of the strain in their own body as they returned the salute.

“I learned much. Thank you.”

Seom-ye of Demon Wings and White Qilin of Swift Heaven Wing Squad raised their hands and saluted each other.

It was the sight of Desolate Fortress’s future paying respect to one another. Only then did the crowd react.

Some discussed the pair’s future paths. Others, martial artists by nature, could not hide their excitement at the many martial principles displayed by the two young masters. Some seemed unable to suppress their urge to train and reached for their swords.

Amid them, praise and cheers filled the central Training Hall.

“I never thought I would say something so trite. The main fortress has a bright future.”

“White Qilin would have shone even in the orthodox martial world. Such an openhearted character is truly admirable.”

“I am curious about Seom-ye’s unique martial arts. I heard one Buddhist martial art has entered the martial arts archives, but its system is terribly complicated...”

“They say even the squad leaders could not gain entry into it. I would like to know what his other arts are like. If he created martial arts of that level on his own... he could establish a sect immediately.”

“Rather than having him fight on the front lines, that might be better. If he loses a life-and-death duel against the Namgung Family, would it not be a waste to lose such precious arts? Of the Clear and White Twin Qilins, Clear Qilin has trained for several more years than White Qilin.”

The man speaking of defeat from one side quickly shut his mouth.

The previous Divine Sword Squad Leader was staring at him.

With that gaze alone, the former leader produced an aura so deep and still that it could summon silence.

Rumors that martial strength had declined sharply after the former leader’s prime seemed meaningless.

A small disturbance arose.

Yet it had nothing to do with the center of the Training Hall.

Step.

The Annihilation Squad Leader approached Jeong Yeon-shin and Namgung Hwa-shin.

The leader seemed indifferent to the commotion. The powerful aura surrounding that gaunt body like iron armor was still overwhelming.

This was the person who had beheaded the Huangbo Family Head, who had concealed a secret art. The Annihilation Squad Leader seemed even stronger now.

“Seom-ye will fight the Namgung Family’s Young Family Head.”

The leader spoke.

“White Qilin, cut off the Changnyeong Flower Lord’s head.”

It referred to Namgung Hwa-shin’s younger half-sister.

It was typical of the Annihilation Squad Leader. Even while speaking of blood relatives killing one another, the leader’s expression remained indifferent.

They said the leader had roamed the martial world as a Black Uniform master of Desolate Fortress for nearly twenty years.

Jeong Yeon-shin had even heard that molten metal flowed through the leader’s veins instead of blood.

“...I accept the outcome of the contest.”

Namgung Hwa-shin’s face stiffened as White Qilin clasped both fists.

What sort of circumstances lay behind this? White Qilin was one of the fairest people Jeong Yeon-shin had ever encountered.

For once, Jeong Yeon-shin grew curious about another person’s affairs.

‘Southern Zhili is quite far.’

They had agreed before the match to speak of their respective circumstances. They would likely hear it along the way.

They were martial artists. Without speaking, they could sense that crossing swords had brought them closer.

“Seom-ye.”

The Annihilation Squad Leader called him. There was something strange in the leader’s gaze.

“I saw you refine the martial arts you possess here. They are precious arts too valuable to be buried. If you ever make a secret manual, many will bleed to possess that book. That is what will happen when you enter the martial world.”

It was something Jeong Yeon-shin had never considered. They remained silent.

“Make an effort to protect your martial arts.”

With that advice, the hand gripping the boy’s shoulder tightened slightly.

The Annihilation Squad Leader looked at both promising juniors once, then turned and walked away.

Namgung Hwa-shin shrugged and approached.

“Those words are worth heeding. Exceptional martial arts invite bloodshed. Has the grave of some unknown Heavenly Demon not been dug up time and time again?”

“I have heard as much.”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded silently.

Namgung Hwa-shin gave a short laugh, looking somewhat relieved.

“I have suffered repeated defeats at the hands of one young hero.”

“If we cross swords again, who can say?”

“For now, perhaps. But do you know this? I, Namgung, am the one who has personally experienced your rate of growth, Young Hero Jeong. During the Desolate Exam, and now.”

White Qilin grinned.

“A year from now, the opponent you face will be different. The same will be true among the Thirteen Heavens and the Nine Sects and Eight Great Families. At the very least, it will not be someone of your own generation.”

“...”

It was awkward to respond, but White Qilin was not wrong. To rise to the rank of Divine Sword Squad Leader, it had to be so.

Jeong Yeon-shin would need martial prowess capable of crushing the countless established masters whose names already resounded throughout the world.

“But now is now. If I may offer advice, Young Hero Jeong, you should further polish that unusual palm art and sword formula. Increase your inner energy as much as you can as well, whatever elixir pills you use.”

Namgung Hwa-shin spoke seriously.

“My elder brother... is strong in every sense. His martial arts are the same. I had never beaten him before I left the Namgung Family home. Do not think of overcoming him with cultivation power. If you consider the spiritual medicine he consumed as the Namgung Family’s eldest legitimate son, he must be among the strongest of his generation in the world.”

“I will remember that.”

Jeong Yeon-shin lowered their head slightly.

They had already found the way. What they needed was time.

“The days have grown longer.”

Namgung Hwa-shin muttered after they exchanged silent bows.

The scorching sunset remained bright, as though announcing that the summer solstice had passed.

People left one after another amid the red shadows, though there was still no sign of dusk.

Some remained behind.

“I knew it would turn out this way!”

They were Hyeon Won-chang, the other members of Demon Wings, and the masters of Swift Heaven Wing Squad.

Shin Bin-bin sat on the steps across from them, wearing a complicated expression.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked at Shin So-bin, the junior member of Demon Wings seated beside her. Her large, round eyes were as wide as ever.

Bin-bin and So-bin. At a glance, they looked like sisters, and Jeong Yeon-shin could guess what they had discussed.

It was because Shin So-bin was smiling to herself. Her triumphant expression was rather amusing.

As attendants cleared the area, Desolate Fortress’s Grand Chief Steward approached with a smile.

The gaze shifting between Jeong Yeon-shin and Namgung Hwa-shin seemed full of satisfaction.

“It was an impressive match.”

“Grand Chief Steward.”

“Greetings, Grand Chief Steward.”

Jeong Yeon-shin and Namgung Hwa-shin clasped their fists, and the Grand Chief Steward’s smile deepened.

“It will take time to deliver the official document. We must first declare war on the Namgung Family. Still, you should receive the result in seven days at the earliest.”

That concluded the commendation.

The contest, long yet short, came to an end.

It was a day when the names of Seom-ye of Demon Wings and many others were deeply carved into the vast Desolate Fortress.

* * *

Afterward.

Time passed in a blur.

Many people came to visit from the very next day. The aftermath was different from the coming-of-age ceremony or the Blue Uniform promotion ceremony.

A considerable number of Desolate Fortress masters took an interest in those who would face the Namgung Family. They could not help it.

The greatest family under heaven.

The unorthodox sects of the Thirteen Heavens might deny it, but when orthodox martial artists spoke of the foremost martial family, Namgung was never left out.

Among secular martial families, it was said to be the strongest orthodox martial family. A one-on-one match between Namgung and Desolate Fortress would shake the martial world.

‘Later. There are only a few days left.’

Jeong Yeon-shin rarely went outside. They shut themselves in, remaining seated on the floor of their room.

They repeatedly regulated their qi and circulated it through the meridians and fine meridians of their entire body.

They focused all their effort on bringing their body into peak condition. They also worked to ensure the Golden Wound Medicine applied to their external injuries was absorbed quickly.

Sunset followed sunset. They waited as the half moon slowly filled out with light.

‘Soon.’

Whenever they completed a major circulation through the acupoints of their upper body, one face came to mind.

It was someone exalted in both status and martial prowess.

The full moon was approaching.

Footnotes:

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