WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈
Episode 84: Battle for Supremacy (3)
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Boom!
The recoil from the palm-art shockwave was tremendous. Jeong Yeon-shin immediately poured further power into the meridians of his right arm.
The long path of the Hand Yangming Large Intestine meridian, one of the twelve regular meridians, ran from within the shoulder to the index finger. It bore the steadfastness of the Jeong Family Youth Technique.
It was a measure to prevent his arm from dislocating under the powerful aftershock.
Crash!
Even so, he was pushed back. His feet carved furrows into the dirt, and the sensation beneath them was harsh.
The palm-force storm scattered in every direction, raising clouds of yellow dust. Even his vision blurred.
‘As expected.’
The impact had felt shallow. Just before the strike landed, the Seventh Apostle’s aura had surged, and she had swiftly retreated with her movement technique.
She had avoided the blow Yeon-shin launched from point-blank range.
It was the response of someone who had expected it, befitting an agile enchantress.
The Seventh Apostle was certainly weaker than when she had been whole. Her evasion had been delayed by perhaps an inch.
Yet she was not as weakened as she appeared. Her severely frail state had been an exaggerated pretense.
She was still powerful. Had she been trying to evoke sympathy?
“What are you plotting?”
Yeon-shin spoke while staring through the dust. The Seventh Apostle stood five paces away.
At a flick of her hand, a hot summer gust swept through the area and cleared his view.
Long black hair swayed around her red eyes and lips curved in a smile.
“You created another martial art that never existed before, didn’t you?”
The Seventh Apostle lightly touched her abdomen. Her crimson martial robe of heavenly silkworm silk clung tightly to her body as though soaked with water.
She had failed to fully deflect Yeon-shin’s palm force.
That meant the Seventh Apostle’s exceptional protective qi, which should have been active at all times, had been pierced for an instant.
The implication was significant. Yeon-shin now possessed a strike that could work even against a Black Uniform.
It would someday become a lifesaving trump card.
‘Landing it is another matter. Hitting the target is the problem.’
It was difficult to add both speed and precision. The signs before the form unfolded were too obvious, and the flow of power was too great.
Suppressing his sense of accomplishment, Yeon-shin kept the Seventh Apostle in his sights. The madwoman spoke.
“Even though it wasn’t a direct hit, it did this much...”
An innocent smile formed on her lips.
“If you’d hit me properly, I wouldn’t have escaped unscathed. That was incredible!”
She looked at Yeon-shin with open excitement. Even the uncovered eye opposite her black eyepatch seemed to gleam red.
“I asked you. What are you after?”
“What an obvious question. I’m trying to take the Grand Preceptor with me...”
She lowered her lone visible eye slightly and trailed off.
Her attitude had changed. At that moment, Yeon-shin felt the laws of the martial world firsthand. There was no other reason.
It was because he had grown stronger. Namgung Hwa-shin was with him as well.
Free-spirited conduct was a privilege reserved for masters. The stronger one became, the more dignity one possessed. The laws of the martial world were simple.
Seom-ye’s martial arts had advanced. The White Qilin possessed a formidable presence.
With her internal injuries, the Seventh Apostle could not subdue them without suffering harm.
She could no longer casually attempt an abduction as she had before.
Yeon-shin made up his mind.
‘I’ll finish this during this journey through the martial world.’
It would be difficult to see the Seventh Apostle in such a state again. He had to eliminate her while she was even slightly weakened.
Other than the Tyrant Sword Sect Master, she was clearly the greatest future threat.
“My Grand Preceptor. Come with me. Please?”
The Seventh Apostle spoke with a desperate expression. She was practically begging.
It was ridiculous to see someone who drained people’s vital essence speak that way.
Where had the heretical master who seized him in a single move without asking questions in Clear Night Valley, Southern Zhili, gone?
Yeon-shin studied her expression. The center of her crimson lips had lifted slightly.
She seemed to consider this a troublesome situation.
She could not easily subdue Yeon-shin, yet she had no intention of leaving either. Did she plan to cling to him as she had at the Blood Flame Sect’s main altar?
“Your Blood Arts.”
Yeon-shin spoke. The Seventh Apostle’s face immediately brightened.
“Yes?”
“I completed the mnemonic formula. It’s inside my body.”
Whoosh!
A sinister presence stirred as Yeon-shin circulated the mnemonic formula.
It was the moment he activated the Mara Roaring Blood Art.
Invisible waves of qi began to burst sporadically from his entire body.
His usual calm atmosphere transformed into explosive demonic energy that enveloped his whole body.
A faint sound like a snake’s tongue flickering added to the eeriness.
Ssssss.
Yeon-shin’s face remained calm. There was not even a trace of the base madness unique to Blood Arts.
The aura known as pure-blood energy at the Blood Flame Sect’s main altar surrounded him.
For an instant, Desolate Fortress’s Blue Uniform looked like a Pure Blood Robe.
While working out the fourth form, he had completely altered the mnemonic formula. He retained only the murderous intent and explosive force unique to Blood Arts.
Any master familiar with the Mara Roaring Blood Art would have noticed the change.
“Ah...!”
The Seventh Apostle’s cry was almost joyous. Just as she opened her mouth, her face flushed with excitement, Yeon-shin spoke.
“It is a hundred-character mnemonic formula. Each time you block one sneak attack from me, I’ll give you four characters.”
Yeon-shin spoke quietly. It was a wager, with a martial mnemonic formula as payment.
He openly spoke of ambushing an Apostle of the Blood Flame Sect.
“Young Hero Namgung and I will continue on our way. From now on, stay at least three hundred jang away. Do not come any closer. Only I may approach you. If you break that rule, I’ll take one of your arms. Even if I die, I can still tear off one of your limbs.”
Yeon-shin’s voice, warped by the Blood Arts, was rough and distorted. Namgung Hwa-shin, standing beside him, thought it sounded like the voice of a demon risen from the Buddhist Eight Hot and Eight Cold Hells.
‘Young Hero Namgung’s calculations run deep. He does not act rashly at all.’
Yeon-shin admired the White Qilin’s character.
Even though there was no other way, Namgung Hwa-shin silently accepted Yeon-shin’s absurd words.
That was true even after witnessing Blood Arts as an orthodox martial artist. Yeon-shin was deeply grateful.
“What did you say?”
The Seventh Apostle smiled as though amused.
He was saying that he would attack her unilaterally. It was a strange offer to accept.
Four characters out of a hundred. That meant twenty-five chances to strike down an opponent far stronger than him.
Even if she were ambushed, she could not kill Yeon-shin. Her mad obsession and past actions proved as much.
If she tried clumsily to capture him, she would have to endure the combined assault of Seom-ye and the White Qilin, both of whom would disregard their own lives.
Even she found that troublesome now. With her internal injuries, she might lose an arm.
She was like a venomous snake trying to approach a crouching hedgehog. The initiative had changed hands.
“If you accept, move back now.”
Yeon-shin spoke. A faint smile formed on the Seventh Apostle’s lips.
“You could give me a fake mnemonic formula.”
“I have no intention of playing such a crude trick. Would a master of your level fail to notice something wrong?”
“What if you don’t attack me?”
“You are no different from the other great families. There are people who know nothing of the favors and grudges others bear toward them. You created this enmity. You will die by my hand.”
Yeon-shin answered calmly.
In the martial world, where people lived with blades beneath their feet, his freedom of movement had been restricted.
He had been made to assume an unwanted position and had lived in constant tension. It had been that way for over a month. He had no intention of forgiving her.
She did not answer at once. After staring at Yeon-shin for a long moment, she very slowly opened her lips.
“Four characters are too few. Six.”
She suddenly began bargaining. Her tone was light.
The atmosphere changed. A trace of bewilderment appeared on Namgung Hwa-shin’s face.
Standing beside Yeon-shin, Namgung Hwa-shin tightened a hand around the sword hilt.
“Just like a madwoman from a heretical sect.”
As Namgung Hwa-shin muttered, Yeon-shin spoke.
“I’m not a merchant.”
“Six characters.”
“Five.”
“Fine. Then I’ll have my fill of my Grand Preceptor’s sword.”
The Seventh Apostle smiled.
Suddenly, a wind blew between the three of them.
The sun overhead seemed to lose its usual heat. The aftereffects of the Blood Arts Yeon-shin had released in full were considerable.
The vegetation lining the road began to lose its green.
Leaves scattered helplessly in the dry wind carrying aura.
“...”
Yeon-shin slowly withdrew the Mara Roaring Blood Art.
They were trading a martial mnemonic formula for threats to life. This, too, was part of the martial world.
“Go.”
“See you later.”
The Seventh Apostle’s farewell was so bizarrely calm that it brought a delayed sense of tension.
Three hundred jang, approximately 909 meters, was an ambiguous distance.
They could respond the moment a master of her level began to approach.
Yet the Seventh Apostle would also observe the group with a superb eye technique.
They would not even be allowed to send a courier or release a carrier pigeon.
Rustle.
Her Pure Blood Robe fluttered crimson. With soft footsteps and the elusive Body Movement Scripture, she swiftly receded into the distance.
Namgung Hwa-shin silently watched her retreat before speaking.
“A storm has come from the very beginning. If we try to return, she’ll immediately cross those three hundred jang and come after us.”
“She accepted because it was a reasonable distance.”
“Your courage is remarkable, young hero. I thought we would have to settle life and death right here.”
“Those from unorthodox sects are selfish. They avoid any fight unless they are at least ninety percent certain of victory. Even if we died, we could still take one of that madwoman’s limbs. That is likely why she agreed.”
Yeon-shin spoke as someone who had encountered many of the Thirteen Heavens in a short time. Namgung Hwa-shin nodded as well.
“But do you truly intend to strike first twenty times?”
“We cannot let her recover. If we fail to catch her now, she’ll become a powerful enemy. We must press the attack and kill her while she cannot use her regenerative ability. Of course, when I make my move...”
“Of course I’ll accompany you. Do not worry. I will gain experience by facing an Apostle of the Blood Flame Sect alongside you.”
Namgung Hwa-shin smiled as though it were nothing. The eyes that met Yeon-shin’s were clear, those of a companion who had shared a moment of life and death with him.
Yeon-shin slowly opened his mouth.
“We will return alive this time as well. The mission will succeed too.”
“...Naturally.”
A variable had appeared on the first day of their mission. Thus began that strange journey through the martial world.
* * *
It had been seven days and nights since Changnyeong Flower Lord Namgung Mi left the main family estate.
She had given the martial artists of Changnyeong Flower, a branch combat unit, the chance to escort her.
A small gesture and a single smile had been enough. Six followed her.
She did not bring any attendants. She expected a rough journey through the martial world.
‘They’ll only get in the way.’
It did not matter much. Namgung Mi naturally made the Changnyeong Flower martial artists serve as her attendants.
The charm of a smile from a strong and beautiful young lady of the direct line was immense.
The six elite martial artists divided the mundane tasks of the journey among themselves.
They viewed this expedition as a righteous cause, a journey through the martial world to punish the lawless Desolate Fortress martial artists.
“A spar is one thing, but a life-and-death duel? It is truly rude and appalling.”
“Why should we rush out in support when we do not even know who that brat is? It was a battlefield. Of course, we must assess the situation first.”
“Ha! The Great Ming Code contains no law requiring us to welcome Desolate Fortress martial artists!”
They traveled with the family’s fine horses and arrived in Wuchang, Huguang. It was a city with a relay station.
After passing through two more prefectures, they would reach Xiangyang, where Desolate Fortress stood.
The great faction with one of the greatest information networks under heaven knew, at least roughly, how Desolate Fortress martial artists operated.
They knew that Desolate Fortress frequently used relay station routes.
As soon as they entered the city, they moved according to plan.
Crash!
The wooden sign bearing the words Wise Teacher Sect shattered into pieces.
The sect’s name carried the meaning of a wise teacher.
The reality was different. It was an unorthodox sect that plundered civilians beneath a respectable name.
“Who are these fools who dare act so lawlessly!”
The sect leader’s head flew away with a single strike as the sect leader roared.
Namgung Mi’s sword strike froze even the roof ridge.
Under the sunlight pouring down like a curtain, the frost qi rising from her body became white mist.
“What...?”
The enemies faltered.
The sight of a fairy draped in frost qi seemed beyond this mortal world. No one could stand against her.
The martial artists of Namgung Family’s Changnyeong Flower were the same. They were on an entirely different level from the local unorthodox sect.
With flashing sword light, the disciples of Wise Teacher Sect fell helplessly. In less than an hour, the sect was annihilated.
They immediately returned to the marketplace in Wuchang.
“Look here!”
People wearing high-quality martial robes, now stained with blood, appeared before the crowd.
Fights between martial artists were loud by nature, so word spread quickly.
The people who had stood frozen with fear and panic widened their eyes.
One of the Changnyeong Flower martial artists raised the severed head of the Wise Teacher Sect Leader.
“Here, the Changnyeong Flower Lord of Namgung Family has slain the leader of an unorthodox sect! A Namgung Family branch will be established where Wise Teacher Sect once stood, so all of you may rest easy and continue with your livelihoods!”
“Namgung Family... Namgung Family?”
“Changnyeong Flower Lord... Is she not one of the famed Nine Phoenixes?”
“Her beauty, that aura. No wonder...!”
The Wuchang martial artists who had been watching their movements whispered among themselves. The ordinary people, worried they would be dragged into a struggle between martial forces, heard it too.
People gathered. Their unrest did not last long.
Their murmurs of confusion soon became cheers.
The Namgung Family, renowned as the foremost family of the orthodox martial world, said it would personally protect them.
Repeated famine had made food scarce.
At a time when the tyranny of martial artists with nothing but force had begun to affect ordinary lives, the safety before their eyes mattered most.
“What is going on?”
“The Namgung Family? Thank you, truly, thank you!”
“The young lady is so beautiful. She is a fairy in the flesh...”
Men and women, old and young alike, praised the Namgung Family.
Namgung Mi answered the cheers mingled with white sunlight with a lovely smile. The cheers grew louder.
“My brother should have been here too.”
She murmured with a smile. The Clear Qilin, Namgung Se-jin, could not come.
The position of Young Family Head weighed heavily on him. He said he could not casually leave and would wait for the official date of the martial contest against Desolate Fortress.
‘This is easy.’
Namgung Mi smiled playfully to herself.
She had come to welcome the imperial court’s watchdogs, yet she had easily won over Wuchang’s people.
It was a trivial task that did not even require her to draw heavily on her family’s power.
She simply disliked that Desolate Fortress roamed the martial world, loudly championing the people, as though it were some lone chivalrous hero.
Everyone would support her. They should.
That was when it happened.
“You vile wretches! How could you kill even innocent servants!”
Someone shouted and disappeared into the distance. It was a boy. He ran incredibly fast, and there was an unusual dignity to his bearing.
They killed servants?
The crowd began to murmur. Public sentiment changed this quickly. It was especially true because this was the action of a great family that wielded power in the secular world.
Martial powers that were neither one of the Nine Sects cultivating the Dao in the mountains nor Desolate Fortress, which championed the ideal of saving the people, inevitably drew suspicious looks.
‘Insignificant things.’
Namgung Mi’s lips curved higher. Her smile was snow-white.
When the third-rate martial artists whose auras were difficult to sense fled, several people had been cut down.
Had some of them not practiced martial arts? Perhaps the Changnyeong Flower martial artists had cut them down, not Namgung Mi herself.
─Silence them.
She sent a brief sound transmission.
A Changnyeong Flower martial artist nodded slightly and stepped forward.
By then, at the corner of an inn already beyond their hearing, two people whispered.
“Young Hero Namgung.”
“You did well. This is how one must deal with my sister. I suffered much at her hands since childhood. I did not think she would remain quietly at the main estate, but waiting a day at the relay station was worth it. It seems buying spare clothes was a good choice. Traveling as though pursued by the Seventh Apostle also helped greatly.”
“I do not think there is any reason to postpone the martial contest.”
“Her temperament seems to have become troublesome...”
“I sensed unsettled yin qi.”
“As expected. Her energy art could not have changed so suddenly, so it seems she consumed some powerful snow ginseng. If she deliberately raises her power, it may be difficult even to get close to her... Why do you say that?”
“Ten moves.”
“What?”
“Perhaps ten moves will be enough.”
The boy spoke.
Footnotes:
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