WeTried Translations

Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR

Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried

◈ Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time ◈

Episode 99: Divine Sword Unit (5)

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Regardless of Jeong Yeon-shin’s discomfort, the girl was beautiful.

Step.

She took two more steps out from the Martial Dragon Society’s group. She approached with graceful bearing and gave a slight silent bow. Even her unhurried movements carried an air of dignity.

“I’ve come to make it clear that I have no intention of being hostile.”

The girl spoke as she greeted them. Her smiling face was remarkably composed, even before Desolate Fortress’s foremost martial unit.

Whatever her intentions, it was clear that she possessed rare courage.

“Identity and purpose.”

Yeon So-ha stepped forward to meet her. As the youngest member of the Divine Sword Squad, he was said to handle all the unpleasant tasks.

His curt words were rude enough to be insulting, yet no one seemed to mind.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt the same. This was likely how the Divine Sword Squad presented itself to outsiders.

‘They must show themselves only as the strong before every martial sect...’

He took in the Divine Sword Squad’s masters anew.

Yeon So-ha stood at the front with the loose posture of a street thug. The Divine Sword Squad Leader looked as though they had come out for a stroll. Even Ak Su-rim stood with one leg bent and her hands clasped behind her back.

None of them showed a grave aura, yet they were more threatening than anyone else.

It was not only them. All twenty martial artists of the Divine Sword Squad possessed formidable strength.

Nor did their strength end with energy alone. They must have fought their way through countless battlefields at the forefront of Desolate Fortress’s missions.

They had to be stronger than most masters of the same level.

‘Could I place them under my command?’

Jeong Yeon-shin considered it.

To achieve his goal, he would have to lead them. It was not something he could even contemplate now. It did not seem possible in the slightest.

To sit in the Divine Sword Squad Leader’s seat, he would first have to pass through the position of deputy leader. Yet Ak Su-rim, the current deputy leader, was a Black Uniform supreme master who appeared capable of contending even with Ma Jin.

‘It’s obvious. She has even undergone Rejuvenation. I can’t even guess the extent of her internal-energy attainment.’

At that moment, his eyes met Ak Su-rim’s. She gave him a wink, but Jeong Yeon-shin calmly looked away and fixed his gaze ahead.

“And you are?”

The conversation between the Martial Dragon Society girl and Yeon So-ha continued.

“I asked first. Are you making it obvious that you’re unorthodox trash?”

“I see now. They said the Divine Sword Squad had an exceptionally sharp broom. You must be Yeon So-ha, the Divine Sword Sharp Broom?”

“You guessed the epithet I hate with uncanny accuracy. Want to try me?”

“My apologies for not recognizing you. Please take care of those.”

Her last words were not directed at Yeon So-ha. Five or six blood demons, having completely lost their reason to the Blood Arts, were charging at them.

They had broken away from the group when the Blood Flame Sect changed course. Even after facing the Divine Sword Squad Leader’s aura, they had not followed the Blood Masters’ orders.

Their eyes rolled beneath a red glow, and their tongues hung from their mouths.

Unable to bear the attainment of their Blood Arts, they had reached the brink of qi deviation.

They clearly were not in their right minds, but the direction of their gazes as they rushed forward was obvious.

They were aiming for Jeong Yeon-shin. The direction from which they charged, diagonally ahead of him, made that clear as well.

‘I remember them.’

They were faces he had seen at the Blood Flame Sect’s main headquarters. They seemed to have been away before the attack on the headquarters, escaping disaster by carrying out other duties.

Their dull lips seemed to be forming words.

Grand Preceptor, O Grand Preceptor, please protect us...

‘The Lord of Desolate Fortress said the Blood Flame Sect Master was alive. Even so, he can’t be unharmed. He must still be dealing with the aftermath of that battle.’

Jeong Yeon-shin merely stroked the hilt of the Desolate Sword. Grudges in the martial world had to be settled by the people who formed them.

He could not allow madmen to keep calling him Grand Preceptor, either. Ready to step in if necessary, he moved to stand directly behind Yeon So-ha.

By now, his bearing had begun to carry the seasoned air of a martial-world veteran. Considering his age, it was exceptionally early.

“I heard the Blood Flame Sect’s main headquarters had fallen. They have become a ragtag mob now, though. They should still have plenty of branches.”

The Martial Dragon Society girl said this after glancing at Jeong Yeon-shin. The Martial Dragon Society martial artists behind her had already heeded her command.

That order to take care of them.

That casual remark set off a powerful response. The masters who sprang out at once sent forth weapons that flashed with tremendous sharpness.

They were the ones guarding the girl, who appeared to hold high status.

They appeared to be among the finest elites of the Thirteen Heavens. Their sword arts, saber arts, and other martial techniques swiftly slaughtered the blood demons.

The unorthodox sects differed from orthodox sects. They did not hold back simply because their opponents belonged to the same unorthodox alignment.

“They’re decent with a blade.”

Yeon So-ha whispered to Jeong Yeon-shin with a sneer. He silently watched the blood demons die.

When Jeong Yeon-shin gave no reaction, Yeon So-ha shrugged and scoffed at the Martial Dragon Society girl.

“Putting on airs without lifting a finger. You’re not a martial artist, are you?”

“There is no one in the Martial Dragon Society who isn’t a martial artist. Nor are there fools who would lose to lowly blood demons.”

The girl smiled.

“If there are any, it’s only right that they disappear.”

Her words were ruthless coming from such a lovely face. Her composure suggested she would not care even if she lost several of her subordinates.

It was fitting for the Martial Dragon Society, a place where those obsessed with martial arts had even turned their backs on their sects.

‘The Martial Dragon Society. I heard they don’t harm ordinary people.’

They were rare among the Thirteen Heavens.

That was why the Divine Sword Squad had not drawn their swords first. The Martial Dragon Society was that kind of place.

People entered various sects as disciples, absorbed the essence of their martial arts, then turned their backs on those sects.

They shared martial arts with people from other factions to pursue further progress.

They disrupted the unwritten rules of the Central Plains martial world. They were traitors to their sects.

Factions were classified from the martial world’s perspective. The Martial Dragon Society openly defied its ethics.

That was why they were unorthodox. And because they were especially powerful among them, they were one of the Thirteen Heavens.

‘Desolate Fortress sees things differently.’

They did not disrupt people’s lives? Then there was no need to be hostile.

That was true as long as ordinary people were not caught up in the fights they waged among themselves.

Jeong Yeon-shin watched the martial artists return after killing the blood demons. Not all of them were unharmed.

One had received a long slash across the arm, yet the Martial Dragon Society girl smiled silently even as she saw her ally’s serious wound.

“Your attainment is lacking.”

“I will strive harder.”

Nothing changed in their exchange. Jeong Yeon-shin might have felt more at ease if he could sense even a hint of anger.

They truly were one of the Thirteen Heavens. Their behavior was strange enough for the martial world to call them unorthodox.

Yet the Divine Sword Squad’s masters, aside from Jeong Yeon-shin, appeared to take it in stride. It was as though they had encountered no fewer than ten of the Thirteen Heavens before.

“Thanks for taking care of that. So, what’s your name and position?”

Yeon So-ha asked casually.

“Hwa Yeon-bi.”

The girl answered.

Jeong Yeon-shin had often heard that, like the Divine Sword Squad, there were all kinds of strange people in the martial world.

Yeon So-ha had asked two questions, but she gave one answer. It meant her name was also her position. Still, it was difficult to guess what that status meant.

Yeon So-ha seemed to feel the same.

“Calamity linked to a consort? I don’t understand what it means.”

Hwa Yeon-bi smiled faintly without answering.

Hearing talk of calamity, Jeong Yeon-shin touched the hilt of the Desolate Sword again.

The Martial Dragon Society was said to be a faction that had discarded etiquette and formalities to pursue martial arts alone.

He did not make the mistake of underestimating his opponents. He had never gotten involved with the Thirteen Heavens and come through it easily.

It had been that way from the moment he entered Desolate Fortress until now.

He was becoming used to it. Whenever he extended his sword without letting down his guard, the other party had to choose.

Die through carelessness.

Or give everything they had and die.

‘If she truly holds high standing in the Martial Dragon Society...’

Hwa Yeon-bi might be a rare genius in the world, or she might possess a rare innate ability like those associated with the elven race.

Otherwise, like Ak Su-rim, she might be a veteran master already past sixty who had undergone Rejuvenation.

From the past to the present, the upper ranks of the martial world had always been like that.

“I came hoping to meet the Divine Sword Squad Leader. The spar between the Namgung Family Head and Desolate Fortress’s Divine Sword left a deep impression on me.”

The girl spoke respectfully.

“I offer the Squad Leader my respect. Anyone would have longed to meet you.”

“You don’t have another intention? Such as wanting to test the waters once?”

Yeon So-ha said, lifting one leg crookedly. Hwa Yeon-bi shook her head.

“Our Society is an alliance that reveres martial arts alone. How could we act rashly with the Divine Sword Squad Leader before us, standing directly beneath the pinnacle of martial arts under heaven?”

“Beneath the pinnacle?”

“The strongest under heaven is the Lord of Desolate Fortress...”

“The Martial Dragon Society. I heard it was a gathering of eccentrics.”

The Divine Sword Squad Leader cut her off. Tension appeared on Hwa Yeon-bi’s face for the first time.

“The Lord of the main fortress is not someone the likes of you can judge as a martial artist. How dare you place Desolate Fortress’s master atop the drive for improvement of martial-world riffraff? If we are discussing the strongest under heaven as martial artists, I alone am enough.”

It was arrogant, a claim to be the strongest under heaven.

Yet it sounded natural.

As the Divine Sword Squad Leader said, if the Lord of Desolate Fortress were excluded, Jeong Yeon-shin could not think of many others who could contend for the peak.

‘The Blood Flame Sect Master, the Tyrant Sword Sect Master, the Zhongnan Sect’s sect leader, the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan...’

All of them possessed immense martial power. The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan, in particular, was the only one after the Lord of Desolate Fortress to see through Jeong Yeon-shin’s constitution.

Even so, the Divine Sword Squad Leader’s presence felt strangely different. It was not that their power stood out more, but that it felt clearer.

The Divine Sword Squad Leader did not seem as though they could lose any battle.

“...”

Hwa Yeon-bi fell silent for a moment. Then Ak Su-rim, who had approached Jeong Yeon-shin’s side, spoke.

“You, brat. I’ve got a feeling you’re here for something else.”

She smiled slightly. Her faint smile carried a fierce edge.

“I already know. You were slyly looking over our Seom-ye. Your aura was awfully obvious, wasn’t it?”

“Ah.”

A small exclamation escaped Hwa Yeon-bi.

Her face brightened faintly. She looked as though she had been waiting for those words.

Her smile deepened, carrying even a hint of seduction. Her ruby-like lips then parted.

“That person. His epithet is Seom-ye, correct?”

A hand delicate enough to be called jade-like pointed at Jeong Yeon-shin.

“I saw an astonishing spar. That is why I came to invite him to our Society.”

At that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin showed a look as though his expectations had been dashed.

It felt as though vast disappointment had struck past his heart and into his middle dantian. He could not hide it from his face in time.

What was this Martial Dragon Society, and what was this talk of the strongest under heaven?

“Of course, I would never dare tell you to change sects and leave Desolate Fortress. I only...”

“If your business is solely with me.”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke as he turned his head. His words were directed at Ak Su-rim and the Divine Sword Squad Leader.

He no longer paid Hwa Yeon-bi any attention.

“It seems we may continue our journey now. The mission is complete, so we should return quickly.”

“...Really? That’s right, isn’t it?”

The Divine Sword Squad Leader answered, looking somewhat bewildered. Jeong Yeon-shin had grown used to the Squad Leader’s multifaceted nature by now. He only nodded in silence.

The Divine Sword Squad Leader smiled.

“We don’t have any business here, either. Let’s continue on our way. Senior, you agree?”

“...You are responsible for this journey.”

Ma Yeon-jeok answered briefly. Ma Yeon-jeok’s glare at the Martial Dragon Society group was far from ordinary.

Ma Yeon-jeok seemed displeased by Hwa Yeon-bi’s mention of the maternal grandson.

Step.

They began moving again. The Divine Sword Squad’s masters paid no attention to the distance between themselves and potential enemies.

The entire party passed the Martial Dragon Society.

“What...”

Hwa Yeon-bi’s incredulous gaze stung, but Jeong Yeon-shin continued walking without concern. He even closed his eyes.

He needed to organize the martial insights he had gained by contemplating the inside of the Divine Sword Squad Leader’s body. He could walk even while doing so.

How long had he walked like that? By the time even the aftermath of the landslide had faded in the distance behind him, a fragrant body scent suddenly drifted over.

Jeong Yeon-shin furrowed his brow and shifted slightly aside.

He knew without opening his eyes. It was Ak Su-rim, the Desolate Divine Spear.

“Hey, hey. What was that about? Why did you do that? Such a pretty girl invited you after seeing your martial skill.”

“...Her hands.”

“Hm?”

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his eyes.

“They were lovely hands. Yet she was the one who said her subordinate’s attainment was lacking.”

“Ah.”

Ak Su-rim’s lips curved upward. She looked as though she found him admirable.

“They say a peerless swordsman carries famine in the palm of their hand. It refers to calluses. Not every martial art leaves traces on its practitioner’s hands, but the martial art I have learned does. I wasn’t curious about her martial arts.”

“Hmm...”

“If Hwa Yeon-bi was born with an innate ability, then she has nothing to teach me. And if she is a master who has undergone Rejuvenation, it means she has neglected her martial training since then. Martial arts under heaven constantly advance. Rather than listen to someone like that, I thought it would be better to seek instruction from Senior Ak.”

“You’re quite interesting.”

Ak Su-rim’s smile deepened.

Then the Divine Sword Squad Leader abruptly stopped walking and spoke.

“Is anyone watching nearby? Everyone, speak up. Quickly.”

“I don’t see anyone. I don’t think there is.”

Yeon So-ha answered at once.

“Bleeugh!”

With an extremely undignified sound, the Divine Sword Squad Leader vomited a great gush of bloody fluid. It was a considerable amount.

It was like pouring out water scooped from a mountain spring with a straw rain cape. Only its black color differed.

It was proof of internal injury. The Divine Sword Squad Leader had defeated and killed the Namgung Family Head in a brief, decisive battle. This might have been the natural price.

Whoosh!

The Divine Sword Squad’s masters moved with the Body Movement Scripture and formed up.

They formed a circle around the Divine Sword Squad Leader. It was a formation to guard them.

“The Namgung Family Head was the strongest enemy in nearly three years. How often do you get to face one of the Eight Family Heads?”

Ak Su-rim said, shaking her head. Concern filled her small face.

The Divine Sword Squad Leader bent over and braced themself on both knees.

The Squad Leader continued to spit out the congested blood that had been held back, and Jeong Yeon-shin could only watch carefully.

The blood the Divine Sword Squad Leader expelled was red now.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly spoke.

“If you have been enduring this all along, it was right not to confront the Martial Dragon Society. Even if they grew suspicious, that would have been better. I heard your body is a treasure of the main fortress. You should look after yourself...”

“Seom-ye? What are you saying? No matter how much I overextend myself.”

The Divine Sword Squad Leader gave a faint laugh through bloodstained lips. For an instant, their eyes seemed to shine.

“Could I overextend myself more than you?”

Footnotes:

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