Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time - Chapter 93
Chapter 93 – Instant Kill Martial Arts (5)
Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly recalled the martial arts he had deposited at Desolate Fortress’ Heavenly Gold Arsenal. He donated everything except the Jeong family dynamic technique.
His martial arts were constantly advancing. Martial arts that stopped at secret manuals were trivial compared to his lifespan.
How much merit would I get in return?
Donating unique sect martial arts to the main castle is converted to merits. They said value assessment is calculated as universal power enhancement.
It meant not just relying on supreme masters’ judgment.
It was different from martial artists’ values. They said the imperial family had their own standards.
‘Demon Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm had no entrants but returned high merit. They said it was due to the rarity of Buddhist power martial arts.’
There was a reason he suddenly recalled the achievements from martial arts donations.
Jeong Yeon-shin closed his mouth while raising his eyes.
“I said give me your hand.”
Namgung Mi stood before him with a provocative smile.
With wet hair falling to her white nape, she stared steadily at Jeong Yeon-shin as if she had never been irritated by the summer rain.
‘Has she noticed something?’
Jeong Yeon-shin recalled his disguised Blood Flame Sect identity. It would be troublesome if discovered.
He suddenly became curious. Would Namgung Mi’s head be worth about the same as Eternal Blossom Fist? She was bloodline of the Eight Families.
Perhaps no less than Tyrant Sword Sect’s Eight Fierce Rakshasha Sword. That was her value apart from martial might.
Namgung Mi opened her mouth again while smiling.
“Don’t misunderstand. I’m just curious how much you’ve trained sword techniques.”
“You’ll blatantly measure an enemy’s achievements?”
“Enemy? How could you be an enemy? At most fertilizer to spread the main family’s reputation once more.”
“You know no shame. Your opponent is Young Hero White Qilin.”
“But I’m curious about you?”
She even leaned her face slightly closer. It was very ominous. The light shining in Namgung Mi’s eyes reminded him of the Seventh Apostle. It meant she had ulterior motives.
“……”
Jeong Yeon-shin took a step without answering further. They had now arrived at the Namgung family. There was no reason to give pretexts.
“They might have made a good pair.”
The young master said something absurd. His face was gentle as he smiled looking at his younger sister and the boy. It felt different from Namgung Mi.
Jeong Yeon-shin decided not to exchange words with the siblings.
He silently moved his feet with Namgung Hwa-shin, and soon faced the largest group of halls in Huizhou.
The walls extending on both sides were vast like castle walls.
Though he had seen it once heading to Dragon Phoenix Gathering, it was still too large to be just a single family.
The reason people called them a great family was revealed from the exterior.
Namgung.
“Namgung…”
Namgung Hwa-shin muttered while looking up at the nameplate above the gate.
Jeong Yeon-shin steadily watched his companion. The firm spirit he usually carried was not visible.
The reason Jeong Yeon-shin easily defeated Namgung Mi lay in the compatibility between Jeong family dynamic technique and ice binding martial arts.
Could Namgung Hwa-shin defeat her? When he had to overcome sorcery loyalty oaths and terrible cold energy.
‘The General Administration Office spoke of total victory.’
They said the mission only had meaning if Desolate Fortress’ expedition team eliminated all opponents. They said the Namgung leadership must be replaced with branch family.
“It’s an honor to host such outstanding ones at the main house.”
The young master smiled and said after nodding to the gatekeepers.
Leisure was embedded in his gesture toward the main gate. Jeong Yeon-shin slightly nodded and stepped forward.
Finally, the Namgung family.
* * *
They unpacked their bags and bathed. Jeong Yeon-shin who was assigned a guest room changed into spare Desolate Fortress martial robes.
Then he was invited to the Namgung family’s formal dinner.
Was there martial arts for training thick skin? Jeong Yeon-shin thought while sitting in the neatly decorated interior.
Men and women wearing very luxurious silk clothes, the young master and Namgung Mi.
They sat around a large oval dining table. Namgung Hwa-shin sat beside the boy.
His body trembled very slightly, but all ten people here seemed to notice. It was because there appeared to be none who weren’t masters at a glance.
They were all different from the young master. Did they consider those of illegitimate birth as non-existent?
None showed interest in Namgung Hwa-shin. The direct line members’ eyes were focused solely on Jeong Yeon-shin.
“So you are Lightning Genius.”
Jeong Yeon-shin looked at the one who called him.
He was a middle-aged man who suited the classical blue robe hem. One called the Namgung family itself.
His facial features were distinct. The faces of the young master, Namgung Mi, and Namgung Hwa-shin were all within it.
Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly looked at the Namgung Family Head’s waist. A bluish sword handle hung there.
Words engraved on the sword hilt faintly showed in the lantern light.
Though there be will to surpass the mundane world, cannot cross the Namgung.
It was famous for liberal translation due to stories tied to the sword.
Otherwise called the Southern Wall Sword, it was the Namgung family’s symbol.
They said it was a peerless famous sword made by the Dwarf Clan. A divine energy wrapping the Namgung family master could be felt.
Perhaps feeling Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze? The Namgung Family Head smiled faintly.
“Do you know of Ming Cult’s rebellion that raged at Thousand Mountains? The previous Supreme Elder of our main family killed Ming Cult’s Three Venerables. It’s a family treasure bestowed by the Emperor, but there haven’t been many occasions to draw it. So I’m just grateful to you. When else would there be cause to compare martial might with the Divine Sword Group Leader?”
“It’s hard to handle the Family Head’s excessive praise. I already heard apologies and thanks from the young master.”
Jeong Yeon-shin replied calmly. It was pointing out the Family Head’s behavior of not apologizing for the Clear Night Valley incident.
Then he immediately felt it. Namgung Hwa-shin’s breathing roughened once beside him. Now he felt pitiful.
“It’s amazing you can speak so while seeing the Southern Wall Sword.”
A woman sitting to the Family Head’s left opened her lips. She was the master most gorgeously adorned in this place.
“My husband and children are the walls protecting South Zhili under heaven. Desolate Fortress discusses civilian welfare? If that were truly so, they shouldn’t have sent life-and-death martial challenge letters. It happened because your capacity is narrow. Though you may not see the world broadly, how dare you speak of apologies?”
She was the Namgung Family Head’s main wife. Her shamelessness exceeded even Namgung Mi’s.
“I see why Flourishing Spirit Flower Master’s character is insincere.”
Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly. It meant your daughter Namgung Mi takes after you.
The main wife’s brows furrowed. It must be rudeness she had never experienced as a noble lady. Immediately energy waves spread from five or six bodies around.
Jeong Yeon-shin stood without enduring.
Anyway, these people couldn’t do anything to him and Namgung Hwa-shin now. They came revealing their movements. It was an incident with the murim’s eyes gathered.
The presences felt behind their backs entering the Namgung family were varied.
Orthodox Nine Sect’s Beggar Sect, bat-like Hao Sect, evil Thirteen Evil Sect’s Remaining Spirit… there must be many.
“Last time you discarded me who was an ally. Now I’m an enemy who walked defenseless into your inner chambers, and your family’s patience in enduring without killing me because you’ll lose face is amazing. You manage not to reveal your true nature. Perhaps due to the world’s eyes focused on these martial matches.”
“Young master. Don’t send that child off prettily.”
The Namgung family main wife spoke coldly. The young master grimaced. He had been listening with constant discomfort.
“Now it’s this son’s matter! Please elders…”
That’s when it happened. Intense vibrations burst outside the high ceiling. Even furniture including tables shook violently.
[Ill-bred spawn! What did you just sputter―!]
An elderly voice struck in all directions like a tremendous earthquake. Enormous true qi was loaded.
Six Harmonies Voice Transmission. It was a supreme technique said to fill heaven and earth in all directions with a voice shout.
It was the moment the ceiling shattered with a crack.
BOOM!
Just like that a purple figure stabbed down into the middle of the table. It was like lightning.
The energy waves whirling from the impressive body seemed about to block even the breaths of those present.
Dust rose belatedly like fog. An old man was rising from within the thick dust.
“Say it once more.”
The voice that had released Six Harmonies Voice Transmission rang with anger.
Blade-sharp eyes, large build.
Pure white beard reached down to the solar plexus, having dignity like a famous brush.
A collar was attached to the purple robe worn on his body woven with muscle strands. It stood straight like the old man’s nature.
‘Grandfather.’
Jeong Yeon-shin somewhat blankly looked at Ma Yeon-jeok. Not just the boy.
While the Namgung family masters were each shocked, an old man sitting to the Namgung Family Head’s right let out a low sound.
“Divine Sword Group Leader…”
“Namgung Elder Council Head. Do you still live trapped in the distant past? When was it that I passed on my Divine Entry Sword to the next generation?”
Desolate Ma Family Head Ma Yeon-jeok spoke harshly.
He looked at the Namgung main wife again. One without any justification had oppressed his grandson.
It was an absurd thing. Rage revealed again on Ma Yeon-jeok’s wrinkled face.
“Things ungrateful under heaven dared discuss my grandson’s death! The Fortress Lord did not order the extermination of the Namgung trash family!”
“My wife spoke wrongly. Family Head Ma, please calm your anger.”
The Namgung Family Head spoke calmly. He alone seemed peaceful amid the waves of surging power.
Ma Yeon-jeok who glared at him for a moment opened his mouth again. He seemed to have suppressed his anger.
Only his eye light burned colorlessly, ready to ignite at any time.
“The martial match date is the Seventh Night. Prepare humbly.”
“So be it.”
The Namgung Family Head answered.
Only then did Ma Yeon-jeok turn his body. His eyes meeting Jeong Yeon-shin trembled for a moment.
He slightly twisted his head as if checking his grandson’s mood. His attitude changed in an instant.
“Sorry I couldn’t accompany you from the start.”
“No. I heard you received a mission from the Fortress Lord.”
“I had just completed it early. When you were entering Huizhou, I saw a quite powerful blood demon targeting your back from close by. I couldn’t easily step forward.”
“A blood demon…?”
“Looked like an evil sect’s Apostle.”
Ma Yeon-jeok made an annoyed expression and continued.
“You needn’t worry now. The main fortress’ Elder Council Head is pursuing. Though he’s an incompetent old man, his martial might is certain, so he’ll soon bring that demon woman’s head.”
“The Elder Council Head…”
“Let’s move quarters. How can one circulate energy and breath comfortably in such sewage?”
Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded and followed Ma Yeon-jeok. Namgung Hwa-shin silently stood beside the boy. He only glanced back once.
* * *
Read only at nineheavens.org
Translated by Nine Heavens!
https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z
* * *
They unpacked again at the largest inn in Huizhou. Everything including the bed and drinking water was top grade.
Jeong Yeon-shin gave himself to time and ritual.
Meanwhile, a ‘consecutive victory format’ proposal came from Namgung Mi.
It was a question of how about starting from the youngest, with the winner continuing martial matches.
She seemed to intend to surrender after cutting down Namgung Hwa-shin and Jeong Yeon-shin.
“Such a worthless thing doesn’t know its place. The Namgung ones are quite something too. To overlook such arrogance.”
Ma Yeon-jeok who was scanning the letter clicked his tongue. Jeong Yeon-shin looked at Namgung Hwa-shin.
“I would like to accept. What does Young Hero Namgung think?”
If accepted, there would be no activity from White Qilin. His turn would only come after Jeong Yeon-shin lost to the young master.
The boy rather hoped for that. Having traveled with the Namgung siblings before, he knew Namgung Hwa-shin’s mind was the problem.
Raised as young master of Sword Night, the Namgung family assassin group. They said the taboo of being unable to harm direct line was a sorcery-level notion that had dug into his consciousness.
White Qilin’s dramatic victory was a vain hope. That was the reality.
‘Something you’d only hear in hero tales.’
Jeong Yeon-shin thought.
“……”
Would he burden Desolate Fortress? Would he struggle to achieve revenge for his mother himself?
After contemplation, Namgung Hwa-shin said he would accept the consecutive victory format. Other opportunities would come for him to overcome his past.
That day Jeong Yeon-shin silently stayed by his companion’s side for a long time.
Days passed. Refining martial arts, it was already the Seventh Night. Perhaps because they had moved constantly until then.
Though he had just begun quietly studying martial arts, a different world unfolded. A great shift in perspective arose.
‘Eternal Blossom Fistfourth move… I can complete it in actual combat.’
The day of Desolate Fortress versus Namgung’s life-and-death martial matches.
Jeong Yeon-shin was leaning diagonally on the bed. He suddenly closed the Diamond Sutra book he had been looking down at. The words “should not dwell anywhere and thus give rise to mind” were folded together.
“Today’s the day! Truly exciting!”
“Who did you bet on?”
“In South Zhili it must be the Namgung family. It would be hard to count rising disciples who could defeat the young master in all under heaven.”
“Meaningless. How do you view Desolate Fortress’ Divine Sword Group Leader?”
“Then what about the Namgung Family Head?”
Though it seemed just yesterday the young master spoke of poor harvests, Huizhou was enjoying unexpected prosperity.
It was thanks to those who gathered from all over the martial world to see the earth-shaking martial matches. They said martial artists, merchants, commoners, and royalty gathered indiscriminately.
It was a day when the large city’s commotion reached its peak.
They heard even gambling with money was flourishing. Madness seemed to boil in the streets.
“Young Hero Jeong.”
Namgung Hwa-shin called him with a stiff face. Jeong Yeon-shin slowly rose from his seat.
‘Namgung Mi isn’t the problem.’
The boy recalled the young master. Each time he thought of it, his mind burned white-hot with excitement.
Fear of death, competitive spirit gained unknowingly as a warrior, interest in the peerless divine technique Emperor Sword Form…
Now it was done. Nothing else was visible.
Not the cityscape that unfolded upon leaving the inn, not the Divine Sword Group Leader seeing him at first glance, not even the Divine Sword Squad said to be strongest among the seventeen squads under the Divine Sword Group.
Before he knew it.
He was standing in the middle of Clear Night Valley where he had been captured by the Seventh Apostle. It was because he moved in a daze.
―――!
The vast valley was filled with people.
“Flourishing Spirit Flower Master! Look this way once! I adore you!”
“Desolate Fortress’ Lightning Genius! Don’t touch even a hair on our lady!”
“Young Hero Lightning Genius Jeong! Set murim justice right!”
They gathered like armies facing battle and shouted like thunder. It was a spectacular scene as if all the murim of Central Plains had gathered here.
“I wanted to know who you were, but I’ll have to examine inside your corpse.”
Namgung Mi stood with an irritating smile. The martial match seemed to have begun. Namgung family and Divine Sword Squad warriors surrounded front, back, left and right.
“You and Hwa-shin. I couldn’t grow fond of you even if I wanted to.”
Namgung Mi moved her lips.
The precious sword in her hand shone brilliantly. Power extending in spirals approached with a whoosh carrying cold energy.
WOONG!
Jeong Yeon-shin raised Jeong family dynamic technique to the extreme. Since consuming the high-grade spirit pill, it was the first time except when facing the Seventh Apostle.
He imagined the enemy before him as Blood Flame Sect’s Seventh Apostle. That was how he could end it quickly.
The dynamic technique rose to the realm of great achievement. It began filling his body’s eight extraordinary vessels and twelve regular meridians with solemn flames.
RUSTLE.
Namgung Mi stepped with mysterious movement techniques. As she approached lightly, it was hard to know her next position.
They said Namgung family warriors studied the Book of Changes from the Four Books and Three Classics and were versed in the eight trigrams. That they embedded the principles of formations in movement techniques.
In that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin took one step of Radiant Wing Step. Like when he broke through the Fortress Lord’s momentum to take the Thunder Immortal Treasure Wine.
STEP.
Wind arising from his toes pushed away all energy waves. One step unraveled everything deceiving the eyes.
Namgung Mi’s body that had been swaying elegantly stopped distinctly like a curtain being lifted.
“Ah…?”
Perhaps her upper dantian’s premonition reached her too. Extreme fear lay on her fine face.
Her appearance was unrecognizable. Perhaps his incomplete palm technique shown before had rather planted carelessness. She underestimated him far too much.
‘Though we’re no longer companions.’
KIIING!
Light rays gathered in Jeong Yeon-shin’s right hand. He raised the sword drawn like a comet just as it was.
The Desolate sword blade that entered with a thud miserably tore through the Namgung family secret protective energy.
The Radiant Sword Style’s trajectory extended unhesitatingly. In an instant white light distorted at Namgung Mi’s neck.
Feeling came to the handle. He had completely cut off her head.
WHOOSH!
Experience condensed in the sword extremity raised strong winds. The Desolate Fortress sword returned drawing a moon halo-like sword path.
It brushed past Namgung Mi’s sprawling body and sheathed again in Jeong Yeon-shin’s scabbard.
One sword strike.
“I don’t care. Whoever you are.”
[TL Note- So dramatic yet anti climatic 😭]
The boy spoke calmly to the corpse.
The vast Clear Night Valley became quiet like extinguished embers.