Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 101 – Lightning Genius’ Legacy

The group set out on their path, knowing they will eventually part ways.

Seven days and nights had passed since Jeong Yeon-shin finished his long yet brief private conversation with the Divine Sword Group Leader. They were now approaching Wuchang.

This was the city where they would part with the Divine Sword Squad. It was because there was a relay station just before Desolate Fortress.

“This return journey is too comfortable, isn’t it? Not a single one is coming. We prepared for attacks even before going to South Zhili,” Yeon Soha remarked.

At her words, the other Divine Sword Squad masters chimed in.

“That’s true. Our Group Leader and the Namgung Family Head—they might think even the winning side wouldn’t be in the best condition after their duel. Those martial artists, I mean.”

“Well. Comfortable return? We encountered the Blood Flame Sect, Deep Martial Alliance, Female Spirit Sect, and Martial Dragon Association at Clear Night Valley. How can you say that when we met four major factions?”

“Right. We would have clashed directly under normal circumstances. If the Sect Leader hadn’t shown his might, the cunning Female Spirit people might have just watched until then.”

“Those who would recklessly attack even after facing the Group Leader’s energy wouldn’t have waited until right after the duel ended in the first place. Most supreme masters who could challenge a purple rank are bound by the vast power structure of the central plains.”

“Anyway.”

Yue Shou-lin cut in with a grin.

“It’s thanks to Lightning Genius. He managed to help the Group Leader circulate energy during the chaos. Thanks to that, we’re traveling quite comfortably.”

She reached out her hand. Yue Shou-lin, being shorter than Jeong Yeon-shin, raised her palm high, as if intending to pat the boy’s head.

When Jeong Yeon-shin slightly shifted his steps, she smiled amusedly and instead patted his back.

“He’s like a cat. Black Cat would suit him better than Lightning Genius.”

It wasn’t something that needed a response.

‘Senior Yue would notice just from touching my head’

The boy thought.

His mind wandered briefly to the Jeong family manor in Xinye County and his constitution, destined for early death.

He had been cautious while explaining his circumstances to the Divine Sword Group Leader.

Before being a supreme master, the Group Leader had been a senior purple rank.

Jeong Yeon-shin hadn’t known how it would be received, but throughout their conversation, the Divine Sword Group Leader showed no change in expression. Even his occasionally frivolous demeanor was absent.

“So, you mean you’ll push me out?”

Only his final words had carried a hint of playfulness. The Divine Sword Group Leader’s response was extraordinary.

“Two purple masters in the Divine Sword Squad. Just thinking about it makes my heart race. Oh and check this out.”

He had added that he would gladly compete when Jeong Yeon-shin was qualified.

These were words from the Divine Sword Group Leader, one of the world’s greatest. The goal seemed daunting in itself.

Jeong Yeon-shin had thought he was merely recounting petty family matters but found himself surprised when his heart softened at the words.

Perhaps it was because the Group Leader had treated Jeong Yeon-shin seriously, who was still such a junior.

“My internal injuries are much better. Seven days of treatment were worth it,”

The Divine Sword Group Leader joked. Meeting Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes, he winked. The boy quietly turned his head away.

“The Wuchang main gate!”

Yue Shou-lin responded to Yeon Soha’s shout.

“The inspection looks quite strict? Must be because public sentiment is poor due to the famine,”

she speculated.

“Our Vice Leader should return to the main squad without being lazy at the main fortress. Immediately, that is.”

The Divine Sword Group Leader quipped, glaring at her.

Yue Shou-lin smiled at his words, brushing her sidelock.

“Well, I was thinking of disciplining those Seventeen Squad leaders after so long. Wonder if the Radiant Demon Wing is at the fortress?”

She glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin, her expression playful.

The Divine Sword Squad masters continued chatting with familiar camaraderie.

“I wonder what happened to the Elder Council Head? Why hasn’t he joined us?”

“How can you look at a purple supreme master that way? Unless two or more Nine Orthodox

Sect Leaders or Thirteen Evil Sect leaders attacked together, there’s almost nothing in the world that could harm him. He’s already reached an absolute realm of martial might.”

“Your assumption is also groundless. Leaders of the Nine Orthodox Sects and Thirteen Evil Sects—the most noble in the murim wouldn’t wander around like village dogs.”

“What does the Ma Family Head think?”

“…The Elder Council Head? Though his character seems careless, he’s not one to die away from home in the murim. Your concern is shameful.”

Perhaps because they were about to part ways, the Divine Sword Squad masters grew talkative. No one seemed to really worry about the Elder Council Head. Their trust in a purple master’s martial might was absolute.

“Now we really must part?”

“Lightning Genius, you’ve broadened your knowledge. It was a very creative and unique martial art.”

“Right. From the fist techniques to sword techniques, all of it.”

Many patted Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder or back, like Yue Shou-lin. The masters of the Divine Sword Squad didn’t seem like those known for their arrogance in the martial world.

Perhaps it was the camaraderie shared during their week together after witnessing his duel with

Azure Qilin Namgung Se-jin.

‘This is good. I must gather them under me someday’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

A thought anyone else would call presumptuous.

But even the Divine Sword Squad masters had never mentioned recruitment. Jeong Yeon-shin reflected on this, knowing he wasn’t yet a master they really desired.

Desolate Fortress’s blue world was that vast.

‘Still, if I incorporate the insights gained this time…’

What if he combined the Jeong family circulation with the cultivation technique he was soon to create, and even improved Brilliant River’s qi manipulation?

He dreamed of one day being considered first among blues, alongside Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo. When he met the Divine Sword Squad again, he vowed to show a different side.

“It was quite enjoyable.”

“Vice Leader, you must come right away.”

“Master Ma, don’t get too angry while we’re away.”

Even their well-wishes carried a lighthearted tone, underpinned by their martial might.

“Let’s go, let’s go.”

Yue Shou-lin had to return with Jeong Yeon-shin and Ma Yeon-jeok, needing to complete her mission report as Vice Leader.

“Your palm techniques are good, but don’t neglect sword techniques. Your sword work has much room for improvement.”

The Divine Sword Group Leader offered advice as his farewell. These were the words of a supreme master who had demonstrated the light of the qi sword.

Jeong Yeon-shin bowed his head, clasping his hands in thanks.

“May martial fortune be with you.”

As soon as his words ended, cheerful laughter rang out, followed by a refreshing reply carried on by the wind.

“You’re the only one who wishes me fortune.”

Whoosh!

When he raised his head again, the Divine Sword Squad members had vanished, their lightness skills carrying them far away.

About twenty shadows moved against the sunlight on the endless horizon. Even the Divine Sword Group Leader’s back was no longer visible.

“Let’s go,” Ma Yeon-jeok said. It was time to return.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

It was the day before Jeong Yeon-shin’s departure for the duel with the Namgung Family.

The sunlight shone brightly.

Desolate Fortress’s Heavenly Gold Martial Arsenal was another fortress within the main fortress.

It rose elegantly with pure white stone walls. Those unfamiliar with it would hardly recognize it as a library. In truth, it housed Desolate Fortress’s martial arts manuals. This “compendium of martial arts” had been built with imperial support for basic techniques and also stored unique martial arts donated by the main fortress’ warriors.

But who would expect a martial arts library to be housed in a building with marble walls? This was the first thought of most visitors.

Usually, visitors showed surprise on their faces, but the boy who entered then was calm.

Step.

The Heavenly Gold Martial Arsenal’s attending scholar knew him. He had even had to report to the imperial court when Jeong Yeon-shin received the unprecedented Demon Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm secret manual. The scholar had put his heart into the calligraphy for that document.

“Young Hero Lightning Genius.”

“Scholar Wu.”

The boy greeted Scholar Wu with clasped hands. His manner was composed and polite.

The scholar thought absently. The boy, who had recently gained fame, seemed to belong here, even among the smell of old paper.

He wondered what Jeong Yeon-shin might have been like had he chosen a different path than that of a warrior.

The scholar shook off his idle thoughts and asked, “What is that?”

“I wish to donate it to the main fortress. It’s my unique martial art. I’d also like to request a merit evaluation.”

Jeong Yeon-shin replied, his tone businesslike, as if stating a simple fact.

Even a street vendor wouldn’t hawk their wares with such plainness.

The scholar, who had been involved in receiving the Demon Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm in utmost secrecy, inwardly shuddered. It had been done quietly, so the martial arts sects wouldn’t notice.

But despite the commotion the martial art had caused, the scholar had felt frustrated. The merits that ultimately went to the boy were far smaller than expected.

They said it didn’t align with the motto of “Wealthy Nation, Strong Army” from Zhang Juzheng, who had served as prime minister of the Ming court. They said it was because it was an abstruse martial art, one that no one else could practice.

Whether this decision came from the Desolate Fortress Administration or the imperial court, the scholar couldn’t tell.

‘May this matter end smoothly.’

he hoped inwardly as he took the books from the boy’s hands.

At that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin spoke again.

“Scholar Wu, you’re skilled at speed reading right? May I wait while you calculate the approximate value? I must leave soon for a mission duty, so I can’t stay to receive the results.”

Evaluating donated martial arts involves several steps, considering effects, training methods, and cultivation difficulty before sending it up to superiors, including black-rank leaders. The scholar had been assigned to this position because of his martial arts expertise, priding himself on his keen eye for them, one that rivaled ordinary blue masters.

“Tomorrow’s mission… I have no other business today, so I’ll examine it carefully right away,” the scholar replied as he quickly picked up one book.

The title caught his eye.

Eternal Blossom Fist.

The cover was simply scrawled with the title, showing signs of being roughly bound in the traditional style used by the Administration.

The scholar smiled inwardly at the amateur finishing and began reading.

“…”

He fell silent as he turned the pages, gradually sinking into a deep silence.

Eternal Blossom Fist, Radiant Wing Step, Fate Defying Scripture, Radiant Sword Style…

Four martial arts manuals passed by in order. The only sound was the turning of the pages.

It wasn’t until he finished reading all the books that he raised his head with a deep hum. His eyes were bloodshot, and astonishment flashed in his gaze as he looked at Jeong Yeon-shin.

He opened his lips slowly.

“…As you know, unique martial art donations are evaluated based on the main fortress’

independent standards. We calculate their value as universal force enhancement for the main fortress’ warriors. We don’t particularly rely on supreme masters’ views, but to discuss Young Hero Lightning Genius’ martial arts…”

***

Suddenly, the scholar’s reverie was interrupted by an anxious voice.

“I have something to ask,” came the voice from the entrance of the vast library.

The scholar, who had been grinding ink at his desk furnished with the four treasures of the study sighed, sighed.

[TL Note- The four treasures of the study are Brush, Inkstick, Paper, Inkstone. These tools originated during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589 AD) and became fundamental to Chinese scholarly and artistic practices.]

He could already guess the business without hearing more. There had been over ten such people just today. He furrowed his brow.

“Lightning Genius’ martial legacy has been transferred to the Arsenal’s upper level.”

These were words he had spoken countless times before.

‘Must be market day’

The scholar thought wearily, rubbing his tired eyes.

He had to deal with questioning warriors all day long, even though a Heavenly Gold Martial Arsenal scribe’s position wasn’t supposed to be like this.

“That young hero is the issue,”

The scholar muttered, a sigh escaping his lips.

A soliloquy that scattered emptily with fatigue…

[TL Note- A soliloquy is a dramatic speech where a character speaks their thoughts aloud while alone.]

The youth standing in front of him, dressed plainly, ignored the scholar’s muttering. His face grew angrier as his voice grew louder.

“Transfer? What do you mean transfer! What devastating words are these?”

“It’s the Administration’s decision. Now, not just anyone can view them. You need at least the formal rank of white. It’s always been that way with profound martial arts. The Grand Administrator’s intention is to encourage upward advancement…”

“What… I was born and raised in Desolate Fortress! Are you saying those who can’t wear white robes aren’t even people?”

The scholar answered indifferently,

“Since formal assignments to the Divine Sword Seventeen Squads start from white warriors. Don’t you know? How about taking the Desolate examination if you want?”

The scholar had no choice. This wasn’t the first time this had happened.

The ripples caused by the transfer of Lightning Genius’ martial legacy were massive, and now that news of his victory in the duel against the Namgung Family had spread.

Desolate Fortress was in turmoil.