Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 79 – Competition (3)

WHOOSH!

The moment he broke the sword energy with Advancing Thunder’s one fist energy wave and one Radiant Wing Step, he recognized returning to basics.

He felt mastery as if martial art verses were being engraved in his whole body’s meridians.

Namgung Hwa-sin’s face entered his vision. Unlike his expression gritting teeth, his pale complexion was calm.

Perhaps because even if pushed back in technique, he overwhelms with force?

Jeong Yeon-shin paid no mind. He thrust his slightly tilted upper body forward.

He had just crushed the opponent’s sword strike energy waves with footwork. Leisure arose in both hands using left palm, right sword.

‘Now.’

He had to decide it here. His true qi was running out. If dragged on longer, he would lose.

He decided to bring it out once more.

In the instant he thrust out the white Desolate sword in his right hand, he raised opposing formulas with his left hand. His mind was clear.

Power deployed from the Inner Gate point below his wrist.

He wrapped Demon-Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm around blood energy true qi that began spreading wildly.

WUUNG!

He left it to fate with Eternal Blossom Fist’s incomplete fourth move.

That’s when white sword light filled his vision. Namgung Hwa-sin who deflected Radiant Sword Style’s one strike was unleashing a counter sword move.

Azure Heaven Boundless Sword’s force rushed like invisible arrows. The air split into multiple streams and briefly howled.

Jeong Yeon-shin spread his palm without minding.

SWISH!

In that instant Namgung Hwa-sin’s form whirled like sleet. He rushed in with a gently curved movement line.

His movement technique was exquisite. Movement encompassing evasion and counterattack. He seemed about to slash from the side and land a strike.

‘As expected of Young Hero Namgung.’

He knew it would be so. White Qilin was a master who could immediately respond even to small technique formations.

Jeong Yeon-shin guessed the psychology embedded in that movement technique. It was a movement wary of the fourth move’s power.

He had used it once in this martial match. Namgung Hwa-sin didn’t know this move’s flaw. It was still so, and that was enough.

WUUNG!

He bent his hand backwards. Not targeting the front.

It was a form of radiating palm force backwards.

He filled the meridian penetrating from shoulder through left arm center, the Pericardium Channel, with overlapping true qi of Fate Defying Scripture technique.

Then without delay he burst the opposing palm method of blood energy and azure river technique.

BANG-!

It was like a bomb exploded in his arm fixed with true qi. The scene brushed past his vision distorting like a storm. Tremendous load fell on his left foot used as axis. He spun while enduring with internal energy.

“…!”

Namgung Hwa-sin’s face was visible at the edge. His eyes were wide.

Having already changed direction once to display movement technique, even White Qilin couldn’t respond again at this distance.

The rushing speed of Unhindered Clear Flow Body was truly fast.

Before they knew it, he was thrusting his sword from point-blank range at Jeong Yeon-shin’s side, but the position changed with one palm technique.

SWOOSH!

Jeong Yeon-shin fully felt one whole-body rotation. It was truly like a gale.

It was an instant.

Innate sense shone. It seemed like the uncontrollable whirlpool of force automatically guided his body.

He squeezed his ankle fibularis muscle to twist up the flow of power.

From thigh to waist to reaching his right arm was instantaneous.

CLANG-!

One sword went flying. The spinning blade flashed ceaselessly before falling to the ground.

FLUTTER!

Jeong Yeon-shin’s body that spun two more rounds with the Desolate sword came to a stop.

The blue martial robe’s hem fluttered once and fell. He was gripping his sword.

Sunlight reflected on the Desolate sword blade that came down from his right hand rippled long.

The last move was a technique first learned at Radiant Demon Wing.

Charged Strike. It was his own Battle technique learned from watching Cheong Myeong’s sword technique. He had truly unleashed all martial arts.

‘It hurts.’

His grip ached. Numbing vibrations rose to his wrist.

“……”

Silence fell for a moment. It was because of the sight that fully entered the watching people’s eyes.

White Qilin Namgung Hwa-sin had lost his sword.

The young genius who learned the ancient divine techniques of the Eight Families had lost to a younger master.

It was hard for anyone to speak right away. That was so for everyone except the person himself.

Therefore the one who broke the silence was also the martial match’s protagonist.

“It’s not even real combat.”

Namgung Hwa-sin slowly parted his lips.

“It would be petty to exchange more moves with fist techniques.”

The corners of the mouth of Obeying Heaven Wing’s most promising talent, the brilliant young master, slightly rose.

There was no hesitation in his gesture of raising his hands to clasp them. Did he not mind the result?

Though he had strived so hard to win, he smiled as if satisfied with the martial match apart from the reward.

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

It was the same as when he acknowledged defeat at Desolate City.

His upright bearing was like the model of an orthodox warrior. He came across as an extremely impressive person.

‘At the entrance exam… my sword flew away.’

A strange feeling arose. Was it a sense of how times had changed? The memory of losing grip on his sword, unable to handle Namgung Hwa-sin’s sword force, was vivid.

The memory of relying on White Qilin’s generosity during the entrance exam felt like just yesterday, yet a day like today had come.

It was proof of growth.

Jeong Yeon-shin straightened his posture while spreading true qi through his entire body’s meridians. It was because the aftermath of the intense fight had stiffened his body.

Throughout the match he had withstood force beyond his possessed power.

Rather, the defeated Namgung Hwa-sin’s body seemed better, but fortunately he could raise his hands in return greeting without showing it.

“I learned a lot. I can only be grateful.”

Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Genius and Obeying Heaven Wing’s White Qilin raise their hands to pay respects to each other.

It was the sight of Desolate Fortress’ futures exchanging greetings. Only then did the crowd react.

Those discussing the two’s future positions, born warriors unable to hide excitement at the various martial principles displayed by the young and youthful masters, those grabbing swords as if unable to suppress the desire to train…

Amidst that, admiration and cheers greatly filled the central practice ground.

“I didn’t expect to say such a cliché. The main fortress’ future is bright.”

“White Qilin would have shone even in the orthodox martial world. His magnanimous nature is truly pleasant to see.”

“I’m curious about Lightning Genius’ unique martial arts. They say his dharma martial art entered the martial arts library, it has an extremely complex system…”

“They say even the masters couldn’t practice it. Want to know what the others are like. If he created such martial arts alone… He could establish his own sect right away.”

“Rather, that might be better than being active on the front lines. If he loses in the life-and-death match with the Namgung family, wouldn’t those precious arts fly away? Speaking of the Azure White Twin Qilins, Azure Qilin would be a master who trained several years more than White Qilin.”

The man who mentioned defeat in one corner had to immediately close his mouth.

It was because the former Divine Sword Squad Leader stared at him intently.

He created deep and quiet momentum enough to call silence with just his gaze.

The rumors of rapid martial decline after passing his peak seemed groundless.

A small disturbance arose.

However, it was separate from the central practice ground.

Step.

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

He seemed unconcerned with the commotion. His appearance with powerful energy waves wrapped like iron armor around his gaunt body was tremendous.

He was the one who beheaded the Hwangbo family head who had been hiding secret techniques. He seemed to have grown even stronger since then.

“Lightning Genius will face the Namgung young master.”

He said.

“White Qilin, behead the Flourishing Spirit Flower Master.”

It referred to Namgung Hwa-sin’s half-sister.

It was like Annihilation Team Leader. His indifferent face while speaking of killing family was impressive.

They said he was a powerful figure who had roamed the martial world for nearly twenty years as a Desolate Fortress black-ranked master.

Jeong Yeon-shin had even heard words that iron liquid dwelled in his blood vessels instead of blood.

“…I accept the competition’s result.”

Namgung Hwa-sin clasped his hands with a stiff face.

What kind of circumstances could there be? He was someone who ranked among the most righteous and fair people Jeong Yeon-shin had met in his life.

Rarely, Jeong Yeon-shin became curious about another’s affairs.

‘It’s quite far to South Zhili.’

They had agreed to talk about each other’s circumstances before the martial match. He would be able to hear on the way.

They were warriors. They felt it without speaking. That they had grown close while exchanging swords.

“Lightning Genius.”

Annihilation Team Leader called him. His gazing eyes were strange.

“I saw you refining your martial arts in this place. They are precious techniques too valuable to be buried. If you happen to make secret manuals, there will be many who would shed blood to possess those books. I speak of when you go out to the murim.”

It was something he hadn’t thought about. Jeong Yeon-shin was silent.

“Put effort into safeguarding your martial arts.”

Along with the advice, force slightly entered the hand gripping the boy’s shoulder.

Annihilation Team Leader who looked at both rising talents once turned and walked away.

Namgung Hwa-sin shrugged his shoulders once and approached.

“Seems like words worth heeding. Extraordinary martial arts tend to call forth blood. Haven’t unnamed heavenly demons’ graves been dug up countless times?”

“I’ve heard well.”

Jeong Yeon-shin silently nodded.

Namgung Hwa-sin, whose face seemed much lighter, smiled slightly and said:

“I’ve suffered consecutive defeats. To one Young Hero.”

“Who knows what would happen if we cross swords again?”

“For now that’s true. But do you know? This Namgung must be the one who has personally experienced Young Hero’s growth momentum. At Desolate City, and now.”

He said with a broad smile.

“About a year from now, Young Hero’s opponents will be different. Even in the Thirteen Evil Sects or Eight Orthodox Families. At least not peers.”

“……”

It was awkward to respond but his words weren’t wrong. That’s how it had to be to reach Divine Sword Squad Leader’s rank.

He would need to gain martial might capable of suppressing countless veteran masters who had already made their names resound under heaven.

“But now is now. If I dare advise, Young Hero Jeong should further hone those mysterious palm methods and sword verses. Also increase internal energy as much as possible. Whatever spirit pills you use.”

Namgung Hwa-sin said with a serious face.

“My brother… is strong as a person himself. His martial arts too. I never won until leaving the main family. Best not to think of winning with power. Counting the spirit medicines my brother consumed as the Namgung family’s legitimate son, he would rank among the top under heaven among peers.”

“I’ll keep it in mind.”

Jeong Yeon-shin slightly bowed his head.

He had already found the way. What he needed was time.

“The day has grown long.”

Namgung Hwa-sin who returned the bow muttered.

The sunset burning hot as if announcing the summer solstice had passed was still clear.

People left one by one in the red shadows cast without signs of dusk falling.

There were those who remained in place.

“I knew it would turn out like this!”

It was Radiant Demon Wing companions including Hyeon Won-chang and Obeying Heaven Wing masters.

Shin Bin-bin sitting using the steps across as seats wore a complicated expression.

Jeong Yeon-shin saw Shin So-bin, the Radiant Demon Wing junior, seated beside her. Her round large eyes were still the same.

Bin-bin and So-bin. He could guess what words these sisters who looked alike at a glance had exchanged.

It was because of Shin So-bin smiling alone. Her delighted face was quite comical.

While attendants were organizing the place, Desolate Fortress’ Grand Administrator approached with a smiling face.

Contentment seemed to seep from his gaze alternating between Jeong Yeon-shin and Namgung Hwa-sin.

“It was an impressive martial match.”

“Grand Administrator.”

“We greet the Grand Administrator.”

His smile deepened at Jeong Yeon-shin and Namgung Hwa-sin’s clasped hands.

“Official notice delivery will take time. Because we must first declare war on the Namgung family. However, you should be able to receive results in at least seven days.”

His praise was the last.

The long and short competition came to an end.

It was a day when various names including Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Genius were strongly engraved in the vast Desolate Fortress.

* * *

Afterwards.

Time passed in a daze.

From the very next day, many people came to visit. The aftermath was different from the coming-of-age ceremony or blue rank promotion ceremony.

A considerable number of Desolate Fortress masters took interest in those who would face the Namgung family. It was inevitable.

The number one family under heaven.

Even if the evil path’s Thirteen Evil Sects denied it, they said Namgung was never left out when orthodox warriors discussed the best secular family.

They were the family called the strongest orthodox faction among secular martial families. One-on-one martial matches between Namgung and Desolate Fortress would shake the murim under heaven.

‘Almost. Not many days left.’

Jeong Yeon-shin rarely went outside. He mostly stayed secluded sitting on the room floor.

He circulated true qi through his entire body’s meridians and minute vessels over and over while repeatedly regulating his energy.

He focused all his efforts on bringing his body’s interior to peak condition. He also strived to quickly absorb the wound medicine applied to external injuries.

The sunset continued to fade. He waited for the time when the half moon would fatten its flesh made of light.

‘Soon.’

Each time he finished circulating the Large Heavenly Cycle through his upper body’s blood pathways, one person’s face came to mind.

A supreme being. Both status and martial might were so.

The full moon was approaching.

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Translated by Nine Heavens!