Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 80 – Unification

Today was the day. Jeong Yeon-shin waited for the full moon.

‘I should move my body too.’

He had done enough recuperation. He finished energy circulation to refine his body’s interior.

It was the promised day. Time to harmonize his whole body’s true qi flow with muscle movement.

The moment day broke, he requested guidance sparring from Cheong Myeong.

He didn’t know how many hours had passed already.

Sunlight filling the back of Radiant Demon Wing hall brightly wrapped around the noble swordsman’s tall frame.

His presence filling the quiet empty ground was truly tremendous.

Blue Eyed Sword Demon Cheong Myeong. He was a master who wielded Radiant Demon Wing’s most accomplished sword techniques.

Since Radiant Demon Wing’s leader handled dao techniques, they said Cheong Myeong contended for Radiant Demon Wing’s strongest as a swordsman.

Words even circulated that he could be discussed as Desolate Fortress’ number one blue rank.

That was so even including veteran masters. It meant he looked down even on White Qilin.

CLANG!

He received Cheong Myeong’s one-strike sword that matched internal energy levels.

Fierce wind struck his ears. It seemed to slash outright.

His realm of sword technique energy release was so deep that fierce sword force climbed up to the sword grip, making one wonder if he really used the same internal energy.

He reached the point of delivering second strike just with vibrations.

The force wasn’t unfamiliar. It was familiar.

In reality, Jeong Yeon-shin wasn’t a rising disciple who knew no defeat.

Between missions, whenever he returned to the main family, he received focused attention from powerful senior masters.

Ma Jin, Cheong Myeong, Baek Mi-ryeo, and other older blue-ranked seniors too.

The end of martial arts cultivation was martial matches.

Since strike training practiced alone had no meaning, he only went on missions after completing refinement bestowed by seniors.

Thus he gradually became accustomed to unleashing martial arts in real combat. It was natural.

It meant losing matches was daily life. That’s how it was in the main fortress’ Radiant Demon Wing.

Perhaps because of this? Today he was especially lax.

‘Small piece.’

Though the sun was just setting, he was dazed. His body had opened the middle dantian.

He should not tire even sparring all day.

Yet it was hard to focus on daily life. It felt like his soul hazily rose above his body.

During the martial match, the true qi in his hand gripping the sword grew loose. It was due to completely relaxed intent.

The price came immediately.

SWOOSH!

In an instant, fierce blade wind swept in. Simultaneously shock rose from the sword body.

With a clang sound, the Desolate Sword flew off. If he hadn’t properly released it that moment, his grip might have been torn.

“Our Lightning Genius isn’t in his right mind.”

Cheong Myeong said with a grin.

“Weren’t you trying to enter a needle’s hole? Quickly that is.”

He rested his sword on his shoulder. His words coming with a smiling face felt even more stinging.

It was a scarier appearance than glaring.

“You should aim for about three years to become Divine Sword Squad Leader. You have to spend about half the remaining years building merits.”

“Ah……”

It was rare for Jeong Yeon-shin to let out such a dazed exclamation. It couldn’t be helped on a day like this.

However, having requested the sparring, he shouldn’t argue.

Cheong Myeong tapped the sword blade resting on his shoulder. Cold blue light spread from his single eye.

“Above all, it will be in the form of taking a position. The current Divine Sword Squad Leader is very healthy. I can’t imagine him losing no matter who he faces. Whether Thirteen Evil Sect lords or Eight Families leaders. Our Lightning Genius must defeat such a person.”

“I’m sorry. When you’re taking the trouble to guide me.”

“Black rank is already an issue. The realm of internal energy cultivation itself must change, but this is the domain of enlightenment rather than talent. Though having martial talent is good of course.”

“……”

“Three Flowers Gathered at Crown, Five Qi Return to Source. The world of intent is different. I mentioned enlightenment? This isn’t an exaggeration, some old folks even dramatically call it shedding. They say it’s hard to reach without firmly maintaining one’s mind.”

His tone was light as always.

The content was different. Care was embedded in it. At this moment, he was picturing a more concrete future than Jeong Yeon-shin himself.

It was shameful. Even more so because he was the person Jeong Yeon-shin had grown closest to along with Heon Won-chang.

The boy raised his hands anew in greeting.

“Thank you for the advice. I only keep receiving.”

“Enough with the formalities.”

Cheong Myeong opened his mouth while sheathing his sword. The sword light drawing a half-moon and sheathing performed together was elegant.

“Now it’s better to set and study, right? Since the goal is clear. Let’s have me for sword techniques, Mi-ryeo for energy techniques. Putting aside our leader who’s such a busy person. Hey? Why are you clasping hands again? Stop with the greetings.”

“…I don’t seem to have seen Senior Baek today.”

“Mi-ryeo? She’s been busy lately. After hearing about you, she’s organizing cultivation techniques. She cultivated special internal energy techniques matching her background. She needs to separate and teach things like true qi operation methods. It should all be ready by the time you return from the Namgung family?”

“I’m curious about both your stories too.”

When Baek Mi-ryeo’s background was mentioned, he remembered. Jeong Yeon-shin knew nothing about Blue Eyed Sword Demon and Bewitching Sword Demon.

It was due to his narrow vision. Having rushed forward only looking ahead since entering, he only saw his own circumstances. It was very regrettable.

He didn’t even know Cheong Myeong’s age. How did he live in his clan before coming to join Radiant Demon Wing?

‘All of Radiant Demon Wing’s first generation are extraordinary.’

He didn’t know what circumstances Hyeon Won-chang went through before entering Desolate Fortress alone.

Unlike the killing sword he trained in, he had a sense of being raised with care. His hostility toward major sects was also strange.

Baek Mi-ryeo was the same. She was a master who occasionally showed tremendous divine techniques.

What stories lay behind her true qi materialized in ink color?

He had only heard that young Baek Mi-ryeo was rescued during the mission that made Radiant Demon Wing’s lord Ma Jin impotent. He knew nothing more.

“Later. There are grudges involved so I don’t want to ramble now. Just dealing with you alone gives me a headache.”

Cheong Myeong smiled broadly.

“You’ll naturally come to know. As you go through blue rank to black rank to purple rank, it will happen. The quality of information you encounter changes. From black rank it’s quite a leading position.”

“…Yes.”

Though not convinced, he nodded. It was because he had to go soon.

The time had come. He knew by looking at one corner of the dragon ridge on top of the hall.

The white moon was rising over the dark gray roof. Was it the energy created by the full moon?

Today it felt strangely distant.

Cheong Myeong’s face slightly turned following Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze.

“You, should go to the Fortress Lord soon. I’m dying of curiosity about what’s happening too. Go quickly.”

Can’t even ask about the business since the Fortress Lord called, how frustrating. He muttered without smiling.

“I’ll be going!”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered loudly without realizing. He wasn’t even embarrassed now.

Immediately passing by Cheong Myeong, he loaded true qi into his feet. Slowly, but gradually he began running faster.

After sparring all day long. Bathing and purification came first.

“Madam Jang! Please draw the water!”

He called out while entering through the hall’s door. It was a request to the maid.

Elf clan’s senses are extremely keen. The Desolate Fortress Fortress Lord must be even more so.

They said she was a completely different realm of being even within the clan. He couldn’t give off sweat smell.

If her mind changed, the small piece must not become even smaller.

“Lightning Genius? What’s happening?”

“Was that Jeong Yeon-shin shouting?”

Several Radiant Demon Wing seniors opened their doors and poked their heads out.

It was fine to ignore them now. Jeong Yeon-shin who went straight to his room gathered spare martial clothes and headed to the bathroom.

* * *

The night seeping into the air gently froze the boy’s body. It was dark and cozy.

Finally.

Moonlight welled up. The light cluster imbued in the full moon was whitish. The full moon hazily smiled.

Jeong Yeon-shin entered the inner castle within the main castle.

It was Desolate Fortress Lord’s inner castle built up with pure white marble.

The gate guards standing watch only gave eye greetings, no one blocked him.

He silently moved his steps treading the cold marble. The high stairs felt especially long.

Still, still there was an end.

The moment he reached the edge, huge stone doors opened by themselves.

As always, the opposite side without walls was wide open.

It poured out the unusually bright moon’s pale light clusters intact.

Jeong Yeon-shin raised his gaze. It was above the tree trunk thickly extending through the office.

There.

The Desolate Fortress Lord was there.

It was her back view standing on a branch while receiving moonlight.

Her glossy grass-colored hair swayed long.

Though not even a trace of energy waves could be felt, she alone was clear. It was strange to the point of being bizarre.

Her presence came across truly distinctly. It was especially so in this moment.

“Though you knew what the piece was, you must have been curious.”

She didn’t turn around immediately. She seemed to be gazing at distant scenery.

Under the gentle moon halo, only the voice of the Desolate Fortress Lord wrapped in palace-like green clothes could be heard.

It seemed like all the world’s moonlight was rushing toward her.

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly realized.

That was energy circulation. It was true qi operation. Though hard to believe, it was so.

The full moon that had become brilliant was breathing with light’s mist, and the hazy light streams spat out by the moon were refracting in eight directions to gather at her.

‘Even basic techniques have reached the realm of miracles.’

It was insight reached through intuition. It was when Jeong Yeon-shin trembled at a realm he couldn’t even imagine.

“The World Tree’s fruit. Your guess was correct.”

She slowly turned around.

Though she had her back to the moon, her eyes rippling with light were visible first. Her deep green gaze was distant.

A feeling like naturally pressing down even the soul.

He experiences a sensation that even the Blood Flame Sect Leader never gave whenever facing her.

“Come here.”

“I greet the Fortress Lord.”

Belatedly paying respects, he moved his steps. The Desolate Fortress Fortress Lord was opposite where he stood stepping up on the rough tree.

Jeong Yeon-shin straightened his waist and faced her.

“Closer.”

“Yes.”

He silently followed the command. Now it wasn’t even one step’s distance.

The absolute being’s face, white enough to be transparent, filled his vision.

It was the moment Jeong Yeon-shin was about to bow down and prostrate himself.

“This is the first time since the evil sect’s headquarters. There are words I must convey first.”

The Desolate Fortress Fortress Lord parted her lips.

The boy who had risen halfway up stared at her.

“I will listen attentively.”

“The evil sect’s leader may return.”

“…!”

“It’s supernatural power beyond reason. He regained his form with just one drop of blood. Though I ended his breath many times.”

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the Blood Flame Sect Leader. He too had a sense of transcending the human world.

Though not reaching the Fortress Lord’s level, he was one who wielded transcendent regenerative abilities at the peak of blood arts.

That’s when it happened. Was she going to pat his head? The Desolate Fortress Fortress Lord extended her hand and said:

“I couldn’t completely destroy him. I had to turn back to watch over you.”

“I’m sorry.”

He had to hurriedly bow his head. He recalled the moment he tried to face the Blood Flame Sect’s Sixth Apostle with his battered body.

He had thought the Desolate Fortress Lord who disappeared with the Blood Flame Sect Leader had returned after eliminating the enemy.

She was saying that wasn’t so.

‘Because of me?’

She let one of the Thirteen Evil Sects lords go in order to keep one rising disciple named Lightning Genius safe and sound.

The math didn’t add up at all. It was hard for anyone to believe.

“Sorry, you say.”

A crystalline voice rang out.

“It was my choice. You just focus on achievement while being wary of powerful enemies.”

“……”

“More than that.”

The words paused briefly. Due to her presence, her descending gaze could be fully felt.

Jeong Yeon-shin who had been bowing his head immediately raised it.

Several strands of hair that had grown during recuperation were resting on the Fortress Lord’s hand.

“In my youth, I made friends with World Tree leaves fallen in spring wind. Though now they are crumbled and gone.”

The corners of the Desolate Fortress Fortress Lord’s mouth slightly rose.

“Your hair feels similar to that.”

“Pardon?”

“When you become a master, it might be good to grow it out.”

“Ah……”

When he reflexively answered that he would, her lips drew a small and beautiful curve.

‘To the Fortress Lord, even blue rank isn’t a master.’

However, it was truly natural and not something to make an issue of. Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

He was hearing the Fortress Lord’s jest for the first time. It made him think she was human after all. Perhaps he could hope for a slightly bigger piece.