Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 82 – Battle for Possession

“Lightning Genius… I envy the other side. We’ll see an earth-shattering battle. The opponent for the Namgung Family Head is truly unexpected.”

“Isn’t it inevitable? The Fortress Lord went out once recently.”

“Having to face the Eight Great Families’ head, there’s no one else but the Group Leader.”

[TL note- Changing Divine Sword Squad to Divine Sword Group, so the term “Group Leader” will only refer to Divine Sword Group Leader.]

Jeong Yeon-shin silently listened to the conversation of the seniors surrounding him.

The one they would honorifically call Group Leader was only one person under heaven.

Seventeen martial forces including Radiant Demon Wing, Obeying Heaven Wing, and Annihilation Team form the Divine Sword Group.

Group Leader meant Desolate Sect’s Divine Sword Group Leader. Supreme under the Fortress Lord in the main fortress. Incomparably noble.

‘I still haven’t met him.’

Even after entering Desolate Sect, he couldn’t see him once.

The Divine Sword Group Leader was a being who always traversed the martial world. They said they wrote down legendary movements that enthusiasts spoke of.

They said they fulfilled Desolate Sect’s inherent role by displaying absolutely overwhelming martial might on the front lines.

“Isn’t he out on a mission?”

“Even the direct Divine Sword Team has been away long. Rumors say they went to deal with Remaining Spirit.”

“Then straight to the Namgung family without returning…”

The seniors’ conversation continued above sitting Jeong Yeon-shin’s head.

“Did you say Remaining Spirit?”

Jeong Yeon-shin abruptly asked.

“Counted among the Thirteen Evil Sects. They’re troublesome major faction bstrds who value wealth and information above martial arts.”

A middle-aged woman with very sharp eyes answered while stroking his head.

She was a blue-ranked warrior named Wu Yu-xiang, a dao technique master who treated Jeong Yeon-shin like a son.

Several seniors chimed in.

“Their schemes rather than martial might. Those Remaining Spirit bstrds are experts at plotting behind the scenes. Sword demons like the Tyrant Sword Sect might be easier to deal with.”

“They say they have the Hao Sect in their grip. Information also circulates that they’re most connected with other Thirteen Evil Sects. Lightning Genius, you might have been affected several times without knowing.”

Remaining Spirit. Speaking of another Thirteen Evil Sects.

‘Thirteen Sects…’

They said thirteen evil faction groups possessed might comparable to the Orthodox Eight Families. The world was vast.

The Divine Sword Group Leader seemed to lack bodies just to control them.

Though they say some Eight Great Families show hypocrisy in the secular world, the evil deeds of the Thirteen Evil Sects who were evil path practitioners from birth stood out more.

‘Personally I’ve clashed with Blood Flame Sect, Tyrant Sword Sect. There’s also Deep Martial Alliance.’

Needless to say about Blood Flame Sect and Tyrant Sword Sect who clashed several times. He had beheaded the rising disciple Sword Art Flower of Deep Martial Alliance.

Ma Jin’s advice about her background and betrothed came to mind.

It was right after beheading Hwangbo Jun of the Sword Demons while being chased by Blood Flame Sect.

─You, the murim’s reaction isn’t normal. Martial faction fights aren’t just open warfare. The battle of informants is no less important. Word came from the General Administration Office. They say there are those inquiring about Desolate Sect Lightning Genius’ activities.

‘Enemies have increased.’

The grudges formed each time going on missions grew rapidly. He had a feeling this murim journey wouldn’t be smooth either.

Was it a premonition from his upper dantian power? It didn’t seem it would end as needless worry.

“Four days until departure. Even gathering what we have is urgent. Everyone should withdraw.”

It was Cheong Myeong.

As he lightly waved his hand, a wind cold as sword wind blew. The Radiant Demon Wing masters withdrew in groups.

Then as if routine, they each smiled slightly and encouraged Jeong Yeon-shin as they moved away.

Jeong Yeon-shin stood up brushing off his pants.

“Senior.”

“Didn’t you receive a lot from this return? You should organize before heading out again.”

The blue single eye curves slightly. Cheong Myeong continued with a smiling face.

“For example, things like spirit pills.”

“Uncle Jang-myeong, your complexion has bloomed? Did you drink something good?”

A young female swordsman around twenty greeted energetically.

The blue martial robe color covering her whole body was very deep.

As she approached the Namgung family’s majestic main gate without hesitation, dust rose like clouds beneath her light footwork.

Servants and warriors following behind her came like background.

“Young Lady.”

One gate guard looked at her with a face saying she was newly dazzling.

Bowing his head to the woman who came close, he raised his hands in greeting and said:

“The one who has truly changed seems to be the Flourishing Spirit Flower Master. I congratulate your great achievement.”

“We congratulate your great achievement!”

The five warriors guarding the gate together paid respects.

The motion of raising both hands gathered into fists arose at once. It even emanated discipline like sword technique energy waves.

Not just anyone can guard a major martial faction’s main gate.

It was even more so for martial families called dynasties due to long-lasting power.

Because gate guards were the face of the faction.

Naturally conducting themselves with might worthy of being counted in South Zhili’s prefecture, passersby on the opposite main road couldn’t take their eyes off.

They whispered very quietly as they passed.

“They pay such respects to them?”

“You fool. Even the escorts are Namgung people, just look, isn’t she clearly the family’s precious jade?”

“The Namgung family’s Flourishing Spirit Flower Master? That lady’s face is tanned with healthy complexion? But this person is completely white.”

“How can you run an upper shop with such late news. They say she consumed the Human-Form Snow Ginseng passed down in oral tradition. The mystical and cool energy even changed her skin. Very lucky. We witnessed one of the martial world’s legends.”

“What? Human-Form Snow Ginseng?”

Flourishing Spirit Flower Master Namgung Mi heard it all. She deliberately paid no mind.

Their words weren’t wrong. She had taken the legendary Human-Form Snow Ginseng.

It was because her brother and father, the young master and family head, were already internal masters who had filled their lower dantian with true qi.

“Well, thanks to fighting well with those blood demons. Everyone have a good day.”

She passed by them with a light smile.

The signs of small commotion behind her were clearly felt.

The family warriors were useful as subordinates. It was easy to receive devotion worthy of offering to imperial princesses.

One smile and light greeting was enough. The things she had rightfully enjoyed since birth felt even sweeter today.

“Go rest from your travel fatigue. Your efforts were great.”

She bestowed one word to those who followed her and moved her steps. She answered with hands raised of respect by waving her hand.

WHOOSH!

She split the air with a few light body technique steps. Those passing through the family’s inner courtyard were startled and hurriedly paid respects.

Only direct bloodline members were permitted to move with body techniques within the family, and the Namgung family’s eye techniques easily recognized the family noble lady whose skin color had merely changed.

Namgung Mi headed straight for the family’s Azure Sky Hall. It was where the young master learned the family head’s duties.

“We congratulate your great achievement.”

Guard warriors bowed at the waist as soon as she entered.

All were Azure Sky Hall warriors. They were different from the gate guards.

Their bearing was like serving royalty, and these were truly loyal retainers.

The family’s pillars who wouldn’t shake no matter what rumors blew in from outside.

‘Even if the imperial dogs bark about violating the main family…’

Namgung Mi thought.

“The young master gave word.”

One warrior guided her. Blue curtains of supreme quality elegantly decorated the hall’s interior.

The warrior who stopped at one side of the corridor said:

“He said you may enter directly.”

She slightly nodded her head and immediately opened the door. The magnificently drawn sword pattern simultaneously slid sideways.

Along with a soft sound, the Namgung young master’s office was revealed.

Tables of precious sandalwood stretched in reddish-brown in a room that could be used as a practice ground.

“You’ve achieved small completion.”

Azure Qilin Namgung Se-jin said while seated.

Calm eyes, high nose, features that could be called beautiful.

He was truly a dazzling young master, but he didn’t take his eyes off the documents he was scanning.

Namgung Mi didn’t mind and pulled over a chair.

Sitting down heavily across from him and crossing her legs, she opened her mouth.

“Everyone else calls it great completion.”

“When Blood Flame Sect ambushed the main family, we had to empty our forces to find that Human-Form Snow Ginseng. Your inner power achievement only bloats power. Compared to the sacrifice, it’s just so-so.”

Her brother’s answer was indifferent.

The Azure Qilin among Namgung family’s Clear White Twin Qilins. He received the title of divine beast qilin before Namgung Hwasin was called White Qilin.

He was the direct line who added powerful strength and dignity to White Qilin’s foundation known for righteous character. He had reason to be arrogant.

“Even this?”

SWISH-

Along with lightly flowing hair, Namgung Mi’s skin grew even whiter.

The documents on the table shook from the suddenly arising energy technique aftermath.

Mysterious white energy streams brushed her entire body.

Like a goddess of northern wind and snow, her appearance wrapped in cold wind was clearly revealed through true qi.

She had contained a peerless spirit medicine in her body. The depth of her energy waves was endless.

She opened her mouth.

“The imperial watchdogs dared declare war on the main family? Even life-and-death martial matches? It’s absurdly arrogant. Can the Divine Sword Group Leader defeat our father who achieved completion in the Emperor Sword Form?”

The imperial army cannot help Desolate Sect.

When missions fail in the murim where movement techniques are developed, the fall in prestige the imperial side must bear is severe.

The imperial court and Desolate Sect never acknowledged external connections.

That was why countless Desolate Sect warriors died in the vast murim.

This matter too would remain just a fight between the two.

Imperial faction Desolate Sect versus orthodox world’s number one family Namgung clan.

Moreover, it wasn’t even a total group battle like the Hwangbo family incident.

If it’s just ten legitimate martial matches, no Eight Great Family would worry about defeat first no matter who the opponent.

Namgung Se-jin said:

“Don’t presume about peerless masters’ affairs. As you know, you too were named. The martial challenge contents were announced across the Central Plains, likely Desolate Sect’s scheme. If we don’t step forward, the family name is bent. We can’t refuse. Spectators from across the martial world are set to gather.”

“And what if they lose? Desolate Sect I mean.”

“No warrior fights while assuming defeat. We’re the same. This is no ordinary grand event. The victor’s reputation will rise incomparably.”

“My beauty and title will become more widely known then. No, I’ll just replace Zhongnan Sect’s Wei Ji Myo-hwa and become the Sword Dragon. And…”

Namgung Mi continued with a composed face.

“I heard our Hwa-sin is returning.”

A smooth smile gathered on her lips. Immediately Namgung Se-jin furrowed his brow.

“That child is your brother too.”

“How can an illegitimate lowborn be? It’s strange for brother to say such things too. More than that.”

Namgung Mi’s smile deepened as she replied dismissively.

“The one who became the incident’s starting point was on the list? The kid who used sound techniques that would only work on the weak. Lightning Genius or something. I saw him briefly before.”

“It’s not martial arts to belittle. That was divine technique. Can’t you imagine what threat he could be in group battle?”

She ignored her brother’s words with a small snort.

“I want to make that child the touchstone of my achievement. Let’s go see. Lightning Genius and White Qilin.”

“What?”

“The imperial watchdogs declared war, right? Already announced to the whole murim, they said. Even the Divine Sword Group Leader can’t kill us until the martial matches. Though unlike me, brother, you have many complaints about the Lightning Genius incident? Don’t you want to see if he’s worth killing, see what kind of person he is? Also meet the younger brother who will soon die.”

“…You, do you really intend to kill Ah-sin?”

[TL Note- Korean language uses Ah with names as a sign of endearment.]

“Not Ah-sin but Hwasin. He’s not young anymore either?”

“……”

“They should have started departing? I want to propose a sequential victory format in advance. In five versus five matches they’ll fight from youngest, so I’ll kill Lightning Genius first and end with Hwa-sin. With our brother’s hypocrisy, you wouldn’t want illegitimate blood on your hands.”

“Are you serious?”

“Does this little sister look like she’ll lose?”

Namgung Mi asked with a red smile. Only her ruby-like lip color stood out amid skin that had turned white as snow.

“…That’s not what I mean. You won’t lose.”

Namgung Se-jin who had been staring at her shook his head.

Then he revealed a settled expression as if hearing words he wanted.

“I can guess your sword energy martial arts. Your internal energy’s cold energy will freeze the opponent’s meridians first. Without overwhelming power there’s no way to counter. If levels are similar it’s certain victory. Unless the opponent has trained cave techniques their whole life.”

“Why cave techniques?”

“Shaolin monks who achieved completion in the Muscle Sutra train even their body’s interior. They say they reach the level of effortlessly raising Three Samadhi True Fire flames inside their body. But it’s not something you need to worry about now.”

“Mmm.”

She frowned as if annoyed then smiled brightly again.

And asked:

“So, want to go see?”

The day of the murim journey for the anti-Namgung family martial match delegation.

Jeong Yeon-shin consumed the spirit pill received from the medicine hall.

It was a reward for missions completed as blue rank. They said it was classified as a superior grade even in Desolate Sect.

The boy sitting cross-legged in the middle of Radiant Demon Wing’s great practice ground.

WHOOSH!

The hem of his blue martial robe fluttered endlessly.

It was greatly different from the supply spirit pills eaten when first entering.

The energy waves spreading through his whole body were gradually deepening. Occasionally faint energy streams were visible.

Materialization of true qi. Hazy golden light clusters flashed and disappeared one by one.

Amidst that, all kinds of sound transmissions flew about.

It was Radiant Demon Wing masters standing guard in a large circle around their blue junior. Hyeon Won-chang was with them.

─Leader, that, what is that color?

The Desolate Sect Divine Hero asked Ma Jin, Radiant Demon Wing’s leader, without reserve. Ma Jin who was gazing steadily at his nephew slightly parted his lips.

─I heard he established the foundation for creating cultivation techniques. It’s not rare for rapidly increasing true qi to fan the sprouting of enlightenment. Though it’s just spirit pill energy for now, perhaps a peerless heart technique might be born within this year.

─Huh…

─You send a sound transmission of a sigh mixed breath? Maintain courtesy, Hyeon Won-chang.

Hyeon Won-chang let the lord’s scolding go in one ear. He had no choice.

It was because his lifesaving benefactor had already gathered the waves of true qi.

“Young Hero Jeong!”

WHOOSH–.

Jeong Yeon-shin was taking a long breath.

“Young Hero Hyeon?”

He opens his mouth while still eyes closed. He seemed to sense Hyeon Won-chang carefully approaching. Hyeon Won-chang asked.

“Is it finished?”

“Yes.”

“I’m truly curious. How much stronger did you become?”

At those words, the moment Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his eyes, abundant energy revealed itself as deep blue eye light.

The sky color of his pupils was transforming into blue radiance.

“I’m not sure.”

The boy answered.