Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 105 – Lightning Genius’ Legacy (5)

***

It was words blurted out from a surging heart. The scholars’ murmurs struck not his ears but his heart.

‘Can’t find their whereabouts? Everyone?’

The boy showed impudence for the first time.

From now consider Radiant Demon Wing outside fighting force? That was hard to say without assuming total annihilation.

Even if all circumstances said so, Jeong Yeon-shin at least shouldn’t judge that way.

The Jeong family manor was nothing. Radiant Demon Wing was his home.

“Young Hero Lightning Genius.”

“Oh my…”

“You’ve come somewhere you shouldn’t.”

Some scholars rose variously from their seats. They were ones who viewed Jeong Yeon-shin favorably.

They each made clasped hands or silent bows, but their expressions were uncomfortable despite their upright bearing.

The only available master among Radiant Demon Wing blues had heard the staff’s judgment. Anyone would be troubled.

“Currently the main squad is twenty-five excluding me, Shin So-bin, and Lazy Flame Dragon.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said while trying to keep his tone calm.

“I heard what Scholar Jin Choa-wen said earlier. That two whites died. Perhaps you meant Radiant Demon Wing?”

There had clearly been sounds reaching his ears. They said they were retrieving two bodies.

“…”

“Please tell me.”

Jeong Yeon-shin stared blankly at one scholar in the distance.

When the Grand Administrator showing a heavy expression beside him slightly nodded, the middle-aged Scholar Jin reluctantly answered.

“…They say they found the bodies of Pure Cloud Sword Liu Yin-yin and Scattered Fist Du Ming. The unnamed disciples of the main fortress’ Sichuan branch are said to have gathered them.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The boy was silent. The Radiant Demon Wing Pure Cloud Sword and Scattered Fist were people he knew well.

He couldn’t not know them. Among the few Radiant Demon Wing white warriors along with Heon Won-Chang.

When Jeong Yeon-shin first entered wearing white martial clothes, they had guided him around the main fortress with particularly excited faces.

After the boy advanced to blue rank, they were ones who playfully showed respect.

Whoosh!

Energy rippled slightly.

It wasn’t that Jeong family circulation escaped his will, but that once raised energy distorted on its own with his shaking heart.

Jeong Yeon-shin recited verses of the Diamond Sutra.

‘Let go of all attachments and be present in the moment.’

Let the heart flow as it will. Words first heard when creating Demon Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm.

It was the teaching of Shaolin’s Little Divine Monk and Master Won Jong It had particularly stuck in his ears then.

Thus he made it one of the key principles of the cultivation method he was currently creating.

The boy observed his turbulent heart.

It was inner turmoil felt for the first time since entering the martial world. Sadness and anger raged like rapids.

It wouldn’t do. To take revenge, he must not be swept away.

He looked at his emotions stepping back one step. It was familiar.

Because it was also his way of turning away from fear of his limited life.

‘Just take revenge. If it’s too late because they’re already dead, taking the enemy’s head comes first.’

The boy thought as a martial artist. He thoroughly dropped Jeong Yeon-shin the person from his mind.

At the same time he felt energy gathering through his whole body. He opened his mouth again.

“The remaining twenty-three. Missing means there were no messenger birds or urgent news from the main squad members including Radiant Demon Wing leaders? For over seven days?”

“…That’s right.”

The Grand Administrator answered while inwardly marveling. This was a world where mental cultivation methods and internal energy cultivation were considered energy gathering techniques.

It would not be an exaggeration to say only the Nine Orthodox Sects trained energy circulation through mental cultivation like characters.

How many ruffians in the martial world had learned profound mental methods?

‘He’s excessively calm for his age.’

He thought looking at Lightning Genius. Though unsure if his mind was deep, he felt a temperament honed cold like a sword blade.

What power would that blade emit combined with the boy’s martial talent?

As Grand Administrator of Desolate Fortress, he was satisfied even amid the rain of unsettling news.

That’s when it happened.

“Grand Administrator.”

“Please speak.”

Grand Administrator Lin Jin-ming answered the Lord’s young direct disciple.

Jeong Yeon-shin immediately turned his head. Their eyes met.

“Radiant Demon Wing’s Jeong Yeon-shin requests departure to Sichuan.”

“I thought you would say that.”

The Grand Administrator stroked his beard. His face showed reluctance.

Jeong Yeon-shin continued speaking without minding.

“Please give me scouting duty. Three of the Nine Orthodox Sects and three of the Thirteen Evil Sects, plus even the Tang Clan contending for power there. Aren’t the stationed Azure Sky Squad and Obeying Heaven Wing overwhelmed just maintaining their positions?”

“We have no forces.”

The Grand Administrator shook his head.

“There are only two Divine Sword Squads capable of fighting at the main fortress now. They cannot be pulled out.”

“…”

“Besides those, there are some remaining personnel in each squads, but they are all taking deserved rest. A warrior’s skill reaches its peak through rest before tempering. Most came back from missions within the past month. Even this Administration has no authority to immediately mobilize them. That’s the law.”

The words were like a blade. Both tone and meaning were clear. Finally the Grand Administrator concluded with a sigh.

“Currently it’s impossible to form a separate fighting force.”

His words were right. The time of warriors who entered rest periods is protected by law.

It was a characteristic of Desolate Fortress. They said masters who returned from missions didn’t just focus on martial arts training.

Since a martial artist’s life could fade at any time, they often spent time with their families at the main fortress.

“…”

Jeong Yeon-shin closed his mouth.

It wasn’t a matter where he could rashly show spirit.

Not just whites but all forces including black and blue ranks with the Radiant Demon Wing leaders had all disappeared.

It wasn’t a simple event to discuss murim independence.

He couldn’t go alone, and the Administration wouldn’t permit that either.

But could he just stay still? No.

“If available forces can be assembled, would you permit mission departure?”

Jeong Yeon-shin said. The Grand Administrator who had raised his eyes nodded readily.

“We too must properly consider this matter.”

“I understand.”

Actually he desperately wanted to call the Desolate Fortress Lord. But it was a name he dared not bring up.

As guardian of the World Tree, an elf clan treasure, no one could dare discuss the movements of her who was most noble in the main fortress.

The Desolate Fortress Lord never moved lightly.

This was even more so without clear and massive targets like the Blood Flame Sect headquarters.

‘Just because she treats me specially doesn’t mean I can cross the line.’

The boy thought. He deliberately put aside the heart wanting to rely on the absolute being.

“I will gather personnel.”

Had he expected Jeong Yeon-shin’s words? The Grand Administrator nodded once more.

Step.

That was the end. Jeong Yeon-shin immediately turned away. The hem of his blue robe moved violently.

The Administration scholars who silently took in that sight sent him off with silence.

* * *

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

He didn’t head to the Radiant Demon Wing hall. He turned his feet in the opposite direction. Lazy Flame Dragon who had been standing grumpily outside asked puzzledly.

“Where are you going… sir?”

“Desolate Ma family.”

He answered briefly.

When returning to the main fortress, Ma Yeon-jeok had made a request.

To come to the Ma family and hear Zhu Lianting’s apology.

The boy moved his feet to grasp at even straws.

“Seems like quite big trouble. Your expression isn’t normal. Ah, this is talking to myself.”

Lazy Flame Dragon who stuck close beside him said with a grin. Jeong Yeon-shin opened his mouth indifferently.

“Your assignment is confirmed. You can return to the hall.”

“No no. Let’s go together. I hate being bored, and this seems more interesting.”

Lazy Flame Dragon answered with an amused voice. He seemed full of interest in Jeong Yeon-shin.

The boy walked silently without paying attention. He had no room to deal with Lazy Flame Dragon.

After walking straight ahead silently for a long time, they reached the Desolate Ma family main gate.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked up at the classical signboard. It read “Ma Family Separate Residence.”

‘The last time I saw it.’

Was when Heon Won-chang used a trick to put Zhu Lianting in a difficult position. Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo were together.

Radiant Demon Wing’s scent lingered in every familiar place. His heart had already reached Sichuan.

The boy decided not to be picky about methods.

“Young Master Jeong.”

It was one of the gatekeepers who had been whispering among themselves with bewildered expressions.

Approaching Jeong Yeon-shin carefully while gesturing behind, his bearing was very respectful.

“There were orders to guide you in immediately anytime. Please come in. But the person beside you…”

“A servant.”

“Ah, I see. You may certainly bring him along.”

The gatekeeper said with a smile carrying at least slight tension. Jeong Yeon-shin who silently nodded stepped forward.

He paid no mind to Lazy Flame Dragon watching with an incredulous face beside him.

The Desolate Ma family’s scenery was no different than usual.

The regularly maintained garden was green, and the inner compound halls stood neatly arranged.

Jeong Yeon-shin advanced without hesitation. He had already said to call the family elders.

“Yeon-shin!”

The news was fast. A boy had already come out.

Sharp eyes and a heroic face. It was Ma Se-in, the Desolate Ma family heir.

Upon seeing Jeong Yeon-shin, the solemn temperament unique to great prestigious families disappeared. His bright smile was quite picturesque.

“I heard you returned! It’s only been a few days since you came back so I was just watching. Everyone must be the same?”

He welcomed him greatly. Perhaps because Jeong Yeon-shin had given congratulatory words at his coming of age ceremony that was now barely remembered.

Apart from the royal branch member Zhu Lianting’s female influence, Ma Sein’s goodwill seemed to grow by the day.

At a glance, admiration for Jeong Yeon-shin also showed.

“You don’t know how much interest in Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Genius has grown lately. It’s the talk of the main fortress. After a few more days people will come directly to the Radiant Demon Wing hall? To hear martial arts advice from you.”

He spoke with a bright smile. Jeong Yeon-shin silently nodded.

Ma Se-in who looked him over with smiling eyes glanced at Lazy Flame Dragon.

He had stopped following behind Jeong Yeon-shin and was scanning the Ma family halls.

“Who is this person behind you? His energy paths are extraordinary.”

“A servant.”

“Hmm… well. How about talking while going in first? As you know, the elders here don’t take long preparing things like clothes…”

“Alright.”

Jeong Yeon-shin began walking alongside Ma Se-in.

Suddenly his gaze went to the jade stone in his collateral family’s cousin’s hand.

It was the size of a child’s fist, a strange energy-holding blue jade. The sea color was beautiful.

Ma Se-in who immediately noticed the gaze smiled.

“It’s called Treasure Spirit Jade. You can check how pure power is accumulated. The family’s warriors mainly use it when training mental cultivation. To check internal energy density.”

“I’ve never heard of such an item.”

“The Dwarf Clan made it.”

Lazy Flame Dragon cut in abruptly. Speaking servant-like with a face mocking Jeong Yeon-shin suited him well.

“My master wouldn’t know. You can’t get it without connections to the Dwarf Clan, and furthermore it’s consumable.”

“Consumable?”

“Excellent insight.”

Ma Se-in smiled slightly. He seemed to have not believed Lazy Flame Dragon was a servant from the start.

“Yeon-shin. This is how you use it.”

It was an instant. Cracks appeared in the Treasure Spirit Jade between Ma Se-in’s fingers.

The solid lines spreading through the whole jade stone were like land cracking in drought.

“Without generating energy waves, maintain precise internal energy and push in just one stream. The purer the energy, the more cracks form. That’s why they call it consumable.”

“I see.”

Jeong Yeon-shin replied. In normal times it would have been an item to spark curiosity.

Not now.

He only saw the figures of Zhu Lianting, various Desolate Ma family elders, and grandfather Ma Yeon-jeok walking from the distance.

“I’ll give you one. Observing the inside should be quite interesting.”

Meanwhile Ma Se-in pressed another Treasure Spirit Jade into Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand.

Did he feel indebted to Jeong Yeon-shin who had early on given up the heir position?

He seemed to want to bestow something.

During that time Jeong Yeon-shin faced the Desolate Ma family elders. Ma Yeonjeok opened his mouth with a face like he would embrace him immediately.

“Yeon-shin. Thank you truly for coming here. It seems Se-in already gave you a Treasure Spirit Jade. Very good to see.”

“Grandfather.”

When Jeong Yeon-shin made a formal clasped hands greeting, the corners of his mouth drooped. He seemed disappointed.

That’s when.

“Lightning Genius.”

A woman wearing pitch-black palace clothes opened her lips. Supreme dignity flowed from her face aged very beautifully.

Royal member Zhu Lianting. Ma Se-in’s mother.

She was a warrior who had cultivated the imperial family’s Golden Immortal Eight Methods to the extreme.

Her gaze was noble from the start. The temperament of the Desolate Ma family elders lined up behind was no less.

They each stared blankly at Jeong Yeon-shin.

The pressure was truly tremendous. The waves of energy approaching even without intent were like a tsunami.

“I greet the various elders of my maternal family.”

The boy who also greeted them suddenly looked at his right hand. The moonlight caught on the loosely held Treasure Spirit Jade was mysterious.

“I came to make a request by the rights of a neglected blood relation.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said calmly. At the same time he raised a stream of qi trying to overcome their presence.

He thought showing something might make it better.

Without a point of energy waves, Jeong Family Dynamic Technique power dug into the Treasure Spirit Jade.

The bead showed an immediate reaction. Unlike the sight Ma Se-in showed, it didn’t crack.

Rather it disappeared.

Saaah―

It scattered rising like dust. The moonlight shimmered on the powder rising like steam above Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand.