Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 99 – Divine Sword Squad (5)

Despite Jeong Yeon-shin’s discomfort, the girl was beautiful.

Step.

She took two more steps forward from among the Martial Dragon Association group. As she walked with graceful manners and gave a small bow, even her unhurried movements exuded dignity.

“I want to let you know that we have no intention of being hostile.”

The girl spoke while bowing. Her smiling face was very composed, even in front of Desolate Fortress’ premier fighting force.

Regardless of intentions, it was clear she possessed rare courage.

“Identity, and business.”

The one who stepped forward to face her was Yeon Soha. As the youngest of the Divine Sword Squad, it was said she handled the dirty work.

Her briefly thrown words seemed almost rude, but no one seemed to mind.

Jeong Yeon-shin was the same. This must be the Divine Sword Squad’s true outward appearance.

‘Having to appear strong to any martial arts sect…’

The boy took in the Divine Sword Squad masters anew.

Yeon Soha stood at the front with a ruffian-like casual attitude, the Divine Sword Group Leader looked as if he were out for a stroll, and Yue Shou-lin stood with one leg planted and hands behind her back.

Though they showed no solemn momentum, they were more threatening than anyone.

It wasn’t just them. All twenty warriors of the Divine Sword Squad contained powerful strength.

It wasn’t just energy either—they must have gone through countless battlefields on the frontlines of Desolate Fortress’ missions.

They had to be considered stronger than even masters of equal rank.

‘Could I have them under me?’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

To achieve his goal, he would need to lead them. It wasn’t something to attempt now. It didn’t seem possible at all.

To sit at the Divine Sword Group Leader’s left, he would first need to go through the position of Divine Sword Squad Vice Leader, but the current Vice Leader Yue Shou-lin, as a black supreme master, seemed like she could even be on par with Ma Jin.

‘It’s obvious. She even reversed her aging. I can’t even guess the level of her internal martial arts achievement.’

For a moment, his eyes met Yue Shou-lin’s. As she winked at him, Jeong Yeon-shin calmly looked away and stared ahead.

“And the young master?”

The conversation between the Martial Dragon Association girl and Yeon Soha continued.

“I asked first? Showing your trashy evil sect’s true colors?”

“Now I see. They said there was an exceptionally sharp broom in the Divine Sword Squad. You

must be Divine Sword Sharp Reed Yeon Soha?”

“You’ve devilishly guessed the title I hate. Are you trying to test my patience?”

“I apologize for not recognizing you. Clear those away.”

The last words weren’t directed at Yeon Soha. Five or six blood demons who had completely lost their minds to blood techniques were charging in.

They had broken away from their group when the Blood Flame Sect changed course. Even facing the Divine Sword Group Leader’s energy, they didn’t follow the Blood Demon Swordmasters’ commands.

Their eyes rolled with red light, and their tongues hung out.

They looked on the verge of madness, unable to handle their blood art achievements.

Even at a glance, they weren’t in their right minds, but the direction of their gaze as they charged was clear.

They were targeting Jeong Yeon-shin. Their running position from the front side showed it too.

‘I remember.’

They were faces he had seen at the Blood Flame Sect main hall. They appeared to be ones who had left their posts before the day of the headquarters attack. They had avoided disaster by carrying out other duties.

They seemed to be saying something with their dull mouths. Great Teacher, Great Teacher, please protect us…

‘The Lord said it. That the Blood Flame Sect Leader was alive. But he couldn’t be fine. He must still be healing from the aftermath of that battle.’

The boy just stroked his sword hilt. They said murim grudges should be resolved by those who made them.

He couldn’t let madmen keep muttering about the Great Teacher either. Ready to step in if needed, he walked right behind Yeon Soha.

By now, considerable murim experience showed in his bearing. An impressive feat, considering his age.

“I heard the Blood Flame Sect’s headquarters fell. Now they’ve become mere rabble. They must have many branches.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

The Martial Dragon Association girl said while glancing at Jeong Yeon-shin. The Martial Dragon Association warriors behind her were receiving her orders.

She muttered a single word: “clear.”

That light word caused a strong ripple. The sharp energy of the weapons wielded by the masters who immediately rushed out were remarkable.

They were those guarding the girl who appeared to be of high status.

Seeming to be made up of the Thirteen Evil Sects’ finest, their martial arts, including sword and saber techniques, instantly killed the blood demons.

Evil sects were different from orthodox ones. Even among evil sects, they didn’t hold back.

“Their swordwork is decent.”

Yeon Soha whispered to Jeong Yeon-shin with a sneer. The boy silently watched the dying blood demons.

When there was no response from Jeong Yeon-shin, Yeon Soha shrugged and snorted at the Martial Dragon Association girl.

“Just watching on the sidelines after giving a command, you’re not a martial artist, are you?”

“There are no non-martial artists in the Martial Dragon Association. Just as there are no fools

who would fall to lowly blood demons.”

The girl said with a smile.

“If there were any, it would be right for them to disappear.”

Her words were cruel, coming from that beautiful face. Her composure suggested she didn’t mind losing several subordinate warriors.

It was fitting for the Martial Dragon Association, where those obsessed with martial arts to the point of turning their backs on orthodox ways gathered.

‘Martial Dragon Association. I heard they never harm common people.’

That sets them apart from the other Thirteen Evil Sects.

That’s why the Divine Sword Squad didn’t draw their swords first. The Martial Dragon Association was that kind of place.

Those who entered various sects as disciples, stole the essence of their martial arts, and left, turning their backs on orthodox ways.

It was said they shared and developed martial arts with others from different factions.

They disturbed the unwritten rules of the central plains murim. They were orthodox-disturbing bandits.

All force classifications were done from the murim’s perspective, and the Martial Dragon

Association directly defied murim ethics.

That’s why they were an evil sect. Also, they were particularly strong among them, hence part of the Thirteen Evil Sects.

‘Desolate Fortress’ view is different.’

They don’t disturb civilian life? Then there’s no particular reason to be hostile.

As long as common people weren’t caught up in their internal fights, that was true.

Jeong Yeon-shin watched the warriors returning after killing the blood demons. Not all were unharmed.

One had a long cut on his arm, but the Martial Dragon Association girl just smiled silently, seeing her ally’s serious wound.

“Your achievement is insufficient.”

“I will train harder.”

There was no other color to their exchange. It would have been more comfortable if anger could be felt.

They were indeed of the Thirteen Evil Sects, with these behaviors strange enough to be called an evil sect in the murim.

However, the Divine Sword Squad masters, except Jeong Yeon-shin, seemed unsurprised.

They appeared to have dealt with at least ten of the Thirteen Evil Sects.

“Thanks for handling that for us. So what’s your name and position?”

Yeon Soha asked nonchalantly.

“Hwa Yeon-bi.”

[TL Note – Her name means Queen of Calamity.]

The girl said.

Just as with the Divine Sword Squad, there were all sorts of strange people in the murim.

She was asked two things but gave one answer. It meant her name was her position. However, it was hard to guess the meaning of her status.

Yeon Soha seemed to feel the same.

“Queen of Calamity? I don’t understand the meaning.”

The girl, Hwa Yeon-bi, just smiled silently.

[TL Note – Potential FMC??]

Hearing talk of disaster, Jeong Yeon-shin touched the Desolate Sword again.

The Martial Dragon Association was said to be a faction that abandoned propriety and law to pursue only martial arts.

He didn’t make the mistake of underestimating his opponent. He had never had an easy time when involved with the Thirteen Evil Sects.

It had been that way from his entry to Desolate Fortress until now.

It was becoming familiar. When the boy extended his sword without letting his guard down, the opponent had to choose:

Die carelessly. Or die giving it their all.

‘If she’s truly high-ranking in the Martial Dragon Association…’

Hwa Yeon-bi could be a rare genius in the mortal world, or born with abilities as rare as those of noble families.

If not that, she could also be a veteran master already past sixty, like Yue Shou-lin.

From past to present, they said the upper echelons of the murim were like that.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

“I came to see the Divine Sword Group Leader’s face. The duel between the Namgung Family Head and Desolate Fortress’ Divine Sword was truly impressive,”

the girl said respectfully.

“I pay my respects to the Group Leader. Anyone would desperately want to see you.”

“No other intentions? Like wanting to test things out?”

Yeon Soha said while raising one leg crookedly. Hwa Yeon-bi shook her head.

“Our association purely reveres martial arts. How could we act rashly? Before the Divine Sword Group Leader, who stands right below the peak of martial arts under heaven.”

“Below the peak?”

“The world’s finest is the Desolate Fortress Lord…”

“Martial Dragon Association. They said it gathered eccentrics.”

The one who cut in was the Divine Sword Group Leader. Hwa Yeon-bi’s face showed tension for the first time.

“The main Fortress’ Lord is not someone for the likes of you to discuss as a martial artist. How dare you place Desolate Fortress’ master on the ambitions of murim rabble? If discussing the world’s finest in martial ways, I alone am enough.”

It was outrageous. He claimed to be the world’s finest himself. But it felt natural.

As the Divine Sword Group Leader said, excluding the Desolate Fortress Lord, Jeong Yeon-shin couldn’t think of many others to discuss as the peak.

‘Blood Flame Sect Leader, Tyrant Sword Sect Leader, Zhongnan Sect Leader, Zhongnan Sword Immortal…’

All possessed tremendous martial might. Especially the Zhongnan Sword Immortal, who was the only one after the Desolate Fortress Lord to see through Jeong Yeon-shin’s constitution.

Yet the Divine Sword Group Leader’s presence was strangely different. Rather than particularly powerful, he felt more distinct.

It seemed he wouldn’t lose in any fight.

“…”

When Hwa Yeon-bi briefly closed her mouth, Yue Shou-lin, who had approached Jeong Yeon-shin’s side, spoke.

“Hey, youngster. Feels like you have other business?”

She said with a small smile. Ferocity could be felt in her faint smile.

“I already know. You suggestively looking over our Lightning Genius. And you were being quite blatant about it”

“Ah.”

A small exclamation.

Hwa Yeon-bi’s face showed a slight flush. Her expression suggested she had been waiting for those words.

[TL Note- ⁄⁠(⁠⁄⁠ ⁠⁄⁠•⁠⁄⁠-⁠⁄⁠•⁠⁄⁠ ⁠⁄⁠)⁠⁄ ]

Her smile deepened, seeming almost childlike with charm. Then her ruby-like lips moved.

“That person. You called him Lightning Genius?”

A hand beautiful enough to be called jade-like pointed at Jeong Yeon-shin.

“I saw an amazing duel. So I wanted to invite him. To our association.”

That’s when it happened.

The boy showed an expression like his stomach had been crushed. Great disappointment seemed to pound from his heart to his middle dantian.

He couldn’t hide his expression for a moment. What was this about the Martial Dragon Association and the world’s finest?

“Of course I don’t dare suggest leaving Desolate Fortress for an evil sect. Just…”

“If your business is solely with me.”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke while turning his head. His words were directed at Yue Shou-lin and the Divine Sword Group Leader. He no longer paid attention to Hwa Yeon-bi.

“We should continue our journey now. Having completed the mission, we should return quickly.”

“…Oh? Right?”

The Divine Sword Group Leader answered bewilderedly. Jeong Yeon-shin was now used to his multifaceted nature. He just nodded silently.

The Divine Sword Group Leader smiled faintly.

“We have nothing particular to see either. Let’s continue on our way. The former leader agrees too?”

“…Yes, take the lead for this journey.”

Ma Yeon-jeok answered briefly. His look, glaring at the Martial Dragon Association group, was unsettling.

He seemed displeased because Hwa Yeon-bi had mentioned his grandson.

Step.

They began moving forward again. The Divine Sword Squad masters paid no attention to the potential enemies.

The entire group passed by the Martial Dragon Association.

“What…”

Though Hwa Yeon-bi’s gaze watching in disbelief was piercing, Jeong Yeon-shin moved on without minding it. He even closed his eyes.

To organize the insights gained while observing inside the Divine Sword Group Leader’s body.

He could still walk even while doing so.

How many steps had they taken like that? When even the landslide’s aftermath was dying down far behind them, suddenly a fresh body scent wafted over strongly.

Jeong Yeon-shin furrowed his brow and moved slightly to the side.

He knew even with his eyes closed. It was Desolate Divine Spear Yue Shou-lin.

[TL note- Changing Divine Spear of the Wild to Desolate Divine Spear.]

“Hey, hey. What’s this? Why did you do that? Such a pretty child said they saw your martial might and wanted to invite you.”

“…Hands.”

“Hm?”

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly opened his eyes.

“They were beautiful hands. Yet she spoke of her subordinate’s achievement being insufficient.”

“Ah.”

Yue Shou-lin’s lips curved into an arc. She seemed to be saying, “well done.”

“They say peerless swordsmen carry famine in their palms. It refers to calluses. Though not all martial arts in the world leave traces on the practitioner’s hands, the martial arts I’ve learned do. I wasn’t curious about her martial arts.”

“Hmm…”

“If Hwa Yeon-bi was born with natural abilities, then I have nothing to learn from her… and if by chance she’s a master who reversed aging, it means she’s been lazy in martial arts training since then, so there’s even less reason to listen to her words. The world’s martial arts constantly develop. Rather than responding to such a person’s words, it seemed better to seek teachings from Senior Yue.”

“You really are interesting”

Just as Yue Shou-lin’s mouth corners rose further—

Suddenly the Divine Sword Group Leader, who had stopped walking, opened his mouth.

“Is anyone around? Everyone, speak up. Quickly.”

“No. Doesn’t seem like it.”

Right after Yeon Soha quickly replied—

Uweeek―!

With a very unseemly sound, the Divine Sword Group Leader violently vomited blood. It was a considerable amount.

It was like pouring water drawn from a mountain spring with a water scoop. Only the color was different, being black.

It was evidence of internal injury. He had shown the sight of defeating the Namgung Family

Head in a short decisive battle. Perhaps this was the natural price.

WHOOSH!

The Divine Sword Squad masters moved with protective instinct to form a formation.

They formed a circle centered on the Divine Sword Group Leader. It was a formation to guard him.

“Namgung Family Head. The strongest opponent in nearly three years. How often do you get to face one of the Eight Family Heads?”

Yue Shou-lin spoke while shaking her head, worry evident on her small face.

The Divine Sword Group Leader bent over and dropped to both knees.

As he continued spitting out the blood he had been holding back, even Jeong Yeon-shin could only watch him cautiously.

The traces of blood were now turning red again.

The boy slowly opened his mouth.

“If you’ve been holding back until now, it was right not to confront the Martial Dragon Association. Even if they grow suspicious, that decision was correct. I heard the Sect Leader’s body is the main fortress’ treasure. Thinking of your body…”

“Lightning Genius? What are you saying? No matter how much I push myself.”

The Divine Sword Group Leader smiled with blood-stained lips. For a moment, his eyes seemed to flash with light.

“I’m not the only one.”