Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

"The Fortress Lord?"

"It has been a long time since I saw him. Even before the competition was announced."

They were seated in the honored seats of the central martial arena of Desolate Fortress. The conversation was between the head of the Elder Council and the former leader of the Divine Sword Squad.

An elderly man, dressed in luxurious purple robes, smiled. He was the head of the Elder Council of Desolate Fortress.

Stroking his long white beard that hung below his chin, he made a small gesture that exuded a presence rivaling that of Ma Yeonjeok.

He spoke.

"A long time? It's only been seven weeks, at most. You should pay more attention to your own household. I heard there was a rather serious disturbance."

"I just finished venting my anger. They are my household members before they are royalty. How dare they act so rashly…"

Ma Yeonjeok muttered with a frightening expression.

He had just turned the annex of the Ma Clan household upside down. Ma Se-in's biological mother, Zhu Yeon-jeong, had made contact with Lightning Genius.

It was a matter that might have passed unnoticed, but it came to light thanks to the commotion caused by Radiant Demon Squad's warriors.

"Isn't she your nephew's wife? You can't exactly call her rash."

"I am deeply disappointed. I had hoped to raise Se-in and the Ma household to greatness together."

"How can one remain calm when a child's succession rights are shaken? Especially if it's due to an outsider who married in."

"An outsider who married in? Now I see—you were envious. To say such things even after witnessing that—if you're serious, you should start preparing your grave."

Ma Yeonjeok pointed downward.

It was the center of the martial arena. Lightning Genius Jung Yeonshin had emerged victorious in the preliminary matches leading up to the final duel.

The boy in a blue robe slowly sheathed his sword.

His movements were steady as he returned the blade, and his calm expression stood out even more.

He had effortlessly defeated a seasoned master in white robes—someone acknowledged as an elite martial artist of the old factions.

It was said he was sixteen years old. No one could believe it.

"The Azure and White Twin Qilins of the Namgoong Clan made names for themselves at an even younger age."

The head of the Elder Council spoke with a smile.

"The legitimate heir, the Azure Qilin, with his King Style Sword Arts, and the illegitimate son, the White Qilin, with his Boundless Heaven Technique—they were said to form an unbeatable combination. They were raised on rare elixirs, their meridians overflowing with energy from birth. Lightning Genius, raised in far humbler circumstances, could never catch up. You can't overcome such a gap by giving him high-grade pills later."

"…"

"Of course, Lightning Genius is extraordinary. I've heard of his martial arts said to exterminate demons and his sound techniques that eliminate the weak. But those won't work against a proper master."

"I'm aware of the White Qilin's growth. He was already strong, but it seems he has now absorbed the essence of rare elixirs into his veins."

"I've been keeping an eye on him. His achievements are remarkable. Didn't they say the Flame Dragon is captured in the dungeons? Even that beast wouldn't dare underestimate him now. He was blessed by the heavens with talent. With such outstanding qualities, he doesn't need to worry about blocked meridians. But Lightning Genius's conditions are different."

The Elder pointed at Lightning Genius and the White Qilin, continuing.

"Look at their faces. The White Qilin, though illegitimate, was raised in luxury. Even his lips naturally hold a smile—it's pleasing to see, isn't it? Completely effortless. But look at Lightning Genius. He has no expression, like he was beaten growing up. Just look at that sharp gaze, it's the look of someone ready to kill."

"…"

"No one can beat someone who smiles. Combine talent with a perfect upbringing, and there's nothing better. The White Qilin has it all. If not for his older brother, he might have become the head of the Namgoong Clan. I don't know much about Lightning Genius, though."

"Already…"

Ma Yeonjeok spoke again.

"Already, he might be able to match the White Qilin. Yeonshin, that boy, was born with an unprecedented sense of perception. Martial arts crafted from the skills of grandmasters fit him perfectly—I can't even imagine how much stronger he'll grow."

The Elder dramatically smacked his lips.

"His stiff expression can be fixed. Perhaps I should adopt him. Or… my granddaughter is quite talented."

"Let him surpass my sword first."

"Then I should take in the White Qilin. But if you're so determined, why don't you take Lightning Genius in? It seems you can't even offer him resources properly."

"…"

"I can guess why. Are you afraid? Afraid of angering the grandson you abandoned? Or perhaps you received a word of warning from the Lord? Normally, you'd have done something by now."

The Elder grinned.

"…"

"It's both, isn't it? What pitiful karma!"

Ma Yeonjeok remained silent.

The Elder's smile deepened at his wordless expression.

"Back when you led the Divine Sword Squad and commanded the martial world—it feels like a dream now. Do you remember the day you wiped out the remnants of the Demonic Cult and planted the yellow banner atop Mount Tian? You were so formidable then. Few could rival you, yet look at you now—so diminished."

"The Ma Clan's martial arts are far from orthodox."

The Elder's eyes widened slightly, as if surprised to hear an answer.

"You've changed a little."

He was right. Ma Yeonjeok wasn't someone who usually said such things.

The talent of his grandson, whom he had belatedly noticed, was dazzling.

He had assigned people to observe him—masters of the household acting as informants.

He had instructed them to watch Lightning Genius closely without intervening.

Defying the Lord of Desolate Fortress was unthinkable, even for Ma Yeonjeok.

Thus, he couldn't act when the Blood Flame Cult's Seventh Apostle attempted to abduct Lightning Genius. It was absurd.

He received reports that approaching dozens of cult swordsmen and two apostles had been impossible under Namgoong's passive gaze.

Ma Yeonjeok had been furious at himself for not assigning supreme masters, but it was too late to fix it.

He had only found relief when the Lord personally intervened, and the raw reports detailing his grandson's actions had shaken him deeply.

Relentless pursuit. Nothing but relentless pursuit.

The boy kept running, as though dedicating everything to martial arts and accomplishments, even nurturing a righteous spirit.

At some point, Ma Yeonjeok realized the image of himself as the Divine Sword Squad's leader was fading.

That feeling returned whenever he thought of the boy. It was an emotion he struggled to define.

He spoke.

"You said I've diminished? It was inevitable. What's easily built is easily broken. Peaks never last long. I envy the old masters of the orthodox sects—I've thought that for a long time."

Ma Yeonjeok looked down at his grandson. The duel between Lightning Genius and the White Qilin was about to begin.

He murmured.

"Yeonshin will become the divine sword of his nature. The Ma Clan's martial arts don't suit him. I need to find another way—especially if he is to face the Namgoong Clan, the pinnacle of orthodoxy…"

* * *

The combination of Demon Roaring Blood Art and the Demon-Slaying Azure Steel Palm.

It was a technique honed in the Blood Flame Cult's headquarters, where spell formations were refined into martial forms.

At this moment, it prioritized precision and destructive power.

'Cold.'

His outstretched left hand felt freezing, as though submerged in ice. Energy surged fiercely through his wrist's inner gate point.

The pulsating blue light enveloping his left hand flared violently.

A thunderous boom followed.

Boom!

Compressed air exploded in midair, spreading down to his feet.

Namgoong Hwashin stumbled back, startled by the unfamiliar martial energy.

Lightning Genius advanced.

'Radiance Sword Style.'

The unique martial technique of Mount Zhongnan unfolded.

Amid the blurring, fragmented light, the Desolate Sword surged forward the moment his arm twisted. It was a straight horizontal slash.

Clang!

It was blocked by a sharp white glow. A clear wave of energy swept forth—was it the Boundless Heaven Technique of the Namgoong Clan?

Their eyes met as their swords collided. Reflected in Namgoong Hwashin's eyes, Jung Yeonshin's face flickered with a pale, piercing light.

He seemed completely immersed.

Clench.

Namgoong Hwashin's sword energy grew stronger, pressing forward with deep internal power.

At that moment, the White Qilin's refined energy turned into pure force, overpowering an opponent with insufficient inner strength.

The arm holding the Desolate Sword trembled slightly.

Jung Yeonshin recalled the spiritual pill he had received as a reward. He had deliberately not consumed it.

He knew he would face countless enemies who had been nurtured with rare elixirs from birth. He himself was born into a third-rate martial clan.

He would inevitably face situations where strength alone would be insufficient. Blaming his internal power every time would be foolish.

It could be called a quirk, but he sought to overcome such obstacles through experience and sharpened senses.

"Hup!"

Twisting his waist, he channeled energy into the oblique muscles near his abdomen.

The internal energy gathered at the will chamber acupoint along his spine flared intensely.

Snap!

With his robes fluttering, he spun deliberately, giving ground in the struggle of strength.

He gathered the rotational momentum into his left fist, embedding the force into it. After the Radiance Sword Style came the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike.

The spiral wave swept upward, reaching the ground, and then burst forth with a punch. The swirling wind struck Namgoong Hwashin's side, rippling through his robe.

Thud!

The blow landed, sending Namgoong Hwashin spinning and grazing past Jung Yeonshin.

It was the impeccable Seamless Azure Stream Movement.

His robe, caught momentarily in the spiral wave, smoothed out almost instantly.

'He reacted the moment he sensed the spiral current.'

Jung Yeonshin felt it through the brief contact with his opponent's robe. It was shallow. The strike hadn't penetrated his organs.

There was more. As their forms crossed, Namgoong Hwashin's sword glinted and brushed against Jung Yeonshin's thigh.

It stung slightly. They had exchanged blows equally.

Tap.

Namgoong Hwashin had already studied Jung Yeonshin's unique techniques and devised countermeasures. Jung Yeonshin didn't wait for the next attack—he advanced.

Namgoong Hwashin did the same, raising his sword overhead in a sweeping arc.

The martial arts of an established clan were stately and elegant.

The Boundless Heaven Technique emitted waves of energy, free-flowing and vast, as it descended upon Jung Yeonshin.

Whoosh!

Multiple waves of colorless energy accompanied the sword's arc, like a net descending from the sky.

It resembled the famed sword energy technique. Jung Yeonshin had heard it was a variation of projected force.

'Evade and cut through.'

He stepped with the Splendid Wings Step. The Mount Hua Sect's Plum Blossom Pill incident came to mind. He had created this footwork during the trials set by Ma Jin to qualify for solo missions.

The first step was the Splendid Wings First Step .

The paths of Namgoong Hwashin's sword and energy waves unfolded clearly in his sight. A warmth spread at the Baihui acupoint atop his head.

A perfect step, etched like a glowing beacon, appeared in his mind.

He stepped exactly there.

Tap.

The instant his foot landed, the sharp energy tore through his shoulder robe.

A mental battle played out in a flash.

Namgoong Hwashin anticipated his step and scattered additional waves to cut him off. Jung Yeonshin foresaw this and adjusted his footwork to evade.

Tap.

Unfazed, the boy advanced again. Energy rippled beneath his feet.

Splendid Wings Second Steps.

The colorless waves scattered by the Boundless Heaven Technique were forcefully pushed aside.

He had gained this step while drinking a cup of Lei Xian Treasure Brew and discussing martial arts.

Once again, the distance closed. He broke through the gap and pressed his momentum forward.

Whoom!

Once more, Jung Yeonshin lifted the Desolate Sword with Radiance Sword Style. Namgoong Hwashin also prepared a chaining technique.

The sight of his sword descending diagonally was picturesque.

The moment the winds brushed along the blades of their swords, their internal energy exploded as they clashed.

Clang—!

A heavy recoil traveled up Jung Yeonshin's grip, momentarily numbing his senses. He suppressed a groan.

He couldn't stop. The gap was narrow. There was no option but continuous exchanges.

The clashes and dodges repeated endlessly.

Clang! Clang! Boom!

Radiance Sword Style, Splendid Wings Steps, and Infinite Blossom Fist Strike—spirals, barriers, and fists intertwined.

Jung Yeonshin unleashed every technique he had developed and polished so far.

He treated this moment as a test ground to refine his martial arts. It was another layer of training.

Even as blood splattered and wounds tore open from sword slashes, he pressed on.

When Namgoong Hwashin responded to Jung Yeonshin's unique techniques with terrifying precision, Jung Yeonshin adjusted his moves and countered on the spot.

"…"

The audience gradually fell silent.

It was a duel between geniuses. They exchanged martial arts, pushing each other's limits.

The constant clash of techniques radiated extraordinary brilliance.

The previously boisterous crowd grew quieter and quieter.

"…Simply astonishing."

Someone whispered. Others murmured in agreement.

"They keep unleashing unfamiliar techniques without faltering against the refined martial arts of the Eight Great Clans."

"The White Qilin's mastery is impressive too. To wield such refined energy so skillfully…"

"They say Radiant Demon Squad's Lightning Genius has already reached the level of a Grandmaster. They say he creates and refines martial arts."

"Countering the Namgoong Clan's techniques with his unique martial arts? Doesn't he lack internal energy? The martial arts of great clans grow stronger with age and refinement…"

Jung Yeonshin heard nothing.

Like Namgoong Hwashin, he was fully immersed. They exchanged senses, moves, and techniques.

It was a realm where brilliance flashed like a comet. He wished it would never end.

The unique techniques he had developed seemed to permeate his entire body, as if they had always belonged there.

Whoosh!

The wind wrapped around his extended hand felt warm.

With the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike's Vortex, he split Namgoong Hwashin's sword energy at the final step of Splendid Wings Step.

His techniques became increasingly precise.

It was exhilarating. The sensation of talents clashing and rising together was almost intoxicating.

Something within him awakened further. The impatience he had felt under the full moon seven weeks ago began to fade.

He thought absently—there was still the spiritual pill. Soon, he would face the Lord of Desolate Fortress.

And then—

The boy began to smile.