Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

It was today. Jung Yeonshin waited for the full moon.

'Better move my body a little.'

He had trained enough. He had finished the meditation that refined the internal flow of his energy.

It was the promised day. It was time to harmonize the flow of energy throughout his body with the movements of his muscles.

At dawn, he requested a sparring session with Chung Myung.

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

The sunlight pouring behind the Radiant Demon Squad Hall brightly enveloped the tall figure of the distinguished swordsman.

His presence filled the secluded training ground overwhelmingly.

Chung Myung, the Azure Eye Demonic Swordsman. He was the master who wielded the most refined swordsmanship in the Radiant Demon Squad.

While the Radiant Demon Squad Leader specialized in sword techniques, Chung Myung was said to rival him as the strongest swordsman in the Radiant Demon Squad.

Rumors even circulated that he could be considered the best in azure arts throughout Desolate Fortress.

Even among senior martial artists, this remained true. It was said even White Qilin looked up to him.

Clang!

Jung Yeonshin blocked Chung Myung's swift and decisive strike, who had matched his internal energy level.

A fierce gust struck his ears, sharp as if clawing through the air.

The force of the sword technique and its emitted shockwave felt so overwhelming that it made him question whether they were really using the same level of energy.

The vibrations alone felt like a second strike.

It was not an unfamiliar force. It was familiar.

In fact, Jung Yeonshin was no inexperienced disciple who had never faced defeat.

Between missions, whenever he returned to his home base, he attracted the attention of highly skilled seniors.

Ma Jin, Chung Myung, Baek Miryeo, and even older blue-rank seniors showed interest.

The ultimate form of martial arts refinement was sparring.

Training strikes alone held no meaning, so only after receiving the seniors' guidance and sparring with them would he embark on missions.

He had grown accustomed to unleashing his martial arts in real combat. It was a natural process.

It meant that losing in sparring was part of his routine—especially in Radiant Demon Squad's home base.

Perhaps that was why he felt unusually unfocused today.

'A small fragment.'

Even though the sun had just set, he felt dazed. His body, having opened his middle dantian, should not have felt fatigue even after sparring all day.

Yet, he found it hard to concentrate on the present moment.

It felt as if his soul was floating faintly above his body.

Even as he exchanged strikes, the energy flowing through the hand holding his sword grew slack. It was due to a pitifully scattered state of focus.

The consequences followed immediately.

Whoosh!

A sharp gust burst forth in an instant, and at the same time, a shock surged from the blade.

With a loud clang, his sword was sent flying. Had he not held onto it properly, his palm might have been torn apart.

"Our Lightning Genius are you out of your mind?"

Chung Myung grinned as he spoke.

"Weren't you trying to slip through the eye of a needle? Quick and clean, wasn't it?"

He rested his sword on his shoulder, speaking with a smile that stung more than a glare.

It was scarier than being glared at.

"You should aim for about three years to become the leader of the Divine Sword Squad. Spend about half of the remaining time building your achievements."

"…Ah…"

Jung Yeonshin let out a rare, absentminded exclamation. It was just that kind of day.

However, having requested the sparring session, it wasn't his place to make excuses.

Chung Myung tapped the sword resting on his shoulder. A sharp, blue glint flickered from his lone eye.

"More than anything, it means you'll be taking over the position. The current leader of the Divine Sword Squad is still in excellent condition. I can't picture him losing to anyone—whether it's one of the Thirteen Heavenly Lords or the masters of the Nine Great Sects. And you'll need to defeat such a person."

"I apologize. I've wasted your effort."

"The issue already starts with the black stage. The way you handle your internal energy needs to change completely. That's more about enlightenment than talent, although having martial talent certainly helps."

"…"

"Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, Five Energies Return to Origin. It's a whole different world of focus. I mentioned enlightenment, right? It's no exaggeration. Some elders even dramatize it by calling it 'shedding one's skin'. Without proper mental preparation, it's hard to reach."

His tone remained casual as always.

But the content was different. It carried genuine concern. At this moment, he was envisioning Jung Yeonshin's future more clearly than Jung himself.

It was shameful. Especially because Chung Myung, along with Heon Wonchang, was one of his closest confidants.

The young man raised his hands in a salute.

"Thank you for your advice. I'm always on the receiving end."

"Enough with the formalities."

Chung Myung sheathed his sword as he spoke. The motion of the blade tracing a crescent before smoothly returning to its sheath was elegant.

"It's time to set your studies in order. Your goal is clear now. Swordsmanship with me, internal energy training with Miryeo. Let's leave our captain out of it—he's too busy. What are you doing bowing again? Stop saluting."

"…I haven't seen Baek senior today."

"Miryeo? She's been busy lately. After hearing about you, she's organizing her advanced internal techniques. She's even breaking down energy flow techniques into separate lessons. By the time you return from the Namgoong Clan, it should all be ready."

"I'm curious about the stories of you two as well."

Hearing Baek Miryeo's background mentioned reminded him. Jung Yeonshin knew little about Chung Myung and the swordmaster line.

His narrow view was to blame. Since joining, he had only looked straight ahead, focusing on his own progress. It was regretful.

He didn't even know Chung Myung's age. How had he left his clan and entered the Radiant Demon Squad?

'Everyone in the Radiant Demon Squad is unusual.'

He didn't know what Heon Wonchang had experienced before arriving in Desolate Fortress alone.

Despite his polished swordsmanship, he gave off the impression of a noble upbringing. The hostility shown by other sects was also odd.

Baek Miryeo was the same. She occasionally displayed astonishing techniques.

What story lay behind her shadowy, condensed energy?

He had only heard that young Baek Miryeo had been rescued during a mission that left Radiant Demon Squad Leader Ma Jin crippled. Nothing more.

"Later. It's too entangled with grudges to bring up casually. I already have enough headaches with you alone."

Chung Myung grinned.

"You'll learn naturally as you pass through blue, black, and purple ranks. The quality of information changes drastically once you reach black. It's a highly strategic position."

"…Understood."

Though not fully convinced, he nodded. It was time to go.

He knew from the roof tiles of the main hall, where a pale moon had risen above the gray rooftop.

The full moon's radiance felt strangely distant today.

Chung Myung glanced back, following Jung Yeonshin's gaze.

"It's about time you meet the Lord. I'm dying of curiosity myself. Go quickly."

Unable to question the Lord's summons, he muttered, frustrated.

"I'll be back!"

Jung Yeonshin responded loudly, unintentionally. This time, he didn't feel embarrassed.

He moved past Chung Myung, channeling energy into his steps. He started slow but quickly gained speed.

It had been a day filled with sparring. A ritual cleansing was necessary first.

"Lady Jang! Please prepare the bath!"

He shouted as he stepped into the hall, calling out to the attendant.

The Noble clan's senses are extremely keen. The Desolate 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 Jung Yeonshin shouting?"

Several Radiant Demon Squad's seniors opened their doors and poked their heads out.

It was fine to ignore them now. Jung Yeonshin 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.

Jung Yeonshin entered the inner fortress within the main fortress.

It was the inner fortress of the Lord of Desolate Fortress, built with pure white marble.

The guards standing watch at the gates only acknowledged him with their eyes—no one stopped him.

He stepped silently across the cold marble. The high staircase felt particularly long.

But even so, there was an end.

When he reached the top, the massive stone door opened on its own.

As always, the opposite wall was wide open, revealing the view outside.

The pale halo of moonlight, unusually bright, poured in without restraint.

Jung Yeonshin lifted his gaze. It was on the tree trunk that pierced through the office.

There.

The Lord of Desolate Fortress stood.

Her back faced him as she stood atop a branch, basking in the moonlight.

Her long, leaf-green hair shimmered, swaying gently.

Not even the faintest ripple of energy could be felt, yet she alone stood distinct. It was almost eerie.

Her presence was remarkably clear, especially in this moment.

"You must have been curious, even though you knew what the fragment was."

She did not turn around immediately. It seemed as though she was gazing into the distant scenery.

Under the soft halo of the moon, her voice, draped in green robes that resembled a palace curtain, flowed gently.

It was as if all the moonlight in the world gathered upon her.

Jung Yeonshin suddenly realized.

It was energy circulation. The flow of internal energy. Unbelievable, yet it was true.

The radiant full moon breathed a mist of brilliance, and its faint beams refracted in all directions, converging upon her.

'Even her basic techniques have reached the realm of miracles.'

It was an insight born of instinct. As Jung Yeonshin trembled at the unfathomable level,

"The fruit of the World Tree. What you suspect is correct."

She slowly turned her body.

Even with the moon behind her, her glimmering eyes appeared first. Her deep green gaze felt distant.

It felt as though her very soul weighed down upon him naturally.

It was a sensation he had never experienced, not even with the Blood Flame Cult Leader.

"Come closer."

"I greet you, my Lord."

He belatedly offered his respects and stepped forward.

Opposite her, Jung Yeonshin stood straight on the rough bark of the tree.

"Closer."

"Yes."

He obeyed without hesitation. Now, only a step separated them.

Her translucent, white face filled his vision.

Just as Jung Yeonshin lowered his body to bow deeply,

"It's the first time since the incident of the main hall of the cult. There's something I must tell you first."

The Lord of Desolate Fortress spoke.

The boy, who had begun to bow, straightened up and fixed his gaze on her.

"I will listen carefully."

"The leader of the cult may return."

"…!"

"He is a demon god. He restored his form with a single drop of blood, no matter how many times I cut him down."

Jung Yeonshin recalled the Blood Flame Cult Leader. That man also gave off an unearthly aura.

Though he fell short of the Lord of Desolate Fortress, he had displayed transcendent regenerative abilities as the pinnacle of blood arts.

It was then. As though reaching out to stroke his head, the Lord extended her hand and said,

"I could not destroy him completely. I had to turn back to watch over you."

"I am sorry."

He quickly bowed his head. Memories of his battered body struggling against the Sixth Apostle of the Blood Flame Cult resurfaced.

He had thought she had slain the cult leader and returned victorious.

But it was not so.

'Because of me?'

To protect a single talented disciple, she had spared one of the Thirteen Heavenly Lords.

It made no sense. No one would believe it.

"Why apologize?"

Her clear voice rang out.

"It was my choice. Your task is simply to remain vigilant and focus on your growth."

"…."

"More importantly."

Her words paused briefly. He could feel her gaze descending upon him, heavy with her presence.

As Jung Yeonshin looked up,

A few strands of his hair, which had grown during his training, rested on the back of her hand.

"I once called the leaves of the World Tree, blown down by the spring breeze, my childhood companions. Though they are now scattered and gone."

The corners of her lips curved slightly upward.

"Your hair reminds me of them."

"…Pardon?"

"It might be good to grow it out once you become a master."

"Ah…"

Caught off guard, he agreed without thinking, and her lips formed a small, elegant smile.

'Even blue-ranked warriors aren't considered masters by her.'

But that was only natural. It wasn't something to dwell on.

For the first time, he heard the Lord joke. She was human, after all.

Perhaps, he thought, he could hope for a slightly larger fragment.