Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Namgoong Hwashin sat side by side with him at the tea table. Jung Yeonshin quietly observed the person sitting across from him.

He appeared to be a handsome young man in his late twenties. His eyes had a gentle, downward tilt, exuding kindness.

Slightly parted lips gave the impression of firm resolve.

He was the young master of the Namgoong clan.

'He's said to be the elder brother of White Qilin.'

Namgoong Se-jin, the Azure Qilin. He was once the leading prodigy in South Zhili. That was a thing of the past.

Recently, there were no enthusiasts in the martial world who discussed him as part of the prodigy ranks.

His exceptional appearance was matched by a solid build.

The elegant robe of deep azure silk seemed like an extension of his body. Its blue shade was deeper than the martial attire of Desolate Fortress.

Tap.

A swordsman with long hair, also from the Namgoong clan, personally served tea.

Despite an intimidating aura, his movements were cautious. He didn't seem to mind fulfilling the role of an attendant.

In fact, he appeared to take it upon himself.

"Thank you, Yeon Mae."

"…."

At the young master's words, she responded with a small smile before stepping back.

Soon, she took up a position near the doorway of the annex, standing as if on guard.

It was already a place guarded tightly by the Namgoong clan's warriors. Their presence reflected the utmost respect for someone of significant stature.

'They say they're like royalty in South Zhili.'

Jung Yeonshin thought, and immediately felt the rumors were true.

"You look well, and that's a relief."

The young master spoke, his gentle gaze directed at Namgoong Hwashin.

"Desolate Fortress is said to be a sect of strict laws. I was continually worried, but it seems the air of Yangyang suits you. You've grown very strong."

"…It's all thanks to you, Brother."

"I might have contributed a bit."

The young master's lips curved into a playful smile.

"I can't tell you how much scolding I got. For helping you leave, I was severely punished. I had to retreat into seclusion for a month."

"Ah…."

"I didn't achieve much, as I was too worried about you. The King-Style Sword Arts is still a tough study. I wonder when I'll master it."

"My apologies."

Namgoong Hwashin lowered his head. His demeanor was different from when he interacted with Namgoong Mi.

Jung Yeonshin, observing from the side, thought it was understandable.

The young master spoke again.

"I understand your feelings about participating in the duel. It must have been your way of taking responsibility, given it's impossible to stop the event in Desolate Fortress. I'm sorry and heartbroken."

"Brother…."

"It's simply the retribution of our household."

The young master murmured as though reciting, then slightly turned his head.

"And you are…."

His upright gaze was intense. Jung Yeonshin didn't avoid his stare. He met it calmly.

"You're the martial prodigy from Desolate Fortress. We've met before. Your sound-based martial art displayed in Clear Night Valley was… quite impressive."

"I'll speak about Namgoong Mi's matter."

The boy spoke plainly while holding a teacup, and the young master shook his head.

"The wandering master who appeared suddenly? Never mind. Though she's my sister, Mi is a girl with many karmic ties."

"Hm…?"

"As the young master of our household, I investigated the Wuchang matter. They handled it in their own way. I can only lament that I failed to guide her properly as her elder brother. With such a history of grudges, such an event could have happened at any time."

"Brother!"

From the guestroom with the bed, Namgoong Mi's sharp cry resounded.

The young master closed his eyes briefly, then opened them. His attitude conveyed a disregard for his sister.

Was it due to the tremendous internal power he possessed as a successor, or was it simply his nature?

The pure brilliance glowing in his eyes was exceptionally distinct.

After silently gazing at Jung Yeonshin for a moment, he spoke.

"I, too, am as narrow-minded as the elders of our family. Seeing you today, I debated long and hard. Yet, I still believe this is the right thing to do."

"What do you mean?"

"I should have first begged for your forgiveness."

With that, the young master rose from his seat.

Swoosh.

He stepped aside from the tea table.

Then, his body slowly leaned forward. With an outstretched hand, he bowed deeply.

He showed no intention of stopping until his upper body reached the floor. Around them, soft gasps were audible.

Thus, the young master of the Namgoong clan bowed to a sixteen-year-old boy from an opposing sect.

"They say one must bow a hundred times in true apology. It's only right. This apology, though not worthy of Namgoong's name, is…."

His voice resonated from the lowest point. Bowing, he continued.

"…my profound gratitude for your aid to Namgoong in Clear Night Valley, my apology as the young master who repaid your kindness with betrayal, and the declaration of a wretched man seeking even a modicum of honor in the upcoming duel."

"….."

The silence was heavy. It was said that those who held dominion over a province in the martial world were no less than kings of small countries. As the successor to South Zhili's martial dominance, he was akin to a crown prince. His power and influence were absolute.

Jung Yeonshin looked down with an indifferent expression.

The back of the young master's head showed no sign of rising. His resolve seemed firm.

'His swordsmanship must be terrifying.'

The boy maintained a calm demeanor but was inwardly startled.

He was a martial artist who clearly discerned grudges. He hadn't expected to sense the chivalry of the old Nine Great Sects in the Namgoong clan.

He certainly hadn't anticipated that his life-and-death adversary would be such a person.

"I cannot dare to ask for forgiveness. I know such a gesture cannot absolve Namgoong's sins. The duel is inevitable, so please accept it."

The young master remained bowed for a long time.

Namgoong Hwashin stood silently, his expression bitter.

As the Namgoong clan's warriors each displayed differing reactions, Jung Yeonshin took a sip of tea and spoke.

"You're right. The life-and-death duel is set. It's too late to discuss its meaning now."

"….."

"I'll consider the young master's apology accepted. Please rise and state your purpose."

"Thank you."

The young master dusted himself off and stood.

Slowly, he lifted his head, his face showing a sheepish smile.

'His spirit is cleansed as well.'

Jung Yeonshin thought.

The man before him possessed a powerful inner resolve. It was chilling yet intriguing. What sort of swordsmanship did he wield?

* * *

"I heard you experienced a couple major incidents coming this far. I came to escort my sister, Brother Hwashin and you. Of course, my subordinates will withdraw. Lightning Genius, how could you trust us."

The young master did as he said. He dismissed all the Namgoong family warriors who came with him.

"The young master should maintain his position."

"Roaming the murim alone is for wanderers."

There were those who didn't want to leave. It was natural.

Huizhou's Namgoong was a family discussed as foremost under heaven among orthodox sects.

As the young master, he wasn't someone who could freely roam the murim.

"Don't bring me more shame. I'm embarrassed before Desolate Fortress' masters. Give up thoughts of following from afar too. I'll punish disobedience with this young master's orders."

The young master drove them away with calm commands. His attitude was very resolute.

Though Namgoong Mi tried to go with her subordinates, the young master shook his head and stopped her.

"The Ice Soul Jinseng's spirit energy is mysterious. I know your body has recovered. This could be your last murim journey. We siblings haven't even toured the world intimately before."

"What do you mean last…!"

"Follow me. Huizhou is close. It won't take many days."

So four people remained.

Jung Yeonshin's group left Huangzhou where they had unintentionally stayed five days. An unexpected traveling companion had been added.

They silently entered the forest path. Eight footprints were occasionally marked in the gold-shimmering dirt.

It might be ten since the Seventh Apostle was following, targeting Jung Yeonshin.

Namgoong Hwashin and Namgoong Mi, Jung Yeonshin and the young master.

It was a number hard to walk together amicably. One by one they had to die.

Only the young master's weighty jokes occasionally scattered the dust.

"It's a good thing."

Suddenly the young master opened his mouth. His smile looking alternately at Jung Yeonshin and Namgoong Hwashin was strangely stylish.

"Lightning Genius and White Qilin. The names of two masters have begun spreading beyond Huizhou. If you two survive, cherish your bonds of friendship. Worthy opponents are beings who forge each other into divine swords. For me it was the Hwangbo family's Lazy Flame Dragon, but they say he's locked in Desolate Fortress' thunder prison?"

"Who knows if he's still alive."

Jung Yeonshin answered. He was one who made crazed expressions while biting peonies. It was hard to imagine him matching with the young master.

"Though he seemed carefree at a glance, he was a foolish friend. He wanted to break free from his family, but it ended with just thoughts. We had many things in common. Though it seems he achieved his dreams in a different way… indeed murim matters are hard to predict even a step ahead."

The young master muttered with a bitter smile. That's when it happened. Jung Yeonshin's group all turned their bodies at once.

"Is Desolate Fortress' Lightning Genius there!"

A thunderous voice rang out, amplified with internal energy. It was less of a question and more of a declaration.

A group came charging from behind at terrifying speed. All were armed.

There appeared to be about twenty of them, and the collective surge of energy emanating from them was extraordinary.

The tranquil forest air began to tremble, stirred by fierce winds.

"You brat in blue from Desolate Fortress! Suffer the punishment of the young master of the Profound Martial Alliance!"

One among them stood out. Likely their leader, he sprang forward with astonishing speed, sword already drawn.

Swish!

No questions asked.

He launched an attack without bothering to discern right or wrong.

'Profound Martial Alliance.'

Jung Yeonshin immediately recalled the martial world incident that had created the Demon-Slaying Azure Steel Palm.

He had been aboard a ship with Monk Won Jong of Shaolin and the thirteen prodigies of the Profound Martial Alliance. A woman named Sword Blossom had threatened an innocent lady, and he had taken her head.

Later, Ma Jin had offered a warning—that she had a fiance and to beware of retaliation.

Tyrant Sword Tribe, Blood Flame Cult, and Profound Martial Alliance—three of the thirteen factions that had crossed paths with Jung Yeonshin and harbored grudges.

Desolate Fortress had sent a challenge to the Namgoong clan. The entire martial world was shaken.

The list of participants would have been widely circulated, and the route to South Zhili was obvious. After lingering in Huangzhou for five days, the pursuit was no surprise.

'It's not strange for enemies to catch up.'

He had prepared for this. Gripping the blade of his Desolate Sword, Jung Yeonshin responded.

Clang!

Their swords collided instantly with the draw. The force of the opponent's strike vibrated through his hand.

It was an impressive level of swordsmanship—beyond ordinary skill.

Jung Yeonshin muttered,

"Young Master?"

"I'm a Centurion(Commander of a hundred men) of our faction! The Young Master sent us to punish you!"

The middle-aged man shouted like a lion's roar.

So it's not him, Jung Yeonshin thought.

Though he claimed to lead a hundred, only twenty had come. That was secondary.

Time was running short, and enemies only grew in number. Jung Yeonshin worried—would he die before consuming the fruit?

At that moment—

An overwhelming presence erupted. It came from the front, where the subordinates of the Centurion were charging.

It wasn't even a confined space. Yet, a colossal force radiated outward from the young master of the Namgoong clan.

Whooosh!

The air seemed to be pushed away entirely. At the same time, the movements of the Profound Martial Alliance warriors slowed drastically.

'No.'

They weren't just slow. They stopped moving altogether—frozen in place.

It was a surreal sight. These warriors had practiced advanced internal energy techniques of the Thirteen Evil Sects.

A miracle had occurred.

It defied the natural order.

"King… Sword Style…."

Namgoong Hwashin, who had drawn his sword alongside Jung Yeonshin, muttered under his breath.

While Jung Yeonshin clashed with the Centurion, the young master had stepped before his subordinates.

A divine martial art unfolded before Jung Yeonshin's eyes. It was Namgoong's unparalleled skill, said to be one of a kind in the world.

"Azure Qilin! Why are you stopping us? Desolate Fortress is the enemy of the martial world! Shouldn't we kill them first and then deal with each other?"

The Centurion shouted as he locked swords with Jung Yeonshin.

The young master did not answer. Still wielding the King-Style Sword Arts, he spoke to the boy.

"I heard you recently beheaded the Blood Fiend Demon Sword of the Tyrant Sword Tribe. Word reached South Zhili not long ago. Did you know beggars from the Beggar's Guild were watching that day? They call themselves scavengers, but their insight is sharper than most masters. Thanks to them, I obtained quality information."

He turned again, facing the warriors of Profound Martial Alliance who were brimming with killing intent.

"I heard you excel at deciphering and dismantling techniques—at unraveling and destroying them. So, I won't show you my sword techniques in advance."

"Haah!"

The warriors trapped within the King-Style Sword Arts shouted, but none could even twitch.

Only the young master moved freely among them.

He drew his dazzling sword and began walking the forest path. He started severing the throats of immobilized enemies one by one.

His steps were leisurely yet carried immense authority.

He employed no special techniques. None of his opponents could defend against his strikes, let alone resist.

One breath, one kill. Their lives ended with desperate, broken breaths.

There's a saying—'Slay demons like cutting weeds'.

It was absurd to think orthodox sects showed mercy to their enemies.

The young master's sword hand was firm. Such was the attitude of orthodox warriors against demonic sects.

Once the Centurion's men had all fallen,

"What do you think?"

The young master asked calmly.

"Martial Prodigy, could you dismantle this?"

Jung Yeonshin did not answer. Instead, he reversed his grip on the Desolate Sword and threw it.

With an explosion of power, he forced the Centurion back.

He immediately closed in, grabbing the stunned man's sword while placing his left palm on his abdomen.

He had already activated Demon Roaring Blood Art and Demon-Slaying Azure Steel Palm together.

Two opposing forces fused into one through a forbidden technique.

Sizzle!

Jung Yeonshin didn't hold back. He revealed the incomplete art in its entirety.

His opponent was clearly inferior. He ignored timing and precision, detonating the strike.

Boom!

An immense shockwave rippled outward. Trees quivered, and flocks of birds scattered in panic.

"….."

The Centurion's unrecognizable corpse flew far into the distance.

Shaking blood off his hand, Jung Yeonshin turned his head.

Namgoong Hwashin frowned slightly, and Namgoong Mi looked utterly horrified.

Then, Jung Yeonshin locked eyes with the young master, who gazed at him with widened eyes.

"I've shown you."

The boy said.

Psychological warfare had begun. The duel was already underway.