Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 91 – Instant Kill Martial Arts (3)

He sat at the table alongside Namgung Hwa-shin. Jeong Yeon-shin stared steadily at the person sitting across from him.

[TL Note- some of you may remember that Hwa-sin was translated Hwa-shin. Hwa-shin is the correct translation and it completely went over my head and I kept it that way once I got it wrong. Apologies.]

He appeared to be a handsome young man approaching thirty. He had gently downcast eyes.

His slightly closed lips seemed to speak of firm resolve.

He was the young master of the Namgung family.

‘They said he’s Young Hero White Qilin’s brother.’

Azure Qilin Namgung Se-jin. They said he was the foremost rising talent in South Zhili. That was a story of the past.

These days, they say no martial world enthusiasts discuss him in the realm of rising talents.

His build looked as solid as his outstanding appearance.

The high-quality blue silk robe seemed like part of his body. It was even darker than Desolate Sect’s blue martial robes.

THUD.

A Namgung family swordsman with long hair personally brought tea.

Despite the stern energy, her movements were careful. She seemed to have no reservations about the role of maid.

Rather, she appeared to volunteer for it.

“Thank you, Yeon Mae.”

“……”

She answered the young master’s words with a small smile and stepped back.

Eventually she took position at the guest house doorway as if standing guard.

It was already a place flawlessly guarded by Namgung family warriors. They looked like they were protecting someone most noble under heaven.

‘They say they’re nobility like royalty in South Zhili.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought. The rumors felt immediately true.

“I’m glad to see you look well.”

The young master said. He was looking at Namgung Hwa-shin with gentle eyes.

“They say Desolate Sect is a sect with strict laws. I was constantly worried, but the air of Xiangyang in Hubei seems to suit your body. You’ve become very strong.”

“…Thanks to you, elder brother.”

“I may have contributed a little.”

A playful smile formed at the young master’s lips.

“You don’t know how much scolding I got from the elders. I was severely punished for helping your departure. I had to go into seclusion for a month.”

“Ah…”

“I couldn’t achieve much due to worrying about you. The Emperor Sword Form is still difficult study. I wonder when I’ll reach great achievement.”

“I’m sorry.”

Namgung Hwa-shin bowed his head. It was a different attitude than when facing Namgung Mi.

Watching from beside, Jeong Yeon-shin thought it seemed reasonable on the surface.

The young master said:

“I understand your feelings in volunteering for the martial matches. Since preventing Desolate Sect’s event was impossible, you meant to conclude matters yourself. I’m sorry and worried.”

“Brother…”

“It’s just karmic retribution for the main family.”

The young master who had been muttering suddenly turned his head slightly.

“And you are…”

His upright gaze approached. It was intense. Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t avoid his gaze. He met it steadily.

“Desolate Sect’s Lightning Genius. We’ve met before. The yin techniques you revealed at Clear Night Valley… were very impressive.”

“Let me speak of Namgung Mi’s matter.”

At the boy’s calm words while holding his teacup, the young master shook his head.

“You mean the evil sect master who suddenly appeared? It’s fine. Though she’s my sister, Sister Mi has much karma.”

“Hmm…?”

“As the main family’s young master, I looked into the Virtuous Teacher Sect matter in Wuchang. She handled it her own way. As her brother, I can only deeply regret not guiding her properly. Since she hasn’t accumulated grudges for just a day or two, it was bound to happen sometime.”

“Elder brother!”

Namgung Mi’s cry rang from the guest room with the bed. It was a very sharp voice.

The young master closed and opened his eyes once. It was an attitude of ignoring his sister.

Perhaps due to his powerful internal energy as the family heir. Or it might be his nature.

The spirit light burning colorlessly in both eyes was very distinct.

After silently looking at Jeong Yeon-shin, he opened his mouth:

“I too am a petty person with narrow capacity like our elders. Even seeing you today, I’ve been worrying until now. But, this is indeed the right thing to do.”

“What do you mean?”

“I should have begged you first.”

With those final words, the young master stood from his seat.

SWISH.

He stepped aside to one corner of the table.

Then, his body slowly tilted forward. He extends his hands and bends at the waist.

His upper body showed no signs of stopping as it came down to the floor. Gasps rang out from various places.

And so.

The Namgung family young master made a full bow to a sixteen-year-old boy from an enemy sect.

“There’s a saying about apologizing a hundred times. It’s an apology that must be made. Though I shouldn’t speak in Namgung’s name to you, this is…”

It was a voice ringing from the lowest position. The young master spoke while prostrated.

“My deep gratitude for your support of Namgung at Clear Night Valley, an apology from the Namgung family young master who repaid grace with betrayal, and self-consolation of a small man wishing to face martial matches with you even slightly honorably.”

“……”

The surrounding silence was heavy. They say a martial artist holding dominance over one province of the Central Plains is no less than a small country’s king. It meant one destined to rule. South Zhili’s murim was equivalent to a crown prince. Their martial might and authority were such.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked down with a calm face.

The young master’s back of head showed no signs of rising easily. His resolve seemed firm.

‘This person’s sword techniques must be frightening.’

The boy showed no change in expression. But inwardly he was perplexed.

He was a righteous hero who clearly distinguished grudges. He didn’t expect to find the scent of chivalry he felt from Orthodox Nine Sects’ seekers in a family.

He knew even less that his life-and-death match opponent would be such a person.

“I dare not seek forgiveness. I know Namgung’s crimes cannot be absolved with such courtesy. Since the martial matches are already set, just accept this.”

The young master didn’t raise his head for a long time.

Namgung Hwa-shin remained silent with a bitter face.

While the Namgung family warriors standing guard each showed different expressions, Jeong Yeon-shin took a sip of tea then opened his mouth.

“You’re right. The life-and-death match is decided. Now one must die, so there’s no point discussing meaning at this point.”

“……”

“I’ll consider the young master’s apology received. It would be better if you rise and speak of business.”

“Truly thank you.”

The young master rose and dusted off his seat.

He slowly raised his head. His face wore a sheepish smile.

‘Even his mind is polished.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

The man before him had an unyielding inner self. It was chilling yet curious. What kind of sword path would he possess?

* * *

Read it only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens

“I heard you experienced a couple major incidents coming this far. I came to escort my sister, Brother Hwa-shin 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 Namgung 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 Namgung was a family discussed as foremost under heaven among orthodox sects.

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

“Don’t bring me more shame. I’m embarrassed before Desolate Sect’s 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 Namgung Mi tried to go with her subordinates, the young master shook his head and stopped her.

“The Human-Shaped Snow Ginseng’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.

Jeong Yeon-shin’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 Jeong Yeon-shin.

Namgung Hwa-shin and Namgung Mi, Jeong Yeon-shin 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 Jeong Yeon-shin and Namgung Hwa-shin was strangely stylish.

“Lightning Genius and White Qilin. The names of two masters have begun spreading beyond Hubei. 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 Sect’s thunder prison?”

“Who knows if he’s still alive.”

Jeong Yeon-shin 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. Jeong Yeon-shin’s group all turned their bodies at once.

“Is Desolate Sect’s Lightning Genius there!”

A voice loaded with internal energy force rang loudly. It was closer to an announcement than a question.

A group rushed from behind at terrifying speed. They all carried weapons.

They looked to be about twenty people, but the energy waves bursting collectively were not ordinary.

The calm forest air began shaking with strong winds.

“Desolate Sect blue-robed brat! Endure the young master of Deep Martial Alliance’s punishment!”

There was one who stood out among them. One who seemed to be the group’s leader sprang out at amazing speed. He already had his sword drawn.

SWOOSH!!

Not asking right from wrong. He struck with sword without distinguishing good and evil.

‘Deep Martial Alliance.’

Jeong Yeon-shin immediately recalled the murim journey where he created Demon Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm.

He had boarded with Shaolin’s Monk Won Jong and other Thirteen Evil Sects’ rising talents. He beheaded Sword Art Flower who threatened an innocent woman.

Afterwards Ma Jin had advised. Warning to guard against grudges since she had a betrothed.

Sword Demon Sect, Blood Flame Sect, Deep Martial Alliance. Evil sects of the Thirteen Evil Sects that met Jeong Yeon-shin and formed grudges.

Desolate Sect sent martial challenge letters to the Namgung family. The whole murim was stirred.

The list must also be well known. The route to South Zhili was obvious, yet they delayed five days in Huangzhou.

‘Not strange for pursuit to catch up.’

It was something he was prepared for. Jeong Yeon-shin grabbed his Desolate Sect sword hilt and responded.

CLANG!

He immediately clashed swords with the draw. The aftermath of the opponent’s strike spread to the back of his hand.

It was tremendous sword force. Beyond ordinary level.

Jeong Yeon-shin muttered:

“Young master?”

“I am the Hundred Man Commander of the alliance! The young master sent me to punish you!”

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

So you’re not him. Jeong Yeon-shin muttered inwardly.

The fact that only twenty came when called Hundred Man Commander was a secondary issue.

Time was running out but enemies kept increasing. He grew worried. Would he die away from home before eating the fruit?

That’s when it happened.

An overwhelming presence sprouted. It was the front where the man’s subordinates were rushing in.

It wasn’t even a narrow space. Terrifying momentum arose widely from the Namgung family young master’s body.

WHOOSH–!

It seemed like all the air there was pushed out entirely. Simultaneously the Deep Martial Alliance warriors’ movements rapidly slowed.

‘No.’

They weren’t moving. Even saying they were slow wasn’t enough. The bodies of twenty people seemed almost frozen.

It was truly an unrealistic sight. Though they were warriors who had learned Thirteen Evil Sects’ internal energy techniques.

It was supernatural.

Martial might that transcended reason.

“Emperor… Sword Form…”

Namgung Hwa-shin who had drawn his sword simultaneously with Jeong Yeon-shin let out a low sound.

While the boy crossed swords with the Hundred Man Commander, the young master had stepped before his subordinates.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Divine techniques revealed themselves before Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes. It was the Namgung family’s special martial arts said to be unmatched under heaven.

“Azure Qilin! Why do you block! Desolate Sect is the murim’s public enemy! Shouldn’t we strike down these ones first then clash!”

The Hundred Man Commander shouted while matching swords and competing strength with Jeong Yeon-shin.

The young master didn’t answer. While displaying the divine technique called Emperor Sword Form, he looked at the boy and opened his mouth:

“Word of you taking the head of Tyrant Sword Sect’s Eight Fierce Rakshasha Sword only recently reached South Zhili. Do you know Beggar Sect observers were watching that scene? Though they call themselves parasites, their insight is no less than most masters. I was able to buy quality information.”

Then he turned his body again. Armed Deep Martial Alliance warriors filled the surroundings.

“I heard you’re skilled at breaking down and destroying techniques. Good at unraveling and good at demolishing. So I won’t show sword techniques in advance.”

“HAAAA!”

The warriors trapped in the Emperor Sword Form’s domain shouted battle cries. Now none could even twitch.

Among them only the young master stood alone nobly.

Drawing his brilliant precious sword, he walked the forest path. He began cutting the necks of enemies who couldn’t move one by one.

Dignity lay in his leisurely gait.

None could receive even sword strikes that weren’t special techniques. It was right to say they couldn’t even resist.

One died with each breath. Life threads were cut along with despair-filled breaths.

There’s a saying about killing while mounted. For orthodox sects to show mercy in their moves is nonsense.

The young master’s sword-drawing hand was resolute. All orthodox warriors were like that facing evil path heretics.

Eventually when all the Hundred Man Commander’s subordinates were dead.

“How about this?”

The young master quietly asked.

“Lightning Genius, can you break this?”

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t answer. He instantly gripped the Desolate Sect sword in reverse and threw it. Along with exploding power he properly pushed forward.

After deflecting the Desolate Sect sword, he immediately dug into the Hundred Man Commander’s chest. While jointly gripping the dazed one’s sword, he placed his left hand on the abdomen.

He had already raised Demon Roaring Blood Technique and Demon Destroying Azure Unyielding Palm simultaneously. The power of the technique formation arising from his palm wove opposing martial arts into one.

SWOOSH!

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t hide it. He fully revealed the incomplete palm technique.

The Deep Martial Alliance opponent was clearly inferior. He burst it without minding activation time and precision.

Bang!

It was a tremendous vibration. Trees in all directions shook momentarily. Flocks of birds rose fluttering.

“……”

The Hundred Man Commander’s corpse, hard to recognize its form, had flown far away.

Jeong Yeon-shin turned his head while shaking off his hand stained with the opponent’s blood.

The faces of Namgung Hwa-shin with slightly furrowed brows and Namgung Mi wearing a shocked expression swept through his vision.

Jeong Yeon-shin met eyes with the young master who had raised his gaze.

“I have shown you.”

The boy said.

He had engaged in psychological warfare. The martial match had already begun.