Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 34 – Master (3)

“You’re a funny guy, daring to face me.”

The Stealthy Demon’s lips curled up.

Yeon-shin moved forward, undeterred. He did not stop his advance.

He had heard of the Stealthy Demon before. A master of joint locks.

His nickname did not mean he fought like a possessed warrior. It meant he stole like a ghost.

“Do you know the meaning of my nickname?”

The Stealthy Demon asked with a smile.

He likes to talk, Yeon-shin thought.

The distance between them shortened, but the Stealthy Demon kept talking.

“They call me the Stealthy Demon because I can steal anything. Even your senior’s lost eye was taken by me.”

“Senior?”

The man laughed loudly at Yeon-shin’s question.

“I suppose he isn’t your senior. The Desolate Fortress is a sect without roots. You can’t even call your master your master. That foolish Demon Wing must be wandering aimlessly in the wilderness right now.”

“What’s your objective? Didn’t you already take the Grand Violet Pill?”

Yeon-shin asked, pausing briefly. The distance between them was now mere steps.

Perhaps five paces. He could even see the calluses on the Stealthy Demon’s hands that opened and closed repeatedly.

A single leap would be enough to slice him in half and still have energy left.

“The one you can’t call your senior. The Blue-Eyed Demon Sword’s head.”

Qi flowed from the empty left sleeve of the Stealthy Demon. Yeon-shin couldn’t comprehend his logic.

“You risk the return of the Sword Absolute and the Lord?”

“You don’t understand the significance of a warrior’s hand. Enough. I talked to you because you seemed promising, but you’re no different from the other fools.”

This time, the Stealthy Demon took a step forward.

It was as if he was saying he couldn’t let anyone else take the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword’s head.

The aura he emitted was formidable. He could likely exchange several moves with a Blue-Eyed Warrior.

Buzz!

Yeon-shin put his mind into the Jeong Family Dynamic Training he had already initiated.

From his head, the incantation of the Radiance Sword Style unraveled. At the same time, qi sprouted from his palm like a blossoming sun.

There was no need to wait. Yeon-shin immediately raised the Desolate Sword. A faint light trailed behind the blade.

Swoosh!

The sword strike missed. It was the first time this had happened since he created the sword style.

The Stealthy Demon’s footwork was ghostly, as his nickname suggested. His movements were swift and shifty.

The hand that reached out was eerie, slithering like a snake with the sinister flow of qi.

It seemed poised to coil around Yeon-shin’s sword-wielding hand.

‘Joint Locks. Quite skillful.’

Yeon-shin observed the Stealthy Demon’s technique.

The history of joint locks was long. It was originally created by a general from a long-lost kingdom.

What started as a display of martial prowess in the barracks evolved to be used by soldiers, guards, and eventually martial artists.

Its essence lay in neutralizing an opponent’s arm, rendering them defenseless.

Despite advancements in qi manipulation, its fundamental principles had not changed.

Thunk!

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Yeon-shin twisted his body and pushed forward.

It was a common technique seen even in alleyways. A body blow.

A short burst of wind swept through his entire body.

The spiral technique of the Fatebreaker’s Codex, combined with Cheong Myeong’s teachings, shattered any openings behind him.

The Stealthy Demon, having retreated significantly, narrowed his eyes.

“A technique of the Elves? No. It’s a new martial art with a similar form but impossible for humans to replicate.”

“You talk too much.”

“I have looked into you.”

The Stealthy Demon continued speaking.

“The Blood Flame Sect is a terrifying force. They respond appropriately to potential threats. They not only send assassins but also dig into the past. They discovered everything. You are from the annihilated Jeong family in Xinye, Hanam. The Hao Clan suffered and spilled their information.”

“……”

“You buried your family in the back hills, didn’t you? What do you think has happened to that place now? You have greatly antagonized the Blood Flame Sect.”

“What?”

“You took the head of a Blood Master? Did you think they would leave your homeland alone? They dug up the mountains and eventually burned everything down.”

Yeon-shin tightened his grip on his sword. He recalled the servant who called him for breakfast every morning.

His father, who recognized him at the end of his life, also came to mind. His family, who had kept their distance, now approached with a mix of love and hate.

“You. You have black hair, but you don’t look like a cultist. Are you an apostle?”

“You think all martial artists of the Blood Flame Sect practice Blood Arts? You really are new to the martial world.”

“Yes.”

Yeon-shin muttered, no longer caring about the enemy’s martial arts.

He roused his energy once more. The qi circulating through his Eight Extraordinary Meridians began to vibrate intensely.

The intensity of the qi began to fluctuate, utilizing the overlapping principles of the Fatebreaker’s Codex.

The instincts of warriors facing life and death battles transcended the ordinary.

They said one could feel the opponent’s mind closer than a lover. The Stealthy Demon’s lips twisted into a grin.

“A brat is going to kill me? I’ll bury you with the remaining eye of the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword.”

The moment the Stealthy Demon mentioned Cheong Myeong’s eye, Yeon-shin’s thoughts entered a different realm.

‘When do martial artists, the wanderers of the martial world, despair?’

The first would be when their sect master, senior brother, or they themselves met death.

The second would be when they could no longer practice martial arts.

Then what about the next? When would martial artists obsessed with martial arts experience a shock equivalent to the first two?

Cutting off limbs was not enough. Revenge was the next emotion after the desire to survive.

“Hup!”

The Stealthy Demon exhaled briefly. At the same time, his footwork unfolded once more.

His hand, which claimed to steal anything in the world, unraveled the mysteries of joint locks.

Yeon-shin stepped forward, moving his right hand that held the sword.

The Desolate Sword disappeared into its sheath like extinguished lightning. He met the enemy barehanded.

He extended his right hand. It looked identical to the Stealthy Demon’s joint locks.

The Stealthy Demon’s face, which had smirked with arrogance, was suddenly obscured.

Yeon-shin’s hand created a strange shadow.

A small movement. A single hand gesture deflected the Stealthy Demon’s joint lock.

“…!”

The trajectory was clearly in the realm of supreme martial arts. The technique itself was on another level.

Acting second, but achieving control first. Yeon-shin’s slower hand had reversed and seized the opponent’s wrist first.

At the same time, the overwhelming strength of the Jeong Family Dynamic Training was unleashed. It had been a long time.

The sheer grip pressure alone completely immobilized the opponent. No need for acupuncture points.

“You, how could you…!”

Sweat beaded on the Stealthy Demon’s face.

He seemed unable to even think about kicking. It was a drastic change from his previous confidence.

“It’s better this way. Your technique wasn’t that skillful.”

Yeon-shin spoke indifferently.

The Stealthy Demon’s face was almost in a state of panic. It seemed filled with fear.

He had witnessed his unique martial arts being performed by the enemy right before his eyes.

“Shall I tell you the incantation?”

Yeon-shin asked softly, causing the Stealthy Demon to flinch. This time, Yeon-shin laughed.

Would he really tell him? The Stealthy Demon’s face gradually changed as he realized this, shifting from longing to despair.

Yeon-shin stole and crushed his life.

‘So, this is it.’

He had found his own way to bring down the martial artists of the Demonic Sect.

The martial arts of the wanderers were referred to as accumulated merit. It represented life built over a long time.

Denying that was enough.

All he had to do was display the opponent’s martial arts in a better form. Right before their eyes as they exchanged techniques.

The Stealthy Demon’s wrist, held by Yeon-shin’s right hand, shattered.

Srrk.

As the Stealthy Demon screamed, Yeon-shin drew the Desolate Sword with a reverse grip from his waist.

He walked back to the inn holding the Stealthy Demon’s head.

There were Blood Flame Sect masters who had attacked the inn with the Stealthy Demon. But they were already dealt with.

Ma Jin had returned and, together with the masters of the Mount Hua Sect, defeated the Blood Flame Sect warriors.

Everyone from the Desolate Fortress, except for Yeon-shin, had responded. Ma Jin said he had watched Yeon-shin’s fight from the window.

“You are…”

The scar on Ma Jin’s face twitched.

He opened his mouth several times as if he had seen something he shouldn’t have, then sighed.

Yeon-shin didn’t pay much attention to his uncle’s expression.

“I have accomplished many feats. Please record them accurately.”

He said, presenting the Stealthy Demon’s head. In his other hand, he held a wooden box he had taken from the man’s body.

Inside the small box was a miraculous elixir he had never seen before.

The Grand Violet Pill. It would be considered the highest merit.

Ma Jin spoke, looking somewhat dazed.

“…You will soon advance to Blue Rank. You’ll be able to request the promotion test in the near future… The shortest time to rank up as well as the youngest to ever do it.”

“The promotion test… I’ve heard of it. Please explain it in detail next time. It seems we have more urgent matters now.”

“Yes. The Mount Hua Sect has suffered.”

Following Ma Jin, they moved to another room in the inn. The inn was nearly half destroyed.

However, the innkeeper’s expression was rather bright. He had been promised compensation in the name of the Desolate Fortress and the Mount Hua Sect.

“Hmm.”

Yeon-shin let out a hum. The face of the boy lying motionless on the bed was familiar.

The first disciple of the Mount Hua Sect, Yu Hyeon.

He was the bold friend who had promised to visit the Desolate Fortress after crossing swords with Yeon-shin.

“He used up all his qi. He was trying to protect his senior.”

Cheon Ju, standing at the bedside, glanced at Yeon-shin and said.

The stern face of the Sword Absolute of Mount Hua seemed softer.

Yeon-shin understood why. The dantian was not like an empty vessel.

It was an organ that contained a small amount of qi from birth. If it was completely depleted, it would be damaged.

Some called this minimal amount of qi the innate true qi.

He recalled hearing that the nature of this qi was not different from inner energy, and it could be replenished.

Yeon-shin spoke carefully.

“If it’s a depletion of qi, it can be replenished, right? I know it’s a common issue.”

“You’re right. The disciples with similar symptoms have already gotten back on their feet.”

“Then Yu Hyeon’s inner energy…”

“Yu Hyeon is different. As the head disciple, he has learned the Violet Dawn Divine Art.

Not all martial arts of Mount Hua are the same. The cultivation methods differ greatly.”

Cheon Ju explained solemnly. His expression did not change even when Yeon-shin produced the Grand Violet Pill.

It meant someone had to refine the pill’s energy and transfer it to the unconscious Yu Hyeon.

“You have done a great service by retrieving this. The energy of the Grand Violet Pill could substitute for the Violet Dawn Divine Art. However, refining the energy of such an elixir is a delicate task. The half shichen (one hour) that Yu Hyeon has left won’t be enough…”

Cheon Ju’s words were interrupted. Ma Jin, standing next to him, was moving his lips silently.

It seemed he was sending a telepathic message. Cheon Ju’s eyes widened.

“Did you get permission for me to do it?”

Yeon-shin asked, and Ma Jin nodded.

“Yes. Now consume it. This will also count as your achievement.”

There was no need to ask further. It was clear.

When Yeon-shin had defeated the Azure Squad warrior, he had absorbed the Desolate Fortress’s supply elixir at an astonishing rate.

Ma Jin hadn’t even had time to place his hand on the life gate acupoint in the middle of his back.

The Lord of the Desolate Fortress had said Cheon Ju was her equal. Did they share a bond of trust between peers?

Cheon Ju, who had immediately agreed, also seemed to have remarkable generosity.

“Then.”

They made Yu Hyeon lie on his stomach. Placing his hands neatly, Yeon-shin sat cross-legged beside him.

With Cheon Ju’s approval, Yeon-shin took out the pristine elixir and swallowed it.

A fragrant aroma accompanied the Grand Violet Pill as it entered his body.

‘Is there really an elixir that melts instantly?’

It was only a fleeting thought. He began to move his qi from the stone gate acupoint where his lower dantian was located.

Within the great circulation of qi that flowed through the upper half of his body, the Grand Violet Pill began to disintegrate, and its energy surged.

He realized something as he harnessed the power. The Grand Violet Pill was an elixir specialized for a particular type of qi manipulation.

He recalled hearing that elixir-making techniques, like martial arts, grew and evolved with history.

He thought about a year. It would take a year of closed-door training to assimilate the energy of the Grand Violet Pill for someone not trained in the internal arts of Mount Hua.

Extracting the energy and refining it with qi were separate tasks. The higher the grade of the elixir, the greater the gap between them.

‘Without a year of closed-door training… it would be no different from the qi of another person.’

This was why the Blood Flame Sect and the Stealthy Demon hadn’t taken it immediately.

‘With that time, it would be better to cultivate my own martial arts. But I can still use it to transfer energy to Yu Hyeon.’

It was a stroke of fortune.

It seemed the time had come to fully open the middle dantian, which had been slightly opened. He remembered Baek Mir-yeo’s words.

She had said his body needed to contain immense qi. The Grand Violet Pill would more than suffice.