Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 76 – Ma Family (4)

‘If I don’t do what the Ma family orders, that’s all there is to it.’

Jeong Yeon-shin was concerned about grudges and favors.

Prestigious martial families were like clothes patched with all sorts of favors and enmities.

Those who considered Zhu Lianting a mortal enemy might point their swords at Jeong Yeon-shin.

There would also be those demanding Jeong Yeon-shin to repay favors received from the Ma family.

He would have to spend time on matters outside missions. The bloodlines of prestigious martial families were one in themselves.

‘Did it work?’

Today Ma Yeon-jeok went to inspect civilian affairs in Xiangyang City.

The former Divine Sword Squad Leader’s procession was grand. It meant his departure was known.

That was why Hyeon Won-chang moved immediately.

They said a purple-ranked master’s martial might was truly transcendent. He moved quickly to prevent variables.

The rumor that Lightning Genius’ maternal family was the Desolate Ma family could only come from here.

So they blocked it starting from the main family. They tried to separate Jeong Yeon-shin from the Ma family even slightly.

Relying on Desolate Sect warriors’ eyes and mouths.

Create a disturbance. Draw in others from the main sect and become the Ma family’s target.

The moment one leader steps forth, Jeong Yeon-shin takes the strike instead.

It clearly revealed the relationship with the maternal family. It was a minimal measure.

“…Your behavior is laughable. I cannot match you.”

Zhu Lianting slowly parted her lips.

“Lightning Genius. I understand your will is firm. Let’s see over time. I will accept all your intentions. Anything but severing ties and succession. I hope you think well on it.”

“……”

She turned around. The Ma family warriors followed.

The Ma family elders who had been watching from one side also turned their backs.

Such was the prestigious family’s dignity. They didn’t get involved in frivolous matters. It meant conveying intent was enough.

Hyeon Won-chang slightly bowed his head. Following and clinging there would make things look strange. It was half a success.

He sent sound transmission.

-Young Hero Jeong, how is it? They say they’ll accept your intention…

-Being hit by her palm technique is enough. Many masters saw it.

Jeong Yeon-shin gently pushed away Hyeon Won-chang’s hand.

Unfamiliar warriors approached him as he slowly rose.

They were those who had been observing the incident, mixed blue and white ranks. They seemed to be masters from other martial powers.

“Are you alright?”

“Though we can’t comment on family matters, if you studied in the Ma family, this is impossible behavior.”

“Your movement technique was impressive.”

Many came to briefly examine Jeong Yeon-shin and left. They seemed to accept it as family matters anyway.

It was also because nothing good could come from getting entangled with those in power.

However, there was also a middle-aged man who approached wanting to talk.

“First time seeing the rumored rising talent. Because the main sect is vast.”

“Radiant Demon Wing, Lightning Genius.”

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“Jin Ju-rim of Obeying Heaven Wing.”

He spoke of the Divine Sword Squad’s Obeying Heaven Wing. They said it was a martial power established around the same time as the Radiant Demon Wing.

Blue robe sleeves extended from his clasped hands.

He was a blue-ranked master. Though a senior deserving informal speech, his bearing was courteous.

Jin Ju-rim opened his mouth smiling with drooping eyes.

“Seeing up close your complexion isn’t too bad, how about a brief chat?”

“May I ask your business?”

“Lightning Genius Jeong Yeon-shin. I heard well from Hwa-sin. Since before you were promoted to blue rank.”

“By Hwa-sin you mean…”

“More familiar with his alias? I mean White Qilin. Namgung Hwa-sin.”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded slightly.

He couldn’t recall immediately because much time had passed.

He was the man who acknowledged defeat despite winning against Jeong Yeon-shin at Desolate Sect City.

A rising disciple who gave the closest feeling to the words ‘fair and righteous.’ He heard he was active in Obeying Heaven Wing.

“I know. How is Young Hero Namgung faring?”

“He became a blue-ranked warrior a month ago. Though it seems a bit late compared to you, it’s because he didn’t rush through missions. Hwa-sin’s promotion speed is quite impressive too.”

Jin Ju-rim said with a slight smile.

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded. Less than a year had passed since entering Desolate Sect.

Compared to himself who performed years worth of missions without rest, Namgung Hwa-sin’s promotion was truly exceptional.

“Do you know? An interesting story circulates in the main sect.”

Had Jin Ju-rim extended his energy sense? A stream of inner power scanned Jeong Yeon-shin’s entire body. It was very subtle.

“White Qilin and Lightning Genius. Among the main sect’s many rising talents, both showed great prominence, but which would be sharper? I was curious too. However…”

The middle-aged master of Obeying Heaven Wing who must have fought hundreds of battles spoke with an interested face.

“Now I think Hwa-sin would take two moves. Must be because you’re not at full power.”

He meant White Qilin was at least two moves ahead. He seemed to speak after feeling the energy waves.

Jeong Yeon-shin briefly fell into thought.

Before he knew it, the Desolate Ma family matter left his mind. It was because of the mission ahead.

Life-and-death martial matches with Namgung family leaders. It couldn’t be considered separately from White Qilin Namgung Hwa-sin.

‘The Grand Administrator said so. That competition would be fierce for the mission assignment.’

Namgung Hwa-sin was a man who left his family and devoted himself to Desolate Sect.

To advance smoothly in the main sect, this matter couldn’t be neglected.

He might even volunteer for the martial match. The murim was such a place.

If he competed with Jeong Yeon-shin, he would be an extremely powerful opponent.

‘Senior Jin Ju-rim is blue rank. The more skilled the master, the less they judge opponents by energy size alone.’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

The information provided by the waves of true qi inherent in the body was not simple.

The density and nature of inner power cultivation, the precision of intent were indirectly revealed.

Martial world masters were beings who could guess how moves would be unleashed from this. This was how martial artists measured enemy strength.

Jin Ju-rim’s view was the same. It wasn’t talk to be ignored.

“You seem lost in thought. It’s understandable.”

He said.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t particularly respond. He just calmly clasped his hands.

“Thank you for the advice.”

“Just advice? I spoke facts.”

Jin Ju-rim who stared at him said:

“Aren’t you involved in the Clear Night Valley incident? Since you have grudges with the Namgung family, your justification can’t be said to be less than Hwa-sin who wants to point his sword at his own family. Resolving what one started is also a warrior’s virtue. I wish you success.”

He left after giving those words of encouragement.

Jeong Yeon-shin bowed to his companions. Cheong Myeong who sheathed his sword and Baek Mi-ryeo were waiting.

“Thank you.”

“What thanks? Stories of troublesome in-laws are common. Tell us whenever they act bothersome.”

Cheong Myeong ruffled Jeong Yeon-shin’s hair. His crooked smile was strangely mysterious.

Was it confidence unique to nobles? He showed no sign of fearing prestigious martial families.

Baek Mi-ryeo extended her long fingers to touch Jeong Yeon-shin’s solar plexus.

After slightly closing and opening her eyes as if observing meridians, she parted her lips.

“Your true qi operation is amazing. It went as you said. It won’t affect your recovery.”

“We can keep dealing with the Ma family like this going forward. However…”

Cheong Myeong opened his mouth while quietly staring at Jin Ju-rim’s back.

“It won’t be easy for Lightning Genius to receive the mission either. White Qilin…”

“If the main family decided to strike off the Namgung family’s head through martial matches…”

Baek Mi-ryeo said while slightly brushing her sidelock.

“It means they’ll consider face. If that’s the General Administration Office’s intent, they’ll send out main sect warriors matching the opponent’s age. Among Namgung leaders, at Lightning Genius’ age, there’s only the young master and his sister. There aren’t many spots. White Qilin is indeed a competition.”

“But didn’t Young Hero Jeong subdue Lazy Flame Dragon at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering? They said even White Qilin yielded one move to the Hwangbo young master who was a few years older, yet he surpassed him already? Does he possess martial talent transcending even bloodlines…?”

Hyeon Won-chang muttered questions as if talking to himself.

‘Lazy Flame Dragon.’

Jeong Yeon-shin recalled the Hwangbo family’s young master. Hyeon Won-chang’s words weren’t wrong.

He broke one technique. But it was thanks to seeing the martial match with Mount Hua’s Yu Hyeon first.

Between Jeong Yeon-shin and Lazy Flame Dragin, Jeong Yeon-shin was the one pushed back in their first encounter.

The second meeting was different. He won by striking the opponent’s opening with innate sense.

It would have been difficult if Lazy Flame Dragon had used different martial arts. Just looking at accumulated martial might, he was more accomplished than Jeong Yeon-shin.

It was because he was born with the Scorching Divine Meridian and cultivated martial arts for a long time.

Saying the past Lazy Flame Dragon was stronger than White Qilin was meaningless.

Jeong Yeon-shin had never seen Lazy Flame Dragon’s full power.

Measuring Namgung Hwa-sin based on breaking his fist technique once? It was absurd.

‘Demon-Destroying Azure Unyielding Pam, Sword Song.’

Demon-subduing techniques and wide-area sound techniques. He used them to achieve merits beyond his martial might.

He accomplished large merits thanks to creating special martial arts.

‘This time is different.’

He must win with his original martial arts alone. He had to return to the starting point.

He thought while returning with his three companions. Internal energy quantity and training period… How should he overcome a situation where he was at a disadvantage in crucial factors?

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly looked up at the sky.

The silver-gray crescent moon that rolled up the darkness scattered pale moonlight.

The commotion raised by Hyeon Won-chang and companions also disappeared into pitch-black silence.

Not a trace remained. The night’s stillness seemed to speak. Not to resolve countless murim matters with petty schemes.

* * *

The very next day, an official notice from the General Administration Office went up throughout the main sect.

The disturbance at the Desolate Ma family was pushed aside. The impact of the contents was that great.

A large announcement was also posted on the central wall of Radiant Demon Wing’s great martial arts grounds.

Masters read the notice from their respective places.

Many stood on roofs with arms crossed, or sat roughly at a distance just rolling their eyes.

It was because they had trained eye techniques. They could see far like hawks and even track swift swords slowly.

“This is big.”

“No ordinary event.”

From the first line it was about the Namgung family. Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Genius was also mentioned.

It said they repaid the Desolate Sect lord’s direct disciple’s favor with enmity.

[…As the Namgung family’s behavior has crossed the line, our Desolate Sect intends to correct the conduct of the Namgung powerful family of South Zhili. Therefore, on the Great Heat of July, life-and-death martial matches between the main sect and Namgung family will be carried out. Warriors of the seventeen powers under the Divine Sword Squad should consider carefully and volunteer.]

Hyeon Won-chang recited the notice’s lines aloud.

He looked like a scholar examining examination results.

“…If there are many volunteers there will be competitions. They will be divided by age to compete one-on-one. As it’s to distinguish jade from stone premising mission victory, main sect warriors should prepare accordingly.”

“As expected.”

Baek Mi-ryeo said.

“Missions are originally distributed this way. Unless the Sect Lord commands otherwise. It’s unusual for matters normally settled at black-ranked masters’ level to come down. Competition will definitely occur. The Namgung family’s name is that high.”

“Azure Sky Boundless Sword Technique, Emperor Sword Form.”

Cheong Myeong who smiled slightly parted his lips.

“Smashing famous martial arts under heaven brings honor. No warrior would hesitate to make their alias renowned. The mission’s merits will be great too. Competition is inevitable.”

“Lightning Genius. We won’t step forward.”

Baek Mi-ryeo stared at Jeong Yeon-shin. Cheong Myeong did too. Only his smiling expression differed.

“Cheong Myeong and I aren’t in urgent need of merits. Win and take the mission. Can you do it?”

He didn’t answer for a moment. It was because of their words about not volunteering.

He knew consideration lay at the foundation of their decision. It must be because they learned of his constitution.

‘Is this just gratitude…?’

A feeling hard to express arose. It tickled.

“…It’s hard to say for certain now. Later, seems I’ll have to know after going there later.”

“Where?”

“I received word. The Sect Lord is calling.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered as calmly as possible.

A letter came from the General Administration Office. He received it two hours ago.

It said Desolate Sect’s lord would bestow rewards for the Blood Flame Sect headquarters matter.

‘I didn’t expect.’

He repeated inwardly. Turbulence was rising in his heart.

It had been so since morning. His companions didn’t seem to know because he deliberately didn’t show it.

There were two pages.

Another letter was enclosed. He took it out casually but was shocked. Because the writer was beyond expectation.

It was Desolate Sect’s lord.

She said to read and burn it, so he burned it. He couldn’t do so in his mind.

Her flowing words were clearly engraved as if burning his mind.

[I bestow a small piece, come to me when the full moon rises.]

That was the one line.