Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 42 – Counter Martial Arts (3)

It was the middle-aged man who had emitted energy waves suspicious of being a Blood Swordmaster.

Jeong Yeon-shin caught up to such a guy’s back in one breath. Even if he had dug into a moment of carelessness as usual, it was surprising.

The speed itself was different. He expected power of a completely new system.

‘However.’

The force wave emitted from his striking hand was different from expected.

Even while delivering a fatal strike to the guy’s head, it was puzzling. The martial arts he had thought of didn’t come out.

He struck with physical power. Even that alone was supernatural strength.

Puhk!

Hit in the head, he collapsed from the chin. His entire fallen body twitched.

He was already dead. It was a death throe convulsion.

“With one move against such a guy…!”

“Truly advanced martial arts!”

The exclamations of one Deep Martial Alliance youngster and Hyeon Yu-ryang were meaningless.

Even the movements he thought had become faster were just results of repeated insights improving true energy efficiency.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s senses reaching intuition dissected the phenomenon in detail. He knew immediately.

The new old techniques he had tried to unleash were still crude. They hadn’t meshed precisely.

Inspiration penetrating everything into one.

It was always like this. One lightning bolt weaving scattered old techniques into a single martial art. That was all Jeong Yeon-shin needed.

‘I’ll achieve it soon.’

He didn’t get impatient. They said when the upper dantian communicated with heaven and earth, the realm of foresight sometimes came.

He felt he would be able to create dharma power martial arts soon. Perhaps even today.

Jeong Yeon-shin opened his mouth toward Hyeon Yu-ryang.

“The Blood Flame Sect has infiltrated the escort bureau. Can the Righteous Heaven Sword Family handle it?”

“Of course Mount Pingding’s matters are our matters. We can only thank Lightning Flash for finding this.”

Hyeon Yu-ryang clasped his fists once more. He too was a famous family’s heir.

Things like handling matters were like that. The proper cultivation that direct descendants of well-taught famous families naturally possessed.

What Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been the Jeong family’s troublemaker, couldn’t have.

However, Hyeon Yu-ryang’s gaze looking at him was strange. It didn’t seem like simple admiration.

“Excuse me, but may I ask your age?”

“…I’m sixteen this year.”

“The right age. If you don’t have a marriage arrangement, would it be alright to show you my younger sister? She’s a very beautiful and kind child.”

Hyeon Yu-ryang spoke in a very casual tone.

What did he just say? Jeong Yeon-shin was rarely flustered. He just didn’t show it.

‘Marriage.’

Wouldn’t that be the thing furthest from him? A life of having children with someone and living together for a hundred years. It seemed reachable only in dreams.

He politely declined.

“I appreciate your words, but I lack time even to hold a sword. It would be hard to call me a good marriage prospect. Since my family met with annihilation.”

“A promising Desolate Sect master is itself a very good marriage prospect. I hope you’ll think about it over time.”

He let Hyeon Yu-ryang’s smiling words pass. Jeong Yeon-shin threw his gaze north.

It was time for the scattered Radiant Demon Wing to gather again.

* * *

“I knew you’d be safe! You did really well, Sir Jeong!”

Hyeon Won-chang welcomed him among over ten large, clean pavilion buildings.

He had quite a few wounds on his body. Perhaps from being hit by blood technique true energy, the bleeding hadn’t even stopped completely.

Blood seeped through the cotton cloth wrapped in various places, but he still grinned.

After a brief reunion with him, Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly asked.

“No internal injuries?”

“Fortunately not. Sir Jeong looks perfectly fine.”

“Because I escaped to the outskirts and took a boat.”

“Ah! Come to think of it, they said you caught those viciously evil Deep Martial Alliance youngsters. That too was really well done.”

Hyeon Won-chang laughed as if delighted. Though he briefly grimaced as if his wounds opened, his smile didn’t disappear.

The reasons major evil sects were bound together and were called the Thirteen Heavens, and each were each different.

Jeong Yeon-shin had seen Sword Art Flower try to kill a monk without hesitation.

Though they said Hyeon Won-chang had shown inexplicable hostility toward famous major sects, he thought this was now a smile made as one walking purely on the righteous path.

Jeong Yeon-shin walked together with Hyeon Won-chang. They passed several streams of sunlight brightly piercing between pavilions.

He had just declined the Righteous Heaven Sword Family’s goodwill offering to attach attendants.

Hyeon Won-chang, who had already eaten several meals, told of the circumstances meanwhile.

The remaining Radiant Demon Wing broke through the encirclement and pushed straight to Mount Pingding.

Baek Mi-ryeo had worried about Jeong Yeon-shin, but was relieved by words heard from torturing a Blood Flame Sect member.

Everyone had confidence. That failed Deep Martial Alliance rising talents couldn’t do anything to Lightning Flash.

Before long, Jeong Yeon-shin could see Ma Jin and the Radiant Demon Wing seniors.

The scar on Ma Jin’s chin rose slightly.

“You achieved merit even in that situation.”

“How is the squad leader? The Seventh Apostle’s neck…?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked calmly. The Radiant Demon Wing Lord called Hell Life turned his eyes.

“That demoness’s body technique compatibility wasn’t good with me. If Cheong Myeong had reached my level, he could have killed her.”

“You call that an excuse?”

Cheong Myeong teased with a grin.

As usual, Baek Mi-ryeo grabbed Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulders and looked him over before nodding.

“Healthy to an excessive degree. Your energy seems to be changing once again. Usually this is the age to build your vessel, but you keep advancing endlessly.”

“…Thank you, senior.”

She had been acting like a sister for some time now. He turned slightly to remove Baek Mi-ryeo’s hands. Though grateful, it was still awkward.

Jeong Yeon-shin turned his gaze.

“Then what about the Blood Flame Sect pursuit mission? The Seventh Apostle seems to have information about their headquarters.”

“We wait. We plan to respond in agreement with the Righteous Heaven Sword Family.”

Ma Jin spoke briefly before continuing.

“The Seventh Apostle’s demeanor was strange. They too seemed to have received extermination orders against us. From Desolate Sect main fortress and Blood Flame Sect headquarters’ perspective it’s a local battle, but for us it’s all-out war.”

“Can we know the timing?”

“Their advantage is that we don’t know that. We must counter-strike. We have a secret plan. The Righteous Heaven Sword Family’s mechanism formation – we won’t be caught in a surprise attack.”

They said famous martial families were generally pavilions built up with corpses and blood.

Famous families had many enemies. Ingenious plans to prepare for invasion had to develop.

‘Mechanism formation.’

He had heard of it. They said it created strange phenomena by weaving together strange techniques and principles of great nature.

Naturally, third-rate martial families like the Jeong family didn’t have such things.

“They said the main sect’s dwarf clan craftsmen came personally to make it. Those blood demons won’t know about it.”

The day darkened along with Ma Jin’s smiling words.

Jeong Yeon-shin met and greeted Radiant Demon First Team. They too were relieved at their junior’s safety.

Afterwards, after reuniting with the Jeong family administrator and Little Divine Monk Gak Jeong, he entered his sleeping quarters.

Jeong Yeon-shin sat on the bed without immediately falling asleep.

‘Let’s organize the oral chants.’

He sat cross-legged wearing moonlight as clothes. The meditation continued until daybreak.

He didn’t move at all until the blanket wrapped around him changed from moonlight to sunlight.

* * *

After breakfast he received Hyeon Yu-ryang’s invitation. The content of the message was interesting.

He said he would be grateful if Jeong Yeon-shin minded his conduct since his younger sister would be there.

He even sent splendid silk clothes. It seemed he was trying to keep the words he had finally spoken.

Jeong Yeon-shin pinched the clothes between his thumb and index finger. As he looked at them strangely for a moment.

“Radiant Demon Wing!”

Ma Jin’s voice full of true energy. The door made of good wood shook lengthily.

For a moment he felt the atmosphere boiling. It was the Radiant Demon Wing Lord’s call. It was a signal of enemy raid.

He immediately grabbed the Desolate Sword. The sunlight brushing the pitch-black sword wave and scabbard shimmered threateningly.

Jeong Yeon-shin who stepped out of the room was already fully prepared.

The seniors were gathered in the courtyard. Hyeon Won-chang too came running hurriedly.

Before Ma Jin could explain the situation, Hyeon Won-chang who was running caught a hidden weapon shot at his head.

His lips rose smoothly.

“Interesting.”

Hyeon Won-chang smiled as he crushed the long flying needle with one hand.

“This time will be different.”

He muttered while glancing at Jeong Yeon-shin.

Ma Jin, who lightly patted Hyeon Won-chang’s shoulder as he approached, spoke as if grinding his words.

“Fire bombs exploded at the south gate here. They’re completely crazy. The formation must be completely crushed.”

“No regard for imperial court or anything.”

“There were rumors, but did the Tang Clan really go crazy and make these? What just exploded must have been leaked from them.”

Baek Mi-ryeo and Cheong Myeong each said a word.

Before they knew it, they were watching a Blood Flame Sect apostle gently approaching after destroying the back gate.

The number of Blood Swordmasters and Blood Flame Sect members spread behind was tremendous. It looked to be easily two hundred.

“No way.”

The Seventh Apostle’s elegant gait strangely focused everyone’s attention. She slowly moved her lips.

“The Tang Clan is an orthodox sect, only in name.”

Her smile was seductive. The smile was red.

Ma Jin stepped forward.

“You sow distrust. You, demoness. You don’t need to try so hard. Desolate Sect watches all sects under heaven. It’s always been that way.”

“All the martial sects and noble clans under heaven, Desolate Sect. Hypocrisy that won’t let go of its grip on the world.”

“The evil sect’s demoness has a long tongue.”

“Our sect’s blood flame will cleanse the world, see the blood world even in death.”

Is this how all those immersed in evil sects speak? Jeong Yeon-shin thought alone.

The Seventh Apostle, smiling with closed lips, arrogantly jerked her chin.

Simultaneously, the Blood Flame Sect’s unique momentum surged like military formation. It was the start of fierce battle.

Clang-!

Materialized energy waves clawed the dirt ground. Ma Jin clashed with the Seventh Apostle.

As Righteous Heaven Sword Family masters came running, and Shaolin monks and Radiant Demon Wing mixed with Blood Flame Sect members.

From the battle’s opening, Jeong Yeon-shin captured the two supreme masters in his eyes. The enemies’ momentum was fierce after striking a weak point with fire bombs.

Sinister waves of true energy surging forth stabbed at skin.

While Hyeon Won-chang blocked one Blood Swordmaster’s blade, Baek Mi-ryeo cut past the guy’s neck.

It was a life-and-death battle. Even martial artists who emphasized righteousness’ face was a laughable matter in group battle.

Splash-!

Jeong Yeon-shin cut off one Blood Flame Sect member’s arm.

Holding the Desolate Sword, he prowled around like scattered leaves.

Yet he didn’t take his gaze off Ma Jin and the Seventh Apostle.

Blood scent was heavily contained in the occasional winds.

‘There too.’

Support attached to the Seventh Apostle. The eye techniques of three Blood Swordmssters surrounding her and Ma Jin were impressive.

The sword strikes they only unleashed when blows clashed seemed to disperse Ma Jin’s attention. They were outstanding ones even among sect swords.

“Perfect.”

Jeong Yeon-shin muttered quietly.

Then he slowly moved his steps. Simultaneously he lightly twisted his body this way and that.

Bewilderment seemed to seep from the Blood Flame Sect members’ weapons as they brushed past.

Body technique gradually approaching completion. Before he knew it, martial prowess similar to a blue-level was flourishing.

Step. Step.

The closer he got, the more strongly the Seventh Apostle’s energy waves stimulated his entire body. Was it Dharma’s voice?

Intent newly guiding true energy arose.

The ominousness surging like a storm was moving Jeong Yeon-shin to another realm.

Clang! Boom!

In the gap while supreme masters’ force waves swept the surroundings.

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly stepped in. It was thanks to the Blood Swordmasters dissolving force waves while trying to help the Seventh Apostle.

Ma Jin’s eyes widened seeing him, and the Seventh Apostle’s lips rose slightly.

“Not knowing your place.”

The Seventh Apostle’s long fingers held true energy. Even while exchanging moves with Ma Jin, tremendous density could be felt.

She had spare energy to casually strike out her left hand while focusing on her opponent. The three Blood Swordmasters were directing sword strikes only at Ma Jin.

To Jeong Yeon-shin it was rather welcome. The Seventh Apostle’s hand had already slowed enough.

The upper dantian baihui acupoint at his crown white-hot.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s head went numb.

Little Divine Monk Gak Jeong’s fist and leg techniques, Shaolin monks’ dharma talks and all the old techniques he possessed tangled and burst like lightning.

The light net arising in his mind created light’s old techniques, and inspiration striking in an instant blazed to write five characters.

Demon Destroying Blue Steel Hand.

Jeong Yeon-shin immediately created and extended a hand technique. Divine energy gathered in the force wave. It was a very faint blue light.

Puhk-!

The Seventh Apostle’s casually extended hand bounced back. It felt like dissolving force waves with extreme compatibility.

Storm-like winds gathered and distorted everywhere. Foreign matter caught on Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand that advanced straight through.

At the end of the straight force wave containing pale blue light was her left eye.

Swish-!

“Ahhh!”

They said when learning blood techniques, the entire body’s senses rise sharply. Was pain the same?

The first Blood Swordmaster Jeong Yeon-shin killed was like that. When a sword pierced his abdomen, he couldn’t come to his senses.

The Seventh Apostle clutching one eye seemed the same.

Blood seeped through gaps in her white hand. Her slender body also trembled.

“You, youuu-!”

Now she couldn’t handle Ma Jin. She created distance with tremendous body technique. It happened in an instant.

It was an opportunity. Ma Jin cut down the three Blood Swordmasters at once, but he too couldn’t hide the shock coloring his face.

Everyone who began looking this way one by one was the same.

The hall filling with silence amid the battlefield’s clamor.

“You said blood world. Now you’ll only see half of it.”

Jeong Yeon-shin who spoke calmly shook his left hand once. The blood remaining on his hand’s back even after being widely scattered bothered him.