Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

‘Not bad,’ he thought. His worries were unfounded. The calm expression on his opponent’s face told him as much. This was the true strength of a prestigious family. They didn’t waste their power frivolously. The fearsome part of a distinguished family was their ability to fully exert their martial prowess where it was most needed.

“You mentioned ten moves; I will put my all into them,” said the heir of the distinguished family, one trained by Ma Yeon-jeok, a former leader of the Divine Sword Squad who once dominated the world.

He hadn’t been taught carelessly. The waves of qi climbing up his arm were intense.

“This is the Harmonized Blossom Fist .”

“You can use palm techniques too. Just because I mentioned fist techniques, don’t limit your moves. Show me everything you’ve got.”

“……”

He seemed angry again. Yeon-shin decided to stay silent.

The silence didn’t last long. When the intense qi settled into his opponent’s body, it was clear he wasn’t to be underestimated. His movements were different from before, reflecting his changed attitude.

Thud! Whoosh!

Yeon-shin saw a light footstep for the first time. As the punch swirled towards him, he countered with a Charged Strike.

Boom!

Their fists collided. It wasn’t an easy feat even in a duel.

It meant their concentration was at its peak. The fragments of their intersecting energies scattered over their clothes.

The one pushed back was his opponent. Despite having more power, his martial arts achievement was a different matter.

While his opponent swallowed a groan, Yeon-shin wrapped qi around his lower body.

It wasn’t over. The core of Charged Strike was accumulation.

Yeon-shin twisted his footwork and took another step forward. The energy he accumulated wasn’t disrupted and built up once more.

A martial art that produced more power in a short time than the strongest strike. The air warped as his charged right fist extended.

Boom!

The defense of his opponent’s elbow crumbled, and the punch struck his solar plexus deeply.

“Argh!”

This was what he meant by recalling strong fists. Utilizing the Charged Strike freely in his fist techniques.

Inspired by the powerful continuous strikes of the Harmonized Blossom Fist , he adjusted his approach.

He gritted his teeth and corrected his form. Yeon-shin was still able to advance.

“Here I come again.”

“You arrogant bastard!”

His voice sounded like a growl, probably due to the intense fight.

The boy opened his palm wide. The qi changed. It was the moment Yeon-shin unleashed his third Charged Strike.

The boy’s left hand changed directions thrice, as if mocking his fist, and slapped the back of his hand.

Thud!

The boy was the one who stepped back, massaging his hand as he frowned. He seemed to be absorbing the impact of the force, which must have been substantial.

Yeon-shin immediately understood the change he had just witnessed. It wasn’t a simple feint, but a movement that built striking force with qi.

‘Another interesting technique.’

He took a step forward with pleasure. The accomplishment of Jeong Family Dynamic Training shone in this moment.

The accumulated energy was held in place by the minute movements of his entire body.

Boom!

The Charged Strike of the third move was different. As he stepped down, the marble floor cracked. It was strenuous even for his body.

‘I can handle it.’

With such power contained in his body, it was hard to use the defensive skills of the Leaf Defense Technique. It meant he couldn’t strike an opponent unless they were incredibly slow. But he had the Demon’s Light.

“Peasant!”

He read his opponent’s movement clearly. The trajectory to strike with the Demon’s Light was revealed.

Whoosh!

Yeon-shin dropped down in an instant. The continuous moves of the Demon’s Light encompassed freedom.

At this moment, his movement clearly embodied a principle higher than the Harmonized Blossom Fist. It was the fourth move.

Boom!

Stone fragments scattered in all directions from the step’s end. He felt it through the surface of his fist.

It was the sensation of something breaking.

The protective qi flowing over his opponent’s body shattered into pieces.

‘Someday, I should develop a protective qi technique, too.’

Putting aside the sudden thought, he moved to follow the retreating opponent.

At the end of his leaf-like movement, new qi gathered.

‘Five moves are enough.’

He felt the principle of his unique martial arts permeate his entire body. The accumulation of power. He stacked it however he could.

The Fatebreaker’s Codex and Charged Strike were like that. It was the way he, who grew up in a third-rate martial family, faced the world.

Flash!

A sky-blue flash glimmered in Yeon-shin’s eyes.

From within, a blue lightning bolt surged up.

The secret of the Harmonized Blossom Fist mixed with the principles of the Fatebreaker’s Codex and Charged Strike.

The principle of martial arts exploded in his mind and converged into a single technique. A fist technique that grew stronger with prolonged engagement.

The Eternal Blossom Fist.

The name that naturally came to him finally unveiled a martial art worthy of being called a special technique.

As his arm swung from beside his shoulder, rubble swirled around.

Whoosh-!

The energy accumulated by mere forward movement exploded in front of his opponent’s solar plexus.

Though he detonated it from an inch away, his opponent’s upper body shook.

Stumbling as if about to fall, his opponent’s expression turned blank as the strength drained from his body.

“A fist technique embodying the essence of striking force! Now, you are no longer bound by the rotational movement of the Rotational Strike…!”

Ma Jin’s voice, tinged with awe, echoed from afar.

“We can continue if you’d like.”

“……”

Though he spoke to his opponent, who stood as if frozen, the boy bit his lower lip and said nothing.

Three people approached from a distance.

Ma Jin looked on, the color of his face drained, while Ma Yeon-jeok’s frozen face was strikingly expressionless.

Only the Lord of the Desolate Fortress maintained a faint smile.

“A precious spectacle. Witnessing the creation of a martial art. What delightful entertainment.”

“I am embarrassed. I hope I haven’t caused any offense.”

Yeon-shin slightly bowed his head. She laughed softly.

“That’s unnecessary. You seem to be enjoying yourself greatly. Isn’t it natural for a martial artist? Have you named your fist technique?”

“I have named it the Eternal Blossom Fist.”

“A martial art with a name signifying endless growth. It is a fitting name. However, its meaning is straightforward, so be cautious not to let it become a weakness in actual combat. The key is to endure the initial clash with the continuous moves. With your talent, you should be able to overcome it.”

“Thank you for the advice.”

Yeon-shin clasped his hands in a respectful fist salute. The Lord’s smile deepened.

“Are you alright?”

“I apologize, Grandfather…”

On the side, the step-grandfather and grandson were exchanging words of consolation.

The boy, almost in tears, stared at the ground with a face full of frustration.

While patting his step-grandson’s head, Ma Yeon-jeok looked at Yeon-shin with a complicated expression.

‘How can someone from such a small family have such brilliant talent…’

Even he had his pride. It was hard to speak to a grandson who had drawn such a clear line.

He envied his son, who could approach as a superior.

“Captain.”

Yeon-shin looked at Ma Jin standing before him.

“Well done. And congratulations. You’ve gained another unique martial art. It’s an excellent technique.”

“I’ve only sketched out the framework. I’m not fully satisfied with the moves yet, and I still need to rely on the Demon’s Light when using it with hand arts.”

“Even that’s impressive. There aren’t many among the White Uniform who could withstand your strike. I try not to be surprised, but your growth is astonishing.”

“It needs to be faster.”

He mumbled, his thoughts elsewhere, ignoring the emotional gaze Ma Jin cast at him.

Even Yeon-jeok couldn’t demand the fruit of the Heavenly Tree. His goal seemed even further out of reach.

‘When will I reach that damnably large tree?’

The thought was so vexing it brought out a curse.

“Since Yeon-shin has won, we should wrap this up.”

The Lord of the Desolate Fortress’s distinctive, resonant voice rang out. As he turned, he saw her still smiling.

After scanning the people present, she spoke again.

“I will teach Yeon-shin the martial art he needs when he needs it. Furthermore, he may request one thing from the Desolate Ma Family.”

“I will convey my request through the Captain when the time comes.”

Ma Jin’s expression turned curious when Yeon-shin glanced at him.

He had no desire to consider the feelings of the Captain, who had suddenly become a messenger.

‘The fault lies with them.’

Yeon-shin dismissed the thought lightly and finally looked at Ma Yeon-jeok.

“I apologize, but I must clarify one thing. I have no obligations to my maternal family in any way. Do you agree?”

“Hmm…”

His response was closer to a groan. He seemed lost in thought, unable to speak easily.

While Yeon-shin stared, Yeon-jeok, with a strained expression, finally spoke.

“What must I do…”

His flawless beard trembled slightly.

“What must I do to earn your forgiveness?”

“…!”

It wasn’t Yeon-shin who reacted to this. The boy, considered the heir, couldn’t hide his dismay, and Ma Jin’s face also showed shock.

Even the Lord of the Desolate Fortress seemed slightly surprised.

Perhaps because he was the person involved, Yeon-shin had a completely different thought.

‘He’s terrifying.’

It was said that whenever the supreme master of the Desolate Fortress went into the martial world, he acted as an absolute ruler.

Like a god holding the power of life and death over most people he encountered. It was a common rumor.

Unless they were one of the grandmasters of the Nine Great Sects, who were revered as immortals among the common folk, they couldn’t even face him in battle.

‘Someone like that bowed to me, someone far beneath him.’

Simply because he was a talented blood relative.

Only someone obsessed with the revival of his family would do such a thing.

The thought gave him chills.

He realized he needed to be careful with his words.

He didn’t want to become ‘Ma Yeon-shin.’

“Seeing my maternal grandfather like this is the greatest burden. The past cannot be undone, and to me, my maternal relatives are no different from strangers. The Demon Wings are my family.”

“Can’t you build relationships?”

“I don’t even have enough time to build my martial arts.”

Even the power of the Desolate Ma Family couldn’t reach the fruit of the Heavenly Tree, and considering Yeon-shin’s cold upbringing, he didn’t know the meaning of family bonds.

Neither necessity nor blood drew him to them.

He shook his head and spoke again.

“I won the duel that your grandson recklessly demanded. Please respect me as a warrior.”

“……”

Ma Yeon-jeok’s expression was dazed but Yeon-shin couldn’t relax yet.

Who knew what sweet tricks he might pull in the future. He suspected he was a man of madness.

First, he respectfully bowed to the Lord of the Desolate Fortress and Ma Yeon-jeok before turning away.

Training was urgent. The newly created Eternal Blossom Fist wasn’t complete.

“Yeon-jeok, you look interesting. Your expression says you regret it deeply.”

“Lord, instead of helping me…”

“How could I deal with your karma?”

Ignoring the casual chat of the supreme masters, he headed to the training hall of the Demon Wings. He felt Ma Jin following him.

The roles were reversed from when they came. He realized he hadn’t heard the name of the heir of the Desolate Ma Family but wasn’t particularly curious.

“Lightning Flash.”

It was as they passed a small lakeside. Ma Jin, his reflection rippling in the sunlight on the water, spoke cautiously.

“I have a task that will help you.”