Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

The nobleman who had admonished the wandering martial artist broke the silence.

His demeanor changed from leisurely chatting with the two women to one of slight bewilderment and curiosity.

The wanderer rolled his eyes up and down.

“Are you really a warrior from the Desolate Fortress?”

Yeon-shin did not respond.

“Your words have insulted the sect. Don’t think my patience will last long.”

Won-chang spoke with an unusually serious expression. The moment he drew his sword, his killing intent would become apparent.

Yeon-shin, having witnessed Hyeon Won-chang’s fighting before, did not want to waste time.

He spun the remaining chopstick with his index and middle fingers in silence. The wanderer’s face turned pale.

“I did not intend to insult the Desolate Fortress. I was just…”

“I’m not interested in your intentions. You said the Blue-Eyed Demon Sword lost an eye. Tell me about it.”

Yeon-shin calmly looked at him with his hand resting on the chopstick.

“It was the Stealthy Demon! They said the Blood Flame Sect was behind it! Several Blood Master swordsmen and a Blood Flame Sect apostle clashed with Demon Wings, and it happened while he was protecting a family of commoners…”

Yeon-shin thought it was typical of the exceptionally kind Cheong Myeong to suffer such a fate at Demon Wings.

“So, the next target after the Tyrant Sword Sect is the Blood Flame Sect.”

Won-chang muttered with a look of dismay. Yeon-shin nodded slowly.

Among the Thirteen Heavens, only these two kept entangling repeatedly. It seemed it was because Hanam and Shaanxi were their main areas of activity.

“You spoke recklessly and gambled with your life.”

Yeon-shin’s words carried a certain force, causing the wanderer’s body to stiffen.

After battles with the Mantis Sect, the Zhongnan Sect, and the Tyrant Sword Sect, he had continually fought in blood-filled group battles.

Yeon-shin was gradually becoming a true martial artist.

“I-I apologize!”

The man bowed deeply, treating him as if he were a god of death.

The name of the Desolate Fortress and the single move Yeon-shin displayed had that effect.

“For the first time, it feels like a waste to draw my Desolate Sword.”

Contrary to Won-chang’s words, Yeon-shin felt like he was looking into a mirror.

Seeing someone abandon their pride to save their life made him realize how precious life was.

The scene the wanderer created did not feel like someone else’s business. That was him.

The Lightning Flash who had to bargain for merit with the Lord of the Desolate Fortress.

“Go eat. Pay the innkeeper for the table.”

He spoke absentmindedly. He wondered if he unconsciously wished fate to show him similar mercy.

“With such power at that age, he could have been arrogant…”

“A true master from a prestigious sect has dignity.”

Yeon-shin’s attitude was perceived as magnanimity from a strong individual.

The fact that he displayed such formidable martial arts with a chopstick likely contributed to this perception.

The other wanderers and even the noble martial men and women expressed admiration for his composure.

The wanderer called the innkeeper and paid for the broken table.

It was clear he wanted to leave but was too afraid to do so.

The nobleman rose from his seat and approached Yeon-shin.

“Is your nickname by any chance Lightning Flash?”

Yeon-shin nodded, and the nobleman’s interest grew.

“To meet the future light of the Desolate Fortress, following White Qilin Namgung Hwa-shin, is truly an honor. I am Jin Yul of the Jin family in Shaanxi.”

“I am Jeong Yeon-shin of the Desolate Fortress.”

Along with Won-chang, the group exchanged greetings with Jin Yul’s companions, who were daughters of martial families.

The original occupants awkwardly left their seats after Jin Yul gave them some coins.

“I have always admired the warriors of the Desolate Fortress. Belonging to a small family, we often find ourselves close to the lives of common people as well as the martial world. The swordsmanship of the Desolate Fortress brings great comfort to our hearts.”

Jin Yul said with a smile.

“Recently, I heard that there is a young master from the Desolate Fortress who is highly skilled for his age and is active in Shaanxi. I believe that must be you.”

“You have sharp ears!”

Yeon-shin remained silent, but Hyeon Won-chang laughed and praised Jin Yul. He seemed very pleased.

“If the warriors of the Desolate Fortress are heading to Lantian County, may I join you? I know it’s rude to ask since this is our first meeting, but I wish to build a friendship with the masters of the Desolate Fortress.”

“What do you think?”

Hyeon Won-chang did not agree without Yeon-shin’s consent.

Although he treated Yeon-shin like a younger brother, he never disregarded hierarchy.

The blue robe recognized by Cheong Myeong and Baek Mir-yeo was above all white robes.

Yeon-shin spoke up.

“You guessed our destination? How do you know the situation so well?”

“After the battle between the Zhongnan Sect and the Tyrant Sword Sect, the Desolate Fortress and the Mount Hua Sect are the biggest topics in the Xi’an martial world. Everyone is paying attention to them, so even those from small families like ours know about these major events.”

Jin Yul answered with a smile, never losing his composure. Yeon-shin looked at him for a moment before nodding.

Xi’an was one of the major cities in the Central Plains.

Lantian, a county at the eastern edge of the metropolis, required quite a long ride from the inn near Zhongnan Mountain.

During that time, Jin Yul and Hyeon Won-chang grew quite close.

“At that moment, I shouted, ‘Yeon-shin of the Desolate Fortress has beheaded the Elder of the Tyrant Sword Sect!’ …My roar was as mighty as the Lion’s Roar of Shaolin. All the warriors of the Zhongnan Sect and the Tyrant Sword Sect turned their heads. You should have seen it.”

“How could I not believe the words of a Desolate Fortress warrior?”

From the beginning, the two had been gregarious. They quickly dropped formalities and spoke comfortably.

Jin Yul was not like someone from a small martial family. He was highly knowledgeable and knew how to elevate others.

His noble demeanor and ability to attract people made even Hyeon Won-chang, who was usually reserved with strangers, speak with great fondness.

“Did you really behead the Fierce Asura Sword?”

One of the daughters of the martial families, who was driving the horses with them, asked.

Her tanned face, hinting at dedicated training, was full of curiosity.

Yeon-shin shook his head.

“It was a team effort. Senior Cloud Sword Dragon, Senior Tranquil Fist, Senior Shearing Cliff Sword, and Young Master Hyeon weakened him. The Elders of the Thirteen Heavens are masters of a different caliber.”

“I did take one move! The finishing touch was Master Jeong’s dazzling sword!”

Won-chang laughed heartily. He seemed very pleased with Yeon-shin’s praise.

“Let’s take a break.”

Jin Yul, who had been laughing with them, suggested. The sun was high in the sky.

It was time for a meal, and there was a stream nearby where the horses could drink.

Yeon-shin nodded.

Won-chang volunteered to take care of the horses, gathering their reins. Yeon-shin headed to the stream, leaving him behind.

As he bent down to fill his canteen with water, Jin Yul, who had sat close by, spoke.

“Do you happen to use your left hand?”

“I use my right hand for swordsmanship. I only know a bit of Hand Arts.”

“I see. Then your left side must be a weak point.”

He spoke in a casual tone as if discussing daily life. It took Yeon-shin a moment to realize the significance of his words.

Swish.

The dagger’s speed was incredible, producing no wind noise.

Jin Yul’s surprise attack was extremely stealthy. It was as if he were performing a Swift Sword technique with a dagger.

Inside his body, the qi of the Jeong Family Dynamic Training surged. The internal energy that filled his entire body was heavier than before.

Yeon-shin had been on guard since allowing Jin Yul to join them.

Jin Yul was too exceptional for an ordinary person they met at the first inn after leaving Mount Zhongnan.

‘As if he was waiting.’

The moment he activated the Fatebreaker’s Codex in his left arm, a chilling sword light erupted from a diagonal angle.

The flashing trajectory instantly beheaded Jin Yul.

Thud!

“I knew it.”

Won-chang stood over the body, wiping his Desolate Sword with Jin Yul’s clothes.

He appeared calm, as if being friendly despite there being a corpse in front of them was nothing unusual. Yeon-shin watched him silently.

“I was going to do it.”

“My instincts are just as sharp as yours, Master Jeong.”

Won-chang grinned and kicked Jin Yul’s head.

As it fell into the stream, something like ink spread, turning the clear water black.

Bright red hair began to show from the head down.

After a brief glance, Yeon-shin spoke.

“He’s an assassin from the Blood Flame Sect.”

“It seems you’ve become a target. Your heroic deeds and reputation have been noted. Now you’re a true enemy of the Blood Flame Sect. As a martial artist, you’ve truly arrived. I’m envious.”

“What about his other companions? The ones who claimed to be daughters of martial families.”

“They’re probably crossing the Sanzu River now. They were just like him”

Hyeon Won-chang muttered.

It seemed they had launched an attack while Yeon-shin was fetching water.

So this is how grudges are formed in the martial world, he thought. It was a mountain and forest of blades.

Mountains of blades and forests of swords. He finally felt he had truly stepped into the martial world.

Yeon-shin’s reaction was indifferent, just like the tone Jin Yul used before his assassination attempt.

“We should arrive in half a day.”

“Let’s go quickly.”

“Yeon-shin, you’ve accomplished an unbelievable feat.”

Cheong Myeong said with a smile. He had wrapped a cloth across his left eye.

Even his ragged appearance couldn’t diminish his prominent nose.

He was a senior who was both endearing and annoying.

He thought the only ones who needed worrying in the Demon Wings were himself and Hyeon Won-chang.

Myeong continued to smile cheerfully.

“You killed an Elder of the Thirteen Heavens. Even I haven’t done that yet.”

“It was reckless. It’s fortunate nothing went wrong.”

Baek Mir-yeo, with very cold hands, held Yeon-shin’s shoulders and scanned his body with her eyes.

Won-chang, standing beside them, seemed to express through his face why he wasn’t receiving the same attention.

The four of them sat in the first room they stayed at when they met the Mount Hua Sect.

“What happened? It seems the Lord isn’t here either.”

Yeon-shin asked. Mir-yeo brushed her hair behind her ear, and her fingers seemed whiter than usual.

It looked like an aftereffect of using some powerful martial arts.

“Our Lord has gone to pursue with the Mount Hua Sect masters, including the Absolute Sword. The Blood Flame Sect revealed themselves. It’s another aspect altogether. I don’t know what tricks they might be up to with the Grand Violet Pill, but reinforcements from their main sect are likely.”

“What about Cheong Myeong’s eye?”

“The Stealthy Demon used a hidden weapon. He was fighting three Blood Master swordsmen at the time. This idiot could have avoided it, but there were commoners behind him. He had to block it with his sword.”

“What kind of hidden weapon could do that…?”

“A triggered dart from the Sichuan Tang Clan. It’s incredibly powerful.”

Despite calmly answering, Baek Mir-yeo’s demeanor was sharp.

Myeong, smiling as if he didn’t notice, interjected.

“I cut off his left wrist too. We should raid the Tang Clan sometime. There are rumors they secretly make explosive devices. Should our next mission be there?”

At that moment,

Boom!

“There is no next for you.”

An explosion preceded the voice. “Myeong”, who had shoved Yeon-shin and Won-chang to the ground, muttered.

“Our “Lord” isn’t doing his job right.”

Crash—!

A tremendous flash of light shot through the window, like a pouring rain.

They were nearly impaled. The living style of the Great Ming Empire was to stand rather than sit.

Baek Mir-yeo, who had already reacted like a beast, crouched as if to counterattack, but her eyes widened when she saw Yeon-shin leap through the window.

He had immediately shaken off “Myeong’s” arm. With a sprint, Yeon-shin’s vision narrowed.

He saw a middle-aged man with a slight build.

‘What? The Grand Violet Pill wasn’t the target?’

The powerful qi that had invaded the inn was not just from one or two people.

Mir-yeo’s transmission reached his ears, indicating she would handle the Blood Flame Sect.

“A blue robe with white threads. You must be Lightning Flash.”

The middle-aged man emerged and smiled as he greeted Yeon-shin. His loose silk sleeves caught his eye.

He seemed to live for the purpose of killing masters of the Desolate Fortress.

“Light manipulation? An overrated title for a brat.”

More and more people were recognizing him. Was this how fame in the martial world was built?

“Are you the Stealthy Demon?”

He approached with the confidence of a martial artist unaware of gaps. He didn’t wait for an answer.

As he walked, the dim light wave of the Radiance Sword Style flowed from his drawn sword.