Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 102 – Lightning Genius’ Legacy (2)

***

The journey from Wuchang to Xiangyang covered just one relay station’s distance.

The return was swift. The group, composed of blue, black, and purple masters, moved without rest, heading directly to Desolate Fortress’ main castle in Xiangyang.

Their pace was brisk and efficient.

Only Namgung Hwa-shin, who had regained consciousness after being struck by Yue Shou-lin on the day of the duel, appeared unwell.

“I’ll handle the mission report, along with Senior Yue.”

Jeong Yeon-shin offered him a small gesture of consideration. Namgung Hwa-shin had endured a humiliating experience at his own family’s home.

It had been a bitter ordeal, marked by anguish even before they reached Clear Night Valley, the duel site.

“…Thank you, Young Hero Jeong.”

Namgung Hwa-shin murmured, nodding before turning away. The hem of his blue robe fluttered weakly as he moved, his tall frame sagging slightly.

It was clear he intended to head straight to his guest room in the Obeying Heaven Wing to rest.

Jeong Yeon-shin watched him leave. How must Namgung Hwa-shin feel? It was difficult to imagine.

“That was the best option,” Yue Shou-lin said matter-of-factly, standing beside the boy.

“Azure Sky Sword Heaven Group’s leader isn’t someone a rising talent can contend with. He’s a black realm master, comparable to the head of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters. If either you or Namgung Hwa-shin had engaged in sword combat, you’d have died within a few moves.”

Yue Shou-lin continued.

“While you had grounds to retreat, we had to take drastic measures to save Namgung Hwa-shin.”

She was referring to how she had knocked out Namgung Hwa-shin just before the duel.

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded.

“I don’t blame Senior Yue. Well at least, I don’t,” he said calmly.

“It’s just… it seems Namgung thinks he should have died there.”

His gaze lingered on Namgung Hwa-shin’s retreating figure.

Despite being a rival in competition and a comrade on mission duty, Jeong Yeon-shin couldn’t suppress a strange sense of kinship with him.

Perhaps it was because of Namgung Hwa-shin’s pitiable family circumstances.

Yue Shou-lin fell silent, her lips pressing into a thin line. She had no words to say.

“Yeon-shin.”

An elderly voice called out. It was Ma Yeon-jeok, Jeong Yeon-shin’s grandfather.

Seemingly indifferent to Namgung Hwa-shin’s plight, Ma Yeon-jeok focused solely on his grandson.

“I know Se-in’s mother was rude to you before this mission,” he said.

“I couldn’t make her apologize due to the urgent circumstances. Please visit the Ma family’s separate residence at the main fortress. The main family will welcome you with utmost sincerity.”

His words brought to mind Zhu Lianting, a member of a royal branch family and the birth mother of Ma Se-in, the Desolate Ma family heir. She had tried to recruit Jeong Yeon-shin into the Ma family due to his bloodline.

Jeong Yeon-shin, however, no longer harbored strong feelings about the incident. In a way, it had strengthened his bonds with Heon Won-chang, Baek Mi-ryeo, and Cheong Myeong.

“There’s no need—” Jeong Yeon-shin began, but Ma Yeon-jeok’s stern expression crumbled.

He looked almost desperate.

“I know your concerns. You’re worried we’ll try to shackle you to the Ma family”

“I swear we won’t. Consider it the regret of a foolish old man who severed heavenly bonds with your mother, my daughter. Everything… was due to my own lack of virtue.”

“Ah, so that’s it,” Yue Shou-lin interjected, nodding as if she understood.

Ma Yeon-jeok glared at her, as if warning her not to interfere in family matters. Yue Shou-lin, however, only returned his glare with mockery.

“I always wondered why he wasn’t part of the Ma family,” she mused. “So immature.”

“Silence, youngster! How dare an outsider interfere in blood relations?” Ma Yeon-jeok snapped.

“Your sharp tongue hasn’t dulled, old man,” she retorted.

“You were terrifying when you were the Divine Sword Group Leader, but now you seem far more manageable.”

“Do you wish to die?”

“You’re the one groaning about aging. I’m thinking about purple rank myself, but I wonder if the Administration would care if I beat up a powerless old man.”

Yue Shou-lin said with a sly grin, her hand drifting toward the spear on her back.

“I’ll leave first.”

Jeong Yeon-shin interjected calmly, turning on his heel before the tension could escalate further.

His departure was deliberate, diffusing the brewing conflict between the two supreme masters.

The momentum of the conflict stopped.

The tension dissipated as both seniors regained their composure, realizing they had behaved unsightly in front of a junior.

“I’ll consider Grandfather’s words,” Jeong Yeon-shin said, clasping his hands in farewell.

Ma Yeon-jeok, his face still red, nodded, murmuring his thanks. His earlier confession about his struggles with martial arts maintenance, due to dabbling in unorthodox techniques, now seemed more sincere.

Orthodox martial arts, which refined both body and mind, progressed steadily but reliably, unlike their unorthodox counterparts. The old masters of the Nine Orthodox Sects, contemporaries of Ma Yeon-jeok, likely possessed deep mental cultivation.

As Jeong Yeon-shin walked away, Yue Shou-lin smirked.

“What a shame.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

She added, needling Ma Yeon-jeok one last time before following the boy.

Together, Jeong Yeon-shin and Yue Shou-lin headed to the Administration without delay. Upon arriving at the main building, they were greeted by a man in a brown robe.

He was Im Jinmyeong, the Grand Administrator of Desolate Fortress. With his jet-black beard and broad build, his cheerful smile made him resemble a bandit.

“I heard of the victory,” he said warmly.

“Our Lord’s direct disciple performed admirably. I’ve been eagerly waiting.”

“You’re showing respect to a blue rank just because he’s the Lord’s disciple?”

Yue Shou-lin quipped, “You haven’t changed a bit.”

Clearly, the two were well-acquainted. Without further ado, Im Jinmyeong led them to the Administration’s separate building. It was the same place where Jeong Yeon-shin had previously discussed merits with the Grand Administrator.

The three sat down at a plain desk, devoid of teacups or any refreshments. Only the faint scent of ink lingered in the air.

Thump.

As soon as they were seated, the Grand Administrator broke the silence.

“The Elder Council Head,” he began, addressing Yue Shou-lin.

“I received an urgent letter. He didn’t join your group. There’s word that contact was lost while he was pursuing the Blood Flame Sect’s Apostle…”

A purple rank master’s safety was undoubtedly important—but also perplexingly ambiguous.

Masters of such caliber were rarely considered to be in true danger.

“Has he entered the main fortress yet?”

Yue Shou-lin asked, her tone equally confused.

The Grand Administrator shook his head.

“Given his free-spirited nature, perhaps he’s enjoying a rare excursion…”

“That doesn’t feel right,” Yue Shou-lin said, frowning.

“If that were the case, he would’ve at least sent a messenger bird.”

Jeong Yeon-shin just listened quietly. This wasn’t an issue his limited experience as a blue-rank master could influence.

“That’s not entirely wrong either. We should send tracking teams regardless.”

The Grand Administrator said, placing a fresh sheet of paper on the desk and dipping his brush in ink.

“Though we’re already short on master-level manpower.”

Yue Shou-lin leaned back slightly, a skeptical smirk forming.

“Worried about the power vacuum? It’d be a nightmare if major faction leaders moved. Especially those damned Thirteen Evil Sect pests.”

The Grand Administrator’s brush paused mid-character.

“As long as it doesn’t become widely known, we’ll manage.”

Jeong Yeon-shin silently agreed. The strength of Desolate Fortress didn’t rest solely on a handful of purple masters.

They were symbols, used for the most critical, short-term missions. Relying on them day-to-day was impractical—they were too few in number. Instead, the fortress depended on the seventeen Divine Sword Squads, their fighting forces.

These squads, like the Radiant Demon Wing, were Desolate Fortress’ true backbone. Each one could rival elite groups like Mount Hua Sect’s Plum Blossom Sword Masters, renowned even before the Nine Orthodox Sects had formed.

It was a stark reminder of why Desolate Fortress was a global stabilizing force despite its relatively small number of high-ranking masters.

“Ah,” the Grand Administrator suddenly said, lifting his head.

His expression shifted to one of embarrassment.

“Forgive me, Young Hero Jeong. You came to report on the mission progress, and here I am rambling. Since all of murim already knows, consider your report received. Please, rest from your journey.”

Jeong Yeon-shin nodded.

“I’ll await new missions at Radiant Demon Wing.”

The Grand Administrator frowned, his tone tinged with exasperation.

“Must you? You just returned. Even the settlement for this mission hasn’t been processed.”

“I’ll wait for the next mission,” Jeong Yeon-shin repeated firmly.

This was his opportunity to express his intent directly to the fortress’ leader.

Yue Shou-lin chuckled lightly.

“Yeon-shin, I’ll drop by the Radiant Demon Wing hall soon. Let’s spar when I’ve had a bit of rest.”

“Yes, I’ll look forward to your teachings.”

With that, he rose, offered his respects, and left the building. On his way out, several Administration scholars approached him, their faces eager.

“Young Hero Jeong, I’ve heard of your growing reputation!”

“They say you bested Namgung’s young master? Truly, you’ve solidified your place as one of the fortress’ most promising talents.”

“Expect many missions across the realm,” one scholar said, smiling.

Jeong Yeon-shin returned their greetings, carefully maintaining a polite demeanor.

Only after this exchange could he leave the Administration peacefully.

***

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

‘Time passes so fast.’

It was now midsummer

Outside, the ground was damp from last night’s rain.

Whoosh.

As he walked, the boy felt a warm, clear wind sweep across the softened earth, brushing past his hair and heart alike.

It reminded him of his mortality.

The fight with Namgung Se-jin, the might of the Namgung Family Head, and the undeniable supremacy of the Divine Sword Group Leader—all of it lingered in his thoughts.

‘Through sheer luck, I survived.’

He exhaled slowly, pushing the memories away. Such emotions were a luxury he couldn’t afford if he wanted to survive in murim’s ruthless world.

Fear, doubt, and sentimentality—he had learned to discard them like tools worn from use. His calmness, hard-won and self-crafted, was his true weapon.

For a moment, he stood motionless, the summer wind tugging gently at his robe. The silence seemed to speak.

You survived again. And you’ve taken another step forward.

After a moment, he nodded.

***

Jeong Yeon-shin’s arrival at Radiant Demon Wing didn’t go unnoticed.

“Brother Jeong!”

“Brother Lightning Genius!”

A group of boys and girls rushed toward him, their faces beaming with excitement. Most were young, with only a few older men scattered among them.

“They say you defeated Namgung’s young master! Tell us about it!”

“No, let him rest first!”

They tugged eagerly at his blue robe, their enthusiasm infectious. These were the unnamed disciples of Radiant Demon Wing—future warriors of Desolate Fortress.

“Brother, can you teach me the Eternal Blossom Fist? I read the manual, but it’s hard to grasp.”

“Wait, Radiant Sword Style first! Please show us just once!”

The boy smiled faintly.

The children pulled at his clothes, trying to get his attention

‘My unique martial arts.’

Their requests pertain to the martial arts he had donated—Eternal Blossom Fist and Radiant Sword Style. Clearly, his contributions were already sparking interest.

Just as he was deep in though, a soft voice called out.

“Senior Lightning Genius.”

He turned to see Shin So-bin, a girl clad in a white robe resembling palace attire. Her movements were graceful, her stepping techniques refined.

“Congratulations on your mission success.”

She said with a polite bow.

“Shin So-bin.”

He nodded in acknowledgment, and a brief smile flickered across her lips.

“I’ve been practicing the Eternal Blossom Fist,” she continued, her tone earnest.

“I think I’ve made good progress with the third move. The principles are profound—thank you for sharing such a martial art.”

“Congratulations,” he replied.

His praise was simple but sincere.

Despite that, she felt hesitant. She started desperately gazing at him, observing his reaction.

“Might I ask when the fourth move will be released? The sequence feels incomplete…”

Jeong Yeon-shin froze briefly. He knew exactly what she referred to.

‘Brilliant River, the fourth move.’

The thought brought an image of Namgung Se-jin to mind, his face alight with passion as he had spoken of the Three-Way River.

The boy responded immediately, firmly conveying his will.

“That move, I won’t be donating.”