Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 28 – Zhongnan Sect (3)

At that moment.

Bang, bang, bang!

The originally clear sound of the bell rang with urgency.

The faces of the Zhongnan Sect members present changed rapidly.

“Tyrant Sword Sect!”

“They’re back again.”

Weiji Myo-hwa hastily turned towards the gate.

Standing beside her, the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan gently touched the handle of his sword.

“Young Master Jeong, take good care of Hye-ah.”

“Have the guests wait here.”

They disappeared at an astonishing speed using their remarkable lightness techniques. The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan seemed to vanish almost instantly.

Yeon-shin, who could only see the trailing hair of Weiji Myo-hwa, turned to Jeong Joong-san.

“This isn’t the first time, is it? Do they always fight like this?”

“You never know where or how they’ll strike. The main experts often clash just like now.”

Jeong Joong-san’s expression darkened. The situation for the Zhongnan Sect seemed dire.

The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan, one of the few supreme masters in the old sects, was guarding the main sect. This clearly indicated a shortage of power.

“I’ve encountered the Master of the Tyrant Sword Sect several times. Even when the enemy who exterminated his family attacked, he remained unperturbed. At that time, my feelings were…”

Joong-san brushed his forehead.

The once carefree older brother of the Jeong family was now a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect, full of worry.

Won-chang stomped the ground.

“Trouble as soon as we arrive.”

“Isn’t it time for the Desolate Fortress to step in?”

“Even if you say that, it’s not possible. A martial artist from the old sects becomes a corpse without their pride. Didn’t we just experience that? If not for Lady Cloud Sword Dragon, there would have been a major incident.”

“It doesn’t look so relaxed.”

Won-chang couldn’t refute Yeon-shin’s final words.

The shouts were gradually growing louder. The frontlines were being pushed back.

“It seems the Sword Immortal is being held up.”

“It’s said that the Tyrant Sword Sect has an Elder Council too. Among the Thirteen Heavens, it’s a sect with a notable history. When several elders of the Tyrant Sword Sect work together, it takes time. This is how they’ve been fighting.”

Yeon-shin analyzed his enemies. It was only natural. The Tyrant Sword Sect was the nemesis of his family; he had to know everything about them if he were to begin breaking their martial arts techniques.

“Do not speak carelessly about the Elder of our sect.”

It was a strange voice.

Yeon-shin had already faintly sensed it.

Five warriors, who had been hiding to protect Hye-ah, who was acknowledged by the Sword Immortal, revealed themselves from the roof of the Training Hall.

Each had a distinct aura, different from the likes of the Tyrant Sword Sect.

Yeon-shin slowly spoke.

“I didn’t think my words were rude.”

“Speech and conduct vary by person. Don’t you realize that the Desolate Fortress can never become an honored guest in the martial world?”

Another warrior spoke, clearly not intending to back down easily.

‘The Desolate Fortress has many enemies.’

It was a realization.

The Desolate Fortress was involved in disputes and interests across the entire Central Plains martial world. The leaders of the white-path sects, like the old sects, did not view them favorably.

Moreover, the Sword Immortal had shown the legacy of the Sword Sect, raising expectations. It was said to be the wish of the Zhongnan Sect. Even if it was not the primary discipline of the sect, the feelings were different.

It was strange that young martial artists, whose vigor outweighed their training, did not feel jealousy.

It was evident just from their expressions. Their discomfort was clearly visible.

“The main experts are not here, are they? Even a single hand seems valuable now.”

“A single hand seems valuable? Do not insult our sect…”

Won-chang’s words had indeed crossed a line. However, the anger was short-lived.

The Zhongnan Sect warriors who had raised their heads turned to the side.

Yeon-shin and Won-chang did the same.

Some were approaching from a distance.

There were five warriors, and their aura surpassed that of the five Zhongnan warriors. It was hard to believe.

Yeon-shin had passed several halls to get here, and yet the warriors of the Tyrant Sword Sect had shown up.

“Kill the child first. He is continuing the Sword Immortal’s progress.”

A man in an orange martial uniform, appearing to be the leader, spoke indifferently.

The four beside him stomped the ground without even replying. The sound of wind tearing was heard as they charged.

They were strong enough to leave footprints in the rock.

“How dare you!”

With a thundering sound, the blue tiles of the roof shattered. The Zhongnan Sect warriors split the space.

Clang! Flash!

The collision of forces sent a strong wind blowing, whipping through their hair.

Despite the clash of four against five, it was evenly matched.

Then, the strongest-looking warrior walked through the battlefield. The Zhongnan Sect warriors were struggling just to hold off the four.

The approaching warrior, mocking their strained expressions, looked at Yeon-shin, who was shielding Hye-ah, and smirked.

“You Desolate Fortress brats. What brings you to the old sects? Are you trying to balance things out again now that we are dominant?”

Yeon-shin did not reply but looked at his second brother.

“They crossed several peaks to get here. It doesn’t seem like the Zhongnan Sect is in such a dire state. They must have infiltrated during the battle to target Hye-ah. Isn’t that right?”

“Y-Yes. There seems to be no other reason.”

While Joong-san nodded in a daze, Yeon-shin looked at Won-chang.

“I need your help.”

“Don’t worry about the rear.”

Besides the composed Yeon-shin, the only ones who seemed at ease at this moment were the enemy warrior from the Tyrant Sword Sect and Hyeon Won-chang.

Won-chang, in particular, even had a mysterious smile on his lips, looking oddly pleased.

“Then.”

Yeon-shin did not engage the enemy directly. The warrior of the Tyrant Sword Sect smirked as if finding it absurd.

The Jeong Family’s Dynamic Qi surged through his entire body. The heavy force rose from his legs, stirring up dust.

The next moment, the step he took was unmatched in power by anyone present.

The violently stirred dust spread in all directions.

Boom!

The face of the Tyrant Sword Sect warrior, filled with astonishment, was covered by the pure white Desolate Sword.

The impact from his Point-Blank Blast fist rose from his fist, tilting the air.

Clang! Bang!

The collision sent a fierce wind in all directions.

The other battles momentarily halted due to the impact.

The leader of the enemy group, barely blocking Yeon-shin’s strike, staggered back, prompting two others, who had been dueling with the Zhongnan Sect disciples, to leap towards him.

Yeon-shin continued his sword strikes without pause, sensing Won-chang’s powerful presence beside him.

Clang!

It was an astonishing display.

Won-chang’s reverse-grip sword flashed between the scattering leaves.

Entering a life-and-death struggle, he was completely different from his usual self.

Clang! Crack!

The unique technique of Demon’s Light deflected the enemy’s sword and pierced just below the collarbone.

How had he mastered it to this degree? His indifferent expression while cutting down enemies was astounding.

The aura of death, called Killing Intent, could be felt.

It was clear again. Hyeon Won-chang’s life was not ordinary.

Clang! Boom!

The thoughts occurred subconsciously. Thanks to Won-chang, the one-on-one situation was stable.

He relentlessly pressed on, unleashing various secret techniques.

The swift strikes of Demon’s Light gave the enemy no room to breathe.

A potentially fatal strike was dodged with the Splendid Wings Step, with Yeon-shin immediately countering.

To have one’s initial advantage taken by Yeon-shin was like starting a game with several moves down, as he drove the Desolate Sword into the enemy’s heart.

The enemy didn’t realize this. The warrior of the Tyrant Sword Sect stammered with trembling lips.

“This… shallow sword art…”

Spurt!

Time seemed to freeze as the sword was pulled out in a single motion.

All battles ceased. The gathered gazes were filled with shock and awe.

Amidst the roaring wind brushing against the peaks, Yeon-shin flicked his sword once and spoke.

“Shallow, indeed. I know.”

Having not properly learned a sword technique, he had created the swift strikes of Demon’s Light.

Looking around, Hyeon Won-chang had already dealt with the remaining warriors of the Tyrant Sword Sect.

It was like breaking through an enemy detachment in military terms.

“We overreacted. We apologize for the disrespect.”

“May I ask who you were taught by?”

“Demon Wings Yeon-shin. You will not forget it. Soon, it will be a name resounding throughout the martial world.”

The warriors of the Zhongnan Sect, trained in the mountains, had a certain purity.

After they received the grace of having their lives saved, and after witnessing Yeon-shin’s martial prowess, they could not hide their admiration. They were eager to strike up conversations.

They kept talking until Sword Immortal and Myo-hwa returned after wrapping up the fight.

“The Zhongnan Sect owes you a debt.”

“I protected my family.”

The Sword Immortal of Zhongnan shook his head at Yeon-shin, who was gently holding Hye-ah.

“Hye-ah is destined to be the pillar of our sect following Myo-hwa. As her uncle, what you did was only right, but the sect still considers it a great favor.”

“I am grateful if you think so. Then, if it’s not too much trouble, may I train here for a moment? You don’t have to leave. I just need to capture the sensation that lingers in my mind.”

Inspiration was vibrating from the top of his head.

Finding no suitable place, Yeon-shin seized the moment when the Sword Immortal mentioned the debt.

“Have you gained an insight?”

It seemed like a good idea. The Sword Immortal quickly made everyone leave. At the same time, Yeon-shin, after taking a glance at the cliff’s sword marks, drew his Desolate Sword.

“Every real battle brings something new.”

Thanks to the Tyrant Sword Sect, he could refine his understanding.

The sun’s rays danced on the pure white blade that Yeon-shin held down.

Then, following his arm movements, the sword began to trace a peculiar line.

It was a smooth trajectory, devoid of any special momentum.

The Sword Immortal’s eyes widened, but the Desolate Sword soon dropped, and a rough breath escaped Yeon-shin’s lips. Just moving the sword according to his inspiration was not enough.

The qi didn’t rise as he wished.

Just as he had always created his own martial arts, the sword marks on the cliff seemed to be telling him to find his own path.

“I will not take the legacy of the Sword Master.”

Yeon-shin, after adjusting his breathing with Jeong Family Dynamic Training, spoke.

“It’s like saying… here is a path, think more broadly. That’s how it felt to me.”

Even he wasn’t sure what he was saying.

Young Hye-ah, Hyeon Won-chang, and Jeong Joong-san seemed equally puzzled.

Only the Sword Immortal nodded as if understanding the essence.

Myo-hwa, standing beside him, made an expression difficult to read.

“It is said that the traces left by a supreme master contain a spiritual essence. It transcends the boundaries of martial arts and techniques. The Sword Master must have been like that. You connected with it. Your natural talent met with good fortune.”

“Ah.”

Yeon-shin let out a short exclamation and closed his eyes briefly.

“He stayed in Zhongnan in his later years. He must have shared his insights with the masters of the Zhongnan Sect. The techniques have a strong flavor of the Zhongnan Sword Style. It doesn’t suit my body and isn’t efficient for my practice.”

From the beginning, he created martial arts that matched his own body. The speed of his martial progress was different.

He did not use others’ martial arts because of this.

“Master Jeong, could you explain more clearly?”

Weiji Myo-hwa’s white face looked at Yeon-shin intently.

Her gaze didn’t waver. The Dragon of the Clouds, known for her elegance, was focused solely on Yeon-shin.

“The restoration of the Nine Yang Unified Art’s sword technique was a task given to me, Cloud Dragon. I can help a little.”

“Can you really…?”

“Just a moment. My training is not finished.”

Myo-hwa closed her lips.

Jeong Joong-san, opening his mouth to speak but quickly closing it, seemed to acknowledge that no one treated the chief elder this way.

Yeon-shin’s consciousness quickly immersed into the Desolate Sword.

When he saw the sword marks on the cliff, he had a strange experience.

It was an illusion, as if heaven and earth had collapsed into a single line. It was all a stroke of inspiration.

If the sword extended faster than the opponent, it was enough. He now understood why techniques like the Taiji Wisdom Sword or the Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua were hailed as the pinnacle of martial arts.

Exquisite sword techniques differed from mere swordsmanship.

The intent contained in the principles was absorbed into the qi and swordsmanship, creating an unprecedented harmony.

The Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua could create fragrant flowers with a blade.

Such was the martial arts of warriors in the martial world.

Until now, he had not understood the sword.

‘With nothing else, I could only persist with the Swift Sword.’

It lacked depth. Now he understood.

Wooong.

A sword cry emanated from his grip.

The Desolate Sword, adorned with sunlight along its blade, rose to the sky.

The blade, drawing a graceful line, caught the light and descended, creating a streak of light that clearly separated heaven and earth.

It was a sword dance.

In that moment, the legacy left by the supreme master of the Sword Sect shone in the hands of the young supreme master.

The sword did not stop at inheritance, but soared to another level above.

Tears streamed down the wrinkled face of the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan, who had descended with the ages.

“Sword Master…”