Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time-Chapter 431: Grandmaster (5)

From his seat, Go Geomjin glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin before speaking again.

["Ipwang Fortress has won three times, while the Peng Family has won once. As there is no room for dispute regarding today’s duel, in accordance with the Huashan Compact, our Wudang Sect certifies Ipwang Fortress’s victory. Ipwang Fortress may rightfully prepare for the next duel in six days."]

It was a formal declaration in the style of the Six Harmonies Heavenly Voice. Regardless of the lofty authority of the Wudang Sword, these words served as the official announcement of the results of the duel between sects.

The righteous factions of the martial world place great importance on propriety and procedure.

It was not Naraksal Ma Jin’s act of subduing his opponent that finalized today’s duel between Ipwang Fortress and the Peng Family, but rather the certification of Go Geomjin.

That was the spark.

A great commotion spread through the gathered crowd. Cheers began to break out sporadically.

"Truly remarkable!"

"...Naraksal has finally returned to the martial world. This is not necessarily good news."

"Another Black Robe has been added to Ipwang Fortress. This is no trivial matter. You—record this duel in detail and send a carrier pigeon to the main branch."

Naraksal Ma Jin had defeated the Peng Family’s Inhu. No one could dismiss it as a mere occurrence.

The former Ma Gwang-ik Lord, renowned as a master of the blade, had defeated the divine prodigy of the Peng Family without even drawing the sword on his back.

Even among the so-called Hwanmyeong Ojeol—the Five Radiant Geniuses—the disparity in martial prowess was laid bare through this duel.

Naraksal could not possibly be stronger than the newly appointed Violet-Rank warrior.

Some of the well-dressed martial artists were visibly shaken, murmuring the name Jeong Ga-donggong over and over.

A new martial art had emerged from the Daebang Sect, an established pillar of the martial world’s order.

When considering the future balance of Murim, this was a martial discipline that could not be ignored.

"Acting Family Head!"

"What is the meaning of this...?!"

From the Peng Family’s side, several swordsmen clad in yellow silk robes rushed onto the dueling platform. Among them were one elder and four mid-tier experts, two men and two women.

Upon seeing Peng Ya lying at Ma Jin’s feet, their expressions stiffened.

Peng Family’s Inhu, Peng Ya.

She appeared completely unconscious, her eyes shut. Her lips were red, as if she had vomited blood.

A blunt-edged mark was imprinted on her abdomen where the strike had landed. This meant that Ma Jin had employed a sword technique with his bare hands.

Sighs of disbelief echoed from the spectator stands.

"Hahh..."

"It wasn’t even palm technique."

He had displayed Jeong Ga-donggong's power for all to see—a mastery that allowed one to freely unleash various forms of balgyeong across their entire body.

He had shattered the Five Tiger Short Blade Style of the Peng Family using a formless martial art unconstrained by weaponry.

For Peng Ya, it would have been preferable to have been struck down by a fist technique instead.

"To humiliate her like this..."

An elderly elder muttered. Ma Jin, who had taken a step back from the dueling stage, let his lips curl slightly.

["The Violet-Rank was watching. Consider it mercy."]

["Mercy, you say?"]

The Peng Family elder responded incredulously.

This duel had not simply ended with Naraksal delivering defeat to the Peng Family’s Inhu.

It had broader implications. The Seomye Martial Lineage had inflicted an indelible humiliation upon the Peng Family’s martial arts.

Yet, in response to the elder’s rebuttal, Ma Jin’s expression hardened. He slowly parted his lips.

—A mere regional martial family dared to scheme against the Divine Sword of the nation.

He transmitted his words telepathically, mentioning Singeom Lord, Yong Hui-myeong. The wrinkled lips of the Peng Family elder pressed into a grim line.

"Mm...!"

—I do not hold you personally accountable for everything. It was Yeoryeongju who led the effort, and it merely revealed how far your fortress had fallen in prestige.

"That matter... was certainly the main family’s misstep. However..."

—That is why I have restored our honor. Call it a demonstration, if you will. It must be widely known. With the future Great Master residing in our fortress, the martial world of today should remember this duel and know to hold its breath.

Amidst the uproar of the audience, Ma Jin leisurely continued his words.

—Killing a foolish child drunk on his own skill would have been nothing at all. You should see this as a mercy and be grateful... In any case, any remaining grievances shall be handled by the Violet-Rank of the fortress, so cleanse yourself and await your fate in your quarters.

Having concluded his transmission, Ma Jin clicked his tongue at the aged elder, but no one dared to criticize his conduct.

He was Lord of Ipwang Fortress.

["...Let us go."]

The Peng Family elder skillfully pressed several key acupuncture points on Peng Ya’s abdomen and the nape of her neck, preventing the residual balgyeong from rampaging through her body.

Yet, as his fingers made contact, he was shocked by the nature of Jeong Ga-donggong’s internal energy.

"How could the inner power of Ipwang Fortress’ Black-Robed Battle Demon be so pure? Only a Shaolin monk who has undergone rigorous ascetic training through fasting and Tendon-Altering Sutra refinement could achieve such a state...!"

Unintentionally, he glanced at Ma Jin’s powerfully trained legs.

Then, he turned his gaze between the Ipwang Fortress warriors who had participated in the duel and the newly appointed Violet-Rank warrior standing on the podium. Each of them possessed an impressive bearing.

"Surely, it cannot be the Child Gong technique?"

["What did you say?"]

The elder did not answer Ma Jin’s question. Instead, he focused on gathering his household members.

With a few brief words, he steadied the shaken swordsmen of his family, then swiftly carried Peng Ya off the dueling platform.

Only Ma Jin remained standing atop it.

"......"

The Lord of Ipwang Fortress swept his gaze across the gathered audience.

Many averted their eyes. Few dared meet his sharp, piercing gaze directly.

Among those who did were the swordsmen of Jeomchang Sect, mingled within the crowd, the Plum Blossom Swordmasters of the Mount Hua Sect, who clenched their fists as though they themselves had won, and the warriors of the Six Kings Martial Lineage, clad in various exotic armaments, exuding equally formidable energy.

Ma Jin could sense the weight of their gazes, stemming from a noble sense of honor.

It was different from when he once roamed the martial world as Ma Gwang-ik Lord.

The eyes upon him now focused not on Ma Jin himself, but on something beyond him.

Jeong Ga-donggong.

And possibly, new martial arts that the newly appointed Violet-Rank of Ipwang Fortress had created.

"Feast your eyes upon it as much as you wish."

Ma Jin turned in place and bowed deeply toward his nephew. It was not the same manner he had adopted toward the Peng Family elder.

This bow carried both reverence toward the Violet-Rank and the satisfaction of having taught his nephew the proper way to discipline an opponent without drawing blood.

For once, the former Ma Gwang-ik Lord felt content.

As his lips curled into a smirk, the image of his sister overlapped with the face of his nephew.

***

Jeong Yeon-shin thought to himself.

When would he finally come to understand etiquette and propriety?

“So utterly lacking in refinement.”

He had not intended to eavesdrop, yet he had heard every word Ma Jin had spoken. The one sending the telepathic transmission had deliberately allowed his voice to leak.

What had he wanted to show him? Jeong Yeon-shin inwardly shook his head. He could only be grateful that Ma Se-in was present.

Had there not been at least one elder strategist, he might have changed his surname simply out of his ingrained sense of responsibility.

—A word of advice as you go. Do not do that again.

At that moment, a telepathic message from Go Geomjin reached his ears. Jeong Yeon-shin’s expression showed a flicker of curiosity.

Relieved that the topic had shifted away from his disgraceful uncle.

—Pardon?

—Regarding the Peng Family’s affairs. It was only because of your lineage and status that this passed without issue. Otherwise, there could have been disputes about the duel’s process.

—Disputes, you say?

—It is uncommon for someone to authenticate their own duel. Even the Lords of the Thirteen Heavens would not do so.

It was the wisdom of an old Daoist immortal from Wudang. Jeong Yeon-shin nodded in agreement. The image of the Lords of the Thirteen Heavens personally declaring their own duels valid did not come to mind.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

They would simply take the enemy’s head. Unlike the newly appointed Violet-Rank, they disregarded duty and were called heretics for a reason.

He understood completely.

—I understand your words. Thank you for the advice.

—I appreciate that you took an old man’s caution to heart. You must have exhausted quite a bit of mental energy, so you should rest now. It was a duel that refreshed the eyes.

—May you also have a peaceful night, Go Geom.

Go Geomjin nodded toward Jeong Yeon-shin before vanishing entirely. Only a faint, thread-like breeze remained in his ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) place, just as it had during the banquet of the Singeom Masters.

It was a movement technique that evoked myths of celestial immortals using Shrinking the Earth. The Wudang Sect’s Cloud Ladder Stride.

There was a distinct sense of urgency in his departure. Just like the many warriors who had witnessed Jeong Ga-donggong firsthand.

"If he were to use Cloud Ladder Stride in a duel, would even Ten-League Radiance be able to keep up...?"

Jeong Yeon-shin was pondering the extent of that realm when—

Rustle.

A soft fabric brushed past his shoulder. A scent of flowers, which had not been present before, subtly and naturally filled the air.

It was a movement technique difficult to describe as anything but Hidden Fragrance Drifting, a step unique to the Mount Hua Sect’s Grandmaster.

“When I completed my seclusion and heard rumors about you.”

Yulha Nangnang rested a hand on Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder. As always, it was a familiar and casual gesture.

“I only thought of showing you Mount Hua, the benefactor of our sect.”

“Grandmaster.”

Jeong Yeon-shin tilted his head slightly in greeting. At the same time, he remained aware of her hand on his shoulder.

From the trapezius to the acromion, down to the deltoid, her fingers rested precisely on the Heavenly Thrust Acupoint. How much could she read?

"Would it be strange if I reached out as well?"

Jeong Yeon-shin, while taking an interest in the physique of Mount Hua’s First Sword, a woman famed for her swordsmanship talent, calmly responded.

“I was too occupied to greet you properly.”

“There’s no need for formalities in private. Nangnang is enough. We’ve fought side by side, haven’t we?”

A voice tinged with laughter.

It was incredibly warm. The corners of Jeong Yeon-shin’s lips lifted slightly.

As if to confirm their familiarity, the peerless swordswoman of Mount Hua leaned back slightly, as though securing her field of vision.

Alongside the Lord of Forbidden Swords, the Sword Deity of Shaanxi was as uninhibited as a true master should be.

“Truly a fine sight. It’s pleasant to watch. If you keep smiling like that, there won’t be any need for side dishes at the table.”

“...Pardon?”

“Even just eating plain rice would be flavorful enough. You might be able to solve this land’s famine.”

When Jeong Yeon-shin’s smile disappeared, Yulha Nangnang let out a hearty laugh.

She paid no heed to her junior’s serious expression. Here were two absolute masters, representing Ipwang Fortress and Mount Hua Sect, openly displaying their camaraderie.

Those leaving the spectator stands widened their eyes at the sight, but the two continued their conversation undisturbed.

On the dueling stage, Ma Jin glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin before vanishing on the spot. A telepathic message lingered in his ears—an indication that he would be waiting at Ipwang Fortress’s residence.

“Shall we take a short walk?”

“Yes.”

Jeong Yeon-shin began walking with Yulha Nangnang outside the platform.

It was difficult to call it merely a casual stroll. Both of them had come to the Jade Sword Arena as representatives of their respective sects.

Everything—breath control, footwork, even the slightest muscle movements—became information about the other’s martial lineage.

If this were a one-on-one match, it would not be of much concern. However, as the one leading the warriors of his fortress to claim victory in the Huashan Compact, he had to be cautious in every action.

"Teaching was as easy as flipping my palm..."

But handling the major affairs of Ipwang Fortress was different. The weight of responsibility was immense.

“In any case, after seeing you today, I realized I shouldn’t just be concerned about you. If we don’t stay vigilant about your entire martial lineage, we might end up humiliated like the Peng Family.”

“Come to think of it... didn’t the Mount Hua Sword Paragon say he was my uncle’s rival?”

“That’s not all. Our Plum Blossom Swordsmen and Ma Gwang-ik were always compared on equal footing. Seeing today’s events, I imagine many martial enthusiasts will feel their long-held curiosity satisfied. No one expected Naraksal to return.”

“He is one of the most indomitable people I know.”

“And that is largely thanks to you. Do you drink? Growing up like this, I’d expect you to be quite the heavy drinker.”

“...I do not drink.”

“Ah, I suppose that was a rash question. A true master of inner cultivation should refrain. I only wish Yu Hyeon would learn from you...”

Jeong Yeon-shin let the expected comment pass in silence. What mattered more was the breath underlying Yulha Nangnang’s voice.

The endlessly long, thin exhalation of Purple Haze Divine Art. Now that the Peng Family had been defeated, the next opponents would not be a problem.

Soon, they would face the Thousand-Year Martial Arts of the Nine Sects.

Would he be able to win?

His uncle alone would not be enough. It was not a matter of skill but accumulated energy.

The artificial arm crafted by the Iron Clan of Minggongdao moved as seamlessly as a natural limb, but it consumed an enormous amount of true energy.

If he repeatedly depleted his true energy over a short period, he would never be at full strength.

There were plenty of Whites and Blues.

But another Black was needed.

As Jeong Yeon-shin walked alongside Yulha Nangnang, his gaze shifted toward a section of the spectator stands.

Sitting there in silence was Baek Girin, Namgung Hwa-shin.

He looked much like Jeong Yeon-shin himself had once—back when, under his brothers’ indifferent gazes, he had been pushed into a corner by the swings at the Dano Festival Grounds.

***

The Huashan Compact continued in great prosperity. There was hardly another festival in the world that could compare to it.

Enormous financial interests.

Unparalleled prestige that could be found nowhere else.

And martial arts from peerless lineages that could broaden one's horizons simply by witnessing them.

The Jade Sword Arena of Hanam Province was, in itself, a representation of the entire martial world. It was only natural that an endless stream of warriors continued to gather.

Even those who had missed the opening ceremony still made their way here.

Among them were not only high-ranking martial artists but also the elders of the Namgung Clan.

The family, which had once vied for the top seat among the Eight Great Clans before sealing itself away, had now reopened its gates.

"Is it true that Hwa-shin is there?"

"The information is confirmed."

"Make sure to repeatedly verify that the Imperial Sword Jewel remains intact in the casket. No amount of caution is excessive. There are too many specters of movement techniques in this martial world."

"Understood!"

"To think that a child has reached the level of a supreme expert without even learning the Sword Form... That child must be a direct descendant surpassing even Se-jin."

The muttering of the dignified elder swordsman blended softly with the dust that rose along the Dengfeng Pass Trail.