Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time-Chapter 437: Conclusion (2)

Jeong Yeon-shin forced his eyes open.

His vision was blurry. The figure before him, the Sword Queen, appeared as if bathed in the summer sun, indistinct and wavering.

It was far from an ideal situation. The Sect Leader of Jeomchang was one of the figures he had admired in his youth.

Even before rising as the supreme master of the Nine Sects, he had repeatedly performed great acts of chivalry. He was nothing like the deceased Lord of the Peng Family.

For Jeong Yeon-shin, it was enough that the traces he left behind in his lifetime would be recognized across the world.

As long as Ipwang Fortress would not bear a heavy burden from his unilateral activation of the Volcanic Catalyst.

He cannot die...

All his senses were dull.

He could no longer feel the pulse of the fallen Sword Queen in the distance, nor the scorching summer sunlight that had once stung his skin.

Even the vibrations of the voice transmission ringing in his ears were incomprehensible. It was certainly not the voice of the Sect Leader of Jeomchang.

Faintly, he thought he heard someone repeatedly calling his name—Yeon-shin. The sound echoed persistently, irritating him in his hazy state.

"What a fine... name..."

—...!

"We need to... help the Sect Leader... regulate his energy..."

His words trailed off.

He had lost too much blood.

More than a dozen stab wounds and slashes covered his body, and the residual force of the Sword Queen’s strikes, layered deep within his pressure points, was no minor issue.

Keeping himself conscious was becoming increasingly difficult.

Had the Sword Queen been a life-or-death adversary, he would have thrown his sword to ensure the job was finished. But this was no time for throwing swords—what was urgent now was using his internal energy to treat both external and internal wounds.

However, at this moment, all Jeong Yeon-shin could do was twitch the hand clutching Yeorae. His legs refused to move.

Then.

[You have endured well. It was a truly remarkable duel. The Volcanic Catalyst’s witnesses have observed your match in its entirety, so you may rest now.]

A voice, belonging to Go Geomjin, flowed directly into his mind.

It carried the unique spiritual energy of Daoist internal arts, not aimed at his ears but at his very consciousness, much like the luminous wisdom of the Buddhist path.

Why is his voice trembling...?

Was there a demon standing beside him?

A foolish thought drifted through Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind before he let go of his fading consciousness. Relief finally settled in.

Like sinking into an abyss, his awareness plummeted rapidly. Just before he was fully submerged in the darkness, he faintly felt the strong arms supporting his back.

***

A momentous piece of news had spread.

With a single unparalleled sword thrust, never before witnessed in the martial world, Jeong Yeon-shin—known as Yeonhwa Nata, Seomye—had forced the Sect Leader of Jeomchang back by hundreds of feet. In the end, he stood alone, bracing himself over a pool of his own blood.

A duel between absolute masters had taken place. Only a rare few could truly comprehend the exchanges between them. But one fact was undeniable.

The defeat of the Supreme Ruler of Yunnan.

The treasured sword Sasun, wielded by the Sword Queen, Chui So-ok, was found—only the hilt remained. Among the disciples of Jeomchang, that sword was as revered as the Sect Leader’s command medallion. This was no ordinary event.

Even her treasured martial robe, the once-lustrous orange Celestial Silkworm Garment, had been torn apart.

It was clear proof that even the supreme internal energy defense of Jeomchang Sect had been completely shattered.

Though Jeomchang’s disciples had secretly transported her away on a stretcher, many had still managed to witness the sight.

And then, the finishing touch—an announcement from the great monk, the divine master Beomheo.

[Jeong Yeon-shin of the Jeong Family has claimed a victory over Chui So-ok. With two previous draws and now one decisive win, Ipwang Fortress is declared the victor of this duel.]

The grand estate was thrown into turmoil.

It wasn’t just within the Green Jade Sword Hall. A Sect Leader of the Nine Sects had been defeated. This was an event that would shake the entire world.

The very walls of the estate, shattered by the strike of a new Violet Rank master, were now swarming with swordsmen who had come to witness history.

Beyond the fallen walls, countless letters, dispatches, messenger birds, and whispered rumors were already spreading.

The martial world was on the verge of an uproar.

Within the estate, finding a place of silence had become nearly impossible.

Only the dwelling of the Six Kings of Martial Veins, who had participated in the Volcanic Catalyst Tournament, remained steeped in an unusual and heavy silence.

A barrier had been erected over the hall where six figures sat around a large wooden table.

Within the firm yet semi-transparent dome of energy, hushed voices passed between them.

“The new Violet Rank has finally made his move.”

“It was expected. One of the high-ranking Nine Sect leaders was bound to fall eventually. It didn’t have to be the High Abbot of Shaolin or the Sword Master of the Daoist sects.”

“With his history, it’s surprising there are still those who consider Jeong Yeon-shin merely human. Anyone who does is a fool with no understanding of worldly affairs.”

“His rank is Violet. He’s no longer just a variable—he’s a force shaping the very order of the martial world.”

“That is true. He is a pillar of the order that must be broken.”

These were the words exchanged among five middle-aged men, each armed with either swords, sabers, spears, staves, or whips.

All were figures renowned in the righteous martial world.

Though each of them maintained a composed expression, well-practiced in upholding decorum, none could fully suppress the shock that lingered beneath their crafted facades.

They all knew it. Yet they chose to maintain the atmosphere, as though unshaken.

Then, the large man in the yellow robe, who had been silently listening, finally spoke.

“The Lord has sent a message.”

The air in the hall shifted in an instant.

“At last...?”

“It must be good news. This has been a lingering concern for too long.”

This time, none of them could hide their mixed expressions of relief and unease.

Their gazes pressed the man for an answer, urging him to continue. A faint smirk touched his lips.

“The introduction was impressive. ‘The domain is complete’... In other words, a grand achievement. A true breakthrough. I’ve already sent my congratulations to Taemo Fortress.”

A woman wearing leather gloves let out a quiet breath. She muttered that the Lord of Taemo Fortress had finally glimpsed the ultimate truth of sorcery-infused martial arts.

But the man in yellow wasn’t finished.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

“The Lord has entered seclusion for recovery after slaying the Sword Saint, Hyeon So-baek. The Murim Alliance in Hanzhong has lost its leader. Though they will desperately try to conceal the truth, their collapse is inevitable. That ship was sinking already.”

“The Sword Saint...?!”

The hall erupted into murmurs. No one could maintain a calm facade any longer. No martial artist in the world would be indifferent to this.

From the sudden rise of a new Violet Rank to the death of the Murim Alliance leader—any one of these events was enough to shake the entire martial world. At the very least, they were fortunate to have learned of them in advance.

“There is one strange detail. White Qilin, Baek Seo-goon, was present at the scene. Even if the Lord of Taemo Fortress has ascended to a grand level of mastery... If the opponent was the Sword Saint, victory would have been uncertain. But how did he overcome even the combined strength of both the Sword Saint and White Qilin?”

A middle-aged man, resting a sword across his lap, flinched and spoke.

“The Sword Master of Simmuryun was there as well?”

“The reckless daughter of the Lord of Simmuryun has seized power with the backing of the Sword Master and the Blade Master. Simmuryun’s movements have changed. I suspect Baek Seo-goon was there to express his goodwill to the Sword Saint... But he has since vanished. The Young Lord of the Zhuge Family has also disappeared from the Alliance’s gatherings. Our informants confirm this.”

“Baek Seo-goon and Zhuge Cheong-ah...? Both have connections to Yeonhwa Nata.”

The man in yellow, the First Gate Master of the Six Kings Sect, shook his head.

“That is not our concern. Our only duty is to fulfill the mission entrusted to us. If we wish to be rewarded with the Immortal Jade, if we want to restore the youth of our six great elders, then we must first keep our focus. Tell me—what do you make of the duel?”

The battle between the Sword Queen, Chui So-ok, and Yeonhwa Nata.

The once-tense atmosphere calmed instantly. A few of them cleared their throats before speaking—an instinctive reflex.

“It ended far too quickly to analyze each exchange. All of Yeonhwa Nata’s duels have been like that. Even if the Lord of Taemo Fortress could block his Baihui pressure point for a moment with his ancient sorcery, predicting the flow of battle is impossible.”

“The Lord killed the Sword Saint. What more is there to question? The Sword Saint must have perished before achieving full unity of mind, energy, and spirit.”

“The Lord of Taemo Fortress is aware of this. That is why he requested precise details—unusual movements, ultimate techniques, postures, habits, energy flow, and the structure of his inner energy. It is a testament to how highly he regards our surveillance. Unfortunately, there was little to observe.”

“Yeonhwa Nata’s physical abilities were the finest in the martial world. But the Sword Queen did not use Moonlight Dance.”

At this remark, the First Gate Master scoffed.

“She had no time to execute her final technique. The Sect Leader of Jeomchang is a born warrior. She would not have held back. Especially not against the direct grandson of the Ma Clan, who carries the blood of a Demonic Tyrant.”

“In the end, we have little to gain here. We must move forward. The Lord of Taemo Fortress has declared that halting the Volcanic Catalyst mid-way would be counted as another great achievement.”

A middle-aged swordsman tightened his grip on his sword’s hilt, his palms slightly damp with sweat.

“If things progress further, one of the Great Sects will seize an unshakable power. Once our preparations are complete, we will send the signal.”

***

The inner chamber was modest and unadorned.

There wasn’t even a bed. A single, small wooden table sat at the center of the room.

A hanging scroll depicting a lotus flower adorned the wall. The brushstrokes forming the petals were bold, as if slicing through worldly afflictions, exuding a sense of clarity unique to Buddhist teachings.

But only the walls reflected such serenity. The atmosphere within the chamber was different.

“......”

The silence was not empty. It was filled with an intangible weight. The presence of those seated around the table created an eerie stillness.

The High Abbot of Shaolin, the Sword Master of the Daoist sects, Yulha Nangnang, Baekyak Satae, and Cheongsu Jin-in—all supreme masters of the Nine Sects—each radiated a distinct presence.

“I can’t make sense of this.”

The Sword Master of the Daoist sects muttered from a corner of the room.

It was a truly remote corner—his posture, half-crossed legs and a slumped back, made his already small frame seem even smaller.

He shook his youthful-looking head slowly.

“I don’t understand... How could things have turned out so disastrously...?”

Across from him, the man seated opposite the High Abbot of Shaolin turned his gaze toward him.

His very nature was evident in his imposing jawline, and his pale crimson robe—once vibrant but now dulled by the sheer weight of the profound internal energy coursing through him—let out a faint rustle as he shifted.

“With your five elements so misaligned, it seems the Taoist sect’s Rejuvenation Technique is far from perfect.”

“......”

“Yes, I have seen degenerates like you before—those who fail to age properly after reverting to youth. Your very essence reeks of arrogance.”

But the Sword Master of the Daoist sects ignored the remark, sighing instead.

“Even a technique that defies the heavens should not yield such results. To have mastered the Ma Clan’s Harmonized Fire Divine Art and yet regress to childhood...”

“Remember this—it’s Jeongga Donggong.”

“My mind is already white with shock, so please, Yeon-jeok, say no more. I would prefer not to grow distant from your grandson... or rather, my junior disciple.”

Ma Yeon-jeok’s eyes widened like brass bells.

“You dare...? Who do you think you are speaking of?”

He rose from his seat, muttering that a man with a death wish would say anything.

Had the great monk Beomheo not spoken up at that moment, the chamber itself might have been destroyed.

“How fares Lord Jeong?”

The name of Ipwang Fortress’s new Violet Rank master was mentioned. Ma Yeon-jeok, who had been about to strike, halted and smirked.

“There’s nothing to say about his condition. Monk, think about it—do you really believe someone who has mastered both the Tendon Transformation Sutra and the Purification Sutra would be bedridden from a mere sword wound? A few cycles of internal energy circulation, and he’ll be fine.”

“Excellent, excellent indeed.”

Beomheo murmured in a serene voice.

The words were simple, but within their five syllables lay a gentle, profound sense of relief. Yet, Ma Yeon-jeok did not sit back down.

He was ready to block the Sword Master’s Baihui pressure point at any moment.

Beomheo quietly exhaled.

Ah, what a pity...

“I must confirm Lord Ma’s intentions once more. Do you truly wish to put an end to the Volcanic Catalyst?”

The one who spoke was Baekyak Satae, who had been meditating in silence. His posture was perfectly upright, and he had not yet opened his eyes.

Ma Yeon-jeok let out a hearty laugh.

“I have shown great virtue in suggesting this first, so you should all accept it as a blessing.”

Yulha Nangnang, who had been sitting quietly beside him, furrowed her brows slightly.

“What...?”

“If you had any shame, you’d step aside first. The younger generation should be the ones competing, yet old men like you have barged in. Mount Hua and Qingcheng may be an exception, but when you compare their age to my grandson’s, it’s absurd.”

The rogue warrior fell silent.

As if realizing only now that he had been needlessly wasting words.

“......”

He was just about to reach for his cherished sword, Boweol, when Cheongsu Jin-in, who had been watching intently, spoke at the right moment.

“We understand your position, Elder. But what about the backlash from martial artists across the land? The Volcanic Catalyst is no longer just a duel between the Nine Sects and Ipwang Fortress. Without a reasonable justification, there will be consequences...”

His words carried weight.

As if suddenly remembering an urgent matter, Ma Yeon-jeok ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) turned his gaze toward him.

He looked at Cheongsu Jin-in as if he were some peculiar specimen.

“And what exactly do you expect me to do about your problems?”

With that, he swung the door wide open and slammed it shut behind him.

Through the crack in the door, his parting words seeped into the room.

“It’s time to assist with his internal energy circulation.”