Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Handing over the Radiant River? Both reason and heart rejected the idea.

It wasn't just because Namgoong Se-jin had named the martial art.

'Even if it's just to prepare for a one-in-a-million chance.'

Rare as it was, leaks of martial arts did occur in the world.

In the lower ranks of the martial world, where small and medium sects vied for territory, it was said to be even more common.

It wasn't only about betrayal and desertion. Even those who had mastered martial arts found enduring torture to be another matter entirely.

The martial arts revealed thus far had ample room for improvement.

In the hands of Jung Yeonshin, they could be refined even further, to the extent that even breaking their techniques would be welcome.

Radiant River was different. It was inherently bound to the forms and formulas of internal energy manipulation.

"You won't pass it…?"

Shin So-bin asked weakly.

"That's right. I won't."

"Oh… you won't, huh…"

Her suddenly crestfallen expression amused him inwardly. Jung Yeonshin thought with a calm face.

'No matter how urgent the merit may be.'

The core formulas of a completed martial art must be protected. Even the Sword Technique and the Jung Clan's Dynamic Arts followed this rule.

Moreover, Radiant River was a single-strike, kill-focused martial art.

With its clear weaknesses in casting time and precision, there was no way he could reveal its formulas too.

Anyone who understood its inner workings would call it a matter of survival.

'Besides.'

Mastering the Demon-Slaying Azure Steel Palm was a prerequisite. From the outset, it was a martial art no one had successfully learned.

Not to mention the Blood Flame Cult's Demon Roaring Blood Art.

There was simply no reason to grant it.

"You'd receive massive merit, though. Really, really massive. You don't know yet since you just returned, but it's absolute chaos out there."

Shin So-bin cautiously watched Jung Yeonshin's reaction as she spoke.

"Well."

Even when he offered the Demon-Slaying Azure Steel Palm, the merits calculated in return were modest.

Despite being a technique the Shaolin monks had called divine skill, the recognition was lacking.

It had only been valued for the rarity of its spiritual power techniques.

That was all.

'Radiant River won't bring back high merits either.'

Such were the standards of Desolate Fortress. Even lofty martial arts were judged by their versatility.

To train in Radiant River, one had to first master the Demon-Slaying Azure Steel Palm, which had no initiates.

There was no one who could even learn it. Accepting losses by revealing its formulas was entirely unreasonable.

"I just got back. I need to circulate my energy first."

The boy said, gently removing the hands of the children clinging to his robe.

Jung Yeonshin knelt down to meet the eyes of the nameless disciples and offered a small smile.

'Cute kids.'

Even though he had become a blue-rank master, they approached him without hesitation.

The older disciples treated him with formality, but he didn't expect the same from these young ones.

"Circulate your energy first. Oh, yeah, that makes sense, right?"

Shin So-bin replied awkwardly, shrinking slightly.

Perhaps because of her slight flinch, the hem of her white robe from Desolate Fortress crumpled slightly.

It had originally been spotless, exuding pride.

The Shin family of Desolate Fortress was her lineage.

It was said to rival even the Desolate Ma Clan in power, yet Shin So-bin's demeanor didn't fit the image of a precious daughter from a renowned clan.

"So-bin, what about the leader and the others?"

"They left on a mission shortly after you set out. No one has returned yet."

"Sichuan?"

"Yes."

Jung Yeonshin recalled a conversation he had with Ma Jin before confronting the Namgoong Clan.

—I'll have to visit Sichuan soon. It's because of the Thunder Bomb that hit you so hard. There's word that the Tang Clan in Sichuan is secretly producing fire bombs. The Headquarters wants it confirmed.

—Tang Clan… I heard the Sichuan martial world is treacherous. Even high-level masters from the Radiant Demon Squad can't guarantee survival once they're swept into its struggles. Doesn't it house three of the Nine Great Sects and three of the Thirteen Celestial Branches, along with the Tang Clan vying for dominance?

Ma Jin's amused response lingered in his memory. He had said he was more worried about Jung Yeonshin.

'They haven't returned yet.'

Jung Yeonshin gave a brief nod and then spoke.

"We'll catch up later. As for the Floral Infinite Palm… no, the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike, there's not much to say."

He now referred to it as the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike, having expanded the original three fist techniques to include the palm technique Radiant River.

"Alright, let's do that!"

Her answer came with a sharp tone. Shin So-bin, nodding her small head, flushed red.

Jung Yeonshin found it slightly odd. It was a side of her he had trouble imagining.

The White Cat of Radiant Demon Squad, Shin So-bin.

He recalled their mission at the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering when they encountered the Lazy Flame Dragon.

They had been together then, and she had openly remarked on his growing prowess in swordsmanship, without hesitation.

She had boldly commented on the skill of a blue-rank master, even going so far as to critique it outright.

She had always been straightforward.

'What's wrong with her?'

Tilting his head slightly, he began walking. The rustling of many robes filled the air.

The nameless disciples of Radiant Demon Squad reluctantly stepped back.

These were boys and girls who had trained in Desolate Fortress, closer to tradition than even Desolate City itself.

Despite their innocent demeanor, they had been raised in the Radiant Demon Squad since birth.

Missions, rest, training—they were accustomed to the regimented structure of Desolate Fortress.

"Right. I'll have to share my tales of adventure later."

"You're bluffing. Anyway, the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike starts with me. I can't figure out how to reinforce the core strikes. Properly, I mean!"

"What's a beginner like you saying? Let's settle it in a spar. Follow me to the training grounds."

"Fine! Think I'm scared?"

As their youthful voices echoed in a lively commotion, Shin So-bin stood in a slight daze, staring at Jung Yeonshin's retreating figure.

There was no sign of fatigue in his silent steps.

The calm, condensed air around him only served as evidence of his growth. The presence of his energy was striking.

'His martial prowess has advanced again.'

Shin So-bin thought, feeling the unmistakable presence of the blue-rank master, Lightning Genius.

A master who soared endlessly upward.

Now, she couldn't even estimate how long she could withstand him.

All she saw was his ever-advancing back.

But there was something more important than achievement—his ability to create martial techniques.

Lightning Genius of Radiant Demon Squad advanced and innovated simultaneously.

While inventing martial arts, he continued to improve. He no longer seemed like a mere peer of the same age.

"So-bin, what's wrong?"

"You're acting all shy."

"That's not very White Cat-like!"

The children teased. They were right.

It was an unfamiliar side of herself. Did she… harbor feelings for Lightning Genius?

'No way.'

Impossible. She wasn't that shallow. It was something deeper, tied to her identity as a martial artist.

Shin So-bin recalled it unconsciously.

'A Grandmaster.'

That's what Crimson Noon Sword of the Annihilation Squad had called him at the Heavenly Gold Martial Arena.

A pioneer of their squad. One who had awakened first. A revered trailblazer.

In the martial world, values often stemmed from martial arts.

Those who founded profound lineages and noble sects were revered as grandmasters.

Martial artists respected Bodhidharma and Zhang Sanfeng more than even Buddha.

The creators of Shaolin's techniques and Wudang's Tai Chi martial arts were hailed as great grandmasters.

Lightning Genius Jung Yeonshin was building his own lineage. No one could treat him lightly now.

'Even if it's still unfinished.'

For anyone who walked the martial path, respect was a given.

'Any martial artist with proper principles would do the same.'

Shin So-bin had diligently studied the martial arts that Jung Yeonshin had bestowed.

Through this, she had felt it all—the overwhelming martial talent and flashes of brilliance flowing through the formulas laid bare before her.

It was different from simply looking up to a martial artist named Lightning Genius. She was genuinely moved.

Only a rare few in the upper echelons of the martial world possessed supreme martial arts.

Most martial artists would have to lower themselves after reading the formulas of Jung Yeonshin's martial creations.

It wasn't just the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike. Splendid Wings Step, Limit Releasing Technique, and Radiance Sword Style were all the same.

'Lightning Genius's lineage.'

Only then did she realize her true feelings. Her demeanor had changed at its core.

Without knowing it, she had adopted the attitude a student should have toward a grandmaster.

And therein lay a problem.

Shin So-bin was not the only martial artist from Desolate Fortress who felt this way.

Yet, Desolate Fortress was a sect where master-disciple relationships were legally forbidden.

There were no masters or senior-junior disciples—only superiors and subordinates, seniors and juniors.

'What if those vile schemers catch wind of this…?'

Shin So-bin had grown up roaming Desolate Fortress as the legitimate daughter of the Shin family.

As she furrowed her brows, several faces came to mind.

* * *

Three days passed.

With Ma Jin away on a mission, there was no choice but to wait for direct orders from the General Affairs Bureau.

Jung Yeonshin spent the time refining his martial techniques.

He wanted to minimize the time spent within the main fortress of Desolate Fortress.

Merits were important, but so were gaining experience and broadening his horizons.

Though he had won his recent duel, it was hard to be satisfied.

'Luck was on my side.'

He recalled his fight with the Azure Qilin, Namgoong Se-jin.

The flow of the battle had favored him—that was all.

Both wielded martial arts capable of delivering fatal blows.

The King-Style Sword Arts was so novel and overwhelming that it seemed almost supernatural. Either one of them could have won, and it wouldn't have been surprising.

'I need to go further.'

Martial arts were the study of combat distilled into discipline. They couldn't be mastered in isolation.

True martial skill came from interaction with opponents.

One person immediately came to mind.

The White Qilin, Namgoong Hwashin.

Of those who could help him grow, he was the only one who could match Jung Yeonshin's senses.

However, Jung Yeonshin shook his head inwardly. Namgoong Hwashin must still be in despair.

He couldn't be used as a sparring partner for training.

'Let alone comfort him.'

Sparring with his fellow martial artists from the Radiant Demon Squad no longer stimulated him.

They had become like family.

His progress in practical martial arts training had stalled.

It no longer felt dangerous.

Besides, all his seniors had gone to Sichuan with Ma Jin. Jung Yeonshin continued his mental training alone.

Perhaps it was because he had seen the ultimate masters, including the Divine Sword Squad leader, during the Namgoong family mission.

His thoughts spiraled deeper and deeper. He even wished someone would provoke him.

So he could unleash his martial arts techniques without restraint.

'What a hooligan-like thought.'

He shook his head inwardly and sank into meditation. About two hours passed.

Suddenly, the light slanting through the window bars brushed against his cheek.

It was the breath of twilight at the end of the day. Then it happened.

[Is no one here?!]

A voice suddenly resonated, shaking the air.

The internal energy contained in it was immense, at least at the blue rank.

Jung Yeonshin reacted immediately. With no black-rank masters around, he was the only blue-rank martial artist in Radiant Demon Squad at the moment.

Whoosh!

He immediately activated his sensory technique and flung the door open.

Thud! Whoosh!

A harsh gust of wind swept through his hair. In an instant, he closed the distance.

Standing before the pavilion was a single man.

"I joined Desolate Fortress today. I've been assigned to the Radiant Demon Squad."

The young man, his shadowed eyes showing exhaustion, smiled.

It was a soft smile. He approached leisurely, holding a wine flask, and the scent of alcohol grew stronger as he drew near.

He continued speaking.

"We've met before, haven't we? Your face left quite an impression. You're the one who called me slow."

"..."

"I don't know your name, but I know your title—Lightning Genius, wasn't it?"

He looked about ten years older than Jung Yeonshin.

His sharp and handsome features carried a distinct air of weariness. He was familiar.

"Hwangbo Clan, Lazy Flame Dragon."

Jung Yeonshin spoke.

He loosened his body using the Jung Clan's joint techniques first.

In an instant, his entire body relaxed like a predator preparing for battle.

While doing so, he observed the man closely.

"So you remember me."

Lazy Flame Dragon smiled with satisfaction.

Though wearing a tattered martial robe, he exuded an oddly refined aura.

The leaf in his mouth seemed to be an opium poppy.

How did he even acquire it? His appearance was unimaginable within Desolate Fortress.

His faintly shadowed eyes curved upward in a smirk, but Jung Yeonshin simply stared at him.

"We're of the same kind, after all. I have the Solar Divine Meridian, and you…"

Trailing off, Lazy Flame Dragon tilted his head slightly.

"What is it? Whatever."

An intense energy simmered from his entire being.

Despite not visibly rousing his internal energy, he radiated heat. It was the power of blazing yang.

It felt as if he had grown even stronger.

"I'm no longer the young master of the Hwangbo family. Just another nameless disciple. I'll be in your care."

His words and demeanor showed detachment from worldly matters. He didn't even seem like the heir of a great family.

But that didn't matter. What did matter was the question:

Why had they accepted the heir of a destroyed clan into Desolate Fortress?

Could the General Affairs Bureau authorize such a decision?

While organizing his thoughts, Jung Yeonshin slowly opened his mouth.

"Show respect."

"Hmm?"

"Show respect, Lazy Flame Dragon."