Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

A man and a woman were each holding petal-shaped pieces of metal plates.

They adjusted their stances, gripping the unusual black iron pieces between their fingers, and with each change in their positioning, the energy waves around their bodies surged violently.

"How about this?"

"No, a bit lower. Move it to the right."

"You're right. It's slightly tilted. If we want the trajectory to pierce downward, we need to consider the follow-up shot..."

Their delicate features bore many similarities. Their physiques, too.

Though quite small, their sharp and agile frames paired well with the light green silk robes they wore—siblings dressed in matching attire.

They seemed to be enjoying their discussion about the intricacies of concealed weaponry techniques.

In the distance, an elderly man looked on with satisfaction. His thin frame, resembling an old tree trunk, was adorned with a resplendent golden robe.

It was Tang Taedok , the Grand Elder of the Sichuan Tang Clan, also known as the former Leader.

'They are truly prodigies.' 

He thought.

A generation had been skipped, but the siblings' talents had blossomed brilliantly.

Tang Taedok mused that his grandchildren were incomparable to his estranged son, who had severed ties with the family.

The deal had been a success. The Blood Flame Cult's support had proven invaluable.

Starting with the corpse of the Blood Flame Cultist, they even captured the bodies of the Blood Flame Cult disciples, who possessed regenerative abilities, and an elder from the Desolate Fortress' Elder Council.

'They say it was a combined effort with the Blood Flame Cult Leader, but it was still a shocking feat.'

Tang Taedok had spared no effort either.

He poured the clan's elixirs, medicinal herbs, and even poisons into the process—reserving only the minimum required to sustain the clan—and invested everything into the Acupoints Modification Method.

Thus, his grandchildren were reborn with unmatched potential.

'With their senses, they can complete the Full Sky Flower Rain technique.'

The anatomical diagrams provided by the Blood Flame Cult's Seventh Apostle had played a critical role.

The detailed anatomical map of the "Desolate Fortress Lightning Genius" laid the foundation for the success of the Acupoints Modification Method.

It was an integration of martial arts, medicine, and poison techniques from both the Blood Flame Cult and the Tang Clan, culminating in a method to reconstruct the human body.

The siblings' bodies were already extraordinary. They were born with exceptionally strong bones.

That was why they were able to endure the procedure.

After the surgery, the Tang siblings quickly made a name for themselves.

No matter how their throwing techniques were altered, they never missed their targets. Their internal energy manipulation was even more astonishing.

Despite not having reached transcendent levels like the 'Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown', their precision in controlling energy outmatched even seasoned martial artists.

There were no peers capable of withstanding their talents.

Rumors spread across Sichuan martial arts circles that to block even a single strike from the siblings—known as the Venomous Dragon and Venomous Phoenix—only the elite forces of the Nine Great Sects or the Thirteen Heavens could hope to match them.

'They have no idea of the true value these children hold.'

Tang Taedok smirked inwardly.

The Tang Clan's expectations were not merely in the siblings' martial prowess.

Their talents were indeed capable of dominating Sichuan and perhaps even the entire world.

But that was secondary.

Tang Taedok and the Tang Clan's leaders had their eyes set elsewhere.

The Full Sky Flower Rain.

It was the legendary secret art that had symbolized the Sichuan Tang Clan for generations.

However, it existed only in written records, rendered useless because Tang Taedok's predecessors had failed to master it.

The lineage of the technique had been severed decades ago, and no one had succeeded since.

A true divine art could not be learned from a manual alone. A master was required to pass it down.

Yet, the martial world still associated the Tang Clan with a rain of unstoppable, deadly flower petals filling the sky.

For centuries, it had been revered as the essence of Tang martial arts.

'My entire ninety-year life has been devoted to this.'

Tang Taedok reflected.

Restoring the Full Sky Flower Rain, which he had once approached out of duty, had become an obsession and a dream.

Was it a lack of aptitude? Were his energy pathways unable to align with the manual's instructions?

No. Everything could be altered.

By fully opening the Baihui acupoint and adjusting the body's meridians, even such obstacles could be overcome.

Tang Taedok had poured his soul into this defiance of nature since his youth.

Even after ascending to the clan leader's seat, he spearheaded the research.

And after stepping down, he continued relentlessly.

Recently, progress had been made.

But his aging body could no longer withstand the transformation.

So, he turned to the children who had practiced Tang martial arts since birth.

The siblings carried the Tang Clan's purest bloodline.

He believed they could endure, and the results confirmed his expectations.

Their talents would be used to fully recreate the Full Sky Flower Rain.

To achieve this, he accepted the Blood Flame Cult's offer.

'They might only have a few years left to live, but if they complete the Full Sky Flower Rain before they die, what does it matter? I can resolve the matter of heirs by adopting a distant relative.'

Tang Taedok's lips twisted into a grin.

He found joy in watching the siblings laugh and chat, unaware of their fate. Their devotion to mastering the Full Sky Flower Rain was truly beautiful—worthy heirs of the Tang Clan's bloodline.

Lovely children. They would be the final nourishment to give meaning to his life.

His eyes gleamed with both madness and satisfaction.

Facing him, the Venomous Dragon and Venomous Phoenix siblings saw only his warm smile.

The sister waved to her grandfather.

"Look at this! We've synchronized our breathing now!"

Then, turning back to her twin brother, the Venomous Phoenix spread her pale fingers.

Due to her mastery of Tang's poison techniques, her hands bore no wrinkles.

In an instant, the petal-shaped blade between her fingers vanished. It happened as she flicked her wrist.

Tang Taedok saw it all.

It was a technique infused with energy.

The iron flower shot toward her brother, the Venomous Dragon.

The blade split into eight fragments mid-flight, each targeting different positions.

The Venomous Dragon smirked and blurred his left hand.

With a slight retreat, he swept all the fragments into his palm in a single motion.

An extraordinarily precise technique.

"Excellent." 

Tang Taedok laughed.

This was the Tang Clan's traditional game—Flower Dart Exchange.

It was both a practice method for throwing weapons and hand techniques, as well as a way to evaluate individual talent.

Tang Taedok called it "excellent" because the siblings' responses revealed their aptitude.

Reaction speed, energy control, precision, and targeting ability.

To sweep up all the fragments with a single motion proved that the Venomous Dragon's talent was unmatched in Tang history.

The Venomous Phoenix was no less impressive.

She smiled brilliantly, exuding charm.

"Looks like we've fine-tuned our senses."

"Yeah. Let's go train some more, Grandpa! That place we always go to feels inspiring. Like we can create anything there."

The Venomous Dragon's pale face showed the same confidence as his sister.

The aura of young masters who would soon shake the martial world.

Their enhanced talents filled them with endless excitement.

Tang Taedok nodded.

"Go ahead."

They were flames that would burn brightly before dying out.

He would grant them anything they wanted.

—Guard them thoroughly.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Tang Taedok delivered a quiet command to the clan's elite guards.

* * *

There's a saying about the 'Hundred Thousand Paths'. It's both a metaphor and a simile referring to the number of people in the Beggar's Sect.

Although that number might not truly represent their available fighting force, their influence is said to extend across the entire martial world.

"Heir to the Beggar's Sect."

Jung Yeonshin gazed silently at the man who had collapsed at the foot of the Lazy Flame Dragon.

He was to become the master of the beggars of the martial world, the future leader of the Beggar's Sect.

The successor to the Sect Leader, in other words. His presence in the martial arts world was immense.

"If we were to count numbers, even the Thirteen Heavens and the Nine Sects combined wouldn't surpass the Beggar's Sect."

"Indeed, it's accurate to call them the greatest sect in terms of manpower and intelligence. They must know a great deal."

The white-rank warriors of the Lightning Genius' Martial Lineage spoke, their expressions calm and composed.

"Hey, hey! Who do you imperial dogs think you're dealing with right now?"

"Let go! Let go, I said! Do you want to get hit with a rice bowl?"

The subordinates of the Beggar's Sect heir approached, furious, only to be blocked by the white-robed figures.

Standing in a line, they completely cut off the beggars' advance.

The way they rested their hands on their sword hilts or played with their gauntlets exuded menace. The beggars flinched.

The white-rank warriors spoke again.

"Weren't you the ones who provoked us first, talking about the imperial treasure sword?"

"Relax. We won't kill you... that is, unless you truly had nothing to do with this."

Typically, the formal warriors of the Returning Wings Squad had a broader perspective than Jung Yeonshin. Yet, even though the Lazy Flame Dragon had meddled with the heir of the Beggar's Sect, they remained unperturbed.

Maintaining urgency and gravity was important. Radiant Demon Squad represented martial power and was a comrade of the Desolate Fortress.

"The so-called Great Beggars' Sect? All those rabble amount to nothing more than a swarm of ants."

Flame Dragon spoke as he chewed on a poppy pod, his expression calm and composed.

He was currently sitting on Hu-gae's back, casually resting his weight.

"I've heard plenty about this successor of the Beggars' Sect. Even though the Hwangbo Clan is holed up in Jinan, they keep up with all the sect's news. I hear that whenever you beg, the sects prepare a feast for you. Apparently, you enjoy it quite a bit. I was looking forward to seeing you at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, but you never showed."

"I heard Flame Dragon had a rotten personality. Guess I made the right call not to go."

Hu-gae, sprawled on the ground, was sharp-tongued as well.

[Note - Hu-gae is the heir of Beggar's Sect.]

His words came out naturally, unshaken even in his completely subdued state.

"I apologize for the provocation. It seems I misjudged my opponent, not realizing I'd be humiliated like this. But Flame Dragon, how did you end up as a pawn of the Desolate Fortress?"

"So, the rumors have spread this far? Then you must also know why we're here."

Flame Dragon brushed off the question with sly indifference.

His words seemed casual, yet they never strayed from the point.

Hu-gae smirked bitterly.

"The annihilation of the Radiant Demon Squad is a grave matter for us, too. If the Divine Sword Squad assembles in groups of two or three, chaos will ensue, just like the destruction of the Hwangbo Clan. Though the Desolate Fortress is widely spread and can't gather its forces quickly, it's still a major concern."

"You think bringing up the Hwangbo Clan will upset me? Not at all. Keep talking."

"…Our sect was already investigating the Radiant Demon Squad incident. We intended to make contact with the Tang Clan's twin prodigies, the Venomous Dragon and Venomous Phoenix, who have been appearing frequently in this area."

His tone shifted, revealing his natural speech.

"I see."

Flame Dragon stood up, dusting off his clothes.

Glancing at Jung Yeonshin, he said,

"I'll leave the rest to the temporary leader here. I doubt there's more time to waste on pointless chatter. You know how martial artists are—hit them hard the first time you meet. That's even more true for major sects."

"What a way with words."

Hu-gae grumbled as he pushed himself off the ground, twisting his torso and standing up with exaggerated ease, as if to say nothing had happened.

At the same time, Hu-gae's eyes lit up as he looked at Jung Yeonshin.

"Are you the prodigy? The rumored genius who trained under the Lord of the Desolate Fortress and defeated Namgoong Se-jin, the Azure Qilin? It's no small feat for a master from the north of Huguang Province to gain fame all the way in Sichuan. If all the rumors are true, it's no wonder. I've heard about the incident where you outmaneuvered the Tyrant Sword Tribe's Blood Fiend Demon Sword."

He had a glib tongue, falling somewhere between Flame Dragon and Heon Wonchang.

"They say the Beggars' Sect has the best intelligence network. Share what you know, and I'll reward you."

Jung Yeonshin said as he walked slowly.

Passing by Hu-gae and his followers, he stopped near a scarred section of the cliff's surface.

'This is it.'

It matched the description in the report.

Daggers, iron plates, and darts.

Countless throwing weapons had been launched, all imbued with internal energy.

The marks left behind spoke for themselves.

Jung Yeonshin parted his lips.

"Radiant Demon Squad suspected the Tang Clan of manufacturing thunder bombs. He was investigating this thoroughly. These marks here—are they traces of the Full Sky Flower Rain?"

As soon as he finished speaking—

Whoosh—!

He sensed the energy waves before he heard the sound.

Two gleaming projectiles approached like beams of light.

When he turned, his vision filled with petal-like iron shards flying toward him.

They split mid-flight, each fragment dividing into eight pieces.

Sixteen streaks of light pierced through the air.

His mind burned hot, his upper dantian igniting spontaneously.

There was no time to analyze the technique.

The ambush was lightning-fast, leaving no room to gather energy into his defensive techniques.

Jung Yeonshin's response was purely instinctive.

Thud.

He lightly kicked a pebble on the ground.

His internal energy rippled, splitting the pebble into sixteen fragments, intercepting the incoming projectiles from every angle.

Crack-crack-crack!

The trajectories of the iron petals twisted in midair.

Amid the shower of shattered stones, Jung Yeonshin slowly raised his head.

The culprits who had thrown the weapons—A man and a woman in green silk robes, stared at him, their faces pale with shock.