Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

While Jung Yeonshin countered a sudden ambush with an unassuming move, the two prodigies of Tang Clan moved with equal swiftness.

Whoosh—

Namgoong Hwashin and Flame Dragon's forms dispersed like fading shadows.

They closed the distance between themselves and the Venomous Dragon and Venomous Phoenix siblings, stretching a fleeting moment into infinity.

Srrng!

Namgoong Hwashin drew his sword and pointed it at Venomous Phoenix's neck in one fluid motion.

White Qilin's Desolate Sword gleamed faintly blue. A serene energy spiraled up from his rigid frame.

Flame Dragon placed his hand on the back of Venomous Dragon's neck.

Without even releasing a sliver of heat, the quiet turbulence surging within his body testified to an immense internal force.

Their movements had never accounted for Jung Yeonshin falling.

Neither of them did. As a result, the short siblings' defenses were thoroughly breached.

"Should I kill them?"

Flame Dragon asked languidly.

"Kill? Kill us?"

Venomous Dragon retorted. His youthful face, just nearing manhood, turned pale and glossy.

'Mixed blood of the Iron Tribe.'

Jung Yeonshin speculated. The peculiar physiques of the siblings made it clear.

Dwarves.

Their height barely reached his shoulder.

Their proportions matched their short stature—narrow shoulders and small heads.

Weapons forged by the Iron Tribe in the Tang Clan's arsenal were said to rival divine artifacts. It seemed those rumors weren't unfounded.

No one spoke as Jung Yeonshin remained silent. Venomous Dragon cried out in protest.

"That person! He was the first to mention thunder bombs! Talking about the Tang Clan! Who wouldn't lose their temper when someone accuses their family of treason? Our clan has never violated the Great Ming Law!"

If what he said was true, then it was understandable that he resorted to weapons right away.

If the Imperial Army were to mobilize, even the Tang Clan would be forced to retreat to the deep mountains. Their entire domain would be swept away.

"..."

"We threw explosive markers, but we didn't even imbue them with much energy! We only meant to subdue you! You—you must know that, given how you blocked them!"

His words poured out endlessly, an innocent commoner pleading his case.

At the same time, his appearance was unexpectedly childlike. Small stature and naïve demeanor only added to the impression.

"Tang Clan?"

Jung Yeonshin asked briefly, already half-suspecting the truth.

"They're the Dragon and Phoenix siblings."

From a distance, Hu-gae of the Beggar's Sect nodded. He had been staring at Jung Yeonshin with a slightly dazed expression.

'Did they train in hidden weapon techniques?'

Jung Yeonshin had deflected an attack from the Tang Clan's strongest up-and-comers as if it were nothing.

His footwork bordered on divine skill.

Such agility and precision were impossible without innate talent, even with great martial arts.

Who else could manipulate internal energy like that?

Even in the realm of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, accessible only to a handful of top masters, such control was unheard of.

'Internal energy merely affects depth and speed of circulation.'

Other masters would have evaded with body movement techniques or countered with quick swordplay.

But kicking stones to accurately split hidden weapons? That required not only skill but supernatural intuition.

Unimaginably so.

Lightning Genius. I've heard of him, but… he's even more dangerous than I thought. I must ensure he's listed in our registry.'

Present ranking: Upper-Mid. Potential future: Special-Special-Upper.

Hu-gae evaluated him silently, considering both current and future potential.

Rumors of his martial prowess combined with what had just been displayed earned him a high rank.

It suggested he was beginning to transcend the realm of rising talents.

This assessment factored in his status, affiliations, lineage, and martial heritage.

Evaluations could change at any moment.

What else would he reveal? Hu-gae's innate curiosity turned into deep fascination.

'The fuse of Sichuan's martial world is all gathered here. It's about to explode. Following him may be worthwhile.'

Lost in thought, Hu-gae overlooked one crucial point.

Focused on measuring Lightning Genius's potential, he failed to consider one thing.

It was unlikely that the Tang Clan would send only the twins, their treasured heirs.

Sssss—

Misty killing intent spread through the air, laced with venomous energy.

From behind, figures in green robes emerged. Their auras were sharp and threatening.

Swordsmen, gauntlet-wearers, and those adorned with hidden daggers. Only seven, but none could be underestimated.

The lethal techniques of the Tang Clan were well-known in martial history.

"Sichuan Tang Clan…!"

Hu-gae murmured grimly, his expression shifting.

"Release them."

A man stepped forward. Tall and broad, he wore heavy gauntlets. He appeared to lead the Tang warriors.

"If a single hair falls from the heads of the Young Master and Young Miss, I'll drag you all to hell with me."

From those words, Jung Yeonshin gauged the Tang Clan's character.

The remark about "a single hair" reflected their closed-off nature.

But speaking of mutual destruction showed they understood the enemy's strength.

They knew they couldn't win without risking everything.

The Tang Clan, also known as Tang Sect or Tang Family.

They had many names in the martial world, all evoking fear.

Repay kindness twofold, revenge tenfold. Such was the Tang Clan's creed.

Stories spoke of their ruthless strength fueled by contradictions—realism tempered with extreme pride.

"I can smell the venom from here. I'm trembling already."

Flame Dragon sneered.

A faint flame flickered from his fingertips as he stroked Venomous Dragon's nape, a provocative threat.

"You brat!"

The gauntleted man shouted and stepped forward.

"Stop."

The voice belonged to the young woman at Namgoong Hwashin's blade.

She ignored her brother's predicament and stared straight at Jung Yeonshin with black eyes.

The Tang warriors halted at once.

"I'll apologize, but I can't beg for forgiveness. The idea that our clan makes thunder bombs… this is the first we're hearing of it."

Venomous Phoenix, the younger sister of the twins, spoke in a quiet yet clear voice.

"If you were in our place, wouldn't you react the same? If some stranger started muttering words that could destroy your family?"

"Your words are harsh. Do you even understand? My master is like me in many ways—his clan is already ruined."

Flame Dragon quipped. Venomous Phoenix's eyes widened.

Jung Yeonshin gazed at Flame Dragon curiously. The latter smirked but averted his eyes sheepishly. It was hardly the demeanor of the heir to the Hwangbo clan, famed for dominating martial tournaments.

"…I apologize for my words."

Venomous Phoenix bowed, despite the sword at her neck.

A picture of grace. She embodied the noble manners described in the classics.

Yet it was odd. Both the doll-like sister and childlike brother radiated an unsettling aura.

Jung Yeonshin frowned slightly. A strange sense of familiarity lingered—not with Flame Dragon, but with the Tang siblings.

'What is this?'

It was inexplicable. Something stirred within him, as if his spirit whispered through his crown chakra.

"Leader."

Namgoong Hwashin called firmly, seeking his decision regarding the twins.

Jung Yeonshin didn't answer. Instead, he stomped the ground again.

Thump!

Two stones split midair and struck the siblings.

They gasped softly as the pebbles tapped their dantian points.

The strikes sealed the energy flow in their Yin Crossing Meridians.

[Note -Yin Meridians are a part of a network of channels that connect all body parts.]

It was an advanced application of the Seven-Step Death Acupuncture's techniques.

"Look at that casual kick. I'd feel terrible if it were me."

Flame Dragon muttered.

"This way."

Jung Yeonshin gestured calmly. Namgoong Hwashin and Flame Dragon gave the siblings a slight push on their backs.

The martial artists of the Sichuan Tang Clan flinched as if about to pounce.

Invisible, razor-sharp sword energy suddenly filled the air.

Hwaak!

It was Namgoong Hwashin's Boundless Heaven Technique. Fine dust swirled, and the ground was carved into streaks.

"You were the ones who struck first, even if you did not intend to kill."

His tone was cold and resolute.

Namgoong Hwashin had clearly changed. His lofty swordsmanship now carried a willingness to kill without hesitation.

'I'll need to speak with him once this mission is over.'

Jung Yeonshin thought as he silently observed them.

The four of them soon approached.

The boy spoke slowly, pointing to the marks left by hidden weapons on the ground.

"The trail of the Radiant Demon Squad of Desolate Fortress ends here. And this—doesn't it bear traces of the Tang Clan's secret arts? Tell me what you know."

His words were blunt and to the point. Flame Dragon chimed in from the side.

He showed no hesitation in rough treatment, even toward direct heirs of a major sect.

"Don't try to fool us. I doubt you've ever been tortured with Solar Divine Energy."

"..."

"We don't know for certain."

After a brief silence, Venomous Dragon finally spoke.

"We only guessed that the traces left behind were from our father."

"The Tang Clan Leader?"

Jung Yeonshin asked back.

It was well-known that the Tang Clan's head wandered the martial world.

There was a story that after losing his wife to the schemes of two of the Thirteen Heavenly Sects, the clan's Supreme Elder forbade a full-scale war, leading him to sever ties and leave home.

It was said he roamed alone, seeking to destroy the great sects.

"The marks here were not ours. They belonged to our father. We recognized them immediately. Other than us, the only one who could wield Full Sky Flower Rain is our father."

Venomous Dragon concluded bitterly. Venomous Phoenix then added softly.

"We erased our father's traces and waited endlessly, hoping he might return."

"Yes, while keeping it hidden from our grandfather."

"But we can guess why Desolate Fortress' Radiant Demon Squad crossed paths with our father."

Venomous Phoenix's words made Jung Yeonshin's eyes narrow.

"Explain."

Venomous Phoenix paled under the pressure of his gaze. She slowly opened her mouth.

"We don't know the exact details, but we heard that the forces of Ten Perfection Sect and the Pure Demon Alliance from the Thirteen Heavenly Sects passed through this area. It's possible they clashed with the Radiant Demon Squad. We think our father got involved in the conflict…"

"So the Tang Clan Leader may know the full story."

Namgoong Hwashin remarked. Flame Dragon tilted his head slightly.

"You're being awfully cooperative. Isn't the Tang Clan supposed to be the most venomous of all the righteous sects? What's your angle?"

At those words, the siblings turned their eyes to Jung Yeonshin. Venomous Phoenix's lips parted slowly.

"…Because your talent allows you to understand us."

At the same time, Venomous Dragon suddenly broke into a grin. He was an unpredictable youth.

It was as if someone had messed with his head during childhood, revealing a sudden childlike demeanor.

"Everyone else seems slow to us. We've always felt out of place, like the world is too easy for us. Talking about martial arts is frustrating because no one keeps up."

"The entry into Full Sky Flower Rain is difficult, but you seem like someone we could converse with—so long as you don't bring up thunder bombs again."

Venomous Phoenix spoke with the innocence of a young girl, her dark eyes gleaming.

Jung Yeonshin remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"I've heard much about Full Sky Flower Rain. It's one of the most renowned techniques, famed for its unique form. The hidden weapons rain down like falling raindrops, following the wielder's intent."

"Yes, exactly!"

Venomous Dragon exclaimed excitedly.

"If taken literally, the core principles make sense. The issue lies with hidden weapon techniques and the refinement of internal energy. You'd need supreme mastery, like Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown or Five Energies Returning to Origin. The key to its strength likely lies there, not in the formula itself."

"What did you just say…?"

Venomous Phoenix trailed off, staring at him.

Jung Yeonshin bent down and picked up a few small stones.

Once the principles were understood, that was enough.

Hwaak!

A sound rang out from the crown of his head. The boy calculated backward.

Just like when he saw the overwhelming power of a martial saint and realized such force existed, leading him to grasp the formula for the Infinite Blossom Fist Strike.

But this time, it was different—on another level entirely.

As his Baihui acupoint naturally opened, his upper dantian grew stronger. His abilities were expanding along with his despair.

"If the rumors are true, isn't this how you use internal energy?"

Crack.

The stones crumbled finely in his palm, completely infused with the energy of Jung Clan Movement Arts.

The fragments began to spin in an orderly vortex, forming a small whirlwind.

"See this? Does it look right?"

He asked.

The Twins of Tang Clan remained silent. Jung Yeonshin pressed further.

"I hope you can recognize it. We don't have time."

"..."

"The formula is simple. It just takes a little technique. If you still don't get it after watching it, I'll teach you. In exchange, you'll tell me everything about the Tang Clan Leader."

The siblings froze in silence, as if paralyzed.