Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

It was not the gaze one directed at another person. Both of the Tang siblings were the same.

Jung Yeonshin did not pay them any attention. He exhaled a long breath, calming his mind.

'No Place to live, Birth of the heart.'

He recited the interpretation of the Diamond Sutra she still carried.

It meant to release oneself from attachments. As death approached, the meaning resonated with an inexplicable sentiment.

The boy raised his head. The Iron Tribe man was staring at him with a look of shock.

"That yin energy, the Martial God of Desolate Fortress...! Could it be, are you of royal blood?"

The Lord of Desolate Fortress was referred to as the Martial God. It seemed he immediately recognized the yin energy of the Moonlight Harmony Technique.

Then, he must have known that the disciples of the Desolate Fortress' Lord had always been of royal descent. He was knowledgeable.

"How can you possess such diverse energies in one body...?"

Tang Ryeo-ryeo trailed off.

That one remark attested to her highly sensitive perception. She seemed to have felt the entirety of Jung Yeonshin's intrinsic energy flow.

A faint green glow, characteristic of venom arts, shimmered briefly in her eyes before vanishing.

Tang Yeohwa was no different. His lips trembled slightly.

"They were all profound. That is not power built through ordinary cultivation. There were energies that didn't even seem to be chi..."

It was hard to classify it as internal energy—rather, it was an orthodox Buddhist force.

The boy, Tang Yeohwa, known as the Venomous Dragon, looked at him with awe.

He recognized Jung Yeonshin's true worth, thanks to his own perception, which he prided as the rarest of talents.

He had distinguished every unique energy emitted by Yeonshin's presence.

'How is that even possible?'

Handling such diverse energies without showing any signs of damage to his meridians.

It had to be one of two things:

'Either he was born with an innate ability to regulate internal energy, or he refined his body through an extraordinary forbidden art.'

If he possessed both, he would become a monstrous existence capable of surpassing the heads of the Nine Great Sects within just a few years.

So, Tang Yeohwa thought—it was likely the former, an extraordinary ability to regulate internal energy.

Even operating those various energies individually was a feat beyond human limits.

It would be harder than controlling four hands sprouting from one body simultaneously.

'Though there was a slight trace of energy deviation earlier...'

Overall, the energy emanating from Jung Yeonshin felt stable.

The solidly built power exerted a calm yet overwhelming pressure.

From the moment they faced him until now, there had been no discernible openings.

It meant he had complete control over his chaotic energies.

'He's different from us.'

Both Tang Yeohwa and Tang Ryeo-ryeo had trained in the Reversed Origin Three Yang Art, which allowed them to harbor three types of venomous energies in their bodies.

However, Tang Yeohwa's energies were all of yang nature, while Tang Ryeo-ryeo harbored yin energies.

In other words, they cultivated similar types of energies, unlike Jung Yeonshin.

"I'd really like to invite you as a guest..."

Tang Yeohwa suddenly drooped his head. Tang Ryeo-ryeo approached her childlike older brother.

Her gaze toward Jung Yeonshin now occasionally flickered with a greenish hue.

"I wanted to invite you to the main household if things went well... but it may be too difficult for you, Young Hero Jung."

"To the Tang Clan? Why not?"

Flame Dragon abruptly asked. He, too, had been watching Jung Yeonshin with interest.

Tang Yeohwa, following his sister, spoke with a sullen face.

"Our main household has many old monsters, starting with our grandfather. They might try to use Master Jung as material for cultivation. They're obsessed with spiritual beings, and compared to those, Master Jung might be even more tempting..."

"As expected, great clans are not righteous."

Flame Dragon spoke with a faint smile.

"How could they follow the right path? In a corrupt world, they pursue worldly gains. The so-called 'righteous path' is just a term the orthodox sects use."

He was the young master of the fallen Hwangbo clan.

Though his words were self-deprecating, he did not come across as pitiful. Perhaps it was his inherently languid demeanor.

"..."

The Tang siblings remained silent. Namgung Hwashin also kept his mouth shut.

Glancing at the successors of one of the Eight Great Clans, Jung Yeonshin finally opened his lips, looking down at the Iron Tribe man.

"I am not of royal blood, but I was taught martial arts by the Fortress' Lord."

He altered his tone. Seeing the hostility fade from the man's face, he addressed him with appropriate deference.

"I apologize for any discourtesy."

The Iron Tribe man immediately took a step back and bowed deeply, clasping his hands before his face in a most polite manner.

"I am from the Zhang family of Luo Province, and my name is Zhang Jongmyung. I honed my blacksmithing skills there, but later accepted an offer from my kin and settled in this place, the City of Master Craftsmen. It has been nearly thirty years."

"The City of Master Craftsmen is here?!"

Tang Yeohwa exclaimed. The cave echoed, but no one rebuked the noise.

Everyone's expressions shifted. From Crimson Noon Sword, who had just arrived, to Namgoong Hwashin, Flame Dragon, and Tang Ryeo-ryeo—all were visibly stirred.

"My knowledge is limited. What is the City of Master Craftsmen?"

Jung Yeonshin calmly asked. The Radiant Demon Squad was here.

To assist his seniors without error, he needed to understand the location's characteristics and history.

To be prepared for any situation.

Crimson Noon Sword promptly answered.

"As its name suggests, it is a sanctuary for master craftsmen."

"It is said to be a city of Iron tribe's independent of the Ming Imperial family. I had only heard of it through rumors, but I didn't expect it to be so close to our home..."

Tang Ryeo-ryeo's voice echoed with disbelief.

Jung Yeonshin was already gazing upward.

His eyes were fixed beyond Zhang Jongmyung, toward the solid wall they encountered for the first time since entering the cave.

A circular stone gate adorned with ancient patterns stood there.

"It cannot be opened. We can only wait for someone from inside to come out."

After gauging their reactions, Zhang Jongmyung clenched his teeth and spoke.

"It is sealed by a sophisticated mechanism, but the key artifact was stolen—by the Thirteen Heavens!"

"How long have you been waiting?"

"About three days, I believe. Our people tend to isolate themselves once inside."

"This matter—how is the Radiant Demon Squad involved?"

Jung Yeonshin calmly asked. Yet to Zhang Jongmyung, it seemed like a command.

He began explaining with utmost sincerity.

"We invited the head of the Tang clan as a guardian, but the Ten Perfection Sect and Pure Demon Alliance caught the scent and pursued them. At that time, Radiant Demon Squad was asking the Tang clan head about something."

"..."

"In the ensuing chaos, the Radiant Demon Squad was attacked by the combined forces of the Thirteen Heavens and various Sichuan sects. The battle carried on to this place, and I, watching from afar, lost the key artifact."

His tone was filled with resentment.

"Did they all enter the City of Master Craftsmen?"

"Yes! They entered quite naturally! The battlefield extended to our very home!"

Zhang Jongmyung clenched his massive fists, his lips quivering with frustration and helplessness.

'The Thirteen Heavens Sect targeted the City of Master Craftsmen, and the Radiant Demon Squad was trying to extract information about the thunder bombs from the Tang Clan leader.'

Jung Yeonshin pondered silently.

The Tang Clan leader was said to be a half-blood of the Iron Tribe and an exceptional craftsman.

Additionally, as the head of one of the Eight Clans, he possessed formidable martial arts skills.

With his lineage, craftsmanship, and martial prowess, it was understandable why City of Master Craftsmen would covet him. This connection seemed to be at the root of the incident.

At that moment—

Step.

Namgoong Hwashin walked past Zhang Jonmyung.

He stopped in front of the stone door embedded in the wall and examined the groove in the center of the stone door.

"If it's an artifact of the Iron Tribe, it might be something similar to those used in my family's martial library or armory. When you infuse internal energy into it, the artifact channels that energy along predesignated paths. If you activate the artifact with the correct energy flow pattern and fit it into this groove, a sophisticated mechanism will automatically unlock the door." 

Namgoong Hwashin said.

"Exactly." 

Flame Dragon nodded, a member of one of the noble families.

"Can't we just break it?" 

Crimson Noon Sword interjected abruptly.

Namgoong Hwashin, who had taken a step forward, shook his head.

"It is not something to consider lightly. The Iron Tribe blacksmiths are said to pass down their unique blacksmithing techniques through generations. Not only do they create divine weapons, but many of them also take an interest in dangerous mechanisms and formations."

"This place is highly sensitive to intrusion. The entrance might collapse, and they likely didn't dig tunnels only here."

Tang Ryeo-ryeo interjected. Zhang Jongmyung, who had been looking at her with a strange gaze, nodded his head.

"It is very far. We cannot delay any further, yet the situation is truly a dilemma, leaving me pacing in frustration."

"Wait."

Jung Yeonshin spoke briefly and took a step forward. Quietly, he approached the stone door and stood shoulder to shoulder with Namgoong Hwashin.

"Leader?"

Namgoong Hwashin called, but Jung Yeonshin did not respond. Zhang Jongmyung's words also applied to him—this was no place to linger.

Swish.

He placed his hand on the groove. Channeling the energy of the Proper Aperture Art to his fingertips, he traced the residual traces left within the wall.

His innate sensitivity vividly captured the faint imprints of energy, mapping out the internal mechanism designed to resonate with chi and open the formation.

Buzz!

In an instant, he extracted the formula. He had recreated the chi pattern required to act as the key.

Raising a thread of energy into his palm, Jung Yeonshin pressed it against the surface of the stone.

Rumble—!

Faint beams of light began to tingle his eyes. The door was splitting open in a straight line.

The stone gates opened outward, revealing a wondrous sight.

For Jung Yeonshin, the Iron Tribe's mechanical formation was mysterious, but for those standing behind him, the miracle performed by the boy was equally astonishing.

Zhang Jongmyung's face was filled with shock.

"Just now, what method did you use...!"

"You extracted the energy pattern of the mechanism created by the Iron Tribe? Is that even possible?"

Hu-gae, who had been holding his breath, muttered blankly. The Tang siblings widened their eyes.

Step.

The high-ranking experts of the Returning Wings Squad moved forward, leaving the others behind.

With steady movements, they flanked Jung Yeonshin on both sides, their disciplined footsteps echoing sharply.

"Leader, the place ahead is likely in chaos. You must prioritize the mission over us followers. The survival of the Radiant Demon Squad is paramount."

Crimson Noon Sword said while staring at the gradually opening door.

"It's not just the Ten Perfection Sect and the Pure Demon Alliance. Reports say even opportunistic sects from the Dark Paths are involved. It seems the Radiant Demon Squad is being attacked by all of them, and the battlefield will be brutal. …I fear your compassion may waver."

He was advising the young leader to think of the Radiant Demon Squad first, rather than prioritizing the Returning Wings Squad.

It was a suggestion tinged with concern.

"I beg you, disciple of the Lord of Desolate Fortress!"

Zhang Jongmyung, who had barely regained his composure, cried out.

"There are countless civilians in our city! Please, please protect them! Who knows what atrocities the wretched Thirteen Heavens might commit?"

Jung Yeonshin nodded, but then froze.

Despite being an underground space, the light filtering down the sloping path felt strangely out of place.

Was it another marvel created by the Iron Tribe's mysterious arts?

But it was not the time to dwell on such questions.

From the rapidly widening path below, a sinister energy boiled up.

Even the energy alone seemed to press down on one's soul.

It was the dark energy of demonic martial arts—devilish energy. Could it be the feared Thirteen Heavens of the Pure Demon Alliance?

It did not matter. Amid the turbulent energies, one presence felt all too familiar. A single one.

'Heon Wonchang.'

Boom!

With a loud step, Jung Yeonshin's figure tore through the air.

He executed the Grass Flutter movement art with the force of a raging storm.

His legs, gliding down the slope, compressed the distance as though stepping on clouds.

Whoosh!

As he drew closer, the sounds of a pursuit reached his ears—voices shouting back and forth.

"Radiant Demon Squad, you flee quite well! Like a rat, I must say!"

"How long do you plan to keep running? It seems Desolate Fortress is nothing but a filthy den!"

"Even the small sect of trash dares to act high and mighty! Just because one of the Pure Demon Alliance's pawns joined the hunt—!"

The last voice clearly belonged to Heon Wonchang.

'There he is.'

At that moment, his vision opened wide.

Heon Wonchang, battered and bloodied, was fleeing from his pursuers. The martial artist leading the chase exuded an overwhelming aura.

Wrapped in transparent demonic energy like armor, he charged forward. At a glance, it was clear he was an opponent beyond the capability of Desolate Fortress' white-robed warriors.

Behind him, fighters who didn't even resemble orthodox sect members followed arrogantly.

"Huh?"

Heon Wonchang let out a puzzled exclamation. He had locked eyes with Jung Yeonshin.

In an instant, Jung Yeonshin's right foot pressed down. The stone floor caved in deeply.

Boom! Whoosh—!

Before Heon Wonchang could blink, the hem of Jung Yeonshin's blue robe swept past him.

Jung Yeonshin shot past Heon Wonchang and landed in front of the demonic warrior, stomping down hard.

Bang!

"What...! Reinforcements?!"

The man exclaimed in shock. For a brief moment, Jung Yeonshin's eyes flashed like the sky.

It was indeed a high-ranking warrior of the Pure Demon Alliance. His attire matched the descriptions.

A middle-aged man clad in a jet-black shoulder cape unleashed surging energy toward Jung Yeonshin.

His twin-palm strike came straight on, viciously direct.

'Strong.'

Even from the expressions of the henchmen behind him, it was evident.

A sudden burst of energy had appeared, yet they showed no signs of concern.

In that fleeting moment, Jung Yeonshin invoked the formula for sacred Buddhist power.

'Demon-Slaying Azure Steel Palm.'

A radiant blue energy formed in his right hand. It was a deep, vibrant glow.

Wreathing his hand in azure light, Jung Yeonshin brought it down toward the opponent.

He paid no heed to the ominous force surging from the twin palms rushing toward him.

Crash!

It was an overwhelming strike. The azure force tore through the demonic energy and continued forward.

The sequence unfolded in an instant. The man's terrified eyes reflected the glowing palm.

Thud!

The man's head was shattered on the spot.