Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

The moment of earnest hope was brief. Jung Yeonshin soon brushed away his stray thoughts.

Even if there were as many sects hostile to Desolate Fortress as grains of sand in the Southern Sea, this was an opportunity that could bring glory to each martial artist individually.

It was not just rare—it was almost impossible.

The leader of the Divine Sword Squad had shown his back.

It was a vital acupoint where human energy circulated most vigorously. That was why people exposed the center of their backs when receiving assistance with internal energy cultivation techniques.

Swoosh.

Jung Yeonshin felt the rough sensation of the wound left by Namgoong Clan's leader's sword strike.

Even as he placed his palm against the back of the Divine Sword Squad's leader, Jung Yeonshin could hardly believe this situation was real. He felt somewhat dazed.

"Go straight toward the Body Pillar Point from the Vital Point. If it's the universal internal energy circulation method used in Taoist health cultivation techniques, it should be enough. Our leader has already opened his upper dantian by piercing through the conception and governing meridians long ago."

Ak Surim whispered beside him.

"Think of the leader's entire meridian system as a blade. You're just oiling it—that's all it takes."

The words, infused with deep and steady breaths from years of martial cultivation, carried profound meaning.

They held the essence of internal energy techniques. Even from the Divine Sword Squad leader's casual nod, one could tell.

Just then, a minor commotion broke out among the Divine Sword Squad members.

"They're coming! Headed this way!"

"Those damned Blood Demons are first? Of course—they don't care about anything. Next… is it the Profound Martial Alliance? Judging by the speed, it seems so."

"Even the Martial Dragon Alliance changed direction. That's a protective formation. Must be someone important. Are they escorting some treasured heir? Meanwhile, the Yeo Ryeong keeps going on their path. As expected—those sinister bastards."

The warnings echoing from all directions spoke entirely of the Thirteen Demon Sects.

They, along with the Nine Great Clans and Eight Great Clans, competed for dominance over the martial world of central plains.

The moment they realized the Divine Sword Squad leader was not in peak condition, it would be no surprise if they charged in with swords drawn. That was the nature of their relationship.

If that happened, the Divine Sword Squad leader's weakened state would be exposed. The unconscious Namgoong Hwashin wouldn't even be able to resist.

Handling the combined forces of the Thirteen Demon Sects at once would be difficult. Even the strongest force in Desolate Fortress would have to endure significant losses.

It was a crisis. Jung Yeonshin slightly lowered his eyelids.

Internal energy, by its nature, was difficult to control. Managing multiple pathways simultaneously was especially challenging.

It was even harder in situations where the use of lightness techniques required dynamic manipulation of energy. For Jung Yeonshin, this was a new challenge.

"Don't draw your sword rashly! That would really look suspicious!"

Ignoring Ak Surim's cry, Jung Yeonshin focused inward, diving into the Divine Sword Squad leader's body along with his energy.

Wooong.

He poured all his consciousness into a single stream of internal energy. Recently, he had started to consciously activate the abilities of his upper dantian.

He was even able to do it while running with lightness techniques.

Ak Surim's faint, incredulous laugh brushed past his ears before fading away from his awareness.

And then, suddenly...

Jung Yeonshin felt the universe. The elasticity and width of the meridians were entirely different.

The middle dantian, closest to the Vital Point, felt like a dragon's elixir field.

It seemed to be able to absorb endless energy. He hadn't known that a human body could be so profound. It was deeply mysterious.

However, perhaps due to internal injuries, the flow of energy was not normal.

Even the immense power that should have flowed through the Twelve Primary Meridians and Eight Extraordinary Meridians, as well as all the acupoints, felt faint, as if rusted.

Fwoosh!

Jung Yeonshin infused his refined energy from the Jung Family's Dynamic Arts.

He recalled Ak Surim's words—circulate the energy as if oiling a blade.

The Divine Sword Squad leader's energy pathways, damaged in the battle with Namgoong Clan's leader, needed to be cleared using Jung Yeonshin's energy.

He followed the instructions precisely.

He started from the Vital Point at the center of the back and continued upward to the Body Pillar Point, pouring energy without hesitation.

The refined internal energy, polished through the Jung Family's method, flowed in like the pure innocence of a child.

"What's this? It feels as clear as if it were polished with the reverse muscle technique."

The Divine Sword Squad leader's muttering reached him.

"Did the head monk of Shaolin secretly break his vows? Are you his hidden son or something?"

The voice carried sheer bewilderment.

Jung Yeonshin paid no mind and stayed focused. He had no choice—the surging flow of energy had gained momentum and now surged like a torrent.

The Divine Sword Squad leader's meridians were on another level.

They weren't just polished pathways—they were as smooth as the ice walls of the Northern Sea. They hardly seemed human.

'With meridians this refined, energy circulation really could be instantaneous.'

He realized why the supreme masters of the martial world could unleash attacks in the blink of an eye.

Even Jung Yeonshin, compared to most warriors, could be considered fast, but the Divine Sword Squad leader belonged to a world where even masters discussed instantaneous movements.

He gained insight—it was like opening his eyes anew.

'Merging my evolving techniques with the Jung Family method is the right path. Maybe I can….'

For the first time, in the midst of crisis, he found a thread of growth.

And it wasn't over. There was more. The Divine Sword Squad leader's body was a treasury of infinite possibilities.

No, it was better described as a vault filled with treasures—profound martial principles intricately woven together.

'This….'

Jung Yeonshin's upper dantian reacted sharply. It was a realm granted by the heavens.

While observing the pathways within, he discovered a particularly strong trace.

It was the primary energy route used by the Divine Sword Squad leader.

A vast, storm-like force had swept through it, leaving behind vivid traces of energy.

'This….'

Instinctively, he reverse-engineered the function of the pathway and, with a shiver, recognized it.

It was optimized for techniques that discharged tremendous energy in a single strike.

The pathway ensured stability in burst-type martial arts.

It perfectly matched the Divine Sword Squad leader's energy sword techniques.

It was a divine method.

'If I can fully integrate this technique….'

He could significantly reduce the instability caused by the recoil effect of his newly developed palm technique, the Radiant River.

It was a precious insight. It might have played a major role in enabling the Divine Sword Squad leader to finish the battle against Namgoong Clan's leader so quickly.

And then—

"You little thief."

The voice was impossible to ignore. It carried a strange hint of laughter.

"Now that I see it, I've let quite the audacious burglar into my body."

It was the Divine Sword Squad leader.

The light chuckle ahead sent chills down his spine despite its casual tone.

It wasn't surprising—the Divine Sword Squad leader could also speak while circulating energy.

It wasn't odd that he noticed Jung Yeonshin's internal observation.

He was the top master of the Divine Sword Squad—of course he would.

Jung Yeonshin didn't bother to apologize. There was no time.

'I'll just apologize later since he already promised to teach me a technique….'

Thinking this childish thought, he withdrew his hand. He had just completed the energy circulation.

There was no more time—it was too dangerous now. The masters of the Thirteen Demon Sects, approaching like wildcats, were to blame.

The one who killed the Namgoong Family Head couldn't possibly be unharmed. Even non-masters could guess that.

"Hey! Desolate Fortress' righteous fellows, shall we have a brief word!"

It was a voice that rang out from the third closest group. The energy behind it was so powerful it felt like someone shouting right in their ears.

However, some Divine Sword Squad masters didn't lose their cheerfulness. It was strange.

"Look at those Martial Dragon Association bastards' composure. Can't figure out their intentions. They shouldn't have particularly clashed with the main fortress before?"

"The Blood Flame Cult and Deep Martial Alliance are coming first. Are they really going to try something?"

"Squad Leader, aren't you done?"

The nearby crowd who had already recognized them as Desolate Fortress' Divine Sword Squad had fled far away.

Rather, those approaching were all leaders of evil sects. Blood Flame Cult Branch, Profound Martial Alliance, Martial Dragon Association.

Among them, the momentum of the blood demons with bright red hair and the Deep Martial Alliance swordsmen displaying military discipline was fierce.

It seemed battle could break out at any moment.

"Your contribution is great."

The Divine Sword Squad Leader spoke softly. Then with a smiling face, he ruffled Jung Yeonshin's hair.

And he took the lead. His movements had become truly light.

Some of the Divine Sword Squad elites, who had been cautiously watching, glanced at Jung Yeonshin. Their faces showed surprise, as if they were witnessing his victory over the Azure Qilin all over again.

"Oh… It looks like the temporary restoration worked better than expected? Unless you have something like Shaolin's Mingjing Pill, there's no medicine for internal injuries without proper energy circulation."

Ak Su-rim approached with a cheerful smile.

"Well done, our prodigy. You're from Radiant Demon Squad, right? Ma Jin—what a dull eunuch, but he raised you well."

She reached out with her smaller hand as if to pat his backside.

Jung Yeonshin flinched and quickly stepped away. It was behavior he had never encountered before, and he nearly triggered a Radiance Sword Style on reflex.

Ak Surim, brushing her black hair behind her ear, chuckled with the expression of a carefree girl. She seemed completely at ease now.

"Soha. I said all you'd need is a single energy wave, right?"

The Divine Sword Squad leader spoke in a calm tone, only shrugging his still-healing shoulders.

"That was just a figure of speech."

"Let's see it."

The leader of Desolate Fortress's Divine Sword Squad stepped forward without hesitation.

His presence—his movements alone—had a tremendous effect. The impact was visible even at a distance.

The Blood Fiends of the Blood Flame Cult and the martial artists of the Profound Martial Alliance hesitated in their approach. They couldn't help it.

Everyone had witnessed the terrifying divine might he displayed against the Namgoong Clan's leader.

Hwaaaaah!

Energy erupted—a force that touched upon the realm of divinity.

It was fundamentally different. It no longer felt like a matter of internal energy reserves.

With each step the Divine Sword Squad leader took, a heavy and oppressive aura radiated outward, evoking an overwhelming sense of calamity.

It felt as though a distant landslide had been brought down upon them.

'I'm supposed to push that person back…?'

Jung Yeonshin suddenly felt dizzy.

It seemed the Thirteen Demon Sects were feeling something similar.

The Blood Flame Cult and the Profound Martial Alliance abruptly changed course. Their approach had apparently been just to test the waters.

Even so, it was the Thirteen Demon Sects retreating. It was a rare sight in the world.

Who else here could create such a spectacle? It was a testament to the power of a supreme master's martial arts engraved upon the world.

"Hey! Come back here! Where are you going?!"

The voice of Yeon Soha rang out, filled with delight and mockery.

But not everyone turned away.

About thirty martial artists continued to approach steadily.

Jung Yeonshin narrowed his eyes. He recalled hearing them referred to as the Martial Dragon Alliance.

Another faction of the Thirteen Demon Sects, their appearances and auras were all distinct, as if masters from different sects had gathered into one group.

Yet, something felt off. There was no hostility.

Among them—

"We greet the Divine Sword Squad of Desolate Fortress."

A clear voice rang out as a slender girl stepped forward gracefully.

She wore a pale green silk robe with a white cotton coat draped over it. Did she not feel the heat?

Amid the glaring sunlight and the chaos, she alone seemed serene.

Her jet-black hair, which reached down to her waist, swayed gently as she walked.

The black hair and fair skin created a striking contrast, and her sharply defined features left a strong impression.

She was an extraordinarily beautiful girl.

She seemed about three years older than Jung Yeonshin—probably nearing the age of twenty.

"..."

Jung Yeonshin furrowed his brow slightly.

The Martial Dragon Alliance girl's gaze had swept over him.

It wasn't just her eyes—her energy wave had followed too.

Was it foresight from his upper dantian? Even though he stood with the Divine Sword Squad and had just gained insight into new martial techniques through the Jung Family method, he felt uneasy.

'Should I cut her down?'

The thought crossed Jung Yeonshin's mind without hesitation.