Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Despite Jung Yeonshin's discomfort, the girl was beautiful.

Swish.

She stepped two more paces forward from the group of Martial Dragon Alliance. Approaching with graceful manners, she bowed slightly, and even her slow movements exuded elegance.

"I dare to inform you that we have no intention of hostility."

The girl greeted them as she spoke. Her smiling face seemed incredibly composed, even in front of the strongest martial force in Desolate Fortress Fortress.

Regardless of her intentions, it was clear she had rare courage.

"Identity and purpose."

The one facing her was young, tasked with handling menial duties as the youngest member of the Divine Sword Squad.

The brief, blunt words seemed almost rude, yet no one appeared to mind.

Jung Yeonshin was no exception. This must be the external face of the Divine Sword Squad.

'Always appearing as a stronghold to any martial sect...'

The boy took another look at the masters of the Divine Sword Squad.

The youngest member, standing at the front with a carefree attitude like a thug, the Divine Sword Squad Leader, who looked like he was out for a casual stroll, and Ak Surim, who stood with one leg crossed and her hands behind her back.

They showed no signs of an imposing aura, yet were more threatening than anyone.

And it wasn't just them. All twenty martial artists of the Divine Sword Squad radiated immense strength.

It wasn't just their presence; having faced countless battlefields at the forefront of missions in Desolate Fortress, they had to be stronger than most experts of their rank.

'Could I command them?'

Jung Yeonshin pondered.

To achieve his goal, he would need to lead them. But the thought wasn't even feasible yet—it seemed impossible.

To take the position of the Divine Sword Squad Leader, he would first have to surpass Ak Surim, the current Divine Sword Squad Vice Leader, who was a black-ranked top-level master, even considered a match for Ma Jin.

'It's clear. She's even reversed aging. I can't begin to guess how far her martial arts have advanced.'

At that moment, Ak Surim met his gaze and squinted slightly. Jung Yeonshin calmly averted his eyes and looked forward.

"What about you, Young Master?"

The conversation between the Martial Dragon Alliance girl and the youngest member continued.

"I asked first. Are you showing your rogue nature as a heretic?"

"Now I understand. They said there was a particularly sharp broom in the Divine Sword Squad. You must be Yeon Soha, the Sharp Reed of the Divine Sword."

"You guessed the nickname I hate. Are you trying to pick a fight?"

"My apologies for not recognizing you. Handle that."

Her last words weren't directed at Yeon Soha.

About six blood-crazed demons charged in, having completely lost their senses.

They had separated from their group when the Blood Flame Cult changed routes. Even after feeling the Divine Sword Squad Leader's presence, they ignored their commanders' orders.

Eyes gleaming red, tongues hanging out of their mouths.

They were on the verge of losing their minds due to the overwhelming surge of blood energy.

It was clear they were not in their right minds, and their charging direction made it obvious who they were targeting.

Jung Yeonshin.

Their approach from the front and side confirmed it.

'I remember.'

They were faces he had seen at the Blood Flame Cult's headquarters. They must have survived by being away on other tasks during the attack.

They seemed to mutter incoherently with lifeless lips—Master, Master, please protect us…

'The Lord said it. The Blood Flame Cult leader is alive. But he can't be unscathed. He must still be recovering from the aftermath of the battle.'

The boy merely stroked his sword. He believed that matters of grudges should be resolved by those involved.

He couldn't leave these lunatics babbling about their master unchecked. Preparing to act if needed, he stepped just behind Yeon Soha.

His demeanor now carried the composure of a martial artist. Given his age, it was remarkably early.

"They say the headquarters of the Blood Flame Cult has fallen, and now they're reduced to this rabble. But they must have plenty of branches."

The Martial Dragon Alliance girl glanced briefly at Jung Yeonshin as she spoke. Behind her, the martial artists of Martial Dragon Alliance awaited her command.

"Handle them."

A light word caused a great impact.

The martial artists immediately sprang into action, and the deadly energy from their weapons was tremendous.

They were her guards, seemingly the elite of the Thirteen Heavens.

Their sword and blade techniques instantly slaughtered the blood demons.

The heretics were different from orthodox sects. They didn't hold back their strikes, even against their own kind.

"Impressive swordsmanship."

Yeon Soha sneered, whispering to Jung Yeonshin, who remained silent as he watched the blood demons die.

When Jung Yeonshin showed no reaction, Yeon Soha shrugged and smirked at the Martial Dragon Alliance girl.

"You stand back, judging the situation. You're not a martial artist, are you?"

"There is no one in the Martial Dragon Alliance who isn't a martial artist. And no one is foolish enough to fall to lowly blood demons either."

The girl smiled as she spoke.

"If there is, they deserve to die."

Her cold words contrasted with her delicate face.

She exuded an air that suggested she wouldn't mind losing a few subordinates.

The Martial Dragon Alliance was known for gathering those obsessed with martial arts, abandoning their sects to pursue greater power.

'The Martial Dragon Alliance. I heard they don't harm commoners.'

One of the few in the Thirteen Heavens that didn't.

That was why the Divine Sword Squad hadn't drawn their swords first.

The Martial Dragon Alliance was like that.

They absorbed the finest techniques from various sects, forsaking traditional ties to share martial arts and push progress.

They disrupted the unwritten rules of Jianghu. They were outlaws—referred to as heretics.

Their classification was based on martial values. The Martial Dragon Alliance defied the ethics of Jianghu.

That's why they were heretics and, as one of the strongest, a part of the Thirteen Heavens.

'The eyes of Desolate Fortress see differently.'

Not harming civilians? No reason for hostility then.

As long as their internal conflicts didn't affect the common folk, that was enough.

Jung Yeonshin watched the martial artists return after killing the blood demons. Not all were unscathed.

One had a long cut on his arm, yet the Martial Dragon Alliance girl smiled silently, even at the sight of her injured ally.

"Your skills are lacking."

"I'll improve."

Their exchange showed no other emotions. It would've been easier to accept if there were anger.

They were undoubtedly members of the Thirteen Heavens. Heretics, as the martial world called them.

Yet none of the Divine Sword Squad masters seemed to care. They appeared accustomed to dealing with the Thirteen Heavens.

"Thanks for handling that. So, what's your name and title?"

Yeon Soha asked casually.

"Hwa Yeon-bi."

The girl replied.

Jung Yeonshin had heard of her before. Like the Divine Sword Squad, the martial world was full of strange people.

She answered both questions with one name. Her name was her title. Yet, it was difficult to infer her status.

Yeon Soha seemed to think the same.

"Queen of disaster? I don't get it."

Hwa Yeon-bi simply smiled without a word.

Hearing the word 'disaster', Jung Yeonshin again grasped his sword.

The Martial Dragon Alliance was a sect that abandoned courtesy and formality, focusing only on martial arts.

He didn't underestimate them.

Dealing with the Thirteen Heavens had never been simple since entering Desolate Fortress.

Growing accustomed.

It was becoming familiar. Whenever the boy extended his sword without letting his guard down, his opponent had to choose—

Die carelessly, or die with all their strength.

'If Hwa Yeon-bi truly holds a high position in the Martial Dragon Alliance...'

She could be a rare genius in the mortal world, someone born with unparalleled talent like the noble clans, or perhaps a seasoned master who had already passed sixty, much like Ak Surim.

From past to present, the upper echelons of Jianghu were filled with such figures.

"I came to meet the Divine Sword Squad Leader. The duel between the Namgoong Clan Leader and the Sword of Desolate Fortress was truly impressive."

The girl spoke respectfully.

"I offer my respects to the Divine Sword Squad Leader. It's only natural for anyone to yearn to meet such a figure."

"No other intentions? Maybe just wanted to test the waters?"

Yeon Soha asked, tilting one leg sideways. Hwa Yeon-bi shook her head.

"Our society solely reveres martial arts. How could we act recklessly? Especially before the Divine Sword Squad Leader, who stands just below the peak of all martial arts."

"Below the peak?"

"The Lord of Desolate Fortress is said to be the greatest under heaven..."

"Martial Dragon Alliance. They said it was full of eccentrics."

The one who interrupted was the Divine Sword Squad Leader. For the first time, Hwa Yeon-bi's face showed tension.

"The Lord of this fortress is beyond the likes of you to evaluate as a martial artist. How dare you place the Lord of Desolate Fortress above the ambitions of mere Jianghu drifters? If we are to discuss the greatest under heaven, one need only look at me."

It was arrogance—declaring himself the greatest under heaven. Yet, it felt natural.

As the Divine Sword Squad Leader said, aside from the Lord of Desolate Fortress, Jung Yeonshin couldn't easily think of others who could claim the peak.

'The Blood Flame Cult Leader, the Leader of the Tyrant Sword Tribe, the Head of Zhongnan Sect, the Sword Immortal of Zhongnan...'

All were immensely powerful. Especially the Sword Immortal, who was the only one aside from the Lord of Desolate Fortress to see through Jung Yeonshin's physique.

Even so, the presence of the Divine Sword Squad Leader felt strangely different.

Not just overwhelmingly strong, but more distinct.

It felt as though he could never lose, no matter the battle.

"..."

While Hwa Yeon-bi momentarily closed her mouth, Ak Surim, who had approached Jung Yeonshin's side, spoke.

"You, kid. It feels like you have another agenda."

She smiled faintly, but there was a sharpness to it.

"I already know. You've been eyeing our Lightning Genius inappropriately. Your aura was practically dripping with it."

"Ah."

A small gasp.

Hwa Yeon-bi's face showed a subtle glow of delight, as if she had been waiting for those words.

Her smile deepened, carrying a hint of allure. Then, her ruby-like lips moved.

"That person. His nickname is Lightning Genius, right?"

Her delicate hand, as beautiful as jade, pointed at Jung Yeonshin.

"I witnessed an astonishing display of martial skill. That's why I'm here to invite him. To our society."

At that moment—

The boy looked as if his plans had crumbled. A deep disappointment seemed to pound through his chest and into his core.

He failed to hide his expression even for a moment.

What Martial Dragon Alliance? What greatest under heaven?

"Of course, I wouldn't dare ask you to abandon Desolate Fortress. It's just..."

"If your purpose is solely about me…"

Jung Yeonshin interrupted, turning his head toward Ak Surim and the Divine Sword Squad Leader, disregarding Hwa Yeon-bi entirely.

"We should continue on our way. The mission is complete, so we must return swiftly."

"...Is that so? Right?"

The Divine Sword Squad Leader responded blankly. Jung Yeonshin was now accustomed to his layered personality and simply gave a nod.

The Divine Sword Squad Leader grinned.

"We don't have any reason to stay either. Let's move. The elders agree, don't they?"

"…This expedition is your responsibility."

Ma Yeonjeok replied briefly, glaring at the Martial Dragon Alliance group with hostility.

It seemed he was displeased that Hwa Yeon-bi had brought up his grandson.

Step.

They resumed walking. The Divine Sword Squad masters didn't even mind the distance between themselves and the potential enemies.

The entire party passed the Martial Dragon Alliance.

"What...?"

Hwa Yeon-bi stared, dumbfounded, but Jung Yeonshin didn't care and kept walking, even closing his eyes.

He was organizing insights gained from observing the Divine Sword Squad Leader's internal energy while walking.

How long had they walked? By the time the echoes of the landslide had faded behind them, a refreshing scent suddenly swept in.

Jung Yeonshin furrowed his brows and took a slight step to the side.

Even with his eyes closed, he knew. It was Ak Surim of the Desolate Fortress, Divine Spear.

"Hey, hey. What's this? Why'd you do that? That lovely girl invited you after witnessing your skills."

"...Her hands."

"Huh?"

Jung Yeonshin slowly opened his eyes.

"They were delicate hands. The same person who called her subordinate's skills lacking."

"Ah."

Ak Surim's lips curved into a grin, as if she was impressed.

"They say a peerless swordsman carries calluses in their palms. Not all martial arts leave marks on the hands, but the ones I've learned do. Her martial arts didn't interest me."

"Hmm..."

"If Hwa Yeon-bi was born with natural talent, there's nothing for me to learn from her. And if she's a master who reversed her aging, it means she's been neglectful in her training. Martial arts under heaven always advance. I'd rather seek guidance from you than listen to someone like her."

"You're quite fascinating."

Ak Surim's grin widened just as—

The Divine Sword Squad Leader suddenly stopped and spoke.

"Anyone watching? Check quickly."

"No one. Doesn't seem like it."

Yeon Soha replied immediately.

Blargh—!

With a loud, vulgar sound, the Divine Sword Squad Leader vomited a large amount of blood.

It poured out like water from a mountain spring, except its color was black.

It was the sign of internal injury. Considering he had defeated the Namgoong Clan Leader in a short duel, this might have been an expected price.

Whoosh!

The masters of the Divine Sword Squad swiftly formed a protective circle.

They encircled the Divine Sword Squad Leader in a defensive formation.

"The Namgoong Clan Leader. The greatest opponent I've faced in nearly three years. It's rare to fight one of the Eight Clan Leaders."

Ak Surim shook her head, concern faintly visible on her small face.

The Divine Sword Squad Leader leaned forward, pressing his hands against his knees, continuing to spit out the blood he had endured.

Now the blood turned red again.

The boy slowly spoke.

"If you've been enduring this, avoiding confrontation with Martial Dragon Alliance was wise. Even if they grew suspicious, it was the right choice. I've heard your body is the treasure of this fortress. You should prioritize your health..."

"Lightning Genius? What are you saying? No matter how reckless I am..."

The Divine Sword Squad Leader chuckled, wiping his bloodied lips. For a moment, his eyes gleamed.

"Not as much as you."