Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Jung Yeonshin looked down at Hwangbo Myeong-rin's corpse before raising his head.

"This guy didn't even resist." 

Chung Myung said. He shrugged and kicked Lazy Flame Dragon behind the knee.

With a thud, Lazy Flame Dragon fell to his knees, grinning as he looked up at Jung Yeonshin.

"It's over. If you came here knowing everything, this is the end of my family. A blue-rank warrior? I never imagined your true identity."

From their first meeting, he had been chewing opium while completely drunk. He truly hadn't been in his right mind.

Even after his half-sister's head was severed, he seemed indifferent.

Was it because, as an illegitimate child who became the heir, he had faced such scorn? Or was he simply mad? No one could tell.

The Solar Divine Meridian.

Was the pain of shattering pressure points beyond imagination? Even at first glance, it was clear, Lazy Flame Dragon was insane.

He had merely lived out of habit as the heir of the Hwangbo Clan.

"What was that sword technique? I've never seen such strikes before. What kind of inner skills did you train? Tell me everything."

"Your sister just fell to my blade."

"Those dull-witted fools don't matter. They lived in another world altogether. They probably didn't even think of me as family, and neither did I. With the clan about to fall, there's no need to care about the elders' opinions. Gu Gwa, no, Lightning Genius! I want to know all your martial arts!"

Lazy Flame Dragon forced a shadowed smile.

Now, it was clear. He was completely obsessed with martial arts and pain.

Jung Yeonshin ignored his words and wiped his sword, which had both Desolate Sword and Beiming Sword techniques.

The Hwangbo Clan's guard unit was only the beginning. The real mission had just begun—attacking the Eight Great Clans.

'It won't be a quick extermination.'

The Hwangbo Clan was a powerful local aristocracy. Their main base wasn't just in Jinan, Shandong Province.

They had branch families and subordinates, exploiting the people like royalty while remaining hidden.

A single guard unit couldn't represent their true strength. The clan had an elder council and elite warriors.

It was the same for the Eight Great Clans and the Nine Great Sects. They wielded diverse martial arts, posing formidable challenges—enough to thrill Jung Yeonshin.

'Sword forms that can deflect thunder bombs, internal techniques that accumulate energy quickly, and techniques effective against multiple opponents…'

The Sword Sects had already established a martial system. Only practical adaptation remained.

Amidst the chaos, Jung Yeonshin briefly closed his eyes.

He hoped this mission would help complete the techniques to counter thunder bombs and master a new internal skill.

* * *

"You've worked hard."

"Thanks to this, we'll finally complete our long-standing mission."

Veteran warriors ruffled the hair of Jung Yeonshin, Heon Wonchang, and Shin So-bin.

While Shin So-bin cringed, Jung Yeonshin questioned Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo about recent events.

This was after Baek Miryeo had already examined his shoulders and checked his scars.

"All we did was panic when we heard about the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering incident. Who could have expected them to use so many thunder bombs? We ran with sweat pouring down our feet using light footwork."

"As blue-rank warriors, you should be able to handle fire bombs too. I'll teach you how to use Radiant Demon Arts." 

Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo said .

Though the Desolate Fortress had no formal master-disciple hierarchy, personal connections mattered.

Jung Yeonshin felt Radiant Demon Squad was a true mentor. The ever-smiling Chung Myung's face showed it.

So did Baek Miryeo, who demonstrated smooth circular hand techniques before looking at him.

"It's the technique of Harmonious Balance. Unlike explosive techniques that emit inner energy forcefully, this emphasizes softness overcoming hardness. You've heard of 'softness can control hardness', right? By forming an inner energy barrier around your sword or fists, you can deflect fire bombs. I'll show you as many times as you need until you master it."

"I thought about that already."

"Hmm?"

"I'm curious about a few applications, but I think I can figure it out if you observe me."

"…"

Meanwhile, the surroundings were noisy. The surviving Hwangbo Clan guards who had surrendered had their energy cores shattered.

The lower dantian affected all vital points and meridians. Losing inner power wasn't the only consequence.

"Ugh, argh!"

Many rolled on the ground, but no one paid attention to them.

They hadn't fought to the end and surrendered instead, so they didn't deserve pity.

Chung Myung and Baek Miryeo, along with a few others, were excluded from clean-up work since they had served as scouts.

Jung Yeonshin, Heon Wonchang, and Shin So-bin were also excused, as their efforts from the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering to this point were officially recognized.

"Not everyone can shatter a dantian. Only blue-rank warriors with deep skills can do it. It's a tedious job, really. Once captured, we can't kill them. During battle, it's our call, but afterward, they're handed over to the authorities to follow royal decrees." 

Chung Myung said .

Jung Yeonshin and Heon Wonchang nodded slowly.

In the Desolate Fortress, hierarchy was clear.

Cleaning up surviving enemies was the job of white-rank warriors who arrived later.

Identifying corpses by examining name tags and burying them temporarily was also no easy task.

Meanwhile, the rising talents of other clans gathered quietly.

Their glances toward Jung Yeonshin and Radiant Demon Squad lacked spirit.

They bore the same expressions as Hwangbo Jun, who had died by Radiant Demon Squad leader's hand—pale and hollow.

"I envy you. It feels like just yesterday we faced the entrance exams together, but now Jung is my superior." 

Heon Wonchang said, shaking his head as he looked at the corpses.

Jung Yeonshin stared at him and spoke.

"As a blue-rank warrior, can I say one thing?"

"Hm?"

"You don't need to do this work. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to embarrass you, but honestly, it's a bit awkward. I'd rather handle it myself."

Jung Yeonshin patted the mark under his shoulder—the bold character for 'Desolate'.

Heon Wonchang's face visibly fell.

"This was one of my few joys in life… Do you really have to take everything?"

"What…"

They had time for lighthearted banter, a rare moment of peace.

By midday, as the dry plains heated under the sun, the issue of dealing with Lazy Flame Dragon and second young master of Hwangbo Clan arose.

"I believe killing them is the right choice." 

Chung Myung said with a grin.

Perhaps it was because noble clans were renowned for their pride.

Even in front of three captains, he showed no hesitation. Jung Yeonshin thought it suited him.

"Aren't they a future threat? Lazy Flame Dragon has memorized the martial techniques of three Desolate Fortress combat units. If we take him prisoner and he escapes, it could become a disaster. He might even develop counter-techniques."

"There's some truth to that."

A grave-looking swordsman nodded. He was Heavenly Squad leader.

Known for his tall frame and long arms, he was said to have been born to be a sword master.

At that moment—

"Radiant Demon Squad!"

Lazy Flame Dragon raised his head and shouted.

His gleaming eyes focused solely on Jung Yeonshin.

"I want to join the Radiant Demon Squad! I'll serve like a dog! I'll grovel if it means I can stay by Lightning Genius's side!"

"What kind of madness is this?"

Heon Wonchang muttered in disbelief.

There was no way such a request would be accepted. No matter if he was an illegitimate child, he was still part of a family about to be exterminated.

The Ming royal family had never left potential threats alive. Neither did Desolate Fortress.

Transcending righteous and demonic sects, it only cared about protecting the people.

"You are a prisoner."

In an instant, a powerful invisible force shot out from the finger of Annihilation Squad leader.

Lazy Flame Dragon's upper body jolted as if struck by a hurricane. It was Finger Wind, a technique that emitted concentrated internal energy as a shockwave.

"Seven-Step Death Acupuncture…! It's Annihilation Squad Leader's exclusive martial art."

Heon Wonchang whispered. Jung Yeonshin was, as always, impressed by his extensive martial knowledge.

How did he recognize techniques he'd never even seen before?

The Annihilation Squad leader spoke.

"Solar Divine Meridian. I know your internal energy is similar to the Scorching Yang Divine Technique. My energy, however, carries the Wood Energy of noble clans. You must have heard of the principle—Wood creates Fire. Your internal power is not yet refined enough to handle the energy I just infused."

"In other words, if I activate my energy, it will only fuel yours. You're warning me not to recklessly try to break free. I've heard of Annihilation Squad Leader's Seven-Step Death Acupuncture. Anyone who resists will die before taking seven steps, their entire meridian system twisted. In my case, I'd probably burn to death."

Lazy Flame Dragon sneered.

The principle of Wood creating Fire referred to how the energy of wood enhances flames in the Five Elements theory.

If he could control the fiery energy of the Solar Divine Meridian, it might have worked in his favor.

But no, it was a body doomed to burn itself out, unable to contain the heat. The uncontrollable growth of Wood Energy would only accelerate his demise.

"So you understand. Now, shut your mouth. Your opinion is meaningless."

"Ha, unbelievable."

Lazy Flame Dragon briefly lowered his head, but when he lifted it again, his bloodshot eyes looked inhuman.

"You turtle bastard! Burn to death? You think I'll burn to death? I'm sick of the heat! Sick of it! Now this damned meridian—Solar Divine Meridian? What a joke! It's defective, you skeleton freak!"

At that moment, Jung Yeonshin moved swiftly, striking the back of Lazy Flame Dragon's head.

The sensation of his thick hair brushing against his foot felt unpleasant, but he followed through with internal energy infused into the kick.

Thud!

Lazy Flame Dragon's forehead slammed into the ground, knocking him unconscious.

Better this than letting him die instantly at Annihilation Squad leader's hands.

"Why aren't we destroying his energy core?"

Jung Yeonshin asked, looking at the three squad leaders. It wasn't what he wanted, just curiosity.

Ma Jin, soaked in blood, placed a hand on Jung Yeonshin's shoulder.

"That Lazy Flame Dragon's fate is already decided. The Lord has given orders. If he's alive, bring him back intact. His internal energy must remain. The Solar Divine Meridian is rare. Perhaps the Lord has something to investigate from a martial perspective."

Jung Yeonshin felt an odd sense of foreboding.

Was it intuition from his upper dantian?

He had a hunch that the Fortress Lord's orders were connected to him.

'That's probably a good thing.'

He thought so instinctively.

The Lord of Desolate Fortress had a sharp, decisive nature but had always shown kindness toward Jung Yeonshin.

A peerless martial master, closest to being the world's best, had no reason to deceive him.

Splat!

While lost in thought, the second young master's head rolled away.

The panicked man had been kneeling when Heavenly Squad leader cut him down.

"We can't leave more than one direct heir alive." 

Annihilation Squad leader said.

This was the same man who had confronted Jung Yeonshin near Huizhou.

The once-arrogant noble now lay sprawled, his eyes wide open in shock.

Most martial artists in Jianghu ultimately met meaningless ends.

The martial world followed the law of the jungle, those weaker had no choice but to submit or die.

'To restore order to the lives of commoners, we follow the rules of Jianghu…'

Jung Yeonshin reflected again on the paradox of Desolate Fortress' role.

He hoped there wouldn't be missions that clashed with his conscience.

* * *

Time passed.

By midday, as clouds drifted across the sky, the white-rank warriors finished cleaning the battlefield.

Annihilation Squad leader gathered the Radiant Demon Squad, Heavenly Squad, and Annihilation Squad.

The atmosphere was relaxed. Jung Yeonshin sat down next to Heon Wonchang, watching the squad leader.

"We start by wiping out the branch families."

The Annihilation Squad leader spoke quietly.

"The power of noble clans doesn't rely solely on martial strength. Jianghu connections are also formidable. We must eliminate their communication networks in advance. After that, the main force will move to the Hwangbo main house."

"Cutting off Jinan's routes should suffice. How will you organize the teams?"

Ma Jin asked, addressing him like a junior.

"There are nine branch families, one in each county of Jinan. We've already assessed their strength. White-rank warriors are excluded. Blue-rank warriors will handle this."

"Understood."

Meanwhile, Jung Yeonshin observed the other Desolate Fortress' masters.

What he was about to say could be seen as overstepping boundaries, possibly as a greedy attempt to take credit.

'Which is true.'

Only the Radiant Demon Squad truly supported him.

Still, it had to be done. The Central Plains were vast. Missions often took weeks or months.

He needed to accumulate achievements whenever possible.

He intended to overturn any bad impressions with martial skill.

In the heavy atmosphere, where even blue-rank warriors felt pressured—

"I volunteer for a solo mission."

Jung Yeonshin calmly raised his hand.

The room fell silent. Even martial artists were human.

Some sought personal gain.

But Jung Yeonshin was a young warrior who had just reached blue rank.

It was easy to see this as reckless bravado.

Annihilation Squad leader stared and asked,

"You want a solo mission?"

"I recently acquired wide-range techniques that I need to test in real combat. I'll ensure success. If I fail to earn recognition from my seniors here, I'll withdraw immediately."

"You."

The Annihilation Squad leader's voice carried internal energy.

"This mission is critical. We're facing the Eight Great Clans. Do you know why I'm even listening to you right now? It's because you earned the rank of blue. Nothing more."

The waves of energy made pebbles jump across the plains, yet his black robe didn't move at all. It was a display of perfect energy control.

"I liked you, Lightning Genius. Few warriors can show wit in their forms. I saw the potential of a leader in you, yet you disappoint me."

Even Ma Jin dared not interrupt, only giving a look that asked why Jung Yeonshin hadn't spoken to him first.

But Jung Yeonshin remained calm.

The squad leader had called him blue.

It was a sign of respect, a chance to prove himself.

He unsheathed the Beiming Sword.

"Protect your ears with internal energy."

Jung Yeonshin infused his sword with energy.

A piercing, bird-like cry rang out, knocking ten white-rank warriors unconscious.