Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 100 – Divine Sword Squad (6)

The Divine Sword Group Leader’s eyes were piercing as they bore into Jeong Yeon-shin.

Though his tone was casual, his gaze struck like lightning, sending a chill down his spine.

The boy immediately sensed the weight behind the Group Leader’s words. They weren’t idle remarks.

It was clear—he had thoroughly seen through his constitution, all while speaking casually.

“…”

Lightning Genius would die young. The Divine Sword Group Leader had realized it.

‘This could happen.’

He didn’t believe the Group Leader’s internal martial arts were inferior to the Zhongnan Sword Immortal’s.

Just as that old immortal had instantly discerned Jeong Yeon-shin’s constitution, it wasn’t surprising that the Divine Sword Group Leader could also perceive the boy’s ill-fated destiny.

He had even brushed his hand across the crown of his head, where the Hundred Meetings point lay.

Jeong Yeon-shin unconsciously glanced at his grandfather.

He’d heard rumors before meeting the Martial Dragon Association. They said his grandfather’s martial prowess had diminished in his later years, the result of cultivating the Desolate Ma family’s divine technique, which had a distinct peak period.

And because of past karma, Ma Yeon-jeok never laid a hand on his grandson.

Even the Desolate Fortress Lord remained silent, leaving no way for anyone to recognize the early-death constitution he bore.

“The Dragon Family youngster’s words aren’t entirely wrong. You should pay attention to your body.”

[TL Note: Dragon Family youngster refers to the Group Leader.]

His grandfather spoke, meeting his gaze.

‘So the Group Leader was from the Dragon Family.’

Jeong Yeon-shin realized for the first time that the Group Leader’s name wasn’t as famous as his reputation. It was odd.

While the boy harbored doubts, Ma Yeon-jeok smiled in agreement with the Group Leader’s words. His white mustache curled up on both sides.

“Yeon-shin, you truly are the treasure of the main fortress. Rising talents like you, just emerging and making a name for themselves, are the future of every sect.”

“Former leader, surely you don’t mean to…”

The Divine Sword Group Leader frowned. His words carried an entirely different meaning.

Jeong Yeon-shin watched the exchange blankly, as though it were a play. The conversation between the Group Leader and his grandfather felt out of sync.

The old master of the Desolate Fortress, clad in a purple robe, continued with bulging eyes.

“Even as martial artists, we cannot avoid life-and-death battles—that is true. But life must still be prioritized. Not simply because Yeon-shin is my grandson. What is the value of the Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Genius? Whatever the mission, the main fortress should actively support him, ensuring he always fights from a winning position…”

“This kind of nonsense talk—it truly feels like senility has set in. To think the former leader was once the goal I aspired to reach.”

“Foolish words! You’re just a reckless fool.”

After being scolded by Ma Yeon-jeok, the Divine Sword Group Leader turned his head. His pale eyes, brimming with restrained energy, seemed to question what on earth was happening.

The boy met his gaze silently, then lowered his head slightly.

Did it appear to be a complete nod?

The Divine Sword Group Leader clicked his tongue like an old man and shook his head.

“My, what level of karma has our elder accumulated…”

Ma Yeon-jeok, the Desolate Ma Family Head, remained unaware.

Was his reaction due to his declining abilities, as he claimed?

If he learned of Jeong Yeon-shin’s constitution, how would he respond?

Would his devoted attitude change in an instant? Or would he desperately seek a way to save his grandson?

‘Even having obtained a fragment of the World Tree’s fruit from the Lord… No, it doesn’t matter’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought.

There was no reason to get involved in such troublesome matters. Advancement couldn’t be achieved through another’s efforts. Realm breakthroughs were a solitary endeavor.

“You—you’re Ma Yeon-jeok’s grandson? Never heard of someone like you from the Desolate Ma family,”

Yue Shou-lin said, her face creased into a frown as she leaned forward.

Jeong Yeon-shin simply nodded silently.

Yue Shou-lin shook her head repeatedly.

“I quite liked you, but you’ve got bad blood running through your veins. What a shame. The Ma family is full of people one shouldn’t associate with.”

She didn’t seem to care about Ma Yeon-jeok’s fierce glare.

Her nonchalant disregard for the former Divine Sword Group Leader felt natural. Her martial might, said to rival Desolate Fortress’s black supreme masters, matched her unrestrained nature perfectly.

While Jeong Yeon-shin briefly thought of Zhu Lianting, the royal branch member, Yue Shou-lin carried on.

“Well, the Group Leader and grandpa aren’t wrong, though. Seems like our old Ma has turned senile and an overprotective grandfather.”

“…”

“Consecutive victories, you say. Lightning Genius, you pushed too hard. How many disciples from the younger generation could cleanly defeat Azure Qilin? Even in martial battles, timing matters. For martial artists, there are especially auspicious fighting days. Fortunately, today was one of yours.”

Yue Shou-lin’s expression now looked as innocent as a child’s, a stark contrast to moments ago.

She appeared even younger than Yeon Soha, who chimed in from the side.

“I wasn’t worried about the Group Leader. The Jegal Family Head didn’t live up to the stories. It was more shocking that the Namgung Family Head was able to do this to our Group Leader. I thought the Eight Family Heads were a step below the Nine Orthodox Sect Leaders, but Namgung is an exception.”

“It’s because it’s Namgung. They must be considered outstanding even among the Eight Families. The martial arts of their greatest masters wouldn’t be far behind those of the Thirteen Evil Sects or the Nine Orthodox Sects,”

Yeon Soha said, nodding at another Divine Sword Squad member’s words.

“Unless it’s something like Shaolin or Wudang… I was more worried when Lightning Genius faced Azure Qilin, but martial battles are unpredictable. No one could have foreseen what would happen. There are so many variables,”

“His fame will spread enormously. After some time, he could easily leap over two or three ranks,”

Yue Shou-lin said, grinning as she patted Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder. She had started treating him like an amusing novelty.

She was a black supreme master who had reversed aging. Should he consider it an honor? Jeong Yeon-shin stood still, quietly absorbing the exchange.

Yeon Soha smiled faintly and nodded.

“Fame, huh. Well, if only a few had watched the duel…”

“Right.”

As the Divine Sword Squad masters continued their light-hearted conversation with Jeong Yeon-shin in the middle, a voice interrupted them.

“Lightning Genius, come here. Let’s talk privately for a moment.”

The Divine Sword Group Leader spoke, wiping the blood from the back of his hand. His complexion was pale, indicating he had vomited blood.

He beckoned Jeong Yeon-shin, whose gaze was met by Ma Yeon-jeok stepping forward from among the Divine Sword Squad warriors, who had been calmly stepping back. The old man’s expression was one of clear discomfort.

“Dragon family boy. You’re not going to make a rash proposal, are you?”

“Your worries are a bit severe, fitting for your senility.”

The Divine Sword Group Leader gave a brief smile.

“Seeing how Ma Jin treasures this child, I don’t want to hear that eunuch’s curses if I take him too rashly…”

“What did you just say?”

“You seem to think we’ll recruit Lightning Genius into the Divine Sword Squad, but we don’t particularly need him right now. It’s a needless worry. Perhaps it’s because the Divine Sword Squad was weak during your time as the leader. Wasn’t it like that until I joined?”

“What did you say?” Ma Yeon-jeok’s face twisted with anger.

“You’re angry, I see. So what are you going to do, Lightning Genius? Tell me your story,”

The Divine Sword Group Leader said with a playful expression, gesturing for Jeong Yeon-shin to speak.

“Let’s go. Just the two of us,” he added, the words heavy with meaning.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly nodded, following the Group Leader.

Read only at nineheavens.org

Translated by Nine Heavens!

https://discord.gg/XC9DTsTQ9Z

***

The two walked into a hall with faintly glowing stone fragments embedded in the ceiling.

The glow was as bright as moonlight, thanks to the precious night-luminous pearls strung like lamps.

There were two visitors in the hall. A man, carrying a purple shadow on his shoulder, led the way.

Step.

As he moved, the light from a nearby night pearl suddenly flickered and went out.

Each of his steps seemed to carry an unnatural darkness that spread like a great demon’s breath, obscuring the light in its wake. His white hair shimmered in the streams of light as if it, too, had been affected by the surrounding shadows.

It happened again with every step he took—pitch darkness followed him, engulfing everything in sight. Even the words “Jianmen Shu Path, Tang Family Heaven Way” hanging on one side of the corridor were swallowed in silence.

“New additions again, huh? I should have them all removed,” the man muttered softly.

“It’s not just slightly irritating. The Tang Family people particularly like brightness, but it’s such an ill-fitting habit. Maybe it’s because they’re so consumed by their own darkness.”

“…”

“Seventh Apostle, why be so quiet? You’ve been like this ever since you received salvation from this Sect Leader.”

“I have much to think about,”

the woman beside him answered briefly.

The man let out a hearty laugh.

“Was the life-threatening crisis too shocking for you?”

“…”

“Come to think of it, you, too, were noble from birth. You grew up particularly precious within our sect.”

“Precious?”

“How could you not be? You were surrounded by supreme masters like the purple ones from Desolate Fortress. The realm of the Thirteen Evil Sect leaders and Nine Orthodox Sect leaders is something few even approach. You should take pride in it. Don’t be intimidated.”

The man’s languid yet enchanting voice continued. With each step they took, the light from every night pearl they passed extinguished.

The surroundings were swallowed by an abyss-like darkness, swirling like silk clothing wrapped around the man. It was a sight that seemed to transcend the mortal world.

“If only this body of mine were intact, I would have claimed the Divine Sword Group Leader’s head. I truly let a precious opportunity slip away. It’s fortunate the Tyrant Sword’s master follows my will, though it’s always limited to only one time. Truly regrettable.”

“…”

“I hope the Namgung Family Head at least took one of the Divine Sword Group Leader’s arms. The outcome should be known by now.”

“Please tell me that result too. You must,”

The Seventh Apostle finally spoke, her voice full of urgency.

Pleased, the Blood Flame Sect Leader’s laughter followed.

“I know you care for the young Great Teacher. I shall tell you—he is a boy who must be brought in someday.”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

With that, their footsteps echoed through the dark hall.

The Blood Flame Sect Leader’s footwork was entrancing, containing profound principles. In contrast, the Seventh Apostle’s steps were light, almost weightless.

As they reached deeper into the hall’s shadows, it happened.

“I’ve told you a hundred times not to disturb this old one’s cultivation.”

A harsh, elderly voice rang out, tinged with annoyance.

It was a large stone chamber inside the hall.

An old man, holding a small dagger, glared at the Blood Flame Sect Leader and Seventh Apostle.

Though his body was thin, his silk robes gleamed with gold.

The final night pearl still flickered dimly, its light twisting unnaturally as it caught the old man’s eyes and the short blade in his hand.

In the center of the room was a bed with high legs, also made of stone.

Tied to it, with eyes wide open, was a Blood Demon Swordmaster with dark red hair. The tip of the old man’s dagger was barely touching their chest.

“Disturbing your cultivation? How could that be? When I’m the one who promised you full support?”

the Blood Flame Sect Leader asked smoothly as he dropped the person from his shoulder onto the floor.

“What did you say? This madman…”

The old man’s expression twisted from disbelief to ecstasy in the blink of an eye.

The Blood Flame Sect Leader continued,

“A purple supreme master. While this one doesn’t compare to the Divine Sword Group Leader, isn’t he the supreme example for your cultivation? This one nearly died again when my body wasn’t whole after being injured by the Desolate Fortress Lord. If the Tyrant Sword Sect Leader hadn’t come just then, I’d have perished. They say the Divine Sword Group Leader was defeated by Zhongnan and went into closed cultivation, but the sword techniques he showed upon returning were shocking.”

“With this one, the great method will be greatly advanced.”

The old man paid him no mind and hurriedly crouched by the Elder Council Head’s head, muttering.

“I was only wanting to reference a body that has reached its peak through proper methods. It wouldn’t do to dissect your own, Sect Leader, so I was greatly concerned. Your blood demons’ regenerative abilities have opened new paths in medicine—paths that can’t even be described in words.”

“You please me with your audacity. You know this seat’s grace,”

The Blood Flame Sect Leader responded with a hint of approval.

“My grandchildren will be the first to benefit from the great method.”

“How many can benefit?”

“Five at most, as previously discussed. That includes three of yours, two of ours. Wasn’t that the agreement?”

The old man asked, looking up.

“Yes, that’s right,” came the Blood Flame Sect Leader’s brief reply.

He cast a final sweeping gaze over the stone chamber’s interior before stopping on a large drawing attached to the middle of the wall.

It was a diagram of a human body, detailing muscle structure, meridians, the twelve regular meridians, and eight extraordinary vessels.

Among them, the Hundred Meetings point at the crown stood out, noticeably wider than the rest. The old man’s twisted grin spread wider as he noticed the Blood Flame Sect Leader’s gaze fixated there.

“Desolate Fortress’ Lightning Genius,”

The old man muttered, his grin widening in madness.

“That… is not like our bodies. It’s truly wondrous. Even compared to your Blood Flame Sect or the rabble from the Elf tribe. I’m nearly mad with anticipation for the great method. The key lies there—how well we can follow that diagram’s body.”

“Not like our bodies? How does it look to you?”

The Seventh Apostle asked, her voice carrying a hint of heat.

The old man continued, almost breathless with excitement.

“With its supernatural strength and breathing techniques that reach divine methods… It’s closer to a spirit pretending to be human.”