Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time Chapter 457

Heterodoxy

* * *

The land of Hangzhou is incredibly vast.

There are as many as three post stations within the city.

It wasn’t like this originally.

Before the founding of the Ming Dynasty, there were cities called Jiaxing and Shaoxing above and below Hangzhou, but during the founding of the Ming Dynasty, they were reduced to ruins in a fight between a giant and powerful general and the Ming consort of Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang.

That’s how it was incorporated into Hangzhou.

Even the land in the sea between the three cities at that time rose, and Hangzhou became an overwhelmingly vast metropolis throughout Zhejiang Province.

The imperial family did not have a separate section because they had to consider the public sentiment.

Hangzhou, which had been famous as a wealthy land since ancient times, could not be separated from the nearby ruins.

Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang did not divide the provinces in the aftermath of the war and made Hangzhou a good place to live.

That is why the current extinction state exists.

He was wandering around Hangzhou while being chased by the Cheon Geuk Moon and the Tae Mo San Fortress. The vast expanse of land made it possible for him to do so.

Damn it.

Wet footprints are left.

It was the dock where the absolute masters of the martial arts world, including Jeong Yeon-shin, were known to fight. Crowds of people had gathered like clouds.

Swordsmen searching the surroundings to find even the slightest trace of the peerless swordsman, poets and scholars who have come to visit the place where they heard rumors of the highest-ranking martial artists reside, vagabonds wandering around with several bodyguards in search of rare sights, and merchants selling rice cakes and sweets with their pockets tightly shut among them.

The rumbling of horses was loud, and the street vendors were cautious in their solicitations for fear of robbery. Mixed in with the gentle sound of water was the sound of the water flowing.

It’s rare to find someone who is worthless.

Unless they are extremely hungry, those who can truly be called the common people are sparing themselves.

“Are you saying that the gods really took turns here?”

“Isn’t the dock cut off? It must have been a light wave unleashed by the Master of the Heavenly Sword. Why, isn’t it? The sword of the Lotus Flower was sent all the way to the city center… .”

“So that’s how it happened!”

“Sweet and sweet, buy some sweet. There’s some precious sweet…!”

The new emperor, Mukshin-gun, stood silently in the crowd.

He was carrying a bag on one shoulder and wearing a very common yellow ginseng garment.

His long, skinny arms and legs were exposed along with the rough hem of his clothes. He had the body of a long-legged warrior.

The face was covered with a hat. The moderately wide brim provided shade.

The Emperor had no qualms about changing his clothes, because he only prioritized the success of his mission.

Although the leader of the Shingeomdan Myeolseomdaeju is famous in the martial arts world as a figure who symbolizes the nobility of Iphwangseong, he has never put any effort into saving face in any of his activities in the martial arts world.

It would be right to say that I was indifferent in that regard.

He thought of the island.

A boy I have seen since he was a young, blue-eyed white boy.

At that time, there was already a competition between the great lords over Namgung Hwasin, who had the nickname Baekgirin, and Jeong Yeonsin, who was said to have incredible qualities.

It was a martial art that combined betting and training.

The now deceased former Suncheon Ikju Ha Do-un defeated Changcheon Daeju by half a second and took Namgung Hwa-shin.

Naraksal Margin shook the composure of Yullyeongdaeju Unsoyu with a serious face and a provocation worthy of a Huangma, and achieved victory.

The result was Jeong Yeon-shin going to Ma Gwang-ik.

The new emperor did not participate in the competition. He was satisfied with his existing colleagues. Among all the Shingeomdan military units, the one with the most survivors was the Myeolseomdae.

Naraksal Margin is a genius at melee combat, but he has not been able to properly teach his subordinates how to carry out their missions without a hitch.

‘I’ll bring it that day.’

The exquisite Jeongyeonshin.

I found it strange from the first time I saw it, because the familiar features were reflected in the young white face.

He later found out who Jeong Yeon-shin’s mother was. She was the woman he had been engaged to a dozen years ago, Mayeonsang of the Iphwangma family.

Several prestigious families under the Ihwangseong clan, including the Magawa Shinga, the Xiahou clan, and the Unga clan of Yulryongdaeju, have been marrying each other for generations.

It was to easily preserve the qualities of martial arts. It was the duty of being born into a noble family. The marriage between Shin Hwang and Ma Yeon Sang, who were slightly older, was also close to a done deal.

-I told you not to be sick. I can’t do it.

-Is it not right for you to marry me?

―I don’t like arranged marriages. I’ll go out into the world and see more of it, and if I catch someone’s eye, I’ll take them as my companion. My brother is just my brother.

Her personality suited Beijing.

Mayeon Sang argued with her father with the same spirit as a general commanding the imperial army.

He dared to raise his voice against the traitorous Ma Yeon-jeok. The Iphwangseong Fortress was extremely quiet that day.

During this process, the Emperor did not take any particular action. Otherwise, it would have been fine as it was.

Before he earned the nickname of Mukshin-gun, he was married to Mu in his younger days.

However, it was not without affection.

It would be right to say that there was some sense of responsibility.

Whenever he stopped by Hanam-seong during his mission, he would pass by Xinye-hyeon, even if it was from afar. This was because Xin Huang was freer than Majin, who was tied to the family as a direct blood relative.

I was able to witness Mayeon Sang once every ten times, and she looked happy with the man whose face was as dazzling as the swordsmanship of Ip Hwang Seong Ju.

That was enough.

After Mayan Sang died, Shin Hwang did not visit Shin Ye Hyeon.

There was no expectation of the martial arts talent of Jeong Ga-jang-ju, and more than anything, the affection he silently held only extended to Ma Yeon-sang.

It was the same even after Jeongyeonshin’s identity was revealed.

When blue and white, he is a promising subordinate, when black, he is a talented comrade, and when purple, he is the next new sword master.

The emperor was plain.

That was until I witnessed the death of the non-partisan Gogeomjinin.

―I saw the Sambongjin in that child. Of course, I have never met the person who is the founder of the main sect, but isn’t there something like that? When you learn the secret martial arts, sometimes you feel the elders of the sect. I felt a similar spark in the new purple.

The words spoken while trying to keep the common people away from the inhuman sorcerers of Taemosanseong.

―The Ip Hwang Seong Shin Geum Dan must live for that child. I gave the new purple the nickname Gwangya Ilmyeol, but I had a strong desire that the child who would firmly hold this chaotic world in check with his martial arts skills should not go astray. By the way, the story about the nickname is a secret, so take it to your grave.

The high swordsman said. He and Won Yeong-shin are the only two, but the new purple swordsman will one day become the fourth high swordsman.

It was with the words that the boy, who was obviously starving for love, could not bear to see the deaths of those around him any longer.

―This sound… The Heavenly Sword Master is coming too. He’ll be there before the clock even starts ticking.

-If you join forces, you will win. Throw away your pride.

-Pride? Well… what will happen to those people? I’m sorry, but your martial arts are not as restrained as mine. It will be even worse if you fight against a peerless master. If I step on the Jeunjong of my faction and leave, the Outer Swordsman will surely summon Nobu even if it means cutting off all the heads of those here. You should have come with all the elders from the beginning… many things have gone wrong.

-Jinin.

There was no mistake.

But the Emperor was the lord of the Extermination. He was the sword of the nation. He knew that one life was worth thousands of people.

If you are a high-level expert, you may be able to surpass ten thousand. The power and number of the monsters that the old guard blocks every year are enormous.

Gupa lives leisurely in the mountains, but is never free.

―As you know, the shaman is very close to the imperial family, right? I also know what kind of conversations the Emperor and Gwangya Ilmyeol had when he ascended the throne. Yes, the Emperor asked the child. What kind of intentions would you have as the sword of the nation? The new shaman’s answer to that question was not very long. However, it is in line with what Nobu wants to tell you now.

At that time, Gogeomjinin was laughing more cheerfully than ever before.

A peerless swordsman produced by a shaman. The boy who had gone through the process of being turned into a half-rohwandong had the facial features of an old man who had lived through troubled times.

-Don’t compromise.

―… … .

The expert added a comment. Ten people are no different from ten thousand, so that is the human life. In the end, it was a story about focusing on what is right in front of you.

The old shaman was literally a Taoist, and was also infinitely close to a martial artist.

-You can go now.

With the last words of the high-ranking official, the emperor came out of his reverie. Only then did the voices of the crowd reach his ears.

“Is Yeonhwajeong (蓮花亭) still crowded?”

“Isn’t that obvious? The god has been staying in Hangzhou for several days, so we have to grab hold of even a straw.”

“But I heard that they won’t even take your pulse if you don’t pass the test? How can they be a doctor?”

“Oh my, watch your mouth! How can you speak so carelessly of someone who is not even touched by the thirteen heavenly kings of the world…!”

The emperor turned around without saying a word.

I don’t think Jeongyeonshin is really dead. The will of Gogeomjinin and the wish of Shinhwang are both directed towards the survival of Gwangya Ilmyeol.

But even if he were alive, his body wouldn’t be normal. He might have lost an arm or something. Or he might be unconscious.

‘It moves on the premise of being alive.’

Damn it.

He walked slowly. He was heading to Hangzhou Yeonhwajeong where the greatest god in the world was said to reside. He hoped he was not wrong.

* * *

Taemosanseong announced Jeongyeonshin’s death in a big way.

Spreading the news is nothing to those who have mastered the art of sorcery.

They could raise their voices all day long or create clones of themselves with just one sheet of paper.

Or he could create a swarm of strange creatures. In such a mysterious and eccentric art, no other great school could compare.

On the other hand, Cheon Geuk-mun remained silent.

Those who learned swordsmanship from the master of the best swordsman never spoke privately in public.

They simply wandered the streets, searching for unidentified people.

The thirteen thousand who moved around the Hangzhou area, chattering loudly, were mostly sorcerers who wore their hair tied up in transparent net hats like Taoist priests.

“Don’t come any closer.”

A market street located in Kaiyang County, Hangzhou Prefecture.

In the middle of the crowd that filled the wide open space like clouds, there was an open space. Around twenty sorcerers from Taemosan Fortress were forming a circle to block the crowd.

Originally, no one could approach the thirteen thousand martial artists, but Taemosanseong had just created a light atmosphere by personally demonstrating all sorts of rare and wonderful techniques using his magic and martial arts skills.

They would set off fireworks or draw images of cranes or deer with a smoky glow to attract onlookers.

A sword was stuck in the middle of the crowd.

From the handle to the blade, it shines with a splendid silver, and even to a layman who is not familiar with blades, it looks extraordinary.

The sunlight shining brightly along the wavy patterns that went up and down the sword. It was enough to make everyone see it as a divine sword. Even the two letters neatly engraved on one side of the sword looked auspicious.

A neat handwriting that seems to have been dug out with all one’s heart and soul using strong aerodynamics.

“Magic Sword, Yeore.”

On top of the palanquin carried by the alcoholic beverage merchants.

A boy with long ears and a slender chin continued speaking, looking around the room.

He was the great magician Cho Il-seo (楚溢瑞), who became the Soseongju after losing his father, the great black spirit Cho Pae-gwang. He was the same age as the deceased Yeonhwa Na-ta.

“The purple of the world is proof that one cannot control one’s true nature.”

It is a saying that makes those who are well-versed in the world exchange glances. Even though Cho Il-seo is famous for his martial arts skills that are as powerful as a wall, it is still the same.

Even the grandson that Emperor Amcheon received very late was nothing compared to the purple one from Iphwangseong.

Although the unmanned personnel of the Iphwangseong Fortress were dying in all sorts of places, it was a different story when the rank was black or purple.

This time, it was clear that the evil spirits were not there. In particular, the purple ones were of a higher status than the Zhou royal family.

That was the status he held in the martial arts world and the perception of the people. The royal family would have protected him, knowingly or unknowingly.

It means that if you say something easily, you might get into trouble someday.

Vast expanse of space.

Those who had come from far away whispered cautiously to each other after hearing the rumor.

“Should I go back now…?”

“Are you sure that the soldiers here are on the side of Thirteen Thousand? This is really unsettling. Didn’t they say that they didn’t let anyone see that sword for a long time and then suddenly showed it to everyone today?”

“I think it would be better to wash your ears and go to sleep… … .”

“It may look good on the surface, but I’m not sure if it’s really the sword that Yeonhwa Nata shed. I’m worried that I’ll end up embarrassing myself if I show it off somewhere.”

The words and actions that were possible because the atmosphere was greatly relaxed. Even if they lowered their voices among themselves, it was meaningless to me, the masters.

Cho Il-seo, who was looking down at the crowd, flinched for a moment.

‘Things that are insignificant.’

He was carrying out his grandfather’s orders. On the one hand, he was to block the approach of the ignorant people coming into Hangzhou, but on the other hand, he was to attract as many martial artists as possible.

Even though he didn’t understand the first letter, he let it be. It was enough to insult the villain who killed his father.

It was something that could solidify his position as a new small business owner.

“You over there.”

He pointed to a boy in the crowd who looked to be about his age. He was tall and had a slightly youthful face.

“Try to pull it out.”

“… … ?”

“The spirit of the dead wilderness is mixed into this sword. You can think of it as a strange evil thought. In any case, because of that, the sword and the earth have become fused together in a mysterious harmony… You will never be able to pull this out, and that is proof that this sword is a false sword. I heard from some of my iron clans that it is a blade that holds the grudge of the Sachon Dangmun Yongbongsangdok.”

Cho Il-seo opened the sleeves of his smooth black shirt. He didn’t even look at the other person when he finished speaking.

In the first place, I questioned whether it was necessary to personally take part in something like this. There were more important things to do.

‘The air in Hangzhou is changing… … .’

The death of Jeongyeonshin, the God of the Wild, was widely announced.

It was a kind of provocation, an order from the Dark Heavenly Emperor that had nothing to do with the first letter. The Lord of Taemosan Castle really wanted many masters of Naegagi Gong to come to Hangzhou.

The anticipated backlash may be significant.

There have already been reports of flags symbolizing the Seventeenth Division of the Shingumdan being seen in several nearby areas.

It was accompanied by information that unseen people had entered Hangzhou. Among them, there were those with appearances unrelated to the Emperor’s visit.

‘This kind of work should be finished quickly… Shouldn’t we just have the barbarians in the first place?’

Choilseo slightly raised his chin.

“You don’t have the courage to draw the sword because it is the relic of the deceased? If that is true, then you should give it to someone else… … .”

“Relics…?”

The person who was pointed out cuts off Cho Il-seo’s words.

And as I slowly stepped forward, not a single sound was heard, not even when my leather shoes touched the floor. Likewise, there was no movement at all.

Hwaak-

Just a gust of wind passed by, scraping the ground.