Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time Chapter 484

◈ Wilderness Annihilation (3)

* * *

The wall of the shepherd’s hut.

It was the time when sunlight and cold air mixed along the long shadow border that followed the outline of the wall.

A few people were gathered in the winter wind that made the clear feeling burst like flower buds.

Among them, Heonwonchang, who was carrying a bundle of goods, suddenly furrowed his brows.

I was eavesdropping on the conversation inside with both hands clasped to my ears. It wasn’t a particularly exaggerated body movement, but a type of hearing-a-thousand-mile technique.

“What does it mean…?”

“what.”

In response to Heonwonchang’s question, the famous swordsman, who was sitting with his back against the wall, gave a vague answer.

A handsome man in a blue hood.

His originally gentle impression has a strangely sharp temperament. Cheong-an-mageom Cheong-myeong. A cold murderous aura stands out from the blindfold covering one eye.

The blue robe draped roughly over both shoulders no longer suited the man.

“You heard it too, senior?”

Heonwonchang glanced at him and asked again. Cheongmyeong opened his mouth slowly without even turning his head.

“Are you taking our great lord to Cheonhamok?”

“Yes, that’s it. I don’t understand a single thing the Lord says… Don’t you think that Shin-ui guy is a little strange? He talks as if some kind of divine tree branch has taken on the shape of a human… .”

“It’s impossible to understand. The story is missing the point, and you don’t know anything.”

It was a nonsensical response.

Heonwonchang looked somewhat shocked.

Shin So-bin, who was fighting with a brick as if she would break through the wall at any moment, chuckles.

Before he knew it, in Iphwangseong, the name Daeseolgeom had become a household name for being a talker who could see through even the smallest of martial arts masters, and Heonwonchang himself was proud of the fact that he had been a great help to Jeongyeonshin in gaining knowledge of the martial arts world.

“You said purple river and all… If, like this… I won’t be of any help… … .”

As Daeseolgeom was talking nonsense, Shin So-bin turned her head towards Cheongmyeong.

“Is our great lord the true successor of the Holy Lord?”

She asks.

Shin So-bin is the one who knows more about Ip Hwang-seong’s affairs than Heon Won-chang.

She is from a sacred family called Ip Hwang Je Il Ga and is the granddaughter of the head of the royal family, Shin Byeok. Naturally, she has seen and heard a lot.

“When was it fake?”

Cheongmyeong answered without any change in expression.

But his words implied that it would be received with great significance not only by the Emperor but also by the entire world.

The meaning of saying that he will take Jeongyeonshin to Cheonhamok.

Although many members of the royal family have served under the lord and gained great military achievements, the tone of the word “true successor” is bound to be different.

“I’m sorry for interrupting you.”

A boy of about eighteen with thin cheeks suddenly barged in.

“I’m really curious. I’ve never heard of Yeonhwanata using the best Wolryeongsingi in the world. Was it really true that she was under the tutelage of the Seongju?”

Even though he was wearing a Taoist uniform, his speech and actions did not seem like those of a Taoist monk.

He wears an old sword at his waist, and the ends of his narrow sleeves have a small, blue and red Taegeuk symbol engraved on them.

It was a pattern symbolizing the blue clouds and red mist, which were famous for the divine skills of the Cheongseongpa immortals.

He is the Jinmu (眞楙) Dojo, where Cheongsu Jinin personally bestows martial arts skills, ignoring even the distribution.

He began to be known as the later index who would unite the Cheongseongpa’s Cheongun Sword and Jeokha Sword. Naturally, he was a world-class talent.

Heonwonchang’s expression became somewhat gloomy.

“This is a matter of nature. Do you really have doubts about the relationship between the purple and the master of Ip Hwang Seong? I don’t know where you learned that kind of nonsense.”

“Of course, whatever I learned was the teachings that came from our Cheongseong… … .”

In that moment, Jinmu’s upper body tilted back. This was because the middle-aged Taoist priest next to him had pulled him back.

“I’m truly sorry. I’m a child who is having a hard time in the main branch as well.”

He was a master of the Cheongseongpa who used the pseudonym Cheong-eun. He was also famous as a strong man with mysterious swordsmanship, but there were many times when he was in conflict with Cheong-su and Jin-mu.

The new leader, Cheongsu, had a somewhat sloppy appearance compared to his strong appearance, and Jinmu was a boy who practiced inaction and nature without being bound by worldly common sense.

“You must be curious about the private sector, right? Our Jangmun Jinin, the one who caused this situation, suddenly disappeared, and it was all because of the new purple that fought and defeated him. How could we not be interested? At least we can talk to our close associates here, but there must be a storm blowing outside Hangzhou right now… .”

Phew.

Jinmu’s words stop with a dull sound.

Cheong-eun had occupied the acupuncture point. Jin-mu’s eyes, who had been hit hard on the back of his neck, were filled with a look of resentment.

However, Cheong-eun did not even look at the person in question and offered a lottery ticket to Ip Hwang-seong and his party.

“I apologize again on behalf of the church.”

“No, that’s roughly true. In fact, our Seomye is a master of martial arts, so she mainly uses the martial arts she created.”

A girl’s voice fell on the wall.

It was Aksurim lying on the high wall, with a faint smile on his face above the hem of his black clothes hanging down.

She did not want the martial arts that accompanied Jeongyeonshin’s life to be overshadowed by Iphwangseongju.

Cheong-eun’s lips slightly rose.

The old faction has countless subordinate factions. Naturally, it often comes into conflict, big or small, with the Iphwangseong faction that is active in the front lines of martial arts.

It’s hard for the two sides to get along as well as they do now, but ever since Jeong Yeon-shin appeared in the martial arts world, they’ve become strangely close.

‘There has never been a purple that has such close ties with the elders of the old school.’

Even the old man, the chief priest, was like that. Contrary to his seemingly sad and melancholy appearance, he was a very stubborn old man. He even said that the common inns in the streets were the property of the country.

Sometimes, when he saw a martial artist breaking objects in a private quarrel, he would catch them on the spot and destroy their danjeon in the same way.

What about the new sword master Yong Hee-myeong?

His true martial arts, which can be said to be the most splendid in the world, were completed through swordsmanship that mocked the martial artists in a polite manner.

Cheong-eun didn’t really think about the threat of persecution.

“By the way, I’m worried about Jeong Gong’s health. They say his medical skills are heavenly, but he fought so many fierce battles in a row… If we don’t bring along the immortals who live in the palace in the story, it’ll be difficult for him to recover quickly.”

The end of his words trailed off. Aksurim accepted his words with a snort.

“The immortal of the Great Palace? There’s no need to bring up a story that doesn’t exist. Even if such a thing really exists, a god would be better.”

“Well, isn’t the original Great God Immortal famous for being incompetent?”

It was a rare, gentle atmosphere.

Perhaps it was a luxury that would never return. The Myeolseomdaeju, who had taken priority in the pulse diagnosis of Yeongchokshinui, had gone off to find another mission of his own.

This happened right after I saw the Lord of the Palace coming down with Jeong Yeon-sin.

Aksurim recalled his words.

―If the new sword master changes, there may come a day when all seventeen great masters of the original nature will gather under the banner of Jeong Gong. Not just the great masters, but all the forces.

– Are you crazy? Why did that guy Yongga get fired just now, and why are you saying such bad things?

―Some great lords, such as Bukgung Ah, are not close enough to the Crown Prince to readily comply with such an order, but that is the role of the new Emperor. It is to prepare for the true chaos that will soon engulf the world.

-hey!

―That’s what Senior Ak should do too. I know that he’s working day and night to achieve Gongwolmu through Akga-chang. But he has to hurry up even more.

The new emperor of the Mukshin Army left like that.

Aksurim’s eyebrows furrowed as he recalled the extremely one-sided words. Along with the thought that everyone was just saying what they wanted to say.

“By the way, what do you think will happen to the Dark Heavenly Emperor’s Wonyoungshin? It seems like he’s definitely missed out… … .”

Cheong-eun spoke with an expression that seemed unable to hide her concern. She still had not relieved Jin-mu of his pain.

“The aftereffects are great.”

Although Cheongmyeong answered briefly, he showed no sign of moving away from the wall behind Jeongyeonsin’s residence.

The same was true for the other masters of Ip Hwang Seong who were standing around right now.

Shin So-bin said it casually.

“What can we do? Our great lord’s protection comes first.”

“Do you need your help to protect the Lord of the Heavenly Palace?”

Cheongseong Jinmu finally opened his mouth. He had moved his true energy and released the acupuncture point. Cheongeun shook her head.

“How many elders of the old faction are there in there? The more strong people there are in the sect, the denser the senses become like a knife. Even if you are the best in the world, you can’t expand the scope of your senses here. Isn’t it a warrior’s instinct to prepare for the unexpected?”

“That lord is wary of our Jang Moon-in? Isn’t it possible that Sa-suk thinks too highly of Jang Moon-jin…?”

“The Dark Heavenly Emperor Cho-yeol is an old monster who lived through the founding of the nation. Why can’t he think that a great master of magic and martial arts like that can use the energy of peerless masters to deceive the world like a divine trick?”

“Well, the fight is over, so why are you standing out instead of dying? And you’re a legendary author… … .”

No one responded to Jinmu’s grumbling.

They each took their own stances and thoughts as they slowly spent their time. On one side, Tang Yunhuang, the head of the Tang family, sat waiting patiently for Jeong Yeonsin.

* * *

[Hey.]

A cheeky voice echoes in my head. A voice that has wrinkles, but doesn’t sound old. But it is the call of a very ignorant person.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had lived a relatively long life, immediately came to her senses.

‘What is it?’

And then I realized right away.

I was only conscious, but my body was still spinning around with my eyes closed.

[The reaction is very fast. It is a speed worth remembering. The sorcerers who deal with you should not imitate things like the Heart Sword to attack the mind.]

It is a speech and action that seems to be ingrained with insight.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who realized who the owner of the voice was, spoke to him, even if only in her thoughts. This was because she felt that the other person had entered her mind through a strange method.

‘The Dark Emperor, is he still alive?’

A polite reply came back immediately.

[I will not die. As long as there is even a little bit of my inner strength left in this land, my life will continue for a long time.]

‘Is it really immortal?’

[Yes, I can sense a deep sense of envy. I can see why you came in when your inner defenses collapsed.

You have a very anxious and restless mind. As if you were someone who had already decided the day of your death.]

There was a hint of pride in the deep voice. Even the old absolute was still human.

‘I’m jealous.’

Jeongyeonshin thought.

If you really live long, you will be able to spend a long time with those you have met so far.

For a moment, the Dark Heavenly Emperor, who had read his mind, became silent.

[……you.]

His voice continued slowly.

[You haven’t lost it yet.]

It was a strange word. Could it be referring to fate? If it was the Dark Heavenly Emperor who was already roaming the world when the Ming Dynasty was founded, then it would be so. There wouldn’t be many fates left.

It wasn’t Jeongyeonshin’s job.

‘Come out.’

In that moment, the outline of the Dark Heavenly Emperor took shape in my empty mind. A handsome man with long ears hanging down and wearing a thick robe. His body was made of faint light.

Jeongyeon Shin did so.

Just as he focused his mind on martial arts and manifested his sword energy, he revealed the form of the Dark Heavenly Emperor by concentrating his consciousness. It was nothing out of the ordinary.

But the Dark Emperor seemed to have taken it differently.

[Truly… the same qualities as Sam Bong… … .]

The new model ripples like waves. It looks as if it has been surprised for the first time.

[If you can get it, you will be able to freely use the Taoist Three-Hearted Power.]

‘Taoist teachings are difficult. Unlike Buddhism, there is no intuitive aspect to them. You won’t get it through a short study.’

Jeongyeonshin wondered how she could catch and kill Wonyeongshin, the Dark Heavenly King who had no ghosts.

Maybe because my body hadn’t fully recovered, no special method came to mind.

That was when.

Suddenly, the laughter of the dark emperor flowed in.

[I will give it to you.]

‘what?’

[I treasured it in my soul. I have a tiny piece of Jang Sam-bong’s true energy! With this, you will be able to awaken the power of Samcheong someday. A true genius given by heaven does not study. A being like Sam-bong accomplishes everything through intuition, so it won’t take you long.]

‘Are you crazy?’

[He wasn’t in his right mind to begin with.]

The Dark Emperor answered.

He then muttered something like a song.

[Haven’t you seen it?

[A Taoist who has ceased learning and is now completely idle.]

Song of the Awakening of the Way.

This is the teaching of a Tang Dynasty monk.

A sense of emptiness was evident in the soft voice. At the same time, the fingertips of the Dark Heavenly Emperor created a pine tree sculpture, which he then immediately dissolved into Jeongyeonshin’s mental space.

A piece of Jang Sam-bong’s magic.

A treasure that even the most powerful martial artists who walk the world of martial arts alone without building up any significant power would covet.

thud!

In that moment, the space in my mind resonated loudly, as if a giant drum was beating the dark images.

[There is no Sambong who can deeply understand my studies, and I acknowledge that the mistake of heaven that has been passed down through generations has given birth to you. So I must feel like Jang Sambong because of you! I want his recognition…!]

That was it.

Jeong Yeon-shin suddenly felt the foreign substance that had been in her mind leave the space. The dark heavenly emperor’s voice continued without a trace.

[You are a natural born warrior. In the end, you will have no choice but to obtain the power of the Three Heavenly Powers. On that day, I will come to you again and take this body. In this way, I will feel the senses of the Three Heavenly Powers with a body like the Three Heavenly Powers.]

‘Divorce law…?’

[I see.]

The voice of the Dark Heavenly Emperor gradually grew fainter.

[The true energy of Jang Sam-bong that I kept as my soul is now mine. You and I are connected. Now, all that Dafa needs is time, so enjoy the rest of your life until that day.]

‘The plague… … .’

In an instant, a sharp pain occurred in the abdomen. The divine spirit had inserted a needle into Jeongyeonshin’s body. An incredibly thick natural essence flowed through the thin iron rod.

That moment.

The image of the Dark Heavenly Emperor disappeared from my mind without a trace.

* * *

Heonwonchang, who was leaning against the wall of the shepherd’s house, suddenly tilted his head. Then he slowly opened his mouth.

“… Isn’t it a little cold?”

“It’s winter, so of course it’s cold. If you don’t care, that’s a great way to be.”

Jinmu spoke with a faint smile.

Those who had gathered together and chatted earlier had dispersed in all directions. This was because of Aksurim’s words that numerous energies were heading towards Hangzhou.

It was said that its size and strength were comparable to that of a martial arts army. Whether it was helpful or not, he had no choice but to stand guard in all directions.

“Well… … .”

Heonwonchang turned his head away again, trying to ignore Cheongseongpa Aesongi’s words.

In that moment, something strange flashed into the eyes of the Hwangseong Daeseolgeom. A round shadow rose from one side of the shadow on the wall.

It was a sight that was difficult for Heonwonchang, who was from a Salmun background and had been exposed to all kinds of variables, to just ignore, as it was like a shadow originating from a human head.

Spot!

He stood on the opaque ground, his feet blurring in place. The air, in the form of a faint sphere, was beneath Heonwonchang’s eyes.

“Even though he has weakened, he seems to have fallen greatly. He must have hidden it intentionally, but the Wonyoungsin is visible… His movements are also very slow. How did you escape from the inner quarters? Did the lord and the many elders have a big confrontation?”

[Your eyes are unusually good.]

The air hummed faintly. The last of the Dark Heavenly Kings left on earth, the Wonyoungsin. It was a truly bizarre sight.

“The way of killing people is quite delicate.”

Heonwonchang looked down at it blankly and said.

[Your puny martial arts skills won’t do anything to me. If you want to strike, try breathing with divine power.]

“So you’re saying it has to be black.”

Heonwonchang glanced at Jinmu, who was standing next to him, and shook his head. There was no hope.

“Won Young-shin?! Is this really Won Young-shin? We need to call someone right away…!”

[Hey, empty.]

A soft mantra flows out along with the shouts of Jinmu mixed with internal energy.

In the moment when the air was rippling, Heonwonchang was already taking something out of the bundle behind his back.

A pair of right hands with a transparent aura.

It’s a human hand.

Before anyone could react, Heonwonchang grabbed its index finger and struck the air. In an instant, a loud noise erupted and the translucent air scattered into pieces.

[How could you, the hand of Heaven… …?]

“Wherever our Lord Jeong Gong fights, there are bound to be huge traces left behind. Naturally, all the martial artists will flock to see the sword marks and wounds, so wouldn’t it be natural to erase them? This is what I found while I was doing that.”

[what……?]

There is no strength in the voice.

Anyone who hears it can tell that Won Young-shin is disappearing.

“It seems that the swordsman of the Outer Sword was truly an incredible person. Why doesn’t this hand that was torn off from his body rot? What kind of fight did he fight in…?”

The shock wave subsided with Heonwonchang’s muttering. There was nothing left. Only the winter wind was still clear.

It was immediately after that that Jeongyeonshin woke up.