Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time Chapter 506

◈ Battle of Ip-Hwang (6)

* * *

The moment when Mansangsurochaeju Haeilkwoncheon destroyed the western wall with one blow.

Hundreds of strokes of writing struck like a sword.

Swish!

The place was noisy with homing pigeons, brown squirrels, weasels, and swallows constantly coming and going from the long rows of desks.

Among the colorful hairs fluttering about in a very messy manner, a very hazy aerodynamic wave was mysteriously spreading out.

It was a sect that originated from the secrets of the famous clan that tamed beasts as spiritual beings.

The General Office of the Imperial Guard.

The writers are using the four writing instruments as a weapon.

He quickly dips the brush into the ground ink and transfers it to paper, then writes a short phrase in one breath, seals it with a letter, and ties it to the body or leg of a spirit creature while whispering words like a Taoist priest’s mantra.

Then, the scene of swallows flapping their wings and flying away through the gap in the window was repeated.

Possessed movements.

These natural writers are all talented people who are well-versed in all subjects, both literary and martial.

A swordsman of the era who did not take the civil service examination of Emperor Geonling and instead committed suicide by jumping into the Imperial Palace, and who includes all 17 generations of the Shingumdan today.

Of course, it wasn’t just the brush strokes that were sharp. Each and every one of their voices were also loud and clear thanks to their shallow but sincere inner strength.

“This is the situation in the west. The Dragon Stream Twin Kings and Mansang Surochae under Haeil Kwoncheon are completely defeated. It is presumed that the Surochaeju has gone south alone. It is true that the Surochaeju Haeil Kwoncheon is going on a solo journey to the Gangho.”

“The blow that broke the wall was a martial art called the Six Combinations of Dawn Demonic Strike. It is a report from Mingryu-dae that rumors have been circulating recently that it is the best martial art in the world in the Yangtze River basin.”

“It appears to be a mixture of the martial arts of the royal navy’s Mu-maek and the Honse-kwon-ma (昏世拳魔) who conquered Cheonghae over a hundred and fifty years ago.”

“Analyzing with the same report. The said herb was a one-shot, two-strike attack… two strikes in one breath. The one-shot completely destroyed the wall, and the light wave of the attack was blocked by the Seonmokryeongju and Yulryeongdaeju from rushing into the inner castle of the main castle using the method of the Gyeoksan Tau.”

“These major shareholders are in the middle of a lucky breakfast. The location is the same, west of the main castle, at the Ma Gwang-ik training ground.”

The voices of the writers in charge of frontline reports rang out clearly and urgently.

Some of them spoke as if they were actually looking down on a specific place, thanks to the visionary method of the General Office, the Wolseongjinbeop (月性陣法) and the Dharma treasures spread throughout the main castle.

It is another way to see things from the perspective of the Emperor. Naturally, it is a martial art that cannot be learned with ordinary five stars.

Meanwhile, the seat at the head of the table where their report was being delivered was occupied by a middle-aged man with a bushy beard.

In his hand was a thin brush that did not match his extremely large body.

The middle-aged man shook his head with his eyes closed.

“It was a big meal. If you measure it by the wave, it would take about one meal to reload. If it’s long, it’s long, and if it’s short, it’s too short.”

Then he took a long breath.

Hueup―

The dust that had been floating around inside the headquarters like a cluster of stars was now disorderly and disorganized. It was a powerful breath of internal energy.

Grand Master Im Jin-myeong.

It had been a long time since the spectacle that could simultaneously inspect the ninety-nine pavilions and all the surrounding walls had been activated and then turned off.

While catching my breath like that, I look at the whole situation from the center of my nature through my subordinates and make various decisions.

What kind of sect to activate in which place, how to use which force, and which of the best swordsmen of the Wonpyeongil Swordsmanship to defeat and send out.

thud-

Kugu Palace―

A loud noise, like thunder engulfed by distant dark clouds, was coming in faintly. It was the sound of clashing masters from the east, west, and south.

The sound had been growing louder over time since the beginning of the war, naturally indicating that the barrage of attacks was becoming increasingly intense.

It was the ill will of the gang that had been building up for a long time.

Im Jin-myeong said with a blank expression.

“… Everyone, keep this in mind. Nature does not wither and die. We must also fight a wheeled battle.”

It’s a long-term war.

The one who is controlling Mercury must be more meticulous in power management.

Even in times of chaos, the Emperor should not expect support. He had to timely calculate the physical strength and internal energy consumption of the true masters.

“Keep reporting.”

Im Jin-myeong’s words were followed by his subordinates’ responses.

“The ronin of Yeo-ryeong are concentrated on the collapsed castle walls. Their numbers are endless!”

“The masters of Ip-Hwang-Ma-Ga, Yu-Ga, and Un-Ga will respond from the west. For now, we will focus on defense, taking a back-to-back stance.”

“According to the inspection of the Iphwangma, Haeil Kwoncheon’s internal energy breathing has decreased by about seven percent. This is a decrease in the amount of accumulated energy. For now, it seems like there is no need to worry about re-casting the Yukhapshinmabyeok.”

“The Blood Guardians will take the lead in responding…!”

“Additional report! The Demon Lord of the Yeo-ryeong has intruded! To Hae-il-kwon-cheon… the Yeong-dan? The Ronin’s movements have changed! It’s a large formation that stands guard!”

The air in the room rippled. The breathing of the scribes of the General Office was momentarily disturbed. At this moment, only a few people, including the Grand General, were able to maintain their composure.

Im Jin-myeong’s mouth moves along with the waves.

―Myungjo, if you don’t see an opening right away, step back for a moment. Take a morning meal and gather enlightenment in your inner castle. Don’t act rashly.

Then he spoke in a loud voice.

“Activate all the formations in that area. Block the energy of Haeilwoncheon as much as possible, and have the masters of the clans under the main castle reorganize their formations…”

Im Jin-myeong, who had interrupted his own words, suddenly opened his eyes. Several men of letters were looking at him.

Among them, a woman with her hair down in a ponytail and wearing a blue ceremonial dress loosely opened her lips.

“Shall we send a chimney to the basement?”

“No way.”

“It seems like the time has come. Even just to the east of the main castle, there is fog covering the view of Anbeop. We have invested so much power, but there is no news. Even the Magaju who headed there a while ago has not sent a swallow. If there is any change… … .”

“Not yet.”

“Or else, we should call in the Shingeomdan forces that are scattered across the world, more than half of them, right now. Even if we have them, we can hold out until His Majesty returns.”

“No way.”

Im Jin-myeong shook his head and continued speaking.

“The elder lord, who had already disobeyed the order of the Dragon Lord to assemble, has strongly urged them. Even if the original clan is destroyed, they must protect their own lineage and take care of the common people. The elder lord’s orders exceed the Grand Commander’s authority. There will be no return unless another new sword lord appears.”

The subordinate shut his mouth. Immediately afterwards, another scribe submitted his report.

“The Lord of Heavenly Forest has sent a message. It is a request to dispatch.”

-Not permitted.

The Grand General’s solo martial arts that consumed a considerable amount of internal energy. The sound of Imjinmyeong, which encompassed the entire castle, struck the distant Cheonrimdae’s pavilion like a bolt of lightning.

Im Jin-myeong, who gave the order so directly, spoke dryly.

“There’s no need to look. Why would you go on an expedition with that body? Cheonrimdaeju is still concentrating on defending the inner castle. Now, aren’t the bugs of Yeo-ryeong infiltrating the inner castle?”

At that moment, like the martial arts of Mong-in-wol silently swallowing up the eastern part of Bonseong, Im Jin-myeong’s voice seeped into the silence that was starting to fill the room here and there.

Swish. Saaak.

Although no one stopped brushing their teeth or using their internal energy, the weight of the world’s martial arts was sinking to the ground.

It was gloomy, like an invisible fog, and strangely heavy.

They know. They know what movements are already taking place outside of Yangyang, and how those who have learned martial arts and are facing the chaos are each seeking their own safety.

How many other sects, other than the Thirteen Thousand, are rushing to Iphwangseong one after another, thinking that this is their chance? And when will those lynxes arrive?

Since the founding of the country.

A crack has appeared in the dam that has been holding back an absurdly large river for a long time.

Rivers and lakes and the city of Iphwang. Paradoxically, the rivers and lakes were swollen due to the famine and were overflowing their banks.

“Look at the main gate!”

Suddenly, the air began to shake as someone shouted.

“Observe the Muryonghoeju Hyukryeonpungwol from the south! Fog forming from a further distance! Gunma Nokrim!”

“The evil one is in control of the world! A cavalry charge! Straight to the main gate of the castle…!”

“The female ronin and the Muryonghoe warriors have been climbing the walls faster. It seems like there was a prior agreement.”

“It is estimated that the call came from twenty li away! Pay! Pay!”

“The Changcheondae and Cheonrimdae are on the walls. The iron tribe of Myeonggongdo is waiting in the southern inner castle. Should we activate the engine formation?”

The voices of the officials in the General Office grew louder.

Rattling.

The long rows of desks in the hall begin to shake.

It was the result of waves caused by their respective masters, but this was the first time since Maung of the Iphwangma family had announced the start of the war. Im Jinmyeong’s facial muscles started to move immediately.

“What about Shin Chang?”

He asked. One of his subordinates answered immediately.

“You were left alone at the main gate.”

“What about Namgung Hwasin?”

“The injury is still serious… … .”

“I’m going to activate my eyesight again.”

A deep green light flashed in Im Jin-myeong’s eyes, which were so sharp. It was a divine skill to observe the entire vast Iphwangseong Fortress from his seat. It was different from the eyes of other writers.

Wooooow!

His vision changed as if he was being sucked towards the main gate of the castle along with the resonating sound of the spirit.

Flutter—

The next moment, the area before my eyes was filled with purple robes. At the same time, the scribes who were in charge of the main gate at the General Office also witnessed the same scene.

All of them were simply stories of absorbing the words in the book as if they were real experiences. The word “empty” began to flow out from everywhere, but for a moment, all of their voices lowered at once.

“The purple manifestation of one’s true nature.”

“The delicate Jeong Gong.”

“I await the Grand Master’s orders.”

“I suggest a complete revision of the strategy. It would be acceptable to withdraw the force equivalent to four armies from the main gate and divide it to the left and right… … .”

Yangyang and Iphwangseong are overheated by the scorching sunlight reflected by the swordsmen of the martial arts world.

When the sun goes down, the ground cools.

They accepted the obvious and began to calculate the benefits they could gain from it. It was a clear-sightedness that a person with a purple nature would inevitably possess.

In this way, the General Headquarters became calmer.

The cloud of dust that had been disturbing the room flowed long again, quietly but continuously settling down in the clear winter air.

The pure white sunlight was shining down on the figure. Just like the figure of Jeong Yeon-shin that was in Im Jin-myeong’s sight at that moment.

“… Cheonrimdae is on the west, Changcheondae is on the east. The organ formation will be activated when my order is given. The iron tribe should also remain on standby.”

Im Jin-myeong paused for a moment to breathe deeply and then slowly continued giving orders.

“But Your Majesty is also a human being. You cannot completely empty the main gate… … .”

Suddenly his voice stopped.

It was said that the rise of the best masters was a matter of moments. Except for Gongwolmu, that is generally true.

Naturally, it wasn’t long before the absent-minded mutterings of the government officials began to fall one after another.

“Stop the evil spirits of the world. No harm to the nature.”

“The cavalry was annihilated.”

“The enemies who bypassed the main attack and climbed over the wall numbered four hundred and seventy-eight. They consist of Ronin, a very small number of female warriors, and the Muryonghoe.”

“Another annihilation.”

At that moment, for the first time, a writer thought to himself, “I’m crazy,” and then closed his lips as if nothing had happened.

“One person… the first guardian of the Muryonghoe survived. However, he was seriously injured, going deep into his left abdominal muscle, and his left hand was missing, so the sect is effectively extinct.”

“I will describe the situation. Jeong Gong, Shin Chang, Mugeuk Jeonju. And the two chiefs and masters of Gunma Nokrim, and the Muryonghoeju Hyukryun Pungwol.”

Lim Jin-myeong, who had been listening silently, sat up from his seat and opened his mouth.

“Clear the main gate. Over there, Master Chae, go to the inner quarters and get some Thunder Immortal Wine.”

The woman who had previously mentioned the ‘underground’ to him quickly got up and asked.

“Your Majesty?”

“Yes, sir.”

Im Jin-myeong answered.

* * *

The eastern end of the Yellow River.

The main hall of Shingumdan Suncheonik.

A woman wearing a sleeveless pyjama was walking, swinging her arms.

It was a movement similar to that of a drunkard struggling to keep his balance, and the oily sheen rippled along the long, swaying hair.

Damn it.

A beggar leading dozens of people through the magnificent palace complex as if it were his own home.

Except for the two leaders, each of them is wearing colorful silk clothes, and they all have gourds hanging from their waists that exude a faint scent of incense.

The only thing that didn’t look good in the pristine white marble Suncheonikjeon was the beggar at the front.

Among those following her, a young man with unusually thick black hair tied back in a braid suddenly spoke. Despite the languidness evident from the dot on one of his eyes, his voice was clear.

“Everyone is sleeping now. Why don’t you walk a little faster?”

“Don’t tell me to talk. I’m having a hard time right now.”

The beggar answered.

The young man’s expression suddenly crumpled.

“Of course, it must be hard since this chaos is happening in Iphwangseong. Don’t let your luck stop. If you make a mistake, the Heavenly Swordsman Im Jinmyeong might make our faces look like ruined dragons. Then, we won’t be able to go anywhere.”

“Why would a so-called thirteen-thousand-strong master worry about something like that?”

“When I accepted you as my disciple, you said it would be open!”

“Don’t worry. I taught you how to hit a ball. If you just make a mess of your face and act like a beggar, then it doesn’t matter whether you’re a beggar or not. You’ll just be a common beggar.”

“no…!”

thud!

As soon as the young man started to roll his feet, a rough hand was placed on his shoulder. It was the giant man walking behind him who stopped him.

“This is an unprecedented time of chaos. The government’s scheming to destroy the appearance of the people has long since lost its power. Even if they are the Purple of the Imperial Palace… their own military power is absurdly strong, and they do not have the ability to bring in reinforcements from other sects, so they are just people who are trying to strengthen themselves alone. All we have to do is reach the residence of the Lord of the Imperial Palace.”

It was a very calm voice.

No one objected to that statement. Only the irregular sound of footsteps echoed.

Even as they crossed the diagonal path of the Iphwangseong Suncheonik Hall in broad daylight, their conduct was free and unrestrained.

No one hid their presence. That was because from a certain point on, no one had dared to attack them.

“… … .”

The scene unfolding around me at this moment.

It is a scene of warriors with the character “Prince” tattooed on their shoulders lying all around as if dead.

They look as if they have been given a blood transfusion. There are over a hundred of them, and many of them actually fall asleep and are killed, and then dream in Samdocheon.

This was the inevitable end for those who encountered the master of the dream moon.

The beggar woman slowly opened her lips.

“That guy will come again, right?”

“Magajuyo? Of course. You were unusually energetic. You were delayed a lot because of that monster. You were acting up for no reason.”

“If I solve this, that guy will be able to do it easily.”

As she stands, the sky across the eastern part of Ip Hwang Seong becomes translucent and ripples.

Tung-

Totally breathtaking.

At that moment, she was not a beggar, but an absolute being who had made the Emperor’s name the lowest of the lowlands.

The young man waved his hands in fright.

“Don’t do that! I’ll definitely be excommunicated and become famous someday!”

“That crazy guy.”

It was when the giant walking behind him muttered.

Suddenly.

Bam.

Mong-in-wol-ju made a loud noise as if he was lying and bumped into someone.

“ouch.”

Then she lifts her head, wiping the soot off her face. Her face still looks hazy, as if she is walking in a dream.

There was a noble young man wearing clothes that sparkled with gold.

Even his hair, which looked like melted gold, was all golden, and he had his head down and was snorting.

He looked like he was sleeping while standing.