Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time Chapter 52

Gathering

No one would admit it right away. This was especially true if they were a professed member of the Jeongdo sect.

Hwangbo Myeong-rin snorted again. She didn’t even bat an eyebrow.

“You think I used your sister as bait? I must have seen things. Or maybe.”

The corners of her mouth curled upwards. A smile appeared without a hint of hesitation.

“Are you trying to slander me? You baseless piece of trash.”

“Aren’t you the one without foundation?”

It wasn’t Jeong Yeon-shin. His hand, which had been restraining the two, was pushed back by Heon Won-chang’s body.

The man who stepped forward, Ip Hwang-shin, opened his mouth. He touched the hero’s forehead and smiled faintly, his expression like a painting.

“His words and actions, such as talking about trash, do not be those of an educated person.”

“what?”

“You must have been given many elixirs since you were young. I heard that in your Shandong, there is a dish called Luchai (魯菜). I know that the dish with various ingredients wrapped in dumpling skin is the best. I wonder if you tore off a page each of the Four Books and the Three Classics and wrapped them in elixirs and ate them. I guess that is how you were taught the ways of Confucius and Mencius at home. They said that the Huangbo family was a noble family, but I guess that was a lie.”

The words flowed like flowing water.

“This thing dares······?”

For a moment, Hwangbo Myeongrin opened his mouth slightly. Heonwonchang looked at him cynically.

“Shandong cuisine is salty. Your words and actions are truly bland. Two people have seen your atrocities, yet you shamelessly evade them? I have never heard of a thief like Hwangbo Myeong-rin among the powerful families of Shandong martial arts. Is that so?”

Heonwonchang looked around and asked. Everyone who made eye contact with him averted their gaze one by one.

A refreshing smile appeared on Heonwonchang’s lips.

“To die!”

Hwangbo Myeongrin took a step closer to the law. The energy waves in his hands were fierce.

At that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand next to me became blurry.

Her body whipped around in the air with a squeak.

He raised his cheek by adding air power to his body that had been polished with Jeonggadonggong.

“Phuhhuh!”

It was the moment when Hwangbo Myeong-rin collapsed miserably.

The other Sega’s later indices each took their own form. The swords held by the eight men flashed in the bright sunlight.

“If what you say is true, then this is also right. But please understand us.”

“There is no neutrality in the world of martial arts. If you don’t know the truth, you have no choice but to take the side of the person you are friends with.”

Two of the later indices spoke. There was a subtle wariness in their tone.

After Jeongyeonshin shook hands with Taeyeonryong, he was different from those who showed affection towards her.

It was said that even though they were orthodox, their nature was not the same. The disciples of the old sect worshipped Buddha or the original heavenly being.

As mountain ascetics, they were usually people who had transcended fame and fortune.

Sega was different. It was a term used to refer to a powerful family that had been in power for a long time.

They pursued profit while claiming to be moderate. The way they realized the agreement was completely different.

Some of the nobles with powerful martial arts skills spoke without hesitation.

It is not easy to find a counselor outside of the mountain sect.

‘I heard that there are some people who enjoy collaboration.’

It wasn’t just some of the children of Sega. It was right before our eyes. It was the collusion of the powerful.

The party’s leadership was in Hwangbo Myeongrin’s hands. The composition was like that from the beginning. Namjikrye was the lower part of Shandong.

The Huangbo clan is said to act as a royal family in Jinan, Shandong Province. The children of the nearby martial arts families cannot help but treat them differently.

‘Hwangbo Myeongrin’s value was greater.’

I didn’t kill him on purpose. I decided at the discretion of the Blue. Taeyeonryong was a small lord whose death was certain.

It seemed to be used only to raise the family’s reputation. The siblings who were beaten by Jeong Yeon-shin were the future of the Hwangbo family.

“I heard there is something called a spirit.”

Jeong Yeon-shin said. There was a young man who quickly approached and supported my younger sister.

He was defeated by Jeong Yeon-sin in the Huiju Pass after picking a fight with him. He was said to be the son of the Hwangbo family.

“And even after you did this······.”

“I am speaking.”

Let’s just look at it and it makes me flinch. The engineer averted his eyes without even meeting its gaze.

“They say there is a beast that the Ming clan cleverly raised using their clan’s secret techniques. It is called a spirit.”

“······.”

“They say that animals understand human speech and have mysterious abilities. Call the family’s warriors. As many as possible. There might be reinforcements from the Blood Flame Cult.”

The eight great powers of Gangho were simply powerful families. They had a strong regional base and high martial arts skills, just like a royal family.

It was a world where you could buy spirits with gold. If you were a direct descendant of the Hwangbo family, you would definitely have at least one contact.

It didn’t matter whether it was a Jeonseo-gu or anything else. Shandong is not far from here. I had to keep sending out news.

So that when some of the Hwangbo Se-ga’s armed forces are emptied, they can secure a justification for punishment at Iphwangseong and immediately head north.

Indeed, that was the case.

The moment he finished speaking, a wing moved in front of the scholar. It was a small bird that resembled a swallow.

The scholar made a small letter with a small brush and ink bottle that he used during his journey and tied it to the bird’s leg. However, he did not let it fly away.

The guy said.

“The moment we send the letter, our value will be lost. Isn’t it possible that you might attack us to kill us? We decide when to send it.”

“Think about it. It’s not like you just send it once and that’s it. You have to keep in mind the size of Namjikrye and Shandong. That bird has to go back and forth constantly.”

“······You are right.”

He silently acknowledged his mistake. He seemed to be wary of Jeongyeonshin’s power.

Even if he was injured, he believed that he could lead to mutual destruction. In martial arts, he was called Donggwi-ejin (同歸於盡).

‘This guy’s become quite cautious.’

Jeong Yeon-shin looked up at the back of the bird that had flown away and lowered her head.

Hwangbo Myeongrin, who had come to his senses, was glaring at him as if he was going to kill him. On the other hand, Lee Gongja could not raise his head.

They could never get along. But they had to be together.

“Whoever brought the bloodthirsty ones here, we need to join forces. It seems they came to kill even the Yongbongjihoe’s later leaders.”

It was Taeyeonryong.

He looked at both sides and then put the poppy in his mouth.

His eyes, which were chewing on the flower buds, soon stared blankly at Jeongyeonshin.

* * *

Twenty days passed. I shook off the Blood Flame Cult’s pursuit several times.

It was a net that started in the south. There was no way to return to Huizhou.

Rather, it would have been faster to receive protection from the Hwangbo family coming down from Jinan.

The whole group looked like beggars. This was because they had been driven along a mountain path completely separated from the official road.

It was a plain at the end of a very long mountain range. Before I knew it, I was close to Shandong.

‘Now it’s a battle of speed.’

Jeongyeonshin thought. It was also strange to hunt and eat wild animals.

Even when sleeping, one of the three Ma Gwang-iks had to stay up.

That was why it was difficult to completely trust the later indexes, including the Hwangbo siblings.

Enough time has passed. The mission has been successful. Hwangbo Se-ga and Ip-hwang Seong will be running from both sides.

It was a fight between the martial arts clan that ruled Jinan in Shandong and the Ihwangseong clan that ruled the entire Central Plains.

If the battlefield was Shandong, it wouldn’t have been strange whichever side arrived first. If it was a sudden mission, that would have been the case.

‘They’ll come at the same time.’

The Blood Flame Cult said that it was difficult to send spies because of their magic. Hwangbo Se-ga was different. They were the ones who ran away without knowing anything.

If you come north of Namjikrye, you will never be able to avoid the eyes of Iphwangseong.

Ip Hwang Seong had been watching them for a long time. It was an old operation.

There was a high possibility that the armed forces, including Ma Gwang-ik, had already disappeared and were at the rear.

“The family guard said they were coming. It’s over now.”

In the meantime, Hwangbo Myeong-rin had completely regained her confidence. She was even able to speak openly.

Once the escort of Hwangbo Se-ga arrives, the pursuit of the Blood Flame Cult will be meaningless. She commanded the group, leaving Tae-yeon-ryong and Lee Gong-ja in the background.

“It’s them.”

Heonwonchang muttered. The moment he got off, he seemed to see warriors running towards them.

It was a group of people wearing crimson uniforms. There were a little over thirty of them, but the energy coming from them was very strong. I could even feel the military discipline.

“Lina!”

A large, middle-aged man ran in front. It was an amazing feat of lightness.

A restrained gallop closed the distance in an instant.

Jeong Yeon-shin compared herself to when she was healthy. The years she had accumulated were different. She was not confident that she could win easily.

“Uncle Paegeom!”

The free spirit of the martial arts world seemed to be the same in Sega as well.

Hwangbo Myeong-rin hugged the middle-aged man. The hands that were stroking her head while laughing heartily were really thick.

“Thank goodness. I’m really glad. You worked hard. Really.”

On one side, Heonwonchang sent a message to Jeongyeonsin. Paegeom Hwangbojun (皇甫峻).

He was said to be the younger brother of the current Hwangbo Se-ga. He was also said to be one of the best swordsmen in Jinan, Shandong Province.

“But the cow······.”

Paegeom turned his gaze. At the end of his gaze, he saw Taeyeonryong sitting roughly on a rock.

“You dressed your illegitimate son in the heir’s attire. You should know how embarrassing it is. Are you making your direct purebloods suffer like this?”

“Anyway, I’m the successor with only five years left. What does it matter how I live?”

“This guy!”

“You call me your successor without even showing any courtesy.”

Taeyeonryong snickered. Paegeom, who had been staring at him for a while, turned his head.

‘That family isn’t normal either.’

Jeongyeonshin’s gaze met Paegeom’s sharp eyes.

Taeyeonryong said he was an illegitimate child.

If he had valued the lives of his short-lived blood relatives, he would have cut them off from his family and sent them to Iphwangseong.

I already guessed the truth. It seemed like it was used as fuel to raise the family’s reputation and create a good story.

“A plain blue robe, a military uniform, and a young face. It’s you. Your story was told in the narrow space of the book.”

Paegeom smiled at Jeongyeonshin. The murderous intent in his smile came across as authoritative.

“The curse of Chushilmun. Cut off one of your arms and offer it up yourself. I will forgive your rudeness.”

“I had to cut off my head. It was so humiliating.”

Hwangbo Myeong-rin intervened. Paegeom’s smile turned kind. He even nodded.

“Do as you wish.”

It was clearly revealed. Are all the martial arts world like this? It seemed like they should only be viewed as local powerful families, not as the legitimate martial arts world.

“I will grant you the honor of the Shaolin Temple’s Hye-ga. I will let you live until you stop the bleeding and spit out your true identity. Or should we start fighting right away?”

Hwangbo Myeong-rin smiled smoothly and licked her lips.

He said that Hyega Seonsa cut off one of his arms while seeking teachings from Master Dharma. It was pure ridicule.

Taeyeonryong, who was about to intervene and say something, was stopped by the other warriors. Hwangbo Myeongrin urged him on.

“Shall we begin? Is that all your spirit is?”

Jeong Yeon-shin silently touched the Bukmyeong sword. It still felt a little unfamiliar to her.

Swordsmanship, mind method, and wall-cracking. These were the topics that had been on Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind for twenty days.

If the fire bomb was an invincible weapon, then the rise of various sects would have been impossible in the first place.

Not only Iphwangseongju, but also Marjin and even Cheongmyeong were not depicted as being hit by the wall bomb.

‘I think I can deflect it with a soft swordsmanship. Right now.’

It just so happened that my opponent had mastered the sword. I could tell as soon as I felt the prayer.

Hwangbo Myeong-rin, standing behind Paegeom, grumbled.

“You are silent with your mouth that is always turning smoothly. The most prestigious family in the Shandong clan is your home. The Hwangbo family is personally asking if it is okay to start punishing you.”

“That’s it. He’s a scumbag from a sect I’ve never heard of. Don’t waste your energy on someone without any foundation.”

The sword approached briskly. It was completely ignoring the liver. How underestimated it must be.

The scientist looked delighted with a big smile on his face.

The faces of the people watching from behind, including Hwangbo Se and the posthumous index, were expressionless.

“Chu-sil-mun’s questioning. It’s time to start. Are you ready for Sega’s questioning?”

Hwangbo Myeong-rin also seemed to feel pleasure. She even smiled playfully.

Jeongyeonshin didn’t answer. He was just about to take out his newly acquired sword. Paegeom’s steps suddenly stopped.

Phew! Boom!

Someone landed behind Jeongyeonshin. There was a huge vibration.

It seemed as if I had leapt from the hill behind me. The feeling of the ground shaking was incomparable to that of a wall bomb.

I knew it without looking back. The waves of energy sprouting up so wildly were very familiar.

“lender!”

It was Shin So-bin’s cry. He was Jeong Yeon-shin’s maternal uncle. Ma Gwang-ik-ju’s margin had come down.

Boom! Boom!

Two similarly sized blasts struck down like meteors, seemingly on either side of the margin.

A thick cloud of dust rose up and came closer.

It was a prayer that had an air that resembled the lonely sky and a gloomy yet serious feeling. This too was not unfamiliar.

The great lords of Changcheon-dae and Myeolseom-dae. The great lord of Changcheon-dae gave the Yeongdan to Jeongyeon-shin when he was initiated, and the great lord of Myeolseom-dae presided over the examination for the blue promotion.

There were also those who always ate and slept together after initiation.

Hwaaaaak!

The backlash from the lightness caused by the blue-skinned masters of Ma Gwang-ik swept across the area. There were about twenty of them.

I felt them standing behind the great leaders with great nerves. It wasn’t the end.

As soon as the clusters of similar size descended, they spread out to the left and right. Ma Gwang-ik and Gi-pa were on equal footing.

It would be the Iphwangseong Changcheondae and Myeolseomdae.

They were the seventeen great swordsmen who supported the people of the world. It was said that when two or more of them gathered together, they were invincible.

“Island!”

WHEEK!

Along with the shout of “Cheongmyeong,” a long object rushed towards the back of my head.

Jeongyeon Shin, who had only slightly twisted her body, caught it in an instant. The cool sensation on her palm was different.

It was the Iphwang sword. I immediately put it on my waist along with the Bukmyeong sword.

Then another one flew in. The white elixir caught in Jeongyeonshin’s hand gave off a fragrant scent.

It seemed as if Qingming had seen through his inner thoughts. It was the Mingjeongdan of Shaolin Temple.

That’s it. The island has been supplied with supplies.

thud!

The new sword of the Iphwangseong clan.

Jeongyeonshin was thrilled by the feast of energy that rose like wildfire.

Is there a force more powerful than this in the world?

At that moment, he felt as if an invisible force was supporting his right hand as he drew his sword.

At the same time, Heonwonchang approached. His steps were light and seemed like he was flying.

He grabbed the piece of cloth covering Jeongyeonshin’s shoulder with one hand and tore it down.

Taaak!

The character for rough (荒) was revealed. It was a golden lettering that meant the immediate disciple of the first emperor.

Someone I don’t know swallowed a sigh.

“The Sword of Disobedience, Hwang Bo-jun.”

Jeong Yeon-shin opened her mouth calmly.

As I slowly rolled the tablet in my left hand with my fingers, a stillness that seemed as if time had frozen had settled over the plain.

“You can start.”

He said, putting down his sword.