Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time Chapter 539

◈ Gangho People’s Book (5)

* * *

General Hyeokryeon Mujeong, a distinguished guest from Mt. Wudang who had come to deliver the imperial edict, expected that the new sword master, Deputy Leader Shingum Danju, would be in the Mt. Wudang faction.

It was a natural thing.

At present, Jeongga Seomye is the most important figure in the martial arts world. Everyone in the imperial court and everywhere that deals with intelligence is focused on her.

It was said that even the Empress Dowager, who had withdrawn from state affairs, as well as the Dongchang and Geumuiwi, had built a small tower with documents about the Jeongga Island.

An experience that is a symbol of troubled times.

The inaction that changes as if riding the rapid current of time.

A martial art that is constantly being called out like the 72 seasons of Shaolin.

Relationships and favors with people around you, as well as seemingly insignificant things like washing habits and extremely trivial words and actions.

Even though many government offices are losing their roles, the investigation does not stop. The eyes of the imperial family closely watch those who move the world. That is why the Ming Dynasty was an empire.

‘Of course I knew what he was doing…!’

I just needed time to calm my mind and body before facing Jeongyeonshin.

Even if the sorcerers of the Windstorm and Rain had foreseen the coming storm, it was another matter for the storm to suddenly engulf one’s entire body.

Anyone would feel dizzy.

Just like right now.

“A child so young is being drafted? Is the military crazy?”

A calm voice. A young man with purple hair and a peerless appearance displays outrageous words and actions. His facial features that make one feel confused are colorless.

His words and actions made me feel cold. The martial arts competition that was supposed to be held against the world’s best was reduced to a small-scale recruitment event, but such words and actions were truly natural.

They say it’s the military.

It should be taken as a story aimed at the royal family.

His words and actions, which naturally avoided any possible trouble, reminded me of the Shingeomdanju of that time. It was as if he had been forced to learn the art of living from Yong Hee-myeong, who was on the other side of the door.

‘He was said to have conduct close to that of a child, and a personality befitting his age… … .’

But Hyukryunmujeong couldn’t help but fall after hearing those words.

It was because of the waves that poured in from all directions, as silent as sunlight. It felt like they were blocking all the sensations of skin without any gaps.

I felt like I had lost my senses, even though my eyes were clearly open. Even with my naked eyes, I had a hard time keeping my eyes focused.

“Ugh.”

Woof-

A hazy golden light flashed across Hyukryunmujeong’s eyes. In an instant, she dug into all the functions mixed with this pressure.

The Beijing imperial family was already confident that they knew everything about Zheng Yanxin.

‘The wheel of law, the sword of the Lord of the Heavenly Realm, the Kirin of the Heart…’

And one more thing.

There is something outside of information. A skill that flexibly encompasses all of these. It must have been created in Mt. Mudang. Jeongga Seomye was that kind of person.

‘But, is this it…?’

Even though it was a short moment, the pressure gradually grew stronger. Regardless of the odds of winning, he might have finally drawn his sword. If the shaman Jang Moon-in hadn’t suddenly appeared at that moment and touched Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder.

“Pay attention to your breathing. At first glance, it seems like you’ve taken my madness, but isn’t it too early for you to be suffering from old age?”

Swish.

The old man’s wrinkled hand stroked the hem of his purple robe. It was surprisingly friendly, but that gesture alone made all the momentum disappear.

“… … !”

It is a fearful sight. The waves of energy from the peerless master are likened to the scorching sun of a drought.

It was the same regardless of the expression on the face of the new sword master.

For some reason, there was a slight look of shame on Jeong Yeon-shin’s face when she heard the word ‘old man’, but it was something that Hyukryun Moo-jeong had a hard time understanding.

She took a deep breath, making no sound.

‘Even under the rule of the elders, there are people like this… … .’

They are the ones who are known to be the best swordsmen in the vast world. The rumors about the Five Swords seem to be true.

It would have been difficult to properly assess it without the Sungrye Samjunggung (崇禮三重躬), who was famous as one of the three great royal guards.

“I am General Chohosang, Hyukryunmujeong. Although I am a general, I am not a military officer, but a person directly under the imperial family. It seems that there is a misunderstanding with your Majesty.”

She spoke carefully. Jeongyeonshin’s answer came right back.

“Please speak.”

His urging was low and simple, but still had the distant air of a mighty warrior.

‘How deep the spirituality was…’

Anyone in the royal family should not be on good terms with him for long. Among the three royal families of Sungnye, the only person who could be on good terms with him would be someone like Yangcheon-gong (敭泉公), the direct disciple of Emperor Geonreung.

Hyukryunmujeong hurriedly told his story as he was about to leave.

“If you are angry because of Jongnam’s disciple Jeong Hye, you should know this first. No one wanted to let that child participate in the non-competition. Rather, they were very reluctant. It is the same for any authority.”

“… … ?”

Jeongyeonshin makes a puzzled expression.

But there was no sign of questioning on his face. He immediately knew that it wasn’t a lie. As if he was a noble family. As stated in many documents, his upper body was honed to the limit.

“Well then, let’s put that aside.”

The eyes of the new sword master’s deputy brushed past Magwangikju. For a moment, he seemed to have heard some kind of transmission. The words that followed were the same.

“The true nature of the Yeoui Heavenly Pearl and the Heavenly Dragon Pearl were sent to Beijing? What does this mean?”

Jeong Yeon-shin’s voice became even more subdued. Hyeokryun Moo-jeong glared at Cheongmyeong, but the current Ma Gwang-ik-ju just looked around suspiciously.

It was a complicated situation.

He came to strongly urge the shaman Jang Moon-in to go to the island, and happened to run into the head of the Shingumdanju who was with ‘Bukdo’. Since he was in a position to follow the imperial order, he wanted to finish his original mission first.

After that, I was planning to gradually unravel all the circumstances and plan to capture Bukdo through the actions of the Mudangpa and the Shingumdanju.

‘fu*k.’

Even now, Ma Gwang-ik-ju Cheongmyeong, who is sitting on a tree branch without breaking a single pine needle, has messed up many things.

As expected, the major lords under the Shingumdan are all troublemakers. Like the Heavenly Lord Bukgung-ah and the Heavenly Lord Wijigeuk.

“Didn’t the Northern Province ask Jeong Gong to go and cut off the head of the person who committed suicide? The person at the bottom of that hill right now is a dangerous person whom Dongchang is keeping an eye on with all his might. Considering the severity of the situation, let’s first discuss the important matter of a country that surpasses even the martial arts world…”

“The world is a mess.”

Cheongmyeong’s clear voice continued.

“Beijing and Shaanxi. Unfortunately, our Lord Jeong is not skilled in the Yuan Ying Shen. Unlike the northern masters.”

For a moment, Hyukryunmujeong’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Shut up, Ma Gwang-ik-ju. Jeong Gong, you can’t go to Beijing anyway. Even if you are the Lord of the Shingumdan, you can’t interfere with an imperial event that involves treason.”

She spoke quickly, cutting off Cheongmyeong’s words.

“If you don’t want to shoulder unnecessary burdens, it’s best not to go to Shanxi, Henan, or Shandong, which are right below Beijing. Don’t worry. After all, in these times, you can’t afford to diminish the power of the Black Emperor. It’s just something that happened temporarily in the process of consolidating the new imperial power. Of course, in reality, the two major lords prioritized the lives of the common people over the imperial mandate in the northern powerhouses. Things are complicated.”

“Why is the military draft competition held in Shaanxi and not Beijing?”

Jeong Yeon-shin, who had been listening silently, suddenly asked. The answer came out of Cheong-myeong’s mouth.

“There are several speculations. Even if it was an imperial edict, Beijing was right in front of the demon tribes, so the first one is, ‘The martial arts lords who were busy making a living wouldn’t go that far, so they opened it in Shaanxi.’”

“… … .”

“There’s also the second. Holding such an event in the land where the blood relatives of the new sword masters are? Since Hye-ah is here, Jeong Gong will naturally attend, and at the same time, countless swordsmen from the martial arts world will also come. To see the world’s most famous Cheonha Ogeom.”

In this way, the royal family gains two benefits.

The goal is to fully capture the leader of the most powerful group in the martial arts world and maximize the effectiveness of the martial arts conscription competition.

Naturally, any actions that could harm Jeong-hye would be blocked from the start.

There was silence for a moment.

Saaaaa―

In the gentle, white breeze unique to the foot of Mt. Mudangsan, several people remained silent.

Now, the roles have been completely reversed: the silent Jang Moon-dae, the leader of the shaman faction; Hyeon Gong-jin, who has been staring at Jeong Yeon-shin with an unreadable expression the whole time; and the giant in the hat leisurely stroking the mane of his war horse at the bottom of the hill.

‘That northern rebel will definitely follow Jeong Gong. He is that kind of person.’

Hyukryunmujeong now completely shut his mouth. And he looked at Cheongmyeong carefully.

The messenger of the island’s untamed spirit.

At the same time, he is the person who most closely assists Jeong Yeon-shin along with the Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guard.

‘If we treat the Shingeomdan as our enemy…’

He must be killed first. If Hyukryunmujeong had been a person from the northern martial arts world, he would have actually done so.

“… … .”

Our eyes met for a moment.

“why?”

Cheongmyeong smiled with a cool look in his eyes. Hyukryunmujeong immediately turned his head. Now, the sword handle was in Jeongyeonshin’s hand.

Where to go.

If I had to risk the stigma of treason, then of course it would be Beijing. But there would be things I would lose.

Shaanxi is safe. You can plan for your nephew’s well-being and advancement. You may also meet powerful people from all over the world, including the new emperor.

If you do that, the word ‘agent’ may be removed from your title in the near future.

The difference was huge.

That was when.

“Your Majesty! No, Your Majesty! Your Majesty!”

The mist and fog of the quiet Wudangsan Mountain were dispersed by the shouts of a girl. It was a master who was energetically waving the hem of her blue robe with the rough character of the prince engraved on it, and it was in Hyeokryunmujeong’s mind.

‘The true successor of the Seomyeo Mu-maek…!’

Paralock!

Behind the blue girl, a dozen or so blue sleeves spread out like wings. It was the moment when the new sword master was replenishing his hands and feet.

* * *

It has been six days since General Choho Sangjanggun Hyukryunmujeong arrived at Mt. Mudang.

In the dark space, only one person was bright. The sunlight streaming in through the window frame poured down only on him.

“… … .”

The man was sitting on a very luxurious chair. A golden throne entwined with the body of a small dragon. It was a chair that only one person in the whole world was allowed to have.

The man was also wearing a dragon robe with a sun and moon design on both shoulders very naturally, as he lay down on the back of the throne.

Emperor Longzhen Zhu Youji.

A look of weariness appeared beneath his dark eyebrows that stretched out like a sculpture. At the same time, he slowly opened his mouth.

“Myungyeo.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

It rang out immediately in the darkness. It was the thin voice typical of a eunuch, but it had the strength characteristic of someone who had experienced all sorts of ups and downs.

“Have all the places where the martial artists will stay been built?

“Yes, the iron craftsmen kept to the time you commanded.”

“You tried hard too.”

“It is a difficult thing to say. It is all Your Majesty’s surname.”

“One person underground, ten thousand people above ground.”

The voice of Emperor Yongzheng, the son of Emperor Geonling, continued softly.

“Except for the Grand Master, Ip Hwang Seong Ju, the next most powerful person after me would be Jeong Ga Seomye. The Ip Hwang Seong Divine Sword Unit is such a powerful force.”

“That’s right.”

“The ministers gathered in Shaanxi right now must be out of their minds. Should they look good to me or wait for the next new sword master?”

“I dare say that the truth is not so.”

“Is that so?”

“Not only the ministers, but also the wild men of the martial arts world known as Gangho Myeongsuk have become extremely narrow-minded. Most of them are in a state of seclusion in their quarters. In particular, no one dares venture into the hall assigned to the Jongnam faction.”

“Is the shadow of the island really that big?”

“He is famous for natural disasters that appear out of nowhere and devastate nearby areas. No matter how fast the rumors spread, it is difficult to fill the entire world, but now the people in the upper echelons of the martial arts world are constantly aware of the existence of the new sword master.”

At those words, Emperor Yongjeong laughed softly.

“If you are so fiery, you might even be angry at me for imprisoning my people. Or disrespecting my authority.”

The latter was a story about the three great royal guards known as Sungrye Samjunggung.

Those who ignored the imperial edict with plausible excuses and were still wandering around the northern regions. Naturally, at this moment, Myungyeo’s voice became urgent.

“That is nonsense. Jeongga Seomye is a man who knows manners and laws, even if he is violent. He would never go to Beijing at a time like this. All the civil and military officials and the wild people of the world are of the same mind. I believe that you will be able to wash your eyes with his jade face that will soon arrive in Shaanxi.”

“Is that so?”

It was a strange question.

There was a sense of ridicule even though he wasn’t smiling. In some ways, there was a hint of regret.

The figure of Myeong-yeo, who had not guessed the Emperor’s true intentions, swayed uneasily in the darkness.

“You’ve had enough rest. Let’s start again.”

The Emperor Yongzheng said.

In addition to the Mingyeo, there were also orders given to the subjects who were in the dark. The emperors of that time wanted to know everything that was happening in the world. They were truly obsessed with information.

The most polite voices rang out.

“The new sword master gave himself a solo mission and advanced north.”

“Jeongga Island, Jangseong has arrived.”

“This is a petition from General Choho Sang-Jang, Hyeokryun Mujeong. He says he has insufficient hands and feet… … .”