Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time Chapter 74

Mark (2)

I was ignored by a very young boy. A woman who said “you” on her first meeting.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought. There’s no way a noble lady from a prestigious family with great military achievements could tolerate this.

“I am that child’s mother. My name is Ju Yeon-jeong.”

She smiled gently once. The sudden change in her expression was somewhat shocking.

‘Mr. Joo?’

Because of the dignity, a strange assumption came to mind. Jeong Yeon-shin asked right away.

“Are you a member of the royal family?”

“That’s right.”

Even after hearing the answer, it was difficult to understand. Masain’s father was also a collateral.

Any man outstanding enough to marry into the royal family would already be famous.

I couldn’t even guess what kind of twists and turns there would be.

“It seems confusing. Few people in the world know my origins. Understand.”

Her hair was tied up with a jade ornament. The round ears of the Han people were distinct. This meant that she was of royal blood from a distant collateral line.

Emperor Taejo was the last emperor to take concubines. It is said that he had more than forty concubines.

The direct descendants were different. They did not take concubines or second wives.

He said that he would only take one noble woman as his companion.

Rather, numerous descendants who have no connection to the imperial power are free to take wives and concubines.

Joo Yeon-jeong also seemed to be the daughter of such a person.

“Meet Madam Zhou.”

He took an example, but did not prostrate himself. He was called an outsider. Even if he had received a small amount of Taejo’s blood, it was the same.

Now, he is no longer a person from the Ming Imperial Palace. If he had come from Beijing and married me, he would already be a person from the Ihwangma family.

It meant a person of martial arts.

“What a reckless guy.”

Joo Yeon-jeong’s lips curled up.

Jeongyeon Shin calmly raised her head. Her reaction was unexpected.

I thought you were a person who was desperate to protect your son’s right to succeed him, because you were talking like that. Is it different from what I thought?

The surrounding families also did not act rashly or rashly. They just silently watched Jeongyeonshin with their eyes.

“Sit comfortably. This seat is for you.”

“······If you do that, I would be grateful.”

I bowed briefly and sat down at the banquet table. Masain followed me quietly and sat next to my mother.

The musicians came in. Because the hall was spacious, they began playing from a distance.

An old-fashioned melody spread softly. It felt like it was filling the space.

“I wanted to test your tolerance.”

Joo Yeon-jeong opened her mouth.

“It’s been twenty years since I left Beijing, and it’s been like this. There are still times when the authority that has become ingrained in my behavior hurts the feelings of many people, so I hope you will be lenient and understand.”

“······.”

The speech was groundbreaking. Jeong Yeon-shin was silent for a moment.

‘what?’

It was very different from what I had imagined. What was the intention?

Amidst the gentle melody of the plucked strings of gold and the resonance of the flute, those seated at the banquet table fell into silence for a moment.

It was just the sound. The world of experts was different.

Jeongyeonshin felt the threads of her inner power constantly sweeping over her.

It was so secretive that it was barely detectable because it had a sense of aura that was above the level of martial arts. I didn’t bother to show it.

“I wonder what your business is.”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked openly.

They hid their intentions from each other. However, it was a regrettable place for the one who invited them. There was no reason to bow and go in.

A smile appeared on Joo Yeon-jeong’s lips.

“I’ve been used to talking indirectly since I was born, so I always feel unfamiliar with the way Muin speaks. Many people have praised you. They say you’re the pillar of Ip Hwang Seong… It’s just as I heard. They say that Ma Gwang Ik’s island spirit is very brave.”

“······.”

“I heard that your martial arts are quite excellent. There may be no one your age who can compare to you. I am curious about many things. Your martial arts are not that great, so how did you acquire such martial arts? And······”

She smiled as she reached for the white jade bottle.

“When performing the ceremony. What is my intention in refusing the position of successor to my family?”

Jeong Yeon-shin got a lot of information from Joo Yeon-jeong’s few words. She confirmed two things at this meeting.

The first one was, of course, Muhak. He said that many people were curious about the origin of Seomye’s martial arts.

I knew it. That must be why he was the youngest person to reach the Blue Rank in the shortest period of time.

Jeong Yeon-shin had already demonstrated his martial arts skills in front of the audience several times, but none of them were from the Iphwangma family.

It was like that even before he received martial arts training from Iphwangseongju.

The story of the recent mission also seemed to add to the question. It was because of the appearance of the Lord of the Imperial Palace upon his return.

‘Why did you bring your true nature with you······.’

Because my gratitude was so great, I found it hard to complain on the inside.

And the second one. This will be the main point.

“You asked me.”

Jeong Yeon-shin opened her mouth calmly.

“I know you already said that day. Your true intentions are in the martial arts world and your true nature, so you don’t want to be tied down to your maternal family, which is a prestigious family. If you’re Masa, you’ll be a great head of the household.”

“You have a very generous personality.”

Joo Yeon-jeong covered her mouth and laughed. She looked lonely.

Jeongyeonshin stared blankly at her. She was the one who called Iphwangmaga her home.

A distant royal family member settles down in Maga and acts as the hostess.

On the contrary, it is good. Then there is no reason to make enemies.

It was enough to draw a line. Jeong Yeon-shin opened her lips as if she hadn’t finished speaking.

“So, I hope we don’t get involved in the future. What I want is a break. That will help us avoid unnecessary conflict.”

“······.”

There was a moment of slight silence. The smile disappeared from Joo Yeon-jeong’s face, which had been laughing silently. Masain’s expression also stiffened.

In the banquet hall where everyone was silent, only the soft sounds of musical instruments flowed. The reaction was strange.

‘Shouldn’t it be them who should be demanding it?’

Jeongyeonshin thought. She continued speaking without paying attention to the atmosphere.

“Isn’t this a family that has already cut ties with my biological mother? Please answer. Before you open your mouth publicly and tarnish the reputation of the Maga.”

I intentionally spoke too much. But Joo Yeon-jeong’s face still had a look of doubt.

“···How can that be? Do you think that the martial arts you learned from the lord will guarantee your power? You are wrong. Iphwangseong is not that kind of place.”

“I will live completely as a Ma Gwang-ik, so I just hope that the name Ip Hwang Maga is not added to the nickname Seomyeran. Wouldn’t that make Madam happy?”

“······You talk about difficult things so calmly.”

Joo Yeon-jeong spoke slowly.

“How is that so?”

“You have already stepped into the political strife of your family. It was bound to happen the moment you stood out with the blood of the Maga. Those who say you should be the successor, those who claim that you should be the sword that will elevate the reputation of your family, we who do not want you······”

She smiled faintly.

“Either way, it is. The moment you and your family break off a relationship, there will be a big storm of responsibility. If you don’t want to face a backlash, you have no choice but to do whatever it takes.”

“That’s funny.”

“Aren’t you the direct disciple of the Holy Lord? My child. Your existence is already so great. Even if you alone speak of the isolation, your family will cling to the hem of your clothes.”

“It’s hard to stay in place.”

Jeongyeonshin stood up. No one shouted at her as she rudely turned around.

If we are discussing inaction in the realm of politics, they were clearly experts.

The musicians’ unchanging performance saw him off.

* * *

Seven days and nights passed.

He concentrated on his meditation in the Magwangik Hall. During that time, the faces of Joo Yeon-jeong and the elders of Maga filled Jeong Yeon-sin’s mind.

Their hearts were not shallow. They had come to pick a fight of a nature they had never experienced before.

Those in power were doing everything they could to get themselves involved. It was a big problem.

‘What should I do······.’

I lay in bed lost in thought. Originally, I wanted to pick a fight and become an unbearable enemy.

I thought it would be enough if I could experience the martial arts of a prestigious family in the process.

Not now.

Their experience far surpassed that of Jeong Yeon-shin. They were ready to take on any challenge.

A completely different kind of conflict.

Those in power are making a fuss. If this is the case, then Jeong Yeon-shin’s concerns are correct.

The time you will spend getting involved in the future will be much greater than the support you will receive by accepting the Ip Hwang Ma Ga.

I briefly considered revealing my constitution and life expectancy to my maternal grandfather.

‘I absolutely can’t believe it.’

I folded it up in my head right away.

He grew up as a child who was not in a proper family. His maternal family did not lend a helping hand. That was the time he grew up.

After entering the world of martial arts, I saw the behavior of the Hwangbo family.

He was a self-proclaimed pillar of the martial arts world and was acting like he was using force for personal gain.

What about Namgung Se-ga, who was known as the best family in the world? He plotted a murder on Jeong Yeon-shin, who helped him.

There is also this. In the Blood Flame Cult, I saw the bottom of humanity. It was just an abyss.

······Distrust. Only distrust remains.

‘Are you aiming for the Iphwangseong Wonrowonju?’

His maternal grandfather was a power-hungry man. He cut ties with his daughter but still wanted to treat his son as his grandson.

I did it because I saw its usefulness. I didn’t know how to shake Jeongyeonshin’s weakness.

‘Should I go see the lord? Or is it okay to go into debt? I need to accumulate merits.’

The sixteen-year-old boy, Go Soo, was in agony.

Swish.

I dug into the duvet. Even the now dim sunset was dazzling.

Ma Gwang-ik’s room was his sanctuary. He could let go of his unmanned spirit without worrying about being watched.

You don’t have to try so hard to ignore the limited time in life.

I slowly curled up into a crouch, just like I always did.

I felt the orange tip of the sunlight in a daze. How much time had passed like that?

“Jeong So-hyeop! Jeong So-hyeop!”

A familiar voice stimulated my consciousness. It was Heonwonchang’s voice.

A loud wave of energy surged toward the Magwangik Hall. The presence of many seniors was also felt.

Those who first saw off Seongju and Jeongyeonsin have returned.

Knock knock.

Three people came in right away. They were Heonwonchang, Cheongmyeong, and Baek Miryeo. Jeong Yeonshin, who had already gotten up, smiled faintly.

His comrades had come all the way to the headquarters of the Blood Flame Cult to rescue him. He was greeted with gratitude.

“What’s going on?”

Heonwonchang, who had been staring at him blankly, suddenly asked.

Jeongyeonshin slowly opened her lips.

What was the wind? I thought that if it was a life that even these people couldn’t trust, then there was no need to be obsessed with fruit.

It was okay even without the glasses. The quiet atmosphere of the sunset replaced the scent of the wine and the side dishes.

It was the moment when Jeong Yeon-shin said a few words.

Cheongmyeong and Baekmirye raised a large internal energy barrier. It was a breathtaking barrier. No sound could escape.

Jeong Yeon-shin said.

I told him my family history, confessed my constitution, and spent the remaining time talking about the Iphwangma.

“······.”

A calm silence like the sunset continued. Before long, the expressions on Cheongmyeong and Baekmirye’s faces had disappeared.

Heonwonchang shed tears silently.

Iphwangdaehyeop sniffled once and said.

“······Well, let’s go find Maga first. I have an idea.”

“yes?”

“Listen.”

After saying that, he whispered for quite a while. Even though the two blue-haired masters were still strong,

It looked like he was plotting something evil.

When I heard it, it really was like that.

“Let’s go!”

Heonwonchang, wiping his tears away with his white sleeve, stood up. The other three also stood up.

At the same time, Cheongmyeong tapped Jeongyeonsin on the shoulder, and Baek Miryeo hugged her from behind.

I knew it without needing to say more. It was the concern of comrades who had shared their lives, and the understanding of the masters who had taken up arms.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who shook her head awkwardly, followed Heon Won-chang. For a moment, she really felt like the youngest.

The four men arrived straight at the residence of the Emperor. Two gatekeepers came out.

“Please state your identity and purpose.”

“No. There is a small island association here. You may open it.”

Heonwonchang ignored the gatekeepers and shouted loudly.

“Yeonjeong-ah─!”

Even my inner strength was infused. My tremendous voice shook the thick night air.

It was said that there were few people outside of the country who knew Joo Yeon-jeong’s origins.

There must have been some secret reason. However, it was not something that the experts, such as Ma Gwang-ik, would consider.

“After all, he is under the lord’s authority. Even the crown prince is struggling, so what about a collateral royal family member who has left home······.”

Cheongmyeong smiled brightly and kicked the floor. It was already well known that Cheonganmagyeom was a pure-blooded noble family.

“What the heck!”

“Do you know who is calling you now?”

The gatekeepers came running with bewildered faces. Heonwonchang displayed his divine power without a sound.

He kept shouting the name Yeonjeong while shaking off their hands. An unexpected action unfolded in the middle of the night.

Jeongyeon Shin, who had slightly twisted her body, turned her head as if she was not with the group.