Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time Chapter 85

Battle for the throne (4)

Immediately after starting a strange bet with the Seven Sado.

I wanted to get to my destination as quickly as possible.

Jeong Yeon-shin rode her fine horse with Namgung Hwa-shin in silence. They did so for a long time.

All that could be heard was the sound of horse hooves and the rush of wind hitting my face.

“······Jeong So-hyeop. You don’t look like you have any appetite.”

“Namgung Sohyeop seems to be like that too.”

Even when I gave the horse a break every once in a while and ate the jerky, I felt tense. I was always on edge.

Every time I looked back, I saw Chilsado smiling from afar. Her beautiful smile was eerie.

The sense of the blue-skinned man with the yellow tinge was sensitive. Both were the same.

However, it was not to the extent of treating the master who was three hundred meters away laxly.

In the evening, we took turns standing guard.

On a cloudy night, Jeongyeonshin pulled out the Iphwanggeom.

It was a quiet, late night.

The stars in the sky above were covered in darkness, and the moon was covered in translucent gray clouds all the way to its head.

Only the dreamy moonlight was faintly falling. The open space between the bushes was quiet.

The boy thought of Qingming.

Swish.

Jeongyeonshin’s body shook briefly along with the moonlight spreading across the clouds.

A small breeze blew at the tip of my feet as I stepped lightly. The next moment, a silent dash began.

It ran silently, as if permeating the night air.

‘You’re sleeping.’

I found it. It was Chil Sado. He had taken off his wide red pureblood robe and was covering his shoulders.

He was sleeping curled up on a thick tree branch.

Jeongyeonshin’s eyes sank. Even if she tried to pretend to buy something clumsily, she would notice right away.

I took the plunge without hesitation. Once was enough.

The energy that silently exploded from the Yongcheon point on the sole of the foot created a violent wave.

After the surging movements, a whirlwind arose.

Hwaaaaak!

It was a moment. He rose to the eye level of Chilsado. His long breath could be felt up to his cheek.

At that moment, our eyes met. The top and bottom of the slightly opened red eyes were covered by a small smile.

It was as expected. He struck down the sword with his right hand and raised the energy of his left arm.

The fourth recommended method, which didn’t even have a name, was to use the Mara Hong Blood Attack and the Mysterious Demon River Water at the same time.

I felt like I was gradually getting used to the forced aerodynamic development. If I could just get a little enlightenment, I felt like I could properly get started.

Swish!

Chilsado’s foot flew in. Even though he was lying on his side and kicking upward, it was surprisingly fast.

The right foot, which stretched out as if crushing the air, pushed away the swordsman.

The cold blade of the Ip Hwang Geum that had been cutting her neck slipped out of Jeong Yeon Shin’s arms.

Suaaa─!

Without hesitation, he extended his left hand. It was a loaded weapon like a firearm. Without hesitation, he pushed it into the face of the Seven Sado and blew it up.

Boom!

The tree shattered with a crash. The force of the impact was so strong that it sent a shiver down my shoulder blade.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s body was in midair. As soon as the long method was activated, it bounced like a leaf hit by a typhoon. That

He returned the sword as he came down gently. With a blurry trajectory, the Ip-Hwang-Geom was put into the scabbard.

“The diet is becoming more organized day by day. Amazing, our Taesa.”

A sleepy, drowsy voice was heard from above. It was the voice of the Seven Sado. He had even avoided the long method.

Jeongyeonshin slowly opened her lips.

“···The true energy that stretches out as if rising from the central hole stays in the middle hole or the stormy spirit.”

He recited the fifth and sixth verses of the Mara Hong Bloody Clan. It was something he had to say.

He just turned around.

The unwritten rule of the pact between Chil-sado and Jeong-yeon-shin was to only eat one meal at a time.

In the world of masters, a surprise attack is all about the first second. Anyone who allows a second exit is not a master.

‘The quick sword combo was useful. It was good for covering up the weakness of the long sword technique.’

Jeongyeonshin glanced back as she reviewed her steps.

Suddenly, Chilsado was leaning against another tree branch and waving his hand.

He looked relaxed, lying on his side with his head propped up on one arm.

She smiled brightly, slightly pushing back her flowing hair.

“You have to come back soon.”

“······.”

He turned his head away without answering.

From a distance, Namgung Hwasin was standing on top of a tree with his arms crossed.

The sight of him silently looking out under the dim moonlight is like a painting.

He was wary of the possibility that the Seven Sages would break their promise and leave. He planned to join forces if necessary.

chin!

Namgung Hwasin, who had come down with a vengeful spirit, opened his mouth.

“Certainly, the craftsmanship is becoming more sophisticated. It feels like I’m witnessing the process of creating a new skill.”

“The new power is······”

Jeong Yeon-shin, whose voice trailed off due to slight awkwardness, shook her head slightly.

“I don’t know if I can finish it in the remaining fourteen seconds.”

“He is a master who can stand up to the darkness of nature. He exchanges blows every day without regard for life or death, so no matter what the outcome, the small group will gain a lot.”

“I am grateful that you have always looked after me. You have been caught up in my favor.”

“That’s an exaggeration. I’m having an eye-opening experience.”

Namgung Hwasin smiled with a kind face. Sweat was visible on the palms of his hands where he had crossed his arms before.

While watching the Seven Sado’s response, he was working on his swordsmanship. They had built a bond that was no less than that of Ma Gwang-ik over the past few days.

Jeong Yeon-shin bowed slightly as usual. The faith that Baek Gi-rin Namgung Hwa-shin showed was great. It was not like the Namgung Se-ga that he had experienced.

“So-hyeop’s face doesn’t look like it usually does. Speak frankly. If you’re not careful, you might end up dying at the hands of Chil-sado.”

Namgung Hwasin said with a smile.

Jeongyeon Shin nodded and opened her lips.

“You said it would be good to spend a day at Mu-chang during the day. I wonder who the sister you were talking about is. Namgung Mi, the owner of Changnyeonghwa.”

“ah······.”

Namgung Hwasin let out a small sigh and smiled bitterly.

“Actually, it’s nothing. The problem was that my mother was a widow raised by her family.”

The damp wind unique to the summer forest blew across my skin as if it was brushing against my step.

The moon, slowly peeking out from above the clouds slowly clearing overhead, seemed to be mocking me.

“watering······?”

While slowly heading towards the campsite, Jeong Yeon-shin asked absentmindedly and then closed her mouth.

“You heard correctly. There are many sects that claim to walk the path of righteousness, but it is realistically difficult for a group that wields power to have chivalry. How could a force that embraces all of these things, wealth, interests, land, and force, pursue chivalry? The facade of a political party is nothing more than a way to protect interests. Behind the scenes, they hold an invisible sword.”

Namgung Hwasin continued speaking with a calm expression.

“It’s a place called Geomya (劍夜), and they take on the work that the famous main family’s Changgunggeomcheondan finds difficult to do. They carry out things like assassinations and kidnappings. My mother was an assassin at Geomya, and one day she caught the head of the household’s eye.”

“······.”

“That’s how I was born. I had good qualities. The head of the household wanted to make this illegitimate child the leader of the Sword Demons. I wasn’t abandoned like other illegitimate children, that is, half-siblings. He even gave me an elixir, but because of that, I earned the hatred of my direct sister. She said that she lacked the internal energy to take it herself.”

“Are you talking about Changnyeonghwaju, your opponent this time?”

“That’s right. The swords and servants of the Namgung Hojok are direct descendants of the Geumya clan. They humiliated my mother in every way in front of me. My mother didn’t even seem to think about it. She was born to live.”

“······.”

“I heard the news of my mother’s death during the Mid-Autumn Festival the year before last. During the mission, her body was not even returned. It was a common occurrence in Geomya, but it wasn’t like that for me. I went to carry out an absurd mission to assassinate the direct blood relatives of the Thirteen Heavenly Lords… It turned out to be the work of the Changryeonghwaju who frequently visited the Changgungjeon of the Sogaju. I heard that he secretly stamped the seal of the acting head of the household.”

“Document forgery? Isn’t that something that even a third-rate defense company wouldn’t do?”

“The family was turned upside down. It was more because of the private use of the family’s sword than the death of several of the swordsmen of the swordsmanship. The master of the Changnyeong clan was given the punishment of 100 days of closed-door training. It was a severe punishment for a direct descendant who could do anything, but he went away laughing as if he found the punishment amusing.”

“······.”

“That’s how I left the family and entered the main clan. The process of escape was difficult. I couldn’t even dream of revenge. It was because I was weak and incompetent. The discipline method of the Geomya, which subordinates the collateral line to the direct line, touches the realm of sorcery. Like the blood demons of the Blood Flame Sect, I can’t even bring myself to point a sword at my master. Look at this.”

Namgung Hwasin raised his hand. It was shaking violently.

“I just imagined cutting off my sister’s neck.”

The life that had been endured during the oppressed times was revealed as hydrocephalus.

Even his lower lip was twitching pitifully, and the spirit of the later index that would make anyone nod in agreement was nowhere to be found.

However, the way he candidly talked about the past was quite impressive.

I put into words what I had to overcome. That was enough.

Jeongyeonshin didn’t say anything.

He does not know such pain. He has been like that since birth. Wasn’t he born in a village where superstitions were rampant, killed his mother, and was hated?

That’s why I knew loneliness. Jeong Yeon-shin sympathized with silence.

Was that enough? Namgung Hwasin smiled faintly with a grateful look on his face and leaned against the tree.

They had just arrived at the campsite. The eyes of two steeds tied together swept over them along with the campfire.

“Rest first.”

“then.”

There was a calm exchange of words.

Namgung Hwasin volunteered to be the first night watchman. Jeong Yeonsin did not refuse and lay down on the floor.

I closed my eyes, using the bag as a pillow and the blanket as a blanket.

“······.”

The bonfire crackled and burned. A pungent smell rose along with the crackling sound of the flames. It seemed to be because the firewood was damp.

‘I should have just stopped it with Samadhi Evolution.’

Jeongyeonshin fell asleep with a very small regret.

The groaning of horses that often fall asleep late, the gaze of the Seven Sado’s gaze hidden in the moonlight, the painful sense of a method that becomes more established as the days go by.

The boy’s journey was like this.

Until we reached Wuchang, where the second post station was located.

* * *

Jeong Yeon-sin and Namgung Hwa-sin stayed a day at the post station in Wuchang. The post station of the Ming Dynasty also served as a place to stay.

I was able to enjoy a decent night’s sleep while saving money.

There are few cities on their mission route that have post stations.

Namgung Hwasin had anticipated Namgung Mi’s unconventional behavior, and Jeong Yeonsin accepted his words. They decided to take a day off.

“What is that?”

Namgung Hwasin asked. Jeong Yeonsin, who was lying diagonally on the bed across from him, raised her head.

“It is the Diamond Sutra.”

He showed me a glimpse of the Buddhist scriptures bound in a book. He brought them to study the mind method.

Namgung Hwasin nodded with an expression that said, “I guess that’s what happened.”

‘The magnificent Pure Land section.’

Jeong Yeon-shin turned her gaze to the Buddhist scriptures again.

The effectiveness of the Demon Extermination Water Bottle, which was created after hearing sermons from Shaolin monks, was great.

As I was acquiring the magical powers, I was looking for a way to melt them into a new state of deep energy along with the results of the monthly harmony of the Ip Hwang Seong Ju.

If successful, the current method of training would also advance further.

It can greatly reduce the casting speed of the spell.

If the internal energy imbued with magical power is constantly in use, like the performance of the Jeonggadonggong that always fills Jeongyeonshin’s body, then generating just one blood attack will be enough.

It was an event that brought about advancement in the level of martial arts itself.

─Respond to nowhere and live your heart.

Jeong Yeon-shin, who was skimming through the text, suddenly raised her head. Namgung Hwa-shin, who was across from her, was also there.

It was because I felt the chaos outside. The chatter was loud.

Hyunsamun, fighting, Namgung, Namgung Sega······.

“You came. Let’s go.”

Namgung Hwasin said. He and Jeong Yeonsin were already wearing gray magic clothes.

The Ip Hwang-seong uniform that attracted attention wherever he went was temporarily put away in his bag. This was because he had anticipated such an event.

The two of them went outside.

A voice full of energy was echoing through the streets.

“Here, Namgungga Changryeonghwaju has cut off the head of the Sapa Su-boi! Namgungga’s branch will be built in the place where Hyeonsamun used to be, so you should go about your business with peace of mind!”

Then, Jeong Yeon-shin belittled his achievements by talking about servants, and it was only a matter of moments before he returned to the post station with Namgung Hwa-shin.

While we were discussing what to do for two days, more news came.

Namgung Mi, the owner of Changnyeonghwa, responded boldly.

He destroyed all of the servants of the previous monk who were still alive. He even damaged their blood vessels, rendering them mute.

And then he said he was back on stage again.

“They said it was Geunmokjaheuk. They were all in the same boat. They were also learning the great martial arts of the Hyeonsamun.”

The servant at the post station who received the copper hotline relayed the details.

He was a boy who looked very intelligent, even from the look in his eyes.

It is said that Namgung Mi shed tears with a face like a heavenly fairy, and no one ignored her words.

“They are the servants of those who acted as if they were the masters of the city. They were indistinguishable from the disciples. They were not the same people as you, but a group of Sapa who ate the rice cakes of the Hyeonsamun. However, they were your children, friends, and fathers. I punished them with a heavy heart. I will bear it even if you point your finger at me, saying that I have no mercy.”

However, since the Hyeonsamun faction was extremely vicious, no one blamed her.

The influence of words and actions that seemed to melt people’s hearts was also great.

Rather, it was a situation where he had to watch the faces of those who cheered among the relatives of many servants.

Neither the branch office nor the government offices stepped forward.

This was despite the reduction in the workforce within the administrative realm of the government.

This was evidence that the influence of the Namgung clan was not limited to the Gangho region.

Rather, there was a rumor that the fame of the chivalrous woman Namgung Mi was spreading.

Namgung Hwasin’s expression became serious.

“This would be a problem even if the nature of the sword wins.”

“If we cut off their heads in a life-or-death struggle, at least in this area, the Iphwangseong will be resentful.”

Jeong Yeon-shin answered.

Namgung Mi began to act as both a celestial maiden and a king in Wuchang.

In a short period of time, her fame in the neighborhood was skyrocketing. Her characteristic confident smile was still vivid in my eyes.

‘The ruling party is a group that must always win the hearts of the people.’

Even if there was a justification, the Hwangbo family, a prestigious political family, was destroyed.

Next, he plans to cut down the leader of the Namgung family. Even if the Jeongpa Gangho were to unite, he would have nothing to say about this action.

The Grand General said that the leadership of Iphwangseong was worried about the Martial Arts Alliance.

In order to prevent the formation of a great alliance of world powers and provide them with an excuse to attack Iphwangseong, they must be suppressed in all missions with fair and just causes.

“There is no reason to hastily participate in a fight for legitimacy. The new sword master, the elder brother, the Iphwangma master… It is up to the adults to decide. We will be recognized for our achievements by doing only what we can.”

“Jeong So-hyeop······?”

“Isn’t it common to say that any quarrel is over now?”

Jeongyeonshin rummaged through her bag. The feeling she got in her hands was eerily soft.

It was the feel of a precious silk robe. Slowly, he took out a long robe as red as blood.

It was the pure blood of the Blood Flame Church’s apostles.

“I just need to get one mask. A demon mask would be nice.”

“no way?”

“Namgung Sohyeop, please tell me. Do you think I don’t need to keep mercy in my hands?”