Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

“Demon Wings challenged Azure Sky Squad to a duel?”

“To be precise, it’s a sparring match for insight.”

“That’s not it. I know the inside story.”

For the first time in a while, the Desolate Fortress was abuzz with gossip.

The news that a newcomer and the Azure Sky Squad were dueling for the honor of the Seventeen Generations had spread.

The common opinion was that the distinctions between the Desolate Fortress’s ‘White-Blue-Black’ uniforms were clearer than they appeared, so the outcome of the duel itself wasn’t of interest to people.

“How long do you think he’ll last?”

“Anyway, at most ten seconds, right?”

“I agree. A newly inducted Magic Wing lasting more than ten seconds against a Blue Uniform? That’s not a plausible scenario.”

“Isn’t it like a novice from the Mount Hua Sect challenging the Plum Blossom Swordsman?”

On the day of the duel, the rumor had spread so widely that people from other Seventeen Generations as well as some from the Chief Steward’s office came to watch.

The location was the Azure Sky Squad’s training hall.

Already present and receiving curious glances, Yeon-shin looked around.

It was all swords, swords everywhere.

Seeing the various kinds of swords on the weapon racks made him realize anew that the Azure Sky Squad was famous for its swordsmanship even in the martial world.

‘They say you only train with swords until you become a Blue Uniform here, right?’

It was commonly known that the Desolate Exam was for inducting White Uniform warriors, but there were also several other entry routes.

The most well-known was similar to the usual major sects.

They would take in children before their meridians were blocked by turbid energy, dress them in any clothes, and gradually advance them to white and blue uniforms.

In fact, this route was more orthodox and had better prospects.

Yeon-shin couldn’t forget the lively and spirited children he saw at the Demon Wings Hall. They were here cheering him on even now.

“You have to last five moves! We’ve bet treats with the Azure Sky Squad kids! Brother! Look this way! Here!”

“Brother! Don’t disgrace the name of Demon Wings!”

“Senior! Hang in there!”

‘Senior, huh?’

Yeon-shin chuckled.

Unlike other martial sects, the Desolate Fortress’s uniform color was everything in terms of rank. In this way, it was similar to the military.

The children would occasionally playfully call him and Won-chang ‘senior,’ which felt fresh and endearing to Yeon-shin, who had never felt attached to a family.

He waved to the ten or so children. They cheered loudly. They were innocent kids.

‘Come to think of it, there were friends my age too.’

There were also older disciples of Demon Wings than those children.

Being recognized for his martial skills and becoming a formal warrior in white clothing was considered early even at twenty years old.

He was unusually fast.

Naturally, there were disciples older than Yeon-shin, and unlike the cheering children, it was still awkward with them.

‘Time will solve that.’

Putting his thoughts aside, he looked ahead.

The expressions of the warriors belonging to the Azure Sky Squad were not good.

They were displeased that a rookie from the Desolate Exam had requested a duel.

On one side, two supreme masters in black uniforms were engaged in a silent confrontation. They were Ma Jin and the leader of the Azure Sky Squad.

The leader of the Azure Sky Squad was a renowned swordsman, known as one of the top ten swordsmen in the Central Plains. Despite his slender build, his tall stature, long arms, and intense gaze were impressive.

“I’ll bet an elixir that the rookie won’t last ten moves,” said the leader of the Azure Sky Squad. Ma Jin looked astonished.

“Elixir? Isn’t that too much?”

“Are you scared? Think you’ll lose?”

“You sound like a rookie. The Desolate Fortress’s elixirs don’t come cheap.”

“The honor of Demon Wings and the Azure Sky Squad is at stake. Is this a light matter?”

The leader of the Azure Sky Squad spoke forcefully as Ma Jin seemed to hesitate, resembling a beast taking the initiative in a fight.

“Ma Jin, you seem weaker than usual. Did you make such a fuss at the leader’s meeting to admit such a guy?”

“You seem to have a lot of grudges.”

“Don’t change the subject. Are you backing out?”

“Ha… Fine. I’ll accept.”

“Good. A leader should know how to trust his subordinates.”

The leader of the Azure Sky Squad smirked and turned his head. Thus, he missed seeing Ma Jin’s slight smile.

“Yeon-shin, right? White Uniform of Demon Wings.”

“Demon Wings, Jeong Yeon-shin.”

He politely cupped his fists to his opponent. It hadn’t been long since he had introduced himself as Yeon-shin of Xinye, but now he felt that Demon Wings suited him much better.

From the Jeong family massacre in Hanam to Namyang, Central Plains, and now here.

Regardless of others’ views, it felt both unfamiliar and precious to represent a group in this duel.

The warrior who had asked for his name stood indifferently ten steps ahead.

In his blue uniform symbolizing the main force of the Desolate Fortress, with a stern gaze and the aura of a seasoned warrior.

“I’ve been training in the Azure Sky Sword Technique for twenty years. They say a sword has no eyes, hence why it is the master’s responsibility to be its eyes. However, I won’t hold back. Keep this in mind.”

“Yes, sir.”

Yeon-shin’s brief reply made the warrior’s eyebrows twitch.

Without saying more, the warrior placed his hand on his sword. Simultaneously, a chilling aura spread out in waves.

‘What kind of sword technique does he use?’

Yeon-shin’s short reply wasn’t intended as a provocation.

He was already unraveling the Demon Wings Formation and reading his opponent’s energy with his qi.

According to his seniors, the Azure Sky Sword Technique had a very diverse swordsmanship.

Depending on the practitioner, it could become a fast sword or a powerful heavy sword.

‘A Blue Uniform warrior would have his own specialty but also be proficient in all techniques.’

Therefore, Yeon-shin would also unleash his own skills.

‘The Fatebreaker’s Codex.’

The unique martial art he created despite having limited qi, both in density and quantity.

As he focused his mind, his inner energy began to circulate through his flexible meridians.

It was a method of using qi that was possible because he had mastered the Jeong Family Dynamic Training, thoroughly penetrating all his meridians, including the twelve principal and eight extraordinary meridians.

The Fatebreaker’s Codex was also developing at a lightning pace.

He was diligently confirming the points where he needed to support the weight and apply force while circulating his qi.

“Come.”

The Blue Uniform warrior spoke, naturally yielding the first move. Yeon-shin decided to surprise him.

“Hup.”

As he drew in his breath, he pulled out his sword with a swift movement.

The vibration of his qi reverberated with a thud in the training hall, and the clear sunlight scattered over the blade of the Desolate Sword, imbued with the essence of the fast sword.

The force that rose from beneath his feet converged onto his sword, drawing the trajectory of the Demon Wings Formation.

Clang!

With the sound of the sword, a smile spread on Yeon-shin’s face from the vibration traveling through his grip.

It was a solid strike.

Although he didn’t cut, the warrior’s composure was broken, his center of gravity visibly shaken.

When the sword speeds up, its power inevitably increases. This is known as sword force.

Pushing off the ground with the foot that had just stepped forward, Yeon-shin’s next move followed.

When used correctly, the technique he self-described as ‘two achievements’ could exhibit twice the usual efficacy of qi.

The rapidly changing scenery and the warrior’s body growing larger in his view.

The Demon Wings Formation revealed its sword trajectory.

The warrior’s statement that he wouldn’t hold back wasn’t just about not being careless.

Unlike those who were distracted by the boyish appearance and lost instantly, the warrior’s broken balance was visibly clear.

‘Now.’

He had to take advantage of this opening to win. Amidst the vast training hall, surrounded by many people, Yeon-shin thought only of victory.

Clang!

He felt his sword skills improving rapidly. The vibration felt through his hands was tremendous.

The warrior’s eyes became serious quickly, but Yeon-shin’s aggressive swordplay, though far from the level of a Blue Uniform warrior, prevented him from properly executing his defensive stance.

In one corner, Ma Jin was teaching the children about the importance of taking the initiative. Quite the composed fellow.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The Demon Wings Formation’s sword trajectory drew white streaks, filling his vision.

He was utilizing the efficacy of the fast sword to the fullest.

Keeping up the momentum from the single breath and central position he seized initially, he noticed the growing weariness on the opponent’s face.

Yeon-shin lost track of how many moves they exchanged.

Fully immersed, he was mastering the Demon Wings Formation.

On top of his body trained by the Jeong Family Dynamic Training, he accumulated the essence of martial arts.

As the sword trajectory tilted more, he realized he used his back muscles a lot, and if he twisted his foot at a certain angle while stepping diagonally, it would generate rotational force with qi. This was the Rotational Strike used by Cheong Myeong!

Woong!

The swirling qi was embodied in his sword strike.

Clang!

The warrior retreated a step. Yeon-shin immediately raised his sword and spun around.

A powerful and sharp wind scattered in all directions.

Strings of Force weaved together showcasing the power of the Rotational Strike.

With a sense of achievement running down his spine, he named another move.

‘Charged Strike!’

The overwhelming force naturally led his body. His body rotated once more.

At this moment, he instinctively knew that the Charged Strike could be used in consecutive strikes.

Each subsequent strike increased in power. The second strike of Charged Strike was unleashed from the tip of his sword.

Boom!

The warrior’s body hadn’t fully rotated yet to gain distance.

The warrior’s Desolate Sword was knocked away. His upper body shook entirely under the enormous sword force of the Charged Strike. His arms flung above his head.

“Ugh!”

Barely regaining his balance, he saw Yeon-shin’s sword at his chin.

Yeon-shin was holding his Desolate Sword with a peculiar expression.

Despite repeatedly receiving Yeon-shin’s sword, the Blue Uniform warrior’s uniform was remarkably clean. Just a few creases.

However, the White Uniform had won. It was an undeniable result, even if attributed to carelessness.

“……”

Yeon-shin stared at him quietly.

It was luck.

He won because a timely inspiration added power to his momentum.

If it were to happen again, the outcome wouldn’t be the same.

It was said that a Blue Uniform warrior of the Desolate Fortress wouldn’t yield to even a Plum Blossom Swordsman of the Mount Hua Sect.

The difference in a single rank was significant, showing the strength of the Desolate Fortress.

With such martial prowess, it would be hard to find an opponent in the vast martial world. It felt like his first goal had been set.

Yeon-shin sheathed his Desolate Sword. Then, with sincerity, he cupped his fists.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to witness your profound swordsmanship.”

“…Your sword trajectory and Rotational Strike were remarkable. A martial prowess that transcends your age.”

The Blue Uniform warrior, staring at him for a moment, stood up. The slight upward curve of his mouth indicated he wasn’t displeased.

Yeon-shin thought. It’s charming how one’s expression can change so easily after losing face and receiving a single bow.

He turned his head. Most faces were shocked, while some showed admiration.

“How many seconds was it? The White Uniform won.”

“It seemed like at least twenty moves were exchanged.”

“Exchanged? What are you talking about. Truly incredible swordsmanship. Was it Jeong Yeon-shin? His martial prowess is astounding for his age, beyond comprehension.”

“Demon Wings has taken in a treasure. I’m insanely jealous.”

The bemused faces of the cheeky Demon Wings children were also amusing.

Yeon-shin, who greeted the Azure Sky Squad leader with a cupped fist, walked towards the children.

Despite the intense movement, his body trained by the Jeong Family Dynamic Training was absorbing the shock from the clash of qi.

He wasn’t very tired.

“Demon Wings. I didn’t disgrace our name, right? Enjoy your treats well.”

Squatting down to meet the children’s eyes, Yeon-shin spoke.

He wasn’t sure how many moves they exchanged, but it was certain that he shattered the ten-second expectation.

He won. The children, nodding absentmindedly, gradually regained their spirits.

Their eyes soon began to sparkle brightly, almost overwhelming.

“Yes! We’ll enjoy the treats!”

“Brother, you’re really strong! A white uniform suits you!”

“Wow…”

The child who called him ‘senior’ only let out an exclamation as if mesmerized.

Amidst the excited chatter of the children, Ma Jin approached.

From his outstretched hand, a fragrant aroma wafted.

A round lump of medicine sat on his strong-looking palm. Yeon-shin felt the dense flow of energy.

“It’s yours.”

Ma Jin spoke, the scar under his lip rising along with his grin.