Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Chapter 74 – Ma Family (2)

She was disrespected by a young boy far beneath her. A woman who used “you b*st*rd” at first meeting.

Jeong Yeon-shin thought. That a noble lady of high martial arts wouldn’t tolerate it.

[TL Note- Noble here is referring to Elf clan. I’ll be using both nobles and elf interchangeably depending on the context.]

“I am indeed that child’s mother. I am called Ju Yeon-jeong.”

She smiled gently once. Her instantly changed impression was somewhat shocking.

‘Ju surname?’

A strange assumption came to mind due to her dignity. Jeong Yeon-shin immediately asked.

“Are you from the imperial family?”

“That’s right.”

It was hard to understand even after hearing the answer. Ma Se-in’s father was also from a branch family.

If he was a man outstanding enough to marry an imperial family member, he should have already been famous.

He couldn’t guess what circumstances there might have been.

“You seem confused. Few in the main family know my origins. Understand.”

She has her hair pinned up with jade ornaments. Her round Han ears were distinct. It meant she was from a distant branch of the imperial bloodline.

Emperor Taizu was the last to take concubines. They said he had over forty consorts.

Direct imperial descendants were different. They didn’t take second wives or concubines.

They said they took only one noble family wife as partner.

Rather, the numerous descendants without connection to imperial power were free to take wives and concubines.

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

“I greet Lady Ju.”

He paid respects but didn’t prostrate himself. They said she was an outsider by marriage. Even though she had received a trace of Taizu’s blood, it was so.

Now she was no longer a person of the Ming imperial Forbidden City. If she left Beijing and married, she was already a person of the Desolate Ma family.

It meant she was a martial artist.

“What an impudent fellow.”

The corners of Ju Yeon-jeong’s mouth curled up.

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly raised his head. The reaction was unexpected.

Since she had used “you b*st*rd,” he thought she was someone desperate to protect her son’s successor rights. Was it different from what he thought?

The surrounding family members also didn’t act rashly. They silently kept their eyes on Jeong Yeon-shin.

“Sit comfortably. This gathering is for you.”

“…Then, thank you.”

He briefly bowed and sat at the banquet seat. Ma Se-in quietly followed and sat beside his mother.

Musicians entered. Perhaps due to the hall’s size, they began playing from far away.

Classical melodies spread faintly. It felt like they were filling the gathering’s rank.

“I wanted to test your capacity.”

Ju Yeon-jeong opened her mouth.

“It’s been twenty years since I left Beijing but I’m like this. The authority still ingrained in my conduct sometimes hurts people’s hearts, so I hope you will be generous in understanding.”

“……”

Her words were unconventional. Jeong Yeon-shin was silent for a moment.

‘What is this?’

It was very different from the gathering he imagined. What was her intention?

While the sounds of plucked zither strings and echoing flutes formed gentle melodies, those seated at the banquet were briefly silent.

Just the sound was so. The world of masters was different.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt streams of internal energy endlessly scanning him.

It was so secretive that he could barely detect it due to having energy sense above martial arts level. He deliberately didn’t show it.

“I’m curious about your business.”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked directly.

Both sides hid their intentions. However, it was a gathering where the inviting side was in need. There was no reason to bow and enter.

A smile formed on Ju Yeon-jeong’s lips.

“I am accustomed to speaking indirectly from birth, so a warrior’s way of speaking feels unfamiliar no matter when I encounter it. Many have praised you. Saying you’re material to be a pillar of Desolate Sect… It’s just as I heard. They said Radiant Demon Wing’s Lightning Genius is very brave.”

“……”

“I heard your martial arts are quite accomplished. There might be none to compare among those your age. I was curious about many things. How you contained such martial arts when the Jeong Family’s martial arts were unremarkable. And…”

She smiled as she reached for a white jade bottle.

“When you had your coming-of-age ceremony. What your intention was in refusing the main family’s successor position.”

Jeong Yeon-shin gained much information from Ju Yeon-jeong’s few words. He confirmed two things at this gathering.

The first was indeed martial arts. They said many were curious about the origins of Lightning Genius’ martial arts.

He knew well. It must be because he reached blue rank at the youngest age in the shortest time.

Jeong Yeon-shin had already demonstrated his original martial arts several times before the gathering, and it was also because none of them were Desolate Ma family martial arts.

It was so even before receiving martial arts from Desolate Sect’s lord.

The stories of recent missions would likely add to the questions too. It was because of how Desolate Sect’s lord appeared when returning.

‘Why did she carry me all the way to the main sect…’

Because gratitude was greater, it was hard to complain even inwardly.

And second. This must be the main point.

“You asked about my intention.”

Jeong Yeon-shin calmly opened his mouth.

“I believe I already declared it that day. I said that since my established will lies with the murim and main sect, I don’t want to be bound to my maternal prestigious family. Ma Se-in will make an excellent family head.”

“Your nature is quite magnanimous.”

Ju Yeon-jeong laughed while covering her mouth. It was an elegant bearing.

Jeong Yeon-shin stared at her intently. She was one who called the Desolate Ma family to the main sect.

A distant branch imperial family member completely settling in the Ma family and acting as mistress.

Rather, this was good. Like this, there was no need to deliberately make enemies.

Drawing a line would be enough. Jeong Yeon-shin parted his lips as if his words weren’t finished.

“So, I hope not to be entangled with your family going forward. What I want is to sever ties. That would help avoid useless discord.”

“……”

For a moment, a light silence arose. The smile disappeared from Ju Yeon-jeong’s face that had been silently laughing. Ma Se-in’s expression also stiffened.

Only the instruments’ melodies flowed faintly through the banquet hall where everyone had closed their mouths. The reaction was strange.

‘Shouldn’t they be the ones making this request?’

Jeong Yeon-shin thought. Regardless of the atmosphere, he continued speaking.

“Isn’t this the family that already severed ties with my mother? Please answer. Before I publicly open my mouth to slash the Ma family’s honor.”

He deliberately spoke excessively. Yet only question lingered on Ju Yeon-jeong’s face.

“…How can that be? Do you think the martial arts you received from the Sect Lord guarantees your authority? Wrong. Desolate Sect is not such a place.”

“I just want to live fully as a Radiant Demon Wing warrior, and don’t want the Desolate Ma family name attached before my alias Lightning Genius. Isn’t this welcome news for Lady Ju?”

“…You speak of difficult matters so calmly.”

Ju Yeon-jeong spoke slowly.

“Why is that?”

“You have already stepped into the main family’s political strife. It was bound to happen the moment you showed talent while having Ma family blood. Those who say we must take you as successor, those who argue you should be made into a sword to raise the main family’s glory, we who don’t want you…”

She gave a faint smile.

“Either way. The moment you sever ties with the main family, great winds will blow over responsibility. If you don’t want to face headwinds, you’ll have no choice but to do anything.”

“This is ridiculous.”

“Aren’t you the Sect Lord’s direct disciple? Child. Your existence is already that significant. Even if you alone speak of severing ties, the main family will cling to your robes.”

“It’s difficult to remain seated.”

Jeong Yeon-shin stood up just like that. Though he rudely turned his back, no one thundered at him.

In the realm of politics, they were clearly masters when discussing martial might.

The musicians’ unchanging performance saw him off.

* * *

Seven days and nights passed.

He focused on recuperation in the Radiant Demon Wing hall. Meanwhile, the faces of Ju Yeon-jeong and the Ma family elders filled his mind.

Their schemes were not shallow. They had picked a fight of a nature he hadn’t experienced before.

Those of high authority putting all their effort into entangling him. It was a big problem.

‘What should I do…’

He lay on his bed lost in thought. Originally he had intended to pick a fight and become an enemy they couldn’t associate with.

He thought it would be enough if he experienced prestigious family martial arts in that process.

Not now.

Their sophistication far surpassed Jeong Yeon-shin. They had an attitude of accepting whatever happened.

A completely different kind of conflict.

Those of high prestige were being bothersome. At this level, Jeong Yeon-shin’s concerns were right.

The time he’d get entangled going forward would be far greater than any support gained from accepting the Desolate Ma family.

He briefly considered revealing his constitution and lifespan to his grandfather.

‘I absolutely cannot trust them.’

He immediately dismissed it from his mind.

He grew up as a non-existent child in the Jeong Family estate. His maternal family didn’t reach out. That’s how his growing years were.

After stepping into the murim, he saw the Hwangbo family’s conduct.

It was the behavior of wielding power for self-interest while claiming to be a pillar of orthodox martial arts.

How about the Namgung family being called orthodox world’s number one? They plotted a borrowed knife murder against Jeong Yeon-shin who helped them.

There was more. In the Blood Flame Sect he saw the bottom of humanity. It was just an abyss.

…Only distrust remained. Nothing but distrust.

‘Aiming for Desolate Sect Elder Council Lord?’

His grandfather was one who craved power. Even after cutting ties with his daughter, he tried to treat her son as grandson.

He did it seeing usefulness. Who knew how he would shake Jeong Yeon-shin after grasping his weakness.

‘Should I see the Sect Lord? Is it okay to create debt instead? I need to build merit.’

The sixteen-year-old young master agonized.

Swoosh.

He burrowed into his bedding. Even the hazily shining sunset was dazzling now.

The Radiant Demon Wing room was indeed his sanctuary. He could put down a warrior’s spirit without worrying about gazes.

He didn’t have to forcefully ignore his life with a set time limit.

He slowly curled up into a ball. As always.

He hazily felt the orange edge of sunlight. How long had passed like that?

“Young Hero Jeong! Young Hero Jeong!”

A familiar voice stimulated his consciousness. It was Hyeon Won-chang’s voice.

Tumultuous energy waves surged toward the Radiant Demon Wing hall. He felt the presences of many seniors too.

Those who had first sent off the Sect Lord and Jeong Yeon-shin had returned.

Creak.

Three people came in right away. It was Hyeon Won-chang, Cheong Myeong, and Baek Mi-ryeo. Jeong Yeon-shin, who had already risen, smiled faintly.

They were companions who had come to save him all the way to the Blood Flame Sect main hall. He welcomed them gratefully.

“Did something happen?”

Hyeon Won-chang who had been staring at him suddenly asked.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.

What kind of wind was it? The thought occurred that if this was a life where he couldn’t even trust these people, there was no need to be bound by the fruit either.

It was fine without wine cups. The tranquil evening air substituted for wine’s fragrance and side dishes.

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

Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo raised large inner power barriers. It was an energy screen. Sound couldn’t leak out.

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke.

He talked about family matters, revealed his constitution, spoke of his remaining time and the Desolate Ma family.

“……”

A silence as gentle as the sunset continued. Before they knew it, expressions had disappeared from Cheong Myeong and Baek Mi-ryeo’s faces.

Hyeon Won-chang silently shed tears.

The Desolate Divine Hero sniffled once and said:

“…Well, let’s first visit the Ma family. I thought of a decent plan.”

“What?”

“Listen.”

After saying that, he whispered for quite a while. Even though the two blue-ranked masters’ energy screen was firm.

It seemed like he was plotting a scheme.

Listening to it, that’s exactly what it was.

“Let’s go!”

Hyeon Won-chang who wiped his eyes with white sleeves stood up. The other three people also rose.

Simultaneously, Cheong Myeong patted Jeong Yeon-shin’s shoulder, and Baek Mi-ryeo embraced him once from behind.

No more words were needed to understand. It was the concern of companions who shared life and death, the understanding of masters who made blades their friends.

Jeong Yeon-shin who awkwardly shook his head followed Hyeon Won-chang’s back. For a moment he truly felt like the youngest.

The four soon arrived at the Desolate Ma family’s residence. Two gatekeepers came forward.

“Please state your identity and business.”

“No. Young Hero Lightning Genius is here. You can open it.”

Hyeon Won-chang ignored the gatekeepers and shouted loudly.

“Yeon-jeong─!”

Inner power was even loaded in it. His tremendous voice shook the dusky night air.

They said few outside knew Lady Ju’s origins.

There must be private circumstances. However, it wasn’t something for Radiant Demon masters to consider.

“She’s under the Sect Lord anyway. When even the crown prince trembles, what’s a married branch imperial member…”

Cheong Myeong smiled slyly and kicked the ground. The Blue Eyed Sword Demon being pure-blooded nobility was already famous.

“What is this!”

“Do you know who you’re calling?”

The gatekeepers ran over with bewildered faces. Hyeon Won-chang displayed traceless movement technique.

While brushing off their hands, he kept shouting the name Yeon-jeong. An untimely drama unfolded in the night.

Jeong Yeon-shin slightly twisted his body and turned his head as if not part of the group.