Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time-Chapter 353: Charge (2)

“.......”

A heavy silence descended.

The spectators from the martial world surrounding the Golden Master’s residence, as well as the great masters of the Thirteen Heavens, who had awkwardly stood on the scattered remnants of the formation, all fell silent.

It was clear that an extraordinary event had just unfolded.

The young man, who had created a dreamlike atmosphere simply by standing, had vanished without a trace.

Along with dozens of martial artists who had been captured as offerings for the human sacrifice, and the top-tier warriors from the Golden Master’s and Ten Arts Master’s forces.

Originally, everyone should have vacated the area. That was the purpose of the great plan. It had been orchestrated by none other than the "Four Heavens' Golden Master" herself.

Swish.

Her sleeve fell loosely to her side.

Her slightly pursed lips did not utter a word, and her eyes sank with a dry, almost lifeless quality.

That alone froze the surroundings. It was as though the invisible hand of a giant had descended upon the residence, not allowing anyone to move. It was more than just internal energy—there was something beyond that.

The only ones capable of breaking the silence were the peerless masters who had reached the heights of martial prowess.

“Listen.”

The figure standing beside her, guarding the formation, spoke.

After calling the Golden Master’s name and falling into a brief silence, the Ten Arts Master slowly spoke again.

“What happened? I felt a thread-like energy leaking from the body of that foolish child from Tang. It’s during the final stages of the grand plan.”

“...It was taken.”

“He took control of the ability to control the formation?”

“Yes.”

“How could this happen? No, how could you lose control of it? Even if that brat had some kind of hypnotic power over people, how could a weakling like him...?”

“He’s powerful. I don’t know his true nature.”

The Golden Master murmured quietly.

The eyes of the Ten Arts Master, as well as those of the warriors stationed in the open area, widened.

The elite warriors of the Thirteen Heavens, who knew the Golden Master’s temperament and mannerisms well, knew that she never praised anyone’s martial skills, not even the high-ranking martial artists of the left and right guards.

“Could it be that neither of the leaders felt °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° the energy he was emitting...? How profound is his energy control technique?”

“It’s on the level of the Reverse Spirit Technique. We were thoroughly deceived.”

“Did you send one of your top masters from Ipwang Fortress to engage him?”

“That’s absurd. The royal family’s elite warriors couldn’t afford to handle such a situation. If we wanted, we could have destroyed their branch in the Four Heavens and they wouldn’t have said a word.”

“Could it have been the small sect leader from the Righteous Path? The Suncheon Immovable, Yulhа. After all, not every peerless master could just meddle with such a formation.”

“Could that arrogant person have hidden their true nature and acted like a servant? That doesn’t make sense either.”

“Quiet.”

The bickering between the masters of the Thirteen Heavens abruptly stopped. The Golden Master had turned her gaze away.

Swish.

“We can just repeat it.”

She spoke.

No one showed any sign of dissent.

After all, this was a grand plan.

The Golden Master had anticipated such failures. It meant that they were prepared with the necessary tools to reconstruct the formation.

***

The mission at hand for the current Lord of Ma Gwang-Ik, the unfortunate Tang siblings caught in the web of destiny, and Wanyang, Master of the Peace Technique, who had unknowingly been chosen as the guide.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt no particular thrill over the success of his manipulation of the formation.

He briefly focused on the strange sensations from the ring of light in his heart.

The perfect Threefold Convergence, defensive energy, the Extreme Moon Sword, the second radiant ring.

At least two of them would soon be within his grasp.

It was time to focus on the task at hand. Something important was about to happen.

The formation.

A mysterious technique just as significant as martial arts. It didn’t manipulate internal energy, but rather twisted and pierced through the laws of nature.

It was known to be an extremely complicated and enigmatic study.

When properly mastered, it could easily induce illusions in others, and at its highest level, just like the Clan Leader of Zhuge, one could manipulate the weather with the force of their will.

And beyond that.

It was said that a perfected formation could even create mystical spaces between realms.

An unknown space, difficult to perceive from the outside. Much like the ancient tombs of legendary figures, which could stir great chaos in the world with a single map.

Such places were often spoken of as mysterious and unfathomable.

The river dragon’s martial technique, which he had naturally begun to unfold, was no different.

A completely separated world, formed far from the reach of others. Its scale was something beyond the martial arts that humans typically studied.

‘The energy of nature is thicker here. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.’

If there truly was an immortal realm, this might be what it felt like. A sensation of thick, mist-like energy wrapping around his skin, far denser than it had been before entering the formation.

Jeong Yeon-shin looked around.

He hadn’t expected the space created by the formation to be so vast. He hadn’t imagined that it would be a place where people could live.

“Shouldn’t we inform the village chief?”

“No, look at them. The cursed evil spirits of the Tang Clan... from the Changlong Sect!”

“They’ve come all the way here...”

“Don’t move recklessly. You’ll be crushed.”

“The Tang siblings, aren’t they of the Four Heavens? They certainly have the scent of oil on their hands. Their attire looks similar...”

“Wow...!”

A dozen or so short individuals, their clothes worn and tattered, whispered among themselves while casting quick glances at Jeong Yeon-shin and his companions.

Their tone, their dialect, didn’t seem like anything modern.

Their voices had a strange cadence, as though they were people isolated for a long time, creating their own way of life and order.

Beyond them, the forest stretched endlessly, filled with vibrant greenery.

Iron Clan.

Their energy was weak. They seemed like common folk.

“I...”

Jeong Yeon-shin, slightly bending forward and resting on his knees, spoke to them.

“Master’s studies are so profound.”

Wanyang, who had been deeply focused on his breath, suddenly opened his eyes and cut him off.

“This is like the descent of the Nine Heavens Lady. How could anyone, anywhere, enter the river dragon’s formation directly?”

“...Yes, it’s impressive.”

“His mastery has reached the heavens. For you, it would be the glory of three lifetimes.”

Wanyang spoke in a low voice. Now, the energy enveloping his body was transparent, smooth, like finely polished silk.

Truly a mystical sight. It was the state where the defensive energy constantly manifested.

Jeong Yeon-shin simply stared at him, offering no objections. He was immersed in a situation where he was experiencing mysteries he had never encountered before.

‘Golden Master.’

The absolute masters of spellwork and martial arts.

For centuries, the Golden Master's sect had accumulated all kinds of ritual tools, elixirs, and studies in spellcraft, leading to the creation of miracles.

At last, the ancient mystical beings had forced open the formation, a feat worthy of being called a rare achievement in history.

It was a grateful moment for Jeong Yeon-shin, who had witnessed this unfolding before him.

At that moment.

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Perhaps it was the conversation between the two that eased the tense atmosphere.

“Is this the river dragon’s formation? Really?”

“I thought we were going to die for sure...!”

The siblings, dressed in greenish martial robes, stiffened and looked around in confusion.

The noble heirs of the First Family in the Four Heavens. They were incredibly alike, both in appearance and in posture, which made them seem somewhat amusing.

“If we train here, our energy reserves will be incredible.”

“Look at those flowers. What are they? I’ve never seen such a species before. Could they be poisonous?”

Even with such overwhelming power beside them, they couldn’t help but be curious. The siblings, whose large eyes grew even wider, simultaneously turned their gaze and slowly approached Jeong Yeon-shin.

Step.

“Are you really the younger cousin? Which family are you from? I’ve never heard of anyone from the Tang family with a name like ‘Tang Manyeon.’ Was it the Clan Leader who secretly taught you?”

“I’ve been wanting to ask! Those damn worm-catchers were always spying on us...”

It was then that the small boy and girl started chattering.

“Shut up.”

Wanyang, Master of the Peace Technique, coldly commanded.

Swish.

The energy that overflowed from his voice swept across the surrounding bushes. Some of the leaves were even bent under the pressure.

“......!”

The Tang siblings’ movements froze.

Although they were exceptional martial artists, competing for the top rank in the latter stages of the martial arts world, they were no match for the veteran masters who had spent years honing their craft under the Golden Master’s guidance.

Even with their youthful energy and pride, they could never hope to become one of the Five Absolutes of the Righteous Path. They couldn’t even dream of following in the footsteps of Seomye, the youngest in Ipwang Fortress.

“Who gave you permission to speak?”

Wanyang scolded the siblings in a harsh tone.

“Discipline is crucial, not just for hunting mystical beasts. When you arrive in unfamiliar territory, you must take the time to gather your breath and raise your level. That way, at least you’ll be useful as bait.”

He clicked his tongue in disapproval.

His posture, dignified enough to appear as an elder relative of the Tang family, was betrayed by his harsh words as he walked toward the Iron Clan.

Step.

“I now understand why the Tang Clan fell. It was quite a sight. A Clan Leader, reduced to losing the Sword of the Flying Blade... Even though the opponent was our sect leader.”

“What did you say?”

“You! How dare you—!”

The twins' eyes narrowed with anger, their reaction one of outrage. Anyone would react the same way.

Whooosh—!

Jeong Yeon-shin thought about how he would react if Ma Gwang-Ik’s warriors were insulted, not his father Jeong Ban-ak.

At this moment, as he observed a thin swirl of wind rising around the Tang siblings’ feet, stirring the grass, he thought:

‘The world is changing... the conflict between the martial world and the factions deepens. Eventually, it will explode.’

He quietly lowered one hand and positioned himself in front of the siblings, blocking their path.

The river dragon’s formation was an unfamiliar place. Anyone who had been here before should be the one to lead.

Considering the circumstances, with the absence of the Seven Apostles and the small sect leader of the Righteous Path, who couldn’t join them immediately, it became even clearer.

For the peerless masters who had reached the level of a perfect fusion of energy, even tortures meant to tear them apart were futile.

‘So, they’ve arrived after all?’

The smile of the Seven Apostles, concealed behind their blindfold, flickered through his mind.

“No! We can’t! Open the village’s formation!”

“The years have passed. And now these lowly beings are attempting to speak out after offering themselves as food for the river dragon.”

“Even if the Dragon King’s Divine Power says so...”

The words of an Iron Clan member were cut off abruptly, and with a dull thud, a short scream rang out—ugh.

Wanyang had kicked one of them away.

“The greedy river dragon brought this worldly tree of life here, didn’t it?”

The Golden Master’s right-hand man grinned nervously. The low laugh caused the atmosphere around them to ripple, becoming almost translucent.

The tremendous energy surrounding Wanyang continued to surge. The Iron Clan warriors around the kicked man hunched low and trembled.

“If your village chief truly controls the energy veins of this land, have him find the locations of the scattered disciples.”

There was no response. Only the sound of groaning returned.

However, Wanyang didn’t force an answer. He had seen the signs of submission in the eyes of these lowly creatures.

“Little more than slaves. Only when they’re pushed will they learn to speak.”

Muttering to himself, he gave a small smile and gestured for Jeong Yeon-shin to follow, along with the Tang siblings.

“...Let’s go.”

As Jeong Yeon-shin continued to guide the flow of his energy, preparing to stop any further action from the rebellious figures, he patted the shoulders of the Toxic Dragon and Toxic Phoenix and began to move slowly.

Not yet.

Now was not the time to act rashly.

‘First, the safety of my seniors.’

He was no longer the young boy who couldn’t tell the difference between heaven and earth. He had become an adult.

Step.

The damp earth under his feet, where his thoughts on justice left an imprint, marked his path forward.

***

The village surrounded by massive stone walls.

No, it seemed like it should be considered a city wrapped around a fortress. The scale was too enormous to be called just a village.

The constant sound of iron being struck from outside, the rough shouts, and the smoke rising from various places.

It was an immense energy.

The party, stepping where the Iron Clan members had stepped, paused for a moment. It was because they were newly realizing the scale of the mystical place where the river dragon had coiled itself.

—Stop!

A voice mixed with overwhelming internal energy.

A dozen Iron Clan warriors standing watch looked down at the party with stern eyes. Unlike those who led Jeong Yeon-shin, these warriors had clearly trained their internal energy and martial arts.

They appeared as if they were living normal, healthy lives. They didn’t seem like people caught up in the myths surrounding the river dragon’s ascent, like figures from an old folk tale.

It was at this moment that Jeong Yeon-shin watched them curiously.

“Wait...?”

A commotion broke out atop the stone walls. The Iron Clan masters, who had been stroking their noble beards and looking down at the party, suddenly took notice of Wanyang, Master of the Peace Technique.

“Hey, Jang Sam! Who did you bring here?!”

A man, seemingly the leader of the gate guards, shouted.

He was a master, wearing a sleeveless robe that revealed his short, muscular arms, holding a white spear. Despite his immense energy, he couldn’t hide his unease.

“My apologies, Elder, there was no other way...”

The village youth, who had led Jeong Yeon-shin’s party, spoke. For a brief moment, his gaze flickered to the pregnant Iron Clan woman standing beside him. Her belly was visibly rounded, showing signs of late pregnancy.

“You...”

The Iron Clan guard sighed, and the gate guards surrounding him snarled, raising their weapons.

Clang—Clang—

A loud metallic sound resonated, vibrating through the air as if to carry the weight of martial energy.

The response was like that of a military force facing an enemy. The echo caused by Wanyang, Master of the Peace Technique, alone was this immense.

Wanyang smiled lightly, standing tall, and spoke.

[Bring the village chief!]

A voice like a lion’s roar burst forth, and a massive cloud of dust rushed along the stone wall blocking their way.

The overwhelming energy of the great master, akin to the authority of the martial wind, had manifested simply through his voice. The gate guards, who had been preparing in a disciplined formation, staggered in place.

“That malicious person is finally...”

The first to regain their balance, the gatekeeper, bit his lip.

The chaotic memories of when the masters from the Changlong Sect had first entered and offered to capture the river dragon for them flashed before his eyes.

The madmen who had even invented the terrifying Dragon Slaying technique.

They were invincible. Their strength was immense.

They had to regularly craft weapons. The promised payment, of course, was never delivered.

Sometimes, when the river dragon would let out a cry that seemed to shake the very heavens, they would hide in civilian homes, waiting until the dragon’s scales could no longer be seen.

And when the dragon was in a calm state, they would present offerings to keep it appeased. They had always made excuses, saying they weren’t yet prepared.

This meant that exploitation had been twofold.

The clan trapped by the river dragon’s formation had been used as nothing more than slaves, with no place to go.

Until, at last, the Changlong Sect, unable to achieve their goal, left this mystical and unstable space.

Meanwhile, the one who stood above all, like a military king, commanding the entire village, was none other than the Dragon King’s Divine Power. It seemed even stronger now. It was unbelievable.

The gatekeeper wondered. Could the newly arrived village chief handle this?

For a brief moment, as memories of the murky past surfaced and his focus wavered...

“Time is pressing.”

The Dragon King’s Divine Power, having risen to the top of the stone wall in a single step, flashed a smile at the gatekeeper.

“Too many foolish thoughts for a minor.”

“......!”

The gatekeeper’s eyes shot wide open. Wanyang, cloaked in an aura of colorless internal energy, appeared before him, a vision of invulnerability.

This was the legendary internal energy used by the Golden Master, a power that made the Dragon King’s Divine Power pursue the Dragon Slaying martial arts unlike any other martial school.

For the Iron Clan of this city, this power was equivalent to despair. The expressions of the gatekeeper and the stone wall warriors became grim.

Some, as if planning to end their lives together, tightened their grips on their weapons.

Wanyang chuckled, taking a step forward. They were close now.

“It’s been a long time. It was bound to be forgotten.”

“What are you planning now?”

A voice suddenly interjected.

Jeong Yeon-shin had appeared on the stone fortress, having climbed without anyone noticing.

He reached out toward Wanyang’s shoulder without waiting for an answer.

It wasn’t particularly fast. The speed at which Wanyang’s smile grew was faster.

The Golden Master’s Wanyang, as if pleased, turned his body with a twist, whispering quickly with his lips.

“The weapon dares to pretend to be a human.”

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t respond but placed his hand on Wanyang’s shoulder, which was wrapped in the aura of internal energy.

His words and actions were insignificant.

Much more important things existed. They had reached their destination, Wanyang’s cruelty had exceeded the limit, and this prominent family had some interesting skills.

Whoosh—

In the span of a moment.

Jeong Yeon-shin felt the structure of the protective energy from his palm. It was the same process he had done many times before, a simple act of clearing away obstacles. It was no different from usual. The only difference was in the follow-up actions.

In an extremely slow passage of time.

“......?”

Wanyang’s eyebrows raised. He seemed to sense something just before launching his energy.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s face remained expressionless.

The reaction of this prominent family didn’t matter.

At this moment, Jeong Yeon-shin’s energy surged from the center of his palm like wildfire, sweeping over Wanyang’s shoulder and coursing through his entire body, following the sensation that expanded outward, like countless blades cutting through the protective energy from the inside.

Reverse engineering of energy structure.

Sword energy.

The I’m the Middle Way technique.

Soon after, Jeong Yeon-shin used his palm, pressing it on the center of the formation’s core to trigger the Flowers of Steel Rain’s sucking technique.

Whoooo—

Following the intense pull of energy, Wanyang’s protective internal energy was overwhelmed, covering Jeong Yeon-shin’s hand, traveling up his arm, and finally surrounding his entire body.

“......!”

Wanyang’s face displayed silent astonishment as Jeong Yeon-shin stripped away the internal energy cloak he had wrapped himself in.

“Low-tier,”

Jeong Yeon-shin spoke calmly, as if waking up from a dream.