Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time-Chapter 418: The Hem of the Clothes of Seocheon (3)

Even then, only the highest level of mystic skill could manifest such wonders. A cultivated energy from a simple, ordinary practitioner would crumble the reed, not enhance it.

‘How could anyone speak of treason with someone like him here?’

Bu Yeong-ban thought as he hurriedly processed the situation.

Beijing, the city he protected, held far more influence from Taoist sects such as Wudang and Mount Hua than from the Ipwang Fortress.

The Imperial Guard wasn’t needed for the capital’s security, because many nobles followed the teachings of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, deeply immersed in Taoism, while studying Confucianism as the foundation of the state.

Naturally, those who mastered Taoist martial arts techniques were revered by all.

The legendary sword masters like Ye Dongbin, who could fly through the air on their swords, were clear examples.

Yeonhwa Nata Seomye's divine stature was no different.

At least in Bu Yeong-ban's eyes, it appeared that way. This was why he was staring up at Jeong Yeon-shin in awe.

"Why are you standing still? We need to evacuate the commoners!" Ma Gwang-ik spoke up.

By now, the Face-Mannequin Beast had dropped not only its legs that had been held high in the air but also its six legs that had been firmly planted on the ground.

Its leg hairs fluttered like the columns of a palace, thick as a pillar, swaying like mist.

Was it the dying light of the beast, or was it gathering its strength for a final rampage? Bu Yeong-ban couldn’t tell.

He turned around abruptly.

And froze.

It was because of the countless people lined up along the ruined path.

The aristocrats and servants of Beijing, even the high-ranking officials, who had been fleeing, stopped and raised their heads, staring vacantly.

They were all focused on Ma Gwang-ik and the Face-Mannequin Beast. The extraordinary temperament typical of Beijing people had completely vanished from their faces.

"What are you all doing?!" Bu Yeong-ban shouted at his subordinates. The behavior of the Imperial Guard officers was no different from that of the commoners.

Had they already assumed the fight was over? Even though Yeonhwa Nata of Gangbuk was exceptionally strong, the opponent they faced was a monstrous being that had terrorized Beijing just moments ago.

It was then.

Boom—

A sudden, loud resonance filled the air.

It was from behind. Bu Yeong-ban turned around to see the massive Face-Mannequin Beast, its head twisted grotesquely, collapsing onto the ground.

Its head was tilted at an unnatural angle, mouth agape. Ma Gwang-ik stood there, holding the reed in his hand, firmly planted on the ground.

It was clear that the Face-Mannequin Beast had met its end. The sight was both tragic and anticlimactic.

‘My worries were in vain. They say Ma Gwang-ik is a grand master of swift battles...!’

Beijing was a place where rumors spread quickly.

Bu Yeong-ban knew that Ma Gwang-ik had defeated opponents far stronger than him multiple times.

In a one-on-one life-and-death battle, it was clear that the effectiveness of surprise attacks was unparalleled. Bu Yeong-ban slowly raised both his hands.

He was officially issuing a martial decree as an official of the Imperial Court.

"Thank you. This could have easily escalated into a bloodbath... The Imperial Guard owes you an immeasurable debt."

"Only one?" Ma Gwang-ik's expression changed ever so slightly, but he seemed momentarily perplexed. Bu Yeong-ban's mouth curved slightly in amusement.

"I saw the flaws of Beijing. It's quite embarrassing, really."

"Fortunately," Ma Gwang-ik responded coolly, his next words short and to the point.

"In that case, I suppose I can do this."

Whoosh—!

With a single swing of the reed, Ma Gwang-ik split the Face-Mannequin Beast's blackened rear end.

From the wide-open gap, white mucus poured out, revealing several cocoons wrapped in white spider silk.

At that moment, an intangible wave of internal energy spread outward. It was emanating from within the cocoons.

The energy belonged to individuals with profound inner power, wrapped up in the Face-Mannequin Beast’s web.

This malevolent creature had not consumed them whole, but instead, like a spirit essence, had slowly absorbed their strength over time.

"These energy waves... is that the Great Master?! Even the Minister of War...!"

As Bu Yeong-ban spoke, the Imperial Guard officers moved into action.

With a glance at Ma Gwang-ik, they climbed up the massive body of the Face-Mannequin Beast.

Within moments, they had revealed the cocoons and began prying them open with their hands.

The hum of the Imperial Guard's hand techniques resonated as Bu Yeong-ban commanded them, glancing repeatedly at Ma Gwang-ik.

He knew that Beijing had not been kind to him.

Yet, someone from the Imperial Palace had flown in and swiftly dealt with the Face-Mannequin Beast.

Without so much as a hint of emotion, as though it were just another task carried out as part of his routine.

‘The Singeom Dan...’

At this point, Jeong Yeon-shin, or Seomye, was a representative of them.

If that were the case, the martial artists from Ipwang Fortress were probably charging through the lands with the same expression, the same conduct as Ma Gwang-ik.

They were, in fact, a group of martial heroes. Wasn’t Beijing’s treatment of their efforts far too casual?

"Bu Yeong-ban! The Great Master is breathing!"

From within the pried-open cocoon, a middle-aged man’s slightly mangled face appeared. Bu Yeong-ban stared silently at the moonlight pouring down.

***

The incident quickly came to an end.

The Imperial Guard officers took the lead, tearing away the spider webs from the cocoons, and after hearing that Ma Gwang-ik was the one who had saved them, the high-ranking officials collapsed again.

All of them had simply been exhausted, not dead.

Meanwhile, the officers removed the internal organs of the Face-Mannequin Beast and presented them to Jeong Yeon-shin. They were seasoned in this field.

"Is it over?"

"Ma Gwang-ik killed the Face-Mannequin Beast with a single reed!"

"Don’t push!"

It seemed like a big spectacle had just occurred, or perhaps people were feeling a mix of shame or admiration as they started to surround Ma Gwang-ik.

But Jeong Yeon-shin was looking elsewhere.

At the leftmost edge of the crowd.

Hiding partially behind a corner of the fence, someone was watching him.

With a piercing gaze, it didn’t feel like they had hostility toward him but rather seemed like someone who had spent their entire life honing sharp energy.

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly parted his lips.

"What are you looking at?"

"I wasn’t trying to provoke you."

A small figure spoke.

Then, slowly, they revealed themselves from behind the fence.

Like an assassin, they had deliberately held back their energy and were now releasing it, causing those around to flinch and retreat in panic.

The woman carried three blades. One was tucked into an orange sash that wrapped smoothly around her abdomen, while two others were crossed and tied behind her back.

Her braided hair frequently brushed against the hilts of the large swords due to the strong night wind.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

She appeared to be around twenty-six, with sharply rising eyes that were as sharp as blades.

"I’m from the Peng Clan. My courtesy name is Ling Lyu, and my name is Ya."

Peng Ya. The Night of the Peng Clan.

Jeong Yeon-shin had heard of her. She was quite famous, even among the eight great families.

It was clear from the way others around him were murmuring her name.

She was known as the Duchess of Blades. Peng Ya, the Blade Duchess of the Peng Clan. Recently, she had been grouped together with Jeong Yeon-shin, So Cheonmujuk, and the Seventh Apostle, referred to as the Five Heavenly Heroes.

A title given to young martial artists with extraordinary skills.

‘Seems like she’s not as great as them.’

Jeong Yeon-shin briefly thought of the Seventh Apostle but quickly dismissed the thought. He didn’t know where his thoughts might wander if he let go of his focus.

The fleeting image of a red-eyed figure bothered him, so he spoke the first words that came to his mind.

"That’s an odd name."

"Your name is even stranger."

Peng Ya replied casually. Meanwhile, her sharp eyes scanned Jeong Yeon-shin's entire body, as if measuring him.

Jeong Yeon-shin had encountered such looks before.

"You know me. Did you come as an enemy?"

"No. You need to make sense. Why would I team up with a monster who killed both Lord Je-gal and Master Mo Yong? I’m no fool."

"Then?"

"I just wanted to see."

"...?"

"We also participate in the Hwasan matches. It’s a favor granted by the older sects. If everything goes well, our Clan Leader will want to meet you... So I thought it might help the clan if I saw your body first."

"Your Clan Leader... isn’t that your father?"

This 𝓬ontent is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

"I’ve never been raised by him. Right now, even his position as Clan Leader is precarious."

Peng Ya muttered bitterly.

But Jeong Yeon-shin wasn’t particularly concerned. The Peng Clan had been behind the backstabbing that helped the Singeom Danju create a web of influence.

He hadn’t yet heard the full details from Yong Hui-myeong, but he certainly didn’t feel any goodwill toward them.

Jeong Yeon-shin remembered the plea from the Wudang High Sword to spill blood if necessary during the martial arts competition.

"...I’ll let you go now. But in the competition, your head will fall to my blade."

"To you? Why? I’ll probably face off against someone in black."

Peng Ya tilted her head in confusion.

Jeong Yeon-shin didn’t answer. He merely stared at her, watching her braids brush against the black fabric of his attire, as though buried under a summer night’s shadows.

A brief silence followed.

"Hmm?"

"......"

"No, right?"

There was no more to discuss with an enemy. Jeong Yeon-shin remained silent, and eventually, Peng Ya’s complexion grew pale.

***

The Great Hall of the Forbidden City.

Sunlight poured in through the ceiling, which was cut in a straight line.

The broken ceiling, oddly sharp, created a jagged emptiness, and the sunlight falling toward the Great Hall seemed strangely sharp because of it.

It felt like the air in the Great Hall at that very moment.

"I acknowledge Ma Gwang-ik's contribution! How could it be ignored!"

"Then what's the problem?"

"Look, look at that! He broke the ceiling of the Great Hall in front of the Crown Prince! How can we trust someone so arrogant with the purple robes! The recent gathering of the Black Guards of the Imperial Sword Corps, without any proper reports, was an open invitation to danger for the Forbidden City!"

"That's nonsense. You clearly don't understand the Crown Prince's intentions. If Ma Gwang-ik hadn't broken out of there, it would have been him who should have been deemed unworthy of the purple robes. He prioritized the people's well-being over personal glory. A man like that deserves to wear the robes of the West Heaven."

"He's only seventeen! How can he wield such power and carelessly give it away?"

"Hasn't he already completed every task assigned to him as a Black Guard, without fail? His abilities are far beyond that of a mere Black Guard now."

The court officials were split into two sides.

It was different from before.

The most influential officials near the upper seats—Bu Yeong-ban, the Great Imperial Guard, and the ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) Senior Taegam—defended Ma Gwang-ik.

On the opposite side were the emaciated scholars of the Hanlimwon and some high-ranking officials from powerful families with rigid minds.

The discussion was far from over.

For national affairs of such importance, if the ministers couldn't reach unanimous agreement, the Emperor would not listen.

Even if many recognized Ma Gwang-ik's merits, the delay in the purple robes' approval could affect the decision.

"Disorderly."

The Crown Prince, slouched on his metallic red chair, silently stared at the armrests.

The reports addressed to the Emperor were placed in scrolls on the desk.

Suddenly, he unfolded one of them. At times, when his fit of rage overwhelmed him, the Crown Prince would scold the ministers with harsh words, and now, like that, he boldly reached for his father's documents.

There was no particular reason. Ma Gwang-ik had fulfilled his duty, yet the Crown Prince still found himself in a situation where he had little to contribute.

The scroll fluttered.

"Your Highness!"

"Even if you are the regent, the Emperor will be back soon...!"

"Silence."

The Crown Prince spoke, then fully unrolled the scroll labeled Emperor’s Personal Letter, Deputy Leader of the Wudang Sect.

The Wudang Sect's humble Taoist addresses the Emperor.

No need for formalities—your health is likely as good as ever. I merely wish to offer a piece of advice, which I hope you take to heart.

As the Tao Te Ching says, Do not exalt the wise, for the people will cease to fight with one another.

True wisdom lies in letting the people live in peace without stirring conflicts.

A ruler needs only to be wise.

Recent events, like Ma Gwang-ik’s deeds, have done exactly that.

Though he is a Taoist from the wilderness, his actions have contributed to the peaceful era the Emperor desires.

The world does not need a new purple sword—only a humble sword wielded by someone like Jeong Yeon-shin from Hunan.

This humble Taoist has observed that he possesses a character of great integrity and determination. Above all, he possesses martial skills unmatched by any."

The Crown Prince suddenly turned his gaze back to the desk, noticing the names written on the scroll.

[Hwasan Sect], [Tang Clan Unhwang], [Shaolin Abbot], [Ami Baiyue], [Qingcheng Qingxu]...

And then, [Peng Clan Wenge]. The legendary Blade Duke of the Peng Clan.

"Quite a feat. He has surpassed even the Blade Masters."

For the first time in years, the Crown Prince expressed admiration. It was impossible not to, given the weight of the names written in the report.

When these names were gathered, they formed a martial world that even the Imperial Family could not ignore.

"Gather everyone."

He slowly continued speaking.

"It’s better to remain silent for now."