Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time-Chapter 467: The Great Divine Ceremony (2)

Jeong Yeon-shin flinched inwardly.

His thoughts had spilled out beyond his body.

He had rushed to the physician’s estate without uttering a single word, and he certainly had not spoken the phrase “a true physician” out loud.

He had only thought it, with sincerity.

A scholar’s lips were not easily loosened.

Is this the aftereffect of Grand Tai Chi?

The spiritual energy within his body was no longer under his full control.

It was similar to how supreme martial masters recited their techniques in their minds while executing Moonlit Swordplay.

It had begun after activating Entering the Way through the Moon.

Perhaps this was merely the backlash of having poured every last ounce of energy into martial arts.

Moonlit Swordplay—a technique that could be used at most once per battle, and only as a life-saving trump card.

His body had overheated due to the divine skill. The energy within his meridians overflowed, though it was gradually settling with time.

It was only thanks to this that his thoughts had echoed faintly rather than thundering outward.

In any case...

His body was far from being in perfect condition.

And that was only natural.

After all, he had just crossed swords with the Foremost Sword of the Demonic Path.

Jeong Yeon-shin engraved the experience into his mind. He had only just taken his first step into the Supreme Realm, the level of mastery revered by all martial artists.

There was still much to learn, much to adapt to, and an infinite path ahead.

Entering the Way through the Moon was merely the foundation upon which he would build his own Moonlit Swordplay.

At that moment—

“You there.”

The voice of the Physician cut through the air.

He had been mocking martial artists only moments ago, yet now his gaze had landed directly on Jeong Yeon-shin.

The Physician, who bore the youthful appearance of an Enlightened Figure, had eyes as blue as the sky itself.

“I see... I had my suspicions from the rumors, but... that fledgling has grown this much...”

His words carried a strange sense of nostalgia.

Then, the Physician curved his eyes into an amused arc.

“I’ve never seen a gentleman whose muscles are so evenly developed. And strutting around with a body covered in blood from sword wounds, bare for all to see? That’s quite the peculiar sight. Ah... I may look young, but I am quite old. Do not be bothered if I speak informally.”

“I am indeed a gentleman.”

“...You didn’t move your lips just now.”

“I have business with you, Physician.”

Jeong Yeon-shin finally spoke out loud.

With that, he lightly leaped down from the wall.

Thud.

As he landed, the surrounding martial artists instinctively distanced themselves.

Every single one of them looked shocked.

His Flowing Return, the technique that concealed his power, had long since unraveled.

He was no longer suppressing the waves of inner energy that radiated from his body.

The Demonic Purple Qi he had cultivated so diligently was now on full display.

It was the aftermath of his battle against the Foremost Sword of the Demonic Path.

Even the precious lessons he had learned from True Blood Demon Jin Myeong-jo seemed insignificant in the wake of that duel.

Senior Jin fought the Lord of the Forbidden Blade for 519 exchanges and still maintained his composure...

Jeong Yeon-shin felt his own shortcomings.

The Physician smirked.

“You ignored a perfectly fine door and leaped over the wall. I’d like to hear your reasoning.”

Despite facing Jeong Yeon-shin, a man carrying his own severed arm on his shoulder, the Physician remained completely unshaken.

It seemed the rumors were true—he had an extreme distaste for those who wielded weapons.

“I would be grateful if you could lend me your skills.”

Jeong Yeon-shin made a respectful request, all the while exchanging a glance with Zhuge Cheong-ah and Gongsun Min.

At that moment, Gongsun Min, who was younger than Jeong Yeon-shin, and even Zhuge Cheong-ah, who rarely showed emotion, had their eyes widened to the extreme.

Their expressions were filled with shock, a mixture of relief and disbelief at Jeong Yeon-shin’s survival—and at his current state.

“Lord Commander... Lord Commander, you...”

“Could the street rumors... actually be true? Does this mean that the Heavenly Extreme Gate Lord was defeated...?”

“Master Hyun will wake up. Don’t worry.”

Jeong Yeon-shin gave a brief reassurance before locking eyes with the Physician.

The Enlightened Figure, who appeared as a beautiful youth, was already examining his left shoulder with interest.

“Let’s see... The Small Intestine Meridian is completely severed, as is the Triple Burner Meridian. The Yangming Meridian is dangling inside the shoulder, barely hanging on. Hah... Even the Three Yang Meridians, which connect severed limbs, were perfectly cut. The muscles and blood vessels are still twitching despite this mess...”

As he murmured his observations, the Physician’s expression turned bizarre.

It was a face filled with utter disbelief.

“The one who cut you and the one who was cut... neither are human. Even if someone tried to make a cut perfect for reattachment, it wouldn’t turn out this clean.”

“There are many who desperately seek your skills. I arrived late, so I am prepared to wait my turn.”

“You mean to say you won’t cause trouble despite all the patients waiting from across the land? Not just for a short while—you’ll have to wait for a very long time.”

The Physician chuckled.

The masked intruders, who had been cautiously retreating, flinched at his words.

Ever since Jeong Yeon-shin had descended from the wall, they had completely abandoned any will to fight.

“Yes.”

Snap!

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Jeong Yeon-shin flicked his fingers, sending a burst of energy to strike their pressure points.

At the same time, he sensed something from the Physician—something beyond an Enlightened Figure.

Unlike the noble bloodlines he had encountered in the martial world, this presence was fundamentally different.

It was not the crisp scent of green leaves or the fresh touch of the wind.

It was something deeper. Something rough and ancient, like the bark of an old tree—mystical, sacred.

There was no trace of martial arts.

“...A tree?”

The words escaped Jeong Yeon-shin’s lips.

The Physician, who had been smiling the entire time, subtly stiffened his shoulders.

Then, he turned away, clasping his hands behind his back.

His demeanor remained easygoing, yet not necessarily warm.

“If you can still activate your pupils, your arm will hold for another three or four days. Don’t assume that just because you’re from Ipwang Fortress, I’ll be friendly toward you. I don’t deny your sacrifices and duties, but fundamentally, I have a strong ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) aversion to weapons. That includes those who make a living by taking lives.”

“...You want me to carry this around for days?”

“What did you just say?”

“I said nothing at all.”

“As your life isn’t in immediate danger, I’ll take my time considering your treatment. As I mentioned before, there are indigestion cases all over Hangzhou. And besides, the first name on my list is someone else. Some beggar who insists on calling himself the ‘Divine Beggar’...”

At that moment—

Boom—!

The ground caved in with a thunderous impact.

A half-sphere depression formed where the masked men had been standing.

“...Elder.”

A low voice resonated through the lingering dust.

A gaunt figure stepped out of the smoke, wearing a tattered yellow robe instead of martial garments.

A worn-out travel sack rested on his shoulder.

His eyes burned with a colorless light.

A man wreathed in solemn, unshakable energy.

“Keep your promise.”

It was Silent God-King, Shin Hwang.

The Doombringer of Ipwang Fortress.

For the first time in a long while, Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes lit up with unmistakable joy.

Meanwhile, the Physician, who had been turning away, now twitched his eyelids in mild distaste.

“...So this was the patient who couldn’t reveal his identity?”

“Yes.”

“...A promise is a promise.”

The Physician shook his head and glanced at Jeong Yeon-shin.

“I’ll move you up to second. I’ll conduct a personal examination at dawn. Come to the inner hall when the sun rises.”

***

It was an exceedingly long night.

Jeong Yeon-shin did not sleep.

He had unfinished conversations to hold with the Doombringer Lord.

Though his secluded training with Song Moon’s Ancient Sword had been brief, the world had continued to move in his absence.

Grandmaster Beomha, Lady Yulha, and Ak Surim had parted ways with Jeong Yeon-shin after discovering Dark Heaven Emperor’s hiding place, aiming to prevent the completion of the Tiger Dragon Sorcery.

The senior warriors of the martial world had not been entirely comfortable letting Jeong Yeon-shin go alone, but the emergence of the Flood Dragon was a matter of an entirely different scale.

Every supreme master who had traveled to Hangzhou might have to pour out their full abilities.

It was said that even the Sect Leader of Azure Peak was planning to join.

Three warriors had reached the Moonlit Realm.

Including the Seven Blades of the Underworld and Dark Heaven Emperor, that number rose to five.

For now, Jeong Yeon-shin’s priority was recuperation and recovery.

Grandmaster Beomha and Lady Yulha had praised him greatly before departing.

Simply having driven the Lord of the Heavenly Extreme Gate out of Hangzhou was more than enough.

And then, there was the Physician’s Estate.

Jeong Yeon-shin and Shin Hwang sat across from each other at a small tea table.

“You anticipated my survival,” Jeong Yeon-shin remarked. “I find it difficult to match the insight of the One Sword of Original Balance seniors.”

“They possess no special foresight, just as I do not,” Shin Hwang replied.

“...What?”

“They simply have faith in the Purple Qi.”

“......”

“But more importantly,” Shin Hwang continued, “although the Physician has moved your consultation to second place, there is an issue.”

“Please, go on.”

“According to the intelligence from the Hangzhou branch of our main sect, the Physician has rarely provided treatment to martial artists. His level of martial skill is also unknown.”

“I heard his movement techniques are so extraordinary that martial artists have never managed to capture him,” Jeong Yeon-shin noted.

“Indeed. Even when the Lineage of the Ipwang Demon Family was severed, he did not intervene. Our main sect sent letters requesting a diagnosis, but they were ignored. Even our previous sect leader attempted to track him, but the Physician could not be caught. A divine medical art... is not something that can be obtained by force.”

“He mentioned the Beggar Chief earlier.”

“Yes, and unfortunately, that man was faster.”

“He had over forty stitches in his abdomen. It was not a wound that a person should have been able to endure. According to our intelligence, he is not only the fastest man under the heavens, but also one of the most hot-tempered. And yet, despite the Physician's indirect refusal, he did not make a scene—he simply left.”

“Where did he go?”

“Hangzhou is under the domain of Tai Mo Mountain Fortress, so his destination is unknown. But we do know he left a message saying he would return.”

That made six.

The battlefield had yet to erupt, but the warriors were already gathering.

If Jeong Yeon-shin completed his recovery in time and rejoined them, the number would rise to seven.

After the battle against the Lord of the Heavenly Extreme Gate, the storm had momentarily settled.

Yet the force of these supreme martial artists was already descending upon Hangzhou like the silent, creeping cold of winter.

Moreover, there were several great sects involved—sects capable of forming Seal Arrays strong enough to trap even the mightiest of warriors.

The situation was dire.

Despite the peaceful evening air, Hangzhou itself was anything but tranquil.

“It is a relief that you are safe, Senior Shin,” Jeong Yeon-shin said.

“It was thanks to the Sword Sage,” Shin Hwang admitted. “He entrusted me with a request regarding you...”

“What...?”

Jeong Yeon-shin abruptly lifted his head, eyes filled with questions.

The events that had unfolded were slowly being pieced together, and some of those revelations seemed poised to birth new tempests.

Saaaah—

Through a slightly open window, the night wind whispered.

The dark sky stretched endlessly, racing toward the dawn.

***

There is a saying: A strange man leaves behind an unusual tale.

It refers to those with bizarre personalities or extraordinary abilities.

The Ever-Luminous Divine Physician was known for possessing both.

Among martial artists and even those notorious for their wrongdoings, it was common knowledge that he asked a few questions before diagnosing anyone.

"Did you steal?"

"Why?"

"My children were starving... I was already flogged by the authorities—"

"Get lost."

Whoosh—!

Suddenly, a fierce gust of wind swept across the courtyard of the physician’s inner sanctum.

The man who had been receiving a consultation vanished without a trace. He had been blown all the way to the outer gate.

"Next."

At the physician’s call, another patient hesitated before stepping forward.

Thus, the consultations continued.

If he didn’t like the answer, he would chase them away.

If he was satisfied, he would administer acupuncture on the spot.

For those in grave condition, his treatments sometimes involved bursts of radiant light, their effects akin to divine sorcery.

It was, quite literally, a place where an immortal resided.

Countless martial sects passed through his gates, hoping to win his favor.

For this reason, the estate’s entrance remained open at all times.

It was the same now.

After several failed attempts, certain martial artists had realized that their techniques were useless against him.

A group of warriors, armed with dazzling weapons, had stationed themselves around the Physician’s Estate.

Their goal was twofold—first, to prevent rival factions from claiming the physician’s favor, and second, to have their meridians diagnosed so they could advance their internal cultivation.

Their numbers exceeded a hundred.

Yet no one dared to speak recklessly.

Because an old man sat crouched against the courtyard wall.

"......."

Nine cords were tied to his waist—weathered and aged, yet thick and sturdy.

Despite his small frame, his stature seemed vast.

The straw sandals on his feet fit perfectly, their rough edges pressing tightly against his soles.

It should have been uncomfortable, but his expression remained at ease.

He was The Dragon-Head Beggar Chief.

A supreme master who received news of the world before anyone else, like a dragon’s head sensing the flow of water.

Both his position and martial prowess placed him among the transcendent.

If the leader of the Beggar Sect sat quietly in a corner, then lesser martial artists—little more than local landlords—could do nothing but hold their tongues.

But he was not the only one.

Even as Tai Mo Mountain Fortress and the Heavenly Extreme Gate openly ruled Hangzhou, figures as bright as stars in broad daylight had begun to arrive.

A sharp-eyed man in a blue warrior’s robe from Ipwang Fortress, wearing a Hero’s Band around his forehead.

A young girl clad in the same shade of blue.

Even The Young Plum Blossom Sword of Mount Hua, carrying a carefree expression, had stepped into the inner courtyard.

And among them, holding a silver war hammer in his short arms, was The Poison Lord of the Tang Clan, the very man who had defeated The Web-Blade Master of the Heavenly Extreme Gate in a distant village.

What words had passed between them was unknown.

But one thing was certain: Mount Hua, the Tang Clan, and the Beggar Sect were all well-acquainted with each other.

After a brief exchange of greetings, a suffocating silence fell.

The native martial sects of Hangzhou, who had previously acted with impunity, found themselves breaking into a cold sweat.

Yet none of them dared step back.

Perhaps the atmosphere displeased him. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Why do you stand there like a stone pillar?"

The physician, having just sent another patient flying, threw out a casual remark.

The Beggar Chief did not even look at him as he replied, lips wrinkling slightly.

"I am tying words into knots inside my mind."

"What?"

"I do not know what words will please you."

"The sword wound I received from an outsider grows worse by the day."

"Why don’t you just attack me?"

"Who knows? Your dog-beating staff might make me surrender."

The physician grinned as he provoked him.

The Beggar Chief simply smiled.

"A righteous beggar does not use his staff to beg for food."

"A martial artist acting self-righteous? That’s a rare sight."

"Perhaps these armed fools are silent because you refuse to speak first?"

"If you plan to stay quiet, step aside and let the next one speak."

"I have no objections, so long as I may interject when needed."

"Very well. You heard him, didn’t you?"

"Come now, let’s have a proper conversation."

The moment his words fell—

A one-armed figure suddenly appeared across from him, seated as if he had always been there.

His movement was so swift, so precise, it was as if he had stepped through space itself.

A sound of sharp inhalation echoed across the courtyard.

"......."

Sunlight filtered through the skeletal branches above, tracing his chiseled features.

A young man, his severed arm slung over his shoulder like a traveler’s satchel.

At this very table, many warriors had swallowed bitter tea, and now he sat with his back straight, wholly at ease.

For a fleeting moment, a strange emotion flickered in the physician’s eyes—before vanishing entirely.

"So... the young Jeong."

"Ask your questions."

"I despise blades. I abhor fighting."

"I have long known this."

"Power invites challenge. The sight of a blade slicing flesh, the one who parries it, the one who retaliates—it all disgusts me."

"This is not a matter of reason. It is an instinctive revulsion. Because I am a healer."

"......."

"From the moment I was born, I have lived as I pleased."

"I have never forced myself to stomach what I find revolting."

"Martial artists call me eccentric, but what does it matter?"

"I only ever sought to heal living beings."

The physician shrugged as he continued.

"The Ipwang Fortress is no different."

"Even if I stitch your blood vessels, muscles, and meridians together one by one, all I will smell is the stench of blood on your hands."

"I would rather tend to an infant from some lowly martial clan, a child who has never taken a life."

"My nose is sharper than even that old beggar’s. I can smell the scent of blood on warriors like you."

"I understand your reasoning."

Jeong Yeon-shin’s voice was calm.

The physician smiled.

"You’re surprisingly reasonable."

"Most warriors lash out when I tell them the truth."

"But."

"Hm?"

"You will have to reattach my arm."

"...I take that back."

A deep wrinkle formed between the physician’s brows.

"Are you trying to force my hand?"

The air in the courtyard turned frigid.

Those who had been whispering about Jeong Yeon-shin fell silent.

His allies stiffened, faces darkening.

For no mortal could withstand the ire of a living Celestial Physician.

And yet, his scolding did not cease.

"I explained everything in detail, yet you demand I endure the revulsion in my throat just to heal a swordsman?"

"Why should I?"

"For what purpose?"

"For the world."

The acting leader of the Divine Sword Battalion answered.

"......."

The physician fell silent.

A hush swept through the courtyard.

His single response had shattered the atmosphere like ice plunging into boiling water.

Under the weight of that silence, the physician’s glowing azure eyes fixed upon Jeong Yeon-shin.

The sunlight pooled upon the ground like golden waves.

***

By the time a single night and day had passed, Jeong Yeon-shin raised his hands to shield his face from the morning light.

It was an absurdly bright day.

Both of his arms were intact.