Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time-Chapter 285: Lotus (4)

The brief commotion over the disappearance of the Grand Lady’s tutor quickly settled, and the Gongya family returned to its usual tranquility.

“Is he really that handsome?”

“They say he’s quite dignified. Apparently, he rivals Young Lord Gongya.”

“It’s more than that! Who knows, he might even have razor-sharp ears hidden beneath his hair!”

“His status is a pity. ‘Sole Inheritor’ sounds grand, but in today’s world, isn’t that just a fancy way of saying he’s a wandering swordsman?”

Sunlight shimmered off the edges of the blue-tiled roofs, a peaceful sight that testified to the formidable power of the Shanxi province’s renowned noble family.

Hyeoncheon Sect’s Lord, Geom Un-bi.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

The friend of the Grand Lady’s tutor wasn’t anyone particularly special. At most, he was an occasional topic of curiosity among the lower-ranking members of the household.

In a family recognized as a sega (prestigious house) across Shanxi, it was natural for noble and exceptional guests to be invited under the title of bin-gyeok—honored guests.

These guests were both esteemed visitors and vital assets to the family. With such a vast estate, it was only natural for it to house a fair share of eccentric and extraordinary individuals.

That was why Geom Un-bi’s name never came up in conversations among the elders of the household.

There were far more prestigious guests and far more pressing matters.

This was a noble house and a prestigious martial clan.

“The aroma of the tea is faint. The steam is thin.”

“That’s because you have a restless heart. How can you call Longjing tea lacking in fragrance?”

“You speak as if you are above such worries, but I know better. You’re anxious. This concerns your daughter’s safety, doesn’t it? Jeong-ah, our Lord seems to doubt your martial prowess.”

Four people were seated in a neat and spacious chamber. Two middle-aged men, their faces marked with deep wrinkles, and the strikingly elegant Gongya siblings.

The presence of the two elders filled the room with an overwhelming aura.

Shanxi was the closest province to the imperial capital, Beijing. Historically, it had been a center of cultural exchange. As a result, the local noble clans, who had coexisted with government officials for generations, possessed a refined sense of dignity.

Even when training in martial arts, their mannerisms remained distinct. Their cultivated presence translated into an extraordinary charisma.

The middle-aged man in the most vibrant red robes spoke first.

“Enough with the idle talk. What good is it to plant doubt in the mind of our heir? Even with a mind as sharp as a blade, this is no easy ordeal.”

“I am fine, Lord Father.”

Gongya Jeong’s voice was composed. So was her expression.

She carried herself as befitting the heiress of a distinguished martial clan.

Though her long, silky black hair cascaded gently over her shoulders, the formless energy coursing through her body had a solid, unshakable quality.

Even her aura exuded refinement. Her internal cultivation was outstanding for her age.

“Recently, two Blood Sect swordsmen have perished at the hands of the ‘Silent Alliance.’ How could we not be concerned? You are shouldering a heavy burden.”

Gongya Jeong’s uncle, her father’s younger brother, spoke with a sharp gaze.

Though he was the junior to the family head, his presence was nearly as imposing.

His refined yet piercing eyes were a hallmark of the Gongya lineage.

“The accomplishments of the Silent Alliance are of no consequence,” she replied calmly. “That individual isn’t the only formidable opponent. Many young warriors have risen in Shanxi, emboldened by the famine. If I am to uphold our family’s honor, my only concern should be my own martial prowess.”

“You sound just like my noble sister-in-law.”

Her uncle chuckled.

“Your fierce spirit is admirable for a young warrior, but the heir of a noble house must think differently. You must be victorious in every duel to maintain the family’s honor. There’s a reason we keep repeating this lesson. We cannot allow the assassins to run rampant. You must win. Without fail!”

“I understand.”

Gongya Jeong’s voice remained smooth and composed. Perhaps because the issue had been laid out in detail, even the family head refrained from stopping his brother this time.

Meanwhile, Young Lord Gongya Su merely observed the conversation with his large, round eyes, gauging the atmosphere.

“That’s not all,” the family head continued. “Even mountain bandits who built their clans from outlaw origins have begun mocking our name. We cannot retaliate outright, but we must restore our dignity through the martial tournament. If we are to maintain our influence during this famine, it is a necessity.”

His voice was refined—steady and dignified.

His daughter lowered her head.

“I understand that as well.”

“Focus on honing your sword energy. I trust in you.”

“...I will meet your expectations.”

“Ah, I heard that Scholar Go brought a young swordsman along.”

The family head shifted the topic.

“If he was introduced by Scholar Go, then his character is likely not bad. It may not be a bad idea to take him under your wing, even if just for a short time. Wanderers often yearn for the teachings of noble houses. Would he be worth crossing swords with?”

“I haven’t had the chance to observe him closely. His appearance seemed extraordinary, but...”

When Gongya Jeong hesitated, her father’s lips curled slightly.

“I’ve heard his looks are striking enough to be called ‘half a calamity.’ If you are not swayed by appearances, he may prove quite useful. Scholar Go’s sincerity is appreciated—I should bring a drink and pay him a visit sometime. For now, return to your training.”

“Yes, Lord Father.”

***

The hem of Gongya Jeong’s crimson robe brushed against the long wooden threshold as she stepped outside.

With each step, her expression grew heavier. The presence of the family head’s chamber faded behind her.

Step.

Gongya Su followed, his steps deliberately light, as if keeping rhythm.

“You didn’t tell Father, did you? About Lord Geom. Scholar Go’s reaction made it clear that he didn’t come here to learn. If anything, he seemed to expect that he would be the one teaching you.”

“He would have been furious. Lord Father discusses the world through hierarchy. If a man isn’t a renowned master, he views a lone wanderer as beneath him. If he is young, even more so.”

Gongya Jeong replied matter-of-factly. A faint weariness flickered in her elegant, slanted eyes.

The vibrant red of Gongya Su’s lips parted slightly in hesitation.

“...Get some rest, Sister.”

“Alright.”

She answered briefly.

Gongya Su gave a small nod and walked off with unhurried steps. Gongya Jeong did not watch him leave.

As the second in line for succession, her younger brother was affectionate toward her, yet he could not share the burden of being the heir.

That was not his role. As the Grand Lady, Gongya Jeong had to carry that weight alone.

‘A true master might lose one match in ten against a lesser opponent...’

But an heir to a noble house could not afford such a thing.

A thin breath escaped her lips, dissipating in the golden light of dusk.

She had grown so accustomed to suppressing her sighs that even now, it was silent.

In recent days, only the crisp, transparent winter sunsets had borne witness to her worries.

The Shanxi Martial Tournament.

The moment when she would have to face the swords of young and powerful warriors from prestigious clans was fast approaching.

And then—

“Ah.”

Gongya Jeong exhaled a quiet sound.

Step.

As twilight deepened, a pale radiance spread across the dimming courtyard.

A swordsman walked toward her, backlit by the sunset.

His face was partially shadowed, but his high nose bridge and graceful jawline were unmistakable.

He seemed like a nobleman descended from the heavens.

His sheathed sword swayed at his waist, carrying an air of quiet solitude.

He did not seem like her brother’s peer.

Rather, he felt like someone who stood apart from the turbulent world.

In a martial world with few sights worth seeing, he was like an enlightenment unto himself.

‘Seeing him like this... He’s no ordinary man. He’s an eccentric.’

They called him Hyeoncheon Sect’s Lord, Geom Un-bi. A man from beyond the household.

For the first time, Gongya Jeong felt as though she could share her burdens with an outsider.

She spoke without thinking.

“Would you care to share a drink?”

“......?”

***

Geom Un-bi’s residence.

A modest drinking session.

The two sat side by side on the wooden veranda, gazing at the dusky horizon.

Each held a jade flask of Jukyeopcheong, a bamboo leaf liquor. While gripping his flask, Jeong Yeon-shin occasionally twitched his fingertips slightly, cautiously mimicking the refined mannerisms of someone well-versed in the art of drinking.

It wasn’t clumsy—his intuition helped him gauge the atmosphere naturally.

Perhaps it was because he had imitated Tae Yeom-ryong’s demeanor. He felt as if he had grown closer to the kind of adult who could appreciate pungnyu—the elegance of leisure.

‘I think I could even share a drink with the Lord now.’

As Jeong Yeon-shin thought this—

“Shanxi has always been barren land for the martial world.”

Gongya Jeong suddenly spoke, her eyes still fixed on the distant mountains.

“Those who sought to grow in power had to tread carefully under the watchful eyes of the imperial authorities. But over a decade ago, the Heavenly Demon Cult’s rebellion destroyed much of what had been built. An unknown Heavenly Demon left behind a legacy of the dead that haunted the living. And he used the greedy great sects to do it.”

“...The Heavenly Demon Cult’s rebellion.”

Jeong Yeon-shin repeated the name quietly. He remembered hearing about it from Heon Won-chang. Shanxi was his hometown.

“Regardless, the families who made a name for themselves managed to establish a firm foundation. Whether their history is long or short.”

“It sounds like those with a short history are the real problem.”

“That’s right. There are sects and clans whose foundations are shallow, yet their martial prowess is strong. And they constantly eye the prestige of my house.”

Sarak.

Gongya Jeong took a deep gulp of Jukyeopcheong, then wiped her lips with the crimson sleeve of her robe.

She was already quite drunk. The refinement of a noble family was giving way to the boldness of a warrior.

“We cannot afford to show weakness in the upcoming martial tournament. The Gongya family has defended Shanxi’s martial world from all sorts of petty evildoers and demonic sect outcasts. If I were to lose—to the so-called noble family of the Shanxi outlaws, or to an assassin from the Silent Alliance—then this already chaotic martial world would fall further into disorder. This is the burden I bear.”

“That must be exhausting.”

“Soon, a gathering disguised as a banquet will take place—a prelude to the tournament. It will be attended by sects and noble families who claim great legacies, marking the beginning of the martial tournament. The power struggles will be intense. We cannot afford to be pushed aside.”

“But sometimes, losing is a part of life, isn’t it?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked casually. There was no real sincerity in his words.

After all, he had never lost.

Even against the strongest adversary he would eventually face—Gongya Jeong’s most formidable opponent, the master of the Zhegal Clan—he had no intention of losing. He truly believed he would win.

But it seemed that his words had a different effect on her.

Gongya Jeong’s delicate eyelashes trembled slightly.

“I cannot pass this burden onto my younger brother. He is a free-spirited child. He is content with his position as the second heir of the family. Whether for the sake of Shanxi’s martial world or simply for his sake, I must protect him. That is my duty as heir.”

“Gongya’s heir is a good person.”

Jeong Yeon-shin saw a glimpse of Cheong Kirin in her.

He also thought of the brotherly bond he had once imagined for himself.

Young Lord Gongya Su was a fortunate man.

Gongya Jeong let out a quiet laugh.

“Would you care to attend the banquet with me? Most of Shanxi’s martial aristocrats have ties to the imperial court. Simply establishing connections could be of great benefit to you, Lord Geom. I have enough influence to make that happen.”

With a single drink, she offered an immense favor.

Only a noble lady of her stature could make such a proposal.

Even the most refined wanderer would have eagerly accepted such an opportunity.

Swwk.

Jeong Yeon-shin remained silent.

Gongya Jeong had suddenly fallen asleep, her head drooping forward.

Her jet-black hair cascaded downward.

‘Even if I win the tournament, I doubt the Zhegal Clan Lord would teach me.’

Slowly, Jeong Yeon-shin rose to his feet, gripping his sword.

Sabak.

He stepped away from the veranda into the courtyard.

Coincidentally, he had been considering several sword techniques in preparation for his battle against the Zhegal Clan Lord.

A master who had honed both orthodox and sorcery-based martial arts to their peak. Their fight might not follow the typical quick-strike battle patterns of the Silent Night’s sword techniques.

‘Then, I must train.’

The Dark Radiance Wing Lord, who had grown fond of closed-door training, drew his sword.

The divine sword Bukmyeong—its gleaming white blade sliced through the crimson hues of twilight.

A brilliant radiance unfurled like frost. The aura of Gwangryun-gi had already begun to seep into it.

If the Jeong Family had embraced him instead of casting him out...

The Gongya family made him contemplate such impossible scenarios once more.

The long-silent guest house felt eerily similar to the Jeong Family’s old estate.

And Gongya Jeong, speaking of her younger brother, seemed like a sister from another world—a sister who would have trained with him, helping him perfect their family’s treasured sword art.

‘Would it have been like this?’

The sword’s arc traced a smooth curve through the air. The excess movements of third-rate swordsmanship were trimmed away in a single strike.

A downward slash, followed by an upward cut.

Then a diagonal trajectory, resembling the sliver of a crescent moon beginning to appear in the night sky.

Saaaak—

‘A noble family’s strength lies in restraint. True power is born from it.’

He was no longer the fifteen-year-old outcast.

Now, his swordsmanship carried depth, and his insight had broadened beyond compare.

Beyond the arc of his blade, he saw the world more clearly than ever.

His mind drifted into a serene dream-like state.

As an ethereal sensation enveloped him, he entered a state of complete focus.

In that innate realm of the spirit, the shape of the sword grew ever larger.

Gradually, the world around him faded, leaving only a brilliant light glowing within his sangdanjeon—his upper energy center.

***

“The heir went that way? At this hour?”

“It was before sunset.”

Gongya Jeong’s eyes fluttered open.

Familiar voices lingered at the edges of her consciousness.

When she was young, her father’s stern voice would wake her whenever she dozed off during meditation.

Even now, that voice had the power to instill a sense of tension.

The most prestigious martial aristocrat of Pyeongan Province.

Her father, the Lord of the Gongya family, had arrived with an entourage of servants.

Gongya Jeong quickly straightened herself, raising her head.

She couldn’t possibly greet her father while slumped over.

At that moment—

The approaching footsteps suddenly halted.

Only then did Gongya Jeong notice a faint fluctuation in the energy around her.

It was right in front of her.

A shimmering garment rippled in her blurry vision.

The sound of a foot sweeping lightly against the wooden floor tingled against her ears.

Uuuuung.

The sword hummed. A sound clear as crystal.

Under the soft cascade of moonlight, the blade moved.

Despite its grand and forceful arcs, the air splitting around it was surprisingly gentle.

Gongya Jeong’s eyebrows lifted sharply.

Was she still caught in a hazy dream between sleep and wakefulness?

She needed to see more clearly.

She forced her eyes wide open.

“...!”

It was beautiful.

And terrifying.