Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time-Chapter 413: Beijing (5)

The place wasn’t exactly shabby.

More than ten servants managed the interior and the courtyard, while skilled attendants from the family ensured guest services.

However, the fact that Divine Sword Sect's leader had not been granted even the right to enter the palace made it an unacceptable waste of time.

This was Beijing's politics.

The delay in a meeting alone was meant to emphasize the weight of the missteps.

But whether this was the emperor’s direct order, or something carried out by an administrator in his absence, remained unclear.

‘Either way, it won’t be easy,’ Jeong Yeon-shin thought, taking a slow, steady breath.

His long exhale was swept by the wind and scattered, mingling with the dust that had previously risen.

Since entering Beijing, things had been a series of setbacks.

Yong Hui-myeong, who had suggested refining their martial arts, truly shared his knowledge with Jeong Yeon-shin.

They agreed to limit their energy and engage in martial duels combining swordplay and wrestling techniques.

During these duels, Jeong Yeon-shin lost to Yong Hui-myeong several times.

That was only natural. But each fight was rewarding, bringing joy.

There were even moments when the understanding of the Gongyeom Martial Arts seemed to faintly approach, making the unwanted visitors less welcome.

"If someone skilled in the Eye Technique does a deep breath like that," Yong Hui-myeong said, turning his back to the door with a grin.

"Wouldn’t that be scary?" he added with a playful tone.

The purple silk that enveloped Divine Sword Sect's leader fluttered in the breeze.

Despite the massive pressure emanating from a high-ranking official behind him, he seemed completely unaffected. To Jeong Yeon-shin, it was an appropriately composed manner.

"Shall we start again here?" Jeong Yeon-shin asked quietly. He noticed the unusual attire of the figure stepping over the threshold.

The man was dressed in a splendid red official robe, with a stern, dark headpiece. Even the waist belt had golden patterns embroidered on it, and the surface of the soft sword hanging from his waist gleamed like a blade.

If unfurled, it would transform into a whip-like sword.

A person who wore a military weapon like clothing and passed in and [N O V E L I G H T] out of the royal palace.

Such a thing was impossible without the emperor's approval. He was certainly someone who directly served under royal orders.

"So, you’re concerned about the Grand Palace?" Yong Hui-myeong teased. "The gaze of the noble young ladies of Beijing, trained in significant martial arts, treats them like stone statues."

Jeong Yeon-shin chose not to respond with how those noblewomen were no different than rocks.

He had become truly an adult when he saw the qualities of enduring a thousand-year storm from the siblings of the Gongya family during his mission to kill the leader of the Zhuge Clan.

"Right. The Grand Palace had been silent until now. What brings him here?" Yong Hui-myeong asked as he turned around.

"..."

A brief silence passed. The gate of the room, which had been open due to Yong Hui-myeong's orders, had been bustling with people until now, but now only the Grand Palace’s official and an eunuch remained. Both were from distinguished families.

‘Hmm?’

Suddenly, Jeong Yeon-shin’s eyes lit up with recognition. He had locked eyes with a noble eunuch who was accompanying the Grand Palace official.

It was the same person who had gifted him the divine swallow during the time of the black rank ceremony, after responding to the call of the Crown Prince.

"Lord Ming, I trust you've been well? I’ve been using the White Lotus with great care. We've become quite familiar," Jeong Yeon-shin said.

"...I’ve been well," came the reply, and there was a sense of life's hardships woven into those words. A faint hint of doubt lingered in Jeong Yeon-shin’s expression, harking back to his younger years.

"Now that you've arrived in Beijing," the Grand Palace official began.

"I was wondering how you could be so leisurely sitting here," she continued.

Her blue eyes briefly caught Jeong Yeon-shin's, and in that fleeting moment, he felt a strange coldness wash over him.

Was it the aura of a high-ranking official? She spoke and wrote with the authority to govern lives and national matters.

"To see you so focused on teaching the younger generation, I didn’t expect it," the Grand Palace official remarked, adjusting her sleeve as she finished her sentence.

"Such unnecessary talk," Yong Hui-myeong’s voice echoed behind Jeong Yeon-shin, a chuckle escaping his lips.

"To speak of training warriors when there is already one so close to completion? Such words dishonor the esteemed Ma Gwang-ik of our homeland. One day, you’ll have to apologize for that," he added with a sly smile.

"That's a bit of a stretch. You know full well why your entry to the palace has been delayed," the Grand Palace official replied, her tone sharp.

"It must be because the Emperor is too busy. Or perhaps it’s due to one of the high-ranking officials who, instead of attending to royal duties, wields power in the Emperor’s absence," Yong Hui-myeong mocked, his voice laced with sarcasm.

Had anyone else in Beijing spoken those words, their head would likely have rolled unnoticed, but it was different when spoken by the leader of the Divine Sword Sect.

Still, the Grand Palace official’s expression remained indifferent.

"For a brief moment, the strength you gathered might have been enough to influence Beijing," she said coolly. "The power of the Divine Sword Sect thrives when scattered, and even if you laid out your apologies before the palace gates, it wouldn’t be enough."

"That’s just your personal opinion. I’m confident the Emperor would think differently," Yong Hui-myeong retorted.

"I regret to inform you that I couldn’t relay your letter to the Emperor because it showed no signs of remorse," the Grand Palace official said, her voice devoid of emotion.

Yong Hui-myeong laughed softly and placed a hand on his waist.

"Perhaps you want to suppress the Divine Sword Sect? The Emperor must be absent, but do you think I can’t feel the energy around me?"

"..."

"No need to say more. The world is on the brink of famine, and the loss of power within the Divine Sword Sect is beyond calculation for those who only dabble in politics. This great and grim atmosphere needs revitalization... And our homeland needs a new powerful figure to lead us forward. I would appreciate your cooperation."

Yong Hui-myeong’s condescension was effortless, a natural extension of his overwhelming aura.

At the same time, the unwavering composure of the Grand Palace official, facing him without a hint of disturbance, was just as striking.

"Shall we talk about your matters?" she suggested.

"This matter comes first. Don’t worry about my wrongdoings; I will take responsibility," Jeong Yeon-shin replied calmly.

"The appointment of the new official is not something to be taken lightly. The Emperor, as a rare ruler in history, listens to the voices of his officials. You, too, know that from your own experience with the Divine Sword Sect. It takes time to unite so many different opinions," the Grand Palace official remarked.

"Let’s just focus on the martial contest. Those who are bright and quick-witted value only the jewels they see with their own eyes. This will work out well," Yong Hui-myeong said, stretching his arms slightly.

At that moment, Jeong Yeon-shin sensed a powerful presence approaching from the direction of the Forbidden City.

The overwhelming flow of martial energy was unmistakable, reminiscent of the imperial martial techniques he had felt once before, from a visit to the palace of the Emperor’s close advisor.

"Can you imagine that the Grand Palace official, one of the most esteemed figures, is leaving the palace with such overwhelming energy, and yet the bureaucrats still remain on edge over the whispers from the rats in the Forbidden City?"

Yong Hui-myeong chuckled.

***

The figures dressed in splendid official robes gathered in the empty courtyard of the Ipwang Fortress. Jeong Yeon-shin had heard that each of them was outstanding in their own right.

Among them were the heads of the Imperial Secretariat, the Dongchang, and the Jinyiwei, as well as various military commanders and regional governors.

Yong Hui-myeong, standing before them, suggested they engage in a sparring match. Jeong Yeon-shin did not refuse.

"Shall we proceed as usual?" Yong Hui-myeong asked with a smile.

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"Of course. If we don't limit our energy, Beijing might be in ruins. At that point, it would be inevitable for us to be branded as rebels," Yong Hui-myeong added with a playful tone.

"I understand," Jeong Yeon-shin nodded, his focus solely on the duel. He was not concerned with the expressions of the surrounding officials.

Lately, he had been honing his martial skills to a level that he could only test against the renowned leader of the Divine Sword Sect.

"Impressive energy," Yong Hui-myeong commented, a slight smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Just from your expression, I can tell. Seomye, it seems your superior..." he trailed off, a look of realization crossing his face as his smile deepened.

Without drawing his sword, the pressure emanating from Yong Hui-myeong was already palpable, as if his very presence could conjure the image of a blade.

As he stepped closer within a few paces, dust swirled around them.

"Are you planning to win?" Yong Hui-myeong’s voice sliced through the air, and Jeong Yeon-shin felt the unmistakable aura of a sword circle unfurling. A shiver ran down his spine.

The surroundings seemed to blur in his mind.

The duel had already begun. If he were to get caught up in the flow, he would be unable to act in time.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s internal energy began to surge, the luminous force of his energy spreading through his body as his muscles adjusted and aligned.

At the same time, he released his energy outward, taking control of the entire training ground, the surrounding air thick with the fog of his power.

Then, a flash of sword light shot from Yong Hui-myeong’s waist, cutting through the mist in a straight line.

"Faster than before..." Jeong Yeon-shin thought, narrowly dodging the strike, a far swifter and more vicious attack than when they had sparred the previous day.

It was clear now—Yong Hui-myeong was still at the peak of his martial prowess. Even in Ipwang Fortress, where stagnation was disliked, his rate of growth stood out, an undeniable force to reckon with.

‘At least a hundredth-level contest is needed to be able to match him.’

Adjusting his energy flow, Jeong Yeon-shin used the newly acquired technique to push forward. As he did, a white-hot beam of sword light sliced through the growing fog, missing his sleeve by mere inches.

Simultaneously, Jeong Yeon-shin twisted his upper body, his hands thrusting outward like the sword of the Divine Sword Sect in a counterstrike. The heavy defense was in place.

Clang!

The sound of their swords clashing rang out. A powerful vibration passed through Jeong Yeon-shin's hands, signaling a collision of might.

If he allowed himself to remain off-balance in the face of a master like Yong Hui-myeong, it would undoubtedly be his defeat.

Without regaining his stance, he would inevitably lose. Jeong Yeon-shin quickly altered the flow of his internal energy.

Bang!

As Yong Hui-myeong's next strike came toward him, Jeong Yeon-shin blocked it with a perfect, calculated movement, seamlessly shifting into the form of his own unique martial art and converting his strength into a counterattack.

In an instant, a powerful punch—like a cannonball—rocketed toward Yong Hui-myeong’s midsection.

But Yong Hui-myeong's swordplay was beyond imagination.

Clang!

He twisted his body in a blur, deflecting Jeong Yeon-shin’s attack with his elbow, reducing the impact of Jeong Yeon-shin’s force.

At the same moment, the sword, which had been pulled back, slashed through the air like a whirlwind, crashing into Jeong Yeon-shin’s hands, forcing him to retreat in a flurry of action.

‘The flow must be reversed...!’

While Yong Hui-myeong focused on mixing up their attacks, Jeong Yeon-shin’s energy surged through his body in a wave of fog, momentarily slowing Yong Hui-myeong’s movements.

In this moment, Jeong Yeon-shin’s strike changed from one motion to another—he shifted from defense into offense, unleashing an attack with incredible force.

Simultaneously, close combat ensued, a fierce battle where Jeong Yeon-shin displayed a mastery of his form, dodging every one of Yong Hui-myeong’s attacks while also driving his own strikes.

Yong Hui-myeong’s swordsmanship was as fast as lightning, yet Jeong Yeon-shin’s reaction and grace moved like a dance, every strike fluid and countering seamlessly.

The Divine Sword Sect leader and Ma Gwang-ik clashed, their energy fragments scattering like dust across the battlefield.

Every action between them was like a thunderclap, neither side gaining a clear advantage, but the exchange was intense, neither willing to back down.

Yong Hui-myeong’s swordplay was awe-inspiring, yet Jeong Yeon-shin, using his newly honed skills, was holding his ground, despite the massive pressure.

‘This won’t end so easily.’

As they exchanged blows, Jeong Yeon-shin realized that Yong Hui-myeong’s energy was not depleting as quickly as he had expected. The endurance of a master like him was unyielding.

Jeong Yeon-shin, relying on his own internal technique to break through, adjusted his movements once more.

‘I’ll make my move here.’

Jeong Yeon-shin pushed the sword light that had grazed his right temple upwards, concentrating his thoughts on his right palm.

He was preparing to deploy the internal energy control method he had recently mastered. His hands began to move independently, as if he had learned the dual-purpose technique from the Wudang Sect.

The left hand gathered energy while the right blocked the incoming offense.

As his concentration deepened, Jeong Yeon-shin’s focus grew quieter, causing Yong Hui-myeong's brows to twitch in response.

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Soon after, Yong Hui-myeong’s extravagant purple sleeves swelled as though ready to burst.

While he could have avoided it, it seemed that he chose to meet the strike head-on.

Clang—!

The pale traces of the Shadowless Martial Art suddenly were violently shattered by Yong Hui-myeong’s single strike of the sword.

Without flinching, as though he felt no pain, Jeong Yeon-shin extended his hand again, and Yong Hui-myeong did the same. Their hands clasped, locking them in a powerful, close hold. Both fighters were long-limbed, and the span between them was wide.

At that moment, Yong Hui-myeong’s energy shifted upwards, and the Divine Sword he wielded pointed skyward, releasing an intangible sword energy that overshadowed the sun, revealing its terrifying power.

As he prepared to strike, wielding the power to slice through heaven and earth...

‘Huan-Gang.’

In response, Jeong Yeon-shin unleashed the energy from within his body, following the Huan-Gang method he had perfected. He expelled the energy from his palm, sending it forward in a concentrated burst.