Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time-Chapter 284: Lotus (3)

Jeong Yeon-shin's eyes widened.

The pale winter sunlight wavered like a distant mirage. A momentary dizziness washed over him.

In front of the grand, antique vermilion gate, a man and a woman dressed in red martial robes stood facing the scholar Go Jin, each wearing a distinct expression.

There was an air of refinement about them, something that exuded an innate nobility. It was the bearing of an esteemed family.

"Direct descendants of the Gongya family?"

He did not allow himself to be disappointed prematurely. Instinct told him otherwise.

These were scions of a noble house. Unlike Jeong Ga-jang, which could hardly be called a martial family, they were fundamentally different.

He had heard that the Gongya were a renowned noble clan in Shanxi. Their bodies, while not honed through rigorous training, likely compensated with natural instinct.

Jumping to conclusions would be foolish. Hye-a and Cheonggirin in his mind reminded him of that.

"Teacher Go!"

"You're safe!"

The noblewoman and nobleman greeted Go Jin. Their light steps moved with the grace of qinggong as they approached in a single breath.

As they swiftly closed the distance, the hems of their red robes kicked up dust from the ground.

Step.

As they landed, their expressions were filled with relief.

They looked alike—sharp, blade-like eyes and refined jawlines. The vibrant crimson robes suited them well.

Their gestures, even as they tidied their sleeves, carried the natural ease of those raised in privilege.

The woman, whose hair was slightly longer than her younger brother’s, was the first to speak.

She appeared to be around twenty. Her entire stance was more balanced than her brother’s, exuding a bold and unrestrained aura. She was the eldest daughter of the Gongya family.

"The sun had already risen, yet you hadn’t returned. We were greatly concerned. We were just about to go looking for you, but seeing you now, I am relieved."

Her voice was low and pleasant to the ear. The young nobleman's tone, by contrast, was a bit higher, carrying a youthful energy.

"With so many enemies lurking about, you should have an escort next time. Those who left the military without honor have formed the Green Forest. The roads are dangerous."

The young nobleman, with his sleek, long hair, inspected the scholar’s body, subtly checking for injuries.

It seemed Go Jin was well respected. He let out an awkward laugh.

"My apologies for worrying you. I had an old acquaintance to greet..."

"I was wondering about that myself. I spotted a striking figure from afar."

The eldest daughter of the Gongya family met Jeong Yeon-shin’s gaze. Their eyes were on the same level.

Jeong Yeon-shin flinched inwardly. It was an unconscious reaction.

Her obsidian-like eyes held an unfathomable depth.

She was worthy of inheriting her family’s legacy. Her presence alone seemed to suggest that martial prowess was not the only means by which one could assess a person.

Even for a fleeting moment, he found himself reflecting on himself.

"He is my benefactor. On the way to take the imperial examination, he cut down the Green Forest bandits in a single strike. He even drove away bloodthirsty fiends several times."

"I am Geom Un-bi, Lord of Hyeoncheon Sect. I seek the successor of a united martial lineage."

Jeong Yeon-shin clasped his hands in a martial salute.

The eldest daughter of the Gongya family immediately brought both hands together in a formal greeting.

"I am Gongya Jeong. Regardless of age, you are a master of your own school. If you are a benefactor to Teacher Go, then in our household, you are as dear as a friend. I hope you will stay with ease."

Her voice was gentle, yet her speech was formal and rigid.

Though their family was not counted among the Eight Great Houses, in Shanxi, where the Daebang Sect held no influence, the Gongya name carried weight.

Her position shaped her manner of speech.

Rather than adhering to the customs of the martial world, her unconscious posture prioritized her noble lineage.

A master of an unrecognized, single-lineage school would not receive the full honorifics from the successor of a mighty martial aristocracy.

Such was the harsh reality of the current martial world, weakened by famine.

Ironically, the young nobleman's speech was much more casual. His round eyes held no pretension. He seemed about the same age as Jeong Yeon-shin.

"I am Gongya Su! Do you, by chance, have noble ancestors?"

"No, I do not."

"Ah, that’s a shame! You could have been a great pride of the Han people! I’d love to introduce you to my friends. If you don’t have a title, would you like me to give you one? How about ‘Jade-Faced Divine Sword’?"

"Not particularly."

"So humble! How about joining us for a boat ride on the Northern Lake? With a face like yours, our peers will be desperate to join! ‘Divine Sword’ is just something people say, anyway."

"That would be inappropriate."

And it truly was.

In this generation, the Lord of Ma Gwang-ik would not be swayed by the young nobleman’s playful words.

The title Divine Sword was not one given lightly. It was a name that only those who had reached the pinnacle of their life's path could bear.

Neither Jeong Yeon-shin nor anyone from Ipwang Fortress would dare to use such a title recklessly. It was reserved for the Danju alone.

Go Jin's smile stiffened slightly.

"I invited him here with the utmost sincerity, out of concern for the eldest lady. It is a great fortune that he accepted. I assure you, this will prove to be an extraordinary encounter."

"Concern? A fateful meeting, you say?"

Gongya Jeong furrowed her smooth brows.

Go Jin waved his hand dismissively.

"I have not yet spoken to the Lord of Hyeoncheon Sect about it. However, I believe your thoughts are correct, eldest lady. Just think of it as our teacher bringing back another kind of knowledge."

"I do not yet understand... It was all too sudden... But I shall ensure that you are well received while you rest."

She tactfully changed the subject. At the same time, Go Jin turned to Jeong Yeon-shin and feigned an apologetic look.

"The Lord of Hyeoncheon Sect may have been offended. There are matters concerning the household that I have not been able to speak of, but I ask for your understanding."

"It is fine. I shall impose upon you for a while."

Jeong Yeon-shin projected the dignified demeanor of the Lord of Hyeoncheon Sect.

He had discussed this at length with Ak Su-rim. She had told him that it was fine to be a little shameless in situations like this.

There was a great deal of complexity to it.

He had also been warned not to think of the Nine Sects. A bold and magnanimous character was just as important as appropriate humility.

Jeong Yeon-shin interpreted it as: in the lower ranks of the martial world, a person's grandeur was directly proportional to their martial prowess.

"This is difficult."

He still couldn't fully grasp the brashness of such people.

Boldness, generosity, arrogance—none of these qualities suited him.

He was too preoccupied with simply completing his missions with humility.

But from the way the eldest daughter and the young nobleman looked at him, it seemed they had accepted him as such.

That was a relief.

Gongya Jeong turned around.

"You will stay in Teacher Go’s guest residence. You are most welcome here."

Her voice swept through the crisp winter air like a gentle breeze, carrying the dignity unique to the heirs of noble families.

In the clear winter air, the four of them stepped forward.

As they walked, Jeong Yeon-shin asked offhandedly:

"And the real gatekeepers...?"

"Ah, I should probably tell the guards we sent to find Teacher Go to return. We sent out quite a few."

Gongya Su responded nonchalantly.

The Lord of Ma Gwang-ik said nothing.

***

Jeong Yeon-shin unpacked his travel bag in the modestly furnished room.

The faint scent of wood tickled his nose. The wooden tea table and bed frame were polished smooth.

Just as his gaze fell upon the blue silk-lined cotton blanket, a knock came at the door, followed by Go Jin requesting an audience.

"Lord of Hyeoncheon."

"Scholar Go."

Jeong Yeon-shin gestured for him to take a seat. For the time being, Go Jin would be assisting him in handling matters within the main estate, as well as coordinating with Myeongryudae.

Since he was keeping his identity concealed for now, there were limits to his movements. He would have to rely on Go Jin for many things.

"Time feels short."

"With your level of martial skill, that is only natural."

"It’s essentially a proxy martial duel. I’ve never experienced something like this before."

Wouldn’t it be better to simply hide his identity and enter the martial tournament himself?

But that was impossible. The Infallible Mask technique could be easily seen through by skilled eyes.

Moreover, the martial gathering in Shanxi was more of a social event than a real competition. It was merely an opportunity for those who already knew one another to reaffirm their martial abilities.

"Could the gatekeepers be turned into elite warriors?"

Jeong Yeon-shin pondered this to himself. He didn't show it, but the thought left an impression on him.

Perhaps he should have entrusted this to his reliable seniors.

But Ak Su-rim, despite her vast experience, still appeared younger than he was. The Blood Sovereign was also an issue.

Due to the tense atmosphere, trust would be difficult to establish. To the current Lord of Ma Gwang-ik, that logic was incomprehensible—he thought the Blood Sovereign had an air of effortless grandeur.

"Do they have potential? I’d prefer if they had real combat sense."

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"From what I’ve seen, they seem exceptional. The eldest daughter has never had her position as heir challenged, not even once within her family."

"I see."

"That’s fortunate."

Go Jin smiled slightly.

Then, disregarding propriety, he carefully studied Jeong Yeon-shin’s face.

It was still hard to believe.

The young nobleman Gongya Su was still a pampered child, doted on by his entire family.

Meanwhile, the Lord of Ma Gwang-ik had emerged from that same flow of time, bringing forth a staggering level of qinggong and mysterious techniques.

It was astonishing.

"Shanxi has never truly been the center of the martial world before..."

The clash between the Head of the Zhuge Clan and the three Black Sovereigns of Ipwang Fortress.

It was an image difficult to even conjure, yet it sent chills down his spine.

How would it unfold? Who would bear witness?

The moment the news spread, it would trigger a massive upheaval across the vast martial world.

"The fact of your arrival must have already reached the upper ranks of the Gongya family. I have spoken of you in the highest regard multiple times. If only for the sake of my reputation, they will surely host you at least once. That will likely be your chance to prove yourself. In the meantime, it would be best to have your formal attire prepared for the banquet."

"Alright."

"Hmm? The servants can take care of it."

"I see."

Jeong Yeon-shin lowered his arm, which had been reaching for his travel bag.

This was his first time staying in a noble estate since leaving Jeong Ga-jang. The atmosphere carried a peculiar fragrance.

The young nobleman and noblewoman, raised with boundless affection, and the grand yet oddly desolate guest quarters...

"I should sharpen my Radiant Wheel Qi. I might end up facing the Zhuge Clan’s head."

After sending Go Jin away, Jeong Yeon-shin sat down in a meditative posture.

***

Sunlight and moonlight clashed four times.

For four days, Hyeoncheon Sect’s Lord, Geom Un-bi, remained in the unfamiliar guest quarters.

The food was excellent. As the esteemed guest of a noble family’s scholar, he was treated with great hospitality.

But that was all.

No one from the Gongya family sought him out.

In two more hours, it would be the fifth day. At this point, it was unclear whether this was a deliberate slight or mere courtesy.

But it was all too familiar.

It felt like he had returned to Jeong Ga-jang. That same detached silence.

Noble families with much to protect were naturally wary.

Only Go Jin, a warrior of Ipwang Fortress, occasionally stopped by, bowing apologetically with a look of regret.

Even if he was considered strong, he was young. It was unclear whether it would be acceptable to ask him for guidance without disregarding their own dignity.

The eldest daughter, as the heir, had even more reason to hesitate.

"..."

The long, crimson-colored wooden veranda of the guesthouse.

Jeong Yeon-shin blankly watched as the winter sunlight faded into dusk.

The feeling of returning to Jeong Ga-jang wasn’t unpleasant.

The warmth of Jeong Ga-donggong, the martial art that had become ingrained in his body, was ever present.

The image of his mother, one he had crafted within himself, always shielded him from loneliness.

Yet, the absence of his comrades from Ipwang Fortress was keenly felt.

He had pioneered a new era of qinggong. Now, he was susceptible to that sense of emptiness.

"Still... I have work to do."

Srrrk.

He slowly rose to his feet.

The time for careful deliberation was over. It was time to decide how much to reveal.

***

"White cat of the Shin family, your blanket is sticking out of your bag. It’s an eyesore. Blue suggests you tuck it in properly. And step lightly on the grass. A martial artist serving a lord should carry himself with dignity. You're ruining the atmosphere of the mountain path."

"I, on the other hand, find the sound of you chewing grass to be irritating."

"Enough. I understand why Zhuge’s brat acts like that, but what about you, big-tongued swordsman? Why do you look so grim? Hey, lighten up. Say something absurd like you usually do."

"..."

"Ugh, with the Lord gone, even the smallest things seem annoying. Maybe I should refine my qinggong instead. Come up with something truly grand."

"Huh?"

"That star-traversing qinggong—what was it called, Ten Mile Radiance? It made my family's Yeojocheonwangjing look inadequate. It was exhilarating."

"Brag all you want. If that technique were so easy to create, even our senior Poppy would be the Lord by now."

"White cat, white cat. Didn’t you broaden your horizons with my Brilliant Flare Formula—Flame River?"

"Even without it, our Lord’s martial lineage is already perfect."

"Sure, sure. Anyway, we’re the only ones in Shanxi drawing attention, aren’t we? It’s odd how the main estate is sitting idly by, acting as if they don’t know Zhuge’s scheming. In the end, our operational range is wider than the Lord’s this time."

"Yes. And if we happen to cross paths with the Lord, we should pretend not to know him. Though, we’ll avoid stepping foot into the Gongya household if we can help it."

"With our Lord’s personality, anything could happen. If the Lord were my younger brother, I’d have handed over my position as heir long ago and spent my days in leisure. The name Hwangbo Brat would have faded, and Hwangbo Heavenly Demon would stand alone. In ten years, our Lord might be called Ipwang’s Divine Demon."

"Don’t try to gauge our Lord’s patience with your shallow insight, senior."

"Ipwang Fortress is built on chaos, isn’t it? I’ve been itching to unleash my pent-up frustration here in Shanxi. Imagine how much worse it must be for our Lord. Better that than being neglected by the Gongya family. Since the Lord is your age, it’s no wonder they look down on him."

"If that were really the case, Senior Poppy, there wouldn’t even be a need for your intervention."

"Oh? Quite the fierce spirit. Well, well."