Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

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.”