Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

The Annihilation of the Wasteland, Seomye.

He stood atop the chest of a prince acknowledged by the late Emperor.

Wooong—!

Golden-brown waves of energy rippled out in multiple layers from beneath the Red Phoenix King’s crushed back.

It was an immense burst of energy, powerful enough to propel him beyond Hangzhou if properly released. Yet, he couldn’t even lift his upper body.

There was no need for any countermeasure.

Jeong Yeon-shin’s long leg simply didn’t move—anchored like an immovable boulder, remaining in the same position as when he had struck.

Hwaaaak!

His deep red robe fluttered as the wind mixed with his presence. The sunlight cast a crimson glow on the fabric.

“……”

It was a brilliantly bright day. The midday sun poured down relentlessly.

Huh…!

A breathless exclamation came from the side.

It was Jin Mu, a prodigy of Cheongseong, who had been chatting away with the martial artists of Ipwang Fortress just moments ago. Now, he absentmindedly touched the scabbard at his waist, staring blankly at Jeong Yeon-shin.

Meanwhile, silence spread among the eight factions lined up in formation.

Flags bearing their respective names swayed in the quiet.

Then, Ak Su-rim, who had been facing the two royal factions, slammed her spear into the ground—thud!—using it as a pole to vault backward.

Tap.

She landed in front of Jeong Yeon-shin, breaking the silence.

Her posture naturally blocked the advancing warriors of the Red Phoenix King’s faction. She glanced at her young superior and smirked wryly.

“…Not just a resemblance.”

Her murmured words would never reach Jeong Yeon-shin’s ears.

At that moment, he turned slightly to glance at Ma Gwang-ik, standing behind him.

“Why did you hold back?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked quietly.

“He’s a Joo, after all. Strong as expected.”

Ma Gwang-ik dusted off the hem of his pants with a chuckle.

The Azure Eye Sword—true to his name, a one-eyed swordsman with a blue headscarf—casually sheathed his sword with a smooth srrrng!

This was not the demeanor of an ordinary Azure warrior.

It was the composure of a leader who would soon inherit the Ma Gwang-ik Division.

Ma Gwang-ik had already mastered the Radiant Edge Method, a technique known to only a select few in Ipwang Fortress.

After the false rumors of Jeong Yeon-shin’s death had spread, Ma Gwang-ik had been pushed to his mental and emotional limits—leading him to break through and reach a new level.

Just then—

“Lord Jeong, I believe there has been a misunderstanding…!”

A middle-aged man in blue official robes stepped forward from the Red Phoenix King’s faction.