Surviving as a Genius on Borrowed Time

Jeong Yeon-shin, the Lord of Ipwang Fortress, and Shin-ui.

Their fifteen-day journey had been eerily uneventful.

Despite the chaos of the world—where swordsmen posed as bandits and thieves used water techniques to control rivers—their group had not encountered a single hardship.

It was as if fate itself had chosen to steer turmoil away from them. Or, more precisely, to avoid the Lord of Ipwang Fortress.

They walked along mountain paths with nothing but silence around them.

It felt like a dream.

And yet, she did not hasten her pace.

It was as if they were simply a master and disciple on a leisurely journey in an age of peace.

They shared rations of preserved food, built fires, rested, and leaned against rough tree trunks when night fell, drifting into sleep.

It was an unusual way to travel, considering the turbulent times.

They did not use fine horses, sedan chairs, or light-footwork techniques to speed their journey.

During this time, Jeong Yeon-shin spent his longest period alone with his master.

No longer merely a subordinate to his fortress lord, he finally experienced what it meant to be a true disciple.

— That’s not fully cooked yet. But… did Master always eat meat? I heard from Cheong-an Sword that the noble clans treat the forest as their kin, not pigs and cattle.

— To train and sustain one's swordsmanship, proper nourishment is essential. The body comes before internal energy. You must not forget your roots.

— You’re referring to the principles of the Jeong Family’s martial arts, aren’t you? I will remember. By the way, wild boars have become scarce since last winter. Luckily, we can still hunt using sword techniques. I was a bit worried since the winter winds have felt harsher lately…

— Your Sword Commanding the Mind technique is already excellent.

— Ah.

— However, there is a fleeting hesitation before you summon your will. You should devote yourself to meditation. If you can close the gap between mind and body, your sword will become even faster.

— Understood. And this meat is still undercooked. Please, have this piece instead.

— Thank you.

Such were the experiences that every martial artist with a master should have in their youth.

For fifteen days, Jeong Yeon-shin cherished those quiet moments.

The time he spent with his master was warmer than he had expected.

So much so that every moment was becoming a precious memory.

At times, as he gazed at the deepened moonlight, Shin-ui would share stories of the World Tree.

— You’ve heard that it’s massive, of course. But inside that ridiculously large tree is an entire city. Calling it a village wouldn’t do it justice.

— Do they live inside the hollowed-out tree?

— The World Tree has two layers. Think of it as having an outer wall and an inner wall. Just past the bark, there are thousands of people with large ears, like Emperor Zhao Lie of Shu-Han. That’s what we call the Outer City. But the true World Tree, its deepest core, is even further within… Even most noble clans dare not step inside. It is akin to their sacred ground.

— Dare not enter…?

— More like they do not allow anyone in. It’s a place filled with masters who have devoted their entire lives to martial arts. Besides, even among the Outer City’s gatekeepers, the collateral branches of the Zhu Clan serve as its boundary warriors. That should tell you enough.

A tale of those who existed outside the established order of the martial world.

Time passed swiftly as he listened.

And so—

One mountain after another, step by step—until suddenly, his master’s voice rang out like a chime:

— “That is the World Tree.”

It felt as if they had simply stepped onto the right path in some mystical formation, arriving at their destination by pure fate.

The World Tree.

It touched the clouds.

There was no exaggeration in calling it the “World.” It truly connected the heavens and the earth. Wisps of cloud, like scattered tufts of white cotton, drifted around it.

It exuded a heavy, overwhelming silence. Somewhere, faintly, the deep sound of a horn could be heard, but the source was untraceable.

Even the word colossal seemed insufficient.

‘This is…’

His mind felt dazed.

Just looking at it made his soul feel as if it was being drawn somewhere far away.

It was the same sensation he had felt as a child, staring at the stillness of the night sky.

This was one of the great mysteries of the martial world.

It did not feel like a tree at all.

“But…”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Jeong Yeon-shin turned his gaze toward the fortress-like bark and asked:

“How do we enter?”

There was no entrance in sight, and it did not appear to be a test of movement skills either.

Just as he instinctively moved his fingers, Shin-ui suddenly stepped in front of him.

“Wait a moment.”

“I didn’t do anything.”

Jeong Yeon-shin responded reflexively. A proper gentleman would never act rashly in front of his master.

Rumors about him had certainly been growing lately, but he had trained himself to ignore such noise. Yet, in the presence of the Lord of Ipwang Fortress, he still felt on edge.

He wanted to leave a good impression, not a reckless one.

“May I offer a few warnings?”

Shin-ui asked, but before Jeong Yeon-shin could answer, he continued:

“First—avoid deep breaths.”

“…Pardon?”

“For martial artists at your level, even a single inhale steals a vast amount of natural energy. And in times like these, when the earth’s energy is already weakened—imagine what happens if you breathe deeply here, within the World Tree’s domain? That would be an act of provocation. A very effective one, at that.

Of course, I’ve heard that you’re quite skilled at using provocation as a strategy… but this is a different matter entirely.”

“Who said such a thing?”

Jeong Yeon-shin asked quietly.

He once inquired with Cheong-myeong about a certain phrase beginning with Guang.

But even as Cheong-myeong returned to his homeland, he only responded with his characteristic ambiguous smile.

Even the more talkative Ak Surim and Shin So-bin had brushed off his question.

“Hmm?”

For once, Shin-ui seemed momentarily caught off guard. But in the end, he didn’t give a clear answer.

“Well, I’m not sure. Just ignore it—it’s only a rumor.

Anyway, the second rule—your footsteps. Once inside, walk as lightly as possible.”

“…”

"Their five senses are far more sensitive than even the most refined martial intuition. So sensitive, in fact, that you might end up provoking them over nothing. They aren’t bound by worldly status or laws… meaning you might witness something you’d rather not see. You must remain vigilant."

"Something I’d rather not see…?"

“You probably wouldn’t want to hear it. Lastly, the third thing is…”

“If you have nothing else to say, then I’ll stop here. Master, I will inform you.”

Jeong Yeon-shin stepped forward at a slow pace. He had not come here to immediately overcome his destiny, and yet, the Celestial Tree was right before his eyes.

Maintaining composure in such a moment was all but impossible.

“There is no room for negotiation when it comes to their vigilance. If you take even one reckless step forward…!”

Just as the rarely flustered Shin-ui raised his hand in warning and moved to stop him, a thin streak of light suddenly flashed through the air. It carried a trail of brilliant white ripples as it descended.

Kwaaaaaang!

Right in front of Jeong Yeon-shin’s feet.

With a deafening roar, the ground caved in a perfect circle. Violent tremors spread outward, fracturing the earth in jagged lines. Shards of ground scattered in every direction, crashing like shards of steel as they gouged into the surroundings.

The explosion of dust that followed took several breaths to settle.

“……”

At the center of the newly formed crater—

A long metal spear had embedded itself into the ground like an arrow. Its shaft trembled, leaving afterimages in the air, while the white banner attached to its end quivered violently. The force behind the strike had been enough to pierce the earth itself.

Rumble—

The ground subtly shook in sync with the movement of the banner. The overwhelming force that had nearly resembled a natural disaster seeped into the earth like a solemn warning.

Right before it—

“You could have just spoken.”

Despite taking the full brunt of the shockwave, Jeong Yeon-shin stood unscathed.

Of course, the strike had never been intended to hit him in the first place. His long robe remained untouched, cloaked in a subtle, starlike glow that shimmered faintly. The fabric didn’t even flutter. It remained utterly still.

Silently, he lifted his gaze.

A figure stood upright on the bark of the ancient tree, defying gravity.

They gripped a massive bow nearly as large as their own body, exuding an overwhelming presence characteristic of a true grandmaster.

Even from a distance of a full li, an almost imperceptible breeze swept over Jeong Yeon-shin’s skin, carrying the force of amplified energy. The sheer density of spiritual power radiating from the figure was proof of their mastery.

Even with the sun and wispy clouds behind them, their silhouette remained sharp.

Their form was sleek yet taut, their body honed to perfection—a physique belonging to one who had reached the pinnacle of archery.

“…I recall hearing that the greatest archer in the world was the Lord of Dark Night’s Archery.”

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly spoke.

“Was that just an empty title?”

At those words, Shin-ui, who had already taken a step back, shook his head.

“There are always truths and falsehoods in worldly rumors. Those who wield swords often believe their world to be absolute and rarely acknowledge masters who remain nameless. But the deeper one’s martial arts, the stronger their pride. Perhaps, Yeon-shin, you were also intoxicated by your reputation for having slain the Greatest Archer?”

He asked playfully, tilting his head back toward the figure who had loosed the arrow. Yet, without waiting for a response, Shin-ui continued in his usual archaic manner.

“The lands beyond are steeped in obscurity, untouched by the renown of the Sword of Annihilation. But for the Arrow Spirit of the Celestial Tree to step beyond its depths and appear at the entrance… how curious.”

It was unclear whether he was making conversation or merely speaking to himself. Jeong Yeon-shin turned to glance at the Lord of Ipwang Fortress.

Swish.

The noble warrior, revered for their serene temperament and mastery over self-discipline, had been attacked first. Even as their anger burned, they prioritized seeking their master’s guidance before acting.

“Master.”

“The color purple.”

Her lips parted slowly.

“You may handle this as you see fit.”

“If I act rashly and bring shame upon your reputation…”

“Reputation.”

The Lord of Ipwang Fortress repeated the word, the corners of her lips faintly curving. It was the same expression she had worn when she once told Yeon-shin that growing his hair out might suit him when he became a grandmaster.

“It is small in comparison to your intent.”

Yeon-shin asked no further questions.

Boom!

He shot forward in an instant.

The already cratered ground caved in further, erupting with a thunderous roar. Jeong Yeon-shin’s body flickered {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} like a violet lightning bolt, leaving behind a streak as he ascended in a near-perfect vertical line.

The trajectory of his leap ran parallel to the bark of the towering Celestial Tree, a streak of friction creating sharp, grating echoes in its wake.

‘There’s no other entrance.’

Jeong Yeon-shin had already heard much from Shin-ui.

Even among noble families, the Lord of Ipwang Fortress held an unrivaled status. And yet, even she could count on only a few within the Celestial Tree to welcome an outsider as a guest. It was said to be more sealed-off than even the Forbidden City of the North.

A true den of demons.

Yeon-shin still had no idea what his master sought, but in the end, this was a place he would have to enter. At the very least, he needed to speak—to plead, if necessary.

Swish.

Just then, the figure wielding the great bow began to sink into the tree’s bark as if stepping into a swamp. It was as though an unseen door had opened for them.

“This is not a place where you are welcome.”

A flat, emotionless voice rang out.

The Arrow Spirit of the Celestial Tree. Their head was adorned with woven green leaves, forming a crown. As they turned away without hesitation, strands of long, verdant hair slipped down their back, reminiscent of the Lord of Ipwang Fortress.

Could they be related?

At the very least, they held a significant position within the Celestial Tree—a place considered the greatest enigma of the martial world.

Rustle.

Without even glancing at Yeon-shin, they vanished into the bark.

Only a few strands of green hair remained, sliding down the tree’s surface before being severed. As though taunting him, Yeon-shin arrived just a moment too late.

Her presence had disappeared entirely, leaving behind only the impenetrable bark of the Celestial Tree.

A sigh rose from below.

“Well then, my friend, it seems you have no choice but to face the trials…!”

And in that instant—

Time slowed.

At least, in Jeong Yeon-shin’s mind, it did.

Shin-ui’s earlier words, spoken with exasperation, flowed through his thoughts like a river.

—To enter the Celestial Tree as an outsider, one must undergo countless trials. Martial prowess, character, knowledge, lineage, past deeds in the martial world… They weigh everything before granting passage. Naturally. Even the Divine Sword Sect Leader, that so-called Sword of the Lost, Yong Hui-myeong, was no exception. The problem is, these trials… they are said to rival the Thirty-Six Grand Gates of Shaolin. Even for someone strong enough to handle them, it takes dozens of days to pass through. What in the world is your master thinking, bringing you here now…

Jeong Yeon-shin slowly drew his blade.

Shiiing.

A faint mark was left upon the bark. It was where the Arrow Spirit of the Celestial Tree had unleashed their overwhelming energy.

Suspended midair, just before he began to fall, Jeong Yeon-shin stepped lightly on that trace—

And in the next moment, his body was drawn into the crevice like smoke.

Just as the Master of Heaven’s Gate had done once before.

There was no trial.