The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

The Divine Monk thought, ‘I’ve won.’

While one could argue that there’s no such thing as winning or losing in a meeting, isn’t achieving the intended purpose of the meeting the very definition of victory?

In that sense, the Divine Monk achieved the purpose for which the meeting was convened.

His goal was to halt the Great Orthodox-Unorthodox War and make everyone recognize the Evil Cult as a common enemy.

The fact that detailed terms were not yet negotiated was secondary.

‘Five successors from the orthodox sects against five from the unorthodox sects. A five-on-five duel.’

The outcome of this duel would officially determine the victories and defeats of both large and small power struggles.

Although a ceasefire was decided, it was clear that without proper justification, this matter wouldn’t end there. Depending on the results, one or two provinces would surely be conceded to one side.

Other minor details were voted on during this meeting.

The balance of power was strikingly precise.

Even though the Five Poison Divine Lord was Tang Eun-seol’s maternal grandfather, he stood with the Unorthodox Union.

However, since Jeon Yuk of Heilongjiang was also with the Unorthodox Union, the numbers resulted in an equal five-to-five balance between the orthodox and unorthodox sides.

After two long hours of tiresome discussions, the meeting finally ended.

Yi-gang was at last free.

“The burden on you must be heavy,” Baek Ryu-san commented.

Yi-gang took on the role of leading the orthodox sects’ successors.

As a father, he was proud of his son’s accomplishments, but worry overshadowed his pride.

After all, wasn’t the future of the orthodox martial world practically resting on Yi-gang’s shoulders?

Yi-gang, too, surely felt the weight on his shoulders.

He frowned and muttered under his breath, “That’s right. Babysitting these five kids…”

“…”

Five kids, he says.

Among them were three who inherited the legacy of the Ten Grandmasters. Weren’t they the most outstanding youths carefully selected from the orthodox sects?

“Aren’t they about the same age as you?”

“They’re still immature.”

For some reason, Baek Ryu-san found it natural for his son to dismiss his peers as children and couldn’t bring himself to say anything in response.

“So, what do you think the outcome will be?” he asked.

If the orthodox and unorthodox successors clashed, how did Yi-gang think the results would play out?

Yi-gang didn’t take long to respond.

“It’ll be difficult.”

He had observed the successors during his time at Mount Song.

All five selected successors were undeniably talented, and their achievements were substantial.

However, just looking at Gal Dong-tak, whom Yi-gang had faced, he had imbued his dual axes with a length of Aura Qi an entire span long before swinging them.

Even the son of the Unorthodox Union Leader, who had suffered burns, didn’t seem to be outclassed by Gal Dong-tak. If the remaining three were of similar caliber, the odds of victory seemed slim.

“I’ll make sure there’s ample time before the duel.”

Baek Ryu-san also promised his support in his own way.

“By then, Ha-jun and the others will need to shape up and act more like proper people.”

Yi-gang nodded solemnly, his expression serious.

“Over there.”

On their way out of the meeting hall, a rough voice halted Yi-gang and Baek Ryu-san.

It was Gal Sa-hyuk who had followed them.

He was alone, without the son who had been by his side earlier.

The palace where the meeting was held had numerous hallways and doors leading out.

After the meeting concluded, Gal Sa-hyuk and the unorthodox faction had initially headed for the opposite exit.

What reason did he have to come here now?

“What’s the matter?” Baek Ryu-san asked him.

The hallway was silent. Yi-gang and Baek Ryu-san had exited a bit later than the others.

“I can’t accept this,” Gal Sa-hyuk growled in a low voice.

Yi-gang wondered if Gal Sa-hyuk was angry because he had beaten Gal Dong-tak earlier.

But that wasn’t the case.

In the dim hallway, Gal Sa-hyuk wasn’t glaring at Yi-gang.

It was as if Yi-gang didn’t even matter to him. His sharp gaze was locked onto Baek Ryu-san.

“The Divine Land’s Twelve Stars? What nonsense…”

The term Divine Land’s Twelve Stars had been casually mentioned by the Divine Monk earlier.

With only seven of the Ten Grandmasters remaining, the suggestion was to add and remove names as needed.

It wasn’t a joke to be taken lightly.

If the Divine Monk made a statement and the Absolute masters acknowledged it, it would become the official ranking.

What’s more, the Divine Monk had even listed the names of those considered part of the Shinju Shibilseong.

While the order might not have been an official ranking, Gal Sa-hyuk had heard it differently.

“Some nobody I’ve never heard of becomes the Murim Alliance Leader and stands above me?”

Once again, Gal Sa-hyuk’s name had been called last.

Even before, he had been placed at the bottom of the Ten Grandmasters.

He always pretended to be carefree, as if nothing bothered him, but his heart said otherwise.

This time, he had come with determination. Having attained enlightenment, his martial level must have risen, and he was resolved to prove it—to escape from the humiliating bottom rank.

“Are you saying… you’re stronger than me?!”

The fact that the Clan Head of the Baek Noble Clan, who had always been ranked lower than him, was now considered above him was unbearable.

The hallway seemed to heat up.

Gal Sa-hyuk exuded an oppressive and domineering aura.

In his hand was a massive axe, gripped as if to intimidate.

Baek Ryu-san’s face also hardened.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but your behavior is beyond rude.”

To his mind, the order of names called out by the Divine Monk didn’t necessarily reflect actual skill levels.

“Heh… It’s not that I hold any ill will.”

Gal Sa-hyuk stepped forward, his voice dripping with hostility despite his denial.

It was a clear challenge.

“Still, don’t you think we should measure up once and for all? Especially since you’re a clan head…”

Was a fight inevitable?

Baek Ryu-san was not one to back down from a confrontation.

However, deep down, he felt a sense of unease.

‘He’s not someone I can face lightly.’

A duel between masters fighting with all their might would inevitably tread the line between life and death.

However, Baek Ryu-san carried many burdens.

He was the Vice Leader of the Murim Alliance and the Clan Head of the Baek Noble Clan. Beside him was his ailing son.

His participation in this meeting was to decide the future of the orthodox martial world.

But could he afford to engage in a life-and-death battle with the Green Forest Leader here?

While Baek Ryu-san struggled with such realistic concerns, Gal Sa-hyuk seemed like a man with nothing to lose.

It made sense. Even if he wasn’t a fool, he was still the leader of the bandits, known for losing control once his temper flared.

“Please calm down.”

The one who stepped forward in front of Baek Ryu-san, ready to face a fight, was none other than Yi-gang.

“This doesn’t seem like the right time,” Yi-gang said.

Moreover, his hand was already hovering close to his sword.

In that moment, Baek Ryu-san realized something.

His son was no longer just someone to be protected.

He was now an ally who could lend him a hand—this was Yi-gang as he stood today.

Gal Sa-hyuk seemed ready to erupt with hostility at any moment.

“…”

Yet, Gal Sa-hyuk stared intently at Yi-gang with sunken eyes.

Was Gal Sa-hyuk not angry that someone as young as Yi-gang had stepped in?

No, that wasn’t the case.

When anger reached its peak, there was a moment when it became unnervingly calm.

Inside Gal Sa-hyuk’s mind, it was as if molten lava was boiling over.

At the same time, he noticed Yi-gang’s gaze.

Even in this situation, his eyes were calm.

‘…A wolf’s pup. One day, when he fully matures, he’ll be able to sink his fangs into my neck.’

Yi-gang had toyed with his son, whom Gal Sa-hyuk had once believed to be a genius bestowed by the heavens.

His growth was terrifying. While Yi-gang couldn’t yet be his match…

What about in the future?

Five years from now? Three years? Perhaps even just one year later?

Gal Sa-hyuk’s throat moved as he swallowed hard.

It would be better to stop him now.

Before the flower fully bloomed, before the wolf pup became a wolf.

He couldn’t kill him, but if he could break at least one arm…

That overpowering impulse seized Gal Sa-hyuk’s rationality.

“Fine…!”

At the moment when the Deer Blood Demonic Art was unleashed, placing immense strain on Gal Sa-hyuk’s muscles—

“Stop!”

The Lion’s Roar echoed through the hallway.

Yet, no matter how powerful the sound technique of Shaolin might be, it couldn’t stop Gal Sa-hyuk, the Tyrant King of the Green Forest.

Instead, the shout from the Divine Monk, who had appeared from behind, disrupted Yi-gang’s concentration.

From afar, the Divine Monk stood with a hardened expression, his hand raised.

Huuuuung!

Gal Sa-hyuk grinned wickedly and swung his axe like lightning.

Thud!

But something else reached him before his attack.

Even though the Divine Monk was standing far away, a loud bursting sound came from Gal Sa-hyuk’s chest.

Gal Sa-hyuk, who had been in the motion of swinging his axe, was flung backward.

The distance between the Divine Monk’s outstretched hand and Gal Sa-hyuk was about three zhang.

Moreover, Baek Ryu-san and Yi-gang were standing in between them.

Baek Ryu-san realized the nature of the miraculous martial art.

“Vacuum Palm!”

It was a legendary technique that attacked an opponent through empty space.

The technique, similar to a palm wind, was even more exceptional in that it bypassed Yi-gang and Baek Ryu-san, who were standing in the way, and struck only Gal Sa-hyuk.

“It’s the Hundred Steps Divine Fist, huh, hmph!”

The Hundred Steps Divine Fist.

It was a technique that sent a palm wind to strike an enemy from a hundred steps away—there could hardly be anything more powerful.

This was the Divine Monk’s supreme ultimate technique.

However, it didn’t seem like the Divine Monk had attacked Gal Sa-hyuk with full intent to harm.

This was evident as Gal Sa-hyuk simply grimaced before standing back up.

“Hey, monk, why are you throwing palm winds at a perfectly fine person and causing trouble?”

“You pulled out your axe and had a murderous look on your face, so I thought you needed a wake-up call.”

Gal Sa-hyuk’s murderous intent dissipated in an instant.

He realized there was nothing he could do now that the Divine Monk had intervened.

“Murderous intent? Nonsense. I was just trying to make friends and greet you.”

“Is that so? Well, now that you’ve greeted us, why don’t you leave?”

“Hmph, fine.”

Gal Sa-hyuk retreated as if fleeing.

The Divine Monk clicked his tongue in disapproval.

“Look, Yi-gang. This is what happens when one clings to greed even in old age—they end up this disgraceful.”

Yi-gang released the tension that had built up in his body.

He didn’t intend to back down easily, but the hostility of one of the Ten Grandmasters standing right in front of him was overwhelming.

“Someday, I’ll have a chance to repay you.”

“…Is it okay for a monk to encourage revenge?”

“I wouldn’t know. I’ll ask Buddha when I reach Nirvana.”

The Divine Monk chuckled and let it go.

Now, they would return together to Henan Province, where Mount Song was located.

Henan Province.

Henan Province had long been regarded as the cradle of civilization.

The term Central Plains essentially referred to Henan Province.

Similarly, the Divine Land was another term that referred to Henan.

In Zhengzhou, within Henan Province, there was an estate purchased by Shaolin.

The estate had a relatively long history, was located not far from the city, and was surrounded by open space, making it an ideal location for their purposes.

Once the old structures were repaired, the estate became quite clean and suitable.

The reason Shaolin chose this estate was its unique structure.

Named Tranquil Manor, the estate differed from typical estates, which were usually divided into an inner courtyard and an outer courtyard.

Shaped like the character 回, the estate had a central inner courtyard, but the outer courtyard was divided into two wings, left and right, starting from the central inner courtyard.

In simple terms, it was structured with a left courtyard and a right courtyard, connected through the central inner courtyard.

The left courtyard was where the five successors of the orthodox martial sects were staying.

“They’re coming. This time, I’m sure of it!”

Noh Shik, who was perched on the eaves of the left courtyard, made a fuss as he jumped down.

The other successors, who had been indifferent until now, showed interest.

“The ones who went to Mount Tai?”

“Yes, and not just them. It seems like the unorthodox sects’ successors are coming too!”

“Oh…!”

So Woon also sprang to his feet.

They had come to Tranquil Manor not long after Yi-gang and the Divine Monk departed for Mount Tai.

With five successors selected, they had expected another round of competition to decide who would receive the Divine Monk’s internal energy.

But suddenly, they heard that they would be engaging in duels with the unorthodox sects’ successors.

Though skeptical at first, news soon arrived from Mount Tai.

The message instructed them to hone their martial arts skills at Tranquil Manor.

It was unexpected news, but the response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic.

“The time has finally come. I’ve always wanted to personally kill the disciple of the Crimson Moon Demoness.”

Na Hee-yeon, a disciple of the Sword Pavilion Master and one of the five selected, spoke chilling words.

Ha-jun and Jeong Myung climbed onto the eaves to look outside for confirmation.

“Brother and Father have arrived….”

They looked visibly pleased.

The servants and maids attending to the successors in this place soon delivered the news.

They gazed toward the inner courtyard that connected to the main gate, waiting for the visitors to arrive.

“I wonder what kind of people they’ll be…” So Woon muttered.

He couldn’t help but be curious about the opponents, as they were about to face duels that would determine the fate of the orthodox martial world.

“We can’t lose in terms of momentum.”

It was clear that a battle of presence and aura would ensue.

At that moment, Noh Shik interjected, “Let’s greet them with smiles first.”

“Really?”

“There’s no need to provoke them from the start and make them more wary.”

So Woon respected Noh Shik’s judgment, as he generally found it trustworthy.

“Ah, we should open the main gate. Let’s all greet them with smiles.”

Here, only the bare minimum number of servants were employed.

Since there were no guards to open the main gate, Noh Shik ran to open it himself.

Creeeeak!

With a wide smile, Noh Shik opened the gate.

“Hello th—ugh!”

He screamed in shock.

As the gate opened, he was met with a terrifying man whose face appeared to be melting.

Caught off guard by the gaping hole where the man’s nose should have been, Noh Shik let out an involuntary shout.

“…”

Once renowned for his handsomeness that could unnerve young women of the unorthodox sect, the Flawless Blade Ghost simply stared silently at Noh Shik.

“Haha… Who might you be…?”

“…”

Standing beside the Flawless Blade Ghost were four more successors from the unorthodox sects. Their piercing gazes bore into Noh Shik.

And just behind them, there was a familiar face.

“Move aside.”

“Oh, yes! Young Master Baek!”

Feeling as though things had gone wrong from the start, Noh Shik stepped aside to open the gate wider.

Yi-gang let out a sigh.

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