The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

Excluding his father, the elders of the Baek Noble Clan, and Neung Ji-pyeong, who taught him Shadowless Splendor.

Yi-gang’s first master was the Immortal Divine Sword.

A master in both name and reality, an absolute master. The Great Ancestor, who created the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique, personally oversaw Yi-gang’s swordsmanship.

Even under the harsh conditions of the Great Yin Meridian Blockage, Yi-gang was able to hone his swordsmanship thanks to him.

The first master, the Immortal Divine Sword, achieved enlightenment and passed on his spiritual energy to Yi-gang before leaving.

His second master was the Grand Library Master, Yu Jeong-shin.

However, he did not deeply involve himself in Yi-gang’s swordsmanship. Yu Jeong-shin allowed Yi-gang to focus solely on the training of the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique, not as a swordsman of the Azure Forest.

He mainly taught things other than swordsmanship, serving as a spiritual pillar and a place of rest.

And the third master was none other than the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon.

Though lacking compared to the Immortal Divine Sword, who wouldn’t be?

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon was also an expert who, at a young age, aspired to surpass the Ten Grandmasters.

She used a small sword, differing from Yi-gang’s swordsmanship. But an expert was still an expert. Yi-gang received corrections in his swordsmanship from her.

Learning the Heavenly Thunder Bell was a secondary matter.

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon always had a saying for Yi-gang.

「Clumsy, so clumsy!」

Every time Yi-gang demonstrated the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique, she would say that.

「With such a sword, do you think you can survive in this harsh martial world? It’s a waste of swordsmanship.」

It was a harsh criticism.

Yi-gang faced this even when he won alone against three peers of his age.

That’s why Yi-gang internally revised his self-evaluation.

The Immortal Divine Sword had indeed called him a genius, but it seemed that this evaluation was mixed with affection for his descendant.

He might not know about the future, but he felt he was still lacking compared to the real masters of the martial world.

「When you meet the really strong ones, you’ll realize how insufficient you are.」

The first time he subdued the bandits, it was easy.

It was so mundane he almost yawned, but he didn’t become complacent. After all, his opponents were not the renowned Thirty-six Forts of the Green Forest, just ordinary robbers.

But when he caught the Samgwi, he felt a sense of strangeness for the first time.

It was easier than he thought. Even without invoking the Heavenly Thunder Bell, it might have been manageable.

This was true even though Yi-gang was not affected by the yokai’s cultivation arts, unlike others.

Even Jegal Seon, one of the successors of the Seven Great Clans, was easy.

It was out of character for him to attack barehanded, so Yi-gang beat him with a pot.

「That’s why, never let your guard down.」

Yi-gang had an insight comparable to Peak-level experts.

Namgung Shin would probably be the strongest person Yi-gang had ever faced. The way he walked, the way he held the sword, everything was different.

And, he must have recognized that Yi-gang was not weak. That’s why he agreed to duel Yi-gang instead of Baek Ha-jun.

“Start!”

As Hwa Mu-cheon announced the start of the duel, Namgung Shin fiercely lunged in.

Yi-gang also did not hesitate and raised the stakes.

He drew the heavy Shooting Star Fang from above to below.

Crash—!

Sparks flew.

The vibration from the clashing swords transmitted from the hand to the heart.

And a skilled swordsman even utilized the rebound from the shock as their own.

Namgung Shin’s figure dipped down.

Yi-gang, feeling an instinctive sense of crisis, stepped back.

The sword swiped past where Yi-gang’s ankle had been.

Then it was Yi-gang’s turn.

He kicked at the temple of Namgung Shin, who had lowered his body close to the ground.

Thud!

Namgung Shin raised his hand and caught Yi-gang’s ankle.

It was a precarious situation for Yi-gang, who might lose his balance and be counterattacked.

But instead of pulling his foot away, Yi-gang charged towards Namgung Shin.

He spun in mid-air and struck Namgung Shin’s back of the head with his left foot. Namgung Shin quickly let go of Yi-gang’s ankle.

All these exchanges of offense and defense happened in the blink of an eye.

Yi-gang exhaled deeply. He was using his Qi rapidly.

“Hoo…”

Namgung Shin’s eyes also changed. He seemed astonished.

“Hup!”

With a small shout, he lunged in again.

The exchange was so fast it was hard to follow with the eyes.

Clang- Crack- Wham!

Sparks flashed, and the sound of impacts echoed.

There were several onlookers who had followed Namgung Shin, but most of them only saw the afterimages of the two moving swiftly.

That alone was enough to draw admiration.

“Wow!”

“Indeed, the Azure Sky Sword Dragon! Amazing!”

There were storytellers and enthusiasts among the crowd that had gathered since the garden of the Murim Alliance was open.

They had given Namgung Shin the nickname Azure Sky Sword Dragon.

“Isn’t the opponent more remarkable to my eyes?”

“Haven’t you heard about Henan’s Sage beating a martial artist from the Jegal Clan with a pot? That person is also strong.”

“That’s already widely rumored. But still, the opponent is different. Azure Sky Sword Dragon is on the brink of reaching Peak prowess.”

Excluding the martial artists, these people might be the most interested in the martial world.

No matter how open the Murim Alliance was, there were those who came to watch the duels.

“Henan’s Sage’s skills must have been misunderstood. It seems the evaluation needs to be revised.”

“Isn’t it said that you can’t use internal energy if you have meridian blockage disease? That’s what I heard.”

“There must be something else.”

They whispered excitedly among themselves.

More shocked by the duel than even the enthusiasts were the successors.

“…Brother.”

Always composed, Baek Ha-jun was astonished.

He was the one who had directly received the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique from the Clan Head of the Baek Noble Clan, the clan’s top master.

Before leaving, Baek Ryu-san told Ha-jun, ‘You have begun to feel the essence of the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique, even if just a little.’

It was praise from the usually inexpressive Clan Head, and Baek Ha-jun felt a sense of pride.

‘That’s the real Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique…’

However, the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique displayed by Yi-gang was different from that of Ha-jun and his father.

He realized it because the level had been elevated.

Yi-gang’s sword was more precise, more perfect, and more lethal.

The third form of his Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique, Pride Dragon Biting Tiger, pierced through Namgung Shin’s Emperor King Sword Style.

Clang—!

The meteorite sword passed by Namgung Shin’s hair near the ear.

A small nick appeared on Namgung Shin’s earlobe. It was the first time his blood had been drawn.

Namgung Shin hardened his face and sped up his sword.

Peng Mu-ah, who was watching, was equally surprised.

“Yi-gang has… become so strong.”

She only thought he was weak.

She came with the intention to protect him, but Yi-gang was no longer the frail boy from the past.

Even when her brother Peng Gu-in praised Yi-gang, even when Yi-gang thrashed the annoying Jegal Seon, she thought he had become stronger than expected, but now it was different.

“I need to train harder…”

Could Peng Mu-ah still say she would protect the current Yi-gang?

It could be a bitter realization, but Peng Mu-ah was spiritedly ignited with enthusiasm.

However, the public opinion still favored Namgung Shin’s victory.

“Still… Azure Sky Sword Dragon has not yet revealed all his skills.”

“It must be a probe of the opponent. None of his previous duels were quick conclusions.”

That made sense since Namgung Shin had not shown all his skills yet.

Namgung Shin stepped back.

His breathing became a bit rough, but his eyes still shone brightly.

He raised his sword above his head. It was a different stance from before.

A few people recognized that initial stance.

Azure Sky Capturing Clouds. The stance that ‘captures clouds from the blue sky.’

People recognized Namgung Shin’s sword stance right away because he always finished his duels with that stance.

Moyong Jin, who had come here quietly by himself, let out a sigh.

“No…”

He couldn’t help but remember.

After Namgung Shin used that sword stance, his brother had been defeated.

Moyong Jin, who had challenged Namgung Shin several times in recent days, also tasted defeat starting from that stance.

After Namgung Shin adopted that stance, a terrible sound would invariably follow.

Rumble—

As if the dark thunderclouds filling the sky were enraged.

As if it were spitting lightning, a unique Sword Cry.

It’s something possible only in a state where the Qi is extremely condensed and the sword energy was about to materialize.

“Wow!”

“Finally!”

Namgung Shin’s momentum changed dramatically.

Facing him, Yi-gang looked as pitiful as a reed before a storm.

That was until Yi-gang changed his stance.

‘…Surely not.’

Moyong Jin seemed to understand what Yi-gang was doing.

Just looking at Baek Ha-jun, who was gaping in astonishment, confirmed it.

Soon after, the Shooting Star Fang in Yi-gang’s hand emitted a dragon’s roar.

Drrrrrr—

A heavy vibration.

Unknown to the onlookers, Yi-gang’s sword, made from refined meteorite, was different from ordinary swords.

When it made a Sword Cry, it resonated much heavier and lower.

Like the growl of a wild beast, it sent shivers down the spines of those watching.

Yi-gang’s sword and Namgung Shin’s sword collided once again.

Kwaaaaang!

The sound was immensely louder compared to just moments ago.

Tang Eun-seol, who had been watching the duel with great interest, hardened her expression.

As if making a mental note, she tapped her head ornament and murmured to herself.

“Two more names.”

Successors who seemed impossible to defeat even with the use of poison.

Two names were now added to the previously empty list in her head.

Yi-gang was in no way inferior to Namgung Shin.

On the other hand, Moyong Jin had already lost to Namgung Shin three times.

Feeling humiliated, bitter, and ashamed, he left the place with a pale face.

Crossing paths with the departing Moyong Jin was none other than Dam Hyun.

Holding something in his arms, he looked up at Yi-gang, who was still in the middle of the duel.

“Hmm, working hard.”

Yi-gang’s expression, while competing with Namgung Shin, was not tense.

But that didn’t mean he was fighting easily. Yi-gang was giving it his all.

The exchange of blows paused for a moment.

“Remarkable.”

Yi-gang said this looking at Namgung Shin.

The amount of internal energy stored in the dantian was likely much greater in Namgung Shin than in Yi-gang.

Had it not been for Yi-gang’s cleaner and connected major meridian, unlike those of ordinary people, he wouldn’t have been able to withstand it.

“You are remarkable too.”

“Is that the Emperor King Sword Style?”

“It’s the sword of Namgung.”

The way Yi-gang and Namgung Shin addressed each other had changed again since before the duel.

“It doesn’t seem stronger than Young Master Moyong Tak’s.”

“…Do you also have feelings about that incident?”

“It’s none of my business. It wasn’t an ambush anyway.”

Namgung Shin hesitated for a moment, then nodded his head.

“Thank you.”

“If you’re grateful, let’s finish this quickly.”

“…?”

Yi-gang smiled, holding back a surge of nausea.

The Qi he had accumulated over years was nearly depleted.

Using Sword Cry was Yi-gang’s limit.

Of course, he hadn’t used all his ‘means’ yet.

“Let’s bring this to a conclusion.”

“…Understood.”

Namgung Shin put strength into his thick eyebrows.

His sword came to an abrupt stop.

“Yes, if not now…”

Namgung Shin murmured to himself as if in a monologue.

Yi-gang, preparing the latter three forms of the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique, raised one eyebrow.

He felt a strange energy emanating from Namgung Shin.

Somewhat familiar, Yi-gang halted his movement.

The Black Snake Belt wrapped around his waist trembled.

Charrrr—

Was it sensing its master’s danger?

Even when trapped in the All-knowing High Formation, it had been quiet, but now was stirring.

“Be careful.”

Namgung Shin’s warning.

Yi-gang’s eyes widened.

His keen sixth sense warned him of danger.

He realized that Namgung Shin’s next move was not to be underestimated.

It couldn’t be blocked by ordinary means.

In a public duel, using the Black Snake Belt was obviously out of the question, as was sorcery.

Then, the best thing to counter with would be…

‘Heavenly Thunder Bell.’

Namgung Shin’s sword tip spun around playfully.

At the moment Yi-gang was about to invoke the first star of the Heavenly Thunder Bell, Namgung Shin’s eyes shone with a blue light.

“Hup!”

And, just before Yi-gang and Namgung Shin collided.

A sharp cry erupted in the hushed crowd.

“Kyaaang!”

It wasn’t a sound a human could make. Was it the cry of a beast?

Yi-gang and Namgung Shin instinctively stopped and looked down.

Everyone watching the duel also turned towards the source of the sound.

There stood Dam Hyun.

“…Uh.”

Dam Hyun, with a bewildered face, clutched at his chest.

Then, looking around hastily, he shouted as if he had no other choice.

“I-it was me! I made the sound!”

The only response to his words was an awkward silence.

With a flushed face, Dam Hyun bowed his head and hurriedly left the arena.

Yi-gang dropped his sword with an exasperated expression.

‘…A fox’s cry?’

Most people wouldn’t recognize it, but it was definitely the cry of a fox.

He turned to look at Namgung Shin.

The duel was a duel, and a conclusion should be reached.

However, he had to widen his eyes in surprise upon checking Namgung Shin’s condition.

“…Cough.”

Namgung Shin was dripping blood from the hand holding his sword.

The wound wasn’t caused by Yi-gang, but Namgung Shin’s sleeve, including his arm, was soaked in bright red.

No one had seen when that injury occurred. They only assumed it was caused by Yi-gang’s sword during the duel.

Namgung Shin suddenly put away his sword with a bitter expression.

“…It’s my defeat.”

“What?”

“Thank you for the lesson.”

Before Yi-gang could say anything, Namgung Shin performed a formal bow to acknowledge his defeat.

He then trudged off the dueling stage.

His departure contrasted with Yi-gang, who was still standing unharmed.

The judge, Hwa Mu-cheon, smiled broadly and announced, “Baek Yi-gang, wins!”

Yi-gang’s victory was declared.

Just as people were about to understand the situation and cheer, Hwa Mu-cheon added another comment, “I never imagined the number one spot would change so suddenly.”

It meant that Yi-gang’s position as number one was now certain, regardless of the duel’s outcome or quality.

Only then did the cheers erupt.