The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

Zhang Sanfeng gave Yi-gang valuable advice.

To learn the demon-subduing martial arts and utilize the Imperial Palace Armory.

These were words as precious as gold and jade, and they were sure to be helpful.

However, if that was all Zhang Sanfeng had to teach, it would have felt insufficient.

Fortunately, Zhang Sanfeng didn’t stop with just that advice.

He declared that he would impart his essential martial arts to Yi-gang.

For that training, Yi-gang descended to the training hall alone for the first time in a long while.

It was a training hall within Yongzhao Palace, a place where no one was watching.

He asked Zhang Sanfeng, ‘If I must face someone more skilled than myself, what should I do?’

Those words meant that regardless of age or experience, he had secured a pillar in the orthodox Murim.

The consensus in Jianghu was that he was a peerless prodigy who had reached the Supreme Peak in his early twenties and inherited the enlightenment of the Sword Emperor.

If he could escape the constraints of lifespan, he would surely rise to become one of the Ten Grandmasters someday.

However, Yi-gang’s potential enemies could not be underestimated, even at the Supreme Peak realm.

The Evil Cult, the Demon Cult—how formidable could their strength truly be?

Yi-gang had just barely stepped into the entry level of the Supreme Peak realm. But his opponents?

‘I cannot handle multiple Supreme Peak masters attacking me together.’

These were challenges that could not be overcome with rapid growth alone.

Yi-gang didn’t consider himself a genius.

The Immortal Divine Sword, Zhang Sanfeng, the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, the Sword Emperor—they were all geniuses in martial arts compared to Yi-gang.

He was convinced that his current achievements were the result of a series of fortuitous events and luck.

Zhang Sanfeng answered Yi-gang’s question, 「I shall borrow your body to eradicate the wicked.」

‘If I were to allow possession…’

It’s the most efficient method.

Zhang Sanfeng’s soul and spirit were exceedingly powerful.

However, he could attempt possession for a short period.

If he consumed a potent elixir and allowed possession, he could likely maintain it for quite some time.

‘Then, there would be almost nothing to fear.’

Recalling the memory of the White Monkey Demonic Hand, it was clear. Even if there were multiple Supreme Peak masters, borrowing Zhang Sanfeng’s power would at least allow him to turn the situation around.

But, what if there were more than just Supreme Peak masters among the enemies he had to face?

‘But, what if I have to face an Absolute master? Could the Sage still assist me then?’

Yi-gang couldn’t dare to be so confident.

When Zhang Sanfeng possessed Yi-gang’s body, he once broke through the Sword Emperor’s supreme ultimate technique.

But even so, could Zhang Sanfeng, while possessing Yi-gang’s body, achieve an overwhelming victory against an Absolute master?

「In the current state, I cannot guarantee victory.」

That time had been a special case.

The Sword Emperor had held back against Yi-gang, and Zhang Sanfeng was able to immediately discern the Sword Emperor’s supreme ultimate technique.

Moreover, the Sword Emperor’s martial arts were familiar to Zhang Sanfeng, as they were rooted in the Wudang sword style, making them easier to suppress.

「Originally, one without a supreme ultimate technique cannot contend against one who has it.」

A martial artist in the Absolute realm possessed the power to bend reality.

They could manifest feats that were akin to the divine sorcery wielded by celestial beings, but achieved solely through their martial arts.

「Moreover, with your body’s current state, even if I were to possess it, we wouldn’t be able to manifest the supreme ultimate technique.」

‘Then what must be done to make that possible?’

「There are two answers. Either you, Priest, ascend to the Absolute realm, or…」

One day, Yi-gang might be able to ascend to the Absolute realm.

But it was uncertain, and no one could say how long it would take.

「…or acquire a body capable of enduring the supreme ultimate technique.」

Thus, that was the answer.

The fastest way for Yi-gang to become stronger.

If he were an ordinary martial artist, he might have found that method problematic.

Possession involved borrowing another’s power, essentially using an external force.

‘That’s the only way. I must prepare my body’s foundation to avoid any strain.’

「If you forcibly overuse the supreme ultimate technique, your upper dantian will be at risk.」

The aftereffects of possession were severe.

To put it simply, it’s akin to having a hangover the next day after drinking an almost lethal amount of alcohol and then getting severely beaten.

This meant that a splitting headache would also follow.

「The upper dantian is where the Essence-Qi-Spirit resides, the place that contains spiritual energy, like a passage connecting heaven and earth.」

This was knowledge Yi-gang had learned since the time he studied the Great Yin Flow under the Immortal Divine Sword.

Zhang Sanfeng took the explanation a step further.

「The supreme ultimate technique fundamentally uses the power of this place, the head,」 He explained while lightly tapping his head, 「Intent and thought come through the head. It’s different from sorcery, which manifests spiritual energy. Unlike sorcery, it doesn’t require preliminary preparations, nor does the surrounding environment matter.」

It was an intuitively understandable statement.

「However, like sorcery, it can’t be used indefinitely. Even if the human spirit has no limits, the spirit still comes from the flesh.」

In the martial world, where spiritual theories dominated, his words were particularly grounded in reality.

「If I’m not mistaken, the minds of those who have reached the Absolute realm undergo significant changes compared to ordinary people.」

‘…That seems to be the case.’

It wasn’t without reason that Dam Hyun kept singing the praises of the head opening technique.

Martial artists who ascended to the Absolute realm undergo physical transformations.

It’s difficult for an ordinary person’s body to endure the act of altering reality through sheer intent.

「Therefore, you should first master a martial art that protects your upper dantian.」

‘Wouldn’t the Azure Forest’s Wisdom Mind Art suffice?’

「The Wisdom Mind Art does help develop the upper dantian, but it’s not a fundamental solution. Even the divine arts of Wudang or Shaolin wouldn’t suffice. In my opinion…」

In this case, there was only one solution.

「There must be a suitable martial art in the Imperial Palace Armory.」

Entering the Imperial Palace Armory was the answer.

Yi-gang nodded and then asked after a brief pause, ‘Now that I think about it, what is your supreme ultimate technique, Sage?’

He realized that he had never heard the specifics of Zhang Sanfeng’s martial arts.

「There are several, but there’s one in particular that I wish to impart to you first.」

Zhang Sanfeng took a step back.

Yi-gang raised an eyebrow, realizing for the first time that there could be multiple supreme ultimate techniques.

「Listen carefully, Priest Yi-gang.」

Zhang Sanfeng, contrary to the legends passed down, was a more down-to-earth person than expected.

He had a somewhat careless side and a familiar, awkward smile.

But now, his expression was gravely serious.

「I am anticipating the day when you may face the resurrected Heavenly Demon.」

‘…’

「For you to survive, you must learn this.」

Zhang Sanfeng seemed ready to demonstrate the supreme ultimate technique.

「Watch carefully.」

But how?

Zhang Sanfeng was clearly in spirit state.

He couldn’t even grasp a real sword, so demonstrating a supreme ultimate technique seemed impossible.

However, as Zhang Sanfeng took the stance of the Wudang Taiji Fist…

「When faced with a great storm, what should an individual do?」

Yi-gang doubted his own eyes.

The space around Zhang Sanfeng seemed to distort, as if the air itself was bending.

「If the sky were to collapse, what should the person beneath it do?」

Yi-gang couldn’t tell if this was truly Zhang Sanfeng’s doing or just an illusion.

「I will teach you, Young Priest, how to protect yourself even if the sky falls…」

Zhang Sanfeng revealed his supreme ultimate technique.

「It’s a hand technique called Non-Act Daydream.」

It was indeed an astonishing technique.

Its sheer unreality surpassed even the Sword Emperor’s supreme ultimate technique, which could stop time.

Yi-gang swallowed hard, and a deep yearning filled his eyes.

Non-Act Daydream was a technique capable of ensuring survival even against the Heavenly Demon.

Naturally, entering the Imperial Palace Armory wasn’t something one could do at any time.

Even bringing along the Crown Prince or the Honorable County Princess wouldn’t change that.

At the very least, permission from a monarch or higher was required, so Yi-gang sought out King Gye-yeong.

“So, you wish to enter the Imperial Palace Armory?”

King Gye-yeong looked at Yi-gang with eyes so warm they seemed to drip honey.

“He thinks deeply and carefully for the Crown Prince and the County Princess. Isn’t that so, my lady?”

“Your intentions are truly appreciated, Warrior Baek.”

Next to Yi-gang, Master Azure Sky also supported the idea.

The Crown Prince and the Honorable County Princess were learning Taoist Qigong to protect their bodies.

He added that it would be beneficial if they could learn the sound techniques of Buddhism or Taoism to protect themselves.

“What a fresh idea. Youth truly is wonderful. Hahaha!”

“I am deeply grateful,” Yi-gang said with a gentle smile.

“I believe that with sound techniques like the Lion’s Roar, which has the power to dispel demons, they would also suffer fewer minor ailments.”

“How considerate, truly considerate!”

King Gye-yeong laughed heartily as he looked at Yi-gang.

“Well then, naturally, I must grant you access to the Imperial Palace Armory.”

King Gye-yeong was not an easy person to deal with.

And he was certainly no fool who assumed everyone was endlessly loyal to the imperial family.

“So, what is it that you want?”

He slyly tilted his head and looked down at Yi-gang.

“I desire nothing. It’s simply an act born out of loyalty.”

“Hmm, believing a young man has no desires is like expecting a eunuch to father a child,” King Gye-yeong joked.

The reason Yi-gang was being so proactive was because he thought there was something to be gained.

“…”

Regardless, Yi-gang quietly lowered his gaze.

King Gye-yeong didn’t fully understand the instincts of a martial artist, nor did he imagine that Yi-gang might want to personally learn the sound techniques and the demonic-dispelling martial arts.

“…Very well, you mentioned that you were feeling unwell. I will prepare an elixir for you, so take it with you.”

“…!”

Yi-gang’s eyes widened.

In addition to the martial arts, the Imperial Palace Repository also housed the Medicine Vault.

It was like a treasure trove, filled with everything from simple herbs to the rarest elixirs in the world.

“However, without the Emperor’s approval, I can only give you items of the third grade or lower, so don’t expect too much.”

“I am deeply grateful!”

It was certainly an unexpected gain.

When Yi-gang showed his first sign of joy, King Gye-yeong also smiled in satisfaction.

“You’ll hear from me within a few days. Take care.”

Yi-gang expressed his thanks and withdrew.

Yi-gang successfully obtained the most important permission from King Gye-yeong.

「I’ve never seen you so pleased before, Priest.」

‘Is that so?’

「You beamed with joy at the mention of the elixir.」

Zhang Sanfeng likely didn’t fully grasp how much Yi-gang valued elixirs.

“Yi-gang.”

Seong Ji-an approached Yi-gang as he exited the palace.

She wore a very satisfied expression.

The nephew called from afar was performing far beyond her and her father’s expectations.

“Amazing, His Majesty doesn’t trust people so easily.”

“It’s nothing.”

Yi-gang and Seong Ji-an walked in silence for a moment.

Then, they soon arrived at a secluded rear garden, free from the presence of others, and after surveying the surroundings, Seong Ji-an spoke, “So, what is it that you wanted to ask me?”

Yi-gang had sent word to Seong Ji-an in advance.

He had something urgent to ask and wanted to discuss it in person.

Yi-gang, who had been gazing at the pond in the rear garden, finally spoke, “I urgently need something.”

Seong Ji-an and Yi-gang weren’t that far apart in age.

However, Yi-gang was technically of a lower rank compared to Seong Ji-an.

Perhaps because of this, Seong Ji-an might have seen Yi-gang as somewhat easier to approach.

“What is it? If it’s something I can do, I’ll help.”

Although the Baek Noble Clan held great power, as the daughter of the Senior Grand Secretary, Seong Ji-an couldn’t fully grasp it.

But when she heard Yi-gang’s “request,” Seong Ji-an stiffened.

“I need the layout of the Imperial Palace Armory.”

“What?”

“If possible, the building’s blueprint, a catalog of books and treasures, and information on any installed mechanisms would be even better…”

“Wait.”

Seong Ji-an checked again to ensure no one was eavesdropping.

Yi-gang’s request was that dangerous.

So much so that she couldn’t understand why he was asking for it.

“You already have His Majesty’s permission. Just reading a few manuals on sound techniques should be enough.”

“I also want to know how the security operates.”

“You…”

Seong Ji-an finally realized that Yi-gang had an ulterior motive.

“…Are you insane?”

“No. I’m not insane.”

Yi-gang quietly met Seong Ji-an’s gaze.

From the beginning, he hadn’t planned to merely peruse a few sound technique manuals from the Imperial Palace Armory.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I have no reason to listen to you.”

Seong Ji-an, with a cold expression, glared at her nephew.

“No. You will listen.”

Thinking that she had seen him as nothing more than a reckless young fool until now, Yi-gang continued.