The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

Did anyone in the world still remember the divine might of the Heavenly Demon?

Was there anyone left in this martial world who could recall the Taoist power of Zhang Sanfeng?

No one remembered the valor of the Demon God who stood alone against the grand army of the Song Dynasty.

No one remained who could recall the majesty of the Martial God who slew the evil dragon that coiled around Wudang Mountain.

They were truly dragons among men.

The fact that such two great individuals coexisted in one era was nothing short of a miracle.

Perhaps it was only natural that these two heroes, pulled by the hand of fate, would clash.

In the end, they collided.

The first time, Zhang Sanfeng was victorious.

The third duel, however, never took place.

And now, the duel that both the martial world and the two themselves had longed for centuries ago was about to begin.

The Heavenly Demon tilted his head.

His obsidian-like eyes gleamed.

Was it because he had drawn upon his demonic energy? The whites of his eyes disappeared, and the entirety of his eyeballs turned pitch black.

“…Junbao?”

“…”

“Zhang Junbao, is that you?”

The Heavenly Demon spoke to Zhang Sanfeng in a peculiar manner.

It was difficult to discern what emotions were behind his words.

Finally, Zhang Sanfeng responded, “You use my name too freely. There is quite an age difference between us, so show some respect.”

“Heh heh.”

There was a hint of irritation in Zhang Sanfeng’s voice.

No one would find it strange that the Heavenly Demon was so brazen, but Zhang Sanfeng, being both a contemporary and an elder, was displeased with his attitude. Ṟ

“A Taoist speaking of age difference, huh? Especially when the difference of a few decades means little to those of us who have lived for centuries.”

“Kuh-hum.”

Dam Hyun, who was observing their exchange, felt a sense of disbelief.

The confrontation between Zhang Sanfeng and the Heavenly Demon—witnessing such a legendary moment alone was an honor in itself…

Yet, the conversation seemed rather casual.

“So, did you really wait for me for centuries?”

“Yes.”

“In that cramped Demon Valley?”

“Yes.”

“You really had nothing better to do.”

The Heavenly Demon was engaging in conversation.

Conversation was something that could only happen between equals.

There were likely only a handful throughout history whom he respected so much.

“So, did you borrow that fragile half-baked body?”

“It was a young man I was destined to meet. His potential surpasses mine.”

“You’re too generous with your praise.”

Just as the Heavenly Demon borrowed a new body, Zhang Sanfeng had borrowed Yi-gang’s body.

The Heavenly Demon, who had shown a rather casual demeanor so far, rubbed his chin.

“However, I cannot allow you to stand in my way. I’ll tear off your limbs.”

The shift in atmosphere was sudden.

It was like tapping a seemingly fine tree, only for a swarm of black spiders to pour out of a hidden hollow.

However, Zhang Sanfeng appeared calm, as if he had expected it.

“For someone who has never surpassed this Taoist, your arrogance knows no bounds. From what I can see, you have yet to recover your full strength.”

“If the third duel had taken place, Zhang Junbao, you would not have achieved enlightenment.”

“I’ve already told you not to refer to me so casually.”

And then, the clash was abrupt.

Though the Heavenly Demon had both hands lowered, his fingers suddenly stretched forward.

A line of light extended from his hand.

Whether it could be called a finger technique was unclear, but it was the infamous Heavenly Demon Finger.

The Shooting Star Fang, moving as if alive, blocked it.

Kaang!

Fortunately, the Heavenly Demon Finger didn’t pierce through the meteorite sword.

However, instead of scattering into the air, the light curved and created a black hole in the ground.

The Shooting Star Fang, which had blocked Zhang Sanfeng’s view, moved aside.

The Heavenly Demon’s face was right in front of him.

His foot stomped the ground.

Kuung—!

It was the Heavenly Demon’s Reigning Step.

With a thunderous sound that shook the earth, an immense force exploded.

Zhang Sanfeng floated in midair to escape the destructive power of the Heavenly Demon’s Reigning Step.

Then, the Heavenly Demon’s right hand aimed at Zhang Sanfeng’s abdomen.

It was the same strike that had almost killed Yi-gang and shattered the Heavenly Dark Barrier.

His right hand was engulfed in Hand Aura and condensed once more.

That pitch-black orb was the compressed Aura Qi, known as an Aura Sphere.

“Huuup!”

Zhang Sanfeng formed a circular shape with both hands.

It was the initial move of the supreme ultimate technique, Non-Act Daydream.

Even his method of countering was the same as what Yi-gang had done earlier.

But the outcome was incomparably different.

The Heavenly Demon’s hand passed between Zhang Sanfeng’s hands as if it were an illusion.

The Aura Sphere, which had seemed like it could destroy the world, had vanished without a trace.

Pah-bak!

Zhang Sanfeng grabbed the Heavenly Demon’s forearm.

The obsidian-like gleam in the Heavenly Demon’s eyes dimmed.

This was the true essence of Non-Act Daydream.

It nullified any attack by rendering it effortless, scattering even the densest killing intent or hostility.

“Heh.”

However, Zhang Sanfeng knew well that this would not be enough to neutralize the Heavenly Demon.

After all, he wasn’t the only one who possessed a supreme ultimate technique.

Zhang Sanfeng felt the pressure in the air grow heavier.

As he braced himself, his feet slowly dug into the ground.

The muscles in his calves screamed as if they were about to tear, and his shinbones felt like they were about to snap.

“Didn’t you realize that such tricks wouldn’t dull my mind?”

“Kuhk.”

No, he knew.

Even with the incomprehensible supreme ultimate technique, Non-Act Daydream, it couldn’t scatter the hostility and killing intent of the Heavenly Demon.

He was truly a demon.

Hostility and killing intent were part of his very being, like the flow of a river that couldn’t be severed by a blade.

That’s why Zhang Sanfeng was the Heavenly Demon’s polar opposite.

The Heavenly Demon, too, possessed supreme ultimate techniques. And not just one, but several.

“Centuries have passed, but Zhang Junbao, it seems your sharpness has dulled.”

The pressure crushing Zhang Sanfeng was one of those supreme ultimate techniques.

It was like an ant being crushed under the fingers of a human.

It resembled how the Great Sage Equal to Heaven had been crushed under the hand of Buddha long ago.

Under the immense pressure, Zhang Sanfeng’s shins sank into the ground.

“Utterly… disappointing.”

No one was allowed to stand higher than the Heavenly Demon.

This supreme ultimate technique, born from his sheer arrogance, was this very pressure.

“Will you be crushed to death like this?”

“Hap-!”

Zhang Sanfeng did not disappoint the Heavenly Demon.

Even without applying any force, the Heavenly Demon’s body floated upwards.

It was said that Taijiquan was the pinnacle of gentleness overcoming hardness.

The Heavenly Demon’s body didn’t just float but spun in midair.

And as if alive, the Shooting Star Fang lunged at the Heavenly Demon.

Fighting against a living sword while upside down in midair…

The Heavenly Demon accomplished what seemed nearly impossible.

Ka-kang! Kang! Kang!

With a series of sharp noises, the Sword Aura flashed fiercely.

The exchange of attacks was so fast it was hard to follow with the naked eye.

The immense pressure that had been weighing down on Zhang Sanfeng vanished.

He regained a brief moment of composure.

「Impressive, truly,」 said Yi-gang, who had retreated to the back of his consciousness.

‘Huu, not so much.’

「No, truly impressive.」

Yi-gang’s words carried admiration.

Anyone who had trained in martial arts couldn’t help but be moved by the fierce exchange between the Heavenly Demon and Zhang Sanfeng.

It was not something one could easily witness—martial artists of the Absolute realm fighting each other.

But the Heavenly Demon and Zhang Sanfeng were monsters beyond even that Absolute realm.

Even though Yi-gang had a keen eye, what they were doing was far beyond what he could comprehend.

‘That’s not the problem. A big problem has arisen.’

「A problem?」

‘I think I’m going to lose.’

「…What?」

Yi-gang felt bewildered.

Wasn’t this attitude completely at odds with how confident he had been earlier?

Zhang Sanfeng quickly clarified, ‘It’s not that my level is insufficient, it’s a matter of stamina!’

Zhang Sanfeng’s explanation was simple.

The energy he had gained from the Flood Dragon’s heart was nearly exhausted.

Therefore, in order to unleash techniques beyond a certain level using Yi-gang’s body, an immense amount of spiritual energy was required.

Although he had intended to overcome it using the Flood Dragon’s heart, the energy consumption was greater than expected.

「Then, what can we do…?」

Yi-gang came up with an idea.

「The Imperial Palace’s Medicine Vault, we need to raid the elixirs stored there.」

The imperial palace’s Medicine Vault was sure to contain many elixirs far superior to the Flood Dragon’s heart.

Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible, but in the current chaos of the Forbidden City, it might just work.

Especially if they could take advantage of the spreading darkness.

‘That’s my thought as well!’

「Tell Senior Brother Dam Hyun, who’s watching from the side. He’s resourceful enough to figure out a way.」

It was fortunate that Dam Hyun was nearby.

But Zhang Sanfeng hesitated.

‘The Heavenly Demon must not hear of this.’

「You can use voice transmission. If you cover your mouth, he won’t be able to understand.」

‘…The problem is.’

If the Heavenly Demon realized Yi-gang’s plan, he could harm Dam Hyun.

Although Yi-gang knew this and recommended using voice transmission, Zhang Sanfeng said something shocking.

‘The Heavenly Demon can hear voice transmission.’

The idea of eavesdropping on voice transmission was alarming, if true.

「…Is that even possible?」

‘It is.’

Yi-gang realized why Zhang Sanfeng had not glanced at Dam Hyun since the beginning.

It was to ensure that no harm would come to Yi-gang’s fellow disciples.

If they used voice transmission to contact Dam Hyun, the Heavenly Demon’s hostility might be directed toward Dam Hyun or Cheongho.

In this situation where retreat or advance both seemed impossible, Yi-gang felt suffocated.

‘Unless we know how to communicate through the heart, like Heart Speech of Wisdom Light…’

Moreover, the Heavenly Demon, still clashing with the Shooting Star Fang in midair, finally managed to seize the sword.

“Ridiculous!”

The meteorite sword, Shooting Star Fang, gripped in the Heavenly Demon’s hand, was driven into the ground.

Amazingly, it sank so deep into the earth that even its hilt was no longer visible.

With the sword now immobilized, the Heavenly Demon and Zhang Sanfeng clashed once more.

Yi-gang let out a mental sigh.

「Senior Brother…!」

No matter how much he shouted, Dam Hyun wouldn’t hear him.

「Cheongho!」

There was no way his intentions would reach Cheongho, who was watching anxiously.

It was all a desperate, futile act.

Indeed, it was so.

『Yi-gang.』

「…Huh?」

Yi-gang suddenly felt his hearing open up.

He heard the voice of a child.

「Cheongho… is that you?」

『Yi-gang, Yi-gang.』

It was still a clumsy, small voice.

But it was clearly similar to the way Gumiho communicated her intentions.

In Yi-gang’s field of vision, he caught a glimpse of Cheongho.

Cheongho was in Dam Hyun’s arms, ears perked up attentively.

『Yi-gang.』

There was no doubt—it was Cheongho’s voice.

For some reason, Yi-gang’s heart swelled with emotion.

Cheongho, who had died and been reincarnated after living as the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, was now speaking for the first time.

Whatever the reason, Cheongho was the only one who he could communicate with right now.

Yi-gang, placing his hope in Cheongho, explained the situation.

To ensure Cheongho could clearly relay the message to Dam Hyun, Yi-gang kept it as concise as possible.

And then…

“Hm.”

Dam Hyun noticed that Cheongho had suddenly become unusually quiet.

He also noticed Cheongho’s ears twitching and her nose wrinkling repeatedly.

It meant Cheongho was using one of her newly awakened abilities.

There was no one else around for Cheongho to be communicating with.

Dam Hyun smiled.

「Were you talking with Yi-gang?」

『Um.』

Cheongho had only recently gained the ability to communicate.

The vocabulary she could use was still at the level of a small child.

「What did Yi-gang say?」

『Yi-gang.』

Cheongho then followed up with another word.

『Food. Hungry.』

「…」

『Yi-gang, hurt.』

It was something completely incomprehensible.

But Dam Hyun remained quietly silent.

Then, as if he understood, he nodded and slowly retreated.

The duel between the Heavenly Demon and Zhang Sanfeng continued.

Dam Hyun and Cheongho disappeared into the darkness.

And then, at the Imperial Palace’s Medicine Vault.

The physician in charge of the Medicine Vault was trembling in fear as he looked out the window.

He had heard that the Emperor was hosting a hunting competition today.

He thought it had nothing to do with guarding the Medicine Vault.

But the situation had taken a sudden turn for the worse.

With shouts of treason echoing, the Embroidered Uniform Guards were running everywhere.

Meanwhile, the Eastern Depot guards quietly vanished from sight.

Suddenly, the Embroidered Uniform Guard warriors stormed in and summoned the imperial physician, saying that the Emperor was in critical condition.

The imperial physician, who was expected to return soon, had yet to come back.

The sky had turned pitch black.

Even the Medicine Vault of the Imperial Palace, which had never been left under-guarded, had fewer security personnel now.

And just moments ago, a scream was heard outside.

“Kraaaaaahk!”

Like that.

The sound of footsteps slowly approached.

Even so, no one should have been able to force open the doors to the Imperial Palace’s Medicine Vault.

The massive iron doors could only be opened if the guards, who had sworn allegiance, betrayed their posts.

Wasn’t the Medicine Vault supposed to be a place where no one could forcefully break in?

Click—

The problem was, the door was opening.

It was clear that the Embroidered Uniform Guard had betrayed them.

As the door opened, an Embroidered Uniform Guard guard with vacant eyes stood there.

He remained still for a moment before collapsing to the floor.

Behind him appeared Dam Hyun.

He was holding the Star Mist Alarm Bell and had a nosebleed.

“Are you in charge here?”

“…Y-yes, I am.”

Dam Hyun threw a bag at him.

“Put everything in here.”

“What…?”

“What do you think?”

Dam Hyun had perfectly understood Yi-gang’s intentions as relayed by Cheongho.

“Everything. The most precious elixirs.”

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