The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

Baek Yi-gang’s heart pounded as if it would burst.

‘He said the meridian blockage disease could be completely cured…?’

Bodhidharma had certainly said so.

However, for Yi-gang, who possessed medical knowledge, it was hard to believe.

After all, he had learned from none other than one of the Four Great Divine Physicians.

He understood that the idea of a “complete cure for meridian blockage disease” was a contradiction in itself.

Meridian blockage disease was a deficiency.

Just like someone born without a finger or a limb, the body’s main meridians were disconnected from birth.

No amount of acupuncture or consumption of rare elixirs could regrow a limb that was never there.

Reconnecting the main meridians that were disconnected at birth was, therefore, an incredibly difficult feat.

It was no different from trying to heal an injury that would typically require opening the body for surgical treatment, simply through mental concentration.

“How could that possibly… be done?”

「You just need to obtain an entirely new body.」

Yi-gang narrowed his eyes slightly. His gaze was filled with suspicion.

Bodhidharma, receiving Yi-gang’s suspicious gaze, spoke with apparent displeasure.

「I didn’t mean that you should completely replace your body.」

“Ah, I see.”

Bodhidharma often had a way of seeing through people’s thoughts.

「You need to restructure your skeleton, regrow new flesh and muscles, and open up the blocked and severed energy channels to achieve complete circulation.」

“What you mean is…”

「Aren’t you a martial artist too? Undergo body transformation.」

Body transformation!

Though it sounded simple, achieving body transformation was far more difficult than mastering the telekinetic sword technique.

It required the reconstruction of bones, the expulsion of all impure energy from the body, and the bursting of muscles as new flesh grew.

Such tales were common themes in heroic novels sold in street markets, yet in reality, they were like dreams—unattainable.

Yi-gang had heard that long ago, the Namgung Clan Head had supposedly undergone such a body transformation. Yet even that case remained shrouded in mystery.

Moreover, the Namgung Clan Head had consumed the Three-Element Sacred Flower before achieving body transformation. Yi-gang had already consumed the Three-Element Sacred Flower.

However, there were still no signs of body transformation.

“You speak of it so easily…”

Yi-gang wondered if body transformation was truly possible.

Bodhidharma spoke.

「I once granted body transformation to my disciple, Huike.」

“Is that true?!”

When Yi-gang turned to look at the Divine Monk, he merely shrugged.

It seemed to be a fact not widely known.

「I possess the secret of body transformation and can bring about a transformation even more fundamental than what a few martial artists experience.」

“Then…”

「Indeed. I can reconnect and strengthen all severed major meridians and even regenerate severed limbs. I conducted this research because I pitied my disciple, who had lost an arm.」

If Bodhidharma’s words were true, the claim of completely curing meridian blockage disease wasn’t an exaggeration after all.

A smile crept onto Yi-gang’s lips but quickly faded as his expression stiffened.

He remembered seeing Huike’s statue in the cave.

Huike had definitely been missing one arm.

“I saw the statue of the Second Founder in the cave…”

Yi-gang shared what he had witnessed.

Bodhidharma, without flinching or making excuses, replied calmly.

「He said that after living decades with one arm, he couldn’t properly wield a sword. So, he severed the regenerated arm himself.

「Foolish man…」

Despite his scolding words, there was a trace of humanity in Bodhidharma as he criticized his disciple.

Although it was a story difficult to believe, it seemed more convincing coming from someone like a martial artist.

“So, do I just need to visit the places where dragons are said to be?”

「There are three such places that I know of. However, given the route, you’ll only be able to visit two of them.」

“Then…”

In any case, Yi-gang had no intention of refusing Bodhidharma’s request.

But after hearing the details…

“I’m fine with it.”

The conditions were simply too good to refuse.

Yi-gang began preparing for his journey to Xinjiang.

Meanwhile, many events were unfolding in Jianghu.

First, Bodhidharma’s claim was put to the test.

It turned out that the rumors of the Demon Cult preparing for an invasion were true.

Even before envoys could be sent to confirm, urgent dispatches repeatedly arrived at the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Union.

The messages stated that the Demon Cult was preparing to launch an invasion.

The orthodox faction and unorthodox faction reached a dramatic agreement.

They first decided to extend the period of their truce.

An indefinite truce was agreed upon—until the Demon Cult’s invasion could be completely repelled and those plotting the revival of the Evil Cult were eliminated.

All large and small conflicts would be stopped immediately, and forces would unite.

Thanks to this, an astonishing coalition was formed.

It was none other than the Orthodox-Unorthodox Allied Army.

While it wasn’t uncommon for the orthodox and unorthodox factions to unite—

Half a century ago, during the Great Expulsion of the Demon Cult, martial artists from both the unorthodox and orthodox sects joined forces to annihilate the Demon Cult’s leading figures.

However, the Orthodox-Unorthodox Allied Army was a coalition of an entirely different caliber. It was only formed under the gravest circumstances: when foreign powers invaded the martial world, or when all of the Central Plains faced a catastrophe large enough to sweep the entire region into chaos.

Even just the martial artists belonging to the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Union numbered in the thousands.

When combined with other forces, the total would exceed ten thousand.

It was a battle truly deserving of being called a world war.

‘First, let us establish Kunlun as the defensive line.’

This was the strategic decision made after the military leaders of the Murim Alliance and Unorthodox Union put their heads together.

The Kunlun Sect was the major sect located closest to the Demon Cult.

The knowledge and intelligence they possessed were of utmost importance.

Thus, the plan was to defend the invasion route using the treacherous Mount Kunlun as the main defensive point.

‘It will take months to organize the main force.’

‘By the time those months pass, Mount Kunlun will already be burned to the ground!’

‘Which is why we’re sending an advance force first!’

The argument grew heated.

In the end, it was decided that the available personnel would be sent as the advance force first.

Among the successors gathered at Shaolin, there were those selected to join the advance force.

They were individuals capable of providing immediate combat strength.

However, Yi-gang himself was not among those chosen for the advance force.

“Worry about yourself.”

“Potala Palace is closer to the Demon Cult than Kunlun.”

“The Four Great Vajra will be accompanying us. The Divine Monk will also be there.”

Baek Ha-jun, who would be departing with the advance force, expressed concern for Yi-gang.

Yi-gang, however, had decided to head for Potala Palace with the Divine Monk.

It was to assist the Dalai Lama.

“Still…”

“Including myself, there will be three Supreme Peak masters.”

A small elite force of that caliber would be rare anywhere.

However, there was no doubt that the journey would be dangerous.

“Make that four!”

Suddenly, Gal Dong-tak stepped forward.

“So don’t worry.”

Gal Dong-tak insisted on joining them.

It was an unbelievable turn of events. The fact that the son of the Green Forest Tyrant King would accompany the Divine Monk on the journey to Xinjiang was beyond comprehension.

Just thinking about how it had come to this gave Yi-gang a headache.

“Right… you’re coming too, aren’t you…?”

The Divine Monk, Yi-gang, and two members of the Four Great Vajra set out for Xinjiang.

The Shaolin monks wanted to assign more masters to accompany the aging Divine Monk, but he firmly refused.

His reasoning was that, in such a critical situation, they could not afford to waste manpower.

And the Divine Monk was right.

Masters on par with the Four Great Vajra were considered critical forces even within Shaolin.

Under normal circumstances, it might have been possible—but with war preparations underway, sending them elsewhere was too risky.

‘What’s there to fear when three Supreme Peak masters are providing protection? Besides, the Dalai Lama specifically requested a small group. There must be a reason behind that request.’

Hearing the Divine Monk’s argument, the abbot finally relented.

Yet, despite his agreement, he still regretted the lack of protection for the Divine Monk. That was when Gal Dong-tak appeared.

Gal Dong-tak showed up with his face swollen like an oversteamed dumpling.

He earnestly requested to join the journey to Xinjiang as well.

He insisted that he wanted to guard the Divine Monk with all his honor.

Naturally, the abbot was shocked and refused immediately.

How could a master of the unorthodox sects—and the son of the Green Forest Tyrant King—be entrusted with guarding the Divine Monk?

But Gal Dong-tak went as far as kneeling, begging to be allowed to join.

At that moment, the Divine Monk burst into hearty laughter.

“Good! The youngest son of that bandit leader volunteering to guard me—this will cause quite a stir!”

“Senior Brother! Even so…”

“Will the abbot really object? If a bandit repents and embarks on a pilgrimage to Potala Palace, let him go.”

Then, gazing intently at Gal Dong-tak, he asked, “Did you get your father’s permission?”

“Yes!”

“I assume you got a beating. He wouldn’t have allowed it so easily. Did he tell you to observe what happens at Potala Palace and report back?”

“What’s there to hide? Return and tell him everything.”

And so, Gal Dong-tak’s participation in the journey was decided.

As they said, this was a small elite group that included four Supreme Peak masters.

It would be hard to find a squad of this caliber anywhere in the martial world.

From that day onward, Gal Dong-tak frequently sought out Yi-gang.

Regardless of the glances he received from the orthodox successors, he would laugh heartily and act friendly, showing a level of shamelessness few could match.

Even now, Gal Dong-tak casually slung his arm around Ha-jun’s shoulders and said, “I’ll protect your brother too.”

A chilling aura emanated from Ha-jun, sending shivers down his spine.

“Take your hand off.”

“…Uh, alright.”

Gal Dong-tak quietly lowered his hand.

It was fortunate that things ended there.

Ha-jun looked as though he might draw his sword at any moment, but he didn’t.

Then, Ha-jun spoke slowly and clearly, enunciating every word, “If you betray us, I’ll hunt you down and kill you myself.”

His aura was not just cold—it was ferocious.

Placing his hand on his chest, Gal Dong-tak swore solemnly, “I will never betray you. I swear on the honor of the Green Forest bandits.”

“The Green Forest bandits have honor? That’s news.”

Noh Shik sneered from the side, but Gal Dong-tak ignored him.

Ha-jun, without so much as a smirk, continued coldly, “And if you fail in your duty as a guard, I’ll kill you.”

“…I’ll do my best.”

“If the Grand Master or my brother gets hurt, I’ll kill you too.

“Even a little—”

Before Ha-jun could finish, Yi-gang struck him lightly on the back.

Only then did Ha-jun relax his expression and close his mouth.

“Take it easy.”

“…Alright.”

“I’ll head to Xinjiang first.”

Once matters at Potala Palace were resolved, Yi-gang would likely join them at Mount Kunlun.

It was only natural, as the first defensive line against the Demon Cult invasion would be established there.

“Stay safe and don’t get hurt until then.”

Ha-jun and the other successors nodded seriously.

The war had already begun.

Meanwhile, Yi-gang thought to himself, ‘This is going to be a noisy journey.’

A cranky Divine Monk, and Gal Dong-tak, who, despite his simplicity, was no different from a wild boar.

The journey was bound to be anything but quiet.

Moreover, the unpredictable Bodhidharma would accompany them silently.

‘Well, I suppose I can manage with this group.’

Yi-gang strengthened his resolve.

And then, at the Azure Forest, White Cloud Peak.

At the peak of that rocky summit, visible from anywhere in the Azure Forest, resided the Forest Lord.

Even now, as a war that would shake the entire Jianghu loomed, the Forest Lord had not left the Azure Forest.

It was because neither he nor the Azure Forest had a mission related to guarding the martial world.

Hidden at the top of White Cloud Peak was the Enshrined Deity Box.

Guarding it was his sole mission.

For this reason, the Forest Lord Im Gi-hak rarely descended from White Cloud Peak.

However, no matter how important the duty, one could not stay atop White Cloud Peak all year round.

Occasionally, the Forest Lord would descend to handle important affairs as the sect leader.

And that night happened to be one of those rare occasions when the Forest Lord left White Cloud Peak.

Given the importance of White Cloud Peak, its security was always strict.

Supreme Peak masters took turns guarding the path leading up the peak.

Others patrolled nearby areas in shifts, ensuring no one could climb the rocky summit undetected.

In truth, infiltrating the Azure Forest, a major sect, was nearly impossible. Thus, the security arrangements were considered more than adequate.

However, even a bronze water jar will leak if there’s a gap the size of a needle.

A torch flickered above the stone staircase—the only path to the top—shrouding the darkness.

But light always created shadows.

And in those shadows below the stone steps, figures were clinging silently.

Like spiders crawling across a ceiling.

There were figures climbing the stone steps upside down, clinging beneath them with abnormally long arms.

Hidden in the darkness, they were employing a strange stealth spell.

These individuals were the subordinates of Mang-hon, created to replace the Hidden Ghosts that had been discarded by the Wudang Sect.

Three of the Seventeen Spirits were scaling White Cloud Peak.