The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

The Golden Needle Phantom was astonished.

Fortunately, he had covered his mouth with a white cloth for fear that saliva might splatter.

So this dreadful expression wouldn’t be seen.

The Golden Needle Phantom Do Gyeon, he was a doctor.

Before he was a martial artist, he was a doctor. That’s how he lived.

His nickname “phantom” wasn’t just because of his cranky personality.

He used the same approach in medicine. He employed treatment methods that a normal doctor would dismiss as nonsense without hesitation.

All to save his patients.

It wasn’t out of overflowing humanity or an obsession with saving lives.

Martial artists killed people. Even if not a villain from the unorthodox faction, after taking a life, one typically felt a burning exhilaration.

Whether it’s the joy of having survived instead of the opponent or the thrill of having exacted revenge.

However, Do Gyeon found a much greater exhilaration in saving lives.

That’s why he didn’t shy away from bizarre methods like performing brain surgery or drawing out and replacing all the blood in a body. It was all for the sake of saving patients.

But, isn’t this too much even so?

“This isn’t medicine…”

Putting fingers into the brain to extract the cause of madness.

Yi-gang said that the Sword Emperor went mad because he ate the ‘heart of the evil dragon.’

If someone else had said it, they would have been slapped on the back of the head for talking nonsense.

The idea of absorbing the cause of the madness into his body and then sharing it with a yokai that carried it around was just as absurd.

Yet, the reason the Golden Needle Phantom accepted Yi-gang’s suggestion was simple.

He had no confidence in his ability to save the Sword Emperor himself.

How could he revive someone who was like a candle burning out, their vital energy spent?

So, he nodded to Yi-gang.

“Senior Uncle!”

Yi-gang awakened the Golden Needle Phantom’s mind.

Then his hand moved on its own.

Immediate treatment was necessary. The removed pieces of skull needed to be attached back to the gaping head.

He had made threads finer than hair out of pure gold. Delicate control of Qi was necessary to suture the bone.

The Golden Needle Phantom sewed the bone and even the peeled scalp back together. His skill was almost divine.

“Is… Is it really done?”

A sinister energy escaped from the head, and he saw Cheongho devouring it.

But there were doubts whether the Sword Emperor’s condition would actually improve.

“Yes. It will work.”

Yi-gang responded like this.

The Golden Needle Phantom let out a strange groan.

Soon, something inexplicable by the medicine he knew occurred.

The blood that had been flowing from the freshly sewn scalp had stopped.

The pale skin of the Sword Emperor, from losing too much blood, regained its color.

It was unfathomable what kind of harmony had made this possible.

But Yi-gang could clearly see what was happening.

Zhang Sanfeng had placed his hand on the Sword Emperor’s forehead.

He was muttering an incantation solemnly, looking more like an immortal than a Taoist.

He was doing something similar to what he had done to the Sword Releasing Tree.

The Sword Emperor’s remaining lifespan was a little over five years.

Having removed the yokai Qi from his head, he wouldn’t experience dementia symptoms anymore, but his body was already ruined.

「Start anew…」

Only by letting go of his obsession with the Heaven Ascension Dance and the stubbornness he had accumulated could he carve his own path as the Sword Emperor.

Zhang Sanfeng wanted to give him that opportunity, as the Sword Emperor himself wished.

「I hope there’s a place for you in heaven.」

The body, like burnt-out logs, ignited.

The color returned to his face, and his body’s natural healing ability was restored.

The muscles, once soft, regained their elasticity, and the blood grew hotter.

Though his lifespan had been shortened to half a year, it was undoubtedly a new opportunity.

The Sword Emperor would try again.

「Phew, it’s done.」

Zhang Sanfeng stood up from his place.

Though he was a spirit, he seemed a bit tired.

Yi-gang smiled slightly.

He then turned his gaze back to Cheongho.

Cheongho was still emitting light from her body.

In front of her, Dam Hyun seemed about to cry, clasping his hands together.

“You can do it!”

“Kiiing!”

Cheongho’s fur was waving like an autumn wind sweeping through a reed field.

It must be because it had devoured the remaining yokai Qi from the heart of the evil dragon.

Fortunately, there was no need to worry, as she seemed to be in a very good mood.

Dam Hyun clenched his fist tightly and shouted.

“You can do it!”

What could she possibly do?

Yi-gang had an absurd thought.

‘Is she evolving or something…?’

「Evolving? What do you mean?」

‘There is such a thing.’

However, Cheongho’s size did not dramatically increase.

Still, something astonishing happened.

A luscious blue tail sprouted on Cheongho, another one.

Pang—

It was a change as natural as a flower blooming.

“Th-the tail, it has become two!”

Dam Hyun eventually shed tears of emotion.

Yi-gang too was agape with astonishment.

「While I don’t mean to boast, the evil dragon was a formidable yokai. Not inferior to Queen Mother of the West’s nine-tailed fox.」

‘Then…’

「Though the power contained in the heart may have diminished over time, still, your little fox’s status would have ascended.」

One tail of Gumiho was enough to give birth to a Heavenly Thunder White-Tailed Fox.

Perhaps, the small Cheongho in front of Yi-gang had acquired more power than it seemed.

Pleased with her second tail, Cheongho spun around in place, chasing her tail.

“This is a miracle! Argh!”

Dam Hyun, who had been causing a commotion, finally got hit on the head by the Golden Needle Phantom.

“There’s still a patient here! Stop the ruckus and get out!”

Now that the brain surgery was over, the Golden Needle Phantom tried to kick Yi-gang and Dam Hyun out.

As he was scolding with a grimace, he paused and squatted down in front of Cheongho.

Then he whispered softly, “…Thank you.”

Cheongho just sat quietly, wagging her tail. It was unknown if she actually understood.

Then, snuggling into Yi-gang’s arms, she soon left the room.

Only the Sword Emperor and Golden Needle Phantom remained in the room.

The Golden Needle Phantom finally collapsed, leaning against the wall.

His body felt like soaked cotton, and his hands trembled.

However, the Sword Emperor would surely rise from his seat one day.

The Golden Needle Phantom clenched his fist and smiled faintly.

---

The Sword Emperor regained consciousness only after a full fortnight had passed.

It would take more time before he could move around, but his body recovered faster than expected.

A fortnight had also passed since the disaster in front of the Heaven Ascension Cave, during which the Wudang Sect had worked hard to manage the situation.

The first task was to mourn the dead and send them off with heartfelt rites.

Though Taoists should transcend life and death, among the deceased were still young children.

When the Taoist in charge of the rites lit the incense, young Taoists wiped their tears quietly.

They also tended to the injured.

Here, fortune was on their side.

Perhaps because a great physician named the Golden Needle Phantom was with them, there were no cases of severe disability.

All would be able to wield a sword again.

There were those who lost a few fingers or were left with large scars, but… surviving was most important.

And appropriate rewards and punishments were also given.

Wudang promised to unseal the gate and come down from the mountain as promised.

Once the Sword Emperor awakened and Wudang’s issues were somewhat resolved, Myung Won would head to the Murim Alliance with Wudang’s masters.

Moreover, the name Evil Cult appeared prominently.

It was a shocking event. No one could have imagined that someone would openly set off Heaven-Shaking Thunder in Wudang.

With the leading sect of the orthodox Murim attacked, the Murim Alliance would not stay idle.

Following the Demon Cult, the name Evil Cult cast a definite shadow over the martial world.

Myung Won couldn’t even guess why they had executed such an inefficient and grudge-fueling surprise attack.

The one who was punished was Cheong Hye.

The charge was not ‘striking Cheong Su from behind.’

Cheong Su kept silent about it. It was indeed a kind of mercy of a senior brother.

Cheong Hye’s crime was daring to commit an offense against the Great Senior Elder.

Eventually, under the terrifying scolding of the enforcement hall chief, he confessed everything.

Everyday, he tormented the mentally unstable Sword Emperor.

The nature of this torment was indeed unbecoming of a Taoist. He pestered him to reveal the martial arts of Founder Zhang Sanfeng, and harbored resentment when refused by the Sword Emperor.

When the Sword Emperor acted childishly, he secretly pinched his arms, legs, or back fiercely.

When the law enforcement hall chief heard this, he foamed at the mouth, and Cheong Hye, ashamed, wept profusely.

He confessed to having sprinkled sand in the rice twice, and as a result, Cheong Hye was eventually slapped.

But the real trouble was not knowing how to punish him.

Corporal punishment had been administered and he was placed in the penance cave, but it they didn’t know whether to punish him further.

There was no specific rule for punishing the act of pinching the Great Senior Elder’s body or sprinkling sand in his rice. Nevertheless, it could not just be overlooked. Though it might seem minor, it could arguably be a crime of disrespecting one’s master.

The law enforcement hall chief came up with a clever idea. It was to lay the matter before the Sword Emperor.

The Sword Emperor, lying ill in bed, listened quietly and then delivered his verdict.

That was the result now.

In the penance cave, Dam Hyun and Cheong Su stood before Cheong Hye.

Perhaps gaining courage from Dam Hyun, Cheong Su assumed an un-Taoist-like slouching posture.

“Cack, ptui!”

Then, he spat dramatically and asked Cheong Hye.

“So, do you know what the Great Senior Elder said?”

“…”

“He knew. He knew all about the crazy things you were doing.”

“…”

“And yet, he said he would teach you. Almost as if he had accepted you as his disciple.”

“…”

“Aren’t you ashamed? If it were me, I would have expelled you right away. It doesn’t make sense to end with just this punishment.”

“…huhuhuk, I’m sorry.”

“What are you blubbering and fussing about!”

Cheong Su then dashed forward and demonstrated elaborate kicking techniques.

Thud thud thud!

Cheong Hye was beaten up thoroughly.

He retaliated forcibly, but Cheong Su’s kicking techniques were clearly superior.

“Brat… you don’t even deserve to live!”

“Aaah!”

After being severely beaten, Cheong Hye soon collapsed into a pulp.

“Get up, assume the horse stance immediately.”

“Y-yes!”

Cheong Hye stood up with a swollen face and assumed the horse stance.

Instead of being expelled, he was deprived of the right to receive teachings from the Sword Emperor.

It was inevitable. Otherwise, the rules would crumble.

“Great Senior Elder has commanded me. Make this apprentice into a decent person.”

“Yes!”

“A junior brother’s crookedness is the senior brother’s fault. I will take responsibility and make you human. But if you do not change, you will be expelled.”

That was the condition.

Cheong Su was tasked with guiding Cheong Hye onto the right path.

If Cheong Su was not confident that Cheong Hye had been properly corrected, the law enforcement hall chief decided he would expel Cheong Hye.

Cheong Su educated Cheong Hye sincerely every day.

The two-hour long education session was finally over.

Cheong Su’s breathing became labored.

“Huff, huff. That’s enough. Let’s go inside for today.”

“Ugh, ugh… Yes.”

Cheong Hye practically crawled back to his cell in the penance cave.

It wasn’t easy for Cheong Su either, and he was drenched in sweat.

Unlike his rough behavior just moments ago, Cheong Su’s face as he looked back at Dam Hyun was uncomfortable.

“Is this how it’s supposed to be done?”

The law enforcement hall chief and the Sword Emperor hadn’t specified how to conduct the education.

Cheong Su pondered how to reform his apprentice and naturally sought advice from Dam Hyun, who had previously shown him kindness.

And Dam Hyun spoke confidently, “You need corrective therapy. And physical discipline is the best for corrective therapy.”

“Is that what you call physical therapy?”

“Yes. It can’t be half-hearted. It has to be ruthless.”

Somehow, his tone was filled with certainty.

Cheong Su followed Dam Hyun’s advice.

And so far, it seemed to be effective.

“You mustn’t act emotionally. That backfires. You need to discipline dispassionately, with the mindset of providing therapy, and hit only as much as you planned.”

“Yes…!”

Respect now filled Cheong Su’s eyes as he looked at Dam Hyun.

He asked cautiously.

“Perhaps then… Taoist Dam Hyun, did you use physical corrective therapy on your junior brother?”

“…What?”

Dam Hyun was taken aback by the unexpected question.

“On the Immortal Divine Dragon, right? Given your vivid experiences and certainty.”

Dam Hyun’s face darkened, but Cheong Su failed to notice.

“It’s impressive. To administer physical therapy to that one who was like a dragon, the Immortal Divine Dragon…”

“Haha… well, more or less…”

“Was it effective?”

“Effective… uh, yes, it was.”

“That’s really impressive.”

Dam Hyun just laughed.

“Uhaha! What’s so impressive? When I first met Yi-gang, he was so rude.”

“Really?”

“Yes! He was so insolent towards someone like me, almost heavenly, so I just…”

Squeak—

The moment the door to the penance cave opened, Dam Hyun abruptly stopped breathing.

“Senior Brother.”

The one who appeared was Yi-gang.

A drop of cold sweat trickled down Dam Hyun’s nape.

“Ah, hello.”

Could he have heard?

Why did he have to come here at this time?

“Have you seen Sir Neung?”

“What?”

“Sir Neung Ji-pyeong.”

“Ah…”

Dam Hyun stroked his chest with a face that seemed to have aged ten years.

Cheong Su looked puzzled but deliberately ignored it.

“I-I don’t know.”

“Is that so… tsk.”

“Why are you asking?”

Yi-gang paused for a moment then spoke cautiously, “I think I was a bit inconsiderate.”

“What do you mean inconsiderate?”

“…It’s nothing.”

Yi-gang trailed off and again exited the penance cave.

His expression was not good.

It was only after seeing Neung Ji-pyeong’s somber face a moment ago that he remembered something important.

Zhang Sanfeng prodded him from beside.

「The Wudang couldn’t have done that… Is it true?」

‘I heard it myself. I was paying attention.’

「Alas… how could such a thing happen?」

Neung Ji-pyeong had once belonged to a sect called Shadowless Sword Pavilion.

It’s now a destroyed sect.

「So, a martial artist from that sect stole a secret manual I left in Wudang, and the sect was destroyed? Wudang did that?」

‘The Wudang Sect didn’t directly destroy them… but it ended badly.’

Neung Ji-pyeong did not say he harbored resentment towards Wudang.

Even though he had unpleasant memories, he didn’t show it as he was representing the Murim Alliance.

However, Yi-gang felt responsible for not noticing his bitter feelings.

‘I should go down to Daojing County.’

「Let’s do that…」

Yi-gang hastened his steps.