The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

The special-grade bookshelf.

If it weren’t for the structural map of the Imperial Palace Armory, they would never have known about the existence of the special-grade bookshelf in advance.

However, upon entering and verifying the interior, it certainly existed.

「The Muscle-Tendon Change Marrow Cleanse Classic… Huh, even the Great Mudra of Vajrayana! This seems to be the original…!」

The Great Mudra of Vajrayana was the ultimate divine art of Tibetan Buddhism, and the Muscle-Tendon Change Marrow Cleanse Classic was a divine art created by Bodhidharma of Shaolin.

This special-grade bookshelf might just be the true value of the Imperial Palace Armory.

It’s no wonder then, that Yi-gang and the Honorable County Princess weren’t even granted permission to approach the special-grade bookshelf.

Zhang Sanfeng emerged smoothly from the shelves.

「What martial arts manuals have you found?」

Yi-gang found three manuals in the first-grade bookshelves that could protect the middle dantian.

He named the manuals he had discovered.

Zhang Sanfeng nodded gravely.

「As expected of the Imperial Palace Armory, it contains all the renowned martial arts. Learning any one of these will greatly aid you in your cultivation.」

Thus, Yi-gang had achieved the goal he originally set out to accomplish.

「Are you satisfied and ready to return?」

Yi-gang carefully observed Zhang Sanfeng’s expression as he spoke.

His eyes were wide open, and the corners of his mouth, hidden under his rough beard, trembled slightly.

In other words, he was incredibly expectant.

‘No.’

「Haha, haha, if the Priest is so persistent, there’s nothing I can do.」

Zhang Sanfeng’s demeanor was one of great satisfaction.

He asked what martial arts manuals had been found, but all he said in response was, 「See for yourself, hehehe.」

Yi-gang couldn’t deny his own anticipation.

「Go to the right-hand shelves; you’ll have a clearer view from there.」

Following Zhang Sanfeng’s instructions, Yi-gang did as he was told.

The Honorable County Princess was completely absorbed in examining the martial arts manual of the Azure Dragon’s Demon-Breaking Roar, while an Embroidered Uniform guard subtly followed Yi-gang.

Sure enough, from the position of the right-hand shelves, the inside of the Imperial Palace Armory was fully visible.

“That place…”

“I cannot tell you,” the Embroidered Uniform guard responded curtly.

“Is that place off-limits?”

“Yes. Even members of the imperial family cannot approach it without the Emperor’s decree.”

Since the Emperor had secluded himself in Huangtian Palace, it was as good as saying that no one could approach.

Yi-gang moved closer to the special-grade bookshelf.

“You were told not to approach.”

“Isn’t it fine as long as I don’t cross that line?”

“…Yes, but…”

“Don’t worry. I have no intention of breaking the law,” Yi-gang said and then stopped in front of the special-grade bookshelf.

He could sense the Embroidered Uniform guard’s wariness but acted naturally.

Pretending to examine the first-grade bookshelves within the boundary, Yi-gang subtly glanced to the side.

‘The security here is intense.’

「Indeed, it is. Do you know why the floor is red?」

The special-grade bookshelf consisted of just one shelf.

The shelf wasn’t packed with books either; only about twenty martial arts manuals were stored.

The distance from the lone shelf to the boundary of the red floor was roughly ten zhang.

No matter how light Yi-gang’s movements were, it was a distance he couldn’t leap across in one go.

No, even if they brought in a master of light footwork, they would still have to touch the ground at least once.

‘It doesn’t seem like it was dyed with regular pigment.’

「They ground Mirror-Faced Cinnabar and scattered it on the floor.」

Mirror-Faced Cinnabar was a mineral used in the making of talismans.

When ground into a fine powder, it can be mixed with water for medicinal purposes or used for its mystical properties.

The powder was finely ground and spread over the floor.

「Even if someone possessed the light footwork of Flying Over Grass or Stepping Lilies Crossing Water, they would still leave traces.」

‘It seems they’ve also employed some kind of magical protection.’

Even if someone used the secret art of light footwork to lighten their body, footprints would still be left behind.

Judging by the extraordinary energy felt in the area, it seemed unlikely that one could use sorcery up there either.

「There must also be mechanical traps. I couldn’t find them all.」

Yi-gang pretended to examine the shelves for a moment before turning toward the Honorable County Princess.

「Oh? Are you just going to give up? Perhaps we should consider another approach… Though, unless you’re like me, a spirit, it’s unlikely you’ll find a proper solution.」

‘I’m not giving up.’

This was a martial arts manual Zhang Sanfeng was willing to risk danger for. Giving up was not an option.

‘It seems there might be a way. It’s fortunate that I prepared in advance.’

「Is that so!」

However, Yi-gang simply returned to the Honorable County Princess’s side after speaking.

Zhang Sanfeng seemed curious but decided to watch, trusting that Yi-gang had a plan in mind.

“How is it, Your Highness? Do you understand the mnemonic phrases?”

“They’re a bit difficult. There are many old expressions.”

“I see. I’ll assist you.”

The martial arts manual of the Azure Dragon’s Demon-Breaking Roar appeared to have been written at least several hundred years ago.

Even though the Honorable County Princess had received royal education, it would not have been easy for her to decipher such an ancient document on her own.

Yi-gang immediately explained the difficult mnemonic phrases to her.

The ears of the Eastern Depot guard and the Embroidered Uniform guard perked up. They were undoubtedly interested in the martial arts manual as well.

The Honorable County Princess nodded, indicating she understood.

“So that’s why you made me practice shouting every morning.”

“Training the abdominal pressure and strengthening the vocal cords are fundamental to this kind of sound technique. Was it very difficult for you?”

“It was a bit embarrassing at first, but it’s fine now.”

“Yes. Regarding this part…”

It was at that moment when the guards, curious about the mnemonics of the Azure Dragon’s Demon-Breaking Roar, turned their heads away to avoid showing their interest.

Yi-gang’s lips moved as if murmuring something.

Even though the Honorable County Princess’s expression briefly changed, Yi-gang’s voice could not be heard.

It was a transmission of sound.

“…I’m going to take a bit more time to check if there’s a more suitable martial arts manual. Please continue reading for a little longer.”

“Oh, okay…”

After confirming the Honorable County Princess’s nod, Yi-gang turned back around.

He returned to the boundary of the special-grade bookshelf.

Once again, the Embroidered Uniform guard followed him.

Zhang Sanfeng asked Yi-gang from beside him, 「What did you say?」

‘The most crucial groundwork.’

Yi-gang had clearly grasped the situation.

The biggest obstacle to accessing the special-grade bookshelf wasn’t the cinnabar on the floor or the hidden mechanical traps.

“There are thirty minutes left.”

The Embroidered Uniform guard was watching with keen eyes.

If anything suspicious was seen, it wouldn’t be easy to get away with it.

Yi-gang needed to find a way to be left alone, even for just a moment. That was the first priority.

However, how could he shake off the Embroidered Uniform guard who was following him so closely?

As soon as he heard about the unique security measures of the Imperial Palace Armory, Yi-gang had come up with a plan.

They had a surveillance system where two guards were sent in together.

However, these pairs aren’t composed solely of Embroidered Uniform guards or only Eastern Depot guards.

Yi-gang had to make use of this unique situation where two adversarial guards were forced to work together.

Moreover, the one currently by Yi-gang’s side was an Embroidered Uniform guard known for his strong loyalty to the imperial family, while the one guarding the Honorable County Princess was an Eastern Depot guard.

From the Embroidered Uniform guard’s perspective, the Eastern Depot was utterly untrustworthy…

This was evident from the fact that the Embroidered Uniform guard watching Yi-gang frequently glanced back toward the Honorable County Princess’s direction.

“Hmm.”

Yi-gang stopped at a spot where the special-grade bookshelf was visible.

Pretending to observe his surroundings, he began counting silently in his mind.

‘Ninety-six, ninety-seven, ninety-eight…’

「What are you doing?」

‘Ninety-nine… one hundred.’

A brief silence lingered.

It seemed that the Honorable County Princess’s counting had been slightly slower than Yi-gang’s.

It didn’t matter. Soon, a scream erupted.

“Kyaaaaaah!”

It was a blood-curdling scream.

The Embroidered Uniform guard turned pale and looked back.

Then he looked at Yi-gang once more.

His conflicted feelings were evident in his eyes.

However, the Embroidered Uniform guard knew his foremost duty well.

“Don’t touch anything, and stay right here!”

With that, he dashed off with terrifying speed.

He didn’t even wait to see Yi-gang nod in response.

「Are you going to stay still?」

‘Of course not.’

Naturally, Yi-gang had no intention of staying still.

How much time had the Honorable County Princess’s scream bought?

If we’re being conservative, not much.

During that time, Yi-gang had to find a way to traverse the ten-zhang distance like a bird.

Yi-gang had already devised a method.

‘That dragon sculpture on top of the shelf—it’s made of wood, isn’t it?’

「It is indeed.」

‘That’s a relief.’

Weapons were not allowed inside the Imperial Palace Armory.

However, Yi-gang carried the golden whip, a symbol of the Crown Prince’s teacher, at his waist.

Yi-gang pulled out the long golden whip and unwound the chain he had secretly wrapped around his forearm.

With a slight movement of Yi-gang’s slender fingers, the chain hooked onto the ring attached to the whip.

The other end of the chain was securely tied to the first-grade bookshelves, and as soon as the golden whip in Yi-gang’s hand began to tremble violently.

Although Yi-gang wasn’t fully trained in hidden weapon technique, for this distance, there was no problem with throwing.

Swish—Thud!

The golden whip struck the dragon sculpture on top of the special-grade bookshelf, embedding itself in its mouth.

In other words, the chain now connected the first-grade bookshelves to the special-grade bookshelf.

Of course, the chain was too thin and precarious for a person to climb on.

Swoosh—

However, for Yi-gang, who had perfected the secret art of light footwork, it wasn’t a challenge.

The chain swayed violently, but Yi-gang on top of it was as steady as if he were running on solid ground.

He even changed his stance mid-way.

「That was close!」

Thin threads, like spider webs, were strung all over the air.

If any of those threads were touched, the mechanism would have been triggered.

Zhang Sanfeng burst into joyful laughter.

Yi-gang ran swiftly.

It took only five steps to reach the special-grade bookshelf.

Performing this series of actions didn’t even take a single breath.

He quickly skimmed through all twenty martial arts manuals.

Muscle-Tendon Change Marrow Cleanse Classic.

Grand Purity Aura Qi.

Barehand Demonic Art.

They were all divine martial arts that could bring a storm of bloodshed in Jianghu.

Yi-gang’s eyes stopped on one of them.

‘Immortal Divine Art? These crazy bastards.’

He didn’t expect to find the Immortal Divine Art there.

The reason it was in the special-grade bookshelf was obvious. The desire for longevity was the greatest yearning of those in power.

But that wasn’t what Yi-gang was looking for.

「That’s it, the Scripture of Inexhaustible Mind and Emotion.」

A pitch-black martial arts manual lay in the right corner of the shelf.

Scripture of Inexhaustible Mind and Emotion.

Yi-gang lowered his body and swiftly reached out his hand.

Before his hand even touched it, the book flew right into his grasp.

It was a basic use of Qi Kinesis.

Yi-gang didn’t know what kind of martial art Scripture of Inexhaustible Mind and Emotion was.

He simply trusted Zhang Sanfeng’s choice.

「Quickly, read it!」

Yi-gang secured the manual.

At that moment, the voice of the Embroidered Uniform guard echoed.

“Wh-what is this!”

He realized that running to the Honorable County Princess had been a misunderstanding.

Zhang Sanfeng urged Yi-gang, 「Hurry up!」

A moment earlier.

-Your Highness, after counting to one hundred, do what you did this morning.

The sound transmission that Yi-gang sent to the Honorable County Princess contained such instructions.

The Honorable County Princess, who understood what a sound transmission was, responded wisely.

First, she quietly listened without asking questions or revealing anything.

-It might be a bit embarrassing, but think of it as practice and try shouting.

It was an action Yi-gang took, knowing he might face rejection.

It was a request based on the time he had spent teaching the Honorable County Princess and the Crown Prince.

The Honorable County Princess answered with a slight nod.

-I will not betray the trust you have placed in me, Your Highness.

After Yi-gang left, the Honorable County Princess hesitated for a moment.

She couldn’t understand what Yi-gang was aiming for. Surely, he wouldn’t steal a martial arts manual.

‘Ninety-eight, ninety-nine… one hundred.’

After counting to one hundred, she complied with Yi-gang’s request.

“Kyaaaaaah!”

Naturally, the Eastern Depot guard was greatly startled.

The Crown Prince wasn’t the only one who enjoyed playful mischief.

“Y-your Highness, what’s happening!”

The Eastern Depot guard was flustered, and the Honorable County Princess couldn’t help but laugh.

So, she screamed once more.

“Kyaaaaaah!”

Before long, the Embroidered Uniform guard who had gone with Yi-gang came running back with a ghostly pale face.

“Your Highness!”

The thunderous sound of his footsteps was anything but ordinary.

The Eastern Depot guard naturally took a defensive stance.

“You treacherous scoundrel! I knew it!”

“W-what are you talking about?”

Without breaking his momentum, the Embroidered Uniform guard crashed into the Eastern Depot guard.

Bang!

The Eastern Depot guard, unable to deflect the impact, was thrown back and collided with the shelves.

“Your Highness! Are you all right? What has this traitor done to you…!”

“Cough, t-traitor? What nonsense are you spouting!”

The Eastern Depot guard awkwardly regained his stance.

The Embroidered Uniform guard growled as if he was ready to kill the Eastern Depot guard on the spot.

“You dared to harm Her Highness…”

“What the hell is this all of a sudden!”

At that moment, the Honorable County Princess commanded with a voice dripping with coldness.

Both the Embroidered Uniform guard and the Eastern Depot guard, stunned, turned to look at her.

“I was merely testing the sound technique I’ve just learned. What is this nonsense?”

“S-sound technique?”

The Embroidered Uniform guard mulled over the Honorable County Princess’s words.

The sons and daughters of King Gye-yeong had begun learning sound techniques.

Coming to the Imperial Palace Armory was part of the ridiculous effort to find and learn these sound techniques.

But to suddenly pull something like this was unthinkable.

“W-what is this!”

“Do you have any complaints about my decision?”

“No, of course not…”

Suddenly, the Embroidered Uniform guard snapped back to reality.

Yi-gang, whom he had left behind. He was certainly standing right in front of the special-grade bookshelf.

Surely, unless he’d lost his mind, he wouldn’t have actually approached the special-grade bookshelf…

Yet, an instinctual sense of danger surged within him.

“No…!”

The Embroidered Uniform guard started running again.

As soon as the Embroidered Uniform guard turned in the direction where the special-grade bookshelf was visible, he was startled.

Yi-gang was already walking back slowly.

“You left first, and now, what’s all this commotion?”

His demeanor was calm.

The Embroidered Uniform guard glanced past Yi-gang.

If Yi-gang had stepped on the cinnabar, there would have been footprints. However, there were no such traces on the floor.

“Did Her Highness perhaps engage in sound technique training?”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

“Haha, as expected, Her Highness’s determination to improve is exceptional.”

What kind of determination to improve was he talking about?

The Embroidered Uniform guard felt a surge of frustration.

When he returned to where the Honorable County Princess was.

“You won’t get off easily,” said the Eastern Depot guard as he glared at him with snake-like eyes.

And as for Yi-gang.

‘Clean.’

He was secretly enjoying a sense of satisfaction.

In contrast, Zhang Sanfeng looked slightly flustered.

「Did you really memorize the entire Scripture of Inexhaustible Mind and Emotion?」

‘It wasn’t that long.’

「Your focus is terrifying.」

Yi-gang had memorized all the mnemonic phrases of the Scripture of Inexhaustible Mind and Emotion after reading it just once.