The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

Yi-gang was holding the Shooting Star Fang.

Ordinarily, carrying a sword within the imperial palace was forbidden, but through the influence of King Gye-yeong, Yi-gang was allowed to retain his sword.

He felt the familiar weight that had become perfectly accustomed to his hand.

Recalling the time when he was initially startled by the weight of the Shooting Star Fang, it’s a significant improvement.

In an empty space, Yi-gang held his sword straight out in front of him.

His body’s weight was almost entirely placed on his front foot, and his arms were extended straight.

For someone lacking in strength, their outstretched arm would start to tremble after a short while.

However, Yi-gang achieved a perfect state of stillness.

With his wrists fully extended, this posture had his body in a perfectly straight, extended state.

In other words, unless he withdrew his body backward, he wouldn’t be able to move even if he tried. This was because he had thrust the sword to its limit.

Yi-gang’s eyelids slightly trembled, and even his drawn-out breath momentarily stopped.

Thud!

The sword bounced slightly.

His hands hadn’t moved at all, yet the sword moved as if it were alive.

Was this the beginning of the Telekinetic Sword Technique?

If so, it should have been a cause for celebration, but Yi-gang’s expression was anything but pleased.

「What are your thoughts on Qi Kinesis?」 Zhang Sanfeng asked in a serious tone.

This place was a secluded area within Yongzhao Palace, where no one could see them. Thanks to the consideration of Master Azure Sky, they were allowed to use this room like a training hall.

‘…Isn’t it the act of pulling objects using internal energy?’

Qi Kinesis was akin to a form of telekinesis.

When experts stretched out their hands, objects like wine cups would be drawn into their grasp as if sucked in, and with a flick of the hand, open doors could slam shut—all of these were based on Qi Kinesis.

「Are you capable of Qi Kinesis?」

‘…Yes.’

Zhang Sanfeng must have already seen it several times.

After becoming a Supreme Peak master, Yi-gang was able to use the Qi Kinesis technique. Even pulling the Scripture of Inexhaustible Mind and Emotion from the special-grade bookshelf was due to Qi Kinesis.

However, there must be another reason Zhang Sanfeng asked again.

「That’s precisely it. You are confusing Qi Kinesis with the Telekinetic Sword.」

“…”

「The internal energy and Innate True Qi within the Priest’s body are the essence.」

The internal energy was breathing and alive in Yi-gang’s dantian.

「To imbue that into the sword is Qi.」

Raising the sword energy and condensing it to forge a Sword Aura is the action of Qi.

Qi Kinesis was the same. Moving a distant object was an action of Qi.

「What you should imbue into the sword is not Qi, but spirit. Haha…」

‘It’s not easy.’

「Perhaps it would be good to take a short break.」

Yi-gang obediently followed Zhang Sanfeng’s suggestion.

He set down the sword and sat leaning against the wall. His breathing had become ragged before he knew it. It wasn’t that his body was tired, but rather the mental exertion was extreme.

However, outwardly, he didn’t appear very disheveled.

It was a natural manner ingrained in his body.

Even when exhausted, he didn’t lie down on the floor or roughly loosen his clothing—maintaining basic dignity. It wasn’t that he wasn’t tired.

Zhang Sanfeng looked at Yi-gang with a peculiar expression.

「Well, this is strange.」

‘What do you mean?’

「You worked so hard, but when I told you to rest, you rested immediately? I thought you’d say, ‘Let me try a bit more!’」

‘You, Sage, are the one who told me to rest; why are you complaining?’

When Yi-gang looked at him in bewilderment, Zhang Sanfeng burst into hearty laughter.

「I’m not scolding you. I’m just fascinated, that’s all.」

‘Fascinated?’

「The Priest is quite a peculiar person.」

Yi-gang squinted his eyes.

Peculiar? That wasn’t something he expected to hear from Zhang Sanfeng.

‘Where in the world would you find a sensible and ordinary person like me for you to say such things?’

「Sensible…? Ordinary? Hahaha.」

‘I’m serious.’

「…It’s truly unfortunate that you believe that.」

Yi-gang chuckled softly.

It was because the image of the Immortal Divine Sword came to mind when he looked at Zhang Sanfeng.

「What do you think about martial arts?」

‘What do you mean by that?’

「Do you love the sword? Are you happy when you practice martial arts?」

Yi-gang thought for a moment before replying.

‘No.’

He wasn’t obsessed with martial arts. He had never thought that training with the sword made him happy, nor had he felt love for the sword.

With a somewhat bitter expression, Zhang Sanfeng spoke, 「I heard that your ancestor called you a genius.」

‘He did… I suppose.’

「I understand now. You certainly possess that talent.」

It didn’t quite sound like a compliment.

Through the ensuing conversation, Yi-gang could understand why he felt that way.

「Why do you learn the sword and martial arts?」

‘To survive. To heal my body and to confront those who pose a threat.’

「That is clear to you, then. Yes, that means you see martial arts as a means to an end.」

‘…’

「That way, you cannot achieve greatness. You will only reach a mediocre level at best.」

For Yi-gang, martial arts were a means.

They were for survival and a tool to protect those close to him.

In fact, it wasn’t such an unusual thing.

Most of the martial artists in Jianghu used martial arts as a means to an end.

They learned martial arts for survival or to make a name for themselves.

「Only those who truly pursue the zenith in martial arts, those for whom it is the essence of life, can reach the end.」

However, Zhang Sanfeng said this.

That, like the Sword Emperor or the Immortal Divine Sword, only when martial arts were not a means but an end in themselves could one become a true master.

「Even so, to have reached the Supreme Peak level at such a young age, what else could one call it but genius?」

Yet, Yi-gang had proven it.

To have reached the Supreme Peak level in his early twenties.

It was certain that he would later be counted among the Ten Grandmasters, and he was progressing quickly enough to aim for the title of the best in the world.

「However, from here on, things will be different.」

‘Are you referring to the Absolute realm?’

「The Absolute realm is the process of becoming the embodiment of martial arts in a human body.」

It wasn’t an exaggerated statement.

「No matter how talented you are, with such a complacent mindset, you cannot reach the Absolute realm. I am certain of that.」

‘…’

「Are you disappointed?」

Yi-gang quietly remained silent and then smiled.

‘How could I talk about the Absolute realm when I have only just reached the Supreme Peak?’

「That’s exactly the problem… At this point, you should be saying, ‘Let’s see if I can reach the Absolute realm or not!’ and burning with competitive spirit.」

Instead of responding, Yi-gang dusted off his clothes and stood up.

‘I will try again.’

He then raised his sword.

After catching his breath a little, he intended to resume practicing the Telekinetic Sword Technique.

Zhang Sanfeng gave a wry smile.

Yi-gang certainly regarded the sword as a means.

But how could someone like him have such a sincere expression on his face?

Yi-gang undoubtedly had the seed of potential. Zhang Sanfeng was certain of that as well.

「I will help you. Let’s try it once more.」

---

The peaceful and quiet time was, in fact, only so for Yi-gang.

For King Gye-yeong and Seong Yeok-ju, every day was spent with such mental exertion that their hair turned gray.

They meticulously adjusted the balance of power in the Forbidden City to prevent it from tipping, thoroughly categorizing who was on their side and who was not.

The plan to kill the Seven Great Immortals and rescue the Emperor could never be revealed.

To other factions, it would seem as if King Gye-yeong and Seong Yeok-ju intended to take the current positions of the Seven Great Immortals.

And perhaps, to some extent, Yi-gang and Zhang Sanfeng thought this might be true.

「At the very least, I don’t believe loyalty is their true motive.」

It was unlikely that they were planning such actions out of loyalty to the Emperor or the country.

It was probably more out of a sense of crisis, feeling they couldn’t leave things as they were.

‘What does it matter? It’s better to deal with those who want to protect what’s theirs rather than those who speak of loyalty.’

「That may be true, but…」

‘If they had said it was a duty of the subjects or claimed it was for the Emperor, I wouldn’t have participated. It would have been a deceitful and cunning excuse.’

Because it was a matter of protecting themselves and what was theirs, King Gye-yeong and Seong Yeok-ju were, at least, sincere.

Just looking at the heavy atmosphere in King Gye-yeong’s hall was enough to understand.

“Senior Grand Secretary, tell us about your preparations.”

King Gye-yeong, who usually wore a pleasant smile, now had a serious expression. Seong Yeok-ju was the same.

“We have recruited two palace maids and two eunuchs from Huangtian Palace to monitor the situation.”

“Weren’t there three eunuchs?”

“We classified and recruited the eunuchs affiliated with the Office of Palace Affairs, but one of them was caught in contact with a spy from the Eastern Depot faction.”

“The influence of the Admiral Grand Eunuch has reached even here. Was it handled well?”

“Yes, we have excluded them entirely from Huangtian Palace. Additionally, the recruited informants are unaware of each other’s identities.”

“Reliable.”

While Yi-gang would eventually have to draw his sword and rampage, it was Seong Yeok-ju who needed to set the stage.

After negotiating with Seong Yeok-ju, Yi-gang heard the detailed plan.

The plan to kill the Seven Great Immortals, who desecrated the court, and rescue the Emperor.

It was a rather unconventional approach.

“With the Longevity Festival approaching…”

The Longevity Festival that King Gye-yeong mentioned referred to the Emperor’s birthday.

The Longevity Festival was the day when envoys from neighboring countries came to celebrate the Emperor’s birthday.

During such a time, even the reckless Gyeongmun Emperor would have to leave Huangtian Palace.

Naturally, the Forbidden City would become unsettled in preparation for that.

“That’s our opportunity.”

King Gye-yeong had a special relationship with the Gyeongmun Emperor.

Every year, he brought gifts that the Emperor would like, and the Gyeongmun Emperor enjoyed spending time with King Gye-yeong.

Before the Longevity Festival, he would use that as an excuse to enter Huangtian Palace.

The core of the plan was to wipe out the Seven Great Immortals all at once.

There were, of course, risks, but it wasn’t a bad plan.

The questions of how to include Yi-gang and his companions, and how to procure weapons were issues, but the details could be worked out.

“Your Majesty, however, we must prepare an alternative plan in case things go awry,” Seong Yeok-ju spoke in a low voice.

Though King Gye-yeong was of royal status, Seong Yeok-ju was almost at the pinnacle of the bureaucratic officials.

The two had a mutually respectful relationship. King Gye-yeong didn’t take Seong Yeok-ju’s words lightly.

“What do you mean by an alternative plan?”

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot. We must recruit at least one of them.”

“Hmm…”

The power structure within the Forbidden City could largely be divided into three factions.

Seong Yeok-ju, who represented one of these factions, was certain.

If the other two factions joined forces to attack, they would be unable to resist.

At least one faction must either join them or, at the very least, remain passive.

“Neither the Admiral Grand Eunuch nor the Commander-in-Chief Bu Yeong-hu is an easy person to deal with, but we must recruit at least one of them.”

If they failed to eliminate the Seven Great Immortals all at once, or if the use of force in Huangtian Palace was discovered, both the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot would move simultaneously.

In that case, they could be accused of treason and be counterattacked.

“Make contact with them.”

“I will do so.”

Seong Yeok-ju replied calmly.

At that moment, someone pointed out an important matter.

“We must be wary of the Guardian.”

It was none other than Master Azure Sky.

He, too, had been involved in this grand scheme from the beginning.

“The original duty of the Guardian is to stay by the Emperor’s side and protect His Imperial Majesty. However, the Seven Great Immortals are still acting so boldly.”

“Indeed.”

“We must consider the possibility that the Guardian is either merely observing the situation or… has abandoned his duty and colluded with them.”

At those words, the atmosphere in the room grew tense.

Yi-gang thought quietly. If the Guardian had betrayed the Emperor, there was a possibility that Yi-gang would have to confront him.

For the first time, Yi-gang spoke up, “What is the Guardian’s level of mastery?”

It was Master Azure Sky, a fellow martial artist, who answered, “We must assume he is at the level approaching the Absolute realm.”

Approaching the Absolute realm—it was a peculiar choice of words.

An Absolute master couldn’t just be found anywhere, and the likelihood that the Guardian, who was confined within the imperial palace and not out in the martial world, was an Absolute master was not high.

However, if the Guardian were at the Absolute realm and became hostile towards Yi-gang and the disciples of the Azure Forest…

“Warrior Baek, can you confront him?” King Gye-yeong asked Yi-gang, and Yi-gang remained silent for a moment.

Zhang Sanfeng, who was standing beside him, spoke softly, 「I will not let you die.」

“…It won’t be easy, but I think I can confront him,” Yi-gang replied, trusting Zhang Sanfeng.

King Gye-yeong seemed inwardly pleased as he spoke, “Haha, there’s no need to worry too much about the Guardian. If the Seven Great Immortals had tried to assassinate His Imperial Majesty, their heads would have already been cut off. At least, he wouldn’t be in collusion with them.”

Being close to the Emperor, King Gye-yeong seemed confident that there was no need to worry about the Guardian.

However, Yi-gang remained cautious.

Regardless, it was a suspicious variable.

“In any case, that was the main point of the plan…”

King Gye-yeong let out a deep sigh and placed his hand on his forehead.

A problem had arisen.

It was an issue that occurred even before the reinforcements from the Azure Forest had arrived.

“…The one who always remained quiet suddenly decided to take action. What could he be thinking?”

A message had come to King Gye-yeong from Huangtian Palace.

“His Imperial Majesty has summoned you to Huangtian Palace for tomorrow.”

It was from the Emperor, requesting King Gye-yeong to come to the palace for a chat after a long time.

“Isn’t this a good opportunity?” Yi-gang spoke to King Gye-yeong, “They say, ‘If you know your enemies and yourself, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.’ I will see with my own eyes what kind of people the Seven Great Immortals are.”

“…Haha, Warrior Baek’s spirit is reassuring.”

King Gye-yeong smiled wryly.