The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan - Chapter 103

Chapter 103 – The Boy Grows Into A Young Man (2)

The Boy Grows Into A Young Man (2)

The prospective disciples, now first-flower disciples, took pride in the single flower embroidered on their clothes.

However, the exhilarating feeling of roaming Jianghu as warriors, ready to embark on adventures, faded away in just a few days.

The brief happiness was soon replaced by a training regimen for the third-generation disciples, far more rigorous than anything they had faced before.

According to the second-generation disciples, the first three years were like hell. This was not an exaggeration.

Not everyone became stronger by learning the divine martial arts. Beyond the profundity of martial arts, personal effort was essential. The strength of the Azure Forest disciples stemmed from the sect’s strict training regimen.

The new daily schedule for the third-generation disciples was roughly as follows:

1. Wake up at the hour of the Rabbit, recite scriptures immediately after waking up

At the hour of the Rabbit, around dawn, they would wake up to the sound of the bell. Being a Taoist sect, they then donned Azure Forest’s Taoist robes. They offered incense in front of the hall, and one hundred third-generation disciples sat cross-legged together.

A second-generation disciple on duty would recite scriptures like the Three Pure Ones to purify the mind, but in reality, it was a practice of internal energy.

2. Running followed by breakfast

After completing the scriptures, they would immediately rise for a morning run.

They must not use internal energy and rely purely on physical strength to circle the mountain once before eating.

The Azure Forest, being wealthy, didn’t prohibit meat in their diet, so they often had it. Thanks to this, Jun Myung and a few others grew up strong and sturdy.

3. Martial arts lectures and training

After that, formal martial arts lectures and training began.

As this phase did not involve assigning a specific master and disciple for teaching martial arts, the second-generation and first-generation disciples took on the role of teaching martial arts.

They began to build internal energy by learning the Wisdom Mind, which stimulated the Innate True Qi, and the next stage, the Azure Sky Cultivation Technique.

They also learned weaponry, particularly swordsmanship. The majority of swordsmen were taught by martial artists from the Blue Flower Palace’s Wisdom Sword Pavilion. Those learning whip sword techniques were instructed separately at the Red Lotus Pavilion.

4. Lunch, then more training.

After lunch, they always studied the scriptures.

Due to the insistence of the Academy Head and Management Head that a martial artist must also fulfill basic societal roles, they also learned about the workings of the world.

Around this time, their bodies become weary and tired.

However, the training did not end there. They practiced martial arts, the content changing every time.

Today, for instance, was a day for teachings from Sage Do Seon, the Bright Sun Pavilion Master and a first-generation disciple.

Do Seon was renowned in the Azure Forest for his profound internal energy. There’s even a joke that his hefty belly contains all his internal energy.

About a hundred third-generation disciples were sitting cross-legged. Do Seon assisted in the lesser circulation of energy, pinpointing the necessary acupoints for the cycle of the Azure Sky Cultivation Technique.

Second-generation disciples moved around to assist.

Yi-gang, too, was sitting with his eyes closed and in a cross-legged position.

However, he was not cultivating the Azure Sky Cultivation Technique.

「That Great Yin Flow, it doesn’t seem like ordinary internal energy cultivation to me.」

He heard the chattering voice of the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon. Yi-gang had made a ring with the Blue Eye Gem she inhabited.

「Sigh, if I were still alive, I could have learned from you.」

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon learned later that Yi-gang was a descendant of the Immortal Divine Sword and had received martial arts training directly from him.

Her reaction exceeded Yi-gang’s expectations.

She was so envious that she jumped up and down. It turned out she had always admired the Immortal Divine Sword after hearing his heroic tales.

It would have been a delight for the Immortal Divine Sword, had he not achieved enlightenment.

Despite the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon’s incessant chattering, Yi-gang did not lose his focus.

He cultivated the Wisdom Mind only after reciting the Great Yin Flow.

Yi-gang, though a second-generation disciple, spent his days from morning to evening with the third-generation disciples.

Many disciples felt uncomfortable as they had to run shirtless, eat, and train together with their senior, who was not much older than them.

But things had changed now. After spending over three months together, no one paid him any special attention anymore.

「Meditating all day won’t do you any good if you can’t even properly perform the lesser circulation,」 the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon commented. The lesser circulation she referred to was a simplified version of the greater circulation.

Yet, even so, it required circulating energy from the Qihai acupoint in the dantian to the Baihui acupoint at the crown of the head. This was impossible for Yi-gang with his Great Yin Meridian Blockage.

Therefore, Yi-gang only circulated energy from his right hand, which had connected meridians, to his dantian.

With his palms facing upwards, he controlled his breathing and circulated a tiny amount of energy.

Although it was an absurd method, it was possible because what Yi-gang was learning was the unique Wisdom Mind Art of the Azure Forest.

「That must be frustrating.」

Yi-gang eventually couldn’t hold back and responded.

‘If you could please not interrupt, I’m trying to concentrate.’

「Why, afraid you’ll fall into Qi deviation? At your level, the worst you’d probably feel is a bit of numbness in your arm.」

‘Whatever you say, I’m satisfied with my progress.’

Yi-gang knew why the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon kept grumbling.

「Oh dear, such a waste, such a waste! If only you could quickly take me to Kunlun Mountains, you could connect the major meridians and open up all the acupoints.」

It’s a journey to find one half of the Blue Eye Gem in the Murim Alliance and then to the Kunlun Mountains. It’s frustrating because he could only attempt it in at least four years.

Yi-gang closed his eyes and refocused amidst the familiar whining.

Someone placed a hand on Yi-gang’s shoulder.

Turning his head at the soft touch, he saw Jin Ri-yeon next to him.

“It’s not easy, is it?”

There was a worried look on her whispering face.

“You looked upset.”

His expression was soured by the noisy Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, but she mistook it as frustration from his inability to properly circulate energy.

“I’ll help you.”

Jin Ri-yeon sat behind Yi-gang and placed her hand on the Mingmen acupoint on his back.

Soon, he felt a gentle flow of true Qi.

Jin Ri-yeon quietly assisted with the energy circulation. Indeed, she was an outstanding rising star disciple, having participated in the Dragon-Phoenix Conference.

Yi-gang felt his lower dantian increasingly filled with internal energy.

Contrary to the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon’s thoughts, Yi-gang did not find the process frustrating or agonizing.

‘It’s exhilarating.’

He was actually quite satisfied.

A person who couldn’t walk felt infinite freedom just by being able to take a few steps.

For Yi-gang, accumulating even a small amount of internal energy in his lower dantian was an incomparable achievement compared to his past.

With a slight smile, Yi-gang heard Jin Ri-yeon whisper in his ear, “Don’t forget. The most important thing is internal energy.”

A chill ran down his spine for a moment, but Jin Ri-yeon continued firmly, “Internal energy is the foundation of ascending martial arts.”

This was when Yi-gang had asked three second-generation disciples what they should focus on most to become stronger.

Jin Mu had talked about overall physical training. Jin Ri-yeon and Dam Hyun each advocated for internal energy and sorcery, respectively.

Initially, it was a light debate, but eventually, it led to a fight to prove who was right.

As a result, Jin Mu, Jin Ri-yeon, and even Dam Hyun got involved in Yi-gang’s training like this.

It was usually an annoying situation, but Yi-gang stayed still. After all, it wasn’t bad for him.

Do Seon, who was watching, spoke up, “Stop.”

All the third-generation disciples simultaneously finished their energy circulation and looked up.

“If you’ve tried circulating the energy, you should also test your energy emission.”

There was a familiar object on the platform.

It was a bianzhong, the musical instrument that had been repaired after being used in the first-flower promotion test.

The item, once stored away with the scolding of the Management Head, ‘You spent so much money to make it and only use it once in a decade or more? Are you crazy!’ had been brought back from storage.

Do Seon brought out the bianzhong again with a nervous heart.

“Now, come up in turn and try to emit your Qi.”

Although no names were called, Yi-gang stood up.

Whenever such an occasion arose, the first-generation disciples always called Yi-gang first. As a second-generation disciple by distribution, it was meant to set an example for the other kids.

Both Sage Do Seon and Sage Do Gang had been particularly strict in teaching Yi-gang.

Though he could only use his right hand, he had learned how to emit Qi thanks to Do Seon’s teaching.

Now that he had accumulated a bit of internal energy, he was prepared to make that bianzhong ring loudly.

“Ahem.”

However, Do Seon stopped Yi-gang as he was about to step onto the platform.

“You should… just sit and rest.”

“What? It’s okay. I should try.”

“No. There’s no need to force it.”

“I want to try. Really.”

“It’s fine, I tell you!”

Do Seon forcibly pushed Yi-gang down, insisting he shouldn’t participate.

For him, the risk of the topaz-made bianzhong being damaged was too great.

The third-generation disciples watched this scene in silence.

This included the trio who stood out the most among them.

“Do you think Senior Yi-gang will really participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Conference later?” Jun Myung muttered. They too had grown accustomed to addressing Yi-gang as their senior.

Son Hee-il tilted his head and responded, “Nah, surely not. It’s the third-generation disciples who will go to the Dragon-Phoenix Conference. We still have four years left.”

“But, he could be part of the delegation.”

“As the leader?”

“Seems likely, doesn’t it?”

For them too, the Dragon-Phoenix Conference happening in four years was a significant event. It was the highest honor they could aspire to after earning the first-flower.

All the third-generation disciples, who had never met rising star disciples of their age, dreamed of participating in the Dragon-Phoenix Conference.

“Maybe it really might happen.”

“The leader is usually someone who has attended the previous Dragon-Phoenix Conference.”

Then Yu Su-rin, who had been quiet until then, interjected.

“It can’t be!”

She nervously chewed on the end of her sleeve.

“Of course, Senior Ri-yeon should go too.”

She was dreaming not only of participating in the Dragon-Phoenix Conference but also of roaming Jianghu with Jin Ri-yeon.

“These days, Senior Ri-yeon keeps looking after Senior Yi-gang only…”

Yu Su-rin, who idolized Jin Ri-yeon, was distressed because Jin Ri-yeon was openly helping Yi-gang with his training. Unaware of the bet among the second-generation disciples, it was a burning issue for her.

Son Hee-il and Jun Myung knew well that they shouldn’t be around Yu Su-rin at times like these.

“I’ll go up to the platform first.”

“No, as the Great Senior Brother, I should go first.”

They quietly moved away from the spot.

After dinner, as the evening sun set and the hour of the Rat approached, the third-generation disciples’ training schedule came to an end.

This also meant the end of Yi-gang’s exhausting day.

Training with the third-generation disciples every day was indeed a physically demanding task.

Despite his improved physical condition, Yi-gang was still technically a patient.

His complexion remained pale despite being out in the sun so much.

If it weren’t for the spiritual herbs rich in vital energy provided regularly by the Azure Forest, and the treatment from one of the World’s Four Great Divine Physicians known as Golden Needle Phantom, he would have collapsed long ago.

But Yi-gang’s day was not over yet.

He had a master, and so did his senior brother.

Yi-gang walked the night paths with the spirit of the Blue-Eyed Mad Demon.

Someone called out his name.

“Yi-gang.”

Under the shadow of trees on the dark night path, Dam Hyun was waiting.

“Senior Brother.”

Dam Hyun’s face was as pale as his. Despite having left Repentance Cave, he had been cooped up in the grand library every day.

His condition had improved significantly since more than half of the dark energy had faded from his mind.

“Master is waiting.”

“Let’s go together.”

Yi-gang and Dam Hyun walked side by side. Fortunately, Dam Hyun no longer covered his face with a ‘heek’ sound whenever Yi-gang approached, as he used to.

However, walking side by side, they gradually distanced themselves a little from each other.

「Look at that guy.」

The Blue-Eyed Mad Demon, walking on the opposite side of Yi-gang, chuckled. Though Dam Hyun couldn’t see her, she playfully nudged Yi-gang while laughing.

Yi-gang sighed and called out to Dam Hyun, “Senior Brother, if you keep that up, you’ll fall off the path again like last time.”

“Oh, right.”

Dam Hyun nonchalantly moved back to the middle of the path. He had once tumbled into the night forest trying to maintain distance from Yi-gang.

“Ahem, um. Today, we will learn about mechanism arrays. Master has prepared a lot.”

“I’ve read up on the general theory of mechanisms.”

“When you can use spells, you can apply them to unlock mechanisms as well.”

Dam Hyun had always argued that studying spells was the most efficient way to become stronger.

It might not seem like a typical warrior’s response, but he seemed genuinely convinced of this.

“Yes.”

“There’s a limit to dueling with swords, but a spellcaster who has reached a certain level can even confront an army.”

Seeming a bit awkward, Dam Hyun was unusually talkative today.

He had taught Yi-gang earnestly, more than Yi-gang had expected compared to Jin Mu or Jin Ri-yeon.

It didn’t seem to be just because Dam Hyun was the senior brother or that Yi-gang was the junior brother.

“…I’ve found out that the Kunlun Mountains naturally form array formations. Learn them in advance.”

“I will.”

“Well, there are still four years left anyway.”

He had been in shock for a while after discovering that the Cheongho he had been carrying was actually a human soul.

But now, it seemed his mind was somewhat settled.

「Tell him thank you for letting me know.」

‘Then he’ll start wailing again, which I’d rather avoid.’

That was Yi-gang’s response whenever asked.

Walking the path to the grand library, Yi-gang looked up at the sky.

A season had passed since he arrived at the Azure Forest.

As the days of summer were long, the sky was still tinged with purple.

The faint crescent moon was probably shining over the Baek Noble Clan as well.

Thinking it was time to write home, Yi-gang contemplated.

“Let’s hurry. It’s getting late.”

“Yes.”

Yi-gang followed Dam Hyun, who had started to run.

His steps were incredibly light and cheerful.