The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

What Zhang Sanfeng and the Heavenly Demon were engaged in was not strictly an internal energy contest.

But it was something quite similar.

With their hands pressed against each other, Zhang Sanfeng and the Heavenly Demon clashed their inner strength and energy waves.

Powerful demonic energy and True Qi flowed along the meridians of their bodies, attempting to invade one another.

That wasn’t all. Their intent and willpower also collided, crossing through the air as well.

With their free hands, they could attack in any manner.

When the Heavenly Demon unleashed his Heavenly Demon Finger, Zhang Sanfeng would counter it with Wudang’s Cotton Palm.

If Zhang Sanfeng displayed the profound mysteries of Taiji Fist, the Heavenly Demon would break it with the Destructive Fist of Heaven.

Numerous combat techniques could be exchanged, and both supreme ultimate martial masters were aware of them all.

As their battle transcended reality and entered the realm of thought, Yi-gang intervened.

Yi-gang’s sudden strikes to the back of the Heavenly Demon’s head with his curved blade caused a severe impact on the Heavenly Demon’s psyche.

It was certain that the Heavenly Demon’s internal energy channels had been severely disrupted.

“My victory, Heavenly Demon!”

Then, Zhang Sanfeng’s radiant dual palms shone.

Though the Heavenly Demon’s Defensive Aura Qi had reached the realm of perfect defense, which could even withstand cannon fire, he could not block Zhang Sanfeng’s twin palms.

It was a technique the Heavenly Demon had never experienced before.

And there was a reason for that.

The evil dragon that had ascended Zhang Sanfeng to his current level.

While battling the evil dragon, Zhang Sanfeng found it nearly impossible to pierce through the dragon’s scales.

The soft, flowing martial arts of Wudang were too gentle for the dragon’s tough scales, and the dragon’s body was too thick.

Thus, the supreme ultimate technique he created was called Evil Dragon’s Fall.

This attack directly struck the soul, causing the Heavenly Demon’s spirit to be forcefully expelled.

「Kuhak…」

Now in his spiritual state, Yi-gang could finally see the Heavenly Demon’s true form.

He looked much younger than expected.

With long black hair flowing down, clad in a jet-black robe, he was a handsome man.

But something was off about his appearance.

His spirit’s color was faint, and parts of it seemed as if they had been gnawed away by rats, making it unclear in places.

It was probably because his spirit had not fully gathered when he was resurrected.

But that wasn’t the only issue.

The Heavenly Demon was staggering, unable to move freely due to the heavy blow.

He was in stark contrast to Yi-gang, who was freely moving around.

“Young Taoist! Seal the Heavenly Demon with me!”

When Zhang Sanfeng shouted like that, Dam Hyun eagerly stepped forward.

What he did was pull out the Star Mist Alarm Bell and strike it.

“Hhuup!”

Yi-gang had heard about the Star Mist Alarm Bell.

Jin Mu had testified that when Dam Hyun struck the Star Mist Alarm Bell, no sound could be heard.

Yet, it supposedly had the effect of either brainwashing people or using a Soul Capture spell.

As an honor flower disciple, Yi-gang had a theoretical understanding of the principles behind the Star Mist Alarm Bell.

However, now that he was in a spiritual state, he could perceive its effects more clearly.

Deeeeng!

It was a resonant, deep sound, like the tolling of a large temple bell, echoed from the small bell.

But that wasn’t all.

The moment the bell rang, a ring of light spread out from it.

The wave struck Yi-gang’s spirit, causing it to briefly shimmer and break apart.

A similar reaction occurred in the Heavenly Demon’s frozen spirit.

Dam Hyun used this to locate the Heavenly Demon’s position.

“We can’t just seal him anywhere! And we can’t banish his spirit right now.”

To Dam Hyun’s outcry, Zhang Sanfeng replied, “You have it, don’t you? The Heavenly Demon’s Plaque!”

“Ah, that will suffice.”

Dam Hyun quickly pulled out the Heavenly Demon’s Plaque from his chest and threw it.

Before the Heavenly Demon’s Plaque hit the ground, he threw a talisman at it, striking it directly.

With a flicker, blue flames sparked, and the Heavenly Demon’s Plaque floated in midair.

“With the current equipment, the best I can manage is a seal on the level of Three Talents or Four Symbols.”

“That will suffice!”

“Hehe.”

Dam Hyun pulled out four silver chopstick-like objects from his chest.

They were certainly not cheap items, and if Jin Mu had seen them, he would have been shocked.

He planted them around the Heavenly Demon’s Plaque, forming a perfect Four Symbols Array.

Then, preparing to strike the Star Mist Alarm Bell again, Dam Hyun shouted, “Die, Heavenly Demon!”

With a cry identical to Yi-gang’s earlier, he prepared to strike the Heavenly Demon’s soul.

The problem was that Dam Hyun wasn’t facing the Heavenly Demon.

Instead, Dam Hyun was glaring directly at Yi-gang, who was standing nearby.

“Kaak!”

“Aaagh!”

Had Cheongho not bitten Dam Hyun’s wrist at the right moment, Yi-gang would have suffered a serious blow.

Unlike Cheongho, who seemed to be able to see Yi-gang, Dam Hyun could only barely locate the spirits using the Star Mist Alarm Bell.

“Not that way, over here!”

“Ah!”

Dam Hyun lightly struck the Star Mist Alarm Bell again to locate the positions of Yi-gang and the Heavenly Demon.

「Kugh…」

Yi-gang regretted not being able to strike in his spiritual form.

He couldn’t tell whether Dam Hyun’s actions were intentional or due to ignorance.

“Priest Yi-gang! Come closer.”

Yi-gang, who had been contemplating behind Dam Hyun, approached Zhang Sanfeng.

“It’s not good for a spirit to remain separated from its body for too long. Once I leave this body, you must return immediately.”

「Do I just need to possess it like before?」

“Yes, and you did quite well earlier.”

「I managed somehow.」

Zhang Sanfeng’s expression was extremely urgent.

“Listen carefully, Priest. I managed to defeat the Heavenly Demon, but the aftermath is far from ordinary.”

Yi-gang looked at Zhang Sanfeng’s—no, his own—arm.

His palm had turned pitch black. From the palm, the black energy had spread up the back of his hand and forearm, tracing along the veins.

“The Heavenly Demon’s demonic energy has invaded your body. I’ve suppressed it as much as I could, but it won’t be easy to heal.”

Zhang Sanfeng spoke as if he wanted Yi-gang to remember this clearly.

At a glance, it was a serious wound. If the demonic energy had invaded not just the arm but also the dantian and meridians, it was unclear how it could be healed.

However, Yi-gang dared not blame Zhang Sanfeng.

Even though Yi-gang had assisted, it was clear that Zhang Sanfeng had fought the Heavenly Demon on better terms and gained the upper hand.

“That’s not the only problem. Not only did you leave your body, but you also possessed another body and experienced death once again.”

「Yes.」

“One can only imagine the impact that would have… Your soul must surely have been wounded.”

「…」

Yi-gang was unsure.

Being killed by having his throat torn open by the Heavenly Demon was undoubtedly a terrifying experience.

But whether his soul had been wounded, he couldn’t say. To be honest, it felt…

「I think I’m fine.」

“Don’t say such things. If the bond between your soul and body weakens, nothing could be more dangerous. Purifying the demonic energy and healing the bond between your soul and body is the most urgent matter. Now, listen carefully.”

Zhang Sanfeng emphasized as if what he was about to explain was of utmost importance.

“When this is over, take the Heavenly Demon’s Plaque and head to a Buddhist temple. The Shaolin Temple in Mount Song, Henan, would be the closest.”

「Shaolin?」

“Shaolin has suffered the most from demonic energy, especially from the demonic art of the Demon Cult. There, you can heal both your body and soul and decide how to deal with the Heavenly Demon.”

It seemed reasonable.

When it came to demon subjugation, there’s no place in the Central Plains that surpassed Shaolin.

“When you return to your original body, you will likely lose consciousness. That’s why your senior brother must assist you. Priest, did you hear that clearly?”

“Yes.”

Dam Hyun, who had been preparing the sealing technique, nodded.

It seemed that Zhang Sanfeng had raised his voice deliberately so Dam Hyun could hear.

With a slight smile, Zhang Sanfeng spoke to Yi-gang, “I wish you luck. You will overcome this, Priest.”

Yi-gang suddenly felt something was off.

There was a strange tone in Zhang Sanfeng’s words.

It sounded as if he was giving instructions on something he had to do before leaving.

Before Yi-gang could ask, the Heavenly Demon interrupted, stealing the opportunity to question him.

“F-foolish… act…”

Still suffering from the wounds to his soul and the effects of the Four Symbols sealing technique, the Heavenly Demon’s voice trembled grotesquely.

“Did you really think… that this feeble Taoist’s seal could restrain me? Even the Taishang Laojun and great immortals feared such a task…”

“You’re… probably right.”

Zhang Sanfeng gave a bitter smile.

“That’s why I will personally join forces with you to stop him.”

“What did you say…!”

“Taoist! Begin!”

And then, Dam Hyun struck the Star Mist Alarm Bell.

The Star Mist Alarm Bell was a sacred artifact that could influence the corporeal soul.

This meant it could directly affect the Heavenly Demon, who was currently in a spiritual state.

Diing!

Even though Yi-gang wasn’t the target, he felt his soul freeze as if it had turned white.

The Heavenly Demon’s spirit, indeed, became completely frozen white.

Dam Hyun seemed to be affected as well. Blood trickled from his nose.

“Die, Heavenly Demon!”

How could one kill someone who was already dead?

Dam Hyun struck the bell again.

Diing!

The Heavenly Demon tried to resist, but the Four Symbols Array that Dam Hyun had set up appeared to be restraining him.

Dam Hyun’s nosebleed turned into a double stream.

Yi-gang, too, felt the impact.

Zhang Sanfeng stood in front, blocking the way.

Yi-gang frowned at the strange sight. Not everyone had the experience of seeing their own back.

Zhang Sanfeng turned to Yi-gang and spoke, “You must return to your original body as soon as I leave it.”

「Sage.」

“Rest and strengthen your body while you wait.”

「When will you return?」

“When you need me or when you are ready to stand against the Heavenly Demon.”

It was a sudden farewell.

But farewells were always like that.

Like natural disasters or unexpected accidents, farewells came suddenly.

This time, it wasn’t a complete farewell, and there was a way to meet again, which was fortunate.

「How should I call for you?」

“You will find the remaining pieces of the Heavenly Demon’s soul.”

And then Zhang Sanfeng would return.

However, the Heavenly Demon would also be resurrected.

Then Dam Hyun struck the final note on the bell.

“Farewell.”

Diing—!

Zhang Sanfeng’s spirit shot out.

Yi-gang immediately returned to his own body.

Thanks to that, he was able to witness Zhang Sanfeng’s final moments with his own eyes.

Zhang Sanfeng was charging fiercely at the frozen the Heavenly Demon.

The energy waves from the Star Mist Alarm Bell, struck by Dam Hyun, swept over them both at the speed of sound.

The Heavenly Demon’s figure blurred, and the chopsticks forming the Four Symbols Array began to shine brightly.

Zhang Sanfeng pinned down the Heavenly Demon.

In an instant, both the Heavenly Demon and Zhang Sanfeng were sucked into the Heavenly Demon’s Plaque and vanished.

And then…

Drip.

Yi-gang felt black blood drip from his eyes, nose, and mouth.

As soon as Zhang Sanfeng left, the immense strain that had been placed on his body hit him like a tidal wave.

Yet, Yi-gang did not collapse and stood firm.

It must have been the weight of the burden Zhang Sanfeng had carried in his body up until now.

“Huff, huff.”

Dam Hyun didn’t look like he was in good shape either.

He staggered as he picked up the Heavenly Demon’s Plaque.

The Heavenly Demon’s Plaque was glowing red-hot. With a sizzling sound, steam rose from Dam Hyun’s hand.

Without a care, he attached a talisman to the Heavenly Demon’s Plaque and tucked it into his robe.

Then he approached Yi-gang.

“Hey, Yi-gang.”

“…”

Yi-gang tried to respond, but no words came out.

Dam Hyun scratched his head and muttered, “Do you think we can even make it to Shaolin?”

“…”

“For now, just lie down.”

Where was there a place to lie down?

Dam Hyun gently pushed Yi-gang on the chest.

With that light touch, Yi-gang wobbled and fell backward.

The sky entered his view.

As the demonic energy began to subside, the red sky of dusk came into view.

Thud.

Luckily, Yi-gang didn’t hit his head on the ground.

Instead, he felt soft, warm fur enveloping his body.

It was soft and comforting fur.

Yi-gang realized he was now lying on Cheongho’s back.

During that time, Cheongho had grown large enough to carry him.

Dam Hyun firmly tied Yi-gang’s body onto Cheongho’s back.

“For now, let’s escape quickly while it’s dark.”

“…”

“Get some rest.”

Yi-gang felt relieved that Dam Hyun was there.

“Oh, wait.”

However, instead of fleeing, Dam Hyun staggered as he moved around.

Yi-gang barely managed to turn his head and look at Dam Hyun.

“I suppose it’s fine to take this with us.”

Dam Hyun rummaged through the corpse of the decapitated Guardian. Eventually, he quickly grabbed a few Treasures that the Guardian had been wearing.

He stumbled and hurriedly ran over.

“Let’s go, we’ll split it in half!”

“…Uh. Uh.”

“Thank you? Got it!”

That was Yi-gang’s last memory before losing consciousness.