The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

The flames of Firelight Forge don’t go out even at night.

That’s what a smithy was like. The rumbling sound nearby made it difficult for the servants trying to sleep, but regardless, the blacksmiths worked without rest.

Tonight, as always, the fire of Firelight Forge was lit.

However, the main gates were locked. Most of the blacksmiths were not wielding their hammers but were waiting.

In various places, they sat down, chatting amongst themselves. Some even drank alcohol.

Yet, none of them were sleeping. In a special place like Firelight Forge, there was no fool sleeping on such a special day.

An old man entered the place.

He was the first person to come in since the doors of Firelight Forge were locked earlier in the day.

Despite being old, he had a tall stature, a straight back, and sharp eyes.

It was Baek Do-yeom, known as the Raging Sword Phantom. He was the great uncle of Yi-gang and a senior elder.

Recognizing him, the blacksmiths stood up and respectfully greeted him. Even the prideful blacksmiths acknowledged Baek Do-yeom as the person in charge of Firelight Forge. After his active years, when he joined the Council of Elders, he still looked out for the blacksmiths of Firelight Forge.

But as Baek Do-yeom continued walking, someone stopped him.

“Please wait a moment, Elder. Firelight Forge Chief hasn’t finished the refining process yet.”

“Hmph.”

Baek Do-yeom chuckled but stopped. As fiery as his temper was, he respected craftsmen. That’s why the blacksmiths of Firelight Forge followed Baek Do-yeom.

Baek Do-yeom sat down without saying a word.

“I find the story unbelievable but…”

Beyond the door lay the Fire Spirit Furnace, an extremely hot furnace capable of melting meteoric iron. It was said that the Firelight Forge Chief personally wielded the hammer, and a first-class blacksmith stood by his side.

“I will wait.”

Tonight, a blacksmith from Firelight Forge had hurriedly approached Baek Do-yeom. He came to deliver a message from Yi-gang.

The blacksmith, looking as though he didn’t even understand his own words, relayed the urgent request to visit the Clan Head immediately.

‘How dare that young whippersnapper, my grandnephew, order an elder of the clan around?’

Although infuriated by the thought, he couldn’t ignore it. After all, he was being asked to meet with the Clan Head. So, Baek Do-yeom went to meet his nephew, the Clan Head.

Baek Ryu-san was still bedridden due to illness. However, it seemed he anticipated Baek Do-yeom’s visit.

And the Clan Head shared a story beyond imagination.

‘No matter how I think about it… It’s an unbelievable story.’

The faction that attacked Yi-gang and attempted to kill Ha-jun is targeting the Immortal Divine Sword’s sword, the Shooting Star Fang.

Baek Ryu-san also mentioned there being a mole within the household. Because of that, they hadn’t captured the bandits yet.

Baek Ryu-san’s calm demeanor seemed to speak the truth.

However, Baek Do-yeom was no fool. He soon found a flaw in the story.

‘While the meteorite sword might be precious, why would that mysterious organization risk confronting the Baek Clan and steal the Shooting Star Fang?’

The response to that question was even more astonishing.

‘The Shooting Star Fang conceals the complete Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique?’

The lost latter three forms of the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique from the clan. It was said that the martial art technique that the clan had longed for was hidden within the Shooting Star Fang.

The reason it had gone unnoticed was…

‘The Shooting Star Fang displayed in the Council of Elders is a counterfeit. Yi-gang possesses the real one.’

Furthermore, the Clan Head said that right now, in Firelight Forge, Yi-gang was refining the real Shooting Star Fang.

Not all of it was believable. However, there was plausibility to it. If it were the complete Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique and meteorite sword, then it would have been worth clashing with the Baek Clan.

More than anything, even if the Clan Head was lying, one could directly verify it at Firelight Forge.

But the fact that the blacksmiths of Firelight Forge had such serious expressions…

“You may go in and see for yourself.”

At the blacksmith’s words, Baek Do-yeom opened his eyes.

He got up from his seat and followed the blacksmith’s lead.

The moment the blacksmith opened the door leading to Fire Spirit Furnace—

Whooosh—

A gust of heat so intense that it would be unbearable for ordinary people blasted out.

Would it feel like this in front of a volcano spewing molten lava?

Baek Do-yeom widened his eyes and took one step at a time inside.

Neither the Firelight Forge Chief, nor Go Chil, nor even his grandnephew, Yi-gang, showed any reaction. They were solely fixated on the vat used for tempering the sword.

Ssssss—

The heated sword hissed, releasing steam.

Without a word, Baek Do-yeom approached and stood beside it.

“Given that the sword had been neglected for a long time, we scraped off the rust and re-tempered it. If we just go through the process of sharpening its edge once…”

Noticing Baek Do-yeom, the Firelight Forge Chief, Dae Kyung-rok, spoke in a weary voice.

“It’s exactly the Shooting Star Fang described in the records.”

“Quickly, quickly, bring it out.”

Baek Do-yeom’s voice trembled as he spoke.

His eyes, unlike before, were wide open.

“Very well.”

Dae Kyung-rok took the tongs and firmly grasped the sword’s hilt, lifting it up.

Under the red glow of the Fire Spirit Furnace, a radiant sword revealed itself.

“Wow…”

It was unclear whose exclamation that was.

However, everyone would probably have the same thought.

A sword body slightly longer than an ordinary sword. Even without any color, the sword blade was as dark as the night sky. It emitted a soft glow reminiscent of starlight.

And just as described in the records, a beautifully crafted sword line.

“This is the real… Shooting Star Fang.”

Dae Kyung-rok’s voice held a tremor of emotion.

Baek Do-yeom, too, clenched his fist tightly.

The sword in front of him looked exactly like the Shooting Star Fang he had seen hundreds of times in the Council of Elders. However, the overwhelming feeling of awe could only be attributed to the authenticity of this blade.

Any swordsman would be captivated upon seeing such a sword.

Unconsciously, Baek Do-yeom reached out his hand.

Just as he was about to grasp the hilt of the sword—

—a hand much smaller and more delicate than his own, belonging to Yi-gang, took hold of the Shooting Star Fang.

“Ah.”

Baek Do-yeom let out a sigh of regret without even realizing it.

To him, Yi-gang whispered, “Great uncle.”

“…Yi-gang.”

Turning to look at Yi-gang, Baek Do-yeom came to a realization.

Although Yi-gang was still a young boy, his posture as he held Shooting Star Fang was incredibly natural.

That magnificent sword undoubtedly belonged to Yi-gang.

“Tomorrow, at the Council of Elders meeting, I have a favor to ask.”

“A favor, you say?”

“We need to put an end to the deception that the entire clan has been subjected to.”

A storm of conflict was approaching.

Baek Do-yeom felt it.

The next day, the Council of Elders meeting took place.

It was a significant agenda where most of the elders, including the Grand Elder, were present.

The one who proposed this emergency Council of Elders meeting was none other than the Red Dragon Corps Commander, Baek Jin-tae. Although he wasn’t an elder, it was certain that he would become one. Moreover, he was the younger brother of the Clan Head. Naturally, he could summon the elders.

Although all the elders had gathered quite some time ago, the meeting had not yet started.

Someone had not arrived.

“Has Elder Baek Do-yeom not arrived yet?”

Elder Baek Seo-ok muttered. One of the elders from Baek Do-yeom’s faction looked uncomfortable.

“He should be arriving soon…”

It had already been an hour, and Baek Do-yeom, who was responsible for a part of the Council of Elders, hadn’t shown up.

The meeting’s commencement was delayed because he wasn’t just anyone but a powerful elder in opposition to Baek Seo-ok.

“Tsk, considering the gravity of the matter and he chooses now…”

The context was that the Azure Forest had proposed Yi-gang’s initiation.

Baek Do-yeom, who had supported Yi-gang becoming the Young Clan Head during this vital agenda, had not arrived.

The previously silent Grand Elder finally spoke, “We’ve waited long enough. Proceed.”

The meeting continued without Baek Do-yeom.

Baek Jin-tae gleefully grinned at this unexpected stroke of luck.

After all, Baek Do-yeom was the person who would most vehemently oppose Yi-gang’s Azure Forest departure.

‘How fortunate.’

He discreetly turned his gaze to look at Yi-gang.

Yi-gang sat in a polite posture. As their eyes met, Yi-gang gave a slight nod.

“Red Dragon Corps Commander.”

“Yes, Grand Elder.”

“Please explain.”

Baek Jin-tae was the one who had convened this Council of Elders meeting.

Baek Jin-tae stood up from his seat, as if he were a narrator, and began his address.

“Let me cut to the chase. This is an opportunity.”

“An opportunity…?”

“Consider the current standing of our clan. There are numerous heretics who say the swords of Moyong and Namgung are superior to ours from the Baek Clan.”

Suddenly, Baek Jin-tae started discussing the stature of the clan.

“There are also those who say that the Baek Clan is in decline.”

“Your words are quite exaggerated, Red Dragon Corps Commander. Do we really care about the rumors of some riffraff?”

An elder with an apparent impetuous temperament retorted immediately. However, Baek Jin-tae simply responded with a thin smile.

That elder’s rebuttal seemed to have been pre-arranged with him.

“Heh, that’s what the world is saying. But you cannot deny that our clan’s prestige isn’t what it used to be.”

“Things weren’t like this in my time!”

“That might be true. However, it’s not just us facing this crisis. All of the Seven Great Clans have lost their former glory.”

There was an edge to Baek Jin-tae’s words. Indeed, the reputation of the Seven Great Clans had considerably waned.

“It’s natural since the Murim Alliance revolves around the Nine Sects One Gang. Even the Alliance Leader is alternately chosen from Shaolin and Wudang.”

During the era of wars, a new system named the Murim Alliance emerged. But as peace continued, power struggles ensued within this system.

“You must have heard of the terms: Nine Sects, One Gang, One Forest. These are the leading sects of the current orthodox faction.”

The elders listened quietly to Baek Jin-tae’s words.

“Isn’t that a term Nine Sects One Gang forcefully coined to include Azure Forest within its fence? All for the sake of seeming more significant than the Seven Great Clans. They aim to drag the innocent Azure Forest in.”

“The Azure Forest is, after all, a group of Taoists that doesn’t actively participate in the Jianghu.”

“But can we really underestimate the power of Azure Forest?”

No one could refute that statement.

The Azure Forest Lord held the title of the World’s Ten Grandmasters, and the martial prowess of its disciples was highly regarded.

Just then, Baek Seo-ok threw out a sharp question, “Hasn’t the Azure Forest already aligned with the Nine Sects and One Gang? They have been consistently participating in the Dragon and Phoenix Conference.”

However, Baek Jin-tae seemed to have been waiting for that question.

“That’s right. The Dragon and Phoenix Conference, where the next generation of martial masters gather, and our Seven Stars Conference are the future of orthodox Murim. But, what else is there?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Until now, apart from sending their rising stars to the Dragon and Phoenix Conference, the Azure Forest hasn’t engaged in any other interactions. That’s why this is an opportunity.”

Who would have known that Baek Jin-tae was so eloquent? The elders listened to Baek Jin-tae’s words with bated breath.

“It’s said that the Azure Forest Lord personally wants Yi-gang. Claiming he’s a once-in-a-lifetime genius, and wants to teach him the special techniques of the Azure Forest. What could that mean?”

Baek Jin-tae took out a letter from within his robe. It was a letter sent to Yi-gang from the Azure Forest Lord.

“It’s a letter directly from the Forest Lord expressing a desire to establish a good relationship between our clan and the Azure Forest. Has the Azure Forest ever extended a hand to another sect like this before?”

The elders murmured among themselves.

“They aren’t just any other sect but an actual Taoist sect. Both the Wudang and the Shaolin have taken outer disciples. This is an opportunity to form a blood pact.”

Baek Jin-tae emphasized the term “blood pact.”

“By joining hands with the Azure Forest, we can rise to the leadership of the Seven Great Clans. The order of the Jianghu will be led by the Baek Can.”

The conviction in his words moved the elders. Whispers of agreement began to emerge.

“…And they assured they can heal Yi-gang. It would be wonderful to save my dear nephew, as an adult of the clan.”

Baek Jin-tae added as if it was an afterthought.

In truth, healing Yi-gang wasn’t the utmost priority for the elders. Baek Jin-tae had accurately assessed the elders’ tendencies.

There was no one here deeply invested in saving one young member of the clan. What moved them was the term “leadership of the Seven Great Clans.”

The Baek Clan martial artists, who found themselves within the Council of Elders at an age too young for retirement, still possessed undiminished martial skills and ambition.

What Baek Jin-tae did was fan their desires, using the name of Azure Forest.

Observing their fervent gazes, Baek Jin-tae gave a sly smile. Being a cunning man himself, it wasn’t hard for him to sway the elders’ hearts.

The atmosphere leaned towards sending Yi-gang to the Azure Forest.

‘Yes, they all must want to come together.’

Had the Clan Head or Baek Ha-jun been in good health, persuasion wouldn’t have been this easy.

But with the current situation, if Yi-gang also departed for the Azure Forest, the succession structure would completely collapse.

The clan, now without a leader like an empty mountain without an owner, saw an opportunity to soar. The elders couldn’t help but get greedy.

However, even in such a situation, there was someone who remained calm.

Someone with no desire for power or wealth, yet with a voice stronger than anyone’s.

“There’s an unresolved issue here.”

It was the Grand Elder, Baek Young-ryeong.

“Before that, it’s more important to decide who the Young Clan Head should be. I believe Yi-gang is fit for the position.”

Ha-jun was still lost and wandering.

Baek Jin-tae had anticipated such objections.

‘Firstly, use the excuse that Ha-jun is still young, and reorganize power with the Council of Elders at the center.’

It was a solution that fit the justification and one that would satisfy the other elders.

“About that…”

“Allow me to say something.”

Just as Baek Jin-tae was about to respond, Yi-gang, who had been quietly kneeling, stood up.

He had intended to keep his mouth shut and let Baek Jin-tae handle it…

The unexpected intrusion of Yi-gang caught Baek Jin-tae off guard, prompting him to send a mental message.

-What are you doing? Sit down, I’ll handle this.

However, Yi-gang ignored the mental message and continued walking forward.

“Grand Elder, I’m not fit to be the Young Clan Head.”

“Yi-gang, your words differ from last time.”

“I apologize for that, but when I’m not up to it, I just can’t be. Ha-jun would be a better fit.”

Baek Jin-tae couldn’t help but smile. Of course, it was a smile completely opposite to his inner feelings.

“Haha, Yi-gang, Ha-jun was injured by a sword and still hasn’t gotten up.”

“No, he woke up last night.”

“What…?”

He had heard that Ha-jun was in a coma. While Baek Jin-tae was expressing his surprise, the doors to the Council of Elders flung open.

“Oh my!”

“Has he truly awakened?”

The elders, looking at the door, whispered in astonishment.

There stood Baek Ha-jun. He looked pale, and Neung Ji-pyeong was supporting him, but he was undoubtedly standing on his own feet.

“I pay my respects,” he said clearly and confidently.

Even Grand Elder was taken by surprise and stood up.

“Ha-jun, I heard you were lost in delirium…”

“Thanks to the elixir Brother Yi-gang brought, I’ve greatly recovered.”

“Elixir?”

“It was a gift bestowed with goodwill from the Azure Forest.”

A commotion arose at the mention of the Azure Forest gifting such a precious elixir.

“Even so, you shouldn’t have fully recovered by now. Did you strain yourself just to be present here?”

At Grand Elder’s words, filled with a mix of reprimand and concern, it was Yi-gang who answered on behalf of Ha-jun.

“Ha-jun is here to bear witness.”

“Bear witness?”

“Yes, regarding the fiend who tried to kill Ha-jun. I’ve identified the one in collusion with the organization that sent the assassins after me.”

An icy, tense silence descended upon the room.

Shocked gasps from various quarters were the only sounds that could be heard.

“What are you talking about? Collusion?”

“Ha-jun.”

When Yi-gang called out Ha-jun’s name, Ha-jun slowly raised his hand.

His finger was pointing at one person in the hall.

“That day, I saw the face of the man in the mask. Without a doubt…”

The one Ha-jun was pointing to was Baek Jin-tae.

“Uncle, it was the Red Dragon Corps Commander.”

All eyes turned to the standing Baek Jin-tae.

Were they trying to understand the current situation? A few moments of silence passed.

“Heh.”

The man in the mask was undoubtedly Baek Jin-tae. However, that man in the mask had never once revealed his face.

Taken off-guard by the sudden revelation from his nephews, an itching sensation involuntarily crept into Baek Jin-tae’s mind.

“Heheh. Hahaha-!”

An uncontrollable hearty laughter surfaced on his face.