The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

It became known to the clan members that Baek Jin-tae had been executed.

“He fled, confessed the information with his own mouth, and met his end at the hands of his nephew, Yi-gang. Moreover, Gu poison of the Evil Cult, spurted from the mouth of the dead body.”

Such stories were strictly censored. Only a few who were there at the time knew the truth.

That was already a month ago.

A month was both a short and a long time. The disaster caused by Baek Jin-tae was not forgotten, but his name was no longer mentioned.

The same was true for Soryu.

She had denounced Baek Jin-tae’s collusion at the Council of Elders.

Thanks to her, the Red Dragon Corps faced hardships akin to disbandment. Many colleagues and seniors were interrogated. Soryu was not guilty, but it became difficult for her to stay with the Red Dragon Corps any longer.

On her shoulder, the mark of the Biyeon Squad was embroidered. She had joined the Biyeon Squad due to the consideration of Yi-gang and Neung Ji-pyeong.

Over the past month, there had been a great upheaval in the clan.

The death of Baek Jin-tae and the retirement of the Grand Elder led to significant changes in the power structure.

The authority of the Clan Head, who had risen from his sickbed, grew stronger. The power of the Council of Elders became divided into a dual regime between Baek Do-yeom and Baek Seo-ok.

The status of the Biyeon Squad and Neung Ji-pyeong rose, and it seemed that the Biyeon Squad would take on the role of the Red Dragon Corps for the time being.

Baek Ha-jun formally became the Young Clan Head.

The Baek who became Young Clan Head now traditionally went through a long and painful verification process.

The so-called “Young Clan Head Process,” which included a year of facing-the-wall training, was about to begin, but Baek Ha-jun had not yet entered that process.

It was because his older brother, Baek Yi-gang, was soon to depart for the Azure Forest.

“Hoo.”

Soryu let out a long sigh. Her hot breath spread white in the winter air.

She was climbing the mountain alone.

Today was the day Yi-gang left. The clan was in a noisy mood to see him off. Such a scene would have been unimaginable in the past.

Soryu had also thought about participating in the farewell.

But she soon gave up on that idea. She had already separately expressed her gratitude not long ago, and with so many people, she wouldn’t be able to exchange greetings.

Yi-gang was clearly the legitimate son of the Baek Clan Head, and Soryu, after all, was just a lowly warrior born of an orphan.

While other high-ranking people might be trying to exchange more greetings now, she decided to do something else instead of joining the farewell.

“Oh no.”

A bright red flower fell from her bosom.

She quickly picked up the fallen flower and put it back into her bosom. A bunch of camellia branches she had broken off was in her bosom.

Soryu was heading to Sohwa’s grave.

Sohwa had really liked growing flowers. Among them, she had her favorites, and in winter, she especially liked camellias.

Camellias were vividly red and ornate, with distinct yellow stamens in their midst. Blooming in this late winter, when white snow still remained, was more charming than anything.

Soryu brought a bunch of camellias, reminded of that.

‘Spring is coming. Sister.’

The blooming of camellias meant that spring was soon to come.

‘I wanted to avenge you. But it turns out I couldn’t do anything by myself.’

As she made her way to Sohwa’s grave, Soryu thought to herself.

If it hadn’t been for Yi-gang, she would never have found out who was responsible for Sohwa’s death.

‘Young Master Yi-gang said he would someday capture that heretic from Evil Cult. He’s remarkable.’

She was one of those who had seen the Guiyi Gu come out of Baek Jin-tae’s mouth. Initially, Soryu had a poor view of Yi-gang, but now her feelings had changed.

Yi-gang had managed to take his revenge and had a persistence that was not satisfied with just catching Baek Jin-tae. Soryu felt her own capacity was lacking compared to Yi-gang’s.

Crunch- Crunch—

The sound of footsteps on snow came out because it had snowed overnight.

There were no footprints on the way to Sohwa’s grave. It seemed that no one had visited at least within a day.

That couldn’t be helped. After all, there were only two people who would seek out Sohwa’s grave.

Excluding Soryu, Yi-gang was the only one, and he must have been busy preparing for his journey the night before.

Once Yi-gang left, Soryu would be the only one left to visit Sohwa’s grave. It would be that way for at least a few years.

Suddenly, Soryu felt a sense of loneliness.

Would the deceased Sohwa feel lonely?

“I will… come often.”

That was all she could mutter.

Finally arriving at Sohwa’s grave, Soryu stood frozen before it.

The snow-covered forest was pure white, with only the stark blackish-brown of the bare tree branches intermingling.

Amidst this snowy landscape, the red of the camellias was strikingly conspicuous.

“Haha…”

Soryu laughed unwittingly.

It was clear that Yi-gang had visited not long ago.

Not just that, the area around Sohwa’s grave was in full bloom with camellias.

Hundreds of bright red camellia flowers enveloped the grave as if it were a garland.

“You brought several years’ worth of flowers all at once,” Soryu said with a bitter smile as she set down the dozen or so camellias she had brought.

When the cold wind blew, the sweet fragrance of the camellias was dizzyingly intense.

It was as if she could hear Sohwa’s laughter in her ears.

“Sister.”

A single tear dropped onto the camellias laid down by Soryu.

But it was not a tear of sorrow.

“I have made up my mind.”

Soryu stood up and turned to look down at the foot of the mountain.

Though he was out of sight, Yi-gang would be in the direction she was gazing.

“By becoming stronger… next time, I will be able to help.”

Soryu, whose talents had once enchanted Baek Jin-tae, the Red Dragon Corps Commander, resolved to hone her skills.

She would be ready to assist Yi-gang when he returned from the Azure Forest and needed her strength.

She somehow felt as though Sohwa was watching over her.

And by the side of Yi-gang, who was about to depart, “Huhuh, huhuhuhu…”

“Hey.”

“Can I also go to the Azure Forest with you?”

“Don’t talk nonsense.”

Yi-gang pushed away Baek Ha-jun.

During the farewell ceremony for the departing, Baek Ha-jun couldn’t help but let out a small cry.

“You’re one year older now, you should act more like an adult. You’re now the Young Clan Head.”

“But…”

When he had visited the Azure Forest before, Ha-jun had acted quite adult-like, but this time his reaction was different.

“Now that you’re leaving, it won’t be for at least a few years before you return.”

The usually quiet and dignified Baek Ha-jun showed such a response that it was enough to surprise the retainers.

“I’ll come back around the time you finish your Young Clan Head’s process. And when the Seven Stars Conference takes place… we can see each other again then.”

The Seven Stars Conference would take place in about four or five years. Baek Ha-jun nodded heavily.

The Clan Head standing beside him also added his words, “Send letters from time to time.”

“Yes, Father.”

Unlike the first trip to the Azure Forest, this time the farewell was not modest.

At the least, dozens of people were there to see Yi-gang off.

Perhaps it was because Yi-gang would be away for a long time, but it could also be due to his deepened status within the clan.

However, not everyone had come out.

「Where has Young-ryeong, Ryeong gone! Why can’t I see her!」

The Immortal Divine Sword was tearing at its hair.

The Grand Elder had not come out today.

‘It’s cold, how can she see you off? She’s nearly 120 years old.’

「Because of me, yes, I momentarily forgot. That I am a sinner!」

‘Sigh…’

「To think that I’ve been deluded into believing that I was already forgiven. What a fool I am!」

He went so far as to thump his own chest in frustration.

If left alone, it seemed he might dig himself into the ground with his fervor. Yi-gang barely managed to hold back a sigh.

‘But last night, didn’t she tell us to have a good trip? Calm down.’

「Th-that’s true.」

Yi-gang consoled the Immortal Divine Sword with effort while saying goodbye to his family.

By the time he returned to the clan again, at least one of the nine severed major meridians should be reconnected.

“Well then, I’ll be on my way.”

Yi-gang waved his hand grandly and boarded the carriage.

The path was to be escorted by the members of the Biyeon Squad.

The carriage carrying Yi-gang slowly moved away from the household.

He, too, was struck with a new sense of emotion.

Who could have known back when he was exiled to the remote manor years ago, that it would come to this?

Yi-gang opened the window of the carriage and looked back.

The people had not yet entered through the main gate but stood in front of it.

Just as Yi-gang, who had been smiling faintly, was about to close the window, a commotion arose at the front gate. Someone had appeared.

「Ah, ah, it’s Young-ryeong!」

The Immortal Divine Sword recognized Young-ryeong before anyone else did.

The elderly Grand Elder appeared unexpectedly.

She, draped in a fur coat, leaned on her staff and looked towards the carriage.

Even though people urged her to go inside, she stood still as if she couldn’t hear them.

「Ah, Young-ryeong! Go inside! It’s cold!」

Just a moment ago, the Immortal Divine Sword was lamenting that his granddaughter had not come out, but now he called out in worry.

Of course, his voice wouldn’t have reached her.

But then, Baek Young-ryeong slowly raised her hand and waved it, as if responding to that greeting.

「…」

The Immortal Divine Sword firmly shut his mouth.

Although his voice may not have been heard, perhaps his intent had been conveyed. It could be the last greeting before achieving spiritual fulfillment.

At that moment, Yi-gang suddenly leaned out the window.

“I will make sure to send him off well!”

The other family members, including the Biyeon Squad members, did not understand the significance.

But only Baek Young-ryeong would have understood.

Finally, she smiled faintly, supported herself, and entered through the main gate.

Yi-gang came back inside the carriage and closed the window.

“Phew, at least I was able to greet her one last time. Are you satisfied now?”

「Sob, now everything has been accomplished.」

Inside, the Immortal Divine Sword was emitting light, trying to achieve Nirvana once again.

“Oh, come on!”

Yi-gang barely managed to prevent the Immortal Divine Sword from reaching Nirvana. It seemed that the journey to the Azure Forest wouldn’t be dull after all.

Azure Forest.

As time passed, a full spring came to the Azure Forest.

But there were no third-generation disciples enjoying leisure in the flowering landscapes of Mount Heng foothills.

That’s because the most important test for them was looming ahead.

It was the first-flower promotion exam.

Becoming a formal disciple by filling the petals of a single flower embroidered on the hem of their garments.

Only by becoming a first-flower disciple could one be called a true official disciple.

However, the third-generation disciples’ fervent preparation for the exam was not the only reason.

It was because the lifelong senior-junior relationship would be determined through this event.

“Take good care of me in the future, Junior Brother Jun Myung.”

“Ha-ha, Junior Brother Hee-il, is that how you talk to your future senior brother?”

“What? It’s just a joke. Ha-ha!”

A hierarchy was created overnight among the third-generation disciples who had been close as classmates until now.

It may sound unfair at first, but there was a reason why such a tradition was established.

The order of discipleship was originally determined by the order of initiation.

However, in the Azure Forest, due to its nature, many were vaguely initiated at birth. This made the senior-junior relationship ambiguous.

Therefore, the order of discipleship was determined by the sequence of becoming an official disciple as a first-flower disciple.

The order was divided according to the exam results, and usually, a rational outcome was obtained. Since it involved children who were still growing, older children often ended up being the senior brothers.

Nevertheless, there was always bound to be a rivalry.

This was especially true for Jun Myung and Son Hee-il, who were likely to become the head disciple among third-generation disciples.

Just as they were about to clash with each other with fierce looks—

Someone appeared with a wind-like movement technique.

“You were here.”

It was Yu Su-rin.

Jun Myung tossed a joke with a smile.

“Ah-ah~ Isn’t this Junior Sister Su-rin?”

“Stop with the unfunny jokes.”

“Ah, eung…”

Yu Su-rin was wearing a stern expression, unlike usual.

“It’s serious.”

“What happened?”

“They say he’s coming back.”

“Who?”

Son Hee-il looked puzzled.

On the other hand, Jun Myung was frozen like a block of ice.

“Don’t tell me… that he?”

“Yeah, Baek Yi-gang, they say he’ll arrive within a week.”

“Heu, heok! He’s already coming?”

Jun Myung’s face turned pale.

It was rare to see the strong-willed Jun Myung make such a fuss.

Yu Su-rin grabbed Jun Myung’s shoulder and exclaimed.

“Pull yourself together! There’s still time left.”

“But if it’s him, for sure…”

“Yes, you might even lose the position of the head disciple.”

Hee-il burst into hollow laughter.

“What are you guys even talking about? I heard that the Baek Clan’s kid is going to be initiated… But doesn’t he have meridian blockage, causing him unable to use internal energy?”

The news that a young master from the Baek Clan was going to be initiated had already spread far and wide.

But, after all, wasn’t he just a well-mannered young master?

Hee-il hadn’t heard exactly what had happened when Yi-gang visited the Azure Forest.

Since Jun Myung and the children who were beaten by Yi-gang kept their mouths shut, and so did the respected elders of the sect.

“Why are you all making such a fuss?”

The expression on Son Hee-il, who had been smiling while asking, soon hardened.

The two weren’t listening to Hee-il’s words.

Yu Su-rin sighed deeply, as if feeling sorry for the oblivious Hee-il, and Jun Myung was simply sweating coldly with anxiety.