Chapter 289: The Prodigies At Mount Song (4)

Yi-gang felt a thirst.

For Shaolin monks, labor was a part of their daily routine, and even the senior monks didn’t shy away from menial tasks like cleaning.

However, there was no reason for Yi-gang, a guest, to do the same.

Even so, Yi-gang helped with the work because he was staying with the Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering.

Yi-gang considered all aspects of living with them to be a form of training. Fixing the broken walls was no exception.

Such labor oddly resonated with the Shaolin spirit, and the senior monks were pleased by Yi-gang’s actions.

“Please give me some water.”

“Of course.”

Beop Yun approached, carrying a water pitcher.

Yi-gang could now drink by holding the water pitcher with his foot, and with a little more focus, he could even drink using telekinesis.

However, at some point, Yi-gang stopped overusing telekinesis.

Even he couldn’t clearly explain why.

Beop Yun was blind.

Using that as an excuse, he tilted the water pitcher and poured water directly onto Yi-gang’s face.

Yi-gang quietly wiped the water from his face with a calm expression.

“Oh dear, did I make a mistake? Haha.”

“Yes.”

Even though Beop Yun was blind, there was no way he could have made a mistake.

Looking at the embarrassed smile on Beop Yun’s face, it was clear he had done it on purpose.

That’s why Yi-gang also chuckled softly and let it go.

Beop Yun picked up the water pitcher again and helped Yi-gang drink.

After gulping down the water, Yi-gang glanced around.

He couldn’t help but notice.

The sharp stares of the successors gathered around him were too intense to ignore.

“Heh…”

“Wow.”

There were some familiar faces and others he was seeing for the first time.

Each of them showed an immense interest in Yi-gang.

Some wore expressions of pity, while a few newcomers strangely looked smug.

The only commonality among them was their astonished expressions.

Yi-gang subtly looked at himself.

Comparing his current appearance to when he visited the Murim Alliance for the Dragon-Phoenix Conference, the difference was like night and day.

Back then, he had worn impeccably formal attire and exuded dignity that would not spill a drop of blood even if pierced.

Now, he was clad in nothing but a single sweat-soaked, tattered garment.

“Um…”

The woman, subtly acknowledging him, was a swordswoman from the Mount Hua Sect.

As Yi-gang barely recalled the name Hwa So-so the Radiant Plum Blossom, someone stepped in front of her.

A man who demonstrated an unusually flamboyant movement technique even while closing a short distance.

“I am Ok Yeong-cheol, the Heavenly Wind Noble of Qingcheng Sect.”

He struck an impressive clasped fist salute and smiled, revealing his white teeth.

“Are you by any chance the renowned Immortal Divine Dragon, Baek Yi-gang?”

“…Yes.”

When Yi-gang gave a brief reply, Ok Yeong-cheol slightly furrowed his brows.

Then, smiling again, he asked another question.

“What happened to your arm?”

Yi-gang glanced at his own arm and replied casually.

“I injured it in a fight.”

“Haha, it doesn’t look like an ordinary injury… it’s pitch black and rotting.”

“Well, things just turned out this way.”

“I haven’t heard any rumors about you clashing with unorthodox sects.”

“Yes, I’ve been busy with other matters.”

“My, even as the orthodox Murim wavers, there were issues more pressing than that?”

His tone was polite, but the content of his words was far from kind.

Yi-gang realized that Ok Yeong-cheol’s intentions were far from pleasant.

A stranger he had never met was intentionally picking a fight.

“Yes.”

“Haha, I heard your seniors were all busy fighting the unorthodox sects. Even Senior Hwa Mu-cheon, the Mount Hua’s Divine Sword, made a significant contribution.”

Hwa Mu-cheon, who was suddenly brought into the conversation, said nothing and merely crossed his arms.

Unlike Ok Yeong-cheol, he didn’t seem to harbor any ill feelings toward Yi-gang.

Instead, he appeared intrigued, as if finding the situation amusing.

Meanwhile, several others, including Ok Yeong-cheol, wore unpleasant expressions.

In truth, Yi-gang had not participated in the Murim Alliance’s battle.

Given that the title “Immortal Divine Dragon” resonated across the entire martial world, many were bothered by the fact that Yi-gang had abstained from the fight against the Unorthodox Union.

“I think I’ve heard about it before.”

“Right? And also…”

“But who are you again?”

“What?”

“You keep talking as if we’re close, but I’ve never heard of this title ‘Heavenly Wind Noble’ you mentioned.”

Ok Yeong-cheol’s face turned red.

In reality, his reputation paled not only in comparison to Hwa Mu-cheon but also to Yi-gang.

“Still, I’m your senior in the martial world, so…”

“Who cares about seniority here?”

Yi-gang spoke in a surprisingly cold voice.

Even though he spoke informally, Ok Yeong-cheol couldn’t muster a response.

“W-what did you say?”

“If that’s the case, you should have greeted the Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering first.”

“Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering…?”

Ok Yeong-cheol was flustered.

He had never heard of the title Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering before.

That was to be expected. Even Yi-gang had never heard of the Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering until recently, as they had never ventured into the Jianghu.

But Yi-gang scolded Ok Yeong-cheol in a commanding tone.

“If you’ve realized it now, go pay your respects!”

“These people… no, these venerable individuals…”

It was natural for Ok Yeong-cheol to have overlooked the Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering.

At a glance, it was obvious that the three of them were born with congenital disabilities. What major sect would accept individuals with physical impairments as formal disciples?

Naturally, he assumed they weren’t official monks but merely scholar monks or bhikkhus assigned to menial tasks.

“And what are you two doing back there? Hurry up and pay your respects to your senior masters!”

Yi-gang shouted at Noh Shik and Hwa So-so, who were hesitating in the background.

Because of this, Ok Yeong-cheol missed his chance to offer his belated greetings.

Noh Shik quickly stepped forward, and Hwa So-so even brought in Hwa Mu-cheon, the Mount Hua’s Divine Sword.

“Greetings to the esteemed Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering seniors!”

“I am Hwa Mu-cheon of Mount Hua. My apologies for the late introduction.”

Hwa Mu-cheon added a particularly humble bow, seemingly playing along with Yi-gang.

Only then did Ok Yeong-cheol hastily follow suit with his own greeting.

“This humble monk’s name is Beop Yun. Juniors, there’s no need to be overly formal.”

“I am Beop Jin, and the handsome, quiet one next to me is my senior brother, Beop Jae.”

The group managed to exchange names in a somewhat harmonious atmosphere.

“We were ignorant and failed to recognize the esteemed Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering.”

“Well, such things happen. Haha!”

Yi-gang suppressed the urge to laugh.

His intention in bringing up the Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering wasn’t just to tease Ok Yeong-cheol.

The Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering were martial monks in their own right.

From what Yi-gang had experienced, they were individuals deserving of respect from their juniors.

Yi-gang wanted the Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering to receive the recognition they rightfully deserved.

The expressions on the three monks’ faces, a mix of embarrassment and joy, indicated that Yi-gang’s actions were effective.

The introductions concluded, and Hwa Mu-cheon seemed to recall something as he casually asked a question.

“But what could have been more important than the fight against the Unorthodox Union?”

“Yes, well, it was something significant. I was busy because of it.”

“And your arm? Was it injured during that time? Why don’t you tell us?”

At that, all the successors in the room turned their attention to him.

Although the Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering had diverted the focus earlier, this was a matter everyone was curious about.

Yi-gang gave a bitter smile.

Since he couldn’t explain everything, he decided to give a vague response.

“I fought against some sorcerers from the Demon Cult. That’s how this happened.”

“…What?”

Gasps of astonishment erupted throughout the room.

Even Ok Yeong-cheol, who had been trying to pick a fight, was slack-jawed in disbelief.

“Demonic Qi… it must have been no ordinary sorcerer.”

Hwa Mu-cheon inspected Yi-gang’s arm, his expression darkening.

“They were members of the True Demon Palace, known as the Seven Great Immortals.”

“True Demon Palace… what was the outcome?”

“I killed them all.”

“Ha! Impressive. That explains why the demonic energy has left such a mark…”

Hwa Mu-cheon’s reaction practically confirmed that Yi-gang’s words were no exaggeration.

“Is that why you’ve been living like this?”

He was referring to Yi-gang’s inability to use his arms.

Yi-gang nodded. It was the truth.

“Yes.”

“A swordsman who can’t wield a sword… Did you see a doctor?”

“I did.”

“And?”

“They said it was beyond medical treatment.”

Sighs of pity echoed throughout the room once again.

Hwa Mu-cheon’s face hardened.

Deep down, he had been looking forward to seeing his junior, Yi-gang, in his prime again.

“I see…”

Suddenly, he turned to Yi-gang, standing upright.

Then, he clasped his hands in a formal martial salute and bowed deeply.

“I, Hwa Mu-cheon, express my gratitude and respect to the Immortal Divine Dragon, who fought and triumphed against the Demon Cult’s sorcerers!”

His voice carried a deep, resonant emotion.

Hwa Mu-cheon was profoundly moved by the fact that Yi-gang had fought his own battles and, as a result, lost the use of his arms—an irreplaceable asset for a martial artist.

Hwa Mu-cheon’s salute stirred the emotions of the other successors.

“We pay our respects!”

Following suit, Hwa So-so, Noh Shik, and the others performed a martial salute.

The solemnity in the air seemed to weigh down the atmosphere.

With a gaze that seemed oddly damp with emotion, Hwa Mu-cheon made a declaration.

“Since you can no longer use your arms, my sword will be by your side whenever you need it.”

“Ah…”

Yi-gang realized there had been a misunderstanding.

It wasn’t that he would never regain the use of his arms.

Though medicine couldn’t cure him, Yi-gang still harbored hope that he could eventually recover.

“In truth, it’s…”

At that moment, Beop Jin nudged Yi-gang’s side.

Noticing Beop Jin’s signal, Yi-gang decided to remain silent for now.

“Well then, let us meet again and have a more profound discussion.”

The young successors were on their way to the guest hall.

Hwa Mu-cheon and his group bid farewell to Yi-gang and departed.

Even Ok Yeong-cheol, who had been acting arrogantly just moments earlier, seemed to have something to say but ultimately left without a word.

Yi-gang asked Beop Jin about why he had stopped him earlier.

“Why didn’t you let me explain?”

“Because it seemed like it’d be fun. Hahaha!”

“…”

Yi-gang kept his silence.

It wasn’t really something worth explaining anyway.

He turned his focus back to stacking bricks.

The successors continued to gather at Shaolin.

Even with just three or four members from each of the Nine Sects and Seven Great Clans, the number of attendees was already significant.

Adding representatives from smaller sects, Shaolin’s guest hall became bustling for the first time in a while.

The temporary truce with the Unorthodox Union also contributed to Shaolin’s liveliness.

The guest hall served as accommodation for external visitors.

However, Shaolin was not a bustling city like the Murim Alliance base but rather a monastery situated at the foot of Songshan Mountain.

With no lively places for the energetic young successors to wander around,

they naturally gravitated to communal areas like the dining hall.

Especially during lunchtime, the dining hall of the guest hall became a noisy hub, as young successors gathered to form connections and engage in lively discussions.

And, as is often the case in life, there were always a few individuals who struggled to blend in with the crowd.

So So-woon was particularly isolated.

The Nine Spear King, So Jin-gong, lord of West Sky Castle, was one of the Ten Grandmasters.

So So-woon was his son.

Strictly speaking, West Sky Castle was positioned between the orthodox and unorthodox factions, but they had joined the Murim Alliance for this battle.

Considering So Jin-gong’s personality, there was no reason to send his son to Shaolin to learn internal energy from the Divine Monk.

Yet, for some reason, So Jin-gong had sent So Woon to Shaolin.

‘Father… was it the right decision for me to come here?’

So Woon couldn’t guess his father’s intentions.

Unable to connect with the young successors from other major sects, So Woon spent all three days eating alone since his arrival.

No one approached him, and he didn’t approach anyone, so it was likely that no one, aside from Shaolin, even knew the son of the Nine Spear King was here.

“The Immortal Divine Dragon is finished!”

“Hey, watch your words. No matter what, still…”

“Sure, defeating the Demon Cult sorcerers is impressive, but facts are facts. How can a swordsman fight without using both arms?”

Even though he didn’t participate in conversations, it wasn’t as if his ears were closed.

The hottest topic among the young successors was none other than Yi-gang.

“Azure Forest’s kicking techniques are not weak either. I’m sure…”

“Are you joking? There are also widespread rumors that he can’t even use his internal energy anymore. No matter how amazing the Immortal Divine Dragon once was, he’ll never wield the same prestige again.”

“Yes, that’s true, but why are you grinning like that while you talk?”

“Wh-who’s grinning!”

What could be a more fascinating topic than the fall of a hero?

Only a few genuinely paid respect to the swordsman who lost his arms fighting the Demon Cult sorcerers. For most, it was nothing more than fodder for idle gossip.

So Woon clenched his hand tightly, nearly snapping his chopsticks.

‘Brother…’

He had once been indebted to Yi-gang.

A long time ago, when he visited the Murim Alliance, he had been trapped in the All-knowing Master’s Endless Torment Formation.

It was Yi-gang who had helped him escape, leading So Woon to swear brotherhood to him.

‘I wish I could see him again, even just once.’

Although the brotherhood was never formally agreed upon, the memory had grown more glorified over time.

He had yet to meet Yi-gang here.

If he did, he felt he might burst into tears on the spot.

“Hey, you.”

At that moment, a foul stench wafted over.

It was coming from the man sitting next to him.

So Woon tried not to grimace as he replied.

“Yes.”

“I’m Noh Shik, from the Beggars’ Gang.”

“Yes, Young Master Noh Shik.”

“I didn’t expect the son of the Nine Spear King to be here.”

So Woon flinched and raised his guard.

Noh Shik revealed his yellowed teeth as he waved his hand dismissively.

“It’s nothing serious. I just wanted to ask the sworn brother of the Immortal Divine Dragon a few things.”

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