Baek Ryu-san gently closed his eyes.

Then his body trembled slightly.

“Yes, yes…”

Since meeting Yi-gang and the Divine Monk at the mountain gate, he had been like this.

The meeting place, chosen as a Taoist temple, was surrounded by an abundance of maple trees.

Autumn had arrived, and the leaves had turned a brilliant red.

When the wind blew through Mount Tai, crimson leaves scattered like petals.

Amidst the falling leaves, Baek Ryu-san struggled to speak.

“So, you’re saying… the demonic energy…”

“Thankfully, with the help of the Grand Master and the Tang Clan, much has been restored.”

“You’ve reconnected a major meridian again?”

“Yes, with a fortunate encounter in the Imperial Palace.”

“Can you move your arms?”

Suppressing the demonic energy, Yi-gang clasped his hands into a respectful gesture.

“As you can see.”

“…Good, at least that’s good.”

The dampness in Baek Ryu-san’s gaze reflected his sorrow as he looked at his son’s blackened hands.

The Divine Monk, who had been silently observing, slowly spoke, “It seems like a clear case of menopause.”

“…”

Baek Ryu-san’s face stiffened coldly.

Because it resembled Yi-gang’s face so closely, the Divine Monk couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter.

“Ha-ha-ha! How about discarding the nickname ’Iron-Blood Merciless? A title like ‘Sensitive Father’ would suit you better.”

It was a joke aimed at Baek Ryu-san, who displayed paternal affection unbefitting of his nickname.

Baek Ryu-san pretended not to hear it.

“Ahem.”

“Don’t worry, Father. I grow healthier every day.”

“That doesn’t seem to be the case… but if you say so, it must be true. Have you met Ha-jun?”

“Yes, he has grown significantly.”

“Haha…”

Baek Ryu-san let out a bitter smile.

The age gap between Yi-gang and Ha-jun wasn’t very large.

While the age difference might have felt significant in childhood, now both of them were respectable young men.

However, Yi-gang still saw his younger brother as a child.

“So, did you hear anything about the meridian blockage disease from your maternal family?”

“I didn’t hear much in detail, but it seems that one of our ancestors also suffered from Great Yin Meridian Blockage like me. Unfortunately, no treatment method was found.” ṝΑɴŏ𝐛È𝐬

“I see.”

Yi-gang had heard stories about the meridian blockage disease from Seong Yeok-ju and his maternal family.

However, no effective remedy or breakthrough was discovered. He could only continue reconnecting the major meridians step by step, as he always had.

Although the process became increasingly challenging with each connection, Yi-gang firmly believed there was a way to reconnect the remaining major meridians.

At that moment, the Divine Monk smiled and offered some advice, “Vice Alliance Leader, don’t treat your child as if they’re too young.”

“…Alliance Leader.”

The Divine Monk could see it clearly.

Just as Yi-gang treated his younger brother like a child, Baek Ryu-san viewed his grown son as fragile.

“Yi-gang here isn’t destined to die so easily. He’s not the kind to die young—I’d stake my word on it.”

“Yes…”

As a father, those words sounded ominous rather than reassuring, but Baek Ryu-san reluctantly nodded.

“By the way, I hadn’t heard about your plan to bring your child here.”

“Ah, about that, I have something to tell you.”

The Divine Monk placed an arm around Baek Ryu-san’s shoulders, leaving Yi-gang behind.

Compared to the frail and thin Divine Monk, Baek Ryu-san’s build was larger, making the shoulder embrace awkward and somewhat amusing.

“Let’s talk somewhere quiet.”

“…As you wish.”

“Yi-gang, unpack your things and rest for now.”

The Divine Monk turned back to Yi-gang and added, “You’ll encounter many interesting people here. Observe them quietly. Broadening your perspective is also part of cultivation.”

His tone suggested he had something on his mind.

When the Divine Monk said this, it was Baek Ryu-san who reacted with wide eyes.

“I’m grateful that you’re looking after my child.”

“I haven’t taken him as a disciple. Don’t misunderstand.”

Baek Ryu-san expressed his gratitude with a delighted expression and disappeared with the Divine Monk.

Left alone, Yi-gang could only smile bitterly.

Since entering the Taoist temple on Mount Tai, Yi-gang rarely encountered the Divine Monk or Baek Ryu-san.

It was understandable, really.

At Shaolin, the Divine Monk had been resting, which allowed him to spend more time with Yi-gang.

But this wasn’t Shaolin. Moreover, wasn’t this a meeting personally hosted by the Divine Monk?

It was only natural for the Alliance Leader and Vice Alliance Leader to be busy.

“Hmm.”

Yi-gang emerged from his meditation.

It wasn’t due to the external commotion.

Compared to Shaolin, where the successors engaged in constant mind games, this place was quieter.

Upon reflection, it made sense.

The martial artists of the orthodox Murim Alliance, the martial artists of the Unorthodox Union, those of the Green Forest, and even several individuals known as the Ten Grandmasters had gathered at this Taoist temple.

As a result, even skilled experts refrained from acting recklessly and behaved themselves.

In other words, what stirred Yi-gang from his meditation was not noise.

“…What is this?”

Having awakened to the realm of the sixth sense, Yi-gang felt something.

Was it that the flow of the air had changed?

To describe it in terms of the five senses, the wind carried a metallic taste, and his skin felt a cold shiver.

Yi-gang recalled the words the Divine Monk had spoken earlier this morning.

“When the sun rises, come outside and observe.”

Normally, the instructions had been to stay within the building.

However, the Divine Monk wouldn’t have said such a thing without reason.

Following his instincts, Yi-gang stepped outside the building.

The Four Great Vajra, who had been staying with them, seemed to have followed the Divine Monk, as they were nowhere to be seen.

When Yi-gang stepped outside, even the martial artists of the Murim Alliance who had been standing guard were nowhere in sight.

Yi-gang stood still, gazing at the empty Taoist temple, before heading in the direction his senses guided him.

Soon, he could feel the presence of people.

It was on the path leading to the mountain summit.

On Mount Tai, near the summit, there was another Taoist temple. It was a building situated below the altar where the emperor conducted the Fengshan ritual.

“This is…”

The martial artists of the Murim Alliance, who had been invisible before, were now stationed along the path.

They lined up in a row on the left side of the mountain trail as if guarding the road.

On the opposite side of the spacious road, wide enough for a carriage to pass, stood the martial artists of the Unorthodox Union.

Both groups maintained an imposing, unmoving stance, as if to showcase the strict discipline of the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Union.

Diriring– Ding–

At that moment, a familiar sound of a guqin being plucked echoed.

Yi-gang turned his head toward the source of the sound.

‘…So this is what the Divine Monk meant by a spectacle.’

The Divine Monk’s words were proven correct.

There, women dressed in attire slightly different from Central Plains fashion were walking.

Five women seemed to be escorting one central figure, but what caught Yi-gang’s attention was that the bodyguards carried guqin instead of weapons.

However, no one could ignore the escorts.

The Sword Pavilion located at the Southern Sea Putuo Temple, the Sword Pavilion Master, Priestess of Putuo, and her escorts, the Five Swordmaidens, were unmistakable.

And that wasn’t all.

Masters of the martial world, who hadn’t shown themselves even while staying at the Taoist temple, began to appear one by one.

Female martial artists in red robes contrasted sharply with the Sword Pavilion.

Inside the palanquin they carried was likely the Red Moon Demonic Lady, the sworn enemy of the Sword Pavilion Master.

Then there was Gal Sa-hyeok, the Green Forest Overlord, wielding a massive axe and leading bandits up the mountain.

A man wearing a mask that seemed to embody the very essence of bloodlust was the famous Unorthodox Union Leader.

Riding by on horseback like a great general was So Jin-gong, the Nine Spear King.

Leading the Four Great Vajra was none other than the Divine Monk.

These supreme masters made no effort to conceal their overwhelming presence.

The martial artists of the Murim Alliance and the Unorthodox Union, stationed along the road, began to sweat profusely.

Yet, no one dared to suppress their aura.

And Yi-gang…

“Ugh…”

Instinctively, he drew upon his internal energy to resist.

The demonic energy within him began to surge wildly.

Yi-gang, who had already reached a high level of mastery, had no reason to suffer direct harm simply from the aura of the masters.

‘Who…!’

Someone was exerting pressure on Yi-gang.

It was undoubtedly one of the Ten Grandmasters passing through this road.

No one else could suppress Yi-gang with intangible Qi alone.

For some reason, even the demonic energy within him was surging now.

At that moment, someone appeared, blocking Yi-gang’s path.

When Yi-gang looked up, he unconsciously muttered, “…Master?”

There were many who had taught him, but there was only one person in the world who Yi-gang called ‘Master.’

“Yi-gang!”

The person who shielded him from the oppressive aura was none other than Yu Jeong-shin.

“Master, you’re here as well!”

“I just arrived! Look at you, you’ve lost so much weight!”

So many familiar faces—it was overwhelming.

Yi-gang quickly realized why Yu Jeong-shin had come to this place.

The Forest Lord was also one of the Ten Grandmasters.

“I’ve come here as the Forest Lord’s representative. You rascal…”

The Azure Forest Lord had not come to this place.

Yu Jeong-shin seemed eager to enjoy his reunion with Yi-gang, but they couldn’t remain standing on the roadside.

“Follow me.”

“Me as well?”

“Yes. Didn’t the Divine Monk inform you? He mentioned that you should come up with us.”

“I see.”

The Divine Monk hadn’t sent him outside without reason.

Yi-gang began climbing the path alongside Yu Jeong-shin’s group.

Whoever had been exerting pressure on Yi-gang seemed to have withdrawn their aura.

The atmosphere was still heavy, but Yi-gang could endure it.

Moreover, the companions who had come with Yu Jeong-shin welcomed Yi-gang warmly.

“Yi-gang…!”

Jin Mu and Jin Ri-yeon were standing on both sides of Yu Jeong-shin.

Jin Ri-yeon, it was said, had achieved enlightenment and reached Supreme Peak level after the battle at the Imperial Palace.

They greeted Yi-gang while appearing to guard Yu Jeong-shin.

Dam Hyun wasn’t present, but others were there in his place.

“Senior Yi-gang, the Green Forest Executioners are here as well!”

When Jun Myung said that, Yu Su-rin jabbed him in the back.

“You have a great nickname like the ‘Three Heroes of the Azure Forest,’ and yet you’re still using an outdated one like ‘Green Forest Executioners’? And don’t you have any sense?”

It seemed he was still living under his junior sister’s thumb.

This time, it was Son Hee-il who scolded Yu Su-rin.

“Junior Sister, your voice is louder than anyone else’s. Please show some restraint.”

“Why are you suddenly talking like that, Eldest Senior Brother?”

“Well, isn’t this a formal setting? It would be appropriate to pay more attention to our words and conduct.”

Son Hee-il had changed a bit since the last time they saw him.

Yi-gang’s expression became puzzled as he looked at him.

“Hee-il, what’s with that beard?”

“…What?”

“You should shave it.”

Son Hee-il had grown an odd-looking beard, sparse and ill-suited to his face.

Yu Su-rin laughed smugly as if she found it amusing.

Lowering their voices, they continued walking together on Mount Tai.

Thanks to that, Yi-gang was able to learn about the affairs of the Azure Forest.

He responded through a voice transmission.

-So Senior Brother Dam Hyun stayed behind in the Azure Forest?

The absence of Cheongho and Dam Hyun caught Yi-gang’s attention, so he asked about it. It seemed something significant had happened in the Azure Forest.

-The martial artists of the Evil Cult appeared. There were quite a few casualties, and they even used strange sorcery…

At the mention of the Evil Cult, Yi-gang’s expression hardened.

To him, the greatest enemy of the martial world wasn’t the Demon Cult but the Evil Cult.

Now, they had finally revealed themselves.

-Originally, the Grand Library Master was handling the situation, but since they came here, Senior Dam Hyun has taken over the task.

-If it’s him, he would manage it well.

The Forest Lord rarely left his dwelling.

There was something there that he needed to protect.

Knowing this secret, Yi-gang understood the Forest Lord’s seclusion.

-How have you been, Senior? Your arm…

In response to Yu Su-rin’s voice transmission, Yi-gang quietly replied,

-I stopped the revival of the Heavenly Demon. In doing so, I was struck by demonic Qi.

Hearing the transmission, Yu Su-rin froze in place.

She stood with her mouth agape, utterly shocked, drawing strange looks from Son Hee-il and Jun Myung.

“What?”

“Shh.”

Yi-gang brought a finger to his lips, signaling for them to remain silent.

Yu Su-rin, to ensure no one overheard, explained the situation to Jun Myung and Son Hee-il through voice transmission.

Soon, just like Yu Su-rin, Jun Myung and Son Hee-il froze in place one by one, their mouths agape.

After that minor commotion, they finally arrived at the Taoist temple near the summit.

This temple was even more extravagant than the one midway up the mountain.

At its center stood a grand palace, seemingly intended for use as a meeting hall.

And in front of the luxurious pavilion…

“What is this…?”

“It’s a banquet.”

Tables laden with alcohol and roasted meat were set up.

“Unique.”

That was Yi-gang’s impression.

Hosting a banquet alongside a meeting wasn’t uncommon even among the righteous martial sects.

However, setting up a feast right in front of the meeting hall, grilling meat, and preparing drinks was more akin to the customs of the unorthodox sects or the Green Forest.

“Wait here. Don’t drink,” Yu Jeong-shin instructed firmly.

It seemed the upcoming meeting was limited to those ranked among the Ten Grandmasters.

Yi-gang nodded in understanding.

Soon, the Ten Grandmasters began leaving their subordinates behind and entering the palace one by one.

While they discussed the future of the martial world, those left outside were instructed to wait.

“Who in their right mind would get distracted and start drinking?” Yu Su-rin muttered under her breath.

But there was someone who did.

“Hahaha, this is fantastic!”

The skilled martial artists who had accompanied Gal Sa-hyeok, the Green Forest Tyrant King, began eating the meat and drinking the alcohol.

It seemed as if they were flaunting their boldness.

Then, the subordinates of the Nine Spear King also started drinking and eating a little.

Soon, others followed suit and began their meal.

Yi-gang quietly warned, “Just don’t drink.”

Hearing this, Yu Su-rin and the group she was with cautiously approached the banquet table.

Among them, the most excited was Jun Myung.

He had been starving, and without hesitation, he grabbed hold of a large roasted pork leg.

However, someone else was gripping the other side of the leg.

“…Oh.”

The opponent was even larger than the burly Jun Myung.

It wasn’t just that the man was large—his frame was massive to the point of being oversized. Jun Myung flinched in surprise.

“Well, I’ll just take one leg then.”

To avoid being rude, he said this, refraining from staring too openly at the man.

However, the man shook his head.

“No.”

“…Excuse me?”

Jun Myung, bewildered, tugged at the pork leg.

Grab.

But then, his wrist was firmly grasped.

The massive man, Gal Dong-tak, once again said resolutely, “No.”

“What in the world…”

As one of the Green Forest Executioners, Jun Myung’s face turned red with frustration, veins bulging on his forehead.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep