The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

Chapter 290

Chapter 290 – So So-woon And Noh Shik (1)

The frail young man, So Woon.

A martial artist who feared the sight of blood, So Woon.

However, just as a young bird eventually leaves the nest to fly, So So-woon had also grown.

So Woon’s gaze, as he looked at Noh Shik, was cold and composed.

Martial artists from West Sky Castle are not well-regarded by sects affiliated with the Murim Alliance.

This is because West Sky Castle is a hegemonic sect that straddles the line between orthodox and unorthodox factions.

Yet, here was a Beggars’ Gang leader warmly approaching him first.

This, at least, was enough to heighten his wariness.

“Don’t look at me so harshly. Did I say something strange?”

Noh Shik said this while casually picking his nose.

His careless demeanor made it hard to stay on guard against him.

So Woon forced himself to lower his voice.

“How did you find out?”

“Find out what?”

“My identity.”

Noh Shik let out a loud laugh, almost barking.

“Even if I weren’t part of the Beggars’ Gang, everyone knows who you are, Young Master So.”

“...What?”

“The son of the Nine Spear King. One day, you showed up, wielding five spears, and crushed the martial artists of the Unorthodox Union. Did you really expect to keep your name hidden?”

So Woon scratched his temple.

The only thing strapped to his back now was a single spear.

He felt it excessive to carry all five spears around the temple.

“If I couldn’t recognize the Five Spears of West Sky Castle, I wouldn’t make it as a beggar.”

“...Haha.”

In the end, So Woon could only let out an awkward laugh.

And just like that, his youthful expression returned.

“Not just me—everyone else probably knows too.”

“Do they...”

“Why do you think no one has spoken to you? Didn’t you already know?”

He didn’t know.

He had merely thought he was being excluded because the others already had close ties. He had no idea it was because he belonged to West Sky Castle.

Was its reputation really that bad?

“Then why are you...”

“Trying to act friendly? It’s because I want to be friends with you, of course.”

So Woon still couldn’t completely let his guard down around Noh Shik.

“As I said earlier, aren’t you the sworn brother of the Immortal Divine Dragon?”

“Hahaha...”

“Oh, by the way, very few people know this. It’s not exactly a famous rumor.”

The story of the West Sky Castle Lord’s son forming a sworn brotherhood with Baek Yi-gang, the Immortal Divine Dragon, hadn’t spread.

Naturally, it was because their relationship wasn’t truly one of sworn brothers in the formal sense.

“My elder brother looked favorably upon me. Haha! I even shared a bond of brotherhood with Peng Gu-in.”

But over time, the hardships So Woon had endured alongside Peng Gu-in and Yi-gang had become glorified.

So So-woon still held deep respect for Yi-gang.

Noh Shik chimed in.

“I’ve experienced the righteousness of the Immortal Divine Dragon myself. In fact, I entered the Five Elements Tomb with him.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. The memories of that time are still so vivid... even now.”

Sharing a common memory was perhaps the best way to build camaraderie.

“Back then, pitch-black darkness descended inside the Five Elements Tomb. At a moment when swords were aimed at one another, suddenly, a bright light flashed.”

“Wow...!”

“Young Master Baek was holding a sword. I think it was some kind of technique, but I don’t recall the details. However, I do clearly remember the words he shouted.”

“What did he say?”

Noh Shik mimicked Yi-gang.

“...To those who know and trust me, come to me!”

“Whoa!”

“After that, well, it was over. He subdued the successors in an instant and ended the fight.”

It was a moment that had left a deep impression on Noh Shik as well.

So Woon’s expression softened significantly.

“If someone like the Immortal Divine Dragon recognized you as a sworn brother, then surely you must also possess great righteousness, Young Master So.”

“Hahaha! No way, righteousness? That’s far from me!”

“Hahaha!”

The cheerful conversation continued between them.

However, not everyone in the hall was engaged in such lighthearted banter.

In fact, quite the opposite.

“Your words are too much! I’ve heard that Zhongnan’s sword is fast, but I didn’t expect its tongue to be just as quick.”

“Are you done talking?”

The martial artists sprang to their feet with such force that their chairs nearly broke.

While no swords had been drawn, the atmosphere seemed ready to erupt into a fight at any moment.

They were martial artists from Zhongnan and Diancang.

When a group of hot-blooded young talents gathers, spending every day bickering, it’s no surprise that fights would break out.

“Yeah, I’m done talking!”

“Do you even know who I am...!”

They shot to their feet, but perhaps they weren’t fully committed to fighting, as they glanced around nervously.

Surprisingly, no one stepped in to stop them.

Everyone seemed eager for some entertainment.

Even So Woon found himself captivated by the unexpected spectacle.

But Hwa So-so wasn’t easy to win over.

“And why should I?”

Her question carried the implicit meaning, Why should I share my information?

Noh Shik spoke on behalf of the hesitant So Woon.

“Young Master So is the sworn brother of the Immortal Divine Dragon, Baek Yi-gang.”

“...”

What did that have to do with qualifying for the alliance?

So Woon didn’t fully understand.

However, Hwa So-so seemed to grasp the implication behind Noh Shik’s words.

“Alright.”

She nodded decisively and extended her hand.

It took So Woon a moment to realize the meaning behind her gesture.

Flustered, he quickly reached out and clasped her hand.

Although Hwa So-so wasn’t a typical noblewoman, So Woon still felt slightly awkward holding a woman’s hand.

But Hwa So-so nodded in satisfaction.

“I’ve heard the Immortal Divine Dragon likes this kind of gesture. It seems your connection is genuine.”

“Y-yes.”

Yi-gang often did this, calling it a handshake.

Satisfied, Hwa So-so smiled and walked away.

So Woon turned to Noh Shik with a look demanding an explanation.

But Noh Shik just smiled and responded.

“Let’s hear what the Mount Hua’s Divine Sword has to say about tomorrow’s test first.”

“Alright....”

So Woon nodded in agreement.

The next day arrived.

During lunch that day, everyone gathered once again in the Guest Hall’ dining hall.

However, unlike the previous day, the Mount Hua’s Divine Sword and several mid-level martial artists from the major sects were present.

These martial artists belonged to the generation one or two cycles ahead of the participants in the Dragon-Phoenix or Seven Stars Conferences.

They were skilled young masters in their late twenties, about to enter their peak as martial artists.

Among them, Hwa Mu-cheon, known as the Mount Hua’s Divine Sword, took the lead.

“There are all sorts of baseless rumors going around, so let me clarify.”

The method for selecting candidates to inherit the monk’s inner energy was about to be revealed.

Everyone sharpened their focus, eager to grasp the details.

“First, we will select five candidates.”

According to Hwa Mu-cheon, those eligible to receive the Divine Monk’s internal energy must be prodigies under the age of twenty-five with pure and untainted internal energy cultivation.

Some of the successors let out sighs of relief.

This meant that powerful martial artists like Hwa Mu-cheon wouldn’t be participating.

Those who qualified pricked up their ears and listened intently.

It was explained that those standing at the front would act as examiners to assist Shaolin in selecting the candidates.

“Details cannot be disclosed.”

However, as the explanation continued, the successors couldn’t hide their disappointment.

Hwa Mu-cheon provided almost no information.

“The test format is confidential.”

They didn’t even know how the selection would be conducted.

“You don’t know when the test will occur. In fact, it may have already started.”

The duration of the test wasn’t disclosed either.

“And we cannot tell you when it will end. However, those selected will know they have passed. Before we choose the final five, more candidates might be selected.”

There was no specific information at all.

“That concludes the explanation.”

Hwa Mu-cheon even ended the session without taking questions.

Sighs erupted among the successors.

So Woon also let out a shallow sigh.

But Noh Shik, seated next to him, smiled instead.

“Good, this is perfect.”

“What’s so perfect about this...?”

Noh Shik whispered to So Woon.

The foul odor of his breath made So Woon try hard not to grimace.

“In my opinion, even the Mount Hua’s Divine Sword and the others don’t know the exact details of the test.”

“...What?”

But the statement was surprising enough to make him momentarily forget the smell.

“Shaolin didn’t explain everything clearly. If they revealed all the details, these people would leak the test contents to their disciples.”

“Ah... that makes sense.”

It was a reasonable explanation.

However, So Woon still didn’t understand why this would be advantageous for him and Noh Shik.

“This is exactly the kind of situation where we can use personal connections.”

“Personal connections?”

“Let’s go ask the Immortal Divine Dragon.”

“...What?”

It was said that Yi-gang was staying at the Second Founder Meditation Room with Three Buddhas of Endless Suffering.

“Young Master Baek must know something. After all, he’s been here the longest.”

“That’s... a bit...”

“All you need to do is say, ‘Brother, please help your lacking younger brother!’ and he’ll definitely help!”

Noh Shik suddenly stood up.

Noh Shik urged So Woon to hurry along.

“...Shall we go meet him, then?”

After some hesitation, So Woon decided to follow.

In any case, he wanted to take this chance to see Yi-gang again.