The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

The atmosphere in the hall was as tense as a sheet of ice.

Neither Neung Ji-pyeong nor the members of the Biyeon Squad knew how the situation had turned out, and the others remained silent.

Peng Mu-ah and Jin Ri-yeon pretended they had not seen anything and avoided the topic.

Moyong Tak bitterly smiled and bowed his head deeply.

Yi-gang’s cold voice rang like thunder.

“Then, please take care on your way.”

“…I will.”

Without a proper send-off, Moyong Tak headed towards the staircase of the restaurant.

He had been welcomed when he arrived, but he was alone when he left.

“Brother!”

Of course, his younger sibling could not just stand by.

Moyong Tak, who was about to descend the stairs, stopped. Then, he slowly turned his head.

Moyong Jin, despite being the one calling his brother, flinched and bowed his head.

Seeing his foolish younger brother, Moyong Tak opened his mouth with difficulty.

“I…”

Moyong Jin’s face clearly resembled his.

Anyone could tell they were brothers.

Moyong Tak had committed a sin.

He had used his younger brother for his own sake. He had even drugged him to ensure victory in the spar.

It was evident, but did that mean Moyong Tak regarded Moyong Jin merely as a tool? To gain their father’s approval, he used his only brother.

It was unclear.

“No, it’s fine.”

Moyong Tak realized he had sinned.

Whatever he said would sound like an excuse.

“…Take care. Hone your swordsmanship and learn about the vast world. When you return to the clan, I will send people to meet you. Come back home with them.”

“…Yes, brother.”

With those words, Moyong Tak trudged down the stairs. It was a lonely and empty departure.

Silence loomed in the hall.

“Well. It ended well.”

The one who broke the silence was Yi-gang. Moyong Jin, whose face had been twisted, swiftly turned his head to glare at Yi-gang.

But soon, he bowed his head in melancholy.

It was not Yi-gang’s fault. Everything was his brother Moyong Tak’s fault.

Moyong Jin knew this too, so he dared not blame Yi-gang.

Yi-gang approached Moyong Jin, who had his head bowed.

“Do you resent your brother?”

“What…?”

“He used you. And also…”

The words left unsaid were clear enough without guessing. It was about attempting to feed him something suspicious.

“Are you mocking me?”

“Does it look like I’m mocking you?”

Moyong Jin lifted his head to look at Yi-gang’s face. Indeed, it did not seem like he was being mocked.

“I resent him, just a little.”

“Why only a little?”

“Because I can understand. I’m weak. Brother had to gain father’s approval, and because I was weak, there was no other way.”

“From what I saw, you didn’t seem that weak.”

“…That’s not the only reason.”

“Then?”

“Brother, he’s also a person with insecurities.”

“Huh.”

That was truly an unexpected response. Yi-gang slightly widened his eyes.

“Perhaps, at some point, my brother became ill. I’m not sure when it started.”

Moyong Jin was deep in thought, more so than Moyong Tak, and even more than Yi-gang.

Yet, the fact that he was still young was undeniable.

“And probably, my mistake is the biggest. It would have been settled if I had won.”

“If you had beaten Ha-jun, do you think the Gentleman Sword would have been so pleased?”

Moyong Jin neither affirmed nor denied it. At least, his brother Moyong Tak had thought so.

Yi-gang, seeing Moyong Jin in torment, gave a slight smile.

“Let’s find out.”

“…What?”

“Sir Neung. And everyone.”

Yi-gang suddenly asked everyone as he looked around.

“Could you give me, Ha-jun, and this kid a moment, please?”

The request was to leave just the three of them and step down for a while.

Neung Ji-pyeong hesitated for a moment, then nodded his head. When Jin Ri-yeon dragged Peng Mu-ah out, only three were left on the fourth floor.

“What are you up to?”

“You didn’t take that strange drug. So, there should be no problem with having a spar.”

“A spar now…?”

“There’s no need for a sword-seizing spar, just fight to your heart’s content. It’s normal to feel relaxed after going through a big ordeal, isn’t it?”

Yi-gang was right.

Moyong Jin realized that the trembling in his hands had stopped at some point. Looking at Baek Ha-jun, who quietly raised his sword, his heart did not pound.

His brother had left in complete ruin. There was no way his body would stiffen up for just a match anymore.

“Bring it on.”

As Baek Ha-jun said that, Moyong Jin also instinctively lifted his sword.

His brother’s plans had all gone awry. Even if Moyong Jin were to defeat Baek Ha-jun here, there would be no rumors spreading. The same was true for the opposite.

“…Alright.”

It was precisely because of this that his heart felt lighter.

Swords clashed in mid-air.

Chang chang chang—

Unlike wooden swords, the metallic sharpness of real swords rang out. The match had begun abruptly.

Moyong Jin’s Star Cloud Sword Technique flowed gently through the tip of the sword.

A sword modeled after a cluster of stars should inherently be free. It has to be as solid as an iron wall yet shine impressively.

“About your brother,”

Yi-gang spoke, cutting through the sound of clashing swords.

“It seems like he didn’t trust you enough.”

“What?”

“Focus on the match.”

Indeed, Moyong Jin immediately regretted his retort.

His focus faltered, and Baek Ha-jun’s sword swooshed in. The sword passing right in front of his forehead sliced a lock of his hair as it went. He felt a cold sweat.

“He insisted on you taking that drug to ensure your victory in the match, didn’t he? In reality, it wasn’t as dangerous a drug as I described. I might have exaggerated a bit.”

“Hiek!”

“Even just fighting as you are. You would have been capable, actually.”

“…”

That could not be. It was supposed to be a friendly spar, but had Moyong Jin not already been miserably defeated by Baek Ha-jun once?

“I know a great martial master. After seeing your swordsmanship, he mentioned that you’re quite familiar with the Baek Clan’s swordsmanship. He said that the level of Star Cloud Sword Technique is not low, so if you act defensively, it won’t be easy for Ha-jun to win.”

Chae-aeng-!

Moyong Jin parried Baek Ha-jun’s overhead strike.

It was not incorrect. Trained by his brother to anticipate Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique, Moyong Jin’s body moved reflexively.

With the tension released, his movements became more fluid.

“It won’t be easy to defeat Ha-jun, though. Anyway, your brother might have been excessively worried about you. Saying you’re still lacking. It’s common among siblings with a significant age difference, after all.”

So what are you trying to say?

Regardless, winning the sword-seizing spar was imperative. Only then could his brother earn recognition from the Clan Head, and also…

“Ugh!”

The one who grunted was not Moyong Jin, but Ha-jun.

Moyong Jin’s treasured sword pierced through Baek Ha-jun’s defense. To avoid being stabbed in the shoulder, Ha-jun hastily raised his sword to block.

Ka-ga-gak!

Unlike Ha-jun, who held an ordinary blue steel sword, the sword Moyong Jin wielded was a treasured cold iron sword, prepared for the sword-seizing spar.

Ha-jun’s blade clattered as it was struck off.

The spar was more evenly matched than before.

“It’s an interesting reason, isn’t it? If you win the sword-seizing spar and return, the Clan Head will be pleased, and thus, Moyong Tak will receive the recognition of the Gentleman Sword. The clan will sing praises of Moyong Tak’s name. Is that correct?”

“Yes! Hah!”

“I told you not to answer. Yes, from what I’ve heard, that reason seems flimsy.”

Moyong Jin’s sword became increasingly sharp, but his mind was clouded with Yi-gang’s words.

Ha-jun attacked even more fiercely with his now jagged-toothed sword. He was indeed a formidable opponent.

“Think about it. If you win against Ha-jun in the sword-seizing spar, who will receive the praise? Your brother who went to the clan with you, or…”

Moyong Jin also felt a sense of incongruity.

“…You, who personally avenged for the clan?”

“…”

“Isn’t it a strange plan? There must have been better ways to enhance one’s own standing.”

And then, the spar reached its conclusion.

Moyong Jin and Baek Ha-jun both launched strikes that, if landed, would surely be fatal.

Their swords, each aiming for the neck and chest, clashed in mid-air.

Ka-ang-!

Sparks flew, and their ears rang.

Ha-jun’s sword broke and stuck into the wooden floor. Moyong Jin stood panting, his sword still raised.

“Keuk.”

And then, Ha-jun scowled as if infuriated.

“It’s the sword’s fault!”

“Uh…”

Moyong Jin’s face, on the contrary, was one of disbelief.

He was well-versed in the Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique. On the other hand, Baek Ha-jun, unlike Moyong Jin, had not studied the Star Cloud Sword Technique.

Moreover, Moyong Jin’s sword was far superior. That’s why only Ha-jun’s sword had snapped and flown away.

But regardless.

“…I won.”

A victory was clearly a victory.

“Oh, it’s fair and square.”

Before he knew it, Yi-gang had approached and said so. Instead of basking in the joy of victory, Moyong Jin approached him, as if ready to grab him by the collar.

“Really? For real?”

“What are you talking about?”

“That thing you just said. That my brother was actually doing this for me…”

“Hahaha. That’s absurd.”

Yi-gang laughed. Moyong Jin’s face turned red.

“What’s so funny.”

“How should I know? That Moyong Tak would do such nonsense for you? You fell for a careless remark I made.”

Yi-gang did not believe for a second that Moyong Tak had unknowingly done that.

Moyong Jin’s eyes flickered with confusion.

“People are easily deceived, huh? Now I understand why your brother can’t stand you.”

“So, the truth is…”

“I don’t know. How would I know what your brother thinks? Even if I did, you should already know.”

Moyong Jin felt deflated.

What was his brother thinking when he devised those plans?

It was also unreasonable to take Yi-gang’s words at face value. They were nothing more than interpretations made for his convenience.

It was an undeniable fact that Moyong Tak had tried to feed Moyong Jin a dangerous drug. He was always too harsh under the pretext of discipline.

“…I don’t know either.”

“Whether you cut ties with your brother or try to mend things, that’s your choice. Go ask him.”

“Ask him?”

“Yes, he hasn’t gone far.”

His brother, Moyong Tak, left the restaurant not long ago.

He must have gone back to the Baek Clan to get his belongings, so he was probably on his way there. If he hurried, he could catch up with him.

“But he didn’t ask me to follow him.”

“Then live with the curiosity for the rest of your life.”

“No, I can’t do that!”

Moyong Jin scrambled to leave.

Yi-gang stopped him.

“Wait, take something with you before you go.”

With that, Yi-gang went down the stairs and brought back something. It was a long object wrapped in cloth.

He also brought a brush and wrote something on a piece of paper, then tucked it into the cloth.

“What is this…”

To the curious Moyong Jin, Yi-gang explained what the object was.

Moyong Jin was greatly astonished after hearing the story.

“What on earth… why?”

“It’s not for free.”

“I understand that, but…”

Suddenly, Yi-gang grabbed Moyong Jin by the collar.

Moyong Jin could have resisted if he wanted to, but he was too easily dragged along.

“Make sure you tell him exactly. That I persuaded the Clan Head.”

“Under… stood.”

“Both you and your brother owe me a huge debt.”

His tone was nothing short of threatening.

A cruel smile hung on Yi-gang’s lips. As soon as Yi-gang released Moyong Jin, he grabbed the object and dashed down the stairs.

Yi-gang quietly watched the empty staircase.

「This damn guy.」

The Immortal Divine Sword, which had been quietly observing the commotion up until now, finally spoke.

「You’re quite sharp.」

‘You mean smart. Or perhaps wise.’

「Wise? Huhu.」

Even so, the Immortal Divine Sword seemed quite pleased with itself.

「However, I’m not sure if that Moyong kid will properly pay the price. They’re notoriously sinister fellows, after all.」

‘We also have to collect the cost of the item. What can be done? I have his brother as a hostage.’

「It seems so. How did you manage to discern the true intentions of that Moyong Tak fellow?」

‘I’m not really sure if that was his intention.’

「In my view, your conjecture seems correct.」

‘Really? It’s typical for younger siblings to not understand the hearts of their elder brothers.’

The Immortal Divine Sword was a younger sibling who had an older brother.

「Rascal.」

It had a sour taste in its mouth.

---

Moyong Tak walked as if he had lost his soul.

He had not drunk much alcohol, but his legs were failing him.

He could no longer muster a smile.

In the end, he had fed his younger brother a forceful dose of Pilinu powder.

What Yi-gang said was not wrong. Such a drug originally ruins the taker’s body. It draws out the body’s dormant energy but often damages the true origin energy in return.

However, the Pilinu powder he brought was different. It was personally made by his close friend, Tang Go-jin.

Using the clan’s secret technique, they minimized the side effects. There was a high chance that Moyong Jin would just feel exhausted for a few days.

‘What pointless talk.’

However, there certainly was a clear possibility of damage to the blood vessels.

Moreover, Moyong Tak had no intention of engaging in such a discussion.

On what grounds?

‘I guess I do have dirty blood.’

He had lived as if blind, intending to prove that he shared the Moyong blood.

But the actions he took were nothing short of cowardly.

He only realized it after everything had crumbled because of Yi-gang.

The naked truth of the human being known as Moyong Tak was so vile. People’s gazes were immensely shameful.

It was even more so because his brother, whom he thought would surely despise him, did not despise Moyong Tak.

He never told anyone, but he envied his younger brother.

Moyong Jin had talent.

In the sight of his younger brother diligently practicing the Star Cloud Sword Technique, Moyong Tak constantly saw the reflection of the Clan Head. It was the talent for the sword that Moyong Tak could never possess.

That was why, instead of properly teaching the Star Cloud Sword Technique, he might have focused on teaching the way to break the Baek Clan’s Heaven’s Shadow Sword Technique.

Deciding to put his brother forward and make him win in the sword-seizing spar, now that he thought about it, was twisted…

“Brother!”

Moyong Tak stood still abruptly.

He had not even noticed his brother following behind.

“…What is it.”

“I came to ask you something.”

“I have nothing to say.”

Moyong Tak made an effort to keep his voice cold. He felt like he would not be able to maintain his composure if he turned around now.

“Actually, this plan you’ve concocted. Was it possibly for my sake?”

“What are you talking about…?”

Moyong Jin’s voice was hesitant and lacking confidence.

“The fact that you went out of your way to make me win in the sword-seizing spar. It wasn’t actually to elevate your own reputation but… for me…”

“Ha.”

Moyong Tak let out a scoff, incredulous.

“Who said that? Baek Yi-gang?”

“Yes… isn’t it?”

“Nonsense.”

He dismissed it like that. It was an absurd claim. There was no deceit like that.

However, at the same time, a small question sprouted in Moyong Tak’s heart.

Really, why had he been so dedicated to teaching his younger brother?

And then, Moyong Jin brought up a topic that was bound to shatter his current calm.

“Baek Yi-gang gave me the Seven Star Link Sword.”

“…What?”

Moyong Tak ended up turning around.

Behind him stood Moyong Jin. His cheeks were marked with tear tracks, as if he had cried on the way there.

And he was holding an old sword.

“He really gave the Seven Star Link Sword!”

The sword that had been given to Moyong Jin for the sword-seizing spar was also a treasured sword made from cold iron. However, this old sword in front of him was a treasured item of the Moyong clan that could not even be compared.

In the past, it was a treasured sword that was only permitted to the Young Clan Head of the Moyong Clan. Once, it was the sword that the Gentleman Sword Moyong Jeong-cheon had been deprived of during the sword-seizing spar with Baek Ryu-san.

“Why would Baek Yi-gang give this…”

Moyong Tak was bewildered.

If the Seven Star Link Sword were to be brought to the clan, it would be no ordinary matter. It was akin to the wounded pride of the Moyong Clan, as there had been no way to retrieve it.

“Baek Yi-gang pleaded with their Clan Head to get it,”

Moyong Jin earnestly conveyed what Yi-gang had told him.

“If father asks how you obtained this, tell him this: ‘The Clan Head of the Baek Clan, in admiration of the talents of the Moyong brothers, Moyong Tak and Moyong Jin, wished to return the Seven Star Link Sword. That sword must return to where it rightfully belongs.’ That’s what he said.”

“…”

Moyong Tak, at a loss for words, gazed at his younger brother.

“But it’s not free.”

Moyong Jin handed over a piece of paper he had received from Yi-gang a moment ago.

“A price tag?”

“We have to pay an additional cost for the return of the sword.”

It was an amount that would make even Moyong Tak’s hands tremble. The price Yi-gang demanded for keeping his mouth shut was a thousand nyang in silver.

It was an outrageous price.

“He said we could pay it back slowly. If you can’t pay it back, I have to.”

“Ha, hahaha.”

Moyong Tak could not help but burst into laughter. It was a deal he could not refuse, even if they had asked for a hundred million gold.

“It would be nice if the Seven Star Link Sword became a symbol of friendship between the Baek Clan and the Moyong Clan. Considering it’s a symbol of friendship, this is a cheap deal.”

He could not help but laugh at his younger brother, who said this with a nonchalant expression.

“Stupid fool.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“Not you, me.”

“Huh?”

Saying so, Moyong Tak placed his hand on Moyong Jin’s head.

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

“Later, when you return to the clan, we’ll talk more then.”

Moyong Tak smiled gently. Moyong Jin instinctively noticed that it was different from his usual insincere smile.

“Take care until we meet again.”

With that, Moyong Tak turned away.

“Ah, brother, you must take the Seven Star Link Sword with you!”

He did not take the sword, which was certain to earn him the affection of the Clan Head if he returned with it to the clan.

“You bring it back. It’s rightfully yours since you’re the one who reclaimed it.”

“But still…”

In the end, Moyong Tak left without accepting the Seven Star Link Sword.

Moyong Jin tried to follow him, but gave up and silently watched his brother’s retreating figure.

Still young, he could not comprehend his brother’s feelings.

“Brother…”

His gaze inadvertently fell upon a piece of paper on the ground.

And his eyes widened in shock.

It was the price tag for the Seven Star Link Sword that Yi-gang had written down.

“C-crazy.”

The amount was beyond Moyong Jin’s wildest imagination.

Suddenly, a thought struck him. Since his brother had left without taking the sword, would Moyong Jin be the one responsible for this amount?

He was almost scared stiff.

He made up his mind. He would go back and ask Yi-gang, and if it did not work out, he would plead for a reduction.

Moyong Jin, holding the Seven Star Link Sword carefully in his arms, returned to the restaurant.

However, upon his arrival at the Greatest Gold Tower, there was no sign of Yi-gang.

He was told that Yi-gang had hastily returned to the Baek Clan’s main house.

The reason became apparent almost immediately.

The Red Dragon Corps, who had been tracking the assassins that attacked Yi-gang, had returned to the main house.

And, those who came back had finally brought the clue he had been searching for.

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