The Terminally Ill Young Master of the Baek Clan

Once a senior brother, always a senior brother.

A lifetime’s hierarchy was determined by the results of a mere month-long examination.

Usually, the hierarchy was appropriately divided by age and training period differences, but this was not always the case.

Before the exam, someone regarded as a younger brother may end up being called a senior brother for the rest of one’s life.

The first-flower promotion exam was divided into three major parts.

First, the written exam.

It covered the history and structure of the Azure Forest, and since the Azure Forest was a Taoist sect, naturally, the exam included Taoist knowledge. It’s a common test taken by all disciples. The test also included knowledge about Treasures and yokai, herbology and medicine, and alchemy.

Second, was the martial arts exam.

Various methods were used to evaluate the martial arts of the young disciples. Yu Su-rin, Son Hee-il, and Jun Myung were competing for the top position among their peers. This part was most critical and was divided into three separate exams. They were not too worried about this part.

The third exam depended on whether you were a martial flower disciple, Taoist flower disciple, or an honor flower disciple. However, this part did not affect the ranking of the entry order, so it was not a concern.

Therefore, the written exam next week was their primary concern.

Yu Su-rin said in a serious tone, “Everyone knows that most people born with the meridian blockage disease are geniuses, right?”

“Yeah, he must be really smart too. Somehow, it seemed that way.”

“I may handle the martial arts exam, but I need to prepare for the written exam. Have you read all of the Book of Changes and the Treasure Catalogue?”

“I’ve been studying, but… I’m not confident.”

Jun Myung scratched his head as he answered. His appearance didn’t seem particularly intelligent. In reality, he was not a fool, but among the three present, he was the least advanced.

“Originally, the three of us studied separately due to our competition. But I think it would be better to study together.”

“I agree too. Especially the Qi Men Array technique is too difficult. It seems easier if we do it together.”

Yu Su-rin and Jun Myung were discussing so seriously that Son Hee-il felt a headache coming on.

He touched his forehead and waved his right hand.

“Yeah, okay. I understand to some extent. That Baek Yi-gang is joining. I get that he’s pretty smart and strong.”

“That’s what we’ve been talking about.”

“But, hey. Su-rin, Jun Myung. Do you really think he can beat us and become the top disciple?”

Son Hee-il couldn’t understand why the two were so worried. They were among the top geniuses of the Azure Forest’s third-generation disciples.

Son Hee-il himself was no less capable.

“Even if he’s smart, the written exam is next week. Do you think he would have read the Book of Changes and the Treasure Catalogue?”

“That’s true, but…”

“And Jun Myung, even though you were beaten by him, it was when you were bitten by a rage insect.”

“That’s right.”

“We’ve been doing well in our own way so far. But now you’re scared of a kid from outside, two years younger than me? Your current state, well…”

Son Hee-il looked straight at Jun Myung and said firmly.

“…is a bit pathetic.”

“…!”

A chilly silence ensued. Watching Su-rin and Jun Myung awkwardly exchange glances, Son Hee-il wore a confident smile.

“If you’ve come to your senses, let’s do it as we always have.”

“Hmm.”

However, the response that came from Su-rin was not what he had expected.

“Then let Son Hee-il do it alone. Let’s prepare together, just the two of us.”

“Yeah, Su-rin.”

“Wh-what?!”

Regardless of Son Hee-il’s confusion, the two seriously discussed their study plan. They talked about staying up all night and setting a time for question-and-answer sessions.

It really seemed like they intended to prepare for the written exam without Son Hee-il.

This meant that Son Hee-il, who had been their match until now, would inevitably fall behind.

“Wait, hold on. Let’s think about this a bit more.”

“No need. You said it was pathetic.”

“I take it back. Just hear me out!”

“We’re going to go ahead first.”

But Jun Myung and Su-rin left without looking back, just the two of them.

Son Hee-il, who had been acting haughty just moments ago, became desperate.

“Let me join too!”

He had no choice but to shout and follow them.

And so, until the day of the written exam, the trio diligently prepared together.

They devoted themselves to studying day and night, bleeding from their noses several times. Like preparing for an imperial examination, they spent all their time studying except for when they slept.

News that the warriors of the Baek Clan and Yi-gang had arrived at the Azure Forest was received three days before the written exam.

This meant that Yi-gang had only three days left to prepare.

Despite wearing smiles of relief, the trio did not let go of their tension until the end.

Finally, the day of the written exam dawned.

A determined look filled the eyes of the third-generation disciples as they entered the examination hall.

---

“Aaaaaaah!”

As soon as he left the examination hall, Jun Myung let out a mournful roar.

Next to him, Son Hee-il also collapsed to his knees, and Yu Su-rin turned pale, covering her cheeks with both hands.

“It was too hard…”

“Why is it so difficult even though we studied so much?”

They weren’t the only ones lamenting.

As Jun Myung sat down in despair, another of the third-generation disciples, Yuk Su-chan, approached him.

“Brother Jun Myung, did you do well? I feel so relieved.”

“Oh, Su-chan. Relieved? Did you do well?”

“Not really, I think this is as far as I go. I hope you become a formal disciple, brother. I’ll go down to inherit my father’s inn.”

“Oh…”

Yuk Su-chan’s eyes sparkled with tears as he walked away forlornly.

He probably wouldn’t really give up and leave the Azure Forest, but it was clear the exam was difficult enough to make him feel despair.

“We definitely studied hard. It’s strange…”

In fact, their struggle was understandable.

They were just teenagers, and bona fide disciples of a martial sect at that.

For these children, more accustomed to holding a sword than a pen, a written exam was somewhat unfamiliar.

‘There is a sealing array by the Sage Cheong Yu at the Cloud Terrace Peak of Western Great Mountain. The eight trigrams array applied in the sealing array follows the form of King Wen’s Eight Trigrams. Describe why this is more advantageous for the maintenance of the sealing array compared to the Fuxi Eight Trigrams.’

Or a question like, ‘Among the 64 hexagrams of the Book of Changes, briefly summarize the development process of Ming Qingzhi’s Zhi Dao theory in the interpretation of the Upper Jing.’

These were not questions that children who had only studied for a few months could answer.

“The difficulty level must have been set wrong.”

“Yes, the head of Academy Hall must have made a mistake.”

Just as Jun Myung was asserting his certainty, someone gave him a flick on the forehead.

“Ouch!”

“You’re blaming the Academy Head because you did poorly on the exam?”

“Se-senior Jin Mu! And Senior Ri-yeon…”

Yu Su-rin, shedding a tear or two, was taken aback.

Standing before them were Jin Mu and Jin Ri-yeon, both disciples of the current generation. Among them, Jin Mu was none other than the top disciple.

Jin Mu, a hearty man with a large build and bushy beard, often mistaken for being over thirty, smiled refreshingly at the children.

“I wanted to see your reactions after finishing supervising the exam. It seems you are not very satisfied.”

“I could only fill about a quarter of the answers.”

“Wh-what did you say?”

Jin Mu’s smiling face suddenly turned serious.

Jun Myung felt even more intimidated by Jin Mu’s reaction.

“Is it very serious for me…?”

“No, it’s the opposite. I didn’t expect you, Jun Myung, to have written even a quarter.”

“Really?”

“I don’t think I even wrote that much back then… Hmm.”

The three children looked at each other’s faces.

Jin Mu explained slowly and clearly.

“Originally, the first-flower promotion written exam is known for its extremely high difficulty. It’s a tradition. The questions aren’t meant to be fully solvable.”

He started with how difficult the questions set by the Academy Head were. In essence, only about 30% of the questions were meant to be solvable. The purpose of setting such a high difficulty level was to show the disciples the hardships of the path ahead.

“In conclusion… it’s a bit early to say this before the results are out.”

“I saw the children writing their answers. Great Senior Brother.”

Jin Ri-yeon interrupted. She, as a supervisor, had watched the children write their answers.

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, they did very well.”

“You kids did as said.”

Hearing this, the children’s faces brightened. The seven days and nights of intensive studying hadn’t been in vain.

“The exam results will be out in a few days, so don’t worry too much and rest.”

“Yes, Senior!”

Son Hee-il responded loudly and bowed respectfully.

However, Yu Su-rin and Jun Myung were different.

Jun Myung, still concerned about something, asked quietly, “Senior Ri-yeon. Did Yi-gang do well in the exam?”

Son Hee-il interrupted, “He submitted his answer sheet not long after the exam started and left.”

Son Hee-il, too, had been worried about Yi-gang like the other kids, but his thoughts changed today.

“He must have given up because it was too hard.”

Otherwise, there was no reason to submit the answer sheet just after a short period of time. It was physically impossible to have written the answers in such a short time. That was Son Hee-il’s thinking.

Jin Ri-yeon spoke up, “Ah… Yi-gang is…”

She had naturally seen Yi-gang enter the examination hall.

She had glanced at Yi-gang’s answer sheet, worrying about how he would answer after only three days of preparation.

“That kid…”

The reason Jin Ri-yeon hesitated to answer was clear.

Confident Son Hee-il, and somewhat nervous Yu Su-rin and Jun Myung.

She was worried whether to tell these top competitors among the third-generation disciples that there’s always a higher sky above them.

---

Three days later.

The results of the written exam were cruelly made public for all to see. The list was posted.

The third-generation disciples gathered with exhausted faces, looking like they hadn’t slept all night.

On the paper announcing the results, names were listed in order of rank.

┎─────────────┒

……

Second Place Yu Su-rin

Third Place Son Hee-il

……

Seventh Place Jun Myung

┖─────────────┚

It was an impressive result.

That Yu Su-rin, who would become a Taoist flower disciple, achieved the best result seemed almost expected. Son Hee-il was a close second.

What was particularly noteworthy was Jun Myung’s performance. Out of nearly a hundred of the third-generation disciples, he secured seventh place.

Even though strong in martial arts, Jun Myung, who was weaker in other areas, was the greatest beneficiary of the intensive study session.

Normally, all three would have been relieved and happy…

If it weren’t for the name at the top of the list.

┎─────────────┒

First Place Baek Yi-gang

┖─────────────┚

“Th-this doesn’t make sense…”

Son Hee-il couldn’t help but recall what Jin Ri-yeon had said.

‘He submitted his answer sheet not long after the exam started and left.’

He had doubted how that could be possible in such a short time…

Son Hee-il felt a rising sense of unease. If similar results came from the next exam, they might all have to pay respects to an outsider, whom they had barely met, as their great senior brother.

And that outsider was muttering right beside him.

“Hmm, as expected.”

Baek Yi-gang, who had arrived at the Azure Forest a few days ago, was standing next to him.

He didn’t seem particularly moved by his name written at the top of the list.

“Did I come out here for nothing?” Yi-gang muttered to himself and turned away without much emotion.

Son Hee-il hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to stop him.

Fortunately, Yu Su-rin and Jun Myung stepped forward before Son Hee-il.

“Yi-gang!”

“Ah, you!”

They were making a big fuss.

“How did you do so well on the written exam!”

“I’m Jun Myung, remember me?”

The two, noisily chattering, seemed strangely excited. Yi-gang hesitated a bit before greeting them.

“Long time no see, Yu Su-rin… and, uh, Jun Young, right?”

“It’s Jun Myung.”

Son Hee-il was confused. Until now, Jun Myung and Yu Su-rin had been very wary of Yi-gang.

But upon meeting him, they didn’t seem guarded at all.

“You’re really amazing. Did you study the Book of Changes and the Treasure Catalogue before?”

“No way, I only read those books after coming here.”

“You got that good in just three days? The Academy Head said the problems were only solvable up to 30%…”

“It just happened somehow.”

“Are all people from Baek Clan as smart as you?”

It was like they were wagging their tails, if they had any. Hee-il felt a surge of annoyance.

He couldn’t help but let out a sarcastic remark.

“Must be because he’s a nerd who only studied in his room his whole life.”

Jun Myung and Yu Su-rin were taken aback by his sharp tone.

Yi-gang stared intently at Son Hee-il, who flinched but didn’t look away, returning the glare.

It was Yi-gang who looked away first.

“Then, I need to meet and speak with sir Golden Needle Phantom. I’ll go ahead.”

He effectively ignored Son Hee-il with a clean dismissal.

Son Hee-il, filled with indignation, threw out another comment, “I don’t know what trick you used, but writing all the answers after only three days of study is impossible. You must have prepared in advance, or maybe… cheated.”

“Hee-il!”

“Jun Myung, are you taking his side?”

Jun Myung shut his mouth tightly.

It was the moment Yi-gang’s eyes turned icy cold.

The surroundings began to buzz, and then a thunderous shout erupted.

“Baek Yi-gang—!”

Breaking through the crowd of the third-generation disciples was none other than Academy Head Sage Do Seung, the one who had set the questions for this exam.

He was a distinguished first-generation disciple, famous for his profound scholarship.

However, he was also known for his quirky and strict nature, and for some reason, his face was red with anger.

“Baek Yi-gang, are you here!”

All eyes suddenly focused on Yi-gang.

The third-generation disciples were startled and made way between Yi-gang and the Academy Head.

“There you are.”

The approaching Do Seung’s presence was extraordinary.

Son Hee-il smirked and stepped back, assuming Yi-gang had done something wrong, though he wasn’t sure what.

“Are you Baek Yi-gang?”

“Yes, I am,” Yi-gang replied, boldly lifting his chin.

“No way…!”

No one expected Sage Do Seung to grab Yi-gang by the side and lift him up.

“If you had entered the academic world, you would have been a zhuangyuan!”

The reason for the Academy Head’s excitement wasn’t because Yi-gang had cheated.

The news that someone had written the answers in just a short period of time was surprising, and the quality of those answers was astonishing.

The current second-generation disciples who studied the scriptures at the Academy Hall evaluated them as “flawless.”

Do Seung had come all the way here to meet the unbelievable author of that answer sheet.

“Join me as my disciple! I’ll make you the next Academy Head!”

Yi-gang, lifted up by Do Seung, felt surprisingly light, perhaps due to his Great Yin Meridian Blockage.

But in Sage Do Seung’s eyes, he felt the heavy talent of a genius bestowed by heaven.

“First… please put me down.”

Of course, in Yi-gang’s eyes, Do Seung seemed like a madman.

He regretted coming to the Azure Forest, even if just a little.

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