Among the few honor flower disciples, Dam Hyun
Hes the sa age as Jin Ri-yeon.
However, his rank among the disciples was much higher than Jin Ri-yeon, just below Yeop Su-nam. This ant he perford exceptionally well during the first-flower promotion exams.
He was relatively young at that ti, but his talent was extraordinary. Moreover, being chosen as an honor flower disciple, a rarity in the Azure Forest, he could certainly be considered a prodigy.
But the story of a prodigys downfall was all too common.
Now, regarding Dam Hyun, who ended up confined in the Repentance Cave, Yu Su-rin and Jin Ri-yeon shared various anecdotes.
His personality is terrible. No, its not just terrible; hes practically a misanthrope. No, he is a misanthrope, Yu Su-rin said to Yi-gang, clutching her fist tightly and trembling.
Yi-gangs eyes widened slightly in surprise.
Misanthrope?
Yes, utterly arrogant. Except for a few people he acknowledges, hes insufferably arrogant. He remained so proud even after being punished by the Disciplinary Hall Head with a tal rod. He even spoke rudely to Senior Jin Mu.
Yu Su-rin spoke as if venting her anger. Her words suggested contempt for Dam Hyun, but Yi-gang didnt point that out.
He once plucked the beard of Sage Do Seon and stole herbs from the Grass Flower Hall.
Haha.
Yi-gang laughed unintentionally.
Yu Su-rin wore a shocked expression. She couldnt believe soone could laugh after hearing such things.
Its not just that. He stabbed dad, no, the Grand Library Master. His own master!
Su-rin.
Jin Ri-yeon cald the excited Yu Su-rin and continued the story,
The situation regarding that incident is a bit complicated. Its said that Dam Hyun voluntarily entered the Repentance Cave.
Theres no way he would do that.
Yu Su-rin pouted in response to the seemingly sympathetic words about Dam Hyun but didnt argue further.
I see.
Yi-gang had already heard the details from Yu Jeong-shin. Due to an accident involving a Treasure, dark energy had infested Dam Hyuns mind. Thats why he lost his sanity and chose to lock himself in the Repentance Cave.
Since both Dam Hyun and Yu Jeong-shin kept the details secret, Yi-gang saw no need to explain further.
It cant be helped. We need Dam Hyun now.
Hearing Yi-gang say this, Yu Su-rin nodded.
They were unaware of the existence of the Immortal Divine Sword or the process of the ritual.
However, they understood that Dam Hyun was necessary to prevent Yi-gangs untily demise.
Their current accompanint to the Repentance Cave was to help Yi-gang bring back Dam Hyun.
Dam Hyun was the only person currently confined in the Repentance Cave. There was no risk of escape, so there was no need for a constant guard.
Walking down the quiet corridor of the Repentance Cave, they soon ca upon a dark, rusty iron door.
Jin Ri-yeon recognized the door and spoke, Dam Hyun is waiting inside there.
Yi-gang nodded and reached for the door.
But then, she hastily said, Ah, I have the key, just a mont
However, Yi-gang pushed the door open without a thought.
Creak
He didnt realize the bolt was lodged inside the door. But Yi-gang opened it with sheer physical strength.
The broken bolt clattered to the floor.
Youve beco very strong.
Werent you unable to use internal energy?
Jin Ri-yeon and Yu Su-rin looked at Yi-gang in surprise.
Yi-gang coughed and opened and closed his right hand. He still had trouble controlling his strength.
Golden Needle Phantom and Yu Jeong-shin tried to heal Yi-gangs body using the spiritual energy of the Immortal Divine Sword. The plan was to connect the major ridian from the palm of the right hand to the dantians Qihai point.
Ultimately, it failed because the enlightennt of the Immortal Divine Sword was interrupted midway.
However, the spiritual energy Yi-gang had absorbed hadnt disappeared. As a result, the strength of his right arm and hand had temporarily beco absurdly strong, as if his internal energy had grown imnsely profound.
Its like Ive beco a martial master, Yi-gang thought absentmindedly.
But there was no response. The Immortal Divine Sword was no longer with him.
Lost in thought, Yi-gang was brought back to the present by Jin Ri-yeon.
Lets go in.
Yes.
Yi-gang led the way into the stone chamber beyond the door.
And there, Dam Hyun was waiting.
Jin Ri-yeon and Yu Su-rin.
It had been about two, no, three years since they last saw Dam Hyun. Back then, Dam Hyun, still a teenager, had a boyish appearance.
Even now, after three years, Dam Hyuns appearance seed untouched by ti, still youthful.
Pale skin from lack of sunlight. Sharp eyes.
Lips and an expression that seed ready to sneer, full of cynicism.
Yu Su-rin suddenly rembered.
He sowhat resembles Yi-gang.
In the way they didnt quite seem like martial artists, Dam Hyun and Yi-gang were similar. Especially their pale skin and eyes. They also shared a lack of a gentle or sociable nature.
But Yu Su-rin shook her head.
Yi-gang is a hundred tis better.
Still, Yi-gang had a kind side. Like when he protected her from the enraged Jun Myung who had been bitten by a rage insect, and when he gave her the Red Cave Fruit in Spirit Spring Valley.
While Yu Su-rin was thinking this, her eyes t Dam Hyuns.
She reluctantly paid her respects to the senior.
Senior Dam Hyun.
Dam Hyun also opened his mouth in recognition.
Its been a long ti, loser.
You jerk! Urk.
Jin Ri-yeon covered Yu Su-rins mouth. Yu Su-rin trembled with anger, but Dam Hyun didnt bat an eye.
The last ti I saw you, you were crying too. Going to cry again? Still a loser, I see.
Senior Brother, youre going too far.
Jin Ri-yeon spoke in a reproaching tone.
The last ti Yu Su-rin and Dam Hyun t was after her father, Yu Jeong-shin, had been struck down by a sword.
Dam Hyun sneered but kept his mouth shut.
Its been a long ti, Ri-yeon.
Yes.
That was the end of their conversation. Dam Hyun despised most people, but Jin Ri-yeon and Yu Su-rin were among the few he did not.
Jin Ri-yeon knew this, while Yu Su-rin did not. That was why they had accompanied Yi-gang to help.
Dam Hyuns gaze turned to Yi-gang.
This is our first eting. My na is Baek Yi-gang.
Yi-gang greeted with a flawless bow.
Dam Hyun quietly glared at Yi-gang.
After a long silence, Dam Hyun spat out, You have an unlikable face.
Yi-gang lifted his head to et Dam Hyuns eyes.
The eyes were not clear but cloudy. It seed to upset Dam Hyun that Yi-gang looked at him so confidently.
Master used the Heavenly God Candlestick to do sothing You have ridian blockage disease?
Yes, its the Great Yin ridian Blockage.
Then youre about to die, arent you? Even using the Heavenly God Candlestick wont cure ridian blockage. Youre like an idiot.
It seed he hadnt heard about the existence of the Immortal Divine Sword and the thod of using its spiritual energy.
Yi-gang furrowed his brows at Dam Hyuns rude remarks.
Senior Brother!
Hey, you scum of humanity!
At that mont, Jin Ri-yeon and Yu Su-rin shouted simultaneously.
They glared at Dam Hyun with faces full of anger.
Wh-what is this?
Startled, Dam Hyun looked back and forth between Jin Ri-yeon and Yu Su-rin. He seed surprised that they were defending Yi-gang so vehently.
Yi-gang intervened before a fight could break out.
The Grand Library Master will explain the details. I need Senior Brother Dam Hyuns help.
It was a concession from Yi-gangs side.
Seeing Yi-gang yield, Dam Hyun seed even more displeased, but surprisingly, he nodded easily.
Fine, but first let see your hand.
When Yi-gang just looked at him, Dam Hyun got annoyed.
I need to see your condition first before deciding whether to help you or not.
With Jin Ri-yeon and Yu Su-rin watching intently, it seed unlikely that Dam Hyun would do anything rash.
When Yi-gang extended his right hand, Dam Hyun took it.
The calluses suggest you use a sword.
He felt Yi-gangs pulse like a physician, then grinned, With the Great Yin ridian Blockage, youre a loser who cant even use internal energy. Why bother learning the sword?
Another unnecessary provocation. Yi-gang simply ignored Dam Hyuns words.
Not going to answer?
I learned the sword because I have one.
Speaking as it suits you.
He bared his teeth, showing hostility.
Jin Ri-yeon took a step forward from behind Yi-gang.
Let ask you one thing.
Ask away.
What thod did you use?
What do you an?
What evil thod did you use to deceive Master and those children
A flash of madness sparkled in Dam Hyuns eyes.
Are you bewitched!
Then, Dam Hyun pressed hard on the Yangxi point on Yi-gangs wrist. Even though restriction was placed on his dantian, preventing the use of internal energy, pressing this point had an imdiate effect.
Pressing the Yangxi point stimulated the nerves from the wrist to the shoulder all at once. It causes extre pain, like being electrocuted, spreading sharply.
What are you doing?
However, Yi-gang remained expressionless.
Had he hit the wrong pressure point? But checking it, it was clear he had pressed exactly on the Yangxi point.
You how are you
Dam Hyun didnt realize that Yi-gang was simply the type of person who only frowned in response to the pain of having his Yangxi point pressed.
Thats pointless.
Kuk!
Dam Hyun made a serious move. He tried to exert his power to twist Yi-gangs wrist and bring him down.
But even when he pulled the arm, Yi-gang didnt budge, even though Dam Hyun used his internal energy.
What
Thanks to the temporary strength granted by the spiritual energy of the Immortal Divine Sword, Yi-gangs physical strength surpassed that of Dam Hyun, who was under a restriction on his internal energy.
This guy, I thought he couldnt use internal energy Aagh!
At this point, it was a do-or-die situation. Yi-gang simply twisted Dam Hyuns fingers.
Stay still.
L-let go of my hand! Aagh!
Eventually, Dam Hyun was forced to kneel. His fingers were twisted by Yi-gang, rendering him unable to move.
It was an anticlimactic situation, considering he had provoked and attacked Yi-gang first.
But even though he had been locked up in the Repentance Cave, he was still a distinguished disciple. It was unlikely he didnt have a hidden move up his sleeve.
Try dodging this!
Just as he raised his leg to attack Yi-gang, Jin Ri-yeon, who had been watching from behind, intervened.
Enough, Senior Brother!
Her fingers swiftly pressed several of Dam Hyuns pressure points.
Tadadadak!
Dam Hyun collapsed, unable to move. He had been immobilized by acupuncture point sealing.
Jin Ri-yeon, how dare you do this to your senior brother!
Keep your mouth shut.
With a cold look, Jin Ri-yeon silenced Dam Hyun, who looked as if the sky had fallen.
He glanced at Yi-gang, then closed his eyes and shouted, I wont help you! Im going back to the Repentance Cave!
He calculated that Yi-gangs party would soon apologize and beg for forgiveness, regretting their mistake.
However, the reaction Dam Hyun was expecting did not co imdiately.
When he sneakily opened his eyes, he realized that Yi-gang and his group were looking down at the ground.
What Huh!
Dam Hyuns face turned pale.
At the end of their gaze was a fox doll rolling on the floor. It was sothing Dam Hyun had dropped from his pocket when he fell after being immobilized.
Dam Hyun wanted to quickly pick it up and put it back in his pocket, but he couldnt move due to the pressure point sealing.
Jin Ri-yeon and Yu Su-rin wore bewildered expressions.
Senior Brother youve been carrying a doll in your pocket?
Its so shabby Is it a dog doll?
The doll was decidedly unimpressive. However, it was an object imbued with Dam Hyuns near-obsessive affection.
This loser! Cheongho is not a dog!
Yu Su-rin wore an incredulous expression.
Cheongho, you even nad it. Ugh, disgusting.
Su, Su-rin.
Jin Ri-yeon covered Yu Su-rins mouth again, but Dam Hyun was already deeply shocked. His pale face had turned as red as a beet.
Huh?
Thats when Yi-gang, who had been quiet, murmured.
He wasnt mocking. Instead, he looked at the doll with a fascinated expression, turning it this way and that.
So your na is Cheongho.
Yi-gang saw it.
In the old wooden doll resided the spirit of a blue fox. The very sa fox he had seen in Spirit Spring Valley.
What!
Dam Hyun was astonished.
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