Chapter 035
"...How interesting. This is no mere trivial book. Has anyone ever written about Murim in such an engaging way?"
It was an elaborately decorated hall. While an ornate official's hat on the table particularly caught the eye, the solemn gaze of the person turning the pages of the book in his hand shone with deep interest. He set the book down momentarily and stroked his beard. His gaze turned toward a woman in red robes sitting in a chair, holding a teacup.
"What do you think?"
"It's too well-written to be dismissed as a worthless book."
"Hmm. Indeed. It's difficult to believe someone from Murim wrote this. It was clearly written by someone different from those barbarians."
"Nevertheless, they're merely an uncivilized person."
"They could be a Hidden Sage."
The woman in red robes smiled faintly.
"If they were a Hidden Sage, they would use their scholarship for better purposes, not writing such stories."
"How definitive."
"Still, they are undoubtedly an interesting person."
They say stories of Murim never cross the walls of the imperial palace, commonly called the Nine Heavens. But the eyes of the imperial palace are always watching the martial world, and have never once looked away.
Though they were meritorious in helping establish the nation by following the founder into battle, their heaven-shocking talents and earth-moving powers could easily threaten the imperial dynasty. They are people who wield the power of martial arts like outlaws. Some say the imperial family fears them and merely stands by with hands tied behind their backs, but that's not quite right.
"I believe they could become necessary talent for controlling Murim, Father."
"For now, the Central Plains are merely stirring, but I've heard there are gradual changes occurring among the martial sects of Murim."
The man, returning to his solemn expression, said to the woman in red robes.
"Look into it."
"Yes."
This was a conversation that took place in a hall of the imperial palace on the first day of the ninth month, long before Baek Sugyeong arrived in Luoyang.
...
"Achoo!"
"Master Baek, I think you really have a cold. Should I brew you some ginger tea?"
Baek Sugyeong shook his head at Gal Yerung's words. While ginger tea was certainly effective for colds, Baek Sugyeong didn't particularly enjoy it because of its sharp taste. He had never been fond of ginger as a plant to begin with, and that hadn't changed. Cinnamon wasn't even worth mentioning.
"I've rested enough, so I should prepare to head down to Wuhan now."
"Wouldn't it be best to stay in Luoyang? His Excellency will be disappointed too."
Indeed, Yi Jonhyo had been trying to keep Baek Sugyeong in Luoyang by changing the subject whenever Baek Sugyeong tried to bring up returning to Wuhan. Thanks to that, Baek Sugyeong had been stuck in Luoyang for almost a month.
"I'm uncomfortable here. Besides, it's almost November. Luoyang's cold is not to be taken lightly. Miss Gal and Miss Namgung might be fine, but Guild Leader So and I would struggle with such cold."
"That's what happens when you don't know martial arts."
Baek Sugyeong chuckled at Gal Yerung's words.
"At my age, there's no point in learning something like the Three Calamity Sword, so why bother discussing martial arts?"
"Well, I suppose that's true."
Gal Yerung was quite a peculiar woman. She called him "Master Baek" yet spoke to him respectfully. If she was going to speak casually, she should do so like she did with Namgung Somin or So Ssanga. Knowing that criticizing a woman's behavior rarely leads to good results, Baek Sugyeong kept his mouth shut about it.
It was almost November now. The Double Ninth Festival had passed, and there was nothing more to handle in Luoyang, so returning to Wuhan was the right choice.
"Owner!"
"Guild Leader So. Good morning."
"How are you feeling?"
"A bit chilly, but no major issues."
"I got some ginger tea."
"Oh no. More ginger tea? You didn't mix in cinnamon, did you?"
So Ssanga smiled as Baek Sugyeong made a disgusted face. When he had shown signs of catching a cold, So Ssanga had procured ginger and cinnamon and brewed it for him daily, making Baek Sugyeong shudder at the mere mention of ginger and cinnamon.
"You really hate ginger tea, don't you?"
"I dislike that ginger flavor. Same with cinnamon. Did your talk with His Excellency go well?"
So Ssanga smiled brightly at his question.
"Yes. His Excellency Yi was very helpful. We've decided to open a branch in Luoyang under the name of the Dragon Gate Li Clan. He made many other concessions as well."
"That's good. The Auspicious Cloud Trading Company will grow even stronger."
In truth, this had worked out well thanks to Baek Sugyeong's presence. If she had no connection to Baek Sugyeong, she would have struggled to even set foot in the Dragon Gate Li Clan, let alone receive Yi Jonhyo's favor.
Luoyang was a land where the Dragon Gate Li Clan's influence was strongly felt. There was even a saying among merchants that other trading companies struggled to enter Luoyang. Even the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company, the most prestigious of the Central Plains' Ten Great Trading Companies, found it difficult to open a branch in Luoyang. There were even jokes that the Dragon Gate Li Clan's authority in Luoyang rivaled that of the Emperor.
"That means we need to be even more careful. Besides, the Black Book of the Black Brush Gang is still rampant..."
"I think it would be best to either create a separate trading company dedicated to paper production or contract with a new one. If sales of new books decline because of the Black Brush Gang, it becomes a problem for me too. Please pay attention to that."
"Of course. I'll take your advice to heart, Owner."
Gal Yerung looked at So Ssanga, who was chatting amicably with Baek Sugyeong, with a displeased expression.
'Look at that fox-like girl. Just because she's the trading company head in charge of selling "Wudang Sword Hero," she's trying to claim a place by Master Baek's side?'
Perhaps sensing her gaze, So Ssanga smiled and looked at Gal Yerung.
"Do you have something to say, Miss Gal?"
"Don't act friendly with me."
Seeing them about to bicker again, Baek Sugyeong firmly separated the two.
"If you fight again, I'll send you both away."
"That won't happen."
"Hoho, fighting? This is just a sign of our friendship."
Baek Sugyeong sighed as he watched Gal Yerung smiling irritatingly and So Ssanga glaring at her.
'At this point, even a fool would understand. There was a competition centered around him between Namgung Somin, Gal Yerung, and So Ssanga. Should I call this happiness beyond my worth, or the beginning of 5,700 pieces of suffering?'
This was quite a headache. Especially for Baek Sugyeong, who had been far removed from romance.
As Baek Sugyeong sighed, he heard the voice of a servant.
"Master Baek, the master is looking for you. At the Dragon Gate Pavilion..."
"I'll go right away. Miss Gal, Guild Leader So. I'll see you later."
...
The Dragon Gate Pavilion is the heart of the Dragon Gate Li Clan.
"Dragon Gate" also means "Dragon Pattern," and a large golden carp, the symbol of the Dragon Gate Li Clan, is prominently carved above the threshold of the hall, strongly catching the eye.
The gate represents the Dragon Gate Li Clan, the foremost family of Luoyang, and the golden carp carved above the doorpost represents guests. Since the Dragon Gate Pavilion is the Dragon Gate itself, any carp that crosses that threshold will become a dragon.
Such pride is embedded in the Dragon Gate Pavilion's entrance arch. If you turn around after crossing it, you can see that the golden carp has transformed into a golden dragon. It's a variation of the "Fish Transforming into Dragon" painting, depicting a fish changing into a dragon.
After passing through the gate and entering the Dragon Gate Pavilion's entrance, one can see the Dragon Gate Li Clan's warriors standing guard solemnly. Only after passing them could Baek Sugyeong meet Yi Jonhyo, who was waiting for him along with a woman in red robes whom he had never seen before.
"I heard you were looking for me, Your Excellency."
"Welcome, Master Baek."
Yi Jonhyo's face was slightly different from usual. Instead of the confident Yi Jonhyo he knew, it was as if someone else had taken his place. His voice even trembled slightly as he spoke, making Baek Sugyeong wonder if this was really the Yi Jonhyo he knew.
Hiding his doubts, Baek Sugyeong stopped and heard the voice of the woman in red robes.
"Are you Master Sugyeong, Baek Sugyeong?"
"...Yes, I am."
The atmosphere the woman in red robes exuded was absolutely not one that people living in Murim would have. Elegance and nobility flowed through her every small gesture. Her voice, speaking calmly and smoothly without raising her tone, and her milk-white skin that matched well with her red robes, enhanced the charm she radiated.
But before Baek Sugyeong could feel her beauty or mystery, he felt psychological pressure.
'She knows him? Who on earth is she? It's also the first time I've seen His Excellency looking so nervous.'
'Someone who made Yi Jonhyo, who was always confident and magnanimous, show such cautious signs, as if shrinking from winter cold. Had there ever been someone Yi Jonhyo treated so carefully?'
As Baek Sugyeong was trying to deduce who she might be, the woman in red robes' voice pierced his ears like an arrow.
"I'm Ju Geumye."
Baek Sugyeong's face froze like stone. The surname Ju meant she belonged to the imperial bloodline ruling the Central Plains during this dynasty.
Why would a member of the imperial family, who should be staying in Beijing, set foot in the heart of the Dragon Gate Li Clan in Luoyang, which straddled both Murim and the government?
Clack.
The sound of Ju Geumye putting down her teacup seemed like thunder. It felt like a blow shattering his chest. A tingling sensation at the back of his head.
As Baek Sugyeong stood there with a dumbfounded expression, too shocked to speak properly, Yi Jonhyo said:
"Don't be too surprised. This is Princess Luohong, the Emperor's precious daughter. Pay your respects."
At Yi Jonhyo's decisive words, Baek Sugyeong's mind, which had frozen upon facing a member of the imperial family he might meet once in his lifetime, if ever, turned blank as if bleached.
'Why? Why a princess?'
Only such questions floated around in Baek Sugyeong's mind. Of course, imperial family members appearing in martial arts novels wasn't that rare, but so suddenly?
"I came to meet you, Baek Sugyeong."
A smile bloomed like a flower on Ju Geumye's lips.
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📚 Author's Note:
Big thanks to Rigchel for the 2 shiny Power Stones!
🐧