Chapter 039
It's often said that the best time to visit Luoyang is from early May to early October.
This is because of the region's long, humid summers.
That's not to say it suddenly gets cold when November arrives—rather, the weather remains pleasantly cool until late November or December, when severe cold sets in.
Even in such conditions, martial artists never cease their training.
In early November, with snow covering the roofs of the Dragon Gate Li Clan compound earlier than expected, the sound of a sword cutting through the chilly air broke the dawn silence.
"Huff."
Footprints appeared in the center of the training ground, where snow had not yet been fully cleared.
The sword, which had been extended forward, traced a semicircle through the air with a concise movement, creating a piercingly cold sound as it cut through.
A sword dance without a trace of internal energy.
Silver sword light created lines in the air like a weaving net, with warp and weft.
The sword then soared skyward as if gathering everything up.
The partially cleared snow rose in waves, following the ascending sword.
Swish, swish.
Namgung Somin's ebony hair fluttered among the snowflakes that fell like scattered silver dust.
As she executed her clan's sword techniques in sequence, her hair scattered and gathered in the wind, swaying sharply like a black dragon's tail.
The gentle breeze created by her sword gradually pushed away the snow, revealing the ground beneath.
Following her movements, the snow seemed to keep rhythm, rising slightly and blooming into white flowers in the air at the tip of her sword.
As the white blossoms that had bloomed in the sky began to fall, the sound of applause was heard.
"Ah!"
Turning toward the applause, Namgung Somin saw Baek Sugyeong.
"That was a beautiful sword dance, Lady Namgung."
"You're awake, Teacher!"
Baek Sugyeong smiled as he met Namgung Somin's eyes.
The difference between Namgung Somin when she was seriously focused on her sword dance and when she faced him was striking.
More precisely, her attitude toward him differed greatly from how she treated others.
"Good morning, Lady Namgung. You're working hard from dawn."
"That's what a martial artist does."
"True enough. A martial artist must never forget to strive for improvement. Even when facing a wall, that remains the same."
Namgung Somin smiled brightly at Baek Sugyeong's words.
Though her beauty was as cold as ice, when she smiled like that, everything seemed to brighten—truly deserving of being called beautiful.
"Every time I hear your words, I feel like I learn something new."
"They're just plausible-sounding statements."
Baek Sugyeong gave an awkward smile as he said this.
Namgung Somin replied:
"But every word you speak is like golden rule and jade principle!"
"Don't praise me so highly. There's no need to place such weight on the words of someone who doesn't even know the basics of martial arts."
"That can't be true. They're your words, after all."
Namgung Somin's devotion to his words, with her eyes shining intensely, felt both unfamiliar and somewhat burdensome to Baek Sugyeong.
The thought occurred to him: so a person can be this infatuated with someone.
"Let's take a walk."
"Yes."
They left the training ground and headed toward the separate courtyard.
The sound of Namgung Somin's footsteps, walking slightly behind Baek Sugyeong, overlapped with the crunching of snow, creating a crisp sound in their ears.
"Good morning, Old Master Baek!"
"Working hard from dawn, I see. The night air was cold—it must be tough."
"It's nothing to complain about."
"Take care of yourself. Nothing is more miserable than falling ill."
"I'll keep your words in mind, Old Master."
"Keep up the good work."
Along the way, Baek Sugyeong received greetings from members of the Dragon Gate Li Clan.
He offered words of comfort to those working in the cold weather, and as Namgung Somin followed behind him, they eventually reached the separate courtyard.
Their steps naturally led them to the pavilion in the courtyard.
Following Baek Sugyeong, Namgung Somin also climbed up to the pavilion to take in the scenery.
"Do you regret following me, Lady Namgung?"
"Regret, you say…"
"You've left your clan to guard me. You should be training your martial arts."
"I find more joy in staying by your side than in such things."
"Isn't martial arts the most important thing for a martial artist?"
Namgung Somin smiled at Baek Sugyeong's question.
"That's not always the case. And I haven't been neglecting my training. After all, I need consistent practice to protect you."
"That's true. Gal Yerung would make a good sparring partner."
"You mean that woman from the Ming Wang Society?"
Her voice naturally turned cold and sharp.
It wasn't anger at Baek Sugyeong for mentioning Gal Yerung, but rather anger at Gal Yerung herself.
Having So Ssanga as a rival in love was already irritating enough, and now this woman had suddenly inserted herself into the competition for Baek Sugyeong, openly displaying her dark intentions with a stench that couldn't be ignored.
Moreover, being from the Ming Wang Society—a gray area between orthodox and demonic factions—further fueled Namgung Somin's antagonism.
Baek Sugyeong's hand touched Namgung Somin's head as she wore an angry expression.
"Aggressive language diminishes one's dignity. Even as a martial artist, one needs to maintain a certain level of elegance."
"Ah, I didn't mean to…"
"Your overly aggressive reactions toward Lady Gal and Guild Leader So are a flaw. It gives me a headache to see the three of you fighting over me."
When Baek Sugyeong spoke so directly, Namgung Somin felt like she wanted to hide in a mouse hole.
Her face turned red as she hung her head low.
"I-I'm sorry…"
"I understand that you see each other as rivals, but please consider my position in having to mediate between the three of you."
"But…"
"I know it's not easy. That's why I'm worried. You'll encounter many more connections in the future, and if you react this way each time, I fear you'll be the first to collapse from exhaustion."
"Ah…"
Baek Sugyeong gazed at the snow-covered landscape of the separate courtyard.
Luoyang's winters are harsh.
Though it was still early November and the air wasn't extremely cold yet, it had definitely become much chillier than before.
Once December arrived, cutting winds would blow.
"Well, anyway, that's what I wanted to say."
"I've been causing you concern…"
Baek Sugyeong smiled at Namgung Somin's dejected puppy-like demeanor.
"Don't forget that right now, you're the only one I can entrust with staying by my side."
"Yes!"
Baek Sugyeong placed his hand on the railing of the pavilion.
His handprint left a deep impression on the white snow.
The first snow that had fallen recently had accumulated more than expected.
"Are you having any problems staying here?"
"Thanks to Master Yi's consideration…"
"Is Young Master Yi bothering you?"
"How could he dare when you're here?"
In reality, during Baek Sugyeong's stay at the Dragon Gate Li Clan, Yi Jonhwi hadn't shown his face anywhere near him.
Even when he did appear, it was obvious he was forcing himself to fix his sour expression.
This was evidence of how much he respected and feared Baek Sugyeong.
Namgung Somin asked:
"How did you treat Young Master Yi to make him fear you so much?"
"Hmm… if he didn't complete his assignments on time, I made him stay up all night. I would surprise him with questions during meals, in the bathroom, anywhere. If he got them wrong, I doubled the amount of homework."
Harsh.
That was the emotion Namgung Somin felt.
Baek Sugyeong continued:
"Appraisal of antiques requires more effort than you might think. One must memorize historical records and develop an eye for distinguishing authenticity. But Young Master Yi was more thick-headed than I expected."
"That must have been difficult for you."
"There are limits to rote learning, so it couldn't be helped. I understand why Young Master Yi fears me."
Baek Sugyeong maintained a composed expression as he spoke.
"In truth, I paid special attention to teaching Young Master Yi because he occupies the most precarious position among the three siblings. The eldest son is currently at Mount Hua, and the third daughter is probably at the Sword Pavilion in the Southern Sea…"
"Ah, now that you mention it…"
Only the second son, Yi Jonhwi, remains at the Dragon Gate Li Clan's main house.
The eldest son, Yi Mugyeol, is at Mount Hua, and the third daughter, Yi Jinseol, is at the Sword Pavilion, one of the most renowned sword schools in the Southern Sea.
This indicates their talent for martial arts.
Yet Yi Jonhwi still remains at the main house.
Baek Sugyeong spoke with a hint of pity:
"He lacks talent for martial arts compared to the eldest son and third daughter. That's why Master Yi worried about him the most while also investing the most effort. That's also why I was invited as his teacher."
"I'm not sure if appraisal of antiques is a field worth such value."
"It probably has little value in the martial world. Though it might help develop an eye for distinguishing the authenticity of treasures like the Zhang Bao Sword."
Baek Sugyeong gave a bitter smile as he spoke.
"Master Yi wanted him to develop discernment so he could make his own fortune as a merchant, but Young Master Yi still seems childish. Perhaps that's why he welcomed me even more."
"He's the troublesome finger."
"Doesn't everyone have at least one such finger? They say if you bite all ten fingers, none are without pain. That's especially true for blood relatives."
Baek Sugyeong brushed the snow off the railing.
Watching the snow scatter in all directions, Namgung Somin said:
"You always seem to see and feel more than others."
"Not really. How could I compare to a martial artist?"
"That's…"
Seeing Namgung Somin's perplexed expression, Baek Sugyeong gave a mischievous smile.
"I'm joking."
"Teacher~!"
"Haha, you looked so serious, I couldn't resist teasing you."
"Really…"
Namgung Somin made a pouty face.
Baek Sugyeong awkwardly averted his gaze.
"Lady Namgung offered to teach me martial arts, but honestly, I'm not keen on it. After tumbling around at the escort agency, I realized something."
"What was that?"
"That I have absolutely no talent for martial arts. It was quite unfair."
There was a time when Baek Sugyeong dreamed of becoming a great hero whose name would spread across the continent as a martial arts master.
Usually, when one crosses dimensions, they receive some special talent as a bonus.
But he had none of that.
He would wake up to find himself chased by bandits, and there were countless days when he went hungry without a meal.
The Beggars' Sect once joked that if he joined them, he could skip the entrance exam.
It was while rolling around like this and drifting to Luoyang that he was taken in by Ji Wisang—the beginning of his connection with the Dragon Gate Escort Agency and Baek Sugyeong.
"Still, I had a deep yearning for martial arts. So I researched extensively. Of course, I don't know all the martial arts of every sect in the world."
"So that's why you're so knowledgeable about martial arts."
"Well, yes."
In reality, many of his memories were hazy.
Even now, Baek Sugyeong couldn't remember all the terminology he had created in the modern world.
It had exceeded 540,000 characters, so remembering it all would be nearly impossible.
But he still had vague memories.
The problem was that he couldn't recall everything in detail.
Baek Sugyeong continued with his hand on the railing:
"Still, the word 'martial arts' always makes my heart race. Perhaps because it's a dream I couldn't fulfill."
"Teacher…"
"I still can't believe that the Central Plains are in an uproar over one of my novels. Of course, denying it won't change the facts, so I might as well enjoy writing."
Baek Sugyeong turned to look at Namgung Somin.
"Do you have a dream, Lady Namgung?"
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📚 Author's Note:
Big thanks to Dao_of_Reader for the 2 shiny Power Stones!
🐧