Chapter 043
First, I need to determine all character names and places from the glossary.
Now for the translation:
First, I had decided on the martial arts to give Jin Un, so I needed to create a separate storyline for him. I've already used the "falling off a cliff" scenario once, so it would be difficult to use it again. Moreover, since the publication of "Wudang Sword Hero," there have been people following Jin Un's path from that novel, so I needed to be careful with the plot development.
With so many things to consider, Baek Sugyeong was feeling somewhat overwhelmed.
"This is... difficult indeed."
He usually wrote about one volume per month without much trouble, but he couldn't irresponsibly dash off the next volume. Especially considering the influence "Wudang Sword Hero" had.
As Baek Sugyeong stepped out to the annex garden after pausing his writing, Gal Yerung approached him.
"Out for a walk, Mr. Baek?"
"Lady Gal. You seem busy these days? I haven't seen you much."
"The society has been pestering me. How annoying."
The reason she stayed by Baek Sugyeong's side was because of the Bright King Chairman's wishes. The Bright King Chairman, Gal Yeom—if he withdrew that wish, she would have to return. Of course, there was the hidden background of the Hao Sect, but Baek Sugyeong hadn't noticed that yet.
"You must be having a hard time, Lady Gal."
"No more than you, Mr. Baek."
Gal Yerung covered her mouth and smiled seductively like a fox.
"You've been absent so often that I thought you might leave soon."
"That won't happen. I have no intention of letting those two foxes steal you away."
"Both Lady Namgung and Lady Gal are quite aggressively forward, aren't they?"
"That's because you know our hearts, Mr. Baek. It's just a battle of who will win you."
Baek Sugyeong shook his head as if he couldn't handle it.
Gal Yerung naturally fell into step beside him and said:
"I heard that girl from the Namgung Clan offered to teach you martial arts?"
"Please refrain from such remarks. They only hurt each other's feelings."
"Hmph, if that Namgung girl treats me with respect, I might consider it."
The Namgung Clan was one of the most prestigious orthodox families. For Gal Yerung, who was born and raised in the Hao Sect, they were perfect targets for her inferiority complex. She had no competitive spirit as a martial artist. From the beginning, the martial arts practiced by the Hao Sect weren't meant for fair, honorable confrontations, but mostly for tenaciously preserving one's life.
Rather, because of this, she couldn't help but harbor persistent jealousy. Beauty, martial arts, status, and position. There was an enormous gap between Namgung Somin, who lacked nothing, and Gal Yerung, the Left Commander of the Hao Sect.
"If you keep opposing each other so sharply, remember that things that could improve will only get worse, Lady Gal."
"I'll keep that in mind. I will."
"This is unbearable."
Baek Sugyeong shook his head and continued:
"It's true that I received such an offer from Lady Namgung, but I have no intention of learning."
"Why not?"
"I'm almost thirty. I've long passed the age to begin martial arts training. What would change if I started now?"
This was a basic premise of martial arts novels. Martial arts training generally begins before the age of 15, and if one misses that period, the meridians harden, making it difficult to learn martial arts. That's why when a talented child is born into a prestigious family, they perform techniques like "Cutting Hair and Washing Marrow" to prevent the meridians from hardening, creating a foundation for the child to learn martial arts quickly.
But Baek Sugyeong was already far from martial arts when he arrived in this world. Being over twenty with the poor physical condition of a modern person when he arrived here, this was the natural result.
Gal Yerung said:
"Hmm, still, it would be better than not learning at all. That Namgung girl can't always protect you. And the So merchant doesn't know martial arts at all, right?"
"Please change that way of addressing her. It's offensive."
"I'll consider it if you join our society."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Tch."
Gal Yerung clicked her tongue at Baek Sugyeong's firm rejection.
Sighing, Baek Sugyeong said:
"Well, anyway. And one more thing. If word gets out that I'm learning martial arts from someone, all sorts of rumors will spread that the protagonist of my next work will be from there. I don't have the confidence to handle that. I'm already overwhelmed as it is."
"Hmm. Is that so? Mr. Baek, you have less courage than I thought."
"What can I do? I was born this way."
After the incident with the Murim Alliance, although he had become somewhat braver than before, Baek Sugyeong's essential nature hadn't changed much. He had merely changed his attitude.
"I'm still just a scholar who wants to live an ordinary life, Lady Gal."
"Will that be possible?"
"It seems difficult, but that's my dream."
"How modest. Your dream, I mean. Shouldn't a man dream of conquering the world or something like that?"
Baek Sugyeong laughed at Gal Yerung's words.
"I have no interest in such things. If I had such grand ambitions, I would have joined the military. Why would I have worked at an escort agency, then retired to the countryside to open a bookstore?"
"Is that so?"
"It is."
While chatting pleasantly with Gal Yerung as they walked through the annex garden, an employee from the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company rushed over, looking for Baek Sugyeong.
"M-Mr. Sugyeong! Someone from the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company has arrived! The Guild Leader is urgently looking for you!"
"I understand, I'll go right away. Will you be coming along, Lady Gal?"
"Wherever Mr. Baek is, that's where I should be. Don't think of separating us."
"Do as you please. Let's go."
"Yes, sir! I'll guide you!"
Baek Sugyeong gave a wry smile, shrugged his shoulders, and started walking.
...
Thump, thump.
Jin Agyeong watched with a somewhat tense expression as Baek Sugyeong entered the room with Gal Yerung, their footsteps echoing.
'So this man is Baek Sugyeong...'
He had an ordinary impression. So ordinary that she wondered if this man was truly the novelist who made the entire Central Plains tremble with "Wudang Sword Hero."
Of course, most scholars who were writers tended to have stuffy impressions and were excessively narrow-minded, but Baek Sugyeong's impression was far from that of a typical scholar.
'He's not exactly handsome.'
Baek Sugyeong's face was, to put it kindly, ordinary, and if one were to be critical, lacking in charm. It wasn't the kind of appearance that would captivate viewers at a glance. He didn't have long hair, nor did he have any external features that would capture women's hearts, yet three beauties remained by his side.
Whether it was heaven's providence or fate playing a trick...
"I am Baek Sugyeong."
"I am... Ack!"
As he introduced himself in a calm voice, Jin Agyeong hurriedly stood up, hit her knee on the table, and collapsed.
Baek Sugyeong looked at her with bewilderment and sighed.
As he tried to approach Jin Agyeong, Gal Yerung blocked his way.
She couldn't allow another competitor when there were already two.
"Lady Gal?"
"She just hit her knee, that's all. Mr. Baek, you're too soft when dealing with people."
"A-ahem."
Of course, it was undeniable that Baek Sugyeong was a soft person. He generally treated people with kindness. Gal Yerung's assessment wasn't wrong, but how could he just stand by watching someone in pain?
Baek Sugyeong passed by Gal Yerung and approached Jin Agyeong.
She was whimpering like a puppy, clutching her knee that must have been quite painful.
Baek Sugyeong extended his hand to her.
"Take my hand."
"Th-thank you..."
"Be careful. Even a small wound can leave a scar on a woman's skin."
After helping her up, Baek Sugyeong returned to his seat.
Of course, the three women—So Ssanga, Namgung Somin, and Gal Yerung—were all glaring with fiery eyes at his behavior. But since they couldn't scold Baek Sugyeong, they could only suppress their anger internally.
'If I'm not careful, I might have another rival.'
Namgung Somin bit her fingernails with a slightly irritated expression.
'Are you trying to charm even the chairman of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company, Owner? Oh, such a sinful man...'
So Ssanga, who had already half given up, wiped away her tears.
'These two foxes are already giving me a headache, and now another fox is joining?'
Gal Yerung, unwilling to accept this situation, emanated a murderous atmosphere.
Feeling the fierce atmosphere from the three women lurking behind Baek Sugyeong, Jin Agyeong swallowed dryly and bowed her head to him.
"I-I'm sorry... I'm Jin Agyeong from the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company."
"As I said before, I'm Baek Sugyeong."
As Jin Agyeong sat down, the three women's piercing gazes poured down on her.
Baek Sugyeong glanced back.
"That's enough. I have no intention of adding another rival."
"O-Owner!"
"Teacher?!"
"Mr. Baek, what are you saying..."
Seeing the three women noticeably flustered, Baek Sugyeong sighed.
"Even a fool would understand if you emanate such hostile energy toward someone who came here to talk. Please moderate yourselves before I get angry."
"I... understand."
"Yes..."
"Tch. Fine. If that's what Mr. Baek wants."
Having instantly dispelled the burdensome energy emanating from the three women, Baek Sugyeong looked at Jin Agyeong, who now had a more relaxed expression, and said:
"You said you're from the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company. What's your position?"
At Baek Sugyeong's question, Jin Agyeong straightened her chest and answered:
"I am Jin Agyeong, Chairman of the Heavenly Dragon Trading Company. I've come to make a proposal to you, Mr. Sugyeong."