Chapter 046
"Huff, huff..."
To the north of Luoyang lies Mount Mang, also known as Burial Mountain. This is the very same mountain referred to when speaking of the final resting place for the dead. With its beautiful scenery and excellent feng shui, it has long been a famous mountain. Because so many high officials, nobles, kings, emperors, and empresses were buried there, turning it into a kind of cemetery, the term "Burial Mountain" evolved to mean a place where people go when they die.
Of course, setting that fact aside, the reason Yi Jonhwi was currently climbing Mount Mang was because of Namgung Somin, who was following him like a ghost.
"M-Master. This is too much..."
"I told you to refrain from unnecessary questions or comments during training."
"Isn't this excessive! The weights on my arms and legs are..."
Namgung Somin cut off Yi Jonhwi's words firmly.
"Exactly five jin each. Someone of Young Master Li's caliber from the Dragon Gate Li Clan should be able to endure at least this much. Don't forget that you're the only Young Master left at the main house right now."
"T-that's!"
"I've already taught the Dragon Gate Clan instructors about the basics of the Dragon Majesty Sword Technique. Once your physical training is complete, we'll refine your sword forms. It would be best not to think about running away."
Namgung Somin's voice was cold. Every time he saw those cold, golden eyes like those of a beast, a chill ran down his spine. Yi Jonhwi felt utterly dejected.
'How did it come to this?'
"If you understand, then run. The moment you fall behind me, one lap around Mount Mang won't be the end of it."
"Aaaaargh!"
Yi Jonhwi's scream echoed throughout Burial Mountain.
...
While the three women had become Yi Jonhwi's actual teachers, that didn't mean Baek Sugyeong had completely removed himself from Yi Jonhwi's education. If the three women taught him the qualities of a martial artist and merchant, what Baek Sugyeong taught was closer to scholarly arts. Of course, he didn't forget to keep detailed records of the three women teaching Yi Jonhwi and how Yi Jonhwi was being run ragged. Even these scenes could be used as material for his novels.
"I've already decided to base the protagonist of 'Arhat Fist God' on Master Muwon... This would be suitable for writing before going to Mount Tianshan. A delinquent story."
Since his first work, "Wudang Sword Hero," started as a regression story, it would be appropriate for the next one to be a traditional martial arts novel without any time travel or reincarnation elements. "Arhat Fist God," set in Shaolin, was planned to depict a talented but lazy protagonist who unifies the divided Shaolin Temple and faces a crisis in the martial world. The delinquent story would be his material after that.
"It's good that I'm steadily saving material, but I wonder if I'll be able to write it all..."
Being involved in all sorts of martial world affairs meant he had an abundance of information to use for settings and situations. Of course, this wasn't entirely good. He couldn't immediately capture the emotions of the moment in his writing. Yet it was also awkward to take on multiple projects at once. He needed to focus on finishing one work at a time—would dividing his concentration be worth it?
Even though Baek Sugyeong wrote quickly and had remarkable focus, he didn't possess that level of ability. Of course, in the modern world where Baek Sugyeong had lived, there were authors who produced multiple works in succession, to the point where people wondered if they worked in teams or ran factories, but that was their story. It was far removed from Baek Sugyeong's situation.
"Still, it's probably good to roughly outline the settings."
Having settings and foundations in place could save a lot of time when writing. That's why Baek Sugyeong was gradually jotting down settings for "Arhat Fist God" and the delinquent story while writing "Wudang Sword Hero."
"Now that I've covered the creation of the True Martial Thirteen Swords, what's next?"
Volume 8 would include scenes where Jin Un develops the True Martial Thirteen Swords and completes the essence of Wudang's mental techniques with the Dark Heaven Limitless Divine Art. The story would continue with the Heavenly Pole True Cult, having discovered that Jin Un had returned to Mount Wudang injured, sending new Demon Lords and forces to wipe out both Mount Wudang and the Wudang Sect.
During this process, Jin Un, who hadn't yet achieved the integration of martial arts, would face great difficulties. Since Jin Un had been growing stronger quickly and defeating enemies without significant crises up to Volume 7, it was about time to give him some hardship. Of course, he didn't intend to describe that hardship in excessive detail.
"The birth of new martial arts comes with hardship. I never liked how martial arts web novels skip over hardships quickly and easily..."
Then as now, Baek Sugyeong was an author who always scraped the bottom when reading martial arts web novels, unable to understand them enough to be called old-fashioned. There was clearly necessary build-up, but it would be glossed over with "he's the protagonist so anything goes." That kind of progression was hard to accept, so he always wrote long, tedious passages until he self-destructed.
Now there were plenty of readers who would accept that kind of development, which gave him a strange feeling. Of course, even so, overly long and verbose "sweet potato" passages weren't good. A proper mix of "sweet potatoes" and refreshing "cider" moments made it easier to gain reader approval. That wouldn't be any different in the current martial world.
"I suppose it doesn't really matter."
Sitting in his room and diligently writing the next volume of "Wudang Sword Hero" was also hard work. Although it wasn't difficult to transfer the constantly overflowing thoughts from his head, his wrists inevitably ached after working for long periods. That's why he occasionally took breaks to rest his overworked wrists by strolling around the annex.
As he walked by the lake in the annex, refreshing his mind with the cool breeze, a sharp voice pierced from behind him like an awl.
"Master Baek, what are you muttering to yourself?"
"Lady Gal."
"It's cold out here. Someone who doesn't know martial arts walking around like this—are you trying to catch a cold? Didn't you say you hate ginseng tea?"
Despite her words, Gal Yerung still seemed to regard Baek Sugyeong as a master of the ages. Though Baek Sugyeong was completely unaware of this. If he had enough perception to see into the minds of martial artists, that would have to be called mind-reading.
"Haha..."
"This isn't funny. If Master Baek catches a cold and lies down, Imperial Envoy Yi will start pouring precious medicines on you."
At Gal Yerung's words, Baek Sugyeong's expression turned slightly serious. That was a point he hadn't considered.
"Hmm, that is frightening."
"The So merchant has been brewing you ginseng tea so relentlessly while staying by your side, yet you're so fearless. Do you really hate ginseng tea, Master Baek?"
"Of course. I very much dislike ginseng tea."
"Sigh. It's such a chore to worry every time..."
"That's because Lady Gal looks after me."
At Baek Sugyeong's words, Gal Yerung turned her head away sharply.
"Hmph, you're such a fox of a man, Master Baek."
"A fox? You mean a supernatural creature?"
"You toy with women, so you're a creature. Honestly, if it weren't for Master Baek's request, I wouldn't have agreed to teach that stupid son of this house."
Gal Yerung had a very candid personality. Rather than keeping her thoughts to herself, she had a character that expressed them directly. Among the three women following Baek Sugyeong, she had the sharpest, most awl-like personality.
Baek Sugyeong smiled.
"How is the teaching going?"
"He's not completely thick-headed, but it's true he lacks talent. I've never seen someone progress so slowly."
"I heard Lady Namgung is in charge of sword techniques."
"I'm responsible for energy cultivation. You haven't forgotten that our society's origins lie with Shaolin, have you?"
"Of course not. Shaolin's energy cultivation emphasizes strengthening the body. Even if Young Master Ahwi's achievements are slow, he'll see results if he practices consistently."
At Baek Sugyeong's words, Gal Yerung clicked her tongue.
"I think it would be better if you learned instead of that guy. It's a shame that Master Baek missed the opportunity to learn martial arts..."
"What's there to regret? I can live fine without martial arts."
"The Namgung girl and I can't always stay by Master Baek's side. Not to mention the So merchant."
That was the source of Gal Yerung's concern. Baek Sugyeong was a man, and they were women. Even if they claimed to provide close protection, there were moments when they couldn't, such as when Baek Sugyeong went to bathe. It's not like Namgung Somin, daughter of a prestigious family, or the proud Gal Yerung would enter like servants to attend to his bath. So Ssanga would completely lack resistance to such things.
"Would assassins from the Dark Mist Society come a second time?"
"The problem is that they could. Master Baek is too nonchalant. You don't show any caution even after experiencing such things."
That was the main issue. Although his attitude had changed since the incident in Xuchang, Baek Sugyeong fundamentally seemed not to think he could be in danger.
The Dark Mist Society's assassins were qualitatively different from the Killing Sect's assassins. It was said that even the top assassins of the Killing Sect would lose their heads within five exchanges against a human-tier assassin from the Dark Mist Society.
As a member of the Hao Sect, which occupied a corner of the Unorthodox Ten Sects, Gal Yerung knew the terror of the Dark Mist Society better than anyone, hence her concern.
'I can't lose Master Baek.'
Although she had assigned the Silkworm Assassin as a secret guard, he basically didn't possess the martial prowess to equally contend with an assassin from the Dark Mist Society. At best, he could only buy a little more time. That's why she was anxious.
If the Dark Mist Society tried to assassinate Baek Sugyeong again—a talent needed for the Hao Sect Leader Yanoe's push toward legitimacy...
'Then it would be civil war.'
As the Left Commander of the Hao Sect, she harbored thoughts she shouldn't.
Whether aware of her inner thoughts or not, Baek Sugyeong looked at her intently.
"Do I seem that way?"
"You do. I don't know if Master Baek is too composed or if I'm being too sensitive..."
"It's because Lady Gal cares about such things that I can be at ease."
Baek Sugyeong said with a smile. At his smile, Gal Yerung sharply turned her head away.
"Don't smile like that. It makes me uncomfortable."
Despite her words, Gal Yerung's cheeks, turned away, were slightly flushed.
Baek Sugyeong continued walking with a smile. Walking a little distance from him, Gal Yerung asked:
"So when do you plan to start the next volume, Master Baek?"
"I'm writing it bit by bit. But my wrist hurts, so I'm writing slowly. The first draft itself isn't far from completion, so you'll be able to see Volume 8 soon."
"That's good news."
Baek Sugyeong smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
Behind them as they left the annex, snowflakes began to fall. Announcing the arrival of December, large snowflakes were gradually pouring down on the streets of Luoyang.