Chapter 056
As members gathered in Luoyang for the Dragon Gate Gathering, stories about them began to reach beyond the walls of the Dragon Gate Li Clan.
Baek Sugyeong had just completed the tenth volume of "Wudang Sword Hero" after about three days of working through the night. It was remarkably fast considering the time needed to finish and review the draft. He had originally planned to release volumes nine and ten consecutively, which explained the rushed pace.
"...I'm tired."
Baek Sugyeong stretched after putting down his brush and completing volume ten.
Volume nine depicted the Soul-Reaping Demon Lord and Nine Heavens Secret Palace forces retreating after wreaking havoc at Mount Wudang in volume eight, while volume ten showed how growing tensions led to the fracturing of the Murim Alliance. He wondered how readers would react when they discovered that what seemed like the orthodox faction's overwhelming advantage was actually just a scheme drawn in the Heavenly Demon's palm.
'Imagination is enjoyable, but it's frightening that this could actually happen in this world.'
Baek Sugyeong clicked his tongue while stretching. He couldn't completely twist the plot he had already established. At least people who knew how to maintain proper boundaries wouldn't try to follow the events in "Wudang Sword Hero" exactly. Baek Sugyeong hoped people would view it as just a novel rather than some kind of prophecy.
"Perhaps I should include a disclaimer from volume ten stating this is purely fiction and shouldn't be confused with reality."
In the modern world, labeling something as fictional could prevent incidents, but he worried whether such warnings would be effective in the martial arts world. Still, adding a warning from volume nine would be better than doing nothing. If martial artists committed copycat crimes after reading "Wudang Sword Hero," Baek Sugyeong's position could become precarious.
'This is actually more troublesome than in the modern world...'
"Wudang Sword Hero" gained incomprehensible popularity not because Baek Sugyeong was special, but because as a modern person, his perspective on the Central Plains and its martial world differed from the locals—though being from the modern world was itself unusual.
Baek Sugyeong pressed his throbbing temples.
"The Heavenly Pole True Cult attempts to expand into the Central Plains, aided by the revived Huai River Gang that was thought to have been dismantled by Jin Un. Additionally, some Nine Heavens Secret Palace forces deceived by the Heavenly Pole True Cult join them to form an anti-orthodox alliance..."
This development would seem absurd to the orthodox faction, since the Huai River Gang had essentially collapsed under Jin Un's attack and the subsequent Murim Alliance strike force. But that was only on the surface. He had already planted clues about this—the proportion of Heavenly Pole True Cult members at the Huai River Gang's final battle had been small.
The dramatic nature of that battle was enhanced by mid-boss characters like the Broken-Sword Venerable, but behind it all lay the Heavenly Pole True Cult's cunning scheme.
'Their strategy was to preserve the Heavenly Pole True Cult's forces that had entered the Central Plains while eliminating the miscellaneous rabble they had deceived into joining the Huai River Gang. From the orthodox faction's perspective, this would feel like a stab in the back.'
Some might call it a forced plot, but the Heavenly Pole True Cult was positioned as the final boss. Would such a force simply retreat after taking one hit? Rather, with the Nine Heavens Secret Palace intervening as a third force, a three-way conflict had formed.
Of course, the main forces of the Nine Heavens Secret Palace weren't planned to appear in "Wudang Sword Hero."
'They need to be the main antagonists for "Arhat Fist God," so I should keep them in reserve.'
The world of "Wudang Sword Hero" was just a prototype, but precisely because of that, showing only limited aspects left room for expansion. In this sense, having only part of the Nine Heavens Secret Palace forces appear in the Central Plains was Baek Sugyeong's design.
As he wrote "Wudang Sword Hero," what had started as disposable settings evolved into established lore.
'A series featuring protagonists who face enemies trying to seize control of the Central Plains from the borderlands might be commercially successful.'
Of course, that would require even more research.
Volume nine would cover the Heavenly Demon's grand scheme fully activating, using some Nine Heavens Secret Palace forces to collapse smaller orthodox sects and erode the Murim Alliance from its foundation.
Volume ten would show how disputes over the Murim Alliance's ineffectiveness intensify until the alliance disintegrates. During this process, the Nine Great Sects would be devastated.
"...I'm afraid there might be complaints from Wudang or Shaolin."
Compared to when he worried about 5,700 pieces of gold, Baek Sugyeong had become quite bold. To attempt such a daring plot while living in the Central Plains where martial arts were real, and within the orthodox faction's sphere of influence no less.
Of course, this development was necessary to portray Jin Un's journey to becoming a hero.
"Arhat Fist God" was intended to continue after "Wudang Sword Hero."
'Creating connected series like this is challenging, but enjoyable nonetheless.'
The Heavenly Pole True Cult would begin to run rampant, orthodox factions would be sacrificed in the process, and a sense of crisis would build. The plot would cast shadows over the orthodox faction through the Heavenly Pole True Cult's rampage and the subsequent collapse of the Murim Alliance.
How would readers receive this? It was both frightening and exciting to consider.
"...I must be going mad too."
The Dragon Gate Gathering was approaching. Baek Sugyeong rose from his seat after reviewing the draft once more.
...
"So for this Dragon Gate Gathering, the winner will be given the title of 'Dragon' if male and 'Phoenix' if female, sir?"
"That's right. I believe the Princess was deeply impressed by 'Wudang Sword Hero.'"
Baek Sugyeong felt slightly dizzy at Yi Jonhyo's words.
It was true that the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering appeared in "Wudang Sword Hero"—essentially a competition that certified the most promising young martial artists.
According to Gal Yerung, who was knowledgeable about martial arts customs, there were no competitions similar to the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering in the current martial world, though records indicated they existed in the Old Murim era.
Baek Sugyeong asked,
"So will it be the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering instead of the Dragon Gate Gathering?"
"That might not be a bad idea. Of course, if that happens, it would be quite different from what our clan is hosting."
Yi Jonhyo calmly sipped his tea.
"Of course, that would make it an entirely different competition, but it doesn't matter much. Our clan's position is already awkwardly caught between the martial world and the imperial court. Losing one Dragon Gate Gathering wouldn't be a big deal."
"Hmm..."
"I heard from Guild Leader So that volumes nine and ten will be released simultaneously. Is the work all finished?"
"It's all done. The printing workshop should be producing the books by now."
Yi Jonhyo smiled with satisfaction at Baek Sugyeong's response.
"This Dragon Gate Gathering will be even more splendid."
"Haha..."
Let's finish "Wudang Sword Hero" quickly, Baek Sugyeong thought. If he worked intensely until April, he could match the pace to reach the conclusion. After finishing everything, he would visit Mount Wudang. Shaolin could be considered afterward.
"I heard that two young ladies will be participating in this Dragon Gate Gathering..."
"You mean Lady Namgung and Lady Gal?"
A bitter smile spread across Baek Sugyeong's face.
"Somehow it turned out that way."
...
"This is incredible. Both Second Martial Aunt and Third Martial Aunt."
Baek Sugyeong gave a wry smile beside Yi Jonhwi as he exclaimed in admiration.
Sipping strong tea sweetened with honey that still retained some bitterness, Baek Sugyeong slightly furrowed his brow.
"Even with honey, strong tea is still strong tea."
He wished he could find something like quince tea.
"Both Lady Namgung and Lady Gal are considered among the strongest in the martial world. Lady Namgung needs no introduction."
"I heard that Second Martial Aunt's title is 'Jade Sword Flower.' Along with the Tang Clan's 'Poison Flower,' the unorthodox faction's most beautiful 'Flower Among the Unorthodox,' and the Zhuge Clan's 'Flower That Understands Speech,' she's counted among the most beautiful women in the martial world..."
"That's what I've heard."
Baek Sugyeong had only recently learned about the Four Flowers when asking about them. Interestingly, among the Four Flowers, an unorthodox faction member was included among orthodox faction figures—a notable point. These subtle differences made this Central Plains feel strangely different from the one Baek Sugyeong knew.
"Among the Four Flowers, she's considered the strongest in martial arts."
"The title 'Four Flowers' itself is meant to honor beauty, Old Master. Rather, titles like 'Dragon' or 'Phoenix' that appear in 'Wudang Sword Hero' are relatively unfamiliar."
"Is that so? That's news to me."
While Baek Sugyeong and Yi Jonhwi conversed, Namgung Somin and Gal Yerung clashed continuously.
A series of sounds erupted that could hardly be described as swords meeting hands. It was a collision of energy forces. When powers that enabled superhuman movements collided, it wasn't strange that extraordinary events unfolded before their eyes.
Namgung Somin's sword energy shattered against Gal Yerung's bare hands, scattering like sparks. The fragments of golden-yellow sword energy, as beautiful as Namgung Somin's eyes, momentarily gathered like a flock of birds taking flight, then split the air like dozens of lightning bolts.
Gal Yerung's response was equally impressive. She spread her hands wide in a circular motion, creating a tremendous suction force that drew in the sword energy and completely nullified it.
"Tch."
"Hmph."
They both made short hissing sounds as they distanced themselves. Though it was supposed to be a friendly match, neither had any intention of losing.
Their gazes crossed again.
'She easily nullified the Ninth Arrow of the Heavenly Thunder from my Thirteen Lightning Flashes...'
'Tch. To think I'd need to use the True Bright King Formula...'
They already knew each other to be formidable opponents, but facing each other in actual combat confirmed it. Neither could be easily defeated.
As they raised their internal energy and faced off, Baek Sugyeong's voice cut in.
"That's enough. Are you planning to tear up the training ground?"
"Ah."
"Oh my."
Both women flinched in surprise as Baek Sugyeong sighed.
Thanks to their clash, the area was littered with stone fragments. The blue stone floor of the training ground was completely cracked and broken, with some areas stripped bare to reveal the dirt underneath. The stone floor was utterly destroyed.
Baek Sugyeong wondered if martial artists didn't know about controlling their strength, or if they simply chose not to.
"Save it for the Dragon Gate Gathering. If you don't want to cause trouble for the Dragon Gate Li Clan, that is. You've already been enough of a nuisance."
"I'm sorry, Teacher."
"I apologize, Mr. Baek. I got carried away."
"If you want to apologize, do it to the sir or Young Master Ahwi."
"It's fine, Master Baek. We can repair it quickly, so please don't worry about it."
Baek Sugyeong clicked his tongue lightly at Yi Jonhwi's words. Shaking his head, he stood up.
"Young Master Ahwi, shall we eat out today?"
"That sounds good. I'll treat you today, Master."
The three women narrowed their eyes as they observed the master-disciple relationship that had recently grown much closer.