Chapter 071
"She hasn't returned, Lady Gal..."
At So Ssanga's words, Baek Sugyeong shifted his gaze from the martial arts arena. He couldn't focus on the competition at all. Normally, he would have taken out a book and made notes, but he didn't feel like it.
"Teacher."
"My mind is just a bit cluttered."
The Dragon Gate Gathering had resumed quickly, but Gal Yerung was nowhere to be seen. With many people dead or injured, few were willing to participate in the competition, giving the impression that this Dragon Gate Gathering would fizzle out. After all, who would want to show off their martial prowess after the Blood Cult had invaded and created such chaos? It was a bitter situation for Baek Sugyeong as well.
'I feel like some child detective.'
Like a little detective who attracts murder cases, or a boy detective solving mysteries to uphold his grandfather's honor. Everywhere he went, something major happened. Back in the modern world, he had desperately wanted to become famous, but in the Central Plains, he was becoming afraid to go anywhere. Of course, if he just stayed home, his home would likely be destroyed. Quite the dilemma.
"That woman from the Dark Mist Society... Does Lady Gal concern you that much, Teacher?"
"To be honest, yes. We've spent more than just a month or two together, haven't we?"
His connection with her began when he first arrived in Luoyang, so it had only been about two months. If it were just a brief acquaintance, he wouldn't need to think about it so much. Two months isn't a long time, and they hadn't known each other for years, so he should be able to forget her quickly. Yet strangely, her manner of speaking kept coming to mind.
"...Lady Namgung also seems somewhat regretful."
At Baek Sugyeong's words, Namgung Somin closed her mouth. Blinking, Baek Sugyeong took out his fine brush again. If it wasn't meant to be, it would end here; if it was, they would meet again. Partings and meetings are like the two sides of a sheet of paper.
Putting thoughts of Gal Yerung aside, Baek Sugyeong began sketching out a new character concept in his book.
...
Volumes 9 and 10 were finally released simultaneously after the new year. According to Baek Sugyeong's public statement in Luoyang, he was planning to conclude the series at around 15 or 16 volumes, and was considering a new work called "Arhat Fist God" featuring Shaolin as the protagonist.
This caused quite a stir, especially since rumors were already circulating that Baek Sugyeong favored the prestigious orthodox sects like Shaolin and Wudang. That's how much attention the people of the Central Plains were paying to Baek Sugyeong's every move.
It's no wonder, considering how he had not only elevated the status of the Wudang Sect but also positively transformed the perception of orthodox martial artists.
'It's becoming more burdensome as time goes on.'
Baek Sugyeong closed his eyes and took a sip of tea. After it was revealed that he had been keeping company with a woman from the Hao Sect, rumors spread that Baek Sugyeong might be an incredible womanizer.
Moreover, with testimonies circulating that the Sun Moon Cult Leader had personally sought him out, saved him from the Blood Cult's attack, and spared the orthodox martial artists for his sake, Baek Sugyeong's status had risen to unimaginable heights.
He was now staying in the secondary palace in Luoyang under Ju Geumye's protection.
'How did it come to this?'
They say coincidences piled up become fate, but isn't this too much?
"Are you not feeling well, Baek Sugyeong?"
"That's not it, but..."
It's just that this whole situation is overwhelming. He had recently learned that Ju Geumye wasn't just a princess of the Zhou imperial family. She was actually designated as the next emperor.
Apparently, "Princess Nakhong" was the name she received before being appointed as crown princess and given the title of Nakbong Commander.
The Sun Moon Cult Leader was already frightening enough, but now the future emperor was hovering around him? What could be more terrifying than that?
"It seems your thoughts haven't changed, Baek Sugyeong."
"Princess... Commander."
"What's wrong?"
Baek Sugyeong found himself speechless under Ju Geumye's gaze, which made him uncomfortable. Ju Geumye was undeniably beautiful. Her status was incomparably higher than that of the humble Baek Sugyeong, and she was even set to become the next emperor of the Zhou dynasty that ruled the Central Plains.
He couldn't understand why someone like her kept seeking him out. It made him feel like he was burning up inside.
"Perhaps I make you uncomfortable?"
He couldn't answer. Partly because she was royalty, but also because he didn't know how to respond to someone who so openly displayed her interest in him.
Whether in the modern world or in the Central Plains, Baek Sugyeong was not particularly skilled at dealing with women. In other words, he was weak when it came to women.
"I heard you were keeping company with a woman from the Hao Sect."
"...That is..."
"Baek Sugyeong, was she deceiving you?"
Baek Sugyeong closed his mouth at Ju Geumye's words. That was true. Gal Yerung had stayed by his side under the identity of the Dark Mist Society Leader's daughter.
Baek Sugyeong closed his eyes and said, "I don't wish to hear any more about that, Princess."
"You seem to be more sentimental than I thought," Ju Geumye said.
"Well, I suppose they say heroes are fond of women. Are you perhaps aiming for three wives and four concubines?"
"P-Princess!"
"My, why are you so startled?"
Ju Geumye gave him a mischievous smile and a sidelong glance. She didn't press Baek Sugyeong further on the matter.
Without having looked into his heart, there was no point in Ju Geumye, a third party, commenting on it—it would only upset him.
Through her investigations, Ju Geumye knew that Baek Sugyeong was a peculiar person who would resist more strongly if pressured too hard.
Eventually, the topic of conversation changed.
"Planning to end 'Wudang Sword Hero' around volume 15—Jin Un's journey has been quite long."
"Actually, I originally intended to end it around volume 8, but it got longer than expected."
"That's shorter than I thought."
"As long as those who read my writing enjoy it, that's enough for me."
Baek Sugyeong set down his White Hair Silver Needle tea. This tea, characterized by leaves resembling silver needles with white fuzz, is a specialty of Fujian Province.
Produced by growing Yunnan tea trees in Fujian, it's the most expensive among white teas—a rare item that only the imperial family could easily obtain.
Ju Geumye rested her chin on her hand, looking at Baek Sugyeong with amusement, then suddenly said, "Hmm. Let me see your hand."
"Pardon?"
"Quickly."
Unable to resist her insistence, Baek Sugyeong offered his hand. Ju Geumye took his right hand and examined it carefully before saying, "Your wrist seems to be under strain. Will you be alright like this?"
"That's..."
Baek Sugyeong was aware of it too—the strain on his wrist. It was natural for a modern person who had fallen into the Central Plains to experience wrist strain, even if he had trained his body and strength. He couldn't learn martial arts, after all.
This was especially true for Baek Sugyeong, whose calling was to hold a brush and write. Even martial artists of the jianghu used their internal energy to reduce or protect against bodily strain, minimizing physical wear and tear.
Ju Geumye clicked her tongue lightly.
"At least the Sun Moon Cult Leader removed the impure energy from your body, so you don't need to worry about that. But your wrist..."
"It's fine. This much is..."
"No, if you leave it like this, it will definitely break down."
"Princess."
"Baek Sugyeong, your hands are treasures of the Central Plains. No, to be precise, you yourself are a treasure of the Central Plains."
"It doesn't make sense for someone like you to write until your hands are damaged."
Sincerity permeated Ju Geumye's words. It was the desire of a reader who wanted to see more works from a writer of good novels.
"Take plenty of rest for the time being. I'll look for external martial arts techniques that might be good for your wrists."
"Is that really necessary?"
"Don't be foolish. You still have to write your next work—are you planning to irresponsibly ruin your wrists?"
Even Baek Sugyeong had no response to Ju Geumye's rebuke.
As she examined his hands, Ju Geumye sighed. Baek Sugyeong's hands were too rough to be those of a scholar who writes. None of the scholars she had met had hands as rough as his.
He said he had been the owner of a bookstore before writing, and before that, he had worked at an escort agency. His hands bore the marks of all the hardships he had endured.
"Really... take care of yourself, Baek Sugyeong."
"I apologize, Princess."
"That's enough."
With a slightly angry face, Ju Geumye said, "Don't overdo it. Even if you push yourself to write, no one will appreciate that sacrifice. So write at a moderate pace, taking breaks. That's an imperial order."
Baek Sugyeong smiled bitterly at her invoking an imperial order.
Perhaps it meant that Ju Geumye was that concerned about him. Or maybe she simply couldn't bear to see a writer of entertaining stories overworking his wrists.
"I am deeply grateful for Your Imperial Majesty's grace."
...
Namgung Somin greeted Baek Sugyeong when he returned from his meeting with Ju Geumye.
So Ssanga was currently staying at the Luoyang branch of the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company to procure materials for rebuilding the chaotic streets of Luoyang.
With Gal Yerung gone as well, only Namgung Somin remained by Baek Sugyeong's side.
"...Is it true that Master Cheongmyeong is looking for me?"
"Yes. Senior Bang also wishes to see you."
"Hmm."
A slight crease appeared on Baek Sugyeong's forehead.
Baek Sugyeong was well aware of the Wudang Sect's genius, Clear Wind Sword Cheongmyeong. He already felt indebted to the Wudang Sect.
He had heard that Cheongmyeong had distinguished himself in the recent Blood Cult attack by defeating enemy masters.
Not only that, but many others were waiting for an audience with Baek Sugyeong. He had heard that martial artists were quite displeased that he was essentially under Ju Geumye's protection at the secondary palace in Luoyang.
'This is troublesome...'
He had prepared himself for his face to become known, but even so, meeting countless martial artists one by one would drain him completely.
With such thoughts, Baek Sugyeong said, "I want to rest now."
"I will convey that to the guests."
"I feel burdened that I'm making Lady Namgung shoulder too much."
At Baek Sugyeong's words, Namgung Somin smiled brightly—a smile as beautiful as a flower in full bloom.
"If I can be of help to you, Teacher, that alone makes me happy enough."