Chapter 074
"No, I didn't teach them."
Baek Sugyeong felt these words rising up his throat. Whether aware of this or not, Huangbo Jun continued obliviously.
"Besides, there are rumors that Clear Wind Sword Cheongmyeong learned martial arts from Wudang Sword Hero Jin Un. If Teacher Sugyeong isn't a Grandmaster, then who is?"
Seeing Huangbo Jun's attitude—already interpreting things as he pleased—Baek Sugyeong swallowed a bitter smile. While it was certainly pleasing that people enjoyed his novels, the thought of countless people like this made him as uncomfortable as having a fishbone stuck in his throat. Of course, he had long since given up thinking about such matters.
'Neither Master Cheongmyeong nor Lady So were directly taught by me.'
Neither Cheongmyeong nor So Seonha were his direct disciples. To begin with, him teaching martial arts when he wasn't even a martial artist was completely absurd. Martial artists were proud beings. Few were open-minded enough to seek teachings from someone weaker than themselves. Moreover, Baek Sugyeong was nothing more than a scholar.
"I did hear such words from Lady So, or rather, Heroine So."
Slurp.
After taking a sip of fragrant tea, Baek Sugyeong continued.
"But let me be clear. I know nothing of martial arts. I'm not a martial artist. I'm simply a scholar who enjoys writing."
"But then…"
"Whether you call me Grandmaster or Teacher Sugyeong, that's up to the people. I'm not sure if I need to control that as well."
A sigh. A deep sigh of regret about how he had ended up in this situation escaped Baek Sugyeong's lips.
'Grandmaster, really?'
If he actually had such abilities, no words would be necessary. He could simply demonstrate once or twice and be done with it. But now he was a writer. A scholar. Someone who should avoid entanglement with the martial world.
Baek Sugyeong said, "It doesn't matter what you think, Master Huangbo. I never taught the lady. I merely happened to cross paths with Lady Bang."
He concealed the fact that he had written something for So Seonha. That was strictly confidential. If word spread throughout the Central Plains that he had written a new work other than "Wudang Sword Hero," and for just one person at that, Baek Sugyeong's position could become awkward.
Huangbo Jun's expression stiffened slightly.
"Hmm…"
Baek Sugyeong now held an enormous position in the Central Plains. The entire Central Plains was watching him. Not only that, but even the Sun Moon Cult Leader had shown goodwill toward him. So Seonha, who had demonstrated overwhelming martial prowess, called him Grandmaster. He had connections with Bang Soran, and furthermore, not only did he have Namgung Somin as his guard, but he even had a woman from the Hao Sect with him.
Beyond being broad-minded, it would be no exaggeration to say he was someone watched by both orthodox and unorthodox factions. And such a person was saying he hadn't directly taught So Seonha.
Huangbo Jun concluded that perhaps he had taught her secretly.
For Baek Sugyeong, this was maddening.
"If you say so, Teacher, I have no choice but to believe you. I understand."
"That's not necessary…"
"Then, would you mind watching my martial arts?"
Why that now? A look of deep bewilderment rose on Baek Sugyeong's face.
It's undeniably true that the Huangbo Clan's reputation had somewhat declined due to their negative portrayal in "Wudang Sword Hero." But the Huangbo Clan was fundamentally a family of righteous heroes.
The Huangbo Clan of the Central Plains today differed drastically in temperament from the one depicted in the novel, being known as the most chivalrous clan in Shandong. Chivalrous, magnanimous, and bold. These qualities were strongly evident in the fist techniques Huangbo Jun was demonstrating.
'Huangbo Clan, Huangbo Clan's martial arts… indeed, is it the "Heavenly King Fist"?'
He searched through his hazy memories.
Huangbo Clan. Originally from Jinan, Shandong Province. Though sometimes associated with Mount Tai, since the Mount Tai Sect was based there, it was more accurate to consider their ancestral home as Jinan, the capital of Shandong.
A clan of righteous heroes known for their magnanimous and straightforward character, who made friends without discrimination. Like the Hebei Peng Clan known for their innate strength, they were typically large-framed with good physiques, often towering over ordinary people. Their family traditions were strict, emphasizing etiquette, and they were generally well-regarded for their good character—this was the information Baek Sugyeong recalled about the Huangbo Clan.
'My memory is hazy.'
Eight years since falling into the Central Plains, now entering the ninth year. It was remarkable that he could remember even these fragments. For the first three years after arriving, he had been too busy struggling to survive to pay attention to such things, and until he moved from being an escort to an inspector, he had suffered through grueling hardship.
Fortunately, his strong attachment to martial arts novels had prevented him from forgetting everything.
"Master Huangbo."
"Please ask, Teacher."
"Is what you're demonstrating now the Heavenly King Fist?"
Huangbo Jun showed affirmation at Baek Sugyeong's question.
"Yes. It's the signature fist technique of our clan."
"Hmm. I see."
"Do you have any guidance to offer?"
Seeing Huangbo Jun's eyes light up, Baek Sugyeong gave a bitter smile.
What guidance could he possibly offer? He was seeing with his own eyes what he had only encountered in novels and written words. What could he possibly critique about that? He had never even learned martial arts. What insight could a blind eye to martial arts possibly offer?
He was only afraid of misunderstandings piling up further.
"Nothing like that. I have nothing to add regarding the Huangbo Clan's martial arts."
"Hmm, is that so…"
A slightly disappointed face. He clearly had expectations of Baek Sugyeong, but calling someone a Grandmaster doesn't magically grant them non-existent abilities.
Of course, it was true that Huangbo Jun's movements seemed inferior compared to what Namgung Somin or So Seonha had demonstrated. They appeared somewhat sloppy in form. He seemed to be applying force where it should be relaxed and relaxing where force should be applied, creating a strange impression.
"However, if I may offer advice…"
"I'm all ears."
At Huangbo Jun's words, Baek Sugyeong swallowed a sigh and continued.
"Your distribution of force is incorrect."
"What do you mean by incorrect distribution?"
"You seem to be applying force where you should be relaxing, and relaxing where you should be applying force. As if deliberately performing the Heavenly King Fist incorrectly."
At those words, Huangbo Jun's face stiffened slightly.
'Has he noticed?'
It was true that he had deliberately twisted the Heavenly King Fist slightly so Baek Sugyeong wouldn't notice. It was to test Baek Sugyeong, who was the subject of numerous rumors.
The public's assessment of Baek Sugyeong was close to that of a martial scholar who had mastered all martial arts in the jianghu. According to some more extreme evaluations, he was actually a hidden master concealing his martial arts.
Of course, most of these were baseless rumors, and unless Baek Sugyeong himself addressed them directly, such doubts would never be resolved.
Now, Huangbo Jun was convinced.
'At the very least, his discernment is not that of a mere scholar.'
Ordinary scholars typically lived lives far removed from martial arts. Having no connection to martial arts, their discernment in such matters was usually poor, and they might even disparage martial artists as ruffians or blindly dislike them.
For this reason, martial artists often viewed scholars, especially those serving in government or those who considered themselves part of the "pure stream" of talented individuals, unfavorably.
Huangbo Jun bowed his head.
"I deliberately performed incorrectly to test your discernment, Teacher."
"…I see."
Baek Sugyeong remained composed. He had just made a guess, but the fact that it was correct seemed to cause a hint of bewilderment behind his seemingly calm face.
But that was momentary, as Huangbo Jun continued.
"Indeed, you possess the qualities of a Grandmaster!"
'I'm telling you, I'm not.'
Baek Sugyeong felt a headache coming on and pressed his forehead.
'…Ah, life.'
In the modern world, he had been just an ordinary person, but here, wherever he went, one wrong word could lead to him being mistaken for a martial arts Grandmaster.
When he thought about the Sun Moon Cult Leader's matter as well, it was enough to give him a splitting headache.
A deep sigh escaped Baek Sugyeong's lips.
...
As the year passed, entering the first ten days of January in Baek Sugyeong's ninth year since falling into the Central Plains.
While volumes nine and ten of his story were unfolding one after another, Baek Sugyeong was having an uncomfortable meeting with the Sun Moon Cult Leader, accompanied by Jang Hyoun and Jegal Yu, who had rushed from Xuchang.
In the uncomfortable silence, only Baek Sugyeong's gaze moved between Jang Hyoun and the Sun Moon Cult Leader as he sipped his tea. He found the silence in the tavern difficult to bear.
"What are you plotting, Cult Leader? How dare you mention the agreement with the Teacher present? The Sun Moon Demon Cult must be yearning to conquer the Central Plains?"
It was Jang Hyoun who broke the silence.
True to his title of Thousand Hand Sword Sovereign, a cold sword energy seemed to emanate faintly from his entire body. Just from his aura, it was clear he was filled with the desire to cut down the Sun Moon Cult Leader right then and there.
The only reason he didn't was because Baek Sugyeong was present.
Baek Sugyeong's presence restrained Jang Hyoun and also prevented the Sun Moon Cult Leader from acting rashly. In other words, Baek Sugyeong was the counterbalance that allowed the Sun Moon Cult Leader and the Murim Alliance Leader to sit together, however uncomfortably.
"Do you think I came from Xinjiang to joke around?"
The Sun Moon Cult Leader's words were cold. Though he was suppressing his demonic aura in front of Baek Sugyeong, if he decided to release his presence, he could exert such tremendous pressure that the tavern building itself might not withstand it.
The only reason he didn't was out of consideration for Baek Sugyeong.
"I didn't come here to see you for idle chatter, Thousand Hand Sword Sovereign."
That single statement exuded the composure of an absolute being. The confidence that no matter how high Thousand Hand Sword Sovereign's level had risen, he was still no match for him.
It was the attitude befitting someone worshipped as a living god in Xinjiang.
"Let's discuss the agreement."
At those words, Jang Hyoun's eyes narrowed.