Chapter 076
"May I ask for your opinion, Teacher?"
At Jang Hyoun's words, Baek Sugyeong made a face that clearly said, "Again?"
No, you two should resolve this yourselves. Why do you keep dragging me into this?
Despite the expression on his face, Baek Sugyeong's mouth was already moving.
"I'm not sure if my opinion is necessary."
"Please share your wisdom with us, Teacher."
"You rely too much on Sugyeong, Alliance Leader. Don't bother him. We need his signature on Volume 8 right away."
"Signature? Are you coveting Teacher Sugyeong's personal signature that no one else has obtained, Cult Leader?"
Why is the conversation turning in that direction?
Baek Sugyeong pressed his forehead as he watched these absolute powers begin to argue over such a trivial topic.
The entire martial world consisted of avid readers of his novels. It truly made his stomach churn.
His writing couldn't possibly be good enough to captivate even those with titles like Sword Sovereign and Demon Lord.
While he was sinking into such self-deprecation, the two supreme masters turned to look at him.
"Teacher Sugyeong!"
"Sugyeong."
Startled by their calls, Baek Sugyeong raised his head.
The two masters spoke.
"You decide, Teacher."
"Sugyeong, you make the decision."
"Pardon?"
Decide what?
To his confused expression, Jegal Yu explained.
"They're asking you to decide whether to approve the alliance between the Orthodox Faction and the Sun Moon Cult, and which side will receive your personal signature, Teacher."
At Jegal Yu's words, Baek Sugyeong's face crumpled.
Beyond his expression—which looked as if he'd been struck by a poison needle—deep anguish seemed to rise from within him.
'Why are you all doing this to me…'
Resignation lingered in Baek Sugyeong's eyes as he swallowed the words he couldn't speak aloud.
...
In conclusion, the agreement between the Orthodox Faction and the Sun Moon Cult was successfully established.
With Baek Sugyeong—the only person acknowledged throughout the world—as the notary, notices were posted announcing the agreement.
It became widely known that beyond just an alliance to attack the Blood Cult, a mutual exchange and long-term cooperation between the Sun Moon Cult and the Orthodox Faction had been formed.
As a result, the Unorthodox Alliance, excluded from this arrangement, became like a kite with its string cut, instantly finding itself ostracized.
Of course, neither Jang Hyoun nor the Sun Moon Cult Leader paid any attention to that.
Rather, they seemed to have deliberately excluded them.
Since the Dark Mist Society and the Hao Sect were entangled with Baek Sugyeong in an unfavorable way, there was a high possibility they were left out under the pretense of consideration for him.
"…Then let's conclude this agreement."
"Very well."
Jang Hyoun and the Sun Moon Cult Leader each pressed their seals onto the document.
Baek Sugyeong signed as the notary.
Jegal Yu also added his name, creating an agreement bearing the seals of two supreme masters from the Orthodox Faction and the Sun Moon Cult, along with the signatures of the Murim Alliance's Military Commissioner and the most famous novelist in the martial world.
It was a moment that would be recorded on a single, unforgettable page of martial history.
"Now, Sugyeong. As promised, please give me your personal signature."
"I should be first, Cult Leader."
"Mind your dignity, Alliance Leader. Isn't your title of Thousand Hand Sword Sovereign precious to you?"
"Your title of Sun Moon Demon Lord isn't living up to its name, Cult Leader."
Watching the two bicker like children again, Baek Sugyeong sighed.
These were supreme masters of the era, fighting over a signature.
"Alliance Leader. Cult Leader. Please stop. I feel like I'm going to pass out."
"Right now, put your hand—"
"What are you doing! Call a doctor! The Teacher seems to have a headache!"
"Stop! That's enough!!"
'What should I do with these obsessive fans…'
Baek Sugyeong, who somehow managed to halt what looked like an imminent disaster with a single phrase, extended his hands toward them.
"Bring one book each. Both of you. I'll sign them fairly. But if you're going to fight over the order of signing too, I'll stop writing altogether."
The greatest threat a writer could make.
At those words, both Jang Hyoun and the Sun Moon Cult Leader frowned.
"Don't say such things, Sugyeong. You surely don't mean that?"
"You must know how much influence your existence has on the martial world. Please refrain from such statements."
"That's why I'm asking you to stop arguing."
When Baek Sugyeong spoke firmly, a silent agreement passed between the two.
They nodded and each took out "Wudang Sword Hero" from their robes.
Both had brought the newly released Volume 10.
"This is a first edition of Volume 10. I went to great lengths to obtain it, thinking of meeting you."
"The same goes for me. If this first edition bears your signature, Sugyeong, it would become a treasure I wouldn't trade for anything."
A first edition with Baek Sugyeong's personal signature would become a precious heirloom to be passed down for generations.
Sighing, Baek Sugyeong wrote his name in flowing cursive on the inside cover of both books.
'If this were the original manuscript, it would be incredibly valuable…'
But the originals of Volumes 9 and 10 were with the Dragon Gate Li Clan. He couldn't carry them around.
Gaining favor from the pinnacles of both factions with just two books would be a bargain.
Yet, he didn't feel particularly happy about it.
"If you could add 'To Jang Hyoun,' I would be grateful, Teacher."
"Of course."
"The same for me. I'd also like your signature on my martial robe."
"Trying to get ahead of me! If you're going to do that, please sign my robe too, Teacher!"
'Stop competing over such trivial things, you bastards…'
Suppressing the curses boiling in his heart, Baek Sugyeong finished signing.
After returning the books and robes, he rose from his seat—
"Alliance Leader."
"What is it, Cult Leader?"
"Since we've established this alliance, I think we should consider creating a facility like the Divine Dragon Hall mentioned in 'Wudang Sword Hero.' What do you think?"
Jang Hyoun thought for a moment, then nodded.
"That sounds good. An educational institution representing both the Demonic Cult and the Orthodox Faction. A symbol of our agreement."
"We're of one mind. How unusual."
"I agree."
The two supreme masters burst into laughter, finding common ground.
Baek Sugyeong quietly turned away.
'If I stay any longer, my stomach will develop an ulcer.'
"Please discuss that between yourselves. I'll be taking my leave now."
"Teacher?"
"Sugyeong."
Even as their voices followed him, Baek Sugyeong walked away without looking back.
"Sugyeong is escaping!"
"Teacher! Where are you going?"
Hearing them shout after him, Baek Sugyeong wiped away tears.
'Damn you, Heaven… just let me die.'
"Aaaaah!!"
'Stop it, you crazy people!'
And so, Baek Sugyeong—severely tormented by history's most powerful fanboys—took a day off.
...
"How is the Owner?"
"He's sleeping. He seems tired…"
At Namgung Somin's words, So Ssanga nodded.
After being harassed by two supreme masters, it would be stranger if he weren't exhausted.
Even So Ssanga herself had suffered three days of fatigue after confronting the Sun Moon Cult Leader.
"He must be very tired. He had a private meeting with two of the era's most renowned martial artists—the Thousand Hand Sword Sovereign and the Sun Moon Cult Leader, the absolute power of the demonic path…"
"Have you found any trace of Lady Gal?"
So Ssanga shook her head.
No matter how fast the Auspicious Cloud Trading Company grew, tracking someone hidden by the Hao Sect was nearly impossible.
Even activating one of the three major intelligence networks of the martial world wasn't enough.
"We have no leads. We only know it's the Hao Sect…"
"That's probably why Lady Gal hasn't returned."
So Ssanga nodded reluctantly.
Both she and Baek Sugyeong had suffered because of the Black Book.
The Black Brush Gang continued spreading it whenever people began to forget, threatening the trading company.
Rumors claimed the Hao Sect was behind it—and even behind the attempted kidnapping in Xuchang.
"Why would she create a false identity as the daughter of the Dark Emperor Chairman and stay by the Teacher's side?"
"…I'm not a martial artist, so I don't know."
So Ssanga wiped the table, bitterness flickering across her face.
"But what's clear is that the Hao Sect placed someone near the Owner. That's what bothers me. What are they plotting?"
Namgung Somin spoke quietly.
"In the Old Murim, the Hao Sect was originally neutral. They traded with all factions. Perhaps their goal is to bring the current Hao Sect out of the shadows…"
"That's what I think."
"Bringing the Hao Sect into the light… It's hard to imagine."
"Unlike the Beggars' Sect, the Hao Sect is an information sect of the shadows. Among the Ten Unorthodox Sects, they're considered the weakest in reputation."
The Ten Unorthodox Sects—powers that rivaled the Nine Schools and One Clan of the Orthodox Faction.
It was said the Hao Sect's strength lay not in martial prowess, but in intelligence gathering that surpassed even the Beggars' Sect.
Perhaps their goal was to transform themselves into a true martial sect rather than one that lived in the shadows.
So Ssanga's eyebrows curved slightly.
"If they chose the Owner as the means for that…"
Namgung Somin's face hardened, cold and sharp like a drawn blade.
"If that's true, then they were using the Teacher."
A chilling aura lingered around her.
"If that's the case… I can never forgive them."