Chapter 079
"Another burden added..."
I had planned to just meet with Bang Soran for a light chat before leaving Luoyang, but somehow I ended up with So Seonha as a new companion. If this isn't a burden, what is?
"Hehe..."
As Baek Sugyeong shook his head and sighed, So Seonha followed behind him, smiling brightly as if something delighted her. At this point, it seemed like the world was actively encouraging Sugyeong's stomach pains. Though his body had improved enough that he no longer needed to rely on the Auspicious Cloud pill, he felt that if this stress continued, he might end up coughing blood someday.
Just when he thought he was getting used to things, something would happen to irritate his sensitive nerves. Murim life was truly not easy.
'Where did things start going wrong?'
Of course, it wasn't that he truly hated Murim to the point of wanting to die. It was more of a love-hate relationship.
Come to think of it, he hadn't had much luck with women before, but now he had connections because of "Wudang Sword Hero." Perhaps this was some deity of both fortune and misfortune at work.
"I'll be following Teacher Sugyeong from now on, so please call me Seonha comfortably!"
The White Cat Fairy's tail swayed gently on So Seonha's shoulder. After briefly following the distracting white tail with his eyes, Baek Sugyeong's gaze returned to her.
"Lady So."
"It's Seonha!"
"Lady So?"
"So Seonha!"
After just a few exchanges, he could tell. This one was stubborn. It was obvious she would torment Baek Sugyeong endlessly if he didn't do as she wanted.
Sensing this, Sugyeong tilted his head awkwardly. A sigh. Baek Sugyeong stopped walking.
"...Lady Seonha."
"Drop the 'Lady!"
"Seonha... ya?"
"That's it!"
Seeing So Seonha nod with satisfaction, Baek Sugyeong felt a headache coming on. Somehow, since arriving in Luoyang, everyone he got involved with was difficult to deal with.
Still, now that the ice was broken, continuing the conversation wasn't so difficult.
"Why are you following me?"
"Because you're Teacher Sugyeong, of course!"
"What does that-"
"My teacher always said I could learn a lot by staying close to Teacher Sugyeong."
So Bang Soran was the cause. Baek Sugyeong shook his head.
"I'm not that great a person. I'm just a simple scholar, nothing more."
"But you're the greatest scholar in the Central Plains, aren't you?"
"The greatest in the Central Plains? I just got lucky, that's all."
"Teacher Sugyeong, you're putting yourself down."
Baek Sugyeong gave a bitter smile at So Seonha's pointed remark.
"Yes. I just don't want to admit it. My dream was to live a simple life, not to get caught up in all sorts of incidents like this."
"My teacher often said men's dreams are grand things like conquering the world."
"That's prejudice."
So Seonha smiled brightly at Baek Sugyeong's firm response.
"I see, so that's just prejudice!"
"...Haa."
She seemed to have a fanatic quality about her, making Sugyeong think that teaching her anything would not be easy.
'Should I escape to the Korean peninsula?'
The thought crossed his mind momentarily, but considering that most of the Central Plains' Murim might be avid readers of "Wudang Sword Hero," it wasn't a wise idea.
He would have to adapt. Even if he wanted to live simply, he was faced with an environment where that wasn't possible, so he had to accept it.
However, he was determined to thoroughly avoid people who came asking him to teach martial arts when he didn't even know martial arts himself.
Like Master Cheongmyeong.
Cheongmyeong was truly burdensome to Baek Sugyeong. His talent in directly implementing Jin Un's martial arts was already enough to be called a grandmaster, yet he wasn't satisfied with that and came all the way to Luoyang to seek advice directly from Baek Sugyeong. It was dizzying.
Thinking about it again, his life was full of dizzying events.
"...Tsk."
Since these incidents and accidents ultimately became material for his writing, it seemed Baek Sugyeong was destined never to escape from Murim.
"Let's go. Lady Namgung will be waiting."
"Yes!"
So Seonha followed energetically behind Baek Sugyeong as he started walking.
...
"I thought you would stay until April, but you're leaving Luoyang sooner than expected, Old Master Baek."
"Several situations have overlapped, and I must depart without fully repaying the kindness you've shown me, Your Excellency."
Yi Jonhyo stroked his beard with a regretful expression at Baek Sugyeong's words.
"Jonhwi will be quite disappointed."
"Actually, since I'm heading to Beijing, I considered leaving with Young Master Ahwi, but since he must inherit the Dragon Gate Li Clan..."
"Haha, it was you, Master Baek, who transformed the once-wayward Jonhwi into a capable talent. Please don't say such things."
Baek Sugyeong bowed his head.
"If you're truly concerned about Ahwi, please visit Luoyang again later. I'll have a gift for you then."
"I've already received more than enough gifts. You've given me countless favors, what more could you possibly give?"
"You've relieved this old man's worries, so I must repay you properly."
Yi Jonhyo's expression suggested he had already made up his mind to give the gift, even if Baek Sugyeong refused.
"In a way, it's an investment in you, Master Baek. Unless you plan to end the line of outstanding works like 'Wudang Sword Hero' in your generation, it would be right to take disciples and teach many as your students."
This wasn't good. Baek Sugyeong's expression darkened slightly.
Yi Jonhyo continued.
"If Ahwi wishes, I would like to make him the caretaker of the Sugyeong Pavilion I plan to build for you, and furthermore, your disciple in writing."
"Your Excellency?"
As Baek Sugyeong reacted with bewilderment, a gentle voice reached his ears.
"There's no need to feel burdened, Master Baek."
"Lady."
"Building a structure in Luoyang to honor you is also the Princess's wish."
"What...?"
Why was Ju Geumye's name coming up again?
Wi Seoyeon smiled and said:
"The Princess has ordered that a monument be erected and a hall built to commemorate Master Baek's achievement in bringing about the Orthodox-Demonic Agreement, so that his accomplishments may be passed down to future generations. It's not so strange."
'Please tell me I misheard, Lady.'
Baek Sugyeong thought this as he met Wi Seoyeon's eyes, but she continued to smile.
"It will serve as a library for the many books you will write, with the Orthodox-Demonic Agreement monument placed in the center to commemorate your achievements. Your name will be remembered for generations to come."
This is driving me crazy, truly.
He wondered if his physical condition, which the Sun Moon Cult Master had improved, might deteriorate again from the stress. Fortunately, there was no major issue with Baek Sugyeong's body.
"Ha, haha... I'm just a scholar. I cannot accept such an excessive reward."
"-It's an imperial order."
It was Ju Geumye who appeared, lifting the beaded curtain. Baek Sugyeong's face stiffened slightly upon seeing her.
"Princess."
"If you're going to Beijing, accompany me. I've just found an external martial art to give you."
"While I'm honored by the Princess's consideration..."
"You wouldn't want me to make this an imperial order, would you, Sugyeong?"
Damn it all. Now she was pulling rank. Beads of cold sweat formed on Baek Sugyeong's forehead.
"Even if you call it an imperial order..."
"Pfft."
Ju Geumye covered her mouth and laughed.
Her eyes curved beautifully like a crescent moon in the night sky.
"I'm joking. You're the type who resists more strongly when pressured. If it's burdensome, you may leave first."
"I'm grateful for the Princess's consideration..."
"However, building the Sugyeong Pavilion isn't simply to commemorate your achievements."
"Then...?"
Ju Geumye responded to Baek Sugyeong's question.
"I heard from the Murim Alliance's Military Commissioner that you were concerned about those who couldn't afford to buy books. The Sugyeong Pavilion is being created for those who find it difficult to purchase books to read."
So the Sugyeong Pavilion would essentially be a public library.
'My stomach... doesn't hurt.'
No, don't create something like that just because of "Wudang Sword Hero."
Baek Sugyeong suppressed the urge to protest.
"But to include my name in it..."
"It's to honor your achievements and make them widely known. The Dragon Gate Li Clan and Luoyang's local powers have agreed to cooperate, so it shouldn't be difficult."
Ju Geumye smiled brightly.
This is why one shouldn't get involved with powers like the imperial court.
Thinking this, Baek Sugyeong swallowed a sigh and bowed to Ju Geumye.
"I am overwhelmed by the Princess's great kindness. I am deeply honored."
"Luoyang will be the starting point."
"Starting point...?"
"The Sugyeong Pavilion will take on the role of various schools, large and small. In other words, it will also serve as an institution for nurturing talent, the foundation of the nation."
Please don't increase the scale that much.
It was a statement that could make one dizzy. Whether the Ming Dynasty had a central national educational institution equivalent to the Guozijian was unknown, but if the Sugyeong Pavilion were to replace local educational institutions, that would be a different story.
Baek Sugyeong's name was already spreading rapidly because of "Wudang Sword Hero," and if the Sugyeong Pavilion were established as well?
Consider this: It was essentially like having academies named after him established throughout the Central Plains!
Sugyeong Academy?
The thought of people coming from all over the Central Plains made him shudder involuntarily.
"Whether my humble name should be attached to such an institution..."
"Thanks to you, the Demonic Cult has acted moderately, so we're honoring that."
Ju Geumye smiled.
"So don't refuse, Sugyeong. Even if you do, I'll proceed anyway."
'Why are you doing this to me?'
A shadow fell across Baek Sugyeong's face.
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📚 Author's Note:
Big thanks to Rigchel for the 2 shiny Power Stones!
🐧