18. Fated Encounter Before Song Mountain: Leaving Xuchang
On the road departing Xuchang, their traveling party had grown to four with the addition of new companions, but Baek Su-gyeong seemed lost in profound thought, staring out the carriage window with a furrowed brow. If his assailant had harbored true killing intent, he might have lost his life. The same went for Yu Jin-pyeong. What influence was his very existence having on the Central Plains? His face bore a faint shadow of worry as these thoughts consumed him.
Perhaps because of that, the air inside the carriage rattling along the official road felt heavy. The carriage, following the Henan highways, was headed straight for Song Mountain and the Shaolin Temple.
"Teacher."
At Namgung Som-in's call, Baek Su-gyeong turned to her.
"Weren't you planning to head straight back to Wuan?"
"That was the original intention... but."
Baek Su-gyeong gave a wry smile.
"I must have made the mood too heavy. Enough that even you, Lady Namgung, had to speak up first."
Namgung Som-in neither affirmed nor denied it. Silence was as good as agreement. Baek Su-gyeong looked at her wordless expression and continued.
"It's no wonder you're puzzled. A man who's already been ambushed once in Xuchang isn't holing up in Wuan but heading to Shaolin instead."
"That's..."
"Beop-sang Seonsa asked me as a favor. To stop by Song Mountain on the way back without fail. I hadn't given it much thought at first, but..."
After mentioning Shaolin in front of Jang Hyo-un, people now assumed his next work would inevitably be set there. A careless word had locked in Shaolin as the backdrop for his follow-up novel, which could drive anyone to anxiety. But Baek Su-gyeong had decided to take it in stride.
"Truth be told, the setting for my next work is already decided."
"Then... it's Shaolin?"
"Lady Namgung, you're quick on the uptake."
"Speak comfortably with me."
Namgung Som-in covered her mouth, smiling shyly. To Jong-hwa and her escort, Jin-myeong, this was a face they'd never seen. The woman who was always like ice had melted into the picture of a girl in love.
But Jin-myeong wasn't foolish enough to spout nonsense to a direct descendant of the Namgung family. Jong-hwa felt the same.
'That icy lady...'
'The young master would faint if he saw this.'
Unaware or perhaps uncaring of the two retainers' thoughts, Namgung Som-in smiled on—especially now that she'd driven off the others to take personal charge of Baek Su-gyeong's protection.
Baek Su-gyeong, surprised in turn, asked back.
"Is that alright?"
"You're a bit older than me, Teacher Su-gyeong. Treat me casually."
"Hm, 'older' doesn't exactly ring pleasant in my ears."
Clearing his throat, Baek Su-gyeong continued.
"Anyway. Beop-sang Seonsa did ask me to visit Shaolin, and since I've never been, it'll double as research. And above all, with Lady Namgung here."
"...Ah."
"Of course, I trust Hero Jin-myeong's skills too. With you two, protecting this humble body should be no trouble."
Baek Su-gyeong shed his wry smile.
"That said, I'm not trying to burden you both. Recent events have taught me that this worthless body's ransom is higher than I thought."
"Don't worry, Teacher."
Namgung Som-in puffed out her chest. Her jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders harmonized beautifully with her golden eyes.
"I swear on this sword—I'll protect you."
At her bold vow, Baek Su-gyeong smiled faintly. Beyond the carriage window, Henan's scenic landscapes flowed by.
It didn't take long to reach Dengfeng County at the foot of Song Mountain from Xuchang. The well-paved official road kept them from bandits, and any who appeared had their teeth shattered under Namgung Som-in's sword sheath. Thanks to her presence, Baek Su-gyeong felt a slight relief from those who might target him.
Just before Dengfeng, they stopped in a small village.
"Stars are really pouring down tonight."
Baek Su-gyeong gazed at the sky alone, a short distance from Namgung Som-in, Jin-myeong, and Jong-hwa. He stayed close—not far enough to be isolated—having realized he was now a target at any moment. No use denying it; some things couldn't be changed.
"Shaolin, Shaolin..."
Staring at the stars, Baek Su-gyeong fell into thought. The pinnacle of murim. Wudang was called the North Star, Shaolin Mount Tai—together, the Supreme Two. Their prestige was twin pillars of the righteous sects.
Yet the Shaolin warriors he'd seen while at Yongmun Escort Bureau differed from his memories.
'They seemed like gangsters...'
Muscular brutes with scars aplenty, fierce impressions unfit for Buddhist pilgrims. Many were rough as their looks suggested. The ones he'd met at the bureau were relatively refined, though. The Shaolin fighters he'd encountered soon after arriving in the Central Plains had flipped inns over bad food or smashed buildings in drunken rages for lack of meat.
It would be odd not to lose faith seeing the supposed leaders of the righteous factions act that way.
"Beop-sang Seonsa at least matched my memory."
Hands behind his back, Baek Su-gyeong walked while gazing skyward.
"Come to think of it, past Song Mountain is Luoyang."
Northwest from Dengfeng County in Yanshi, a short western ride on the official road led to Luoyang. And there was Yongmun Escort Bureau.
Since the return was delayed anyway, why not stop by and see Ji Wi-sang? The thought struck him.
"Should discuss it with Lady Namgung. Need to send word to Leader So too."
So Ssaang-a might be worrying. News traveled like wildfire without legs, but sometimes slower than a snail across a thousand li. He hoped she hadn't stirred up needless fuss.
"Teacher Su-gyeong!"
Turning, Baek Su-gyeong saw Jong-hwa peeking out.
"Someone wants to see you. What should I say?"
"Someone looking for me?"
In this small village not far from Song Mountain. Who could it be? Calming his surprise, Baek Su-gyeong replied.
"I'll be right there."
"Yes! I'll let them know!"
Watching Jong-hwa dash off with a lively face, Baek Su-gyeong chuckled. Whoever wanted to meet him, anyway. Curiosity piqued, but so did a twinge of fear. He started walking.
Baek Su-gyeong's group had unpacked in a lodge near Dengfeng County—within Shaolin's sphere of influence. Even there, wandering murim experts passed through, sometimes aiding when Shaolin couldn't. Today, Thousand Sword Heroine Bang Soran had come upon hearing Baek Su-gyeong was staying.
'Senior Bang, the Thousand Sword Heroine... why here?'
Namgung Som-in eyed her warily. Seated in the annex's center, waiting for Baek Su-gyeong, Bang Soran's face revealed no emotion—perfectly masked, her intentions unreadable.
Namgung Som-in's duty was Baek Su-gyeong's protection, so she kept her guard up even now.
Reading it, Bang Soran met her gaze.
"No need to be so wary, junior."
"Senior Bang."
"I'm not here to endanger Teacher Su-gyeong. Just a personal request."
"You could have told me."
Bang Soran gave a wry smile at Namgung Som-in's response.
"I have a disciple. Want to give her a book by Teacher Su-gyeong."
"You can buy it in any market town."
"On a commission."
Namgung Som-in recalled Bang Soran was a famous bounty hunter. High-level experts taking jobs wasn't rare, but she was unique—seeking out those in need herself, unbound by sects. Her title came from flashy swordplay handling a thousand blades and her righteous deeds. She dwelt in murim's underbelly Baek Su-gyeong hadn't seen.
"Just passing by, then?"
"Exactly."
Bang Soran smiled innocently.
"But that's no reason, Senior. Why couldn't someone like you buy a book in town?"
Namgung Som-in's sharp reaction was expected—she'd heard of Baek Su-gyeong's near-kidnapping.
As Bang Soran opened her mouth, a man's voice cut in.
"Ease up, Lady Namgung."
"Teacher."
Baek Su-gyeong entered the annex.
"Murim folk have their own circumstances. Right?"
Bang Soran offered a faint smile at his words. Baek Su-gyeong sat across from her.
"Overheard you talking to Lady Namgung. You want a book of mine for your disciple."
"Actually, I have a favor to ask Teacher Su-gyeong..."
"What is it?"
Bang Soran said,
"Could you write just one book for my disciple?"
"Write a book?"
"Not Wudang Sword Hero—one solely for that child. My one and only disciple... I've done nothing proper as her master."
"Hmm."
Baek Su-gyeong rested his chin. Novels were usually multi-volume; one book alone?
"Seems there's a reason."
"Heading to the North Sea on commission. Gone long."
North Sea—beyond the Great Wall, in the borderlands. Bang Soran continued.
"Worried about being away so long, I thought to ask for one book. But..."
"You had something else in mind."
"Heh, caught me?"
Bang Soran covered her mouth laughing. Jin-myeong gathered his qi, ready to draw; Namgung Som-in rested her left hand on her sword hilt. Amid it all, only Baek Su-gyeong faced her calmly.
"Do you know Xixia County?"
"Xixia County in Nanyang, Henan? With Funiu Mountain."
Bang Soran nodded affirmatively.
"Gathering orphans there, teaching letters and martial arts. This commission's for them too..."
"Your original request was to watch the kids awhile?"
"Yes. But that's impossible."
Baek Su-gyeong nodded slightly. After finishing Wudang Sword Hero, he'd write a Shaolin tale. Plan was Shaolin scouting then back to Wuan before So Ssaang-a caused chaos. He'd sent an urgent letter via courier, but who knew with people.
Worst case, something like the Achasan legend could erupt.
"...Fine. One book, you said?"
Bang Soran met his gaze. Baek Su-gyeong smiled under it.
"I'll write it. Right here."