Heading to Luoyang
"Did I hear that wrong just now, Strategist?"
"No, you didn't. I never imagined he'd react like this either..."
Baek-ri-sa responded with equal disbelief to Gal-yeom's reaction.
The reply to the letter delivered to Baek Su-gyeong through Namgung Som-in was simple: If you want to meet me that badly, come to Luoyang's Chwiwol Tower. In person, as the leader.
The protectors flew into a rage at the content, and even the elders of the Bright King Society fumed that Baek Su-gyeong must be out of his mind.
"In your view, Strategist, how strong did that man seem?"
"If O-gong Seonsa entrusted it to him without stepping in himself, it's reasonable to assume he possesses martial prowess surpassing even O-gong Seonsa."
Gal-yeom furrowed his brow at Baek-ri-sa's answer.
Who was O-gong Seonsa? The Shaolin master famed by the unmonk-like moniker Living Yanluo, renowned among the Three Pilgrims now entering middle age as the strongest purely in terms of martial arts.
Surpassing him—the man who vied for the title of Shaolin's greatest in martial prowess among O-jeong, O-neung, and himself? A mere scholar?
"Strategist, does that even make sense? Su-gyeong is barely turning thirty!"
"It could be a disguise as well."
"Rejuvenation and return to one's prime?"
Gal-yeom invoked the name of a realm as illusory as a fantasy. Baek-ri-sa gave a wry smile.
"I don't have enough information to say for certain, but it's definite that he's a supreme expert surpassing O-gong Seonsa."
"That's not something you can assert outright. And to summon me in person? His guts have swollen beyond reason!"
Gal-yeom's massive, copper-skinned frame, like a mountain, trembled. The blue vein bulging on his forehead, embedded with a jewel, mirrored his foul mood.
"Besides, he was the one who came to us with business, so it was only natural for him to step forward. I could overlook him tearing up my letter once. But arbitrarily summoning me? That's intolerable!"
"Exactly!"
"If we accept this proposal, a blemish will mar the leader's prestige!"
The protectors and elders reacted fiercely to Gal-yeom's roar.
What was the Bright King Society? A group that had cast off Shaolin's precepts for freedom and descended into the secular world. Even among its members, many roamed the jianghu unbound to the main branch. They lived for freedom—that was the Bright King Society.
Though splintered from the orthodox Shaolin, their ruthless pursuit of liberty stirred endless strife, earning them a reputation as a faction straddling righteous and demonic paths.
Gal-yeom declared, "I've never once obeyed an order to come or go. Strategist."
"I know."
"Talk of improving our image be damned—I'm not heeding his summons. Tell him that."
"Shall I really relay it that way?"
All eyes in the hall turned to Baek-ri-sa at his words.
"What do you mean by that, Strategist?!"
"Are you saying the leader should bow his head and go meet him?!"
"Even if it's you, Strategist, we won't forgive such talk!"
"Right! Right!"
"No one can bind us. No one can order us around at will!"
Despite the elders' and protectors' backlash, Baek-ri-sa didn't erase the smile playing on his lips. He spoke.
"Of course I know that. Who do you think oversees the society's laws?"
"Well..."
Baek-ri-sa was most deeply involved in crafting every rule of the Bright King Society—as had all those in the strategist position before him.
"If the leader truly thinks that way, I have no intention of adding further words. But we need to think coldly and rationally."
"Think coldly, Strategist?"
"Considering the opponent's prowess and his standing and influence in the jianghu, you know this isn't something to handle on emotion alone."
"That's true, but..."
Baek-ri-sa continued, "Rejecting Baek Su-gyeong's proposal right now is merely a judgment swayed by momentary emotion. Looking to the future, building ties with him would be far more beneficial."
"Strategist!"
"Do we really need to cozy up to that arrogant bastard?!"
"Think about it. After Wudang Sword Hero, every new work Baek Su-gyeong writes will set the jianghu ablaze. What if a faction like ours appears in one of those novels?"
The protectors and elders of the Bright King Society were missing the point. Baek Su-gyeong's terror didn't stem from his martial might.
It was the devastating power of his novels, born from profound insight into martial arts, and the immense influence they wielded. That was the frightening part.
A conclusion Baek-ri-sa had reached after poring over every scrap of information on Baek Su-gyeong.
With intellect rather than force, he had seized influence enough to shake the Central Plains—it wasn't an exaggeration.
"Wudang Sword Hero has propelled Wudang back to glory, its popularity soaring to the heavens. What if Baek Su-gyeong doesn't stop there and writes more?"
"Hm..."
"Even if unintended, why not consider the risk of our society's image worsening further?"
"...!!"
Gal-yeom's eyes widened at Baek-ri-sa's words.
"Strategist, are you saying..."
"We haven't judged yet if Baek Su-gyeong is the type to infuse personal grudges into his characters. In such uncertainty, making an enemy of him is something to avoid."
"Must I bend the knee?"
"Will you endure a moment's humiliation, or face the crises to come later?"
Baek-ri-sa's gaze was ruthlessly cold.
"The choice is yours, Leader."
"I'll treasure the name you bestowed upon me, Teacher. I'll record this event for posterity, to pass it down through generations."
Baek Su-gyeong shook his head at Mu-won's words.
"No need for that. It's unreasonable for an outsider's name to enter Shaolin's history."
"Teacher Su-gyeong—no, venerable master."
"I merely offered some help. Nothing more."
Baek Su-gyeong spoke coolly, gazing at Mu-won.
"So there's no reason for my name to grace Shaolin's annals."
"Master."
"Such titles are a burden. It was just a fleeting bond. That's how I'd prefer you see it."
"Master..."
Baek Su-gyeong paused with a sigh-like breath.
Under the gaze of Mu-won and the Shaolin monks, he continued.
"Receiving your gratitude is thanks enough, Great Master Mu-won."
"Will you leave just like this? Without staying longer...?"
Baek Su-gyeong smiled at O-gong Seonsa's question.
"I've already gathered material worth writing about. I won't pen Shaolin's tale just yet, though..."
"After Wudang, Shaolin next, and beyond that undecided?"
"Venerable Mu-sang."
Mu-sang Seonsa smiled faintly.
"By any chance, do you know the legends of Tianshan passed down in the jianghu?"
"Tianshan... Do you mean the Ten Myriad Mountains?"
"Not the tales of the Ten Myriad Mountains dividing Guangdong and Guangxi. Amitabha. It refers to Tianshan, the barrier shielding this Shaanxi land from the Demonic Cult's advances."
Commonly, the Demonic Cult's stronghold was called the Ten Myriad Mountains, but those actually denoted the vast range between Guangxi and Guangdong provinces, named for its countless peaks. A single mountain was too narrow for such a colossal force, hence "Great Mountains."
Mu-sang Seonsa said, "If you're interested, ascending Tianshan once might prove worthwhile."
"I'll keep your words in mind, Venerable Master."
He replied as such, but Baek Su-gyeong had no intention of trekking to Tianshan. At least not now.
Even a short distance from Wuan left him mentally exhausted; encountering Demonic Cult warriors there would be...
I couldn't guarantee my life.
To earn their favor, Baek Su-gyeong's depiction of Demonic Cult martial artists in Wudang Sword Hero was far too ruthless. Turning slain foes into jiangshi was baseline; offering them as sacrifices for evil sorcery or attempting human offerings to summon demons only to be thwarted by Jin-mu—such scenes abounded.
Moreover, with the unorthodox factions already targeting him once, the Demonic Cult had no reason not to send assassins. He'd need to watch his step from here on.
Mu-sang Seonsa said, "Amitabha. Because of our temple, you've made enemies of the Bright King Society. I'd love to assign escorts, but since you refuse so firmly... my heart is heavy."
"No need to worry. I trust Lady Namgung's skills, and if I were to fall anywhere, Shaolin or the Murim Alliance wouldn't stand idle. What is there to fear?"
"Heh heh..."
Mu-sang Seonsa stroked his beard with a chuckle.
Moreover, absent Wudang loomed as well—threatening Baek Su-gyeong might turn the entire jianghu against them. Even Mu-sang Seonsa harbored deep gratitude toward him.
Not just Shaolin's abbot Mu-sang Seonsa, but Mu-won too held him in high regard. Mishandling it could awaken the giant Shaolin.
Of course, Baek Su-gyeong hadn't pondered that far.
"Thanks to Shaolin's hospitality, I can depart for Luoyang at ease. I'll heed your words, Venerable Master."
"Amitabha. I pray fortune follows your path."
At Mu-sang Seonsa's words, Baek Su-gyeong smiled, pressing his palms together in gassho.
"May fate bring us together again."
"Thank you for your hospitality during my stay, Venerable Master."
"Lady Namgung will have her hands full. Amitabha."
With an innocent chuckle, Mu-sang Seonsa turned away.
The monks who had descended to the mountain gate to see off Baek Su-gyeong alone struck their staves against the ground, assuming stately postures.
The Lion Hall protectors' resounding voices echoed at the gate.
"Farewell and travel safely!"
"My thanks for your hospitality. Until fate reunites us."
After a final bow to the protectors, Baek Su-gyeong turned.
"Let's go, Lady Namgung."
"Yes, Teacher."
"Take good care of Jong-hwa, Yi Daehyeop."
"Worry not."
Having left their original carriage at a stable in Deungbong-hyeon managed by a Shaolin lay disciple, Baek Su-gyeong's group retrieved it and set off for Luoyang, leaving Deungbong behind.
Dust clouds billowed white in the wheel tracks of the departing carriage from Song Mountain.