Princess Nakhong: Jugeum Ye (2)
No matter how long Baek Su-gyeong had been writing wuxia novels, he didn't know much about the imperial family. In the first place, the imperial family in wuxia stories served only a few major purposes. First, as historical backdrop. Second, as a device to highlight the protagonist. Third, as setup for heroines from imperial bloodlines. Fourth, as the origin of elite groups like the Imperial Guard, the Eastern Depot, or the Brocade-clad Guard filled with martial arts masters. That was about it.
But Baek Su-gyeong had rarely featured the imperial palace in his own works. He hadn't been particularly interested in that angle, and he hadn't felt any need to include it.
However—
Even so, she had come to meet him? A member of the imperial family?
What the hell did I do wrong?
That was the only thought that surfaced in his paling mind. Baek Su-gyeong's face drained of color.
"B-Baek Su-gyeong pays his respects to Your Highness the Princess!!"
He naturally threw himself flat on the ground in the five-body prostration, limbs and forehead pressed to the earth. Anyone of imperial blood who ruled this land had the power to lop off Baek Su-gyeong's head on a whim, no matter the pretext. And if she bore a bestowed title like that, it meant she was direct issue of the emperor and empress. Calling herself Princess Nakhong meant she had already been formally enfeoffed as such by the emperor himself—a true imperial figure.
Cold sweat trickled down his spine unbidden.
Jugeum Ye's voice seemed to flow into his ears.
"Oh my. Have I done something wrong, Lord Baek?"
"Please command me, Your Highness."
"Was there a problem with my conduct?"
Yi Jeon-hyo glanced back and forth between Baek Su-gyeong, flattened on the floor, and her face. Jugeum Ye smiled at Yi Jeon-hyo's expression, as if he couldn't find the words.
"I'm just teasing."
"Your Highness's words can make or break a man—please have some mercy."
"I'll be careful."
Jugeum Ye grinned like a mischievous child at Yi Jeon-hyo's plaintive tone. But her gaze sharply scanned Baek Su-gyeong. Yi Jeon-hyo noticed but said nothing. After all, she was imperial blood. If she willed it, she could erase the Yongmun Escort Bureau in an instant.
No matter how hands-off the palace was toward murim affairs, that only held as long as murim didn't encroach on imperial territory. Cross that line, and no one knew what might happen.
"Baek Su-gyeong, raise your head. I came to talk with you, not someone groveling on the floor."
"How could I dare..."
"Shall I command it?"
At that simple phrase, Baek Su-gyeong lifted his head. Looking at him, Jugeum Ye said,
"I'll dispense with formalities from now on, so get up."
"I wouldn't presume..."
"Don't make me repeat myself, Baek Su-gyeong. I came to have a conversation."
Baek Su-gyeong's demeanor toward Jugeum Ye was excessively cautious—almost cringing—as if he'd been freshly reminded that murim weren't the only dangerous beings in the Central Plains. Urging him to sit, she said,
Unable to resist her insistence, Baek Su-gyeong took his seat, and Yi Jeon-hyo slid a cup of dragon well tea in front of him.
"Please, have some, Elder Baek. Then, Your Highness, I'll take my leave."
"You've worked hard, my lord. I'll speak to Father Emperor separately about the Yongmun Escort Bureau and ensure it's handled."
"Your imperial grace is overwhelming."
As Yi Jeon-hyo departed, Baek Su-gyeong's expression grew even grimmer, though he desperately masked it. Of course, he couldn't erase the suspicion rising in his mind.
Was holding me here all this time just to arrange a meeting with Her Highness, my lord?
No answer came, but a small certainty took root: it might well be. He couldn't say when the plan had started. But instinct told him this meeting with Jugeum Ye was no coincidence. His gut screamed it.
As Baek Su-gyeong lifted his teacup to soothe his burning stomach, Jugeum Ye's voice rang out.
"Do you know, Baek Su-gyeong, that thanks to your books, more people are setting out in search of fortuitous encounters?"
"Pardon...?"
"Many admire Jin-un's feats in slaying evil and aspire to become warriors themselves—and most of them end up knocking on Wudang's gates. Haven't you heard the rumors?"
"I know of it, but..."
Why bring up Wudang Sword Hero out of nowhere? Baek Su-gyeong masked his confusion and responded to her words.
"Wudang Sword Hero and its author Baek Su-gyeong deserve our thanks for guiding those dusty orthodox sects and rootless wanderers. Kekeke."
"What do you mean by that...?"
"Surely you don't still pretend not to know the massive changes your books have wrought in murim?"
He'd dismissed Wudang Sword Hero as mere pulp fiction at first. But since picking it up, both she and her father, Emperor Myeongjeong, had been hooked. That said, Jugeum Ye had always evaluated Baek Su-gyeong with a cool eye—until meeting him in person, anyway.
"I have a question."
"Please ask."
"In volume five, the clash with Namgung Clan... why depict them so negatively?"
He'd braced for something grave, but it was just about volume five. Tension eased a fraction, though he didn't drop his guard entirely, and he answered her question.
"Even orthodox sects have their dark sides. Where there's light, shadows fall."
"But that aside, didn't you push Namgung Clan too hard? It didn't ring true while reading."
"No author can convince every reader. Not everyone likes the author. Some things must be overlooked."
A bit more relaxed, but still wary, Baek Su-gyeong sipped his dragon well tea.
"No one can sway everyone. Perfection doesn't exist."
"But couldn't you fix a few flaws?"
"Editing words is simple enough."
"Then..."
Clink.
Baek Su-gyeong set down his cup and met her eyes.
"But altering text already read by countless people? Impossible."
If masses had read and enjoyed it, better to leave it. Even if she was imperial princess, she couldn't change that fact.
Jugeum Ye asked, "Why not?"
"Because countless have already read it. If Your Highness commands, I could revise. But it would ruin Wudang Sword Hero as a work."
"Such..."
"Just as in my own life, quibbling over past events is meaningless."
His bitter smile deepened. Who could've imagined he'd end up a writer in murim?
Jugeum Ye clicked her tongue lightly, then composed her expression.
"...I see. Altering Wudang Sword Hero to suit me might wreck it entirely. Lesson learned."
"You're too kind."
"'Even a child can teach if there's wisdom to gain.' Isn't that Jin-un's line?"
She even remembered that? Baek Su-gyeong's bitter smile wouldn't fade.
"What exactly didn't convince Your Highness?"
"Namgung Clan appearing out of nowhere as Heavenly Pole Demonic Cult puppets, without foreshadowing. And Jin-un, famed for his righteousness after his clan's young lord was poisoned..."
"People don't choose means when family is threatened. Though that's distant from imperial concerns, of course."
At Baek Su-gyeong's words, Jugeum Ye wore a wry smile this time.
"You claim disinterest in the palace, yet you pierce right to the heart. Are you some sage?"
"Just a scholar who wants a normal life."
"For someone like that, you've come awfully far."
"I'm painfully aware."
Especially with Princess Nakhong Jugeum Ye visiting him personally. Baek Su-gyeong was ignorant of palace intrigue, but if he'd known her full background, he'd have been terrified. Which was why she hadn't mentioned her position.
"Anyway, back to it. Namgung Clan is a famed house—didn't you portray their ruthlessness too harshly? Plenty of Namgung serve in the palace even now..."
He hadn't known that. He'd never written with the palace in mind.
Jugeum Ye continued, "Namgung holds high status even among current court pillars, and no small prestige in murim. Aren't you afraid of them?"
"I've already weathered Wudang and Shaolin. What more is there to fear?"
Baek Su-gyeong fiddled with his teacup as he spoke. Writing the first draft of Wudang Sword Hero, he should've sent it to Wudang for review. But So Ssaang-a had snatched it up, landing him here. Even if Wudang had taken his head, he couldn't complain—plagiarism of a sort, really.
Pushing aside those inner qualms, he replied,
"If you can't live as you wish, better to shatter. I've resolved as much."
"Since getting tangled in murim affairs?"
"...Yes."
At his firm answer, Jugeum Ye hummed, propping her chin thoughtfully. Her inscrutable gaze lingered before she spoke.
"Then, what about the palace?"
"Pardon?"
Baek Su-gyeong was the flustered one now. What about the palace? He couldn't fathom her intent. Confusion surged like storm clouds overhead.
Jugeum Ye drove the wedge home.
"The palace could shield you from any murim threat, Baek Su-gyeong."
Her smile deepened.
"Won't you come to the palace?"
It was an imperial scouting offer Baek Su-gyeong had never even imagined.