Luoyang's Winter (2)
It's commonly said that the best time to visit Luoyang is from early May to early October. The summer drags on long, with humid heat lingering due to the terrain. That doesn't mean it suddenly turns frigid come November—no, not at all. The weather stays somewhat crisp for a while, but the moment late November rolls into December, brutal cold sweeps in.
Even in such an atmosphere, a martial artist's training never stops. In early November, when the first flurries hadn't been fully cleared from the roofs of the Yongmun family estate, a sharp sword cry pierced the chilly dawn air, rousing the morning.
"Hoo."
A footprint stamped into the center of the training ground, where snow still lingered. The sword thrust forward sliced through the air in a concise arc, its sound chillingly cold. A sword dance without even a handful of inner energy. Silver sword-light wove lines like threads in a net across the empty air. The blade surged skyward, as if sweeping them up, and uncleared snowflakes rose in waves trailing its path.
Swish swish swish.
Snowflakes poured down like scattered silver powder, and amid them, Namgung Som-in's jet-black hair fluttered. As she unleashed her family's sword forms in sequence, her locks scattered and gathered on the wind, whipping sharply like a black dragon's tail. The faint breeze stirred by her blade pushed the snow aside bit by bit, revealing the ground. As if keeping rhythm to her movements, the rising snow bloomed into white flowers along the sword tip in the air.
As the white petals scattered from the sky, applause rang out.
"...Ah!"
Namgung Som-in turned at the sound, her eyes landing on Baek Su-gyeong.
"A beautiful sword dance, Lady Namgung."
"You're up, Teacher!"
Meeting the gaze of Namgung Som-in as she turned to him, Baek Su-gyeong smiled. The Namgung Som-in focused intently on her swordplay and the one facing him felt like entirely different people. More precisely, her attitude toward him versus others was worlds apart.
"Good morning, Lady Namgung. Hard at it since dawn."
"I'm a martial artist, after all."
"Fair point. A martial artist must never forget the drive to improve. Even when hitting a wall."
Namgung Som-in beamed at Baek Su-gyeong's words. Her icy beauty lit up the world when she smiled like that—no wonder "beauty" felt like an understatement.
"Every time I hear you speak, Teacher, it feels like I'm gaining some new insight."
"Just plausible-sounding words, nothing more."
He flashed an awkward smile as he said it. Namgung Som-in replied,
"But every word from you is like golden rules and jade precepts."
"Don't flatter me so much. No need to put that much weight on words from someone who doesn't even know a single form."
"As if. It's you saying it, Teacher."
Her eyes sparkled with earnest devotion, a sight both unfamiliar and a touch burdensome. People can fall that hard for someone, he thought.
"Shall we walk a bit?"
"Yes."
Heading from the training ground toward the annex garden, Namgung Som-in's footsteps trailed slightly behind Baek Su-gyeong's, crunching softly in the snow against his ears.
"Good morning, Elder Baek!"
"Up early, working hard. The night air's biting—take care."
"It's nothing to call hardship, sir."
"Mind your health. Nothing sadder than wearing yourself out."
"I'll keep your words in mind, sir."
"Keep at it."
Along the way, Baek Su-gyeong returned greetings from the Yongmun household servants and offered words of comfort to those braving the cold. Before he knew it, they had arrived at the annex.
His steps naturally led to the pavilion in the garden. Following him, Namgung Som-in found herself atop it, taking in the view.
"No regrets following me here, Lady Namgung?"
"Regrets...?"
"You're away from your clan to guard me. You need time for training too."
"Being by your side is far more enjoyable than that."
"Isn't martial prowess the most important thing for a martial artist?"
Namgung Som-in smiled at his retort.
"Not always. And I'm not neglecting my training. Steady practice is essential to protect you."
"True enough. Lady Gal could make a fine sparring partner."
"You mean that wench from the Shadow King Assembly."
Her voice turned icy sharp—not anger at the mere mention of Gal Ye-ryeong, but at the woman herself. With So Ssaang-a already a rival in love, this one had barged into the fray for Baek Su-gyeong, reeking of foul intentions. Her gray-area status as a Shadow King Assembly member only fueled Namgung Som-in's ire.
Baek Su-gyeong's hand rested on her angry head.
"Harsh words unbecome your grace. Even a martial artist must maintain some dignity."
"Ah, I didn't mean to... "
"Your overly aggressive reactions to Lady Gal and Lady So are a flaw. Headaches every time you three sandwich me."
Confronted directly, Namgung Som-in wanted to crawl into a hole. Her face flushed as she bowed her head.
"S-sorry..."
"I get not wanting to yield, but consider my feelings as the one caught in the middle."
"But..."
"Not easy, I know. That's why I'm worried. More connections will come, and if you react like this every time, you'll wear yourself out first."
"Ah..."
Baek Su-gyeong gazed at the snowscape blanketing the annex. Luoyang's winters were harsh. Early November still held some mildness, but the air had noticeably chilled compared to before. Come December, the knife winds would howl.
"Anyway, that's the gist."
"I've been troubling you, Teacher..."
Baek Su-gyeong chuckled at her downcast, puppy-like demeanor.
"Don't forget—you're the only one I can entrust my side to right now."
"...Yes!"
He placed a hand on the pavilion railing. His palm print sank deep into the fresh snow. The first snowfall had piled up more than expected.
"Settling in alright?"
"Thanks to Lord Yi's considerations..."
"Young Master Yi hasn't been pestering you?"
"With you here, Teacher? He'd never dare."
In truth, while Baek Su-gyeong stayed at the Yongmun estate, Yi Jeon-hwi avoided his presence entirely. Even when forced to show his face, his shit-eating grimace was plain as day. Proof of how much he feared and dreaded Baek Su-gyeong.
Namgung Som-in asked,
"What exactly did you do to make Young Master Yi so terrified of you?"
"Hm... Made him pull all-nighters if assignments weren't done on time. Hit him with surprise quizzes at meals, in the bathroom, anywhere. Double the workload if he flubbed them."
Brutal, she thought.
Baek Su-gyeong continued,
"Appraisal is more hands-on than it seems. Gotta memorize classics, train the eye for authenticity. But Young Master Yi was thicker-skulled than expected."
"Must've been tough."
"Even cramming has limits. I get why he fears me, but..."
He wore a nonchalant expression.
"Truth is, as the most adrift of the three siblings, I put extra effort into him. The eldest is at Huashan now, and the youngest miss is probably at the famed Sword Pavilion in the southern seas..."
"Ah, come to think of it..."
Only Yi Jeon-hwi remained at the Yongmun home base. Eldest son Yi Mu-gyeol was at Huashan, and third daughter Yi Jin-seol at the renowned sword sect Sword Pavilion.
Signs of their martial talent. Yet Yi Jeon-hwi still guarded the home.
Baek Su-gyeong said with pity,
"He lags behind them in talent. That's why Lord Yi frets most over him, pouring in effort. He hired me as tutor for that reason."
"I'm not sure appraisal merits that much."
"In murim? Hardly valuable. Though you could discern fakes like Zhang Bao antiques."
He chuckled wryly, the bitterness thick.
"Lord Yi wanted to build his business acumen for self-made success, but the young master acts childish still. Maybe that's why he welcomed me so."
"The sore thumb, huh."
"Everyone has one. Bite all ten fingers—no painless one. Especially blood kin."
Baek Su-gyeong brushed snow from the railing. Watching flakes scatter, Namgung Som-in said,
"You always seem to see and feel more than others, Teacher."
"Not really. Can't compare to martial artists."
"That's..."
Seeing her flustered, he grinned mischievously.
"Kidding."
"Teacher~!"
"Haha, you looked too serious—couldn't resist."
"Really..."
She pouted. He looked away awkwardly.
"You offered to teach me martial arts, Lady Namgung, but honestly, I'm not keen. Rolled into the escort bureau and learned something tumbling around."
"What was it?"
"No talent for martial arts, even if I died. Damn unfair."
Baek Su-gyeong once dreamed of becoming a peerless master, shaking the continent as a great hero. Transmigrators usually got a "talent" perk. Not him. Woke to bandits, starved days on end. Even Beggar Clan beggars joked he'd skip initiation tests.
Tumbling into Luoyang, Ji Wi-sang took him in—that sparked his tie to Yongmun Escort Bureau.
"Still, my passion ran deep. Researched tons. Not all arts from every sect, mind."
"That's why you're so knowledgeable."
"Something like that."
Truthfully, many memories were fuzzy. He couldn't recall his entire modern glossary—over 540,000 characters. Near impossible. But vague recollections lingered. Details were the issue.
Hand on the railing, he continued,
"Martial arts still stirs my heart. Maybe 'cause it's the dream I couldn't chase."
"Teacher..."
"Hard to believe the Central Plains dances to my novels. Denying it changes nothing—better just enjoy writing."
He turned to her.
"What about you, Lady Namgung? Got a dream?"