The Nape Stings: Martial Arts Lose Chivalry, Faith Forgets Righteousness

It wasn't strange at all that tales of Wudang Sword Hero were the hot topic everywhere in the Central Plains, from drinking tables to casual chats.

The genius author who had burst onto the scene like a comet—Master Su-gyeong. Rumors swirled that he'd dashed off the book in a fit of anger, but regardless, Wudang Sword Hero had captured the world's imagination. A novel seething with blood-soaked fury at the current state of murim, and it starred none other than the Wudang Sect? That alone had shocked everyone.

Even more astonishing, Wudang hadn't punished the author in any way. Instead, they'd left the entire Central Plains stunned by their response.

In just three short months, starting from Hubei, the book had sold like hotcakes. Word of mouth spread it across the Nine Provinces, layer upon layer, until even Wudang disciples—who'd been mocked for neglecting martial arts—picked up their swords. Murim folk, once sneered at as no better than vagrants if they left their mountains, began to change their ways, bit by bit.

A single book had ushered in changes across the Central Plains that were hard to believe.

"It's a huge hit, Pavilion Master! A massive success, I tell you! I just got back from Luoyang, and we couldn't keep up with demand—sold out completely!"

So Ssaang-a, visiting Baekun Bookstore after a long absence, looked thrilled. She was practically bouncing with joy.

With handwritten copies of Wudang Sword Hero Volume 1 flying off the shelves like they had wings, things were finally looking up a bit. That was good news in its own right. It meant Baek Su-gyeong's decision three years ago to save her hadn't been a mistake.

Separate from that, though, his complexion was poor.

"Pavilion Master? Why the long face?"

"Stomach pains."

He wasn't exaggerating. It was unbelievable that his rash writing had shifted the attitudes of warriors from a massive sect like Wudang. Far from sending assassins, they'd dispatched messengers urging the next volume. Was this reality or a dream? Eight years in the Central Plains, and he still couldn't tell if this was waking life.

So Ssaang-a giggled at Baek Su-gyeong's words.

"I've got just the medicine for stomach aches! If you pay up, that is!"

"No thanks."

She was the cause of his stomach pains, after all—his expression soured naturally. Unable to refuse her earnest pleas, he'd ended up in this mess. He sighed deeply.

Only after gulping down some cold water did the burning pain in his chest ease a little. Sitting or standing, he was restless. No solution in sight. Maybe he needed more Pingwei Powder.

As Baek Su-gyeong pondered this, So Ssaang-a spoke up.

"Oh, Pavilion Master! About what I mentioned last time!"

"What?"

"The settlement payment!"

His expression softened a touch at "settlement payment." From the moment handwritten copies sold like wildfire, he'd signed an exclusive supply deal with So Ssaang-a. Naturally, royalties went to him as the author. That's how the contract was structured.

Skimming contracts during his writing days had paid off. Even a struggling author knew the gap between reading one and not was huge.

"Settlement payment, huh?"

"Yes! It's sold unbelievably well! Such rave reviews from just Volume 1! I told you it'd be a hit, right?"

"Honestly, I still can't believe it. Don't want to, either."

Wudang folk could turn on him anytime—that gnawed at his gut worse.

I need some Gelusil. Gelusil!

This heartburn hadn't plagued him even back in the modern world. Excessive attention brought crushing pressure and indigestion, he'd learned the hard way.

"This is the settlement after deducting distribution fees and other costs!"

So Ssaang-a pulled a plump money pouch from her bosom and handed it over. Baek Su-gyeong felt its hefty weight and made a strange face.

He'd expected big sales, even in Luoyang, but this exceeded his imaginings.

"Heavier than I thought."

"We were supposed to settle monthly, but I've been too busy to come by! Threw in a little extra as consolation!"

"You sure that's okay, Little Leader So?"

So Ssaang-a puffed out her chest and grinned at his question.

"We're earning enough now that even without your help, Pavilion Master Baek, we can manage. All thanks to you! Thinking what would've happened without Wudang Sword Hero gives me chills!"

"It's only been five months."

"And you've churned out three volumes in that time! Everyone's obsessed!"

Baek Su-gyeong looked a bit awkward as he opened the pouch. Spotting gleaming gold inside, his face stiffened.

Not silver taels—gold?

"Little Leader So, you sure you didn't mix this up?"

"Huh? No way. It's all gold taels."

"All of it... gold taels?!"

"Of course!"

So Ssaang-a nodded matter-of-factly. Baek Su-gyeong poured the coins onto his palm, counted them one by one, and gaped. Exactly fifty. Fifty gold taels.

Am I dreaming?

He pinched his cheek. It hurt. Stung fiercely—he'd pulled hard.

"Not a dream."

"Wouldn't dream of it~."

So Ssaang-a laughed cheekily.

"Gold taels... fifty..."

He couldn't wrap his head around it. Ten silver taels per gold tael; hundred copper coins per silver. Back home, scraping 500,000 won was a pipe dream. Fifty gold taels meant big things for him.

So Ssaang-a beamed.

"So, looking forward to the next volume, Pavilion Master!"

"I'll do my best."

Earning from writing. A dream unrealized in the modern world. The sweet fantasy of his scraping-bottom days, envying great authors.

Definitely need Gelusil. For real.

His stomach ache was all he wanted fixed.

After So Ssaang-a left, Baek Su-gyeong closed the bookstore and headed to the inn. His first outing in ages.

Hounded by crowds, he'd holed up for two months. To soothe his gut, he made for his usual haunt, finally taking in the street scenes.

Amid folk ignoring murim warriors and going about their day, the warriors blended in naturally. Closer to the murim he knew, perhaps.

But the biggest change was his favorite inn.

"It's... bigger?"

Jeongnyeong Inn, once a cozy little spot in his memory, was gone. No quaint charm—instead, a lavish establishment loomed over him.

What the hell?

"Form a line! Form a line!"

"Please wait your turn!"

Seeing the queue shoving into Jeongnyeong Inn, Baek Su-gyeong paled. Not the humble place he remembered.

Confirming the full view, his face twisted at the massive signboard out front.

His face hardened at the modern-style slogans plastered everywhere.

"Wh-what the..."

Ridiculous. Beyond absurd—what gall to slap this up huge like that? Trying to embarrass him into jumping in the Yangtze?

And worst of all, the line that irked him.

"Zhu Ye Qing?"

Why was Shanxi rice wine here? Transport from Shaanxi to Hubei was no small feat—had it really made it?

"Wasn't here until recently?"

Sure, Wudang Sword Hero mentioned it, but this much impact?

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Gotta join the line..."

The endless queue tempted him to cut, but Baek Su-gyeong, ever the upright man, couldn't.

After an hour's wait, he entered. Jeongnyeong Inn bustled beyond compare. Over twenty scurrying attendants, even guard warriors stationed about. He was awed.

"Kuhhh, this is the stuff! No wonder the heroes in Wudang Sword Hero chug Zhu Ye Qing!"

"Mmm, not bad at all."

"Sweet and smooth. Heard some scammers are peddling fake Shanxi brew as the real ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠deal."

"Don't worry. This is Master Su-gyeong's spot. Think he'd miss a fake?"

I haven't been here in three months—what nonsense? Never even touched the stuff.

43-proof baijiu? Why would he?

Baek Su-gyeong flagged a passing attendant.

"Hey, kid."

"Yes, sir? Something you need?"

"When did Zhu Ye Qing arrive? Three months ago, this wasn't even this big."

The attendant tilted his head.

"After Wudang Sword Hero blew up, demand exploded. We cut direct deals with breweries in Xinghua Village. Everyone wants it now—brewers are raking it in."

"Did I hear that wrong?"

No lies. Baek Su-gyeong's face went ashen.

"Not a word of falsehood, sir."

The kid looked honest. Ah, blood pressure. His nape seized.

"The... the nape..."