Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association (3)
Now that he'd settled on the martial arts to give Jin-un, he needed to craft a separate storyline for it. The cliff fall had already been used once, so reusing it would be tricky. Moreover, ever since Wudang Sword Hero came out, there were people imitating Jin-un's path from the novel, so he had to be cautious with the plot progression too.
With all these details demanding his attention, Baek Su-gyeong was feeling the strain in his own way.
"It's... tough, alright."
He usually churned out a volume a month without much hassle, but that didn't mean he could slap together the next one irresponsibly. Especially not with the massive influence of Wudang Sword Hero in play.
Pausing his writing, Baek Su-gyeong stepped out into the courtyard when Gal Ye-ryeong approached.
"Out for a stroll, Master Baek?"
"Miss Gal. You seem busy these days—I haven't seen much of you."
"The head office's been hounding me. Such a pain."
She was staying by Baek Su-gyeong's side on the orders of the Shadow King Society leader. If Shadow King Gal-yeom withdrew that command, she'd have to leave. Of course, there was the hidden backing of Haomen, but Baek Su-gyeong hadn't caught on to that yet.
"Must be tough for you too, Miss Gal."
"Not as tough as for you, Master Baek?"
Gal Ye-ryeong covered her mouth with a foxlike, seductive smile.
"You've been away so often, I thought you might be leaving soon."
"As if. No way I'm letting those two vixens steal you away."
"Both Miss Namgung and you are so... aggressively forward?"
"You know how we feel about you, Master Baek. It's just a battle over who claims you first."
Baek Su-gyeong shook his head helplessly.
As Gal Ye-ryeong fell into step beside him naturally, she continued.
"I heard the Namgung girl offered to teach you martial arts?"
"Watch that phrasing. It'll just hurt feelings."
"Hmph. If that Namgung girl treats me with proper respect, maybe I'll consider it."
A scion of the renowned Namgung family, one of the great houses even among the orthodox sects—a perfect target for the inferiority complex of Gal Ye-ryeong, raised in Haomen.
She had no competitive spirit as a martial artist. Haomen techniques weren't for fair fights or honorable duels; they were mostly for clinging to life tenaciously.
That very fact fueled an intense jealousy. Beauty, martial prowess, status, position—Namgung So-min lacked nothing, creating a vast chasm between her and Haomen's Left Commander, Gal Ye-ryeong.
"Constant sharp clashes won't improve things—or make them worse. Remember that, Miss Gal."
"I'll keep it in mind. I will."
"Can't win with you."
Shaking his head again, Baek Su-gyeong went on.
"It's true she made the offer, but I have no intention of learning."
"Why not?"
"I'll be turning thirty soon. I've long passed the prime age for starting martial arts. What could possibly change at this point?"
It was a basic premise of wuxia novels: Initiation into martial arts usually happened before age fifteen. Miss that window, and the meridians harden, making cultivation nearly impossible.
Thus, prestigious families would perform rites like Marrow Cleansing on talented children to keep their channels supple, paving the way for rapid progress.
But Baek Su-gyeong had arrived in this world already distant from such paths. Over twenty, with the poor constitution of a modern man—it was inevitable.
Gal Ye-ryeong said, "Hmm, still, it'd be better than nothing. That Namgung girl can't guard you forever. And the So merchant doesn't know martial arts anyway?"
"Fix that title first. It's offensive."
"If you join my society, Master Baek, I'll consider it."
"Don't talk nonsense."
"Tch."
Gal Ye-ryeong smacked her lips at his firm refusal.
With a sigh, Baek Su-gyeong continued. "Anyway. Another thing: If word got out that I'm learning martial arts from someone, rumors would fly that the next novel's protagonist is based on them. I couldn't handle that. Things are overwhelming enough as is."
"Hmm. Fair enough. You're more faint-hearted than I thought, Master Baek."
"Can't help how I was born."
After the Murim Alliance incident, he'd grown a bit bolder than before. But his core nature hadn't changed much—just his demeanor.
"I'm still just a scholar who wants an ordinary life, Miss Gal."
"Can you really have that?"
"Probably not easy, but that's my dream."
"Modest dream for you, Master Baek. Don't men dream of conquering the world or something?"
Baek Su-gyeong chuckled at her words.
"No interest there. If I had grand ambitions like that, I'd have joined the military. Why bother with the escort bureau, retire to the countryside, and open a bookstore?"
"Is that so?"
"It is."
As they strolled the courtyard, chatting amiably, an employee from Gyeongun Merchant Association came rushing up to Baek Su-gyeong.
"M-Master Su-gyeong! Someone from Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association has arrived! The director requests you urgently!"
"Got it, I'll head over. Coming along, Miss Gal?"
"Where you are is where I belong, Master Baek. Don't even think of shaking me off."
"Do as you like. Let's go."
"Yes, sir! This way!"
Baek Su-gyeong gave a wry smile, shrugged, and set off.
Thud. Thud.
With heavy footsteps echoing through the room, Baek Su-gyeong entered, Gal Ye-ryeong in tow. Jin A-gyeong watched with a tense expression.
This man is Baek Su-gyeong...
An ordinary face. Hard to believe this was the author whose Wudang Sword Hero had shaken the entire Central Plains.
Of course, most scholars—those "authors"—tended to be stuffy-looking, stubbornly insular types. But Baek Su-gyeong's impression was far from that stereotype.
Not handsome, exactly.
To put it kindly, his face was average; harshly, it lacked appeal. Nothing to captivate at first glance. No long hair, no features to melt women's hearts. Yet three beauties lingered by his side.
Heaven's will? Or fate's prank?
"Baek Su-gyeong."
"I... Agh!"
As he introduced himself calmly, Jin A-gyeong shot up in haste, banging her knee on the table and tumbling down.
Baek Su-gyeong sighed, staring in bewilderment. As he moved toward her, Gal Ye-ryeong blocked his path.
With two rivals already, she couldn't let another join the fray.
"Miss Gal?"
"It's just a bumped knee. You're too soft with people, Master Baek."
"Ahem."
He couldn't deny being soft-hearted. He treated people with basic kindness, after all.
Gal Ye-ryeong's assessment wasn't wrong, but he couldn't just ignore someone in pain.
Brushing past her, Baek Su-gyeong approached Jin A-gyeong. She clutched her knee, whimpering like a puppy. He extended a hand.
"Take it."
"Th-thank you..."
"Be careful. Even a small wound can scar delicate skin."
He helped her up and returned to his seat. Naturally, the three women—So Ssaang-a, Namgung So-min, and Gal Ye-ryeong—glared daggers, eyes burning with jealousy.
But they couldn't lash out at Baek Su-gyeong, so they swallowed their ire.
This could add another rival...
Namgung So-min bit her nails with a touch of irritation.
Even the Heavenly Dragon chairwoman? Master, you sinner...
So Ssaang-a, half-resigned, wiped away tears.
These two vixens are headache enough—now another one?
Gal Ye-ryeong radiated a murderous aura, unwilling to accept it.
Facing the menacing vibe from the three women looming behind Baek Su-gyeong, Jin A-gyeong swallowed hard and bowed her head.
"S-sorry... I'm Jin A-gyeong of Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association."
"As I said, Baek Su-gyeong."
As Jin A-gyeong sat, the women's piercing stares bore down. Baek Su-gyeong glanced back.
"That's enough. No need to make more rivals."
"M-Master!"
"Teacher?!"
"Master Baek, what do you...?"
Seeing their obvious fluster, Baek Su-gyeong sighed.
"Anyone would notice the hostility with our guest right here. Dial it back before you blow up."
"...Understood."
"Y-yes..."
"Tch. Fine, if that's what you want, Master Baek."
Baek Su-gyeong dispelled the oppressive aura in an instant. Noting Jin A-gyeong's relieved expression, he said,
"You're from Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association, right? What's your position?"
Straightening proudly at his question, Jin A-gyeong replied,
"I'm Jin A-gyeong, chairwoman of Heavenly Dragon Merchant Association. I've come with a proposal for you, Master Su-gyeong."