Converging Fates (4)
At Baek Su-gyeong's words voicing his concerns, Yi Jeon-hyo stroked his chin with a thoughtful hum.
"Appraiser Baek, aren't you worrying a bit too much...?"
"I'd prefer that to be the case, my lord. But as they say, prepare for the worst."
"You're not wrong, Appraiser Baek. Still, if we make it too obvious, the enemy might just slink away into hiding."
"Better that than letting them rear their heads and disrupt the Yongmun Conference."
Yi Jeon-hyo fell deep into thought, hand still on his chin at Baek Su-gyeong's retort. Preparing wasn't a bad idea in itself. The Yongmun Conference was right around the corner. For a spy from the unorthodox sects or even the demonic cult to infiltrate it was utterly unacceptable. And in Luoyang, no less—the territory of the Luoyang's foremost family. It would wound Yi Jeon-hyo's pride.
"Hmm..."
"Of course, I understand your dilemma, my lord. But just this once, could you indulge my stubbornness?"
"Is this because of what happened at the Murim Alliance in Xuchang, Appraiser Baek?"
It wasn't that long ago. Rewind the clock, and it was merely three months prior. Baek Su-gyeong had arrived in Xuchang and faced that incident in September; now it was December.
Baek Su-gyeong nodded at Yi Jeon-hyo's question.
"Of course, there's no guarantee it'll happen again..."
"Mm. With your influence shaking the Central Plains, it's no surprise. For now, we'll tighten security and make inspections stricter, as you suggest."
"Thank you, my lord."
Yi Jeon-hyo replied to Baek Su-gyeong's gratitude.
"It's tied to our family's reputation as well. Even without your warning, I planned to bolster defenses gradually. But with the unorthodox sects or demonic cult potentially stirring trouble to expand their influence—like they did with Wudang Sword Hero—your concerns are valid. No need to bow your head over it."
"My thanks, my lord."
"Thanks to you, that boy Ahwi is finally becoming a proper man. I should be the one grateful. The Yongmun family won't forget your efforts."
Baek Su-gyeong smiled and shook his head at Yi Jeon-hyo's words.
"Young Master Ahwi just needed some motivation. I merely helped him find it."
"That's more than enough. The boy who wandered aimlessly is now immersed in training and humbly seeks knowledge from others. He seems to have realized his place. It's all thanks to you."
"Not my doing. Lady Gal, Lady Namgung, and Leader So did the hard work."
Baek Su-gyeong himself had done nothing noteworthy. He'd only spent time not writing to teach Yi Jeon-hwi various miscellaneous things.
"My talents are meager. People like what I write with them, so I just push harder. That's all. All I can do is pour everything into writing."
The Hogu tea, a specialty from Suzhou in Jiangsu Province, tasted faintly bitter. Baek Su-gyeong was no extraordinary man. In this treacherous martial world, he was just a powerless hack scholar who could lose his life at any moment. He didn't even possess the deep scholarship to truly call himself one.
He was far from a martial scholar deeply studying martial arts. So he simply lived each day grateful for his current life.
"...Appraiser Baek."
"Yes, my lord."
"Don't belittle yourself so much. You are special enough. Being loved is a talent in itself."
Yi Jeon-hyo chuckled heartily as he spoke.
"No one in the martial world would dare look down on you for lacking martial prowess. Your deep understanding of martial arts in Wudang Sword Hero proves that."
"My lord."
"There are plenty of hidden masters concealing their skills. Even if you're not one, the Central Plains won't be disappointed in you. I guarantee it."
Yi Jeon-hyo set down his teacup.
"So don't cut yourself down. Live moderately, letting things slide. Don't hold onto it too deeply."
"I'll engrave your words in my heart, my lord."
"If they help you, that's enough for me."
Yi Jeon-hyo drained his Hogu tea in one bold gulp and rose from his seat. Baek Su-gyeong bid him farewell and exited the Yongmun Pavilion. Snowflakes danced lightly across Luoyang's night sky, blanketing it like a veil.
"The Yongmun Conference..."
A golden mask. Not a human face. The man whose features were hidden behind a golden visage lurked in the shadows, gazing at the snow-flecked sky.
"Any word from Yajeop?"
The name Yajeop—referring to Gal Ye-ryeong—drew a response from a man in a blue mask.
He was imposing enough to mock the golden-masked man, yet he knelt before him, suggesting their hierarchy was reversed.
"Nothing direct. But we got intel from the Luoyang branch."
"Cheongpyo."
"Yes, Sect Leader."
"How long do you think it'll take Yajeop to seduce Baek Su-gyeong?"
Cheongpyo answered Ya Noe, the golden-masked man.
"If he's not resistant to women, Mihon Technique should subdue him easily."
"And without something like Migo Technique? How long then?"
"To naturally grow close and make it a done deal? At least a year, I'd say."
"I see."
Ya Noe's voice was low. Yet it carried a faint, eerie trace of amusement. Composing himself, he asked:
"And Jeokjo?"
"Headed to Tianshan. Contact with our Tianshan branch monitoring Ilwolgyo has been cut."
"Ilwolgyo's doing, no doubt."
"Amun Pavilion concurs."
Amun Pavilion oversaw Haomen's intelligence—originally under Left Commander Yajeop. With her away, Cheongpyo managed it, but that changed little.
Ya Noe commanded:
"Take Guimun Pavilion warriors and back him up. Trouble might find Jeokjo."
"Support Jeokjo directly?"
Ya Noe nodded.
"The foe is Ilwolgyo. Beyond Tianshan lurk the Blood Cult remnants from the old Ilwolgyo days, splintered off. It might not be just Ilwolgyo."
"Then request aid from the League..."
"They refused."
Cheongpyo bowed at his master's—his sect leader's—words.
Ya Noe continued:
"Even among the Ten Demonic Sects, many disdain our head sect. Our origins are lowly. That's why we seek the light over the shadows."
"Master..."
"If you spot Blood Cult traces, retreat immediately. No elite of ours can match those blood-mad fiends. No engaging Ilwolgyo either. Relay that to Jeokjo."
"Understood."
"Go."
Cheongpyo paid his respects and withdrew. Ya Noe blinked behind his mask, staring out at the falling snow.
"One man's presence shakes the world... Will he plunge the martial world into chaos, or maintain this fragile peace amid rivalries?"
Ya Noe's voice faded on the night wind. His golden mask fluttered in the chill air.
A woman in a black veiled hat smiled at the massive Luoyang walls in the distance. A girl with a sword on her back followed close behind the green-robed figure.
The woman halted, and the girl did too, her face lighting up at the distant walls.
"It's Luoyang, Master!"
"Not far now. Pick up the pace, and we'll make it."
Melting snow turned the ground to mud, but it posed no issue for the martial artist and her disciple. The woman kicked off lightly, soaring forward; the girl followed effortlessly.
Glancing back at her faithful shadow, the woman—Bang Soran—beamed with joy.
...How can I ever repay this kindness?
Her sole disciple, once a worry due to slow progress, had exploded in growth after that incident. Not just lightness skill, but her swordsmanship advanced, and she'd even mastered Telekinesis to manipulate distant objects with pure inner energy.
Returning from the North Sea, she'd earned the moniker White Cat Immortal Maiden.
Before another leap, Bang Soran cautioned:
"Seonha, the ground's muddy—mind your footing."
"Yes, Master!"
The girl's once-shadowed face was now radiantly smooth. It started with forging her own heart method akin to Damcheon Ye Hong Divine Art. By her return from the North Sea ordeals, she'd gained another fortune: an ancient sword from antiquity and a white cat.
The white cat perched stubbornly on So Seon-ha's shoulder was unmistakably a spirit beast.
Is it fate that blessings follow this child?
"Master, will we see Teacher Su-gyeong in Luoyang?"
"He's staying there, so I think we will."
"Heehee, will Baekmyo like meeting Teacher too?"
"Who knows? Cats do as they please, after all."
So Seon-ha lightly caught up as Bang Soran launched into the air once more. Bonds converged on Luoyang.