Take Care of Yourself
"She's not coming back, that Gal girl...."
At So Ssaang-a's words, Baek Su-gyeong turned his gaze from the sparring platform where it had lingered. The matches weren't registering at all. Normally, he'd have pulled out a book and started taking notes, but he couldn't muster the will.
"Teacher."
"My head's just a bit muddled, that's all."
The Yongmun Tournament resumed quickly, but Gal Ye-ryeong was nowhere to be seen. With so many dead and injured, few wanted to participate anyway, giving the event a strong air of fizzling out inconclusively. And who could blame them? After the Blood Sect's intrusion turned everything into chaos, who would step up to show off their skills?
It left a bitter taste for Baek Su-gyeong too.
Feels like I've turned into some pint-sized detective who drags murder cases everywhere I go. Or maybe a boy detective chasing clues for his grandfather's honor.
Something major exploded wherever he went these days. Back in the modern world, he'd twisted himself into knots just to get famous. Now in the Central Plains, he dreaded going anywhere. Of course, holing up at home would just get the place razed. Truly a rock and a hard place.
"That Nether King's Association woman.... Does she really weigh on you that much, Teacher?"
"Honestly? Yeah. It's not like we've only known each other a month or two."
Their connection started back when he stayed in Luoyang, so just a couple of months. If it had been a fleeting acquaintance, he wouldn't think twice. Two months wasn't that long, and it wasn't years, so he could forget her easily enough. But her speech patterns kept echoing in his mind oddly.
"...Namgung girl seems a bit regretful too."
Namgung Som-in fell silent at Baek Su-gyeong's words. Blinking, he pulled out his brush again. If it wasn't fate, it'd end here. If it was, they'd meet again. Partings and reunions were like the front and back of a single sheet of paper.
Shaking off thoughts of Gal Ye-ryeong, Baek Su-gyeong began sketching a new character in his book.
Volumes 9 and 10 finally released together after the new year. According to Baek Su-gyeong's public statement in Luoyang, he planned to wrap up Wudang Sword Hero around volumes 15 or 16, and was considering a new work centered on Shaolin titled Nahangwonsin. The announcement sent ripples far and wide.
Conspiracy theories already swirled that he favored prestige orthodox sects like Shaolin and Wudang. People in the Central Plains hung on his every move. He'd not only elevated Wudang's status but flipped righteous murim's perceptions positively—why wouldn't they?
It's getting more burdensome by the day.
Baek Su-gyeong closed his eyes and took a sip of tea.
Revelations that he'd taken in a Haomen woman fueled rumors he was some lecherous playboy. Then testimonies spread that the Ilwol Sect Lord visited him, saved him from the Blood Sect raid, and spared the righteous warriors because of him. His prestige soared beyond imagination. He was holed up in the Luoyang Detached Palace under Ju Geum-ye's protection.
How did things end up like this?
They said coincidences piling up become fate, but this was too much.
"Not in a good mood, Baek Su-gyeong?"
"No, that's not it."
The whole situation just felt oppressive. He'd recently learned Ju Geum-ye wasn't merely a Zhou imperial princess. She was the designated next emperor. "Nakhong Princess" was her name before being titled Crown Princess and Nakbong Lord. The Ilwol Sect Lord was scary enough—now the future emperor orbited him? What could be more terrifying?
"Still no change of heart, I see."
"Princess... Lord."
"What's wrong?"
Under her burdensome gaze, Baek Su-gyeong found himself at a loss for words. Ju Geum-ye was undeniably beautiful. Her status dwarfed his lowly one; she was the next to rule the Zhou Dynasty dominating the era's Central Plains. He couldn't fathom why she kept seeking him out. His insides burned black.
"Am I that burdensome to you, by any chance?"
He couldn't answer. Partly because she was imperial royalty, but mostly because she openly showed her affection—what could he say?
Modern or Central Plains, Baek Su-gyeong wasn't adept with women. In other words, he was weak to them.
"I heard you had a Haomen woman."
"...That was."
"Were you deceiving me, Baek Su-gyeong?"
He shut his mouth at Ju Geum-ye's words. It was true. Gal Ye-ryeong had stayed by his side under the guise of being from the Nether King's Association.
Closing his eyes, Baek Su-gyeong said, "I don't want to hear more about that, Lord."
"More affectionate than I thought. Aren't you?"
Ju Geum-ye continued, "What, the 'hero among lechers' type? Scheming for three wives and four concubines?"
"L-Lord!"
"My, why so startled?"
She grinned mischievously, glancing sideways at him. She didn't press further; she wasn't in his heart, and as a third party, nagging would only sour his mood. Her investigations revealed Baek Su-gyeong rebelled if pushed too hard.
Soon, the topic shifted.
"Ending Wudang Sword Hero around volume 15? Jinwoon's journey was quite long."
"Originally, I aimed for 8 volumes, but it stretched out."
"Shorter than expected?"
"As long as readers enjoy it, that's enough."
Baek Su-gyeong set down his White Hare Silver Needle tea. A Fujian specialty from Yun'nan tea trees, its leaves resembled silver needles with white fuzz—the priciest white tea, a rarity only the imperial house could casually procure.
Ju Geum-ye propped her chin, eyeing him amusedly, then blurted, "Hmm. Let me see your hand."
"Pardon?"
"Quickly."
Unable to resist her insistence, Baek Su-gyeong offered his hand. She examined his right one closely.
"Your wrist looks strained. This okay?"
"It's...."
He knew it too. As a modern man, even trained in the Central Plains, he couldn't cultivate martial arts, so strain was inevitable—especially for a writer gripping a brush all day. Even murim warriors used inner energy to mitigate bodily wear.
Ju Geum-ye clicked her tongue lightly.
"At least the Ilwol Sect Lord cleared the impurities from your body, so that's fine. But your wrist...."
"It's manageable."
"No, leave it like this and it'll ruin for good."
"Lord."
"Baek Su-gyeong, your hands are the Central Plains' treasure. No—you are. It doesn't make sense for such a person to wreck them writing."
Sincerity rang in her words—a reader's greed to enjoy a good writer's works longer.
"Rest properly for now. I'll find some external arts good for wrists."
"No need for that."
"Don't be foolish. You have a next work to write—planning to irresponsibly ruin your wrist?"
Even Baek Su-gyeong had no retort to her scolding. Sighing as she inspected his hand, she noted how rough it was, unfit for a literati. Before writing, he'd run a bookstore; before that, worked escorts. It bore the full brunt of his weathered life.
"Really... take care of yourself, Baek Su-gyeong."
"My apologies, Lord."
"Enough."
Her face showed a hint of anger.
"Don't overdo it. Even if you push yourself writing, no one will appreciate it. Pace yourself. Take breaks. That's an imperial command."
Seeing her invoke imperial authority, Baek Su-gyeong gave a wry smile. Was it worry for him? Or just impatience at a fun writer's self-neglect?
"I am deeply grateful for the imperial grace."
Returning from his audience with Ju Geum-ye, Baek Su-gyeong was greeted by Namgung Som-in. So Ssaang-a was at the Gyeongun Merchant Group's Luoyang branch procuring materials for the ravaged streets' repairs. With Gal Ye-ryeong gone, only Namgung Som-in remained by his side.
"...Is it true Cheongmyeong wants to see me?"
"Yes. Senior Bang wishes to meet you too."
"Hmm."
A faint crease formed on Baek Su-gyeong's brow. He knew Cheongmyeong, Wudang's prodigy and Cheongpung Sword. He already felt indebted to Wudang mentally, especially after Cheongmyeong's feats repelling enemy masters in the Blood Sect raid. Countless others awaited audiences too. Protected in the Luoyang Detached Palace under Ju Geum-ye, it bred massive resentment among the warriors.
What a headache....
He'd braced for his face becoming known, but meeting every warrior one by one would drain him dry.
"I want to rest now."
"I'll convey that to the guests."
"Feels heavy burdening you so much, Namgung girl."
Namgung Som-in's face bloomed into a radiant smile at his words—like a fully opened flower.
"If I can help Teacher, that's joy enough."