Disillusionment
So Ssaang-a nodded in agreement with Namgung Som-in's words. Baek Su-gyeong was a good man. Lately, he showed a bolder side rather than his usual timidness, but he was also deeply considerate—always suffering from stomach pains yet hiding it to avoid worrying her or Namgung Som-in. Of course, apart from that, she harbored a one-sided fondness because he was the one who had pulled her out of the back alleys of Wuan. Even setting that aside, Baek Su-gyeong was undeniably a good person.
"If that Gal girl stuck to the Pavilion Lord with intentions of using him, we absolutely need to interrogate her thoroughly."
"To do that, we'll need the power of the Gyeongun Merchant Group and you, Leader So."
So Ssaang-a nodded at Namgung Som-in's words.
"But realistically, even if we poured all of Gyeongun Merchant Group's resources into gathering information, the chances of catching her are slim."
"Then..."
"We should meet with Alliance Leader Jin and borrow the power of the Cheonryong Merchant Group. Or perhaps see the Nakbong Gunju."
Not dangerous because he's not a martial artist? That was underestimating So Ssaang-a far too much. A merchant's battle was vicious in ways utterly different from a warrior's. To merchants, commercial warfare was practically equivalent to a territorial war. All sorts of dirty tricks came into play during that process. If someone dismissed So Ssaang-a as weak simply because she didn't know martial arts, they'd be sorely mistaken.
So Ssaang-a spoke up. "Both the Nakbong Gunju and Alliance Leader Jin hold goodwill toward the Pavilion Lord. Just sprinkle in a bit about Haomen, and it'll be like lighting a fire on oil-soaked kindling—we can effortlessly mobilize massive intelligence networks."
It was absurd to think that Nakbong Gunju Jugeum Ye, who dominated the Central Plains on behalf of the imperial family, or the Cheonryong Merchant Group, said to control most of the Central Plains' commerce, couldn't track down a single Gal Ye-ryeong.
Namgung Som-in fell silent, realizing that So Ssaang-a could be a far more frightening opponent than she'd imagined.
"Ceding some of the Wudang Sword Hero publication rights would require consulting the Pavilion Lord first, of course." So Ssaang-a smiled as she said it. "I hope that Gal girl's feelings for the Pavilion Lord were genuine."
When a gentle person gets angry, they become scarier than anything else. Namgung Som-in felt that viscerally.
"...Yes. Me too."
And Namgung Som-in hoped that, at the very least, the attitude Gal Ye-ryeong had shown toward Baek Su-gyeong wasn't fake.
"We'll discuss the details once the Pavilion Lord wakes up. You must be tired too, Lady Namgung—get some rest. We can't guard him forever, after all."
"Will you take over today, Leader So?"
"Pulling an all-nighter by his sleeping side is no big deal."
So Ssaang-a grinned broadly and pulled a small bamboo tube from her bosom. "And if anything dangerous happens, I can just use this."
"You're thoroughly prepared."
It looked exactly like something packed with hidden weapons. Probably rigged to unleash a barrage of large needles or the like when activated. Even a peak expert like Namgung Som-in could be taken out easily if caught off guard.
"I have to be. Neither the Pavilion Lord nor I have anything to do with martial arts, after all."
A wry smile spread across So Ssaang-a's lips as she said it.
A short while later, with the Ilwolgyo Lord and Jang Hyo-un as representatives, the contents of the peace accord were announced.
First: Baek Su-gyeong shall serve as guarantor, with the accord holding semi-permanent force as long as he lives.
Second: Establish educational institutions representing the Demonic Cult and the Orthodox Factions for periodic exchanges.
Third: Eradicate the Blood Cult from murim, as they posed a grave threat to Baek Su-gyeong's safety.
And notably, the name of the Unorthodox Factions was nowhere to be found in any of it.
In front of countless onlookers, the accord was formally ratified. As the guarantor, Baek Su-gyeong was made to drink the wine mixed with blood from pricked fingers by the Ilwolgyo Lord and Jang Hyo-un.
Blood-flavored wine...
He figured he ought to get used to it by now, but stuff like this made adaptation impossible. He'd deliberately kept his distance from murim, so it was only natural. But whether he liked it or not, he'd have to adapt—what choice did he have?
"Su-gyeong, over here."
"Come, Su-gyeong."
At Jang Hyo-un and the Ilwolgyo Lord's words, Baek Su-gyeong slowly stepped forward for the blood pact ritual.
He lifted the blood-mixed wine cup, pouring it into three separate glasses. Jang Hyo-un, the Ilwolgyo Lord, and Baek Su-gyeong—as guarantor and accord representatives—raised their cups.
Without hesitation, they downed it in one gulp. The fishy tang blended with the bitter wine, searing down Baek Su-gyeong's throat.
"Urgh."
Only Baek Su-gyeong let out a slight groan from the burning intoxication rising up his spine.
Jang Hyo-un and the Ilwolgyo Lord set down their cups, and Baek Su-gyeong followed suit belatedly. The Ilwolgyo Lord and Jang Hyo-un faced each other, exchanging fist salutes, and Baek Su-gyeong returned the gesture toward them, bringing the accord ceremony to a close.
"This Seat departs. If you have business in Tianshan or Xinjiang, send word ahead. I'll dispatch an escort."
"No need for such consideration."
"Nonsense."
The Ilwolgyo Lord flatly rejected Baek Su-gyeong's words.
"Su-gyeong, don't forget you're the sole guarantor of this accord. Your existence is the one irreplaceable wedge allowing the Orthodox Factions to accept alliance with my cult."
"I know that."
"Thus, cherish your body more. I'd love to force-feed you some elixir and teach you martial arts, but it's far too late for that..."
Even the Ilwolgyo Lord, who surely possessed all manner of bizarre techniques, saying such a thing meant Baek Su-gyeong's prospects for learning martial arts were effectively zero.
Of course, the Ilwolgyo Lord wasn't done speaking.
"You may not master advanced internal arts, but starting external arts shouldn't be hard. Hiding in your room writing won't solve everything—tend to your body as well."
"My thanks for the Lord's advice."
The Ilwolgyo Lord chuckled and drew a dark crimson octagonal plaque from his bosom. Clearly made of some exotic material. When Baek Su-gyeong looked at him questioningly upon receiving it, the Lord explained.
"It's the Heavenly Demon Command Plaque."
"Pardon?"
"My cult will soon become the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. The plaque's bearer gains authority equal to this Seat."
Baek Su-gyeong's face went half-blank at the Ilwolgyo Lord's words. The Lord ignored it and continued.
"Second to one, above ten thousand. You can command cult disciples at will, and within cult domains, none can ignore it. Of course, the plaque alone isn't proof, so I've assigned a Yeomwang Corps warrior."
"Lord, this is too much!"
"That's how high your status has risen, Su-gyeong. Now accept that you're an important figure."
At the firm words, Baek Su-gyeong lowered his head slightly, gazing at the Heavenly Demon Command Plaque in his hand. He'd given up resisting, but typhoons like this still left him dizzy. At least his stomach wasn't aching. Was escaping constant Pingwei Powder a silver lining thanks to the Lord's favor?
Clutching the plaque tightly, Baek Su-gyeong offered a fist salute. "My deepest gratitude for your boundless consideration, Lord."
"Keep entertaining this Seat in the future. That Huncheon Association ploy was quite the clever scheme—thoroughly intriguing."
A chill ran down his spine; Baek Su-gyeong looked up to see the Ilwolgyo Lord smiling at him.
"Of course, I have no intent to unleash such schemes on the Central Plains, so rest easy. No lies before the Thousand Hands Sword Venerable."
"I see..."
"I won't create situations that distract you from writing. The jianghu awaits Wudang Sword Hero—as does this Seat."
The Ilwolgyo Lord continued earnestly. "Worry about nothing. Blood Cult, Unorthodox Factions—anyone who harms you, Su-gyeong, will pay the fitting price."
"Your excessive care leaves me at a loss."
"No need for such thoughts. A treasure of the Central Plains deserves this treatment. Muk Yeong!"
At the Ilwolgyo Lord's call, one Yeomwang Corps warrior stepped forward. A stoic-faced man with a longsword as tall as himself strapped to his back—Muk Yeong knelt before the Lord.
The Ilwolgyo Lord declared, "Muk Yeong is a peak expert who can conceal his demonic qi. He'll guard you, Su-gyeong, where your sword-seal cannot."
"I gratefully accept the Lord's consideration."
Instead of waving it off, he'd decided to accept. Seeing Baek Su-gyeong yield without resistance, the Ilwolgyo Lord smiled in satisfaction.
But it was short-lived. Jang Hyo-un frowned and interjected.
"Hold on! Attaching an Ilwolgyo warrior to Teacher Su-gyeong? Preposterous! If anyone's guarding him, it should be elites from our Alliance's Soaring Blue Dragon Unit, Lord!"
"Merely precaution for when Su-gyeong passes through cult lands. The plaque needs a bearer to verify its authority—natural, no?"
"Grr... But Su-gyeong's protection..."
As their debate heated up, Baek Su-gyeong intervened. "Enough, both of you. Hero Muk can guard me as is, and with Lady Namgung here, no further worry is needed."
"Teacher Su-gyeong!"
"Lady Namgung's already here—no need for more escorts. Hero Muk verifies the plaque's authority as the Lord said..."
"Urk, my defeat then!"
Jang Hyo-un sighed dramatically, glaring at the Lord. "This humiliation—I'll repay it later, Lord!"
"Do as you will. We've said our piece—be off."
With that, the Ilwolgyo Lord coolly turned away.
Before departing, he glanced at Muk Yeong. "Muk Yeong, until this Seat earns a new title, serve Su-gyeong as your lord. Guard him well—ensure not a hair is harmed."
"Understood."
The Ilwolgyo Lord and Yeomwang Corps warriors departed one by one. Left behind, Baek Su-gyeong now had a new bodyguard at his side.
Baek Su-gyeong sighed, pressing his forehead. "Disillusionment..."
Today, once again, he felt profound disillusionment with this damned murim world.
