Why Are You Doing This to Me?
One more worry has been added….
He had simply planned to meet Bang Soran before leaving Luoyang and have a light chat, but somehow his group had gained one more member named So Seon-ha. If this wasn't a worry, then what was?
"Heehee…."
Following behind Baek Su-gyeong, who shook his head with a sigh, So Seon-ha grinned from ear to ear, clearly delighted by something. At this rate, it felt like the world was actively encouraging his stomach ulcers. His body had improved enough that he didn't need to rely so heavily on Pingwei Powder anymore, but if this kind of stress kept up, he'd end up coughing up blood someday.
Just when he thought he'd adapted, something would poke at his sensitive nerves again. Life in the murim truly wasn't easy.
Where did it all start going wrong, damn it.
Of course, that didn't mean he truly hated the murim enough to want to kill it. It was more like a love-hate relationship. Come to think of it, the connections he'd formed with women—something he'd never had much of—had all stemmed from Wudang Sword Hero in a way, so maybe he was some kind of disaster-and-fortune god, bringing both blessings and curses.
"I'll be following you from now on, Teacher Su-gyeong, so call me Seon-ha nice and casual!"
The tail of Munbaek Yamyo swayed lazily over So Seon-ha's shoulder. Baek Su-gyeong's gaze briefly chased the distracting white tail before returning.
"Lady So."
"It's Seon-ha!"
"Lady So?"
"So Seon-ha!"
Even after just a few exchanges, he got the sense. She was stubborn as hell. She looked like the type who'd torment him endlessly if he didn't do exactly what she wanted.
Sensing that instinctively, Baek Su-gyeong's head tilted crookedly. A sigh.
He stopped walking.
"…Lady Seon-ha."
"Drop the 'lady'!"
"Seon… ha?"
"That's it!"
Watching her nod in satisfaction at last, Baek Su-gyeong felt a headache coming on. Ever since arriving in Luoyang, every person he got tangled with was a handful. Still, now that the ice was broken, continuing the conversation wasn't so hard.
"Why are you following me?"
"Because you're Teacher Su-gyeong?"
"What does that…."
"My master always said I'd learn a ton just by sticking by Teacher Su-gyeong's side."
It was Bang Soran's doing. Baek Su-gyeong shook his head.
"I'm not that great. Just a lowly scribbler."
"But you're the greatest man of letters in the Central Plains?"
"Greatest in the Central Plains? Nah, I just got lucky."
"You're always putting yourself down, Teacher Su-gyeong."
Her words hit the nail on the head, drawing a wry smile from Baek Su-gyeong.
"Yeah. Hate to admit it. My dream was a simple life, not getting dragged into one mess after another."
"Master said men's dreams are all about conquering the world and stuff."
"Prejudice."
So Seon-ha beamed at his firm denial.
"Knew it was just prejudice!"
"…Hah."
She had a fanatic streak, and teaching someone like that seemed like no easy task. How had he ended up here?
Flee to the Korean Peninsula?
The thought flashed through his mind, but considering most of the Central Plains murim might be fans of Wudang Sword Hero, it wasn't wise. He'd have to adapt eventually. Even if he wanted a simple life, the world wouldn't let him, so what choice did he have?
But he'd thoroughly avoid anyone asking a martial-arts-illiterate like him to teach them gong.
Like Cheongmyeong the hero.
To Baek Su-gyeong, Cheongmyeong was a real burden. The kid had already earned the title of master by recreating Jinwoon's techniques from the novel, yet he'd come all the way to Luoyang for personal advice. Dizzying. Everything was dizzying.
"…Tch."
These incidents became material in the end, so maybe he was fated to stick with the murim.
"Let's go. Lady Namgung is waiting."
"Yes!"
So Seon-ha followed energetically behind the walking Baek Su-gyeong.
"I thought you'd stay until the fourth month, but you're leaving Luoyang sooner than expected, Lord Baek."
"Circumstances piled up, so I must depart without fully repaying Your Excellency's grace."
Yi Jeon-hyo stroked his beard with a regretful expression at Baek Su-gyeong's words.
"Young Master Hwi will be quite disappointed."
"I even considered traveling with him to the capital, but as heir to the Yongmun family…."
"Haha, you turned that wastrel Hwi into a fine talent fit for the role. Don't say such things, Lord Baek."
Baek Su-gyeong bowed his head.
"If Hwi truly weighs on your mind, visit Luoyang again later. I'll have a gift ready for you then."
"You've given more than enough already. Your past kindnesses are beyond measure—what more could there be?"
"You've eased this old man's worries, so I must repay that."
Yi Jeon-hyo looked resolute, as if he wouldn't take no for an answer.
"It's an investment in you, Lord Baek. Surely you don't plan to let masterpieces like Wudang Sword Hero end with your generation. Taking disciples and teaching many under your school is the right path."
This was bad. Baek Su-gyeong's face paled slightly.
Yi Jeon-hyo continued.
"If Hwi wishes it, I can appoint him manager of the Su-gyeong Seogwan I'll build in your honor, or even take him as a formal disciple of your writings."
"Your Excellency?"
A soft voice drifted into the bewildered Baek Su-gyeong's ears.
"No need to feel burdened, Lord Baek."
"Lady Wi."
"Building a structure in Luoyang to honor you aligns with His Highness the Lord's will as well."
"Pardon…?"
Why was Ju Geum-ye's name coming up again? Wi Seo-yeon smiled.
"His Highness the Lord commanded a stele and hall be erected to commemorate Lord Baek's feat in forging the Upright-Demonic Truce, preserving it for posterity. Nothing strange about it."
Please tell me I misheard that, Lady Wi.
Baek Su-gyeong met Wi Seo-yeon's eyes pleadingly, but she just kept smiling.
"It'll serve as a library for the many books you'll write, with the Upright-Demonic Truce Stele at its heart to honor your achievement. Your name will echo through the generations."
I'm gonna lose it. Thankfully, his body—fortified by the Ilwol Church Lord—didn't falter under the overload.
"Ha, haha… I'm just a humble scholar. I can't accept such excessive honors."
"──It's an imperial decree."
Parting the beaded curtain strung with colorful jewels like a heavenly veil appeared Ju Geum-ye. Baek Su-gyeong's face stiffened at the sight.
"Your Highness the Lord."
"If you're heading to the capital, travel with me. I've found an outer art to give you, just in time."
"Your Highness's consideration is overwhelming, but…."
"I won't make it an imperial decree for something like this, Su-gyeong."
Damn it all. Now she was pulling rank. A bead of cold sweat formed on Baek Su-gyeong's forehead.
"Even if it's an imperial…."
"Pfft."
Ju Geum-ye covered her mouth, laughing. Her eyes curved like a new moon in the night sky.
"Kidding. You push back harder when pressured. If it's too much, go ahead first."
"My thanks for Your Highness's grace…."
"But the Su-gyeong Seogwan isn't just to honor your feats."
"Then…?"
At Baek Su-gyeong's question, Ju Geum-ye explained.
"I heard from the Murim Alliance's Chief Strategist. You worried about those who can't afford books. The Su-gyeong Seogwan is for them—those who struggle to buy and read."
In other words, a public library. No, don't build that just because of one Wudang Sword Hero. Baek Su-gyeong swallowed his protests.
"But to name it after me…."
"To commemorate your deeds and spread them far and wide. The Yongmun family and Luoyang's magnates have agreed to cooperate, so it won't be hard."
Ju Geum-ye smiled brightly. This was why he shouldn't tangle with imperial powers. Swallowing a sigh, Baek Su-gyeong offered a formal bow.
"I know not where to place myself amid Your Highness's boundless grace. I am deeply honored."
"Luoyang will be the starting point."
"Starting point…?"
"It'll take the place of great and small academies. In essence, serving as a national talent-cultivation institution."
No, don't scale it up that far. A dizzying statement. He wasn't sure if something like the Imperial Academy existed in this Ming era, but if the Su-gyeong Seogwan filled the role of local education centers, that changed everything. His name was already spreading fast thanks to Wudang Sword Hero; add this, and…?
My stomach… doesn't hurt.
Not even a twinge. But really, this was utterly insane. Imagine: academies named after him sprouting across the Central Plains! Su-gyeong Academy? The thought of people flocking from everywhere sent chills down his spine.
"Is a wretch like me worthy of such an institution…?"
"Since the demonic cult has moderated thanks to you, this honors that."
Ju Geum-ye laughed.
"So don't refuse, Su-gyeong. I'll push it through anyway."
Truly, why are you doing this to me? A shadow fell over Baek Su-gyeong's face.