Chapter 017
"…Kugh."
The Wanderer of Mystic Sound gritted his teeth as he escaped the Murim Alliance with the help of a black smoke bomb.
Judging by how his right arm had no strength at all, it seemed his bones were crushed. Even the slightest movement caused pain as if his entire right arm were being burned by fire. Though he endured it with the superhuman patience of an assassin, his condition was poor.
Moreover, because he couldn't properly evade the final strike of the Heaven Piercing Limitless Sword, his legs were also in considerable distress.
'…At least I'm still alive.'
Namgung Somin, perhaps unconsciously aware of Baek Sugyeong, hadn't used her Heaven Piercing Limitless Sword at full power.
Yet this was the result.
This was the difference between the Wanderer of Mystic Sound—who stood at the edge of first-class—and Namgung Somin, who had seemingly entered the peak realm quite some time ago.
Hidden by darkness, the Wanderer's legs bore significant wounds, blood dripping onto the ground.
'…I need to get away from here.'
Because Namgung Somin had swung her sword so noisily, alarms were ringing throughout the Murim Alliance.
In such a situation, it would be dangerous if he were caught carrying Baek Sugyeong.
As the Wanderer rose to leave, several streaks of golden-yellow sword energy cut through the darkness and struck near his feet.
Perhaps because he fled too hastily, the Wanderer dropped Baek Sugyeong from his shoulder and retreated, grinding his teeth.
"Kugh."
A faint groan escaped Baek Sugyeong.
Ignoring it, the Wanderer looked ahead.
Namgung Somin stood there, her Lofty Sword hanging downward.
"Jade Sword Flower…!"
"Leave him and go, villain."
"How did you follow me?"
"Well, do I have any obligation to answer that?"
Namgung Somin smiled.
A cold smile—like a flower made of ice.
"If you're upset, prove yourself with skill."
'…Damn it.'
At this rate, the mission would fail.
But the Wanderer valued his own life more than the mission.
Anyway, if he had stalled this long, the Hao Sect's prison break should have succeeded.
Sensing the presence of approaching Murim Alliance warriors, the Wanderer raised a black smoke bomb.
"This humiliation, I'll repay it someday!"
Bang!
As the black smoke obscured vision, the Wanderer's form vanished as if sinking into the ground.
Namgung Somin stood guard before Baek Sugyeong, staring at the place where the Wanderer had disappeared.
A long night of darkness, without even moonlight.
The commotion ended just like that.
...
"Failed?"
Dark Scent Blood Stain's voice rose sharply.
Across from him sat Iron-Thread Soul, his weapons—Grief Spear and Lion Claw—crossed on his back.
Tilting his wine cup, Iron-Thread Soul twisted his lips.
"After all that boasting, it seems you failed."
"That idiot Wanderer!!"
Dark Scent Blood Stain could not hide his rage.
Even among assassins, the Wanderer was elite.
For the Dark Mist Society, which prided itself on quality over numbers, failure was a direct blow to prestige.
As Dark Scent Blood Stain ground his teeth, Iron-Thread Soul spoke lazily.
"I told you not to underestimate them. No matter how much you call them orthodox vermin, that place is the heart of the orthodox faction. You should've sent an Earth-level assassin."
"Shut up!"
Iron-Thread Soul shrugged and picked up a money pouch from the table.
"A bet is a bet. I'll take these fifty gold taels."
"Get out already!"
"Don't dwell too much on failure. Thanks to you, Yanoe's disciple was rescued."
"Get out!"
Dark Scent Blood Stain was furious—not just at the Wanderer, but at Iron-Thread Soul, who had clearly used his subordinate as bait.
Iron-Thread Soul leisurely left Night Emperor Hall.
Watching him go, Dark Scent Blood Stain roared:
"You couldn't even kidnap one scholar and caused me such humiliation?!"
"Human-level agents—three months of hell training starting today! And throw that Wanderer into the Heart Demon Cave!"
"Yes, sir!"
...
The martial arts tournament was suspended.
Since its original purpose had been to select Baek Sugyeong's escort, and since Namgung Somin had performed outstandingly, she emerged as the leading candidate.
Debates raged for two days.
The Wudang Sect pushed strongly, but having failed to achieve merit, the escort position ultimately went to Namgung Somin.
Upon hearing the news, Namgung Cheon rubbed his forehead.
"So it's come to this…"
"Wow! Miss has been selected as Teacher Sugyeong's escort!"
Jonghwa's eyes sparkled.
Namgung Cheon looked at his sister.
"Do you really have to follow that man?"
"It's already decided."
Namgung Somin's expression was firm.
"Moreover, since the demonic faction targeted the teacher, there's no law saying it won't happen again."
"…Sigh."
Namgung Cheon sighed.
"If I had my way, I'd take the position myself—but you wouldn't allow it, would you?"
"…I'm sorry."
"If he behaves disappointingly, return immediately."
"Yes."
Two would accompany her: Jonghwa and a watchman.
Hiding his anxiety, Namgung Cheon warned:
"Even if something happens to him, don't rush in recklessly."
"That's for me to judge, brother."
"If you get hurt, Father will be furious."
"…I'll try not to."
At the mention of Namgung Do, she hesitated.
After parting, Namgung Cheon muttered bitterly:
"All this… for one book."
He pulled "Wudang Sword Hero" from his robe.
"Still, with Somin beside him, I'll get new volumes faster."
...
"I'm sorry, Teacher. My abilities were insufficient…"
Kang Yupyeong prostrated himself.
Baek Sugyeong shook his head.
"You have nothing to apologize for."
"Teacher…"
"I'll be leaving Xuchang soon."
"Then should I continue escorting you?"
"No. Return to the Hubei branch."
"Where will you go?"
"I won't return directly to Wuhan."
Baek Sugyeong's gaze shifted.
Namgung Somin stood there, her long hair flowing.
"Lady Namgung has agreed to escort me."
...
"After Shaolin, Mount Hua!"
"Nonsense—Qingcheng!"
"Are you suggesting we settle this with a duel here?"
"Let's decide with a life-or-death match!"
"Stop it, both of you—stop!!"
Seeing the two Taoists quarreling before him, Baek Sugyeong's face turned grim. He truly had no idea how things had come to this.
First, an elder from Shaolin named Beopsang had arrived to offer unexpected thanks. And now, elders from Mount Hua and Qingcheng had appeared, both requesting that their sects be featured as protagonists in his next work.
"Both of you, please stop."
Baek Sugyeong let out a deep sigh.
"Are you—elders representing Mount Hua and Qingcheng—planning to fight like children?"
"This is a matter of utmost importance!"
"Don't you understand how much influence your 'Wudang Sword Hero' has?"
The speakers were Elder Ungyeong of Qingcheng and Elder Mae Jeongdo, the Thousand Illusion Sword of Mount Hua.
These two were among those within the Murim Alliance who most keenly felt the overwhelming impact of Wudang Sword Hero. Their rival was none other than Wudang, the greatest sword sect under heaven. As fellow sword sects, competition was inevitable.
Baek Sugyeong replied calmly.
"How could I not know? I've heard the number of people knocking on Wudang's gates to become disciples has increased."
"Exactly!"
"Wudang, which had weakened in influence despite never closing its gates, has not only recovered its prestige but strengthened its voice within the Alliance!"
"Your 'Wudang Sword Hero' has influenced the political landscape of the Murim Alliance to the point of overturning it!"
'Ah… my head hurts.'
Suppressing the urge to bang his head against the table, Baek Sugyeong looked between Ungyeong and Mae Jeongdo.
He understood why they had come.
But understanding did not mean agreeing.
The 5,700 pieces of Goroshi they had brought were frightening—but there were lines that could not be crossed.
And this request crossed one of them.
Baek Sugyeong finally spoke.
"My book nearly caused the Murim Alliance's prestige to collapse. Just yesterday—"
"That was—"
Baek Sugyeong raised his gaze, his expression firm.
"I would rather break my brush than see swords drawn over my writing again."
"That is not why I wrote 'Wudang Sword Hero.'"
"Teacher…"
This incident forced Baek Sugyeong to reconsider many things.
He could no longer avoid reality.
No matter how much he denied it, the influence of Wudang Sword Hero on the Central Plains was undeniable. Even the demonic factions—perhaps even the Demonic Cult—might already be aware of his existence.
Nothing would change by denial alone.
It was something he had to accept.
"If you still insist on this request," he said quietly, "then kill me instead."
"That's impossible!"
"Don't say such terrible things!"
"If you died, we couldn't read any more of 'Wudang Sword Hero'!"
Both Ungyeong and Mae Jeongdo were utterly sincere.
Kill Baek Sugyeong?
Even the current Alliance Chief, Jang Hyoun, had advanced his realm after reading Wudang Sword Hero, becoming a master whose strength was difficult to measure.
Killing a man admired by such a figure would ignite a manhunt across the entire martial world—one led personally by Jang Hyoun himself.
In other words…
Becoming the common enemy of Murim.
"We don't want such a terrible future, Teacher."
"Please forget what we said earlier."
"If you do not wish it, forcing you would not be the way of a martial artist."
Ungyeong and Mae Jeongdo both showed signs of retreat.
Baek Sugyeong inwardly released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"I'm glad you understand my intentions."
"It's just a shame your escort isn't a member of the Nine Sects."
"But if you lack a subject after Shaolin, perhaps the Eight Great Clans would suffice."
"Or even the New Outer Path."
At Ungyeong's words, Mae Jeongdo stared at him as if he had gone mad.
Ungyeong, however, remained calm.
'[Elder Ungyeong! Have you lost your mind?!]'
'[If Shaolin's influence grows, Wudang will naturally rise in opposition.]'
'[That balance has always defined the Murim Alliance.]'
'[Shaolin and Wudang are the twin pillars of the martial world—surely Elder Mae would not enjoy watching other factions grow arrogant?]'
…It was a sound argument.
As Mae Jeongdo reluctantly showed agreement, Ungyeong turned back to Baek Sugyeong.
"What do you think, Teacher?"
Baek Sugyeong nodded slowly.
"It's not a bad idea. I'll consider it."
"Thank you, Elder Ungyeong."
Ungyeong stroked his beard, smiling in satisfaction.
Beside him, Mae Jeongdo's expression darkened.
'Damn it… I've been had.'
Who would have thought Ungyeong would steal the honor of receiving thanks from Teacher Sugyeong?
A vein pulsed on Mae Jeongdo's forehead.
'What a sly fox…'
Whether or not the two elders were locked in a silent battle of pride, Baek Sugyeong—looking visibly relieved—bowed politely and turned to leave the reception hall.
His long stay in Xuchang was finally coming to an end.