<Chapter 39>Winter in Luoyang
* * *
“…Sigh.”
A heavy sigh escaped his lips.
It was after he had returned to the Dragon Gate Pavilion and confronted Lee Jon-Hyo, who had been avoiding his gaze since Ju Geum-Ye’s departure. Baek Su-Gyeong’s sharp, accusing stare was too much for him to bear.
Baek Su-Gyeong drained his cup of lukewarm Longjing tea in a single gulp.
‘At least I avoided becoming a writing slave, forced to eat only dumplings and live in a gilded cage…’
He had sensed something was amiss and refused the princess’s offer.
If he had accepted, he would have been trapped.
He pushed the thought aside and looked at Lee Jon-Hyo.
“Would you care to explain yourself, Lord Yi?”
He might be disappointed in Lee Jon-Hyo, but he was still a man who had shown him great kindness.
He couldn’t simply sever their ties.
He was enjoying such a comfortable life in Luoyang thanks to Lee Jon-Hyo’s generosity.
Lee Jon-Hyo spoke, his expression still apologetic.
“I’m sorry, Master Baek. I didn’t intend to deceive you. It just… happened.”
“…Was it the princess’s command?”
Lee Jon-Hyo nodded slightly.
He couldn’t refuse an order from an imperial princess. Even though the Yongmun Family was powerful in Murim, they also had ties to the Imperial Palace.
They had to be mindful of the imperial family, especially someone like Princess Ju Geum-Ye of Luohong.
Baek Su-Gyeong clicked his tongue.
“I suppose you had no choice.”
“Please understand our situation, Master Baek.”
Baek Su-Gyeong smiled wryly.
The Yongmun Family, a clan that excelled in both scholarly and martial pursuits.
Of course, they couldn’t refuse an order from Ju Geum-Ye, the emperor’s beloved daughter. It was understandable.
“…I’m disappointed that…”
Lee Jon-Hyo flinched at his words.
“You kept it from me. If you had told me beforehand, I wouldn’t have been so surprised.”
“The princess ordered us to keep it a secret… I’m sorry, Master Baek. It’s my fault.”
“How is it your fault?”
If anyone was to blame, it was Baek Su-Gyeong himself, for becoming so famous.
He asked, “How did the princess even know I was in Luoyang?”
“I’m not sure. But I suspect the Embroidered Uniform Guard members accompanying her might have informed her…”
The Embroidered Uniform Guard.
They were one of the two most powerful organizations representing the Imperial Palace, alongside the Eastern Depot.
The Eastern Depot was an intelligence agency, while the Embroidered Uniform Guard was a military force. However, the Embroidered Uniform Guard was often portrayed as subservient to the Eastern Depot, their status somewhat diminished.
Baek Su-Gyeong stared at his empty teacup.
“When did this happen?”
“We received the order a while ago. A little over two weeks. I never imagined the princess would come in person…”
Lee Jon-Hyo’s voice was filled with surprise.
In this era, imperial family members were viewed as celestial beings, far removed from the concerns of ordinary mortals.
It was understandable.
Even Baek Su-Gyeong had been terrified upon meeting her.
“I see.”
“Are you leaving?”
“I’ll be staying in Luoyang this year. And I wouldn’t sever ties with you over something like this, Lord Yi.”
He was annoyed that Lee Jon-Hyo had kept Ju Geum-Ye’s visit a secret, but…
He couldn’t stay angry at him. He had been too kind to Baek Su-Gyeong in the past.
He had shown him great generosity, even when he was just a lowly appraiser, hired to tutor Lee Jon-Hwi.
Baek Su-Gyeong spoke.
“But this is the last time. Be careful, Lord Yi.”
“Of course! I’ll be more mindful! I promise I won’t disappoint you again, Master Baek!”
Baek Su-Gyeong smiled faintly.
He could sense the sincerity in Lee Jon-Hyo’s words.
“Since you’re staying in Luoyang this year, I’ll make sure you’re comfortable. The Yongmun Family always welcomes you, Master Baek!”
“Thank you for your kindness, Lord Yi.”
“Luoyang’s winters are harsh, so I’ll have some winter clothes prepared for you and the three ladies.”
“Thank you, Lord Yi.”
And so, Baek Su-Gyeong’s winter stay in Luoyang was decided.
***
“You’re staying in Luoyang this year?”
“That’s right.”
“Hmm, if that’s your decision, Shopkeeper, then I have nothing to say… But you won’t delay the release of the next volume because of winter, right?”
Baek Su-Gyeong chuckled at So Ssang-Ah’s question.
“Do you think my hands will stop working just because it’s winter?”
“That’s a relief. We’re getting bombarded with requests for Volume 7. And Old Man Jang of the Su-Gyeong Inn is sending us money every month.”
“How’s the Su-Gyeong Inn doing? I need to hear about what’s happening in Hubei. It’s been a while.”
It had been almost three months since he left Hubei.
He had been busy working on Volume 6, and he hadn’t had time to chat with So Ssang-Ah.
She was his only source of information about Hubei.
So Ssang-Ah smiled.
“Nothing major has happened. But the two Taoist priests from the Wudang sect returned to their temple. They said they had business to attend to.”
“Hmm?”
Jeong-Jin and Jeong-Woo had been sent to Hubei as his bodyguards.
If they had returned to their temple, it meant…
“It’s because of the Murim Alliance.”
“I think so. Lady Namgung becoming your bodyguard probably played a role…”
“My first novel was The Wudang Sword Hero, so they probably expected a Wudang disciple to be chosen as my bodyguard. They must be disappointed.”
Baek Su-Gyeong accurately understood the Wudang sect’s mindset.
Even though it wasn’t his intention.
“I’m glad nothing major has happened in Hubei. How’s the merchant group doing?”
“We’re focusing on strengthening our foundation, as you advised, Shopkeeper. We could expand rapidly if we wanted to, but we’re still too reliant on you…”
“You’re wise to recognize that, Merchant So.”
Baek Su-Gyeong smiled, raising his teacup to his lips.
“You should find a way to strengthen your merchant group without relying on me. There will be a gap between The Wudang Sword Hero and my next project.”
“Hmm, you’re right. I’ll have to think about that.”
There was always a gap between projects.
Readers were always clamoring for new works during an author’s hiatus.
He had been a reader himself.
He had been grateful for even side stories, and he had eagerly awaited new releases, adding them to his favorites list and commenting on every chapter.
It seemed like just yesterday, but it had been over eight years since he arrived in Murim.
‘Time flies.’
He was approaching thirty.
He would be twenty-nine next year.
At least he had three women vying for his affection.
He smiled wryly, taking another sip of his tea.
“What about the illegal copies?”
“We’re in contact with the Murim Alliance. They’re helping us with the crackdown.”
“Hmm, that’s not surprising, considering you’re my representative in this matter.”
Baek Su-Gyeong looked out at the garden, his teacup still in his hand.
The beautifully landscaped garden of the Yongmun Family residence was a sight to behold.
A pond, surrounded by an artificial mountain, its surface dotted with colorful lotus flowers.
He wasn’t particularly fond of gardens, but even he couldn’t deny the beauty of the scenery, whether natural or man-made.
He heard footsteps approaching from below.
“You’re here, Master.”
“Lady Namgung. Welcome.”
Namgung So-Min’s face flushed slightly at his warm greeting.
But her expression quickly turned cold as she saw So Ssang-Ah sitting opposite him.
“…I heard you’re staying in Luoyang for the winter.”
“It just happened.”
“Then why don’t you learn martial arts from me this winter?”
“Hmm? Martial arts?”
Baek Su-Gyeong’s eyes widened in surprise.
So Ssang-Ah frowned at Namgung So-Min’s suggestion.
“What are you talking about, Lady Namgung? The Shopkeeper has no experience in martial arts. Are you trying to force him?”
“Oh my, Merchant So.”
Namgung So-Min’s feigned ignorance only annoyed So Ssang-Ah further.
The three women vying for Baek Su-Gyeong’s affection were like oil and water.
Two of them were deeply connected to Murim, while the other had a long-standing relationship with Baek Su-Gyeong. They could never get along.
“It’s up to Master to decide. Why are you getting angry, Merchant So?”
“Surely you know that asking the Shopkeeper, who’s past his prime, to learn martial arts is like asking him to endure torture, Lady Namgung!”
“Oh my, I never said I would teach him seriously, Merchant So.”
Their words were polite, but their voices were laced with barbs.
As the focus shifted to their bickering, Baek Su-Gyeong sighed, pressing his hand against his forehead.
“Lady Namgung, Merchant So.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Yes, Shopkeeper!”
They turned to him, their expressions eager, like puppies waiting for their master’s attention.
“Please, stop fighting. I have a headache. Are you trying to disrupt my writing?”
“I-I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“No! I would never! But Lady Namgung…”
“Merchant So started it…”
Baek Su-Gyeong sighed as he watched them blame each other.
“This is giving me a headache…”
It seemed his life would never be peaceful.
He shook his head, turning away from the two women, their gazes locked in a silent battle.
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, settling on his shoulders.