<Chapter 40> Winter in Luoyang (2)
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It was said that the best time to visit Luoyang was from early May to early October.
It was because the summers were long and humid.
However, the weather didn’t turn cold immediately after November. It remained relatively mild until late November or early December, when a harsh winter suddenly descended upon the city.
But even the bitter cold couldn’t stop a martial artist’s training.
In early November, as a light dusting of snow covered the roofs of the Yongmun Family residence, the sharp clang of metal pierced the pre-dawn silence.
“Haa…”
Footprints appeared on the snow-covered training ground.
A sword flashed, its movements precise and economical, the sound of its blade slicing through the air chillingly cold.
A sword dance without a single trace of internal energy.
Silver streaks of light, like threads weaving a tapestry, filled the air. The sword rose, as if drawing the threads upwards.
The undisturbed snow swirled around the rising blade, like waves crashing against a shore.
Whoosh!
Snowflakes, like silver dust, scattered through the air, swirling around Namgung So-Min’s raven hair.
Her hair, flowing like a black dragon’s tail, whipped around her as she executed the family’s sword techniques one after another.
The gentle breeze created by her movements pushed the snow aside, revealing the ground beneath.
The snow, as if dancing to her rhythm, swirled around her sword, forming white blossoms in the air.
The blossoms drifted down, and the sound of clapping reached her ears.
“…Ah!”
She turned her head and saw Baek Su-Gyeong.
“That was a beautiful sword dance, Lady Namgung.”
“You’re awake, Master!”
Baek Su-Gyeong smiled, meeting her gaze.
Namgung So-Min was a completely different person when she was focused on her swordsmanship compared to when she was interacting with him.
Or rather, her demeanor changed drastically depending on who she was with.
“Good morning, Lady Namgung. You’re up early.”
“I’m a martial artist.”
“That’s true. A martial artist must never lose their desire to improve. Even when facing obstacles.”
Namgung So-Min smiled shyly at his words.
She was a beauty with an icy demeanor, but her smile could light up a room.
“I feel like I learn something new every time I listen to you, Master.”
“It’s just empty rhetoric.”
Baek Su-Gyeong chuckled, his cheeks flushing slightly.
Namgung So-Min spoke.
“But your every word is a pearl of wisdom!”
“Don’t flatter me. There’s no need to give so much weight to the words of someone who knows nothing about martial arts.”
“That’s not true. You’re my Master.”
Her unwavering faith in his words, her eyes shining with admiration, was both flattering and unsettling.
He couldn’t believe someone could be so devoted to another person.
“Let’s take a walk.”
“Yes.”
They left the training ground and headed towards the garden.
The sound of Namgung So-Min’s footsteps, following behind him, crunching on the snow, echoed in his ears.
“Good morning, Master Baek!”
“You’re all working hard. It’s cold out. Take care of yourselves.”
“It’s nothing, Master Baek.”
“Stay warm. There’s nothing worse than getting sick.”
“I’ll keep your words in mind, Master Baek.”
“Good work.”
They exchanged greetings with the Yongmun Family servants and offered words of encouragement to those working in the cold. They reached the garden.
They walked towards the pavilion.
Namgung So-Min followed him, her gaze sweeping across the snowy landscape.
“Do you regret following me, Lady Namgung?”
“Regret…?”
“You’re away from your family, protecting me. You should be focusing on your martial arts training.”
“Being by your side is more enjoyable, Master.”
“Isn’t martial arts the most important thing for a martial artist?”
Namgung So-Min chuckled at his question.
“Not always. And I haven’t been neglecting my training. I need to be strong to protect you, Master.”
“That’s true. Lady Gal could be a good sparring partner for you.”
“Are you talking about that woman from the Underworld King Society?”
Her voice turned cold, her tone sharp.
She wasn’t angry because Baek Su-Gyeong had mentioned Gal Ye-Ryeong. She was angry at Gal Ye-Ryeong herself.
She already had to deal with So Ssang-Ah as a rival, and now this woman had appeared, her dark intentions clear as day.
And the fact that she was from the Underworld King Society, a morally ambiguous organization, only fueled Namgung So-Min’s animosity.
Baek Su-Gyeong placed his hand on her head.
“Aggressive language is unbecoming. Even a martial artist should maintain a certain level of decorum.”
“Ah, I apologize. I lost my composure…”
“You’re too hostile towards Lady Gal and Merchant So, Lady Namgung. It gives me a headache every time I see you three bickering.”
Namgung So-Min’s face flushed crimson as he addressed her directly.
She lowered her head, her cheeks burning with shame.
“I-I’m sorry…”
“I understand that you don’t want to lose, but please, have some consideration for me. It’s exhausting trying to mediate between you three.”
“But…”
“I know it’s not easy. That’s why I’m worried. You’ll meet many more people in the future. If you react this way every time, you’ll be the one who gets tired first.”
“Ah…”
Baek Su-Gyeong looked out at the snow-covered garden.
Luoyang’s winters were harsh.
It was still early November, so the air wasn’t too cold yet, but it was definitely colder than before.
The icy winds would arrive soon.
“Well, that’s all I wanted to say.”
“I’ve been troubling you, Master…”
Baek Su-Gyeong smiled at her dejected expression, like a scolded puppy.
“Don’t forget that you’re the only one I can rely on right now.”
“…Yes!”
He rested his hand on the railing of the pavilion.
His handprint appeared on the pristine snow.
The first snow of the season had accumulated quite a bit.
“Are you comfortable here?”
“Lord Yi-Gwol has been very kind…”
“And the Second Young Master isn’t bothering you?”
“He wouldn’t dare, not with you here, Master.”
Lee Jon-Hwi had been avoiding Baek Su-Gyeong ever since he arrived at the Yongmun Family residence.
And when he did appear, his expression was always strained, as if he were forcing himself to be polite.
It was clear that he was both afraid and respectful of Baek Su-Gyeong.
Namgung So-Min asked, “How did you manage to make the Second Young Master so afraid of you, Master?”
“Hmm… I made him stay up all night if he didn’t finish his assignments on time. And I would quiz him randomly, even during meals or in the bathroom. If he got the answers wrong, I would double his workload.”
That was harsh.
“It must have been difficult.”
“Appraising treasures is a demanding field. You have to memorize ancient texts and develop a keen eye for detail. And the Second Young Master was… not very bright.”
“He was a handful.”
“There’s a limit to how much you can force someone to learn. I understand why he’s afraid of me.”
Baek Su-Gyeong’s expression was nonchalant.
“He’s also the most neglected of the three Yongmun siblings, so I paid extra attention to him. The First Young Master is currently at Mount Hua, and the Third Young Lady is probably at the Sword Cliff in the Southern Sea…”
“Ah, that’s right…”
Lee Jon-Hwi was the only one remaining at the Yongmun Family residence.
The First Young Master, Lee Mu-Gyeol, was at Mount Hua, and the Third Young Lady, Lee Jin-Seol, was at the Sword Cliff, a renowned sword faction in the Southern Sea.
It meant they were both talented in martial arts.
But Lee Jon-Hwi was still stuck at home.
Baek Su-Gyeong spoke, a hint of pity in his voice.
“He lacks talent in martial arts, compared to his siblings. That’s why Lord Yi is so concerned about him and puts so much effort into his education. That’s why I was hired as his tutor.”
“I’m not sure if appraising treasures is that valuable.”
“It’s not very useful in Murim. But it can at least help you identify fake artifacts.”
Baek Su-Gyeong chuckled.
His smile was bitter.
“Lord Yi wanted him to become a successful merchant, but the Second Young Master is still a child. Perhaps that’s why he’s so happy to see me.”
“He’s a sore thumb.”
“Everyone has one. There’s always one child who’s more troublesome than the others. It’s natural, especially when it comes to family.”
Baek Su-Gyeong brushed the snow off the railing.
Namgung So-Min watched the snowflakes scatter and spoke.
“You always seem to see and feel more than others, Master.”
“It’s nothing compared to a martial artist.”
“That’s…”
Baek Su-Gyeong grinned mischievously at her bewildered expression.
“I was just joking.”
“Master~!”
“Haha, you looked so serious, I couldn’t resist teasing you.”
“Honestly…”
Namgung So-Min pouted.
Baek Su-Gyeong averted his gaze, his expression sheepish.
“You offered to teach me martial arts, Lady Namgung, but I’m not really interested. I learned something after years of struggling at the trading company.”
“What did you learn?”
“That I have absolutely no talent in martial arts. It’s unfair.”
Baek Su-Gyeong had once dreamed of becoming a renowned martial artist, a hero whose name would be etched into the legends of Jianghu. It was a common fantasy for those who transmigrated to another world.
But he had no such luck.
He had been chased by bandits, starved for days, and endured countless hardships.
Even the Beggars’ Sect had joked that he could skip their entrance exam. He had wandered through Jianghu, eventually ending up in Luoyang, where he was taken in by Ji Wi-Sang. That was how he became involved with the Dragon Trading Company.
“But I was still fascinated by martial arts. So, I researched it extensively. Of course, I don’t know every single technique in Murim.”
“So that’s why you’re so knowledgeable.”
“Well, something like that.”
In reality, many of his memories were hazy.
He couldn’t even remember everything in the glossary he had created in his past life.
It had been over 540,000 characters long. It was impossible to memorize it all. But he still had a vague recollection of its contents.
The problem was that he couldn’t remember everything in detail.
He rested his hand on the railing, continuing his story.
“But martial arts still excites me. Perhaps it’s because it’s a dream I could never achieve.”
“Master…”
“I still can’t believe that the entire Murim is hanging on my every word. Of course, I can’t change reality, so I might as well enjoy writing.”
He turned to Namgung So-Min.
“Do you have a dream, Lady Namgung?”