<Chapter 41> Winter in Luoyang (3)
* * *
Dreams… Dreams.
It was a foreign concept to Namgung So-Min.
She had been wielding a sword for as long as she could remember. A life where she had been forced to follow someone else’s path, not her own.
Her martial arts skills had grown, and she had earned the respect of many, but…
She had never seriously considered her own dreams.
“I…”
“It’s good to have a dream, even if it’s not clear yet. Dreams might seem frivolous, but they can be a powerful driving force. Once you achieve one goal, it’s helpful to set another.”
Namgung So-Min looked at him.
“What about you, Master? What’s your dream?”
“Me?”
Baek Su-Gyeong chuckled sheepishly as she nodded.
“I’ve always said that my dream is to live a normal life.”
***
“Hero Jin Un is amazing!”
“I didn’t expect the battle at the River’s End Gang to end like that. It’s a bit disappointing.”
“Conqueror Sword Lord was strong! He was a worthy opponent for Hero Jin Un.”
“That demonic technique would be terrifying if it actually existed.”
“But Hero Jin Un will never lose.”
“Of course not! The Invincible Sword is unbeatable!”
People on the streets were discussing the latest volume of The Wudang Sword Hero.
Baek Su-Gyeong, accompanied by Namgung So-Min, was heading towards the Gyeong-Un Merchant Group’s Luoyang branch. It was early to mid-November, and the merchant group had grown so much that it was now practically a trading company.
He seemed to recall So Ssang-Ah mentioning it.
“The story seems to be heading towards its climax…”
“He’s only defeated two of the Nine Great Demon Lords of the Heavenly Pole True Cult. He still has seven more to go before reaching the Heavenly Demon.”
One man countered another’s statement.
“But Hero Jin Un’s martial arts skills are improving rapidly. He’s practically toying with the Heavenly Pole True Cult’s minions. And the current situation is different from what he remembers from his previous life, so I think he’ll start struggling soon.”
“It’s only Volume 7. There should be at least ten more volumes.”
“Of course. We need to see him fight the remaining Seven Demon Lords. Now that the Conqueror Sword Lord and the Poison Demon Lord are gone, the others should be appearing soon. I doubt the Heavenly Pole True Cult will give up on their invasion of the Central Plains so easily.”
“Indeed. The Heavenly Demon hasn’t abandoned his ambitions, so Hero Jin Un’s trials are far from over.”
Namgung So-Min chuckled as she listened to their conversation, following behind Baek Su-Gyeong.
“Everyone’s so passionate about The Wudang Sword Hero.”
“I want to hide every time I hear people discussing it in public.”
“Hehe, you’re too famous for that.”
“I’m glad my face isn’t known.”
Baek Su-Gyeong shook his head, imagining the chaos that would ensue if his identity were revealed.
He had already experienced the frenzy in Hubei, and he knew that if he became famous throughout Murim, he wouldn’t be able to handle it.
That was why he was saying this, but…
Namgung So-Min smiled.
“But someday, the people of Murim will know your face, Master.”
“That’s why I’m scared. It’s already a headache.”
A group of children ran past them, their voices filled with excitement.
“Hyaa! Take this! Limitless Strike!”
“Conqueror Sword Lord’s Hellfire Curtain!”
“Not so fast!”
The children, giggling and chasing each other, were also discussing The Wudang Sword Hero.
They were wielding crude wooden swords, their stances clumsy, their voices echoing with the names of Jin Un’s ultimate techniques and the defensive moves of the Conqueror Sword Lord, whose life had ended in Volume 7 after a fierce battle.
The child playing Jin Un stumbled and fell, and the child playing the Conqueror Sword Lord raised his wooden sword, striking a pose.
“You fought well, but it’s over. Sword Hero! To think you would dare challenge our cult with such meager skills… Uh, what’s the next line?”
“To think you would dare challenge our cult with such meager skills. What a foolish dream. The Wudang sect’s prodigy, reduced to a mere flicker of flame, destined to be extinguished here?”
The children turned their heads at the unexpected voice.
Baek Su-Gyeong smiled, walking towards them.
“Jin Un responded to the Conqueror Sword Lord’s words.”
He looked at the child playing Jin Un.
“Even if my body is shattered and broken, reduced to dust, I will never give up. I will repeat this life over and over again until I crush your ambitions and take the Heavenly Demon’s life!”
The child playing the Conqueror Sword Lord picked up where Baek Su-Gyeong left off.
“Ah, I remember now! How pathetic! You think you can defeat me with such insignificant power? Do you truly believe you can defeat our Master, the incarnation of the True Demon?!”
“Of course!”
“Then I must crush your foolish dream here and now! I will take your life!”
Baek Su-Gyeong looked back at the child playing Jin Un.
The child stood up, gripping his wooden sword with both hands.
“Let’s settle this! Conqueror Sword Lord!”
It was a scene from the climactic battle at the River’s End Gang, the highlight of Volumes 6 and 7, a dialogue between Jin Un and the Conqueror Sword Lord.
Baek Su-Gyeong’s words had seamlessly bridged the gap between the two children.
The children stared at him, their eyes wide with awe.
“Wow!”
“He memorized all the lines!”
“Mister, who are you?”
“Just a passing scholar. I overheard your conversation and couldn’t resist joining in.”
Baek Su-Gyeong looked at the children.
“Do you want to become martial artists?”
“Yes!”
They answered in unison.
He asked again, “What kind of martial artists do you want to be?”
“I want to be like Hero Jin Un!”
“I want to be a strong martial artist like the Conqueror Sword Lord!”
“I want to be the most righteous martial artist in the world!”
They were still children, their answers innocent and varied.
Some wanted to be strong like the Conqueror Sword Lord, others wanted to be like Jin Un, and some aspired to be righteous heroes.
They were all dreams.
Baek Su-Gyeong smiled, his gaze sweeping across their faces.
“Whatever your dreams are, once you embrace them, they’re yours. Dream dreams that no one can take away from you. The Wudang Sword Hero, Jin Un, the Conqueror Sword Lord… They will guide you.”
“But Mister, who are you really?”
Baek Su-Gyeong smiled but didn’t answer.
“…Have fun.”
He turned and walked away, Namgung So-Min following closely behind.
“You’re very kind to children, Master.”
“Dreams are like sprouts. No one knows if they’ll grow into mighty trees or beautiful flowers.”
“That’s a very philosophical statement, Master.”
“It’s not that deep. Children’s dreams are precious. Who knows? One of those children might become a renowned master someday.”
He smiled.
“I’m a bit embarrassed that even children are familiar with The Wudang Sword Hero.”
“You’re shy about the strangest things, Master.”
“What can I do? That’s just who I am.”
“I like you anyway.”
“You’re too forward, Lady Namgung.”
Namgung So-Min chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand.
Snowflakes danced around them as they continued their walk.
***
Snow fell upon the Imperial Palace in Beijing.
The palace grounds, the roofs of the buildings covered in a blanket of white, were a breathtaking sight. Ju Geum-Ye, surrounded by palace guards in purple robes, walked towards the heart of the palace.
The guards bowed respectfully as she passed.
She entered a chamber, her steps leading her to the innermost sanctum.
The doors slid open, and she was greeted by Emperor Myeong Jeong-Je, his face stern, his head adorned with a flat-topped crown.
Ju Geum-Ye bowed her head in greeting.
“Welcome, my daughter. So, you met with Baek Su-Gyeong?”
“Yes, Father.”
“How did it go?”
Ju Geum-Ye responded to his direct question.
“He rejected my offer.”
“Hmm. He’s truly a reclusive scholar. What a shame. His influence could have been a great asset in controlling Murim.”
“Judging by his negative reaction to the proposal, I doubt we’ll be able to recruit him, Father.”
Emperor Myeong Jeong-Je stroked his beard, his expression regretful.
“But he’s still an influential figure in Jianghu. What should we do?”
“I haven’t given up yet, Father.”
“You haven’t given up?”
His voice rose slightly, his interest piqued.
His daughter, the Princess of Luohong, the heir apparent to the throne, wasn’t giving up on a single man.
A smile played on his lips.
“Is it because you see him as a valuable asset, or…”
Ju Geum-Ye lowered her head slightly at his teasing question.
She had a habit of avoiding eye contact when she was trying to hide her emotions. Emperor Myeong Jeong-Je, knowing his daughter well, didn’t press the issue.
“If he becomes your consort, he’ll be the imperial son-in-law. No matter how influential he is in Jianghu, the officials will vehemently oppose it.”
“H-He’s just a scholar in Jianghu. I have no personal feelings…”
“You always lower your head slightly when you’re trying to hide your emotions. It’s pointless to lie to me.”
Emperor Myeong Jeong-Je chuckled.
“You’ve rejected countless suitors, yet you’ve taken an interest in this man. Perhaps I should meet him myself.”
“T-Taken an interest?! I have no such thoughts…”
Ju Geum-Ye’s face flushed crimson.
It was the first time he had seen his daughter so flustered.
Emperor Myeong Jeong-Je stroked his beard.
“The Imperial Palace is like a gilded cage, suffocating and restrictive. Perhaps that’s why you and I were so drawn to The Wudang Sword Hero.”
“Father…”
“Do you long for the freedom of Jianghu?”
Ju Geum-Ye lowered her head.
Her journey through Jianghu had been brief, but she couldn’t deny that she had enjoyed it.
That was why she couldn’t answer his question.
She was the empress’s daughter, his only child. It meant she was the heir to the throne.
He had never taken another consort after the empress died in childbirth.
Emperor Myeong Jeong-Je spoke.
“Decide for yourself. I’ll respect your wishes.”
“Father…”
He smiled, looking at his daughter.
His gaze was no longer that of an emperor, but a loving father.
“I’ll hear your answer later. You’re dismissed.”
Ju Geum-Ye bowed and left the chamber.
Emperor Myeong Jeong-Je watched her go, his gaze shifting towards the window, which was slightly ajar.
“Winter has arrived.”
Spring always followed winter.
And it seemed spring had also arrived in Ju Geum-Ye’s heart.
A smile spread across his lips.
Nice father
Thank for the chapter!