Chapter 007
After a month-long hiatus, just as the fourth volume was released to the world, news reached Baek Sugyeong.
Nearly three weeks after he had secluded himself in a mountain temple to gather his thoughts, word arrived that many of those responsible for creating illegal manuscript copies had been arrested.
Apparently, the Murim Alliance had issued Murim warrants in the name of the Wudang Sect to capture the plagiarists.
What a frightening world.
No—issuing Murim warrants just to catch plagiarists?
"Are they insane?"
His head throbbed painfully.
Baek Sugyeong pressed his forehead firmly, trying to suppress the oncoming headache. Somehow, the situation was becoming increasingly chaotic.
Even the abbot of the mountain temple where he had come to rest was an avid reader of Wudang Sword Hero. Every morning, the old monk ambushed him with questions about when the next volume would be released.
That alone was enough to give him a headache.
And now Murim warrants had been issued.
Was this really happening?
'…I wish this was just a dream.'
Baek Sugyeong let out a long sigh.
He could understand the Wudang Sect taking action. After all, the novel bore their sect's name. It was only natural that they would be furious.
He had originally posted the notice precisely to provoke such a reaction.
But somehow, things had grown far beyond the notice.
Now even the Murim Alliance was involved.
"Is this really my karma?"
His vision swam.
He had known from the beginning that living quietly in this world would be impossible—but when matters reached the Murim Alliance, it became something entirely different.
Clutching his aching head, Baek Sugyeong muttered,
"The only good thing is that there are no newspapers."
At least his name wouldn't be plastered across headlines.
Though even that wasn't reassuring.
This world was changing faster than he had ever anticipated.
"Surely they won't invent newspapers… right?"
He sincerely hoped they wouldn't.
...
The illegal manuscript copies circulating through the market were gradually purged.
Rumors spread like wildfire across the Central Plains—that the gang responsible for producing illegal copies had been largely captured and punished by Murim Alliance warriors.
After Volume Four, Volume Five of Wudang Sword Hero was released.
Yet the people's thirst for the novel showed no signs of diminishing.
Crowds once again flocked to White Cloud Pavilion in Wuhan, Hubei Province.
Then a new situation emerged.
Baek Sugyeong refused visitors.
He secluded himself once more.
And the release of Volume Six became uncertain.
"It's because of the incident that troubled Teacher Sugyeong."
"This is all because of those who illegally copied Wudang Sword Hero!"
"Nonsense! Black books circulate because the supply is ridiculously insufficient!"
"You! Are you defending black books?"
"Are you from the Black Brush Gang?!"
"Damn it—how did you know?!"
Speculation ran rampant.
With White Cloud Pavilion closed and Teacher Sugyeong's whereabouts unknown, all people could do was wait—endlessly—for his return.
...
Bang!
"Is this even reasonable?!"
A man slammed his desk in rage.
He possessed a towering physique and a tiger-like face, his presence overwhelming.
A sword scar ran across his forehead—proof that he was no ordinary man.
Yet in his trembling hands was a single book.
"Please calm down, Alliance Leader."
A man with a goatee tried to restrain him.
"Do I look like I can calm down? Why! Why did it end there, Teacher Sugyeong!!"
The man was Jang Hyoun, the Murim Alliance Leader—known as the Thousand Hand Sword Sovereign.
It was absurd.
The leader of the Murim Alliance, a man who controlled countless sects and political factions with his genial personality, was throwing a tantrum over a novel.
Yet no one dared laugh.
"Teacher Sugyeong must be troubled by recent events. That is likely why he did not release two volumes at once."
"Why are you so calm, Military Commissioner?! Volume Five ended on such a cliffhanger! Aren't you angry?!"
"Haha. Getting angry won't make nonexistent books appear. Besides, even the reprints sold out instantly. I had to borrow my copy from the elders."
"Argh! This is tyranny! Tyranny!"
Even so, it was difficult to watch a man capable of killing a tiger with one punch behave like a child.
But Wudang Sword Hero truly possessed that kind of power.
A novel written by someone with profound Murim knowledge.
A prose style unlike classical works.
It captivated all who read it.
Even Murim Alliance elders reportedly carried reprinted copies hidden in their robes.
"I apologize for my unbecoming behavior, Military Commissioner."
Jang Hyoun regained his composure.
Jegal Yu smiled bitterly.
"There is no doubt it is a novel of tremendous appeal. However… there is something that concerns me."
"What is it?"
"If Teacher Sugyeong encounters another misfortune, won't the writing be delayed again?"
"Hmm!"
A critical point.
If the next volume were delayed, it could threaten the peace of the martial world itself.
That was how influential the novel had become.
"Moreover," Jegal Yu continued calmly, "if Teacher Sugyeong does not write, there are those who may threaten his life."
"That's possible! Is Wudang protecting him?"
"Yes. Two warriors, according to Divine Eye Pavilion."
"Only two?"
Jang Hyoun stroked his chin gravely.
"Losing Teacher Sugyeong would be like losing a treasure of Murim. Assign bodyguards."
"I agree."
If Baek Sugyeong had heard this, he would have cursed both men for losing their minds.
But they were serious.
"Ideally, I'd like to bring him to Alliance headquarters and make him write."
"That won't work."
"Why not?!"
"Do you believe he would write under confinement?"
Jang Hyoun fell silent.
"He is not someone who can be manipulated. Doing so would stain both his name and the Alliance's."
"…My thinking was shallow."
Jegal Yu nodded.
"Then let us select his bodyguard through a martial arts tournament."
"Excellent! Proceed immediately!"
And with that, plans were set in motion.
...
"What?! A tournament to select Teacher Sugyeong's bodyguard?!"
"That's correct, Sect Leader."
Two old Taoists stood amid towering mountains.
One was Master Hyeonseong.
The other—Master Mujin.
"Then Wudang cannot be left out! It's Wudang Sword Hero!"
"What do you intend?"
"Send Cheongmyeong!"
Cheongmyeong—the most promising of the new disciples.
The future of Wudang's sword lineage.
"Let him take the Great Pure Pill as well!"
Master Mujin smiled bitterly.
"Naturally. It should be our disciple."
If Baek Sugyeong had heard this, he might have screamed.
But this madness spread beyond Wudang.
From the Nine Provinces and Eight Wilds, warriors gathered in Xuchang, the seat of the Murim Alliance.
The Central Plains trembled.
All because of one man.
...
The rumors reached Anhui Province.
"Miss—Miss Somin!"
"Come in."
Her voice was as cold as shattered ice.
Namgung Somin sat calmly, reading.
The book in her hands was worn thin.
Wudang Sword Hero, Volume Five.
"You're going, aren't you?"
Namgung Somin nodded.
Placing the book into her bosom, she smiled faintly.
"Of course."
The smile of the Number One Flower of the Orthodox Faction was fleeting—
Yet dazzling.
"…Prepare, Hwa."
"Yes, Miss!!"