Chapter 008
Martial arts tournaments were a common occurrence in the Murim world. Some were held to strengthen friendships, others offered valuable prizes like precious swords or secret manuals, and sometimes the Murim Alliance organized tournaments to recruit new blood.
While tournaments were an essential festival in martial arts novels, how would you feel if your name was attached to one?
'…Did I hear you correctly, Guild Leader So?'
The news that So Ssanga delivered to Baek Sugyeong—who had been resting at a temple while refining the plot for his next volume—was truly shocking.
Apparently, a martial arts tournament was being held in Xuchang, Henan, where the Murim Alliance was based, under the pretext of selecting his bodyguards.
Was this even possible?
"Stop joking."
"I'm serious!"
So Ssanga pounded her chest in frustration.
Baek Sugyeong sighed.
"Please tell me it's a joke. I'm already mentally exhausted from recent events."
"So that's why you closed the pavilion and came to the temple."
"Do you know how difficult it is when I think the entire Murim world is watching my every brushstroke?"
The Murim world rising and falling with his writing—did that make any sense?
For someone who had been an ordinary writer in the modern world, this level of attention was unbearable.
"But it's true."
'…I'm going to lose my mind.'
Baek Sugyeong sighed sincerely.
Why would they arbitrarily hold a tournament to select his bodyguards when he never asked for it?
Of course, such events were common in the Murim world—but not like this. Not without consent.
Baek Sugyeong covered his forehead.
Just thinking about it gave him a headache. His temples throbbed so badly he felt he needed medicine.
"Holding a tournament is fine. It's normal here. But why are they choosing my bodyguards without even asking me?"
"Ah, well…"
So Ssanga scratched her cheek awkwardly.
"Because you ended volume five at such a cliffhanger…"
"…Ah."
Baek Sugyeong immediately understood.
The infamous modern technique—cliffhanger mastery. Ending at the peak of tension to force anticipation.
Volume four bled into volume five.
Volume five ended just as the protagonist charged into consecutive battles against major demonic factions.
His expression darkened.
"Don't tell me people are openly threatening to assassinate me?"
"…There's a crowd demanding the next volume immediately. And many famous masters—names you'd recognize—are gathering for the tournament."
"This is karma."
Yes. This was karma.
Baek Sugyeong shook his head.
"That's part of it, but if the Murim Alliance appoints bodyguards, no one will dare impersonate you! Isn't that good?"
"Yes. Very good."
His stomach burned.
"…Very good indeed."
Ah—how he wished he could return to the modern world.
...
After confirming that notices about the tournament had even been posted on the streets of Wuhan, Baek Sugyeong fled back to the temple and locked himself inside a small room.
"Argh! I'm really going crazy!!"
He just wanted to live an ordinary life.
That was all.
So why was the entire Murim world fixated on him just because he wrote one novel?
His thoughts were in chaos.
As reactions intensified day by day, the pressure grew so severe that he genuinely feared being murdered mid-writing.
"Stop at 5,700 characters, you murderer!!"
Even though he had been refining the plot for volume six, after seeing the tournament notice, he couldn't focus at all.
Baek Sugyeong was nearing his breaking point.
"Why are you doing this to me?! Why! Tell me why!"
Thump. Thump. Thump.
If it were possible, he felt like smashing his head until death.
Getting involved with martial artists meant the end of an ordinary life. That path had vanished the moment Wudang became involved—but this was different.
Now even the Murim Alliance was paying attention.
He would wither under this pressure.
'…This is making me dizzy.'
"Should I go to Xuchang?"
Though he had lived around Henan, he'd never truly entered the Central Plains since settling in Hubei.
Stroking his chin, Baek Sugyeong sat up.
"This is quite a dilemma."
Traveling to Henan required at least one bodyguard. Preparation was unavoidable.
Perhaps it would be best to extend his hiatus and observe the tournament firsthand—field research.
After all, he was a writer.
"Teacher Sugyeong, are you in there?"
"Abbot?"
Opening the door, he saw the temple's abbot standing beside a man dressed in black.
"Who is this?"
"…I apologize for the intrusion."
The man performed a precise pokwon salute.
"I am Kang Yupyeong of the Hubei Branch of the Murim Alliance. I've come to escort Teacher Sugyeong."
"What?"
...
Kang Yupyeong's mission was simple.
By order of Alliance Leader Jang Hyoun, he was to escort Baek Sugyeong to Xuchang.
Half resigned, Baek Sugyeong agreed.
Nothing in this world followed his wishes anyway.
"…We're approaching Xuchang now."
Baek Sugyeong nodded vaguely.
The Murim Alliance's luxury carriage rolled through a bustling city far more prosperous than Wuhan.
"Xuchang, huh."
Fields stretched endlessly. Yellow earth walls loomed.
"Halt!"
"Identify yourselves!"
After verification—
"You may pass!"
The carriage entered the Murim Alliance Headquarters.
...
"I'll escort you to the Guest Reception Hall."
Baek Sugyeong followed while jotting notes for future writing.
Then—he stopped.
A statue.
"Master Kang."
"Yes?"
"When was this created?"
The sculpture depicted a man holding a sword, a hawk on his shoulder, yin-yang headband blazing.
Far too familiar.
"That's the statue of Master Jin Un. It was erected about three months ago."
"…Did you say a statue?"
Baek Sugyeong's face twisted.
'…This isn't a celebrity standee.'
'…This is insane!!'
It seemed this mad world had no intention of leaving Baek Sugyeong in peace.