Namgung Clan’s Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal

10. Is There None?

"Why are you suddenly sniveling?"

It's all because of you. All your fault.

Sideburns wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and hide. Everyone was whispering and staring at him. Even from what little he could hear, they were calling him a lunatic, a drunkard. Sun Wukong, with his sharp hearing, must have caught every word, but he remained completely unfazed.

"You’re sure you understand everything about the Namgung Clan, right?"

Sideburns let out a sigh as he asked.

Sun Wukong had given a brief summary, but the world was never that simple. The real story was far more complicated.

The Namgung Clan.

Heroes of Murim, or merciless sword demons with neither blood nor tears.

People viewed them in completely opposite ways.

From the start, among the Five Great Families—no, including the Nine Great Sects—they boasted the strongest force in the Orthodox Faction.

When the Evil Faction Alliance, Sama Ryeon, began preparing for a decisive battle with the Orthodox Faction, it was obvious that the Namgung Clan was the first target to weaken.

They spent years preparing for war. Countless spies infiltrated the Namgung Clan, digging traps from within, slowly and methodically.

When the conflict intensified, the first blade was naturally aimed at the Namgung Clan. In the early days of the Great War of Righteousness and Evil, the Namgung Clan suffered devastating losses from all the traps, poison, and meticulous schemes.

The next generation—their future—was wiped out. Direct line, collateral branches, it didn’t matter. Their bloodline was already rare, and now even the clan’s survival was in question.

Those who survived shed tears of blood and swore revenge.

What Sama Ryeon overlooked was that the former clan head, Namgung Jin-cheon, contrary to rumors, was already a martial artist nearly unrivaled under heaven.

And that wasn’t all. The handful of survivors, having escaped such elaborate traps, were all extraordinary Martial Masters.

Transformed into vengeful reapers, their blades brought Sama Ryeon to ruin.

Anyone even remotely connected became a target, and the Namgung Clan’s sword hesitated at nothing.

Even ordinary people, far removed from Murim, weren’t spared.

A merchant who supplied goods to Sama Ryeon? Beheaded.

Farmers who delivered food? Both legs cut off.

Craftsmen who made swords and spears? Both hands severed.

Their cruelty was so extreme that even Shaolin and Wudang intervened and clashed with the Namgung Clan during the war.

The bloody cycle of revenge continued throughout the war, ending only with Sama Ryeon’s defeat.

"The real problem came after the war."

At Sideburns’ words, Sun Wukong seemed to grasp the situation.

"Revenge is contagious, after all."

"Oh, that’s a good way to put it. Exactly. As the Namgung Clan went on their rampage, all sorts of people got caught up in it. So many died, and even innocents were dragged in and killed unjustly."

Blood begets blood. The Namgung Clan’s desperate vengeance only created more grudges.

Now, many sought the downfall of the Namgung Clan. Not just the Evil Faction, but various sects tangled in their own interests—even those from the Orthodox Faction.

"Man, people really make life complicated. The Namgung Clan must have had a headache, especially since their numbers were so reduced."

"Exactly. Sure, they had the greatest martial artist and the surviving Namgung members were all seasoned warriors—each one a top Martial Master in Murim—but sheer numbers matter, too. They were even quietly ostracized by the Orthodox Faction."

So, the Namgung Clan’s solution was to take in Retainers.

"People say that just their Retainers alone could form another Great Family. Some even call them the Sixth Great Family."

That gave a sense of just how large their scale was.

Sun Wukong nodded.

"So the only way in for me is as a Retainer."

But not just anyone could become a Retainer in the Namgung Clan.

There were several requirements. For example, a high reputation.

"Well, that’s impossible for you right now."

"Hey, I’m the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, you know?"

"Show me the Nimbus Cloud."

"…Well, that’s a bit complicated."

"Where’s your Ruyi Jingu Bang, then?"

"That too…"

"And you want me to believe you’re the Great Sage Equal to Heaven?"

Man, people just don’t trust you these days.

"Damn it, if it weren’t for that crazy Guanyin Bodhisattva…"

If only the Nimbus Cloud would show up, this would be nothing.

‘The Ruyi Jingu Bang… well, I guess that’s my fault, so I’ve got nothing to say.’

No, seriously, Guanyin Bodhisattva is the real villain here.

Anyway, it’s her fault.

At this point, Sun Wukong suddenly slumped.

Honestly, he was tired of everything.

Why not just barge in and demand they hand over Tripitaka? Why did things have to get so complicated?

Should I just flip the table and wreck everything?

Sun Wukong seriously considered storming the Namgung Clan.

‘No, that’s not it.’

He might be hot-tempered and impulsive, but he was never foolish.

‘The problem is, I can’t find Tripitaka right away.’

In the end, everything came down to Tripitaka.

The only clue and evidence pointed to the Namgung Clan.

If he barged in and still couldn’t find Tripitaka, things would get even messier.

For now, the best option was to infiltrate the Namgung Clan as a Retainer.

Take his time, observe, and search for Tripitaka.

That meant he needed to boost his reputation.

"In my experience, the fastest way is to just bash in the head of some famous guy."

"…"

For some reason, Sideburns gave him a frosty look.

No, seriously.

What? Just beat up a few guys first. Back in the Heavenly Realm, I got famous by beating up every immortal and celestial who crossed my path.

"Well, you’re not wrong."

Sideburns scratched his chin.

The simplest way to gain fame in the martial world.

Beat someone who’s already notorious for being strong.

And to really make a mark, for example…

"Just fight some infamous figures from the Evil Faction."

"Evil Faction, huh. People like Guanyin Bodhisattva?"

Just what kind of being was Guanyin Bodhisattva to Sun Wukong?

Sideburns had heard so many curses about Guanyin Bodhisattva from him that he thought he should probably go pray at a temple soon.

"Careful, you’ll get struck by lightning at this rate. Anyway, if you take down someone like a public enemy of Murim, you’ll be famous in no time."

Sun Wukong’s face twisted at the casual answer.

"Public enemy of Murim?"

"Yeah. Like that guy, the Blood-Iron Fiend… Oh."

A brief silence fell. Sun Wukong’s brow furrowed.

"Hey."

"Yes, Great Hero?"

"Why are you only telling me this now?"

"Excuse me?"

"Why are you only mentioning something so important now?"

"I mean…"

You never asked, man.

Sideburns felt wronged in his own way.

"Come on, you’re heading to the Namgung Clan and you didn’t even know that?"

Going there without knowing something so basic?

It’s not like you were invited or had an appointment.

"And who in their right mind would let a public enemy go after catching them?"

Who? What kind of lunatic catches a public enemy and lets them go?

Sun Wukong sighed and raised his hand. Sideburns, who had been protesting, flinched.

"Hey, did I let him go?"

"Excuse me?"

"Weren’t you the one watching him and lost track?"

"Excuse me?!"

"Now you’re getting all worked up and blaming me?"

"Maybe…"

Is there… none?

He almost blurted out something truly disrespectful, but Sideburns held his tongue.

"You just can’t keep your mouth shut, can you?"

Nope, can’t hold it in.

"Maybe… you don’t have it?"

"Have what?"

"Ah, I guess you don’t. If you did, you wouldn’t have been raised like that."

Sun Wukong had no idea what he meant, but he was annoyed enough to smack Sideburns on the back of the head. With a satisfying thwack, Sideburns clutched his head and jumped up.

Sun Wukong clicked his tongue.

"This is getting annoying."

"I thought you caught the Blood-Iron Fiend on purpose. He killed members of the Namgung Clan, so the grudge runs deep. If you bring him to the Namgung Clan, they’ll open their gates and welcome you in."

"…"

Sun Wukong’s face turned complicated.

Was it just his imagination, or did Sideburns’ tone sound like he was criticizing him for not knowing that?

Thwack!

"Ow! Why’d you hit me again?"

"Just felt like it."

Sideburns looked like he wanted to protest but swallowed his anger.

‘He really doesn’t have it… definitely doesn’t,’ he muttered, but Sun Wukong ignored him and closed his eyes.

"The guy’s on a boat right now. There are mulberry trees all around."

Sideburns tilted his head at the sudden description.

"If it’s a riverbank like that, it must be the waterway heading toward Anhui Province."

Honestly, he was surprised. Sun Wukong’s description was so accurate, it was as if he’d seen it himself. It gave him chills.

Noticing Sideburns’ reaction, Sun Wukong grinned.

"I’m the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. I can see thousands of miles from where I sit."

"…You can really see that? Should I believe you?"

Seriously?

Is that even possible? But the description was spot on, like he’d really been there.

Sideburns was confused.

"Anyway, Anhui Province is where the Namgung Clan is, right? Good. At least the path hasn’t split."

"But how are you going to catch up? You should’ve handed him over to the Murim Alliance to lift the sailing ban."

Sun Wukong replied nonchalantly.

"You’re a good swimmer."

"How do you know I’m a good swimmer?"

"You said you were a water bandit."

"Oh, right. I did mention that. But how am I supposed to catch up to a moving boat by swimming?"

"If it were the old days, this would be nothing."

"The old days?"

Sideburns didn’t even care anymore. Conversations with Sun Wukong always went off the rails, but if he got hung up on it, he’d lose his mind.

Maybe ‘no thoughts, no worries’ was the right mindset—just let it go in one ear and out the other.

"Yeah. I used to be an amazing swimmer back then."

Sideburns shook his head and turned away.

"I’ll try to find a boat. There should be at least a few fishing boats sneaking out despite the sailing ban."

"You really can’t catch up by swimming? You were a real water ghost back in the day."

"What are you talking about?"

"No one could outswim you in the water."

Sideburns tilted his head.

‘How does he know I’m good at diving?’

Sun Wukong’s offhand comments made Sideburns think.

‘I’m sure I’ve never met this guy before.’

With such a strong impression, there’s no way I’d forget him.

But somehow, he doesn’t feel that unfamiliar, either.

It’s almost like I’ve known him for a long time.

Lost in confusion, Sideburns stared at Sun Wukong.

As if reading his mind, Sun Wukong flashed a bright smile.

*

The Blood-Iron Fiend’s bloodshot eyes darted around anxiously.

"Can’t you go any faster?"

He threatened with a machete as thick as his forearm. The fisherman, dragged out at dawn and forced to steer the boat, had a dry mouth.

He’d tried to refuse, saying there was a sailing ban, but it was useless. When his nephew’s arm was cut off for resisting, the fisherman realized this man was a public enemy of Murim.

What choice did he have? He had to row for his life and catch the wind before sunrise.

But a fishing boat was still just a fishing boat. It wasn’t fast.

The Blood-Iron Fiend knew this, but he was too agitated to sit still.

"Damn that filthy-haired bastard…"

Just thinking about it made him grind his teeth. At the same time, a wave of fear washed over him.

‘He’s strong. Ridiculously strong.’

He never imagined he’d be defeated so easily. Honestly, he still had no idea what kind of Martial Art Skill Sun Wukong had used.

‘He’s not someone I can handle.’

He admitted it honestly. He couldn’t win with his own strength. He’d even lost his precious item.

‘Damn it. I really hate having to beg that wretch for help…’

He couldn’t do it alone.

The Blood-Iron Fiend was cunning, but also coldly rational. If something was too much to swallow, he wasn’t the type to force it and get himself killed.

That’s how he’d survived even after being branded a public enemy.

‘Still, if I cooperate with that brute—his skills are incredible.’

If he returned to his master empty-handed, he’d be in serious trouble.

No, even if not, he’d surely disappoint. The Blood-Iron Fiend decided to swallow his pride.

‘Ironically, if I capture that suspicious, filthy-haired bastard and offer him up, it might earn me great merit.’

His master seemed to know the value of the item Sun Wukong had taken.

Bzzz!

Thwack!

The Blood-Iron Fiend waved his hand through the air, frowning.

"Why are there so damn many flies?"

He muttered about how annoying things had gotten, like a swarm of buzzing flies, biting his lip in frustration.

He didn’t even realize that a fly had dodged the swing of a Martial Master.