Namgung Clan’s Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal

14. Which One of You Is It?

Head of Law Enforcement Hall Muhwa was flustered.

The gaze fixed on her, without so much as a greeting, was intense.

And that strange smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

He looked both pleased and surprised.

‘They said he was a madman, and I see why.’

Of course, she didn’t let her inner thoughts show.

There was no hostility in his eyes. No sense of danger, either. His gaze was innocent, almost childlike, as if he were marveling at something new. Maybe that’s why Muhwa felt a little embarrassed.

“Um, young hero?”

“Ah, pleased to meet you. You can call me Mr. Sun. I was so delighted that the Namgung Clan would welcome me with open arms, I was momentarily at a loss for words.”

“I see.”

“By fate’s arrangement, I was able to capture the Blood-Iron Fiend, the Namgung Clan’s sworn enemy, with my own hands. I hope this serves as a gift.”

“The Clan Leader will be very pleased. Though, I suppose he’ll be a little disappointed that he didn’t get to catch him himself.”

“But why is it so quiet inside?”

“Everyone went out when news of the Blood-Iron Fiend’s appearance broke. I sent word that he’d been captured, but since they haven’t returned yet, I’d bet they’re out somewhere, drinking themselves silly to celebrate.”

Honestly, these people…

At Muhwa’s muttered complaint, Sun Wukong got a sense of the atmosphere.

There was none of the rigid discipline or suffocating solemnity you’d expect from a prestigious clan.

It felt relatively free.

As Sun Wukong looked around the estate, he also observed Muhwa closely.

A string of karma, pure white and unbroken.

It shone so brightly, it was almost blinding—just as bright as the one connecting him and Bajie.

If the brightness reflected the strength of the bond…

‘That means this is a connection as significant as the one I have with Bajie.’

If it’s that important…

Naturally, Guanyin Bodhisattva’s words kept echoing in Sun Wukong’s mind.

‘The Namgung Clan of Anhui Province—the last place where the soul of Tripitaka left its mark.’

Muhwa, whom he met at the Namgung Clan, and the pure white string of karma connecting them.

Could it be…?

…Well, if you reincarnate, your gender could change. What matters is the soul.

‘Of course, it’s only a possibility.’

He hadn’t recognized Bajie’s true identity right away, either.

It was only after various conversations and incidents, as Bajie’s guard slowly came down, that Sun Wukong could finally be sure—especially when Bajie revealed his true nature during the fight against Namgung Jeok by the river.

‘Come to think of it, even in this life, his Dharma name is Bajie, isn’t it?’

Names often carry destiny.

And it was Guanyin Bodhisattva herself who gave him that name.

…Wait a minute, does that mean I could’ve just asked Bajie’s name from the start?

The thought left Sun Wukong feeling a bit deflated.

“May I ask your name?”

Perhaps the question came out of nowhere.

Muhwa’s eyes widened for a moment.

“My name is Muhwa.”

“……”

Sun Wukong’s expression turned odd.

Muhwa.

‘Hmm.’

No matter how he thought about it, there was no connection to Tripitaka’s real name or any of his aliases.

And “blazing fire,” huh. An interesting name.

Noticing Sun Wukong’s reaction, Muhwa seemed to have another thought and added,

“Is it strange that I don’t have the Namgung surname?”

“……”

No, that hadn’t even crossed his mind.

Muhwa smiled gently.

“When I was a child, during the Great War of Righteousness and Evil, the Namgung Clan saved me. I was an orphan, crying after losing my parents. Maybe they just felt sorry for me. The Clan Leader, despite how he appears, is actually very warm-hearted. He took me in and raised me. Even though I didn’t inherit the Namgung name, I grew up as a full member of the clan and now hold an important position.”

“The Clan Leader sounds like a good person.”

“He’s not a bad person, at least.”

With that, Muhwa stopped walking.

“When the Clan Leader returns, I’ll arrange a meeting. Please rest for a while.”

*

“Was that woman earlier your type, Great Hero?”

“What are you talking about?”

Back in his room, Sun Wukong frowned at Bajie’s sudden question.

“I mean the Head of Law Enforcement Hall. She’s quite young for such a position.”

“So?”

“Well, she was staring at you with a smile, asking all sorts of questions in a gentle way. I’m just saying, if a man wags his tail like a puppy needing to pee, it’s not very attractive.”

…That’s a bit insulting.

Of all people, to hear that from you.

Sun Wukong was dumbfounded.

Leaving aside the misunderstanding, it was oddly annoying to hear Bajie talk like some kind of expert on women.

“I told you, I’m here to find someone.”

“Oh? So you’re looking for the Head of Law Enforcement Hall?”

“Who knows.”

He still wasn’t sure.

He didn’t feel even a hint of Tripitaka’s presence yet.

‘Just like with Bajie, I’ll have to break down some walls first.’

And that didn’t seem easy.

‘What a pain, seriously.’

Sun Wukong suddenly wanted to be alone with his tangled thoughts. He looked at Bajie, who had followed him into the room.

“Aren’t you tired? Go get some rest.”

“Ahem, actually, I just wanted to say goodbye.”

“Goodbye?”

“Yes. Now that we’ve arrived at the Namgung Clan, I’ll be taking Semo and heading back to Hayeon Mountain.”

Sun Wukong folded his arms and looked at Bajie.

“Hm.”

Bajie glanced at him, gauging his reaction.

“My job was to guide you to the Namgung Clan, after all.”

“Right. That’s true.”

“Huh?”

Bajie was surprised to see Sun Wukong nod so easily.

“Well, then, let’s have a drink before you go.”

*

Bajie meant what he said.

“You’re a lightweight, aren’t you?”

“Ugh. I told you, I get tipsy just from the smell.”

“I didn’t expect you to turn red and start slurring your words after just two drinks.”

Sun Wukong let out a dry laugh.

Come to think of it, even in his past life, Bajie was never much of a drinker, unlike Bajie.

“Oh, and thank you for treating Semo.”

“It was nothing.”

“His shoulder was shattered. How did you heal that? Even the best doctors would be amazed.”

“When you travel with a crybaby who bawls over every scratch, you get pretty good at medicine.”

“Crybaby?”

“Tripitaka.”

“Ah… I see. But how did you know I was good at fighting in water?”

“I can just tell.”

“Is this another one of those ‘see a thousand miles from where you sit’ things?”

“I see a person’s true nature.”

“Heh. Since we’re parting ways, I might as well tell you. I was born and raised in a fishing village.”

Clearly tipsy, Bajie started sharing his past unprompted.

“Since I was a kid, I had a knack for water. I could dive better than anyone, hold my breath longer, read the currents better than any seasoned fisherman. People started saying I was the reincarnation of the Phantom Demon.”

“Phantom Demon?”

“There’s a legend in my hometown. The Phantom Demon is a serpent demon who never became a dragon, but acts as a mediator between humans and the Dragon King of the sea, helping fishermen catch fish. People said I was that Phantom Demon, or something.”

“That’s pretty interesting.”

Sun Wukong chuckled. Bajie laughed too, his words slurring.

“Then, by chance, I met a strange master and learned a martial art—Water-Fire True Qi. Normally, martial arts require you to use your internal qi through breathing, but it’s not easy to breathe underwater, right?”

“True.”

Namgung Jeok and Namgung Seon’s struggles against Bajie were proof enough.

“But this martial art doesn’t require breathing.”

“So how does it work?”

“Heh. That’s a secret. Anyway, it lets me use internal qi freely underwater and doesn’t hinder my martial arts. Like many who learn martial arts, my village was eventually burned by bandits, and I became a bandit myself for a while, made a bit of a name, then got swept up in the Great War of Righteousness and Evil, and somehow ended up at Shaolin. That’s been my life.”

Bajie paused, then gave Sun Wukong a sidelong glance.

“That’s my story. What about you, Great Hero? Where are you from?”

“Huaguo Mountain.”

“…Come on, can’t you tell me a bit more before we part ways?”

“I’ve never lied about it, not even once.”

Bajie, clearly disappointed, shook his head and stood up.

He realized Sun Wukong had no intention of sharing his real story.

Swaying a bit, Bajie gave a rough Tiger Fist salute.

“Well, I’ll be going, then. I’ll leave at dawn with Semo. This is my last goodbye.”

“Alright.”

“…You really mean it?”

“Yeah. Take care of yourself. I hope you stay alive.”

“Huh?”

The ominous tone made Bajie sober up instantly, his eyes wide.

“Now that the Blood-Iron Fiend is dead, the ones above him will want to know who killed him. They’ll come after me, but since I’m at the Namgung Clan, they can’t touch me for now. So they might go after someone who was with me…”

“……”

Bajie fell silent. After a long pause, he let out a deep sigh.

“…Well, see you tomorrow. Let’s have breakfast together.”

“Sure.”

With a sour expression, Bajie left the room.

Sun Wukong chuckled to himself and poured another drink.

Soon after, a voice called from outside the door.

“Great Hero. The Clan Leader wishes to see you.”

Sun Wukong sprang to his feet. If he wanted to find Tripitaka, he’d have to stay at the Namgung Clan for a while.

He’d have to become a retainer.

With a serious expression, Sun Wukong walked out.

Everywhere, he could see traces of the Great War of Righteousness and Evil—crumbled walls, sword marks on stones in the garden. Yet the air in the household was heavy and dignified.

And the presence he felt all around…

‘There are quite a few warriors here.’

Their movements were so discreet, it was almost like a demon’s spell technique.

Sun Wukong could now sense, even if just a little, the true power of the Namgung Clan that Bajie had described.

Soon, he arrived at the main hall where the Clan Leader resided.

As if he’d been waiting, the doorkeeper opened the door as soon as Sun Wukong appeared.

“Welcome, Mr. Sun, was it?”

A man with a bold, hearty look stood up.

On either side sat retainers and elders.

All of them fixed Sun Wukong with sharp, assessing gazes.

Among them was Muhwa, whom he’d met earlier.

The man with the hearty face gave a Tiger Fist salute.

“I am Namgung Jin-Baek, Clan Leader of the Namgung Clan.”

“……”

Sun Wukong didn’t respond right away.

It wasn’t the pressure of all those elders’ stares.

But in this moment, he felt a new kind of pressure.

“Mr. Sun?”

“Ah, hello.”

Sun Wukong finally managed to greet him.

Muhwa and Namgung Jeok, who had guided him to the Namgung Clan, exchanged puzzled glances.

Sun Wukong was clearly flustered, so different from how he’d acted before.

But then they understood.

‘Well, it is the Clan Leader of the Namgung Clan, after all.’

Even the most seasoned martial artists would be nervous in front of him.

But Sun Wukong wasn’t intimidated by Namgung Jin-Baek.

What truly unsettled him was—

‘Why…?’

Sun Wukong’s eyes trembled.

He could see it—a pure white string.

“I’d like to introduce you to my son and niece, but unfortunately, they’re not here right now. For now, please have a seat and let’s talk.”

Namgung Jin-Baek’s hearty laugh echoed across the two-zhang distance between them.

And Sun Wukong saw it—the string of karma, pure white and radiant, connecting them across exactly that distance.

‘The last trace of Tripitaka’s soul is here.’

Namgung Jin-Baek, Clan Leader of the Namgung Clan.

And Head of Law Enforcement Hall, Muhwa.

‘One of you.’

Sun Wukong realized.

‘Which one of you is Tripitaka?’