Namgung Clan’s Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal

20. Weren’t We Connected in a Past Life?

What?

No, seriously, kid.

Sun Wukong stared incredulously at Owl Demon.

Flustered under that blatant gaze, Owl Demon hurriedly explained.

“All of it?”

Sun Wukong’s expression hardened.

He couldn’t remember what happened as the seasons changed.

And this was a Mountain Spirit, no less.

Owl Demon’s shoulders slumped.

To lose all memory like that…

Sun Wukong quietly studied him. Those eyes were clear—no need to peer with the Flaming Golden Eyes.

…He’s not hiding anything.

‘If all those memories are really gone…’

A suspicion came to mind.

‘He was sealed.’

When in danger, a Mountain Spirit sometimes seals themselves to survive.

Owl Demon didn’t remember anything at all—someone must have sealed him before he even realized what was happening.

‘If these guys are bold enough to steal Tripitaka’s soul, they’re no ordinary foes. But to seal a Mountain Spirit, even if he’s just a child?’

Sun Wukong’s eyes grew calm.

Still, he’d learned something. The fiends had a clear goal, and enough power to seal even the Earth God, the guardian of this land. That alone was a significant clue.

With a sigh, Sun Wukong gently stroked the trembling feathers of Owl Demon.

“Well, if that’s how it is, there’s nothing to be done. So, are there still many Mountain Spirits like you left in the Mortal World?”

“Why not?”

“So it’s not as easy as it used to be to gather the Earth Gods together and command them.”

Sun Wukong clicked his tongue.

Back in the day, commanding the local Earth Gods was a good trick. Just wave the Ruyi Jingu Bang around and bark some orders, and the Earth Gods would get everything done in a snap.

Stroking his chin, Sun Wukong asked Owl Demon another question, just in case.

“Do you know where the Ruyi Jingu Bang is?”

“Ugh. You really don’t know anything, do you?”

<…>

Sun Wukong let out a long, exasperated sigh. Owl Demon felt guilty for no reason—he hadn’t been able to provide a single useful answer.

Especially with the infamous reputation of the Great Sage, he felt pressured to be helpful.

‘They say he once beat an Earth God to oblivion without a second thought.’

The Earth God is in the care of Grand Marshal Tai Shang, but to think someone would just beat one out of existence… Owl Demon racked his brain desperately.

“Hm?”

Sun Wukong stroked his chin.

It was a desperate suggestion, but it sounded plausible.

Sun Wukong’s main goal, of course, was to find Tripitaka.

To find his body, then his soul, and restore him.

There would no doubt be trials along the way.

‘If it’s the will of the Tathagata, after all.’

He’d faced countless trials and hardships on the journey to the West. It was all part of the path to enlightenment, or so they said.

Nothing was ever easy.

And really, would Guanyin Bodhisattva have given Sun Wukong this task if it were simple?

Even knowing he was the Great Demon, with his Demonic Power restored.

Sun Wukong was already bracing himself, mentally and physically.

Even developing new Mental Cultivation techniques using Demonic Power was part of that preparation.

‘If I could get my hands on the Ruyi Jingu Bang again…’

Sun Wukong nodded at Owl Demon’s suggestion.

“Not bad. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders for a youngster.”

Mt. Hua and Mount Song… Those are home to the Mt. Hua Sect and Shaolin, the Taoist and Buddhist sects.

It was already a hassle dealing with the Namgung Clan—now he’d have to worry about those folks too…

Step.

Just then.

Sun Wukong’s keen senses picked up footsteps.

So stealthy that even he, the Great Sage, only noticed when they were close.

He peered into the darkness.

Had the newcomer noticed his gaze?

The presence, which had been approaching quietly, suddenly closed in at speed.

Sun Wukong smirked inwardly.

‘He’s got the aura of a Great Demon, but this is the best he can do?’

He looked middle-aged, but his skin was as pale and smooth as a child’s.

A pure, clear energy.

“Well, well. I didn’t expect to find a guest with our Bai Xiao, and for it to be you, Master Sun.”

The man radiated a gentle yet powerful aura.

It was Namgung Jin-Baek, head of the Namgung Clan.

Namgung Jin-Baek wore his trademark, genial smile.

“Bai Xiao?”

“He’s the guardian spirit of this mountain, been here for ages.”

Namgung Jin-Baek raised his hand—a basket overflowing with fruit.

“A guardian spirit, huh? Are you two close?”

“Of course! I’ve known him since my grandfather’s time. He was close with my older brother, too. This pure white fellow is as spotless as fresh snow. A white owl—what else could he be but a spirit?”

Sun Wukong glanced at Owl Demon.

Owl Demon, lips pressed tight, flew over to perch proudly atop the fruit basket.

Sun Wukong couldn’t help but chuckle. The same creature who’d been trembling before him now acted like royalty in front of Namgung Jin-Baek, whose aura rivaled a Great Demon’s.

“So, what brings you out here at this hour, Master Sun?”

Namgung Jin-Baek fed fruit to Owl Demon as he studied Sun Wukong.

…Look at those eyes. They could cut steel.

His face was all hearty cheer, but Sun Wukong caught the sharp glint beneath.

He shrugged.

“Just out for a walk.”

“A walk? That’s quite a distance from the clan estate…”

Sun Wukong played it cool.

“Once I start walking, I lose track of time.”

“I see.”

Namgung Jin-Baek nodded calmly, still smiling as if nothing was amiss.

A word popped into Sun Wukong’s mind.

‘A dagger hidden behind a smile.’

Hidden Dagger Behind a Smile.

Not just the sharp eyes beneath the grin, but the subtle pressure he exuded.

Sun Wukong smiled wryly at the unspoken tension.

“I’m curious about something.”

“What is it, Master Sun?”

“You’re suspicious of me, even wary. So why did you accept me as a retainer?”

He was being direct.

Namgung Jin-Baek looked a little surprised, as if he hadn’t expected such bluntness.

He cleared his throat, slightly embarrassed.

“You really are perceptive.”

“It was pretty obvious, you know.”

“No one else in the Namgung Clan noticed, except you.”

Namgung Jin-Baek’s expression was open and sincere.

“If someone has a past or an identity they want to hide, it’s not proper to pry in the martial world. But you, Master Sun, clearly came to the clan with a purpose, didn’t you?”

“A purpose, huh. Why do you think that?”

“Your eyes are different from the other retainers.”

“…”

“The other retainers are people worn out by the world. Some wandered Murim alone for years, others came from the imperial capital, which is even more treacherous than Murim. But they all have one thing in common: most came to the clan after losing everything.”

Namgung Jin-Baek looked Sun Wukong straight in the eye.

Owl Demon, who had been quietly pecking at fruit, froze at the change in atmosphere.

Namgung Jin-Baek’s voice was firm.

“You need to earn trust, Master Sun.”

“Trust?”

“There are those in the clan who don’t like the idea of retainers at all.”

He continued slowly.

Retainers were, in their own way, another pillar supporting the Namgung Clan.

Many were once famous or well-connected.

Just having them stay at the clan made other powers think twice before making a move.

“But supporting all these retainers is expensive.”

“Is the clan short on money?”

Namgung Jin-Baek gave a sheepish laugh.

“After the Great War of Righteousness and Evil, things have been tight. And with a big event coming up, we’ve been spending even more. We can’t get rid of the retainers entirely, but there’s been talk of reducing their numbers.”

“And I showed up right in the middle of that.”

“Exactly. And to top it off, your past and identity are both a mystery.”

Sun Wukong gave Namgung Jin-Baek a curious look.

“Then it’s simple. You could’ve just not accepted me as a retainer in the first place.”

“Have we met before?”

“…”

“I can’t shake the feeling we’ve crossed paths somewhere.”

Sun Wukong couldn’t help but laugh.

Even if you can’t see the String of Karma, sometimes you’re just drawn to someone by instinct.

‘Fate is nothing but a tangle of connections, after all.’

He shrugged.

He’d never been fond of lies. Maybe it was all those encounters with deceitful demons, but he preferred people who spoke plainly.

-You foolish monkey. If you try to get through life with lies and tricks, those very tricks will be your undoing.

Tripitaka used to say that. He always wore his heart on his sleeve, never even considering lying for the sake of a mission. It was frustrating, but Sun Wukong liked that about him.

Well, he’d never cared for hypocrisy or pretense anyway.

With a relieved expression, Sun Wukong replied.

“I’m looking for someone.”

“Looking for someone? Who?”

“I don’t know their name or what they look like.”

“Is this some kind of riddle?”

“I don’t know their name or face, but I know our connection. Fate brought me here—what else could I do?”

Namgung Jin-Baek quietly studied Sun Wukong.

It sounded like something a high monk from Shaolin would say.

‘Is he from Shaolin?’

The Master of Myeong’i Hall was digging into his background, but it was as if Sun Wukong had dropped from the sky with no past at all.

Maybe he was a hidden Martial Master created by Shaolin.

As these thoughts flashed by, Namgung Jin-Baek shook his head.

That wasn’t the point right now. He could figure out Sun Wukong’s identity in time.

“So you’ll be staying at the clan until you find this person.”

“That’s right.”

“For some reason, I feel like I’ve known you forever, Master Sun. Like an old friend. But most of the clan doesn’t feel that way. In fact, most are wary. The memory of the Evil Faction Alliance planting spies and slaughtering our kin during the Great War is still fresh. The more unfamiliar someone is, the stronger the suspicion.”

Namgung Jin-Baek sighed.

“That’s why the retainers here are all proven people. Their reputations and influence are a great help to the clan, and in times of crisis, they fight for us. But they’re all quite… unique.”

The Namgung Clan was strong. Even Namgung Jin-Baek himself had the presence of a Great Demon. And he wasn’t the only one—every member of the clan was a Martial Master.

But numbers were the problem.

Sun Wukong thought of Muhwa.

‘She looked pretty worn out, too.’

If she was that tired, Namgung Jin-Baek must be even more exhausted beneath that smiling face.

Namgung Jin-Baek gave a bitter smile.

“We’re all overworked. Trying to run this huge clan with so few people. My son and niece are returning soon from their travels in the martial world, and we have to prepare for the event…”

Sun Wukong could guess what he was about to ask.

His goal was to find Tripitaka. To stay at the Namgung Clan, he’d need their trust. If that meant earning it, then so be it.

‘Besides, I need their trust if I want to learn about this man’s and Muhwa’s past lives.’

He’d only learned about Wujing’s past life after building trust and deepening their relationship.

Sun Wukong looked at Namgung Jin-Baek.

A bright, shining String of Karma.

‘He might be Tripitaka, or maybe not.’

He was curious about his past life. If he was Tripitaka, it would be special. Even if not—

‘It’s still a connection as deep as Wujing’s.’

Trust—especially Namgung Jin-Baek’s trust—was essential. He was the clan’s absolute authority.

With his trust, tracking Tripitaka’s traces here would be much easier.

And if he turned out to be the one, there’d be no need to search further.

“Give me a job.”

“Of course. I’ll leave it to you.”

“…You don’t even know what it is yet.”

Namgung Jin-Baek’s eyes widened. Even with his bold nature, he hadn’t expected Sun Wukong to accept so readily.

Sun Wukong shrugged.

“With our connection, what does it matter?”

Namgung Jin-Baek let out a wry laugh.

“Connection, huh… But you said we weren’t acquaintances.”

“Weren’t we connected in a past life?”

That was enough.