Chapter 24: It’s All Up to Heaven’s Will
"…Do you know me?"
Yu Gyeongseong's question received an answer without hesitation.
"No, we've never met before."
He was telling the truth.
Then what the hell was that reaction just now?
“Then… why did you say that?”
The man's voice reached his ears like a gentle breeze.
"Yeonja (緣者). You are someone tied to me by destiny."
"……."
It would be easy to dismiss this as nonsense, but even this sounded true when filtered through his perception. Without the Grand Grotto Mystic Mantra, he would've definitely pegged this guy as a con artist.
But how could something like that be true?
...Can this man actually see people's destinies?
Lost in thought, Yu Gyeongseong barely noticed that the man had already walked up close to him. Since the man seemed to be waiting patiently, Yu Gyeongseong decided to speak what was really on his mind.
"I get the feeling you came here specifically to find me."
"That's right, I did. People with a connection are bound to run into each other eventually. Especially out here in the middle of nowhere.”
Maybe. But the "middle of nowhere" was a pretty big place. Way too big to just "run into" someone by accident.
"How did you find me, exactly?"
He was curious about what kind of ability this was, but the answer that came back was disappointingly brief.
"I didn't find you."
"…?"
Seeing Yu Gyeongseong's puzzled reaction, the man continued in a tone that suggested it should be obvious.
"I simply followed the thread of our destiny."
The thread of destiny…
Even these words carried no hint of deception.
'…Does he really possess some kind of divine power?'
He was getting interested.
The man removed his hat, revealing his head underneath. His hair was short and messed up, pressed flat from being under the hat for so long, stuck up at odd angles from the hardship of his journey.
"This humble monk is called Beopjin."
"Ah… so you're a monk."
That explained the short hair. He probably didn't have the means to shave his head completely, so it must have grown out during his trek across the desert. Come to think of it, his beard was also rough and unkempt.
Meeting the monk's steady gaze, Yu Gyeongseong removed his own hat to show his face.
"I'm Yu Gyeongseong."
"I see. Pleased to meet you. Running into each other in the middle of this desert is no ordinary encounter."
Beopjin put his hat back on and continued.
"You must be from around this area."
"What makes you think that?"
"Nothing special. You seem to have come down from the north. And you're wearing a hat made from reeds, which led me to that conclusion. Ah, this one I'm wearing is a hat woven from thinly shaved bamboo."
Yu Gyeongseong understood the implication immediately.
Bamboo was a plant that generally grew in hot regions with plentiful rainfall, a climate completely alien to the Tianshan Mountain Range or anywhere around this desert. This monk was basically telling him he'd come from far away.
"You're right. I was born in the Tianshan Mountain Range and have lived there my whole life."
Reeds didn't grow in the desert, so it wasn’t hard to guess where he came from. He’d dropped the Tianshan Mountain name on purpose to see if he'd get a reaction, but… nothing.
Beopjin just nodded and moved on.
"I'm on my way from the distant land of Tianzhu. They have a lot of bamboo there. It’s all over the place. Oh, this thing’s made of bamboo, too.”
(TL Note: Tianzhu = India)
He turned his body to show the huge pack on his back. It was massive, like two-thirds as tall as he was, with a bamboo frame that looked like one of those old-school carriers. Yu Gyeongseong couldn't figure out how he'd managed to walk across a desert with that thing. Even a decent martial artist would struggle with it.
But even more than the size of the pack, Yu Gyeongseong was shocked that this monk had just casually turned his back on him, a total stranger. What was he thinking? What if Yu Gyeongseong attacked him right now?
Does he really trust this ‘destiny’ thing that much?
Beopjin turned back around to face him, and Yu Gyeongseong commented, "Looks like it has many uses. Seems like it'd be good for blocking the sun too."
There was a big canopy stretched over the top of the pack, which looked like it would provide some good shade.
"That's right. It's quite the piece of gear. Sturdy and perfect for a long journey."
"But isn't it too big for a long trip?"
"Since it's made of bamboo, it's not as heavy as you'd think. Plus, what's inside isn't particularly heavy either. Mostly rolled-up copies of scriptures I’m bringing back from Tianzhu. Besides those, there are a few sacred objects like Buddha statues… and the rest is just water and food."
He laid out everything he was carrying without any concern that Yu Gyeongseong might suddenly turn hostile.
Had he read his thoughts? Beopjin smiled.
“They’re priceless treasures to me, but I don’t know if they’d be worth anything to you.”
"I'm not a Buddhist."
It was his way of saying, I don't want your things, and also, Are you sure I'm really this 'destined person' you're looking for?
Whether Beopjin caught that nuance or not, he changed the subject.
“I’m heading to the Mogao Caves.”
Yu Gyeongseong must have had a ‘where’s that?’ look on his face, because the monk kindly explained.
“The name means ‘Caves of Unsurpassed Height in the Desert.’ It is a series of Buddhist grottoes, a temple carved into the very face of a mountain. The caves are filled with statues of the Buddha and beautiful murals, and many monks reside there to pursue their training.”
When Yu Gyeongseong nodded to show that he understood, the monk asked a question of his own.
"Where are you heading?"
"I'm on my way to the Central Plains."
You’d think he’d ask why a guy going there was in the middle of a desert, but the thought didn’t seem to cross his mind. He just looked happy about it.
"Is that so? Then you'll have to pass through Sazhou. Perfect! Let's travel together."
Yu Gyeongseong didn't know much about the geography of the Central Plains, but from what the Clan Lords had explained about the Martial Alliance's invasion route, and from what this monk was saying, there seemed to be a main path.
It looked like you had to pass through a place called Sazhou to enter the Central Plains.
But something felt off. Did this monk really track him down just to have a traveling companion? Because of some connection?
The theory was beyond his comprehension, so he asked to confirm.
"Is there something you want from me?"
"All I know is that you're connected to me by fate. I don't know you, so what could I possibly want from you?"
Truth.
“To simply travel together until our paths diverge, that's all there is to it."
Also truth.
Yu Gyeongseong looked at him and asked again.
“…We just met. Aren't you worried I might turn on you?"
But the response came back unwavering.
"If you were that kind of person, I wouldn't have come to you in the first place."
Beopjin turned and added one more thing.
"That you'll end up traveling with me is also part of heaven's will."
This statement was about a future that hadn't even happened yet. Yu Gyeongseong hadn't even decided anything…
Yet even this registered as truth.
What kind of power gave this man such unshakable certainty?
Beopjin started walking first. Yu Gyeongseong watched his retreating back for a moment, then began moving his own feet to follow.
He went with him partly because he was curious, and partly because he thought the monk could be useful.
'At least… I can learn about the outside world from him.'
And so, their strange companionship had begun.
And as the two men made their way, the vast eastern sky looked down upon the path that lay before them.
***
Elsewhere, two figures were racing across the desert at high speed.
Despite their long strides, not even a footprint remained on the fine sand. It was an exquisite display of lightness skill. Clouds of dust rose in the wake of their swift movement.
The ones who had come out to find Yu Gyeongseong were Life Demon and Illusion Demon.
Life Demon’s participation was non-negotiable, as she was the only one who could track his position. The second spot had been assigned to Illusion Demon because he was deemed less essential when it came to battling the Sword God. Even he agreed with that assessment.
It was already difficult to cast powerful illusions on Absolute Masters in one try, but the Sword God proved that he was built differently as Illusion Demon’s art had no effect whatsoever on him during their previous encounter.
It would likely be the same this time too and their enemies even came with full preparation.
Thus, the moment the decision was reached, the two Clan Lords had departed, leaving the other four to remain at the cult’s headquarters and respond to the movements of the Righteous Alliance.
They were in a race against an unknown deadline, with no way of knowing how much time their unexpected reprieve had bought them.
Even as they were running like crazy, Life Demon’s golden hair was still floating around her.
“He’s still going south. He stopped moving for a while in between."
Illusion Demon nodded in understanding.
The kid must have taken a rest, which meant the distance between them had closed. For those doing the chasing, this was welcome news.
"Good. Guess he didn’t think we’d come after him. It’d be nice if he stopped for another nap.”
The calculation was now clear in both their minds.
It won’t be long till they catch up to him if they chase at full speed without rest.
"Let's hurry!"
They continued in silence, focusing entirely on their movement technique.
Then—
"…?!"
A sudden change made Life Demon stop in her tracks.
The abruptness of it made Illusion Demon halt as well and turn back.
"What's wrong?"
What he heard next was something he could never have predicted, even in a dream.
"…I can't sense the kid anymore."
"…?!"
Life Demon's golden hair billowed out as far as it could possibly spread.
Following Life Demon's already serious expression, Illusion Demon's face also grew grave. Even though he knew she was concentrating, even though he knew he shouldn't interrupt, he couldn't help but ask.
"…What happened?"
"…"
After waiting a long time without an answer, he couldn't hold back another question. In what situation could Life Demon possibly lose track of the kid's presence?
"Did the spell break?"
A slow voice emerged, as if confirming while speaking.
"…Shadow Bind hasn't broken. The hook hasn't come loose."
At least that was somewhat comforting.
But then, why couldn't she read the kid's location?
"Then?"
After a moment of organizing her thoughts, Life Demon spoke.
"It's one of two things. Either someone is casting a powerful spell to deliberately conceal him from my senses…"
"……."
Life Demon turned her head, her gaze reaching toward the southern sky.
“Or he’s standing next to someone with so much Spiritual Power that it’s drowning out my spell.”
***
Yu Gyeongseong found Beopjin strange.
On a journey where there was nothing to do but walk, they moved in silence for quite a while.
Since he knew nothing about the monk, Yu Gyeongseong quietly observed him.
A person's martial prowess naturally showed through their movements, after all.
'…But it doesn't look like he’s ever learned any martial arts.'
Beopjin was definitely walking like any person who’d never trained in martial arts would. Yet there was something oddly light about his movements.
It wasn't that his feet didn't sink into the sand at all, but the depth they sank… was definitely shallow. Considering how much he was carrying on his back, those footprints were even more unusual. And it didn't look like he was even trying when he pulled his feet out for the next step.
So even though he was clearly walking, his speed somehow felt like running.
A normal person would be lucky to cover 80 li in a day. But at this rate, the monk could do 160 li with no sweat.
'Isn't he tired?'
Of course, the speed had decreased significantly compared to when Yu Gyeongseong traveled alone. But he was pretty sure most martial artists would have a hard time keeping this up without looking tired.
The man was simply too placid. He showed no major signs of exhaustion. It felt as though he could walk like this for days without ever needing to rest.
'He hasn't even eaten anything…'
Quite a bit of time had already passed, but Yu Gyeongseong hadn't seen a drop of water or a bite of food enter that mouth.
Was this the power of religion?
Could a member of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult get that kind of mind-boggling power, too?