Chapter 30: It's All About Constantly Striving
The Guild Master had said they needed to watch for something that never changes. But out here in broad daylight, in the middle of this endless desert, what the hell was there to use as a landmark?
The Guild Master grinned and pulled something from his robes.
It was a small wooden case that fit snugly in his palm. When he opened the lid, there was a circular container in the center with a fish-shaped pointed needle inside. Around the edges, twenty-four directional markers were engraved in a circle.
"This is a compass. The magnetic needle can rotate freely. We call it that because the needle always points south."
Yu Gyeongseong stared at the device intently.
Sure enough, just as the Guild Master said, the needle turned on its own and pointed in one direction!
"I don't know who invented it, but it's a damn brilliant invention. Without this, how would we ever find our way in the desert?”
The Guild Master pulled out a map from his robes.
"On this desert route, we absolutely have to pass through the oases. That's where we replenish water and food, and rest under the shade of trees or tents. They’re the only hope for survival out here.”
After consulting the map and checking the compass, he led the caravan forward.
"This way!"
Watching him, Yu Gyeongseong thought to himself, ‘As expected...’
This man really does have what it takes to lead a group.
The Guild Master carefully tucked the compass and map back into his robes out of habit. Then, sensing Yu Gyeongseong's interest, he suddenly pulled the compass back out and held it toward him.
"Want to take a closer look?"
It must be an incredibly important tool, so Yu Gyeongseong hesitated to accept it so readily.
Sensing his reluctance, the Guild Master added, "It's fine. You think I’d bring just one of these? I've got spares, so don't worry about it. Go ahead, take a look."
Yu Gyeongseong accepted it and opened the lid.
The magnetic needle trembled finely as it searched for direction.
‘...’
It looked like it was struggling to find its way in a strange world.
‘I've lost all my memories.’
‘Am I on the right path right now?’
‘Is this what my past self truly wanted?’
The Guild Master spoke from beside him. “You look like you’ve got something on your mind.”
Had his tightly pressed lips caught the man's attention?
He could feel the goodwill behind the question. So he opened his mouth quietly. "I wish I could know my path as clearly as this compass knows its direction."
The Guild Master sensed that Yu was struggling with something deep, so he answered seriously.
“Well... it would be nice to know exactly where to go. Hmm... actually, give that here for a sec.”
The Guild Master took the compass back.
"Even the compass wavers too sometimes. Look."
With each step they took, the compass shook slightly. The needle spun around in response, yet still trying to settle on one direction.
“It’s all about constantly striving for the right path.”
"......"
"I think that's what matters most. Constantly striving. Moving forward bit by bit toward the right path."
Then the Guild Master showed an embarrassed expression. “Maybe I was trying too hard to sound cool. Hahaha...”
How could the master of a guild leading a caravan this big not be qualified to say those things?
Seeing him feel awkward, Yu Gyeongseong brought up something else that had caught his attention earlier.
“Don't say that... But I do have a question.”
“What is it?”
"You said finding the right path is one of the most important things for a leader. So what’s the other one?”
The Guild Master suddenly burst out laughing. Then he said to the confused Yu Gyeongseong, "What else could it be? Being rich. That’s the most important virtue of all.”
Having a lot of money... is a virtue?
“You need a ton of capital to run a caravan. First, you have to buy a lot of camels. Then you have to buy the goods to trade. That costs a fortune, but then you have to hire people, too. Not just that, you also need the handlers for the camels, roping fellow merchants, hiring escorts to guard your goods, and you also need people who are good with multiple languages. And that’s not all. Food for the years on the road, supplies, weapons... It’s hard to find anything that doesn't cost money.”
Listening to him, it sounded like running a caravan was a serious headache.
“Some people point fingers at me and say I’m greedy, that I only care about money. But here's the thing. If I didn't have money, all these people I've hired would have to endure far more hardships. Do you think they risked their lives to come on this trip for nothing? They came because the working conditions are good and I pay them well.”
This caravan definitely had resources to spare. You could tell just by observing the merchants and warriors at a glance. And that's why they had the capacity to show kindness to the Zen Master and Yu Gyeongseong.
"The people who truly deserve scorn aren't merchants. It's those who only earn and never give back."
"......"
"At least I pay fair wages for the skills and risks my people bring to the table. Actually, I probably pay better than fair. If we make more money than expected, I will share the profits with them.”
The Guild Master lifted his gaze toward the sky.
"That's why I can hold my head high."
***
Though they hadn't walked for long, the morning's coolness had already vanished without a trace, and heat rose once again from the sky and earth.
People naturally climbed back onto their camels.
Some merchants nearby started chatting with Yu Gyeongseong like they were old friends. Going through that storm together had definitely brought them closer.
“So, where are you headed? Man, I really should have asked you this last night.”
“I don't really have a destination. I’m just... thinking of heading to the Central Plains. Where are you guys going?”
"We're going through Shazhou to Chang'an. If you're out seeing the world, you absolutely have to go there. It's the largest city in the world."
Yu Gyeongseong nodded as if he understood, and another merchant added more.
“Actually, that’s kind of old news. The civil wars destroyed a lot of Chang'an. But hey, it’s still worth seeing. It is the capital, after all. And it’s been better lately since the fighting died down.”
Talking about the war made the conversation go off-topic.
“Tsk, the country needs to get its act together so the trade routes are safe.”
"You're wrong. From what I see, this dynasty is done for. How much longer can this Tang Dynasty last? Maybe there'll be chaos big enough to change dynasties before we die."
Then, realizing they were trash-talking their own country in front of a stranger, they quickly tried to make it look better.
"Ahem... Things are a bit messy lately, but the Tang Dynasty is actually a great nation. Very open-minded. They actively encourage East-West trade. They welcome foreigners well. So for merchants like us, it presents great opportunities."
"Anything with the character 'Tang' refers to things from the Tang Dynasty. Tang donkeys, Tang noodles, Tang confections..."
"And anything with the character 'Hu' refers to barbarian things. Pockets, rye, pancakes, walnuts, pepper, and so on..."
“There’s a reason people use the phrase ‘The Talk of Chang'an.’ It’s basically the center of the world."
"Anyway, if you're out seeing the world, Chang'an is a must-see. After that, Luoyang."
Yu Gyeongseong listened quietly.
Chang'an sounded pretty amazing.
He decided he should take a look.
Then he remembered something.
The Six Demons had said the Righteous Alliance set out from Chang'an. Did that mean the Alliance was based in Chang'an?
"I heard there's an organization called the Righteous Alliance in there?"
He had asked in hopes of gathering some information, but the merchants merely tilted their heads in confusion.
"Huh?"
"Really? Righteous Alliance? I don't think I've heard of it..."
“You ever hear of a group like that?”
"First time hearing that name."
Then they all looked at Yu Gyeongseong.
"What do they do?"
He thought they’d know for sure, so this was awkward.
“Uh... I asked because I don't know, either. I heard it’s like a martial arts league in the Central Plains.”
“Hmm... Never heard of it.”
He tried giving them a hint.
“...I heard the leader is called the Sword God."
"Sword God?? Not Sword King or Sword Emperor?"
That's when the Guild Master jumped in. He must have been listening to their conversation.
“Ah... I think I get it.”
The merchants turned to look at him.
"Have you heard of it?"
"No, this is my first time hearing about it too."
"Then?"
The Guild Master looked at Yu Gyeongseong.
"That Righteous Alliance must have been established very recently. I would have known about it if it existed before, so it must have popped up in the last three years while we were gone. Same with this Sword God.”
"Ah... That sounds right."
That made sense. Having traveled all the way to the Great Qin (Rome) and back, they knew nothing about recent news from the Central Plains.
“But why did you ask about them all of a sudden?”
Well, this was an unexpected turn. Instead of getting information, he had to give it...
"I heard the Sword God established the Righteous Alliance and is currently invading the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult to exterminate them.”
"Oh! Is that so?"
Joy spread across everyone's faces. They spoke up one after another.
"So the Righteous Alliance and the Demonic Cult are at war?"
“I knew something was weird. We went right through the Tianshan Mountain Range but didn't run into any Demonic Cult bastards."
"Then we don't really need to worry. Does this mean we have saved some money?”
He remembered what they'd said when they first met.
[They planted themselves right there and take tolls from every caravan that passes by. If that behavior isn't banditry, then what is it?]
They liked that the Cultists didn't show up, but it must have made them nervous, too.
"Now that I think about it, you were lucky too. I was wondering how you got through the Tianshan Mountain Range without meeting any of those jerks.”
“Ah... I figured it was a good time to travel since the Alliance was attacking the Cult.”
That was actually the truth, but with a different context than what they’d expected.
“You’re pretty smart, huh? Hahaha!”
It didn't seem like he'd used much deductive reasoning, but it was an accurate assessment of the situation.
Yu Gyeongseong just smiled back.
“Well... I guess? Haha...”
The merchants didn't know what his laugh really meant. They were just happy to hear the news.
"I hope those Demonic Cult bastards get completely wiped out this time."
"So will the Righteous Alliance take over the Tianshan Mountains? I don't know what they do, but they won't charge tolls too, will they?"
“They can't be as bad as the Cult, right? They call themselves ‘righteous’ after all.”
“Corrupt officials don't walk around with a sign saying 'I'm bad' before they rob you, do they?”
“Hmm... Anyway, we’ll have to ask around when we get to Shazhou and Chang'an.”
Just then, the escort captain Jwabo approached from the front.
He'd received signals from the scouts ahead and came to report to the Guild Master.
"An oasis is in sight!"
Hearing those words, their already bright expressions beamed even brighter.
"Ohhh!"
"Knew it!!"
Everyone was happy, but in this moment, whose joy could compare to the Guild Master's? He'd fully proven his worth. He'd earned the respect and trust of his subordinates once again.
"The oasis isn't far!"
(TL Note: I'll upload the rest tomorrow. Sorry for the delay)