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Chapter 175: It’s a Coincidence (3)

In the never-ending expanse of the forest, a purple mist hung heavily in the air.

It was so dense that I could hardly tell whether it was day or night.

All I felt was the quiet scent of the mountains and the sounds of insects buzzing in my ears, which vaguely hinted that it was nighttime.

Creak—

A chilling sound echoed between the trees.

It was the noise of something being crushed and pulled apart.

At the sound, the birds that had been hiding in the forest immediately took flight.

– Haa.

After enduring a grueling battle, I let out a long-held sigh.

I removed the head of the demon beast I had caught and tossed it away.

It was the severed neck of a green demon beast that resembled a wolf.

Thud!

The beast’s head landed on the ground, rolling forward.

Standing before me was someone I recognized.

As soon as I saw who it was, my expression soured.

It was someone I didn’t really want to face.

– Why?

My voice came out sounding utterly gruff.

– …Are you really that exhausted just from catching one green demon beast?

– Why are you starting a fight just by looking at me? Do you want to die?

The woman, completely indifferent to my mood, was none other than Moyong Hi-ah.

Her body was covered in dust and leaves from rolling around carelessly.

Moyong Hi-ah replied, letting out a snort.

– Must be nice to be so carefree.

– Carefree? Does this look carefree to you?

I fought tooth and nail to survive, and she calls it carefree.

This is exactly why I hate that damn woman.

Does she think the world revolves around her?

Not wanting to engage in further conversation, I spat on the ground, and Moyong Hi-ah continued to speak.

– Considering you’re fighting with a demon beast while having no idea of the current situation, it’s actually quite fitting.

At her words, I raised my sword and shot her a glare.

– What do you mean? Speak clearly.

– I thought you’d found someone but… of all people, it had to be you. Talk about bad luck.

– Damn woman, why do you always have to start trouble even when you come to find me?

I was already exhausted, feeling like I could drop dead.

As I huffed out flames in irritation, Moyong Hi-ah maintained her usual expression full of sighs.

– …How long has it been since you saw the others?

– What?

I asked back at her sudden question, but she didn’t seem to care and pressed on.

– How long has it been? Don’t make me repeat myself; time is of the essence.

– About three days, I think.

– Three days? You didn’t think it was strange that you hadn’t seen anyone for that long?

– What do you mean strange? Speak properly.

Moyong Hi-ah ran her fingers through her hair, looking increasingly frustrated.

– …They’ve vanished.

I furrowed my brows at her words.

It had been a year since I got trapped in this damned world.

While the number of survivors drawn into the demonic gate had decreased from the original, there were still many.

It was thanks to the sleeping dragon and the scheming party who drew them in without care for their own safety.

But now they had all vanished?

– What do you mean by that? Just how wide could this place be for everyone to disappear?

This was the northern forest I came to scout.

Though fog was thick all around, I had gathered people hoping there might be food or an escape route.

For everyone to vanish?

There should have been at least twenty of us who came in together.

Moyong Hi-ah seemed equally puzzled at my question.

– That’s precisely why I’m saying this! If you thought people were disappearing, you should be searching for them, not doing whatever here!

– Can’t you see? I’m fighting for my survival here.

As you can see, I’m barely hanging on while rolling around in this godforsaken forest filled with demon beasts.

Honestly, it was a bit of a dangerous situation.

Even if they were only green-level demon beasts, after not sleeping for three days, I nearly died just a moment ago from sheer exhaustion.

Hearing this, Moyong Hi-ah chuckled lightly.

– If that’s the case, why not just go look for the others? What are you doing all alone? How pitiful.

– I thought they’d left without me.

– …What did you say?

Her seemingly casual remark made Moyong Hi-ah ask back.

I clearly heard it, so why the need to repeat?

– This isn’t an unusual situation.

Perhaps I was too nonchalant, as for a moment, Moyong Hi-ah was left speechless.

Is what I said really that strange?

I thought it wouldn’t be odd if they had abandoned me.

Even Moyong Hi-ah in front of me felt the same. Surely that crazy woman wouldn’t trust me.

I was sure that if anything happened, she’d toss me aside and run away without a second thought.

With my sentiments about my impending doom being conveyed, Moyong Hi-ah let out an exasperated sigh.

– …So let’s set that aside for now. You haven’t tried going outside the forest, have you?

– Not yet.

Actually, I hadn’t even thought about it.

– You can’t.

Just as I was having those thoughts, Moyong Hi-ah replied firmly.

– Can’t go out, you say?

– I’ve been approaching the entrance, but all that happens is going in circles. I can’t get out of the forest.

– You’re just not finding the entrance, aren’t you?

– Do you really think I’m as dim-witted as you? Of course, I marked the way.

I felt my annoyance rising, wanting to slam into her, but I held back.

If I hit her now, knowing I was already on a losing end, I could genuinely find myself in danger.

– So… you can’t get out of the forest?

– If you don’t believe me, you can go check for yourself.

So, I decided to go check it out.

Luckily, the markings Moyong Hi-ah mentioned hadn’t disappeared.

If I traveled along the indicated path, I should find the entrance eventually.

– …Why are we back here?

I found myself back where I had met Moyong Hi-ah after going around in circles.

Even though I tried my best to seem unconcerned, I could tell it wasn’t a straightforward path I just took.

At least I knew I shouldn’t have ended up back here again.

– I told you so.

Moyong Hi-ah stood behind me, smug as she spoke.

– I can’t get out.

I surveyed the area with a somewhat irritated gaze.

The fog still engulfed the forest and the sky.

The insects buzzed as if nothing was wrong, but considering this was a demonic gate, I needed to reconsider whether those insects were really just insects.

I quietly stared at Moyong Hi-ah and bluntly spat out.

– So everyone has disappeared, and it’s just you and me trapped in this forest?

At my words, Moyong Hi-ah frowned but didn’t refute.

That must mean it was indeed correct.

To sum it up roughly:

While scouting in the woods, our party had all vanished, and now it was just the crazy woman and me left. And we couldn’t even get out?

As that thought crossed my mind, I rubbed my face and quietly muttered.

– This is a disaster.

To my dismay, Moyong Hi-ah didn’t respond.

I wish she’d at least deny it.

Reality remained harsh as it always was.

Looking back later, I’d come to realize this was the start of a long, twisted fate.

The stairs leading up to Shaolin Temple weren’t as steep compared to those of Hwasan Sect.

Given its location, Shaolin received many visitors compared to Hwasan.

Of course, one had to send notice beforehand.

But that was a matter of giving notice.

In fact, even before planning to flee with Muyeon, I had already given notice to Shaolin.

After the martial arts tournament ended, I had intended to head back the very next day.

I had prepared it all beforehand for work.

‘What’s she doing here?’

Why was Moyong Hi-ah standing here?

She looked strangely out of place in front of Shaolin Temple, blending neither with the background nor the scenery.

Caught off guard by my expression, Moyong Hi-ah adjusted her clothes and smiled at me.

“It’s a coincidence, Gu Gongja.”

It was absolutely not a coincidence. Intuition aside, hearing the word “coincidence” from her mouth was the most unbelievable thing in the world.

“…Why are you here?”

“Why, I have a business to attend to at Shaolin, of course.”

“A business? What kind of business?”

In response to my question, Moyong Hi-ah pointed toward me with her fingertip.

Even her small gestures conveyed a sense of poise, which was quite bothersome.

“I just arrived. It’s about business.”

“ ”

In that instant, I felt a throbbing headache settle in.

It seemed Moyong Hi-ah had never intended to lie about my question in the first place.

“I believe I clearly refused your previous offer…”

“Isn’t it fine if we happened to run into each other?”

“You just confessed it wasn’t a coincidence!”

“It’s a coincidence. While it’s true my business coincides with your visit, I had no way of knowing you’d come to Shaolin.”

So this is my issue.

Just how did she know?

‘She couldn’t have stolen the letter somewhere along the line.’

It wouldn’t be impossible, but I thought Moyong Hi-ah wouldn’t go that far.

So, it seemed the best course of action was simply to ask directly.

“I’m curious about that. How did you know I’d be coming to Shaolin?”

At my question, Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes curved like crescents, sparkling as if her heart would burst.

“My intuition.”

“What?”

“My gut feeling told me you would come today, Gu Gongja.”

I thought she was talking nonsense, yet recalling my past life, it didn’t seem impossible.

Moyong Hi-ah, who acted so rationally and calculatingly, had often warned not to go somewhere due to her “bad feeling,” and it was mostly followed by terrible events.

It didn’t take long for me to start believing her gut feelings more than her rational strategies.

Silenced by my lack of response, Moyong Hi-ah continued.

“Gu Gongja, you’re a rather unique person.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

“You wouldn’t typically show such a bewildered expression if it were just intuition.”

“I was surprised. I’ve never heard such nonsense before.”

“Is that so?”

Her broad smile conveyed a sense of disbelief, and I was left questioning her intentions.

Why was she acting this way toward me?

Even her earlier suggestion made me think her aim was to gain favor with the dragon boy.

Was that not the case?

It couldn’t be.

“Gu Gongja.”

“…Yes?”

“It’s fate that we ran into each other by coincidence. Shall we go to Shaolin together?”

“First of all, it’s not a coincidence, and we can’t go in together, can we?”

“Why not?”

“I’ve already given notice to Shaolin, while you just showed up out of the blue, didn’t you?”

At least, you had to give notice a day in advance.

Although Shaolin was more open compared to other sects, this rule needed to be followed.

As I said this, Moyong Hi-ah chuckled before replying.

“You needn’t worry about that.”

“Excuse me?”

What did she mean by that?

Just then, someone from the stairway downstairs appeared before us and greeted us with folded hands.

It was a young monk who looked even younger than myself.

“I am Hee-young. While I lack in many regards, I shall be your guide today.”

At the mention of the monk named Hee-young, I almost nodded out of reflex, but something in his words struck me.

“Hee-young… monk?”

“Yes, indeed. Ah, may I ask if you are Gu Yangcheong?”

“That’s me, Gu Yangcheong.”

“I have received the letter. The Sect Leader has asked that if you meet, you convey his congratulations.”

“…Ah, thank you.”

Brought to an abrupt halt by the unexpected mention of the Sect Leader, I momentarily forgot the real point of concern.

“Did you just say ‘you two’?”

At my question, Hee-young tilted his head in confusion.

“Yes, I said ‘the two of you.’”

Believing something was off here, I shot a surprised glance at Moyong Hi-ah.

Her face still wore a smile.

Given how enticing that smile was, even a monk who lived his whole life in Shaolin might have felt a shade of blush creeping onto his cheeks.

“I told you not to worry.”

Moyong Hi-ah swept her hair behind her ear. The wind lightly brushed against her, sending her scent wafting by.

“I am not someone who moves without a plan.”

“ ”

The sentiment that this was the biggest problem almost slipped out of my mouth, but I managed to contain it.

Whether she was aware of my thoughts or not, or perhaps she was pretending not to know, Moyong Hi-ah spoke.

“Then shall we go?”

With that confident smile, I was left speechless.

Originally, the plan was to head to Shaolin for Shin Noya’s purpose.

But now it turned into a visit to Shaolin without Shin Noya.

Following the monk named Hee-young, we ascended Shaolin, still exuding a dignified atmosphere that bore the marks of time.

The buildings were twice as large and spacious compared to Hwasan Sect.

This only highlighted how much support and backing Shaolin received from Hanam.

‘What could that old man have wanted to investigate here?’

I recalled the figure of an elderly sword master who had turned into a ghost, leaving behind the legacy of a hero.

Currently, the Hwasan Sword God, Shin Cheol, was fast asleep.

“This is the most visited site by tourists.”

While Hee-young pointed to a large lake in Shaolin Temple, I peered at its crystalline waters.

The water was so clear that the bottom was entirely visible, where a single white carp swam gracefully.

It seemed odd there was only one carp, and as I pondered over it, Hee-young explained.

“That is our Shaolin’s treasure, the White Elegant Fish (白雅义鱼).”

“That carp is a treasure?”

“Yes, indeed. Long ago, it was said to be left in this lake by Huang Ah Buyeong, who thwarted the Blood Demon’s calamity.”

So it had been alive for at least hundreds of years then.

That meant it wasn’t just any demon beast.

Though I couldn’t bring myself to question whether a being labeled as a treasure could also be a demon beast, I simply nodded in acknowledgment.

‘Did something like that exist in my past life?’

Back then, I hadn’t been particularly interested in Shaolin Temple, and I didn’t recall ever hearing about any carp.

I only found it incredible that even a living thing could be deemed a treasure.

‘By the way, is it okay just to keep that in the lake?’

What if a divine beast appeared and stole it away or something?

As I watched the carp with that thought in mind, Hee-young, who seemed to have been waiting for the opportunity, added.

“To ensure that no ill-intentioned individuals come, the Sect Leader has set up an energy barrier around it. You’ll know right away when you approach it.”

At that, I recalled the energy barrier I’d seen unfolded at Hwasan.

Upon hearing this, I raised my gaze to inspect it closely, and indeed, I could faintly see a barrier emanating by the lakeshore.

“There’s something I’d like to ask, Monk.”

“Yes, I’ll focus.”

“Do the monks customarily guide tourists like this?”

“Ah.”

This was purely out of curiosity.

No matter how many monks there were at Shaolin, I didn’t think they publicly guided each tourist one by one.

Hee-young paused briefly before responding in his slight, refined voice.

“That’s not typically the case… The Sect Leader has personally commanded it.”

“You mean the Sect Leader Tianan?”

“Yes, for a valued guest that’s arriving shortly….”

A valued guest, huh?

To hear the words of Shaolin, renowned for reading the celestial secrets, struck me as rather strange.

‘Does that old monk know I’ve crossed back in time?’

It didn’t seem likely.

If that were the case, he’d probably have made himself known long before now.

Perhaps I had overexerted myself, but the way I felt their gazes on me suddenly made my mood sour.

This time, I should have tried to hold back.

Letting out a small sigh, I resumed looking ahead.

I chose not to look back because I could feel someone’s intense gaze from behind.

It was Moyong Hi-ah, who kept staring at me unblinkingly.

‘If she’s not going to say a word, why did she want to come along?’

From the moment I entered Shaolin, Moyong Hi-ah had failed to initiate conversation with me.

She only watched me with those scorching eyes.

As if she were trying to find out something.

We walked in silence, following Hee-young as we walked along the lakeside, with Moyong Hi-ah still silent.

I trudged along, enduring the discomfort of her gaze.

‘…This is unbearable.’

Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore and turned to scowl at Moyong Hi-ah.

“Moyong Soja, why exactly are you…”

I was about to question her but stopped mid-sentence.

It was because Moyong Hi-ah had halted in her tracks.

Not in a strange way, but she had genuinely stopped moving altogether.

Her dainty steps, once grazing across the ground, now hovered just above it.

Even her hands, previously casually moving, and her keen eyes that had been watching me closely were frozen.

Even the leaves rustling in the breeze around us had stilled.

“…What the hell is this.”

Time itself seemed to have paused.

Only I remained awake.

Suddenly caught off guard, I instinctively beckoned forth my will to fight.

This situation was utterly bizarre.

Was it an ambush by someone?

Did there exist a being that could wield such an uncanny power?

And then I heard a voice from somewhere.

[…Chul.]

The gentle voice of an old man echoed.

I hastily whipped my head in the direction of the voice.

There, I found the White Elegant Fish, swimming in the lake, staring directly at me.

[…Shin Cheol, you fool.]

That was quite the aggressive remark.

 

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