Chapter 174: It’s a Coincidence. (3)

It’s a Coincidence. (3)

In the forest, stretching wide without end, a purple mist hung thick.

It was so dense that it was impossible to tell if it was night or day.

Only the quiet scent of the mountains.

And the chirping of insects by my ears made me vaguely guess that it might be night.

Wood-deu-deuk-

A chilling sound echoed through the trees.

It was the sound of something being broken and pulled out.

Pudeu-deu-deuk!

As soon as the sound was heard, birds that had been hiding their presence in the forest took flight with a flutter.

-Haa.

After finishing a grueling battle, I let out a held-in sigh.

I threw the neck of the monster I had caught and torn off far away.

It was the neck of a green monster resembling a wolf.

Tuk!

The monster’s head, which had flown a considerable distance, hit the ground.

Someone was standing in front of it.

As soon as I confirmed who it was, my expression hardened.

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

-Why.

The voice coming out of my mouth was also incredibly blunt.

-…Are you that exhausted just from catching one green monster?

-Why are you picking a fight the moment you see me? Wanna die?

The woman speaking to me as if it were absurd was Moyong Hi-ah.

Judging by how she was covered in dirt and leaves, she looked like she’d been rolling around somewhere.

Moyong Hi-ah let out a snort and replied to my words.

-Must be nice to be so carefree.

-Carefree? Does this look carefree to you?

I fought for my life just to survive, and she calls it carefree.

This is why I hate that damn woman.

She acts like the world revolves around her.

Not wanting to talk anymore, I spat on the ground, and Moyong Hi-ah continued speaking.

-You’re fighting with monsters without even knowing the situation, so yes, it’s carefree.

At those words, I lifted my gaze and looked at Moyong Hi-ah.

-What do you mean? Spit it out properly.

-I thought I’d finally found someone… but to run into you of all people. What rotten luck.

-You damn bitch, seriously.

She comes looking for me, so why does she always pick a fight?

I’m already exhausted to death.

I growled, conjuring flames, but Moyong Hi-ah still had a sigh-filled expression.

-…How long has it been since you last saw your other companions?

-What?

I asked back at Moyong Hi-ah’s abrupt words, but she didn’t pay me any mind and just urged me on.

-How long has it been? Stop beating around the bush and speak quickly, it’s an urgent situation.

-About three days.

-Three days? Surely you didn’t think something was strange until three days passed?

-What’s strange? Speak properly.

At my words, Moyong Hi-ah ran her hand through her hair.

She seemed incredibly frustrated.

-…They’ve all disappeared.

At her words, I frowned.

It’s been a year since I became isolated in this damn world.

The survivors who entered the Demon Realm with me had decreased since the beginning, but there were still quite a few.

It was thanks to Jamryong and Wi Seol-ah, who didn’t spare themselves.

But they’ve all disappeared?

-What are you talking about? How big can this place be for everyone to disappear?

This was the northern forest we came to for reconnaissance.

Although it was filled with mist, we had brought a separate group of people, hoping there might be food or an escape route.

Everyone disappeared?

At least twenty people came in together.

Moyong Hi-ah also had a face that seemed unable to comprehend my question.

-That’s what I’m saying. Shouldn’t you be looking for people if you realize they’ve disappeared? What are you doing here?

-Can’t you see? I’m struggling to survive.

As you can see, I’m barely holding on, wrestling with monsters in this shitty forest.

Honestly, it was a bit of a dangerous situation.

Even if they were Green-grade monsters, I hadn’t slept for three days while doing this…

I almost died just now because I was exhausted.

Hearing that, Moyong Hi-ah laughed hollowly.

-If that’s the case, you should have gone looking for people instead. What are you doing alone like this? So pathetic.

-I thought they’d abandoned me, you know.

-…What did you say?

Moyong Hi-ah asked again at my casually thrown words.

I thought she heard me, so why is she asking again?

-It’s not really a strange situation.

-…

Maybe it was because I said it too easily, Moyong Hi-ah lost her words for a moment.

Is this really such a strange thing to say?

I had thought it wouldn’t be strange if I were abandoned in a pinch.

It’s the same for Moyong Hi-ah right in front of me. There’s no way that crazy bitch trusts me.

I was convinced she’d throw me to the wolves and run if a crisis struck.

Perhaps sensing my indifferent feelings, Moyong Hi-ah let out a deep sigh.

-…Let’s put this aside for now. You haven’t tried to get out of the forest, have you?

-Not yet?

Come to think of it, I hadn’t thought about trying to leave.

-You can’t leave.

Just as I was thinking that, Moyong Hi-ah replied firmly.

-What do you mean, can’t leave?

-I kept heading towards the entrance we came in from, but I just kept going in circles. I couldn’t get out of the forest.

-Aren’t you just unable to find the entrance?

-Do you think I’m as incompetent as you? Of course, I left markers.

-….

This is seriously pissing me off. Should I just charge at her?

The urge to just smack her rose up to my throat, but I forced myself to hold back.

I can’t beat her even normally, and if I charge at Moyong Hi-ah in this situation, I might actually die.

-Anyway… you’re saying you can’t get out of the forest?

-If you don’t believe me, why don’t you go see for yourself.

So, I decided to go see for myself.

Fortunately, the markers Moyong Hi-ah had left hadn’t disappeared.

Following that path steadily should have led to the entrance.

-…Why are we back here again?

After going in circles, I had returned to the forest where I met Moyong Hi-ah.

No matter how thoughtlessly I live, the path I just took with Moyong Hi-ah was a straight line.

I knew for sure it wasn’t a path that would lead back here after going in circles.

-That’s what I told you.

Moyong Hi-ah, who had been quietly following behind, said pointedly.

-I told you, you can’t leave.

I scanned my surroundings with somewhat tired eyes.

The mist still filled the forest and the sky.

The insects were chirping as if nothing had happened, but.

Remembering that this was the Demon Realm, I had to wonder if those insects were truly insects.

I quietly looked at Moyong Hi-ah and then blurted out.

-So, everyone else disappeared, and you and I are trapped in this forest?

Moyong Hi-ah scrunched up her face at my words, but she didn’t refute them.

It must be because it was the truth.

To summarize roughly.

In the forest we entered for reconnaissance, everyone disappeared.

And it was just me and that crazy bitch. And we can’t even leave?

As I thought that far, I ran my hand down my face and whispered quietly.

-Shit.

This time too, Moyong Hi-ah didn’t answer.

I really wished she would deny it.

Reality remained harsh.

Thinking back later.

This was the beginning of a long, ill-fated relationship.

---

The stairs leading up to Shaolin Temple weren’t that high compared to Mount Hua Sect.

Besides, the location itself mattered. It was a place that received many visitors compared to Mount Hua.

Of course, I had to give them prior notice that I was coming.

That was something that could be done.

In fact, before I even planned to escape from Mu Yeon, I had already put Shaolin Temple on notice.

Because I intended to return to my family clan shortly after the martial arts tournament ended.

This was something I had prepared in advance to handle affairs.

‘Who is this?’

Why was Moyong Hi-ah here?

Moyong Hi-ah, standing casually in front of Shaolin Temple, looked extremely out of place against the backdrop.

As I looked at Moyong Hi-ah with a bewildered expression.

Moyong Hi-ah tidied her clothes slightly and then smiled brightly at me.

“What a coincidence, Young Master Gu.”

It was definitely not a coincidence. Intuition aside.

The words ‘coincidence’ coming from that woman’s mouth were the least believable in the world.

“…Why are you here?”

“Why? I have some business at Shaolin Temple too.”

“Business? What kind of business do you have?”

At my question, Moyong Hi-ah pointed towards me with her fingertips.

Even in such a small gesture, her elegance felt quite bothersome.

“It’s here now. My business.”

“…”

I felt a sudden throbbing headache.

It seemed Moyong Hi-ah had no intention of lying to my question from the start.

“I believe I clearly refused your offer earlier…”

“If we met by chance, wouldn’t that be fine?”

“Didn’t you just admit it wasn’t a coincidence?”

“It is a coincidence. My business involves you, Young Master, but how could I have known you would come to Shaolin Temple right now?”

That’s exactly what I’m saying.

How on earth did you know, you crazy woman?

‘She wouldn’t have stolen the letter midway.’

It wasn’t impossible, but I thought Moyong Hi-ah wouldn’t do something like that, no matter what.

So, in times like this, the answer was just to ask directly.

“That’s what I’m curious about. How did you know I would come to Shaolin Temple now?”

Moyong Hi-ah’s eyes curved like crescent moons at my question. It was a smile that made a man’s heart pound.

“Intuition.”

“What?”

“My intuition told me so. That you would go today, Young Master.”

While thinking it was nonsense. Remembering my past life, it wasn’t impossible.

Moyong Hi-ah acted very rationally and calculatedly, but.

Sometimes, the things she advised against going to due to bad intuition were mostly accompanied by terrible events. Not long after.

More than her rational strategies.

I had come to trust her words based on intuition more.

Seeing that I wasn’t saying much and just watching, Moyong Hi-ah continued speaking.

“As expected, you are a peculiar person, Young Master.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Intuition. When someone says that, they usually don’t make that kind of face, do they?”

“It’s because I’m too surprised. It’s the first time I’ve heard such nonsense.”

“I see.”

Her constant smile showed she absolutely didn’t believe me. I was simply puzzled.

Why is she doing this to me?

Both the offer she made earlier and my thought that Moyong Hi-ah’s target was that Nyorong fellow.

Was that not it?

It couldn’t be.

“Young Master.”

“…Yes.”

“Meeting by chance is also fate. Shall we go to Shaolin Temple together?”

“First of all, the fact that it’s not a coincidence is a problem, and we can’t enter together, can we?”

“Why?”

“I gave Shaolin Temple prior notice, but you just came here without one, didn’t you, Miss?”

It was something that should have been notified at least a day in advance.

Even though Shaolin is quite open compared to other sects, they had to observe these protocols.

Moyong Hi-ah replied with a slight laugh to my words, assuming it would be the case.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“Yes?”

As soon as I uttered the words, as if asking what that meant.

Someone came down the stairs and clasped their hands together towards us.

It was a young monk who looked even younger than I am now.

“My name is Huiyeong. Though I have many shortcomings, I have been tasked with guiding the two of you.”

I considered nodding at the monk Huiyeong’s words, but there was a subtle nuance hidden within them.

“Huiyeong… Monk.”

“Yes, that’s correct. Ah, are you perhaps Benefactor Gu Yangcheon?”

“I am Gu Yangcheon.”

“We received the letter. The Abbot asked me to convey his congratulations if we happened to meet.”

“…Ah, yes. Thank you.”

I was taken aback for a second time by the sudden mention of the Shaolin Abbot, but that wasn’t the important thing right now.

“Monk, did you just say ‘two people’?”

Huiyeong tilted his head at my words.

“Yes, I said ‘the two people in front’.”

At Huiyeong’s words, spoken as if asking if something was wrong, I looked at Moyong Hi-ah with surprised eyes.

Moyong Hi-ah was still smiling.

Her smile was so captivating that even Huiyeong, who had lived his whole life as a monk, blushed slightly.

“I told you not to worry.”

Moyong Hi-ah tucked her hair behind her ear. The faint breeze carried Moyong Hi-ah’s scent to my nose.

“I am someone who doesn’t move without a plan.”

“…”

The words ‘That’s the biggest problem’ rose to my lips, but I barely held them back.

Whether she knew my thoughts or not, or perhaps knowing but pretending not to, Moyong Hi-ah spoke.

“Shall we go then?”

Faced with that confident smile, I was ultimately speechless.

---

Shaolin was originally Shin Noy’s objective, but.

Contrary to the plan, I ended up coming to Shaolin without Shin Noy.

Following the monk Huiyeong, Shaolin still exuded a classic atmosphere, fully embracing the traces of time.

The buildings were wide and large, appearing about twice the size of Mount Hua Sect’s.

This isn’t to say Mount Hua Sect is small, but rather that Shaolin is excessively large.

It was evident how much support and backing they received in Henan.

‘What was that old man trying to find out here?’

I recalled an old swordsman who, leaving behind his heroic deeds, remained on this land as a ghost.

I meant Shin Cheol, the Mount Hua Sword Immortal, who was currently fast asleep.

“This is the place most visited by tourists.”

Following Huiyeong’s gesture, I examined the large lake within Shaolin Temple.

In the lake, so clear that the bottom was visible, a single, very white carp swam.

I was looking at it strangely, thinking it was just one, when Huiyeong explained.

“That is our Shaolin Temple’s treasured item, the White Elegant Carp (白雅義魚).”

“That carp is a treasured item?”

“Yes, that’s right. It’s a treasured item that Monk Huang-a, who stopped the Blood Demon’s massacre in the distant past, placed in this lake.”

That means it must have lived for at least several hundred years.

Isn’t that basically a monster?

I couldn’t bring myself to ask if it wasn’t just a monster, given it’s called Shaolin’s treasured item, so I just nodded.

‘Was there something like that in my past life too?’

Back then, I wasn’t particularly interested in Shaolin Temple, and I don’t recall hearing anything specific about carp.

I was just amazed that even a living creature could be called a treasured item.

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

What if something like a divine beast appeared and stole it?

As I looked at the carp with such eyes, Huiyeong added an explanation as if he had been waiting.

“In case those with ill intentions come, the Abbot has always laid down protective barriers around it. So that anyone approaching can be detected immediately.”

Hearing Huiyeong’s words, I recalled the barriers that were set up at Mount Hua Sect.

After hearing that, I focused my inner energy and looked, and indeed, I could faintly see a barrier spread around the lake’s edge.

“I have one question, Monk.”

“Yes, I will focus.”

“Is it normal for monks to guide visitors like this?”

“Ah.”

This was purely out of curiosity.

Even with the large number of monks in Shaolin, they wouldn’t have enough personnel to personally guide every single tourist.

Huiyeong hesitated for a moment and then answered in a slightly hesitant voice.

“It’s not like that… The Abbot personally ordered it.”

“You mean the Heavenly Eye?”

“Yes, he said a distinguished guest would arrive soon, so to treat them well…”

A distinguished guest.

Coming from Shaolin’s Abbot, who could read the heavenly Qi, the statement felt quite significant.

‘Does that head monk know I traveled through time?’

I didn’t think so.

If that were the case, wouldn’t he have appeared much earlier?

Perhaps it was because I used more power than expected, but I felt vaguely annoyed, thinking I might have caught the Shaolin Abbot’s attention.

I should have held back a bit.

I let out a slight sigh and looked forward again.

The reason I didn’t look back was because the gaze felt intimidating.

I could already feel eyes piercing me from behind.

It was because Moyong Hi-ah was staring intently at me.

‘If she wasn’t going to say anything, why did she ask me to come along?’

From the moment we entered Shaolin, Moyong Hi-ah hadn’t spoken to me.

Instead, she just kept looking at me with an intensely hot gaze.

It felt like she was openly scrutinizing me, as if trying to figure something out.

After a long silence, I walked along the lakeside, following Huiyeong.

Moyong Hi-ah remained silent.

I endured the uncomfortable gaze and walked for quite a while.

‘…I really can’t take this.’

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, I quickly turned around and looked at Moyong Hi-ah.

“Miss Moyong, why are you doing this to me…”

I was about to ask accusingly, but then I froze.

It was because Moyong Hi-ah had stopped.

It wasn’t a strange statement; she had literally stopped moving.

Her gently moving feet were suspended in mid-air.

Her hands, which had been gracefully clasped, her eyes that had been subtly observing me.

Even the leaves swaying in the surrounding wind had stopped.

“…What is this now.”

The world had stopped.

Except for me.

Faced with this sudden situation, I instinctively raised my inner energy.

It was an extremely bizarre situation.

Was it an attack by someone?

Could there be a being capable of wielding such strange power?

Just then.

[…Cheol.]

[…Shin Cheol….]

The gentle voice of an old man.

I quickly turned my head in the direction the sound came from.

There.

The White Elegant Carp that had been swimming in the lake earlier was looking at me.

[…Shin Cheol, you son of a bitch.]

It was quite aggressive language.