A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 355

355. The Potala Palace Banquet

That evening, Son Bin and his group attended the banquet. Surprisingly, this banquet was held in a room within the Potala Palace, with the young Palace Lord as the host.

The attendees of the Potala Palace banquet weren’t limited to the young Palace Lord and Son Bin’s group. Princess Potala, the Great Monk, and all five Great Bright Kings were also present.

The Northern Bright King and Southern Bright King, who appeared to have been severely injured, were also there. Their bodies were wrapped in cloths to aid healing, but their faces seemed unharmed as they took their places at the banquet.

“This banquet is for you,” the young Palace Lord said to Son Bin with a smile, sitting at the head of the table. Everyone else was seated on the floor, making the young Palace Lord, perched on a chair, appear even taller.

“So, I hope you enjoy it to your heart’s content. You, the incarnation of Gandharva [a celestial musician in Buddhist mythology].”

It didn’t take long to recognize Son Bin as the incarnation of Gandharva, one of the Eight Divine Generals. The discussions and debates among the high-ranking monks of the Four Great Sects, which had been a concern, didn’t become an obstacle.

This was because no one could deny Son Bin’s appearance in the final move of the Immovable Bright King.

“But it’s truly amazing. I never imagined I would see that light from a foreigner like you,” the young Palace Lord said with admiration. The Great Monk, the high-ranking monks, and the young Palace Lord didn’t doubt the identity of the light surrounding Son Bin.

Although it was difficult for Son Bin to understand, the high-ranking monks accepted the phenomenon as ‘the light of Mahavairocana [the universal Buddha] appearing through his guardian deity, Gandharva.’

In other words, Mahavairocana, the true body of all Buddhas and the Dharmakaya [the body of essence] of great light, had directly acknowledged his guardian deity, so no one dared to raise an objection.

“So, it’s no wonder my Immaculate Light reacted to you like that.”

The young Palace Lord spoke in a mature tone, but the wide smile on his face was that of a child. Moreover, he was showing even more friendliness to Son Bin than before.

“If you have time, won’t you come to see me more often? There are many things I want to hear from you.”

The young Palace Lord’s appearance reminded him of the children at the Seowon [a traditional Korean private academy].

When he thought about it, there was no one of the young Palace Lord’s age in this Potala Palace.

Everyone was an old, high-ranking monk, and they only treated him as the owner of Bodhicitta [enlightenment mind], so it was easy to imagine how lonely and unsupported this young Palace Lord actually was.

“Of course. I will gladly do so,” Son Bin replied with a smile and a slight bow. The young Palace Lord smiled brightly and rejoiced at the answer.

“Thank you. Ah, you said you were running a Seowon? When I am reincarnated next time, it might be nice to go to your Seowon to learn.”

Son Bin gave an awkward smile. There was no way he could go to the Cheongwon Seowon from here, and he didn’t think he would be alive until the Palace Lord’s next reincarnation.

As Son Bin was glossing over the answer with a smile, Princess Potala, who was sitting next to the young Palace Lord with a pleased expression, said,

“I am also sincerely grateful.”

Princess Potala bowed politely to Son Bin.

“With this, we can help the suffering sentient beings of this land. This grace…….”

As if slightly overwhelmed with emotion, she couldn’t continue her words. But soon, she said in a quiet voice,

“I will repay it with my entire next life.”

Both Princess Potala and the young Palace Lord spoke of ‘the next life.’ Still, Son Bin returned her gratitude with a gentle smile. If he refused here, saying ‘It’s not necessary,’ she might shed tears.

“Now, let’s all enjoy ourselves to the fullest,” the young Palace Lord said to those attending the banquet. It was a manner learned from books, but everyone willingly accepted the words.

“Wow, there’s so much food!” Seo-rin’s eyes widened as she looked at the dishes in front of her.

The banquet here was set up with a small table in front of each person, and food was continuously brought out.

As befitting the pinnacle of Tibetan Buddhism, the Potala Palace banquet had a wide variety of foods, but in terms of splendor, it wasn’t comparable to the banquets of the Jianghu [the martial arts world]. However, unlike the Buddhist sects of the Jianghu martial world, such as Shaolin or Emei, the fact that meat was used as an ingredient was unique.

“What’s the point? It all tastes bad,” Nogun said in a blunt voice. It wasn’t meant to disparage the food of Tibet.

“Without spices, how can it taste right? Tsk, tsk.”

Not only Tibetan Buddhism but also Buddhist cuisine strictly limits the use of spices. Therefore, it has almost no stimulation, so it’s not really delicious.

There are still delicious foods to be found in the market streets, but the food in temples or here in the Potala Palace is all the same.

“It’s still unique,” Dang Wola said quietly. She was still tasting the food carefully, as if performing a ritual. Sa Su-yeon, who was sitting next to Dang Wola, added,

“I’m fine with it. It feels like it’s good for my body.”

“Then you might as well eat raw food,” Nogun frowned and said.

“If it doesn’t taste good, there’s no point in cooking it.”

Cooking is not only for taste but also to aid digestion and ensure safety. But Nogun believes that ‘if it doesn’t taste good, why cook it?’ So, he couldn’t possibly like the food here.

Son Bin smiled as he listened to the conversation. Even Nogun, who said that, was diligently moving his hands, tasting various dishes. Most of them ended with him frowning, though.

Clink.

At the small sound, Son Bin raised his head. The Great Monk had emptied his small bowl and was chanting a low mantra. It seemed that his meal was over with just that.

“Owner of Bodhicitta,” the Great Monk said with his hands clasped together. It was a low voice, but it was enough to draw everyone’s attention.

“Now, there is no one who doubts the wisdom of the owner of Bodhicitta.”

The young Palace Lord recognized the foreigner Son Bin as the incarnation of Gandharva. At first, no one could even imagine it, but now it had become an undeniable fact.

The handling of this incarnation of the Eight Divine Generals and its result brought about a significant change in the young Palace Lord’s political influence. If the young Palace Lord and the Great Monk wanted it now, there would be no one who could oppose the owner of Bodhicitta ascending to the throne.

“Do you wish to ascend to the throne?” The Great Monk’s question was truly straightforward. The young Palace Lord gazed intently at the Great Monk.

“Great light always reveals itself. I am still young, so it wouldn’t be bad to borrow the wisdom of you and the other monks for the time being,” the young Palace Lord replied. A gleam flashed in the Great Monk’s narrow eyes at the answer. The young Palace Lord continued in a calm voice,

“So, rather than ascending to the throne immediately, I will devote myself to alleviating the suffering of the sentient beings of this land. I hope you will understand my intention and suffer a little more.”

The Great Monk closed his eyes and chanted a low mantra, then deeply bowed his head to the young Palace Lord to accept his will.

After being like that for a while, the Great Monk rose from his seat. He clasped his hands together to the young Palace Lord, Princess Potala, the Five Great Bright Kings, and finally Son Bin, before leaving the room.

“Are you alright with that?” Son Bin asked the young Palace Lord. He had heard the conversation between the two through Hwang Bang-ju’s interpretation.

“Ascending to the throne, you mean? I’m fine with it,” the young Palace Lord said with a gentle smile.

“While saying that I should ascend to the throne for the sake of the suffering sentient beings of this land, I realized that I don’t really know their suffering. If that’s the case, how can I properly guide sentient beings even if I ascend to the throne?”

Son Bin fully agreed with the young Palace Lord’s words.

Ascending to a high position is not for personal success or honor. It is precisely to care for and help countless people.

If it is determined solely by political interests or sectarian strife, how can it be called a righteous thing?

“So, now is actually an opportunity for me. Once I formally ascend to the throne, not even an inch of mistake or room for learning will be allowed.”

“That is truly the right thing to say,” Son Bin sincerely agreed. Considering the position of the Palace Lord of the Potala Palace and the owner of Bodhicitta in this land, the young Palace Lord’s words were absolutely right.

“It’s thanks to you.”

Son Bin looked puzzled at the young Palace Lord’s words. But the young Palace Lord smiled at Son Bin and said,

“Because you have shown that great light always shines on those who do righteous deeds.”

It would be a lie to say that his heart wasn’t filled with pride at those words.

Son Bin bowed his head in respect. He couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed.

“Son Bin,” Princess Potala, who had been wearing a pleased smile, said, “If you have time later, would you like to go see the ‘Living Buddha’ with me?”

Son Bin looked at Princess Potala with questioning eyes.

The term ‘Living Buddha’ is actually a common title here. The young Palace Lord here, as well as the Great Monk and high-ranking monks, are all called Living Buddhas.

Noticing Son Bin’s question, Princess Potala smiled gently and said, “He is the one who has given me much help.”

‘Ah.’

Son Bin finally knew who the princess was talking about. She was referring to the ‘Living Buddha’ who had given her advice.

‘Come to think of it, Hwang Bang-ju also…….’

The rosary he had was said to be from the ‘Living Buddha.’ Son Bin turned to look at Hwang Bang-ju, who was sitting next to him.

Hwang Bang-ju, who met Son Bin’s eyes, suddenly smiled bitterly and abruptly placed both hands on the floor and bowed deeply to Son Bin. Because he was sitting on a cushion, Hwang Bang-ju’s head was almost touching the floor.

“I apologize for my rudeness all this time, Great Hero.”

“Why, why are you doing this?” Son Bin was startled by the words. But Hwang Bang-ju shook his head.

“No. Even if I didn’t know, a mere merchant like me has been…….”

Thud.

Son Bin strongly grabbed Hwang Bang-ju’s shoulders as he was bowing. Hwang Bang-ju looked up at Son Bin with surprised eyes.

“If you keep doing this, I will really get angry. Do you really see me as only that much of a person?” Son Bin said with a serious expression without a hint of falsehood. Hwang Bang-ju, staring straight into those eyes, sighed quietly.

Son Bin didn’t want honorifics or special treatment from the beginning. It was the same when crossing the difficult and arduous Daesulsan Mountains.

A difficult environment tends to reveal a person’s true nature. If Son Bin were such a person, he would have revealed that nature long ago and treated Hwang Bang-ju arrogantly.

“I’m sorry. I was really surprised…….”

“No. It’s my fault for not saying it in advance.”

“No, don’t say that. Don’t say such things, Great Hero.”

Son Bin shook his head and said seriously to Hwang Bang-ju, who was waving his hands,

“Please leave out the ‘Great Hero’.”

Hwang Bang-ju looked at him, wondering what he meant. Son Bin said once again,

“Absolutely no ‘Great Hero’.”

“Oh, then even ‘Little Hero’…….”

“Just do as you have been doing. Really.”

Son Bin’s eyes were serious to the point of being grave. At those eyes, Hwang Bang-ju nodded without realizing it.

“I, I will do so. Young Master Son.”

At that sight, Son Bin finally released his hand and smiled, when Hwang Bang-ju suddenly asked cautiously in a low voice,

“Um, that……. Are, are you the True Dragon Great Hero? The real winner of the last Gangnam Yongbong Tournament [a martial arts competition]?”

This time, Son Bin was flustered. Leaving aside the story of the real winner, he wondered how he knew that.

At Son Bin’s reaction, Hwang Bang-ju nodded.

“I see. No wonder you said you would use the title of True Dragon……. Your story was a hot topic even in Sichuan. Tang Hwa-ryeon, the General Military Advisor of the Tang Family, is from the Yongbong of the Gangnam Yongbong Tournament. So, there were rumors that the Tang Family might bring in the True Dragon Great Hero.”

Hwang Bang-ju, who was talking, suddenly looked surprised.

“Wait, come to think of it, the Ice Sword Goddess, who was said to be the True Dragon Great Hero’s lover, is…….”

Hwang Bang-ju turned to look at Sa Su-yeon. Of course, there was no rule that the True Dragon Great Hero couldn’t move alone. But Hwang Bang-ju’s guess was correct this time as well.

“Um, we’re not at that stage yet……,” Son Bin said, blushing. The word ‘yet’ was a case where his earnest wish inevitably popped out of his mouth.

“Heo.”

Hwang Bang-ju couldn’t hide his surprise. Son Bin avoided his gaze out of embarrassment, but it was a little early for that.

“This, I’m envious and not envious at the same time…….”

“Yes?”

To be in a relationship with a peerless beauty like Sa Su-yeon, of course, Son Bin added the condition ‘yet,’ but how could he not be envious?

Son Bin looked at Hwang Bang-ju with a puzzled expression.

“No, that’s. First of all, the person who will be your father-in-law is too great…….”

He is great. It’s none other than the Martial Emperor of Hyeoncheon, Saja-hyeok.

But Son Bin couldn’t agree with Hwang Bang-ju’s words. Saja-hyeok is a person with a very warm heart when you get to know him. He is also quite rational.

But Hwang Bang-ju glanced at Sa Su-yeon and said very quietly and cautiously,

“If it’s Miss Sa……. How should I put it, wouldn’t any man be forced to live under her thumb…….”

Even the great Saja-hyeok couldn’t say anything to Sa Su-yeon. Having seen it directly, Hwang Bang-ju’s words were perhaps even natural.

But Hwang Bang-ju couldn’t finish his words and glanced at Son Bin’s expression.

He was worried that he might have offended him, and at the same time, he thought that Son Bin might assert his groundless pride, saying, ‘I would be fine,’ as other men do.

However, Son Bin’s reaction was beyond his expectations.

“Live under her thumb? Why?” Hwang Bang-ju, wondering if he was asking because he didn’t know, stared blankly, but Son Bin tilted his head and said,

“She has a bit of a firm side, but she is still a really kind and warm-hearted person.”

Son Bin said with a bright smile. It was a natural reaction for Son Bin, who remembered Sa Su-yeon taking care of Dang Wola and playing with the children.

Of course, she does have a firm side. But she is also a martial artist and Saja-hyeok’s daughter, so isn’t that much natural?

“She’s also cute sometimes.”

Sa Su-yeon is really cute when she’s embarrassed. Hwang Bang-ju, watching Son Bin smiling contentedly, let out an awkward laugh.

“I, is that so? Ha, hahaha.”

That woman, who exudes an icy aura just by looking at her, is kind and warm-hearted?

It’s fortunate that she has at least a little bit of humanity, or she would immediately become equal to the Sword Demon.

‘When you’re blinded by love, you can’t see anything…….’

Inwardly, Hwang Bang-ju clicked his tongue.

Well, what can he say when that’s how she looks in his eyes? That’s why there’s a saying that even straw shoes have their pair.

“Oh, by the way, did the letter to be sent to the Tang Family depart well?” At Son Bin’s question, Hwang Bang-ju nodded.

“I confirmed that it departed yesterday. But because it’s such a long way around, it might arrive later than the letter entrusted to the caravan.”

He sent two letters confirming that they had arrived well.

The first was entrusted to the caravan, saying that they would go to Sichuan in the spring, right after leaving Daesulsan, and the second was entrusted to the northbound journey to Beijing along the Silk Road from Lhasa.

In fact, there are many people to whom he needs to send news.

First of all, the children remaining in the Seowon, as well as Hyeonryeon Se-hwa, Dang Un-yeong, Shin-ui, Janggang Eoeong, Hwa-sa, and Talhondo, as well as Tang Hwa-ryeon, the General Military Advisor of the Tang Family, and Princess Gyeong-hui’s group, will also be waiting for Son Bin’s news.

‘The princess might not be, though.’

She might not care about Son Bin’s news.

But Jeondae Roegeom Namgung-cheon or Namgung-hyang, Moryong Se-ga’s Moryong-jin Gongja and Moryong-rin, and the Hyunheo Jin-in of Wudang or the Beopheo Shinni of Emei will be concerned about the safety of Son Bin’s group.

In addition, he needs to send news to Bukhae, as well as Hwawol, the head of Yewon, and the Gangrin and Gangmin siblings.

‘Come to think of it, there are many.’

He had formed relationships with many people before he knew it. And there was not one that was not precious.

Thinking of them, he wants to send news as soon as possible, but the problem is that there is no way to do so. He has no choice but to wait until the road opens.

‘In fact, it’s just a word of greeting.’

He’s not delivering any particularly great news. The short phrase ‘We are well’ is enough. But he is so frustrated because he can’t deliver that one word.

Could it be homesickness? He naturally understands the hearts of the old people who watched the migrating iron birds and prayed for them to deliver the news.

“Are you the Heavenly Demon Four Constellations?” At the sudden voice, Son Bin woke up from his reverie. The Immovable Bright King was staring straight at Son Bin with his intense eyes.

(Author’s words)

Continuous skill ‘Love Filter’ effect: The opponent looks endlessly pretty, cute, and kind. However, the charm effect due to beauty gradually decreases over time.

The author, who has a tiny bit of reserves, is trying to serialize three times a week without fear.

For the month of April, Nakhyang Munsa Jeon will be serialized three times a week (Tue, Thu, Sat). I hope it doesn’t break down in the first week of May~