358. Grand General’s Expedition
The news that the incarnation of the Eight Divine Generals had appeared swept across all of Seozang [Tibet] in an instant.
The story of this new guardian deity—recognized by the owner of the young Bodhicitta [enlightenment mind], the Great Scholars, and the high monks of the Four Great Sects, and who had subjugated all Five Wisdom Kings, especially Achala—was enough to capture people’s attention.
There was a slightly unsettling aspect to him being a foreigner from the East, but the rumor that the light of Mahavairocana [a cosmic buddha] had appeared from him left no room for further doubt.
The meaning of the incarnation of the Eight Divine Generals revealing himself was clear: a new Grand General had descended.
People, who had been feeling fear from the threat of the demons, were filled with anticipation and hope for the new Grand General who would lead the Potala monks.
As if to prove this, prayers and pilgrimages for the new Grand General began endlessly in temples throughout Seozang.
However, the person in question was unaware of the rumors circulating in the world. Son Bin, the incarnation of the Eight Divine Generals and the new Grand General, the incarnation of Gandharva [a celestial musician], was holding a military council in a room in the Potala Palace.
“Can I hear about the current situation of the Potala monks?”
The gaunt, middle-aged Eastern Wisdom King, who was standing opposite Son Bin, answered his question.
“I will gladly comply.”
This military council was attended by Son Bin’s group, the Five Wisdom Kings, as well as the young Palace Lord and the Potala Princess. It was truly a military council of the highest-ranking officials of the Potala Palace.
The middle-aged Eastern Wisdom King briefly explained the organization and command system of the Potala monks. The composition of the monks themselves was not very complex, but their scale was much larger than Son Bin had expected.
“…Therefore, the scale of the monks that can be mobilized immediately is approximately thirty thousand.”
“Thirty thousand?”
Son Bin couldn’t help but be surprised.
An army is absolutely essential, but it is no exaggeration to say that it is a monster that devours finances.
Therefore, thirty thousand Potala monks, considering the size of Lhasa where the Potala Palace is located, is an abnormally large scale, more than ten times the normal number.
However, the Eastern Wisdom King continued in a calm voice.
“If mobilization orders are issued to the major cities, up to one hundred thousand is possible. Of course, in this case, the approval of the Four Great Sects is required, but if the Grand General orders it, they will not be able to refuse.”
Son Bin was greatly surprised by the word ‘one hundred thousand.’ But the Eastern Wisdom King interpreted Son Bin’s expression a little differently.
“If you need more than that, a general mobilization order throughout Seozang….”
“No, that’s alright.”
Son Bin answered quickly.
“But can you maintain that many monks? The cost must be considerable?”
It was only natural for Son Bin, who had studied history, to be curious. Hwang Bang-ju, who was next to him, explained the question.
“The Potala monks are both an army and monks. Basically, their affiliated temples are responsible for everything, and the city residents are also willing to provide support, so there are no cost issues. The respect these people have for the monks is truly enormous.”
Hwang Bang-ju respectfully addressed Son Bin, perhaps because it was an official occasion. Son Bin nodded, and the young Southern Wisdom King, who was standing next to him, opened his mouth.
“The Potala monks are those who dedicate themselves to this land with only the passion for enlightenment.”
The eyes of the Southern Wisdom King, who was speaking, were burning with pride and passion.
“No hardship can break the Potala monks. If the Grand General orders it, we will gladly jump into it, even if it means death.”
A loyal army that receives absolute respect and support from the people, adheres to strict discipline, and does not even fear death.
From a commanding position, it is truly an ideal army. But Son Bin couldn’t just be happy.
This is because Son Bin is completely an outsider to their religious fervor. What would happen if he deviated from that religious sentiment?
“All the Potala monks are waiting for the Grand General to give orders. I am also proud to have received your order.”
The words of the young Southern Wisdom King were absolutely true. Son Bin forced an awkward smile at his ardent gaze and changed the subject.
“Can I know about the overall military situation in Seozang?”
The gaunt, middle-aged Eastern Wisdom King immediately answered Son Bin.
“There is a map showing the approximate situation.”
When the Eastern Wisdom King gestured, the giant Northern Wisdom King brought a large cloth scroll that was taller than a person and spread it out on the large table in the center.
Thump.
As the scroll unfolded, the entire situation of Seozang unfolded before everyone’s eyes.
It was a surprisingly detailed map, filled with unique and colorful patterns of Seozang esoteric Buddhism, but made to grasp the entire situation of Seozang at a glance.
“These black dots here.”
The Eastern Wisdom King pointed to the black marks marked in various places with his finger and said.
“These are the places where demons have appeared. It is based on the sightings of pilgrims and monks in each region, so it will not be significantly different from the truth.”
Next to the black mark, the approximate number of demons and the date were recorded in very precise handwriting.
Son Bin was quite surprised by the content. The Five Wisdom Kings had already been collecting information about the demons step by step.
“And this is a rough subjugation plan based on the military strength of the Potala monks and the number of demons.”
Several long scrolls were unfolded in front of Son Bin. The letters of Seozang were written all over the narrow and long paper unique to this place.
“Excellent scholars have established a plan considering all situations and conditions. At least there will be no errors in the calculation.”
That was clearly a humble statement. Son Bin doesn’t know the letters here, but the letters written in small print on each scroll were enough to know how meticulously this subjugation was planned.
“However, in order to execute this plan, the approval and cooperation of the large temples that govern each region is required.”
‘Approval and cooperation from large temples in each region…….’
Son Bin frowned slightly. The temperature difference between the central and local governments is significant everywhere. Moreover, it was even more so in Seozang, where a strong central government does not exist.
“It is not difficult if it is the Grand General’s order. However, there must be a procedure to seek their understanding, even if it is formal.”
The problem is that the procedure will take time. Moreover, even if he is the Grand General, Son Bin, who is basically an outsider, has no choice but to be careful.
But Son Bin’s worries were unnecessary.
“If it is the approval of the large temples.”
The Potala Princess said in a clear voice.
“I have already received it. These are the tokens.”
The Potala Princess handed Son Bin a small silk bundle.
When the silk was unwrapped, several pieces of paper came out, and the names of the temples representing each region and the signatures of the affiliated high monks were densely recorded on each piece of paper.
These were documents promising full cooperation with the activities of the Potala monks, even if they could not actively participate.
For this, the Potala Princess did not spare the trouble of traveling directly throughout Seozang.
“With this, you can move the Potala monks as you wish, Grand General.”
The Potala Princess said, her eyes sparkling. According to her words, it was the same as solving the biggest obstacle.
‘At this rate…….’
So it was not strange that Son Bin suddenly had this thought.
‘……Isn’t it okay even if I’m not here?’
Intelligence about the demons had already been perfectly collected. The subjugation plan was meticulously planned, and the full cooperation of the temples in each region was promised.
Moreover, the Potala monks do not even fear death in order to complete their orders. Isn’t this the same as everything being over?
“All of this.”
The young Palace Lord said quietly.
“It was only because you were there that it could finally shine. If it weren’t for you, all of these things would still be asleep in the deep darkness.”
His words seemed to have penetrated Son Bin’s heart. No, he must have actually penetrated it.
Son Bin looked at the young Palace Lord, the Potala Princess, and the Five Wisdom Kings in turn. Their eyes were all shining sincerely.
From the beginning, even before he knew about this, Son Bin was not alone.
“Your will.”
It was no wonder that he was momentarily choked up. Son Bin felt a new sense of responsibility and emotion and said.
“I will never let it be in vain.”
A smile spread across the faces of the Wisdom Kings. Even the taciturn Achala had a faint smile on his face at this moment.
“However, there is one thing I want to confirm.”
With a more serious look, Son Bin continued.
“While coming here, we discovered someone suspected of being behind the demons. I couldn’t catch him, but was there any report related to this?”
At those words, the faces of the Five Wisdom Kings changed at once. However, the young Palace Lord was not so surprised because he had already heard it from the Potala Princess.
“If there is a mastermind, does that mean the appearance of the demons was a planned event?”
The gaunt, middle-aged Eastern Wisdom King asked with sharp eyes.
“Yes.”
Nogun said as if throwing it out.
“This is by no means an accidental disaster. And perhaps the mastermind is definitely the Demonic Sect.”
“Demonic Sect!”
The Eastern Wisdom King’s slender eyes widened. And soon it was covered with anger.
“Those evil groups again!”
Gritting.
The Eastern Wisdom King, the Southern Wisdom King, and the Northern Wisdom King gritted their teeth at the same time. Their anger towards the Demonic Sect was much greater than Son Bin had expected.
“If the Demonic Sect is behind it, we must comprehensively re-examine the existing subjugation plan. We cannot eradicate the roots of the demons without breaking their heads.”
The young Southern Wisdom King said. The other Wisdom Kings nodded in agreement.
“About that head.”
Son Bin said quietly. The eyes of all the people, including the Wisdom Kings, turned to Son Bin at once.
“I have a guess as to where it is.”
“You have a guess?”
Nogun asked with surprised eyes. This was because he was hearing the story for the first time.
“If you think about it logically.”
Son Bin reached out his hand over the map. His finger stayed on the place with the highest frequency of demon appearances, a place densely packed with black marks.
“It would be the place where the most demons appeared. But there is another possibility.”
Swish.
Son Bin’s hand moved, and this time it stopped on a place with no black marks at all, on the opposite side.
“It is when you want to hide your appearance thoroughly. No one will pay attention to an empty land where no demons appear.”
“Hmm.”
The middle-aged, gaunt Eastern Wisdom King frowned as he looked down at the map. It wasn’t because he doubted Son Bin’s words.
“There are approximately five, no, six areas where the Demonic Sect could have nested without any reports of demon appearances.”
The Eastern Wisdom King’s judgment was quick and accurate.
“I will immediately send monks to check the situation.”
Son Bin nodded and granted the Eastern Wisdom King’s request. The military council ended with that.
* * *
A few days later, the surprising news that the new Grand General had set out to subjugate the demons shook the entire Seozang.
Grand General Son Bin ordered the Wisdom Kings to secure the safety of the main roads centered on the metropolis of Lhasa and thoroughly subjugate the demons.
The road is like a blood vessel through which people and goods move. Therefore, securing the safety of the main transportation routes first was an extremely natural measure.
The Wisdom Kings gladly accepted the Grand General’s order. The thirty thousand Potala monks were reorganized into three armies and set out to the north, east, and west, excluding the south, which was blocked by the Great Snow Mountains, centered on the metropolis of Lhasa.
Grand General Son Bin was not idle either. He himself led the Western Army and took the lead in the demon subjugation.
The news of the total force of thirty thousand and the expedition of the Wisdom Kings, whose martial prowess reached the sky, and the demon subjugation army led by the new Grand General, the incarnation of the Eight Divine Generals, was enough to excite all of Seozang.
Not only the merchants, monks, and pilgrims who had to travel the roads immediately, but also the people who were uneasy due to the threat of demons, enthusiastically welcomed this news.
The large temples in each region conveyed their intention to actively cooperate beyond the sects, and helping hands to help the Potala monks also flew in from all directions. At the same time, prayers for the new Grand General’s good fortune began to be offered throughout Seozang.
People began to have hope.
“But.”
Clatter, clatter.
Nogun, who was driving the carriage, frowned and said.
“Is this all a tactic?”
“It’s not exactly that, but it’s true that there is an intention to blur the opponent’s attention.”
Son Bin answered with a serious expression. And he recalled the orders he had given to the Wisdom Kings.
―Show off your military strength on a large scale and thoroughly subjugate the demons near the main roads, but conserve your forces as much as possible and be careful not to let the three armies get too far apart. The top priority is to annihilate the Demonic Sect as soon as their base is identified.
Securing the safety of the main roads is common sense and a natural thing, but in fact, this is a kind of feint to distract the opponent’s attention.
The top priority is to annihilate the Demonic Sect, which is presumed to be behind the demons.
“Well, if the Demonic Sect guys know that we are looking for them, they will immediately cut off their tails and run away.”
Nogun nodded.
The land of the Jang tribe is very vast, and most of it is difficult for people to live in. Therefore, the search for the Demonic Sect’s base, even if it is only to confirm suspicious areas, could take a considerable amount of time.
So, it was necessary to buy time by attracting their attention through large-scale military operations.
“And anyway, we can’t just wait aimlessly until the Demonic Sect’s base is confirmed.”
“That’s right.”
Nogun nodded.
“Besides, everyone is expecting a new Grand General to appear, and if you’re just loafing around in the Potala Palace, you’re going to get a lot of flak. Look when we came out. Everyone likes it so much.”
When Son Bin set out from the Potala Palace, he was faced with a welcoming crowd of people.
It seemed like all the people of Lhasa had gathered, and they threw white cloths [khata scarves] at the Potala monks and the carriage carrying Grand General Son Bin and scattered countless red paper flowers in front of it.
They literally made a flower path.
“I’ve never seen so many people!”
Seorin said with her arms wide open, her expression still not gone.
“There were flowers everywhere!”
No one would have been unaffected by the incredible sight. Even Nogun, who grumbled, ‘To throw away this expensive paper on the street!’ had an impressed look on his face.
In this situation, the morale of the Potala monks was naturally soaring. It seemed like they would jump into the fire without hesitation if it was the Grand General’s order.
“Still, you have to be careful. This is never a game.”
Son Bin said to Seorin with a serious look. Subjugating demons is never something to be taken lightly.
Moreover, although the total force is 30,000, the location and scale of the opponent, the Demonic Sect, have not been identified. In fact, even the fact that it is the Demonic Sect has not yet been confirmed.
The situation can change rapidly at any time. So, Son Bin had no choice but to be as careful as possible.
“But, is it okay for her to go with us?”
Nogun glanced at another carriage and said. Sasu-yeon, Dang Wol-ah, and Aegyum Wisdom King were riding there.
Perhaps noticing the gaze, Aegyum Wisdom King smiled and waved at this side. Unlike before, she was fully armed with armor and a helmet, so just looking at her was intimidating.
Son Bin also had to wear a heavily padded coat and armor to protect his shoulders and chest, which was unavoidable because he had to lead the Potala monks’ expedition at the forefront.
“She says it’s originally her responsibility, so what can I do?”
Son Bin sighed. He took off his armor as he left Lhasa, but he was still wearing his coat.
“Anyway, I needed a Wisdom King to help me…….”
Son Bin entrusted the Eastern Army and the Northern Army to the Eastern Wisdom King and the Northern Wisdom King, respectively. That was also as planned in the existing subjugation plan.
The problem is that Aegyum Wisdom King was originally in charge of the Western Army. When Son Bin, who had been watching the west from the beginning, decided to join the Western Army, Aegyum Wisdom King gladly volunteered to assist him.
‘I wish Achala couldn’t help it, so I wish the Southern Wisdom King would help.’
Achala must protect the young Palace Lord and the Potala Palace. And the young Southern Wisdom King also had something to do.
It was to deliver information concentrated from all over Seozang to Grand General Son Bin, mediate the connection between the three armies, and organize the support of the monks who were flocking in to create a reserve force.
Of course, it was a necessary and important task, but in Son Bin’s view, it was clear that he was reading Aegyum Wisdom King’s eyes and taking his own feet out.
“Well, that’s true.”
Nogun said with a sullen expression.
“Even so, your rumors are a bit, well, so-so…….”
The fact that the new Grand General is the incarnation of Gandharva is already widely known. And there is no one who does not know what kind of god Gandharva is.
The existence of the beautiful Sasu-yeon fueled the rumors, and the eyewitness accounts of people who saw the Potala Princess and Son Bin traveling together added credibility to this.
Now, it is no longer surprising that influential people in Lhasa line up with their daughters in front of the incarnation of Gandharva.
So, it is obvious what kind of rumors will come back from the fact that he set out with Aegyum Wisdom King, and even accompanied by Sasu-yeon and Dang Wol-ah. It is fortunate that the Potala Princess is not there.
‘Hoo, that Gandharva.’
In this situation, he is starting to feel bad about a god of another religion that he didn’t know at all. Son Bin couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud and swallowed the curse inside.
‘……Let’s be patient for a little while.’
Son Bin scolded himself like that.
Anyway, Son Bin will leave when this is over. What does it matter to him what rumors are circulating about him in Seozang, and what does it matter to him in the distant Cheongwon Seowon [a Confucian academy]?
Son Bin tried to repeat it like that. But he couldn’t hide the sigh that was leaking out again without him knowing. And the distorted expression too.
“Cough.”
Son Bin coughed in vain and turned his head.
Roar, roar.
Numerous spear blades lined up sharply as if piercing the sky, fully armed cavalry monks filling all directions, and countless supplies following behind.
Under the vast scenery of the Seozang Plateau, the huge appearance of the Potala monks, a force of ten thousand, was spread out in front of Son Bin’s eyes.
(Author’s words)
However, if Son Bin only takes men with him, more dangerous rumors will spread.