A Tale Of A Scribe Who Retires To The Countryside [EN]: Chapter 360

360. The Prophecy of the Living Buddha

The Potala monks’ efforts to subdue the monsters were progressing steadily. While currently limited to the main roads radiating from Lhasa, the Grand Abbot’s personal leadership of the Potala monks instilled hope and encouragement in everyone.

Reports and stories about monsters also surged. Previously ignored news related to monsters poured into temples across the region, and the monks diligently relayed this information to the Grand Abbot.

Of course, some accounts were unbelievable, bordering on fear-induced horror stories. However, a clear trend emerged when considering the reports collectively.

“They are getting stronger,” Sun Bin said with a concerned expression inside the military tent, grandly erected to showcase the Grand Abbot’s authority. He referred to the report from the Potala scholars analyzing the monsters’ changes, which lay before him.

The Potala Palace promptly provided the report in characters Sun Bin could understand. Though urgent news often arrived in Tibetan script.

“Yes. It feels like they are evolving,” No Gun added with a frown.

The Potala Palace scholars’ analysis revealed a serious situation. Not only were there wolf and bear monsters, but also various other forms of mutated creatures.

The size of the monster groups had also increased, and they were becoming more aggressive and organized. This was a significant and alarming development.

“Is this due to the ‘Gate of Hell’ opened by the Heavenly Demon?”

“I don’t know. But it seems clear that the Demonic Cult’s power is growing,” Sun Bin replied.

The changes in the monsters clearly indicated that the power behind them, presumably the ‘Demonic Cult,’ was intensifying.

“Have you received any news about the cause of the mutation?”

The monsters were mutating, meaning that originally normal beasts were transforming due to some influence. If this continued, humans could also mutate, as Princess Potala had warned.

Fortunately, they had confirmed a mastermind behind the seemingly random monsterization, suggesting a potential way to stop it.

However, information about the cause or trigger of the monsterization remained scarce.

“Well, there are reports of monsters being struck by lightning or emerging from black fog. Most accounts mention monsters originating from cursed lands…”
Hwang Bang-ju said, reviewing the scrolls spread across the table. He spoke comfortably with Sun Bin and his group, as he always had.

Sun Bin had encouraged this informality, and it seemed to suit the merchant’s sociable nature. Sun Bin appreciated being able to interact with him without reservation.

“In the end, most of those stories proved false upon investigation. Nothing concrete yet… Oh?”
Hwang Bang-ju picked up a letter and handed it to Sun Bin.

“You should see this directly.”

Sun Bin took the letter. It was from Princess Potala.

*Rustle.*

As he unfolded the letter, small, neat characters came into view.

‘Her handwriting is very elegant.’

It wasn’t exceptional calligraphy, and the sentences weren’t perfectly smooth, but each character was clearly written with care.

The letter began with polite greetings and encouragement. Sun Bin smiled, feeling as if Princess Potala were present.

However, his expression hardened as he read further.

“What does it say?” No Gun asked.

Sun Bin replied, “There’s a girl who witnessed a monster’s mutation.”

News reaching the Potala Palace was typically sent by high-ranking monks from regional temples, as not just anyone could send letters to the Grand Abbot. Therefore, accounts from children or women were sometimes overlooked.

However, Princess Potala was different; she empathized with all suffering beings. A letter from a girl, ghostwritten by a local monk, had reached her directly.

“She says that a person in black clothes lit an incense burner, and black fog spread, turning wolves into monsters.”

No Gun’s expression stiffened. The Demonic Cult’s involvement with the monsters was still known only to the Five Great Bright Kings, making the girl’s sighting credible.

“She says the black fog smelled like rotten vomit. The girl immediately covered her mouth and fled, but when she returned, the surrounding land had turned completely black.”

“An incense burner… So that’s how it was. Some kind of artifact is involved,” No Gun nodded. If the girl’s account was accurate, the Demonic Cult was causing mutations using artifacts, either through their power or as a medium.

“How’s the search for their base progressing?”

“Not yet.”

Following Sun Bin’s suggestion, the Eastern Bright King had been searching suspected Demonic Cult bases, but without success.

“There are two locations left, but they’re so remote that it will take more time. They’ve also begun searching other areas.”

“The Demonic Cult is very secretive. If you don’t crush them immediately, they become very troublesome.”

It wasn’t easy to find those deliberately hiding. Moreover, Tibet was vast and expansive.

No human mutations had been reported yet, but what if they caused monsterization in a populated area? The thought was terrifying.

‘We need to find them quickly…’

Sun Bin hoped his assessment of the Demonic Cult’s base was correct. If not, they would have to search all of Tibet.

“Is that all in the letter?”

Several pages remained. At No Gun’s words, Sun Bin unfolded the next page.

“She says more people are applying to join the Potala monks. The Southern Bright King is overwhelmed.”

The Potala monks were highly respected. Many volunteered to join the monster subjugation force led by the Grand Abbot, and the Southern Bright King had to carefully select them and create training plans.

“Oh, and…”

Sun Bin tilted his head as he read.

“She wants to send gifts to the Yewon [Sun Bin’s residence]?”

“Gifts? Why?” No Gun asked, naturally. What gifts were appropriate for someone leading the monks in subjugation?

“I don’t know. I don’t really understand what she’s saying…”
The rest of the letter seemed to list the gifts, but it was written in the local language, which Sun Bin couldn’t understand.

“Can I take a look?” Hwang Bang-ju asked. Sun Bin handed him the letter, and Hwang Bang-ju exclaimed,

“Amazing! They’re coming from all over Tibet?”

The list included gifts collected from local temples by influential figures, large temples in each region, and residents of small villages.

Literally, gifts were being sent to Sun Bin from across Tibet.

Hwang Bang-ju’s eyes sparkled as he examined the list.

“The great monks and scholars of the four major sects sent them, as did the owner of Bodhicitta and Princess Potala… Oh, this kind of thing too?”

Unlike the excited Hwang Bang-ju, Sun Bin was bewildered.

“Why are they sending gifts before the subjugation is over?”

“This is a gift to the Grand Abbot of the Potala monks and the incarnation of the Eightfold Deva [a Buddhist deity],” Hwang Bang-ju explained.

“In other words, they sincerely acknowledge you, Sun Gongzi [Master Sun]. It also shows their high expectations. I can’t imagine what will come after the monster subjugation is successful.”

Sun Bin gave a bitter smile. Gifts on top of the tremendous welcome he’d already received?

“Let me warn you, refusing is extremely rude. It implies you don’t value their greetings, a humiliation that would make them your mortal enemy.”

Sun Bin paused, about to decline. Hwang Bang-ju continued, still studying the list.

“What should I tell them? Should I have them sent to the Yewon? Cheongwon [Sun Bin’s original residence] is far away, but the Yewon would need to be quite large to hold all this…”

“Large? Is there that much?” Sun Bin asked.

Hwang Bang-ju nodded.

“A lot, but mostly horses…”

“Horses? Riding horses?” Sun Bin asked.

Hwang Bang-ju replied matter-of-factly, “Why do you think the Tea Horse Road [ancient trade route] was created? The horses here are excellent and fetch a good price anywhere. Herbs that only grow at high altitudes are also quite expensive. Of course, treasures and scriptures from Tianzhu [ancient India] are incredibly valuable, but they’re rare here and hard to find a buyer.”

Listening to Hwang Bang-ju’s explanation, Sun Bin looked back at No Gun.

“Is there a Yewon here, by any chance…”

“Would there be?” No Gun retorted with a frown, cutting him off. There was no way there was a Yewon here.

“How about sending it to the Tang Clan [a powerful family]?” Hwang Bang-ju suggested.

“It’s closest to Tibet, but even the Tang Clan will struggle to manage this much. It would be even better if you entrusted some of it to our Mafang [Hwang Bang-ju’s trading company].”

His words were reasonable. Sun Bin nodded.

“Then please send it to the Tang Clan. You can hand over some of it to Hwang Bang-ju’s Mafang.”

Hwang Bang-ju’s face lit up.

“Thank you! At this rate, I don’t even need my fee.”

It was clear that Hwang Bang-ju was grinning and happy. He buried his nose in the scroll, diligently reading the list.

“Oh, there are also treasures, esoteric scriptures, and thangkas [Tibetan Buddhist paintings] that I mentioned earlier? Should I send these to the Tang Clan too?”

As if his words had conjured them, incredibly valuable and rare items appeared. In fact, Sun Bin didn’t realize that these scriptures and treasures were priceless.

“It would be better to send those to the Yewon.”

The words of Hwa Wol, the owner of the Yewon, known for her expertise in such matters, came to mind. She would know their value and manage them properly.

“Let’s send everything to the Tang Clan first, and write a letter to Tang Hwa-ryun [head of the Tang Clan] and ask her.”

Hwang Bang-ju nodded. As the head of the Mafang, he couldn’t handle these large items anyway. The excellent horses of Tibet were more appealing to him.

“As expected, money rolls in when you know high-ranking people. Even if you just send horses from here every year, you won’t envy the Five Great Merchant Groups [powerful trading organizations]?”

Whether it was gifts or letters, nothing would move until the snow of the Great Snow Mountain melted, but Hwang Bang-ju seemed very happy.

On the other hand, Sun Bin couldn’t hide his bitter smile. He was pleased to be so respected, but felt increasingly trapped.

Sun Bin looked down at the letter from Princess Potala. A sentence at the end caught his eye.

“What is it?” No Gun asked.

Sun Bin said calmly, “The ‘Living Buddha’ advised me to ‘follow the dragon’s trail.'”

“That Living Buddha in the Chimpu Valley [a hermitage near Lhasa]?”

“Yes.”

Sun Bin quietly looked at the letter, recalling the ‘Living Buddha’ in the Lhasa Chimpu Valley, whom he had visited with Princess Potala.

“This is the ‘Living Buddha’ I told you about,” Princess Potala had said in the dark cave, her tone respectful. The ‘Living Buddha’ smiled brightly, his face wrinkled, and said to Sun Bin,

“Thank you for visiting this humble place.”

“Nice to meet you. My name is Sun Bin,” Sun Bin bowed politely.

This ‘Living Buddha,’ practicing in the Chimpu Valley near Lhasa, had once been one of the highest-ranking monks in Potala.

He had taught the previous owner of Bodhicitta and was Princess Potala’s teacher. He had given up his position and power, abandoned his name, and lived in seclusion in the Chimpu Valley.

His current residence was a dark cave, and his emaciated limbs, visible outside his old robe, evoked pity. But his deep, clear eyes were as pure as a child’s, compelling respect.

“It’s been a while, too,” the Living Buddha said to Hwang Bang-ju, who clasped his hands with a touched expression.

“Yes, it’s been a long time…” Hwang Bang-ju’s voice choked with emotion. The Living Buddha smiled contentedly.

“You have chosen the right path. Although it must have been painful, I am pleased that cause and effect have led you to the main road today.”

Hwang Bang-ju had failed his first business trip and returned to Sichuan. He had taken responsibility for his failure.

His Mafang was virtually destroyed, but he remained in Sichuan. And as the Living Buddha said, ‘opportunity’ came to Hwang Bang-ju.

“You’ve worked hard too,” the Living Buddha said, looking at Princess Potala. Tears welled up in her eyes.

“You willingly chose the path of death for the sake of the people. The fact that the people of this land have found a way to live today is solely due to your merit.”

“Everything is thanks to the Living Buddha’s words,” Princess Potala said with tearful eyes. Then she looked at Sun Bin.

“Thanks to the Living Buddha, I was able to meet Sun Gongzi. At first, I didn’t recognize him, but Sun Gongzi was the way for suffering people to live.”

It was Princess Potala’s sincerity, but it was too much praise for Sun Bin. His face red, he cleared his throat and avoided her gaze, when suddenly the Living Buddha said,

“O you who have the light of Mahavairocana [a celestial Buddha].”

The Living Buddha’s voice was like a bell ringing from afar, resonating deeply.

“Soon you will go to the end of the world. And there you will face the truth of the three thousand great thousand worlds [a Buddhist cosmological concept].”

With eyes as clear as the blue sky, the Living Buddha continued,

“You will be forced to choose. And depending on your choice, the lives of many people will change. The lives of very, very many people.”

Sun Bin couldn’t understand his words, but he felt their importance.

“What choice should I make?” Sun Bin’s voice trembled slightly.

The Living Buddha smiled, raised his emaciated finger, and pointed to Sun Bin’s chest.

“As your heart goes, and as your light leads.”

With a gentle smile, the Living Buddha said, “That’s enough.”

Sun Bin looked at the Living Buddha with confused eyes, but the Living Buddha just smiled and remained silent.

“Follow the dragon’s trail?” Sun Bin woke from his thoughts at No Gun’s voice. No Gun, hearing about the ‘Living Buddha’ for the first time, grumbled, ‘Do as your heart goes? I could say that too,’ but said nothing more.

Even now, No Gun was showing interest in the Living Buddha’s advice.

“If it’s the dragon’s trail, is it a place name? Or a term used in Tibetan Buddhism? Whether it’s a Taoist or a monk, they’re all masters at vague pronouncements…”

No Gun suddenly said, “Where did Muje and Okryong go?”

The whereabouts of Saja Hyuk and Okryong, who had left earlier, were to be marked by Guigyeon Sura, who was escorting Hyeolbong.

For now, the Potala monks’ work took priority, so they hadn’t searched for them yet. They only knew that they had headed west from Lhasa.

“Let’s find out.”

No Gun wrote down the marks that Guigyeon Sura might have left and handed them to Sun Bin.

The contents were delivered to Lhasa, and swift messengers on fine horses galloped towards the cities west of Lhasa.

A few days later, news arrived to Sun Bin: suspicious movements had been discovered in the ‘Moon City Valley’ at the western end of the Tibetan Plateau, and Guigyeon Sura’s mark had been found in a nearby small city.

It was a cold spring day when green grass began to sprout on the vast Tibetan Plateau.

(Author’s words)

Sun Bin: Why did you give up everything?

Living Buddha: I lifted the curtain and peeked into the future, but there was only… overtime.