Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 411

Chapter 411
“Sob…! The Heavenly Master has not abandoned us! That He would grant us the Nāgarāja in our hour of need!”

At the fervent cry from the man who seemed to be the head of the robed monks, the other prostrating monks also broke into tears.

“O Nāgarāja!” (translated from Tibetan)
“O Nāgarāja, guardian of the Heavenly Master’s Dharma! We give thanks for your appearance to protect the sacred teachings!”
“To imagine the King of Nāgas would be dispatched to us!” (translated from Tibetan)

What should have erupted into violence was abruptly replaced by an air of devout veneration.
It reminded me of a documentary from my past life—one of those scenes showing a large gathering of fervent cult followers.
‘I understand Buddhism isn’t a cult, but the atmosphere here is certainly similar.’

“What is happening?”
“What in heaven’s name is going on?”
Everyone looked toward Ji-ryong, seemingly under the impression that he alone could decipher the situation.
Yet he appeared just as bewildered, his face a clear picture of confusion.
Perhaps it demanded a more profound theological insight—while Ji-ryong was intelligent and learned, religious studies were not his forte.
Nonetheless, a hint lay in their final exclamation.
They appeared to be under the impression that Lady Cheong-yu was the Nāgarāja, the sovereign of the Nāgas.
‘Hold on… Do Tibetan Buddhists also worship Nāgas?’
I watched the monks, tilting my head in contemplation.
It would be logical if they were Indian Hindus—Nāgas are celestial entities in Indian lore, frequently portrayed with a human torso and a serpentine lower half.
Indeed, Lady Cheong-yu’s present form closely matched that depiction, so I couldn’t fault Hindus for perceiving her as divine. But these individuals were Tibetan Buddhists—specifically from the Lamaism tradition.
It was difficult to comprehend.
‘Well, I suppose the only way to understand is to converse with them.’
Nothing became clear no matter how much I pondered, so I resolved to move forward, thinking we could all sit by the campfire and talk, particularly since several of them were hurt.
The dancing firelight revealed the monks’ weary faces—they looked to be in poor condition.
One man had his arm and chest bound in cloth to staunch bleeding, but the fabric was already saturated. The others had various cuts and injuries on their faces and exposed limbs, appearing as though they had endured a great trial.
Since the mood had turned from antagonistic to reverent, I judged it safe enough to approach.

—Step.

“Excuse me…”

But the instant I moved forward, Lady Cheong-yu, Yeondu, and Orange moved to block my path.
Lady Cheong-yu coiled herself around me protectively, while Yeondu and Orange issued warning hisses.

—Sia! 『So-ryong, this could be unsafe!』
—Shaaa. 『Proceed with caution, So-ryong-nim.』
—Ska! 『Hyungnim, move back. These individuals seem unstable.』

Evidently, they were worried these strangers might still be a threat.
As the three of them formed a protective circle around me, the lead monk exclaimed once more.

“C-could it be?! T-tulku!”

‘Tulku?’
Now the monks were gazing at me with looks of pure amazement.
‘Tulku? Dolchu? What on earth is that?’

***
Just as I was blinking in bewilderment at the word “Tulku,” a pained groan echoed.

“Urgh…”

“Awang! Are you alright?!”

Turning toward the sound, I saw an injured monk had collapsed and was moaning in agony.
Likely from prostrating himself in that state—blood was now soaking through the bandages on his wounds and trickling onto the ground.
Seeing this, I promptly called to Hwa-eun.

“Hwa-eun. We should attend to the wounded.”
“Understood, So-ryong.”
“We have Boheoldan and Gold-Wound Medicine. May we treat him?”
“Of course. T-thank you so very much!”

When Hwa-eun stepped up and offered aid, the head monk pressed his forehead to the ground in profound gratitude—a complete reversal from his earlier stance.
The injured man was shifted closer to the campfire, and Sister Seol and Hwa-eun started to inspect the wound.
It was a severe gash, running from his left arm across his chest. Blood continued to seep out slowly.

“The injury is quite deep.”
“Will it be hard to treat?”
“No. It is deep, but with Gold-Wound Medicine and a Boheoldan pill, he should heal without any problems.”

Hwa-eun’s diagnosis eased the anxious monk, who bowed his head once more.

“O-oh! This is the Heavenly Master’s divine will! Thank you.”

As Hwa-eun began cleaning the wound and giving the Boheoldan, I turned to the interpreter with another request.
With more guests present, we needed additional food.

“Could you prepare more food? I believe we’ll require at least double the amount.”
“Naturally. To multiply food is a beggar’s virtue.”

I was doubtful it could be done on such short notice, but he merely smiled and started casually adding more ingredients and water to the pot.
I was taken aback by one particular addition.

“Wait… aren’t they monks? Should we be including meat?”
He had just added marmot meat—today’s meal seemed to be a marmot and rice porridge, but monks typically abstain from meat.
Normally, we would separate a portion of plain porridge for Monk Jaheo before adding the meat.
I observed that a bowl of plain white porridge had already been set aside, presumably for Monk Jaheo—but since the others were also monks, I voiced my concern.
In response to my question, the interpreter offered another serene, smiling reply.

“It is acceptable, So-ryong-nim. The monks of Podarlap Palace do consume meat.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes, Tulku-nim.”
“Hiiik!”

A large monk had quietly approached my side and was now rubbing his hands together nervously.
Startled, I retreated a step, and once again Yeondu and Orange moved to protect me.

—Ska! 『Move away, you oaf!』
—Shaaa! 『Keep your distance from him!』

Alarmed by the fierce reaction from the young ones, the man instantly apologized.

“S-sorry! My most sincere apologies, Tulku-nim!”

With all this talk of Tulku and the injured man, it was obvious there was much to discuss. I settled everyone down and invited them to sit around the campfire.

“Well, for the moment… shall we sit by the fire and talk over a meal? I have many questions.”
“Absolutely! Ahem, from this point, let us all speak in the Central Plains language. Since the Tulku has bestowed his grace upon us, let us all sit and offer our gratitude by the fire!”
“Yes, Lama.”
“Thank you, Venerable Master.”

Once everyone was seated, I clasped my fists and formally greeted the monk who seemed to be the leader.
It occurred to me that we hadn’t even introduced ourselves.

“Ah, it seems we haven’t made our introductions.”
“We apologize. We mistook you for Central Plains martial artists sent to obstruct us…”
“There must have been a misunderstanding. It happens. A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am So-ryong of the Beast Palace.”
“Oh! The Beast Palace! So you hail from the Beast Palace, which the Central Plains people label the ‘Outer Martial World’ alongside our Podarlap Palace! Now it becomes clear, Tulku-nim!”
“I am Dorje. In the Central Plains tongue, my name is Dagil, which means Vajra. I am a lama of the Podarlap Palace. In your terms, it would be akin to Master Vajra or Venerable Vajra.”

I had always thought ‘lama’ was a generic term for any monk, but it seems it is actually a title indicating a specific rank.
This meant the man was a high-ranking monk.
If his title was analogous to something like ‘Master,’ then he was what would be considered a revered elder monk.

“Ah, so you are Master Dorje.”
“Yes, O Tulku.”

Just as we finished our introductions, Hwa-eun approached, wiping blood from her hands.
Her appearance was somewhat stark, but her expression indicated the treatment had been successful.

“The patient?”
“The treatment was completed smoothly, So-ryong.”
“I’m glad to hear it. You did well, Hwa-eun.”

As expected, she confirmed the patient was stable, and Master Dorje bowed yet again in thanks.

“Thank you. Podarlap Palace shall never forget this benevolence.”

A very courteous expression of gratitude.
That seemed sufficient for formalities. I waited for Dorje to sit upright again before posing the question that was on my mind.

“Please forgive the directness, but could you explain what exactly occurred? Beginning with the injured man… and also—what is this Nāgarāja Tulku, or… Dolchu?”

At my question, he tilted his head and inquired in return,

“Is it possible… that you do not remember?”
“Excuse me? Remember what?”

Startled by the sudden query about my memory, I blinked—and then, from his lips came words that were almost unbelievable.

“You have not yet… recalled your past life?”

Re… reincarnation!?
My eyes widened in shock, though I swiftly composed my expression.
He clearly seemed to know—or believe—that I was a reincarnated being.
Then, a slight smile touched the corner of his mouth as a soft voice sounded near my ear—delivered through internal voice transmission:

[That is entirely understandable. If others were to discover, they would think you insane. The past life is significant, but so is the present one. I, Dorje, will feign ignorance.]
Then he commenced speaking aloud once more.

“It is of no consequence whether you remember. For if the Nāgarāja protects you, then it assuredly means that He has manifested in this world in person.”
“He…?”
“The Heavenly Master.”
“Heavenly Master?”

The answer came not from Dorje, but from someone next to me.
“In the Central Plains, you refer to Him as the Buddha.”
“…I beg your pardon!?”

So, their assertion was—they believed I was a reincarnated Buddha.
And as much as I wished to protest, their explanation was, annoyingly, somewhat logical.
Apparently, in Buddhist scriptures as well—not solely Hindu mythology—the Nāgarāja is present as the king of the Nāgas.
“I had always believed the Nāgarāja was only found in Hindu tales, but it seems he also appears in Buddhist stories. When the Heavenly Master was attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, a storm arose one day.
Then Mucalinda, the serpent king residing in the tree, came out and coiled around the Heavenly Master seven times, sheltering Him from the storm for seven entire days.
Following that, he was recognized as a guardian of the Dharma.”
So when Lady Cheong-yu, Yeondu, and Orange—appearing in the form of Nāgas—positioned themselves protectively around me, it bore a striking resemblance to that legendary moment.
It was little wonder they confused me for the Buddha.
And their current desperate, faith-shaken condition only deepened the misunderstanding.

“Are you aware that Buddhism has disappeared from the Western Regions?”
“Buddhism has vanished from the West?”
“Yes. Over two centuries ago, Islam arrived from beyond the lowlands, spreading throughout the Western Regions. As it established itself, it initiated a persecution of Buddhism. Numerous temples were set ablaze, and countless lamas escaped to other lands.
Podarlap Palace, now situated in Tobo, was established by those fleeing monks.”
“I see…”
“We still undertake covert journeys back to the Western Regions, recovering Buddhist scriptures from the charred remains of temples and homes… but this time, we were assaulted by Muslims and suffered heavily.”
“You have my sympathies.”
“To be truthful, when Awang’s life was hanging by a thread, even I started to doubt if the Dharma had abandoned us. My faith wavered.
But now… to receive the aid of the Nāgarāja and the manifestation of the Heavenly Master Himself in our mission to safeguard the scriptures!
I deeply regret my own lapse of faith! Everything was preordained… and I failed to perceive it!”

It started as a history lesson on the suppression of Buddhism and Hinduism by Islam, which I faintly remembered from my schooling.
And now it had culminated in the verdict that I was the Buddha reborn.
“Well… I suppose that is one interpretation. I mean, it is not common for spiritual beasts to accompany a person.”
Even Monk Jaheo seemed affected.
‘Really, now! I need you to refute this, not be persuaded by it!’
As I stood there in confusion, Sister Seol spoke up beside me.
“So… does this mean our So-ryong must shave his head now?”
“W-what are you talking about, Sister!”
And before I could answer, Hwa-eun wrapped her arms around me tightly.
As if to say, “You are not sacrificing your lovely hair. Absolutely not.”
…Or perhaps, “I am not letting anyone take you away.”