Fabre in Sacheon’s Tang Novel - Chapter 436

Chapter 436
At the monk’s statement, Tenzin offered a quiet clarification next to me.
“He is close to a century old…”
“Oh, really?”
If they truly think I am the Heavenly Master’s rebirth, shouldn’t their leader come out personally to welcome me?
He is, unquestionably, the highest authority within this faith.
I had been curious why I hadn’t seen him since my arrival, but it appeared his elderly condition made movement difficult.
Even so, that was reasonable, and I nodded in acceptance—then a sudden realization dawned.
Were they placing absolute faith in my identity without any form of verification?
‘From the way everyone is acting… it seems they are entirely certain I am the Heavenly Master.’
The most respected figure in Podarlap Palace had apologized for being unable to greet me, and all the surrounding monks were behaving as though my identity was confirmed.
‘Wouldn’t it devastate them if I told them I’m not?’
A sense of unease washed over me—the distinct feeling that denying I was the Heavenly Master would truly dishearten these people.
Just as I was steeling myself to follow Tenzin, the monk who had gone to deliver the message returned, wearing a regretful expression.
“Um… Heavenly Master, we ask that you enter alone, without your companions.”
I glanced toward Ji-ryong, who gave me a confirming nod.
We had expected this.
They wished to see me, and no one else.
A private meeting was only logical—and now it was happening.
Still, I was reluctant to leave all the children behind, so I ventured cautiously,
“Must I leave the children as well?”
The monk and Tenzin shared a look before Tenzin replied kindly,
“Heavenly Master, perhaps the older children could remain outside?”
Seeing the narrow passage through the open door, it was obvious I couldn’t bring larger children like Hwanji and Hwana. I nodded in agreement.
“Ah, that’s reasonable. In that case, I’ll take only Cheong-yu, Hyang, and Hongdan with me.”
—Sia. 『As you wish, Master So-ryong.』
—Tsrururu. 『Hooray! Hyang gets to come!』
—Kiiik.
Cheong-yu, as a Nāga King, was necessary both for translation and protection. Hongdan, skilled in combat, completed a dependable group—or so it seemed.
As I prepared to enter with Hyang, Hongdan, and Cheong-yu to meet the Dalai Lama, Hwa-eun’s voice reached me.
『Take care, So-ryong.』
“I will, Hwa-eun.”
Even with my “children” beside me, I was entering alone, and her concern was evident.
I acknowledged her worry and stepped into the hallway.
Inside, my attention was immediately drawn to the golden cylinders arranged along both walls.
As Dorje rotated one and moved forward, I inquired about them.
“What are these?”
“These are called manichas. They contain sacred texts inside.”
“Why do you turn them?”
“It is believed that spinning a manicha grants the same spiritual benefit as reciting the scripture within.”
“Ah, I understand.”
So this place truly was established by those who brought the core of Buddhism from its source.
It seemed like a remarkably clever concept.
A religion should be approachable—something anyone can partake in easily.
But Buddhism in the Central Plains wasn’t very accessible, to be honest.
Temples were often situated deep in the mountains, and engaging with the teachings meant studying complex sutras over long periods.
That was acceptable for dedicated monks, but for laypeople, it could feel overwhelming.
Yet if simply spinning a cylinder equated to reading an entire scripture? That was incredibly convenient.
‘No wonder the land where Buddhism began operates on another level.’
Reflecting on this clever system, I spun one myself. Amused, Hyang and Cheong-yu began turning the cylinders alongside me.
—Tsrururu. (Father, why are we spinning this?)
“They say it makes you wiser.”
—Tsrut? (Truly? Like how Gungbong was when Soto possessed him? Then I’ll spin it too!)
—Sia. (I would also like to spin one.)
Clack, clack.
The golden cylinders twirled behind us as we moved along.
Dorje observed this with a pleased smile.
“Heh heh. Just as expected from the guardian of Buddhist law, the Nāga King. And even the Heavenly Master’s centipede turns the manicha. How remarkable…”
The misunderstanding was still going strong.
Assuming it would eventually be cleared up, I followed him down the corridor until we reached a particular location.
At the entrance, monks opened a door, unveiling an immense chamber.
—Creeeeak.
Inside, numerous embroidered thangkas adorned the walls, and a line of Buddha statues stood along one side.
It resembled a grand hall of some kind.
As I observed the space, a beam of light fell from above, illuminating a single spot before the statues—where an elderly man sat with his eyes closed.
He wore robes similar to Dorje’s, and the presence he emitted was almost like that of a statue.
If a living Buddha existed, wouldn’t he look exactly like this?
Incense smoke curled around him and drifted upward.
I paused for a moment, struck by the solemnity of the scene. Then Dorje spoke from beside me.
“Please proceed, Heavenly Master.”
“Ah, yes.”
Collecting myself, I walked through the doorway with Cheong-yu, Hongdan, and Hyang.
—Creak. Thud.
When I glanced back, the door had closed behind us.
Dorje had not entered. The door stayed shut.
Only we were inside.
“Uh… Dorje?”
It appeared the Dalai Lama desired to meet with us exclusively.
I have to admit, I felt somewhat unsettled.
Shouldn’t someone I know have made introductions first?
But he had simply left us.
It also occurred to me that I didn’t know whether the Dalai Lama could speak the Central Plains language, which added to my anxiety.
‘Wait—shouldn’t someone have introduced me? And can he even understand me?’
Hesitating slightly, I moved forward, guiding the children toward the seated elder.
I couldn’t remain standing there indefinitely.
When I was near enough, I spoke in a careful tone.
“Ahem. It is an honor to meet you. I am So-ryong, son of the Beast Palace and son-in-law of the Sacheon Tang Clan.”
The hall was vast, and even my soft-spoken words echoed faintly.
As the echo faded, the old man opened his eyes.
He remained seated, only turning his gaze toward me.
Those eyes… I have seen many eyes in my life, but never any like his.
He was looking at me, yet it felt less like he was seeing me, and more like he was gazing into something much deeper.
Then, still seated, the old man spoke quietly.
“I am the present Dalai Lama, Sawang Gacho. I apologize for being able to welcome you only like this, due to the frailties of my body.”
He seemed to find it difficult to even rise, and he gestured gently with both hands as he spoke.
“Please, no apology is needed. Be at ease. I believe there may be a misunderstanding—I am not the individual the people of Podarlap Palace take me to be.”
Seizing the moment, I directly stated that I was not the Heavenly Master.
The old man listened, then offered a faint, inscrutable smile.
“Is that so?”
His reaction left me uncertain. Wondering if he believed me, I continued with an explanation.
“Yes, this is Cheong-yu. She is not a Nāga King, but one of the Ten Great Venomous Creatures of the Central Plains, the Golden-Crowned Serpent King.
This is Hyang, my adopted daughter, and this is Hongdan. I am merely an ordinary person with a deep fondness for raising spiritual beings.”
“I see.”
What did that mean?
He continued to respond with “Is that so?” and “I see,” leaving me unsure how to proceed.
But then he said something I hadn’t anticipated.
“I understand. I will see to it that you are provided with every comfort during your stay.”
“Ah—thank you.”
After speaking, he slowly raised his hand and tugged gently on something.
Only then did I notice a thin thread hanging from the ceiling. As he moved it, a soft chime resonated.
—Ding-ling.
At the sound, the door behind us opened again, and Dorje reentered.
“Have you finished speaking?”
“Yes, ensure he wants for nothing during his time here.”
“By your command, Dalai Lama.”
Wait—was that all?
We hadn’t even properly discussed the confirmation process, and already the audience was over. I was completely taken aback.
We were supposed to talk about the confirmation and the dried-up tree.
I quickly reached out to Hwa-eun through my thoughts.
『Hwa-eun?』
“Yes, So-ryong? Is something the matter?”
I summarized what had just happened and asked her to seek Ji-ryong’s opinion.
『Can you ask Ji-ryong? I barely spoke with the Dalai Lama, and now they’re dismissing me to rest. There was no word about any confirmation process.』
“Understood. Just a moment.”
As I waited for her reply, Dorje, who had begun guiding me out, noticed I had paused. He asked kindly,
“Did you wish to say something else?”
At that instant, Hwa-eun responded.
『Ji-ryong says the confirmation may require some time, so try not to be anxious. One can’t simply begin with such matters immediately upon arriving, right?』
“Oh, I see. Very well.”
Thinking it over, that did make sense.
No matter how pressing the situation, it would be discourteous to demand a confirmation process right after a long journey.
Concluding my mental exchange with Hwa-eun, I quickly answered Dorje.
“No, it’s nothing.”
With that, I followed Dorje out of the chamber. The door closed firmly behind us.
It was a truly perplexing encounter.
‘Really… that felt like being part of a Zen kōan.’
A kōan—those paradoxical dialogues monks use in seeking enlightenment. That was precisely what it resembled.
When I turned back, the subtle fragrance of incense still lingered from behind the sealed door.
‘What on earth was that about?’
***
“This is odd.”
Under my intense stare, Ji-ryong scratched his head somewhat awkwardly.
Two full days had passed since our arrival at Podarlap Palace, yet the confirmation process Ji-ryong had foreseen had not begun.
So I questioned whether his assumption might have been incorrect.
“Maybe they’ve decided I’m not him after all?”
“No, that can’t be. They’re still addressing you as ‘Heavenly Master,’ aren’t they?”
“Well, yes, but…”
It was true; the inhabitants of Podarlap Palace still appeared to regard me as the Heavenly Master.
They hadn’t ceased using the title.
“Then why hasn’t there been any mention of the confirmation?”
“Perhaps they plan to let you rest for three days or so first? It has only been two.”
“You think so?”
“Yes. So try to be patient.”
“Should I just…?”
“Yes, So-ryong. Let yourself unwind a little. This place is soothing for both body and spirit, isn’t it?”
Life within Podarlap Palace reminded me of a temple retreat from my previous life—eating, sleeping, and finding tranquility within the temple’s walls.
Others remarked how their mental and physical weariness seemed to dissolve here, but I was the sole exception, growing increasingly restless.
I was intensely eager to see the dried tree and its fruit.
But if waiting was my only option, what choice did I have?
Even if my impatience was mounting, I had to endure it.
“Alright, I understand.”
And so, after three more days…
Having waited five days in total, I could bear it no longer. I sent for Dorje.
Any further delay, and I felt I would wither before the tree did.
A spiritual creature might be within reach, and I hadn’t even laid eyes on it.
“You requested my presence, Heavenly Master?”
“Yes. There was something I wished to discuss—in private.”
“Ah, as it happens, I also had a matter to raise with you. Shall we relocate elsewhere?”
“Certainly.”
Gasp! Could it be… finally?!
Dorje mentioned he also had something to discuss, and my heart began to race.
He led me to an area I hadn’t seen before—not even during the earlier tour of the palace grounds.
“Let us talk here.”
It was a spacious, open area resembling an interior courtyard within a large structure. Though covered by a roof, ample light entered through open windows on all sides.
“What is this place?”
“I wished to show you this.”
As he moved aside, I saw it.
A large, lifeless tree… and two round fruits still clinging to its branches.
KYAAA!
The dead tree and the fruit.
It seemed they had skipped the confirmation process entirely—they were simply showing me directly.