As Prophet - Chapter 35
Only Krnovel
Episode 35. Don’t Bring Worldly Matters
“Phew.”
Dalcheon waited for the tea leaves to steep and then poured them out. It was such a quiet time that the sound of the water dripping could be heard loudly.
Dalcheon raised his glass without saying a word. A gentle smile appeared on his lips as he finished his tea. The prince took a taste of the cup with both hands and was surprised.
It was the same tea I had already had before Dalcheon came, but it tasted different. It was breathtaking in its depth, as if it had been drawn from deep in the mountains and valleys.
“Oh.”
“… … .”
Dalcheon poured some into his own glass and drank it. After drinking about half of it in silence, the prince asked.
“How great is Confucius’s inaction? Is he really the best in Joseon?”
Dalcheon has a small furrow on his forehead. It’s not difficult, but it’s something he’s reluctant to talk about.
“There once was a man named Samhanjeilin.”
“Oh.”
“I am the current master.”
“Ah, you’re at the main temple… … .”
Dalcheon shook his head. If he started explaining things like the teacher of Taebaeksan and how he was relying on Sobaeksan after his teacher ascended the mountain, it seemed like the story would be long.
“I surpassed him three years ago.”
“ah!”
If you think about it easily, then it would be natural for someone to say that you are the best in the Three Kingdoms.
“In terms of study, you must first reach the extreme to begin true study. That is why when you become enlightened, we call it Hwagyeong.”
“Hwa… … Gyeong… … Then is Confucius in the realm of Hwa-gyeong?”
Dalcheon’s eyes were gently curved like a crescent moon. It sounded like it was not a flower mirror.
“There are few people who have reached the realm of Hwagyeong. You can count them on one hand in an era.”
“Oh! I heard that in the Central Plains, they divide it into stages: high, climax, and extreme.”
“I believe that true study begins with the study of the landscape. And I have reached the next level.”
“Oh my god!”
It’s an easy metaphor. The great general was startled and hit the ground. Even though he was a young boy, he finally realized the identity of the sense of discomfort that he had been feeling without knowing it. Sometimes, he looked like a person who had never learned martial arts. Sometimes, just by turning his head, the surrounding scenery lost its light. He vaguely realized that the space he controlled was very wide and that no one could be free in it, because the great general was also a warrior.
Since I was young, I heard stories of masters who could leap over mountains and rivers and fly high in the sky. I studied hard believing that I would be able to do the same someday, but at some point, I realized that it was a story of a faraway place that I could never reach. It was absolutely impossible. And then I became an adult.
When we started to wonder if there really was such a person, did we become wise? The prince could not dare to look directly at Dalcheon’s face. He seemed so arrogant because he had reached the highest level of human existence. The trivial obviousness that came out of him, although it was in accordance with the world’s principles, seemed uncomfortable because he lived in a rigidly organized society.
The prince was speechless. Dalcheon only looked at the distant sky. It was only natural that Mukhyeong, whom he cherished and cared for, fell with a single stroke.
When a person crosses a realm, it is not just that his strength has increased. It must be seen that the status of his entire being has changed. But, crossing that realm and then crossing the next realm… … .
“You are amazing.”
“… … .”
Dalcheon just smiled and then added a few words after a while.
“You know, if someone like me were to interfere with the world, it would be a disaster. Don’t bring worldly troubles upon yourself.”
“Huh?”
“You must not interfere in worldly affairs.”
The prince let out a breath of shock without realizing it and asked politely.
“Then what about this Japanese invasion? Did you participate in the Japanese invasion?”
“I only played a role as the chief of Gyeongsan County.”
“ah!”
If there is a weight that existence carries, how different can it be for each person? The Grand Prince couldn’t breathe for a moment. When had he ever seen a master who had surpassed Hwagyeong? It wasn’t just strength. He truly realized that existence was different. He wasn’t someone that the Grand Prince could put in his arms. The Grand Prince had to go under him, but wasn’t he a shabby being who couldn’t even do that? The Grand Prince changed the direction of the conversation.
“I learned swordsmanship when I was young. I thought I was really good at it because I was a prince and didn’t have to be hard-trained. But later I found out that I was really bad at it. If I start studying hard now, will I be able to reach the pinnacle?”
The corners of Dalcheon’s mouth slightly curved. That’s not something that just anyone can do. It’s impossible. There are numerous factors that make studying impossible.
“How can I know the future? It’s just that I’m already old, so it’ll be a little difficult.”
“Oh, I worked hard, but it’s still a shame.”
The Grand Prince’s speech had suddenly changed to a formal tone. The conversation stopped when he said no. This was because the calculations in his head that had been running fast had stopped. He thought about what he could gain from this person, but was overwhelmed by the unmanageable scale.
How could a 15 year old boy… … .
As silence fell for a moment, Dalcheon forcibly saw the general off.
“Please go back and I will see you again another day.”
It’s a curse. I couldn’t dare say no, so I got up.
“Thank you for meeting me today, Seonin.”
“Hahaha! It’s just Dalcheon.”
* * *
It was only after they reached Geumwon’s villa that the prince came to his senses.
“Hey, Iron Villa!”
“Yes, Mom.”
“If you have gone beyond the flower realm and the next, then where on earth is the realm of martial arts?”
A gaze mixed with anticipation, fear, surprise, and disbelief lingered on Cheolmuwoong’s shoulder.
“Did Prince Dalcheon say that?”
“That’s right.”
Cheolmuwoong pulled out all the knowledge he had in his head, but he couldn’t think of anything to explain. Was it impossible? No one had even gone near the Hwagyeong, let alone handed it over. Could it be that the Grand Prince lied because he didn’t know anything? He tilted his head.
“Could it be a lie?”
“Mukhyeong lost to him.”
“Huh? No way. Silence is the ultimate inspection. That can’t be happening.”
“Really? If it’s not a lie, then it’s true that I lost. And that’s in three or four rounds.”
Cheolmuwoong explained, blinking his eyes.
“It is something that has never been done in history. No, you should consider it as not appearing in history. Even if it is true, such a person does not intervene in worldly affairs. He does not even leave a trace of his existence. That is why I said I do not believe it. Although Confucius Dalcheon is not a person who would lie, if it is true, we, the unarmed people, are not worth even a single punch. You really must catch him.”
“Right? That’s right! Just being by your side makes my heart flutter.”
“It’s a presence. It wouldn’t normally be like that. The masters control their energy. That’s why you don’t know. If you don’t unconsciously release your energy, it looks ordinary.”
“How did such an unmanned entity come into existence?”
“I must have studied it since my past life.”
“Are you saying that you continued studying with memories from your previous life?”
“If you calculate the power of one Gapja, it is one person’s lifetime in sixty years. It is said that you have to pass at least three Gapja years to see the threshold of Hwagyeong. One hundred and eighty! Such a person is rare. Even if you study your whole life, you cannot reach Hwagyeong. But what about the next realm? It is a realm that we have no knowledge of.”
“Whew, what should I do?”
“So we don’t even know if there was such a person. Maybe it was the spirit of Liaodong? Could it be that person who flew away and became a god has returned?”
“Spirit… … Phew, what should I do?”
Cheolmuwoong is a loyal man. He has been a guard since the prince was young. In a palace where there are many dangerous things, it is not easy for a prince with the right to the throne to change guards. That is why he knew the prince better than anyone else because he had been a guard for almost a dozen years. He felt the prince’s confusion as it was. He could see the thought of having won a windfall, the fear of not being able to approach, and the grand hope of how he could use this opportunity.
However, just because you have been together for a long time does not mean you can come up with a good solution for this kind of problem. The prince asked twice and I was at a loss for an answer. I have to answer to the best of my knowledge.
“As far as I know, such a person has transcended the laws of this world. You should deal with him honestly. If you try to trick him with cunning tricks, it will only harm my humanity. If you ask him seriously and make a request, you may be able to find a sign of a future relationship.”
“Is this true?”
“Yes. Another one! I know that Confucius was very kind to the Baek family. Now that I think about it, it was obvious that he cared for, looked after, and worried about the Baek family. I think if you treat them well, you will be liked.”
“That’s right. If I had pressed down on that side, I would have gotten hit.”
“If you approach them sincerely, and if you are a person who has studied the Way, they will not turn away. They really care about us, the common people. You should approach them with a heart that cares about the people. If you talk about the people, they will die. The only reason they come down to the world is for the people.”
“My desire to ascend to the throne suddenly became shallow. Isn’t he the one who reached the highest point that no human being can reach through his own efforts? All I could think was that I should applaud and respect him.”
After a long sigh, expectations and hopes began to rise little by little.
“I don’t know what happens after that.”
“There’s no way a person like that would respond to my shallow greed.”
“I will admit it to some extent.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Didn’t you help Baek Sa-ban, the old man who came to Hanyang and caused trouble without any sense?”
“aha.”
“Approach with sincerity and sincerity. Showing favor and support for Baekgajang and the heart of a great monarch who cares for the people is the way. I don’t know about anything else.”
The great general, who had been thinking for a long time, summoned the silent one.
* * *
I thought it would be a show, but Dalcheon didn’t care. He thought, ‘What can I do with my own?’ People praise him, so he lives with his head held high, but when he looks down from his place of study, he sees that they are worse than street thieves. They are just nitpicking and bickering among themselves. He knows it’s not true. There is a reason why Buddhism says no, and no again.
Dalcheon returned to his lodgings and lay down on his back. He felt at ease because the house was empty after moving to Hanyang, and there was less noise. Was this what his hometown house was like? He thought that if it was this quiet, he didn’t necessarily have to live in the mountains.
As I was leaning against the pile of bedding, a kitchen servant came across the yard making a loud noise and brought dinner. There were five side dishes for one person. She even put down a pitcher of rice cake soup and bowed at the door as she left.
“If you need anything else, just let me know.”
Dalcheon smiled brightly. It is more comfortable than a mountain where you have to do everything by yourself. Since the big kitchen lady went to Hanyang, she took care of all the meals here. Dalcheon pointed to the side dishes on the table.
“Um… … I’m not complaining about the side dishes, but you don’t have to upload things like this or this anymore.”
“Why? Does it taste bad?”
“When I think about how monks sleep, it’s similar. It’s not necessarily to that extent, but I would like to avoid things like pickled seafood and fish if possible. I don’t try to offer other things, but three meals a day is enough.”
“Oh, yes. I understand.”
“You don’t have to make a distinction, but if you can, please do so.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Before closing the door, he bowed deeply and left.
He hurriedly ate and poured the rice cake soup and drank it, and his feeling came. It was a silent form. It was a strong but desperate feeling that had been tormented by the wind. It was because he had not been able to properly digest his difficult experiences. It was a pity for the person watching, but in the end, it was his own life. While there are people who accept hardships with a bright face and live happily, there are also people who cannot forget and live with a desperate heart as if they were fighting for independence.
It may be easy to think, “Oh well, I’ll do it in the next life” because circumstances did not allow it and I could not continue my studies, but I think of all the results as my immature oversight and live with them for the rest of my life. In that sense, it is easy to think that living in the mountains is a misfortune caused by being abandoned or excluded by the world, but in fact, isn’t it a blessing to be able to live in the mountains? People who cannot live in the mountains may live in the world, struggling. That’s why I don’t like the life of having come down from the mountains.
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