Episode 82: Grandpa Has Something to Say (2)
The downtown area of opening.
The story of me walking down the street holding my grandfather’s hand was ringing in my ears.
It can only be good because we watched a play together and ate lots of delicious food.
When was there ever a day like this?
As I climbed onto the stone bridge decorated with lotus lanterns, I saw dozens of street stalls spread out to my left and right.
“Grandpa, do you want to try that?”
The stall that my granddaughter pointed to was selling a snack called Aengdujeon (花菜煎).
It was a snack that children would enjoy, as it was made by squeezing a lot of cherry juice, boiling it down with sugar, and then coagulating it.
Jinsan Yu nodded without any hesitation.
“Oh, let’s eat everything Seol wants to eat today.”
What’s going on with my grandfather?
The bright smile did not leave Yu Seol’s face.
“Hi-Hi.”
Since he received a few nyang of silver from Heukyabang, he had ample pockets.
Yu Jin-san, who bought the cherry pancake and handed it over, watched his granddaughter with a happy expression.
It seemed to suit my taste as I was eating it with a crunchy sound.
“It tastes good, right?”
“Yes, it’s really delicious! “Grandpa, try a bite too.”
He absentmindedly took a bite and looked left and right.
Eventually, a stall caught his eye.
“Stay here and eat for a moment!”
“huh? Where?”
Eugene San was already rushing somewhere.
The place he ran to was a street vendor selling an expensive drink called Bingrak (氷酪).
The ice powder ground with a plane is filled with plenty of honey and juice, making it very sweet.
In the past, ice was worth gold, but at the time, there was a technology for freezing it using saltpeter, so anyone with money could eat it.
Eugene San, who bought just one drink, carefully grabbed it and ran to his granddaughter.
“Now, try a drink of this. “This is the Bingrak that can only be tasted at the opening.”
The bright colors looked appetizing just by looking at them.
The granddaughter, who was unconsciously enjoying the ice cream, opened her eyes wide.
Sweet ice powder that melts like snow in your mouth. I can’t believe there was such a refreshing and cool drink.
The taste was enough to bring tears to my eyes.
“...so delicious.”
“yes? If Seol wants it, we can buy it as much as she wants. Drink it all the way.”
He waited calmly until his granddaughter finished eating the ice cream and cherry pancake.
After a while, an expression of satisfaction appeared on the child’s face.
“Have a good meal, grandpa.”
Jinsan Yu said, wiping the child’s mouth with his sleeve.
“There are many unique shops in Gaebong. “There are a lot of goods coming from far away countries.”
“really? I miss you.”
“Okay then, let’s go there from now on.”
Yu Seol even hummed a song while crossing her grandfather’s arms.
It was so good that I felt like I was flying through the sky.
After half an hour passed.
The granddaughter was holding a bundle of gifts in both hands. Except for clothes, most of it was food.
The steps back to Seolsanpyoguk were infinitely light.
“But why did you buy so much food?”
“Huh, this? “I’ll give it to Hyunhee.”
“I guess so. “If you think about it, the world is not fair.”
Yu Seol tilted his head as if he didn’t know what it meant.
“Why?”
“Our Seol not only has a pretty face, but she also has a kind heart. “Listen to your grandfather carefully.”
It was truly the best day for Yu Seol.
I have never received praise from my grandfather all day like I did today.
“I like grandpa the best in the world.”
Now that my granddaughter was at her peak mood was the perfect opportunity.
Yu Jin-san, who had been observing the child for a moment, asked cautiously.
It may be because of the sight of Mt. Yujin that made my head feel refreshed.
“Why are you smiling like that?”
“it’s nothing. “Anyway, are you feeling a little better, Seol?”
“Something really big would have happened. “How could he have known that he would cry and make such a fuss even though he had agreed to it?”
“haha. So what did I say? “Some of our kids have to shave their heads so they don’t cry.”
Jinsan Yu waved one hand and responded.
“Why are you messing with the heads of normal kids? What is it more than that?”
The map on the table showed a huge temple.
“This is a miniature diagram of the structure of Shaolin Temple. “It would be a good idea to memorize it before you leave.”
“Thank goodness I have this information. “What about Chamhoe-dong?”
Fengho’s finger moved slowly, pointing somewhere on the map.
“Coincidentally, it’s in the deepest part. After entering the temple, pass Daeungbojeon Hall and Janggyeonggak and move this way. From here, if you go to the back of Thaplim, you will find a cave guarded by monks.”
“No matter how I get here, it won’t be easy to get out.”
“yes. It is said that if a prisoner from Chamhoe-dong escapes, an alarm bell rings throughout the temple and a parade is held at the entrance. “You have to get out before then.”
It wasn’t an easy situation.
When I met Ambassador Wongang, I had many things to ask.
It would take quite some time to defeat the monks guarding Chamhoe-dong and interrogate him. It seemed like it wouldn’t be easy to escape.
Yu Jin-san, who was pondering, found something on the map and traced it with his hand.
“Where does this lead?”
“It’s the back road that leads to Samhwangchae. But it’s better not to even think about going in this direction. Even in Shaolin Temple, entry is prohibited regardless of distribution.”
“for what reason?”
No outliers could be found on the map.
Moreover, it was not far from Chamhoe-dong. No matter how I looked at it, it seemed much easier to retreat to this side rather than the main gate of the temple.
“Regardless of the fact that the mountain path is rough, there are crazy apostate monks wandering around that area. “It’s an old story, so it’s quite famous in Hanam.”
“Apostate monk?”
“This is a person named Jeonghye, the executioner of Venerable Bangjang. “It is said that after he fell into the evil spirit, he wandered around Seongsan Mountain for decades, leaving many places in ruins.”
Eugene San, who was searching his memory, remembered his name.
A long time ago, when he was active in Gangho.
He was a monk who achieved the enlightenment of the Flower Sutra and possessed martial arts skills so strong that he was included in the world’s top ten masters.
“For someone so strong to go crazy, it’s something we have to live to see for a very long time. “It must be quite a headache at Shaolin Temple.”
“yes. “There were several attempts to capture him, but Shaolin martial arts did not work and he was so shy that he failed every time.”
Jinsan Yu nodded as if he understood.
“Is he still there?”
“They say it never leaves Seongsan. “He’s constantly talking about finding treasure, but I think he’s completely lost his mind.”
“What treasure...?”
What on earth is hidden that you don’t know how to give up even when you’re going crazy?
I couldn’t help but be curious about the reason.
Pungho picked up an old book from the table and opened it.
“It is a legend that is already hundreds of years old. “It is recorded that Xuan Xuan, who visited Cheonchukguk a long time ago, stole a world-class divine skill from a sect of esoteric Buddhism.”
Eugenesan also knew the name of the site.
He was a high priest who was active from the late Sui Dynasty to the early Tang Dynasty, and was more famous in the world under the name Xuanzang.
He risked his life to go to Heaven, brought back numerous Buddhist scriptures and spread them, and his achievements are widely talked about.
“It seems he also had a story at the time. Anyway, does that mean that this world-class magic is somewhere in Songshan?”
“That’s according to the record. It is said that it was sealed in Hoeyeom Cave in Seongsan with a dragon to guard it.”
The Demon Dragon is a spirit creature known as an evil snake with magical abilities.
I had only heard of Mount Eugene as a legend.
It was just a rumor to be laughed off, but he looked somehow intrigued.
“If the spirit being that was sealed hundreds of years ago is still alive today, it must have become very strong.”
Feng Ho smiled and slowly closed the old book.
“If it were true, it would have grown into a new supply by now. Of course, no one would even believe it.”
“Isn’t there just one person?”
“A crazy apostate monk? “I’ve been wandering around Seongsan Mountain for decades, but I haven’t even been able to find the entrance to Hoeyeom Cave.”
Jinsan Yu crossed his arms and thought deeply about something, then quickly changed the subject.
First of all, the order was to think about the task at hand.
“But did you find a way to infiltrate the Shaolin Temple?”
Passing through the impenetrable entrance of Shaolin Temple is not easy. Even if you disguise yourself as a monk.
But Pungho’s face was full of relaxation.
“I’ve already prepared it. You just need to decide when to start.”