Chapter 16: The Memorial Service
That day, Gwanghwamun Square was filled with over a million people. Not only Koreans, but also Chinese, Japanese, and people from all over the world gathered.
On the stage sat the leaders of Korea, China, and Japan. Next to them were religious leaders from each country.
Minjun also sat on one side of the stage. He gazed at the square with a trembling heart. Was all this real?
The memorial service began with Venerable Beopryun's opening remarks. "Today, we have gathered at a historic moment." The monk's voice echoed throughout the square. "Today, we lay aside all the sorrow and resentment of the past and open a new future."
"Today, we commemorate the warriors of Gojoseon, the heroes of Goguryeo, the people of Baekje, Silla, and Gaya. We remember the victims of the Imjin and Byeongja Wars, the independence fighters and comfort women during the Japanese colonial period."
"And..." The monk's voice deepened. "We also commemorate the souls of Atlantis, who drowned in the sea ten thousand years ago. They were human beings just like us. Their suffering is our suffering."
A solemn silence fell over the square.
Then came speeches from the heads of state. The Japanese prime minister apologized again, the Chinese president expressed his will for reconciliation, and the Korean president spoke of forgiveness and inclusion.
And then it was Minjun's turn. He stood before the microphone on trembling legs.
"Everyone..." Minjun began. "I stand here today to confess my sins from ten thousand years ago."
He told the story of his past life. As the general of Hwan-guk, he destroyed Atlantis, the atrocities he committed in the process, and the suffering his descendants endured as retribution.
The square was silent. A million people listened with bated breath.
"I don't deserve forgiveness," Min-jun's voice trembled. "But even so, I ask for forgiveness. To the spirits of Atlantis, to the ancestors of the Korean people, and to all the victims of China and Japan."
He knelt on the stage.
He then bowed, his forehead touching the ground.
At that moment, something astonishing happened.
Light began to pour down from the sky. At first, only a few noticed, but soon everyone saw it. Golden rays descended from the sky, illuminating the square.
"What is that?" the crowd muttered.
And then, even more astonishingly, a video suddenly appeared on the large screen above the square. It wasn't even played, it just happened on its own.
It was Atlantis. A beautiful city with concentric rings, magnificent temples, people living happily...
"How..." The technicians were perplexed. "This isn't the video we prepared..."
The video continued. Atlantis's prosperity, and its gradually creeping arrogance and greed. Wars of conquest, oppression of other peoples...
And war. Fierce battles fought in the air, sea, and land. Countless deaths.
Finally, the scene of the continent sinking into the sea. It was so vivid, it seemed as if it had actually been filmed.
When the video ended, the square fell silent. Many people were in tears.
"I saw it too..." a woman muttered. "It's the city I've been dreaming of since I was a child..."
"Those concentric rings..." a man said. "It's the picture I've been dreaming of my whole life..."
Thousands of people shared similar experiences. They were all reincarnated spirits of Atlantis.
Minjun remained on his knees. Tears streamed down his face.
Just then, an old man walked onto the stage. The security guards tried to stop him, but strangely, they couldn't move.
The old man stood before Minjun and said,
"Please stand up."
Minjun looked up. A strange light shone from the old man's face.
"You... Melchizedek?"
The old man smiled. "I speak today on behalf of all the souls of Atlantis. We forgive you."
The square stirred again.
"But..." the old man continued. "Forgiving doesn't mean forgetting. We will remember. And we will learn from that memory. So that such a tragedy will never happen again."
The old man pulled Minjun to his feet and hugged him.
At that moment, more light poured down from the sky. And in that light, people began to see souls. The souls of Atlantis, the ancestors of the Korean people, the victims of China and Japan...
Everyone was gathered together. And they were smiling.
Chapter 17: Confessions of an Ancient Saint
After the memorial service, Minjun had a long conversation with Melchizedek. They sat in a quiet café near the square. Strangely, however, the people around them didn't recognize them.
"I've put up a shield," Melchizedek explained. "Our conversation isn't ready for the world to hear yet."
"Go ahead," Minjun said.
Melchizedek sighed deeply. "Actually, I have a confession to make, too. About the kamikaze."
"Kamikaze? The divine wind that protected Japan?"
"Yes. That's... what I did."
Minjun was surprised.
"Even after the fall of Atlantis, I remained as a spirit and watched over this world. And when the Yuan Dynasty attempted to invade Japan, I intervened."
"Why?" "Japan didn't participate in the Atlantean War. They refused the order of the Yuan Dynasty. At the time, it was considered disobedience, but in reality... they were right. The order of the Yuan Dynasty distorted the will of heaven."
"So you protected Japan?"
"Yes. I caused a typhoon and destroyed the Yuan Dynasty's fleet. The Japanese called it the divine wind, the kamikaze. They came to believe they were under the special protection of the gods."
Melchizedek's face darkened. "But that... was the problem."
"What are you talking about..."
"Japan grew increasingly arrogant. They believed they were the chosen people. That arrogance ultimately led to imperialism after the Meiji Restoration."
Melchizedek continued. "I tried to protect Japan, but I unintentionally fueled their arrogance. And that arrogance brought terrible suffering to Korea, China, and all of Asia."
"The Imjin War, the Japanese colonial period, the comfort women, the Nanjing Massacre... I am responsible for all of it." Minjun was speechless.
"Good intentions don't always lead to good results," Melchizedek said. "I tried to bring about justice, but I ended up creating more injustice."
"But... you didn't intend for Japan to invade, did you?"
"Lack of intention doesn't mean you're not responsible. Karma is created not only by intention but also by results."
Melchizedek paused for a moment, then said, "That's why I'm making this known to the world today. I'll hold a press conference tomorrow."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. You showed courage. Now it's time for me to accept my responsibility."
The next day, Melchizedek held a press conference. He confessed that he was a saint of ancient Atlantis and the mastermind behind the kamikaze attack.
At first, people didn't believe him. But as he performed various miracles on the spot, they began to revere him. "I protected Japan with good intentions, but it ultimately fueled Japan's arrogance and brought suffering throughout Asia. I apologize for this."
This confession shocked Japanese society. Many Japanese began to rethink their own history.
"The belief that we were under the special protection of the gods... made us arrogant."
"We are not a chosen people. We are just like all other peoples."
This brought deep reflection to Japanese society. It also led to a more proactive approach to improving relations with South Korea and China.
Chapter 18: The Beginning of Peace in Northeast Asia
After the memorial service and Melchizedek's confession, Northeast Asia began to change rapidly.
The leaders of South Korea, China, and Japan met regularly to discuss cooperation. Initially, it began with economic and cultural exchanges, but gradually expanded to include political and security issues.
Six months later, the three countries launched the "Northeast Asia Peace and Cooperation Organization." While modeled after the European Union (EU), it took on a unique form that took Asian characteristics into account.
The launching ceremony took place at Panmunjom. The leaders of the three countries joined hands on the Military Demarcation Line dividing North and South Korea.
"Today is historic," the South Korean president said. "On this land, divided for over 70 years, we declare a new beginning."
"We are not enemies of the past, but partners of the future," the Chinese president said. "We will cooperate like brothers," the Japanese Prime Minister said.
The organization's main goals were:
Complete resolution of historical issues Economic integration and shared prosperity Promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding Joint response to environmental issues Ultimately, gradual progress toward political integration.
Minjun was invited as an advisor to the organization. He humbly fulfilled his role.
Meanwhile, Venerable Beopryun visited Minjun again.
Chapter 19: Venerable Beopryun's Visit
Venerable Beopryun visited Minjun's small studio apartment. Minjun hurriedly cleaned up the room, but the monk didn't seem to mind.
"Venerable, you've come all the way here..." Minjun felt embarrassed.
"No. I really needed to come here." The monk smiled.
The two sat on the floor and drank tea.
"Seeing what you've accomplished, I feel that my lifelong dream is coming true," the monk said.
"You've worked hard all your life. I just..."
"No." The monk shook his head. "I understood it with my head and spoke it with my mouth. But you put it into practice with your soul. Your confession, your repentance—it moved people's hearts."
The monk looked out the window. "For over 30 years, I've been talking about peace in Northeast Asia. Korea, China, Japan, North Korea, Mongolia, Russia... I thought that if this region were to unite, there would be tremendous synergy. Economically, culturally, politically."
"But no one took it seriously. They said it was too idealistic, unrealistic. But you... made what seemed impossible possible."
Minjun's eyes welled up with tears.
"Monk, it was actually your teachings that gave me the courage to begin this. Through your lectures and reading your books, I learned the power of forgiveness and reconciliation."
"Is that so..." The monk closed his eyes. "Then I'm glad too."
The two sat in silence for a long time. It was a comfortable silence.
"Monk." Minjun cautiously asked, "What do you think about past lives, monk?"
The monk opened his eyes. "Past lives? Even the Buddha spoke of past lives. But what's important isn't the past, but the present. What you do in this moment is what matters."
"But past karma..."
"There is karma. But karma isn't destiny. Karma is an opportunity. A chance to clear away past karma and create new good deeds, just like you're doing now."
The monk took Minjun's hand. "You're doing great. Keep going."
"Thank you, monk."
As the monk was about to stand, Minjun asked, "Monk, what will become of North Korea? Can North Korea participate in this change?"
The monk smiled. "That will be your next task. But don't worry. The seeds have already been sown. They will sprout soon."