Chapter 45: This Time, a Monk [3] "You think it's strange, so it looks strange. That's exactly what the monk just said."
"No. It looks strange because it is strange."
"There you go again, Young Master, being contrary. I mean, how could someone who's sick give a sermon like that?"
"That in itself is strange too."
"Honestly."
Dolseok let out a sigh like air leaking from his lungs, then immersed himself in the sermon again.
As far as Kanghyeok knew, it was extremely rare for Dolseok to concentrate like this.
At most, he did so when eating food he liked or when coming up with some joke.
The others are the same too.
Yeoni was also listening with her mouth slightly open.
The glimpse of her tongue that showed now and then stirred strange thoughts.
Kanghyeok quickly turned his head away.
No matter how starved he was, feeling desire toward a woman with her hair tied in a sangtu was a bit strange.
Even Yeoju?
At least Yeoju did not have her mouth open.
She simply listened attentively, a slight crease forming between her brows.
From her perspective, just hearing Buddhist doctrine was probably a new experience.
There was no way Changgwon—one of the most rigid conservatives even among Joseon's conservatives—would have allowed it.
Looking behind, Makbong, who had climbed onto a rock, was also listening silently.
No, it seemed the entire audience was like that.
All of Chiljangsa was steeped in a peculiar fervor.
Everyone except one person—Kanghyeok.
Has no one noticed?
Kanghyeok stroked his rough stubble and fell into thought.
He looks seriously ill…
Kanghyeok's sharp gaze fixed beneath the monk's jaw.
The right side looked fine, but the left was swollen to nearly the size of an egg.
The surface of the skin was red, and if you looked closely, it seemed that side of his mouth did not open properly.
Because of that, his pronunciation was slightly slurred.
No one else seemed to have noticed.
What could it be? I should take a look later.
Several possible diagnoses immediately came to mind.
Some of them could be treated even with just Kanghyeok's medical bag, while others could not.
There's definitely an infection…
In that case, antibiotics would help.
Other treatment options also began to form in his mind.
While everyone else was moved by the excellent sermon, Kanghyeok alone was lost in entirely different thoughts.
A common occupational hazard for doctors.
Instead of focusing on the person, they kept focusing only on the person's illness.
Among them, Kanghyeok could be considered a severe case.
Perhaps it was because, after graduating early from high school, he had immersed himself straight into medical studies.
Because of this, Kanghyeok alone found the time extremely tedious.
"Haaam."
A yawn slipped out without him realizing it.
Damn.
The glares coming from all directions made it feel like he might get killed if he was not careful.
"Oh my, such fine words…"
Fortunately, everyone was in a state of complete peace from listening to the sermon.
So they let Kanghyeok's nonsense slide without complaint.
Soon, the monk closed his mouth, and thunderous applause followed.
Ah. Is it over?
Since he had not been listening at all, he only realized the sermon had ended when he heard the applause.
The sermon had been truly long, and the monk looked extremely exhausted.
He could only leave his seat with someone supporting him.
"Hey."
"Yes, Young Master."
"Let's go take a look at the monk's face."
"What? You were yawning just now… have you been moved after all?"
—Smack
"Ugh."
Dolseok's teasing was silenced with a blow to the back of his head.
"I told you earlier he looked sick."
"Ah… now that you mention it, he does seem unsteady."
Dolseok pointed at the monk, who was barely managing to walk.
The same man who had shown not a hint of disorder during the sermon.
Now he swayed like a candle in the wind.
After expending that much energy in such a state, it was only natural.
"More importantly, how are we supposed to get through all this?"
Kanghyeok muttered as he looked at the sea of people.
This was not something that could be solved by shouting "Make way."
Moreover, Kanghyeok was not the only one who wanted to see the monk's face.
Everyone was eager to receive personal guidance from the great monk said to have trained in Mount Geumgang.
"Leave that to us."
Makbong rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward.
At first, Kanghyeok had thought he was just a sturdy guy.
Later, he thought he was someone who was good not only at swinging but other things as well.
But after learning taekkyeon, it turned out he was a true master among masters.
And Yeoni is even stronger than Makbong, is that it?
Kanghyeok watched Yeoni as she pushed people aside alongside Makbong.
Seen like this, she looked like nothing more than a slender woman.
But when she fought, her presence was no different from a yaksha.
In any case, thanks to them, moving forward became much easier.
"Nice."
With his large build, Makbong pushed people aside with brute force, while Yeoni skillfully shifted them aside with technique.
Some of those who were pushed aside glared fiercely at them.
Most backed off without saying anything.
"Damn it, who shoved—"
Some voiced complaints, but it did not last long.
Once they saw Kanghyeok, they found it hard to open their mouths.
His luxurious silk clothing, his jet-black gat, and his neat appearance.
Above all, the Hyeongam's plaque he casually waved demanded silence.
"Rank really is something."
Dolseok chattered excitedly.
Walking through the parted crowd felt quite satisfying.
Why else would bosses and directors enjoy being greeted by employees lined up on both sides?
Yeoju, however, seemed uncomfortable.
That was likely because of Changgwon, who had lived his entire life with an almost obsessive sense of integrity.
"I wonder if this is truly right."
"Hm?"
"These people also have the right to see the monk."
"Oh. It's not like we're stopping them. We're just going first."
"Even if they are ignorant commoners, still…"
Though Yeoju was a yangban, for some reason, her sense of equality was even stronger than Kanghyeok's.
One reason was likely the unfair treatment she had received for being born a woman.
If she had been born a man, would she have needed to hide her identity and follow Kanghyeok around?
She would not have had to endure an ill-fitting sangtu or shabby clothing.
Kanghyeok looked at Yeoju with a momentary expression of pity, then smiled.
"They want to see the monk for themselves, but we're seeing him for the monk's sake, so it's fine."
In the end, it meant they would still go first.
But his reasoning had few holes, and his tone carried a subtle persuasiveness, leaving her with nothing to say.
"Well… I suppose so. But is the monk really sick?"
"That's certain. I just don't know exactly what it is."
"Hm."
Yeoju bit her soft lip.
"Now that I think about it, his jaw did seem a bit strange."
"Huh? Yeah. That's it."
Kanghyeok nodded quickly.
"The left side, was it?"
"Yeah, that's right."
As expected of a painter, her observational skills were quite sharp.
"Then you suspected that area as well."
"Yeah. Oh, we're here."
The place the monk had entered after the sermon was a small building in a corner of Chiljangsa.
Already, several pairs of straw sandals and leather shoes were placed outside, suggesting that guests had arrived before them.
And people of a status high enough to wear leather shoes, at that.
By proper etiquette, it would have been right to wait.
But Kanghyeok did not feel like doing that.
Sometimes, there were moments when one just wanted to push through.
For Kanghyeok, coming to Joseon meant he was almost always in such a mood.
"Dolseok, open it."
"What? Just open it?"
"Say 'Is anyone inside?' and then open it."
"Uh… yes, Young Master."
What could he do?
No matter how much they bickered, Kanghyeok was still his master—and teacher.
Dolseok adjusted his tone to match the situation.
"Is anyone inside?"
Just as he was about to open it, voices could be heard from within.
"Monk Yujeong said a distinguished guest would come. It seems that was the patron."
"Ha ha. To call me a distinguished guest—what an honor."
The second voice sounded familiar somehow.
Dolseok tilted his head and pushed the door open.
—Creak
The old door opened with difficulty.
At the same time, some dust fell, carrying with it the scent of passing time.
"Who is it?"
A haughty voice came from inside.
"I asked who it is."
The more he listened, the more familiar it sounded.
A voice he had heard every day for quite a long time.
The first to recognize it was, of course, Kanghyeok.
"Lord Busa?"
"Kanghyeok?"
Inside the room sat the head monk of Chiljangsa, the monk who had given the sermon, and the Busa.
It was such an unexpected encounter that both Kanghyeok and the Busa were unable to speak for a moment.
"No… how did you come here?"
"Ahem."
The Busa looked extremely flustered.
Like a child caught watching something inappropriate behind his mother's back.
As a rising star of the Eastern faction and a Confucian scholar, it was only natural he would feel that way upon being found at a temple.
From erectile dysfunction to the Buddhist faith he had secretly nurtured—everything he wanted to hide was being exposed to Kanghyeok.
"And you—what brings you here?"
"I was dragged here because the people I take with me kept insisting… Was it the same for you, Lord Busa?"
Kanghyeok, like the seasoned man he was, asked with consideration.
The Busa was not the kind of man to miss such a cue.
"That's right, that's right. They kept insisting I come."
He nodded repeatedly before speaking again.
"Anyway, come in. You came to see the monk, didn't you?"
"That's right. Then I won't stand on ceremony."
The room was quite small.
Only Dolseok and Yeoju, who could be immediately useful, entered with him.
Makbong and Yeoni had no choice but to remain outside, standing guard.
It's a shame about Yeoni's skills…
From the smallpox incident, it was clear she was quick-witted.
Above all, she had deft hands and picked things up quickly.
She could even set up an IV line.
But it would not be appropriate to entrust a monk's body to a woman.
Kanghyeok was not a Buddhist, but he had no intention of shattering someone else's beliefs.
"Greetings. I am Baek Kanghyeok."
Kanghyeok bowed slightly to the monk.
By status alone, he did not need to.
But he bowed anyway.
Up close, he really doesn't seem like an ordinary person.
The unkempt beard, grown rough without grooming, somehow gave him an air of depth.
The monk pressed his palms together and replied.
"I am Yujeong."
A brief answer.
A name that felt strangely familiar.
Yet it did not come to mind easily.
All Kanghyeok could see was the swollen lower jaw.
It kept catching his eye, making him want to resolve it quickly.
"I noticed earlier that you seemed unwell, so I came to take a look. Since when has your lower jaw been like that?"
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