Chapter 1759. Because I Made It This Way (4)

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Hwang Jongui stared blankly at the young man for a while.

It felt as if his soul was being sucked in. From the moment he saw the young man, he couldn't take his eyes off him.

".... Sangdanju-nim." (tl: Master of the Merchant Guild)

"Ah."

It was only when someone nearby cautiously called out that Hwang Jongui was able to regain his scattered thoughts.

'What a disgrace.'

He was, after all, the head of the Eunha Merchant Guild. He had met many of the world's most renowned figures in person. Moreover, even in the west area, there were the two giants, Hyun Jong and Zhong Ligok, who were renowned across the land, not to mention the Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword, who possessed an even greater presence.

But the feeling this young man gave off was different from anything he had ever experienced. No, it was beyond comparison.

Just looking at him made his very soul tremble.

"I apologize.... for my rudeness."

Hwang Jongui hurriedly bowed his head. Even as he did, he still couldn't fully calm the lingering gaze he had on the young man.

"I'm not sure if confirming it would be meaningful, but since there are procedures to follow, I must dare to commit this rudeness."

After a brief pause and taking a deep breath, Hwang Jongui spoke again.

"May I ask if you are... His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, the Lord of Potala Palace and King of the Western Lands?"

Those nearby widened their eyes in shock. They all wore expressions of great astonishment.

The young man in question merely shook his head quietly. Hwang Jongui didn't immediately understand the meaning of this, holding his breath in anticipation. Soon, a calm voice reached his ears. It was Panchen Lama.

"Our Master considers the title 'His Holiness' to be excessive. Simply calling him 'Lama' is sufficient. After all, you do not follow the teachings of our Palace."

Hwang Jongui took a deep breath.

'So, he really is the Dalai Lama...'

Yes, it was a pointless question. A meaningless conversation. If this person wasn't the Dalai Lama, then who on earth could be? There couldn't be two people like this in the world.

Cold sweat had already begun to form on Hwang Jongui's forehead.

"I apologize for my rude behavior toward someone of such high stature. Please forgive my ignorance and arrogance, as it stems from my lack of understanding."

His words carried his utmost sincerity. Living as a merchant, he was accustomed to lowering himself. But this time, it wasn't just as a merchant; it was an expression of genuine respect for the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama did not respond to Hwang Jongui's words but continued to gaze at him with the same unchanged look as before.

Hwang Jongui felt a moment of panic but quickly realized that he had not yet answered the Dalai Lama's question.

"Ah, the Cheong Myeong dojang is not currently here."

Panchen Lama then asked.

"Isn't this the place where the Mount Hua Sect is located?"

"Yes, that's right. The Mount Hua Sect is indeed here on Mount Hua. However, the disciples of the Mount Hua Sect are currently residing at Wudang Sect in Hubei."

"Hubei...."

Panchen Lama quietly muttered with a furrowed brow. He didn't know much about Central Plains, but he did know that Hubei wasn't particularly close to this place.

"Do you know when they might return?"

This question made Hwang Jongui realize how little these people knew about the current state of Central Plains.

"The Heavenly Comrade Alliance, to which Mount Hua belongs, is currently at war with a evil sects known as the Evil Tyrant Alliance. Depending on the outcome of the war, it may take at least a month for them to return."

"A month..."

Panchen Lama pondered for a moment. Then, the Dalai Lama lightly clasped his hands together and bowed deeply to Hwang Jongui.

"Thank you."

"What? Ah... No, no! It's nothing significant..."

As the young man, who had been watching Hwang Jongui with very deep eyes, turned his body lightly. Panchen Lama asked.

"Master, are we leaving?"

"Yes, we should."

"There is an option to wait here."

The Dalai Lama shook his head.

"The same amount of time can sometimes be just a moment, or it can be an eternity. We cannot afford to wait now."

Panchen Lama nodded and then, instead of the Dalai Lama, once again clasped his hands together toward Hwang Jongui.

"We've caused you trouble. Farewell."

"P-please wait! Are you heading to Wudang Mountain now?"

"I am only following my Master's wish."

"But...."

Hwang Jongui was greatly flustered.

Regardless of how great the Dalai Lama might be, there wasn't even the slightest trace of martial arts in his body. If the Dalai Lama had not learned martial arts, heading to the war-torn Hubei would be extremely dangerous.

"As I mentioned, Hubei is currently in the midst of a war. Heading there now may not be the best decision."

When Hwang Jongui tried to dissuade them, Panchen Lama instead smiled softly.

"We are only grateful that you care so much for strangers like us. But if there's danger lurking, it's not something we can avoid."

"Ah..."

Panchen Lama, as if he had said all he needed to, gave a final bow. Hwang Jongui, caught off guard, reciprocated by bowing in return.

"Then, we'll take our leave."

The two of them abruptly left.

As Hwang Jongui stood blankly staring at the door they passed through, someone spoke.

"Sangdanju-nim. So that young man was...the Dalai Lama, the so-called Great Living Buddha?"

"...It seems so."

"Oh my... That young boy..."

The members of the Eunha Merchant Guild were all equally shocked, unable to believe what they had just witnessed.

When one hears the term "Great Living Buddha," it naturally conjures the image of an elderly, wise monk. So it was only natural that everyone was so shocked when they found out that the Dalai Lama, whom they had just encountered, looked so young that it was almost embarrassing to call him a youth.

But despite their surprise, there was no doubt in their minds. Just looking at him made them understand why this young man was called the Great Living Buddha.

Why was this young man given such an exalted title?

"This... this isn't the time for this!"

"What?"

"Send a message to Wudang immediately. And did those two bring any other companions with them?"

".... From what I saw, it was just the two of them."

"Guards! Arrange an escort for those two immediately, right now!"

"Us?"

"Didn't you hear me say to move immediately?"

Hwang Jongui, uncharacteristically, shouted and urged them on.

This was the Great Living Buddha, after all. If something were to happen to the Dalai Lama on his way to Hubei....

The consequences would be far beyond anything Hwang Jongui could handle. In fact, he couldn't even begin to imagine what would happen.

"We'll prepare right away."

The urgency in Hwang Jongui's voice startled everyone around him, and they quickly began to move. Only then did Hwang Jongui collapse into his chair, feeling as if all the strength had left his body.

"So, they're looking for Cheong myeong dojang...."

A belated question came to mind.

Why was the Dalai Lama seeking out Cheong Myeong dojang? It didn't seem related to any matters concerning the alliance.

Could it be that he came all the way from the far west just to meet Cheong Myeong? Why on earth would he do that?

No matter how much he thought about it, there was no way to resolve his doubts. Hwang Jongui licked his dry lips and gazed endlessly in the direction the Dalai Lama had taken.

Panchen Lama, walking behind, cautiously called out to the Dalai Lama. 

"Master." 

"....." 

"Master." 

There was no response. 

"It will be a dangerous journey. Are you still determined to go?" 

Only silence returned.

His master possessed the most profound enlightenment. But the body that held that deep enlightenment was still a fragile human one. Panchen Lama couldn't help but worry.

This journey might harm the noble body of his master. 

"Master, what do you intend to do when you meet him? Is it something I should not ask?"

Finally, the Dalai Lama turned to look at Panchen Lama. The moment Panchen Lama saw his master's clear and deep gaze, he felt as though his breath had stopped.

He had served the Dalai Lama for quite some time. But his respect for him had not diminished in the slightest. That gaze contained a depth of spiritual wisdom that Panchen Lama, who was still within the realm of human understanding, could never hope to fathom.

The Dalai Lama's lips parted, and a clear voice emerged. 

"There's nothing you shouldn't know." 

"Then…." 

"But even if I tell you, you won't understand." 

Panchen Lama quietly closed his mouth.

He couldn't compare himself to the Dalai Lama, but as the assistant to the Dharma King and a person respected by many monks, he wondered what kind of matter he could not comprehend.

"Master." 

"It's just a painful..."

The Dalai Lama's gaze turned to the distance. 

"A matter full of suffering." 

Panchen Lama pressed his hands together, suppressing his frustration. 

"Is it something that must be prevented?" 

"It cannot be prevented." 

"Then is it something that must be changed?" 

"It cannot be changed. It will flow according to what has been determined." 

Panchen Lama's eyes filled with doubt.

The world flows within the current of cause and effect. This is an undeniable truth. But it doesn't mean that everything in life is predetermined. Humans have the ability to change things through effort and determination.

This is the essence of Buddhism, and practicing it is the way of the Buddha. So what kind of situation is it that even the Dalai Lama cannot change or prevent?

But Panchen Lama's doubts unexpectedly pointed in a different direction.

"If that's truly the case, if it's something even you, Master, cannot change or prevent... then why are you in such a hurry?"

"….."

"If it must flow according to what's been determined, even if you hurry, you won't be able to do anything, will you?"

"It won't change. But that doesn't mean it will be the same. Even if the outcome is the same, acting with knowledge is different from acting without it."

Panchen Lama was silent for a moment. It was difficult to grasp, a statement that was both clear and obscure. The Dalai Lama, still gazing into the distance, spoke again.

"That's why we must go. To convey what must be known to the one who does not know."

"…. Is this for him?"

The Dalai Lama closed his eyes briefly. After a moment of deep contemplation, he slowly opened them again.

"Master...."

At that moment, Panchen Lama's expression hardened. A clear tear was flowing from one of the Dalai Lama's eyes.

"It's not for him. It will never be for him. It's only..."

"….."

"For the suffering sentient beings."

If it's truly for the suffering sentient beings, then why is the Master shedding tears?

Panchen Lama couldn't bring himself to ask the question that arose in his heart. Even if he heard the answer, he would not understand. It would be beyond his comprehension.

"…. I will accompany you, Master."

He could only believe. Believe that whatever his master intended to do was rooted in goodness.

The Dalai Lama began to walk again.

The one leading and the one following. The two of them walked endlessly straight ahead.

Towards the one who does not wish to be met.