🧚 Winning Buddha’s Smile, part 10

Ou-Pung, the sister, did not count upon seeing Yeng-Si and her daughter-in-law so soon again.1 “This is my son,” proudly declared the nun’s former companion.2

San-Syeng showered warm and profuse thanks upon the sister for all the attentions and kindnesses she had shown to Yeng-Si.3

“Do not thank me, sir,” replied the sister.4 “I have only done my duty in sheltering an unfortunate woman.5 Buddha has taken pity upon her and has rewarded her piety and her long suffering by permitting her to find you.”6

Under the supervision of the orderly, a magnificent pagoda was rapidly built by the water’s edge.7 Upon it could be read this inscription:8

WITH EVERLASTING GRATITUDE TO THE BENEFACTOR OF MY MOTHER.9

Ou-Pung consented to go with her visitors to see the temple that had just been completed.10 San-Syeng had directed that an altar for sacrifices be placed before the pagoda and that Su-Rung be arrested and brought to him.11 All of the thief’s property was to be seized.12

This very moment, strange to say, Su-Rung was telling his brother, Su-Yeng, of a peculiar dream he had had the preceding night.13 He had seen himself surrounded by tongues of flame and his head, severed from his body, was boiling in a large copper kettle.14

“It signifies that your end is near and that you will die through the will of man,” asserted Su-Yeng.15 “Why must you continue to lead this sinful life?16 It would be more fitting that you experience remorse and fear for an envoy of the King is in the neighborhood.”17

Scarcely had Su-Yeng uttered these words, when there came a loud rapping at the door.18 After a brief struggle, Su-Rung was reduced to helplessness and securely bound.19 All the stolen objects that could be found were collected, thrown in a heap, and the party turned their steps toward the pagoda.20

When the criminal was brought face to face with the young General, the latter demanded:21

“My name is San-Syeng.22 You know me, don’t you?”23

Su-Rung, much surprised, could not imagine that his adopted son had been elevated to the dignity of a King’s envoy, so he replied, coolly:24

“Your name is not unfamiliar to me.25 My son was called San-Syeng.”26

“You have a son, then?”27

“Yes, he left me three years ago, to go to the Capital and since that day I have had no news of him.”28

“Well, you may know that I am the man of whom you boast being the father.29 But I am not the son of a murderer.30 I have found my mother who has told me about my birth and your infamous crimes.31 There, do you recognize my mother?” added San-Syeng, indicating Yeng-Si to the brigand with a gesture of his hand.32

Yeng-Si, who had been watching Su-Rung attentively for some time, burst out with:33

“You vile wretch, so you’re still alive!34 Thank Heaven it is granted me to satisfy my thirst for vengeance.35 My son, there stands your father’s murderer.36 Kill him, strike him down, with your own hand!37 I could tear the very eyes from his head!”38

San-Syeng’s mother was beside herself and he sought to calm her, representing that he had no authority to put any man to death without an order from the King.39 Yeng-Si did not insist; her mind was crowded with other more charitable thoughts when, in company with her friends, she knelt in the beautiful pagoda to pray for the soul of the martyred woman to whom she owed her life.40

Su-Rung was immediately dispatched to the Capital under heavy guard.41 When the troops and their prisoner were about to depart, San-Syeng, turning to Su-Yeng, said:42

“You have always been an honest, loyal man.43 Take these things which your brother has unlawfully appropriated.44 They are yours.”45

“Thank you so much, sir.46 But I no longer am in need of anything, for I am going to die with my brother.”47

“What is that?48 I do not comprehend your decision.”49

“When a tree is brought to the ground by the woodsman, can the branches continue to live?”50

“But if your brother was a criminal, you have nothing to reproach yourself with.”51

“That may be true, but nevertheless I am determined to leave this life with the brother I have always loved and with whom I have always lived.”52 And San-Syeng found it useless to endeavor to dissuade Su-Yeng from his fatal purpose.53

Before returning to the Capital, San-Houni’s son visited several more of the provinces, looking after the King’s business.54 When his mission was concluded, he sought audience with the King for the purpose of reporting what he had seen, heard, and done.55 The Queen was a patient and attentive listener while the young General was telling the story of his adventures.56 However, when San-Syeng had finished speaking, Cheng-Si, with a sob in her voice, cried:57

“Oh, you are so much happier than I!”58

Her strength failed her and she slipped from her seat to the floor.59 Those in the Royal Chamber crowded about the prostrate Queen--at a respectful distance, however--who was not long in regaining her consciousness.60 Thereupon San-Syeng asked her tenderly, as he bowed before her, what had been the cause of her sudden swoon.61

“Alas!” mourned Cheng-Si.62 “It has been three years since I have seen my father, and in all that time I have had no word of him.63 That is why I am so sad and down-hearted.”64

The King and his General assured her that they would use all possible means within their power to find the Queen’s father.65 The Queen’s pretty and shapely head was bowed in deep meditation, when suddenly she cried:66

“Well, let’s collect all the blind men in the Kingdom; invite them to a big feast.67 I’m going to give every one of them a little token.”68

“Majesty,” replied San-Syeng, “it shall happen as you have wished.”69

No time was lost; orders were issued to every Mandarin to send every blind man in his jurisdiction to the Capital.70 And thus it came to pass that Cheng-Si collected all the blind men of Korea in order to give them a token.71

_But more anon, for here endeth the ninth step of our legend.72

X73

X74

Many months had come and gone since the day when the unfortunate and broken-hearted Sun-Yen had seen his daughter pass away to certain death.75 He led a wretched existence--his strength being sustained only by the promise of the disciple that his sight would be restored to him at the end of three years.76 But the allotted time had passed and the poor victim of Ja-Jo-Mi, the unscrupulous, had not recovered his sight.77 His dejection was pitiful to behold, and he awaited with impatience the death that would free him from his constant misery.78

Now, one day Sun-Yen was disturbed in the midst of his morbid meditations by the arrival at his poor dwelling of the Mandarin of the province.79

“The King,” declared this dignitary, “desires to assemble all the blind men of the Kingdom at a banquet.80 You must go to the Capital.”81

“My strength will never permit me to make such a long journey,” replied Sun-Yen.82 “As it is, I can scarcely take a few steps from my own door.”83

“You need not be troubled about that.84 I will provide you with a horse and guide.”85

“I thank you from the bottom of my heart, but is it really necessary to spend so much on my account?”86

“It is the King’s order.87 Everything is prepared and you can start this very moment.”88

Sun-Yen was easily persuaded.89 A few days and he was in the Capital.90