As if the rumor terrified them, the patrollers became more polite to Kanghyok.

"This way, sir!"

"Good."

They now stopped before a big gate.

The patrollers escorted Kanghyoks' entourage into a side door right next to the gate.

Kangyok felt a bit nervous as he came here without informing the mayor of Ansung in advance.

"Can he still accept us, can't he?"

"What?"

Dolsok showed an embarra.s.sed look at Kanghyok's asking.

"Well, the mayor sent me an invitation letter long time ago, but I don't remember if I ever replied."

Most probably he didn't because he simply couldn't read the letter back then.

But Kanghyok didn't need to feel nervous.

"Welcome, Dr. Paek! Haha"

The mayor rushed to Kanghyon in his stockinged feet.

He looked pretty healthy now.

"How are you, mayor?" Kanghyok said politely.

"Of course, I'm. I think I'm born again thanks to you."

"I'm glad to hear that, mayor."

"Let's come on in. What the heck is that over there?"

The mayor asked, pointing at the cart full of various stuff.

He immediately realized they were medicinal herbs as the herbs smelled very strongly.

''Good. Let me share some with him.'

Kanghyok didn't want to accept his hospitality for free.

"I'm on my way back from the vicinity of Mt. Kw.a.n.ghyo as I hear there are lots of high-quality medicinal herbs growing there. In particular, this angelica root and licorice are pretty effective. Just brew them for your health."

Though there were much more precious herbs on the cart, Kanghyok didn't want to give them away for now.

"Oh, thanks so much, Dr. Paek!"

Obviously the mayor was not so well versed in medical skills as he expressed such a great satisfaction with such basic herbs as licorice.

"Hey, bring us some big delicious meal!."

He ordered the servants standing by.

"I'm sorry to stop by like this with short notice."

"No, not at all. Precious guests like you are always welcome. What has brought you here, by the way?"

"Well, I hear a famous monk has come down here from Mt. k.u.mgang. And I wanted to see you, too."

"Oh, I see. That's why there is a big noise in town these days."

"Really?"

"Looks like his preaching is so impressive. I heard it a bit, and some of his preaching really moved me."

"Got it."

"I guess there is a big crowd coming to hear his preaching. If you present this, you will find it convenient to take a good spot there."

The mayor gave him an official stamp that would guarantee his safe pa.s.sage to the monk's preaching spot.

The Joseon government at that time was suppressing Buddhism while encouraging Confucism. Accordingly, it was obvious that the monk was an extraordinary high priest.

Kanghyok felt it was worthwhile to go to see the monk.

'Though he is not an incarnation of Buddha, l would love to see him this time.'

Kanghyok was not so sure exactly who the monk was.

The mayor arranged a couple of rooms for each of Kanghyok's entourage.

Hesitating for a moment, Yoju followed Dolsok to the room.

She would be in big trouble if she, now dressed like a man, revealed her ident.i.ty here.

In the meantime, the mayor was treating Kanghyok to a great meal and drink.

"Somebody has sent me this special product from South Cholla Province, and it tastes really good. Just try it."

"Wow, how fortunate I'm to taste it here!"

The side dish the mayor pointed at with chopsticks was none other than soy sauce-marinated crabs crammed with eggs.

"Thanks for this, mayor."

"I'm glad to know that you can enjoy this food."

"Well, I can't get this rare food."

"Oh, enjoy it as much as you can. I've got so much of it in stock here."

"Oh, yes, mayor."

On the dining table was also other delicious side dishes such as salted seafood, dried abalone and octopus as well as dried pollack.

As Kanghyok's usual diet was rice soup, he just kept enjoying them freely.

Plus, the mayor kept refilling his cup with home-made alcoholic drinks.

After all, both drank so much in cheerful mood in a long time.

And it was the mayor who first drank himself to sleep.

***

"Wow, there are so many people gathered here!" Dolsok shouted, shaking his head at the big throng of people at the monk's preaching place.

Even Yoni, who was accustomed to seeing big crowds on the market streets, was surprised.

"Yes, this is the first time I have seen such a big crowd."

Yoju, who rarely came out of her house, was even more surprised.

She held Kanghyok's sleeves tightly for fear she might get lost among the crowds.

"Oh, I see the Buddhist temple there, master!"

Standing on tiptoe, Yoni shouted.

She was pointing at the big sign Chiljangsa on the gate of the temple.

The temple was reportedly rebuilt recently after the j.a.panese soldiers burnt it down.

"Ah, it looks like that monk is what they want to see."

"Can you see the monk, master?" asked Makbong, who was short, as if he envied Kanghyok's tall height.

He made futile efforts to stand on tiptoe or climb on a rock to catch a glimpse of that monk.

"Of course, I see him, but not clearly enough. Let's approach him," said Kanghyok

When they came near the temple, the monk was already giving the crowds his preaching in a deep and sonorous voice.

He had a stout build, with his eyes sparkling with vigor.

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As his voice was unusually appealing, it drew their intense attention.

"Are you sure he is the monk we're looking for?"

"Yes, master. Isn't he great?"

Dolsok replied in an excited voice.

Kanghyok realized that he was a devout Buddihst.

"By the way, doesn't he look sick?" asked Kanghyok.

"What did you say, master? Aren't you too much focused on the people's sickness because you're a doctor?"

"No, I think that monk is clearly sick."