It was deep into the night, long after the sun had set and everyone had fallen asleep.
I stirred, sensing someone shaking me—and when I opened my eyes, I was met with a pair of golden eyes gleaming in the dark.
It was Cheong-yu Sojeo, gently waking me.
— Shia. 『So-ryong, wake up. Do-ryong is here to see you.』
“Ugh... I guess it’s really late already, huh?”
— Shiii. 『Yes, So-ryong. Please, get up.』
Rubbing my eyes, I sat up. Hwa-eun was rising as well, and beside her, Gungbong groggily lifted her upper body.
We exchanged sleepy glances before quietly getting ready to follow our elder brother.
Even though he was arriving in the middle of the night, we’d already been told this would happen, so we weren’t surprised.
I was the closest to the entrance, so I got up first to step outside—but then Hwa-eun’s voice called out behind me.
“Mm... You’re not Gungbong, are you? Soto, right?”
“Yes, Hwa-eun. I’m Soto.”
Gungbong usually slept like a rock, so I’d thought it was odd how quickly she had woken. But overhearing their conversation, it became clear Soto was the one in control.
Gungbong had been the one invited, but Soto came in her place—and Hwa-eun sighed softly at first, but then nodded in agreement.
“...Yes. On second thought, maybe it’s better this way. Soto, please explain things to Gungbong later.”
“Understood.”
Watching Soto agree, I couldn’t help thinking how cushy Gungbong’s life had gotten lately.
She dumped all the inconvenient stuff on Soto while she just clicked and nodded her way through life.
“...Honestly? Kinda jealous.”
As that mix of envy and sympathy for Soto crossed my mind, I was just about to exit the tent when—
— Tssrrrt? 『Daddy? Mommy?』
[Bini, go back to sleep. Daddy and Mommy are just going to talk with Uncle Gyu-seong.]
Bini had woken up, probably from the chill air seeping through the tent flap. She asked where we were going, so I patted her head and gently nudged her back onto the dry grass bedding.
Her antennae drooped like a puppy’s ears and she quickly drifted off again.
“What a cute little thing.”
Just like me, Hwa-eun smiled in the dark as she watched Bini fall back asleep.
Her hand covered mine as we gently brushed Bini’s head one last time together.
But just as I was stepping outside, I felt something heavy wrap around my ankle.
Looking down—I saw it was Hyang, coiled tightly around my leg.
For a moment I thought she had woken up like Bini, but she was still fast asleep—she’d probably grabbed me instinctively in her sleep.
I gently uncoiled her body and laid it down near Hongdan, who was curled up nearby.
The moment Hyang latched onto her, Hongdan began to squirm, half-asleep and mildly startled.
I stifled a chuckle and gently freed her.
Then, stepping out of the tent, we found Elder Brother waiting, who led us to another tent—the one used by the women.
[Come, we’ll meet in the women’s tent.]
[Yes, Elder Brother.]
The moment we stepped inside the tent, all eyes turned toward us.
Everyone else had apparently arrived already.
Seated inside were Sister Seol, Eumbong, Hu-gae, the interpreter, Monk Jaheo, and Ji-ryong.
Only Tenzin was absent.
Which made sense—we were meeting specifically without him.
As we looked for a place to sit, Sister Seol’s voice welcomed us.
“You’re here? So-ryong?”
“Sister Seol.”
“Unni.”
“Come sit over here.”
She patted the seat beside her, and I settled in on her right.
Soto and Cheong-yu Sojeo quietly took their seats behind us.
“Now that everyone’s here, let’s begin.”
Seeing us all seated, Elder Brother’s voice cut through the dark.
Everyone nodded.
He looked over the group, nodded in approval, and continued.
“We’ll be arriving at Podarlap Palace in about three days. I assume everyone is aware of that.”
“Yes, Elder Brother.”
“Of course, Do-ryong.”
“Yes, Do-ryong.”
Tenzin had told us we were about three days away.
With our journey nearing its end, we’d gathered to discuss something important before we arrived.
What exactly?
Though the people ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) there had been kind to us, they’d historically stood in opposition to the Murim world.
If they discovered I wasn’t actually the reincarnated Heavenly Master they believed me to be, we didn’t know how they’d react.
The purpose of this meeting was to decide how I should present myself when meeting their spiritual leader—Dalroe Lama, or rather, the Dalai Lama.
Tenzin and Dorje had hyped me up as the reincarnation of the Heavenly Master, even equating me with the Buddha himself.
But surely someone like the Dalai Lama, with his immense spiritual power, would see through it.
We needed to prepare.
Even though I hadn’t meant to deceive anyone, the misunderstanding had grown so deep that if the truth came out, I might seem like a fraud.
“And though I’m sure you all know why we’re here, let me restate it.
At Podarlap Palace, they believe So-ryong is the reincarnation of the Heavenly Master. But once we meet the Dalroe Lama, who’s said to possess great spiritual insight, the truth will likely come to light. We’re here to decide how to handle that.”
Everyone nodded in solemn agreement.
Then all eyes turned to Ji-ryong.
He was usually the sharpest among us, and now he cautiously shared his thoughts.
“When we meet the Dalroe Lama, regardless of whether they believe it or not, I think it’s best that Little Hero So clearly states that he is not the reincarnation of the Heavenly Master.
That way, if things unravel later, we have the moral high ground.”
His suggestion: deny it up front.
That way, if they get upset later, we can say we told them the truth from the start.
It made sense.
It was something I’d considered too—but I had concerns.
“Ji-ryong, I’ve thought about that, but... what if they refuse to show me the withered tree because of it?”
Dorje had told me about the withered tree at the very center of Podarlap Palace.
A tree that bore dried fruit—fruit that, according to Dorje, had died but wasn’t dead.
Hwa-eun, upon hearing the story, had said it might be one of the Twenty-Four Venomous Branches—specifically from the Flower, Tree, Grass, and Fruit category.
In other words, it could be a spirit creature.
But if I told them I wasn’t the Heavenly Master and they believed it, they might never show it to me. And that tree was the whole reason I wanted to go.
That’s why I was hesitant.
Ji-ryong nodded thoughtfully.
“That’s... not impossible.”
Now that even he agreed, it really put me in a bind.
Honestly, I’d rather be branded a fraud and sneak away in shame than miss seeing that tree.
“Yeah, better to be a scammer than to miss that.”
My expression couldn’t hide my inner turmoil—but Ji-ryong smiled reassuringly and said,
“But Little Hero So, there’s no need to worry. Regardless of what you say, their response will be the same.”
“...The same?”
“Yes.”
“What kind?”
“Verification.”
“...Verification?”
I blinked.
“Yes. To determine if you really are the reincarnation of the Heavenly Master. I asked Tenzin, and apparently there’s a process they use for confirming a Tolku—a reincarnated lama.”
“Really?”
Of course, they wouldn’t believe something so important without checking.
“They might hide an object and ask you to find it, or lay out several items and ask which belonged to you in a past life, or even ask you to name people you knew before.
Tenzin didn’t tell me the exact test they use for the Heavenly Master, but I’m certain there is one.”
I nodded, then asked,
“But then... wouldn’t I just fail the test and still not be allowed to see the withered tree?”
Ji-ryong, ever the clever one, wagged his finger.
“If they insist on testing you despite your denial, you can ask to see the tree first—in exchange for your cooperation.”
“Ooh...”
He was right.
If I say I’m not the Heavenly Master and they still want to test me, I have leverage to make a demand.
If they’re the ones insisting on confirmation, then I can say I’ll comply—but only if I get to see the tree first.
“Ji-ryong really is something else.”
I nodded, impressed.
After that, we agreed that once we reached Podarlap Palace, we would proceed cautiously and always move in pairs or small groups.
As the meeting wrapped up, Ji-ryong looked over at Gungbong and said,
“Soto, take care of Gungbong. We’re all so relieved to have you here...”
Apparently, since she didn’t ask any weird questions and just quietly listened, everyone had assumed it was Soto.
Everyone else nodded in agreement.
***
“Heavenly Master!”
We had all overslept slightly, having been disturbed once in the middle of the night—so the loud voice outside roused us with a jolt.
My children peeked through the slit in the tent before turning to rouse me.
—Tssrrr. 『Dad, it’s that man from before.』
“That man?”
Rubbing my eyes, I got up and peered outside the tent—and sure enough, there he was. A familiar face.
It was Dorje.
Dorje, whom we’d parted ways with previously, had arrived at our camp with more than a dozen monks in tow.
“Hooooh... a magnificent two-headed Naga King!?”
“Dorje, sir, this is even greater than the Naga King you described!”
“Indeed... I’ve never seen anything like this... hoh...”
Dorje and the monks were marveling at Hwanji and Hwana.
I straightened my clothes and stepped outside. Dorje greeted me with a bright, delighted expression.
“Heavenly Master, it is an honor to meet you again!”
“Dorje, it’s been a while. How is the person we treated last time?”
“They survived without harm, thanks to your divine protection, Heavenly Master.”
So the person we treated had survived. I smiled slightly with relief.
“And what brings you here?”
“We received word that you had entered the territory of Podarlap Palace and were on our way to welcome you.”
Had we passed by nomads yesterday? Perhaps they had sent word. Or was it Tenzin?
Either way, they seemed to have a fairly organized method of communication.
Dorje continued.
“From here, I will personally escort you to Podarlap Palace. The Dalroe Lama is awaiting your arrival.”
So Dorje would personally lead us there.
We packed up our belongings and began the journey to Podarlap Palace under Dorje’s guidance.
The path wound along the mountain, and after about two days, just as Tenzin had said, we saw what could only be Podarlap Palace rising in the distance—its silhouette grand and majestic as if touching the sky.
“That is Podarlap Palace.”
It looked like a fortress, but overall gave off the sacred aura of a temple.
Its golden rooftops gleamed brilliantly in the sunlight.
Awed by the sight, we walked for several more hours before arriving at the outskirts of the city surrounding the palace.
At the entrance stood a massive archway decorated with traditional Tibetan patterns, and along its sides were stone towers that looked to be several centuries old.
Prayer flags fluttered above them in the wind.
As we entered the city, children pointed and whispered at us in amazement.
The adults, however, fell prostrate on the spot.
Their gazes—especially those directed at me—were filled with reverence and awe.
It seemed bringing all of my spirit beasts for intimidation had paid off.
“Ooooh, it’s true! The Naga King, guardian of the Dharma! He must be the true Heavenly Master!”
“Heavenly Master!”
We passed through the people and arrived in front of the main hall of Podarlap Palace.
From the moment we reached the entrance, we were enveloped in the strong scent of incense.
The fragrance filled the air, thick and pungent, drifting down from the great palace built atop the high hill.
Then came the stairs—stretching far up toward the hilltop.
As we approached, Dorje turned back to us and spoke.
“Heavenly Master, this is Podarlap Palace. The grand hall where the Dalroe Lama resides is at its center.”
We began climbing, and about halfway up the steps, rows of monks appeared.
“O-wae-e-oh...”
They greeted us in unison, palms together, chanting sutras in a deep, sonorous rhythm.
The sound resonated through the entire hillside with an overwhelming reverence.
At last, we reached the main palace grounds.
Walking into the inner courtyard, we saw it—a grand white building with enormous golden doors, adorned with intricately carved reliefs that radiated authority and dignity.
On either side of the doors stood massive lion statues, their paws resting upon intricately carved lotus pedestals.
We advanced a bit further, and then Dorje stopped before the golden gates and turned toward us.
“Heavenly Master, just beyond these gates lies the White Palace where the Dalroe Lama awaits. I will announce your arrival.”
“Yes.”
So the highest figure of Podarlap Palace was just behind those doors.
I reminded myself that I needed to negotiate well—no matter what, I had to see that withered tree.
As we waited for the messenger to return from inside, a voice called back from within.
“He regrets that his aged body makes movement difficult... and asks your forgiveness for not greeting you in person. He invites you inside.”
