As he ascended the narrow trail, Dong-su arrived outside a small cave barely large enough for one person to enter and exit. With a bright expression, he called out.

“Senior Brother, I’m here. Senior Brother, are you inside?”

A subdued voice drifted from within the cave.

“You’ve returned, junior.”

Dong-su smiled as he replied.

“Yes, I’ve come back.”

“I’m currently serving a punishment, so I won’t be able # Novelight # to show you my face. Have you returned safely?”

Dong-su sat down in front of the cave and responded.

“I’m unharmed. But why are you in meditative confinement again, Senior Brother?”

“It was the Abbot’s command.”

“For what reason?”

“Recently, Old Man Tak’s son was passing through Yeorae Mountain when he was ambushed, stripped naked, and found impaled on a spear, all his goods and trade items stolen.”

Dong-su’s expression hardened.

“…Who was responsible?”

“It was said to be the band of the Golden-Haired Demon who’ve settled in Yeorae Mountain.”

“What… happened to them?”

The voice from the cave responded with indifference.

“I happened to have business nearby and was passing through Yeorae Mountain when those bastards appeared and demanded my alms bowl.”

“…Goodness.”

“As you know, I only have the one, so I refused. Then they tried to kill me. How could I, a follower of the Buddha, willingly let my body be defiled and cause secular people to commit the grave sin of killing?”

“Mmm.”