Chapter 88

Skrrrt!

As the car came to a stop, Kang Jin looked ahead with confusion written on his face.

“Is this…a temple?”

Kang Jin expected they were heading to a hospital, but Kim Bongnam had driven them to a temple instead. It was situated amidst tall commercial buildings and skyscrapers right in the heart of the city.

As Kang Jin observed the temple, Kim Bongnam spoke up:

“There’s a memorial tablet for Yongsoo here.”

“Weren’t we going for your medical checkup?”

“For both Yongsoo’s visit and my checkup… Let’s go inside.”

Kim Bongnam entered the temple, and Kang Jin followed closely behind. As they passed through the mountain gate, Kang Jin noticed the imposing statues at the Heavenly King Gate.

Statues of Virudhaka, Dhritarashtra, Virapaksa, and Jambavantha - the Four Heavenly Kings.

Kang Jin wasn’t Buddhist, but he knew about the Four Heavenly Kings. Previously, when working as a construction worker at a temple site nestled within mountains for a month, he had learned their names since they guarded the entrance known as the Heavenly King Gate.

As Kang Jin observed the statues, he suddenly stroked his chin.

Don’t these prevent ghosts from entering?

With the Four Heavenly Kings guarding and monks residing here, being natural adversaries to ghosts, one would expect no ghostly presence. Moreover, it seemed incongruous not to find any Buddhist deities amidst the existence of ghosts. After all, Kang Jin himself had received a talisman from Bodhisattva Jijang.

I was told Bodhisattva Jijang is a Buddhist deity.

While gazing at the Four Heavenly Kings, Kang Jin subtly straightened his posture.

Then, do these gods also exist?

With that thought, Kang Jin discreetly glanced at the statues of the Four Guardian Kings again. Although they didn’t move like ghosts, he felt somewhat uneasy around them. He quietly placed his hands together in prayer.

“Om Amitābhaya Hrīm.”

For reference, Kang Jin was not religious.

Kim Bongnam had been waiting for Kang Jin to finish observing the statues and asked, “Are you Buddhist?”

“I’m non-religious.”

“But why did you…?”

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” replied Kang Jin while still gazing at the statues.

Kim Bongnam turned away from the Four Guardian Kings and said, “Let’s go inside.”

As Kang Jin followed Kim Bongnam through the Heavenly King Gate, he bowed once more toward the statues.

“Please take care of us.” After this quiet greeting, he hurried after Kim Bongnam into the temple grounds.

Upon entering, they were approached by a monk sweeping the courtyard with a broom.

“Welcome.” The monk greeted Kim Bongnam with hands pressed together in prayer position.

Kim Bongnam mirrored the gesture and asked, “Is Master Dahyun here?”

“I’ll inform her of your arrival.”

With that, Kim Bongnam bowed his head, then led Kang Jin to another hall. A strong incense scent permeated the air inside. As Kang Jin breathed it in, he took a look around.

The interior resembled a temple setting often seen on TV dramas. While Kang Jin observed the surroundings, Kim Bongnam spoke up:

“Come this way.”

Following Kim Bongnam’s direction, they approached one wall. There, numerous memorial tablets were arranged, accompanied by incense burners in front.

“That tablet over there belongs to Yongsoo,” Kim Bongnam indicated.

Kang Jin looked at the tablet pointed out by Kim Bongnam. It bore Bae Yongsoo’s name written in Chinese characters.

Kang Jin continued to gaze at the memorial tablet before suddenly turning towards Kim Bongnam.

Should I ask how Yongsoo died?

Knowing the cause of death might provide clues on how to send him to reincarnation. As Kang Jin considered this, he was about to open his mouth when another monk approached them.

The monk appeared quite elderly, making it hard to guess their age accurately.

Is this Dahyun-nim?

As Kang Jin recalled the name Kim Bongnam had mentioned, Monk Dahyun placed their hands together in prayer.

“Om Amitabha Buddha.”

Monk Dahyun recited the Buddhist mantra while acknowledging their presence. Kim Bongnam, still observing the memorial tablets, turned and responded with folded hands.

“Master.”

After exchanging greetings, Dahyun turned to Kang Jin with a smile.

“You’re doing good deeds.”

“Good deeds?”

As Kim Bongnam cocked his head, Lee Kang-jin also looked at Dahyun with curiosity.

A good deed? What does she mean by that?

Seeing their puzzled expressions, Dahyun smiled and explained:

“Aren’t you someone who feeds the hungry?”

Kim Bongnam chuckled in response to Dahyun’s words.

“Can you now discern people’s professions just by looking at them, Reverend?”

“People’s faces often reflect the lives they have lived.”

Nodding at Dahyun’s insight, Kim Bongnam turned to Kang Jin.

“This is Reverend Dahyun. Please greet her properly.”

Following Kim Bongnam’s cue, Kang Jin placed his hands together and bowed respectfully.

“I am Lee Kang-jin.”

Dahyun reciprocated with a smile, placing her hands together as well.

“Namu Amitabha Buddha, I am Dahyun.”

After exchanging greetings with Kang Jin, Dahyun turned back to Kim Bongnam.

“By the way…was it last winter when you visited us?”

“It’s been quite some time.”

“As everyone knows, you’re always busy, so it would be more surprising if you came here often.” Dahyun then approached Kim Bongnam closely.

“May I have your hand for a moment?”

Kim Bongnam nodded and extended his hand to her. As he did, Dahyun placed her fingers on his wrist.

She mentioned both seeing Yongsoo about dragons and receiving medical treatment… So she must be checking his pulse now. Was she a traditional doctor before becoming a monk?

As Kang Jin pondered this, Dahyun opened her mouth.

“Are you aware that you’re not well?”

At her words, Kim Bongnam glanced at Lee Kang-jin briefly before responding.

“Not well?”

“Very poor.” Dahyun then proceeded to touch several spots on Kim Bongnam’s body.

“Ahh!” As Kim Bongnam let out a small groan, Dahyun nodded slightly.

“Your kidneys and liver are not healthy. Especially your kidneys seem quite weak.”

Kim Bongnam glanced at Kang Jin after hearing Dahyun’s assessment, confirming that Kang Jin had been correct. He then looked down at his own body and admitted:

“I have felt unusually tired lately.”

Dahyun nodded in response.

“All living beings desire to live. Similarly, the human body wishes to stay healthy and prolong its life. When our bodies detect issues, they send signals for us to take notice. If we heed these early signs and seek treatment, it resolves the problem; otherwise, the body intensifies the signals.”

“What do you mean by ‘intensify’?”

“If you don’t pay attention to small pains, it sends bigger ones to get your attention.”

Kim Bongnam grimaced at Dahyun’s words.

“So…does that mean I’m in a lot of pain?”

Dahyun smiled and shook his head.

“I believe you’ve been very tired lately.”

“Yes.”

“You can think of this physical pain as a manifestation of that exhaustion.”

Kim Bongnam pondered for a moment before asking, “And what about treatment?”

“I suggest two sessions per week should suffice.”

Kang Jin looked at Dahyun with surprise.

“Two sessions a week? Can he really be cured with just that?”

“Does that seem insufficient to you?”

“It doesn’t sound like enough for a full recovery,” Kang Jin responded skeptically.

Dahyun chuckled at Kang Jin’s concern. “Indeed, healing cannot be achieved in just two sessions.”

“Then how will it work?”

As Kang Jin pressed further, Dahyun turned to Kim Bongnam.

“You must come twice a week for acupuncture and herbal prescriptions until you’re fully recovered.”

Kim Bongnam hesitated at Dahyun’s words.

“Twice a week?”

“Yes. What time works best for you?”

After a brief pause, Kim Bongnam responded, “Is 7 a.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays suitable?”

Kang Jin looked at him this time, concerned about Dahyun’s schedule.

“Isn’t 7 a.m. too early?”

Dahyun smiled before Kim Bongnam could answer.

“The temple day begins at 3 a.m., so that timing is perfect for me.” She then turned to Kim Bongnam. “Since you’re already here, let’s start today.”

Kim Bongnam nodded in agreement.

“I appreciate it.”

Kang Jin was inside a small room. On one side lay Kim Bongnam with multiple acupuncture needles inserted into his body, and next to him, Dahyun was taking his pulse.

“Hmm… O-O… Hmmn…”

Ding!

Ding!

Kim Bongnam had fallen asleep, seemingly comfortable from the acupuncture treatment. After checking his pulse for a moment, Dahyun let go of his wrist and looked at Kang Jin.

“Would you like some tea?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Dahyun poured Kang Jin a cup from a thermos placed on one side of the room. As Kang Jin accepted the tea, he asked:

“Are you a traditional doctor?”

With a smile, Dahyun replied: “I still am.”

“Oh, I see.”

Seeing Kang Jin nod, Dahyun spoke again.

“How is your work going?”

“My work?”

“Yes,” Kang Jin replied, looking at Dahyun.

Does he know something about me?

Upon reflection, it was odd for Dahyun to mention doing good deeds or feeding the hungry earlier. Especially considering Dahyun had mentioned that one’s life experiences were reflected on their face… By that logic, Kang Jin’s face should have shown his life filled with hard labor and part-time jobs, not owning a restaurant, which he’d only recently started.

Kang Jin eyed Dahyun curiously, but the monk simply returned his gaze with a kind smile.

“By any chance…do you know what I do?”

“You feed those who are hungry, right?”

‘Does he know or not?’

As Kang Jin pondered this, Dahyun smiled.

“Aren’t you running the Afterlife Restaurant?”

“Huh?” Surprised by Dahyun’s words, Kang Jin quickly glanced at Kim Bongnam, who was still asleep with his eyes closed. Kang Jin then turned back to Dahyun.

“How do you know about the Afterlife Restaurant?”

“In Buddhism, we believe it is due to past connections.”

“Connections?”

Dahyun grinned at Kang Jin’s question.

“I suppose I made a connection when I was younger.”

Kang Jin raised an eyebrow, puzzled by Dahyun’s response.

‘A connection? Could it be with a woman?’

Kang Jin sensed Dahyun’s nostalgia from her eyes and smile. However, he felt awkward asking if this connection involved a female, so he changed the subject.

“Have you visited any Afterlife Restaurants?”

“In today’s terms, they’re quite popular.”

“By any chance, was it our restaurant?”

There were multiple Afterlife Restaurants across South Korea, including Jeju Island—approximately eighty in total. However, Seoul had only one: One Meal Restaurant. Kang Jin assumed that’s why she might have mentioned his establishment.

“Where is your restaurant located?”

“It’s in Nonhyeon.”

“Oh, then I haven’t been there yet.” Kang Jin responded to Dahyun’s revelation.

“But how did you know about my Afterlife Restaurant?”

“I could tell.”

“Is it because of some spiritual power or something like that?”

Dahyun smiled at Kang Jin’s question.

“If only I had such spiritual powers.”

“You don’t have any?”

“Well…”

Seeing Dahyun’s light-hearted smile, Kang Jin hesitantly asked:

“By any chance…if I summon a ghost, will it come here?”

Had he mentioned this to anyone else, they might think he was crazy. However, Dahyun didn’t find it strange due to her knowledge of the Afterlife Restaurant. Instead, she shook her head.

“Are there ghosts visible around our temple?”

“No, I haven’t seen any.”

Kang Jin felt Dahyun’s gaze implying that his answer confirmed her suspicion, and he pursed his lips thoughtfully.

She didn’t find it odd because she knew about the Afterlife Restaurant.

I’ll have to call him outside.

As Kang Jin muttered this thought, Dahyun approached Kim Bongnam and began sucking out his saliva.

Suck! Suck!