Two days later, late at night.
The wilderness blazed with lights. Goryeo nobles sang and danced, floating wine cups down winding streams. Goryeo and Japan had always imitated the imperial court of the Central Plains in everything. Now, scholars and poets were holding a Purification Ceremony, while hundreds of songstresses struck seductive poses, awaiting the favor of noble guests.
Elsewhere, towering platforms stood in rows, with martial fighters battling flesh against flesh atop them. Below, spectators waved gold, silver, and jewels, their expressions utterly frenzied.
Disguised with altered faces, Jia Huan and his party of several dozen threaded through the wilderness. After passing a full three li of buildings, they saw a ten-story tower rising before them. The words "Heaven-Venerating Tower" on its Gilded Plaque looked especially magnificent and imposing.
An endless stretch of inns and taverns surrounded it, bustling with activity.
"These barbarians certainly know how to enjoy themselves!" Jia Huan turned his gaze toward the Heaven-Venerating Tower and said in a low voice:
"Follow the plan. Surround this place in fifteen minutes!"
With that, his figure became as elusive as flowers glimpsed through mist, soon vanishing from everyone's sight.
The top floor of the Heaven-Venerating Tower.
Within a resplendent Buddhist sanctuary, an enlightened monk over a hundred years old fingered Buddhist Prayer Beads. With his broad forehead and large ears, he resembled a statue of Maitreya Buddha.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes and said calmly:
"If you wished to see this humble monk, you could simply have announced yourself. Trespassing is most discourteous."
Layer upon layer of curtains fluttered in the breeze. A white-robed figure stood silently by the railing.
Unable to understand the Goryeo language, Jia Huan strolled into the sanctuary as though walking through his own courtyard.
"You won't kneel before Buddha?" The eminent monk smiled.