Chapter 3: Gyeongpil and Yeongjin
6 p.m., a Korean restaurant on Dongseong-ro, Daegu. Minjun opened the door and saw Gyeongpil waving from a corner seat. Next to him sat Yeongjin, wearing glasses and short bob hair. "Brother! This way!" Gyeongpil said brightly.
Minjun sat down next to them and greeted Yeongjin. "It's been a while, Yeongjin."
"Yes, oppa. How have you been?" Yeongjin replied with a warm smile.
Gyeongpil and Yeongjin were both practitioners of the Jeongtohoe, a Buddhist retreat community active in social engagement and peace movements. The two met at the retreat and began walking the same path, naturally becoming lovers.
As the food arrived and they chatted, Minjun asked, "So, did you submit your master's thesis?"
"Yes!" Gyeongpil replied with a twinkle in his eye. "I finally submitted it yesterday. I've been working on it for two years, so I'm really proud of it."
"But honestly, I'm nervous," Yeongjin said. "I wonder if the judges will accept it..."
"What was your topic?" Minjun asked with interest.
Gyeongpil began to explain with a serious expression. "Our thesis topic is 'The Peaceful Unification of Silla and Gaya and a Reinterpretation of the Unification of the Three Kingdoms.' Silla's unification of the Three Kingdoms is generally known only as a military conquest. However, through thorough historical research, we have discovered that the unification process between Silla and Gaya was quite peaceful."
Yeongjin continued. "Yes, in particular, the surrender of Geumgwan Gaya in 532 was the result of political negotiation, not war. When King Guhyeong surrendered to Silla, the Gaya royal family and nobles were guaranteed their status as nobles in Silla. This is a classic model of peaceful unification."
"And our argument is that this peaceful unification served as the foundation for Silla's much more stable unification of Baekje and Goguryeo," Gyeongpil said passionately. "True unification is impossible through war alone, but unification based on peace and trust produces a more powerful synergy."
Minjun was impressed. "Wow, that's a truly fascinating topic. It's about reinterpreting history from a peaceful perspective." "That's right!" Youngjin nodded. "We wanted to find examples throughout history where choosing peace over war produced positive results. So we could draw lessons that could be applied to the present day."
Kyungpil looked at Minjun and said, "You write too, hyung. I think it would be great if you created something based on these historical facts. A story that could give people hope."
Minjun smiled bitterly. "I should, but I haven't been feeling inspired lately..."
"It's okay, hyung. Good stories will come naturally when the time is right," Youngjin offered comforting words.
After dinner and as they parted ways, Minjun told them both, "Your master's thesis will definitely pass. I'll pray for you."
"Thank you, hyung!" Kyungpil and Youngjin replied simultaneously.
On the way home, Minjun suddenly remembered the story of Prince Hodong and Princess Nakrang he'd read that afternoon. And the story of peaceful unification that Kyungpil and Youngjin had shared. "What if... if Prince Hodong and Princess Nakrang had chosen peace instead of war?"
Chapter 4: The Buddha's Second Revelation
That night, Minjun went to bed. He was tired, but strangely, sleep eluded him. He tossed and turned, and finally closed his eyes.
Suddenly, his surroundings brightened. A dazzling golden light enveloped all around. Minjun realized he was standing in a vast, tranquil space.
"Minjun." A soft, deep voice came.
Minjun raised his head. Before him sat a lotus flower. A face with a compassionate smile, eyes serene. Minjun knew it intuitively.
"Buddha?" Minjun asked, his voice trembling.
"Yes." The Buddha nodded. "Minjun, you want to bring comfort to people."
"Yes... Yes, that's right." Minjun knelt. "But my abilities are lacking..."
"It's not a matter of ability. It's just that the time hasn't come for me to hear the right story," the Buddha said. "But now the time has come. You read the story of Prince Hodong and Princess Nakrang this afternoon, right?"
"Yes, I did. It was a truly sad story."
"That sadness has remained in the hearts of the Korean people for two thousand years. People cannot forget the pain they suffered when they had to choose between love and country." The Buddha continued. "But now it's time to change that story. From tragedy to hope, from war to peace."
Minjun's heart began to pound. "Can I... can I write that story?"
"Yes. But it's difficult alone." The Buddha smiled. "Do you remember the two people who had dinner with you today? Gyeongpil and Yeongjin?"
"Yes, I do."
"Make them Prince Hodong and Princess Nakrang. Borrow their knowledge and hearts to write a new story. Those who have studied peaceful unification are the best suited to write this story."
Minjun was confused. "But how..."
"When you wake up tomorrow morning, begin writing. 'Gyeongpil and Yeongjin became Prince Hodong and Princess Nakrang.' From that moment, everything will begin." Buddha raised his hand and blessed him. "Don't be afraid, I will be with you. I will guide you whenever you get stuck."
The light gradually faded, and Minjun fell back into darkness.
Chapter 5: The Typing Begins
Minjun opened his eyes. The morning sunlight was streaming through the window. Was it a dream? But it was so vivid. The Buddha's voice, his compassionate gaze, was still vivid.
Minjun sat at his desk in his pajamas. He turned on his laptop. His fingers trembled. 'Should I really write this?'
But something deep within him urged him. Minjun took a deep breath and began typing.
"Gyeongpil and Yeongjin became Prince Hodong and Princess Nakrang."
It was the moment of the final period.
The screen flashed. Minjun stepped back in surprise. A golden light burst from the laptop screen. And then...
letters began typing on their own.
Click, click, click.
Even though the keyboard remained motionless, letters appeared on the screen. Minjun held his breath and stared at them.
"Is this... really?"