In the days of King In-jo (1623-1649) there was a student of Confucius
who lived in Ka-pyong. He was still a young man and unmarried. His
education had not been extensive, for he had read only a little in
the way of history and literature. For some reason or other he left
his home and went into Kang-won Province. Travelling on horseback,
and with a servant, he reached a mountain, where he was overtaken by
rain that wet him through. Mysteriously, from some unknown cause,
his servant suddenly died, and the man, in fear and distress, drew
the body to the side of the hill, where he left it and went on his
way weeping. When he had gone but a short distance, the horse he rode
fell under him and died also. Such was his plight: his servant dead,
his horse dead, rain falling fast, and the road an unknown one. He
did not know what to do or where to go, and reduced thus to walking,
he broke down and cried. At this point there met him an old man with
very wonderful eyes, and hair as white as snow. He asked the young man
why he wept, and the reply was that his servant was dead, his horse
was dead, that it was raining, and that he did not know the way. The
patriarch, on hearing this, took pity on him, and lifting his staff,
pointed, saying, "There is a house yonder, just beyond those pines,
follow that stream and it will bring you to where there are people."
The young man looked as directed, and a li or so beyond he saw a
clump of trees. He bowed, thanked the stranger, and started on his
way. When he had gone a few paces he looked back, but the friend had
disappeared. Greatly wondering, he went on toward the place indicated,
and as he drew near he saw a grove of pines, huge trees they were, a
whole forest of them. Bamboos appeared, too, in countless numbers, with
a wide stream of water flowing by. Underneath the water there seemed
to be a marble flooring like a great pavement, white and pure. As he
went along he saw that the water was all of an even depth, such as
one could cross easily. A mile or so farther on he saw a beautifully
decorated house. The pillars and entrance approaches were perfect in
form. He continued his way, wet as he was, carrying his thorn staff,
and entered the gate and sat down to rest. It was paved, too, with
marble, and smooth as polished glass. There were no chinks or creases
in it, all was of one perfect surface. In the room was a marble table,
and on it a copy of the Book of Changes; there was also a brazier
of jade just in front. Incense was burning in it, and the fragrance
filled the room. Beside these, nothing else was visible. The rain
had ceased and all was quiet and clear, with no wind nor anything to
disturb. The world of confusion seemed to have receded from him.
While he sat there, looking in astonishment, he suddenly heard the
sound of footfalls from the rear of the building. Startled by it, he
turned to see, when an old man appeared. He looked as though he might
equal the turtle or the crane as to age, and was very dignified. He
wore a green dress and carried a jade staff of nine sections. The
appearance of the old man was such as to stun any inhabitant of the
earth. He recognized him as the master of the place, and so he went
forward and made a low obeisance.
The old man received him kindly, and said, "I am the master and have
long waited for you." He took him by the hand and led him away. As they
went along, the hills grew more and more enchanting, while the soft
breezes and the light touched him with mystifying favour. Suddenly, as
he looked the man was gone, so he went on by himself, and arrived soon
at another palace built likewise of precious stones. It was a great
hall, stretching on into the distance as far as the eye could see.
The young man had seen the Royal Palace frequently when in Seoul
attending examinations, but compared with this, the Royal Palace was
as a mud hut thatched with straw.
As he reached the gate a man in ceremonial robes received him and
led him in. He passed two or three pavilions, and at last reached a
special one and went up to the upper storey. There, reclining at a
table, he saw the ancient sage whom he had met before. Again he bowed.
This young man, brought up poorly in the country, was never accustomed
to seeing or dealing with the great. In fear, he did not dare to lift
his eyes. The ancient master, however, again welcomed him and asked
him to be seated, saying, "This is not the dusty world that you are
accustomed to, but the abode of the genii. I knew you were coming,
and so was waiting to receive you." He turned and called, saying,
"Bring something for the guest to eat."
In a little a servant brought a richly laden table. It was such fare
as was never seen on earth, and there was abundance of it. The young
man, hungry as he was, ate heartily of these strange viands. Then the
dishes were carried away and the old man said, "I have a daughter who
has arrived at a marriageable age, and I have been trying to find a
son-in-law, but as yet have not succeeded. Your coming accords with
this need. Live here, then, and become my son-in-law." The young man,
not knowing what to think, bowed and was silent. Then the host turned
and gave an order, saying, "Call in the children."
Two boys about twelve or thirteen years of age came running in and sat
down beside him. Their faces were so beautifully white they seemed
like jewels. The master pointed to them and said to the guest,
"These are my sons," and to the sons he said, "This young man is
he whom I have chosen for my son-in-law; when should we have the
wedding? Choose you a lucky day and let me know."
The two boys reckoned over the days on their fingers, and then together
said, "The day after to-morrow is a lucky day."
The old man, turning to the stranger, said, "That decides as to the
wedding, and now you must wait in the guest-chamber till the time
arrives." He then gave a command to call So and So. In a little
an official of the genii came forward, dressed in light and airy
garments. His appearance and expression were very beautiful, a man,
he seemed, of glad and happy mien.
The master said, "Show this young man the way to his apartments and
treat him well till the time of the wedding."
The official then led the way, and the young man bowed as he left
the room. When he had passed outside the gate, a red sedan chair was
in waiting for him. He was asked to mount. Eight bearers bore him
smoothly along. A mile or so distant they reached another palace,
equally wonderful, with no speck or flaw of any kind to mar its
beauty. In graceful groves of flowers and trees he descended to enter
his pavilion. Beautiful garments were taken from jewelled boxes, and
a perfumed bath was given him and a change made. Thus he laid aside
his weather-beaten clothes and donned the vestments of the genii. The
official remained as company for him till the appointed time.
When that day arrived other beautiful robes were brought, and
again he bathed and changed. When he was dressed, he mounted the
palanquin and rode to the Palace of the master, twenty or more
officials accompanying. On arrival, a guide directed them to the
special Palace Beautiful. Here he saw preparations for the wedding,
and here he made his bow. This finished he moved as directed, further
in. The tinkling sound of jade bells and the breath of sweet perfumes
filled the air. Thus he made his entry into the inner quarters.
Many beautiful women were in waiting, all gorgeously apparelled,
like the women of the gods. Among these he imagined that he would
meet the master's daughter. In a little, accompanied by a host of
others, she came, shining in jewels and beautiful clothing so that
she lighted up the Palace. He took his stand before her, though her
face was hidden from him by a fan of pearls. When he saw her at last,
so beautiful was she that his eyes were dazzled. The other women,
compared with her, were as the magpie to the phoenix. So bewildered was
he that he dared not look up. The friend accompanying assisted him to
bow and to go through the necessary forms. The ceremony was much the
same as that observed among men. When it was over the young man went
back to his bridegroom's chamber. There the embroidered curtains,
the golden screens, the silken clothing, the jewelled floor, were
such as no men of earth ever see.
On the second day his mother-in-law called him to her. Her age would be
about thirty, and her face was like a freshly-blown lotus flower. Here
a great feast was spread, with many guests invited. The accompaniments
thereof in the way of music were sweeter than mortals ever dreamed
of. When the feast was over, the women caught up their skirts, and,
lifting their sleeves, danced together and sang in sweet accord. The
sound of their singing caused even the clouds to stop and listen. When
the day was over, and all had well dined, the feast broke up.
A young man, brought up in a country hut, had all of a sudden met
the chief of the genii, and had become a sharer in his glory and
the accompaniments of his life. His mind was dazed and his thoughts
overcame him. Doubts were mixed with fears. He knew not what to do.
A sharer in the joys of the fairies he had actually become, and a
year or so passed in such delight as no words can ever describe.
One day his wife said to him, "Would you like to enter into the inner
enclosure and see as the fairies see?"