I am a fairy in Journey to the West

Chapter 138: The Buddhahood of the True Fruition
Zhuang Yan was a little confused when he heard the question from Guanyin Bodhisattva. "Bodhisattva asked me if I am interested in Buddhahood? So what if I am interested? What if I am not interested?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "If you are interested, you can certainly become a Buddha."

Zhuang Yan immediately understood and said to Guanyin Bodhisattva, "Bodhisattva, are you saying that the Buddhist sect will give me a Buddha position?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and said, "Yes, in order to pass on the Tripitaka, the Buddha established six meritorious fruition positions, three of which are Buddha positions and three are Bodhisattva positions."

Hearing this, Zhuang Yan immediately said, "Oh, by the way, there is one thing I need to tell the Bodhisattva. The purple dragon horse Ao Suo has violated the law of heaven. This time, she is allowed to be Tang Sanzang's mount so that she can make meritorious contributions while guilty. After the pilgrimage is completed, the Divine Thunder Jade Palace will pardon her crime and return her freedom. The Buddhist sect must not give her any meritorious status."

Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to remind me of this matter. The Divine Thunder Jade Palace has already informed Lingshan."

"That's good." Zhuang Yan nodded, and then asked, "That means there are six people who are seeking the scriptures, excluding the Purple Dragon Horse?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva shook her head and smiled, "No, there are five people in total, Tang Monk and his four disciples, not including the Purple Dragon Horse. The extra fruit position is prepared for the person who presides over the disaster of obtaining the scriptures."

Zhuang Yan suddenly smiled and said, "I see, are you Buddhists going to take over the eighty-one tribulations?"

"The Lord of Lingtai is indeed very smart." Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "The Buddha said that as long as the Lord of Lingtai can take on these eighty-one difficulties, after the journey to obtain the scriptures is completed, he will share the position of Buddha with the Lord of Lingtai."

Zhuang Yan smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "Buddha is really generous. Buddha is the fruit of the Great Dao. He is immortal in the past, present and future. He will not perish in Nirvana. Such a good fruit is unexpectedly given to an unknown person like me."

"You, the Lord of the Spiritual Platform, are not an unknown person." Guanyin Bodhisattva said with a smile, "You are worthy of the position of a Buddha."

Zhuang Yan said, "But we have to wait until the journey to obtain the scriptures is successful, right?"

"Yes." Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and said, "We have to wait until we succeed in obtaining the scriptures."

Zhuang Yan understood that presiding over the journey to obtain the scriptures not only required completing the eighty-one difficulties, but also ensuring that the journey would be successful, which was equivalent to fighting both sides himself.

The Buddhist sect is quite generous in using the position of Buddha to contract out the task of obtaining Buddhist scriptures.

However, Zhuang Yan was not someone who could be easily tempted by a Buddha position. He thought about it and said, "I need to think about this matter."

"Sure." Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "If Lingtai Shenjun has thought it through, you can come to Nanhai to find me at any time."

Zhuang Yan nodded, then asked, "Has the name of this Shepan Mountain calamity been determined?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva took out the bamboo slips and handed them to him. Zhuang Yan took them and read them, saying, "The second most difficult thing is to rein in the willful horse."

Bodhisattva Guanyin nodded and said: "All of Ao Suo's sins were caused by indulging in desires. Now he has transformed into a dragon and become a horse. He has put on the reins and is carrying Tang Sanzang to the West to obtain the scriptures. He has repented of his mistakes and is now on the right path. This can be called the difficulty of 'putting the reins on a willful horse'."

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "Your mind has returned to the right path, and your will has been reined in. Very good, very good. You are worthy of being a Bodhisattva." After saying that, he handed the bamboo slips back.

Then Zhuang Yan ate some vegetarian food, bid farewell to Guanyin Bodhisattva, rode a cloud to leave the South China Sea and went straight to Daluo Heaven.

After entering the South Gate of Heaven, Zhuang Yan went straight to the Tongming Palace to meet the Jade Emperor.

The celestial general in front of the Tongming Palace saw Zhuang Yan and immediately smiled and said, "Lord Lingtai, it's been a long time since we last met. What have you been busy with lately?"

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "I'm not busy, I'm just traveling around."

As he spoke, Zhuang Yan asked the Heavenly General, "Is the Great Heavenly Venerable in the palace?"

The general nodded and said, "Yes, the Great Celestial Lord is sitting in the palace."

Zhuang Yan bowed and said, "Then please let the general know."

The general also bowed in return, then turned and entered the Tongming Palace. Not long after, he walked out of the palace and said, "Lord Lingtai, the Great Heavenly Venerable summons you."

"Thank you, General." Zhuang Yan thanked him, then tidied his appearance and walked into the Tongming Hall.

Entering the Tongming Hall, Zhuang Yan stepped forward quickly, bowed his head and said, "Your Highness, Zhuang Yan, pays homage to His Majesty the Jade Emperor, the Great Heavenly Lord, the Mysterious Sky High God."

The Jade Emperor looked at Zhuang Yan and smiled, "Zhuang Yan, where is the monk Tang Seng who went to seek Buddhist scriptures?"

Zhuang Yan said, "Your Majesty, we have passed Liangjie Mountain and entered the territory of Xiniu Hezhou."

The Jade Emperor nodded and asked, "How many disasters have they experienced now?"

Zhuang Yan reported again: "I have just experienced two disasters."

The Jade Emperor laughed and said, "It's only been two tribulations. It seems that the journey to the West to obtain the scriptures is long and arduous."

At this point, the Jade Emperor pointed to the fruit plate in front of him and said to the fairy beside him: "Take one of the North Sea kumquats and give it to Lingtai Shenjun."

The fairy bowed and accepted the order, then picked up a kumquat that was bigger than her palm, walked down the steps of the palace, and presented it to Zhuang Yan.

The Jade Emperor said, "This is the 'North Sea Kumquat' presented to me by the Northern Xuanwu Zhiming God. Please sit down and taste it."

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Yan quickly took the kumquat and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward."

The Jade Emperor smiled and said, "No need to be polite, please sit down."

At this time, a heavenly general brought a sandalwood chair and placed it on the right side of the hall. Zhuang Yan thanked him again, then walked forward and sat down.

"What is the matter with you coming to see me today?" the Jade Emperor asked. Zhuang Yan quickly reported to the Jade Emperor what Guanyin Bodhisattva had told him about the Buddha's position, and the Jade Emperor burst into laughter after hearing it.

Zhuang Yan asked in confusion: "Why is your majesty laughing?"

The Jade Emperor looked at Zhuang Yan and smiled, "The position of Buddha is a great position and a true fruit, which is indestructible for all eternity and has an endless nirvana. It would be great to be able to obtain the position of Buddha. Do you agree?"

"I have not agreed yet." Zhuang Yan said, "I would like to ask your majesty first."

The Jade Emperor nodded and said, "If you agree to this, then the 81 tribulations and the task of presiding over the journey to obtain the scriptures will fall on you, and you will be owed many favors. If Guanyin Bodhisattva is the one presiding over the journey to obtain the scriptures, these favors will be owed to the Buddhist sect. If you undertake this, then these favors will be owed to you alone. Even if you will become a Buddha in the future, these favors are owed before you become a Buddha, and you will still have to repay them alone."

Zhuang Yan said: "So that's why you gave me the status of a Buddha?"

The Jade Emperor nodded and said, "That's right. In this respect, Buddhism is quite generous. They are willing to give up a Buddha's true fruit, which is not petty at all."

Zhuang Yan said, "If I don't owe anyone a favor, but I get a Buddhahood, wouldn't that be a win?"

The Jade Emperor smiled and said, "You can say that this matter has both advantages and disadvantages. As for whether to accept it or not, it is entirely up to you to decide."

Zhuang Yan pondered for a moment after hearing this, and then said, "Your Majesty, I am a celestial official in heaven, and I am here to test the pilgrims on your orders. Now the Buddhist sect has offered me the position of Buddha and wants me to preside over the pilgrimage. I personally think that I should not agree to this."

The Jade Emperor smiled and asked, "Tell me what you think."

Zhuang Yan said, "Your Majesty, I am a celestial official in heaven. Right now, I should complete the mission Your Majesty has given me. As for other matters, I will not consider them for the time being."

The Jade Emperor nodded and said, "Very good, I am very pleased that you have such a wish. However, since the Buddhist sect has promised you the position of Buddha, I cannot refuse their kindness. I will show you a way. Do you know the 'infinite fruit of the path'?"

When Zhuang Yan heard this, he immediately said, "Your Majesty, are you talking about the 'Daluo Jinxian' Dao Fruit?"

The Jade Emperor smiled and said, "That's right. To attain the Great Awakening Golden Immortal, one must attain one of the three great fruition positions of 'Emperor, Heavenly Lord, and Bodhisattva'. And to attain the Great Luo Golden Immortal, one must attain one of the three great fruition positions of 'Great Emperor, Dao Lord, and Buddha'."

"Emperor is the fruit position of Heaven, Tianzun and Daojun are the fruit positions of Taoism, and Bodhisattva and Buddha are the fruit positions of Buddhism." The Jade Emperor said here, looked at Zhuang Yan and said: "With your ability, you must be honored as the fruit position of Heaven. Besides, you are only a heavenly immortal now, so the Buddha position of Buddhism is dispensable to you. But for those who are already 'Great Awakening Golden Immortals', this Buddha position is a vital thing."

After hearing what the Jade Emperor said, Zhuang Yan suddenly understood. He quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your guidance. I know what to do now."

The Jade Emperor smiled and said, "Well, my dear, do you have anything else to say?"

Zhuang Yan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have nothing to do now. I will take my leave."

"Yes." The Jade Emperor nodded with a smile.

Afterwards, Zhuang Yan bid farewell to the Jade Emperor and left the Tongming Palace. He then descended from the West Heaven Gate and fell straight down to the Lingtai Mountain.

Zhuang Yan arrived at the Three Stars Cave of the Slanting Moon in Fangcun Mountain. He saw Patriarch Bodhi standing in front of the mountain gate watching his disciples practicing. When he saw Zhuang Yan walking out of the divine light, he couldn't help but smile and said, "My friend? You're here."

Looking at Patriarch Bodhi approaching, Zhuang Yan bowed and said, "Daoyou, how are you these days?"

Patriarch Bodhi smiled and said, "In the mountains, there is no time, the worldly world does not disturb you, your primordial body is pure, and everything is naturally fine."

After saying this, Patriarch Bodhi said to Zhuang Yan, "Would you like to come into the cave and have some tea?"

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "Then I won't bother you, fellow Taoist. Actually, I came here to ask you something."

"Oh?" Patriarch Bodhi looked at Zhuang Yan and asked, "What's the matter?"

Zhuang Yan looked at the disciples who were practicing, and then said, "Follow me, Taoist friend."

After that, Zhuang Yan took Patriarch Bodhi to a quiet place, and then asked Patriarch Bodhi: "Daoist friend, let me ask you, what is your current Dao fruit?"

Patriarch Bodhi smiled slightly upon hearing this, and then said: "To be honest with you, I am now a Great Awakening Golden Immortal. My incarnation 'Subhuti' is a disciple of the Buddha, and in Buddhism he is a Bodhisattva, so I can attain the Great Awakening Golden Immortal."

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "Okay, fellow Taoist, let me ask you, there is a Buddha position available right now, do you want it?"

Patriarch Bodhi asked: "The position of Buddha?"

"Yes." Zhuang Yan nodded seriously and said, "The great position and the true fruit, the position of Buddha."

Patriarch Bodhi said with a smile: "My friend, it seems that you have really become rich? You can even give away Buddhahood?"

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "It's not that I'm that rich. Lingshan promised me a Buddha position, but I can't accept it right now, so I came to ask fellow Taoist if he wants it."

Patriarch Bodhi said with a serious smile: "My friend, the matter of Buddhahood is not trivial. Since you have such an opportunity, don't give up easily."

Zhuang Yan smiled and said, "You don't have to worry about me, I will have a place to go in the future. Just tell me if you want this Buddhahood. If you do, I will do it. If not, I will refuse it."

Upon hearing this, Patriarch Bodhi looked at Zhuang Yan carefully, then nodded slowly and said, "Since you have said so, I will not pretend to be hypocritical."

Zhuang Yan asked, "Yes?"

Patriarch Bodhi nodded and smiled, "This is the Buddhahood that my friend gave me. Don't refuse it."

"Hahaha." After the two of them finished talking, they looked at each other and burst into laughter, attracting the attention of the boy and a group of disciples not far away.

(End of this chapter)