Man in the heavens, wins by lying down to prove the truth

Chapter 348 The trouble begins with two minds at play; the monkey is freed from its shackles.

"Buddha, that old monk is a terrible person..."

Wukong was secretly furious, and then recounted the whole story in detail.

"Yes, it is a great favor that the old monk saved me from this predicament, but I, Old Sun, have always been plagued by misfortune. It was only thanks to the Bodhisattva's guidance that I was able to achieve this. What does it have to do with the old monk? Since the Bodhisattva spoke up, I, Old Sun, will protect him on his journey to the West."

"But that old monk is utterly incapable of distinguishing right from wrong, and is heartless and ungrateful."

The traveler huffed and puffed, “Those bandits are all afflicted with bloodlust, and they have killed countless travelers.”

"I, Old Sun, killed them, just as the Buddha Tathagata showed in his wrathful expression. As the saying goes, killing is to protect life, and cutting off karma is not killing people. That old monk doesn't even understand this principle. What is he doing meditating? What is he doing going to get scriptures!"

"If that's the case, blame me. It's not that I can't tolerate it."

“Bodhisattva, listen to how heartless that old monk is! Offer incense to those robbers and tell them that when they come to the King of Hell to file a complaint, they should not accuse the pilgrim. All grievances have their perpetrators and debts have their debtors; it is all my fault.”

"What a Jiang Liuer! What a Tang Monk! He's such a heartless and cold-blooded wretch!"

Upon hearing this, the Bodhisattva simply sighed: "In that case, that monk has indeed wronged you. However, even if you kill those evil people, you will also implicate all the birds and beasts on the mountain, including all the scaled and feathered creatures."

Wukong opened his mouth, then murmured, "This is my fault. I will go to the underworld and use my own merits to pray that they be reborn as humans in their next life, into wealthy families."

“I will take responsibility for my mistakes, but it is absolutely impossible for that old monk to ask me to protect him again.”

Seeing the monkey's anger and the sudden surge of his three evil spirits, the Bodhisattva did not try to comfort him. Instead, he said, "In that case, Wukong, stay here in my mountain for a while. Tang Sanzang can't move an inch without you. I will seek justice for you then."

Upon hearing this, Wukong agreed and laughed, "The Bodhisattva's sacred site is indeed extraordinary. I, Old Sun, was originally restless and prone to evil thoughts, but since entering the Bodhisattva's sacred site, I feel clear-headed and clear-sighted, and there are no more petty people bothering me."

"Oh?"

The Bodhisattva was slightly surprised, but said that he should open his Dharma Eye and see the universe. He immediately understood and laughed, "Wukong will be free from restraint."

Wukong was taken aback, then overjoyed and said, "Bodhisattva, would you be willing to use the loosening spell to remove the bindings from my head?"

The Bodhisattva then laughed and said, "It is not me, it is yourself."

Upon hearing this, Wukong hurriedly inquired, only to find that the Bodhisattva smiled without saying a word, keeping the monkey in suspense and making him very uncomfortable, yet he dared not act recklessly.

……

Thus, two flowers bloom, each representing a different aspect.

Meanwhile, the group on their pilgrimage, having lost their support, were bewildered and confused, and continued their journey in a daze.

That day, Tang Sanzang was both hungry and thirsty, but could hardly move an inch. He looked at Zhu Bajie and said, "Wuneng, your master is extremely hungry and thirsty. Go and beg me some tea and rice."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy grunted and groaned, then slowly rose into the clouds, his magic light illuminating his way.

From the cloud, Pigsy glanced at the old monk, then lowered his magic light and landed in front of him, saying perfunctorily, "Master, there are no houses nearby, so please bear with it for now."

Without the restraint of the restless mind, this wooden mother immediately revealed her true nature of indulging in laziness and pleasure.

This is still subject to the restrictions of the neck ring, preventing one from making false statements or deceiving people.

Otherwise, given Pigsy's nature, even if he saw someone, he would report to the old monk that there was no one there and that they should just go hungry.

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang felt somewhat regretful.

Perhaps the pilgrim is here, possessing great supernatural powers, so why worry about not having vegetarian meals?

Even if there is no one around for thousands of miles, he can travel to the Tang Dynasty in the Southern Continent in the blink of an eye and find the taste of home for the monk.

People are just despicable.

It is only when we lose something that we realize its value.

"In that case, use that alms bowl to scoop a bowl of water for your master to drink." Tang Sanzang then looked at Pigsy.

Upon hearing this, Pigsy grumbled, "Third Brother, I've already gone once, you should go instead."

"Alright." Sha Wujing didn't say much, but simply untied his bundle, took out his alms bowl, and went to find water for Tang Sanzang.

After a while, when Sha Wujing still hadn't returned, Tang Sanzang looked at Zhu Bajie and said, "Wujing, could it be that you've run into some trouble? Why don't you go and look for him?"

"Cicada, cicada, you know how to order us around."

Pigsy grunted twice in dissatisfaction, picked up his rake, and went back up to the cloud.

Now, why couldn't Sha Wujing return? It was because someone secretly used magic to make him lose his way and get lost in the mountains and forests.

Pigsy, without needing anyone to use magic, only needed to walk a dozen miles before he started to slack off.

"If we can't find it, we won't look anymore. I suppose Brother Sha can bring water to that old monk, so we might as well rest for a while."

Now, regarding Pigsy's collar, it only says to abstain from killing, stealing, adultery, lying, drinking alcohol, and all kinds of pleasures. If one is lazy even for a moment, one will not suffer any pain.

The wicked person, seeing that Pigsy was slacking off, immediately plucked a hair from his body, turned it into a bowl, filled it with water, and dropped it in front of Tang Sanzang.

“Master, those two are useless. This disciple has found a bowl and will serve you water.” Six Ears said hurriedly.

When the old monk saw Six-Eared Monkey appear, he said that he should blame all the resentment he had suffered on this monkey, and said, "Since you left, why did you come back?"

Upon hearing this, Six-Eared Man smiled apologetically and said, "Master, Master, I know I was wrong before. I am willing to protect you on your journey to the West to obtain the scriptures and achieve enlightenment!"

Tang Sanzang sneered repeatedly: "No need. I will attain enlightenment on my own and obtain the scriptures myself. It has nothing to do with you, you monkey!"

These six ears are the result of the chaos caused by the desires and greed of the mind. They are inherently evil. They came here to "eat" the original spirit and mind and to take control of themselves.

Seeing the old monk act this way, Six Ears immediately revealed a fierce expression: "You mortal with flesh and blood, how can you not know that I, Old Sun, am a god born of heaven and earth? What monkey? You dare to insult me!"

And then, with a sweep of his iron staff, he struck the old monk on the back, knocking him unconscious with just one blow.

If it weren't for the protection of that magical staff, it would have been reduced to ashes with just one blow.

Upon seeing Tang Sanzang faint, Liu Er was overjoyed. He quickly untied his bundle, took out the travel document, and rode away on auspicious light back to Flower Fruit Mountain.

After the Six-Eared Demon left, the illusionary magic disappeared. Sha Wujing returned with his alms bowl and saw the lazy Pigsy on the way. He picked Pigsy up and then went back to find Tang Sanzang.

When the two returned, they immediately saw the unconscious Tang Sanzang. They rushed forward to help him up and used a pinching motion on his philtrum to revive him. Then they asked him what had happened.

Tang Sanzang then said that the monkey harbored resentment, so he knocked him unconscious and stole the travel permit.

"Since we have no travel permits, we can't continue our journey west. Let's divide our belongings and go our separate ways."

Pigsy only heard that the monkey had stolen the travel permit, so he immediately gave up and had no intention of asking for it back.

What is the background of that monkey?

It is said that no one in heaven or on earth can afford to offend them. Once it has been stolen, there is absolutely no possibility of getting it back.

Although Pigsy didn't care whether or not they went on the pilgrimage, Sandy was anxious and quickly said, "Second Brother, don't say that. Don't forget that we were all enlightened by the Bodhisattva. How can we explain this to the Bodhisattva?" After saying something to Pigsy, Sandy looked at Tang Sanzang and quickly said, "Master, don't be anxious. I know where that monkey's mountain is. I'll go and talk to him. Just say that we want our luggage and travel documents back."

"What if we can't take them back?" Upon hearing that he wouldn't have to make the trip, Pigsy was no longer in a hurry to divide the luggage.

Sha Wujing replied, "If I can't get it back, I'll go to Mount Luojia in the South China Sea and pray to the Bodhisattva!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang quickly grabbed Sha Wujing's hand and said, "In that case, thank you for your hard work, Wujing."

Sha Wujing nodded earnestly and said, "Master, please wait here patiently. I'll go right away."

"Second senior brother, please take good care of Master."

Bajie said impatiently, "I know, I know, go ahead!"

Seeing this, Tang Sanzang completely gave up on Pigsy.

This is someone we can't rely on, so we'll have to count on Sha Wujing.

Unfortunately... Sha Wujing is a cunning old woman; she only has the ability to mediate among the crowd, but she is incompetent when it comes to taking charge on her own.

……

It is said that Sha Wujing, riding on a cloud, went all out and only traveled for a day and a night before entering Flower Fruit Mountain.

Inside the Water Curtain Cave, as soon as Sha Wujing stepped in, he saw Liu Er sitting in the main seat, holding a travel document in his hands, and reciting: "Emperor Li of the Great Tang Dynasty of the East, hereby decrees the Holy Monk Chen Xuanzang, my younger brother..."

Immediately, Sha Wujing stepped forward and kowtowed: "Brother greets elder brother, I am very grateful!"

The pilgrim sized up Sha Wujing and said, "Who are you? How dare you transform into my junior brother Sha Wujing and trespass into my celestial abode?"

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing quickly replied, "Brother, it's me! How could I not recognize you?"

"I must inform you, senior brother, that the former was truly due to Master's violent temper. He wrongly accused you, cursed you several times, and sent you home. It was all Master's fault!"

Sha Wujing immediately kowtowed and said, "If you, brother, remember our past friendship, then let us worship our master together and go to the Western Paradise to attain enlightenment. If you harbor deep resentment, please give me the official document. I only ask that you consider our past relationship and have pity on my sinful body. I kowtow, I kowtow, and I kowtow again!"

"Nonsense! Who are you, demon, posing as my virtuous brother? Aren't you my master and two junior brothers guests here?"

Immediately, Liu Er summoned the fake Tang Sanzang and his entourage, which he had transformed into monkeys through magic.

At this moment, Sha Wujing's expression changed drastically: "Where did this demon come from, daring to impersonate me, Old Sha!"

Sha Wujing raised his staff to strike, but then Liu Er withdrew his staff, summoned a troop of monkeys, and prepared to capture Sha Wujing.

Seeing this, Sha Wujing became determined. Having finally escaped the encirclement of the monkeys, he dared not look back and headed straight for the South China Sea.

……

Meanwhile, Sha Wujing rode a cloud away from the East Sea and flew for a full day and night before finally arriving at the South Sea, where he saw Mount Luojia not far away.

Immediately, Sha Wujing rushed forward, stopped in the clouds, and entered the mountain to pay his respects.

Moksha then appeared, blocking Sha Wujing's path, and asked, "Sha Wujing, why are you here instead of protecting Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West?"

After bowing, Sha Wujing said, "Venerable One, please allow me to speak. I have come to pay my respects to the Bodhisattva because of the evil deeds committed by that pilgrim. Please introduce me to him."

Moksha was immediately puzzled: "Since Tang Sanzang demoted the Great Sage, that's considered settling the score. Why are you still showing off in front of the Bodhisattva? Does it mean the Great Sage has earth-shattering abilities and you don't take him seriously?"

Sha Wujing quickly replied, "That's not the case. There are other matters at play. I would be grateful if you could introduce me, Venerable One. I bow my head in deepest respect!"

Seeing Sha Wujing's reaction, Moksha said no more and went into the Tide Sound Cave to pay his respects to the Bodhisattva, saying, "Outside, Tang Sanzang's little disciple Sha Wujing is paying his respects."

Hearing this from below the stage, Sun Wukong laughed and said, "This must be because Tang Sanzang is in trouble and Sha Wujing has come to ask the Bodhisattva for help."

The Bodhisattva smiled and said, "It's because of Wukong's matter."

The Bodhisattva then ordered Moksha to call him in from outside the door. A moment later, Sha Wujing followed Moksha in. He dared not look directly at the Bodhisattva and simply prostrated himself in worship.

After bowing, Sha Wujing looked up at the Bodhisattva, ready to complain, and immediately saw Sun Wukong beside the Bodhisattva.

"You wicked, rebellious monkey who has committed the ten heinous crimes! You're trying to deceive the Bodhisattva again!"

Sha Wujing thought that Sun Wukong had used his supernatural powers to fly in front of him, to complain to the Bodhisattva and distort the truth, and he was furious. He immediately grabbed his magic staff and was about to hit him.

"Why is Third Brother acting like this? What have I done to deceive the Bodhisattva? Don't you know that the Bodhisattva has the Dharma Eye and can observe all things in the universe?"

The Bodhisattva then spoke up and stopped them, saying, "Wujing, don't do it. Tell me what's going on first."

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing put away his staff, bowed down from the platform again, and then recounted the whole story.

"Bullshit! How dare you slander me, Old Sun? I've been by the Bodhisattva's side for four days now, not leaving his side for a moment. How could I have hit that old monk?"

Wukong was furious, claiming that Sha Wujing was slandering him, and drew his golden cudgel to strike.

"stop!"

The Bodhisattva stopped the traveler and said, “There’s no need to say more. I used my Dharma Eye to observe the whole world and saw a demon disguised as Wukong doing evil. It is currently in Flower Fruit Mountain.”

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing suddenly realized and bowed to Wukong, saying, "So that's how it is! So that's how it is! I was wrong to blame you, brother. I deserve to die!"

Wukong was in a state of panic at this moment, and quickly helped Sha Wujing up, saying, "No need to say anything, no need to say anything. I will go back to Flower Fruit Mountain with you and see which ignorant fool dares to transform into my old Sun's appearance to do evil!"

"Bodhisattva, I, Old Sun, have been rude. I'll be off now."

Watching Wukong carry Sha Wujing and disappear in an instant, the Bodhisattva laughed and said, "This monkey is even impatient."

Beside the Bodhisattva, the monk Huian asked, "Master, is there really a demon who dares to transform into the form of Sun Wukong?"

"Yes and no. With Wukong's departure, the Three Realms will gain another virtuous and powerful being."

Seeing the Bodhisattva as the riddle-taker, Huian Xingzhe dared not ask any more questions.

In any case, all the powerful figures in the Three Realms are riddle tellers.

……

It is said that in the Flower and Fruit Mountain, golden light shimmered, and the figures of Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing appeared.

With the monkey's supernatural powers, it would only take him a blink of an eye to take Sha Wujing to Flower Fruit Mountain.

"Very well, very well, if there really are demons who dare to impersonate me, Old Sun, and do evil, they deserve to die, they deserve to die."

Wukong drew his staff and immediately headed straight for Liu Er on the high platform.

When Six-Eared Monkey saw that Wukong had actually run over, instead of being afraid, a look of joy appeared in his eyes. He immediately went to meet him, drew his golden cudgel, and the two fought each other.

At this moment, Sha Wujing also realized what was happening and exclaimed, "Oh no, oh no! Which one is my senior brother, and which one is the demon?"

(End of this chapter)