Journey to the West: Beginning with the Apprenticeship of Bodhi Patriarch

Chapter 104: The Great Sage is Refined in the Eight Trigrams Furnace, and the Cow Chews the Peony

There is a saying that goes, "Wealth, honor, and fame are all predestined, so don't be deceitful. Being upright and aboveboard will only deepen your loyalty and kindness."

The Golden Elixir is the right path. Gold means immortality. Elixir means perfection and perfection. How can this path be flawed? If it is flawed, it is not the right path.

However, the Monkey King relied on his supernatural powers to deceive God, and 100,000 heavenly soldiers were unable to do anything to him. The Jade Emperor ordered the Immortal to come out of the mountain and use his great supernatural powers to subdue the Monkey King.

After completing his mission, Li Tianwang returned to the capital, and the Jade Emperor then issued an order to chop the Monkey King into pieces using punishments such as "hawing with knives, chopping with axes, being struck by thunder and burning with fire."

At that time, the heavenly soldiers received orders and captured the Monkey King, brought him to the Demon-Slaying Platform, and tied him to the Demon-Subduing Pillar. It was exactly like "deceiving and now suffering the pain of punishment". The heavenly soldiers hacked and chopped with knives, axes, stabbed with spears and swords, but were unable to injure the Monkey King's immortal body.

The Great Sage was unruly and tied to the Demon Subduing Pillar. Seeing that the heavenly soldiers were unable to do anything to him, he laughed uncontrollably and said, "I didn't lose to you, but to my elder brother's magical powers. How could you hurt me in the slightest?"

The heavenly soldiers could not hurt him, so they asked the gods of the Fire Department to burn him with fire, but they could not burn his body. They also asked the gods of the Thunder Department to hit him with lightning bolts, but they could not damage his body at all. This made the Great Sage arrogant, so how could he fear the heavens?

The heavenly soldiers then returned to the Lingxiao Palace to report, and their words alarmed the Jade Emperor.

The Jade Emperor said, "How can a monkey spirit be so powerful that he cannot be punished?"

Laojun said, "Your Majesty, you don't know that the monkey ate countless peaches and drank a lot of imperial wine, and then stole my five pots of elixir, some raw and some cooked. What the monkey got was the golden elixir. He ate everything in his stomach, used the fire to forge it into a piece, and his immortal body is like diamond, which cannot be hurt by any means."

The Jade Emperor asked, "How do I break the immortal body?"

Laojun said: "Why not give it to the Taoist priest and put it in the Eight Trigrams furnace to refine it with the civil and military fires. When it can be refined into my elixir, it will be reduced to ashes."

The Jade Emperor approved the request and ordered all the gods to capture the Monkey King, hand him over to Laojun, and send him to the Bagua Furnace.

Laojun received the order and, together with the other gods, pushed the Great Sage into the Eight Trigrams Furnace and ordered the Taoist priest who was watching the furnace and the boy who was lighting the fire to raise the fire.

Good Great Sage, after being untied, cannot get out of the Eight Trigrams Furnace. Even if he has 72 transformations, it is useless in the furnace. It is like the sky above and drills into the ground below. It cannot be shaken or drilled out.

The Great Sage looked around and recognized the direction. He thought to himself, "What a great Eight Trigrams furnace! Fortunately, when I was a disciple in the past, I read the book written by my senior brother in the book collection place. There was no mention of the Eight Trigrams there. The Eight Trigrams are in different directions and have their own life gates. If you want to survive, you must go to the Xun position. This Xun position is the life gate, the air inlet and outlet, so there is wind but no fire."

Think about it.

The Great Sage hid himself in the Xun position. There was no fire to burn him, but the wind stirred up the smoke, which made the Great Sage's eyes red and he got an old eye disease, which was called "Fire Eyes and Golden Eyes".

……

The story goes that when he went to the lower world, the Immortal subdued the Great Sage, and he and the Bull Demon King left the Dongsheng Continent, and this trip was to the Nanzhanbu Continent, precisely to find out the relationship between the Immortal and the Bull King.

Jiang Yuan was traveling on the road to Jambu Continent, followed by Bull Demon King. The two of them flew to Jambu Continent on clouds and walked towards Shangjing Mountain on foot.

On the road, the two men were like travelers, traveling during the day. If there was a temple or house at night, they would stay there for the night. If there was no one there, they would give up and continue on their journey.

One day, the two men walked into a forest, and saw that this place was "deep and secluded in the woods, with a forest of cypress and juniper, and pine and bamboo on both sides. It was quiet and peaceful regardless of age." It was really a good place.

Jiang Yuan and Niu Wang rested here and enjoyed the forest view.

The Bull King asked, "Master, what do you think is enlightenment?"

Jiang Yuan was sitting on the ground, clean and spotless. Hearing this, he asked, "Why do you ask this?"

The Bull King replied, "When I followed the master in the palace, all the disciples in the palace disliked me, except for the disciple holding the fan. I once asked him what kind of practice he was doing, and he said he was practicing enlightenment. When I saw this forest scene, I couldn't help but think about it, so I asked the master."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "That disciple is a true seer, one of the few in the mansion who will achieve the true fruit. What he seeks is enlightenment."

The Bull King said, "Master, what is enlightenment?"

Jiang Yuan said: "Awakening, there is a difference between awakening and enlightenment. Enlightened people think there are differences. For example, ordinary people will experience many changes when they are enlightened, such as life and death, love and affection, and good and bad fortune. There are differences in all of them, and what they understand is also different."

The Bull King asked again, "Master, since there is a share of awakening, what is the purpose of awakening?"

Jiang Yuan said: "The awakened one cannot be described in words, nor can he be written down in writing. Awakening is a moment, while enlightenment is a long-term practice."

The Bull King seemed to have gained something and said no more.

After Jiang Yuan had enjoyed enough of the forest scenery, he headed for Shangjing Mountain.

The Bull Demon King held a mixed iron stick and cleared the way forward, fulfilling his duty as a law protector. He cleared the way through the mountains and built bridges over the water.

Jiang Yuan walked along and asked, "Niu'er, have you ever been to this Nanzhanbuzhou?"

The Bull Demon King swung his iron rod to disperse the thorns, and said with a smile: "Master, you don't know that I was also a righteous man in the past. I have been to all the four continents."

Jiang Yuan said: "This time I will revisit the old place."

The Bull Demon King said, "That's right."

When we were halfway there and about to cross a bridge, we suddenly saw a village where some men were tilling the fields, working for a long time.

Jiang Yuan stopped when he saw it.

The Bull King asked, "Master, what do you say?"

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "That farmer and I are old friends. We have a connection. In his previous life, I saw him as a filial gentleman who helped his mother return to life. How could I have expected to meet him in this life?"

The Bull King said, "Master, the dead cannot be resurrected. Now that he has been reincarnated, you recognize him, but he does not recognize you."

Jiang Yuan said: "The law of fate cannot be destroyed, but it is not the law of fate in this life. In his previous life, my merits were not complete, so I could not be his master and disciple. In this life, his worldly heart is deeply rooted, and we can't be his master and disciple either."

The Bull King said: "Explain it to him, he will definitely follow the master to practice."

Jiang Yuan pointed at Niu Wang and scolded him with a smile: "If I do that, wouldn't it be misleading? His family is too young to care?"

The Bull King said, "Since we have no chance in this life, then forget it. We'll wait for the next life. For people like me, time is not a given. People are born, they get married, they grow old and die. We are just sitting there."

Jiang Yuan said: "Let's go and take a look at what his family is like."

The Bull King suddenly transformed into a farm man, perhaps to reveal his true form and scare others.

The two men approached.

The man who was tilling the field saw that Jiang Yuanxian had achieved success, so he stood up in a hurry and saluted, "God! Disciple, let me start."

Jiang Yuan responded with a greeting: "I am not a god, I am a cultivator, traveling here to ask for food and drink."

The man said, "Master, please follow me. I am a rough man and cannot afford fine clothes and fine food, but I do have some tea and food."

Say it.

The man took Jiang Yuan and Niu Wang to the village. When they entered a courtyard, they saw two young men in the courtyard, a woman who was busy working, and an old lady helping her.

The man smiled and said, "Master, the house is crowded, don't be surprised, don't be surprised."

Jiang Yuan walked closer and took a closer look, then asked with a smile, "How many people are there in your family?"

The man replied, "Five people."

Jiang Yuan smiled and nodded.

The man walked in, welcomed Jiang Yuan and Niu Wang, and asked the woman to serve them tea and food. After the meal, the man asked, "Master, you are from outside. I wonder what is going on outside? I heard that there are many wars, but I don't know what is going on now."

Jiang Yuan replied: "The three disasters are less common nowadays, but there have been some changes recently. I am afraid that there will be more chaos in the next ten or twenty years."

When the man heard this, he said, "I just hope my child is safe."

Jiang Yuan smiled and asked again, "May I know your last name?" The man said, "My last name is Li."

Jiang Yuan asked: "Is the family environment okay?"

The man said, "As long as we don't encounter the three disasters, we can get by on our own and have enough food and clothing. Master, do you have the heart to accept me as a disciple?"

Hearing this, Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Why? Do you want to take me as your master and practice cultivation?"

The man said, "No, no. When I was young, I always wanted to practice, but I didn't have the affinity. My family is all here. Now my son is about to grow up, and I want the master to accept my son as his disciple."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "You might as well ask your second son if he is willing to practice."

The man said, "Practicing cultivation is good for him, why wouldn't you want to?"

Jiang Yuan smiled without saying anything and just told him to go and ask.

Li Hanzi left upon hearing the voice, and returned after a while. He just sighed and said, "If you really don't want to, forget it, forget it. I dare not trouble you, Master, because my family is not blessed."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "You have the will to practice, but you don't have the destiny. But don't worry. There will always be a time when you should practice. I just hope you don't lose your original appearance. There will be that day."

When Li Hanzi heard this, he didn't understand what he meant.

Jiang Yuan didn't want to answer any more, so he stood up and left, followed closely by Niu Wang.

Li Hanzi was in a daze. He stood up to chase after them and opened the door, but he saw the Immortal and the Bull King again and again. He didn't know where they had gone. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed again and again.

……

Time flies so fast that two years have gone by without me noticing.

The Immortal and the Bull King left the Li family and traveled on the road on foot. If he met someone who had heard the Tao, he would show mercy and give him some pointers. If there was no one who had heard the Tao, he would just keep on going.

After two years, he walked along the southern continent, passing through the streets and alleys, and finally arrived at the foot of Shangjing Mountain.

Jiang Yuanfang walked to the foot of the mountain and stopped to revisit the old place, feeling deeply moved.

The Bull King was surprised and said, "I have been to this mountain before."

Jiang Yuan looked at the Bull King and asked, "When have you been here?"

The Bull King said, "Master, I traveled a lot in my early years. I once came to the Southern Continent and saw that this mountain had some spiritual energy. I practiced in a mansion in the mountain. I haven't been here for many years. Now I can't tell the way. I just remembered it when I saw the mountain."

When Jiang Yuan heard this, he understood. He knew where the law of fate came from. It was because this cow entered Yujing Mountain and he didn't know what it did that formed a fate with him, so he was able to subdue it.

He then asked, "Have you accomplished anything since entering this mountain?"

The Bull King replied, "To be honest, sir, I once saw a rare treasure in the mountains."

Jiang Yuan asked, "Tell me about it."

The Bull King replied, "Master, when I was traveling here in the past, I saw a dead tree outside the mansion. The tree was dead and had no life. Only a flower bloomed on the branch, unharmed by the four seasons. I thought it was a rare treasure, so I ate it. The flower was indeed a rare treasure, and it helped me to practice a little. That's why I knew this mountain. This mountain is called 'Shangjing Mountain'."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "I was wondering where our fate lies, and it turns out to be this flower."

The Bull King asked, "What did the master say?"

Jiang Yuan said, "When I was still a Taoist, I worshipped a master in this mountain. My master taught me to bring spring back to a dead tree. I took good care of a tree, and it finally blossomed. After my master and I left for Xiniu Hezhou, we have not been to this mountain again. I think it has been hundreds or even thousands of years. I wanted to leave the tree to help travelers, but you did me a great favor."

The Bull King also understood what he said and said with a smile, "You have a big appetite, and you are causing trouble."

Jiang Yuan said nothing, and went up the mountain with Niu Wang. When they arrived at the former cave in Shangjing Mountain, they saw that the cave was full of dirt and flying insects, and dust was everywhere. In the quiet room, there were spider webs and rat droppings on the bed.

Jiang Yuan asked Niu Wang to use a broom to sweep the cave clean.

After sweeping the cave thoroughly until there was not a speck of dust left, he left the cave and saw the dead tree had turned to ashes, having disappeared.

The Bull King pointed to the dead tree and said, "That flower once grew here. It tasted very good, but I swallowed it whole at that time and didn't taste anything, I just thought it smelled good."

Jiang Yuan said: "You are just like a cow chewing a peony."

The Bull King asked, "Master, do you still have these flowers?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "You know that the flowers are treasures, do you think you still have them? Do you want to eat them? I came here just to learn about our fate. Now that I know, it's time to go home. I have a question, so I'd like to ask Master."

The Bull King replied, "What's the question?"

Jiang Yuan said: "What is the origin of the law of fate?"

The Bull King said, "I cannot answer this question, sir. Sir, shall we return by soaring into the sky, or shall we return by walking?"

Jiang Yuan looked at where Xiniu Hezhou was and said, "That's Tengyun."

Say it.

The two of them rode on the clouds and went to Xiniu Hezhou.

……

It won't take long.

The two of them returned together to Xiniu Hezhou, Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, and Xieyue Sanxing Cave. The Ox King returned home and went to the quiet room.

Jiang Yuanze walked along the small path behind Yaotai and arrived in front of the Patriarch's quiet room. But he saw that the door of the Patriarch's room was half open.

The Immortal walked into the quiet room, bowed and greeted him, saying, "Master, I am back now."

The master asked, "Boy, is the matter finished?"

Jiang Yuan said: "Master, it has been a long time since the matter was completed. Junior Brother Wukong has been handed over to the heaven. I have just returned from the Southern Continent."

The master smiled and said, "Do you know what your relationship with the cow is like?"

Jiang Yuan replied, "Yes, I know. These are the flowers from the tree that my disciple planted in Shangjing Mountain in the past. I told this cow to eat them."

The master said, "I am confused when I see you here. Please tell me what you are confused about."

Jiang Yuan said: "Master, I don't understand the concept of 'karma'. I once knew that there was an ordinary person who had some karmic relationship with me, but that karmic relationship was not in the present time. Now I went to Jambudvīpa and saw him reincarnate, and that karmic relationship was also not in the present time. But I don't know why this karmic relationship came into being."

The master stood up from his cushion and said with a smile, "Boy, all kinds of karma have their own destiny and are different. For example, the cow became your guardian deity because it ate the flowers you planted and got benefits. As for the karma between master and disciple, it is not easy to get it. Most of them have cultivated for several lifetimes to get a karma and become a disciple. Just like your fellow disciples, how do you know that their karma was obtained in this lifetime?"

Jiang Yuan suddenly realized and asked, "Master, the affinity between me and you has been cultivated over many lifetimes?"

The master said: "Whether it is or not, it doesn't matter if you have attained enlightenment now."

Jiang Yuan then bowed and asked no more questions.

The master approached the boy and said, "Boy, you have come back now. I will teach you a magical method. This method is difficult to practice and learn. I will not teach you this. Are you willing to learn it now?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan bowed again and said, "Master, I am willing to learn. I hope you will be merciful and pass on my magical powers to me. I will never forget it."

The master helped the boy up and said, "I didn't teach you this magical power. I have another fate to teach you this magical power..."

(End of this chapter)