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

Chapter 129: Zhen Yuanzi entrusted Bajie with his love
But the group of people who were seeking the scriptures were sitting in the main hall without any food or tea. No one came out and only four of them were left.

Bajie complained, "Master, your words are too harsh. If you had said something nice, we would have had enough food and tea and a good night. But now you are talking like this. How can we spend the night with a cold stove and no ashes?"

The Monkey King stepped forward and grabbed Bajie, saying with a smile, "Why are you blaming the Master? I think you have not yet gotten rid of your worldly desires and want to make a living here."

Wujing asked, "What does Lao Gou Dang say?"

The Monkey King laughed and said, "Brother Sha, you don't know that this fool was someone's son-in-law in Gao Laozhuang on Fuling Mountain a few years ago. I subdued him, and he was enlightened by the Bodhisattva and became my disciple. Now that he has seen wealth and honor, his worldly desires have arisen again, and he wants to be someone's son-in-law."

Bajie said, "Don't say that. I don't mean that at all."

The Monkey King said, "Master, I think this fool has the same intention. The old lady is angry because we are unwilling to stay. If anyone is willing to stay, she will definitely treat us with good tea and good food. It would be better for her to leave Bajie here."

Tang Seng clasped his hands in front of his chest and said, "You can decide for yourselves. I am determined to travel west and would rather die than follow my orders."

The traveler said, "When I caused a great disturbance in the Heavenly Palace, I was determined to travel west to practice cultivation, and I did not have such an intention."

Wujing said: "I have received the advice of the Immortal and the enlightenment of the Bodhisattva. I have accepted the precepts and am determined to go west. I dare not covet wealth and honor. I would rather die than go west. I have no regrets."

Bajie nodded in agreement and shouted, "Don't worry, don't worry. Let's take a long-term view."

The traveler said, "Don't say anything more. Just go."

Bajie said, "Brother Monkey, let's think about it. We can still endure without tea all night. But the horses have to carry people and walk. If they don't have enough food, they will definitely not have the strength. In this case, I, the old pig, will be kind and let the horses go."

Say it.

Bajie walked out.

Seeing him walking away, the Monkey King said with a smile, "Brother Sha, you stay here with the Master. I will go and see where this fool has gone."

Tang Seng said, "Wukong, don't tease him. Just wait and see where he goes to release his horses."

The traveler said, "That's good enough. That's good enough."

The traveler transformed himself into a dragonfly and flew out.

But Bajie, leading the horse, did not go to the meadow. Instead, he took a long detour and walked around until he came to the back door. He knocked on the door, and after a while, the woman came out.

The woman asked, "Young elder, where are you going?"

Without saying a word, Bajie loosened the reins, lifted his skirt, knelt on the ground, and shouted, "Mom!"

This is the result of Mu Mu's controlling mind.

……

Talk about the Three Stars Immortal Cave.

Jiang Yuan is teaching his disciple Zhenjian everything. He teaches many world statistics to Zhenjian at the same time.

However, Zhenjian had too much to learn and could not use it all at once, so Jiang Yuan had to slow down and let Zhenjian learn the full control of the fire. He watched the furnace from the side, waiting for the true yang energy to be sufficient so that he could prepare the elixir.

The Immortal is in charge of the Sanxing Immortal Cave, so no demons or evil spirits dare to invade. However, if there are ghosts and monsters, they will take a detour and never dare to approach.

One day, after watching the furnace, Jiang Yuan was cultivating his mind and temper. He never dared to slack off because of his growing magical powers. He thought that as a cultivator, the longer he practiced, the more he would be in awe. How could he dare to be arrogant in such a vast world?

Jiang Yuan was cultivating his mind and temper when he suddenly felt something in his heart and someone came towards him from outside the mansion.

The Immortal said, "Brother, please stay here for a while. There are guests outside the mansion. I will go to greet them."

Zhen Jian said: "Big Brother, now that the master is out, you and I are the only ones left in the mansion, but please be careful, don't do anything evil, be careful."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Don't worry, Junior Brother."

Say it.

He went outside the mansion and opened the middle door wide. He saw the immortal Zhen Yuanzi standing outside, followed by many Taoist children.

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Guangxin greets the Immortal."

The disciples behind the Great Immortal came forward to greet him and said, "We greet Senior Brother Guangxin."

The immortal stepped forward and helped Jiang Yuan up. After a closer look, he smiled and said, "What a good Guangxin! Your method is getting better day by day. There are not many people who can beat you now."

Jiang Yuan said: "I dare not accept this, my disciple's skills are still weak."

The immortal said: "Whether the Dharma is strong or weak, I can still see it. Where is your master Bodhi?"

Jiang Yuan said: "Great Immortal, my master said some time ago that Yuanshi Tianzun sent a letter to invite him to heaven to listen to the lecture on 'Huanyuan Daoguo', but he has gone now."

The immortal said: "Why doesn't this Bodhi wait for me? This is absurd!"

Jiang Yuan smiled, said nothing, and invited the immortal to come in and sit down.

The immortal said, "Forget it, forget it! I was going with him, but since Bodhi is not here, I will not go into the palace. Guangxin, I will leave Qingfeng Mingyue to guard the temple when I leave the mountain. I am afraid that Qingfeng Mingyue will be lost. If he is lost, I will ask you for help with a flying bird. If a flying bird really comes, you should help him."

Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "The disciples of the great immortal and my master are as close as one family. If there is a letter from a flying bird, I have the Qingyun method, which can fly 240,000 miles and arrive in an instant to protect the Wuzhuang Temple."

The immortal smiled and said, "Thank you, Guangxin! Thank you, Guangxin!"

Jiang Yuan looked at the disciples behind the Great Immortal and asked, "Great Immortal, why can't I see the two junior brothers who used to guard Wuzhuang Temple with me?"

The immortal said, "Those two disciples are indeed as you said in the past, they have a sincere heart, and they have surpassed us later. Now they have already left the sect and established their own cave."

Jiang Yuan said: "It is like this, but I haven't congratulated my two junior brothers yet."

The Immortal smiled and said, "Those two disciples, before they left home, often talked about you. If we have the chance, we will definitely meet again in the future."

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "What the Immortal said is very true."

The immortal said, "Now that Bodhi is not here, I do not want to stay here for long, so I will leave first."

Jiang Yuan bowed and saw him off with full courtesy.

The immortal then entrusted his disciples to the heaven on auspicious clouds.

Jiang Yuan watched him leave. After he was far away, he returned to the cave, closed the door, and went back to the alchemy room.

After entering the alchemy room, Zhen Jian asked if there was any major problem in the mansion.

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "It was the Immortal who came and wanted to see Master. Master was not here, so he left."

Zhenjian said: "It is like this."

Jiang Yuan pointed to the alchemy furnace and asked, "Junior brother, is there anything you still don't understand about refining the external elixir?"

Zhenjian pondered for a long time and said, "But I don't understand a little bit."

Jiang Yuan asked, "Brother, tell me what you don't understand, the temperature or the herbs?"

Zhenjian replied, "No, no! Big Brother, what I don't understand is how to prepare the golden elixir."

Jiang Yuan asked, "What do you mean?"

Zhen Jian said: "Big Brother, I have seen the preparation of golden elixir. The medicinal materials are hard to find and the temperature is also difficult to understand. However, if someone studies it carefully, he should be able to understand it. Why is the external alchemy so difficult?"

Jiang Yuan said with a smile: "Junior brother, you underestimate the external elixir."

Zhen Jian said: "Big Brother, what's the matter?"

Jiang Yuan said: "You have me to explain it to you, so it is not difficult. My method is passed down by Master and Laojun respectively. They are both supreme true methods. You will find it very easy after I teach you. If ordinary people practice external elixirs, they will refine poison elixirs more often." Zhen Jian bowed and said: "Thank you for your instruction."

Jiang Yuan said: "Whether it is external or internal elixir, there are three important steps: the cauldron, the medicinal materials, and the temperature. If the internal elixir fails, it means death. If the external elixir fails, it will be a poisonous elixir. There are three reasons for the failure of the external elixir."

Zhen Jian said: "Big Brother, what are these three?"

Jiang Yuan said: "First, the size of the cauldron is wrong. Different elixirs have different effects, and the size of the cauldron is subdivided. Second, the authenticity of the medicinal materials is not distinguished. The medicinal materials used in alchemy have different weights, and neither can be missing. Third, the temperature is unclear. The temperature is a secret and cannot be passed on."

Zhenjian suddenly understood and said, "I am ignorant. It is very easy to explain this truth. Thank you, senior brother, for clearing up my confusion."

……

When the pilgrims entered the house, the woman wanted to marry them, but they refused. Only Bajie called his mother and wanted to go into the mountains to enjoy wealth and luxury.

When Tang Seng and his companions found out, they felt helpless.

Tang Seng said: "Since Bajie has no intention of traveling west, let him stay here as a son-in-law. Then we should make things clear. Call Bajie and explain everything clearly."

Just as Monkey was about to shout, he saw Bajie coming back.

Tang Seng told all the things.

Bajie knew that Bimawen had some abilities, so he listened to the story and kept his head down without saying anything.

Tang Monk asked: "Bajie, are you really going to return to secular life?"

The traveler laughed and said, "This fellow is lazy by nature. It's just right that he has gone. We can walk faster."

Bajie was about to say something.

But the woman was seen leading her three daughters out. Each of the three daughters had beautiful eyebrows, rosy cheeks, enchanting beauty, and graceful figures that moved the heart of a woman. It was hard for a mother to resist them.

Among the group of people seeking the scriptures, Tang Monk has a firm mind of Buddhism, Xingzhe and Wujing practice the Tao, and Mu Mu is never disturbed.

How could Bajie know whether it was a blessing or a curse? He stepped forward and said, "Mother, how did you get out? Please make the fairies leave quickly."

The Monkey King laughed and said, "Master, look, this fool has already called out 'mother'. He must be going back to secular life."

Tang Seng remained silent.

The woman said, "Four elders, I was hurt by your words earlier. Now that I am calmer, have you decided whether you want to stay and enjoy the wealth and honor that is worthy of my daughter?"

Wujing was so disappointed that he pointed at Bajie and said, "We can't keep him here, so we can only keep the one named Zhu here to be a match for your daughter."

Bajie said, "We will discuss this further and make a long-term plan."

The Monkey King said, "What is the plan? You have already called me 'mother'. What is the plan? In this way, the master will be the male in-law, the old lady will be the female in-law, I will be the matchmaker, and Junior Brother Sha will be the matchmaker. Let's make this happen today. Bajie, you bid farewell to the master and go to be a son-in-law."

Bajie smiled happily, but he pretended to wave his hands and said, "No, no."

The traveler said, "Why not? Old lady, take this fool away quickly and bring us some tea and food. We will have a feast."

Say it.

The Monkey King pushed Bajie in front of the woman. Bajie hesitated and called her "Mom" softly.

The Monkey King covered his mouth and laughed, then walked out and came to the side of Tang Seng.

The woman said nothing more. She told the servants to serve tea and food to the group, and then led Bajie inside.

The woman walked to a room, sat on it, asked the three girls to go down, and said, "Young elder, do you really want to be my son-in-law?"

Bajie said, "Mother, I am willing to do so."

The woman smiled and said, "In that case, you can worship me."

Bajie was indeed a fool, not knowing the true count, and he really bowed down. After he finished bowing, Bajie had doubts in his heart and asked, "Mother, are you going to marry that fairy to me?"

The woman said, "I also have some doubts. All three girls are ready to be married. If I give that one to you, the other two will definitely blame me. I don't know what to do."

Bajie smiled and said, "That's easy, mother, just marry all three girls to me."

The woman angrily said, "How can this be possible? How can you be so greedy?"

Bajie said, "Mother, you don't know that man doesn't have three wives and four concubines. I have a way to fight him. Not to mention the three women, mother, you can also take me."

The woman said, "I am old, and it is not good to do this. Since I don't know, it is better to find a marriage according to heaven. Let my three daughters come through, and you can find the one you meet, and I will give her to you."

Bajie was overjoyed, thinking to himself, "My hands are big, I can knock all three of them together, very beautiful, very beautiful!"

The woman said, "Here is the handkerchief. Put it over your eyes."

Bajie simply took the handkerchief without even looking at it, and put it on his head, saying, "Mother, please let the fairies come out."

The woman pretended to shout.

Bajie only heard the sound of rings and bracelets, as if there was a figure walking around. The fool rushed forward in a hurry, stumbling and bumping into things, but he didn't bump into anyone.

After a long time, Bajie was too exhausted to do so. He sat on the ground, took off his handkerchief, and said, "Mom, don't hit me, don't hit me! Your daughter is so slippery."

The woman said, "If that's the case, then maybe you are not meant to be with my three daughters. Why don't you go and learn from the elder?"

Bajie said, "Mother, since they have no fate with me, why don't you recruit me?"

The woman said, "Good son-in-law! You have no respect for your elders and are trying to please your mother-in-law. Each of my three daughters has a pearl-embroidered blouse. The one you are wearing will be given to you."

Bajie smiled and said, "Mom, I can wear all three."

The woman took something out and handed it to Bajie.

Without saying a word, Bajie took off his blue brocade robe and put on his clothes. When he was about to tie the belt, he suddenly saw several belts tightening the fool tightly, preventing him from breaking free. The fool was in unbearable pain and shouted loudly. He opened his eyes and saw a figure in front of him. He also saw a huge force rising up and hanging him on the tree.

……

There was no conversation all night and before dawn came.

The pilgrims woke up, only to find that all the houses were gone. They were resting under a pine tree, with their white horse and luggage beside them. Tang Monk was frightened and called out for Monkey King and Sha Monk.

Sun Xingzhe smiled and said, "Master, Junior Brother Sha, don't worry, don't worry!"

Sha Monk asked: "Big Brother, what kind of gods and ghosts have we encountered?"

Sun Xingzhe chuckled and said, "What we encountered yesterday was a Bodhisattva, who appeared there to test us. I think he left in the middle of the night, which made Bajie suffer. I wanted to explain it to you, but the Bodhisattva made me speechless, so I just pretended I didn't know."

Upon hearing this, Tang Monk clasped his hands and bowed his head to express his gratitude to the Bodhisattva for providing him with tea and food.

Sandy pointed to a place and said, "Master, there is a note there. I'll take it out and show it to you."

Sha Seng took it and showed it to Tang Seng. He saw only a few sentences written on it, which were an admonition to Bajie to calm his mind.

Then I heard Bajie calling out from within the forest.

Tang Seng couldn't bear it any longer, so he asked Bajie to carry the burden and rescue him, and then he went west to obtain the scriptures.

We have just entered Xiniuhe Island for a long time and are now close to Wanshou Mountain.

(End of this chapter)