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

Chapter 142: Confused Ghost, the Journey to the Golden Dou Mountain
Time flies, and before I knew it, half a year had passed.

The Sanxing Immortal Cave is peaceful and quiet, never disturbed.

Since Red Boy came back, Jiang Yuan never let him go out, but only let him stay in the mansion to teach him to cultivate his character and practice Taoism. Sanxing Immortal Cave has always been quiet, but with the return of Red Boy, it has become a little noisy, adding a little more liveliness and popularity, which is the icing on the cake.

One day.

Jiang Yuan was on the Yaotai, calling for Chongyang to take a seat in the class. He sat on the platform, holding a ruler in his hand and wearing a purple robe. He asked, "Chongyang, I heard what Zhenjian said. You have doubts in your studies recently. Is that true?"

Chongyang bowed and said, "I don't understand."

Jiang Yuan said: "If that's the case, why don't you come find me?"

Chongyang said: "I am grateful to Master for saving me from the sea of ​​suffering. I know that Master likes quietness, so I dare not nag Master and disturb his practice."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Since you have entered my school, I will certainly answer your questions. If you have any questions, you can come to me."

Chongyang bowed and said, "Disciple thanks Master."

Jiang Yuan said: "There's no need to be like this. Tell me what you don't understand."

Chongyang said: "Master, I have recently read a book on the Way of Heaven. This book was written by you. I am very happy with what is said in the book, so I read it often. However, I am not well educated and do not understand what is said in the book."

Jiang Yuan said: "I have written many books, including three volumes of Daoist books. Which volume are you talking about?"

Chongyang said: "It is a volume of golden elixir."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan knew which book Chongyang was talking about. When he became enlightened in the past, he had compiled a book of his insights into the practice of alchemy and placed it in the library. However, the book was inconspicuous, the content was obscure and difficult to understand, and the two gods were in conflict, so people would discard it as soon as they read it.

I never thought that Chongyang would get the chance to read the book.

Jiang Yuan smiled and asked, "What do you feel after reading this book?"

Chongyang said: "It is obscure and difficult to understand, and the true meaning is unclear."

Jiang Yuan asked, "Did you feel troubled when reading this book?"

Chongyang said: "There is some disturbance."

Jiang Yuan heard again: "What do you mean?"

Chongyang said: "Master, when I hold this book, my mind is always in turmoil, as if there is a demon haunting me, and I cannot find peace."

Jiang Yuan smiled and asked, "What did you do?"

Chongyang said: "I ignored him and told him to concentrate on reading. However, I didn't understand the true meaning. I just felt that the words in the book made me feel close to them and I liked them very much. I was happy even though I didn't understand them."

Hearing this, Jiang Yuan thought to himself, "This disciple was once the crown prince of Baoliang State. He suffered a great disaster, but his heart died and his Tao was reborn. His soul is clear. He is now seeing the right way, which is due to his soul's guidance. Therefore, he feels very close to this book. Moreover, Chongyang also has the merit of suppressing the two spirits, so he is now a practitioner of the right way."

He then said, "Chongyang, bring the book here and I will tell you about it."

Chongyang took the order and left. Not long after, he took out a book and placed it in front of Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan opened the book and used the words in the book, combined with his own practice, to teach Chongyang.

On Double Ninth Festival, wash your ears carefully and remember what the immortals say, not daring to make any mistakes.

Three or four hours passed in this way.

Jiang Yuan had just spoken a little bit. If he wanted to finish, it would take three or four days. He saw that Chongyang was tired and knew that he had memorized a lot. He needed to rest well and absorb it thoroughly before he could listen to the lecture.

The Immortal did not force him, so he asked Chongyang to take the book back and rest, and he would tell him again another day.

Chongyang thanked the immortal for his kindness and left.

Jiang Yuan was just about to return to his room to meditate quietly when he reached the Yaotai trail when suddenly the master came to give him instructions.

"Boy, there is a confused ghost outside the door. Go and entertain him for a while, then make him leave."

After hearing the master's instructions, Jiang Yuan bowed to him from afar and then went out of the mansion. He didn't know why the master said "foolish ghost", so he just said he was going out of the mansion to have a look.

The Immortal left the house and opened the door.

But there was a man outside the mansion. Seeing the immortal's immortal demeanor, he panicked and said, "Immortal, disciple will take action."

Jiang Yuan looked around and saw that the man had a round head that reached up to the sky, square feet on the ground, a little spiritual light in his chest, and an echo when he spoke. He was a living person. If he was a ghost, there would be no echo when he spoke. How could this be a 'confused ghost'?

He asked, "Where are you from?"

The man said, "God, God! I came from overseas, and was ordered by the Emperor to come here. He said, 'I came from overseas,' so he sent me across the vast ocean to seek the immortals and ask for a magic medicine. Now I have finally reached the realm and seen the immortal. Please forgive my rudeness."

Jiang Yuan said: "Since you have received the emperor's order, please enter the palace."

Say it.

The immortal welcomed the man into his mansion. Along the way, the man looked around and exclaimed in amazement. It was the first time he entered this blessed land and got a glimpse of the immortal's residence.

The Immortal prepared a banquet on the terrace to entertain the man. When he sat down at the banquet, the Immortal asked, "May I know your name?"

The man hurriedly bowed and said, "God, my last name is Lin."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "You said you received an order from the emperor, but I wonder which emperor ordered you to come to my mountain?"

Lin Hanzi said, "I dare not lie, immortal, I am here on the orders of Emperor Che."

Jiang Yuan asked: "When will you come?"

Lin Hanzi replied, "On July 20th of the third year of Tianhan, the emperor toured the East China Sea. He felt physically and mentally exhausted and growing older. He had heard that 'there is an immortal grass on the sea, growing in the Qiong fields, called Yangshenzhi, its leaves are like cattails, it grows in clusters, and one plant can keep a thousand people alive.' Therefore, he sent us, a group of 108 people, to the vast ocean to seek the immortals and ask for a magic medicine that can make us immortal and make the country prosperous. Now we don't know whether we will live or die, but I have the blessing to see the immortals. I hope they will give me the elixir of immortality. I thank you again and again."

Say it.

Mr. Lin stood up and kowtowed countless times.

Jiang Yuan listened and asked, "Do you know what year it is here?"

Lin Hanzi said, "I left Tianhan three years ago. I don't know how long it has been. I have been traveling along the coast, picking fruits when I am thirsty and hunting when I am hungry. I think it has been ten years."

Jiang Yuan said: "Can't you coax me?"

Lin Hanzi was trembling with fear and said in panic: "I dare not deceive the gods. I hope the gods will understand."

Jiang Yuan pointed at Lin Hanzi and said, "You came from the Southern Continent and are now in the Western Continent. However, in the Southern Continent, it is already the Zhenguan period. From the third year of Tianhan to now, it has been six or seven hundred years. The current country is the Great Tang."

Hearing this, Lin Hanzi fell to the ground in shock, almost losing his soul. He trembled and said, "God, don't talk nonsense, don't talk nonsense. It's clearly three years in Tianhan, and it's only ten years since I left. How can it be six or seven hundred years? If it's like what the gods say, how can I live for six or seven hundred years?"

Jiang Yuan asked, "Did you meet anyone on the road? What did you eat?"

He saw a flash of inspiration in the man's chest, and thought that he had received guidance from an expert and that his life could be saved.

Lin Hanzi said, "I don't know where I am on the road. I ate a red fruit. After eating it, I felt light and refreshed. I also saw an old Taoist riding a green bull upside down. He taught me a scripture. I just read it to dispel fear when I am in a panic."

Jiang Yuan said: "That's right. Your life is saved, but you are a fool. You don't know how many years have passed. Six or seven hundred years have passed. The world has changed dynasties. The panacea you seek is useless. Leave early and find a safe place."

After hearing this, Lin Hanzi burst into tears and said sadly that he had failed the emperor's kindness. After a long time, he bid farewell to Jiang Yuan, left the cave and went out.

After Jiang Yuan saw him off, Fang returned to the master's quiet room and met with the master.

...in the quiet room.

The master sat cross-legged on a cushion.

Jiang Yuan came forward and bowed.

The master then asked the boy to sit on the cushion and said, "Boy, do you have any doubts here?"

Jiang Yuan asked, "Master, I am indeed confused. This confused person must have eaten the spiritual fruit by mistake, which increased his lifespan. Then he received the teachings from Laojun, and I don't know how he came to the Sanxing Immortal Cave."

The ancestor said, "My child, this is Laojun's intention to guide him here, so that you and I can solve his puzzles. This person was about to lose his identity in the past, and Laojun came down to earth to save him. However, after so many years, he still hasn't solved the mystery in the plate. Now that he has come here, his fate has been severed."

Jiang Yuan asked, "But was it the one Laojun brought his disciples to heaven to learn the complete external alchemy?"

The ancestor said, “That’s right.”

Jiang Yuan asked: "Master, if this is the case, then Laojun's power is useless?"

The master smiled and said, "My boy, the law of fate is not the work of one person. Laojun has already crossed over. This person cannot break the mystery in the plate, and the law of fate will naturally fall into vain. The law of fate of one person is like water without a source and a tree without roots. There is no way to get to the door."

Jiang Yuan was suddenly enlightened when he heard this and asked, "Master, this is also like the number of heaven and earth, the establishment of yin and yang, and all things are included in it."

The ancestor said, “Yes.”

Jiang Yuan said: "Master, maybe I know what the magical power of 'alchemy' is."

The ancestor shook his head and said, "It's good that you know it, it can't be expressed in words, don't let the six ears hear it, you know it but you haven't done it, just concentrate on learning the whole external alchemy, and when you have learned it all, we can talk about supernatural powers."

Jiang Yuan then bowed in submission.

The master said, "Laojun will come here in a few days to discuss the Dao with me. You will stay beside me and listen to him."

Jiang Yuan said: "Disciple thanks Master."

The master said, "No need to thank me, just go, go."

Jiang Yuan just left and returned to the quiet room to cultivate his nature and practice Taoism.

……

The story goes that after the difficulty at Mount Hao, the group of pilgrims on their journey to the west experienced several more difficulties. One was when they encountered a difficulty in the Black River, another was when they encountered three monsters in Chechi Country, and another was when they encountered a goldfish monster.

In such disasters, with the protection of Monkey King Sun, although there were setbacks, no one's life was harmed.

On this day, the group of pilgrims traveled westward. It was the middle of winter with a biting northerly wind.

This cold winter does not deter the pilgrims from their journey to the West.

The group traveled westward and stopped when they came across a high mountain. This mountain was the "Jindou Mountain".

Tang Monk was riding on a horse and looking into the distance, but he saw that the mountain was steep, with many strange rocks, a narrow road and high cliffs, making it a difficult place to travel.

The elder pointed to Shanzhong and said, "Wukong, you come."

The traveler came forward and asked, "Master, what do you mean?"

The elder said, "This mountain is dangerous. I am afraid that evil spirits may harm me. You must be careful, my disciple, and protect me as I go to the sacred mountain."

The Monkey King said, "Master, don't worry. There is a saying that 'a monk has no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind.' As long as you don't hear sounds, don't smell fragrances, don't taste flavors, don't feel cold or heat, and don't have any delusions, just listen to me, and I will ensure that you are not in danger of death. When you reach Lingshan, no matter how dangerous the mountains are, they will not be able to stop you."

Bajie came forward with his load on his shoulder and said, "Brother, you are here again. We are traveling west together. I don't see that I have made any progress, but you speak so clearly and logically, like a monk."

The Monkey King grabbed Bajie and said, "Master, don't listen to this fool anymore. He won't teach you how to lead the horse, and he won't listen to what he says."

Bajie shouted, "Brother, I am a believer."

The traveler smiled and said, "If you are a believer, there is no one in the world who is not a believer."

Bajie cursed Bimawen in his heart.

Tang Seng sighed, "My disciples, please stop arguing. It will take some time for us to come here. I really don't know when we can achieve success."

The traveler said, "Master, don't worry. I just know that you have realized your true nature and are sincere. Whenever you look back, you will find the sacred mountain."

Tang Seng clasped his hands and said, "I will teach you."

The group of people seeking scriptures went up the mountain, walking along the rugged mountain road, braving the snow and cold. Unknowingly, the sky was about to get dark. Tang Seng stopped and looked from afar, only to see a tall building and a few houses in front of him.

Tang Seng said, "My disciples, we have been walking on this mountain road all day without any rest or food, and it is very cold. There is a building ahead, why don't we go there to get some food and stay overnight before continuing on."

Bajie said, "Yes, brother, you don't know, my load is heavy and slippery, it's very tiring to walk on the mountain road."

Upon hearing this, the traveler used his "qi-gazing" skill and opened his eyes to look, but he saw that in the distance, there were ominous clouds and black air all around. This was definitely not a good place and there must be monsters in it.

The traveler said, "Master, that is not a good place to go. There must be monsters in it."

Tang Monk asked: "There are towers and houses there, with bright lights, how can it not be a good place to go?"

The Monkey King said, "Monsters are very good at changing their appearance. Some monsters like to pretend to be ferrymen, and transform themselves into a ferryboat, waiting for you to get in, and then eat you up in one gulp. Some monsters like to transform themselves into buildings and houses, waiting for travelers like you, Master, who can only go in but never out."

Tang Seng was frightened and said, "If that's the case, I won't go in. But I'm hungry, so I have to find a way."

Sun Xingzhe said, "Master, if you are hungry, please dismount. This place is flat. Sit here. I will go pick some fruit and beg for some vegetarian food for you."

Zhu Bajie put down his burden and said, "Brother, please give me some vegetarian food."

The traveler said, "Don't talk nonsense; you will have your own way."

Zhu Bajie smiled happily.

The Monkey King took out his alms bowl from his bag, pulled Sha Monk closer, and said, "Brother Sha, please watch carefully and do not go any further. There must be demons and monsters haunting the road ahead. If you go forward, you will be in trouble."

Sha Seng nodded deeply.

Just as the traveler was about to leave, he suddenly saw a black gas floating in front of him. He turned around and said, "Master, I know you are not very willing to sit still, so I have to leave. But I am afraid that if you go forward, you will be harmed by demons. So, I have recently realized some magical powers. I will draw a circle for you. Don't step out of the circle. No matter what tigers, leopards, jackals, demons, ghosts or monsters they are, they will not dare to harm you. I see that the black gas in front of you has changed. If you go out of the circle, you will be harmed. Remember, remember."

Tang Seng said, "Don't worry, Wukong."

The Monkey King drew out his golden hoop, chanted a spell, and drew a circle around Tang Monk, his two companions and their horse. He ordered Pigsy and Sha Seng to stand on both sides with swords in hand to intimidate the demons and monsters.

The traveler said, "Then I will leave."

Tang Monk said: "Go ahead, Wukong, and come back quickly after begging for food."

The Monkey King turned around to leave, feeling doubtful. He wanted to take the fool with him, but he was afraid that if he was left alone, Sha Seng would not be able to protect him.

The Monkey King thought to himself, "Forget it, forget it, forget it. If you don't listen, you deserve to be harmed. Just as my elder brother once told me, if you talk too much, you will be disliked. It's useless to say it. I'll teach others to remember the following clearly."

After thinking about it, he went out with the clouds and light all the way.

But how could the traveler know that there lived in the mountain a monster called 'Si King', who possessed extraordinary abilities.

(End of this chapter)