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

Chapter 219 I am afraid that my ancestors will not forgive me after my death

But when the scholar saw the group of immortals, he ran over quickly and joined them.

The scholar came forward to pay his respects and said, "Sir, please wait a moment, wait a moment!"

The immortals waited for his arrival and waited for him to come to them.

The Bull Demon King stepped forward and asked, "Why are you blocking my way, scholar?"

The scholar stepped forward and was about to pay his respects, but suddenly he saw the appearance of the Bull Demon King and Sun Wukong, and was frightened. He staggered and fell, crying out in surprise, "Monster, monster!"

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "How can you judge a person by his appearance, scholar? We are foreigners who came to the East to practice cultivation. We are not monsters."

The Bull Demon King laughed and said, "It is just as my dear brother said. You don't know the true number. Although we are ugly, we are kind in heart."

After hearing this, the scholar calmed down for a long while and bowed, saying, "It is my fault, it is my fault."

The immortal came forward on a deer and said, "Why are you blocking our way?"

The scholar said, "Sir, I saw you at Liu He's house a few months ago. I went to borrow rice at that time. I wonder if you still remember me?"

The real person nodded and said, "Of course I remember you."

The scholar said, "Sir, I am meeting you today because I have to go out, but I am afraid it is not appropriate to travel alone. If I meet a strong man who cuts off the road along the way, I am afraid I will suffer. I don't know where you are going. If it is convenient, we can go together. There is a saying that 'two fists cannot beat four hands'. If we go together, the strong man will not dare to stop us."

The Immortal said, "We are walking around without a purpose, going east, west, north, or south, with no clear whereabouts. Where are you going?"

The scholar replied, "I am going to the capital."

The Immortal said, "We don't know where we are going, but if you are willing to follow us, then follow us. After walking for some time, if we meet some travelers going to the capital, you can go over and join us."

The scholar said happily, "As you say, sir. As you say. That's it."

The scholar was overjoyed. He packed his luggage and joined the real people's team.

The Bull Demon King said, "Tell me your name."

The scholar bowed and said, "My surname is Liu, and my name is Yanchang."

The Bull Demon King laughed and said, "Liu Yanchang? Why are you going to the capital? Why are you traveling alone?"

Liu Yanchang replied, "I am going to take the imperial examination. I was originally traveling with Brother Liu He. We had agreed to meet for a long time. But recently, for some reason, Brother Liu He gave up his fame and said that he wanted to re-read the classics. He also said that he had gone in the wrong direction in his studies and wanted to start over. My persuasion was in vain, so I had to leave alone and go to the capital to take the imperial examination."

The Bull Demon King laughed and said, "He has read and understood everything."

Liu Yanchang was confused and asked, "How can you say that he understands what he studies? He has given up fame and fortune and wasted his time, but he is a bit hysterical. It is hard to say that he understands it."

Sun Wukong covered his mouth and laughed secretly, saying: "Hysteria? If you say it is hysteria, then it is hysteria."

Liu Yanchang felt strange and wanted to talk to Sun Wukong again, but Sun Wukong didn't say much to him and walked forward with a smile.

Jiang Yuan turned his head and said, "Just move forward and don't say anything more."

Liu Yanchang had no choice but to give up and followed the team, walking forward together. He didn't know if it was an illusion, but following behind Jiang Yuan Bailu, he felt at ease and not panicked at all.

Liu Yanchang thought to himself, "This gentleman, could it be that he really has some tricks? No, no! As the saying goes, 'A gentleman does not speak of strange things, supernatural powers, or the gods', how could I have such an idea?"

He shook his head to dispel the thought, and seeing that Zuo Liang was old, he asked, "Old man, how come you are so old and still walking here?"

Zuo Liang turned around and said with a smile: "I am old? Don't brag and make your tongue slip."

Liu Yanchang felt strange and said, "I think the old man is probably in his sixties or seventies this year. At this age, he should be living at home and enjoying his retirement."

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "Live at home and wait for death?"

Liu Yanchang was speechless, not knowing what to say. He pondered for a long time and said, "Everyone has to die, so isn't it better to live a long life without suffering?"

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "You have never practiced cultivation, so you say that everyone must die. But it is different for me. I have the predestined method to practice cultivation. If I do not practice cultivation, but listen to your words and wait for death, I am afraid that after I die, my ancestors will not forgive me and will not be able to face me."

Liu Yanchang said: "I don't talk about strange things, supernatural powers, and gods. You talk about cultivation, but it's of no use."

Zuo Liang shook his head and said nothing.

Liu Yanchang asked, "Why doesn't the old man speak?"

Zuo Liang said, "I have nothing to say to you."

Liu Yanchang asked, "Why?" Zuo Liang said, "There is a saying that 'If you are on different paths, you cannot make plans together'. This is the same for you and me. You are like a frog in a well. How can you know what I am thinking?"

When Liu Yanchang heard Zuo Liang's words, he thought that the other party was old and confused, so he did not say anything. If he talked too much with Zuo Liang, he was afraid that he would get angry and hurt his body.

He thought to himself, "If one does not read the books of the sages, he will be easily deceived by heretical doctrines."

……

The story is about Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, in the Sanxing Cave with the slanting moon.

After leaving the mountain, Laojun did not return to the heaven, but took a detour to the Sanxing Immortal Cave.

Patriarch Bodhi knew that Laojun was coming, and went out to greet him.

When the two of them reached the pavilion in the mansion, the ancestor smiled and asked, "Old Lord, it's been a long time since we last met. Why are you here today?"

Laojun said: "There is a predestined relationship, so I came down to the world, thinking about the world, and came to see you."

The master said: "There are many people who have a predestined relationship with you, but there are no more people who have a predestined relationship with me in the world of Jambu, and I am no longer in Kaifu."

Laojun was somewhat envious and said, "You have Guangxin inheriting your legacy, so why do you need to open another temple? Just teach Guangxin to open a temple. Your disciple is really amazing. Now that I have descended to the mortal world, he has helped me achieve great success."

The ancestor asked, "Old Master, have you met my disciple?"

Laojun nodded and said, "I saw him in a mountain in the world of Jambu. I asked him to save a disciple for me. He has great magical power now and knows many numbers of heaven and earth. If this catastrophe does not come, he will be able to obtain great magical power."

The master said, "Your compliment is too much, Laojun. My disciple does not deserve such words."

Laojun said, "You, Bodhi, stop being so modest and showy. If you continue to be like this, I will definitely compete with you to see who is better."

When the master heard this, he smiled and shook his head, and then said: "You should not tell Guangxin about such words, for fear that they will affect his Taoism."

Laojun stroked his beard and said, "You are late. I have already told Guangxin about this. Bodhi, you are worrying too much. Guangxin is no longer the Taoist boy who followed you in the past. Now, Guangxin is famous among the practitioners in the three realms."

The master hesitated for a moment and said, "It is my fault."

Laojun designated the ancestor and said with a smile: "You are happy to regard Guangxin as a Taoist child in the past."

The ancestor said: "My disciple's Tao heart is really amazing. He has practiced for more than a thousand years. Even if he is a god in heaven or a lotus pedestal on Mount Lingshan, his heart cannot be shaken."

Laojun said: "If Guangxin practices like this now, after this calamity is over, he will surely become a person with great magical power. At that time, the one who created the world may be Guangxin."

The master said, "Please don't say such words. It's a bit too much. My disciple can't stand your words."

Upon hearing this, Laojun smiled but said nothing more. He turned to discuss the Dao with the master.

……

The immortals and their companions walked on the mountain path, and before they knew it, two or three hours had passed, and it was already midnight.

Liu Yanchang could not walk, his legs felt weak and powerless, so he stepped forward and shouted, "Sir, I can't walk, I can't walk! Can you find a place to rest and walk again tomorrow?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan stopped the white deer and looked at Liu Yanchang.

The Bull Demon King said, "How come you can't move after only two or three hours?"

Zuo Liang joked, "You said I was old before, but why do you say I can't walk now when I'm walking like this? I haven't even said I'm tired."

Seeing Zuo Liang's energetic appearance, Liu Yanchang felt ashamed and annoyed, but he said, "It is getting late today and it is not convenient to walk. We should find a place to rest and continue our journey tomorrow."

The Bull Demon King said: "It is late, but we all have the ability. It is not a problem as long as you can walk."

Liu Yanchang wanted to say something more.

Jiang Yuan suddenly spoke up and said, "There is a temple ahead. Let's go ahead and then go over the hill."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yanchang bowed to Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan smiled and shook his head.

The group moved forward again, heading into the mountain.

(End of this chapter)