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

Chapter 252: When the Five Thunder Method is passed on, the Green Bull is making trouble
Time flies, and before I knew it, more than two years have passed.

After Jiang Yuan taught Zuo Liang the Dao, he practiced meditation in his room, cultivating his nature and practicing Taoism. Occasionally, he would give lectures and teach his three disciples.

One day, Jiang Yuan felt something in his heart and knew that his three disciples were giving a lecture. The immortal wanted to hear how his disciples were practicing, so he listened attentively. He had supernatural powers and could hear the conversations of the disciples in the mansion.

It is said that what the Immortal felt was indeed correct. On this day, winter was gone and spring was coming. Three of the Immortal's disciples, Chongyang, Zuo Liang and Red Boy, had a lecture under the old cypress tree in the mansion.

In terms of seniority, Chongyang sat at the first seat, Zuoliang sat at the second, and Red Boy sat at the back.

Chongyang said, "My two junior brothers, I have heard from my uncle that he and his generation often held talks here. Since it is common for my uncle and his generation, we cannot abandon it. We can actually come here to talk and exchange ideas."

Zuo Liang replied, "What you said makes sense, Senior Brother. That's what we should do."

Red Boy said with a smile: "Big Brother, Second Brother. Master has taught you the secrets, but I don't know how you are practicing. Can you teach me?"

Chongyang heard this and shook his head, saying, "I am dull and stupid. Although my master taught me the way, I have never succeeded in my practice. I feel ashamed of my master."

Red Boy said, "I once heard from my uncle that my eldest brother is practicing the Golden Elixir Path. This path is very difficult, so it is difficult to succeed. This is a common thing."

Say it.

Red Boy looked at Zuo Liang and said, "I don't know what kind of art Second Senior Brother is practicing."

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "What I practice is a side art, so it's called the art of magic."

Chongyang heard this and asked, "I have heard of the way of Shuzimen a long time ago. There is a way of this sect that can be used to ask the immortals to help. Junior brother, is it really useful?"

Zuo Liang said: "It does have some uses. Besides, it can also bring good luck and avoid disaster."

Red Boy asked, "Second Brother, have you succeeded in your cultivation?"

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "I have made some progress, but I dare not say that I have accomplished it."

Red Boy said happily: "Second Senior Brother is so amazing, he has already achieved success, but I wonder what he has achieved?"

Zuo Liang said: "If you know some divination, you can use it to avoid disaster and seek good fortune."

Red Boy smiled and said, "Second Senior Brother, could you please watch it with me and teach me a thing or two about divination?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "Brother, you can't do this. The method is not to show off. If it is not necessary, it should not be used. And brother, if you need divination, tell me. I don't need divination, and I can solve your worries."

Red Boy said, "Second Brother, I am not worried, but I want to see the art of divination."

Zuo Liang smiled and asked, "What do you want to divine?"

Red Boy pointed at the old cypress tree behind him and said, "Second Brother, can you tell the age of this old cypress tree?"

Zuo Liang said, "More than a thousand years."

Red Boy was surprised and said, "How could Second Senior Brother say that so easily? Could it be that his divination skills are so amazing?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "There is no need for divination. I have heard from my uncle and others that my master is the earliest disciple to follow my master. It is said that when this cave was not built in the past, my master practiced beside my master, and later came to Lingtai Fangcun Mountain and built a cave. It was still the Zhou Dynasty at that time. Most of the scenery in the cave was arranged by my master. The Zhou Dynasty was more than a thousand years ago, so this tree is more than a thousand or two thousand years old."

Red Boy bowed and said, "Second Brother, wisdom!"

The three of them were happy to talk.

In the quiet room, the Immortal heard what happened and secretly admired the three people. He also lamented that Zuo Liang had an excellent character. He was afraid that Zuo Liang would learn the tricks and show off like his fellow apprentices in the past.

I never thought that Zuo Liang had mastered all the skills, but he never deliberately taught others what he knew. He also understood the principle of "not showing off the skills", and had some understanding.

While the immortal was thinking, he suddenly heard a voice in his ears. It was the master calling him.

The immortal then stood up and walked to the ancestor’s quiet room.

The master was sitting cross-legged on a cushion in the room. When he saw the immortal coming, he pointed at the cushion and told the immortal to sit down.

The real person bowed and took his seat.

The ancestor said, "Tong'er, do you know what your disciples would talk about in this mansion?"

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Master, I know it myself."

The master smiled and said, "Your disciple Zhengyuan has a good character. I see that he has some knowledge of divination, but he never shows off. He is a cultivator."

Jiang Yuan replied, "Master, Zheng Yuan has been walking with me in the world for many years at the age of sixty. He has seen the world for a long time and has a very good character. I know that he has never shown off and has practiced hard, so I am happy for him."

The ancestor said: "You, my disciple, were born at the wrong time. If it weren't for the origin, you would have had a chance of achieving enlightenment by practicing the golden elixir path, but now it is not possible."

Jiang Yuan said: "It is said that 'good and bad are interdependent'. Although Zheng Yuan cannot obtain the golden elixir, he has practiced in his sixties and has achieved twice the result with half the effort."

The master smiled and nodded, thinking that what the boy said made sense. He said, "Boy, he has the aspirations. You can teach him the Five Thunders True Method and teach him to practice well so that he can achieve the true fruit as soon as possible. From what I have seen of his practice, he will definitely achieve the true fruit at this rate."

Jiang Yuan said: "Master, I have never learned the Five Thunder Method."

The master said, "I will teach you this method. This method has the power to control the spirit and call the wind and rain. It is no problem. But it is somewhat useless to you, so I have never taught it to you. Now that you want to teach it to your disciples, I will tell you this method."

Jiang Yuan responded and listened attentively.

The founder then told the Immortal the use of the Five Thunders Method.

The Immortal now has profound magical powers. It is the case that 'when one orifice is clear, all orifices are clear; when one method is understood, all methods are understood'. He learned all the Five Thunder Methods in a short while.

When the master saw that the real person had completed all the exercises, he smiled and said, "This method is not difficult. You can now teach it to your disciples."

Jiang Yuan nodded and thanked the master again and again for his kindness. This method was really as the master said. For him, it was not difficult at all, and it was even very simple.

The Five Thunder Method is mostly used in calling for wind and rain, which is the way of the art. With the Five Thunder Method, one can pray to the immortals and gods to call for wind and thunder, pray for rain, and send down the land and mountain gods to move mountains and suppress evil.

This is useless to him, as he has supernatural powers and does not need the Five Thunder Technique.

The Patriarch saw that the True Man had learned everything, so he said, "Boy, since you have learned everything, go and teach me."

Jiang Yuan said: "Yes, Master."

Just as the immortal was about to get up and leave, the master suddenly spoke.

"Boy, you go out here and teach that blue ox to be quiet and stop making trouble. Talk to him. If he makes trouble again, send him back to Tushita Palace."

When Jiang Yuan heard what the master said, he knew that Qingniu must have done something in the mountains. Otherwise, the master would not have said it like this.

The Immortal bowed and said, "Master, I will go find the Si King now."

Say it.

The Immortal left the quiet room. He did not return to his residence to practice, but went straight out of the mansion. He passed by the old cypress tree in the mansion, but saw his three disciples still talking, so he walked up to them.

The three disciples were shocked when they saw the real person, and hurried forward to pay their respects, saying, "We are here to see the master."

Jiang Yuan said, "You don't have to be so polite. Stand up." The three disciples all stood up. Chongyang stepped forward and said, "Master, we are here to talk about some methods of cultivation. Have we disturbed you? If so, please forgive us."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "You haven't disturbed me. It's a good thing that you can talk, but you must not forget your original intention, don't create gaps, don't compare, and don't show off. Talking can help you practice. You can talk here. I have something important to do outside the mansion."

The three disciples bowed again and respectfully saw the immortal out of the palace.

Jiang Yuan smiled and waved his hand, then walked out of the mansion.

After a while, the immortal walked outside the mansion, but saw Bull Demon King and Sun Wukong competing in martial arts. The immortal was not among them, and must be meditating in the mansion.

Jiang Yuan stopped and watched the fight between Bull Demon King and Sun Wukong. One of them held the golden hoop and the other swung a mixed iron stick. The two sticks shook the sky and the earth, the sun and the moon were dimmed. The immortal saw it and marveled at the two men's superb martial arts.

But the Immortal could see that the Bull Demon King was no match for Sun Wukong. After fighting for more than twenty rounds, the Bull Demon King was at a disadvantage and the two stopped fighting. It was during their conversation that the Immortal walked forward.

When Sun Wukong and Bull Demon King saw the real person coming, they immediately bowed and said, "Big Brother."

Jiang Yuan said with a smile: "Why do I often see you two practicing martial arts, but not you quietly cultivating your character?"

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said with a smile: "Big Brother, we rarely compete in martial arts. We mostly practice in the mansion. Big Brother is so absorbed in practice that he forgets about time, so he may not know."

Jiang Yuan said: "If that's the case, then I misunderstood you."

The Bull Demon King came forward and asked, "Master, are you leaving the palace and going down the mountain now? If you are going down the mountain, I will follow you, Master, the guardian."

Sun Wukong said: "Big Brother, I can also protect you and prevent you from being offended by demons."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and smiled, "I haven't been out, but I've been looking for King Si. I wonder where he is now?"

The Bull Demon King said, "Master, we didn't know that I had been away from home for a year and only came back to the mansion this year."

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "Big Brother, I don't know either. I've been practicing in the palace. I'm just competing with you here now, but I heard that the green bull is playing with those spirit beasts in the mountains."

Jiang Yuan said: "We will go to look for King Si."

Sun Wukong and Bull Demon King immediately stood up and went with the immortal to look for the green bull.

Jiang Yuan responded with a smile, and the three of them walked towards the forest. They walked in the woods, enjoying the scenery, feeling so leisurely.

When they reached a place, Sun Wukong stopped and pointed to an empty space in the mountains. He said, "Big Brother, that was where the Zuo family lived in the past, but it is now deserted."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, “The Zuo family is not here today, but the descendants of the Zuo family have entered the mansion to practice.”

Sun Wukong turned around and looked towards the Three Stars Immortal Cave, and said, "Big Brother, is our residence two miles away from here?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "More than one mile, less than two miles."

Sun Wukong seemed to sigh and said, "Big Brother, this is more than a mile. The Zuo family has walked for a thousand years."

Jiang Yuan said: "But Zuo Liang has already arrived. He has practiced very well. It won't take long for him to achieve the true fruit of the side door."

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "I will never forget the kindness of Zuo Liang in the past. When Zuo Liang has achieved success in his training, I will definitely congratulate him."

Jiang Yuan smiled and nodded.

The three men did not stop and walked forward. After walking for a long time, they still could not see the blue ox.

Jiang Yuan then ordered Sun Wukong to ride a cloud to look around.

Sun Wukong took the order and left.

Jiang Yuan and Bull Demon King were waiting there.

Seeing Bull Demon King swinging a mixed iron stick, acting like a guard, Jiang Yuan said, "Niu'er, there's no need to be like this. We are in Fangcun Mountain, so there won't be any evil spirits coming to attack us. Just be at ease."

The Bull Demon King said: "Master, there is a saying that goes 'better safe than sorry', so it is better to be careful."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "This is Fangcun Mountain. My master is here, and I am here too. It is so majestic, how could any evil spirit come here?"

The Bull Demon King shook his head and said, "That's not what I meant, Master. This is what you taught me. Be careful in what you say and do, so be careful wherever you go. I am your guardian, and I dare not forget my duty."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan immediately praised Bull Demon King for his progress in practice.

The Bull Demon King said, "Master, although I have made some progress in my practice, my brother's practice is much faster than mine."

Jiang Yuan said: "Don't compare yourself with Wukong, but my progress is not as fast as his. Wukong is the creator of heaven and earth, and he is different from us."

The Bull Demon King nodded and said, "Master, I know it."

The two were talking in the woods.

It won't take long.

Sun Wukong came back again and said, "Big Brother, I found the Green Ox."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan immediately asked, "Is King Si still in the mountain?"

Sun Wukong stepped forward and held the immortal with his hand, saying, "Big Brother, the green bull is in the mountain, but he is a little restless."

Jiang Yuan asked, "Wukong, tell me now."

Sun Wukong said, "Brother, the Green Bull is in the south of the mountain, a little far away, so we can't find him. The Green Bull has opened a cave in the south of the mountain for him to live in."

Jiang Yuan didn't understand what he meant. If he had opened a cave, how could the master tell Qingniu not to make trouble? The immortal asked again, "Wukong, you said he was restless, but he opened a cave? If he opened a cave, it's not enough to say he was restless."

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "That Green Bull gathered all the beasts and birds in the mountains together, and called himself the Si King. He had fun in the mountains, and gave titles to the magical beasts like the black ape and the golden lion. Some acted as vanguards, and some patrolled the mountains. Each had his own duties, and he was called the Mountain King."

Jiang Yuan asked: "Is that it?"

Sun Wukong said: "Big Brother, I will ask those spirit beasts again, and they will tell me that the Green Oxen often takes the spirit beasts in the mountains out and walks around with great momentum, intending to gather the demons in the mountains and strengthen their military power."

When Jiang Yuan heard this, he felt helpless. How could he know that Qingniu was doing these things in the mountains?

Opening up caves in the mountains, gathering spiritual beasts, and even recruiting soldiers and horses, this is to make Fangcun Mountain a mess and fill it with foul smells. The ancestor's words "nonsense" actually mean this.

Jiang Yuan said, "Let's go find King Si and persuade him. How can we allow King Si to act so recklessly in this mountain?"

Sun Wukong drew out his golden cudgel and said, "Big Brother, that green bull took advantage of your good manners and just now acted so restless. I will give him two blows with my cudgel to make him behave himself."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "Let's go ask him why he did this."

Sun Wukong looked at the Bull Demon King and said, "It's hard to say whether it's a comparison with my brother. The Green Bull often said that my brother has more than ten thousand soldiers and horses, but he has none."

The Bull Demon King said: "I have more than ten thousand soldiers and horses, all of whom are kind-hearted people. I use them to restrain their hearts. How can a green bull compare to them?"

Jiang Yuan listened to the two people talking without saying anything else. He stood up and walked towards the south side of Fangcun Mountain.

(End of this chapter)