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

Chapter 281: Immortal Discusses the Golden Elixir, Lu Liang's Reincarnation
But in Taihe Palace, when the Immortal heard Emperor Xuan talking about the "Sea of ​​Bitterness", he pondered for a long time and said, "I am not as merciful as Emperor Xuan."

Emperor Xuan shook his head and said, "What do you mean, Immortal? In terms of magic power, it is hard to tell who is better between you and me. In terms of magical powers, you are probably better than me. In terms of martial arts, I am probably slightly better than you. As for the magic weapons, in terms of these, you and I are on par with each other. How can you say that you are not as merciful as me?"

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "I dare not hide it from Emperor Xuan. My compassion is indeed not as good as yours. For example, Emperor Xuan is thinking about how to save all the living beings in the world and get rid of the sea of ​​suffering, but I am not thinking about saving all the living beings in the world and getting rid of the sea of ​​suffering."

Emperor Xuan said, "I know the heart of the Immortal. What the Immortal values ​​is to teach people to save themselves. It is better to rely on oneself than on others. The Immortal allows them to learn the truth, but he wants them to save themselves from the sea of ​​suffering after learning it. This is a practical way. Although I feel sorry for him and want to save a group of people from the sea of ​​suffering, I know that this is an illusory act and it is difficult to succeed. The Immortal teaches them to save themselves, which can be done in an instant."

Jiang Yuan said: "But if Emperor Xuan succeeds, he will be much better than me."

Emperor Xuan laughed and said, "How can you say that, Immortal? This achievement is not something that can be accomplished easily. If it were something that could be accomplished easily, then the Venerable Sakyamuni in the West would have accomplished it long ago."

Jiang Yuan handed the black book back to Emperor Xuan and said, "Let's not talk about this for now. Emperor Xuan, do you still need my help in revising the law?"

Emperor Xuan smiled and said, "It is my honor that you can help me. But you can only do it when you have time. Don't let this matter affect your cultivation and teaching."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "Emperor Xuan, rest assured. The things here will not distract me. It is enough for me to repair the law while practicing and teaching."

Emperor Xuan said: "If so, I should thank the Immortal."

Jiang Yuan said: "There is no need to do so."

Emperor Xuan said: "Now that the Immortal is walking in the world, besides the matter of revising the laws, is there anything else to do?"

Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "I have other things to do. One is to practice for me, and the other is to save someone for Laojun."

Emperor Xuan said: "In this case, do you need my help? If you need it, I can dispatch soldiers and generals to accompany you."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Traveling in the Southern Continent, there is absolutely no need for Emperor Xuan's troops, so Emperor Xuan can rest assured."

Emperor Xuan said, "Since that's the case, I won't force you. But you've come from a long way, so I can't be disrespectful. Please stay in the Taihe Palace for a while and I'll treat you well."

Jiang Yuan smiled and replied, "In that case, I will talk to Emperor Xuan."

When Emperor Xuan heard that the Immortal agreed, he was delighted and said, "If that's the case, the Immortal should stay for a while longer."

Jiang Yuan said: "Please enlighten me, Emperor Xuan."

Emperor Xuan hurriedly sent a fairy boy to offer tea, food, magical fruits, etc. to the immortal.

While the Immortals were enjoying tea, food and magical fruits, the two of them talked about magic and other supernatural powers.

In the side hall, Bull Demon King and others also asked the spiritual officials to arrange for them to live in the side hall, and all their requests were granted.

The Bull Demon King and his companions did not spend lavishly, but took some simple tea and food, and went into a side hall to practice together.

Zhu Bajie finished a bowl of tea and rice in three or four gulps, and said indignantly, "Now that we are at the residence of the Emperor Xuan, we have no shortage of food, drink and shelter. Why do you ask him to allocate more side halls for us? Even if they don't allocate more side halls, it would be worth it to give me a few more bowls of tea and rice to enjoy. Now this bowl of tea and rice and a side hall are not enough."

The blue ox suddenly took out an orange and threw it at him, cursing, "You, Zhu Bajie, if you want to stay, then stay. If you don't want to stay, then go to the forest and go back to your Fuling Mountain. Don't make a fuss here."

Zhu Bajie asked Ju Guo to smash the fruit, not daring to say anything and lowered his head.

Zuo Liang said, "Master Hu Ding, you must know that we are practicing, not enjoying happiness. Since we are practicing, we must restrain ourselves and clear our minds. If we indulge in happiness, our practice will go wrong. If you are greedy for one more bowl of rice today, you will suffer a disaster tomorrow. If you are greedy for one more piece of incense today, you will suffer a disaster tomorrow."

After hearing this, Zhu Bajie calmed down and said, "What Zhengyuan said makes some sense, but I don't know, if I stop being greedy now, will it be easier to practice in the future?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "You must know that cultivation is not easy. If you cultivate with this kind of mindset, you will definitely fail."

Zhu Bajie bowed to Zuo Liang and said, "Thank you for your advice."

Green Ox broke off a tangerine and ate it, saying, "Pigsy, Zhengyuan is your junior in terms of cultivation. When you were cultivating, he was nowhere to be found. But today he is teaching you. Aren't you ashamed? But if you have a little bit of thought, you should stop the Wood Mother from causing trouble and cultivate yourself as soon as possible so that the juniors will look up to you."

Zuo Liang smiled but said nothing.

Zhu Bajie said: "I will practice hard and not be greedy for this anymore."

Qingniu said, "I hope you can keep your promise and stop talking nonsense. Zhu Bajie, no matter what, you are still a disciple of Daluo, and you were once the Marshal of Tianpeng. Going hungry or suffering a little will not harm you at all. You should not take your practice lightly because of this."

Zhu Bajie bowed to the Green Ox, then sat down cross-legged and said nothing more.

The Bull Demon King looked at Zhu Bajie, not knowing what to say. The evil deeds of the Wood Mother were so terrible. Fortunately, he was not harmed by the Wood Mother, otherwise he would be like Zhu Bajie, helpless. Then he really didn't know what to do.

……

Time flies, and before I knew it, more than three years have passed.

The Immortal and the Emperor Xuan were discussing magical powers and sorcery in the Taihe Palace. Time was of little importance to them, as the two of them spent more than three years just discussing the secret of one magical power.

When the two of them came to the profound points, Emperor Xuan laughed uncontrollably, and the Immortal was also delighted.

Emperor Xuan suddenly said, "Master, now we are talking about joy, why don't we talk about the way of golden elixir, what do you think?"

The Immortal said: "The Way of the Golden Elixir? How should we talk about this?"

Emperor Xuan smiled and said, "The golden elixir you and I practice is a little different, but the roots are similar. Talking about this way may be helpful to both you and me."

Jiang Yuan said: "Emperor Xuan is a disciple of Daluo, but I am a disciple of Taiyi. But if Emperor Xuan does not mind, I can talk to him about this for a while."

Emperor Xuan said: "How could I give up? The difference between Daluo and Taiyi is not that big of a difference for us."

Jiang Yuan stood up and bowed, then said, "If that's the case, I will speak, but I will just speak of my understanding of the true path of the golden elixir. Is that enough?"

Emperor Xuan said: "That's enough, that's enough!"

Jiang Yuan pondered for a long time, and then said: "The way of the golden elixir originated from the beginning of the universe. When the universe was first divided, yin and yang began to separate. The mind and thoughts are locked with the Xuanpin, and the lead and mercury are refined with the Xuanji. Huangpo is used to stabilize the center and match them in the elixir field. If you go upstream, you can explore its mysteries."

"The way of the golden elixir is not just about longevity. It is actually a method of the mind. It refines the body externally and nourishes the spirit internally. The male gold and the female wood are just the names of yin and yang. The spleen of the yellow woman is nothing but the key to creation. If you can tame your mind and control your will, with the heaven and earth as the furnace and creation as the worker, then the golden elixir will be created."

Jiang Yuan fully expressed his views on the correct way of the golden elixir.

After hearing what the Immortal said, Emperor Xuan pondered for a long time, stood up and bowed, saying: "The Immortal's words fully explain the principles of the Golden Elixir. Although I have practiced and succeeded, my summary is not as good as the Immortal's. Now I have heard what the Immortal said, and I have gained a lot. Thank you very much."

Jiang Yuan returned the greeting and said, "Let's talk about the Dao. You can't thank me."

Emperor Xuan smiled and said, "What you said makes sense. We are discussing the Dao. Please take a seat. I will talk about the Dao of the Golden Elixir in my own language."

Jiang Yuan immediately sat down on the cushion and listened quietly to what Emperor Xuan said.

Emperor Xuan then began to summarize the golden elixir righteousness he had practiced and told the Immortal what he knew.

After listening to what Emperor Xuan said, the Immortal also gained something in his mind. He roughly knew the difference between the Golden Elixir Orthodox Way of Emperor Xuan's Daluo Sect and his own. The difference was only in the name.

There are some differences in the names of the unruly heart, the golden man and the wooden mother, etc.

However, the essence of the Golden Elixir Dao of Daluo is not much different from that of Taiyi.

But the true way of the golden elixir that Emperor Xuan taught him still taught him some benefits. The two talked for a long time in the Taihe Palace.

Jiang Yuan suddenly felt something in his heart and looked outside.

Emperor Xuan was puzzled and asked, "What do you mean, Master?"

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "But Laojun asked me to ferry one person across. Now this person has gone to Wudang Mountain to pay homage to Emperor Xuan. It is indeed Emperor Xuan's divine power. He has saved me from the trouble of searching for him."

Emperor Xuan shook his head and said, "What are you talking about, Immortal? How can you say that my power makes them come to worship me? I think it is probably because Immortal has a predestined relationship with them that they come here. They come here to follow the predestined relationship, not to follow me."

Jiang Yuan did not comment, but stood up and said, "Since he has come, I have been told by Laojun to ferry him, so I will go. Emperor Xuan can stay here for a while."

Emperor Xuan said, "Since he has reached Mount Wudang and has a predestined relationship with Laojun, and I am free, I will go with the Immortal to meet this person. I hope the Immortal will agree."

Jiang Yuan said, "We are in Wudang Mountain now. If Emperor Xuan wants to go, it's fine. But please follow me."

Say it.

The immortal stood up and walked outside. After a while, he walked out of the Taihe Palace. An immortal child came forward to serve him and asked if he needed anything.

The immortal smiled and declined, waiting for a while outside the Taihe Palace.

It didn't take long before Emperor Xuan changed into ordinary clothes and reunited with the real person.

The Immortal asked, "Why did Emperor Xuan change into this cloth?"

Emperor Xuan said, "Since you are going to see that person with the Immortal, you must not wear the same clothes as before."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "In that case, please follow me, Emperor Xuan."

The Immortal said nothing more and rode his cloud toward the mountain path of Mount Wudang.

Emperor Xuan followed closely behind.

The two of them rode on the cloud, and in a short while, they reached the middle of the mountain path.

There are thirty-six palaces in Wudang Mountain. Most of the millions of pilgrims enter these thirty-six palaces to pay homage. There are hundreds of mountain paths leading to the thirty-six palaces in Wudang Mountain. Some of the paths are spacious and popular with the public, while some are hidden and little known.

The Immortal and the Emperor Xuan rode on the clouds and came to a hidden mountain path. The path was lined with old trees with tangled roots, making it difficult for ordinary people to know where the path was.

Emperor Xuan looked down and said, "I seldom come to this mountain road, and few people walk this road either."

Jiang Yuan smiled and nodded, saying: "The man is here on this mountain road, but please follow me, Emperor Xuan."

Jiang Yuan pressed down the cloud and went downwards.

Emperor Xuan walked along and followed behind the real person.

The two of them were driving on the mountain path when they saw someone walking upwards below.

The immortal took a closer look and saw that it was a group of about a dozen people. Leading the group was a wealthy man in gorgeous clothes, holding a child of seven or eight years old in his arms, and followed by many servants.

Jiang Yuan felt something in his heart. In the past, Lu Liang was reincarnated as a child of seven or eight years old.

Emperor Xuan smiled and said, "Master, how are you going to save him?"

Jiang Yuan said: "No need to go, just wait here and see if he can come."

Emperor Xuan asked, "If he doesn't come, will you go?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "If he didn't go, it's just because of lack of fate. I will apologize to the heaven and Laojun, and I will save him in the next life."

Emperor Xuan smiled and said, "This is truly the nature of a true person."

Jiang Yuan smiled but said nothing.

The two of them were waiting by the mountain path.

A group of people came forward and walked up the mountain road. When they passed where the Immortal and the Emperor Xuan were, the wealthy man was a little surprised that there were people on this quiet mountain road. However, he did not pay much attention and continued to move forward.
On the other hand, the child couldn't help but feel happy after seeing the Immortal and Emperor Xuan. He wanted to step forward, but he was worried about his father beside him and the servants behind him. He was afraid that his performance would not be in line with the public and would attract strange looks.

The child had no choice but to let others lead him up the mountain path. He passed by the Immortal Emperor Xuan and looked back frequently, but saw the two of them standing there, unmoved.

Just as everyone was about to leave, the child suddenly had an idea, pushed away his hands, and ran towards the Immortal and the Emperor Xuan.

The wealthy man exclaimed, "Yu'er, where are you going?"

The servants were terrified and tried to stop the child, but the child was so fast that they couldn't stop him.

Jiang Yuan smiled when he saw the child running towards him.

Emperor Xuan said: "After all, he has the Dharma of destiny. The fact that he can come here is enough to prove this."

Jiang Yuan said: "It saves me a lot of effort if he can come here."

The two of them waited for a while.

The child stepped forward and bowed like an adult, saying, "Lu Yu greets the two gentlemen."

Jiang Yuan stepped forward and helped the child up, saying, "Why are you bowing to me?"

Lu Yu shook his head and said, "I don't know, but I think I should bow to you two gentlemen."

Jiang Yuan hadn't spoken yet.

The wealthy man came over, hurriedly grabbed Lu Yu, and said, "Don't be offended, don't be offended. My child has always been well-behaved. I don't know why I was so rude today and disturbed you. But if you have any losses, go to the city at the foot of the mountain, find the Lu family, and tell them that Lu Rang sent you here to seek compensation."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "There was no loss, but your child is very well behaved, so there is no need to say that."

Lu Rang said, "In that case, thank you both very much. But are you here to pay respect to Emperor Xuan?"

Jiang Yuan heard this and said with a smile: "I am here to look for Emperor Xuan."

Lu Rang felt strange. Why did this man say he was here to look for Emperor Xuan? He and others came here to pay homage and burn incense, but this man said he was here to look for someone.

But he didn't say much, and was about to leave while pulling Lu Yu.

Lu Yu refused to leave and said, "Father, I don't want to leave."

Lü Rang was confused and said, "We still have to go to the mountain to pay respect to Emperor Xuan. What are you doing here now? Let's go quickly. When we get home, we can let you do whatever you want. Don't do it now."

Lu Yu shook his head and said, "Father, I don't want to leave, but please allow me to stay here for a while."

(End of this chapter)