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

Chapter 293: Chenxiang grows up, the way to calm the mind

The story takes place in Liujia Village, Yongzhou, Nanzhanbuzhou. Erlang Shen Yang Jian comes here again. He rides on the clouds and looks down. He sees a heroic and extraordinary young man playing with his friends.

When Erlang Shen saw the young man, he looked somewhat relieved.

The young man was none other than Liu Chenxiang, the nephew of Erlang Shen Zhenjun.

Erlang Shen pointed down and said, "Wait and see if my nephew is brave or not."

The six Meishan brothers behind him responded with a smile, saying: "He is indeed heroic, indeed heroic! But his heroic qualities are similar to those of the True Lord."

Erlang Shen was overjoyed and said, "Is it really similar to me?"

The Six Saints of Meishan laughed and said, "Indeed, they are similar. There is a third of the heroism in your brows."

Erlang Shen was very happy. He looked at Chenxiang and was very satisfied. Suddenly, he saw Chenxiang having a quarrel with his companions below. Those companions said that Chenxiang was a wild child and had no mother. Chenxiang was angry and wrestled with his companions.

Erlang Shen heard these words with an expressionless face as he stared at the people below.

The Six Saints of Meishan knew that the True Lord was a little annoyed, so they asked, "True Lord, do you want me to wait and teach you a lesson?"

Erlang Shen shook his head and said, "I won't bother with a child, but Liu Yanchang is really useless. He allowed Chenxiang to be bullied and did nothing about it. I will not let him off. I will go find him. You lead the troops and wait for me outside."

Say it.

Erlang Shen rode a cloud and headed towards the house where Liu Yanchang was.

The Six Saints of Meishan looked at each other, at a loss as to what to do. In the end, they could only watch Erlang Shen leave before turning around and dispatching their troops to leave.

It didn't take long for Erlang Shen to see a house in the village where Liu Yanchang was weaving lanterns. He made a living by this skill.

Erlang Shen thought to himself, "It's been more than ten years, and I never thought that Liu Yanchang is still this bastard. He doesn't want to make progress, but relies on his weaving skills to survive. I don't know why my sister likes this guy. Let me teach him a lesson!"

Erlang Shen was feeling somewhat angry, so he descended from the clouds and was about to go into the house to teach Liu Yanchang a lesson.

He hadn't even entered the house when he heard a shout behind him.

"Who is that and why is he lingering in front of my house?"

Erlang Shen turned around and saw Chenxiang standing behind him, with a bruised face and nose, obviously beaten by his companion.

When Erlang Shen saw Liu Chenxiang, he said, "Chenxiang, come with me. I will take you to see a doctor for treatment."

Liu Chenxiang didn't understand what he meant and asked, "Who are you and why do you say that?"

Erlang Shen smiled and said, "I am your uncle."

Liu Chenxiang said, "How can I have an uncle? Don't talk nonsense."

Erlang Shen was a little displeased when he heard this, and said, "Your father never told you that, do you have an uncle?"

Liu Chenxiang shook his head and said, "No, my father told me that my mother died of complications during childbirth, and there is no one in my mother's or my father's family."

Erlang Shen said angrily: "Your father is talking nonsense, don't believe it, I am your uncle."

Say it.

Erlang Shen told Liu Chenxiang all about the childhood of San Shengmu.

Seeing Erlang Shen's words, Liu Chenxiang, who was young, was not on guard and believed Erlang Shen easily. He was overjoyed and said, "Uncle, if you were my uncle, wouldn't I have someone to rely on in the future? I often hear them say 'mother is the most important uncle'. If I get beaten in the future, will you help me get revenge?"

Erlang Shen smiled and nodded, saying, "With your uncle here, no one will bully you in the future."

Liu Chenxiang danced with joy.

Erlang Shen saw this and led Liu Chenxiang out.

Liu Chenxiang didn't think much and followed Erlang Shen.

After walking for a long time, the two arrived at the nearest city. Erlang Shen personally took Liu Chenxiang to see a doctor, and then took Liu Chenxiang to play in the city. He told Liu Chenxiang many stories about the Three Holy Mothers. Seeing that it was getting dark, Erlang Shen took Liu Chenxiang back to Liujia Village.

Along the way, Liu Chenxiang chattered with great joy, saying, "Uncle, I've often heard that there is a city nearby, very prosperous, but I've never been there. Today is my first time here. If it is really prosperous, I can tell my friends in the village about it, and they will surely be extremely envious."

Erlang Shen was amused and asked, "This city is just a small one, how can it be said to be prosperous? Besides, didn't you injure your companions today? Why do you want to make peace with them now?"

Liu Chenxiang shook his head and said, "We often fight. Fight today and make up tomorrow. It's a common thing."

As he spoke, Chen Xiang suddenly asked, "Uncle, this city is very prosperous, but you said it is not prosperous. Uncle, have you seen a bigger city?"

Erlang Shen smiled and said, "Of course I have seen it."

Liu Chenxiang asked curiously, "Uncle, according to what you said, what does a prosperous city look like?"

Erlang Shen said: "A prosperous city... If there is a prosperous city, it must be Chang'an City, or the current Luoyang Divine Capital."

Liu Chenxiang asked in confusion: "Chang'an City? Luoyang? What place is this? I have never heard of it. But is this the residence of the county magistrate?"

Erlang Shen shook his head and said, "What can the county magistrate do?"

Liu Chenxiang was somewhat bewildered and said, "Isn't the county magistrate the highest official in the world? Why is he not worth mentioning in my uncle's words?"

Upon hearing this, Erlang Shen was very angry. Liu Yanchang had taught his nephew to be like this, he really must not be forgiven. He still needed to guide Chenxiang personally. He should tell Chenxiang the truth as soon as possible and guide Chenxiang to Lingtai Fangcun Mountain to become Sun Wukong's apprentice and practice.

……

However, it is said that the immortal returned to the Sanxing Immortal Cave and did not leave again. Instead, he stayed in the immortal palace to teach his disciples and listen to the teachings of the ancestors.

One day, the Immortal was on the Yaotai, preaching the great Dao. This time, what he was preaching was the way to a peaceful mind. In the Yaotai class, Zuo Liang, Red Boy, Sun Wukong, Zhenjian, Bull Demon King, Zhu Bajie and others were all in his class, listening to him.

"The great way is nameless, nurturing the heaven and earth; the supreme way is inaction, connecting the past and the present. Observe the cycle of the sun and the moon, and understand the rise and fall of yin and yang. The secret art of alchemy is based on tranquility; self-cultivation is based on the mind. Now I will explain the key points of tranquility and warn those who are impetuous and lost."

"The human heart is like an abyss, with waves thousands of feet high. When the eyes are drawn to the five colors, the divine light is scattered; when the ears are drawn to the eight sounds, the spiritual platform is covered with dust. Merchants pursue profits like ants admiring the smell of meat; scholars seek fame like fish grazing in the abyss. Who knows that the gate of the mysterious female is in the space of an inch, and the palace of the mud pill is built in the midst of loneliness."

“If you do not cut off worldly ties and purify your mind, even if you have extraordinary talent, it will be like a bright pearl covered with clouds or a precious mirror covered with smoke.”

The Immortal preached the great truth, and the crowd listened as if intoxicated.

After speaking for a long time, the sound of Tao finally disappeared. When the Taoist finished speaking, he smiled and said, "After listening to what you have heard, if there is anything you still don't understand, please tell me and I can solve your doubts."

Zuo Liang stepped out from the class and said, "Master, I have a question."

The real person smiled and said, "But you can tell me."

Zuo Liang said, "Master has taught me many wonderful things about meditation, and I can get a glimpse of them, but I don't know how to meditate. If I sit in meditation, the two spirits will disturb me. If I ask the main master to help me, I won't be able to meditate."

The Immortal said: "If you want to calm your mind, but you can't achieve success in meditation, it's because the two spirits are rampant. This time you must set a pure mind, sit facing east in the morning, expel the old and take in the new, sleep facing north at night, and return your spirit to the Dantian. When encountering things, don't be angry or angry, like still water and a mirror; when seeing benefits, don't take or give up, like nothing in the void. Control your desires to nourish your essence, keep the middle to control your qi, and regulate your breathing to calm your mind. Do this for a long time, and you will definitely be able to calm your mind."

Zuo Liang listened to the words of the Immortal Master and pondered for a long time. He seemed to have gained something. He bowed and said, "Master, I thank you for clearing up my doubts."

The real person smiled and nodded.

Zuo Liang then entered the class. Red Boy flashed out of the class and said, "Master, there is something I don't understand."

The Immortal said, "Zhengci, if there is anything unclear, please tell me clearly."

Red Boy then asked: "Master, I don't understand. If I want to calm my mind, how should I choose between daily practice and daily cultivation?"

The immortal said with a smile: "I have often told you about the host-guest relationship. How could you not forget it?"

Red Boy bowed and said, "Master, I understand now. This is the theory of Dharma-mind. Similarly, if you cultivate Dharma without cultivating your mind, you will lose your Dharma-mind. If you cultivate your mind without cultivating Dharma, you will have Dharma-mind."

The real person smiled and nodded.

Red Boy bowed again and entered the class.

The Immortal looked at the people in the class and said, "Wukong, Zhenjian, Niu Wang, Bajie. You guys don't need my guidance. You are all practicing. I won't say more to you. Just practice peacefully."

Say it.

The immortal stood up and left, walked down the platform, went out of the middle door, and went towards the quiet room.

Everyone stood up and bowed to the Immortal to see him off. They only stood up after he left.

After Zuo Liang and Red Boy paid their respects, they said goodbye to everyone and went to their respective quiet rooms to practice.

Zhu Bajie talked to Sun Wukong beside him and said, "Brother, does the master have great magical powers?"

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "Don't talk nonsense, fool. My elder brother doesn't have great magical powers yet."

Zhu Bajie said: "But I don't have great magical powers. The master's every move has the style of an old ancestor, and his words are very majestic. It makes us think deeply."

The Bull Demon King laughed and said, "Although I don't have great magical powers now, I think I am close to that kind of great magical power."

Zhenjian said, "Big Brother is truly amazing. I will teach Big Brother how to explain this Jingxin clearly. If ordinary people can listen to it, they can practice cultivation."

Sun Wukong said, "My elder brother has always been so amazing. Idiot, you are lucky to be able to practice with my elder brother. I wonder if you have made any progress in your practice. Come out of the house and try your martial arts with me. I will show you your martial arts skills."

Zhu Bajie panicked and said, "Brother, please don't joke with me. How can I compete with you in martial arts? If I compete with you, I will be beaten."

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "I won't use all my abilities, so you can rest assured."

Zhu Bajie said: "It's really not possible, it's really not possible."

The Bull Demon King said, "Since Zhu Bajie doesn't dare, my dear brother, why don't I fight you with Bajie? With me here, Zhu Bajie can have a good fight with you."

Sun Wukong said happily: "That's great."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Bajie had no choice but to agree.

A group of people walked out of the mansion.

……

In the master's quiet room behind Yaotai.

After Jiang Yuan finished his speech, he did not return to his residence, but went to the master's quiet room to pay his respects to the master.

The master smiled and helped the real person up, made him sit down, and said: "The boy now has the air of a head of the family. What the boy said just now was very impressive. Even if I were to explain it, I would not be much better than the boy."

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "I dare not let my master speak like this."

The master said: "My boy, there is no need to be modest. I am now capable of opening a mansion, but my magical power is still a little lacking."

Jiang Yuan replied: "Master, I am not qualified to open a temple yet. I am only good at one or two things, and my magical powers are even rarer. I am not even one tenth as good as you."

The master laughed and scolded, "How can you compare with me, boy? If you compare with me, when will you be able to open your own palace?"

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Master, I have learned your teachings and inherited your legacy, so I should follow your instructions."

The master said, "Don't say that. You should practice well in the future. When your power improves, the time to open a temple will come."

Jiang Yuan was about to say something else when he suddenly felt something in his heart and looked outside.

The master smiled and said, "How do you feel?"

Jiang Yuan turned around and replied, "Master, it is Erlang Xiansheng Zhenjun who has come to look for his disciples."

The master smiled and nodded, saying, "In that case, you can go and meet the Sage Master."

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Yes, Master."

The master suddenly stopped him and said, "Boy, go talk to Yang Erlang. You don't need to come and pay homage to me. Just take care of your own affairs."

Jiang Yuanying said yes, and said no more. He bid farewell to the master and left the quiet room.

The Grand Master looked at the departing figure of the Immortal and said with a smile: "The Three Realms have been silent for so long since Wukong. It's time for some fun."

……

The conversation started before the Three Stars Immortal Palace.

The Bull Demon King and Zhu Bajie have joined forces to fight against Sun Wukong in a competition of martial arts.

But the Bull Demon King swung the Black Dragon Pi Yue Spear and hit Sun Wukong in the face. Sun Wukong turned around and held the Golden Cudgel to compete with the Bull Demon King.

The fight between the two was very lively. On the other hand, Zhu Bajie's martial arts were inferior to the other two. Often when Zhu Bajie attacked, Sun Wukong only needed to distract himself and beat him back with a stick. Then Zhu Bajie would not fight for a long time and Sun Wukong only needed to deal with the Bull Demon King.

The Bull Demon King fought with Sun Wukong for twenty rounds, but became more and more powerless. He sighed in his heart that his brother had great training, but was helpless that Zhu Bajie's martial arts were so weak.

When the three were fighting for a long time, there was a voice suddenly, telling the three to stop.

"Great Sage, Bull King, there is no need for a duel."

The three of them looked up and saw Erlang Shen coming on a cloud from outside the mountain.

Sun Wukong put away his golden cudgel and said, "Master, how did you get here?"

Both the Bull Demon King and Zhu Bajie paid homage to Erlang Shen Zhenjun, not daring to be careless.

Erlang Shen smiled and said, "I have come here for an important matter. I wonder if the old ancestor and the real person are in the mansion? If they are, I will go in and pay my respects, and then talk about the matter. Otherwise, it would be rude."

Sun Wukong replied, "Master and Senior Brother are both in the palace now. If the True Lord wants to see me, I can lead the way."

Erlang Shen smiled and nodded, saying, "Thank you very much, Great Sage."

Sun Wukong, Bull Demon King and Zhu Bajie were about to go into the palace, but the Immortal came out at this moment and bumped into the group.

(End of this chapter)