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

Chapter 296 Zuo Liang Invites the Netherworld, the True Man Ascends to the Heavenly Realm

The story begins at Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, at Xieyue Sanxing Cave. Laozi talked with his ancestor for a day or two in his palace, and then decided to leave and return to the Heavenly Realm.

The Patriarch saw Laozi off as he left his cave. When they arrived at the cave entrance, the True Man followed behind him.

Laozi took a step or two and said, “Now I shall return to the Heavenly Realm. Guangxin shall come with me. But I fear that Guangxin is not here and that the green ox will cause trouble. It would be better to take him with me to the Heavenly Realm.”

The Patriarch laughed and said, "You, Laozi, how come my cultivation is so insignificant in your eyes that I can't even keep an eye on a green ox?"

Lao Jun appointed the patriarch and said with a smile, "Bodhi, I know your abilities. If you use even a fraction of your magic power to guard this green ox, I will not say anything. But Bodhi, if you do not use your magic power and remain in your quiet cultivation abode, how can you guard the green ox?"

The patriarch said, "Don't worry, I will use some of my magic power."

Lao Jun laughed and said, "With your words, I am at ease."

Laozi laughed heartily, then rose and rode on auspicious clouds, heading towards the clouds.

After the True Man paid homage to the Patriarch and received the Patriarch's permission to take his leave, he rode a cloud to follow Laozi away.

The Patriarch watched the True Man and Laozi depart. How could he not know that Laozi's words were meant to provoke him and instruct him to guard the Green Ox? But he knew this and had no intention of refusing.

The patriarch was about to turn around and return to his residence.

Suddenly, a monkey was seen walking out of the mansion.

Upon closer inspection, the patriarch realized that this was none other than Wukong.

"Goku!"

The patriarch called out to Sun Wukong.

Upon hearing this voice, Sun Wukong, who had just emerged, shivered, straightened his posture, and bowed respectfully, saying, "Disciple Wukong greets Master. Master, what brings you here?"

The Patriarch laughed and said, "I should be asking you here, Wukong. What are you doing here?"

Sun Wukong bowed again and said, "Master, I was cultivating in the quiet room when I suddenly sensed something auspicious about what appeared outside the mansion, so I came out to take a look."

The Patriarch understood immediately and said, "Laojun was right here just now. What you sensed was Laojun."

Sun Wukong was surprised and said, "How can I sense Laozi?"

The patriarch smiled and said, "This shows that your cultivation has progressed."

Sun Wukong scratched his head, somewhat puzzled.

The patriarch patted the monkey's head and said, "Wukong, come inside with me and don't say anything more."

Sun Wukong bowed and said, "Yes."

Sun Wukong dared not say anything more and obediently followed behind his master into the mansion.

……

Meanwhile, in a mountain forest in Yongzhou, Pigsy fought with a leopard demon for a long time before finally being rescued. It was because Zuo Liang had not seen Pigsy return for a long time that he summoned the earth gods and mountain gods from all directions to search for Pigsy, and finally found him in the mountain forest.

With the help of the four earth gods and mountain gods, Pigsy finally defeated the leopard demon, retrieved many seasonal fruits, and reunited with Zuo Liang.

When Pigsy saw Zuo Liang busy at the altar, he felt ashamed. If it weren't for Zuo Liang's help, he wouldn't even be able to defeat the leopard demon. Now that he saw Zuo Liang, he felt deeply ashamed.

Zuo Liang didn't take it seriously. He set up the simple altar in a few places and then turned around and said, "I have often heard that there is a monster in this mountain with great abilities. It was our fault that we did not tell the Protector of the Cauldron in advance. The fact that the Protector of the Cauldron has not returned for so long must be because that monster has been keeping him occupied."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy felt a warmth in his heart and clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "That's right, that's right."

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "But the Daoist who protects the cauldron has no weapon, yet he has been able to fight that monster for so long. If he had a weapon, the monster would definitely not be a match for the Daoist who protects the cauldron, since the Daoist who protects the cauldron does have martial arts skills."

Pigsy laughed and said, "Thank you, Zhengyuan. But if you need anything in the future, you can just tell me."

Zuo Liang smiled and nodded, saying, "Guardian Daoist, please come forward and arrange the seasonal fruits. I will then invite the gods of the underworld to send their troops."

Say it.

Zuo Liang took out paper and pen, intending to write a document.

After arranging the seasonal fruits in order, Zhu Bajie approached Zuo Liang and carefully examined the document Zuo Liang had written.

But the document contained writing.

The memorial reads, "Zhengyuan is responsible for implementing the Five Thunder Edicts."

"In the beginning of chaos, Yin and Yang were established; the officials of the netherworld are concerned with life and death. Now, Zheng Yuan, a disciple of the Bodhi Patriarch Guangxin Zhenren under the tutelage of the Bodhi Patriarch at the Xieyue Sanxing Cave on Lingtai Fangcun Mountain in Xiniu Hezhou, hereby, by the decree of the Zhenren, respectfully declares to the gods of the netherworld using the Five Thunder Heavenly Heart Orthodox Method and the Samadhi True Fire Spirit Talisman:"

First, investigate the lifespan of the person born in Liu Family Village, Yongzhou, Xiniu Hezhou. The person's surname is Liu, and their given name is Chenxiang. Second, investigate the current whereabouts of the person born in Liu Chenxiang. Third, dispatch troops to assist in the search.

This is a special proclamation, requesting the Ten Kings of Hell to open their palace gates and send this document directly to the Netherworld. The underworld's ghost messengers are to come swiftly, as the law commands!

After Zuo Liang finished writing the document, he handed it to Zhu Bajie and said, "Guardian of the Cauldron, issue the document and burn the proclamation to ask the gods of the underworld for assistance."

Upon seeing the document, Pigsy laughed and said, "Zhengyuan, why did you add 'Hurry, hurry, as the law commands'? If you do that, the underworld will not appear for a while, and you will definitely be punished."

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "But I have neither reputation nor ability, so I have no choice but to resort to this inferior strategy and teach him to do it quickly according to the rules."

Pigsy laughed and said, “Zhengyuan, you underestimate the reputation of the True Man. In the past, the True Man entered the Underworld to settle karma, which frightened the Ten Kings. When the gods of the Underworld learned of the True Man’s name, they would be terrified and would have to deal with it quickly. However, you have not included the True Man’s name in this document. If the Ten Kings are frightened, it will be your fault.”

Zuo Liang asked, "Is it really that serious? If so, I will revise the document."

Pigsy waved his hand and said, "No need, no need. Just send it out like this. I want to see what the gods of the underworld think when they see this document."

Say it.

Pigsy then took the document and left.

Seeing this, Zuo Liang had no choice but to give up and let Zhu Bajie do as he pleased.

Pigsy issued the document and burned the proclamation, then waited with Zuo Liang.

The two waited in the altar for a short while, and then they saw wisps of dark mist and a forest of white banners. Thousands of ghostly soldiers and messengers rushed in, led by the two Impermanent Marshals.

A large group of people drove up and bowed before the altar.

A soldier riding a tall horse shouted, "The soldiers of the underworld have come in order, but we do not know where Master Zhengyuan is."

Zuo Liang was surprised to see this, as the underworld responded so quickly. He strode forward and said, "I am Zheng Yuan."

Upon hearing this, Marshal Wuchang quickly stepped forward and said, "Greetings, Master. We have come by your command to serve you. Please give us your instructions, and we will do our utmost to assist you."

Zuo Liang said, "The document says that we should find Liu Chenxiang. But I wonder if any of you can find out where he is for me?"

Marshal Wuchang bowed and said, "We have now found Liu Chenxiang in Yongzhou. Please invite Master Zhengyuan to come with us. We will search for Liu Chenxiang for you, and along the way we will tell you about Liu Chenxiang's lifespan and other matters." Zuo Liang naturally agreed.

……

The words are spoken in the celestial realm, in the Tushita Palace.

When the True Man accompanied Laozi to this place, Laozi did not instruct the True Man to go and refine elixirs. Instead, he invited the True Man to sit in the central hall and gave him some pills to enjoy.

Lao Jun pointed to some azure pills and said, "Guang Xin may enjoy these. These are newly made pills that even the Great Heavenly Venerable has never used. Guang Xin is the first to enjoy them."

Jiang Yuan gazed at the azure pill, unable to discern its origin with his divine eye, and asked, "Lord Lao, what kind of pill is this? I cannot discern its complete form. I hope you will tell me."

Laozi laughed and said, "It cannot be said, it cannot be said. You will know once you enjoy it."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan immediately took a pill and swallowed it.

Once the pill enters the abdomen, a clear stream flows into the spiritual platform and converges into the Niwan Palace, making it a pill for nourishing the primordial spirit.

Laozi, seeing that the immortal had swallowed it, asked, "Guangxin, what do you mean?"

Jiang Yuan replied, "It can nourish the primordial spirit."

Lao Jun smiled and said, "I will remember this. This pill can nourish the primordial spirit."

Upon hearing this, the immortal knew perfectly well that Laozi was teaching him how to test pills. He said helplessly, "How is Laozi teaching me how to test pills?"

Lao Jun said, "Guang Xin's magical power is profound; this pill cannot harm him."

The Master said, "Laojun, if there is a next time, you can tell me beforehand so that I can be prepared."

Lao Jun smiled and replied, “Guang Xin, your magical power is now far beyond what it was in the past. I will not lie to you, when I taught you the external alchemy in the past, I predicted that you would need to cultivate for several kalpas to achieve great magical power. But now it seems that you will not need to. I predict that you will be able to cultivate great magical power in the next kalpa.”

Jiang Yuan bowed and asked, "Laojun, what is the meaning of the next tribulation?"

Laozi, upon hearing the words of the True Man, shook his head and smiled, pointed outside, and said, "But heaven and earth have a beginning and an end. If heaven and earth suffer a calamity, they will be reopened. At that time, all things will perish, and heaven and earth will cease to exist. After a long time, they will be reopened. This is called a calamity."

Jiang Yuan pondered for a long time before saying, "This calamity must have lasted for quite some time."

Lao Jun laughed and said, "That's true, that's true. But apart from a few of us, it's been a long time since we've seen a junior achieve great magical power. Guangxin, you are a rare exception. You will definitely become a person of great magical power in the next tribulation, or even if you don't reach the next tribulation, you will still become a person of great magical power."

Jiang Yuan asked, "Laojun, how does one attain great magical power?"

Laozi said, "Those who cultivate the Golden Elixir must be people of great fortune and great perseverance. However, in my view, eight or nine out of ten who cultivate the Golden Elixir cannot attain great magical power, because their hearts have changed."

Jiang Yuan was puzzled and asked, "Laojun, how can there be a method of transformation?"

Laozi said, "Once the Golden Elixir is formed, people will praise it and the Heavenly Venerable will invite it. Their hearts will inevitably change to some extent. But if they change, they will certainly find it difficult to cultivate great magical power. Those who can cultivate great magical power must have a sincere heart that has never changed."

Jiang Yuan said, "Laojun's intentions have never changed in my heart?"

Laozi smiled and said, "When I praise you so highly, do you feel even a little bit of secret joy?"

Jiang Yuan shook her head and said, "No."

Lao Jun said, “That is indeed the truth. Your heart is unchanging, and the highest good is like water. How can you be easily swayed? You have cultivated your mind for a long time and are now far beyond what you were in the past.”

Jiang Yuan was about to say something.

Suddenly, the voice of a fairy boy could be heard coming from outside the main hall.

"Master, Golden Horn and Silver Horn request an audience."

Upon hearing this, Laozi allowed him to enter.

The two celestial attendants, Golden Horn and Silver Horn, entered and bowed, saying, "We pay our respects to Master."

After bowing, they bowed again to the Master and said, "We pay our respects to our senior brother."

Lao Jun nodded and said, "Since you have come, Guangxin, I will not say much to you. Go and refine the elixir first, and then we will talk about the external elixir. These two immortal boys will help you to process the golden elixir."

Jiang Yuan readily accepted the order.

The group did not linger in the main hall any longer and all got up and headed towards the alchemy room, with Laozi among them.

Before long, the group arrived at the alchemy room, where they saw several alchemy furnaces. The master was puzzled, wondering why there were so many alchemy furnaces in the alchemy room.

Lao Jun laughed and said, "Let me see it. Guangxin, do you wish to teach me the method of alchemy? There are many alchemy furnaces here. Pick one that can process golden pills."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "I dare not forget."

Say it.

The immortal rode forward and, before long, brought out a three-foot-six-inch alchemy furnace.

Upon seeing this, Laozi asked, "Why did you choose this alchemy furnace?"

Jiang Yuan said, "This alchemy furnace is three feet six inches long, which is just right for making elixirs."

Laozi pointed to the remaining alchemy furnaces in the alchemy room and said, "There is more than one alchemy furnace here that is three feet and six inches long. There are two other alchemy furnaces like this. Why don't you choose those two alchemy furnaces?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "Laojun once taught me that the alchemy furnaces for external alchemy come in different heights and are made of different materials. To make the elixir, one must use a steel furnace. The furnace should be made of three and six. Those with high skill use a furnace of three and six feet, while those with low skill use a furnace of three and six feet. It should also have eight holes for air intake and exhaust."

Laozi laughed heartily upon hearing the True Man's words, saying, "You do have a good memory. Now, tell me again how many steps there are in making the Golden Elixir, and what their order is?"

Jiang Yuan bowed and replied, "Laojun, there are seven steps to making the elixir: setting up the furnace and cauldron, cleaning the furnace and sweeping the cauldron, warming the furnace and nurturing the cauldron, collecting and filling the medicine, starting the fire to refine it, nine times to form the elixir, and finally removing the fire to complete the process."

Upon hearing this, Laozi turned and left, laughing, "You say you've succeeded? There's no need for me to wait here. I'll come to visit you again when you've achieved your goal, and then I'll properly prepare the Golden Elixir."

Jiang Yuan watched Lao Jun leave, and then saw celestial boys and strongmen coming to accompany the alchemy furnaces in the alchemy room. Before long, the alchemy room was empty, with only the two celestial boys, Golden Horn and Silver Horn, remaining there.

The master bowed and said, "I am sorry to trouble you two junior brothers today. I hope you will not find it offensive."

The two celestial attendants bowed and said, "How could we possibly find it distasteful? It is our honor to be able to assist our senior brother."

Jiang Yuan looked the boy up and down and said, "It's been a long time since I've seen my two junior brothers. Your cultivation has made some progress."

Both Jinjiao and Yinjiao laughed and said, "I am grateful to the master for his favor and for bestowing upon me some pills, which have increased my magical power. However, compared with my senior brother, I am still far inferior. I remember when I first met my senior brother, his magical power was not so profound at that time. Now that we meet again, we are unable to fathom his depths."

Jiang Yuan talked with Jin Jiao and Yin Jiao in the alchemy room for a long time without immediately refining pills. After they finished catching up, he asked Jin Jiao to light the fire for him and Yin Jiao to fan him, so that he could refine pills and complete his cultivation of external alchemy.

Upon receiving the Master's instructions, Jinjiao and Yinjiao responded immediately. They set up the alchemy furnace and prepared various medicinal herbs, placing them aside for the Master's use. With preparations complete, one prepared to set up the fire, and the other prepared to fan the flames, awaiting the Master's further instructions.

After gathering some materials, the master began refining the elixir.

(End of this chapter)