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

Chapter 298 The Divine Manifestation's Request, Chenxiang Knows Etiquette
Meanwhile, at the Tushita Palace, Erlang Shen requested an audience with Laozi. Upon hearing his request, Laozi readily granted Erlang Shen's request.

Laozi sent a celestial boy to summon Erlang Shen to the central hall. Laozi was just about to meet him when he suddenly saw Jiang Yuan standing beside him in front of the alchemy furnace.

Lao Jun stopped, pointed at Jiang Yuan, and said, "Guang Xin, I have long heard that you and Erlang Shen are good friends. Is this true?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "Erlang Shen and I are indeed good friends."

Lao Jun laughed and asked, "What do you think of Erlang Shen?"

Jiang Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Erlang Shen is highly skilled in martial arts, possesses profound magical power, and prioritizes righteousness. He is a rare and invaluable friend."

Lao Jun said, "But as the gods of the Three Realms see it, Erlang Shen is the nephew of the Great Heavenly Venerable and a ruthless judge. Although he has made merits in the past, he obeys orders but not summons, which often displeases the gods. As Guangxin said, very few people mention him."

Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "How can those who administer justice have feelings?"

Lao Jun smiled and said, "With your heart, I am not surprised that you can be such a close friend as Erlang Shen. Guang Xin, now that Erlang Shen has come, come with me and see him together."

Jiang Yuan said in surprise, "Laojun, since Erlang Shen has come to see you, it would be inappropriate for me to go."

Lao Jun said, "If there is anything unsuitable, please come with me without worry. Yang Erlang will not blame you."

Jiang Yuan said, "Laojun, you are currently refining pills, how can you leave?"

Lao Jun said, "You only need to nurture yourself now. You haven't even started refining pills yet. Why are you in such a hurry? Don't say any more. Just come with me."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan had no choice but to follow Laozi's advice and prepare to go with him.

The two instructed Golden Horn and Silver Horn to guard the alchemy furnace before leaving the alchemy room and entering the main hall.

Just as the two entered the main hall and took their seats, they saw Erlang Shen stride in and pay his respects to Laozi.

Erlang Shen had just finished paying homage to Laozi when he saw the immortal among them. He was slightly surprised, but he still greeted the immortal.

The immortal returned the greeting to Erlang Shen and said with a smile, "I am currently following Laozi to cultivate the Dao of Alchemy, so I am staying in the Tushita Palace."

Erlang Shen laughed and said, "So that's how it is. I've often heard that Laozi's alchemy is extraordinary, but you, True Man, have such a fortunate connection."

Laojun said, "You two can reminisce another day. Yang Erlang, tell me, what brings you here today?"

Erlang Shen bowed and said, "I have come here today because I have something to ask of you, Laozi. Please grant my request."

Laozi pointed at Erlang Shen and said with a laugh, "You, Erlang Shen, are just like the Great Heavenly Venerable. You only make requests but never explain what you want. How can I possibly grant your request?"

Erlang Shen bowed again and said, "It is indeed my fault. Lord Lao, this matter is related to my nephew, but please listen to what I have to say."

Erlang Shen then told Laozi everything about Liu Chenxiang.

Upon hearing this, Laozi smiled and nodded, saying, "I have heard about this matter, but I don't know what it has to do with your request. You can't expect me to teach your nephew."

Erlang Shen said, "I dare not send Laozi; I have already asked the Great Sage Equal to Heaven for guidance."

Lao Jun said strangely, "That monkey can teach disciples? It doesn't seem like it, it doesn't seem like it."

Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "Laojun, there is a saying that 'a scholar should be looked at with new eyes after three days of separation.' Wukong is no longer what he used to be."

Lao Jun said, "If what Guangxin said is true, then I have underestimated Wukong. Yang Erlang, tell me, what is the reason for this request?"

Erlang Shen said, "My nephew is ultimately a mortal, so I wish to exchange some pills with Laozi to teach him some magical power, which would make cultivation easier."

Lao Jun laughed and said, "Do you know how rare the pills in this palace are? Do you really want to exchange some pills with me for your nephew? If that's the case, I'll have to empty your Erlang Temple at Guankou."

Erlang Shen said, "If I can empty my temple and exchange it with Laozi, then I will have received Laozi's favor."

Lao Jun said, "For the sake of the Great Heavenly Venerable, I will exchange with you."

Erlang Shen bowed repeatedly, expressing his gratitude to Laozi.

Lao Jun said, "Go and prepare these things, and I will give you the pills."

Erlang Shen pondered for a long time after hearing this, and then said, "Laojun, I have another request, and I hope you will grant it."

Lao Jun said, "Tell me all at once."

Erlang Shen said, "But I have never eased my relationship with Chenxiang, as this would only make him more resilient. Therefore, I cannot teach Chenxiang the Golden Elixir."

Lao Jun laughed and said, "Are you suggesting that I personally deliver the golden elixir to Liu Chenxiang?"

Erlang Shen shook his head and said, "I dare not ask Laozi to go in person. If I were to ask Laozi to go in person, it would be my fault. But please, Laozi, place the golden elixir in the palace. If Liu Chenxiang comes in person one day, please let him go and take the golden elixir."

Lao Jun said, "Fine, fine, fine. Do as you say, but if he comes, I will not interfere."

Erlang Shen rose, bowed, and said, "Thank you, Laozi!"

Lao Jun waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities. Go and fetch your things from your temple."

Upon hearing this, Erlang Shen said no more, only that he would personally fetch the things from the temple later. After receiving Laozi's permission, he left the Tushita Palace.

The immortal watched Erlang Shen depart.

Lao Jun said, "Guang Xin, you don't know this, Erlang Shen has accumulated many interesting items in the temple over the years, but now he has given them all to me in exchange for pills."

The Master said, "It is only natural that the True Lord is his nephew."

Lao Jun said, "Guang Xin, do you think Yang Erlang can succeed?"

The Master said, "Whether or not success is achieved does not depend on the True Lord himself, but on the True Lord's nephew Liu Chenxiang. The True Lord has already done his best. Whether or not Chenxiang can escape the sea of ​​suffering depends on whether he has the will to do so."

Lao Jun smiled and nodded, saying, "It takes so much effort to save just one person. How difficult it must be to save all living beings from the sea of ​​suffering! Guang Xin, what do you think?"

The Master said, “What Laozi said makes sense. It is extremely difficult to save all living beings from the sea of ​​suffering. Even if someone with great magical powers were to personally save them, it would still be extremely difficult, and there is even a risk of being trapped in the sea of ​​suffering themselves.”

Lao Jun laughed and said, "Guang Xin, the Ziwei Emperor has descended to the mortal realm to be reborn and save humanity from suffering. Do you think he can succeed?"

The master nodded and said, "Success is assured."

Lao Jun asked, "How so?" The True Man replied, "But the Ziwei Emperor has such great courage to save humanity, which is admirable. I have no way to help him, so I can only express my congratulations on his success."

Laozi pointed to the True Man and said with a smile, "Don't say such things. If he can succeed, then tell me in detail. Even if he can't succeed, you should still tell me the way. Don't say such congratulatory words."

Jiang Yuan had no choice but to give up. After pondering for a long time, he said, "But I feel that whether the Emperor succeeds or not does not depend on the Emperor himself, but on all living beings. Therefore, if we are talking about whether he can succeed, I cannot answer Laozi."

Lao Jun nodded and said, "What you say is quite reasonable, especially concerning all living beings. Very well, let's not discuss this further. Go and refine the elixir."

Jiang Yuan accepted the order and left.

……

Time flies, and two or three years have passed in the mortal world. Chenxiang followed Zuo Liang and Zhu Bajie on their cultivation journey, but was often forced to run away by Erlang Shen's subordinates.

One day, Chenxiang suddenly learned that his father had been harmed by Erlang Shen and had died. Chenxiang was furious and wanted to take out the Lotus Lantern to fight Erlang Shen to the death.

Fortunately, Zuo Liang and Zhu Bajie persuaded Chen Xiang to calm down. He then heard Zuo Liang and Zhu Bajie say that if he had enough ability, Liu Yanchang could still be saved and could go to the underworld to ask for his soul.

Chenxiang realized that he should focus on his cultivation instead of pursuing the ability to summon wind and rain or move mountains and fill seas. Instead, he listened to Zuo Liang's advice and took "propriety" as his form of cultivation.

He has now picked up some books that he used to look down on and is studying them carefully.

After studying for two or three months, Chenxiang and Zuo Liang and their group were driven away by the Six Sages of Meishan and forced to flee the city, ending up in the wilderness.

The three of them traveled into the desolate mountains.

Chenxiang carried books on his journey, focusing on his reading and understanding the true meaning of 'propriety'. Zuo Liang had told him that once he understood the true meaning of 'propriety', he could go and save his father.

Pigsy walked along the roadside and said, "The Six Sages of Meishan are very capable. We need to protect Chenxiang, so we can't use our methods. Instead, we should find a master for Chenxiang. If Chenxiang has a master, he can cultivate better."

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang put down his book and said with some confusion, "Didn't Master Zuo say that as long as I study and understand 'etiquette,' I can go and save my father? Why do I still need to find a master?"

Zuo Liang said, "Understanding etiquette is the beginning of cultivation. If you want to master great skills, you must follow a master."

Chenxiang said, "If that's the case, where should we find a master? Does that master have the same skills as Mr. Zuo and Mr. Zhu?"

Pigsy, with his pig head twitching, said, "The master we are going to find for you is extremely skilled and has a wide range of abilities."

Chenxiang was not surprised. Over the years, he had seen the true form of Zhu Bajie. At first, he was surprised, but later he was often protected by Zhu Bajie. He knew that Zhu Bajie would not harm him, so he was not afraid.

Chenxiang said, "Is it really true that you have such great abilities, as you say, Mr. Pig?"

Zuo Liang said, "If it is the one that the Protector of the Cauldron Daoist mentioned, then it does exist."

Chenxiang said, "Mr. Zuo also said so, which surprised me. Who is this person? What is his name? Where does he live? What are his skills?"

Pigsy replied, “Listen carefully, the master we are looking for for you is named Sun Wukong. He is from the Water Curtain Cave of Flower Fruit Mountain in Aolai Country of Dongsheng Shenzhou, and now lives in the Slanting Moon Three Star Cave of Lingtai Fangcun Mountain in Xiniu Hezhou. He is known as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. In terms of rank, he surpasses your uncle Erlang Shen, who is also the Victorious Fighting Buddha of Mount Ling. As for his abilities, they are countless. He has the Somersault Cloud, which can travel 108,000 li in one somersault. He also has the ability to manifest the heavens and the earth, which can shake the three realms. He also has the Golden Cudgel, which can cause the heavens and the earth to collapse with a slight movement. Furthermore, he has the ability to live forever. In the past, he once made a great disturbance in the Heavenly Palace, and 100,000 heavenly soldiers could not subdue him.”

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang's blood boiled. What he had always longed for was precisely this kind of ability to disrupt the world, not studying. Now, he was studying to save his father.

He asked, "Is this person truly willing to accept me as his disciple?"

Pigsy laughed and said, “Don’t worry, he is willing. It’s because Sun Wukong is my senior brother, and Master Zhengyuan beside you is his junior brother. With such a relationship, he is naturally willing to accept you as his disciple.”

Without saying a word, Chenxiang bowed deeply to Zhu Bajie and Zuo Liang, expressing his gratitude for their kindness. He knew that without them, he would have perished long ago, and he would not be where he is today. He would remember their kindness.

Zuo Liang said, "No need for formalities."

Chenxiang stood up and asked, "Are you going to learn from a master today? Do you still need to study?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "Reading is essential."

Chenxiang then asked, "But I have a question, and I hope Mr. Zuo can answer it for me."

Zuo Liang said, "But you can ask."

Chenxiang said, "Does the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, the Victorious Fighting Buddha, also study?"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang was speechless and dared not utter a word. Sun Wukong was his uncle, how could he presumptuously speak?

Pigsy, without any worries, said, “The Great Sage Equal to Heaven is certainly literate. Don’t think that the Great Sage is illiterate. The Great Sage is well-versed in poetry and books, and all kinds of principles are stored in his heart. He is a great sage. He is studying now and has never been afraid.”

Chenxiang bowed to Zhu Bajie, finally settling his mind. He knew he absolutely had to read this book. Even the Great Sage was reading, so what reason did he have not to?

Pigsy said, “Just follow us and we will go to become the Great Sage’s disciple. If you are fortunate enough, you may even meet someone more powerful than the Great Sage.”

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang exclaimed in surprise, "Is there still someone who can surpass that great sage?"

Pigsy said, “Of course, of course. The Great Sage comes from a celestial abode and has a patriarch whose teachings are unfathomable. The Great Sage is his third true disciple, and he has two other disciples. His second disciple is the Buddha of Wisdom and Meditation of Mount Ling, and most people who practice Zen Buddhism in the world believe in him. He also has a senior disciple whose Dharma name is Guangxin. Throughout the Three Realms, everyone calls him a True Man. His magical powers are vast and unfathomable, and he is also the ‘Patriarch of Zen,’ proficient in the doctrines of Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. If he could give you even a little guidance, you, a mere Erlang Shen, could be easily defeated.”

Chenxiang was mesmerized and asked, "Can such a person even read books?"

Pigsy said, "You're just spouting useless nonsense. Even if I were to say that he's proficient in three schools of thought, you'd ask me if he can read books. Isn't that a pointless question?"

Chenxiang bowed and said, "It was my presumptuous talk. If that is the case, I will go. I hope you two gentlemen can take me there."

Pigsy said, "I will go."

Chenxiang asked, "Gentlemen, are there any more cities ahead?"

Pigsy asked, "What are we going to the city for? Are we going to eat and drink our fill before setting off to find a master?"

Chenxiang shook his head and said, "No, no. I am going to prepare the six rites."

Pigsy asked again, "How so?"

Chenxiang raised the book in his hand and said, "I have heard that one must pay respects when taking a master. There are six kinds of respects: first, a gift of money; second, wine and liquor; third, jade and silk; fourth, incense, candles and paper money; fifth, writing brush and ink; and sixth, a name card. If you want to take a master, you must prepare these."

Pigsy wanted to dissuade him, saying it was unnecessary, but Zuo Liang greatly approved of what Chenxiang said, smiled and nodded, willing to go with Chenxiang to prepare such things, saying that Chenxiang was polite and had changed a lot, so he could not be stopped.

As Chenxiang walked with the two, gazing at the Lotus Lantern in his hand, he said, "If the Great Sage can accept me as his disciple and teach me his skills to save my parents, I would gladly accept the Lotus Lantern as a gift, let alone the six rites of apprenticeship."

(End of this chapter)