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

Chapter 301 Agarwood's Heart is Stubborn and Unruly, True Man Sees Wonderful Music

Meanwhile, in the library of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave on the Lingtai Fangcun Mountain in Xiniu Hezhou, Chenxiang was reading as always. Ever since he became a disciple of Sun Wukong, Sun Wukong had always kept him in the library to study.

Chenxiang was not one to endure such a long period of time. Fortunately, Zuo Liang often talked with Chenxiang, which helped him to stay patient and focus on his studies.

One day, in the library.

Chenxiang was reading a book in his room. The book discussed the 'Golden Elixir' and the existence of two gods within the body. He read it for a long time but could not understand the reasoning. This teaching greatly troubled him, but Sun Wukong was unwilling to teach him cultivation at this time and only allowed him to read.

Helpless, Chenxiang could only put down the book he couldn't understand.

He took out another book and began to read. However, as soon as he opened the book, he saw a passage that said, "Those who seek the Golden Elixir must first be disturbed by two gods." Upon seeing this, he felt a headache and a sense of oppression in his heart. He disliked reading such books.

Chenxiang put down his book, secretly worried: "I have been studying in this immortal abode for several years, but I don't know what is happening outside. My father has been sent to the underworld. Master Zuo often said that my father is fine and that I will be able to save him once I have completed my cultivation. However, I am studying in the abode now, and it is a long time before I have completed my cultivation. By the time I have completed my cultivation, my father may no longer exist. I cannot do this. Perhaps I should leave."

A thought of leaving arose in Chenxiang's heart.

This thought arose in his mind, but he quickly extinguished it. He had been searching for a highly skilled master to learn from in order to save his parents and defeat Erlang Shen. Now that he had become a master, if he left, wouldn't he be starting all over again?

A myriad of thoughts arose in my heart.

"Chenxiang!"

Chenxiang suddenly heard a shout in his ear, turned his head and saw Zuo Liang standing next to him.

Chenxiang rose and bowed, saying, "Mr. Zuo."

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "No need for formalities. You are now my disciple, so just call me Senior Brother. Over the years, you have called me 'Master' every day, which is a bit too formal."

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang didn't hesitate and bowed, saying, "Yes, Senior Brother."

Zuo Liang said, “Chenxiang, you have been studying for many years, but I have noticed that you seem troubled by your studies lately. Is there something you are confused about? If so, please speak up. Do not hesitate to ask me for the sake of face. You should know that even Confucius in Jambudvipa was not ashamed to ask questions of those who were less knowledgeable.”

Chenxiang said, "To be honest, senior brother, there is indeed something suspicious here."

Zuo Liang pulled Chen Xiang to sit cross-legged on a futon in the library and asked, "Tell me about it."

Chenxiang then told Zuo Liang all the confusion in his heart.

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang immediately understood and smiled, "As you said, Chenxiang, it seems that there is Yin and Yang in your heart. Yin explains the principles, and Yang explains the truth. If I were to explain this to you, it would cause you to feel troubled and give rise to all sorts of distracting thoughts. Is that so?"

Chenxiang said, "That's exactly right, that's exactly right. But this matter is a bit strange and peculiar. When I look at these books about things like the Golden Elixir, I feel bored, but I don't feel bored with other books."

Zuo Liang said, "I already know everything that has happened here, but I have something to tell you."

Chenxiang bowed and said, "Please speak, senior brother, I am listening."

Zuo Liang said, “My master often talks about the numbers of heaven and earth, so that all things have their own way and yin and yang are divided. Since yin and yang are divided, there is right and wrong. There are two people in you, so one person is preventing you from studying and the other person is encouraging you to study. There must be right and wrong. Who do you think is right and who is wrong?”

After pondering for a moment, Chenxiang replied, "If we judge right and wrong based on this, then those who encourage others to read should be considered right."

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "You understand this principle, so I don't need to say anything more."

Chenxiang said, "Senior brother, but there are things I don't understand in these books. They are like heavenly books, obscure and difficult to understand. I feel that they are beyond my comprehension. What should I do?"

Zuo Liang said, "I can't help you with this. Chenxiang, why don't you explain it to your uncle? If your uncle knows about this, he can definitely help you understand."

Chenxiang responded and asked where Sun Wukong was, as he was about to go and inquire about Sun Wukong.

Zuo Liang pointed to the outside of the mansion and said, "My martial uncle is here with my master, the Dharma Protector, and the Cauldron Protector, among others, testing their martial arts skills outside the mansion. Chenxiang, you may go there yourself."

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang bid farewell to Zuoliang and headed out of the Immortal Abode.

Before long, Chenxiang arrived outside the immortal mansion. As soon as he stepped outside, he saw gusts of wind howling towards him, almost knocking him to the ground.

Chenxiang opened his eyes and looked closely, only to see a fierce battle raging outside the mansion. Cultivating boars, guardian oxen, and even the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, the Monkey King, were all vying for the Golden Cudgel. The three weapons clashed in three different ways, attacking from all sides. The battle filled the sky, creating mist and clouds, and beyond the mountains, cliffs collapsed and ridges crumbled.

Sun Wukong, the Bull Demon King, and Zhu Bajie fought for over fifty rounds without a clear victor. Chenxiang was horrified to see that the three of them could cause the heavens and earth to collapse with every move. Chenxiang felt a surge of heat in his heart, wishing he could have such power.

The three fought for a long time, and knowing that it was difficult to determine a winner, they had no choice but to stop fighting.

Sun Wukong put away his golden cudgel, pointed at the two men, and laughed, "Brother, your skills have improved, no need to say more. But this fool has really surprised me. His skills are far superior to before. In this fierce fight, I can't beat you two."

Pigsy patted his belly and said, “Brother, don’t underestimate me. I lost my power back then and was timid, so I didn’t dare to go forward to fight and only cared about saving my life. But now I have three parts of my power and I’m willing to fight with my life on the line, which is why I look like this. Fortunately, I have the help of the Bull King and his support from the side. Otherwise, even if I fought with my life on the line, I would not have been able to withstand a blow or two from your staff, Brother Monkey.”

The Bull Demon King laughed and said, "Pigsy, you certainly have some power now."

The three talked for a long time.

Sun Wukong suddenly saw Chenxiang standing at the gate of the mansion. He bid farewell to the two men, walked to Chenxiang, and led him into the mansion and into the quiet room.

Chenxiang entered the quiet room, bowed deeply, and said, "Disciple greets Master."

Sun Wukong, wearing a cassock, sat down and asked, "Chenxiang, you haven't been studying today, what brings you outside? Is there something you need?"

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang recounted everything he had discussed with Zuo Liang to Sun Wukong, asking Sun Wukong to provide answers.

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong smiled and said, "I already know about this matter. You don't need to be alarmed. If you can't continue reading, you can continue or not. The choice is yours. But if you read some more books and after a few years, I will teach you the way of cultivation."

Upon hearing that Sun Wukong would impart the secrets of cultivation to him, Chenxiang was overjoyed and put aside his many doubts, asking, "Master, will you truly impart the secrets of cultivation to me?"

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "I should teach you the way of cultivation, but you should wait patiently for a while longer."

Chenxiang said, "Master, I will definitely focus on my studies."

Sun Wukong said, "Go now. When the time comes, I will summon you. For now, go and study."

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang bowed and withdrew. On his way back, his heart was filled with excitement. The quiet contemplation he had cultivated through his studies vanished completely upon witnessing Sun Wukong and his ilk's ability to move mountains and fill seas. His mind and eyes were filled with nothing but the power to cause the heavens and earth to collapse at any moment.

If he could learn such skills, he would surely be able to defeat his uncle, and then he could go anywhere in heaven or on earth.

Sun Wukong, clad in his cassock, watched Chenxiang's departing figure and shook his head inwardly. He could see that Chenxiang's heart was still unruly, which was the greatest difficulty for young cultivators. Their minds were unsettled, constantly looking left and right, unable to find peace. By the time they found peace, they were already old, and by then the root of their cultivation had been lost. How could they then cultivate? Those like Zuo Liang, who entered the path of cultivation at the age of sixty, were ultimately a minority. Most ordinary people were like Chenxiang, their minds like monkeys, rampant with their inner turmoil. They often secretly vowed to change their ways, but once they were settled, their inner turmoil would return. How could they ever find peace?

……

Time flies, and seven or eight years have passed in the blink of an eye.

The story takes place in the Tushita Palace in the celestial realm.

One day, Jiang Yuan was refining pills in the alchemy room. He could easily master the external alchemy.

When Jinjiao and Yinjiao saw the real person refining pills, they were all sincerely impressed. Apart from Laozi, this was the first time they had seen someone so capable as to so easily produce golden pills. It should be known that external alchemy is extremely difficult to refine. Although this refinement is not as good as internal alchemy, it should not be underestimated.

The True Man's mind was entirely focused on the alchemy furnace. Although he knew of the two celestial children's admiration for him, he did not show off in any way.

He was refining elixirs here when he suddenly felt something and looked out of the alchemy room.

Seeing the immortal's appearance, the two celestial children couldn't help but ask, "Senior brother, is there something wrong? If so, we can stay here and watch the fire for you."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "Laojun will come."

Upon hearing this, the two celestial boys looked out of the alchemy room and saw Laozi walking towards them. Just as the immortal had said, the two celestial boys were greatly astonished.

Laozi entered and, seeing the two celestial boys in such a state, asked, "Why are you two like this?"

The two celestial attendants then explained how the True Man, sitting in the alchemy chamber, knew that Laozi was coming.

Upon hearing this, Laozi was not alarmed and laughed, saying, "Guangxin's magical power is profound, and having such abilities is commonplace; there's nothing to mention about it."

As he spoke, Laozi looked at Jiang Yuan and said, "Guangxin, my good-for-nothing disciple has arrived. You may come with me to meet him."

Jiang Yuan said, "Since Laozi has invited me, I will certainly go. I will trouble you two junior brothers to look after this place. I will be right back."

The two celestial boys bowed and said, "Senior brother, please go ahead. With the two of us here, we will ensure that the timing and method of the fire are not off."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "That's excellent."

Say it.

The True Man returned the greeting to the two celestial attendants, and then left the alchemy room with Laozi. As they walked along the corridor, Laozi stopped and blocked the True Man's way.

Lao Jun said, "Guang Xin, when you meet my disciple later, you can have a match with him."

The immortal, not understanding the meaning, asked, "Laojun, what does this mean?"

Laozi said, “My disciple doesn’t really like alchemy, but I should teach him to learn both internal and external alchemy, and to be proficient in the numbers of heaven and earth. What skills does that have?”

The True Man immediately understood Laozi's intention and said, "Does Laozi want him to learn the complete Dao of Alchemy?"

Lao Jun nodded and said, "Bodhi has Jiang Guangxin who has taken over the mantle, but among my disciples, if we talk about who can take over my mantle, only he is capable. However, his heart for alchemy is far from sufficient. He should be taught to know the immensity of heaven and earth."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and laughed, "Laojun, everyone has their own path, why be so formal?"

Laozi laughed and scolded, "You idiot, don't talk to me like that. If you switch allegiance and join my sect, I won't need your help."

Jiang Yuan had no choice but to agree, saying that if Lao Jun's disciple was willing to compete with him, he would agree; if not, he could not force him.

Lao Jun smiled and agreed.

As the two talked, they walked to the central hall. As soon as they entered, Zhenjun saw a person dressed in a yellow brocade robe sitting on a futon, enjoying seasonal fruit pills.

The two entered, and the man stood up, bowed, and said, "Master."

After bowing to Laozi, the man turned and bowed to the True Man, saying, "True Man Guangxin, I have long admired your name!"

The man returned the bow, not daring to be impolite.

Lao Jun said, "This is my disciple, whom the Great Heavenly Venerable bestowed the title of 'Wonderful Joy Heavenly Venerable'."

The True Man bowed again and said, "Guangxin greets the Heavenly Venerable of Wonderful Joy!"

Miaole Tianzun shook his head and said, "Before the True Man, I dare not call myself a Heavenly Venerable. I have long heard of the True Man's name and have always wished to meet him, but I had no opportunity. Now I am finally able to meet him, which has resolved a regret."

The True Man said, "How dare I, a mere Taiyi from the lower realm, cause the Heavenly Venerable any concern?"

The Celestial Venerable Miaole said, “True Man, do not be modest. Since you attained enlightenment, who in the Three Realms does not know or understand your deeds? A few years ago, when you went to Beiju Luzhou to subdue the demons, I was greatly amazed. If I had not had important matters to attend to at the time and could not leave, I would have gone to help you and wipe out all the demons in Beiju Luzhou.”

The True Man smiled and spoke with the Celestial Venerable of Wonderful Joy, but remained unmoved by his words.

The two were talking in the main hall. Laozi watched them talk with a smile and did not disturb them.

As they talked, the two began discussing alchemy. They became very interested in this topic, verifying each other's points and gaining insights from the discussions.

After a long conversation, the two gained some understanding of each other's cultivation. In terms of internal alchemy, the two were evenly matched, but in terms of external alchemy, the True Man was far superior to the Celestial Venerable Miaole.

After a conversation, the Celestial Venerable Miaole greatly admired the True Man, knowing how profound his cultivation was. He said, "With such cultivation, if you were to enter the Heavenly Court, you would have many high positions to choose from. I have also heard that the Great Celestial Venerable greatly praises you. If you were to enter the Heavenly Court, you would be like a fish in water. So why don't you enter the Heavenly Court?"

The True Man shook his head and said, “I know that the Great Heavenly Venerable’s intention is not here. I can’t do this. If one day my cultivation is sufficient and I can enter the inner sanctum, then I will gladly help the Great Heavenly Venerable if he invites me again. But it is not possible now.”

Miaole Tianzun shook his head, his admiration for the True Man growing ever stronger.

Lao Jun said, "Now that you two have met again, why not try your supernatural powers and let me know who is better?"

The Celestial Venerable of Wonderful Joy understood Laozi's meaning and smiled, "If the True Man does not mind, I am willing to compete with the True Man in supernatural powers."

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "This is the Tushita Palace. It would be impolite to try out my supernatural powers here."

Lao Jun said, "This is my home ground. I am unaware of it. What do you have to say? Go ahead and try it in the palace. You two can rest assured. Use whatever skills or powers you have. No matter what kind of trouble you cause, you will not be able to leave the Tushita Palace."

(End of this chapter)