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

Chapter 332 The Bull King's Tribulation, A Frank Encounter

Between the fields of Lishan Village, the Bull Demon King was resting, chatting with some villagers around him about everyday matters.

After speaking for a short while, the Bull Demon King suddenly heard a villager report that a man claiming to be a "Celestial Master" had entered the village with many people, intending to treat his wife, Yan. The village chief told him to go home.

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King became somewhat anxious and said, "My wife is fine. Where did this quack doctor come from? Gentlemen, I entrust the work in my fields to you. I will go home now."

The villagers all said, "Old Niu, hurry home. We'll take care of things here, so you'll be fine. But if we need to do something in the future, you'll have to take care of things for us."

The Bull Demon King said, "That's how it should be, that's how it should be."

Say it.

The Bull Demon King was eager to return home and, unwilling to say any more, got up and left.

When the villagers saw the Bull Demon King in this state, they all joked with him and took care of things in the fields for him.

……

Meanwhile, the Bull Demon King hurriedly rushed home. As soon as he approached his house, he saw that it was surrounded by villagers, one circle after another.

The Bull Demon King said, "You all, make way for me. This is my home. How dare you block my way here?"

Upon hearing this, the villagers turned around and saw that it was the Bull Demon King, so they quickly made way for him.

The Bull Demon King walked forward and saw a man leading a deer walking alongside the village chief, waiting in front of the gate. He felt a little relieved and was about to say something.

Suddenly, his eyes widened, and he saw that the one leading the deer was none other than Zheng Yuan, a disciple of his master.

The Bull Demon King stepped forward and said, "Zhengyuan, Zhengyuan!"

Upon hearing the call, Zuo Liang, who was standing at the gate, turned to look at the Bull Demon King. He was not surprised to see him, but knew that the Bull Demon King was there. He smiled and greeted the Bull Demon King with a bow.

The Bull Demon King stepped forward to return the greeting and asked, "Zhengyuan, why are you here?"

Zuo Liang said, "I am traveling in the human world and have come here by chance."

Seeing the two talking, the village chief was puzzled and asked, "Old Niu, Celestial Master, do you two know each other?"

The Bull Demon King turned around and said, "Back when I was a refugee, I knew Zheng Yuan. Now, it has been a long time since we last met."

The village chief said, "That makes sense, that makes sense. You look big and burly, but you are very knowledgeable. It's quite normal for you to know someone like the Celestial Master."

The Bull Demon King said, "But I never expected to see Zheng Yuan here. I trouble the village chief to bring Zheng Yuan here."

The village chief said, “I heard that the Celestial Master came to save your wife. Now that you know the Celestial Master, that’s great. Please entertain the Celestial Master and ask him to save Niu Yan’s wife.”

The Bull Demon King said, "That's how it should be, that's how it should be. There's no need for the village chief to stay here. Please ask the village chief to disperse the villagers, and I'll invite Zheng Yuan into my home."

Upon hearing this, the village chief pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Old Niu, I'm leaving this place to you. If you need anything, just tell me, and I'll do my best to help you."

The Bull Demon King smiled and agreed.

The village chief then led the villagers away without lingering.

Seeing the surrounding villagers leave, the Bull Demon King stepped forward and spoke to Zuo Liang, saying, "Zheng Yuan, it's been a long time."

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "King Niu, let's not talk about reminiscing for now. I've come down the mountain today on my master's orders, and I have something to discuss with you."

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King immediately knelt down and said, "Zhengyuan, just tell me your decree, and I will obey and serve you without hesitation."

Zuo Liang said, "King Ox, by the decree of the Lord, you are about to face a calamity, so he sent me to help you and prevent you from being troubled by the calamity."

The Bull Demon King shook his head and said, "I am fine here, so why do you say I am in danger, and why do I need your help? This is very puzzling to me."

Zuo Liang said, “Master’s decree is absolutely correct. Ox King, perhaps you should reflect on yourself. You are bound to face a calamity. Ox King, I have often heard that when a person is about to face a calamity, the two gods will help them through it, thus deceiving the true master and making him unaware of the calamity. Only when it is too late to regret will he realize it. Ox King, you must be careful.”

Upon hearing Zuo Liang's words, the Bull Demon King pondered for a long time before nodding and saying, "Zheng Yuan, what you say makes a lot of sense. I should reflect on myself and think deeply, otherwise, it could be harmful."

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "That's right."

The Bull Demon King pondered Zuo Liang's words. He knew that since Zuo Liang had come on the orders of the True Man, he would not be wrong. He was well aware of the Master's magical power, and he was likely indeed facing a calamity.

But what calamity could he possibly face while staying in this mountain village?

Unless this village is destined for disaster.

After much thought, the Bull Demon King had some idea of ​​what was going on. He said, "Zhengyuan, I may know where this calamity comes from."

Zuo Liang asked, "What do you mean?"

The Bull Demon King then told Zuo Liang about many things, including the big and small matters that had happened after he went down the mountain. After he finished speaking, he said, "If there is any calamity, it is in this village. I have married a new wife in this village. She does not know that I am a demon, and the people in the village do not know my true form. I feel that this place is a calamity. If they suddenly find out that I am a demon, who knows what they will do."

Zuo Liang pondered for a moment and said, "What the Ox King said makes sense. The calamity may have arisen from this. But since the Ox King already knows about this matter, I wonder what the Ox King should do to avoid the calamity?"

The Bull Demon King said, “To be honest, Zheng Yuan, I came here with no intention of revealing my true form. I came here to cultivate in the mortal world. But now that we are talking about a calamity, I must find a way to avoid it. My intention is to be honest with my new wife. If she is willing, I will take her away. If she is not willing, I will give her some money, write a divorce agreement, and then leave.”

Zuo Liang said, "What the Ox King said makes sense, and we can do it this way. But I have heard that the Ox King's new wife is pregnant, but she has not been born after twelve months. Is this true?"

The Bull Demon King said, "This is a long story. He is a human, while I am originally a bull. The child born from the union of a bull and a human is extraordinary. His birth is not like that of a human. There is nothing to worry about."

Zuo Liang said, "If that's the case, how long until the son of the Ox King is born?"

The Bull Demon King said, "There are still several months to go. I have observed it and found nothing lacking."

Zuo Liang said, "If that's the case, I'll be at ease. But I suddenly have a thought: Junior Brother Zhengci in the manor is also the son of the Ox King. And Junior Brother Zhengci was born in the same year as this child?"

The Bull Demon King shook his head and said, "The Holy Infant was different then. Although the Holy Infant was born of me, he did not have the appearance of a bull, and the year of his birth was not like this."

Zuo Liang, puzzled, asked, "If Junior Brother Zhengci isn't a cow, what is he?"

The Bull Demon King said, "The Holy Infant resembles its mother and is in the form of a Rakshasa."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang suddenly understood and stopped asking questions, then followed the Bull Demon King into the house.

The Bull Demon King stepped forward and opened the door to welcome Zuo Liang in. Just as he entered, Madam Yan came over. She had intended to greet the Bull Demon King, but unexpectedly saw Zuo Liang instead.

Yan was very puzzled. He did not remember having such a sage-like person in the village. He stepped forward and asked, "Young master, who is this?"

The Bull Demon King said, "This is an old friend of mine. He was welcomed by the village chief upon entering the village. We won't discuss this matter for now. Madam, please come inside with me. I have something important to tell you." Madam Yan asked, "What is it, my lord?"

He vaguely sensed that something was wrong. Today's Niu Wang seemed quite different from the past. He had lost much of the flavor of a farmer and gained some flavor that he couldn't quite put his finger on.

The Bull Demon King said, "Come inside, and I will tell you something of utmost importance."

Say it.

The Bull Demon King went into the house.

Although Yan was puzzled, he did not ask any further questions and followed the Bull Demon King into the house.

Zuo Liang saw this but did not step forward. This was a matter between husband and wife, and he could not get involved. However, he was puzzled as to why the Bull King would choose a woman from the Sea of ​​Suffering in the mortal world as his wife. Since he made this choice, he no longer sought to experience the trials of the mortal world but instead entered the Sea of ​​Suffering.

Since Master has mentioned that there will be tribulations in his cultivation, these tribulations are probably not so simple. He should be on guard.

Zuo Liang pondered.

……

Meanwhile, the Ox King led Lady Yan into the house and sat down with her.

Madam Yan asked, "What's the matter that you're in such a hurry, young master?"

The Bull Demon King was very solemn and said, "My lady, I have something to tell you today, but this matter involves the relationship between my wife and me. After I finish speaking, if you are still willing to marry me, we will never be separated. But if you are not willing to marry me after hearing this, then we will divorce. I can leave you some money to ensure you have a worry-free life."

Yan Shi was increasingly confused by what the Bull Demon King had said, and said, "My lord, what's wrong with you? We are husband and wife, and we will never be separated. Why do you say such things?"

The Bull Demon King pondered for a moment, unsure of how to begin.

Madam Yan said, "My lord, don't say any more. I may know what you want to say. What is it that you want to say?"

The Bull Demon King was startled and said, "Madam, you know?"

Madam Yan said, "Now that you see an old friend from the past, you look like this. Could it be that the old friend spoke to you about your sister, and that's why you want to go find your sister and that's why you said these things to me?"

The Bull Demon King shook his head and said, "No, no."

Madam Yan said, "If it weren't for this, I truly wouldn't know what happened. I hope you can tell me, my lord. But you can rest assured, my lord, I will never leave you and there will never be any talk of divorce."

When the Bull Demon King saw Yan Shi's appearance, he still didn't know what to say. He knew that Yan Shi was terrified of monsters. If Yan Shi knew that he was a monster, he really didn't know what to do.

Seeing that the Bull Demon King dared not speak, Yan had no choice but to say, "My lord, if anything happens, you can tell me. There's no need to worry."

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King had no choice but to speak, saying, "Madam, I will tell you frankly, I am not human."

Suddenly, Madam Yan laughed and said, "Is my son not human? I know about this matter."

The Bull Demon King exclaimed in surprise, "Madam, how did you know?"

Madam Yan said, "My son, your strength is so great that it is far beyond what ordinary people can compare with. You are no ordinary person."

The Bull Demon King said, "That's not how it is, that's not how it is. But I am a demon."

Madam Yan said, "Ah Lang, are you confused? How can you talk such nonsense? You just fought off the monster back then, how can you say that you are a monster now?"

The Bull Demon King said, “Madam, I was originally a guardian of a celestial being in Xiniu Hezhou. However, I had to leave to cultivate and thus descend to the mortal world to experience life. My true form is a bull demon. I am not willing to deceive you now. I should leave. If you are willing, I will take you with me. If you are not willing, then let it be. I will divorce you and give you some money.”

Yan felt that the Bull Demon King was acting like a madman, talking about some celestial abode and some monsters. He exclaimed, "My lord, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell? Come with me quickly to find Mr. Liu to take a look."

The Bull Demon King shook his head and said, "I am fine, but what I said is true. You have seen my true form before."

Yan said, "When have I ever seen its true form?"

The Bull Demon King said, "The bull demon you saw by the bedside in the past was my true form. I was not lying."

Yan still didn't believe it, thinking that the Bull Demon King was unwell and talking nonsense. He still wanted to take the Bull Demon King to see Mr. Liu for a checkup.

The Bull Demon King said, "Madam, you really don't believe me?"

Yan stared at the Bull Demon King in astonishment, naturally disbelieving.

Upon seeing this, the Bull Demon King knew that he could not convince the Yan family with words alone. So he transformed himself and revealed his true form: a pair of bull horns on his head, a burly figure, and a somewhat ferocious face, but with a lot of spiritual energy within.

Yan stared at the Bull Demon King, utterly horrified. For a moment, she was speechless, her eyes wide open, unable to utter a word.

The Bull Demon King stepped forward and said, "Madam, do not panic. Although I am a demon, I will not harm you. You can rest assured."

He went forward to help Yan Shi up, hoping to put her at ease.

Madam Yan quickly dodged, crying out in alarm, "Monster! Monster! Don't come any closer! Where did you come from, monster? Give my husband back to me!"

The Bull Demon King said, “My lady, I am your husband. Do not be alarmed. This is my true form. I am not lying to you. I am a protector under the tutelage of an immortal. I have come down the mountain to gain experience. I am not that evil monster. My lady, please rest assured.”

Yan was still terrified. Even after hearing the Bull Demon King's words, his fear remained. He got up and tried to run away to call for help from the villagers.

The Bull Demon King said, "Don't call out to others. I am truly not an evil monster. Calm down and don't be so frightened. It's not good for the baby in your womb."

Yan was still terrified and couldn't listen to what the Bull Demon King was saying. She got up and still wanted to run away.

How could the Bull Demon King let him escape? He got up and tried to stop him.

Madam Yan cried out in alarm, "Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer! Where is my husband? What have you done to him? Tell me!"

The Bull Demon King said, "I am your husband. If you don't believe me, just wait and see."

Say it.

With a sway of his body, the Bull Demon King transformed into the appearance of a burly farmer, just as he had always looked in the village.

The Bull Demon King asked, "Is this what it looks like?"

Madam Yan said, "You monster, how could you use such deceptive sorcery to fool me? You must have killed my husband and replaced him to deceive me, trying to harm my whole family and even my whole village!"

(End of this chapter)