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

Chapter 334 A clean break, a decision to have a child
In Lishan Village, the Bull Demon King told the whole truth about his origins, but the villagers refused to believe him. The truth was mixed with falsehood, and ordinary people could not possibly know the difference.

The Bull Demon King, having overheard the villagers saying that he was reciting a story, was unwilling to believe it. Feeling helpless, he said, "Gentlemen, what I say is true, not just nonsense. Why don't you believe me?"

The villagers discussed among themselves, all saying, "They don't believe it, they don't believe it."

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

The villagers all shook their heads, saying they did not believe what the Bull Demon King said.

The Bull Demon King looked at Zuo Liang, wanting to know what method he had.

Zuo Liang shook his head. Now that things had come to this, what could he possibly do?

The Bull Demon King said, "If you really don't believe me, I have a way to make you believe that what I say is true."

Upon hearing this, the villagers, instead of hurrying to disperse, developed a desire to watch the spectacle. They laughed and said, "Old Niu, you're really getting carried away with this story. We're starting to believe it's true. Since you say it's true and you have a solution, tell us about it."

The Bull Demon King said, “But in my words, my true form is a demon bull. I can transform into my true form. If you see my true form, you will believe me. But I'm afraid that seeing my true form will frighten you, which would be bad.”

The villagers still didn't believe it, thinking that the Bull Demon King was talking nonsense.

One villager said, "Since you, Old Ox, claim to have some true form, then show it to us. But if we are even slightly afraid, we will take your surname."

Another villager chuckled and said, "That's exactly right, that's exactly right. If we're even slightly afraid, we'll help you with the work in the fields from now on, Old Niu."

A villager nearby said, “Old Niu says he has a real form, and even says that his real form is a cow, and he says some strange things. But since your real form is a cow, can you help us plow the fields in the future? The village is very poor and only has one cow. If you help, then we will have two cows.”

The village chief, seeing this, was at a loss for words. He felt that this place was absurd, talking about monsters and gathering so many people. He really didn't know what to do.

The village chief could only stand by and watch what would happen to the Bull Demon King and the villagers.

The Bull Demon King said, "Since you speak without fear, I will reveal my true form. Do not be alarmed."

The villagers said, "Come on, transform yourself!"

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King transformed himself without saying a word, revealing his true form.

The villagers were terrified when they suddenly saw the true form of the Bull Demon King. How could they dare to speak in front of him? They scattered and fled in all directions, some to the east, some to the west, some to the ground, not daring to linger for a moment, for fear of being harmed by the Bull Demon King. As they ran, some shouted "Monster!"

When the Bull Demon King saw the villagers flee, he was stunned and said nothing. He looked around and saw that only Yan Shi was left lying on the ground, exhausted from shock and grief, unable to escape.

The Bull Demon King turned his head and asked, "Zhengyuan, is my true form really so intimidating? Why do you scatter and flee as soon as you see my true form, refusing to listen to a single word I say?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "The true form of the Ox King is not that terrifying, but prejudice has bound people's minds like a mountain that stands firm. Therefore, the Ox King is not tolerated by others. In reality, although the Ox King has a demonic appearance, he has many spiritual features and is not terrifying."

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King pondered for a long time before sighing, "Humans and demons are destined to be different."

Say it.

He said no more to Zuo Liang, and walked up to Yan Shi, saying, "I truly have no intention of harming you. If I had, you would have been dead long ago. Why are you still talking to me? What I asked you just now was the truth. You can consider it carefully. If you are willing to come with me, I will take you away and never be separated from you. But if you are not willing, I will give you money, and our marital relationship will end here. I have a divorce agreement for you, and the money will ensure you have enough to eat and wear."

Yan was trembling with fear, his body shaking, and dared not utter a word, for fear that the Bull Demon King would harm him.

Seeing this, the Bull Demon King was quite helpless and asked, "Zhengyuan, is there any way?"

Zuo Liang nodded and said, "I have a way."

Zuo Liang reached into his bundle and took out a yellow talisman. He waved it at Yan Shi, and the talisman spontaneously combusted without fire. Spiritual energy flew out and merged into Yan Shi's body, making her much more clear-headed and no longer afraid.

Zuo Liang said, "This is a soul-stabilizing talisman, which can keep the soul stable and the mind at peace, thus eliminating any fear."

The Bull Demon King exclaimed in surprise, "Zhengyuan, where did you get such talisman skills? Didn't you cultivate the Five Thunder Orthodox Method?"

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "When I was in the manor, I read a lot of books, so I naturally learned a little bit. It's not something I can be proud of, only good for handling small matters, and not something I can be put to great use."

The Bull Demon King exclaimed in amazement, "Zhengyuan, your talent is truly remarkable. Many cultivators of this caliber are not as skilled as you in crafting talismans."

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "Indeed, it's not presentable. King Niu, there's no need to say more. Instead, talk to your wife."

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King nodded and stepped forward, saying, "Now, is it possible to discuss this?"

Yan looked at the Ox King and said, "Are you really my husband?"

The Bull Demon King nodded and said, "I am your husband. We have been husband and wife for many years. I am your husband, you should know that, so don't be alarmed."

Yan said, "You have always been a demon in disguise, and you have never changed?"

After pondering for a long time, the Bull Demon King said, "If what you say is true, then I have always been a demon and have never changed. But I have entered the human world and experienced the trials of life, which is why I met you. Would you be willing to leave with me?"

Lady Yan looked at the Bull Demon King without saying a word.

The Bull Demon King said no more and simply stood aside, waiting for Madam Yan to speak.

After a long while, Madam Yan finally spoke, saying, "I am willing to divorce you, but we will have no further connection. My husband must not become a demon."

The Bull Demon King agreed and took a piece of paper from Zuo Liang. He wrote a divorce agreement on the paper. He was about to go and find some money, but Zuo Liang handed him a bundle full of money.

The Bull Demon King was somewhat surprised that Zuo Liang had so much money, but he still accepted it and handed it all over to Yan Shi, saying, "There is a lot of money here, enough to ensure you have enough to eat and wear for the rest of your life. You can take it, but you should know the principle that 'a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime.'"

Then, the Ox King presented the letter of divorce, saying, "Since our hearts are not aligned and we cannot be of one mind, let us each return to our own paths. I hope that after our separation, you will adorn your hair and eyebrows, display your graceful figure, and choose another husband. I also hope that you will resolve your grievances and let go of your hatred for me. Let us part ways peacefully and each find our own happiness."

The Bull Demon King did not linger and headed out of the village.

Zuo Liang followed closely behind, leading the white deer, and the two left together.

Looking at the silver coins and divorce papers in front of her, Madam Yan seemed to wake from a dream, realizing that the Bull King was no ordinary person. Even though he was a demon, he was far superior to others. If she lost this man, could she find someone better?
……

Meanwhile, the Bull Demon King and Zuo Liang walked out of the village and onto the mountain path.

The Bull Demon King suddenly stopped, looked around the village, and remained silent for a long time.

Zuo Liang said, "Bull King, why bother?" The Bull Demon King turned his head and laughed, "Why bother?"

Zuo Liang said, “Ox King, there’s no need to pretend you don’t know. If the Ox King keeps the child in his womb, your karmic connection with him will not be severed. In the future, you will surely face another calamity and endless suffering.”

The Bull Demon King said, "Zhengyuan, when you first came, I did not believe it and did not know where the tribulation came from. Now, I know that the tribulation of cultivation is here."

Zuo Liang said, "Bull King, you could have avoided it. Why be so brave?"

The Bull Demon King shook his head and said, "A calamity is like a conspiracy, as people often say. Even if you know there is no way forward, you will still jump down and get trapped."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Liang remained silent. Since the calamity was not upon him, he did not feel it as deeply. The calamity was upon the Bull King, so he could not say anything.

The Bull Demon King turned around and bowed, saying, "Zhengyuan, I am very grateful to you for this trip. You have traveled a long way to come here and have given me money and other things. I will remember your kindness and never forget it. If you ever need my help in the future, please feel free to tell me and I will do my best to help you."

Zuo Liang returned the greeting and said, "There's no need for such formalities, but I've come on my master's orders."

The Bull Demon King said, "Even though there is a decree, I accept the favor. Zheng Yuan, is it possible for us to return to the mountains now?"

Zuo Liang nodded and said, "My original intention was to travel around and treat the refugees, but now that I have joined forces with the Ox King, I should go home first. Along the way, I can also treat the refugees."

The Bull Demon King said, "That's right. Speaking of which, Zheng Yuan, you do have compassion in your heart. Although I don't know what you did in the mortal world, there is much more compassion between your brows than before."

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "Is there really been a change? I was unaware of it."

The Bull Demon King said, "Let's not waste any more words of modesty. We'll leave now and go home."

Zuo Liang said, "There is one thing I don't understand, and I would like to ask the Ox King for an answer."

The Bull Demon King said, "If you have any questions, please feel free to ask, and I will answer them for you."

Zuo Liang said, "When the Ox King returns home, how should we tell Brother Zhengci and the others about the Ox King's marriage outside?"

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King became somewhat annoyed and said, "Zhengyuan, how dare you make fun of me?"

As the two joked around, they headed towards Xiniu Hezhou.

……

In Lishan Village, after the Bull Demon King and Zuo Liang left, the villagers dared to show themselves and approached him timidly. Only after seeing that the Bull Demon King and Zuo Liang had left did they go to look for Yan Shi.

Before long, the villagers found Madam Yan at the former home of the Ox King. They asked her about her situation, and Madam Yan told them everything. After she finished speaking, she took out the divorce papers and showed them to the villagers.

The villagers gasped in surprise and began to discuss the matter animatedly.

One villager said, "We never imagined that the old ox was actually a monster. We lived with the monster for so long without knowing anything. Looking back now, it's truly terrifying."

Another villager said, "The divorce papers have been written, and the monster has already left, so there's no need to say anything more. Luckily, he left on his own, otherwise we wouldn't know how to deal with that old ox. No wonder we were able to drive away the monster back then; it turns out the old ox was also a monster. That makes sense now."

Another villager said, "Who knows, that monster and the old ox were in cahoots, putting on a show for us."

The village chief rebuked him, saying, "You mustn't talk such nonsense."

The villager was indignant and said, "Why is the village chief protecting a monster?"

The village chief said, “Even if it is a monster, it has helped us a lot in the past. Now that it has left, we must not talk nonsense anymore and bring trouble upon ourselves. Now that it is a monster, how do you know that what you are saying is unknown to it? If it finds out what happened here, it will definitely come to take your life. At that time, you will not be able to beg for mercy.”

Upon hearing this, the villager became frightened and dared not speak further.

The village chief then looked at Madam Yan and asked, "Madam Niu, before Old Niu left, did he leave you a divorce agreement explaining everything, or did he say anything else?"

After a moment of hesitation, Madam Yan said, "He left me a sum of money, saying that it would ensure I would have enough to eat and wear, but that was all."

Upon hearing the word "money," the villagers' eyes lit up.

The village chief, unconvinced, asked, "Do you know how the Heavenly Master and the Old Ox came to know each other?"

Yan said, "Judging from their words, they seem to come from the same place, so they must be from some kind of immortal abode."

The villagers said, "How could a monster come from a celestial abode? That's nonsense, that's nonsense. Yan, you've been fooled."

The village chief remained silent, but he looked into Yan's belly and asked, "Niu Yan, no, since you have divorced Old Niu, you cannot be called that. Yan, you are now carrying Old Niu's child. If Old Niu is a demon, then the child in your belly will be the child of a demon. Have you thought about what to do?"

Yan stroked her belly and said, "Village Chief, I want to give birth to this child and raise it to adulthood."

The villagers were all shocked and said, "Yan, how could you do this? How could you do this? This child is a monster. How could you raise it after giving birth to it?"

Upon hearing this, the village chief did not say much, but smiled and nodded, saying, "In that case, you can stay here. If you need anything, just tell me. But if anyone bullies you, you can come to me and I will stand up for you."

Upon hearing this, Yan was overjoyed and said, "Thank you, village chief, thank you, village chief."

Upon hearing this, the villagers became very anxious and said, "Village chief, how can you do this? But there is a monster inside its belly. If it is born and tries to eat us, what will we do then?"

The village chief said, "There's no need to say anything more. But if the child in her womb is born, I will take care of it myself. If she wants to eat people, she will eat me first. You all must not say anything more."

Seeing the village chief's firm stance, the villagers had no choice but to give up. However, when they looked into Yan's belly, their eyes were filled with ill intent, revealing their deep-seated prejudice.

……

The story begins at Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, at the Xieyue Sanxing Cave.

Jiang Yuan was meditating in his mansion when he suddenly sensed something and looked outside. After a short while, he learned what had happened. He smiled, said nothing more, and summoned Red Boy, who was cultivating in the mansion.

Having received the order, Red Boy went to the True Man's quiet room to listen to his teachings.

The master instructed, "Zhengci, at noon on the thirteenth day of the third month of the year, go outside the mansion and wait quietly. Your father and your senior brother will be returning. You can wait respectfully. At that time, send the two of them to see me."

Upon hearing this, Red Boy immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Disciple obeys."

(End of this chapter)