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

Chapter 335 The two finally returned to the manor, and the True Man learned unorthodox methods.

Time flies, and before we knew it, a year, three months, and thirteen days had passed.

After a long journey, Bull Demon King and Zuo Liang finally arrived at Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, where they walked and talked along the mountain path.

Zuo Liang, riding a white deer, said, "King of the Ox, we have traveled for a long time and have finally entered the mountains. We are almost home."

Holding the Black Dragon Spear, the Bull Demon King walked forward and exclaimed, "Zhengyuan, your cultivation is truly remarkable. Along this journey, you relied on your own abilities to keep the demons along the way from attacking you. This is enough to demonstrate your magical power."

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "My magical power is nothing special. The reason why this place is not affected by demonic obstacles is because my master and I are protected by the Yu Ding."

The Bull Demon King said, “Zhengyuan, don’t try to fool me. But I know that you haven’t touched the Yu Ding at all. If you encounter any evil spirits or demons, you will rely entirely on your magical power and the Five Thunder Orthodox Method.”

Zuo Liang smiled without saying anything more.

The Bull Demon King asked, "Zhengyuan, do you know when you will achieve enlightenment?"

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "I don't know, but I imagine it's still a long way off."

The Bull Demon King, not understanding his meaning, said, “No, no, it really shouldn’t be! Zheng Yuan, your magic power is quite good now, and the Five Thunder Orthodox Method is even more remarkable. As long as you give an order, everyone in heaven and on earth will obey. You must be very close to the orthodox path.”

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "But that is the true fruit of cultivation, not the true fruit of the mind."

The Bull Demon King asked, "What is the true fruit of cultivation? What is the true fruit of the mind?"

Zuo Liang said, “The true fruit of cultivation, as the Ox King said, is near. It has limits and can be reached with a reach. The true fruit of cultivating the mind, however, is boundless. The mind is both master and guest, and the boundaries between them are forgotten. The path is difficult and long, with no end in sight.”

The Bull Demon King said, "You have indeed received the master's true teachings."

Zuo Liang was about to say something more, but the two of them had already arrived in front of the Three Star Immortal Cave. Just as they were about to enter, they suddenly saw the gate of the Immortal Mansion open.

The Bull Demon King was puzzled and said, "Why are the gates of your mansion wide open today? Could it be that a distinguished guest has arrived?"

Zuo Liang said, "It doesn't seem like there are any distinguished guests. If there were, the mansion would be surrounded by purple aura, auspicious clouds, and endless good fortune. There is none of that now, so there must be no distinguished guests in the mansion."

The Bull Demon King said, "If there are no distinguished guests, why is the mansion gate wide open? This is strange, this is strange."

Zuo Liang said, "Go inside and take a look, and you will know what's going on here."

The Bull Demon King responded and was about to walk inside when he saw a figure by the gate. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was none other than the Bull Saint Infant.

Overjoyed, the Bull Demon King stepped forward, picked up the Holy Infant, and said, "Holy Infant, what are you doing here at the gate?"

Red Boy was suddenly picked up and was startled. When he saw that it was the Bull Demon King, he relaxed and said, "Father, you've finally come back."

The Bull Demon King asked, "Holy Infant, how can you say such a thing? I have finally returned. What kind of talk is this? Did you know that I would return at this moment?"

Zuo Liang was also somewhat curious and asked, "Junior Brother Zhengci, from what you've said, it seems you know us. How so? Could you tell us?"

Red Boy said, "I dare not deceive my father, nor my senior brother. More than a year ago, my master suddenly summoned me and said that my father and senior brother would return after one year, three months and thirteen months. He told me to wait and if my father and senior brother returned, I should go and meet them."

The Bull Demon King asked in surprise, "Master, did you know more than a year ago that Zheng Yuan and I were going to return?"

Red Boy said, "That's right. Now, just as Master said, Father and Senior Brother have returned."

The Bull Demon King exclaimed, "Master's magic power is becoming more and more profound, and his supernatural abilities are becoming more and more extensive. I'm afraid he is close to becoming a great master. He was able to predict when we would return a year ago, and he was absolutely right on the right path. Such supernatural powers are truly admirable."

Zuo Liang also said, "It is quite normal for Master to have such magical power, but Master has been diligently cultivating for so many years without any change."

The Bull Demon King said, "That makes sense."

Red Boy said, "Father, Senior Brother, but Master is still waiting. We should go and visit Master first, and then he can tell us."

The Bull Demon King said, "That's right, that's right. My child, you go and rest. Zheng Yuan and I will go find the master now."

The three said no more and took their leave. Bull Demon King and Zuo Liang headed towards Jiang Yuan's quiet room, while Red Boy closed the gates of the mansion.

……

Before long, the Bull Demon King and Zuo Liang arrived at Jiang Yuan's quiet room. When they arrived, they saw that the door of the quiet room was wide open, as if it was waiting for them.

The two men then rode forward and bowed in greeting.

Upon hearing the two men bow, Jiang Yuan opened her eyes and said, "Come closer, there's no need for such formalities."

Upon hearing the master's words, the two men entered with utmost respect, bowed again, and dared not overstep their bounds.

The master laughed and said, "Even though I said there was no need for formalities, why are you two still acting like this?"

The Bull Demon King knelt on the ground, kowtowed and said, "Thank you, sir, for sending someone to help me escape this calamity. I am deeply grateful. Now that I have seen you, sir, how can I not pay my respects to express my gratitude?"

Jiang Yuan looked closely at the Bull Demon King and said, "Although I know you have a calamity, you have not escaped it. The calamity is still there."

The Bull Demon King laughed and said, "I know all the kindness you have shown me, my lord. The reason I have not escaped this calamity is because of my own choice, not because of anything else."

Jiang Yuan asked, "King Ox, you have thought this through. This calamity is extraordinary. But now, you are already halfway into the sea of ​​suffering. As for what the sea of ​​suffering is like, I don't need to explain the intricacies to you. You already know it yourself. When you first followed me, there were many times when you were coerced into following me. But all along, we have complemented each other. You have seen the sea of ​​suffering many times. Once you fall into it, there is no turning back."

The Bull Demon King said, “Master, I know that, but it would be very easy for me to destroy the calamity. However, I cannot do such a thing. If I do, I am not your protector. Therefore, even if there is trouble in the Sea of ​​Bitterness, I will still go through it.”

Jiang Yuan sighed and said, "Enough, enough, enough. But if you need any help, just tell me, and I will definitely help you if I can."

The Bull Demon King laughed and said, "Thank you, sir."

Jiang Yuan waved his hand, dismissing him and instructing him to rest well in the mansion and not to interrupt his cultivation.

The Ox King readily accepted the order, smiling and bowing repeatedly before leaving the quiet room.

Jiang Yuan then looked at Zuo Liang, gestured for him to sit on the futon in front of him, and asked, "Zheng Yuan, what did you gain from this trip?"

Zuo Liang bowed respectfully before taking his seat and said, "Master, on this journey I have witnessed the suffering of humanity, the boundless sea of ​​misery. My heart aches with compassion, and I wish to help those in need, but my strength is insufficient. This has made me eager to cultivate myself, hoping that I will soon be able to help more people suffering in this world." Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan looked at Zuo Liang for a long time and said, "Zheng Yuan, do you know the principle that the sea of ​​misery is difficult to cross? Even I find it difficult to cross it."

Zuo Liang said, "Master, I understand, but I am willing to do my best."

Jiang Yuan pondered for a long time, as if he had a sudden realization and understood why Zuo Liang's path was not in the mansion. He suddenly smiled and said, "Alright, as long as you know it in your heart, just like the Bull King. But if there is anything I can do to help you, you can speak up, and I will definitely help you."

Zuo Liang knelt on the ground and said, "Disciple thanks Master."

Jiang Yuan waved his hand, signaling Zuo Liang to leave and focus on his cultivation.

Zuo Liang left upon receiving the order.

After dismissing the two men, the Master got up, walked out of the meditation room, and went to the Patriarch's meditation room. He requested an audience outside the room, and only after receiving the Patriarch's permission did he enter and pay his respects to the Patriarch.

The Patriarch instructed the True Man to rise and sit down on the prayer mat, which the True Man did as he was told.

The Patriarch laughed and said, "You little boy, you just met with your disciple, the Ox King. Why have you come here to see me again? Tell me what you want."

Jiang Yuan asked, "Master, but this disciple does not know where the path of the Ox King and my disciple is, or what difficulties it involves."

The patriarch smiled and said, "You are too impatient."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "Master, although I have some magical power and can see a little, I cannot see the whole picture. It is only because the two of them have a deep karmic connection with me that I can see this. If there were no karmic connection, I would not know anything and would be far behind you. That is why I came to ask you."

The Patriarch said, “Child, your concern is causing you confusion. The Ox King is your protector, and throughout the Three Realms, all those with magical powers know of him. Zheng Yuan is your second disciple, and his Five Thunder Orthodox Method has been granted by Laozi. There are no major difficulties, but they may be challenging for the two of you. Even if you are in danger of falling into a deep sea of ​​suffering, you will eventually save yourselves. There is no need to worry.”

Hearing what the patriarch said, Jiang Yuan gradually felt relieved and bowed, saying, "Disciple thanks Master. This was my fault, I was inappropriate."

The patriarch smiled and said, "Child, the day you establish your own residence is not far off, so you should make preparations early."

Jiang Yuan said, "Master, I know that I am about to open my own residence, but my cultivation has not yet been successful, so I do not know how to do it."

The patriarch said, "Given your current level of cultivation, how can you still say that you have not yet achieved anything?"

Jiang Yuan said, "But this disciple knows very little about the methods."

The patriarch smiled and said, “What’s so difficult about this? With your current level of understanding, you can learn it quickly. If you want to achieve great success, it will just take more effort. These days, you have nothing to do, so you can stay here and cultivate with me. I will teach you all the side arts and teach you to have the ability to open your own academy.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan immediately stood up, kowtowed, and said, "Disciple thanks Master."

The patriarch shook his head and said, "No need for thanks. Get up and come closer, and I will explain the secrets to you."

Jiang Yuan walked forward and listened to the patriarch expounding the Dao.

……

Time flies, summer comes and winter goes, and more than ten years have passed in the blink of an eye.

Lingtai Fangcun Mountain's Xieyue Sanxing Cave had been peaceful for a long time, with everyone cultivating in seclusion within the cave. There had been no major changes, except that Sun Wukong would occasionally go out to meet friends, which was a rare outing for Sanxing Immortal Cave.

One day, Sun Wukong was returning from visiting a friend in Heaven when he saw Chenxiang studying a book outside the mansion. Intrigued, he went up to see if Chenxiang was studying seriously or just pretending.

Sun Wukong approached and saw that Chenxiang was indeed studying a book, which reassured him. Upon closer inspection, he saw that the book Chenxiang was reading contained stories of human affairs, recorded by the disciples of the Three Star Immortal Mansion throughout history.

Sun Wukong stepped forward and asked, "Chenxiang, why are you reading such a book?"

Chenxiang was startled. He looked up and saw that it was Wukong. He immediately bowed and called him Master. He said, "Master, I heard that you went out to a banquet. How come you have returned so quickly?"

Sun Wukong said, "The star constellations held a banquet that day, but before half the wine was served, those constellations had to leave on important business, so I had to return. But why are you reading such books?"

Chenxiang said, “Master, there are many historical books of the Southern Continent in the library. I was amazed when I read them, because the events recorded in these books were not recorded in the historical books of the Southern Continent. I have gained a lot from reading them and have learned how to deal with Erlang Shen and how to defeat him.”

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "I know these historical records, and most of them are true. However, the historical records of the Southern Continent are not recorded because they are meant to cover up the truth. But I don't believe you that you have a way to deal with Erlang Shen and defeat him. Tell me about it."

Chenxiang said, "Master, there are two reasons why I cannot defeat Erlang Shen."

Sun Wukong said, "Tell me."

Chenxiang said, "Firstly, my cultivation is inferior to Erlang Shen's, making it difficult for me to contend with him. Secondly, the reason I cannot defeat him is that I have no help, while Erlang Shen has countless lackeys and underlings, including numerous minor deities. As the book says, 'Those who attain the Way receive much help, while those who stray from the Way receive little help. When help is scarce, even relatives turn against them; when help is plentiful, the whole world submits.' Therefore, to deal with Erlang Shen, I must cultivate more and find help, becoming one of those who attain the Way and acting in accordance with the prevailing trend."

After listening, Sun Wukong nodded and said, "What you say is correct, but do you know how to become an enlightened person?"

Chenxiang said, "Master, I know this, but it cannot be said here."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "You are one who likes to make things mysterious, but you should be able to tell me what you want to do and when you want to do it."

Chenxiang said, "It's too early. I know my cultivation is shallow. I'll cultivate for a while longer before we talk about it."

Sun Wukong said, "Since you know this principle, I feel much more at ease. If you insist on going out and fail to succeed, I don't know what to do."

Chenxiang put the books away, bowed, and said, "Master, you have shown me great concern. I will certainly not misbehave again."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "That's excellent."

After talking for a while, the two stopped talking. Chenxiang continued reading, while Sun Wukong walked into the mansion. As he was about to enter the mansion, he looked back at Chenxiang and saw that he was focused on reading. He felt much more at ease and thought to himself, "If Erlang Shen knew that Chenxiang was like this, he would be much more relieved. I should find an excuse to talk to Erlang Shen about it."

Sun Wukong entered the mansion, heading towards the quiet room. He had only taken two steps when he ran into Zuo Liang.

Upon seeing Wukong, Zuo Liang bowed and said, "Disciple greets Martial Uncle."

Sun Wukong noticed that Zuo Liang seemed uneasy and asked, "Where did Zheng Yuan go?"

Zuo Liang said, "I was just about to go and pay my respects to my master."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong nodded and said, "But you seem a little uneasy. Since you are going to see your senior brother, then hurry up and go."

(End of this chapter)