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

Chapter 346 Zuo Liang Accepts a Disciple, and the Two Depart.

In an inn in a city in Jizhou, Zuo Liang was discussing medical matters with Wang Shou.

Zuo Liang was satisfied with Wang Shou's learning. After pondering for a long time, he suddenly asked, "Wang Shou, how long have you been following me?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shou bowed and said, "Sir, I have followed you in healing the people for more than twenty or thirty years, but I can't count how many times I have done so."

Zuo Liang stroked his beard and smiled, "You've been following me for so long, have you ever missed home? Have you ever thought about going back?"

Wang Shou shook his head and said, "To be honest, sir, sometimes I have such thoughts, but whenever I see the poverty of the people everywhere, I lose them all. All I can do is learn medical skills and save lives."

Zuo Liang said, "You have some compassion. You have followed me for a long time now, and I intend to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Shou's heart stirred, and he immediately bowed and kowtowed, saying, "I am willing, I am willing! This disciple is willing to become your disciple! I have been willing for many years, but knowing your abilities, I was ashamed to mention becoming your disciple."

Zuo Liang smiled slightly and said, "Since you are willing, then you can naturally call me master. There is no rush for the formal apprenticeship ceremony. It will be fine to formally pay respects to my master when we return to the mountain abode in the future."

Wang Shou asked, "Master, where is the mountain abode located?"

Zuo Liang said, "You saw me writing documents earlier, and the destination was clearly stated in them. How could you not know that?"

Wang Shou asked, "Master, is it the Lingtai Fangcun Mountain in Xiniu Hezhou?"

Zuo Liang nodded and smiled, "That's right, that's right."

Wang Shou scratched his head, puzzled, and asked, "Master, where is this Xiniu Hezhou? I have never heard of it. I only know that the sky is round and the earth is square, and that China is the master of the world. Those who are not Chinese are all barbarians."

Zuo Liang shook his head and said, "That's wrong, that's wrong."

Wang Shou bowed and said, "I hope my master will enlighten me."

Zuo Liang stroked his beard and said, “The world is vast, and it is not just the Li Tang family. The world refers to the lower realm, which is the four great continents. The Li Tang is located in the Southern Jambudvipa, which is one of the four great continents.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Shou was greatly astonished and exclaimed, "Is the world really this vast?"

Zuo Liang nodded and said, "That's true, that's true."

Wang Shou bowed and said, "I don't know what the other continents are besides Jambudvipa. I hope you can tell me, Master. I would be very grateful."

Zuo Liang said, "Besides Jambudvipa, there are also Niuhezhou, Juluzhou, and Shengshenzhou, each of which is no less than Jambudvipa. There are also countless immortal islands in the four seas."

Wang Shou's confusion was completely dispelled. He bowed and said, "Master's words have dispelled all my confusion. I thank you for your words. Without your words, I would be a frog at the bottom of a well."

Zuo Liang laughed and said, "Back then, I was just an old man in the city. How could I know how vast the world is? I was still inferior to you now. Fortunately, my master guided me, which is why I am where I am today. Otherwise, I would have been dust by now."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shou was curious about Zuo Liang's past and asked, "Was Master also an ordinary person like me back then?"

Zuo Liang nodded and said, "Of course."

Wang Shou said, "Master, could you perhaps tell me about the past?"

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "If you want to hear it, I can tell you."

Wang Shou eagerly awaited the news, listening attentively.

Upon seeing this, Zuo Liang smiled and recounted his past to Wang Shouyi in detail.

Wang Shou learned that Zuo Liang was originally from a family in a border prefecture. He had been dissolute and unproductive since childhood, and only realized his mistakes when he was over sixty years old. Fortunately, he was saved by a true master, which led him to become the person he is today.

After listening, Wang Shou exclaimed repeatedly, and after a long while, he said, "My master was actually from the Zuo family of that county back then."

Zuo Liang asked, "Do you recognize my old home?"

Wang Shou said, “I have heard that there is only one Zuo family in the border region, and it must be true. This Zuo family once produced a high-ranking official, which made them famous. However, they later declined and I have never heard of them again. My family was fortunate enough to pass through the border region when we were selling salt, so I heard about them.”

Zuo Liang said, "I left the Zuo family and had no further connection with them. I never expected the Zuo family to have such an opportunity. It's truly remarkable."

Wang Shou laughed and said, "Master, why don't you go home and take a look?"

Zuo Liang laughed and scolded, "You rascal, how can you say such things? If you are cultivating, how can you go home so easily? If you go home, you will inevitably have thoughts of home, which is not proper for cultivation."

Wang Shou seemed to be deep in thought.

We'll leave the matter here for now.

……

Meanwhile, in the Lingtai Fangcun Mountain Xieyue Sanxing Cave of Xiniu Hezhou.

Thirty years is but a fleeting moment in this immortal abode, and it has not caused any significant changes. The people in the immortal abode are mostly engaged in quiet cultivation, and there are few changes.

Jiang Yuan was cultivating in seclusion in his residence, unaware of the passage of time. For a true master like him, these thirty-odd years were nothing more than ordinary moments. It should be known that before he attained enlightenment, he often spent decades in quiet meditation in his residence.

Therefore, it is common for him to be treated as such.

One day, the Master was meditating in his residence as usual. In addition to practicing unorthodox methods, he did not forget to cultivate his mind.

He was cultivating when he suddenly felt something, looked outside, sighed softly, and flicked his sleeve.

A gentle breeze wafted in and opened the door.

Outside the door, the Bull Demon King stood there, at a loss, and was somewhat taken aback when he saw the door open.

Jiang Yuan said, "King Niu, since you have something to discuss with me, why don't you come inside and instead stand outside? If my mind hasn't been focused, wouldn't you have been standing outside in vain for a long time?"

The Ox King said, "But I don't know how to start, so I can only stand there, not knowing what to do."

Jiang Yuan pointed to the futon in the room and said, "Come here and explain to me."

Upon hearing the order, the Bull Demon King stepped forward, sat down on the prayer mat, and said, "Thank you for the seat, sir."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "No need for formalities. What brings you here today?"

When the Bull Demon King heard the real person ask him this question, he pondered for a moment, wanting to speak but ultimately not knowing how to say it, and remained silent.

Jiang Yuan said, "Have you come to say goodbye because of your journey down the mountain?"

The Bull Demon King exclaimed in surprise, "Does the master know?"

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "It's not hard to guess, not hard to guess. You still have worldly ties to mortals, so I naturally know why you've come. If you had no worldly ties, you wouldn't have come looking for me."

The Bull Demon King kowtowed and said, "My lord has discerning eyes; I cannot hide anything from you. I beg you to allow me to go to the mortal realm and sever my ties with the world."

Jiang Yuan stared intently at the Bull King and said, "But if you are not careful on this journey, you will be plunged into a sea of ​​suffering. Are you still willing to go?" The Bull King replied, "My lord, this cannot be avoided, so I must go."

Jiang Yuan waved his hand and said, "Since you have said so, I cannot stop you. Go ahead and go down the mountain."

The Bull Demon King nodded and said, "Yes, sir. But I don't know when I will be able to return. Please take good care of yourself. If you need my protection, you can ask my virtuous brother to do it. My brother's magic and martial arts are both superior to mine. With my brother's protection, he will be much better than me."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan nodded without saying a word, and Xu Niu Wang left.

After bowing repeatedly, the Ox King finally left the mansion.

As Jiang Yuan watched the Ox King leave, she pondered for a moment and was about to close the door when she suddenly noticed a monkey head peeking out from a distance.

Jiang Yuan said irritably, "Wukong, what are you doing over there? If you want to find me, just come closer. Why are you looking around like this?"

Sun Wukong peeked out from there and saw the immortal sitting cross-legged in the room. He immediately stepped forward and said, "Eldest Brother, you have discerning eyes. My humble skills are indeed no match for yours."

Jiang Yuan laughed and scolded, "You monkey, you haven't used any of your supernatural powers, so how can you say you're deceiving me? You're just using this to praise me. This method is utterly unreasonable."

Sun Wukong said, “Elder brother, you may not know this, but I do know that even if I use a magic trick, it will be difficult to escape your discerning eyes. It would be better not to use any magic tricks and just come over.”

Jiang Yuan said, "The monkey can talk, but I don't know what brings you here. Your brother just came and is going down the mountain. You can't go down the mountain too. If you were going down the mountain, you shouldn't be looking for me."

Sun Wukong said, "It's not that I'm going down the mountain. But I didn't know that you, brother, came looking for me. Do you want to go down the mountain? Do you know why, brother?"

Jiang Yuan said, "It is because my worldly ties are not yet severed that I am going down the mountain."

Sun Wukong said, "I see. But I'm not here to go down the mountain."

Jiang Yuan asked, "Since it wasn't you who went down the mountain, what brings you here? Tell me. It can't be that you, Wukong, came to spar with me."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "I dare not challenge my senior brother to a duel. How could my meager magical power possibly be enough to fight him?"

Jiang Yuan said, "If you didn't come to spar with me, why is Wukong looking for me?"

Sun Wukong sat on the futon and said, "Eldest brother, I have come here with some troubles and do not know what to do, so I have come to ask for your advice."

Jiang Yuan asked, "Tell me, what is it that makes you, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven and the Victorious Fighting Buddha, so troubled?"

Sun Wukong said, "Elder brother, you don't know this, but the thing that's bothering me is agarwood."

Jiang Yuan said, "What trouble has Chen Xiang caused this time? Years ago, when I met him, his heart was at peace. What has happened now?"

Sun Wukong said, “It was only when his mind was settled that I saw that he was a promising talent, so I began to teach him. But now he has come to me and says that he is going to go down the mountain. I should answer him, but I am a little reluctant. I don’t know what to do. Senior Brother, what do you think I should do?”

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Wukong, I am quite surprised that you also have a physical form."

Sun Wukong said, "Eldest brother, I am truly reluctant to part with you, hence this decision."

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "Wukong, you must know that if he wants to leave, we cannot stop him; if he does not want to leave, no one can force him. Now that Chenxiang is determined to leave, there is nothing we can say. Do you understand?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong bowed and said, "I understand what my elder brother means, but I cannot persuade him much. I can only allow him to leave. However, it would be impolite to allow him to act recklessly once or twice. Therefore, once he leaves, he will have no chance to return to the mountain."

Jiang Yuan said, “Those who hear the Dao will come of their own accord. If they wish to leave, we should not stop them. Wukong, I understand your intention, but if it is truly not possible to stop them, then you should call them here and let me talk to them. Only then can I see that they are unsettled in their hearts, or perhaps they truly want to leave the mountain.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong was overjoyed and said, "Yes, Senior Brother, I will immediately send Chenxiang over to make a visit."

Say it.

Sun Wukong turned and headed outside.

Jiang Yuan watched Sun Wukong leave, shaking her head in silence. Compared to before, Wukong now had a much more compassionate heart, and there was no trace of his demonic nature, which was enough to show that he had achieved success in his cultivation.

The Master waited in the room for a short while before seeing Chenxiang walk in front of the room, bow deeply, and Chenxiang dared not be disrespectful to the Master.

Upon seeing this, the master nodded to himself. Chenxiang was much more composed than before, which was a sign that his mind and nature had settled.

Jiang Yuan said, "No need for formalities, please come closer and meet me."

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang stepped forward and said, "Nephew, you must pay your respects to your senior master, but etiquette is essential. When you see your senior master, you must perform the proper rites."

Jiang Yuan smiled and nodded, then said, "Chenxiang, please get up. But I heard Wukong say that you intend to leave the mountain. Is that true?"

Chenxiang said, “That is true, Uncle-Master. I have been cultivating in the mountains to save my father and mother. Now I have finally achieved some success in my cultivation. Therefore, Uncle-Master, I cannot bear to let my parents suffer any longer. This trip out of the mountains is to save my parents.”

Jiang Yuan said, "Tell me what you intend to do after you leave the mountain. If you can convince me, I will allow Wukong to let you go down the mountain."

Chenxiang bowed and said, “Master, I have been studying books in the mountains and have deeply researched military strategy. Therefore, I know the advantages of military strategy. If I were to go down the mountain, I would seek help from others, so that we could defeat the weak with the many. I would recruit many talented people and experts to save my parents. Therefore, those who have attained the Dao will receive much help.”

Jiang Yuan asked, "Where is the help?"

Chenxiang said, "Those who share the same path are those who lend a helping hand."

Jiang Yuan said, "If Erlang Shenzhenjun stops you, what will you do?"

Chenxiang said, "If you can't defeat him, then hide and wait for the right time to build up your strength. If you have the advantage and can defeat him, then you can fight Erlang Shen. If you have no match for him, then avoid his sharp edge and don't fight him easily."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "My original intention was to persuade you to stay and cultivate diligently. We can discuss the rest another day. However, judging from your words today, I know that you have been thinking about this for a long time. If I were to force you to stay, it would damage your spirit. So be it. In that case, you may go down the mountain. But you should know that if you go down the mountain, no one in the mountain will be able to save you. Whether you go down the mountain or not is entirely up to you. You should think it over carefully."

Chenxiang kowtowed and said, "If I go down the mountain, I dare not call myself a person of the Three Star Immortal Mansion, for fear of tarnishing my reputation. Therefore, if something happens to me on this trip, I dare not ask my elders for help. If I die, it is my fate."

Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "Then you may go. But you should know that Erlang Zhenjun's abilities are far beyond what you think."

Upon hearing this, Chenxiang prepared to leave.

But just as he was about to leave, the Master suddenly spoke up and stopped him again.

Chenxiang turned around, puzzled.

The master pointed to a basin of water not far away and said with a smile, "Chenxiang, look at what's in that basin."

Chenxiang stepped forward and said, "It is a basin of water."

The master said, "Go ahead and touch it."

As instructed, Chenxiang reached out and touched the basin, only to find that it had suddenly changed; the basin was now filled with charcoal, and the water had vanished.

The master said, "Truth and falsehood are intertwined; sometimes what you know is not true, and what you do not know is not false."

Agarwood seemed lost in thought.

(End of this chapter)