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

Chapter 350: Establishing a Government, Heading West on the Main Road
In the meditation room of the Patriarch at the Slanting Moon and Three Stars Cave on the Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, Jiang Yuan spoke with the Patriarch about his journey to the Ling Mountain.

The Patriarch listened quietly to what the True Man had to say, and only after the True Man finished speaking did he say, "Now that you have exchanged ideas with the Buddha of the West, do you know where your cultivation is lacking?"

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "Master, I have already seen my shortcomings after my debate with the Western Buddha."

The patriarch said, “Child, tell me what your shortcomings are.”

Jiang Yuan said, “But I have two shortcomings. First, I lack experience in combat. I rarely fight against those with great magical power or supernatural abilities, and I don’t know how to deal with them. This lack of experience is my shortcoming. Second, although I am proficient in the numbers of heaven and earth and am about to become a great master, I am still lacking in some refinement. This lack of refinement is my shortcoming. This refinement lies in opening one’s own mansion. When I sparred with the Western Buddha, I had a clear understanding. I must open my own mansion.”

The patriarch smiled and said, "Why is it necessary to establish a residence?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "This was a sudden inspiration, and I was unaware of it myself, but I knew in my heart that this was the path I had to take. To be honest, Master, I originally intended to wait until I had achieved great magical power before opening my own mansion, but judging from today's observation, I must open my own mansion before I can have great magical power."

The patriarch smiled and nodded, saying, "Having gained something, that is enough."

Jiang Yuan said, "My original intention was to repair the laws and assist the Ziwei Emperor before cultivating great magical power and establishing my own residence. Now that I have established my residence, perhaps I should make some changes. But I wonder, Master, when would be the best time for me to establish my own residence?"

The patriarch gently touched the True Man's brow and said, "Child, based on your current cultivation, you are already capable of becoming the patriarch of a sect, inheriting a cave dwelling, and establishing your own academy. You don't need to ask me about the various matters here; you have the authority to decide for yourself."

Jiang Yuan kowtowed and said, "Master, I understand."

The patriarch smiled and said, “Since it is clear, you may go now. You should know that you are destined to be a teacher, and you can make choices in all things. I am your grandmaster, and you may come to me when you are helpless.”

Jiang Yuan responded immediately.

The patriarch had no intention of speaking further with the true man; he simply waved his hand, signaling him to leave.

Jiang Yuan dared not disobey and left. Before leaving, he closed the door, bowed, and headed towards the Jade Terrace.

A short while later, the True Man went to the Jade Terrace and summoned everyone in the mansion.

The people in the mansion, summoned by the immortal, dared not delay and all came out of the quiet room. They saw Red Boy, Sun Wukong, Zhenjian, Pigsy, and Green Ox all enter the Jade Terrace and sit in the ranks to inquire about the immortal's intention in summoning them.

Jiang Yuan sat upright on the high platform, holding a jade whisk. Seeing that everyone in the mansion had arrived, he said, "I have invited you all here because there is a matter that I need your help with. I hope you can help me do this."

Everyone in the class was astonished to hear this, for the real person had actually sought their help.

Sun Wukong stepped out of the class and said, "If you have any problems, please tell me. I will do my best to help you!"

Pigsy straightened his posture, showing no sign of laziness, and bowed, saying, "Master, please give me your orders. Once the decree is issued, this old pig will certainly obey."

Both Zhenjian and Red Boy said the same thing.

The green ox also said that it would obey the True Man's decree.

Jiang Yuan smiled slightly upon seeing this and said, "I will not hide anything from you, but I sense that the day of establishing my abode is approaching. It will definitely happen within two hundred years. However, those who have a karmic connection with me are mostly from the Southern Continent of Jambudvipa, and a few from the Western Continent of Niuhe or the Eastern Continent of Sheng. If they wish to enter my abode, they must travel the Great Road of the Western Continent of Niuhe. But this road is rife with demonic obstacles and monsters, far more numerous than before. Therefore, even if those who have a karmic connection come here with unwavering resolve, they will find it difficult to pass. Thus, I request that you all use your magical power to clear away some of the demonic obstacles, monsters, and other evils from this Great Road, so that those with a karmic connection may be able to attain enlightenment."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong was overjoyed and said, "Eldest Brother is finally going to open his own residence. Once he does, the residence will be much more lively and will no longer be as desolate as before."

Pigsy said, "I have never seen such a lively scene in the mansion."

Sun Wukong said, "You haven't seen it, but when the manor is bustling, there are many disciples. Once our eldest brother opens the manor, the usual liveliness will surely return."

Pigsy said, "Let's leave aside the excitement for now, but we must do what Master has ordered."

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "Eldest brother, there's no need for them to go. It's enough for me to go. Years ago, I traveled the Great Road to the West. Even if there are demons and monsters causing trouble here, as long as I go there, I can kill them all with my staff and bring peace to the land."

Pigsy said, “Brother, how can you say that? Back then, when we traveled the main road to the west, I also went. Are you saying that you were the only one who traveled the main road, while I was the one who took the side road?”

Sun Wukong grabbed Zhu Bajie's fan-shaped ear and said, "You fool, how dare you say such things? You are only good at carrying the load, but on the journey to the West, how many demons have you subdued? It was only by me, the old man, subduing demons that we were able to cross the main road. Furthermore, I once heard Brother Sha say that when you fought with him for that Kui Mulang, you abandoned him and fled halfway through the battle, which was very rude."

Pigsy cried out in pain several times, saying, "Brother, relax a little, relax a little. But I was misled by the Wood Mother back then and didn't know how to cultivate, so that's why I'm like this. But I really did travel the Great Road to the West."

Sun Wukong said, "I'm afraid that if you go to help and clear the way, you may not be strong enough. If the demons and monsters capture you, I will have to come and rescue you."

Pigsy said, "Absolutely not, absolutely not. I, Pigsy, still have some power and might; how could I let those demons and monsters capture me?"

The green ox stepped forward and said, "Let's not argue, let's listen to what the true man has to say."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie fell silent and both looked at the True Man.

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Wukong, Bajie, I am extremely grateful for your willingness to help, but there is no need to fight. There are many demons and monsters on the road to the west, and even more obstacles. The power of this demon is no small matter, so you must all go. However, if there is any reason why it is inconvenient for you to go, you can tell me, and I will certainly not refuse."

Everyone accepted the decree, and none disobeyed.

The man bowed repeatedly in gratitude.

The group dared not accept the master's courtesy, and only left after talking with him for a while.

The true man left his true vision in the Jade Terrace, and the two sat facing each other in the hall.

Zhenjian, holding up a leaf fan, said, "Senior Brother, is there anything you need from me that you've kept me here?"

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "I am asking for your help, Junior Brother. The reason I am opening my mansion here is because I went to Mount Ling and had a discussion with the Western Buddha. I gained some insights and realized that my destiny is about to arrive. I also know that I need to open my mansion in order to complete the necessary training and achieve great magical power. However, I am afraid that I am not capable enough to teach you how to be a teacher. At that time, I hope that you can help me achieve this."

Zhenjian bowed and said, "What are you saying, Senior Brother? I will stay in the manor and serve you. Please rest assured, Senior Brother. If you issue a decree, I will obey it."

Jiang Yuan returned the greeting, saying, "In that case, I'll trouble you, Junior Brother."

Zhen Jian smiled and said, "Senior Brother, if this is all you have to say, there is no need to say more. Even if you don't say anything, I will still help you. There are still many important matters to attend to in clearing the main road to the west. I should go now."

Jiang Yuan smiled and nodded upon hearing his words.

After bowing repeatedly, Zhenjian got up and left, heading towards the outside of the mansion.

The True Man then returned to his quiet room to practice unorthodox methods, awaiting the opportunity to establish his own abode. ...

Meanwhile, outside the mansion, Sun Wukong and the others gathered together to discuss the journey to the west.

As soon as Zhen Jian stepped out, he saw Sun Wukong whispering with a group of people. He walked up to them and asked, "Wukong, Bajie, what is the purpose of your gathering here?"

Sun Wukong turned to look at Zhenjian and said, "Second Brother, does Eldest Brother have any instructions?"

Zhenjian shook his head and said, "Let's head west on the main road first, but why are you all gathered here instead of going elsewhere?"

Pigsy said, “Buddha of Wisdom, we are discussing how to clear the main road to the west. The main road to the west leads to Mount Ling, and there are many small paths along it. All of them need to be cleared. So we are discussing who should go where.”

Zhenjian asked, "Has a result been reached through discussion?"

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "Second Brother, we haven't reached a conclusion yet, but I can go to the main road to the west, and I'll leave the small path to you."

Zhenjian shook his head and said, "Wukong, there's no need to take on all of this, but we also have our own abilities."

The Green Ox took out the Diamond Bracelet and said, "That's the truth. You monkey, don't think you can handle the journey to the West just because you have martial arts skills. But if there are people like me on the journey to the West who have treasures, you will suffer. Then you will have to come to us for help."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong could only say, "In that case, I wonder how we should discuss this. Second Brother, do you have any ideas?"

Zhenjian said, “But if I were to send you on the main road to the west alone, I fear you would not be up to the task. How about we split into two groups, one going on the various side roads and the other on the main road to the west? This way we can look after each other. What do you think?”

Sun Wukong said, "Second Brother, just tell me clearly how to divide these two categories."

Zhen Jian, after hearing this, did not speak, but pondered for a moment before saying, "Zheng Ci, the Great King Si, and I will go along the various side roads, while Bajie and Wukong will go along the main road to the west. What do you think of this arrangement?"

Sun Wukong said, "I'm fine, you idiot, what do you think?"

Pigsy, carrying his nine-toothed rake, laughed and said, "Brother, don't underestimate me. If you dare to go, why shouldn't I?"

Sun Wukong said, "Then it's settled."

The group agreed here that they were about to part ways and go their separate ways.

Zhenjian grabbed Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie and said, "Junior Brother Wukong, Bajie, if you ever encounter any difficulties or distress, you must come to us."

Sun Wukong smiled slightly and said, "Second Brother, don't worry. If you are ever in trouble, I will definitely ask you for help."

Zhen Jian was relieved after hearing what Sun Wukong said, and let Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie leave.

Sun Wukong and his companion rode away on clouds, and before long, they were far from Lingtai Fangcun Mountain.

Pigsy rode on a cloud, carrying his nine-toothed rake, and laughed, "Brother, that Buddha of Wisdom is a bit cautious. What's so scary about the road to the west? Back then, when we were protecting Tang Sanzang, we were able to get through that place. Now I have some power. Brother Monkey, your skills have greatly improved, so why are you afraid of the road to the west? Let's just go again."

Sun Wukong grabbed the cloud and stepped forward, saying, "You fool, don't talk nonsense, but be careful in everything you do, and you won't go wrong."

Pigsy said, “Brother, how can you talk nonsense? But now our abilities are truly different. Over the years, I have adhered to my original intentions and cultivated diligently. With a bit of prestige, how can we not travel the road to the West?”

Sun Wukong said, "Fool, you should know the principle that success can turn into failure. Now that you have three parts of your power, you should not become complacent, but should cultivate diligently and not let these three parts of your power be lost."

Pigsy said, "I know, I know."

The two then said no more and left.

……

Several days later, Sun Wukong and his companion entered the main road to the west and came into a mountain. They found the mountain shrouded in miasma, indicating that it was a place infested with evil spirits.

Sun Wukong said, "The demonic aura here is very strong; it must be caused by demons. Fool, come with me to subdue the demons here."

Pigsy said, "Brother, you don't need to go. Just wait here and watch me subdue him."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "You fool, do you really think you can subdue all the demons in there by yourself?"

Pigsy said, "I have some power now, so I can subdue the demons. Brother, just watch and don't underestimate me."

Sun Wukong said, "Go ahead, go ahead."

Pigsy listened to his words, picked up his nine-toothed rake, and headed towards the mountain.

As Sun Wukong watched Zhu Bajie leave, he pondered to himself that this mountain was on the main road to the west, but when he escorted Tang Sanzang on his journey to the west to obtain the scriptures, he had never seen such a mountain with such a demonic aura.

This was rather strange. He had also heard the immortal tell him that the demons and monsters on the westward road were more numerous than those further ahead. He had not believed it, but now that he saw this mountain, he began to understand its significance.

It was quite strange that there were so many demons on the westward route.

Sun Wukong thought to himself, "Could it be related to the Western Paradise? Some time ago, when I went to the Heavenly Palace for a banquet, I heard that the Chan teachings are the present-day Buddhist teachings, while the Nirvana teachings are the past Buddhist teachings. Could this be related to that?"

As Sun Wukong was pondering this, he opened his fiery eyes wide and watched as Zhu Bajie went up the mountain straight to the demon's cave.

Sun Wukong laughed, "This fool! How could he just head straight for that demon's cave without even asking where he came from? I myself was stung by that scorpion demon on my journey to the West years ago. Let alone this fool, how could he go forward without asking where he came from? Fine, fine, fine. This fool deserves to suffer a bit. How can he cultivate if he doesn't learn his lesson? He should be taught that even if he passes by now, he should be more cautious on the way back, instead of recklessly going forward."

Sun Wukong rode on the clouds and flew into the air. He looked at Zhu Bajie's reckless figure but had no intention of going to teach him a lesson.

Just as Sun Wukong had predicted, Pigsy in the mountains, carrying his nine-toothed rake, strode forward after identifying the location of the demon's cave. In a short while, he approached the demon's cave.

From afar, Pigsy saw a group of minor demons training in front of the mansion, numbering about a hundred. He was bold and fearless, so he walked forward.

(End of this chapter)