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

Chapter 360 The Holy Infant's Transmission, The Great Sage Returns

Meanwhile, before the gate of the Three Star Immortal Cave, Red Boy listened to the Bull Demon King's words but remained silent for a long time.

Seeing Red Boy's appearance, the Bull Demon King dared not utter a sound. He had already told Red Boy everything about Niu Shouyi.

But seeing that Red Boy had remained silent for a long time, he became somewhat worried. After thinking for a long time, he asked, "Holy Infant, do you dislike guarding the One?"

Red Boy shook his head and said, "It's not that I dislike him. I haven't met him yet and don't know what he's like, but he is my brother after all, so I should meet him before I can express my joy."

The Bull Demon King said, "Holy Infant, can you accept Shouyi?"

Red Boy laughed and said, "Why do you say that, Father? But he is my brother, how could I say I don't accept it? I'm just a little surprised."

The Bull Demon King beamed and said, "Holy Infant, with your words, I feel much more at ease and no longer have any worries."

Red Boy shook his head and said, "Father, there is no need to worry about me here, but there is one place that Father may not be able to handle."

The Bull King asked, "Where?"

Red Boy laughed and said, "Mother, lately you have been cultivating in the mountains, restraining the demons in the area, and ensuring peace within a radius of eight hundred miles. You are very busy and a little bored. So, Father, you told Mother about this matter, but I was afraid that Mother would be unhappy. That would be troublesome for Father."

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King was momentarily at a loss for words.

Red Boy laughed and told the Bull Demon King to rest, and that he should return to the mountain to see his mother when he had figured things out. He should first see Niu Shouyi, and then pay his respects to his master.

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King sighed but said nothing more. He sent Red Boy into the palace to ponder how to explain the matter to Princess Iron Fan.

……

In the Master's quiet room, the Master was meeting with Zhenjian. The two sat upright on futons and chatted happily.

Jiang Yuan bowed and said, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Junior Brother, to go out and work so hard for me to establish my residence."

Zhen Jian panicked and said, "Senior Brother, how can you bow to me? This is too much for me. It is my honor to be able to help you, Senior Brother. There is no need for you to bow to me."

Jiang Yuan said, "Junior brother, don't say such things. But since you have worked hard for me, you are worthy of my respect. There is no such thing as seniority or the level of magical power."

Upon hearing these words, he had no choice but to accept the Master's bow.

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Now that Junior Brother has returned, there is no need to go there again. The main road to the west is much quieter."

Zhenjian said, "In that case, I will stay in the manor to cultivate in seclusion and stay by my master's and senior brother's side."

Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "That's only right."

The two then talked for a long time in the quiet room.

Zhenjian was about to get up, bid farewell to the Master, and leave the quiet room, but suddenly stopped, turned around, bowed, and said, "Senior Brother, there is something I would like to ask you to enlighten me."

Jiang Yuan smiled slightly and said, "Junior brother, if you have any questions, feel free to tell me. But if my cultivation is too shallow to answer your questions, I will ask our master to come and help you."

Zhenjian bowed and said, “Senior Brother, I have been experiencing some confusion in my practice lately. Sometimes I feel that Nirvana is correct, and sometimes I feel that Zen is the true practice. I am confused, so I ask Senior Brother to enlighten me.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan laughed and said, "Junior brother, there is no two dharmas in Buddhism, so why are you so attached to both? Both of them are true."

Zhenjian said, “Elder brother, I know that both of these are true. The World-Honored One of Vulture Peak is the Dharma of Nirvana, and the Buddha of the future is the Dharma of Chan. These two Dharmas are indeed true, but practitioners should choose one to cultivate.”

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "There is no two methods of Buddhism. If it is ordinary, one can cultivate one. But junior brother, your Chan practice is excellent. The method of Nirvana can complement you. You should learn Nirvana."

Zhenjian asked, "Senior Brother, may I truly go and learn the Complete Nirvana Dharma?"

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Of course it's feasible."

Zhenjian said, "But the Dharma of Nirvana is difficult to cultivate, and I fear I will not be able to achieve it."

Jiang Yuan said, "No need to rush. If it is the Nirvana Method, I can teach it to you, but you can do so if you are willing to listen."

Zhenjian bowed deeply and said, "Senior Brother is willing to impart the Dharma of Nirvana to me. I am naturally willing to listen and am extremely grateful."

Jiang Yuan smiled and nodded, saying, "In that case, you should go and rest. When you have some free time later in the evening, come and find me, and I will give you the Dharma of Nirvana."

Zhenjian immediately responded, took out a book from his bosom, handed it to the True Man, and said, “Elder Brother, this book contains my humble insights into Zen. Please take a look. If there are no errors, I will place this book in the library.”

Jiang Yuan took the book.

Seeing that the real person had accepted it, Zhenjian stopped worrying, got up, bowed, and left the quiet room.

Jiang Yuan watched Zhenjian leave, then opened the book Zhenjian had handed him. The opening chapter read, 'Volume One: Zen Practice, Tracing its Flow: The Zen practice began with the expansive mind and flourished under Maitreya. Its way is to externally detach from all appearances and internally maintain clarity. Subject and object are both extinguished, and self and other shine together…'

Jiang Yuan shook his head and smiled. He hadn't expected that Zhenjian would include him in the list and designate him as the 'Zen Ancestor'. However, he didn't say much. As Zhenjian, Maitreya, and the others saw it, he was indeed the Zen Ancestor. But he knew that he was not as good as the two in the way of Zen.

If we discuss the methods of Chan (Zen), Maitreya is the foremost, followed by those who have attained true insight; the others are not worth mentioning.

Holding the book in his hand, Jiang Yuan said, "This book can be placed in the library. If anyone later wishes to practice Zen, they can read this book."

Jiang Yuan put the book down and closed her eyes to meditate.

……

Meanwhile, in the quiet room of the mansion, Red Boy arrived at the room where Niu Shouyi was, intending to meet him.

Red Boy stared at the tightly closed door, hesitating for a moment, unsure how to knock or how to talk to Niu Shouyi.

He pondered for a long time, and just as he was about to knock on the door, the door suddenly opened.

Niu Shouyi walked out carrying the utensils. When he saw Hong Haier, he was startled, but after realizing that he was a disciple of the Immortal Abode, he put down the utensils, bowed and said, "Niu Shouyi greets Immortal Master! I am just a mortal. If there is any conflict or offense, please forgive me, Immortal Master."

Red Boy shook his head and said, "There's no need for such formalities, but you shouldn't call me Immortal Master."

Upon hearing this, Niu Shouyi pondered for a long time before saying, "But I do not know how to address the Immortal Master, nor do I know the rules. I hope the Immortal Master will tell me."

Red Boy replied, "You may call me elder brother."

Niu Shouyi was stunned for a long time before saying, "But I am just a mortal, how dare I call the immortal master my elder brother? I dare not, I dare not."

Red Boy laughed and said, "Why wouldn't I dare? I am your elder brother, so it is only natural for you to call me elder brother."

Upon hearing this, Niu Shouyi suddenly realized and said, "You, you are Father's eldest son, Niu Shengying, whose Dharma name is Zhengci Zhe?"

Red Boy nodded and said, "That's right, that's right. But you know me, and I suppose Father has spoken to you about this. So I don't need to say more. I am your elder brother. Now that you see your elder brother, why don't you call me brother?"

Niu Shouyi hesitated for a moment and said, "You, you really want to recognize me as your brother, but I am not born of the legitimate wife. I know the difference between legitimate and illegitimate children."

Red Boy laughed and said, "We are cultivators, so why talk about the hierarchy of legitimate and illegitimate children? If you are willing, then call me your elder brother. If you are not, I will leave immediately and never come looking for you again."

Upon hearing this, Niu Shouyi no longer hesitated, bowed and said, "Shouyi greets his elder brother."

Red Boy helped Niu Shouyi up and said, "Shouyi, there's no need for formalities. Please get up. I am your elder brother, but I didn't know you existed before. I only know you now, so I haven't taken care of you in the past. Please don't be offended." Niu Shouyi shook his head and said, "Brother, why do you say that? You haven't taken care of me, and I haven't been filial to you either."

Red Boy then started chatting with Niu Shouyi.

The two talked for a long time and gradually developed a brotherly bond.

Niu Shouyi then spoke of cultivation, saying that he had no talent and had been cultivating for a long time without finding the right path.

Upon hearing this, Red Boy immediately patted his chest and declared that he would teach Niu Shouyi.

Niu Shouyi was overjoyed, but hesitated and said, "Brother, I am afraid my talent is not enough to learn it. It would be better to give up and not teach me."

Red Boy said, "Don't worry, even if you are not very talented, I can patiently teach you to succeed."

Niu Shouyi no longer hesitated and thanked Red Boy. Red Boy then said that after he finished paying his respects to his master, he would teach Niu Shouyi the next day, to which Niu Shouyi readily agreed.

After the two made their agreement, Red Boy got up and left to seek the guidance of the immortal.

……

The next day, Red Boy kept his appointment and met Niu Shouyi in front of the mansion, intending to teach Niu Shouyi a lesson.

Both men were holding long spears.

Red Boy gripped his Fire-Tipped Spear tightly, while Niu Shouyi held firmly to his wooden spear.

Red Boy said, "Shouyi, I will teach you martial arts first. I have a spear technique that I can pass on to you."

Niu Shouyi bowed and said, "Thank you, elder brother, for teaching me martial arts."

Red Boy said, "Before I demonstrate my martial arts to you, I must tell you the true meaning of the spear."

Niu Shouyi listened attentively and said, "I hope you will teach me, elder brother."

Red Boy pondered for a moment, then said, "The spear is the king of all weapons. Its key lies in the word 'centrality.' When the spear is drawn out, it is like a dragon; when it is drawn back, it is like a serpent. It should be held three feet in front of the body, never straying from the center line. The one who holds the spear should stand like a mountain, with his breath sinking to the spring of his head, his feet firmly planted, his left hand holding a shield, and his right hand holding a spear. Yin and Yang should be in harmony, and strength and gentleness should be combined."

"..."

"When wielding a spear, power originates from the waist, is propelled by the shoulder, flows through the arm, and reaches the tip. Beginners should learn slowly, as slowness allows for smooth breathing. As speed increases, it should be swift yet not chaotic. The three basic techniques are blocking, seizing, and thrusting. Blocking is like an iron wall cutting across, seizing is like a snake spitting its tongue, and thrusting is like thunder piercing the sun. Only when these three techniques are combined can the true meaning of the spear be revealed."

"The art of marksmanship has form, but its wonder lies in its subtlety. Only those who possess both form and spirit can be called gentlemen of the gun."

Red Boy explained all the essentials of his spear technique to Niu Shouyi without holding back a single detail.

He learned martial arts from the Bull Demon King in the past, using a spear as his weapon. After honing his skills for a long time, he was also taught by Sun Wukong and others, and naturally developed his own set of martial arts techniques.

Niu Shouyi was in a daze, and after listening to Hong Haier finish speaking, he subconsciously nodded.

Upon seeing this, Red Boy asked, "Shouyi, how much of what I just said did you remember?"

Niu Shouyi remained silent for a long time before answering, "Brother, one-tenth."

Red Boy nodded and said, "You are indeed gifted. I only need to say it once, and you can remember 90% of it, only 10% is missing."

Niu Shouyi shook his head and said, "Brother, it's not that I memorized 90%, but 10%."

Upon hearing this, Red Boy was at a loss for words. He took out his Fire-Tipped Spear and said, "Why don't you watch me demonstrate my martial arts first? Maybe you'll remember the spear technique."

Niu Shouyi nodded and said, "I hope you will teach me, brother."

Upon hearing this, Red Boy immediately began wielding his Fire-Tipped Spear. His martial arts skills were remarkable; the Fire-Tipped Spear danced up and down like a fiery dragon, displaying exceptional skill.

Red Boy demonstrated a set of spear techniques, then looked at Niu Shouyi and asked, "Shouyi, how much of my spear technique have you memorized?"

Niu Shouyi remained silent.

Red Boy, not understanding his meaning, said, "Shouyi, show me your spear technique."

Upon hearing what Red Boy said, Niu Shouyi had no choice but to pick up the wooden spear and swing it wildly, but he didn't remember a single move.

Upon seeing this, Red Boy fell into deep thought, feeling that he might not be able to teach Niu Shouyi.

……

Time flies, and another five years will pass.

On this day, Sun Wukong, accompanied by Zhu Bajie, arrived at the Three Star Immortal Cave. As soon as they reached the gate, they saw the Bull Demon King and Red Boy talking there.

Sun Wukong stepped forward and said with a smile, "Brother, nephew, what are you two doing here?"

When the Bull Demon King and Red Boy saw Sun Wukong arrive, they were overjoyed and immediately went forward to greet him, chatting happily with him.

The group had been gathered together for a long time.

The Bull Demon King asked, "I heard that you went to clear the road to the west to prepare for the master's new residence. Now that you have returned, is there no demon blocking the road to the west?"

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "Brother, I have swept away all the demons, but there are many demons on the main road to the west. I have swept them all away for now, but if I do not deal with them for several years, many more demons will emerge. Therefore, I have returned now, and when I come back, I will go there again."

The Bull Demon King said, "Is that so? If you still need to go in the future, my good brother, you can tell me, and I will go with you. We are brothers, and I will see what kind of demon can stop us."

Sun Wukong said, “Brother, if you wish to go with me, that is certainly fine. However, most of the demons on the westward road are not very capable. In terms of martial arts, very few can fight us for ten rounds. But the difficulty lies in the human heart. Those demons who blend into the streets are very difficult to deal with.”

The Bull Demon King said, "It is rare to find someone who can teach you to speak so eloquently that you are difficult to deal with."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "But I cannot harm others, so I am naturally difficult to deal with."

The Bull Demon King said, "If I go with you next time, I will definitely be able to help you and teach you to overcome this difficulty."

Sun Wukong said, "That's excellent. Please come with me, brother."

The Bull Demon King replied with a smile, and then said, "Now that I have returned, I should go to see the Master. I will not say much to you, my good brother. You should go and pay your respects to the Master."

Sun Wukong said, "That's how it is. I'll come to meet my brother again later."

He looked behind him at Pigsy and said, "Fool, come with me."

Pigsy immediately responded, wielding his nine-toothed rake, and followed behind Monkey.

The two entered the cave.

After watching Pigsy leave, Red Boy said, "Father, Pigsy is much more imposing than before."

Upon hearing this, the Bull Demon King looked in that direction and said, "In previous years, Pigsy had no imposing manners whatsoever, but now it seems that his cultivation has indeed progressed and he is quite different."

(End of this chapter)