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

Chapter 394 Returning to the Old Place on Double Ninth Festival, the Red-Bearded Dragon in the Human World

Meanwhile, the True Man and the Mysterious Emperor met in the Taihe Palace. They were naturally delighted and reminisced about their old times. Both of them wanted to discuss the Dao to prove each other's cultivation. So they ordered the Spirit Officials and others to guard the Taihe Palace and instructed Sun Wukong to listen in. The two of them then discussed the wonderful methods.

The wonders of the Dharma are boundless; how can they be fully described in just a few words?

As they talked, they realized that time had flown by, with summer turning to winter and more than five years passing in the blink of an eye.

It is said that Wang Chongyang descended from Mount Xiyi, rode his horse, and traveled extensively throughout the world. He circled around Yangzhou, hoping to find great Confucian scholars and living Buddhas to have a long talk with, to verify each other's learning, and to teach him how to integrate his knowledge.

Five years passed, and Wang Chongyang's name resounded throughout Yangzhou. Many prominent families, eminent monks, and Taoist priests in Yangzhou knew of him. With such a learned man as Wang Chongyang, many people called him a "remarkable person," marveling at his ability to learn the doctrines of three schools and integrate them into one, which was truly extraordinary.

Wang Chongyang did not care about these empty titles. After traveling around Yangzhou, he wanted to go to Xuzhou to find the people there and verify what he had learned.

However, before heading to Xuzhou, he still had to go back to see his old friends and the Celestial Master again to express his gratitude.

Wang Chongyang spent two or three months traveling to a city he had visited in the past, intending to enter the city and pay his respects to the old Master Liu who had taught him the Analects in the past.

However, when he knocked on the gate, he did not see Mr. Liu. Instead, a middle-aged man came out and said that he was his disciple.

Wang Chongyang bowed and said, "I have come here today to see Master Liu. Please convey my request and let me know that I can meet with him."

The man said, "Mr. Liu? Are you referring to my master? My master passed away from illness many years ago, and I am now his student. We cannot meet. Are you a descendant of my master?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chongyang sighed deeply. He never imagined that his benefactor, who had passed on the Confucian classics to him, would now be gone, separated by life and death, with no chance of ever seeing him again. Thinking of this, he bowed again and said, "In the past, I was deeply grateful to Master Liu for passing on the Analects to me and teaching me Confucianism. Now, I wish to see him again, but there is no way to do so."

The man exclaimed in surprise, "Are you Wang Chongyang?"

Wang Chongyang said, "That's right, that's right."

The man said, “I remember you. Years ago in the tavern, we had plenty of food and drink, but you only had dry food and tea. My master saw that you were extraordinary and brought you into his mansion to study. Later, you left the mansion and disappeared without a trace. My master often praised you.”

Wang Chongyang sighed, "It is indeed me, but now we are separated by life and death, which fills me with grief."

When the man saw Wang Chongyang, he felt that he was an old friend, so he opened the gate of his mansion, led Wang Chongyang into the mansion, and treated him with courtesy.

Wang Chongyang readily agreed.

The man led Wang Chongyang into the main hall, where he prepared plenty of tea and seasonal fruits.

The man laughed and said, "Since my master passed away years ago, all my fellow disciples have scattered and gone their separate ways. It has been a long time since any old friends have come to visit me. Your arrival today makes me extremely happy."

As he spoke, the man bowed deeply and said, "In the past, my fellow disciples and I were ignorant and often mocked you, sir. We were young and naive at the time, and we hope you will forgive us."

Wang Chongyang returned the bow and said, "Many years have passed, and I have long forgotten you. I don't know what you are talking about."

The man laughed heartily, thinking to himself that Wang Chongyang was indeed as his master had said, a remarkable person. Now, seeing his magnanimity, he could get a glimpse into his character.

He was bored and had no opportunity to put his knowledge to use when he read books. When he saw Wang Chongyang arrive, he was eager to discuss his studies with him.

Wang Chongyang readily agreed.

The two men were in the main hall, discussing Confucianism.

Upon hearing this, the man was astonished. Wang Chongyang's teachings were truly remarkable. From the moment he opened his mouth, he sensed that Wang Chongyang's knowledge was so vast that he seemed to surpass even his own teacher.

Although the man was surprised, he refused to admit defeat and tried his best to talk to him.

Wang Chongyang could also sense that this person's doctrines were not particularly profound, so he naturally restrained himself.

From their conversation, he learned that the man's surname was Wang, given name Li, and that he was the youngest disciple of Mr. Liu. He was skilled in Confucianism but preferred law, belonging to the category of those who were not proficient in either. However, he was polite and a kind person.

The two talked for a long time.

Wang Li bowed deeply to Wang Chongyang, impressed by his erudition, and said, "I have heard the saying, 'A scholar should be viewed with new eyes after three days of separation,' and seeing you today, I know this saying is true. Your erudition fills me with respect."

Wang Chongyang smiled and said, "I dare not accept such praise."

Wang Li said, "I have heard recently that there is a remarkable person who is proficient in the doctrines of the three schools of thought and has become famous in Yangzhou. Now, hearing what you say, sir, you are also proficient in Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Is this remarkable person you?"

Wang Chongyang said, "It's just something people say in jest."

Wang Li exclaimed in surprise, "It really is you, sir!"

Wang Li dared not be negligent, and seeing that it was getting dark, he instructed his servants to prepare a feast and treated Wang Chongyang with courtesy.

Seeing Wang Li's enthusiasm, Wang Chongyang had no choice but to accept it.

Wang Chongyang stayed in this residence for three or four days before he was about to leave.

Wang Liben wanted to persuade Wang Chongyang to stay at the mansion for a few more days, but Wang Chongyang insisted on leaving, and he could not persuade him to stay.

Wang Li then said, "Sir, you do not wish to stay in my residence any longer because it is too small. However, there is a place with a much larger residence. I wonder if you would be willing to go there?"

Wang Chongyang asked in confusion, "Why do you say that?"

Wang Li said, “Sir, I once had a senior brother named Zhao Pu, who was my master’s favorite disciple. He has now joined a wise ruler and has repeatedly written to me, urging me to go and help him unify the world. He even said that this wise ruler is expected to establish his rule over the world within a few years. I was overjoyed to receive this letter, but I deeply feel that my own cultivation is too shallow to help. However, your talent is a hundred times greater than mine, and even my senior brother Zhao Pu is inferior to you. I wonder if you are willing to go? If you are willing to go, I will certainly make you a guest of honor at the wise ruler’s table, and being ennobled and appointed as a minister will be a piece of cake.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Chongyang smiled and said, "I have dedicated my life to learning, and I appreciate your kindness."

Say it.

Wang Chongyang left the mansion, brought his horse, and soon departed from the city.

Wang Li watched Wang Chongyang leave, sighed deeply, and said, "What Master said back then was indeed true. Even being granted titles and positions of power could not sway his mind. His knowledge is profound, and he will surely be recorded in history one day."

……

Wang Chongyang left the city and went straight to Lanruo Temple, intending to visit the abbot and reminisce about old times.

However, when Wang Chongyang arrived at Lanruo Temple, he found that the abbot of Lanruo Temple had also passed away peacefully. Wang Chongyang felt helpless and saw that Lanruo Temple had no intention of receiving him, so he left and rushed to the Celestial Master's Mansion.

……

In the Taihe Palace, the True Man and the Xuan Emperor talked for a long time, and suddenly the topic of Beiju Luzhou came up.

Emperor Xuan said, "True Man, recently there has been a disturbance caused by demons and evil spirits in Beiju Luzhou. At times, a demon named Moluo is causing trouble there, commanding the demons of the entire continent. There are signs that he is about to become a powerful force. Have you heard of this, True Man?"

Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "I have never heard of this place, but I have heard of Moro. He used to cause trouble on the westward road. I fought with him and forced him to leave the westward road, so that he could no longer cause trouble there. I never thought that he would leave the westward road and go to Beiju Luzhou to cause trouble."

Sun Wukong, standing nearby, said, "Your Majesty, you don't know the origins of Moro. Let me tell you in detail." With that, Sun Wukong recounted Moro's past to His Majesty.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuan was slightly surprised and said, "I have heard of the matter of Bodhisattva Kinnara, but I have not investigated it in detail. I never imagined that Mara had such a background. True Man, you once fought with him. What do you think of his methods?"

The master pondered for a moment and then said, "It's acceptable."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuan knew what kind of person Mo Luo was. He shook his head and said, "That Mo Luo is causing trouble in Beiju Luzhou. He is not easy to deal with."

The master said, "If Beijuluzhou truly follows the evil forces of Molu, this is a path to disaster."

Emperor Xuan lowered his head and said, “That is indeed the case. If Beiju Luzhou is truly guilty of heinous crimes, I will not worry, but I will simply eliminate the demons. However, when I returned from Beiju Luzhou in the past, I saw that there were still many kind-hearted demons there. I fear that they may be incited and bring about their own demise.”

Sun Wukong asked in surprise, "Are there really benevolent demons in Beiju Luzhou?"

Emperor Xuan said, “Of course there are, but in the world there is yin and yang, and where is there no good and evil? In Beiju Luzhou, I once saw a black leopard hiding in the mist and marshing the mountains and forests, and a mountain demon guarding the mines to protect the people. Although they are endowed with different qi, they did not harm the grass and trees in the slightest. Even in evil places there are good deeds. In places like Nanzhanbuzhou, which is called a good place, there are also evil demons causing trouble. For example, in the past, the Dragon King of Jinghe River spread rain and usurped the heavenly law, and the snake demons of Bashu devoured hundreds of children.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong bowed and said, "I have learned much."

The master smiled, about to say something, when suddenly he felt something and looked towards the outside of the Taihe Palace.

Emperor Xuan also looked outwards.

Sun Wukong asked, "Elder Brother, Emperor Xuan, what's going on between you two?"

The master shook his head and said, "I have a feeling that the three calamities in this world will eventually dissipate, and within a few years, the disasters will cease."

Emperor Xuan smiled and said, "I know a thing or two about what's going on here."

The True Man was somewhat surprised and asked, "The cessation of the three calamities in the human world is due to the unification by the ruler of the human world. How did the Mysterious Emperor know about this?"

Emperor Xuan said, “To be honest, I once went to the Heavenly Court to pay homage to the Great Heavenly Venerable. I happened to see that the Great Heavenly Venerable could not bear the endless chaos in the human world, so he asked the immortals of the Lingxiao Palace who was willing to go to the Sea of ​​Bitterness. A dragon from a pillar of the Lingxiao Palace volunteered to go to the Sea of ​​Bitterness. The Great Heavenly Venerable then allowed him to be reborn in the human world. That dragon was a red-bearded dragon. Now the human world will be unified, and this is due to his merit.”

The immortal said, "Red-bearded Dragon? He is willing to enter the human world to save all living beings and give those suffering in the sea of ​​misery a little respite. This would be a great deed."

Emperor Xuan nodded and said, "What you say makes sense. If there is anything I can do to help you in the future, I will certainly do so."

The master said, "I have the same thought."

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "If we want to help, why don't we go now? I saw that the Red-Bearded Dragon has not completely eliminated the Three Calamities, and there is still constant fighting here. If we help him, we can definitely make him unify the country faster."

The Xuan Emperor and the True Man exchanged a glance and both burst into laughter.

Emperor Xuan said, “Great Sage, there is no need to be impatient. This assistance is not what it seems. Unification is inevitable. We just need to wait for the right time.”

Sun Wukong said, "But I'm a little impatient."

Emperor Xuan smiled and said, "Don't rush." ​​He then looked at the True Man and said, "True Man, I have often discussed profound methods with you, and we have even exchanged views on the Golden Elixir. However, I have never discussed with you the path to cultivating the Golden Elixir. How about today, let us discuss the path of cultivation? What do you think, True Man?"

The True Man smiled and said, "The request of the Mysterious Emperor should naturally be granted."

Emperor Xuan said, “In that case, I will first explain to the True Man that in the past, when I was a True Lord, I had not yet achieved my goal, nor had I obtained the name True Martial. The subjugation of demons had not yet begun. At that time, I was diligently cultivating the Golden Elixir, but I could not attain enlightenment for a long time and it was difficult to achieve anything.”

"Later, I sought an audience with the Dao Ancestor and received his guidance. After many years of seclusion, I finally achieved enlightenment. Thus, I received the righteous Qi of the Heavenly Emperor and the profound essence of the North Pole to cultivate the Golden Elixir. Initially, I gathered Kan and Li in the chaos, where the dragon and tiger intertwined. Then, I regulated lead and mercury in the Yellow Court, where the tortoise and snake coiled together. The Samadhi True Fire tempered the crimson marrow of the Li Palace, and the Ninefold True Lead filled the profound abyss of the Kan Gate..."

The Mysterious Emperor then explained his path of cultivation to the True Man.

The True Man listened attentively to what the Mysterious Emperor had to say.

Sun Wukong listened attentively, pondering to himself. People like his senior brother and Xuandi could talk about their cultivation process, but it was difficult to explain his own.

How should we put it: He was born holy, never cultivated his mind, caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace, and went on a journey to the West to obtain the scriptures.
Sun Wukong scratched his head in frustration. If he said it that way, it wouldn't make much sense. However, his path of cultivation mostly relied on being "born divine," so even if he talked about it, it wouldn't be of any help to the True Man or the Mysterious Emperor.

What should he do?

……

Time flies, and more than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

Wang Chongyang finally continued his journey, arriving at a mountain. Upon reaching the Zuo Liang Mansion, he gazed upon it with a sense of melancholy. He had been forced into this mansion as a child and had grown up here. Only with the help of the Celestial Master was he able to leave. Now, returning to his hometown, he felt a surge of emotion.

Wang Chongyang dismounted, walked to the front of the mansion, and knocked on the gate.

A short while later, attendants came out of the mansion.

When the attendant saw Wang Chongyang, he was about to ask why he had come, but upon closer inspection, he recognized Wang Chongyang and exclaimed with delight, "Chongyang, have you returned?"

Wang Chongyang bowed to his attendants and said, "Brother Li, it is indeed me."

The attendants were overjoyed and immediately welcomed Wang Chongyang into the mansion, saying, "Chongyang is back! Chongyang is back!"

Say it.

Many of his followers had come from elsewhere, and they were all delighted to see Wang Chongyang. They thought that when Wang Chongyang went down the mountain in the past, there was war and chaos, and he might have been in danger of losing his life, and they would never have the chance to see him again. They never expected that they would be able to see Wang Chongyang again today.

Wang Chongyang greeted them with a smile.

One of the attendants said, "Chongyang, you are different now than before."

Wang Chongyang asked, puzzled, "What's the difference?"

The attendant said, "Now you seem like a great scholar, or a Taoist priest, quite extraordinary."

Another follower chimed in, "That's exactly right. This Double Ninth Festival is truly remarkable. I see that it has the air of the Celestial Master."

Wang Chongyang bowed and said, "I dare not accept what you all say. I left the Celestial Master's Mansion and traveled for a long time in order to learn. Now that I have achieved something, I am different from others, but not as you all say."

Many of his followers were about to speak again.

Suddenly, a follower said, "Gentlemen, let's not say any more. Take Chongyang to see the Celestial Master. We can talk to him later."

The attendants all responded and led Wang Chongyang to pay their respects to the Celestial Master.

Wang Chongyang bowed to his attendants and said he would catch up with them later.

(End of this chapter)