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

Chapter 404 Candlelight and Axe Sound
On the main road westward, atop a high mountain, the Red-Bearded Dragon was terrified when he heard that Sun Wukong wanted to take him to the Dragon-Slaying Platform. He hurriedly kowtowed and begged Sun Wukong to spare his life and not take him to the Dragon-Slaying Platform.

Red-bearded Dragon dared not harbor any ill intentions. He knew Sun Wukong's abilities well. This was a master who had wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace. In the past, Sun Wukong had caused chaos in the Heavenly Palace, forcing the Nine Luminaries to shut their doors and never daring to come out. He had also caused the Four Heavenly Kings to disappear without a trace. No god dared to match him, and countless heavenly soldiers were killed or injured. He went straight into the Tongming Hall and almost broke into the Lingxiao Palace.

If it weren't for Wang Lingguan and the thirty-six Thunder Generals of the Thunder Palace fighting desperately to stop him, Sun Wukong would have definitely been able to break into the Lingxiao Palace.

Sun Wukong possessed such magical powers in the past, and his powers are now even greater than before.

How dare the Red-Bearded Dragon challenge Sun Wukong?

Sun Wukong said, "If you would like to forgive me, please tell me why you are causing such a scene and what has made you so angry. If you can explain it, I will spare your life. Otherwise, I will take your case to the Lingxiao Palace and I will have my reasons."

Red-bearded Dragon said, “Great Sage, you do not know this. My anger and disturbance here are understandable. Please listen carefully. I was originally a free dragon in heaven, coiled around the golden pillars of the palace, watching the immortals come day and night, and listening to the affairs of the mortal world. It was only because the immortals reported difficult matters and the three calamities of the mortal world were hard to quell that the Jade Emperor, with his great compassion, ordered the ten thousand dragons of the palace to come and sent me down to the mortal world to become the ruler of the mortal world, to stop the war, eliminate disasters and ensure peace. I received the Jade Emperor's decree and fell to the mortal world, becoming the human Zhao Kuangyin. I was determined to bring peace to the country and stabilize the mortal world. I led troops in battle for many years and finally established the Song Dynasty. However, a villain grew up with evil intentions. The candlelight and the sound of the axe killed my life. The treacherous villain who plotted to usurp the throne is truly a villain. Alas, what can I do? How can I willingly leave like this? My anger disturbed my divine abode. I had no intention of offending you or doing anything wrong. I hope you will forgive my mistake, Great Sage.”

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "If what you say is true, then you are Zhao Kuangyin, the emperor of the Song Dynasty, and the reincarnation of the Red-Bearded Dragon?"

Red-bearded Dragon bowed and said, "Indeed, indeed. Great Sage, do you recognize me?"

Sun Wukong said, "Years ago, I followed my eldest brother to meet with the Xuan Emperor, who told me about this matter. As you said, you were reborn as Zhao Kuangyin, who established the Song Dynasty. Later, you were killed by traitors, and your throne was taken from you. Therefore, you are resentful and angry, and you are venting your anger here. Is that right?"

Red-bearded Dragon replied, "That is indeed the case, but the one who usurped my throne and plotted against me was my brother."

Sun Wukong exclaimed in surprise, "Your brother plotted against you? This brother has evil intentions. No wonder you are so angry and caused such a scene here."

Red-bearded Dragon said, "I beg the Great Sage to forgive me, I had no intention of doing so."

Sun Wukong said, "If that's the case, I can forgive you. But now that you're dead, why don't you return to the Heavenly Court instead of venting your anger here? Are you still resentful?"

Red-bearded Dragon said, "How can I accept this? I must go and find him again to ask him why he is so heartless and shameless."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "If that's the case, you can take revenge, but you can no longer return to heaven. If you do, you will be punished. This is how a reasonable argument turns into an unreasonable one."

Red-bearded Dragon said, "If you ask me to let that heartless wretch go, I will not be willing. Even if I am right, I will still go and make my way there. I beg the Great Sage to grant me permission and not take me to the Heavenly Court."

Sun Wukong asked, "Have you really thought this through?"

Upon hearing Sun Wukong's words, Red-Bearded Dragon hesitated for a moment, unsure how to respond. After a long pause, he finally asked, "If what the Great Sage says is true, what should I do now?"

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Do I really need to teach you this? Just go to the Heavenly Court and accuse your heartless and ungrateful brother. Ask the Great Heavenly Venerable to do justice for you. You have come here by the Great Heavenly Venerable's decree. If the Great Heavenly Venerable finds out about this, how can he not do justice for you? That is the only reasonable way. If you vent your anger here and harm the people, and then go to the Southern Continent to kill your own brother, that would be unreasonable."

Red-bearded Dragon suddenly realized and said, "What the Great Sage said makes sense. I almost went astray. Now, thanks to the Great Sage's kind words, I have finally understood. I thank the Great Sage here."

Sun Wukong said, "No need for words. I will go with you to the Heavenly Palace and talk to you for a while."

Red-bearded Dragon was moved to tears and said, "Thank you, Great Sage. Your kindness is beyond my ability to repay."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "Don't say that. I helped you so that you wouldn't cause trouble here. You don't need to thank me."

Red-bearded Dragon wanted to say something more.

Sun Wukong didn't say much to the Red-Bearded Dragon. He simply waved his hand, grabbed the Red-Bearded Dragon, and prepared to go to the Heavenly Realm.

Red-bearded Dragon was surprised. Although he wasn't as heavy as an ordinary person, he was still quite heavy. He hadn't expected Sun Wukong to be able to lift him so easily and make him fly through the clouds. The Great Sage Equal to Heaven was indeed no ordinary figure. ...

Before long, Sun Wukong and the Red-Bearded Dragon rode the clouds to the front of the South Heavenly Gate.

The four marshals stepped forward and bowed to Sun Wukong. They did not obstruct him much and allowed him to enter.

However, when Chi Xulong arrived, the four marshals blocked his way, and officers and soldiers brandished their spears and halberds, ready to strike if Chi Xulong made any move.

The four marshals asked, "Whoever came, please announce your arrival."

The Red-Bearded Dragon is the one who announces the origin of the matter.

The four marshals dispatched officers and soldiers to verify his immortal register. Only after verification were they allowed to release the Red-Bearded Dragon into the Southern Heavenly Gate.

Sun Wukong and the Red-Bearded Dragon entered the South Heavenly Gate and said, "Old Sun has been waiting for you for a long time. In the time it takes to wait, Old Sun has already arrived at the Lingxiao Palace."

Red-bearded Dragon said with a mournful face, "Great Sage, I do not have your power, so I cannot enter so quickly. Please forgive me, Great Sage."

Sun Wukong said, "Enough, enough, enough. I won't argue with you any further. Let's go to the Lingxiao Palace and talk about other things."

Say it.

Sun Wukong then headed towards the Lingxiao Palace.

Red-bearded Dragon followed closely behind.

The four marshals watched the two leave, their hearts filled with unease.

Marshal Guan asked in bewilderment, "Why is the Great Sage associating with this Red-Bearded Dragon Lord? The Great Sage's nature doesn't seem to favor such people."

The other three marshals waved their hands and said, "Don't concern yourself with the Great Sage's affairs. Since the Great Sage has brought the Red-Bearded Dragon Lord here, he must have something important to do. We should just do our duty."

Upon hearing this, Marshal Guan fell silent.

……

In a short while, Sun Wukong and the Red-Bearded Dragon arrived at the Tongming Hall.

The four celestial masters stepped forward and asked Sun Wukong what was wrong.

Master Ge smiled and said, "Great Sage, have you come to the Heavenly Palace to ask for help because there is a great demon causing trouble in the mortal realm? If so, I will hurry over and report to the Great Heavenly Venerable."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "It is not because of such matters, but because of the Red-Bearded Dragon that I have come to pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Upon hearing this, the Four Celestial Masters looked at the red-bearded dragon behind him, wondering what had brought him there.

(End of this chapter)