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

Chapter 409 Accepting Seven Disciples, Returning Home on Double Ninth Festival

Time flies, and ten days passed in the blink of an eye.

After becoming Wang Chongyang's disciple, Ma Yu followed Wang Chongyang in his spiritual practice at the Quanzhen Temple.

Sun Fuchun refused to give up and tried various methods to see Ma Yu over the next ten days, but all his efforts were in vain.

Sun Fuchun couldn't see Ma Yu for ten days, seemingly realizing that Ma Yu no longer had any feelings for him, and there was no longer any affection between them as husband and wife. He was filled with resentment and didn't know what to do.

One day, Sun Fuchun was in a daze when a servant suddenly reported that something else had been delivered to Quanzhen Temple.

Even when someone delivered the items, Sun Fuchun assumed they were sent by Ma Yu.

But when the servants brought them up, Sun Fuchun felt nauseous and gagged. When he looked up, he saw that what had been brought were some rotten and smelly dead fish and sheep.

The servant simply said, "The messenger from Quanzhen Temple said that this is a return gift from the lady's frequent visits to Quanzhen Temple these days."

Enraged, Sun Fuchun exclaimed, "How dare this Taoist priest insult me ​​like this! Guards! Bring me my knife! I was already furious when he stole my husband, and now he dares to humiliate me like this! I will not forgive him! I will kill him!"

The servants were trembling with fear and dared not disobey, so they immediately brought a sharp knife to Sun Fuchun.

Sun Fuchun drew his sword, mounted his horse, and headed towards Quanzhen Temple.

Before long, Sun Fuchun arrived at the Quanzhen Temple. Seeing the temple gate wide open, he rushed inside, shouting, "Where is that evil Taoist! How dare you insult me ​​like this! Come and die!"

He glanced around and saw Wang Chongyang sitting upright on a futon, seemingly waiting for him.

Wang Chongyang smiled slightly and said, "Why is Madam Sun so angry? Wood represents the liver. Anger injures the liver, causing the liver qi to become disordered, which in turn harms the spleen and stomach. Madam, you should not be so angry."

Sun Fuchun cursed, "How dare you speak like this? You ask me why I am angry. What was your intention in sending those rotten fish and dead sheep to my residence? If you don't tell me the truth, I will kill you."

Wang Chongyang laughed and said, "You despise the stench of fish and sheep, but do you know that the human body is also a stinking bag of skin?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Fuchun was taken aback and didn't know how to respond.

Upon seeing this, Wang Chongyang smiled and chanted, "A kind mouth but an evil heart defiles the myriad spirits within; dead fish and dead sheep stink and disrupt the original essence."

Upon hearing this, Sun Fuchun seemed to suddenly understand, and he asked, "As you say, the physical body is all an illusion, is that so?"

Wang Chongyang said, “Indeed. Since you have this thought, you should know what I mean. Why not let go of the poison and prison of the physical body, cultivate the true path, and if you succeed, become Daoist partners and ascend to the ranks of immortals together? Wouldn’t that be the best strategy?”

Sun Fuchun was struck dumb, unsure how to respond. A sudden realization dawned on him: perhaps separating from Ma Congyi was the best choice.

He had no desire to argue with Wang Chongyang any longer, so he discarded the knife, turned around, left the Quanzhen Temple, and headed towards Wang's residence.

Half an hour later.

Sun Fuchun entered the mansion in a daze. He sat there, dumbfounded, seemingly lost in thought, as if he were recalling what Wang Chongyang had said.

His gaze shifted, and he suddenly noticed a letter. This letter had been sent by Wang Chongyang. He picked it up, opened it, and read: "Chew on the icy poison, open the heart with the divine elixir. Ten years of love, separated in a single night. Now, I have achieved immortality, transcending the mortal realm."

Sun Fuchun sighed softly, finally accepting the situation. He might as well abandon the prison of the flesh. His husband loved the Dao, and so did he. Now that they had this destiny, he could simply give up his love and affection.

He no longer wished to get entangled in the matter, and after hearing Wang Chongyang's words, he suddenly understood many things.

Sun Fuchun called for his servants to come.

Before long, a servant came forward and said, "Madam."

Sun Fuchun said, "Go and prepare celery, lotus seeds, beans, dates, longan, and dried meat strips. Take them with you tomorrow and come with me to Quanzhen Temple."

The servants dared not ask any further questions and simply answered.

Sun Fuchun instructed his men to make preparations, having already made up his mind that he would go tomorrow to become Wang Chongyang's disciple.

Sun Fuchun stood up and walked out of the house. Suddenly, he thought back and saw a bronze mirror in the room, reflecting his handsome face. He shook his head and said, "Since I am determined to cultivate, what use is this face? Women adorn themselves for those who appreciate them. Since I am going to cultivate, I don't need it anymore. This gender is a shackle, and I will break it today."

After saying this, he ordered someone to bring hot oil and splashed it on his face to disfigure him. Despite the gasps of his servants, he remained calm.

The servants exclaimed in surprise and immediately summoned a doctor to treat Sun Fuchun.

……

The next day at dawn, Sun Fuchun took the six gifts, along with many servants, carrying bundles of thorns, and headed towards Quanzhen Temple.

Half an hour later, Sun Fuchun arrived at Quanzhen Temple, faced the entrance, and knelt on the ground.

The servants beside him tried to help Sun Fuchun up.

Sun Fuchun raised his hand to refuse, saying, "Don't bother with me. Go knock on the door and tell them that Sun Fuchun has come to apologize."

Upon hearing this, the servant dared not disobey and immediately strode forward and knocked on the door.

A short while later, the gate of Quanzhen Temple quietly opened, and Wang Chongyang walked out. He saw Sun Fuchun with his face disfigured, carrying thorns on his back, kneeling on the ground. He was startled and understood Sun Fuchun's intention, but he was still surprised by Sun Fuchun's resoluteness.

Wang Chongyang said, "Madam, what is the reason for this?"

Sun Fuchun kowtowed and said, "I have offended you greatly, sir. I have come here today carrying a bundle of thorns, hoping to follow the example of the ancients who carried thorns to apologize. Please respond."

Wang Chongyang said, "Since you are so sincere now, and you are just unable to accept Ma Yu's situation for the time being, I understand you."

Upon hearing that Wang Chongyang was willing to forgive him, Sun Fuchun brought out the six rites and said, "Master, besides apologizing for my sins, I have another matter to ask of you. I wish to become your disciple, resolve to cultivate the Tao, and no longer be entangled in love."

Wang Chongyang pondered for a moment, then asked, "Is the appearance of your face a result of your determination to cultivate the Dao?"

Sun Fuchun replied, “Sir, I know that I have no further connection with Ma Yu, but many busybodies in the world discuss my relationship with Ma Yu. Now I have disfigured my face to show that I am breaking away from the world and that I am not bound by the shackles of gender. I hope that you will accept me as your disciple.”

Wang Chongyang did not refuse, and nodded with a smile, saying, "Put down the brambles and come inside with me."

Sun Fuchun instructed his servants to remove the brambles, and then personally brought six gifts before following Wang Chongyang inside.

Wang Chongyang entered, sat upright on the futon, and asked, "Are you truly determined to become my disciple?"

Sun Fuchun kowtowed twice and said, "This disciple is determined to become your disciple and devote myself to cultivating the Tao. I will not give up until I have succeeded. Please allow me to follow you in my cultivation!"

Wang Chongyang said, "Since you have spoken in this way, I am willing to accept you as my disciple. You shall follow me and cultivate together."

Sun Fuchun presented the six rites and said, “Fuchun is my secular name. Now that I am wholeheartedly devoted to Taoist cultivation, please grant me my true name, Master.”

Wang Chongyang pondered for a moment, then replied, "Since you are determined to cultivate, I will give you your true name 'Bu Er,' which means 'the mind of the Dao is not two.' What do you think?"

Sun Fuchun kowtowed and said, "From this day forward, I will be known as Sun Bu'er, and I am willing to carry on my master's will and remain steadfast in my Daoist heart!" Wang Chongyang nodded with a smile.

Inside the quiet room of Quanzhen Temple, Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie both smiled as they looked at Wang Chongyang.

Sun Wukong said, "This time, Fang Zhengwei will surely succeed. These two have severed their worldly ties. After some time, when all worldly ties are severed, it will be time for them to return home."

Pigsy grumbled, “Brother, I have severed all worldly ties, but I have also taken on disciples, which has led to new worldly ties. If I sever ties here, I will start ties there. How can I ever go home?”

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "Fool, this is your ignorance. There is indeed worldly ties here, but these ties are easily broken, so there is no need to worry."

Pigsy, not understanding, asked, "How easily can worldly ties be broken here? How so? Please explain to me, Brother Monkey, so that I may be at ease."

Sun Wukong said, "You fool, you are confused. What is there to be confused about? You can take on disciples here and fake your death there to escape worldly ties. In the end, there are only a few people."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy suddenly realized and said, "If that's the case, then Zhengwei's return home is not far off."

Sun Wukong said, "Take good care of them. Now that the task is nearing completion, we must be careful not to be careless."

Pigsy responded.

……

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

For more than a year, Ma Yu and Sun Bu'er followed Wang Chongyang in his spiritual practice, listening to him expound on the doctrines and scriptures.

Besides these two, Wang Chongyang went out one after another and took in five disciples: Tan Chuduan, Liu Chuxuan, Qiu Chuji, Wang Chuyi, and Hao Datong.

After teaching the seven disciples for over a year, Wang Chongyang was determined to spread his teachings to the outside world and prepared to leave with them. However, three of the seven disciples could not follow him due to other commitments. Among them, Sun Bu'er had not yet completely detached herself from worldly affairs and needed to stay behind to consolidate her foundation and prepare a future for her servants. The other two disciples also had important matters to attend to.

Therefore, Wang Chongyang prepared to take four people westward. These four people were Ma Yu, Qiu Chuji, Liu Chuxuan, and Tan Chuduan.

Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie naturally accompanied him as protectors.

One day, a group of people were outside Quanzhen Temple, just about to set off.

Sun Bu'er sent many horses, valuables, provisions, and even servants, intending to hand them over to Wang Chongyang.

Wang Chongyang shook his head and said, "There is no need to take these things. Since you are cultivating, you should not have such conveniences. You should use these valuables sparingly."

Sun Bu'er shed her former impetuousness and became calm. She bowed to Wang Chongyang and said, "Yes, Master. After I have finished my many matters, I will travel west to follow you."

Wang Chongyang neither confirmed nor denied this.

The group then proceeded towards Luoyang, intending to spread their teachings there before returning to Zhongnan Mountain.

They traveled for more than two months. When they passed through a city, Wang Chongyang and his four disciples rested. He then went outside and talked with Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie.

The three of them talked outdoors.

Wang Chongyang bowed to the two men and said, “Uncle-Master, Fellow Daoist. Now that my worldly ties have been severed, these seven people are those with whom I have a karmic connection. Now that this connection is over, I may return home.”

Sun Wukong smiled slightly and asked, "Zhengwei, you may return home now, but your worldly ties here are severed, while your ties with the mortal world are not yet severed. How do you think they are severed?"

Wang Chongyang laughed and said, "Uncle-Master, I've heard that Li Bai once died while drunk trying to catch the moon, and Venus has returned to its rightful place. What do you think?"

Sun Wukong smiled and nodded, saying, "That old man Taibai Jinxing, his true spirit returned to its place in the past, so his death is acceptable. If you want to cultivate the Golden Elixir Dao, this body is still useful, so you cannot die so easily."

Wang Chongyang said, "Uncle-Master, I am aware of my own abilities, so I ask for your help. I know that you possess great supernatural powers."

Sun Wukong was overjoyed and said, "You know that I have great supernatural powers, so I will naturally help you. Tell me your method."

Wang Chongyang pondered for a moment and then said, "Uncle-Master, I wish to pass away peacefully in Zhongnan Mountain. Do you have any methods?"

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "This method is very easy. I will give you a breath of immortal energy so that you can control your own life. After you pass away, I will have a hair that can be transformed into your likeness so that your disciples can rest assured."

Wang Chongyang bowed and said, "This disciple thanks my master for his help."

Sun Wukong said no more, but simply blew a breath gently towards Wang Chongyang.

Wang Chongyang felt a gentle breeze on his face and suddenly realized that he could control the life force within his body, and could transform into a child or an old man. Birth, aging, sickness, and death seemed to be entirely in his hands.

Wang Chongyang was very surprised and said, "Uncle-Master, your supernatural powers are quite different from those before I was reincarnated. You are truly remarkable now."

Sun Wukong smiled slightly and said, "I have learned the principles of the Dao from my senior brother and I know the laws of heaven and earth. How could I not have made progress? If you were to teach me to go against the laws of heaven and earth, I certainly could not do it. But if you were to teach me to change them, that would be very easy."

Pigsy, unaware of Sun Wukong's abilities, said, "Brother, if what you say is true, you now have the ability to save one person, but not all living beings, is that so?"

Sun Wukong replied, "I certainly have the ability to ferry one person across."

Pigsy said, "Back then, Master also had the ability to save a person. Now, isn't your cultivation not far from great magical power?"

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "Fool, don't talk nonsense. I am far from being able to help you. I can only help one person if that person is willing to help themselves. If that person is unwilling to help, even if I have the strength to lift the sea, I will find it difficult to lift them out of the sea of ​​suffering."

Pigsy seemed to be deep in thought, and then fell silent.

Sun Wukong said, "Nephew, you can do your best. This old man and this fool will protect you from the shadows. Don't worry."

Wang Chongyang said, "Thank you for your trouble, Uncle-Master and Brother-in-Law."

Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie said no more, riding their clouds to mid-air, not wanting to stay any longer, as they both knew that Wang Chongyang would escape.

Wang Chongyang then walked into the room.

The next day at dawn, Ma Yu and the other three went out and did not see Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong. They were about to ask them.

Wang Chongyang said, "Both of you protectors have left on business and will not be able to return. We shall proceed on our own from here on out."

Although Ma Yu and the other three did not quite understand, they all bowed and said, "Yes, Master."

Wang Chongyang said, “Let us set off for Luoyang. Along the way, you may spread the teachings to the best of your ability. I am getting old, and this path will depend on you from now on.”

Ma Yu and the other three all said, "Master's magical power is profound, he must be among the immortals, how could he be so old?"

Wang Chongyang smiled but didn't say anything more.

(End of this chapter)