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

Chapter 411 A Feeling of Transcendence, the Great Sage Frightens Pigsy
Wang Chongyang eventually escaped by feigning death in the Tomb of the Living Dead. More than half a month later, his four disciples buried him in the Tomb of the Living Dead and never opened it again.

Wang Chongyang's true form observed this from mid-air in the mountains, with a strong wind supporting him beneath his feet.

Wang Chongyang watched his four disciples grieve, and then watched as the Tomb of the Living Dead completely buried him, feeling a mix of emotions.

Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie were protecting him from behind.

Sun Wukong stepped forward and said, "Nephew, now that I have seen your mortal body buried, it is time for you to return home. You should not stay in the human world for long."

Pigsy laughed and said, "That's right, that's right! I haven't been home for a long time, I should go home early to rest, I'm very tired."

Wang Chongyang turned around and bowed deeply to the two men, saying, "I am deeply grateful for your help on my return."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "Nephew, we are of the same family, why should we thank you like this? It's not necessary."

Pigsy also said the same thing.

Wang Chongyang smiled and said, "As the saying goes, 'Great kindness is beyond words.' I will remember the kindness of my uncle and fellow Daoist and repay it in the future. However, I also want to go home now. The mountain god once helped me in this mountain. I should see him now. Please grant me permission, uncle and fellow Daoist."

Sun Wukong said, "If that's the case, then I'll go with you and meet this mountain god."

Wang Chongyang received Sun Wukong's permission and bowed again.

Sun Wukong said no more, dispersed the raging wind, and led Wang Chongyang and Zhu Bajie to a green pine rock on the mountaintop.

The three of them landed here and saw the mountain god standing beside the green pine stone, looking towards the tomb of the living dead, seemingly with some regret.

The arrival of the three startled the mountain god. Looking up, he saw Wang Chongyang and exclaimed in surprise, "Wang Chongyang! Weren't you dead? How come you're still here?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Chongyang smiled and said, "This is a feigned death to escape from the sea of ​​suffering. It was a last resort. Please forgive me, Mountain God!"

The mountain god said, "So that's how it is! I felt a little sorry to see you perish, thinking that your time was not in this world. I never thought that you faked your death to escape. This method is very clever. Is it the work of a master? I can't even see through it."

Wang Chongyang shook his head and said, "It is not my master's work, but my uncle's method."

Upon hearing this, the mountain god looked at Pigsy and Monkey King. When he saw Monkey King, he was greatly surprised and immediately stepped forward to bow deeply, saying, "This humble god greets the Great Sage! I never expected the Great Sage to be here, and I did not come to greet you. Please forgive this humble god's sin!"

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "Ignorance is no crime. You have helped my nephew, and I should thank you."

The mountain god said, "I have done my best, and I dare not claim any credit."

Sun Wukong said, "This is my nephew Sun thanking you. I won't say much more. You should talk to this mountain god. I'll go home with you later."

Wang Chongyang readily agreed.

Sun Wukong then grabbed Zhu Bajie and headed outside, leaving the place to Wang Chongyang.

After the two left, they traveled into the mountains and forests. Pigsy asked, "Brother, why are we leaving?"

Sun Wukong replied, “That mountain god has some connection with Zhengwei. We don’t need to stay there any longer. We can just hand that place over to Zhengwei and wait here patiently.”

Pigsy had no choice but to obey Monkey's orders.

Half an hour later, Wang Chongyang arrived on foot.

Sun Wukong asked how it was.

Wang Chongyang bowed and said, "Uncle-Master, now that this matter is settled, I can return home. Please guide me."

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "That's how it is."

Pigsy stepped forward and asked, "Brother, shall we ride the clouds and winds back, or shall we walk back?"

Sun Wukong has not yet answered.

Suddenly, golden light appeared from the west, scattering the clouds and mist, repelling all demons, and making a path. It was because a true man was performing a ritual to guide the Double Ninth Festival homeward.

Upon seeing this, Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Now that our eldest brother is leading the way, we don't need to worry. We should just follow him carefully."

Pigsy grumbled, “Why didn’t you lead me home with a golden road when I returned home before? Now that I’m just returning home, this golden road appears.”

Sun Wukong patted Zhu Bajie and said, "You're spouting such enviable words again. Nephew Zhengwei, you go home by yourself. I'm going to take this fool to the underworld and teach him to reincarnate. When he returns, I'll ask my senior brother to guide him across the Golden Path."

Pigsy was about to say something more.

Sun Wukong ignored him, grabbed Zhu Bajie, and headed towards the underworld.

Pigsy said urgently, "Brother, spare me! I, Pigsy, am not talking nonsense."

Sun Wukong said, "You fool, you always say the same thing, and I see no change in you. But I can't let you off now. Come with me."

Say it.

Sun Wukong ignored everything Zhu Bajie said and instead pulled Zhu Bajie along, determined to get to the underworld.

A short while later, the two disappeared.

Watching the two leave, Wang Chongyang sighed helplessly and said, "Uncle and fellow Daoist, why are you like this every day? Enough, enough, enough. Since that's how it is, I'll go home alone."

Wang Chongyang was not worried about safety. With his master, the Golden Path, here, all demons would retreat. Even immortals and gods would know the origin of this method and would not dare to stop him. He should just hurry home.

……

The story takes place in the Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, in the Xieyue Sanxing Cave, within the ancestral master's quiet chamber.

The immortal here is talking with the patriarch, and the two of them are starting to play a game of chess.

The true man suddenly cast a spell to create a golden path, attracting people to come. This matter could not be hidden from the patriarch.

The Patriarch possessed profound wisdom, and in a short while he saw through the three realms and knew what was going on. The Patriarch laughed and said, "Child, since you are casting a spell, why don't you cast it more thoroughly? With your magical power, you are more than capable of intimidating the demons of Xiniu Hezhou, but I don't see you doing this. You just leave a golden path."

The Master smiled and said, “Master, when I followed you on your westward journey, it was the same. Now that I have returned, it should be the same. Moreover, compared to the past, no demons or evil spirits dare to openly appear on the westward road, making the journey much easier.”

The patriarch laughed and scolded, "You child, are you saying that I didn't do my best when I brought you here back then, and you're blaming me for it?"

The master said, "This disciple dares not. This disciple knows the principles of Master and has never had any complaints."

The Patriarch waved his hand, not bothering to argue with the boy, and said, "You say that no demons or evil spirits dare to openly show themselves on the westward journey. What do you mean by that? From what I've observed, Wukong often patrols the westward journey, and there's also your decree. Are there still any demons or evil spirits on the westward journey?"

The master shook his head and said, "Master has profound magical powers. How could he not know that there are many demons lurking in the kingdoms along the westward journey, hiding their forms and keeping them unknown to people? Some are kings, some are generals, and their numbers are countless."

The patriarch smiled and said, "I do not know." Jiang Yuan had no choice but to bow and say, "Master has profound magical powers, please do not play tricks on your disciple. But I do not know if there are any mistakes in the arrangement. Please do not hesitate to point them out."

The patriarch shook his head and said, "Your arrangement is flawless, but as long as he hasn't stepped out of the Golden Path, no evil spirits dare to invade. However, if Zhengwei were to step out of the Golden Path, evil spirits could harm him."

Jiang Yuan nodded and said, "It is enough to ensure that it does not fall within the Golden Path."

The Patriarch smiled and said, "Wukong and Bajie left. Was this within your expectations, boy?"

Jiang Yuan said, "It was all expected. When Wukong saw the golden road, he understood my intention. Only when Zhengwei can walk the golden road and return can he be considered to have truly returned. Wukong understands."

The Patriarch asked, "Child, what is the extent of your magical power that you have sensed today?"

Jiang Yuan pondered for a moment and replied, "When heaven and man interact, the numbers of heaven and earth are me, and I am the numbers of heaven and earth. I also feel transcendence and sometimes feel that I am not one of the three realms."

Upon hearing what the boy said, the patriarch smiled even more and said, "Boy, tell me in detail about your feeling of transcendence."

Jiang Yuan shook his head, bowed, and said, "Master, please forgive my incompetence. I cannot express the feeling of transcendence, because I have not yet attained much in this path. How can I speak of it? I am ignorant."

Upon hearing this, the Patriarch knew when the boy had begun his cultivation. He was pleased and thought to himself, "If what this boy says is true, his cultivation is extraordinary and beyond compare. He is capable of great magical powers, but he is just one opportunity away. I have a successor."

The patriarch rose and helped the immortal up, saying, "Child, rise now. I am about to speak to you about the path to transcendence. Listen attentively, for this will be of great benefit to your cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan immediately knelt down and said, "Disciple thanks Master for his kindness."

The patriarch shook his head and said, "Child, you were like this before you attained enlightenment, and you are still like this now that you have attained enlightenment. You truly have the heart of a child. In this respect, I am not as good as you."

Jiang Yuan was about to say something more.

The patriarch waved his hand and said, "Child, stop talking and sit down to listen to what I have to say."

The man dared not disobey, and so he took his seat.

When the Patriarch saw that he had taken his seat, he leaned close and explained the profound mysteries to the True Man in detail.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan felt deeply moved by its mystery and became unconsciously absorbed in it.

……

Meanwhile, in the underworld, Sun Wukong actually dragged Zhu Bajie there, scaring Zhu Bajie half to death, who thought that Sun Wukong really wanted to take him to be reincarnated.

Pigsy, trembling with fear, said in a panic, "Brother, I will never dare to offend you again. Please forgive me, please forgive me. From this day forward, I will never talk nonsense again."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "You fool, don't beg for mercy. Hurry up and come with me. If I hear you say 'Spare me' again, I will take that golden cudgel and show you how powerful I am."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy remained silent, fearing that if Sun Wukong were truly angered, he would take out his golden cudgel and strike him. That cudgel was heavy; if it struck him, he would be annihilated without even needing to be reborn.

Sun Wukong grabbed Zhu Bajie, rode the clouds and mist, crossed the Netherworld Pass, and went straight into the Yama Palace. Along the way, even the dead bowed in reverence, knowing that the Great Sage Equal to Heaven had arrived.

Before long, Sun Wukong arrived at the Yama Palace and saw that the Ten Kings of Hell had already arrived to pay their respects to him.

The ten Yama Kings stepped forward, bowed, and said, "We pay our respects to the Great Sage!"

Sun Wukong tossed Zhu Bajie aside and said, "No need for formalities. I've come here today because I need your help with something important."

Upon hearing this, the Ten Kings of Hell immediately asked, "Great Sage, what are your orders? Please speak, and the entire Underworld will do everything in its power to assist you, without exception."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "There's no need for such formalities. I've come here on personal business, not official business, so your help is enough."

The ten Yama Kings only said, "Please give your orders, Great Sage."

Sun Wukong said, "The reason I've come here today is for this fool. He wants to be reincarnated. You should make some arrangements to help him reincarnate."

The tenth Yama King was slightly surprised.

Upon seeing this, Pigsy was greatly alarmed and said, "Brother, don't frighten me. I can't take such a fright. Please forgive me, please forgive me."

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "You ten, why don't you take this Pigsy away and prepare for his reincarnation? Why are you here? Did you not listen to what I said?"

The ten Yama Kings dared not disobey, and immediately ordered the death-hunting men to come forward, capture Pigsy, and take him away.

Yama, the King of Hell, stopped the people who were supposed to take the dead and asked, "Great Sage, it is easy to take Pigsy to be reborn, but we do not know where to send Pigsy. There are six realms of reincarnation, there must be a reason for that."

Sun Wukong covered his mouth and chuckled, then waved his hand and said, "Back then, Pigsy was mistakenly reborn as an animal. Now, let's teach him to be reborn as a hungry ghost and let him enjoy it."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy became anxious and said, "You wretched monkey! I've known you for many years, how could you be so vicious as to send me to the realm of hungry ghosts?"

Sun Wukong waved his hand, not saying another word to Zhu Bajie.

"Hooking the dead" means holding down Zhu Bajie and taking him out of the Yama Palace. Along the way, you can still hear Zhu Bajie cursing and swearing.

Seeing him leave, Sun Wukong hurriedly grabbed Yama and said, "Don't really send this fool to be reincarnated. I was just bluffing him. Don't take it seriously."

The tenth Yama King was taken aback and puzzled. Without saying much, he ordered the death-hunting messenger to go and deliver the order.

Yama asked, “Great Sage, what are you doing? I thought you really wanted to send the Clean Altar Messenger Bodhisattva to be reborn. If you are slow to tell me, you will mistake the false for the true.”

Sun Wukong waved his hand and said, "I was just taking this opportunity to scare him. My nephew is about to return to his position, and there will be a golden path to guide him. If I were to protect him by his side, I'm afraid the golden path would be of little use. So I want to stay here with you for a while."

The ten Yama Kings did not understand his meaning, but when they heard Sun Wukong say that he would stay in the Yama Palace for a while, they naturally agreed.

Seeing that the Ten Kings of Hell were puzzled, Sun Wukong explained the matter to them in detail.

Upon hearing this, the Ten Kings said, "If what the Great Sage said is true, the True Man uses the Golden Path to guide his disciples, which is also for tempering them and to lure out the monsters hidden on the westward journey. So be it."

Sun Wukong nodded and said, "Just as you have said."

The Ten Kings asked, “Since the Great Sage wishes to reside in the Yama Palace, that is of course acceptable and a great fortune for us. However, we do not know how to deal with the Bodhisattva Cleansing Altar Messenger. Please enlighten us, Great Sage, so that we may assist you in your endeavors.”

Sun Wukong pondered for a moment, then laughed and said, "You must not hurt him, but you must frighten him and make him afraid. Do you think you can do that?"

The ten kings said, "We can certainly do as the Great Sage commands. Please rest assured, Great Sage, we will definitely follow your instructions."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Thank you all for your trouble."

The ten kings were terrified and all said they dared not.

(End of this chapter)