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

Chapter 421 The Alchemist's Scheme: Using the Mind as the Catalyst
Meanwhile, in the quiet chamber of the royal palace of King Baoliang, the king saw the sorcerer holding a calligraphy scroll, and his expression changed in surprise. He immediately asked the sorcerer why he was doing this.

The Taoist priest pondered for a long time, then put down the calligraphy scroll and, feigning mystery, said, "In the past, I did not know what cultivation was, but now, seeing this calligraphy scroll, I understand what the immortals are all about. This calligraphy scroll is truly a divine object."

Upon hearing this, the king became anxious and said, "Is this calligraphy scroll truly a divine object? If it is, why have I never seen its wondrous uses? Please tell me about the wondrous uses of this divine object."

The Taoist priest said, “This calligraphy scroll is indeed a divine object, there is no doubt about that. However, only those with great enlightenment can fathom its mysteries. Without enlightenment, one cannot fathom its secrets, and even if one possesses the divine object, it will be of no use. I also wish to tell Your Majesty about the wonders of this divine object, but to be honest, my enlightenment is still lacking, so I cannot fathom its secrets. I only know that it is a rare and precious divine object. This divine object is like a house; one must have sufficient enlightenment to enter it. I am currently lacking in enlightenment, and I am standing at the threshold of that house, able to see its splendor but unable to enter. It is truly a pity.”

The king, in a panic, scratched his head and said, "If what you say is true, then I am destined to never hear of this divine object?"

The alchemist sighed, "This theory of enlightenment is extremely profound, and now we have no chance to hear it."

The king, half sighing and half lamenting, said, “Throughout my life, I have pursued the Dao, seeking only immortality, running east and west. Now, I have finally found a way and obtained this divine object. But I never imagined that due to my lack of understanding, I would be unable to use this divine object. Truly, it is fate and destiny.”

Say it.

The king's eyes were bloodshot, as if he were extremely unwilling.

The sorcerer rose, bowed, and said, "I am incompetent."

The king looked at the sorcerer and said, "Sir, is it truly that you have not found even the slightest solution?"

The alchemist said, "Comprehension is innate; how can ordinary methods be of any use?"

The king sighed, about to say something, when he suddenly recalled what the sorcerer had said: ordinary methods are not feasible, but if there were extraordinary methods, wouldn't they be feasible? So he asked, "Sir, you say that there are no ordinary methods. If that's the case, are there any extraordinary methods that can teach me to glimpse this divine object and increase my understanding?"

The sorcerer feigned difficulty, saying, "If it is an unusual method, then it certainly exists. However, this method is truly against the will of Heaven, therefore it is a secret and forbidden technique, which must not be revealed, must not be revealed!"

Upon hearing this, the king was filled with enthusiasm and said, "If you have a solution, please tell me quickly, and don't worry about anything that can't be said."

The sorcerer shook his head and said, "This method is indeed against the will of Heaven and cannot be spoken of. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The king was extremely anxious, his heart burning with impatience. He had just realized there was no other chance, but now that a good opportunity was before him, how could he give it up? He urged him urgently, saying, "Sir, you must tell him. Don't worry about anything that might offend Heaven, just don't harm me."

The sorcerer said, "Your Majesty, is it truly necessary to speak?"

The king said, "Speak, and I will forgive you."

The sorcerer remained silent for a long time, seemingly hesitant. After an incense stick had burned, he sighed and said, "Your Majesty, if that is the case, I will tell you. However, this method is indeed against the will of Heaven. Therefore, Your Majesty should just listen and not actually do it."

The king said, "Just tell me what you want to say, and I will never punish you, no matter what."

The sorcerer pondered for a moment and said, "Your Majesty, this action is indeed contrary to the principles of Heaven, but since Your Majesty has already inquired about it, I will explain it to you."

The king urged, "Sir, please speak quickly."

The alchemist said, "This method involves taking the heart as medicine to replenish oneself and thereby enhance one's understanding."

Upon hearing this, the king was somewhat puzzled and said, "Taking the heart as medicine? How can this be explained? You must explain it in detail, sir, without omitting the beginning or the end, which makes people's hearts itch with desire."

The Taoist priest said, “There is a saying that ‘the mind is the restraint, the master of the body. When the mind is calm, the spirit is at peace, and when the spirit is at peace, wisdom arises.’ This wisdom is related to enlightenment. Therefore, if you want to improve enlightenment, you must strengthen the mind. Enlightenment is like a tree, with the mind as its root.”

"How difficult is it to strengthen the heart? I have a secret formula that can strengthen the heart and enhance comprehension. This formula requires 999 hearts of young boys and girls, of which 501 must be of young boys and 498 must be of young girls. They must not be mixed up. Then, take the heart of a person with a firm mind as the medicinal guide and refine it into medicine. Taking it will greatly increase comprehension. If one has such comprehension, one will surely be able to glimpse this divine object."

The sorcerer explained the method in detail.

Upon hearing this, the king was greatly alarmed and exclaimed, "How can this require human hearts as medicine? How can this be used!"

The sorcerer said, “This method requires the will of the people, and therefore it is against the harmony of Heaven. Whether or not to use it is entirely up to Your Majesty’s will. I dare not say more, Your Majesty should be wise to make the decision.”

The king shook his head and said, "I dare not, I dare not! This method must never be done."

The sorcerer didn't say much. After bowing, he withdrew, making it very clear that if this method couldn't be done, he had no other way.

As the king watched the sorcerer leave, and then looked at the calligraphy scroll in his hand, he was at a loss for what to do, which left him with mixed feelings.

After a long while, the king sighed and said, "Someone, go and convey my order to see the Immortal Master. Tell him that I am unable to comprehend this calligraphy and ask if the Immortal Master has any other methods."

A eunuch, having received the king's order, dared not underestimate the matter and immediately went to inquire.

The king sat quietly in the room for a long time, gazing at the calligraphy, remaining silent for a long time, and left after about half an hour.

Half an hour later, the eunuch reported back to the king.

The king asked urgently, "Then, sage, how did you say it? Tell me everything in detail."

The eunuch replied, "As ordered by His Majesty, we asked the immortal master, but he only answered with two words, 'There is none.' If we ask again, he will not answer."

The king sighed and remained silent.

The eunuch cautiously said, "Your Majesty, I saw that the immortal master packing his luggage. He may be leaving tomorrow. Is there anything else I can do for him?"

Upon hearing the eunuch's words, the king became anxious and slammed his hand on the table, saying, "No need for further action, go and invite the alchemist from the alchemy room."

The eunuchs were those who went to invite the sorcerers.

Before long, the sorcerer arrived and came to the quiet room to pay his respects to the king.

The king dismissed the eunuch and said, "Sir, I wish to obtain your heart to bestow upon you enlightenment. I hope you will assist me." The sorcerer said, "Your Majesty, have you thought this through? You must know that the hearts of nine hundred and ninety-nine young boys and girls are no simple matter. If you have not thought it through, you must not do it."

The king said, “I have made up my mind to do it. No matter how difficult it may be, I will overcome it. Besides, there are tens of thousands of households in my country. Although it is difficult to find 999 boys and girls, I can manage to gather them. It is only natural for my people to die for me. If I can live forever, it will all be worth it.”

The sorcerer said, "With Your Majesty's determination, Your Majesty will surely attain immortality in the future!"

The king beamed with joy and said, "Please help me, sir. Without your help, I would not even have gained this level of understanding. Sir, please have my soldiers prepare the hearts of these young boys and girls. We will be able to retrieve them within a few days."

The alchemist bowed and said, "Your Majesty, while the hearts of virgin boys and girls are important, the medicinal ingredient is indispensable. Without it, this prescription is utterly useless."

Upon hearing this, the king immediately recalled what the alchemist had said. The key ingredient for this medicine required the heart of someone with a steadfast Daoist mind, but how could anyone in his entire kingdom possess such a steadfast Daoist mind?

After pondering for a long time, the king looked at the sorcerer, intending to use his mind.

The alchemist shuddered and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, my heart is useless. Firstly, my Daoist resolve is not firm enough to serve as a medicinal ingredient. Secondly, if I were to die after taking your heart, who would refine the medicine for Your Majesty?"

The king said, "What you say makes sense, but how can we find someone in our country with a firm belief in the Way? Can we find one in the mountains outside?"

The alchemist replied, “Your Majesty is unaware that such a steadfast heart is extremely rare and cannot be attained by ordinary people. This heart must remain unchanged through life and death, and unmoved in the face of great calamity. Only such a heart can serve as a catalyst for the medicine. Such people are extremely difficult to find. Most of those who cultivate such hearts have already become immortals. To find one who has not yet become an immortal is extremely difficult.”

The king was filled with worry and said, "If what you say is true, where should I go to find such a person? Is Heaven going to destroy me?"

The sorcerer remained silent for a long time before saying, “Your Majesty, I do know of a place where there is such a person, who is very close to us. However, that person has an extraordinary background, and Your Majesty must have great courage to obtain him. If you lack courage, you will not be able to win him over.”

The king hurriedly asked, "Who are you? Where is that person?"

The sorcerer countered, "Does Your Majesty truly wish to know?"

The king said, “The path is right before me, how can I not want to know it? Tell me about it, and do not be vague.”

The sorcerer then said, “Of the two gentlemen from Lingtai Fangcun Mountain, one is a disciple of the immortal from Lingtai Fangcun Mountain. I have inquired with the local earth god, and he does not currently possess profound magical powers, being no different from an ordinary person. However, he has an unwavering Dao heart, having reincarnated three times without forgetting his original intention. His heart is an incomparably precious treasure. If Your Majesty can obtain it and use it as a medicinal ingredient, your enlightenment will surely increase greatly, allowing you to glimpse divine objects, achieve immortality, and ascend to immortality. It all depends on whether Your Majesty has the courage.”

Upon hearing the sorcerer's words, the king was so frightened that he stumbled and fell, trembling with fear. He exclaimed in panic, "That is a disciple of an immortal! How could I dare to take his heart for my own use? This is absolutely forbidden, absolutely forbidden!"

Upon hearing this, the sorcerer turned and walked away.

The king was in a daze for a long time. Seeing that the man was about to leave, he strode forward and stopped him, saying, "Sir, you must not leave!"

The sorcerer said, “Since Your Majesty dares not, why should I stay? I should leave! Your Majesty cannot obtain the divine object and thus cannot live forever. One day you will surely turn to dust. There is no point in me saying anything more to you.”

The king was terrified and said, “Sir, but that is a disciple of a celestial being. How can this be allowed? As you said, that disciple is not yet an immortal and is still a mortal. But there is an immortal behind him. If I take his heart, what will happen if that immortal comes to question me?”

The sorcerer said, “Your Majesty, even if he is an immortal, how could he dare to slaughter an entire country? If that immortal holds you accountable, Your Majesty may mobilize the whole nation to resist him, but that immortal would not dare to harm the people of a single country.”

The king hesitated and dared not answer.

Upon seeing this, the sorcerer said, “I see that the king is growing old day by day. This is the best time for the king to gain immortality. If he can greatly increase his understanding, he may become an immortal in the future. Otherwise, I fear that the king will die. If he dies, the king will enter the underworld and then regret that he has not gained immortality.”

The king was startled and asked, "Sir, why do I regret not having attained immortality after entering the underworld?"

The sorcerer, ignoring the question, said, "What does Your Majesty think is appropriate for your actions during your reign?"

The king remained silent for a long time before saying, "It can be said that I have neither made any merits nor any demerits. I once ordered the conscription of laborers to quarry stones from distant mountains and purchase camphor wood to build magnificent palaces, all for the purpose of demonstrating the majesty of the palaces and intimidating all directions. Although the labor of the people was somewhat greater, without grandeur, there would be no way to project power. I also once traveled to various places to refine elixirs, which cost a great deal of money. This was not my personal hobby, but rather a plan for the long-term stability of the kingdom..."

The king spoke at length.

The sorcerer simply observed the king quietly, not believing a word the king said.

The king sighed and said, "I have no virtue or ability, but what is the connection between this and the underworld? I hope you can tell me."

The sorcerer said, "Does Your Majesty know that there are eighteen levels of hell in the underworld?"

The king asked, "How so? Please explain to me in detail."

The sorcerer said, “There are eighteen levels of hell, each with a different name. The first level is called the ‘Tongue-Pulling Hell.’ Those who have sown discord, slandered and harmed others in the human world, and are glib-tongued, will be sent to this level of hell. Once you enter this hell, it is truly worse than death. The underworld will take the dead, pry open the sinner's mouth, clamp the tongue with iron pincers, and pull it out. It is not pulled out all at once, but rather stretched and slowly pulled, subjecting the sinner to repeated torture…”

The sorcerer slowly explained the eighteen levels of hell to the king in detail.

Every time the king heard about the next level of hell, he couldn't stop trembling. He couldn't even begin to calculate how much suffering he would have to endure if he entered the underworld, as the sorcerer had said.

He was filled with fear and said, "Is there really such a thing as hell?"

The sorcerer said, "If Your Majesty does not believe, you will know after Your Majesty's death. I'm just afraid Your Majesty will suffer some punishment at that time."

Upon hearing this, the king felt that he should not go to the underworld. He must attain immortality. He didn't care about being a disciple of an immortal; his own life was the most important thing.

The king then took the alchemist's hand and said, "Sir, I wish to obtain the heart of that immortal, but I fear he is unwilling to give it to me. Do you have a way to help me? If you help me, I will remember it forever and never forget your kindness."

The sorcerer said, “What’s so difficult about finding a way? Tomorrow will be the sixth day since that immortal disciple arrived here, and it will be time for him to leave. Go and invite that immortal disciple to a banquet in the palace. Tell him that you are to see him off and that only he is allowed to come. The immortal protector is not by your side. As long as that immortal disciple comes, taking his heart will be as easy as turning your hand!”

Upon hearing this, the king was immediately intrigued and said, "What you say makes sense! As long as we lure that immortal master to the palace and gain his Daoist heart, even if the Dharma Protector finds out and attacks, the deed will be done. I will also have troops to protect me, so what can they do to me?"

The Taoist priest nodded with a smile.

(End of this chapter)