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

Chapter 430 Where the Four Cauldrons Lie, Rooted in the Human World
In the cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars, Wang Chongyang heard the Arhat Subduing Dragon speak of his inner confusion, which stemmed from his 'worldly ties'. Wang Chongyang had assumed that the Arhat Subduing Dragon simply didn't understand the concept of rebirth and severing worldly ties, and thus came to ask him for clarification. However, he never expected that the Arhat Subduing Dragon was unwilling to relinquish his worldly ties, and thus came to ask him for advice.

Upon learning this, Wang Chongyang remained silent, unsure of how to respond.

Seeing that he had not answered for a long time, the Arhat Subduing Dragon asked, "Master Zhengwei, is there something you find difficult to understand that has kept you silent for so long?"

Wang Chongyang said, "No. It is simply that I do not understand why an Arhat would speak in this way today, how could he be attached to worldly ties?"

Upon hearing this, the Arhat Subduing Dragon, not knowing how to respond, asked, "Master Zhengwei, may I ask what kind of worldly ties you still have from the past?"

Wang Chongyang replied, “Arhat, I was once the Crown Prince of Baoliang Kingdom in Xiniu Hezhou. If you are talking about unbroken worldly ties, it means that my worldly ties with the kingdom and my former father are not yet severed.”

The Arhat who Subdues Dragons said, "How can you sever your ties to this world?"

Wang Chongyang said, “Why are you reluctant? Worldly ties are a prison, so why are you reluctant to let go? This reluctance is like a swamp, drawing you in so deeply that you cannot escape. Arhat Subduing Dragon, I have heard of your illustrious name. You subdued the poisonous dragon in the Black Abyss, slew the Yaksha in the Blood Sea, suppressed the drought demon in the scorched plains, and broke the evil formation in the Demon Palace. Your magical power is profound and beyond compare. Why are you now reluctant to let go of worldly ties that have not yet been severed? This is not the behavior of an Arhat.”

As if hearing the resounding toll of a great bell, the Arhat Subduing Dragon bowed to Wang Chongyang and said, "What Master Zhengwei said has made me suddenly realize that I should not have been so hesitant. I was truly unable to control myself. Now that I have heard your words, I will think carefully and make a decision to be reborn and sever my ties with the mortal world."

Wang Chongyang said, "If an Arhat can truly understand, that would be excellent."

Sun Wukong, who was standing nearby, suddenly asked, "Arhat Subduing Dragon, how is the World Honored One doing lately?"

The Arhat Subduing Dragon replied, “The World Honored One has been well recently. However, the World Honored One’s Dharma is gradually declining. I fear that before a hundred years have passed, it will have reached a point where there is no way to retreat further. The World Honored One will then become Maitreya Buddha.”

Sun Wukong asked, "What does the Arhat who subdues dragons cultivate—Nirvana, or perhaps Zen?"

The Arhat Subduing Dragon asked, "Why does the Victorious Fighting Buddha speak in this way?"

Sun Wukong said, “I observe that the Arhat Subduing Dragon has not cultivated as well as he did in the past, and his mind is clouded. Hence this question. However, it is because the Buddha’s teachings have gradually declined, that the Arhat Subduing Dragon has been instructed to decline in his cultivation.”

The Arhat Subduing Dragon seemed to suddenly realize something, put his hands together, bowed to Sun Wukong, and said nothing more, but said that he already knew what to do.

The three of them talked for a long time in the pavilion.

The Arhat who Subdued the Dragon then bid farewell to Sun Wukong and Wang Chongyang and got up to leave.

The two then escorted the Arhat Subduing Dragon out of the Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars.

Wang Chongyang then left to cultivate in a quiet room.

Sun Wukong did not return to cultivate, but instead tiptoed to the place where the immortal was meditating. He went closer and saw that the door of the immortal's room was wide open, and the immortal was sitting cross-legged on a futon inside, looking at him calmly. This startled Sun Wukong so much that he fell over.

The immortal said, "Wukong, come closer."

Sun Wukong got up from the ground, walked into the quiet room, bowed deeply, and said, "Junior brother greets senior brother! Have I disturbed you, senior brother? If so, please forgive me."

The immortal gently shook his head and said, "There is nothing to disturb you, so you don't need to worry. Wukong, what brings you here today?"

Sun Wukong said, "Eldest brother, I have come today because I have something I wish to discuss with you."

The master smiled and said, "Since you have something to say, tell me so I can listen. What is it that you want to tell me?"

Sun Wukong said, "I heard that there has been a change in the connection between my elder brother and the Nine Cauldrons. It is a matter concerning the Liangzhou Cauldrons. My elder brother sent my brother and nephew there. I wonder why my elder brother did not send me."

The immortal said, "Wukong, is this the reason you've come to ask me?"

Sun Wukong scratched his head and said, "That's right, that's right! I heard that my nephew and my brother went there, but they couldn't defeat a demon. They still needed the help of my second nephew, the third prince, and the Manifestation Saint True Lord to obtain the Liangzhou Cauldron. If I go there, I will definitely succeed on my own."

The master laughed and said, "I saw that you had only recently returned home, so I didn't call you. I gave you some time to cultivate and rest. You monkey are ungrateful and come to offend me. What kind of logic is this?"

Sun Wukong said, "Eldest brother, today is a crucial time for you to establish your mansion. I am your junior brother. If you are in trouble, I will do my best to help you. How can you say that you want to cultivate or rest? That is unacceptable."

Jiang Yuan said, "Alright, alright, alright. Since you say so, I won't say anything more to you. If there are any other matters in the future, I will tell you and ask you to go. Is that acceptable?"

Sun Wukong beamed with joy and said, "Of course it's feasible, of course it's feasible!"

Jiang Yuan waved his hand and said, "You little monkey, I have already answered you. You may leave now and cultivate diligently. Do not worry any more."

Sun Wukong responded and was about to leave when he suddenly remembered something. He turned around and said, "Elder Brother, I have something else to ask you."

Jiang Yuan said impatiently, "What is it? Speak quickly."

Sun Wukong said, "Eldest Brother, do you still have matters to attend to regarding the Nine Cauldrons? I see that you only have five cauldrons at your waist, and four more have yet to be obtained. Could I go and retrieve these four cauldrons for you?"

Jiang Yuan said, "You wish to retrieve the cauldrons for me, but do you know where those four cauldrons are?"

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "I don't have the ability to observe the Three Realms from afar, so I can't know where the four cauldrons are. However, although I don't know where the four cauldrons are, my eldest brother does. If you point out the way, I will go and get the cauldrons for you. If I go, even if there are demons causing trouble, I will kill them all."

Jiang Yuan smiled and said, "Those four cauldrons are still safe and sound, so there is no need to go. If they are really in trouble, I will personally teach you how to go."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong had no choice but to bow and leave.

Jiang Yuan closed her eyes to rest, no longer thinking about what was happening here.

……

Time flies, and ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. There are only twenty-odd years left until the time for the True Man to establish his residence.

The Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars returned to peace. Five years ago, Zuo Liang had bid farewell to the True Man and returned to the Southern Continent. In his residence, he could only see the True Man, and Sun Wukong and the others were there. Since there were no major events, he was at peace.

Meanwhile, the True Man was meditating in his mansion, often wandering in spirit and gaining insights into the Dao of transcendence. Over time, the techniques within him became increasingly profound and unfathomable.

One day, while the True Man was still meditating, he suddenly felt that one of the Nine Tripods in Jambudvipa was resonating with him and calling him to go there, which was a time of great difficulty.

The Master laughed and said, "I am about to attain great magical power, so the time for establishing my own residence is fast approaching. Things are becoming more and more numerous, and it seems that I must go out, which is quite interesting. However, the more I am asked to go out, the less I should leave my residence."

"Now that one of the cauldrons has changed, we should instruct Wukong to send another disciple to retrieve it."

He peered into the mansion and saw that Wang Chongyang was at a crucial moment in subduing his restless mind. He thought that Wang Chongyang should rest quietly for a while until his mind was calmed down, and that it was best not to make any rash moves. If Wang Chongyang could not go, he should send someone else instead.

Zuo Liang was his second disciple. If the eldest disciple was unable to go, the second disciple could go with his decree to retrieve the cauldron on his behalf.

With Sun Wukong protecting him, there will be no problem, and he can safely go and retrieve the cauldron.

The immortal, remembering this, summoned Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong, having received the summons from the immortal, did not delay and soon arrived at the immortal's quiet room.

Sun Wukong bowed to the immortal before asking, "Elder Brother, what brings you here today?"

The master laughed and said, "More than ten years ago, you came looking for me. So if I were to retrieve the cauldron, I would have summoned you. Does that count now?"

Sun Wukong was taken aback for a moment, but then he understood and said, "Eldest brother, is there a cauldron that needs to be retrieved? If so, I can go and retrieve it for you. Please tell me where the cauldron is. With my abilities, retrieving it will be easy and will take little time."

The immortal said, "One of the Nine Cauldrons, the Jingzhou Cauldron, is located in Jingzhou. I have a feeling that it may suffer calamity or change, so I will send you there. Wukong, you can go to the area of ​​Nanyang County in Jingzhou and find a river called Baitang River. The Jingzhou Cauldron is in there."

After hearing this, Sun Wukong turned around and was about to leave to retrieve the Jingzhou Cauldron.

The immortal said helplessly, "Wukong, I haven't finished speaking yet. Why are you leaving so quickly? Please wait here for a while."

Say it.

With a flick of his sleeve, a gentle breeze arose, pushing Sun Wukong back to sit down in front of the prayer mat.

Sun Wukong asked, "Elder Brother, is there anything else?"

The master smiled and said, "Don't be impatient, just listen to what I have to say."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong had no choice but to calm down and listen to the immortal explain the matter.

The immortal said, “Wukong, you will go to Jingzhou to find the Nine Cauldrons on my behalf. However, you are not destined to find the Nine Cauldrons, so I fear you will not be able to find the Jingzhou Cauldron. Therefore, I will give you the Cauldron and a burst of energy so that you can obtain the Jingzhou Cauldron. In addition, you must go to Jingzhou to find Zheng Yuan, who is my second disciple. With him there, he can act on my behalf to keep the cauldron at peace. Then you can take it, and your mission will be accomplished.”

Sun Wukong said, "I will remember this. Elder brother, why don't you tell me about the other three cauldrons as well? I might as well find them for you."

The Master said, "The other three cauldrons have not yet changed, and they cannot be taken without my personal presence."

Sun Wukong said, "Eldest brother, just tell me about it. Maybe when I go there, the three cauldrons will appear. At that time, I can take the three cauldrons with me. If we include the Jing Cauldron, then eldest brother will have all nine cauldrons."

The master smiled and said, “Since you insist on going, I will not stop you. The remaining three tripods are the Yanzhou Tripod, the Xuzhou Tripod, and the Yangzhou Tripod. The Yanzhou Tripod is located in the east of Yanzhou, the Xuzhou Tripod is located in the west of Xuzhou, and the Yangzhou Tripod is located in the south of Yangzhou. You may go and find them.”

Sun Wukong noted everything down and said, "In that case, I will go there now and bring back four cauldrons for my senior brother. Perhaps I can teach him to gather all nine cauldrons before he establishes his own mansion. Then he will be truly impressive."

The immortal said, "Brother Wukong, go ahead. Be careful on your journey. If you encounter any difficulties, call my name and I will help you."

Say it.

He took the Yu Ding, placed the energy within his body into the Yu Ding, and handed it over to Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong responded, took the Yu Ding, and said, "Old Sun is off," before leaving the quiet room and heading outside.

The immortal watched Sun Wukong leave, and then walked to the front of the Patriarch's quiet room.

The door to the patriarch's meditation room was wide open, indicating that he knew the true master was about to arrive, and thus he opened the door to wait for him.

The master entered the quiet room, met the patriarch, and after paying his respects, said, "Master, I have recently felt that various karmic connections have come to try to coax me out of the mansion."

The Patriarch laughed and said, "What is there to be confused about? Before you achieved your goal, you faced many tribulations. Now that you are about to attain great power, it is not surprising that you are facing such minor tribulations. In my opinion, these minor tribulations will not be able to harm you at all."

The Master said, “Master, how can you have such faith in your disciple? As I remember, before I achieved my goal, there were many tribulations. However, most of the tribulations that Master prevented me from overcoming were personal tribulations that I was taught to subdue. I have never faced such tribulations before. So now that I am encountering some tribulations, how can you have such faith in me?”

The Patriarch designated a True Person, laughing and scolding, "You child, in the past, before you were mortal and had not yet achieved anything, it was already difficult for you to cultivate the Golden Elixir. If you were to suffer another calamity and had no one to protect you, you would surely fail. But how is it the same for you now? You have been successful for a long time and are about to achieve great magical power. Such calamities are very easy for you."

The master smiled and said, "Master, I know my own limitations, so I will speak."

The patriarch said, “You naughty child, stop playing around and cultivate diligently. You still have more than twenty years before you can establish your own abode. You must not be careless here. I don’t need to tell you more about the reasons for success and failure.”

The real person responded immediately.

The master and disciple were talking here.

……

Now, in Jingzhou, in front of Zuo Liang's residence.

Sun Wukong arrived here on his somersault cloud. He looked into the mansion from the gate and saw that it was bustling with activity. He smiled and nodded, secretly praising Zuo Liang for his virtue and ability to establish this place. This place was not much different from the gate of cultivation in the human world.

He headed toward the gate of the mansion, and soon he was there.

There were guards at the gate of the mansion, preventing him from entering.

Sun Wukong then revealed that he was Master Zheng Yuan, so how could the gatekeeper dare to be careless? He immediately sent someone to inquire about Zuo Liang upon entering the mansion.

Upon learning this, Zuo Liang stepped out of the mansion and saw Sun Wukong. He hurriedly went out, bowed and greeted Sun Wukong, and welcomed him into the mansion. He brought out many seasonal fruits from the mansion to entertain him, but still felt it was not enough, so he brought out a red fruit and presented it to him.

Sun Wukong was somewhat surprised to see the Vermilion Fruit and asked, "Nephew, do you actually have such a spiritual fruit here?"

Zuo Liang smiled and said, "This was given to me by some friends from Longhu Mountain who helped me in the past. This is the only one left. Please enjoy it, Uncle."

Sun Wukong was somewhat surprised, but he still accepted the Vermilion Fruit, enjoyed it, and secretly praised Zuo Liang for having taken root in the human world.

(End of this chapter)