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

Chapter 437 The True Encounter Subdues the Demon, the Four Dragon Kings Provoke the Great Sage
Now, having received the True Man's instructions, he left the mansion and soon arrived at a road heading west, eventually reaching 'Hidden Ink Mountain'. With a glance, he knew that the monsters were among them, including Pigsy and Chenxiang.

Seeing that Zhu Bajie was in mortal danger, Zhenjian dared not delay any longer. He opened his mouth, and a Buddhist sound came out from it. In an instant, Buddhist light filled the sky, and bursts of Sanskrit chants entered the cave, stopping the fighting.

He sent the Sanskrit into the cave and then made no further sound. Instead, he waited patiently outside the cave, as if waiting for the evil spirits inside to emerge.

The wait was short.

Suddenly, the wolf demon appeared, brandishing a knife. Behind him, a large group of lesser demons gathered. As soon as they left their cave, the lesser demons formed a battle formation and surrounded Zhenjian.

He remained composed upon meeting her, always smiling, exuding a profound Zen-like aura, with compassion emanating from his brows. This inspired reverence in all who saw him, who exclaimed that he was a living Buddha.

The wolf demon swung his broadsword, pointing it directly at Zhenjian, and said, "Who are you, Buddha! Why do you act so presumptuously before entering my mountain abode!"

Zhenjian put his hands together, smiled and bowed, saying, "I am the Buddha of Wisdom and Meditation of Mount Ling. I have come to your mansion today on behalf of Zhu Bajie and Liu Chenxiang. I hope Your Majesty will release them. If Your Majesty is willing to release them, I will leave now and will not disturb Your Majesty's mansion again."

Upon hearing this, the wolf demon's eyes turned bloodshot, and he said, "I wondered what you, a Buddha, would come for, but I never imagined you'd come for Pigsy! If that's what you're after, then needless to say, I will certainly kill Pigsy! If you leave now, I might forgive you; but if you don't leave, then don't blame me for capturing and killing you as well!"

Zhen Jian laughed and said, "I came here for Zhu Bajie and Liu Chenxiang. Since Your Majesty does not wish to release them, let us fight and see who has the better skills. If I am skilled enough, you shall release them. If I am not skilled enough, you may kill them at your will."

The wolf demon said, "Since that's the case, don't blame me for killing you as well! Minions, seize this bastard! I've heard that eating the flesh of the Buddha can accelerate one's cultivation, saving one countless years of arduous practice!"

Upon hearing these words, the lesser demons were all invigorated, formed a battle formation, and charged towards Zhenjian.

When Zhen Jian looked at it, he gently picked up a handful of sand from the ground and threw it forward. The sand landed and turned into boundless Buddhist light, but when the little demon was illuminated by the Buddhist light, it vanished into thin air.

In an instant, hundreds of lesser demons died in the Buddha's light.

Seeing such a powerful display, the lesser demons behind them were terrified and their morale collapsed. They dared not advance, fearing that they would be attacked again. They turned and fled, scattering in all directions.

The wolf demon was terrified at the sight of the true supernatural power, but seeing the little demon flee, he cursed, "If you dare to run away again, I will not let you off easily! Don't forget, I told you that if you flee during wartime, you will be considered deserters and executed! How dare you run away now!"

No matter how the wolf demon shouted, it was all in vain.

The morale of the sect collapsed in one blow; how could the wolf demon's cries possibly salvage the situation?

Zhen Jian smiled slightly and said, "Your Majesty, put down your butcher's knife and stop causing trouble."

The wolf demon looked at Zhenjian with a hint of fear in his eyes. He knew that this Buddha possessed supernatural powers and that he was no match for him. This person was not comparable to someone like Zhu Bajie. If he were to fight him, he would probably be defeated in three or four rounds.

He asked, trembling with fear, "I've often heard the Buddhist saying, 'Put down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot.' If I put down the knife, is it possible that you will forgive me?"

Zhenjian shook his head and laughed, "That's not how you should understand it. The butcher's knife is not the knife in your hand, but the evil of your heart, speech, and thoughts. Therefore, even if you put down the knife in your hand, I still cannot forgive you."

Upon hearing this, the wolf demon immediately realized that Zhenjian was not going to spare him. He pretended to talk to him, but just as he opened his mouth, he suddenly swung his knife and slashed at Zhenjian, wanting to fight him at close range.

Zhenjian still shook his head, showing no fear whatsoever. He reached out and gently pushed forward, and a beam of Buddhist light emanated from his hand, striking the wolf demon and causing it to drop its large sword and fall to the ground, unconscious.

He saw that the man was looking at him and walked towards the mansion.

A short while later, Zhenjian arrived at the mansion and saw Chenxiang and Zhu Bajie bound together in the main hall.

Upon seeing this, Pigsy was overjoyed and shouted, "Wise Buddha, Wise Buddha! Quickly come and save this old pig!"

Zhenjian smiled and nodded, but instead of going to where Zhu Bajie was, he stepped forward, untied the ropes binding Chenxiang, and said, "Chenxiang, have you been frightened?"

Chenxiang stood up, bowed to him, and said, "Disciple Chenxiang thanks Second Master Uncle for his rescue. I have not been frightened, but I am a little exhausted."

Zhenjian said, "In that case, you should rest well for a while, and then go to the back hall to retrieve your treasure."

Chenxiang responded, intending to step forward and untie Zhu Bajie's ropes, but Zhenjian stopped him, telling him to stay aside and not to do anything.

Chenxiang accepted the order and dared not disobey Zhenjian.

Zhen Jian smiled and walked towards Zhu Bajie.

Pigsy grinned and said, "Wise Buddha, quickly release me! I know the weapon is in the back hall. Just untie the ropes and I'll go get it myself. No need for you to worry."

Zhenjian shook his head and said, "Pigsy, letting you go is a small matter, but I have something I want to ask you. What do you think?"

Pigsy said, "If you have any important matters to discuss, feel free to ask, and I will certainly tell you."

Zhenjian said, “I came here on the orders of my eldest brother. I have learned a great deal from him. He instructed you to protect Chenxiang carefully, but how could you be so negligent? If you had taken the main road to the west, with my eldest brother’s orders there, no demon would have dared to offend you. But you took the side road and were harmed by demons, almost causing you and Chenxiang to perish. First, you have let down your eldest brother. Second, if Chenxiang had died, you would have let down your junior brother Wukong even more.”

Upon hearing this, Pigsy exclaimed, "I'm so ashamed!" Then he lowered his head, at a loss for words.

Zhen Jian's eyes were sharp as he looked at Zhu Bajie.

After a long while, Pigsy finally looked up and said, "I know, I will never do it again."

Zhenjian, having heard Zhu Bajie's long and rambling speech, smiled and nodded after hearing the number, and untied the ropes binding Zhu Bajie.

Pigsy got up, stretched, and went to the back hall to retrieve the Nine-Toothed Rake.

After retrieving the nine-toothed rake, he stepped forward and asked, "Wise Buddha, is that evil spirit still here? Have you been instructed to eliminate it?"

Zhenjian shook his head and said, "No. He is currently unconscious and outside the mansion. If you want to kill him, now is the perfect opportunity."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy, without saying a word, swung his nine-toothed rake and headed out of the mansion.

Zhenjian watched Pigsy leave without saying anything more.

Chenxiang, having regained some of his strength, retrieved the mountain-splitting axe and approached, saying, "Second Uncle, what should we do now?"

Zhenjian waved his hand and said, "Go and wander around the mansion for a while. There are some treasures in this mansion. If there is anything you want, feel free to take it."

Chenxiang responded immediately, obeying without question. He took the order and headed towards the mansion. Zhenjian was waiting in the main hall. It took about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before Chenxiang returned.

When Zhenjian saw Chenxiang return, he smiled and asked, "Chenxiang, did you obtain anything today?"

Chenxiang shook his head and said, "I did not take anything."

Zhen Jian, not understanding his meaning, asked, "Why not take it? Do you not value the treasures in your mansion?"

Chenxiang said, “Second Master Uncle, it’s not that I look down on the treasures in your mansion, but rather that your mansion is filled with human gold and silver jewelry. Such things are countless. However, for me, such gold and silver jewelry are of no use. I am focused on cultivation. If I were to acquire such jewelry, it would be a mistake in my cultivation.”

Upon hearing this, Zhen smiled and nodded, saying, "In that case, I won't force you. If you don't want to accept it, then you don't want to accept it. Let's go out and see how Pigsy is doing now, and whether he has killed that wolf demon."

Chenxiang naturally obeyed the order; how could he dare to disobey?

As the two stepped out of the mansion, they saw Pigsy wielding his nine-toothed rake, standing beside the wolf demon, seemingly waiting for him to awaken.

If you truly do not understand its meaning, then you should go up and ask it.

Pigsy said, “This fellow captured me earlier with the help of those many minor demons, which was truly an unfair victory. If I were to kill him now, it would be a quick and easy way out, but I do not wish to do so. I want to wait until he wakes up before fighting him and killing him fair and square. This will not only relieve my hatred but also teach him what it means to be fair and square.”

Zhenjian and Chenxiang, upon hearing this, naturally agreed without any objection, thus following Zhu Bajie's wishes.

Pigsy stood there waiting patiently for the wolf demon to awaken.

After the wolf demon awoke, he immediately proposed to fight it openly and fairly.

Seeing his foolish words, the wolf demon readily agreed.

Pigsy and the wolf demon fought in front of the mansion. One wielded a nine-toothed rake, and the other wielded a large knife. They fought for more than two or three hundred rounds, but Pigsy was the one who had the upper hand. When the wolf demon was distracted, Pigsy suddenly swung his rake and killed the wolf demon.

After killing the wolf demon, Pigsy calmed down and vented his anger.

Zhenjian then went out and instructed him to go with him to the Southern Continent to find Sun Wukong.

Pigsy politely declined, saying, "Wise Buddha, this is something my master instructed me to do. How can I ask you to go with me?"

Zhen Jian smiled and said, "My senior brother sent me here to handle two matters. One is with you, and the other is with Junior Brother Wukong. So please don't refuse and come with me."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy had no choice but to agree and could say nothing more.

The three set off, and with a true master guiding them, there were no major problems. They focused on traveling westward along the main road, preventing any demons or evil spirits from invading, and successfully made their way to Jambudvipa (the southern continent).

……

Meanwhile, in the Dragon Palace of the East Sea, Sun Wukong, accompanied by Zuo Liang, arrived at this place. The two of them originally intended to go to the location of the Customs Mountain, but since there were no demons or evil spirits in the Customs Mountain, they had no choice but to enter the East Sea.

They had heard that the Great Sage with Axe and Halberd was fighting fiercely with the Dragon King of the East Sea. If that was the case, they believed that coming here would allow them to find news of the Great Sage with Axe and Halberd.

When Sun Wukong and his companion arrived at the Dragon Palace of the East Sea, they saw rows of shrimp soldiers and crab generals lined up and heading out of the palace gates.

An old tortoise with sharp eyes spotted Sun Wukong and Zuo Liang in front of the palace gate and went inside to report.

The Dragon King of the East Sea in the palace had just summoned the Dragon Kings of the Three Seas to discuss important matters. Upon hearing that Sun Wukong and the two disciples of the True Man had come, how could he dare to be disrespectful? He immediately came out to meet them.

But as soon as the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas left their palaces, they saw Sun Wukong and his companion, and the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas bowed deeply to them.

Sun Wukong stepped forward and said, "How come your ears are so sharp? Did you hear me coming? Otherwise, how would you have known I was looking out from the door?"

The Dragon King of the East Sea cupped his hands and said, "How could there be such a keen-eyed turtle? It is a sharp-eyed turtle general who recognized the Great Sage and came to see him."

Sun Wukong said, "Is that so? I was going to observe for a while longer, but now that you have come out, there is no need to talk about observing anymore. May I invite my junior brother and me inside for a chat?"

The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas bowed and invited, saying, "We will certainly invite the Great Sage and the Dharma Master inside."

Sun Wukong and Zuo Liang met him and then entered the Dragon Palace. The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas accompanied them inside and prepared a banquet to welcome them.

The Dragon Kings of the Four Seas accompanied him for a long time, inquiring about the purpose of Sun Wukong's visit.

Sun Wukong countered, "I've heard that you were coerced by a demon who wanted to force your Dragon King to submit. Is that true?"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas all lowered their heads, seemingly ashamed.

The Dragon King of the East Sea bowed deeply and said, “Great Sage, to tell you the truth, it is true. That demon is very powerful and wants to seize my Dragon Palace and control my dragon clan. I have fought against him, but I was no match for him. So I asked my three brothers to come here, but we still couldn’t come up with a solution. We were going to report to the Heavenly Palace and ask His Majesty the Jade Emperor to send troops to subdue that demon, but we didn’t expect the Great Sage to arrive.”

Sun Wukong said, "You four, along with so many shrimp soldiers and crab generals, sea patrol yakshas, ​​dragon sons and grandsons, can't even defeat that fellow?"

The Dragon King of the East Sea said with a wry smile, "Great Sage, that fellow's skills are indeed extraordinary, perhaps even comparable to yours. How can we possibly defeat him? Our troop deployment is merely a delaying tactic."

Sun Wukong said, "You old Dragon King, you actually say that fellow's skills are comparable to mine? What do you mean by this? Do you want me to help you fight that fellow?"

Upon hearing this, the four Dragon Kings all trembled and said, "We dare not, we dare not."

Zuo Liang shook his head and laughed, "Uncle-Master, don't tease the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas anymore."

They came here today to find out about the Great Sage with Axe and Halberd. If they find out, they will naturally go forward and fight him. So what is there to say about helping or not helping?

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "Alright, alright, alright. I won't tease you. I've come here today because of this demon. Do any of you have any news about this demon? If you do, you can tell me."

Upon hearing this, the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas were overjoyed. If Sun Wukong were to help them, they would not need to report to the Heavenly Palace. They knew Sun Wukong's abilities well. He had once caused a great disturbance in the Heavenly Palace. Now, having successfully completed his journey to the West to obtain the scriptures, he had cultivated for countless years and his abilities far surpassed those of before. If they had his help, they would surely be able to subdue that Great Sage with Axe and Halberd.

(End of this chapter)