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

Chapter 442 Using Momentum to Attack the Enemy, the Time is Coming

Meanwhile, in front of the gate of the Three Star Immortal Abode, Sun Wukong was discussing weapons with Zhu Bajie.

Sun Wukong said that the Nine-Toothed Rake was not very suitable for Zhu Bajie. Zhu Bajie didn't know what kind of treasure he should look for, let alone what kind of treasure could compare to his Nine-Toothed Rake.

As the two were pondering and talking, they saw a bull's head peeking out from outside.

Pigsy was startled and took several steps back. Upon closer inspection, he saw that it was a blue ox and breathed a sigh of relief, saying, "You Great King Rhinoceros, how did you get here so quietly?"

The green ox said, "How can you say I was silent and unnoticed? It's clear that you two were out of your minds and didn't even notice my arrival. What are you two doing, and why do you look like this?"

When Sun Wukong saw this, he explained the matter of Zhu Bajie to the Green Ox.

Upon hearing this, the Green Ox laughed heartily and said, "I have long had the same question. Why does Pigsy always carry a nine-toothed rake? A rake is not very useful, but it would be perfect for farming."

Pigsy said urgently, "My Nine-Toothed Rake is a rare treasure, crafted by Laozi. How can you say such a thing?"

The Green Ox said, “My master has crafted countless treasures. What is your Nine-Toothed Rake compared to that? Weapons should be chosen according to their suitability. Although this rake is not bad, it is not suitable for you. Why not use a spear like mine, or a club like Monkey Head?”

Sun Wukong opened his fiery eyes wide and said, "You green ox demon, who are you calling a monkey?"

The green ox remained silent, gazing at where Pigsy was, waiting for his reply.

After pondering for a long time, Pigsy said, "As Brother Monkey and King Rhinoceros said, the Nine-Toothed Rake is not suitable for me, because I do not have that kind of strength to break through magic with brute force. However, I really do not know what kind of weapon to use, nor do I know where to find such a magical weapon. Ordinary weapons, I'm afraid, would break if I swung them a couple of times. Besides, my body is rather large, so long spears and clubs are probably not suitable for me. They are too agile for me to handle."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong circled around Zhu Bajie twice, deeply feeling that what Zhu Bajie said made sense, as his movements were clumsy and not like someone who was agile and swift.

Green Ox then said, “Pigsy, what you say makes sense. If it were a spear or a staff, your body wouldn’t be very agile, and it would be difficult for you to use them. Perhaps you would need to use something else.”

Sun Wukong said, “Great King Si, if what you say is true, this fool, if he takes the path of force, his strength is inherently insufficient and difficult to make up for later. If he takes the path of agility, his large body makes him not very nimble and difficult to sustain. You might as well teach him to stop learning martial arts.”

Pigsy, with a mournful face, said, "Brother Monkey is right."

The Green Ox said, “You can’t say that. Since Pigsy is so big, he’s not suited for weapons like spears, nor is he well-suited for weapons like rakes that require immense strength. Perhaps we should get some weapons that rely on momentum.”

Sun Wukong asked, "What is meant by attacking someone with force? Can you explain it to me clearly?"

Qingniu pondered for a moment and said, "What about the broadsword? But if one wields the broadsword, one can attack with momentum and conceal the momentum within the blade. Wielding such a broadsword requires strength, but not great strength. What do you two think?"

Sun Wukong said, "A broadsword? That's feasible, but if we're going to attack with momentum as you say, we need to cultivate that momentum. I don't know if this fool can manage to cultivate it."

Pigsy stood up and said, "Brother, don't look down on me. Since you two are talking like this, I'm going to get a big knife to bolster my power."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong smiled and stepped forward to take the nine-toothed rake from Zhu Bajie's hand, saying, "Since you want to practice with that knife, this rake is useless. I will take it away for you so that you won't miss it."

Pigsy gripped the Nine-Toothed Rake tightly, how could he let Monkey take it away? He said, "This is an old thing after all, it cannot be taken away, but it can stay with me, so that I can keep it as a memento."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "If you don't give me the Nine-Toothed Rake, how can you make up your mind? If you don't make up your mind, what's the use of practicing your sword? No matter how hard you work or how much effort you put in, it will all be in vain. Just listen to me and give me this Nine-Toothed Rake. It will definitely make your mind firm and unwavering."

Pigsy still shook his head and said, "No, no. This thing belongs to me from years ago. It witnessed my glory when I was the Water God Tianpeng, and it accompanied me when I was born as a pig, on my journey to the West to obtain the scriptures, and when I joined your tutelage. This thing has been with me for countless years. I must keep it as a memento. Brother Monkey, please don't try to persuade me anymore."

Hearing what Zhu Bajie said, Sun Wukong knew it was no use to persuade him any further, so he gave up. He then looked at the Green Ox and said, "Great King Rhinoceros, it has been a long time since we sparred. How about we have a little spar today?"

The green ox glanced at Sun Wukong and said, "Your skills are now quite impressive. If I were to spar with you, you wouldn't allow me to use my Diamond Bracelet. In this kind of sparring, you are far more skilled than me, so it's meaningless. I naturally don't want to spar with you, so you don't need to say anything more."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong had no choice but to give up.

The three talked for a while in front of the mansion gate before parting ways.

After they dispersed, Sun Wukong went into the mansion, intending to return to his room, but suddenly he saw Zhenjian on the road.

Sun Wukong stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Second Senior Brother."

Zhenjian looked at Sun Wukong, returned the greeting with a bow, and said, "Junior brother, what are you doing here?"

Sun Wukong said, "I just had a friendly sparring session with Bajie. Now that I'm here, what brings you here, Senior Brother?"

Zhen Jian smiled and said, "I have just finished my meditation and wish to go to the library to read a book or two."

Sun Wukong said, "Is that so? Speaking of which, my second brother has been going to the library more often these days."

Zhenjian put his hands together and said, “The further I go in my cultivation, the more I realize how shallow I am. Therefore, I want to find some knowledge from the books to complete myself. I only regret that I was young and impetuous and did not know what I was doing. Now I can only make up for it with hard work.”

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Hearing what my second senior brother said, I also wish to go and take a look at the books in the library."

Zhen Jian smiled and said, "If you are willing, Junior Brother, we can go together. To be honest, Junior Brother is a born saint, and you have already reached the Golden Core stage. Your great magical power is just a natural outcome, so you don't need to work as hard as I do."

Sun Wukong said, “You cannot say that. If one has already formed a golden elixir due to the nurturing of nature, then one is content with a corner of the world and does not think about making progress. This is the way to ruin, not the way of cultivation. Not to mention cultivators, even in the human world, if there is no ambition, whether it is a dynasty or an individual, they will all decline.”

Zhenjian nodded and said, "Junior brother is right."

Sun Wukong said, "In that case, how about we go to the library together, senior brother?"

Zhen Jian laughed and said, "That's how it should be. Junior Brother Wukong, come with me."

Sun Wukong smiled and nodded in agreement.

The two headed towards the library, chatting as they walked. Zhenjian asked, "Junior brother, you met with the Great King of the Rhinoceros and Pigsy today. Do you know how their cultivation is going lately?"

Sun Wukong said, "I don't know anything about that Green Ox Demon, but with my Fiery Eyes of Truth, I can tell that he hasn't slacked off in his cultivation. He may be a little lazy, but he has made considerable progress. As for that idiot Pigsy, let's not even mention him."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Jian laughed and said, "What did Zhu Bajie say? Hearing what you, Junior Brother Wukong, have said, it seems that Zhu Bajie's cultivation has gone astray. Is that so?"

Sun Wukong shook his head and said, "It's not that he's wrong, it's just that he's unwilling to improve and has something on his mind."

Zhenjian asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Sun Wukong not only told Zhenjian that Zhu Bajie was not suitable for the Nine-Toothed Rake, but also said that Zhu Bajie was attached to the old things and unwilling to let go. In his heart, he still felt that he was the Water God Tianpeng. This is just like a cultivator who is attached to the mortal world and will find it difficult to make progress.

Upon hearing this, Zhenjian sighed and said, “Indeed, one should not be easily tempted by overly luxurious scenes, lest one become attached and reluctant to leave, which would ultimately lead to a great mistake. It is difficult to go from extravagance to frugality, but easy to go from frugality to extravagance. Only by gradually moving closer to the goal can one truly cultivate oneself.”

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "What my second senior brother said makes a lot of sense. I know about that fool's situation and can understand it to some extent. The Heavenly Palace is indeed an extraordinary place. When I first arrived, I was also amazed by its magnificence and made many mistakes."

Zhenjian said, "The Heavenly Palace is incomparable to the mortal realm."

As they talked, they arrived at the library. Upon arrival, they both entered the library and began to study diligently.

……

Time flies, and two more years have passed in the blink of an eye. Half a year has passed since the True Man established his residence.

The true master has not appeared for a long time, so he is meditating in his room, communicating with the heavens and waiting for the right time to open his mansion and thus gain great magical power.

Although the cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars is very peaceful, the aura of Taoism is present everywhere. Those who are cultivating in the cave know that this is a crucial time for the cultivation of true immortals, and their great magical power is about to be achieved.

Those who cultivate within the mansion, as long as they are willing to comprehend the essence of Tao, will all gain something.

One day, all the people in the manor came out of seclusion and gathered under the old cypress tree in the manor to talk about what they had learned from their understanding of the Dao.

Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Zhenjian, the Bull Demon King, and others were all present. Below them were two disciples of the True Man. On the table were some immortal apricots, spiritual fruits, and even some peaches of immortality. However, each one, once lost, could transform an ordinary person. Now that they were on the table, few people would use them.

Sun Wukong saw the fruits on the table, all of which he had taken himself, and asked with a smile, "Second Brother, where did you get these fruits? You've hidden so many away, but I don't need them."

Zhen Jian laughed and said, "Wukong, you have misunderstood me. It was because Master knew that we were good at talking that he brought these things for us to enjoy."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong and the others immediately rose and bowed deeply in the Patriarch's room.

Zhen Jian smiled and said, "Master knew you would act this way, so he told you not to be so polite and to enjoy your meal before we talk."

Everyone readily complied and each took a few pieces of fruit to enjoy.

Only after the fruit has been used can the group discuss and share their insights and understandings of the Dao.

Sun Wukong and the others spoke first, while Wang Chongyang and his companion listened. Sun Wukong and the others had taught Wang Chongyang and his companions about cultivation, which was far superior to what they had learned. Therefore, what they were about to say was very beneficial to them.

After Sun Wukong and the others finished speaking, it was Wang Chongyang and his companion's turn to explain the intricacies of the matter.

Wang Chongyang and Red Boy looked at each other for a long time before Wang Chongyang stepped forward and said, "Our cultivation is shallow. If you hear any errors in our words, please do not blame us."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Don't be modest. I know your abilities. Although you are juniors, your skills are not weak."

Wang Chongyang shook his head and said, "Our abilities are far inferior to those of our third and second senior uncles, the Ox King, and the Cauldron Guardian. But what I am about to say is about the Golden Elixir Dao. Please listen."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong and the others could not help but understand that Wang Chongyang's perception of the Daoist aura within the mansion had actually led to progress in the path of the Golden Elixir. However, upon closer examination, they also found it to be reasonable. The True Man was originally one who had cultivated the Golden Elixir, and now that Daoist aura had emerged, it was reasonable for those who cultivated the Golden Elixir to achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Wang Chongyang pondered for a moment and said, "Gentlemen, if you want to talk about anything profound or deep, I would never be able to say it. Therefore, I can only use my shallow words to explain cultivation."

Sun Wukong said, "Nephew, please speak."

Wang Chongyang smiled and nodded, then said, "The Golden Elixir I cultivate now is to subdue the five. I spent a lot of time before trying to calm my mind, but now I'm here to subdue my will. Thanks to my master's Daoist guidance, I've gained some understanding of how to subdue my will. Now, I'm just beginning to calm my will, teaching it to be in harmony with my mind. I've heard that when my master subdued the five, he kept my will steady, preventing it from wandering off. But what I'm doing now is different. I'm teaching my mind to subdue my will, but I haven't destroyed it. So, my mind and will stand side by side, maintaining a balance, like water and fire in harmony, thus calming the two."

Sun Wukong, Zhenjian, and the others were all somewhat surprised upon hearing this. They all knew that Wang Chongyang was extraordinary. When they heard Wang Chongyang use methods to soothe the Mind Monkey after subduing it, they knew that Wang Chongyang would surely follow his own path.

Now, judging from his actions in subduing his willful thoughts, we know that their guess was correct. Wang Chongyang's path is completely different, but his cultivation of the mind is superb, and he will most likely achieve the Golden Core in the future.

Among them, the Bull Demon King and Pigsy were the most emotional. Both of them had failed in their attempts to cultivate the Golden Elixir. Looking back, when they were cultivating the Golden Elixir and had to subdue five people, they followed the steps without any thought of examination. They were no match for Wang Chongyang. Not to mention that when they subdued one or two people, they felt that the Golden Elixir was complete and relaxed their mindset, which ultimately led to their failure.

Seeing Wang Chongyang's cultivation today, many people lament their own inadequacy and admire his self-cultivation.

Under the old cypress tree, the group listened to Wang Chongyang explain his methods. After a long while, when he finished, they listened to Red Boy explain his own methods.

This lecture will last for several days.

Several days later, after everyone had left, Sun Wukong and Zhenjian stood under the old cypress tree, gazing at the surrounding area.

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "In previous years, there were many disciples in the manor, but in recent years it has become much quieter. However, I believe that after some time, the manor will be lively again, but at that time, it will be full of junior disciples."

Zhenjian put his hands together and said, "I wonder if any of my fellow disciples from previous years are still diligently cultivating today?"

Sun Wukong shook his head and remained silent.

(End of this chapter)