Journey to the West: Please Call Me the White Bone Demon

For the next few years, everything was fine.

The three members of the Tang Monk's group had gradually gotten used to this life as dung collectors.

The first few days were the hardest to get through.

Every day before dawn, he would be scolded and forced to get up by a minor official.

They carried manure, cleaned up filth, and transported it out of the city.

Carrying heavy buckets of manure, their shoulders blistered and bleeding, their backs ached, and the stench was overwhelming.

Pigsy complained the most, grumbling every day:

"Old Pig... my life is so hard..."

"Thirty years...how can anyone endure that..."

He often secretly counted the days.

Use your finger to make marks on the wall of the shed.

One year, two years, three years...

Every time I see those unattainable numbers, my heart is filled with sorrow.

"More than twenty years to go... when will this ever end?!"

Sha Wujing didn't say much, working silently every day.

Only Tang Sanzang gradually got used to it.

He was originally a mortal, without any supernatural powers.

After a day's work, although my shoulders were red and swollen and my hands were rough, I felt a strange sense of peace in my heart.

Once they got used to the work, the supervising officials also lost their initial enthusiasm.

White Tiger City was peaceful, and these minor officials had nothing to do on a daily basis.

At first, he was very excited about the monks punishing the dung collectors on their pilgrimage, and he would wave the whip around every day.

But as time went on, they saw that the three were honest and dutiful, and completed their daily tasks on time.

They couldn't be bothered to keep a close eye on it anymore.

"Anyway, the Lord has given orders that we cannot slack off."

"They dare to run? The chains are right there."

Gradually, the minor officials came less and less.

As long as the three people complete their assigned tasks each day, they can hand in their work.

Occasionally, a minor official would come to investigate, but it would only be a symbolic visit.

"Well done, keep it up."

The three of them continued like this, day after day.

Having lived in White Tiger City for so many years, they have come to truly understand the meaning of the four characters "White Bones Forever" on the giant stele when they first entered the city.

If there truly is a paradise on earth, then this is probably it.

On the streets and alleys, humans and transvestites live in harmony.

A fox-eared girl chats casually with a human woman.

A young man with a monkey-like tail helped an old man carry rice.

The cat demon child chased and played with the human children.

A powerful demon teaches a lesser demon to read, while human elders heal the demons' illnesses.

There was no discrimination, no killing.

Only through mutual assistance can we find peace and happiness.

Every time Tang Sanzang saw these scenes, his sense of guilt deepened.

He recalled the past.

Sun Wukong killed the woman who delivered the flowers with a single blow.

To tacitly approve and indulge.

At that time, all I wanted to do was to eliminate demons, protect my master, and embark on the journey to the West to obtain the scriptures.

How narrow-minded it seems now.

Demons, aren't they also living beings?

They lived peacefully and did not harm a single person.

However, he was killed because of the word "demonic energy".

Their sins are grave.

A wave of guilt washed over me.

But after a day's work, carrying manure and cleaning up filth, sweat mixed with dirt.

Exhausted, both physically and mentally.

My guilt lessened considerably.

It was as if these filthy things had washed away the filth in my heart.

He was relieved.

Fortunately, the city lord gave him this opportunity to reform himself.

Suffering, yet atonement for sins.

In their daily work as dung collectors, they frequently come into contact with the residents of White Tiger City.

When collecting manure, they would go from house to house to collect the chamber pots.

When cleaning up the filth, we went deep into the alleys and lanes.

While transporting manure, I passed through the street.

Over time, the residents of the city also learned about the origins of the three men.

"I heard it was those monks who killed someone and were punished by the master to be made dung collectors."

"Thirty years, how pitiful."

"What's there to pity? Killing someone and not paying with one's life is already an act of mercy from the Lord."

"I heard they were monks from the East who came on a pilgrimage to retrieve Buddhist scriptures."

"A pilgrim monk on a pilgrimage? A pilgrim monk who killed people?"

When the news spread, some people initially took notice.

Some people sneered, while others felt pity.

But as time went on, they saw that the three men worked honestly.

The residents' attitudes gradually became more friendly.

In the minds of the people of White Tiger City, no one is perfect and everyone makes mistakes.

The demon race has a long history.

If you make a mistake, it's good if you can correct it.

Therefore, they didn't make things too difficult for Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

Occasionally, someone would give them extra steamed buns.

"Monk, you've worked hard, have some."

Or hand over a bowl of water.

"Have some water and take a break."

Even some little demon children curiously gathered around to watch.

"Uncle, why do you work as dung collectors?"

Tang Sanzang smiled and clasped his hands together: "Uncle has done something wrong and is atoning for it."

The child blinked: "Now that I've atoneed, I can stop doing it?"

"Yes."

"Good luck, Uncle!"

These little things are heartwarming.

When Tang Sanzang found an opportunity, he would also preach his Buddhist teachings to the people and demons of White Tiger City.

During a break from work, I sat by the roadside.

Or, while carrying manure, they might encounter residents.

He then clasped his hands together and began to preach in a low voice.

We speak of compassion, universal salvation, and the equality of all beings.

Speak of the true scriptures of the Western Paradise, and you can be freed from suffering.

But... it was destined to be in vain.

The residents of White Tiger City laughed upon hearing this.

"Monk, your Buddhist teachings sound quite good."

"But we are living in paradise."

"The Lord teaches us to be equal, help each other, and be content with our lot."

"Why bother going to the West to obtain scriptures?"

"Our eternal bliss is already the ultimate bliss for us white bones."

Someone shook their head: "Monk, your idea of ​​saving all sentient beings is good, indeed."

"But we demons and humans have been living in peace together."

"Why is universal salvation necessary?"

The residents were not interested in Tang Sanzang's sermons.

They believed in Yun Zhao.

Believe in this city.

Believe that there is peace before us.

Buddhist teachings are just for show; take them with a grain of salt.

Tang Sanzang did not insist.

He simply lowered his head and continued working.

Yet, a sense of bewilderment crept into my heart.

His Buddha... seemed to have no place to stand in this city.

On the other side, the guardian deities, after swearing an oath to the Heavenly Dao...

Every time they went back to report, they would say that Tang Sanzang was not in danger, which was good.

A year on Earth is equivalent to only one day in Heaven.

Therefore, none of the gods felt there was any problem.

Venus occasionally inquired about the progress of the pilgrimage.

The guardian deities then reported:

"The pilgrims are all well."

"There was a slight delay along the way, but there was no danger to our lives."

"The journey westward will be smooth."

They were fooled.

No one investigated further.

However, this caused great trouble for the Golden Horn and Silver Horn in the Lotus Cave of Pingdingshan.

These two attendants of Laozi were sent down to the mortal realm by imperial decree to add another hardship to the pilgrims on their journey to the West.

When we arrived, the Patriarch Laozi gave us these instructions:

"At most one or two days (in the sky)."

"Add one more hardship, and you can return to the Heaven of Separation and Hatred."

"Don't delay."

Following orders, Golden Horn and Silver Horn descended to the mortal realm and settled in Lotus Cave on Flat Top Mountain.

I waited, but he didn't appear.

Wait on the right, but he doesn't appear.

The air in the mortal realm is polluted, and there are no elixirs from the ancestral masters to consume.

I feel uncomfortable everywhere.

Golden horns and silver horns, each day feels like a year.

At first, I was patient.

"Perhaps the pilgrims are traveling slowly."

"Wait a little longer."

But a year passed, and he still didn't see him.

Two years have passed without seeing each other.

Three years have passed without a trace.

Four years...

Four years have passed in the mortal realm!

Four days have passed in the sky!

King Silver Horn couldn't sit still any longer and started pacing around in the cave.

"Brother, why hasn't the pilgrim arrived yet?"

"The patriarch agreed on it in a day or two."

"It's been four years now!"

Golden Horn also chimed in anxiously, "Yes, little brother."

"This filthy air of the mortal world is making me dizzy."

"Without elixirs, my magical power is somewhat lacking."

"We...we won't be forgotten by the founder, will we?"

Silver Horn frowned: "No, the Ancestral Master's decree is clear."

"Perhaps the pilgrims got lost?"

"Did you take the wrong turn?"

Silverhorn's eyes darted around, and he suggested:

"Brother, how about we... burn incense and ask the patriarch what happened?"

"Just waiting like this isn't a solution."

Jinjiao paused for a moment, then nodded:

"good!"

"Let's do it this way."

The two then burned incense and took a bath.

An incense table was set up inside the Lotus Cave.

With utmost respect, we burn incense and pray.

"Disciples Golden Horn and Silver Horn, by the decree of our Patriarch, descend to the mortal realm to bring trouble."

"But the pilgrims are slow to arrive."

"Please, Master, enlighten me!"

Hey brothers, I'm here! Late but here, three chapters for you!!

But I just realized that I received quite a few tips today, okay! I can't let my brothers down, time to get going! Three chapters tomorrow too.

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