Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

At first, the lion-like monster was quite well-behaved, lying in a corner of the cave and pretending to be asleep.

However, at this moment, the Bodhisattva went to Mount Ling, and the lion servant who was guarding the temple became lax in his mind because of the Dharma assembly.

The lion-like monster's worldly desires, suppressed by Buddhist teachings for years, began to quietly grow.

It once accompanied Manjushri Bodhisattva to manifest in the human world, where the king led his officials and people to prostrate themselves in worship, calling him Bodhisattva, and making devout offerings, with incense burning brightly.

It was truly revered and awe-inspiring.

Then I think of those human kingdoms in the mortal realm, where the kings hold the law of heaven, wielding the power of life and death, ruling over vast lands, and enjoying boundless wealth and power—how delightful that must be!

Recalling his past as a demon, he once commanded a large following, wielding life and death at will, how carefree he was.

Although I have now taken refuge under your tutelage and heard the wonderful Dharma, I am still confined to the lotus throne all year round.

For the sake of mounts and stamina, listening to scriptures and meditating, bound by strict rules and regulations, one feels truly bored and weary.

"I am also capable of transformations and possess supernatural powers. If I were to descend to the mortal realm, I would seek out a kingdom, teach all living beings to fear and worship me, and establish myself as king."

Wouldn't it be better than being driven around like this?

Once this thought arose, looking at the tranquil Buddhist site of Mount Wutai again, I felt that the strict rules everywhere were restricting my true nature.

At this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, the Bodhisattva left the mountain, the Dharma assembly was in full swing, and the mountain was without a master.

The lion-like monster, its wild instincts ignited, couldn't contain its desire and thought to itself:

"If I don't leave now, when will I? If I can accomplish something in the mortal realm, show my skills, and establish my reputation, then I will be able to do so."

Even if the Bodhisattva finds out in the future, he might see that I have some skills and that my mount isn't entirely useless; it might not be inferior to that green lion spirit.

Even if the Bodhisattva were to rebuke me and bring me back, it would only result in a few punishments and the recitation of scriptures for a few days. What could he really do to me?

Having thought of this, the lion-like monster no longer hesitated.

It then stirred up the wind and mist, concealing its form, and left the scenic Wutai Mountain, heading directly towards the Eastern Continent.

However, it was not aimless or wandering around haphazardly; it had its own plans in mind.

The previous Great Calamity of the Weak Waters originated in the East China Sea, but although it was contained in time, it never completely spread and caused a disaster.

However, the calamity's influence still affected many countries, mountains, and spiritual veins along the coast of Dongsheng Shenzhou.

In milder cases, earthquakes and floods cause crop failures; in more severe cases, demons take advantage of the situation to wreak havoc, resulting in widespread suffering and death.

Many small and weak states were further weakened by this calamity.

The royal family was in decline, the people were displaced, and it was a time of low fortune and lax discipline.

This is precisely where its methods can be demonstrated.

…………

Meanwhile, the lion-like monster rode the demonic wind and traveled along the coast of the East Sea, looking around.

Before long, a densely populated and bustling country came into view on the coast ahead, which was none other than the Kingdom of Aolai.

The city walls were well-ordered, the streets and alleys were crisscrossed, merchants and travelers came and went in an endless stream, and the fields were orderly, far surpassing the other countries it had seen along the way.

"what?"

The lion-like monster descended from the clouds, concealing its form, and observed closely from the clouds, its heart filled with astonishment:

"I never imagined that such a remarkable country could exist on the shores of the East China Sea. It seems that the people in charge here are quite capable."

Let me take a look.

It stared intently, and only then did it glimpse the clue.

The Imperial Preceptor, Jade Brocade Immortal, who sat high in the imperial court and oversaw all the government's affairs, was clearly a demon cultivator who had attained enlightenment, with a subtle, ethereal aura emanating from him.

Moreover, his cultivation was considerable, and he had firmly grasped the reins of government, acting as regent in the name of the young emperor.

"It turned out to be a carp spirit that transformed into human form, usurped the position of the imperial advisor, and seized control of the court."

"A mere aquatic demon dares to usurp the throne and manipulate power? He certainly has some skills, managing to keep this country in perfect order."

The lion-like monster sneered inwardly, but did not say anything, instead harboring other thoughts.

As the mount of a Bodhisattva, it possessed a high level of insight and could see that although the Jade Brocade Immortal held power in the court, his methods were upright and righteous.

His governance was quite methodical, unlike those barbaric monsters who only knew how to suck blood and consume energy.

The lion-like monster considered its transformations and supernatural powers to be wondrous, and it had also witnessed the majesty of a human king and the etiquette of the imperial court while accompanying the Bodhisattva.

Seeing that this Jade Brocade Immortal, under the guise of the Imperial Preceptor, was actually controlling the government and manipulating the young emperor at will, they were shocked to discover that he was using the title of Imperial Preceptor to manipulate the government and control the young emperor at will.

Its delusions, like wild grass meeting spring, made it think to itself:

"If this sorcerer can do it, why can't I? Let's see his methods; it's not impossible to learn them."

After observing for several days, the overall situation gradually became clear.

This Jade Brocade Immortal appears to be a respectful and obedient advisor to the government, but in reality, all the government's decrees are issued by him, and the young king is treated like a puppet.

So the lion-like monster secretly used magic to carefully observe the little king's words, actions, mannerisms, habits, and even his movements when reviewing memorials.

It was indeed remarkable; in just a few days, it had imitated the original perfectly.

So he found a moment when the young king was alone, secretly abducted him, hid him in a secluded place, and cast a spell to put him to sleep.

He then transformed himself into the appearance of a young king, secretly observing the ways in which Master Yujin governed, and trying to figure out his methods of controlling his officials and balancing power.

At first, he merely imitated and learned, but gradually he secretly cultivated confidants, befriended court officials, and subtly diminished the power of the Imperial Preceptor.

Indeed, he had gained a firm foothold in the court, and there was a growing sense that he was breaking free from control and establishing his own faction.

Master Yu Jin was no ordinary person either. He had been in charge of Aolai Kingdom for many years and was naturally sensitive to any movement in the court.

He soon realized that the "little king" was becoming increasingly independent and that a group of new officials had gathered around him, subtly challenging his authority.

He knew something was amiss, but remained calm and used various methods. On one hand, he found a pretext to suppress and demote those unruly new elites, and on the other hand, he won over and promoted another group of capable people to stabilize the court.

After several rounds of covert struggle, they did not lose ground and even slightly suppressed the momentum of the "Little King".

The lion-like monster felt a surge of resentment upon seeing this.

It thought its methods were so clever that taking over this mortal court would be a piece of cake, but it never expected that this Taoist would be so difficult to deal with.

Unable to defeat them openly, they resort to underhanded tactics.

Having served under Manjushri Bodhisattva for a long time, although it did not receive the true teachings, it had heard of some Buddhist secrets and unorthodox supernatural powers, in addition to its own extraordinary demonic abilities.

It could bewitch the minds of officials, cause them to suddenly contract strange illnesses, or slightly interfere with the Jade Brocade Immortal's rituals to regulate the earth's energy and pray for rain and ward off disasters.

This caused his magic to be sometimes effective and sometimes ineffective, making it increasingly difficult to maintain the situation where he had always been able to devise perfect strategies and implement policies smoothly.

Master Yu Jin felt a sudden increase in pressure. He knew that there must be a powerful figure behind this, and that the methods were strange and unlike those of ordinary demons.

He secretly investigated and even used divination, but all his efforts were in vain.

Now that things have come to this, Master Yujin dares not be careless in the slightest.

He knew that he was probably not up to the task, and that Aolai Kingdom was a strategic location planned by his king, which could not be lost.

Immediately, Master Yu Jin seized a safe opportunity and used a secret method to deliver an urgent message detailing the strange changes in the country, the treacherous political situation, and the hidden dangers.

The message was quietly relayed back to Yunmang Mountain in Qingchi Ridge and presented to their own king, Xuanling.

On this day, in the Imperial Study.

The young king sat upright behind his desk, holding a vermilion brush, his eyes lowered as he reviewed memorials.

The attendant stood bowing to the side, reporting in a low voice:

"Your Majesty, as you commanded, those words have already quietly spread among the people."

Nowadays, there are many rumors circulating in the city that the Imperial Preceptor is not a fully enlightened being, but rather a carp spirit from a deep pool who specializes in bewitching the emperor.

Even more extreme, some people mention the former king...

The attendant lowered his voice even further.

"It is said that the late king was originally a wise and virtuous ruler who worked diligently to govern the country. However, he was gradually misled by treacherous officials and neglected state affairs, which led to the loss of great power."

Finally, they found a pretext to depose the Grand Tutor and install a young emperor, so that he could seize power and control the government. The common people, often ignorant and uninformed, discussed this extensively.

Upon hearing this, the young king's lips curled into a cold smile, which he quickly suppressed.

The attendant stole a glance at his master's expression and continued:

"These rumors initially circulated only in teahouses and taverns, but now they are gradually becoming a topic of discussion in both the government and the public."

Although no names were mentioned, the terms "carp spirit" and "deposed emperor" clearly indicate the source of the controversy.

The officials in the court who were originally close to the Grand Preceptor have recently appeared rather embarrassed.

The young king raised his eyes and asked, "What are the people saying about the late king?"

The attendant hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, there are many rumors circulating about the late king, saying that he was misled by wicked people and thus failed to preserve his integrity in his later years."

There was much criticism and speculation surrounding the Imperial Preceptor.

The young king sneered inwardly upon hearing this.

Rumors are like poison; they enter the ear and invade the heart.

Even if the Jade Brocade Immortal has some skill and can distinguish truth from falsehood, how long can he keep quiet amidst the clamor of voices and the anxieties of the people?

As the labels of "wicked" and "monster" gradually solidify, people's hearts turn away, and the foundation of the regime crumbles.

Can he still hold onto his position as the Imperial Preceptor securely?

As for the late king's reputation... he sneered inwardly.

Whether wise or foolish, they are merely pawns used to highlight the wickedness of the treacherous officials and the helplessness of the young ruler.

The land of Aolai Kingdom, with its people offering their sacrifices, deserves to be ruled by a truly virtuous ruler.

The young king put down his pen and asked casually:

"I have heard that the country has close trade relations with Qingchi Ridge, and the expenses are considerable. What exactly is Qingchi Ridge? And who are the people who reside there?"

The attendant, unsuspecting, simply assumed that His Majesty rarely ventured out and might not be concerned with such external affairs, and respectfully replied:

"Your Majesty, Qingchi Ridge is the Daoist temple of the Flood Dragon Demon King Xuanling."

This demon king... well, this true cultivator possesses great supernatural powers, is renowned throughout the southeast, commands over ten thousand demon soldiers, and has many cultivators who submit to him.

In the past, when the Weak Water of the East Sea caused havoc, he also contributed his efforts and performed some good deeds, so he was quite famous in the surrounding area.

I heard that he had been in seclusion for many years and only recently emerged, causing quite a stir. It seems his cultivation has improved considerably.

This lion-like monster had long resided in the sacred site of Manjushri Bodhisattva, where it heard of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Vajras, and saw all sorts of immortals and deities; its vision was extremely high.

They knew very little about the mountain spirits, water monsters, demon kings, and evil lords in the lower realm.

Hearing this now, one might think it's just a powerful dragon spirit that rules the mountain, and one might be rather skeptical.

Performing good deeds?

How much genuine merit can demons possess? Most of their good deeds are based on hearsay or exaggerated claims.

It secretly pondered to itself, "It's just a water spirit, even if it has some ability, how much trouble can it cause?"

In its eyes, such a character is no different from when it was a demon in the past, and may even be worse.

It seems that the Jade Brocade Immortal's trade with him was nothing more than a den of snakes and rats, colluding with each other.

Its face remained expressionless; it merely nodded slightly and pondered, saying:

"I see.

I recently examined the accounts of the nation and discovered that the trade with Qingchi Ridge has resulted in more expenditures than incomes, and over the years, the national treasury has been spent on it at a great cost.

The Grand Preceptor had previously strongly advocated for this trade, but many of his policies were flawed.

In my view, isn't this tantamount to sucking the lifeblood of our nation to feed those barbarian demons? This is certainly not the way to govern the country and bring peace to the people.

The young king looked up at the attendant, his tone turning somber and displeased, and said:

"I must consider this matter carefully. The trade regulations with Qingchi Ridge... may need to be reconsidered, or even abolished, as that would be the proper course of action."

Upon hearing this, the attendant's heart skipped a beat, realizing that this matter concerned the very foundation of the Imperial Preceptor and had far-reaching implications.

Seeing the Emperor's resolute expression, he dared not utter a word more and could only agree.

The young king dismissed his attendants and sat alone behind his desk, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.

It felt it had mastered the art of this, and its methods were sophisticated: first, it disrupted the people's morale, and then it cut off their external support.

The Jade Brocade Immortal has lost the hearts of the people and severed ties with Qingchi Ridge. He is like a tree without roots. Let's see how he can still control the government.

As for Xuan Ling, the Flood Dragon King of Qingchi Ridge...

The lion-like monster sneered inwardly. What could a mere aquatic dragon spirit, even with some brute strength, possibly do to it?

It was a disciple of a Bodhisattva who listened to his teachings; its knowledge and skills were far beyond those of a demon king from the lower realm.

If that dragon spirit knows its place, that's fine. But if it dares to provoke Aolai Kingdom over this matter...

Hmph, it's a good opportunity to teach it a lesson and show off my skills, so that Jade Brocade Immortal and his backer will know how powerful I am.

…………

…………

West of Aolai Kingdom city, Qixia Temple.

What a magnificent Taoist temple, built against the mountain, hidden among the clouds. A poem describes its scenery:

The pine-covered slope is serene, the bamboo path tranquil. White cranes come and go, carrying floating clouds, while monkeys occasionally offer fruit.

Before the gate, the pond is wide, the trees cast long shadows, and the rocks are cracked, the moss broken. The palaces are magnificent, purple and high, and the pavilions are ethereal, like fallen crimson clouds.

This is truly a blessed land, a spiritual realm, a cloud-shrouded paradise. Few worldly affairs dwell here, and in tranquility, the Daoist heart arises.

At that moment, a figure in pure white quietly landed on the stone steps in front of the temple, without disturbing a speck of dust.

The newcomer was dressed in a plain-colored Taoist robe with cloud patterns. He had a handsome face, a long beard, and an aura of purity and naturalness about him.

It was none other than the Grand Preceptor of Aolai Kingdom, the Jade Brocade Immortal.

As soon as he landed, the tightly closed temple gate creaked open from the inside.

An old Taoist priest, dressed in a crimson robe with the Bagua symbol, with a ruddy complexion and holding a whisk, slowly walked out.

It was none other than the Abbot of Qixia Temple, formerly the chief retainer of Aolai Kingdom, the True Man of Red Clouds.

Master Chixia's gaze fell on Yu Jin, his expression indifferent, showing little warmth.

In the past, when the calamity of the Weak Waters arose and ravaged the shores of the East Sea, he led the kingdom's retainers in their valiant efforts to stop it.

Protecting the capital city also took a heavy toll on him. He went into seclusion for many years before finally emerging a few years ago.

After leaving the pass, the imperial advisor had been replaced by the carp spirit before him; the royal family had changed hands and power had fallen into other hands.

How could he not harbor resentment?

However, he knew that Xuan Ling was powerful and not to be trifled with, so although he disliked the carp spirit national teacher, he maintained basic courtesy and did not embarrass him.

True Immortal Chixia's gaze fell upon True Immortal Yujin, showing no sign of joy or anger, he merely bowed slightly and said:

"Why has the Immortal Yu Jin graced this desolate mountain retreat with his presence when he is not in the palace assisting in state affairs?"

Master Yu Jin returned the greeting with a composed expression and said:

"Fellow Daoist Chixia, I apologize for disturbing you. I have something of great importance to discuss and have no choice but to seek your company at your esteemed temple."

My king may be making a visit later.

Upon hearing the words "My King," Master Chixia's ruddy face stiffened slightly, and a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes.

He gave Master Yujin a deep look, stepped aside to clear the entrance, and said:

"In that case, fellow Daoist, please come inside and have some tea. The mountains are serene and quiet, perfect for a conversation."

Master Yu Jin nodded: "I apologize for disturbing you."

He then followed the Crimson Cloud Immortal into the temple.

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