Teaching the Monkey (Part 2)

The Great Dao had a beginning, but no end.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun sat idly in the bamboo house deep within that bamboo grove, gazing at the Travel Manifest spread across the low table. Within the jade disc was the scene at Slanting Moon, Three Stars Cave.

The might of a supreme treasure could, in fact, be judged by the clarity of its projections.

A treasure such as the Dao Ancestor's Travel Manifest could effortlessly evolve the Three Thousand Great Daos; even the shape of a grain of dirt within its image could be clearly discerned.

It showed:

Old Ancestor Bodhi meditating in the Back Hall, while Sun Wukong and several fellow disciples sparred and played in the open space before the hall. Everything was much the same as it had been for the past sixty-odd years.

Dao Ancestor Hongjun did not look much at Old Ancestor Bodhi. His gaze remained fixed on Sun Wukong, carrying a trace of appreciation.

He suddenly laughed. "That monkey you mentioned, Daoist friend, truly is quite likable..."

As the words fell, Hongjun looked toward the empty seat on the right side of the low table and could not help laughing mutely.

Of course. He had been gone long ago.

With a flick of his finger, Hongjun sent layers of mist spreading through the bamboo grove. It was as though he had crossed the river of time and returned to some distant point in the past.

Three figures appeared beside Hongjun, some seated cross-legged, others reclining sideways, each looking thoroughly at ease.

This was a projection of a memory.

Hongjun sat in the very spot he occupied now, but said nothing. His expression was grave as he faced a neat row of Jade Cards.

At his side sat two elderly Daoists, while opposite them was a