The master and his disciples left the monastery and headed straight southeast toward Black Wind Mountain.
They covered the twenty li in the blink of an eye.
At the foot of the mountain, Xuanzang signaled for them to stop and proceed uphill on foot.
Black Wind Mountain was indeed no ordinary place.
Just as Wukong had said, streams raced through countless ravines, and pines and cypresses grew thick. Though named Black Wind, it held no sinister, ghostly air. Springs chimed through the mountains, and slender bamboo swayed along the cliffs. Had they not known it housed a demon's cave, anyone might have believed it a blessed abode of immortals.
"What a fine place for cultivation."
Xuanzang surveyed the mountain scenery and slowly nodded, opening his Dharma Eye a fraction. "The air is pure, not murky. Though a demonic aura lingers here, a faint sandalwood fragrance holds it in check. It seems this Black Bear Spirit truly is practicing Buddhism."
Sun Wukong led the way, snorting. "Practicing Buddhism? Then why does he steal?"
"Practicing Buddhism does not mean one has become a Buddha," Xuanzang said as he walked. "Though this Black Bear Spirit has a seed of wisdom, he remains in the animal realm. Some wildness and greed are hardly surprising."
As they spoke, the party rounded a bend in the mountain and spotted Black Wind Cave in the distance.
Just then, a Daoist suddenly emerged from the other end of the mountain path.
The Daoist wore a crane-feather cloak and a Huayang headcloth. In his hands, he held a Glass Plate bearing two gleaming red Immortal Pills. Humming a little tune, he strolled leisurely toward the cave entrance.
Sun Wukong's sharp eyes recognized him at once, and he said quietly to Xuanzang:
"Master! Look at that mangy old Daoist! I saw him gathering with that black brute yesterday. While we were fighting, he turned into a gust of wind and fled! He's back today, so he must be bringing that brute a gift!"
With that, Sun Wukong drew his Golden Cudgel and started forward. "Let Old Sun finish him with one blow! Then we can take his appearance, slip inside, and trip that black brute up!"
"Wait."
Xuanzang stopped Wukong.
Sun Wukong froze. "Master? Don't go softhearted on him. He's a demon too! If we don't strike now, when will we?"
"I am here to pay a visit and attend the Buddha Robe Gathering. Why should we disguise ourselves, use poison, or resort to trickery?"
"Those are the acts of thieves, not guests."
Xuanzang straightened his sleeves and said evenly, "We are guests. Naturally, we should enter through the front door."
"Wukong, invite that Daoist over."
Sun Wukong chuckled, put away his Golden Cudgel, and flickered into a fierce gust that swept along the mountain path.
The Daoist, Lingxu Zi, was strolling contentedly with the Glass Plate in his hands, humming his tune, when a golden light suddenly flashed before his eyes. A monkey with a furry face and a thunder god's jutting mouth stood barring his way.
"Hey, Daoist! My master wants to see you!"
Lingxu Zi's hands shook in fright, and he nearly dropped the Glass Plate.
Having seen this fearsome fiend yesterday, he recognized him. His legs went weak, his limbs numb, and he could barely get his words out:
"Spare me! I'm only passing through..."
"Enough nonsense. Come along!"
Sun Wukong barely exerted himself. He simply laid a hand on Lingxu Zi's shoulder and half pushed, half hustled him over to Xuanzang.
Trembling, Lingxu Zi raised his head and saw a young monk standing beneath a pine. Though he wore no splendid robes, his bearing was composed and dignified, his gaze upright and serene.
Beside him stood a Silver-Armored Youth, with a fierce winged tiger lying at his feet.
No matter how he looked at this company, they hardly seemed like ordinary wandering monks.
"Amitabha Buddha."
Xuanzang pressed his palms together and bowed slightly to Lingxu Zi, speaking gently:
"I am the humble monk Tang Sanzang, passing through your esteemed mountain. Forgive me for startling you, Daoist."
Overwhelmed by the courtesy, Lingxu Zi hurriedly returned the bow. "Not at all, not at all. May I ask why you summoned me, Elder?"
Xuanzang's gaze fell upon the Glass Plate in his hands. Seeing the glossy red Immortal Pills, he said:
"Your steps seemed hurried, Daoist. Are you heading to Black Wind Cave?"
Lingxu Zi dared not conceal the truth. "Yes. The Black King celebrates his birthday tomorrow, and he's also holding... holding that gathering. I've come especially to offer pills and wish him longevity."
"The Buddha Robe Gathering."
Xuanzang supplied the name, his expression still calm, betraying neither pleasure nor anger:
"Since it is a Buddha Robe Gathering, I, as a monk, should naturally pay my respects. Would you kindly lead the way?"
Cold sweat poured down Lingxu Zi's back, and he inwardly lamented his plight.
Passing through? This is clearly a creditor coming to collect!
His eyes darted about as he tried to invent an excuse or find a chance to turn into wind and escape.
He stole a glance at Sun Wukong beside him. The monkey was baring his teeth; clearly, the slightest refusal would bring that cudgel crashing down.
"What? Is that inconvenient?"
Sun Wukong gave a cold snort from the side.
Lingxu Zi shuddered and was about to beg for mercy.
"Wukong, do not be rude."
Xuanzang spoke softly, then leaned forward a little, his clear eyes settling on Lingxu Zi once more.
"Daoist, I am going to pay a visit, not seek revenge. A monk does not speak falsehoods. Sorry for the trouble, but please introduce us."
At that instant, Lingxu Zi saw what seemed like countless scriptures flashing through Xuanzang's eyes. That gentle gaze suddenly became as fathomless as an abyss.
Buzzz-
A roar filled Lingxu Zi's mind. It felt as though every thought in his heart had been exposed in an instant. Knowing he could hide nothing from this monk, he resigned himself and said:
"In that case, Elder, please follow me."
The party followed the winding mountain path upward.
Lingxu Zi walked ahead, carrying the plate of pills, his heart bobbing with unease. Xuanzang rode on A-Hu's back, perfectly at ease, as though he truly were merely attending a friend's banquet.
Before long, they reached the entrance to Black Wind Cave.
The cave doors were shut tight. A stone plaque above them bore the large inscription "Black Wind Mountain, Black Wind Cave." Dense pines and cypresses flanked the entrance, lending the place a genuine air of secluded tranquility.
Lingxu Zi stopped and glanced back at Xuanzang.
Seeing that none of them reacted,
he drew a deep breath, stepped forward, and knocked:
"Great King! Open the door, Great King! Lingxu Zi has come to wish you a happy birthday!"
A moment later, heavy footsteps sounded from within.
Rumble-
The two stone doors, each weighing ten thousand jin, slowly swung open.
The Black Bear Spirit, wearing no armor, came out to greet him with a broad smile:
"Brother Lingxu, you've come at just the right time! I was just..."
Before he could finish, the Black Bear Spirit's smile froze on his face.
He saw the monkey with the thunder god's mouth behind Lingxu Zi, then the fair-faced monk riding the strange beast.
"Bimawen?!"
The Black Bear Spirit's face instantly darkened like the bottom of a cooking pot. Eyes wide with fury, he pointed at Lingxu Zi and cursed:
"So that's how it is, Lingxu Zi! I treated you as a friend, yet you colluded with my enemies and brought this wretched monkey here to make trouble for me!"
Lingxu Zi shrank back in fright and ducked aside.
"You misunderstand, Black King."
Xuanzang dismounted from the tiger, straightened his robes, and took two steps forward.
Rather than growing angry at the Black Bear Spirit's harsh words, he pressed his palms together and bowed slightly, observing every courtesy due from a monk:
"This humble monk Xuanzang greets you, Great King."
As the saying went, one did not raise a hand against a smiling face. The Black Bear Spirit prided himself on his refinement. Faced with such a courteous, well-mannered monk, he could hardly attack outright. He could only snort coldly and scrutinize Xuanzang warily:
"So you're that Tang Sanzang? What, unable to capture me, you've brought your disciple to my door to whine?"
Xuanzang straightened, his gaze clear and his tone serene:
"Not so. I heard that Your Majesty intends to celebrate with a 'Buddha Robe Gathering,' and have therefore come expressly to trouble you."
Before you continue