Just as I wished

Though the windblown sand had scattered and the sunlight was warm,

when Xuanzang looked around,

his brows remained knitted.

"The demons are gone, but providing a livelihood for this entire kingdom is a daunting problem."

A century of neglect had left the land barren, its wells dry.

Though tens of thousands of people had escaped with their lives, they were sallow and emaciated, standing bewildered amid the ruins.

Zhu Bajie rubbed his rumbling belly and surveyed their surroundings. "That's right, Master. Not a blade of grass grows here-it's all sand. These people have only just changed back, and they've got nothing to eat or drink. They'll probably starve to death anyway."

Sun Wukong rested the Golden Cudgel on his shoulder and scratched his head. "How about Old Sun goes to borrow some rain? Or brings over some grain?"

"That would only save them for a time." Xuanzang shook his head.

"Governing a kingdom and bringing peace to its people cannot be accomplished through supernatural powers."

He turned toward Taibai Jinxing, who was about to depart on his cloud.

"Jinxing, my respects."

Taibai Jinxing paused, then lowered his cloud with a woeful expression and awkwardly clasped his hands. "Holy monk, the demon has been subdued and the people saved. This old Daoist still has to return to the Heavenly Court to report..."

Xuanzang pressed his palms together, his expression solemn.

"This humble monk has a favor to ask."

"The people here have suffered a great calamity and need relief. I would like to ask you to convey a message to His Majesty King Tang."

Taibai Jinxing blinked. "What message?"

"Please ask the Great Tang to establish an administration and accept the Sihali Kingdom as a vassal state. Send worthy officials to govern it, resettle displaced people here to reclaim the land, open trade routes, and foster learning and moral instruction."

Xuanzang gazed eastward. "Though this land is harsh, it is rich in minerals and lies on a vital route through the Western Regions. Proper governance could not only save these tens of thousands of lives, but also safeguard the peace of the Great Tang."

At this, Taibai Jinxing's beard began trembling, and he waved his hands repeatedly.

"Oh dear, holy monk! That is an enormous burden of karma! This old Daoist is merely a messenger. If I become entangled in karma of that magnitude, I fear I'll face endless trouble in the future. This matter... you'd best seek someone more capable."

He truly wanted no part of it. The Sihali Kingdom bore too heavy a burden of karmic obstructions, and its karma was uncertain. Stepping forward now would only bring disaster down upon his own head.

Xuanzang fell silent.

Sun Wukong snapped from the side, "You old fellow! You can't even manage this little task? If you won't go, Old Sun will!"

"Jinxing."

Guanyin Bodhisattva, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke.

She was in poor condition. The arm with which she had shielded Xuanzang from the calamity remained black as ink, clearly gravely injured.

Yet she still stepped forward and nodded slightly to Taibai Jinxing, a note of entreaty in her voice.

"Xuanzang's plan addresses the root of the problem. I cannot act freely at present, and his party's quest for the scriptures is urgent; they cannot return east. Wukong is not a recognized immortal, so no one would believe him if he went back. Since you have participated in this calamity, you already have karma bound to it. If you help bring this about, you will also receive a share of the merit."

"Great Bodhisattva, it really is..."

Seeing this, Taibai Jinxing hesitated and tugged at his beard, considering gritting his teeth and accepting the task.

Just then, within Xuanzang's sea of consciousness, the majestic voice of the Heavenly Dao rang out once more.

[The Tribulation Master has overcome the trial of Yellow Wind Ridge, redeemed the demon king, and dispelled karmic obstructions. This is truly the conduct of a bodhisattva. Great goodness.]

[The Tribulation Master shall be granted the "golden body of merit," impervious to all poisons and unapproachable by evil; he shall also be granted the supernatural power "Diting's ears," with which to distinguish the truth and falsehood of all things.]

Xuanzang felt the vast power about to pour into his body.

But he glanced around, at the mother weeping with her child in her arms, at the old man licking his cracked lips.

Within his sea of consciousness, Xuanzang said,

"This humble monk wants neither the golden body nor supernatural powers."

[What does the Tribulation Master intend?]

The will of the Heavenly Dao stirred.

"This humble monk wishes to use the merit earned this time to protect the Sihali Kingdom for two years and restore the source of this land's vitality."

Xuanzang pressed his palms together, his gaze sweeping across the ravaged land.

"May I?"

[Will the Tribulation Master have no regrets in exchanging this merit for the peace and security of mortals?]

Xuanzang's gaze was resolute.

"It is just as I wished."

[As you wish.]

Humm-!

The golden light that had been about to flow into Xuanzang's body abruptly shot skyward and burst across the heavens.

A moment later, a fine golden rain began falling over the Sihali Kingdom.

As the rain touched the earth, clear spring water surged from the dried-up wells; edible mushrooms and wild greens sprouted in the cracks of the ruins. The people felt warmth flow into their bodies, sweeping away their lingering illnesses and instantly dispelling their hunger.

"A miracle... this is a miracle!"

The people fell to their knees again, chanting praises of the holy monk's compassion.

Then another ray of golden light descended from the heavens.

It was not for Xuanzang, but for Guanyin.

The golden light poured over Guanyin like a waterfall. Beneath its cleansing radiance, the stubborn black baleful qi on her arm actually dissolved and faded at a visible pace.

Though she was not fully healed, her injuries had been brought under control, and the Buddhist halo behind her head shone brighter and more concentrated than before.

"This... what is this?!"

Taibai Jinxing's pupils contracted.

That was genuine merit bestowed by the Heavenly Dao!

Feeling her injuries improve, Guanyin looked at Taibai Jinxing's shocked expression and smiled faintly.

"Jinxing, your concerns are reasonable, but the Heavenly Dao is utterly impartial. If you are willing to lend this assistance, it may not be a bad thing."

"Ahem!"

Taibai Jinxing had already been considering gritting his teeth and agreeing. He coughed twice, concealed his astonishment, then flicked his horsetail whisk.

"Great Bodhisattva, you are too kind! This old Daoist was merely considering how to word the message."

"Keeping the mortal lands safe is the Heavenly Court's duty in the first place. And since both the holy monk and the Great Bodhisattva have requested it, this old Daoist will attend to this small matter at once!"

With that, Taibai Jinxing turned into a streak of light and flew east.

Xuanzang watched the golden streak, his brows creasing slightly, but Guanyin beside him said,

"Most gods of the Heavenly Court also take the relief of suffering as their duty. But now, the forces of tribulation are in turmoil. Those who move among them cannot avoid their influence; their hearts are difficult to steady, and they easily commit mistakes. The more they do, the more they may err. Once karmic obstructions bind them, ten thousand years of cultivation can vanish in a single morning. Their reluctance is born of helplessness as well. Jinxing's actions already show great compassion."

Xuanzang joined his palms and bowed, saying earnestly, "So that is how it is. Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Bodhisattva."

"Xuanzang, my injuries have not healed. I must return to the South Sea for secluded cultivation. The road ahead is long. Take good care of yourself."

"I respectfully bid you farewell, Bodhisattva. Thank you for your help in this calamity."

After seeing off the gods and the bodhisattva, the people began putting their homes in order.

Xuanzang sat wearily on a broken stone, with A-Hu lying beside him.

Little White Dragon, Ao Lie, who had been quietly packing their luggage, now stopped what he was doing.

Ao Lie drew a deep breath, straightened his clothing and armor, and strode up to Xuanzang.

"Little White Dragon?" Zhu Bajie asked indistinctly, gnawing on a wild fruit. "Are you hungry too?"

Ao Lie ignored him. Like a golden mountain toppling and a jade pillar falling, he dropped heavily to his knees before Xuanzang, his forehead striking the ground with a dull thud.

"This disciple, Ao Lie, begs Master to accept me into his fold!"

Xuanzang started slightly and reached out to help him up. "Benefactor Ao, you have escorted us all this way. Though we have not had the name of master and disciple, we have already had the substance of that bond. Why perform such a grand obeisance?"

Ao Lie raised his head, his dragon eyes brimming with hot tears and reverence.

"No! Before, it was the Bodhisattva's command-a punishment. Today, this disciple submits willingly, with all his heart!"

"This disciple wishes to follow Master, to practice compassion with this very body, and seek the truly authentic scriptures!"

Xuanzang looked at him for a long while, then a gentle smile appeared on his face.

He reached out and gently stroked the dragon horns atop Ao Lie's head.

"Good, good. This humble monk was mistaken. This is fitting, too."

"You are a dragon prince, proud by nature, yet throughout this journey you have borne humiliation and heavy burdens, quietly persevering in your deeds."

"Within the Buddhist Order, deeds outweigh words."

Xuanzang considered briefly, then said, "Your two senior brothers' Dharma names both accord with the true meaning of our Buddhist Order: one cultivates the heart and nurtures his nature, while the other disciplines himself and upholds the precepts."

"As your master, I shall grant you the Dharma name-Wuji."

"May you know your own true heart, illuminate your mind, and perceive your nature."

Ao Lie-now Ao WujI-kowtowed heavily, his voice choked with emotion. "Your disciple Wuji thanks Master for granting me this name!"

"Haha! Good!" Sun Wukong bounded over and slapped Little White Dragon on the shoulder. "Third Junior Brother! From now on, have your second senior brother help you carry some of the luggage!"

Zhu Bajie came over too, slung an arm around Little White Dragon's shoulders, and chuckled. "That's nothing! Third Junior Brother, from now on we're a team. Together, we'll deal with that damned monkey!"

Little White Dragon brushed Zhu Bajie's hand aside in disgust. "Who's on your team? Don't touch me! You just finished eating. Have you washed your hands? They're filthy."

The three of them soon began roughhousing again.

Beside them, Xuanzang closed his eyes and chanted sutras, a smile on his face.