The three women exchanged glances, and Zhenzhen said:
"Rest assured, brother-in-law. I'll go subdue Nezha!"
Ao Tu said, "Eldest sister-in-law, don't push yourself too far!"
Manjushri Bodhisattva said no more. He rose on a cloud and flew outside.
Seeing this, Ao Tu followed to support him in battle.
Outside, Nezha saw Ao Tu fly out behind a woman and laughed. "Demon dragon, you couldn't beat me, so now you've brought a woman?"
Ao Tu said, "Nezha, don't be so arrogant. This is my eldest sister-in-law, whose supernatural abilities are vast. Watch her subdue you with her magic."
Nezha said, "What tricks could a puny demoness have? Watch me cut her down in three strokes!"
Manjushri Bodhisattva said, "Nezha, how dare you run wild before me?"
He took an object from his sleeve, called the Dragon-Binding Pillar, also known as the Seven-Treasure Golden Lotus, and tossed it into the air.
Wind sprang up on every side, clouds and mist shrouded the sky, and earth and dust flew as it descended with a rumble.
Up in the sky, Sun Wukong saw this and thought, This is bad! He hurriedly grabbed Heavenly King Li and fled.
Nezha was too close to escape. Dazed and befuddled, he could not tell north from south; engulfed in pitch-black gloom, he could not distinguish east from west. One golden ring encircled his neck, and two more encircled his legs, binding him to a gleaming golden pillar. By the time he opened his eyes, he could no longer move a muscle.
Nezha shouted angrily, "Damn you, demon! How did you steal my martial uncle's..."
Before he could finish, Manjushri Bodhisattva cast a spell and sealed his seven orifices.
Ao Tu seized Nezha's topknot and tugged it. "Little Nezha, do you still dare act so high and mighty?" Nezha's face flushed crimson with rage, but there was nothing he could do.
Manjushri Bodhisattva said, "Brother-in-law, what about the wedding?"
Ao Tu said, "We haven't caught Sun Wukong yet. We can't hold the wedding."
Outside, Sun Wukong and Heavenly King Li fled thousands of miles away, their hearts still pounding with lingering fear.
Wukong said, "Formidable, truly formidable! Who knows what treasure that was? The moment that golden mist appeared, the Third Prince was captured. Heavenly King, did you recognize that treasure?"
Heavenly King Li shook his head. "I was too far away to see what it was."
Wukong wrung his hands. "What are we to do? With demons this formidable, when will I ever rescue my master?"
Heavenly King Li said, "Do not worry, Great Sage. I will report to the Jade Emperor and request more troops to subdue the demons."
Wukong said joyfully, "Thank you, Heavenly King!"
The two returned to the Heavenly Court and explained the situation to the Jade Emperor.
Upon hearing their report, the Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor dispatched the Four Heavenly Kings, the four generals Deng, Zhang, Xin, and Tao of the Thunder Department, and the Nine Luminaries Star Lords of the Dipper Department to lead a hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals down to subdue the demons.
Once again, they arrived among the mountains.
The Four Heavenly Kings spread a net across heaven and earth.
The Nine Luminaries Star Lords led the hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals into formation, surrounding the estate.
The four generals of the Thunder Department unleashed countless bolts of divine lightning.
Ao Tu said, "Disaster! We've provoked so many Heavenly Soldiers and Generals. We'd better scatter and flee for our lives!"
Perfected One Samantabhadra said, "Brother-in-law, what is there to fear even with a hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals? Watch me ward them off with a single spell!"
With that, a threadlike beam of white light shone from his finger and blossomed into a Celebration Cloud, sheltering the manor and its towers. It had eight corners, each bearing a golden lamp, with strings of jeweled beads dangling beneath to protect everything below.
The countless bolts of divine lightning dissolved upon meeting the golden lamps, unable to inflict the slightest harm.
Seeing this, the Four Heavenly Kings took action: Mo Liqing wielded the Azure Cloud Sword, which bore a Talisman Seal divided into four characters: earth, water, fire, and wind. When the sword was drawn, black winds and raging flames burst forth, with countless spears and halberds within the winds and golden serpents writhing through the flames.
Mo Lihong wielded an umbrella called the Primal Chaos Umbrella. It was adorned with Grandmother’s Green, Grandmother’s Seal, Grandmother’s Jade, the Night-Shining Pearl, the Dust-Cleansing Pearl, the Jade-Fire Pearl, the Jade-Water Pearl, the Cooling Pearl, the Nine-Bend Pearl, the Appearance-Preserving Pearl, and the Wind-Calming Pearl, as well as pearls strung into four characters: "Containing Heaven and Earth." When opened, it darkened heaven and earth, blotting out the sun and moon. A single turn shook the cosmos, capturing men and seizing demons.
Mo Lihai carried a pipa on his back, its four strings likewise corresponding to earth, water, fire, and wind. When plucked, their music seized hearts and stole souls, bringing wind and fire together just like the Azure Cloud Sword.
Mo Lishou had a creature shaped like a white rat, called the Flower-Fox Marten. Released into the air, it took on the appearance of a white elephant, sprouted wings from its flanks, and devoured mortals.
The four generals attacked together, unleashing every means at their disposal, yet after two hours, they still could not breach the golden lamps.
All the generals were alarmed and returned to camp to discuss their next move.
Heavenly King Li said, "Great Sage, those demons possess vast supernatural abilities. We cannot break their magic. If we report to the Jade Emperor again and request more troops, I fear the delay may bring disaster upon your master. Since Guanyin Bodhisattva arranged this scripture pilgrimage in the first place, why not go to the Southern Sea and ask her to help?"
Wukong said, "You think I haven't gone? But the Bodhisattva was away, not in the Southern Sea, and no one knew where she had gone."
Heavenly King Li said, "In that case, why not go to the Western Heaven and ask for Buddhist troops to assist us?"
Wukong said, "That was just what I had in mind. Wait here, everyone, while I go!"
Wukong rode his Somersault Cloud to the gates of Thunderclap Monastery on Spirit Mountain and requested an audience with the Buddha.
The Tathagata gave orders to admit him, and the vajra guardians let him pass.
Wukong entered Thunderclap Monastery, bowed his head, and paid his respects.
The Tathagata asked, "Wukong, why have you come here again instead of protecting Tang Sanzang on his scripture pilgrimage? What has happened?"
Wukong bowed his head to the ground. "I report to my Buddha. Since receiving your blessing, this disciple has traveled west with my master from the Tang dynasty. We encountered four female demon chiefs whose names I do not know. Their supernatural abilities were vast, and they forcibly captured my master and junior brothers to hold a wedding and form a marriage alliance with that demon dragon Ao Tu.
The Jade Emperor graciously sent Heavenly King Li and his son to assist us, but the Third Prince was captured instead. The Four Heavenly Kings, the four generals of the Thunder Department, and the Nine Luminaries Star Lords of the Dipper Department led a hundred thousand Heavenly Soldiers and Generals in an assault, yet none could defeat them.
That is why I have come to report to my Buddha. I beg you to show mercy and dispatch Buddhist troops to capture these demons and rescue my master."
Hearing this, the Buddha gazed into the distance with his eye of wisdom. Knowing this was the Four Sages' scheme, he said:
"I already know of this, but heaven's secrets must not be revealed. I will send the Eighteen Arhats with you. Surround the demons' residence, but do not attack. Wait quietly for a few days, and a turn for the better will surely come."
Wukong bowed in thanks and departed Spirit Mountain on a cloud with the Eighteen Arhats, hurrying to the mountains. When Heavenly King Li saw them, he led the others out to welcome them and recounted everything that had happened.
Wukong relayed the Buddha's instructions. Heavenly King Li then ordered the assembled gods into formation, joining the Eighteen Arhats to surround the demons' residence according to the heavenly branches and earthly configurations.
When the three Bodhisattvas saw the Arhats arrive, they knew the affair had already drawn the Buddha's attention, so they came to urge Ao Tu to marry once more.
Seeing this, Ao Tu knew it was time to bring things to a close.
Ao Tu knew the three had reached the limits of their patience. With heavenly troops and Arhats surrounding them outside, if he still refused, they would probably resort to force.
So Ao Tu agreed. "I can marry, but allow me to pay respects to my late father before the wedding and inform him of it."
Ao Tu's request was entirely reasonable, so naturally they could not object.
Ao Tu set up the Jing River Dragon King's spirit tablet, took out a string of paper money, and cried:
"Father! You died unjustly! Who knows who plotted against you, schemed to take your life, and caused your wrongful death! One day, I will grind that person's bones to dust and scatter their ashes to avenge you!"
At these words, all the Bodhisattvas lowered their brows and closed their eyes.
Ao Tu continued, "Father! Your son is marrying today. My bride is a relative of the Western Sagara Dragon King, named Lianlian. Our families are well matched! Lianlian, come quickly and burn paper offerings to my father!"
Guanyin Bodhisattva froze.
Ao Tu said, "What is it? You are marrying me today, so my father is your father. Are you unwilling to pay your respects?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva hesitated.
Old Mother Lishan, however, had already stepped forward. Wiping away tears, she said:
"My dear in-law! I'll burn some paper money for you. Please do not worry down in the Nine Hells. Your son is my son now. Once he marries my daughter, I will surely cherish him, love him, and care for him! My three daughters, hurry over and burn paper offerings to pay your respects!"
Seeing this, Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Guanyin had no choice but to step forward, bow briefly, pretend to wipe away tears, and burn a few sheets of paper money.
In the underworld, the Burn-Register Underworld Official was so frightened that he hurried to report:
"This is terrible, Lord Yama! Old Mother Lishan, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and Guanyin Bodhisattva are all burning paper money for that old dragon of the Jing River!"
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