A Wrong Turn into Pansi Cave (Thirty-three)

However, Tathagata Buddha preached, the the Monks had mixed reactions.

Those with Wisdom, such as Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, and other Bodhisattva Arhat, have already understood this in their hearts.

Some were foolish, such as Nagarjuna Bodhisattva, Chandrakirti Bodhisattva, and the Gandhahastin Bodhisattva Bodhisattva Arhat, who did not understand.

Some know the truth but pretend not to, such as Medicine Buddha of Lapis Lazuli Light, Randeng Ancient Buddha, and Maitreya Buddha.

Some of them knew this in their hearts, but their faces showed anger, such as Vipashyin Buddha, Sikhin Buddha, and Mahakala Bodhisattva.

Some are aware of it in their hearts but are completely indifferent, like the Mahamayuri Bodhisattva.

They cannot understand anything and cannot even sit still, such as the Asura.

Under these circumstances, Wukong was summoned to the palace.

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Wukong, what brings you here, making a ruckus outside the hall?"

Wukong rubbed his eyes and said, "Buddha, Kasyapa is making a false accusation. I was sleeping outside and didn't make a sound."

The Tathagata Buddha looked around and reprimanded the the Monks:

"Your mouth has not uttered any noise, yet your mind is in turmoil, truly disturbing the Vulture Peak Pure Land."

Upon hearing this, Wukong was unsure whether the Buddha was referring to him or the the Monks, and could only reply:

"What Buddha says is true, but I do have urgent news to report. That Demon Dragon Ao Tu has captured my master, claiming he wants to challenge the Buddhist sect. He has said that if Buddha cannot defeat him, he will ask Buddha to reside in the Eastern Lands and give up Spirit Mountain to him."

Upon hearing this, all the the Monks were enraged and shouted, "How dare you!"

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Do not be impatient or agitated."

The Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva said, "World-Honored One, this Demon Dragon is spouting wild words and insulting our teachings; it should be annihilated immediately!"

All the the Monks echoed his sentiments.

The Tathagata Buddha said, "That Demon Dragon was originally one of my Bell Keeper, and I know his abilities. He dares to make such a statement, so he must have something to rely on. Wukong, do you know what that Demon Dragon is relying on?"

Wukong asked, "The Demon Dragon has Formation, but I don't know what it is."

The Tathagata Buddha nodded and said, "Let me use my Wisdom Eye to observe and identify the Formation."

Having said that, the Tathagata Buddha his Wisdom Eye and looked upon the land of Pansi Ridge.

At that time, Ao Tu had not yet set up the formation. The Formation Diagram was kept in his hand, and the Formation Flag were not revealed. Naturally, the Tathagata Buddha could not see a trace of it.

A moment later, the Tathagata Buddha withdrew his Wisdom Eye.

Manjushri Bodhisattva asked, "Buddha, can you see what kind of Formation it is?"

The Tathagata Buddha said, "I see it. That is a place of great misfortune. The Formation there is based on Primordial Heaven principles, and it happens to be the place where the Golden Crow fell and where the Black Lotus was born. Immortals who encounter it perish, and even Buddha are harmed when they step on it. You must not underestimate it!"

Upon hearing this, the Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva rose from his Lotus Throne and said, "World-Honored One, what power does a mere little Demon Dragon possess? How dare it speak so arrogantly, insulting my Great Sect and showing contempt for the World-Honored One! How can we allow this to continue? It should be executed immediately!"

Many Bodhisattva Arhat also echoed this sentiment.

The Tathagata Buddha shook his head and said:

"Without knowing the details, we must not act rashly. The Dao Wound suffered by Maitreya Bodhisattva were caused by the Demon Dragon, and his Original Form has not been able to return to this day. You should all keep this in mind."

Upon hearing this, Maitreya Buddha, unconcerned about losing face in front of the the Monks, chuckled and said, "What the Buddha says is quite right."

Upon hearing this, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva could only bow his head and say to the other Bodhisattva Arhat, "We will humbly follow the World-Honored One's teachings."

The Tathagata Buddha said, "The Western Spirit Mountain, Mount Ling, is under the jurisdiction of the Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor. Mahākāśyapa, you will accompany Wukong to the Heavenly Realm to pay homage to the Jade Emperor, explain the situation, and request that Jade Emperor send troops to assist in ascertaining the truth."

Kasyapa, upon hearing this, went off with Wukong to accept the order.

Upon exiting the Precious Hall, the two rose into the clouds.

However, Wukong's clouds were thick and solid, while Kasyapa's clouds were scattered and ethereal.

Kasyapa said, "Sun Wukong, give me a ride."

Wukong said, "You have the ability to fly, why do you need me to guide you?"

Kasyapa said, "Back in the Western Liang Women's Kingdom, I exhausted my cultivation to save you, and I have not yet fully recovered. If you do not take me with you, my slow movement will delay the task entrusted to me by the Buddha. Can you bear the responsibility for that?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong sneered, "What do you mean by saving me? If you hadn't been so reckless and caused trouble back then, none of this would have happened."

Kasyapa angrily retorted, "Sun Wukong, you! This is a task ordered by the Buddha; how dare you disobey?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong's eyes darted around, and he laughed:

"Very well! Step firmly on the clouds beneath my feet, and I'll take you there."

Kasyapa, upon hearing this, stood on Wukong's Somersault Cloud and said, "Alright," urging Wukong to continue on his way.

Wukong then rose into the clouds, moving slowly.

After walking for a while, Kasyapa couldn't help but say, "Why are you so slow?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong laughed and said, "Since you think it's too slow, I'll give you something faster!"

After saying this, Wukong Somersault Cloud and arrived at the South Heaven Gate in an instant. Looking back, he could no longer see Kasyapa; he had long since lost his footing and fallen down.

Wukong was playing rock-paper-scissors with Heavenly King Guangmu at the South Heaven Gate, winning against many Sleepy Bug. It was quite a while before Kasyapa finally arrived, looking disheveled.

"Sun Wukong, how dare you play tricks on me! When I see the Buddha, I will surely bring you to justice!"

Wukong said, "Sue me? You're the one whose legs are weak and you can't stand steadily, so who's to blame? I'm going to sue you for delaying the Buddha's decree's orders!"

Upon hearing this, Kasyapa remembered the Buddha's decree and, disregarding his anger towards Wukong, hurriedly sought an audience with the Jade Emperor.

After a while, the Jade Emperor summoned the two to the palace.

Kasyapa then went up to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall with Wukong.

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor asked, "What brings you here?"

Kasyapa said, "Your Majesty, there was once a Bell Keeper dragon under the Tathagata Buddha's seat. Because it missed the appointed time, fearing punishment, it descended to the mortal realm to obstruct the Journey to the West to the Lower Realm, defying the will of Heaven and committing a grave offense. The Buddha successively dispatched Eighteen Arhats, Guanyin Bodhisattva, Manjushri Bodhisattva, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva Mahamayuri Bodhisattva, Maitreya Buddha to subdue it, but the Demon Dragon was ferocious and all attempts failed. Now the Demon Dragon has set up an array at Pansi Ridge, claiming that it wants the Buddha to move to the Eastern Lands and give up Spirit Mountain to reside there. The matter is urgent, and the Buddha has instructed us to request Your Majesty to send troops to assist us."

Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor laughed and said, "So that's what it was about. Heavenly King Li has requested help from the Lower Realm several times, and has successively led the four Divine General of water, fire, thunder, and war to set up a Lower Realm Subduing Demons to subdue the demon. Now we only await his triumphant return."

Just then, a Divine Official entered the hall and said, "Your Majesty, Heavenly King Li requests an audience."

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor said, "He must have returned in triumph. Summon him in."

Soon, Heavenly King Li, his left hand charred black, his right hand blistered, his left leg soaked in water, and his right leg mangled, staggered into the hall in a sorry state.

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor exclaimed in surprise, "Why do you look like this? Have the Four Divine General failed to defeat the Demon Dragon?"

Heavenly King Li Earthly Way, "Your Majesty, this sinful subject pays respects. Your Majesty, it is not that the Four Divine General were unable to resist the Demon Dragon, but rather that the Demon Dragon possesses a Black Lotus that can bewitch minds. All the gods have been bewitched by it, disregarding kinship and turning against each other to severely punish this sinful subject!"

Upon hearing this, the Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor and the assembled immortals asked:

"Do any of you Immortal Household know what kind of treasure that Black Lotus is, that it can bewitch people's minds and cause Immortal Household to turn against them?"

Taishang Laojun said, "Your Majesty, this old Daoist knows."

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor smiled and said, "Please speak!"

Taishang Laojun said, "That Black Lotus originated in the Western Heaven. Tracing its origins, it comes from the land of the Western Heaven, and it was born out of evil. Therefore, it can restrain all laws and control people's hearts."