A Wrong Turn into Pansi Cave (Thirty-Four)

Now, Taishang Laojun explained the origin of the Black Lotus.

Upon hearing this, Kasyapa was bewildered and uneasy, unsure of what to say, and even more so, he dared not refute the Dao Ancestor.

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor laughed and said, "So that's how it came to be. Although the Black Lotus is an evil of the Western Heaven, it cannot be allowed to run rampant. I order the Three Stars of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity to the Lower Realm the Three Stars realm to subdue evil, the Sixteen Thunder Generals of the Thunder Department Thunder Generals slay the demon, Heavenly Stems and Earthly Fiends of the Dipper Department to exert their power."

The gods accepted the command.

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor then said, "Taibai Jinxing."

Taibai Jinxing replied, "Your subject is here."

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor said, "You will accompany Heavenly King Li to the Lower Realm to vanquish the demons and safeguard the greater good."

Taibai Jinxing replied, "This old minister understands."

Upon hearing this, Heavenly King Li assumed that the Jade Emperor intended to have Taibai Jinxing succeed him, and he immediately became anxious, quickly saying, "Your Majesty, although I appear disheveled, my injuries are minor and nothing serious!"

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor smiled and said, "Since that's the case, my dear minister, you should be even more careful."

Taibai Jinxing said, "Heavenly King, there is no time to lose. Let us quickly receive the decree and descend to the Lower Realm."

Heavenly King Li had no choice but to accept the imperial decree.

The gods then descended to the Lower Realm.

On the way, Heavenly King Li asked Taibai Jinxing, "Old Star, do you know the art of troop deployment?"

Taibai Jinxing laughed and said, "I don't understand! I don't understand!"

Heavenly King Li, "Old Star, you are a senior official of the Imperial Court. You should know that this matter of conquest is of great importance and should not be taken lightly!"

Taibai Jinxing laughed and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will never interfere with your military campaigns."

Heavenly King Li was delighted to hear this and felt relieved.

Before long, they arrived at Yellow Flower Temple.

Heavenly King Li deployed various Divine General to attack the demon mountain.

Taibai Jinxing, as expected, did not interfere at all.

The heavenly drums sound, and the gods demonstrate their power.

Ao Tu came out upon hearing the sound, and sat down on the Black Lotus, which emitted Auspicious Light.

Beside him stood the Guardian Third Prince Nezha, riding on Wind Fire Wheels, Universe-Splitting Silk a magical ribbon), wielding Demon-Slaying Sword in his left hand and the Universe Ring in his right.

Behind him were eighteen Heavenly Lords Divine General and Divine Generals of the Thunder Department, Star Lodges Star Lords of the Dipper Department, Fire Department True God, and four Righteous Gods of the Water Department.

Heavenly King Li was furious and said:

"Demon Dragon, you dare to use evil things to bewitch the righteous gods of Heavenly Court! Your crime is unforgivable!"

Ao Tu said, "Heavenly King Li, I come from the Buddhist Sect. This dispute is a private matter within the Buddhist Sect. Who are you to interfere in my affairs?"

Heavenly King Li, "The Tathagata Buddha sent Venerable Kasyapa to the Heavenly Court, saying that you claimed you wanted the Buddha to relinquish Spirit Mountain and reside in the Eastern Lands. Is this true?"

Ao Tu said, "So what if there is? There's a saying: 'Religion has minor sects and major sects.' Now I'm establishing a new sect, asking the Buddha to move out of Spirit Mountain and let me live there. What's wrong with that?"

Heavenly King Li, "You wicked beast! The Tathagata Buddha endured Infinite Kalpas before Attainment of the Dao under the Bodhi Tree and achieving Right Fruit! You wicked beast, you are not even as old as my son, what ability do you have to dare to presume to occupy the throne?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "If we're talking about age, Sun Wukong was born of heaven and earth, and he has had a spirit since Heaven and Earth beginning of time. Why not make him Buddha?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong couldn't help but laugh. Taibai Jinxing and Kasyapa turned to look, and Wukong quickly covered his monkey mouth.

Ao Tu continued, "Now that I have the assistance of the righteous gods of Heavenly Court, who in the Three Realms can subdue me? The land of Spirit Mountain is also under the rule of the Jade Emperor. What's wrong with me leading the gods to occupy it?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Nezha, standing beside Ao Tu, declared, "I am Nezha, the Third Lotus Prince of the Heavenly Realm! Who dares to challenge me?"

The Gods of the Thunder Department beside Ao Tu said, "We are the righteous gods of the Thunder Department of the Heavenly Realm, patrolling the Three Realms, punishing evil and eliminating wickedness. Who dares to cause trouble?"

The gods of the Dipper Department beside Ao Tu said, "We are the righteous gods of the Dipper Department of the Heavenly Realm, in charge of the Stars of the Celestial Cycle in the Heaven and governing the fortunes and misfortunes of humankind. Who dares to defy us?"

The Gods of the Fire Department beside Ao Tu said, "We are the Fire Department True God the Heavenly Realm Fire Department, in charge of the fire virtue of the Three Realms, refining all things. Who dares to offend us?"

The Gods of the Water Department surrounding Ao Tu said, "We are the righteous Water Department deities of the Heavenly Realm, in charge of the water virtues of the Three Realms. Who dares to disobey us in the face of floods and droughts?"

Upon hearing this, Heavenly King Li's Divine Eye widened, and he said, "The Demon Dragon is rampant; all the gods shall slay it!" After he finished speaking, the Divine Drum resounded, the command flags were raised high, and the gods charged out.

Seeing this, Ao Tu gave a command, and all the gods came out.

The gods of Heavenly Court clashed with each other, swords clashing, their strength evenly matched.

Ao Tu sat upon the Black Lotus, his Treasure Appearance solemn and dignified, chanting scriptures. The Black Lotus shone with auspicious True Scriptures, Auspicious Light the gods and leaving a Black Lotus mark on them.

In an instant, the gods turned against them.

Ao Tu said, "Guardian Nezha! I command you to be the Vanguard and capture Heavenly King Li alive!"

Nezha replied, "Yes!" With that, he kicked off his Wind Fire Wheels and soared into the Heaven.

Heavenly King Li was terrified and turned to flee.

Nezha kicked out, striking Heavenly King Li Heavenly King Li directly on the back, sending him flying. He then drew his sword and attacked.

Heavenly King Li was terrified.

Fortunately, at the crucial moment, Taibai Jinxing flicked his Fly-Whisk, entangled Nezha, and threw him off the cloud.

Heavenly King Li finally caught his breath, but he was still shaken.

Taibai Jinxing said, "All generals, listen to my command! Cease fighting and retreat immediately!"

Heavenly King Li, "Old Star, you mustn't! You don't understand military strategy. The two armies are already at war; how can we retreat so easily?"

Taibai Jinxing grabbed Heavenly King Li's arm and said, "I am acting on His Majesty's orders. Obey my command immediately and do not hesitate."

Upon hearing this, those gods who had not consulted with Ao Tu beforehand and did not have the Black Lotus Mark at this time all obeyed the order and retreated.

Seeing this, Heavenly King Li knew things were going badly. Taibai Jinxing didn't understand military strategy. If the Demon Dragon led his followers to pursue them now, all the gods would surely be wiped out.

Heavenly King Li hurriedly tried to break free from Taibai Jinxing's grasp, but the old man was incredibly strong, and he couldn't break free no matter what he did. In the end, he could only let Taibai Jinxing drag him away from the battlefield.

Fortunately, the Demon Dragon was foolish and ignorant of military strategy; even after a great victory, it did not send anyone to pursue them. By a twist of fate, the gods were able to survive.

Thus, the gods suffered a crushing defeat and retreated.

Kasyapa lamented, "The Demon Dragon is so ferocious, disregarding His Majesty the Jade Emperor. What should we do?"

Heavenly King Li said, "Your Venerable, do not worry. I will go to Heaven again to request troops from His Majesty!"

Kasyapa was delighted and said, "Then I will have to trouble the Heavenly King greatly."

Heavenly King Li, "Exorcising demons is my duty; there's no need to trouble myself!"

Taibai Jinxing then intervened, saying, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, it is not appropriate to request troops from His Majesty again."

Kasyapa asked, "Old angel, why do you say that?"

Taibai Jinxing said, "There are three inconveniences. First, that Demon Dragon is of the Buddhist Sect origin, and this matter is a private Buddhist Sect affair; second, our Heavenly Realm has always governed by virtue, and forceful conquest is a poor strategy; third, the Heavenly King's son is currently in the Demon Dragon's hands. If we anger the Demon Dragon, wouldn't it be a repeat of the Heavenly King's past suffering of separation from his son?"

Heavenly King Li, "My son is loyal to His Majesty, what is there to fear in dying in battle?"

Taibai Jinxing said, "The Heavenly King's family is admirable for their loyalty, but if the lives of the Third Prince and the gods are ruined because of this, wouldn't that be putting Buddha in an unjust position?"

Heavenly King Li then realized that the lives of all the gods were in the hands of the Demon Dragon, and he couldn't act rashly. He quickly said, "Old Star, what do you think we should do?"

Taibai Jinxing said, "The one who tied the bell must untie it!" He then said to Kasyapa, "Please, Venerable, report this matter to the Buddha and ask for Buddha judgment."

Kasyapa had no choice but to agree and headed Western Heaven.

After a long time, they arrived at the Great Thunderclap Temple.

The Buddha was still preaching to the the Monks.

The Monks had differing opinions and were vaguely divided into two factions.

Kasyapa entered and Tathagata all that he had encountered to the Tathagata.

Tathagata hearing this, the Buddha said:

"Mahakasyapa, go and put away my nine-tiered golden lotus platform; Dipankara Buddha, go and take the eight-treasure merit pool; Maitreya Bodhisattva, move the Bodhi tree away. Eight classes of heavenly dragons, go and carry away the gold, silver, lapis lazuli, glass, giant clam shell, red pearl, and agate offered from the foot of the mountain; Arhat who subdues dragons, you have the ability to subdue dragons, lead the Arhats to carry away the incense oil; the rest of the monks and monastics, put the prayer cushions, jeweled curtains, lamps, candles, offering tables, etc., into the boxes in order."