Deliverance in the Bhikshu Kingdom (V)

Meanwhile, Tang Sanzang and his disciples agreed to save the State Altars of the Bhikshu Kingdom.

The four stayed at the inn for a few days. During their free time, Tang Sanzang sought out the innkeeper to inquire about the Old King. The innkeeper, being an official, was extremely reluctant to discuss the matter and did not elaborate.

Tang Sanzang then sent Wukong out to investigate.

Because the Old King had specifically instructed him not to tell the people about this, Wukong could only probe indirectly, not daring to speak directly for fear that the people would report him if they found out. He asked many people, but couldn't get the truth out of them, only hearing that the Demon's reputation among the people was good.

Wukong then returned and told him what had happened.

Bajie said, "This is a Demon who knows how to govern a country!"

Sha Wujing said, "There are advantages to Demon ruling a country. They can Rainmaking when there is no rain and make wind when there is no wind, so they can govern well!"

Tang Sanzang said, "Bajie, Wujing, don't discuss the Monarch like this. We haven't seen the real one yet; let's see him first before we talk."

The two agreed.

Thus, Tang Sanzang and his disciples waited for another ten days or so. During this time, they sought out people to inquire about news from the Imperial Court, and Wukong even went to the palace storeroom to retrieve a portrait of the Old King as proof.

Meanwhile, Ao Tu was living in the Qinghua Manor, teaching the Little Crown Prince.

Ao Tu didn't teach him magic, only principles, which he then learned.

I do odd jobs on weekdays, which isn't considered hard work; I just have something to do every day.

In addition, he practices martial arts with the Demon every day. Because of his young age, his martial arts skills are not yet apparent. However, due to spending all his time with the monsters, his courage has grown considerably.

Before they knew it, it was the king's birthday.

In the Bhikshu Kingdom, every household hung colorful lanterns, tied red curtains, steamed date cakes, and displayed maltose, all in high spirits.

The ministers entered the palace early in the morning to present birthday gifts and await the King's banquet.

Tang Sanzang and his disciples, acting as foreign envoys, entered the palace together to offer birthday wishes to the King.

But after waiting for a long time, the King did not come.

It turned out that early this morning, the Deer Spirit had dressed up, ready to receive the ministers. He had also heard that a younger Imperial Younger Brother of the Great Tang Eastern Land was coming to the country, and knowing that he was Tang Sanzang and his disciples, he made thorough preparations.

However, the concubines in the Imperial Harem were all dressed neatly and each had their own allure, which aroused the Deer Spirit's lust. He then committed adultery with each of them, causing the affairs of state to be delayed.

Tang Sanzang and his disciples waited and waited, but they didn't come. Wukong and the others became restless, craning their necks and looking around.

Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, Bajie, Wujing, this is the main hall; you mustn't look around carelessly. If people see this, they'll say that our Great Tang has no manners."

Wukong laughed and said, "Master, I am from the Aolai Kingdom!"

Bajie laughed and said, "I am from the Wusizang Kingdom!"

Sha Wujing laughed and said, "Master, they each have their own nationalities. If people ask, we can just say they are from the Aolai Kingdom Wusizang Kingdom. It won't be a disgrace to the Great Tang Dynasty."

Tang Sanzang was helpless.

Wukong laughed and said, "Master, you don't know. I just noticed that all those officials are young, so I sent Bajie to look!"

Bajie said, "Yes! Yes! Many officials are young, they look no more than twenty or thirty years old."

Sha Wujing said, "Perhaps it's the rule of this country: the young serve as officials and judge cases, while the old do manual labor."

Tang Sanzang said, "Don't talk nonsense. Isn't that Old Chancellor in purple robes a person?"

The Old Chancellor seemed to have heard something, and even turned back to smile at Tang Sanzang.

The civil and military officials waited for a long time, until the Si Hour), when the Deer Spirit finally appeared.

Tang Sanzang didn't recognize him at first.

Because the Deer Spirit had only transformed to resemble the old king by six or seven parts, and was wearing Daoist Robe, looked much younger, and was much taller, he was completely unlike the Old King.

Until all the ministers shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

Only then did Tang Sanzang realize that the King had arrived.

Wukong whispered to Tang Sanzang, "Master, the demonic aura is very strong; it's definitely Demon!"

Tang Sanzang then understood the situation.

At this moment, all the ministers knelt down, except for Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

Upon seeing this, the officials all exclaimed, "How dare this Tang Dynasty monk not kneel before the emperor?"

Wukong was about to pierce the Demon's skin.

Tang Sanzang stopped Wukong and whispered, "Don't be in such a hurry, let me test the waters first."

The Deer Spirit asked, "I've heard that the King Tang's Imperial Younger Brother is coming to the country. Is that true?"

Tang Sanzang said, "This humble monk is indeed him."

The Deer Spirit said, "Since he is the King Tang's Imperial Younger Brother, there's no need for such formalities. Let's hold a banquet."

The Attendant Official then held a banquet in the palace.

The ministers moved aside.

At the banquet, there were countless delicacies, too many to describe.

Meat dishes include: Crystal Goose, Eight-Treasure Duck, White Bamboo Shoot Chicken, Roast Lamb, Bear Paw Ham, Young Pigeon, Dragon Fish Skin Stuffed Tofu, and Leopard Kidney, etc.

Vegetarian options include: Eight Treasures Vegetarian Duck, Spiced Melon and Eggplant, Yellow Frost Milk Cake, Rose Spring Rolls, Crystal Vermicelli, Longevity Cake, Yellow Millet and Jujube Cake, Walnut and Pine Nut Porridge, Steamed Chestnut Pastries, etc.

When Bajie saw this, he knew that he couldn't eat everything since he was about to fight the demon, so he quickly picked out the best pieces to eat.

Wukong said, "Idiot, slow down! This is the palace, be civilized!"

Bajie held up the plate, mumbling a reply, but his mouth never stopped moving.

Upon seeing this, the officials looked on with disdain and all said, "The Tang Dynasty monks are impolite!"

The Deer Spirit said, "Your Imperial Younger Brother the King Tang Emperor has come from afar and must be tired. There is no need for formalities." He then invited the officials to take their seats in order.

The Empress arrived late, looking haggard, and sat listlessly next to the Deer Spirit.

Wukong said, "That Yaoguai has caused a lot of harm. Look at this Empress, I wonder how much suffering she has endured!"

Sha Wujing nodded and said, "We'll expose this Demon's true colors in a moment, then protect the Empress. She'll be our witness!"

At this moment, a Eunuch announced the birthday gifts.

The officials' birthday gifts had already been presented. Now, the Eunuch selected the gifts with auspicious meanings and recited them aloud before the King to express the officials' loyalty and respect.

Among them, the Old Chancellor presented a scroll of Buddhist scriptures.

Upon hearing this, the Deer Spirit raised its cup in a toast.

The Old Chancellor rose and drank a cup, glancing at the Empress at the table with a worried expression.

Upon seeing this, Tang Sanzang asked from the side, "I heard that the Empress is the daughter of the Chancellor?"

The Old Chancellor said, "That's right."

Tang Sanzang tentatively asked, "The Chancellor's daughter seems somewhat haggard?"

The Old Chancellor said with a sigh, "To be honest, Your Imperial Younger Brother, the Empress is frail, a fact known to all in the court and the public. Therefore, she has been unable to bear Your Majesty an heir, which is a great worry to me."

Tang Sanzang nodded and said, "This is not the Empress's fault."

Upon hearing this, the Old Chancellor asked, "What is the reason for that?"

Tang Sanzang said, "The Chancellor will know shortly."

After a while, the Eunuch finished reading out the birthday gifts.

The Deer Spirit asked, "Why didn't you mention Tang Imperial Younger Brother's birthday gift?"

The Eunuch reported, "Your Majesty, Imperial Younger Brother Tang has not yet presented his birthday gift."

Upon hearing this, the officials all rebuked him, saying, "The Tang Dynasty monks are extremely rude! We have always heard that the Great Tang the Eastern Land is a land of etiquette, so why didn't they prepare birthday gifts?"

The Deer Spirit said, "My Imperial Younger Brother Tang is a monk, and it is understandable that he could not prepare a birthday gift since he has just arrived in our country. Officials, please do not be too harsh on him."

Tang Sanzang said, "Your Majesty, although I have not prepared a birthday gift, I do have another gift to offer."

The Deer Spirit asked, "What gift is it?"

Tang Sanzang took something out of his robes and said, "I have a birthday greeting to offer."

Upon seeing this, the Eunuch took the birthday scroll, examined the inscription, and was so frightened that he knelt down on the ground with a thud.

The Deer Spirit asked, "What kind of writing is this?"

The Eunuch said, "I dare not read it."

The Deer Spirit said, "Quickly recite it."

The Eunuch read in a trembling voice:

May this Merit adorn the Pure Land of Buddha.

To repay the fourfold kindness above, and to relieve the suffering of the three lower realms below.

May all who see or hear this awaken the Bodhi Mind.

May we, in this very lifetime, be reborn together in the Land of Ultimate Bliss.

May this Merit be dedicated to the king of the Bhikshu Kingdom, so that he may be freed from karmic obstacles and be reborn in a good realm.