Rescue the Bhikshu Kingdom (Twelve)

Meanwhile, Wukong and Bajie entered Qinghua Manor.

Along the way, we encountered all sorts of Demon. Because we had interacted with them so many times, we had become familiar with some of them and would greet each other when we met.

After passing through three doors and entering, you'll find a study.

But then a familiar voice came from inside; it was Ao Tu speaking, saying:

"An ancient book says: 'Without bias or favoritism, follow the king's righteousness; without doing good, follow the king's way; without doing evil, follow the king's path. Without bias or partisanship, the king's way is vast and boundless; without partisanship or bias, the king's way is level and even; without rebellion or deviation, the king's way is upright and just. Reach its ultimate point, return to its ultimate point.'"

Upon hearing this, Wukong walked in and said with a smile, "Dragon Brother, when did you become a teacher?"

Upon seeing it, the Little Crown Prince exclaimed in surprise, "What a huge Monkey!"

Upon hearing the word "big," Wukong exclaimed with delight, "Whose child is this? Their words are very pleasant to hear!"

Ao Tu said, "Disciple, ignore this Monkey. Is there anything you don't understand about what I just said?"

The Little Crown Prince straightened his expression and asked:

"Master, what did you mean by 'respecting the king'? Did you mean the previous Monarch?"

Ao Tu said, "No. In ancient times, there was a man named Yu, who was Mortal. Because of his Youde in controlling the floods, he was revered as King Yu. It can be seen that a king is Mortal who becomes a king because of his Youde. To follow the king means to follow those Youde actions."

The Little Crown Prince nodded and said, "This disciple understands."

Ao Tu then turned to Wukong and asked, "Monkey, what do you want with me?"

Wukong said, "I've come to tell you!"

Ao Tu said, "If there's a lawsuit, let's keep my apprentice in the dark for now. He's too young to hear such Filth things."

Wukong laughed and said, "You, as the master, at least know to do bad things behind your disciple's back, but why don't you control your own subordinates? Oh well, don't frighten this child."

Ao Tu then let the Little Crown Prince go out and play by himself.

After the Little Crown Prince left, Wukong spoke to Ao Tu:

"I've come here today to accuse you of the crime of condoning your Demon subordinates to seize kingdoms, plunder State Altars, and defile Another Man's Wife!"

Ao Tu asked, "Is it because of that Deer Spirit?"

Wukong said, "Yes, so you already knew. How could you allow him to do evil?"

Ao Tu said, "After leaving Lion Camel Ridge and arriving here, I discovered this Blessed Land Cave Heaven, a secluded place, so I occupied it and led my demons to rest here. Later, I learned that this was originally the dwelling place of that Deer Spirit, but because he occupied the Throne, he no longer came to live here, so I took him under my command."

Wukong said, "I see. But you shouldn't have protected that Demon; you should have brought that Yaoguai to justice!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "I've heard that you have some skill in bringing that Old King back to life?"

Wukong laughed and said, "Old Sun still has some connections after all these years!"

Ao Tu said, "Come with me."

Wukong asked, "Where are you going?"

Ao Tu said, "You'll know when you get here."

Ao Tu walked outside.

Wukong followed behind Ao Tu.

Ao Tu stepped out of the cave and stood on a cloud, looking towards the city of Bhikkhu, and asked, "Monkey, do you see any dragon aura in that city?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong looked over. He hadn't noticed it before, but now, seeing it, he was immediately shocked. He had clearly helped the True King restore the State Altars, so why was there not a trace of Dragon Qi or Purple Qi in the city?

Wukong exclaimed, "This shouldn't be! This shouldn't be!"

Ao Tu said, "Yu Youde in controlling the floods, Nine Provinces paid tribute with gold, which was used to forge Nine Cauldrons. Xia Jie lost his virtue, the tripods fell into the hands of Shang; when Shang lost its virtue, the tripods fell into the hands of Zhou."

Wukong said, "You mean...?"

Ao Tu Wukong back, and on the way they encountered the Little Crown Prince playing with several Demon, so he asked Wukong to go and see him.

Wukong's Golden Eyes immediately saw Purple Qi rising, a sign of Royal Qi.

Ao Tu said, "That Deer Spirit's occupation of the country was his fault. I will not show favoritism and will certainly find its master to discipline it and prevent it from committing evil again. But that Old King also lost virtue among the people, causing the world to lose its loyalty and the Dragon Qi to dissipate, which is why he lost his throne. Otherwise, why don't we see any Demon trying to seize the King Tang's throne? That child is his great-grandson by blood. I originally intended to teach him to adulthood and restore the State Altars. But you have resurrected that Old King. Now, what should be done depends on you and your disciple."

Upon hearing this, Wukong was at a loss for what to do, so he had no choice but to return with Bajie and tell Tang Sanzang about it.

After hearing this, Tang Sanzang had no choice but to think for a moment and say:

"That Old King was bewitched by the Demon and committed a wrong. Now that the Demon has been subdued, perhaps he can become a wise and virtuous Monarch?"

Sha Wujing said, "Yes! Yes!"

Wukong didn't say anything upon hearing this.

After some time, the Old King learned that Wukong had returned and sent someone to ask if the Demon had been subdued.

Wukong said, "We have found its master; it can no longer go out to do evil."

Upon hearing this, the Old King was relieved and revealed to the public the affair of his Imperial Father-in-law. He then ascended the throne again and ordered the execution of the Old Chancellor and over a hundred officials, as well as the concubines in the Imperial Harem. Knowing what he had done in the past, the Old King feared retaliation from the children whose hearts he had once threatened to have ripped out. Therefore, he preemptively ordered his Imperial Guards to conduct a large-scale search for people of similar age in the city.

As expected, the government's decree sparked widespread public discontent.

Firstly, the memory of the Old King's attempt decades ago to use the hearts of a thousand children as a medicinal ingredient remains vivid. The people have long harbored suspicions, and now that the Old King has returned to the Throne, no one recognizes him.

Secondly, the Old Chancellor and more than a hundred officials had a deep-rooted political foundation built up over decades. The Old King's large-scale killings naturally attracted many opponents.

Thirdly, other officials were also fearful, afraid of being punished later.

Fourthly, most of the children who were once supposed to have their hearts ripped out are now in their twenties or thirties, and the Imperial Guards cannot recognize them, resulting in many wrongful arrests. The livelihoods of many ordinary families depend on this, and once they are captured, their livelihoods are cut off.

For a time, everyone felt insecure, fearful, and angry.

The once bustling Royal City was instantly transformed into a place where every household shut its doors, and no one dared to go out on the streets. Only the Imperial Guards guards searched house to house, and every time they pulled out a young man, a family would wail and cry in despair.

Upon seeing this scene, Tang Sanzang was filled with remorse and could not help but shed tears of sorrow.

Bajie said, "Master, why are you meddling in this? We've retrieved our luggage and left. What business is it of ours if he harms his people and destroys his State Altars? Aren't you just bringing someone else's coffin home to cry about? Besides, with public resentment boiling over, someone will punish him. If all else fails, in twenty years, when that Little Crown Prince grows up, he'll reclaim the throne!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was unwilling to leave and said:

"If it weren't for me, a monk, how could so many people have been implicated, imprisoned, and lost their lives? As a monk, one must first have compassion. You and I, master and disciple, suffered greatly in Prisons before. How can we bear to watch so many people die in prison now? They are all young people with parents and children. If they die, how will their families live?"

Bajie said, "Then what should we do? The matter is settled, are we going to ask our Elder Brother to bring that Demon back again?"

Tang Sanzang said, "I wish to go to the King and persuade him with Buddhist Dharma teachings to forgive the people and issue a pardon. However, I fear he might be punished for his words, and how should I deal with that?"

Wukong said, "Master, don't be afraid. Go see that Tyrant. If you can truly persuade him to repent, that will be good. If you can't, I'll conjure up a wind to rescue these people from the city."

Tang Sanzang exclaimed joyfully, "Good disciple! Good disciple! Your master is off!"