Rescue the Bhikshu Kingdom (15)

Meanwhile, Tang Sanzang and his disciples took temporary refuge in the old man's house and inquired about Little Children City and the old man's son's hiding place.

The old man said, "Elder, you may not know this, but it happened many years ago. Back then, this place was called Bhikshu Kingdom, but it was later renamed Little Children City."

Tang Sanzang asked, "Then why change it?"

The old man said, "It's all because the King is tyrannical! Years ago, a Taoist presented a woman to the king. I heard she was incredibly beautiful, with a Guanyin like Guanyin. I've never seen her myself. I only know that the King, after obtaining her, favored her day and night. Before long, he deposed Three Palace Consorts and made that woman his Six Court Consorts Taoist as his Imperial Father-in-law. Later, he became Essence and Qi and his life hung in the balance. The Imperial Medical Bureau couldn't save him. The Imperial Father-in-law said he had an Overseas Immortal Prescriptions that could Longevity Extension, so he traveled to the Ten Isles and Three Islands to obtain Immortal Medicine, but it lacked one crucial ingredient."

Tang Sanzang asked, "What kind of medicinal ingredient is it?"

The old man said, "It requires the hearts of 1,111 children!"

The four travelers were utterly astonished!

The old man said, "At that time, every household received the king's order to raise the selected children in Goose Cages, waiting for the appointed time to cut out their hearts and livers, boil them into a soup, and administer it as medicine."

Tang Sanzang asked, "How could these parents bear to part with their children?"

The old man said, "Who could bear to do that! But the Royal Law is as firm as a mountain; disobeying will result in the execution of the entire family. Therefore, no one dares to discuss it, and they can only spread rumors in private, calling the Bhikshu Kingdom Little Children City, all because of this."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang couldn't help but shed tears, exclaiming, "Tyrant! Tyrant!"

The old man said, "Later, when the day came for the heart to be taken, every household held onto their Goose Cages, unwilling to let go, hoping for a final glimpse. At this time, the King realized his mistake, released the child, executed the Imperial Father-in-law, and used the Imperial Father-in-law -law's heart and liver as medicine, thus curing his illness. From then on, he ruled the country wisely, restored order to the three palaces and six courtyards of concubines, and everyone praised him. The rumors about the Little Children City then dissipated."

Wukong squatted on the chair and said, "Back then, the Imperial Father-in-law became emperor, transformed into the King's appearance, and executed the Old King. This monster devised a scheme to sow discord and steal the sky."

The old man said, "There's a rumor. It's said that the corpse that was executed transformed into the appearance of King a day later. He even appeared in many dreams afterward. But who can help that Tyrant? Everyone knows that the one sitting on the Throne is the king's Imperial Father-in-law, but if the Tyrant doesn't betray his people first, how can the people betray him? We ordinary people don't care about the Right and Wrong of the court; we only know that those with Dao Principles are close, and those Dao Principles are far. Monarch is a wise ruler. Monarch harms his people is a tyrannical Tyrant. Monarch kills his people is Demon Evil. Isn't that Tyrant Demon Evil? Later, the king bestowed Talisman protect the homes, and everyone received them, and then the dreams ceased."

Tang Sanzang sighed, "So that's why things happened back then."

The old man said, "The elders resurrected the Tyrant. That Tyrant claimed to be arresting traitors, but in Tyrant, he was arresting the children from back then. Fearing retaliation from the people for what happened back then, the ruler arrested and executed people of similar age. My child was the one in the Goose Cages back then. That's why I taught him to hide in the stove to avoid the search."

Tang Sanzang rose and bowed, saying, "This is my fault."

The old man, however, was reasonable. He helped Tang Sanzang up and said:

"The elder did not err in his exorcism, but he is a man of the Great Tang and is unaware of the affairs of our Bhikshu Kingdom. In the elder's eyes, the Imperial Father-in-law is Demon Evil. In our eyes, the King is Demon Evil."

Wukong said, "I've heard there's a new king outside the city. Why don't you escape?"

The old man said, "I heard about it. They're discussing how to escape. They've already braided a Hemp Rope, tied one end to a basket, and plan to find a low spot in the next couple of days so my son can climb over the wall first, then pull us two old folks over."

Wukong said, "No need to prepare anymore. Pack your things, and I'll see you out."

The old man was extremely grateful upon hearing this, so he told his Old Woman to pack their belongings, and the group arrived at the city wall at dawn.

The old man said, "Elder, the wall here is high and difficult to pass through; the north side is lower."

Wukong said, "It's alright, I'll go over first and pull you up."

As he spoke, Wukong leaped and landed on the city wall.

The old man and his family exclaimed in surprise, "This young elder, though small in stature, jumps incredibly high!"

Wukong took the Hemp Rope, tied one end to the basket, and lowered it down.

Bajie Sha Wujing put Tang Sanzang in a basket, Wukong pulled him up. They then used the same method to pull the old man and his family of three up as well, and then put them outside the city.

The group then managed to escape.

Tang Sanzang asked, "Wukong, the people are coming, what about the horse?"

Wukong laughed and said, "Master, don't worry." He whistled, and the White Dragon Horse leaped lightly over the city wall.

The old man and his family exclaimed in amazement, "Truly worthy of being a horse from the Great Tang! It's incredibly magnificent; this one is worth a thousand pieces of gold!"

The group traveled another seventy li south and arrived at Willow Grove Slope, where they sought refuge and lodging.

The four of them, master and disciples, entered Qinghua Manor.

When the people inside heard that Bimawen had arrived, they all rushed out to greet him, offering him fruit, sesame cakes, and steamed buns, exclaiming joyfully, "Grandpa Bimawen Wen is here! Grandpa Bimawen Wen is here!"

Wukong's face turned red and then pale with anger, and he said, "This must be that Demon Dragon playing tricks on me!"

Bajie accepted the bribe and laughed, "Brother, who cares what they call us? We got the benefits, that's for sure."

The four of them went inside and met Ao Tu.

Ao Tu arranged for the four people to stay.

Sha Wujing said, "I dare not stay long; I still need to Journey to the West."

Ao Tu said, "We can Journey to the West, but first you must return what you and your master owe us."

Sha Wujing said, "We, master and disciples, are all monks, and we have never borrowed any money from you. What do we owe you?"

Ao Tu said, "Although I owe you no money, you do owe my disciple a Throne!"

Sha Wujing exclaimed in surprise, "How can this be?"

Ao Tu said, "You have resurrected that Tyrant. He harms the people, and you do nothing about it. This is your crime. It is just like aiding and abetting the wicked in the past!"

Tang Sanzang sighed, "These words are very true; it is my fault. I do not know how to make amends."

Ao Tu said, "I had already made a deal with the Deer Spirit that in thirteen years, when my disciple grew up, I would pass the Throne to him and restore the State Altars. Now that you have resurrected the Old King, you must find a way to help my disciple become king, just as Jiang Shang did back then. This is also what the people wish for."

Tang Sanzang said, "I am willing to obey the Buddha's decree."

Tang Sanzang and his disciples then stayed at the Qinghua Manor, firstly to travel back and forth between the city to rescue the people who had been harmed by the Old King, and secondly to teach the Little Crown Prince.

Of course, it wasn't about teaching the Little Crown Prince to be a monk.

Tang Sanzang himself was a compassionate monk who set an example by doing compassionate things. When the Little Crown Prince saw this, he also developed a compassionate heart.

Sometimes, Wukong would teach the Little Crown Prince a few moves.

The Old Chancellor taught me the art of governance.

Ao Tu taught the principles of being a good person.

In truth, in terms of inner goodness, Ao Tu was not as kind as Tang Sanzang.

However, an emperor cannot be too benevolent, and Ao Tu's teachings were just right.

Three years passed in this way.

The Old King was cruel and inhumane, and many people fled to the Qinghua Manor to live, including some soldiers, officials, and merchants. Qinghua Manor now has nearly 100,000 people.

Demon and humans lived together, traded goods, and opened shops. Except for the lack of city walls, it had become Second Royal City.

The Old Chancellor passed away due to old age and illness.

There was nothing he could do; he was too old and had worked too hard, so he died of old age.

The Little Crown Prince experienced another Life and Death separation, but it was much better than the last time.