Interesting Journey to the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom (VIII)

However, Bajie's words contained a hint of boasting.

When the King of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom heard that he could catch thieves and eliminate evil, he hurriedly said:

"Honorable Holy Monk, that Hua Yunlong is a notorious bandit in our country, entrenched outside the city, injuring people and robbing them, causing great harm. Merchants passing by are all terrified of him! My country is small and weak, and even sending many Troops has not been enough to subdue him. We can only let him run rampant, which makes me extremely uneasy. If you, Holy Monk, can truly eliminate this bandit, I am willing to become your disciple and offer you the patronage of the entire nation!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong chuckled and said, "My master and I don't need your support. Just promise not to kill any more monks, exchange the travel documents, and let us out of the city. I, Old Sun, will naturally help you capture the Thieves, ensure the peace of your State Altars, and prolong your reign."

Upon hearing this, the King of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom quickly explained:

"Holy Monk, please forgive me. I killed a monk in the past because of his slander, and I vowed to kill ten thousand monks. Now I know I was wrong and will never kill monks again. Holy Monk, please look, all my civil and military officials have suffered divine retribution; overnight, they have all shaved their heads and become monks."

When Wukong and the others saw this, they couldn't help but laugh.

Bajie said, "You foolish King, don't you know this is a spell cast by my Elder Brother! Hurry up and beg him to return your hair!"

Upon hearing this, the King the Kingdom of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom realized that it was Wukong had broken into the Imperial Palace at night, used his Supernatural Ability to cut off his hair. Terrified, he immediately begged for mercy:

"So it was the work of the Holy Monk! I beg the Holy Monk to have mercy and return my hair!"

All the civil and military officials also knelt down to plead for mercy.

Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, let's return their hair."

Upon hearing this, Wukong blew a breath of Immortal Breath, causing everyone to grow hair.

The King the Kingdom of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom was overjoyed. He retrieved the Precious Seal, replaced the official documents, and ordered the Court of Imperial Entertainments to prepare a feast so that Tang Sanzang disciples could eat their fill and then go to capture the thief.

Wukong said, "Your Majesty, there's no rush to hold a banquet."

The King of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom asked, "Holy Monk, why is this? Why are you not eating Buddhist vegetarian meal?"

Bajie also asked, "Brother, what are you doing? Why aren't we eating the Buddhist vegetarian meal the King gave us?"

Wukong laughed and said, "Old Sun has his own ideas. This Buddhist vegetarian meal shouldn't be eaten here!"

Everyone was puzzled.

Bajie said to Tang Sanzang, "Master, look at this Monkey! Why isn't he eating his vegetarian Buddhist vegetarian meal? What mischief is he up to?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, why shouldn't we eat here?"

Wukong laughed and said, "As the saying goes, 'If you raise a child but don't teach him, it's the father's fault.' Last night I saw that Hua Yunlong's family owns some property. Let's go to his house for a meal and ask him about the situation. It might be good for us to deal with the thief!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang thought it made sense, so the four of them bid farewell to the King and headed out of the palace.

Fearing that Tang Sanzang and Tang Sanzang companions would escape, the King the Kingdom of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom ordered his general to send men to follow them after they left.

The four of them left the Palace, with Wukong leading the way towards Hua Yunlong's home.

At that time, Ao Tu opened the courtyard gate, and all the children came to study.

Ao Tu said, "There will be no writing instruction today. You all wait outside the door. We'll welcome the guests in shortly."

The children all agreed.

Ao Tu returned and saw Guanyin Bodhisattva holding a spindle, spinning thread.

When Guanyin Bodhisattva saw Ao Tu Ao Tu approaching, she glared at him and continued spinning thread.

Ao Tu said, "Old Woman, why are you angry with me again for no reason?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva put down the spindle and said, "Why am I angry with you for no reason? Before, I said I would cook more food, but you said it was too hot to leave it out, and that you would cook it just for me. I believed you. How could you forget that now?"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu laughed and said, "Good madam, it was my fault, please don't be angry. I'll go do it when the guests arrive. Here, let me help you spin thread."

Guanyin Bodhisattva said disdainfully, "Go away! Go away! It's not Cloth Shop; how many people do you need to come to spin thread?"

As they were talking, Tang Sanzang and his companions arrived at the door.

The children were all waiting outside; because they were young, they were making a lot of noise and it was hard to explain what was going on.

Some of the mischievous ones crowded around and started pulling at the Pig Bristles on Bajie's body.

Bajie, feeling itchy, laughed and said, "Where did all these children come from?"

Wukong said, "Go and call Old Man Hua out!"

Ao Tu had heard the commotion earlier and came out leaning on his cane, asking, "Who's here?"

Wukong asked, "Do you recognize us?"

Ao Tu looked him over and said, "Unfamiliar, I've never seen him before."

Wukong said, "Wasn't it the one who spoke to you in the cupboard at night?"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu suddenly realized and said, "You were the four merchants in the cabinet, how did you turn into four monks?"

Wukong said, "I'll tell you the reason inside later. Hurry up and invite us in!"

Ao Tu then dismissed the other children and invited Wukong and the others inside.

Upon entering, Tang Sanzang and his three companions took their seats in the guest section.

Guanyin Bodhisattva presented tea, fruit, and seeds.

Tang Sanzang exclaimed with delight, "So it's the old Bodhisattva who brought the news that day!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva exclaimed in surprise, "So it's you four monks! Why didn't you leave? What are you doing here in the city?"

Tang Sanzang then explained the Dragon Vein story.

Taking the opportunity, Wukong questioned, "Old man, old woman, what crime have you committed by indulging your son's evil deeds? Did your son rob us of this family fortune?"

Ao Tu quickly waved his hand and said, "No, no, Elder, you misunderstand. My family has some property from our ancestors, and our ancestors held the official position of Chief Administrator. We were originally a prominent family in the area. It was only because we had this rebellious son that we were afraid he would cause trouble. Therefore, we followed the example of our ancestors and moved several times before finally settling here."

Wukong said, "Tell me the whole story in detail, and don't hide anything from me!"

Ao Tu sighed, his eyes filled with worry, and said:

"Speaking of this treacherous son, it is really an injustice caused by me! I got this son in my old age, so I doted on him very much. It was okay when he was a child, but when he grew up, he would not listen to the rules and would become brothers with some unknown people in the market and not do his job properly. Losing the family business was the next best thing, but I was afraid that he would cause trouble outside and commit a big crime. Wrong. So my husband and I took him to move several times, praying to Buddhas and gods countless times, hoping that he could change his bad habits and live in peace. Unexpectedly, he broke the king's law after all and went to the mountain to become a thief, making us afraid all day long. This is not a son, it is clearly a disaster. I don't know what evil my old man did in his previous life, and this is his retribution."

Wukong said, "You old man, your son is doing evil, why don't you discipline him? What's the point of moving house?"

While eating fruit, Bajie said, "My Elder Brother is right, this child is disobedient and needs to be disciplined!"

Ao Tu said, "Where have I not disciplined him? But that unfilial son has somehow learned skills from a master and can wield knives, swords, spears, and clubs. My wife and I are both old and weak, how can we possibly control him?"

Wukong said, "You are his own parents, how dare he hit you?"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu burst into tears and said:

"It's more than just beatings! That unfilial son beats and verbally abuses us at the slightest provocation, and he even tried to kill me with a sword!"

Upon hearing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva couldn't help but shed tears, leaning against Ao Tu and weeping.

Upon seeing this, Wukong was furious, shouting, "What a beast! What use is a son like that? I, Old Sun, will go and kill him to settle this score!"

Ao Tu hurriedly said, "Elder, you mustn't go! My son is a fighter. If you anger him, he might beat you to death in a fit of rage!"