Interesting Journey to the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom (Sixteen)

When Wukong heard what the Patriarch Styx said, he instinctively wanted to refute him, but the reasoning he had prepared suddenly wouldn't come out. Wukong knew in his heart that Hua Yunlong's words were wrong, but he was unwilling to admit that they were wrong.

Wukong remained silent for a long time.

The Patriarch Styx said, "Minions, bring me my fine clothes, along with some good wine and food. After I've eaten, I'll go to the East Sea to borrow weapons!"

Upon hearing this, the bandits all brought over wine and food, trying to curry favor:

"Your Great King, we have long heard that the East Sea is rich in treasures. Could you perhaps borrow some of them for us as well?"

The Patriarch Styx said, "If I've already benefited, how could I possibly leave you out?"

The bandits were overjoyed upon hearing this.

After a long silence, Wukong finally spoke:

"Hua Yunlong, I, Old Sun, have already borrowed the best treasure from the East Sea. If you try to borrow another one, you'll only be able to get something of second-rate quality."

Upon hearing this, the Patriarch Styx said, "What should we do then? Should we go to the West Sea, the Southern Sea, and the North Sea to borrow them?"

Wukong said, "To be honest, Old Sun, borrowed a lot back then, from the West Sea, the Southern Sea, and the North Sea."

The Patriarch Styx said, "What a fine monk! I didn't realize you were on the same path as us before you became a monk. How come you only care about yourself and not about future generations? You've borrowed all the good things, what are we supposed to borrow?"

Wukong said, "I still know a few friends. If you let me go, I'll go borrow a suitable weapon for you."

The Patriarch Styx asked, "Monk, is what you're saying true?"

Wukong said, "Of course, but there's one condition: if you borrow the weapon, Old Sun must promise to abandon evil and do good."

The Patriarch Styx said, "Good! Men, untie him!"

The bandits then untied Wukong.

The Patriarch Styx said, "Monk, you have some skills, why become a monk? What's so good about eating vegetarian food and chanting scriptures? Wouldn't it be better to be Thieves with me?"

Wukong thought for a moment, then shook his head and smiled:

"Thieves? You have no idea! I, Old Sun, was at the pinnacle of thievery before becoming a monk!"

Upon hearing this, the thieves all laughed and said that Wukong was boasting.

Wukong offered no explanation and left.

On the way back, Wukong felt very conflicted.

He didn't want to help the Thieves; rather, the "old thief" didn't want to see the "young thief" repeat his mistakes.

But where can we borrow weapons?

Wukong couldn't help but think to himself, "This trip would have been easier if I had just encountered that Demon Dragon!"

Meanwhile, Ao Tu continued teaching at home.

Guanyin Bodhisattva went out to the market to buy vegetables.

Ao Tu's family originally grew some vegetables, but they couldn't keep up with the Expenses Tang Sanzang and his disciples, so they had to go out to buy some supplies.

Guanyin Bodhisattva went to the market, bought some vegetables, and on her way back, she happened to see a farmer selling two old chickens. Because they were old chickens and could not lay eggs, they were cheaper.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, being compassionate, bought the two old chickens, took them home, and raised them.

After finishing his lessons, Ao Tu returned from the front yard and saw two old chickens. He said to Guanyin Bodhisattva, "Old Woman, did you buy these two chickens?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "I just bought it."

Ao Tu said, "This chicken is too old. You and I are too old to eat the meat; we can only make soup."

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "I bought these two chickens because I saw that they had spent their whole lives laying eggs for people, but when they got old and could no longer lay eggs, they were sold cheaply in the market. They were very pitiful, so I bought them."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "These two chickens have spent their entire lives laying eggs for people and suffering endless hardships. Now they are finally about to enter the Reincarnation reincarnation and be liberated. Why are you still trying to stop them, Old Woman?"

Upon hearing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva glared at Ao Tu and said:

"What sophistry are you spouting now? Everything in the world, from birth to old age, sickness, and death, should follow the natural order. I'll feed these two chickens the vegetables they need and then release them into the field; their Life and Death in the hands of Heaven."

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu chuckled and stepped forward, taking the vegetable basket from Guanyin Bodhisattva's hands, saying, "Old Woman, you really shouldn't have done that!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva asked, "Why shouldn't it be like this?"

Ao Tu said, "You are kind-hearted, virtuous, and reasonable, how can you not surpass me? I have no other skills, except for diligence. Today, I will choose the vegetables and cook the meal!"

Upon hearing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva laughed and said, "You're good at saying such things."

Wukong had just returned and overheard their conversation. He paid no attention to anything about "following the way of nature," only listening to what Ao Tu said, and couldn't help but think to himself:

"That old man, he's good at coaxing his wife, but he doesn't know how to discipline his son. Old Sun, have to worry about him."

Then it descended from the clouds and said, "Master, I'm back!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu hurriedly said, "Old Woman, Elder Sun is back! I'll go see him!" He put down the vegetables and left.

Guanyin Bodhisattva shook her head with a helpless smile.

Wukong arrives in the hall.

Tang Sanzang, Bajie, Sha Wujing heard the noise and rushed over.

Tang Sanzang asked, "Wukong, how is it?"

Ao Tu also rushed over and asked, "Elder Sun, how is that rebellious son?"

Wukong helped Tang Sanzang sit down and said, "Master, don't be in a hurry, let Old Sun explain slowly."

Tang Sanzang sat down and asked, "Wukong, what exactly happened?"

Wukong said, "Master, Hua Yunlong robbed the goods not because he was greedy for money, but for another reason."

Ao Tu asked, "Why is that?"

Wukong then explained to the Patriarch Styx the reason for forging weapons and displaying his fame.

Tang Sanzang said, "I see."

Ao Tu said, "I originally thought that unfilial son robbed passersby because he felt the family didn't have enough money, but I didn't expect there to be such a reason. I, as his father, have been too negligent, allowing him to develop such a contemptuous attitude towards the Law and a competitive nature."

Wukong said, "His skills are quite remarkable, so wanting a suitable weapon isn't really a big deal. Old Sun, have already promised to lend him a weapon."

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu was greatly alarmed and quickly said:

"Elder Sun, you mustn't! That rebellious son is already lawless without a weapon. If you lend him a weapon, wouldn't that only embolden him? I'm asking you, Elder, to guide him to good, not to help him do evil!"

Wukong explained:

"Old man, you've misunderstood. Old Sun, have already made an agreement with him: once the weapons are borrowed, he will abandon evil and do good."

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu shook his head repeatedly and paced anxiously in the hall.

Bajie said, "Old man, your son has promised to abandon evil and do good, why aren't you happy?"

Ao Tu said with a worried expression, "Elders, you don't understand. I'm afraid Elder Sun will be deceived by my rebellious son! As the ancients said, 'Once you've got something, you'll want more; the appetite is insatiable!'"

Upon hearing this, Wukong, whose past memories had been stirred by the words of the Patriarch Styx, instinctively assumed he was being referred to, and said, "Old man, what are you saying? When did I, Old Sun, become greedy for more after getting what I wanted?"

Ao Tu quickly said:

"No! No! Elder Sun, I'm not talking about you. I'm saying that once that rebellious son gets the weapon, how can he let it go so easily? I'm afraid he'll commit even greater crimes!"

Hearing this, Wukong actually felt there was some truth to it, but he just wouldn't admit it, and said:

"Old man, don't look down on people! Your son has already promised to abandon evil and do good, how could he go back on his word? Let Old Sun, borrow the weapons!"