Interesting Journey to the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom (24)

On the Nineteenth Day of the Second Month, which was Miaoshan's Birthday, Ao Tu got up early to prepare a banquet.

Nezha was sleeping soundly when Ao Tu dragged him out of bed and ordered him to peel lotus root and slice it to make fried lotus root sandwiches.

Nezha, feeling drowsy, complained as he chopped:

"Heh, I wonder where you stole this lotus root from!"

Ao Tu asked, "How could it be stolen?"

Nezha said, "It's only February, the pond water is still cold, and the Lotus Flower haven't even bloomed yet. Where did you get the lotus roots? Didn't you steal them?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You slept so soundly last night. I noticed your hands and feet were so soft, so I plucked off a section of them. You didn't know that!"

Nezha scoffed and said:

"Do you think I'm a child? Trying to fool me with these words?"

Just then, Guanyin Bodhisattva came over, took a handful of Shiitake Mushroom, and soaked them in Clear Water.

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Old Woman, go back and rest. I'll prepare the feast today."

Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "I was afraid you wouldn't like what you made, so I came to take a look."

After a while, Bajie also got up and, seeing Ao Tu preparing a feast, came to help. Radish and washed Red Date, working with his right hand and stealing with his left; he chopped a pound and ate a pound.

Sha Wujing arrived and sifted rice, Tang Sanzang selected vegetables.

Ao Tu heated the pot, Nezha stuffed the lotus root slices with filling, Bajie shredded the Radish and blanched it, and rolled the dough to make Meatball Filling.

Ao Tu put in the oil, and just as the oil was hot enough to fry the food, he saw Wukong go to the Netherworld Realm and head towards the Blood Sea.

Ao Tu thought to himself: Could it be that someone gave him directions? Otherwise, why would this Monkey go directly to find him?

So he made an excuse and went out, arriving at the Blood Sea ahead of everyone else.

Sure enough, Wukong arrived shortly afterward.

Demon has reported this.

Ao Tu then led him in.

Wukong then entered, greeted him with a bow, and said with a smile, "Dragon Brother, it's been a long time! How have you been?"

Seeing that the Monkey didn't seem to be there to demand an explanation, Ao Tu, not knowing why, said, "Things have been fine lately. Since seizing the Blood Sea, I've been training my Troops and recruiting demon generals every day, waiting for our Troops to be fully prepared before attacking Spirit Mountain and taking Thunderclap Monastery."

Wukong laughed and said, "No need to worry. That Great Monk wants to move to the Eastern Lands. Once he leaves, Spirit Mountain will be ownerless."

Ao Tu said, "Even if the Great Monk wants to leave, the other monks may not all leave. Besides, we don't know where Ananda has been reincarnated. We need to train our Troops to deal with this situation."

Upon hearing this, Wukong said "That's true," and then pulled Ao Tu aside to chat about this and that for a long time.

Ao Tu said, "Great Sage Journey to the West, you are always busy with your journey to the West. What brings you here today? What important matter do you have to discuss?"

When Wukong saw Ao Tu asking him, he replied somewhat awkwardly:

"It is only because I wish to visit an Old Immortal, but alas, I have nothing of value and would be extremely impolite to go empty-handed. I have long heard that Dragon Brother possesses many treasures, so I humbly request that you bestow some Immortal Flowers and Exotic Fruits as a gift. I would be eternally grateful and never forget your kindness."

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu wondered who Wukong was going to ask for a favor. After thinking for a moment, he said, "I have three types of gifts here, all of which can be used to curry favor. Which one do you want?"

Wukong asked, "What are the three types of gifts?"

Ao Tu said, "I possess superior Spiritual Root, Fusang leaves, Bitter Bamboo, four kinds of Lotus Flower, third-grade Peach of Immortality of immortality, and nine-stage Golden Elixir elixir, which I can offer to the Three Pure Ones, the Four Imperial Sovereigns, Five Elders of the Five Directions."

Wukong exclaimed happily, "Good! Good! Good! I wonder what the remaining two categories are?"

Ao Tu said, "The less desirable items, such as Immortal Flowers and Exotic Fruits, Rare Treasures and Numinous Treasures, can be offered to the various Divine Kings and Heavenly Lords, which is not impolite."

Wukong asked, "What is the third tier?"

Ao Tu said, "For the third option, Great Sage, go outside and fetch a broken Shitou or a piece of rotten wood. I'll devise a method to Turning Stone into Gold and offer it to some monks or Lama to make them happy."

Wukong laughed and said, "I want the best one; I hope Dragon Brother will grant my wish."

Ao Tu said, "It's alright. I consider you a brother, and I'll always think of you first when I get something good. I have no intention of being reluctant to part with it. But there's one thing I need to explain beforehand."

Wukong said, "Dragon Brother, please speak!"

Ao Tu said, "These first-class treasures are all supreme treasures of Heaven and Earth, and should not be given lightly to anyone who does not possess great Supernatural Ability. Otherwise, they will not be able to bear the treasures and it may even be harmful."

Upon hearing this, Wukong thought for a moment. Although the first-class item was a supreme treasure, given the Patriarch's cultivation level, it wouldn't pose any obstacle. Therefore, he said, "Dragon Brother, rest assured, please take the first-class item!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu knew that they were going to invite the Patriarch Bodhi, so he took out two nine-thousand-year-old Peach of Immortality, packed them in a wooden box, and gave them to Wukong.

Upon seeing this, Wukong was overjoyed, thanked him repeatedly, and left with the Peach of Immortality.

A moment later, they returned to the old spot, which was. "Mount Lingtai Fangcun, Cave of the Slanting Moon and Three Stars."

Before the cave, one sees: a thousand ancient cypress trees, their green branches glistening in the rain; and ten thousand bamboo groves, their verdant hues shrouded in mist.

They approached and went away.

The Cave Gate was tightly closed, and it was quiet and deserted.

Wukong, carrying gifts, kowtowed outside the door and said:

"Patriarch, your disciple has entered!"

No one responded.

Wukong thought to himself, "The fact that the Patriarch didn't kick me out means he's letting me in." So he pushed open the door and went inside.

Layer upon layer of deep pavilions and magnificent buildings, Meditation Room residences, all deserted.

Wukong went straight inside and arrived at the Jade Terrace, the place where the Patriarch preached and expounded the Dharma, but it was empty and without a trace.

Wukong, recalling the past, felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. He gained clarity of Numinous Terrace and opened the wooden box, offering two Peach of Immortality upon it. He then prostrated himself, kowtowing countless times, and said:

"Master! Master! Your disciple is unfilial! I have not returned to visit you for over five hundred years since I left the mountain. Fortunately, I received guidance from a wise man and have been able to return. I beg your forgiveness, Master! I beg your forgiveness, Master!"

A moment later, a soft sigh came from the empty room, and someone said:

"Wukong, go! You've helped Buddhist Eastern Migration, which is a Merit for you. To overcome this calamity, you must still go into the Blood Sea."

Upon hearing this, Wukong was moved to tears and repeatedly knelt down in gratitude.

The Patriarch said, "Go! Go!"

Only then did Wukong reluctantly leave.

Upon returning to the Blood Sea, he met Ao Tu and said:

"Dragon Brother, you've kept this from me for so long! I heard you can even take Hua Yunlong under your wing!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu knew it must be Patriarch Bodhi's guidance, so he no longer concealed it and said with a smile, "I can subdue him. I have three methods: superior, middle, and inferior. Which one do you want?"

Wukong said, "You have three different methods! That makes you seem resourceful! Whichever one it is, just capture him!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "The best method is the easiest: to subdue people by force!"

Wukong asked, "How do you subdue people by force?"

Ao Tu said, "Go and fight him to lure him out. I'll take a Chaos Bell and strike him on the back of the head, knocking him down. That way, we'll capture him and suppress him beneath the Blood Sea. If he still disobeys, forge a Heart-Piercing Nail or something and pierce his heart. If he shows any rebellious intention, recite the incantation, and his heart will rupture, killing him. This is how you subdue someone by force!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong couldn't help but think of something and said:

"No! No! Subduing people by force won't win their hearts! Is there any other way?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Yes! Yes! There's a middle way: let him Recruitment and Pacification in the Blood Sea. If he wants to be a king, then let him be a king; if he wants to be a saint, then let him be a saint. This way, we can also keep him under control!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong shook his head repeatedly and said:

"This is not good either! Giving him whatever he wants will only encourage his arrogance! Hua Yunlong is not inherently evil, but if he is not restrained and allowed to become conceited, it will only harm him!"

Ao Tu shook his head and laughed, "In that case, there's only the third option! I have a scroll of Scripture here that can guide people to goodness. Great Sage, take this scripture and make copies for the people of the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom. This can help them resist Hua Yunlong and guide them towards goodness. It will just take a long time."

Wukong said, "A longer one is fine, I'll take this third grade."

Ao Tu then took out the combined Scripture Book of the three flags —the Southern Earth-Leaving Flame-Light Banner, the Northern Black Origin Water-Control Banner, and the Central Wuji Apricot Yellow Banner— and handed it to Wukong.