Tears Shed on Hidden Mist Mountain (Twelve)

Now, let's talk about Tang Sanzang's teachings.

After listening to this, Wukong and Bajie thought about it and felt that it made some sense, so they gave up their idea of stealing the tree.

Ao Tu saw this from outside, shook his head helplessly, and thought to himself that Tang Sanzang and his disciples had indeed made progress and the old methods were no longer effective. So he put away the golden key and went back to his room to sleep.

The next day, there was some noise outside the cave.

When Tang Sanzang and his disciples awoke, they went outside to investigate and found a large crowd of people kneeling and worshipping outside the cave. The crowd was so dense that the White Dragon Horse was almost pushed down the slope.

The four, master and disciples, were puzzled, so they went to ask Ao Tu.

Ao Tu said, "I have set up this altar here to preach and recruit disciples. These are all people from nearby villages and towns who have come to listen to my sermons. Yesterday, I misunderstood you. I didn't expect that although you monks look ugly, your hearts are good. You did not steal my precious tree last night."

Wukong said, "What nonsense! We are all good monks, we would never steal!"

Ao Tu said, "Since that's the case, if you're not in a hurry today, please stay in my cave for half a day. I'll get some food at noon for your journey."

Bajie was overjoyed upon hearing this and said to Tang Sanzang, "Master, let's stay a while. The Daoist priest said he'll bring us a Buddhist vegetarian meal!"

Tang Sanzang clasped his hands in a gesture of polite refusal, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Daoist Master, but this humble monk must continue his journey Journey Westward and dare not linger any longer."

Ao Tu said, "It won't hinder our journey. It's hot in the morning, so stay in my cave for a while and wait until the sun goes down before continuing. That way, we can walk faster."

Bajie advised, "Master, the Daoist priest is right. Besides, we didn't feed the horse yesterday, so it's hungry and can't walk. Let me go cut some grass to feed it, and then we can continue our journey after sunset!"

Tang Sanzang himself was also a little hungry, and after hearing this, he thought it made sense, so he agreed.

So Bajie went outside and gathered some hay to feed the horse.

When the people saw Bajie's appearance, they couldn't help but gasp and stare in surprise, creating a chaotic scene.

Upon seeing this, Tang Sanzang quickly instructed Bajie to keep his mouth shut, and to return quickly after gathering the fodder, so as not to disturb the people.

Bajie then quickly returned to the cave.

Ao Tu then preached in the cave for two hours. Seeing that the Sun outside was getting stronger, he stopped and distributed Tribute Rice to the people.

Among those people were elderly people who could not eat rice with bran, so Ao Tu shook his banner and released a few little Demon, ordering them to grind rice and flour.

Because there are so many people who want to hear the sermon, it is impossible to teach them all; we can only start with the elderly.

After a while, at noon, the people dared not disturb them any longer, bowed in thanks, and left.

Ao Tu stopped one of the woodcutters and asked:

"Your elderly mother is at home, why don't you come and grind some rice and flour to take home?"

The woodcutter said, "Virtuous Daoist Master, although my elderly mother is old, I still have the strength to grind rice and flour, so I dare not trouble you."

Ao Tu nodded approvingly and said, "Although you lack understanding, you have a good heart. Here's what we'll do: you take two Demon back with you and teach them to help you grind enough rice and flour for a year, saving you the trouble of grinding every day."

The woodcutter listened, looked at the few little Demon —they all had golden hair and silver teeth, and were not human-like—and couldn't help but feel a little afraid. He said:

"Virtuous Daoist Master, if I take these Demon back with me, without you by my side to keep them in check, how will they listen to me? Won't they just eat me?"

Ao Tu said, "Don't be afraid. I will give you a Divine Whip. These Demon are under Restriction and dare not act recklessly. If any of them disobey or try to escape, use the Divine Whip to lash them and teach them a lesson!"

The woodcutter was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Ao Tu then bestowed upon the woodcutter Divine Whip, instructing him to select the Demon.

The woodcutter saw that among the Demon, the Black Dog Spirit was strong and capable of pulling the millstone, so he chose it. He also chose two taller Little Leopard Spirit and took the two Demon back with him.

Ao Tu put the remaining minor Demon back on the banner, returned to the cave, took several bushels of rice, and gave them to Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

Upon seeing this, Tang Sanzang instructed Bajie to accept the food, thanked Ao Tu, and then the four of them descended the mountain.

As Bajie carried his load on the road, he muttered, "That Daoist is so stingy. I thought he was going to give us some vegetarian Buddhist vegetarian meal so we could eat our fill and continue our journey, but he gave us raw rice, and we have to cook it ourselves."

Wukong laughed and said, "Bajie, that Daoist is a hermit who lives a simple life in the mountains, eating only dew and drinking the morning mist. He has no one to serve him. Didn't you see there isn't even a stove or cooking pot in the cave? How could he possibly prepare Buddhist vegetarian meal for you?"

Bajie said, "So it's just a minor internal alchemy practice that involves consuming the essence of the sun and moon and drinking the vapors of mountains and rivers!"

Tang Sanzang said, "Alright, stop gossiping behind people's backs. The Daoist Master's gift of rice is already a great kindness, demonstrating our camaraderie as fellow practitioners. How dare we be picky? Once we get down the mountain, we'll find a house and borrow a pot and stove to cook."

Bajie nodded and said, "They gave us quite a lot, several bushels, enough for us to have a few good meals."

The four of them talked as they descended the mountain. Journey to the West from Hidden Mist Mountain, the first house with Cooking Smoke rising from its chimney was the woodcutter's house.

Ao Tu had predicted their arrival precisely, down to the last detail.

They just have to choose.

No matter what choice you make, Ao Tu will have something to say.

The four travelers had been hungry all day, and seeing a house ahead, how could they not go in?

Bajie said, "Master, look, there's a house ahead with smoke rising from its Cooking Smoke! Let's take advantage of the hot pot, borrow a stove, and start a fire to cook! I, Old Pig, am starving! A full stomach will make our journey easier!"

Tang Sanzang looked at them and saw that they were indeed a family, so he agreed.

Wukong stopped them, shouting, "Don't go! Bajie, Sha Wujing, protect Master! There's some demonic energy ahead!"

Bajie said, "Demon aura? Brother, you must be seeing things. That's clearly just Cooking Smoke and the smell of steaming baskets. Where's the demon aura?"

Wukong said, "How could Old Sun, be wrong? Listen!"

The three of Tang Sanzang listened carefully and heard the sounds of whipping and shouting coming from ahead.

Tang Sanzang asked, "Wukong, what is that sound?"

Wukong said, "These must be Demon Soldier lying in ambush ahead, arrayed in formation, trying to trap you!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was terrified and said, "Wukong, what should we do?"

Wukong said, "Master, don't be afraid! Bajie, Sha Wujing, you protect Master and hide here. I, Old Sun, will go ahead and eliminate the Demon, then we can continue our journey!"

Upon hearing this, Bajie and Sha Wujing helped Tang Sanzang dismount, and the three hid in Mountain Hollow, with Bajie using some bushes for cover.

Wukong took out his Golden Cudgel and rushed to that house.

Upon reaching the gate, they saw no Demon Soldier lying in ambush, only the sounds of whipping and cries of pain from within.

Wukong thought to himself, "Could it be that Demon is harming people?"

He then grabbed a stick, broke down the door, and barged inside.

Inside, there was a Black Dog Spirit and a Little Leopard Spirit; one was adding rice, and the other was grinding flour. A woodcutter stood to the side, whipping the two demons.

Wukong burst in, and all three of them stopped what they were doing and stood there stunned for a moment.

The Black Dog Spirit recognized Wukong and cried out, "Great Sage, save me!"

Upon hearing this, the woodcutter exclaimed in surprise, "Another Demon has arrived!"

Wukong asked in confusion, "You recognize me?"