Tears Fell on Hidden Mist Mountain (Twenty)
Meanwhile, the Taoist Youde filed a lawsuit against Wukong at Spirit Mountain.
The petition states:
"The complainant, Youde Human Way, is a hermit of the Zheyue Hidden Mist Mountain Zheyue Lianhuan Cave in the Western Ox Continent. He accuses the monk Sun Wukong of aiding demons in destroying the Daoist path. There is Eastern Land Tang Dynasty monk, Tang Sanzang, who Journey to the West Sun Wukong scriptures. His disciple, Sun Wukong, has neglected his duties, allowing him to use his magic tricks to steal treasures on Hidden Mist Mountain, aiding Demon Evil and causing great harm. Now, he has gathered his cronies Three Teachings, attacking our doorstep with injustice and cruelty, harming the Daoism. We humbly request the Venerable Shakyamuni the Great Thunderclap Temple on Spirit Mountain on the Western Heaven Spirit Mountain to suppress this evil monk, arrest him, bring him to justice, and clearly punish his crimes. This is our deepest apology."
Because the Taoist Youde spent a lot of money, the Litigation Lawyer accompanied him all the way, along with Two or Three Village Elders of India and Seven or Eight Elders from India. The crowd was indignant and carried the lawsuit to Spirit Mountain.
Upon arriving at the Mountain Gate, I encountered Sangharama temple guardian. I asked, "What brings you here?"
The Taoist Youde, "He's filing a complaint."
When Sangharama heard that it was a complaint, he immediately summoned several Warrior Monks, who, armed with clubs Precept Knife, used kind words to send Ao Tu and the others back down the mountain.
The Litigation Lawyer said, "Master, there's an old saying in India: 'Don't go to court if you don't have money.' If you want to go to Spirit Mountain to file a lawsuit, you'll need to make some bribes."
The Taoist Youde, "That's very true. I've traveled all over the Four Great Continents and this is the same principle. Let me prepare some arrangements and ask the Litigation Lawyer to arrange for a few acquaintances to deliver it."
The Litigation Lawyer laughed and said, "Easy! Easy!"
Ao Tu then prepared some Ginseng Herb, Lingzhi Powder, snow Lotus Flower, precious Pearl, Jade Glass, and Gold Nugget, and gave them to the Litigation Lawyer, instructing him to have someone deliver them.
The Litigation Lawyer then arranged for acquaintances and Pilgrims to send money to bribe the officials.
The next day, when the group went up to file their complaint again, they were allowed in. They were then arranged to wait in the Small Hall, and someone took the Petition and went to inform the others.
The Petition was presented to the Vajras in front of the hall. The Vajras looked at it and saw that it was a complaint against Sun Wukong. Knowing that Sun Wukong had a grudge against Venerable Kasyapa, he did a favor and handed the Petition to Venerable Kasyapa.
Kasyapa, seeing the situation, was delighted, thinking that the Monkey had finally fallen into his hands. Regardless of whether it was guilty or not, the Monkey would not get away with it. So he went to see the Taoist Youde to find out the reason and to determine its guilt.
The Taoist Youde then explained the reason.
Upon hearing this, Kasyapa was overjoyed and demanded a reward from the Taoist Youde.
Why would Venerable Kasyapa demand benefits from Taoist Youde? Didn't he have a grudge against Sun Wukong?
This is because it is Buddhist Sect rule to Distinguishing Public and Private Matters.
Although Venerable Kasyapa had a grudge against Sun Wukong, he would never give up accepting benefits because of personal grievances.
As the saying goes, rules must not be abandoned; this is indeed the case!
The Taoist Youde was Ao Tu Incarnation. He didn't carry any treasures with him. After thinking for a moment, he gave Wukong's Alms Bowl to Kasyapa, saying it was evidence and stolen goods that had been seized.
Kasyapa was overjoyed to have benefited from the case, and before the lawsuit even began, he assured the Taoist Youde that he would win.
When the Taoist Youde saw that the custodian had won the case, he said he had to go back first, lest the cave be left unguarded and someone sneak in to steal.
Kasyapa readily agreed, promising to deliver the petition on behalf of the Taoist Youde and guaranteeing that the case would be won even if the Taoist Youde was not present.
The Taoist Youde then returned.
On the other side, Erlang was struck by the Taoist Youde and sent flying to Mount Hua. Ironically, this caused him to regain his balance of Five Qi in the Chest. Although he experienced some pain in his hands, feet, waist, and back, he was generally unharmed.
Just then, a woman walked by; she was the Third Holy Mother of Mount Hua, Erlang's sister.
Her appearance was exceptionally beautiful, and a poem praised her as follows:
Her face was like the budding peach blossoms in March, her fair complexion and fragrant cheeks were like jade carvings.
Two verdant mountains rise across the landscape, and a pair of almond-shaped eyes smile radiantly.
She does not compete with ordinary beauties for attention; her ethereal beauty surpasses all others.
The Precious Lotus in her palm shone brightly, and she descended from the magnificent Magnificent Hall on a cloud.
The Third Holy Mother said, "Second Brother, why are you here? You didn't even send anyone to let us know. Why are you sitting on the tree branch playing around?"
Upon hearing this, Erlang immediately endured the pain, jumped down from the tree, pretended to be unharmed, took two fruits, and lied that they were for the Third Holy Mother.
Seeing that the fruit was bright red, plump, and adorable, the Third Holy Mother pulled Erlang back to the Precious Hall, and they each had one to enjoy together.
After eating the fruit, Erlang felt incredibly energetic and full of Immortal Breath. His injuries were completely healed, so he quickly took his leave to return and help.
The Third Holy Mother stopped Erlang from leaving, saying that life on the mountain was boring and there was no one to confide in.
Erlang didn't pay any attention, casually replied with a few words, and hurriedly rode away on a cloud.
They soon returned to Hidden Mist Mountain.
Ao Tu, Wukong, Nezha, and the Six Generals of Mount Mei were all on the clouds.
Erlang asked, "How is the battle going?"
Wukong said, "The True Lord used Thunder Method, Daoist was no match for him. He retreated back into his cave and used his Supernatural Ability to seal the Cave Gate. Now we can't break in, and no matter how much they shout and curse, the Daoist just keeps hiding and refuses to come out of the cave."
Erlang, upon hearing this, was also at a loss.
The crowd remained on the mountain for several more days, ignoring Wukong Nezha's constant insults and curses, but the Taoist Youde did not come out of his cave to fight.
Nezha said, "That Daoist is quite patient; he hides in the cave without eating or drinking, and just won't come out!"
Upon hearing the word "drink," Wukong remembered something and said to Erlang:
"There's a ditch behind that cave; let's transform ourselves tonight and go in to retrieve it!"
Erlang agreed.
At night, the two went to the back of the cave and found a ditch with water, which the Taoist Youde used to irrigate the precious tree.
Erlang then transformed into a small crab and beckoned Wukong to crawl inside.
Wukong said, "I am a monk, I cannot transform into a crab, lest my master be angry that I have too many legs." So he transformed into a Water Rat and crawled inside with Erlang.
Upon entering, the two found only Tang Sanzang and his companions, but not the Taoist Youde.
Wukong wondered to himself, "Could that Daoist have run away in fear?"
So they retrieved the Golden Cudgel that Taoist Youde had placed in the cave, broke open the Prison Cave, and prepared to escape with Tang Sanzang and the others.
Tang Sanzang, however, was so engrossed Daoist Scriptures studying the Daoist scriptures that he was unwilling to leave. Instead, he persuaded Wukong to stay, so that Wukong could Daoist Scriptures understand the scriptures, reason with the Daoist Daoist, and resolve the crisis.
Having no other choice, Wukong and Bajie grabbed Tang Sanzang, one on each side, and pulled him away.
The group walked out of the Prison Cave and arrived at the Bodhi Tree. Tang Sanzang suddenly had an epiphany, and many obscure Daoist Scriptures Daoist scriptures became clear. He sat cross-legged by the tree, contemplating the Daoist Canon, and did not move no matter how Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing called to him.
Sha Wujing tried to forcibly pull Tang Sanzang up, but Erlang stopped him.
Erlang said, "The Holy Monk is comprehending the truth under the precious tree; we must not disturb him, or we will surely harm ourselves."
Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing dared not make a move.
The group waited for a while, but Tang Sanzang still hadn't gotten up when the Taoist Youde returned.
Erlang, Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing all stepped forward to fight, but they were no match for them. Erlang and Wukong escaped, Bajie and Sha Wujing were captured.
After Wukong and Erlang left, they were utterly helpless. They confronted Taoist Youde on the clouds for a long time, using all sorts of Supernatural Ability Spellcraft, but neither of them could defeat the other.
At that time, Kasyapa had already presented the Petition to the Tathagata Buddha, embellishing the story and recounting Wukong's crimes.
Tathagata hearing this, the Buddha immediately issued Buddha's decree, ordering the Four Great Guardian Kings in front of the hall to capture Wukong.
Wukong was completely unaware and continued to arrogantly shout and curse in front of the cave every day.
He got up early that morning, full of energy, picked up his staff, stepped on the clouds, and called out in front of the cave.
Suddenly, a cluster of Divine Cloud appeared in the Heaven, Four Great Guardian Kings manifested, shouting, "Sun Wukong, someone has reported you! The Buddha has sent us to Take You Back to Face Questioning!"