Tears on Hidden Mist Mountain (XXI)

Now, when Wukong heard that someone had accused him, he immediately became angry and said:

Who accused me?

The Four Great Guardian Kings tossed down a piece of paper, saying, "This is a complaint; read it yourself!"

Wukong received the petition and read it. It turned out that Taoist Youde was accusing him of the crime of Aiding Demons and Extinguishing the Dao.

Wukong roared in fury, "That despicable Daoist! No wonder he wasn't home earlier; it turns out he couldn't win the magic contest and went to Spirit Mountain to falsely accuse me!"

Having said that, he was about to tear up the petition.

The Vajras roared, "Sun Wukong, how dare you tear up the complaint? The Buddha has decreed that you must immediately return to Spirit Mountain with us to await questioning!"

Wukong retorted angrily, "Old Sun, have protected Tang Sanzang on his Journey to the West. For decades, I Subduing Demons and monsters, averted calamities, and performed countless meritorious deeds. How dare that Daoist falsely accuse me? And how could Buddha believe his words?"

Vajras said, "This is a petition submitted by Venerable Kasyapa, and a decree issued by the Buddha. If you disobey the Buddha's decree, your punishment will be doubled!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong became even more furious, realizing that Kasyapa must have intended to harm him.

Erlang stepped forward and said, "Great Sage, you mustn't be rash. That Taoist has falsely accused Great Sage. Great Sage should clarify the truth before Buddha. If you tear up the indictment, it will only confirm the crime and put you in a worse position."

Nezha said, "That's right! Monkey, let's go together and be your witnesses."

Upon hearing this, Wukong realized that the two men were right, so he suppressed his anger and followed the Four Great Guardian Kings, and the group headed to Spirit Mountain together.

Before long, the group arrived at Spirit Mountain.

An old Bhikshu Monk stood at the entrance, smiling and Jieyin the crowd.

Ao Tu followed the others inside.

A new tree was planted at the Mountain Gate. It resembled a poplar, but without a prominent crown; it resembled Willow Tree, but with few supple branches; it resembled a locust tree, but lacked splendor; it resembled a pine tree, but was short, solitary, and tall.

It turns out to be a branch that broke off from the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree Ao Tu. Planted here, it received the blessings of Buddhist fortune and grew to be over ten feet tall, which is very pleasing.

Unable to discern the tree's origin, Wukong and the others went straight into Spirit Mountain.

They arrived before the Precious Hall.

Erlang, Nezha, and Ao Tu waited outside the hall.

Wukong stepped into the Precious Hall, saw the Tathagata Buddha, and bowed:

"Disciple pays respects to the Buddha!"

The Tathagata Buddha asked, "Sun Wukong, someone has accused you of Aiding Demons and Extinguishing the Dao. Is this true?"

Wukong said, "That's not true. When I was protecting Tang Sanzang on our Journey to the West to retrieve the Buddhist Dharma, we passed through the Hidden Mist Mountain Zheyue Lianhuan Cave. There was a Virtuous Daoist there who bullied the weak and occupied other people's Cave Abode. My master Tang Sanzang, my junior brothers Zhu Wuneng and Sha Wujing all believed that Buddhist teachings say, 'One should not rely on strength to bully others.' Therefore, they argued with that Taoist, and I had some trouble with him. That Daoist then falsely accused me!"

The Tathagata Buddha, seated high on his Lotus Throne, asked, "Have you ever done anything to Aiding Demons and Extinguishing the Dao?"

Wukong said, "Although I have the means, there is a reason for it!"

The Tathagata Buddha said, "In that case, you are punished by Open Confession and Repentance and receiving the Cangue and Lock Precept."

Wukong shouted, "Buddha, how can you punish Old Sun without even asking about Good and Evil, Right and Wrong and wrong? What wrong have Old Sun done by protecting my master on his Journey to the West?"

Upon hearing this, Kasyapa stepped forward and said, "Sun Wukong, you Aiding Demons and Extinguishing the Dao, tarnishing the reputation of the Buddhist Sect. The evidence is irrefutable. What do you have to say? Quickly accept your punishment!"

Wukong said, "What evidence? It's just that you and Old Sun, have some past grievances, so you're kicking me when I'm down!"

Kasyapa sneered, "It's true that I have some past grievances with you, but I always Distinguishing Public and Private Matters and private matters separate and never hold grudges. Look, this is the evidence of your crimes of Aiding Demons and Extinguishing the Dao!"

After saying this, Kasyapa took out Wukong's Alms Bowl.

Upon seeing this, Wukong thought to himself, "How did my Alms Bowl end up in his hands? That Virtuous Daoist must have given Alms Bowl to him as a favor, so he can falsely accuse me!"

Wukong said, "This is Old Sun alms Alms Bowl, which I used to beg for alms. It was taken away when I was fighting with that Taoist. Erlang Shen, Third Prince Nezha, and the Western Heaven Savior Celestial Worthy can all bear witness to this!"

Upon hearing this, the Tathagata Buddha invited the three men to the hall to bear witness.

Erlang Shen, Third Prince Nezha, and the Western Heaven Savior Celestial Worthy Venerable then came forward to testify for Wukong.

Kasyapa said, "Although there are witnesses, they cannot atone for Sun Wukong's crime of Aiding Demons and Extinguishing the Dao!"

The Tathagata Buddha nodded, and still punished Wukong by Open Confession and Repentance and be Cangue and Lock Precept.

Wukong was furious upon hearing this and shouted wildly in the hall, "Injustice! Injustice! Injustice!"

Kasyapa shouted, "Sun Wukong, how dare you cause trouble in the Precious Hall! Your crime is compounded!"

Ao Tu said, "The Great Sage was angry for a moment, and there are many unclear points in what he said. Buddha allow us to go down and verify his testimony."

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Go."

Ao Tu then pulled Wukong, Erlang, and Nezha out.

Wukong said angrily, "It's extremely unfair for Tathagata rule Spirit Mountain! No wonder the Demon Dragon ran away! I Old Sun, will go to the Blood Sea and ask the Demon Dragon to beat him up! Let's see if he can still sit securely on his position as Buddha!"

Ao Tu said, "Great Sage, don't be anxious. In my opinion, if you want to resolve this matter, it's not enough for Great Sage to speak alone. You should send Erlang Shen, the Erlang Shen, back to Hidden Mist Mountain, sneak into the cave, and ask your Great Sage and junior brother for a testimony. Once the Buddha sees it, he will surely be lenient."

Upon hearing this, Wukong exclaimed with delight, "This plan is excellent!"

So they asked Erlang to go.

Erlang returned to Hidden Mist Mountain on a cloud, transformed himself, and sneaked into the cave. He found Tang Sanzang, Bajie, Sha Wujing, White Horse, and obtained their testimonies. Their words were sincere, confirming that Wukong's Aiding Demons and Extinguishing the Dao was for a reason. He then returned with the testimonies.

Having obtained the testimony, Wukong returned to the Precious Hall and presented the written testimony to the Tathagata Buddha.

After examining the matter, the Tathagata Buddha said, "Although there was a reason for it, the punishment cannot be reduced!"

Wukong gritted his teeth in anger.

Ao Tu pulled him back and said, "Great Sage, in my opinion, to resolve this matter, testimonies alone are not enough; someone also needs to plead for mercy. Guanyin Bodhisattva of the Southern Sea is known for her great compassion. Why not send Third Prince Nezha, to invite her to intercede? That will surely help Great Sage escape this predicament."

After listening, Wukong thought about it and decided it was feasible, so he asked Nezha to go and ask for help.

Nezha rode his Wind Fire Wheels to the Southern Sea, explained the situation, and asked Guanyin Bodhisattva to come out of the Southern Sea and plead for him at Spirit Mountain.

After hearing Guanyin Bodhisattva's plea, the Tathagata Buddha said:

"Since the Bodhisattva has interceded, we will not determine the crime for now, but will assess the merits and demerits after Journey to the West the scriptures!"

Wukong roared in fury, "Tathagata old Buddha, Old Sun, have worked so hard to protect Tang Sanzang, what merits and demerits are you talking about!"

Kasyapa shouted, "Sun Wukong, if it weren't for the Bodhisattva's sake, I would have already punished you! You are ungrateful and dare to disrespect the World-Honored One!"

Wukong scolded, "Kasyapa, how much did you take as a bribe to speak to that Daoist like that!"

Kasyapa snorted coldly and ignored him.

Wukong was very dissatisfied and was so angry that he wanted to go back down the mountain.

Ao Tu quickly stopped him, saying, "Great Sage, don't act rashly. There's only one way to get you out of this Great Sage without incurring any blame."

Wukong asked, "What method?"

Ao Tu whispered a few words to Wukong.

After thinking for a moment, Wukong said to the Tathagata Buddha, "Buddha, please allow Old Sun to settle this matter privately with that Daoist."

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Go."

Kasyapa's eyes darted around, seemingly lost in thought, but he did not stop him.

The group descended from the Precious Hall.

Ao Tu said, "Great Sage, you must go and settle this privately, but not during the day; you must go at night."

Wukong said, "That's true, but we don't know where Kasyapa lives, or how to find him."

Ao Tu said, "I know where he lives."

Wukong asked in confusion, "How do you recognize me?"

Ao Tu said, "I heard it from someone."