Praying for Rain in Fengxian County (Part One)

Meanwhile, Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrived in Fengxian County.

Before even entering the city, just outside the city, one could see many people gathered together, busily banging on earthenware jars and pots with wooden clappers.

Tang Sanzang was very surprised to see this and asked, "Disciples, what kind of custom is this? Why are all these people banging on earthenware jars?"

Bajie exclaimed happily, "Master, this must be a festival here! Every household is banging on jars and pots, making noises to celebrate! Let's hurry, once we get into the city, it will be even more lively, and there might even be a feast!"

Wukong laughed, "This fool, all he thinks about is food! Master, we should be careful, the place that Virtuous Daoist mentioned must be Fengxian County ahead!"

Tang Sanzang nodded.

The four of them walked forward.

Walking through the fields, I saw that the soil was dry and the grains were withered.

There were a few Thatched Grass huts by the field. The men, women, and children inside didn't care about the drought in the fields. They all sat on the ridges of the fields, banging and tapping away at earthenware pots and pans.

Tang Sanzang was very surprised when he saw this and said:

"Wukong, look! The crops in these fields are dying of drought, why aren't these people doing anything about it?"

Wukong scratched his hand and said, "Yes! It's very strange!"

Bajie said, "What's so strange about that? These people must all be servants of the landlord's estate. The land is cultivated by the landlord, so they don't care about Droughts and Floods or floods!"

Sha Wujing said, "No! No! Even farm servants can't ignore Droughts and Floods, otherwise they'll be punished and beaten by the landlord if there's no harvest!"

After listening, Wukong thought for a moment, then went up to an old man who was banging on a water vat and asked, "Old man, what are you doing?"

The old man, without even looking up, Earthly Way, "Can't you see? I'm banging on the water vat!"

Wukong asked, "Why are you banging on the water vat?"

The old man said, "Knock on the water vat to shake off the dust so we can store water to drink!"

Wukong said, "You old man, you really don't know what's good for you! Why can't you knock on the water jar at any time? If you don't water your crops soon, they'll die of drought! What will you eat then?"

The old man chuckled and said, "You must be from out of town! Don't worry, the crops in the fields won't die from drought; it'll rain in a few days!"

As he spoke, the old man looked up and saw Wukong. He was so frightened that his hand trembled, and the jar rolled to the ground, hitting a stone and cracking open.

The old man cried out, "My jar! Demon! There's Demon!"

Wukong laughed and said, "I'm not Demon! What did you just say? That it would rain in a few days. How do you know it will rain?"

The old man dared not reply, and cried out, "Help! There's Demon!"

Seeing him shouting incoherently, Wukong was afraid of causing trouble and dared not stay any longer, so he quickly left.

Before leaving, he blew a breath of Immortal Breath and repaired the jar.

The old man rubbed his eyes and said:

"What happened to the jar? Where's the Demon? Or am I just getting old and my eyes are playing tricks on me?"

Wukong and his companions set off again onto the Main Road.

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

Wukong said, "It's hard to say, everyone here knows how to tell fortunes!"

Tang Sanzang asked, "How do you know divination?"

Wukong said, "They're banging on the jars and pots to shake off the dust so they can collect water; they also said it will rain in a few days, so they don't need to worry about the drought in the fields! Isn't this some kind of divination?"

Bajie said, "This Fengxian County is actually a county full of fortune tellers. I thought there would be a feast, but it seems we won't be able to eat there!"

The four of them continued walking forward.

Outside the city, there is a river that flows around it.

The four of them walked along the riverbank and looked into the river. They saw that the water was very thin and almost dried up.

Bajie wanted to scoop up some water to drink, but he couldn't reach it.

Looking up, I saw not a cloud in the sky, not even a wisp of sunset. I couldn't help but say, "The fortune tellers here are inaccurate! This doesn't look like it's going to rain at all!"

As they were talking, a person jumped out of the river, accompanied by two water ghosts.

Sha Wujing, who was leading the horse, saw this and shouted, drawing his Precious Staff, "Oh no! There's Demon! Protect Master!"

Tang Sanzang was startled and hurriedly rolled off his horse, covering his head and hiding behind it.

The Human Way, "Curtain-Rolling General, do not be alarmed. I am not Demon, but the Water Lords of Fengxian County!"

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing looked closely and saw that it was an old god with a long beard, wearing a jeweled crown, Vermilion Shoes, and a water official's robe, holding a jade tablet and river seal. Although the two water ghosts beside him were ugly, they were well-behaved and did not look like Demon. So he was relieved and accepted the Precious Staff.

Tang Sanzang said, "Wujing, don't be careless. Let Wukong check it first!"

Wukong looked with his Golden Eyes and saw an aura of officialdom and dazzling Divine Light. He said, "Master, it's not Demon, it's the local Water Lords!"

The Water Lords said, "Great Sage, don't you recognize me?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong looked closely and exclaimed, "You look familiar! You look familiar! Ah! Aren't you the Water Virtue Star Lord? I heard you were banished to the Lower Realm for harassing Palace Maids. How come you're serving as the Water Lords here?"

The Water Virtue Star Lord said, "Great Sage, you jest! I was banished to the Lower Realm for violating Heavenly Laws by issuing a decree for rain without authorization, and I am serving as the Water Lords here. Knowing of the arrival of the Great Sage and his disciples, I prepared Vegetarian Offering and waited here!"

Upon hearing about the Vegetarian Offering, Bajie's eyes immediately lit up, and he asked, "Where is the Vegetarian Offering? Where is the Vegetarian Offering?"

The Water Virtue Star Lord hurriedly gestured to the two water ghosts to offer alms.

The two water ghosts, one of them bald with his head floating in the water, carried a large plate of Vegetarian Offering on his head and went forward to make offerings.

Bajie didn't mind that the plate was damp and just took it over.

Another water ghost had dripping wet hair and was carrying a jar of wine on his head.

Tang Sanzang said, "This humble monk does not drink wine or water."

Water Virtue Star Lord said, "Holy Monk, rest assured, this is all vegetarian Vegetarian Wine brewed from fresh fruit. It is only sweet and has no alcoholic taste."

Bajie said, "Good! Good!"

He picked up the wine jar, scooped a bowlful with Alms Bowl, drank it, and said, "It's truly Vegetarian Wine! Senior brother, you should try some!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong also took a sip and said, "Good wine! Junior Brother Sha, you should try some too!"

Sha Wujing also drank a few sips.

Tang Sanzang did not drink any wine, but only ate vegetarian food.

After everyone finished eating, the Water Virtue Star Lord instructed the water ghost to clean up the dishes, but did not leave.

Wukong guessed that he must have something to ask, so he took the initiative to ask:

"Water Virtue Star Lord, I, Old Sun, remember that you have been banished to the Lower Realm for some time now. When will you be pardoned and return to heaven?"

Upon hearing this, the Water Virtue Star Lord couldn't help but shed tears and said:

"Great Sage, this matter is truly heartbreaking! I fear this humble god may never return to heaven!"

Wukong said, "Stop crying! Tell me Old Sun grievances!"

Water Virtue Star Lord said:

"It's all because there was a monk here who, in order to solicit Incense Offerings from the people, commissioned Golden Body. Years ago, he forged a document to bring rain, which angered the Jade Emperor, who banished me here as punishment. The monk, on the other hand, was suppressed by Heavenly King Li at the Sweet Rain Mountain outside the city."

Wukong asked, "Then how can you say there's no end in sight for my return to heaven?"

The Water Virtue Star Lord said, "That monk possesses some Supernatural Ability, and Heavenly King Li cannot subdue him. Every year at this time, he escapes from the mountains, steals my Water Seal, and illegally Rain Water to solicit Incense Offerings from the people. The blame falls on my shoulders, year after year, making it difficult for me to return to heaven. I beg the Great Sage to do justice for me!"