Praying for Rain in Fengxian County (10)

Meanwhile, Ao Tu followed Wukong down to the Lower Realm.

In a short while, they arrived at Fengxian County, in the Sweet Rain Mountain.

As soon as they arrived in the mountains, they heard Heavenly King Li shouting and cursing inside.

Wukong said, "Oh no! I said I didn't want tea, True Lord you insisted on making me drink it! Heaven and Earth in Heaven is a year on earth. If we delay too long, Heavenly King Li will wake up, and how will we persuade him then?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Great Sage, don't worry, I have a family connection with the Heavenly King!"

Wukong asked, "What kind of kinship do you have?"

Ao Tu said, "His daughter has become my disciple; how could the Great Sage not know this?"

Wukong said, "That's right! Having this kinship makes things easier to talk to."

The two entered the cave and saw that the Giant Spirit God, Heavenly Soldiers and Generals were all bound.

Upon seeing Ao Tu, the Giant Spirit God quickly greeted him as "Celestial Worthy."

Alu came over, knelt down, and said, "Master."

Ao Tu nodded and said, "Hurry up and untie the divine Divine General."

Upon hearing this, Alu quickly untied the Giant Spirit God and the others.

Heavenly King Li, "Old Daoist Taixi, don't pretend to be a good person. I will not untie you. I want to go to His Majesty looking like this and accuse you of letting your disciple commit violence!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Alu is my disciple. He has made a mistake, and I will certainly punish him. I hope Your Majesty will spare him this time for my sake!"

Heavenly King Li said, "I, the Heavenly King, never show favoritism. Whatever you have to say, let's discuss it in the Lingxiao Hall!"

Seeing this, Ao Tu opened his hand, blew a breath, and released thirty thousand rays of spiritual light, which transformed into Immortal Elixir that fell into the hands of each Heavenly Soldiers, ten elixirs for each of them. He then said to the Giant Spirit God, "I will speak with the Heavenly King privately about this matter."

Upon hearing this, the Giant Spirit God hurriedly ordered all the Heavenly Soldiers to go out and wait.

None of the Heavenly Soldiers were unwilling; they were all willing to give Ao Tu face and left.

The Giant Spirit God also needs to go out.

Ao Tu said, "The Divine General is a confidant of the Heavenly King; there's no need for him to avoid us, as we are all family."

The Giant Spirit God was delighted upon hearing this and stayed in the cave.

Ao Tu then opened the package he had brought, took out many pears, and instructed Alu to distribute them to everyone.

Tang Sanzang, Wukong, Bajie, Sha Wujing, Taoist Baoshan, Giant Spirit God, Ao Tu, and Alu himself all received pears.

Heavenly King Li refused the fairy pear, and even when offered to untie him, he wouldn't accept it.

Ao Tu then instructed the Giant Spirit God to give the pear to Heavenly King Li.

Heavenly King Li said, "Taixi, don't waste your energy. Today, no matter what, I, the Heavenly King, will impeach you before His Majesty!"

Seeing this, Ao Tu personally took a pear and stepped forward to persuade him:

"Your Majesty, it's nothing serious, why are you so angry? Our two families have a close relationship. Although we may have exchanged a few words in the Court Hall, what good thing could I possibly have that I wouldn't be thinking of you, Your Majesty?"

The Giant Spirit God cautiously spoke up, "Heavenly King, the Celestial Worthy's words are true!"

Heavenly King Li snorted coldly and said, "If it were a private matter, then so be it. But this is a public matter, and there is absolutely no room for private considerations!"

Seeing this, Tang Sanzang also tried to persuade him, saying, "Your Majesty, Master Alu was acting for the sake of the people of Fengxian County, not for his own selfish reasons. Please forgive him!"

Heavenly King Li, "I will handle this matter strictly and without leniency!"

Wukong said, "Heavenly King, why not give Old Sun, some face?"

Heavenly King Li shouted, "You impudent monkey! You once wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Realm. What face do you have with me now?"

Bajie said, "For my sake, Old Pig..."

Heavenly King Li, "I must see His Majesty about this matter!"

Seeing this, Sha Wujing knew that his voice carried little weight, so he dared not utter a sound.

Ao Tu stopped the crowd, took out a Gold Bricks from his pocket, handed it to Bajie, and instructed Bajie to prepare a banquet in Fengxian County. He told the others to wait in the city while he stayed behind to persuade Heavenly King Li.

Upon hearing this, the crowd left with some skepticism.

When Bajie arrived in the city, he booked several restaurants and prepared a huge banquet. He also made a false account, keeping about ten taels of silver for himself. When Wukong saw it, he broke off half of it, leaving him with only six taels and seven mace.

Before long, Ao Tu arrived with Heavenly King Li. They found that Heavenly King Li had been untied and showed no resentment.

Everyone enjoyed the feast and the delicious pears.

Heavenly King Li and the others happily returned to the Heavenly Realm.

After Heavenly King Li and the others left, Wukong asked Ao Tu curiously:

"Perfected One, why did you persuade Heavenly King Li to let the matter rest?"

Tang Sanzang and his companions were also very curious.

Ao Tu laughed and said, "I told the Heavenly King that Alu is not only my disciple, but also a student of Buddha, who received the Mahayana True Scriptures. He was undergoing tribulations in Fengxian County, and after the tribulations, he will ascend to the Pure Land and attain Right Fruit. The Heavenly King, out of respect for Buddha, agreed to let the matter rest!"

Wukong said, "So it was because of Buddha's sake! But won't it all be exposed later?"

Ao Tu said, "How could it be exposed? Let me make a move on Spirit Mountain, and the matter will be settled."

Wukong said, "I don't believe it."

Ao Tu said, "If you don't believe me, please come with me."

Wukong then followed Ao Tu to Spirit Mountain.

Wukong said, "Let's see how you move."

Ao Tu arrived at the gate of Spirit Mountain Gate.

The old Bhikshu Monk bowed and said, "Please come in! Please come in!"

Ao Tu returned the greeting and went inside with Wukong.

Upon entering, they were stopped by temple guards Sangharama asked, "Who are you?"

Ao Tu said, "The Jade Emperor has bestowed upon the title of Western Heaven Savior Celestial Worthy and requests an audience with Venerable Kasyapa."

Upon hearing this, Sangharama dared not underestimate the matter, nor did he dare to demand any bribes, and immediately reported it to the authorities.

Upon hearing this, Kasyapa realized that the "Western Heaven Savior Celestial Worthy" was Alu's master. So he deliberately made things difficult, telling him to "wait a moment," but in reality, he delayed for several hours without coming.

Wukong was extremely anxious.

Ao Tu, however, was in no hurry and enjoyed the flowers and scenery at Thunderclap Monastery.

The old Bhikshu Monk, having unwittingly left his post, was sightseeing with Ao Tu, and asked with a smile, "Celestial Worthy, how is the scenery in these mountains?"

Ao Tu said, "Excellent!"

The old Bhikshu Monk said, "I have heard that those who are skilled at cultivating Flowers and Trees should not directly uproot and replace old Flowers and Trees if they are not diseased. What does the Celestial Worthy think?"

Ao Tu said, "This is true, but there are some distinctions to be made."

The old Bhikshu Monk, "What's the difference?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "If the Flowers and Trees and trees I planted were things I used to love, people will remember the past and won't easily uproot and replace them; but if the Flowers and Trees and trees planted by others have offended me, they should be burned to ashes!"

The old Bhikshu Monk, "When others plant Flowers and Trees and leave them for the Celestial Worthy Venerable, it is an act of giving, so how can it be considered an offense?"

Ao Tu said, "He planted his Flowers and Trees on my land; isn't that offending me?"

Seeing that it was getting dark, Wukong interrupted the two and said:

"You two, an old Daoist and an old Buddhist monk, are discussing gardening here. You have quite the leisure! Do you even remember your business?"

Ao Tu said, "Don't worry, I reckon Venerable Kasyapa will be here soon!"

The old Bhikshu Monk glanced at the sky and said, "It's almost time to close the temple. The area outside hasn't been cleaned yet. Celestial Worthy, Great Sage, this old monk takes his leave."

Ao Tu smiled as he watched the old Bhikshu Monk leave.

On the other side, just as Ao Tu had predicted, Kasyapa, seeing that it was getting late, asked the young Śrāmaṇera beside him, "Has that ' Celestial Worthy ' left yet?"

The young Śrāmaṇera said, "Master, he hasn't left; he's still waiting in the temple."

Upon hearing this, Kasyapa thought to himself that the other party was, after all, the Western Heaven Savior Celestial Worthy appointed by the Heavenly Court, and had been waiting in the temple for a long time. It would be impolite not to see him. So he hurried over before the evening bell rang and met with Ao Tu.

Kasyapa said, "Celestial Worthy forgive me, Venerable One. The temple is very busy. We have to deal with the wishes of believers in various places. They Rainmaking there and for disaster relief here. I really cannot spare the time."

Ao Tu smiled and said, "It's nothing. I've come today to ask for your help, Venerable One."

Kasyapa listened, then slowly took a sip of fragrant tea. A bell rang, and Kasyapa smiled and said:

"Unfortunately, the evening bell has rung, signaling the temple's closing time. Celestial Worthy, please come another day."

Wukong angrily retorted, "You!"

Ao Tu stopped Wukong, opened his palm, revealing golden Golden Light from all directions, and a Golden Elixir lay quietly in his palm.