Teaching disciples in Jade Flower Prefecture (XIII)
Meanwhile, the King and Prince of Jade Flower Prefecture were trapped in the Demon Cave and Prisons for dozens of days. They were both of royal lineage and noble birth, and their surname was so high that they could commit murder in India without being punished. When had they ever suffered such a miserable situation?
For a time, the four of them were unable to eat or drink, and their bodies became haggard. Every day they hoped that Wukong would come to their rescue, but each time they were disappointed.
On the contrary, Tang Sanzang and his disciples could eat, drink, and talk every day without any hindrance. Even though they lived in Prisons and lived among Demon, they had no fear or apprehension whatsoever. They were as at ease as if they were staying at a famous temple on a mountain, which made the Old King and his son admire them greatly.
Old King said, "I have previously read the Holy Monk's Travel Permit and know that Holy Monk is also the Imperial Younger Brother of the King Tang, a person of high status. Yet he was able to remain unperturbed in such a wretched and dangerous place. I truly admire him!"
Tang Sanzang clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty flatters me."
Bajie laughed, "Your Majesty, what is this mere Prisons to my master? You have no idea how many poisonous demons and monsters my master has encountered on his journey Journey to the West. There were those who captured monks, killed monks, framed monks for crimes, robbed monks on the road, those who offended Heaven, the Dao Ancestor, the Buddha's maternal uncle, those who demanded bribes from Buddha, floods blocking the road, wildfires blocking the way, the suffering of the people, the injustices of kings and nobles, wanton Female Monster, the real and fake Thunderclap —the number of calamities is countless!"
Old King was deeply moved and repeatedly exclaimed in awe, "This Holy Monk must truly be Arhat reincarnated to have survived so many calamities."
Tang Sanzang said, "This humble monk is but a mortal. I rely on nothing else on this journey but my three disciples for help and assistance, which has enabled me to overcome countless tribulations and reach the foot of Spirit Mountain."
Old King nodded, then asked somewhat anxiously:
"Since I was Prisons, I've been counting the days on my fingers. More than ten days have passed, and I wonder when the Holy Monk's eldest disciple will come to rescue me?"
Tang Sanzang said, "Your Majesty, do not worry. It will take at least a month or two, and at most a year or six months."
Old King exclaimed in surprise, "A year and a half! How could it take so long?"
The Eldest Prince said, "Master Sun isn't abandoning us, is he?"
Tang Sanzang said, "Your Majesty and the three Your Highness are unaware of the Demon: because one day in Heaven is equivalent to one year on earth, my disciple went to heaven to request troops. If everything goes smoothly, Heavenly Soldiers will descend within one or two hours to wipe out the demons. However, if things don't go smoothly, or if the demons have powerful backers and are involved with some deities or Buddhas, then, just like our mortal court, it will be difficult to appeal. We will have to find someone to bribe and run around to get relief."
Old King said, "So that's how it is, but it's nothing new. In India, or in other countries, I often hear stories of injustice. Some families offend nobles, and their grievances are hard to redress. Some take decades to be redressed, and some die without their grievances being cleared. It seems that the gods and Buddhas are indeed wise."
Tang Sanzang clasped his hands and said, "Excellent! Excellent! Wise indeed! Respectful to gods and Buddhas!"
The group continued to wait in the Prison Cave.
After waiting a few more days, Wukong succeeded this time, and soon he invited the Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy down.
Colored Clouds overlapped, and Purple Qi filled the sky. Wukong and Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy, along with their Lion Slave, arrived at Leopard Head Mountain. The Five Directional Guardians Protectors, the Buddhist Guardian Garan, the Six Ding and Six Jia, and the Four Duty Gods were secretly protecting Tang Sanzang all came to greet them.
Wukong arrived at the entrance of Tiger's Mouth Cave and kicked the Cave Gate down.
The lions came out at the sound.
The Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy from Suffering, cried out from the Heaven, "Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage! I have come!"
Upon seeing its master, the old demon kowtowed repeatedly, daring not to act fiercely. It knelt on all fours and transformed into its Original Form, a Nine-Headed Lion.
Wukong refused to let him off easily, shouting, "You beast! Carry him out for my master! Carry him out for my master!"
Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy said, "Very well! Go and fetch Golden Cicada!"
The old demon then returned to his cave, carried Golden Cicada out, and released Bajie, Sha Wujing, and the King of Jade Flower and his son, returning their weapons and treasures to Wukong and the others.
The Eldest Prince exclaimed joyfully, "Master truly possesses magical powers, rescuing my Father King! Upon returning to the city, I will certainly repay him with the highest honors due to a kingdom!"
Wukong laughed and said, "No need to thank me, I'll take care of the troubles for your family once I've eliminated them!"
Having said that, he Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy:
"Celestial Worthy, you've taken this old lion back, but the remaining cubs are yours. Otherwise, my Old Sun will be wiped out!"
Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy said, "They are not from my family, Great Sage, please eliminate them!"
Upon hearing these words, the Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage couldn't help but shed tears.
The Lion Slave slapped him, saying, "You beast, what are you crying about?"
Wukong immediately drew his staff, intending to kill the Yellow Lion Spirit and his lions.
Bai Ze, protected by his treasures, was unwilling to let him succeed. With a shout, he unleashed Ruyi Precious Seal and the Imperial Seal. Knowing the power of those treasures, Wukong dared not block them, dodging and weaving, and cried out, "Celestial Worthy! Are these your treasures?"
Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy exclaimed in surprise, "My family has no such treasure!"
Judging from his own experience, Wukong said, "That Demon must have stolen it from somewhere else. Please, Celestial Worthy Venerable, help this Old Sun!"
Upon hearing this, the Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy, immediately offered his assistance.
Nine-Spirit Primordial Sage hurriedly tried to dissuade him, but the Lion Slave grabbed his neck by the mane and punched him on the neck, preventing him from speaking.
Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy waved his Fly-Whisk, and two treasures appeared.
Wukong was overjoyed, drew his Golden Cudgel, and struck Bai Ze on the head.
Bai Ze cried out in terror, "My life is over!"
Suddenly, a Taoist appeared before Bai Ze, and with a flick of his sleeve, sent Wukong flying to the East Sea.
Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy exclaimed in surprise, "Who are you, fellow Daoist?"
The Daoist Human Way said, "I am the Taoist Taiqian!"
Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy pondered deeply but could not figure out who Taoist Taiqian was.
Taoist Taiqian, "The Celestial Worthy is also a member of my Daoism, so why has he come to help Buddhism destroy Daoism? Those Ruyi and the Precious Seal are my treasures; return them to me immediately."
Upon hearing Taoist, Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy carefully observed the Daoist priest. He saw a halo above his head, radiating divine light. Even with his cultivation and Supernatural Ability, he could not see through the halo and knew nothing of the priest's background. Therefore, he dared not easily return the item, nor dared to offend him. He could only cautiously inquire:
"I still do not know where you reside, brother? Your Daoist name Taiqian, and you come from which school? What is the meaning behind it? I hope you can enlighten me?"
Taoist Taiqian, "I was born in the Eastern Lands, and my name Taiqian reflects my humble heart! Celestial Worthy, why haven't you returned the treasure to me? Could it be that you've become greedy and want to keep it for yourself?"
Upon hearing this, the Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy Taoist could only decline, saying:
"Brother Dao, it is not that I covet your treasures. It is only because Tang Sanzang's Journey to the West is the destiny of Buddhist's revival in the East. Your offering of treasures to obstruct him goes against the will of Heavenly Dao, and I dare not assist him. Why not come to my palace, drink tea, and discuss the Dao? I will naturally return the treasures to you."
Upon hearing this, the Taoist Taiqian couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Taiyi Heavenly Lord of Great Mercy asked, "Why are you laughing, fellow Daoist?"
Taoist Taiqian, "I laugh at that little Buddhist Sect, that vulgar Western Heaven religion, for daring to speak of the Heavenly Dao. The words of my Daoism are the true Way of Heavenly Dao."