Teaching disciples in Jade Flower Prefecture (XV)
Meanwhile, Wukong sneaked into the Prison Cave to rescue Monks.
The King and Prince of the Jade Flower Kingdom were overjoyed when they heard that the Buddha had arrived.
The Tianzhu Kingdom family of India has always been devout Buddhism and worships Spirit Mountain. Now that the Buddha has descended, wouldn't it be a perfect opportunity for them to pay their respects?
Tang Sanzang was overjoyed.
Considering the hardships and dangers he faced on his journey, and how he was able to see the Buddha before even reaching Spirit Mountain, it was truly an immeasurable blessing.
Wukong said, "That Daoist Daoist is feasting, and the demons are serving him. He has no time to defend himself. I'll take this opportunity to get you out of here!"
Everyone agreed.
Wukong then used a Lock-Opening Spell to open the prison door, inviting everyone out. Once outside, he Sleepy Bug, causing the Little Demon guarding the prison to fall asleep as well.
Wukong said, "Come! Come! Master! Let's go!"
Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, the White Horse's luggage is still inside."
Wukong said, "It's alright, let's go out first, Buddha will handle it."
Bajie said, "Master, why are you still worrying about the White Horse and luggage at a time like this? The Buddha has come; how could we not get the luggage back?"
Tang Sanzang thought to himself, "That makes sense," and then went out with Wukong.
As everyone escaped the cave, they saw the sky filled with misty, Auspicious Mist and Golden Light, with the Dharma Form Buddha seated amidst the golden dust, a figure of utmost reverence.
The crowd hurriedly knelt down.
As the saying goes, "What karmic connections were made in a past life to Tathagata a living Buddha."
The Tathagata Buddha said, "Please rise and hide behind me while I see the Yaoguai."
Upon hearing this, everyone hid behind the the Monks, amidst the Golden Light and Buddha's shadow.
Meanwhile, the demons patrolling the cave soon discovered a group of Demon sleeping along the way. They then found the cell doors wide open, and Monks had escaped. They hurriedly banged a gong, shouting, "They're gone! They're gone!"
The sound of the gong startled the banquet.
The Yellow Lion Spirit said, "Who has left? Please wait a moment, Immortal, while I go out to investigate!"
Taoist Taiqian, "Go!"
The Yellow Lion Spirit went out and, upon hearing that Tang Sanzang and his disciples had left, hurriedly led his demons to pursue them.
Upon exiting the cave, one sees countless Dharma Form Monks filling the sky.
The Yellow Lion Spirit, both surprised and frightened, exclaimed, "What a Monkey! Where did you gather so many bald monks?"
The Monks shouted, "You wicked beast, why haven't you converted yet!"
The Yellow Lion Spirit was unwilling to surrender, and raised his shovel, saying, "I don't care if you have thousands of monks, I'll just chop you down today!"
Having said that, he soared into the air, heading straight for the Great Monk, intending to knock him down.
Upon seeing this, the the Monks shouted, causing the lion demon to lose his grip on his weapon and be captured.
Hearing the shout, the lions in the cave said, "There's a loud commotion outside. Let's go out and investigate."
Taoist Baoshan, "Go."
The lions emerged from their cave and, upon seeing the Tathagata's Dharma Form, shouted, "Where did this monk come from? Instead of chanting scriptures in the temple, he dares to meddle in this!"
The Monks scolded, "You wretched creature! How can you refuse to take refuge in the World-Honored One?"
Without distinguishing right from wrong, the lions stepped forward, each brandishing a weapon, intending to knock down the Tathagata Buddha.
The Tathagata Buddha's Treasure Appearance remained still, with dozens of Arhat on each side, each holding a one-handed set of twenty-four Demon-Binding Locks, four lion-shaped chains of each kind, binding their hands and feet and suspending them in the air.
The lions were unable to move, and all their weapons fell to the ground.
The King and Prince of the Jade Flower Kingdom were overjoyed, saying, "With the Demon captured, the scourge is gone!"
The Arhat said, "You wicked beast, why don't you convert now? What else do you want!"
The lions struggled and roared incessantly.
The Daoist priests Taoist Taiqian and Taoist Baoshan, who had not seen the lions return for a long time, went out to check.
The two men emerged from the Cave Abode and saw the lions bound in the air.
The Taoist Baoshan immediately took out his Precious Sword and slashed it in the air, breaking all the chains and freeing the lions.
The Tathagata Buddha immediately focused his gaze.
The Monks shouted, "Bold Taoist! How dare you not bow before the World-Honored One?"
Taoist Baoshan laughed and said, "This humble Daoist only knows of the Three Pure Ones, but not of the Tathagata. You Fat Monk, how many Kalpa have you cultivated, how many years have you lived, that you dare to ask me to pay homage to you?"
The Monks were furious and shouted, "The Taoist is impolite!"
Taoist Baoshan laughed and said, "Monk, stop with the talk! Let's have a match and then we'll see who's better!"
Having said that, he didn't say much more, but instead pulled down the flagpole from behind and was about to shake it.
The six tails on that banner pole had long been inscribed Tathagata the name of the Buddha, waiting only for the decree to be unleashed.
The Tathagata Buddha suddenly laughed.
Taoist Baoshan glanced at it, but paid it no mind, and continued to shake the flagpole.
The Tathagata Buddha hastily abandoned his Treasure Appearance, burst into laughter, and said, "Wait a moment, Daoist!"
Seeing this, Taoist Baoshan asked, "Fat Monk, what are you laughing at?"
The Tathagata Buddha said, "We monks have heard that Daoism have always valued reason. Now, Daoist priest, you wish to display Supernatural Ability. What is your reasoning?"
Taoist Baoshan, "You monk have come here to bully us, and you still ask what your reason is?"
The Tathagata Buddha said, "It is not that I am bullying those who come to my door, but rather that your followers have committed theft. Why are you showing favoritism, Daoist?"
Taoist Baoshan, "The lions stole first and have already been punished. Even if they are Thieves, they should be punished according to their crimes. You Buddhist Sect Disciple are relentless and want to exterminate them all, implicating innocent people. What is the logic of this?"
The Tathagata Buddha said, "India, you are unaware. In India, the Law are different from those of China. People are distinguished by social status and caste. Stealing from Prince is a grave offense punishable by collective punishment."
The Yellow Lion Spirit shouted, "Nonsense! Nonsense! I stole a monk's weapon, how could it be Prince's?"
Upon hearing this, the Tathagata Buddha laughed with the Yellow Lion Spirit:
"Since that's the case, I am a reasonable person. As the saying goes, 'Peace is precious, and a bitter battle, though won, will ultimately lead to defeat.' If we were to start a major conflict today, it would be inconvenient. How about we make a bet: If you have the ability to leap out of my grasp, you win, and I will lead my followers to retreat, and I will even invite your lions to become Guardian Arhat the Western Heaven; if you cannot leap out, you will have to go back to the mountains and cultivate for several more kalpas."
Upon hearing this, the Yellow Lion Demon noticed that the fat monk's hand was no more than a foot long and wondered how he couldn't jump out. Was the monk afraid, offering him the Arhatship for nothing?
The Yellow Lion Spirit pondered this and that, unable to make up his mind, and looked at the two Taoist Taiqian Taoist Baoshan.
Taoist Baoshan, "There is no need to be afraid!"
The Taoist Taiqian, "We have a point!"
The Yellow Lion Spirit nodded and said, "Alright, monk, I'll bet with you!"
Behind the Tathagata Buddha, the King of the Jade Flower Kingdom and his three Prince were all somewhat anxious upon seeing this.
The Eldest Prince said to Wukong, "Master, what kind of bet is this? There's no benefit in winning or losing. If we win, we'll make the Demon Arhat; if we lose, we'll let him go back to the mountains. Besides, how big is that hand? How can we not jump over it?"
Wukong laughed, "Disciple, don't worry! How could you possibly know the Buddha's profound power? That palm may seem only a foot in diameter, but it's actually vast and boundless. Old Sun, couldn't leap 108,000 li in a single Somersault Cloud back then. I was pinned under the Five Elements Mountain by a single palm strike and couldn't be freed for five hundred years! You all just need to enjoy the show!"
The crowd listened with skepticism, then looked closely.
The Tathagata Buddha opened his palm, which was about the size of a lotus leaf, and said, "Come up here."
The Yellow Lion Spirit leaped up and stood on it.
The Tathagata Buddha said, "Go ahead and dance."
With Yellow Lion Spirit leap, as the saying goes, "Lions vie for embroidered balls, for they are skilled at leaping." This leap was Three Zhang high, directly jumping out of the Tathagata Buddha's palm.
The Tathagata Buddha said, "You have won."