Taking Disciples in Jade Flower Prefecture (Twenty)

After Wukong went to the Southern Sea, he learned of Ao Tu's whereabouts. He then went to China and searched for Mountain Gods and Earth Gods. Finally, he heard that Ao Tu had manifested his divine power on the Luo River, so he rode the clouds along the Luo River and shouted.

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu immediately took Nezha's Wind Fire Wheels off and threw them outside.

The wheels spun in the air, emitting sparks. When Wukong saw them, he laughed and said, "Isn't that Nezha's Wind Fire Wheels?" So he chased after them.

A short while later, they arrived at the small temple.

Ao Tu was sitting cross-legged in the temple.

Red Boy slept on her lap, while Nezha nestled in her arms.

Upon seeing the new dragon, Wukong circled around it twice and laughed, "Dragon Brother, what are you doing with these two little kids?"

Ao Tu said, "I led them to gather believers and increase Incense Offerings. Great Sage, what brings you here?"

Wukong laughed and said, "Dragon Brother, I have some good news for you!"

Ao Tu asked, "What good news is it?"

Wukong asked, "I've heard that Dragon Brother has established a ' Great Sect ' that has spread from the Dharma-Extinguishing Kingdom to Fengxian County. Is that true?"

Ao Tu said, "Yes." After speaking, he looked at Wukong with suspicion and said, "Strange! Strange! You and your master traveled Journey to the West to Spirit Mountain to worship the Buddha. I established the ' Great Sect ' after you Journey to the West. How did you know that?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong chuckled twice and said, "I heard that, I heard that." He jumped forward, patted Ao Tu on the shoulder, and said, "Dragon Brother, I've found you a disciple!"

Ao Tu asked, "What kind of disciple did you find?"

Wukong said, "He is the crown prince of a country, ruling over a province with millions of people. Dragon Brother, if you wish to spread your teachings and accept this disciple, it is truly a great act of kindness!"

Ao Tu sneered, "Monkey, aren't you talking about that Princes of Jade Flower Prefecture? You're trying to trick me into wading into that mess! Little do you know I'm knowledgeable in astronomy and geography, can discern good and bad fortune, and am most skilled in divination. How could I possibly fall for your trick?"

Wukong chuckled, "Dragon Vein already knew all along! You're truly a master strategist!"

Ao Tu ignored him and turned his head away, teasing Nezha's two hair buns.

Upon seeing this, Wukong jumped to the other side of Ao Tu and said:

"Dragon Brother, since you possess the art of divination, you know that what I said is true. That Third Prince is already the crown prince. If Dragon Brother take him as your disciple, you will have a King's disciple who can help Dragon Brother spread your ' Great Sect.' Wouldn't that be extremely beneficial?"

Ao Tu ignored him and turned his head away to continue fiddling with Nezha's two hair buns, which then came loose and turned into a long, flowing cascade of hair.

Nezha, still half asleep, slapped Ao Tu twice with his little hand and said, "Don't cause trouble, Demon Dragon."

Wukong jumped to the other side, patted Ao Tu's shoulders with both hands, and laughed, "Dragon Brother, please help Old Sun once."

Seeing his plea, Ao Tu laughed and said, "That's more palatable. You can hide behind the statue."

Wukong asked, "What?"

Ao Tu said, "Someone's coming."

No sooner had he finished speaking than footsteps were heard outside the temple.

Wukong went up to look and saw a couple, not very old, in their thirties or forties, carrying a basket, sneaking over under the cover of night.

Wukong thought to himself: Why are they worshipping Buddha in the middle of the night? Could they be here to steal?

Looking back, Ao Tu had transformed into the form of Guanyin Bodhisattva, sitting upright with the sleeping Nezha and Red Boy in his arms.

The couple was about to come in.

By the time Wukong went to hide, it was already too late. Being mischievous by nature, he transformed into a little monkey and stood below the hall.

The couple came in, lit Incense and Candles, offered gifts, and were about to worship when they saw a small monkey standing on the ground. They were startled and looked up to see the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva behind them, and in front of them sat a living Bodhisattva with two Immortal Child. The boy was fast asleep, and the girl, with her hair disheveled, was also sleeping while hugging the Bodhisattva!

The two panicked women kowtowed repeatedly, saying:

"The Greatly Compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva has descended! The Greatly Compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva has descended!"

Ao Tu said, "Stop bowing! I want to ask you two why you are visiting so late at night?"

The Human Way, "Reporting to the Bodhisattva, I am Artisans from this town, traveling around the surrounding villages to make a living. Many people recognize me. However, I am born with an illness that prevents me from having children. If I came to pray during the day, people might see me and gossip. Therefore, I brought my wife to make offerings at night."

Ao Tu shook his head and said, "If you don't tell the truth, even the gods and Buddhas can't save you!"

The man quickly bowed and said, "Everything I said is true; I would never dare to deceive the Bodhisattva."

Ao Tu said, "You say you're Artisans, so why are your hands stained with malevolent energy?"

The Human Way, "This... I... I am a pig Artisans!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong couldn't help but laugh, saying, "You were originally a castrated pig, no wonder you have no children!"

When the monkey spoke, the couple were so frightened that they crawled backward.

Ao Tu said, "There's no need to be alarmed; this is a Guardian spirit from my small temple."

Upon hearing this, the couple bowed to Wukong again, calling him "Divine Monkey." The Human Way, "My ancestors for three generations made a living by castrating pigs, but I have no son. How can I face my ancestors after I die? I beg Guanyin Bodhisattva to have mercy and grant me an heir!"

Ao Tu said, "It's not that you are destined to be childless, but rather that you suffered a flood when you were young, which happened to occur in the dead of winter. This damaged your vital energy, leaving you with an illness, hence your childlessness."

Upon hearing this, the man repeatedly bowed and said, "Exactly! Exactly! The Bodhisattva's words are absolutely correct!"

The woman beside her bowed in worship.

Ao Tu said, "Very well, seeing your sincerity, I will grant you an heir. You may choose a boy or a girl!"

The man said somewhat fearfully, "Bodhisattva, either male or female is fine, just not this hairy one!"

Wukong glared at the man in annoyance upon hearing this.

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Don't worry, there aren't any with feathers."

The Human Way, "Bodhisattva, a son is good for carrying on the family business, please grant me a son!"

Ao Tu said, "Very well, I will grant you a son."

Having said that, he pointed a finger, bestowing upon them Creation, and said:

"Go back now, and engage in more sexual activity; good news is expected within the month."

The couple were overjoyed upon hearing this, and repeatedly kowtowed before returning home.

Ao Tu reverted to his Original Form.

Seeing this, Wukong transformed back and asked, "Dragon Brother, if you were to bestow offspring like them, wouldn't you be afraid of incurring karmic retribution?"

Ao Tu asked, "Why are you tainted by karma?"

Wukong said, "I have heard that the Buddhist Dharma Anguttara Nikaya states that slaughtering and selling meat, and other professions that profit through evil, are among the twelve unwholesome conducts, and the karmic obstacles are considerable."

Ao Tu said, "I am Bodhisattva in disguise, not a real Bodhisattva, therefore I do not study Buddhist Dharma. I only see that the common people are making a living through their own skills and strength, and have never harmed others. Their actions are beneficial to all beings, so how can they have any karmic obstacles? If there are karmic obstacles, I will simply eliminate them!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong bowed respectfully and said with a smile, "Dragon Brother's path is indeed Buddhist Dharma teaching! Please, Dragon Brother, have mercy and come with me! Let's help that Prince."

Ao Tu said, "Don't rush, wait until Nezha wakes up."

Upon hearing this, Wukong sat down to meditate nearby.

The next day, Red Boy woke up first.

Ao Tu branded him on the chest, but Red Boy felt no shame, only a sense of pride, so he instructed Ao Tu to brand him on his chest.

Ao Tu drew a Flames brand.

After the drawing was finished, the brand disappeared.

Red Boy asked, "Where has it gone?"

Ao Tu said, "That mark was carved with my Essence Blood, and it is not usually visible."

As he spoke, Ao Tu placed his hand on Red Boy's chest, and the Essence Blood in the mark lit up as it felt Ao Tu's touch.