Viewing the Lanterns in Jinping Prefecture (II)
Meanwhile, in the Flower Realm, before long, Jiangzhu's eyes filled with tears, and she begged for mercy in a low voice.
She has always been delicate and has a sensitive body.
Ao Tu favored her personality, so he often had her accompany him.
They didn't intend to spare her this time, but at that moment, Tang Sanzang disciples happened to step into the territory of Jinping Prefecture.
[Enter the Mission Area]
[Current Side Quest: Lantern Viewing the Lanterns in Jinping Prefecture]
[Quest Requirement: Block the Pilgrim in the Jinping Prefecture area. Rewards will be calculated based on the time taken to block them.]
[Quest Reward: 3 days / Toad Venom, Seven Days / Taoist Technique - Smallpox-Planting, Half a Month / Spiritual Root - Bodhi Branch, 1/ Houtian Spiritual Treasure - Seven-Star Sword, Season / Supernatural Ability - Guanyin Heart Mantra, 1/2 months / Houtian Spiritual Treasure - Plague-Subduing Seal, 1/ Eight Treasures Art Primordial Chaos Qi, Twelve Years / Jade Tablet Fragment, Sixty Years...]
[Current Progress: 187 days]
Ao Tu was stunned for a moment, thinking that the system rewards had not been refreshed. After looking carefully, he realized that there was another reward of Eight Treasures Art and Bodhi Branch Leaves.
Strange! Strange!
How can there be two Eight Treasures Art and two Bodhi Branch Leaves?
Although he didn't know the reason for it for the time being, Ao Tu still descended his Incarnation and went to Jinping Prefecture in the Lower Realm.
The old saying is indeed true: indulging in pleasure leads to mistakes.
He almost missed an important matter because he was so fond of the lychee Immortal Tea made by Jiangzhu.
Starting today, I will abstain from tea for a year as a reminder.
Ao Tu gently rubbed Jiangzhu's slender waist and laughed, "Thanks to you, but if it were anyone else, they would have really messed things up!"
Jiangzhu lay limply, her fair body weak, a few beads of sweat on her flushed cheeks. Her heart trembled, and she couldn't think about the meaning behind Ao Tu's words. She mumbled two soft "hmm"s and pressed her body tightly against Ao Tu's chest.
Ao Tu didn't find it boring, so he hugged her, their bodies pressed together, unable to get enough of each other.
Since the obstacles on either side have already been delayed, there's no need to rush. Let the Incarnation go.
On the other side, Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrived in Jinping Prefecture, where they saw a bustling and prosperous city, whose name was known to everyone on the city walls.
The four travelers walked in, keeping their expressions impeccable. After passing through bustling streets and alleys, they came to a Mountain Gate, which read, "Ciyun Temple."
Tang Sanzang said happily, "Disciples, there's a Buddhist Temple here. Shall we go in, offer some food, and ask for directions?"
Wukong and his two companions exclaimed happily, "Excellent!"
Tang Sanzang then led the way into the room.
If it were an ordinary person, the disciples would be the first to handle mundane matters. However, Wukong and his two companions were ugly. If the three of them were to lead the way, they would be kicked out, the gates would be tightly closed, and they would be told they were Demon and not allowed to enter again.
Only when Tang Sanzang led the way, and people saw that he had a respectable appearance, did they agree to let him in. Wukong and the others followed behind Tang Sanzang, so that even if they were seen, they wouldn't be able to kick them out.
The four entered the temple, and there they saw:
The Jewel Tower stands tall, the throne imposing. The Buddhist hall soars beyond the clouds, the monks' quarters are bathed in the quiet moonlight. Ethereal drift over the towering pagoda, verdant trees cast shadows, concealing the serene moon. A true Pure Land, a false Dragon Palace, the Great Buddha Hall shrouded in purple clouds. Leisurely people play in the two corridors, the pagoda is always open for guests to climb. Incense Offerings constantly in the censer, lamps flicker on the platform every night. Suddenly, the sound of the abbot's golden bell is heard, and the monks chant sutras in response.
As the four travelers looked around, a monk emerged from the area. He was dressed in India attire, appeared to be the Abbot, and had exposed arms. Seeing that Tang Sanzang's appearance and clothing were different, he bowed and asked, "Teacher, where do you come from?"
Tang Sanzang returned the greeting, saying, "I come from the Tang Dynasty of China."
Upon hearing this, the monk immediately prostrated himself in worship.
Tang Sanzang hurriedly helped him up, saying, "Why does the Abbot perform such a grand gesture?"
The monk said, "The people here who aspire to goodness, who read scriptures and chant Buddha's name, all hope to be reborn in your land of China. I never expected that someone would come from China. Now that I see you, Teacher, your appearance is extraordinary; you must have cultivated virtue in your past life. Therefore, I bow down."
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang laughed and said, "I am apprehensive," and then exchanged some polite words with the monk.
The monk was pleased with what he heard and invited Tang Sanzang into the main hall.
Tang Sanzang then called to his disciples behind him.
Upon seeing this, Wukong and the others stepped forward and bowed.
The monk who saw them was indeed frightened, but he couldn't drive them away. The monks who came later were both happy and afraid. They were happy that China figures had descended, but they were afraid because the appearance of Wukong and his two companions was truly terrifying.
Fortunately, the the Monks were relieved to find that Wukong and his companions did not harm anyone and could speak human language. They simply assumed that China people are a mix of handsome and ugly, and that they had just encountered three ugly ones.
The monk then instructed his men to prepare Buddhist vegetarian meal, invited Tang Sanzang and his companions to sit down, and asked, "Teacher, you have come from afar across China. What brings you here?"
Tang Sanzang asked, "I am on the orders of the King Tang to Journey Westward Spirit Mountain to worship Buddha and seek scriptures. May I ask what your place is called, and how far is it from Spirit Mountain?"
The monk said, "We are from Jinping Prefecture in the Tianzhu Kingdom. It is two thousand li away from the Capital. As for Spirit Mountain, we have not been there yet, so we dare not speak presumptuously."
Tang Sanzang nodded his thanks, and shortly afterward, a Buddhist vegetarian meal was served.
After the four of them had eaten their Buddhist vegetarian meal, they prepared to depart.
The Monks said, "Teacher, please stay for two more days. Today is the 14th, and tomorrow is the 15th, which is the Lantern Festival. There will be a lively celebration at the Golden Lamp Bridge. It's not too late to leave after the festival."
Tang Sanzang exclaimed with delight, "I, a monk, have been traveling and lost track of time; it turns out it's already the Lantern Festival!"
The monk laughed and said, "It's just that the Teacher's Zen Nature is so profound that he didn't remember."
Tang Sanzang stayed, simply because he had been away from home for many years and now, on this festive occasion, he thought of this.
Wukong and his companions were naturally unconcerned. They had traveled for so many years that a day or two was nothing to them. Bajie, in particular, was having a great time for half a year.
Tonight is the fourteenth, and the city is already lit up.
The four travelers looked at the lanterns and saw that they were illuminated by lamplight and moonlight, creating a harmonious and peaceful atmosphere.
After reading it, there were many more games to play, and I didn't return until the second watch of the night.
The following day was the festival day, and the streets were bustling and prosperous. In the evening, the curfew was lifted in the city, and people sang and played music all night long. Tang Sanzang and his disciples, along with a few monks from the temple, went up to the Golden Lamp Bridge to enjoy the scenery.
But then they saw three Golden Lamp on the Golden Lamp Bridge. Each lamp was as big as a vat, illuminating an exquisite two-story pavilion, all woven from fine Golden Threads wire and supported by thin glass sheets. Its light shone like the moon, and its oil exuded a fragrant aroma.
Tang Sanzang asked the the Monks, "What kind of lamp oil is this? Why does it smell so wonderful?"
The Monks said, "Teacher, this is all Suhe Fragrant Oil! Teacher, you may not know this, but there is a county in our prefecture called Mintian County, which is 240 li in size and produces this Incense Oil. Every year, the corvée labor is taxed, and while other taxes are manageable, this sesame Incense Oil is particularly burdensome. There are 240 large oil-producing households there. Every year, they collect sesame seeds, boil them to extract the juice, and make this oil. It is more expensive than silver; one tael of oil is worth two taels of silver, and one jin (500 grams) is worth thirty-two taels of silver. These three large vats weigh a total of 1,500 jin, and each household uses more than 200 taels a year. In addition, there are other miscellaneous items such as Golden Threads and glassware, which cost more than 50,000 taels of silver, just for lighting at night."
Wukong asked, "How can so much oil burn out in three nights?"
The Monks said, "When the thirteen lamps are lit, the Buddha will descend tonight and collect the oil. This will ensure a bountiful harvest this year. If the oil is not collected, the weather will be unfavorable. Therefore, every household must make offerings."
Upon hearing this, Wukong opened his Golden Eyes and looked at the monk. After a long while, he still couldn't see through him; he was just a Mortal. He laughed and said:
"Dragon Brother, since this is another business opportunity for Old Sun, why don't you show yourself?"