Viewing the Lanterns in Jinping Prefecture (VI)

Meanwhile, Wukong, carrying the rhinoceros horn, ascended to the Heavenly Realm and encountered Taibai Jinxing talking with the Four Heavenly Kings.

When everyone saw Wukong, they all laughed and asked, "What trouble has the Great Sage run into this time?"

Wukong said, "Greetings, everyone. I have no trouble this time, but I have obtained a treasure and have come to offer it as tribute to the Jade Emperor."

Taibai Jinxing laughed and said, "Great Sage, you're protecting Tang Sanzang on his Journey to the West scriptures, and you still manage to encounter treasures?"

Wukong said, "We were passing through Jinping Prefecture in the Tianzhu Kingdom when a group of Rhinoceros Demon impersonated Buddha, tricking us into making offerings. They also kidnapped my master, so we captured them and took their horns. We only know they have Supernatural Ability, but we don't know what kind of treasure they are. Old Star, you are very knowledgeable, so why don't you take a look for Old Sun later."

Upon hearing this, Taibai Jinxing laughed and told Wukong to bring it out.

Wukong took out the pair of rhinoceros horns and showed them to the others.

Several people gathered around.

Wukong asked, "How do you know their origins?"

The Four Heavenly Kings all shook their heads, unable to discern the truth.

Taibai Jinxing, however, recognized it and said, "Great Sage, what a fortunate opportunity! These are the horns of a rhinoceros that has cultivated for a long time. This is no ordinary rhinoceros; it possesses celestial signs, can fly through clouds and mist, travel on rivers and seas, and is adept at opening waterways. It has one hole, three hairs, and two horns, and the horns exude nobility. Its Supernatural Ability are considerable. I wonder how Great Sage managed to capture it?"

Wukong laughed, "What Supernatural Ability does he have? To Old Sun, he's nothing. How does it compare to the Five-Colored Divine Light? How does it compare to the Stars of the Celestial Cycle? How does it compare to the All-Heavenly Fiendish Spirits? How does it compare to the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body? That monster has neither two or three Dharma Form, nor four or five Magic Treasure to protect him. Easy to subdue! Easy to subdue! Easy!"

Upon hearing this, Taibai Jinxing couldn't help but laugh and said, "Great Sage, you truly have vast knowledge! Please wait a moment while I go and report to Great Sage."

Wukong said, "Thank you! Thank you!"

Taibai Jinxing then went to the Lingxiao Hall and reported to the Jade Emperor.

When the Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor heard that Wukong had come to offer tribute, he was very pleased and immediately ordered him to be summoned to the palace.

Wukong then went to the palace, explained the reason, and presented the treasure.

The Celestial Worthy Jade Emperor smiled and instructed the person to accept the pills, then bestowed four more Golden Elixir upon them.

Wukong was extremely grateful, took the Golden Elixir, and then left.

After leaving Lingxiao, we arrived at Spirit Mountain.

Since they were there to present a treasure, they couldn't just wander in, so Wukong informed them all the way in from outside the mountain.

Upon entering the inner garden, one sees many Vajras Arhat wielding Axes and Saws, pruning the branches and leaves of the Bodhi Tree.

Wukong exclaimed in surprise, "What are you doing?"

The Dragon-Subduing Arhat, holding a foot-long broken branch, turned around upon hearing the sound, saw it was Wukong, and laughed:

"So it was the Great Sage! This Bodhi Tree was originally going to be moved, and we dug it up. Because its roots were removed from the soil, some of its branches and leaves were withered. We were afraid that it would be unsightly for the believers down the mountain to see it. It was Venerable Alu suggested that we break off those withered branches, which was to remove the rot and preserve the new! Venerable Kasyapa then taught us to come here to prune it."

Wukong said, "So that's how it is."

A pair of eyes looking around aimlessly.

Seeing Vajras plucked a Bodhi Seed that had fallen naturally and placed it in Wukong's palm, saying, "Great Sage, take this; it will help you comprehend the Buddhist Dharma!"

Wukong laughed and said, "This old monkey is new to Buddhist Dharma teachings that I don't understand. Thank you! Thank you!"

The Monks were delighted.

The Dragon-Subduing Arhat asked, "Great Sage, what brings you here? Have you encountered Demon?"

Wukong said, "No! No! I was just passing through Jinping Prefecture in the Tianzhu Kingdom when I obtained a rare treasure. I came here to offer it to the Buddha and asked the Dragon-Subduing Arhat to inform him of it."

The Dragon-Subduing Arhat said, "Please wait outside the hall."

Wukong then followed and stood outside the hall.

The Dragon-Subduing Arhat went in to report.

Before long, the Tathagata Buddha summoned Wukong in and said with a smile:

"Wukong, I heard you've come to offer treasures?"

Wukong said, "Yes, it was in Jinping Prefecture of the Tianzhu Kingdom that a group of Rhinoceros Demon impersonated Buddha, deceiving people into making offerings, damaging the reputation of our Buddhist Sect, and even kidnapping my master. They were utterly despicable. I eliminated them and took off their horns. These horns are extraordinary; they bear celestial signs, can open waterways, and possess Supernatural Ability powers and noble aura. Therefore, I dared not keep them without permission and, on my master's orders, rushed to Spirit Mountain to offer them to the Buddha."

Having said that, he opened the package, took out the precious horn, and offered it up.

Kasyapa took it and saw that the horn was extremely noble and radiated Jewel Light. He was delighted and presented it to the Tathagata Buddha with both hands.

Upon Tathagata Buddha nodded and said:

"Wukong, you have made great contributions by Subduing Demons and monsters and protecting Tang Sanzang along the way."

Wukong bowed in gratitude.

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Take this treasure back with you."

Kasyapa, who was standing to the side, was taken aback and said, "World-Honored One, this..."

The Tathagata Buddha gently raised his palm, silencing Kasyapa, and addressed the assembly:

"I, a monk, am not attached to precious things. That Eastern Land of China, because of its vastness, abundance, and large population, is rife with greed, killing, lust, deceit, and fraud; people do not follow Buddhism, do not seek good karma, do not worship the Three Lights, and stars), and do not value the five grains; they are disloyal and unfilial, unjust and unkind, deceiving themselves and others, using large measures and small scales, killing and murdering animals, creating boundless evils, and their sins are so great that they will suffer the calamity of hell: eternally falling into the Netherworld, never to be reborn."

I now wish to follow the Heavenly Dao, spread the teachings of China, enlighten the ignorant and unenlightened, encourage the wicked and unrestrained, Transcendence suffering, and avert calamities. This is truly the righteous path, and may its boundless grace endure forever.

However, as our religion Eastern Migration, the Western Heaven lands, left unguarded, are bound to breed evil and harm living beings. Recently, I have heard that the Supreme Jade Emperor of the Golden Palace of the Haotian Heaven, the Greatly Supernatural Ability Western Heaven Savior Celestial Worthy, was appointed by the Jade Emperor, who is born in response to the times to protect the living beings of the Western Heaven.

"Wukong, I've heard you have some connection with the Celestial Worthy, so I'd like you to act as an intermediary and give this treasure to him, inviting him to my Spirit Mountain to discuss important matters."

Upon hearing this, all the the Monks below offered their praises to the Tathagata.

Normally, bodhisattvas such as Mahakala Bodhisattva, Great Brahma King, Vishnu Bodhisattva would have objected, but now none of them spoke, and the Precious Hall was filled with praise.

Seeing this, Wukong agreed, wondering if the Great Monk knew the Demon Dragon's true identity? Was he perhaps setting a trap?

Thinking this, Wukong retracted his magic horn and bowed, saying, "This disciple is leaving."

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Go."

Wukong then walked out and left Spirit Mountain.

The Tathagata Buddha dismissed the the Monks.

Alu returned to the Treasure Pavilion, took a golden pot, and watered a few Bodhi Branch Leaves that he had recently cut, while pondering in his heart what the Tathagata Buddha meant.

However, he could not fathom the Buddha. After pondering for a long time, he gained no insight.

The Dharani being recited beside him was Zhunti the Sage, who naturally knew the reason behind it.

During this tribulation, he Jieyin from the Sage Guidance. The Sage of Jieyin took Buddhism to the Eastern Lands, while he led the remaining Monks to stay in the Western Heaven and transformed it into New Religion.

This matter has already been decided and cannot be changed.

The likes of Mahakala Bodhisattva, Great Brahma King, and Vishnu Bodhisattva were predetermined to be kept and later enshrined as deities of the New Religion religion.

However, his Jieyin was very cunning. While his True Form was unable to return to the past, he took all the good ones to the Eastern Lands, leaving him with only fools.

The Mahakala Bodhisattva Great Brahma King, the Vishnu Bodhisattva, and several others— these Zhunti the Sage has been racking his brains over these past few days, but he still doesn't know which one to choose to lead the New Religion for him.

If it were one of the Four Great Bodhisattva — Manjushri, Samantabhadra, Guanyin, or Ksitigarbha —or Mahasthamaprapta or the Peacock King, even if only one of them remained, he would have someone to choose from. Why would he be so troubled?

Zhunti his options for a while, the Sage Zhunti came up with a plan.

He decided to intervene slightly to hinder Shakyamuni's Eastern Migration journey, so that Shakyamuni could lead his followers to fight against several Sage. Regardless of the outcome, it would be even better if a few Bodhisattva could enter a calamity as a result.

The Sage Zhunti then approached Alu and said, "Venerable, I saw Venerable Kasyapa speaking to the Lingyun Crossing Bridge the other day. I wonder what he meant?"

Alu asked curiously, "Talking to the bridge? What did you say?"

The Human Way Zhunti said, "Venerable Kasyapa told Naqiao that Tang Sanzang and his disciples have arrived in India and will soon ascend Spirit Mountain. Once you have entrusted the True Buddha to him, you may return!"

Alu exclaimed in surprise, "Was anyone else who heard that?"

Zhunti Human Way, "No one heard. It was only because I had a long-standing relationship with the old Bhikkhu at the Mountain Gate that I was able to enter Spirit Mountain Treasure Pavilion. He often sailed boats at Lingyun Ferry, and I happened to witness this when I went to thank him that day."

Alu said, "This matter is of utmost importance; you must not mention it to anyone else."

The Zhunti Human Way, "Yes! Yes!"

Meanwhile, Wukong, carrying the rhinoceros horn, returned to Jinping Prefecture to search for Ao Tu, but Ao Tu Incarnation had already gone back.

Wukong thought that Buddha had instructed him to invite the Western Heaven Savior Celestial Worthy, he should go to Heaven to search for him. However, he was afraid that his master would be waiting impatiently, so he went to report to his master first.

At that time, Tang Sanzang and his disciples were having a feast in Mintian County.

It turns out that there were 240 large oil-producing households in Mintian County who had been making offerings to the three Rhinoceros Demon for years, which was quite a lot of work. Now that Wukong had rid them of the trouble, they were all extremely grateful.

This family invites you to a banquet, that family hosts a feast—which one doesn't spend a few taels of silver to prepare?

If each family eats for one day, then two hundred and forty families will eat for two hundred and forty days. Therefore, the four of them have eaten a lot of vegetarian food these days.

Wukong arrived and explained the reason to Tang Sanzang.

Bajie laughed, "So even Buddha wants to give gifts!"

Tang Sanzang said, "Bajie, stop talking nonsense. Wukong, since it is the Buddha's order, go ahead. I will wait here."

Bajie said, "Brother! Go ahead and don't rush back! The food and lodging here are great, why not stay for half a year? Even the White Horse will benefit!"

Wukong then laughed and left, Somersault Cloud straight up to the Heavenly Realm.

Upon reaching the outer edge of the Flower Realm, they knocked on the Restriction.

After waiting a while, Xiao Zhenying peeked out and invited Wukong in to see the Immortal Tea.

Wukong laughed, "What, it's you, little brat? Where's your master? Fairy Jiangzhu isn't here either?"

Xiao Zhenying said, "My master Alchemy in his room and cannot leave, so he asked me to invite the Great Sage in first."

Upon hearing this, Wukong sat down and waited.

Normally, he would have found it difficult to sit still.

Now, however, they've managed to sit securely in their positions.

Of course, it was also because the matter was not urgent, Tang Sanzang was not in any danger in the Lower Realm, so a delay would not be a problem.

Xiao Zhenying was very polite, and she picked some more Immortal Fruit for Wukong to eat.

After this, an hour had passed.

Ao Tu finally found the time.

Jiangzhu and Apricot Immortal were both exhausted, especially Jiangzhu, who had no strength left and collapsed limply into Apricot Immortal's arms.

Ao Tu smiled and told the two women to rest. He changed his clothes and, without changing his appearance again, went straight out of the room. Upon seeing Wukong outside, he smiled and said, "Great Sage Alchemy, I was busy refining elixirs and failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me! Please forgive me!"

When Wukong saw that Ao Tu had revealed his Original Form, he laughed and said, "You! You've fooled Old Sun so badly! Now you can't even change your appearance anymore?"

Ao Tu smiled and sat down, saying, "We're all family, why bother with formalities?"

Xiao Zhenying poured tea for her master, then stood obediently to the side.

He thought to himself: Master looks best when he looks like this.

Ao Tu didn't drink it. He was always self-disciplined, and having said he would abstain from tea, he didn't drink any more. He said to Xiao Zhenying, "Disciple, go and make some Pear Juice for your master."

Xiao Zhenying listened and went to prepare.

Ao Tu asked Wukong, "Great Sage, what brings you here?"

Wukong took out the rhinoceros horn and said, "It wasn't me who came; someone wants to invite you!"

After speaking, he repeated the words of the Tathagata Buddha.

After listening, Ao Tu pondered carefully.

Wukong asked, "I wonder if that Great Monk saw through your identity and used this as a trap?"

Ao Tu said, "I haven't carefully concealed my identity, so the Great Monk must know it. However, he invited the Western Heaven Savior Celestial Worthy, so he certainly wouldn't do something like smashing a cup; even if there really is a trap, I'm not afraid. I just don't know what the Great Monk."

Wukong asked, "In that case, shall we still go?"

Ao Tu said, "Go! Go! I can go anywhere now, it's just a revisit to Spirit Mountain Ling."

Wukong said, "In that case, come with me!"

Ao Tu said, "Don't rush. As the saying goes, courtesy should be reciprocated. Let me prepare a return gift."

Ao Tu searched and found a Ten-Thousand-Year Tridacna old.

This item is a rare treasure, but it's not particularly valuable to Ao Tu, who is of Dragon Race origin.

However, this trip isn't really about going to accept the invitation; receiving a treasure and fulfilling the proper etiquette will suffice.

At this moment, Xiao Zhenying brought over Pear Juice.

Ao Tu used the Pear Juice, then said he was going to change his clothes and make some preparations, which delayed him for a while.

After changing, they left the Flower Realm with Wukong and headed towards Spirit Mountain.

In a short while, they arrived at Spirit Mountain.

The Jieyin Sage, still disguised as an old Bhikshu Monk, rose to greet Ao Tu upon his arrival and spoke some conciliatory words.

Ao Tu gave a brief reply. He knew this monk was very cunning, so he didn't believe his words and didn't want to talk to him any further.

At this moment, Kasyapa and Alu came out together and said:

"Please wait a moment, Celestial Worthy Venerable, I will summon the World-Honored One."

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu waited a moment, and then saw Treasure Banner banners and canopies, boundless Buddha-Light, and the chanting of Sanskrit. Ao Tu Tathagata a group of Bodhisattva Arhat, came to greet him personally.

Ao Tu laughed and said, "What magical power do I have that would warrant such a great effort from the Venerable Buddha?"

The Tathagata Buddha said, "The Celestial Worthy Venerable was born in response to the times, and this old monk should have long ago invited him. Please come inside; a feast will be prepared to honor you."

Ao Tu was not afraid upon hearing this. He gave the Tridacna to Ao Tu and then went inside.

Passing by the Jewel Pillar in front of the palace, he couldn't help but recall the past. It was a pity that he didn't see his old friends; otherwise, he would have been even happier.

The Tathagata Buddha said, "Please, Celestial Worthy!"

Ao Tu said, "Please, Venerable Buddha."

The two entered the hall, followed by a host of Bodhisattva Arhat.

The Tathagata Buddha invited Ao Tu to sit on the Seven Treasures Lotus Throne. Only after Ao Tu sat down did the the Monks take their seats.

He then summoned Kasyapa and Alu to scatter and arrange the rare delicacies of the feast.

The Monks were grateful.

The Tathagata Buddha then repeated what he had said before, concerning the Eastern Migration. Having finished, he addressed Ao Tu:

"What path does the Celestial Worthy believe is best for our Eastern Migration to travel eastward to the China?"

Ao Tu asked, "Buddha, which path do you think is the most appropriate?"

The Tathagata Buddha asked, "How is Golden Cicada's journey to the Journey to the West?"

Ao Tu exclaimed, "No! No!"

The Tathagata Buddha asked, "Why is it not good?"

Ao Tu said, "I have heard that the journey to the Journey to the West is fraught with many calamities. If the Buddha Eastern Migration were to move eastward, wouldn't that mean they would have to go through that journey again? I fear there would be countless disasters and tribulations along the way, making the journey extremely difficult!"

Kasyapa said, "Sun Wukong has already vanquished Subduing Demons and Demon along the way, clearing away all obstacles. Where would there be any calamity?"

Ao Tu laughed, "Venerable Kasyapa has been on Mount Ling for a long time and is unaware of the affairs of the outside world. I know a few people in the Three Realms. Above are the Three Pure Ones and Four Emperors of the Heavenly Realm, Nuwa and the Queen Mother, countless stars, Immortal Venerables, God Kings, Emperors, and Great Immortals; in the Middle Realm are the Eastern Continent, Southern Continent, Northern Continent, and Western Continent, with demons and gods from all directions, earth immortals from all places, blessed lands and grotto-heavens, and gods from overseas; below are the Netherworld, Mount Tai, the River Styx, and various Yama Kings. I've heard from these people that there are many calamities!"

The Tathagata Buddha said, "There are many calamities; how can we overcome them?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Easy, easy. I've heard that there's an Ananda under the Buddha's tutelage who is very knowledgeable in Buddhist Dharma. As long as we find him, he can protect the Buddha on his Eastern Land."