Subduing the Jade Rabbit in Tianzhu (I)

Now, it is said that Ao Tu's Mount, the Essence of Li Fire, was born prematurely after eating Buddhist Sect Immortal Fruit. It was in the form of a Vermilion Bird and the manner of a Phoenix, possessing great Supernatural Ability and being extraordinary from birth.

Because she was enlightened by Ao Tu Ao Tu was conceived by his side from childhood, although she was born into a noble family, she had no arrogant heart. She respectfully bowed before Ao Tu, performed nine prostrations, knelt on the ground with her legs together, sat on her heels, and kowtowed.

Ao Tu smiled and bestowed upon her Treasure Garment, instructing her to cover her body.

She dared not accept it casually, and only after kowtowing nine times did she accept the Treasure Garment and put it on.

The garments were Immortal Household treasures, capable of changing shape. When she put them on, they transformed into a white robe for a child, fitting her perfectly.

It was simply plain white, without any decoration, and not very attractive.

Ao Tu thought for a moment, then bestowed upon him a crimson gold begonia belt, adorned with gold buttons and jade buckles. This was originally a man's adornment, but it suited him appropriately in this situation.

The little red bird was very grateful. After dressing itself, it asked, "Please, sir, grant me a name."

Ao Tu said, "You are the Essence of Li Fire, belonging to the Tian Nan. Let you be named Li and your surname Zhu, and be called Zhu Li."

Zhu Li was overjoyed to receive his name and bowed twice in greeting.

Seeing this from behind the bushes and trees, the Jade Rabbit Spirit carefully retreated. She was Jade Rabbit descended from the Toad Palace and had seen Ao Tu's appearance before. Recognizing him now, she dared not disturb him, lest she offend him.

Ao Tu said, "How rude! You came quietly, and you intend to leave quietly as well?"

Upon hearing this, the Jade Rabbit Spirit was so startled that she stumbled, dropping one of her embroidered shoes to the ground. Without bothering to pick it up, she kicked off the other shoe as well, arching her foot and fleeing like a cunning rabbit.

Upon seeing this, Zhu Li transformed into a streak of red cloud and gave chase.

She was just born and wanted her master to ride her, but because she was too young to carry her, she felt guilty. Now that she saw the cunning rabbit escape, she thought it was the perfect opportunity to prove herself.

This was a classic case of birds chasing rabbits. The Jade Rabbit Spirit escaped swiftly, and Zhu Li caught up in no time. He flew down, grabbed the Jade Rabbit Spirit waist with his two small hands, and lifted her into the Heaven.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit was terrified, fearing that she would be lifted up and unable to escape, so she kicked upwards with both feet. Because Zhu Li was small, the Jade Rabbit Spirit managed to break free.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit hurriedly fled again.

Seeing this, Zhu Li cried out and, not giving up, pounced down to grab it again.

Seeing that she could not escape, the Jade Rabbit Spirit stripped off her clothes, revealing her fair body, so that she could practice her martial arts and fight with Zhu Li in the Heaven.

Zhu Li said, "You Yaoguai, I'm not afraid of three rabbits! Watch me set you on fire!"

After speaking, Zhu Li spat out the Li Fire.

Upon seeing this, the Jade Rabbit Spirit Qingfeng and darted about, escaping from one place to another.

Zhu Li was newly born and had little fighting experience. He spewed fire all over the sky, which looked powerful, but it couldn't burn the Jade Rabbit Spirit at all.

After Zhu Li finished breathing fire, the Jade Rabbit Spirit regained its strength, flew up, and attacked her.

Upon seeing this, Ao Tu thought he could lend a hand, so he used Supernatural Ability called "Universe in the Sleeve" to spread his sleeve and instantly bring the Jade Rabbit Spirit back.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a Jade Rabbit from the Moon Palace.

Good rabbit: Its body is curled up like jade, its hooves spread like a thousand mountains. Its straight nose hangs down like butter, as white as frost and as smooth as powder. Its eyes are red and bright, as white as rouge on snow. When it lies in your palm, it is a pile of white silk; when it stretches out its waist, it is a string of white silver Silver Threads. It goes home several times, drinking the last drops of dew at dawn, and uses a jade pestle to pound medicine for immortality.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit repeatedly prostrated itself in Ao Tu's palm, saying:

"Your Great King! Spare me! Your Great King! Spare me!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You recognize me?"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit said, "I am the Jade Rabbit who pounds medicine on the Moon Star. When Your Great King summoned the Stars, I had a presumptuous thought and dared to look up at Your Great King's venerable countenance from afar."

Ao Tu nodded and said, "I see. I have a long-standing relationship with the Taiyin Star Lord, so I will spare you this time."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit was extremely grateful upon hearing this.

Ao Tu gently stroked her soft fur and chuckled, "Jade Rabbit, I'll spare you, but I need your help."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit replied obediently, "Your Great King, please give your orders!"

Ao Tu said, "Tang Sanzang and his disciples are coming soon. You devise a plan to capture that old monk and force him to marry, thus disrupting his meditation, testing his resolve, and hindering their journey Journey to the West the West."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit said, "Your Great King, marriage is easy, but it might disturb the monk's resolve... I've heard that the monk is the reincarnation of Elder Golden Cicada, a person who has cultivated for Ten Lifetimes, enduring countless calamities and dangers along the way. I'm afraid it will be difficult to shake his will!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "That's easy, I'll teach you."

Upon hearing this, the Jade Rabbit Spirit sat in Ao Tu's palm, clasped her hands and feet in a gesture of respect, and pricked up her ears, saying, "Your Great King, please enlighten me."

Ao Tu said, "You don't need to do anything. Just lead him into the palace, and he can say whatever he wants without any questions."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit said, "Your Great King, how can you succeed with mere words and no proof?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "It can be done! It can be done! Just do as I say."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit agreed, jumped down from Ao Tu's palm, transformed into human form, bowed to Ao Tu, and apologized:

"During the fight, my clothes fell off. I hope Your Great King will forgive my impropriety. I will go and find them to put on."

Ao Tu nodded and said, "Go! Go!"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit then gathered up the scattered clothes, shoes, and socks, and put them on.

Zhu Li bowed her head and apologized to Ao Tu, admitting that it was her fault for failing to capture the Jade Rabbit Spirit.

Ao Tu did not blame her. He gently brushed the fine feathers in her hair with his fingers and beckoned her back into his arms.

At that time, an elderly woman from the foot of the mountain climbed up the mountain.

This was none other than the princess of the Kingdom of Tianzhu.

Just now, when Zhu Li and the Jade Rabbit Spirit were fighting, many strange phenomena appeared in the sky, which the people mistook for gods and Buddhas, and they all went to worship.

The princess of the Indian Kingdom was living in the Bujin Temple at the foot of the mountain. The monks in the temple dared not go up the mountain to offend the divine power. Because she had a grievance in her heart, she specially went up the mountain to seek an audience with the gods and Buddhas.

The Princess climbed the Desolate Mountain and saw a shameless young woman, her chest and buttocks exposed, putting on her clothes. Looking at the woman's appearance, the princess felt that she was very familiar with her.

"Ah! Isn't that exactly what she looked like when she was young?"

The Princess let out a shriek, rushed forward, and grabbed the clothes the Jade Rabbit Spirit had just put on. She tore the clothes apart with her force, then grabbed the Jade Rabbit Spirit's wrist and shouted:

"You Yaoguai! How could you impersonate me and bring me to this!"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit snorted coldly, pushed the Princess to the ground, and said, "So what if I harmed you? Everyone in the kingdom recognizes me as the Princess now, who would recognize an old woman like you!"

The Princess's eyes were red and tears streamed down her face. She got up and rushed forward to grab the Jade Rabbit Spirit again.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit dodged away, shouting, "You rude thing! The Great King is here! Let me put on my clothes before I argue with you!"

The Princess was determined not to let it go.

Upon seeing this, Ao Tu used his magic to separate the two, saying:

"Tell me your grievances, and I will redress your grievances and end your disputes!"

The Princess wept, saying, "Immortal Master, this Demon disguised herself as me and used a gust of wind to sweep me into this temple, preventing me from returning to the palace and causing me endless suffering. Fortunately, the abbot was a good man. When I was young, he chained me to a cell, claiming I was Demon, thus preserving my chastity. I slept in urine and lived in excrement. Now that I'm old, I work as a washerwoman to make a living, but I still can't return to the palace. She has ruined my life of wealth and honor. I beg you, Immortal Master, to do me justice!"

Ao Tu said, "Didn't you go back to the palace yourself?"

The Princess said, "It is extremely difficult for a woman like me to return to the palace. I did try to go back in my old age, but no one recognized me anymore."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit sneered, "Why would they recognize you? The entire court recognizes me, the Princess who 'attained immortality through divine grace,' who is eternally youthful and skilled in healing. How dare you, a mere old woman from the countryside, impersonate me?"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu said, "Jade Rabbit, you have committed such a wicked act, your fault is not small, how dare you be so presumptuous, without the slightest remorse?"

Upon hearing this, the Jade Rabbit Spirit hurriedly bowed and said, "Your Great King, it is not so. There is actually another reason. Please allow Great King to explain."

Ao Tu said, "You speak."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit said, "We are both from the Guanghan Palace. Back then, I was there pounding the Mysterious Frost Treasure Medicine, and she, a palace maid, bullied me greatly and slapped me. Later, she longed to descend to the mortal Lower Realm and was reincarnated as Princess of India. The reason I ruined her wealth and status was to avenge this old grudge."

Upon hearing this, the Princess looked completely bewildered, having no recollection of it.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit said, "Before Your Great King, I would never dare to utter the slightest lie."

Ao Tu said, "Let me check it."

After speaking, he took out the Hetu Luoshu to examine the events of that year, and indeed, as the Jade Rabbit had said, there was no error whatsoever.

Seeing this, the Princess was utterly helpless, and unable to recall anything from her past life, she could only silently shed tears.

Ao Tu sighed, "Enough! Enough! Neither of you are at fault. This whole affair is actually my fault. In that case, I will still help you become an immortal."

The Princess said, "Immortal Master, I've heard that those who cultivate Daoism and meditate begin their practice in childhood. I'm stuck in the countryside, and now I'm old and useless. How can I become an immortal?"

Ao Tu laughed, "That's because they have no background; they have to start cultivating from scratch." As he spoke, he rummaged through his robes, pulled out a Three-Turn Golden Elixir, tossed it to the Princess, and said, "Eat it."

The Princess swallowed the Golden Elixir and was indeed reborn, ascending to heaven on the spot, regaining her youthful appearance, and remembering her past life.

He then bowed deeply and repeatedly thanked Ao Tu.

Ao Tu said, "No need to thank me."

The Princess turned to look at the Jade Rabbit and scolded, "You beast! I'll go back and tell the Star Lords about you!"

The Jade Rabbit sneered, "You descended to the mortal Lower Realm because you longed for it, and you dare to sue me?"

The Princess snorted coldly and was about to ascend into the heavens to return to the Toad Palace when she suddenly remembered something. She landed and said to Ao Tu:

"Immortal Master, I have suffered endless torment at the hands of this beast in this life, but now I am fortunate to have met you, and my suffering has come to an end. However, my parents are innocent. They have lost their daughter and must be extremely anxious. I have not been able to fulfill my filial duties for even a day. I beg you to allow me to see my parents again before I ascend to immortality."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit sneered, "I will take care of your parents and let them enjoy their old age in peace. Why would you need to visit them?"

The Princess ignored the Jade Rabbit Spirit and only bowed to Ao Tu.

Ao Tu said, "Since they are your biological parents, it's only natural for them to visit you."

The Princess was delighted upon hearing this and bowed again to express her gratitude.

Seeing that Ao Tu had already said so, the Jade Rabbit Spirit had no choice but to agree to take the Princess back to visit her.

The three of them rode on clouds and mist, and soon arrived at the royal palace of the Kingdom of Tianzhu.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit descended from the clouds and went inside to find her Father King.

Many Imperial Physician Palace Maids were seen kneeling outside.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit asked, "What's wrong? Why are we gathered here?"

The Imperial Physician exclaimed joyfully, "Princess, you're back! We couldn't find you earlier. His Majesty's health had declined, and we were powerless to save him. He has already made his final arrangements!"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit was startled and quickly said, "You all wait outside and are not allowed to enter!"

Everyone readily accepted the order.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit hurriedly led Ao Tu and the Princess inside.

As the saying goes, clothes make the man and a saddle makes the horse. Although the Princess's appearance remained the same, her clothes were worn and tattered, so the people only felt that she looked familiar, but did not recognize her directly.

The three men went inside, dismissed the Attendants, and saw that the India emperor and Empress were old and frail, about to die.

Upon seeing this, the Princess couldn't help but kneel on the ground, weeping, and cried out, "You wicked beast! How could you have caused my parents to become like this!"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit said angrily, "They are all Mortal, and it is only natural for them to grow old and die. If it weren't for my medicinal treatments over the past two years and the expulsion of the Black and White Impermanence, they would have died long ago!"

Upon hearing this, the Princess couldn't help but shed tears.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit took out several pills, dissolved them in water, and fed them to the Emperor and Empress India.

After waiting for about half an hour, the old emperor finally opened his eyes.

Because Princess Zhen was kneeling on the ground and weeping, the old emperor did not see her. He only saw the Jade Rabbit Spirit and Ao Tu standing behind the Jade Rabbit Spirit.

Upon seeing this, the old emperor of the Tianzhu Kingdom couldn't help but weep with joy, saying:

"Perhaps even the Lord Yama heard my dying words, and that's how my daughter finally found a Ruyi. Heaven has taken pity on her; how could a daughter remain unmarried for forty years? Now she can finally face her ancestors with a clear conscience!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu couldn't help but laugh.

Fearing that Ao Tu would be angry, the Jade Rabbit Spirit quickly turned around to look. Seeing that Ao Tu was not angry, she was relieved and somewhat pleased. However, she still wanted to explain the situation clearly first, so as not to let the old emperor say anything inappropriate later.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit then explained the situation to the old emperor.

The Princess also stood up to corroborate this.

The old emperor looked at his two daughters before him, then suddenly his vision went black, and he died.

The Black and White Impermanence came from the Netherworld Realm to collect the soul. Upon seeing Ao Tu, they dared not act rashly and stood aside after paying their respects.

The Princess was reincarnated early and did not recognize Ao Tu. She was slightly surprised by this scene and pondered Ao Tu's identity and origin.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit then took out a medicine to keep the old emperor alive and brought him back to life.

The old emperor weakly advised, "Children, you two had grudges in your past lives, but are destined to be together in this life, both of you being my daughters. Therefore, there is no need for you to fight. Put aside your hatred, and I will be at peace."

Upon hearing this, both the Jade Rabbit Spirit and the Princess shed tears and their resentment subsided.

The old emperor said, "I have no regrets now, only that my life was too short to witness your wedding day."

The old Empress said, "Daughters, do not make things difficult for the two ghost messengers. We have lived long lives and enjoyed all the riches and honors. Let us be reincarnated."

Upon seeing this scene, Ao Tu sighed, "I have a Good Realm where one can neither become an immortal nor a king, but one can be free from illness and disaster, possess a healthy body, and enjoy endless paradise. Would you like to go there?"

The old emperor and Empress were overjoyed and said, "We are willing to go! We are willing to go!"

The two elderly people had long since passed away. Having made their final arrangements, they slumped down and died.

Ao Tu then collected the souls of the two men into the Gourd.

Black and White Impermanence, he bowed and withdrew.

Ao Tu then bestowed another Immortal Elixir upon each of them, causing the two to rejoice immensely and worship him endlessly.

After the two left, the Princess also ascended to the Moon Palace.

Only Ao Tu and the Jade Rabbit Spirit remained in the Imperial Palace.

Ao Tu looked at the corpses of the emperor and Empress and said, "The new emperor will have to suffer a bit more." After saying that, he put the two corpses away, transformed himself into the emperor, and took a Dragon Scales scale to become the Empress.

Upon seeing Jade Rabbit Spirit blinked, bowed before Ao Tu, and said, "Father King!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Alright, when Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrive, Father King will choose a bride for you."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit laughed and said, "I will obey Father King's orders."

Ao Tu nodded, leaned back on the dragon bed, and since there was nothing else to do, gently fiddled with Zhu Li's tail feathers.

Upon seeing this, the Jade Rabbit Spirit transformed into its Original Form, lightly leaped up, and landed in Ao Tu.

When Ao Tu saw them, he treated them like two pets, petting and playing with them together.