Subduing the Jade Rabbit in India (II)

Meanwhile, the three pet beasts, having soaked in the treasure pool, each reaped the benefits.

Ao Tu took back the Eight Treasures Merit Pool and continued to live in the palace, waiting for Tang Sanzang and his disciples to arrive.

Fearing it would tarnish the reputation of the royal palace of the Tianzhu Kingdom, Ao Tu forbade the Palace Maids from serving him, and only the Jade Rabbit Spirit walked by his side every day.

At first, the Jade Rabbit was afraid of Ao Tu's magic power and dared not overstep the bounds of propriety. Later, seeing that Ao Tu was friendly and not as imposing as the Taiyin Star Lord, and relying on her own status as a daughter, she became somewhat unrestrained and often acted coquettishly.

One day, Ao Tu fed two Immortal Fruit to Zhu Li and White Chi. Since Jade Rabbit was also there, seeing how attentively she served them, he also fed her one.

After Zhu Li and White Chi finished eating, they both snuggled into Ao Tu's arms.

After eating, the Jade Rabbit clutched its lower abdomen and cried out in pain.

Ao Tu asked, "What's wrong?"

Jade Rabbit said, "I must have caught a cold, Father, please treat me!"

Ao Tu asked, "How can I treat you?"

Jade Rabbit quickly removed her clothes, clung to Ao Tu, and said, "Father, don't move, it'll heal you just like this!"

Ao Tu reached out and grabbed her, seizing her true form. He lifted her up by her long ears and laughed:

"You Lewd Rabbit, I taught you to test Tang Sanzang, but I didn't teach you to test me!"

The Jade Rabbit, unaware that her true form had been captured, assumed that Ao Tu had used some kind of Supernatural Ability to subdue her and prevent her from escaping. So she kicked her jade feet wildly, her beautiful flesh trembling, and whined coquettishly:

"Father! I've had this ailment since I was a child! When it flares up, the abdominal pain is unbearable, and only the warmth of a man's belly can soothe me. I beg you, Father, have mercy and cure me! Otherwise, I'll die from the pain!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Alright, alright, I'll treat you."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Ao Tu pointed at her and she returned to her Original Form, a clean and white Jade Rabbit, which landed in Ao Tu's arms.

Zhu Li and White Chi each crawled out of Ao Tu's arms, and upon seeing the Jade Rabbit, they couldn't help but laugh.

Unable to bear the shame, the Jade Rabbit folded its hands and feet under its body and lay in Ao Tu's arms, pretending to be asleep.

Ao Tu casually fiddled with his three pet beasts, leaned back in his chair, and began to cultivate the Chaos within his body.

A few more days passed.

After parting ways with Jinping Prefecture, Tang Sanzang and his disciples learned that the Capital Tianzhu Kingdom was only two thousand li away, and that Spirit Mountain was not far away. So they traveled day and night, crossing mountains and ridges, hoping to reach Spirit Mountain as soon as possible.

They arrived at a High Mountain that day and saw that the mountain was steep and continuous, cutting across the road, which was very dangerous.

Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, we must be careful. Look how treacherous this mountain is; there must be Demon Evil there. Which of you should go and patrol the mountain to find an easy path free of Demon so I can pass through?"

Wukong laughed and said, "Master, we are now at the foot of Spirit Mountain, a Sacred Land Buddhist site. There are certainly no Demon Evil here, so we can pass through without worry."

Tang Sanzang sighed, "Oh dear! Wukong! You were so careless!"

Wukong asked, "Master, what's wrong with me?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Although this place is close to the Buddhist holy land, it's still hard to guarantee that there won't be Demon. Don't you know: 'Outside the charitable hall, vicious dogs are often kept; on the shoulders of nobles, birds of prey are often kept.' Now that we've reached the foot of Spirit Mountain, we must not let our guard down."

Wukong listened and was deeply enlightened, saying, "Master is right. I, Old Sun, will go ahead and scout the way."

Tang Sanzang agreed.

Wukong flew ahead to patrol the mountain.

Tang Sanzang, Bajie, and Sha Wujing followed behind.

Wukong crossed several mountains and saw that the surrounding mountains were all lush and green, except for the largest mountain peak, which was charred black. He rushed up to it and saw that the mountain had been burned by a great fire, and many Centipede Demon lay motionless on both sides.

Wukong exclaimed in surprise, "What Demon! How could you not reveal the slightest hint of your demonic aura? If Master hadn't been on guard, you would have truly gotten away with it!"

He raised his staff and struck, but the moment the Golden Cudgel touched the Centipede Demon Centipede Demon, it turned to ashes and vanished.

It turned out that these Centipede Demon had long been burned to ashes by Zhu Li's Li Fire, and were transparent inside and out. As soon as they were touched, they would disperse with the wind.

Wukong then rushed back to report, saying, "Master! Master! There are no Demon on the mountain! There were a few Centipede Demon, but they were all burned to death. Perhaps some deity secretly helped them!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang's face lit up with joy. He recited a Buddhist chant and bowed in gratitude.

The four travelers continued their journey, approaching the mountain, and saw a temple by the roadside.

Not too big, not too small, yet it still has glazed green tiles; half new, half old, yet it still has red walls. Above the Mountain Gate, the four characters "Gold-Scattering Zen Temple" are written in large characters.

Tang Sanzang pondered for a moment and said, "Could it be that Gold-Scattering Zen Temple is on the border of the Shravasti Kingdom?"

Bajie said, "I've followed Master for many years, and I've never seen Master know the way before. How come you know the way today?"

Tang Sanzang laughed and said, "No. It's because I often read scriptures and read about a wealthy Wealthy Merchant named Sudatta. He was charitable and often helped the lonely and poor, and was known as Anathapindika. At that time, he was in the Bamboo Grove of Rajagaha, listening to the Buddha preach, and converted to the Buddhist Sect. Later, he invited the Buddha to preach in the Shravasti Kingdom, and the Buddha said he needed a Taoist temple. Anathapindika took a fancy to Jeta Crown Prince's garden, Jeta Crown Prince was unwilling to sell it, saying that he would only sell it if the garden was covered with gold. Unexpectedly, Anathapindika immediately agreed, went home, opened his treasury, and had a caravan of elephants carry gold, which he then Generosity piece by piece on the garden ground. Jeta Crown Prince was deeply moved and donated the garden, naming it ' Jetavana '. I wonder if this ' Gold-Scattering Zen Temple ' is based on this story?"

Bajie exclaimed joyfully, "Creation! Creation! If this is really the story, let's get a brick too!"

Wukong and Sha Wujing laughed at him a few times.

The four entered the temple.

The abbot of the temple, hearing that he was a China man, led the elders, monks, Śrāmaṇera to welcome the fourfold assembly, instructing them to serve tea, and then offering Vegetarian Offering.

Bajie, eat to your heart's content.

The monks had never seen anything like this before, and they all watched Bajie eat.

Sha Wujing thought to himself, "Second Senior Brother, be civilized! Be civilized!"

Bajie said, "Refined! Refined! Refined can't put food on the table!"

Tang Sanzang had no choice but to thank the abbot and then inquire about the story behind it.

The abbot replied that it was indeed that story, and that the old site still existed behind the temple, saying, "If there is a torrential downpour, gold and silver pearls will appear. Those with Creation will often pick them up."

Tang Sanzang said, "The rumors are indeed true."

Wukong asked, "Old Sun, I see that the mountain has been burned. Why is that?"

The abbot said, "I heard it was burned by the Princess."

Wukong asked, "Which Princess is it?"

The abbot said, "That is the princess of our Tianzhu Kingdom. From a young age, she possessed extraordinary beauty and was considered auspicious. As she grew older, she was determined and refused to marry. It is said that she received divine blessings, thus maintaining her youth. She also possesses the ability to concoct medicine and has healed many people. The people here all love and believe in her. There used to be many centipede demons in these mountains who often harmed people on the roads. A few days ago, heavenly fire descended and burned the demons to death. Some people also saw the princess ascend to heaven in broad daylight after the fire, hence the saying that the princess attained immortality and burned the demons to death, thus bringing blessings to the people."

Tang Sanzang said happily, "It is truly a blessing that your country has such a virtuous Princess."

The abbot laughed and said, "Yes! Yes! That's why, for the Princess selection tomorrow, many people have traveled from afar to participate!"

Bajie put down the steamed bun, looked up, and said, "The Princess is choosing a husband!"

Wukong asked, "Didn't they say the Princess ascended to heaven in broad daylight? Why is she choosing a husband now?"

The abbot said, "You are unaware of the truth. It is because the Princess's father, the emperor of our Tianzhu Kingdom, is old and frail, and his days are numbered. The Princess is extremely filial, and she has returned from Heaven to serve him day and night to fulfill her filial duty. The emperor has no other wish than to see the Princess married before he dies, hence this marriage selection. I am too old to walk and have not been able to attend. I have heard that His Majesty the emperor has posted a notice at the city gate, willing to use the wealth of the entire nation to find a husband for his Imperial Son-in-Law. The Princess is Immortal being, and if chosen, she might even ascend to the Heavenly Realm with him. Therefore, all the talented people in the country have come here. If it weren't for the short time available, I'm afraid even those from other countries would be coming."

Upon hearing this, Bajie couldn't help but exclaim with delight, "Master! I never imagined we'd have such Creation so close to Spirit Mountain! Let's go take a look!"