Subduing the Jade Rabbit in Tianzhu (III)

When the Princess was asked to find Imperial Son-in-Law, Bajie's eyes lit up, and he forgot about food and drink, focusing all his attention on it.

Tang Sanzang scolded, "You fool! We're almost at the Spirit Mountain, why are you falling back into your old habits!"

Bajie guilty, Pigsy didn't dare look at Tang Sanzang and said, "Master, I didn't say I was going to find a Imperial Son-in-Law, I just went to watch the fun."

Tang Sanzang shouted, "Clod! We monks are supposed to Six Roots of Purity, how can we all be like you, needlessly stirring up trouble?"

The old abbot beside him smiled and advised, "Elder, please don't be angry! It's only natural for young monks to have some impure thoughts that they can't control. In our temple, for example, many monks secretly go down the mountain to buy lay clothes in order to find Imperial Son-in-Law. It's just that the Princess is too beautiful, so it's not surprising."

Tang Sanzang clasped his hands and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Abbot."

After everyone had eaten, the abbot invited Tang Sanzang to the backyard to admire the old site.

Tang Sanzang was admiring the moon and the scenery there, and couldn't help but recite:

"I remember that in the past, Sudatta gold and jewels to help the poor and needy."

"Jeta Grove's name will live on through the ages; where is the elder now, accompanying the Gioro clan?"

Wukong stayed with them for a while, and seeing that nothing was wrong, he returned to his Meditation Room.

Bajie and Sha Wujing were in the room when they saw Wukong return, but Tang Sanzang had not yet returned. They asked, "Where is Master?"

Wukong said he was still admiring the scenery.

Bajie muttered, "We have to set off at cockcrow tomorrow. How can we see anything in this pitch black?"

Tang Sanzang came back to sleep later.

The three apprentices then slept together as well.

The next day at cockcrow, the abbot prepared tea and snacks. The four of them ate and left the temple, heading straight onto the Main Road.

After walking for half a day, I came upon a vast expanse of city walls, fortified ramparts, and a dense population. A poem describes it thus:

Banners fluttered high, and flutes and drums echoed through the streets and bridges.

A blessed land lies near a great river; people there cultivate the path of pagodas and temples.

It extends south to the West Sea and east to the Panjiguo Kingdom.

The area is rich in natural resources, including rhinoceroses, elephants, and hawksbill turtles.

Upon seeing this scene, Tang Sanzang knew he had arrived in India, but he couldn't believe it. He asked several people playing the flute and twirling snakes on the street, and only after asking several of them did he finally confirm that this was Tianzhu Kingdom.

Bajie said, "Master, look at all these people, why are so many of them not wearing shoes?"

Tang Sanzang laughed and said, "I once read in Buddhist scriptures that India walk barefoot, which is a custom of this place to show respect to the land!"

Bajie said, "I see! Master knows so much!"

Tang Sanzang laughed and said, "There's no time to lose. Let's hurry to the Courier Station, request an audience with the Emperor, and exchange our travel documents!"

Wukong and the others all agreed.

The four of them, leading the White Horse, crossed the market and arrived at the Courier Station of the Tianzhu Kingdom.

There was a Courier Station Official there who, seeing the four men's strange appearance, asked, "Where do you come from?"

Tang Sanzang said, "I come from the Great Tang Eastern Land, on the orders of the Tang Emperor, to go to Spirit Mountain to worship Buddha True Scriptures. I now have an official document requesting an audience with His Majesty the Emperor of your country for verification."

The Courier Station Official read the official document and saw that it was covered with the seals of various National Treasure along the route. He exclaimed with delight, "So it is the Emperor's Imperial Younger Brother from King Tang who has traveled thousands of miles to visit! Holy Monk! Holy Monk! Please come in and rest!" He immediately ordered people to look after the horses and prepare feed.

Tang Sanzang said, "I wonder when Your Majesty will establish a court? I hope to exchange my travel documents as soon as possible so that I can continue my journey Journey to the West."

The Courier Station Official, "That's perfect! Our Emperor is old and doesn't hold court often. Today happens to be the day the Princess is choosing Imperial Son-in-Law. The Holy Monk can take this opportunity to go and rest for a while. I'll go and inform him."

Tang Sanzang exclaimed joyfully, "Truly, the Buddha from the unseen realm! Please go! Please go!"

The Courier Station Official then went to report this.

Tang Sanzang and his disciples waited at the Courier Station.

At that time, in the Imperial Palace, Ao Tu was leaning against a soft couch, reading a book called "Miscellaneous Ancient Records" from the Tianzhu Kingdom.

The record contains scattered accounts of Ancient Times events, including some accounts of Good Corpse. Although the details are vague, many ancient events can be inferred from them.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit sat obediently to the side with its legs together, cut an unknown red fruit into small pieces, and fed it to Ao Tu.

At this moment, an official came to report that Tang Sanzang from the Eastern Land had come to exchange his travel documents and was waiting at the Courier Station.

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu chuckled and patted the Jade Rabbit beside him, saying, "Go and prepare!"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit clung to Ao Tu's arm and said, "Father, I've heard that Tang Sanzang's eldest disciple is the reincarnation of Bimawen Bima Wen, a low-ranking official in charge of horses) who caused havoc in the Havoc in Heaven. He's quite capable; I'm afraid he'll see through my transformation and ruin your plans."

Ao Tu nodded and said, "That makes sense. Stick out your foot, and I'll cover it for you."

Upon hearing this, the Jade Rabbit Spirit blushed and obediently lay down on the couch, spreading her legs and stretching out her two jade feet.

Ao Tu pinched the soles of her feet. Because she was Jade Rabbit, her soles were soft and pink. He used his magic power slightly to imprint his own aura on her soles, creating two White Lotus patterns. This way, no matter how she changed, he wouldn't give himself away.

Ao Tu said, "Go."

The Jade Rabbit Spirit hugged her own fair and tender thighs, whimpering, "Father, is that all?"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu gently slapped her hand, causing tears to well up in her eyes. Her heart trembled, and she cried out, "Father, it hurts so much!"

Ao Tu said, "You Lewd Rabbit! I once had a little sister who was Golden-Nosed White-Haired Rat Spirit human form. She was extremely lewd by nature and would always pester me, seeking to make love with me. I thought she was the most lewd person in the Three Realms, but I never met you before!"

Having served Ao Tu for a long time, the Jade Rabbit Spirit didn't take these words to heart. Instead, she happily bowed and said, "Your daughter thanks Father for the compliment!"

Ao Tu said helplessly, "Go quickly! Go quickly! Don't delay the important matter!"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit then went down and changed into a Princess's dress.

She was indeed a beauty that could topple kingdoms, and a person of pure and virtuous character.

The Jade Rabbit Spirit bowed and said, "Father, your daughter is leaving."

Ao Tu said, "Go! Go!"

The Jade Rabbit Spirit then descended.

Ao Tu then instructed his men to summon Tang Sanzang to the palace.

Inside the Courier Station, a palace official, having received an imperial decree, came forward and asked, "Which one of you is the Holy Monk of the Tang Dynasty? His Majesty the Emperor requests your presence!"

Tang Sanzang happily replied, "That is it!"

The official said, "Holy Monk, please follow me."

Tang Sanzang prepared to follow the officials into the palace, but still somewhat worried about Wukong and the others, he turned back and instructed them, "I'm going to exchange the travel documents; you must not cause any trouble outside!"

Wukong and the other two laughed and said, "Don't worry, Master!"

Tang Sanzang then departed.

After Tang Sanzang left, Wukong and his two companions rested in the Courier Station. Soon after, they heard a noisy and crowded noise outside.

Wukong peeked out to look.

Bajie said, "What's so interesting about this?"

Wukong said, "Bajie, there are many people gathered over there. I wonder what they're fighting over?"

Bajie said, "Perhaps they're selling some cheap goods."

Sha Wujing said, "Goods should be sold in the market, not here at this official residence."

As the three brothers were talking, the Courier Station Official walked over, overheard their conversation, and laughed:

"It's not goods, it's our Princess choosing a husband today, and all those young men are vying to go! Just now, even a few of my young clerks at the post station put down their work to go!"

Upon hearing this, Bajie immediately stood up, his eyes darting around. Seeing that Tang Sanzang wasn't there, he said to Wukong, "Brother! The Princess is choosing a husband, let's go take a look!"