Chapter 9

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva frowned. "His aura has dissipated. He cannot be found anywhere in the Jambudvipa World."

Those seated below exchanged glances. Great Miaojiena offered, "Could that vile beast have secretly fled into a Lesser World?"

The bodhisattva shook his head. "A Lesser World cannot bear his power. I have searched them all, to no avail."

Great Miaojiena added, "Or perhaps he was captured while fighting someone?"

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva closed his eyes and divined the heavenly secrets, Buddhist light flowing around him. After a moment, he sighed. "That evil creature descended the mountain to wreak havoc and has already been captured by the Mountain God of Lingtai."

The crowd erupted into discussion. Great Miaojiena asked with a face full of confusion, "The Mountain God of Lingtai? He actually captured Garuda, who is at the Heavenly Immortal realm? Master, who exactly is this man? Why have we never heard of him?"

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva gently shook his head. "This humble monk does not know his background either. But anyone capable of subduing Garuda must possess profound magical power."

As they spoke, Akashagarbha Bodhisattva suddenly sensed something and looked up toward the ninth layer of clouds. "The Heavenly Court is about to issue an edict."

After Lan Caihe returned to the Department of the Mortal Realm, he immediately went to pay respects to Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion, Grand Minister of Grotto-Heavens.

Seeing blood staining his immortal robe and the wound on his chest still unhealed, Emperor Shaoyang asked with concern, "True Person Lan, are your injuries all right?"

Lan Caihe respectfully bowed. "Thank you for Your Excellency's concern. This subordinate is no longer in serious condition."

Emperor Shaoyang gave a slight nod, then asked, "Was that demon captured?"

Lan Caihe bowed and reported, "I was just about to give Your Excellency a detailed account..." He then recounted the entire process of descending to the mortal realm to subdue the demon.

After listening, Emperor Shaoyang showed surprise. "Who would have thought there was such a figure among the mountain gods of the lower realm?"

Lan Caihe said, "The Mountain God of Lingtai is indeed extraordinary. His divine abilities and spells are exceedingly mysterious. Had he not come to my aid this time, this subordinate might already have fallen prey to that demon."

Emperor Shaoyang smiled. "Does True Person Lan know who recommended the Mountain God of Lingtai?"

Lan Caihe looked slightly surprised. "This subordinate does not know."

Emperor Shaoyang said, "He was recommended to His Majesty the Jade Emperor by Laojun."

Lan Caihe smiled in realization. "So that was it. That explains everything."

After a brief pause, Lan Caihe continued, "Garuda has now been captured and is imprisoned in the Mountain God Temple of Lingtai. I expect the mountain god will soon submit a memorial."

Emperor Shaoyang pondered. "Garuda is Akashagarbha Bodhisattva's mount, and Akashagarbha Bodhisattva is one of the Eight Great Bodhisattvas Mahasattvas of Buddhism. This matter is rather troublesome."

He then instructed, "Draft a memorial as well and submit it. It will be sent together with the mountain god's report to the Divine Firmament Jade Palace."

Lan Caihe respectfully accepted the order. "I obey the decree."

Emperor Shaoyang added, "Wait before you leave." Turning to the attendant boy beside him, he said, "Bring a Five-Revolutions Returning-Origin Pill as a gift for True Person Lan."

The attendant boy accepted the order and soon returned carrying a jade case containing the Immortal Pill. Lan Caihe accepted it, bowed again, and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency, for bestowing this pill."

This Five-Revolutions Returning-Origin Pill had been personally refined by Grand Supreme Elder Lao. So long as the physical body remained, no matter how severe the injury, it would heal completely upon taking it.

Emperor Shaoyang waved a hand in dismissal, and Lan Caihe took his leave from the hall.

Before long, Zhuang Yan's memorial arrived at the Department of the Mortal Realm, followed by Lan Caihe's report. Emperor Shaoyang combined the two memorials and forwarded them to the Divine Firmament Jade Palace.

Within the Divine Firmament Jade Palace, Emperor Wenchang, chief commissioner of the Grand Profound Capital Province, finished reading the memorials and immediately ordered, "Send an edict to the Lumen Mountain Daoist Field in the sacred realm of Spirit Mountain. Invite Akashagarbha Bodhisattva to the Grand Profound Capital Province to discuss this matter."

The envoy who delivered edicts respectfully answered, "I obey the decree."

Not long after, a golden Buddhist radiance rose from the Western Pure Land, passed through the ninth layer of clouds, entered through the West Heaven Gate, and reached the realm of Great Luo Heaven before finally descending upon the Grand Profound Capital Province.

"Reporting to Your Excellency, Akashagarbha Bodhisattva is waiting outside the hall." An immortal child entered Taihua Hall to report.

Emperor Wenchang lightly flicked his sleeve. "Invite the bodhisattva inside."

The immortal child announced loudly, "By the emperor's decree, Akashagarbha Bodhisattva is respectfully invited into the hall for an audience."

Amid swirling Buddhist light, Akashagarbha Bodhisattva slowly entered the hall and pressed his palms together in salute. "This humble monk greets Your Excellency."

Emperor Wenchang smiled and gestured. "Bodhisattva, please take a seat."

After offering thanks, Akashagarbha Bodhisattva sat in the foremost sandalwood chair on the right side of the great hall.

Emperor Wenchang ordered a Profound Envoy to present the memorials from the mortal realm. "This case concerns one of your attendants. Please review them, Bodhisattva."

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva accepted the reports and read them carefully. A moment later, he rose and apologized. "This humble monk failed in his discipline, allowing his mount to descend and cause harm. I beg Your Excellency to punish me."

Emperor Wenchang left his seat and helped him up. "Your mount escaped privately and caused trouble. It has nothing to do with you, Bodhisattva."

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Your Excellency, for your wise judgment."

"But how should Garuda be handled?" Emperor Wenchang asked.

"Since he has violated the Heavenly Rules, he should naturally be left to the Heavenly Court's judgment," Akashagarbha Bodhisattva replied.

Emperor Wenchang reminded him, "If he is handed over to the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion for trial, he will likely be unable to escape the punishment of execution."

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva understood and respectfully sought guidance. "Please instruct me, Your Excellency."

"Considering this is his first offense, he may be spared transfer to the Divine Thunder Jade Mansion. Let the Profound Envoy accompany the bodhisattva to Spirit Platform Mountain and bring him back for discipline," Emperor Wenchang decided.

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva pressed his palms together in thanks. "Your Excellency is merciful. This humble monk will certainly restrain him strictly."

Emperor Wenchang turned to the Profound Envoy. "Immediately escort the bodhisattva to Spirit Platform Mountain."

"I obey the decree." The Profound Envoy bowed and accepted the order.

The two took their leave of Emperor Wenchang and rode the clouds directly down to Spirit Platform Mountain. As Buddhist light enveloped the mountain peak, the Profound Envoy called out, "An envoy of the Grand Profound Capital Province is here. Mountain God of Lingtai, come forth at once!"

Divine light flashed within the Mountain God Temple, and Zhuang Yan appeared and bowed. "This minor god, Zhuang Yan, greets the immortals."

The Profound Envoy nodded. "Mountain God of Lingtai, Emperor Wenchang has ordered you to hand Garuda over to Akashagarbha Bodhisattva for discipline."

Zhuang Yan looked surprised. "The Heavenly Court will not punish him?"

The Profound Envoy answered, "Garuda is the bodhisattva's mount, so he should naturally be punished by his master."

Zhuang Yan immediately refused. "Forgive me, but I cannot obey."

The Profound Envoy said sternly, "This is an edict from Emperor Wenchang!"

Zhuang Yan's expression turned serious. "This demon has plagued the mortal realm for a long time. Had I not subdued him, who knows how many more living beings he would have harmed? The Heavenly Court will not impose heavenly punishment, but instead return him to his master. Forgive me, but I cannot understand such a decision."

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva stepped forward. "Mountain God, rest assured. This humble monk will discipline him strictly and confine him within the mountain gate forever."

Zhuang Yan looked the bodhisattva straight in the eye. "It is not that I am devoid of human feeling. This demon has devoured countless people, arbitrarily imprisoned Earth Gods, and injured immortal officials. His sins are monstrous. If he is not punished according to the Heavenly Rules, how will the dead be comforted? How will the heavenly laws be upheld?"

Having said that, he turned to the Profound Envoy. "The memorial has detailed all his crimes. My conscience is clear. Please report the truth to Emperor Wenchang."

Anger began to appear on the Profound Envoy's face, but the bodhisattva stopped him. Akashagarbha Bodhisattva smiled. "The mountain god is impartial and incorruptible. He is worthy of admiration. Profound Envoy, let us return and report first."

The two then rode away on clouds.

When Emperor Wenchang saw the bodhisattva return so soon, he was about to speak when the Profound Envoy reported, "The Mountain God of Lingtai defied the order."

The emperor was surprised. "Did you not make clear that it was my decree?"

The Profound Envoy told him everything as it had happened. After hearing it, the emperor smiled. "He is quite a forthright god. There is no need to force him." He then said to the bodhisattva, "I will personally write a decree ordering the Department of the Mortal Realm to escort Garuda to Heaven and hand him over to you."

Akashagarbha Bodhisattva bowed in thanks.

When the decree reached the Department of the Mortal Realm, Emperor Shaoyang summoned Lan Caihe. "I must trouble True Person Lan to descend and handle this matter."

After reading the decree, Lan Caihe said in alarm, "Is the Grand Profound Capital Province not simply releasing the tiger back into the mountains?"

Emperor Shaoyang replied calmly, "Spirit Mountain governs the Four Great Continents. The lower Heavenly Court relies on Buddhism's assistance in many matters. The Grand Profound Capital Province's decision is reasonable. We need only follow the order."

After hearing this, Lan Caihe respectfully bowed. "I obey the decree."

With that, he turned and left the hall, heading directly down to the mortal realm.

Inside the Mountain God Temple, Lan Caihe handed the decree to Zhuang Yan. "This is Emperor Wenchang's decree, ordering me to escort Garuda back to Heaven."

Zhuang Yan stared at the decree and sneered. "I went to great lengths to subdue this demon, yet now a single document wants to release the tiger back into the mountains. Was all my effort in vain?"

Lan Caihe advised, "The Heavenly Court has its own considerations. Since there is an imperial decree, I ask the mountain god to hand over Garuda."

"Dream on!" Zhuang Yan refused decisively. "You will have to get past me first."

Lan Caihe laughed. "Why must the mountain god be so stubborn? Defying an imperial order is no small matter." He suddenly added, "Hand over that earthen jar as well."

Zhuang Yan's eyes flickered. He fetched the earthen jar and handed it over. "This jar will only allow you to hold it for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Once that time passes, it will fall on its own."

"Is the seal secure?" Lan Caihe asked as he accepted the jar.

Zhuang Yan said proudly, "Even if Akashagarbha Bodhisattva came in person, he would find it difficult to break it."

"Very good." Lan Caihe nodded. "I will return to Heaven and report. Oh, and those Earth Gods promised to seek merit for you. Now is the time for them to fulfill that promise."

With that, he rode away on the clouds. Zhuang Yan watched him depart, then immediately mounted a streak of cloud-light and headed straight for Xiaotian Village.

Before the Earth God's Temple, the Earth God of Xiaotian Village was astonished to see Zhuang Yan return unharmed. "The mountain god has actually returned safely!"

Zhuang Yan got straight to the point. "The demon has been subdued. True Person Lan has escorted him to Heaven. It is time for you to fulfill your promise to submit a memorial seeking recognition for my merits."

The Earth God hesitated. "Since the Heavenly Court has handled the matter, the Department of the Mortal Realm will naturally grant rewards..."

"I want a special memorial addressed to Great Emperor Houtu." Zhuang Yan cut him off. "Are you planning to break your word?"

Seeing the troubled expression on the Earth God's face, Zhuang Yan said sharply, "Do not forget who saved your lives!"

"No, no, no." The Earth God glanced at Zhuang Yan and thought to himself, This man can subdue demons and monsters. He is certainly no ordinary figure. It would be best not to provoke him.

The Earth God of Xiaotian Village hurriedly cupped his hands. "Mountain God, rest assured. This minor god will certainly keep his promise. I will gather the Earth Gods from every region at once and jointly submit a memorial seeking merit for you."

"Very good." Zhuang Yan gave a slight nod. "I must trouble you, Earth God. Farewell."

Before his words had faded, Zhuang Yan had already risen on cloud-light and drifted back toward Spirit Platform Mountain.

While Zhuang Yan was entrusting the Earth Gods to seek merit for him, Lan Caihe was carrying the earthen jar back to the True Palace of Great Mystery.

The instant he stepped into the Hall of Grotto-Heavens, Lan Caihe urgently called out, "Prepare a table at once!"

Emperor Shaoyang of the Purple Mansion and the Immortal Children in the hall were all stunned, unable to understand what he meant.

When no one moved, Lan Caihe had no choice but to bring over a table himself. The moment the earthen jar touched the tabletop, it slipped from his palm and landed with a soft sound.

"I finally made it in time." Lan Caihe let out a long breath.

Emperor Shaoyang asked in confusion, "True Person Lan, what is this? Where is Garuda?"

Lan Caihe turned and reported, "In reply to Your Excellency, Garuda is sealed inside this jar."

"Oh?" Emperor Shaoyang's brows shifted slightly as he rose and descended the steps to inspect it. Inside the jar was a small golden-winged bird curled up within. It was Garuda.

"Release him," Emperor Shaoyang said.

Lan Caihe looked troubled. "This... I fear that will be difficult. The jar bears the Mountain God of Lingtai's unique seal."

"He did not tell you how to release it?"

"Your Excellency, the Mountain God of Lingtai went to great lengths to capture this demon. When he heard that Garuda was to be handed directly to Akashagarbha Bodhisattva, he was greatly displeased. This subordinate persuaded him repeatedly before I was able to bring this jar back."

Emperor Shaoyang understood at once and smiled. "It was not easy to bring this object back. I will immediately report to the Grand Profound Capital Province and submit this jar along with the report."

"I fear that will not work." Lan Caihe shook his head. "This jar is restrained by the Mountain God of Lingtai's magical power. Unless he acts personally, no one can move it even an inch."