A Contest Between Treasures
He told the old monk directly.
I never expected you to be such a person with such great perseverance.
What's up with that monkey next to you?
When the old monk heard that Tang Xuanzong was going to the Western Heaven to obtain Buddhist scriptures, he was deeply moved and couldn't help but praise Tang Monk, saying that he had great perseverance.
Finally, the old monk remembered something else and began to ask Tang Xuanzang about the story of Sun Wukong.
"Oh, you mean this monkey? He's my apprentice."
Tang Xuanzang did not reveal Sun Wukong's true identity to the old monk, firstly to avoid frightening the monk, and secondly to protect himself, since they were outside and if someone with ill intentions were spying on him, it would be disastrous.
"Oh, I see."
The old monk didn't ask any further questions, and after saying that, he said nothing more.
"Where has the elder arranged accommodation for us tonight?"
Tang Xuanzong asked him where he would be staying that night.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot about that. Come with me, I'll take you to your accommodation."
After hearing Tang Xuanzong's words, the old monk slapped his head, looking as if he had suddenly realized something, and said to Tang Xuanzang.
He then walked ahead, with Tang Xuanzang and Sun Wukong leading the way.
"Hey, what exactly is in the elder's room? Why are there so many candles?"
Just as the old monk led Tang Xuanzang and Sun Wukong past a brightly lit house...
Tang Xuanzang suddenly stopped and asked the old monk what was inside the room.
Because apart from this room, almost all the other rooms were pitch black, and even in the room where the Buddha statue was placed, only a few candles were lit.
In contrast, this room contained no Buddha statues, yet it was filled with candles.
"Oh, you mean all these supplies?"
"If I just explain it to you, it might be difficult to explain clearly. Let me take you inside and show you."
The old monk was about to speak to them, but then stopped and suggested taking them inside to have a look.
"Then I'll have to trouble you, Elder."
When Tang Xuanzang heard that the old monk wanted to satisfy his curiosity, he very politely agreed.
"Follow me."
As the old monk spoke, he opened the door to the brightly lit room that Tang Monk had mentioned.
Besides being filled with candles, there were only two other things in the room: various kinds of Zen staffs.
Secondly, there were various kinds of kasayas. No two of these items were the same, and almost every one of them was inlaid with gold and silver, making them very precious.
"This room is filled with the staffs and robes of all 78 abbots of our temple, from the first abbot to the current one."
"Well, aren't all of their robes and staffs extraordinary?"
"Every robe here is a treasure to me."
"Venerable monk, do you have any treasures you may show me?"
This time, before Tang Xuanzang could even ask, the old monk began explaining things to Te Junzeng, and then asked Tang Xuanzang if he had any treasures.
"I do have quite a few treasures. The emperor bestowed many fine things upon me before, but in order to save on luggage and make my journey on the road easier, I left all those treasures in Chang'an."
So you don't have any treasures on you right now. If you want to see any treasures...
"After I travel west and obtain the true scriptures from the Buddha, I will take you back to Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, and let you see my treasures at my residence."
Tang Xuanzang wasn't stupid. After hearing the old monk's words, he instantly understood what the old monk wanted to do. He was clearly trying to flaunt his wealth in front of him.
However, Tang Xuanzong was not like that. He had seen all kinds of treasures, and this was no exception for a cassock of this caliber.
Even if you took the most precious parts and put them together to make a robe, it still couldn't compare to the robe that Bodhisattva Guanyin sent to him by the Buddha Tathagata.
Therefore, what the old monk considered precious robes were nothing more than trash in Tang Xuanzang's eyes.
"Are you saying this because you're afraid of losing face? That's why you said you didn't bring your precious items with you."
Unexpectedly, after praising Tang Xuanzang's words, the old monk began to doubt their authenticity and even mocked Tang Sanzang in the end.
"How dare you speak to my master like that, old monk? How can you be so rude?"
"My master has a treasure with him, but he said he didn't have one because he was afraid that taking it out would hurt your pride. You really don't know what's good for you."
After hearing the old monk's words, Tang Xuanzang did not make any move. Instead, Sun Wukong took the initiative to mock the old monk.
"You say your master has a treasure but doesn't show it to avoid embarrassing me, but let me tell you, I'm not afraid to let him pick it up. I want to see what kind of treasure your master actually has."
The old monk clearly didn't believe what Sun Wukong had just said and wouldn't stop until he produced Tang Xuanzang's treasure.
"Alright, but don't regret it later, and don't come crying and begging to ask your master for it."
Sun Wukong replied irritably.
"Go ahead and get it. If I see your master's treasure and get greedy for it, I'll call you grandpa."
The old monk didn't back down; instead, he became even more arrogant.
You wait here, I'll go get it and show it to you.
Sun Wukong was surprised that the old monk was so stubborn. Not to be outdone, he walked out of the room and headed towards where Tang Xuanzang's luggage was stored.
Tang Xuanzang originally wanted to stop Sun Wukong, but before he could speak, Sun Wukong had already opened the door and rushed out.
A short while later, Sun Wukong returned with a bundle.
"Old monk, didn't you want to see my master's treasures? Today I'll open your eyes and show you that your junk isn't even a treasure."
After Sun Wukong brought the bundle back, he said fiercely to the old monk.
"I'd like to see for myself."
The old monk remained defiant, retorting to Sun Wukong without backing down.
"Then you'd better watch carefully."
Sun Wukong took out the cassock that Buddha had given to Tang Xuanzang right in front of the old monk.