Seeing a Monastery
Upon hearing Tang Xuanzang's words, Tang Xuanzang Sun Wukong immediately replied, "Yes, Master, I'll go now. You walk slowly, I'll be there in a moment."
Sun Wukong had barely finished speaking when he shook his head and continued to follow in Tang Xuanzang's footsteps.
At the same time, Tang Xuanzang muttered softly, "May the Buddha's Blessing that old man from persecution."
As if hearing Tang Xuanzang's prayer, the willow tree immediately radiated vitality and sprouted tender branches and leaves.
The four travelers continued their slow journey, and after a short while, they arrived at the foot of the high mountain. Looking at the mountain where it met the sky, Tang Xuanzang said to Sun Wukong:
"Wukong, I wonder just how high this mountain is. From a distance, it seems to connect with the blue sky and soar straight into the Yunxiao."
Sun Wukong laughed and said upon hearing this:
"Master, you're completely wrong about that. That day was in the highest heavens, and no matter how high a mountain is, it can't touch the blue sky. So, no matter how high a mountain is, it's not as high as the sky."
Upon hearing Zhu Bajie immediately interrupted Sun Wukong, saying to Sun Wukong:
"As the Brother Monkey once said, if it weren't connected to the heavens, why would Mount Kunlun be called the Pillar of Heaven?"
After hearing what Zhu Bajie said, Sun Wukong looked at Zhu Bajie helplessly, feeling utterly disappointed. After a short while, he said to Zhu Bajie:
"The reason why Mount Kunlun is called the Pillar of Heaven is because Mount Kunlun is located in the northwest and has the reputation of standing tall and upright, so it is called the Pillar of Heaven."
Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing burst into laughter, and after a short while, he said to Sun Wukong:
"Brother Monkey, don't preach these principles to Zhu Bajie anymore. If Zhu Bajie listens, he'll only cause more trouble for others. Let's just keep walking. Once we reach the top of that mountain, we'll know just how high it really is."
After hearing what Sha Wujing said, Zhu Bajie thought that Sha Wujing was looking down on Zhu Bajie, so Zhu Bajie said to Sha Wujing:
"Third brother, are your words implying that you look down on me? Why don't we have a contest right now and see who's better?"
No sooner had Zhu Bajie finished speaking than he raised his Nine-Toothed Rake and charged toward Sha Wujing with a laugh. Sha Wujing, however, put down his load and raised his own weapon to meet Zhu Bajie in the opposite direction.
The two then started laughing and fighting, but Tang Xuanzang pretended not to see them and quickly rode his horse to the cliff, moving forward step by step.
The mountain was so steep and rugged that even birds couldn't pass through it, and even immortals would find it difficult to climb. The animals on the mountain were even more bizarre and varied, and there were even some tigers and wolves searching for food.
When Tang Xuanzang saw this, he was immediately terrified. However, Divine Ability Sun Wukong was Ruyi Jingu Bang powerful. Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang (Golden Cudgel) and roared, scaring the wolves, insects, tigers, and leopards, which all scattered and fled.
Then Sun Wukong led Tang Xuanzang all the way to the top of the mountain. Looking down, they saw a place shrouded in Buddhist light and shrouded in colorful mist.
Faintly, one could still hear the sound of bells. Upon hearing this, Tang Xuanzang was overjoyed and immediately asked Sun Wukong:
"Apprentices, look down here! I suddenly feel a very comfortable sensation."
Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong immediately looked up and gazed around. After carefully observing the area, he indeed found a very good place below.
Below was a pagoda, surrounded by several lakes, all shrouded in a layer of mist.
A faint, auspicious light emanated from above Baota Town, and after a short while, a faint chime could be heard. This is a wonderful place.
After observing for a while, Sun Wukong said to Tang Xuanzang:
"Master, there's a temple down there, but there's something I really don't understand. Why is there both a Buddhist aura and a fierce energy there? This scene looks a bit like Thunderclap Monastery."
"But the sudden appearance of Thunderclap Monastery on the road is probably quite dangerous. We can't rush in rashly, or we might be killed."
After hearing what Sun Wukong said, Tang Xuanzang said to Sun Wukong:
"Since there are sights of Thunderclap Monastery here, could this be Spirit Mountain? You mustn't delay my sincerity; I need to get to Spirit Mountain right now."
After thinking about it seriously for a long time, Sun Wukong said to Tang Xuanzang, "Master, this is not Spirit Mountain at all. I have traveled the road to Spirit Mountain many times, and this is not the road at all."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Bajie immediately said, "Even if this isn't the road to Spirit Mountain, at least there's a kind person living there. Why don't we go there and take a look?"
Just as Sun Wukong was about to speak, Sha Wujing interrupted Sun Wukong, saying, "Let's not worry about whether what's ahead is Spirit Mountain or not. Why don't we go there and take a look?"
After hearing what Sha Wujing said, Sun Wukong nodded and said, "What Sha Wujing said makes some sense. Let's go take a look first."
Tang Xuanzang spurred his horse and arrived at the mountain gate. Upon seeing the three large characters "Thunderclap Monastery," he panicked and fell off his horse, landing on the ground while still cursing:
"You monkey, you've really screwed me over! This is Thunderclap Monastery right now, and you're still telling me it isn't."
Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong smiled and said to Tang Xuanzang, "Master, please don't be angry. Look carefully again now. There are clearly four characters on the mountain gate, but you only read three of them. And now you're blaming me."
After trembling as he got up from the ground, Tang Xuanzang looked up at the mountain gate and, sure enough, there were four characters.
It read "Lesser Thunderclap Monastery" on it.
Seeing this, Tang Xuanzang persisted in his viewpoint and said to Sun Wukong:
"Even if there's a Lesser Thunderclap Monastery ahead, there must be a Buddha inside. Buddha has so many disciples, so it must be here. The only thing I don't understand is which of Buddha's disciples is inside."
After Sun Wukong Tang Xuanzang 'Tang Xuanzang words and seeing his actions, which seemed to indicate he wanted to go inside, Sun Wukong Tang Xuanzang stopped Tang Xuanzang and said:
"Master, please don't act impulsively right now. Look closely, this situation looks ominous, and there's likely some trouble ahead. But if it really happens, please don't blame me for not stopping you."
Tang Xuanzang snorted coldly and said to Sun Wukong:
"Even if there's no Buddha here, there must be a Buddha statue inside. I made a vow before I came that I would worship any Buddha I encounter. How could I blame you?"