txolops 035. The pilgrimage team is becoming more and more harmonious!
035. The pilgrimage team is becoming more and more harmonious!
This pilgrimage team is progressing quite quickly.
Although there were no horses left, Xuanzang rode Zhu Bajie and traveled quite fast.
The only problem is that this pig is unsteady; it almost made Xuanzang's shrimp veins come out when he was given it.
"Old monk, you'd better hold on tight!"
Pigsy looked at the monkey in front of him carrying an iron rod on his shoulder, his face full of resentment and anger.
Ever since the Yellow Wind King joined the team, the monkey has been jumping around like he's been hit hard with a heavy hammer.
They desperately urged Xuanzang to kick the Yellow Wind King out of the group.
To demonstrate his absolute authority within the group, the monkey forced Pigsy to become Xuanzang's mount.
The reason given was simple and domineering.
"How can an ordinary horse traverse these countless mountains and rivers? How can it reach the sacred Buddhist land? Only a spirit pig can go there."
Pigsy initially refused.
However, Xuanzang, having the Yellow Wind King by his side, nodded in agreement for the sake of the team's safety.
If he doesn't agree, then he's not giving face to either of them.
He could easily handle Sun Wukong alone, not to mention the yellow-haired weasel that could blow so hard that Sun Wukong couldn't open his eyes.
So this journey turned into Pigsy carrying his master on his back.
"This pig is great in every way, except it's uncomfortable to sit on for too long."
Xuanzang looked at the scenery of people flying backwards on both sides and couldn't help but nod in approval.
As expected, ordinary horses are no match for pigs; such speed is something that ordinary horses cannot achieve.
At this speed, traveling 108,000 li is nothing more than a simple matter.
Now that he had a mount and a powerful, obedient guard, Xuanzang felt a surge of excitement and was no longer afraid of even Wukong.
"Disciple, I have traveled westward and passed through many mountains and rivers, all of which are rugged and dangerous places, unlike the beautiful scenery of this mountain. It is indeed very secluded and charming. If it is not far from Leiyin Temple, we can dress solemnly and respectfully to see the World-Honored One."
Seeing his smug look, Sun Wukong was displeased, but simply laughed and said, "Early! Early! Just in time!"
Pigsy replied breathlessly, "Master, don't worry. With me here, we'll be on our way to Mount Ling."
Pigsy finally understood.
He can't beat Sun Wukong now, nor can he beat the Yellow Wind King.
He can only show off his power in front of two mortal followers.
But what's the point? They all disdain to attack mortals. In the pilgrimage team, Pigsy is like a strange third person.
Being bullied by both sides, Pigsy decides to temporarily join one side.
Monkeys are definitely out of the question; those guys are loud and boisterous, always ready to swing an iron rod at anyone.
Although he said that, Pigsy still remembered the marriage contract that Xuanzang was carrying.
He won't be able to let go of this resentment until it's resolved, and the anger in his heart will never disappear.
At this point, Pigsy chuckled and asked the yellow-haired weasel carrying a three-pronged steel fork:
"What does Your Majesty think?"
Before the Yellow Wind King could speak, Sun Wukong immediately chimed in:
"It's a journey of 108,000 li, and we haven't even stopped once in ten stops."
Rebuked by Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie looked fearfully at the iron rod in his hand, and dared not raise his voice.
"Brother, how many years will it take to get there?"
Seeing that the Yellow Wind Monster remained silent, Sun Wukong's face was filled with smugness. He said, "If it were my brother, we could reach this destination in ten days or so; if it were me, I could make fifty trips a day and still see the sun; but as for Master, don't even think about it! Don't even think about it!"
Xuanzang, his face turning pale at the monkey's close proximity, twitched slightly, but he suppressed his anger and simply asked, "Wukong, when will you arrive?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong immediately performed a backflip.
Ever since Xuanzang brought back the Yellow Wind King, his daily amusement has been teasing Xuanzang:
"You can grow from childhood to old age, and from old age to childhood again, and it will still be difficult to change from childhood to old age a thousand times. As long as you see your true nature and are sincere, the place you look back to every time is the sacred mountain."
Upon hearing this, Pigsy's eyes darted around, and he immediately spoke:
"Brother, what you say is unbelievable. Our master is the Golden Cicada of Heaven; his journey to the Western Paradise is to worship Buddha and obtain scriptures. How could he not be sincere?"
Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong grabbed Zhu Bajie's ear and angrily rebuked him:
"You idiot, what nonsense are you spouting? Hurry up and come forward, or you'll get a beating from this hamster first."
Startled by his words, Pigsy took off running with Xuanzang.
The followers were immediately startled and quickly gave chase.
Soon, the six of them spotted a manor.
Xuanzang, who had been thrown off Zhu Bajie's back, was helped up by the Yellow Wind King after a long while.
Xuanzang pointed to a place not far away and said, "Your Majesty, look over there. There is a manor there. We can ask to stay there for the night."
Upon hearing this, the Yellow Wind King hurriedly looked up and saw auspicious clouds shrouding the sky, filled with auspicious mist. He knew it must be a divine revelation, but he dared not reveal the secret of heaven, and only said, "Good! Good! Good! Let us stay here for the night."
The elder quickly dismounted and saw a gatehouse with lotus-shaped eaves and painted beams.
"This family is excessively wealthy."
Xuanzang and his disciples and followers stood aside, waiting quietly.
No one came out for a long time, and Sun Wukong, being impatient, jumped up and went inside to look around.
Suddenly, footsteps were heard from the back door, and a middle-aged woman emerged, asking in a coquettish voice, "Who goes there, daring to enter my widow's door?"
The Great Sage, flustered, stammered, "This humble monk comes from the Great Tang Dynasty in the East. I am here by imperial decree to worship Buddha and seek scriptures in the West. Our group of four is passing through Baofang. It is getting late, so we have come to the Venerable Bodhisattva's residence to ask for permission to stay for the night."
Only then could they enter the room.
But as soon as Xuanzang stepped inside, his vision blurred.
The sound of rousing music rose in his ears; it was very familiar, and he listened intently.
"The Qin King's Battle Song?"
Looking again, the surrounding area was no longer a manor, but clearly the front of the Taiji Hall.
Emperor Taizong was in front, followed by all the civil and military officials.
The Tang emperor grasped Xuanzang's hand, his face filled with emotion:
"Your appointment is indeed excellent; you are truly a virtuous monk with a Zen mind. I hereby bestow upon you the titles of Left Chief Monk, Right Chief Monk, and Chief Monk of the Great Chan Buddhist Order of the Realm."
Xuanzang bowed his head in gratitude and accepted the official title of Da Chan.
We have chosen the third day of the ninth lunar month of this year, an auspicious day, to begin the 49-day Water and Land Ritual.
When Xuanzang opened his eyes again, it was time for the crowd to ascend the altar.
At this moment, his imposing countenance was both dignified and elegant, and his Buddhist robes fit him perfectly. He was truly a Buddhist disciple, beyond reproach, surpassing even Bodhi in his lack of falsehood.
However, Xuanzang showed no joy on his face, but only lamented his fate more and more.
However, with Emperor Taizong in front, Xuanzang had no choice but to ascend the Dharma platform and begin his sermon.
He was just a little absent-minded, his mind preoccupied with other things.
"They should be here by now."
In the blink of an eye, Emperor Taizong waved his hand, his gaze sharp as lightning, and asked in the temple:
"Who is willing to obey my decree and travel to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and seek scriptures?"
Unable to ask, a monk stepped aside and bowed before the emperor, saying:
"This humble monk is unworthy, but I am willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty, seeking the true scriptures and praying for the eternal stability of my kingdom."
The Tang emperor was overjoyed and stepped forward to help him up, saying, "If the monk can truly be so loyal and virtuous, unafraid of the long journey and arduous trek through mountains and rivers, I am willing to become your sworn brother."
Xuanzang bowed deeply in gratitude.
The Tang emperor was indeed very virtuous, so he went to the temple and bowed four times before the Buddha, addressing Xuanzang as "Imperial Brother, Holy Monk".
Xuanzang expressed his endless gratitude:
"Your Majesty, what virtue or ability do I possess to deserve such divine favor? I will dedicate myself to this journey, striving until I reach the Western Paradise. If I do not reach the Western Paradise and obtain the true scriptures, I will not dare to return to my country even in death, and will forever be condemned to the abyss of hell."
I offer incense before the Buddha and make this vow.
The Tang emperor was delighted and immediately ordered the imperial carriage to return, awaiting an auspicious day and time before issuing a decree for the journey.
Even after saying these words again, Xuanzang's heart still trembled, but his mind was filled with many ideas:
"I have made a great vow that if I do not obtain the true scriptures, I will be forever condemned to hell. It is probably because I am favored by the king that I have no choice but to be loyal to the country. My journey is truly uncertain, and my fate is unknown."
How could the journey to the west not be difficult?
Each of those disciples was more troublesome than the last, and each of those monsters was more dangerous than the last.
But when Emperor Taizong approached, Xuanzang dared not speak further, and even his lamentations remained only in his heart.
Amidst a whirlwind of thoughts, he suddenly saw the Bodhisattva fly up to a high platform, then ride on auspicious clouds to the highest heavens, revealing her true form as the Savior from Suffering. Entrusting herself to a pure vase and willow branch, her eyes showed neither sorrow nor joy, she simply asked in a calm voice:
"Xuanzang, have you attained enlightenment?"
When Xuanzang saw Guanyin Bodhisattva, he was so flustered that he knelt down and kowtowed.
Only after clearing away the clouds and mist did I realize that it was all just a pipe dream.
Only the Bodhisattva before my eyes is real.
This is a difficult situation, and I can only offer this reminder.
"A dream of a thousand years, a thousand years in a dream, so that's how it is."
From then on, Xuanzang's resolve to seek the Buddha's teachings was strengthened, and he was no longer confused.