txolops Chapter 102 Baoxiang Kingdom: The Yellow-Robed Monster's Calculation of Tang Sanzang
Chapter 102 Baoxiang Kingdom: The Yellow-Robed Monster's Calculation of Tang Sanzang
Meanwhile, Li and his companion, after leaving Boyue Cave and returning to Wu Family Village, hesitated for a moment.
Baili retorted, "Brother, the plan has failed. What should we do?"
Li Fa said, "It could have worked out, but who knew this guy would be bald!"
Baili retorted, "It's not my fault, brother. Things have come to this point, so we can only say it's fate. We'll just have to think of another way."
Li Fa said, "It seems that we need to take other measures to get rid of this demon."
Baili retorted, "Brother, there is something I don't understand. Please enlighten me."
Li Fa said, "Tell me."
Baili retorted, "That day in the Wave Moon Cave, the Yellow-Robed Monster was no match for the two of us, which is why he fled into the inner cave. If we had known this would happen, why didn't we just storm in and kill him in one fell swoop?"
Li Fa said, "That fellow is one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions. If we kill him directly, it might attract the Heavenly Court's pursuit. I could escape to the West, but you originally fled from the West. If you offend the Heavenly Court again, how will you find refuge?"
Baili retorted, "So that's how it is! That's why you wanted to secretly curse him to death, so that if the Heavenly Court investigated, they would only trace it back to you, and wouldn't implicate me at all. Brother, why... why did you do this? You're willing to take such a risk for me!"
Upon hearing this, Li Fa patted him on the shoulder and said, "No need for idle talk. We're sworn brothers, so naturally I'll consider everything for you. But now that we can't curse him, and we can't just kill him, we'll have to think of another way."
Seeing his composed expression, which didn't seem flustered, Baili Bo's heart stirred, and he quickly asked, "Brother, do you already have a plan in mind?"
Li Fa said, "Do you remember when we were at Wuzhuang Temple, Sun Wukong promised to help us? Now we can use him to get rid of this Yellow Robe Monster."
Sun Wukong was destined to retrieve the scriptures, possessing great supernatural powers. If he killed a celestial being who had descended to earth as a demon, the Heavenly Court would likely not dare to act rashly against him; at most, they would reprimand him, but would certainly not truly punish him.
Baili Bo was overjoyed and said, "Then let's set off immediately to invite Sun Wukong."
Li Fa waved his hand and said, "Brother, don't panic. It's fate that the Monkey King was expelled by Tang Sanzang. How could we possibly ask him to come back? Don't be hasty. I've already calculated that the Monkey King will definitely return to Tang Sanzang's side in a few days. Go to Baoxiang Kingdom to gather information and keep an eye on Tang Sanzang's movements. Come back and report to me immediately if you have any news."
Upon hearing this, Baili Bo bowed and agreed, then went to Baoxiang Kingdom to gather information.
As for the Yellow Robe Monster, he was moved by Sha Wujing's words and abandoned his idea of killing the princess, only ordering a banquet to be prepared.
When the wine was flowing freely, he changed into a bright and shiny outfit, put a precious sword at his waist, and said to the princess, "You stay home and drink, and keep an eye on the child. Don't let Sha Wujing run away. While Tang Sanzang is still in Baoxiang Kingdom, I'll go and meet your father."
The princess said urgently, "You mustn't go! My father has been on the throne since childhood and lives deep in the palace. He has never seen such a fierce man as you. Your ugly appearance will surely frighten him."
The old demon laughed and said, "That's easy. I'll just transform into a handsome man."
The princess said, "Try to transform yourself and let me see."
The monster transformed into a handsome young man, with an elegant appearance, a majestic figure, the talent of Cao Zhi, and the looks of Pan An, possessing a refined and dashing demeanor.
The princess was delighted to see this.
The demon laughed and said, "My dear wife, have you changed for the better?"
The princess said, "That's good! That's good! Now that you've entered the court, my father, being a close relative, will surely have many civil and military officials invite you to a banquet. But while you're drinking, be extremely careful, be very cautious, and don't reveal your true colors, give yourself away, or let the news get out. That would be unseemly."
The old demon said, "No need to give orders, there's a reason for it."
The king was talking with Tang Sanzang when he suddenly heard about the third prince consort and asked, "I only have two prince consorts, how come there's a third?"
The minister said, "Third Prince Consort, it must be a monster that has come."
The king said, "Shall we summon him in?"
Tang Sanzang was alarmed and said, "Your Majesty, this is a demon! Those who are not clever are not cunning. He can know the past and the future, and he can fly on clouds. Whether we summon him or not, he will still come in. It would be better to summon him in and save face."
The king had no choice but to issue the proclamation. The demon entered the palace, performed the proper rites, and had a handsome appearance. The king assumed he was a pillar of the state and inquired about his origins.
The demon feigned a bow and said with sweet words, "My lord, I am from Boyue Village in Wanzishan. I have been fond of archery and horsemanship since childhood and make a living by hunting."
Thirteen years ago, I saw a striped tiger carrying a woman on its back, walking down the hillside.
Your humble servant drew his bow and shot down the tiger with a single arrow, bringing the woman to our estate and saving her life.
When asked where she was from, she only said she was from a commoner family, so he married her.
The tiger, however, was spared by the princess and spent several years cultivating in the mountains, eventually becoming a spirit, dedicated to bewitching and harming people. I have heard that in the past, there were several pilgrims who went on pilgrimages, all claiming to be Tang Sanzang from the Tang Dynasty.
It seems this tiger harmed Tang Sanzang, obtained his credentials, transformed into the image of the pilgrim, and is now deceiving the emperor in court.
"My lord, the one sitting on that embroidered stool is the very tiger that carried the princess thirteen years ago, not the true pilgrim!"
The king, foolish and deluded, couldn't recognize the demon with his naked eyes. He took the monk's empty words as truth, saying, "My wise son-in-law, how do you know this monk is the tiger that carried the princess?"
The demon said, "My lord, I ate tigers and wore tiger clothes in the mountains, and I slept and rose with them. How could you not recognize me?"
The king said, "Since you recognize him, you can ask him to show his true form."
The monster said, "Lend me half a cup of clean water, and I will make him reveal his true form."
The king ordered an official to fetch water and deliver it to the prince consort.
Sanzang immediately concealed his true form and transformed into a striped tiger.
Upon seeing this, the king was terrified and his soul flew away, causing all the officials to flee in panic.
Several daring military officers led their generals and captains forward and, as night fell, finally captured the tiger alive, chained it with iron ropes, placed it in an iron cage, and put it in the imperial office.
The king then issued an edict ordering the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to hold a grand banquet to thank the prince consort for saving him.
That evening, after the court session ended, the demon entered the Silver Peace Palace.
They then selected eighteen palace maids and beautiful women to play music, sing, and dance, and to persuade the demons to drink and make merry.
Around midnight, the old demon, drunk and unable to contain himself, jumped up and laughed loudly, revealing his true form. Suddenly, he became vicious, stretched out his large, winnowing hand, grabbed a woman playing the pipa, and bit her head.
The other palace maids were terrified and scattered in all directions, hiding in the shadows, trembling with fear, not daring to utter a sound.
Meanwhile, the monster sat on it, pouring himself a drink.
After drinking a cup, he would turn the person over and take two bloody bites.
While he was enjoying himself inside, people outside spread the word: "Tang Sanzang is a tiger spirit!" The rumors and shouts reached the Jinting Inn.
At this time, there was no one in the post station except for the white horse eating grass and feed in its trough.
Hearing people say that Tang Sanzang was a tiger spirit, he thought to himself, "My master is clearly a good person. He must have been transformed into a tiger spirit by some monster, which has harmed him. What should I do? What should I do? My eldest brother has been gone for so long, and there's still no news of Pigsy and Sandy!"
He waited until the second watch of the night, when all was silent, before jumping up and saying, "If I don't save Tang Sanzang now, all this merit will be for naught! For naught!"
He couldn't resist, so he suddenly broke the reins, loosened the saddle and bridle, and leaped up, quickly transforming into a dragon again. He rode on dark clouds and soared straight up into the sky to watch.
A poem testifies to this: The Tripitaka came from the west to pay homage to the World-Honored One, but along the way, evil demons appeared. Tonight, the demons transformed into tigers to escape the calamity, and a white horse lowered its reins to save its master.