txolops Chapter 114 Lotus Cave: Arhats Become Demons
Chapter 114 Lotus Cave: Arhats Become Demons
Meanwhile, Paragate, having bid farewell to Golden-Headed Gatekeeper, soared into the auspicious light and headed straight for the southwest.
Before long, a green mountain came into view, standing tall and majestic.
The mountains are shrouded in the faint sounds of Buddhist chants and auspicious clouds, which is the sacred site of the Arhat who subdues tigers.
Paragate descended from the clouds and landed outside the mountain gate.
A novice monk immediately stepped forward, pressing his palms together, and asked, "Venerable One, from whom do you come?"
Paragate said, "Please inform them that Paragate requests an audience with the Tiger-Taming Arhat."
The novice monk obeyed and went inside to report. A short while later, a hearty laugh rang out: "Prajnagate! What brings you here?"
Before the words were finished, a burly Arhat strode out. He was:
His face was like a full moon, his eyes like bright stars; his eyebrows were arched in the shape of the character "八" (eight), and his beard was long and curly. He wore a bright red kasaya (Buddhist robe), with a yellow silk sash around his waist; he wore hemp shoes and held prayer beads in his hand. Behind him followed a striped tiger, docile and obedient, like a house cat.
It was none other than the Arhat who subdued the tiger.
Paragate quickly put his palms together in greeting: "Greetings, Arhat."
The Arhat who subdues tigers waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities, please come in."
The two entered and took their seats, one as host and the other as guest. The novice monk served fragrant tea, and then the Arhat Subduing the Tiger asked, "Venerable One, you must have come with important business. Please speak freely."
Pārajīva sighed and said, "Arhat, you may not know this, but Silver-Headed Pārajīva's enemy has appeared again."
Upon hearing this, the Arhat Subduing Tiger's expression changed drastically, and with a "crack," one of the prayer beads in his hand was crushed!
"What?!" He jumped to his feet, his eyes wide. "Where is that thief now?"
Paragate quickly said, "Arhat, please calm down and listen to me."
He then recounted in detail how the Golden-Headed Jiedi retrieved the Wind-Slaying Pestle from Sun Wukong, how the Pestle ended up in Li Fa's hands, and how Li Fa impersonated the Great King Linggan to rescue the Yellow-Robed Monster.
Upon hearing this, the Arhat Subduing Tiger's face turned ashen, and he gritted his teeth, saying, "That scoundrel! He killed my best friend, stole my junior brother's magic weapon, and dares to show himself again and again! I swear I will not be human if I do not tear him to pieces!"
Having said that, he turned around to fetch his staff.
Paragate quickly stopped him, saying, "Arhat, wait! This man possesses great supernatural powers; we must not underestimate him."
The Arhat who subdues the tiger said, "How capable is he? I, a dignified Arhat who has attained enlightenment, am not afraid of some mortal demon!"
Paragate said, "Arhat, you do not know this. That fellow is quite powerful."
As far as I know, he has at least three major skills.
Firstly, it possesses an indestructible body, impervious to swords and spears, and unaffected by water and fire;
Secondly, the Five Elements Great Escape Technique allows for free movement and transformation, enabling one to do as one pleases;
Thirdly, the technique of piercing the heart with a flying sword is specifically designed to sever the primordial spirit, making it virtually impossible to defend against.
Upon hearing this, the Arhat Subduing Tiger frowned and said, "He actually possesses such abilities?"
Paragate nodded and said, "That's not all. He is also proficient in transformation and change of form, with countless variations that are difficult to discern, even Guanyin Bodhisattva cannot do anything about it."
The Arhat who subdued the tiger gasped, saying, "Even Guanyin Bodhisattva can't subdue him?"
Polojiedi said, "The Bodhisattva fought with him at Black Wind Mountain. The Three Lights Divine Water struck him, but he still managed to escape with his life."
Later at the Flowing Sand River, the Wooden Practitioner used the Flying Rainbow Rope to capture him, but he used a flying sword piercing the heart technique, which instead injured the Wooden Practitioner's primordial spirit, allowing him to escape calmly.
Upon hearing this, the Arhat Subduing Tiger's expression turned solemn.
Paragate then said, "There is one more thing that the Arhats should know."
Some time ago, the Old Mother of Lishan, together with the three Bodhisattvas Guanyin, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra, set a trap to capture him.
But to everyone's surprise, he saw through the trap and, somehow, developed a tacit understanding with his elderly mother, managed to escape unscathed.
After listening, the Arhat Subduing Tiger remained silent for a long time before asking, "How did you come to know such information?"
Jiedi said, "This is all what I learned from the Bodhisattva when I visited him in the South China Sea some time ago when I was not on duty."
The Arhat who subdues the tiger said, "According to you, I am actually powerless against him?"
Polojieti said, "It's not that we can't do anything about it, but we need to use a strategy; we can't fight it by force."
The Arhat who Subdues the Tiger asked, "What plan do you have?"
Pārajīva asked, "Arhat, have you heard of the matter of the two boys, Golden Horn and Silver Horn, descending to the mortal realm to become demons?"
The Arhat Subduing Tiger said, "I've heard a little about them. They were originally attendants of Laozi, but were borrowed by Guanyin Bodhisattva to set up the ordeal at Pingding Mountain. They are currently in the Lotus Cave, waiting for Tang Sanzang and his disciples to arrive."
Pārajīva said, "Exactly. Arhat, think about it, since that fellow has interfered in the affairs of Eagle's Sorrow Gorge, Flowing Sand River, White Tiger Ridge, and Treasure Elephant Kingdom, will he also interfere in Flat Top Mountain?"
The Arhat Subduing Tiger's eyes lit up, and he said, "You mean...?"
Paragate said, "This person's actions have always been traceable."
He specifically targets demon kings who have a connection with Tang Sanzang and his disciples, either rescuing or killing them, always getting involved.
In my opinion, he will definitely not let the Golden Horn and Silver Horn tribulations go unpunished.
The Arhat Subduing Tiger pondered and said, "That makes sense. If he really goes to the Lotus Cave, I can wait for him to walk into my trap."
Polojiedi nodded and said, "That is exactly what I mean. But the Arhats need to think clearly: although Golden Horn and Silver Horn are demons in the mortal realm, they are ultimately Laozi's people."
Whether that fellow's departure will help them or harm them remains to be seen.
The Arhat Subduing the Tiger said, "No matter who he helps or what he does, as long as he shows himself, I will settle accounts with him!"
Paragate said, "If an Arhat goes, he must not reveal his true form. He must transform himself into a demon and blend into the Lotus Cave before he can act."
Upon hearing this, the Tiger-Taming Arhat nodded repeatedly: "Brilliant plan! Brilliant plan! If I go in my original form, Golden Horn and Silver Horn will recognize me as an Arhat, and things will not go well."
If I transform into a demon, I can lie in wait and capture that scoundrel when he shows himself!
Pārajīva said, "The Arhat is wise. However, although the Golden Horn and Silver Horn are children descended to earth, they still possess some abilities."
They possess numerous treasures, including a purple-gold gourd, a jade bottle, a seven-star sword, a banana leaf fan, and a golden rope—all items belonging to Laozi, possessing extraordinary power. The Arhat must be cautious and avoid revealing his true abilities.
The Arhat Subduing Tiger laughed and said, "Don't worry. Although they have many treasures, there are eighteen of us brothers. Where can't we get some treasures? Once I borrow seven or eight treasures, we'll definitely outdo them."
Furthermore, my purpose in going here is solely for revenge; I have no intention of causing trouble for Golden Horn or Silver Horn. Wouldn't it be even better if I could use their brothers to eliminate that villain?
Varanasi was overjoyed and said, "Excellent!"
The Arhat who subdues the tiger nodded and said, "In that case, I will go. Thank you for coming to deliver the message, Venerable One. I will repay this kindness and virtue later."
Polojiedi quickly returned the greeting: "Arhat, you are too kind. Silver-headed Jiedi is also a fellow disciple of us. It is our duty to avenge him."
"I only wish that the Arhat will succeed swiftly, capture the thief, and avenge Silverhead! And also give our Buddhist community some satisfaction!"
The Arhat who subdues tigers nodded, and without further hesitation, turned and went inside. A short while later, he came out dressed in a different outfit.
He was seen:
He wore a purple-gold crown, a black robe, a lion-headed belt, and black cloud-patterned boots. His face was as blue as indigo, his hair as red as cinnabar; his mouth was enormous with fangs, and his eyes shone with golden light. He bore no resemblance whatsoever to an Arhat; he was clearly a man-eating demon!
Upon seeing this, Paragate exclaimed repeatedly, "Excellent! Excellent! Even a true demon wouldn't recognize the Arhat's transformation!"
The Arhat Subduing Tiger laughed, "Given my appearance, let's call me 'King Subduing Tiger.' The Lotus Cave is just missing a demon king!"
After saying this, the two looked at each other and burst into laughter.
Paragate then said, "Arhat, you should bring some gifts with you on your journey. It would be inappropriate to arrive empty-handed."
The Arhat who subdues tigers nodded and said, "That's right. I still have a few jars of aged wine and a few loads of fresh seafood in my mountains, which would be perfect as a gift for our meeting."
Paragate said, "Very well. Arhat, go now. I will return to Golden-Headed Gatekeeper to report back. If there is any news, I will come and inform you again."
The two parted ways, and Varagata returned to the East, which is not mentioned again.
Meanwhile, the Arhat Subduing Tiger enlightened a few mountain demons, instructing them to carry wine and fruit baskets. He then transformed himself back into the "Great King Subduing Tiger," swaggering towards the Lotus Cave on Flat Top Mountain.
It is:
To avenge his fellow disciples, he transformed himself into a demon.
They lay in ambush in the Lotus Cave, waiting for their nemesis to fall into their trap.