txolops Chapter 135 Wuji Kingdom: Borrowing Treasures
Chapter 135 Wuji Kingdom: Borrowing Treasures
Meanwhile, Jinzha, having received his master's orders, rode a cloud and headed straight for Wuji Kingdom.
The Kingdom of Wuji is located on the western road, and its capital is called Chicken Cry City. Within the city is a royal garden, and in the garden is an octagonal glazed well, which is the very spot where the true king's body lies.
Jinzha descended from the clouds and landed in the Imperial Garden. Above the well, auspicious energy swirled faintly, and the well water was crystal clear and unfathomably deep.
He cast a water-repelling spell and leaped into the well.
The well was indeed a hidden world. After descending several dozen feet, one came to a crystal palace. Although it was not as grand as the Dragon Palace, it was still exquisite and delicate. Above the palace gate hung a plaque with the five large characters "Dragon King of the Crystal Well".
Jinzha was about to knock on the door when it opened by itself, and an old Dragon King came out to greet him. He was:
Wearing a dragon crown and a brocade robe, with a face like a red date and a beard like silver threads, he held a jade tablet in his hand and wore cloud-patterned shoes. Though a dragon from a well, he still possessed a certain majesty.
Upon seeing Jinzha, the Dragon King hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This humble god was unaware of the arrival of the celestial being and has failed to greet you properly. Please forgive me!"
Jinzha returned the greeting, saying, "Dragon King, there's no need for such formalities. I've come to ask you for a favor."
The Dragon King said, "Please speak freely, Immortal. I will do my utmost to assist you."
Jin Zha said, "I heard that the body of the true king of Wuji Kingdom is kept here by the Dragon King. The Dragon King used a youth-preserving pill to protect his body, preventing it from decaying. Is that true?"
The Dragon King nodded and said, "That is indeed true. That king was a pitiful man, killed by that Green Lion Demon and pushed into the well. I was grateful for his kindness in life, and seeing that his body would decay in the water, I used a youth-preserving pill to protect it. I have already reported this to the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas and received their permission before I did it."
Jin Zha said, "In that case, I would like to borrow a few Youth Preservation Pills from the Dragon King, as I have other important business to attend to."
The Dragon King was taken aback and asked, "Immortal, what is your purpose in borrowing the Youth-Preserving Pill?"
Jinzha did not hide anything and explained the whole story—the Buddhist sect wanted to use Wuji Kingdom to set up a trap to capture Plasma, so they needed to fake the deaths of the Queen and the Crown Prince and temporarily preserve their bodies in the well. Therefore, they needed the Anti-Face Pill to protect their corpses.
After listening, the Dragon King pondered for a moment and said, "I see. Since this is a matter of great importance to Buddhism, I, a humble deity, will certainly offer my assistance. However..."
Jin Zha asked, "Just what?"
The Dragon King said, "But I don't have many of those Youth-Preserving Pills left. I used one to protect the king's body back then. Now I only have two left, just enough for the queen and the crown prince."
Jinzha exclaimed happily, "Two are enough! Thank you, Dragon King!"
The Dragon King turned and went inside. After a short while, he brought out a small jade box and handed it to Jinzha. Jinzha opened it and saw two pills lying inside, as smooth and lustrous as jade, with a faint glow flowing through them.
Jinzha accepted the jade box, thanked the Well Dragon King, and then instructed him again: "You must not divulge a single word of what happened today. If word gets out and ruins our great undertaking, the consequences will be unimaginable."
The Dragon King of the Well kowtowed repeatedly: "This humble god knows the gravity of the matter and would never dare to say another word."
Seeing this, Jinzha did not linger any longer. He rode on a cloud and returned to Mount Wutai to wait for Manjushri Bodhisattva. But let's leave that aside for now.
Then Manjushri Bodhisattva also rode on a cloud and headed straight for the Eastern Paradise.
The sacred site of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun is located in the Eastern Paradise, and is called Miaoyan Palace.
They traveled in silence, and before long, they saw auspicious clouds and rosy radiance ahead, and a magnificent palace stood majestically amidst the sea of clouds. Thereupon:
Golden palaces and silver eaves connect to the Jade Capital, while purple mist and auspicious light surround the palace courtyards.
The master of Qinghua Changle Realm, guarded by a nine-headed lion.
This is the Miaoyan Palace of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun.
Manjushri descended from the clouds and landed before the palace gate. Guardian celestial boys had already come forward to greet him. Upon seeing Manjushri, they quickly bowed and said, "Bodhisattva, what brings you here?"
Manjushri clasped his hands together and said, "Please inform the Heavenly Venerable that Manjushri has something to ask to see you."
The celestial attendant received the order and went inside to announce their arrival. A short while later, a hearty laugh echoed from within the hall: "The esteemed Bodhisattva Manjushri has graced us with his presence! We are deeply sorry for not greeting you sooner!"
Before the words were finished, a celestial being slowly stepped forward. He was:
Adorned with a crown and robes of rosy clouds, surrounded by auspicious nine-colored light, and adorned with a hundred jeweled necklaces, his face was like a full moon, his eyes like morning stars; he held a willow branch in his hand, and stood on a lotus throne. Truly, he was a compassionate soul, dedicated to saving people from suffering and distress.
It was none other than the Great Savior from Suffering, Taiyi Tianzun.
When the Heavenly Venerable saw Manjushri, he smiled and said, "The Venerable Manjushri's presence is truly an honor to our humble abode."
Manjushri also greeted him with palms together, saying, "Greetings, Heavenly Venerable. I am sorry for my presumptuous visit."
The Celestial Venerable returned the greeting with a smile, saying, "Bodhisattva, there's no need for such formalities. Although we are from different Buddhist and Taoist sects, we are old acquaintances. Please come in, please come in."
The two entered and took their seats, one as host and the other as guest. A celestial attendant served them celestial tea, and then the Heavenly Venerable asked, "Bodhisattva, you must have come with important business. Please speak freely."
Manjushri then recounted the killing of the Tiger-Taming Arhat, the disruption of the westward journey by the Plasma, the Buddha's decree to capture him, and Jinzha's plan to outwit him. Furthermore, since the Wuji Kingdom was facing an imminent calamity, he needed to borrow the Divine Dividing Jade Tablet to allow the Queen and the Crown Prince to fake their deaths in order to carry out his plan.
After listening, the Celestial Venerable pondered for a moment and said, "I see. I have heard of plasma before."
Manjushri was taken aback: "The Heavenly Venerable also knows this person?"
The Celestial Venerable nodded and said, "Some time ago, something happened in Laozi's Tushita Palace. Kui Mulang went there to steal elixirs and was killed in the elixir room. After that incident, rumors spread that Laozi had taken on a new disciple. Combining these two events, I'm afraid..."
Manjushri asked, "Does the Heavenly Venerable mean that this Kui Mulang was...?"
The Celestial Venerable did not answer, but instead chuckled and said, "Bodhisattva, rest assured, I will have someone fetch the Divine Disk right away."
Having said that, he ordered the celestial attendant to fetch the Divine Dividing Jade Tablet.
The jade disc was no bigger than the palm of my hand, pure white, engraved with celestial runes, radiating spiritual light and auspicious energy; it was truly a primordial spiritual treasure.
The Celestial Venerable personally handed the treasure to Manjushri, instructing him: "This Jade Disc for Dividing the Soul is a treasure I originally used to guide the souls of the dead and deliver them from the netherworld. Using it to make a mortal's primordial spirit leave the body is not difficult. However, after the primordial spirit leaves the body, the physical body must be properly placed and must not suffer the slightest damage. Otherwise, when the primordial spirit returns to its place, at best it will be confused, and at worst it will be scattered and destroyed."
Manjushri said, "This humble monk understands. This humble monk has already sent his disciple Jinzha to borrow the Youth Preservation Pill from the Dragon King of the Well in Wuji Kingdom. At that time, the bodies of the Queen and the Crown Prince will be placed in the Dragon King's Well to ensure that they do not decay or incinerate."
The Celestial Venerable nodded and said, "That's good then."
Having said that, he handed the treasure to Manjushri and said, "The use of this treasure is extremely simple. Just infuse your magic power into it and place it on the person's brow, and their primordial spirit will be drawn out of their body. After the matter is over, place the jade disc on their brow again, and their primordial spirit will return to its original place."
Manjushri accepted the gift with both hands, bowed, and said, "Thank you for your compassion, Heavenly Venerable. I will remember it forever and will never forget it. After this matter is settled, I will personally return it to you and thank you again for your great kindness."
The Celestial Venerable laughed and said, "You're too kind, Venerable One. We both protect the Heavenly Dao, so there's no need for such formalities."
Manjushri spoke a few more words with the Heavenly Venerable, then bid him farewell and rode a cloud back to Mount Wutai.
As soon as they arrived outside the mountain gate, they saw Jinzha already waiting by their side. Upon seeing his master return, he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.
The two entered the hall and sat down. Jin Zha took out a jade bottle containing the Youth Preservation Pill and presented it to him: "Master, your disciple has successfully completed the mission and has borrowed two Youth Preservation Pills from the Dragon King of the Well."
Manjushri took the jade bottle, looked at it and nodded. He then took out the Divine Dividing Jade Disc and said, "The Heavenly Venerable has also generously lent me the Divine Dividing Jade Disc. Now that all the treasures are complete and the plan is set, we should not delay any longer."
Let's first see where Tang Sanzang and his disciples have gone, then head to Wuji Kingdom and proceed according to plan.
Jin Zha bowed and replied, "I will obey your orders, Master!"
Then, Manjushri Bodhisattva put the treasure away, while Jinzha rode on auspicious clouds, transforming into golden light, and went down to the lower realm to investigate.