txolops Chapter 138 Wuji Kingdom - Exorcising Ghosts Part 1
Chapter 138 Wuji Kingdom - Exorcising Ghosts Part 1
Although the traveler was exposed, she remained defiant, saying, "What do you mean by that, Daoist? I truly do not know."
Li Fa said, "Others may not recognize you, but I do. You are a stone monkey born of heaven, living in the Water Curtain Cave of Flower and Fruit Mountain. After witnessing the death of the old monkey in the cave, you developed a desire to seek immortality."
You learned your skills overseas and became a demon. Later, the Heavenly Court offered you amnesty and appointed you as the Great Sage Equal to Heaven. However, because you were not invited to the Peach Banquet, you stole elixirs and imperial wine. In the end, you were imprisoned under the Five Elements Mountain by the Buddha for five hundred years.
"Was it Guanyin Bodhisattva who enlightened you, teaching you to protect Tang Sanzang on his journey to the West to obtain the Buddhist scriptures, subduing demons and monsters along the way? Isn't that right?"
Upon hearing this, the pilgrim was greatly surprised. Knowing he couldn't hide it any longer, he simply wiped his face, revealing his true form, and cupped his hands in a smile, saying, "Old Taoist priest, you truly have excellent eyesight! I'm convinced! I'm convinced! But may I ask, Taoist priest, what kind of deity are you?"
Li Fa said, "My name is Bai Yunhe. I am merely versed in some divination techniques and cannot be considered a deity."
The traveler said, "Master, you are truly a sage. My master has been eager to learn from you. May I ask if you could offer some guidance?"
Li Fa smiled and said, "Then please come over for a chat, Elder."
The traveler was overjoyed, turned around and went back to invite Tang Sanzang over.
Tang Sanzang straightened his cassock, respectfully put his palms together, and said, "This humble monk is Xuanzang, greetings to the Daoist Master. May I ask, Daoist Master, how much further is the journey to the Western Paradise? When will I attain enlightenment?"
Li Fa glanced at Tang Sanzang, then at the Monkey King, and pretended to do some calculations with his fingers, saying, "Elder, your journey to the Western Paradise is long and fraught with danger. But as long as you are sincere and determined, you will surely overcome all obstacles. As for enlightenment… it cannot be spoken of, it cannot be spoken of. However…"
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang hurriedly asked, "But what?"
Li Fa said, "But the elder's forehead is dark, which may be an omen of encountering a ghost."
Upon hearing this, the pilgrim laughed heartily, pulled the golden cudgel from his ear, and slammed it into the ground, saying, "Old Taoist priest, don't scare my master. With my fiery eyes, I can see both the heavens and the underworld. What ghosts and monsters haven't I seen?"
Even the Judge of Hell, the King of Hell, calls me "Great God"; Yama, the King of Hell, respectfully addresses me as "Immortal"; and the Emperor of Fengdu calls me "Great Sage." Master, if any ghosts or spirits dare to act recklessly, I, Old Sun, will strike them with my staff and ensure their souls are scattered to the winds!
Bajie also said, "That's right! Back when I commanded 80,000 water soldiers in the Milky Way, what kind of water ghosts and monsters haven't I seen?"
Although I'm now a monk, I still have all the tricks up my sleeve! Master, don't be afraid, with me here, I'll keep you safe!
Sha Wujing nodded and said, "Master, don't worry. Although I am not as skilled as my senior brother, I still have some methods to subdue demons."
Tang Sanzang felt somewhat relieved after hearing his disciples' words, but he was still a little uneasy. He looked at Li Fa and said, "Daoist, my three disciples do have some skills."
"But...you just said that this humble monk's forehead was dark, a sign that he might encounter a ghost. I wonder what kind of ghost dares to show itself before them?"
Li Fa smiled slightly, stroked his beard, and said, "Elder, you are unaware of this. Your three disciples are all filled with murderous intent and a chilling aura. With the three of them around, even if the Ten Kings of Hell themselves came, they would have to keep their distance and wouldn't dare to approach."
Upon hearing this, the pilgrim said smugly, "Of course! With me standing here, all sorts of demons and monsters will have to shun me!"
Li Fa shook his head and said, "Great Sage Sun, don't be so smug. It's precisely because the three of you have such a strong murderous aura that the ghost avoids you and only sees your master."
Tang Sanzang was a mortal with eyes of flesh and was born with compassion. Such a person was easily targeted by that ghost.
I am certain that the ghost will come to see the elder alone while the three of you are away.
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang's face changed drastically, and he said in a trembling voice, "This... what should we do? Daoist Master, this humble monk is utterly powerless. If I were to encounter a ghost, wouldn't I be terrified to death!"
The pilgrim hurriedly said, "Master, don't panic! I'll stay by your side every step of the way, what's there to be afraid of?"
Li Fa laughed and said, "Great Sage, can you protect yourself for a time, or for a lifetime? You meditate at night, walk during the day, eat, drink, and relieve yourselves; there will always be times when you are apart. If that ghost specifically chooses such opportunities, how will you defend yourself?"
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang secretly thought, "Just as I suspected," and felt a pang of fear. He quickly said, "Master, have mercy! Since you could foresee that this humble monk is about to encounter a ghost, you must have a way to avert it. I beg you to guide me and save this humble monk!"
Seeing his reaction, Li Fa chuckled inwardly, but feigned a thoughtful expression and remained silent for a long time.
Pigsy urged anxiously from the side, "Old Immortal, if you truly have a way, please tell us quickly! Look how frightened my master is; his face has turned pale!"
The traveler's eyes darted around, and he said, "Old Taoist priest, since you've spoken, there must be a reason. What is it? Speak!"
Li Fa then sighed and said, "Very well. I have been traveling the world to accumulate merit and do good deeds. It is fate that I have met you, Elder."
As he spoke, he stood up and turned the long banner behind him.
The flagpole creaked and turned over, revealing two lines of text on its back.
On the left is written "Exorcising evil spirits and binding demons without fail", on the right is written "Invincible in protecting life and body", and in the middle are four big characters, shining with golden light: "Number One in Exorcising Ghosts"!
Tang Sanzang looked closely and was both surprised and delighted, exclaiming, "So the Taoist priest can exorcise ghosts!"
Pigsy also came over, clicking his tongue in amazement: "What a boast! Unparalleled in divine calculation, number one in exorcising ghosts, even more powerful than the King of Hell!"
Li Fa laughed and said, "This humble Taoist dares not presume to claim the title of number one. It is only because I have traveled around the world over the years, helping people exorcise evil spirits and exorcise demons, that the people have shown me such kindness and bestowed this title upon me. Today, Elder, you are in trouble, and this humble Taoist is willing to lend a helping hand and exorcise this evil spirit for you."
Tang Sanzang was overjoyed and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you so much, Daoist Master! Thank you so much, Daoist Master! But... I wonder how much silver you will require?"
Li Fa waved his hand and said, "Elder, what are you saying? A monk's foundation is compassion, and his approach is to use expedient means."
"If I were after money, I would have gone to the homes of the wealthy long ago. Why would I bother setting up a fortune-telling stall in this desolate wilderness? I will not take a single penny; I consider it an act of kindness and good deeds."
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was even more grateful, repeatedly saying, "Excellent! Excellent! Daoist Master is truly a living Bodhisattva!"
Upon hearing this, the traveler thought to himself: This master is really something. Doesn't he realize that there's no such thing as helping someone for nothing? Since this Taoist priest doesn't want money, he must have some other motive.
Seeing that Tang Sanzang had already believed him, Sun Wukong didn't want to contradict him directly, so he smiled and said, "In that case, I'll trouble you, Taoist priest. But I wonder how you intend to exorcise the ghost? Will you use talismans and incantations, or will you set up an altar and perform a ritual?"
Li Fa said, "Great Sage, there's no need to rush. I have my own method, but you must stay by the elder's side and wait for the ghost to appear before you can deal with it. If you perform the ritual in advance, you'll only alert the ghost and scare it away. If it comes back another day, it will be even more troublesome."
Tang Sanzang nodded and said, "What you say makes sense, Daoist. But... if you wish to travel with me, would that be convenient?"
Li Fa laughed and said, "I am a lone Taoist priest, wandering the world, with nowhere I cannot go. If you do not mind, Elder, I will accompany you for a while. Once that ghostly matter is settled, I will take my leave."
Tang Sanzang was overjoyed and said, "Excellent! Excellent! Pigsy, bring the horse over so the Taoist priest can mount it!"
Upon hearing this, Li Fa waved his hand and said, "No problem, no problem. Elder, please mount your horse. I have the strength to ride."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and gestured towards the sky. A tiger roared, and a striped tiger leaped down from the clouds. It was the Youdu Xuanhu.
It was only to prevent Sun Wukong from recognizing it that it changed its fur color.
The tiger shook its head and wagged its tail, lying down in front of Li Fa.
Li Fa mounted the tiger's back and said with a smile, "Elder, please go first, I will follow."
When Tang Sanzang saw the tiger, he was first startled, but seeing that it was docile, he was relieved and put his palms together, saying, "Daoist Master, you are indeed very powerful."
Bajie muttered, "This old Taoist priest has the ability to subdue dragons and tigers, yet he's putting on airs here. I wonder what he's up to."
The traveler glared at him and whispered, "Fool, keep quiet. Let's see what he's up to."
So the four of them, along with Li Fa, a group of five, along with the white horse and a tiger, set off westward in a grand procession.