txolops Chapter 154 Fire Cloud Cave: Saving the Holy Infant Bull
Chapter 154 Fire Cloud Cave: Saving the Holy Infant Bull
The poem says:
To attain the wondrous path of non-birth, there is nothing better than to see one's own true mind. The true mind is without form or sound; the pure Dharma body is simply there.
This path is neither something that exists outside, nor something that is not found in the center; abandon both extremes and focus on the center, and you will see the highest level.
After Li Fa finished dealing with the affairs of Wuji Kingdom and received his rewards, he received a new mission:
[Possible rescue target: Niu Shengying]
[Karma Assessment: None/B-level]
Rewards received:
[Optional Reward 1: Eight Jiazi of Mana from the "Creating Heaven and Earth Technique"]
[Optional Reward Two: Mastery of All Eighteen Martial Arts]
[Optional Reward 3: Creating Land from Rivers (Supernatural Power: Can create land out of thin air by parting waters.)]
[Optional Reward 4: One random magic item]
[Optional Reward 5: Clone Technique]
Upon closer inspection, Li Fa realized that Niu Shengying had been rescued and couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Niu Shengying, who else could it be but Red Boy?
"But this karmic assessment, Wu/B-level... how come it's the same as the Black Bear Spirit's, a double karmic assessment?"
Li Fa remembered clearly that back in Black Wind Mountain, the Merit Chart had two ratings for the Black Bear Spirit—one was C-level and the other was B-level.
The black bear spirit on page C was before its conversion to Buddhism, while the black bear spirit on page B was after its conversion to Buddhism.
Could it be that Red Boy's dual karmic assessment also represents the period before and after conversion?
No, it's nine out of ten wrong.
The Black Bear Spirit had committed many evil deeds before converting to Buddhism, and therefore had a karmic assessment of level C.
Red Boy, whose evil deeds before conversion were no less than those of the Black Bear Spirit, how could he be judged as having no karmic force?
"Besides...wasn't this mission issued way too early?"
Li Fa was puzzled. In the past, the Merit Records always issued missions just before a calamity was imminent. Now, Tang Sanzang and his disciples had only just left Wuji Kingdom; it would take at least half a month to reach Haoshan. Why the rush?
"Has something unexpected happened?"
Li Fa pondered for a while, then made up his mind: "Instead of guessing here, we should go to Haoshan first and see what kind of person that Red Boy really is."
Having made up his mind, he mounted the Youdu Black Tiger, patted its head, and the tiger's four paws produced clouds, heading straight to the southwest.
After traveling for a short while, they arrived at the territory of Haoshan.
Li Fa descended from the clouds, captured the Black Tiger, and transformed into a wandering Taoist priest, walking on the mountain.
There stood that mountain: not high, its summit reaching the azure sky; not deep, its ravine like the underworld. Before and behind the mountain, eerie winds blew; to the left and right of the ridge, strange mists shrouded it. Indeed:
Towering mountains reach into the sky, sheer cliffs and precipices obstruct the azure expanse.
The strange rocks grow horizontally like fierce beasts, and the ancient pines hang upside down like swimming dragons.
The sound of the cold, dark stream is intermittent, and the wildflowers dance wildly, attracting wandering bees.
Layer upon layer of cliffs and ravines conceal demonic mists, where the faint rumble of wind and thunder echoes.
Li Fa walked for a while when he suddenly heard crying ahead. He followed the sound and saw an old man with white hair and beard, dressed in tattered clothes, sitting on a large rock, covering his face and weeping.
Li Fa stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and asked, "Old man, why are you weeping here?"
The old man looked up and saw that it was a Taoist priest. He quickly stood up, wiped away his tears, and said, "Taoist priest, you don't know this, but I am the local earth deity of this mountain."
A demon king came to this mountain, called the Holy Infant King. He captured all sixty of us mountain gods and local deities, making us his servants. He beat and drove us around every day, and if we disobeyed him even slightly, he would strip us of our clothes, hang us from trees, and whip us.
"This old man sneaked out today, only to be spotted by the patrolling demons again and get a beating..."
As he spoke, he lifted his shirt, revealing his body covered in wounds, bruises and welts, a shocking sight.
Li Fa frowned and asked, "Is that demon king so ferocious? What is his background?"
The local earth god sighed, "I've heard he's the son of the Bull Demon King, nicknamed Red Boy. He cultivated on Flaming Mountain for three hundred years, mastering the Samadhi True Fire, and possesses great supernatural powers. He has six strong generals and over a hundred lesser demons under his command, all of them fierce and ruthless, often taking pleasure in eating people. This mountain, spanning three hundred li in circumference, is all his territory. We mountain gods and local earth gods dare not disobey him."
Li Fa then asked, "Did he capture you just to use you?"
The local earth god said, "It's not just about being driven! He also demands seasonal offerings of delicacies, gold, and silver. If the offerings are insufficient, he'll beat and kill us. I'm at my wit's end; please, Taoist priest, save my life!"
Li Fa helped him up and said, "Old man, please don't worry. Since I've encountered this situation, I should naturally stand up for you. You should go back first and not make a fuss. I have my own plans."
The landman was extremely grateful and staggered away.
Li Fa stood there, his heart burning with rage.
"He enslaves sixty mountain gods and local deities, and even enjoys eating people... This Red Boy is truly ruthless!"
He had initially thought Red Boy was just a mischievous child who acted violently by relying on the Samadhi Fire, but he never expected him to be so cruel. His karmic assessment of "B-level" is well-deserved.
"But what does 'nothingness' mean? The catalog's mission is still to save him, but can such a wicked person really be saved? How can someone who has committed such evil deeds be saved?"
Li Fa shook his head, lost in thought, when suddenly a commotion arose in the distance.
He slipped behind a large tree and peered out. He saw a group of lesser demons carrying knives and spears, surrounding a child-like monster, swaggering towards them.
The child was handsome: his face was as white as powder, his lips as red as cinnabar; he wore a red bib and a green silk sash. He was truly a man of great talent and imposing presence.
It's Red Boy!
He shouted, "Men, hurry up! I've heard that the Tang Monk from the East will soon pass through Mount Hao. That Tang Monk is the incarnation of Jin Chanzi, the original body of ten lifetimes of cultivation. Eating a piece of his flesh will grant immortality! Keep a close watch on him, and report back immediately if you hear any news!"
The little demons responded in unison, "Yes, Your Majesty!"
Red Boy then asked, "Have those mountain gods and local deities behaved themselves today?"
A little demon said, "Your Majesty, a local deity was disobedient. We stripped him of his clothes, hung him on a tree, and beat him for half a day before finally letting him go."
Red Boy sneered, "These wretches won't behave unless they're beaten. Watch closely, if any of them slack off again, just give them a good beating!"
Having said that, he led the little demon away on his own.
Li Fa emerged from behind the tree, his gaze gradually turning cold as he watched Red Boy's retreating figure.
"What a wicked creature indeed! What does the catalogue intend to do with such a creature? What use is he? It would be better to eliminate him, but spare his true spirit; even physical salvation would be a form of salvation!"
Li Fa made up his mind, transformed himself into a woodcutter, carried a load of firewood, and headed towards the mountain path.
They hadn't gone far when they were spotted by a few patrolling mountain demons.
A little demon shouted, "Where did you come from? How dare you wander around this mountain?"
Li Fa feigned panic and said, "Your Majesty, spare my life! I am a woodcutter from the foot of the mountain. I did not know Your Majesty was here. I have offended Your Majesty. Please have mercy!"
The little demon sized him up and laughed, "This fellow knows what's good for him. My king hasn't had any meat in a long time, so he'll take you for a treat! Take him away!"
The demons swarmed forward and dragged Li Fa, along with the firewood, into the cave.