Journey to the West: Starting with the Hunting of the Three Demons of Twin Fork Ridge

Chapter 74, Five Manor Temples: Deceiving the Gentle Breeze and Bright Moon

Thinking of this, Li Fa looked at Baili Bo again. This fellow was indeed extraordinary; even without the relic, he still possessed considerable combat power and was definitely not an ordinary demon. If he could subdue him, he might be useful in the future.

He then laughed and said, "I see. That corpse demon and that old monster have gone too far. Since you've come to me for help, if I don't help you, it would make me, Ji Huazi, seem unethical. But..."

Seeing him hesitate, the one-horned monster quickly said, "If you have any difficulties, Master, I dare not force you. It's just that the relic was something I obtained through many years of cultivation, and it's really unfair that they took it from me."

Li Fa waved his hand and said, "It's not a difficult situation, it's just that I have some important matters to attend to and can't get away for the time being. If you can wait, whether it's half a year or a year, I'll definitely be able to help you."

Upon hearing this, Baili Bo was overjoyed and knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly: "Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master! I am willing to wait! I am willing to wait!"

Li Fa helped him up and smiled slightly, "In that case, you can come with me for now."

Baili retorted, "I am willing to lead your horse through the stirrups, and even go through fire and water for you, without hesitation!"

What a monster! He really meant what he said, immediately dismissing the little monsters and burning down the cave, and indeed devoted himself to following Li Fa.

After he finished getting ready, Li Fa said, "I'm going to Wuzhuang Temple now. You'll need to dress up a bit more before you come in with me."

Baili retorted, "How should I dress?"

Li Fa said, "I don't need you to draw your eyebrows or paint your sideburns. Just let your hair down, comb it into two buns, and dress me up as a Taoist boy."

Baili Bo did as he was told, and indeed acted like a young Taoist novice.

So the two set off, and before long they arrived at a Taoist temple.

But behold: the pine-covered slopes are serene, the bamboo paths tranquil. White cranes come and go, carrying floating clouds; monkeys roam freely, offering fruit here and there. Truly, this is a blessed land, a sacred place, a paradise on earth.

The two stopped in front of the gate and saw a stele on the left side of the mountain gate with ten large characters on it: "Longevity Mountain Blessed Land, Wuzhuang Temple Grotto Heaven".

They went inside together and saw a couplet on the second gate: "The immortal's abode of eternal life, the Taoist's home of longevity."

Upon reaching the second-floor door, two children hurriedly emerged from within; they were none other than the two celestial children, Qingfeng and Mingyue.

Upon seeing a guest arrive, the boy hurriedly came to greet him, saying, "Venerable Taoist priest, I was unaware of your presence and have failed to welcome you properly. Please come in."

Li Fa nodded slightly, entered the main hall, and paid his respects. Only after he finished did Qingfeng and Mingyue lead him to sit down in the hall.

Qingfeng asked, "May I ask where your esteemed name comes from, Master?"

Li Fa said, "I am Ji Huazi, an old acquaintance of your master, from the East."

Upon hearing this, Mingyue's eyes flashed with a hint of doubt, and she couldn't help but ask, "An old acquaintance? We have followed our master for many years, but we have never heard of the Daoist Master's name. We wonder when you and our master became acquainted?"

Li Fa was prepared and smiled when he heard this: "My connection with your master began five hundred years ago at the Ullambana Festival. At that time, when the Buddhist disciple Jin Chanzi was serving tea at the festival, he first served your master and then served me. Your master and I even had a long and fruitful discussion."

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng and Mingyue's doubts vanished instantly.

Although they had never heard of this Jihuazi, his account of the Ullambana Festival was almost identical to what Zhenyuan Daxian had told them before he left, so they immediately believed him to some extent.

Qingfeng then asked, "So, Daoist Master and my master are old friends from the Ullambana Festival. My apologies for my rudeness! May I ask what brings you here today, Master?"

Li Fa said, "I have no particular business here. I just haven't seen your master in a long time and I miss him dearly, so I came to catch up with him."

Upon hearing this, Mingyue looked troubled and bowed, saying, "Master, your timing is unfortunate. My master left early this morning and is not at the temple. I'm afraid I will disappoint you."

Li Fa stroked his beard with feigned seriousness, pretended to ponder, and then asked, "Could it be that you went to the Mi Luo Palace in Shangqing Heaven to listen to the Primordial Heavenly Venerable preach the Hunyuan Dao Fruit?"

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng's expression changed, and he asked, "How did you know, Master?"

Seeing this, Li Fa chuckled inwardly, but said calmly, "I just came down from the Mi Luo Palace in Shangqing Heaven. The Primordial Heavenly Venerable's sermon this time is divided into two parts. I just finished listening to the first part and was wondering why he didn't come to listen to the first part of the sermon. It turns out he went to participate in the second part."

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng became more convinced of Li Fa's identity. After all, Zhen Yuanzi had just left, and apart from his disciples, no one knew that he had gone to listen to the Hunyuan Dao Fruit. Yet, this Taoist priest in front of him actually knew.

Judging from this, he must be an old friend of their master, and most of their doubts immediately dissipated.

Qingfeng said, "So it turns out that the old master also came from the Mi Luo Palace. This disciple was truly blind to his greatness and has failed to greet him properly!"

However, since our master is not currently in the temple, we two are merely disciples and dare not act on our own initiative. We have offended the True Immortal, and we beg for your forgiveness.

Upon hearing this, Li Fa laughed and said, "Immortal boy, there's no need to worry. Just think of me as someone who's staying here for a while. There's no need for any special hospitality or anything else. Just some simple tea and food will suffice. I'll wait here for your master to return."

Normally, I won't wander around, and I will never disturb the two celestial attendants in managing the affairs of the temple.

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng and Mingyue felt somewhat relieved. They quickly apologized, turned around, and walked out of the main hall together to a side corridor, where they began to discuss things in hushed tones.

Qingfeng whispered, "Brother, this old Taoist priest seems like a sage, not a bad person."

Mingyue nodded in agreement, saying, "Brother is right. He even knows about Master's trip to the Mi Luo Palace and the Ullambana Festival five hundred years ago. He really might be an old friend of Master's."

Qingfeng said, "That's right! If he really is Master's old friend, we should drive him away, otherwise he might tell Master and we'll be scolded."

Besides, he himself said he didn't want us to entertain him. It's just some simple food anyway; our family is wealthy and powerful, so letting him stay here for a while won't be a problem."

Mingyue pondered for a moment, then reminded him, "Brother is right, but we still need to be careful. Before Master left, he specifically instructed us to keep a close eye on the ginseng fruit tree."

This Taoist priest is no ordinary person, yet he insists on staying at the temple to await his master. We must be careful not to give him any opportunity to steal the ginseng fruit; otherwise, we won't be able to explain ourselves to our master.

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng nodded repeatedly: "Brother is right, you've thought it through!"

Master only instructed us to give him two ginseng fruits when the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi from the Tang Dynasty passed by, but he didn't mention that another friend was coming.

Therefore, we cannot give him the ginseng fruit for the time being, nor can we let him get close to the ginseng fruit orchard.

We keep a close eye on him. As long as he doesn't cause trouble or steal fruit, we let him stay there peacefully. When Master returns, he will explain everything.

Mingyue said, "Alright, let's do as you say, brother!"

After some deliberation and reaching a consensus, the two returned and bowed to Li Fa, saying, "Since you are an old friend of my master, please feel free to stay at the temple. We will make proper arrangements for your food and lodging. When my master returns, we will accompany you to reminisce and discuss matters with him."

Li Fa smiled and said, "Thank you for your understanding, two celestial attendants. Then I will trouble you both. However, this old Daoist has something else to say, but I don't know if I should?"

Upon hearing this, the two boys immediately bowed and said, "Please speak freely, Master. We are all ears."

Li Fa said, "Next spring, a monk from the Tang Dynasty will pass through this area. He is the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi. Did your master tell you this?"

Upon hearing this, Qingfeng's eyes flashed with surprise, and he quickly nodded, saying, "Yes, yes, Master told us before he left that the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi would soon pass through Wanshou Mountain, and that we should treat him well. But how did you know this, Master?"

Li Fa said, "I also have an old friendship with the Buddhist disciple Jin Chanzi. I know about his reincarnation and your master's intention to entertain him."

However, I must remind you two celestial children that although Tang Sanzang is kind, some of his subordinates are quite fierce. You will need to be very careful of his men.

Upon hearing this, the two children were greatly surprised and thought to themselves: This Jihuazi is indeed extraordinary; he even knows his master's arrangements.

Either he is far more powerful than his master and can see through the secrets of heaven and know the future; or he truly has a very deep relationship with his master, who tells him everything.

Compared to the former, Qingfeng Mingyue is more inclined to believe the latter.

After all, Zhen Yuanzi was the ancestor of earth immortals, possessing great supernatural powers. There were very few people in the world who could surpass their master.

The two immediately bowed and solemnly said, "Thank you for the reminder, Master!"