Chapter 60: Encountering Demons In Black Pine Forest
However, Tang Sanzang was struck by the Headache Gourd, his head ached unbearably, he could not continue the journey, and had to stay at the White Bone Spirit’s home.
The White Bone Spirit fabricated many bad words about the Bao Xiang Kingdom King, and Tang Sanzang and his disciples believed them without verification.
Sha Seng invited a physician to examine Tang Sanzang.
After the examination, the physician diagnosed it as head wind and prescribed medicine for Tang Sanzang to boil and take daily.
Tang Sanzang had eaten the Ginseng Fruit, his body was strong and healthy, and after half a month, the plague qi automatically dissipated.
The group set off again and walked for another five or six days before seeing a city.
There is a saying: clouds misty, road distant; though the land is thousands of miles away, the scenery is just as plentiful.
The city was shrouded in auspicious smoke, with breezes swaying. Distant mountains formed a screen, flowing water served as city defenses, fields connected in fields and paths, a field of golden wheat fragrance.
Wide walls, sturdy city, fortified with moats; houses orderly, households neat and tidy. Nine tiers of tall halls, bell drums in the forbidden gardens, jade steps and golden tiers. Willow-lined streets, sounds of music, graceful and beautiful figures.
Seeing the auspicious smoke, Ao Tu called it demonic mist; seeing the breeze, Ao Tu called it demonic wind; fields connected in fields and paths, Ao Tu called it land seized by demons; golden-tiered halls, Ao Tu called it demons’ extravagant indulgence.
Tang Sanzang deeply trusted Ao Tu, no matter what Ao Tu said, he had not the slightest doubt. He only hated the demons even more for usurping the throne and causing the common people to live in misery.
After entering the city, the group packed their luggage and horses, rested at the Bao Xiang Kingdom post station, and had the post station official report.
The next day, Tang Sanzang and Ao Tu went to the hall.
Tang Sanzang walked to the gate of the audience hall and said to the gate attendant:
“Monks from the Great Tang have come specially to have an audience and exchange the travel pass.”
The herald official hurriedly went to the white jade steps and reported:
“Your Majesty, high monks from the Great Tang seek an audience to exchange the travel pass.”
The Bao Xiang Kingdom King had already received the report from the post station yesterday, knowing that holy monks from the great nation of the Great Tang had come to visit, so he specially opened court today to receive them. Hearing this, he was very pleased and immediately approved: “Summon them in.”
Tang Sanzang ascended the hall, with Ao Tu disguised as his disciple following by his side.
The two stood in the hall without paying respects.
The civil and military officials whispered:
“These monks from the Great Tang are indeed from a great nation, yet they do not even pay respects upon seeing our king!”
Seeing this, the Bao Xiang Kingdom King was somewhat angry and wanted to have the monk seized and beheaded, but because he was from the Great Tang, he did not dare act rashly.
It was because King Tang Li Shimin had claimed the throne, unified the realm, yet his ambitions were not satisfied, often sending troops across the sea to conquer; if he beheaded this monk, Li Shimin might use it as an excuse to raise troops and horses. Bao Xiang Kingdom was small and weak, with few soldiers and generals, and it would be too late to regret then.
Thus, the Bao Xiang Kingdom King endured and said: “Elder, what brings you to my country?”
Tang Sanzang said: “This poor monk is from under the throne of the King of the Eastern Land Great Tang. Bearing the imperial decree of my emperor, I am going to the Western Paradise for sutras; I have the travel pass and have come here to exchange it.”
The Bao Xiang Kingdom King said: “If you have the document from the Great Tang emperor, bring it up for me to see.”
Tang Sanzang took out the travel pass and placed it on the imperial desk. The document read:
“Document issued by the Great Tang of the Southern Jambudvipa, by the Mandate of Heaven, under the Tang Emperor:
Whereas I, with my slight virtue, have succeeded the great foundation, serving gods and governing the people, treading carefully in deep waters, anxious morning and night.
Previously, I failed to save the old dragon of the Jing River, incurred reprimand from the Jade Emperor, my three souls and seven po vanished to the underworld, becoming a guest of impermanence.
Because my lifespan in yang was not yet exhausted, the Lord of the Underworld released me to revive, I held great assemblies of goodness, built Daoist halls to ferry the departed.
Grateful for the appearance in golden body of the Bodhisattva Guanyin Who Observes the World’s Sounds, who pointed out that in the Western Paradise there are Buddhas and sutras that can ferry the departed and transcend lonely souls.
Specially commissioning the mage Xuan Zang to travel afar across thousands of mountains to seek sutra verses. Should he arrive in various Western countries, do not sever good affinities, let him pass according to this document. This is the document required.
Great Tang, thirteenth year of Zhenguan, auspicious autumn day, imperial document.”
There were nine royal seals on it.
Seeing this, the Bao Xiang Kingdom King dared not be neglectful, took his own national jade seal, added his flourish, and handed it to Tang Sanzang.
Tang Sanzang received the travel pass. He then said:
“This poor monk has come first to exchange the travel pass, second to ask Your Majesty to discern true from false.”
The Bao Xiang Kingdom King said: “What do you mean discern true from false?”
Tang Sanzang said: “Thirteen years ago, during the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, demons caused chaos, abducted the princess, usurped the throne and brought disaster to the country. Is the current Your Majesty real or fake?”
At these words, the entire hall was shocked.
The Bao Xiang Kingdom King said in shock: “Thirteen years ago, the princess did go missing, but where does this talk of usurping the throne and bringing disaster come from?”
Without allowing the Bao Xiang Kingdom King to explain, Ba Jie and Sha Seng flew into the audience hall, one on left and one on right, surrounding the Bao Xiang Kingdom King.
Ba Jie said: “Demon, you ate the king, took his throne, and now the Bao Xiang Kingdom prince has grown up and exposed you—how dare you deny it?”
The king was frightened by the two and fell from the dragon throne, saying:
“I have only three daughters—when did I ever have a prince?”
Ao Tu stepped forward and took out the Dragon Pearl, saying:
“I am the Bao Xiang Kingdom prince, and now the national treasure is here—civil and military ministers, why do you not seize this demon!”
The Dragon Pearl emitted light, instantly captivating the souls of the civil and military officials in the hall, and everyone deeply believed Ao Tu’s words.
Ao Tu then used a transformation technique, turning the king into a fierce tiger.
Ba Jie stepped forward, swung the Plum Blossom Pitchfork, and killed the king with one strike.
Ao Tu used divine light to secretly collect the king’s soul.
The civil and military officials all cheered: “Well struck, well struck! The demon is eliminated—please, Your Highness, ascend the throne as emperor!”
Thus, Ao Tu as the new king ascended the throne, rectified chaos, granted a great amnesty to the realm, and held a grand banquet for Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
The day of celebratory banquet is not mentioned.
That night, when no one was around, Ao Tu dipped a bit of Three Lights Divine Water and applied it to the Bao Xiang Kingdom King’s corpse.
In an instant, the Bao Xiang Kingdom King’s body was fully restored.
Ao Tu then stuffed the soul back in and fed him a Three-Revolutions Soul-Returning Pill, and the Bao Xiang Kingdom King came back to life directly.
At this point, how could the king not know Ao Tu’s methods? He immediately knelt and said:
“Immortal, I do not know when I offended your divine might, causing you to descend to punish me.”
Ao Tu said: “I am not an immortal, I am a monk from the Western Paradise.”
The king hurriedly said:
“I do not know which Buddha or Bodhisattva you are. Since I ascended the throne, I have never dared to neglect Buddhism in the slightest—whatever fields monasteries occupy, I dare not collect taxes; for any criminals or death-row prisoners who flee to monasteries, they are pardoned and not pursued. If there is still any violation of the Buddha’s decree, please make it clear, and I will order it changed immediately.”
Ao Tu said: “This poor monk has descended this time, first because you have damaged the pure reputation of my Buddhism, thus a small punishment as a great warning; second, that Tang Sanzang is the second disciple of Buddha Ancestor Shakyamuni reincarnated, and this poor monk has come here to borrow your king’s throne to test him.”
The king hurriedly said: “Whatever the superior saint requires, I will certainly cooperate. But this matter of damaging the reputation, I do not know where it comes from?”
Ao Tu said: “Disciples of my Buddhism act with integrity—how could they covet land and fields? From this day forward, all extra land enclosed by monasteries shall be reclaimed and distributed to the common people and the poor. The monasteries’ own land shall pay taxes according to the law.”
The king hurriedly said: “Yes, yes, yes!”
Ao Tu continued: “Disciples of my Buddhism have gentle tempers, fearing to harm ants when sweeping, cherishing moths by covering lamps. How could such criminals tarnish the pure name of my Buddhism? From this day forward, all criminals shall be captured and held accountable—no leniency!”
The king hurriedly said: “Yes, yes, yes!”
