Chapter 55: Three Strikes Against The White Bone Spirit
However, Mu Cha rode his cloud all the way from Zhongnan Mountain to Western Ox Continent, then followed the Westward Journey road searching, and found the location of Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
When Mu Cha arrived, the Five Directions Jiedi, Six Ding and Six Jia, Four Divisions Gong Cao, and Guardian of the Dharma in the sky were arguing about something.
Golden Head Jiedi said: “Tang Sanzang and his disciples have stayed in this place for more than four months. Regardless of whether that family is a demon transformation or a god or Buddha enlightenment, this matter should be reported upward as soon as possible for decision from above.”
Xu Gou among the Six Ding and Six Jia said: “Quite right! Quite right! Well said. Since that’s the case, let us brothers guard here, and ask Golden Head Jiedi to report upward.”
Golden Head Jiedi said: “I am following Buddha’s Decree to guard the pilgrim, never leaving his side day or night. How can I leave my post without authorization? Better ask Jia Xu God to report upward.”
Xu Gou said: “It’s not that we brothers are unreasonable; it’s that we are also following Jade Emperor’s golden decree to guard the pilgrim on his Westward Journey. How can we leave our post without authorization? Better ask the holy monastery guardians to send one person to report upward.”
Upon hearing this, the monastery guardians pushed it to each other, none willing to leave their post without authorization.
For minor gods like them, guarding here meant not seeking merit, but seeking no fault.
If they left privately, merit aside, if something happened to the pilgrim during that time, they would be done for.
They pushed back and forth; the Guardian of the Dharma pushed it to the Four Divisions Gong Cao, and the Four Divisions Gong Cao pushed it to the Five Directions Jiedi.
Golden Head Jiedi said: “Stop arguing. Look, Hui An Pilgrim is here!”
Hui An Pilgrim is Mu Cha.
Mu Cha rode his cloud over, and all the deities came forward to meet him.
Mu Cha stopped his cloud and asked: “What are you all arguing about here?”
Upon hearing this, the deities hurriedly explained the recent events.
The Great Sage killed a person, the pilgrim drove away the Great Sage, the pilgrim stayed here to treat injuries for that family, and so on.
Mu Cha frowned upon hearing this and said: “So that’s how it is… What is the true origin of that family?”
The deities exchanged glances, and Golden Head Jiedi said:
“Our magic power is low, so we can’t see their origin. The Great Sage said that family is transformed from demons, but during this time the pilgrim has not been harmed; rather, it seems like god or Buddha enlightenment.”
Mu Cha said: “Let me look with my Dharma Eye.”
With that, Mu Cha formed a hand seal, rubbed his eyes, applied golden light, and looked downward.
He saw that in the wooden house, there was not the slightest demonic aura, only waves of Buddha’s light.
Before Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrived, White Bone Spirit lived here, so there was some demonic aura.
Now that Tang Sanzang and his disciples are living here, and Ao Tu often chants sutras and meditates with them, there is naturally waves of Buddha’s light, with no demonic aura visible.
Mu Cha looked toward the people in the courtyard; Qiao Er and her parents were all ordinary people. Ao Tu also appeared to be an ordinary person.
Mu Cha’s realm was similar to Ao Tu’s; he had no supernatural power or magic treasure on him, so naturally he could not see Ao Tu’s true form.
Mu Cha looked toward Tiger Vanguard lying in the house and saw a Three-Grade Golden Lotus covering him, so he could not see the true form.
Mu Cha recognized it as a Buddhism magic treasure, so he withdrew his Dharma Eye and said:
“It’s not a demon evil transformation, but a test from god or Buddha. Let me go down and help them.”
The deities respectfully said: “Please go ahead, Hui An Pilgrim.”
Mu Cha took out an elixir, crushed it, made it into a plaster, lowered his cloud head, transformed into a traveling doctor, and walked along singing:
“South Sea mercy has a wondrous prescription, able to heal a hundred ailments and ferry through disasters.
Not seeking gold and silver worldly gains, only following karma to save the world in turmoil.”
At this time, Ao Tu was pounding medicine materials in the courtyard with Tang Sanzang.
Tang Sanzang stir-fried the medicine materials until cooked, and Ao Tu ground them into powder with a mortar. At this point, they heard the sound outside; Tang Sanzang stopped his actions, looked outward, and saw a traveling doctor. He immediately said joyfully:
“Excellent! Excellent! With such divine medicine, is this not heaven’s help?”
Ao Tu said: “In these barren mountains and wild ridges, where did this traveling doctor come from? He must be a monster in disguise; do not trust him lightly.”
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang indeed hesitated.
Mu Cha stood outside and said: “My prescription is transmitted from the South Sea; it can heal waist injuries and broken bones, not for gold, silver, or money, only to universally save the world. If you don’t believe, take a dose first; apply it and it will heal immediately.”
Tang Sanzang heard it was transmitted from the South Sea and believed it three parts in his heart. He took the plaster and was about to go inside to apply it to Tiger Vanguard.
Ao Tu said: “This person’s origin is unknown; you haven’t tested this medicine, how do you know if it’s real or fake?”
Tang Sanzang said: “Amitabha, benefactor, you do not know: this poor monk has been greatly cared for by Bodhisattva along the way. This medicine comes from the South Sea, so it must be divine medicine.”
Ao Tu shook his head and did not stop him further.
Tang Sanzang went inside, applied it to Tiger Vanguard, and sure enough, the injury healed.
Mu Cha then revealed his true form and said: “Tang Sanzang, quickly go on your journey for sutras!”
Tang Sanzang hurriedly went out to pay respects, but Mu Cha had already left.
Tang Sanzang bowed toward the south, then proposed to take leave.
Seeing this, Ao Tu could not obstruct further.
He originally wanted to obtain the reward for obstruction of half a year in this difficulty, but unexpectedly Mu Cha appeared and disrupted his plan.
At this time, the progress in the system was one hundred thirty-two days, still nearly fifty days short of the half a year reward.
Fifty days was too long; if he forcibly obstructed, the chance of success was not high.
Therefore, Ao Tu decided to not expose his identity for now, and using his current identity, go to Bao Xiang Kingdom to obstruct Tang Sanzang and his disciples to the greatest extent.
At the moment, Ao Tu kept Tang Sanzang and his disciples for one night, prepared a sumptuous vegetarian meal, and transmitted the Six-Character Mantra to Tang Sanzang.
Tang Sanzang had no magic power; although he learned the Six-Character Mantra, he could not exert much effect, only slightly strengthening the body, exorcising evil, and avoiding calamity.
Even so, Tang Sanzang was endlessly grateful to Ao Tu.
The grace of transmitting the Dharma was no small matter; Tang Sanzang respectfully kowtowed.
Ao Tu said: “No need to bow to me; this method was transmitted to me by Spirit Mountain King Buddha.”
Tang Sanzang bowed to Spirit Mountain King Buddha again.
After bowing, Tang Sanzang remembered the family misfortune Ao Tu had mentioned before and asked about it.
Ao Tu explained in detail.
“I was originally the prince of Bao Xiang Kingdom. Thirteen years ago, during the Mid-Autumn moon viewing, two demons unexpectedly came: one swallowed my father the king, the other abducted my elder sister.
I was young and hid in the back garden, undiscovered. The demon that swallowed my father the king transformed into my father’s appearance, usurped the throne, and has been there for thirteen years.
I endured humiliation and grew up in the back palace, hoping to avenge my father. Unexpectedly, the demon saw me grown up, feared exposure, and wanted to harm me.
So I brought my young sister guard and, following Buddha’s instructions, fled to this place. Using a false name, claiming to be from an official family, hoping one day to restore the kingdom and right the wrong.”
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang, having spent much time with Ao Tu and out of respect for Spirit Mountain King Buddha, had not the slightest doubt in his heart. He bowed and said: “So you are the prince, Your Highness. This poor monk was disrespectful.”
Ao Tu said: “No need for excessive courtesy. Only please ask the holy monk to eliminate the demon for me and restore the rivers and mountains of Bao Xiang Kingdom.”
Tang Sanzang said: “My two disciples are adept at subduing demons and catching monsters, but that demon has transformed into the king’s appearance, supported by the full court of civil and military officials. Even with my disciples’ skills, it would not be good to lightly start warfare.”
Ao Tu said: “No problem, I have the national treasure on me.”
Ao Tu took out the Dragon Pearl from his bosom and said: “This is the national treasure of Bao Xiang Kingdom, ‘Dragon Elephant Precious Pearl’. With this treasure, all civil and military officials will support me upon seeing it.”
Tang Sanzang said upon hearing: “Excellent, this is very good!”
