Chapter 50: Thrice Beating The White Bone Spirit
The story divides into two branches, each recounted separately.
Meanwhile, Ao Tu and Qiao Er were working in the fields.
After the White Bone Spirit’s false form was beaten to death by Wukong, she flew over and secretly reported to Ao Tu.
Upon learning this, Ao Tu said to Qiao Er:
“My wife, my younger sister hasn’t come to deliver the meal yet for some reason, and I’m getting hungry. Let’s go back first.”
Qiao Er was utterly obedient to Ao Tu and naturally agreed.
The two picked up their hoes and returned home.
Upon returning home, they saw Qiao Er’s parents, and Ao Tu asked:
“Why don’t I see my younger sister and brother?”
Qiao Er’s parents said: “Son-in-law, Jing Jing went to deliver the meal to you all and hasn’t returned. Just now your brother went to look for her and hasn’t come back either.”
As they were speaking, they saw the Tiger Vanguard dragging his broken leg, running back in misery.
Everyone who saw him was greatly shocked and asked for the reason. The Tiger Vanguard cried:
“Brother, on the road, I encountered four robbers. They robbed travelers, harmed our younger sister, and to silence me, they broke my leg. I barely escaped with my life to report this.”
Everyone who heard this was filled with grief.
Qiao Er’s parents shed tears and said: “How pitiful! Son-in-law, your family has already suffered misfortune, and you just settled here, only to face this calamity and lose close kin!”
Qiao Er also wept: “This White Tiger Ridge is rarely visited by people. How did robbers suddenly appear? If I had known, I wouldn’t have let her deliver the meal. It’s my fault!”
Ao Tu shed tears: “Poor little sister Jing Jing of mine, so young yet met with such disaster! Wife, go set up the incense table. Allow me to recite the Rebirth Mantra to deliver her soul.”
Qiao Er’s parents said in surprise: “Son-in-law, you know how to chant sutras and mantras?”
Ao Tu said: “You don’t know, but since childhood, I’ve loved monks and revered Buddha, proficient in Buddhist Dharma. Whenever I see a monk, I feel inexplicable joy. I even carry a Buddha Statue with me for worship. Wait a moment, let me go get it.”
Ao Tu entered the wooden house, took off a piece of dragon scale, and transformed it into his own likeness, able to speak and walk. His true body turned into a Buddha Statue, which he held in his hand.
That Buddha Statue was in the form of Ao Tu wearing a kassaya, sitting solemnly on a golden lotus, with a compassionate face, majestic and dignified.
Ao Tu came out holding the Buddha Statue and placed it on the newly set-up incense table.
He then helped the Tiger Vanguard into the house, had him lie on the bed, and instructed him not to move, so they could later frame Tang Sanzang.
Then the whole family knelt before the Buddha, wiping tears and crying.
Ao Tu recited the Rebirth Mantra, using his magic power to amplify it, with the sound carrying ten miles.
Tang Sanzang and his disciples crossed the mountain ridge, heading west. Soon, they saw a few wooden houses and faintly heard the sound of chanting sutras and mantras. Tang Sanzang said joyfully:
“Amitabha! The Western Paradise is truly a blessed land! In these barren mountains, there are people chanting sutras and reciting Buddha!”
Ba Jie said: “Master, don’t get too happy too soon. Old Pig thinks that’s the root of trouble.”
Tang Sanzang said: “How is it the root of trouble?”
Ba Jie said: “Master, listen, the chanting is mixed with crying. I’m afraid it’s the family of the woman Senior Brother killed, holding a Buddhist mass to deliver the deceased soul!”
Wukong said: “Idiot, what nonsense are you spouting? Those few houses reek of demonic aura; it must be a monster’s lair. Master, let’s take a detour!”
Tang Sanzang said: “Wukong, those houses clearly have Buddhist Sound entering my ears. I can’t wait to go pay respects, so how can you say it’s monsters? Stop talking nonsense. Giddyup!”
Tang Sanzang rode the White Horse down the slope to the wooden house fence, where he saw a family inside all kneeling and crying before a Buddha Statue, with one person chanting sutras.
Tang Sanzang said: “Benefactor, this poor monk comes from the Eastern Land Great Tang, a monk going to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek true sutras. Passing through your treasured land, I heard the benefactor reciting true words, so I came to pay respects!”
Upon hearing this, Ao Tu stopped chanting, opened the fence, and invited Tang Sanzang in. He said: “Master, please come in. Our family has suffered a misfortune; forgive any neglect.”
Tang Sanzang was about to enter.
Wukong hurriedly caught up and said: “Master, you can’t go in!”
Tang Sanzang ignored him and walked straight into the courtyard.
Wukong had already recognized Ao Tu and didn’t know what trick Ao Tu was using to catch his master. He was so anxious he scratched his ears and cheeks but could do nothing.
Ba Jie and Sha Seng from behind also followed, and the master and three disciples entered the courtyard.
Qiao Er and her parents were so frightened by their appearances that they retreated repeatedly, crying out “monsters.”
Tang Sanzang hurriedly said: “Benefactors, don’t be afraid. They are all this poor monk’s disciples. Though ugly in appearance, they are all good people!”
Ao Tu said: “Since they are high monks, they must not be bad people. But Masters, traveling this road, be careful. Recently, a gang of robbers has appeared in these mountains, robbing and killing travelers viciously. Someone in my family has fallen victim. Masters, please be cautious.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Amitabha, benefactor reveres Buddha yet suffers the pain of losing kin. How tragic! How tragic! I hope the benefactor can restrain grief and accept fate.”
Ao Tu put his palms together and returned the greeting.
Ba Jie whispered to Wukong: “He isn’t talking about us, is he?”
Wukong said irritably: “Get lost, idiot.”
At this time, Tang Sanzang noticed the Buddha Statue on the incense table and asked:
“May I ask the benefactor, which holy Buddha does this statue represent? This poor monk has read all the Buddhist scriptures but has never seen this form.”
Ao Tu said: “Master doesn’t know, but this is the Spirit Mountain King Buddha!”
Wukong couldn’t help laughing out loud upon hearing this.
Ba Jie asked: “Senior Brother, why are you laughing?”
Wukong said: “If that’s the Spirit Mountain King Buddha, then Old Sun is the Great Sage, Equal of Heaven Buddha!”
Tang Sanzang said angrily upon hearing this: “Wukong! If you spout nonsense again, your master will recite the spell!”
Wukong hurriedly fell silent.
Ao Tu said: “Master, don’t be angry. Speaking of this Buddha, it has some history. I am originally from Bao Xiang Kingdom, from a noble and prominent family, but due to family misfortune, I took refuge here.
In my youth, I dreamed of this Buddha, who transmitted true sutras to me, saying I was fated to face calamity and taught me to wait here for the holy monk Chen Xuanzang from the Eastern Land, to whom I would transmit the sutras, thus escaping the disaster. Since then, I’ve loved monks and revered Buddha, but haven’t met that holy monk until now.”
Tang Sanzang listened and said joyfully:
“Amitabha. Karma! Karma! Benefactor, this poor monk’s secular name is indeed Chen Xuanzang!”
Ao Tu said: “Such a thing! Truly the Buddha Ancestor manifesting! Quickly invite the holy monk into our humble abode to sit. Wife, prepare tea, water, and vegetarian meal to entertain the four holy monks!”
Wukong grabbed Ao Tu’s arm upon hearing this and said: “What trick are you playing now?”
Ao Tu said: “Holy monk, what’s this?”
Tang Sanzang said angrily: “Wretched monkey, how dare you be rude!”
Wukong said: “Master, he’s a monster. Your mortal eyes can’t see his transformations!”
Tang Sanzang said angrily: “Wretched monkey! This is the Buddha Ancestor manifesting, teaching this benefactor to transmit sutras to me. How dare you obstruct!”
Upon hearing this, Wukong had no choice but to release Ao Tu. He followed closely beside Tang Sanzang to protect him.
Ao Tu respectfully invited Tang Sanzang into the house.
After Tang Sanzang entered, he saw:
Newly planed wooden table clean and dust-free, freshly cut vine chairs arranged deep in the hall.
Rough pottery bowls reflecting bright pine windows, plain cloth curtains dividing sinking bamboo shadows.
Tang Sanzang put his palms together and said: “Benefactor’s home is clean and tidy, showing the benefactor has self-discipline. Truly worthy of one who does good and cultivates blessings!”
Ao Tu said: “Holy monk, you flatter me.”
The Tiger Vanguard in the inner room heard Ao Tu’s voice and knew Tang Sanzang had arrived, so he shouted:
“It hurts so much! It hurts so much! My leg!”
Tang Sanzang hurriedly asked upon hearing this: “What’s this?”
