Chapter 34: Four Saints Test The Heart Of Zen
That woman laughed and said:
“Good, this idea is great! Daughters, quickly put on the veils. We’re bumping into a heavenly marriage to match with a son-in-law.”
The three Bodhisattvas thus had no choice but to cover their faces with the veils and come to capture Ao Tu.
Ao Tu had originally planned to turn the tables and tease these immortals, so how could he let them capture him easily?
Ao Tu used Golden Light of Earthly Movement to dodge. None of the three Bodhisattvas could catch him. They were exhausted and panting, yet they dared not reveal their supernatural powers, fearing Ao Tu would spot the flaw. They were truly at a loss.
That woman laughed from the side and said:
“Good son-in-law, you have so many supernatural powers. None of them can catch you. Why not yield to them a bit!”
Ao Tu stopped and said: “It’s not that I’m not yielding to them. But if I let any one of the sisters catch me, I’m afraid the other two sisters will say I’m biased.”
At that moment, that woman pushed Lian Lian, sending Lian Lian over to grab Ao Tu.
Captured! Guanyin Bodhisattva gritted her silver teeth, inwardly seething with hatred.
That woman laughed and said: “There’s no time like the present. You two newlyweds, quickly perform the wedding ceremony!”
After speaking, the little maid from before came out, holding two lacquered wooden trays with two sets of ceremonial clothes on them.
That woman said: “Good son-in-law, quickly put on this groom’s hat and see if it fits?”
Ao Tu picked up that hat, knowing it was most likely a circlet. Putting it on would be the end.
He held the hat, pretending to put it on.
That woman stared at Ao Tu without blinking, neither urging nor stopping him, not knowing what she was thinking.
Ao Tu pretended to put it on, but after holding it for a while, he put the hat down again and laughed:
“No rush to wear it. If we’re to marry, we need to prepare a banquet first. We can’t lower the standards.”
That woman said: “Son-in-law, my family has plenty of wealth. Whatever banquet you want, just say it. Whether exotic flowers and fruits or immortal delicacies, I can prepare them all within a day.”
Ao Tu said: “My Buddhism has plenty of exotic flowers and fruits. Immortal delicacies are too cloying to eat. In my life, I’ve only ever been pleased by one thing.”
That woman asked: “What thing?”
Ao Tu said: “Tang Sanzang’s flesh! That’s the second disciple of Tathagata Buddha, the reincarnation of Golden Cicada. A good man cultivated over ten lifetimes. Eating a bite of his flesh allows great progress in cultivation. That Tang Sanzang will pass by here soon. Please, mother-in-law, capture him and make him the wedding banquet. Only then can we marry.”
That woman said: “Since that Tang Sanzang is the reincarnation of Golden Cicada, he should be your fellow disciple. Why do you want to eat him?”
Ao Tu said: “Mother-in-law, you’re confused!”
That woman puzzled: “How am I confused?”
Ao Tu said: “Among us in Buddhism, fellow disciples killing each other is the norm. Even Buddha Ancestor knows and tacitly approves. Doesn’t mother-in-law know that?”
That woman laughed again.
She felt this little guy was truly too amusing. She didn’t know whose disciple he was, but he was truly interesting.
Guanyin Bodhisattva heard Ao Tu slandering Buddhism like this and was very angry inside.
The little maid on the side said: “Let’s not talk about Tang Sanzang’s flesh for now. Young master, please try on the clothes to see if they fit. If not, we can change them.”
Hearing this, Ao Tu raised his hand and punched the little maid on the head.
The little maid was hit and grew a big bump. She covered her head and sat on the ground.
Ao Tu said: “You little maid, how do you know my supernatural powers? If the clothes are small, I’ll shrink a bit. If the clothes are big, I’ll grow a bit. How dare you interrupt!”
Seeing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva knew she couldn’t do anything to Ao Tu. Furious, she performed a salute and took her leave.
That woman said: “My youngest daughter is impatient. Unable to marry, she got angry and left. Son-in-law, what do you think? Should we not eat Tang Sanzang’s flesh first and coax her back?”
Hearing this, Ao Tu stood up, cupped his hands and said:
“The conditions absolutely cannot change. When a woman marries, she follows her husband. For such a spoiled daughter, even if she’s extremely beautiful, it’s hard to be moved by her. I think mother-in-law should teach her properly. Otherwise, the marriage won’t happen. We have fate but no share, so let’s part here.”
Seeing this, that woman had no choice but to keep Ao Tu and make him stay.
No way around it. To set a trap for Ao Tu, they naturally couldn’t let him leave.
Wasn’t it just capturing a Tang Sanzang? Just pretend to capture him first.
After noon, the little maid brought Ao Tu spiritual fruits, immortal wine, and golden elixirs. Afraid of being schemed against, Ao Tu didn’t touch any and pushed it away, saying the marriage wasn’t settled yet, so he wouldn’t take mother-in-law’s things, lest it give people something to talk about.
Guanyin Bodhisattva saw Ao Tu was impervious to both soft and hard tactics. Gritting her teeth in anger, she wished she could reveal her true form and take him right there, but fearing his many tricks and that he might escape, she could only swallow her anger.
She had no choice but to first capture Tang Sanzang and his disciples for him, then coax him into wearing that circlet.
Next, Ao Tu stayed here.
Every day he admired flowers and toured the garden, not forgetting to tease Guanyin, deliberately ordering her around to serve tea and water, and accompany him touring the garden and viewing scenery.
If she dared not comply, Ao Tu would make a move to leave, so Guanyin Bodhisattva had to compromise.
Thus nearly two months passed. It was the spring scenery season. Ao Tu looked from the clouds and saw Tang Sanzang and his disciples coming from the distant road. He flew down from the clouds, found that woman and said:
“Mother-in-law, Tang Sanzang and his disciples are here. Quickly call out the three sisters to go with me to capture them.”
That woman then called out the three Bodhisattvas.
Ao Tu said: “Tang Sanzang and his disciples are already here. We’re going to capture them now. Zhen Zhen, you deal with Sha Wujing; Ai Ai, you deal with Zhu Bajie; Lian Lian, you deal with Sun Wukong.”
The three heard this and looked over, asking: “Then what about you?”
Ao Tu said matter-of-factly: “I’ll capture Tang Sanzang!”
The three were speechless.
Guanyin Bodhisattva said: “I’ve heard that Tang Sanzang’s three disciples are all highly skilled in martial arts. They are virtuous men enlightened by Guanyin Bodhisattva of Great Compassion from the South Sea. A direct assault is the lower strategy. Better to transform and use stratagems to capture them.”
Ao Tu scolded: “Lian Lian, how can you use deception? Those who transform their forms and use clever words and colors are not good people. If you learn from them, how can I marry you?”
Guanyin Bodhisattva gritted her teeth in anger but had to listen to Ao Tu and go for the direct assault.
Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva each took out a long sword. Guanyin Bodhisattva had no weapon, so Ao Tu lent her his Mysterious Gold Iron Rod Spear and said:
“Use it carefully. Don’t ruin the family assets or damage my divine weapon.”
Guanyin Bodhisattva didn’t want to stay any longer. She rose on a cloud and charged toward Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva followed closely behind.
Ao Tu followed behind the three.
The master and disciples four were crossing mountains and ridges, walking with difficulty.
Suddenly, a piece of auspicious cloud flew over from the sky.
Wukong saw it and didn’t think much of it at first, assuming it was some deity passing by.
Suddenly, Guanyin Bodhisattva charged out from the cloud.
Wukong shouted: “Bad news! Protect Master!”
After saying that, he fought with Guanyin Bodhisattva.
In terms of martial skill, Guanyin Bodhisattva was definitely not as proficient as Wukong.
But Guanyin Bodhisattva had more magic power and magic. Wukong was suppressed for the moment.
Wukong used his Fiery Golden Eyes to look at Guanyin Bodhisattva, but felt a wave of auspicious light blocking him. He couldn’t see her true form and could only fight fiercely.
On the side, Ba Jie and Sha Seng protected Tang Sanzang well. Seeing Wukong stalemated with a woman, they prepared to come help.
At this time, Manjushri Bodhisattva and Samantabhadra Bodhisattva descended from the sky again, each facing Ba Jie and Sha Seng.
Ao Tu followed from behind, watching the three fight.
Manjushri Bodhisattva said: “Brother-in-law, why haven’t you captured that Tang Sanzang yet?”
Ao Tu said: “I act upright and honorable. How can I take advantage of someone’s peril? Quickly defeat these three, then I can capture Tang Sanzang!”
