Chapter 33: Reward Settlement
Yet Tang Sanzang and his disciples crossed the Flowing Sand River.
Guanyin Bodhisattva invited Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Old Mother Li Shan, the three saints, to devise a plan to subdue Ao Tu.
On Ao Tu’s side, the settlement reward was issued, and five rewards were distributed accordingly.
Three-Revolutions Soul-Returning Pill, Six-Thousand-Year Immortal Peach, Headache Gourd, Dragon-Binding Rope, and Five-Colored Divine Light.
Ao Tu received the Three-Revolutions Soul-Returning Pill, keeping it for later use.
He swallowed the Immortal Peach, increasing some of his cultivation.
He received the Headache Gourd and tied the Dragon-Binding Rope around his waist.
The Five-Colored Divine Light was fully integrated, manifesting five rays of light behind him, arranged in green, yellow, red, white, and black according to the Five Elements, which he could collect and release at will.
Leading the Tiger Vanguard, he traveled a thousand li westward, passed a mountain cliff, and far off saw a cluster of pine shade with a expanse of majestic palace halls and ethereal pavilions, truly grand.
It was like: Misty clouds and rosy glows holding the morning dew, moss aiding the fresh green. Green phoenix trees resound with colorful phoenixes, living water hides azure dragons. Emerald rocks rejoice as the moon rises, birds chirp in joy at the clear sky. Two groves of bamboo provide cool shade, a path where flowers bloom thickly. At times white clouds appear, drifting aimlessly with the wind.
Truly a thousand-year ancient site, ten-thousand-year immortal trace.
Beneath that palace, for some unknown reason, a group of monsters had gathered.
Ao Tu glanced simply and saw Tiger Spirit, Leopard Spirit, Wolf Spirit, Elk Spirit, Fragrant Muntjac Spirit, Fox Spirit, Black Snake Spirit, Rat Spirit, Crow Spirit, Mantis Spirit, Dragonfly Spirit, Ant Spirit, and so on.
These monsters had various forms but were all polite and stood outside.
He heard voices inside talking about a Dragon Girl from the Western Paradise who was sitting in the mountains recruiting a husband or something like that.
Ao Tu perked up his ears and felt a bit vigilant.
He walked forward a few steps, stood on the mountain cliff, and looked down to survey the situation.
At that moment, the System voice sounded.
【Ding, entered mission area】
【Current Side Quest: Four Saints Test the Heart of Zen】
【Mission Requirement: Obstruct the Pilgrim in this area; rewards settled based on obstruction time.】
【Mission Reward: Three days/Buddhist Dharma·Rebirth Mantra, seven days/Magic·Finger to Ground Becomes Steel, half a month/Purple-Veined Flat Peach, one month/Spiritual Root·Three-Grade Golden Lotus, one season/Supernatural Power·Rainbow Transformation Technique, half a year/Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood, one year/Innate Spiritual Treasure·Soul Scattering Gourd, three years/Innate Spiritual Treasure·River Diagram and Luo Book, twelve years/Chaos Bell, sixty years…】
【Current Progress: One day】
Seeing this, Ao Tu connected it to the Dragon Girl recruiting a husband he had overheard before, realizing it was a scheme set by Guanyin Bodhisattva and the others for him.
He thought for a moment; with the Five-Colored Divine Light as his trump card, he could at least protect himself, so he decided to play along, leading the Tiger Vanguard up to stand together with the crowd of monsters outside waiting.
Shortly after, the door of the palace courtyard opened, and a woman walked out from within.
That woman was half-old but not old, wearing a woven gold immortal green jacket over a light red collar; tied with a colorful goose-yellow skirt, complemented below by high-heeled floral shoes. Her hair was black and white in harmony, her countenance still beautiful.
As the saying goes:
Cloud-like tresses half gray like phoenix wings, earrings dangling with rows of precious pearls.
No makeup yet still beautiful, her charm like a youthful talent.
The woman looked down and spotted Ao Tu, who stood out like a crane among chickens in the crowd, and said: “That young brother, are you here for the marriage recruitment?”
Ao Tu pretended: “Indeed.”
The woman said: “Then please come in quickly!”
Ao Tu brought the Tiger Vanguard and followed the woman inside.
The other monsters grumbled and dispersed, saying the Dragon Girl had no eye for talent and such.
The woman courteously invited Ao Tu into the hall, seated him, and served tea.
From behind the screen, a girl with dangling silk hair buns emerged, holding a golden tray and white jade cup; fragrant tea steaming warm, exotic fruits scattering subtle fragrance. She presented the jade cup with the tea.
At that moment, the woman suddenly noticed the belt at Ao Tu’s waist, surprise flashing in her eyes.
Ao Tu asked: “May I ask what is Mother-in-law’s esteemed surname? Why come here to recruit a son-in-law?”
The woman said: “My maiden name is Jia, my husband’s was Mo. Originally kin to the Dragon King of Saagera in Western Ox Continent, but since my husband died early and fate gave no sons, only three daughters, thus I seek to marry them off.”
Ao Tu said: “In that case, we are of the same clan.”
The woman said: “Exactly. Those group of monsters at the foot of the mountain are each crude and ugly, unlike you who are naturally handsome, and close to my family’s bloodline.”
Ao Tu nodded: “That is true.”
The woman asked: “Son-in-law, I still don’t know your name and where you hail from?”
Ao Tu replied: “I am Ao Tu, also called Spirit Mountain Great King, a disciple of the Buddha Ancestor at the foot of Spirit Mountain.”
At these words, the woman couldn’t help but chuckle, covering with a fan.
Ao Tu asked: “Why does Mother-in-law laugh?”
The woman said: “Learning of son-in-law’s profound family background, I am delighted in my heart, hence the laugh.”
Behind the screen, Guanyin Bodhisattva listened to Ao Tu’s words and couldn’t help but furrow her brows slightly.
The woman continued: “Son-in-law, since you are of Buddhism, is this marriage fitting?”
Ao Tu said: “No issue, Mother-in-law need not worry; we Buddhist disciples cultivate the Buddha in the heart.”
The woman said: “What is the Buddha in the heart?”
Ao Tu said: “The so-called Buddha in the heart means greed, hatred, and delusion are fully indulged; as long as the heart recites Buddha, all is well.”
The woman couldn’t help but cover her face and laugh again.
Guanyin Bodhisattva in the room angrily said: “This evil beast slanders my teachings so; how can I spare him?”
Manjushri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas nearby hurriedly advised: “Great Bodhisattva, consider the big picture, the big picture!”
Because that Demon Dragon had many tricks, the two feared acting rashly would let Ao Tu escape, hence the advice.
At this time, the woman felt the chat was sufficient and said:
“Since so, I will call out my three daughters for you to see which one to betroth.”
Ao Tu said: “Please have the three sisters come out.”
The woman called out, and three young women emerged from the room, each with beauty that could topple kingdoms.
The woman introduced: “This is the eldest daughter Zhen Zhen, this is the second daughter Ai Ai, this is the third daughter Lian Lian; why not pay respects to the Great King?”
The three daughters said together: “Greetings, Great King!”
They were precisely transformations of Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Guanyin Bodhisattva.
The woman said: “Well, good son-in-law, which of my daughters have you taken a fancy to?”
Ao Tu feigned affection: “All three are excellent.”
The woman laughed: “Then I shall betroth all three to you, to share the bridal chamber together; how about that?”
Ao Tu said: “Thank you for Mother-in-law’s generosity, but I dare not accept.”
The woman said: “Why? Is it weak constitution, insufficient strength?”
Ao Tu said: “No. I know dual cultivation arts and prolonged battle methods, but fear the three sisters will be greedy for pleasure and favor, unable to be fair, leading to discord over time.”
At these words, Guanyin Bodhisattva was furious again, clenching her powder fists tightly.
Manjushri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas hurriedly held back Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Ao Tu said: “Mother-in-law, see, Lian Lian already shows some discord.”
The woman covered her mouth laughing: “You consider quite thoroughly. Then shall I betroth Zhen Zhen to you?”
Ao Tu said: “No good, fear Ai Ai and Lian Lian will resent.”
The woman said: “Then shall I betroth Ai Ai to you?”
Ao Tu said: “No good, fear Zhen Zhen and Lian Lian will resent.”
The woman said: “Then shall I betroth Lian Lian to you?”
Ao Tu said: “No good, fear Zhen Zhen and Ai Ai will resent.”
The woman said: “Good son-in-law, then I have no way; what do you say to do?”
Ao Tu reached out, produced three big red veils, and laughed: “How about this: I have three veils here; have the three sisters cover their heads, crash into a heavenly marriage; whoever catches me shall be betrothed to me.”
