Chapter 23: Winds Rise At Dusk
However, Ao Tu fanned Ananda to death with the Five Fires Fan. He knew that if people from Buddhism came again, they would not be ones he could deal with, so he called out to the Yellow Wind Monster to each escape for their lives.
After hearing this, the Yellow Wind Great Sage said:
“Brother, since that’s the case, why don’t you come with me to seek refuge with my sworn sister?”
Ao Tu said: “Who is your virtuous younger brother’s sworn sister?”
The Yellow Wind Great Sage said:
“She is an old acquaintance I made while cultivating on Spirit Mountain. Now she lives in the Bottomless Cave of Trap Cave Mountain in Western Ox Continent, known as Half-Section Guanyin, also called Earth-Surging Madam. She has a beauty that sinks fish and falling geese, a countenance that eclipses the moon and shames flowers. I see that brother is also unmarried; you two are a perfect match of talented man and beautiful woman, a match made in heaven. How about I act as matchmaker to make this a beautiful affair?”
Upon hearing this, Ao Tu realized that the Yellow Wind Great Sage’s sworn sister was that golden-nosed white-furred rat spirit.
Ao Tu shook his head and said: “Brother still has private matters unfinished. Virtuous younger brother, you go hide first. If we meet again in the future, we can discuss this then!”
The Yellow Wind Great Sage, upon hearing this, cupped his hands, dismissed the group of monsters in the cave, and then left from the back door of Yellow Wind Cave.
Only the Tiger Vanguard remained in the cave.
Ao Tu asked: “Why didn’t you leave?”
The Tiger Vanguard said: “The little demons have all left. If I also left, there would be no one to run errands for Second Great King, and you would have to do everything personally. Therefore, I am willing to stay and serve Second Great King.”
Ao Tu laughed: “You are indeed capable. Since that’s the case, stay by my side from now on, and call me Great King.”
The Tiger Vanguard was overjoyed and knelt down: “Meet Great King.”
Ao Tu helped him up and asked: “Do you have any family? Have you settled them?”
The Tiger Vanguard said: “I have two young sons. I plan to hide them in South Mountain.”
Ao Tu said: “No need. Bring them here, and I will arrange a place for them.”
The Tiger Vanguard happily said: “Thank Great King.”
Soon after, the Tiger Vanguard brought the two young tigers over.
Ao Tu transformed back into his dragon form, used a transformation magic to change size, tucked the Tiger Vanguard and the two young tigers between his scales, then used an escape technique to leave Yellow Wind Cave.
On the other side, after Ananda died, Sun Wukong somersaulted on his Somersault Cloud back to Spirit Mountain and met Tathagata, saying:
“Buddha Ancestor, disciple and Venerable Ananda went to Yellow Wind Ridge to subdue demons. Disciple went down first to challenge to battle and lured the demon out. Venerable Ananda then acted to subdue the demon, but unexpectedly his magic power was insufficient and he was fanned a few times by the demon, turning into red ash. I beg Buddha Ancestor to show mercy and send another capable person to rescue my master.”
Tathagata sat solemnly on the Nine-Ranked Precious Lotus Platform, his face showing neither joy nor sorrow, and said:
“Ananda’s Buddhist Dharma is lacking, and he has fallen into the cycle of reincarnation; this hardship is his due. Kasyapa, go to South Sea and summon Venerable Guanyin to see me.”
Kasyapa obeyed the decree and left. Soon after, he brought Guanyin to meet.
Tathagata said: “Venerable Guanyin, that demon dragon is ferocious; Ananda could not subdue him. Go and capture him, rescue the pilgrim.”
Upon hearing this, the Bodhisattva received the Buddha’s Decree, paid respects, and withdrew.
Wukong and the Bodhisattva rode auspicious clouds together to Yellow Wind Ridge.
When they arrived at Yellow Wind Ridge and broke open the cave door, not a single demon was to be seen.
They asked the Earth God, who said: “Long before Great Sage arrived, the group of monsters in this cave had already dispersed. The two leading demons each escaped, destination unknown.”
Wukong had no choice but to go to the back garden to rescue master, junior brother, Bodhisattva Lingji, and Water Virtue Star Lord, then set fire to burn down the demon cave.
Among the four rescued, except Ba Jie who was mostly unharmed, Bodhisattva Lingji and Water Virtue Star Lord were both seriously injured. Tang Sanzang had been trapped for over a month, extremely haggard, and could hardly walk.
Guanyin Bodhisattva waved her willow branch, sweeping away the injuries and fatigue from the four.
The four thanked her, and that was that.
Li Tianwang, Nezha, and Water Virtue Star Lord returned to Heavenly Court to report. East Sea Dragon King returned to Dragon Palace.
Before leaving, Guanyin Bodhisattva called Wukong and Ba Jie to instruct them: “That demon dragon is a slippery thief. I received Buddha’s Decree to subdue him, but he fled in advance. If you encounter him again in the future, quickly come to South Sea to report to me.”
Wukong and Ba Jie agreed.
On the other side, after leaving Yellow Wind Ridge, Ao Tu headed straight into West Sea.
West Sea Dragon King Ao Run still did not know that Ao Tu had caused a great disaster.
Upon meeting, Ao Run said in surprise: “Nephew, it’s been a few years, and you’ve changed so much, I almost can’t recognize you!”
Ao Tu said: “Recently I got some opportunities, hence this change.”
Ao Run asked: “Was it an opportunity granted by Buddha Ancestor?”
Ao Tu said: “It has some connection to Buddha Ancestor.”
Ao Run was delighted and ordered a banquet to be prepared.
Ao Tu said: “No need for hospitality. Nephew is visiting uncle today to ask for one thing.”
Ao Run said: “What does beloved nephew seek? Speak freely.”
Ao Tu said: “Go to the Treasure Vault and get a few weapons.”
Ao Run said: “Weapons are no issue, but beloved nephew is Bell Ringer under the Buddha Ancestor. What do you need weapons for?”
Ao Tu released the Tiger Vanguard and the two young tigers from between his scales and said:
“Not for me to use, but for them.”
Ao Run said: “This, what are these people?”
Ao Tu said: “Uncle, rest assured, they are not bad people. Someone wanted to kill this father and sons. I saw they were pitiful, so I rescued them.”
Ao Run relaxed and said: “Wonderful! After entering Spirit Mountain, beloved nephew not only greatly increased your cultivation, but also gained a heart of Buddha!”
Ao Tu shook his head: “No heart of Buddha, just took a venerable’s heart.”
Ao Run felt he hadn’t heard clearly and asked: “Took what?”
Ao Tu said: “A venerable’s heart. Uncle may not know, but nephew has caused some trouble recently and accidentally killed disciple Ananda of Tathagata Buddha Ancestor. Therefore, this trip to the Treasure Vault, please uncle announce to the outside that I plundered it, so you won’t be implicated!”
Ao Run was shocked: “Beloved nephew, what did you say? Killed whom?”
Ao Tu said: “No need for more words, nephew is leaving.”
He turned to the Treasure Vault, directly knocked out the guarding soldiers, smashed the gate, and went in.
Inside the Treasure Vault, divine light shone everywhere, full of treasures as far as the eye could see.
Mostly coral, agate, pearl, amber, giant clams, spiritual shells, beautiful jade, immortal gold, divine weapons, armor, magic treasures, magic artifacts, pills, and so on.
To Ao Tu, these were ordinary; the Dragon Clan’s true treasures would naturally not be placed here. But to a little demon like Tiger Vanguard who had never seen the world in the mountains, everything before his eyes was rare treasures he had never seen in his life.
Ao Tu said: “Choose a set of armor and a weapon for yourself. Don’t touch the rest.”
The Tiger Vanguard quickly kowtowed: “Thank Great King for granting treasure!”
Then, among the many divine weapons and armor, the Tiger Vanguard selected a set of black gold armor and a tiger-head long saber forged from kun steel and refined gold.
Ao Tu casually took a few bottles of pills to reward his subordinates later, got two suitable weapons for the two young tigers, then blew a gust of wind to mess up the Treasure Vault, and left with the Tiger Vanguard.
“Beloved nephew, stay!” Ao Run chased after him.
Ao Tu said: “Uncle, don’t tangle with me anymore, lest you bring disaster.”
Ao Run looked around, took out a small seal from his bosom, and said:
“Beloved nephew, this journey is extremely dangerous. Uncle has no treasures to give. This is the Acquired Spiritual Treasure Water Covering Seal. Its quality is average, with some power only in water. I hope beloved nephew takes care.”
Ao Tu sighed, accepted the small seal, and said:
“Just say I robbed it! This departure will surely cause heaven-shaking disaster. Uncle, remember not to contact me again. Farewell.”
Ao Run shed tears and wanted to say more, but Ao Tu had already left.
