Chapter 111: Great Battle With Red Boy
However, Ao Tu used the Soul Scattering Gourd, spewing red sand across the sky, instantly turning the tide of battle.
The Heavenly Court’s four divisions of divine generals all fell.
Broken Arm Mountain was piled high on all sides with the fallen divine generals.
Those with strong divine strength retained some consciousness.
Those with weak divine strength were already unconscious.
Red Boy watched this scene, unable to hide the shock in his eyes.
Ao Tu descended from the air and said, “Red Boy, lock all these people in the prison cells.”
Red Boy said, “Yes, Great King!”
Red Boy set off, locking the Heavenly Court divine generals one by one into the prison cells.
Previously, Red Boy had not understood why Ao Tu built so many prison cells in the cave mansion; now he finally knew the reason.
On the other side, Wukong fled to Heaven, met Long-range Eye and Favorable Wind Ear, and the three returned together to Lingxiao Palace.
The Jade Emperor asked, “How goes the battle in the mortal realm?”
Long-range Eye and Favorable Wind Ear reported:
“Your Majesty, Li Tianwang led the four divisions of divine generals to the mortal realm to subdue demons. That demon on Demon Mountain raised a banner, proclaiming himself ‘Sea of Blood Great King.’ Li Tianwang ordered it burned, but the demon blocked it with a black lotus. Li Tianwang then ordered the thunder, fight, water, and fire divisions of divine generals to surround and attack. After fighting for an hour and forty-five minutes, the demon showed signs of defeat. Li Tianwang tried to capture him with the Precious Pagoda, but unexpectedly, the demon summoned a red gourd, spewing red sand across the sky, and all four divisions of divine generals were captured.”
The Jade Emperor said, “This demon has such abilities?”
Wukong said, “Your Majesty, though that demon has some skills, he cannot withstand the gods and old Sun. It’s just that his gourd is formidable.”
The Jade Emperor said, “The gourd.”
Wukong’s eyes darted around, found Lao Jun among the assembled immortals and officials, went over and said, “Old Official, old Sun pays his respects.”
Lao Jun said, “Monkey, what do you want from me?”
Wukong smiled and said, “Old Official, do you recognize that red gourd?”
Lao Jun said, “I reside long in Dou Shuai Palace and do not recognize any red gourd.”
Wukong bowed and said, “Old Official, though you do not recognize it, you must know who does. I beg you to point me in the right direction.”
Lao Jun laughed, “You monkey. I truly do not recognize that gourd, but I have heard that Buddha Ancestor Tathagata has supernatural powers to see through the three realms. Why not go ask him to take a look?”
Hearing this, Wukong thought it reasonable, so he bid farewell to the Jade Emperor:
“Your Majesty, allow old Sun to go invite the Buddha Ancestor to check that demon’s origins.”
The Jade Emperor said, “Go.”
Wukong left the South Heaven Gate, urgently somersaulted on his Somersault Cloud, and headed to Spirit Mountain.
Upon arriving at Spirit Mountain, a bhikshuni came to receive him.
Wukong stated his purpose, and the bhikshuni invited him into the Great Thunderclap Temple.
Buddha Ancestor Tathagata sat upon the Nine-Ranked Lotus Platform.
Wukong paid respects to Buddha Ancestor Tathagata, recounted the previous events in detail, and asked Buddha Ancestor Tathagata to check that demon’s origins.
Hearing this, Buddha Ancestor Tathagata opened his wisdom eye and looked, seeing Six Hundred Li Drill Mountain, seeing Broken Arm Mountain, seeing Blood Sea Cave, seeing Red Boy, seeing Tang Sanzang and his disciples, seeing the Heavenly Court divine generals, seeing Li Jing, seeing the broken pagoda, seeing the black lotus, seeing Sea of Blood Great King.
At the moment he saw the black lotus, Buddha Ancestor Tathagata’s eyes flashed with slight surprise. He looked closely at Sea of Blood Great King but could not see his origins or karma, and did not know his background.
Wukong asked, “Buddha Ancestor, can you see that demon’s origins?”
Buddha Ancestor Tathagata said, “That demon is an anomaly, and his black lotus is the most evil and wicked thing between heaven and earth. Venerable Guanyin, go with Wukong to eliminate the demon.”
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, “Disciple obeys the decree.”
Buddha Ancestor Tathagata said again, “Come here; I give you two items.”
Guanyin Bodhisattva stepped forward upon hearing this.
Buddha Ancestor Tathagata handed a golden sarira and a golden lacquer lamp to Guanyin Bodhisattva, whispered some words to her, and Guanyin Bodhisattva received the decree again, leaving Spirit Mountain with Wukong.
After Guanyin Bodhisattva left, Buddha Ancestor Tathagata ordered Manjushri Bodhisattva to go to Wudang Mountain to invite Great Emperor Zhenwu; this matter is set aside for now.
Guanyin Bodhisattva and Wukong rode clouds to Broken Arm Mountain and Blood Sea Cave.
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, “Wukong, go down and challenge to battle, lure the demon out.”
Wukong said, “Bodhisattva, that demon’s treasures are powerful; you must be extra careful.”
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, “I know; go.”
Wukong descended from the cloud, raised the Golden Cudgel, smashed the door of Blood Sea Cave to pieces, and shouted:
“Sea of Blood old demon, come out quickly and face death.”
Inside the cave, Ao Tu heard the shouting outside and said to Red Boy:
“Your Uncle Sun has come again. If I lose this time, bind your own hands and feet and wait for them to rescue you, understand?”
Red Boy nodded silently.
Ao Tu walked outside.
Red Boy could not help but say, “Great King!”
Ao Tu turned back and said, “What is it?”
Red Boy said, “Why not run? The gods in Heaven are endless.”
Ao Tu laughed, “It’s good that you understand this truth early. But no need to worry about me; I am not afraid of those gods.”
With that, Ao Tu walked out of the cave.
Outside, Wukong stood holding his cudgel.
Ao Tu advanced and fought Wukong for several rounds; Wukong flew into the sky, and Ao Tu pursued closely.
In the air, Guanyin Bodhisattva saw the two flying over, took out the Jade Pure Bottle, revealed the Buddha’s Light, and tried to capture Ao Tu.
Ao Tu took out the Soul Scattering Gourd.
Seeing this, Wukong turned and fled.
Guanyin Bodhisattva was startled, not expecting Wukong to flee so quickly.
Red sand spewed from the Soul Scattering Gourd.
The Buddha’s Light of the Jade Pure Bottle was broken in an instant.
Guanyin Bodhisattva hurriedly used the Nine-Ranked Precious Lotus Platform to protect herself.
Ao Tu held the gourd, continuously releasing red sand; the Buddha’s Light of the Nine-Ranked Lotus Platform flickered.
Guanyin Bodhisattva sat on the lotus platform and fled all the way to the Thirty-three Heavens.
Ao Tu sprayed the heavens and earth red; seeing Guanyin Bodhisattva flee to Heaven, he finally stopped.
Guanyin Bodhisattva fled to Heaven and saw Wukong there, unable to hold back:
“Wukong, why did you flee so fast?”
Wukong said, “Bodhisattva, it was not that old Sun fled fast; it was that the demon’s gourd is too powerful, and old Sun has no treasure to protect himself. If I had been slower, I would have been brought down.”
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, “You monkey, you fled without a word, leaving me unprepared. I was sprayed by that demon’s red sand, injuring my lotus platform.”
Wukong said, “Bodhisattva, this is old Sun’s fault. But what to do now?”
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, “When we left, the Buddha Ancestor gave instructions. Come with me to see the Jade Emperor.”
The two arrived at Lingxiao Palace.
The Jade Emperor saw Wukong bringing Guanyin Bodhisattva and laughed:
“The Bodhisattva’s visit must bring a supernatural power to subdue the demon.”
Guanyin Bodhisattva lowered her gaze upon hearing this:
“I am ashamed; that demon’s treasures are powerful, and I failed to subdue him.”
The Jade Emperor said in surprise, “Even the Bodhisattva’s hand failed to subdue the demon? That demon has such supernatural power; who else can be sent to subdue him?”
All the gods were silent.
Taibai Jinxing said, “Your Majesty, the demon’s supernatural powers are vast; ordinary divine generals fear they cannot subdue him.”
The Jade Emperor said, “A mere little demon from the mortal realm cannot be subdued?”
Taibai Jinxing said, “Your Majesty, hear me out. Previously, this old minister submitted a memorial requesting the remaking of ancient stars to guard against the unforeseen. The assembled immortals said, ‘The three realms are at peace; why trouble everyone?’ Now we indeed encounter this powerful demon, proving my words were not wrong.”
The Jade Emperor said, “The immortals have caused trouble; I approve your proposal. But how to eliminate that demon?”
Taibai Jinxing said, “That demon’s supernatural powers are vast and hard to capture for the moment. In this old minister’s view, the demon proclaims himself Sea of Blood Great King in the mortal realm. Your Majesty, why not issue a decree of pacification and appoint him as Sea of Blood Great King? He will feel the heavenly grace and naturally submit.”
Tomorrow I’ll take a day off to rest, then make up the owed updates. Staying up late the past few days was fine, but today I just couldn’t hold on.
