Chapter 126: Encountering The Black Water River On The Road
However, the Fadi Kingdom sent troops to attack, threatening the Huoluo Kingdom to demolish the great bridge.
In the past, the Huoluo Kingdom had no great bridge, and to go to the Che Chi Kingdom for trade, they had to pass through the upstream Fadi Kingdom.
In this way, going there and back was not only extremely circuitous, but also subjected to massive exploitation by the Fadi Kingdom, resulting in severe losses.
Now with the great bridge, the Huoluo Kingdom can pass directly over the bridge without needing to go through the Fadi Kingdom.
But in this way, the Fadi Kingdom can no longer extract benefits from the Huoluo Kingdom.
Therefore, the Fadi Kingdom sent troops to attack, threatening the Huoluo Kingdom to destroy the great bridge.
After the King of the Huoluo Kingdom learned of this, he naturally could not agree and ordered five thousand troops to be deployed and arrayed at the border to defend against the Fadi Kingdom’s attack.
When Ao Tu received the news, the two countries’ armies were already confronting each other at the border.
【Current progress: three hundred twenty-five days】
The imperial envoy brought a personal letter from the King of the Huoluo Kingdom to find Ao Tu. In the letter, the King of the Huoluo Kingdom was humble in attitude, full of praise, promised incense and fire offerings and such, and sought nothing more than to borrow the power of Ao Tu, this deity, to bless the Huoluo Kingdom to win this war.
Ao Tu resolutely refused, saying, “I cannot casually interfere in wars between mortals.”
The imperial envoy pleaded, “Dragon God, this great bridge was built under your personal supervision. Will you just allow it to be demolished?”
Ao Tu said, “This bridge was built for the Holy Monk to pass, and only afterward for the benefit of your country. If your country fears the Fadi Kingdom, you can demolish the great bridge at any time; I will not obstruct.”
Hearing this, the imperial envoy shook his head and said:
“Our country has long suffered exploitation by the Fadi Kingdom. Now, fortunately aided by the Dragon God to build this bridge, it is a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity. How could we give it up? His Majesty has already ordered that the full strength of the nation be mobilized to defend the great bridge to the death, never allowing the Fadi Kingdom to bully us.”
Ao Tu said, “The Fadi Kingdom attacks for profit; your country resists for the nation. If the standoff lasts long, victory can be achieved.”
The imperial envoy said, “Many thanks for the Dragon God’s auspicious words.”
Ao Tu said no more.
The imperial envoy left somewhat disappointed. Since the Dragon God was unwilling to help, they could only rely on the Huoluo Kingdom’s own strength to resist the Fadi Kingdom.
On the Black Water River side, the laborers were still working tirelessly every day.
The great bridge was basically almost complete, with only a little distance left; probably another four or five days and it would be finished.
Soon Tang Sanzang could pass through here and continue the Westward Journey.
However, Tang Sanzang could not be happy.
At night, Tang Sanzang tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Wukong asked with concern, “Master, what’s wrong with you?”
Tang Sanzang looked out the window and said, “This master cannot sleep.”
Wukong said, “Is it because of the two countries going to war?”
Tang Sanzang sighed, “Yes! With the two countries at war, who knows how many people will die. Do you think if this master had not built this great bridge back then, would there have been no trouble?”
Ba Jie opened his eyes, pouted, and said:
“Master, why are you worrying about this! How can their two countries going to war be blamed on us? In my old pig’s view, this is all accumulated resentment over the years; even without this bridge, they would have fought sooner or later.”
Sha Seng also woke up and said:
“Master, Second Senior Brother is right. That Fadi Kingdom acts that way; even without this bridge, the two countries would have war sooner or later.”
Tang Sanzang sighed, “Though that is so, what guilt do the common people bear.”
Wukong said, “Master, don’t worry. They say the one who tied the bell must untie it. This matter was caused by that little flood dragon; he surely has a way to settle it. Wait for me to find him.”
Tang Sanzang said, “This master will go with you.”
Wukong said, “Alright, let’s go, Master.”
Wukong took Tang Sanzang out the door.
Seeing this, Sha Seng called to Ba Jie:
“Second Senior Brother, Master and Eldest Senior Brother have gone; let’s go take a look too.”
Ba Jie said, “What’s there to see? Let me sleep a bit more.”
Sha Seng said, “Second Senior Brother, if you won’t go, I’ll go first.”
Sha Seng got up from the bed and followed.
Ba Jie said, “Junior Brother Sha, Junior Brother Sha?”
Sha Seng had already followed.
Ba Jie saw that only he remained in the room, rolled left and right on the bed, couldn’t sleep well, and also got up and followed.
Meanwhile, Wukong brought Tang Sanzang to find Ao Tu in the middle of the night.
Ao Tu had been waiting for a long time, invited the two in, and smiled:
“I knew the Holy Monk would come; it must surely be about the two countries at war.”
Wukong said, “You fellow, if you have any method, say it quickly and stop selling the pass.”
While speaking, Sha Seng and Ba Jie also arrived.
Ao Tu invited the two to come in and sit, saying:
“Resolving this matter is not difficult; that Fadi Kingdom is just acting fiercely. Just blunt their edge a bit.”
Wukong said, “How to blunt it?”
Ao Tu said, “Isn’t it easy? Great Sage, just place your Golden Cudgel on the mountain, make it fifty li long and two li wide, push it down onto the Fadi Kingdom’s army camp tents, and it will ensure that the swords of those holding swords break, the knives of those holding knives shatter, the spears of those holding spears snap, the bows of those drawing bows splinter, and all the men and horses turn to mud. The king and ministers of the Fadi Kingdom, upon hearing this, will be terrified out of their wits and dare not lightly engage in warfare again.”
Wukong laughed, “Good! Good! This method is good! As long as Master agrees, Old Sun will go right now and settle the matter in no time.”
Ba Jie laughed, “If we fight that way, no need for Eldest Senior Brother to go; if this old pig stands in the clouds and stretches down my Precious Gold-infused Rake, sweeps it down once, and rakes up the Fadi Kingdom’s camp tents like raking grass, it’s faster than Eldest Senior Brother using the Golden Cudgel.”
Sha Seng said, “I think it’s feasible!”
Tang Sanzang sighed helplessly:
“You all, no matter which country’s army, in the end it’s the common people who suffer. How can we monks act this way? Is there no way without engaging in warfare?”
Ao Tu laughed, “Worthy of the Holy Monk, with such a compassionate heart. There is a way without warfare, but it requires the Holy Monk to personally face danger.”
Tang Sanzang said joyfully, “If it can stop the two countries’ warfare, this poor monk is willing to face danger.”
Ao Tu said, “The method is not difficult; just have the Holy Monk personally go to the Fadi Kingdom and persuade the King of the Fadi Kingdom to cease warfare.”
Tang Sanzang said, “This… I’m afraid the ruler of the Fadi Kingdom won’t easily stop the war.”
Ao Tu said, “Holy Monk, do not worry. You are the imperial brother of the Great Tang emperor; the king of the Fadi Kingdom dare not slight you and will surely treat you with courtesy. This little god and the Great Sage will go to the border and use clever tactics to make the two armies cease fighting. What the Fadi Kingdom seeks is merely profit; if prolonged war yields no success, and with the Holy Monk’s persuasion, they will inevitably withdraw troops.”
Hearing this, Tang Sanzang thought for a moment and agreed, “Since it is so, this poor monk is willing to go.”
The next day, Tang Sanzang told the matter to the imperial envoy, who was overjoyed and hurriedly reported back to the king.
The king was greatly pleased upon learning this and sent special personnel to escort Tang Sanzang to the Fadi Kingdom.
Wukong instructed Ba Jie and Sha Seng to accompany and protect Master.
Tang Sanzang arrived at the Fadi Kingdom and sought an audience with the King of the Fadi Kingdom.
That King of the Fadi Kingdom was a tyrannical and arrogant man. Upon hearing that Tang Sanzang had come as an envoy for the Huoluo Kingdom, he was displeased and, without carefully reading the report, directly wanted to send men to kill Tang Sanzang.
The ministers of the Fadi Kingdom learned of this and hurriedly said:
“Your Majesty, we cannot kill him!”
The King of the Fadi Kingdom said, “A mere little monk—why can’t we kill him?”
