Chapter 62: Encountering Demons In Black Pine Forest
Now, on the other side.
In the Imperial Palace, after Ba Jie and Sha Seng left, Tang Sanzang also prepared to leave the palace for a walk.
Having stayed in the palace for a long time and bedridden with head wind sickness for half a month, Tang Sanzang felt somewhat depressed. Now that he had just recovered from a long illness, he wanted to go out for a walk to relieve his boredom.
Tang Sanzang walked out of the Imperial Palace and strolled on the streets. He saw that the streets of Bao Xiang Kingdom had people buying and selling, performing acrobatics and arts, fortune-telling and divining, with crowds gathering and business flourishing.
As Tang Sanzang walked along, he felt his mood easing.
At this moment, suddenly there came the sound of pursuit.
A young monk in his teens was seen darting through the crowd, with several fierce-looking officers chasing behind him.
“Make way, make way!”
“Little thing, stop!”
“If you run again, I’ll kill you!”
Hearing the officers’ shouts and curses, the crowd dared not obstruct and parted to the sides.
The young monk had nowhere to hide. Seeing Tang Sanzang, he hurriedly hid behind him and pleaded pitifully: “Master, Master, please save me!”
Seeing the young monk’s pitiful state, Tang Sanzang felt compassion.
The officers then walked over and said:
“Monk, this doesn’t concern you. Get out of the way!”
Protecting the young monk, Tang Sanzang said: “Officers, what crime has this child committed to warrant such warfare?”
The leading officer pushed Tang Sanzang, making him stumble, and said: “Damn it, mind your own business, monk. We’re acting on the king’s orders, got it!”
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, the young monk hurriedly ran backward.
The officers immediately tried to chase, but Tang Sanzang blocked them and said:
“This poor monk comes from Eastern Land Great Tang, heading to Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek scriptures. I know your king. How dare you act like this in broad daylight?”
Hearing that Tang Sanzang knew the king, the officers became somewhat afraid.
One said nervously: “Boss, he says he knows His Majesty the King. It couldn’t be true, could it?”
Another said: “I heard recently some monks from Great Tang helped His Majesty regain the throne, and His Majesty trusts them greatly. This monk’s attire is different from our local monks. Could it be…”
The leader swallowed and said, mustering his courage:
“What, what are you afraid of? We’re just following orders.”
Though he said so, the men were still afraid, and their attitude toward Tang Sanzang changed instantly. The leader fawned:
“Holy Monk Lord, we brothers were just following orders. We didn’t know your identity and offended you. Please forgive us, Holy Monk Lord!”
Tang Sanzang did not mind and asked: “You say you’re following orders. That young monk is no more than fifteen or sixteen years old. What crime did he commit to make you chase him like this?”
The officers respectfully answered:
“In response to Holy Monk Lord, that young monk was originally the son of a family south of the city. Half a year ago, he killed a neighboring couple, robbed money for gambling, and after the incident, fled to the State Grace Monastery to become a monk. Since the monastery is a place for outsiders, he wasn’t arrested. Recently, His Majesty issued a decree to pursue past major criminals, so we’re after him.”
Hearing this, Tang Sanzang stood stunned.
He recalled what Ao Tu had said, remained silent for a long time, then lowered his head: “Amitabha, this is this poor monk’s fault!”
The officers hurriedly said: “No, no, Holy Monk Lord, if you have no other instructions, we’ll continue the chase.”
Tang Sanzang said: “This poor monk failed to discern right from wrong and let the criminal escape. Let this poor monk go with you to make amends for my sin.”
The officers said in surprise: “Holy Monk Lord, you’re coming with us to chase?”
Tang Sanzang said nothing, just tightened his monk robe, rolled up his sleeves, recited the six-character mantra, and dashed after in pursuit.
The officers stared in astonishment.
Tang Sanzang chased all the way. Having eaten ginseng fruit and knowing the six-character mantra, the young monk couldn’t outrun him.
Soon, Tang Sanzang caught up and grabbed him.
They had just arrived in front of a monastery named “State Grace Monastery.”
The young monk shouted loudly: “Senior Brother, Master, save me!”
A group of monks came out of State Grace Monastery and surrounded Tang Sanzang with unfriendly expressions.
The officers from behind then arrived and, seeing the situation, stepped forward: “How bold! Monks of State Grace Monastery, what are you doing? This is a high monk from Great Tang. How dare you be so insolent!”
Hearing this, the abbot of State Grace Monastery came out and said:
“You are that monk from Tang Dynasty?”
Tang Sanzang replied: “This poor monk indeed comes from Eastern Land Great Tang.”
The abbot said: “Why are you grabbing Hui Ren?”
Tang Sanzang then learned the young monk’s monastic name was Hui Ren.
Tang Sanzang asked: “Did he kill someone?”
The abbot sighed: “That is true.”
Tang Sanzang said: “In that case, he should face the law of the kingdom.”
The abbot said: “Hui Ren has entered the empty gate and is guided by Buddhist Dharma. Why need worldly punishment?”
Tang Sanzang lowered his eyes: “《The Four-Part Vinaya》 clearly states ‘If a bhikshu commits killing, stealing, lust, or lying, do not dwell with him.’ Buddhism saves widely but does not harbor roots of calamity.”
The abbot said: “Amitabha, since entering the monastery, Hui Ren has been mild-tempered and thoroughly reformed. Can’t he repent? Must you exterminate him utterly?”
An officer behind said: “Old monk, enough talk. This is a decree issued by His Majesty. Do you intend to defy it?”
Hearing this, the abbot said no more.
The officers twisted Hui Ren’s arms on left and right and escorted him to the yamen.
Tang Sanzang gave a salutation, about to take his leave.
The abbot said: “Wait.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Does the old abbot have more to say?”
The abbot said: “This old monk is an outsider, unafraid of the kingdom’s laws and regulations, so I dare ask: You foreign monk, why did you help someone usurp the rivers and mountains of our Bao Xiang Kingdom? Aren’t you afraid of Buddha Ancestor’s blame?”
Tang Sanzang replied: “Old abbot, you do not know. Thirteen years ago, on Mid-Autumn moon-viewing night, demons caused chaos, abducted the princess, and a false ruler harmed the country. The previous king was a demon in disguise; the current king is the legitimate ruler.”
The abbot said: “How do you know the previous king was a demon in disguise?”
Tang Sanzang said: “His Highness the Prince saw it with his own eyes, and under demon rule, the common people lost all family, with lives in misery.”
The abbot said: “In our Bao Xiang Kingdom, no prince was born in the past thirty years; everyone knows this. Under the previous king, though not everyone praised him, at least the people lived in peace and contentment. How could there be loss of family and lives in misery?”
Tang Sanzang was somewhat shocked to hear this.
The abbot continued: “What you know, is it from one-sided words?”
Tang Sanzang’s expression changed abruptly. Recalling various events, a faint bell sound echoed in his mind, as if everything connected.
He hurriedly took leave, visited the common people personally, and inquired about Bao Xiang Kingdom matters.
He first asked about news of Ao Tu. After questioning several people, all said Bao Xiang Kingdom had only three princesses from beginning to end, no prince.
Tang Sanzang’s face paled. He then asked about the old woman’s mention of human bones soaked in wine, but still no one knew.
Everyone said the previous king of Bao Xiang Kingdom, though not particularly diligent or loving the people, at least committed no atrocities.
Tang Sanzang looked toward the palace in horror and hurried back to the palace.
