Chapter 77: Treasure-seizing In Lotus Cave
However, the foxes from Dragon Subduing Cave came to meet Ao Tu.
Ao Tu took some interest in this group of foxes, so he let them in.
The Nine-tailed Old Fox led nine female monsters in. Seeing Ao Tu, she prostrated herself on the ground and said:
“Venerable God! Just now, this old one and the younger generation in the cave were fortunate to see your true form, and we felt deep admiration. Therefore, we specially hurried here to offer mountain delicacies and rare items, begging to gaze upon your countenance.”
Upon hearing this, the nine female monsters behind the Nine-tailed Old Fox all prostrated themselves together, each presenting mountain rarities.
There were vermilion fruits, lingzhi mushrooms, polygonatum, old ginseng, jade marrow, amber, cinnabar, purple crystals, and langgan.
Ao Tu said: “You may rise!”
Those foxes stood up.
Ao Tu looked at the old fox and asked: “Where are you from?”
The Nine-tailed Old Fox said: “In response to Venerable God, we live in the Black Forest to the southwest.”
Ao Tu said indifferently: “I have heard that in that Black Forest, there is a Dragon Subduing Cave. Have you heard of it?”
Upon hearing this, the Nine-tailed Old Fox was terrified and fearful, and hurriedly prostrated three more times, saying:
“Venerable God, this old one dares not deceive you. Our cave mansion is indeed that Dragon Subduing Cave. It was truly this old one’s ignorance and arrogant presumption.
Today, seeing Venerable God’s divine form and Law Manifestation, we now know the greatness of your supernatural power, and our hearts are filled with utmost reverence. Therefore, we have already changed Dragon Subduing Cave to Dragon Welcoming Cave, cleaned the gardens, paths, and pavilions, and set out meat and vegetarian banquets. We earnestly beg Venerable God to grace us with your presence and stay a while in the cave, to express our admiration.”
Hearing this, Ao Tu thought to himself that this old fox was quite sensible.
She had changed the name so quickly.
Among the demon clan, the fox clan was indeed one of the more cunning types, skilled at attaching themselves to the strong.
For example, the jade-faced foxes of Thunderclap Mountain attached themselves to the Bull Demon King to gain protection.
Essentially, this was also related to the lack of strong ones in the fox clan.
Ao Tu did not mind going over.
Firstly, Dragon Subduing Cave had some forces, which would be convenient for his subsequent arrangements to obstruct Tang Sanzang and his disciples on their Westward Journey.
Secondly, living in a cave mansion was more convenient than in these barren mountains.
Ao Tu then stood up and said: “You are thoughtful. No need to call me Venerable God anymore. My name is Spirit Mountain Great King. Just call me Great King.”
The Nine-tailed Old Fox said joyfully: “Great King.”
Ao Tu nodded and looked at those female monsters, asking: “Are these your daughters?”
The Nine-tailed Old Fox said: “Great King, these are this old one’s younger generation children. Children, hurry and pay respects to Great King.”
Upon hearing this, those nine female monsters came forward one by one to pay respects to Ao Tu.
It was said to be paying respects, but actually they were taking the opportunity to twist their postures and sway their bodies, flaunting their charms.
Fox demons were naturally seductive, and after transforming, their appearances were extremely beautiful, naturally arousing admiration.
However, these female monsters had insufficient cultivation and mixed bloodlines. Though they had some beauty, they were ordinary in Ao Tu’s eyes.
What amused Ao Tu somewhat was that the smallest female monster, imitating the others, twisted her waist and flaunted her figure. Unbeknownst to her, she was wagging nine fox tails back and forth, which was truly comical.
Ao Tu reached out and grabbed that fox tail, gave it a scratch, and asked: “Why did you come without transforming?”
That little female monster blushed and responded:
“Great King, because I haven’t cultivated to the transformation stage yet.”
The Nine-tailed Old Fox hurriedly explained:
“Great King, Little Nine’s bloodline has some atavism. Unlike us gray foxes and yellow foxes, her cultivation is slow.”
Hearing this, Ao Tu became somewhat interested. Looking at the little female monster’s nine white tails, he said: “Nine-tailed heavenly fox?”
The Nine-tailed Old Fox said: “She has some heavenly fox bloodline, but it’s incomplete. There’s a patch of red at the base of the third tail.”
Ao Tu lifted it to look, and indeed there was a fingernail-sized patch of red fur. What a pity—missing by a hair’s breadth, losing a thousand miles.
Don’t think it’s just a bit of red; it’s even greater than the difference between four-clawed and five-clawed in the Dragon Clan.
At the Nine-tailed Old Fox’s invitation, Ao Tu left the barren mountains and headed to Dragon Subduing Cave.
The group of monsters in the cave all came to welcome him. The plaque at the cave entrance had indeed been changed from Dragon Subduing Cave to Dragon Welcoming Cave.
Ao Tu followed the Nine-tailed Old Fox into the cave, which turned out to have a different world inside: three layers of stone doors, with buildings and pavilions constructed inside, flowers, fruits, and plants growing—not comparable to some otherworldly paradise, but still a good place to live.
The Nine-tailed Old Fox prepared a pavilion for Ao Tu to live in; prepared a banquet for Ao Tu to enjoy; and sent Little Nine over, since Ao Tu had looked at her a couple more times, to serve him closely, warm the bed, and fold the bedding.
Ao Tu was not polite and accepted all of it.
In the original story, the group of monsters in this Dragon Subduing Cave met a tragic end, basically all dying. Now that he had come, at least he could preserve their lives.
After moving in, Ao Tu had the Nine-tailed Old Fox send people to inquire about the White Bone Spirit’s news.
After a few days, there was no news of the White Bone Spirit, but the news that Ao Tu had entered Dragon Subduing Cave reached Golden Horn Great King and Silver Horn Great King.
Upon hearing this, Golden Horn Great King was somewhat pleased and said:
“Good! That person has now entered our home; he’s family. Now we have an extra helper. Fine Ghost, Clever Worm, prepare a top-quality congratulatory gift and send it quickly.”
Silver Horn Great King was not pleased.
He and Ao Tu did not get along, only because Ao Tu had defeated him who used one treasure with three treasures. He felt Ao Tu’s victory was not honorable, so he had always held a grudge. At this time, he said:
“Hah, that monster sure knows how to worm his way in; he’s moved into our old mother’s place. Now if we catch Tang Sanzang, for mother’s sake, won’t we have to give him a share of the flesh?”
Golden Horn Great King advised:
“Virtuous Younger Brother, as the saying goes: ‘A fence needs three stakes, a good man needs three helpers.’ That person has some ability, and we have no deep hatred with him. Him entering our home—isn’t that a good thing?
In the future, if we encounter any trouble, we can ask for his help. Even if we give him a share of Tang Sanzang’s flesh, what’s the harm?”
After hearing this, Silver Horn Great King did not say anything more, but instructed:
“Fine Ghost, Clever Worm, take the box that guy sent last time to hold the dung beetle, fill it with mountain delicacies, and send it as a congratulatory gift. Hmph, that counts as my revenge!”
Fine Ghost and Clever Worm said: “Yes, Second Great King!”
The two of them then went to find that box, but after two steps, they were called.
Looking back, it was Golden Horn Great King.
Fine Ghost and Clever Worm hurriedly said: “Greatest Great King, what instructions do you have for us?”
Golden Horn Great King said: “Where are you going?”
Fine Ghost and Clever Worm said: “We are following Second Great King’s order to find the dung beetle box that monster sent last time.”
Upon hearing this, Golden Horn Great King reached out and smacked each of them on the head once.
Fine Ghost and Clever Worm hurriedly said: “Greatest Great King, we little ones don’t know what mistake we made?”
Golden Horn Great King said:
“You two, where did your usual cleverness go? Second Great King was just saying that in anger; did you really go to find it? If you send that stinking dung beetle box, won’t that create enmity again? Hurry to the Treasure Vault, get a gold-inlaid jade fine box, fill it with rarities, and send it as a congratulatory gift.”
Fine Ghost and Clever Worm hurriedly agreed.
Thus, relations between both sides eased.
After two months, the White Bone Spirit arrived.
It turned out that on that day, she had transformed into yin wind to escape and was accidentally struck by a heavenly thunder.
That heavenly thunder was extremely yang and rigid, precisely the most restraining force against her corpse demon methods, directly injuring her severely.
Fortunately, the heavenly thunder struck randomly, only hitting her once without continuing.
Thus, the White Bone Spirit hid to recover, and only came to Flat-Top Mountain after her injuries had improved a bit.
After hearing this, Ao Tu took out a Three-Revolving Golden Elixir and gave it to the White Bone Spirit to eat.
The White Bone Spirit’s injuries instantly healed, and her cultivation also advanced.
That little nine-tailed white fox followed by Ao Tu’s side watching, her eyes full of longing. She also wanted to eat one, but besides warming the bed, she knew nothing else, and didn’t know when Great King would reward her with a pill.
Several more months passed, spring went and summer ended, reaching that autumn season.
Seeing: yellow chrysanthemums blooming beautifully, slender mountain bones, red maple and poplar leaves falling. Flocks of wild geese fly amid the setting glow, vaguely heading into the wild clouds.
Tang Sanzang and his three disciples finally arrived in the Flat-Top Mountain area. Seeing the vicious mountain terrain, Tang Sanzang said:
“Disciples, this mountain is steep and ferocious; I’m afraid there are demons again.”
Wukong laughed: “Master, you sure know how to spot demons.”
Tang Sanzang said: “It’s not that your master knows how to spot demons; it’s just that on this westward road, we keep encountering demons. How can your master not be on guard?”
As he spoke, a woodcutter emerged from the mountain ahead, holding a steel axe and carrying a load of firewood. He called out to Tang Sanzang and the others:
“That elder heading west! Stop for a moment. There is a gang of vicious poisonous monsters in this mountain who specialize in eating people coming from the east and going west.”
This was the Duty Officer who had transformed to warn Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
Tang Sanzang did not know and said to Wukong:
“Wukong, along our journey, it’s all barren mountains and wild ridges. How did a woodcutter suddenly appear on this mountain? When your master was at White Tiger Ridge, he also went up the mountain to chop wood and gather medicine.
Look at the firewood on that woodcutter’s back—it’s neatly bundled. If it were for personal use, no need to pack it like that. Something packed like this is definitely for sale to people in town.
There are no towns nearby. Clearly, this person is a monster in disguise. Let’s go around him.”
Wukong had Fiery Golden Eyes and had already seen the truth. Hearing this, he laughed:
“Master, don’t fear. Old Sun will catch that monster and interrogate him to ask what other accomplices are in this mountain, so we can pass.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Be very careful.”
Wukong said: “Got it, got it.”
Wukong leaped in front of the woodcutter and asked: “You hairy thief, what do you have to say, transforming here?”
The Duty Officer said:
“Great Sage indeed has supernatural power; this Transformation Technique cannot fool you. This little god came to report to Great Sage: this mountain is called Flat-Top Mountain, six hundred li front and back. There is a Lotus Cave in the mountain with two demons inside, extremely ferocious.”
Wukong said: “What supernatural powers or magic do they have?”
The Duty Officer said:
“This little god only heard that they have five treasures, with infinite transformations. As early as a year and a half ago, they drew Shadow God Picture to capture the Tang Dynasty monk but failed. Now Great Sage and disciples have come right into the tiger’s mouth.”
Wukong laughed upon hearing this:
“Merely five treasures—too few, too few. To block old Sun’s path, first need ten treasures, then some formations. Supernatural powers and magic cannot be lacking either—that’s how to block the road!”
The Duty Officer advised upon hearing this:
“Great Sage, those demons are ferocious. You should still be careful and not underestimate them!”
Wukong said: “Got it.”
The Duty Officer then paid respects and took his leave, vanishing.
Wukong jumped back.
Tang Sanzang said: “Where did that person go?”
Wukong said: “That was a hairy thief; he ran off upon seeing old Sun.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Are there demons in this mountain?”
Wukong laughed: “There are a couple of demons, but not as ferocious as those we’ve met before. No need to fear; let’s go.”
This monkey was quite bold, not fearing the mountain monsters at all.
The master and three disciples entered the mountain.
In Dragon Subduing Cave, Ao Tu was cultivating in the room when Little Nine ran over happily, saying:
“Great King, the little demons say they saw Tang Sanzang and his disciples entering the mountain.”
Ao Tu laughed: “Finally here. Earlier, I went to Golden Horn Great King and Silver Horn Great King, asking them to join hands with me to capture Tang Sanzang.
But Silver Horn Great King refused to join, saying no need for my help; they alone could capture Tang Sanzang and eat his flesh. Now let me see their abilities.”
On the other side.
Silver Horn Great King was patrolling the mountain today, leading fifty little demons, standing on the mountaintop. He spotted Tang Sanzang and his disciples.
Silver Horn Great King said joyfully: “Tang Sanzang is here!”
You wonder how he recognized Tang Sanzang without having seen him before?
It turned out Golden Horn Great King had someone draw Shadow God Picture of Tang Sanzang and his disciples for reference, so he recognized them.
This Silver Horn Great King was a vicious demon. Now gazing at Tang Sanzang, Tang Sanzang on horseback suddenly felt unwell and shivered.
Tang Sanzang said: “Disciples, why am I shivering?”
Ba Jie, hearing this, hurriedly unloaded the luggage and said: “Quick, help Master off the horse to rest. Master’s head wind sickness is acting up!”
Wukong said: “What head wind?”
Sha Seng explained: “Senior Brother, you don’t know. Master caught an old illness in Bao Xiang Kingdom; he often gets head wind.”
Wukong said: “Nonsense. There’s no head wind sickness; it’s the demon causing it. I think Master is walking in these deep mountains and ridges, feeling timid. Don’t fear! Don’t fear! Wait for old Sun to clear the path for you.”
Wukong flew forward, yanked the Golden Cudgel into the sky, standing at the horizon connecting sun and moon, who knows how high. Then he thrust it down, splitting the deep mountains, ridges, poisonous forests, and deep caves with one blow, opening a broad road.
This scared Silver Horn Great King out of his wits, exclaiming:
“I’ve only heard that Sun Monkey is formidable; I never saw him fight back then. Today I know the rumors are true!”
The little demons also said fearfully: “Second Great King, what do we do?”
Silver Horn Great King said: “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have boasted back then and agreed to that monster leading; wouldn’t that have been easier? But now if I go find him, he’ll laugh at me. You all return to the cave first; wait for me to use a scheme to capture Tang Sanzang.”
The little demons returned to the cave upon hearing this.
Silver Horn Great King jumped down the mountain and transformed into an old Taoist priest, legs bloodied, lying by the roadside.
Tang Sanzang and disciples came over and heard from the roadside:
“Save me! Save me!”
Tang Sanzang thought, how could there be someone calling for help in these towering mountains?
He said: “Who are you?”
Silver Horn Great King crawled out from the roadside upon hearing, dragging his bloody injured leg, kowtowing:
“Master, I am a Taoist priest from the temple at the foot of the mountain. Unfortunately, I injured my leg in a fall. I beg Master to save me.”
Hearing this, Tang Sanzang did not dismount to save him, but asked:
“Where are you from, priest?”
Silver Horn Great King said: “Master, I am a Taoist priest from the temple at the foot of the mountain. Begging Master for great mercy to save me.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Which temple, and what is its name?”
Silver Horn Great King had thought Tang Sanzang was the reincarnation of Golden Cicada, a good man from ten lifetimes of cultivation, and would surely save him directly. He hadn’t expected Tang Sanzang not to save him immediately but to question carefully.
Silver Horn Great King had no prepared speech and paused before answering: “Lotus Temple.”
Tang Sanzang asked again: “In which direction, and how far from here?”
Silver Horn Great King said: “To the west, two hundred li away.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Two hundred li—how did you get here?”
Silver Horn Great King thought and made up a lie:
“The day before yesterday, my master and disciple went to a benefactor’s home south of the mountain for a blessing ritual. On the way back, we encountered a fierce tiger that carried off my disciple. I fled for my life, fell down the slope, and injured my leg. It’s been a day and night already.
Seeing Master today is truly heaven’s grace. I beg Master for great mercy to save my life. If I return to the temple, even if I pledge my body and life, I will repay the deep kindness.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Stretch out your injured leg for me to see.”
Silver Horn Great King stretched out his injured leg, bloody, soaking his clothes and pants.
Tang Sanzang said: “Fake, fake. If it were as you say, after a day and night, the blood would be dark and clotted, with a foul smell. Yours is still flowing fresh like this—not even half a day, and you’d have bled to death.”
Silver Horn Great King turned pale upon hearing this.
He thought this monk was so hard to deal with.
Ba Jie laughed to Wukong: “He doesn’t know our Master is an expert at leg injuries!”
Tang Sanzang turned to leave.
Silver Horn Great King shouted: “Master, don’t go! You are a monk, I am a Taoist priest—different robes, but the principles of cultivation are the same. If you see death and don’t save, aren’t you afraid of going to hell?”
Tang Sanzang said: “Benefactor, you are full of lies; not a good person. Today you see me as a monk disguised as a priest and say such words; tomorrow you see a priest disguised as a monk and say the same; the day after you see a Confucian scholar disguised as a woman and say something else. How can I believe you? If I save you, this monk would go to hell.”
Silver Horn Great King hurriedly patched his earlier words:
“Master, it’s not that I lied. I have cultivated in the temple since childhood and know some Qi Refining Technique, so I could hold out until Master came to save me.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Since you know some Qi Refining Technique, why fear the tiger?”
Silver Horn Great King said: “This… firstly, it was dark then; secondly, even if one knows some methods, people stumble and horses slip.
Master, I am truly a good person. Your Buddhism often says saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Can you bear to watch me bleed to death here?”
Tang Sanzang said upon hearing:
“Amitabha, you say that, but this poor monk doesn’t know if you’re telling truth or lies.”
Wukong, seeing this, hurriedly said: “Master, this person is not good!”
Tang Sanzang waved his hand and asked Silver Horn Great King:
“What is your name?”
Silver Horn Great King said: “This poor Daoist’s dharma name is Silver Horn. Just call me Silver Horn Priest.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Ba Jie, go west two hundred li and see if there is a Lotus Temple. If there is, ask if there is a Silver Horn Priest there. If there is, describe this old Daoist priest’s appearance to them and see if it matches.”
Ba Jie said: “Got it, Master. If there’s really a temple, we can mooch a vegetarian meal!”
Tang Sanzang said: “Go quickly and return quickly.”
Ba Jie then left.
Silver Horn Great King thought, good, one gone means one less helper for that monkey.
After Ba Jie left, Silver Horn Great King said again:
“Master, your disciple doesn’t know how long it’ll take to return. If you don’t save me now, I’m going to die.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Don’t worry, my disciple can ride clouds and drive mist; he’ll be back in a moment.”
Seeing one plan fail, Silver Horn Great King came up with another:
“My leg hurts! My leg hurts! Master, my leg is bleeding profusely, more than a stream. Can you bear to watch? What kind of Buddha are you cultivating?”
Tang Sanzang said: “You bleeding so much makes you even less human-like. I won’t argue with you; just wait for my disciple to return, and the truth will be clear.
Wu Jing, in my luggage there’s still the wooden boards and cotton cloth used at White Tiger Ridge. Take them and bandage him so he stops bleeding.”
Silver Horn Great King thought upon hearing, how does this monk have everything? If not for the Shadow God Picture, he’d think he’d targeted the wrong one.
Now deception wouldn’t work; he could only take by force.
Fortunately, he’d lured away one Zhu Bajie—not a wasted trip.
Silver Horn Great King suddenly revealed his true form and roared angrily:
“You Tang Sanzang, you truly have no compassion! I lay on the ground begging you for half an hour, and you wouldn’t even dismount!”
Tang Sanzang, seeing Silver Horn Great King reveal his true form, was slightly startled by his appearance but not overly afraid.
This Silver Horn Great King was fairly good-looking among demons.
Tang Sanzang urged his horse behind Wukong and said:
“Wukong, indeed a demon.”
Wukong said: “Master, rest assured; I’ll deal with him!”
Wukong leaped forward, wielding his cudgel at Silver Horn Great King.
Silver Horn Great King wielded the Seven Star Sword and fought Wukong for over twenty rounds before retreating.
Wukong pursued, saying: “Demon, where are you running?”
Silver Horn Great King fled two hundred li, suddenly stopped, turned, chanted a spell, cast a Move Mountains and Overturn Seas incantation, summoning a Mount Sumeru from the sky to crush Wukong.
Wukong saw Silver Horn Great King chanting; before he could even summon the mountain, as soon as Silver Horn Great King raised his hand, Wukong somersaulted away.
By the time Silver Horn Great King summoned the mountain, there was no trace of Wukong.
Silver Horn Great King thought: “This monkey isn’t much; seeing my Move Mountains and Overturn Seas magic, he fled in fear. Wait for me to catch Tang Sanzang.”
Thus, he put down Mount Sumeru and hurried back to catch Tang Sanzang.
Halfway there, Wukong somersaulted over, striking Silver Horn Great King on the back with the Golden Cudgel.
Silver Horn Great King took a heavy blow, spat blood, fell from the clouds, crashed to the ground, feeling his bones broken.
Wukong came to hit him again.
Silver Horn Great King, terrified, chanted another spell, summoning Mount Emei.
Wukong saw Silver Horn Great King raise his hand and somersaulted away again.
Silver Horn Great King held Mount Emei in place, waiting half an hour with no sign of Wukong. His magic power depleted too much, so he put down the mountain.
Just as he did, Wukong somersaulted over and struck Silver Horn Great King’s leg with another Golden Cudgel blow, breaking it.
Silver Horn panicked, chanted another incantation, summoning Mount Tai.
Wukong saw and left again.
This time Silver Horn Great King dared not put it down, no longer wanted Tang Sanzang’s flesh; he just wanted to get back quickly. Dragging Mount Tai, he panicked and alertly fled back to Lotus Cave.
Wukong laughed in the air, descended, landed by Tang Sanzang, and said:
“Master, that demon took two blows from me, I broke his leg—he won’t dare come. Let’s go.”
Tang Sanzang said: “Excellent, excellent.”
The master and two disciples set off again.
But wasn’t one person forgotten?
Ba Jie followed the direction Silver Horn Great King gave but saw no Lotus Temple, only a Lotus Cave in the mountain.
Ba Jie said: “Strange, why is this priest’s temple built in a cave?”
About updates
My daily update time is around 6 PM every afternoon, with 6000 words. When going on sale, it’s because it goes on sale at midnight, so I changed the update time. Chapters are big chapters; though only one per update, the word count is high.
Also, please don’t stockpile the book. I’m a new author; if you stockpile, I’ll die.
