Chapter 85: Treasure-seizing In Lotus Cave
However, the demon dragon was unafraid of the divine thunder, and the gods had no strategy, so they set up camp on the spot to discuss.
Li Tianwang asked Wukong if he had any way to subdue the demon.
Wukong shook his head and said: “Your Majesty ordered the Heavenly King to lead troops; Old Sun dares not speak rashly.”
Li Tianwang then consulted with the other divine generals and finally decided that tomorrow the Four Great Heavenly Kings would challenge, along with the Fire Department Five Gods—Tail Fire Tiger, Room Fire Pig, Beak Fire Monkey, Wing Fire Snake, and Jie Huo Tian Jun—using heavenly fire to burn the demon. The rest of the gods would assist when the opportunity arose.
The next day arrived, and the Four Great Heavenly Kings descended from the clouds.
Growth Heavenly King Mo Liqing held the Green Cloud Sword, which commanded earth, water, fire, and wind, and struck it at the gate of the demon cave.
Yet it did not budge.
Growth Heavenly King was greatly startled and looked closely, only to see that the red cloth on the gate was actually the Third Prince’s Hun Tian Ling.
Growth Heavenly King held his sword and buzzed: “Demon dragon, come out quickly and face death!”
Ao Tu was drinking with Golden Horn and Silver Horn inside the cave when he heard the words from outside and said: “Two virtuous younger brothers, don’t stop the feast; I’ll go and come right back.”
Golden Horn Great King and Silver Horn Great King said: “Big brother, please go; we two will warm the wine for you.”
Ao Tu took the Purple Gold Red Gourd and walked out of the cave gate, seeing Growth Heavenly King, and laughed:
“Growth Heavenly King, I won’t fight you. If I call your name and you dare to answer, you win!”
Growth Heavenly King said: “What’s there to fear? Call me!”
Ao Tu raised the Purple Gold Gourd and said: “Growth Heavenly King!”
Growth Heavenly King said: “That’s me!”
Whoosh, Growth Heavenly King was sucked into the gourd.
The heavenly gods were all shocked and said: “What treasure is that?”
King Dhritarashtra Mo Lishou, King Virupaksha Mo Lihong, and King Vaishravana Mo Lihai saw this and stepped forward together, saying: “Demon dragon, what demonic arts did you use to suck our eldest brother into the gourd? Release him quickly!”
Ao Tu laughed: “If I call your names and you dare to answer, I’ll release him.”
The three Heavenly Kings all said: “Demon dragon, how could we fall for your trick? Take this!”
The three Heavenly Kings each wielded their treasures and struck at Ao Tu.
The Fire Department five divine generals—Tail Fire Tiger, Room Fire Pig, Beak Fire Monkey, Wing Fire Snake, and Jie Huo Tian Jun—also simultaneously released heavenly fire, burning toward Ao Tu.
The Thunder Department Heavenly Lords also struck down divine thunder.
Ao Tu pointed the gourd at the three Heavenly Kings and said:
“King Dhritarashtra, King Virupaksha, King Vaishravana!”
The three Heavenly Kings saw this and all shut their mouths, not daring to make a sound.
Ao Tu smiled, chanted “collect,” and sucked all three of them inside.
Jie Huo Tian Jun was greatly startled and said: “Oh no, that treasure can collect people even if they don’t answer!”
As they were about to flee, Ao Tu aimed at the five Fire Department members, chanted “collect,” and also collected the five Fire Department True Gods, then returned to the cave in triumph.
In the sky, the gods were still trembling in shock.
Qin Tian Jun said: “Li Tianwang, why didn’t you make a move?”
Li Tianwang said: “How did I not make a move?”
Qin Tian Jun said: “Just now, that demon dragon was surrounded by the three Heavenly Kings, the Fire Department five gods released heavenly fire to burn it, our Thunder Department generals struck down divine thunder to assist, and all the gods fought fiercely, yet you didn’t seize the chance to use the Precious Pagoda to subdue the demon dragon? Isn’t that not trying?”
Li Tianwang saw everyone looking at him and had no choice but to say:
“I was just about to use the pagoda when the demon dragon had already retreated.”
The gods then returned to camp to discuss, all without a plan.
Plague Department envoys Zhou Xin and Li Qi said:
“Don’t worry. Tomorrow, we two will set up the plague formation, release plague qi to punish the demons in the cave, and win without fighting!”
Li Tianwang was overjoyed and said: “Good!”
On the other side, Ao Tu returned to the cave, shook the gourd, released the Four Great Heavenly Kings and the Fire Department five gods, ordered his subordinates to bind them with ropes, and locked them in the prison cell.
Among the Fire Department five gods, except for Jie Huo Tian Jun, the other four winked at Ao Tu, as if wanting to say something.
Ao Tu then ordered them to be brought out separately.
They were Tail Fire Tiger, Room Fire Pig, Beak Fire Monkey, and Wing Fire Snake respectively.
These four were Fire Department True Gods and also four fire Star Lords among the Twenty-Eight Mansions.
The four saw Ao Tu and bowed, saying:
“Great King, in Bao Xiang Kingdom, after we were collected by Guanyin Bodhisattva, the formation diagram was hidden on Kui Mu Lang, later taken to Dou Niu Palace. Somehow the news leaked, and Gou Chen the Great borrowed it, holding a ‘Star Participation Meeting’ in Dou Niu Palace, inviting heavenly stars daily to study it together.”
Ao Tu said: “Who all was there?”
The four said: “Above were the Five Dou Star Lords: Taiwei Yuan of Upper Yuan, Ziwei Yuan of Middle Yuan, Tianshi Yuan of Lower Yuan, Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Fiends, Milky Way stars, Heavenly Realms’ myriad stars—except Doumu Yuanjun, all other stars were there.”
Ao Tu frowned slightly upon hearing this, feeling the matter had grown big.
How did the system’s half a month reward attract so many people…
Ao Tu asked: “Did they know the formation diagram was mine?”
The four said: “Gou Chen the Great and Ziwei Emperor asked, and we minor star gods dared not conceal.”
Ao Tu said: “What did you say?”
The four said: “We told the truth, that Great King killed Ananda and obtained it from him.”
Ao Tu thought and said: “When you go back, tell the two Majesties that this diagram is a congratulatory gift to the heavenly stars.”
The four happily said: “Yes!”
Ao Tu said: “Go down, meditate in the prison cell yourselves.”
The four said: “Yes!”
After the four left, Ao Tu returned to his room, still worried.
Guanyin Bodhisattva saw and asked: “What’s wrong?”
Ao Tu said: “None of your business.”
The next day, Plague Department envoys Zhou Xin and Li Qi set up the plague formation: twelve plague umbrellas held aloft, four plague-pointing swords hanging east, west, south, and north respectively. They pinched formulas and chanted spells, instantly deploying the plague formation and releasing plague qi.
The two laughed: “Once this formation is out, in no more than seven days, the evil demons in this cave will all die of plague!”
Li Tianwang was overjoyed and prepared to celebrate the two generals’ victory early.
Wukong anxiously said: “My master is still in the cave; using this plague formation won’t it harm him too?”
Zhou Xin and Li Qi laughed: “Great Sage, don’t worry. We two have cast spells; this formation targets only evil demons and won’t harm your master!”
Wukong said: “That’s good, that’s good!”
Once the plague formation was deployed, in Lotus Cave, the little demons one by one felt dizzy and dazzled, pale-faced, foaming at the mouth, bodies burning hot.
Golden Horn Great King and Silver Horn Great King were also affected, unable to drink wine or eat rice, lying in bed, spirits listless.
Ao Tu saw and said: “This must be the monkey calling Plague Department forces to release plague qi. Little ones, don’t panic; two virtuous younger brothers, don’t fear. I’ll find a way to break it.”
Ao Tu entered the room, took a porcelain cup, produced Five-Colored Divine Light, dripped three drops of Three Lights Divine Water into the cup, preparing to dilute it with water for the little demons to drink.
Guanyin Bodhisattva saw and exclaimed: “What are you doing?”
Ao Tu said: “Plague qi outside; I’m using divine water to detoxify.”
Guanyin Bodhisattva said: “How many millions have been afflicted by plague qi?”
Ao Tu said: “Not millions, just a few hundred little demons in the cave.”
Guanyin Bodhisattva hurriedly reached to snatch the cup from Ao Tu’s hand.
But Ao Tu was quicker and took the cup away first.
Ao Tu said: “What are you doing?”
Guanyin Bodhisattva took out the willow branch and said: “Give me the Three Lights Divine Water. One drop of my divine water can save millions; how can you waste it like this? Wave this willow branch, and the plague qi will dispel itself.”
Ao Tu said: “I see. Give me the willow branch, and I’ll give you the divine water.”
Guanyin Bodhisattva gave the willow branch to Ao Tu.
Ao Tu took the willow branch and turned to leave.
Outside, the little demons lay on the ground one by one, groaning.
Ao Tu waved the willow branch, divine light scattered, plague qi dissipated, and all the little demons recovered. He waved it at Golden Horn and Silver Horn again, and they too regained their spirits.
Ao Tu then went to the prison cell.
In the prison cell, Tang Sanzang was fine.
But Zhu Bajie had caught the plague.
His pig face was flushed red, breathing roughly, drool flowing, foaming at the mouth. He buried himself in the thatch pile in the prison cell and made no sound for half a day.
Tang Sanzang anxiously asked: “Ba Jie, Ba Jie, how are you?”
Sha Wujing said: “Master, Second Senior Brother has pig plague; he’s dying!”
Ba Jie grunted from the thatch: “Plagued Sand Monk, you’re the one with pig plague! This old pig just has a cold; cover up, sweat it out, and it’ll be fine.”
Ao Tu arrived then, first waved the willow branch to cure the guarding little demons, and asked:
“Anyone in the prison plagued? If so, make a sound; if not, I’m leaving.”
Ba Jie heard and wanted to get up but felt embarrassed.
The gatekeeping little demon said: “Greatest Great King, that Zhu Bajie seems plagued, burrowed there forever without moving—maybe dead.”
Another little demon said:
“Not dead; seemed to speak just now, but not far from it. Better dig a pit and bury him, lest it spreads!”
Ba Jie heard, rolled out of the thatch, and said:
“Plagued demon, you’re the dead one! Great King, cure this old pig quick; I’ve suffered half a day!”
Ao Tu laughed, swept Ba Jie with the willow branch, and cleared the plague qi.
Tang Sanzang pressed hands together at his chest and said: “Excellent, excellent!”
Outside, Li Tianwang led the crowd waiting seven days.
After seven days, Zhou Xin and Li Qi said: “Heavenly King, time’s up; the cave demons must all be dead!”
Li Tianwang was overjoyed and said: “Juling Shen, I appoint you vanguard to scout the cave!”
Juling Shen heard the cave demons were all dead and he was to be vanguard—easy credit delivered!
He immediately said joyfully: “Thanks, Heavenly King!” Holding two flower-bladed axes, striding proudly, he led heavenly soldiers, descended, and landed at Lotus Cave gate.
Juling Shen, showing off, axed the gate and rebounded in a tumble.
The red cloth on the gate was Hun Tian Ling.
This Hun Tian Ling was soft and hard: for normal passage, softer than clouds, lighter than mist; but against blades or hammers, harder than divine iron.
Earlier Growth Heavenly King suffered this, but before explaining, Ao Tu collected him into the Purple Gold Red Gourd; now Juling Shen suffered the same.
Juling Shen parted the Hun Tian Ling and went inside.
Inside, little demons—gatekeepers, patrols, talkers, watchmen—were all there.
Juling Shen panicked and fled outward.
Little demons saw and reported:
“Greatest Great King, a big fool outside brought men intruding.”
Ao Tu said: “Wait while I go capture him!”
Juling Shen rushed out of Lotus Cave, ignoring the heavenly soldiers, fleeing skyward, shouting: “Ineffective! Ineffective! That plague formation is ineffective!”
Li Tianwang didn’t know what happened, then saw Ao Tu fly out chasing Juling Shen.
Li Tianwang hurriedly said: “Quickly assist Juling Shen!”
The gods heard, cast spells together: Thunder Department twenty-four Heavenly Lords struck divine thunder, Plague Department Zhou Xin and Li Qi released plague, Heavenly Spirits and Earthly Fiends’ 108 stars released star divine light to destroy the enemy.
Li Tianwang glanced at his pagoda, thinking if he didn’t act, Qin Tian Jun would blame him again; with Nezha absent, he released the pagoda.
Wukong mixed in, pinched a fire formula, chanted a wind spell, assisting together.
