Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 205 - 206 The Game Between the Celestial Court and the Western Direction

Chapter 205: Chapter 206 The Game Between the Celestial Court and the Western Direction

Having heard Sakyamuni Tathagata speak thus, numerous Buddhas and Arhats couldn’t help but show a look of curiosity on their faces.

They did not know what the five treasures mentioned by Sakyamuni Tathagata were.

At that moment, Tathagata had already instructed Anu and Kasyapa to bring forth the treasures.

The items were indeed the Brocaded Kasaya and a nine-ringed staff, handed to Guanyin.

Sakyamuni Tathagata entrusted Guanyin and said, "Should the scripture seeker be resolute in heart, then wearing my Kasaya, he shall avoid the snares of reincarnation; holding my staff, he shall not suffer from poisons."

"Moreover, there are three other treasures called the tight hoops. Though they are three of the same, each possesses distinct marvelous uses. Additionally, I have here three volumes of the Golden Tightening Bands Mantra. Should you encounter on the road any demon with vast divine skills, you need to persuade him to study diligently and become a disciple of the scripture seeker!"

"Should he refuse to obey, you can place this hoop upon his head which will naturally meld into his flesh. Each incantation must be recited according to its purpose. Instantly, his eyes will swell, and his forehead split with pain, compelling him to follow the path!"

With the onset of the Calamity of Measurement of the Journey to the West, being the Western Buddhist Ancestor, Sakyamuni Tathagata felt very pleased.

As for these treasures, he already had a plan in place, which is why he could part with them so easily, given that the Western Buddhist Sect was impoverished and lacked many treasures.

However, now that the rise of the Western Buddhist Sect was imminent, they were naturally extremely excited, and these things were of little consequence.

At that moment, all five items were given to Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, to select an appropriate scripture seeker on her behalf.

Everything was for the Journey to the West to be completed successfully so that they might also gain infinite merit, which would be immeasurable in time.

In comparison, these treasures were nothing.

"This disciple adheres strictly to the wishes of Buddha!"

After receiving the treasures, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva paid her respects to Sakyamuni Tathagata and then took her leave from the Great Thunderclap Monastery.

What Sakyamuni Tathagata expected was precisely what Guanyin also hoped for.

Now that the Calamity of Measurement of the Journey to the West was about to begin, they all must participate, so they could amass more merit when it concluded.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, along with her disciple, Merciful Shore Walker Mu Zha, set forth together.

This journey to the West was long, and naturally, they had to scout the path ahead of time.

The journey West was never a true adventure; the scripture seeker must not meet any mishaps.

It was essential to ensure that the scripture seeker’s mortal body arrived safely at Mount Meru.

Guanyin Bodhisattva and Merciful Shore Walker flew out from Mount Meru, covering vast distances in the blink of an eye.

Soon after, the two of them spotted a turbulent river in the distance.

This mission, aside from checking all dangers en route, was also to prepare three disciples for the scripture seeker.

And this river was none other than the Liusha River.

"My disciple, this place is indeed difficult to traverse. How can the scripture seeker, with his mortal bones, cross this river?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva stood above the river, seeing its dangerous and unpredictable waters.

A single leaf that fell into it was instantly devoured.

The river looked incredibly perilous and unpredictable, extending eight hundred miles, with waters rolling as though turning over, the waves surging like the ridges of mountains.

It roared magnificently, quite impressive.

If the scripture seeker wished to cross here, it certainly wouldn’t be easy.

As Guanyin Bodhisattva was speaking to her disciple, suddenly a monster leapt out from the water.

This creature, not quite blue or black, with tousled red hair, wielding a treasure staff, saw the two figures above the river and charged directly towards them.

"How dare you!"

Merciful Shore Walker saw this scene, his eyes wide with anger, and immediately confronted the monster, engaging it in battle.

Guanyin, knowing this person was precisely the disciple of the scripture seeker she was looking for, and also a participant in this Calamity of Measurement, immediately shouted, "Who are you, demon, to dare act against us like this?"

Upon finishing her words, Guanyin emitted an endless Buddha’s light, instantly filling the space between heaven and earth with a sense of compassion, as if it were broad daylight.

Feeling such Buddha’s light, the monster immediately ceased his fierceness and hurriedly spoke, "May I ask if you are the compassionate Guanshiyin Bodhisattva who relieves sufferings and difficulties?"

"What kind of demon are you!"

Merciful Shore Walker took a step back and shouted sternly.

"I am the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain from the Ninth Celestial Palace. I was demoted to the lower realm due to accidentally breaking the Colored Glaze Cup, and the Jade Emperor punished me with eight hundred lashes, causing me to become this form!"

"Now the Jade Emperor sends a flying sword every seven days to pierce through my ribs over a hundred times before returning. Today, unknowingly, I have affronted the greatly compassionate Bodhisattva!"

When Guanyin Bodhisattva heard his plea, she nodded her head.

"Since you have sinned in the Celestial Court and have been demoted to the mortal world, why persist in committing further wrongful acts?"

"Now, as I am on a mission from Buddha to the Eastern Land to find a scripture seeker, why not follow me and become a disciple of that scripture seeker!"

"By protecting the scripture seeker all the way to Western Heaven to seek scriptures from Buddha, you will perform a great deed. Then I will order that the flying sword no longer pierces you, and you may accomplish your deeds to absolve your sins and resume your original position. What do you think of this proposal?"

Although the decision had already been made internally, the necessary formalities still had to be observed.

After all, even the entire Journey to the West Calamity had been arranged, and everything was merely going through the motions.

Consequently, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva followed the usual practice and persuaded the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain.

Hearing Guanshiyin Bodhisattva’s words, the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain clasped his hands together and immediately spoke, "I am willing to convert to Buddhism and hope to attain enlightenment soon!"

The reason he descended to the mortal realm had long been known to him from the Jade Emperor.

And now that he had entered into calamity, he had no other path to follow; since the Western Buddhist Sect had spoken thus, he naturally was willing to go along with it.

"Amitabha Buddha, since you are willing to enter my Buddhism, I will grant you a Dharma Name. Since this is the Liusha River, you shall be called Sha Wujing!"

"Now wait here for the scripture seeker. When the time comes, you only need to calmly assist the scripture seeker on their journey to Mount Meru!"

Seeing that the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain was willing to enter Buddhism and become a disciple of the scripture seeker, Guanshiyin Bodhisattva gave a few more instructions, then took her disciple, Merciful Shore Walker, and headed east.

The journey this time was long, and to hasten the start of the Journey to the West Calamity, they could not afford any delay and thus left swiftly.

After the two had departed far away, a person emerged from the swiftly flowing river water next to the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain.

"Thankfully, this Liusha River is quite extraordinary as it can shield from the Bodhisattva’s perception. Otherwise, it would be hard to evade her scrutiny!"

As this person walked out, the water on his body quickly dried, although he still appeared somewhat disheveled.

And this person was none other than Lord Taibai.

He had been sent here by the Jade Emperor specifically to find the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain.

However, he had not expected to encounter Guanshiyin Bodhisattva upon his arrival.

He had no choice but to hide at the bottom of the Liusha River to avoid an awkward meeting between them.

"Lord Taibai, the Bodhisattva has left. What matter has the emperor sent you for this time?"

Seeing Lord Taibai emerge from the Liusha River, the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain politely spoke.

The previous promise to Guanshiyin Bodhisattva to convert to Buddhism had also been part of an agreed-upon plan.

The breaking of the Colored Glaze Cup was indeed a fact, but it was just a Colored Glaze Cup; for the celestial Court, it was not more valuable than this.

Therefore, being banished to the mortal realm was also just for show.

The seven-day punishment by the Flying Sword was merely for the Western Direction’s benefit.

The Jade Emperor did this naturally because he did not want the Western Direction to know that he had already informed the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain about the Journey to the West.

Now that Lord Taibai appeared, he naturally had another task for him.

"It’s not a matter of great importance, but the emperor wants to see if his beloved general has forgotten his original resolve!"

Lord Taibai gently stroked his beard, his gaze towards the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain was quite meaningful.

Feeling such a gaze, the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain could not help but sweat profusely from shock, and he knelt down hurriedly, saying, "Please rest assured, Star Lord, the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain has not forgotten!"

While in the celestial Court, he was considered a close minister to the Jade Emperor. Yet in the vast Three Realms, his official rank and status were not very high. Having earned the Jade Emperor’s esteem was already a great fortune, and he dared not harbor a second heart.

If he were to offend the Jade Emperor, in this vast universe, he would likely find no place to stay.

Lord Taibai’s eyes slightly opened wide, staring intently at the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain.

Seeing the latter in such a state, his face full of fear and anxiety, he understood that his admonition had hit home.

Lord Taibai then nodded, took out a confidential decree, and informed him.

"Now that you have not forgotten, the emperor has another task for you. Once you join the scripture-procuring team, you need to secretly record the words and deeds of the others and report them regularly to the emperor. Do you understand?"

Lord Taibai’s voice became slightly heavier.

The Great General Who Lifts the Curtain nodded hurriedly, saying, "The little immortal understands and will do his utmost to fulfil the emperor’s decree!"

As he spoke, he bowed deeply to Lord Taibai!

The task of the Jade Emperor was essentially making him act as an undercover agent and then report the words and actions of the others back to the Jade Emperor.

What the Jade Emperor intended to do with that information was not for him to know.

Also, such a task was not too difficult for him.

He could complete both the Buddhist scripture-procuring mission and the task entrusted by the Jade Emperor.

He could avoid offending either side and obtain benefits from both.

Considering that after he protected the scripture seeker and secured the True Scriptures, he would gain great merit, the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain’s face could not help but reveal a hint of joy.

"Good, as long as you understand, just wait here for the scripture seeker. I will return to the celestial Court to report to the emperor!"

Having thus informed the Great General Who Lifts the Curtain of his mission, Lord Taibai did not stay any longer and headed towards the celestial Court.

In the end, this was a strategic maneuver between the celestial Court and the Western Direction.

Even entering the Calamity was not necessarily a good thing.

His strategy was still to protect his own interests and try not to provoke any trouble with it.

Lord Taibai, after dealing with Sun Wukong in the past, had always thought this way. If it were not for the emperor’s decree, he would have wanted nothing to do with it.