Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 218 - 219 Sun Wukong: Master, You Have Killed Someone

Chapter 218: Chapter 219 Sun Wukong: Master, You Have Killed Someone

Since when had Sun Wukong, known as the Monkey King, been known as an evil ghost?

Sun Wukong had originally wanted to say a word in his defense, but before he could speak, he was interrupted by Xuanzang.

"I am a humble monk from the Great Tang, heading to the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek scriptures. Today, I passed by here, and as night has fallen, I noticed there are houses, so I came to seek lodging for the night. I intend to leave before dawn and hope you would be so kind as to accommodate us," Xuanzang said, repeating where he came from, hoping the old man would oblige.

The old man frowned and said, "You might be a person of the Tang, but that evil ghost probably isn’t, right?"

After all, with such an ugly appearance, he must be no different than an evil ghost, and such a creature, how could it be a person of the Tang.

Sun Wukong felt quite dissatisfied and barked sharply, "You old man, how can you speak like that! The Tang person is my Master, and I am his disciple! I am not some ’Sugar Man’ or ’Honey Man’; I am the Monkey King."

"You all live here and should recognize me; I have seen you before as well."

Although Sun Wukong had always been trapped in the formation, there were occasionally people who stumbled into it.

So he had become a local legend around Two-Realm Mountain, where a demon monkey was sealed, and countless people would steer clear of the area.

However, even so, many still entered the formation, some of whom he personally guided out.

Upon hearing this, the old man was taken aback and asked with a frown, "Where have you seen me before?"

Sun Wukong casually replied, "When you were a child, you cried before me, clutching onto firewood unwilling to let go, didn’t you?"

The old man became furious and shouted, "Nonsense! Where do you live? Why would I go before you to cry and hold onto firewood?"

Xuanzang, observing the two, couldn’t help but show a smile on his face, followed by a shake of his head.

He had somewhat guessed seven or eight parts of the truth, that this old man must have accidentally entered Sun Wukong’s formation when he was young.

Sun Wukong chuckled lightly, "You are the one talking nonsense! You just don’t recognize me anymore. I am truly the Great Saint Sun Wukong, sealed in Two-Realm Mountain. Take a good look."

"When you were young, did you accidentally enter the formation, see me, and cry out of fear, all the while holding onto firewood stubbornly?"

Upon hearing Sun Wukong’s words, the old man finally realized and said with some surprise, "You do resemble him, but how did you get out?"

"This formation was originally set up by myself, Old Sun, getting out is no trouble at all!" Sun Wukong said matter-of-factly.

Upon hearing this, the old man sighed repeatedly, then invited Xuanzang and Sun Wukong inside.

He called his old wife and children to meet them, and then recounted the past events, to everyone’s astonishment.

For a while, the conversation was lively and joyful, with the old man recalling the incidents of his youth, filled with emotion.

The family listened to these tales with great joy.

Then, the family quickly prepared a vegetarian meal.

After the meal, they chatted some more, and Xuanzang even made a piece of clothing for Sun Wukong.

It spared Sun Wukong from going without, and afterwards, he went to find some grass to feed the horses.

Later, everyone retired to rest.

The next day, before dawn had broken,

Sun Wukong was already up, setting off with Xuanzang.

They had planned to say farewell to the family but found that the old man had already prepared a vegetarian meal.

Hoping that Sun Wukong and Xuanzang would eat before departing.

After eating, Sun Wukong and Xuanzang then set off.

And following that, the two of them continued their Journey to the West.

Over several days, Xuanzang had finally witnessed Sun Wukong’s strength as he effortlessly defeated numerous demons.

This made Xuanzang much more at ease.

This scene was observed both by the celestial Court and the Western Buddhist Sect.

Inside the Great Thunderclap Monastery of the West.

"What is the next tribulation?"

Sakyamuni Tathagata, seated on the Lotus Platform, opened his mouth to speak slowly.

"Your Holiness, the next step is to fit Sun Wukong with a Golden Hoop, so that he may fully assist Xuanzang!" Guanyin Bodhisattva said slowly, "And on their essential path, there are six bandits. Once the bandits encounter Sun Wukong and Xuanzang, they will not easily let them pass, and a fight will inevitably ensue."

Although Guanyin was always compassionate, some sacrifices needed to be made for the greater good of Buddhism.

The Buddhas of Buddhism naturally understood what Guanyin meant.

Nevertheless, even hearing Guanyin speak so, they showed no reaction.

"Amitabha Buddha, if they understand that helping Buddhism thus would allow them to die contently, and ascend to Ultimate Bliss," Sakyamuni Tathagata said with his hands clasped and spoke slowly.

The other Buddhas also showed compassionate expressions on their faces.

...

On this day, Sun Wukong and Xuanzang were still heading towards the Western Direction, when suddenly six figures rushed out from the roadside.

These six individuals were armed, carrying long spears and daggers, sharp blades and strong bows.

One of them shouted loudly, "That monk! Halt! Leave the horses, drop your luggage, and we’ll let you pass with your life!"

No sooner had these words been spoken than Xuanzang’s expression remained unchanged. Let alone Sun Wukong’s presence, even if he were alone, he would probably not fear these six men.

At this moment, the Western Buddhas watching this scene were also waiting for Sun Wukong to make a move, then find the opportunity to place the Golden Hoop upon him.

Naturally, Sun Wukong was not aware of the Western Buddhas’ intentions, but he also knew these six individuals were likely part of the Calamity of Measurement.

He steadied Xuanzang standing beside him and said, "Master, we fight demons only because they harm people, and you cannot defeat them. But these are mere mortals, no different from you, Master. Perhaps you should deal with them yourself!"

Upon hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Xuanzang was taken aback.

This monkey was actually asking him to take action?

"Aren’t you supposed to protect me on this Journey to the West to seek scriptures? Why are you neglecting me now?" Xuanzang said with a wry smile.

"Master is unaware that I possess great strength. If I accidentally kill them, wouldn’t your Buddhist rules bind me?"

Although Sun Wukong had killed many monsters along the way, he often heard Xuanzang muttering about Buddhism’s compassion, the salvation of all beings, and the fear of taking even the lives of ants. If he killed a person, wouldn’t Xuanzang be furious?

"Am I so pedantic?"

Xuanzang gave a wry smile; however, he couldn’t deny that Wukong was right.

Although these people were robbing and plundering, they were naturally different from demons. Demons eat people, whereas these people may have turned to banditry for certain reasons.

If Sun Wukong killed them, it would indeed touch the bottom line of his understanding of the Buddhist law.

This change caused consternation within the Western Buddhist Sect.

Guanyin Bodhisattva was somewhat dumbfounded as well. Sun Wukong, who had always been so dominant, killing monsters, was now letting Xuanzang take action against mere mortals?

How could they find an excuse to crown Sun Wukong with the golden hoop?

The appearance of these six men was meant to make Xuanzang realize the terrifying aspects of Sun Wukong, to impose some restrictions on him, so he would not transgress the limits of the Calamity of Measurement.

But now that Sun Wukong was not taking any action at all, they couldn’t find an excuse.

"Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva, we must trouble you with the Dream-Yuan Zen Method, so as not to affect the progression of the Calamity of Measurement in the Journey to the West!"

Sakyamuni Tathagata looked toward Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva.

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva stepped forward, nodded, and said, "I shall strictly follow the wishes of the Buddha. For the sake of our great cause, they will certainly be willing if they understand!"

Sakyamuni responded, "Good!"

Then Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva sat down cross-legged beside Panxi and started to perform the Dream-Yuan Zen Method.

At this moment, facing six brigands, Sun Wukong was unwilling to act, and Xuanzang stepped forward a few paces, looked at the six men, and said, "If you desire clothing and travel expenses, we can give them to you, but do you understand the saying, ’The sea of suffering is boundless; turn back, and there is the shore’?"

Xuanzang brought his hands together as if wrapped in Buddha’s light. Every word he spoke was infused with Buddhist law, and in a moment, he seemed to embody the ability to deliver all beings from suffering.

In that moment, their eyes appeared to show a desire for conversion.

Watching this scene, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but show a look of surprise and said in disbelief, "I never thought my Master could be so powerful, to so easily move these highway robbers!"

Sun Wukong was also somewhat moved by the aura emanating from Xuanzang. If not for his high level of cultivation, he might have truly converted to Buddhism.

By this time, Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva had also arrived and was shocked by the scene.

Although the Golden Cicada was a disciple of the Tathagata, he shouldn’t possess such a powerful force of the Buddhist law.

But now was not the time for contemplation, as he quickly took control of the six men.

They couldn’t let the Golden Cicada easily convert the six men. If the six were easily swayed, how could the Golden Cicada realize the terror of Sun Wukong, and how could Sun Wukong be persuaded to wear the golden hoop?

"Amitabha Buddha, do you understand now?"

The Golden Cicada brought his hands together, chanting the Buddhist law.

"We... "

Just as one of the men was about to say something, suddenly a cold glint flashed in another’s eyes.

In an instant, a terrifying presence swept over them.

Sun Wukong looked surprised.

He narrowed his eyes.

With a flash of golden light in his eyes, although Wukong felt something was amiss, even with his eyesight, he couldn’t discern anything.

"Strange!"

Sun Wukong frowned and muttered to himself in a puzzled tone.

However, at this moment, the six brigands, who had already been on the verge of kneeling, suddenly revealed vicious looks.

"Kill them and just take their money!"

The lead brigand shouted angrily as if raging with humiliation.

"Yes!"

The others following him also shouted, roaring with fury.

Weapons in hand, they charged forward.

"Amitabha Buddha, you are quite impolite. Since it is so, don’t blame this monk!"

Watching this scene, Xuanzang was not afraid at all and shouted sternly.

Bang!

With the palm thunder’s infinite power, enhanced by the Three Paths of Heaven and Earth, one of the men was sent flying.

However, instead of targeting Xuanzang, the remaining five charged at Sun Wukong.

"You’re after that monk, why are you looking for Old Sun?"

Sun Wukong furrowed his brow.

Could it be that these petty thieves thought he was an easy target?

Angered, Sun Wukong was about to step forward, but quickly realized something.

This was clearly peculiar since ordinary people would flee at the sight of Old Sun, let alone rushing to their deaths.

"Could it be...?"

Having been with Wang Yang for so long and being schemed against by the West, Wukong quickly suspected that this might be a plan concocted by those in the Western Direction.

They probably wanted these people to die by his hand.

"Is Old Sun afraid of being hacked by knives and axes?"

Sun Wukong scoffed coldly, not bothering to dodge as the men surrounded him, weapons flashing wildly.

"Wukong!"

Xuanzang shouted angrily. His disciple, who had worked tirelessly, was now being attacked in such a manner. In his fury, his potent thunderous power swept forth, instantly killing the six men on the spot.

"Master, why did you kill these men? Didn’t you say those of the Buddhist Sect fear even the taking of an insect’s life?"

Seeing this, Sun Wukong blinked and said.