Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 248 - 249: Another Monster?

Chapter 248: Chapter 249: Another Monster?

The Grand Elder of the Supreme Way looked at Xuanzang with such an expression, and when the time came, he did not take it seriously, instead smiling and saying, "I am not aware of this matter, we will take our leave first, you all go on your journey in peace!"

The Grand Elder of the Supreme Way was eager for Xuanzang to turn against the Western Buddhist Sect.

Seeing Xuanzang’s expression, he then turned around and left with the Golden and Silver Boys.

Flat Top Mountain, Lotus Cave.

Only a group of the Demon Race was left leaderless.

"Master, let us also leave!"

Sun Wukong watched the Grand Elder of the Supreme Way leave before he reminded him.

Although Xuanzang was very dissatisfied with the actions of the West, he had no other choice but to nod his head, and together with his three disciples, they walked out of the Lotus Cave.

Outside the Lotus Cave, a group of the Demon Race was also waiting for Xuanzang.

At this moment, Xuanzang saw the many members of the Demon Race and could not help but nod his head.

"Amitabha Buddha, we welcome the Elder!"

They knew the Elder would come out of the cave, but they did not dare to rush in and confront the Golden Horn King and Silver Horn King.

Seeing this scene, Xuanzang also brought his hands together and chanted Amitabha Buddha.

Then, under the escort of these demons, they walked down the mountain together.

These demons understood that this separation was probably forever.

Suddenly, Xuanzang stopped and looked back at the many demons behind him.

Seeing this, the demons couldn’t help but panic and hastily stepped back.

Xuanzang brought his hands together, his body radiating with Buddha’s light, filled with great wisdom.

"Amitabha Buddha, you all must remember to focus on cultivating your morals, diligently practice the Buddhist Law, perform good deeds daily, and not commit any more evil deeds!"

"If one day, it comes to my knowledge that you are again endulging in evil, I will certainly punish you with the Buddhist Law!"

All the little demons, upon hearing Xuanzang’s words, could not help but tremble, quaking like chaff, and hastily said in unison, "In the future, we will definitely cultivate the Buddhist Law diligently, not failing the Elder’s instruction!"

"Well said, well said!"

Hearing these words from the little demons, Xuanzang was quite pleased and nodded his head.

Then the party turned and continued on their way forward.

They left Flat Top Mountain.

...

At this time on Mount Wutai.

Manjushri Bodhisattva, with five topknots symbolizing the Five Wisdoms of Mahavairocana, held a sword in his hand.

Signifying that wisdom is the sharp sword, his body was enveloped in Buddha’s light, accompanied by Buddhist chanting.

Everything seemed calm and undisturbed, unlikely to be much influenced.

Just at that moment, his normally closed eyes suddenly opened, containing what seemed like immense wisdom.

"Why this feeling of unease!"

Manjushri Bodhisattva murmured to himself, as there was virtually nothing that could make him uneasy, but now, he truly felt it.

Then his fingers began to calculate, and soon his expression changed slightly.

"Unexpectedly, Xuanzang and his group have already left Flat Top Mountain, and what follows is their destination in the Black Chicken Country!"

His mount was originally part of the Cutting Teachings Sect, but now he belonged to him, so he must manage this calamity.

Because the four of them were quite peculiar and unusual, the original plan also had to be adjusted.

If something went wrong, perhaps the Calamity of Measurement could not proceed further.

Being part of Buddhism, naturally, he could not allow the Calamity of Measurement to be unresolvable.

He slowly stood up and then headed toward the Black Chicken Country.

Meanwhile, in the Black Chicken Country.

The King of the Black Chicken Country, sitting on the Dragon Throne, was also somewhat restless, hearing the continuous reports from the civil and military officials below, which made his mood somewhat turbulent.

He raised his hand and waved, allowing the many officials to retreat, then sat on the Dragon Throne, massaging his temples, his brow slightly furrowed.

He had never felt as uneasy as he did today.

Could it be that something was about to happen?

He was originally the mount of the Western Buddhist Sect’s Manjushri Bodhisattva, the Green Fur Lion.

Three years ago, by the command of Sakyamuni Tathagata of the Western Buddhist Sect, he came to the Black Chicken Country and pushed the original King of Black Chicken Country into a well.

Reliant on his Art of Transformation, perhaps even the Heavenly Eye of Yang Jian from the celestial Court might not see through it.

This allowed him to become the King of Black Chicken Country, where he has been ruling for three years now.

During these three years, he had not harmed anyone; since his arrival, the Black Chicken Country had been enjoying favorable weather, national peace, and continuous development.

In this regard, the Black Chicken Country was actually thankful to him.

However, the one thing was, he ultimately was not the original King of Black Chicken Country, and deep down, it was as if he had usurped the nest, and moreover, had taken life, thereby increasing his karmic force unnecessarily.

Although he never approached the Three Palaces Lady, the karma was still present.

Now he recalled these matters, but why?

Could it be because Xuanzang was arriving?

He was here specifically to wait for Xuanzang, to become a part of the Calamity of Measurement.

Therefore, he naturally paid close attention to the movements of Xuanzang and his group.

The route through Flat Top Mountain was essential for their journey westward, which is why he had always kept an eye on it, having received reports days ago that a group of four had left the mountain.

As for when they would arrive, no one could say for sure.

Now that he felt such a sensation, he was certain they must be near.

Long ago in Western Heaven, when he was still the mount of Manjushri Bodhisattva, he had already seen Golden Cicada before he was reincarnated.

Before Golden Cicada entered the Calamity of Measurement, he was a disciple of Sakyamuni Tathagata, a member of the Western Buddhist Sect.

Initially, everything had been planned so that, ten lives later, Golden Cicada would grow closer to Buddhism.

But for some reason during his investigation, he felt that something was amiss.

If it were the original Golden Cicada, he certainly would not have set out to convert demons and monsters.

Yet along the way, he had converted countless groups of demons, even directly converting Lady White Bone.

If I were here, might I also be converted?

Although he was already a follower of Buddhism, he was merely a mount within the sect, so he did not care much for it.

If it were not for being forcibly subdued by Buddhism and brought back to become the mount of Manjushri Bodhisattva, how could he willingly be someone else’s mount.

After a moment of silence, the Green Fur Lion chose not to leave.

At this time, Xuanzang and his three disciples had already reached the border of Black Chicken Country.

For the past few days, the four had been trekking through the mountains, and at sunset, Xuanzang’s gaze fell upon the path ahead.

There, nestled in a mountain hollow, were tiered pavilions and numerous palatial halls.

Xuanzang spoke, "Disciples, as it is already getting dark, fortunately there is a pavilion not far ahead, likely a monastery. Let us stay there for the night, and continue our journey tomorrow."

Zhu Bajie laughed and said, "Master speaks wisely, but we should not hurry too much, we still need to wait for our eldest brother to check it out, in case there’s any danger!"

Sand Monk at that moment also looked towards Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong nodded and leapt into the air, scrutinizing closely. It indeed was a mountain gateway, with the character "eight" sculpted into the mud-red walls, and golden nails hammered onto both sides of the doors.

Tiered pavilions skirted the ridge, layer upon layer of palaces hidden in the mountains.

The Ten Thousand Buddhas Pavilion faced Tathagata Hall, and Chaoyang Tower answered to the Da Xiong Gate.

Sun Wukong landed and then said to Xuanzang, "Master, it truly is a monastery. We indeed can stay here for the night. Let’s hurry on."

Subsequently, the four approached the temple where they saw a plaque at the monastery’s entrance, though it was obscured by dust and unclear.

Sun Wukong blew and five characters appeared.

It was Treasure Grove Monastery.

Sun Wukong stood outside and said, "Master, who among us should go in to ask for shelter?"

After a pause, Xuanzang said, "I shall go in. Though you are not evil at heart, your appearances are unsightly, your words are coarse, and your natures are fierce and arrogant. I fear you might offend the monks here."

Sun Wukong nodded and said, "Master speaks wisely. Please go ahead, Master."

Xuanzang set down his monk’s staff and entered through the mountain gate, where inside, between the red-painted railings, sat a pair of Vajra with menacing and fierce appearances.

One with an iron face and steel whiskers seemed almost alive, another with frantic brows and rounded eyes resembled Linglong.

Inside the western great hall were enshrined several true bodies of Buddha, with a stone cauldron in the center, above which hovered numerous incense offerings.

As Xuanzang witnessed this, while examining the many Buddhas, he saw a Daoist coming out from the inner door.

The Daoist, seeing Xuanzang, was also somewhat surprised and quickly came over, bowing, "Master, where have you come from?"

Xuanzang, without hiding anything, quickly replied, "I am a disciple from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, traveling to Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek scriptures. We have arrived at this sacred place as nightfall approaches, hoping to find lodging."

The Daoist said, "Master, please forgive me, but I am not in charge here. I am a sweeping and bell-ringing monk of this place, and there is an elder inside who manages our affairs. I will go in and inform him. If he decides to host you, I will come out and invite you inside, but if he refuses, I dare not overstep my authority."

Xuanzang nodded, "Thank you for your trouble."

Soon, the abbey’s master came out to greet them and settled them in the monastery.

The sun set behind the mountains.

Bright moonlight showered the earth.

Xuanzang sat inside the Zen Hall of Treasure Grove Monastery, chanting Buddhist scriptures by the light of a lamp.

It was very late when he prepared to rise and retire to rest, but suddenly he heard the wooden door of the Zen Hall tremble violently.

Before Xuanzang could get up to investigate, a gust of wind blasted the door open, swirling countless fallen leaves, and at this moment, even the stars in the sky seemed to grow dim.

The light inside flickered dimly, and the candle flame wavered in the wind, brightening and darkening intermittently.

At this moment, Xuanzang still maintained his dignified composure, not revealing any sign of panic though he did not know what was happening.

He looked outside, his gaze deep and searching.

Could there be a demon in this Zen Monastery?

Impossible. If Sun Wukong had not noticed, how could there be a demon here?

Regardless, Xuanzang was not afraid.

Even if there were a demon, it would just mean one more to convert.

Xuanzang walked outside.

As he made his way out, the violent wind that had arisen suddenly died down, and even the falling leaves seemed to vanish.

Xuanzang went outside to investigate if there truly was any demon.

After checking the surroundings, he discovered no monsters.

Immediately thereafter, he felt a chilling call from behind him, the voice piercingly shrill.

"Great Master!"

Xuanzang was startled, turned around, and then his gaze sharply focused.