Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 252 - 253: You, this macaque, are not curious at all.

Chapter 252: Chapter 253: You, this macaque, are not curious at all.

"Where have you been these past three years, Bodhisattva? Just watching as your mount wreaks havoc on the human world?"

"People always say Buddhism is compassionate and promotes Buddhist Law to universally save all beings, but is this how we, the followers of Buddhism, save them?"

Manjushri Bodhisattva, hearing Xuanzang’s successive inquiries, also couldn’t help but look a bit displeased.

If it had been anyone else doing the accusing, they probably would have been smacked to death with a single slap.

However, Xuanzang was important to Buddhism, so all Manjushri Bodhisattva could do was take a deep breath and then said, "You are unaware of the full story!"

"Initially, the King of Black Chicken Country was kind and offered alms to monks. Buddha sent me to save him so he could prove his Golden Arhat. Since I couldn’t appear in my true form, I disguised myself as a common monk to ask for some offerings."

"I confused him with a few words, and he failed to recognize me as a good person. He tied me up with a rope and threw me into the Imperial Water River, soaking me for three days and nights."

"It was thanks to the Six-Jia Golden Body that I was saved and taken to Western Heaven to report to Tathagata. Tathagata then ordered the monster to be brought here, to push him into a well and soak him for three years, to avenge the three days of my water calamity."

"What’s destined by fate has now been settled, just in time for you to arrive and rescue the common people."

At that moment, Sun Wukong and the others also walked into the Imperial Flower Garden, and Sun Wukong sneered, "You may have avenged your so-called fate with a drink and a peck, but who knows how many people that monster has harmed!"

Being monsters themselves, they naturally knew how many lives a monster would consume, as they did the same.

The Bodhisattva shook her head and said, "He hasn’t harmed people. Since he arrived, these three years have seen good weather and peace in the nation, with no talk of harming anyone."

"Besides, the King of Black Chicken Country was at fault to begin with."

With that, Manjushri Bodhisattva shook her head.

Hearing this, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but chuckle lightly and said, "What a good excuse for ’fault first’! When you Westerners wanted to convert someone to go to Western Heaven, did you ever ask if the King of Black Chicken Country was willing?"

"Since you transformed into a monk, since you asked for alms, you were the one in need, yet you still had the audacity to trouble others!"

"He too was human for the first time, so why should he yield to you, when his charitable nature already showed what his heart was like!"

"Moreover, he only immersed you in the river for three days, while you from Western Heaven threw him into a well for three years, letting him harbor resentment without the chance for rebirth. In the end, he could only degenerate into a lost soul, a wandering spirit. Is this your often-spoken compassion of the West?"

"Not just that, you even allowed the Green Fur Lion to transform into the appearance of the King of Black Chicken Country, seizing his territory and taking everything that was his. Is this the pity and sorrow for the world preached by your Buddhism?"

Each of Sun Wukong’s words fell like heavy hammers, striking at the heart of Manjushri Bodhisattva.

"Is this your Buddhism?"

"Or is it that you Buddhas only act for your own benefit!"

"..."

Sun Wukong slowly shook his head.

Disappointed in Buddhism, Xuanzang also closed his eyes. He had already been somewhat disillusioned with Buddhism before setting out on his journey.

Now, even more so.

Buddhism seemed to be filled with people who acted for their own benefit without caring for the lives of others.

That’s why Xuanzang felt this was but a facade of false Buddhism.

"Shut up!"

Suddenly, Manjushri Bodhisattva shouted, trying to disperse Sun Wukong’s voice that kept echoing in her mind.

"How could Buddha be wrong!"

"The King of Black Chicken Country offended Buddha and deserved punishment!"

Manjushri Bodhisattva’s eyes reddened slightly, intent on defending the dignity of Buddhism, even though she already knew deep down that something seemed amiss.

"Amitabha Buddha, Manjushri Bodhisattva, have you harbored murderous intent in your heart?"

Xuanzang brought his palms together and spoke with disappointment.

At those words, Manjushri Bodhisattva was taken aback.

She had to admit, she really did envision killing the four people before her just to prove the power of Buddhist Law.

Now, suddenly coming to her senses, she felt somewhat at a loss.

Was she really wrong?

"Manjushri Bodhisattva, I can return your mount to you, but you need to revive the King of Black Chicken Country. Only then can this karma be resolved," Xuanzang said with his palms pressed together, glancing at the Green Fur Lion.

Manjushri Bodhisattva felt extremely conflicted.

With a wave of her hand, a banana tree was moved aside, revealing a stone slab underneath, which covered a well.

Then, a figure flew out from the well.

With the power of Manjushri Bodhisattva, reviving someone was effortless.

Originally, the plan of Buddhism was for the Journey to the West party to strive to revive the King of Black Chicken Country, but now the four travelers had directly entered the heart of Black Chicken Country and even found the Green Fur Lion.

They not only subdued the Green Fur Lion but also seemed to be overwhelming even Manjushri Bodhisattva.

She almost let a demonic influence take root in her heart.

"Awaken!"

As Manjushri Bodhisattva spoke, her words filled with the sound of Buddhist chanting, bearing the essence of The Great Dao.

It seemed as though nothing in heaven or earth could stop it.

The eyelids of the King of Black Chicken Country trembled and then opened.

Upon waking, he saw the distant Green Fur Lion and was startled, hastily stepping back a few paces.

"Amitabha Buddha, Your Majesty need not worry now. The Green Fur Lion has been subdued and will no longer do evil. You may rest assured," Xuanzang said with palms pressed together as he slowly spoke.

The King of Black Chicken Country breathed a sigh of relief at these words and promptly apologized to Xuanzang.

Afterward, he also thanked the Bodhisattva in the sky above.

He naturally did not know that his downfall was due to the influence of this Bodhisattva.

Afterward, Manjushri Bodhisattva left with the Green Fur Lion.

However, both the person and the lion carried within them the seeds of disaffection toward Buddhism, as for when they would sprout, it was merely a matter of time.

After being resurrected, the King of Black Chicken Country granted amnesty to all and bestowed rewards upon the monks of Treasure Grove Monastery.

He also hosted a banquet in honor of Xuanzang and his companions.

"Amitabha Buddha, Your Majesty, there’s no need for such formalities, just affix your seal on this passport plaque and that will suffice!"

Seeing how courteous the King of Black Chicken Country was, Xuanzang couldn’t help but feel somewhat helpless as he spoke.

The King of Black Chicken Country originally wanted to keep Xuanzang and the others for a few more days, but seeing their determination to leave, he did not wish to impose on them. In the end, he could only say to Xuanzang, "Master, if you attain the Mahayana Buddhism in the future, please come back and visit me, Your Majesty would like to hear you speak of the Buddhist Law again!"

"Amitabha Buddha, if there is an opportunity, this humble monk will surely return!"

Upon hearing the King’s words, Xuanzang couldn’t help but respond with a smile.

Then, he set off with his three disciples.

Traveling at night and departing at dawn, after half a month’s journey, they suddenly saw a tall mountain rising before them.

This mountain, neither too tall, its summit touching the Azure Sky, nor too deep, its gorge akin to the Underworld.

In front of the mountain were red plums and green bamboo, alongside green cypresses and pine.

Behind the mountain lay a myriad of zhang high Spirit Platforms, and beyond those, the ancient and strange Demon Hiding Cave, where a tinkling spring flowed, and beneath it, the winding streams seemed perilous.

Without hesitation, they took their eyes off the scene.

Only to see a red cloud charging at them from the depths of the mountain, gathering into a fiery mass within the Ninth Heaven.

Samadhi True Fire!

Samadhi True Fire, the True Divine Fire, an invisible divine flame, Innate Fire, was an exceedingly extraordinary Divine Skill.

Never had they thought that within this mountain dwelt a Monster capable of wielding such Divine Skills.

...

Meanwhile.

Inside the Fiery Cloud Cave of Withered Pine Stream.

A child stood at the entrance of the cave, dressed in a fire-red bellyband, draped in a red robe, with shackled feet.

His face radiant with a rosy glow, his skin fair and tender with a pinkish hue, he bore a slight resemblance to Nezha, though he was much chubbier.

He held a Fire-tipped Spear, gazing into the distance.

He had heard of an Eastern Land monk traveling to the Western Heaven to seek scriptures, said to be the reincarnation of Golden Cicada, a virtuous person who had cultivated for ten lifetimes. Eating his flesh would grant long life and an existence as enduring as the heavens and earth.

Thus he had waited in the mountains every day, never expecting that today he would finally encounter him.

Immediately taking flight, he looked toward the distance, only to see a monk riding a horse, his three disciples encircling the mounted monk in a protective stance, all prepared.

The frivolous child exclaimed in admiration, "What a good monk! Finally, I have waited for you!"

Seeing a chubby, white-faced monk riding the horse, he must be the Holy Monk from the Tang Dynasty, yet he was guarded by three ugly monks!

It seemed eating the flesh of this monk wouldn’t be so straightforward.

If I approached them like this, I probably wouldn’t even get close. I need to think of a way to get near them first, then use tricks to confuse them.

With that in mind, he pretended to be tied up along the road.

Just waiting for the westward-bound group to come closer, then he could seize the opportunity to capture Xuanzang.

Sun Wukong looked up at the dispersing red clouds in the sky, the fiery aura vanishing, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master, let’s continue on our way."

Xuanzang looked at Sun Wukong with surprise and said, "Just now, wasn’t there a demon coming our way? Why has the demon left again?"

Upon hearing Xuanzang’s words, Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk also turned their gaze toward Sun Wukong, for they too had sensed a strong aura of Monster Energy.

Sun Wukong frowned and said, "Just now I saw a red cloud rising from the ground, forming a ball of fire in the sky, and a dense Monster Energy was gathering!"

"Now, in just a moment, the red clouds have dispersed, perhaps it was just a Demon passing by who didn’t dare to harm anyone. Master, there’s no need to think about saving Demons and Monsters!"

Zhu Bajie nodded and added, "That’s right, Master, you’re only thinking of saving Demons and Monsters, they’re all afraid of you. As soon as they see you, they run away immediately!"

Sand Monk agreed vigorously with a nod.

"Amitabha Buddha, it is this humble monk’s duty to save all beings, every creature should have the opportunity to live and be saved!"

Xuanzang also nodded and continued, "Since that demon was just passing by, let’s press on!"

The group of four proceeded forward.

After an indeterminate amount of time, they heard a cry for help.

Upon hearing it, Xuanzang turned to Sun Wukong and asked, "Disciple, did you hear a cry for help coming from ahead?"

"Master, in this desolate area, where could there be people?"

Zhu Bajie scanned the surroundings.

"I also didn’t hear any sound, maybe Master, you heard it wrong!"

Sand Monk said, laughing and shaking his head.

"Master, in the wilderness, it’s best to mind our own business and hurry to the Western Heaven!"

Sun Wukong said, shaking his head with a smile.

"You Macaque, you’re not the least bit curious!"

Xuanzang couldn’t help but smile wryly. Sun Wukong minded his own business, and more often than not, he was the one to take action.