Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 258 - 259: Six-Eared Macaque: I Can Receive Guidance from the Saint

Chapter 258: Chapter 259: Six-Eared Macaque: I Can Receive Guidance from the Saint

"All right, Wukong, now that the demon has been subdued, be quick and go into the cave to rescue your master!"

After Red Child stood by Guanyin Bodhisattva’s side, he nodded in agreement.

"Thank you for your efforts, Guanyin Bodhisattva!"

Upon hearing these words, Sun Wukong nodded respectfully and turned away to leave.

Watching Sun Wukong’s departing figure, the light around Guanyin Bodhisattva flickered intensely, her thoughts unknown.

She then turned and left as well.

Guanyin quickly returned to the Western Heaven, inside the Great Thunderclap Monastery.

Merciful Shore Walker took Red Child back to her dojo first.

In the Mount Sumeru Posha Pure Land, the Western Heaven seemed unchanging since the beginning of time.

Always with all Ten Thousand Buddhas Paying Homage, expressing merciful and compassionate countenances.

That day, Guanyin swiftly crossed the skies from afar, heading straight to the main hall of the Great Thunderclap Monastery.

Inside the Great Thunderclap Monastery, Sakyamuni Tathagata still sat upon the Lotus Platform in the main hall.

His face, too, bore a look of compassion.

After Guanyin Bodhisattva entered the main hall, Sakyamuni Tathagata opened his eyes.

"Amitabha Buddha’s compassion is great!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva landed within the main hall and looked towards Sakyamuni Tathagata.

"Bodhisattva, has everything gone smoothly this time?"

Sakyamuni Tathagata’s face seemed incredibly calm, but in fact, he was well aware of the events that had transpired with Guanyin Bodhisattva.

"To report to Amitabha Buddha, this time everything went smoothly, but..."

Suddenly, Guanyin Bodhisattva’s tone changed, yet she did not continue speaking.

"Bodhisattva, please speak freely!"

Sakyamuni Tathagata said calmly.

"Amitabha Buddha, this monkey did not escort Xuanzang to the West as we anticipated; I fear it may affect our plans!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said after a moment of silence.

"The two World Honored Ones have already discussed this matter with me!"

They had seen all the changes Sun Wukong had undergone since the beginning, and naturally, if possible, they did not wish for Sun Wukong to become a part of their plan, as the risks were too great.

Still, Sun Wukong was destined by Heaven, an indispensable force.

They within Buddhism had also been contemplating how to deal with Sun Wukong.

In the end, the Two Sages of the West came up with a compromise, which was to find another monkey, similar in strength to Sun Wukong, who would devour him and continue the Journey to the West in Sun Wukong’s stead.

That way, the Journey to the West would not be affected.

And the monkey whom the Two Sages wished to use was none other than the Six Eared Macaque, one of the Four Monkeys of Chaos.

The Six Eared Macaque was one of the Four Monkeys of Chaos that did not fit into any category.

Not only was it good at listening, but it could also foresee, understand past and future, and see through all things.

Especially since the Six Eared Macaque was proficient in the Art of Transformation.

Even a Saint in disguise might not be able to see through it.

With such a skill in Transformation, if it were to confront Sun Wukong, it would naturally be effortless.

Of course, this was still not entirely foolproof.

Although Sun Wukong was only at the peak of becoming a Taiyi Golden Immortal, which they considered trivial, if they within Buddhism wanted to act, they naturally had to ensure that it was foolproof.

Moreover, the Intelligent Stone Monkey was the foremost among the Four Monkeys of Chaos.

Therefore, it could naturally sense one of its own, the Six Eared Macaque.

Dealing with that monkey still entailed risks.

At first, Sakyamuni Tathagata had gone to great lengths to find the Six Eared Macaque.

With just a little enlightenment, the strength of the Six Eared Macaque had greatly increased, but to deal with Sun Wukong, it still needed to be enhanced further.

"Since Amitabha Buddha is already informed, I shall not elaborate further!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva could not help but nod her head.

She then bid farewell and left.

Originally, Guanyin Bodhisattva had more to say, but now that Sakyamuni Tathagata was already informed, she naturally had nothing further to worry about.

Sakyamuni Tathagata nodded, watching the departing figure of Guanyin Bodhisattva.

"Come!"

Sakyamuni Tathagata called out, and not long after, a shami entered.

"Amitabha Buddha, you summoned me?"

The shami knelt down respectfully.

Sakyamuni Tathagata nodded and continued, "Tell the Six Eared Macaque to come here early; I have a matter to instruct you on!"

The little novice monk nodded, echoing an acknowledgment before turning to leave the hall.

Sakyamuni Tathagata remained seated on the Lotus Platform, calmly waiting for the arrival of the Six Eared Macaque.

But before long,

The little novice monk who had left earlier returned.

Upon entering, he immediately knelt on the ground, his head bowed low.

"Amitabha Buddha, when I was commanded to find the Six Eared Macaque, I did not expect that upon arriving at the Meditation Room where he was, I would find him lying on the ground. When I approached to check for his breath, to my surprise, I discovered that the Six Eared Macaque was already dead."

The little novice monk, as he spoke, could not help but weep, seemingly shocked to his core.

Sakyamuni Tathagata on the Lotus Platform could not help but his expression dramatically changed upon hearing these words.

There was basically no existence that could cause such a huge change in his expression.

After cultivating for so many years, he had almost reached the point where he could remain unfazed even if Mount Tai were collapsing before him.

They had found the Six Eared Macaque, but it was crucial to the arrangement of their Journey to the West.

But who would have thought that the Six Eared Macaque had already died?

At this news, how could he remain calm?

Sakyamuni Tathagata’s expression was unpredictable at this moment, it was unclear what he was thinking.

The little novice monk who had finished speaking continued to weep with his head down, but from time to time, he cast sly glances at Sakyamuni Tathagata.

However, this scene went unnoticed by Sakyamuni Tathagata seated above on the Lotus Platform.

Suddenly, he seemed to sense the little novice monk’s gaze and looked up at him.

A flash of enlightenment appeared in his eyes.

Sakyamuni Tathagata brought his hands together: "Amitabha Buddha, I did not expect that I myself would nearly be deceived by you!"

The little novice monk heard this, he who was still weeping.

Upon hearing Sakyamuni Tathagata’s words, he responded somewhat hesitantly, "My Buddha, what are you talking about?"

"Six Eared Macaque, still pretending?"

Sakyamuni Tathagata said with a smile.

The little novice monk showed a trace of astonishment upon hearing Sakyamuni Tathagata’s words.

"My Buddha, what are you saying? Where is the Six Eared Macaque? Isn’t he already dead?"

The little novice monk was even more puzzled, seemingly unable to understand what Sakyamuni Tathagata was saying.

"Six Eared Macaque, will you not quickly revert to your true form, or do you wish for me to make you?"

Sakyamuni Tathagata roared, his voice filled with the sounds of Sanskrit, and in an instant, the little novice monk, who had been crying and wailing, transformed from a monk into a monkey.

It was indeed the Six Eared Macaque.

After the Six Eared Macaque revealed his true form, he said in surprise, "I actually couldn’t deceive you, monk."

He had not expected that Sakyamuni Tathagata would so easily see through his true form.

To know that his Art of Transformation was considered unique, unparalleled in the world, which was why he had such confidence.

He had not expected Sakyamuni Tathagata to discover him so quickly.

This made him start to doubt himself.

But upon hearing this, Sakyamuni Tathagata simply laughed and said, "Although you, monkey, have some abilities, even I cannot see through them!"

Hearing Sakyamuni Tathagata’s words, the Six Eared Macaque became even more curious.

"Since you did not see through me, how could Nanchang be so certain that this little novice monk was my transformation?"

The Six Eared Macaque said, scratching his ears and cheeks as he looked at Sakyamuni Tathagata.

Seeing the Six Eared Macaque’s reaction, Sakyamuni Tathagata no longer concealed his thoughts and spoke, "A monk of Buddhism would not be so cunning; your minor actions gave you away!"

The Six Eared Macaque understood, it was his sneaky glances at Sakyamuni Tathagata that had given him away.

He had even begun to doubt whether his Art of Transformation had regressed.

He had not realized it was just because of some minor actions that he had betrayed himself.

At this moment, a smile also appeared on the face of the Six Eared Macaque.

Sakyamuni Tathagata continued, "Six Eared Macaque, you need not lose heart. Your Art of Transformation is indeed superb; you were able to deceive mine. Had it not been for a problem with the details, I would have never noticed!"

Hearing Sakyamuni Tathagata’s words, the Six Eared Macaque’s face broke into a smile: "Since you, monk, have said so much, I am at ease!"

Seeing that the Six Eared Macaque had returned to his cheerful demeanor, Sakyamuni Tathagata then spoke, "Six Eared Macaque, you possess tremendous skills among the Four Monkeys of Chaos, known for your Art of Transformation. That is why I need you to deceive someone!"

Sakyamuni Tathagata finally revealed his purpose for finding the Six Eared Macaque.

The Six Eared Macaque naturally knew there must have been a reason.

"Oh? Deceive whom?"

"The Intelligent Stone Monkey!"

Upon hearing this name, even the Six Eared Macaque could not hide his shock; he knew well whom Sakyamuni Tathagata was speaking of.

That was the Great Sage Equalling Heaven, the leader of the Four Monkeys of Chaos. The Six Eared Macaque, somewhat shocked, said, "Are you talking about the Great Sage Equalling Heaven?"

Sakyamuni Tathagata nodded and said, "Yes, I am asking you to deceive the Great Sage Equalling Heaven!"

"Are you perhaps worried about something?"

Sakyamuni Tathagata looked at the Six Eared Macaque with a half-smile.

Although the Four Monkeys of Chaos belonged to one category, they generally did not see eye to eye, each believing they were the leader of the Four Monkeys.

If used properly, the Six Eared Macaque might become an asset for Buddhism to contend with Sun Wukong.

"What is there to worry about the Great Sage? As the leader of the Four Monkeys of Chaos, I naturally fear nothing, not even the Great Sage!"

"But even if I use my Art of Transformation to deceive him, it’s probably futile!"

"What’s the use of deceiving him? With my strength, I’m afraid I am no match for him!"

The Six Eared Macaque slowly spoke out.

"Of course, I know that you may not be a match for the Intelligent Stone Monkey, which is why this time, I hope you can go under the tutelage of the Two Saints to properly cultivate."

Sakyamuni Tathagata directly stated without further mystery.

Hearing Sakyamuni Tathagata’s words, the Six Eared Macaque’s eyes suddenly lit up.

"I can receive guidance from a Saint?"

The Six Eared Macaque asked excitedly.