Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 313 - 314: Another Tribulation Laid by the Immortals and Buddhas

Chapter 313: Chapter 314: Another Tribulation Laid by the Immortals and Buddhas

Xuanzang rode his horse, followed closely on both sides by Sun Wukong and the other two, quickly reaching the city gate.

They then dismounted, crossed the bridge, and entered the gate, where they saw six streets and three markets.

Countless vendors were selling goods, creating a lively scene; not only that, but there were also high officials and nobles dressed in luxurious clothes.

While walking, they suddenly saw a group of monks, each one fettered and shackled, begging along the city gate, a truly pitiful sight.

Xuanzang, seeing this scene, couldn’t help feeling sorrowful and sighed, "When a rabbit dies, the fox grieves; creatures mourn for their kind."

Although he did not like Buddhism, he naturally empathized with monks like himself.

He quickly called Sun Wukong over and instructed, "Wukong, go and ask why they are suffering like this here."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong nodded and rushed over to stop a monk, asking, "Monk, which temple do you belong to? Why are you wearing fetters and shackles, begging in the streets?"

The kneeling monk replied, "Grandfather, we are wrongfully accused monks from the Golden Light Temple."

Sun Wukong then inquired, "Where is the Golden Light Temple?"

The monks pointed to a distant pagoda, saying, "Over there."

Frowning, Sun Wukong asked, "How were you wrongfully accused? Can you tell me more about it?"

The monks looked around cautiously before saying, "Grandfather, we don’t know where you come from, but this place is crowded and noisy, and people know us here; we dare not disclose anything here. Please come to the Golden Light Temple, and we can explain everything there."

At this, Xuanzang spoke, "In that case, let us first go to their temple to understand the reasons and perhaps we can even lodge there."

Thus, Xuanzang, along with his three disciples, accompanied the monks towards the Golden Light Temple.

Zhu Bajie, while walking, couldn’t help but complain, "We thought we’d have a good meal upon entering the city, but that seems unlikely now."

Sand Monk asked with a smile, "Second Senior Brother, why do you say that? Won’t there be vegetarian meals at the Golden Light Temple?"

"Forget it!" Zhu Bajie said dejectedly, "Look at these monks, fettered and ragged, having to beg on the streets for a living; where would they have extra vegetarian food to offer us, and even if there was, it would be leftover scraps from begging."

"That is true," Sand Monk nodded in agreement.

"It’s all because our master had to meddle. We should have gone directly to the posthouse, switched our documents tomorrow, and entered the imperial court. Given the grandeur of this city, the food at the posthouse must be decent," Zhu Bajie sighed dejectedly.

"You fool, what nonsense are you spouting here again?" Sun Wukong said irritably.

Zhu Bajie, who was usually afraid of Sun Wukong, quickly shook his head and said, "Nothing, nothing at all."

When they arrived at the front of the Golden Light Temple, they saw seven golden characters on the door: "Imperially Commissioned, Nation-Protecting Golden Light Temple."

Xuanzang led his disciples into the gate, where they saw the temple was desolate, with the complex in ruins.

Seeing this place, Xuanzang also felt a bit of sadness as the monks led him to the main hall.

After bowing to Buddha, the monks took him to a meditation room, where all the monks in the temple hurried over to greet them, bowing and asking, "Distinguished lords of varied appearances, have you come from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land?"

Sun Wukong, hearing this, laughed and asked, "Monks, could it be that you have the ability to predict the future?"

The monks hurriedly replied, "How could we have such abilities! We are just a group of wrongfully accused monks!"

"Wrongfully accused without a place to argue, truly it’s as if our cries to heaven are unanswered and our pleas to earth unheard!"

"It must be our sincere prayers that moved the celestial deities, for last night we all had the same dream. A divine spirit told us that a holy monk from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land would come to clear our names and save our lives. Seeing your distinguished presences, we recognized you immediately."

Realizing what they said, Wukong understood that these people were likely a trial arranged by the Immortals and Buddhas.

Deliberately waiting here for them.

Xuanzang, seeing the monks kneeling on the ground, quickly said, "Please stand and speak; what place is this, and what injustice have you suffered?"

An older monk hurriedly reported, "Holy Monk, this place is Saisai Country, one of the great countries in the western direction."

"In the past, four tribes paid us tribute: Southern Yuetuo Kingdom, Northern Gaochang Kingdom, East and West Liang Kingdoms, Western Benbo Kingdom, annually offering precious jades, pearls, beautiful consorts, and fine horses."

"Without resorting to arms nor embarking on campaigns, these small nations naturally revered us as a superior state."

"I see," nodded Xuanzang, "If they revered you as a superior state, surely your king is benevolent, and your civil and military officials are wise and virtuous."

The monk said indignantly, "Holy Monk, you are unaware that the civil officials of Saisai Country are not virtuous, the military officials are no good, and the king lacks compassion and morality. Behind our Golden Light Temple on the pagoda, we originally enshrined the Buddhist relic of a high monk."

"Every day, auspicious clouds enveloped it, and thousands of colorful rays dazzled at night, visible from thousands of miles away; in the morning, vibrant colors surged to the sky, observed jointly by the four nations."

"It was precisely because of such phenomena that the four countries believed Saisai Country to be protected by celestial deities and cared for by Buddha Ancestor. Therefore, they submitted to Saisai Country, regarding it as the Divine Capital of Celestial Mansion!"

"But three years ago, on the first day of the Mid-Autumn, at midnight, the sky suddenly became overcast with dense clouds, and a blood-red rain poured down."

"At daybreak, every household was afraid, every household in panic."

"The officials reported to His Majesty, the king."

"The King immediately called for a Taoist to perform rituals and a monk to chant scriptures..."

"However, no matter what everyone did, the blood color on the Golden Pagoda remained congealed and never dispersed, and its sacred light was lost forever."

"Due to this dilemma, foreign countries also stopped offering tribute, and the nation gradually declined."

"His Majesty the King wanted to conquer the surrounding areas, forcing them to continue paying tribute, but advisors suggested: Some monks from our temple stole treasures from the pagoda, hence the auspicious aura vanished, and that’s why foreign countries ceased their tributes."

"That foolish ruler did not even investigate, he simply ordered the monks from our temple to be arrested, interrogated batch by batch, and beaten to death... until now!"

"In my temple, monks of three generations have died, two generations already."

"Alas!"

Speaking of this, the monk couldn’t help but sigh and said, "Now, they are finally about to act against the poorest monk and the youngest generation of disciples."

"To prevent us from escaping, they have shackled us, and some are even tied to the pillars..."

"Holy Monk above, I beseech you to extend your mana and save our lives."

"Lord above, how dare we secretly steal treasures from the pagoda! I implore the Holy Monk to show mercy and great compassion, extend your mana, and save our lives!"

Upon hearing this, Xuanzang also frowned and said, "This matter is indeed baffling; it seems to be a case of mismanagement by the court, and also a part of your destined tribulations."

"But since it was a bloody rain that tainted the pagoda, why not report the truth to the King?"

The monk replied, "Holy Monk! We are but mere mortals, how can we know the will of Heaven."

"Moreover, monks from the previous two generations were also captured and tortured, clearly whatever they said was not heeded; we truly have grievances with nowhere to appeal!"

As the monks spoke, each could not help but wipe away tears, overcome with sorrow.

"Alas!" Seeing this, Xuanzang felt compassion and could not help but sigh deeply.

Zhu Bajie, seeing that his master seemed inclined to meddle, said, "Master, this sounds quite troublesome, and the key issue is that we don’t really know the cause of this matter."

"How did the Shariputra disappear, who took it, without any clues at all?"

"If you ask me, we should not get involved. Let’s eat up, drink up, and hurry on our Journey to the West."

Upon hearing this, the old monk quickly knelt down and said, "Holy Monk, I beseech you to save us!"

At this moment, the other monks outside also heard and, with shackles, they knelt and kowtowed.

Sun Wukong said, "Master, this matter might seem difficult but also not too complex. Everything has a cause and effect; there will be clues, shall we look into it?"

"Since this matter started with that Golden Pagoda, why not start the investigation from there?"

Upon hearing what Sun Wukong said, Xuanzang nodded and responded, "Wukong is right, if we can investigate and find something!"

"When we later meet the King, we can then inform him of the situation, vindicate the monks of the Golden Light Temple, and alleviate their suffering."

"Master is all compassion and mercy; you will certainly find some clues," Sun Wukong promised fully.

At that moment, one of the monks said, "Holy Monk, some of my disciples are skilled at cooking; they can help arrange vegetarian meals for you, but we need your assistance to remove these shackles."

Upon hearing this, Sand Monk chuckled, "That’s simple."

Sand Monk went over and easily broke several shackles, releasing a few Little Monks.

Seeing that a mere Holy Monk had such power, they all thought him to be an Arhat descended to earth, and joyously hurried to prepare vegetarian meals for Xuanzang and his disciples.

...

After Xuanzang and his disciples ate the vegetarian meal, evening gradually fell.

The shackled monks came in with two brooms.

Xuanzang decided to go by himself.

Sun Wukong smiled and said, "That pagoda has been tainted by the bloody rain, long without light, and might harbor some evil creature; moreover, the night is still and chilly, it could be dangerous for you to go alone, let Old Sun accompany you!"

Xuanzang smiled and nodded, "That would be best!"

Xuanzang, holding a broom, first went to the grand hall, burnt incense, and prayed before Buddha: "Disciple Xuanzang, sent by the Great Tang of the Eastern Land to Mount Meru to meet Buddha for the Seeking Scriptures, arrived today at the Golden Light Temple in Saisai Country, hearing that this place’s pagoda has been defiled!"

"The King even suspects the monks of theft, mystery unsolved above and below, disciple prays for Buddha’s divine manifestation, show us the reason, and no longer let the monks here suffer wrongful accusations."

Xuanzang and others, led by the monk, arrived at the base of the Golden Pagoda.

Looking up at the tall pagoda, Sun Wukong said, "It’s quite tall!"

The monk, frowning with some worry, said, "Holy Monk, please be careful. The pagoda hasn’t been opened since the bloody rain; it’s said there might be monsters inside..."

Hearing the monk’s caution, Xuanzang smiled and said, "If there are any demons, I will simply convert them."