The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 105 - 103: True Martial Meets Tathagata at Mount Meru

Chapter 105: Chapter 103: True Martial Meets Tathagata at Mount Meru

Great Emperor Zhenwu saw that it was about time, and he no longer lingered but rose to take his leave.

Zhen Yuanzi saw off the emperor from Wuzhuang Temple. On the side, a child presented a jade box, which he handed over with both hands.

Great Emperor Zhenwu asked, "What is this?"

Zhen Yuanzi said with a smile, "Meeting the Great Emperor today has indeed been refreshing and pleasurable, a humble gift, unworthy of your greatness."

Seeing him say this, the Great Emperor took the box and smiled, "I don’t have a gift for you in return, just a piece of a ten-thousand-year-old mysterious turtle’s shell." He flipped his palm, and a black turtle shell appeared as he added, "Gifts should be reciprocated."

Zhen Yuanzi gratefully accepted the mysterious turtle shell, which indeed was a ten-thousand-year-old one, impervious to sword and spear. If made into armor, it would be formidable. Great Emperor Zhenwu’s gesture was extraordinary, which secretly impressed Zhen Yuanzi. The two then bid farewell, reported a fist salute, and said, "Until we meet again."

With one teleportation, Zhenwu was already far away. He opened the jade box and exclaimed, "Zhen Yuanzi is indeed generous—a gift of three pepino fruits right off the bat, a prize far more precious than the Peaches of Immortality. It really turned misfortune into a blessing. Though the Peach Banquet could not be held, receiving three pepino fruits is indeed splendid!" The Great Emperor then placed the fruits back into the jade box, planning to later ask Laojun to help him concoct an elixir. Should a dire tribulation arise in the future, he would have a strategy to protect his life.

The war in the Middle Ancient Times killed many outstanding figures, and powerhouses from the Ancient Times perished, such as Chi Songzi, Chi Jiangzi, and Ying Long, among others. Those of a slightly later generation were preserved by the Three Pure Ones to serve as seeds for the future, ensuring the continuation of The Way of the Dao should the earlier generation not return. Zhenwu had heard a bit about that war. Currently, most great mystics were accumulating magical treasures and elixirs to prepare for the impending immense tribulation, a situation no one could escape unscathed.

Zhenwu was exceedingly fast and soon arrived at Mount Meru.

"Stop, Taoist, this is a sacred Buddhist land. State your origins before you may enter," a little novice monk said.

"Go inform your Buddha Ancestor that Great Emperor Zhenwu has been sent by the Jade Emperor to request an audience," said the Great Emperor.

"Could this be the True Martial Demon Conqueror from the North Pole?" the little novice monk exclaimed in surprise, not expecting such a remarkable identity from the incoming visitor.

"Indeed, it is I. Hasten your report," commanded the Great Emperor Zhenwu.

No longer daring to delay, the novice monk said, "Then, please, Great Emperor, follow this monk up the mountain."

Great Emperor Zhenwu was one of the Four Heavenly Kings of the Celestial Palace, though not counting the Great Emperor Ziwei of the central palace. North, south, east, west—only these were the Four Heavenly Kings. His noble status as one of the founders of the Taoist sect commanded universal respect. Besides, who, weary of life, would come to Mount Meru to impersonate the Great Emperor Zhenwu? The novice monk, having seen many dignitaries, promptly led Zhenwu up the mountain, avoiding any potential accusation of negligence from the Buddha Ancestor later that could be disastrous.

"Lead the way ahead, and I shall follow," stated the Great Emperor indifferently.

"Certainly, Great Emperor," the novice monk said with a smile, eagerly leading Zhenwu up to Mount Meru.

As they entered the sacred mountain, Zhenwu felt uncomfortable all over. He sensed that Buddhism had considerably changed from the Ancient Times, yet he could not quite articulate this strange feeling. This was only his second visit to Mount Meru, having previously visited two saints of the West when he first ascended to immortality and became an emperor.

The novice monk brought Zhenwu to the Da Xiong Palace and said, "Allow me a moment to report to the Buddha Ancestor inside."

Zhenwu replied, "Please do," but inwardly thought, "Tathagata is merely a Buddha of Buddhism. Aside from the Ancestor Master of the Three Pure Ones, I am also one of the greatest patriarchs of the Daoist sect! Yet he does not come out to meet me; he really does not know how to behave. Heh!" He pondered further, "Let’s see what kind of techniques this Tathagata has that even the Ancestor Master of the Three Pure Ones is wary of him. If he is not truly capable, I shall surely let him know the formidable power of True Martial Demon Conqueror."

Soon, the novice monk came out to report, "The Buddha Ancestor cordially invites Great Emperor Zhenwu."

The Great Emperor was not pleased, thinking secretly, "He says he invites me cordially, yet he does not come out to meet me; quite the pretense!" He waved his hand and said, "Lead me inside."

The novice monk nodded. As Zhenwu stepped into the Da Xiong Palace, he suddenly heard a thunderous roar, "Welcome Great Emperor Zhenwu!"

This roar, utilizing the True Word Supernatural Power of Buddhism by Three Thousand Buddhas, Bodhisattva Ru Yun, Eight Hundred Arhats, Bhikkhunis, Heavenly Kings, and other protectors, was like the splitting of heavens and the earth. Instantly, Zhenwu felt darkness before his eyes and his Primordial Spirit vibrated intensely. He could not help but inwardly exclaim, "This Tathagata truly is formidable, attempting to undermine my authority, seeing my Taoist sect as a joke! But it’s not so easy."

From the Baihui acupoint on Zhenwu’s head, a stream of vital essence surged out, transforming into a mysterious turtle and snake, entwining each other in a manner reminiscent of dragons and tigers, continually empowering Zhenwu’s spirit. That mighty shout was like thunder, but the Great Emperor Zhenwu was like an unbreakable piece of black iron.

The entwined mysterious turtle and snake hissed, emitting a blue light that could not be extinguished even amidst the heavy golden Buddha light of the grand palace.

Looking up, Zhenwu saw a six-zhang-high Buddha sitting at the highest point, his hands forming a Dharma seal, with a straight nose, square mouth, thick eyebrows, and large ears—displaying a compassionate demeanor.

Great Emperor Zhenwu chuckled, "The Buddha Ancestor has quite a way of welcoming. In the future, when the Three Teachings of Ren, Chan, and Jie gather Golden Immortals like clouds, and the Buddha Ancestor comes for a visit, one loud roar will see if the Buddha Ancestor can withstand it."

Tathagata opened his eyes and said, "The Great Emperor Zhenwu truly is a rare guest; naturally, a proper welcome is in order to avoid any breach of decorum."

The Great Emperor Zhenwu replied, "I am not worthy, truly not worthy! After all, the Buddha Ancestor is an incarnation of the Supreme Ancestor Master, how dare I allow the Ancestor Master to receive me?"

This reference to the "Laozi Huahu Jing" was a sharp provocation; the scripture stated Laozi transformed into Siddhartha to spread Buddhism. His words were indeed quite confrontational.

Many Bodhisattvas and Buddhas morphed into Wrathful Vajras, but Tathagata merely waved his hand with an unchanging expression and calmly stated, "That is after all only a folk tale. If the Great Emperor truly believed it, he would have to kowtow three times before meeting the Ancestor Master."

Realizing Tathagata’s cunning in effortlessly neutralizing his offensive, Zhenwu did not persist in harping on the topic of Tathagata using Laozi to propagate the Daoist teachings.

Of course, Tathagata was not about to admit in front of Zhenwu that he wrote that scripture, and he mentioned that monks do not speak false words—a strike at his own face, not too hard nor too soft. However, with such a thick face and a black heart, what could anyone do?

"May I know why the Jade Emperor has summoned me to Mount Meru?" Tathagata inquired.

"The Ancient Buddha might know that there is a Stone Monkey on Flower-Fruit Mountain, actually transformed from the Heaven-mending Crystal Stone of the Queen Mother," Zhenwu stated.

"If you hadn’t mentioned it, I indeed wouldn’t have known." Tathagata calculated for a moment, "Hmm, counting it now, there truly is."

Seeing Tathagata feign ignorance, the Great Emperor said with a smirk, "That Stone Monkey learned Ancient Divine Powers, used them to stir winds and rain, first seizing magical treasures and a set of armor from the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, then caused havoc in the Underworld, followed by a ruckus in the Celestial Palace, even wounding father and son of the Li family. Eventually, he became the Great Sage Equalling Heaven. Just now, he started making trouble again because he wasn’t invited to the Queen Mother’s Peaches of Immortality banquet, thus disturbing the great gathering, and now he is creating havoc in the Celestial Palace. The Jade Emperor has specially sent me to request the Ancient Buddha’s help in subduing this Demon Monkey." The Emperor secretly thought, "Sun Wukong’s mana is indeed strong, and he possesses numerous magical treasures. Against Tathagata, there’s likely no hope of victory, but I may still glimpse and gauge Tathagata’s power!"

The Great Emperor Zhenwu had always been fearless, not even Tathagata could intimidate him. He achieved his Dao in Mount Wudang, and the Daoism of Wudang should not be considered inferior to Buddhism!

The Great Emperor thought to himself that if Tathagata’s true capability were not great, he might spar with him to let him know the prowess of Daoism, though deep down he doubted, for Tathagata could not be that simple; otherwise, how could he contend with Daoism while neither Amitabha nor Zhunti came into the world?

Tathagata nodded slightly and said, "This humble monk will join the Emperor immediately to see this Demon Monkey and take him down on the way."

The Great Emperor Zhenwu said, "Then I am grateful for the Buddha Ancestor’s involvement."

The Buddha of Immeasurable Life said, "Is the Heavenly Court so incompetent? Unable to restrain even a wild monkey? The Buddha Ancestor need not trouble himself; this humble monk will do it."

Though his words were directed at the Heavenly Court, he was implicitly ridiculing the inefficacy of Daoism.

"How bold!" Zhenwu roared, his Mysterious Turtle and Mysterious Snake behind him raising their heads, seemingly ready to fight the Buddha of Immeasurable Life right in the Da Xiong Palace.

Tathagata hurriedly said, "Buddha of Immeasurable Life, won’t you apologize to the Great Emperor Zhenwu?"

The Buddha of Immeasurable Life could only bow towards the Great Emperor Zhenwu and say, "This humble monk spoke out of turn just now, truly an offense. Please, let the Great Emperor not take it to heart."

The Great Emperor Zhenwu laughed and said, "If the Buddha of Immeasurable Life feels his mana surpasses that of Zhenwu, then we might as well have a bout to see who is stronger."

The Buddha of Immeasurable Life squinted his eyes and said darkly, "I have long heard of the Demon-Subduing Emperor’s fame, suppressing all demons under heaven! Today, I truly wish to experience it."

Tathagata shouted, "Buddha of Immeasurable Life, step back!"

The Buddha of Immeasurable Life dared not defy Tathagata and had to bow and retreat.

Tathagata said to Zhenwu, "Demon-Subduing Emperor, while the Demon Monkey is causing chaos in the Celestial Palace, let us not delay any further over trivial matters. Let us quickly proceed to the Celestial Palace and subdue the Demon Monkey."

The Great Emperor Zhenwu glanced at the Buddha of Immeasurable Life, who had retreated into the ranks of Three Thousand Buddhas. If he dared to make a move, Zhenwu was confident he could slay him, even before Tathagata could intervene. He had just mastered a formidable Divine Power; even if they were to clash in Mount Meru, he wasn’t afraid!

As a man of humble origins and rugged boldness, if it weren’t for the grand scheme of the Three Pure Ones, he might have struck already.

After speaking with Zhenwu, Tathagata immediately set off toward the Celestial Palace riding the clouds.

To know what happens next, please follow the upcoming part.