The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 123 - 121: Bodhisattva Descends the Mountain to Meet Zhuangzi

Chapter 123: Chapter 121: Bodhisattva Descends the Mountain to Meet Zhuangzi

It was when Guanyin, obeying the command of Tathagata, headed to Dongsheng Immortal State to capture and kill the perpetrator who harmed Ananda and Kasyapa, that she encountered Zhuang Zhou.

Zhuang Zhou thought to himself, "Just when I wish to ascend to heaven, someone comes to disturb me every now and then. Truly, there’s no peace to be found! I wonder who this is, their mana is not weak."

Guanyin said, "Esteemed Taoist friend, you have injured two venerable members of our Buddhist sect. Please accompany me back to Mount Meru to meet with Buddha Ancestor and explain the reasons. Otherwise..."

"Otherwise, you will have no choice but to fight with me, right? Those two bald donkeys have repeatedly blocked my way and caused me trouble. Do you think I should speak to them with a smile? Is your Buddhist sect so untouchable like a tiger’s behind that it cannot be provoked?" Zhuang Zhou, upon hearing Guanyin’s words, couldn’t help but become enraged.

Hearing his offensive outburst, Guanyin also felt a surge of anger, saying, "This Taoist friend really should put a lock on that mouth of his! Otherwise, disaster comes forth from the tongue, and you may suffer an unprovoked attack."

Zhuang Zhou retorted, "Let’s see if you have the ability to make me suffer that unprovoked attack!"

Unable to come to terms, the two began to fight fiercely. Guanyin formed a Dharma Seal, and behind her appeared a golden Buddha image holding the Sword of Wisdom, which is used to sever worldly delusions and gain great wisdom. It was a signature Magical Treasure of the Buddhist sect. Seeing that she drew her sword the moment she got angry, it was clear that she was also provoked by Zhuang Zhou. Zhuang Zhou himself did not realize that he had been wrongly blamed and, facing repeated provocations from the Buddhist sect, was no longer merciful.

Zhuang Zhou pinched a spell, and a Dharma Sword appeared in his hand. As the two of them threw their swords into the air and engaged in a fierce battle of flying swords, no one could gain the upper hand over the other throughout a dozen rounds.

The Bodhisattva pulled out a tranquil willow branch from her Pure Vase, transforming it into a soft whip. With a flick, it caused the void to tremble. When she whipped forward, it stretched taut like a great spear.

Zhuang Zhou, although rarely engaged in combat, was still a Taoist expert and had perfected his Techniques and spells over many years. He conjured a huge shield of mystical ice, a skill he had mastered to the point of perfection. When the Bodhisattva’s whip struck the shield, it cracked crisply, almost breaking it open.

"Sky-Overshadowing Seal!"

Zhuang Zhou waved his left hand and lifted it high before forcefully slamming it down, as if turning into a vault of heaven.

This attack was not a transformation of Guang Chengzi’s magical treasure, but a Taoist Art comprehended by Zhuang Zhou himself. With one seal, it turned the world upside down and was a quintessential hand seal technique of the Daoist.

Guanyin inwardly marveled, "Where did this Taoist come from, possessing such mana? Even as a Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal of the First Layer, I might not be his match."

The Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal First Layer is within the Tao Fruit Realm, where one congeals a Primordial Dao Fruit within, preparatory for achieving the Primordial Great Way. The second layer is the Law Realm, and the third layer, the Creation Boundary. Her mana at this first layer was already immensely formidable. Within and beyond the Three Realms, there were few adversaries.

In haste, Guanyin raised the Pure Luster Crystal Vase, emitting beams of blue light that filled the sky. Zhuang Zhou’s palm came crashing down on the vase, which had grown to the size of a small mountain, and struck it with a crisp sound, causing Guanyin’s heart to tremble as she exclaimed, "Such great strength! His Sky-Overshadowing Seal might not be on par with Guang Chengzi’s, but the difference is negligible."

"Whoosh!"

With a roaring sound, Guanyin shook her arm, and all the willow leaves fell from the branch, transforming into flying knives that circled and sliced through the void, creating a grating noise that could make one’s teeth sour. There were thirty-six flying knives in total, targeting the thirty-six major acupoints around Zhuang Zhou’s body, and they were extremely sharp!

Zhuang Zhou changed his hand seals again, performing a technique Guanyin had never seen before. He declared, "Magnificent Righteous Qi, envelop my body! Righteous Armor!"

He summoned the vast righteous qi between heaven and earth, transforming it into armor that instantly covered his entire body. The flying knives struck against it, producing sparks, yet they could not penetrate the armor.

Guanyin cried out, "Which sage of Confucianism are you? Why must you make things so difficult for our Buddhist sect?"

Zhuang Zhou thought to himself, "Although my philosophies differ from Confucius, the essence of scholarship is to adopt the strengths of the Hundred Schools of Thought. Having learned some of Confucius’ teachings and further pondering them, they have indeed proved quite useful. The magnificent righteous qi mobilized by Confucianism is indeed powerful!" Hearing Guanyin’s shout, Zhuang Zhou responded, "I am not a Confucian scholar, but a Taoist sage! You have mistaken my identity! Observe my Magical Treasure!"

Zhuang Zhou raised the "Free and Easy Wandering" manuscript he had personally written. The bamboo slip unfurled, hovering in mid-air, and its characters, drawn like dragons and snakes, manifested and transformed into a colossal Kunpeng. With a mere spread of its wings, it spanned thousands of miles, eclipsing the sky. Opening its mouth wide, it attempted to inhale Guanyin.

Guanyin was frightened out of her wits by this attack, inwardly exclaiming, "This must be Zhuang Zhou! That scroll is the ’Free and Easy Wandering’!"

The writings of Human Sages could almost be considered magical treasures unto themselves. During the battle between Daoist Equal to Heaven and King Bodhisattva in Luoyang, Dong Zhongshu’s writing "Shi Bu Yu Fu" was summoned, which defeated King Bodhisattva. If it weren’t for the timely arrival of Five Directions Kaide brandishing the scriptures of Buddha Ancestor, perhaps that attack could have cost King Bodhisattva his life then and there! Zhuang Zhou’s knowledge was naturally far greater than Dong Zhongshu’s, and the power of his manuscript was incalculable. What was even more fearsome was that the manuscript connected to the will of the ancient Kunpeng. A "Zi" who is acknowledged as a Human Sage is truly not to be trifled with.

The Bodhisattva quickly shifted the Pure Luster Crystal Vase in front of her to block the tremendous suction. Kunpeng’s wings shook and its feathers fell, transforming into weapons such as knives, spears, swords, halberds, axes, maces, hooks, and forks, comprising the eighteen types of arms, which all attacked the Bodhisattva at once. The assault was overwhelming with blades and swords falling like rain, inescapable as a veritable storm of blades.