The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 131 - 128: Chen Tuan and Pure Yang Both Offer Assistance

Chapter 131: Chapter 128: Chen Tuan and Pure Yang Both Offer Assistance

The Daoist Equal to Heaven arrived at Guan Jiangkou and once again encountered an old acquaintance. Who could this person be?

Later generations would speak of this revered elder through a poem, which goes:

Ninefold decrees descend, and the purple seal proclaims, content with the depth of skill, he finds joy in secluded tranquillity.

The mountain hues frame his courtyard like a painted screen, the pine sings with a thousand ravines, as if they were strings of a zither.

Without desire for official rank, nor to ascend the high platforms, his aspiration for immortality brings him to the cave’s door.

Regal adornments are but clouds drifting past; worldly thoughts he abandons, wishing to sleep for a thousand years amidst the Three Peaks.

Indeed, it was the long-separated Old Sleeping Immortal, Master Fuyao, Chen Tuan by name. Upon seeing the Daoist Equal to Heaven approaching, he couldn’t help but exclaim delightedly, "I’ve slumbered for a hundred years, and upon awakening, I came here to Guan Jiangkou to visit my friend Yang Jian. To think that the Qi Tian Daoyou would also arrive, how delightful! We must drink together, it’s been far too long."

Upon recognizing Chen Tuan, the Daoist Equal to Heaven said with great joy, "So it is the Master Fuyao himself!"

Chen Tuan responded, "I have a friend who will join us shortly. Yang Jian and Qi Tian Daoyou, please wait a moment, and then we can drink together."

The Daoist Equal to Heaven inquired, "And which friend might this be?"

Chen Tuan chuckled and said, "This friend of mine is quite renowned indeed. Once the great Donghua the Great Emperor, now reborn as the Pure Yang Daoist Lu Dongbin, the leader of the Eight Immortals of the Upper Caverns."

The Daoist Equal to Heaven thought to himself, "As if providence delivers a pillow to one who falls asleep, this Lu Dongbin excels in swordsmanship, and I remember that Liu Bei used to wield a pair of Shuang Gou Swords! Perfect timing to have Yang Jian teach Zhang Fei spear technique, while Lu Dongbin can instruct Liu Bei in swordsmanship! Ha, it seems heaven is truly on my side!" Elated within, he outwardly exclaimed, "Alas! I have just discovered a most inauspicious matter and was about to seek out Yang Jian to leave with me immediately!"

Chen Tuan asked, "What grave matter could this be?"

The Daoist Equal to Heaven explained, "The Spiritual Treasure Celestial Venerable has severed the Han Dynasty’s destiny with a single sword stroke, causing chaos to spread across the land. Buddhism has secretly supported several individuals strong in destiny. I too have found a True Divine Emperor and his Left and Right Aids in the dark. I was about to ask Yang Jian to transmit martial skills to them!"

Chen Tuan, delighted, said, "This is in accordance with the will of heaven; what harm could there be? Let’s go together! I have thought long in stillness and now wish to witness this great change of the Human Path." He then added, somewhat irritably, "The Buddhist sect truly has far-reaching influence, even daring to meddle in the affairs of mortals. Once the Pure Yang Daoist Friend arrives, let us all go and see."

It was not like Ancient Times anymore; interfering in mortal affairs could easily attract great karmic repercussions. Even in Ancient Times, meddling in human affairs required caution. However, Liu Bei, Zhang Fei, and others were laden with destiny, helping them was in line with the will of heaven and could accumulate merit. The subsequent events would need their own scheming, but the Daoist Equal to Heaven was a significant loophole. The inheritance of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors had already ceased, yet he had received Celestial Emperor Fuxi’s heritage, granting him the opportunity to dabble in mortal fates. Even disposing of Cao Cao and Yuan Shao directly would not attract too much karma, but it would surely have some impact.

The last time they combated magic in Luoyang, they halted the eastward spread of Buddhism, but the flow of the Heavenly Dao was inevitable. Emperor Ming of Han understood the principle of maintaining balance and thus introduced Buddhism and built the White Horse Temple. Buddhism then relied on the backdrop of the Huang–Lao School of Thought to begin its spread. By the time of Emperor Huan of Han, the emperor revered Buddhism, allowing it to grow even stronger north of the Yangtze River.

After causing chaos in Luoyang, even Confucius was drawn out, leaving the matter unresolved. Now upon hearing that the Buddhist sect aimed to interfere in mortal fate again, Chen Tuan was furiously determined to intervene.

Chen Tuan’s mana was on par with that of Bodhidharma; with his help, the Daoist Equal to Heaven had more confidence.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven laughingly said, "Perfect! It is heard that Pure Yang Daoist Lu Dongbin’s swordsmanship is peerless. He should pass his techniques to Liu Bei."

The martial prowess of those from the Dao of Immortals is not necessarily superior to that of mere mortals. During the Divine Enthronement in Ancient Times, the Ten Heavenly Monarchs set up the Ten Ultimate Array, which was still vanquished by mortal commanders before the immortals could slay them by luring them into the formation. Take Xiang Yu as an example; without utilizing mana, not many Immortals could best him.

Martial arts is one thing, mana is another, and when combined with martial arts, it becomes something else entirely.

Yang Jian asked, "Does Buddhism truly have such an extensive reach? Have they already intervened?"

The Daoist Equal to Heaven answered, "Could this be untrue? Now that the Han Dynasty’s destiny has been exhausted and eunuchs and corrupt officials run rampant, it’s like twilight over the western mountains. It seems it won’t be long until it falls completely."

Liu Bei had the mandate of an emperor but lacked the Left and Right Aids. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei were his destined Left and Right Aids, having saved his life countless times.

Yang Jian nodded and suggested, "This matter should be attended to with haste. However, if it involves too great a karmic consequence from human affairs, it’s best to refrain from involvement."

The Daoist Equal to Heaven reassured with a smile, "Don’t worry, Yang, I wouldn’t drag you into this. I have already found out who the Left and Right Aids for Liu Bei are. Your spear technique is impressive, and that’s why I’ve asked you to teach them martial arts."

Zhang Fei wielded an eighteen-foot-long Serpent Spear, and though there are subtle differences between spear and staff techniques, imparting spear techniques was not inappropriate. When the time came to see Guan Yu, if Guan Yu also had no martial arts to his name, he would have to ask Yang Jian to teach him a set of swordsmanship, to aid Liu Bei.

In the chaotic era of the Three Kingdoms, each fought based on their own destiny, the victors would become the emperors, while the losers would naturally turn to dust.

The Daoist Equal to Heaven felt regret in his heart, wishing he had found Cao Cao first. By lending a hand at the Battle of Red Cliffs, he could have swept away the forces of Eastern Wu and Liu Bei at once, dominating the Central Plains. However, the Buddhist sect acted too swiftly, leaving him no choice but to go and instruct Liu Bei instead, and sooner or later, he would have to meddle with Eastern Wu. He only lamented that in his past life, he did not read more of history to predict the development of the Three Kingdoms era; otherwise, this game would have been easily won.

He was, after all, one of the People of the Immortal Path, what did the deception among mortals have to do with him? Even if Cao Cao was a cunning hero, he would not feel disdain, nor would he feel any duty to serve Liu Bei, no matter how wise he was. As the saying goes, "A Saint is not benevolent; he regards the people as straw dogs." He had no interest in judging between Liu Bei and Cao Cao, who was righteous and who was heretical. Though he was not a Saint, his perspective was far more profound than that of the secular world; everything was as insignificant as straw dogs.

If it had not been for the Buddhism and Daoism rivalry, the Qi Tian Daoist would not have wanted to get involved. To the Immortals, these mortals were no different than straw dogs, even if they were emperors or generals, within a few decades, they too would naturally turn to dust.

The three waited at Guan Jiangkou for Lu Dongbin to arrive and soon saw a Taoist riding a cloud towards them.

Chen Tuan called out, "Could this be Pure Yang Daoist Friend Lu?"

The person responded, "It is indeed I, humbly visiting Guan Jiangkou for our meeting!"

They quickly went to greet him, and saw the Taoist in flowing white robes, with a handsome and refined appearance, his face as if chiseled from stone, and lips as red as carmine, exuding a noble air that made it clear he was a highly virtuous man!

Chen Tuan laughed, "Now that Pure Yang Daoist Friend Lu has come, we must trouble you for help!"

Lu Dongbin replied with a smile, "Master Fuyao, there’s no need for such courtesy. Whatever it is, just speak openly, and I will surely lend a hand."

Chen Tuan then recounted everything the Qi Tian Daoist had said, and Lu Dongbin joyfully exclaimed, "That’s perfect. Bestowing swordsmanship upon someone destined to be an emperor surely aligns with the will of heaven, and can accumulate virtue! We should not delay; let’s go at once!"

Lu Dongbin and Yang Jian were old acquaintances, since both had served in the Heavenly Court. Chen Tuan introduced Qi Tian Daoist to him, and both bowed in greeting.

"Is this the Qi Tian True Man who defeated King Bodhisattva in Luoyang City and dampened the vigor of the Buddhist sect?" Lu Dongbin asked in amazement.

"Indeed, ’tis but the humble Taoist I, your praise is too generous, Pure Yang Daoist Friend!" Qi Tian Daoist replied with a laugh.

"I’ve long heard of Daoist Friend’s great name; defeating King Bodhisattva and capturing the Monkey Demon Sun Wukong are well-known to me and my fellow Daoists!" Lu Dongbin said.

Qi Tian Daoist was secretly delighted, thinking to himself, "Little do you know, I am that very Demon Monkey!" and with a smile, he said, "I, too, have long admired the great name of Pure Yang Daoist Friend Lu—the Eight Immortals of the Upper Caverns are no small names, and even more so the leader of the Eight Immortals."

Chen Tuan interjected, "If you two Daoist Friends continue with such humility, I’m afraid the sun will set before we’re done. Let’s hurry to find Liu Bei and his Left and Right Aids! Imparting martial arts would be a deed of virtue."

Although Chen Tuan lacked martial prowess himself, he was a man of great mana and warm-heart, and got along with both Yang Jian and the Qi Tian Daoist; naturally, he wanted to join in on the excitement.

Lu Dongbin laughed heartily, "Daoist Friend Chen Tuan speaks the truth; let us continue discussing as we go, and after the matter is taken care of, we can sit down for a leisurely drink and discussion. Only then can we truly enjoy ourselves!"

"Exactly, exactly!" the other three echoed in unison.

The four soared on clouds together, with Qi Tian Daoist leading the way to Zhuo County.

Accumulating virtue is indeed a splendid endeavor; with virtue comes a strengthening of destiny, and if one accumulates enough, it might even lead to becoming a Saint.

However, becoming a Saint is no easy feat. The two Saints of The West established the religion with their own virtuous deeds, and only after Zhunti had a grand daylight dream, dreaming of the primordial chaos did he achieve enlightenment and become a Saint. Amitabha Buddha made great vows, attracting countless offerings of incense before he attained sainthood. Merely following the heavenly way and teaching these people martial arts could count as minor virtue; though trivial, it is better than none, and having virtue is always better than not having it.

Moreover, this matter seems to be tied to the contest between Buddhism and Daoism. As the leader of the Eight Immortals of the Upper Caverns and a bona fide disciple of the Taoist Sect, how could Lu Dongbin stand idly by?

To find out what happens next, please tune in to the following Chapter.

PS: The reason this volume leans towards Liu Bei is that the Cao Wei doesn’t have as many stories to write about.