The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 196 - 191: Ghost Hero Guan Yu of Jade Spring Mountain

Chapter 196: Chapter 191: Ghost Hero Guan Yu of Jade Spring Mountain

Princess Iron Fan misunderstood Tao Yao and they came to blows, but after a few brothers explained, she finally understood the reason.

The Jade-faced Fox was hidden somewhere neither Ox Demon King nor the brothers disclosed, and no amount of questioning could extract the information. With no other recourse, Princess Iron Fan could only wait at Flower-Fruit Mountain for the Ox Demon King.

Unbeknownst to her, at this time, the Ox Demon King had already stealthily returned to the Cave Moyun at Accumulated Thunder Mountain, and Hu Li accompanied him. Employing a ploy akin to the golden cicada shedding its skin, they reveled in amorous affections within the cave, leaving poor Princess Iron Fan at Flower-Fruit Mountain to await the Ox Demon King in vain!

The Ox Demon King had informants planted at Flower-Fruit Mountain, receiving daily reports, and he planned to return only after Princess Iron Fan had left.

Considering that the woman was still seething with rage, it was best not to provoke her further. Moreover, divorcing her was utterly out of the question—daring to divorce Princess Iron Fan would be tantamount to slapping the face of his patriarch. Could Laojun let him off? Would the Green Ox spare him? Thus, he resolved to return and humbly apologize as soon as her anger subsided.

Hu Li, on the other hand, didn’t mind that the Ox Demon King had a family. Being forlorn and alone, finding a man she liked wasn’t easy. Her only concern was what would happen if she ever faced Princess Iron Fan?

Enlightenment Dao witnessed the Battle of Red Cliffs where Sun-Liu Allied Forces triumphed, and Cao’s Army retreated in major defeat, their vigor significantly damaged. With Liu Bei borrowing Jingzhou and never intending to return it, and leveraging the strategic prowess of Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong, they seized Yi Province, looking towards Western Shu, their power steadily growing.

In ancient times, during the Dragon-Phoenix Calamity, dragons and phoenixes were inherently discordant. Zhuge Liang, with the Dragon Encircling fate, and Pang Tong, the fledgling phoenix, were at odds. The mature dragon naturally overpowered the fledgling phoenix, who met an untimely end under a hail of arrows at Falling Phoenix Slope, succumbing to the fate of the dragon-phoenix strife. Nonetheless, possessing either the dragon or phoenix could dominate the world. With Liu Bei still having Zhuge Kongming on his side, it was no surprise that Zhuge Liang, as a disciple of the Human Sage, was invincible. Western Shu was already within their grasp.

Seeing the tripartite division of the realm solidifying, Enlightenment Dao felt at ease. As these individuals were watched over by sages in the shadows, no issue was likely to arise, allowing him to calmly continue his spiritual cultivation and comprehend Hunyuan.

Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal First Layer corresponds with the Tao Fruit Realm, where one fuses Yin and Yang Qi with the True Qi within to forge a Primordial Dao Fruit. Once the fruit is formed, mana naturally undergoes earth-shaking transformations. As the quality of the Primordial Dao Fruit enhances the True Qi, the quantity also substantially increases, far surpassing that of the Daluo Golden Immortal.

The second layer deals with the Laws. At this layer, one must touch upon the Heavenly Dao Laws, understand their mysteries, and then integrate them. Mastery over the Laws allows for adept application. Above that is the Creation Boundary. Those reaching this realm are few and can create amid the void, constructing secret realms; finally, comes the continuous pursuit of understanding the Great Dao, achieving Quasi-Saint, stepping beyond to become a Semi-Saint, and above that is the Saint of Primordial Limitless.

Enlightenment Dao was at the peak of Daluo Golden Immortal, the Third Heaven Indestructible Realm, where a mere thought of immortality could bring resurrection. Now, to advance further was extremely challenging. Amassing a great deal of True Qi was necessary to condense the Primordial Dao Fruit, and furthermore, Wukong and Daoist Equal to Heaven had to undergo a Heavenly Tribulation to purify the Primordial Spirit and reach this realm. Although they were one in three entities, this brought about considerable complications.

This significant realm required all three entities to cross simultaneously, but Daoist Equal to Heaven and Wukong had yet to experience the refining of the Primordial Spirit by Heavenly Tribulation. With an impure Primordial Spirit, they could not form the Primordial Dao Fruit.

Yet, accumulating some comprehension of Hunyuan was still beneficial. Daoist Equal to Heaven had spent twenty years in Yuxu Palace listening to lectures, and now he ventured to Mira Palace to learn from the "Yellow Court Classic." Enlightenment Dao was slowly understanding the principles spoken by the Saints, and the notes from Spiritual Treasure Celestial Venerable in Wukong’s possession were exceedingly useful.

In the Dao of Immortals, years of cultivation passed in the blink of an eye, and several more years slipped by.

Turning to the Heavenly Court’s Hook Chen Palace, Emperor Chen furrowed his brow, saying, "It seems fate cannot be defied. Guan Yu possessed the fate of the Left Assistant, but the malignant energy of Break Army dominated. Having met his demise at Mai City, his end was predetermined. With Guan Yu gone, the life patterns of the Three Stars are all diminished. Zhang Fei and Liu Bei are bound to their fates as well. Genius as Zhuge Kongming is, it’s uncertain if he can turn the tide and save the nation after these three perish."

A Celestial Official reported, "Your Majesty, Guan Yu met his defeat at the hands of Lu Meng and has met his fate. In a rage, Zhang Fei flogged his followers, not anticipating rebellion. He fell to his subordinates Fan Qiang and Zhang Da, who decapitated him and defected to Eastern Wu. Liu Bei’s army of seven hundred thousand suffered a crushing loss at the hands of Lu Xun, with Western Shu’s once thriving fortune now on the decline!"

Upon hearing this, Hook Chen Great Emperor nodded and said, "No need to intervene; if the Buddhist Sect hasn’t taken action, we shall not either. Let us see what plans Zhuge Kongming has. After all, he carries the intellectual lineage of the Human Sage. It remains to be seen whether he can reverse the dire straits."

The Celestial Official responded, "Understood!"

Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei, as brothers, had fates that complemented each other. With Guan Yu perished, it was inevitable that Zhang Fei would no longer have a chance to live. His subordinates, Fan Qiang and Zhang Da, cut off his head, and with Liu Bei disregarding Zhuge Liang’s advice and commanding an army of seven hundred thousand to battle Eastern Wu, he met a fiery defeat at the hands of Lu Xun. Had it not been for Zhuge Liang’s miraculous Eight Trigram Formation confining Lu Xun’s forces, whether Liu Bei could have returned to Baidi City remained uncertain.

Zhuge Liang, entrusted with the care of Liu Bei’s heir, was profoundly grateful for the late Emperor’s favors and resolved to dedicate himself to serve the Han Dynasty to his utmost. However, Zhuge Liang was overly taxed by his responsibilities. Meticulously managing each matter caused severe depletion of his energy. Despite his young age, his appearance bore many white hairs, seemingly presaging an untimely fate.

Meanwhile, atop Mount Meru in the Western Heaven, Tathagata projected a strand of his Primordial Spirit and summoned the Wisdom Bodhisattva to the inner hall.

Wisdom Bodhisattva paid his respects and asked, "Does the Buddha Ancestor have any instructions for me?"

Tathagata nodded, "Naturally, there’s a matter of great importance. The Great Han’s exuberance is extinguished, and the realm is divided into three. Among Liu Bei’s men was one named Guan Yu, a man of extraordinary loyalty and bravery, possessing the strength to stand against ten thousand. Regrettably, he has perished, but like the Ghost Hero Xiang Yu of times past, he is destined to receive endless incense offerings in future generations. He has a deep connection with our Buddhist Sect, and you are to guide him to our West Cow He State, where I shall personally help him achieve enlightenment."

Wisdom Bodhisattva inquired, "May I ask where I might find Guan Yu, and if the Buddha Ancestor could guide me?"

Tathagata calculated for a moment and replied, "He met his end in Jingzhou and is now a formidable ghost. Neither Black and White Impermanence nor the Yin Gods of the Underworld dare to claim his soul. In Jingzhou, there is a mountain called Jade Spring, laden with heavy Yin energy. Guan Yu resides within Jade Spring Mountain, and you are to guide him to West Cow He State."

Wisdom Bodhisattva pressed his hands together and said, "I shall go and guide Guan Yu, but I am unsure of what rank he should be awarded within our Buddhist sect."

Tathagata said, "He is our Ganlan Bodhisattva, the right protector of our Buddhist sect... Ah, this man also has a fate with Virudhaka Bodhisattva. You go guide him first, and I’ll have Virudhaka follow shortly."

Wisdom Bodhisattva bowed and said, "I am on my way!"

Tathagata nodded and replied, "Go, go!"

Wisdom Bodhisattva’s primordial spirit returned to his body, he silently left the Da Xiong Palace and, becoming a golden light, dashed toward Jade Spring Mountain in Southern Toad Continent Jingzhou. Let us leave him be for the moment.

Let’s talk about Tathagata, who called upon Virudhaka Bodhisattva. What did this Virudhaka Bodhisattva look like? He had a smooth face without a beard, wore armor, and had flying ribbons over his shoulders. With hands pressed together, he rested a Vajra Pestle upon his arm, appearing most formidable! Virudhaka Bodhisattva was tasked with building a stupa to enshrine a sharira, which, after Duobao Tathagata’s nirvana, was divided amongst countless places. However, it was unexpectedly stolen by a rakshasa ghost. Virudhaka pursued the ghost furiously, slaying it and retrieving the sharira, for which he was endlessly praised by all Buddhas. Thus, he achieved his rank, becoming a celestial protector of the left within the Buddhist sect.

However, it was unclear whether this Virudhaka Bodhisattva was the real figure from the past or a fabrication of the Tathagata himself. This remained a mystery.

Virudhaka Bodhisattva asked, "What task does the Buddha Ancestor call upon me for?"

Virudhaka had just arrived from his own holy ground, for the Buddha Ancestor had been preaching for many years—it was impossible for everyone to be in the Great Thunderclap Monastery listening to his sermons all the time. Otherwise, who would take care of the affairs of Buddhism? Some busy Bodhisattvas would come and go, arriving lightly and departing quietly, without disturbing others.

Tathagata said, "You are the left protector of our Buddhist sect, and now our right protector has been born to meet the tribulation. He is the valiant warrior of Western Shu, Marquis of Hanshou Pavilion, Guan Yu, who has been defeated by the hands of Lu Meng and beheaded. He is now causing disturbance on Jade Spring Mountain in Southern Toad Continent Jingzhou. You are to guide him to our Western Heaven. However, you may encounter obstruction from the People of the Immortal Path, so you must be very careful."

Virudhaka Bodhisattva, overjoyed with this important task from the Buddha Ancestor, bowed and exclaimed, "I shall not fail the trust the Buddha Ancestor places in me and will guide Guan Yu to the West."

Tathagata nodded and said, "Ah, once Guan Yu has been guided here, he shall immediately receive his true fruition, become a Ganlan Bodhisattva, and enjoy endless offerings of incense in the future ages, which is of great importance to our Buddhist sect. You must bring him here!"

Upon hearing this, Virudhaka Bodhisattva dared not delay and replied, "I understand, and will carry out the task right away. The Buddha Ancestor can rest assured and await the good news."

The Buddha Ancestor nodded repeatedly and said, "Go, go!"

Virudhaka Bodhisattva joined his palms respectfully, made a bow, became a golden light, and exited the Da Xiong Palace, descending from Mount Meru toward Jade Spring Mountain in Southern Toad Continent Jingzhou. Let us leave him be for the moment, too.

Now, about the Heavenly Court—the Great Emperor Zhenwu was observing the stars one night and deduced Guan Yu’s destiny.

Great Emperor Zhenwu thought to himself, "This Guan Yu ought to become one of my marshals and in later ages, he could even be promoted to a Great Demon Banishing Emperor. Though he may not be recognized within the orthodox Heavenly Court, his worship in the mortal world would be tremendously flourishing. With such loyalty and valor, he is worshipped by countless people. Such a person with a tremendous fate should certainly be guided under my leadership."

The Great Emperor Zhenwu left the Demon-Subduing Great Hall, performed a spell, and released a strand of his primordial spirit, which arrived atop Mount Wudang in the Southern Toad Continent.

A statue of the Great Emperor Zhenwu was worshipped on Mount Wudang. Suddenly, the statue began to shimmer with divine light. A young Taoist boy saw this and hurriedly rushed out.

"Sect Leader, Sect Leader! The Patriarch has revealed his divine presence, the Patriarch has divine presence!" the Taoist boy shouted loudly.

The Sect Leader was none other than Zhang Junshi who had dueled with Bodhidharma in Luoyang. His Tai Chi Fist was so astonishing that even the Daoist Equal to Heaven was covertly learning from it, trying to understand the principles of integrating Yin and Yang Qi. Within his Tai Chi Fist lay the mysteries of the universe’s creation and destruction. Truly comprehending it could substantially enhance one’s cultivation.

Zhang Junshi quickly set aside the scroll he was reading and entered the True Martial Great Hall. Seeing the True Martial God Statue radiating golden light, he immediately knelt in worship.

"Your disciple Zhang Junshi pays homage to the Patriarch!" Zhang Junshi called out.

The Wudang Sect was founded by the Great Emperor Zhenwu when he achieved his Daoist immortality; naturally, Zhang Junshi referred to him as Patriarch. Principally, the Wudang Sect venerated the Great Emperor Zhenwu, and the Three Pure Ones were somewhat secondary. Although the Three Pure Ones were the ancestral deities of Daoism, each sect mainly worshipped its own founder, such as the Shushan, the Complete Truth, and the Taoism of the Heavenly Masters—they all did the same.

If you wish to know what happens next, please listen to the following Chapter. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian.com. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile readers, please visit m.qidian.com to continue reading.)