The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 281 - 248: The Living Fruit Tree - Tang Sanzang Overcomes Difficulties

Chapter 281: Chapter 248: The Living Fruit Tree - Tang Sanzang Overcomes Difficulties

The story tells of how Guanyin, having received the Essence of Heaven and Earth from the Tathagata, arrived at Wuzhuang Temple.

A child reported to Zhen Yuanzi, "Teacher, the Bodhisattva Guanyin, who relieves suffering and distress, has come. It seems she might have found a way to revive the ginseng fruit tree."

Zhen Yuanzi was having tea and chatting with Wukong and Yin Xi in the room. Just a moment ago, all three had witnessed the extraordinary phenomenon in the sky, and being great cultivators, they naturally sensed that something had occurred in the direction of Mount Meru. The Tathagata had no method, so he had to ask the Various Heavens for help. How easy could it be to revive the ginseng fruit tree? The Essence of Heaven and Earth was something that existed only at the time of the creation of the world, such stuff was all in the possession of the likes of the Three Pure Ones, which he certainly did not have.

After inviting Guanyin to enter and sit down and serving her tea, Zhen Yuanzi finally said, "I presume the Bodhisattva must have found a way to revive the ginseng fruit tree."

Guanyin replied, "How could a poor monk have such great ability? It is a method thought of by the Buddha Ancestor."

Zhen Yuanzi could not help but sigh and said, "In order to revive my ginseng fruit tree, the Tathagata has really put on quite a grand display!"

Wukong scratched his ears and cheeks and said, "Just now there was such a commotion at Mount Meru, and there was also a racket in the direction of the Kunlun Mountains to the east. It seems like something big has happened."

Zhen Yuanzi nodded and said, "Exactly! However, since the Bodhisattva is already able to revive my fruit tree, then please, Bodhisattva, make your move."

In her heart, Guanyin knew that Zhen Yuanzi might be connected to the Three Pure Ones. Although they all knew it well, such things were best left unsaid in secret, and mutual understanding was sufficient. There was no need to speak openly. Who knew if there wasn’t some great mystic from Buddhism with their ears pricked up listening?

Buddhism has a divine skill called "Telepathy," which allows one to listen to the hearts of others. The myriad divine skills of Buddhism are varied, and Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are as numerous as hairs on an ox. Guanyin did not know which one might possess such great divine power, but not knowing did not mean nonexistence. It was still better to be careful when doing these things.

If even the Heavenly Court had Thousand-Mile Eyes and Ears that Reach Around the Corners, it would be odd and peculiar if Buddhism lacked such spies and listeners!

For example, Ksitigarbha King’s Di Ting, whose dharma ears could hear all sounds within and without the Three Realms and the Six Paths of Reincarnation, nothing could escape him! Even the Tathagata’s plans for Swap Heaven and Earth were heard by Di Ting completely clean, which is why he was told that this matter could not be spoken of! Ksitigarbha King, who resided in the Underworld for a long time, how could he know of the world’s great events and the scheming of the Three Pure Ones? It was because he had Di Ting as an ear and eye. Even if Saints spoke without setting up an array, Di Ting could still hear it.

"Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi need not be polite. Please lead me to the ginseng fruit tree. Let me revive the tree before it’s too late," said Guanyin with hands clasped together.

"Very well, the trouble you have undertaken, Bodhisattva, is appreciated!" Zhen Yuanzi bowed respectfully and led the way, guiding Guanyin and the others to the backyard.

Upon arriving, Guanyin indeed saw the ginseng fruit tree lying on the ground, already withered. She nodded silently to herself, thinking, "This is a spirit root of heaven and earth; even the creator wouldn’t have the means to bring it back to life with the power of creation from the void! Only the Essence of Heaven and Earth can achieve that."

With that thought, she placed her Tranquil Willow Branch into the Pure Vase. The Essence of Heaven and Earth within the vase was immediately absorbed completely. Then, with a wave of her hand, the essence transformed into a shower of rain, pouring down. She lifted her hand slightly, and the ginseng fruit tree was propped up by her, settled into the pit, and covered with soil. The tree, which had withered before, immediately showed new signs of life. The ginseng fruits that had fallen to the ground flew up again and reattached themselves to the tree.

Guanyin smiled and said, "Excellent, excellent. The ginseng fruit tree has at last been revived. I wonder if Great Immortal Zhen Yuanzi is now willing to release Master Tang Sanzang and his disciples?"

Seeing the ginseng fruit tree revived, Zhen Yuanzi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The Tathagata truly lived up to his title as the Respectful Ruler of the World; he had many methods to the point of reviving the ginseng fruit tree. Zhen Yuanzi folded his hands and said, "As a man of my word, I cannot go back on it. Now that the ginseng fruit tree has been revived, there is no reason for me to continue troubling Master Tang Sanzang and his disciples! Disciple, go to the side hall and invite the Elder from Tang Dynasty and his disciples out. Arrange a proper vegetarian feast for them."

Originally, Buddhism did allow the consumption of meat, only avoiding pungent vegetables such as garlic and onions. During the period of the Southern and Northern Dynasties, Emperor Xiao Yan, who greatly revered Buddhism, then decreed the prohibition of meat. The Tathagata also felt that this was very good, hence he changed the doctrine and commanded all of Buddhism not to eat meat.

Zhen Yuanzi said, "Since the Bodhisattva has revived my ginseng fruit tree, I cannot be stingy. Let’s have a ginseng fruit banquet! I invite the Bodhisattva and all present to join the feast and taste the ginseng fruits together."

As the saying goes, "The fattest water does not flow into the fields of outsiders," and not only is Sun Wukong his junior brother, but Guanyin is now a spy within the Buddhist sect. Doing them a favor wasn’t a big deal and could even showcase the grace of the Taoist sect. It couldn’t be a more appropriate affair.

Zhen Yuanzi held a pepino banquet and invited those present to take their seats. Arrangements were made for tea and precious fruits, and each person was served a pepino.

Although the pepinos were precious, saving face was even more important. Zhen Yuanzi had a hard time, but Guanyin finally stepped in to revive the fruit tree. Naturally, one had to be generous; the Taoist sect’s face could not be lost!

Wukong bowed and said, "Many thanks to the Bodhisattva for your help. Without you, we would have struggled to overcome this challenge!"

The Bodhisattva said, "This ability belonged to Tathagata on Mount Meru. What merit or ability do I have to revive Zhen Yuanzi the Great Immortal’s pepino fruit tree? Wukong, if you want to give thanks, you should thank Tathagata."

Wukong said, "Ha, even if I thank him here, he won’t hear it. But sincerity has its own power, so I’ll just thank Tathagata right here!"

This time, Tathagata had a splitting headache over the pepino fruit tree affair, and now that it was finally settled, he just hoped that Sun Wukong wouldn’t cause even bigger troubles in the future. If Wukong dared to flip Yao Pond or destroy Laojun’s Bagua Oven, then Tathagata truly would be out of options.

If Tathagata could hear Wukong’s words, he might think to himself, "If only you’d cause less trouble for me, then I’d have to thank you!"

It’s not Wukong’s fault this time, as Zhen Yuanzi knocked down his own pepino fruit tree, and Wukong timely took the blame upon himself. As the one seeking scriptures, he was under Tathagata’s protection. If Tathagata didn’t act, it would have seemed unjustifiable, and if the quest for scriptures was interrupted, it would no longer be possible to preach in Southern Toad Continent. Although West Cow He State was good, its destiny was too chaotic; Southern Toad Continent was truly the place where outstanding people belonged.

This time, Tathagata was truly frightened. If Nine Heavens returned, he would probably have some murderous intent, but the universe is impartial. If Nine Heavens acted against him before his karmic forces were due for settlement, it would be destroyed by the Heavenly Dao Laws itself!

Buddha is said to be untainted by karma, but that is not the case. Even saints are affected by karma, let alone Tathagata.

Even someone like Laozi, a saint of Human Teachings, must be cautious when intervening in human affairs to avoid being entangled in major karma and inadvertently defying Heavenly Will, leading to retribution from the Heavenly Dao.

Zhen Yuanzi said to Wukong, "I find myself quite compatible with you. Why don’t we become sworn brothers? In the future, if you encounter any difficulties, you can come to Wuzhuang Temple for help."

Wukong had become sworn brothers with Zhen Yuanzi in his previous life, so he naturally nodded in agreement. He also knew in his heart that Zhen Yuanzi must be his own senior brother. Now formally swearing brotherhood gave him the justified reason to ask him to take sides in the future! After all, this senior brother was an extraordinary figure, a Quasi-Saint no less.

"Since brother has hosted a pepino feast, I, Old Sun, cannot be stingy. Since last time in Heavenly Court, after causing a ruckus and stealing Peaches of Immortality, I still have quite a stash at home. I’ll go get a hundred peaches to help support the event!" said Wukong with a smile.

With that, he rode the clouds to Flower-Fruit Mountain. His Gale Cloud was extremely fast, and he returned in just the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, bringing a hundred peaches to offer to the assembled immortals for tasting.

Zhen Yuanzi nodded silently, thinking, "This fellow is indeed sensible, knowing to win people’s hearts with Peaches of Immortality. The recipients would be indebted to him; if he asks for their assistance in the future, they’d likely feel too ashamed to refuse after accepting his peaches."

Zhen Yuanzi kept Tang Sanzang for a few days. After much insistence on leaving, Zhen Yuanzi finally let them go, watching Tang Sanzang and his companions depart from Ten Thousand Year Mountain and head towards Western Heaven.

With a long laugh, Zhen Yuanzi mounted the clouds and sped off to the Thirty-Three Skies, to see if his teacher had any further instructions.

To find out what happens next, please tune in to the next episode. (To be continued. If you like this work, please support it by casting recommendation votes and Monthly Tickets at Starting Point (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read at m.qidian.com.)