The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 286 - 251: Laojun Takes in a Mount_3

Chapter 286: Chapter 251: Laojun Takes in a Mount_3

Wusheng couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this and pulled him up, saying, "I was only joking with you. Even if I went, I am afraid I would have trouble contending with the Rhinoceros King who possesses the Vajra Bracelet, let alone you! However, it’s a pity that he suppressed his cultivation to fight with you, and you still couldn’t defeat him! You lost because of the Vajra Bracelet, not because of him, so it’s not too embarrassing to admit."

Wukong burst into laughter and said, "Sister really sees clearly!"

Wusheng asked, "What brings you to the heavens? Are you looking for Master’s help?"

Wukong replied, "Not at all! It was Tathagata who informed the Arhat about the origins of Rhinoceros King, and then the Arhat instructed me to come to the heavens to find Laojun, asking him to deal with his mount."

Wusheng nodded and said, "I see, Master Primordial must have had his own reasons for sending Rhinoceros King to the Lower Realm."

Wukong laughed and said, "Tathagata himself was out of options, so he sent 18 Arhats with 15 Golden Sand Pills to fight Rhinoceros King. With the Vajra Bracelet in hand, why would he fear any Golden Sand Pills? He just took them all, feeding Laojun in the process!"

Wukong calling "Laojun" was not out of disrespect; "Laojun" is a title of honor, and naturally, he could also address Laojun as Master Primordial.

Wusheng couldn’t help laughing and said, "Master has already calculated the divine alignments; Buddhism is to rise, and although our journey to the West faces many obstructions from us, it will surely succeed. Since you are chosen for the Journey to the West, you must do well. When you enter Buddhism, gather information about the Buddhist sect for us! Also, find out exactly where the Two Saints of the West are."

Wukong solemnly said, "Brother, I was just thinking about that! If Buddhism is to rise, why do we journey to the West at all?"

Wusheng said, "You only know part but not the whole! The Journey to the West is a cooperative effort between Buddhism and Daoism, with the Daoist Sect intervening to reap benefits and simultaneously drain the Buddhist sect’s power. Didn’t you see how it put Tathagata in such a difficult position at the Wuzhuang Temple? Now that we are halfway through, the divine prophecy is clear, and the grand rise of Buddhism is inevitable. Now, with the Nine Heavens aligned, no one dares to defy the heavenly order."

Upon hearing this, Wukong realized something and asked, "Is Laojun in Doulu Palace? I’ll go find him!"

Wusheng smiled and said, "The Grand Master is in Mira Palace; I’ll lead you there."

Wusheng led Wukong to Mira Palace, where they saw the Three Pure Ones sitting together. He hurriedly paid his respects, saying, "Disciple greets the Revered Masters, Laojun, and Master Primordial."

Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader said, "No need for such formalities, get up."

Wukong said to Laojun, "Laojun, you really troubled me by sending that Green Ox Demon to the Lower Realm, and even gave him the Vajra Bracelet. Wasn’t that just making things difficult for me?"

Laozi couldn’t help but laugh and said, "You, Macaca, beyond lawless, now do you realize the power of that bracelet?"

Wukong said, "Of course I do! Laojun, won’t you go to the Lower Realm and take back your mount?"

Laozi said, "Of course I will. However, if Tathagata doesn’t offer me something worthwhile, I will not go!"

Wukong laughed and said, "Tathagata sent 18 Arhats with 15 Golden Sand Pills to fight your mount, and had him take everything, isn’t that enough?"

The Three Pure Ones couldn’t help but smile, finding delight in Tathagata’s awkward defeat.

"All right, then I will descend to the Lower Realm and bring back Lady Si. Lead the way." Laozi stood up, said.

Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader said, "Disciple, as you head to the Western Heaven, with your mana, the journey itself is not perilous, but be cautious of Tathagata resorting to the ’Swap Heaven and Earth’ trick again! However, behaving obediently on the way, Tathagata probably won’t harm you. It’s when you enter the Western Heaven that the real danger begins; remember the ’Heart Sutra’ passed to you by Wu Chao Zen Master!"

Wukong asked, "What’s so wonderful about that scripture?"

Heaven-Penetrating Leader said, "It naturally has its wonders, otherwise Wu Chao Zen Master wouldn’t have imparted it to you. Go on, achieve Buddhahood in the Western Heaven and serve as an insider for our Daoist sect. When the great calamity of heaven and earth comes, it will prove beneficial."

Wukong bowed and said, "Disciple obeys the command!"

Although Heaven-Penetrating Leader was ruthless, he was very good to his own disciples, especially evident in the Battle of Divine Enthronement. Yuan Shi Immortal Monarch, on the other hand, was somewhat prejudiced and unwilling to accept demons as disciples, while Laozi as the Head of the Human Sect, ruled by non-action, only Heaven-Penetrating Leader was indiscriminate in teaching. Indeed, Wukong had a deep karmic connection with him.

Since Heaven-Penetrating Leader had cultivated the Unified Method of the Three Religions, his mana had further improved, almost rivaling Laozi. If there were no Magical Treasures involved, and they were to fight barehanded, it’s hard to say who would win! Among the Three Pure Ones, Laozi had the highest mana, without a doubt.

Wukong led the way, guiding Laozi down the Thirty-Three Skies to the West Cow He State’s Golden Helmet Mountain.

Immediately, Wukong called out, "O demon, come out quickly, Old Sun has brought someone capable of handling you!"

Upon seeing a Taoist in the clouds, the Rhinoceros King came out of his cave and called out, "You’re the monkey who invited..."

Before he could finish, he was stifled as if choked, and Laozi said, "You this Green Ox, not focusing on proper cultivation but descending to wreak havoc! Follow me to the heavens!"

With a flick of his finger, Laozi reverted the Green Ox Demon to its original form, leapt onto its back, and smilingly said, "Great Saint, it was an oversight on my part; I hope you don’t blame me!"

This act of playing along was something Laozi was quite adept at; Wukong then said, "You, old groom, better properly guard your own mount next time, to save Old Sun the trouble!"

Laozi laughed heartily and said, "Of course, of course! Let’s go!"

Sitting atop the Green Ox, he waved his horsetail whisk, and the ox carried Laozi up to the sky.

Wukong entered the cave abode, took the Magical Treasure and weapons, dispersed all the little demons inside, and rescued Tang Sanzang.

To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the following episode.

PS: Two-in-one. (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Starting Point (qidian.com) to vote, buy a monthly ticket, or support us. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)