The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 292 - 257: Golden Horn Brings the Treasure Fan to the Sect

Chapter 292: Chapter 257: Golden Horn Brings the Treasure Fan to the Sect

Wukong was defeated by Princess Iron Fan and hurried from Wuzhuang Temple to Flame Mountain.

Upon arriving at the vicinity of Flame Mountain and finding Tang Sanzang and the others, Zhu Bajie said, "Brother, have you thought of a way to cross this Flame Mountain?"

Wukong replied, "I did think of one, but the person wouldn’t lend me the treasure, so I am out of options. That fan almost blew me out of West Cow He State, I truly have no other choice but to find someone to help."

Sha Wujing asked, "I wonder, Mr. Monkey, whom are you planning to seek help from?"

Wukong said, "Naturally, I’m going to ask the Buddha Ancestor for help! When in trouble, seek the Buddha Ancestor."

He was indeed intent on vexing Tathagata, so in the future, whenever he encountered any difficulties on the road, he would seek Tathagata. As the Scripture Seeker, Tathagata was the sinister hand manipulating the scripture-fetching mission, wholly focused on ensuring its success. Thus, in times of trouble, it was only natural to turn to the Buddha Ancestor.

Sha Wujing asked, "Isn’t Princess Iron Fan Mr. Monkey’s sister-in-law, and moreover a woman? It seems somewhat inappropriate to also seek the Buddha Ancestor’s help for this, right?"

Wukong responded, "What’s wrong with that? Princess Iron Fan holds the Banana Leaf Fan. Even if all three of us brothers went, we wouldn’t be a match for her; she could blow us all away with a single wave of her fan."

Zhu Bajie, although planted by the Jade Emperor as a spy among them, harbored great resentment towards the Jade Emperor due to being born into the wrong life. Knowing that after fetching the scriptures he could also achieve Buddhahood and become an Ancestor, he had long forgotten his role as an inside agent, eagerly anticipating reaching Western Heaven as soon as possible to achieve Buddhahood and thereafter live a carefree life.

If a cultivator fails to become a Buddha or a god, it seems quite indefensible. It’s like how mortals study to serve their country and enter the imperial court to become officials. However, many hermits among cultivators often don’t wish to ascend to heaven and become immortals, confined by numerous rules.

He was once General Tianpeng, possessing great authority; yet now, he had become a demon pig, which truly irked him.

Wukong said to the others, "You all take good care of the Elder; Old Sun will go to Mount Meru to seek Tathagata’s help in figuring out a solution."

Sha Wujing and Bajie responded, and Wukong somersaulted into the air, rushing towards Mount Meru.

Wukong moved extremely fast and soon arrived at the entrance of Da Xiong Palace. The Vajra there recognized him, knowing he must have come to seek the Buddha Ancestor’s help with some issue, and allowed him direct entry to meet the Buddha Ancestor. When had Wukong ever sought Tathagata without being in trouble? It was unknown what trouble he had encountered this time.

Wukong went in, bowed to Tathagata, and said, "World Honored One! We are obstructed by Flame Mountain and wish to cross it using Princess Iron Fan’s Banana Leaf Fan. However, Princess Iron Fan accuses Old Sun of being ungrateful and dishonest, thus she refuses to lend me the Banana Leaf Fan. She fanned me thousands of miles away with one wave, and Old Sun is out of ideas. I seek the Buddha Ancestor’s help."

Tathagata was aware that the troubles at Flame Mountain were instigated by the Three Pure Ones. Setting aside other matters, he was unable to extinguish the flames of the mountain, primarily since they contained elements of the Purifying Purple Flame, a type of fire that only Laojun could handle.

Tathagata formed a Dharma Seal with his hands and said indifferently, "You have embraced the Buddhist sect, how could you be considered ungrateful? They do not understand, pay them no mind."

Wukong then asked, "Buddha Ancestor, do you have any method to help us cross the Flame Mountain?"

Tathagata truly wanted to suggest that Wukong simply carry Tang Sanzang and fly over, but that was impossible. Doing so would surely not sit well with the Daoist sect, leading to interminable disputes. Should the Louguan Sect become problematic, the whole plan could fall into disarray. Louguan represented a formidable alliance of politics and religion, with countless members of the Guanlong nobility practicing Taoist rejuvenation techniques within its ranks, many families even enlisting their heirs into the Louguan Sect for cultivation.

Tathagata said, "Since she refuses to lend it to you, then you must take it by force, use it, and return it to her afterward."

Wukong replied, "Exactly, exactly! But it’s a pity that Princess Iron Fan’s fan is formidable indeed; with one wave, Old Sun gets blown away – how could I be her match?"

Tathagata then said, "Lingji Bodhisattva has a Wind-Calming Pearl. You can take it. Naturally, Princess Iron Fan won’t be able to fan you away. When you approach her, just seize it."

Upon hearing this, Wukong nodded repeatedly, saying, "Very well, then I shall make a trip to Lingji Bodhisattva to ask for the Wind-Calming Pearl."

Tathagata said, "Go then, may you all reach Mount Meru soon, obtain the true scriptures, and achieve True Fruition."

Wukong had left Mount Meru and was heading to Lingji Bodhisattva’s place. He thought to himself, "If the Buddhist sect intervenes, it’s just like bullying Princess Iron Fan by overpowering her. This gives me a reason! Old Bull should also show up, but his mana can’t kill anyone either."

He naturally did not know that the Ox Demon King had already acquired the Chi You Armor, so powerful that he could nearly contend with the creator. Even a Mixed Yuan Golden Immortal of the Second Layer could not penetrate his battle armor. Wearing this armor, he had almost become an Xuanwu, impregnable and of course, his strength had also increased tremendously, as if possessed by Chi You, with just his body alone, he could defeat any unmatched rival across the heavens.

Wukong arrived at Lingji Bodhisattva’s place on a cloud and said to the Bodhisattva, "The Buddha Ancestor mentioned that you have a Wind-Calming Pearl that can counter the Banana Leaf Fan. I’ve specially come to borrow your Wind-Calming Pearl. Please be gracious."

Lingji Bodhisattva, knowing that the Buddha Ancestor had sent Wukong, dared not delay and quickly fetched the Wind-Calming Pearl, saying, "Great Saint, here is the Wind-Calming Pearl. However, the Banana Leaf Fan is a Primordial Magical Treasure that produces a Yin wind. Whether this Wind-Calming Pearl can stabilize the wind from the Banana Leaf Fan, I really do not know."

Wukong took the Wind-Calming Pearl and said, "Then I thank you, Bodhisattva. How could this Banana Leaf Fan be so powerful? Even the Wind-Calming Pearl might not be useful?"

In the past, the Six-Eared Macaque had borrowed the Wind-Calming Pearl to snatch the Banana Leaf Fan from Princess Iron Fan. Since the Princess did not fan him away, it seemed that the Wind-Calming Pearl still had a restraining effect on the Banana Leaf Fan.

Be it Yin wind or strange wind, it’s all just wind after all.

Holding the Wind-Calming Pearl, Wukong then rushed to Flame Mountain. At this moment, Golden Horned Boy arrived at Banana Leaf Cave with a fan in hand.

"Why has Golden Horn Boy arrived?" asked Princess Iron Fan.

"Ms. Iron Fan, the master has sent me to deliver this fan to you. If that Sun Wukong comes later, you can merge the two fans and fan him fiercely," said Golden Horn.

"Ah? If Yin and Yang merge into one, wouldn’t that fan Sun Wukong to death?" Princess Iron Fan exclaimed in surprise.

Golden Horned Boy couldn’t help but smile and said, "The master said that it wouldn’t kill him. He went to Mount Meru to find Tathagata, and Tathagata must have made him come to Lingji Bodhisattva to borrow the Wind-Calming Pearl. When you merge the two fans, fan him hard. He has the Wind-Calming Pearl, so it won’t kill him, but he will definitely suffer greatly."

The power of Laojun’s Banana Leaf Fan, now merged, was extremely terrifying. Even with the Wind-Calming Pearl, it would probably not end well.

Princess Iron Fan couldn’t help but laugh, "So I’ve offended my uncle now, will he scold me afterwards?"

"Ms. Iron Fan, rest assured, Sun Wukong will not blame you. After all, this is the master’s idea. He has received many benefits from the master and should repay some now," Golden Horn said.

Princess Iron Fan accepted the Banana Leaf Fan, merged the two sides into one, and held it in her hand. There seemed to be no change, but those fanned by it would only then comprehend its potency.

Princess Iron Fan laughed, "So will this fan just stay with me now?"

"How could that be? The master still needs the fan for alchemy! Leave the Yin side here with you for self-defense, and if the Yang side is used up, please return it to Doulu Palace. If the master gets angry, then we are in for trouble. He might be smiling all day, but when he truly gets angry, it’s really scary," said Golden Horn.

Princess Iron Fan nodded and said, "Alright! Did the master give you any other instructions?"

"The master said, when those monks from the Buddhist sect come, just kill them and don’t worry about burying them. No matter how many you kill, he will support you. Tathagata can’t trouble you," Golden Horn nodded continuously and said, "The master also mentioned that the Ox Demon King will come to help. You and your husband can kill as many as you can. Even if it escalates to Mount Meru, as long as you are in the right, the master will support you. Just manage the extent on your own."

Princess Iron Fan was overjoyed, "I’ve been quite displeased with those monks, deriding our Daoist sect. Now that they have grown stronger, they deny the Huahu Scripture, which was surely created by Tathagata. It’s truly shameless."

Golden Horn responded a few times, exchanged pleasantries for a while, and then ascended to the heavens.

Wukong, unaware of these developments, was heading toward Banana Leaf Cave, thinking about how to lure out that group of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and get them involved.

As for what dangers lie ahead, please listen to the next episode.