Chapter 323: Chapter 323

After Xuanzang and Sun Wukong returned, the party of four left Thorny Ridge and found the road ahead to be smooth.

They didn’t know how far they had traveled.

One day, as Xuanzang and his disciples were on their way, a large mountain suddenly appeared ahead. It soared into the clouds, looking as if it touched the sky.

Xuanzang looked up and pointed at the mountain, saying, "Wukong, how tall do you think that mountain is? It seems to connect with the azure sky, piercing the clouds."

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "No matter how tall a mountain is, it can’t compare to the sky. How could there be a mountain that reaches the heavens?"

Zhu Bajie frowned and asked, "Brother Monkey, you are mistaken in this. If there are no mountains that reach the heavens, then why is Kunlun Mountain known as the celestial pillar?"

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "You don’t know, since ancient times the heavens are considered incomplete in the northwest. Kunlun Mountain is located at the northwest’s ’Qian’ position, hence it signifies filling the sky and sealing the void, thus named the celestial pillar."

Sand Monk chuckled and said, "Big Brother knows quite a bit. Don’t go telling Second Senior Brother these things, or he will show off to others once again. Let’s just continue on our way; when we reach the mountain we will naturally know its height."

Zhu Bajie’s face turned serious as he feigned anger, "You silly curtain-lifter, how dare you make fun of Old Pig. I’ll take care of you."

Saying so, he cast aside his pack and chased after Sand Monk, and the two of them immediately began to scuffle.

"Fight! Fight!" Sun Wukong cheered on from the side, shouting with glee, "Idiot, stretch out your leg and trip him! Yes! Just like that! Junior Brother Sand, don’t be a coward, charge, charge, charge!"

Xuanzang turned around to look at the two fighting, and with a wry smile, he shook his head. The journey to the West was not just grueling but incredibly monotonous as well.

Watching them playfully scuffle for entertainment, Xuanzang couldn’t help but let a smile appear on his face.

Moreover, after such a long time, Xuanzang had grown accustomed to the changes in his disciples and did not stop them, but instead reminded them, "Be careful, and try not to hurt anyone. I will go on ahead and wait for you. Catch up as soon as you can."

Sun Wukong laughed heartily and said, "Master, please go ahead, I will watch a while longer."

After a while, the two of them were tired of fighting, and they stood up to gather their baggage and continue on the road.

By this time, Xuanzang had already arrived at the foot of the mountain. He saw that the forest within was lush and filled with snakes and insects, with the occasional roar of wild beasts.

Xuanzang narrowed his eyes slightly, but he dared not venture in recklessly and could only wait for his disciples to catch up. Fortunately, Sun Wukong and the others were quick, and within a short while, they had caught up.

Sun Wukong jumped ahead of the horse and chuckled, "Master, don’t worry; let Old Sun clear the way for you."

With that, he let out a roar that startled the birds into flight and scared away the wolves, insects, tigers, and leopards.

Sun Wukong laughed triumphantly and then turned to Xuanzang, saying, "Master, please proceed."

Leading the horse, he guided Xuanzang into the forest.

The group climbed over a ridge, and to the west, they found a flat area. After a short while, they saw auspicious lights and colorful mists.

There stood a pavilion and terraces with chiming bells echoing faintly.

Xuanzang quickly asked, "Disciples, what is the place ahead?"

Sun Wukong shaded his eyes to take a closer look and said frowning, "Master, it’s a monastery. But hidden within that auspicious light and mist, I detect a faint malicious aura. I wonder what the reason could be?"

"Looking at this scene, it seems like Thunder Sound Temple, but it isn’t. When we arrive there, we absolutely must not enter rashly, for fear of coming to harm."

"Thunder Sound? It can’t be this soon, can it?"

Xuanzang looked ahead with furrowed brows.

Sun Wukong also nodded and said, "It’s definitely not! I’ve been to Mount Meru before, so how could I not recognize it? Mount Meru is still a great distance from here!"

Zhu Bajie patted his round belly and said, "Even if it’s not Mount Meru, it must be inhabited by kind people. It’s perfect timing to go in and ask for a meal, to have a good feast."

"After tussling with Sand Monk, Old Pig is already starving."

Sand Monk said, "There’s no need to doubt. Whether it is Mount Meru or not, we will find out when we get there."

Sun Wukong nodded and said, "Junior Brother Sand speaks the truth."

Convinced by this reasoning, Xuanzang spurred his horse on and sped up towards the destination. After a short while, they arrived at the temple gate where they saw the words ’Thunder Sound Temple’ inscribed.

Everyone was stunned by these three words.

"Have we arrived at Thunder Sound Temple this quickly?"

Xuanzang dismounted from his horse and said.

"Brother Monkey, could this truly be Thunder Sound Temple?"

Seeing this, Zhu Bajie was also shocked.

Surprised by this sudden appearance, Sand Monk couldn’t help but feel amazed, as they had thought it would take several more years to reach this temple, and yet, Thunder Sound Temple seemed to have appeared right before them.

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Idiot, are you going blind in your old age? There are clearly four characters above, why did you read only three?"

Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk took a closer look, and indeed, there were four characters - ’Mini Thunder Monastery.’

After some thought, Xuanzang said, "Since this is Mini Thunder Monastery, perhaps there is a Buddha ancestor within. The scriptures mention Three Thousand celestial Kings; it’s likely that these Buddhist Buddhas don’t all reside in one place!"

"Like Guanyin Bodhisattva is in the South Sea, Samantabhadra Bodhisattva is on Mount Emei, and Manjushri Bodhisattva is on Mount Wutai."

"I wonder whose dojo this is. As the ancient saying goes, where there’s a Buddha, there’s a scripture; without a proper place, there’s no treasure. Let’s go in and find out."

Sun Wukong quickly stopped Xuanzang and advised, "Master, there’s probably more danger than good inside. Although your strength is formidable, shouldn’t we still prevent it?"

Xuanzang, confident in himself, had saved many Demons and Monsters along the way. Even if there were Demons and Monsters inside, he was not afraid.

"It’s nothing to worry about, whatever lies inside, we shall not fear it. Besides, with you by my side, what do I have to worry about!"

Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk naturally had no objections.

They really hadn’t encountered anything that could threaten them on their journey thus far.

So, they asked Zhu Bajie to fetch the kasaya and change into a monk’s hat, tidying up their robes and appearance.

Seeing Xuanzang speak , Sun Wukong nodded and muttered to himself, "As the saying goes, ’What will be, will be. If it’s a blessing, it’s not calamity; if it’s calamity, it cannot be avoided.’ With that in mind, let’s go with the flow!"

Just then, a stern voice shouted from within the mountain gate, "Xuanzang, you came all the way from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land to pay homage to Buddha. Why are you being so negligent?"

Upon hearing this, Xuanzang pretended to prostrate himself, while Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk hastily knelt down, kowtowing to the ground.

The three of them proceeded with a step and a bow, moving further inside.

Sun Wukong, leading the horse and packing up the luggage, followed behind the three, all of them heading towards the interior of the mountain gate.

As soon as they entered the second layer of gates, they beheld the Hall of the Tathagata.

Outside the hall, beneath the treasure platform, were arrayed five hundred Arhats, three thousand celestial Kings, four celestial Kings, eight Bodhisattvas, bhikkhunis, upasakas, countless holy monks, and Daoist practitioners – truly a sight of fragrant flowers in brilliance and auspicious air in profusion.

Xuanzang, Bajie, and Sand Monk kept bowing step by step, making their way toward the Sacred Platform. Sun Wukong naturally did not bow.

Even if it were the real thing, he wouldn’t bow.

At this moment, a sharp voice called out from the Lotus Throne, "Sun Wukong, why do you not bow upon seeing the Tathagata?"

Sun Wukong looked up toward the Lotus Throne above and indeed saw a figure sitting there resembling the Ancestor Buddha Tathagata, but upon closer inspection, it was a counterfeit.

Sun Wukong flared in anger, revealed the Jingu Bang, and shouted fiercely, "You audacious fiend, how dare you impersonate Buddha and tarnish the Tathagata’s sacred virtues? Don’t move! Receive a blow from Old Sun!"

As he said this, he swung the Jingu Bang overhead, smashing it down toward the fake Tathagata.

Just then, the fake Tathagata raised his hand and suddenly a golden cymbal flew out, growing in the wind, and in a flash expanded to several zhang in size, catching Sun Wukong off guard. With a clang, he was trapped inside.

It was only then that Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk realized it was a sham and quickly drew their weapons. Meanwhile, the Arhat Bodhisattvas on either side revealed their true forms, which were a group of demons in disguise.

One by one, they cried out in chaos, lunging towards Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk.

Caught by surprise, Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk were surrounded in their midst.

The fake Tathagata on the Lotus Throne also showed his true form; he was the Yellow Brow Monster who gave himself the title Old Buddha Yellow Brow. This monster pulled out a Wolf Fang Club from under him and, with a strange cry, swung it overhead, smashing it down at Zhu Bajie.

Zhu Bajie was busy dealing with the surrounding little demons and couldn’t dodge in time, and was struck down to the ground with a blow.

The nearby little demons swarmed him, pushing Zhu Bajie to the ground and tying him up like a rice dumpling.

Then the Yellow Brow Monster swung his club again toward Sand Monk, who quickly raised the Demon-Subduing Staff to block it. He managed to stop the blow from the Wolf Fang Club wielded by Old Buddha Yellow Brow but was pinned down and unable to move.

At this point, the little demons behind him kicked wildly at Sand Monk’s legs. In pain, Sand Monk fell to his knees, and the surrounding little demons rushed him, capturing the Sand Monk alive and well.

As for Xuanzang, looking at his disciples being defeated one by one, he showed no fear.

In contrast, he brought his hands together and began to recite Buddhist scriptures.

"Hahaha!" Unable to contain his wild laughter, the Yellow Brow Monster mocked Zhu Bajie and the others, saying, "What Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sand Monk? I see nothing but three sacks of wine and rice. With just a small trick from Buddha Lord me, aren’t they easy prey?"

"Take these three away to be locked up. After three days, when the monkey has turned to thick soup, we shall steam them all in an iron cage for our meal! Haha!"

Although the Yellow Brow Monster heard Xuanzang chanting scriptures, he paid no attention and ordered his minions to take away Xuanzang and the others.

However, as some of the little demons approached Xuanzang, their faces showed confusion.

Then, their eyes filled with regret, reflecting on their past wrongdoings.

"What are you doing?"

The Yellow Brow Monster shouted upon seeing his little demons start to chant "Amitabha Buddha."

Yet these little demons completely ignored the words of the Yellow Brow Monster.

They crowded around Xuanzang, protecting him from the nearby little demons that might capture him.

Seeing his little demons suddenly become Xuanzang’s protectors, the Yellow Brow Monster let out a bizarre cry.

Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk, seeing this, couldn’t help but smile.

"Master, save us quickly! You monsters, surrender at once or don’t blame your Grandpa Pig for being merciless!"

Zhu Bajie shouted loudly.

He threw off the hands of a few little demons and guarded beside Xuanzang.

Although Sand Monk was injured, he too shrugged off the little demons and stood by Xuanzang’s side.