Chapter 732
Underworld Buddhism Brainwashes Wukong
"If you were to run up to the Buddha and say, 'Buddha, something terrible has happened! Jin Chanzi has been reincarnated as a violent maniac who can kill a tiger with one punch and loves to drink blood and skin it,'... just imagine how the Buddha, who has just experienced the destruction of Mount Ling, the draining of his wealth, the massive loss of his merits, and the forced smiles to restart the Journey to the West, would feel upon hearing this news?"
Lin Zhu shrugged.
"He's already exhausted. If you provoke him like this, what if he gets so angry that he loses his composure, his spiritual heart collapses, and he just passes out? Then, who will pay the 'salaries' for the whole Western Paradise at the end of the year... no, who will pay them? Will you, Guanyin Bodhisattva, pay them? Can you afford to pay them?"
This series of rhetorical questions was like a bucket of cold water poured over her head, instantly calming Guanyin down.
She thought of the current dire state of Mount Ling, the gloomy and weary face of Amitabha Buddha, and the deep sense of powerlessness beneath the forced calm of the Buddha... Yes, what the Buddha needs most now is stability, good news of the smooth progress of the Journey to the West, not this kind of "abnormal" report that is enough to overturn perceptions and make people even more desperate!
If she were to report this now, not only might she fail to obtain an effective solution, but it might also worsen the already fragile situation, and could even anger the Buddha to the point of illness... She could not bear the consequences.
Thinking of this, Guanyin deflated like a punctured balloon, her anger and worry forced down, turning into a helpless and heavy sigh.
She began to comfort herself.
'Perhaps... this is merely a lingering effect of the Nine-Turn Great Rejuvenation Pill's excessive potency following the fusion of Jin Chanzi's primordial spirit and physical body, coupled with his previous excessive shock, leading to temporary instability of his mind and lingering demonic energy? As he journeys westward, enduring trials and tribulations, and cleansing his soul, he will naturally return to normal? Yes, that must be it!'
She even subconsciously touched the scroll of the headband she kept close to her body, as if grasping at a lifeline. 'If I put this on that monkey, at least I can ensure he has a powerful henchman. As for Tang Sanzang… let's wait and see.'
Seeing Guanyin's conflicted yet determined expression, Lin Zhu almost burst out laughing in the shadows.
This woman has it tough.
Just then, a pleasant system notification sounded in Lin Zhu's mind.
[Ding! Side quest 'Going with the Flow' completed! Successfully assisted Guanyin Bodhisattva in completing the process of Jin Chanzi's return to his original body and Sun Wukong's formal apprenticeship, ensuring the smooth restart of the Journey to the West project.]
[Quest Reward: 50,000 Merit Waters have been distributed.]
[Ding! An 'interesting' fluctuation has been detected in the subsequent plot of Journey to the West, triggering a series of quests. Life imitates art.]
[Mission Details. Please continue to 'observe' the progress of the Journey to the West, but Guanyin Bodhisattva must pay a small 'price' for allowing you to 'watch the show'. After completing the mission, you may continue to 'watch the show'.]
[Quest Reward: 50,000 Merit Points Divine Water]
[Task Note: Watching a play without buying a ticket isn't being a good audience member. Please have the organizers show some sincerity.]
"Huh? There are consecutive missions? You have to buy tickets to watch a show?"
Lin Zhu was slightly taken aback, then a look of understanding and interest flashed in his eyes. Was the system trying to stir things up even more than expected? And this "price"...the form was unlimited? Quite a high degree of freedom!
He had originally planned to see how far Tang Sanzang's "underworld Buddhism" could go, and now that he could gain merit, why not? It's just that the "ticket money"... he had to think carefully about how to get Guanyin to pay it "willingly".
He suppressed his thoughts and continued to hide to the side, watching the master and apprentice traveling below with great interest.
On the official road
After carrying the tiger carcass weighing several hundred pounds for a while, Tang Sanzang was neither red-faced nor out of breath. He even had the leisure to take out a roasted tiger leg from his bundle, which was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and smelled delicious. He ate it as he walked, his mouth dripping with oil.
Sun Wukong followed beside him, initially finding it difficult to adapt to his master's "fierce" manner. But as they walked, seeing Tang Sanzang's relaxed and even carefree demeanor, which seemed to reflect a sense of "this is life," his initial awkwardness gradually dissipated, and he instead developed a strange sense of identification.
This master, though his methods are a bit unorthodox, is... genuine, unpretentious, and truly capable. He's infinitely better than those pedantic monks who spout benevolence and morality but are actually weak and feeble.
"My disciple," Tang Sanzang said, wiping his mouth after finishing a piece of tiger meat, suddenly speaking with great interest, intending to exchange some insights with his newly accepted "disciple".
"I have been practicing Buddhism for many years, and only recently have I been truly awakened and realized the true essence of the superior Dharma! Looking back on the first half of my life, I followed the rules and strictly adhered to the precepts, which was just like... like a guard dog on a leash, unable to be free, and all I cultivated was superficial!"
He sighed, then his tone became impassioned again.
"Things are different now! I will impart to you the true, supreme essence of Buddhism! So that you too may attain enlightenment and great freedom soon!"
Sun Wukong had no interest in Buddhist teachings and was wondering if there would be more powerful monsters to fight on the way ahead. Upon hearing this, he simply gave a perfunctory "hmm".
But Tang Sanzang didn't care whether he was listening or not, and continued talking with increasing enthusiasm.
"First of all, you must understand that the true essence of Buddhism lies in 'wine and meat pass through the intestines, but Buddha remains in the heart'! What are wine and meat? They are the essence of heaven and earth, highly nourishing, and wonderful things! They strengthen the body, nourish the spirit, and are excellent aids to cultivation! Those rules that require people to abstain from wine and meat are all constraints on cultivators and are heretical!"
Sun Wukong's ears twitched. This... seemed to make some sense? Wine and meat are highly nutritious? It seemed... to make sense? When he was the Monkey King on Flower Fruit Mountain, he lived a life of luxury, indulging in wine and meat.
Seeing that Sun Wukong seemed to have taken it to heart, Tang Sanzang became even more enthusiastic, lowering his voice as if he were imparting some secret.
“To cultivate Buddhism, one must have unconventional methods! It emphasizes ‘no destruction, no construction; constant cultivation, constant renewal’! What does this mean? It means daring to break those outdated rules and regulations, those strict rules and precepts, all of which are tests that Buddha gives to his disciples!”
Let's see if you have the courage to break free from these constraints and clearly see your true nature! The more you adhere to those rules and dare not cross the line, the further you stray from the true Dharma!
Sun Wukong's eyes gradually brightened. Breaking free from constraints? He liked that! Wasn't his rampage in the Heavenly Palace back then precisely because he couldn't stand the Heavenly Court's rules?
“To be specific,” Tang Sanzang began, counting on his fingers, recounting his “Buddhist teachings.”
"For example, do you understand the true meaning of the Eight Precepts of Buddhism?"
Sun Wukong shook his head; he only knew that he couldn't kill or steal.
"Wrong! Utterly wrong!"
Tang Sanzang gave him a "you've been misled" look and said seriously.
"The precepts of Pigsy are not for himself, but for all sentient beings! They are for others to follow! The content is actually..."
First, no one is allowed to kill me; second, no one is allowed to steal from me; third, no one is allowed to prevent me from… uh, from practicing Zen of Bliss; fourth, no one is allowed to lie to me; fifth, no one is allowed to prevent me from drinking… and so on. In short, the core principle is to protect your own rights and restrain the behavior of others! Do you understand?
Sun Wukong was dumbfounded, his monkey mouth slightly open, and after a long while he murmured.
"You...you can interpret it like that?"
He suddenly felt that Buddhism... seemed to suit his taste quite well?
"And there's also the emptiness of the four elements!" Tang Sanzang pressed on while the iron was hot.
"It's not about telling you to take everything lightly or want nothing! It means..."
The Tao must be empty; Heaven must be empty; Earth must be empty; Man must be empty. In short, one must be disdainful of everything, possessing an "I'm a nobody" attitude... having the courage and confidence to surpass even Buddhas and Arhats! In your future travels, remember these eight precepts and the principle of emptiness of the four elements, and you will be invincible! Later, I will teach you the five aggregates, the six thieves, and the correct attitude towards the seven emotions and six desires…”
Sun Wukong listened with rapt attention, feeling as if a completely new, wild, and unrestrained torrent of Buddhist teachings, seemingly pointing directly to his "true nature," overwhelmed his previous understanding! This Buddhist teaching... is too powerful!
It was exactly what this unruly monkey wanted! It was like a revelation, giving his monkey nature a new lease on life and a "sublimation"! All his previous arrogance and rebellion seemed to find "theoretical basis" and "sacred halo" in this set of "Buddhist teachings"!
"Master! Awesome!"
Sun Wukong couldn't help but blurt it out, his fiery eyes gleaming with excitement and approval.
"Disciple understands! This Buddhist teaching... is wonderful!"
Hidden in the clouds, Guanyin Bodhisattva, who had listened to every word of this "Buddhist lecture," was no longer pale, but ashen-white, her body trembling slightly, as if she might fall from the clouds at any moment!
She clutched her chest tightly with one hand, feeling her Dao heart tremble and her soul become unstable. A strong sense of dizziness and absurdity almost swallowed her up!
"Underworld Buddhism! This is utterly and completely underworld Buddhism! A heretical and blasphemous doctrine! Utterly blasphemous!" Guanyin screamed in her heart, so enraged she almost vomited blood! Jin Chanzi!
Where on earth did you learn all this stuff?! This isn't Buddhist scripture; it's clearly the code of conduct of bandits, robbers, and devils disguised in the guise of Buddhism!
She turned her head sharply, staring intently at Lin Zhu, who had an expression of "it's none of my business" but couldn't hide the smile on her lips, and squeezed out a trembling question through gritted teeth.
"It was...it was...you who taught him, wasn't it?!"
Lin Zhu immediately raised her hands, looking "wronged".
"Don't talk nonsense! How could a pure, kind, and upright young man like me teach such... well, unique Buddhism? This is clearly a unique cultivation method that Elder Tang himself realized after experiencing life and death, obtaining the elixir of immortality, and listening to the righteous teachings!"
As the saying goes, "There are countless Buddhist teachings, each with its own path." You can't say someone's teachings are wrong just because they differ from the standard answers from the Western Paradise!
"put……!"
Guanyin almost swore, but forcibly held back, feeling a surge of blood rushing to the top of her head, and her vision blurred.
She harbored resentment.
"Five Directions Protectors! You bunch of useless fools! How have you been monitoring the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi all this time?! Allowing him to come into contact with this utter nonsense?! A cacophony of absurdities fills my ears, a torrent of bitter tears! Journey to the West… Journey to the West hasn't even officially begun, and the pilgrim has already strayed onto the demonic path!"
She took a few deep breaths, barely suppressing her surging blood, and glared angrily at Lin Zhu.
"Lin Yushen! You... what exactly do you want?! The journey to the West is an internal affair of our Buddhist sect! Why have you been spying and causing trouble here?! Leave immediately! Otherwise... otherwise I will have to ask the Buddha to uphold justice!"
These words sounded fierce but were actually weak; she herself knew they had no real power to intimidate.
Lin Zhu picked at his ear, giving him a look that said, "That's not very interesting."
"Tsk, when you needed me to 'mediate' the monkey earlier, why didn't you kick me out? You call me 'sweetie' when you need me, but tell me to get lost when you don't? Is this how you treat friendly people from the Western Paradise who are eager to help?"
He made a move to leave, his tone tinged with grievance.
"Fine, fine, I'll leave, I'll leave, okay? You've taken my kindness for granted. I don't want to watch this lousy show of yours anymore!"
When Guanyin saw that he had actually turned around, she was inexplicably overjoyed! This plague god was finally leaving! As long as he left, perhaps... perhaps Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong could slowly get back on track?
However, just as Lin Zhu's body shifted slightly, and his aura seemed about to completely dissipate—
On the official road below, Sun Wukong, who was listening with great interest and admiring the "new Buddhism," suddenly stopped in his tracks! His fiery eyes, which could see through the illusion, and his keen senses clearly detected the "distance" of the forest's scent!
The excitement and approval on Sun Wukong's face vanished instantly, replaced by a cold arrogance and vigilance.
He grabbed Tang Sanzang, who was still eloquently explaining that "all five aggregates can be broken," and said in a deep voice.
"Master, wait!"
Tang Sanzang was taken aback.
"Disciple, what is it?"
Sun Wukong's gaze swept across the desolate mountains and fields, then he looked up at the seemingly calm sky, a cold smile appearing on his monkey face.
"The aura of the Prison God... Immortal Lord Lin has departed."
"Left?"
Tang Sanzang was somewhat bewildered.
"The Immortal Lord is busy with countless affairs of state, so naturally he cannot follow us all the time."
Didn't he just encourage us to stay focused on our westward journey?
"encourage?"
Sun Wukong chuckled, his tone becoming sharp.
“Master, do you really not understand or are you pretending not to understand? With the God of Hell around, those bald monks in the Western Paradise have some restraint and dare not openly trip us up or play those tricks of ‘tests’ and ‘trials’! Once the God of Hell is gone, who knows what awaits us ahead?”
Maybe it's some bodhisattva or arhat disguised as a monster, coming to 'test' us and then make a fool of us!
He became more and more agitated as he spoke, recalling his past as being plotted against and suppressed by the Buddha five hundred years ago, and the suspicious circumstances surrounding his brother's tragic death. The resentment in his heart combined with the spirit of resistance he had learned in the new "Buddhist teachings," and it all erupted.
"Why did I, Old Sun, follow you westward? I followed the God of Hell's words, 'I am with you,' and I hoped to have the opportunity to flatten Mount Ling and vent my anger in my own way! And by the way... to answer the God of Hell's call and seek my own 'righteous path'!"
He slammed his golden cudgel into the ground with a loud thud, cutting through the railway tracks.
"Now that the God of Hell is gone, and we've lost our backing, who knows what the Western Paradise will do to us? I, Old Sun, don't want to be their puppet anymore, being played around by their 'tribulations'! This journey to retrieve the scriptures is over! I, Old Sun, am going back to Flower Fruit Mountain to continue cultivating my Seventy-Two Transformations! When my cultivation reaches the heavens, it won't be too late to attack Mount Ling!" (End of Chapter)