Chapter 313 Extra Chapter: When the Journey to the West is Full of Our Own People (9)
Amidst constant fighting and peaceful evolution, Tang Sanzang and his disciples swiftly overcame one obstacle after another, even turning the water of the Mother River in the Women's Kingdom into a wildly popular item.
What seemed like a long journey was now more than halfway over, and the destination was in sight. Meanwhile, the debate between Buddhism and Taoism continued, and the reputation of the Heavenly Court and Buddhism as "black-hearted capitalists" in the Three Realms inexplicably spread.
A turbulent river stretches across Lingyun Ferry, its waters rushing and roaring. A single log bridge spans the river, all alone between the two banks. Narrow and without any protection, it sways slightly in the fierce wind, as if it might be swept away by the swift current at any moment.
"Amitabha." Tang Sanzang clasped his hands together, wondering if this time the test was on their balance? Walking on a log bridge?
Before he could continue speaking, an elderly boatman with white hair hurriedly rowed by in a bottomless boat.
“Holy monks, please come aboard the boat. This boat can ferry you across the river.”
"The boatman looks very anxious, could it be a trap?"
Bajie was unusually wary, but Wukong glanced at him dismissively and said, "What are you afraid of? We've come this far."
Sha Wujing looked at the boatman, then at Tang Sanzang, and said with a simple and honest expression, "I feel like the boatman is more afraid of Master doing something."
Upon hearing this, all three except Tang Sanzang fell silent.
"The monk master... is indeed a martial monk."
Wukong's words were quite tactful. Bajie and Sha Wujing nodded in unison, and even the White Dragon Horse uttered two "huihui" sounds. Sometimes, they were just too much like the stereotypical image of a martial monk: high in combat power, irritable, and focused on efficiency.
While they were discussing, the "Martial Monk" Tang Sanzang had already stood on the boatman's boat and waved to them: "Disciples, come quickly, let's hurry and cross the river."
The group boarded the boat and traveled to the middle of the river when suddenly, a corpse drifted slowly downstream.
Perhaps fearing they might misunderstand, the boatman quickly congratulated Tang Sanzang: "Congratulations, Holy Monk! Holy Monk, do not be afraid. This is merely your mortal form. Now you have been reborn and are about to attain enlightenment."
"What an emotionless congratulation," Bajie muttered under his breath. "He's so afraid of Master's beating, his eyes never left the staff."
Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang paused for two seconds, then asked a question: "Doesn't this count as polluting the water source? Has no one retrieved the body? Won't this have a negative impact on the people downstream?"
The boatman was silent for two seconds, his face turning pale, before he tried to cover up his mistake: "Haha... good question. This corpse, well, it's just a mortal body. As for him... as for him... I'm just an old boatman who only ferries people across the river. I don't know anything. Holy Monk, please don't hit me!"
“Amitabha, benefactor, do not be nervous. Monks are compassionate and do not like to fight.”
"Yes, yes, monks are compassionate."
The boatman's smile was more like a grimace, and he said little more; his hair was gray. But he rowed the boat very fast, as if he couldn't wait to get them off.
Wukong and his companions looked at each other, gaining a completely new understanding of Tang Sanzang's intimidating power.
[This boatman, at his age, still had to go through such a terrifying ordeal; Buddhism is truly heartless!]
Can't we just let people retire peacefully? Do we not want to provide them with pensions?
[Here's a joke: Tang Sanzang was compassionate.]
To be honest, Tang Sanzang was a martial monk.
[Don't target our Master of the Three Burials like this; he didn't even lay a hand on us.]
Based on my experience following this story, I'm certain that Sanzang has a strong sense of tracing back to the source; he won't harm the boatman. But he'll definitely find the person in charge, so who's waiting in the Great Thunder Temple?
[Amitabha Buddha, I suddenly have a feeling and am preparing to go into seclusion. Is there any friend who can cover for me?]
What is your position?
[Reception at Da Lei Yin Temple]
Rest in peace
...
"Lingyun Ferry is not under our jurisdiction!"
They finally arrived at the Great Thunder Temple, and to everyone's surprise, the first thing the Venerable One, who was waiting for them in front of the temple, said was this.
The man silenced them all at once. Wukong felt that he had never had such a powerful presence when he was the Great Sage Equaling Heaven. It had to be the Three Burials Master.
However, Tang Sanzang remained unfazed, as if he hadn't heard anything, and respectfully said, "Disciple Xuanzang has come from the Great Tang Dynasty in the East, enduring countless hardships, all for the sake of obtaining a way to save the world and its people."
Ananda and Kasyapa's lips twitched. Who was really going through all that hardship? Buddhism's reputation was almost ruined because of this. If they weren't still live-streaming, they would have quit too.
"Come with me."
The two led Tang Sanzang and his disciples to the Sutra Repository to retrieve the scriptures.
On the way, looking at the unusually quiet Great Thunder Temple, Wukong asked familiarly, "Why are there only two Venerable Ones here? The journey to the West to obtain the scriptures is no small matter. Why don't we see the old man Tathagata... I mean, the Buddha?"
Faced with this genuine "Buddha's offspring," what could the two say? They could only pretend not to have heard his address. Kasyapa tried his best to remain calm and explained, "The Buddha has gone to discuss the Dharma."
"Discussing the Dao?" Pigsy poked his head out. "It can't be..."
Anao nodded, "Yes, it was the debate on Taoism in Chechi Kingdom."
"Even Buddha has gone?" Sha Wujing was shocked.
"There was no other way; even Laozi, the founder of Taoism, went there."
After hearing Ananda's answer, Bajie gave Wukong a thumbs up: "Sure enough, it's your dad who knows how to cause trouble."
"How dare you speak like that?" Wukong slapped Bajie's hand away and grinned at him. "My father was merely providing everyone with an opportunity for friendly communication."
"Yes, yes, friendly exchange."
Bajie pouted and muttered under his breath, "As expected, I can't get along with you guys who are obsessed with your brothers and your fathers."
"Are these all scriptures for us?"
Sha Wujing walked to Tang Sanzang's side and looked at the books on the shelf with him. He then turned and stared at the two venerable ones in astonishment.
"Yes, you are welcome to choose as you like."
Ananda and Jiaye smiled, clasped their hands together in a gesture of respect to the group, and then left the Treasure Pavilion, leaving the space to them.
"Postpartum care for sows, three high-yield grains, scientific planting techniques, paving roads with cement... are these the scriptures for saving the world and the people?"
Faced with Pigsy's question, Tang Sanzang carefully opened the book, his voice trembling, "How can it not count?"
...
"Everyone, we have obtained the scriptures. The final challenge of this journey to the West is approaching," Ananda and Kasyapa looked at Tang Sanzang and his disciples with encouraging expressions. "Without resorting to magic, we will use the fruits of human wisdom to help us usher in a prosperous era."
"Amitabha Buddha, your disciple obeys."
Tang Sanzang and his disciples, including Ao Lie who could transform into human form, looked at each other, their faces filled with piety, and earnestly accepted this last task.
He turned around, carrying the scriptures, and walked back with a proud and imposing air.
"Master, you're a martial monk, are you sure you can do this?"
"I am only slightly skilled in martial arts; I am far more adept at the way of saving the world and helping people."
"Senior Brother, this isn't something you're good at, is it?"
"Hilarious! I'm good at both academics and martial arts. I've been a smart monkey since I was a kid. I even found my own dad. How could I not learn something quickly!"
"In the end, you, Pigsy, don't really have anything you're good at."
"Don't underestimate the former Marshal Tianpeng. I can lead heavenly soldiers and generals, so what's wrong with improving the combat power of humans?"
"Then I'll lend a hand to business development; I'm good at selling things."
"Then... I'll give the entertainment industry a boost. With my smooth talk, enriching people's entertainment life is a piece of cake, isn't it?"
"Amitabha Buddha, then let the five of us, master and disciples, work together."
"It's just a prosperous era, we'll see."
"Just wait, a golden age of peace and prosperity will surely come!"
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