Chapter 5 (Revised) "If you fail to obtain the scriptures, then you will..."
Meanwhile, Bao'e and the traveler returned to Gao Family Village.
The traveler had forced her to retreat once before, and Old Master Gao was convinced that he was capable. He waited for news from him without even noticing that someone was missing from his house.
Hearing a noise outside the door, he rushed forward.
Sanzang said, “Old man, don’t worry. My disciple is a bit impatient, but he’s very useful. I think he must have already captured that demon and brought you peace of mind.”
Old Gao agreed repeatedly, but when he opened the door, he bumped into a familiar face.
It was Zhu Bao'e!
Upon hearing this, Sanzang was also frightened and wanted to find a place to hide.
Good Bao'e rushed forward, angrily saying, "Old man, what monster is this? Where did it come from? Tell me clearly so I can help you subdue it. But if you can't explain... I'll tap you on the head so you won't get even more confused later!"
Old Master Gao's legs went weak and his muscles went numb. He waved his hands repeatedly, begging for mercy: "I dare not, I dare not!"
The pilgrim followed closely and yanked the rope binding her: "You wretch, you can curse him all you want. But Master is a bit timid, so don't frighten him."
Bao'e snorted again, ignoring him.
Sanzang, half-surprised and half-fearful, said, "Wukong, is she that demon? How could she covet my courage? Why didn't you kill her instead of bringing her here?"
Bao'e looked at him closely and saw that he was a handsome monk. She had no memory of the suffering she had just endured, and her desire to become his disciple became more genuine. She immediately called out "Master" with great joy.
Tripitaka asked in surprise, "Wukong, why is she bowing to me?"
The pilgrim pushed Bao'e forward: "You fool, you tell me yourself."
Bao'e had forgotten the hardships of the pilgrimage and her earlier reluctance. With just a few words, she recounted how the Bodhisattva had advised her to do good and told her to wait there for the pilgrims.
Upon hearing this, Sanzang was overjoyed. He quickly told Wukong to release her from her restraints and asked Old Man Gao to bring an incense table so that he could recognize her as his disciple.
Hearing that the Bodhisattva had given her a Dharma name, "Wumiao," he also gave her an alternative name, "Bajie," to remind her to abstain from the five pungent vegetables and the three forbidden foods.
Bao'e accepted the request, but refused to be called "Bajie" (Pigsy), preferring that he be called Wumiao instead.
Old Master Gao was overjoyed that his major concern was finally resolved. He thanked everyone and then held a banquet.
The journey to the West should not be delayed. After the feast, the three of them set off.
Gao Cuilan returned at this moment. Zhu Bao'e looked at him and suddenly felt regret. Overwhelmed with sorrow, she stepped forward, took his hand, wiped away her tears, and choked with sobs, saying with great grievance, "Brother, I haven't even eaten the wild fruit you picked yet, and I have to leave now. But if I fail to obtain the scriptures, just wait for me to return to secular life, and we can still be happy as before."
The traveler laughed at her: "You haven't even taken a few steps before you start talking nonsense and losing your spirit."
Bao'e didn't look at him, but stared at Gao Cuilan, thinking to herself why he was so silent today, not uttering a single word.
“Good brother,” she said, shaking his hand, “just say something.”
Gao Cuilan's face was gentle as he grasped her hand in return.
"Okay." He looked at her without blinking and said softly, "Bao'e, Bao'e...you must remember what you said today."
The group of three, along with their horses, continued westward.
The pilgrim carried an iron rod across his shoulder and led the way; Sanzang followed on his white horse; and Bao'e carried the luggage at the rear.
Zhu Bao'e initially thought the journey to the West was novel and interesting, and she enjoyed the scenery, flowers, and trees along the way.
But after just over ten days, she felt listless, tired and breathless when walking, and slumped over all day.
That day, she couldn't help but say to Tang Sanzang, "Master, it's time."
Sanzang, riding a white horse, looked down at her and asked, "What time is it?"
Bao'e wiped her sweat and said, "Master, you've been using this white horse for over ten days. It's probably getting tired of your teachings and might even rebel against you. Let me ride it and let it hear some fresh words."
Before Tang Sanzang could speak, Wukong laughed and said, "Wumiao, we are escorting our master to retrieve the scriptures. How can he suffer while you enjoy the good life? That skinny monk, how much hardship can he endure?"
Bao'e retorted, "Senior brother has bones of steel and a heart of iron; how could he know my hardships?"
“My disciple,” Sanzang said, “you have truly suffered.”
Bao'e nodded repeatedly: "That's right, that's right! Carrying the load and guarding it is the hardest work."
Wukong sneered: "Master, just let her have her way. This wretched girl is lazy and greedy. She'll take an inch if she gets an inch."
"Wukong, don't be angry," Sanzang comforted him. "Wumiao's mind is not settled, so just keep practicing diligently. If it's really hard, what's wrong with riding a horse for a few miles?"
Wukong said, "Master is indeed soft-hearted, but he might not be willing to let her ride the horse."
Bao'e didn't believe it, and after Sanzang dismounted, she hurriedly rushed over, wanting to mount the horse sideways.
But the white horse seemed to have a mind of its own, shaking its head from side to side, raising its neck and raising its hooves, determined not to let her touch it in the slightest.
She dodged left and right, sweating profusely from exhaustion: "Brother, this horse has gone too far and has gone mad."
The pilgrim said, “Don’t make a fuss. This horse is no ordinary horse. It is the son of Ao Run, the Dragon King of the West Sea. Like you, it broke the heavenly rules. Fortunately, the Bodhisattva saved it and it was transformed into a white horse to carry our master on his journey to the West. How can we allow others to get close to it?”
Only after his reminder did the simpleton vaguely remember the white dragon horse's background. She angrily said, "I was also ordered to escort my master, so how come I can carry the luggage, but he won't even carry more people? He deserves a beating, he deserves a beating!"
The traveler just laughed, thinking to himself that although this demon had descended from the Heavenly Court to the mortal realm and was ordered to travel west, he had not changed his demonic nature and he had to be more careful.
After traveling for several more days, the dry rations they had taken from Gaojiazhuang were all gone.
After enduring hunger for several more days, Sanzang finally couldn't hold back his anxiety and shed tears.
Bao'e touched her head and looked up at him: "Master, why are you crying again? I thought it was raining."
Sanzang sighed, “Difficult! Difficult! The mountain path is rugged, how can we proceed? We have been trekking for days, and we are hungry and thirsty. I don’t know when we will be able to get out of these deep mountains, or when we will be able to obtain the true scriptures.”
"Don't cry, don't cry!" the traveler said. "I'll go beg for some food for you."
Then Tang Sanzang cried again: "In this desolate mountain wilderness, where can I find any houses? Where can I beg for alms?"
At first, Bao'e was happy to accept him as her teacher because of his handsome appearance, but she did not expect him to cry so much. His tears flowed as easily as if they were worthless.
Her ears were tickled by his crying, and she rubbed them repeatedly.
Wukong became even more agitated and shouted, "Stop chanting! Stop chanting! I'm going to find someone to live with."
He rode the clouds and rose up, surveying his surroundings from a high vantage point.
Zhu Bao'e saw that Tang Seng had dismounted and was still silently weeping. She stood still and said, "Master, seeing you cry makes my heart ache, so much so that I feel hungry."
Sanzang wiped away his tears: "Wumiao, as the saying goes, 'Endure suffering with forbearance.' Besides, your senior brother is hot-tempered but capable. Let him find some vegetarian food before we continue our journey."
Bao'e nodded, then suddenly sniffed twice.
She said, "Master, you do have a pleasant fragrance."
"They mostly chanted scriptures and worshipped Buddha every day, burning incense with handfuls of soil."
Tripitaka, unable to dodge in time, shouted, "You idiot! You spout nonsense all day long. How dare a monk commit the crime of concealing or hiding things?"
"You fool!" The Monkey King descended from the cloud and grabbed her ear. "What are you planning to do with your mouth that you've opened? I'll knock your teeth out."
Bao'e cried out in pain.
Sanzang, not understanding the reason, simply advised him not to get angry.
Wukong knew that he was timid. If he knew that this demon had almost killed him, he would be so frightened that his legs would go weak and his muscles would go numb. Therefore, he kept quiet.
He released her ear and said, "Wumiao, there is a temple ahead. Go and investigate. If you find any people there, you can ask for some alms."
"Senior brother, you're quite the bossy one," Bao'e muttered, rubbing her ears. "I'm so hungry I'm practically as thin as a sheet of paper. How could I possibly have the strength to go to the temple to beg for alms?"
The pilgrim laughed and said, "Alright, then you stay here to serve Master and guard against demons and monsters. I'll go and scout out, and if there are any signs of human habitation, I can get the first hot meal."
"Hey! Senior brother, don't go." Bao'e grabbed him and said with a smile, "We've finished exploring the temple, I'm going now."
As they were talking, she dragged the rake in the direction he pointed.
Seeing her walk away, Sanzang couldn't help but worry: "Wukong, if there are any houses nearby, why don't you go together? How can you let Wumiao go alone? What if they run into demons?"
Wukong said, "Master, don't worry. This demon is lazy and loves to be idle. I'm just taking this opportunity to test her and see if she is truly sincere about going west."
"You are here, and she is going to that temple. Who knows how far away that is? How can you test her?"
Knowing that the gods Liuding and Liujia were watching over them from the shadows, Wukong told Sanzang and the white dragon horse to stay there safely, while he transformed into a tiny bee and followed Bao'e away.
Meanwhile, Bao'e hurried along, passing through the woods.
Halfway there, she felt tired and wanted to rest, so she lay down in a nearby grassy area and took a nap.
Before she could even close her eyes, she suddenly felt something sting her face, causing both pain and numbness. The pain made her hurriedly get up.
"This grass isn't clean either, it's a mess and I don't know what kind of bedbugs are hiding here, daring to bite me!" She dared not sleep any longer and continued forward.
After traveling a few more miles, they indeed came to see a temple.
The temple gate was tightly closed, surrounded by dense pine and cypress trees, with overgrown weeds and moss covering the stone steps in front of the gate.
But the temple's halls and pagodas are magnificent and truly imposing.
Zhu Bao'e fumbled through her remaining memories, but couldn't recall that this place was mentioned in "Journey to the West." Perhaps it was just an unnamed, dilapidated temple.
Just as she was about to knock on the door, she suddenly heard the clanging of swords and the sound of someone calling for help.
She thought to herself, "In broad daylight, could there be monks practicing martial arts?" She also thought that if she could support these martial monks, their meals would surely be plentiful.
Bao'e was delighted. Seeing that the door was unlocked, she pushed it open.
But there were no warrior monks inside the gate, only twenty or thirty thieves!
The thieves were all fierce-looking, wielding knives and swords, and they surrounded the young man, intending to kill him.
How did I end up running into a robbery!
Bao'e was furious. That thieving monkey must have known that there were thieves in the temple who were robbing people and committing murder, which was why he had encouraged her to take such a dangerous step.
She didn't want to cause trouble, so she took a step back to leave.
But the bandits had already spotted her, and the leader shouted, "Where are you going! You think you can escape now that you've opened the temple gates!"
Bao'e scoffed inwardly. She was starving and exhausted, and didn't want to argue further. Normally, she would have chopped his head off!
She didn't want to say anything more, but suddenly she heard a painful gasp.
A low, mournful voice, clear and melodious like pearls clashing.
Bao'e's ears twitched twice. Following the sound, she looked up and saw the young man who had been robbed.
She has such a beautiful face!
He wore no crown, and his black hair was loose and flowing, like ink-black clouds and mist.
A fair face was half-hidden, pale and bloodless, except for her lips which were as red as if dyed with cinnabar.
He fell to the ground and was robbed by thugs, resulting in some injuries.
But he did not yield, nor did he beg for mercy or help; he truly possessed a spirit of unyielding integrity.
Bao'e thought it was strange; were there such handsome characters in Journey to the West?
Without thinking twice, she suddenly changed her mind, dragged her rake across the threshold, and said fiercely, "Where did you thieves come from, daring to commit violence in this sacred Buddhist site!"
A note from the author:
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