Honghuang: Creation of the Green Lotus, the beginning of the Three Pure Ones

The interlude at Eagle's Sorrow Gorge was as swift as a gust of wind whistling through the mountains. Even Guanyin Bodhisattva didn't need to reappear; she simply returned to her own sacred site.

After all, someone has already taken care of the next hurdle, so Guanyin Bodhisattva doesn't need to worry about it anymore.

……

Several days passed in the blink of an eye, and Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong did not encounter any demons or monsters. However, their travel speed was somewhat disappointing.

The two of them walked and stopped frequently, as if they were sightseeing.

"Monk, the Black Wind Mountain region is just ahead. I see a Buddha's light shining brightly ahead, there should be a Buddhist temple there."

"No matter what, you are a high-ranking Buddhist monk. It shouldn't be difficult for you to ask for a place to stay at that temple and get a meal, right?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang's fingers, which were twirling his prayer beads, paused slightly, and he understood. He knew that Black Wind Mountain was also an obstacle on his journey to obtain the scriptures.

After walking a short distance further, the outline of a majestic temple came into view deep in the mountain valley ahead, appearing and disappearing amidst the thick fog and ancient trees.

The glazed tile roof reflected a cold light in the dim light, and the tall vermilion gate was tightly closed. Above the gate hung an ebony plaque that clearly read "Guanyin Zen Temple".

The area around the Zen temple lacked the tranquility and peace of ordinary temples. Instead, it was shrouded in an overly quiet solemnity, with even the chirping of birds gone, and only the mountain wind howling as if in mourning.

Sun Wukong scoffed, "What a magnificent Guanyin Temple! It's so opulent and glittering. Where's the serenity of cultivation in it? It seems your Buddhist sect is truly exceptionally wealthy."

Tang Sanzang couldn't help but sigh, but he didn't say anything. He simply rode his white horse towards the Guanyin Temple.

After a while, the two arrived outside the Zen temple. Before they could knock on the door, the heavy vermilion gate slowly opened from the inside.

An elderly monk with white hair and beard, wearing a bright red robe embroidered with gold thread, slowly emerged, surrounded by a group of solemn monks holding monastic staffs.

The old monk had a gaunt face, his gaze peacefully fixed on Tang Sanzang, his hands clasped together, and his voice booming like a bell.

“Amitabha Buddha, I am Jinchi, the humble abbot of this temple. During my morning chanting, I suddenly felt a Buddha’s light coming from the west, with a thousand auspicious omens. After a quick calculation, I knew that it was a high-ranking monk from the Great Tang Dynasty who had graced our temple with his presence. I am overjoyed. I have not been able to greet him properly, and I hope the holy monk will forgive me.”

His words were earnest, his demeanor humble, and his gaze lingered only on Tang Sanzang, as if he hadn't noticed the monkey beside him carrying an iron rod, his face full of arrogance.

However, when his gaze swept over the seemingly ordinary old monk's robe on Tang Sanzang, a very subtle ripple flashed deep in the depths of his eyes, like an undercurrent of eddies beneath a calm lake.

Tang Sanzang dismounted, put his palms together in return, and said with a gentle expression, "Amitabha, this humble monk is Tang Sanzang, from the Great Tang Dynasty in the East, on his way to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and seek scriptures."

"Passing by your esteemed temple, as it is getting late, I would like to ask to rest in a corner of your temple for a while. I hope you will be accommodating in this matter."

Elder Jinchi smiled sincerely and stepped aside to make way for the holy monk, saying, "It is a great blessing for our temple that the holy monk has come from afar. Please come in, please come in."

His gaze once again inadvertently swept over Tang Sanzang's simple monk's robes, but the deliberate attempt to conceal his probing could not completely escape Sun Wukong's discerning eyes.

With a faint, cold smile playing on his lips, Sun Wukong, carrying his staff, swaggered behind Tang Sanzang, crossed the high threshold, and entered the Guanyin Temple.

Elder Jinchi led the two into an extremely luxurious room to serve tea. The rosewood tables and chairs in the room were so shiny they reflected light, ancient Buddhist paintings hung on the walls, a golden incense burner was placed on the table, and even the teacups were made of thin-walled green jade.

"In this desolate mountain temple, we have nothing of value to offer the holy monk but a little coarse tea, which is hardly a token of our respect."

Elder Jinchi personally served tea, adopting an extremely humble posture. His gaze fell upon Tang Sanzang's old, faded monk's robe, and he finally couldn't contain himself any longer.

With a hint of deliberate curiosity and probing, he asked, "The Holy Monk is the younger brother of the Emperor of the Great Tang Dynasty. He was ordered to travel west to seek the true scriptures. His merits will last for thousands of years, and his virtues will benefit all generations. However, the robes the Holy Monk is wearing seem a bit too simple?"

Before Tang Sanzang could answer, Sun Wukong, who was standing beside him, couldn't hold back any longer. He put down his teacup and spoke up.

“Old monk, you don’t understand. This outfit may look worn, but it’s actually quite special. It’s a patchwork merit robe bestowed by the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty,”

"It is made by taking scraps of cloth from thousands of households and gathering the wishes of thousands of people. It is blessed and consecrated by eighty-one virtuous monks. When worn, it will protect you from water and fire and ward off all evil."

Sun Wukong boasted so much that his spittle almost splashed onto Elder Jinchi's face.

Elder Jinchi paused slightly as he twirled the prayer beads, a fleeting glint in his eyes, but his face maintained the gentle smile of a highly virtuous monk.

“Oh? Such is its origin? This humble monk is ignorant. However, if the holy monk wears this robe, I'm afraid he will have difficulty seeing the Buddha. Perhaps this humble monk could give the holy monk one, so as not to disgrace the great Tang Dynasty.”

At this moment, Elder Jinchi's face was full of condescending disdain. His words even belittled the Tang Dynasty as a poor, remote place that couldn't even produce a decent cassock.

This made Tang Sanzang frown slightly, but he didn't say anything. After all, some things don't need to be argued about.

A moment later, the sound of footsteps could be heard outside, and more than ten robust monks carried several heavy sandalwood chests in single file.

The box was opened, and in an instant, the room was filled with brilliance, its precious light dazzling. One by one, the robes were carefully taken out and unfolded.

Some are adorned with iridescent gemstones, their dazzling brilliance almost blinding. Others are woven with gold and silver threads, their dragon and phoenix patterns so lifelike…

Elder Jinchi looked at the treasures he had collected throughout his life, a look of pride on his face, and said slowly, "This is what I have painstakingly collected over the past few hundred years while traveling around the world."

"While I dare not call it unparalleled, it has certainly taken considerable effort. Whichever item the holy monk takes a fancy to, he may simply take it."

Tang Sanzang clasped his hands together, looked up at his nose, and spoke in a calm and even voice: "Amitabha. The treasure that the elder possesses is indeed extraordinary. Its brilliance is dazzling and breathtaking."

"However, this robe of mine is for the purpose of keeping warm and covering my body while walking, not for showing off my wealth. The Buddha resides in my heart, not in my clothes. Physical possessions are just fleeting things."

Upon hearing this, Elder Jinchi frowned. "It seems that the Holy Monk looks down on these robes of mine. Could it be that the Holy Monk has a better robe that he is not wearing?"

Sun Wukong, who was watching from the side, sneered inwardly, thinking to himself, "Old bald monk, your fox tail has finally been revealed."

He slapped his thigh and jumped up, making an exaggerated expression of regret on his face: "Oh dear! Old monk, if you hadn't mentioned it, I, Old Sun, would have almost forgotten about it."

As he spoke, Sun Wukong had already taken a package from his luggage. As the package was opened, beams of light instantly filled the entire room. (End of Chapter)