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

Zhenyuan Daxian and the disciples of the Chan Sect were completely driven out of Wanshou Mountain, and the original Chan Sect dojo became the territory of the demon race.

Sun Wukong and his disciples stayed at Longevity Mountain for a few more days, ostensibly to expose the betrayal of the Bull Demon King and others, but in reality, they spent those days drinking heavily.

Several days later, they reluctantly left the Wuzhuang Temple on Longevity Mountain and embarked on their westward journey once again.

After traveling for several more days, Tang Sanzang and his party suddenly saw a steep and towering mountain ahead, with jagged rocks, swirling clouds and mist, and a faintly sinister aura.

Sun Wukong jumped up to a high place to look around, then returned to Tang Sanzang and said, "Master, ahead is White Tiger Ridge. The terrain is treacherous, and there may be demons lurking there. We must be careful."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy, carrying his rake, muttered, "Brother is trying to scare us again. In this desolate wilderness, it's hard to even find a living creature. Where would any demons come from?"

Sha Wujing said from the side, "Second Brother, Eldest Brother has discerning eyes and can see clearly. It's always better for us to be cautious."

The master and his disciples were putting on a very convincing act. Little did they know, they were already discussing the White Bone Demon in the mountains in the chat group.

Just then, a woman in white, carrying a bamboo basket, appeared gracefully on the mountain path. Sun Wukong immediately recognized her as a demon and drew his golden cudgel to strike her.

But Tang Sanzang sternly stopped him: "Wukong! Don't have any murderous thoughts. This is a desolate mountain wilderness, a weak woman traveling alone. How can you harm her without cause?"

The woman approached, bowed, and said, "Elders, are you a holy monk from the Great Tang Dynasty in the East?"

"I am Lady White Bone, a cultivator in the White Bone Cave of this mountain. I have long heard of the holy monk's journey to the West to obtain the scriptures, and have prepared vegetarian food and fruits to wait for him here for a long time."

Tang Sanzang was overjoyed upon hearing this and clasped his hands together, saying, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, female benefactor."

Sun Wukong sneered, "You demon, don't try to fool me! I, Old Sun, recognize you. You're clearly a monster who has turned into a skeleton, harming people here!"

Lady White Bone remained calm and composed, smiling slightly as she said, "Great Sage, you have excellent eyesight. This little demon is indeed a white bone that has cultivated into its current form."

"I have been cultivating in this mountain for a thousand years. The other day, the demon master issued a decree, saying that a holy monk was passing through this place and that I should make good offerings to him so as to form a good karmic connection."

Sun Wukong originally thought that the story of "Three Battles with the White Bone Demon" would unfold. Little did he know that the demon master Kunpeng had already arranged everything.

So he put away the golden cudgel and followed Lady White Bone to her cave to rest.

Before long, Lady White Bone ordered her servants to serve a feast to Tang Sanzang and his companions. However, it was not a vegetarian meal, but rather a variety of delicacies.

Since embarking on their journey to the West, the Journey to the West team had hardly ever eaten vegetarian food. So they were very open to everyone, and immediately began toasting and drinking.

Tang Sanzang and his companions spent the night in the White Bone Cave. The next morning, Lady White Bone personally led the way and escorted them across White Tiger Ridge.

Tang Sanzang thanked them repeatedly, and the group of master and disciples continued their journey westward. Wukong looked back and saw the White Bone Demon standing on the mountaintop, her white robes fluttering, exuding an air of otherworldly grace, which amazed him.

After leaving White Tiger Ridge and traveling for several more days, we gradually saw signs of human habitation. Inquiring with the local people, we learned that we had arrived in the territory of the Kingdom of Black Chicken.

The Kingdom of Wuji revered Buddhism and Taoism, and enjoyed peace and prosperity. The four travelers entered the city to exchange their travel documents, only to find the city brightly decorated, as if a celebration was in progress. Upon inquiring, they learned that it was the king's birthday in three days, and a grand Buddhist ceremony would be held.

The group then went directly to the inn to settle in. The Kingdom of Wuji was indeed very courteous, having specially set up the Golden Pavilion Inn to receive monks from all directions.

The officials at the inn, seeing that he was a high-ranking monk from the great Tang Dynasty, were even more attentive, arranging clean rooms and providing vegetarian meals, showing great care and consideration.

Tang Sanzang, weary from his day's journey, finished reciting the scriptures and fell peacefully asleep. In his hazy sleep, he suddenly felt a gust of cold wind, causing the candlelight to flicker. He saw a figure drift in and out, arriving at his bedside. The figure was dressed in imperial robes, but was soaked to the bone, pale-faced, and tearful. The figure bowed deeply to Tang Sanzang, crying out, "Holy Monk, save me!"

In his dream, Tang Sanzang asked in surprise, "Who are you? Why have you fallen into such a state? And how can this humble monk save you?"

The spirit wept and said, "Holy monk, please forgive me. I was originally the king of this Wuji Kingdom. Five years ago, the country suffered a severe drought. Rivers dried up and wells dried up, and the people were destitute."

"Just when we were in dire straits, a Taoist priest suddenly appeared, claiming to have the ability to summon wind and rain. I asked him to ascend the altar and perform a ritual, and sure enough, sweet rain fell from the sky, relieving our country from the severe drought."

“I was extremely grateful and became sworn brothers with him, sharing meals and lodging, and confiding in him completely. Unexpectedly, this man harbored treacherous intentions. One day, while we were enjoying ourselves in the Imperial Garden, he took advantage of my unpreparedness and pushed me into that octagonal glazed well.”

“The well was covered with a stone slab, the opening was filled with soil, and a banana tree was planted on top of it, leaving me unjustly drowning at the bottom of the well with nowhere to appeal.”

"He then transformed himself into my likeness, usurped the throne, and now sits high in the Golden Palace—it is that evil Taoist who harmed me."

The following morning, Tang Sanzang recounted his strange dream from the previous night. He also expressed his intention to help the King of Wuji Kingdom reclaim his throne.

Little did he know that he would speak in the Journey to the West chat group: "Let us take this opportunity to let our Great Tang Dynasty reclaim the Wuji Kingdom."

Sun Wukong: Don't worry, Master. Along this journey, which city is not now part of the Tang Dynasty's territory?
Tang Sanzang: Mainly because he had a legitimate reason for seeking guidance.

Pigsy: Didn't Brother Monkey say that the fake king was the Green Lion Venerable of Buddhism? That reason is enough.

Sun Wukong: That's not enough. We need to make Master a hostage again so that the three dukes can make their move.

Tang Sanzang: I will immediately inform Duke Yi.

With the plan settled, the group tidied their clothes and headed straight for the palace.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, they were informed that the monks, envoys from the Great Tang Dynasty in the East, had come to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and seek scriptures, and were here to exchange their travel documents.

Upon entering the Golden Palace, the fake king greeted Tang Sanzang with a friendly attitude, inquired about the customs and products of the Eastern Land, and then ordered the royal seal to be brought out for use.

Taking the opportunity to observe, Tang Sanzang asked, based on what he had heard in his dream, "Your Majesty, I had a very strange dream last night. I don't know whether I should tell you about it or not?"

The fake king smiled and said, "Holy monk, please speak freely."

Tang Sanzang then recounted the story of encountering the wronged spirit in his dream, concealing his identity as a king and only saying that someone had been murdered and thrown into a well.

The fake king chuckled twice and said, "Dreams are illusions, how can they be taken seriously? It must be due to the holy monk's fatigue from his journey."

He then urged the issuer to use the seal, intending to send him away as soon as possible. Sun Wukong, however, stepped forward and said sternly.

"Your Majesty, dreams may be illusions, but I, Old Sun, have heard that five years ago, the Kingdom of Wuji suffered a severe drought, which was fortunately averted by a Taoist priest who prayed for rain. Is this true? Where is that Taoist priest who rendered meritorious service to the country now?"

This question hit the nail on the head. The fake king's face immediately darkened, and he snorted coldly, saying, "You monkey, how rude of you!"

"How dare you make a scene and ask questions in the imperial court? After the Taoist priest relieved the drought, he went on a pilgrimage and disappeared without a trace. This is an old matter in the court; what does it have to do with you?"

Sun Wukong sneered and said, "It has nothing to do with me, but it has a lot to do with the wronged soul at the bottom of the well! You demon, you can fool the people of an entire nation, but you can't fool your maternal grandfather, Sun Wukong." (End of Chapter)