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

The guests and hosts took their seats, and maids served them spiritual fruits and celestial wine. The Bull Demon King and Sun Wukong reminisced about their separation, mentioning that Red Boy was now cultivating under Guanyin's tutelage and seemed to be doing well.

When Tang Sanzang inquired about the Flaming Mountain, the Bull Demon King waved his hand dismissively and laughed, "Holy Monk, rest assured, this matter is easily resolved."

"Although this fire was caused by my good-for-nothing wife back then, the banana leaf fan that controls the fire is now in her hands. I will call her here to fan out the fire and send the holy monk across the mountain."

Having said that, he ordered someone to invite Princess Iron Fan.

Before long, Princess Iron Fan arrived gracefully. Upon seeing that it was Sun Wukong, she gave him no friendly look whatsoever.

Blame Sun Wukong for sending someone's own son to Guanyin Bodhisattva's seat. Now, even a simple meeting between the mother and son is a struggle.

However, when Princess Iron Fan saw Tang Sanzang, she immediately bowed and said, "If I'm not mistaken, you must be Senior Brother Jin Chanzi?"

Don't forget that Princess Iron Fan's original name was Rakshasa, and she was the daughter of Styx Ancestor. Tang Sanzang, on the other hand, was Styx Ancestor's disciple, so he could naturally be considered Princess Iron Fan's senior brother.

Tang Sanzang naturally smiled and nodded, then introduced Mingfei to Princess Iron Fan. Finally, Princess Iron Fan ignored Tang Sanzang and his companions, instead chatting very congenially with Mingfei and Gao Cuilan.

The Bull Demon King and his wife warmly invited them to stay and hosted a banquet for them for another day. The next day, the Bull Demon King and his wife personally escorted Tang Sanzang and his party to the Flaming Mountain.

Princess Iron Fan took out her banana leaf fan and fanned it three times in the direction of the Flaming Mountain.

Suddenly, a strong wind arose, the heatwave subsided, and a cool breeze swept across the land. The 800-mile-long Flaming Mountain was extinguished, leaving only a slight warmth.

Tang Sanzang clasped his hands in thanks, then bid farewell to the Bull Demon King and his wife, and the group once again embarked on their journey to the West.

After traveling for some time, they saw a city ahead, but it was shrouded in a faint, gloomy aura.

Mingfei looked up and said to Tang Sanzang, "Brother Tang, ahead is the Kingdom of Jisa."

“In this country of Jisa, there is a Golden Light Temple, and in the temple is a pagoda. On the pagoda once was a precious pearl that could be shrouded in auspicious clouds and have auspicious clouds rise high.”

"Our neighboring states, including our Western Liang, pay tribute to this Jisa Kingdom every year, calling it a superior celestial empire."

"But three years ago, for some unknown reason, the Buddhist treasures of Jin Guang Temple suddenly disappeared. In the past few years, no more tributes have been offered to them."

Tang Sanzang nodded and said, "Now that we have arrived here, we should enter the country to exchange our travel documents. If there are any evil spirits causing trouble, we should also help them."

As the group entered the capital of Jisa Kingdom, they found that although the city was bustling, the people's faces were full of sorrow, and they even showed a hint of hostility towards them, the foreign monks and Taoists.

When the pilgrimage team arrived at Jin Guang Temple, they found that all the monks there were wearing shackles. Their faces were full of sorrow, and they were all skin and bones.

Tang Sanzang stepped forward and called over a monk, revealing his identity. He then asked, "Why are you all wearing shackles? Have the monks of this temple committed some unforgivable sin?"

The monk sighed and said, "The holy monk of the Tang Dynasty may not know this. Three years ago, a rain of blood fell in the Kingdom of Jisa, and the relics and Buddha treasures on the golden pagoda of Jinguang Temple disappeared without a trace."

“From then on, our country no longer had any auspicious omens, and the surrounding countries no longer paid tribute. The king suspected that the monks in our temple had embezzled, but he had no evidence, so he had no choice but to imprison and torture the monks in our temple.”

"The previous two generations were tortured to death; now they've captured us, imprisoning us and putting us in chains. Heaven above, how dare we deceive ourselves and steal the treasures from the tower?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang asked Sun Wukong, "Wukong, what is your opinion on this matter?"

Sun Wukong asked the monk, "Where is the Buddha's relic located?" The monk pointed to a tall pagoda not far away and said, "The Buddha's relic was placed on that pagoda, but it has now disappeared."

Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong instructed the monk to lead the way, wanting to personally visit the pagoda where the Buddhist treasures were kept. At the same time, he waved his hand, removing the shackles from the monk's shoulders.

This terrified the monk, who feared he would lose his life. It was only after Tang Sanzang's persuasion that he calmed down.

The monk moved his numb hands and feet, then personally led the way, bringing the group to the foot of the pagoda.

Upon arriving at the foot of the pagoda, Sun Wukong said to Tang Sanzang, "Master, there is a demonic aura in the pagoda, and it smells like the fishy smell of water."

Pigsy sniffed and nodded, saying, "That's right, it smells like aquatic creatures, and it even has a hint of dragon stench?"

Just then, in the Journey to the West chat group, Nine-Headed Insect spoke up: No need to guess anymore, it was Princess Wansheng of the Jade Pool who did it.

Speaking of who knows the Jade Pool best, it's none other than the Nine-Headed Insect who transformed into the White Dragon Horse. After all, he almost became the Jade Pool's prince consort.

Tang Sanzang: Now that we know its whereabouts, there's no need to climb the pagoda anymore. After meeting the king tomorrow, we can go to the Jade Pool and retrieve the Buddha's relics.

Since Tang Sanzang got married, he's no longer so sparing with his words. It seems marriage really can change a man.

Nine-Headed Insect: It's best if we don't get involved in this. Let the main party handle it themselves.

Tang Sanzang: What do you mean by that, senior brother? And who is the person you're referring to?
Nine-Headed Insect: Of course it's your imperial brother Li Shimin and his wife Zhangsun Wugou.

Pigsy: Looks like there's some juicy gossip to be had! Uncle Nine-Headed Insect, tell us quickly.

The master and his disciples were chatting animatedly in the chat group, but the monk had no idea what they were doing. He assumed they were frightened by the demonic energy emanating from the tower.

He immediately said, "Forget it, this matter is none of your concern. Holy Monk, you should still lend a hand in this matter and leave early tomorrow."

After hearing this, Tang Sanzang said, "Don't worry, but since we, master and disciple, have encountered this, there's no reason for us to ignore it."

"Because we already know that the Buddha's relics were stolen by Princess Wansheng of the Jade Pool. Tomorrow, when I see the king, I will explain this matter to him."

"When the king finds out that the thief of the Buddha's treasure was a demonic dragon from the Jade Pool, he will not hold a grudge against you."

Upon hearing this, the monk was overjoyed and hurriedly led Tang Sanzang and the others towards the meditation room in the temple where guests were entertained.

After settling Tang Sanzang and his party in, he didn't forget to order a vegetarian meal to be prepared and personally delivered it to Tang Sanzang and his companions' meditation room.

During this process, the Nine-Headed Insect recounted the events of that year to the members of the pilgrimage team in detail.

After understanding the cause and effect of the matter, Tang Sanzang prepared to return to Chang'an City to meet Li Shimin in person.

Then Tang Sanzang used his magic to leave Jisaguo and head towards the Tang Dynasty in Jambudvipa. This startled the Dharma protector, Garan, who was hiding in the shadows.

They hurriedly went back to inform the Buddha that Tang Sanzang had returned to Chang'an. Presumably, the couple had a fight and didn't intend to continue their journey to the West. (End of Chapter)