Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 250 The Green Ox Descends to the Mortal Realm
"boom--"

"Cang! Cang!"

At the foot of Jindu Mountain, on a large flat area surrounded by orchards, a group of bull demons were arguing and fighting each other.

The soaring magical light, the clash of swords and spears, and the booming sounds that erupted after their struggle made the monkeys on the neighboring monkey mountain jump with fear.

"Hey you with the hammer! Strike hard, hit your opponent in the body! Don't hit the ground!"

"Hahaha~ Not bad, not bad, that's it!"

At this moment, Qingniu and Niu Yi were standing outside the battlefield. Qingniu was holding an orange, breaking off segments and throwing them into his mouth while smiling and pointing at the little bull spirits on the field.

At this moment, the Green Ox was no longer the drowsy creature it had been in the Tushita Palace; it appeared exceptionally energetic.

"My dear brother~ These little bull demons are really enjoying themselves under your command~ Look at them, all of them so plump and strong! They're all fine bulls! Hahahaha~"

Niu Yi, standing to the side, was equally satisfied with his little bull spirits and smiled:
"With Brother Si's guidance, they are truly blessed."

To be taught by Laozi's Green Ox in the mortal realm is indeed an immense blessing. However, to live on Jindu Mountain with Niu Yi protecting them is also a great opportunity, making them true winners in life.

Today marks the third day since the Green Ox descended to the mortal realm.

For the past three days, Qingniu has been either eating oranges and sleeping on the mountaintop or training the little ox spirits at the foot of the mountain. Fortunately, Niu Yi had already cast a spell to reinforce the ground, otherwise this area at the foot of the mountain would have turned into a deep pit long ago.

Some of these little bull demons had become familiar with the Green Ox before. Upon seeing their ancestor and the Rhinoceros Ancestor together, they were all like they had been injected with chicken blood. They stared with their bull eyes, panted heavily through their nostrils, and swung their weapons with as much force as they could!

Anyway, these bull demon men are not afraid of pain. Their ancestor has divine medicine that can heal any injury. The most important thing is to show their skills to their ancestor and the rhinoceros ancestor!
The battle at Jindu Mountain was raging, but fortunately, the area was completely concealed by the Five Elements Formation, so the outside world could not detect any movement within the formation.

The training lasted for half a day before it stopped, and Niu Yi went back up the mountain ahead of time to prepare a meal.

Soon, the aroma of the food reached Qingniu's nose, making his eyes light up. He flashed to the stove, skillfully picked up a plate, served the dishes, and quickly walked to the stone table to help set them.

Since he arrived, his brother Niu Yi has been eating three meals a day without fail, and he can't help much except move the food and pick up the dishes.

After Niu Yi and the others were seated, the Green Ox, whose smile hadn't disappeared since arriving at Golden Gourd Mountain, praised:
"Haha~ Brother, this food really brings back fond memories."

"I'm glad you like it, Brother Si."

Niu Yi smiled and nodded, looking around. Apart from Niu Li, who was helping in Nanzhanbuzhou, everyone on Jindu Mountain, including the Earth God, Niu Feng, Niu Ping, Niu An, and the three boys, Ao Xuan, were all present.

As for DouDou, the little fat mountain god cat was lying comfortably on the green ox's shoulder, its eyes half-closed, its tail swaying back and forth, as if it was perfectly comfortable just like that.

When Qingniu was on the mountain before, he had dealt with these people before, so he was not unfamiliar with them and did not look down on them in the slightest.

Most of the people at the table had grown up alongside Niu Yi. Even the local earth god, who was initially quite concerned about the identity of the green ox as the mount of the Supreme Dao Ancestor, gradually relaxed.

After a while, Qingniu, having eaten and drunk his fill, was rinsing his mouth with the orange wine when he suddenly remembered something. He quickly put down the wine pot and reached into his pocket.

"By the way, my dear brother, I have something to show you."

As Qingniu spoke, he took out a white ring and handed it to Niu Yi.

"The Vajra Bracelet?"

Niu Yi took the ring from Qingniu and felt that it was warm to the touch, and its aura was very mysterious.

This magic weapon was used by Laozi, the Supreme Lord Lao, to protect himself when he transformed into Laozi. It is one of the top magic weapons in the Three Realms and is also the magic weapon that Niu Yi is most curious about.

He now possesses most of his skills in his many treasures, but if he encounters the Supreme Dao Ancestor's Vajra Bracelet, he'll likely be rendered useless, and could easily be trapped.

After a brief deduction, Niu Yi estimated that of the many magical treasures he possessed, only the Hunyuan Cauldron was unafraid of being captured by the Vajra Bracelet, and the Five Elements Spirit Pearl could hold out for a while.

As for his Sun and Moon Steel Halberd, although it is also made of Kun steel, it is different from the Vajra Bracelet in that it takes the path of extreme sharpness, and it will probably be restrained by the Vajra Bracelet in the same way.

Seeing the amazement in Niu Yi's eyes, Qingniu smiled and said:

"Hey~ Judging from your expression, you should be able to guess what it is. That's right, this thing is Laozi's protective magic weapon, the Vajra Bracelet."

"Although it was also used by Laozi before, it was still extremely extraordinary. This thing is the same as your weapon, also forged from innate Kun steel and refined by Laozi's Elixir. It possesses considerable spirituality, can transform, is impervious to water and fire, can strike all things, and can collect various magical treasures and weapons. Its uses are endless!"

"It can be said that as long as this treasure exists, few gods and Buddhas in the heavens can threaten you and me."

Niu Yi nodded, a thoughtful look on his face, clearly having thought of something.

"The Dao Ancestor must have sent Brother Si to the mortal realm for some important matter. Could it be that he wants me to assist Brother Si?"

The green ox chuckled sheepishly and said:

"My brother is truly wise."

"I had a really good time staying on the mountain for the past three days. I was just reminded of this by the Vajra Bracelet."

"Before Laozi descended to the mortal realm, he instructed me to show this Vajra Bracelet to my virtuous brother after I descended, and also told me to obey my virtuous brother's instructions and complete that important task."

Niu Yi nodded in realization. This was because the Dao Ancestor had directly entrusted the Green Ox to him, not just asking him to cooperate with the Green Ox as he had previously expected, but directly putting him in charge of this matter.

Actually, this matter is easy to handle.

He remembered that the reason why the Green Ox kidnapped Tang Sanzang was because the Green Ox transformed into a mountain village, and Zhu Bajie took the clothes that the Green Ox had deliberately placed inside, which could be considered as having a legitimate reason for his attack. This matter could be completely replicated.

Now, all we need to do is change the location to a mountain other than Jindu Mountain. There are many mountains and rivers around this area, so finding another place is easy.

This move was also intended to add another difficulty to the journey to the West, and incidentally bring down many of the gods in the Heavenly Court to help Sun Wukong overcome this difficulty, which could be considered a meritorious deed.

After a moment's thought, Niu Yi handed the Vajra Bracelet back to the Green Ox, saying:

"Please keep this treasure safe, Brother Si. However, that important matter is not urgent at the moment. There are at least thirty years left. When the time comes, I will help you complete this matter."

The green ox laughed heartily, then simply hung the Vajra Bracelet on his arm and picked up the wine bowl on the table.

“Since you say so, my dear brother, I naturally trust you completely. Come, come, let’s have a drink, my dear brother! Let’s all drink together, hahahaha~” *Splash! Smash!*

Inside the Jiangzhou governor's mansion, the sound of porcelain being smashed could be heard continuously coming from one of the rooms.

Liu Hong smashed the vase to pieces, his face turning ugly!
A whole year has passed! He lost all interest in Yin Wenjiao the moment he got close to her, yet once they were apart, he was captivated by her angelic beauty!
After he finished dealing with the urgent matter that day and rushed back, he went to see Yin Wenjiao, intending to drown that bastard child! However, the woman said that she had already thrown the child into the river early the morning he left.

Liu Hong secretly sent people to search, and sure enough, someone saw Yin Wenjiao walking towards the riverbank early in the morning. However, the people he sent did not find any trace of the child.

Liu Hong felt much relieved, but these strange things started happening from that day onwards!

"Damn it, what on earth is going on?!"

He had long coveted her beauty, but he would lose all interest as soon as he got close to her, which caused him great pain and distress.

Liu Hong's face was grim as he shouted outside:

"Somebody come!"

The guards, who had been waiting outside the door in a state of trepidation, quickly entered the room and respectfully said:
"My lord, please give your orders."

"Go to Daojun Medical Clinic in Jiangzhou and ask the clinic's owner, Mr. Xu, to come over. Tell him I have something important to ask him!"

"Yes!"

On the other side, inside the house, Yin Wenjiao was holding the lustrous bracelet on her wrist, its white and green colors intertwined, radiating a warm glow, a look of gratitude flashing in her eyes.

A year ago, Daojun sent her a telepathic message, saying that this bracelet could protect her. Now, seeing it, it is indeed so.

Over the past year, Yin Wenjiao had clearly seen Liu Hong's greedy expression, and it was obvious that this thief intended to do something indecent to her. However, whenever the thief got close, the bracelet on her wrist would emit a faint light, but Liu Hong seemed unable to see it.

As soon as the light appeared, Liu Hong would quickly become calm. He would chat with her for a few words and then turn and leave. In order to maintain his reputation as the Lord of Jiangzhou, even if he saw her later, he would have a gloomy expression and would not do anything to her.

This gave Yin Wenjiao a great sense of security, and she couldn't help but feel even more grateful to the divine physician.

"Thank you for your protection, Daoist Lord. Thank you for your protection, Daoist Lord."

"I only hope that the Daoist Master and the Bodhisattva will also turn their gaze upon my child, and bless him to live and grow up safely. I will pray for him forever."

"Wen Jiao also begs you both, please make sure my mother-in-law lives a good life, please."

Liu Hong, on the other hand, thought he had contracted some strange illness. He sought out many famous doctors, but none could diagnose it, and in the end, he could only let it go.

As for Yin Wenjiao, as the daughter of a wealthy family in the past, she was no ordinary woman. After realizing that she would be safe as long as she wore that bracelet, she began to secretly develop her own confidants inside and outside the mansion.

Hongzhou, Wanhuadian.

A figure dressed in simple clothes, carrying a bundle, wearing a straw hat, and with a tiger-shaped scepter at his waist, slowly walked in. Right next to the gate, he saw an old woman with gray hair sitting at the door, her eyes red-rimmed, her face haggard, gazing into the distance as if she was waiting for something.

The figure had dark skin, clearly someone who had spent years living a life of hardship. He glanced at the old woman a few times, frowned slightly, but still stepped into the shop.

"Waiter, make a pot of tea."

"Alright, please come in, sir/madam!"

After entering the flower shop, the man went straight to a seat and waited for the waiter to bring tea. As soon as the waiter arrived, he grabbed him, pointed to the old woman at the door, and asked:
Why is this old man sitting there the whole time?

Upon hearing this, the waiter also became somewhat annoyed, bent down, and whispered:
"Sir, you don't know, but this old lady was left at my shop by a gentleman surnamed Chen from Jiangzhou. He rented a room for her to live in, and then left with his servants and wife, saying that he would come back to pick her up when the autumn air got cooler."

"However, a whole year has passed, and not a single person has been seen. The old lady is worried about her son and daughter-in-law and hopes that they will appear soon. Regardless of the scorching heat or freezing cold, she waits at the door every day, hoping that her son will come to pick her up."

"When this old lady came, she was ill. Although those two men were handsome and beautiful when they came, they haven't shown up for a whole year. I'm afraid they saw this old lady as a burden and deliberately abandoned her."

"It's a pity that this old lady has a very good temperament and firmly believes that her son will come to pick her up. But you can know a person's face but not their heart. How did she end up with such a son and daughter-in-law?"

After finishing his sentence, the waiter sighed, shook his head, draped the rag over his shoulder, and, at the man's signal, took the tray and turned to leave.

The man removed his straw hat, revealing a weathered, dark-skinned middle-aged face.

The middle-aged man looked at the old lady for a long time before slowly getting up, carrying his bag, and sitting down opposite her in front of the door.

"Old man, my surname is Bu, my given name is Yanjin, and I am a traveling doctor. I see that you do not look very well. May I take a look at you?"

The old lady turned her head, seemingly bewildered, and saw the doctor looking at her. Although his face was stern, the gentle light in his eyes slightly eased her grief. She shook her head and said:

"No, no, I don't have any money left to pay for your medical treatment."

"Don't worry, sir. Since I started my apprenticeship, I have been treating people every day without charging any fees. It is fate that I met you, sir. So I will not charge you a penny for this consultation."

Upon hearing this, the old lady was surprised. She looked the man in front of her over and paused for a moment on the black tiger-shaped brace with seven stars cast on it at his waist.

"You are..."

Bu Yanjin shook his head and extended his hand. The old lady seemed to know the identity of the person in front of her. She was stunned for a moment, but still quickly rolled up her sleeves and handed it over.

Bu Yanjin took the old lady's pulse, frowned slightly, and knew that the old lady was suffering from a mental illness. He then looked up at the old lady's face and eyes, and nodded slightly.

“Grandpa, you’re not in any serious health problems. I have a bottle of pills here. Just take one a day to help regulate your body.”

As Bu Yanjin spoke, he took out a porcelain bottle from his bag and placed it in the old lady's hand.

"It's already too much trouble for you to see me, how could I possibly accept your pills? I know your rules here, but this is really..."

The old lady looked somewhat anxious and was about to return the porcelain bottle, but Bu Yanjin firmly pushed it back.

"Old man, there's no need for that. These pills are made from some common herbs, nothing special. I have plenty more on me."

(End of this chapter)