Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 303 The Earth Surge Lady
Time passed unnoticed in the mountains. As the pilgrimage team drew ever closer to the Kingdom of Tianzhu, where the Great Thunder Temple was located in the Western Paradise, the matter of obtaining the scriptures gradually ceased to require Niu Yi and Taibai Jinxing's concern.

After all, the pilgrimage team was almost at the doorstep of their home in the Western Paradise.

On Daojun Mountain, Nezha and Li Zhenying played on Daojun Mountain in the lower realm for several days before bidding farewell and leaving.

Li Zhenying, having finally managed to descend to the mortal realm, was curious about everything. She hadn't had enough fun in just a few days, and besides, she still had many questions to ask.
In the end, Lee Jung-young, who was clearly upset, was forcibly taken back to the Heavenly Palace by Nezha.

However, on this day, in the palace of the Heavenly Physician Daojun.

While preaching to the three immortals and their generals on the mountain, Daojun was suddenly summoned back to the Heavenly Palace by Taibai Jinxing. Upon returning to his Daojun Palace, he found three familiar figures and a kneeling woman waiting for him in the deep blue hall.

The three people who were waiting there immediately stepped forward to greet Daojun upon seeing him appear.

"Master Dao."

Daojun stepped forward and returned the greetings to the three of them one by one.

"Star Lord, Third Prince, Heavenly King Li."

"May I ask what brings the three of you here today?"

Daojun glanced at the woman on the ground. Although she was beautiful, even more beautiful than Chang'e in the moon, he could tell at a glance who she was.

This woman was a rare creature of heaven and earth, a golden-nosed, white-haired rat spirit, also known as Lady Earth Surge, or Half-Bodhisattva Guanyin.

It is said that this rat spirit cultivated itself into a demon three hundred years ago and stole the Buddha's fragrant flowers and precious candles on Mount Ling. Judging from its current appearance, those fragrant flowers and precious candles must have been extremely valuable treasures. This rat spirit is indeed quite powerful now.

In addition, when Buddha ordered Li Tianwang and Nezha to capture the rat demon, they did not harm the rat demon. The rat demon then recognized Li Tianwang as his godfather and Nezha as his godbrother.

I just don't know how these people, including Venus, ended up here together.
Venus stepped forward and presented the imperial edict to the Daoist Lord, saying:
"Daojun, this golden-nosed white-haired rat demon ate people in the mortal realm and kidnapped Tang Sanzang, attempting to force himself on him and steal his virginity. He was captured by the Heavenly King and the Third Prince and brought back to the Heavenly Court."

"The Jade Emperor decreed that this rat spirit should have been executed on the Demon-Slaying Platform, but considering the difficulty of her cultivation and the intercession of Buddhist Arhats, she was punished by being made a herb-gathering girl under Your Majesty for a thousand years to accumulate merit and atone for her sins."

Daojun accepted the imperial edict, a look of surprise flashing across his face.

When he opened the imperial edict, he found that what was written on it was almost exactly the same as what Venus had said.

Daojun raised his head somewhat inexplicably, looking at the three people staring at him, then looked down at the rat demon who was bound by the demon-binding rope and, despite his disheveled state, was still looking up at him.

Daojun saw no emotion in the rat demon's eyes, which surprised him greatly.

Venus laughed:

"Daoist Lord, may I have a word with you in private?"

"Alright, please, Star Lord."

Daojun and Taibai Jinxing walked to the side and talked about something. After Daojun returned, he agreed to take the rat spirit under his command.

Li Tianwang breathed a sigh of relief and bid farewell to Nezha and Taibai Jinxing before leaving.

Daojun put away the demon-binding rope, looked at the rat demon still kneeling on the ground, and said:

"From now on, I will call you Diyong. Since His Majesty the Jade Emperor has issued a decree, you will serve under me as a herb gatherer for a thousand years. After that, it is up to you whether you stay or leave."

The rat spirit lowered its head and bowed respectfully, saying:

"Yes, Di Yong obeys."

A moment later, Daojun watched as the celestial official led the rat spirit away, while he himself remained seated on his throne, not making any move, but silently pondering.

According to Jin Xing, this matter was arranged by a Buddha in Buddhism, originally intended to test Tang Sanzang and his group. This matter was not informed of the Heavenly Court or Li Tianwang and his entourage.

Originally, according to the Buddha's plan, the matter would eventually be handled by Mount Ling, who would take the rat spirit as a protector.

But in the end, Sun Wukong unexpectedly found the memorial tablets of Li Tianwang and Nezha in the cave, so he went to heaven to confront Li Tianwang and the Third Prince, and the Heavenly Court sent troops to deal with the matter.

The Buddha was dissatisfied with the rat demon's incompetence. Since she had been subdued by the Heavenly Court, he was unwilling to grant her a position as a Dharma protector. What followed was the scene before us.

"Even gods and Buddhas have emotions and desires. Mount Ling is not a monolithic entity. Even Venus and the Bodhisattvas were unaware of this matter. It is possible that the Buddha acted on his own initiative."

Daojun had been wondering why, after all, Lady Diyong had been adopted by a godfather and godbrother. Although Li Tianwang was unlikely to care much, there was still a bond of kinship between them. If something really happened, she would be implicated.

Li Tianwang is quite concerned about his reputation and values ​​rules, so the rat spirit couldn't possibly be unaware of this. How could she be so reckless without being prompted by anyone?

The matter of the eastward transmission of Buddhism is now being handled by Guanyin Bodhisattva, Venus, and the three of them, who share information. However, the matter of Lady Earth Emergence is definitely not the work of any one of the three of them, which is quite unexpected.

"Regardless, this is a matter within Mount Ling. Since His Majesty the Jade Emperor has not said anything and has simply handed this rat demon to me, I will accept it."

Daojun shook his head. It is said that the golden-nosed white-haired rat spirit's nose can smell the scent of treasures in the Three Realms. Back then, the fragrant flowers and precious candles were stolen and eaten by this rat spirit because of this.

Being a herb-gathering girl for him, working for him, wouldn't be considered a waste of her talent. On Mount Ling, Guanyin Bodhisattva calmly looked at the Buddha before her.

“Buddha of Joy, the Buddha commanded this humble monk to oversee the eastward transmission of Buddhism, but you bypassed me and those two in your actions. I wonder why?”

The handsome man-like Buddha, seated cross-legged on a lotus throne before the Bodhisattva, laughed heartily and said:

"Haha~ Bodhisattva, what are you saying? The eastward transmission of Buddhism is a great matter for our Vulture Peak. How could this humble monk not lend a helping hand?"

Just as the Bodhisattva was about to say something, she suddenly heard the Buddha's voice in her ear.

Upon hearing this, the Bodhisattva frowned slightly, but still suppressed the words that were about to come out.

"In that case, I have truly disturbed the Buddha of Joy. This humble monk will now take his leave."

The Buddha of Joy on the lotus throne suddenly transformed from a handsome male into a beautiful female, looked at Guanyin Bodhisattva, and nodded with a smile:
"You're too kind, Bodhisattva. I won't keep you any longer."

After Guanyin Bodhisattva left, she went straight to the Heavenly Court and found Venus and the Divine Physician Daojun to discuss the matter.

"Regardless of the Buddha's intentions, this matter has indeed further tested the journey to obtain the scriptures, adding another difficulty to it."

"As for Lady Earth Emergence, it can be said that Buddhism has wronged her this time. Now that Lady Earth Emergence has joined Daojun's ranks, please rest assured, Daojun, the Arhats Subduing Dragon and Subduing Tiger will soon send many treasures to Daojun's palace as compensation for the two of them."

Upon hearing this, Daojun thought to himself that it seemed the Buddhist sect was also not planning to agree to the matter of the Buddhist protector.
And is that Blissful Buddha a rather unconventional figure within Buddhism?
"Bodhisattva, you are too kind. In any case, this matter is now settled, and I will explain everything to Lady Diyong."

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded with a smile.

"In that case, this humble monk thanks you, Daoist Master."

After returning to Daojun Palace, Daojun explained the matter to Lady Diyong, who remained surprisingly calm.

"Regardless of the circumstances, it was indeed my fault for not handling this matter properly. I still want to thank Daoist Lord for taking me in. Please rest assured, Daoist Lord, I will definitely fulfill my duties."

Daojun nodded slightly and said again:
"If you have this intention, that's enough. If you can cultivate in this Daojun Palace for a thousand years, your future achievements may not be inferior to those of the Buddhist protectors."

“I am not in the Daojun Palace most of the year. If you have any important business, you can seek out the celestial officials in this palace. They will know how to find me.”

"Yes, Lord Dao."

After resolving the matter, Daojun went to the Eastern Wonderful Palace of Taiyi Jiuku Tianzun, stayed there for a while, and then headed straight for Yuhua Prefecture in the lower realm.

At this time, the Nail Rake Meeting was being held, and the Yellow Lion Spirit had already gone to order the two little demons, Diaozuan and Guaiguai, to take twenty taels of silver to buy pigs and sheep.

Daojun arrived above Yuhua Prefecture in Tianzhu Kingdom, concealed his aura, sat cross-legged in the clouds, closed his eyes and began to cultivate, waiting for things to develop.

"Master Dao?"

Half a day later, a loud and familiar voice suddenly rang in Daojun's ears, causing him to open his eyes and look behind him in surprise.

"Great Immortal?"

A barefoot immortal, fanning himself with a banana leaf fan and sporting a large belly, was laughing loudly as he rode the clouds toward the Daoist Lord.

"Haha, it really is you, Daojun~"

Daojun rose to greet him, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture and smiling:
"Where do you come from, Great Immortal, and where are you going?"

"I came from Mount Ling and was on my way to attend a banquet at the Treasure Spring with the Great Immortal Huangjiao. I never expected to meet the Daoist here."

"I see that Daojun has been sitting here for quite some time. Is he facing some difficulties? If there is anything you need help with, Daojun, please don't hesitate to ask."

The Barefoot Immortal, while waving his banana leaf fan, patted his chest with gusto and spoke of this matter to the Daoist Master.

Upon hearing this, Daojun shook his head and politely declined:
"Thank you for your kindness, Master, but I have already made all the preparations. I just need to wait here. You have a prior appointment, Master. If you are in a hurry, you may go ahead."

After listening, the Barefoot Immortal shook his head dismissively and said:
"It's alright, it's alright. There's still plenty of time before the Treasure Spring Banquet. Even if it's delayed by a few days, it won't matter. But since Daoist Lord doesn't need my help, then I won't disturb Daoist Lord's business any further."

After Barefoot Immortal finished speaking, he exchanged pleasantries with Daoist Lord for a while and invited him to meet at Daoist Lord's Palace in the future. Then, he leisurely left, fanning himself with his fan.

Daojun watched the departing figure go by.

If one speaks of meeting again in the future to others, one may not know when that future day will come. But this person is different; he is a believer.

Since an agreement had been made, it must be kept, and he also made an appointment with this person for a future visit.

After seeing off the Barefoot Immortal, Daojun sat cross-legged again until a short while later, when he suddenly opened his eyes.

The Yellow Lion Demon is already dead, and the Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pill has been activated.

(End of this chapter)