Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 152 The Battle of Wits in Chechi Kingdom (Twenty-Two)
Meanwhile, Wukong drew his staff and struck at Ao Tu.

Ao Tu unleashed the Jade Purity Divine Thunder.

The divine lightning struck first, landing directly on Wukong's head.

Wukong's hair stood on end, his bones ached, and he was terrified.

You can't escape it.

A bolt of divine lightning struck head-on.

Wukong heard the thunder and was immediately shaken, becoming dazed and confused, unaware of what was happening. When the thunder struck him, his energy was immediately scattered, rendering him unable to use magic or perform transformations.

In this way, the essence, energy, and spirit have already been broken.

Only his physical body remained, enduring the divine lightning that pierced through him from head to toe. His fur turned black, his skin was charred, and his flesh was pierced through. Fortunately, Wukong's bones were strong, and he had also learned the Eight-Nine Arcane Arts, which allowed him to survive.

He was in pain all over his body, his muscles and bones were numb, he could not fly on the clouds or use any magic, and with his arms outstretched and his legs stretched out, he fell straight down from the sky to the ground.

Tang Sanzang and his companions were shocked and rushed over, only to find a charred monkey lying motionless on the ground.

Tang Sanzang called out, "Wukong! Wukong!"

Pigsy cried out, “Brother! You have extraordinary abilities, with seventy-two transformations, why didn’t you dodge? Now that you’ve been struck by this lightning, the Handsome Monkey King has turned into the Black Monkey King, how are we supposed to go west!”

Sha Wujing cried out, "Brother! Brother! The journey to the West is not even halfway done, the great mission is not yet complete, wake up!"

Ao Tu slowly descended from the sky.

Tiger Power Immortal and his two companions went to greet them.

Tiger Power Immortal laughed loudly, "Master, you are truly skilled!"

The Great Immortal Deer Power laughed loudly, "One strike of lightning, and that monkey is finished!"

The Great Immortal Yangli laughed loudly, "That monkey is already charred!"

Pigsy retorted angrily, "Nonsense! My eldest brother isn't dead! His body is still warm!"

Sha Wujing said, "Second Brother, Eldest Brother is completely cooked!"

Bajie said, "Huh?"

Tang Sanzang collapsed to the ground, touching the golden headband on Wukong's head, and said with tears in his eyes:
"My disciple! I wanted to rescue you from the Two Realms Mountain, and you fought dragons and tigers, captured demons and monsters, and endured countless tribulations and made countless contributions! Now, just because of your competitiveness and gambling, you have died here tragically, breaking my heart. Back in the Kingdom of Baoxiang, I promised you that I would not recite that spell; but if the Tightening Spell could have persuaded you not to gamble and be competitive, this disaster would not have happened. This is all my fault, and now it is too late to regret!"

Tiger Power Immortal said, “Monk, don’t rush to cry. Why not pawn some of your belongings and have us, your fellow disciples, hold a ‘recommendation ceremony’ for your disciple so that he can be reborn in a good place in his next life and become a virtuous person.”

Lu Li Da Xian said, "Brother, that monk doesn't have much money, so I'm afraid he won't be able to pawn anything. Let's have some compassion and give him a performance for free!"

The Great Immortal Yangli said, "That monkey was fierce in life, and I'm afraid he won't leave even after death. It would be better to ask a True Man to preside over the ceremony so that he can be delivered to the afterlife."

Tiger Power Immortal and Deer Power Immortal said, "That makes sense! That makes sense!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "This monkey doesn't need to be given a proper rite of passage."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy flew into a rage and said, "You damned old Taoist priest, how can you have no humanity at all? My eldest brother was killed by you with your thunder magic after a bet with you. Even if he was just passing by, you should at least offer him three bows. How can you not even perform a ritual to help him pass on to the afterlife, and yet you still have the audacity to laugh?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You plague pig, when did your senior brother die? Why are you cursing him?"

Pigsy was overjoyed and exclaimed, "My eldest brother isn't dead?"

Ao Tu said, "He relied on his strong body and was ruthless in his gamble. He didn't dodge and took a hit from my divine thunder. He was hit all over. But he was strong and survived. He was not in any danger."

Pigsy hurriedly asked, "Then why hasn't my eldest brother woken up?"

Ao Tu said, "He is not awake because the smoke is blocking his heart and lungs. You should open his mouth and nose, press on his chest and lungs to force the smoke out, and he will wake up."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy grabbed Monkey's mouth with one hand and pressed down on his chest with the other. Monkey exhaled a puff of black smoke, coughed a few times, and woke up.

Pigsy said, "Brother, you're finally awake!"

Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong!"

Wukong said weakly, "Master, Bajie, that old Taoist's thunder magic is quite powerful. I was caught off guard and was slightly defeated by him."

Bajie said, "Brother, you almost asked for the money back just now!"

Sha Wujing said, "Yes, eldest brother, they were all about to perform a ritual to help you pass on to the afterlife; it was thanks to that Taoist priest that they realized you were not dead, and second brother saved you."

Upon hearing this, Wukong looked at Ao Tu, intending to raise his hand in a gesture of respect, but found his hands and feet numb and unable to move. He could only lie there and say, "Old Daoist, I thank you."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You thank me too soon. The reason I spoke up was because I was afraid that if you died, the bet would be null and void. Now that you're alive, quickly go and kneel before the statue of my Three Pure Ones!"

Wukong said, "My whole body is sore and numb, I can't walk, I can only lie down and worship, I can't kneel down."

Tang Sanzang stepped forward and said, "Great Immortal, I beg you to have mercy and allow my disciple to rest for a few days before I kneel and worship again, is that alright?"

Ao Tu said, "A few days of rest is fine, but I'm afraid you monks are cunning and might run away in secret."

Wukong said, "How dare you underestimate me? I, Old Sun, will never run away."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Since that's the case, then let you rest and recuperate. However, you monkey have acted improperly and have unjustly insulted the statues of the Three Pure Ones. If you were to recuperate in the Three Pure Ones Taoist Temple, I'm afraid the Taoists would find it distasteful and drive you away. So, I'll send you to Zhiyuan Temple to recuperate instead! The abbot of Zhiyuan Temple is my disciple, and he can take care of you. There are also statues of the Three Pure Ones in the temple. Once you've recovered, you won't need to move; you can just kneel and worship there."

Tang Sanzang said, "Amitabha, thank you very much, Great Master."

Bajie carried Wukong on his back, and the four of them returned to Zhiyuan Temple.

Alu arranged a fine meditation room for the four of them to stay in, and sent people to deliver water and food to them every day.

Wukong's physical body is truly formidable.

After one day, the numbness in your bones will subside; after two days, the soreness in your muscles will subside; after three days, the pain in your flesh will subside.

On the fourth day, he was able to walk; on the fifth day, his hair turned golden again.

On this day, Ao Tu came to the temple to check.

Upon seeing this, Wukong approached with a smile and said, "Old Taoist priest, why do you distrust me so much that you have to come and check? Are you afraid that I will run away?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You monkey, you are so untrustworthy. I told you to rest for two days. Now that you are healed, why don't you go and kneel down in front of my Three Pure Ones statue?"

Wukong said, "Old Taoist, your lightning is really powerful. I'm fine on the outside, but I'm still in bad shape on the inside. You don't know, now I'm oozing pus at dawn, bleeding at dusk, feeling dry at 9 am, having a plague at noon, having a headache at 1 pm, feeling chest tightness at 3 pm, and by 5 pm I can't even stand up straight."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You monkey, you're quite the talker. But no matter how much you talk, you can't escape kneeling and worshipping before my Three Pure Ones statue for 1,111 days. Even if you're one day short, I won't let you off the hook."

Wukong said, "I know! I know! Once I'm healed, I'll definitely go and pay my respects. Old Daoist, I haven't yet asked you, which school of your thunder magic comes from, and which religion did you pass it down to? If I find out, I can prescribe the right medicine to cure my injuries and help me recover quickly so I can go and pay my respects."

Ao Tu asked, "You want to know?"

Wukong said, "I beg the old Taoist priest to tell me."

Ao Tu said, "It's alright to tell you, my thunder magic comes from heaven and earth."

Wukong said, "If the old Taoist priest is unwilling to tell me, fine, but why did he deceive me by saying that it came from heaven and earth?"

Ao Tu said, "When have I ever lied to you? My thunder magic originated from the beginning of chaos and the creation of heaven and earth. It is divine thunder born between heaven and earth."

Wukong pondered upon hearing this.

Ao Tu walked past.

Wukong asked, "Where are you going, old Taoist priest?"

Ao Tu said, "You monkey, you always judge others by your own petty standards. I came here to find my disciple and teach him some Taoist arts, not to see you."

Wukong said, "Who comes to a temple to impart Taoist arts?" Aotu said, "Abbot Alu is my disciple. What's wrong with me teaching him Taoist arts? Don't meddle in other people's business. You should hurry up and heal your injuries!"

Ao Tu left to teach Alu.

Three to five days later, Wukong's injuries were completely healed, and his physical body even improved. He was full of energy and radiant, and could only fulfill the bet.

On that day, Ao Tu, Hu Li Da Xian, and the other two came to Zhiyuan Temple to watch.

Wukong, Bajie, and Sha Wujing all knelt before the statues of the Three Pure Ones.

Even Tang Sanzang had to kneel and worship.

Wukong said, "Master, it was the three of us who desecrated the statue. It has nothing to do with you. You don't need to kneel down."

Tang Sanzang said, "I am your master. You have made mistakes. The first mistake is mine, and the second is yours. How can I not pay my respects?"

After saying this, Tang Sanzang bowed down.

Seeing this, Tiger Power Immortal and his two companions felt a surge of satisfaction.

Ao Tu said, "Sun Wukong, there's another clause in the bet, how could you forget it?"

Wukong feigned ignorance and said, "There's one more? I still have some lingering injuries, so I really can't remember."

Ao Tu said, "It's alright, I remember. According to the bet, you also have to admit that your Buddhist teachings are inferior to my Taoist teachings."

Wukong said, "Oh, I remember now, there is such a rule. I admit it. My Buddhist teachings are not as good as your Taoist teachings."

Ao Tu said, "You're wrong. It's not that your Buddhist teachings are inferior to my Taoist teachings. It's that your Buddhist teachings are inferior to my Taoist teachings."

Wukong said, "No! No! If I lose, it's because I'm not skilled enough. What does it have to do with Buddhism?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "This monkey is indeed shameless."

Tiger Power Immortal said, "All monks are like this!"

The Great Immortal Lu Li said, "Buddhist magic is all about the mouth. As long as your mouth isn't bad, your magic won't be defeated!"

The Great Immortal Yangli exclaimed, "That would truly be invincible!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, since you lost the bet, just accept it."

Wukong said, "Master, you can't admit it! If you admit that Buddhism is inferior to Taoism, wouldn't the Buddha blame you if he found out?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Whether it is Buddhism or Taoism, the purpose is to save all people. How can there be a distinction between victory and defeat, strength and weakness? Buddhism is good for saving one person; Taoism is good for saving ten people. If you seek victory, then you will win. I think even if the Buddha were here, he would not care about this distinction between victory and defeat. Great Master, I admit that Buddhism is not as good as Taoism."

Wukong said, "Alas! Master! You've never been to Mount Ling!"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "This master is truly sensible."

Next, Wukong and his disciples knelt and worshipped the statues of the Three Pure Ones every day for more than a month.

Ao Tu would come over from time to time to teach Alu some simple Taoist techniques.

On this day, Ao Tu came again.

Wukong approached with a smile and said, "Old Taoist Master, may we discuss some matters?"

Ao Tu asked, "What is it we can discuss?"

Wukong said, "Please forgive me, venerable Taoist. My master was ordered by the Tang Emperor to go west to retrieve the scriptures. He was originally supposed to return in three to five years, but unfortunately, there are many poisonous demons and monsters along the way. Now, nine years have passed, and we have just arrived here. There is really no time to delay."

We, the three brothers, were new to this place and made some mistakes; now, the four of us, master and disciples, have been devoutly kneeling and worshipping for over a month, and have sincerely repented. We humbly request that the venerable Taoist priest be lenient and allow us to continue our worship after we return from our pilgrimage.”

Ao Tu laughed and said, "You monkey, you're really cunning. You lost the bet and agreed to worship for 1,111 days, but now you're leaving after only 30-odd days. How can you have such a good deal? If you're going west, there are still 50,000 to 60,000 li to the Western Paradise. That Western Paradise is full of demons and monsters, and the second half of the journey will be a hundred times more dangerous than the first half. I know whether you and your master can make it or not."

Wukong said, "With the help of the immortals, although this journey is fraught with danger, I will surely be able to get through it and bring back the scriptures. Please be lenient with me, old Taoist priest."

Ao Tu said, "You monkey are used to talking big. I don't believe you. You'd better kneel down and worship me!"

Wukong had no choice but to return.

Tang Sanzang asked, "Wukong, how is it?"

Wukong said, "Master, that old Taoist priest is very stubborn and refuses to let us go west."

Tang Sanzang said, "Amitabha, since that's the case, then let's worship."

Wukong said, "Master, don't worry, I will definitely find a way to help you escape. If you really have to worship for three years, I'm afraid even Buddha won't allow it."

Sha Wujing said, "Brother, let's escape tonight!"

Wukong said, "No, no, that old Taoist priest has some magical powers. As long as he's around, we can't escape very far. Let me go to heaven and see if there are any immortals who know him and can ask him for a favor."

As it grew slightly late, Alu respectfully saw Ao Tu off.

Ao Tu said, "Don't see me off anymore, go back. Don't slack off while I'm gone!"

Alu said, "Yes, Master."

Seeing that Ao Tu had left, Wukong left a fake body behind and jumped onto the South Heavenly Gate with his real body, entering the Heavenly Court.

In the Lingxiao Palace, the Jade Emperor was discussing something with the immortals.

Wukong looked around from outside.

Someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.

"Monkey, what are you looking at? Have you run into demons again?"

Wukong turned around, saw it was Nezha, and said:
"No, no, I just had nothing to do, so I went for a stroll in the sky."

Nezha said, "You still have nothing better to do?"

Wukong said, "Taking a moment of leisure from my busy schedule! By the way, what are the Jade Emperor and the others discussing?"

Nezha said, "The Queen Mother of the West has recently had a flower realm that is not yet occupied. She has recruited 1,200 male immortals to water the flowers and 1,200 female immortals to tend to them. Now everything is ready, but she is missing a manager and there is no suitable candidate."

Upon hearing this, Wukong clapped his hands and laughed, "Excellent! A pillow for someone who's sleepy, truly a stroke of luck. If I recommend him to be an official in Heaven, let's see how he'll still care about the bet once he's there!"

Nezha asked, "What bet?"

Wukong said, "It's nothing, I just want to recommend some talented people to the Jade Emperor."

In the Lingxiao Palace, the Jade Emperor inquired about the selection of immortals.

Unfortunately, all the gods in heaven had their own positions, and there was no suitable candidate.

At this moment, a spirit official reported: "Your Majesty, Sun Wukong requests an audience."

The Jade Emperor laughed and asked, "What trouble has this monkey run into this time?"

All the immortals laughed.

The Jade Emperor said, "Summon him in."

The spirit official replied, "Yes."

Xuan Wukong entered the palace.

After Wukong entered, he bowed and saw the smiling faces of the immortals. He said, "Your Majesty, you must be making fun of me again. But this time I'm not here to ask you to subdue the demon, but to recommend talented people to you."

(End of this chapter)