Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 155 The Battle of Wits in Chechi Kingdom (Twenty-Five)
After Wukong recommended Tai Xi Zhenren to become Tai Xi Zhenjun, he returned to Chechi Kingdom.

A month has passed in the mortal realm by the time this has taken place.

In Chechi Kingdom, the story of the immortal Tai Xi Zhenren ascending to heaven in broad daylight and becoming a deity has been widely circulated.

His eight disciples were naturally proud of this. In particular, his eldest disciple, Alu, who inherited the immortal furnace of the Taixi Immortal, became an extremely sought-after figure.

Even before, when Alubai Taixi Zhenren was his disciple, many people were already secretly paying attention to him.

These are all people involved in the lawsuit that the former abbot of Zhiyuan Temple was involved in.

These people watched as the new abbot, Alu, gradually rose to prominence, from becoming a disciple of the True Man Taixi, to assisting in alchemy, to receiving rewards from the king, and finally, when the True Man Taixi ascended to immortality, Alu inherited his mantle.

Fearing retaliation from Alu for what had happened before, these people were filled with anxiety and brought money to Zhiyuan Temple to apologize and beg for forgiveness.

Alu did not make things difficult for these people. He accepted the principal they owed Zhiyuan Temple, returned the interest, and told them that this was the instruction of their master, the Immortal Taixi, that the temple should only take what was rightfully theirs.

Everyone was extremely grateful.

Alu received the money and used half of it to pay the craftsmen's fees; he also used his own money, given to him by the king, to build a new hall in Zhiyuan Temple and place a Buddha statue there, which he named "Taixi Zhenfo" (True Buddha of the Western Paradise).

Alu said, "Everyone can become a Buddha. My master has great merits, so he should become the Buddha of the Western Paradise."

Alu instructed his disciples to distribute the remaining half of the money to the poor.

After this action, Alu's reputation soared.

Alu then announced that he wanted to recruit disciples and teach them the "method of alchemy".

After the news spread, many people came to seek refuge, and Zhiyuan Temple gained about two hundred novice monks, which led to its renewed prosperity.

Of course, none of this has much to do with Wukong.

After Wukong came down from the sky, he met Tang Sanzang and told him about Tai Xi Zhenren's official position. He then smiled and said to Tang Sanzang, "Master, now no one can control us. Let's pack our bags and leave first thing tomorrow morning."

Tang Sanzang said with some concern, "Wukong, you promised to kneel and worship for 1,111 days. Wouldn't it be wrong to go back on your word?"

Wukong advised, “Master, you’re too rigid. That Taixi Zhenren told us to kneel and worship for 1,111 days, but he was just saying it in anger so that we would apologize to the Three Pure Ones. Now that we’ve knelt and worshipped, that’s enough. If we really worship for more than a thousand days, how can we get the scriptures?”

Tang Sanzang said, "That's true, but..."

Bajie advised, "Master, what are you worried about? That Taixi Zhenren was able to become an official in Heaven thanks to my senior brother's recommendation. According to etiquette, he should host a banquet for us. How could he expect us to continue kneeling?"

Sha Wujing also said, "Master, Second Brother is right. As the saying goes, 'A recommendation is a double favor,' and the favor is immense!"

Tang Sanzang said, "Well, alright. Then I'll go and tell the abbot."

Wukong said, "Master, there's no need. I've already said that."

Tang Sanzang asked, "When did you say that?"

Wukong said, "When I came down from heaven, I ran into him and told him."

Tang Sanzang nodded and said, "Alright, let's pack our luggage."

Wukong went to pack the luggage with Bajie and Sha Wujing.

Sha Wujing asked, "Brother, I just saw you come down directly from the sky outside. When did you meet the abbot?"

Wukong said, "Brother Sha, keep your voice down. I'm just deceiving Master."

Sha Wujing said, "This, Elder Brother."

Wukong said, "I'm afraid if I tell the abbot, it will cause more trouble. Tomorrow, you should all be quick and get up early so we can leave early and not disturb the monks."

Sha Wujing said, "Alright."

Wukong said, "Bajie, did you hear that?"

Pigsy said, "I heard it, I heard it."

The next day, Wukong and the others got up early and woke up Tang Sanzang.

Seeing that the stars were still shining outside, Tang Sanzang asked, "Disciples, why are you up so early?" Wukong laughed and said, "Master, why are you being lazy too? Getting up early is good for our journey!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang felt it was a bit strange, but he didn't suspect anything.

Before dawn, the four of them took the horses and prepared to leave the temple.

As I stepped outside, about to leave the temple, I saw a patch of bald heads shimmering in the morning dew.

It turned out that Alu had led all the monks and young novices in sitting cross-legged at the temple gate. They had been sitting there for who knows how long, and their bald heads were covered with morning dew.

Before his ascension, Ao Tu had specifically instructed A Lu, giving him detailed instructions word by word. Therefore, A Lu had long been on guard against Tang Sanzang and his disciples escaping.

Alu asked, "Elder Tang, why did you leave without saying goodbye?"

Tang Sanzang found it difficult to express.

Wukong said, "Abbot, we have troubled you for many days. We dare not disturb you any longer and are preparing to depart for the west."

Alu said, "Since Elder Tang wishes to travel west, this humble monk dares not stop him. But please come with me to the main hall for a chat, and I have some questions for you to answer."

Wukong said, "Abbot, what is your problem? We are still in a hurry to go west."

Alu ignored Wukong and said to Tang Sanzang, "Elder Tang, please don't refuse!"

Tang Sanzang sighed, "Abbot, please."

Alu said, "Please."

Alu led Tang Sanzang to the main hall, where they each sat on a prayer mat in front of the Buddha statue. Outside the hall, a large group of young monks gathered, curiously watching the scene unfold.

Alu asked, "Elder Tang, may I ask if the Tang Dynasty has the sun and moon?"

Tang Sanzang said, "The sun and moon naturally exist."

Alu asked, "Are there spring, summer, autumn, and winter?"

Tang Sanzang said, "There are naturally spring, summer, autumn and winter."

Alu asked, "Is there a time?"

Tang Sanzang said, "There will naturally be a time."

Alu asked, "I wonder how many hours are in a day in the Tang Dynasty?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Naturally, it is twelve hours. Abbot, although our Great Tang is far away, it shares the same sky and the same sun as your country. Why do you ask these three questions?"

Alu laughed and said, "Since the Tang Dynasty has the sun and moon, and divides spring, summer, autumn and winter, and a day has twelve two-hour periods, why did Elder Tang promise to kneel and worship in front of the Three Pure Ones statue for 1,111 days, but now, after only two months and sixty days, he is about to leave?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang felt his mouth go dry and was unable to speak.

Alu added, “Yesterday a monk told me that Master Tang and his disciples were packing their belongings and looking after the horses, as if they intended to leave. I didn’t believe it at first, but today I saw it was indeed true.”

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang blushed deeply and felt extremely ashamed.

Alu then asked, "I originally thought that the Tang Dynasty was a superior nation with different seasons than our humble land, so I asked why. Now that the seasons are the same, I wonder why?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang closed his eyes in shame and lowered his head.

Wukong stepped forward and said, "Don't make things difficult for my master, it's me who's leaving!"

Alu said, "So, Elder Sun's promise to our master is invalid?"

Wukong said, "We'll pay our respects for the remaining days after we return from our pilgrimage!"

Alu said, "Is it acceptable to be filial when one's father dies? Is it acceptable to be loyal when one's country perishes?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong retorted angrily, "You monk, how do you know the will of Heaven? To follow the way is to be loyal and filial! Today, my master and I are traveling west in accordance with the will of Heaven, how dare you obstruct us!"

Alu said, "If Elder Tang wants to leave, this humble monk dares not stop him. I only ask that Elder Tang write a statement clarifying that it was Elder Tang who broke his promise to go west, and that it was not this humble monk who let Elder Tang go west. With this statement, this humble monk can die without shame before his master."

(End of this chapter)