Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 173 Perilous Crossing of the Tongtian River (Thirteen)
Meanwhile, Tang Sanzang and his disciples stayed in Chen Family Village for more than a month.

It was deep winter, withered leaves drooping with frosty petals, and pine trees hanging with frozen bells.

Tang Sanzang was eager to cross the river, so he went to the Tongtian River every day to check. He saw that there were more boats on the river these days, and he began to think about crossing the river to travel west.

Tang Sanzang said to Chen Qing, "Old benefactor, I see many boats crossing the river. I wonder if you could give me a ride across?"

Chen Qing said, “Holy Monk, you mustn’t. This Tongtian River is eight hundred miles long. Those people are traveling in boats of five or seven people, or boats of ten or more people. They are risking their lives for profit. If there is any mistake, the boats will capsize and the people will drown, and then everything will be over.”

Tang Sanzang said, "This..."

Chen Qing said, "Please stay a few more days, Holy Monk. At the end of the year, merchant ships will be passing through, traveling between the two places. Only with sturdy ships and secure cabins can one cross the river safely. I have already asked someone to contact a merchant caravan, and they can take the Holy Monk with them at that time."

Pigsy said, "Master, those small boats are a struggle for even an old pig like me. They capsize with just one wave. Let's listen to the old benefactor and wait for the big boat!"

Sha Wujing also said, "Master, Second Brother is right. Stability is the most important thing. We've made it through so many years, what's a day or two more?"

Tang Sanzang was persuaded and stayed for another half month.

With the Chinese New Year approaching, every household in Chenjiazhuang is filled with a festive atmosphere.

Chen Qing found Tang Seng and said, "Holy Monk, the merchant ship will arrive in three days. I will have someone escort you onto the ship then."

Tang Sanzang said happily, "Thank you for your trouble, esteemed benefactor."

Chen Qing said, "Holy Monk, there's no need for you to be so polite. I have some things to take care of, so I'll take my leave now."

Wukong laughed and said, "Old benefactor, you're getting on in years, why are you still so busy? Since we have nothing else to do, why don't we lend a hand?"

Chen Qing said, "No need for Elder Sun, I'm going to offer sacrifices to the River God."

Wukong's expression changed, and he said, "A sacrifice to the river god! Is it that monster?"

Chen Qing said, "It is King Pingyou."

Wukong angrily retorted, "You old codger, where did this child come from? That monster has already been driven away by me, Old Sun! Why are you still offering sacrifices to him!"

Chen Qing said, "Elder Sun, you misunderstand. I am not offering children as sacrifices, but rather some grains and animal offerings."

When Wukong heard that it was about five grains and three kinds of sacrificial animals, he was relieved.

Pigsy said, “Old benefactor, no offense, but why are you bothering with this? That monster ate my rake and had its tail cut off by Brother Sandy. It’s probably hiding somewhere recovering now. Even if you offer it as a sacrifice, it won’t benefit from it. You might as well give it to me, Pigsy!”

Sha Wujing said, "Yes, old benefactor. A demon has been driven away, why are you still offering sacrifices to him?"

Chen Qing said, “The elders say that King Pingyou is a monster, and I dare not argue with them; however, King Pingyou swallowed King Linggan to avenge my family; and he also saved the ancestral hall from a fire. I should offer sacrifices to him, both out of sentiment and reason.”

Upon hearing this, none of the others knew what to say.

Chen Qing went down to prepare for the sacrificial ceremony.

After Chen Qing left, Tang Sanzang said to Wukong, "Wukong, that King Pingyou is a man-eating monster after all. The old benefactor has treated us well. Go and follow him to make sure nothing happens."

Wukong nodded and said, "Master, don't worry, I'll be right there."

Wukong got up to leave, but seeing Bajie standing to the side, he smiled and stepped forward, saying, "Bajie, come with me!"

Bajie turned around and said, "What do you want me to do? It's cold outside, I'm not going."

Wukong laughed and said, "Come with me, I have something to offer you!"

Pigsy perked up and asked, "Benefits? What benefits?"

Wukong said, "Come with me first."

Bajie hurriedly followed Wukong outside and asked impatiently, "Brother! What's the benefit?"

Wukong laughed and said, "We chased that monster away, but he was seriously injured. He won't be back for at least several hundred years. Instead of throwing the offerings into the river for nothing, why don't we enjoy them instead of the villagers worshipping him? What do you say?"

Pigsy was overjoyed and said, "Great! Let's go quickly!"

The two caught up with Chen Qing and followed him secretly.

Chen Qing prepared many offerings and led people to deliver them to the riverbank.

A simple altar was erected on the riverbank, and many other villagers came as well, some just for the fun of it, and others, like Chen Qing, genuinely to worship. Under Chen Qing's guidance, the group began to worship the river god. Underwater, Ao Tu, seeing this, summoned Tiger Vanguard.

Tiger Vanguard was still injured, limping and weak.

With Ao Tu's methods, Tiger Vanguard can be restored.

However, Ao Tu did not do that.

Tiger Vanguard was wounded, which made it easier for him to act with reason.

Ao Tu handed the now-revived Xiao Guanbao to Tiger Vanguard, saying, "Send him up. You'll need to stay in bed for a while with these injuries. Thank you for your hard work."

Tiger Vanguard said, "Your Majesty's kindness in saving me is something I will never forget. How could I possibly complain about hardship?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Alright, go on, let the old turtle carry you up."

Tiger Vanguard said, "Your Majesty, there's no need for him to carry me. Although I'm seriously injured, I can still walk."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "No, listen to me, you are already critically injured and on the verge of death..."

Ao Tu explained a few things in detail.

After hearing this, Tiger Vanguard left with the child in his arms.

Outside, Chen Qing and others were performing a sacrificial ceremony.

Suddenly, the water surged and the steam rose, and a giant turtle emerged from the water.

The giant tortoise was enormous, with a white canopy four zhang in diameter on its back, hence it was also called the White Turtle.

Tiger Vanguard sat on the back of the white turtle, holding Little Guan Bao in his arms.

Pigsy exclaimed, "Oh no! That monster is here again!"

Wukong said, "That's strange. He's seriously injured, so why isn't he hiding or running away? Let's observe first!"

Upon seeing this, the villagers all bowed in worship.

Only Chen Qing remained rooted to the spot.

Chen Qing looked at the child in Hu Xianfeng's arms with disbelief in his eyes, and even dared not recognize him.

For Chen Qing, his child had been dead for several years, and his sudden reappearance caught him completely off guard.

However, Xiao Guanbao spotted Chen Qing at a glance and exclaimed happily, "Daddy!"

Tears welled up in Chen Qing's eyes as she ran forward and cried out, "Guan Bao'er!"

At this moment, Chen Qing noticed that "King Pingyou" was deathly pale, had wounds on his legs, and a large amount of blood was gushing out from the nine bloody holes.

Tiger Vanguard handed Xiao Guanbao to Chen Qing and said weakly, "You saved me that day, and as a way of repaying you, your child has been saved."

Because of his weak voice, the other villagers could not hear what Tiger Vanguard said.

Chen Qing hugged Xiao Guanbao tightly, tears streaming down his face, and said, "I am so grateful! So grateful! So grateful! But your injury..."

Tiger Vanguard said weakly, "The injuries are nothing serious. I'll recover in five or six hundred years. Go and call them over. I have something to say to them."

Chen Qing readily agreed and carried the child back to the villagers.

The villagers stared in disbelief at the little Guan Bao in Chen Qing's arms.

"This...this really is Guan Bao'er!"

"It's like it, it's like it, exactly the same!"

"They've really been saved!"

"My child is saved!"

(End of this chapter)