Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 3, The Burning of the Zen Temple (Part Two)
When Sun Wukong arrived at Black Wind Mountain, he indeed saw three demons: a dark-skinned man, a Taoist priest, and a scholar in white robes. The three of them gathered together and said that they would hold a Buddhist robe gathering the day after tomorrow.

Enraged, Sun Wukong jumped down and killed the white-robed scholar with a single blow, then chased after the black-clad man.

The dark-skinned man fled back to Black Wind Cave, retrieved his weapons and armor, and came out to fight Sun Wukong.

The two fought for a while, but neither could gain the upper hand.

Ao Tu, watching from the air, felt even more that Sun Wukong was formidable. If it were him fighting, he would probably be defeated after only a few rounds. Only by using his innate supernatural powers in the water could he put up a fight against him.

After fighting for a while, the Black Bear Demon retreated into the cave. Sun Wukong tried to open the door but couldn't, so he had to return.

The next morning, Tang Sanzang ordered Sun Wukong to find the cassock again.

Sun Wukong disguised himself as Elder Jinchi this time, trying to trick the monk into giving him the cassock. Unfortunately, the black bear demon saw through his disguise, and the two fought for a long time without a clear winner.

On the third day, Tang Sanzang urged Sun Wukong to find the cassock again. Sun Wukong had no choice but to go. He thought that this place was called Guanyin Temple, and it was a place of worship for Guanyin Bodhisattva. So he went to the South Sea to ask for help.

Meanwhile, Ao Tu saw Sun Wukong heading to the South Sea and knew that the Black Bear Spirit was about to be subdued, so he prepared to begin his plan.

He flew down from the clouds and used a transformation spell to turn himself into Ananda's appearance.

By this time, the Guanyin Temple had been destroyed by fire, but the monks, both young and old, dared not flee. Threatened by Sun Wukong, they remained to serve Tang Sanzang. Guangzhi and Guangmou were cooking over a fire.

Ao Tu had once been a bell-ringer under the Buddha in the Western Paradise and was also versed in some Buddhist teachings. Now, after transforming into Ananda, he was surrounded by Buddhist light and looked just like the real thing. He descended before Guangzhi and Guangmou.

How could someone with such great wisdom and cunning, with eyes only mortal, recognize Ao Tu's true form?

Thinking it was a true god descending, they hurriedly bowed down.

Ao Tu said, “I am Venerable Ananda, a disciple of the Buddha Tathagata of the Western Paradise. I came from the Ullambana Festival and passed by this place. I saw the temple burned down and the Buddha statues broken, so I appeared here to ask you two why this monastery was burned down and why you two, as disciples of Buddhism, are working for others here?”

Upon hearing this, Guangzhi and Guangmou dared not utter a single lie. They repeatedly kowtowed and recounted the whole story to Aotu.

After hearing this, Ao Tu said:
“You have been deceived. I believe that Tang Sanzang and his disciples are two demons. They deliberately burned down the temple to steal the treasures that your temple has accumulated over the past hundred years.”

Guangzhi and Guangmou were shocked upon hearing this.

Guangzhi said, "That Tang Sanzang is actually a demon!"

Guangmou said, "Now that you mention it, that pilgrim really does seem like a monster."

The two looked at Ao Tu together and said, "Venerable One, these two are actually demons! What should we do?"

Ao Tu said, "You two should go and report to the authorities immediately, and ask them to arrest Tang Sanzang and his disciples."

Guangzhi and Guangmou asked in confusion, "Venerable One, since they are demons, ordinary government officials probably cannot capture them. Why don't you personally subdue them?"

Ao Tu said, "These two demons are impersonating Tang Dynasty monks, so it is inconvenient for me to take action. When the authorities arrive, if these two demons use their magic and reveal their true forms, I will then subdue them."

Guangzhi and Guangmou were relieved upon hearing this and said:

"I will follow the Venerable One's teachings."

The two immediately prepared to go down the mountain to report to the authorities.

Ao Tu said again, "Wait."

The two hurriedly turned back and asked:
"Does Your Excellency have any further instructions?"

Ao Tu said, "You must not reveal my name on this journey, lest you expose the secrets of heaven and alert the two demons so they may escape."

Guangzhi and Guangmou asked, "Venerable One, what should we say when we arrive at the government office?"

Ao Tu said, "Just tell them that two thieving monks came to the temple, intending to rob it of its treasures, and set it on fire. That's why we've come here to report to the authorities."

Guangzhi Guangmou replied, "Yes."

Ao Tu then said, "Leave one person behind to hold off the monster."

The phrase "broad wisdom and strategic thinking" is once again affirmed.

After discussing it, the two decided that Guangmou would stay behind to hold off Tang Sanzang, while Guangzhi would go down the mountain to report to the authorities.

After Ao Tu's scheme succeeded, he turned around and flew back into the clouds.

Sometimes, to stop the pilgrims on their journey to the West, one doesn't necessarily need great strength; mortals might be more troublesome than demons.

Meanwhile, Sun Wukong went to the South Sea and sought help from Guanyin Bodhisattva.

On their return to Black Wind Mountain, they stumbled upon the Black Bear Spirit organizing a Buddhist robe-making ceremony.

The old Taoist priest who had escaped the day before was carrying a tray with two elixirs on it, and he bumped into Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong immediately drew his staff and struck, killing the old Taoist priest, who turned out to be a wolf spirit.

Looking at the tray, Sun Wukong had an idea. He asked Guanyin Bodhisattva to transform into a Taoist priest and him into an elixir so that they could subdue the black bear demon.

Unable to resist Sun Wukong's repeated pleas, Guanyin Bodhisattva had no choice but to agree. She transformed into the Taoist priest, entered the Black Wind Cave, and offered him the elixir.

The black bear spirit, unaware of the trap, ate the elixir that Sun Wukong had transformed into, and Sun Wukong then entered its stomach.

Sun Wukong caused a great disturbance, and the Black Bear Spirit rolled on the ground in pain.

Guanyin Bodhisattva revealed her true form, asked the black bear spirit for the cassock, and then took out a headband, which she threw on the black bear spirit's head.

The headband took root on his head, and when Guanyin Bodhisattva began chanting the incantation, the black bear spirit was immediately struck with a splitting headache and rolled around on the ground in agony.

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "You wicked creature, are you willing to convert to Buddhism?"

The black bear spirit dared not disobey and hurriedly said, "I am willing to surrender, but please spare my life!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva subdued the black bear spirit and taught him to be a guardian deity of Luojia Mountain before returning to the South China Sea.

After bidding farewell to Guanyin Bodhisattva, Sun Wukong made a hand gesture and set fire to the Black Wind Cave, turning it into a red cave.

When Sun Wukong returned, it was past noon and the sun was setting.

Tang Sanzang got his cassock back and repeatedly thanked the Bodhisattva for her help. He then ordered Sun Wukong to quickly pack his luggage and prepare to continue their journey.

Sun Wukong said, "Master, don't be in a hurry. It's getting late. We should head west tomorrow morning."

Guangmou remembered Ao Tu's instructions and quickly led the monks to kneel down and plead:

“Master Sun is right: Firstly, it is late, and secondly, we have not yet thanked you. We hope to continue our journey tomorrow morning.”

Tang Sanzang then agreed.

(End of this chapter)