Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 50, The Three Battles with the White Bone Demon (Part 3)
The story has two parts, each telling its own perspective.

Meanwhile, Ao Tu and Qiao'er were working in the fields.

After Wukong killed the White Bone Demon's fake body, it flew over and secretly reported to Ao Tu.

After Ao Tu learned of this, he said to Qiao'er:

"My wife, my sister hasn't brought me food yet, and I'm a little hungry. Let's go back first."

Qiao'er was extremely obedient to Ao Tu, so she naturally agreed.

The two men picked up their hoes and returned home.

After returning home and meeting Qiao'er's parents, Ao Tu asked:
"Where are my sister and brother?"

Qiao'er's parents said, "Son-in-law, Jingjing went to deliver food to you and hasn't come back yet. Your brother went looking for her just now, but he hasn't returned either."

Just then, Tiger Vanguard came running back, dragging his broken leg in a miserable state.

Everyone was shocked when they saw this. When asked why, Tiger Vanguard cried and said:
“Brother, I encountered four bandits on the road. They robbed me and harmed my little sister. To silence her, they broke my leg. I risked my life to escape and report back.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was filled with grief.

Qiao'er's parents wept and said, "How pitiful! Son-in-law, your family had already suffered a misfortune, and you had just settled down here, but now you have suffered this calamity and lost your loved ones!"

Qiao'er also cried, "White Tiger Ridge is a remote place, how could bandits suddenly come? If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have let her deliver the food. I'm so sorry to her!"

Ao Tu wept and said, “My poor little sister Jing’er, she suffered such a calamity at such a young age! My wife, please set up an incense table so that I can recite the Rebirth Mantra to help Jing’er pass on to the afterlife.”

Qiao'er's parents exclaimed in surprise, "Son-in-law, you can also chant scriptures and incantations?"

Ao Tu said, “You don’t know, I have loved monks and Buddha since I was a child, and I am well-versed in Buddhist teachings. Whenever I see a monk, I feel a sense of joy. I also carry a Buddha statue with me to worship. Please wait a moment while I go get it.”

Ao Tu entered the wooden house, took off a dragon scale, and transformed it into his own likeness, becoming able to speak and walk. His true form then transformed into a Buddha statue, which he held in his hand.

The Buddha statue depicts Ao Tu wearing a kasaya, seated on a golden lotus, with a compassionate face and a solemn appearance.

Ao Tu brought out the Buddha statue and placed it on the newly set incense table.

Then he helped Tiger Vanguard into the house, laid him on the bed, and told him not to move, so that he could extort money from Tang Sanzang later.

The family then knelt before the Buddha, wiping away tears and weeping.

Ao Tu chanted the Rebirth Mantra, using his magical power to activate it, and the sound traveled for miles.

The Tang Monk and his disciples crossed the mountain ridge and headed west. Before long, they saw several wooden houses and heard the sounds of chanting and reciting mantras in the distance. The Tang Monk exclaimed with delight:

"Amitabha! The Western Paradise is truly a blessed land! Even in these desolate mountains, there are people chanting scriptures and reciting Buddha's name!"

Pigsy said, "Master, don't be too happy yet. I think that's a source of trouble."

Tang Sanzang asked, "How is it the root of trouble?"

Bajie said, "Master, listen! The chanting is mixed with crying. It's probably the family of the woman who was beaten to death by my senior brother. They're performing a ritual to help her soul find peace!"

Wukong said, "Fool, what nonsense are you talking about? These houses exude demonic energy; they must be the dwelling place of monsters. Master, let's take a detour!"

Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, I clearly heard Buddhist chants coming from those houses. I was too busy going over to pay my respects to do so. How can you say they are monsters? Stop talking nonsense, let's go!"

Tang Sanzang rode his white horse down the hillside and walked to the fence of the wooden house. Inside, he saw a family kneeling and weeping in front of a Buddha statue, with one of them chanting sutras.

Tang Sanzang said, "Benefactor, this humble monk comes from the Great Tang Dynasty in the East. I am a monk on my way to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and seek scriptures. I passed by this blessed land and heard you reciting mantras, so I came here to pay my respects!"

Upon hearing this, Ao Tu stopped reciting the scriptures, opened the gate, and invited Tang Sanzang in. He said, "Master, please come in. My family has encountered some misfortune, and I hope you will forgive any neglect."

Tang Sanzang was about to go in.

Wukong rushed over and said, "Master, you can't go in!"

Tang Sanzang ignored him and walked straight into the courtyard.

Wukong recognized Ao Tu early on, but he didn't know what trick Ao Tu would use to capture his master. He was so anxious that he scratched his head but couldn't do anything about it.

Pigsy and Sandy followed behind, and the four of them entered the courtyard. Qiao'er and her parents were so frightened by their appearances that they retreated repeatedly, shouting that they were monsters.

Tang Sanzang quickly said, "Don't be afraid, benefactor. They are all my disciples. Although they are ugly, they are all good people!"

Ao Tu said, “Since he is a high monk, he must not be a bad person. However, you must be careful on your journey, masters. Recently, a group of bandits has been roaming in these mountains, robbing and killing people. They are ruthless. Someone in my family has been killed. Please be careful, masters.”

Tang Sanzang said, "Amitabha, you are so devoted to the Buddha, yet you suffer such grief. How pitiful! How pitiful! I hope you can take care of yourself and find some peace."

Ao Tu clasped his hands together and returned the greeting.

Bajie whispered to Wukong, "They're not talking about us, are they?"

Wukong said irritably, "Go away, you idiot."

At this moment, Tang Sanzang noticed the Buddha statue on the incense table and asked:
"May I ask, benefactor, which Buddha is this statue dedicated to? I have read through all the Buddhist scriptures, but I have never recognized this image."

Ao Tu said, "Master, you may not know this, but this is the Buddha King of Mount Ling!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Pigsy asked, "Brother, what are you laughing at?"

Wukong said, "If this is the Buddha of Mount Ling, then I, Old Sun, am the Great Sage Equal to Heaven!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang angrily said, "Wukong! If you dare to talk nonsense again, I will chant a spell!"

Wukong quickly fell silent.

Ao Tu said, "Master, please don't be angry. Speaking of this Buddha, it actually has some history. I was originally from Baoxiang Kingdom, from a noble and illustrious family. Due to a misfortune in my family, I sought refuge here."

In my childhood, I dreamt of this Buddha, who imparted true scriptures to me, saying that I was destined for calamity and instructing me to wait here for the holy monk Xuanzang from the East, to whom I could receive the scriptures and thus escape the tribulation. Since then, I have loved monks and Buddhism, but I have never been able to meet that holy monk.

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang was overjoyed and said:

“Amitabha! It is a karmic connection! It is a karmic connection! Benefactor, my secular name is indeed Chen Xuanzang!”

Ao Tu said, "Such a thing has happened! It is truly a manifestation of the Buddha! Quickly invite the holy monks into my humble abode for a chat. My lady, please prepare tea and vegetarian food to entertain the four holy monks!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong grabbed Ao Tu's arm and said, "What trick are you going to pull this time?"

Ao Tu asked, "Holy Monk, what is this?"

Tang Sanzang angrily retorted, "You impudent monkey, how dare you be so rude!"

Wukong said, "Master, he is a demon. You are only a mortal and cannot recognize his transformations!"

Tang Sanzang angrily retorted, "You impudent monkey! This is the Buddha manifesting his power, instructing this benefactor to pass on the scriptures to me. How dare you obstruct me!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong had no choice but to release Ao Tu. He followed closely behind Tang Sanzang, protecting him.

Ao Tu respectfully invited Tang Sanzang into the house.

After Tang Sanzang entered, he saw:

The newly planed wooden table is spotless, and the newly carved rattan chairs are arranged deep within the hall.

A rough pottery bowl reflects the light through the pine-lined window, while a plain cloth curtain casts deep shadows of bamboo.

Tang Sanzang clasped his hands and said, "Your home is clean and tidy, which shows that you are a person of good character and virtue!"

Ao Tu said, "Holy Monk, you flatter me."

Tiger Vanguard in the inner room heard Ao Tu's voice and knew that Tang Sanzang had arrived, so he shouted:

"It hurts! It hurts so much! My leg!"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang hurriedly asked, "What is this?"

(End of this chapter)