Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 53, The Three Battles with the White Bone Demon (Part Six)
Meanwhile, Sha Wujing and Zhu Bajie rested in the forest for half a day until it got dark before returning.

Tang Sanzang was really tired after taking care of Tiger Vanguard for half a day.

Tiger Vanguard needs water when thirsty, food when hungry, and to turn over when in pain. After eating and drinking his fill, he has three urgent needs that require his care.

Tang Sanzang thought he was in good health after eating the ginseng fruit, but he never expected that taking care of someone would be so tiring.

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Monk Tang, you usually have three disciples to take care of you. When you are thirsty, your disciples will fetch you water; when you are hungry, your disciples will beg for alms for you; and your white horse will take care of your journey. Now that you are doing it yourself, you must be feeling lost."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang recalled the events of his journey and felt immense shame, uttering the words, "Amitabha."

In the evening, Pigsy and Sandy returned.

Tang Sanzang asked the two, "Bajie, Wujing, have you found the body?"

Bajie said, "Master, we are in the wilderness, there is nowhere to look."

Sha Wujing chimed in, "We searched for half a day but found no body. Perhaps it was eaten by wild animals."

Tang Sanzang then said to Ao Tu:

“Benefactor, my two disciples said that your sister’s remains may have been eaten by wild animals.”

Ao Tu asked, "What kind of wild beast devoured it?"

Tang Sanzang was speechless: "This..."

Ao Tu then asked, "When wild beasts devour animals, they also leave behind human bones. Where are those human bones now?"

Tang Sanzang was speechless.

Ao Tu said, "Monk Tang, how dare you speak so easily when you haven't seen it with your own eyes or set foot in it yourself? Cultivation! Cultivation! How can you truly cultivate if you don't do everything yourself? You are burdened with karmic obstacles, yet you have your disciples do everything for you. When will you be able to lighten your karmic burdens?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang kowtowed and said:
"Amitabha Buddha, what you say is true. This humble monk knows his mistake and is willing to personally venture into the mountains to search for the remains!"

The next day, as dawn broke, Tang Sanzang prepared to set off.

Ao Tu asked, "Monk Tang, where are you going?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Benefactor, this humble monk is prepared to personally go into the mountains to search for your sister's remains."

Ao Tu said, "How can you go into the mountains wearing a cassock? Change into my short, coarse clothes so you can walk more easily."

Tang Sanzang hesitated and said, "This... Benefactor, how can this humble monk wear the clothes of an ordinary person?"

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Try reciting some scriptures and see if you can find my sister's remains."

Tang Sanzang said, "You flatter me, benefactor."

Ao Tu said, "Look, chanting scriptures can't bring back the remains, but these short, rough clothes of mine will make it easier for you to walk in the mountains. Do you want to change?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang bowed and changed his clothes.

Ao Tu also dressed neatly, picked up a hoe and a basket, and asked Tang Sanzang to carry it on his back, saying, "I will go with you."

Tang Sanzang said, "Thank you, benefactor."

The two went up the mountain.

The mountain path was difficult, and after walking for a long time, even though Tang Sanzang had eaten the ginseng fruit, he gradually felt his strength failing.

Looking at Ao Tu again, who was radiant and full of energy, Tang Sanzang couldn't help but say:
“Your physique is truly robust.”

Ao Tu said, "This is the power of the 'Six-Syllable Mantra' bestowed by the Buddha of Mount Ling, not because of my physical strength."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang wanted Ao Tu to impart the true words to him, but remembering the sins he had committed, he could not speak and could only sigh helplessly.

After resting for a while, the two continued their journey. Along the way, Ao Tu picked some medicinal herbs, including Bupleurum, Dipsacus, and Drynaria, none of which Tang Sanzang recognized.

Ao Tu said, "Monk Tang, you don't even recognize these common herbs. If you fall ill or get injured while traveling in the wilderness, where will you find a doctor and get treatment?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Naturally, he is my eldest disciple..."

Speechless for a moment.

After walking for a long time, they arrived at the place where Wukong had killed the White Bone Demon's incarnation.

But what I saw were bits of minced meat, tattered clothes, and some scattered bones.

Tang Sanzang bowed with compassion and said, "Amitabha, please accept my condolences." Then he bent down and picked up the broken bones one by one and put them into his basket.

The two returned and walked in the mountain valley when suddenly a cold wind swept by, and a pack of gray-furred, silver-tailed wolves jumped out, each one hunching its back, baring its steel teeth, and staring fiercely at the two.

Tang Sanzang said in a panic, "Benefactor, what should we do?"

Ao Tu said, "Don't be afraid, I have the six-syllable mantra passed down by the Buddha of Mount Ling, which can ward off evil spirits."

Ao Tu clasped his hands together and chanted, "Om Mani Padme Hum!"

As the mantra was recited, the sound of Buddhist chanting filled the air, and the pack of wolves fled in panic.

Tang Sanzang was filled with envy upon seeing this.

The two returned home, buried the remains in the grave, and offered sincere prayers.

That evening, the herbs were prepared again and given to Tiger Vanguard.

Tiger Vanguard used the herbal medicine, but he still cried out in pain.

Ao Tu said, "The injuries are too severe; we still need to call a doctor to treat them."

Tang Sanzang said, "Tomorrow, this humble monk will personally go down the mountain to invite a doctor."

Sha Wujing said, "Master, the mountains are high and the roads are long, let me go in your place."

Tang Sanzang shook his head: "This is my fault, and you should not do it for me. It would be better if I went myself."

Sha Wujing asked worriedly, "Is it such a long way?"

Pigsy said, "Brother Sandy, what are you worried about? With this benefactor here, Master will be fine!"

The next day, Tang Sanzang prepared to set off.

Ao Tu asked, "Monk Tang, where are you going?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Benefactor, this humble monk is going to the town at the foot of the mountain to invite a physician to treat your younger brother's leg injury."

Ao Tu asked, "How much money do you have?"

Tang Sanzang said, "I am a monk and have no money."

Ao Tu said, "Without money, how can we invite a doctor?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Although I have no money, I have a sincere heart. I am sure I can move the doctor and ask him to come and treat your brother."

Ao Tu said, "Then go ahead."

Tang Sanzang then mounted his white horse and went down the mountain to find a doctor.

Upon arriving in town, Tang Sanzang found a clinic and explained his purpose.

Upon hearing that it was White Tiger Ridge, the doctor shook his head repeatedly and said:
"No! No! White Tiger Ridge is rugged and dangerous, and I've heard that demons dwell there. You should find someone else."

Tang Sanzang had no choice but to seek out other doctors, but upon hearing that it was White Tiger Ridge, most of them were unwilling to go.

Only one greedy doctor was willing to make a house call, but he demanded a large sum of money, which Tang Sanzang could not afford. He said:
"This humble monk is a monk and has no money with him. Could you please ask the doctor to make a house call for free, out of respect for Buddha?"

The doctor said, "Buddha? Can Buddha take pulses? Can Buddha conjure up medicine? What kind of illness can you treat if you don't have money? Besides, isn't your white horse money? Sell the horse, raise enough silver, and then come to me for a house call!"

Tang Sanzang had no choice but to wander around the city all day, but he couldn't find a doctor willing to make house calls. Finally, as night fell, he returned home hungry.

Ao Tu laughed and said, "It seems that a monk's sincerity isn't worth that much!"

Tang Sanzang said, “Benefactor, in the past, when Buddhism was not very prosperous in the Tang Dynasty, every time I went begging for alms, the people were all kind and respectful of the Buddha, and they gave generously. Now that we have come to this Western land, which is closer to Mount Ling, the people should be even more devout to the Buddha, but why…”

Ao Tu said, "It's not the people's fault; it's your method that's wrong. You'll come with me tomorrow."

The next day at dawn, Ao Tu said to Tang Sanzang:
"Monk Tang, lend me your cassock and staff for a day."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang said, "Benefactor, this was a gift from the Bodhisattva, and I dare not give it lightly to others."

Ao Tu laughed and said, "Monk Tang, 'All forms are illusory.' If you wear this robe, you won't be able to summon a healer. Even if you have divine power, how can you save all living beings?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang bowed and said, "Amitabha! Your Buddhist teachings are profound, benefactor. This humble monk knows his mistake!"

(End of this chapter)