Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 54, The Three Battles with the White Bone Demon (Part 7)
Now, Ao Tu changed into a brocade cassock, held a nine-ringed staff, and wore a five-faced five-Buddha crown to cover his hair. He was truly a dignified and imposing figure, resembling a Buddhist monk.

Ao Tu called out, "Bajie, take the horse and come with me to the city to beg for alms."

Pigsy didn't react in time and instinctively replied, "Yes, Master!"

Tang Sanzang immediately looked over, and Bajie realized he had spoken out of turn and hurriedly ran to fetch the horse.

Ao Tu rode a white horse, with his two disciples, Tang Sanzang and Zhu Bajie, following beside him, as they hurried into the city.

After entering the city, Ao Tu looked up and saw some resentment lingering in the house of a wealthy family, so he went over.

Let Tang Sanzang knock on the door, and let Pigsy put away his slyness.

Pigsy said, "This face of mine is something I was born with, how can I hide it?"

Ao Tu said, "If you don't put it away, you won't be allowed to eat at the table when there's vegetarian food later."

Upon hearing this, Pigsy immediately stopped his smug expression.

Tang Sanzang knocked on the door, and after a short while, a servant came out and said:

"You are?"

Ao Tu said, "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 through this place and saw that there was resentment lingering in your mansion, so I came to help you."

Upon hearing this, the servant noticed Ao Tu's unusual attire and quickly said:
“Holy Monk, please wait a moment. I will go and inform my master.”

Before long, the master of the mansion came out and respectfully invited Ao Tu and his disciples inside.

It turns out that things are not peaceful in this mansion.

A few days ago, the master's wife in this mansion miscarried, and a fully formed stillborn baby was born.

Since then, every night, a baby would cry in the manor, causing great anxiety. Now that Ao Tu has arrived, he has relieved their urgent need.

Ao Tu made a grand display, having the master set up laws and light lamps.

He sat high at the table, chanting the Rebirth Sutra. The sound of Buddhist chanting swept away evil spirits and restored peace to all.

Tang Sanzang and Bajie, as disciples of Ao Tu, sat at the lower end and each recited scriptures.

Tang Sanzang recited the scriptures earnestly, but Zhu Bajie, being a monk who had only recently entered the monastic life, didn't know how to chant. He simply sat cross-legged, pretending to chant, and vaguely recited:

"I, Old Pig: bestowed the title of Marshal, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Peach of Immortality at the Jade Pool, drunk and dissolute, stumbled into the Moon Palace, where a charming fairy, her mortal desires hard to extinguish..."

Before long, the stillborn infant was saved from suffering. Ao Tu did not stop, but chanted for three full hours before finally getting up.

The master was indeed satisfied and presented him with two hundred taels of silver, and also set out a full vegetarian feast for Ao Tu and his apprentices to enjoy.

Pigsy, thoroughly enjoying the meal, couldn't help but exclaim, "I haven't had such a good meal since leaving Gao Village!"

Tang Sanzang said, "You idiot, all you know is eating!"

Pigsy pouted, but didn't answer.

Tang Sanzang asked Ao Tu, "Benefactor, isn't it inappropriate for a monk like me to accept so much money?"

Pigsy, holding the plate, said, "Master, you're too old-fashioned. We performed a ritual for their family, so isn't it only right and proper for us to receive some money?"

Tang Sanzang cursed, "You fool! I am a monk, my mind is pure and free from worldly desires. How can I covet wealth and enjoyment?"

Ao Tu said, "A monk should indeed not do this, but I am not a monk."

Tang Sanzang opened his mouth, but remained silent for a moment.

Ao Tu often spoke of Buddhist teachings, which taught him a great deal, making him somewhat forget that Ao Tu was a layman with a wife and family.

After they had eaten and received their money and a doctor, the group returned home.

The physician examined Tiger Vanguard's pulse and injuries, and said:

"The patient's injuries were extremely severe, with the skin torn open and the bones shattered. Generally speaking, the only option is to amputate the leg."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang chanted Amitabha Buddha's name, feeling deeply remorseful. However, at this moment, the physician changed the subject, saying:
"However, this patient's pulse is steady and his blood and energy are strong, unlike ordinary people!"

Ao Tu said, "My brother here is a master in the palace of Baoxiang Kingdom, so he knows some skills in circulating qi and blood."

The doctor nodded and said, "If that's the case, then it can be treated."

Tang Sanzang was overjoyed and said, "Then please write the prescription quickly, sir!"

Upon hearing this, the doctor prescribed two kinds of medicine, one for internal use and one for external application, explaining that although the patient's qi and blood were strong, the injury was too severe and it would take four or five months before he could barely walk again.

So for the rest of the time, Tang Sanzang took care of Tiger Vanguard every day.

Sha Wujing built another wooden hut next to them. Since they couldn't just eat the food for free, the two of them also went up the mountain to chop firewood and down to the fields to cultivate the land.

Every day, Tang Sanzang would prepare and change medicine for Tiger Vanguard, and follow Ao Tu up the mountain to collect herbs. When they were short of money, they would go into the city with Ao Tu to perform rituals and release hungry ghosts in exchange for money.

Over time, he transformed into a capable monk.

The six Ding and six Jia, the five Jiedi, the four duty officers, and the eighteen guardian monastics on the head took turns on duty. Seeing this scene, they knew something was wrong, but they were helpless.

Tang Sanzang was neither captured by demons, nor in danger, nor did he forget his mission to retrieve the scriptures. His two disciples, Pigsy and Sandy, also stayed by his side every day. According to their duties, they should not interfere.

But this situation is clearly not right.

They wanted to report to their superiors, but were troubled by the fact that it wasn't their turn to rotate yet, and dared not leave their posts without permission, so they could only wait patiently.

These deities take turns on duty every day, which translates to a yearly rotation in the mortal realm.

There were still more than six months until the next rotation, so they could only wait patiently.

At that time, Huaguo Mountain, Water Curtain Cave.

When Wukong first returned home, he felt a little uneasy.

Every day he gazes westward, touching the headband on his head, wondering when he will be summoned back. Even when the monkeys offer him fruits and wine, he can never fully enjoy himself.

However, as time went by...

Half a month, a month, two months, three months...

The Great Sage wore a purple-gold crown and an ochre-yellow robe, commanding all the demons with great majesty. He ascended to heaven to gather with the immortals and descended into the sea to enjoy himself with the Dragon King, living a carefree life.

Looking back, although it was very painful when the mantra was recited, it was worth it!

On this day, the True Immortal of Fude Mountain in Zhongnan Mountain held an "Apricot Appreciation Gathering," inviting all kinds of immortals to gather. Wukong happened to be a guest at the Barefoot Immortal's place. After hearing about this, he also wanted to make some connections, so he pestered him to go along.

Zhongnan Mountain, Yuzhu Cave.

A group of deities gathered, including: the Five Dipper Star Lords, the Yellow Horned Immortal, the True Martial Emperor, the Three Holy Immortal Maidens, the Pure Void Moral Heavenly Venerable, the Old Mother of Lishan, and so on.

When Wukong and Barefoot Immortal arrived, they could hear from afar that the Old Mother of Lishan was talking to the immortals about her son-in-law. Wukong recognized her and quickly went up to greet her.

The Old Mother of Lishan responded with a smile and introduced Wukong to the other immortals.

These great gods had heard of Sun Wukong's havoc in the Heavenly Palace, but they hadn't paid much attention to it. Today, they can be considered acquaintances.

Just then, Muzha arrived, respectfully bowed to the immortals, and said to the True Immortal of Fortune:

"My esteemed master is currently engaged in spiritual practice and is unable to attend the gathering. He has specially sent his disciple to apologize, and hopes that the True Immortal will not take offense."

The Immortal Fude laughed and said it was alright.

When Wukong saw that Muzha was coming, he hid in advance.

However, it was not easy to hide in this immortal abode. Even though he tried to hide, Mu Cha still managed to see half of his figure.

When Mucha saw it, he felt it was familiar, but because he was too young, he couldn't go and investigate. So he had to leave the matter aside and, after returning from Zhongnan Mountain, he didn't go to the South China Sea, but went straight to investigate the road to the west.

(End of this chapter)