Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 55, The Three Battles with the White Bone Demon (Part 8)
Meanwhile, Moksha rode the clouds all the way from Zhongnan Mountain to Xiniu Hezhou, and then searched along the westward road until he found the location of Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

When Moksha arrived, the Five Directions Protectors, the Six Ding and Six Jia, the Four Duty Officers, and the Guardians of the Fa were arguing about something.

The Golden-Headed Jiedi said, "Tang Sanzang and his disciples have been staying here for more than four months. Regardless of whether that family is a demon in disguise or a deity enlightened by a Buddha, this matter should be reported to the higher authorities as soon as possible so that they can make a decision."

The Dog of the Six Ding and Six Jia said, "Absolutely! Absolutely! That's right. Since that's the case, we brothers will guard this place. Please ask the Golden Head Jiedi to report this to the higher authorities."

The Golden-Headed Jiedi said, "I am under the Buddha's command to protect the pilgrims, and I stay by their side day and night. How can I leave my post without permission? It would be better to ask the Jiaxu God to report to the higher authorities."

Dog said, “It’s not that we are unreasonable, but we brothers are also under the Jade Emperor’s decree to protect the pilgrims on their journey to the West. How can we abandon our posts? Why don’t we ask the holy guardians of the temple to send one of them to report this to the higher authorities?”

Upon hearing this, the monks pushed and shoved each other, none of them willing to abandon their posts.

Minor deities like them, guarding this place, do not seek merit, but only to avoid mistakes.

If they leave without permission, their merits will be considered separately, but if something happens to the pilgrims during this time, then all is lost.

After much back and forth, the protector of the Dharma was passed on to the Four Duty Officers, who in turn passed it on to the Five Directions Protectors.

The Golden-Headed Jiedi said, "Stop arguing! Look, Huian Xingzhe is here!"

Huian Xingzhe is Moksha.

Moksha rode over on a cloud, and all the gods came forward to pay their respects.

Moksha Zhuyun asked, "What are you all arguing about here?"

Upon hearing this, the gods quickly recounted what had happened during this period.

The Great Sage killed someone, the pilgrim drove the Great Sage away, and the pilgrim stayed to treat the injured family, and so on.

Upon hearing this, Mucha frowned and asked, "Is that so... what exactly is the background of that family?"

The gods exchanged glances, and the Golden-Headed Jiedi said:
“Our magical powers are weak, and we cannot discern their origins. The Great Sage said that the family was a demon in disguise, but the pilgrims have not been harmed during this time; on the contrary, it seems as if they have been enlightened by gods and Buddhas.”

Moksha said, "Let me use my divine eye to see it."

Having said that, Mu Cha made a hand seal, wiped his eyes, and added golden light as he looked down.

Inside the wooden house, there was no trace of demonic energy, only bursts of Buddhist light.

Before Tang Sanzang and his disciples arrived, the White Bone Demon lived here, which is why she has some demonic aura.

Now that Tang Sanzang and his disciples have settled here, they often chant scriptures and meditate with Ao Tu. Naturally, there is a constant stream of Buddhist light, and no demonic aura can be seen.

Mucha then looked at the people in the courtyard. Qiao'er and her parents were ordinary people. Ao Tu also looked like an ordinary person.

Mu Cha's cultivation level was similar to Ao Tu's. He had no supernatural powers or magical treasures, so he could not see Ao Tu's true form.

Mucha then looked at Tiger Vanguard lying in the room, only to see that a third-grade golden lotus covered him, obscuring his true form.

Moksha recognized it as a Buddhist treasure, so he withdrew his divine eye and said:

"It is not a transformation by demons, but a test by gods and Buddhas. I will go down and help them."

The gods respectfully said, "Please go, Huian."

Namocha took out a magic pill, spread it out, made it into a plaster, descended from the clouds, and transformed into a wandering doctor, chanting as he walked:
"The South China Sea has a compassionate remedy that can cure all diseases and save people from disasters."

"I do not seek worldly gain through gold and silver, but only follow the natural order to help those in need."

At this moment, Ao Tu was processing medicinal herbs with Tang Sanzang in the courtyard.

Tang Sanzang stir-fried the medicinal herbs until cooked, and Ao Tu ground them into powder with a millstone. Just then, hearing a sound outside, Tang Sanzang stopped what he was doing, looked out, and saw a traveling doctor. He was immediately delighted and exclaimed:

"Excellent! Excellent! With such a miraculous medicine, is this not divine assistance?"

Ao Tu said, "Where did this wandering doctor come from in this desolate wilderness? He must be a monster in disguise. We shouldn't trust him."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang indeed hesitated. Moksha, standing outside, said, "My prescription comes from the South Sea. It can cure all kinds of back injuries and broken bones. I am not after gold or silver, but only to save people. If you don't believe me, take a prescription and apply it."

When Tang Sanzang heard that the news came from the South China Sea, he believed it to some extent. He took the plaster and was about to go inside to apply it to Tiger Vanguard.

Ao Tu said, "This person's origins are unknown. You haven't tried this medicine, so how do you know if it's genuine?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Amitabha, benefactor, you may not know this, but I have received much care from the Bodhisattva along the way. This medicine comes from the South China Sea and must be a divine medicine."

Ao Tu shook his head and did not stop him.

Tang Sanzang entered the room and applied the ointment to Tiger Vanguard, and sure enough, his injuries healed.

Namocha transformed into his true form and said, "Tang Sanzang, hurry up and go on your journey to the West!"

Tang Sanzang hurriedly went out to pay his respects, but Moksha had already left.

Tang Sanzang bowed to the south and then took his leave.

Seeing this, Ao Tu could no longer stop him.

He had hoped to receive a reward for blocking the way for half a year, but the appearance of the wooden fork disrupted his plans.

At this point, the system's progress is 132 days, which is almost 50 days away from the half-year reward.

Fifty days is too long; if he tries to stop it by force, the chances of success are not high.

Therefore, Ao Tu decided not to reveal his identity for the time being, but to use his current identity to obstruct Tang Sanzang and his disciples to the greatest extent possible in Baoxiang Kingdom.

At that moment, Ao Tu let Tang Sanzang and his disciples stay for one night, prepared a sumptuous vegetarian meal, and taught Tang Sanzang the six-syllable mantra.

Tang Sanzang had no magical powers. Although he had learned the six-syllable mantra, he could not exert much effect on it. It could only slightly improve his health and ward off evil.

Even so, Tang Sanzang was extremely grateful to Ao Tu.

The grace of imparting the Way is immeasurable; Tang Sanzang respectfully bows in gratitude.

Ao Tu said, "There's no need to bow to me. This method was taught to me by the Buddha of Mount Ling."

Tang Sanzang then paid homage to the Buddha of Mount Ling.

After bowing, Tang Sanzang remembered what Ao Tu had mentioned about the family misfortunes and asked about it.

Ao Tu recounted the story in detail.

“I was originally a prince of the Kingdom of Baoxiang. Thirteen years ago, during the Mid-Autumn Festival, while we were admiring the moon, two demons unexpectedly appeared. One devoured my father, and the other kidnapped my elder sister.”

When I was young, I hid in the back garden and was not discovered. The demon that devoured my father transformed into my father's appearance and has been a usurper for thirteen years.

I endured humiliation and grew up in the palace, hoping to avenge my father. Unexpectedly, the demon, seeing that I had grown up, feared that my secret would be exposed and tried to harm me.

So I took my younger sister and guards and, following the Buddha's instructions, fled to this place. We adopted false names, claiming to be from an official family, hoping that one day our country could be restored and our injustices vindicated.

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang, having spent a long time with Ao Tu and out of respect for the Buddha of Mount Ling, had no doubts whatsoever and bowed, saying, "So it is Your Highness, this humble monk has been impolite."

Ao Tu said, "No need for formalities, I only ask the holy monk to rid me of the demons and restore my Baoxiang Kingdom's land and people."

Tang Sanzang said, "My two disciples are skilled at subduing demons, but the demon has transformed into the appearance of a king and has the support of the entire court. Even if my disciples are capable, it is not advisable to take action lightly."

Ao Tu said, "It's alright, I have a national treasure on me."

Ao Tu took out the Dragon Pearl from his bosom and said, "This is the national treasure of my Baoxiang Kingdom, the 'Dragon Elephant Pearl.' With this treasure, all civil and military officials will support me upon seeing it."

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang said, "Excellent, that's wonderful!"

(End of this chapter)