Journey to the West: The roadblock!

Chapter 86 Treasure Hunt in the Lotus Cave (Part 12) [Bonus Chapter by Alliance Leader Ye Sheng]

Meanwhile, the gods unleashed their magic and attacked Ao Tu.

Thunder God Thunder of the Thunder Department, Plague Plague Qi of the Plague Department, Starlight of the Dipper Department, Heavenly King Pagoda.

Ao Tu flew in the air, and beneath him appeared a nine-tiered lotus platform, impervious to all magic.

The thunderbolt from the Thunder God struck the lotus platform, but it did not cause a ripple.

The plague-causing energy struck the lotus platform and dissipated instantly.

The starlight from the Dipper struck the lotus platform, shattering its brilliance.

The Heavenly King Pagoda transformed into a towering structure of 66 zhang (approximately 31 meters) in the air, with seven stories, its radiant light shining upon the lotus platform.

Ao Tu brought out the purple-gold-red gourd and uttered a command to collect it.

With a whoosh, it took away Li Tianwang's tower, then Zhou Xin and Li Qi, then the Giant Spirit God, and then the Thirty-Six Heavenly Stars and Seventy-Two Earthly Fiends.

Ao Tu pointed the gourd at Lei Bu and the others. Upon seeing this, Qin Tianjun and the others all hid in the clouds, not daring to show their faces.

Ao Tu then aimed at Li Tianwang.

Li Tianwang was so frightened that his soul almost left his body, and he grabbed Sun Wukong beside him and said:
"Great Sage, the demons are powerful! Run! Run!"

Wukong, carrying Li Tianwang, turned around and somersaulted away.

Ao Tu returned to his cave in triumph and imprisoned all the gods in the dungeons inside the Lotus Cave.

The 108 Star Gods of the Dipper Department then spoke privately with Ao Tu about the formation diagram.

Ao Tu repeated what he had said before.

The stars were extremely grateful upon hearing this.

the other side.

Wukong led Li Tianwang back to the Heavenly Court.

Li Tianwang met the Jade Emperor and knelt down, saying:
"Your Majesty, I am utterly incompetent. The five righteous gods of the Fire Department, the two messengers of the Plague Department, and the Heavenly and Earthly Stars of the Dipper Department have all been taken away by the demonic dragon!"

The Jade Emperor exclaimed in surprise, "How could such a mere demon dragon possess such abilities?"

Wukong said, "Your Majesty, it's not that the demon dragon is powerful, but that he has a magic gourd. With a single command, it can collect anything, making it truly difficult to defeat. I, Old Sun, think that it must be something from the mortal realm!"

The Jade Emperor asked, "My beloved ministers, do you know what this treasure is?"

The gods whispered among themselves, all saying they knew nothing.

Wukong saw Laozi and stepped forward, saying:

"Old sir, you are knowledgeable and experienced, do you know what kind of treasure that is?"

Lao Tzu said, "Let me think about it."

I waited for about fifteen minutes, but there was no response.

Wukong was so anxious that he scratched his head and asked, "Old man, have you thought of anything?"

Laozi said, "Monkey, don't be impatient. I've thought of someone."

Wukong hurriedly asked, "Who is it?"

Laozi said, "I have heard that the Medicine Buddha has a Medicine Gourd, but I don't know if that's true."

Wukong said, "Medicine Buddha! Alright, I'll go right now!"

After leaving the Heavenly Court, Wukong somersaulted twice and arrived at the Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli in the Eastern Buddhist Realm. There, he paid his respects to the Medicine Buddha and explained the situation.

The Medicine Buddha smiled and took out the Medicine Gourd, which was a bright orange gourd.

Upon realizing he had made a mistake, Wukong quickly said, "This disciple takes his leave."

After leaving the Eastern Pure Land of Lapis Lazuli, Wukong returned to the Heavenly Court and found Laozi, saying:
"Old man, you're wrong, you're wrong. That monster used a purple-gold gourd, while the Medicine Buddha had a yellow gourd. Think again, is there anyone else?"

Laozi asked, "The Purple-Gold Red Gourd?"

Wukong said, "That's right, that's right!"

Lao Tzu said, "Let me think about it."

Another quarter of an hour passed as I pondered this.

Wukong jumped up and down anxiously, asking, "How is it? Have you figured it out yet?"

Laozi said, "I remember that Nuwa seemed to have a similar gourd."

Wukong said, "Goddess Nuwa! Alright, I'm off!"

After leaving the Heavenly Court, Wukong somersaulted several times, traversing the Thirty-Three Heavens, and arrived at Nuwa's Palace to request an audience with the Goddess Nuwa.

Bixia, the attendant of the goddess Nuwa, came out to inquire about Wukong's purpose.

Wukong explained the reason.

Bixia Boy said, "You've got the wrong one. My lady's gourd is a golden gourd, not some purple-gold-red gourd."

Upon hearing this, Wukong quickly took his leave.

After leaving Nuwa's Palace, Wukong returned to Heaven and went to find Laozi, saying:
"Old man, you're wrong again. Nuwa's gourd is a golden gourd, not a purple-gold-red gourd."

Laozi said, "You're wrong again? Monkey, I'm old and my memory isn't what it used to be. You only said it was a purple-gold-red gourd, but I can't figure it out. Here's what I'll do: go back to the demon cave and draw a picture of that gourd, so I can identify it."

Wukong said, "Alright, I, Old Sun, will go!"

The Jade Emperor said, "Li Tianwang, take some more soldiers and generals to help Wukong!"

Li Tianwang received the decree and descended to the mortal realm once more.

The two returned to the Pingdingshan area. The heavenly soldiers and generals were still in the air, and Ao Tu did not make things difficult for these soldiers.

The twenty-four Heavenly Kings of the Thunder Department were also in the air. Li Tianwang questioned them:
Why don't you fight the demonic dragon?

Qin Tianjun laughed and said, "A person who abandoned his army and fled has the nerve to come back and give orders?"

Li Tianwang angrily exclaimed, "You!"

Wukong said, “Heavenly King, please don’t be angry; Heavenly Emperor, please don’t be furious. It’s all my fault, causing you all to be in this situation. I will now sneak into the demon’s cave, firstly to find out the origin of his treasure, and secondly, if there is an opportunity, to rescue the trapped gods.”

Qin Tianjun said, "Great Sage, you are truly righteous. To be honest, I did not intend to target Li Tianwang. If there is an opportunity, please rescue the Third Prince first, to fulfill the bond between father and son." Upon hearing this, Li Tianwang broke out in a cold sweat and hurriedly said:
“I dare not trouble the Great Sage. If there is an opportunity, please take the pagoda out, and I will use it to fight the demons and rescue my son Nezha.”

Wukong said, "You two, please don't argue. I will do my best to help you."

After saying this, Wukong leaped to the outside of the lotus cave, transformed into a flying midge, and burrowed into the cave.

Seeing this, Li Tianwang was anxious, fearing that Wukong would really rescue Nezha, and he didn't know how to explain it.

Wukong flew inside the cave, circled twice, found Ao Tu's room, and quietly slipped inside.

Inside the room, Ao Tu sat cross-legged on a nine-tiered lotus platform, meditating.

Guanyin Bodhisattva sat cross-legged next to Ao Tu.

Seeing this, Wukong landed on the dangling bead on Guanyin Bodhisattva's head and transmitted his voice:
"Bodhisattva, what are you doing here?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva knew it was Wukong, but she couldn't talk about Aotu, so she said, "Wukong, I lost a bet to that demon dragon and can't go out."

Wukong said, "Bodhisattva, I went to ask Buddha to subdue the demons, but Buddha sent me to ask you. Do you know the origins of those two demons and why their treasures are so powerful?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "Wukong, there is a boy who watches over the golden furnace and a boy who watches over the silver furnace by Laozi's side. Go and look for them there."

Upon hearing this, Wukong thought to himself, "What a fine old man!"

He flew away in a hurry.

Ao Tu watched the little insect fly in and then fly out, knowing it must be Wukong in disguise.

It's about time he left; it would be inconvenient if he didn't go soon.

So far, he has blocked Tang Sanzang and his disciples for more than three months. Including the extra 24 days in Baoxiang Kingdom, the current progress is 122 days.

It will probably take Wukong some more time to get to the Heavenly Court. In addition, the area of ​​Pingdingshan, which is 600 li in circumference, will also take a considerable amount of time to get out. Therefore, the progress should be able to be increased significantly.

However, for Ao Tu, it's better to leave as soon as possible.

Ao Tu stood up and put down the nine-tiered lotus platform and the precious pearl.

These two items are treasures used by others to attain enlightenment, and he cannot truly refine them.

Here, Guanyin made a vow that he would not have to worry about Guanyin harming him, and therefore he could use the two treasures temporarily.

However, if he were to leave, these two treasures would not be entirely under his control, and there was no guarantee that they wouldn't turn against him. Therefore, he dared not take them with him directly.

Why not do a favor and return it to Guanyin?

Ao Tu put down the two treasures and said:
"Bodhisattva, return the things to their rightful owner. I only hope that you can be compassionate and not kill these little demons after I leave. They are still immature and have served you and me for a long time."

Guanyin Bodhisattva opened her eyes and looked at Ao Tu with a sharp look in her eyes.

"Demon dragon, do you truly intend to become an enemy of the Three Realms? Your father's death was ordained by Heaven! You are so stubborn and unyielding; where can you find refuge?"

Ao Tu left without saying a word, transforming into a rainbow.

Guanyin Bodhisattva stood up and said, "Demon dragon, all living beings here will be implicated by you and suffer divine punishment!"

There was no response; Ao Tu had already left.

Meanwhile, Wukong flew up to the Heavenly Court, intending to go to the Lingxiao Palace to seek justice from Laozi.

But then he thought, "If I go directly there, I'm afraid that old official won't admit it. The saying goes, 'Catch the thief with the stolen goods.' While he's not here, I should go to the Tushita Palace to find some evidence first."

With a somersault, Wukong ascended to the Heaven of Separation and the Tushita Palace.

Just as he was about to go in, Laozi appeared out of nowhere and stopped him, saying:

"Hey monkey, where are you going? Are you trying to steal my elixir again?"

Wukong said, "Old man, let me go in and enjoy the scenery."

Lao Tzu said, "Why aren't you on your journey to the West? What are you doing here looking at the scenery?"

Wukong said, "Only after seeing the scenery can we better embark on our journey to obtain the scriptures."

After saying that, he darted inside.

Laozi followed.

When Wukong entered the Tushita Palace, he saw a golden furnace and a silver furnace on either side of the palace. There were prayer mats in front of the furnaces, but no attendants were guarding them.

Wukong hurriedly asked, "Old man, where is your attendant?"

Laozi stepped forward and exclaimed, "Hey! My elixir!"

With a wave of his whisk, Laozi opened the golden and silver furnaces, from which flew out a black wisp and a white wisp of smoke, which transformed into two halves of the elixir, one black and one white.

Laozi combined the two halves of the elixir, allowing yin and yang to flow and generate endlessly, and said, "Good! Good! It's been refined just right!"

Wukong said, "Forget about the elixir for now. Your attendant has descended to the mortal realm as a demon and wants to eat my master. You, old official, are still protecting him, saying that no one in the palace has descended to the mortal realm. What kind of logic is that?"

Upon hearing this, Laozi laughed and said, "Monkey, this has nothing to do with me. Don't misunderstand good people. It was only after Guanyin Bodhisattva asked me three times that I sent the two boys down to the mortal realm, where they were transformed into demons to test your and your disciples' sincerity in your pilgrimage."

Upon hearing this, Wukong finally understood why Buddha had sent him to find Guanyin. Recalling the hardships he had endured on his journey, he couldn't help but think to himself, "This Bodhisattva is destined to be without a husband for life!"

Laozi accepted the elixir and said, "Alright, hurry and save your master!"

When Wukong and Laozi arrived at Pingdingshan, Laozi, standing on a cloud, said, "Child, let's go home!"

The Golden Horned King and the Silver Horned King bowed their heads.

With a wave of his whisk, Laozi (the Supreme Lord Lao) removed the two demonic appearances and transformed them back into Daoist boys.

Silver Horn presented a rope and a sword.

Golden Horn presented a clean bottle and a fan.

Laozi retrieved his treasure, took the two boys, and departed in leisure. Upon reaching the highest heavens, they saw Ao Tu holding a gourd, standing on a cloud.

When Ao Tu saw Laozi, he bowed and said, "Thank you for saving me, Dao Ancestor."

Laozi dodged Ao Tu's bow and said, "When did I ever save you?"

Ao Tu said, "Previously, I was using the gourd to comprehend the Great Dao, but unfortunately I lost my way. I was fortunate to be saved by the Dao Ancestor."

(End of this chapter)