Journey to the West: I am the fiercest bird under Bodhi's seat

The monkey was overjoyed upon hearing this.

He had been cultivating on Fangcun Mountain for seven years, never slacking off, yet he still hadn't found the way to immortality. He was already anxious, but dared not ask rashly.

Now that the opportunity had arrived, he quickly and respectfully said, "I will follow the arrangements of the Ancestral Master. As long as it is the true Great Way, this disciple is willing to study it diligently."

Bodhi nodded with a smile: "Very well. There are 365 orthodox paths in Taoism, and 36,000 unorthodox paths, all of which can lead to enlightenment. How about I teach you the 'Technique' path first?"

The monkey asked, "What is the profound meaning behind the word 'technique'?"

Bodhi smiled and said, "This sect has the arts of summoning immortals and practicing divination, which can bring good fortune and avoid misfortune, and foresee blessings and calamities."

The monkey then asked, "Is it possible to achieve immortality?"

Bodhi shook his head: "Like a flower's reflection in a mirror, or moonlight in water, it is illusory and without foundation."

The monkey immediately waved its hand: "I won't learn, I won't learn."

Bodhi then said, "In that case, how about I teach you the 'Flow' method? This method connects all schools of thought, clearly distinguishes Yin and Yang, cultivates oneself and nourishes one's nature, and illuminates one's true nature."

The monkey asked again, "Is it possible to achieve immortality?"

Bodhi shook his head again: "Like a tall building built on flat ground, it will eventually collapse."

The monkey immediately refused: "No, I won't learn."

Bodhi remained unperturbed and offered several methods in succession. Each time the monkey heard one, he asked only one question: "Can it grant immortality?"

If the answer is no, shake your head firmly.

After this repeated itself, Bodhi finally seemed to get a little angry. He got up, took out a ruler, pointed at the monkey, and said, "You monkey! You won't learn this, you won't want that, what exactly do you want?"

He stepped forward, tapped the monkey on the head three times, then put his hands behind his back, turned and walked into the inner hall. After passing through the middle door, he slammed it shut—thus ending the sermon.

The disciples all stood up, and seeing the sermon abruptly stop, they all complained that Wukong had been meddling.

The monkey remained seated, silent, its eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.

Ye Feng sat cross-legged on the futon, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He clearly saw the patriarch tap his head three times and then close the door with his hands behind his back.

It's a pity that these disciples only thought that Wukong had angered the patriarch, little did they know that this person was about to soar to the heavens.

Just now, he almost couldn't resist interjecting and making a joke, but he held back in the end.

He wanted to watch the whole thing quietly.

The disciples complained a few times, and seeing that the sermon had been fruitless, they gradually dispersed, some returning to their rooms to cultivate, others to practice martial arts.

Ye Feng also got up and left with the others, traveling with the monkey.

Nothing happened that day.

As night deepened, the Milky Way filled the sky, and all was silent.

The chirping of insects in the distance was intermittent, gradually fading away as it approached.

When the third drumbeat sounded, just as everyone was fast asleep, the monkey in the house suddenly opened its eyes.

He slowly stood up and looked around.

Only he and Ye Feng were in the room. He glanced at Ye Feng and saw that he was sitting cross-legged as before, his breathing long and deep, clearly having entered a meditative state.

The monkey felt at ease—it knew that Ye Feng's cultivation was unfathomable, and once he entered a meditative state, his spirit would wander in the vast void, making him even harder to wake than a deep sleeper.

So he tiptoed to the door and quietly pushed it open a crack.

Where are you going?

A soft sound broke the silence, and the monkey's hand stopped on the door frame, unable to move.

He slowly turned his head, forcing a smile: "Senior...Senior Brother, weren't you in seclusion cultivating?"

Ye Feng's lips curled slightly: "Even after cultivating for a long time, one needs to relax and refresh oneself. Where are you headed?"

The monkey's eyes darted around, then it suddenly clutched its stomach, frowned, and cried out, "Oh no! The vegetarian food today is weird, I have an upset stomach, I need to go to the outhouse right away."

Ye Feng narrowed his eyes, a half-smile playing on his lips: "Oh? Really?"

The monkey's heart tightened, and it forced a dry laugh as it echoed, "Of course, of course, you don't believe me? Smell it..."

Before he could finish speaking, Ye Feng's expression changed drastically, and he abruptly stood up: "You little rascal, you've got some nerve, daring to fool even me!"

He strode closer, his voice low and menacing: "Today, Master struck you three times with the ruler, then left with his hands behind his back, and even closed the main gate—wasn't that clearly a signal for you to come to see him through the back door at midnight? You saw through it all along, and were about to leave, yet you still tried to hide it from me?"

The tone was sharp, and the monkey felt his scalp tingle.

He was indeed still wary of Ye Feng.

I was beaten too many times in my early years, and the thought of it still sends chills down my spine.

He hurriedly waved his hand and explained, "Senior brother, please calm down. I, Old Sun, really didn't mean to lie to you! It's just that the Patriarch secretly instructed us not to publicize it, so I had no choice but to pretend to be ignorant. If you also want to go, please allow me to go and inform him first. If the Patriarch agrees, I will come back to invite you immediately."

Ye Feng snorted coldly, his eyes filled with disdain.

This monkey, whenever Bodhi is mentioned, immediately becomes as obedient as a schoolchild, treating every word as golden rule.

He waved his hand impatiently: "Stop arguing! Just go your way, I'll follow quietly. If anything happens, I won't involve you."

The monkey hesitated, "This...is probably not a good idea..."

Ye Feng's gaze darkened, and the monkey immediately shrank back and fell silent: "No, no, no, let's talk this out! I don't know anything, I really don't know!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he pushed open the door and ran away.

Ye Feng chuckled, his figure flickered, and he transformed into a black crow the size of eight palms, its wings as black as ink. He spread his wings and silently swept into the night, becoming one with the darkness.

……

Meanwhile, the monkey darted through the forest, avoiding eye contact, and headed straight for Bodhi's dwelling. Upon arriving at the back door, it found it ajar. Overjoyed, it slipped inside and crept stealthily towards Bodhi's bed.

He dared not utter a sound, kneeling on the ground, waiting silently.

Before long, Bodhi sat up, yawned, and casually recited: "Difficult, difficult, difficult, the Dao is most mysterious, do not take the golden elixir lightly. Without encountering a sage to impart the secret, empty words will only leave your mouth weary and your tongue smoking."

Upon hearing this, the monkey immediately replied, "Master, your disciple has been waiting here for a long time!"

Bodhi stood up, feigning surprise: "You monkey, what are you doing in my room in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"

The monkey smiled obsequiously, "My patriarch struck me three times during the day and then left with his hands behind his back. He clearly intended for me to seek his instruction through the back door at midnight. How could I dare disobey?"

Bodhi smiled upon hearing this and nodded, saying, "It's no wonder that you were born of heaven and earth; your spirituality is indeed extraordinary. Since you have grasped its meaning, I will now impart to you the way to immortality. In the daytime, there are many people and much talk; you must know that 'the Dharma should not be passed on to six ears'... Uh—"

He paused abruptly, his gaze suddenly shifting to the window.

In the darkness, a black crow, as big as eight hands, was perched firmly on the windowsill, its entire body black, as if it were part of the night.

"Ye Feng, what are you doing here!" Bodhi's eyebrows twitched, and his head was throbbing.

A moment of carelessness allowed this shameless bird to take advantage of the situation; what a blunder!

Ye Feng grinned (although birds don't grin, he could still manage a smile): "'The Dharma is not to be passed on to six ears,' Master. Just pretend I don't exist, and continue, continue."

As the saying goes: "A shameless person is invincible."

This applies to birds as well.

Faced with this shameless black crow, Bodhi could only sigh helplessly.

Tonight's teachings on the secret to immortality are a unique opportunity for Wukong, concerning his destiny and fate, and should not be revealed to outsiders.

But since the bird has already arrived and can't be driven away, it's a fact that we have to keep it.

Bodhi remained silent for a moment, then finally sighed softly.

Well then, since we wish to share this opportunity, we must also share the consequences in the future.

Every drink and every bite is ordained by Heaven.

He ignored Ye Feng and turned to Wukong: "Since that's the case, I will teach you the method of immortality."

He then chanted the incantation in a low voice, each word containing profound mysteries of the Dao. Wukong listened attentively and memorized it silently.

The black crows by the window also pricked up their ears, quietly engraving each truth into their hearts.

After a moment, Bodhi asked, "Have you memorized it?"

"I've got it."

"I've got it."

Bodhi glared out the window: "I didn't ask you!"

He spoke again: "Although we have now obtained the method of immortality, immortality is not without its worries."

This method defies the will of Heaven, therefore every five hundred years one will suffer a celestial tribulation—the first five hundred years, celestial fire will consume one's body; the next five hundred years, celestial lightning will strike one's head; and the following five hundred years, celestial winds will erode one's bones. If one cannot overcome these tribulations, one will ultimately perish, body and soul.

Upon hearing this, Wukong turned pale and hurriedly asked, "Master, what should this disciple do?"

Bodhi chuckled: "No need to worry. Since I've told you, there's naturally a way to overcome this. I have two transformation techniques here that can help you escape this calamity."

First, there are the Thirty-Six Transformations of the Heavenly Dipper; second, the Seventy-Two Transformations of the Earthly Fiends. If you learn these, you can change your appearance when calamity strikes, making the heavenly tribulation unable to find you, and it will dissipate on its own.

The monkey was overjoyed upon hearing this and replied without hesitation, "This disciple is eager to learn more! Please teach me the Seventy-Two Transformations!"

Ye Feng narrowed his eyes slightly, finally waiting for this moment.

The Seventy-Two Transformations became the foundation upon which Sun Wukong would later establish himself, dominating the Three Realms.

Whether it was causing havoc in the Heavenly Palace or the journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures, this transformation technique has saved him from countless crises.

However, Ye Feng had doubts about the "three calamities" that Bodhi mentioned.

Wukong didn't know, but he had read the entire "Journey to the West".

I clearly remember that ever since that monkey came out of the mountain, although he was skilled in transformation, he never encountered the so-called calamity that comes once every five hundred years.

The Seventy-Two Transformations are more often used for combat against enemies than for escaping calamities.

Could it be that... Bodhi is making up a pretext so that he can pass on the Seventy-Two Transformations to Wukong in a logical way?

The more I think about it, the more I believe it to be true.

That old fellow is indeed cunning and shrewd.

While he was pondering this, Bodhi began to impart the oral instructions.

Ye Feng immediately cleared his mind of distractions, listened intently, and memorized every word.

Fortunately, Bodhi did not deliberately guard against him and did not use the "whispered instruction" method, otherwise Ye Feng would probably be so angry that he would vomit blood.

After memorizing all the incantations for the Seventy-Two Transformations, Wukong solemnly kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Master, for bestowing upon me this power!"

Bodhi stroked his beard and smiled: "Now that you have obtained the wonderful Dharma, you should diligently practice it without ceasing. Go."

Wukong kowtowed three more times, then quietly retreated and slipped away through the back door the way he came.

After his figure disappeared, Bodhi suddenly turned to look at the corner: "That monkey is gone, what are you doing still lingering here, you eavesdropper?"

Ye Feng grinned: "Master, since we're here, and the monkey greedily chose the seventy-two transformations, aren't there still thirty-six transformations left over there? If you have the mercy to do so, why don't you teach me all of them at once, so as not to waste them?"

He said this so calmly and without batting an eye that it amused Bodhi.

I've seen shameless people, but I've never seen anyone so self-righteous.

Not content with simply taking advantage, they wanted to take everything for themselves.

Bodhi rolled his eyes and gave him a meaningful smile.

—You think I would spread it?

Ye Feng spread his wings; his legs were a little numb from standing for so long.

"Master, don't be stingy. Won't you rely on me to take care of you in your old age and see you off in your final days?"

Upon hearing this, Bodhi's beard nearly twisted with rage.

This stupid bird is definitely a crow reincarnated! Is it even speaking human language?

I am a Primordial Saint, unharmed even if heaven and earth collapse. Why would you be the one to see me off at my deathbed? On the contrary, after you die, I will have to consider whether or not to burn some paper money for you.

But then again...

Every time he faced Ye Feng, he couldn't help but get angry, yet strangely, he didn't feel annoyed.

On the contrary, he found this apprentice novel, elusive, and even quite esteemed.

Otherwise, given Ye Feng's reckless and suicidal nature, he would have been plucked of all his feathers and roasted over a fire long ago.

After a moment's hesitation, Bodhi suddenly asked, "You really want to learn?"

Ye Feng's spirits lifted; his opportunity had arrived!

It had only asked casually, but unexpectedly, things took a turn for the better. It immediately flapped its wings and landed before Bodhi, respectfully folding its wings: "Please, Master, bestow upon me the true Dharma!"

Bodhi smiled and said, "Alright. These thirty-six transformations are just sitting idle, so I might as well pass them on to you. Actually, they're not exactly rare supernatural powers; there are quite a few in the Heavenly Court who know them. Just listen attentively."

After speaking, he slowly recited a mnemonic.

Ye Feng focused his mind on memorizing. Now that he possessed the body of a celestial being, his consciousness was clear and he could remember anything he heard. He grasped the main idea after just one listen, and with a little recollection, he firmly remembered it in a short while.

Overjoyed, he secretly rejoiced: The monkey caused chaos with his seventy-two transformations, and now I have thirty-six more, making a total of one hundred and eight transformations. Wouldn't I be even better?

He immediately knelt down sincerely and said, "Thank you, Master, for transmitting the Dharma!"

He offered two more flattering words, and was about to spread his wings and fly away through the window.

At this moment, Bodhi suddenly spoke up: "Wait."

Ye Feng turned around, looking puzzled: "Is there anything else?"