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

Faced with Bodhi Patriarch's questioning, everyone except Ye Feng lowered their heads and remained silent.

Even the monkeys were as docile as elementary school students caught fighting, not daring to utter a sound.

Bodhi Patriarch's expression was stern. His gaze slowly swept over the crowd, pausing slightly on Ye Feng before casually looking away.

Finally, his gaze fell on Qian Ying.

As her gaze fell upon the object, the immobilization spell dissipated, and Qian Ying regained her mobility.

His eyes reddened, and he felt that his patriarch was the closest person in the world. He immediately knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.

He stammered, his voice trembling, "Master, please be wise! That crow spirit and that unruly monkey are still wild and arrogant, and they beat me to the point of near death. If it weren't for your timely arrival, Master, I fear I would have perished! Please, Master, do justice for me!"

He was already in a sorry state, and now, with a cut on his forehead, blood trickled down the ground, a horrifying sight. Those who saw it felt their hearts ache, and those who heard of it couldn't help but shed tears.

Upon hearing this, the monkey flew into a rage, turning sharply to shout, "You're utterly shameless! How dare you twist the truth in front of the Patriarch? You were the one who provoked me first, which is why Senior Brother Ye Feng taught you a lesson. What does this have to do with me?!"

"Wukong".

Bodhi called out softly, his voice low yet carrying the weight of thunder. The monkey immediately fell silent, obediently kneeling on the ground: "Master."

"Bring the things here."

Bodhi reached out his hand, and the monkey hesitated for a moment before finally handing over the blood-stained half of the carrying pole.

Bodhi took it, glanced at it, and coldly snorted, "You monkey, you've been here for quite a few years now, how can you still be so arrogant? How dare you treat your fellow disciples so harshly. I made you work every day so that you would calm your mind and cultivate your character, but have you calmed your mind even a little bit now?"

The words were stern, and the monkey lowered its head and remained silent, even its breathing becoming cautious.

The disciples watching from the sidelines suppressed their laughter, secretly gloating.

I thought to myself that this time the monkey would finally suffer.

Qian Ying felt a surge of joy, as if even the pain in her body had lessened. She sneered inwardly: "The patriarch is only a mortal, and in the end, he still favors his own people."

Only Ye Feng stood to the side, his expression unchanged, but his heart was filled with helplessness.

Of all those present, he was probably the only one who truly knew the ins and outs.

Should the monkey be punished?

That's a joke.

How could Bodhi bear to truly punish him? The old man cherished that monkey like a treasure.

Although he did not transmit the true teachings to them on ordinary days, he was actually very attentive to them and secretly protected them.

Even when preaching, he would subtly incorporate many mysteries about naturally born spiritual beings, guiding the monkeys to enlightenment in a gradual and imperceptible way.

These contents may seem ordinary, but over the years they have formed an astonishing structure.

As the monkey worked, it also meditated, and the long-dormant potential within it was quietly activated. When the day of formal cultivation arrived, it would surely soar to great heights.

As expected, Bodhi said solemnly, "Fine, since you are untamed, I will punish you by making you retreat into seclusion for half a year to reflect on your mistakes. The back mountain is quiet; go there to reflect, and return to the mountain gate after your term is over."

The disciples were all stunned upon hearing this, almost thinking they had misheard.

Qian Ying was beaten so badly, and she was only punished with six months' sentence?

And the location was actually in the back mountain?

Everyone knows that the back hill is covered with peach trees and is called Rotten Peach Hill. It is currently deep spring, with all kinds of flowers blooming. In a few days, the peaches will be ripe.

Is it appropriate to leave a monkey alone amidst a mountain full of ripe peaches to "reflect on its mistakes"?

Is this what you call punishment?

Qian Ying, in particular, stood frozen in shock after hearing this, her chest heaving violently, almost spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The monkey was first stunned, then overjoyed, and immediately kowtowed repeatedly: "Thank you for your teachings, Master! This disciple will deeply reflect on my actions and never misbehave again!"

Bodhi nodded slightly, his gaze slowly turning to Ye Feng.

The moment his gaze fell upon Ye Feng, his eyelids twitched slightly.

Compared to the monkey, Ye Feng was the one who truly gave him a headache.

He was unruly and always carried a sense of aloofness, as if he had never taken his ancestor seriously.

Facing Bodhi's gaze, Ye Feng merely cupped his hands casually and said softly, "Master."

He did not kneel.

He didn't kneel when he became a disciple, but Bodhi didn't reprimand him. After that, he was too lazy to go through with the formalities again.

Everyone on Fangcun Mountain calls him "Patriarch," but he is the only one who calls him "Master."

Bodhi neither corrected nor stopped it.

At this moment, Bodhi spoke up, "Ye Feng, that monkey was young and ignorant, and can be forgiven. But you, as a fellow disciple, why were you so impulsive? You fought privately, injured someone, and nearly killed them. Do you know your crime?"

His tone was noticeably heavier than before.

Upon hearing this, Qian Ying felt much more at ease.

This fierce bird has never been favored and has repeatedly defied the patriarch; it will surely be severely punished today!

Ye Feng, however, remained calm and spread his hands, saying, "Master, you are wronging your disciple. I have already restrained myself enough. If I had truly harbored murderous intent, Qian Ying would be dead long ago. Would I still be waiting for you to uphold justice?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the disciples around him all gasped in shock.

How dare you defy the patriarch like this! It's outrageous!

Qian Ying was so angry that her liver hurt, and she felt a lump in her throat, her face turned purple, and she almost suffocated.

Listen to this! Is this something a human being should say?

Bodhi's eyelids twitched repeatedly, and he felt a surge of anger.

That silly bird is so disrespectful! Would it cost him a piece of his flesh if he bowed his head and admitted his mistake like a monkey?

Since that's the case, don't blame your master for being ruthless.

He said sternly, "Well done, Ye Feng! How dare you argue like that! Very well, you are hereby punished to immediately enter the Illusion Moon Cave for six months of seclusion to reflect on your mistakes. Do you accept this?"

Upon hearing this, everyone cast sympathetic glances their way.

Even Qian Ying felt that the knot in her chest had been loosened, and she finally got her revenge.

This time, the punishment was at least not as perfunctory as before.

The Illusion Moon Cave is a secret realm deep within the Three Star Cave, located behind the mountain. It is cold and secluded, and never sees the sun. It contains illusions and demonic phenomena, and one can easily lose one's mind if one is not careful. Only those with great willpower should not stay there for long.

This is true punishment.

This cave is no ordinary place; it contains boundless dangers and is a unique and secluded place created by nature itself.

Once you step into it, the calamities you encounter will be different for each person.

Whether trapped in quicksand, falling into the weak water, treading on red soil, climbing mountains of knives, or entering seas of fire, each is a test of life and death.

Even if they survive for six months, they will be severely weakened, if not dead.

Today, the patriarch was clearly truly enraged, and was so provoked by that fierce bird that he lost his usual composure.

Ultimately, however, it was his own fault.

Ye Feng was not annoyed by this. He simply bowed respectfully to Bodhi and stepped aside.

As he backed away, he pouted and muttered under his breath, "Fine, I'll go. At worst, I'll die in there, you old man."

The voice was as faint as a mosquito's buzz, and no one else could hear it, but how could it escape Bodhi's ears?

Upon hearing this, the patriarch felt both angry and amused.

People often say "a jinx," and in Ye Feng's case, it truly came true.

Not only are their words harsh, but they also refuse to bow down or yield when faced with life and death.

Bodhi pretended not to hear, and finally turned his gaze to Qian Ying.

Qian Ying's heart sank, and she immediately prostrated herself on the ground, her posture extremely humble.

He felt very guilty, knowing full well that he was in the wrong.

Seeing that Sun Wukong and Ye Feng were only punished by being sent to the Illusion Moon Cave for half a year, he figured that he would be punished no more than that.

Moreover, given the severity of his injuries, the patriarch, being so benevolent, would never allow him to enter dangerous territory again—he could bear any other punishment.

Just then, Bodhi spoke up: "Qian Ying, how many years have you been my disciple?"

Qian Ying was taken aback, and quickly replied, "Reporting to the Ancestral Master, I came to the mountain at the age of eighteen, and it has been twenty-six years since then."

Bodhi said calmly, "Twenty-six years... You attained immortality six years ago, which means you achieved enlightenment in twenty years. Your talent is quite remarkable."

Qian Ying quickly declined, saying, "This disciple is dull-witted and relies entirely on the teachings of the patriarch."

Bodhi chuckled lightly: "Is that so? So, bullying fellow disciples, harboring resentment simply because they are from the demon race, and repeatedly provoking and causing trouble—was that something I taught you?"

Qian Ying shuddered, cold sweat breaking out on his body. He hurriedly kowtowed repeatedly, pleading, "This disciple was momentarily confused, please have mercy, Ancestor! Please have mercy, Ancestor!"

Bodhi shook his head, and with a gentle wave of his whisk, an invisible force lifted his forehead, preventing him from bowing down any further.

"That's enough. Your obsessions are too heavy, and you are too narrow-minded and stubborn to be fit for cultivation. Our master-disciple relationship ends here. Pack your things and go down the mountain with your younger brother."

"What?!"

Qian Ying suddenly looked up, her face full of disbelief.

The patriarch actually wants to expel me from the sect?

In an instant, his face turned ashen.

The disciples were also shocked, feeling that the punishment was too harsh.

But don't forget how heavy the words "expelled from the sect" are in this world.

In this kind of ancient system, people revere heaven, earth, ruler, parents, and teachers. The teacher's school is one's final destination. Severing the teacher-student relationship is the most severe punishment, second only to "cleaning up the sect."

Qian Ying was struck dumb, standing there stunned.

Bodhi remained calm, as if he had already made up his mind and didn't care what others thought.

He draped a whisk over his shoulder and slowly turned around.

"Pack your things and go down the mountain. From now on, you must not refer to yourself as my disciple, nor mention the word 'Fangcun Mountain'. If you disobey, heavenly lightning will strike and your soul will be annihilated."

His tone was calm, yet it conveyed an undeniable authority.

No one dared to disbelieve what he said.

Qian Ying closed his eyes for a long time, finally realizing that the matter was beyond redemption, and whispered, "Disciple... obeys."

Many people watched silently, filled with sympathy, and could only sigh inwardly.

The monkey watched silently from the side, its alarm bells ringing in its mind.

He never expected that the patriarch would resort to such drastic measures.

Looking at Qian Ying's miserable expression, he couldn't help but shudder.

If it were me, the consequences would be even more unimaginable.

In the future, you must be careful with your words and deeds, abide by your duty, and never offend the patriarch, lest you suffer the same fate.

Bodhi said no more and slowly walked away.

Though his steps were slow, his figure swiftly disappeared into the depths of the Taoist temple, vanishing in just a few steps.

Suddenly, only the disciples remained standing in the front courtyard.

The storm has come to an end, and although everyone has witnessed the whole story, no one feels satisfied.

One was punished by being sent to the Illusion Moon Cave to reflect on his mistakes, while the other was expelled from the sect.

Someone sighed, shook their head, and dispersed.

After a short while, the courtyard returned to silence.

Qian Ying gazed in the direction where the patriarch had disappeared, and struggled to his feet.

His head was bowed, and his whole being exuded a gloomy aura, as if he were deep in thought.

Several fellow disciples came forward to comfort him, but he seemed not to hear them.

As she silently turned around, a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes, and she quickly glanced at the monkey and Ye Feng.

The gaze was fleeting and extremely secretive, so much so that the monkey was completely unaware.

But Ye Feng has now become an Earth Immortal, transformed into the Golden Crow Divine Bird, whose perception far surpasses that of ordinary people.

Even a fleeting moment of malice could not escape his senses.

He lowered his gaze slightly, watching Qian Ying's departing figure, and pondered for a moment.

This person... may become a future problem.

Although it may not necessarily cause trouble in the future, leaving hidden dangers unresolved is not the way I conduct myself.

He was secretly making plans in his heart.

As he was pondering this, the monkey gently nudged him: "Senior brother, are you really planning to go to the Illusion Moon Cave?"

Ye Feng snapped out of his daze and glanced at him: "What?"

The monkey lowered his voice: "I heard that the Illusion Moon Cave was opened by the Patriarch with his supreme supernatural powers. It can conjure up all the dangerous places in the world, and once you step into it, it's like experiencing them in real life. Many of my fellow disciples were punished by being sent in there, and some of them never came out again."

Seeing that Ye Feng remained calm, the monkey grew anxious: "Senior brother, I know you're stubborn, but the patriarch is merciful. If you just bow your head and admit your mistake, and ask him privately, it might be possible to turn things around."