Journey to the West: Starting with the Hunting of the Three Demons of Twin Fork Ridge

Meanwhile, the four sages secretly devised a brilliant plan to capture the enemy, determined to capture Li Fa in one fell swoop.

Then the Old Mother of Lishan took something out of her sleeve—a wick. Guanyin and the others were puzzled and hadn't asked yet when they saw the Old Mother rub the wick between her fingertips before saying, "I know his whereabouts. Let's set off."

Upon hearing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and immediately summoned twenty celestial beings and many Dharma protectors to set off together, leaving only four celestial beings to guard the home.

But then the Old Mother of Lishan tossed the lamp wick into the air, and the wick instantly transformed into a point of spiritual light, drifting and floating towards the northwest.

The old mother said, "Follow this spiritual light, and you will find him."

So the group rode on auspicious clouds, following the glimmer of light, and soon arrived at a desolate wilderness.

The area is characterized by rolling hills, lush vegetation, and sparse population. Only a single official road winds its way through the landscape, its destination unknown.

The glimmer of light spun in mid-air, then suddenly sank down into a valley, before transforming back into a wisp of light and returning to the old mother's hand.

The Old Mother of Lishan put away her magic needle and laughed, "It's right here. His magical power is weak now, he can't go far, he'll definitely stop here to rest. We'll set up a camp here and wait for him to walk into our trap."

Guanyin nodded in approval: "What you say is absolutely right, Mother. We will then use our supernatural powers to transform ourselves into ordinary people."

After speaking, Guanyin Bodhisattva gently waved her jade hand, instantly shedding her Dharma form and transforming into a young woman.

The two Bodhisattvas, Manjushri and Samantabhadra, also used their boundless and wondrous methods to transform themselves into women.

The old mother had also transformed into a middle-aged woman.

The four sages exchanged a smile and then unleashed their magical powers together.

Suddenly, a manor rose from the desolate valley. The manor was indeed magnificent, with blue bricks and gray tiles, high walls and deep courtyards. And so it was seen:

A path strewn with red leaves, a gate facing green mountains. A few pine trees rustle, a few chrysanthemums bloom in patches. Wild reeds sway white in the wind by the fence, frosty maples reflect the sun's crimson light by the bridge. Stone foundations, moss-covered steps, bamboo windows and thatched gate. The grand hall is elegant, the high pavilion tranquil. No birdsong, no chickens or dogs, surely the farmers are at leisure, harvesting their crops.

The guardian deities over there also worked together, and about ten households were set up, scattered in various places, with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys, and it was indeed a village.

The four saints entered the main hall of the manor. Guanyin Bodhisattva looked at the Old Mother of Lishan and asked, "Old Mother, when will that fellow arrive here?"

The old mother smiled calmly and said, "Just wait patiently, he will surely come to us today."

Guanyin nodded, then turned her gaze to Manjushri Bodhisattva. Manjushri understood immediately and called out, "Jinzha."

Jin Zha, who was standing to the side, immediately bowed and greeted him, saying, "Disciple is here."

"Did you bring the Dragon-Hiding Stake with you?"

Jin Zha raised his hand and patted the brocade pouch at his waist. A golden light flew out and hovered in mid-air, shining brightly with auspicious energy. It was the Dragon-Hiding Stake.

The Dragon-Binding Stake, also known as the Seven Treasures Golden Lotus, is formed from innate spiritual roots. It is specifically designed to trap people and lock immortals. No matter how powerful your magic is, once you are bound by the golden ropes on the stake, you will be unable to move or use your magic.

Manjushri raised his hand and took the Dragon-Binding Stake in his hand, his eyes gleaming. He tossed it into the air and shouted, "Freeze!"

Driven by the Bodhisattva's power, the Dragon-Hiding Stake instantly transformed into a beam of golden light that reached the heavens and the earth, disappearing into the underground of the manor.

This is not meant to fix the person, but to actually fix the earth's veins here, preventing Li Fa from escaping using earth-遁 (earth-遁 is a type of escape technique).

Puxian also took out a Taiji talisman from his bosom. This treasure was also extremely powerful, as it could not only stabilize magic power, but also stabilize the primordial spirit and physical body.

He chanted a spell, and the talisman split into three, transforming into three pearl-embroidered brocade shirts, each containing a hidden restriction. Once worn, these shirts would trigger a magical spell, trapping the enemy invisibly.

Once everything was arranged, Puxian clapped his hands and laughed, "Once he enters this courtyard, he won't be able to escape."

Manjushri frowned and said, "But... what if he sees through our plan and refuses to come in?"

The Old Mother of Lishan waved her hand: "Don't worry. His magical power is weak now, and his senses are also weak. He will not be able to see any flaws. Besides, our manor is real. Every brick and tile, every household is real. Even if he uses his supernatural powers to investigate, he won't be able to find anything."

Upon hearing this, Guanyin Bodhisattva felt relieved: "In that case, let's wait for him to fall into the trap himself. Once the Taiji Talisman seals his three meridians and the Dragon-Hiding Stake seals the earth's veins, let's see where he can escape to!"

After he finished speaking, the four of them looked at each other and smiled, waiting for Li Fa to fall into their trap.

The brothers Jinzha and Muzha also stepped down and transformed into two little girls, who served them at their side.

Two flowers bloom, one branch each.

Meanwhile, Li Fa engaged in a fierce battle with Mu Cha on the Liusha River. Although he managed to force Mu Cha to retreat, he also suffered considerable losses.

That Flying Rainbow Rope was indeed powerful; it had taken away more than 90% of his magical power in just a few incense sticks' time.

Now my dantian is empty and my primordial spirit is weak. Let alone fighting again, even riding the clouds would be difficult.

He staggered along on the clouds for half a day, feeling his vision blurring. He knew that if he continued, he would fall off the clouds.

He mustered his strength, descended from the clouds, and landed on a mountain ridge, intending to find a secluded place to rest for a few days until his magical power recovered before making further plans.

He looked around and saw that the mountains were rolling and lush with vegetation, which seemed like a good place.

Just as I was about to take a step, I suddenly saw wisps of smoke rising from the mountain hollow, drifting gracefully in the wind.

Li Fa was overjoyed: There's a family living there? That's great!

His magical powers are now weak, and it is inconvenient for him to sleep in the wilderness. If he could find a house to stay at for the night and ask for a bowl of hot soup, wouldn't that be wonderful?

Without thinking too much, he strode toward the source of the smoke.

After turning several bends in the mountain road, the view suddenly opened up before us.

In a valley, there was a town with about ten households.

The town is small, but neat and orderly, with blue bricks and gray tiles, bamboo fences and thatched cottages, all arranged in a pleasing and orderly manner.

A stream flows past the town, with a stone bridge over it and several maple trees standing bright red beside it.

At the eastern end of the town, there is a rather grand manor with high walls and deep courtyards. In front of the gate stand two old trees with lush branches and leaves that block out the sun.

Li Fa nodded secretly: This place is indeed a good place to recuperate; it's quiet, secluded, and there's no shortage of people to take care of you.

So he found a place to change his clothes, put on the Taoist robe he had worn in Gao Lao Zhuang, disguised himself as a young Taoist, and walked towards the manor.

Upon arriving at the gate, one sees that the vermilion gate is ajar.

Li Fa stepped forward and knocked on the door.

A short while later, the door creaked open, and a middle-aged woman poked her head out. She looked him up and down and asked, "Where do you come from, guest? What brings you to my estate?"

Li Fa cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, old lady. I am a wanderer passing by your manor. As it is getting late, I would like to ask for lodging for the night and a vegetarian meal. I will depart tomorrow. I hope you will be so kind as to grant me this request."

Upon hearing this, the woman smiled and said, "So you are a Taoist priest. Please come in, please come in. I happen to have a spare room in my estate. If you don't mind, please feel free to stay."