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

Upon hearing this, alarm bells immediately went off in Li Fa's mind.

A pearl-embroidered brocade undershirt?

Wasn't this how Pigsy was tricked in the original story?

That undershirt must be a restriction set up by the Bodhisattva!

If I were to actually wear it, I'm afraid I'd be tied up like a dumpling on the spot.

However, his magical power is now so weak that he can hardly withstand it.

Just as he was getting anxious, he suddenly noticed a strange glint in the old woman's eyes, and she shook her head slightly at him.

That look clearly said: Don't wear it.

Li Fa felt much more at ease.

She really is the Old Mother of Lishan!

When he was injured by Guanyin, his mother had helped him.

However, with the four saints all present to set up a trap, including the old mother, Li Fa was somewhat confused.

Is the Old Mother of Lishan an enemy or a friend?

But now is not the time to delve into it. Since my mother has hinted that I shouldn't wear it, then I absolutely cannot wear it.

He immediately cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Grandma, this undershirt is nice, but I can't wear it on this path."

The old woman asked, "Oh? Why is that?"

Li Fa said, "Old lady, you may not know this, but although I am a Taoist, I also have some knowledge of Buddhist principles."

The Buddha said: "All phenomena arise from causes and conditions, and all phenomena cease due to causes and conditions." This matter of causes and conditions is like dew or bubbles, arising and ceasing in an instant.

Just now, a chance encounter led to a marriage, and I, a humble Taoist, was not involved; this is a sign of being unrelated. This is a manifestation of the present moment's karmic connections and cannot be changed.

Now, the old woman is teaching me to wear a T-shirt and take the test again; this is the second time I've had this thought. The circumstances at this moment are different from those before.

To force it further would be going against fate, like trying to find a sword by marking the boat, or trying to catch fish by climbing a tree.

Upon hearing this, the old woman's eyes indeed showed appreciation.

The three Bodhisattvas were also secretly surprised.

They had set up this pearl-embroidered shirt as a foolproof plan, intending to activate the restriction and capture Li Fa as soon as he put it on.

Unexpectedly, this fellow used Buddhist principles to refuse. They were respectable people, and with their elderly mother watching over them, they couldn't force him.

Guanyin Bodhisattva felt that Li Fa possessed wisdom, and a sense of appreciation for his talent arose within her. She stepped forward and said, "Daoist Master, you are mistaken. This undershirt was woven by my two sisters and I ourselves, every stitch filled with our heartfelt intentions. If you refuse to wear it, wouldn't you be letting down our kind intentions?"

Li Fa chuckled inwardly: What are you, a bodhisattva, pretending to be a lovesick young girl for?

He replied with a serious expression, "I appreciate your kindness, young lady. However, I have always known that I am not fortunate enough to presume to climb such a high branch. I am already extremely fortunate to be entertained by the old lady and the three young ladies today. If I were to be greedy, I fear I would be punished by heaven."

Manjushri chimed in from the side, "Master, are you making such excuses because you look down on my sisters?"

Li Fa quickly waved his hand: "How dare I! The three young ladies are like celestial beings, unworthy of my humble aspirations. In my opinion, let's leave it at that and take my leave to avoid disturbing your esteemed residence."

As he spoke, he began to get up.

The old mother suddenly laughed and said, "Wait a minute."

Li Fa's heart tightened, but he remained outwardly calm, simply cupping his hands and saying, "Does the old lady have any further advice?"

The old woman sighed and said, "Since you are so determined, I cannot force you. But it is getting late, and you are all alone. Where can you go? Why not rest here for the night and leave tomorrow?"

Li Fa was on guard: Was this an invitation for me to stay the night? So that it would be easier to make a move at night?

He was about to decline when he saw a strange glint in his mother's eyes, a look that clearly said: Stay without worry.

After weighing his options for a moment, Li Fa finally nodded: "In that case, I'll trouble you, old lady."

The old mother laughed and said, "That's more like it. Zhenzhen, Ai'ai, Lianlian, you should all go and rest. Daoist priest, you should go and rest too."

The three Bodhisattvas exchanged a glance. Though they were unwilling, they could not say anything more. They could only bow in unison and turn away.

Li Fa also went to rest, which will not be discussed further.

Now, the three bodhisattvas, having failed in their daytime plan, gathered together again to discuss the matter.

Guanyin Bodhisattva whispered, "That fellow refuses to wear a t-shirt and is hiding in his room. What should we do? Are we going to attack him by force?"

Manjushri Bodhisattva said, "We cannot attack him by force. After a day, his magical power has probably recovered to 30-50%. In addition, he has an indestructible body and is proficient in the Five Elements Escape Technique. If we push him too far, he will flee at the cost of his life. Although we can catch up, it will be a lot of trouble."

Samantabhadra Bodhisattva said, "Although we have hidden the Tai Chi talisman in his undershirt, he refuses to wear it and cannot exert any force. The only plan now is to wait until he falls asleep and then trap him with the treasure."

Guanyin Bodhisattva pondered, "Now that he has become suspicious, how can he sleep peacefully? I'm afraid he'll have to keep his eyes open all night."

As the three bodhisattvas were discussing their matter, they suddenly heard a soft laugh from behind them.

The three of them turned around abruptly and saw that the Old Mother of Lishan had appeared behind them at some point.

So he quickly greeted them.

Guanyin asked, "Old Mother, have you come here so late at night with a brilliant plan?"

The Old Mother of Lishan shook her head and smiled, "I have no brilliant plan, I just came to discuss something with the three Bodhisattvas."

Manjushri said, "Please speak, Mother."

The Old Mother of Lishan said, "The three Bodhisattvas set up this trap simply to capture him and prevent him from causing further trouble. However, I believe that although this person has repeatedly disrupted the journey to the West, he has not committed any great evil. Therefore, I wish to protect him."

Upon hearing this, the three Bodhisattvas' expressions all changed.

Guanyin asked, "What does this mean, Mother?"

The Old Mother of Lishan said, "This person has some connection with me. If the three Bodhisattvas insist on taking him, I will have no choice but to stop them. But that would damage our harmony and be undesirable."

The three Bodhisattvas exchanged glances, all filled with surprise and uncertainty.

Who exactly is this guy, that the Old Mother of Lishan would personally step in to protect him?

Samantabhadra said, “Since Mother says so, we should obey. However, this person has repeatedly disrupted the journey to the West. If we let him go unchecked, it may jeopardize the Buddha’s great plan to obtain the scriptures.”

The Old Mother of Lishan laughed and said, "That's easy. I have a solution that satisfies both sides. I wonder if the three Bodhisattvas would be willing to listen?"

Guanyin said, "I wish to hear the details."

The Old Mother of Lishan said, "The three Bodhisattvas set up this trap today to capture him. Now that we cannot capture him, we might as well let him atone for his sins through merit."

Manjushri asked, "How can one atone for one's sins with merit?"

The Old Mother of Lishan said, "The Buddha said that the tribulations on the journey to the West are predetermined. Although he has disrupted the tribulation at the Flowing Sand River, the number of tribulations required for returning to the true nature is naturally insufficient. It would be better to let him make up for the tribulation."

Upon hearing this, Guanyin said, "Please explain in detail, Mother."

The old woman laughed and said, "Why not let him devise a calamity for Tang Sanzang and his disciples? If he designs it well and they endure this ordeal, it will be considered that he has atoned for his sins, and the three Bodhisattvas will let him off the hook. I wonder if Your Excellency would agree?"

Upon hearing this, the three Bodhisattvas remained silent in contemplation.

Guanyin said, "This plan is feasible. But... will he agree?"

The Old Mother of Lishan laughed and said, "That's not difficult. I will go and talk to him about it myself."

The three bodhisattvas exchanged a glance and finally nodded.

Guanyin said, "If that's the case, then we'll do as you say, Mother."

The Old Mother of Lishan laughed and said, "Then it's settled. The three Bodhisattvas may go now; I will have my own instructions."

The three Bodhisattvas then put away their magical treasures and disappeared.