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

Meanwhile, Tang Sanzang and his four disciples, having attained enlightenment, broke free from worldly shackles, leaped out of the sea of ​​nature's quicksand, and without any hindrance, headed straight for the main road to the west.

Having traversed countless green hills and clear waters, I have seen endless wild grasses and wildflowers.

As they continued their journey, dusk approached. Tang Sanzang reined in his horse and said, "Disciple, it's getting late. Where shall we rest?"

Wukong said, "Master, monks endure wind and rain, sleep under the moon and frost; wherever there is a place, that is home. Why ask about a place to rest?"

Bajie said, "Brother, you only care about how easy it is for you to walk, but you don't care about how heavy it is for others. Ever since we crossed the Flowing Sand River, we've been climbing mountains and crossing ridges, carrying heavy loads, and it's really hard to bear! We need to find a house, firstly to get some tea and food, and secondly to rest our spirits. That's the right thing to do."

Wukong said, "Fool, your words seem to indicate a resentful heart. You still think you can be as carefree as you were in Gao Village, relying on laziness and not seeking blessings. You can't be a disciple of the true Buddhist order. You must endure hardship and suffering to become a true disciple."

Pigsy asked, "Brother, how heavy is this load of luggage?"

Wukong said, "Brother, since you and Sha Wujing came along, I haven't carried it myself, so how would I know how heavy it is?"

Pigsy said, "Brother, look at this! Four pieces of yellow rattan, eight ropes of varying lengths. And to protect against the rain, three or four layers of felt. Even the carrying pole is slippery, so nails are nailed to both ends. A copper-inlaid, iron-forged staff with nine rings, a large cloak wrapped in bamboo and rattan. With so much luggage, it's hard for me to carry it all day long, while you, as Master's apprentice, treat me like a farmhand!"

Wukong laughed and said, "Fool, who are you talking to?"

Pigsy said, "Brother, let me tell you something."

Wukong said, "You've misled me. I'm only responsible for Master's well-being. You and Sha Wujing are in charge of the luggage and horses. If you neglect them even slightly, you'll get a good beating with your cudgel first!"

Bajie said, "Brother, don't talk about fighting. Fighting is bullying others with strength. I know you are proud and you will definitely not agree to fight; but the horse that Master rides is so tall and fat, and it only carries the old monk. Let him carry a few things. It is also a brotherly gesture."

Wukong said, "You say he's a horse! He's no ordinary horse; he's the son of the Dragon King of the West Sea, named the Third Prince of the Dragon King."

He was punished for setting fire to the palace's precious pearl, a transgression against heavenly law. Fortunately, Guanyin Bodhisattva saved his life, removing his scales and horns and transforming him into this horse to carry his master to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha. This is all due to one's own merits; you should not try to claim credit for it.

Upon hearing this, Sha Wujing asked, "Brother, is it really Long Yao?"

Wukong said, "It's a dragon."

Pigsy said, "Brother, I've heard the ancients say that dragons can breathe clouds and mist, and scatter dust and sand. They have the power to traverse mountains and rivers, and the supernatural ability to overturn seas and rivers. Why is he walking so slowly today?"

Wukong said, "If you want him to leave quickly, I'll teach him how to leave quickly and you'll see."

Great Sage, wield your golden cudgel, and myriad colorful clouds will arise.

Seeing this, the white dragon horse was afraid that Wukong would beat him, so it ran away. The group chased after the horse and climbed the cliff. Sure enough, they saw a cluster of pine trees in the distance, with several magnificent palaces inside.

But we see:

The golden roof shines in the sun, reflecting the shimmering light of crystal in the heavens; the precious banner hangs like the moon, and the heavens display mandala patterns.

The mural depicts five Buddhas, gazing upon the ten directions; the altar presents samadhi, in harmony with the nine heavens.

The Vajra's furrowed brows awe the three realms; the celestial maidens' exquisite dance is an offering to all the deities.

The tolling of bells and the resounding of drums awaken us from our long slumber of ignorance; the cascading rainbow and surging light illuminate our original, wondrous mind.

Tang Sanzang said, "Disciple, look over there. There's a temple there. We can stay there for the night."

Upon hearing this, Wukong hurriedly looked up and saw that the sky was shrouded in auspicious clouds and mist. He thought it was a sacred place of immortals and Buddhas, and said, "Good! Good! Good! Let's go there for the night."

Upon arriving at the temple, the four disciples stopped to look and saw three large characters written on the plaque: "Electric Music Temple".

Tang Sanzang, puzzled by the name, asked, "Disciples, you are all celestial beings descended to earth. Have you ever seen this 'Electric Music Temple'?"

Wukong said, "Master, let alone seeing it, I've never even heard of it. When I wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace, I visited all the Buddhist temples in the heavens. I've heard of Leiyin Temple, Lingyin Temple, and Daxiangguo Temple, but I've never heard a word about this 'Dianyin Temple'."

Pigsy stepped forward and chuckled, "Brother, you wouldn't know this."

Upon hearing this, Wukong looked at Bajie and asked, "Brother, have you heard of this?"

Bajie said in a serious tone, "You can guess from the name. The Buddha's temple is called Leiyin Temple, and this temple is called Dianyin Temple."

It's perfectly normal that the Jade Emperor has the Thunder God and Lightning Goddess, and the Buddha has the Electric Music Temple.

In my opinion, this electronic music temple is probably run by one of Buddha's brothers, hoping to gain some Buddhist affinity and ensure its prosperity.

Wukong laughed and cursed, "Nonsense! What brother does Buddha have? Stop spouting nonsense and blaspheming the sacred! If you dare to gossip again, I, Old Sun, will give you a good whack!"

Pigsy muttered, "Brother, I was just saying it casually, but you're taking it so seriously. It's not even true, why are you in such a hurry?"

Sha Wujing couldn't help but say, "Second Brother, you mustn't say such things carelessly. It's blasphemous to the Buddha, what a sin! We monks should respect and worship the Buddha, and not speak ill of the Holy One."

Tang Sanzang waved his hand to stop everyone from arguing, and said with a slightly stern expression, "Bajie, stop talking nonsense! Monks should be careful with their words and actions. How can you speak recklessly about the Buddha?"

In my opinion, since this is a temple, there must be monks here. Even if their names are unusual, it must be a place for spiritual practice.

"It would be better to knock on the door and ask if we could stay the night, and then continue our journey tomorrow."

Wukong said, "Master is right, I'll go knock on the door right away." He was about to take a step when Tang Sanzang grabbed him.

Tang Sanzang said, "Wukong, wait! Your appearance is not good, and it may frighten the monks in the temple. Let your master do it."

He then dismounted and went to knock on the door.

After a long while, sure enough, a head poked out from inside.

But she wasn't a monk; she was a woman.

Upon seeing this, Tang Sanzang was so startled that he took two steps back and almost bumped into Wukong.

Wukong reacted quickly and caught him, saying, "Master, don't panic, let me go and take a look."

Seeing Tang Sanzang's appearance, the woman covered her mouth and laughed, "Elder, don't be afraid. My disciple is not a monster, but a cultivator in the temple."

Tang Sanzang composed himself, clasped his hands together, and said, "Female...female Bodhisattva, this is clearly a temple, so how come there are female...cultivators? This..."

Before he could finish speaking, a Buddhist chant came from inside, and sure enough, another big monk came out, his face pale.

Wukong quickly used his Fiery Eyes to look, and found that the blue-faced monk was surrounded by auspicious light. He knew that he was a deity in disguise, so he put aside his vigilance and only secretly guarded against him.

Tang Sanzang breathed a sigh of relief when he saw a senior monk emerge from inside. He bowed and said, "Amitabha, this humble monk greets the Master."

The blue-faced monk returned the greeting and said, "Elder, there's no need for such formalities. May I ask where you come from and why you've come here so late at night to knock on my temple gate?"

Tang Sanzang said, "Master, please allow me to explain. My disciple is an imperial envoy from the Tang Dynasty of the Eastern Land, sent by the Emperor to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and seek scriptures. These three people beside me are my disciples, who are protecting me on my journey to the West."

It is already late today. Passing by this temple, I was struck by its extraordinary atmosphere and took the liberty of knocking on the door to ask for lodging for the night. I will depart immediately at dawn tomorrow and will not disturb you further.