In the Underworld's Senluo Hall, the Ten Kings were trembling with fear, urgently ordering the Judge to investigate the origins of Liu's mother, following the words of the True Person to replicate them exactly.
Jiang Yuan and Huian the Traveler welcomed the Ten Kings to sit in the center of the hall facing south.
After offering fragrant tea and fruits, they took their places beside them.
Huian the Traveler clasped his hands in salute and said, “The True Person is indeed profound in law, possessing great divine powers. I am no match for you and cannot withstand even a single move from the True Person.”
Jiang Yuan returned the greeting and said, “Huian the Traveler, this fellow possesses extraordinary martial skills and has achieved the Dao. His abilities are indeed difficult to subdue; I rely on merely a third of my divine powers.”
Huian the Traveler looked at the Ten Kings and said, “Although this fellow has caused chaos in the Underworld, leading to the gates being tightly shut, there is a reason behind it. I have heard him say that he teaches the Underworld to draw the wrong conclusions.”
The Ten Kings panicked and said, “We do not recognize this, we do not recognize this. Could it be that the drawing of the dead has gone awry?”
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, “If you draw the wrong conclusions like this, how can the Underworld not recognize its own advantages?”
The Ten Kings replied, “We dare not, we dare not. We implore the True Person to forgive us!”
Jiang Yuan said, “If I hear again that the Underworld has drawn the dead incorrectly, I will certainly seek out the ten of you to understand the consequences of my divine powers.”
The Ten Kings trembled and agreed.
Before long, the Judge brought the Book of Life and Death and presented the accounts.
Jiang Yuan examined it closely and saw that on the record of the naked worms, it stated, ‘Nanzhan Buzhou Liu Zhang Clan, number ninety-four thousand and three, age seventy-three.’ He asked, “How old is Liu's mother now?”
The Judge replied, “Upon investigation, Liu's mother is forty-five years old, her lifespan not yet exhausted. It is indeed the fault of the drawing of the dead that has caused Liu's mother to be taken as a substitute for the dead.”
The Ten Kings exclaimed, “How can this be! Where is the one who draws the dead?”
The Judge said, “That wicked god has killed the account.”
Jiang Yuan said, “Let Liu's mother return to her original state and not cause any trouble.”
The Ten Kings then ordered the Judge to bring Liu's mother.
After a short while, the Judge brought Liu's mother, explained the situation, apologized, and asked for her forgiveness.
Upon hearing the reason, Liu's mother bowed and expressed her gratitude to Jiang Yuan, saying, “This foolish woman is deeply grateful for the assistance of the Immortal. I dare not forget this deep kindness, but please, Immortal, leave your name so that this foolish woman may know her benefactor.”
Jiang Yuan helped her up from his seat and said, “It is because I know your son is a filial gentleman. Upon seeing him, I felt his determination and feared you would be deceived, so I came to protect you, hence I assisted him a little. Now seeing the old lady, I know that where there is a mother, there is a son. If the mother knows propriety, the son must be filial; this is called ‘teaching by example.’”
Liu's mother wept with gratitude and said, “Thank you, Immortal! Thank you, Immortal! But please, Immortal, leave your name.”
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, “There is no need to remember my name. If you feel grateful, just do more good during the day.”
Liu's mother responded affirmatively.
Jiang Yuan called for the Judge to bring Liu's mother back to her original state.
Once this matter was settled, with the Ten Kings' assurance that the Underworld would no longer have various disturbances, he rode away on the White Deer, with the Ten Kings seeing him off from the Underworld.
After exiting the Underworld and re-entering the mortal realm, Jiang Yuan and Huian the Traveler parted ways.
Huian the Traveler clasped his hands and said, “I was originally meant to escort the True Person back to the mountain, but unfortunately, I am injured and cannot wield my staff, fearing I cannot protect you properly.”
Jiang Yuan, riding the White Deer, laughed and said, “Traveler, you have protected me for a long time. I am already grateful; how could I shamelessly ask you to escort me back to the mountain? You should return to Luojia Mountain and thank Guanyin Bodhisattva for me.”
Huian the Traveler nodded and said, “That is indeed the case. If the True Person has free time, you may come to Luojia Mountain. I will certainly welcome you and discuss the law with you.”
Jiang Yuan gladly agreed.
Huian the Traveler said no more, riding the clouds back to Luojia Mountain.
Jiang Yuan rode the White Deer to a high mountain, stopping at the cliff to observe.
He saw that the mountain peak reached the azure sky, with layers of white clouds like bones.
In front of the mountain was a winding Dragon Cave, with cliffs thousands of feet high.
Behind the mountain flowed a cold stream, with a chilling aura pressing in.
It was truly a perilous and treacherous place.
The True Person arrived at this spot, dismounted from the White Deer, spread out his sleeves, and took out the monkey.
The monkey resembled a straw man, allowing him to play with it.
Wukong emerged from the sleeve universe, retracting the Golden Cudgel, and hurriedly supported Jiang Yuan, saying, “Elder Brother, do not blame me! It was my offense.”
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, “You monkey, do not mention offenses. Why did you run away upon seeing me?”
Wukong said, “Elder Brother, I was startled upon seeing you, not knowing what to do, unable to recognize you, fearing trouble would come. It was not intentional; please forgive me, Elder Brother.”
Jiang Yuan said, “How could you not recognize me? Speak, and I will listen.”
Wukong respectfully said, “Elder Brother, please listen to my explanation. When I was in the mountains, the brothers in the Underworld respected me greatly because of my profound divine powers. They said they had seen true laws, and I took it upon myself to use my methods.
Unexpectedly, the Master here expelled me from the sect, intending to send me back home. I pleaded countless times but could not be spared. My fellow brothers said so, and I did not expect that they would not return to the mountain.
I secretly sighed, thinking of returning home. The Master warned me again, saying that I would not be allowed to repay the sect if I left the mountain, and if I spoke of my journey, the Master would surely take my life. Therefore, I did not dare to recognize you, Elder Brother.
Please forgive me.”
Jiang Yuan, upon hearing this, understood in his heart.
He said, “How could you show off your skills and be expelled by the Master?”
Wukong said, “The brothers in the Underworld wanted to see my seventy-two transformations, so I used a method to transform into an old cypress tree.”
Jiang Yuan said, “You monkey, why show off for no reason? If you show off like that, would it not cause others to have ulterior motives? If they have ulterior motives, they will surely devise a scheme to harm you. I do not dare to show off myself; how could you act so recklessly?”
Wukong did not dare to say more and only supported his Elder Brother with his hand.
Jiang Yuan said, “Since you are returning home, you should not hide in the mountains to cultivate. Why did you appear in the Underworld?”
Wukong, hearing this, became angry and said, “Elder Brother, this is not my fault! I was receiving guests in the mountains and had just fallen asleep when those who draw the dead pulled me into the Underworld. How could I not cause a ruckus in the Underworld? My path to immortality has been achieved, transcending the Three Realms, not bound by the Five Elements. How could those who draw the dead find me? They should be punished!”
Jiang Yuan said, “This matter is indeed not your fault. I came to the Underworld for the same reason. From now on, there will be no one to draw the dead to you. You can cultivate in peace. If there is anyone like that again, you can return to the mountain to find me, and I will seek an explanation for you.”
Wukong said, “Thank you, Elder Brother.”
Jiang Yuan said, “Thus, you may go. If you see me again in the future, just say you are in the right, and there is no need to avoid me. If you are in the wrong and see me, I will certainly take you.”
Wukong said, “Elder Brother, I understand.”
Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly stopped and said, “Elder Brother, I recently obtained a divine weapon, which is a treasure of the same lineage as yours.”
Jiang Yuan asked, “What treasure?”
Wukong said, “It is the Yu Ding.”
Jiang Yuan took out the Yu Ding from his waist and said, “How is it of the same lineage?”
Wukong pulled out the treasure from his ear, shook it, and the Ruyi Golden Cudgel appeared.
The monkey tossed aside the transformation, spinning around the mountain, startling the wolf insects to flee and the tigers and leopards to run away; it was indeed a display of great divine powers.
He held the Golden Cudgel firmly and said, “Elder Brother, this treasure of mine is called the ‘Ruyi Golden Cudgel,’ given by a wise neighbor. It is said to be a measuring rod used by Da Yu during the flood control, measuring the depths of rivers and lakes. I heard from the wise neighbor that your Yu Ding was forged by Da Yu, thus making it of the same lineage.”
Jiang Yuan pointed at the monkey and scolded with a smile, “You monkey, how can you define the same lineage like this? How can you compare your Golden Cudgel with my Yu Ding?”
Wukong said, “Elder Brother, I was just thinking of comparing them.”
Jiang Yuan said, “Really?”
Wukong said, “Really.”
Jiang Yuan laughed and said, “How do you want to compare?”
Wukong said, “Elder Brother, I will use the cudgel, and you use the ding; let’s have a trial.”
Jiang Yuan said, “You monkey, that is a weapon, while my ding is a protective treasure. How can I compete with you? Enough, enough, enough! Why should I compete with you? You may go, do not disturb me.”
Wukong said, “If that is the case, how about comparing weights?”
Jiang Yuan examined the Golden Cudgel closely and asked, “How heavy is your cudgel?”
Wukong, wanting to show off, said, “Elder Brother, my Ruyi Golden Cudgel weighs thirteen thousand five hundred pounds.”
Jiang Yuan took out the Yu Ding from his waist, flipped it over, and the Yu Ding revealed its true form, becoming a large ding, standing eight feet tall, inscribed with various patterns, divine light flickering, heavy and solid.
He said, “Wukong, try to lift this ding; if you succeed, you win.”
Wukong said, “Elder Brother, please step aside; I will lift it.”
Jiang Yuan, upon hearing this, made way.
Wukong then walked to the ding, touched it, and found it to be a heavy treasure.
He exerted strength from his waist to lift the Yu Ding, but unexpectedly, the divine light of the Yu Ding shone, and no matter how much strength the Monkey King exerted, the Yu Ding remained unmoved.
This Yu Ding was forged by Da Yu to pacify Nanzhan Buzhou, made from divine metal, its energy connecting to the region, and was further refined by Taishang Laojun, nurturing its spiritual energy.
After following the True Person in cultivation, it received spiritual energy nurturing, and the True Person attained the Dao, gaining benefits from it, with divine powers that could not be violated.
Today was different from the past.
The Monkey King, despite his great divine powers, could not lift the Yu Ding this time.
Wukong let go and said, “Good ding, good ding! My Golden Cudgel cannot surpass you.”
Jiang Yuan waved his hand, and the Yu Ding shrank to a small ding, attaching it to his waist, and said, “Monkey, go and cultivate in the mountains diligently, attain the Dao as soon as possible, and do not be so impatient.”
Wukong agreed, then said no more, bowed three times to his Elder Brother, shook his body, leaped up, and with a somersault, traveled a hundred thousand miles, disappearing from sight.
Jiang Yuan watched the monkey leave, walking to the side of the White Deer.
This deer was spiritual, lowering its body to allow the True Person to mount.
Once seated steadily, the White Deer descended the mountain.
Jiang Yuan gently stroked the deer's head, knowing that the White Deer had some capabilities, and laughed, “This time, I will participate in the Dharma Assembly and gain a bit of the True Law of Nirvana. You have gained good fortune; upon returning to the mountain, you must cultivate diligently.”
The White Deer cried out and gradually walked down the mountain.
...
Meanwhile, the Monkey King, after a somersault of a hundred thousand miles, returned to Flower Fruit Mountain, entering his immortal body, waking up suddenly, stretching his waist and legs.
The Four Old Monkeys called out, “Great King, how much wine did you drink to sleep for more than a day before waking up?”
The Monkey King said, “You do not know; this sleep was full of events.”
The Four Old Monkeys asked, “Great King, what events happened while you slept here?”
The Monkey King said, “You do not know; my soul was drawn by two of the dead-drawing beings in the Underworld. I displayed my divine powers, fought those who draw the dead, and caused chaos in the Underworld, making it so that the Underworld was shut tight. I fought my way into the Senluo Hall, but unexpectedly, my Elder Brother was sitting there. I could not withstand my Elder Brother and turned to flee, but he caught me in his sleeve. Fortunately, he let me go.”
The Four Old Monkeys were astonished and said, “Great King, your divine powers are high; how could anyone subdue you?”
The Monkey King said, “My Elder Brother possesses vast divine powers and exceptional skills; he is not someone I can compare to. His path is deep, while mine is shallow.”
The Four Old Monkeys said, “Great King, your path is higher than the heavens. If this person can defeat the Great King, would he not be higher than the heavens?”
The Monkey King did not answer, just as he was about to gather the crowd for merriment, suddenly a monkey child came to report: “Great King, recently many of our monkey soldiers have died.”
The Monkey King, upon hearing this, became furious and asked, “Who has harmed my monkey soldiers?”
The monkey child said, “It is not that someone has harmed them, but that the monkey soldiers are old and their blood has weakened.”
The Four Old Monkeys said, “Great King, this is merely the end of their lifespan. We reside in the immortal mountain, blessed land, under your protection. We do not submit to the control of the Qilin, nor the Phoenix, nor are we bullied by demons, but we are secretly managed by that old Yama. The Great King has attained the Dao and achieved immortality, but we find it difficult. Sooner or later, we will die; there is a saying in the world, ‘a solitary family and a lonely person,’ and at that time, the Great King will be no different.”
Upon hearing this, the Monkey King scratched his ears and cheeks, restless and extremely angry, just as he was about to find an opportunity to resolve the secret management of Yama, this matter shall be set aside for now.
...
Time passed swiftly, and before long, half a year had gone by.
Jiang Yuan rode the White Deer and finally returned to Ling Tai Fang Cun Mountain.
He arrived at the front of the Xie Yue San Xing Cave, released the White Deer back into the mountains, and reminded it to cultivate diligently before entering the San Xing Immortal Cave.
Not long after entering the San Xing Immortal Cave, he walked to the old cypress tree and saw that many disciples were gathered there discussing fervently, talking about how to fight using the side doors.
Jiang Yuan approached, and upon seeing this, he stood up and bowed, saying, “Elder Brother.”
The crowd welcomed him, saying, “Elder Brother.”
Jiang Yuan said, “No need for excessive courtesy. You all continue your discussion; I will go to pay respects to the Master.”
The crowd replied, “Elder Brother, please go ahead.”
Jiang Yuan looked towards Zhen Jian and observed closely, seeing that his presence had increased, and his true fruit was in front.
This junior brother had truly ‘seen’ through, with the path ahead clear, not hurried or anxious, walking slowly.
Zhen Jian said, “Elder Brother, later I will certainly visit you.”
Jiang Yuan smiled and nodded, walking towards the Yao Tai.
After a short while, he reached the Yao Tai, but the Master was not present, so he took a small path to the Quiet Room.
Upon reaching the Quiet Room, the door was wide open, and the Master was sitting cross-legged on a mat, waiting for a long time.
Jiang Yuan arrived at the door of the room, performed a grand bow, and said, “Master, I have returned home.”
The Master said, “Child, come in. Why such great courtesy?”
Upon hearing the voice, Jiang Yuan entered the room, understanding the Master's intention, and sat down on the mat.
Once seated steadily, the Master asked, “Did you gain anything from your journey out of the mountain?”
Jiang Yuan said, “Master, I gained a lot. I went to the Underworld and also saw Wukong.”
The Master asked, “What do you mean?”
Jiang Yuan said, “I originally intended to go to the South Sea, but unexpectedly, the deer took a wrong turn and entered the Wuli Kingdom. I saw a gentleman weeping sadly, and upon inquiry, I learned that the Underworld had drawn his mother incorrectly. Therefore, I first participated in the Dharma Assembly and then went to the Underworld to understand the cause and effect, helping someone return to life. I also saw Junior Brother Wukong causing chaos in the Underworld, fighting against the Underworld, and then he was taken away.”
The Master said, “Did you gain anything from the Dharma Assembly?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “Master, I heard Guanyin Bodhisattva speak of the True Law of Nirvana and gained some understanding.”
The Master said, “You may tell me about it.”
Jiang Yuan then recounted the True Law of Nirvana to the Master.
Upon hearing this, the Master praised him repeatedly, saying, “Child, although you do not know it completely, you have grasped the essence of the Nirvana Law. You are indeed wise. How do you perceive the Nirvana Law?”
Jiang Yuan said, “As the Master said, one day, this law will reach Nirvana.”
The Master laughed and said, “Child, how did you come to this understanding?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “It is because this law is difficult to comprehend. I have heard many Buddhists misunderstand it, distorting its meaning, leading to ignorant mortals achieving Nirvana in their physical forms. The essence of this law can only be understood by the wise, thus this law cannot last long. In the future, there will surely be new laws to replace it, hence the law reaches Nirvana.”
(End of Chapter)