It is said that the head of the Zuo family took his leave from the True Man and was determined to return home, heading east.
Jiang Yuan returned to the Three Stars Immortal Cave and walked to the quiet room.
He saw the door to the Master’s chamber half-open and walked inside.
The Master was sitting on a mat, eyes closed, quietly waiting for him.
Jiang Yuan entered and bowed, saying, “Master.”
The Master opened his eyes and asked, “Child, has the Zuo family left the mountain?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “Master, outside the residence, the head of the Zuo family bid farewell to me and is indeed returning to his old home.”
The Master said, “The Zuo family has been coming here since you began your cultivation, for hundreds of years and countless generations. Now they are descending the mountain. What do you think, child?”
Jiang Yuan said, “Master, there is a saying: ‘Everyone has their own aspirations.’ I have often invited the Zuo family’s children to cultivate, but the Zuo family’s affinity for the Dao is easily obtained. However, they are focused on chopping wood, entangled in the mundane world, teaching their descendants to return home and become wealthy gentlemen. This has been their aspiration for generations. Now, after hundreds of years, they return home, fulfilling their aspirations. This is worthy of congratulations.”
The Master smiled and said, “Can they be stopped?”
Jiang Yuan replied, “They cannot be stopped.”
The Master asked, “Why is that?”
Jiang Yuan said, “Master, do you feel how my heart is?”
The Master said, “Your heart is like gold and stone, unwavering after hundreds of years of hard cultivation.”
Jiang Yuan said, “Master, the Zuo family’s aspirations have never changed, which is why they cannot be stopped.”
The Master laughed and said, “Good. The Zuo family has been kind to you for many generations. Your connection with them is not severed; you will surely meet again in the future. There is no need to worry. I will send a guardian to ensure their safe journey east.”
Jiang Yuan bowed and said, “Yes, Master.”
The Master said, “Go, and after this matter is settled, diligently cultivate your divine abilities, learn the laws of heaven and earth, and gather the guardian spirits. I still have marvelous teachings to pass on to you.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan bowed and left.
He took the jade whisk and walked to the front of the residence, calling out.
A white deer leaped out from the mountain cliff.
After a moment, the white deer arrived, ears perked and hooves gathered, full of joy.
Jiang Yuan gently stroked it and said, “Deer, you now have some minor abilities. When the Zuo family descends the mountain, you should secretly protect them on the way. Do not let demons harm them or evil spirits take their lives. Once you enter the Southern Zhanbu Continent, you may return.”
The white deer let out a cry, having come from the Dharma assembly, having gained good fortune.
It was able to speak and responded, “As you command!”
Jiang Yuan said, “In the Western Niuhe Continent, there are many demons and spirits. I know your strength is limited, so I have this whisk here for you to protect yourself. If demons harm you, you can call my name. If they do not retreat, I will know. I can travel twenty-four thousand miles in the clouds and mist and arrive in an instant.”
After saying this, the True Man handed the jade whisk to the white deer.
The white deer transformed into an old Daoist, looking dignified, wearing a patched robe, stepping on cloud shoes, and tied with a silk belt, exuding an aura of immortality.
The white deer took the jade whisk, knelt, and said, “I accept the command, I accept the command! I would never dare to err.”
Jiang Yuan pointed at the white deer and jokingly scolded, “You, deer, have gained much good fortune. Do not forget to cultivate your heart.”
The white deer smiled and said, “It is thanks to the Master’s affinity.”
Jiang Yuan said, “Go, go! Take good care.”
The white deer did not dare to make a mistake, bowed, and then took the jade whisk and left to protect the head of the Zuo family.
Jiang Yuan then returned to the Three Stars Immortal Cave’s quiet room to cultivate the laws of heaven and earth.
…
Meanwhile, the Monkey King ascended to heaven, and the Jade Emperor appointed him as the ‘Horse Supervisor,’ managing the stables.
Under him were countless officials, including the supervisor, deputy supervisor, clerks, strongmen, and various officials.
Upon taking office, the Monkey King, with a heart like a monkey and intent like a horse, summoned the officials to clarify the affairs of the stables.
He pointed out that there were thousands of heavenly steeds, rare and excellent horses in the world.
The Monkey King was delighted and thought to himself, “The heavenly court is indeed a good place, with fine horses and abundant treasures. As the saying goes, ‘The heavenly palace has all kinds of rare items, while the world has none of them.’ This is exactly the case.”
The Monkey King had learned many skills while hiding in the library of the Three Stars Immortal Cave.
He gave orderly instructions to the strongmen to wash the horses, prepare grass, provide water, and cook feed.
He also instructed the supervisor and deputy supervisor to oversee everything, ensuring there were no mistakes, and all officials had their tasks assigned.
After a few days, the Monkey King personally inspected the stables.
He saw that the horses were fed at night and exercised during the day, gradually becoming plump and strong, truly embodying the phrase ‘neighing like the wind and chasing the lightning, stepping through mist and climbing clouds with great strength.’ However, the heavenly steeds taught by the Monkey King, though strong, had developed a rebellious spirit and an arrogant demeanor, embodying the idea of boundless intent.
The Monkey King, unaware of this, grew close to the heavenly steeds.
One day, while inspecting, he gazed at the thousands of heavenly steeds and thought, “These are indeed fine horses. I wonder if I can gift one to my senior brother; that would be true fortune. I should also gift some horses to my brothers; surely they would praise me, Old Sun.”
He called two or three people to inquire about the heavenly steeds.
The Monkey King asked, “Do you know how the heavenly steeds descend to the mortal realm?”
The others replied, “One must obtain a decree to allow the horses to descend. Without a decree, the heavenly steeds cannot descend.”
The Monkey King asked again, “Is there no other way?”
They replied, “There is no way, no way!”
The Monkey King felt unwilling and said, “The heavenly steeds must descend to run about; is that not possible?”
They shook their heads and said, “Not possible, not possible!”
The Monkey King scratched his ears and felt annoyed, saying, “If that is not possible, then what should I do?”
The others panicked and said, “It is indeed impossible! The heavenly laws state this clearly; it cannot be violated.”
The Monkey King had no choice but to watch over the heavenly steeds.
…
As the saying goes, ‘A day in heaven is a year on earth.’
In the heavenly realm, two or three days passed, and in the Four Great Continents, two or three years had gone by.
In the Southern Zhanbu Continent, in Guanzhou, the white deer transformed into an old Daoist, holding the jade whisk, and protected the head of the Zuo family to this place.
Along the way, no demons dared to approach, and any demons that did would retreat upon hearing the True Man’s name.
In the area of the Western Niuhe Continent, Jiang Zhenren had achieved the Dao, with auspicious clouds rolling for ninety thousand miles, and all the immortal mountains and ancient caves bowed to him; there was no one who did not know him.
The white deer escorted the head of the Zuo family into Guanzhou and did not pay further attention, as the protagonist had instructed him to send them into the Southern Zhanbu Continent, after which he would return.
The white deer no longer focused on the head of the Zuo family and decided to return to the mountain.
Suddenly, he saw smoke curling up from the streets and alleys, and the white deer felt an unbearable hunger.
The white deer thought to himself, “In the past, I often ate the spiritual fruits in the mountains to fill my belly. After escorting the Zuo family down the mountain, I have not eaten for two or three years. Now that my task is complete, it would be better to find some food in this city, eat my fill, and then return home. I have the whisk to protect me; if the local deities try to stop me, I will drive them away.”
The white deer was indeed ‘skilled and bold.’ He landed on a cloud and was about to find something to eat when he walked into a temple.
Inside, he saw offerings of three animals, seasonal fruits, fragrant tea, and strong wine, all kinds of delicacies filling the air with fragrance.
Seeing that no one was in the temple, the white deer decided to take something.
Just as he entered, he suddenly saw a ghost judge appear, along with the six brothers of Meishan: Kang, Zhang, Yao, Li, and General Guo Shen, surrounding the temple door, preventing the white deer from escaping.
Then, another general stepped out.
He was handsome, wearing a three-mountain flying phoenix hat, dressed in a light yellow robe, and wielding a three-pronged two-edged spear, exuding an imposing aura.
This was the Zhaohui Lingxian Wang, Erlang Shen.
The True Lord scolded, “Who dares to intrude into my temple?”
The white deer, seeing such a scene, knew it was not good and raised the jade whisk, intending to escape outside.
The six brothers of Meishan rushed forward, and the white deer used its abilities to shield itself with the whisk, trying to fend off the attacks and escape home.
This whisk was indeed a true treasure; it blocked all sides, preventing the six brothers of Meishan from getting close.
No matter what abilities the six brothers used, they could not break through the protection of the whisk.
It is said that this whisk, with its jade handle, was transformed from the essence of Kunyu, and the bristles were treasures of Taishang Laojun.
Having cultivated with the True Man for a long time, the True Man had gained benefits from it.
The white deer wielded it against the six brothers of Meishan.
Although it was a fierce battle, for a while, it could not be defeated.
After five exchanges, Erlang Shen could not tolerate the disturbance any longer.
Seizing the opportunity, he thrust the spear to knock the whisk aside.
The six brothers of Meishan then captured the white deer, truly a case of ‘success leading to failure.’
The True Lord asked, “Where do you come from, and why are you showing off in my temple?”
The white deer did not dare to act recklessly and trembled as he said, “I am from the Ling Tai Fangcun Mountain in the Western Niuhe Continent, the mount of Jiang Zhenren from the Xie Yue Sanxing Cave. I was sent by the True Man to escort a mortal into the Southern Zhanbu Continent. Now that my task is complete, I did not expect to feel hungry, so I sought some food.”
Upon hearing this, the True Lord laughed and said, “Brothers, my temple is indeed a place for spirits to seek food.”
The six brothers of Meishan burst into laughter.
The True Lord said, “Capture him. When his master arrives, I will see what abilities he has, allowing spirits to act recklessly.”
The six brothers of Meishan complied, forcing the white deer to reveal its true form and tying it up behind the temple.
…
Meanwhile, at Ling Tai Fangcun Mountain, in the Xie Yue Sanxing Cave.
Jiang Yuan was wholeheartedly cultivating the laws of heaven and earth, and for two or three years, there had been no change.
He would sometimes listen to the Master’s teachings and sometimes discuss the Dao with Zhen Jian, his heart as calm as water, cultivating the Dao.
One day, the True Man felt something and instructed him to look east, not knowing what the matter was.
He felt shallow and had not yet attained profound powers to observe the Three Realms.
Jiang Yuan then left the quiet room and walked to the Master’s chamber.
He saw the door half-open and entered to pay respects to the Master.
Jiang Yuan said, “Master, while cultivating, I felt something, but I do not know what it is.”
The Master said, “I have observed the Three Realms, and your deer has reached Guanzhou in the Southern Zhanbu Continent and has been captured.”
Jiang Yuan asked, “Master, what happened?”
The Master replied, “Your deer was caught while attempting to steal food in Guanzhou by Erlang Shen of the heavenly court and is being detained.”
Jiang Yuan sighed upon hearing this, feeling that the deer was not capable of great tasks.
He asked again, “Master, is the deer in danger?”
The Master said, “Not yet.”
Jiang Yuan said, “In that case, let the deer suffer a little hardship.”
The Master laughed and said, “Good. Child, have you fully mastered the laws of heaven and earth?”
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, “Master, this law is very difficult; I have not fully mastered it yet and fear I still need some time.”
The Master said, “In that case, go and cultivate in peace.”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan bowed to the Master and then left to cultivate in peace.
Years passed in the mountains, and the cold ended without knowing the year.
Unbeknownst to him, fourteen years had gone by.
Jiang Yuan had finally mastered the laws of heaven and earth, his celestial body connected with the universe, possessing countless divine powers.
He was indeed a great master of the Dao.
When this divine power was unleashed, it aligned him with heaven and earth, astonishing both ghosts and gods.
This law could not be used frequently.
Having fully mastered the laws of heaven and earth, he had yet to refine them.
If this law was not refined, it would be somewhat difficult to wield.
The True Man, having fully mastered this law, was about to summon his disciples to gather in the residence to give a lecture on the great Dao in the Yao Tai.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yuan did not dare to be negligent and went to the assembly to listen.
When he arrived at the assembly, many disciples had gathered, with some familiar faces missing and many new ones present, coming and going, not knowing how many there were.
The True Man arrived at the head of the assembly, and Zhen Jian was seated next to him.
Zhen Jian saw Jiang Yuan arrive and bowed, saying, “Senior Brother.”
Jiang Yuan returned the greeting and asked, “Junior Brother, which generation of disciples is it today?”
Zhen Jian replied, “Senior Brother, today is the ‘Yuan’ generation.”
The Master had twelve generations of disciples, hence the phrase ‘vast wisdom, true nature like the sea, insightful and complete.’ The Yuan generation was the eleventh generation.
The Master had once said that after the twelve generations, he would no longer accept disciples, and now it was the eleventh generation, meaning the twelfth generation was approaching.
Jiang Yuan nodded and said, “Thank you, Junior Brother, for clarifying.”
Zhen Jian humbly replied, holding a leaf fan, smiling brightly, his eyes clearer than before, exuding wisdom.
The two chatted for a while until the Master arrived, at which point they closed their mouths and listened to the wonderful teachings.
The Master ascended the platform and began to lecture on the great Dao, discussing the principles of heaven and earth.
…
Meanwhile, in the heavenly realm, the Monkey King had been managing the stables for over half a month.
During this time, he had not engaged in any cultivation or self-discipline, merely allowing the horses to run wild, his arrogance growing stronger.
The demons and obstacles were becoming increasingly severe, and how could the stables contain this heart monkey?
One day, in the stables, the Monkey King invited the officials to a banquet, enjoying themselves together.
In the midst of the merriment, the Monkey King suddenly stopped his cup and asked, “Have you heard of a True Man by the name of Guangxin?”
The others asked, “What do you mean, my lord?”
The Monkey King asked, “In the Western Niuhe Continent, there is a True Man who has achieved the Dao, known as Guangxin. His powers are profound, and his divine abilities are vast. He is someone who can kick the heavens and manipulate wells. Have you heard of him?”
They replied, “We have heard of him. When this True Man achieved the Dao, we were aware.”
The Monkey King scratched his ears and felt surprised that his senior brother had such a name.
He asked again, “You all know him?”
They replied, “Yes, yes! When this True Man achieved the Dao, golden light soared to the heavens, and everyone knew him. At that time, the Jade Emperor granted him the high title of ‘True Lord,’ allowing him to oversee the military. That True Man, however, did not take the position, focusing solely on cultivation. Many people know of this.”
The Monkey King asked, “What kind of high official is a True Lord? How does it compare to my position as Horse Supervisor?”
They replied, “It cannot be compared, it cannot be compared! That True Lord is of a high rank, while the Horse Supervisor is of no rank.”
The Monkey King asked, “What does high rank mean, and what does no rank mean?”
They explained, “The high rank is someone who stands in the court, with soldiers and power under him. All kinds of immortals bow to him, and he is not deceived or trapped. The no rank is the lowest, not in the flow, merely overseeing the horses. If the horses are well-fed, he receives praise; if the horses are thin, he faces blame and punishment. If he angers someone, he might be beaten a hundred times. It cannot be compared!”
The Monkey King was greatly angered upon hearing this, thinking to himself, “Old Sun is a king and ancestor in Huaguo Mountain, and in the Three Stars Immortal Cave, I am also quite capable. My Master and senior brother cannot take me lightly. How can this old man, the Jade Emperor, deceive me into raising horses, speaking of heart monkeys and intent horses, a lowly position not befitting me? I will not do it! I will leave!”
After saying this, the Monkey King took out his golden cudgel, shook it, and tossed it aside, breaking free from the stables and heading to the Southern Heavenly Gate, intending to return to the mortal realm to become a mountain king, refusing to accept this position as Horse Supervisor.
The heavenly officials knew that the Monkey King had received the celestial decree and made way for him, not daring to stop him, allowing him to descend to the mortal realm.
This was indeed the Monkey King rebelling against heaven, with a heart higher than the heavens, wishing to become the Sage Equal to Heaven.
(End of Chapter)