Chapter 627: Chapter 562, Tang Sanzang Who Couldn’t Ride a Horse.
Guanyin Bodhisattva extended her slender jade hand, clutching the Willow Branch inside the Jade Purifying Bottle, pulled out the Willow Branch with a wave, scattering water mist that enveloped the Little White Dragon.
"Roar~" The Little White Dragon soared into the air within the sparkling mist, spinning as it dove toward the ground, halfway through transforming into a noble white horse, galloping through the air – tap, tap, tap, tap – and stopped beside Tang Sanzang, shaking its head and tail, snorting loudly.
Tang Sanzang glanced at the White Dragon Horse beside him, feeling a bit anxious in his heart. Could it be that the Bodhisattva wants this poor monk to ride a horse?
Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "You were originally the Third Prince of the West Sea Dragon King, the third son of Ao Run, West Sea Dragon King.
Only because on your wedding day you ignited a baseless anger, setting fire to the palace’s Imperially Bestowed Bright Pearl, you committed a capital offense in the Heavenly Court, and could not have escaped the blade at the Immortal Slaying Stage.
It was I who personally saw the Jade Emperor and pleaded on your behalf, sparing you from your crime. I ordered you to cultivate in seclusion here, waiting for the Sutra Taker, serving as Tang Sanzang’s mount.
On the journey westward from hence, you must earnestly redeem your karma. After your task is complete, transcending the ordinary dragon, you shall be granted the fruit of a Golden Body."
The White Dragon Horse bowed its head respectfully and said, "Many thanks to the Bodhisattva!"
Sun Wukong took a good look at the White Dragon King and realized he was indeed the Third Prince of the West Sea Dragon King. Back when I, Old Sun, wreaked havoc in the West Sea Dragon Palace, I never came across him. His abilities are a notch stronger than that Old Dragon King; he could even exchange a few moves with Old Sun.
Tang Sanzang had a strange expression on his face. Sun Wukong, having been pinned under Lianhua Mountain, was unaware of the changes in the outside world, but Tang Sanzang was aware!
Everyone knew that it was the Third Prince of the West Sea Dragon King who had lusted after the Wansheng Princess and sought Guanyin’s help in matchmaking, which eventually led to Wansheng Princess and the Nine-Headed Beast tragically separating as a couple.
In the end, it took the Heavenly Court’s intervention to severely punish the prodigal Third Prince of the West Sea, allowing the Nine-Headed Beast and Wansheng Princess to conclude their happy fate.
When I was a child hearing this story, I cheered for the Heavenly Court penalizing the West Sea’s tyrant; it was truly gratifying for everyone.
Never did I imagine that one day I would actually encounter the real legend, confirming the story. Guanyin Bodhisattva indeed had a connection with the Third Prince of the West Sea. Alas, I never thought the legendary tale would be true and even now Guanyin is still covering up the facts for that Third Prince of the West Sea.
Sun Wukong’s eyes twinkled, and he flew up to Guanyin on a cloud, standing on his toes he said with a chuckle, "Bodhisattva!
I, Old Sun, have demons in my heart and truly cannot make it to the Western Heaven. Perhaps you should find someone else to go?
From what I see, this dragon is quite powerful and more than capable of protecting the little monk on his journey west. I’ve also heard that you have a disciple called Mu Zha, the elder brother of Nezha; he must be extremely powerful and rarely matched. Why don’t you send him as well, to protect the little monk on his journey to the Western Heaven for the scriptures? Afterwards, he might also earn a Golden Body Fruit.
If the Bodhisattva agrees, I, Old Sun, will remove the Golden Hoop right away."
Guanyin Bodhisattva reprimanded, "When you hadn’t achieved Human Dao, you were willing to diligently cultivate; now that you’ve escaped the Heavenly disaster, how can you suddenly turn lazy? In my sect, true fruit comes from silent commitment to faith.
If you encounter moments that hurt and grind the spirit, I allow you to call and Heaven shall respond, you may call and Earth shall heed."
Sun Wukong flipped his hand and took out a Gold Token, saying, "Call and Heaven shall respond, call and Earth shall heed, I, Old Sun, can do it! Holding this Token, I can command the Heavenly Soldiers; even the Underworld Yin Gods must heed Old Sun’s orders." His tone carried a hint of smugness.
Guanyin Bodhisattva fell silent for a moment, having forgotten that Sun Wukong is now a Judicial Celestial and naturally possesses the abilities to summon Heavenly and Earthly assistance. She inwardly begrudged the meddling of the Heavenly Court but smiled faintly and said, "If you come across grave danger, I can come to rescue you personally."
"No need, no need. I, Old Sun, have many friends in the Heavenly Court, Yang Jiao, Yang Jian, Nezha, Ao Bing; all of them can come to assist me."
"Wukong, they are Judicial Celestials tasked with enforcing laws across the Three Realms. Do not go bothering them without due cause. If you ever find yourself unable to get through an ordeal, you may come to my Luo Jia Mountain, or seek help from the Western Spirit Mountain."
Seeing he couldn’t delay any longer, Sun Wukong nodded repeatedly, casually assuring, "Alright, alright, I, Old Sun, understand. I will definitely go to seek the help of the Bodhisattva when facing trouble."
Satisfied, Guanyin Bodhisattva finally nodded her head contentedly, plucked three willow leaves, stretched her hand towards Sun Wukong, and said, "Go!"
The three willow leaves flew out, drifting behind Sun Wukong’s head and transformed into three golden hairs, implanted at the back of Sun Wukong’s brain.
"I will grant you another skill. When you find yourself without aid and in dire straits, you’ll be able to adapt to the situation and save yourself from your urgent plight."
Sun Wukong tapped three strands of his fur and his eyes shone as he twirled them, chuckling as he clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Bodhisattva!"
"As you and your disciples continue on your journey to obtain the scriptures, do not succumb to laziness again." After saying this, Guanyin Bodhisattva rode away on a fragrant breeze towards South Sea Luo Jia Mountain.
Sun Wukong landed from his Cloud Head, grinning: "Little Monk, your mount is ready again."
Tang Sanzang, still holding a sliver of hope, said to the White Dragon Horse before him: "You are the Dragon King’s Third Prince with vast Divine Skills, I wonder if you could transform into a Mechanical Car? As your teacher, I do not know how to ride a horse."
The White Dragon Horse snorted loudly and turned its head away.
Sun Wukong chuckled: "Little Monk, just accept it! Quickly mount up."
Guardian Jialan brought over a saddle, and Tang Sanzang reluctantly mounted, wobbling along the mountain road towards the outside.
Sun Wukong slapped the horse’s behind and laughed heartily, shouting: "Gee up!"
The White Dragon Horse whinnied and dashed forward.
Sun Wukong leapt into the air, following low behind.
"Ahh~" Tang Sanzang let out a loud scream of terror that echoed through the forests.
"Stop, stop now!"
"Wukong, make the White Dragon Horse stop, your teacher is going to die."
...
Not long after, the White Dragon Horse had left Yingchou Creek and was treading on a rugged path.
"Stop, it hurts so much!"
The White Dragon Horse finally halted, and Tang Sanzang clung to the saddle, dismounted, and walked forward with his feet pointed outward, occasionally gasping in pain.
Sun Wukong landed from his Cloud Head and snickered weirdly: "Little Monk, why have you stopped again? If you walk and stop like this, when will we ever reach the Western Heaven to see the True Buddha?"
Tang Sanzang waved his hand in agony: "I can’t ride it, I really can’t. Your teacher’s buttocks are nearly broken.
Wukong, why don’t you go back to Great Tang and buy me a Mechanical Car? This horse truly isn’t meant for humans to ride."
The White Dragon Horse behind neighed discontentedly.
Sun Wukong laughed mischievously: "This is the steed prepared for you by Guanyin Bodhisattva. Are you going to refuse it?"
Tang Sanzang sighed: "Back when I was at the temple, I even rode horses, but now, for some reason, riding a horse feels exceptionally tiring."
Looking down at his trembling legs, he lamented: "Wukong, if I continue to ride like this, your teacher might end up crippled."
"Little Monk, there’s a saying, it’s easy to shift from frugality to luxury, but hard to return to frugality from luxury. You’re used to Mechanical Cars, naturally, you would find riding a horse difficult."
"Then, what should we do?"