Chapter 624: Chapter 559, Yingchou Creek
Just then, from outside, a voice was heard speaking; Ksitigarbha hurriedly put down the scroll, restored everything to how it was, and quickly turned to walk outside, gently closing the doors of the hall.
In a pavilion within the Bird’s Nest, Bai Jin and Ksitigarbha faced each other as they sat down, the Bodhisattva’s Tin Staff placed beside him, appearing slightly absent-minded.
Bai Jin apologized and said, "I was just summoned by the Jade Emperor and had to go, so please don’t take offense if you felt neglected."
Ksitigarbha suddenly snapped back to reality and quickly said, "Reporting to Emperor, the humble monk has just arrived too."
Bai Jin laughed heartily and said, "Why call me Emperor? We’re not outside, just call me Teacher."
Ksitigarbha, thinking about the scroll he had just seen, hesitated before calling out, "Teacher, I heard that the Westward Journey to obtain the scriptures is a calamity of fate, with one merit earned for each ordeal, but I do not understand what this implies?"
Bai Jin laughed heartily and said, "The reason I’ve called you here is to discuss this matter.
You’re about to become very wealthy, so I was thinking of asking you if you want to continue doing business in the Three Realms Mall. If you decide not to, then I’ll have to find someone else."
Ksitigarbha was taken aback and shook his head, saying, "Teacher, you’re jesting with me again. I have always been in the Underworld; where would I find the opportunity to amass wealth?
The shop you helped me set up in the Three Realms Mall, though it’s not too hot or too cold business-wise, at least provides some revenue. How could I give it up?!
What does this have to do with the question I asked?"
Bai Jin, puzzled, said, "You don’t know? The Westward Journey consists of eighty-one difficulties, and with each difficulty comes merit. Both the Immortal Gods who set up the ordeals and those who resolve them can gain merit.
After the Westward Journey, heavens grant merit according to the level of involvement in its distribution. Hasn’t the Buddha told you about this?"
"According to your contributions to Buddhism, you should receive a large share of merit, and by that time you will be the Merit Buddha, Ksitigarbha. Who would then care for the paltry income from the Mall?!" Bai Jin teased Ksitigarbha with a chuckle.
Ksitigarbha thought about the ’accidental’ discovery of the scroll he had just made, which detailed the eighty-one difficulties of the Westward Journey, showing merit at every turn, instructing Emperor Gouchen to plan carefully. Now, a surge of suffocation swelled within him, and he felt a sense of being deceived and abandoned.
Bai Jin, somewhat skeptical, said, "A great wave of merit is about to come into Buddhism; surely you must know about it?
Calamity is upon us, Buddhism shall prosper, the Seven Saints determine the Westward Journey. Do you know about it?"
"Disciple is aware, when Sun Wukong became famous, it nearly destroyed my temple."
Ksitigarbha, with an unpleasant expression, said, "But as for the merit, I am completely unaware."
Bai Jin was stunned for a moment, then anger crossed his face as he slapped the table with a thud, saying angrily, "What a Duo Bao Tathagata, to thus deceive my disciple."
Ksitigarbha couldn’t help but interject, "A disciple by a single word."
"That’s not important!"
Bai Jin said gravely, "As far as I know, Duo Bao Tathagata has distributed the merit of the Westward Journey, from Maitreya Buddha down to Guanyin’s pet Golden Fish, each has a share of the merit. Guanyin was even appointed the person in charge of the Westward Journey, receiving a great deal of merit.
It’s despicable that they did not allocate any to you at all."
Ksitigarbha’s face darkened immediately. Even Guanyin’s pet had been granted merit, yet none was imparted to me? Duo Bao Tathagata, how admirable of you!
He also felt a chill in his heart. He had extended Buddhism’s Qi Fortune, guarding Yin Mountain for countless years, yet all that he received in return was exclusion. It was bitterly cold within his heart as if he had been completely kept in the dark if not for Emperor Gouchen informing him.
Ksitigarbha clasped his hands together, made a slight bow, and spoke lowly, "Thank you, Teacher, for informing me."
The anger in Ksitigarbha’s heart flared, but his exterior became even calmer, showing a slight smile as he spoke, "Buddha taught us to let go. Understanding and relinquishing these two characters reveal the true intent of Buddha. If The Buddha did not give me any merit, there must be a profound reason behind it."
Bai Jin said with relief, "It’s best that you think this way, to see the bigger picture. It’s just millions of merit; we don’t care!"
Ksitigarbha’s expression stiffened for a moment, "Ten million merits? That’s a lot! You may not care, but I certainly do."
Unable to sit still anymore, Ksitigarbha stood up with his hands clasped in prayer, and hurriedly said, "Master, I still have some wronged souls in the Underworld that need to be saved. I must take my leave now, and I beg for your forgiveness, Master!"
Bai Jin said with a smile on his face, "Alright~ I’ll see you out."
"It’s not at all a trouble, Master~"
"It’s really no trouble at all!"
Bai Jin saw Ksitigarbha out of the Bird’s Nest; Ksitigarbha probably did have urgent matters, as he hurried off as soon as he was outside.
...
Shi Ji and Gu Liang walked out from the main hall.
Gu Liang said with a giggle, "Brother, it seems like Ksitigarbha didn’t quite follow your expectations! It’s the first time I’ve seen your plans go awry."
Bai Jin said with a smile, "Just wait and see! He’ll come back.
Shi Ji, how are Wukong and the others doing?"
Shi Ji said with a smile, "They’ve reached Yingchou Creek. Tang Sanzang’s mechanical car was destroyed by Ao Lie."
Bai Jin burst out laughing, "Little White Dragon is in for some trouble; the mount he has transformed into is indeed having a hard time meeting Tang Sanzang’s current needs."
...
In the Earth Immortal Realm’s Yingchou Creek, two towering mountains flank a deep gully, within which the silence of the forest is broken by the mournful cries of monkeys.
Tang Sanzang stood halfway up the mountainside, angrily shouting, "Evil Spirit, return my Mechanical Man! Evil Spirit, come out; don’t hide down there without making a sound. I know you’re at home; come out right now."
He was burning with rage inside; oh, my protective Mechanical Car! My means of transport! Gone, all gone, his fury even overpowered his fear of the Evil Spirit, which showed just how mad Tang Sanzang was.
Sun Wukong landed on the mountaintop, his eyes shining with golden light as he surveyed Yingchou Creek. There was no Demon Qi, but instead, an aura of Dragon Qi permeated the air. Could there be a Divine Dragon here?
"Wukong, hurry up and rescue your master’s Mechanical Car."
"No problem~ Watch my skills!" Sun Wukong shouted loudly, leapt onto the Cloud Head, and with the Jingu Bang in his hand, quickly extended it into the depths of the gully and stirred forcefully.
Boom! The waters of the Infinite Pond surged, and the entire Cold Pond and gully turned into a massive vortex.
Tang Sanzang watched anxiously, praying silently that nothing would happen to his Mechanical Car!
Suddenly, a dark shadow appeared in the middle of the Cold Pond; with a bang~ a huge dragon head emerged, hornless and scaleless, resembling a monstrous serpent.
Sun Wukong said with a sinister laugh, "What dared to block my path, turns out to be a Sin Dragon! Which family’s Dragon cub are you? Have you not heard of my reputation?"
Ao Lie opened his mouth and spewed out a black beam, which with a thunderous impact, landed halfway up the mountain. The Mechanical Car was no longer recognizable, its parts scattering all over the ground with a clatter.
In that instant, Tang Sanzang was dumbstruck; his last hope shattered, and he cried out in sorrow, "My Mechanical Car!"
Ao Lie’s booming voice resounded, "What kind of junk is this? It can run, it can jump, but not a scrap of meat on it, and it’s chipped the teeth of this Crown Prince.
I’ve returned it to you; now get lost quickly."