"I can't hear anything, nothing at all…" Tripitaka muttered, pretending to recite the Rebirth Mantra as he mumbled nonsense for a while. Finally, satisfied with his performance, he turned his attention to the eight bandits for another round of "heart-to-heart."
Monkey King was left in disbelief. Was Tripitaka really going to act so shamelessly? Was he just ignoring the precepts altogether?
"Ding! Congratulations, host! You have altered the course of the Journey to the West. Karma Points +1,000!"
Initially, the eight bandits looked at Tripitaka with contempt, thinking this monk was nothing special. But as he fixed his intense focus on them, their expressions turned fearful.
Oh, great sage! We're sorry! We'll change! We won't do it again!
Unfortunately, their silent pleas went unheard.
"Look at yourselves—grown men behaving like this! Surely, you could find something better to do than robbing people…" Tripitaka was no longer even bothering to preach. Instead, he vented his frustrations on this unfortunate group.
Monkey King smirked; Tripitaka's transformation was turning out to be quite amusing.
The next morning, before dawn had even broken, Tripitaka was already urging them to set out. Despite not having slept all night, he seemed unusually energetic.
Monkey King noticed a faint golden aura of merit around his master, likely the result of his overnight efforts. Satisfied, Monkey King released the spell immobilizing the bandits.
With a collective thud, the eight bandits dropped to their knees.
"Great Immortal, we'll never rob anyone again! Please, tell your master to lift his curse!" After enduring a night of relentless lecturing, they were practically begging for mercy.
"Very well, you are free to go," Tripitaka said, quite pleased with their apparent change of heart.
"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!" The eight bandits expressed their gratitude and turned to leave.
But in a flash, they disappeared, only to reappear inside a jail cell.
"Wukong, what just happened?" Tripitaka asked, surprised.
"Master," Monkey King explained, "they claim to have repented, but we don't have the time to verify that. So, I sent them to the authorities—they'll take care of it."
"Wise thinking, Wukong. Very wise indeed." Tripitaka was even more impressed with his disciple, and without bothering with breakfast, he promptly mounted his white horse, eager to resume their journey. After all, he'd noticed the old farmer, and his wife were looking at him strangely again.
The journey westward continued until Tripitaka's hunger finally caught up with him.
"Wukong, I'm feeling a bit hungry," he admitted.
Monkey King stopped and surveyed the desolate surroundings. He knew this was where Bodhisattva Guanyin would make her appearance to deliver the Golden Headband.
"Master, rest here for a moment. I'll go beg for alms for your meal," Monkey King said.
After ensuring Tripitaka was comfortable, Monkey King summoned his Cloud Somersault and took off. As for Tripitaka's safety, he wasn't worried at all.
Not only was this portion of their journey relatively free of danger, but the Five Noble Truths (Buddhism) of the Buddhist order were also secretly watching over Tripitaka to ensure his safety.
Once he was out of the Buddhist surveillance range, Monkey King activated a spell and sped towards Tusita Palace in Leaving Hate Heaven. Food? Bodhisattva Guanyin could take care of that!
Shortly after Monkey King left, Bodhisattva Bodhisattva Guanyin arrived in disguise as a village maiden. With a bamboo basket in her hand, she approached Tripitaka.
"Greetings, Holy Monk," Bodhisattva Guanyin said as she stopped before him.
Tripitaka was taken aback, not expecting to encounter anyone here. After a brief moment, he returned the greeting, "Greetings, kind lady."
"Where are you from, Holy Monk, and where are you headed?"
"I come from the Eastern Land of Great Tang, journeying to the Western Paradise to seek the scriptures. I've stopped here for a brief rest, as both myself and my horse are quite tired."
"It's a long and arduous journey. Are you traveling alone?"
"Oh, not entirely. I have a newly acquired disciple. He went ahead to beg for some alms for us," Tripitaka explained.
"I'm also a follower of the Tathagata," Bodhisattva Guanyin said, "and I happen to have some vegetarian offerings with me. You're welcome to them." She took out the food from her basket and offered it to Tripitaka.
Unable to refuse, Tripitaka finally accepted and began to eat. Bodhisattva Guanyin, meanwhile, engaged him in a discussion on Buddhist teachings, steering the conversation towards Monkey King.
"May I ask where your disciple went to beg for alms? This is a dense forest, with many fierce beasts. A moment's carelessness could be dangerous."
"Oh, you needn't worry, kind lady. My disciple's name is Monkey King; he possesses great powers, and no beast could harm him!" Tripitaka replied proudly.
"Monkey King?" Bodhisattva Guanyin feigned surprise. "You mean the same Monkey King who caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago?"
"Oh? You've heard of my disciple's fame?" Tripitaka's pride grew even more. Even strangers recognized Monkey King's name!
It didn't occur to him that the story of Monkey King's rampage in the Heavenly Palace was hardly the kind of tale an ordinary village woman would know.
"I heard that Monkey King is known for his violent nature and ruthless behavior. They say he left countless corpses in his wake and caused much suffering. Holy Monk, you should be careful around such a disciple," Bodhisattva Guanyin warned, feigning concern.
Tripitaka, however, brushed her off. "My disciple may have made mistakes in the past, but he has already been punished for five hundred years. He has turned over a new leaf and repented!"
Bodhisattva Guanyin was dumbfounded. What spell had that monkey cast over this monk? Why was he defending him so ardently?
But Tripitaka was secretly overjoyed. With a disciple like this who brought him merit and even treated him to chicken, where could he possibly find a better one?
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