"Tripitaka, your heart is steadfast in Buddhism, but the journey to the West is full of hardships and dangers. Take this artifact and give it to Monkey King. I will also impart a spell to you. Should you find yourself in danger, simply recite it, and Monkey King will be alerted and come to your rescue!"
"Disciple Tripitaka thanks Bodhisattva Guanyin!" Tripitaka exclaimed, thrilled by this gift. The Bodhisattva was truly remarkable, bestowing such a powerful treasure upon him!
Meanwhile, Bodhisattva Guanyin was internally applauding her own cleverness. If Tripitaka were captured, he'd only need to recite the spell repeatedly to summon Wukong, who would be forced to endure the painful tightness of the headband if he didn't appear.
Imagining the monkey's agony gave Bodhisattva Guanyin a thrill—she couldn't wait to see it in action. The danger to Tripitaka himself was hardly a concern, as the planned eighty-one tribulations had been meticulously scripted by the Buddhist order. Each demon and villain had allegiances to powerful immortals or deities, none of whom would dare harm Tripitaka.
As for lesser threats, Monkey King could dispatch them effortlessly, leaving the major risks to ensure Wukong would endure the discomfort she intended for him.
Just thinking about it filled Bodhisattva Guanyin with excitement. She was so carried away with this fantasy that her entire being radiated a faint glow, and her cheeks flushed a bit.
"Um… Bodhisattva?" Tripitaka's voice interrupted her reverie, snapping her back to reality.
"Oh, yes! The spell, of course…" Bodhisattva Guanyin, slightly flustered, extended her hand. A soft golden light emanated from her finger, and it drifted into Tripitaka's mind, implanting the spell.
With the headband in Tripitaka's possession, Bodhisattva Guanyin's mission was complete. "Tripitaka, many challenges lie on the path to the West. Keep true to your heart and take care." She then ascended on her lotus throne, disappearing into the sky.
Left alone, Tripitaka inspected the headband in his hands, thoroughly delighted. This was a true artifact! Compared to his nine-ringed staff and the monk's Brocade Cassock, which merely provided an air of importance, this headband seemed genuinely useful.
However, he hesitated. Wouldn't it be a waste to give such a powerful artifact to Wukong? Tripitaka pondered this. He wasn't entirely sure of Wukong's strength, but he knew that the monkey had dared to storm the heavens. Surely, he didn't need this added protection.
Perhaps he should keep it for himself? After all, hadn't Bodhisattva Guanyin advised him to follow his heart?
Yes, that settled it. He would discuss it with Wukong upon his return.
Meanwhile, at Tusita Palace...
As the Grand Supreme Elderly Lord explained, Monkey King finally understood that the recent batch of Nine-Turn Elixirs had been crafted partly because the Buddhist order had sacrificed rare resources to resurrect Tripitaka. The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord had merely added a few special ingredients of his own.
"Then I shall gratefully accept, Elderly Lord!" Monkey King replied, taking the elixirs with a delighted grin.
"Who would've thought you knew how to be polite?" The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord laughed lightly. Then, with a raised brow, he asked, "Since you're here rather than scheming against the Buddhist order, what brings you to me?"
Scratching his head, Wukong explained, "There are two things I seek your help with."
"First, regarding the Buddhist headband spell—Elderly Lord, is there a way to break its control over me?" Wukong asked earnestly.
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord chuckled. "Such a minor matter!" he replied dismissively. "But, out of curiosity, do you have any ideas yourself?"
This simple question sparked an idea in Wukong's mind.
"Elderly Lord, what would happen if the headband was placed on Tripitaka's head instead?" he asked slyly.
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord paused, startled by Wukong's audacity. After a moment, he shook his head. "It's not that simple. While the headband grows roots, it's still controlled by a spell that can be removed. If Tripitaka wears it, the Buddhist order could simply take it off."
"What if you altered the spell so that, once placed, it couldn't be removed unless Tripitaka reincarnates?" Wukong suggested with a grin.
The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord was taken aback by Wukong's ruthless cunning.
"I could do that," he mused. "But what chant would you suggest for activating the headband?"
"How about… Amitabha Tathagata?"
That was vicious. Ingenious! There was nothing more fitting. With every monk across the world chanting "Amitabha Tathagata" daily, Tripitaka would know no peace. Even if a saint tried, they wouldn't be able to shield him entirely.
"But this headband is intended for you by the Buddhist order," The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord reminded him, wary of the monkey's plan. "Are you certain about this?"
"Don't worry, Elderly Lord—Tripitaka will put it on himself," Wukong said, self-assured.
"Ah, in that case, I should start preparing another batch of Nine-Turn Elixirs!" The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord smirked, delighted by the prospect of further swindling resources from the Buddhist order. The spoils from Buddhism were ever so rich, and he began to contemplate what else he might gain from them.
"Thank you, Elderly Lord!" Wukong beamed, knowing his plan was in motion.
"No trouble at all. Now, what's the second matter?" The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord inquired.
"I'd like to request that you watch over me while I break through to the level of Great Firmament Golden Immortal!" With that, Wukong revealed the full extent of his current power level.
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