"Bodhisattva Guanyin, you've got to do something about this!" Monkey King immediately began complaining as soon as he saw Guanyin appear.
Guanyin looked puzzled. Wasn't Tripitaka supposed to be the one complaining? Why is Monkey King lodging a grievance instead? She almost wondered if she had imagined the scene of Wukong threatening his master with the Golden-Banded Staff just moments ago.
"Bodhisattva, what kind of master asks his disciple to be his mount and carry him to the Western Heaven?" Monkey King huffed in frustration. "I swear, if I weren't trying to avoid trouble, I'd have flattened him by now!"
Guanyin gave Tripitaka a helpless look, thinking, this man truly has some nerve, wanting a legendary demon king as his personal steed. Why don't you just ascend to the heavens yourself? But seeing how agitated Wukong was, she quickly intervened to calm him down. "Don't be hasty, Wukong. I'm here precisely to address this matter."
Tripitaka looked up, his expression a bit suspicious. How does Guanyin always manage to show up whenever something unfortunate happens to me? Could all of this have been planned from the start?
If Monkey King could have read his mind, he would've given his master a nod of approval—Tripitaka's hunch was surprisingly accurate.
Guanyin turned her attention back to explaining the situation. "This Little White Dragon was originally Ao Lie, the Third Prince of the Western Sea Dragon Palace. After he set fire to a night pearl bestowed by the Jade Emperor, his father, the Western Sea Dragon King, reported his offense to the Heavenly Court, and the Jade Emperor sentenced him to hang in the heavens and endure three hundred lashes. I interceded to spare his life and placed him here in Eagle Sorrow Gorge, awaiting the scripture bearer. My intention was for him to transform into a dragon-horse to serve as a mount. However, something went awry, and he ended up dead."
Monkey King nearly rolled his eyes. If you hadn't schemed against him, do you really think Ao Lie would have gone and set fire to that pearl? And the Western Sea Dragon King, reporting his own son to the Jade Emperor? Who'd believe that without some shady deal going on?
He glanced slyly at Guanyin. Now that Ao Lie's dead, let's see how you explain yourselves to the dragons. The dragon clan might be weak now, but they still have some backing. If things escalate, it won't be pretty for your Buddhist order.
"Rest here for a while," Guanyin advised, glancing at Tripitaka. "Don't worry about the mount—I will make other arrangements."
After reassuring them, she moved away to investigate the cause of Ao Lie's death.
Meanwhile, at the Great Thunderclap Monastery...
The Western Sea Dragon King Ao Run, upon sensing his son's death, had set out with a company of soldiers to demand answers.
"Tathagata! You assured me that my son would face no mortal peril on this mission and would even be granted a place in your ranks." Ao Run's voice boomed through the monastery as he confronted Tathagata. "Now my son is dead! Aren't you going to give me an explanation?"
Tathagata's head throbbed with frustration. He didn't fear Ao Run—the dragon king, though at the peak of Da Luo Golden Immortal, was no match for a sage of Tathagata's level. With a single move, Tathagata could suppress Ao Run if he chose to.
But that would only provoke the entire dragon clan, and Tathagata was acutely aware of how many bodies of water the pilgrimage route would cross. If the dragons decided to hinder the journey, their influence could be a major thorn in the side of the Buddhist order.
"Rest assured, Western Sea Dragon King, our Buddhist order will certainly give you a proper answer," Tathagata said solemnly. "First and foremost, however, we must resurrect the Little White Dragon."
"Resurrect him?" Ao Run's fierce eyes softened momentarily, but he quickly shook his head in despair. "You speak as if it's a simple matter! My son is no ordinary mortal like Tripitaka. He's a dragon, and his cultivation level alone requires much more powerful measures to bring him back. A regular Nine-Turn Resurrection Pill won't suffice—we'd need a Nine-Turn Resurrection Purple Pill, a far rarer elixir, and one that only Grand Supreme Elderly Lord possesses."
Even with the pill, bringing Ao Lie back wouldn't be quick or easy. But realizing the dragon clan's support was crucial, Tathagata forced a nod. "Very well. I will personally go to the Tushita Palace and ask The Grand Supreme Elderly Lord for the Nine-Turn Resurrection Purple Pill."
"Hmph, you'd better follow through with that promise," Ao Run warned. "Or next time, I won't be coming alone." With that, he turned on his heel, taking his soldiers with him.
Tathagata's expression turned dark. This was the first time someone had dared threaten him so brazenly.
"This is outrageous! A creature as lowly as a dragon dares to defy the Tathagata?"
"Tathagata, you can't possibly yield to him. We can't let outsiders see us as weak."
"Exactly! It's just the dragon clan. A show of force would put them back in their place."
A chorus of voices rang out in the monastery, and the Tathagatas erupted in furious agreement. They were astounded that Tathagata had shown restraint instead of suppressing Ao Run on the spot.
"Enough!" Tathagata's voice cut through the noise, silencing the assembly. "Everything must be done for the greater goal of the pilgrimage. This matter is settled."
"Amitabha, the Tathagata speaks wisely," a voice murmured in agreement.
"But, Tathagata," Lingji Bodhisattva spoke up, still fuming, "do we really have to just let this go?"
"Once the pilgrimage is over, we'll settle this account," Tathagata replied coldly. "Lingji, head to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace. Convince the fifth prince of the Eastern Sea Dragon King to serve as a dragon-horse for Tripitaka and continue the journey."
Lingji bowed and took his leave. "As you command, Tathagata."
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