Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 208: Handling the Aftermath

“Huh?” Tang Seng looked innocent and turned to Wukong, “What’s wrong with the old abbot?”
Wukong thought to himself, It’s all because of you! But he said, “It must be anxiety taking hold of him. Why not carry the abbot inside?” Seeing Wukong’s slender frame and Tang Seng’s delicate appearance, Guangzhi snapped, “You two wretches who take pleasure in others’ misfortunes! How dare you take advantage of our abbot’s kindness toward you?” Wukong laughed and said, “With your abbot dead, are you even sad for him?”
Hearing this, Guangzhi looked at the abbot’s corpse and shed tears. Tang Seng said softly, “He really was a man of loyalty and virtue.” Wukong laughed heartily and said, “Master, you don’t know everything. Although the monastery was burned down, there’s still a lot of valuable property left. His crying has a purpose.”
Tang Seng was puzzled and asked, “What purpose?”
Wukong replied, “This crying is called ‘taking advantage of the situation to rob.’”
Hearing Wukong’s mockery, Guangzhi wiped away his tears and said angrily, “What nonsense are you talking, monkey? Do you want to die?”
Wukong sneered, “Weren’t you always wishing for our deaths? It’s a shame even the King of Hell wouldn’t accept you.”
Guangzhi glanced back and saw that about a dozen of his allies still remained. He gave them a signal and shouted, “This monkey set fire to my monastery and killed the old abbot. Capture them both!”
The monks behind saw the nine-ring staff in Tang Seng’s hand and surrounded him with fierce looks. Unfamiliar with such a situation, Tang Seng urgently cried, “Wukong, save me!”
Wukong blew out a breath, sending the monks flying two or three zhang away. They fell to the ground, groaning in pain. Wukong turned to Tang Seng and said, “Master, see? Evil people need to be dealt with by evildoers. There’s no use preaching to such people.”
Tang Seng replied, “Monks should be compassionate. Even if they suffer a little, what’s the harm?”
Wukong said, “Suffering is minor. But if they lose their lives, who will go to the West to fetch the scriptures for you?”
Tang Seng had no reply and only said, “A light punishment is fine, but never harm their lives!”
Wukong replied, “As you command!”
The monks didn’t know what tricks Wukong used, but they realized he was no ordinary monkey and dared not act rashly again. Wukong waved his finger and called over the two monks closest to him. The two came nervously, and Wukong said, “Don’t be afraid. My master hasn’t eaten yet. Go to the fire site and prepare a good meal, and I’ll spare you.”
Seeing the task was so easy, they quickly agreed and went to the kitchen to prepare the meal.

The rest of them were filled with anxiety, unsure of what Wukong would do. Suddenly, Wukong spoke, “If I reach out, even if you had ten lives, they would all be taken. My master shows mercy and spares your lives. Though you’re spared from capital punishment, you can’t escape lesser punishments. I sentence you to twenty years of hard labor. Use whatever you earn to rebuild a Guanyin Zen Temple here. From now on, keep your minds focused and disciplined. If you commit even the slightest sin again, you’ll be sent straight to the eighteen layers of hell!”
He spoke loudly, but the monks weren’t afraid at all. Could this monkey really keep an eye on them for twenty years? Tang Seng also said, “Wukong, though your idea is good, it’s difficult to carry out.”
Wukong stomped his foot, recited the mantra “Om,” and shouted, “Earth spirit, come out!”
As soon as his words faded, a cloud of white mist rose from the ground, and a short, chubby man appeared—the local earth spirit. He stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Tang Seng and Wukong before asking, “Has the Great Sage summoned me for some instructions?”
Wukong cursed, “You wretched creature! You’ve harbored evil monks in this temple. Why didn’t you report it to the Heavenly Emperor sooner so he could deal with it?”
The earth spirit replied with a sad face, “To be honest, I’m of low status and have little influence. I really dare not interfere in matters within this Guanyin Zen Temple. All I could do was turn a blind eye.”
Wukong was surprised and said, “Then what use are you?”
The earth spirit sighed, “As the Great Sage knows, we are just lowly ghosts and immortals. We’re at the mercy of the gods, doing errands and chores without complaint. But this Guanyin Zen Temple is under the protection of Guanyin Bodhisattva. I… I dare not speak rashly.”
Wukong nodded and said, “I see. In that case, it’s not your fault. Enough. All crows are black. I’ll give you a task today. If you do it well, you’ll be rewarded.”
The earth spirit said, “Please give your orders, Great Sage. I’ll do my best within my capabilities.”
Wukong said, “These dozen or so monks have committed grave sins. I’ll send them down the mountain to beg for alms and work hard to rebuild the temple, thus atoning for their sins. You’ll supervise them on my behalf. Make sure none of them escape, okay?”
The earth spirit replied, “That’s easy. Don’t worry, Great Sage. I’ll definitely handle it well!”
Tang Seng said happily from the side, “It’s a great virtue when a wayward person repents. Thank you, earth spirit.” He tried to bow to him, but the earth spirit quickly dodged in panic.

At this moment, the two monks returned with the vegetarian food. It turned out that the monastery had ample reserves; despite the fierce fire, there was still plenty of food left. While Tang Seng was eating, Wukong went over again and clearly explained the situation to the monks. Seeing that Wukong had managed to bring out the Earth God with just a few words, the monks realized how extraordinary this monkey really was. Although the Earth God was a ghostly being, even he could not afford to challenge these ordinary people, so he had no choice but to accept his fate.

After this incident was settled, Wukong, seeing that Tang Seng had finished eating, led out the White Dragon Horse and urged his master to head west. But Tang Seng said, “The old abbot’s body is still warm; let me perform a ritual for him first. It’s not too late to leave then.”

Wukong was speechless for a moment. It turned out that performing rituals was Tang Seng’s specialty, and he couldn’t resist doing it.

So Tang Seng washed his hands in clean water, found some incense among the remaining supplies from the fire, prepared all the offerings, burned paper for safety, and recited several sutras to ward off disasters before finishing the ritual.

The Earth God and the monks escorted Tang Seng and his disciples for a few miles before returning. Seeing the clear spring weather with blue skies and light clouds, Wukong spurred the White Dragon Horse into motion, and they set off again on their long journey westward.

The two traveled day and night for seven or eight days across desolate lands until they finally saw a village by the road ahead. Tang Seng said, “Wukong, there’s a village ahead. Let’s find a kind family to stay with tonight—it’s better than suffering outside.”

Wukong laughed and said, “Master, you always say that Buddhists should endure suffering on behalf of all beings. How can you bear it no longer?”

Tang Seng replied, “Of course, I’m not afraid of suffering. But one must also experience the ordinary life of the world. Only by using a transcendent mindset to handle worldly matters can one truly be a proper Buddhist disciple.”

Wukong curled his lips and asked, “Transcending the world means saving oneself, while engaging in the world means saving others. In your opinion, which is more important?”

Tang Seng said, “You do have some wisdom. Haven’t you heard, ‘When there’s a connection, Buddha emerges from the world; when there’s no connection, Buddha enters the world’? Do you think it’s better to have a connection or not?”

Wukong laughed and said, “I not only have wisdom—I’m full of it! Whether there’s a connection or not is just an illusion. The world is impermanent, but by maintaining a constant mindset and acting in accordance with impermanence, that’s the true essence.”

Tang Seng’s eyes lit up. He dismounted from his horse and walked alongside Wukong, saying, “Good disciple! Tell me a few more words!”

Wukong laughed heartily and said, “All in all, it’s just about non-action and action, non-self and self. In the end, the four elements are all empty. My name is Wukong—what more is there to say?”

Tang Seng retorted, “That’s not right. Everything is empty, yet everything has form. Only when all actions are perfect can one achieve Buddhahood. Using emptiness to counter emptiness is a mistake. Emptiness doesn’t mean everything is empty; it refers to the true nature of emptiness.”

Wukong said, “You’re still confused.”

Tang Seng said again, “Everything has two aspects. What ordinary people see is one aspect, while what the Buddha sees is another. Last night I had a dream in which all things danced in the scripture hall of the Guanyin Zen Monastery. Why is that?”
Wukong asked, “How could that room hold them all?”
Tang Seng replied, “You say it can’t hold them, but it might just as well. When emptiness reaches its extreme, it becomes full. Bodhisattva Longhu once said, ‘You truly cannot understand the nature of emptiness and its causes and conditions, nor can you grasp the meaning of emptiness; that’s why you become annoyed.’ It seems to me that you’re already annoyed right now, haha.”
Upon hearing these four lines spoken by Tang Seng, Wukong’s mind buzzed. Why were these words so familiar? Had he heard them in a past life or this life?
Tang Seng always claimed to have a natural aptitude for wisdom. Wukong himself didn’t know why he could casually recite Buddhist scriptures. Could it be that he truly was born with Buddha nature?
Bah! What nonsense was he thinking? It must be because he had spent so much time with Tang Seng and been influenced by him. Buddha, wisdom—none of that had anything to do with him!
Before he knew it, they reached the village entrance. Wukong glanced around and saw rows of thatched cottages, winding streams over bridges, willows lining the paths, and fragrant flowers in the gardens. The sun was setting in the west, with wisps of evening smoke rising, and the scent of food drifted from time to time from the air.
Wukong said, “It truly is a nice village. We’ll surely find a place to stay.”
They led the horse into the village. There weren’t many people around. Wukong said, “Master, don’t worry. Even if we find a place to stay, we should look for a wealthy household with plenty of space and who isn’t stingy with food. The White Dragon Horse also needs fodder.”
Tang Seng nodded. “Wukong makes a good point.”
After walking for a while, they saw a large estate, several dozen zhang in circumference. The two red-painted doors of this household were tightly closed. Wukong stepped forward and knocked on the doorbell. Soon, a servant dressed in green and wearing a small hat came out. Seeing Wukong’s appearance, he was startled and asked nervously, “You… what are you, a monkey, doing knocking at the door?”
Tang Seng stepped forward from behind and said, “Please don’t be alarmed. I am a monk from the Great Tang of the Eastern Land, on my way to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and obtain scriptures. I’m passing through this blessed land and only ask to stay for one night. If I cause any trouble, please forgive me.”
Seeing Tang Seng’s good looks and polite manner, the servant regained his composure and returned the greeting, “Venerable monk, please wait a moment. I’ll go inform my master.”
Wukong said, “Master, why don’t you ask about the name of this place or village first?”
Tang Seng replied, “It’s not too late to ask once we’re inside.”
The reason Wukong said this was that he suddenly remembered he might have arrived at Gao Laozhuang.
Soon, the servant came out, much more respectful this time, and invited Tang Seng and Wukong inside.
Upon entering the main hall, Wukong tied the horse to a pillar by the door, unloaded their bags, and then entered the hall with Tang Seng.

After taking just a few steps, a kind-old man came forward, saying, “It is a sin not to welcome a great monk from the Tang Dynasty upon his arrival.” Thus, the three of them sat down to drink tea.
Tang Seng asked, “May I ask, sir, where is this place?”
The old man replied, “This is part of the territory of Ustang Country. Most of the people in this village bear the surname Gao, which is why it is called Gao Laozhuang.”
Wukong was secretly pleased upon hearing this—he had indeed arrived.