Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 235: Creating Puppets

After finishing their meal, disciples came to lead them to the front hall for tea. These disciples, who possessed the cultivation level of immortals, saw the barely touched dishes on the table and faintly smiled. As they left the room, Wukong deliberately slowed down and whispered at the end, “People with narrow minds.” His voice was just loud enough for the disciples of Wuzhuang Temple to hear. Their expressions changed slightly, but they didn’t react angrily.

In the front hall, after everyone sat down, no one brought tea. Only Zhenyuanzi had a steaming cup of fragrant tea in front of him. Sitting in the center, he spoke in a condescending tone, “The journey to the West is full of hardships. Although the elder has these talented disciples to assist him, he still needs to be careful.”

Tang Seng didn’t reply. Wukong laughed and asked, “Has the temple master ever traveled to the West?”

Zhenyuanzi replied, “I may not have visited all four great continents, but I’ve been to most of them.”

Wukong said, “Since the temple master is known as the ancestor of earthly immortals, does that mean all the immortals on earth are under your control?”

Not understanding why Wukong asked this, Zhenyuanzi replied, “It’s just others’ flattery. I don’t really care about being called an ancestor or anything.”

Wukong continued, “Since you’re part of the immortal community, why don’t you eliminate those demons and monsters? That would save us a lot of trouble on our journey to the West.”

Zhenyuanzi chuckled and said, “You were once a demon too. How dare you ask me such questions about human affairs?”

Wukong grinned and said, “You know very well that my Flower Fruit Mountain was destroyed by the Heavenly Court and no longer exists. If it were up to me, there should be no demons in the world.”

Zhenyuanzi replied, “You refused to submit back then and even fought against the heavenly generals. How could you expect to be tolerated in the world? Those who practice cultivation should know that there are always those stronger than them. In the end, weren’t you still subdued by the Buddha?”

Wukong asked, “By your logic, if I had submitted, would I be stronger than I am now?”

Zhenyuanzi nodded and said, “At least you’d have peace and safety, avoiding the torture of the Laozi’s Eight Trigrams Furnace and the calamity of being trapped under the Five Elements Mountain. But now you’ve found the right path and a good fate.”

Although Zhenyuanzi spoke in an aged tone, he seemed content like a house dog, lacking any sense of ambition. It was a shame for his excellent cultivation.

With his current status, how could Wukong challenge him here? So he said, “Does what the temple master means is that all the demons in the world now have leaders?”

Zhenyuanzi smiled faintly but didn’t answer Wukong, clearly agreeing.

Wukong then asked, “As for those without backing or who haven’t submitted, I suppose they’ve all been wiped out by the Heavenly Court?”

Zhen Yuanzi had not spoken yet when Bajie said, “Senior brother, you should ask me, this old pig, instead. Back then, I was in charge of the celestial navy. Whenever water demons appeared in the rivers and canals that refused to obey orders, I would go all out to exterminate them. I’ve done this countless times—what a glorious feat!” Recalling those days of glory, Bajie became animated, his face glowing red, and he spoke more and more.

Wukong pretended to realize it for the first time and exclaimed in awe, “I see now! No wonder the celestial court has such great power!”

Tang Seng said from the side, “Since you’ve become a monk, stop talking about fighting and killing. It disturbs your peace of mind.”

Wukong replied, “Yes, Master.” The reason he asked Zhen Yuanzi these questions was that he clearly remembered that after passing Wuzhuang Temple, the next challenge would be the White Bone Spirit. That naive Monkey King had suffered greatly under the tight headband there.

With Zhen Yuanzi’s cultivation level, it was impossible for him not to know he had a neighbor like the White Bone Spirit. If he were a true immortal, how could he tolerate such a vile neighbor? So there must be another reason for the White Bone Spirit’s existence. From Zhen Yuanzi’s words, Wukong realized that the White Bone Spirit wasn’t just an ordinary mountain spirit either—only he didn’t know who her backer was.

At that moment, Bajie pointed at the space behind Zhen Yuanzi in the middle of the hall and exclaimed, “Old Taoist, why do you worship these two characters?”

The others hadn’t noticed before. Following Bajie’s finger, they saw two large characters, “Heaven” and “Earth,” painted in colorful hues hanging on the wall. There was also a vermilion lacquered incense stand, with a golden incense burner on it and tools for preparing incense nearby.

Wukong naturally knew the reason and took the opportunity to feign surprise, saying, “If this is the Taiyi Mysterious Sect, why not worship the Three Pure Ones, the Six Imperial Gods, and the rulers of the Luo Heaven? Why worship only ‘Heaven’ and ‘Earth’?”

Zhen Yuanzi was quite pleased but only smiled without answering. One of the disciples beside him said, “To be honest with you all, even among these two characters, only the character for ‘Heaven’ deserves my master’s bow. As for ‘Earth,’ it’s merely on equal footing.”

Sangzang looked at Zhen Yuanzi and asked, “Does that mean even the Three Pure Ones and the Four Emperors don’t deserve a bow?” The disciple replied, “The Three Pure Ones are my master’s friends, and the Six Imperial Gods are his acquaintances.”

Hearing this, Wukong burst into laughter. Zhen Yuanzi was truly arrogant—nothing but a frog in a well.

Seeing Wukong’s unrestrained behavior, Zhen Yuanzi naturally disliked it. A few days ago, in a fit of anger, he had eaten a ginseng fruit, suddenly feeling his cultivation soar and an endless stream of blessings flowing to him. Three days prior, he had reached the long-desired realm of Hunyuan Golden Immortal. He had started as an insignificant figure with limited horizons. The only great masters he had ever met were Buddha and that man in a straw hat who had stolen six fruits.

To his surprise, he discovered another secret of the ginseng fruit—eating it once could extend one’s life by 47,000 years, and eating it a second time, combined with a special cultivation method, could transform it into a power that could be integrated into one’s body. From then on, his confidence soared immensely. There were still twenty-one ginseng fruits on the tree, and if he consumed them all, who knew—he might even be able to surpass Buddha.

However, the wonders of the ginseng fruit were well-known throughout the world. Relying on his own strength alone, he feared he wouldn’t be able to protect it fully. Forming an alliance would be ideal.

Just yesterday, while Zhenyuanzi was sitting in his room, meditating on the power bestowed upon him by the ginseng fruit, he suddenly heard a voice: “A fellow cultivator disturbs you; please come out to talk.”

The voice seemed to come from high in the sky, ethereal and indistinct. But the next moment, Zhenyuanzi felt a powerful aura enveloping the room.

Calming himself down, Zhenyuanzi slowly stepped out of the room and saw an old Taoist dressed in a plain green robe with purple trim standing quietly in the courtyard. His attire seemed familiar, but his face was completely unknown to Zhenyuanzi.

Knowing the true level of this person’s cultivation was hard to gauge, Zhenyuanzi asked anxiously, “Fellow cultivator, why have you intruded into my estate?”

The old Taoist strode a few steps forward, as if at home, and said, “I’ve heard that you cultivate some excellent fruits, so I came to take a look.”

Zhenyuanzi flew into anger—sure enough, it was someone coveting the ginseng fruit. He shouted, “Whether they’re good or bad fruits, what does it matter to you?”

The old Taoist waved his hand and said, “I just wanted to take a look. No need to get angry. I don’t even consider them worth anything.”

Zhenyuanzi was shocked again—someone who dismissed the ginseng fruit as worthless—what was his background? Suddenly, an idea struck him: Could he be one of the Three Pure Ones? He remembered that the Supreme Lord in the Tushita Palace in the Thirty-Three Heavens wore a plain green robe with purple trim! So Zhenyuanzi softened his tone and asked tentatively, “Fellow cultivator, did you come from heaven?”

The old Taoist smiled and said, “Whatever you guess is true.” Though he neither confirmed nor denied it, he left it for Zhenyuanzi to figure out.

Zhenyuanzi was convinced this person must be one of the Three Pure Ones. No ordinary person could possess such cultivation. With his own power as a Hunyuan Golden Immortal, he felt utterly powerless in front of this person, even more so than when facing Buddha. Zhenyuanzi became much more respectful and said, “This humble abode is honored by your presence today. I wonder what instructions you have for me.”

“How dare I! I’ve come here because I have a request for Master Zhenyuan.”

“Needs my help?” Zhenyuanzi thought to himself. This man’s cultivation level was far above mine, and he had no interest in the Ginseng Fruit—what could I possibly offer that would catch his eye?

The old Taoist then asked Zhenyuanzi, “Great Immortal Zhenyuan, having lived on earth for so long, you must be aware of a major event unfolding in the world that threatens the foundations of our Taoist sect.”

Zhenyuanzi pondered for a moment and said, “I am truly foolish. Please speak plainly.”

“The Buddha and the Taoists in the Western Heaven have sent people west to fetch the scriptures. If this mission succeeds, their teachings will spread to the Eastern Lands. By then, the loss of believers and the weakening of our Taoist sect will be inevitable. Surely you are aware of this,” the Taoist explained in just a few words.

Zhenyuanzi replied, “I have heard of it as well, but I haven’t pondered it as deeply as you have.” It was true—he owned the Ginseng Fruit, and matters like believers or disciples had nothing to do with him, so he naturally didn’t care.

The old Taoist continued, “Among those who go to fetch the scriptures, the elder Tang Sanzang is but an ordinary mortal with no cultivation at all. Yet he has taken on three disciples with some skills. Of these three, only his eldest disciple, Sun Wukong, is truly formidable—he even caused trouble in the Heavenly Court. Of the four, he is the most troublesome.”

Zhenyuanzi had also heard of Sun Wukong’s name and knew that the monkey had clashed with him several times. But believing his own cultivation to be superior to Wukong’s, he didn’t take it seriously and said, “Well… what does this have to do with me?”

The old Taoist smiled and said, “As fellow cultivators, we shouldn’t just focus on our own problems. If my predictions are correct, those who go to fetch the scriptures will arrive here tomorrow. Wuzhuang Temple is right on the route—it’s a place they must pass through!”

Finally, Zhenyuanzi understood the old Taoist’s intentions. What he said made sense, so Zhenyuanzi had no doubts. He asked, “So you want me to set up some obstacles and keep them here for a few days?”

The old Taoist nodded with a smile and said, “Exactly! Since they intend to go west to fetch the scriptures, our Taoist sect certainly can’t stand by idly. We must make sure they face obstacles at every step. Perhaps those with weak wills will give up.”

Zhenyuanzi thought for a while and said, “I have no grudges against them, but we need a reason.”

The old Taoist laughed and said, “If you want to find trouble, it’s actually the easiest thing. With your cultivation level, even if all four of them attack together, they’re no match for you.”

Zhenyuanzi mused, “Well… we might keep them for a while, but not forever. To be honest, cultivation requires tranquility. If those four stay in my temple for ten or eight years…”

The old Taoist shook his head and said, “I won’t hide it from you either. I’ve already arranged numerous obstacles ahead of them. As long as Great Immortal Zhenyuan keeps them here for seven days, I’ll be able to take action and ensure that their quest to fetch the scriptures fails completely!”

Zhen Yuanzi was still not convinced. That old Taoist had made him act as a thug with just a few words; there had to be some explanation. So he said, “This is a task that will offend people.” Of course, he wouldn’t admit that he was afraid of Buddha’s reprimand, so he gave a vague reply. The old Taoist waved his sleeves and said, “Zhen Yuan Great Immortal, rest assured. If anyone dares to cause trouble, I certainly won’t stand by doing nothing!”