Volume 3: A Long Journey Chapter 268: Land First

Tang Seng and his disciples left the Wujī Kingdom and set off westward with renewed vigor. After passing through the Dry Pine Gorge, they entered a dense forest.

Tang Seng said, “Wukong, look ahead—there’s a large forest. Could there be any demons?” Wukong replied with a smile, “Master, you’re too suspicious. With the three of us here, we needn’t fear any monsters.”

Tang Seng said, “Ever since I encountered those two demons on Pingding Mountain who blocked our path by moving mountains, I’ve been uneasy ever since.” Wukong said, “If you’re uneasy, why not recite the ‘Sutra of Excessive Doubt’?”

Tang Seng replied, “The Sutra of Excessive Doubt was taught to me by Master Wuchao of Futi Mountain. I recite it constantly, day after day.”

Wukong said, “Since you recite it, there should be no demonic obstacles in your heart. With ‘no eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body, or mind,’ you’ll surely obtain the Buddha’s profound teachings.”

As they spoke, suddenly shouts and fighting noises came from within the forest. Wukong pricked up his ears and said, “Master, stop the horse and rest here for a while. I’ll go check out what’s going on in the forest.”

No further instructions were needed. With the old crow present, Tang Seng would surely be safe. Wukong leaped into the forest and indeed saw two groups fighting deep within. One group consisted of Qin Wuxian, Yun Juanshu, and others, while the other was led by the Green Lion Demon, with several others dressed as monks—none of whom Wukong recognized.

These monks were extremely fierce, wielding their demon-subduing staffs swiftly, leaving Qin Wuxian and his men unable to fight back. Wukong observed carefully and noticed that a formation had also been set up. Even if Qin Wuxian tried to escape, it would be difficult for him to survive.

Wukong immediately realized that it was Manjushri Bodhisattva coming to reclaim his territory. He had sent the Green Lion Demon to block Tang Seng, but things had gone awry due to Qin Wuxian and his men. How could he tolerate this?

Qin Wuxian and his men were also unlucky. Having been driven out of the palace by Wukong, they were filled with fear and left the Wujī Kingdom that very night, seeking this forest to establish a place for cultivation and live in peace from then on. Little did they know that just one day later, the Green Lion Demon sent someone to take revenge. These monks might seem unremarkable, but they were actually revered disciples of Manjushri, their cultivation comparable to that of the Eight Great Heavenly Guardians.

Seeing Qin Wuxian’s men dying on the spot, Wukong wanted to rescue them but hesitated. Manjushri was undoubtedly part of the Eastern Buddha’s faction. At the core of this conflict was actually a struggle between Manjushri and Guanyin. As someone on a pilgrimage, Wukong’s identity was special—he didn’t belong to any faction. If he intervened, he could only find an excuse like helping those in need. But Wukong knew that neither Manjushri nor Guanyin was truly benevolent; the battles between bodhisattvas were driven by self-interest.

But since he had spared Qin Wuxian and asked him to guard the Wuji Country for a hundred years, it could be considered a promise. If Qin Wuxian died unjustly, that promise would be broken. Wukong thought about it over and over, feeling uneasy, and sighed, “Never mind. As long as I stay true to my heart, it doesn’t matter what happens.” He was about to reveal himself to save Qin Wuxian when, as soon as he moved, yellow clouds filled the forest, rendering everything invisible in an instant, as if the ground itself were in turmoil.

Wukong was shocked. What was this? He used his secret technique of Xuan Kong Fa to look, and saw a familiar figure pulling the remaining Qin Wuxian and Yun Juanshu out of the forest. It was none other than Dayu!

Qin and Yun were saved, and the dust dispersed immediately. On the ground appeared a stunningly beautiful woman with a radiant smile—nothing less than Hou Tu. Wukong was delighted. With Dayu and Hou Tu coming together, they must have reconciled.

Suddenly, the Green Lion Spirit shouted, “Who are you?” The nobles, seeing that the person they intended to kill had vanished without a trace, knew it must be this woman’s doing. They quietly surrounded Hou Tu.

Hou Tu smiled and said, “Oh, it seems you’re about to fight.”

The Green Lion Spirit said, “How bold you are! Daring to obstruct a bodhisattva in her task!”

Hou Tu asked, “Which bodhisattva kills living beings recklessly without fearing descent into the Avici Hell?”

Seeing Hou Tu’s fearless attitude and recalling her earlier magic, the Green Lion Spirit realized she was no ordinary person. Yet, with anger simmering inside him, he sought an outlet and charged at her with his steel knife.

Hou Tu pointed, and the Green Lion Spirit’s feet sank into the ground, leaving him unable to move as he cursed loudly. The nobles raised their weapons to attack, but suddenly a firm voice rang out from the sky, “Stop!” Though loud, the voice trembled slightly, revealing a hint of fear.

Everyone landed on the ground, and the nobles quickly bowed, calling out, “Bodhisattva Manjushri.”

Manjushri ignored them completely and rushed in front of Hou Tu, clasping his hands and bowing deeply. “Lady Hou Tu, Manjushri is guilty, deeply guilty.” Even when facing the Jade Emperor, Manjushri had not shown such reverence, for he knew in his heart that among the Heavenly Emperor and Earthly Queen, the Earthly Queen came first—someone absolutelyWú kě dé zuì
cannot be offended.

The saying that the Earthly Queen comes first stems from the idea that “the earth existed before the sky” when the universe was formed. After Pangu created the heavens and the earth, the earth gradually solidified before the Kunpeng appeared to cleanse the skies. Today, although the heavenly realm has thirty-six heavens, much of its existence comes from the earth. Without Hou Tu’s approval, those thirty-six heavens would likely vanish.

Hou Tu laughed at Manjushri and said, “Indeed, you are the Manjushri Bodhisattva who dares to claim, ‘No need to see the Buddha, no need to seek the Dharma.’ It’s been a long time.”

“There’s no need to see the Buddha, no need to seek the Dharma” were the words spoken by Manjushri when he, under the orders of the Eastern Buddha, thrust the Vajra Sword of Wisdom and Silence at the Tathagata. This incident is known as “Forcing the Buddha with a Sword,” and the complexities involved are beyond simple description. Yet after this, Manjushri was granted by the Eastern Buddha permission to practice on Mount Wutai, where he became famous throughout the Western Heavens.

Manjushri was aware of Hou Tu’s sarcasm but dared not refute her, saying, “It’s been a long time since I last saw Goddess Hou Tu; today is truly fortunate.”

Manjushri, being clever, had heard indirectly that Hou Tu had sequestered herself because of the ancient Yu. Someone had delivered a verse to her—just eight characters: “True heart is only suffering; foolish thoughts are only poison.” Naturally, he wouldn’t dare harbor any improper thoughts toward her; merely winning her favor would suffice for his desires.

Unbeknownst to him, upon seeing these eight characters, Hou Tu sent someone to tell Manjushri that the reversed version was also eight characters: “All four elements are empty—how dare you speak of love?” These words were quite blunt, implying: Since you are a disciple of Buddhism, how dare you even think about matters of love? I am true and foolish—what does it have to do with you? In the words of ordinary people, it would be like a lame, blind, toothless dog meddling where it doesn’t belong.

Hou Tu was in high spirits today and said, “As a bodhisattva, you surely know what sins the disciples of Buddhism commit.”

Manjushri replied, “This humble monk knows. I will surely punish those men severely.”

Hou Tu smiled and said, “Truly a good bodhisattva. Then go.”

Seeing that Hou Tu wasn’t pressing further, Manjushri was secretly relieved. He took those monks and the Green Lion Spirit back to Mount Wutai.

Wukong was secretly pleased. Goddess Hou Tu seemed gentle, beautiful, and non-confrontational, but she turned out to be so domineering. Even Manjushri didn’t dare breathe heavily in her presence—this was true dominance!

As he wandered in his thoughts, he heard Hou Tu say, “Wukong, come down.”

Wukong was startled—Hou Tu had already discovered his whereabouts. He leaped down from the tree, bowed to her, and said, “Congratulations, Goddess Hou Tu, and Elder Yu, on your reunion after so long… and on rekindling your love.”

Hou Tu didn’t show the slightest smile. Her face hardened as she said, “How bold of you to try to deceive me!”

Wukong exclaimed, “How could I deceive you?”

Hou Tu said, “You said he was in his dying days, with little hope of survival. But I see he’s quite fine—Isn’t that deception?”

Wukong replied, “No, no. Goddess, you only see the surface. You don’t know that Elder Yu longs for you day and night, heartbroken at being separated by distance. That pain is worse than death. What I said is true.”

Hou Tu snapped, “All lies and flattery! Today, I’ll make you taste some suffering!”

Wukong quickly leaped back and said, “Your Majesty, you are certainly not someone who forgets kindness! I went to great lengths to help those two lovers reunite, yet you blame me instead!”
Hou Tu laughed at Wukong’s words and said, “I was just trying to scare you a bit. Look how scared you are.”
Seeing how quickly Hou Tu’s attitude changed, Wukong thought to himself, “As expected, women’s hearts are as unpredictable as needles at the bottom of the sea.” But then he asked, “Your Majesty, you surely didn’t come here just to scare me.”
Hou Tu replied, “You’re truly exceptionally clever. I’ve come to ask you to go back and investigate the Nine-Headed Worm!”
Upon hearing this, Wukong became eager, but then he thought, “That’s not right!” Since Guanyin had sent the old man Wu, leaving without reason would be giving them an advantage. It was the old man Wu’s most vigilant time, and he couldn’t risk ruining everything out of impatience. He added, “I’m actually a hundred times more anxious than them, but now isn’t the right time. The journey to obtain the scriptures isn’t something that can be completed in a few days. If I have time, I will definitely go back.”
Hou Tu said slowly, “Well, you Wukong, even I can’t persuade you.”
Wukong apologized, “Your Majesty, please forgive me. I really can’t leave right now.”
Hou Tu replied, “How could I blame you? Fine, fine. Since you won’t come, I’ll go back by myself.”
Wukong asked, “Is Your Majesty living at Qitian Ridge?”
Hou Tu’s face turned red as she said, “Even if I am, who would dare to interfere with me?”
Wukong replied, “Of course not. But could Your Majesty take the Armless Divine Ape with you so that Tongfeng and the others can be happy too?”
Hou Tu said, “Of course, I don’t need you to tell me.” With that, Hou Tu vanished instantly, leaving it unclear whether she had left through the sky or disappeared into the earth.
Hearing that the Armless Divine Ape had arrived at Qitian Ridge, Wukong felt greatly relieved. Since it was a divine ape, meeting Tongfeng and the others would surely be beneficial to him, so he wouldn’t give up hope completely.
Wukong stepped out of the forest and saw Tang Seng and the others sitting idly by the edge. Wukong said, “There was indeed a fight in the forest, but it’s over now. You can proceed freely.”
So Tang Seng mounted his horse and entered the forest. The forest appeared dense from afar, but there were paths inside. Wukong explored ahead for several miles, driving away the beasts and birds, allowing Tang Seng to travel unimpeded. He let go of the reins and rode freely. After crossing mountains and ridges for over a month, they traveled along a safe road. One day, Tang Seng said happily, “Disciples, if it’s always this easy to travel, we’re probably close to the Western Heaven.”
Wuhui replied, “Master, don’t say that. Don’t exaggerate the road; once you do, it’ll become difficult to travel.”
Sure enough, after traveling a while further, they heard loud water sounds. Tang Seng frowned slightly and said, “What a loud noise of water. I wonder if there’s a river or a stream ahead?”
When they got closer, they saw dark waters surging high, preventing the horses from moving forward.

The four of them stood on the shore, observing carefully. The waters were vile—churning waves and murky currents, black as piled charcoal or coal, so dark that not even human figures could be seen.
Tang Seng dismounted and asked, “Wukong, why is this water so dark?”
Wukong replied with a smile, “Some immortal must be washing his brushes upstream and has stained the water.” He knew in his heart that they had reached the Black Water River, where the mischievous Little Turtle Dragon, the nephew of the Dragon King, caused trouble and had once captured Tang Seng. Wukong thought to himself that this demon wasn’t very powerful; it was just the difficult waters of the river that posed a challenge.
As he was pondering, a boat drifted down from upstream. Tang Seng was overjoyed, “Just as we wanted to cross the river, a boat appears—truly, it must be the blessing of the Bodhisattva!” He quickly waved his hand and called out, “Boatman, please ferry me across!”
Wukong stopped Tang Seng and said, “Master, as a holy monk, how could an ordinary boatman possibly ferry you across?”