Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 306: An Outsider
After an hour, Dayu opened his eyes and said, “Wukong, if you have anything to do, go ahead. There’s no major problem here. Even if some extremely dangerous figures appear in the Western Heaven, we can simply retreat.”
Wukong realized that another day had been wasted here. If he didn’t return soon, it would be hard to justify it. So he said, “I rely on all of you.” Then he used the Earth Escape technique to return to Chen’s village.
By the banks of the Tongtian River, the desolate greenery remained. Wukong saw that the area affected by the poison stretched for thousands of miles along the river. If he wanted to go around from upstream, he would likely have to travel hundreds more miles.
Back at the old man Chen’s house, Tang Seng noticed a golden ring on Wukong’s head and asked in surprise, “Wukong, what is this?” Wukong knew that the fierce battle between the Qilin, Phoenix, and the others could not be hidden, so he didn’t lie. He said, “A few strange beasts fought by the Tongtian River a few days ago. I just watched the fight out of curiosity. One of the beasts threw a golden ring, which happened to land right on my head. I’ve been worried about it ever since.”
Wuhui stepped forward, touched it, and examined it carefully. He said, “Brother, it’s very tight. We might need a lever to remove it.” Wukong replied, “I’ve tried every method, but I can’t get it off.”
Tang Seng said, “Though this golden ring is beautiful, since you got it for no reason, it’s better to lose it. You’d better go find the Bodhisattva to remove it.”
Wukong said, “I was just about to go find the Bodhisattva. The area by the Tongtian River has been poisoned by those strange beasts. If we don’t relieve the poison, the people living by the river will suffer.”
Tang Seng said, “Very good. Then Wukong, go quickly.”
On Mount Putuo in the South Sea, Guanyin was gazing blankly at a jade bottle. She had just returned from the Spirit Mountain and was still pondering what Buddha had said to her: “The contents of this bottle can cure the poison of the Tongtian River.”
As she was thinking, Wukong suddenly arrived. Instead of calling him in, Guanyin went out to greet him.
When Wukong saw Guanyin, he said, “Bodhisattva, save your disciple!”
Guanyin immediately noticed the golden ring on Wukong’s head and asked, “What is this?”
Wukong told her everything about watching the battle and how he had accidentally been fitted with the golden ring. Guanyin was shocked. Though she didn’t recognize the ring, she could tell it was very similar to the three bands Buddha had given her, and even more advanced.
Who was plotting against Wukong?
After hearing Wukong’s description of those people, Guanyin only recognized one of them as an ancient dragon. She guessed that it was likely someone from Taoism who had staged a fake battle with a few experts, aiming to lure this curious monkey to watch. Otherwise, why would those people go to the Tongtian River to fight?
The people in Taoism are truly ruthless; failing to obstruct openly, they resort to such underhanded tactics in secret. But who created this golden ring as a magical artifact? How is it so similar to the three bands given to him by the Buddha? Wukong is no ordinary being like the Black Bear Spirit, and the artifact that can capture him must be extraordinary. It’s urgent to report this to the Buddha right away.
Guanyin asked Wukong, “Does wearing this golden ring cause any discomfort?”
Wukong replied, “It’s just uncomfortable to have it tied around my head; nothing else.”
Guanyin thought to herself, “That person hasn’t cast any spells yet, which is why you haven’t noticed anything. Hard times lie ahead.” “Then wear it for now,” said Guanyin.
Wukong pleaded, “Merciful Guanyin Bodhisattva, why should I wear this thing for no reason? Please use your great powers to help me remove it.” Though Wukong knew Guanyin didn’t have such power, he still asked out of formality.
Guanyin realized that even the three bands given by the Tathagata could only be put on by others and couldn’t be removed by them herself, so she was even more powerless against Wukong’s golden ring. She said, “Wukong, I’m powerless to do anything about this golden ring. I’m afraid I’ll have to ask the Buddha.”
Wukong sighed and said, “Back when I was a demon in the world, life was so carefree. Even at the beginning of my journey with Tang Seng to obtain the scriptures, I never lost my resolve. But ever since I wore this golden ring, my mind has never been at peace.” He wasn’t complaining for no reason. If the Tathagata could remove this ring, that would be the best outcome.
If he found someone else to remove it, though it might bring temporary relief, he feared the Tathagata would become suspicious if he found out. If the Tathagata did it himself, then there would be no worries, and it could also confirm certain things.
Guanyin said, “The journey west is long, and all kinds of hardships are tests of the mind. You’ve faced no major obstacles so far. Wearing this golden ring keeps you vigilant at all times.”
Wukong said, “Enough, enough. If it’s fate, it will come; if not, it will go. Since the Bodhisattva says so, I’ll wait until the day I meet the Buddha.”
Guanyin smiled and said, “Good. Only then can we see that your determination to obtain the scriptures is as firm as iron. You didn’t come just for the golden ring, did you?”
Wukong replied, “The Bodhisattva is wise. Today, the golden ring is secondary. After the great battle with those four strange beasts, there suddenly appeared a pool of highly poisonous water by the Tongtian River. All the fish and shrimp in the river have died, causing great hardship for travelers. I beg the Bodhisattva to help.”
Guanyin said, “Good. I’ll go with you on this journey.”
Wukong was puzzled by Guanyin’s immediate agreement. He had heard that Xiangliu’s poison was unmatched in the world. Could Guanyin really have a way to cure it? Judging from her expression, it seemed she already knew about it. Indeed, Guanyin must have some connection with Xiangliu and the Phoenix.
This time, Wukong was wrong. Although Guanyin was involved in the matter of the Five Kings, she was only ordered to watch over the strange fish in the Wei River of the netherworld and knew nothing else—she didn’t even recognize the Qilin, let alone have any connection with Xiangliu or the Phoenix. She could be so confident only because Buddha had given her a bottle of antidote in advance.
The two arrived at the banks of the Tongtian River in a short while. Guanyin looked at the river from afar, her expression changing slightly. What kind of poison was this, so powerful! The nectar in her Willow Pure Bottle was also an excellent antidote, one she had always prided herself on, but she wasn’t very sure it could cure this poison. Her reverence for Buddha grew even more.
Seeing Guanyin’s troubled expression, Wukong asked, “Bodhisattva, is this poison extremely difficult to cure?”
Guanyin nodded. “It is indeed difficult, but we can give it a try.”
She first dipped a willow branch into some of the nectar and sprinkled it on the riverbank. The sickly green color faded significantly at once, but it returned to its original state in an instant. Guanyin shook her head and helplessly opened the jade bottle, which contained only two drops of fragrant liquid. She poured these drops onto both banks, and the sickly green color disappeared soon after. After a while, the grass by the river began to regain its vitality.
Wukong praised, “Indeed, the Bodhisattva’s powers are unmatched.”
Guanyin replied, “It’s not me. It’s just that one thing overcomes another.”
Wukong was overjoyed. “With the Bodhisattva’s help, crossing the Tongtian River will be no problem at all.”
Guanyin said, “Wukong, although we’ve crossed the Tongtian River, Qitian Ridge is not far ahead. Monsters gather there, making it a truly difficult task.”
Hearing this from Guanyin, Wukong also grew worried. Qitian Ridge lay right in the way to obtain the scriptures. Passing by peacefully would surely arouse suspicion, but fighting there wasn’t what he wanted either.
Seeing Wukong worried, Guanyin said, “It’s still too early to worry. We’d better keep moving and see what happens. That golden ring on your head is most likely the work of Taoists. As the saying goes, it’s easy to avoid an obvious attack but hard to guard against a hidden one. You must be vigilant at all times.”
Wukong said, “The Bodhisattva is right. I don’t know what use this golden ring has, as long as it doesn’t cloud my mind.” He was quite surprised by her words. Couldn’t Guanyin see the similarity between this ring and the Golden Cudgel? How could she guess it was related to Taoists? Xiangliu had indeed intended to use this ring to capture Zhenwu. The strange feeling he experienced when caught was probably related to his divine nature, not the work of outsiders. It was strange that Guanyin wasn’t aware of the complicated relationship between the Phoenix Xiangliu and Zhenwu.
Guanyin said, “I’ll go see Buddha right away and ask him for a solution.”
Just as Wukong was about to bid farewell to Guanyin, the waves in the Tongtian River began to surge, and a group of aquatic creatures came rolling in from the north. Upon taking a closer look, Wukong groaned in despair—wasn’t that the Sea-Submerging Dragon? How had it returned?
The Sea-Submerging Dragon took Wan Sheng back to the Northern Sea. Upon seeing his third brother Ao En, Wan Sheng was overjoyed and settled there. But the Sea-Submerging Dragon had received orders from Qitianling to station himself in the Tongtian River—how could he disobey?
Previously, the Dragon God had come to drive them out of the Tongtian River, but fortunately, the Phoenix-Xiangliu intervened, sparing them a certain defeat. However, after the fierce battle with the Qilin-Xiangliu and others, the river became highly toxic, preventing the aquatic creatures of the Northern Sea from living there. With no choice, they retreated to the Northern Sea.
The Sea-Submerging Dragon constantly ordered his aquatic creatures to watch over the mouth of the Tongtian River. As soon as the toxins disappeared, he immediately led his troops back.
Coincidentally, he encountered Wukong and Guanyin by the river. The Sea-Submerging Dragon was momentarily stunned, not knowing whether to advance or retreat.
Seeing the Sea-Submerging Dragon, Guanyin glanced at Wukong and said, “Isn’t this your brother from back then?”
Wukong replied, “Our paths diverged, and those old feelings have long faded over the years.”
Guanyin nodded and said, “Demons are unrestrained and disrupt the order of the world. Don’t let memories of the past ruin your attainment of enlightenment.” Wukong inwardly cursed—wasn’t the order of the world determined by heaven itself?
Finally, the Sea-Submerging Dragon figured things out and stepped forward, shouting, “Hah! What are you two doing in my Qitianling?”
Wukong retorted, “Tch! Daring demon! How big is your Qitianling that you dare speak like this in the Heavenly Court?”
The Sea-Submerging Dragon said, “My Qitianling spans from the Tongtian River in the east to Tianzhu Country in the west—entirely my territory. What do you say?”
Guanyin couldn’t help but laugh. “To Tianzhu Country in the west? What an audacious claim!”
Wukong whispered, “This evil dragon is skilled in water battles. It’s said that even 100,000 heavenly soldiers were defeated by him alone in the Northern Sea back then.”
Guanyin nodded. “I’ve heard of that too. But since I’m here, I’ll help you get out of this trouble.”
Guanyin said to the Sea-Submerging Dragon, “I’ve heard you have the power to submerge seas. How about we have a bet?”
Pfft—Wukong held back his laughter. So that’s the trick in the Western Heaven—always betting. Don’t monks forbid gambling?
The Sea-Submerging Dragon asked suspiciously, “A bet? What will you bet against me?”
Guanyin replied, “I have a pool of sea water in this Pure Bottle. If you can lift it, I’ll admit that the Tongtian River belongs to Qitianling. If not, you’ll give way and let the pilgrims cross the river safely.”
Hearing Guanyin’s wager, Wukong thought, Oh, there’s a trick here.