Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 334: Deeper Than the Sea

Seeing Wukong in a dazed state, Fengtong knew he was deep in thought. Gently tapping Wukong on the shoulder, he floated away, leaving Wukong alone in the cave.
Tang Seng, who was once Jinchanzi, the second disciple of Buddha in his past life, and now Chen Xuanzang, the pilgrim on the quest for scriptures, turned out to be the Yin-Yang Divine Ape! As Wukong recalled the events of these six or seven years—traveling from the Five Elements Mountain to Qitian Ridge, and observing Tang Seng’s various strange behaviors—he gradually pieced everything together in his mind.
Wuzhiqi had said, “The Yin-Yang Divine Ape understands human affairs, knows life and death, discerns fortune and misfortune, and is skilled at avoiding death and prolonging life.” As for Tang Seng, a good person who had cultivated for ten lifetimes—eating even a piece of his flesh could grant immortality! Could this be related to the Yin-Yang Divine Ape’s ability to avoid death and prolong life?
There are countless beings in the world, and good people who have cultivated for ten lifetimes are likely not just Tang Seng. If immortality can be achieved this way, wouldn’t there be even more elixirs of immortality? Why were there no such rumors before Tang Seng appeared, and only after his arrival did rumors about Tang Seng’s flesh start to circulate?
Wukong also remembered the scene before Zhu Bajie shot at Tang Seng. Even he, a Hunyuan Golden Immortal, hadn’t noticed anything unusual at the time. Yet Tang Seng could foresee danger in advance—“intuition” alone seemed insufficient to explain this.
From the beginning, Wukong had seen the deep contradictions in Tang Seng’s heart. In this life, he was destined to undertake the quest for scriptures, but in his past life, he had a deep blood feud with Buddhism. How could such hatred rooted in the soul be resolved?
Ksitigarbha must surely know about this. He had acted out of good intentions, not by forcing interference, but by letting Tang Seng choose on his own—whether to move forward or turn back. Yet it seemed Tang Seng… was afraid?
Fengtong said he had been reincarnated more than ten times. Who had killed him during those reincarnations? Those who kill the Creative Divine Ape will surely face retribution. Would Buddha use this method to eliminate those who oppose him? And why had he killed the Yin-Yang Divine Ape so many times? Could it be…
Wukong couldn’t help but think of Prince Zhang, whom he rescued from the Buddhist hell—killed, revived, killed again… What had Prince Zhang lost in this process? Tang Seng, having no powers in this life, only possessed the instincts to discern fortune and misfortune and avoid death—what had he lost?
These ten-plus reincarnations were surely not just for the sake of killing. Wukong still didn’t know the exact reason, but no matter how he thought about it, it was always tied to fate.

Ventilation Wu Zhi and the others never mentioned anything about the Yin-Yang Divine Ape, suggesting that Buddha has had control over it for a long time. This entire quest to obtain the scriptures was also meant to bring the Spiritual Bright Divine Ape under his control as well. Fortunately, Wukong is not merely a Spiritual Bright Divine Ape; if a person harbors two hearts, even they cannot easily be manipulated, let alone others.

Reflecting on the entire journey of obtaining the scriptures, whether in “Journey to the West” or in this world, neither beautiful demons nor graceful spirits, not even delicate queens and princesses, could move his heart. At first, Wukong thought Tang Seng was single-mindedly devoted to Buddhism, but now he finally understood the truth.

Hmph! Fate is unpredictable! Even if you strip him naked, he still only has a human form and no lustful desires.

Thinking of this, Wukong suddenly remembered something: who was responsible for the recent reincarnation of the Yin-Yang Divine Ape, that is, the demotion of Jin Chanzi? There was no clue in “Journey to the West,” only a brief mention that “Jin Chanzi was demoted for disrespecting Buddhist teachings,” which seemed to imply it was Buddha’s doing.

But if Buddha knew Jin Chanzi was the Creative Divine Ape, how could he handle it personally? This was a matter of great importance, so Buddha must have entrusted it to someone trusted. Then, if it could be shown that after Jin Chanzi’s demotion, some important figure in Buddhism lost their life force, might that provide some clues?

Ah! Could it be Guanyin?

The time when Guanyin’s life force was cut off was truly strange. Buddha might be able to kill Guanyin with his powers, but it’s hard to believe he could silently extinguish her life force!

Perhaps Buddha lured Guanyin to send Jin Chanzi for reincarnation, then gave her the pre-prepared blood of Jin Chanzi as a remedy? If so, Guanyin’s change of allegiance could be explained. If that’s true, Buddha’s scheming… is truly as deep as the ocean!

Thinking of this, Wukong couldn’t help but shudder. To control Guanyin, Buddha had orchestrated a plan over hundreds of years, with the victim remaining completely unaware! Such cunning and depth of strategy truly impressed Wukong.

Guanyin dared to kill Jin Chanzi, surely because she didn’t know he was the Yin-Yang Divine Ape, indicating that the identity of the Yin-Yang Divine Ape was also kept hidden very well. And since she had killed him more than a dozen times, why release him now and stage this grand quest for the scriptures?

Wukong naturally couldn’t find an answer. Although Laojun had said that Buddha’s plan for the quest served three purposes: first, to spread Buddhist teachings; second, to seize the world’s fate; third, to eliminate rivals.

And since Tang Seng is the Yin-Yang Divine Ape, this matter needs to be reconsidered. Though it’s hard to fathom Buddha’s thoughts, it certainly can’t be that simple.
Speaking of the quest for the scriptures, a decision must now be made. Now that we know Tang Seng is the Yin-Yang Divine Ape, should we continue on our journey or not?
At that moment, Fengtong suddenly came in from outside and said, “Wukong, the Clever Divine Ape and the Yin-Yang Divine Ape have headed east.”
Wukong was shocked. “What? East? The Spirit Mountain is in the west—why would they go east?”
Wukong asked urgently, “Where are they now?”
Fengtong replied, “They are now very far away; I can no longer sense them.”
Wukong wanted to go and investigate, but then thought that since Buddha had controlled the Yin-Yang Divine Ape for so long, he might know the secret of how these divine apes communicate with each other.
The matter of King Yu of Fengtong in Qitian Ridge couldn’t be hidden from anyone. Now that the group heading for the scriptures had gone east, it was likely because Buddha had concerns, so he told Tang Seng to stay away from Qitian Ridge. But then he wondered—Buddha didn’t seem to care if the Yin-Yang Divine Ape met other divine apes, even though he himself was a Wise Divine Ape and could run around the world freely. It was truly strange.
Wukong said, “I have no connection with Tang Seng. You go and find out what they really intend to do.”
Fengtong nodded and flew away. In just a short while, he returned to the cave and said, “They didn’t go back the way they came. They are now heading northeast.”
Wukong suddenly understood—they intended to go around. But without anyone guiding them, how would they know to take a detour? From afar, Fengtong could only sense Tang Seng and the Six-Eared Ape; he wasn’t aware of anyone else.
Wukong thought for a moment, then got up to look for the Qilin. It would be fine for him to go alone, but fearing there might be dangerous people following them to the Western Heaven, it was safer to bring the Qilin along.
Fengtong called out from behind, “The Yin-Yang Divine Ape still doesn’t realize it!”
Wukong froze and turned around. “Do you mean he still doesn’t know his true identity?”
Fengtong replied, “Exactly! Don’t rush. I see them moving slowly. If they want to go around the ridge, it will take at least half a year.”
Wukong calmed down a bit. It seemed that Tang Seng still couldn’t take shortcuts on his quest for the scriptures. Otherwise, anyone who carried him for a while could have crossed Qitian Ridge. Since that was the case, he didn’t need to worry so much.
The scriptures still had to be obtained. If Qitian Ridge weren’t in the way, there would be no need to take a detour. Wukong was secretly glad he had chosen this mountain back then—it had at least bought him half a year of time.
Just then, a loud shout from the outside came from the Qilin: “Get out!”

Wukong hurriedly emerged from the cave and saw three monks in gray robes floating on clouds atop Qitian Ridge. On either side stood Anuo and Kasyapa, leading dozens of Vajra Arhat elders. Those three monks in gray robes were not the same ones Wukong had seen on Jinpao Mountain. His heart sank—had the Three Thousand Buddhas truly appeared in the world?

The Qilin stood alone in the air, facing them from afar, while the demon kings of various caves on Qitian Ridge came out and stood on the ground to watch.

The Qilin asked, “Why have you come to attack?”

Anuo replied, “Qitian Ridge dares to invade our land in the Western Heaven. Why can’t I fight back in the same way?”

The Qilin laughed heartily and said, “With just this ragtag bunch?”

Anuo stepped forward to the three monks in gray robes and whispered something in their ears.

One of the monks stepped forward and said, “East Season Buddha, ready to face you!”

Wukong glanced at the monk and found his presence even more imposing than that of the two he had fought against earlier. He grew worried about the strength of the Western Heaven.

The Qilin stretched out his hand, lightly flicking his index finger with a scornful expression and said, “All three at once.”

The East Season Buddha remained calm, slowly shook his head, took a few steps forward, and punched the Qilin in the chest.

The Qilin didn’t budge at all. He turned his finger into a fist to block the attack. With a loud “boom,” both of them stepped back. But while the Qilin retreated by using the momentum, the East Season Buddha was forced back against his will. His face turned red as if he had drunk alcohol.

The Qilin’s arm was already extended, so that punch could only be considered a half-move. Even so, the East Season Buddha couldn’t withstand the Qilin’s immense strength and was clearly at a disadvantage.

To his surprise, the Qilin showed an expression of astonishment and said, “So powerful!”

The demons on Qitian Ridge laughed heartily. The Qilin’s cultivation was extremely high, and his way of mocking others was unique.

The old monk remained extremely calm, not showing any anger even under such pressure. He took out a magic staff from his bosom.

Wukong recognized it immediately—it was Sha Wujing’s staff. It seemed life on the Spirit Mountain wasn’t easy either, as they had to exchange treasures frequently. Little did he know that this staff was no ordinary object; it was one of the rare divine weapons in the world.

The old monk said in a deep voice, “Show your weapons!”

The Qilin narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

The old monk shouted loudly, and his magic staff spun like a whirlwind, rushing toward the Qilin.

The Qilin stood tall in his red robes, seemingly ordinary but with an aura as solid as mountains. As the swirling staff approached, he neither dodged nor avoided it. Instead, he reached out and grabbed it. The whirlwind stopped instantly, as if an iron rod had been inserted into a windmill. The Qilin shook the staff, and the East Season Buddha struggled to hold on. His body swayed up and down along with the staff, like a rider on a bumpy horse or a warrior on an ox.

The qilin swung the sacred staff in a few circles, and before long, Dong Zhi Sui Buddha could no longer hold on. Helplessly, he let go and tried to use the momentum to fly away. But as soon as he released it, the qilin also let go, and the flat side of the staff struck the back of Dong Zhi Sui Buddha. A large amount of blood sprayed out, staining the rocks of Qi Tian Ling heavily. The qilin smiled slightly and said, “Buddha’s blood is also red.”