Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 342: The Entrustment of Ksitigarbha

Yingzhao had once followed Dayu in fighting against Xiangliu and was among the finest among many divine beasts. When he saw Guanyin throw the golden hoop, he knew it was some kind of magical artifact. Not daring to confront it head-on, he flapped his wings to create wind and swiftly retreated, while roaring loudly, producing a tremendous splashing sound.

Hearing this roar, Guanyin also felt somewhat distressed, but thanks to her profound magical powers, she acted as if nothing had happened, focusing solely on using the golden hoop to capture Yingzhao. Seeing the hoop approaching at incredible speed and unable to avoid it, Yingzhao tried to block it with his wings.

Unexpectedly, the hoop suddenly swelled in the air before shrinking again. With each expansion and contraction, it finally encircled Yingzhao’s head. Guanyin was overjoyed—this ancient divine beast was far more formidable than that Black Bear Demon. Capturing it would be a great achievement.

Feeling something on his head, Yingzhao roared in anger and attacked Guanyin like a storm. Guanyin silently chanted a spell, and Yingzhao immediately felt as though his head was struck by lightning, causing excruciating pain as he plummeted from the sky!

Guanyin declared, “Now that you wear this hoop, you can never escape my grasp. Won’t you submit?”

When Guanyin stopped chanting, Yingzhao recovered slightly before attacking again. He had always loved freedom and despised restraint. Apart from the ancient emperor Dayu and the qilin, the ruler of all beasts, who else could make him submit?

Guanyin chanted the Tightening Spell once more, and Yingzhao fell back to the ground in pain. Guanyin thought to herself that this divine beast was indeed tough, but if it didn’t submit wholeheartedly, it would cause trouble in the future. So she chanted the spell three times in a row. Yingzhao writhed in pain on the ground, then leaped up to ram his head into mountains, yet still couldn’t break free from the spell’s restraint.

At that moment, clouds drifted in from the south, glowing with dazzling colors that dazzled the eyes. Clouds with unusual lights usually indicated powerful magic. Guanyin focused her gaze and saw a figure standing on the clouds—broad-shouldered, tall, and imposing, with a joyful expression on his face.

The figure said, “Who are you, daring to wreak havoc here?” His voice was kind, without any hint of hostility, as if they were chatting like neighbors.

Guanyin replied, “I am Guanyin Bodhisattva of the South Sea. Who are you?”

The figure said, “Taifeng.”

Taifeng? Guanyin thought for a moment. She had heard of an ancient being named Taifeng, but Taifeng was a beast, not a human. Could it be that he had taken human form? Guanyin asked, “The divine beast Taifeng?”

Taifeng nodded and glanced at Yingzhao, who was suffering greatly on the ground. He said, “Yingzhao is my good friend. Guanyin Bodhisattva, could you spare him?”

Guanyin replied, “It’s not that I won’t spare him, but I only know how to release this magical artifact; I don’t know how to take it back.”

Taifeng frowned and said, “There’s such a magical artifact?”

Ignoring Guanyin’s presence, he leaped to the ground and went to Yingzhao’s side. Standing in the clouds, Guanyin saw that Tai Feng had a long tiger tail trailing behind him—it seemed Tai Feng wasn’t in human form but was born that way. Tai Feng carefully examined the golden hoop on Yingzhao’s head; it was deeply embedded in the flesh, likely leaving deep marks even in the bones. Guanyin stopped chanting, and Yingzhao felt the pain gradually subside as the hoop loosened its grip. Tai Feng reached out to remove it but couldn’t move it at all. Lying on the ground, Yingzhao suddenly shouted, “Be careful!” Tai Feng asked, “Be careful of what?” Just as he spoke, another golden hoop flew silently and wrapped around Tai Feng’s head. Tai Feng touched his head calmly—this hoop was clearly a spell cast by Guanyin. The Tathagata had given her three hoops; one had been used to trap the Black Bear Demon, but it was stolen by the Qilin. Seeing that both Yingzhao and Tai Feng were far stronger than the Black Bear Demon, she simply released both hoops. Yingzhao cursed loudly, “Despicable Bodhisattva, attacking from behind!” Guanyin said, “Entering my Buddhist path will grant you both true enlightenment— isn’t that a hundred times better than being demons?” Tai Feng used his divine strength to try to remove the hoop. Though it didn’t seem tightly fitted, it was somehow connected to his flesh, and even slight force caused bone pain. Guanyin said, “Stop wasting effort. This hoop can’t be removed. If you both obey me, I won’t chant those spells again.” Yingzhao cursed once more, and Guanyin frowned, chanting another section of the Golden Hoop Spell. Tai Feng, who was usually calm, asked, “What do you want us to do?” Guanyin replied, “I am a compassionate Bodhisattva who saves the suffering. How could I ask you to do evil?” Tai Feng said, “If you want us to do evil, I’d rather die of pain than comply.” Guanyin wanted to win their hearts. Hearing Tai Feng’s words and seeing Yingzhao’s straightforward nature, she thought, “The demons in Qitianling are truly strange—each thinks they’re saints. How ridiculous!” But since that was the case, she would win them over with virtue. She believed that even with her wisdom and the Golden Hoop Spell, she could subdue these simple-minded ancient divine beasts. Guanyin said, “Follow me!” Yingzhao got up and flew south, but Guanyin sneered and chanted the Golden Hoop Spell again. Yingzhao didn’t fly far before falling back down. Tai Feng rushed to Yingzhao’s side and whispered something in his ear. Guanyin didn’t pursue them, probably assuming it was advice like “A true hero shouldn’t suffer unnecessary losses.” Indeed, after hearing Tai Feng’s advice, Yingzhao stopped being stubborn and followed Guanyin.

Guanyin carried Tang Seng back to the place where he had been captured. She had previously had some doubts—although those pine and cypress trees were quite powerful, deceiving Wukong and Wuping shouldn’t have been easy, so how did they succeed so readily? But now, with Yingzhao and Taifeng by her side, she was happy and no longer paid much attention to the matter.

The fake Wukong, Wuping, and Wuhui were waiting by the road. Seeing Guanyin return with Tang Seng, they were overjoyed. Guanyin set down Tang Seng and said to the three, “There are many demons in the mountains; you must be extremely cautious and prevent outsiders from approaching.”

The three replied. The fake Wukong was slightly surprised upon seeing Yingzhao and Taifeng—how had they joined Guanyin’s side? He then looked at the golden hoops on their heads and touched the fake golden ring on his own head, seemingly realizing something.

Tang Seng thanked the Bodhisattva for saving him. Guanyin gave them a few more instructions before sending them on their way westward. At that moment, three figures arrived from the west, with the leader being Anuo, a venerable being from the Western Heaven.

Guanyin went to greet them. Anuo bowed to her and whispered, “The Buddha has sent two Eastern Guardian Buddhas to protect Tang Seng as he crosses the mountains.” Guanyin was overjoyed and said, “My Buddha is truly merciful.”

After explaining the situation, Anuo left alone for the west, and the two Eastern Guardian Buddhas also disappeared without saying another word. Seeing that Tang Seng was now under protection, Guanyin decided it was time to return to the South Sea to deal with Yingzhao and Taifeng, ensuring they would wholeheartedly help her gather the people needed for the Great Five Elements Formation.

After this ordeal, Tang Seng remained silent, sitting on his horse in a daze as they continued westward. The fake Wukong was preoccupied, still pondering Yingzhao and Taifeng’s fate.

Guanyin ascended into the air and suddenly felt puzzled. She had fought fiercely at the northern foot of Qitian Ridge, but no skilled fighters from the mountains had appeared to stop her. The Buddha had only said to let others keep the people in Qitian Ridge occupied so that Tang Seng could cross safely, but he hadn’t specified who would be sent. Given the journey ahead, it would still take a long time to cross the mountains. Thinking of this, Guanyin grew uneasy—what would happen if Qitian Ridge found out she had captured Yingzhao and Taifeng?

But since the Nine-Headed Worm had suddenly disappeared, she had no one available to assist her. Gathering the people for the Five Elements Formation was such a secret matter that even Longnu and Muzha couldn’t be informed, lest news leak and anger the Buddha.

Now, with those two golden hoops, Taifeng and Yingzhao should obey without question. Since they had already been captured, further thoughts were pointless. The Buddhist sect and Qitian Ridge were already enemies—why expect any friendship?

As she flew southward, lost in thought, Guanyin suddenly realized that since the quest for the scriptures began, she was no longer the carefree Guanyin Bodhisattva but rather a busy figure under someone else’s control…

※　※　※
High in the heavens, in the Thirty-Fifth Heaven’s Jade Pure Palace, Laojun came to seek Yuanshi.
Yuanshi said, “Since you’ve come, there must be a reason.”
Laojun replied, “Indeed, today’s matter is significant.”
Yuanshi said, “Whether it’s major or minor depends on the person involved.”
Laojun smiled and said, “Only matters related to fate are truly important; the rest are unimportant.”
Yuanshi pondered and asked, “Are you referring to the matter of the Yin-Yang Divine Apes?”
Laojun said, “Your wisdom is truly remarkable.”
Yuanshi replied, “There’s no such thing as wisdom. Six of the Seven Divine Apes have already been found, but there’s still no news of the Yin-Yang Divine Apes. I’m just guessing.”
Laojun asked, “Six? Do you know where the Armless Divine Ape is?”
Yuanshi said, “At first, I didn’t. It was only when Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva informed me that day that I learned the Armless Divine Ape was in the netherworld.”
“Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?” Laojun asked in confusion. “Did he come to see you for some reason?”
Yuanshi nodded and said, “Ksitigarbha desires to enter the mortal world.”
Laojun continued, “If he wants to enter the world, so be it. But what does that have to do with you?”
Yuanshi replied, “Desiring to enter the world doesn’t mean he’ll actually do so. He came to me to ask for a favor.”
Laojun asked, “Ksitigarbha is inscrutable. Why would he ask for help from someone else? Besides, even if he didn’t ask, if anything happens in the netherworld, the Three Pure Ones wouldn’t stand by idly.”
Yuanshi said, “What he asked for wasn’t for himself, but for Wukong.”
Laojun said, “That’s even stranger. Wukong is clever and resourceful, and with the help of Qi Tian Ling, even if he faces difficulties, we surely won’t stand by.” After thinking for a moment, Laojun’s expression suddenly changed, and he said, “Could it be that person…”
Yuanshi replied, “Perhaps Ksitigarbha is right. In any case, he asked me to save Wukong once, but I don’t know what he means.”
Laojun was confused and said, “How can Ksitigarbha foresee future events?”
Yuanshi smiled and said, “Younger brother, what’s wrong with you today? Although Ksitigarbha may not know, there’s still Di Ting.”
Laojun suddenly understood and said, “It must be that Di Ting heard something!”
Yuanshi said, “Since Ksitigarbha has asked, I naturally must agree. If you notice anything strange about Wukong, come and inform me immediately.”
Laojun nodded and said, “Senior brother, do you know that the Yin-Yang Divine Apes are none other than Tang Seng, who’s going to the West to obtain scriptures?”
Yuanshi was slightly surprised. “Tang Seng?”
Laojun replied, “That’s right! There are many things I don’t understand. Since the Tathagata has kept the Yin-Yang Divine Apes hidden for so many years, why release them now? He must know that once Tang Seng sets out, he’ll surely be discovered! Could he have some other trick up his sleeve?”

Yuan Shi said, “The Tathagata has long known of the Lingming Divine Ape’s identity, but he allowed Wukong to act as he pleased without interfering, full of confidence. This is already suspicious.”
Laojun added, “Exactly. The Tathagata shows no hesitation about Wukong interacting with people like Feng Tong, nor is he afraid that Wukong will learn about the Divine Ape. Is he really not afraid that Wukong will wake up?”
Yuan Shi thought for a moment and said, “Lingming surpasses chaos—outpacing the emptiness of the heavens and the solidity of the earth. How could he wake up so easily?”