Volume 2: The Path That Can Be Told, Chapter 179: The Tripod Formation
In Xiniuhé Continent, there was a country named Jisai Country. Eight hundred li to the east of Jisai Country lay a towering and extensive mountain range, commonly known as the Flaming Mountain. Though there were no flames or lights on the mountain, it got its name because the conglomerate and shale there were all reddish-brown, and with no vegetation on the summit, it appeared from afar like a majestic blaze.
The mountain stretched over five to six thousand li from north to south and eight hundred li from east to west. Aside from its flaming summit, the mountain was covered with lush forests and had exceptionally beautiful scenery. Located in the western desert, it enjoyed favorable weather conditions, with fruits and melons in abundance year-round.
Back then, the Great Sage Equaling Heaven, the Bull Demon King, parted ways with Wukong and descended to the mortal world to search for Fengtong and the others. Fengtong and Wang Yu were worried about choosing a location. When the Bull Demon King found them, he said, “My wife and children are currently living on Cuiyun Mountain, which is a thousand li away. There is an excellent place there—the mountain is steep and formidable, with abundant underground water sources. Why not go there?”
Fengtong was overjoyed. The three of them went to the Flaming Mountain to inspect it and exclaimed, “Amazing!”
They then summoned Dayu, Qilin, and others. Together, they used their supernatural powers to build structures, creating dozens of peaks around the Flaming Peak and outlining the general layout.
There were already several groups of demons in the mountain. Seeing these newcomers wielding earth-shattering magic, they surrendered without hesitation.
After the Flaming Mountain was prepared, the Bull Demon King, the Nine Spirit Sage, Hou Yi, and Chi Songzi went to Guanjiangkou to bring over the old forces from Huaguoshan who were stationed there. This was a major event, so Rushou and Jumang were sent to escort them to ensure safety. Fengtong and Wang Yu remembered Wukong’s advice to avoid showing themselves in public unless absolutely necessary.
The four of them protected the four marshals of Huaguoshan, the seventy-two demon kings of the caves, along with fifty to sixty thousand minor demons, and marched grandly from Dongsheng Divine Continent to the Flaming Mountain in Xiniuhé Continent.
When they first left Guanjiangkou, no one paid attention, as it was a forbidden area designated by the Jade Emperor, with no mountain gods or earth spirits present. It was not until they had traveled over two thousand li that the heavenly court received news that tens of thousands of demons, large and small, were moving from Dongsheng Divine Continent to the west in broad daylight.
Upon hearing this, the Jade Emperor was shocked and immediately summoned his ministers to discuss the matter.
The Thousand-Eye One, stationed at the South Heavenly Gate, instructed the heavenly generals to convey a message to the palace: “These demons are led by a demon bull and a demon lion, with two others who seem to be leaders as well, though their identities are unclear. They are now more than three thousand li away from the Eastern Sea.”
The Jade Emperor asked, “Where have these demons hidden all this time? Could they possibly be hiding in the sea?”
Taibai Jinxing stepped forward and said, “I just asked the Thousand-Mile Eye in detail. Those demon ox and demon lion are remnants from Huaguo Mountain back then. Presumably, after our Heavenly Court destroyed Huaguo Mountain, these two monsters started their own operations.”
The Jade Emperor exclaimed, “That demon monkey came to cause trouble in heaven a few days ago. What if these demons unite? Wouldn’t that become another major problem for me?”
Taibai Jinxing replied, “Your Majesty needn’t worry. Judging from the demon monkey acting alone a few days ago, it seems he hasn’t found any accomplices. Perhaps there are also disagreements among these demons. If he had companions, would he dare to come to heaven alone?”
The Jade Emperor pondered for a moment before nodding and saying, “Though that’s true, the demonic forces are vast. If they parade openly on earth and are seen by others, wouldn’t it harm the reputation of our Heavenly Court?”
Zhang Daoling, the Heavenly Master, stepped forward and asked, “Your Majesty, do you intend to eradicate these demons?”
The Jade Emperor replied, “That’s exactly what I’m thinking.”
Zhang Daoling said, “Since demons are causing trouble in the world, they must be eradicated. But these demons have been heading west, seemingly with some other purpose. In my opinion, it’s better to observe their actions for now to see what they plan to do before taking action.”
Taibai Jinxing immediately added, “The Heavenly Master is absolutely right. If the demons were heading east, we would have to stop them immediately. But since they’re heading west now, hehe, let’s leave them be for now.”
The Jade Emperor nodded slightly. Indeed, Taibai Jinxing thought far ahead. He then said, “Let’s follow the Heavenly Master’s advice. Have the Thousand-Mile Eye and the Wind-Listening Ear keep a close watch. Ordinary heavenly generals should not descend to the mortal world at this time, lest we alert them.”
Everyone cheered, “Long live the wise and enlightened emperor!”
On the Spiritual Mountain in the Western Heaven, within the Thunder Sound Treasure Temple, Buddha sat on his lotus throne, quietly listening to his disciples discuss scriptures. At that moment, Bodhisattva Lingji rushed in from outside, bowed to Buddha first, but said nothing.
Buddha knew there must be something important, so he ordered those who weren’t involved to leave.
Bodhisattva Lingji then said, “There are more than fifty thousand demons in the Eastern Divine Continent.”
Buddha smiled and said, “When beasts understand the Way, they become demons. It’s also a sign of the heavens’ favor—what’s so strange about that?”
Bodhisattva Lingji replied, “These demons are the ones from Huaguo Mountain back then. I’ve seen some of their leaders before.”
Buddha made a “humming” sound and said, “Since the demons weren’t completely eradicated back then, troubles naturally remained. But the Supreme Heavenly Emperor has sent troops to suppress them. It has little to do with our Western Heaven.”
Bodhisattva Lingji added, “These demons have been heading west all the way.”
Only then did Buddha open his eyes and ask, “Where have they arrived?”
Bodhisattva Lingji replied, “They’ve already passed Mount Wanshou!”
“Mount Wanshou? Has Zhenyuanzi shown any signs?” Buddha asked.
Bodhisattva Lingji replied, “Zhenyuanzi only took a glance before closing the door and refusing to come out. There are four leaders among the demons: one is the Mighty Bull Demon King, another is the Nine Spirits Sage, and the other two… the other two…”
Tathagata glanced at Bodhisattva Lingji with a displeased expression.
That glance made Lingji shiver, and he quickly added, “The other two seem ordinary, but I can’t detect any profound cultivation in them.”
Tathagata frowned slightly, folded his fingers and closed his eyes, his brows growing more troubled. After a moment, he opened his eyes and murmured, “The three realms remain as usual—how could there be such beings in the world?”
Tathagata summoned Anuo and Kasyapa, instructing them to secretly observe the movements of the demons and report any abnormalities at any time. Then he said to Lingji, “You’ve come here with great effort. Please, let’s talk in the Sutra Repository.”
Bodhisattva Lingji was overjoyed and thanked the Buddha without further ado.
On the seabed of the Northern Sea, Fuhai Jiao and Wu Zhiqi had no idle moments. After years of searching, they found there were countless dragon clans in the world. Now, an area of three thousand li around the Northern Sea’s Eye had gradually become the domain of the dragon clans. Even the Dragon King of the Northern Sea had ordered the aquatic creatures not to approach within five thousand li of the Sea Eye.
Fuhai Jiao was responsible for external affairs, focusing on winning over others, while Wu Zhiqi stayed underwater, training the aquatic creatures.
One day, after returning from wandering the five lakes, Fuhai Jiao brought back dozens of dragon creatures of various sizes. Seeing Wu Zhiqi, he exclaimed anxiously, “Has Wukong still not come out?”
Wu Zhiqi replied, “I’m not in a hurry either. Why are you in such a rush?”
Fuhai Jiao said, “It’s already seventy-seven years—why does mastering the power to control water take forty or fifty years?”
Wu Zhiqi was shocked, “Already forty-nine years? The Great Yan number is fifty. One represents the essence, and forty-nine represents application—this aligns with the principles of the five elements. I’ll go call him right away!”
Before he could finish speaking, Wukong stepped out from the back hall. Upon seeing Wukong, radiating brilliance with a subdued inner light, Wu Zhiqi realized he had achieved mastery over water control. He exclaimed, “You’ve understood it!”
Wukong nodded. “I’m ashamed, but it was just a moment ago.” After Wu Zhiqi left, he had racked his brains through many trials but still couldn’t grasp the essence of controlling water. Finally, he had a sudden idea: he drew the water crystal into his dantian. When the crystal met the cosmic energy, it created a strange sensation. At that moment, he controlled water using that energy and succeeded instantly. The brilliance around him was the result of the crystal spreading throughout his body.
Wu Zhiqi and Fuhai Jiao both said, “Congratulations!”
Wukong asked, “This period of seclusion must have been at least ten years, right?”
“Ten years?!” Fuhai Jiao was shocked. “It’s already seventy-seven years—exactly forty-nine!”
“Ah? Forty-nine years!” Wukong was astonished. “I almost missed my important task!”
Wuzhi Shangdao said, “Forty-nine years exactly matches the number in the Great Yan calculation. What’s wrong with that? Besides…” Before he could finish speaking, Wukong had already broken through the water barrier and gone far out of sight.
To be honest, when he heard the Sea-Dragon mention forty-nine years, Wukong broke out in a cold sweat. Even though he had mastered the art of controlling water, he couldn’t suppress his reaction.
Back then, on a whim, he had fought for fifteen years in the Demon Hunting Garden. Now, forty-nine more years had passed, which meant that in just one year, it would be the Queen Mother of the West’s birthday banquet—the Peach Festival.