Volume 3: A Long Journey Chapter 270: The Dragon Palace Incident
When the little white dragon set fire to the Nightlight Wall in the Western Sea, the Dragon King of the Western Sea was still Ao Run, and naturally had nothing to do with Ao Shun. Wukong said this just to stir things up and let Ao Shun know not to think it was some huge secret—he had already known about it.
Sure enough, Ao Shun exclaimed in shock, “It certainly wasn’t me who sent it. It was Ao Run—” But once the words were out, there was no turning back.
Wukong laughed and said, “Oh, so it was Ao Run who sent it. How bold of Ao Run to dare give a treasure bestowed by the Jade Emperor to a Bodhisattva!” He looked at Ao Shun and asked, “What exactly is the goal behind this ruse, just to send the Jade Dragon on the pilgrimage?”
Ao Shun kept his head bowed and remained silent. He didn’t know why the Ancestral Dragon had made such arrangements; he merely followed orders.
Wukong also knew that Ao Run alone could hardly make such a significant decision. Either the four Dragon Kings had discussed it together or the Ancestral Dragon had planned it. It seemed these people were all very astute, seeing the pilgrimage as a great opportunity and vying to participate. But what exactly had Ao Run done to deserve being stripped of his position as the ruler of the Dragon Palace?
Wukong asked Ao Shun, “Elder Dragon King, what should be done with your nephew, the alligator dragon?”
Ao Shun replied, “Rest assured, Great Sage. I’ve ordered Prince Mo’ang to deal with him. He will surely succeed in one go.” Hearing the name Prince Mo’ang, Wukong’s mind stirred. Prince Mo’ang was the heir to the Western Sea. If they weren’t targeting Mo’ang now but only Ao Run, what was the reason? Alas, the affairs of the dragon clan ultimately hinged on the Ancestral Dragon—who knew what whims he might have.
Seeing Wukong deep in thought, Ao Shun tentatively asked, “Is the Great Sage still thinking about Ao Run?” Wukong replied, “How do you know?”
Ao Shun said, “Since the Great Sage already knows the Nightlight Wall is in the hands of the Bodhisattva, Ao Run’s demotion isn’t really a secret either.”
Wukong said cheerfully, “Then tell me quickly.”
Ao Shun replied, “The little dragon doesn’t know how the Great Sage learned that the Third Prince of the Jade Dragons used a ruse, nor how he learned about the Nightlight Wall. Consider what I say today as mere nonsense from the little dragon.”
Wukong said, “I value loyalty above all. I will never tell Sixth Ear about this.”
Ao Shun said, “Ao Run indeed received orders to place the Third Prince of the Jade Dragons among the pilgrims. Naturally, he was full of confidence and determined to succeed.”
“Ao Run knew the Bodhisattva was discerning and searched everywhere in the Dragon Palace for treasures to offer her, but Guanyin simply dismissed them all with a smile. Ao Run had given his word to the Ancestral Dragon; if this failed, how could he report back? With no other choice, he said to the Bodhisattva, ‘I offer you anything in my Western Sea Dragon Palace at your discretion.’ Guanyin, without hesitation, went to the Dragon Palace, took the Luminescent Wall, and left.”
“Ao Run never imagined the Bodhisattva would take away something bestowed by the Jade Emperor. But since he had spoken, he was in the wrong. He begged her to return it, but how could Guanyin agree? Left with no options, Ao Run turned to the Ancestral Dragon, who naturally scolded him harshly. Losing the Luminescent Wall meant the palace would lose its luster and face shame—minor issues compared to what might happen if the Jade Emperor found out.”
“Since the Luminescent Wall had already been taken and Guanyin was so bold, it was impossible to get it back. The Ancestral Dragon couldn’t go after Guanyin to retrieve it. He simply said to her, ‘If you want the Luminescent Wall, I’ll give it to you, but until the Jade Dragon becomes a pilgrim, it must remain in my care.’”
“The Ancestral Dragon was known for keeping his word, and his word was renowned in the heavens. Hearing this, the Bodhisattva returned the Luminescent Wall. The Ancestral Dragon placed it with the Third Prince Jade Dragon, instructing him to carry it always and hand it over to Guanyin once he became a pilgrim.”
“Though this matter was resolved, the Western Sea Dragon Palace lost a precious treasure. The Ancestral Dragon blamed Ao Run for his carelessness and sent him to the Northern Sea to reflect. Unless it was a serious matter, he was not allowed to leave the palace again. The Young Dragon, being closest to the Western Sea, took charge of both palaces.”
“Wukong, hearing Ao Shun tell him everything without hiding anything, believed it to be the truth. Yet he was puzzled—Ao Shun had even cursed Guanyin in front of him, showing no respect at all.”
“Wukong said, ‘The Old Dragon King trusts me so much. I am deeply grateful. I’ll keep today’s words to myself.’”
“Ao Shun laughed and said, ‘Great Sage, you are someone favored by the Ancestral Dragon. We all know this clearly, it’s just that you’re not aware yet.’”
“Wukong thought to himself, when had he ever met Zhenwu? He had only seen him a few times.”
“Ao Shun continued, ‘Back then, when you came to my Dragon Palace for treasures, if it weren’t for the Ancestral Dragon’s orders, I wouldn’t have easily let you take them. I had to test your abilities first.’”
“Wukong suddenly understood. No wonder the Dragon Kings of the four seas had been so hospitable back then—the Ancestral Dragon and Zhenwu had anticipated it all. They had known him long ago. What Wukong didn’t know was that it was Zhenwu who had saved him from Wang Bodhisattva, the Great Sage Imperial Advisor.”
“Ao Shun added, ‘The Ancestral Dragon recently ordered that if the Great Sage asks for anything, everything should be done to help him. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare speak such things.’”
Wukong laughed and grew angry, cursing, “You old dragon! Since the Ancestral Dragon has already given orders, why hold things back?”
Aoshun replied, “I’m not holding things back; I just fear talking too much might annoy the Great Sage.”
Wukong said, “Never mind. Since you’ve told me, I should thank you. Let me ask you—do you want to get back the Night-Shining Wall from the Western Sea?”
Aoshun was overjoyed and asked, “Is the Great Sage not joking?”
Wukong pursed his lips and said, “Well… I know where the Night-Shining Wall is, but how to retrieve it… I need to think more about it.”
Aoshun was stunned and said, “The Great Sage is teasing me.”
Wukong replied, “Why would I tease you? I’ll come to you again once I have an idea! Call Mo’ang and go help my master!”
Aoshun quickly agreed, “Yes, yes! I’ve delayed you for so long—please forgive me, Great Sage.”
Prince Mo’ang also came to the Black Water River alone, without a single soldier. The two of them went straight to the River God’s palace. When the little turtle dragon saw Prince Mo’ang, joy appeared on his face. He said, “Cousin, why hasn’t my uncle come?”
Seeing his half-witted cousin, Mo’ang became furious and shouted, “You wretched creature! How dare you even think of taking the sacred monk on his pilgrimage?”
The little turtle dragon glanced at Wukong and pointed, “Who is this monkey? How did he bring my cousin here to scold me?”
Mo’ang cursed again, “You really don’t recognize greatness! You can’t even identify the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, yet you still dare to talk nonsense!”
Hearing it was the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, the turtle dragon laughed and said, “What a Great Sage Equal to Heaven! He must be unable to cross the river, so he’s asking my cousin for help. How shameless—”
“Shut up!” Mo’ang ordered. “The Great Sage spared your life because you’re related to the Western Sea. How dare you talk nonsense!”
The little turtle dragon said, “Cousin, if he really is the Great Sage Equal to Heaven, let’s have a fight. If he beats me, I’ll let him cross the river safely. If he loses, he’ll give me the title of Great Sage Equal to Heaven. Will he dare?”
Wukong ignored him and just laughed aside.
Mo’ang’s face turned red with anger. He took out a golden tablet and said, “You have no sense of what’s right or wrong. Today, I’ll teach you a lesson!”
The little turtle dragon had received much kindness from Aoshun, so he hesitated to fight Mo’ang. He said, “Cousin, what if I hurt you—”
Wukong pulled Mo’ang aside and said, “Even if you beat him, he still won’t submit to me.”
Mo’ang looked troubled and said, “Great Sage…”
Wukong reassured him, “Don’t worry. I won’t hurt him!”
Seeing Wukong step forward with excitement, the little turtle dragon took out his steel whip and said, “Alright, let’s go!”
Wukong said, “You come first!”
Seeing Wukong with his hands on his hips and no weapon in hand, the little turtle dragon grew furious and swung his whip at him. Wukong didn’t dodge; instead, he reached out and grabbed the whip, snatching it away. Holding one end and the other, he twisted them a few times, and the well-forged whip became twisted like a pretzel. Wukong threw the whip on the ground and asked, “Still want to fight?” His swift movements left the little turtle dragon stunned. He turned to Mo’ang and asked, “Cousin, what kind of dark magic is this?” Mo’ang hadn’t seen Wukong’s actions clearly either. He stepped forward, grabbed the turtle dragon, and said, “Stop embarrassing yourself here! Go back to the Western Sea and wait for judgment!” The turtle dragon tried to resist, but Mo’ang, fearing he might anger Wukong and lose his life, pulled out an Emei spear connected by an iron chain and pierced through the turtle dragon’s ribcage, cursing, “You wretched beast! You truly know no fear of death!” After subduing the turtle dragon, Mo’ang apologized to Wukong, saying, “Great Sage, please forgive me. This wretched beast has had no parents to discipline him since childhood and is extremely rebellious. I will take him back and teach him a lesson!” Wukong replied, “Thank you, Prince.” Mo’ang quickly refused, saying it was nothing. He dispersed the minor demons in the River God’s palace and took the little turtle dragon back to the Western Sea to face punishment. When Wukong emerged from the water, he saw Tang Seng had already dried his clothes and was waiting for him. Wukong said, “Master, that monster has been dealt with. We can cross the river safely now.” Tang Seng was glad and said, “That monster was quite cooperative. We didn’t hear any fighting, and he just let us pass.” Wukong smiled and said, “Master, you don’t know how far I had to go. I secretly found out that the monster is the nephew of the Western Sea Dragon King. He went to the Western Sea to ask for help. Prince Mo’ang came in person and subdued the monster underwater.” Tang Seng said, “How good! The Dragon King also loves Buddhism. This is even better than expected.” Tang Seng was devoutly faithful, wishing everyone in the world would believe in Buddhism so that peace could reign. Wukong thought to himself that the Western Ocean was closest to Xiniuhuo Continent. The Western Sea Dragon King, Ao Run, controlled everything in the water. He wondered if the Western Heaven had tried to win him over. Just losing the Nightlight Wall already warranted punishment from the ancestral dragon, which made sense. But what Ao Shun said was just one possibility. Ao Run had been the Western Sea Dragon King for tens of thousands of years and surely knew the importance of the Nightlight Wall. Making such a mistake seemed rather foolish. Further thinking, if Ao Run truly wanted to ally himself with the Western Heaven, then losing the Nightlight Wall wouldn’t be due to carelessness—it would imply collusion between Ao Run and Guanyin, a much greater crime!
Aoshun was indeed right about eighty percent of what he said. However, Wukong naturally wouldn’t blame him; out of concern for family shame, he couldn’t reveal everything. Wukong thought again about the Sacred Dragon King who abandoned his ancestral surname, about the five dragons trapped beneath the three realms, and about his own act of giving the Nine Primordial Dragons to pull the imperial chariot. He sighed inwardly—the Sacred Dragon King’s style of governance was rather domineering, and he was quite harsh on his own people. Thus, the possibility that Aoshun was colluding with Guanyin increased somewhat.