Volume 3: A Long Journey Chapter 311: Success Comes Naturally The Old Lord once said, “Man follows the earth, the earth follows the sky, and the sky follows nature.” It seems now that the teachings passed down by Hou Tu share a striking resemblance with the Old Lord’s philosophy. Could this be evidence that all great paths stem from the same source? Wukong had also noticed that figures like Dayu and Hou Yi did not rely solely on spells and techniques; they were examples of building strength over time before acting. Hou Tu was also an ancient being who had been close to Dayu and others—she should have had no exposure to Daoist teachings. So why did her teachings bear such a resemblance to Daoism? As he pondered these thoughts, he suddenly sensed that the heavy snow had stopped. The dark clouds in the sky dispersed, and a auspicious cloud drifted in, clearing the gloom. Yet there was no one there—only a letter floating down. Wukong caught the letter mid-air. It contained just five words: “Success comes naturally.” Below it was the signature, “Avalokiteshvara of the South Sea.” Wukong cursed inwardly—these people always backed down at the first sign of difficulty. What did “Success comes naturally” mean? With the heavens and the Western Paradise locked in fierce conflict, his path to seeking help in the Heavenly Palace was completely blocked. If Avalokiteshvara wouldn’t help, he had no choice but to go to the Western Paradise. Wukong flew straight west. After passing the Country of Sacrificial Competitions, he saw a ridge ahead filled with a strong aura of evil. Upon closer inspection, it was the demon soldiers from Qitian Ridge. He wanted to inquire, but realizing it would draw too much attention, he flew over the ridge on the clouds. Suddenly, a gust of wind flashed beside him. Glancing sideways, he saw a small arrow tied with white silk flying alongside him at his height. It must be Hou Yi sending him a message. Wukong reached out, caught the arrow, and untied the silk. The message roughly stated that over the past few months, the demon soldiers had driven all the Buddhists from the Country of Sacrificial Competitions. Some had abandoned their faith, while many devout believers had fled to other lands. The demon soldiers were stationed there because Dayu feared that continuing their advance in such extreme cold would endanger the people, so he wanted to wait until the weather warmed up before expanding further west. After reading it, Wukong sighed. Indeed, Emperor Dayu was kind-hearted, putting the people first even at such a time. Though he hadn’t expected this, Dayu’s actions aligned perfectly with his own views, so he would surely support them wholeheartedly. Wukong destroyed the arrow message and leaped in a somersault toward the Western Paradise. Upon arriving at the Great Hero Hall, Wukong knelt and bowed, shouting, “Buddha, save me!” Seeing the golden ring on Wukong’s head, the Buddha remained calm and said, “Wukong, this is not a disaster. You need not worry.” Wukong complained, “Buddha, even if it were fortune, I wouldn’t want it. Let whoever wants it have it.” The Buddha laughed and said, “Once you complete your quest, I will naturally remove this golden ring for you.” Wukong was both surprised and delighted. “Buddha, don’t deceive me!” The Buddha replied, “A monk never lies.”
Hearing Buddha’s words, Wukong clearly had full confidence in taking down the golden ring, and his belief that Buddha was the mastermind behind uniting the five kinds of kings grew even stronger.
Wukong said, “On our journey to obtain the scriptures, we reached Jinpao Mountain, where the demons are extremely fierce—it’s truly difficult.”
Buddha replied, “I’m already aware of this. Go back first; I’ll send someone to subdue those demons shortly.”
Hearing Buddha’s agreement, Wukong rejoiced and said, “Thank you, Buddha.”
After leaving the Spirit Mountain, Wukong finally realized that when Buddha said “subdue those demons,” he undoubtedly meant the Unicorn Rhinoceros King. What about Ru Shou and the others? Wouldn’t they still be obstacles?
Full of doubts, Wukong returned to Jinpao Mountain. He remembered that in “Journey to the West,” when Laojun subdued the Green Ox Demon, he had said, “If he gets hold of the Banana Fan, even I won’t be able to do anything to him.” Though Laojun’s words were casual, given his abilities and his past connection with the Green Ox Demon, it was likely that with just a slight gesture, the Green Ox Demon would submit. Even the unruly Ox Demon King feared Laojun like a mouse fearing a cat.
This showed that combining the Vajra Cutter and the Banana Fan was indeed hard to overcome. If both weapons and magic items were used together—the Vajra Cutter to capture the opponent and the fans to blow them thousands of miles away—how could such a battle even be fought?
As Wukong flew slowly through the clouds, someone called out from behind, “Great Sage, go slower!”
Turning around, Wukong saw Anuo and Gaye. He asked, “Where are you two going?”
Anuo replied, “Great Sage, you’re too forgetful! We’re coming with you to subdue those demons!”
Wukong was amazed. These two weren’t much stronger than himself—how could they subdue the Green Ox Demon?
Seeming to sense Wukong’s doubts, Anuo said, “Don’t worry, Great Sage. Buddha has bestowed magical weapons on us and said that only these can capture that demon.”
Curious about what treasure could surpass both the Vajra Cutter and the Banana Fan, Wukong didn’t rush to ask. He would find out soon enough.
The three arrived at the north side of Jinpao Mountain. Naturally, Wukong stepped forward to challenge the enemy.
In front of the Jinpao Cave, two minor demons saw Wukong approaching and hurried back to report. The Unicorn Rhinoceros King, who had been idle, heard that Wukong had come again and eagerly took out his steel spear to fight.
Wukong fought back with his staff. After several exchanges, it became clear that no one could gain the upper hand in just a few dozen rounds. After standing there for a while, Wukong gradually led the Unicorn Rhinoceros King into the sky.
The Unicorn Rhinoceros King laughed loudly, “Monkey, even if you have hidden troops, I’m not afraid!”
Just then, Anuo and Gaye appeared above the clouds, each holding a magical item, and shouted, “Demon, surrender quickly, and we’ll spare your life!”
Wukong focused his gaze on these two treasures. Anuo held a giant tree ten zhang tall, its branches as clear as jade, adorned with golden threads, pearls, and many other treasures that formed a network on it—nothing short of stunning to behold. When a breeze blew, some unknown sound came from the tree, like hundreds of musical instruments playing together, extremely pleasant to the ear.
Upon seeing this giant tree, Wukong immediately sensed its extraordinary craftsmanship and was secretly astonished. If this truly was a magical artifact, its power must be astonishing.
Looking at the treasure in Gaye’s hands, there was merely a single lotus flower. This lotus was extraordinary—about a foot in size, with delicate, fragrant petals and stamens exuding a subtle scent. Its petals swayed gently in the air, also radiating a strong sense of natural beauty.
The Unicorn Rhino was also shocked upon seeing Anuo and Gaye. It shouted, “Great monkey! There really is an ambush!”
Wukong laughed and said, “Since you say you’re not afraid, why not come forward?”
Without hesitation, Anuo and Gaye threw the giant tree and the lotus flower at the Unicorn Rhino, shouting, “Catch!”
The Unicorn Rhino calmly took out its invincible Vajra Axe, recited a spell, and the axe, like a wind tunnel or stove door, absorbed those two splendid magical artifacts.
Anuo and Gaye were horrified. The Buddha had said these two artifacts could subdue this demon—how could they instead be captured by it?
The Unicorn Rhino laughed heartily and said, “I thought they were something amazing, but they’re nothing special!”
Seeing the Unicorn Rhino reach for its banana fan, Wukong shouted, “Run!” He performed a somersault and vanished without a trace, unconcerned about where Anuo and Gaye might end up.
After circling back, Wukong found no one there. He continued on his journey to the Western Heaven, determined not to be deceived by the Buddha. In the Great Hero Hall, Anuo and Gaye stood respectfully at the steps, as if nothing had happened.
Wukong pleaded again, “Buddha, I said that demon was powerful, but you refused to act. As a result, we lost two more magical artifacts.”
The Buddha smiled and said, “Don’t worry. I’ll give you another path. Go find the Supreme Lord Laozi—he will surely help you capture the demon.”
Wukong suddenly understood. He had been too naive earlier. What Anuo and Gaye carried were not magical artifacts at all but gifts meant to bribe others. That giant tree and the lotus flower must have been rare treasures, given away to the Green Ox Demon for free.
As the leader of his religion, the Buddha naturally wouldn’t confront the Three Pure Ones openly. The purpose of the pilgrimage was to seize the fate of Taoism. Fighting openly would be no different from being bandits. Moreover, if a real battle broke out, who knew how things might turn out?
He asked Anuo and Kasyapa to send two treasures first; of course, Laojun would be aware of this. What the Tathagata wanted was nothing more than for Laojun to make way so that the group on the pilgrimage could pass through. By offering gifts and showing weakness, Laojun couldn’t possibly be so stubborn as to be utterly heartless. Being heartless toward everyone would only harm them all.
Wukong figured this out and pretended to be confused, saying, “Why didn’t the Buddha say so earlier? I would have gone straight to find Laojun.”
The Buddha smiled and replied, “Heavenly secrets must not be revealed.”
After leaving the Great Hero Hall, Wukong cursed inwardly. What heavenly secrets? It was nothing but paying to get a path opened.
In the Pure Land Palace, Laojun was happily pacing in front of the alchemy furnace. When he saw Wukong enter, he said with a smile, “Wukong, what brings you here?”
Wukong replied, “Laojun, don’t play dumb!”
Laojun was startled and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Without explaining, Wukong turned to leave and said, “Wait, I’ll show you a dead cow!”
Laojun quickly stopped him and apologized with a smile, “Just joking, just joking.”
Wukong was puzzled. He clearly couldn’t do anything to that one-horned rhinoceros—why was Laojun so afraid? Laojun said, “I’m really afraid you might use some underhanded trick if you get fierce. That cow has some magical power, but its mind isn’t very sharp.”
Wukong said, “Since the Tathagata has now given in, Laojun should let them pass, right?”
Laojun smiled and said, “Of course.”
Wukong couldn’t help asking, “Laojun, what treasures are those giant tree and lotus actually?”
Laojun pointed at Wukong and said, “Can’t you tell?”
Wukong replied, “I can see they’re full of magical energy, but I don’t know what use they serve.”
Laojun said, “That’s right. They’re just manifestations of magical energy. That giant tree and lotus are the result of the accumulated magical energy on the Sacred Mountain. That’s all there is to it.”
Wukong shook his head and said, “I don’t understand.”
Laojun said, “That giant tree is called the Desire Tree. It grew as the monks in the Western Heaven chanted Buddhist scriptures day and night, gathering the merits of the Three Jewels of Buddhism. Judging from its size, hehe, it’s equivalent to the efforts of a hundred thousand monks in a year.”
“That lotus is a precious flower watered by the meritorious water from the Pool of Seven Treasures. Consuming it can greatly accelerate one’s spiritual progress—it’s even more precious than that Desire Tree.”
Wukong asked, “Since the Tathagata gave you these two treasures, isn’t he very upset about it?”
Laojun glared and said, “Upset? You underestimate the Tathagata too much. He has dozens or even millions of such ordinary items!”
Wukong was shocked and asked, “How many years has the Western Heaven existed? How could there be so many?”
Laojun said, “I’m afraid I’m still underestimating. If you didn’t know how many Buddhists there are, you’d be surprised.”
Wukong pouted and said, “If they’re just ordinary items, why use them to deal with Laojun like this?”
Laojun said, “Sigh, it’s just for show. Do you really take it seriously?”
Wukong suddenly became angry. It’s easy for you to put on an act, but why make things difficult for me? Although I went to the West to obtain scriptures and seem to be a Buddhist, I’m actually much closer to Taoism. When faced with real obstacles, no matter how ruthless my methods, I can’t use them; I can only go along with them. Over time, it truly tests one’s patience!