Volume 3: A Long Journey Chapter 322: Yin and Yang Pairing

This man had rosy lips, white teeth, and a face as fair as jade—truly a handsome young man. Yet his eyes were tightly closed, and he appeared in extreme pain. Upon seeing him, Wukong was shocked. How could he be suffering here?
This man was none other than Prince Xiao Zhang, the disciple of the Great Sage National Advisor, Bodhisattva Wang!
Prince Xiao Zhang’s whereabouts had been unknown for years. But since even Bodhisattva Wang, the Great Sage National Advisor, had been captured by Tathagata, it was inevitable that he too would suffer. Bodhisattva Wang must have offended Tathagata in some way, resulting in his memories being stripped away. Naturally, Prince Xiao Zhang’s life would not be easy either. But Wukong never imagined that Prince Xiao Zhang would suffer such severe punishment.
How could he find a way to rescue Prince Xiao Zhang? He might know something about this place, which would be better than wandering around aimlessly. Wukong glanced at the bald skeletons around him. These people were at most at the level of immortals. With a little magic, he could deceive them and rescue Prince Xiao Zhang. But the spell that turned flying ash into a human form was truly remarkable, and it was difficult for him to imitate.
Even if he could silently take Prince Xiao Zhang away, it would only work for a while. Over time, the bald skeletons would surely notice the absence of one person. If they guessed that an outsider had arrived, chaos would ensue. Wukong scratched his head, unable to think of a solution.
He observed the lotus carefully. It appeared silently out of thin air, without any pattern—clearly a magic beyond his ability to decipher. Wukong knew that powerful figures were present here, so he dared not act rashly.
After watching for a while, he finally decided to take a risky approach.
Those bald skeletons were conscious beings, similar to the minor demons and judges in the netherworld. Wukong didn’t dare rescue Prince Xiao Zhang directly, but manipulating these bald skeletons was easy.
There were few guards near the copper pillar, and Prince Xiao Zhang’s face only appeared for a brief moment. Unless someone kept watching, no one would notice what he looked like.
Wukong used a spell to make one of the bald skeletons slowly approach Prince Xiao Zhang. Fortunately, no one noticed. Seizing the moment when Prince Xiao Zhang had just reappeared, Wukong swapped the positions of the bald skeleton and Prince Xiao Zhang, then used another spell to take Prince Xiao Zhang away. After finishingeverything, he looked around—no one had noticed that the person suffering under the copper pillar had been replaced.
The bald skeleton turned into flying ash in an instant, and the mysterious lotus above, regardless of who was beneath it, simply used its power to restore everything to its original state.

After finishing all this, Wukong’s heart pounded fiercely. He had accomplished many great deeds, but for some reason, he felt nervous this time. Since he had rescued Prince Zhang, there was no need to stay any longer. Now that he knew the entrance to this place, he could come back another time when he found an opportunity.

As he flew past the Mountain of Flaming Flames and reached the gray pond, Wukong thought of it and scooped up a handful from the water. The moment he got closer, he sensed a slight disturbance in the energy within the pond, so he quickly raised himself and flew away. Huh? Why was the energy in this pond so similar to that in the golden ring above his head? It was just… full of impurities, far inferior.

Wukong stored this mass of energy within his body before returning the same way he came. It wasn’t until he left the formation and flowed out through the fountain upstream of the Mother and Child River that he felt at ease again.

This place was truly terrifying, filled with a very strange atmosphere. It felt like… for some reason, Wukong remembered the vicious gaze of that fake Li Shimin.

As he floated upward from the fountain, he wondered to whom he should tell about this matter. Should he tell the Three Pure Ones or Ksitigarbha? Would Zhenwu and Earth Goddess know the truth?

After leaving the Mother and Child River, he saw that it was already late at night. He had gone to the Abyss of Nine Netherworlds and explored the Buddhist hell realms—how much time he had wasted!

Fortunately, it wasn’t yet dawn. He must prevent the Queen of the Women’s Country from destroying his true vitality—that was what truly mattered!

Wukong returned to the Women’s Country and saw that Tang Seng was sleeping soundly, while Wu Ping and Wu Hui were faithfully guarding him, ensuring his safety. Only then did he feel relieved and head straight for the Tushita Palace.

At first, Wukong thought that Guanyin had sent Wu Ping to spy on him. But now it seemed that Guanyin didn’t suspect him much. Wu Ping focused most of his energy on protecting Tang Seng and didn’t pay much attention to what Wukong was doing.

In no time, he arrived at the Tushita Palace. Wukong sneaked inside quietly. As he approached Laozi’s alchemy chamber, he heard Laozi say, “What are you sneaking around for?”

Wukong was startled. He thought his invisibility technique was foolproof, but it seemed Laozi could detect him without even looking. Wukong revealed his true form and laughed, “Laozi, quickly open the gourd! There’s an urgent matter!”

Laozi came out of the alchemy chamber and said cheerfully, “Seeing you so happy, what good news is it?” With that, he opened the crimson gourd, and Wukong quickly climbed in.

First, he took out Prince Zhang and said, “Guess who this is.”

Laozi took a close look and said, “This person’s cultivation is ordinary, and he looks half-dead. What’s the reason?”

Wukong did not answer Laojun. Anyway, time passed very slowly inside this gourd, and he had finally found an opportunity to keep him in suspense. Smiling, he said, “Laojun, let me ask you first—where do people go after death?”
Laojun was taken aback and replied, “Naturally, they go to the netherworld and then are reborn through reincarnation.”
Wukong asked, “Who governs the netherworld?”
Laojun said, “The Ten Kings of Hell, starting from the King of Chujiang in the first hall to the King of Chakravartin in the tenth hall, each governing one of the ten halls. These ten are under the command of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, and ultimately, it is still the Jade Emperor who gives orders.”
“Does Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva obey the Jade Emperor?” Wukong asked.
“Ksitigarbha is extremely conscientious in his duties; he is a man of absolute authority. How can you speak of him in such a way?”
Seeing that Laojun also held Ksitigarbha in high regard, Wukong wondered if he knew about the matters of fate. He asked further, “I’ve heard that Ksitigarbha has a divine beast under his command that can hear sounds from thirty-six heavens. Is that true?”
Laojun laughed and said, “You believe that too? I’ve heard of it before, but just as a rumor. If such a beast truly had such powers, wouldn’t it be something that defies heaven? Countless people in heaven and earth would fight over it.”
Wukong shook his head and said, “I don’t believe it either. If it really had such abilities, there would be no secrets left—everyone would speak with extreme caution.”
Suddenly, Laojun asked, “How? Have you met Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?”
Wukong thought for a moment and said, “Yes, I have.”
Laojun asked, “Why did you go to see him?”
Instead of answering, Wukong asked back, “Has Laojun heard of the Mother and Child River?”
Upon hearing the name of the Mother and Child River, Laojun’s expression changed. He said, “Have you reached the Mother and Child River?”
Wukong asked, “What’s wrong with the Mother and Child River?”
Laojun replied, “The Mother and Child River is in the Western Liang Women’s Country—it’s extremely dangerous.”
Wukong asked, “How does Laojun know it’s dangerous? Has he been there?”
Laojun said, “That place is a land of extreme yin. Why would I go there?”
“A land of extreme yin? What does that mean?”
Laojun explained, “That place drains a man’s vital energy. The women there, having grown up there, are extremely delicate and charming. Just one glance from an ordinary man can cause great harm to him.”
Wukong laughed and said, “How come I didn’t notice that?”
Laojun glared at him and said, “Fate knows no gender. Besides, with your level of cultivation, should you still fear such things?”
Wukong thought to himself, “No gender? Doesn’t that mean neither male nor female?” He then asked, “Why isn’t there a single man in that country? Who could be the mastermind behind this trap?”
Laojun chuckled and said, “You’ve guessed it right. Behind this country indeed stands an unparalleled figure. At his command, even the Jade Emperor or Buddha wouldn’t dare disobey.”

Wukong was shocked and said, “The Primordial Great Heavenly Venerable has such a quirk? That really takes my breath away.”
Laojun spat and cursed, “What nonsense is this monkey talking about? My senior brother is a towering figure in the Taoist sect. Why would he establish a kingdom of women?”
Wukong felt dizzy. If it wasn’t the Primordial One, who else could have such status?
Laojun said, “This person is both Buddhist and Taoist. You should be able to guess.”
Wukong grew slightly annoyed. He had intended to use this Buddhist-related mystery to tease Laojun, but instead, Laojun had him on the hook. Earlier, when it came to someone who wasn’t purely Buddhist nor Taoist, it was only because he happened to meet Ksitigarbha King that he learned it was the Nine Heavens Mystic Maiden who killed Nagarjuna. Now there was someone who was both Buddhist and Taoist. Recalling Ksitigarbha King’s words that Buddhism is essentially Taoism, Wukong had a sudden realization and said, “The Ancient Buddha Ran Deng?”
Laojun said Wukong could guess, but he actually didn’t think he could really figure it out. When Wukong actually guessed correctly, Laojun was surprised and asked, “How did you know?”
Wukong thought to himself, How many great masters are there in Journey to the West? I can count them all. Still feeling puzzled, he said, “Neither Buddhism nor Taoism explains this. Why would Ran Deng establish such a kingdom of women?”
Laojun smiled and said, “I happen to know the reason.”
Wukong remembered that during the Monkey King’s rebellion in Heaven in Journey to the West, the Ancient Buddha Ran Deng was chatting in Laojun’s Douluo Palace. The relationship between the two must have been extremely close. Ran Deng was also a master who understood both Buddhism and Taoism. Since he had become the sovereign of the world before Buddha, he must be an extraordinary being. It wasn’t surprising that Laojun knew Ran Deng’s intentions.
Wukong said, “If you know, just tell me.”
Laojun said, “Ran Deng has always been on good terms with Maitreya Buddha. Did you know that?”
Wukong replied, “I’ve heard a little about it.”
Laojun continued, “Maitreya Buddha has repeatedly tried to stop you from going west, but it was all on Ran Deng’s orders.”
“Huh? Why would the Ancient Buddha Ran Deng do such a thankless task? If we go on a pilgrimage, wouldn’t that be extremely beneficial for Buddhism?” Wukong was astonished.
Laojun said, “You just need to know he disapproves. You’ll understand the reason later.”
Wukong secretly resented being kept in the dark again.
Laojun continued, “The Western Liang Kingdom of Women is a place where pure yin energy accumulates. Ran Deng created it to test a certain method—to imitate my Eight Trigrams diagram’s principle of yin containing yang, hence he built this kingdom.”
Wukong thought to himself, Could it be that the River of Mother and Child was also created by Ran Deng? Truly, the actions of great masters cannot be understood by ordinary logic. He then asked, “If the whole kingdom is made up of women, where is the yang energy?”
Laojun replied, “Jieyang Mountain is where the yang energy lies.”
Wukong disagreed, “In my opinion, Jieyang isn’t yang.”
Laojun said, “Yang is resolved within yin, and yin is resolved within yang. This is the ultimate truth. There’s no need to argue.”

With such profound theories of yin and yang, Wukong naturally couldn’t outargue Laojun, so he asked, “What does that have to do with obtaining the scriptures?”
Laojun replied, “From my speculation, your journey to obtain the scriptures will pass through the Western Liang Women’s Kingdom. How could Ran Deng not take advantage of this opportunity to bring pure yin into contact with true yang? If they can be united, your mission to obtain the scriptures will be ruined!”
“What?” Wukong was shocked. “Who is pure yin, and who is true yang?” He already had a vague idea in mind, but he needed Laojun to state it clearly for certainty.
Laojun said, “Pure yin is naturally the ruler of the Western Liang Women’s Kingdom, while true yang is the reincarnation of the Golden Toad Boy that you are protecting—Tang Seng. He has practiced for ten lifetimes without losing his vital yang energy. Can’t that be considered true yang?”