Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 329: The Scorpion Spirit

The three monks from the Western Heaven were defeated by Hou Yi alone. Not only were the Bodhisattvas and Arhats in the Western Heaven shocked, but even the people of Qitianling admired Hou Yi’s extraordinary archery skills.
The Annihilation Arrow, the Armor-Piercing Arrow, the Time Arrow—each arrow was terrifying. His reputation as a master archer was well-deserved.
The Bull Demon King watched with enthusiasm and said, “Why not take advantage of this and march westward?” The Great Peng replied, “Go ahead.”
Dayu smiled and said, “Though these three are formidable, they are merely pawns for the Western Heaven. Do you really think we can shake the foundations of Buddhism?”
The Bull Demon King said, “At least scare them a bit.”
Dayu replied, “It’s better to stay here for now. The destruction of our country has just begun. Do you think there will be any peace?”
The Great Peng said, “I swear to find the real culprit and reduce him to ashes!”
The group returned to their cave, while the people from the Western Heaven soared on clouds toward Mount Ling.
West of Mount Ling in the Western Heaven stood a seven-story treasure pagoda named “Stupha.” This pagoda was a sacred place in the Western Heaven, accessible only to the Buddha himself.
The Three Monks with Clean Heads, the Three Monks with Tea Heads, and the Three Monks in Charge returned to the Western Heaven. Ignoring Farewells from Manjushri and others, they headed straight for the Stupha.
The Buddha was meditating alone outside the Stupha. Seeing these three return with arrows still in their bodies, he immediately understood the outcome of the battle. The three monks with clean heads bowed before the Buddha and simply said, “We lost.”
The Buddha said, “Defeated by Hou Yi—good.” He gestured for one of the monks to come over. The monk stood up and approached the Buddha, who pulled out the arrow from his ribcage and examined the wound carefully. “Did Hou Yi show mercy?”
The monk nodded. The Buddha asked, “Have you gained anything from these two battles recently?”
The monk replied, “We’ve learned a lot, but we still need time to reflect.”
The Buddha approved and nodded. “Though you possess magical powers, you’ve never been in battle. If you can endure hardships, you will surely achieve great things in the future.”
The monk bowed again, looking fearful. “Please, Buddha, don’t blame us for failing to seize the opportunity.”
The Buddha said, “The destruction of our country wasn’t caused by Qitianling, but we still need a pretext to take action. Success or failure doesn’t matter.”
The three monks agreed. The Buddha said, “First, heal your wounds, then enter the pagoda to rescue the other three.”
They respectfully agreed and stepped into the pagoda.
The Buddha held the arrow in his hand and murmured, “Hou Yi, Dayu… these two are indeed strong opponents. This is exactly as I wish.” He meditated for a while longer, then rose and arrived at the Mahavira Hall. He told Anuo, “Summon Goddess Guanyin to see me.”

Guanyin arrived in the side hall of Ling Mountain. Every time she saw the peony flowers in the courtyard, she felt uneasy, but since the Tathagata had summoned her here, how could she dare not come?
The Tathagata asked, “Sun Wukong, have you reached the Western Liang Women’s Kingdom?”
Guanyin replied, “I know. He is currently in the Western Liang Women’s Kingdom.” Her expression remained unchanged, but she was puzzled—usually the Tathagata would ask where Tang Sanzang was, so why ask about Sun Wukong today?
The Tathagata asked, “Are there any obstacles in that kingdom?”
Guanyin said, “The queen of that kingdom is an ordinary person. She wanted to marry Tang Sanzang, but was deceived by Sun Wukong. Just as her plan was about to succeed, Tang Sanzang was suddenly kidnapped by a demon, and Sun Wukong is now going to rescue him.”
The Tathagata nodded and said, “You know quite a lot. Thank you for your efforts.”
Guanyin replied, “I dare not claim credit. I just received news from Wu Ping.”
The Tathagata closed his eyes in deep thought, clasping his hands together with his thumbs gently touching each other, seemingly lost in thought. Guanyin could only wait quietly beside him. Suddenly, the Tathagata opened his eyes and asked, “What form did that demon take?”
Guanyin said, “I still don’t know.”
The Tathagata said, “Go to that kingdom. If the demon is a scorpion, capture it.”
Guanyin replied, “Yes.” She didn’t understand why capturing a scorpion would be useful, but she obeyed anyway.
The Tathagata added, “Since we’re approaching Qitian Ridge, have you thought of how to cross it?”
Guanyin said, “I’m also at a loss. But at least now the demons at Qitian Ridge are scattered, which is better than before.”
The Tathagata said, “Qitian Ridge cannot be crossed.”
“Oh?” Guanyin was puzzled. “Cannot be crossed? Does the Buddha mean that Tang Sanzang and his disciples can’t get through?”
The Tathagata replied, “If you want to go west, you must cross Qitian Ridge. But there are powerful demons guarding it. If you force your way through, there will surely be a major conflict. When you get there, help them out.”
Guanyin still didn’t fully understand but immediately agreed, “I will obey!”
The Tathagata waved his hand slightly and closed his eyes. Guanyin then stepped back slowly and headed straight for the Western Liang Women’s Kingdom.
In the golden palace of the women’s kingdom, everything was silent. Wuhui and Wu Ping searched everywhere but found nothing. The queen sat on her dragon throne, weeping. Zhurong tried to comfort her, saying, “Your Majesty, this Tang Sanzang is no ordinary person. Stop worrying further.”
Yet that was precisely what made the queen so sad. Seeing that Tang Sanzang and his disciples were all like gods, she knew this marriage was unlikely, causing her great pain. In the Western Liang Women’s Kingdom, no men had ever come before. Now that Tang Sanzang, who came to seek the scriptures, had arrived—his appearance and character unmatched—yet he was also a god. If she couldn’t see him, it would be fine, but now that her love for him had blossomed, how could she suppress it?

How could Zhu Rong fail to understand the queen’s thoughts? A daughter’s feelings, put simply, are nothing but “infatuation.” She had lived on Qitian Ridge, practicing cultivation day after day. Now that she had entered the mortal world, she couldn’t help but sigh for the queen, offering earnest advice from the bottom of her heart.

At that moment, Zhu Rong’s expression changed slightly as she sensed someone spying into the palace. It was Guanyin, who had hidden her presence there. Seeing Zhu Rong, she was greatly shocked. Where in the world could there be a woman with such cultivation and appearance? She seemed calm on the surface, yet she was as terrifying as a volcano about to erupt. Who was she, and why had she come to the Women’s Kingdom of Xiliang disguised as a mortal?

Both remained calm on the surface but kept a close watch. Guanyin thought for a while, guessing Zhu Rong’s identity—she was almost certain. On the day Chi Songzi brought rain, Guanyin had also met Zhu Rong once. Though they hadn’t fought, she remembered the abilities of those people. She had heard of a Fire God named Zhu Rong on Qitian Ridge—could it be her?

It must be. Qitian Ridge extended east and west, and the Women’s Kingdom was within its territory. Sending men there might be inconvenient, so they sent Zhu Rong instead.

Guanyin thought for a moment before sending a message: “Fire God Zhu Rong? Could you come out for a meeting?”

Hearing Guanyin call her, Zhu Rong smiled gracefully, said a few words to distract the queen, and then left the golden palace. Looking around, she saw Guanyin waving at her from the clouds. With a quick movement, Zhu Rong joined Guanyin on the same cloud.

This act carried a strong hint of provocation. Guanyin smiled and said, “I am Guanyin Bodhisattva. I never thought I’d meet the Fire God in this life.”

Zhu Rong replied with a smile, “Most who meet me end up in trouble.”

Guanyin laughed and said, “I’ve heard the Fire God is as impatient as fire. But I have an ocean of water in my vase—there’s no need to worry I can’t extinguish you.”

Zhu Rong’s gaze turned stern. “I’ve long heard of Guanyin’s fame, but seeing you is even better than hearing about you. Haven’t you heard that water can also burn?”

Guanyin said, “Fire God, don’t misunderstand. I’ve come today to help Sun Wukong and the others on their quest for the scriptures.” From the moment she saw Zhu Rong, she had doubts. Since Qitian Ridge was not in harmony with Buddhism, why didn’t Zhu Rong stop Tang Seng from obtaining the scriptures? Could it be that Wukong still had ties to Qitian Ridge? That’s why she mentioned “Sun Wukong’s quest for the scriptures” rather than Tang Seng.

Zhu Rong said, “Whether they obtain the scriptures or not is none of my business. The Women’s Kingdom is part of Qitian Ridge’s territory, so I naturally must stay here to prevent evil forces from invading.”

Guanyin said, “That’s good. I’m not here toEnglish译English English English：English。 this territory either. If that’s the case, we have nothing to do with each other.”

Zhu Rong glanced at Guanyin. She had never had a good impression of Buddhists, but fighting now would be pointless. So she returned to the golden palace.

Guanyin circled the area once more but found no trace of Wukong, so she went outside to search again.
※　※　※
Meanwhile, Wukong was watching a play in the Pipa Cave. No matter how the Pipa Spirit tried to tempt him, Tang Seng simply kept his eyes closed and remained silent, driving the Pipa Spirit crazy with frustration. As a scorpion of another kind, she was naturally promiscuous and unrestrained.
She lifted her light gauze robe and threw it aside, then untied one piece of clothing after another until she was completely naked. At that moment, Wukong used the secret technique of Xuan Kong to examine this scorpion spirit closely.
This technique was indeed remarkable—although the scorpion spirit was naked, in Wukong’s eyes, all forms and colors appeared as the five elements, revealing her true monstrous form. Upon seeing this, Wukong was shocked—this scorpion spirit had seven tails, and an eighth tail was already taking shape, sprouting behind her like a bud emerging from the ground.
He remembered that when he first met the Nine-Spirit Sage, there were only eight heads. Could it be that this scorpion spirit was actually a nine-tailed beast? Laojun said that the troubles in the Western Liang Women’s Country were orchestrated by Ran Deng. If so, this scorpion spirit surely couldn’t escape Ran Deng’s control.
This scorpion spirit’s cultivation was only average. Why then would Ran Deng want to capture her? Was the matter of “the Supreme Monarch” handled by Buddha himself, or was Ran Deng also involved? If that were the case, the fates of figures like Qilin Zhenwu would be in grave danger!
The scorpion spirit, now completely naked, wore an extremely natural expression. She slipped into Tang Seng’s arms, her body fragrant and smooth, and said, “Younger brother, open your eyes and look at me.”
Even if Tang Seng were a fool, even if he had never touched a woman in countless lifetimes, he would know what this soft, fragrant body was. How could he dare to open his eyes? He angrily shouted, “How dare you be so shameless?”
The scorpion spirit replied in a sultry voice, “What is shame? If even this were shameful, everything in the world would be extinct. Younger brother, let me touch your… private parts…”
Tang Seng felt a delicate hand reach into his undergarments. He quickly tried to stop her, but the scorpion spirit deliberately arched her upper body, trapping Tang Seng’s hand between them. His hand touched something slippery, and he was so frightened he almost fainted.
Wukong found it amusing. If it were someone else instead of Tang Seng, he might have continued to watch the spectacle. But the quest for the scriptures was of utmost importance, and he couldn’t afford to neglect it now. Wukong reverted to his true form and put the purple gauze robe in his bag. Seeing the scorpion spirit naked, he didn’t want to engage in a fight there, so he left the Pipa Cave, took out his iron rod, and smashed the cave entrance to pieces. He shouted, “Monster, bring my master out!”