Volume 3: A Long Journey, Chapter 395: Head West

The Qitian Ridge was peaceful. Fuhai Jiao searched around and found Dayu, telling him about Wuzhiji’s unusual disappearance from the Northern Sea. Dayu said, “If he hasn’t come here, could he have gone to Shituo Ridge?”
Fuhai Jiao stood up and left. Noticing his uneasy expression, Dayu searched the ridge for a week but found the clever divine ape nowhere. He then hurriedly sought out the Qilin. After some thought, the Qilin said, “Go to Shituo Ridge quickly!” The two summoned Hou Yi and rushed to Qitian Ridge on clouds.

In the depths of the Nine Nether Abyss, within the vast palace of Hou Tu, a little monkey sat in a realm. Its flesh was like mist and dust, blending reality and illusion—it was the Tongbi Divine Ape, striving to solidify its physical form. At the moment Tang Seng was pierced by the Creation Heart Staff, the Tongbi Divine Ape felt a sharp pain in its chest, as if its body were about to disintegrate. It managed to stabilize itself, its face showing shock. After assessing the situation, it tried to rise from the realm. Just then, Hou Tu entered and, seeing the state of the Tongbi Divine Ape, exclaimed in alarm, “How is there no progress at all?”

The Tongbi Divine Ape transmitted its thoughts to Hou Tu, saying that yin and yang were in trouble. Hou Tu thought for a moment, then placed her jade hand on the Tongbi’s head to help solidify its body again. She said, “It’s useless for you to go. Stay here and cultivate in peace.”

The Tongbi tried to break free several times, but Hou Tu held it firmly, preventing it from rising. Hou Tu smiled and said, “You little rascal, so stubborn.” She stroked its head a few times and added, “There are so many powerful beings here. Why worry?”

The Tongbi spoke a few more words, and Hou Tu frowned slightly. “I don’t understand matters of creation, but the Lingming Divine Ape and Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva are both at Shituo Ridge. Why rush?”

Hearing that Wukong was also at Shituo Ridge, the Tongbi gradually calmed down and stopped resisting. Yet from time to time, its body trembled, and pain appeared on its face. Hou Tu used her magic to stabilize the Tongbi’s body, feeling somewhat worried.

In the Jade Clear Palace of the Qingwei Heaven, Xuan Nu and Yuan Shi watched Ksitigarbha and Wukong leave. After exchanging a few words, Xuan Nu stood up and said, “I take my leave.” Yuan Shi nodded in agreement.

As Xuan Nu took two steps outside, she suddenly felt a tremor in her heart. She turned to look at Yuan Shi, her face showing surprise as well. Xuan Nu asked, “What’s pulling this?”

Yuan Shi replied, “Strange. It seems as if there’s a thread pulling it. It’s from the Yin-Yang Divine Ape.”

Xuan Nu’s expression changed. “Does the Tathagata have such a trick? No wonder he’s so fearless. It turns out he’s already firmly in control of yin and yang.”

The Mysterious Maiden resided in the Clear and Subtle Heavens. She used the secrets of the Mysterious Void Technique to look downward. After a long while, she said, “The Nine-Ring Cane actually hides the Creation Connection Array. Right now, the Yin-Yang Divine Apes are controlled by this cane, acting like puppets with no autonomy. But if they ever defy the Buddha’s will, who knows how much suffering they’ll endure?”
Yuan Shi asked, “Is there any way to resolve this?”
The Mysterious Maiden looked troubled and said, “The Nine-Ring Cane contains the Creation Array. If it can be broken before trouble starts, that would resolve it. But now… it’s too late.”
Yuan Shi said, “So, the Yin-Yang Divine Apes can only be forced by this object to move westward step by step?”
The Mysterious Maiden sighed and nodded. “The Creation Connection Cane does more than that. If the Yin-Yang Divine Apes refuse to obey, the entire Creation lineage will be affected, which surely won’t end well.”
Yuan Shi looked worried. “With our cultivation levels and that of Ksitigarbha, we can endure some suffering, but it will be hard on the others.”
On Lion Camel Ridge, Tang Seng struggled with all his might to resist the strange force coming from his bones and meridians. This force controlled his limbs and head, manipulating him to move westward step by step. Naturally, this force was far stronger than that of an ordinary man like Tang Seng, and what made it even harder to resist was a voice in his mind that constantly tempted him: “Go west! Go west! With the Creation Connection, can you bear to watch the other divine apes suffer alongside you? Go west…”
Just then, Feng Tong tumbled to the ground, clutching his chest, without making a sound. Moments later, Ksitigarbha, Diting, and Wukong rushed in like a gust of wind from the Lion Camel Cave. Seeing Tang Seng’s strange state, Wukong hurried over to support him. He then realized that Tang Seng had become incredibly strong, and even he found it difficult to lift Tang Seng’s arm.
Wukong glanced at Feng Tong and then at Ksitigarbha, at a loss for what to do.
Ksitigarbha shook his head and said to Wukong, “It’s useless.”
Wukong demanded, “What’s going on? Who cast this spell?”
Suddenly, the Nine-Ring Cane moved, shocking everyone present. Only then did the Bull Demon King recover his senses. Pointing at Guanyin, he shouted, “It’s her! It’s her!”
At that moment, Wu Zhiqi also arrived in a hurry, hearing what the Bull Demon King said. Without saying a word, he charged at Guanyin like a madman. Guanyin defended herself for a while, and then Wang Yu and the Clever Divine Apes arrived like thunder and wind, joining the battle immediately.
Mu Shen Jumang, Jiuling Yuansheng, and the Bull Demon King leaped into the air, surrounding Guanyin tightly.
Guanyin smiled bitterly, feeling utterly despondent.

She suddenly remembered the words spoken by the Tathagata: “Those who fail to recognize the times and dare to oppose me—I will teach everyone in the world to oppose them!” Wasn’t she exactly in such a situation? The third message the Tathagata had instructed Anuo to pass on to her, she also understood at this moment. “Once you return to the Spirit Mountain, you will become a Buddha!” Not understanding, she summoned her nine-ring staff; now, with the whole world as her enemy, where else could she go but the Spirit Mountain? Enough, enough—Avalokiteshvara must find a way to escape and head straight for the Spirit Mountain. Just then, Wukong shouted, “Stop!” Although Wu Zhiqi, Wang Yu, and the clever divine ape were filled with anger, they stopped as well. Wukong told them to go down, then stood in front of Avalokiteshvara, looking at this greatly revered Bodhisattva of great compassion, his heart filled with even deeper sorrow. Avalokiteshvara, you claim to be clever, but aren’t you also trapped in the Tathagata’s scheme? But now was certainly not the time for reflection. Wukong only wanted to uncover the secret of the Creation-Connecting Staff to see if there was a way to solve it. Though he knew Avalokiteshvara didn’t know much, even a clue would help. Wukong said, “Bodhisattva, we share the same plight. The one who started this is the Tathagata—can’t you see that?” Avalokiteshvara replied, “Don’t talk nonsense. How could the Buddha make a mistake?” Wukong was surprised; he thought Avalokiteshvara shared the same view, but instead, she defended the Tathagata. Looking at her expression, though stern and serious, her eyes revealed panic and helplessness. Wukong immediately understood that Avalokiteshvara wasn’t unaware that the Tathagata was using her—she was afraid! She had been intimidated by the Tathagata’s tactics and no longer dared speak ill of him. How tragic! Realizing the crux of the matter, Wukong said, “What is the secret of this nine-ring staff? Tell me, and I’ll ensure your safety!” Avalokiteshvara was first shocked, then openly expressed her admiration for Wukong, saying, “Among all people in this world, aside from the Tathagata, you are the second person who earns my respect. Your cunning is profound; it’s laughable that I still treated you as a junior.” Wukong replied, “Bodhisattva, you overpraise me. I simply act according to my conscience, regardless of merits or faults, as long as I have no regrets.” After pondering for a while, Avalokiteshvara finally transmitted her thoughts, “I’m grateful that you’re willing to ensure my safety. But I truly don’t understand this nine-ring staff. Even the incantation was taught to me by the Tathagata—how could he possibly reveal its secrets to me?” Wukong thought about it and agreed—it was true. Avalokiteshvara was merely a tool in the Tathagata’s hands, so it was natural she couldn’t grasp the essence. Thus, Wukong said, “Then tell me what the incantation is. I’ll go find someone to decipher it.”

Avalokiteshvara hesitated not for a moment and passed on the incantations to control the nine-ring staff to Wukong. Wukong wrote them down, bowed deeply to her in gratitude, and said, “Bodhisattva, out of your compassion, since I promised to keep you safe, I will surely keep my word.”

Avalokiteshvara shook her head and said, “I have done many wrong deeds in recent years. Any consequences are well-deserved. I will return to the South Sea now and never enter the world again. Those with grudges against me may come to seek me at any time.”

Wukong was surprised by such a drastic change in Avalokiteshvara and said, “Bodhisattva, the Tathagata is called the ruler of the world, but in truth he is nothing but a deceiver. I can entrust the Three Pure Ones to protect you; they surely won’t dare trouble you again.”

Avalokiteshvara smiled bitterly and said, “Whether I live or die, it no longer matters.” With that, she turned eastward. After walking a short distance, she stopped, turned back to Wukong, and said, “You’re right—just follow your heart.”

Wukong didn’t have time to pay attention to what Avalokiteshvara said. He saw Tang Seng walking westward like a puppet, step by step. From the way he moved, it seemed that even if Tang Seng fell asleep, his body would not stop.

As soon as Tang Seng took a step westward, the confusion in Wukong’s heart vanished. If Tang Seng resisted even slightly, Wukong felt extreme discomfort. The other divine apes—Fengtong, Wuzhiqi, and the rest—felt the same, seemingly even more suffering than he did. Even Ksitigarbha and Diting were affected.

Wukong couldn’t help but sigh inwardly—“The connection between all things is truly as legendary as it is said!”

If Tang Seng continued to walk step by step toward the Western Heaven, according to the calculations of Xuan Nu, Yuan Shi Tianzun, and others, the essence of Pangu’s creation would eventually escape, which would be a major event in the world.

Wukong didn’t dare delay. He landed on the ground and gave instructions to everyone: ask the Qilin to return to Qitianling to guard the territory; let Ksitigarbha, Diting, Dayu, Houyi, and Fengtong protect Tang Seng; the rest of the divine apes should follow the Qilin back to Qitianling to await orders. The Bull Demon King, Jiu Ling Yuan Sheng, and the Three Gods of Fire, Wood, and Metal should remain at Shituo Ridge, ready to respond to any emergencies.

After arranging everything, Wukong headed straight for the Jade Pure Palace in the Qingwei Heaven.

Xuan Nu had already known that Wukong would come here. She had also seen clearly how Wukong interacted with Avalokiteshvara earlier. Apart from this, there seemed to be no better solution. Avalokiteshvara would only follow orders, and killing her would be useless.

Yuan Shi took Wukong into the inner chamber, and the three sat down to talk.

Xuan Nu said, “Wukong has taken a step toward becoming a sage—what joyous news!”

Wukong replied, “I must also thank the elders. It was Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha who helped me achieve sainthood. I wonder how much of his creation energy was used for this.”

Yuan Shi laughed and said, “That wasn’t his creation energy at all. It was the twopeachpeaches I gave him.”

Wukong suddenly understood. No wonder that power of creation was so pure. With these two peaches, he must have eaten six or seven in total. Wukong had intended to use it after achieving sainthood, but he really didn’t feel like it at the moment. He said, “Guanyin has given me the incantation to control the Rod of Creation and Connection. My two elders, please take a look and see if there’s any way to break it.” Not daring to recite it in front of them for fear it might still affect the Rod of Creation and Connection, he transmitted the incantation to Yuan Shi and Xuan Nu. After hearing it, the two fell into deep thought.