Volume 4: The Revelation Unveiled Chapter 442: Great Compassion
When Wu Kong saw the Dragon Maiden, he felt a strange sensation. Every time he saw her, he would think of Bodhisattva Nagarjuna. The Dragon Maiden seemed like a thread that always triggered memories of his past life.
The Dragon Maiden and Wu Kong gazed at each other on Mount Luojia. The old turtle, Wu Ping, looked from one to the other, confused. The Dragon Maiden’s gaze was like a clear spring, allowing Wu Kong to wander and linger in it.
After a long while, Wu Kong woke up from this dreamlike state and asked, “Dragon Maiden, where is Avalokiteshvara now?” The Dragon Maiden was startled, her face turning slightly red, and said, “The Bodhisattva is in the Purple Bamboo Forest. Shall I lead the Great Sage there?” With that, she turned and left.
Wu Kong followed behind, puzzled. It was strange that someone with his level of cultivation could experience such a dazed state. He followed her, passing several stone slabs and then in front of a lotus throne… Huh? How did he end up in such a strange place?
In front of him was a grand hall, with only two people inside. Sitting on the throne was the Great Emperor Zhenwu, while beside him, holding a gold-inlaid jade box and smiling at him, was the Dragon Maiden.
Wu Kong remembered—it was the scene where Nagarjuna went to the Dragon Palace to retrieve treasures. The last time he had entered this dream, it was also in the South Sea. Could this be a continuation of that dream?
Zhenwu said, “The Buddha of Light said this scripture was meant for those destined to receive it. Giving it to you must be the right choice.”
Wu Kong paid close attention. He took the jade box, opened it, and found a scroll of scriptures inside. After unfolding it, he read it from beginning to end and memorized it silently.
Zhenwu said, “This scripture should be passed on to the world.”
With just those words, Wu Kong felt clarity in his mind. He returned to Mount Putuo Luojia. What had just happened? Apart from memorizing the scriptures, he gained nothing else. But these were the very scriptures Nagarjuna had used to spread Buddhism. Although he couldn’t grasp many of their mysteries at the moment, he could ask later.
The Dragon Maiden glanced back at Wu Kong and said, “Hurry up.” Her tone was as if calling a neighbor’s boy, without any distance between them. Wu Kong sighed and followed.
In no time, they entered the Purple Bamboo Forest. The Dragon Maiden said, “Avalokiteshvara is inside. Go and look for her.” Wu Kong was puzzled—why didn’t she take him directly to Avalokiteshvara? The Dragon Maiden replied, “Avalokiteshvara already knew you would come.”
Wukong wondered secretly how Guanyin could possess such abilities. If she truly had such divine foresight, why would she be used by Tathagata? Full of doubts, Wukong entered the Purple Bamboo Forest, passed through layers of obstacles, and saw Guanyin dressed in black robes, her snow-white skin contrasting sharply, sitting in the bamboo grove weaving baskets from bamboo strips. Dozens of them lay scattered around her.
Wukong said with a smile, “It’s truly enviable that the Great Lady has such leisure time.”
Guanyin didn’t even lift her head, continuing to weave the baskets. “Leisure days eventually end. Isn’t that why you’ve come?”
Wukong examined Guanyin closely and was astonished. She had originally only reached the peak of the Hunyuan Golden Immortal realm, but now she had attained the status of a saint. Not much time had passed since Tang Seng’s death, so how could she have progressed so rapidly?
Wukong said, “It’s wonderful to see the Great Lady’s cultivation advance so much.”
Guanyin replied, “It’s nothing. I’m still not as good as you.”
Wukong asked, “How could the Great Lady predict my arrival?” Guanyin usually wore white robes, but today she was dressed in black, which seemed strange to Wukong.
Guanyin said, “Even if you hadn’t come today, you would have returned tomorrow.”
Hearing Guanyin’s words, which held a Zen-like meaning, Wukong said, “Is it my mind that’s restless, or is it the Great Lady’s?”
Guanyin didn’t answer. She raised her head and glanced at Wukong, saying, “You really did a great job forcing Tathagata into the Western Liang Women’s Kingdom.”
Wukong said, “The Great Lady seems to know everything in the world. It seems your heart is hard to detach from worldly affairs.”
Guanyin sighed, “Everyone knows about this matter… But you’re right. Though I desire to transcend the world, it’s impossible. It’s all just self-deception.”
Wukong said, “If that’s the case, would the Great Lady help me with one thing?”
Guanyin smiled and said, “We’re not related. Why ask me?”
Wukong apologized with a smile, “It’s because no one else can handle this task.”
Guanyin snapped, “That’s a very high compliment. I can’t bear it. You have many skilled warriors at Qitianling, along with Zhenwu, Ziwei, and the Three Pure Ones to assist you. If it weren’t an extremely troublesome matter, would you have come to me?”
Wukong asked, “Does the Bodhisattva not know about what happened in the Buddhist Hell a few days ago?”
“Oh? What happened in the Buddhist Hell?” Guanyin asked.
It was only a matter of time before Guanyin found out anyway. It was better to be honest and show openness. So Wukong explained in detail how everyone had entered the Buddhist Hell twice, how the Phoenix was killed, and how Randeng was defeated.
Hearing that Randeng had died and the Three Pure Ones were knocked unconscious, Guanyin’s expression changed drastically. She said, “Tathagata hid this so well? Who exactly is that Muli Bodhisattva, and where did those white jade palms come from?”
Wukong said, “I’ll explain these matters to the Great Bodhisattva in detail later. Though the Three Pure Ones are injured, the Buddhist realm and hell are not in a better situation either—they won’t be able to move for a hundred years.” Wukong deliberately left some suspense to pique Guanyin’s interest.
How could Guanyin not know? She said solemnly, “I never expected that the world is far from what I thought.”
Wukong asked, “What did you think it was like?”
Guanyin replied, “The world is just the world. How many people dare to question it?”
Wukong nodded. Most people thought in that way—seeing the world as supreme and themselves as mere beings living within it, they took it for granted and never doubted anything about it. But Tathagata was originally from beyond the heavens, so naturally, he had no reverence for this world.
Guanyin asked, “What do you want me to do? Just say it.”
Wukong said, “The Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother in the heavenly court are actually part of Tathagata’s faction. But after holding the positions of supreme rulers for so long, they inevitably start to act strangely. Tathagata sent his subordinates to destroy the netherworld. I’m sure the Great Bodhisattva is aware of this. To gather resources, the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother are now rebuilding the netherworld and seeking treasures from the ten continents and three islands in the southeastern seas. I want to disrupt this plan. What do you think?”
Guanyin smiled and said, “Why play tricks on me? You ask what I think? If you want to do it, then go ahead.”
Wukong replied, “The Bodhisattva doesn’t know—if I intervene, it will involve many people. That’s why I’ve come to ask you for help.”
Guanyin thought for a moment and asked, “What’s the benefit?”
Wukong was momentarily stunned before saying, “Great Bodhisattva Guanyin, full of compassion—this matter concerns the world itself. Could there be a greater benefit than that?”
Guanyin stood up and dropped the bamboo basket in her hand. She said to Wukong, “You’re right. I am indeed the Great Bodhisattva Guanyin, full of compassion. I no longer live for empty titles.”
Guanyin walked away, and Wukong followed. Suddenly, she turned back and said, “You are a wise and intelligent monkey. I don’t understand matters of creation. This time I trust you, but don’t try to deceive me.”
Wukong replied, “Of course not.”
The two left the Purple Bamboo Forest and arrived near the island of Luojia Mountain. Guanyin waved her hand, and the pure vase on the old turtle Wu Ping’s back came into her hands. She said to Wukong, “If you don’t give up, you can still pretend to be my disciple. All the treasures of the South Sea will now belong to Luojia Mountain.”
Wukong was overjoyed. He transformed into the appearance of Xingzhe Muzha, and the two lightly climbed onto Wu Ping’s back. Guanyin said, “Let’s head to Changzhou Island first.”
What Wukong feared most was that Guanyin might have become disheartened after the last incident and lost her will to fight. But today, it seemed that after the incident with Tang Seng, Guanyin’s realm had greatly improved. The hypocritical and opportunistic Guanyin of before had now become a truly compassionate Great Bodhisattva—wasn’t that a blessing for the world?
Wukong glanced back casually and saw the Dragon Maiden standing on the shore, her beautiful eyes uncertain whether they were fixed on Wukong or Guanyin, until she watched their figures disappear before lowering her gaze.
Changzhou Island was the residence of the Southern Pole Immortal. Having taken over the position of the Lord of Yama, he pretended to be magnanimous and offered this island to the Heavenly Court.
Before reaching Changzhou Island, they saw heavenly soldiers and generals shuttling about above, busy on the island.
When Guanyin arrived above Changzhou Island, some of the generals recognized her. Though surprised, they still stepped forward to greet her. Guanyin simply said, “Nothing on this island may be disturbed. You may go.”
After hearing this, the generals were stunned for a while before recovering. What was Guanyin Bodhisattva planning? Was she going to defy the Heavenly Court? They glanced at her expression timidly, not daring to say a word, and quickly gathered all the precious herbs and elixirs they had collected, leaving the island silently.
Wukong, however, was unreserved. He stepped forward and took these treasures for himself, then walked around the island, saying with a laugh, “The Southern Pole Immortal doesn’t seem to have much.”
Guanyin replied, “Good things would never be left for the Jade Emperor.”
Wukong said, “With all this commotion, the Heavenly Court will send people here soon.”
Guanyin snapped, “Need you to say? Isn’t this exactly causing trouble?”
After leaving Changzhou Island, the two continued their journey to Penglai Island on the old turtle.
Penglai Island was quiet, seemingly untouched by the Heavenly Court yet. When Guanyin landed on the island, the Gods of Fortune and Prosperity rushed forward, saying, “What a rare visit! It’s not easy for the Bodhisattva to come this far.”
Guanyin replied indifferently, “With such a short route, what’s difficult about it?”
Seeing the unfriendly tone in Guanyin’s voice, the two elders forced even wider smiles and said, “We’ve just picked some fine tea. Please taste it, Bodhisattva.” Guanyin said, “Stop calling me Bodhisattva.” She turned to Wukong and said, “Collect all the treasures on this island.”
Wukong replied respectfully, “Yes!”
The God of Fortune was shocked and said, “Guanyin… what do you mean by this?”
Guanyin turned her head away, staring at the clouds in the distance, ignoring the God of Fortune.
The Gods of Fortune and Prosperity naturally knew of Guanyin’s power. Even together, they couldn’t match her. Panicked, the God of Fortune asked, “Are you trying to rebel?”
Guanyin sneered, “I’m alone, with no one to answer to. Who do you think I’m rebelling against?”
The God of Prosperity said, “All under heaven belongs to the king—”
Just then, someone in the sky called out, “Bodhisattva Guanyin! The Jade Emperor and Empress invite you!”
Guanyin looked up and saw two figures approaching from the sky—one was the God of Gouchen, and the other was the ruler of all the islands in the Ten Continents and Three Islands—the Eastern Emperor. It seemed the Jade Emperor had received word and immediately sent someone to handle this matter.
The God of Gou Chen descended and saw Mu Zha, disguised as Wukong, plundering wildly on Penglai Island. Frowning, he still spoke politely to Guanyin, “The Jade Emperor has summoned me.” Guanyin replied, “I’m busy.”