Volume 4: The Revelation Unveiled Chapters 445: The True and False Buddha Wukong certainly didn’t care about the God of Relieving Suffering, but Guanyin acted faster. Her willow whip shot out like a serpent emerging from its den, aiming swiftly at the God of Relieving Suffering. He hurriedly pulled back to save himself. Meanwhile, the God of Gou Chen shouted, “Form the formation!” Thus, the 108 generals of the Thunder Army—the Messengers of the Five Thunder, the Generals of the Five Directions, the Great Generals of Cloud and Thunder, and the Messengers of the Barbarian Thunder—raced across heaven and earth, surrounding Wukong and Guanyin in the center. The clear sky instantly turned purplish-red. The thunder generals each held magical weapons—Jade Pivot Thunder, Taiyi Thunder, Shenshao Thunder, Fiery Wind Thunder, Iron Armor Thunder, Fire Cloud Thunder…—and threw them like fireworks. Back then, after Zhu Bajie had secretly attempted to assassinate Tang Seng, he lived in constant fear. He knew he had caused serious trouble and was worried that the Buddhists would come after him. One day, the Eastern Emperor went to heaven to report the incident. Upon returning, he came angrily to seek Bajie, determined to sacrifice him to save the rest. But as soon as he saw Bajie, he was overwhelmed by an unbearable stench that seemed to emanate from his very bones. Even from ten zhang away, the Eastern Emperor could hardly bear it. With his great powers, the Eastern Emperor could easily tell that Bajie had been subjected to some dark magic similar to the Seven Arrows of Nailheads. Hmph! Which Taoist would go to such lengths to torment this pig? It must be the Buddhists, forcing him to live in a state of neither life nor death. Seeing his condition, it was even worse than killing him. The Eastern Emperor spat in hatred and left without caring about Bajie’s cries of “Master, save me!” After that, Zhu Bajie, covered in stench, could hardly move on Fangzhang Island. Wherever he went, people would avoid him, staying at least ten or eight li away. Abandoned by all, he eventually saw everyone on the island as enemies. Yet he dared not leave, as the Ten Continents and Three Islands were still relatively safer. The stench persisted for over two years before gradually dissipating. Unaware of this, on the roof of the horse stable in the Black Chicken Kingdom, a clay figure stuffed between two tiles was finally washed away by heavy rain, and a pig’s tail hair fell out. After enduring this unbearable stench, Bajie’s temperament became even more peculiar. He ignored anyone who spoke to him and harbored deep, unfounded hatred toward the people in heaven. His life had been full of hardships—he had endured being a disciple, experienced glory as a marshal, and lived as a demon, relying on others. He understood the coldness of the world best. When he was a marshal in heaven, everyone flattered him; even after turning into a pig, he remained the second disciple chosen by Guanyin for the pilgrimage, holding a prestigious status.
In contrast, his time on Fangzhang Island was the loneliest and most helpless period of his life—how could he not hate it?
One day, the Eastern Emperor summoned many masters from Fangzhang Island, including Zhu Bajie. Naturally, Zhu Bajie dared not disobey. Upon arriving at Yingzhou Island, seeing that his opponent was Guanyin, he felt a bit more hopeful.
He had turned against them before because he knew well the power of the Xuanyuan Bow. Seeing Guanyin use a weak bamboo stick to block the Eastern Emperor’s full-force arrow, he became delusively eager to return to Buddhism. Bajie’s mind was already not very sharp, and after years of stench, he became even more foolish and single-minded.
Now, seeing the Tian Gang Di Sha Purple Thunder Formation deployed, Bajie knew it was formidable and cried, “Bodhisattva, save me!”
Guanyin also did not dare underestimate this formation and had no time to deal with Zhu Bajie. Countless bolts of lightning struck the Upper Treasure Golden Halberd, turning Marshal Tian Peng into ashes—even his soul could not escape.
Wukong wanted to save him, but if he rescued this fool, not only would his own strength be exposed, but he would also struggle to handle the consequences later. If it hadn’t been for a series of coincidences, Fengmeng would have long been reincarnated, losing memories of his past life. Now, trying to please Guanyin, he ended up trapped in the thunder formation—it was like seeking death. He decided to let him fend for himself.
Seeing the thunderstorms descending, Guanyin took out a bamboo basket and skillfully wove it into a green bamboo shield, covering herself and Wukong inside. Thousands of bolts of lightning struck the thin bamboo strips, bending several of them almost to the point of breaking.
Guanyin frowned slightly, dipped her hand into the Pure Bottle, and with a swirl, spread a curtain of water over the bamboo shield. Thunder became water, and the lightning was completely neutralized by the weak water.
Wukong, watching the dense purple lightning outside the water curtain, felt heartache. If only he were not disguised as Mu Zha now—he could easily use the Tianji Stick to deal a decisive blow and then retaliate in kind. How satisfying that would be!
Wukong said, “When will this ever end? Aren’t we trapped?”
Guanyin replied, “I certainly don’t care about this thunder formation. It wouldn’t take much effort to get out.”
Wukong asked, “Then why stay here?”
“Gou Chen can’t do anything to me now. He must invite others to help. Either way, it’s a battle. Let’s first exhaust the lightning power of the Thunder Deities.” With that, Guanyin closed her eyes and sat down. Amid the roaring thunder and flashing lightning, she entered meditation.
Wukong used the secrets of the Mysterious Sky Art to peer through the water curtain and observe this formation—the Tian Gang Di Sha Purple Thunder Formation. Its name sounded quite impressive, but in Wukong’s eyes, its power was extremely simple. It wouldn’t take much effort for him to break through it. He was no longer the Sun Wukong who had been trapped under the Five Elements Mountain back then.
Yet, with such confidence, did Guanyin really not fear that some skilled warrior from the Heavenly Court might capture her? Wukong pondered secretly. Zhenwu and Ziwei, knowing of this, surely wouldn’t intervene to help the Heavenly Court. And if the treasures in the Ten Continents and Three Islands were extremely important to the Heavenly Court, how could the Jade Emperor just give up? It seemed possible that today he might witness the hidden strength of the Heavenly Court.
Thinking of this, Wukong felt somewhat worried. The Heavenly Court had ruled the realm of gods for so long—could Guanyin really withstand any true master who emerged?
With that in mind, Wukong created a fake form and used a teleportation technique to emerge from the bottom of Yingzhou Island and head straight for Ling Mountain.
Soon he arrived at Ling Mountain, where a monk in yellow welcomed him inside. In Maitreya Hall, Venerable Maitreya sat upright. Seeing Wukong, he said, “You’ve caused trouble again.”
Wukong laughed, “Just minor trouble, minor trouble.” He explained why he had caused trouble in the Ten Continents and Three Islands. Maitreya laughed and said, “You never seem to settle down. Just after causing trouble in the Buddhist hell, now you’re targeting the Heavenly Court.”
Wukong replied, “They’re all worthless. I’ve already dragged Guanyin down with me.”
“Guanyin? A Great Lady?” Maitreya was slightly surprised, then murmured, “A Bodhisattva, a Great Lady… It seems Guanyin has finally begun to aspire to Buddhahood.”
Wukong didn’t quite understand and asked, “Guanyin said there’s no longer a Bodhisattva Guanyin on Lujia Mountain, only a Great Lady Guanyin. What’s the difference?”
Maitreya replied, “A Bodhisattva is one who has awakened compassion for sentient beings, while a Great Lady has achieved supreme enlightenment.”
“Oh? So Guanyin isn’t leaving Buddhism but rather advancing further in it.”
Maitreya laughed and asked, “Why would she leave Buddhism?”
Wukong was momentarily speechless. Seeing the Buddha treat human lives as worthless and treat sentient beings like fish, Buddhism naturally seemed like great evil in his eyes. It was Guanyin who saw through this and thus called herself a Great Lady.
He glanced at the inch-long hair that had grown on Maitreya’s head and said, “Venerable Maitreya, why are you growing hair again? Aren’t you planning to leave Buddhism?” Wukong remembered that Ran Deng had said he wanted to grow hair and return to the secular world. If he had returned to the secular world, wouldn’t that mean he had nothing to do with Buddhism anymore?
Maitreya replied, “You really aren’t Ran Deng’s disciple! Haven’t you heard the saying that a true Buddha grows hair and enters the world? Ran Deng the Buddha once said that there are true and false people, and the same goes for Buddhas!”
Ah, I see! Wukong suddenly understood—Lan Deng growing hair wasn’t an abandonment of Buddhism but a way to distinguish himself from the bald Buddha in order to identify the genuine from the fake. In that case, if Lan Deng’s faction considered themselves the true Buddhas, then Tathagata would be the fake Buddha? Wukong thought for a while but couldn’t see the meaning of it, so he gave up. At this moment, Guanyin was still in the Purple Thunder Formation, and it was unclear which gods from the Heavenly Court would come to rescue her; it was urgent to send reinforcements. Wukong said, “Guanyin the Great is currently in the Purple Thunder Formation in Gou Chen. Fearing that the Heavenly Court might still have reinforcements, she has come to ask for help.” Maitreya asked, “How so?” “What do you mean, ‘how so’?” Wukong was confused. “If you want me to fall out with the Heavenly Court, I need a reason.” Wukong thought for a while. Guanyin claimed to have been sent by Tathagata Buddha and had already deceived the gods of the Heavenly Court. Moreover, everyone knew that Tathagata had escaped from Ling Mountain, so Maitreya naturally couldn’t use Tathagata’s name anymore. Wukong said, “Just say that all natural treasures are available for anyone to take—this will surely confuse the Heavenly Court.” Maitreya laughed heartily and said, “You monkey, isn’t this just being dishonest?” He thought seriously for a moment and then said, “If we’re going to fight, what excuse do we need? Just attack directly.” So Maitreya gathered the ten great masters of Ling Mountain and followed Wukong to the Ten Continents and Three Islands. As they approached Yingzhou, they saw the Purple Thunder Formation of Heavenly Heroes and Earthly Fiends still in place, with an old Taoist priest with completely white hair standing atop it. With just a quick glance, Wukong knew this priest was no ordinary person. He asked Maitreya, “Who is that? Do you recognize him?” Maitreya shook his head and said, “I live in seclusion and rarely go out; how could I know strangers?” The priest held up a piece of multicolored glow, some kind of magical artifact, standing alone in the Purple Thunder Formation. It was clear he was waiting for Guanyin to emerge. Wukong used a stealth technique to enter the formation and took on Mu Zha’s body. He wasn’t worried that the old priest would discover him—given his mastery of the five elements, fewer and fewer people could see through him now. When Guanyin saw Wukong return, she smiled and asked, “Did you go to get reinforcements?” Wukong replied, “Of course we can’t let the Great suffer a loss.” Guanyin said, “I’m afraid bringing reinforcements this time will be useless. Do you know who that man outside is?” Hearing Guanyin’s tone, Wukong realized the old priest seemed extremely powerful. He asked, “Who is it?” “That is one of the Five Elders of Taoism, the Green Spirit Primordial Emperor,” Guanyin replied seriously. “Huh? I’ve never heard of him.” “Hmph, that’s because you’re ignorant. In Taoism, these five are as famous as the Three Pure Ones. I’ve only heard of them; I’ve never met them personally, but judging from their appearance, it must be them,” Guanyin answered.
Wukong laughed and said, “I didn’t expect even the Great Goddess Guanyin to have moments of fear. Surely, even if you join forces with Venerable Maitreya, he’s still not your match?” Upon hearing the name of Venerable Maitreya, Guanyin became slightly distracted and said, “No need. I’ll give it a try first!” With that, Guanyin took Wukong and the green bamboo cover and flew out of the Purple Thunder Formation.