Chapter 716 A Meeting
“You detestable lich, I finally know what you’re up to. You want to lure me here and swallow me to absorb my power, right?” Erlang Shen’s beard bristled with anger, his eyes wide as he stared directly at Sun Wukong.
“Huh? Are you crazy? You idiot, when did I ever say I was going to swallow you and absorb your power?” Sun Wukong wondered if Erlang Shen’s brain had become waterlogged. What kind of logic was this?
Erlang Shen’s face was full of rage. He said, “Humph, stop playing dumb. Your demonic energy is very strong, you are definitely a lich. I’ll fight you to the death!” With that, Erlang Shen brandished his three-pointed, double-edged blade and slashed at Sun Wukong.
Sun Wukong knew Erlang Shen had misunderstood. He didn’t bother to explain, as it was too troublesome. Sun Wukong directly took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang and blocked Erlang Shen’s three-pointed, double-edged blade with one strike.
“You little brat, you’re quite strong, but you’re still no match for me.” Sun Wukong looked at Erlang Shen with disdain.
Erlang Shen let out an angry roar and swung his three-pointed, double-edged blade at Sun Wukong again.
Sun Wukong dodged with a flash and then smashed his staff towards Erlang Shen’s head.
Erlang Shen hastily raised his three-pointed, double-edged blade to block. With a “bang,” Erlang Shen was sent flying back dozens of steps, and he felt his tiger’s mouth split open.
Erlang Shen took a deep breath, his heart filled with shock. Just how strong was this lich? He had actually forced him to retreat.
“Humph, brat, aren’t you very good at fighting? Why do you only have this much strength?” Sun Wukong taunted Erlang Shen with a smile.
“Don’t get cocky, I’ll fight you again!” Erlang Shen brandished his three-pointed, double-edged blade and attacked Sun Wukong again. The two of them started fighting again.
Although Sun Wukong’s strength was far superior to Erlang Shen’s, he did not use lethal force. Sun Wukong knew that Erlang Shen was the Jade Emperor’s nephew, and if he were to kill him, the Jade Emperor would surely find trouble with him.
Erlang Shen became more alarmed the more he fought. He discovered that the lich’s strength was even more formidable than he had imagined. Erlang Shen secretly thought, “This lich’s magical power is very strange. It seems to be a Buddhist technique, but it doesn’t quite seem like it.” Erlang Shen retreated as he fought.
“What, are you scared?” Sun Wukong looked at Erlang Shen and let out a cold snort.
“Humph, who’s afraid of you?” Erlang Shen denied it verbally, but his body was honest. He had already begun to retreat.
Erlang Shen thought for a moment and said, “Lich, you wait for me, I’m going to get reinforcements. I’ll deal with you when I get back!” After speaking, Erlang Shen rode a auspicious cloud and fled.
Sun Wukong smiled and did not pursue him. Sun Wukong thought to himself, “Erlang Shen, Erlang Shen, your reason for running away is really pathetic. Going to get reinforcements, finding help. Did you really think I couldn’t see that you just couldn’t beat me and wanted to run away?”
Sun Wukong looked in the direction Erlang Shen had fled and muttered to himself, “Erlang Shen, go back and get people. I’ll be waiting for you.” After speaking, Sun Wukong flew back to Mount Huaguo.
Erlang Shen fled to the Lingxiao Treasure Hall and knelt before the Jade Emperor, recounting the matter of Sun Wukong in full detail. “Your Majesty, that lich has high magic power, and your humble subject is not his opponent. I beg Your Majesty to send someone to deal with him,” Erlang Shen said.
The Jade Emperor’s expression turned ashen upon hearing Erlang Shen’s words. He said, “Good for you, Erlang Shen. You can’t even deal with a lich. What kind of God of War are you?” Erlang Shen lowered his head, not daring to speak.
The Jade Emperor then looked at Taibai Jinxing and asked, “Taibai Jinxing, who do you think is most suitable to deal with that lich?” Taibai Jinxing thought for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, I think the Tathagata Buddha is most suitable.”
The Jade Emperor frowned and said, “The Tathagata Buddha is a member of the Buddhist sect. Will he help us deal with that lich?” Taibai Jinxing said, “Your Majesty, the Tathagata Buddha also has a grudge against that lich. As long as you give him some benefits, he will definitely help you.” The Jade Emperor then asked Erlang Shen, “Erlang Shen, what do you think?” Erlang Shen said, “Your humble subject believes that Taibai Jinxing’s words are reasonable.”
The Jade Emperor nodded and said, “Alright, then let Taibai Jinxing invite the Tathagata Buddha.” Taibai Jinxing received the order and rode an auspicious cloud to invite the Tathagata Buddha.
The Tathagata Buddha was lecturing on Mount Ling when he suddenly felt a powerful demonic aura. The Tathagata Buddha calculated with his fingers and immediately understood what was happening. The Tathagata Buddha let out a cold snort and said, “Humph, this mischievous monkey is causing trouble again.”
As soon as the Tathagata Buddha finished speaking, Taibai Jinxing arrived at Mount Ling. Taibai Jinxing bowed to the Tathagata Buddha and said, “Greetings, Tathagata Buddha.” The Tathagata Buddha nodded and said, “Taibai Jinxing, why have you come to find me?” Taibai Jinxing said, “Tathagata Buddha, there is a lich on Mount Huaguo in the East Continent. He has high magic power, and Erlang Shen is not his opponent. Therefore, the Jade Emperor has specifically sent me to invite the Tathagata Buddha to come out and deal with that lich.”
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Good, I understand. You may return first.” After Taibai Jinxing left, the Tathagata Buddha summoned Kasyapa and Ananda and said, “You two go quickly and invite the Bodhisattvas and Arhats to subdue that mischievous monkey.” Kasyapa and Ananda received the order and went to invite people. Not long after, the Bodhisattvas and Arhats of Mount Ling all arrived at the Grand Hall.
The Tathagata Buddha looked at everyone and said, “Everyone, the mischievous monkey on Mount Huaguo is causing trouble again. You will accompany me to subdue him.” Everyone said in unison, “We respectfully obey the Buddha’s decree.” The Tathagata Buddha led everyone and flew mightily towards Mount Huaguo.
Mount Huaguo. Sun Wukong was lying asleep under the waterfall of Mount Huaguo when he suddenly heard a world-shattering roar. Sun Wukong gave one jolt and sat up. He looked up and saw that the sky was covered in a golden light, and countless Buddhist disciples were flying towards Mount Huaguo. Sun Wukong’s heart stirred, and he thought to himself, “These guys are actually here to cause trouble for me. They really don’t know their place.”
Sun Wukong stood up, took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang, pointed at the Buddhist disciples in the sky, and shouted, “You bald donkeys, what are you doing in my Mount Huaguo?”
The Tathagata Buddha looked at Sun Wukong and said, “Mischievous monkey, you have caused trouble time and time again. Today, I have specifically come to subdue you.”
Sun Wukong smiled and said, “Tathagata Buddha, stop pretending. You don’t want to subdue me; you want to get some benefits from me.”
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, do not speak nonsense. I am the supreme being of Buddhism, how could I covet your benefits?”
Sun Wukong said, “Since you are not coveting my benefits, why don’t you deal with me yourself, but instead bring so many people?” The Tathagata Buddha was stumped by Sun Wukong’s question and was speechless, not knowing how to answer. Sun Wukong chuckled inwardly, thinking, “Tathagata Buddha, you have your day too.”
Sun Wukong shouted, “You bald donkeys, all of you listen to me. I am Sun Wukong, the Handsome Monkey King of Mount Huaguo. If you want to fight me, then come on. I, Sun Wukong, will accompany you to the end!” After speaking, Sun Wukong brandished his Ruyi Jingu Bang and charged towards the Tathagata Buddha.
The Tathagata Buddha let out a cold snort and said, “Mischievous monkey, you are too arrogant.” After speaking, the Tathagata Buddha took out his golden alms bowl and threw it at Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong dodged with a flash and then smashed his staff towards the Tathagata Buddha. The Tathagata Buddha hastily summoned a sarira to block. With a “bang,” the sarira was struck and flew backward, and the Tathagata Buddha also retreated a few steps. The Tathagata Buddha was greatly surprised; this monkey’s strength had actually improved again.
The Tathagata Buddha let out a cold snort and said, “Mischievous monkey, do you think you can escape?” After speaking, the Tathagata Buddha summoned the sarira again and hurled it at Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong dodged again and smashed his staff towards the Tathagata Buddha once more. The Tathagata Buddha was furious; this was the first time he had encountered such a difficult opponent.
The Tathagata Buddha shouted, “Kasyapa, Ananda, quickly come and help me!” Hearing the Tathagata Buddha’s call, Kasyapa and Ananda rushed to attack Sun Wukong. Sun Wukong let out a cold snort and said, “You shrimp and crab soldiers dare to oppose me?” Sun Wukong brandished his Ruyi Jingu Bang and sent Kasyapa and Ananda flying. Kasyapa and Ananda fell to the ground in disarray, spitting blood, their hearts filled with shock. They did not expect Sun Wukong’s strength to be so formidable that even the two of them combined were no match for him.
Sun Wukong looked at the Tathagata Buddha and said, “Tathagata Buddha, what other moves do you have? Bring them out. I, Sun Wukong, will accompany you to the end.” The Tathagata Buddha’s expression turned ashen; he knew he was no match for Sun Wukong. The Tathagata Buddha glanced at Mount Huaguo beside him and had an idea.
The Tathagata Buddha said to Sun Wukong, “Mischievous monkey, do you dare to make a bet with me? If I can escape from Mount Huaguo, will you give Mount Huaguo to me?”
Sun Wukong smiled and said, “Tathagata Buddha, are you kidding me? Do you think you can escape from Mount Huaguo?”
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Do you dare to bet?”
Sun Wukong said, “What is there to not dare to bet on?”
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Good, then it’s a deal.” After speaking, the Tathagata Buddha rode an auspicious cloud and flew towards the outside of Mount Huaguo.
Sun Wukong looked at the retreating figure of the Tathagata Buddha and chuckled inwardly, “Tathagata Buddha, you old fox, trying to renege.” Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang and smashed it towards the Tathagata Buddha. The Tathagata Buddha was struck and fell from the sky. He scrambled to his feet in disarray, his heart filled with rage.
“Mischievous monkey, you broke your promise!”
Sun Wukong said, “Tathagata Buddha, you broke your promise, so why should I keep mine?” The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; this monkey dared to speak to him like this.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, what exactly do you want?”
Sun Wukong said, “I don’t want anything. I just want to take you as my mount.”
The Tathagata Buddha roared, “Impossible! I am the supreme being of Buddhism, how could I be your mount?”
Sun Wukong said, “If you don’t be my mount, then I will refine you.” As he spoke, Sun Wukong took out the Primordial Golden Cauldron and prepared to refine the Tathagata Buddha. The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; he knew that Sun Wukong would do what he said.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, wait. I agree.”
Sun Wukong smiled and said, “That’s more like it. If you had agreed earlier, you wouldn’t have had to suffer.” After speaking, Sun Wukong put away the Primordial Golden Cauldron and let the Tathagata Buddha out. After coming out, the Tathagata Buddha said to Sun Wukong, “Mischievous monkey, you must keep your word and not harm me.”
Sun Wukong said, “Don’t worry, I, Sun Wukong, keep my word. I will never go back on my word.”
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Good, then I will trust you this one time.”
Sun Wukong said, “Alright, you will come back to the Water Curtain Cave with me now.” The Tathagata Buddha followed Sun Wukong back to the Water Curtain Cave. Sun Wukong said to the Tathagata Buddha, “Tathagata Buddha, from today onwards, you are my mount.” Although the Tathagata Buddha was unwilling, he was helpless and could only nod and say, “Good, I agree.” Sun Wukong chuckled inwardly, “Tathagata Buddha, you have finally fallen into my hands, Sun Wukong.”
Sun Wukong thought to himself, “Now that I have captured the Tathagata Buddha, the events of Journey to the West should change.” Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang and said to the Tathagata Buddha, “Tathagata Buddha, go now and call over all those people who came to cause trouble for me.” The Tathagata Buddha shook his head helplessly and said, “Mischievous monkey, stop daydreaming. The Jade Emperor will definitely not let you off.”
Sun Wukong said, “If the Jade Emperor doesn’t let me off, then I’ll go and capture the Jade Emperor.” The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; this monkey’s tone was too arrogant. He dared to say he would capture the Jade Emperor.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, what exactly do you want?”
Sun Wukong said, “I don’t want anything. I just want to unify the Three Realms.”
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, stop dreaming. The Three Realms belong to the Jade Emperor.”
Sun Wukong said, “What belongs to the Jade Emperor also belongs to me.” After speaking, Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang, pointed it at the Tathagata Buddha’s head, and said, “Tathagata Buddha, quickly go and call over all those people who came to cause trouble for me.” Forced by Sun Wukong, the Tathagata Buddha had no choice but to agree. The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, then you just wait.” After speaking, the Tathagata Buddha rode an auspicious cloud to call people.
Sun Wukong watched the retreating figure of the Tathagata Buddha and chuckled inwardly, “Tathagata Buddha, do you really think you can escape?” Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang and smashed it towards the Tathagata Buddha. The Tathagata Buddha was struck and fell from the sky. He scrambled to his feet in disarray, his heart filled with rage.
“Mischievous monkey, you broke your promise!”
Sun Wukong said, “Tathagata Buddha, you broke your promise, so why should I keep mine?” The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; this monkey dared to speak to him like this.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, what exactly do you want?”
Sun Wukong said, “I don’t want anything. I just want to take you as my mount.”
The Tathagata Buddha roared, “Impossible! I am the supreme being of Buddhism, how could I be your mount?”
Sun Wukong said, “If you don’t be my mount, then I will refine you.” As he spoke, Sun Wukong took out the Primordial Golden Cauldron and prepared to refine the Tathagata Buddha. The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; he knew that Sun Wukong would do what he said.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, wait. I agree.”
Sun Wukong smiled and said, “That’s more like it. If you had agreed earlier, you wouldn’t have had to suffer.” After speaking, Sun Wukong put away the Primordial Golden Cauldron and let the Tathagata Buddha out. After coming out, the Tathagata Buddha said to Sun Wukong, “Mischievous monkey, you must keep your word and not harm me.”
Sun Wukong said, “Don’t worry, I, Sun Wukong, keep my word. I will never go back on my word.”
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Good, then I will trust you this one time.”
Sun Wukong said, “Alright, you will come back to the Water Curtain Cave with me now.” The Tathagata Buddha followed Sun Wukong back to the Water Curtain Cave. Sun Wukong said to the Tathagata Buddha, “Tathagata Buddha, from today onwards, you are my mount.” Although the Tathagata Buddha was unwilling, he was helpless and could only nod and say, “Good, I agree.”
Sun Wukong chuckled inwardly, “Tathagata Buddha, you have finally fallen into my hands, Sun Wukong.”
Sun Wukong thought to himself, “Now that I have captured the Tathagata Buddha, the events of Journey to the West should change.” Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang and said to the Tathagata Buddha, “Tathagata Buddha, go now and call over all those people who came to cause trouble for me.”
The Tathagata Buddha shook his head helplessly and said, “Mischievous monkey, stop daydreaming. The Jade Emperor will definitely not let you off.”
Sun Wukong said, “If the Jade Emperor doesn’t let me off, then I’ll go and capture the Jade Emperor.” The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; this monkey’s tone was too arrogant. He dared to say he would capture the Jade Emperor.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, what exactly do you want?”
Sun Wukong said, “I don’t want anything. I just want to unify the Three Realms.”
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, stop dreaming. The Three Realms belong to the Jade Emperor.”
Sun Wukong said, “What belongs to the Jade Emperor also belongs to me.” After speaking, Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang, pointed it at the Tathagata Buddha’s head, and said, “Tathagata Buddha, quickly go and call over all those people who came to cause trouble for me.” Forced by Sun Wukong, the Tathagata Buddha had no choice but to agree.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, then you just wait.” After speaking, the Tathagata Buddha rode an auspicious cloud to call people.
Sun Wukong watched the retreating figure of the Tathagata Buddha and chuckled inwardly, “Tathagata Buddha, do you really think you can escape?” Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang and smashed it towards the Tathagata Buddha. The Tathagata Buddha was struck and fell from the sky. He scrambled to his feet in disarray, his heart filled with rage.
“Mischievous monkey, you broke your promise!”
Sun Wukong said, “Tathagata Buddha, you broke your promise, so why should I keep mine?” The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; this monkey dared to speak to him like this.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, what exactly do you want?”
Sun Wukong said, “I don’t want anything. I just want to take you as my mount.”
The Tathagata Buddha roared, “Impossible! I am the supreme being of Buddhism, how could I be your mount?”
Sun Wukong said, “If you don’t be my mount, then I will refine you.” As he spoke, Sun Wukong took out the Primordial Golden Cauldron and prepared to refine the Tathagata Buddha. The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; he knew that Sun Wukong would do what he said.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, wait. I agree.”
Sun Wukong smiled and said, “That’s more like it. If you had agreed earlier, you wouldn’t have had to suffer.” After speaking, Sun Wukong put away the Primordial Golden Cauldron and let the Tathagata Buddha out. After coming out, the Tathagata Buddha said to Sun Wukong, “Mischievous monkey, you must keep your word and not harm me.”
Sun Wukong said, “Don’t worry, I, Sun Wukong, keep my word. I will never go back on my word.”
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Good, then I will trust you this one time.”
Sun Wukong said, “Alright, you will come back to the Water Curtain Cave with me now.” The Tathagata Buddha followed Sun Wukong back to the Water Curtain Cave. Sun Wukong said to the Tathagata Buddha, “Tathagata Buddha, from today onwards, you are my mount.” Although the Tathagata Buddha was unwilling, he was helpless and could only nod and say, “Good, I agree.”
Sun Wukong chuckled inwardly, “Tathagata Buddha, you have finally fallen into my hands, Sun Wukong.”
Sun Wukong thought to himself, “Now that I have captured the Tathagata Buddha, the events of Journey to the West should change.” Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang and said to the Tathagata Buddha, “Tathagata Buddha, go now and call over all those people who came to cause trouble for me.”
The Tathagata Buddha shook his head helplessly and said, “Mischievous monkey, stop daydreaming. The Jade Emperor will definitely not let you off.”
Sun Wukong said, “If the Jade Emperor doesn’t let me off, then I’ll go and capture the Jade Emperor.” The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; this monkey’s tone was too arrogant. He dared to say he would capture the Jade Emperor.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, what exactly do you want?”
Sun Wukong said, “I don’t want anything. I just want to unify the Three Realms.”
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, stop dreaming. The Three Realms belong to the Jade Emperor.”
Sun Wukong said, “What belongs to the Jade Emperor also belongs to me.” After speaking, Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang, pointed it at the Tathagata Buddha’s head, and said, “Tathagata Buddha, quickly go and call over all those people who came to cause trouble for me.” Forced by Sun Wukong, the Tathagata Buddha had no choice but to agree.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, then you just wait.” After speaking, the Tathagata Buddha rode an auspicious cloud to call people.
Sun Wukong watched the retreating figure of the Tathagata Buddha and chuckled inwardly, “Tathagata Buddha, do you really think you can escape?” Sun Wukong took out his Ruyi Jingu Bang and smashed it towards the Tathagata Buddha. The Tathagata Buddha was struck and fell from the sky. He scrambled to his feet in disarray, his heart filled with rage.
“Mischievous monkey, you broke your promise!”
Sun Wukong said, “Tathagata Buddha, you broke your promise, so why should I keep mine?” The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; this monkey dared to speak to him like this.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, what exactly do you want?”
Sun Wukong said, “I don’t want anything. I just want to take you as my mount.”
The Tathagata Buddha roared, “Impossible! I am the supreme being of Buddhism, how could I be your mount?”
Sun Wukong said, “If you don’t be my mount, then I will refine you.” As he spoke, Sun Wukong took out the Primordial Golden Cauldron and prepared to refine the Tathagata Buddha. The Tathagata Buddha was greatly shocked; he knew that Sun Wukong would do what he said.
The Tathagata Buddha said, “Mischievous monkey, wait. I agree.”
Sun Wukong smiled and said, “That’s more like it. If you had agreed earlier, you wouldn’t have had to suffer.”
