Now, it is said that Tang Seng and his disciples crossed the Liusha River.
Guanyin Bodhisattva invited the three holy ones—Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Old Mother Lishan—to devise a plan to subdue Ao Tu.
On Ao Tu’s side, the rewards were tallied, and five rewards were issued in turn.
A Three-Turn Soul-Returning Pill, a six-thousand-year-old Peach of Immortality, a Headache Chime, a Dragon-Binding Rope, and the Five-Colored Divine Light.
Ao Tu accepted the Three-Turn Soul-Returning Pill, keeping it for future use.
He swallowed the Peach of Immortality, increasing his cultivation somewhat.
He put away the Headache Chime, and tied the Dragon-Binding Rope around his waist.
As for the Five-Colored Divine Light, he fully comprehended and integrated it; behind him appeared five rays of radiance, arranged according to the Five Elements in green, yellow, red, white, and black, which he could release and retract at will.
Bringing Tiger Vanguard with him, he traveled west for a thousand li. Passing a mountain cliff, he saw in the distance a cluster of pine shade, within which lay a vast array of palace halls and ethereal towers, truly lofty and magnificent.
One saw: mist and rosy clouds held the moisture of the night; moss and lichen lent aid to the fresh green. In emerald parasol trees cried colorful phoenixes; in living waters hid azure dragons. Jade cliffs rejoiced as the moon rose; birdsong delighted in the clear sky. Cool bamboo shade lay between two groves; dense flowers buried a single path. From time to time white clouds came, drifting with the wind without fixed course.
It was truly an ancient site of a thousand years, an immortal trace of ten thousand ages.
Below that palace complex, for some unknown reason, a crowd of demons had gathered.
Ao Tu glanced over them briefly and saw tiger spirits, leopard spirits, mountain wolf spirits, elk spirits, musk deer spirits, fox spirits, black snake spirits, rat spirits, crow spirits, mantis spirits, dragonfly spirits, ant spirits, and so on.
These demons were all of different forms and appearances, yet they were all refined and courteous as they stood outside.
He only heard people conversing within, saying something about a dragon maiden from the West who had settled here in the mountains to seek a husband.
Hearing this, Ao Tu immediately grew somewhat wary.
He walked a few steps forward and stood atop the cliff, looking down to investigate the truth of the matter.
Just then, the system’s voice sounded.
【Ding. Entered mission area.】
【Current Side Quest: The Four Sages Test the Chan Heart】
【Mission Requirement: Prevent the scripture-seekers from passing through this area. Rewards will be calculated according to the duration of obstruction.】
【Mission Rewards: Three days/Buddhist Dharma—Rebirth Mantra; seven days/Spell—Pointing to Earth into Steel; half a month/Purple-Veined Peach of Immortality; one month/Spiritual Root—Third-Grade Golden Lotus; one season/Divine Ability—Art of Transforming into a Rainbow; half a year/Ancestral Dragon Essence Blood; one year/Innate Spiritual Treasure—Soul-Scattering Gourd; three years/Innate Spiritual Treasure—Hetu Luoshu; twelve years/Chaos Bell; sixty years……】
【Current Progress: One day】
Seeing this, and recalling what he had just heard about a dragon maiden seeking a husband, Ao Tu knew this was a scheme Guanyin Bodhisattva and the others had laid for him.
He thought it over. With the Five-Colored Divine Light as his trump card, he at least had no worries about protecting himself. Thus, he decided to play along, bringing Tiger Vanguard with him as he went up and stood outside together with the assembled demons to wait.
Before long, the doors to the palace courtyard opened, and a woman walked out from within.
That woman was half old yet not old, wearing a gold-woven immortal-green jacket covered with a pale red lapel; around her waist was tied a brightly patterned goose-yellow skirt, below which appeared high-soled embroidered shoes. Her hair at the temples was mixed black and white, but her appearance remained beautiful.
As the saying goes:
Cloudlike temples half gray, like phoenix wings in flight;
Twin earrings hung in rows of precious pearls.
Without rouge or powder she was beautiful still,
Her charm yet like that of a youthful talent.
The woman looked down and, with a single glance, spotted Ao Tu standing head and shoulders above the crowd. She said, “That young gentleman there—have you come to seek a marriage?”
Ao Tu feigned sincerity and said, “Indeed.”
The woman said, “Then please, come in quickly!”
Ao Tu brought Tiger Vanguard and followed the woman inside.
Seeing this, the other demons scattered while cursing and grumbling, saying that the dragon maiden had no eye for people and the like.
The woman courteously invited Ao Tu into the hall, where they sat and were served tea.
From behind the screen walked out a young maid with dangling twin buns, carrying a golden tray and white jade cups. The fragrant tea breathed warm vapor, and exotic fruits gave off a subtle fragrance. She lifted the jade cups and presented the tea.
Just then, the woman suddenly noticed the belt at Ao Tu’s waist, and surprise flashed through her eyes.
Ao Tu asked, “May I ask Mother-in-law’s honored surname? And why have you come here to take in a son-in-law?”
The woman said, “My maiden family is surnamed Jia, and my husband’s family is surnamed Mo. We were originally kin of the Sagara Dragon King of West Niuhezhou. Only because my husband died early, and fate granted me no sons, leaving me with only three daughters, do I now wish to marry them to another.”
Ao Tu said, “In that case, we are of the same race.”
The woman said, “Precisely. Those demons below the mountain are all crude, vulgar, and ugly. None can compare to your natural handsomeness, and your bloodline is close to my family’s besides.”
Ao Tu nodded. “That is true.”
The woman asked, “Son-in-law, I still do not know your name, nor where your home is.”
Hearing this, Ao Tu said, “My name is Ao Tu, also called Great King Lingshan. I am from beneath Lingshan, a disciple of the Buddha.”
As soon as these words came out, the woman could not help bursting into laughter, hiding it with her round fan.
Ao Tu asked, “Why does Mother-in-law laugh?”
The woman said, “Having learned that my son-in-law’s family background is so profound, I am delighted, and so I laughed.”
Behind the screen, Guanyin Bodhisattva listened to Ao Tu’s words and could not help knitting her brows slightly.
The woman then said, “Since my son-in-law is a man of the Buddhist school, then this marriage—”
Ao Tu said, “No matter. Mother-in-law need not worry. We disciples of Buddhism primarily cultivate the Buddha within the heart.”
The woman said, “What is this Buddha within the heart?”
Ao Tu said, “The so-called Buddha within the heart means that even if one violates all the precepts of greed, anger, and delusion, as long as one chants the Buddha’s name in one’s heart, there is no harm done.”
The woman could not help covering her face and laughing again.
Inside the room, Guanyin Bodhisattva said angrily, “This vile creature slanders my teaching so. How can I spare him?”
Beside her, Manjushri and Samantabhadra hurriedly advised, “Great Bodhisattva, the larger matter is more important. The larger matter is more important!”
It was only because that demon dragon had many methods, and the two feared that if they acted rashly Ao Tu might escape, that they offered this counsel.
At this time, the woman felt they had conversed enough, so she said:
“In that case, I shall call out my three daughters and see which one should be betrothed to you.”
Ao Tu said, “Then I must trouble the three younger sisters to come out.”
At the woman’s summons, three young maidens walked out from within the room, each possessing beauty capable of toppling kingdoms and cities.
The woman introduced them: “This is my eldest daughter Zhenzhen, this is my second daughter Ai’ai, and this is my third daughter Lianlian. Why have you not yet paid respects to the Great King?”
The three daughters said together, “Greetings, Great King!”
They were none other than transformations of Manjushri, Samantabhadra, and Guanyin Bodhisattva.
The woman said, “Well, good son-in-law, which of my daughters have you taken a liking to?”
Ao Tu said with false affection, “All three are exceedingly good.”
The woman smiled and said, “Then shall I betroth all three of them to you, and have them enter the bridal chamber with you together?”
Ao Tu said, “Many thanks for Mother-in-law’s great kindness, but I dare not enjoy such fortune.”
The woman said, “Why not? Is your body weak, your strength insufficient?”
Ao Tu said, “Not so. I know dual-cultivation arts, and I also know methods for prolonged battle. I only fear that the three younger sisters, greedy for pleasure and affection, would find fairness hard to maintain, and over time discord would arise.”
As soon as these words came out, Guanyin Bodhisattva was once again furious, her delicate fists clenched tightly.
Manjushri and Samantabhadra hurriedly held Guanyin Bodhisattva back.
Ao Tu said, “Mother-in-law, look. Lianlian is already somewhat displeased.”
The woman covered her mouth and laughed. “You truly are considerate. Then shall I betroth Zhenzhen to you?”
Ao Tu said, “No good. I fear Ai’ai and Lianlian would resent it.”
The woman said, “Then shall I betroth Ai’ai to you?”
Ao Tu said, “No good. I fear Zhenzhen and Lianlian would resent it.”
The woman said, “Then shall I betroth Lianlian to you?”
Ao Tu said, “No good. I fear Zhenzhen and Ai’ai would resent it.”
The woman said, “Good son-in-law, then I have no solution. You tell me what should be done.”
Ao Tu stretched out his hand and conjured three great red bridal veils, smiling as he said, “How about this: I have three veils here. Let the three younger sisters cover their heads with them, and we shall make it a match decreed by Heaven. Whoever can catch me shall be betrothed to me.”