Now, it is told that Muzha rode the clouds all the way from Mount Zhongnan to Xiniu Hezhou, then followed the westward road in search, finally finding the place where Tang Seng and his disciples were.
When Muzha arrived, the Wufang Jiedi, Liuding Liujia, Sizhi Gongcao, and the Dharma-protecting Galans in the air were arguing about something.
Jintou Jiedi said, “Tang Seng and his disciples have already stayed here for more than four months. Whether that household is a transformation of demons or an enlightenment arranged by gods and Buddhas, this matter should be reported upward as soon as possible, to be decided by those above.”
Xu Dog of the Liuding Liujia said, “Indeed! Indeed! Well said. In that case, let us brothers keep watch here, and let Jintou Jiedi report it upward.”
Jintou Jiedi said, “I have been ordered by the Buddha to protect the scripture seeker, never leaving his side by day or night. How could I abandon my post without permission? Better to ask God Jiaxu to report upward.”
Xu Dog said, “It is not that we are unreasonable. It is truly that we brothers have also received the Jade Emperor’s golden decree to protect the scripture seeker on his journey west. How could we abandon our post without permission? Better to ask the holy Galan protectors to assign one person to report upward.”
When the Galans heard this, you pushed it to me and I pushed it to him; none of them was willing to leave his post without permission.
Minor deities like them guarded this place not seeking merit, only hoping to avoid fault.
If they left without authorization, merit was one thing; but if something happened to the scripture seeker during that time, then they would be finished.
After pushing the matter back and forth, the Dharma-protecting Galans pushed it to the Sizhi Gongcao, and the Sizhi Gongcao pushed it back to the Wufang Jiedi.
Jintou Jiedi said, “Stop arguing. Look, Huian Xingzhe has come!”
Huian Xingzhe was none other than Muzha.
Muzha rode over on his cloud, and all the deities went forward to pay their respects.
Muzha halted his cloud and asked, “What are you all arguing about here?”
Hearing this, the deities hurriedly explained what had happened during this period.
The Great Sage had beaten people to death, the scripture seeker had driven the Great Sage away, the scripture seeker had remained here to treat the injuries of that household, and so on.
Hearing this, Muzha frowned and said, “So that is how it is… What exactly is the origin of that household?”
The deities looked at one another. Jintou Jiedi said:
“Our magic power is shallow, and we cannot discern their origins. The Great Sage said that the household was transformed from demons, but during this period, the scripture seeker has suffered no harm. Instead, it somewhat seems as though this was arranged by gods or Buddhas.”
Muzha said, “Let me look with my Dharma eye.”
After speaking, Muzha formed a hand seal, wiped both eyes, and a layer of golden light covered them as he looked downward.
He saw that within the wooden house, there was not the slightest trace of demonic qi, only waves of Buddhist light.
Before Tang Seng and his disciples arrived, Baigujing had lived here, so there had been some demonic qi.
Now that Tang Seng and his disciples had settled here and, together with Ao Tu, often recited scriptures and sat in meditation, there were naturally waves of Buddhist light and no demonic qi to be seen.
Muzha then looked at the people in the courtyard. Qiao’er and her parents were all ordinary people. Ao Tu also appeared to be an ordinary person.
Muzha’s realm was about the same as Ao Tu’s, and he had no remarkable divine abilities or magical treasures on him, so naturally he could not see Ao Tu’s true form.
Muzha then looked at Tiger Vanguard lying inside the house. He saw a third-grade golden lotus covering him, making it impossible to see his true form.
Muzha recognized it as a Buddhist treasure, so he withdrew his Dharma eye and said:
“It is not a transformation of evil demons, but a test from gods and Buddhas. Let me go down and lend them a hand.”
The deities said respectfully, “Huian Xingzhe, please go.”
Muzha took out an immortal pill, spread it open, and made it into a plaster. Then he lowered his cloud, transformed into a wandering physician, and sang as he walked:
“From the merciful South Sea comes a wondrous cure,
Able to heal all ills and deliver from disaster.
I take no gold or silver, seek no worldly gain,
Only follow karmic fate to save the suffering world.”
At this time, Ao Tu and Tang Seng were in the courtyard preparing medicinal herbs.
Tang Seng stir-fried the herbs, while Ao Tu used a grinder to grind them into powder. Hearing the voice outside, Tang Seng stopped what he was doing and looked out. Seeing that it was a wandering physician, he immediately rejoiced and said:
“Excellent! Excellent! With such divine medicine, is this not Heaven’s aid?”
Ao Tu said, “In these desolate mountains and wild ridges, where would a wandering physician suddenly come from? I suspect he is a demon in disguise. He must not be trusted lightly.”
When Tang Seng heard this, he truly hesitated.
Muzha stood outside and said, “This prescription of mine was passed down from the South Sea. It can heal injuries of the waist and broken bones alike. I seek neither gold nor silver, only to save all people. If you do not believe me, take one plaster first. Apply it, and he will be well.”
When Tang Seng heard that it had been passed down from the South Sea, he believed it somewhat in his heart. He accepted the plaster and was about to enter the house to apply it to Tiger Vanguard.
Ao Tu said, “This person’s origins are unknown. You have not tried this medicine before, so how do you know whether it is real or false?”
Tang Seng said, “Amitabha. Benefactor, there is something you do not know. Along the road, this poor monk has received much care from the Bodhisattva. Since this medicine comes from the South Sea, it must be divine medicine.”
Ao Tu shook his head and no longer stopped him.
Tang Seng entered the house and applied it to Tiger Vanguard. Sure enough, his injuries were completely healed.
Muzha then revealed his true form and said, “Tang Sanzang, hurry and continue on your journey to fetch the scriptures!”
Tang Seng hurried out to bow, but Muzha had already left.
Tang Seng bowed toward the south, then proposed taking his leave.
Seeing this, Ao Tu could no longer very well stop him.
He had originally intended to obtain the reward for obstructing them for half a year during this ordeal, but he had not expected Muzha to appear and disrupt his plan.
At this time, the progress shown in the system was one hundred and thirty-two days, still nearly fifty days short of the half-year reward.
Fifty days was too long. If he tried to obstruct them by force, the chance of success was not high.
Thus Ao Tu decided not to expose his identity for now, and to use his current identity to obstruct Tang Seng and his disciples to the greatest extent once they reached Baoxiang Kingdom.
That day, Ao Tu kept Tang Seng and his disciples for one more night, prepared a sumptuous vegetarian meal, and also taught Tang Seng the Six-Syllable Mantra.
Tang Seng had no magic power. Although he learned the Six-Syllable Mantra, he could not produce much effect with it; at most, it could slightly strengthen the body, drive away evil, and avert misfortune.
Even so, Tang Seng was deeply grateful to Ao Tu.
The grace of transmitting the Dao was no small matter. Tang Seng bowed respectfully.
Ao Tu said, “There is no need to bow to me. This method was taught to me by Lingshan Wangfo.”
Tang Seng then bowed to Lingshan Wangfo.
After bowing, Tang Seng remembered what Ao Tu had previously said about the calamity that had befallen his family, and asked about it.
Ao Tu spoke in a slow, measured manner.
“I was originally the prince of Baoxiang Kingdom. Thirteen years ago, during the Mid-Autumn moon-viewing, two demons arrived unexpectedly. One devoured my royal father, while the other abducted my elder sister.
“I was young and hid in the rear garden, so I was not discovered. The demon that devoured my royal father transformed into his appearance, usurped the throne, and has occupied it for thirteen years.
“I endured humiliation and bore the burden, growing up in the inner palace, hoping to avenge my father. Unexpectedly, when that demon saw that I had grown up, he feared the matter would be exposed and sought to harm me.
“Thus, following the Buddha’s guidance, I fled here with my guard and my younger sister. I assumed a false name and surname, claiming only to be from an official’s household, in the hope that one day I could restore my kingdom and clear the injustice.”
When Tang Seng heard this, because he had spent a long time with Ao Tu and also because of his reverence for Lingshan Wangfo, he had not the slightest doubt in his heart. He bowed and said, “So you are Your Highness the Prince. This poor monk has been discourteous.”
Ao Tu said, “There is no need for excessive ceremony. I only ask the holy monk to rid us of the demons and return to me the mountains and rivers of Baoxiang Kingdom.”
Tang Seng said, “Those two disciples of mine are indeed skilled at subduing demons and capturing fiends. It is just that the demon has taken on the appearance of the ruler and has the support of all the civil and military officials of the court. Even if my disciples have abilities, it would not be easy for them to take up arms lightly.”
Ao Tu said, “That is no obstacle. I have the national treasure with me.”
Ao Tu took out a dragon pearl from within his robes and said, “This is the national treasure of my Baoxiang Kingdom, the ‘Dragon-Elephant Jewel.’ With this treasure present, all the civil and military officials will support me upon seeing it.”
Hearing this, Tang Seng said, “Excellent. In that case, that is very good!”