Beginning with the Ubume Bird-Chapter 372 - 9 Uḍḍiyāna Bandhuka

Chapter 372: Chapter 9 Uḍḍiyāna Bandhuka

Chapter 372: Chapter 9 Uḍḍiyāna Bandhuka

As soon as the image of the Golden Arhat appeared, Li Yan gained more information about Er Jianlian.

Name: Er Jianlian

Status: Sudden Enlightenment

Threat Level: Deep Red (Eight Extremes)

Notes: Originally a strange ear-shaped rock in front of Shalan Temple outside of the Pass, it became animated after being nurtured by the sun, moon, and Buddhist scriptures. It carries many magical treasures and searches throughout the world for virtuous and wise individuals to ask them Zen questions. If it approves of someone, it bestows a Buddhist treasure upon them; if not, it will certainly play a trick on them. It is a famous Buddhist demon from outside of the Pass.

…

Cao Yongchang was also stunned. He had been spouting nonsense, not expecting the monk to exhibit such a majestic true form. The child was so scared by this terrifying sight that he stepped back two steps, bumping right into Cha Xiaodao’s waist.

The golden light persisted for more than ten breaths before the four Zhang tall Golden Arhat lowered his head, brought his palms together, and revealed an appreciative smile to Cao Yongchang.

It took Cao Yongchang a good while to calm himself down.

The four Zhang tall Golden Arhat waved his hand, and over ten different instruments came flying through the wind, including a Conch, Everbright Lamp, Heart Sutra, Alms Bowl, Bell, Seven Treasures Tree, String of Pearls, Treasure Umbrella, Coiled Intestines, White Canopy, Lotus, among others, all glinting with enticing radiance.

“Are you about to ascend to the heavens and leaving all your possessions with me?”

Cao Yongchang asked, half joking and half serious.

Er Jianlian slowly shook his head.

“So you’re letting me pick one?”

Er Jianlian brought his palms together and began to chant in a low voice, producing rhythmic Sanskrit tones: “The treasure is bestowed upon those with fate.”

Li Yan and Cha Xiaodao stood by, exchanging glances and watching the many treasures Er Jianlian had revealed, eyeing them greedily.

They didn’t have Cao Yongchang’s gift of gab; these treasures weren’t meant for them, but if they truly decided to make a move, this Buddhist demon might not be their match.

“Let’s take him down!”

Unlike the previous encounter with the demon in Meizhou, this time it was Li Yan who insisted.

“That might not be a good idea.”

Cha Xiaodao signaled with his eyes.

“Take a chance; a bicycle might just turn into a motorcycle.”

Li Yan continued to tempt, to be honest, he found the riddle-speaking monk displeasing. If you have treasures, just say so. Suddenly jumping out in the middle of the night — I’m already showing great restraint not beheading you on the spot.

“Let’s not.”

Seeing that Cha Xiaodao was insistent, Li Yan folded his arms and said no more.

Cao Yongchang’s gaze swept over the treasures, and after a long hesitation, he finally picked up a peculiarly shaped red flower and placed it in his hand, bowing to Er Jianlian in gratitude.

“I’ll take this!”

The Golden Arhat burst into laughter, and suddenly disintegrated, scattering to pieces, with all the treasures turning into mere morning dew illusions, vanishing without a trace.

The blind monk emerged from the golden light, peaceful in demeanor, and gave Cao Yongchang a bow, murmuring the phrase, “The bodhisattva is clearly a corrupted official,” before turning to leave.

Suddenly, as if he remembered something, he turned back and asked Li Yan, “Is the master’s surname Li?”

Li Yan frowned: “Indeed.”

“Are you a Flying Cavalry Captain from the fifth rank of Great Ming?”

“Indeed.”

“Are you alone in the world, without kith or kin?”

“Indeed.”

Li Yan answered ‘indeed’ to all three questions.

Er Jianlian pondered for a moment before hesitantly asking Li Yan, “Who lives in the big pineapple under the sea?”

???

Cha Xiaodao almost popped his eyes out in surprise.

But it was Li Yan who reacted quickly, his face a mix of shock and joy. After a pause, he replied, “That would be… SpongeBob SquarePants.”

Cha Xiaodao and Cao Yongchang exchanged glances; one was thunderstruck, while the other wondered which book “SpongeBob SquarePants” was a riddle from.

Er Jianlian nodded after hearing this, “Several months ago, a female bodhisattva took away a Palm Leaf Manuscript from me. These words, she taught me.”

“May I ask the master, where is this person now?”

Li Yan was truly respectful this time.

“She went in the southwest direction, saying there was some providence at work. Beyond that, I do not know. However, the female bodhisattva left a message for me to pass on to you.”

The southwest direction, that would be Dragon Tiger Mountain in Jiangxi.

Li Yan sincerely clasped his hands together: “Please, master, speak your message directly.”

“Commit less killing, remember this well, remember this well.”

Upon hearing this, the two brows on Li Yan’s face twisted together like steel knives: “I am straightforward, and I must ask, master, are these truly her words? Or is it that you, master, are intent on protecting those demons in Five Blessings Tower?”

“A monk never speaks false words.”

“…”

Li Yan’s facial expression was unsettled, and although it was a simple sentence, he remained silent for a long while.

Finally, he let out a sigh: “Thank you for relaying the message, master.”

“Amitabha~”

Er Jianlian shook his head, turned away, and suddenly let out a long howl: “I have left behind affection, not to be wooed by desires; I have yet to leave the realm of demons, hence people sorrow.”

From the first word to the last, he was beside Li Yan, but by the end, he had vanished without a trace.

Li Yan patted Cao Yongchang, who was playing with a red flower, on the head: “What did the monk mean by that at the end?”

Cao Yongchang looked up: “Who cares what he meant, it’s just someone speaking without feeling the pain.”

Hearing this, Li Yan burst out laughing, finding the young boy much more to his liking.

“Uncle, uncle, look at this treasure for me, will you?”

Cao Yongchang presented it to Cha Xiaodao as if offering a precious artifact.

This flower extended numerous delicate stems, each trembling with bright red, full berries; from a distance, they clustered together, a sight instantly pleasing to the eye.

[Uḍḍiyāna Bandhuka]

Type: Exotic Object

Quality: Legendary!

Enlightens wisdom, averts disaster and calamity, does not fall into the six paths of reincarnation.

Those who roam Yan Fu while possessing it will attain the state “Immeasurable Strength”, with Vajra Body-Protection blessings, impervious to swords and spears, and each movement will be able to touch the Three Souls and Seven Spirits of ordinary people.

Note: Buddha said to Ananda. If in the world there is an Uḍḍiyāna Bandhuka, then there is the reality without the splendor. Only when there is a Buddha in the world, will such splendor manifest.

——Sutra of Immeasurable Life of Pure Equality and Enlightenment

“It’s a fine item, keep it with you at all times,” Li Yan said after taking a glance at Cha Xiaodao, but he said no more.

After examining the Uḍḍiyāna Bandhuka for a while, Cao Yongchang handed it to Cha Xiaodao: “Uncle and the valiant man have saved my life twice. Although Yongchang is but a commoner, I recognize the great debt I owe. If uncle doesn’t mind, please accept this Buddhist relic.”

Li Yan couldn’t help but smile at the child’s gesture, even though the gift was clearly intended for Cha Xiaodao.

Cha Xiaodao looked at Cao Yongchang: “Don’t provoke me, this treasure could be of great benefit to you too.”

Cao Yongchang shook his head and remained silent.

“Alright,” Xiaodao no longer declined: “I’ll take you as my nephew then!”

Cao Yongchang handed over the Uḍḍiyāna Bandhuka, then hurriedly asked, “Uncle, where are you heading? I am a fugitive, with nowhere to turn, may I follow you, uncle?”

Cha and Li were already tasked with this remarkable Yan Fu event, intending to take him along, so there was no need for Cha Xiaodao to waste words persuading him. As for where to go next…

Li Yan first looked deeply in the direction of Five Blessings Tower, then locked eyes with Cha Xiaodao, pondering for a while before saying, “First, let’s go to Jiaozhou to find a big ship. We’ll take the water route through the sea and then detour to Jiangxi.”

Guangning and Jiaozhou were just separated by a sea, and the sea was Li Yan’s domain.

…

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There was no king above Xiang; no general above Li; no hero above Cha.

——Liu Mazizi’s Novel Journey