Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao-Chapter 310 - 86 Zhongnan Mountain

"The master doesn’t wish to make a fuss; he’s currently in his cave, meditating to assimilate what he has gained from this experience," Liu Qingyun said with a smile.

Xiao Qi’s face immediately showed a look of disappointment. Since his master did not wish to make a fuss, the situation he had imagined probably wouldn’t happen, which was really too bad.

While the fellow disciples were talking, a familiar voice reached their ears, "What’s the matter, why so happy?"

The group instantly turned their heads and joyfully shouted, "Master!"

Lu Yu nodded with a smile and asked Xiao Qi, "How was it, did you gain anything from this bout?"

Xiao Qi naturally knew the master was referring to his sparring with two of his fellow disciples.

"The gains were substantial. Both elders are skilled in naval battles, and this time they really taught me a lesson."

Xiao Qi’s words were no exaggeration. Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk were both well-known commanders of the Heavenly Court, particularly adept in naval battles. However, the enemies they previously encountered were mostly terrestrial demons, relying on either special Divine Skills or powerful treasures, which meant these two seldom had a chance to use their martial skills. Additionally, Zhu Bajie often shirked his duties, reluctant to exert more effort, thus creating the illusion of their incompetence.

In fact, among the beings walking the Three Realms, these two were definitely not mediocre.

Initially, Xiao Qi, having heard rumors, had looked down on them. If not for Lu Yu’s instructions and his respect for Monkey’s seniority, his attitude would likely not have been very polite.

However, once they confronted each other, he realized it was all an illusion; what he heard was untrue, whereas seeing was believing. The strength of Zhu Bajie and Sand Monk far exceeded his expectations. Especially Zhu Bajie, who was clearly not an ordinary fighter. Within less than eighty rounds, he was already beaten; even Sand Monk was extremely tough, and Xiao Qi could barely manage a draw with all his might.

"That’s because you were lucky. Both of them are renowned commanders in the Heavenly Court, especially Zhu Bajie, who was the Marshal Canopy, originally commanding eight hundred thousand Naval Forces, conquering demons across the world. If he hadn’t been demoted from the Heavenly Court, resulting in a significant loss of strength, you wouldn’t have had a chance against these two," Lu Yu instructed Xiao Qi.

"Even so, you did well. Reflect carefully on the details of your interactions with them. Both are seasoned warriors, particularly skilled in naval battles, and you can learn a lot from them," Lu Yu continued to teach Xiao Qi.

"Don’t worry, master, I won’t waste this opportunity," Xiao Qi said, nodding with a smile on his face.

Seeing Xiao Qi’s expression, Lu Yu nodded, then asked, "How long since Tang Monk and his disciples left Black Water River?"

Xiao Qi looked at Lu Yu in surprise; he was curious why his master was so interested in their whereabouts, but he still honestly replied, "About half a year. After the battle with my cousin, I feigned defeat and followed him back to the Western Sea to see my mother, and only then did I have time to come see you, master. Altogether, it has been about half a year."

"Half a year!" Lu Yu murmured to himself, looking up at the sky, "Then Monkey must have probably reached the Kingdom of Tarrycat by now."

Meanwhile, in the mist-enshrouded Zhongnan Mountain, Yun Zhongzi was gazing in the direction of the Kingdom of Tarrycat, lost in thought, unaware of what he was thinking.

Flashes of the three Little Demons who had learned Taoism here crossed his mind. If nothing went wrong, they would have already met with Tang Monk and his disciples. The tribulation was upon them, and it would be difficult to see them again in this lifetime.

"What are you thinking, Brother Yun Zhongzi?" Sage Yu Ding asked perplexedly.

"I recall some old events, do you still remember those three fun little demons?"

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The words of Yun Zhongzi instantly brought Sage Yu Ding’s memories back to many years ago, to those three little demons on Zhongnan Mountain who wandered everywhere in search of immortals and to learn the Taoist laws.

I remember it was a pitch-dark rainy night, the three demons were trembling in fear of the dark night, huddling under leaves to shelter from the ceaseless rain, eventually curling up inside a tiny tree hollow, constantly comforting each other.

It was he and Yun Zhongzi who, seeing how pitiful the little demons were, gave them a place to stay. Who would have known that these little demons would henceforth refuse to leave, addressing the two as "Master".

They ended up staying for many years, the little demons gradually grew up on Zhongnan Mountain, while Yun Zhongzi taught them Taoist laws from time to time, and they always considered Yun Zhongzi as their Honored Master.

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The peaceful days were supposed to continue just like that, but who would have thought that not long ago, a monk came to Zhongnan Mountain, intending to build a temple here.

Those who practiced immortal cultivation all knew that Zhongnan Mountain was Yun Zhongzi’s dojo, but this secular monk, who came from who knows where, insisted on establishing a temple here to worship the Buddha.

The Earth God and Mountain God of Zhongnan Mountain even transformed to enlighten him, but it seemed the monk had taken the wrong medicine, as he stubbornly refused to give up on building the temple there.

Yun Zhongzi, being a detached person, couldn’t be bothered with such worldly people, but the three little demons felt indignation and, taking advantage of a dark night, they fiercely beat up the monk.

The monk ran away in terror, holding his head, but he wasn’t willing to beg for mercy at all. As he was leaving, he shouted loudly, "I only recognize the Tathagata of Mount Ling in Western Heaven as the most powerful in this world. What merits and capabilities does Yun Zhongzi have to be compared to him? You may have driven me away today, but your Taoist Sect is simply inferior to our Buddhism."

Tiger Power immediately became furious and said, "Nonsense, what kind of person is my Honored Master? Although he may not compare to the Tathagata, he still ranks among the supremely best in this world, and our Taoist Sect also has the three venerable Taoist Honorable Ones. How can it be inferior to your Buddhism?"

"If it’s inferior, it’s inferior; haven’t you seen that all the countries in the West only worship the revered ones of Buddhism and never the Three Pure Ones of the Taoist Sect?" the monk stubbornly said.

This was originally just a quarrel over pride, but the three little demons took it to heart.

Yun Zhongzi was their rescuer in this life, and although they didn’t have the formal title of disciple and master, the three little demons had long regarded him as their respected master and considered the Taoist Sect as their refuge. How could they tolerate such defamation? They immediately resolved to preach in that so-called Buddha Land.

They didn’t care about their low realm, nor that they actually weren’t clear about the doctrines of the Taoist Sect; they just rushed out, determined to fiercely vindicate Yun Zhongzi and glorify the Taoist Sect.

So, on a night with a dark moon and howling wind, the three demons packed their bags and stealthily slipped down Zhongnan Mountain, heading straight west.

"I wonder how those three little fellows are doing now?" Sage Yu Ding couldn’t help but sigh.

"I heard they went to a place called the Kingdom of Tarrycat, where they are protecting the nation, thus earning the love of both the local people and the Emperor. Now they’re vigorously promoting Taoism," said Yun Zhongzi, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"If you ask me, you’re just too good-tempered nowadays. If it were me, regardless if that monk is a mortal or not, I would definitely chop him down with one sword," Yu Ding exclaimed.