Chapter 105
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The former Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata, now an aged monk, pressed his palms together and softly recited a profound scripture.
Thus, all living beings fell silent to listen.
The scripture was not long.
One could even say it was merely a reiteration of the ideas that the young Daoist had put forth when debating the Dao with him.
It expounded once more upon the Four Noble Truths.
Then, with a heavy sigh, he gave a few instructions to the Moonlight Universal Illumination Boddhisattva before finally saying:
“After I depart, there will be a great catastrophe. Among the thirteen lineages of the Buddhist sects, there will be those who are obsessed with killing intent, those who fall into greed, anger, and delusion in the name of the Dharma, and those who plunge into the suffering of all existence.”
“At that time, conflict will surely arise upon the path of the Buddha.”
“If you are to resolve this calamity, you must walk the world, but take great care not to be taken advantage of by others or led astray.”
“You must not commit acts of slaughter.”
“You must not indulge in desire, nor succumb to greed and theft.”
“May all my disciples uphold all that is good and abstain from all that is evil.”
The old monk was already at death’s door. He spoke only the simplest of blessings and hopes. In the end, he grasped the of Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva’s hand and said:
“My disciples, when they meet the Taishang Xuanwei True Person, they must press their palms together, fingers joined and pointing upward.”
“Subdue the heart of arrogance.”
“Aspire to the virtues of the worthy.”
“Repent and cleanse your karmic burdens.”
“Never display outward reverence while harboring inner pride, nor feign solemnity merely to seek fame in cultivation.”
“Do my disciples understand?”
Within the Yuqing Thunder Palace, the Old Yellow Ox idly chatted with the Three-Five Fire Spirit Great General about the glorious years of the past while waiting for a batch of Tribulation Hounds. These creatures were supposed to temper the spiritual materials with their thunder and fire. However, after waiting for a long time—so long that even several Tribulation Hounds had exhausted themselves to the point of vomiting—the materials remained completely unchanged. Even the Three-Five Fire Spirit Great General, who had always been on good terms with the Old Ox, could no longer sit still.
“I say, Brother Niu, just what kind of materials did you bring this time?”
“These Tribulation Hounds are, at the very least, an ancient variant species that feeds on thunder. They consume the purest Yang and most unyielding forces of this world—there is no flame under the heavens that is not their nourishment.”
“Yet even they have been worked to the point of exhaustion and vomiting.”
“Why is it that your materials show no change whatsoever?”
The Three-Five Fire Spirit Great General held his wine cup, full of doubt.
The Old Yellow Ox let out a hearty laugh.
He drained his cup of fine wine in one gulp, then threw an arm around the Thunder General beside him and answered with a grin: “Did I not already say?”
“These are merely ordinary items.”
“It’s just that a junior of mine is raising a little bird, so I gathered some things to help nourish its vitality—nothing more than that.”
“Just that?”
“Of course.”
The Old Yellow Ox wore an honest and guileless expression, the kind that naturally inspired trust.
Thus, the Three-Five Fire Spirit Great General merely said: “Then perhaps these Tribulation Hounds have simply been slacking off a little.”
“Hahaha, no matter, no matter! Let them be lazy for a while—it’s fine. Old Niu forgives them.”
“Besides, I have plenty of time anyway. This just gives me more chances to drink with you, Brother! Come, come, let me fill your cup!” Chuckling, the Old Yellow Ox poured him more wine, while behind them, the exhausted Tribulation Hounds continued their efforts, rolling waves of thunder and fire as they tried to temper the materials. Yet the results remained meager—as expected.
After all, the Old Yellow Ox had paid a hefty price to obtain these materials.
One after another, they were impervious to water and fire, immune to blades and spears—such traits were mere commonplaces.
Rolling through magma was nothing more than taking a bath.
If not for the fact that these materials had already been harvested and had their spiritual nature restrained, the mere thunderfire of a Tribulation Hound would never have been able to refine and dissolve them. Instead, it would have only made them even more vibrant. However, this Old Yellow Ox had already made up his mind today—he intended to settle this matter with nothing more than a jug of wine. So, he simply ignored the poor little dog, who was so exhausted it was about to vomit, and merely smiled while urging the Thunder General beside him to continue drinking.
Thus, half a day passed.
The Old Yellow Ox had drunk to his heart’s content. Seeing that the refinement was more or less complete, he clapped the shoulder of the Three-Five Fire Spirit Great General beside him, preparing to take his leave. But just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of boundless glazed Buddha light surging in the distance—only for it to suddenly collapse and vanish. He paused in surprise, then looked far off into the distance, where he saw the two divine generals of the Heavenly Court, Thousand-Mile Eye and Favorable-Wind Ear, riding clouds and mist as they approached while deep in conversation.
The Old Yellow Ox tossed aside his wine jug and took a few strides forward, flying directly in front of the two divine generals.
His burly frame was so imposing that he nearly enveloped them both.
With one arm around each of them, he grinned and said,
“Well, if it isn’t Thousand-Mile Eye and Favorable-Wind Ear?”
“It’s rare to see you two come down from the Lingxiao Palace. Where are you rushing off to today?”
“Come, come, I have fine spirit wine and exquisite dishes here!”
“At least have a jug.”
“Just one jug, come on!”
The two divine generals struggled to break free.
However, they were not warriors by nature, and this Old Yellow Ox—though he seemed to be nothing more than a cultivated beast—was no ordinary being. He had once claimed kingship in the Demon Kingdom, paid homage to the Purple Star Emperor, listened to the Dao beneath Holy Spirit Mountain, and was known among the Seven Mansions of Xuanwu. His strength was immense, his battle experience deep and shrewd, and his fighting methods downright dirty. With that one embrace, his fingers locked onto key acupoints on their shoulders, rendering them unable to move no matter how much they struggled.
Having no other choice, the two divine generals let themselves be half-dragged and half-embraced by the Old Yellow Ox as they sat down to drink together.
Once a few sips of spirit wine had gone down, tongues loosened, and conversations opened up. The Old Yellow Ox chuckled and said: “Just now, I saw that dazzling glazed light bursting forth in the west, and then I saw the two of you arriving. Could something have happened?”
Thousand-Mile Eye let out a hiccup from the wine and said: “Brother Niu, you really do love hearing strange tales, don’t you?”
The Old Yellow Ox scratched his head, putting on a simple-minded look, then grinned and said: “I’ve lived a long life, but I have no other hobbies. The star officials may have their elegance, but their lives are too lonely. It’s far more satisfying to drink and battle in the demon territories. So, I just enjoy hearing some lively stories to pass the time.”
The two divine generals laughed and said: “That’s true enough. We might as well tell you, Older Brother Niu.”
“It’s the Eastern Buddhist Kingdom, the Pure Glazed World. For some reason, a Buddha has fallen.”
“That land was once surrounded by cities and pavilions stretching for billions of miles, embodying the boundlessness of the Dharma. But for reasons unknown, it suddenly split apart at its center. Now, all that remains are countless fragments of light, like shattered glazed jade, scattering in all directions—no one knows where they have landed.”
“Afterward, lotus flowers covered the ground. Before entering Nirvana, the Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata once preached the Dharma.”
“Visions of celestial flowers falling in profusion, golden lotuses springing from the earth—an omen of great upheaval.”
“And now, the Eastern Buddhist Kingdom’s main gates are about to close.”
The Old Yellow Ox was stunned, momentarily lost in thought. “The Pure Glazed World has shattered?”
The divine generals nodded. “Indeed.”
The Old Yellow Ox asked: “Do you know why?”
Thousand-Mile Eye took a deep sip of wine, then sighed heavily. “I dare not look.”
Favorable-Wind Ear forced a bitter smile. “I dare not listen.”
“Our other divine abilities may be ordinary, but our senses are unmatched. One of us can see the most minuscule petals blooming across the Three Thousand Worlds, and the other can hear the faintest murmurs of myriad beings. But because of that, when we tried to perceive it earlier, my spirit nearly burst apart. I only know one thing—if I truly listened, the thing being severed might not have been just that Buddhist Kingdom.”
As he spoke, he still carried a lingering fear in his expression.
Thousand-Mile Eye, beside him, was much the same and said: “If I had taken even a single look, I fear these eyes of mine would have been ruined.”
The Old Yellow Ox murmured: “Is that so…?”
“So that old monk is gone too, then.”
He held his wine cup, seeming lost in thought. The three divine generals exchanged glances but remained silent. Suddenly, the yellow ox seemed to recall something unusual. He shot to his feet, flung his sleeve, and gathered up the materials he had refined earlier with the thunderfire of the Tribulation Hound. Without another word, he hurriedly cupped his hands in a brief farewell, then charged out of the Thunder Palace. He stumbled a few steps before soaring into the clouds, heading straight for the Pure Glazed Buddhist Kingdom.
The Three-Five Fire Spirit Great General couldn’t help but sigh: “In the end, he is still a being with emotions.”
“That monk once tried to enlighten him.”
“No matter what, they spent quite some time together. Even Brother Niu, despite his dislike for him, must be feeling some sorrow.”
“It must be so.”
“If one is not mere grass or wood, how could they be devoid of emotions?”
But then, they saw the Old Yellow Ox charging forward with reckless abandon. Feeling his speed was still too slow, he shook his body once and transformed into his true form—a massive yellow ox, thousands of zhang tall. He stormed through the sky, riding the wind, with the radiance of stars swirling around him. He seemed to be pushing himself to his absolute limit to accelerate, his eyes turning red with urgency.
“This is a disaster, a disaster!”
“That bald guy is gone?!”
“Damn it! He got cut apart by a sword, and now they’ve sealed off the Buddhist Kingdom? My heavens, just think of how many treasures must be scattered everywhere! How many treasures!”
“Such waste! Such waste!”
The old ox’s eyes burned red with excitement!
He mustered all his strength, his four hooves trampling the clouds and dust.
As his nostrils flared, two massive streams of white mist, each stretching a thousand zhang, sprayed into the air.
“Loot the place! Loot the place!”
“Damn it! Why was I born without wings? I need to go even faster!”
“That old monk is gone, and at worst, Moonlight Universal Illumination will only be an even match for me. While that monk isn’t around, the best thing to do is sweep through that Glazed Buddhist Kingdom and clean out his entire lair!”
“Then, we’ll split it two-one and share with Little Yuan Qin and Wuhuo!”
“In the jianghu, righteousness comes first! Those who see it shall have a share!”
The Old Yellow Ox, covered in starlight and radiating a bandit-like aura, tore through the skies. Behind him, Thousand-Mile Eye and Favorable-Wind Ear had seen and heard his every word and expression clearly. Still holding their wine cups, they couldn’t help but burst into laughter. They laughed so hard that they choked on their drink, coughing violently. Yet, even as they struggled to catch their breath, they couldn’t suppress their helpless amusement. Looking at each other, they could only sigh:
“Hah! What a yellow ox!”
“Still the same great demon of old.”
Three-Five Fire Spirit Great General shook his head with a resigned smile and asked:
“Speaking of which, the two of you came to the Thunder Mansion from outside—was it for urgent business?”
Thousand-Mile Eye and Favorable-Wind Ear reined in their mirth, exchanged a glance, and replied: “The Thunder Mansion is in trouble.”
“The grand 3,600-year-old formation has been broken, allowing evil qi to spread and plagues to run rampant. Yet today, in the vast expanse of Central Continent(Zhongzhou), someone cast a spell to summon mist and rain, dispersing the scattered evil qi…”
“The one who did this seems to possess something related to the [Northern Emperor].”
“Thus, the Battle Department, the Department of Thunder, and the Northern Pole Exorcism Institute all took notice.”
“The item that person carries bears the aura of the [Northern Emperor], yet it does not belong to the Department of Thunder or the Department of Battle. There is speculation that it might be the doing of a member of the [Northern Pole Exorcism Institute] operating outside, but what’s puzzling is that even the Northern Pole Exorcism Institute itself is unaware of any disciple capable of summoning clouds and rain in a single thought. Hence, we were sent to investigate.”
“So, are you going?”
“No, not at all. We only came to decline the responsibility.”
Thousand-Mile Eye and Favorable-Wind Ear exchanged another glance, both looking deeply troubled before letting out bitter sighs:
“We dare not look.”
“We dare not listen.”
Three-Five Fire Spirit Great General was struck speechless in astonishment.
Meanwhile, the Old Yellow Ox, driven by concern for wealth and the hope of scavenging treasures, charged straight toward the Pure Glazed Buddhist Kingdom. Ordinarily, his strength lay in power and endurance. He specialized in donning heavy armor and wielding an immensely heavy, overbearing battle-axe in brutal combat. Speed was never his forte. Yet today, he was pushing himself beyond his limits, moving a third faster than usual.
Sweat poured from him like a river, but he was still half a step too late.
When he looked up, the Pure Glazed Buddhist Kingdom had already sealed itself off. Endless radiance swirled within, but it was completely cut off from the outside world. No one could take a single step inside.
The Old Yellow Ox let out a string of lamenting sighs, each one heavier than the last, as though more painful than all the sufferings of the world combined.
“Ahhh, how could I be just one step too late?!”
“Damn bald donkey, couldn’t you have held on for a few more breaths?”
Suddenly, a voice echoed forth: “The World-Honored One has already foreseen the time. The Star Officer has indeed arrived.”
The Old Yellow Ox lifted his head and saw that, in front of the Buddhist Kingdom, a lotus pedestal spun gently. Upon it stood a man clad in crimson Buddhist robes adorned with flowing sashes. His skin was pale, his left hand was clenched into a fist resting at his waist, while his right hand held a lotus flower with a crescent moon nestled upon it. His expression was serene and unshakable. Before the Buddhist kingdom, his presence faintly radiated an aura beyond that of a great bodhisattva, nearly touching the realm of a Buddha.
The Yellow Ox furrowed his brows. “Yue Jing! It’s you?”
“You’re here waiting for me?”
“Where is the Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata?”
Moonlight Universal Illumination formed a Buddhist mudra with his hands and lowered his gaze in sorrow. “The World-Honored One has passed.”
The Old Yellow Ox was silent for a long time before sighing. “He’s truly gone?”
“Yes.”
“After delivering his final profound teaching, the World-Honored One has entered Nirvana and passed through reincarnation.”
The Yellow Ox wasn’t sure what he felt in his heart. The past was too tangled and complicated. He had once witnessed that old monk ascend from a Bodhisattva to a Buddha. He had also seen him gradually become obstinate and obsessive. That monk had troubled him endlessly over trivial matters, and he had, in turn, eaten countless lotus seeds from the monk’s pond. But after all those years, all that remained was a simple phrase: “So that’s how it is.”
Thus, two thousand years of grudges and karma amounted to nothing more than this.
The Old Yellow Ox’s body trembled and shifted, transforming into his original human form. He was clad in the armor of a Star Officer, a splendid battle robe draped over him. One hand rested on the hilt of his sword, while a jade pendant hung at his waist.
His black hair was unruly, and his eyes widened as he glared at Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva. He could not help but scold:
“Buddhism teaches that all things come into being, exist, decay, and return to emptiness. Even he could not escape.”
“You cannot escape either!”
“Nor can I!”
“When karma arises, calamity follows. It is only natural.”
“At his level of enlightenment, if he did not wish to die, who could possibly force him into reincarnation? If he willingly chose to enter Nirvana, then it is not mere extinction—it is not death, but Nirvana. This is a great and joyful event! Yue Jing, you have been by his side for thousands of years, and yet you still cannot see through this? How utterly laughable!”
“You might as well hand over his robes and relics to me.”
“I could sell them off for some silver and have a good drink at his grave!”
“That would at least make our meeting in this life worthwhile.”
Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva sighed helplessly. Just a moment ago, this Old Yellow Ox had been exuding deep Buddhist wisdom, but in the blink of an eye, his roguish nature had resurfaced. With a weary shake of his head, he replied:
“However, the World-Honored One did leave a letter for the Star Officer.”
He took something out from his sleeve, supported by a glow of Buddhist light. As soon as it appeared, it transformed into light and flew away. The Old Yellow Ox grabbed it in one swift motion, not bothering with any formalities. But after just one glance, he couldn’t help but curse three times, calling him an “Old Bald Donkey”.
The message contained only a few words—
[Came with nothing, left with nothing.]
[If you want my robes and bowl—just take an old bald donkey instead.]
“YOU DAMN BALD DONKEY!!!”
“Even at the very end, you still mess with this Old Ox, you stinking*****!!”
At first, the Old Yellow Ox was seething, spewing profanities, but in the end, he simply laughed.
“Looks like he truly understood.”
“I could never achieve that, but I can faintly see it now.”
“It’s that old bald head—he’s really not very straightforward. But he still gave it to me, huh? The bald head of Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata—if placed in the Demon Kingdom, even the Demon Emperor would be shaken. Who knows, maybe just with this, I can land myself a [Great Sage] position.”
As always, three sentences in, he was back to thinking about money. He wasn’t willing to give up just yet. “Did he say anything else?”
Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva placed his palms together and replied,
“The teacher did leave one last instruction, but I may not be able to fulfill it.”
“Star Officer Niu, you have vast connections. There is someone whose whereabouts I wish to inquire about.”
The Old Xx waved a hand in bold assurance. “Ask away! Who?”
Moonlight Universal Illumination Bodhisattva spoke slowly and solemnly:
“A young friend. The World-Honored One’s close companion, the Daoist friend of the Medicine Master Glazed Light Tathāgata, and even, to some extent, a teacher to the World-Honored One.”
“The very person who guided Buddha to Nirvana.”
His expression became increasingly reverent. Finally, he let out a breath, pressed his hands together, and bowed slightly in a gesture of utmost respect before asking:
“Do you know of the [Taishang Xuanwei True Person]?”
The old ox’s face froze.
哈???
Huh???
Who?!!
PS:
The Sutra of Anointing and Removing Past Sins for Liberation from Life and Death states:
“There are two Bodhisattvas: one named Sun Radiance, and the other named Moon Purity. These two Bodhisattvas are next in line to succeed the Buddha’s position.”
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