I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

It was originally the mount of a Bodhisattva, but because it coveted power in the human world, it secretly descended to earth, swallowed up the real king's family, and has been occupying their nest for several years.

While strolling through the garden today, I overheard a conversation between Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing.

The pilgrimage team? Tang Sanzang's flesh? The green-haired lion's heart trembled, and a green, demonic light burst from its eyes.

It remembered that the Bodhisattva had mentioned that this monk who went to the East to retrieve the scriptures was the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi. Eating his flesh could grant immortality, replenish the body, and allow one to directly reach the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm! Even more wonderfully, the flesh contained the righteous energy of Buddhism, which could help it break free from the Bodhisattva's constraints and transform from a mere mount into a demon king.

The blue-maned lion licked its fangs and grinned maliciously: "A golden opportunity! How long have I been waiting for this day!"

With a swift movement, it transformed into a gust of demonic wind and hurtled straight towards Baolin Temple.

Inside Baolin Temple, the night was deep.

Tang Sanzang sat cross-legged on a futon, his hands clasped together, reciting the Heart Sutra.

Wukong and Bajie had been gone for a long time and had not returned, which made him feel uneasy.

The journey to obtain the scriptures was long and arduous. Although the disciples possessed supernatural powers, they were often troubled by greed, anger, and ignorance.

Could it be that he was tainted by worldly affairs in the bustling land of Wuji Kingdom? Tang Sanzang shook his head and smiled bitterly, blaming himself, "This humble monk is overthinking things."

Wukong is fiery, Bajie is lazy, and Sha Wujing is steady; they must have encountered some minor troubles on their alms-begging trip.

Thinking of this, he summoned Sha Wujing: "Wuneng and Wujing have not returned for a long time. Go to the Imperial Garden and urge them to return quickly."

Remember, do not cause trouble.

Sha Wujing accepted the order and left, while Tang Sanzang sat alone in his meditation room, feeling increasingly weary.

He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

In the dream, a golden light suddenly appeared, and Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared, holding a pure bottle and willow branch, with a kind face and said: "Jin Chanzi, you and I have been master and disciple for a long time. Since the journey to the West, although your mind has progressed, you still have worldly attachments."

The calamity that befell the Kingdom of Wuji this time was ordained by Heaven.

To help you overcome your obstacles, this humble monk will temporarily reclaim your mid-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal cultivation, allowing you to undergo tribulation in a mortal body so that you may attain the Great Dao.

Upon hearing this in his dream, Tang Sanzang was greatly alarmed: "Bodhisattva, have mercy! This disciple... this disciple dares not..."

Before he finished speaking, the golden body of Jin Chanzi appeared behind the Bodhisattva. The golden body was the transformation of his primordial spirit from his previous life. Suddenly, he opened his mouth and inhaled. Tang Sanzang felt his dantian empty, and a powerful immortal force was drawn away like a tide, causing his meridians to wither inch by inch.

When he woke up, he sat up abruptly and reached out to check, only to find that he had no magical power at all! His meridians were as weak as those of an ordinary person, and although his brocade cassock was still there, it could not protect him from this sudden emptiness.

"Amitabha Buddha... Bodhisattva, what does this mean? How did I... how did I become a mortal?"

Tang Sanzang muttered to himself, his face deathly pale, and sweat pouring down his face.

He struggled to get up, wanting to call his disciples, but felt dizzy and could only barely sit down with the support of the meditation bed.

Just then, a strong wind blew outside the temple, and a dark figure darted in.

The green-haired lion had transformed into the likeness of Sun Wukong, his monkey fur trembling, the golden cudgel slung over his shoulder, his monkey face grinning: "Master! Old Sun is back! Second Brother, that dead pig, fell into the well, and Brother Sha and I are worried about it. Do you have any ideas?"

The monks in the temple, upon recognizing "Sun Wukong," quickly made way for him.

Upon hearing this, Tang Sanzang forced himself to look up: "Wukong? You... why do you look like this? Quickly, come and see this humble monk."

The green-haired lion was secretly delighted, stepped into the meditation room, and closed the door.

Seeing that Tang Sanzang's face was pale and his breath was weak, the demon's heart was greatly disturbed: "Master, what's wrong with you? Why is your face as white as paper?"

Tang Sanzang sighed, "I was enlightened by the Bodhisattva, and my cultivation has been temporarily lost... Wukong, go quickly to find Sha Wujing and help save Bajie."

Upon hearing this, the green-haired lion's eyes flashed with a sinister light, and a savage grin appeared: "Haha! Lost all your cultivation? Heaven is on my side! Tang Sanzang, I'm taking your flesh!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the blue-haired lion revealed its true form: a blue-haired lion with its blood-red mouth wide open, its fangs bared.

Tang Sanzang was terrified. He wanted to chant Buddhist mantras, but he had no magical power to protect himself. He could only watch as a foul stench wafted from under the giant mask.

In an instant, the brocade cassock shone with golden light, transforming into a thin curtain of light that enveloped Tang Sanzang.

The green-haired lion took a bite and swallowed Tang Sanzang and his cassock whole! The cassock was protected by Buddhist power, so although Tang Sanzang entered the lion's belly, he was not digested immediately. He felt that his whole body was black and sticky, with an unbearable stench, and he was squeezed by mountains of flesh all around him, making it hard to breathe.

The lion, having succeeded, went into a frenzy.

It roared to the sky, and a demonic wind swept up, engulfing hundreds of monks from Baolin Temple into its mouth, where it chewed them up and swallowed them.

Blood rained down in the temple, and screams filled the air.

After a hearty meal, the green-haired lion licked its fangs, transformed into a whirlwind, and roared back to the King of Wuji's palace.

Along the way, it was secretly delighted: Although Tang Sanzang's flesh was not digested, it was being warmed and nourished in its belly. After being refined, it would definitely be able to complete Laozi's half of his body, enhance its demonic power, and directly rival that of a Bodhisattva! On the other side, Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing had made a decision to return to the temple first to report to Tang Sanzang, and then try to rescue Bajie.

The two rode on clouds and soon landed in front of Baolin Temple.

But the temple gates were wide open, the night wind was bleak, and the courtyard was empty without a soul in sight.

Wukong sensed an alarm and scanned the area with his fiery eyes. He saw bloodstains on the ground, broken walls and ruins, and a strong smell of blood in the air.

"Oh no! Something's happened to Master!"

He shouted loudly, swung his golden cudgel, and smashed open the door of the meditation room. He saw the prayer cushion overturned, the marks of the cassock still visible, but the person was nowhere to be seen.

Sha Wujing's face turned ashen as he searched around, finding only a few monk's hats and fragments of blood-stained clothes.

"Senior Brother, this...this is the work of a demon! Hundreds of monks in the temple are all gone!"

Upon hearing this, Wukong's hair stood on end, and he summoned the Earth God.

The local deity appeared trembling and knelt down, saying, "Great Sage, spare our lives! Just now, a green-maned lion transformed into the Great Sage's appearance, swallowed the elders and monks, and headed towards Wuji Kingdom!"

"A blue-maned lion? Transformed into the likeness of Old Sun?"

Upon hearing this, Wukong's mind went blank.

The demonic aura of Wuji Kingdom is overwhelming, and that fake king must be a demon! But this lion... could it be Jiang Wang who has been poisoned by the Weak Water? Jiang Wang was originally a Taiyi Loose Immortal, but due to the Weak Water soaking his body, he transformed into a lion and hid in the human world.

Wukong recalled the old news, and his mind was filled with doubt: "Damn it! How did I become a monster's substitute? Master must have been swallowed by that beast!"

Enraged, he smashed the ground with his club and shouted angrily, "Brother Sha, let's go after him! Let's go to Wuji Kingdom and kill that fake king!"

As soon as they finished speaking, the two of them suddenly felt a tightness on their heads—the headband curse had activated! The curse felt like a thousand needles piercing their brains, the pain penetrating to the bone marrow.

Wukong clutched his head and screamed, "Ouch! Master's signal! He... he's calling for help!"

Sha Wujing was also writhing on the ground in pain, panting, "It's...it's Master! He's inside the demon's belly, sending a message with his Buddha-heart!"

Wukong painfully got up, his monkey eyes bloodshot: "Damn bald monk! You've lost all your cultivation and still cause trouble. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't care whether you live or die!"

Though he complained, his heart burned with rage.

His master treated him like a son; how could he not repay such kindness? "Alright! Brother Sha, you stay and watch over Pigsy. I'll go to the South Sea to invite the Bodhisattva! There must be a hidden meaning behind this!"

Sha Wujing nodded, forcing a smile, and said, "Brother, be careful! That lion demon is quite powerful."

Wukong grunted, plucked a handful of monkey hairs, blew a breath of magic, and transformed them into dozens of small monkeys, who then went off to search for Bajie's whereabouts.

He then somersaulted on his cloud and headed straight for Mount Putuo in the South China Sea.

During the journey, the lingering pain of the headband still lingered, and he gritted his teeth: "Master, don't blame me for being heartless."

The Bodhisattva is taking back your cultivation; it must be for your own good.

But this calamity came too suddenly; Old Sun is determined to get to the bottom of this!

Inside the lion's belly, Tang Sanzang was curled up within the light curtain of his brocade cassock, surrounded by writhing flesh and dripping with foul-smelling juices.

Although he had no cultivation, he managed to keep his primordial spirit from dissipating by relying on the Buddhist power of the kasaya.

The sound of a lion's heartbeat, deafening like a drumbeat, filled my ears; the stench of rotting flesh and blood from the tip of its nose was nauseating.

Tang Sanzang silently chanted Buddhist mantras, suppressing his terror: "Amitabha... This disciple's sins are grave. The Bodhisattva has enlightened me, and I have temporarily lost my immortal powers; this is a tribulation. Wukong, Wuneng, Wujing, are you there? Your master is here, waiting for you to come and save me..."

With a thought, the headband of his arm began to heat up, sending out a distress signal.

Although he didn't know if his disciple had received it, Tang Sanzang felt a glimmer of hope.

The journey to the West is fraught with peril, yet the bond between master and disciples is deep. This dark secret within is merely another tribulation.

He closed his eyes and concentrated, waiting for the dawn to break.

Wukong sped along on the cloud, and the South China Sea came into view.

On Mount Putuo, lotus flowers bloom, and the Guanyin Hall appears and disappears.

He was overwhelmed with mixed feelings: The Bodhisattva was compassionate, so why didn't he warn him sooner? How could his master, a mortal, withstand the demon's attack? And where did that blue-haired lion come from? A series of questions tangled in his mind.

Wukong landed and kowtowed, loudly proclaiming, "Bodhisattva! Wukong requests an audience! My master is in danger; I beg the Bodhisattva for mercy and assistance!"

Inside the hall, willows swayed in the breeze, and Guanyin appeared, smiling silently.

Wukong looked up and saw the Bodhisattva with pity in her eyes: "Monkey, you've come."

The calamity that befell Jin Chanzi was ordained by Heaven.

The lion is Manjushri's mount, a consequence of greed and anger.

Only by overcoming this calamity can you and your disciple advance further.

Upon hearing this, Wukong's monkey eyes widened: "Manjushri's mount? Then wasn't I wrong to blame Jiang Wang? Bodhisattva, if you knew this earlier, why didn't you save him?"

Guanyin sighed softly: "Opportunities are predetermined."

Go forth, take my willow branch, and go to the Kingdom of Wuji to enlighten the lion.

Remember, compassion is fundamental; avoid being stubborn.

Wukong took the willow branch, feeling slightly relieved, but still complained, "Master is so meddlesome, and so is the Bodhisattva! This wretched monkey of mine has such a miserable life!"

He turned and left the palace, his somersault cloud rising again, heading straight for the Kingdom of Wuji.

Behind them, the South China Sea lay calm and still, and lotus flowers quietly bloomed.

In the palace of the King of Wuji, a blue-haired lion sat coiled on the dragon bed, its belly churning.

It sensed that Tang Sanzang's physical body was tenacious, and the faint Buddhist light from his cassock was burning the demon core. It couldn't help but growl: "You little bald monk, once I refine you, I will make sure your soul is scattered!"

It channeled its demonic power, its belly surging with heat, and the shimmering light surrounding Tang Sanzang swayed, yet remained as firm as a rock.

The lion was anxious. He got up and surveyed the palace, thinking to himself: If the monkey and the curtain-roller come, it will definitely be a tough battle.

But Laozi has the Manjushri invisibility talisman protecting him, so what is there to fear? Sha Wujing stood by the well in the Imperial Garden, anxiously waiting, his crescent-shaped shovel poking at the ground.

From the bottom of the well, Pigsy's muffled voice came: "Brother Sandy... think of a way quickly... this black water is like an iron chain, it's hurting my bones!"

Sha Wujing sighed, "Second brother, bear with it. Eldest brother has gone to invite the Bodhisattva."

Master... Master is probably in grave danger.

Upon hearing this, Pigsy's heart sank: "Master? What happened to that damned monk? Oh dear, did he get carried away by a monster again?"

Sha Wujing shook his head and recounted the tragic scene in the temple.

Bajie cursed, "Damn lion demon! Once we get out of here, I'll smash its dog head in with a rake!"

As night deepened, the lights of Wuji Kingdom dimmed.

Wukong swiftly traveled through the clouds, a willow branch in his hand, faintly fragrant.

He secretly vowed in his heart: Master, wait! I'm coming to save you! The journey to the West may be dangerous, but with the master and disciples united, what is there to fear from demons? Inside the lion's belly, Tang Sanzang felt the warmth of the cassock and recalled his past in the East: escaping danger at Lingyun Ferry, breaking free from the Five Elements Mountain, and through all the hardships, his disciples protected him.

He said in a low voice, "Wukong, you monkey, you always complain, but you value loyalty the most."

As your teacher, I know you have a kind heart. After this tribulation, I will surely help you attain enlightenment.

The flesh inside his abdomen was pressing against him, but he gritted his teeth and endured it, hoping that the whistling sound of the golden cudgel would soon burst through his belly.

Wukong recalled the vow he made before his master at Flower Fruit Mountain when they first met: "This old Sun is willing to protect you on your journey to the West to obtain the true scriptures!"

Now that his master is in imminent danger, his heart is breaking.

Clouds swept across the mountains and rivers, the wind whistling in his ears. He gripped the willow branch tightly and thought to himself: The Bodhisattva said that the lion was Manjushri's mount, so how come Manjushri Bodhisattva couldn't control his own beast? Could it be that the Heavenly Court intentionally indulged him, causing my master and me to suffer this ordeal? Wukong shook his head and smiled bitterly. Although the mischievous monkey was fierce, he knew that heavenly secrets should not be revealed.

Never mind, saving Master is the priority! Outside the Wuji King's palace, a sinister wind was blowing.

The blue-haired lion, its belly full, lay lazily in the imperial garden, while the black water by the well still churned.

Unbeknownst to it, the black water at the bottom of the well was a trap it had laid years ago, specifically to capture intruders.

Pigsy fell right into the trap, just as the monkey and the curtain-roller had planned. Unfortunately for them, the monkey was not fooled and instead allowed the trap to set its sights on an even bigger prey.

The lion yawned, and suddenly Tang Sanzang inside its belly began chanting Buddhist mantras. The sound was like needles piercing a demon's core, causing the lion to roll over and growl, "Bald donkey! Stop causing trouble!"

It exerted its demonic power to suppress the light from the cassock, causing the light screen to tremble. Tang Sanzang groaned, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, yet he continued to chant silently.

In the ruins of Baolin Temple, a waning moon hangs high, and the bloodstains have dried.

The souls of hundreds of monks scattered and disappeared into the underworld, leaving only the empty meditation hall to tell the story of the sudden calamity.

Before Tang Sanzang entered the dream, he discussed Buddhist scriptures with the monks, speaking of the Buddhist compassion and the salvation of all sentient beings.

Who knew that when he awoke from his dream, he had lost all his cultivation, and the temple was in utter chaos.

His heart ached terribly, yet he felt no remorse: the Bodhisattva withdrew his divine power so that he could experience suffering with a mortal heart and thus truly awaken.

Sha Wujing waited by the well, recalling the old stories of the Flowing Sand River.

At that time, he traveled west alone, killing countless lives, until he was enlightened by a Bodhisattva and finally turned to Buddhism.

His master treated him like a younger brother and never blamed him for his past offense of rolling up the curtain.

Now that his master is in danger, he grips the shovel handle tightly and vows, "Master, Sha Wujing will never let you down!"

Upon hearing this, Pigsy, who was at the bottom of the well, croaked hoarsely, "Brother Sha... I'll risk it all too! Quickly pull me out and kill that lion!"

As Wukong approached Wuji Kingdom, his fiery eyes peered into the distance and saw that the capital was brightly lit, yet shrouded in demonic energy.

Knowing the lion was hiding in the palace, he simply appeared outside the Imperial Garden and shouted, "You green-haired beast! Spit out your master! I'm here to take your dog's life!"

The sound was like thunder, causing the palace guards to scatter.

Upon hearing this, the blue-haired lion leaped up, felt a sharp pain in its abdomen, and revealed a sinister grin: "Monkey? You've come at the right time! I was just worried about my body being incomplete; your monkey brains will do the trick!"

It opened its mouth and spewed out a demonic wind, carrying black water, which rushed straight at Wukong.

Wukong swung his staff to meet the attack, and with a flick of his willow branch, a clear light like a sword cut through the black water.

The two fought fiercely, their staffs flashing and their roars shaking the heavens.

Upon hearing the commotion, Sha Wujing rushed over from the well, only to find Zhu Bajie still stuck in the mud, and could only watch helplessly.

As Wukong fought, he shouted, "Brother Sha! Protect our second brother! I'll hold this beast back first!"

Upon hearing this, the lion swept its tail and grabbed Sha Wujing. Wukong hurriedly blocked with his staff, which made his tiger's mouth go numb.

Tang Sanzang inside Tang Sanzang sensed the tremors outside and knew that his disciple had arrived.

He exerted his Buddhist power, and the Tightening Headband was activated again, causing waves of pain, which helped Wukong to locate himself.

Upon receiving the news, Wukong's staff techniques became even more ferocious: "Beast! Master is inside you! I'll smash your internal organs to pieces!" (End of Chapter)