Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 510 Refining Donghua in the Eight Trigrams Furnace (5k+ long chapter, please vote for monthly tickets)
The Buddha nodded slightly, his expression solemn, and said:
"In that case, let the Yellow-Eyebrowed Boy and the Golden Cicada go together to Jambudvipa to spread the scriptures."

"With a period of one hundred years, the two will each use their abilities to see who can spread our Buddhism in Jambudvipa and liberate all sentient beings."

"The winner will be the one to transmit the scriptures."

"I hope that the two of you will be of one mind and one heart. Although you are competing, you must not break the rules of Buddhism, and you must not ruin the great plan of spreading the scriptures for your own selfish reasons. Otherwise, the Buddha's teachings will not tolerate it."

Guanyin Bodhisattva, with hands clasped in prayer, a serene expression, and a solemn countenance, spoke:
"Rest assured, World Honored One, I will keep a close eye on the movements of Jin Chanzi's people. If there is anything inappropriate, I will promptly dissuade them to ensure that Jin Chanzi competes fairly and does his best for the cause of spreading Buddhist scriptures."

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva also joined his palms together and said respectfully:

“Venerable Sir, I would do the same.”

……

The "recommendation" system occupied an important position in the selection system of officials in feudal society. Its core was to allow the recommended person to obtain an official position or promotion opportunity through the recommendation of a person of status and prestige.

This system existed for a long time in history and played an important role in selecting outstanding talents and maintaining the ruling order of feudal society.

In order to maximize the effectiveness of "recommendation" in selecting talented individuals, and at the same time effectively avoid problems such as false recommendations and abuse of the power of recommendation, feudal rulers sometimes formulated a strict accountability system for "recommendation," namely, "joint liability for recommendation."

In other words.

The "recommendation" system means that if the recommended person engages in illegal or unethical conduct, dereliction of duty, or other misconduct during their tenure, the recommender will also bear corresponding responsibility and may even face severe punishment.

In the pure land of Buddhism, although there is no strict hierarchy like in feudal officialdom, there is still a similar practice of "recommendation".

Since Guanyin Bodhisattva vouched for Jin Chanzi, she recommended him.

Guanyin Bodhisattva naturally became Jin Chanzi's protector and guide.

And corresponding to it.

Since the Bodhisattva Mahasthamaprapta vouched for and recommended Huang Mei, he became Huang Mei's protector and guide.

Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva will definitely give full support to Huang Mei.

……

Previously.

Jin Chanzi and Huang Mei had a fierce argument at the previous Ullambana Festival. Both of them violated the Buddhist rules and were banished from Mount Ling. They are no longer on the sacred Mount Ling.

The Buddha's gaze was deep, and he slowly spoke:

"In that case, we shall immediately recall Jin Chanzi and Huang Mei and send them back to Mount Ling to shoulder the important task of spreading the Dharma and propagating Buddhism."

Dipankara Buddha smiled slightly and said:
“I have a disciple named Bai Xiong who is exceptionally strong and fast. Sending him there will surely allow him to quickly find the whereabouts of these two.”

The voice just fell.

Suddenly, Venerable White Lion appeared from under the command of Dipankara Buddha and said:

"Master, I'm here."

The ancient Buddha Dipankara, with a solemn expression, instructed him:

"You may use your divine power to fly to the four continents, find Jin Chanzi and Huang Mei, and explain this matter to them."

"Yes, Master."

Venerable Bai Xiong accepted the order.

Having said that, Venerable Bai Xiong rode the whirlwind and flew away from the gate of Leiyin Temple like an arrow, displaying his divine power to search for Jin Chanzi and Huang Mei.

Venerable Bai Xiong is an incarnation of the Garuda, possessing great supernatural powers. When he spreads his wings, he can travel 90,000 miles with a single wing, and with both wings spread, he can travel 180,000 miles. His speed is astonishing.

It is said: "The warriors before the Buddha are comparable to the Wind God of Xun. The sound of the immortal bell travels three thousand miles, and the chanting of scriptures soars high over ten thousand valleys."

in a blink.

Venerable Bai Xiong then transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the vast sky.

……

Now, let's talk about that day at the grand court assembly.

The Jade Emperor then instructed the Curtain-Lifting General to remove the Eastern Emperor from the Heavenly Prison and hand him over to the Supreme Lord Laozi.

Laozi received the decree and departed, taking Donghua Dijun to the Tushita Palace in Lihentian.

……

The Heaven of Separation and Sorrow.

Inside the Tushita Palace, in front of the Eight Trigrams Furnace, the Six Ding Divine Fire burned fiercely, its flames soaring into the sky, illuminating the entire palace.

Beside the Eight Trigrams Furnace, two boys were busy at work. One held a palm-leaf fan, fanning the flames vigorously, which fueled the fire and made the flames even more intense; the other was busy adding firewood and water, his movements skillful.

These two were none other than the "Golden Furnace Boy" and the "Silver Furnace Boy," who would later become the "Golden Horn King" and the "Silver Horn King" of Pingdingshan on their journey west.

At this moment.

Emperor Donghua was escorted here by a group of heavenly soldiers and generals.

Emperor Donghua was bound with ropes and had been subjected to a magic instrument that pierced his collarbone, making it extremely difficult for him to move.

Although his cultivation had dissipated and his magical power was far less than before, his face was as pale as paper and his breath was weak.

Even so, his aura and pride as a leader remained undiminished.

The heavenly soldiers and generals guarding the area dared not be careless in the slightest, their eyes fixed on Emperor Donghua, fearing that he might make some unusual move.

Kui Mulang performed outstandingly in the previous war against Heaven and won the Jade Emperor's favor.

The Jade Emperor was worried that something might go wrong here, so he specially sent this "newly appointed confidant," Kui Mulang, to keep an eye on things.

The Curtain-Rolling General looked at Laozi and respectfully asked:
"Laojun, should we throw Donghua Dijun into the Eight Trigrams Furnace now?"

Lao Tzu waved his hand gently and said calmly:

"You may all step back for now. I have something to say to Emperor Donghua."

"This……"

General Rolling Curtain and Kui Mulang exchanged a glance, though they had their doubts.

But since the Jade Emperor was not present, they dared not disobey the orders of the Supreme Dao Ancestor and had no choice but to withdraw.

With another wave of his hand, Laozi sent the Golden Furnace Boy and the Silver Furnace Boy to retreat to the side.

At this moment.

The surroundings were so quiet that the only sound was the crackling of the flames burning in the Bagua Furnace.

In the vast Tushita Palace, only the Eastern Emperor and the Supreme Lord Laozi remained.

"The winner is the king and the loser is the bandit..."

"But what is the Jade Emperor's intention?"

"What kind of medicine is being sold in Laozi's purple-gold gourd?"

Emperor Donghua sighed inwardly.

In the struggle for imperial power, the victor is always king and the loser is always villain; the fate of the loser is predetermined.

The path to immortality is inherently difficult, but the path to becoming an emperor is fraught with even greater dangers.

Life and death are unpredictable, and the seasons change without warning. Yet, the allure of a high position is irresistible. The only way is to contend with the Dao and with Heaven!

If victorious, one can possess the Three Realms, rule the universe, and enjoy endless glory and power; if defeated, one's soul can only return to heaven and earth, turning into dust, and everything will vanish like a bubble.

But now, the Jade Emperor did not kill him directly, nor did he send him to the Execution Platform. Instead, he sent him to the Supreme Lord Laozi.

There must be a deeper meaning behind this...

Emperor Donghua pondered inwardly, his brows furrowed, yet he could not fathom the true intentions of the Jade Emperor and Laozi.

Counting the days, the "Dan Yuan Assembly" in the Heavenly Realm is approaching.

Could it be that Laozi intends to refine Donghua Dijun into elixirs and distribute them to the celestial immortals at the "Dan Yuan Conference"?
After all, in this world of immortals, peace and tranquility are real, but so is cruelty and ruthlessness.

It's not unheard of for people or demons to be captured for alchemy.

As for Emperor Donghua, being the embodiment of innate pure yang energy, his body is full of spiritual energy, making him an excellent material for alchemy.

at this time.

It seemed that Laozi had seen through Donghua Dijun's thoughts.

With a flick of his whisk, a futon radiating a faint spiritual light appeared out of thin air and landed steadily in front of Emperor Donghua.

Followed by.

A wisp of sandalwood incense rose gently from the incense burner.

The delicate fragrance of sandalwood permeated the Tushita Palace like a light veil, instantly refreshing the mind and spirit, as if all worries and anxieties vanished with the wisps of smoke.

Subsequently.

In an instant.

A pot of fine "Enlightenment Cloud Mist Tea" has already been brewed and placed on the table. The aroma of the tea is so enticing that one can't help but want to taste it.

Laozi smiled and looked at Emperor Donghua, saying:
"Your Majesty, please sit down first and taste this Enlightenment Cloud Mist Tea. Then we can have a leisurely chat."

"it is good."

Emperor Donghua laughed.

Now that things have come to this, he's like a fish on a chopping board, at the mercy of others, so it doesn't really matter anymore.

He sat down as instructed, facing Laozi.

Emperor Donghua picked up his teacup, took a sip, and found the aroma of the tea refreshing and calming.

His injuries and lost magical power were somehow restored by the aroma of the tea, as if the tea contained endless vitality and power.

Lao Tzu smiled and explained:
"This Enlightenment Tea contains a 'Nine-Turn Golden Pill,' which can help the Emperor recover from some of his injuries."

Emperor Donghua looked at Laozi and asked:
"Supreme Ancestor, what do you wish to say to me?"

Please speak frankly.

Laozi looked at Donghua Dijun, smiled slightly, a smile tinged with emotion, and said:

“The Jade Emperor originally intended to kill you, but the Queen Mother of the West and I spared your life because of our past relationship.”

"Old ties?" Emperor Donghua was slightly taken aback. In fact, he did not remember having any old ties with this Supreme Dao Ancestor, and his heart was full of doubts.

But he still smiled and said:

"Then I thank the Supreme Dao Ancestor."

"But I wonder what instructions the Supreme Dao Ancestor has?"

One shouldn't get up early if there's no profit to be made.

Even the Supreme Dao Ancestor, who is known for his tranquility and inaction, would not protect him without a reason.

Since Laozi protected him from the Jade Emperor, he must have some ulterior motive.

Naturally, Emperor Donghua would need to do something for him.

Laozi remained silent for a moment, his gaze falling on the pot of Enlightenment Cloud Mist Tea on the table. He seemed lost in deep memories, and slowly said:
"Three thousand guests in the Purple Cloud Palace, a thousand strands of calamity in the abyss of cause and effect."

That was a long time ago.

“Back then, the Eastern King Duke and I listened to his lectures together in the Purple Cloud Palace. Three thousand mortals gathered together to comprehend the Great Dao.”

"At that time, the Eastern King Duke was the 'Head of Male Immortals' appointed by Heaven and Earth, leading all the male immortals in the primordial world, and his demeanor was outstanding."

“He once personally served me tea, and I accepted this cup of tea, therefore I consider him an old friend.”

Seeing you today reminds me of those bygone days.

"How spirited and ambitious the Eastern King was back then..."

Emperor Donghua suddenly realized.

The "I" that Laozi refers to here is naturally his true form, the "Sage of Taiqing".

That is, the former "Taoist Master Taiqing" who had not yet become a saint.

Emperor Donghua was born from a remnant of the pure Yang soul of the Eastern King Duke. Although he carried some of the Eastern King Duke's memories, they were not complete.

Many past events have become blurred and difficult to discern.

He truly did not know that the Eastern King Duke had once served tea to the Taoist Taiqing in the Zixiao Palace.

In ancient times, tea served as a medium for expressing etiquette.

Serving tea is like showing respect to a person.

Serving tea is actually a very important form of etiquette.

such as:

When a disciple formally becomes an apprentice in the mortal world, he or she must respectfully offer tea to his or her master.

Only after your master drinks this tea will he acknowledge you as his disciple.

The bond between master and disciple was thus formed.

In "Journey to the West", on his journey to the west, Tang Sanzang passed by Zhen Yuanzi's Wuzhuang Temple.

At that time, the two children, Qingfeng and Mingyue, were full of doubts. The ginseng fruit takes three thousand years to bloom, another three thousand years to bear green fruit, and another three thousand years to mature. It would take almost ten thousand years before it could be eaten.

The ginseng fruit tree at Wuzhuang Temple has only produced thirty ginseng fruits in ten thousand years, making it a priceless treasure.

They couldn't understand why their master was being so hospitable to Tang Sanzang, even offering him two ginseng fruits.

Zhen Yuanzi once explained to Qingfeng and Mingyue, saying:
"How could you know? That monk was the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, the second disciple of the Western Sage Buddha Tathagata. I met him at the 'Lanpen Festival' five hundred years ago."

"At that time, he personally served me tea, and his respect as a Buddhist disciple is something I will never forget."

Therefore, he is an old friend to me.

"But do not neglect him. You may give him two of my ginseng fruits as a token of our past friendship."

That is, Jin Chanzi offered Zhen Yuanzi a cup of tea.

Zhen Yuanzi kept this affection deep in his heart.

Five hundred years later, when Zhen Yuanzi met Tang Sanzang, the "reincarnation" of Jin Chanzi, he treated him with ginseng fruit to repay the kindness of Jin Chanzi who had given him a cup of tea years ago.

This is the principle of "cause and effect, and reciprocity".

But who was the Eastern King Duke during the primordial era?
Dongwanggong was the head of all male immortals in the primordial world, an incarnation of primordial yang energy, and one of the top innate great powers in the primordial world.

The top male immortal, Dongwanggong, and the ancestor of earth immortals, Zhenyuanzi, the demon master Kunpeng, Donghuang Taiyi, the demon emperor Dijun... these people are all of similar seniority.

As Qingfeng and Mingyue, disciples of Zhen Yuanzi, said:
"The Three Pure Ones are my master's friends, the Four Emperors are my master's old friends; the Nine Luminaries are my master's juniors, and the Primordial Stars are my master's guests."

"Therefore, those above should still receive the proper gifts; those below should not accept our incense offerings."

"We only worship Heaven and Earth."

It is no exaggeration to say that during the glorious period of the Eastern King Duke, there was absolutely no problem for him and the Three Pure Ones to treat each other as equals.

As for the fact that the Eastern King Duke personally served tea to the Taoist Master Taiqing, that was indeed a great courtesy.

This is an extremely solemn ceremony.

This is equivalent to the Buddha himself coming to serve tea to Zhen Yuanzi.

Of course, the situation will be different after Taiqing Daoren becomes a saint.

After all, there are three realms of cultivation: the Ant Realm, the Fellow Daoist Realm, and the Senior Realm, each with a different status.

In the past, he, Dongwanggong, and Taiqing Daoren were both "fellow Daoists".

However, after Taiqing Daoren became a saint, they were no longer people of the same realm.

……

At this point, Laozi lightly raised his finger and touched the space between Donghua Dijun's eyebrows.

In an instant.

A flood of memories rushed into Donghua Dijun's mind.

It turns out that back then, in the ancient, primordial era...

The three masters, Taiqing Laozi, Yuqing Yuanshi, and Shangqing Tongtian, are already close to achieving sainthood.

At that time, the Three Pure Ones were not like they were during the Investiture of the Gods war, where the two brothers, Yuqing Yuanshi and Shangqing Tongtian, were constantly fighting amongst themselves.

At that time, the Three Pure Ones had not yet separated; they were still closely connected, sticking together for warmth, and were practically the strongest force in the prehistoric world.

No one dared to easily provoke the three brothers, Sanqing.

Among them, Laozi of Taiqing is the one who is closest to the realm of a sage, only one step away from that realm. He is surrounded by pure energy and has a faint air of transcending all things and being carefree.

However, the Eastern King Duke was formed from innate yang energy, and his body was filled with surging yang energy, shining brightly, making him as radiant as the sun in the primordial world.

The Three Pure Ones are three primordial pure energies transformed from the primordial spirit of Pangu: the Qi of Taiqing (the Sage of Taiqing), the Qi of Yuqing (the Primordial Heavenly Venerable), and the Qi of Shangqing (the Master of Tongtian).

The Eastern King Duke represents "innate Yang Qi," while the Three Pure Ones represent "innate Pure Qi." They are all embodiments of "innate Qi."

To put it bluntly, everyone is just angry.

and so.

In this sense, the Eastern King Duke and the Three Pure Ones share similar origins and can be considered somewhat related, sharing a deep connection.

At that time, the Eastern King Duke was ambitious and wanted to establish the Primordial Heavenly Court to rule over all the immortals and gods of the Primordial World and fight against the forces of the demon race, including the Eastern Emperor Taiyi and Emperor Jun.

As the "Head of the Primordial Male Immortals" and the "Lord of the Primordial Heavenly Court," he specially served tea and paid his respects to the eldest of the Three Pure Ones, the "Sage of Taiqing," in the Zixiao Palace to express his "sincerity."

Zixiao Palace.

Before Taiqing.

The Eastern King Duke held the teacup with both hands, his expression respectful, and said:

"Fellow Daoist Taiqing, the situation in the prehistoric world is currently turbulent and the power of the demon race is growing stronger day by day. I wish to establish the prehistoric heavenly court to resist the demon race. I hope that you can lend me a hand."

However, at that time, Taiqing had already established himself as a saint and was only one step away from becoming one.

He knew that the opportunity to become a saint was fleeting, and once missed, he didn't know how many years he would have to wait.

He really didn't want to get involved in the civil war between the Eastern King Duke, the Eastern Emperor Taiyi, and Emperor Jun, so as not to delay his great cause of becoming a saint.

Moreover, Yuqing and Shangqing are also close to becoming saints.

At this time, the three brothers of Sanqing must all be devoted to the Dao and seek the opportunity for transcendence.

He is too pure, and he still needs to protect his two younger brothers, Yuqing and Shangqing. How could he easily get involved in karma?

Therefore, the Taoist Taiqing shook his head slightly, declining the offer from the Eastern King Duke, and said:

“Fellow Daoist Dongwanggong, we are now wholeheartedly devoted to the Dao and seeking the opportunity to become saints. We are afraid that we cannot help you. We hope you will understand.”

……

then.

In Zixiao Palace.

The Eastern King Duke treated Taiqing with the courtesy due to a teacher, serving him tea in return.

Dongwanggong was full of expectations, wanting to borrow the power of Taiqing to fight against the two brothers Donghuang Taiyi and Dijun, who were famous among the demon race.

After all, the Taoist Taiqing possesses profound magical power. If he could obtain the Taoist Taiqing's assistance, he would surely have a greater chance of victory and be able to turn the tide in the prehistoric world.

That cup of tea did not change Taiqing Daoist's mind.

Taiqing Daoist was unwilling to get involved in this vortex of conflict, lest it delay his own cultivation.

but.

Although the Taoist Taiqing declined the offer of tea from the Eastern King, he remembered the kindness of the Eastern King in offering tea.

The scene in Zixiao Palace was just like the story of "Jin Chanzi and Zhen Yuanzi".

This is the principle of "cause and effect" and "reciprocity".

……

(PS: Weekend update, 5k+ chapter, early update. I'd appreciate a monthly pass, thanks!)

(End of this chapter)