Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons

Wen Jiao once took it for granted that since Taoists could ascend to heaven, they could also save their relatives. After she became an immortal, she realized that the so-called "one person's enlightenment brings enlightenment to all the family members" still depended on one's aptitude.

When Huangdi became an immortal, the ministers waiting beside him tried to cling to the dragon's whiskers and follow him to heaven, but they were smashed to pieces. After Wukong ascended to heaven, he also wanted to support the monkeys in Huaguo Mountain, but the monkeys ate the immortal wine and fruits he stole and could only become demons without the opportunity to become immortals.

When it was Wen Jiao's turn, Huo Ling'er, Shuang Tongzi, and Yuan Tiangang were all by her side when she ascended. However, only Huo Ling'er and the two brothers, Pi Xie and Zhen'e, followed her to ascend, while Yuan Tiangang was filtered to the human world. Huo Ling'er was clear-minded, and the brothers Pi Xie had excellent physiques. Although Yuan Tiangang was a top figure in the Shuzi Sect, he did not have the physique to become an immortal, which was why he could not follow her to ascend.

Yin Kaishan and his wife also do not have this talent. Wen Jiao can seek elixirs and nectar for them to help them prolong their lives. But she cannot help them avoid the three disasters of thunder, fire, and wind. These three disasters need to be overcome by their own practice, and they do not have the talent for practice.

She could have taken on the three disasters for them, but once they were over, at the very least, she would have been a demon fairy. This was equivalent to her relying on her own strength to obtain the status of a fairy for her parents. How unfair was this to the countless people seeking the truth in the world? This was essentially no different from the Buddha's act of forcing Dapeng to be a guardian by relying on his authority.

What Manjusri Bodhisattva asked her was a warning to her that everyone has selfish desires. You asked the Buddha not to protect Dapeng and the two Bodhisattvas not to protect their mounts, but what about yourself? Have you also unknowingly become the kind of protective umbrella you hate? At least Dapeng is a demon that he cultivated by himself, not a fake one made with elixirs!

When Wen Jiao heard Manjusri's question, she almost broke out in a cold sweat. Didn't she have it? Elixirs, elixirs of immortality, were these things that Yin Kaishan and his wife, and Yuan Tiangang, could obtain instinctively?

Yes, they are not like the three demons of Lion, Elephant and Peng who bring disaster to the world and do many evil things. What you gave is just your own collection, and you did not cross the line. But can you guarantee that you will never cross that bottom line for your own love in the future?

When you gave them the elixir, you only wanted to extend their lives and keep them company for a long time. The so-called three disasters will come five hundred years, one thousand years, or fifteen hundred years later, and they are not even in your consideration at that time. But if that day really comes, can you bear to watch them being crushed to dust by the thunder tribulation and stand by and do nothing?

God knows how dizzy and determined she was when she answered "I can".

After hearing Wen Jiao's words, Yin Kaishan and his wife changed color slightly. They had only known to indulge themselves in these years and had never heard of the three disasters. They suddenly knew that they would be struck by lightning after 500 years of such a good life, and they would be burned by fire and blown by the wind after finally surviving the nine deaths. After all, they were human beings. Even if they had expected that they would die sooner or later, how could they not be afraid of such a death?

But seeing Wen Jiao's sad look with lowered brows and eyes and tears in her eyelashes, they quickly came to their senses.

Madam Yin hugged her in her arms, tears streaming down her face: "My dear little girl, why are you so sad? You will die, right? Throughout history, which emperor or general has not died? Your mother and your father are not necessarily better than anyone else, and we have earned five hundred years of life for nothing. If we tell others about it, who wouldn't envy us for raising such a good daughter? If you are still not satisfied, you will be punished by heaven and die a miserable death!"

Yin Kaishan also said, "Of the people whose names were inscribed in the Lingyan Pavilion back then, many of their fathers were better than Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui in politics; many of their fathers were better than Hou Junji and Li Jing in military service. Du Keming died of illness in the fourth year of Zhenguan, Hou Junji was executed for treason in the seventeenth year of Zhenguan, and Li Jing died of old age and illness two years ago. A mediocre person like your father was able to enjoy hundreds of years of carefree happiness. Was it because of his own good deeds? Of course it was because of the blessing of you. Why should your father not be satisfied?"

Madam Yin patted Wen Jiao on the back and said, "Empress Changsun was so virtuous, but she deserved to die. She couldn't be kept alive for even one more day, right?"

Yin Kaishan said: "The current emperor is so wise, but he gets sick as soon as he gets sick, and he searches all over the world for a panacea just to prolong his life. Ha, he may not be able to prolong his life for a few days or months."

The two of them chattered back and forth, leaving Wen Jiao with no time to interrupt. She could only offer her ears and listen obediently.

After a long time, the couple finally got tired of talking. Yin Kaishan felt dry in the mouth, so he quickly poured himself a glass of wine and poured another glass for Mrs. Yin, who was also dry in the mouth. After drinking it all, he asked, "Mantangjiao, did you understand?"

"I understand." Wen Jiao said softly.

Feeling her daughter's originally tense body slowly relax, Mrs. Yin breathed a sigh of relief: "What do you understand?"

"Although I am an unfilial daughter, no matter what I do, my father and mother will always stand by me and speak for me." Wen Jiao whispered.

A moment of silence filled the entire bamboo pavilion. Madam Yin trembled and stopped talking. Yin Kaishan was also silent, but after a long while he turned around and quietly wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with his sleeves.

What hurt them more than the death that would come hundreds of years later was this overly sensible daughter in front of them. The immortal path was long, and immortality was like a deep ocean with no end, without boundaries and no way to dock. They could not accompany her forever, and who could accompany her for a long time to relieve the loneliness of this endless life?

Can Yuan Tiangang do it?

As soon as this name flashed through his mind, Yin Kaishan felt even more sad, because he immediately remembered that Mantangjiao had mentioned that Yuan Tiangang was not a talent for becoming an immortal.

Becoming an immortal, at first glance it sounds like a life of infinite joy, but who could have imagined that behind it is the inseparable loneliness and solitude of being separated from loved ones forever?

Madam Yin also thought of this and choked up. In the end, Yin Kaishan hardened his heart first and told her, "Mantangjiao, you need to explain what I said today to Yuan Lang, so that he won't have any resentment in the future."

Would Yuan Tiangang blame her because she gave up saving him from the three disasters for the sake of selflessness?

Wen Jiao was stunned and thought for a moment, then smiled softly: "Him? No."

He understood her, he always understood her, because they were the same kind of people, people who would give everything to pursue the vast road.

"It's good that he doesn't care." Madam Yin breathed a sigh of relief, and asked with shining eyes: "Which of the two brothers, Pixie and Zhen'e, do you think has a better chance of winning the little queen's heart?"

Wen Jiao:......