Traveling Through Journey to the West: I Am the Dragon King

Faced with everyone's enthusiasm, Yun Chonghua now adopted a more reserved demeanor. After all, with more favors come more obligations. He couldn't possibly manage everything. He had to politely decline those requests.

More than two months after the Jimo incident, a distinguished guest arrived at Yun Chonghua's residence.

Yun Chonghua was inside reading the petition when he heard a young girl's voice calling from outside the door, "Is the Dragon Lord of Sishui at home?"

Hearing the girl's voice, Yun Chonghua was quite surprised.

His underwater palace is deep at the bottom of the river, and only immortals, demons, and monsters could swim here. It's quite strange to hear a little girl's voice now.

Yun Chonghua put down the documents in his hand and followed the sound to the door. There he saw a small dragon with pink scales in front of his door.

Seeing this, Yun Chonghua asked curiously, "Who are you?"

The little dragon then transformed into a beautiful young woman dressed in a pink dress.

Upon seeing the girl's appearance and the precious pearl in her hand, he said, "Oh! I suppose so, you are the Dragon Girl who holds the pearl beside the Bodhisattva. May I ask what brings you to my humble abode today?"

Although the dragon girl in front of him looked like a girl in her early teens, Yun Chonghua did not dare to underestimate her.

After all, in the immortal realm, a person's appearance and abilities cannot be judged solely by their appearance.

Although the dragon girl holding the pearl looks like a child, she might be thousands of years older than him.

After bowing to Yun Chonghua, the Dragon Girl respectfully said, "This humble immortal is acting on the orders of the Bodhisattva to specially invite you, Divine Lord, to make a trip to Mount Putuo. The Bodhisattva has received the decree of the Buddha to express gratitude for your kindness in guiding me that day."

Upon hearing this, Yun Chonghua said, "Oh? If that's the case, then we should hurry up and leave."

After saying this, the dragon girl and Yun Chonghua flew together to Mount Putuo in the South China Sea to visit Guanyin Bodhisattva.

When the two dragons flew to the vicinity of Luojia Mountain, Yun Chonghua looked up and saw a beautiful scene.

Mount Luojia was shrouded in a hazy, five-colored light, its peaks soaring into the clouds, enveloped in swirling mists and vibrant colors. Yun Chonghua had only ever seen such a sight in the celestial realm, never imagining that such a blessed place existed on earth.

The dragon maiden and Yun Chonghua landed on the clouds together. Under the dragon maiden's guidance, Yun Chonghua headed straight for the Tide Sound Cave in the Purple Bamboo Forest.

Along the way, I've seen all the beautiful scenery of Luojia Mountain. It truly boasts thousands of exotic flowers, hundreds of auspicious herbs, swaying precious trees in the wind, and golden lotuses reflected in the sun. Its beauty is in no way inferior to the Jade Pool in the heavens.

Upon arriving at the entrance of Chaoyin Cave, Huian Xingzhe also came to greet him.

However, before Huian Xingzhe could greet Yun Chonghua, Yun Chonghua bowed to him first.

Upon seeing this, Huian Xingzhe exclaimed in surprise, "Your Excellency is a distinguished guest of the Bodhisattva. I cannot accept such a courtesy from you." With that, Huian Xingzhe hurriedly returned the courtesy.

Yun Chonghua laughed and said, "Hehe, Second Prince, you are certainly worthy of my greeting. Your younger brother, Third Prince Nezha, once saved my life. Since Your Excellency is the Third Prince's elder brother, you are naturally worthy of it."

Upon hearing this, Huian Xingzhe laughed and said, "So that's how it is. I never imagined that my always 'unconventional' third brother would have such a connection with the Divine Lord. Muzha is truly unworthy of such a title." (The name Muzha was too unpleasant to hear; it has been changed to Muzha in this work.)

Huian Xingzhe then stepped aside and said, "The Bodhisattva is already waiting inside the cave. Please follow me, Divine Lord."

Then, Huian Xingzhe and the Dragon Girl with the Pearl led Yun Chonghua into the Chaoyin Cave.

After walking a hundred paces, the three suddenly found themselves in a bright and open space. They hadn't expected that the Tide Sound Cave contained a hidden paradise.

Inside the cave, one could see vigorous purple bamboo and babbling clear water. And the compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva sat serenely on her lotus throne beside the pond in the forest.

Hui'an Xingzhe and Yun Chonghua stopped in their tracks, leaving only the dragon girl to go forward and report.

The Dragon Girl holding the pearl approached the Bodhisattva, then bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have been ordered to invite the Dragon King of Sishui to the cave, where he is now at the entrance."

The Bodhisattva slowly opened her compassionate eyes and hurriedly said, "Now that the Dragon King has arrived, please invite him in!"

Upon hearing the Bodhisattva's instructions, Huian immediately led Yun Chonghua closer.

Yun Chonghua recalled the White Crane Fairy's instructions: when dealing with people from the Western Paradise Buddhist Sect, one must not be impolite.

So he stepped forward three times, bowed deeply, and said, "Yun Chonghua, the Dragon Lord of Sishui, pays respects to Guanyin Bodhisattva."

The Bodhisattva nodded and then said, "Your Excellency, there is no need for such formalities. Previously, Huang Mei and Jin Chanzi committed evil deeds, but fortunately Your Excellency showed leniency. Now, the Buddha has punished them according to the precepts. The reason I invited Your Excellency here today is that this humble monk, on behalf of the Buddha, expresses his gratitude to Your Excellency."

Upon hearing this, Yun Chonghua replied, "Buddha, Bodhisattva, you are too kind. There is no need to take such a small matter to heart."

Yun Chonghua, being a professional, knew it was best to let such matters slide as soon as possible. It was inconvenient, and impossible, to discuss them in detail.

Seeing this, the Bodhisattva didn't say anything more. Then, the Bodhisattva nodded to the Dragon Girl holding the pearl. The Dragon Girl then turned and left, and a moment later, returned to the Bodhisattva holding a lacquered tray.

Looking over, Yun Chonghua saw a precious box made of pure gold placed on the lacquer tray. The gold box was carved with Buddha statues around its edges.

The Bodhisattva then said, "The Buddha, moved by the Deity's merits, bestowed upon him a 'Golden Buddha Relic,' which this humble monk is to present to the Deity as a token of respect."

Upon hearing the Bodhisattva's words, the goldfish in the lotus pond and the golden-haired lion guarding the cave were filled with envy. They envied Yun Chonghua for having such a great opportunity.

"Merit?" Yun Chonghua was truly puzzled by the Bodhisattva's words.

He let Jin Chanzi and Huang Mei go before simply because he was incompetent and couldn't take them down in a short time.

He only agreed to let them go after receiving the White Crane Fairy's permission.

How could such a thing be considered "merit"? Yun Chonghua was very puzzled.

However, this family likes to use euphemisms. In front of the Bodhisattva, Yun Chonghua was too embarrassed to ask such a question. Since the Bodhisattva said it was "merit," then it was "merit."

Although Yun Chonghua didn't know what the "Golden Buddha Relic" was used for, since it was bestowed by the Buddha, it must be a treasure. It wouldn't hurt to keep it with him.

Then Yun Chonghua took the golden box from the plate and, with a thought, put it into his jade bottle.

He then bowed to the Bodhisattva and said, "In that case, the little dragon thanks the Buddha for his grace."

The Bodhisattva smiled and nodded.

Although Yun Chonghua didn't understand.

But he did indeed receive an enormous "merit" by sheer coincidence.

Western religions have always emphasized the principles of cause and effect.

Yun Chonghua planted a seed, and naturally, he will reap a fruit.

If Yun Chonghua persists in his entanglement, he might actually send Huang Mei and Jin Chanzi to the Heavenly Palace.

The karmic consequence would then be that the eastward transmission of Buddhism would be obstructed by another sect. This was not an outcome that Mount Ling wanted, much less that His Majesty the Jade Emperor wanted. In the end, although he received a small reward, he ruined the greater good.

However, since Yun Chonghua had dealt with Huang Mei and then let them go, he hadn't spread the news and treated it as an ordinary "demon-exorcising" incident.

This creates another cause and effect.

That is, Jin Chanzi informed the Buddha of the customs and traditions of the people of the East, thus completing the preliminary preparations for the eastward transmission of Buddhism. The plan to spread Buddhism eastward can still continue.

Therefore, Yun Chonghua unintentionally accumulated immeasurable merit for himself. When Mahayana Buddhism spread eastward to save all sentient beings, he would also have this original merit. That's why the Buddha bestowed upon him a "golden Buddha relic".

The first time is unfamiliar, the second time is familiar. Since this was Yun Chonghua's first time visiting Luojia Mountain, the Bodhisattva did not keep him for long. After offering the treasure bestowed by the Buddha, the Bodhisattva let him stay in the mountain for a vegetarian meal.

After the vegetarian meal was finished, Huian was instructed to escort Yun Chonghua out of Chaoyin Cave. Yun Chonghua then took his leave.