All the gods were quietly discussing amongst themselves, their gazes shifting among the Jade Emperor, Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Zhao Gongming.
Buddhism, the Jade Emperor, and Emperor Gouchen were all strategizing around Sun Wukong, but what was hidden behind their plans was still unclear, and had to be investigated.
With a sigh, the gods instantly became solemn, all turning their attention to an elder Taoist seated on their left, the master of the Doushuai Temple, Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad.
Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad rose and said, "That evil monkey ate the Flat Peaches, drank the Imperial Wine, and even stole the Immortal Pills; my five jars of pills, raw and ripe, icy and fiery, all have been devoured by him.
He fused them with the Samadhi True Fire inside his body into one, consequently forging his body as tough as vajra, impervious to harm. It would be better to let me take him, place him in the ’Furnace of Eight Trigrams,’ and refine him with Civil and Martial Fire. Once I retrieve my pills, his body will turn to ashes!"
He continued, "I would request that the Judicial God make the sacrifice and allow me to take Sun Wukong to the Doushuai Temple."
Zhao Gongming quickly stepped back and bowed respectfully, saying, "Since Lord Lao has spoken, I dare not object and fully respect his wishes."
Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad stroked his beard and chuckled, saying, "Thank you, Divine Monarch!"
"Not at all, not at all~"
Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad turned to Guanyin Bodhisattva with a chuckle and said, "What does Bodhisattva think?"
Guanyin Bodhisattva looked down and replied respectfully, "What Lord Lao Zi proposes is very good!"
The Jade Emperor commanded, "Let the Six Ding and Six Jia escort Sun Wukong to the Doushuai Temple!"
The divine generals outside responded in unison, "As you command!"
After the court assembly, Zhao Gongming immediately rushed to the Bird’s Nest.
In front of the Bird’s Nest, Bai Jin sat leisurely on a giant mushroom, holding a cup of tea infused with mulberry fruits, dark as ink.
Zhao Gongming descended from his cloud and urgently said, "Master, Sun Wukong has been taken by our master to the Doushuai Temple."
Bai Jin sipped his tea and replied, "I’m already aware."
Seeing Bai Jin’s calm and unruffled demeanor, Zhao Gongming relaxed and asked, "Master, is the Westward Journey truly unstoppable?"
Bai Jin said helplessly, "Among the Seven Primordial Saints, six have endorsed the Westward Journey. The wishes of the Saints are as the Will of Heaven, and naturally, it cannot be stopped."
"Since it cannot be stopped, why did you ask us to take action against Sun Wukong?"
"While the overall trend cannot be altered, the finer details of the Westward Journey can be changed. There are certain things I do not wish to occur.
Junior brother, go tell Wuzhiqi, Yun Xiao, Kong Xuan, Golden Peng, and Wuyun Immortal, and command them not to leave the Heavenly Court these coming days. There will be a great battle; just do as I have instructed you."
Zhao Gongming bowed seriously and replied, "Understood!" and then soared into the sky.
Bai Jin rose from the giant mushroom, thinking, Buddhism wants Sun Wukong to gain fame at the expense of the dignity of the Heavenly Court, but it remains to be seen if I agree. He then sighed, My master has backstabbed me, this is so difficult! Why do I feel like I am opposing the entire world?
A Golden Horned Child flew from afar, landed, and bowed with cupped fists, cheerfully saying, "Greetings, Master!" Content originally comes from novel·fiɾe·net
Bai Jin walked over and ruffled Golden Horn’s hair, smiling and saying, "No need for such courtesy with me."
Golden Horn stood up and solemnly said, "But Master, customs mustn’t be abandoned!"
"Don’t listen to him; Xuandu is just an obstinate fool, you all must not follow his example."
Golden Horn chuckled, "Actually, I also dislike being too restrained."
Bai Jin asked, "Golden Horn, does our master have any instructions?"
Golden Horned Child spoke with a strange expression, "Master has sent me to invite elder brother to Doushuai Temple."
"What business do we have at Doushuai Temple?"
"He wants elder brother to go there to fan the flames and stoke the fire."
Bai Jin was speechless, did Doushuai Temple now lack even someone to tend the fire?
Waving his hand to lay down the prohibitions on the Bird’s Nest, he said, "Let’s go! We mustn’t keep Master waiting anxiously."
The two of them walked towards Doushuai Temple.
Upon reaching a secluded area, Bai Jin produced a handful of Merit Coins and slipped them into the hand of the Golden Horned Child.
The Golden Horned Child, adeptly accepting them, spoke with a smile, "Lately, Master has been in a rather good mood, elder brother!"
Bai Jin replied with a sigh, "That’s good! For us youngsters, it is our fortune when he is in high spirits."
Golden Horned Child nodded repeatedly, "Yes! Yes indeed!"
Bai Jin asked, "Do you know why Master wants me to start a fire?"
"Sun Wukong was also thrown by Master into the Alchemy Furnace. Master’s instruction for elder brother to stoke the fire must have a reason, but the specifics I do not know."
Bai Jin slightly nodded, What reason? What could it be? Could it be that he doesn’t want to be beaten when Sun Wukong breaks out of the furnace?!
Their pace was quick, and they soon arrived before Doushuai Temple, then entered the Alchemy Hall.
Inside the hall, Lord Lao Zi of the Great Monad sat dignified on the Taiji Divine Position. In the center of the great hall stood the imposing Eight Diagrams Refining Furnace, from which came pounding noises.
Sun Wukong’s belligerent voice faintly emerged from the Furnace, "Let me out, Old Sun."
"Hurry up and let me out, Old Sun."
"Otherwise, Old Sun will smash your Doushuai Temple!"
Bai Jin entered the hall and bowed, saying, "I pay my respects to Master!"
The voice from the furnace suddenly stilled, and Sun Wukong stood on the fiery red ground below, looking up into the sky, a gleam of joy passing through his heart. Has Emperor Gouchen arrived? Was the Emperor here to save me? Old Sun’s life must not yet be at an end.
Lord Lao Zi, with a gentle smile, said, "Bai Jin, kindle the fire!"
"Yes!" Bai Jin took a seat beside the Eight Diagrams Refining Furnace, and a flame rose from his fingertip, fluttering into the furnace.
Whoosh~ Instantly, the Samadhi True Fire roared to life within the furnace, its might engulfing the sky and earth.
"Ah!" Sun Wukong let out a scream, panicking and fleeing. What kind of flame was this? It was even able to affect his indomitable body. It was truly too horrifying.
The Eight Diagrams Refining Furnace was forged according to the orientations of Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, and Dui. Under the pressure of the Samadhi True Fire, Sun Wukong’s body ablaze, he desperately evaded in all directions, his screams of agony unending. By chance, he stumbled upon the position below the "Xun Palace."
Xun signifies wind, and where there is wind, there shall be no fire, only smoke stirred by the wind.
In the midst of rolling smoke, Sun Wukong covered his eyes, smoked and scorched, rolling on the ground while wailing, his heart ablaze with the fire of anger. Emperor Gouchen, first you oppress Old Sun with scriptures, now you wish to burn me to death. If Old Sun survives, I will be unrelenting until I am avenged.
Suddenly a voice reached Sun Wukong’s ear, "Bai Jin, I know you want to save Sun Wukong."
Sun Wukong’s body shook all at once. Emperor Gouchen wanted to save me? But isn’t he the one setting a fire to burn me at the moment?
Outside in the main hall, Bai Jin sat on the cushion, his expression shifting as he looked in surprise towards Lord Lao Zi on the main seat. What did Master mean by this?
But within his line of sight, Lord Lao Zi was as serene as ever, seated on the Taiji Divine Position with a kindly smile, no different from usual.
Bai Jin couldn’t understand his unfathomable Master’s intentions and could only reply along, "Nothing escapes Master’s eyes!"