The Battle in Journey to the West-Chapter 35 - 0 Laojun Takes Action at Doulu Palace

Indra cursed, “Ksitigarbha King, don’t be so arrogant!”

With those words, he turned the Asura Mirror around and showered down a swath of its light, spreading all the karmic forces from the mirror. But Ksitigarbha King had already established his fruit of awakening and could even achieve Buddhahood, yet because of his vows, he remained in the Underworld. Fearing the karmic forces, but certainly not terrified of them, he recited a spell, and a lotus flower appeared in his hand. It rose in the air, emitting a five-colored divine light which blocked all the karmic forces outside.

Indra gathered the blood cloud to retreat, knowing he was no match for Ksitigarbha King, but how could Ksitigarbha King allow him to leave? Indra had just used the Asura Mirror to capture Wukong’s soul, and he had to be apprehended to release the soul.

Indra, seeing Ksitigarbha King relentless, was extremely infuriated and shouted, “Ancestor, save me!”

No sooner had the words left his lips than an overwhelming bloody aura came flying from nowhere. A figure in a red robe with snow-white hair and eyebrows emerged, brandishing two divine swords that descended upon the lotus on which Ksitigarbha King stood, and a Blood Thunder exploded on his Kasaya, nearly knocking Ksitigarbha King off the back of Di Ting.

Ancestor Minghe would occasionally visit the Underworld to collect some “interest,” usually by sending his disciples from the blood sea, which Ksitigarbha King would turn a blind eye to; however, this time it was unlucky that Indra had taken Wukong’s soul away with the Asura Mirror. This was a serious issue that Ksitigarbha King couldn’t overlook, although he hadn’t expected to draw out Ancestor Minghe in the process.

Ksitigarbha King’s mana was mighty, no less than that of Ming River; however, Ming River had ambushed unanticipatedly, catching Ksitigarbha King off guard as he was without magical treasures. Furthermore, the divine swords Yuantu and Abi were not weak, and before he had time to bring out a magical treasure, he was struck and wounded by Ming River.

Ksitigarbha King mounted Di Ting to join the fight, wielding a Vajra Pestle in his hand, while Ming River came slashing with the divine swords. The Buddha light and the blood light clashed ceaselessly, weaving a tapestry.

Ming River cursed, “Ksitigarbha King, I merely took a few souls to refine Blood God Child incarnations, why don’t you let it go?”

Follow current novels on freewebnσvel.cѳm.

Ksitigarbha King responded, “Return the souls you’ve just taken, and I’ll let the matter rest!”

But Ming River retorted, “Since when does one give back what they’ve taken? Do you think I truly fear you?”

These great mystics were extremely prideful, and Indra had come to the Underworld under orders to gather souls for Ancestor Minghe to refine Blood God Child incarnations. He had also taken Wukong’s soul in the process. Ksitigarbha King was not about to let him get away, having injured Indra; naturally, Ancestor Minghe could not stand by and not support his kin. Although he had gained an advantage, returning the souls just because of Ksitigarbha King’s demand would hurt his pride, hence Ming River categorically refused.

Ksitigarbha King was irate. If Wukong’s soul were taken, the consequences would be dire, not only from Tathagata’s blame but also from the Three Pure Ones.

“Ming River, I advise you not to commit too many unjust acts, as they can lead to self-destruction. That soul is highly valued by both the Three Pure Ones and Tathagata. You dare to take it! Just wait to create karmic ties with the Saints. And when the time comes, I want to see if your Netherworld Blood Sea, even with its Innate Array, can fend off the assault of several Saints,” Ksitigarbha King admonished.

Ming River was startled but retorted, “Ksitigarbha King, don’t try to scare me with your grandiose words. Even if I do take this soul, what can you do?”

Without further ado, he attacked with two swords, which Ksitigarbha King promptly met with a lotus and a Vajra Pestle.

Ming River said, “Indra, you better hurry back to the Netherworld Blood Sea. Once I’ve dealt with this meddlesome Bodhisattva, I will rejoin you.”

Indra dared not delay. He didn’t dare intervene in such a struggle between great mystics. He quickly waved his sleeve, swept up a cloud of blood, and left, disappearing from the Underworld in an instant.

Now, Ming River was in a difficult situation. He claimed to kill heaven, earth, and all creatures, and even Saints didn’t frighten him; but now that Ksitigarbha King had invoked the name of a Saint to pressure him, for the sake of his own pride, he couldn’t back down! Yet he was painfully aware that the Ksitigarbha King was usually low-profile, and his willingness to engage in a fierce battle today likely meant this soul was indeed connected to a Saint. However, the proverbial rice was already in the pot and the duck at his lips. It was unthinkable for Ancestor Minghe to spit it out—his face would be swollen with disgrace! If it really came to it, he could always return the soul when the Saint came knocking at his door.

Ksitigarbha King chuckled with a strange laugh, “Very well, Ming River! It’s best if you don’t believe me. Just go back and check for yourself if that soul holds a God-Beating Whip and a Great Year Whip. Those came from the Bagua Oven of Laojun. I hope you can discern for yourself.”

Without saying more, he broke away from Ming River’s Yuantu and Abi Divine Swords and turned to leave. Ming River was now full of regret, left to reap the bitter fruits of his actions. Although he held himself in high regard, he didn’t think he was in a position to challenge a Saint. If a single Saint paid him a visit, he could still cope with the Innate Blood River Great Array, especially since the power of all Saints seemed to have waned after the great battles of Middle Ancient Times. But if one or two more arrived, or if the Tathagata who suppressed the Two Saints of the West at Mount Meru came as well, his defeat would be certain, and his heart started to beat with apprehension.

Ming River cursed, “Pah, alarmist nonsense!”

He took his two Divine Swords and headed for the Netherworld Blood Sea, his heart filled with trepidation, eager to prove the truth of Ksitigarbha King’s words.

Upon returning to Jade Cloud Palace, Ksitigarbha King didn’t rest. He immediately consumed an elixir and flew up to Thirty-Three Skies on Di Ting.

When he arrived at Doulu Palace in Thirty-Three Skies, Golden Horn and Silver Horn stood in front of the gate, surprised to see him, “Why has Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva come here?”

Ksitigarbha King said hurriedly, “Quickly go and inform Laojun about a serious matter that has occurred, don’t dawdle!”

Golden Horn promptly ran inside Doulu Palace to report to the Grand Supreme Elder Lord. When Laozi heard Golden Horn’s report, he asked him to invite Ksitigarbha King in.

Ksitigarbha King entered Doulu Palace and said anxiously, “Disaster! There’s a disaster!”

Laozi, however, smiled and said, “Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is always composed and as immovable as the earth; what’s caused you to panic in such a manner?”

Ksitigarbha King stamped his foot and exclaimed, “Alas! Today I was taking the Monkey King’s soul down to the Underworld, but unexpectedly, Ming River entered my domain, swept away thousands of souls back to refine Blood God Children. His disciple, Indra, used the Naihe Gui and the Asura Mirror to capture the Monkey King. When I tried to retrieve the soul, that Ming River blocked my way. His two Divine Swords are formidable, and I didn’t manage to subdue him, leaving me no choice but to report to your palace for assistance.”

Laozi was also taken aback and asked, “Did you explain the situation to Ming River?”

Ksitigarbha King scoffed, “That Ming River has a high opinion of himself and loves face too much. Even when I invoked the majesty of the Three Pure Ones, he refused to release the soul. I feared that he, desperate to save face, might hastily refine the soul into a Blood God Child, so I rushed here to find you immediately.”

Laozi couldn’t help cursing and instructed Silver Horn to bring out the Green Ox, saying, “I will go with you to the Netherworld Blood Sea. Let’s see if Ming River continues to be stubborn!”

This matter was related to the significant plans of the Three Pure Ones; naturally, the Grand Supreme Lord could not neglect it and hurriedly followed Ksitigarbha King to the Lower Realm, heading towards the Netherworld Blood Sea.

As they hurried along, Ksitigarbha King explained the whole incident to Laozi, who frowned repeatedly and cursed Ming River in his heart.

“I’m just afraid that Ming River, too proud for his own good, won’t recognize his place and thinks he can challenge a Saint with his Innate Blood River Great Array,” Ksitigarbha King thought to himself.

Considering Ancestor Minghe’s infamous reputation, it was uncertain what would become of Wukong’s life. Stay tuned for the continuation of our story.