The Battle in Journey to the West-Chapter 64 - 0 Sleep Immortals Pact with The Eastern

As the Taoist descended on a white crane from the clouds, waving his horsetail whisk and singing, how could one discern the goodness of his song?

The song says:

Naturally dull, I enjoy sleep, with no burdens besides breathing.

The vast universe is ultimately empty, and human life is generally like a drunken stupor.

Who are we busy for, toiling away? Better to sleep soundly for a night in the high hall.

Striving for fame and profit fills Chang’an, yet all the hustle and bustle, what flavor does it have?

People do not recognize the moment of awakening from dreams; realizing upon waking feels truly shameful.

You see, Ancestor Chen Tuan mastered this secret, with elixirs and medicines ready by his pillow.

And also see, the fools who earnestly speak of dreams, thus spending their lives in constant confusion.

I alone understand the true joy of sleep, not waking even when the sun rides high.

This time, it seems that even the reclusive Old Sleeping Immortal could not sit idly by and had to step in. Ancestor Chen Tuan’s cultivation was perhaps not inferior to those Bodhisattvas of the Buddhist sect, but being a Loose Cultivator, he would not cause any scandals for the Buddhist sect. After observing from the clouds for a long time, seeing that the Buddhist sect had enlisted the Five Directions Kaide, he could no longer stay seated and sent a message to Liu Cang, arriving on a crane to display the elegance of a highly virtuous individual.

The gracefully arriving Ancestor Chen Tuan stepped down from his crane, which flew off on its own, and he greeted Emperor Ming of Han with a bow, smiling, “I am Chen Tuan, known as Master Fuyao, greetings to His Majesty the Great Han Emperor.”

As for Chen Tuan, Emperor Ming of Han was unaware of him. Ancestor Chen Tuan only became famous in later generations for his advice to Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin. Before that, he was just a hermit Taoist, sleeping daily, never stepping into the public eye. Even when calamities struck, they did not hinder his life. But now, with the conflict between Buddhism and Daoism, he felt compelled to intervene.

Liu Zhuang then said, “It turns out to be another True Man of Dao and Virtue. Servants, offer Master Fuyao a seat.”

An eunuch stepped forward and presented a meditation cushion, on which Ancestor Chen Tuan sat cross-legged. He said to the Five Directions Kaide, “Relying on your overwhelming numbers, do you intend to bully the Daoist sect? I am but a humble hermit, without great abilities, yet I cannot stand by and watch your actions. Today, I am here to learn about the greatness of Buddhist Law.”

Though Ancestor Chen Tuan’s name was not prominent in the mortal world, it was widely circulated among divine beings. Chen Tuan, naturally detached and favoring sleep, was kindly known as “Sleeping Immortal.” However, he was very knowledgeable in Dao, and a virtuous individual deliberately visited him for a long, knee-to-knee conversation, greatly admiring him afterwards, and Chen Tuan’s good reputation spread among the Immortals. However, this old ancestor loved sleep so much that many who sought him out either found he had gone wandering in the clouds or was in deep sleep, unrouseable by shouts, and some simply could not find him.

Daoist Equal to Heaven joyfully said, “I have long heard of Ancestor Chen Tuan’s great name, and seeing him today, he truly has an extraordinary presence. I, Qi Tian, am truly grateful to meet him!”

Chen Tuan smiled and said, “Daoist friend Qi Tian shows profound Divine Skills, and I hold great admiration for you! Just now, if not for those unscrupulous Five Directions Kaide, King Bodhisattva might have already been vanquished.”

Everyone said that Ancestor Chen Tuan was amiable and easy to talk to, yet unexpectedly, when this Taoist spoke, his words were fiery, causing the Five Directions Kaide to blush deeply.

Yang Jian nodded and said, “Daoist friend Chen Tuan has an eye as sharp as a torch, well said. Five Directions Kaide, you truly lack propriety. Who among you will come forth to match their Taoist Arts against mine?”

Yang Jian had built a formidable reputation since ancient times, and although he had been very low-profile lately, no one dared to underestimate him. His Eighty-Nine Mystical Techniques had reached a level of divine transformation, his body was robust, and he had mastered the Seventy-Two Transformations so proficiently that he could perform any transformation effortlessly, not a single one of the Five Directions Kaide being confident enough to defeat him.

Fu Yi suddenly said to Liu Zhuang, “Your Majesty, two esteemed monks seek an audience here.”

Liu Zhuang exclaimed, “Oh? There are esteemed individuals present? Please, bring them here quickly!”

Two monks then emerged from the clouds, descending slowly to the courtyard and paying their respects to the emperor, saying, “Monks Hanshan and Shide, at your service, Your Majesty the Great Han Emperor.”

Hanshan and Shide were no strangers to renown, known as the Harmonious Immortals, and were the abbots of Cold Mountain Temple, often sharing words of enlightening counsel with the world.

Hanshan asked Shide, “What should one do if others in the world slander me, deceive me, insult me, laugh at me, despise me, belittle me, harm me, or lie to me?”

Shide replied, “Simply endure them, concede to them, let them be, avoid them, bear them, respect them, ignore them, and just wait a few years to see what becomes of them.”

Five Directions Kaide, King Bodhisattva, Shemoteng, and Zhufalan hurriedly paid respect to the two monks, who returned the greeting with a smile.

Liu Zhuang inquired, “Where have the two venerable monks come from?”

Hanshan responded, “This poor monk comes from the Cold Mountain Temple in West Cow He State. Today, hearing that your majesty is summoning the wise and admitting the virtuous to spread the teachings of Buddhism, I came to demonstrate the divine powers of Buddhist Law.”

Liu Zhuang laughed and said, “Most excellent, most excellent! I hadn’t realized my renown had reached the Western Regions. You holy monks, please take a seat.”

After assigning meditation cushions, the factions of Buddhism and Daoism faced each other, but the atmosphere was not harmonious, as a great battle was brewing.

Yang Jian said indifferently, “I have long heard of the esteemed names of the Harmonious Immortals. Seeing them today is indeed remarkable. Who among you wishes to compete in the Daoist Arts with me?”

Hanshan replied, “I shall experience True Lord Erlang’s prestige, as I have long admired the unmatched divine might Lord Erlang displayed in the battles of divine enthronement.”

Yang Jian nodded and said, “Very well! Then you shall contend with me in a match to see whether your Buddhist Law is profound or my Daoist Arts are mystical! Let us set the terms for our duel.”

Hanshan smiled and said, “Whether walking or sitting, it is all meditation. Both Buddhism and Daoism emphasize meditation to cleanse the mind. How about we compete in sitting meditation?”

Yang Jian couldn’t help but frown and said, “Since you wish to compete in sitting meditation, naturally, I shall accept the challenge! But how should the meditation be conducted? Please elucidate.”

As Hanshan brought his palms together, a golden light emerged beneath the meditation cushion, transforming into a column as thick as a beam, lifting the cushion up three zhang high, and he sat atop it.

“Both of us will support our cushions with mana, sitting atop them. Then, each shall employ his own methods. Whoever falls or moves from the cushion is deemed the loser,” Hanshan explained.

Buddhist Sect possesses the practice of Bitter Zen, known to keep many monks seated for years, decades, or even centuries, with Siddhartha Gautama himself having meditated for five hundred years. Competing in meditation, then, was indeed a strength of the Buddhist sect.

Yang Jian nodded in acceptance and crossed his legs atop his own cushion, which then emitted a cyan light, as thick as a beam and lifting him three zhang high.

“Why would Yang engage with his opponent’s strengths?” lamented Daoist Equal to Heaven.

“Not at all, not at all! If True Lord Erlang dares to do so, he certainly has his reasons. Just watch and see,” laughed Chen Tuan.

The previous match had been a defeat for King Bodhisattva and was quite dangerous, yet this time they were competing in meditation, which naturally did not appear as spectacular.

However, both Yang Jian and Hanshan were Daluo Golden Immortal First Heaven masters, and even though it wasn’t a direct duel of magic, the meditation match promised to be marvelous.

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Liu Zhuang was even more thrilled, feeling a sensation as if “all heroes under heaven have fallen into my net.” The Buddhist and Daoist factions, eager to spread their teachings, were engaging in magical combat, which was spectacular!

The attending officials felt that this battle would be won by Yang Jian. After all, under Yang Jian’s revered name, there were no pretenders. With his formidable reputation long established and widely revered by the entire realm, how could he be matched by a relatively unknown old monk?

Hanshan smiled and asked, “Is the True Lord ready? The competition is about to start.”

Yang Jian indifferently replied, “Elder Hanshan may decide whenever he wishes. I am ready.”

Chen Tuan stood up and announced, “Since both parties are ready, let the competition begin! Waiting any longer would bore everyone.”

“Then let Master Fuyao act as the judge,” suggested Hanshan.

Chen Tuan nodded in agreement, declared the start of the competition, and then sat down on his cushion, quietly waiting for the contest to unfold.

As to who would win, that will be revealed in the next chapter.