Chapter 620: Chapter 556: Is There Really a Regret Medicine?
Guanyin Bodhisattva pretended not to see Tang Sanzang’s pleading gaze, and calmly said: "The journey to obtain the scriptures is fraught with countless hardships and dangers. You and your disciple need to rely on each other and trust each other to move forward.
You must not let this incident happen again, nor mention any talk of going separate ways. Go on your westward journey!"
Tang Sanzang put his palms together, bowed, and said helplessly: "Thank you for the Bodhisattva’s teaching, your disciple will keep it in mind."
Sun Wukong also clasped his fists and said with a grin: "Thank you! Thank you!"
Guanyin Bodhisattva disappeared after a burst of Buddha Light.
The two stood up straight, exchanged a glance, and there seemed to be flashes of lightning and thunder where their eyes met.
Tang Sanzang suddenly smiled warmly and said: "Wukong, let’s continue on the road!" I can’t afford not to bow my head! This Tightening Spell is too painful, definitely a hundred times more painful than the Prayer Beads. When this poor monk removes the Golden Hoop, I must teach the monkey how to be human.
Sun Wukong hurriedly extended his hand and said with a chuckle: "Master, after you!" Now I, old Sun, can only bear it; these Prayer Beads really hurt too much, definitely a hundred times more painful than the Golden Hoop. When I, old Sun, remove the Prayer Beads, I’ll show you.
Tang Sanzang picked up his old hat from the ground, put it on to cover the Golden Hoop, and entered the Mechanical Car, driving the Mechanical Car forward.
Sun Wukong jumped onto the Mechanical Car, sat cross-legged on the roof, and levered the Prayer Beads around his neck with the Jingu Bang.
Throughout the journey, the two of them did not utter a word, obviously, there were still some knots between them, especially since you gave me a necklace, and I gave you a Headband – the profound master-disciple bond was even more touching.
Walking along, the day suddenly turned to night before their eyes, and with a bang, the Mechanical Car crashed into a boulder.
Tang Sanzang was no longer aloof and coldly composed; he called out in some panic: "Wukong, what... what’s going on?"
Sun Wukong soared into the air, shading his eyes with his hand and looking around vigilantly, seeing a household light up faintly against the night sky.
Sun Wukong’s eyes flickered momentarily, landing and saying curiously: "Master, something strange is happening; it feels like we have gone back to the past."
Tang Sanzang came out of the car and asked in confusion: "Wukong, what do you mean by going back to the past?"
Sun Wukong pointed to the distance, saying doubtfully: "Little Monk, doesn’t that look like the household where we stayed before?"
Tang Sanzang followed Sun Wukong’s direction and indeed saw candlelights twinkling in the distant woods.
Tang Sanzang looked around and exclaimed: "This road, we’ve traveled it before as well."
Sun Wukong scratched his ears and cheeks, exclaiming: "Strange! Strange! How did we return to the past?"
Tang Sanzang suddenly laughed joyfully, saying: "Wukong, this must be the Bodhisattva using her Great Divine Power, giving us a chance to mend our past mistakes. This time, you must not create any more killings."
Sun Wukong’s eyes flickered again, and he nodded with a chuckle: "Okay! Okay! This time I’ll listen to you."
Tang Sanzang transformed the Mechanical Car back into the Mechanical Man shape and walked towards the direction of the light.
Just like the last time, the lodging was successfully borrowed without the need for Sun Wukong’s reminder. Tang Sanzang took out the silver wine jug on his own and let Sun Wukong cut it open, taking out a piece of Silver as a token of gratitude.
Deep into the night, the robbers’ son returned and quarreled with the two elderly people.
The next morning, six thieves discovered the Mechanical Car, intending to carry away and sell it for money. It was at this point last time that Sun Wukong acted and killed them all.
This time, Sun Wukong likewise quickly knocked them all down with a few punches and kicks.
All six bandits knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly, weeping bitterly and crying out: "Spare us!"
"Spare us! We won’t dare again."
"We will never dare again."
"Elder, please spare us!"
...
Tang Sanzang stepped forward, his voice earnest and heartfelt as he persuaded, "Robbery and banditry are grave misdeeds you’ve committed.
Yet the compassion of Buddha knows no bounds, capable of redeeming even the most lost souls. Are you willing to repent?"
The one-eyed big man nodded vigorously, exclaiming, "Yes, we’re willing! We wish to repent. We beg the elder to spare our lives."
"Elder, if not for the struggle to survive, we would not wish to resort to robbery and violence."
"Elder, we beg of your great compassion, please spare us!"
Tang Sanzang turned to Sun Wukong with a smile, saying, "Wukong, do you see? They too have their hardships. To forsake the sword is to attain Buddhahood on the spot!"
The six brigands hurriedly threw their weapons far away, and with hands clasped before them in prayer, they bowed earnestly and devoutly.
In the days that followed, Tang Sanzang led them in the daily reading of Buddhist Scriptures and guided them in their work.
The six bandits seemed to forget their pasts, engaging in scripture reading and work fervently, looking every part the penitent who had turned over a new leaf. The old couple was overjoyed, thanking Tang Sanzang daily, his sense of accomplishment soaring.
Five days later, Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong bid farewell and left. The six bandits accompanied them for a kilometer, parting with reluctance.
On the road, Tang Sanzang said contentedly, "Wukong, you see?
This is true salvation. Violence can’t solve problems. As disciples of the Buddha Sect, we must first abstain from killing, embracing compassion in our hearts."
Tang Sanzang rambled on, Sun Wukong listening reluctantly.
Suddenly, their surroundings blurred, and in an instant, they were back in front of the thatched cottage, but the six bandits seemed unable to see them.
Tang Sanzang, wanting to greet them, found himself passing right through their bodies as though he and Sun Wukong were no more than ghosts.
Tang Sanzang, somewhat panicked, said, "Wukong, what’s happening?"
"How should I, Old Sun, know? Just watch!"
"Big brother, that stinking monk has finally left. We’ve been stifled these days," spat one scrawny man.
The one-eyed big man commanded, "Second brother, go get all the gear. We’ve rested enough days, time to get back to business."
"Right away!" A scrawny youth ran off swiftly as if he were a galloping horse, evidently possessing a decent martial skill. Moments later, he returned, arms laden with a bundle of swords and sabers.
Tang Sanzang’s eyes widened, shocked. Why do they still have swords? Hadn’t their weapons all been converted into farming tools?
Sun Wukong chuckled mischievously, saying, "Little Monk, it seems you haven’t converted them after all!
Should have listened to me, Old Sun, and just killed them all, problem solved."
Tang Sanzang shook his head stubbornly, insisting, "Didn’t you hear them? They’re going off to do business. Those swords are merely for self-defense."
Inside the room, the elderly couple carefully took out the money provided by Tang Sanzang, their aged faces smiling as they handled the silver.
"Old man, our son has learned well. With this silver, we can find him a wife so he can live a good life."
"Yes! Thank you, Saint Monk!"
...
Bang~ The door was kicked open. The one-eyed big man with a large saber in hand stormed in, angrily shouting, "You two old fools, you didn’t even plead with that demon monk for mercy..."
The big man entered the room, catching sight of the silver in the old woman’s hand. Greed flashed in his one eye, and he advanced toward her with large strides.