Chapter 15: Heaven’s Recruitnt, Ancestral Wu Bloodline
The Monkey scratched his head in confusion. “Qin Chuan, why did you hit ?”
Qin Chuan shot him a glare and pulled him back, wary that this monkey might cause trouble again. Then, standing upright with clear eyes, he respectfully cupped his hands towards ng Po.
“Junior Qin Chuan greets Lady Pingxin. Wukong is rude and ignorant of proper etiquette. I beg your forgiveness, my lady.”
As soon as he spoke, ng Po studied him with interest. Suddenly, the space around the Bridge of Forgetfulness froze as if ti itself had stopped. All was silent.
A current of energy surged from the edge of the bridge, stirring up a subtle vortex.
ng Po’s appearance began to change. In place of the old woman now stood a peerlessly beautiful woman, dressed plainly, radiating compassion and grace.
The Monkey was startled.
“Such divine magic! I, the Great Sage, couldn’t even see through your disguise. You’re far stronger than those petty gods in the Hall of the Underworld. It looks like that, why disguise yourself as an old crone?”
Smack! Another slap to the head.
“Ow! Qin Chuan, why did you hit again?” The Monkey clutched the back of his head and glared in pain.
Qin Chuan shook his hand, pained, and scolded, “Monkey, mind your manners! This is Lady Pingxin! Show respect!” He sighed inwardly, wondering whether he should educate this monkey on the true order of the Three Realms. Right now, the Monkey probably thought: Bodhi Patriarch is the strongest, Qin Chuan is second, and Heaven cos third.
Lady Pingxin smiled at Qin Chuan.
“You have good eyes. I’m not that petty.”
Just as Qin Chuan felt relieved, her next words made his heart clench again.
“Even if not for the sake of that woman, I’d still show so courtesy to Fellow Daoist Subhuti. Don’t worry, I won’t hold it against this monkey.”
Qin Chuan’s mouth opened slightly. He had a guess who “that woman” might be, but dared not speak it aloud.
He glanced at the Monkey, who now stared at Lady Pingxin with wide eyes and cold sweat beading on his forehead. When he noticed Qin Chuan looking at him, he quickly said, “Qin Chuan, you must testify for ! I didn’t say a word about anything!” He was clearly terrified and trying to prove his innocence.
Qin Chuan asked curiously, “My lady, you know my master?”
Lady Pingxin nodded. “An old acquaintance.”
Then she turned to the Monkey and said, “I need to speak to your senior brother. You return first.” With a wave of her hand, the Monkey felt the world spin. His powers beca inert, like dead water. When he opened his eyes again, he was back at the Iron Bridge near the Water Curtain Cave of Flower-Fruit Mountain.
The four generals stood guard on either side, worried. The Monkey rubbed his forehead, still groggy from the drink. Alard, he muttered, “That woman is terrifying… such a divine being in the Underworld?”
Marshal Ma and Marshal Liu stepped forward and bowed.
“Great King, earlier there was a great light over Flower-Fruit Mountain. It seed Lord Qin was engaged in battle. He ordered us to guard you. May we ask what has occurred?”
The Monkey rembered sothing and grew anxious. Trouble! Qin Chuan has been held back by that woman—what now?
“She ntioned Master… is she a friend or foe?”
Thinking this through, the Monkey pulled out his golden cudgel, ready to charge back into the Underworld. But then he paused: That woman’s power far outstrips mine. I couldn’t even resist her. If I go again, I might not co back out.
Qin Chuan has the Heartleaf given by our Master. In dire straits… but what if that woman acts before he can use it?
The Monkey paced restlessly, considering going to Bodhi Patriarch. But the Patriarch’s parting words echoed in his ears.
Finally, the Monkey gritted his teeth, put away his cudgel, and prepared to fly to Fangcun Mountain.
Just then, Ao Xue flew in from afar. “Great Sage, please wait!”
Wukong stopped and said urgently, “Your master is in danger. Whatever you have to say, wait till I return.”
Ao Xue bowed and said, “It is a ssage from my master—he is unhard, but must stay in the Underworld to cultivate for so ti. He asks that the Great Sage not worry.”
Wukong’s face lit up.
“Truly?” He knew that Qin Chuan and Ao Xue were bound by an ancient blood pact, allowing ssages to cross between realms—not a difficult task.
Ao Xue nodded.
“It is true.”
“Good, good, good! Children, prepare the wine and feast! You don’t know—your old grandpa went down to the Underworld, caused a great ruckus in the Hall of Souls, quarreled with the King of the Underworld, and struck all monkey nas from the Book of Life and Death!”
“From now on, we monkeys live in this blessed land, free and unbound!”
Having said that, the Monkey summoned the seventy-two cave demon kings. They partied daily, flying about on clouds, sparring and testing magical powers. Except for the North Sea Dragon King, he visited each of the five kings to compete in magic and martial skill.
One day, a little monkey ca rushing in, layer upon layer of ssengers ahead of him. “Great King, an old man with a white beard is outside. He claims to be the Great White Star Lord, sent by Heaven to recruit you into official service!”
…
anwhile, in the shadowy valleys of the Underworld, it was dark and chilly. No sunlight pierced the gloom—only the eerie glow of the Underworld Moon lit the scene.
On either side of the valley path blood manjusaka (red spider lilies), crimson like blood. Crystal orchids also grew, glistening and translucent like sculptures of ice and jade.
In the depths of the valley, Other Shore Flowers (Bianhua) blood in profusion, their petals a blend of blood-red and snow-white, blazing like fire yet cold as frost. anwhile, Mandrake flowers (Mandala) twisted and tangled along the valley walls, their roots embedded deep in the stone.
A stunning woman in white robes, elegant beyond compare, walked gracefully through the valley. Behind her followed a young nobleman in splendid, embroidered robes.
Qin Chuan observed the surrounding scenery, his eyes flickering with thought. “Could this place be Lady Pingxin’s residence in the Underworld?”
Looking at the woman ahead, Qin Chuan could no longer hold his curiosity. “May I ask, my lady, for what important matter have you kept here?”
Lady Pingxin paused, turned back to look at him, and smiled. “This is a reference to the phrase: ‘The Great Dao gives birth to fifty, of which Heaven uses forty-nine—leaving one to escape.’”
“All things in existence contain a sliver of hope. Judging by your expression, you seem to have an idea of my origins. Was it Fellow Daoist Subhuti who told you?”
Qin Chuan cupped his hands respectfully. “My master ntioned it in passing once.”
Who else but the Bodhi Patriarch could take the bla for this? Qin Chuan thought wryly. I would take responsibility myself… but I really can’t carry that weight!
Lady Pingxin nodded and didn’t dwell on the topic.
“Your cultivation has reached the peak of Golden Immortal, and you walk the orthodox Xuann path—cultivating the Primordial Spirit. Have you ever heard of the sorcery of the Wu Tribe?”
Qin Chuan’s heart stirred. He cautiously asked, “Is that what you an to offer, my lady?”
Lady Pingxin gave a gentle smile that seed to brighten the whole shadowy valley. She spread her hands, revealing a single drop of glowing blood—radiant and pulsating with imnse power.
“This is the blood of an Ancestral Wu. I wish to make a trade with you.”
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