Half a day passed without realizing it.
After walking along an inaccessible mountain road for another two to three hundred miles, as dusk approached, a towering bamboo mountain appeared in front of Tang Sanzang.
This is the Zizhu Mountain that the shopkeeper mentioned earlier, which is the place of practice for Elder Jinchi.
Looking around, I saw countless purple bamboos up to a hundred feet high all over the mountains and fields, like a vast purple ocean.
The bamboo forest is so dense that there is no gap between bamboos, just like layers of iron walls surrounding the entire mountain forest.
Tang Sanzang watched for a long time, but could not find a way to the mountains.
"Amitabha, although I like to go to the mortal world to preach, I don't like people in the world to disturb the peace of Buddhism, so I blocked the access to the mountain with bamboo groves."
At this moment, Elder Jinchi stepped out of the car and said to Tang Sanzang.
Then, he lifted up the purple bamboo Zen staff in his hand and gently punched it on the ground, causing bursts of Buddha's light to stir up the forest.
For a moment, the airtight bamboo forest in front of him began to open up layer by layer on both sides.
A mountain road paved with bluestones appeared in front of everyone.
Following his movement, the costumes of the surrounding monks also changed drastically.
The golden Buddha and jade beads they held in their hands had all turned into sandalwood.
The monks' robes woven with gold threads have now become burlap clothes.
The carriage, which was originally made entirely of gold, has now turned into lumps of wood.
Under the light of the Buddha, many monks quickly returned to their original appearance.
It turns out that the extremely luxurious lineup before was actually just a subtle cover-up.
"Amitabha Buddha, whose golden coat cannot cover his earthly appearance, once he has entered Buddhism, he should return to his original nature."
"Holy Monk, please!"
At this time, Elder Jinchi stretched out a hand in the direction of the mountain road and made a gesture of invitation to Tang Sanzang.
Tang Sanzang nodded in surprise, and then along with the monks, walked along the mountain road into Zizhu Mountain.
Climbing up the steps to the top, not long after, a Buddhist temple appeared in his eyes.
I saw this temple hidden deep in the bamboo forest, surrounded by clouds and mist.
Unlike the previous monks who were rich and extravagant, the current temple is extremely simple.
The outer walls of the temple with peeling gold paint are covered with vines, and autumn leaves are falling everywhere on the eaves. At the main entrance of the temple, there is a plaque titled "Guanyin Zen Temple".
It looked like this, but it was a huge change from the Guanyin Temple that Tang Sanzang had expected.
"The elder appears to the world with luxury, but his true appearance is revealed through frugality. This is truly a blessing!"
Tang Sanzang didn't know how to comment on this, so he immediately said this.
"Monks and Buddhas are noble in the world, and simplicity remains in our hearts. I hope that the holy monks will not take offense."
After saying that, Elder Jinchi invited Tang Sanzang and walked into the Guanyin Temple together.
The entire Guanyin Temple is scattered among bamboo forests, covering an area of about ten acres.
All temples are made of red bricks and black tiles. Except for the gold-plated statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, they look no different from ordinary temples in the outside world.
By this time, it was already dusk.
Not long after everyone entered the temple, a sumptuous banquet was already prepared.
"It's getting late now, so I would like to ask the holy monk to have a meal first, and then have a good rest in the temple for a few days!"
At Elder Jinchi's kind invitation, Master Tang Sanzang and his disciples immediately entered the dining hall and ate with them.
"Elder, I wonder where the scriptures you mentioned earlier are now?"
Halfway through the meal, Tang Sanzang went straight to the point and asked Elder Jinchi.
After all, the reason why I went to Guanyin Temple this time was to follow the Bodhisattva's guidance and come to practice Buddhism.
Regarding this matter, Tang Sanzang only thought that the sooner the better, and did not want to cause unnecessary trouble.
"Holy monk, don't be impatient. I have prepared all the scriptures you need and they are all in the Sutra Pavilion in the temple. When the meal is over, I will take you there to get them."
Elder Jinchi also understood Tang Sanzang's urgent mood and responded accordingly.
"In this case, the poor monk is relieved."
After hearing this, Tang Sanzang nodded, and then picked up another steamed bun.
Woohoo! …
But at this moment, bursts of strange demonic wind suddenly sounded through the forest.
Tang Sanzang frowned slightly and subconsciously wanted to look outside the dining hall.
But he saw that the originally clear sky suddenly became dim, and a burst of cold evil energy surged through the entire bamboo forest.
A thick black smoke was pressing down on the treetops and rushing towards Guanyin Temple!
"This old guy really knows how to choose the right time!"
Seeing this scene, Elder Jinchi smiled and shook his head, then called to the novice monk beside him and prepared a pair of bowls and chopsticks on the table.
"Hey, Elder Jinchi, I, Lao Hei, are here again!"
At this moment, a burst of honest laughter sounded from mid-air.
"Oops, here comes the cassock thief!"
Seeing this scene, Tang Sanzang thought something was wrong and subconsciously scratched the brocade cassock on his body.
Amidst the surging black smoke, a round flesh ball was seen flying through the air. After a while, it fell into the monastery and turned into a huge black bear.
This black bear is about one foot tall, with rippling fat all over its body.
After arriving at the temple, he felt as if he had returned to his own home, but he ducked into the dining hall unceremoniously, found a wooden pillar and sat down at the table.
It was as if he hadn't taken a shower in a while, so that along the way, black dust kept shaking off his body, making the ground dirty.
"Hey, it turns out that the elder is entertaining guests. It seems that I, Lao Hei, came at the wrong time!"
Black Bear said this, but he was not polite in his hands, so he grabbed three or five steamed buns from the table, stuffed them into his mouth and started to devour them.
"Elder, who is this?"
Although he already knew the identity of the visitor, out of courtesy, Tang Sanzang still asked Elder Jinchi.
"This is Heifeng layman, the leader of the village from Heifeng Mountain. He is an old neighbor of Lao Na and a good friend for many years. We often discuss Buddhism together on weekdays."
In this regard, Elder Jinchi introduced it like this.
"Oh, it turns out to be the Black Wind layman, whom I have admired for a long time!"
Tang Sanzang nodded, but while the two were talking, dozens of steamed buns on the table had been swept away by this guy.
"You are the Buddhist scripture seeker from the Eastern Tang Dynasty, hehe! This is the first time we meet, please take good care of me in the future!"
This black bear seemed to be familiar with it, and he said this to Tang Sanzang in a carefree manner.
Then he glanced at Sun Wukong next to him, "As for this, is this Bima Wen who caused trouble in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago?"
After hearing this, Sun Wukong, who originally looked like it had nothing to do with him, was instantly furious!
Bi Mawen!
This is the dark history that I have not wanted to think about for the past thousand years.
Unexpectedly, as soon as this black bear came up, he immediately exposed his shortcomings!
"Heixiazi, you really have a sharp eye. You actually recognized Grandpa Sun and me at a glance!"
But because of the face of Elder Jinchi, Sun Wukong got angry for a moment, and then responded angrily.
"Grandpa Sun?"
After hearing this, the black bear who was gnawing on the steamed bun broke off his paws and said, "I, Lao Hei, have lived for three to five thousand years. In terms of seniority, you still can't be my grandpa!"
"..."
I don't know if this black bear is honest by nature or has a sinister heart. His words made Wukong speechless for a moment.
