Journey to the West - Chapter 10 Part 2

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0:22 Thank you, Journey to the West and audio drama Series Chapter 10, Part 2. We return to Taizong, whose days soul drifted out of the tower of five Phoenixes. He saw the Imperial troops inviting him out of court to go on a hunt. Taizong gladly agreed and followed them out, still floating. After a while the troops and horses disappeared, and the emperor was left alone, walking in the wilderness just as he was anxiously looking for the way out.

1:05 From the side a man could be heard shouting loudly. Emperor of the Great Tongue, Come this way, come this way. Taizon heard the cause and looked up to find a man dressed in neat official attire. When Taizon approached him, the man began prostrating himself by the Rose, saying, Your Majesty, forgive your subject for a belated welcome.

1:31 Taizong asked. Who are you? Why are you here to greet us? The man answered. About half a month ago, your humble subject was at the Hall of Diversity, where I saw the Ghost Dragon of the DJing River suing Your Majesty for breaking the promise to save his life. King Xin Guang of the First hall immediately sent ghost messengers to bring you here. That way, the plaintiff, defendant, and witness can all come together for the trial.

2:04 I was made aware of the matter and therefore I'm here to receive you. I do not expect to be late for your arrival to day. I beg you to forgive my sins. Taizo asked. What is your name? What position do you hold? The man answered. When your subject was alive, I served under your father, the deceased emperor, as magistrate of the Zhou.

2:28 Later, I became the Vice Minister of Rights. My last name is Tui and my given name is Jue. Now in the underworld, I serve as the chief judge of Fengdu. Taizong was overjoyed, reaching out his hand to grab Tui Jue. He said. Thank you for the trouble of travelling such a long way. Weijung, who serves under us, happens to have a letter for you.

2:55 What a coincidence that we managed to meet. The judge thanked the emperor and asked for the letter. Taizhong then took it out from his sleeve and handed it over to Tuijiu. Tuiji took it and opened it up on the spot. The letter was as follows. Your young brother Weijung, who is unworthy of your love Rouse before the dusk of my sworn older brother, the Honourable Mr. Tui recall our good old days travelling together, your voice and face still vivid in my memory.

3:30 Years have rapidly passed by since I have last received your wise teachings. I could only serve you vegetables and fruits as offering on festive days and had no way of knowing if you were able to enjoy them. I am grateful that you never abandoned me and gave me guidance in my dreams. That was how I first learned of your promotion. Unfortunately, the dead and living reside in separate worlds and cannot meet face to face.

3:58 Now, due to the sudden demise of my Emperor, I expect a trial between the plaintiff, defendant and witness to be upon us. As I knew the Emperor will be able to meet you, my older brother. I earnestly pray that you consider our friendship from when you were alive and do me the small favour of letting His Majesty return to life.

4:17 This will be a great favour and I will seek to thank you again in some way. I shall refrain from going into too much detail for now. The judge finished the letter and was filled with delight, saying your subject has been long aware of just a sway decapitating the old dragon in his dream. I have nothing but compliment for him. I also owe him a great deal for taking care of my descendants since he wrote me a letter today. Your Majesty shall calm your heart. Your humble subject will make sure you return to life and once again rise to your imperial palaces. Taizon thanked him deeply, just as the pair were talking to youths dressed in Scion holding flax and covers. Arrived and shouted.

5:06 King yen has an invitation for you. An invitation for you. Taizong then followed the true youths alongside Chachitsui. Suddenly they arrived at a city where a huge plaque hung on the gate. On the plaque were 7 golden characters, Yo Ming Di Fu, GUI Man Guan, meaning Ghost Gate of the Underworld of Darkness.

5:35 Their guys in Scion waved the flexed lead Taizong into the city. As they walked along the streets, they saw Taizong's father, the deceased Emperor Li Yuan, his late older brother Li Jiancheng, and his late younger brother Li Yuan XI. They could be her yelling. Xu Min is here. Xu Min is here. Xu Min, if you recall, was the given name of Emperor Taizong, who claimed the throne by killing his two brothers, Jiancheng and Yuanxi. And there Jiancheng Yuanxi began reaching forward, demanding Taizhong's life.

6:14 Taizhong couldn't dodge in time and fell into their clutches. Fortunately, Judge Sway order a ghost guard with a blue face and sharp fangs to drive away Jiancheng Yuanxi. Only then did Taizhong escape safely. They walked for a few more Lee and came upon a tower built with J tiles. What a magnificent place.

6:36 Hidden behind colourful mist stood A glowing structure, grandiose to the extreme, guarded by Underworld monsters. This is the central gate of the Underworld, beneath which lies King Yen's Hall of Diversity. Taizon was looking from the outside when he heard the sound of Jay tinkling as a divinely fragrant scent entered his nose. Two pairs of attendants with candles, followed by the 10 kings of the underworld came down the steps. Coming out of the treasure hall of diversity, the 10 kings of the underworld bowed to welcome Taizon. Out of modesty, Taizon did not walk forward, so the 10 King said, Your Majesty is a human king from the world of the living.

7:23 We are ghost kings from the world of the dead. Is this just how things are? There is no need to be so excessively polite, Titon said. We have offended your honours. How dare we argue about the living and dead for humans and ghosts? After a show of modesty, Titon eventually moved forward and entered straight into the Hall of Diversity. Having exchanged formalities, the host and guests took their seats.

7:55 A little while later, King Xin Guang gestured to ask. The Ghost Dragon of DJing River accused Your Majesty of breaking the promise to save his life. What was that about? Taizhong answered. We did dream of the old dragon begging us for help One night. We promised that he would be fine, but had no idea that his crime deserved a capital punishment and was meant to be beheaded by the Chief Justice of humans, Weijung, who served under us.

8:27 We invited Weijung into the palace to have a game of Weiji and was unaware that he slay the dragon in his dreams. On one hand, the whereabouts of the Chief Justice of humans was unpredictable. On the other hand, the Dragon King deserved to die for his crimes. How was this any of our fault? The 10 kings heard his explanation and bound to say, since before that dragon was born, the death register of the Southern Celestial Dipper has written that he was destined to die in the hands of a human justice. We have long been aware of that.

9:06 But he just had to argue the case here and demanded Your Majesty be present for the trial. We have sent him into the world of transmigration. He is on the way to rebirth. We appreciate that Your Majesty made your way here despite the hardship. Please forgive us for rushing you in. When they were done, they called the judge in charge of the register of life and death, saying bring the books here this instant. Check how many years of life has been granted by heaven to His Majesty.

9:41 Judge Sway hurried back to his office and took out the master Register of Life for the kings of every country in the world. He looked through it in detail and found that Emperor Tang Taizo of Jambu Dupa, continent of the South, was destined to enjoy 13 years of his reign, which was named Jianguan.

10:02 Judge Tsui was shocked and quickly snatched a big brush dipped with thick ink. By adding two more horizontal strokes, he turned the character Yi, meaning one, into sun, meaning 3, effectively turning the word 13 into 33. Only then did he hand the register over. The 10 kings read the register from the start and saw that under title's name was 33 years of reign.

10:34 King yen asked in amazement. How many years have you been on the throne? Your Majesty title answered. It has been 13 years since we were enthroned, King yen said. Worry not, Your Majesty. You still have 20 more years of life ahead of you. Now that the case has been cleared, please return to the world of the living.

11:00 Taizong heard it and bowed as thanks. The 10 Kings then ordered Judge Tsui and Marshall Zhu to escort Taizong back to the world above. Tizon was on his way out of the Hall of Diversity before gesturing to the 10 Kings and asked may we ask about the well-being of the royal family, both old and young? The 10 Kings answered They are all well. However, we are afraid that your royal younger sister's life is coming to an end.

11:34 Tizon bowed again to thank them, saying I can think of nothing to thank you for bringing me back to life and melons and fruits. The 10 kings happily said we have plenty of East Melon and West melon. We lack only the South melon. The East melon is the wax gourd, the West melon is the watermelon and the South melon is the pumpkin, Tizon said.

12:05 We will deliver it to you as soon as we return, as soon as we return. And so they bid farewell and parted. The Marshall held a soul guiding flag and walked at the front while Judge 3 escorted Taizon out of the Underworld offices. Taizon raised his head and found it was not the way he came. So he said to the judge, this is the wrong way. The judge answered no.

12:35 This is how things are in the underworld. There is only a way out, but not away in. I am now sending Your Majesty out through the process of transmigration. On one hand you will take a tour of hell. On the other hand you will eventually be brought back to life. Tide zone could only follow their way.

13:00 After walking for a few Lee, they came suddenly to a high mountain where dark clouds sank to the ground and black mist cover the skies. Taizhong asked Mr. Tui, What mountain is this? The judge answered. This is Yin Shan or Mount Yin at the back of the underworld? Taizhong asked fearfully. How could we possibly cross it?

13:31 The judge said. Calm yourself, Your Majesty. Your subjects are here to guide you. Still frightened, Tizon followed the pair and climbed up the rocks as he looked up. This was what he saw. Rugged then jacked. This truly was no sight from the world of the living, but a dangerous place in the world of the dead. You couldn't hear the sound of animals. Scouts and monsters hid in your surroundings. Wrapped in cold wind and black mist. The landscape was hidden, barren, with only wicked creatures by your side.

14:13 This was nature without beauty. Everywhere you looked, evil spirits could be found. Underworld guards could be her yelling over the willing souls of the suffering. The judge and Marshall could do nothing but hurry their steps out of the place. Owing to the judges protection. Taizong made it past Mount Yin. They passed by many more courtrooms and every single one of them was filled with deafening cries and frightening monsters.

14:45 Taizong again asked what is this place? The judge answered This is the 18 layers of hell behind Mount Yin. Taizong asked which 18 layers? The judge answered. Listen carefully to what I have to say. Here are held of hanging tendon, held of gloomy injustice and held of fire pit, lonesome and troubling. They are reserved for those who have profoundly sinned and are here to receive their verdict.

15:23 Here are held of fondue, held of pulling tongue, and held of stripping skin, filled with crying and deep sorrow. They are reserved for the disloyal, the immoral, and the hypocritical. Here are held of crushing grind, held of pressing pound, and held of shattering torso with torn bodies and gaping mouths. Those who lie with no conscience and deceived with words, end up in this place.

15:53 Here are held of freezing ice, held of shedding shell, and held of eviscerating intestine. Filthy and sad are those who cheat in business dealings which has brought disaster upon themselves. Here are held of boiling oil, held of total darkness, and held of Blade Mountain, terrified and desperate those who bully the goodwill cower and hunch for the rest of their days. Here are held of blood pool, held of endless pain, and held of whitbean.

16:29 Skin is shed and bones are exposed, arms are broken and tendons cut for these people murdered for money. Those who have fallen here will remain without a chance of leaving. Gods will tie them up and torture them, but their agony and blood will never be answered. Indeed, man ought not his own conscience betray, for gods have knowledge who could get away.

17:05 Thus vice and virtue will at last be paid. It differs only in coming soon or late. Tyson heard this and became terror stricken. They kept walking ahead and soon a group of ghost soldiers holding flags knelt down by the roadside and said envoys of the bridge are here to receive you. The judge shouted, head forward with him. As Lead Tizon crossed a golden bridge, he noticed that right next to them was a silver bridge on which walked several individuals known for being righteous and loyal, who stood up for fairness and justice.

17:53 They also had blacks guiding their way, and beyond was yet another bridge. That bridge, however, had cold wind blowing across and bloody waves rolling beneath from which loud wailing could be heard. Tyson asked. What sort of bridge is that? The judge answered. Your Majesty, that is known as Naihua Xiao, the bridge of helplessness. The word naihua you see can refer to both the river named Nai or a state of no avail, the judge continued. Once you have made it back to the world of the living, do remember what you're seeing under the bridge. The violin waves and narrow roads, cold air and foul odour. It's a long and narrow way, high up in the air and over a bottomless abyss.

19:01 No railing to offer support, only terrifying monsters underneath who are ready to snatch you. Guards are as fearsome as the fallen souls are desperate. Once you fall over, there is no way out of this desolation. As they were talking, the bridge envoys went back where they came. Taizo was so scared that he could only nod and sign softly, holding back his sadness in silence. Following the judge and Marshall, he soon made his way across the vicious waters of the Nye River out of the bitter land that was a blood basin.

19:42 Moving forward, they arrived at a place called Wang Sichung, meaning city of the unjustly slang. There loud shouts could be clearly heard. Li Shi Min is here. Li Shi Min is here. Taizung heard their cause and was shaken to his core. And then came a group of goats, crippled with broken waist and severed arms, walking with feet but had no heads.

20:14 They came forward and blocked them, yelling. Give me back my life. Give me back my life. Terrified, Taizo tried to hide and Dutch, shouting Mr. Sway. Save me, save me, the judge said. Your Majesty. These are the souls of all the rebels and bandits, Princess and chiefs from the chaotic days of the previous dynasty's demise is the sins of the unjustly slain.

20:45 They cannot be accepted anywhere or be cared for, nor can they be reborn. They have no money and ended up a bunch of freezing, hungry souls. Your Majesty must hand them some money before I can save you. Tizon said. We came here empty handed. Where could we possibly find any money? The judge said, Your Majesty, there is a man from the world of the living who has deposited some gold and silver to the care of the underworld. You could use your name for a loan with this humble judge as voucher.

21:25 Borrow from one of his storage rooms for now and distribute the wealth to these hungry ghosts. Only then can we move through. Taizong asked. Who is this man? The judge answered. He is a native of Caifung, a place in Hunan. His last name is Xiang and given name Liang. He owns 13 storage rooms of gold and silver here. If Your Majesty borrowed from him, you could just pay him back when you returned to the world of the living. Taizon was delighted and happily offered his name for the loan. After signing the document and handing it over to the judge, he borrowed the storage of gold and silver for the Marshall to give away.

22:15 The judge added. This gold and silver shall be equally distributed between you all. Let the Lord from great town pass through. He still has a lot of life ahead of him. By the honoured orders of the 10 kings, I am here to send his soul back to life. I shall instruct him to host a grand mass of land and water, so you can all be reborn now.

22:44 Make no more trouble. The ghost heard his words, accepted the gold and silver, and left in obedience. The Judge then ordered the Marshall to wave the soul guiding flag and let Taizo out of the City of the unjustly slain. Coming to a wide and flat Rd. they drifted away. We do not know from which way they would leave. Please wait until the next chapter. Journey to the West and Audio Drama Series is an independent production by The 5th Monkey.

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23:57 All are welcome. This is Lynn. See you in the next episode.