Journey to the West - Chapter 16 Part 1

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0:21 Thank you, Journey to the West, an audio drama series chapter. 16 PART ONE. We speak now of the master and disciple who hurried the horse forward to the entrance of the mountain. There was indeed a temple above. Tears of gates and walls encompassed the corridors. Within everything was veiled in colorful cloud and red mist.

0:52 By the road were Pines and bamboo, whose age could not be told, as well as juniper and Cyprus that stood elegantly upright. It was indeed the most suitable place for calm cultivation. The elder got off the horse as Xinjua put down their luggage. Right as they were about to enter the gate, out walked a monk.

1:12 He wore a hat and hat on a cache. Copper rings drooped from his earlobes, while the silk sash wrapped around his waist. Straw sandals carried him steadily forward, and in his hand was a wooden fish. San Zhang saw him, so he stood respectfully by the gate to greet the monk. The monk quickly returned the gestures, smiling. I apologize for not knowing your name. He then asked, Where are you from? Please come inside to have some tea. San Zhang answered.

1:44 The sample disciple is an imperial envoy from the land of the East. We are heading to the Temple of Thunder Clap to worship Buddha and seek scriptures there. It was getting rather late when we arrived, so we would like to ask for a nice lodging at your honoured monastery. The monk said Please come inside and sit down, come inside and sit down. Only then did San Zhang call Xinjo to enter with the horse. When he suddenly saw Xinjo's appearance, the monk grew a bit frightened, asking what is that thing? Dragging the horse, San Zhang said. Quiet down, quiet down.

2:22 He's not that clever. If he heard you calling him that thing, he would go mad. He's only my disciple. The monk shivered before biting his fingertips, asking. Fancy taking such a hideous creature like that for a disciple? San Zhang replied. You just can't tell. He's hideous indeed, but very useful. The monk had no choice but entered the gate with San Zhang and Xingzhou.

2:52 Inside the gate, four large characters could be seen written above the main hall. Wan Yin Chan Yuan meaning Wan Yin Monastery of Chan, with Chan being a specific school within the Buddhist religion. Tanzan was overjoyed and said, This disciple has been blessed by the Bodhisattva's Divine Mercy many times, but I never had the chance to kowtow to her in thanks. Now that I have come into this monastery of Chan, it would be like meeting her in person.

3:24 This is a great place to express my gratitude. The monk heard his words, so he ordered the laborers to open up the door to the hall for San Zhang to pay his worship. Singh Zhuang, on the other hand, tied up the horse, put away the luggage, and enter the hall with San Zhuang. San Zhuang stretched his body before pressing his chest onto the ground, kowtowing to the golden statue above.

3:46 The monk then went aside to beat the drum while Singjo went to strike the bell. Sun Tzang prostrated before the dais as he prayed with all his heart. When the prayer was over, the monk stopped beating the drum. However, Singjo continue hitting the bell non-stop, sometimes faster and sometimes slower. The laborers asked him.

4:09 The formalities are over, what are you doing this war? Singjo only then threw away the bell hammer and laughed, saying what do you know? This is what I call when you are a monk for a day, strike the bell for a day. This idiom, you see, describes the state of drifting along mundane daily duties. By this time, all the monks in the temple, both old and young, elders, both junior and senior, were alarmed by the unruly noises of the bell.

4:39 They all came out together and asked what sort of maniac is messing around with the bell and drum. Sinjo hopped forward and shouted. It's your maternal grandfather named Sun who's hitting the thing just for fun. The moment the monks saw him, they began stumbling and tumbling before dropping to the ground, crying. There's Lord Thunder God, Sinjo said. The Thunder God is only my great grandson. Get up, get up, be not afraid.

5:06 We're only lost from the great tongue in the land of the East. And so the monks bowed to him. Only when they saw San Zang do they stop their worries. Inside came the invitation of the monastery's Abbot, saying May the respected guests come to the backroom for tea. And so they united the horse, picked up the luggage and walked past the main hall straight to the backroom, where they sat according to their hierarchies.

5:33 The Abbots served them tea and arranged a vegetarian meal. By then, there was still some light outside. Just when St. Zhang was expressing his gratitude. He saw two. Young boys come out of the back. Supporting an elderly monk. Just look at what he was wearing. A square hat decorated with dazzling cat's eye stones.

5:55 A brocade robe with Kingfisher feathers, their golden edges shining brightly. His shoes could store treasures, and his cane was encased with cloud and stars. His face was covered with wrinkles and his eyesight was dim. His mouth could not hold air because of the lack of teeth, and spasms must have been the reason for his crooked back. The monk said, The patriarchy is here. San Zhang bowed in greeting and said, Senior Abbot, the disciple pays his respect.

6:28 The old monk returned the gesture and they went back to their seats. Then the old monk said, Just now I heard the young ones tell me that laws from Tang Dynasty and the land of the East have arrived, that's why I came out to meet you. Sanzang replied. We have intruded upon your precious mountain without knowing any better. Do forgive our sins, do forgive us. The old monk said, I dare not, I dare not. He then asked Elder, how far is the land of the East from here? Sanzan answered.

7:07 Starting from the border of Chang'an, it will be over 5000 Li before crossing the two frontier mountain where I found myself a disciple. We then came all the way across the Hami Kingdom in the West Territories. It took about two months and another 5 or 6000 Li before we reached your respectable region. The old monk said, That would make a distance of 10,000 Li, wouldn't it?

7:33 This disciple has lived his life in vain. I have never even left the gate of this mountain. It's what you call observing heaven from the opening of a will. The man is nothing but a rotten tree. Sanzang then asked, May I ask the honourable age of the senior Abbot? The old monk answered, I have foolishly lived to be 270.

8:02 Sinjo hurt us and remarked, that would make you my grandson 10,000 generations down the line. San Zhang gave him a glance and said, Watch your words, quit being so disrespectful and offending people. The monk then asked, Elder, how old are you? Sinjo answered. I dare not say the old monk thought he was just bluffing. He didn't mine and didn't press on either, only ordering for tea to be served.

8:36 One of the servant boys came up holding a tray made from jade of the mutton fat variety. On top of it were three enameled tea cups inlaid with gold. Another servant boy carried a pot made of white copper and poured 3 cups of fragrant tea. Truly the vivid colours could put the inside of the pomegranate fruit to shame, and the scent was sweeter than the blossoms of the Osmansus. Sanzan saw the men began praising with fondness. How marvellous they are, how marvellous they truly are. Beautiful delicacies in beautiful utensils, the old monk replied.

9:17 Disgraceful to the eye, they are disgraceful. The honourable elder comes from a superior nation with a heavenly mandated court. You must have witnessed all sorts of goods and treasures. Utensils like these are not worthy of your praise. Elder, since you come from a superior land, do you happen to possess any rare treasure that this disciple could have a look at?

9:47 San Tzeng answered. How lamentable that land of the East where I come from has nothing you can call a treasure. Even if it had, I could not have brought them with me over such a long distance. Next to him, Sinjo reminded. Master, I saw the Keshia in the back the other day. Doesn't that count as a treasure?

10:07 Why not show it to him? The monks heard the word Keshia and began sneering. Sinjo asked. What are you laughing at? The Abbot explained the elder just now said that a geshire counts as a treasure. That was the laughable part. If you're talking about geshire, monks of my generation own no more than 20 or 30 of them.

10:30 But when it came to our patriarch, who has been a monk here for some 250 or 60 years, he owns as many as 7 or 800 of them. He then ordered bring them up for a look. The elderly monk was also feeling like showing off, so he had the laborers open up the storage rooms and the Doo Doo to carry out the chess.

10:53 A total of 12 chess they brought out, all set down in the courtyard and unlocked on the sides. Clothes racks were set up with ropes hanging in all four directions, and one by one they shook the Keshai open and hung them up for Sun Tzang to see. It was indeed a room full of gorgeous embroidery and four walls of fine silk.

11:17 Xinjo observed them one by one and saw they were nothing more than patterned brocade inlay with golden threads. He laughed and said fine, very fine, very fine indeed. Put them back. Put them all back and let me take out hours for you to see. San Tzan grabbed Xinjo and whispered to him. Disciple, do not engage in the context of wealth with others. The two of us are alone in a strange land. This could very well lead to trouble, Xinjiao said. I'm just showing them the kashaya. What could go wrong?

11:55 Sanzan warned. You have no idea. As the ancient saying goes, never expose what is rare and amusing to the eyes of the greedy and treacherous, for once it is exposed to their eyes, it will disturb their hearts. Once their hearts are disturbed, schemes will follow. If you're one of those timid ones, you would agree to their every demand, otherwise this could very well lead to death and destruction. This is certainly no small matter. Singto said.

12:27 Relax, relax, just count on Alderson to look after things. Just look at him. Without hesitation, he briskly ran up to untie the back, which was already giving off a brilliant glow. Two layers of oil paper was used to keep a tight wrap. He unfolded the paper and took out the Gashire with a shake. Red light filled the room and rainbow colours flooded the courtyard.

12:51 The monks saw it and every one of them prays with the utmost delight. What a fine Gashire. On it were the most brilliant pearls and treasures of the richest variety. Dragon whiskers were used to underlay the colourful embroidery as brocade lined the edges on all four sides. Put it on you, and all evil will be sent to their demise. It's the work of heavenly immortals that only the true monk dare put on themselves.

13:19 The elderly monk saw this most precious treasure, and indeed stirred up evil thoughts inside. He walked up and knelt down to Saint Zhang, shedding tears from his eyes. This disciple has no luck in life. St. Zhang helped him up and asked. What do you mean, Senior Abbott? The monk answered. This treasure of yours, Elder, was just opened up as it was getting dark. It's a shame that my eyes are dim and I can't have a clear look at it.

13:52 Isn't that very unfortunate? San Zheng then instructed. Light up the lamps and have another look, won't you? The elderly monk said. Your treasure is bright enough, Elder. More. Light would only make it too bright for my eyes, it would be even harder for me to see it in detail. Xinja then asked him. How would you like to see it then? The old monk answered.

14:18 If the elder would be so generous and allow this disciple to take it to the back room where I can spend the night looking at it carefully. Tomorrow morning we will return it to you as you set off for the West. What does your honoured mind say? Sanzan heard his request and was shocked. He muttered to Xinzo, This is on you, it's all your fault.

14:41 Sinjar laughed and said. What are you even afraid of? Let me just wrap it up and give it to him to have a good look. Should anything go wrong, Elderson won't be the one to fix it. Sanzang could not stop him, so he handed the Kashaya to the elderly monk before telling him. Look at it as much as you want, but you have to give it back to me intact tomorrow morning. Do not damage your spoiler even a little bit. The elderly monk happily ordered the servant boys to take the Kashia inside.

15:12 He then instructed the monks to clean up a hall at the front. They brought out two rotten beds with proper bedding for the guests to rest. A vegetarian breakfast for the following day was also arranged to send them off. The crowd dispersed accordingly. Master and disciple closed the door of the hall and went to bed.

15:32 We will. Speak no more on that, we instead head to the old monk who tricked them into giving him the geshire. Holding it by a lamp in the backroom, he began bawling over the treasure. The monks in the temple were so startled they dare not go to sleep. The seven boys had no clue why he was acting that way, so they reported to the monks telling them Gramps is crying into the second watch with no sign of stopping. Two grand disciples, in other words, disciples of the elderly. Monk's disciples were his favourites. So they went forward and asked.

16:11 Grandmaster, what are you crying for? The elderly monk answered. I'm crying for the misfortune of not being able to look at the tongue Monk's treasure. The young monk said. Gramps, you have lived a long life and had it all. His Keshia is right in front of you. All you have to do is just open it up and look at it. Why bar over it at all?

16:38 The elderly monk explained. I can't be looking at it for very long. I am 270 years old this year and my hundreds of Keshia have been earned in vain. Where do I even find one like his? How could I ever become the tongue monk? The young monk said. Grandmaster, you aren't thinking straight. The tongue monk is a travelling Mantican far away from home. You have lived a long life and have enjoyed it quite enough. Why would you want to be a travelling monk like him? The old monk answered.

17:16 Sure, I am quite freed at home and blissful in my final years, but I haven't been able to wear his Kashia at all. If only I could wear it for one day, I would happily shut my eyes upon death. Only then will my journey as a monk in the mortal world be worthwhile, The monk said. What nonsense, What's so hard about wearing his Gashire?

17:42 We will ask him to stay for another day to Morrow. So you can wear it for one day, have them stay for another 10 days and you will be able to wear it for 10 days. That should be enough. Why bother willing and misery like this? The elderly monk said, Even if we keep them here for a whole year, I would still only be able to wear it for one year. It can't last.

18:09 In the end, when he is to leave, it will have to leave with him. How could I make it last? Just as they were talking, how came a young monk named Guangzhi meaning broad wisdom? He said Gramps, if you want to make it last, it's actually very easy. The elderly monk heard his words and rose in delight. Asking, My dear boy, what brilliant ideas have you got? Guangzhou answered.

18:41 Those two tongue monks are tired travellers who should be asleep by now. We can just gather a few of our stronger men, bring some Spears and knives, open up the hall and kill them, bury the bodies in the backyard, and no one else would know but us. In addition, we can take their White Horse and luggage. Then we can keep that Keshia with us as an heirloom. And wouldn't that be a lasting plan for the descendants? The elderly monk heard his words and was filled with joy. Only then did he wipe away his tears and say very well, very well, very well indeed, What a brilliant plan. And immediately they were about to gather the Spears and knives. But then another young monk named Guang MO meaning Bras strategy who was a junior

19:30 brother of Guangzhou, came forward and said this plan is no good. If you want to kill them, you have to examine their movements. The pale faced one should be an easy target, but the hairy faced one will be hard to deal with if we can't kill him when the whole thing recoil on us. I have a plan that requires no knives or Spears.

19:50 Would the honoured mind like to hear? The elderly monk asked. My dear boy, what plan have you got? Guang MO answered. Your young grandson has an idea. Right now, we just have to assemble all the senior monks from the upper and lower branches living on the East hill. Each shall bring a bundle of dry firewood with them.

20:12 We will have to let go of those 3 halls and start a fire there. That way they will have nowhere to escape or burn the halls along with them. Even if residents spotted a scene from around the mountain, we can just say it was their carelessness that started the fire, and it burned down our hall too. Wouldn't both of those monks be burned to death then? This would be easy to cover up too. By then, the Keshia would be our heirloom, wouldn't it? The monks heard his words and were overjoyed. They all commented.

20:45 Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant indeed. This plan is even better, much better, and so they instructed all the senior monks to gather firewood. Alas, this plan would truly lead to the long life of an aged monk coming to an end, and the Guanyin monastery of Chan being reduced to dust. It turned out that in his temple lived about 70 to 80 senior monks, managing a total of over 200 people. That night they all worked together to gather firewood and had the guest hall surrounded from all directions without a single pass to escape from.

21:24 They then arranged to have the place set on fire. We will speak no more of that journey. To the West, an audio drama series, is an independent production by The 5th Monkey. For subtitles, please visit our YouTube channel. Subscribe for free on YouTube to get us closer to monetization. For access to all the locked content, please consider becoming a paid subscriber for less than three U.S. dollars per month on Spotify or supporters on Patreon and Kofi. You will have a chance to access the latest release and other exclusive content.

22:01 Head to www.thefifthmonkey.com for links to all the platforms we're on and supporters on social media. Shares, comments, emails, all are welcome. This is Lynn, see you in the next episode.