Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Golden Cicada looked at the endlessly laughing Lu Yu with a sense of speechlessness, having no solution for Bai Xiaoyao. He said in frustration, "How come this dish doesn't have any taste at all?"

Without waiting for Lu Yu to respond, he picked up his basket and headed for the door, with Lu Yu following behind, laughing as he said, "Wait for me, will you?"

"That Bai Xiaoyao is actually the daughter of the Bai Family, a prominent clan. A while ago, she went to Luoyang to visit her relatives. On the way there, she was attacked by a fierce tiger. I just happened to see it and helped them out of the encirclement. Little did I know that Bai Xiaoyao, a notorious little witch, saw me, and started clamoring to commit herself to me.

I couldn't withstand it and left without saying goodbye, but who knew we would meet here," Golden Cicada recounted his past encounter with Bai Xiaoyao.

"We've only just entered the city, and already our whereabouts are known. It seems the Bai Family has quite the influence in Changan City. I think you might as well just accept Bai Xiaoyao, this is a 'golden thigh,' after all," Lu Yu teased with a laugh.

Golden Cicada, however, remained silent, continuing to walk with an unhurried pace on the streets of Changan City. Lu Yu observed carefully and noticed that as Golden Cicada walked, streams of Human Path Fortune and Destiny continuously entered his body.

It seemed he understood why this second disciple of the Buddha Ancestor, a famous Buddhist Disciple in Buddhism, couldn't practice anymore. To accommodate Human Path Fortune and Destiny within his own body was not a simple matter.

Human Path Fortune and Destiny were extremely domineering; once they entered Golden Cicada's body, they naturally repelled other energies, rendering him unable to practice.

The two of them walked in silence for a while until Golden Cicada suddenly pointed into the distance and said, "That mountain looks wonderful; I feel a connection to it. I've decided to build a temple on this mountain."

Following the direction Golden Cicada was pointing, indeed, there was a high mountain, with warm layers upon layers of cliffs, and the distant mountains, shrouded in a thin layer of mist, were indistinctly visible, now clear, now concealed, like several strokes of light ink on the edge of the blue sky—absolutely beautiful.

"You sure know how to pick a spot; it really is a beautiful mountain. But where will you get the money to build a temple? Don't look at me; I have no money," Lu Yu hastily refused, seeing the look in Golden Cicada's eyes, feeling quite confident about this monk's lack of limits.

"As a monk building a temple, naturally, I must seek donations. Otherwise, how could a person like me build a temple?" Golden Cicada declared self-righteously.

From that day on, Golden Cicada indeed began his journey of seeking donations. He was handsome and articulate, and in a short period, he made a big name for himself in Changan City, with many people knowing that a high monk from Buddhism had appeared.

"You plan to build a temple and draft us as laborers; you have some nerve," Lu Yu teased as he brought his fingers together, making a swiping motion to cut the large rock in front of him into slabs.

Big Black Donkey and Little Black Bear quickly transported the cut slabs up the mountain, where a clearing had already been leveled—it was the very spot Golden Cicada had chosen for the temple construction.

"Get to work quickly; this is all for great merit. No need to thank me," Golden Cicada said in a wicked tone while moving slabs, looking very much like a greedy and unscrupulous landlord.

Just then, the familiar sound of bells rang out, instantly lifting Lu Yu's spirits, while Golden Cicada, who was previously smug, immediately pulled a long face.

Soon, Bai Xiaoyao's voice could be heard coming from afar: "Move all these things inside, and arrange them neatly."

"Look, this is the benefit of having a financial backer. When would your temple ever be finished with just your donations? You might as well accept Xiaoyao and consider it a dedication to Buddhism. Didn't the Buddha Ancestor say 'If I don't enter Hell, who will?'" Lu Yu nudged Golden Cicada lightly, saying mockingly.

"Don't make trouble, just work properly," Golden Cicada said speechlessly.

"Golden Cicada, this temple of yours is taking so long to build. When will it be finished? I'm already planning to move in," Bai Xiaoyao said in frustration.

"Why would you move in? This is a temple, not your house."
Continue reading at empire

"Isn't your temple my temple too? I've already come up with a name for the temple; it'll be called Jinshan Temple," Bai Xiaoyao said with a giggle.

"Jinshan Temple? How did you come up with such a name?" Lu Yu was intrigued, as Bai Xiaoyao often thought differently from ordinary people.

"It's the temple of Golden Cicada, and it's on a mountain, so naturally, it should be called Jinshan Temple," said Bai Xiaoyao as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"Don't make decisions on your own, Jinshan Temple, that name truly sounds awful," Golden Cicada grumbled displeased.

However, Bai Xiaoyao seemed not to hear him at all, still pondering over how the temple should be built to match the image in her mind.

"This temple absolutely cannot be called Jinshan Temple; it's too unpleasant to hear."

"The name of the temple is up to me to decide. I've already had the plaque made, and in a few days, I'm going to have it hung up," Bai Xiaoyao showed no consideration for Golden Cicada's opinion.

Lu Yu pretended not to notice the bickering between the two, standing at the mountainside overlooking Changan, he realized that Golden Cicada indeed knew how to choose a location.

The mountain seemed ordinary but was rather significant, being the source of the earth's energy veins for Changan and next to Jing River—a feng shui treasure and a necessary passage for the flow of 'Human Path' Fortune and Destiny.

"Is it time to start planning already?" Lu Yu mused to himself. Looking at the majestic Changan City and the meandering waters of the Jing River, he was once again amazed by the calculations of the world's great powers. The intricacy in detail revealing their mastery, and when they truly acted, it was like the traceless horns of a gazelle.

Turning to look at Golden Cicada who was still arguing, Lu Yu found it hard to imagine how such a Golden Cicada became the Tang Monk during the Journey to the West.

As time passed day by day, the temple's construction progressed, and eventually, Bai Xiaoyao won the argument. The still-uncompleted temple had been named Jinshan Temple.

One day, like usual, Bai Xiaoyao ran to Jinshan Temple, but Lu Yu noticed that she was not as cheerful as before. He asked, "Madam Bai, what's wrong? You seem downcast."

"Sigh! My dad won't let me leave the house, saying it's not safe outside recently," Bai Xiaoyao said frowning prettily and feeling vexed.

"Amitabha, the elderly donor is only looking out for your well-being. It's best if you just stay home and listen to him," Lu Yu would have thought Golden Cicada was concerned about Bai Xiaoyao if it weren't for the smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Hmph! Golden Cicada, don't get too happy too soon. I'll come looking for you in a few days when I can get out," Bai Xiaoyao pouted and said.

"In a few days, I'm also planning to leave here for a trip," Lu Yu said abruptly.

"What! You're leaving too? What for? The temple isn't even finished yet, are you planning to run away?" Golden Cicada was unabashed; he did not want to lose Lu Yu, the main workforce.

"Pah, you skinflint, and to think you call yourself a Buddhist Disciple, your conscience must have been eaten by a dog. There's a tea tree somewhere on the Han River that I need to reclaim its Spiritual Charm," Lu Yu retorted irritably.