The Rotting Buddhas of Journey to the West - chapter 3

The two of us left the Heavenly Court in disappointment, having gained nothing from our visit.

“Forget it, let’s go find Master and Sand Junior Brother first.”

Second Senior Brother scratched his head and spoke to me.

South Sea, Guanyin’s Dojo.

“What brings you two here?”

I looked at Guanyin before me, unable to speak for a moment. She was alone here; Master and the others were nowhere to be seen.

“Bodhisattva, hasn’t my Master come to see you?”

Guanyin’s face showed confusion:

“Your Master hasn’t come here. What’s the matter?”

“Bodhisattva, Vulture Peak has been destroyed. My Eldest Senior Brother and all the Buddhas are trapped by a giant human skin. Please, Bodhisattva, think of a way to help!”

Guanyin was shocked: “How could this happen!”

“We beg the Bodhisattva to save them!”

Second Senior Brother and I knelt below, pleading with the Bodhisattva.

“Very well, you two go to Vulture Peak first. I will follow shortly.”

Unexpectedly, the Bodhisattva agreed readily. Second Senior Brother and I exchanged a smile-at least someone powerful was willing to help us.

Just as we were about to leave the dojo, a question suddenly struck me-

If Master and Sand Senior Brother aren’t here, then where did they go?

“Hehehe…”

A strange laugh, neither male nor female, echoed, startling both of us.

Wasn’t this the same laugh that came from Buddha’s belly at Vulture Peak?

I turned to look, but the laughter vanished.

“What’s wrong?” the Bodhisattva asked me.

“Nothing, disciple takes his leave.”

As I turned, out of the corner of my eye, I caught a bizarre sight!

Guanyin Bodhisattva was secretly laughing!

Ignoring manners, I asked directly:

“Were… were you just laughing?”

Guanyin Bodhisattva looked puzzled: “Who was laughing?”

I couldn’t say anything. Maybe I was just too frightened earlier and was hallucinating.

Steadying myself, I bowed again to take my leave, but after only two steps-

“Pfft, hehehe…”

The Bodhisattva no longer hid it!

She first covered her mouth, then let out a string of laughs, neither male nor female.

“You two are truly foolish. Did you forget? Back at Vulture Peak, I was already eaten by Buddha, hehehe…”

Her words made my scalp tingle!

“Then… then you?”

Guanyin’s face grew paler and paler.

“That Monkey said there was a dead person, right? Guess who I am!”

Second Senior Brother plopped down on the ground, sweating profusely. I too forced myself to draw my sword, confronting this fake Guanyin.

“Did you destroy Vulture Peak? Where are my Master and Senior Brothers?”

The fake Guanyin’s face was deathly pale, lips black, the corners of her mouth nearly reaching her ears.

“Your Master has nothing to do with me. Remember how your Sand Senior Brother ate the Nine Lifetimes Scripture Seeker? Let me tell you, just now, he ate the Tenth Lifetime Scripture Seeker too.”

“Impossible!” I roared. Sand Senior Brother was the most loyal disciple-this fake Guanyin must be lying to disturb my mind.

“Anything is possible. For example, on your Journey to the West, I’ve always been by your side.”

“I… I’ve never seen you. What kind of demon are you?”

“Heh, think carefully. On your journey, you’ve definitely seen me, more than once.”

Furious, I laughed coldly. Now was no time to argue with it.

“Little Loach, how about we play a game? Retrace your Journey to the West, find all the places where I appeared, and I’ll release your Eldest Senior Brother. I’ll even let your Master and all the Buddhas at Vulture Peak live again.”

“Who would believe you!”

Upon hearing this, the fake Guanyin sneered:

“You have no choice!”