While the novel doesn't explicitly state that Tze-Yo-Tzuh was always within reach of the Monkey King, it does show how the Monkey King was tricked into thinking that he could achieve immortality and great power through the "Sutra of the Eternal Endurance of the Mind" (which was actually a blank scroll).
Here's how the story unfolds:
1. Monkey King's Arrogance: The Monkey King, arrogant and believing himself invincible, sets out to become immortal. He seeks guidance from the Buddha, who sends him to Tze-Yo-Tzuh, a seemingly wise and powerful sage.
2. The "Sutra" and the Trick: Tze-Yo-Tzuh presents the Monkey King with the blank scroll and tells him that it contains the secret to immortality. The Monkey King, eager to gain power, diligently spends years copying the scroll, even though it's blank.
3. The Revelation: The Monkey King returns to the Buddha with the copied scroll, expecting to achieve immortality. The Buddha reveals that the scroll was blank, and that the true secret to immortality lies within the Monkey King himself, through self-control, compassion, and the pursuit of enlightenment.
4. The Lesson: The Monkey King is humbled by the realization that his arrogance and greed blinded him to the true path to enlightenment. He learns that he was always capable of achieving immortality but was misled by his own desires and the cunning trick of Tze-Yo-Tzuh.
In essence, while Tze-Yo-Tzuh did not literally reveal to the Monkey King that he was always within reach, he facilitated the Monkey King's own realization of this truth. The experience with the blank scroll served as a wake-up call, forcing the Monkey King to confront his own limitations and ultimately seek a path towards true enlightenment.
This story highlights the concept of self-discovery and the importance of overcoming one's ego to attain true wisdom and enlightenment.