Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

The Black River stretched before them, impossible to cross. For Jiang Liu, wasn't this an opportune time to take a detour and relish the moment?

Therefore, not only did Jiang Liu feel too lazy to think of a way to cross the river, but even if he actually had a method, he wouldn't have used it.

Thus, when faced with Zhu Bajie's inquiry, Jiang Liu also claimed he had no way to do so.

Who would have known that at this moment, a boatman would actually come rowing over, proactively offering to take Jiang Liu and his companions across the river!

Jiang Liu's mouth twitched slightly, his face growing somewhat unsightly. After a brief moment of silence, he called out, "Boatman, you should just go about your own business. This poor monk is a little tired and wants to rest. I don't wish to cross the river today!"

"What are you talking about, master? It's just my luck to be here today. Tomorrow, who knows if you'll get the chance to meet me again? Hurry on board!"

Hearing Jiang Liu's words, the boatman seemed very enthusiastic, saying so as he approached with a long bamboo pole.

"I, I don't want to go!" Jiang Liu had a somewhat exasperated look as the boatman came rowing over with such enthusiasm.

"Master, what should we do?" Zhu Bajie and the others all turned their heads, their gazes landing on Jiang Liu, clearly waiting for his decision.

"Master, no more nonsense, hurry up on board!" The boatman seemed quite skilled, as he steadily docked the boat by the shore and beckoned Jiang Liu to come aboard.

"I won't board..." Upon hearing the boatman's invitation, Jiang Liu firmly declined, saying, "Boatman, your boat seems too small. I'm afraid it might capsize in the middle of the river. Besides, with so many of us, it's obviously impossible for your tiny boat to carry us across!"

"Master, judging by the looks of the ones beside you, they all possess divine skills and can probably cross the river on their own. You just need to board the boat!" The old man, looking at Zhu Bajie and the others, showed no fear, still inviting Jiang Liu onto the boat with an air of great enthusiasm.
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"This guy, what's the deal with him? Isn't his enthusiasm a bit excessive?"

Jiang Liu had refused several times in a row, but the old man persisted as if he wouldn't rest until Jiang Liu boarded the boat. Jiang Liu couldn't help but internally criticize the old man.

Without giving an immediate answer, Jiang Liu's gaze fell on the old man, and silently in his mind, he called up: Character Panel!

As Jiang Liu silently invoked it, a semi-transparent character panel appeared before him.

ID: Mysterious Boatman (Blue)

Gender: Male

Profession: ?

Level: 62.

Equipment: Fine Steel Whip (Legendary Level): ...

"As expected!" Seeing the character panel of the mysterious boatman, Jiang Liu's suspicions seemed to be confirmed.

Just by the boatman's overly enthusiastic behavior, it was clear he was no ordinary man. A level of 62? That was probably the Heavenly Immortal Realm, right?

"What evil demon are you!?" Jiang Liu's ability to view character panels was even more useful than Sun Wukong's Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze. After looking at the boatman's character panel, Jiang Liu realized he wasn't ordinary, and he shouted accusingly, "Pretending to be a boatman and trying to deceive this poor monk onto your boat! What are your ulterior motives!?"

Hearing Jiang Liu's outcry, Sun Wukong didn't bother verifying with his Fiery Eyes and Golden Gaze; he simply pulled out his Jingu Bang.

Then, he brandished the iron rod and smashed it towards the boatman.

No time for pointless chatter. Since Master had said this guy was a demon creature, then it must be true!

Seeing Sun Wukong raising his Jingu Bang to strike, the boatman's face changed, and he dared not meet the blow head-on.

With a cry of alarm, he leaped high from the boat and plunged into the water, then dived to the bottom, disappearing from sight!

"He really was an evil demon! Master, what keen eyesight!" Seeing that the boatman had dived and didn't resurface, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing also realized that the boatman was indeed transformed by a demon creature.

"Bajie, Junior Brother Sha, I'm not as skilled in the water as you two. This demon is hiding at the riverbed, and we would find it hard to cross even with a boat. How about you two dive down and subdue this demon creature?" Watching the boatman vanish after jumping into the water, Sun Wukong suggested to Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing.

Sha Wujing's home was originally at the Liusha River, and Zhu Bajie? He used to be Marshal Tianpeng, commanding eighty thousand naval forces of the Heavenly River. They were naturally adept in underwater combat.

Though Sun Wukong could ascend to heaven and dive into the sea, he was no match for Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing in aquatic abilities.

Once underwater, he had to distract himself with reciting the water avoidance art, which would surely blunt his effectiveness.

"Me!? Monkey Brother, Old Pig thinks it's not quite right to rush in. You know the saying, 'even a powerful dragon can't suppress the local snakes,' right?" Hearing Sun Wukong's words, Zhu Bajie showed a troubled expression on his face.

The inherently lethargic Jiang Liu naturally had no desire to set off.

"Alright, Eldest Brother!" However, Sha Wujing beside him nodded and said, while picking up the Blood-Transforming Divine Blade and moving towards the Black Water River, where he jumped in.

Zhu Bajie was inherently lazy and would stay still if possible, but Sha Wujing was diligent.

Not to mention tasks actively assigned by Sun Wukong, even during idle times, Sha Wujing would snatch up chores like cleaning in the Exquisite Immortal Mansion, toiling without complaint.

At this point in the pilgrimage, Sha Wujing had completely devoted himself to the team; he was keenly aware that not only was his master kind to him, but Eldest Brother also treated him well.

Especially after his battle with Muzha during his demon possession, when he even wounded Eldest Brother, Sha Wujing always felt a sense of guilt in his heart.

With a splash, Sha Wujing dove straight into the Black Water River and then disappeared from sight.

Jiang Liu had no worries about Sha Wujing's action, knowing that after the demon possession, Sha Wujing's power had reached the Taiyi Realm, while the mysterious boatman was merely level 62. With a vast difference of an entire realm between them and even though the Black Water River was the other's territory, Sha Wujing would likely be fine.

Moreover, he had the Blood-Transforming Divine Blade, a murderous weapon, in hand.

Once inside the Black Water River, Sha Wujing submerged and began to search; the river was vast, and locating the hidden demon creature within was no simple task.

However, Sha Wujing understood that since he was unaware of the demon's whereabouts, he could simply ask around.

Shortly after prowling through the Black Water River, Sha Wujing came across a Carp Demon. After easily subduing it, he extracted information about the lair of the demon creature within the river.

Guided by the Carp Demon, Sha Wujing soon arrived at the entrance to the demon's lair.

Yet, upon seeing the lair, a look of surprise flitted across Sha Wujing's face. He then turned sharply, his eyes filled with a murderous glare, and stared at the Carp Demon, saying, "Are you trying to deceive me? Is this not the River God Mansion? How can it be the lair of an evil demon!?"

Sha Wujing usually appeared honest and straightforward, but after his demon possession, his nature had changed drastically.

This murderous appearance made the Carp Demon tremble, and in a voice filled with terror, it cried, "Spare me, please spare me, I really didn't deceive you! Indeed, this is the River God Mansion, but some years ago, a powerful demon arrived. The River God was no match and was driven away, allowing the demon to take over the River God Mansion and settle here!"

"Is that so!?" Hearing the Carp Demon's reply, Sha Wujing nodded and came to a realization.

"Alright, you may go now!"

Having understood the situation, Sha Wujing waved his hand, dismissing the Carp Demon. He then fixed his gaze on the front gates of the demon's lair, and thinking that he came to court trouble, he decided no formalities were necessary.

Clasping the Blood-Transforming Divine Blade with both hands, Sha Wujing wasted no words, and with a swift stroke, he slashed towards the demon's lair.

With a thunderous boom, the sturdy gates of the River God Mansion, which would have normally held firm, failed to resist the sharpness of the Blood-Transforming Divine Blade; the crimson blade's light cleaved through, slashing the gates apart.

As the gates were split open, naturally, a host of water clan demon creatures such as fish and shrimp began shouting loudly, mustering their strength as they surged out from the mansion.

However, these little demons simply stood at the entrance, making no immediate move to battle.

After a standoff, the little demons parted to each side, revealing a pathway.

Suddenly, a humanoid monster with scales and a ferocious, fierce appearance walked out from within, gripping a steel whip in hand and exuding an intimidating presence.

"It's you!?" The emerged demon, locking eyes on Sha Wujing, spoke up, clearly recognizing him.

After all, just a while ago when he disguised himself as a boatman, he had seen all the members of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team.

With Sha Wujing standing at a noticeable height of over three to four meters, his appearance was especially memorable, so the demon naturally remembered him.

"Hmph, demon, I suggest you surrender and meet my master!" Seeing the demon recognized him, Sha Wujing showed no reaction but slightly trembled the Blood-Transforming Divine Blade and called out to the demon.

"Hmph, surrender to meet your master? We'll see if you have the strength to back that up!"

Hefting the steel whip in his hand, the demon showed no signs of backing down, speaking defiantly.

In the midst of speaking, the demon wielded the Vajra Whip with a flourish, smashing it towards Sha Wujing.

...

Sha Wujing and the demon battled under the water, but at this moment, Muzha, wearing the Golden Haze Crown and maintaining the invisibility granted by the crown, silently entered the Black Water River, undetected by anyone.