Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Tiger Power!? Deer Power!? Sheep Power!?

Hearing these men speak, Jiang Liu's eyes widened in shock, his face filled with astonishment.

Listening to these names, weren't they the three State Preceptors from the Chechi Kingdom in the original story who, after betting with Sun Wukong, were all killed? Could it be that the owners of the Three Pure Ones Temple were actually them!?

To tell the truth, Jiang Liu hadn't thought much about the existence of the Three Pure Ones Temple, nor had he connected it with the Three Demons of Chechi Kingdom from the original story.

However, he hadn't expected that after specifically asking about the news of the three State Preceptors from Chechi Kingdom and finding nothing, it would turn out to be an inadvertent success?

This Yuanling was actually a disciple of these three demons, and the masters of the Three Pure Ones Temple were actually these demons!? Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire

By this time, Jiang Liu had an epiphany.

No wonder in the original story, the Three Demons of Chechi Kingdom harbored such deep hatred towards the Monk; wouldn't anyone feel the same?

"Holy Monk Xuanzang!? Holy Monk!?"

Jiang Liu looked at the Three Demons, his mind suddenly clear, but as he started to speak enthusiastically, he realized Jiang Liu was deep in thought and not paying attention to him, which secretly surprised Tiger Immortal as he called out several times.

"Oh, gentlemen, hello, my intervention was but driven by moral obligation!" Hearing the shouts of Tiger Immortal, Jiang Liu snapped back to reality and spoke.

This statement wasn't exactly deceitful. The task of cleaning house was a main quest, so whether or not the quest existed, Jiang Liu had already planned to visit the Bodhi Temple.

Such actions were indeed not for any purpose but for the sake of justice in his heart.

Perhaps it was because of the prevalence of martial arts TV series in his previous world, almost every man harbors a dream of martial arts—to fight the strong, support the weak, and uphold justice!

"Yuanling mentioned that although you, Holy Monk Xuanzang, claim to be a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, you cultivate the divine skills of our Taoism. Indeed, Holy Monk, you are completely different from other monks!" Hearing Jiang Liu's words, the Tiger, Deer, and Sheep Demons felt a strong sense of identification with Jiang Liu and nodded in agreement.

Being a monk yet cultivating Taoist divine skills – doesn't that mean that Taoism's divine skills are more powerful than Buddhism's?

Thinking this way, they all found Jiang Liu quite pleasing, feeling even more that he had discernment!

...

Leaving aside the Chechi Kingdom in the mortal world and how Jiang Liu and the Three Demons developed a mutual understanding.

At this time, in the Great Thunder Monastery of the Western Heaven.

Ananda, the tenth disciple under Buddha, suddenly felt a premonition, a wrenching sensation, which darkened his expression as he concentrated and performed calculations.

Yet, he found that the secrets of heaven were obscure and unclear, and he could discern nothing.

This unexpected uncertainty left Ananda secretly puzzled—had something gone wrong with his teachings in the mortal world? But what exactly was unclear!

After pondering in silence, Ananda was about to set out to investigate when he had another thought.

Wait, where had the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team reached at this moment? Could it be...

Considering this, Ananda also recalled that the Emissary Muzha under Guanyin Bodhisattva had responded to a calamity, and he felt a bit apprehensive about going.

After contemplating for a while, he summoned several Vajra Warriors and instructed them to go and check the situation at the Bodhi Temple.

Once receiving Ananda's decree, the Vajra Warriors naturally had no intention of defiance, and they left Spirit Mountain, heading towards Chechi Kingdom.

It didn't take them long; soon, the Vajra Warriors had investigated the entire sequence of events and returned to the Thunder Monastery, recounting everything they had found to Ananda without omission.

The conflict between Bodhi Temple and Three Pure Ones Temple was naturally the cause. Bodhi Temple, with the means of Subduing Demons and Eliminating Evil, destroyed the Three Pure Ones Temple established by the Tiger, Deer, and Sheep Demons, an act originally deemed just.

After all, demons founding the Three Pure Ones Temple? Wasn't this taking advantage of the name of the Three Pure Ones to deceive people?

Yet unexpectedly, this righteous act, in the eyes of Xuanzang, was deemed cruel, leading to his visit to the Bodhi Temple to seek justice for the Three Pure Ones Temple established by the demons.

After the conflict, nearly the entire Bodhi Temple was decimated, and the temple itself was directly destroyed.

"Damnable! Xuanzang actually!" Hearing the whole story, Ananda's face filled with rage as he shouted.

Although he intended to seek justice, with the precedent of Emissary Muzha before him, Ananda felt anxious and dared not go.

Indeed, Xuanzang's previous incarnation as Golden Cicada was his older fellow disciple, and there was a certain fraternal affection, but after reincarnation and the loss of all previous memories…

If he really went, who knew what the outcome would be under this calamity?

Yet, should he allow the religious order he left in the mortal world to be destroyed like this? And by one of their own, no less?

Ananda's heart was naturally filled with unwillingness.

Thus, after a brief contemplation within the Great Thunder Monastery, Venerable Ananda promptly moved and left the monastery.

Of course, he wasn't heading towards Jiang Liu and the others but was flying over to the Purple Bamboo Forest in the South Sea.

Guanyin Bodhisattva was in charge of this Western Journey incident, and at this moment, with something amiss, he felt he should at least inform her, shouldn't he?

In the midst of the Purple Bamboo Forest in the South Sea, Guanyin sat quietly on her lotus platform, her lips softly chanting Buddhist scriptures. Right at this moment, the Pearl Holding Dragon Maiden approached and said, "Bodhisattva, Venerable Ananda has come from the Great Thunder Monastery seeking an audience with you!"

"Venerable Ananda!?" Hearing the words of the Pearl Holding Dragon Maiden, Guanyin Bodhisattva flickered with a slight surprise and then nodded her head, saying, "Let him in!"

Very soon, after the Pearl Holding Dragon Maiden had turned and left, she promptly brought Venerable Ananda over.

"Venerable Ananda, for what matter do you come to my Mount Luojia!?" After exchanging formalities, Guanyin Bodhisattva wasted no words and directly asked.

"Amitabha, my visit today is no significant affair, I merely seek to discuss matters about the Scripture Seeking Team on their journey West!" With no intention of beating around the bush, Venerable Ananda spoke bluntly.

"Oh? Xuanzang and his companions? What about them!?" At these words, Guanyin Bodhisattva's eyebrows slightly raised in a puzzled inquiry.

"Xuanzang has reached the Chechi Kingdom this time. Perhaps you are unaware, Bodhisattva, that within the kingdom there is a monastery devoted in faith, causing nearly the whole land to follow our Buddhist Sect, being lineage of our Sect. However, they were annihilated by Xuanzang and his team!" Venerable Ananda began.

These words caused Guanyin Bodhisattva to look at Venerable Ananda somewhat strangely.

Being both members of the Buddhist Sect, she naturally knew about Ananda's disposition.

It might be said that all within the Buddhist Sect are somewhat selfish and greedy, such as myself, for the three headbands given by Buddha, up until now I have still held onto one greedily.

Yet, regardless, one should at least maintain a reputable facade outwardly to prevent others from finding fault.

However, Ananda and Kassapa were different; devoid of any such tactics, they took shamelessness to an extreme, a disgrace to the Buddhist Sect!

It's like a mountain stronghold, plundering vast wealth, owning tens of thousands of gold that tempts the heart of many.

Anyone with a little wisdom would make a move on such a stronghold under the guise of eradicating evil, thereby legitimizing their actions while seizing treasures, a win-win situation, is it not?

Even some who gained tens of thousands of gold would donate a thousand or so to charity, polishing their own reputation.

By then, one procures benefits as well as reputation—aren't these the rules of a mature person playing the game?

Yet if one were to follow Ananda and Kassapa's principles, they would simply covet the stronghold's wealth and forcefully plunder it, a blatant display of thuggery.

Even if they eliminated the stronghold's brigands, no shred of reputation would stand.

Therefore, within the Buddhist Sect, people like Ananda are but foolish swine, a blemish upon the Sect!

While Ananda's lips spoke eloquently of the virtues of Bodhi Temple, in contrast, Guanyin Bodhisattva was more inclined to trust Jiang Liu and his team.

Thus, when Ananda spoke, she could more or less guess a portion of the truth herself.

"What is the meaning of your gaze, Bodhisattva!?" The odd look in Guanyin's eyes made Venerable Ananda feel uneasy, and he directly inquired.

"Hmm, Venerable Ananda, I understand the purpose of your visit, so now, what exactly is your aim?"

Though she found Venerable Ananda to be a disgrace to the Buddhist Sect, he was still Tathagata's disciple, and out of respect, Guanyin Bodhisattva still wore a faint smile as she asked.

Without waiting for Venerable Ananda to answer, Guanyin Bodhisattva continued, "Are you wanting me to reprimand Xuanzang!? Or to punish him!? Or perhaps to directly revoke his status as a Scripture Seeker? To appoint someone else in his stead to seek the scriptures!?"

"You exaggerate, Bodhisattva!"

Ananda of course knew the importance of the scripture-seeking journey and, upon hearing this, gave a wry smile and said, "The Bodhi Temple is, after all, my lineage, and now it has been destroyed, I do not know how much I have lost. If, hehe, if it is possible for Xuanzang to make some compensation to me, then we can let this matter rest!"

Venerable Ananda's words made Guanyin Bodhisattva look at him as if he were mentally challenged.

After interacting for some days, Guanyin Bodhisattva had come to understand a bit about Jiang Liu's Taotie-like nature, one that only receives without giving.

Up until now, she still hadn't retrieved her Black Lotus or Golden Haze Crown from him, and she was even tricked out of a Mystical Mirror…

She had already endured many losses on her own, and now he expected her to obtain compensation on his behalf?

Wishful thinking, wasn't it?

Guanyin Bodhisattva opened her mouth, appearing to directly refuse.

"Of course, if the Bodhisattva manages to secure some compensation, I am willing to offer half as thanks for your hard work!" But then, Ananda continued to speak to Guanyin.

This statement stopped Guanyin Bodhisattva's intended refusal in its tracks.

After consideration, it seemed indeed to be an opportunity worth trying, perhaps?