Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Daoji stood to one side, watching Jiang Liu and Gaoyang in their deep affection for each other, feeling somewhat embarrassed as he touched his nose, not knowing what to do with himself.

Actually, Daoji had long been aware of the relationship between Jiang Liu and Gaoyang. When they first met at Esquire Zhang's house, the two of them were inseparable.

But times had changed since then. Jiang Liu was no longer an unknown novice monk. He had lit twelve incense scars, becoming the monk with the deepest connection to Buddhism in the entire world, and an example for monks everywhere.

Regarding the relationship between Jiang Liu and Gaoyang, Daoji also held objections in his heart. As a disciple with twelve incense scars, his every word and deed should be beyond reproach.

However, having spent these days in the company of Jiang Liu, he had come to greatly admire him. How could he stand out now and speak words that would spoil the mood? Daoji couldn't bring himself to do it.

"Jiang Liu, let's go..." Gaoyang's small hands were held by Jiang Liu as she looked at him with tender affection in her eyes, and spoke in a soft voice.

"Go? Where do you mean exactly?" Jiang Liu wasn't slow to understand; clearly, Gaoyang wasn't just talking about returning to Chang'an City.

"The venture to Foutu Mountain was a heavy loss for both the demon clans of Foutu Mountain and our human side, with uncertain life and death. If we just leave like this, others might assume we were devoured by demons. How about we find a secluded place to live out our days in peace?" said Gaoyang, her beautiful eyes fixed on Jiang Liu.

Even though Jiang Liu had already made a promise, and Gaoyang had agreed to wait for him, today seemed to present an opportunity to run away and be free, which was naturally a far better choice.

What Gaoyang said stirred Jiang Liu's heart. Indeed, if they were to leave now and be assumed dead in this demon subduing and evil eliminating campaign, it seemed very likely they could deceive Great Buddha Temple and the Emperor of Tang.

Though he had once said that he would marry Gaoyang openly and honorably, at the time Jiang Liu did not know he was the identity of the Tang Monk. If they could stay together forever, even breaking his past promises would be a sacrifice he was willing to make.

Moreover, wandering the world with Gaoyang, becoming a pair of chivalrous lovers was once a dream of his.

Yet although his heart wavered, the thought of his identity as the Tang Monk poured a cold bucket of water over him.

Others might not know his situation, but Jiang Liu himself was all too aware.

The Journey to the West for Scriptures was the most pressing matter in the Buddhist Realm up until now, with all deities and Buddhas taking great interest. If he were just an ordinary monk from the mortal world, no matter how revered, hiding away might indeed deceive the Imperial Court and Great Buddha Temple.

But could the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in heaven ever let him go? Could they turn a blind eye to him abandoning the great task of Scripture seeking for love and affection?

At that moment, who knew what means Guanyin and Buddha would use to compel him to submit!

With his current power, he couldn't even handle a Demon Marshal, so how could he resist the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas of heaven?

"Jiang Liu, why are you not speaking? Do you care too much for your current fame and fortune?" Gaoyang asked as she saw Jiang Liu's silent demeanor, her pretty face angry.

"Am I such a person!?" Seeing Gaoyang angry, Jiang Liu shook his head and said.

As he spoke, he organized his thoughts. The matter of the Journey to the West had not yet begun, so of course, he could not speak openly of it. "You know that I have twelve incense scars and should be the reincarnation of a Bodhisattva from the Western Heaven. Why reincarnate? Perhaps I have some very important mission.

If I were to leave now and live under a false name, perhaps Buddha would not forgive me?"

Speaking the truth about the Journey to the West for Scriptures would be difficult to explain, so Jiang Liu had to speak with a tone of speculation.

"You need not find such excuses. If the Buddha really has a mission for you, just let the Buddha come forward and tell you himself. As for unpredictable later events, we can discuss them later. If you can't part with your current fame and fortune, I won't cling to you," she said.

Being straightforward by nature and decisive in her actions, Gaoyang said, "To love is to love wholeheartedly and recklessly. But if you cannot let go of fame and fortune, just say so directly. As for your speculative worries? They are nothing but hesitation and indecision."

"In matters of love, I don't seek eternal bliss, but to have truly loved. As long as our love is sincere, even if your speculation turns out to be true, I would rather shatter into pieces than live with eternal regret for never having loved at all."

As a woman, having spoken to this extent, one could say she had completely cast aside a woman's reserve, deeply moving the person listening to her.
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After a moment of silence, Jiang Liu resolutely nodded: "So be it. Since you've thought it through, I'll accompany you. Should any calamity arise, we'll face it together."

"Brother!"

Regardless of what Gaoyang said, Daoji kept his silence, but upon hearing Jiang Liu's response, his expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in shock.

"Daoji, if you still value the friendship between us, I implore your help!" Jiang Liu turned around and stared earnestly at Daoji.

"Brother, you are the reincarnation of a Bodhisattva and will undoubtedly be a leader of our Buddhist Sect. Is what you're doing worth it?" Daoji's face showed difficulty as he tried to persuade him.

"Brother!" With a serious look at Daoji, Jiang Liu didn't respond to whether it was worth it or not, but his determined gaze was the best answer.

Looking earnestly at Jiang Liu, seeing there was no chance of him changing his mind, Daoji's face was marked by difficulty.

After a long silence, he sighed deeply, "The day we met, brother, you spared my life. In the Demon-Suppressing Hall, we forged a life-and-death bond, and you even gifted me two Buddhist Treasures. I will never forget this favor. I shall go to the Great Buddha Temple and tell the master you have fallen into a demon's belly.

However, if this lie is discovered, I may well become a sinner of the Buddhist Sect."

"Thank you!" Hearing that Daoji was truly willing to help, Jiang Liu felt joy, guilt, and gratitude all at once. A multitude of words converged into the two words "Thank you," which he spoke.

Hand in hand, Jiang Liu and Gaoyang bid farewell to Daoji and turned to leave.

"Brother, as we part today and the journey ahead is vast, there may be no future meeting..." Watching the two departing figures, Daoji pressed his palms together and muttered softly.

...

Sitting high above on the Lotus Platform, Bodhisattva Guanyin looked down from the Nine Heavens, seeing the multitudes of sentient beings below clearly before her eyes.

"Even after ten reincarnations, Golden Cicada still possesses such wisdom. The quest to the West has not yet begun, but could he have already guessed a part of it?"

"Fortunately, I obtained a thread of the Red Thread from the Matchmaker God, igniting their affection like pouring oil on flames. Otherwise, given Golden Cicada's calm nature, he might not have agreed to elope today. Amitabha, luckily, everything is going according to plan..."