Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

On the Journey to the West, the ninety-nine and eighty-one trials are also ninety-nine and eighty-one opportunities. Thus, when Jiang Liu first arrived, due to the cold words from the people of Guanyin Zen Temple, coupled with the predetermined notions from the original text, he wanted to steer the plot toward the proper course.

However, as he revealed the Scar of Precepts on his head, the monks of Guanyin Zen Temple treated him with great respect, and, with Jinchi offering money and a kasaya, how could Jiang Liu justify laying a hand on them?

Therefore, even though he wanted to linger and buy time, it was merely under the pretext of discussing Buddhist Law, and he had stopped scheming against them.

But how could it be that after just one night's sleep, Jinchi had completely changed upon awakening, becoming indistinguishable from his depiction in the original text?

What exactly had happened?

"Om Mani Padme Hum, this poor monk has not brought any treasures with him on this journey," Jiang Liu thought, swirling with myriad thoughts, but he kept a composed expression, shaking his head as he calmly spoke.

Although he did not understand the cause of Jinchi's transformation, Jiang Liu still did not wish to harm him and thus had no intention of producing the kasaya.

Jiang Liu's response delighted Jinchi, who felt he had finally found an area where he outshone the monk.

However, his joy quickly turned to anger, "Humph, the Holy Monk comes from the great nation of the Heavenly Empire and is on a mission to the Western Heaven by the decree of both Bodhisattva Guanyin and the Emperor of Tang; how could he not have treasures with him? I do not believe you, Holy Monk, please do not be stingy."

Hearing Jinchi's words, Jiang Liu felt anger rising within.

But Jiang Liu did not lose his temper, sensing that there was an invisible hand orchestrating all of this. If he were to get angry, he would fall right into someone else's scheme.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Liu suppressed his anger and turned around, staring intently at Jinchi.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jinchi was perplexed by the sight of Jiang Liu fuming with anger yet fixing his gaze unwaveringly on him.

"Elder, let's not beat around the bush, I don't think I have done anything to wrong you, so why are you targeting me today? If there's anything I've done wrong, please speak plainly," Jiang Liu said, staring at Jinchi and cutting directly to the point.

"This..." Jinji was taken aback by Jiang Liu's words, unsure of how to respond.

"Don't be in a hurry to deny it. I've just asked if there's anything that displeased you. Although you didn't admit it, you also didn't deny it. Please speak plainly, Elder—if it indeed turns out I'm in the wrong, I'm willing to apologize sincerely!" Jiang Liu continued without giving Jinchi a chance to defend himself.

"No... there is nothing... you've done nothing wrong," Jinchi replied, taken off guard by Jiang Liu's forthright questioning and finding himself at a disadvantage, he shook his head.

"If I haven't done anything wrong, then why do you find everything about me so disagreeable today?" Jiang Liu asked, taking a step forward and confronting Jinchi with a steady gaze.

Although they differed vastly in terms of cultivation level, Jiang Liu firmly overpowered Jinchi in terms of presence.

Not waiting for Jinchi's rebuttal, Jiang Liu added, "Don't lie. As a monk of the Buddhist Sect, you should know better than to speak falsely."

"I, I..." Jinchi struggled, feeling cornered by Jiang Liu's words.

Suddenly, Jinchi seemed to come to his senses.

Indeed, upon reflection, Master Xuanzang had done nothing wrong. Yet why was he behaving like this today? Why did he feel jealous and find everything about him disagreeable?

To admit it? How could he open his mouth and acknowledge that he targeted him without reason?

To deny it? Indeed, monks should not lie. How could he possibly voice such a denial?

"I, I..." As Jiang Liu stepped closer, Jinchi retreated step by step.

Moments later, Jinchi was overwhelmed with tears: "Master Xuanzang, I don't know what has come over me. I feel like I'm no longer myself. I don't understand why I am acting like this today. Seeing the temple disciples scrambling to flatter you, I was filled with jealousy and anger. It's all my fault."

Jinchi cried miserably, his old tears flowing. Initially blinded by anger, he did not realize it, but after being questioned so directly by Jiang Liu, he came to his senses and was filled with immense regret.

It felt like a sudden and irrational burst of anger leading to impulsive actions, only to return to reason, filled with endless regret, to the point where he wished he could slap himself.

"Om Mani Padme Hum, Elder, there is no need for this. Who among us is without fault? If one could avoid the three poisons of greed, hatred, and delusion, wouldn't they have already achieved Buddhahood?" Seeing Jinchi weeping uncontrollably, regretful and seemingly sincere, Jiang Liu fell silent for a moment, then spoke in a low voice to console him.

"Holy Monk, have you forgiven me?" Jinchi looked up at Jiang Liu with a look of guilt and hopeful expectation in his eyes, longing for forgiveness.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Of course. Who is free from faults? Besides, you haven't caused me any real harm, have you?" Jiang Liu responded with a slight nod.

...

Having emerged from the Treasure Pavilion, Jiang Liu held in his hands a kasaya completely strung together with pearls, each pearl round and full—truly a rare treasure foisted upon him by Holy Monk Jinchi.

Partly, it was to fulfill the promise to give him a kasaya, and perhaps partly because he felt some guilt, right?

However, originally Jiang Liu intended to leave, but Jinchi had spoken up to keep him from departing.

If he had really left after Jinchi had issued an expulsion order, Jinchi might have lived the rest of his life overwhelmed by guilt. Therefore, Holy Monk Jinchi absolutely insisted on having Jiang Liu stay at Guanyin Zen Temple for a few more days.

As for Jinchi's request for him to stay, Jiang Liu naturally agreed with some feigned reluctance.

Firstly, it was best to delay leaving if possible. Although he wasn't one to bear grudges, nor was he narrow-minded. Since Holy Monk Jinchi sincerely repented, and Jiang Liu himself hadn't suffered any material harm, he naturally forgave him. Taking advantage of the situation, he decided to loaf around in Guanyin Zen Temple for a bit longer.

Secondly, and most importantly, Pang Ran had suddenly developed delusions. The appearance of the Three Poisons of greed, anger, and delusion was not strange, but after all, Jinchi had lived for 200 years, and having cultivated the Buddhist Law for many years, it was unusual for him to develop a Heart of Jealousy and entertain angry thoughts without any reason toward Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu also wanted to stay behind to investigate and uncover the truth.

Putting aside what Jiang Liu was thinking, as he left the Treasure Pavilion, Sun Wukong, who was lying nearby munching on a peach, flipped to his feet and leapt to Jiang Liu's side, "Master, are we leaving now?"

"No, we'll linger here a few more days," Jiang Liu shook his head.

"But? Didn't that old monk drive us away?" Sun Wukong was surprised; the master was not the kind to stick around where they were not wanted.

"Various reasons. Let's return to the room and discuss," Concerning Jinchi's situation, naturally, it wasn't appropriate to talk openly in Guanyin Zen Temple, so Jiang Liu planned to have a thorough discussion with Sun Wukong.

After all, he was the Great Sage Equal to Heaven with vast knowledge and experience. With Jinchi behaving like this, Jiang Liu wondered what Sun Wukong thought.

At least, with Sun Wukong's extraordinary methods, having him investigate might yield some results.

After quietly negotiating with Sun Wukong for a few moments, Jinchi happened to lock the door of the Treasure Pavilion just then.

After bidding farewell to Jinchi, Jiang Liu, followed by other monks and disciples of Guanyin Zen Temple, made his way back to the Zen Room.

Walking beside Jiang Liu, Sun Wukong curiously glanced at Jinchi, a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Hey, master, what exactly did you and that old monk talk about inside?" Once back in the Zen Room, Sun Wukong, seemingly interested, spontaneously asked Jiang Liu.

"Eh? What's the rush, you monkey?" Seeing Sun Wukong suddenly enthusiastic, Jiang Liu was somewhat stunned and looked at him strangely.

"Of course, I'm curious. That old monk was calculated against; his Spirit Platform clouded, leading him to do things completely irrational. That's a path to death. Yet, just now, after coming out from the Treasure Pavilion with you, he seemed to have calmed down?" Sun Wukong, in front of Jiang Liu, didn't hold back and straightforwardly replied.

"Spirit Platform clouded? Calculated against? What's all this about?" Jiang Liu hadn't even asked, yet Sun Wukong volunteered the information, prompting Jiang Liu to inquire further.

"Master, you're unaware, right?

The calamity of the world is most frightening not because of its power, but because it can cloud your Spirit Platform, causing you to lose your usual calmness, leading you to do foolish things you would not normally do, unwittingly fulfilling the calamity and perishing, thus even gods and bodhisattvas cannot escape it," Sun Wukong explained further upon being asked by Jiang Liu.

Upon saying this, Sun Wukong paused and then continued, "As for Buddhists? They're really good at manipulating minds. For instance, they can change the nature of inherently evil demons into obedient lackeys to be used at their will—a practice they call 'conversion.'"

"But since they're adept at manipulating minds, it's not only about turning the bad into good; they can also turn good into bad, clouding people's Spirit Platforms and, naturally, their thoughts are no longer calm. Just a tiny pebble thrown into the lake of the mind can stir up waves and storms. I suspect that old monk was schemed against.

But unexpectedly, after you walked through the Treasure Pavilion with him, he seems to have calmed down."

"So, what you mean is, Jinchi's change is the result of Buddhist scheming in secret?" Sun Wukong's words startled Jiang Liu.

He had not expected the truth to be like this?

At the same time, Jiang Liu suddenly remembered the Dragon King of Jing River.

Wasn't it strange that despite being warned by Jiang Liu, and seemingly realizing something, the Dragon King still ended up behaving irrationally, leading to his death?

Could it be that Buddhism also used such methods?

He also recalled the legend that, at the beginning of the Investiture of the Gods, King Zhou suddenly lost his mind in Nvwa Temple, committing acts of madness that led him to a path of death. Could it be…

(PS: Finally, the book is on the shelves. I'm rolling all over the floor begging for monthly tickets. If anyone still has monthly tickets, please throw them this way. During a new book's launch, it's when they're needed the most...)