Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

"Master Xuanzang? What is he here for? Do not see him!" upon hearing the eunuch's words, Emperor Li Shimin's eyebrows slightly furrowed as he waved his hand and spoke.

What of the twelve Scar of Precepts? What of the reincarnation of the legendary Bodhisattva?

If not for him, how would Gaoyang have ended up in such a state?

As the Emperor of Great Tang, within the borders of Great Tang, there was truly little that Li Shimin wished to know that could be hidden from him.

When Elder Sword initially brought Gaoyang back, how could he not have reported her association with Jiang Liu to Li Shimin?

Before the Incense Offering Ceremony, there appeared to be some affection between Xuanzang and Gaoyang, which Li Shimin was aware of. After the ceremony, as Gaoyang became increasingly sullen, Li Shimin saw it even more clearly.

Later, when Saint Monk Longhai came with Xuanzang, Li Shimin assumed he was there to completely sever ties with Gaoyang, so he turned a blind eye...

However, it was unexpected that as a monk who was supposed to be pure in all six senses and rightfully entered the Buddhist Sect, he actually abducted his own daughter.

If not for the trouble brought upon her by this disciple of the Buddhist Sect with twelve Scar of Precepts, how would Gaoyang have been poisoned so severely?

Hence, despite being aware of Master Xuanzang's status, his deep love for his daughter filled his heart with anger towards the monk and in his grief, he saw no need to show respect to the Buddhist Sect.

"Father... Father Emperor... I want to see him..." However, as Li Shimin finished speaking, Gaoyang, lying in the bed beside him, awoke and spoke with a frail breath.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Gaoyang, you..." Seeing Gaoyang awaken, Li Shimin stepped forward, his expression complex.

His heart ached for her poisoning, yet he was infuriated that, even in this condition, she had not forgotten that monk.

Feeling both angry and helpless, Li Shimin's displeasure towards Jiang Liu grew even stronger.

"Father Emperor, I know... this Corrupting Spirit Poison is capable of killing deities in the heavens. I... I suppose I don't have many days left, do I?" Gaoyang, with her face veiled, spoke weakly.

"Sigh..." Li Shimin let out a deep, sorrowful sigh in his heart and then made a discreet gesture to the eunuch beside him.

The eunuch, understanding the situation, discreetly left, bringing Jiang Liu into the room.

"Hmph," Li Shimin huffed softly upon seeing Jiang Liu enter, then promptly left with the Imperial Physicians and Yuan Tiangang among others to a side hall to discuss the antidote.

Despite his vexation, he still granted these two young people a private space to be alone.

"Jiang Liu, I'm sorry, I might not be able to accompany you anymore," Gaoyang struggled to sit up from the bed, sighing softly as she spoke.

"No, I will not let you die," Jiang Liu quickly approached the bed, helped Gaoyang sit up, and spoke earnestly.

"These days of seclusion with you have been my happiest. It's just a pity that fate has made a fool of me," Gaoyang leaned gently on Jiang Liu's shoulder, her voice low and weak.

"Fate? Haha, I've said before..." However, this sentence only invoked a scornful laugh in Jiang Liu's heart.

Even though the Dragon Subduing Arhat didn't admit it back at the Great Buddha Temple, Jiang Liu still felt that it was very likely a deliberate act by the Dragon Subduing Arhat.

That is, the thing he had been worried about still happened; the Buddhist Sect would not allow him to live in seclusion, abandoning the great cause of the Westward Journey.

Yet before Jiang Liu could finish his words, Gaoyang placed a hand over his lips and shook her head slightly, saying, "Stop, I understand it all. But as I've said before, I have no regrets."

After stopping Jiang Liu's forthcoming words, Gaoyang continued to lean gently on his shoulder, whispering, "I don't have much time left. I just want to have a quiet chat with you, okay?"

"You foresaw today's outcome, but I also made my choice back then, so I don't have regrets. Living in that small village was the happiest time of my life."

"If I pass away and you miss me, remember to visit my grave, but, remember not to bring any other girls there. Without me holding you back, you will surely become a revered saint of the Buddhist Sect, and shouldn't get involved with any other girls."

"I just feel a bit regretful, that since meeting you, you were the one who cooked for me, and I never fulfilled my responsibilities as a woman. If there's another life, I wish to spend every day by the stove for you... "

Jiang Liu, gently cradling Gaoyang in his arms, listened to her feeble and murmuring words that sounded like a last will; he didn't speak, but listened silently.

Perhaps talking tired her out, or maybe the poison was taking effect—after speaking softly for a while, Gaoyang fell back into a deep sleep.

Jiang Liu gently laid her down on the bed, his face calm as he watched the corruption spread across the young girl's skin.

After a moment of silence, he spoke softly and determinedly, "Gaoyang, don't worry. I will fulfill the promise I made to you. I said I would marry you with honor and, should calamity befall us, we would face it together. I said, I will not let you die!"

Having said this, it seemed as if Jiang Liu had made a significant decision. His expression resolute, he turned and left the grand hall.

In the side hall, the Emperor of Tang, Li Shimin's face was grave as water, The Imperial Physicians by his side dared not even breathe too loudly, and Taoist priest Yuan Tiangang was shaking his head and sighing, the atmosphere heavy.

This Corrupting Spirit Poison, said to be capable of killing even the immortals in heaven, indeed seemed beyond the power of mortals to cure.

"Your Majesty...", entering the side hall and catching the expressions of those present, Jiang Liu understood the situation and walked straight to Li Shimin's side, bowing his head in greeting.

Casting a glance at Jiang Liu standing before him, Li Shimin did not respond, his expression indifferent.

Lacking surprise at Li Shimin's indifference, Jiang Liu spoke out, his words as shocking as a clap of thunder, "I have a request. I hope Your Majesty will grant me Princess Gaoyang's hand in marriage."

As soon as these words were uttered, they struck like thunder, causing everyone in the side hall to be dumbstruck. The surrounding Imperial Physicians looked at Jiang Liu in disbelief, and even Taoist priest Yuan Tiangang's eyes widened in shock.

The normally detached Li Shimin, upon hearing Jiang Liu's words, was also stunned, hardly believing his own ears.

"What did you say? You wish to marry Gaoyang?"

"Yes, I hope Your Majesty will consent," Jiang Liu said, his expression resolute as he nodded firmly.

"Do you realize? Speaking such words with your status will cause a tremendous stir!"

"I know!" Discover more stories at empire

"Do you understand? Gaoyang's life will not last much longer?"

"I know!"

"Do you realize? As a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, you are, according to the rules, not permitted to marry?"

"I know!"

...

With each successive question, Jiang Liu's resolute answers caused Li Shimin to regard him seriously.

Initially, Li Shimin was very angry with Jiang Liu, but now, seeing his readiness to forsake his own future for the sake of these words, Li Shimin could clearly sense his feelings for Gaoyang.

Li Shimin's gaze at Jiang Liu shifted from indifference and anger to a gradual softening.

"Xuanzang, you...", Li Shimin reached out and gently patted Jiang Liu on the shoulder, his words filled with profound meaning.

"Please call me Jiang Liu, Your Majesty," Jiang Liu said, removing the Vidyaraja Crown from his head and placing it aside as he corrected.

Xuanzang was his monastic name, while Jiang Liu was his secular name.

"Jiang Liu, why do you trouble yourself with this? I understand your feelings for Gaoyang, but I cannot agree, and I believe Gaoyang would not agree either. You have your own future; there is no need to make such a decision in a moment of passion. Knowing that you could express these sentiments is already very comforting to me as Gaoyang's father," Li Shimin spoke, his words conclusive.

After finishing, Li Shimin looked around at everyone present and declared in a serious tone, "Regarding what Master Xuanzang has said today, I do not wish for anyone to spread it."

"We shall obey the Imperial Decree," the palace maids, eunuchs, Imperial Physicians, and others echoed in unison.

Hearing what the Emperor of Tang had said, Jiang Liu spoke loudly, "No, Your Majesty, I am serious. I swear to heaven that today I am willing to take Princess Gaoyang as my wife, in life and death, never to..."

Crack!

Between heaven and earth, thunder roared, startling everyone, the sun and moon darkened, as even the sky turned gloomy.

At that moment, it seemed as if even the heavens were raging, with countless common people kneeling in fear.