Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

The Sixtieth Difficulty: Rescuing Jiang Shang.

In the Purple Bamboo Forest, the Bodhisattva of Golden Light, with the Golden Hair Lion in hand, held the Calamity Book and looked at the additional calamity recorded within, feeling a silent sigh in his heart.

As expected, Master Xuanzang really succeeded. Even though the Jade Emperor was determined to kill Jiang Ziya, if Master Xuanzang wanted to save him, he had a chance of success.

At the center of this Immeasurable Kalpa, possessing an ability comparable to that of a Quasi-Saint, indeed allows for many miracles.

"With Xuanzang's current cultivation level, if he truly completes the Journey to the West for scriptures, he would likely be qualified for the position of the Three-World Buddha, right?" Feeling the capabilities that Jiang Liu currently possessed, the Golden Hair Lion muttered to itself secretly.

However, after pondering this question, the Golden Hair Lion shook its head again silently.

Judging by Xuanzang's recent actions, it seems his goal is not to be deified as a Buddha!

"Thank you, Sect Hierarch, for saving me!" On the other side, outside the South Heavenly Gate, Jiang Ziya expressed his gratitude to Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu, the Sect Hierarch, did so much work to save him, and Jiang Ziya was well aware of this, naturally feeling grateful.

His deeds were exposed, and he fell into the hands of the Jade Emperor, who was determined to kill him, yet Jiang Liu managed to rescue him from the Jade Emperor.

For one, Jiang Ziya saw Jiang Liu's loyalty, and on the other hand, he saw Jiang Liu's capabilities.

"What is this? As the Sect Hierarch, I saved you with all my might. Isn't this as it should be?" Seeing Jiang Ziya expressing gratitude, Jiang Liu responded.

Indeed, in Jiang Liu's view, this was his duty. As the Sect Hierarch, if he sat back and watched his followers die, what was the point of being a Sect Hierarch?

"Sect Hierarch's righteousness..." Hearing Jiang Liu's matter-of-fact answer, Jiang Ziya nodded.

However, at this point, Jiang Ziya opened his mouth, seeming to have something more to say but hesitating.

"What's wrong? If there's something else you want to say, just say it..." Seeing Jiang Ziya's appearance, Jiang Liu said curiously.

"Actually, Sect Hierarch, if it's troublesome, you can choose to give up!" Encouraged by Jiang Liu, Jiang Ziya replied.

"Give up?" Jiang Liu frowned, evidently not expecting Jiang Ziya to say this.

"That's right, during the Deification War, why was the Sect of Intercepting annihilated? Wasn't it because everyone in the sect was as righteous as the Sect Hierarch?" Nodding, Jiang Ziya continued.

This statement made Jiang Liu fall into silence. Being a person of affection and righteousness, does it instead make one more prone to calamities? This seems truly ironic.

But thinking deeply about it, not to mention the world of Deification, isn't it the same even in the world before I transmigrated?

Good people, kind people, are always more prone to suffer losses, whereas those who are calculating, ruthless, and unscrupulous are more likely to prosper.

So, is it exceptionally difficult to be a good person, whether in the previous life or in this one?

"Sigh..." Thinking of this question, Jiang Liu silently shook his head, not responding.

What could he say? That he would give up in the future? He couldn't bring himself to voice such insincere words.

But to utter bold declarations? Could he accomplish what even Sect Master Tongtian, a Saint, could not?

The conversation reached a stalemate, nothing more was said for a long time, and Jiang Liu and Jiang Ziya simply waved goodbye to each other.

Watching Jiang Ziya leave, Jiang Liu silently sorted out his emotions.

Though indeed a lot of effort was spent to save Jiang Ziya, even to the extent of further splitting with the Jade Emperor, in Jiang Liu's view, rescuing Jiang Ziya deemed the action successful.

As for the rupture? There wasn't much of the Journey to the West left, after all; the day for a complete break was near.

"Just, I did not expect that to uphold the Jade Emperor's dignity, the Supreme Elder Lord would be willing to make such a sacrifice..." At this moment, images of the Supreme Elder Lord kneeling and kowtowing crossed Jiang Liu's mind, leading to a silent sigh.

After a moment of reflection, just as Jiang Liu was ready to turn and leave, two figures appeared before him, respectfully saluting.

"Greetings, Holy Monk!" On either side of Jiang Liu, the Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Listening Ear blocked his way.

"Greetings to both of you!" With none of the previous aggression seen at the execution platform, Jiang Liu replied humbly.

"Holy Monk, the Empress has sent us to invite you, saying she wishes to discuss something with you. Please accompany us to meet the Empress..." The Thousand-Mile Eye spoke to Jiang Liu.

"The Empress?" Hearing the purpose of the Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Listening Ear's visit, Jiang Liu fell silent.

If it were the Jade Emperor inviting him, Jiang Liu would decline regardless of the reason, as the relationship between them had almost entirely soured, and there was no need to maintain superficial connections.

However, if it is a request from the Empress, it would indeed be difficult to refuse.

Though the Empress was twice nearly killed by me, on the surface, I still owe her some karmic debts.

The Map of Mountains and Rivers that I've been using all this time was borrowed from the Empress, wasn't it?

Silently pondering for a moment, Jiang Liu nodded and said, "Since the Empress has requested, I shall accompany the two of you on this trip!"

With great skill comes boldness, not to mention holding the Green Lotus Treasured Flag and Witch-Slaying Sword, elevating my combined strength to a Quasi-Saint level. In Jiang Liu's view, I still possess the ability to protect myself.

Given that, what is there to fear?

Following behind Thousand-Mile Eye and Wind-Listening Ear, Jiang Liu soon entered the South Heavenly Gate again, arriving at the Glycyrrhiza Garden of the Empress.

At this time, the Empress was sitting with a somewhat pale face, with the Jade Emperor beside her.

Glancing at Jiang Liu who approached, the Jade Emperor looked indifferent, showing no intention of greeting actively.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Empress..." Regardless of how coldly the Jade Emperor treated him, upon seeing them, when there was no dispute, Jiang Liu still displayed a humble and courteous demeanor.

"Master Xuanzang has arrived? Please, sit!" The Jade Emperor, being the ruler of the Three Realms, naturally had some decorum. Seeing Jiang Liu greeting him actively, it would appear petty not to respond.

With the Jade Emperor's words, Jiang Liu sat down on the nearby stool.

Before Jiang Liu could inquire the reason for the Empress summoning him, she spoke first, saying, "Xuanzang, do you still like the Map of Mountains and Rivers?"

Upon the Empress mentioning the Map of Mountains and Rivers first, Jiang Liu paused slightly, but still nodded, saying, "The Bodhisattva likes this Map of Mountains and Rivers very much. Many thanks to the Empress for lending it to me!"

"Good, as long as you like it!" The Empress nodded in response to Jiang Liu's answer.

Upon those words, with a slight pause, the Empress continued, "I heard not long ago, Xuanzang, you had a gambling duel with the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Thunder Deity and Puhua Heavenly Venerable?"

"It seems their reason for calling me here is regarding the Treasure-Seeking Mirror!" Hearing the Empress bring up the gambling duel with Wen Zhong, Jiang Liu whispered to himself, understanding their intentions in summoning him.

"Yes, Empress, I indeed had a gambling duel with the Heavenly Venerable!" Although his thoughts were quickly shifting, Jiang Liu kept a calm appearance and nodded in response.

"I've heard the stake for your gambling duel was a Treasure-Seeking Mirror. As long as you call out the treasure you wish to know before the mirror, you will know its location?" The Empress continued to inquire.

"This matter truly fills me with shame..." Listening to the Empress's words, Jiang Liu lowered his head, appearing utterly remorseful.

"Shame? Why feel ashamed?" Looking at Jiang Liu, the Empress asked.

"At the time, I did indeed mention such a thing, but in reality, the so-called Treasure-Seeking Mirror was actually a false statement I made! There isn't a Treasure-Seeking Mirror among my possessions!" Jiang Liu spoke, denying.

"No?"

Upon hearing Jiang Liu's answer, the Jade Emperor, who had been silent, couldn't help but speak, furrowing his brow as he stared at Jiang Liu, "Were you lying then, or are you lying now?"

Evidently, the Jade Emperor suspected Jiang Liu of deceit at this moment.

Regarding the Jade Emperor's questioning, Jiang Liu lowered his head, uttered a Buddhist chant, and remained silent.

Seeing Jiang Liu's refusal to answer, the Jade Emperor's countenance darkened further.

Xuanzang completely disregarded the ruler of the Three Realms, even refusing to respond to his questions?

"So, this was just a falsehood you stated previously..." Seeing the Jade Emperor's dark expression, as the atmosphere between him and Jiang Liu grew tense, the Empress interjected.

"Amitabha, the Bodhisattva feels remorseful!" Lowering his head, Jiang Liu appeared to have done wrong.

"Everyone says Master Xuanzang is a Holy Monk; I never expected you too would indulge in falsehoods, cough cough..." Lightly laughing, the Empress's words eased the atmosphere considerably; however, moments later, her complexion changed, leading to a soft cough.

The Jade Emperor turned his head and placed a hand on the Empress's back, as golden light surged, aiding her in stabilizing her injury.

At this point, there wasn't much left to say. After a silent moment, Jiang Liu stood up to take his leave.

"The Holy Monk hasn't visited my Glycyrrhiza Garden for some time, has he? Take in the scenery before departing!" The Empress extended a cordial invitation.

"No, the Monk is burdened with the heavy responsibility of Journey to the West for Scriptures. After this duty is fulfilled, I shall visit again!"

Understanding the Empress's invitation was mere courtesy, Jiang Liu smiled politely in refusal, bid farewell to the Jade Emperor and Empress, then turned to leave.