Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

White Dragon Horse, hooves facing west.

Jiang Liu sat cross-legged atop the White Dragon Horse, the steady clip-clop of its hooves neither rushed nor slow, entirely in the manner of a leisurely stroll.

The smooth ride was such that one could hardly feel any jolting, and as he practiced the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound cultivation technique, Jiang Liu could sense his cultivation level accumulating bit by bit, and Experience Points gradually being acquired.

Having reached level 30 and unlocked the character panel functions, Jiang Liu felt even more motivated in his cultivation.

After all, being able to see the Experience Points needed to level up was like having a progress bar in sight, naturally more motivating than groping in the dark as before.

Moreover, Jiang Liu was very much looking forward to reaching level 31. By then, if he could enhance the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound technique to the fourth layer, he would gain even more Experience Points during meditation.

So, these recent days, Jiang Liu's drive to cultivate had been exceptionally strong.

Sun Wukong and his three disciples followed behind Jiang Liu, forming a '品' shape, truly resembling three qualified bodyguards.

The strongest, Sun Wukong, only seemed like a short and skinny monkey, while the weakest, Sha Wujing, appeared large and fierce...

Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound, after completing a complete cycle of ninety-nine rotations, Jiang Liu ceased his cultivation and checked his character panel, sighing quietly to himself.

In terms of Experience Points, he was currently at 350 thousand. To level up with 500 thousand Experience Points, there was still a little way to go.

"Since completing the Love Tribulation quest that day, about a month has passed, and I've only gained 350 thousand Experience Points—quests really are the fastest way to earn Experience Points!"

Looking at his Experience Points, Jiang Liu lamented privately, somewhat nostalgic for those difficult missions that gave rewards of two to three hundred thousand Experience Points.

Unfortunately, a month had passed, and no quests had been triggered. Their journey to the west had been very peaceful.

At this moment, Jiang Liu actually found himself missing the hardships imposed by the Bodhisattva Guanyin.

A whole month without any incidents—was the Bodhisattva laying low as of late?

"Disciples, it's getting late. How about we rest for now?" After stopping his cultivation and observing the sky, which was already dusk, Jiang Liu spoke.

"Alright!" With Jiang Liu's word, the White Dragon Horse naturally came to a halt, and Sun Wukong and the others nodded in agreement.

"Master, Master, what are we eating today?" Zhu Bajie's eyes shone with anticipation as he looked expectantly at Jiang Liu.

Despite setting out initially to learn the skill of pursuing girls from Jiang Liu, Zhu Bajie had since been won over by Jiang Liu's delicious cuisine.

Bang bang bang...

Just as Jiang Liu was about to dismount and prepare a fine dinner, suddenly, fireworks burst into the sky, catching his gaze.

It turned out that people in the distance were setting off fireworks. As one person set them off, it seemed to act like a signal, prompting several others to follow suit.

Soon, the sky was filled with fireworks of varying colors, instantly bursting with a celebratory atmosphere.

"Fireworks!? They have those in the Tang Dynasty?" Jiang Liu was inwardly surprised as he watched the splendid array of fireworks in the distance.

Although it was the flourishing age of the Tang Dynasty, were there really beautiful fireworks at that time?

Thinking back, it seemed there were such scenes in the historical dramas he had watched before?

Shaking his head, Jiang Liu didn't delve any deeper. This was the world of Journey to the West, completely different from the historical Tang Dynasty he knew. Whether the real Tang Dynasty had fireworks or not, it was enough that they existed in the world of Journey to the West.

Just like geography. If one traveled west from the national border, what was the place like? What was the environment?

If one were to look for chili peppers in the historical Tang Dynasty, they would have to go to the tropical regions of South America. But what about the world of Journey to the West? Was there a South America?

The only lands in the Journey to the West world were the four continents.

To the east was the Shengshenzhou Continent, to the west was Niuhe State, to the south was Shanbu Continent, and to the north was Julu Continent.

Thus, after a brief moment of surprise, Jiang Liu shook his head, putting aside the thought that fireworks could appear in the Tang Dynasty.

"Wukong, go check what sort of celebration is happening over there!" Seeing the grand display of fireworks in the distance, Jiang Liu instructed Sun Wukong.

"Yes, Master!" With a nod, Sun Wukong leapt up and soon vanished into the sky.

A few short minutes later, Sun Wukong descended from the sky, his grin indicative of his happiness as he said, "Master, it turns out that tonight is New Year's Eve! That's why every family is setting off fireworks and firecrackers to celebrate the new year!"

"New Year's Eve!?" Upon hearing this, Jiang Liu was slightly startled, carefully tallying the days. It did indeed seem to be around the right time, didn't it?

Lately, the weather had also seemed to be warming, a sign that spring was approaching, right?

"Since today is New Year's Eve, you all wait here. I'll go ahead and buy some supplies. Tonight, we shall celebrate the new year properly!"

Hearing that today was the New Year, a day for family reunions, Jiang Liu gave it some thought and then said to Sun Wukong and the others.

As the sound of his voice fell, the White Dragon Horse's hooves soared, and it galloped straight towards the marketplace ahead. In just a moment, they arrived at a bustling town.

Because New Year's Eve was approaching, many shops had closed early. Only those with families inside celebrating together remained open.

Chicken, duck, fish, and meat were certainly essential, and fine wines could not be omitted either.

However, as a monk, buying these things during the New Year did feel somewhat peculiar.

Jiang Liu's figure shifted, and in a moment, he transformed into the appearance of a scholar clad in white.

Jiang Liu didn't have the seventy-two transformations like Sun Wukong. This ability to change was not due to his own skill but rather reliant on the special effect of equipment, the effect of another piece of epic-level equipment he wore.

Heavenly Demon's Marvelous Look (Epic Level): Required level 30, Defense +2019, Special Effect: Can transform into any desired race appearance, gender unchangeable, Durability 78/80.

This piece of epic-level equipment was obtained from an epic-level treasure chest by completing a Love Tribulation. This Heavenly Demon's Marvelous Look robe allowed Jiang Liu to replace the tattered Golden Cicada Buddha Robe he had been wearing.

A defense of just over 2000 was still very formidable for Jiang Liu, and with the help of this epic-level equipment, he could transform into any male human, regardless of age or appearance.

He bought dishes that mixed meat and vegetables and seasonings like ginger, garlic, scallions, and oil, along with fruits, desserts, fine wines, and even oil lamps—if they were for sale, he'd buy them; if not, he'd make offers to purchase them for a handsome price.

During the New Year, as long as people could spare a little, no one would be stingy.

Thus, after spending some time, Jiang Liu managed to buy a dazzling array of items.

Even when passing by a shop that sold the four treasures of the study, Jiang Liu thought for a moment and decided to buy some brushes and ink.

Although White Dragon Horse ran very fast, Jiang Liu spent a lot of time gathering these New Year's supplies, and by the time he returned to Sun Wukong and the others, the sky had almost completely darkened.

"Master, Master, what did you buy? What are we eating for the big New Year's feast tonight!?"

Seeing Jiang Liu looking so solemn, it was clear that tonight's meal would be much more sumptuous than usual. Zhu Bajie, who had been eagerly awaiting, quickly came up to greet him, drooling as he asked.

"It's already very late, and it's too late to prepare a whole New Year's Eve dinner. Tonight, let's have something convenient and delicious, hotpot!" Looking at the sky, Jiang Liu said.

"Hotpot!? The spicy hotpot you mentioned before, Master!?" Zhu Bajie had long heard of hotpot, and his eyes lit up at the mention.

"We haven't found any chili peppers yet, so let's skip the spicy hotpot. Tonight, we'll eat a mushroom soup hotpot instead. Come on, everyone, help out!"

Shaking his head, Jiang Liu beckoned Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie to help, and even the Xiaobai in the form of a white horse beside him, Jiang Liu had him turn into a human form to assist.

Those who cleaned the vegetables, sliced the meat, and boiled the water.

Jiang Liu seemed to turn into a master chef, directing the three of them as they busied themselves while he tried to perfect the sauce as well as he could.

After busying themselves for about a Chinese Hour, they finally finished everything.

A large table was set up with a stove burning underneath, and an iron pot was placed on top. With a pure mushroom soup base, there was no need for a dual-flavor pot. Various meats and vegetables were continuously added into the pot.

The mixed aroma of the food cooking together gave off a strange and enticing fragrance.

"Come on, this is how you eat it, cook and eat as you go; cook whatever you want to eat..." After explaining the gist of eating hotpot to Zhu Bajie and the others, Jiang Liu invited them to start.

Taking a pair of chopsticks and a thin slice of lamb, he dipped it into the pot for about ten breaths before lifting it out, lightly dipping it in sauce, and tossing it into his mouth. Sun Wukong ate with joy, finding this new and interesting way of eating hotpot both novel and fun.

"Interesting, interesting, this way of eating really is interesting, I like it a lot!"

"Bajie, the sauce is for dipping the food, why did you eat it all in one bite?"

"Xiaobai, it's New Year's, come sit down! Don't just stand!"

"Alright, everyone stop for a moment. Today's New Year's, so I won't say too much. Let's all raise our glasses and drink this cup to the fullest, hoping that in the new year, everyone will have everything go their way!" As the core of the Journey to the West Team, Jiang Liu raised his glass and formally drank with his disciples, offering simple well-wishes.

"Master, I toast to you as well, wishing you a smooth journey! May you reach Western Heaven and obtain the True Scriptures soon!" After a moment, White Dragon Horse also raised his glass and toasted.

"Can you come up with something else to say?"

...

Sha Wujing sat nearby, still holding his pancake, took a bite, then sipped some clear water. Half-leaning on the ground, he watched the fireworks bloom in the sky and felt a peculiar sentiment.

However, seeing the lively scene of Jiang Liu and others drinking and eating meat, Sha Wujing swallowed hard.

No, I must hold on! I can't indulge like them!

When we reach Western Heaven, Buddha will surely punish them heavily!