Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Upon their first meeting, the Taoist Boy and Sun Wukong had a conflict right at the entrance.

One was a child servant under the distinguished Immortal Zhenyuan, who, even when journeying casually, would be given some respect by even Daluo Golden Immortals, because after all, if you don't respect the monk, you respect the Buddha, don't you?

Yet, it was unexpected that a mere Demon Monkey would dare to say that everyone in Wuzhuang Temple was a charlatan, which naturally put the Taoist Boy in a foul mood.

Similarly, Sun Wukong also held himself in high regard, believing that his feat of causing Havoc in Heaven five hundred years earlier had also made him a renowned figure throughout the Three Realms. And yet, how dare a mere boy from a Taoist Temple hidden at the foot of a mountain attempt to bamboozle him?

Sun Wukong's opinion of the people from Wuzhuang Temple was naturally quite poor.

Fortunately, although the Taoist Boy looked down on those at the door, thinking they lacked knowledge, he dared not neglect the special instructions his master had given before leaving.

"So you are the Tang Monk seeking scriptures in the Western Heaven? Then please come in. Before departing, my master instructed that a monk from the Tang Dynasty would pass by here and told me to take good care of you!" After confirming Jiang Liu's identity, the Taoist Boy spoke, opened the gate wide, and invited Jiang Liu and his companions into Wuzhuang Temple.

It wasn't long before another child servant came out to greet them, the one who had opened the gate was Qingfeng, and the one who followed was Mingyue.

Just as in the original story, Qingfeng and Mingyue, the two Taoist Boys, mentioned that their master had received an invitation from Yuanshi Heavenly Venerable and had gone to discuss Tao with him.

These words made Sun Wukong scoff, feeling that the people of this Taoist Temple were really good at bragging. What kind of person was Yuanshi Heavenly Venerable? Their master could have a discussion with Yuanshi Heavenly Venerable?

And they claimed that Wuzhuang Temple only worships Heaven and Earth? Most deities in heaven are latecomers compared to their master, even the Three Pure Ones are merely old friends of their master?

According to them, does even the Jade Emperor have to pay respects to their master?

"Hmph, ignorant monkey!" Qingfeng and Mingyue were angry at Sun Wukong's scoff, but looked at Sun Wukong with eyes as if they were looking at an idiot, and sneered without bothering to argue with him.

They then planned to go to the courtyard to pick two Ginseng Fruits and offer them to the Tang Monk, also fulfilling their master's instructions and urging them to quickly continue on their way.

"Wukong, hold your tongue for a moment. I feel that Wuzhuang Temple is extraordinary!" Seeing Sun Wukong still looking somewhat indignant, Jiang Liu shook his head and said.

"Oh? Extraordinary? How so? Master, you don't actually believe what those two child servants said, do you?" Shaking his head, Sun Wukong was still quite steadfast in his conjecture. His preconceived notions made him feel that the boy's tall tales from Wuzhuang Temple were just too exaggerated.

"It's not that they're boasting, but they really are something!" Seeing Sun Wukong's demeanor, Jiang Liu quietly shook his head to himself.

Sun Wukong's abilities were indeed commendable, but, unfortunately, his discernment was lacking.

No wonder, having returned from his training with Ancestor Bodhi, he quickly caused trouble and was then suppressed under Five Elements Mountain. Sun Wukong was not up-to-date with the situation in the Three Realms, so his lack of understanding was understandable.

"Bajie, you were once Marshal Tianpeng, so you must know about the great supernatural power experts of the Three Realms. Tell us about Immortal Zhenyuan's situation, will you!?" Unable to explain himself, Jiang Liu turned around and inquired of Zhu Bajie.

Originally having no intention to speak much, but now that his master had asked, Zhu Bajie certainly wouldn't conceal anything. He nodded and said, "Master, you're right. Immortal Zhenyuan is indeed a prominent figure among the Three Realms and not far off from the Three Pure Ones in status and position!"

Upon saying this, Zhu Bajie turned towards Sun Wukong and said, "Monkey Brother, you don't know, even the Jade Emperor and the Buddha have to show some respect to Immortal Zhenyuan and even greet him proactively!"

Though he continually bickered with Zhu Bajie, Sun Wukong had to admit that as a former Marshal Tianpeng, Zhu Bajie knew many things he was completely unaware of.

At this moment, hearing Zhu Bajie say that even the Tathagata and the Jade Emperor would take the initiative to greet the master of Wuzhuang Temple?

This made Sun Wukong immediately realize the master of Wuzhuang Temple must indeed be formidable, so the words spoken by that young Taoist Boy were all true!?

Thinking back on his own previous doubts and seeing how Qingfeng and Mingyue looked at him with disdain, like city folks looking at a country bumpkin, even Sun Wukong felt a burning sensation on his face and irritably reproached Zhu Bajie, "You fool, if you knew all along, why didn't you say so earlier!?"

"Monkey Brother, you never asked Old Pig!" Hearing Sun Wukong's words, Zhu Bajie looked wronged and whispered back.

Listening to the exchange between Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, Jiang Liu internally breathed a sigh of relief.

In the original story, Sun Wukong failed to understand the prowess of Master Zhenyuan, hence with just a little instigation from Zhu Bajie, Sun Wukong excitedly stole the Ginseng Fruit.

Now that Sun Wukong understood how formidable Master Zhenyuan was, he surely wouldn't do such a thing again, right?

And now, Zhu Bajie probably didn't have the gall to incite Sun Wukong to steal the Ginseng Fruit anymore, right?

"Hmm, if everyone is happy, isn't that a good thing? If Immortal Zhenyuan gives me two, then I shall not be polite and have a taste. If I can leave peacefully in the end, then the calamity that should have occurred in the original story will have been perfectly resolved…" Thinking that Sun Wukong would no longer steal the Ginseng fruit, Jiang Liu silently nodded in approval.

Striving to delay the pace of the Journey to the West, and at the same time, trying to safely get through those so-called calamities, was the method Jiang Liu thought of to gain more time for his own growth.

Quickly, the two Taoist Boys, Mingyue and Qingfeng, picked two Ginseng fruits, but they did not hurry to bring them to Jiang Liu.

After all, their master had instructed them before leaving that these two fruits were meant for Tang Monk alone, and to not let his disciples see them, or there might be trouble.

"Qingfeng, what should we do? Should we find a way to send Tang Monk's disciples away first?" Mingyue asked, a hint of distress coloring his features.

"Hmm, I have an idea. Let's prepare a vegetarian meal first. Then, you can invite Tang Monk's disciples to eat, and I'll take the chance to deliver the Ginseng fruits to him?" Noticing that the sky had already darkened, Qingfeng spoke up.

After discussing it briefly, the two Taoist Boys busied themselves, and in no time, they had prepared some vegetarian dishes and a meal.

"Gentlemen, you haven't had dinner yet, have you? We have prepared some vegetarian food. Please, go and eat," Mingyue said, approaching Sun Wukong and the others with an invitation.

"Heh heh heh, is there food? Let's go, let's go…" Hearing there was food, Zhu Bajie was naturally the first to move.

At the same time, both Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing also got up to follow.

"Tang Monk, please wait a moment!" However, seeing Zhu Bajie and the others head out, Mingyue spoke softly to Jiang Liu, using his eyes to hint at a side door nearby.

Then, the side door opened, and like a thief in the night, Qingfeng approached Jiang Liu with a tray in his hands: "Tang Monk, these are two Ginseng fruits, treasures of our Wuzhuang Temple. Before leaving, the master specifically instructed me to pick two for you. Please, eat them quickly!"

On the tray, two infants with rosy lips and white teeth sat cross-legged, their faces wearing a hint of a smile, as if they had fallen into a deep sleep, looking very lifelike.

Although he had already learned from the original story that the sight of the Ginseng fruit initially frightened Tang Monk, seeing them with his own eyes still gave Jiang Liu a shock.

From their appearance, these two Ginseng fruits truly resembled living infants.

"Thank you for the hospitality!" Of course, Jiang Liu was not Tang Monk from the original text. Faced with the delightful prospect of Life Fruit, how could he refuse? He nodded and picked up one of the fruits.

As Jiang Liu's gaze fell on the Ginseng fruit, the corresponding attribute information also appeared before him.

Ginseng Fruit (Consumable): A fruit condensed from the Spirit Root of Heaven and Earth that upon consumption can change marrow and improve physique. Smelling it can extend life by three hundred and sixty years, while eating one can increase lifespan by forty-seven thousand years.

"Indeed, it's a wonderful thing!" Seeing the attribute information of the Ginseng fruit, Jiang Liu's eyes brightened, and he inwardly exclaimed in admiration.

Without wasting any words, he took a bite of the Ginseng fruit. The crisp and sweet flesh was incredibly refreshing, and he ate it in a few bites.

A cool sensation spread throughout his limbs, and Jiang Liu felt as invigorated as if he had suddenly taken a hot shower after being exhausted for a long time. His whole body felt thoroughly relaxed and comfortable. Continue reading on empire

It was not just about the longevity; it must be due to the Changing Marrow effect of the Ginseng fruit as well.

"Having eaten one fruit, I am already half full. I shall keep this other one for later!" Deciding not to rush into eating the second fruit, Jiang Liu said as he stored the remaining Ginseng fruit in his spatial storage.

"This…" Watching Jiang Liu eat one fruit and then store the other, Qingfeng and Mingyue exchanged glances, feeling somewhat uneasy.

But they did not know quite what to say.

Since two fruits were brought out to offer to someone, how that person chose to use them was their own prerogative, right?

"Ptooey, ptooey!"

Leaving aside what was happening with Jiang Liu, on the other side, Sun Wukong and his companions quickly saw the prepared meal in the Wuzhuang Temple dining hall. However, after just a couple of bites, Sun Wukong spat the food from his mouth.

"Is this the meal they prepared? It's practically like pig swill, isn't it? The dishes are too salty! And the rice isn't even cooked!" Sun Wukong complained, baring his teeth in displeasure.

"Monkey Brother, I have to correct you there. Even pigs wouldn't eat these meals!"

Leisurely, Zhu Bajie also spat out the meal from his mouth and commented.