Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Bodhisattva Guanyin fell silent, the words of reproach she had originally intended to utter unable to be spoken, and even the anger on her face was put away.

As for what Bodhisattva Guanyin truly thought while looking at Jiang Liu and his companions, perhaps only she herself knew best.

Initially, she was fuming with rage as she watched King Linggan being slain by Jiang Liu. Muzha had already died, and now King Linggan as well?

After all, there weren't many subordinates of Heavenly Immortal Level under her command.

The death of these two was a loss of two capable generals!

However, Jiang Liu's words had blocked the scolding she had intended to give.

Now, as she observed the villagers of Chen Family Village worshipping her, a twitch formed at the corner of Bodhisattva Guanyin's mouth. What more could she say?

King Linggan had indeed caused significant harm to these villagers, and now he was dead. Could she insist that this Carp Demon was one of her subordinates?

What would these common folk think? This would indeed have a substantial impact on her reputation, wouldn't it?

Seeing Bodhisattva Guanyin's silent demeanor, Jiang Liu knew in his heart what she was thinking, and a smirk formed in his mind.

To Jiang Liu, these members of the Buddhist Sect were all hypocrites, mouths full of righteousness and morality, but in action were cruel and ruthless.

But from another perspective, if they spoke so much of righteousness and morality, then it must mean they cared deeply about their reputations, right?

If that were so, one could use tactics akin to moral extortion to squeeze them.

If they treasured their reputations, they would naturally have to suffer some losses, right?

"Bodhisattva, this evil demon was cruel and wreaked havoc. It claimed to be a demon from Bodhisattva's Lotus Pond, isn't that a slander against Bodhisattva? Right!?" Bodhisattva Guanyin said nothing, but that did not mean Jiang Liu would remain silent. After a moment of silence, he spoke to Bodhisattva Guanyin.

Jiang Liu's question was posed with hundreds of villagers watching.

After a brief silence, Bodhisattva Guanyin nodded and said, "Indeed, Xuanzang, you are not wrong. This demon, even in its last moments, sought to tarnish my reputation—it truly deserves more than death!"

"Bodhisattva is merciful! Bodhisattva is merciful!" Hearing Bodhisattva Guanyin's words, the kneeling villagers of Chen Family Village called out loudly one after another.

"Eh? Did this demon truly slander Bodhisattva Guanyin? It was so bold!?" Fairy Zixia was taken aback upon hearing Bodhisattva Guanyin's response, unable to believe it.

To her, what the Carp Demon had said did not seem to be false. Could she have been mistaken?

"Really? Was I wrong, and the Holy Monk and the Monkey were unanimous in their judgment that the Carp Demon was deceiving? Are their perceptions truly better than mine?" Realizing her mistake, Fairy Zixia inwardly sighed.

Suddenly, she felt the gap between herself and Sun Wukong and the others was even bigger than she imagined. Setting aside strength for a moment, the disparity was significant even in terms of perception alone.

As for Sun Wukong and the others, they understood what was happening and were inwardly laughing at Bodhisattva Guanyin's forced composure. Explore more adventures at My Virtual Library Empire

"Amitabha, Disciple also thinks that the Carp Demon was deceiving. May I ask Bodhisattva, by striking down this demon, did I protect Bodhisattva's reputation, did I do right?" Jiang Liu nodded and then asked Bodhisattva Guanyin.

"Are these the words of a human!?" Jiang Liu's question made Bodhisattva Guanyin's face turn even darker.

He had killed her subordinate, and now, was she expected to say he had done the right thing? How could she possibly say such a thing?

"Indeed, Xuanzang, what you did was correct!" Guanyin finally spoke, and even as the words left her mouth, she herself was taken aback; she didn't intend to go against her own feelings.

But what could she do? She couldn't just ignore Jiang Liu's question without a response, could she?

"I also think so! I also believe I did nothing wrong! After mistakenly killing Envoy Muzha before, I finally did something right this time!" Bodhisattva Guanyin's response made Jiang Liu exhale in relief as he nodded in agreement.

However, during the conversation, Jiang Liu gave Sun Wukong a meaningful glance.

Seeing this signal from Jiang Liu, Sun Wukong looked at him blankly, completely unclear about the meaning behind Jiang Liu's look.

"Ay, this Monkey is a bit clueless!" Seeing Sun Wukong's blank and questioning expression, Jiang Liu internally sighed.

Immediately after, he quietly made a hand signal to Sun Wukong, rubbing the thumb between the index and middle fingers.

Sun Wukong, being a sharp Monkey, caught on quickly, and realizing the meaning of Jiang Liu's gesture, stepped forward and said, "Bodhisattva, I, Old Sun, think you're behaving unfairly!"

"You, Rascal Monkey? How have I acted unfairly?" Hearing Sun Wukong's words, Bodhisattva Guanyin glanced at him and asked.

"My master has worked hard to protect your reputation, Bodhisattva, handling many matters and subduing demons and eliminating evil, yet you haven't offered a single word of praise. Is that right? By all accounts, you ought to show some appreciation, oughtn't you?" Sun Wukong said earnestly as he stared at Bodhisattva Guanyin.

"You, you want me to present something as a reward!?" Sun Wukong's words left Bodhisattva Guanyin's eyes wide with disbelief gleaming within.

To have her own Carp Demon killed was one thing, but now she was expected to offer a reward as well!?

"Wukong! What are you talking about!? We are monks who have renounced worldly desires. How can we demand a reward from the Bodhisattva!?"

Though Jiang Liu internally praised Sun Wukong's cleverness, he showed a stern face and scolded Sun Wukong.

As the words were spoken, Jiang Liu's gaze then turned to Guanyin, "Bodhisattva, subduing demons and eliminating evil are duties of your disciples, how dare we ask for your reward!?"

"Master, what you said is wrong…" Hearing Jiang Liu's words, Sun Wukong shook his head, insisting on his point, "No matter what, this evil demon dared to affiliate with the Bodhisattva, tarnishing your reputation. Master, by killing it, you have upheld the Bodhisattva's honor!"

With that statement, Sun Wukong turned his gaze to Sha Wujing and said, "Junior Brother Sha, what do you think? Whether Master wants the reward or not is up to him, whether he's willing to accept the Bodhisattva's gift. However, whether it's given is the Bodhisattva's matter, depending on whether she is willing to part with it, right?"

"Yes, Elder Brother is absolutely right!" Sha Wujing nodded emphatically, in agreement.

Following Sha Wujing's nod, Sun Wukong turned his gaze to Zhu Bajie and said, "Bajie, give us your opinion. As a Buddhist Disciple, Master is detached from all materialistic desires, treating wealth like dirt. Bodhisattva is high above us all, she shouldn't be so stingy, right!?"

"This damn monkey!"

Hearing Sun Wukong shift the discussion to himself, Zhu Bajie cursed inwardly and glanced at Bodhisattva Guanyin.

At that moment, Guanyin turned her gaze towards him.

With a slight shiver in his heart, memories of the not-so-pleasant trial of the Four Saints surfaced in Zhu Bajie's mind.

Zhu Bajie involuntarily shrank his head and hesitated, "This, this, I, Old Pig don't know..."

The villagers from Chen Family Village below were all kneeling on the ground, silent, yet their eyes were looking around at one another.

Initially, these villagers hadn't thought much, but as Jiang Liu and Sun Wukong took turns, one playing the good cop and the other the bad... they began to think.

On closer reflection, it seemed the monkey's words made a lot of sense.

King Linggan was said to be from Bodhisattva Guanyin's retinue, and by killing this demon, the Holy Monk from the Great Tang did indeed uphold Guanyin's honor. Logically, shouldn't the Bodhisattva thank the Holy Monk of the Great Tang?

Observing the Holy Monk's demeanor, he seemed unwilling to accept any reward and was even scolding the monkey.

But is Bodhisattva Guanyin unwilling to offer anything?

It appeared that Bodhisattva Guanyin was even more frugal than the Holy Monk from the Great Tang!

Sitting loftily on the Lotus Platform, Bodhisattva Guanyin glanced at Zhu Bajie, her expression growing uglier.

Then, witnessing Sun Wukong's relentless argument and the subtle shifts in the villagers' demeanor, Bodhisattva Guanyin realized what they were all thinking.

The Journey to the West is fraught with ninety-nine to eighty-one difficulties, and up to now, they've encountered merely a dozen or so.

But in Guanyin's eyes, the tribulations she faced seemed even more numerous than those on the scripture-seeking journey!

Previously, when Muzha was killed, she found herself pressured to offer consolation to Xuanzang. These days, she's been preoccupied finding someone to fill Envoy Muzha's place.

Now, one of her disciples, the hard-cultivated Carp Demon, was slain, and she was even expected to offer a reward to Xuanzang!?

"I'm not doing this anymore! I can't be responsible for this scripture-seeking journey!" Her lips twitching, Bodhisattva Guanyin even contemplated abandoning the task.

She had thought that no matter how difficult the Journey to the West for Scriptures might be, there would be a limit. Once finished, she would be the greatest contributor.

But now, Bodhisattva Guanyin was feeling discouraged.

Ten thousand eight hundred miles yet to go, with ninety thousand miles of road ahead. Who knows what countless hardships lay along the protracted Journey to the West?

Of course, this thought of desertion merely flickered through her mind, and ultimately, Bodhisattva Guanyin took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed such thoughts.

"Xuanzang..."

Her voice softened considerably as she feigned great appreciation for Jiang Liu, Guanyin spoke up, "What Wukong proposes does, indeed, have some reasoning. Do you, do you desire anything? If it's within my power, I will try my best to grant it!"

"Ahem, Bodhisattva, the Jade Pure Bottle of Mutton-Fat Jade in your hand..."