Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Jiang Liu's words made Zhu Bajie look unsettled and hesitant. If Jiang Liu had said at the beginning that he could deduce Zhu Bajie's intentions out of thin air, Zhu Bajie would never have believed it.

Could there really be someone so intelligent in the world?

Yet, regarding his own identity, Jiang Liu had deduced it from mere hints and clues, which made Zhu Bajie deeply respect his capabilities.

Seeing Zhu Bajie's hesitant demeanor, it was clear that despite his reluctance to go west, he was bluffed and no longer dared to lie. Jiang Liu secretly smiled to himself.

It seemed that Holmes Xuanzang still needed to administer a stronger dose.

With that thought, he spoke, "Let me guess. When you first appeared, judging by your words, you indeed intended to eat us. However, after seeing us, you turned decisively to flee."

Pausing briefly, he continued, "At first, I thought you ran because you recognized Wukong, but observing your methods, you are hardly weaker than Wukong. Given that you had interactions with Wukong back in the Heavenly Court, why would you flee upon seeing him?"

"Hence, the reason you fled wasn't due to Wukong..."

Having reached this point, Jiang Liu's gaze shifted between himself and the White Dragon Horse for a moment before saying, "Since it wasn't Wukong, it must be either Xiaobai or me. It seems more likely to be me. So, why did you run upon seeing me?"

Jiang Liu's line of reasoning, though utterly speculative, had surprisingly unraveled the true facts of the matter, causing Zhu Bajie to look at him with eyes filled with terror.

Having been Marshal Tianpeng for so many years and having seen many wise individuals, Zhu Bajie had never encountered someone who could deduce so much in such a tightly linked manner, coming infinitely close to the truth.

"Hey, you pig, we have come this far, are you still not going to confess honestly? Why did you run upon seeing my master?"

Finding Jiang Liu's reasoning quite sound, Sun Wukong also found it convincing and, baring his teeth, made a move to twist Zhu Bajie's ear again.

"Stop, stop, stop, I, Old Pig, confess, I, Old Pig, will confess honestly...", seeing Sun Wukong coming to twist his ear again, Zhu Bajie quickly covered his ears and shouted.

"Actually, actually, a few days ago Bodhisattva Guanyin enlightened me, asking me, Old Pig, to be a disciple for the Scripture Seeker, to head to Western Heaven to seek the True Scriptures."

With his head drooping, Zhu Bajie reluctantly spilled the truth.

Although he was extremely unwilling, given that things had come to this point and the Scripture Seeker had almost guessed everything correctly, there was no point in hiding anything anymore.

"He finally spoke up; truly, it was worth feigning being Holmes for so long," Jiang Liu breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.

"Eh? You also received enlightenment from Guanyin to accompany us in seeking scriptures in the West? Then why did you run upon seeing us?" Sun Wukong was stunned, clearly not expecting the truth to be this.

The White Dragon Horse was even more dumbfounded.

Having stayed in Eagle Sorrow Stream, day and night hoping that the Scripture Seeker would arrive soon to liberate him and allow him to join the scripture-seeking mission, but what actually happened? The Scripture Seeker bypassed him, leaving him no choice but to leap out of Eagle Sorrow Stream to follow.

After persisting stubbornly for a month or two, only when Bodhisattva Guanyin personally spoke did the Scripture Seeker agree to take him along.

The twists and hardships of this journey were known only to him.

During a chat with the eldest brother, hearing that his situation was completely the opposite – the eldest brother did not want to go, and the master had to repeatedly persuade him to leave the mountains – it was quite a blow to him already.

Now, another junior brother, similarly qualified to seek scriptures in the West, also did not want to go and avoided the Scripture Seeker at sight?

It turned out that what he had desperately sought was what others despised?

Truly, they were two great figures.

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But it was no wonder; with the conferment of the Journey to the West, the eldest brother, being the Great Sage Equal to Heaven with exceptional abilities, naturally disdained it.

And the junior brother, a reincarnation of Marshal Tianpeng, already a high-ranking power in the Immortal Realm, disdained it even more...

Bowing his head, the White Dragon Horse, although shocked that Zhu Bajie was also designated as a member of the scripture-seeking team by the Bodhisattva, knew even more clearly that with Zhu Bajie's joining, his own position in the team would have to be pushed back again...

Never mind what White Dragon Horse was thinking, Zhu Bajie shook his head after hearing Sun Wukong's words and said, "I, Old Pig, have already been demoted to the mortal world, already reduced to a pig demon. What's so bad about being a demon? Free and unbounded, why bother going westward?"

At this point, Zhu Bajie's tone carried a sneer, "With my identity as Marshal Tianpeng, if I converted to Buddhism, the conferment upon reaching the West would need to be at least the position of a Buddha, even that of a great Buddha to be comparable. Tell me, is that possible?"

"So, I, Old Pig, don't want to serve anymore. Wouldn't it be better to just be a demon, free and easy, occasionally hunt some blood food, sleep in, and find a few beautiful female demons? Isn't that a better life than going to the Buddhist Sect and fasting?"

Zhu Bajie's words were quite reasonable, leaving Sun Wukong speechless.

Actually, Sun Wukong could more truly empathize with his feelings. Had it not been for the oppression by the Immortals and Buddhas, wouldn't he himself have been better off as a free and easy Demon King at Flower Fruit Mountain?Nôv(el)B\\jnn

As for Jiang Liu beside him, he understood even more.

The words of Zhu Bajie were indeed not wrong. As Marshal Tianpeng, he had originally been a powerful figure among the Immortals and Buddhas, viewing the matter of journeying to the West with greater clarity.

After the Journey to the West for Scriptures, as a member of the team, the credit he would receive could not be that much. The bestowed rank definitely wouldn't compare to his original status as Marshal Tianpeng. Could Tathagata possibly let him manage eighty thousand Vajra of the Buddhist Sect?

Therefore, it made sense that Little White Dragon was eager to Journey to the West; he looked down on it, given that the original statuses and aspirations of the two were worlds apart.

Zhu Bajie, whether it was because the former Marshal Tianpeng had fallen to such a state or because his reincarnation as a pig had somewhat developed a pig's lazy habits, was now exhibiting an attitude of complete indifference to Scripture Seeking.

Setting out on a quest of eighty-one thousand miles, fasting and praying, all for a moderately significant position in the Western Heaven?

Seeing Zhu Bajie's indifference, as if he's a dead pig not afraid of boiling water, Jiang Liu slightly twitched the corners of his mouth, thought for a moment, and finally spoke, "Cough cough, Zhu Bajie, right? Being constantly in a high position doesn't impress me. What impresses me is someone who, having fallen into an abyss, can use his own abilities to climb back up..."

"So, Master, you don't need to admire me. I have no intention of climbing back up. I've turned into a pig, what more is there to aspire to," he said, waving his hand nonchalantly.

"You, fellow, have you ever thought about it? Once as Marshal Tianpeng, you've fallen to this predicament today, it only brings joy to your enemies and pain to your loved ones. If you could strive and one day return to Heaven, wouldn't it dumbfound those who once looked down on you?" Jiang Liu said indignantly, seeing Zhu Bajie's self-deprecating demeanor.

Despite being weak himself, he was striving for a better future, struggling against the Gods and Buddhas of Heaven. Yet this guy, possessing astounding cultivation level, was lying here like a salted fish?

Jiang Liu's persuasion caused a thoughtful look to flash across Zhu Bajie's eyes, but he still shook his head and said, "Master, I see you're in a hurry to Journey to the West for Scriptures, don't waste your time on me. You better get on your way."

"Master, since this guy can't be convinced, why not just chop off his ears," Sun Wukong, clearly disdaining Zhu Bajie's self-indulgent attitude, bared his teeth and suggested to Jiang Liu.

"You plague-stricken monkey, why are you so obsessed with Old Pig's ears?" Zhu Bajie loudly retorted at Sun Wukong's suggestion.

At this point, Zhu Bajie slightly paused, similarly mocking as he looked at Sun Wukong, "You monkey, back when I saw you so rebellious, even the myriad Gods and Buddhas couldn't subdue you. I actually admired you a bit, but look at you now, having worn off your edges, you're nothing more than a groveling lapdog. Pah, Old Pig despises you."

"Oh really, squeak squeak squeak, you seem to really not want these ears of yours!"

Zhu Bajie's words infuriated Sun Wukong, who took out the Ruyi Golden Cudgel and blew on it, turning it into a gleaming knife aimed at Zhu Bajie's ears.

"Wow, Holy Monk, save me! With this monkey's violent nature, how can he protect you on your journey to the Western Heaven? You should send him away," Zhu Bajie yelled, seeing Sun Wukong was truly about to cut his pig ears and took the opportunity to insult him again.

Never mind Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie's bickering; at that moment, a maid-dressed woman appeared, loudly scolding towards Zhu Bajie, "You ugly pig demon, why haven't you left yet? How disgraceful to create such a ruckus in my Fuling Mountain. If you don't leave, I'm telling my Second Sister about this."

"Sorry, Old Pig is leaving right away, right away…"

Hearing the maid's words, Zhu Bajie hastily nodded, showing a submissive demeanor.

Yet at this point, Zhu Bajie also put on a flattering expression, "Please tell Second Sister Luan that Old Pig will come to see her again in a few days."

"Go ahead, don't come back. Second Sister doesn't like you," hearing Zhu Bajie's words, the maid shook her head, flatly rejecting Zhu Bajie.

At this, the maid also pointed at Jiang Liu and the others and said, "Also, take all these messy friends of yours and leave, don't disturb my Fuling Mountain."

Seeing the maid's arrogant demeanor, Sun Wukong became angry and was about to speak, but was stopped by Jiang Liu.

With a humble and polite demeanor, Jiang Liu explained, "I'm sorry, you're mistaken. It's also my first time meeting him today. I am a monk from the Great Tang in Eastern Land, journeying to the Western Heaven to seek the Buddha and obtain the scriptures. Today, at the invitation of a friend, I came here…"

"Ah…"

But before Jiang Liu could finish speaking, the maid suddenly exclaimed in surprise, her eyes widening at him, "Are you the Master Xuanzang journeying to the Western Heaven for Scriptures? Please come in, once Second Sister hears of your arrival, she'll be thrilled."

Zhu Bajie: "..."

(PS: As always, asking for your monthly votes, seem a bit sluggish lately?)