Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Eastern Shengshen State, New Donglai Temple.

As the coordinator of the Journey to the West, Maitreya Buddha naturally paid close attention to the Journey to the West Team. Therefore, in recent times, Maitreya Buddha has been secretly observing the events surrounding the team.

Especially on the eve of the New Year, when two Immortals under Empress Qinghua could not resist temptation and descended to the Lower Realm to confront the White Mouse Demon. This secretly pleased Maitreya Buddha.

The rumor that eating a piece of the White Mouse Demon's flesh can extend one's life by sixty years was naturally spread by Maitreya Buddha.

As one of the Three-World Buddhas, although he had died once and his cultivation level had decreased, Maitreya Buddha's status still remained.

Spreading a rumor in secret to provoke events was naturally an effortless task.

For Maitreya Buddha, being able to incite the Immortal Gods of the Heavenly Court to descend to cause trouble for Xuanzang and his companions was a sign of the success of his scheme.

As for the life and death of those two Immortals?

Maitreya Buddha did not care.

Moreover, in Maitreya Buddha's view, those two reckless figures daring to act against Xuanzang were almost certainly going to be killed, weren't they?

However, the development of the situation took Maitreya Buddha by surprise.

The two Immortals who acted against the White Mouse Demon were caught in the act by Xuanzang. Yet, Xuanzang did not kill them; he merely let them compensate a bit and then released them?

Why did this happen!?

Was it simply because it was close to New Year, and Xuanzang was in a good mood and decided not to pursue it further?

After pondering, Maitreya Buddha felt this was unlikely.

Could it be that Xuanzang felt guilty because the Emperor of Longevity had died because of him, leading him to voluntarily enter the Illusionary Demon Cave for penance?

Upon learning that those two Immortals were under the banner of Empress Qinghua, did Jiang Liu show leniency due to similar feelings of guilt?

Maitreya Buddha thought it over and felt this was indeed possible.

However, he didn't delve too deeply into it. Just two Taiyi Realm Immortals, although their cultivation wasn't low, their lifespan wasn't long anyway, so they were merely insignificant figures.

Their life or death wasn't very important.

But the further development of events was even more unexpected for Maitreya Buddha.

Because those two survived, it unexpectedly incited many Immortals and Buddhas to become even more eager and prepared to descend to seize the White Mouse Demon?

Some were motivated by the White Mouse Demon's flesh, which could extend life, while others were after the merits of overcoming the eighty-one challenges of the Journey to the West?

Well, regardless of their motivations, to Maitreya Buddha, none of this was bad.

A few days ago, he wanted many Immortals and Buddhas to descend to create tribulations for Xuanzang, but none were willing, leaving him feeling helpless.

Unexpectedly, the effort to cultivate a flower failed, but carelessly planting a willow tree brought shade?

Now, he didn't even need to reach out. Many Immortals and Buddhas were already eager to act?

"Hahaha, excellent, excellent..." Maitreya Buddha was quite pleased with how things were developing, realizing how the situation turned out, he couldn't help but laugh aloud.

He also gave a narcissistic nod, "Indeed, I am quite clever, creating a rumor that greatly reduced the difficulty of the Journey to the West for Scriptures. These calculations are all mine!"

...

Meanwhile, regardless of Maitreya Buddha's narcissism, how about Jiang Liu and others? After spending a good New Year in the city, they didn't waste much time before continuing their journey towards the Western Heaven.

As they progressed, they leisurely advanced at a pace of thirty to fifty miles daily.

However, within just a week of travel, there were two separate incidents where Bodhisattvas from the Buddhist Sect and Taiyi True Immortals from the Heavenly Court attempted to attack the White Mouse Demon in secret.

The strength of those who attacked wasn't very high, merely at the early stage of Taiyi True Immortal. Therefore, Jiang Liu continued not to make things difficult for them.

The White Mouse Demon itself was at the Taiyi True Immortal level. If it weren't for being secretly ambushed, perhaps the White Mouse Demon would not fear Heavenly Court's fighters.

"Holy Monk, I, I…"

That day, after Jiang Liu rescued the White Mouse Demon from the hands of another Taiyi True Immortal, the White Mouse Demon appeared dispirited, lowering its head, seemingly hesitant to speak.

"What's wrong? If you have something to say, feel free to speak…" Seeing the White Mouse Demon's hesitant expression, Jiang Liu asked.

"Holy Monk, I, I think I should leave?" Hearing Jiang Liu's inquiry, the White Mouse Demon mustered courage and spoke to Jiang Liu.

"Ah!? Junior Sister White Mouse, why do you want to leave all of a sudden?" As the White Mouse Demon finished speaking, the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team members were startled.

Especially Zhu Bajie, his reaction was the strongest, and he couldn't help but shout out.

"Why do you want to leave? Tell us your reason?" As Zhu Bajie spoke, Jiang Liu's gaze also fell on the White Mouse Demon, and he asked.

"Holy Monk, I am very happy that you allowed me to accompany you on the Journey to the West. Moreover, along the way, Holy Monk, you have taken good care of me, for which I am deeply grateful!" the White Mouse Demon said.

After saying this, she paused slightly and continued, "However, these days, every time we encounter difficulties, Holy Monk, you save us, and although I am grateful, it is because of my low cultivation level that I have brought you too much trouble on this journey."

"I, I feel very uneasy in my heart, so I, I should leave..."

"Ah, it turns out that because recently she has been targeted by Immortals and Buddhas, causing trouble for me, she wants to leave!" Upon hearing the White Mouse Demon's words, Jiang Liu suddenly understood why.

It has to be said, having managed to ask me to take her in, she now wants to leave because of guilt? This was beyond Jiang Liu's expectations.

At the same time, Jiang Liu's perception of her changed quite a bit.

However, at this moment, it was the time when the White Mouse Demon could be of the most use, so how could he let her leave just like that?

"If this is the reason, you don't need to leave, continue to stay!"

Jiang Liu spoke, sharing his thoughts, "On this Journey to the West, haven't we, master and disciples, faced enough tribulations? Having you won't add much more, and without you it won't make much less! Moreover..."

At this, Jiang Liu paused slightly and then continued, "Moreover, now everyone in the world is saying that eating a piece of your flesh can extend life by sixty years. If you stay with us, we can help look after you. If you leave, wouldn't it be a matter of life and death?"

"Yes, yes, White Mouse Demon junior sister, you mustn't leave, otherwise you will surely die! Have you forgotten what happened recently?" Zhu Bajie nodded quickly and said to the White Mouse Demon.

"This..."

Well, it must be said that Jiang Liu's words made sense. Recently, there were several occasions needing the Holy Monk's rescue, making the White Mouse Demon feel very guilty, leading to the proposal to leave.

But precisely because of this, if she leaves without anyone saving her, wouldn't that mean certain death?

Looking at the hesitant expression of the White Mouse Demon, Jiang Liu thought for a moment and then said, "Moreover, you are my maiden now, known to all under heaven. If you were to be devoured by another, and this spread, wouldn't I completely lose face?"

"If I can't even protect my own maiden, how can this Journey to the West to save all beings not become a joke?"

Well, the Holy Monk's words do make a lot of sense.

After thinking it over, the White Mouse Demon said, "In that case, I will inevitably trouble you, Holy Monk, in the future!"

"No problem, since we are now a team, there's no talk of trouble..." Jiang Liu waved his hand, speaking calmly.

Finally speaking out, he persuaded the White Mouse Demon who was about to leave to stay, and Jiang Liu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

After persuading the White Mouse Demon to stay, Jiang Liu and the others continued on their Journey to the West.

Of course, their attention on the White Mouse Demon increased more and more.

Recently, along the way, several people they encountered had been let go by Jiang Liu.

Jiang Liu understood that many who were still watching secretly would probably be unable to resist making a move soon.

Since that was the case, they of course needed to carefully monitor the White Mouse Demon.

Although using the White Mouse Demon as bait, if possible, Jiang Liu still wanted to do his utmost to protect the White Mouse Demon's life from harm.

...

At the same time, in the Immortal Realm, a palace far from the Heavenly Court quietly floated in mid-air.

The Immortal Realm is a world where all Immortal Gods live, but not all Immortal Gods are under the command of the Heavenly Court.

Just like Master Leizhen of the past, with the cultivation level of a Daluo Golden Immortal, yet independent of the Heavenly Court.

In this Immortal Realm, this palace is much like that.

Long Eyebrow Immortal is a renowned Superior Immortal in the Immortal Realm, but, over the years, he has not been loyal to the Heavenly Court, so he does not have the privilege to participate in the Peach Festival.

Over countless ages, Long Eyebrow Immortal could feel the limit of his lifespan getting closer and closer.

"Alas..." On this day, originally wandering among the heavens, Long Eyebrow Immortal opened his eyes and sighed softly.

With his lifespan coming to an end, there's nothing else to do but venture to the Lower Realm.

Dealing with a mere White Mouse Demon should be manageable.

However, Xuanzang and his team are a nuisance, so it seems I need to devise a foolproof plan.

With plans brewing in his mind, Long Eyebrow Immortal made a move, left his palace, and headed to the Human Realm...