Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

"A big heist!?"

Jiang Liu's words made Sun Wukong and the others gaze at him curiously.

Clearly, they were all waiting to see what their master meant by undertaking a 'big heist' and how significant it was.

"Daoji, having lit up nine Scar of Precepts with profound Buddhist connections, the act of abducting someone in the middle of the night probably wasn't done by a righteous cultivator. The most likely suspects are still demons and ghosts!"

"However, as the Local Deity just mentioned, the most powerful demon creature around here is merely at the level of a Demon Marshal. Therefore, I think the greatest possibility is that it was a foreign demon creature!"

"If just our group tries to search, if the other party truly wants to hide, it will certainly be like finding a needle in a haystack. Therefore, we need to spread our eyes and ears far and wide!"

After Jiang Liu quietly analyzed for a few moments, his gaze then fell on Sun Wukong, saying, "You notify all the Local Deities and Mountain Gods around us to pay close attention. If they find Daoji's whereabouts, they must notify us immediately!"

"Bajie and Wujing, you two go and subdue the nearby demon creatures, and have them help us search too!"

"Lastly, Master Puhui, have everyone at the Great Luo Temple spring into action. It would be best if we could also get the king's help!"

"With deities, demon creatures, and the mortal world's soldiers and monks from the Great Luo Temple searching together, spreading our net wide, even a needle should be able to be found!"

"The Holy Monk's words are wise!" Hearing Jiang Liu's arrangements and plans, Master Puhui's eyes lit up as he nodded vigorously.

Indeed, if the Great Luo Temple and the soldiers of the Mingji Nation mobilized together, and with immortals and all neighboring demon creatures also helping in the search, it really was hard to think of any reason why they wouldn't find what they were searching for.

"Alright, Master!" Hearing Jiang Liu's commands, Sun Wukong and the others nodded in agreement and quickly sprang into action.

Sun Wukong went to notify the Mountain Gods and Local Deities, Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing went to subdue the surrounding demon creatures, and Master Puhui naturally went to the royal palace to ask for the king's help.

This course of action was indeed very significant.

As for Jiang Liu? After pondering silently in his heart for a moment, he then spoke and asked Xiaobai and himself to take a trip to the Underworld.

"To the Underworld? Why should we go to the Underworld for a visit!?" Hearing Jiang Liu's words, Xiaobai hesitated a bit but still asked.

Although Xiaobai was just a mount, it wasn't right to ask these questions, but Xiaobai was very aware of his master's fear of ghosts, and yet today, he was taking the initiative to go to the Underworld?

"If we need to find someone, the best way of course would be through Ksitigarbha's Tingdi Divine Beast!" Hearing Xiaobai's curious question, Jiang Liu sighed helplessly and answered.

What could he do? If it were possible, he wouldn't want to go to the Underworld either.

But sometimes, one doesn't have a choice!

It's like how some men dislike drinking, yet sometimes, you can't refuse drinks on the banquet table, can you?

Tingdi!?

Hearing Jiang Liu's words, Xiaobai became even more surprised.

Hadn't his master had a falling-out with the Ksitigarbha before? Moreover, Ksitigarbha's Merit Golden Lotus had also ended up in his master's hands. If he were to meet Ksitigarbha, he doubted the encounter would be pleasant, right?

And his master was now seeking his help?

Xiaobai was puzzled but chose not to ask any further.

Xiaobai didn't ask, and Jiang Liu naturally did not volunteer any explanation.

Along this journey, although Jiang Liu had established the Ming Sect as a force opposing the immortals and Buddhas, there weren't many top-tier powerful entities.

In Jiang Liu's view, it seemed like Ksitigarbha and the Wutian Buddha might align with his own camp.

His own power, as he now saw it, wasn't impressive enough to catch the Wutian Buddha's eye, so speaking was pointless.

But it was different with Ksitigarbha. Ksitigarbha had always paid close attention to him and definitely knew about his rapid growth rate.

Moreover, from Tingdi's mouth, Jiang Liu also knew that Ksitigarbha understood that his Journey to the West for Scriptures was bound to fall out with Spirit Mountain.

Therefore, Jiang Liu had always wanted to find a chance to have a proper talk with Ksitigarbha.

But to go and chat with Ksitigarbha for no reason at all? What would Spirit Mountain think?

This time, for Jiang Liu, it was an opportunity!

He had had a falling-out with Ksitigarbha, yet he was making the arduous journey to the Underworld to seek Ksitigarbha's help, undergoing great hardships.

This action, seen in the eyes of Spirit Mountain, would surely prove his care towards his fellow Buddhist brethren, right?

A chat with Ksitigarbha under the guise of others' eyes, and if successful, would also help locate Daoji's whereabouts, was killing two birds with one stone for Jiang Liu.

Because of this rare opportunity, despite his deep fear of ghosts, Jiang Liu had no other choice but to take Xiaobai with him and venture into the Underworld.

Currently, Jiang Liu's level had reached 61, also qualifying him as having reached the Heavenly Immortal Realm in terms of cultivation.

Therefore, traveling between heaven and earth wasn't difficult.

Xiaobai transformed into his dragon form, with Jiang Liu sitting on Xiaobai's head, the two of them headed directly into the Netherworld.

Upon arriving in the Netherworld, countless wandering ghosts and spirits saw the appearance of a white dragon and scattered in terror.

These wandering ghosts were frightened, but at the same time, Jiang Liu, seeing these wandering ghosts, was also taken aback.

Learning from Bodhisattva Guanyin's methods from the past, an Eighteenth Grade Lotus appeared behind Jiang Liu, and then, a great radiance burst forth, dispersing the surrounding wandering ghosts far and wide…

"Phew…"

Seeing that there were no traces of ghosts within thousands of meters, Jiang Liu finally breathed a sigh of relief and touched his own skin.

Um, very rough, these were all goosebumps that had popped up on his body.

"Let's go!" The ghosts were all gone, Jiang Liu's mood calmed down, and the goosebumps on his body also disappeared. Then, Jiang Liu patted Little White Dragon's head and said.

Carrying Jiang Liu, Little White Dragon, with the Eighteenth Grade Lotus emerging behind Jiang Liu, flew directly towards the direction of Ksitigarbha Cave.

Naturally, with Jiang Liu's grand appearance, many in the Underworld became aware of his arrival.

However, seeing Jiang Liu heading straight for Ksitigarbha Cave, the Ten Yama Kings also did not send anyone to inquire.

"Amitabha, Master Xuanzang, please go back…"

However, when Jiang Liu arrived in front of Ksitigarbha, at the entrance of Ksitigarbha Cave, a young monk spoke up, barring Jiang Liu from entering.

"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is greatly compassionate and merciful, I have a matter to request!" Despite the young monk's words, Jiang Liu did not intend to leave. Instead, he stood at the entrance of the cave, persistent and unwilling to leave.

...

In Spirit Mountain in Western Heaven, Tathagata sat on his Lotus Platform, Guanyin Bodhisattva and Tathagata discussed the matters of the Journey to the West for Scriptures.

Guanyin could feel that ever since Tathagata had also suffered, going to the Demon Realm to rescue Xuanzang and his companions, he seemed to genuinely understand the difficulties of the Journey to the West for Scriptures.

Therefore, lately, Buddha seemed to be more concerned about the matter of the Journey to the West for Scriptures, rather than leaving everything to her as he had done before.

However, just as Guanyin and Tathagata were speaking, discussing how to gather the challenges of the ninety-nine trials, suddenly, Tathagata's expression subtly changed, sensing something.

"Buddha?" After a moment, seeing Tathagata remaining silent, Guanyin Bodhisattva softly asked.

"Xuanzang is indeed good, but this Ksitigarbha, hmm…"

Releasing his divine sense, Tathagata soon understood the whole situation, and he nodded in approval of Xuanzang's actions.

Excellent, truly fitting for my reincarnated disciple, showing such care for his fellow disciples!

But Ksitigarbha knowingly refused to see him despite knowing what Xuanzang intended to do, which made Tathagata silently shake his head, feeling somewhat displeased inside.

Is it just because of a Ninth Grade Merit Golden Lotus? Was it really necessary?

Uh, although, the Ninth Grade Merit Golden Lotus is indeed a supreme treasure of heaven and earth!

...

In the Underworld, at Ksitigarbha Cave!

"Master Xuanzang, you, you should go back, this puts me in a difficult position!"

Even though the intention of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had been made clear, Master Xuanzang, instead of leaving, was persistently shouting at the entrance of the cave and refused to leave, making the young monk feel very uncomfortable.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, although only holding the position of a Bodhisattva in the Buddhist Sect, is given authority by Heavenly Dao to arrange the reincarnation of all Immortals and Buddhas.

Therefore, Immortals across the three realms and six paths hold both reverence and awe for Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Ordinary people, even Great Luo Golden Immortals, would not dare to act recklessly in front of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

Yet today, even though Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had made his stance clear, not wanting to see him, he was still loudly shouting at the door, refusing to leave!?

This situation, as someone serving Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, was a first for him.

Thus, faced with such behavior, the young monk momentarily felt at a loss, not knowing how to handle it.

"Bodhisattva, it is said that you vowed not to achieve Buddhahood until the hells are empty! I understand that the Bodhisattva is a person of great compassion!"

"But, Bodhisattva, you possess this compassionate heart for all under the heavens, why not for your disciple here!?"

"I came here seeking help today not for myself, but please grant an audience, Bodhisattva!"

...

Jiang Liu absolutely refused to leave, staying at the entrance of the cave and shouting loudly, one sentence after another.

"Sigh…"

Maybe it was what Jiang Liu said, or perhaps it was his loud shouting and refusal to leave that moved Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, or maybe Ksitigarbha had no choice. After a long time, a deep sigh echoed.

Suddenly, the voice of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva also sounded, "Xuanzang, come in."

"Hehehe, the Bodhisattva said to let me in!"

Hearing Ksitigarbha's words, Jiang Liu, with a smile on his face, said to the young monk at the entrance.