Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Eastern Shengshen State, New Donglai Temple.

Yuanling sat cross-legged, eyes slightly closed, evidently meditating, seemingly completely integrated into nature.

In front of him, Maitreya Buddha stood silently, his eyes resting on Yuanling.

Watching his meditative posture, a look of satisfaction appeared in his eyes, nodding silently.

"Indeed, worthy of being the reincarnation of an Ancient Great God, cultivating at such a rapid pace!" Maitreya Buddha internally marveled at Yuanling's growth speed.

Although Maitreya Buddha had already taken Yuanling by his side, Yuanling was initially under Bodhisattva's tutelage, so Maitreya Buddha didn't fully trust him.

Instead, he thought to let him linger for a century or two, observing if he'd become trustworthy over time.

At that point, he would decide whether to invest significant effort into nurturing him.

However, Maitreya Buddha didn't anticipate that both he and Donglai Temple would encounter a great calamity, resulting in the temple's destruction, and himself narrowly escaping thanks to the Sect Hierarch's intervention.

What was even more unexpected was that the monks of Donglai Temple all scattered, but upon his return, Yuanling was still guarding the ruins, refusing to leave.

This behavior clearly demonstrated Yuanling's loyalty to Maitreya Buddha.

Thus, the idea of letting him linger for a century or two faded away, and Maitreya Buddha began to focus significantly on developing his spiritual path.

With Maitreya Buddha's full support combined with Yuanling's innate aptitude, the rapidity of his progress could indeed be described as meteoric.

This secretly astonished Maitreya Buddha, who nodded approvingly once more.

With such a talented disciple, undoubtedly, in a few years, he would become a strong, reliable support.

"Buddha, Diligent Buddha seeks an audience!"

Just as Maitreya Buddha was watching Yuanling's meditation, feeling silently gratified, a monk discreetly approached and softly informed him.

"Mm, have him wait in the side hall!" Upon hearing this, Maitreya Buddha slightly nodded and replied gently.

After the monk departed, Maitreya Buddha waited a moment longer, seeing that Yuanling was deep in meditation and unlikely to awaken soon, so he decided not to linger and turned to leave.

In a side hall of Donglai Temple, a Buddha wearing a red Kasaya was waiting quietly.

If Jiang Liu were present, he would certainly recognize that this Buddha was the one who had previously restrained the White Mouse Demon, intending to capture her.

Waiting quietly, it wasn't long before the plump but composed Maitreya Buddha approached.

The memory of Maitreya Buddha always bearing a benevolent smile seemed to belong to history now.

Seeing Maitreya Buddha walk in, with a cold demeanor quite different from what he remembered, a slight unease stirred within Diligent Buddha.

He then rose and slightly bowed to Maitreya Buddha: "Greetings, Buddha!"

"No need for formality, Diligent Buddha!" Maitreya Buddha, despite his stern expression, showed no arrogance, responding with a phrase that softened his stern look considerably.

Evidently, the respectful "Buddha" address pleased him greatly.

"May I inquire the purpose of your visit today, Diligent Buddha?" Maitreya Buddha inquired.

As one of the Three-World Buddha, Maitreya Buddha naturally had his own following.

However, since the leader of the Buddhist Sect was Tathagata, his followers were the most powerful.

Diligent Buddha belonged to Tathagata's faction, meaning his interactions with Maitreya were limited, suggesting a significant reason for his visit.

"Buddha, I have come today to inform you of a matter!"

Diligent Buddha wasted no words, declaring: "A few years back, a Gold-Nosed White-Furred Rat Demon at the Great Thunder Monastery audaciously stole the sacred incense and precious candles, thus, it's only right for our Buddhist Disciples to capture her upon sight!"

"Indeed, as it should be!" Maitreya Buddha nodded slightly, eyes focused on Diligent Buddha, awaiting further elaboration.

Maitreya Buddha understood that Diligent Buddha wouldn't have sought him out just to discuss this topic lightly.

"Yesterday, by chance, I encountered this sinful creature. Initially captured, I later discovered she seemed to have some connection with Xuanzang!" Diligent Buddha paused, then continued, drawing attention to the crux of the matter.

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Maitreya Buddha's eyebrows slightly raised.

As the coordinator of the Journey to the West for Scriptures, Maitreya Buddha was naturally highly concerned about developments related to the pilgrimage team.

Xuanzang, involved with a White Mouse Demon that stole sacred incense and candles from the Great Thunder Monastery?

"Do you know what their connection is?" Evidently interested, Maitreya Buddha asked proactively.

"That White Mouse Demon herself said she is Xuanzang's handmaiden!" Diligent Buddha replied.

"Handmaiden?" Maitreya Buddha's face was full of astonishment.

For no apparent reason, why would Xuanzang take a female demon as a handmaiden?

Moreover, being on the Journey to the West, proceeding westward with a handmaiden by his side? What is this supposed to mean?

It's like a great general going to battle and taking a woman along; it's naturally inappropriate.

"Tathagata had once warned us that if there is any news about Xuanzang and his party, we have the responsibility to inform you. I've already told Buddha all the information I have, so I won't linger here any longer!" Having said almost everything that needed to be said, Diligent Buddha had no intention to stay further and took his leave.

"Hmm, you may go now!" Maitreya Buddha slightly bowed his head, his brows furrowed in thought, and nodded in agreement.

After bidding farewell, Diligent Buddha turned and left.

While Maitreya Buddha began to ponder.

Proceeding westward with a handmaiden by one's side is naturally improper, but how should I deal with this?

Or perhaps, from this handmaiden, can I find a way to create trials?

The Scripture Seeking Team's cultivation levels are already quite high, making it increasingly difficult to create challenges.

However, having a handmaiden by their side, could this be a breakthrough point?

As the coordinator of the Journey to the West, Maitreya Buddha, as soon as he learns something about the Scripture Seeking Team, naturally reflects on whether he can utilize this to create challenges.

...

The situation at the Eastern Temple was, of course, unknown to Jiang Liu and the others. The White Mouse Demon traveling west with the team posed no disadvantage to Jiang Liu.

After showcasing her culinary skills at the Exquisite Immortal Mansion, the White Mouse Demon earned unanimous praise from Jiang Liu and the others.

A meal of hot pot, although simple, requires finesse in boiling the broth to perfection, cutting beef and lamb rolls to the right thickness—these are all meticulous tasks that the White Mouse Demon executed well.

Though there is a slight gap in culinary skills compared to Jiang Liu, it's much better than most.

"Junior Sister White Mouse Demon, your culinary skills are extraordinary, almost comparable to the master's!" Zhu Bajie praised with a thumbs-up while indulging in the feast.

"Not at all, it seems my cooking skills had a bit of a stellar performance here!" Hearing Zhu Bajie's praise, the White Mouse Demon responded humbly.

Jiang Liu beside him smiled slightly at her words.

He understood that the White Mouse Demon's words weren't modest.

The Taiji Yin-Yang Pot not only has the special effect of heartfelt sincerity but also enhances deliciousness.

Naturally, when using the Yin-Yang Pot to prepare hot pot, the taste surpasses her original skill level, so she felt she had an exceptional performance.

For Jiang Liu, preparing three meals a day, although done willingly, having the White Mouse Demon by his side with her considerable culinary skills, made if she were to handle meals, it could indeed save him a lot of time each day.

Three meals a day, even with the least effort, would take more than a Chinese hour to prepare.

If you can save that time daily, wouldn't that free up more time for myself?

Getting in an extra one or two runs in a day would be feasible, right?

Therefore, after sampling the White Mouse Demon's craftsmanship, Jiang Liu secretly calculated in his heart that he perhaps found another advantage of keeping the White Mouse Demon by his side.

"Your culinary skill, self-taught impressively!"

Looking into the White Mouse Demon's beautiful eyes staring intently at him, just like a child waiting for praise, Jiang Liu nodded sincerely.

"Thank you, Holy Monk, for the compliment! With your praise, it makes the years of hard culinary practice worthwhile!" Hearing Jiang Liu's praise, a deep joy appeared on the face of the White Mouse Demon as she remarked with a smile.

"Oh? Years of hard culinary practice? Why?" Hearing the White Mouse Demon's words, Jiang Liu asked with some astonishment.

In this mythical realm, as a member of the Demon Clan, shouldn't she be focused on cultivation to improve her level?

Hearing her imply devoting years to culinary practice?

"Because years ago, there was an agreement of a meal between you, Holy Monk, and Princess Gaoyang!" hearing Jiang Liu's inquiry, the White Mouse Demon replied naturally.

"It was said that when Guanyin Bodhisattva went to the Great Tang to guide you onto the Journey to the West, she mentioned the meal agreement between you and Princess Gaoyang, coupled with your renowned culinary reputation across the Three Realms and Six Paths!"

"Therefore, I felt sure that you'd be quite the stickler for culinary perfection!"

"I've long admired you, Holy Monk, and if I wanted to follow you on this journey, of course, my cooking couldn't be lacking!"