Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Chapter 210 Happiness Comes from Comparison

What is the most troublesome thing for parents? It's their child's rebellious phase, truly infuriating and helpless. You can't really bring yourself to hit them, and reasoning just doesn't get through because they stick stubbornly to their own views, which is profoundly frustrating.

And now, Jiang Liu was giving the Bodhisattva the same feeling.

Reason with him? It was completely ineffective, and he even had his own lofty reasons that could leave you speechless.

Get physical? How do you get physical? Could you really tie him up and force him to set off on the Journey to the West?

So, at first, both Guanyin and Jiang Liu were spouting long discourses, trying to persuade each other, but after a long time arguing back and forth, both seemed to realize that it was tough to convince the other with words alone and gradually stopped talking.

The two of them stared at each other, neither uttering a word.

"Xuanzang, are you absolutely determined to stay at Wuzhuang Temple!?" After a long silence, Guanyin's expression slowly calmed down, but grew colder.

"Amitabha, the disciple is only trying to enlighten others after enlightening himself. If he can't enlighten himself, how can he possibly enlighten others? I hope the Bodhisattva can understand!" Jiang Liu spoke, taking a very humble posture, but was inwardly firm.

His posture was humble, but his stand on his beliefs showed no sign of wavering.

On the Journey to the West, although it would come to face-offs at Spirit Mountain, it was also a journey filled with intellectual and strategic challenges.

Today, Jiang Liu felt it was time to take a firm stand.

He had been delaying for a while, but always based on reasonable grounds. Why was he ready to directly confront the Bodhisattva to stay? Of course, it wasn't just about delaying; Master Zhenyuan was the main reason.

Such a big shot, even a little leaked from his fingertips would be infinitely useful.

Moreover, Jiang Liu also wanted to inquire about some matters from Master Zhenyuan.

For instance, as a member of the Taoist Sect, what was Master Zhenyuan's stance on the Journey to the West for Scriptures and the flourishing of Buddhism?

For example, was the world of the Journey to the West the same as the Primordial World he knew?

Of course, he could also take this opportunity to test how much Guanyin's tolerance could extend.

Since it was a battle of wits and courage, it obviously wasn't just a simple intellectual duel. He had to stand firm even if it upset Guanyin.

And in Jiang Liu's view, this insistence was very much worth it!

But, after staring at Jiang Liu, Guanyin had no choice but to retreat and said, "Since you want to stay and seek enlightenment, I won't force you. However, the great task of seeking scriptures concerns all beings, and we cannot afford to have you wasting time here too long.

A deadline of half a year, after half a year regardless of the outcome, you must not stay here any longer to bother the Great Immortal!"

"Alright, a deadline of half a year!" This time, Jiang Liu did not try to haggle further and promptly nodded in agreement.

Really stay at Wuzhuang Temple for a hundred years? Unless the trade between Grand Immortal Zhenyuan and Tathagata hadn't been concluded, otherwise, he couldn't really stay long.

This time Guanyin personally came over, and Buddhism had also made a deal with Grand Immortal Zhenyuan, being able to negotiate half a year's time was already quite valuable.

Quit while ahead, knowing when to advance or retreat, originally, there was no possibility of delaying, but now that he could seize the chance to stay for half a year, Jiang Liu knew this was probably the maximum Guanyin could tolerate.

This half year was already a gain, what more could he ask for?

"Well, since that is the case, I hope you will do well at the Great Immortal's place!" Hearing that Jiang Liu did not intend to haggle further, the clouds cleared from Guanyin's face, and she nodded slightly, saying.

While speaking, her gaze fell on Grand Immortal Zhenyuan and she slightly bowed, saying, "Under these circumstances, Xuanzang will be troubling Grand Immortal Zhenyuan for the next half year!"

"No way!" Yet, hearing Guanyin's compromise, Grand Immortal Zhenyuan hastily shook his head, crying out loudly.

This statement shocked everyone present, leaving them incredulous and puzzled at his reaction.

"This is too difficult for me!" Hearing Grand Immortal Zhenyuan's refusal, Guanyin's lips twitched slightly, feeling utterly exhausted.

Originally, she had come here taking great responsibility upon herself to notify Xuanzang and his companions that they could continue the Journey to the West.

But how had things developed to this point?

Jiang Liu refused to go!? Finally, after much persuasion, he had agreed, but now, Grand Immortal Zhenyuan was not willing to keep him?

Was this task, initially deemed an opportunity to gain merit, actually this complicated?

For the first time, Guanyin even began to think about giving up.

As the person in charge of the grand task of the Journey to the West, if this were accomplished, it would be a great merit for Guanyin herself; therefore, despite knowing the difficulty, Guanyin agreed to the task with great joy.

But now, a sudden thought popped up in Guanyin's mind: Had she made a mistake in taking on the role as the chief person responsible for the Journey to the West?

Of course, such a thought merely flickered through Guanyin's mind and passed.

After a brief silence, Guanyin took a few deep breaths to calm her emotions, her gaze landing on Master Zhenyuan, she said, "I wonder what concerns the Great Immortal might have!"

At that moment, Jiang Liu was also staring seriously at Master Zhenyuan, puzzled. He had been staying at the Wuzhuang Temple for some days and all was well. Besides, Jiang Liu couldn't think of any offense he might have caused Master Zhenyuan.

Why? It was merely half a year's stay, yet why was he so resolute in his refusal?

If it were in Zhu Bajie's words, "Great Immortal, you've changed. You used to like me a lot. When I first arrived, there wasn't time to entertain me, but you still specially instructed your disciples to fetch two Ginseng Fruits to host me. But now? Just wanting to stay here for half a year, you want to drive me away?"

Originally, the two Taoist Boy servants, Mingyue and Clear Wind, upon hearing Guanyin relent, were very pleased, thinking the scripture seekers could stay for another six months, which seemed lovely. However, Master Zhenyuan's decisive refusal left them both stunned, staring bewilderingly at their master.

"Ah, Bodhisattva, you have no idea. My Wuzhuang Temple is a place for quiet cultivation, but ever since Xuanzang and his companions arrived, engaging daily in eating meat, drinking, gambling, and cursing, it has nearly turned my temple into a den of foulness. Even these two children of mine are badly influenced.

Therefore, I think Xuanzang and his group are not suitable to stay in Wuzhuang Temple!" Shaking his head, Master Zhenyuan heaved a long sigh and spoke.

Eating meat and drinking! Gambling and cursing!

Hearing this, even the corners of Bodhisattva Guanyin's mouth twitched slightly, struggling to imagine how Wuzhuang Temple could transform into such a scene.

Imagining it well, Guanyin suddenly felt her spirits lighten considerably. If it were really so, it seemed quite interesting?

By now, a realization dawned upon Bodhisattva Guanyin's heart; no wonder Master Zhenyuan had detained Xuanzang and his companions, while she had hurried to Spirit Mountain to present her terms—the truth was indeed thus!

"This…" Hearing Master Zhenyuan's words, embarrassment flashed across Jiang Liu's face. He found himself at a loss for words in response to the Great Immortal's remarks.

If one must say, it was like being a guest in someone else's home, originally welcomed by the host.

However, after staying for a few days, the host's two well-behaved and sensible children were led astray. One could hardly expect the host to be pleased; naturally, they would want to expedite his departure.

"Amitabha, Xuanzang wanted to stay to atone for the guilt towards the Great Immortal. I have also advised him for a long while, as you have seen yourself. Perhaps he is destined to be connected with you, so I hope you won't refuse him!" Whispering a secret smile to herself, Guanyin actually felt pleased about Jiang Liu's decision to stay.

"Xuanzang, it was your disciple who made the mistake, not you. Actually, I still admire you quite a bit. The crucial task of the Journey to the West is vital, so you better hurry on your way," urged Master Zhenyuan, his gaze on Jiang Liu, wearing a look of earnest persuasion.

"Ahem, Great Immortal, as I said before, 'a teacher's negligence accounts for an undisciplined student.' Although it was Wukong who offended you, as his master, I naturally have to take full responsibility!" Seeing Master Zhenyuan's reluctant attitude, which nearly bordered on sending them away outright, Jiang Liu coughed twice and replied.

"What if I offer to strike nine more Ginseng Fruits and host a Ginseng Fruit Festival for you?"

Seeing Jiang Liu stubbornly refusing to leave, Grand Immortal Zhenyuan gritted his teeth and finally spoke up.

Squeak, squeak, squeak...

Watching Master Zhenyuan's distressed appearance, Sun Wukong on the side could hardly contain his laughter, which squeaked merrily.

On the side, Bodhisattva Guanyin, witnessing this scene, slightly curled the corners of her mouth.

Sometimes, human nature is really that simple. Initially, Guanyin felt overwhelmed and even discouraged, thoughts of quitting the task fleeting through her mind.

But now, observing Master Zhenyuan's distress as he was willing to bleed nine additional Ginseng Fruits to hold a festival, purely to coax them to leave, one could imagine the bitterness in Master Zhenyuan's heart.

Seeing Master Zhenyuan in such a state, Guanyin suddenly felt her own troubles seemed manageable in comparison.

Find adventures on empire

Indeed, a sense of happiness is always relative.

Seeing others in a worse plight? It seems that even the hardest days can be endured.

Alas!

Indeed, not only did Guanyin feel distressed, but Master Zhenyuan was also feeling it.

Previously, he had thought of detaining them here to negotiate with the Buddhist Sect.

Now, he would rather suffer a loss and send them away…

If he had only known this would happen, Master Zhenyuan thought he should have closed off Wuzhuang Temple and denied all visitors, sending everyone from the temple to Yuxu Palace to discuss the Way instead.