Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Jiang Liu's heart was filled with amazement as he looked at the nameless book before him, then slowly opened it.

What came into view was an ink portrait.

Upon seeing the portrait, Jiang Liu felt a sense of familiarity. On closer examination, wasn't this himself? Moreover, it captured his likeness from his days as a novice monk, before the scar of precepts adorned his head, clad in the simplest of monk's robes.

Upon even closer inspection, the Jiang Liu in the portrait seemed to be slightly younger than he was now.

"This portrait is my emissary, who reached the Great Tang's Jinshan Temple and was drawn under the guidance of Senior Abbot Faming and others! It's your likeness!" Seeing Jiang Liu's gaze fixed on the portrait, the King of Women's Kingdom had already approached his side at some point and whispered.

As the words of the King of Women's Kingdom were spoken, the two leaned in together to look at the portrait, the virgin fragrance reaching Jiang Liu's nostrils, causing ripples to spread through his heart...

It must be mentioned that on his Journey to the West, Jiang Liu had encountered quite a few female demons expressing their love, but none had come as close to him as this.

The King of Women's Kingdom seemed to be the first person, apart from Princess Gaoyang, who could stand so close to Jiang Liu, body to body.

However, at this moment, the King of Women's Kingdom had clear eyes, obviously without any ulterior motives, just gazing seriously at the portrait then again at Jiang Liu, before saying, "Although the painting captures about seventy to eighty percent of your likeness, there are still some discrepancies. You now look more mature than the person in this portrait!"

"Your Majesty..." Hearing the words of the King of Women's Kingdom, Jiang Liu felt as if something was stuck in his heart.

Jiang Liu had met many female demons who had confessed their love along the way, but the feeling from the King of Women's Kingdom was completely different from theirs.

"Imperial Brother, please continue to flip through it and see if there are any errors in the records within. The events recorded here are the results of people traveling thousands of miles to the Great Tang to gather information bit by bit, which was then carefully added by me, ultimately compiling this volume!" Yet, at this time, the King of Women's Kingdom was not in the mood for idle chat, but urged Jiang Liu to continue flipping through the book.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Liu suppressed the ripples in his mind and slowly turned the pages of the book before him.

Indeed, everything recorded in this book was about himself.

Reading seriously what was recorded, Jiang Liu could fully sense that the King of Women's Kingdom, from twenty thousand miles away, must have expended a great deal of effort to collect this information.

His name, his age, a description of the Jinshan Temple, his origins, and everything he had done in Chang'an City.

Jiang Liu, without speaking, slowly flipped through the book, which contained a meticulous record about himself.

He could feel that every word was filled with considerable devotion from the King of Women's Kingdom.

Otherwise, it would be impossible for an ordinary mortal, so far away, to gather so much information about him.

During his Journey to the West, Jiang Liu had encountered many female demons who had boldly professed their love for him. These female demons were very forthright, expressing their love very directly upon meeting him, saying they liked him, wished to be with him, and engage in union with him...

Of course, along the way, Jiang Liu had rejected many of them.

In Jiang Liu's eyes, the affection these female demons had for him was merely the adoration a fan holds for a celebrity, not love.

It was like being moved by a character in a movie or a character in a novel, with no difference...

Yet the King of Women's Kingdom was different in Jiang Liu's eyes.

As a monarch and still at the age of a young girl, bearing the responsibility of a nation's fate, it wasn't an exaggeration to say she was incredibly busy. Yet, in the midst of such busyness, she still took the time to compile what was essentially an autobiography about him — an act of devotion that went far beyond mere idolization of a celebrity.

"Imperial Brother!"

When Jiang Liu had flipped through the book for quite a while and finally finished it, the King of Women's Kingdom turned her head, her affectionate gaze undisguised, and she reached out her hands again, firmly grasping Jiang Liu's hands.

Her initial act of grabbing Jiang Liu's hands might have been attributed to her ignorance of the Great Tang's custom of "men and women not touching hands directly," thus lacking deeper significance.

But now, Jiang Liu had already explained the customs and etiquette of the Great Tang to her, and yet, the King of Women's Kingdom grasped his hands again, the embedded meaning could not have been clearer.

"Your Majesty..." Being held by the King of Women's Kingdom, Jiang Liu struggled slightly but couldn't break free.

"Imperial Brother, can you truly not feel my affection for you?" Although her voice was soft, which seemed to melt even the hardest steel.

Yet, as a queen, she had an air of easy grace about her, devoid of the frailty typical of ordinary women, her gaze on Jiang Liu firm and unwavering.

Love, then say it openly; heartfelt emotions, then express them genuinely — such was the King of Women's Kingdom!

"Your Majesty, I, I am a monk, this..." Her decisive and ardent eyes made Jiang Liu dare not meet her gaze, and he hung his head low, timidly licking his lips as he spoke with some difficulty.

For some reason, at that moment, Jiang Liu felt his mouth dry and his tongue parched.

"Imperial Brother, do not deceive me!" But before Jiang Liu could finish, the King of Women's Kingdom interrupted him, insisting, "Do not use your status as a monk to evade the issue. If you truly were a monk with no thoughts of male and female affection, then what is Princess Gaoyang to you!? Or are you saying you have let go of your feelings for Princess Gaoyang!?"

Jiang Liu: "…"
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Faced with the King of Women's Kingdom's pressing questions and the matter of his feelings for Gaoyang, Jiang Liu found it impossible to deny.

"You say you are a monk, but can you truly empty yourself of all worldly attachments? If so, why can't you look at me!" the King of Women's Kingdom asked, continuing to fix her gaze on Jiang Liu.

"But, Your Majesty, we have only just met for the first time, this..." Jiang Liu finally spoke after a moment of silence.

In fact, Jiang Liu had always felt that the affection between himself and Princess Gaoyang had already been developing quite rapidly.

But this was just the first meeting with the King of Women's Kingdom, and already there was talk of love and even establishing a romantic relationship? This was something Jiang Liu could not accept!

"Imperial Brother, indeed you are seeing me for the first time but, as for me, I am already very familiar with you, Imperial Brother. This affection is not a youthful impulse, so if you feel you understand too little about me, why not stay here for a few more days?" Holding Jiang Liu's hand tightly, the King of Women's Kingdom extended the invitation.

The King of Women's Kingdom's affection was something Jiang Liu could genuinely feel. That deep affection, Jiang Liu could feel as well.

In every word, every frown and smile, every stroke and line, Jiang Liu could feel the intense affection.

To tell the truth, this affection, like a gurgling mountain spring, seeped into every crevice and drenched Jiang Liu's heart, stirring emotions within.

The affection between himself and Princess Gaoyang was very sincere, which Jiang Liu had never doubted.

However, Jiang Liu also had no doubt about the deep affection the King of Women's Kingdom had for him.

Perhaps, it was no less than that of Gaoyang...

"Imperial Brother!"

In the end, the King of Women's Kingdom's myriad words all condensed into a single "Imperial Brother," with eyes like pools of water, staring intently at Jiang Liu, yet with a gaze as invasive as fire, Jiang Liu dared not meet her eyes.

Jiang Liu fell silent, faced with the gaze of the King of Women's Kingdom, he lowered his head in silence.

He wanted to refuse, but the genuine feeling made it hard for Jiang Liu to voice his rejection, the words stuck in his throat, unspoken.

But then again, could he agree?

These agreeing words, he also found impossible to utter.

For a moment, he was caught in a difficult dilemma!

This feeling was something Jiang Liu had never experienced before; it seemed that no matter which choice he made, it was wrong!

After a long, long silence, Jiang Liu finally spoke, lifting his head to look directly at the King of Women's Kingdom for the first time, "Your Majesty, I can fully feel your profound kindness and affection, this feeling is not at all shallower than Princess Gaoyang's affection for me!"

At Jiang Liu's words, a glimmer of joy appeared on the face of the King of Women's Kingdom.

With his words, it was enough.

This meant that he had genuinely felt her affection for him. She had said so much, done so much, and it was as if she had reached her goal.

"However, Your Majesty knows about the matters between Princess Gaoyang and me. She is waiting for me!" At these words, Jiang Liu then steered the conversation in a different direction.

"I naturally know about the matters between Imperial Brother and Princess Gaoyang!" Hearing Jiang Liu's words and his mention of Princess Gaoyang, the King of Women's Kingdom maintained a calm expression and nodded slightly.

Yet, as soon as this was mentioned, the King of Women's Kingdom, with eyes as serene as water, still had her gaze lingering on Jiang Liu, "Princess Gaoyang is waiting for you, and I am also willing to wait for you. If you manage to find Princess Gaoyang, you both can return to the Women's Kingdom together!"

"..."

The words of the King of Women's Kingdom left Jiang Liu somewhat stunned.

What did she mean? She did not mind marrying him alongside Gaoyang!?

As a normal man, who would not be moved!?

"Your Majesty!"

Yet, Jiang Liu's face was earnest as he said, "Affairs of the heart cherish exclusivity. Your Majesty's initial affection for me, perhaps, was because of my sincere feelings for Gaoyang? Given that, how could I possibly..."

"I do not want to hear these things!"

But before Jiang Liu could finish speaking, the King of Women's Kingdom interrupted him directly.

Upon hearing this, the King of Women's Kingdom understood that no matter how eloquently he spoke, his words were meant to reject her.

"Imperial Brother, I only ask you one thing," the gaze of the King of Women's Kingdom remained as gentle as water, fixed on Jiang Liu, "Have you truly not felt any stirring of the heart towards me?"

Faced with the gaze of the King of Women's Kingdom, Jiang Liu wanted to lie, but the lie simply couldn't come out; after a moment of silence, he slightly nodded his head:

"How could there be no stirrings? I am not made of stone..."

In a corner of the Imperial Garden, a woman about in her twenties watched from a distance. Watching Jiang Liu and the King of Women's Kingdom holding hands, her eyes flickered.