Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Easily slaying a being at the Demon King Realm, at this moment, the old monk and old Daoist beside him were looking at Jiang Liu with a completely altered gaze.

To cultivators of the mortal world, the existence of the Demon King Realm already signified a great demon, and from Jiang Liu's actions just now, they could tell that he indeed possessed power far surpassing that of a Demon King.

Could it be true that he had passed the Heavenly Tribulation and attained Bodhi?

Then, was everything he just said true?

"Amitabha, disciple pays respects to Lord Arhat..." After a moment of silence, the old monk brought his palms together, assumed the posture of a disciple, and spoke to Jiang Liu.

Having passed the Heavenly Tribulation and attained Bodhi, one should be able to be conferred the esteemed position of Arhat at the Great Thunder Monastery of Western Spirit Mountain, and given the firstcome first-served nature, the old monk naturally paid his respects to Jiang Liu.

"Enough, no need for such formalities!" Jiang Liu waved his hand gently, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with others showing him such respect.

"Your Majesty, this matter of the Imperial List was too presumptuous of this Daoist, and it should indeed be resolved by a holy monk from Great Tang!" Meanwhile, the old Daoist spoke to the King of Zhuzi Country.

Originally, he had thought of competing for the task listed on the Imperial List, but at this moment, the old Daoist decisively showed weakness.

It was not just because of the power Jiang Liu demonstrated, but also because of the Demon King that had just appeared.

What did the Demon King say when he appeared? He said he was sent by the Great King to deliver a message.

To be able to send a Demon King to deliver a message indicated that the demon behind this was undoubtedly a shocking great demon, certainly not one he could contend with.

At this time, the old Daoist even felt somewhat relieved and fearful.

He was just fortunate that a holy monk from Great Tang was here this time, otherwise, had he truly accepted the task from the Imperial List and gone to find the great demon that had captured the Empress of Jinsheng Palace, wouldn't he have been sending himself to his death?

He had originally thought that, with his Returning Void Realm cultivation level, he could go anywhere in the world.

But now, the old Daoist understood that it was better for him to stay modest with his power.

Who knows when he might encounter a formidable great demon and be completely obliterated?

"Amitabha, this poor monk also shares the same thought!" The old monk, who had been at odds with the old Daoist, now also spoke up, telling the King of Zhuzi Country that he was withdrawing from the task of the Imperial List.

Although the reward mentioned on the Imperial List, to share the kingdom, was tempting, one would need to risk their life to enjoy it!

"Although that is the case, we are still grateful for your eagerness! Servants! Reward them with a hundred taels of gold each!"

Hearing the old Daoist and old monk speak up about withdrawing from the Imperial List task, the King of Zhuzi Country didn't mind, and even generously rewarded each with a hundred taels of gold as a token of gratitude.

The old Daoist and old monk did not decline, and after taking the gold, they gave a salute to both the King of Zhuzi Country and Jiang Liu before they left.

"Master Xuanzang, your presence from afar truly graces us with your radiant virtue. Moreover, Master Xuanzang possesses divine skills for subduing demons and eliminating evil, which is admirable. I request the Master to help find and bring back the Princess Consort! Whatever was stated on the Imperial List, about sharing the kingdom, I will not go back on my word!" Watching the old Daoist and old monk leave, the King of Zhuzi Country then spoke to Jiang Liu.

Notification: Quest "Rescue the Princess Consort" triggered. Quest objective, successfully rescue the Princess Consort of Zhuzi Country, Empress of Jinsheng Palace. Upon quest completion, reward 200 million Experience Points, Epic Level Treasure Chest*1. Failure to complete the quest will result in a deduction of 200 million Experience Points. Accept/Decline?

"200 million Experience Points as a reward? An Epic Level Treasure Chest!?" Hearing this system notification, Jiang Liu's heart stirred.

From the reward and the nature of the treasure chest, it was clear that this quest was not going to be easy; otherwise, there wouldn't be such a generous reward.

However, despite understanding the difficulty of the quest from the reward, Jiang Liu was going to accept it anyway; he naturally wouldn't refuse and directly took on the quest.

"Your Majesty, rest assured, since I have taken up the Imperial List, I naturally come with the intention of rescuing the Princess Consort!" Having accepted the quest, Jiang Liu spoke.

"Thank you, holy monk!" Hearing Jiang Liu's confident acceptance, the King of Zhuzi Country showed a joyful expression and nodded earnestly.

In the midst of conversation, the King spoke loudly, "Servants, quickly prepare a lavish vegetarian feast to properly entertain the holy monk from Great Tang!"

"Amitabha, Your Majesty, there's no need for vegetarian fare, anything will do. My disciples and I don't abstain from meat," Jiang Liu reminded him upon hearing the King of Zhuzi Country's words.

"Ah, a holy monk truly is not like ordinary people. If so, I will naturally prepare an even more abundant feast!" Hearing Jiang Liu's words, the King of Zhuzi Country nodded and arranged for it to be so.

All kinds of delicacies and exotic beasts were duly prepared.

A banquet was indeed prepared lavishly, and although the King of Zhuzi Country was somewhat downhearted due to the kidnapping of the Princess Consort, he still tried his best to accompany them and avoid any lulls in the conversation.

By the time the sky had gradually darkened, Jiang Liu and his companions were arranged to stay in the royal palace.

"Master, for no reason at all, why do we have to help this what's-his-name king find his princess consort? Isn't this just asking for trouble?" In the evening, as the master and disciples were together, Sun Wukong curiously asked Jiang Liu.

"Wukong, do you know that your master is a good person who helps whenever asked and unsheathes his sword to assist those in need?" After glancing at Sun Wukong, Jiang Liu spoke.

"Give me a break..."

However, Sun Wukong shook his head upon hearing Jiang Liu's words and said, "Master, I've been with you for almost three years now, how could I not know you? You must have some plan, right?"

"Monkey Brother, Master is known as Holmes, of course he has a plan. Don't you remember? When we first entered the royal city, Master was already looking here and there for something. It seems, Master, you had guessed that the imperial list would be posted in advance, didn't you? Master, you truly have the ability to foresee events, I admire you so much that I'm completely convinced!" Zhu Bajie chimed in at this moment, eagerly cheering for Jiang Liu.

"Wukong, I've noticed you've been getting more and more arrogant lately!" Jiang Liu glanced at Sun Wukong and remarked.

This monkey, he's becoming quite something recently, daring to talk to me like that? Should I, as his master, still maintain my authority?

No, it seems I'll have to think of a way to properly knock him down a peg in the future.

Although he didn't know what his master was really plotting, Sun Wukong immediately cowered, saying, "Uh, Master, look at me, all skin and bones, how have I swollen up? Look at Bajie, he's even fatter now, he's the one who's swollen up!"

"You plague-stricken monkey, if you want to argue with the master, just argue properly, why drag me, Old Pig, into it?!" Zhu Bajie, who was next to them, couldn't hold back after hearing this and angrily cursed.

"Alright, alright..."

Waving his hand, Jiang Liu stopped the bickering between Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong and said, "As you have said, your master indeed has his own agenda in helping the king of Zhuzi Country find a princess consort!"

"Oh? Master, I would love to hear the details!" Sha Wujing, who had been silently observing without getting involved in the spat, couldn't help but speak up at this point.

"It's simple, because your master probably knows the identity of the demon creature that abducted the Empress of Jinsheng Palace!" Jiang Liu revealed.

"Oh? Master, you haven't even seen and yet you can know the demon creature's identity!?" Upon hearing Jiang Liu's words, Zhu Bajie and the others looked at him in surprise.

The entire way so far, wasn't the master with them?

Why is it that he knows some things that they don't?

Jiang Liu did not have any intention of explaining their surprise, he obviously can't say that he'd read it in the Journey to the West novel, right?

"Master, what exactly is the identity of that demon creature?" Sha Wujing spoke again without prying too deeply, continuing to play his supportive role and asked.

"If your master's guess is not wrong, it is very likely to be the mount of Bodhisattva Guanyin, the Golden Hair Lion!" Jiang Liu answered.

The mount of Guanyin!?

Upon hearing this, the faces of the disciples became quite colorful.

The corners of Sun Wukong's mouth lifted slightly, and at the same time, he licked his lips, looking somewhat impatient.

Zhu Bajie's expression was complex, with embarrassment and some hatred, after all, it was she who had schemed against him and Zhuzhu, leading to his child's demise.

Even in the depths of Sha Wujing's eyes, a hint of coldness flashed. If it hadn't been for her, he wouldn't have ended up leaving the scripture-seeking team, and because of Envoy Muzha, his relationship with Amei...

"So that's how it is!" The disciples, with different thoughts, had a completely similar goal.

They didn't mind venting some of their resentment towards Bodhisattva Guanyin on the Golden Hair Lion.

...

Leaving aside what was happening at the royal palace, elsewhere in the cave where the Golden Hair Lion resided, even though he had abducted the radiant and beautiful Empress of Jinsheng Palace into the demon cave, the Golden Hair Lion wasn't interested in beauty.

On the contrary, he was sitting uneasily.

Facing the team of the Journey to the West for scriptures, many had died— the Great Luo Demon Venerable from the Demon Realm, the Star Monarch of Warring States from the Heavenly Court, Floral Mink, and even Envoy Muzha…

Now, the Bodhisattva had enlisted him to set up a calamity, and he was feeling nervous!

"Don't panic, don't panic, the Bodhisattva has given me so many treasures, I should have enough self-protection, plus, she's also given me a segment of the willow branch as proof of my identity!"

"If it really turns out that I'm not the match, I'll simply reveal my status as the Bodhisattva's mount!"

"I believe, once I prove my identity as the Bodhisattva's mount, Master Xuanzang and the others will surely show mercy, right!?"