Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

"A temple, you say? Then let us go there to offer our respects!" Jiang Liu spoke upon hearing Sun Wukong's words.

In the original, Tang Monk, claiming to have mere mortal eyes that cannot recognize the true Buddha, would pay his respects at every temple they passed during their journey west to express his devout heart.

Similarly, the current Jiang Liu also behaved this way, finding occasions to pay respects whenever he encountered a temple.

But it was not out of devotion, rather it was to strategically delay time!

Was there a more fitting way to delay time under legitimate pretenses?

"Master, that temple looks rather peculiar!"

Just then, Sun Wukong dropped down and stood next to Jiang Liu, saying, "Look at that temple's architecture, it resembles the Great Thunder Monastery a bit, and, moreover, the nameplate on that temple reads 'Lesser Thunder Monastery!'"

"Lesser Thunder Monastery!?" Upon hearing Sun Wukong's words, Zhu Bajie wore a surprised expression and said, "It seems that the people in this temple hold no ordinary status! To dare use the name of Thunder Monastery for their temple, this isn't something just anyone would dare to do!"

"Lesser Thunder Monastery!? Have we already arrived here without realizing?" Upon hearing the temple's name mentioned by Sun Wukong, a slight stir occurred in Jiang Liu's heart.

If one were to speak of it, Jiang Liu still clearly remembered the plot involving the Lesser Thunder Monastery.

Inside the Lesser Thunder Monastery, there lived a demon creature, claiming to be Ancestor Huangmei — originally an attendant to the Maitreya Buddha, who had stolen two treasures, the cymbals and the Human Seed Bag, from the lower realm.

These two treasures, indeed, were extraordinary, and had caused significant trouble for the Journey to the West team in the original story.

"Cymbals, eh? Human Seed Bag, eh? These are good items! An attendant to the Maitreya Buddha, you say? What if we killed him?"

Sitting on the White Dragon Horse, Jiang Liu considered the plot of the Lesser Thunder Monastery from the original story for a moment, and a murderous intent had already arisen in his heart.

In the future, he was destined to sever ties with Spirit Mountain in the Western Heaven; naturally, now along the way, he would seize every opportunity to slay people from the Spirit Mountain of the Western Heaven.

Would that not reduce the number of his future adversaries?

If he could seize the treasures from the Spirit Mountain of the Western Heaven, then later, when confronting Spirit Mountain, the enemy's power would be reduced while his own would be increased, right?

Thus, any celestial or Buddhist figure from the heavens who troubled him on the mortal plane, Jiang Liu would try to slay as much as possible.

Any Dharma Treasure of the Immortals and Buddhas was also something Jiang Liu would try to seize!

Celestials descending to the mortal plane to trouble him was merely putting on an act; they absolutely wouldn't dare to threaten his life.

Conversely, he harbored the intention to kill and seize treasures.

From an innate standpoint, he already held a significant advantage.

These eighty-one tribulations, many trials did not exist; Guanyin had to draw in more people to face death to make up the tribulations, right?

Guanyin, for him, was like a lucky charm voluntarily drawing enemies to him—a good person indeed!

In that light, had I been too harsh on her before?

Hehehe...

"Master, what sinister plan are you concocting now?" At that moment, Sun Wukong suddenly spoke, curiously asking Jiang Liu.

"Sinister plan? Nonsense, I, your master, am upright and compassionate, why would I scheme any sinister plans!?" Sun Wukong's words snapped Jiang Liu back to reality, and he retorted, not without irritation.

"But Master, your laugh just now had a rather sly feel to it!" Hearing Jiang Liu's words, Sun Wukong shook his head.

"Laughed? Did I just laugh? Even if I did, it was a benevolent smile!" Jiang Liu rolled his eyes at Sun Wukong.

"But why do I, Old Sun, not sense any benevolence in that smile?" Sun Wukong clearly disbelieved him, muttering under his breath.

"Wukong, I think you've been getting a bit too inflated lately? Come, come, let us, master and disciple, talk about the issue with the tiger skin skirt?" Jiang Liu glanced askance at Sun Wukong and began to speak.

"Enough, Master! Are you never going to get over that tiger skin skirt gag? You've been on about it for two years already!"

Jiang Liu's words somewhat ruffled Sun Wukong, who felt that over these two years, he hadn't inflated, but rather it was the master who had!

I remember when we first met, the master was hands-on and nice to listen to.

But look at the master now? Totally different from before!

...

The Journey to the West team, traveling and occasionally bickering, made the time pass rather quickly; after a good half day's walk, they finally arrived at the entrance of the Lesser Thunder Monastery.

"Lesser Thunder Monastery, it's worth taking a look inside to see who's so bold as to use the name of Thunder Monastery!" Standing at the entrance of Lesser Thunder Monastery, and seeing that its appearance was very similar to the Great Thunder Monastery in Spirit Mountain of the Western Heaven, Zhu Bajie muttered under his breath.

With a creak!

Just as Jiang Liu and others were about to push open the monastery's doors to enter, suddenly, the doors opened by themselves.

"Master, be cautious..." Noticing that the monastery seemed peculiar, Sha Wujing brandished the Blood-Transforming Divine Blade, guarding by Jiang Liu's side and whispered a warning.

Zhu Bajie also took out his Nine-Toothed Rake, guarding on the other side of Jiang Liu.

Zhu Bajie was well aware that if there truly were demons or ghosts in this temple, daring to name it the Lesser Thunder Monastery meant that the opponent was certainly no ordinary being, and being cautious could not be wrong.

Although Sun Wukong was the smallest, he led the way at the front.

Glancing back and seeing Sand Wujing and Zhu Bajie flanking the master, protecting him within, Sun Wukong felt somewhat relieved and stepped directly into the Lesser Thunder Monastery.

"Hmm, if a fight breaks out, my three disciples will be at the front, and I can fully play my supporting role, right? A supporting character should stay behind!"

Observing the positioning of Sun Wukong and the others, forming a triangular formation, Jiang Liu nodded silently to himself and tightened his grip on the colored glaze staff.

Upon entering the Lesser Thunder Monastery, it seemed rather dark at first.

However, in just a moment, he adapted to the dim light and could see that the interior of the Lesser Thunder Monastery was indeed majestic.

Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and even Arhats from various places all had statues standing majestically here.

Ordinary temples each have their own dedicated Buddha or Bodhisattva.

For example, the Great Buddha Temple in Chang'an worships the Tathagata Buddha.

For instance, the previous Guanyin Zen Temple worshiped Guanyin Bodhisattva!

But in this Lesser Thunder Monastery, they actually worship all the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and even Arhats?

Looking around here, it's like all the big shots of the Buddhist Sect have statues here.

Without mentioning anything else, just the number of statues alone truly justifies calling this place the Lesser Thunder Monastery.

"Master, this temple is extraordinary! If it's not someone with divine skills, then it must certainly be a world-conquering demon!" After surveying the scenes inside the Lesser Thunder Monastery, Zhu Bajie's face filled with astonishment, and he said quietly to Jiang Liu.

"I understand," Jiang Liu nodded in response to Zhu Bajie's words.

Of course, he understood, and even now, he knew what the situation was.

The Boy under the seat of Maitreya Buddha, this ordeal, could be said to be an act of Maitreya Buddha himself.

Who is Maitreya Buddha!? His status and position are almost akin to that of the Tathagata Buddha!

In Buddhist Sects, the Three-World Buddha!

The Past Buddha Randeng, originally known as Taoist Randeng of the Interpretation Sect, and also a vice sect leader within it, holding the title of the Past Buddha, if the Buddhist Sect were to be considered a mortal dynasty, then the status of Buddha Randeng would roughly be that of a Retired Emperor!

The current Buddha Tathagata, now presiding over the Buddhist Sect, is like the Emperor of a mortal dynasty!

As for the Future Buddha, Maitreya Buddha? That is the next designated head of the Buddhist Sect, set as the Crown Prince of the mortal dynasty!

Ancestor Huangmei, a boy under Maitreya Buddha, comes bearing the will of Maitreya Buddha for this ordeal and created this Lesser Thunder Monastery, so naturally, there's no problem.

"Tang Monk, Sun Wukong, you have come to the Lesser Thunder Monastery and seen the Buddha, why haven't you knelt down yet!?"

Just as Jiang Liu and the others were harboring various thoughts, suddenly, a commanding voice echoed from within the Lesser Thunder Monastery.

"Fiend, what demon dares to impersonate the Western Heavenly Buddha and others, show yourself if you dare!" As the commanding voice echoed, Sun Wukong's Golden Hoop Staff vibrated, and he gritted his teeth as he cursed.

"You, Stable Attendant! Buried under Five Elements Mountain for five hundred years! Even a dog would have learned to behave! So many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas' statues are present, and yet you still dare to act recklessly!?" Inside the Lesser Thunder Monastery, the commanding voice continued, berating Sun Wukong.

"Enough with the nonsense! If you don't come out now, I, Old Sun, will destroy this Lesser Thunder Monastery!" The title 'Stable Attendant' infuriated Sun Wukong entirely, and he gritted his teeth as he shouted loudly.

Seeing Sun Wukong's demeanor, it was clear that his words were not mere threats. If the person hiding in the shadows didn't reveal themselves soon, Sun Wukong would indeed take action.

As Sun Wukong finished speaking, the person hiding also seemed to realize Sun Wukong's temperament and dared not hide any longer, stepping out from the shadows.

The emerging figure, appearing to be about thirty years old, with yellow hair and eyebrows, held a Wolf Fang Club and looked down upon Jiang Liu and the others from above, saying, "You see my presence, yet you do not kneel!?"

"What ghost is Ancestor Huangmei? I, Old Sun, have never heard of it!" Hearing the words of Ancestor Huangmei, Sun Wukong smirked and disdainfully said.

Character Profile.

Jiang Liu remained silent, his gaze falling on Ancestor Huangmei as he silently pulled up the character profile.

ID: Ancestor Huangmei (Blue).

Profession: Demon.

Level: 80.

Gender: Male.

Equipment: Cymbals (Epic Level)...

Human Seed Bag (Epic Level)...

Observing the character profile of Ancestor Huangmei, Jiang Liu's focus was mainly on the Cymbals and the Human Seed Bag, both epic level treasures indeed valuable assets!

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