Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

The next day, early morning.

As the sky began to blush with the first light of dawn, Jiang Liu opened his eyes and ceased his cultivation of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound.

A night's cultivation had earned him over 10,000 experience points, which, for Jiang Liu, was a faster acquisition rate than before. The third layer of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound was indeed not to be underestimated.

Unfortunately, he couldn't see the experience bar. The 500,000 experience points from that day had elevated him to level 23, but how far he was from level 24 was completely unknown to him.

As Jiang Liu got up and opened the door to the Zen Room, he could see that many monks were already waiting outside, each holding their own washing utensils, breakfast, and fruit snacks, just like the day before.

"Master Xuanzang, please refresh yourself," each monk said, their eyes alight with fanatical adoration as they addressed Jiang Liu.

Meanwhile, Elder Jinchi had also woken up and was washing up, just in time to see many monks heading towards Jiang Liu's Zen Room, seemingly even more enthusiastic than yesterday.

Clearly, last night's debate on Buddhist teachings had greatly enhanced his reputation.

Watching this scene, Jinchi's brow furrowed slightly.

Although it was meant to be a discussion about Buddhism, if it were to be considered a contest, he must have lost, right?

As the master of the Guanyin Zen Temple, to have lost was quite a blow to his prestige.

Comparing again, as the master of the Guanyin Zen Temple, he was attended by only one person during his ablutions, yet that Xuanzang had a dozen people vying to serve him. This made Jinchi's heart even more unsettled.

Who exactly was the head of the Guanyin Zen Temple, him or Xuanzang?

Feeling quite perturbed, Jinchi went to Jiang Liu's Zen Room and saw a dozen monks attending to him. He rebuked angrily, "What are you all doing? Such a display, what kind of decorum is this!?"

"Master," hearing Jinchi's words and sensing his anger, the monks all bowed their heads, not daring to look at him.

"Master Xuanzang has come from afar—we should naturally treat him with courtesy. But you're disturbing the mage with such antics. Leave at once!" Jinchi commanded sternly.

A scolding naturally made the monks too scared to rebut. They bowed their heads and quickly left, until not one was left.

The enthusiastic behavior of these disciples of the Guanyin Zen Temple was indeed a bit overwhelming. However, Jinchi's intervention gave Jiang Liu some surprise.

Not having seen him for one night, was Elder Jinchi not in a good mood today?

"Amitabha, the disciples of the temple lack discipline and have troubled the Holy Monk," Jinchi said to Jiang Liu after he had driven the disciples away.

"It's nothing serious, just a small matter," Jiang Liu shook his head.

"The mage is journeying to the West to retrieve the True Scriptures for the sake of all living beings. One day sooner to obtain them means one day earlier to rescue the masses from suffering. I see it's getting late; mage, you should set out soon," Jinchi pondered for a moment and then suddenly said.

Jiang Liu: "...".

What Jinchi said left Jiang Liu stunned. Was he being given a notice to leave?

He had said something similar before, but after much persuasion and almost wearing out his lips, Jiang Liu had managed to stay under the pretext of discussing Buddhist Law. And now, on the very second day, Jinchi was bringing it up again?

"Elder Jinchi, it seems your mood is not quite well today?" Jiang Liu didn't reply in haste but instead gazed at Jinchi for a moment before suddenly asking.

Although Elder Jinchi still appeared polite, Jiang Liu was no fool. He could clearly sense that today Jinchi seemed much more distant, far less cordial than yesterday.

"The mage jests, I am, as ever, with a Zen heart as still as an ancient well," Jinchi shook his head slightly, denying it.

"That..." Jiang Liu hesitated for a moment and then said, "Has this humble monk done anything to displease you, Elder?"

"This..." Upon hearing this, Elder Jinchi paused for an imperceptible moment before changing the subject and saying, "I had promised Mage that I would grant you a kasaya. Please come with me to select one."

"Amitabha, this monk appreciates the kindness of the Elder. It is indeed not advisable to spend too much time on this trip to the Western Heaven. I will take my leave from the Elder," said Jiang Liu, shaking his head at Elder Jinchi's offer of a kasaya, indicating no intention to accept.

Although Elder Jinchi had only paused briefly, Jiang Liu sensed something amiss, especially with the change of subject. It was apparent to him that Elder Jinchi was displeased with him.

Even without knowing why, if someone had effectively given him the cold shoulder, could he really have the nerve to stay?

"Amitabha, this monk always keeps his word. Mage, please come with me," said Elder Jinchi. Although he felt some envy and was not pleased, wanting Jiang Liu to leave immediately, his status as a monk with twelve Scar of Precepts meant he had no intention of offending Jiang Liu and insisted on gifting him a kasaya.

"If that is the case, this poor monk will not refuse your gracious offer," Jiang Liu said after a short reflection, no longer declining the invitation.

As they spoke, under Elder Jinchi's guidance, they entered the Treasure Room of the Guanyin Zen Temple.

As the Treasure Room opened, what a sight it was—the treasures shone brilliantly, heavy with precious energy. They were not mundane items like gold and jewels, but various Buddhist instruments such as kasayas, Zen staffs, and Muyu instruments.

Of these, the kasayas were the most numerous.

"Mage, this one is a Pearl Kasaya. Each bead is strung together with fine-quality pearls."

"This one is a Gold Silk Kasaya, sewn and inlaid with threads condensed from pure gold."

"And this kasaya is even more of a treasure, woven from the silks of hundred-year-old snow silkworms. Wearing this kasaya keeps one warm in winter and cool in summer."

"Of course, these kasayas also have the blessings of the Buddhist Law. Wearing them can protect one from the poison of demons. If there is one that catches Mage's fancy, this old monk would like to gift it to you," Elder Jinchi offered.

Elder Jinchi was, after all, a highly venerated monk who bore eight Scar of Precepts and had lived for 200 years. Though he may appear to be advanced in years, his cultivation level was nothing short of impressive. Naturally, these treasures were all Buddhist Treasures, each with its unique miraculous effects.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

"So, these kasayas are all equipment of fine quality?" Jiang Liu casually picked up several kasayas and examined them, and the relevant attribute information appeared, causing a surge of excitement within him.

The attribute information of these kasaya equipment was indeed excellent; at the very least, they were all of fine quality.

Elder Jinchi stood by quietly, watching without interfering. Noticing the fervent look in Jiang Liu's eyes, he couldn't help but inwardly laugh, knowing that Master Xuanzang recognized their true value.

Status and position? The other had twelve Scar of Precepts, indeed much higher than his own, so although Elder Jinchi felt jealous, he was helpless to do anything about it.

But now, seeing Jiang Liu's eager look at these treasured kasayas, Elder Jinchi suddenly found himself feeling pleased.

Although Jiang Liu was a Holy Monk from the Heavenly Empire, it seemed he didn't own many treasures.

Thinking this, Elder Jinchi realized there was at least one area where he could outdo him.

With this in mind, Elder Jinchi, who was already jealous, felt like he had found a way to suppress Master Xuanzang.

"Amitabha, Master Xuanzang came from the Heavenly Empire, which I assume is even richer in resources. May I inquire what treasures Mage has brought that might broaden this old monk's horizons?" Elder Jinchi asked.

Upon hearing Elder Jinchi's words, Jiang Liu was startled, setting down the Pearl Kasaya in his hand and looking at him in surprise.

Wasn't he against showing off wealth? What was with these remarks now?

Elder Jinchi today was clearly not his usual self!

(PS: The serialization will start tomorrow. How about we have a little burst of updates then?)

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