Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Chapter 11 Even the Child's Name is Decided

After taking the Blood Bottle, Gaoyang's injuries had healed considerably.

She didn't have the heart to consume the second bottle, and instead saved it, saying that such a miraculous potion should be reserved for life-saving moments in critical times.

Jiang Liu agreed with Gaoyang's decision, and after pondering for a short while, he took out the skill book "Flowing Clouds and Streaming Water" and the White Jade Ring, presenting them to Gaoyang, "These are for you."

"What's this? A skill manual for movement techniques?" Gaoyang flipped through the skill book casually and understood what it was.

When she saw the other White Jade Ring, Gaoyang's cheeks grew somewhat warm, but she didn't show the shy expression of a young girl. Instead, she accepted it with grace and slipped the White Jade Ring onto her fair finger.

"See if you can cultivate successfully with this manual. As for this ring, though it's just ordinary equipment, if I come across something better in the future, I'll give it to you," Jiang Liu said, after passing the skill book and White Jade Ring to Gaoyang.

"No, I really like this ring and will wear it for life," Gaoyang lifted her hand and gazed at the White Jade Ring on her finger. She liked it more the more she looked at it and shook her head, declining, no longer intending to take it off.

Giving her the White Jade Ring was simply because the ordinary piece of equipment added 10 attack power. Seeing Gaoyang's reaction, it was clear that she had misunderstood something.

However, hearing her words, Jiang Liu felt warmth in his heart and decided, since it was a beautiful misunderstanding, there was no need to clarify the truth.

"By the way, Jiang Liu, how did you manage to nullify that wolf demon's howling just now?" Curious about the frightening scene they had just experienced, Gaoyang asked Jiang Liu.

"That's my ability, which can prevent others' abilities from taking effect," Jiang Liu explained the effect of the "Silencing Zen" skill simply.

"It turns out you've not only bypassed the Incense Offering Ceremony, you've even secretly learned the secret techniques of the Buddhist Sect. You really are someone who doesn't abide by the rules and precepts," Gaoyang said with a laugh upon hearing Jiang Liu's words.

Generally, Buddhist Disciples could not study divine skills for subduing demons without going through the Incense Offering Ceremony. Jiang Liu, being a Novice Monk, would naturally seem to have learned such techniques illicitly to Gaoyang.

Not wanting to linger on the topic of his gaming system, Jiang Liu changed the subject, "By the way, I remember you mentioned that the wolf demon was a Demon Soldier? Is there a classification for the strength of demons?"

"Of course, there is. I once read an ancient tome stating that fish, insects, beasts, and everything that absorbs the essence of heaven and earth can become demons. Based on different manifestations, there is also a rough classification for demons," nodded Gaoyang as she gave a brief explanation about demons.

"The lowest level of demon is known as the Demon. As the name suggests, it refers to animals that have become enlightened. They typically exhibit unusually large body sizes contrary to the norm and possess a certain level of spiritual wisdom. This level is known as the Demon."

"I see," Jiang Liu nodded in understanding upon hearing the description of the Demon.

He recalled the Snow Rabbit Demon that Senior Brother Xuankong had killed the other day. That should have been a Demon, right?

"Next, as demons cultivate deeper and their spiritual wisdom increases, gradually achieving human-like understanding and, by refining their throat bones, managing to speak human languages, they are entitled to be called Monsters. Hence, this level of demons is referred to as Monsters..."

"And then, with even deeper cultivation, not only can they speak human languages, but they can even imitate human bodily movements, standing upright to walk. Demons at this level are called Demon Soldiers, with 'soldier' signifying their human-like characteristics."

"No wonder, when that wolf demon spoke human language earlier, Gaoyang was confident enough to confront it in battle. Yet when the wolf demon stood up and walked like a human, Gaoyang admitted to not being a match," Jiang Liu mused.

Hearing the classification of Demon, monster, and Demon Clan, Jiang Liu had an epiphany and also gained a rough idea of Gaoyang's strength.

"What about the levels beyond that?" After pondering for a moment, Jiang Liu asked curiously.

"Beyond that, I've heard that above a Demon Soldier, there's a Demon General, and above a Demon General is a Demon Marshal and the like. I've even read in some fantastic stories that there are legends of Demon Saints who can slay immortals and extinguish Buddhas, but those are just fanciful tales..."

Gaoyang shook her head to indicate that she wasn't very familiar with the higher levels.

"Alright, those do seem rather distant," Jiang Liu said, no longer minding since Gaoyang wasn't very clear on the matter.

Forget about so-called Demon Generals and Demon Marshals, even if another wolf demon like the one just now were to come, I wouldn't know when I could overpower it. Understanding more doesn't have any significance.

Having experienced the incident with the wolf demon, the two of us have had a life-and-death experience together. Adding to that and the fact that we've spoken about the Incense Offering Ceremony, Jiang Liu, who had left the monkhood, could now marry; therefore, Jiang Liu and Gaoyang are now considered a couple.

Gaoyang's injuries had also healed quite a bit, and after he'd caught another game, Jiang Liu cooked it thoroughly once more and offered it to the "Five Viscera Temples".

Having agreed to meet at the old place every afternoon for the next ten days or so, Jiang Liu then walked back to Jinshan Temple with a light step.

"Who would have thought, following the guide, the true destiny I met here would be a monk..." Gaoyang muttered to herself, a touch of sorrow on her delicate face as she sat alone following Jiang Liu's departure.

However, when she saw the white jade ring on her finger, a smile of happiness slowly returned to her beautiful face.

"Well, he's just a Novice Monk for now, not a real monk. After a few more days, once he goes through the Incense Offering Ceremony, he'll formally resume secular life..."

Which girl doesn't harbor romantic dreams? Thinking about her wedding day with Jiang Liu after his return to secular life filled Gaoyang with anticipation and sweetness.

As for whether Jiang Liu would become a true monk after the Incense Offering Ceremony? Gaoyang harbored no doubts about that; the Novice Monk who didn't adhere to the precepts wouldn't possibly pass the ceremony.

Even if he were to be branded with incense scars, as long as one wished to, returning to secular life was still possible.

"In the future, we should at least have a boy and a girl, right? What should we name the boy? And what about the girl?" the girl sat in contemplation, already pondering the names of their future children.

...

Putting aside the events at the back mountains where Gaoyang had even decided on the names for her future children with Jiang Liu, down in the village at the foot of the mountain, the house with the largest repair belonged to Esquire Zhang's family.

Though just villagers of Jinshan Village, Esquire Zhang possessed a store in Chang'an City, making him the wealthiest family in the village.

A few days earlier, his household was haunted, leading to unrest, and Esquire Zhang had invited Monk Xuanwu from Jinshan Temple to recite scriptures and conduct an exorcism.

Several days had passed, and it seemed the troubled spirit had indeed vanished. Esquire Zhang's wife insisted on bringing offerings and visiting the temple to fulfill their vows.

Esquire Zhang, half-heartedly and under the persistent pulling of his wife, made the trip to the temple, followed by their servants and maids.

Although Jinshan Temple was only midway up the mountain and not particularly high, for Esquire Zhang, who was unaccustomed to physical exertion, it still proved to be quite a burden. After a short walk, he was already panting.

"Ah, I've invited Monk Xuanwu, and didn't he resolve the matter? Moreover, I spent over a tael of silver. Why bother making a vow and coming up the mountain for no reason? It's just a waste of money..."

Faintly in the distance, Jinshan Temple came into view. There was a reluctant tinge to Esquire Zhang's panting voice.

"Visiting the temple to fulfill a vow is to show respect to the Bodhisattva. How can you call it a waste of money? My Lord, since we're already here, let's hurry up, we've arrived," said the wife, in contrast to Esquire Zhang. She held firm belief in the Buddhist teachings and patiently urged him along until the group of four finally reached the gates of Jinshan Temple.

Anxiously waiting for days with no visitors, Monk Xuanming naturally perked up at the sight of pilgrims arriving, and quickly went over to receive them.

Meanwhile, Jiang Liu, having returned from the back mountains, pondered to himself about spending more time meeting with Gaoyang; perhaps the two could form a team, fight monsters and level up together. After his return to secular life, they might even become a couple renowned in the martial world?

However, as soon as Jiang Liu returned, Senior Brother Xuankong quickly found him.

"Liu'er, quick, go and cook in the kitchen. Today, Esquire Zhang is here to fulfill his vows. Judging by the time, they'll likely have vegetarian meals on the mountain. You must perform well today..."