Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Chapter 31 I am Tang Monk!? (Please Vote for Recommendation)

Jiang Liu's words, like a clap of thunder, left everyone present in disbelief, staring at him.

Twelve incense scars, unprecedented. The recent marvel of chaotic blossoms and the faint sound of Zen had everyone tongue-tied. In everyone's eyes, Jiang Liu was destined to become a leader akin to the Buddhist Sect, possibly even a reincarnation of a Bodhisattva from Western Spirit Mountain.

To have such a destiny with Buddha, yet to proclaim a desire to return to secular life?

In contemporary society, this would be akin to the top national university entrance exam scorer suddenly declaring a wish to drop out and work—it was inconceivable!

"No way!" A roar like a lion's bellow erupted, and in an instant, the Saint Monk Longhai moved like the wind to stand before Jiang Liu, staring earnestly at the twelve incense scars on Jiang Liu's head, his eyes filled with shock.

"Saint Monk Longhai, whether to renounce the world or return to secular life should be a matter of personal choice, right?" said Jiang Liu, standing firm in front of Longhai.

"Ordinary monks may leave the order, but you cannot!" Longhai took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing his astonishment at the twelve incense scars, and said with unwavering conviction.

As a monk with a record-breaking twelve scars, to return to secular life?

Allowing such a wish to come true would be a huge blow to the Buddhist Sect's prestige. Could the Buddha and Bodhisattvas of Western Heaven forgive me for it?

Firstly, with a stern countenance, Longhai refused Jiang Liu's desire to leave the monastic life, signifying there was absolutely no room for negotiation. Then, Saint Monk Longhai's expression softened, revealing a gentle smile.

It might have been a misperception, but it almost seemed like he was trying to appease or flatter: "You are from Jinshan Temple, right? Leaving the order is impossible, but if you have any conditions, just state them. As long as it's within my power…"

With a silent sigh, Saint Monk Longhai also felt a tremendous pressure at that moment.

Known as the number one monk within Great Tang's realm, if this disciple with twelve scars were to leave the order in his presence, all the responsibility would fall on him.

Therefore, he must use every means possible to rid Jiang Liu of the thought of returning to secular life.

Looking at Longhai's conciliatory smile, Jiang Liu couldn't help but think of the face of a parent from modern society, cajoling an unwilling child to go to school, strikingly similar to the present Saint Monk Longhai.

"I don't want to be a monk. I want to drink wine and eat meat…" Since Saint Monk Longhai had asked what requirements he had, Jiang Liu held nothing back and expressed his honest thoughts.

As he spoke, Jiang Liu's gaze nonchalantly swept over Princess Gaoyang standing nearby, and he continued, "Moreover, I want to take a wife and have children."

"This…" Jiang Liu's words stunned Saint Monk Longhai into silence, leaving him unsure how to respond.

Had it been any other matter, as long as he was capable, he would have agreed to stabilize Jiang Liu. However, these were requests that Longhai found difficult to fulfill.

As a monk with twelve scars who was destined to become an example to monks everywhere, how could he drink alcohol, eat meat, and marry?

Could he agree to such a request? Did he dare agree to it?

What's more, even if he stepped back ten thousand paces and agreed, could he do so under the scrutiny of all these witnesses?

"Amitabha, this cannot be done! You should stay in Great Buddha Temple and calm down for a few days," said Longhai, not wanting to continue the conversation in front of the eager crowd, placing his hand on Jiang Liu's shoulder.

As he spoke, Saint Monk Longhai's eyes swept over all those gathered and said, "The Incense Offering Ceremony shall continue without interruption. However, I have important matters that require consulting Buddha Tathagata, so I must take my leave first."

The appearance of a disciple with twelve scars and an unprecedented deep connection with Buddha might even be a reincarnation from Western Spirit Mountain.

For Saint Monk Longhai to seek the will of Buddha regarding this affair seemed reasonable.

After giving his instructions and without the inclination to bid farewell to Emperor Li Shimin, Saint Monk Longhai, with his hand still on Jiang Liu's shoulder, turned and walked towards the main hall, quickly disappearing from view.

As the Saint Monk Longhai's hand rested on his shoulder, Jiang Liu felt as though he had become a puppet on strings, his movements no longer under his control.

It wasn't until Longhai had virtually pushed Jiang Liu into the grand hall and released his hand that he let go.

The spacious hall, likely covering thousands of square meters, was dominated by a colossal Tathagata Statue exuding a solemn and majestic aura. Inside the hall, a young monk was already present—it was Daoji, the one with the nine incense scars.

"Greetings, Elder Brother!" Daoji lowered his head and brought his palms together in a respectful salute upon seeing Jiang Liu.

After glancing at Daoji, Jiang Liu had no desire to speak with him and took no pleasure in teasing him for addressing him as Elder Brother. Instead, he turned his head and glared at the Saint Monk Longhai.

Unperturbed by Jiang Liu's glare, the Saint Monk Longhai simply walked to the statue of the Tathagata, knelt down, and lowered his head as if whispering something.

Standing behind the Saint Monk Longhai, Jiang Liu and Daoji exchanged looks, puzzled by what he was doing.

Jiang Liu opened his mouth, ready to speak, resolved to leave the Great Buddha Temple and adamant about returning to secular life.

But just then, the venerated Tathagata Statue suddenly shone with dazzling Buddhist Light, and the statue's eyes, which had been looking down, seemed to lift slightly, opening its eyes.

"The Buddha has revealed his spirit!" Daoji quickly knelt down upon witnessing the miraculous change in the Tathagata Statue.

However, although the statue had revealed its spirit, the Tathagata Statue did not speak. Suddenly, a piece of paper appeared in mid-air and drifted down like a snowflake, gently landing in front of the Saint Monk Longhai.

With his consciousness slightly blurred, as if just awakening from sleep, Jiang Liu looked again at the Tathagata Statue. Where was the Buddhist Light? The statue remained as majestic and solemn as before, as if everything that had just happened was merely a dream, an illusion of his own making.

But when Jiang Liu noticed Daoji still kneeling on the ground, he realized that what had just occurred was certainly no dream.

By this time, the Saint Monk Longhai had also stood up and turned to walk over.

"Master, just now..." Daoji also stood, his expression one of surprise as he questioned Longhai.

He had clearly witnessed a divine manifestation, but it felt as though it had been a dream, and he didn't understand what was happening.

The Saint Monk Longhai did not answer, but simply raised his hand slightly, silencing him.

Walking straight up to Jiang Liu, Longhai's gaze fell upon him and he said, "From today onward, you will stay here at the Great Buddha Temple for solitary practice. The name Jiang Liu is just a secular moniker. In your generation at Jinshan Temple, you are of the 'Xuan' generation."

Upon saying this, the Saint Monk Longhai paused for a moment before adding, "From now on, your Dharma name will be Xuanzang."

They didn't give him a chance to choose, forcibly keeping him in the Buddhist Sect and compelling him to become a monk, which infuriated Jiang Liu.

However, just as he was about to vocally refute, upon hearing the Dharma name given by the Saint Monk Longhai, Jiang Liu froze, taken aback.

Xuan... Xuanzang!?

With a thunderous realization, this Dharma name struck Jiang Liu as if lightning had hit him.

In an era of the Great Tang, with Li Shimin as Emperor and a world filled with demons, ghosts, and myriad deities and Buddhas, his Dharma name was Xuanzang, and his nickname Jiang Liu?

All of this, it seemed, corresponded perfectly with the Tang Monk from Journey to the West...

"Could it be!? Am I the Tang Monk!? And this body, is it the reincarnation of Tathagata's second disciple, Master Golden Cicada!?"

In disbelief, Jiang Liu thought, while the reason he could bear twelve incense scars seemed to make sense.

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