Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

"Treasure Elephant Country! I advise you not to go!" Hearing Master Qingxu's words, Jiang Liu shook his head and spoke sincerely.

"Why?" Jiang Liu's words left Master Qingxu looking at him in astonishment, unable to understand.

From the direction he was heading, he seemed to be going to Treasure Elephant Country too, didn't he? That means he probably hadn't seen what Treasure Elephant Country was like either. So why was he discouraging him?

"The demon creatures in Treasure Elephant Country are beyond your fighting capabilities! Going there would simply be a death sentence!" Jiang Liu shook his head and replied.

This was the truth, especially the part about the Yellow-Robed Monster in the original text, which Jiang Liu still remembered clearly.

Initially, during their encounter with the White Bone Demon, Sun Wukong and Tang Monk had a falling out after which the White Bone Demon banished Sun Wukong. Later, when they reached Treasure Elephant Country, Tang Monk fell into trouble, being turned into a tiger by the Yellow-Robed Monster, who then falsely accused Tang Monk of being a demon and locked him in an iron cage.

It was Zhu Bajie who went to Flower Fruit Mountain to request Sun Wukong's return, and only then was Tang Monk saved.

Interestingly, although the Yellow-Robed Monster claimed a demon identity, he was actually a celestial being from Heavenly Court, the Kuimu Wolf, and originally held a high status.

Because he fell in love with Princess Baihua Xiu of the Fragrance Hall, Baihua Xiu reincarnated and was born in Treasure Elephant Country. The Kuimu Wolf then transformed into the Yellow-Robed Monster and together with Baihua Xiu became a couple in the mortal world, having lived for thirteen years.

From the original story, it is clear that the Yellow-Robed Monster was a character of deep feelings and loyalty, showing great care for Baihua Xiu. When Baihua Xiu suffered from a heartache, the Yellow-Robed Monster immediately spat out his own Shariputra exquisite inner alchemy pill to cure her ailment, which was telling of his character.

Moreover, considering that the Yellow-Robed Monster's inner core belonged to Buddhism and the exquisite inner alchemy pills belonged to Taoism, it reveals that he practiced both Buddhist and Taoist teachings.

In the original story, during the battles at Lesser Thunder Monastery and subduing the Rhinoceros Demon, Kuimu Wolf exerted great effort to help.

However, in the ordeal at Treasure Elephant Country, not only were the lovers separated, but the child born to Yellow-Robed Monster and Baihua Xiu was tragically killed.

From this part of the story, it is evident that the Yellow-Robed Monster was quite pitiable, yet he still later willingly helped those on the Journey to the West to subdue demons.

It seems as if the Yellow-Robed Monster repaid cruelty with kindness!?

"Have you been to Treasure Elephant Country? How do you know that I am no match for that demon!?" Jiang Liu's words made Master Qingxu look at him curiously.

"Hmm, by some fortunate coincidence, I somewhat know about that demon's identity," Jiang Liu shook his head, indicating he didn't wish to explain further.

Seeing that Jiang Liu was not inclined to elaborate further, Master Qingxu did not press on. However, his expression was resolute as he said, "This trip to Treasure Elephant Country is a task given by my sect, and I must go. Otherwise, how could I live up to the trust my sect has placed in me?"

"So be it, to each their own!" he spoke up to persuade the other, having done as much as he could; if the other did not listen, there was nothing more he could do.

As they journeyed, they didn't dawdle. After a few Chinese Hours, the sky gradually darkened. Led by Master Qingxu, Jiang Liu and the others reached the Heavenly Sword Observatory.

The Heavenly Sword Observatory sat atop a high mountain. Remarkably, although the mountain soared into the clouds, its area was not extensive.

It gave off the impression of a Heavenly Pillar, naturally and steeply rising high, with the Taoist Temple situated right at the summit.

Under Master Qingxu's lead, as the group stood in front of the Heavenly Sword Observatory, they could see sword lights flickering above the temple, and inside, many people practicing swordsmanship.

Heavenly Sword Observatory is a Taoist legacy left by Lv Dongbin in the mortal world. As Lv Dongbin was renowned for his swordsmanship, it was fitting that training in swordsmanship was the primary focus there.

"Brother Master Qingxu! Who are these few?"

As Master Qingxu led Jiang Liu and the group to the Heavenly Sword Observatory, many disciples practicing sword greeted them. Naturally, they all gave Jiang Liu and his companions peculiar looks, particularly noticing Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing.

"I shall meet my master. You all keep up the good practice!" After greeting these junior fellow disciples, Master Qingxu spoke.

With that, he led Jiang Liu and the others into the main hall.

"Qingxu, are these the demons you captured? Have you so quickly helped the King of Treasure Elephant Country subdue the demons?"

Atop the main hall, a lean old man, dressed in a blue Taoist robe, his gaze falling on Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, opened his mouth to speak.

Master Qingxu had come down from the mountain to subdue demons in Treasure Elephant Country and now, upon returning, he clearly misunderstood something.

"Master, that is not the case. I have not yet gone to Treasure Elephant Country; I merely encountered friends, accidentally hurt the young monk Xuanzang, so I have brought him back to apologize and make amends!" The expression on Master Qingxu's face was guilty as he quickly explained the impulse that led him to strike Jiang Liu.

"I see, I understand now!" Hearing this, the elderly man nodded slightly, his expression calm.

However, he soon seemed to recall something and said, "Right, Qingxu, your uncle is looking for you, saying that your Qingxu Sword seems to be repaired, go and check on it!"

"Alright!" Upon hearing his master's words, Master Qingxu's face lit up with joy, and he nodded, immediately turning around and leaving with delight.

"Little Monk, did you come from the Great Tang in the Eastern Land? The Great Tang in the Eastern Land is a journey of ten thousand miles from here, indeed not easy.

Since my disciple has wronged you, here is a bottle of healing medicine, which I give to you for your healing!" As soon as Master Qingxu had left, the old Taoist's gaze fell on Jiang Liu, and amid his speech, he tossed out a bottle of pills.

"What do you mean by this!? Are you, old Taoist, trying to go back on your word!?"

Observing the other's actions, Jiang Liu's eyebrows slightly furrowed.

Seeing him deliberately send his disciple away just now, Jiang Liu knew that things were about to change, and it seemed so indeed!?

"Qingxu acted impulsively and hurt you, it is indeed his fault. However, from looking at you, your injuries are not severe, and this bottle of healing pills as compensation should suffice. I do not have many flying dharma treasures in Heavenly Sword Observatory, so please forgive me for not being able to agree!" Shaking his head, the old Taoist honestly replied.

With these words, the old Taoist's gaze fell once more on Jiang Liu and said, "Furthermore, Treasure Elephant Country is the place Heavenly Sword Observatory wishes to go to spread the teachings. Therefore, the demon that kidnapped Princess Baihua Xiu, my Heavenly Sword Observatory will certainly subdue it. Little Monk, you might as well save your efforts!"

"You mean to say, you want me to dissuade Qingxu from going to Treasure Elephant Country, telling him he cannot handle the demon there and just deceive him to eliminate a competitor!?" The old Taoist's words made Jiang Liu laugh.

"Could it be not so? Qingxu has cultivated in the mountains for many years, and although his cultivation level has advanced rapidly, he does not understand worldly ways. You can deceive him, but not me!" Shaking his head, the old Taoist spoke with a sure expression.

"No wonder!" Although the old Taoist's demeanor irritated Jiang Liu somewhat, hearing his words, Jiang Liu suddenly realized the situation with Master Qingxu.

In a moment of impulse, he had struck at himself, and casually mentioned that he would give himself a flying dharma treasure? He had actually agreed to it.

Originally, he had found it a bit strange. Could there be any trickery? Now it seems, it was the lack of worldly wisdom, or in other words, he lacked social experience?

Looking at Jiang Liu before him, the old Taoist couldn't help but feel displeased, not because of the rivalry between the Buddhist Sect and Taoist Sect, but because Jiang Liu's first impression on him was quite bad.

Judging by Jiang Liu's appearance, a boy of fifteen or sixteen, yet claiming to have traveled thousands of miles from the Great Tang in the Eastern Land!?

The old Taoist was skeptical about this.

Moreover, looking at his side, following him were three demon creatures; as a disciple of the Buddhist Sect, yet associating with demons? This even more displeased the old Taoist.

It was merely a misunderstanding, and he had actually taken it upon himself to request compensation in a flying dharma treasure? This was utterly tactless.

It was only because Qingxu did not understand worldly affairs and did not know how to refuse others that he had agreed to him. Would any ordinary person agree?

It seems, sending Qingxu to the Treasure Elephant Country was the right decision. It should allow him to gain more experience!

"You, little Taoist Priest, are too presumptuous, aren't you? My master kindly warned you, and if you do not listen, that's one thing, but to suspect my master too? That's truly tactless!" Sun Wukong, hearing this, couldn't help but intervene.

Next to him, Zhu Bajie, self-proclaimed as the master's leading servant, heard Sun Wukong speak up and could no longer hold back.

He immediately spoke up, saying, "Goodness, little Taoist Priest, even if your ancestor Lv Dongbin arrived, he wouldn't dare to speak like this. Yet you dare to doubt us?"

"Insolence!" Hearing Zhu Bajie openly mention the name of ancestor Lv Dongbin, the old Taoist's face filled with anger, and he rose, slamming the table.

"Although our Taoist and Buddhist sects differ, I do not ask for much respect from you, but you are not permitted to speak directly of my ancestor!" With these words, the old Taoist's gaze fell on Jiang Liu as he spoke sharply.

Although Zhu Bajie was the one who spoke, it was clear that Jiang Liu was the speaker among this group.
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Whirl of activity!

As the old Taoist rose and slammed the table, over a dozen sword-bearing disciples rushed in from outside the hall, all eying Jiang Liu and his group.

"So, it's time for a fight, huh? Quite good. Other people start with civility before resorting to force, but for me, it's better to start with force before civility!" Seeing the atmosphere turning somewhat tense, Jiang Liu was not alarmed but instead delighted.

Without explaining much, he smiled slightly, took out his mixed iron rod, and preempted by striking first.

Discuss reasons?

Well, better to strike first, gain some experience points before anything else. After defeating all these people, naturally, they won't compete with him for subduing the Yellow-Robed Monster.

In a way, this also counted as saving their lives, didn't it?