Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Chapter 444: Empress: Life is So Hard for Me



As the blackness faded away, the crowd finally saw the true form of the mysterious shadow, clad in a phoenix robe, exuding an aura of unparalleled nobility.

"We've seen the Empress!" As the figure in black finally revealed her true face, Fairy Zixia was the first to speak and paid her respects to the Empress.

Unexpectedly, the one who had been helping her in secret turned out to be the Empress!

However, after Fairy Zixia began to pay her respects, the others nearby showed no intent to follow suit.

Jiang Liu had already spoken and had also bowed slightly in respect.

Sun Wukong, being naturally defiant, even when facing the Jade Emperor, would directly address him as the Jade Emperor Old Man. What about Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing? The purpose of their journey to the west was to overthrow the Immortals and Buddhas, hence, they also had no intention of paying respects to the Empress.

The Empress might not really mind, for she showed no sign of anger towards Sun Wukong and others for not paying respects, instead her gaze fell on Zixia and said, "Zixia, do you know why I had to conceal my identity to secretly help you?"

"Little Immortal doesn't know. Please enlighten me, Empress!" Hearing the Empress actively raising this issue, Fairy Zixia shook her head and asked.

This was indeed a question that everyone was curious about.

Indeed, why would the Empress need to hide her identity and secretly help Zixia?

"After all, you are considered a fairy under my palace. When the Star Monarch of Warring States bullied you, I was already displeased. However, since the Star Monarch directly serves His Majesty, it wasn't proper for me to overstep. Thus, I felt somewhat guilty towards you, and that's why I concealed my identity and went to assist you!"

"But unexpectedly, your aptitude and ability were even better than I anticipated, so I directly helped you enter the ranks of immortality and handed over the Glycyrrhiza Garden for you to manage. I truly admire and like your qualities and nature!"

Looking at Zixia with affection, the Empress paused for a moment and then continued, "Although I have seven fairy daughters, I am not afraid of having another daughter. What do you say, Zixia? Would you like to become my adopted daughter?"

"Adopted daughter! The Empress wants to adopt Zixia as her adopted daughter!?"

After expressing so much fondness for Zixia, who could have expected her to offer such an olive branch at the end?

Sun Wukong and the others exchanged glances, each wearing a surprised expression.

Clearly, the Empress suddenly expressing her willingness to adopt Zixia as her adopted daughter caught everyone completely off guard.

"Is there something fishy here?" Compared to the shock of Sun Wukong and the others, Jiang Liu was more skeptical.

Putting aside whether the Empress truly admired Zixia, even if it were true, would she want to adopt Zixia as her adopted daughter just because of admiration?

In Jiang Liu's view, this matter was truly unusual! If there weren't some ulterior motives involved, Jiang Liu would never believe it!

"Ah!?" Even Sun Wukong and the others, upon hearing it, wore expressions of surprise. As the protagonist of it all, Fairy Zixia, suddenly hearing that the Empress wanted to adopt her as her adopted daughter, was naturally very shocked and was completely stunned for a moment, hardly believing her own ears.

"Why? Do you not wish to?" Seeing Fairy Zixia stunned, the Empress asked.

"No, that's not it!" Hearing the Empress' words, Zixia quickly came to her senses and shook her head.

She then turned to glance at Sun Wukong and the others, especially ending her gaze on Sun Wukong, before her expression firmed up.

Approaching the Empress, Fairy Zixia solemnly knelt down and heavily kowtowed several times, saying, "Adopted daughter Zixia, greets my foster mother!"

"Ah, very good, excellent, hahaha, from now on, you indeed are my adopted daughter!" Seeing Zixia knelt down and acknowledged herself vocally, the Empress was visibly delighted at having established their mother-daughter relationship.

"Currently, the Jade Emperor has required you to stay in the Moon Palace for a hundred years, so it wouldn't be right for me to openly go against His Majesty's wish!"

"Fortunately, a hundred years is but a flick in the eyes of us Immortals and Buddhas. So, let it be, after a hundred years, I will officially announce in the three realms and take you as my adopted daughter!"

Having Zixia stand up, the Empress pondered for a moment before voicing her commitment.

"Everything shall be as you decide, Foster Mother!" Hearing the Empress' words, Zixia nodded and said, voicing no objections.

In Zixia's view, her own status was far too low, she even lacked the qualifications to pursue Sun Wukong.

But today, if she could become the Empress' adopted daughter, her status would be completely different, wouldn't it?

As for announcing to the three realms! Zixia didn't care, as long as Sun Wukong was aware, that was enough for her.

In the future, would she have the qualifications to pursue Sun Wukong?

"Good, Zixia, you and Holy Monk Xuanzang's group are also deeply connected now. Since you are here, you might as well stay with them for a while. I have some other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb you youngsters any longer!"

With Zixia nodding, and the matter settled, the Empress said in a down-to-earth manner and, turning around, prepared to leave.

The Empress felt her choice was quite suitable.

Having adopted Zixia as her own sworn daughter, she naturally had her firmly under control.

If Sun Wukong were a kite, then Zixia would be the thread in her hand, used to control that kite.

If even Sun Wukong could be manipulated by her, could she possibly miss out on the merit from this great calamity of the Journey to the West?

What has she given to gain so much? Nothing but taking in a sworn daughter, and moreover, she must wait a hundred years before announcing it to the Three Realms.

By then, the affairs of the Journey to the West would surely be long complete, right? What the situation would be like by that time, nobody knows.

It was merely issuing an empty check, a verbal promise that had earned her a chance to control Sun Wukong and even strategize over the great calamity of the Journey to the West. Naturally, this was a tremendous win.

"Is that all?"

Jiang Liu was unaware of the Empress's internal scheming, but as he watched her verbally confirm the mother-daughter relationship with Zixia and then prepare to leave, his heart sank slightly.

Although he did not know what exactly the Empress was plotting, Jiang Liu was certain that there was indeed a scheme in her heart.

Otherwise, why would she confirm a mother-daughter relationship and yet not announce it to the Three Realms?

Is it to consider the face of the Jade Emperor? But there was no need to go to such an extent, right? It was completely an excuse she was deliberately dragging out, wasn't it?

Moreover, after confirming the mother-daughter relationship, there was hardly any gesture?

To think, back in Chang'an City, even with Guanyin's stingy nature, he had given away a Nine-Ring Staff and a Brocade Kasaya.

To have taken in a new daughter, not only hiding it and not announcing it to the world, but not even showing a bit of maternal affection?

Of course, although he thought this in his heart, Jiang Liu certainly couldn't confront the Empress directly with these thoughts.

"Congratulations, Fairy Zixia!" His mind made up, Jiang Liu loudly congratulated Fairy Zixia.

While speaking, Jiang Liu's hand flipped, and immediately, a seven-colored feather coat was taken out by Jiang Liu, who said, "This monk has nothing much to offer. Here is a Seven-Colored Feather Coat, an Immortal Dharma Treasure. Let it be a collective gift from all of us disciples to you as a congratulatory present!"

Seven-Colored Feather Coat (Legendary Level): Required Level 60, Defense +15000, Special Effect: Can create seven clones to confuse enemies, Durability 82/120.

These days, Jiang Liu and Little White Dragon together had run the dungeon countless times and, naturally, had farmed many pieces of equipment, among which this Seven-Colored Feather Coat was a recently dropped rare item.

Thus, seizing this opportunity to make a gesture, taking it out to congratulate Zixia was more than appropriate.

"Ah! This, this coat is so beautiful, Holy Monk, this, this might be too much!" Seeing the Seven-Colored Feather Coat taken out by Jiang Liu, Zixia's eyes filled with joy.

After all, which woman could resist beautiful clothes, even fairies not excepted—otherwise, there wouldn't be so many women who enjoyed shopping for clothes in past lives.

A woman's wardrobe is always lacking one piece of clothing—this saying isn't just for show.

"Zixia, since it is a gift from your master, you should keep it! Don't be shy!" Seeing Zixia really liked it but felt embarrassed to accept, Sun Wukong on the side had no qualms and encouraged her.

Glancing at Sun Wukong, even though a Legendary Level Dharma Treasure wasn't something precious to him anymore, this attitude of playing both sides put Jiang Liu in a weird mood.

Is it favoring the lover while slighting the friend? No, favoring the lover while slighting the master? Or perhaps favoring the friend while slighting the master?

Although Jiang Liu felt somewhat sour about Sun Wukong's words, he kept a calm exterior and nodded to Zixia, saying, "Indeed, Zixia, since it is a congratulatory gift, there is no reason to decline!"

"In that case, thank you so much, Holy Monk!"

Hearing Sun Wukong and Jiang Liu both put it this way, Zixia naturally found it hard to refuse. After a moment of thought, she nodded and took the Seven-Colored Feather Coat from Jiang Liu's hands.

This garment was clearly feminine, and when she draped it over herself, it truly made the person make the clothes.

Upon wearing it, Zixia, who was already beautiful, looked even more stunning, causing Zhu Bajie beside her to nearly pop his eyes out.
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However, his drooling and almost popping-out eyes prompted Sun Wukong to slap him on the head, none too pleased.

Following the gifting of the Seven-Colored Feather Coat, Jiang Liu's gaze then fell upon the Empress.

An outsider like himself had given a gift, and her, as the sworn mother, really had the gall to leave empty-handed?

As the Empress prepared to depart, now finding it utterly embarrassing to leave shamelessly with a face as thick as before, she stopped.

Though the Empress's face remained calm, her heart secretly turned bitter...

It's too difficult for me!


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