Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Brocade Kasaya (Epic Level) (Sealed): No level requirement, Defense+??? Special Effect: When the user dies without the soul perishing, they can resurrect within a certain period. Note: After equipping, the item will be soul-bound. Note: This equipment is under a seal, retaining only its special effect.

Nine-Ring Staff (Epic Level) (Sealed): No level requirement, Attack+???, Special Effect: Can activate an active effect, granting immunity to attacks from targets below level 90 for 300 seconds. Note: After equipping, the item will be soul-bound. Also, this equipment is under a seal, retaining only its special effect.

Jiang Liu: "...".

Looking at the attributes of these two pieces of equipment, Jiang Liu's face darkened. These two pieces of equipment were like the Vidyaraja Crown, having no level requirement for use, meaning that people of any level could use them.

It's just that, the Buddhist Sect had sent treasures but also sealed them? What kind of situation was this?

Equipment of epic quality was a notch higher than that of legendary level. If these two pieces of equipment weren't sealed, Jiang Liu believed that his leveling up would have been much easier.

However, although he complained inwardly, even without the added abilities of attack and defense, fortunately, the seal wasn't complete. The special effects of the two pieces of equipment were at least preserved.

Clad in the Brocade Kasaya, not falling into reincarnation; wielding the Nine-Ring Staff, untouched by poison.

In terms of the special effects of these two pieces of equipment, it wasn't an exaggeration.

With the special effects of these two pieces of equipment preserved, at least before reaching Western Heaven, his own safety during battles and leveling up was somewhat guaranteed.

After putting on these two pieces of equipment, Jiang Liu's whole presence seemed to change.

Crowned with the Vidyaraja, holding the Nine-Ring Staff, wearing the Brocade Kasaya, he looked handsome and youthful, with red lips and white teeth, appearing dignified and noble, yet handsome and dashing—a stunning young monk.

"Hmm, not bad, very good...", Li Shimin nodded slightly in satisfaction while looking at Jiang Liu's appearance.

Although these two pieces of equipment were sent to him on the pretext by Bodhisattva Guanyin, Li Shimin's genuine intention to purchase these treasures for him was indeed heartfelt.

Therefore, after donning the kasaya, Jiang Liu earnestly bowed to Li Shimin: "Jiang Liu, thanks Your Majesty!"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Referring to himself by his own name and not as "this humble monk," his words obviously came from the heart rather than mere superficial courtesy.

"You don't need to thank me, these two treasures... can't really be considered gifts from me..." Li Shimin said, shaking his head slightly after hearing Jiang Liu's thanks.

"Although I don't know exactly what plans the Buddhist Sect has, I do know that you play a very important part in it. Otherwise, you wouldn't have such Buddhist fate, even being able to have the Tathagata himself manifest."

"Originally, hearing that these treasures could prevent falling into reincarnation and ward off poison, I wanted to buy them for you. In this way, these two treasures would be my gifts to you, and that's all I could help with," he said.

"Unfortunately, the person selling the kasaya and staff refused to take money. Even so, these two treasures are considered gifts from the Buddhist Sect to you. It seems everything was arranged by the Buddhist Sect in the background. Who in the mortal world could have such treasures, and furthermore, be willing to give them away?"

Li Shimin's words startled Jiang Liu, who did not expect that, based on recent events, the Emperor could roughly deduce the truth behind the Journey to the West.

Really? To be the Emperor of Great Tang, Li Shimin might not be extraordinarily intelligent, but he certainly had a perspective beyond that of ordinary people.

Indeed, the Brocade Kasaya and the Nine-Ring Staff didn't seem like treasures from the mortal world. A scabrous monk selling them in the street didn't make sense; such treasures, supposedly for him, weren't sold for a penny. Anyone with sense would realize there were hidden machinations.

"Regardless, I must still thank Your Majesty for your favor!" Jiang Liu said sincerely with palms together and a bow.

"Alright, you should go. As the Human Emperor, I have a duty to all the people and can help you only so much. Caught up in the grand scheme, you'll have to rely on yourself from now on," Li Shimin said, waving his hand and speaking with a hint of helplessness.

Help? Li Shimin had tried to help, even stepping in to block the Dragon Subduing Arhat, but what was the outcome? Great Tang suffered a locust plague, countless citizens were afflicted, and he had no choice but to bow his head, to swallow locusts alive, turning from a distant relation into sworn brothers with Jiang Liu to break the stalemate.

He was well aware that within this grand scheme, even if he wanted to help, he was powerless to do so.

Jiang Liu turned and left the Imperial Palace, but he looked back one last time, silently sighing in his heart, feeling clearly the Emperor's intent. He was unable to help, and there was nothing he could do about it.

Even if he was just a mortal, even the mighty Dragon King couldn't save himself in this game; death came swiftly, with no chance for defense.

The next day, the entirety of Chang'an City was exceptionally bustling, countless citizens, not just from within Chang'an but also many who had traveled from afar, came to witness the grand spectacle of the Water Land Dharma Assembly.

In recent days, Chang'an had been incredibly lively. In just a few short months, one after another, earth-shattering pieces of news had been continuously emerging.

During the Incense Offering Ceremony, Master Xuanzang lit twelve incense scars, a story that spread throughout the land.

Two Great Demons clashed against each other.

Following that, Master Xuanzang and Li Chunfeng engaged in philosophical discourse, with the Formless Gatha hailed as a precious poem of the Buddhist Sect.

Master Xuanzang then swore an oath to heaven, agreeing to marry Princess Gaoyang.

Emperor of Tang organized a ceremony to pray for the heavens, swallowing locusts alive to end the locust plague.

Next came the manifestation of the Tathagata.

A dragon's head fell from the sky.

Emperor Li Shimin of Tang was resurrected from the dead.

And finally, today's Water Land Dharma Assembly.

...

Scenes that commoners might not witness once in decades, Chang'an had seen them conglomerate in just a few months, and most of these events were connected to Master Xuanzang.

The magnificence of the scene, with precisely twelve hundred monks convening for the Water Land Dharma Assembly, exceeded the ceremony where Li Shimin had prayed to the heavens, attracting far more enthusiasm.

Jiang Liu, holding a Nine-Ring Staff and clad in a Brocade Kasaya, with a dignified and glorious appearance, step by step, made his way to the dais of the Water Land Assembly, and then produced a copy of the Heart Sutra from his bosom.

Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, when practicing the profound Prajñāpāramitā, illuminated the five aggregates and saw that they are all empty, and thus relieved all suffering…

The Water Land Assembly was merely a formality. Jiang Liu wasn't interested in wasting time reciting scriptures; he could spend that time better by meditating, so he just held the scripture and read it out loud.

Upon hearing Jiang Liu doing nothing but reading the "Heart Sutra" on the stage, without offering any personal insights into Buddhist Law, not only did the twelve hundred monks exchange looks of bewilderment, but even the surrounding populace began to murmur among themselves.

Today's Water Land Assembly was meant to hear the Holy Monk Xuanzang's enlightenment on Buddhist Law, but instead, he simply read out from the "Heart Sutra"?

What was the meaning of this?

"Hahaha, so this is the Holy Monk of Great Tang? At such an assembly, is he only reading out Buddhist Scriptures without a single personal insight?" Just then, a sudden loud laughter erupted, and the Scabrous Monk burst into laughter, jumping out and pointing at Jiang Liu on the stage as he shouted.

"Who is this person? How dare he cause trouble?" The guards nearby were shocked to see the Scabrous Monk jump out and shouted in a low voice as they moved forward to apprehend him.

"Then, in your opinion, what constitutes personal insight?" Seeing the monk that had jumped out, Jiang Liu also knew his identity and stood up to ask.

"I have once heard your Formless Gatha, 'The body is the Bodhi Tree, and the mind is like the Mingjing Platform, always strive to wipe it clean, and let no dust alight.' That poem captured the essence of my Buddhist meditation deeply.

Today, I came to listen to you preach and discuss Buddhist Law, hoping for even more exquisite Chan words and marvels, but to my disappointment, none were forthcoming," The Scabrous Monk shook his head in a disappointed manner as he asked.

"Do you wish to test my current attitude toward Buddhism before I go on my Journey to the West to seek scriptures?", Jiang Liu interpreted the Scabrous Monk's words with vigilance, largely understanding his intent.

"Amitabha. When I composed the 'Formless Gatha' that day, let me today write another Buddhist poem. I shall call it the 'Bodhi Verse', to offer to all people for appreciation."

Bodhi originally has no tree, and the mirror also is not a stand...

(PS: Some people have asked about my update schedule. I post two chapters daily. Updates are scheduled for 8:00 AM and 8:30 PM.)