A Core Ship From The Start
Chapter 1388 - 939: Duanmu Huai Encounters an Obstacle at Flame Mountain, Monk Unleashes a Forceful Punch to Level the Sky Path

Chapter 1388: Chapter 939: Duanmu Huai Encounters an Obstacle at Flame Mountain, Monk Unleashes a Forceful Punch to Level the Sky Path

Watching Guanyin silently leaving, Duanmu Huai sneered without a word. His previous question to Guanyin, "What is the True Scripture?", was not merely to antagonize her, but a genuine inquiry into what the True Scripture actually is.

Actually, speaking of this True Scripture, it’s quite strange when mentioned.

In "Journey to the West", it is recorded that at the Ullambana Festival, all Bodhisattvas gathered, and then Tathagata Buddha, pleased, said something about evaluating the four continents before adding, "I have the Tripitaka True Scriptures, which can persuade people to do good."

Then guess what the Bodhisattvas’ reaction was?

Upon hearing it, the Bodhisattvas all clasped their hands in devotion and asked Buddha, "What are these Tripitaka True Scriptures?"

Meaning, after hearing it, the first reaction of the Bodhisattvas was, "What Tripitaka True Scriptures, we’ve never heard about them, what are you talking about?"

This just makes it weird, they have all attained Bodhisattvahood and yet they don’t know what True Scripture you are talking about; where did this True Scripture come from then?

Plainly speaking, it’s just something Tathagata wrote.

It’s like a bunch of people attending a banquet, where someone, intoxicated, begins proclaiming they’ve written a book that can liberate one from suffering and lead them straight to bliss -- You say you wrote the ’He-Man Scripture’, I might even believe you. If the Tribunal were here, just for this statement, they’d slap a bomb gun right onto your face as if you were some Evil God Cultist.

So, frankly speaking, the entire "Journey to the West" seems more like Tathagata advertising a book he wrote for himself, with Monk Tang being a human billboard.

Look, wherever he goes, he says, "This humble monk comes from the Eastern Tang Dynasty, heading to the Western Paradise to retrieve the scriptures." This piques people’s curiosity about what scriptures he is referring to. On looking, oh, it’s the True Scripture written by Tathagata.

There, the advertisement is out.

Of course, if it were just that, it would be okay, but let’s be honest, Guanyin is not exactly someone who plays by the rules either.

As everyone knows, initially, the Western Paradise was not under Tathagata’s control, but originally managed by the Burning Lamp Ancient Buddha, so naturally, the scriptures Monk Tang recited originated from Burning Lamp. And Guanyin, in order to flatter Tathagata’s feet, did everything possible. At that land-and-water assembly, Guanyin turned into a Monk shouting, "Your Hinayana teachings do not suffice to liberate the deceased or transcend the vulgar; I possess the Tripitaka of Mahayana Buddhism which can ascend the dead to heaven, alleviate the suffering of the troubled, cultivate the body of infinite life, creating an existence beyond coming and going."

Plainly speaking, isn’t that implying that the scriptures of Ancient Buddha Burning Lamp are not as good as Tathagata’s? What a play of stepping down one to elevate another.

Tathagata, initially enlightened by Burning Lamp himself, and look how you treat your master after his retirement, truly, people change once you are out of sight.

Of course, Burning Lamp was not easy to deal with either. In "Journey to the West", because Monk Tang and his companions did not contribute offerings to Nagas and Gaya, they were given the wordless scripture. Hearing this, Burning Lamp hastily sent his men to seize the wordless scripture and have them retrieve the scripture with words. As can be seen, compared to Tathagata, Burning Lamp still had some dignity.

But Tathagata really is shameless.

Upon discovering the wordless scripture, Sun Wukong went up to Spirit Mountain and cursed, yet Tathagata dared shamelessly say, "They asked you about human affairs and I knew it. But scriptures cannot be trivially transmitted, nor can they be taken without merit. Previously, monks descending the mountain had once recited this scripture at Zhao, a layman in the Shravasti, ensuring the safety of his living and liberation of his dead, only getting three measures and three quintals of Gold in return. I even said they sold it too cheaply, causing future generations to lack funds. You coming empty-handed, thus you received a blank text. This blank text, is actually a wordless True Scripture, which is ironically good. Considering your Eastern Tang Dynasty populace is ignorant and delusional, only this can be passed to them."

Hear this, does this sound like human talk?

Monks go to pray for someone’s fortune, and even received three measures and three quintals of Gold, yet Tathagata even complained about it being sold cheaply!

And telling Monk Tang, trying to get something for nothing, I’ll give you guys a wordless scripture, as that’s what you uninformed servants from the Eastern Tang Dynasty deserve.

This damn way, if it were Duanmu Huai, not slapping this stupid bastard’s mouth would be letting him off easy.

You greedy bald donkey, playing around, are you? I think you also don’t want this Spirit Mountain Sacred Temple!

Just wait, let me chant about the human world for fifty years, as if dreaming or illusion, and I’ll set your Spirit Mountain ablaze!

Let these bald monks know what it means to offend Buddha!

Alright, back to our topic......

Duanmu Huai lowered his head, looking at the strangely-shaped corpse under his feet.

This Golden Hair Buzz...... how to eat it?

Forget it, when undecided, first roast it, then boil, steam, and fry, there’s always one way that suits you......

On the other side, Sun Wukong also rescued the Golden Sacred Palace Empress, bringing her back to the Queen of Xi’liang Woman Kingdom, sharing heartfelt words. Duanmu Huai didn’t care about this, only thinking about hurriedly sealing the documents and leaving this place of strife.

"Grateful for the Holy Monk rescuing my consort and our people, I really don’t know how to express my gratitude."

Looking at Duanmu Huai, the Queen of Xi’liang Woman Kingdom also expressed her thanks... well, probably couldn’t utter things like offering herself in exchange.

Although Duanmu Huai also didn’t want that; after all, what he desires is much more practical.

"This is the majestic grace of the Great Tang Tian Zi, benefiting all lands. Your Majesty need not worry about it."

Duanmu Huai raised his fist toward the east with a ceremonial gesture, then turned to look at the Queen, who immediately understood.

"I’ve long heard of the divine power of the Great Tang Tian Zi, truly extraordinary. I will promptly write a letter, wishing to form an alliance with the Great Tang."

"That’s very good."

Duanmu Huai nodded his head, that’s right, he couldn’t care less about retrieving any He-Man Scripture. Duanmu Huai’s trip to Western Paradise this time aims to bring every country in the west under Tang’s control. Later, when Tang sets up a Western City Council or something, even Spirit Mountain will be governed, wouldn’t that be wonderful.

As for Tathagata... heh, once I take over this land, there won’t be a place for you baldy monks to strut around anymore.

With that, Duanmu Huai led his horse and turned to leave, continuing his journey to the west.

On this side, Tian Zi Li Shimin of Great Tang, however, has also been receiving constant news lately. Today, representatives from Wujia Country came expressing their submission. Tomorrow, representatives from Chechi Country will come to make amends. For Li Shimin, naturally, it’s a great joy, and he shared a laugh with his subjects.

"I originally thought it would be quite some time before we heard any news from my Imperial Brother, but with this move, it seems we won’t need any official documents; we just have to wait for the envoy to arrive."

Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials burst out laughing. After all, what Duanmu Huai had done was a great achievement for the Tang Dynasty. These nations were located in the Western regions, remote and distant, and with Duanmu Huai’s journey, either these nations submitted or allied themselves, especially Chechi Country, a major power in the Western regions, which now completely pledged loyalty—this was no less significant than conquering a country for the Tang Dynasty.

"From this, it is evident that the Imperial Brother alone is worth a thousand troops; actually, I am quite curious to see what other trouble he can stir up."

Looking at the national letter in his hand, Li Shimin was exceedingly joyful.

As Li Shimin waited for more good news from Duanmu Huai, at this moment, Duanmu Huai was...

"To be honest, if there were an assassin wielding ice cream right now, I’d accept it."

Duanmu Huai finished the wine in his gourd in one gulp, staring at the vast desert sands before him.

His first thought was... It’s really hot!

Frick, Duanmu Huai had been to Flame Mountain before and knew it was hot, but he didn’t expect it to be this hot—it’s crazy, this weather!

"Monkey, fan me some more wind!"

"Alright, Master."

Sun Wukong also raised both hands, one creating wind and the other snow. Duanmu Huai shivered, instantly feeling refreshed as if he had air conditioning in the desert.

"Where exactly is this Flame Mountain? Haven’t we arrived yet?"

"I asked the local deity, it’s up ahead, but how do we get across?"

"Don’t worry about it, watch me!"

Since they hadn’t encountered the Red Boy, Duanmu Huai contemplated whether to ask Sun Wukong to find Princess Iron Fan. But then he thought better of it; with the monkey’s temperament, he could stir up trouble out of nothing. It’s just Flame Mountain, why not just use his Destruction Magic to completely obliterate it? Wouldn’t that solve everything?

But speaking of which... this lone smoke in the great desert really had its own charm, making Duanmu Huai want to sing.

"Under the sunset of the desert, who is the one playing the flute, no matter the years peeling off the rouge, unavoidably scarred. In the desolate ancient fortress, who is strumming the pipa, only waiting for me to come and go in haste, the meeting of this life..."

As he sang, Duanmu Huai swayed his head and body.

"Fireworks fill the sky, for whom are you alluring, it’s just the drunken eye viewing flowers also intoxicated... Flowing sand fills the sky, who languishes for you, it’s only fate arriving and scattering like water..."

"Master,"

While Duanmu Huai was feeling good about his singing, Sun Wukong couldn’t help but comment.

"What scripture is that you’re reciting, Master? It’s giving me a headache."

"A headache, you say?"

Upon hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Duanmu Huai’s expression darkened.

"Then Wukong, do you know what is ’clang clang clang clang clang clang clang’?"

"... Master, what’s ’clang clang clang clang clang clang clang’?"

"’Clang clang clang clang clang clang clang’ is..."

Facing Sun Wukong, Duanmu Huai took a deep breath.

"Only you... can accompany me to retrieve the True Scripture... Only you... can subdue demons and exorcise Devils. Only you can protect me, making crabs and clam spirits unable to eat me... You have the greatest ability, it’s Only You...!!"

"Ahhh, Master, stop chanting, my head really hurts!!!"

Heh, if I can’t cure a little darling, can’t I cure you?

During their conversation, the two arrived in front of Flame Mountain, seeing the eight hundred li of flames that left no blades of grass alive, the heat assaulting their faces as if pressing searing coals against the skin, even making Sun Wukong grimace.

"Master, how can we get past this? I’m not afraid, having not been affected even in Taishang Laojun’s alchemy furnace in the past, but Master, with your mortal flesh and blood, I fear you cannot go near the fire."

"It’s just a trivial matter, watch me!"

Duanmu Huai glanced at Sun Wukong, then sat on his horse, clenched his right fist, and glared at the eight hundred li of Flame Mountain before him, shouting loudly.

"Break!"

The moment Duanmu Huai punched out, the eight hundred li of Flame Mountain instantly erupted, the entirety overturning and flying into the air, then explosively scattered, the flames dissipating in moments without a single spark. The surrounding heat surged and in the blink of an eye turned into a cold breeze, the heat from the flames entirely vanished. Now an immense pit appeared where the Flame Mountain had been, water bursting forth from below, blowing with the wind, leaving one feeling cool all over and the ground beneath moist.

"Wow, Master, your divine power of moving mountains and seas is simply amazing."

Even Sun Wukong was astonished by the scene, while Duanmu Huai just raised an eyebrow.

"Pretty average, the third in the world. Good thing it’s water coming out and not oil; otherwise, that would be interesting. Alright, let’s go."