Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 209 - 210 The Monkey Finally Agreed

Chapter 209: Chapter 210 The Monkey Finally Agreed

At this moment, it wasn’t just the Merciful Shore Walker who was dissatisfied, Guanyin Bodhisattva was feeling very discontent as well.

She had exhausted all her kind words, even offering the Sweet Dew of Willow Branch, yet this Sun Wukong still failed to recognize what was good for him and had the audacity to ask for treasures.

"Bodhisattva, it’s not that Old Sun doesn’t know what’s good for him, it’s just that this journey to the West is fraught with extreme dangers. On the road, there will inevitably be countless demons and monsters. If I had some powerful magical treasures at hand, I could surely ensure the scripture seeker’s safety without fail!"

"Think back to when Old Sun battled with Erlang Shen of the celestial Court, if it weren’t for Old Sun’s considerable strength to withstand the onslaught, it’s possible that I would have been defeated then and there!"

"Why not lend your bottle to Old Sun, and once I’ve ensured that the scripture seeker has obtained the True Scriptures, I can return it to you, Bodhisattva!"

After receiving the Sweet Dew of Willow Branch, Sun Wukong saw hope for his progression to the Late Stage of Quasi-Saint, and naturally, his eyes were fixed intently on the Jade Pure Bottle in Guanyin Bodhisattva’s hand.

If he could refine all of the Sweet Dew of Willow Branch within Guanyin Bodhisattva’s Jade Pure Bottle, perhaps he might even reach the Late Stage of Quasi-Saint.

Hearing that Sun Wukong was actually eyeing the Jade Pure Bottle in her hand, Guanyin Bodhisattva’s expression coldly shifted as she sharply reprimanded him.

That Jade Pure Bottle was the foundation of her cultivation. Without it, her strength would undoubtedly suffer a tremendous loss.

Guanyin Bodhisattva initially did not want to continue entangling with this monkey, but considering that she indeed had a role in the encirclement and suppression of Sun Wukong in the past, she now realized that by the cycle of karmic retribution, she inevitably owed a karmic debt to Sun Wukong.

With this thought, Guanyin Bodhisattva’s expression became somewhat complex.

"Nonsense, this monk’s treasure is not something you can just borrow on a whim, and besides, my Jade Pure Bottle is not compatible with your path of cultivation. Even if you took it, you would be unable to utilize its functions effectively!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said this, then her tone shifted, and she slowly continued, "This Jade Pure Bottle cannot be loaned to you. However, I can give you three life-saving hairs. These three hairs can transform into anything according to your will. I bestow them upon you, and they may save your life on the road to seeking scriptures!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva then restored her compassionate demeanor and nodded slowly to Sun Wukong.

Although the Western Direction had its own schemes for Sun Wukong, after all, there wasn’t much enmity between them, so there was no need to be overly calculative.

With a wave of her hand, three hairs appeared on Sun Wukong’s neck.

"Thank you, Bodhisattva!"

Upon receiving the treasures, Sun Wukong’s heart filled with joy, and he hurriedly bowed in gratitude to the Bodhisattva.

Thinking back to the havoc in the celestial Court, he had suffered quite a bit, and in the end, it was because he didn’t possess any powerful treasures.

The Ruyi Jingu Bang was formidable, indeed, but it could only serve as an offensive weapon.

Moreover, he would not resort to using it during ordinary times.

Now that he had the life-saving hairs, it was better than nothing.

Clearly, it was impossible to get more benefits from Guanyin, so Sun Wukong had to give up the idea.

"Now that your request has been met, and I have bestowed treasures upon you, do not refuse the task of protecting the scripture seeker any further!"

Seeing that she had given the treasures, Guanyin Bodhisattva spoke calmly.

Although Sun Wukong did not detect dissatisfaction in Guanyin’s voice, he understood that this was her limit. If he persisted in being unyielding, she might become displeased.

Moreover, delaying further might prompt her to take uncertain actions, even leading to her suspicions that he had realized the significance of the Calamity of Measurement involved in the journey to the West.

Thus, within the formation, Sun Wukong could only cup his fists and bow to Guanyin Bodhisattva.

"Old Sun thanks the Bodhisattva for the enlightenment. From now on, I will surely protect the scripture seeker as you have instructed and ensure the success of the journey to the West!"

After hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Guanyin Bodhisattva let out a big sigh of relief.

"If that is the case, it is very good. The scripture seeker is about to journey to the West, so you just wait here at ease!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded. Although she knew that this Sun Wukong was hard to deal with, and even Sakyamuni Tathagata had suffered losses at his hand, the thought that she had to part with so many treasures today just to persuade him still made her heart ache.

If she continued to stay here, what else could happen?

Now that she had fulfilled Buddhism’s task, she naturally did not want to linger any longer.

Lest staying any longer might cause even more unforeseen trouble and provoke some unwelcome mischief.

Seeing that Sun Wukong had agreed to enter the ordeal, Guanyin Bodhisattva did not wish to waste more words and quickly fled Mount Wuzhi with the Merciful Shore Walker.

This monkey was too terrifying, it was better to keep a distance.

The voice of Sun Wukong slowly reached from behind.

"Bodhisattva, don’t leave in such a hurry. Wait a few days, and Old Sun will surely visit you in the South Sea!"

Hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Guanyin Bodhisattva almost lost her composure and fell from the clouds.

The Merciful Shore Walker, seeing Guanyin Bodhisattva’s reaction, quickly supported her.

He naturally did not comprehend what was in Guanyin Bodhisattva’s mind.

And for requesting things from Sun Wukong, there was no need for this at all if giving them wasn’t worthwhile.

He was clueless about the importance of the Calamity of Measurement, hence his thoughts.

"Bodhisattva, are you alright?"

"Disciple, I’m fine, let’s continue on our way. We need to find the scripture seeker as soon as possible!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva shook her head; naturally, she wouldn’t voice her own fear of Sun Wukong—after all, she couldn’t hurt him and still needed to win him over.

She really couldn’t refuse.

The two then continued on their journey.

Meanwhile, Sun Wukong, who had been watching their figures recede into the distance, gradually restrained the naive smile on his face.

After this incident, he’d gained some understanding of how determined the Western Direction was about this Journey to the West, this Calamity of Measurement.

The fact that they’d given him such treasures all at once probably meant, even for Guanyin Bodhisattva, a significant loss.

After all, if it could make someone at his cultivation level of a Quasi-Saint Middle Stage feel such an improvement, it was telling.

"Now, the Western Direction is willing to part with such treasure just to get me involved in the Calamity of Measurement, and to confuse me. With the situation unclear, the upcoming Calamity holds great risk. It seems Old Sun still needs to be cautious!"

"And, since it’s called the Calamity of Measurement, there will surely be powerful demons and ghosts along the way. Although I am now of Quasi-Saint Cultivation, according to my elder martial brother, there are countless masters in all Three Realms of Buddhism and Daoism. Old Sun must be more vigilant!"

Thinking this, Sun Wukong also became more solemn, mindful that he was likely still under surveillance.

Without delay, he quietly resumed his cultivation.

...

Meanwhile, Guanyin Bodhisattva, having finally dealt with Sun Wukong, couldn’t help but let out a long sigh of relief.

Although she was somewhat impeded by Sun Wukong, she, after all, managed not to let down the trust of Sakyamuni Tathagata.

Guanyin Bodhisattva journeyed with Merciful Shore Walker from the East.

With their speed, it didn’t take them long to reach inside Chang’an of the State of Great Tang.

The two descended from their Xianyun and landing, transformed into two wandering monks.

One carried a nine-ringed staff, and the other held a Brocaded Kasaya.

The two entered into the city of Chang’an.

Although the spread of Buddhism by Golden Cicada had increased the number of Buddhist Temples in the Eastern Land, they were still rare compared to the others and could not be considered prosperous.

Therefore, the people of the city had grown quite accustomed to monks—but seeing two monks swaggering about was still extremely rare.

Some couldn’t help but give them a few extra glances.

Especially when they noticed what the two monks were carrying, they couldn’t help but marvel.

Let alone those knowledgeable about treasures, even ordinary people could see that these two items were extraordinary.

"Venerable masters, might I ask how much you are selling for that Buddhist Staff and Kasaya?"

Certain dignitaries who understood and revered Buddhism, upon witnessing this scene, couldn’t help but come forward to inquire, hoping to purchase these treasures.

Perhaps it would bring them the Buddha Ancestor’s protection.

Hearing someone speak in such a way, Guanyin Bodhisattva, as if she had anticipated it, was not surprised and slowly stated, "This Kasaya is worth five thousand taels, and the staff is worth two thousand taels."

"What treasures, to be so costly! You two monks aren’t charlatans trying to raise money, are you?"

"Exactly, these two monks are either madmen or fools. Who in their right mind would think to sell such dazzling items for seven thousand taels? Can wearing them grant immortality?"

"Perhaps wearing them could turn someone into a Buddha Ancestor. It’s just a shame not knowing who the misguided soul willing to buy these treasures would be!"

"..."

Seeing and hearing this, the crowd started to jeer.

The dignitary originally interested in buying, upon learning of the price, had no choice but to give up and walked away.

That’s not how you conduct business.

Seeing nothing more exciting would unfold, the onlookers also began to disperse.

At this moment, Guanyin Bodhisattva and Merciful Shore Walker, unfazed, continued to walk through bustling Chang’an, seemingly in search of someone with fate.

On the other side, Emperor Li Shimin, for not stopping Wei Zheng from executing the Jing River Dragon King, has been haunted by dreams of the Dragon King coming to him with his severed head to settle scores.

He had been truly restless in sleep these past few days.

Eventually, calling upon the renowned generals of Great Tang—the mighty Qin Qiong and Yu Chiji—the emperor had them guard the door, which offered some relief.

Yet, even so, King of Tang still felt his spirit was disoriented and lacked his usual clarity and freshness.

Meanwhile, in the Underworld.

"Now that Guanyin Bodhisattva has reached Chang’an, it’s time to proceed further. Release the wronged spirit of the Jing River Dragon King!"

The Underworld had received orders and released the Jing River Dragon King.

As the Dragon King was set free, the first thing to do was naturally to seek out Emperor Li Shimin to settle the score.