Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 210 - 211 King of Tang Tours Yin Cao

Chapter 210: Chapter 211 King of Tang Tours Yin Cao

"Emperor Li Shimin, return my life!"

"You promised to save me with all your words, yet you never mentioned it, still allowing that Wei Zheng to behead me. Come out!"

"Come out, I will confront you before Yama!"

At this moment, the Wronged Spirit of the Jing River Dragon King was released by the Ghost Messengers from the Underworld.

Although somewhat perplexed and not understanding how he could be released, thinking of how Wei Zheng said that the King of Tang hadn’t even mentioned pleading for him, anger overcame his heart!

He could not care less about anything else and directly stormed into Emperor Li Shimin’s sleeping quarters, seeking an explanation from Li Shimin.

He grabbed Emperor Li Shimin, intending to drag the King of Tang down to the Underworld. The King of Tang struggled to speak and tried to resist, but even as he sweated profusely from the struggle, he could not break free.

Just when the two were in an impasse,

from the direction of the due south above, clouds of incense twirled and colorful mist drifted.

A female figure ethereally formed, waving a willow branch with her hand, which caused the headless dragon to emit a dreadful scream, instantly disappearing toward the northwest.

This woman was none other than Guanyin Bodhisattva.

After Guanyin Bodhisattva and the Merciful Shore Walker settled in Chang’an, they came to the Imperial Palace that evening to rescue Emperor Li Shimin.

"Thank you, Guanyin Mahasattva, for saving me from danger!"

The King of Tang hurriedly knelt to pay respect, and just as he was about to say something else, he looked up only to find that Guanyin Bodhisattva had already disappeared.

After Guanyin Bodhisattva had left, the King of Tang awoke and realized that all that had happened was but a dream.

Yet the King of Tang had also perceived his weakening state, fearing that his life was not long for this world.

He had already prepared for his journey westward, even commanding Xu Maogong to discuss the state affairs, clearly indicating his intent to entrust his legacy.

By this time, Wei Zheng, who already knew what was happening, held onto the King of Tang and said, "Your Majesty, take comfort, I have a plan that I guarantee will grant Your Majesty Longevity."

However, the King of Tang shook his head and said, "I fear my illness has penetrated deep within, and my life will not last long. How could I possibly maintain a long life?"

Wei Zheng said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I have a letter here. If you truly end up in the Underworld, give it to Judge of Fengdu, Cui Jue. He will surely save Your Majesty’s life."

The King of Tang, surprised, said, "Who is Cui Jue?"

Wei Zheng replied directly, "Cui Jue was once a minister before the Former Emperor, initially serving as a magistrate in Zizhou, later promoted to Assistant Minister of Rites. He and I consider ourselves close friends, having taken the oath of brotherhood eight times. He has passed away and now serves as the Underworld’s Judge of the Book of Life and Death at Fengdu. In dreams, he often meets with me!"

"If you give him this letter, thinking of my slight face, he will surely allow Your Majesty to return."

"Guaranteeing that Your Majesty’s soul returns to the living, henceforward granting a lifespan of a hundred years."

Wei Zheng said confidently.

The King of Tang, knowing he had no other choice, took the letter Wei Zheng handed him and tucked it into his sleeve.

He really did go west afterward.

But with Wei Zheng’s words, this matter was kept secret.

"Let no one panic, just quietly wait a few days, and His Majesty will naturally return to life!"

Hearing Wei Zheng’s words, the people did not suspect anything, as chaos would surely ensue throughout the Great Tang if they knew the Emperor had gone west.

They all hoped that after a few days, His Majesty would indeed return to life!

...

Meanwhile, on the other side, at the Underworld.

King Qin Guang, Chu Jiang Wang, Emperor Song, King Wu Guan, King Yama, King of Equality, King Taishan, City King, King Biancheng, and Cakravala were all gathered in the Senluo Palace, waiting for the arrival of Li Shimin.

For the successful implementation of this Journey to the West’s Calamity of Measurement, the Celestial Court and the Western Direction had indeed made many preparations and plans.

They first created a scheme around Yuan Shoucheng, which brought about the Jing River Dragon King.

With the Jing River Dragon King, they schemed against Li Shimin.

It was to make Li Shimin traverse the Underworld, thus also auditing the misdeeds of his past life.

Only in this way could Li Shimin understand the sufferings of the people and eventually, the King of Tang would actively spread the Buddhist Law.

The Journey to the West had officially begun.

"Cui Jue has already gone to receive Li Shimin!"

King Qin Guang spoke, and the other Yama Kings nodded silently in agreement, quietly waiting.

During this time, as the King of Tang drifted ambiguously, initially surrounded by the sounds of carriages and people, he gradually noticed that both the people and horses had disappeared, leaving only a desolate wilderness around him.

At this moment, the King of Tang was somewhat uncertain about where to go.

Just then, a loud voice called out, "Emperor of the Great Tang, come this way! Come this way!"

The King of Tang, hearing this, looked up to see a man with a black gauze hat floating above his head, his waist encircled with a rhino horn adorned with gold.

Dressed in a Luo robe and walking on cloud-propelling boots,

he held a Book of Life and Death in his arms.

The King of Tang hurried over. Upon seeing him, the man knelt beside the road and said, "Your Majesty, forgive your servant for the error of not meeting you from afar."

The King of Tang, taken aback, promptly asked, "Who are you? And why have you come to greet me?"

The man said, "Your humble servant had, half a month ago in the Senluo Palace, witnessed the Ghost Dragon of Jing River accusing Your Majesty of promising salvation but delivering death. Hence, I have come here to greet you. I did not anticipate my late arrival today; please pardon me, pardon me."

King of Tang was somewhat surprised and spoke, "What is your surname and name? What official position did you hold?"

The man replied, "When I was in the Mortal Realm, I served before the late sovereign, was the magistrate of Zizhou, and later became the Deputy Minister of Rites. My surname is Cui, my name is Jue. Now in the Underworld, I have been appointed as the Judge of Fengdu."

When the King of Tang heard his name, which was indeed the person Wei Zheng had wanted him to meet, he was overjoyed and hurried forward to support him, saying, "Sir, you have come from afar. What guilt can there be? Before my carriage, Wei Zheng, has a letter for you. I did not expect to meet you here."

Judge Cui Jue heard this and immediately expressed his gratitude.

"Where is the letter?" he inquired.

The King of Tang did not dare to hesitate and quickly took it out from his sleeve and handed it to Cui Jue.

Cui Jue received it with a bow, broke the seal, and quickly understood the cause and effect.

After reading the letter, he said joyfully, "I already knew about Wei Zheng’s dream of slaying the old dragon the other day, and I am grateful for his care for my descendants. Now that I have received a letter, Your Majesty may rest assured, for I can ensure your return to the World of the Living."

The King of Tang, hearing this, showed a look of surprised joy and repeatedly expressed his thanks.

Thereafter, Judge Cui Jue took the King of Tang to meet King Yama.

Moments later, Emperor Li Shimin and Cui Jue arrived inside Senluo Palace.

A moment later, they saw the Ten Yama Kings.

The Ten Yama Kings looked fierce and quite ghostly and terrifying.

These ten kings were King Qin Guang, Chu Jiang Wang, Emperor Song, King Wu Guan, King Yama, King of Equality, King Taishan, City King, King Biancheng, and Cakravala.

It seemed that the Ten Yama Kings already knew about the arrival of the King of Tang, as they came out of Senluo Palace to receive him respectully.

The King of Tang was also quite humble, not daring to presume.

King Qin Guang spoke, "Your Majesty is a Human King of the World of the Living, and we are Ghost Kings of the Underworld; you need not be so formal!"

Now that King of Tang was already dead, he didn’t dare to be too arrogant and said, "Thank you, I am now deceased and dare not call myself emperor anymore!"

The Ten Yama Kings and the King of Tang proceeded together into Senluo Palace and settled down as host and guest.

After a while, King Qin Guang bowed and then began to speak, "The Jing River Dragon King informed Your Majesty of his promise to save him, yet he still perished tragically. What is the reason for this?"

The King of Tang gave a bitter smile and then spoke, "Although I had once seen the old dragon begging for salvation and even promised him he wouldn’t be executed, what I did not anticipate was that he was destined by heavenly decree to be executed, indeed by my Prime Minister, Wei Zheng."

"Although I intended to save him and delayed Wei Zheng by playing chess in the palace, I didn’t know that he could slay the dragon in a dream!"

"This is a testament to the divine and wonderful powers of Wei Zheng, as well as the Dragon King’s crimes meriting death. There was truly nothing I could do!"

The King of Tang felt helpless; he had not lacked the wish to save the other, but truly could not. How could he be blamed for watching the other being executed!

The Ten Yama Kings, hearing this, nodded and said, "In fact, before that dragon was even born, it was already fated in the Book of Life and Death to be killed by Wei Zheng, a fact we already knew."

"Yet he argued cunningly, insisting that Your Majesty come here for a trial. Now that the matter is clear, he should indeed be sent into Reincarnation."

"We appreciate Your Majesty’s presence today and hope you do not mind our responsibilities."

As King Qin Guang spoke, he ordered the Keeper of the Book of Life and Death, "Bring the Book of Life and Death and see when His Majesty’s destined lifespan should end."

Judge Cui hurriedly fetched the Book of Life and Death.

The details were complex, and according to the original plan, an additional twenty years of life were added for the King of Tang.

King Qin Guang looked at the Book of Life and Death and said, "Your Majesty, don’t worry, you still have twenty years of life left. Now that the trial is clear, please return to the World of the Living."

Upon hearing this, the King of Tang bowed and expressed his thanks.

Indeed, as Wei Zheng had stated, although he was to die this time, he could still return to life.

The Ten Yama Kings instructed Judge Cui to escort the soul of the King of Tang back.

Under the guidance of Judge Cui, the King of Tang left Senluo Palace, and Judge Cui also took him on a tour of the Underworld.

Along the way, the King of Tang saw countless wronged spirits trying to rush towards him.

He also saw countless fierce ghosts who had undergone many punishments in the Eighteen Layers of Hell, nearly scaring him out of his wits.

Judge Cui could only honestly say that these were all the sins committed by Li Shimin, and to cleanse and pacify these sins, it was necessary to hold a grand Water and Land Ritual to transcend these lost souls.

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin also repeatedly nodded and promised to hold a grand Water and Land Ritual, hoping to use this opportunity to cleanse his own sins, lest he suffer such undeserved disasters after his death.

Although the Ten Yama Kings did not personally lead this, everything was still within their expectations, pleasing them greatly.

Li Shimin was ultimately an important figure in the Calamity of Measurement; without him, the Journey to the West would not be complete.

Thus, before the return from Seeking Scriptures, Li Shimin could not die.

Under the guidance of Judge Cui, the King of Tang finally left the Underworld and returned to the World of the Living.

When the King of Tang groggily woke up, he found himself back in the Imperial Palace.

"Prime Minister, the Emperor has awakened!"

Yu Chijingde, who had been guarding his side, saw the King of Tang open his eyes and was overjoyed to speak.

The days when Li Shimin had been traveling through the Underworld had almost driven them to despair.

Although Prime Minister Wei Zheng was absolutely certain, if Li Shimin could not awaken, the Tang Dynasty might have plunged into chaos.

"I must hold a Water and Land Ritual!"

As soon as he woke up, the King of Tang spoke urgently.