Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 211 - 212: This Kasaya Can Be Bought with Money, or Given for Free

Chapter 211: Chapter 212: This Kasaya Can Be Bought with Money, or Given for Free

After encountering numerous wronged spirits, Emperor Li Shimin also found himself unable to forget.

Whether it was the promise made in the Underworld to hold a grand water and land ritual, or recalling scenes from the Underworld, he had to prepare for the ritual to transcend these souls.

Therefore, upon waking, the King of Tang didn’t hesitate to issue his command.

"Issue a notice to gather monks, build the grand water and land ritual, transcend the wronged spirits!"

"I need you to proclaim this throughout the land, appoint local officials to elect virtuous high monks to come to Chang’an for the assembly!"

Many officials gathered, and although they didn’t understand why the King of Tang would make such a decision, now that he had spoken, they naturally wouldn’t object.

Wei Zheng might have been the only one in the crowd who had a clear understanding of why.

Although still a mortal, the ability to dream of slaying dragons was not simple.

The King of Tang was, after all, stepping into the schemes of the Western Direction and the celestial Court.

After receiving Emperor Li Shimin’s imperial decree, each region began constructing temples and started promoting high monks from various locations to preside over the ceremonies.

Although Wei Zheng did not understand the full details, he had a rough understanding of what was happening.

He was just waiting for the predestined person to appear.

Meanwhile, this monk who had fully embarked on the Calamity of Measurement of Journey to the West was still sitting in the meditation room of Golden Mountain Temple, gazing towards the Western Direction with some confusion.

He was none other than Golden Cicada, a disciple of Sakyamuni Tathagata.

After experiencing ten reincarnations, Golden Cicada had accumulated tremendous merit.

Although he was still just a chan master at Golden Mountain Temple.

However, Xuanzang, who had been steadfast in Buddhism, didn’t know why, but recently, countless images had appeared in his mind.

Although he had no recollection of these images, they felt extremely real, as if they had happened before.

Inside the meditation room, Xuanzang sat in a meditative posture on a meditation cushion, his face showing neither sadness nor joy.

He too was somewhat puzzled by the recent changes in himself, yet at times, he was uncertain about the reasons.

Subconsciously, he felt these things were of great importance to him.

They were unforgettable, and he always wanted to investigate them, hoping to comprehend their deeper meanings.

"Mage!"

Just at that moment, a voice called out from outside the door, and Xuanzang got up to open it.

Standing at the door was a little novice monk.

"What is it?"

"Mage, Chancellor Wei has sent someone with an imperial document, hoping to invite the master to preside over this water and land ritual, to transcend the wronged spirits of the Underworld on behalf of the King of Tang!"

The little novice monk spoke slowly.

"Wronged spirits?"

Xuanzang murmured to himself upon hearing the little novice monk’s words.

"Yes, that’s what the person sent by Chancellor Wei said. I don’t know the specifics!"

The little novice monk nodded, uncertain of the meaning.

"Mage..."

At this moment, the little novice monk hesitated!

Xuanzang had already nodded, ready to leave, since the Prime Minister had sought him out, and naturally, he would go.

For a monk, this was his duty.

But hearing what the little monk said, there was apparently something he misunderstood.

"If there’s something you don’t understand, feel free to speak up, and I may be able to clear your doubts," Xuanzang said calmly.

"Master, what I don’t understand is, if the Buddhist Law preaches about ferrying people to the other shore, why is there talk of ’laying down the butcher’s knife to instantly attain Buddhahood’? Does that mean we need to worship the Buddha for countless years, while evil men only need to lay down their knives to achieve this?"

The little novice monk spoke with confusion.

Hearing the novice’s question, Xuanzang smiled and said, "The so-called ’laying down the butcher’s knife to instantly attain Buddhahood’ represents a turn towards a heart of Buddhism. When a wicked person lays down the knife, they have already fostered a heart inclined towards goodness!"

"It’s not that they can become a Buddha immediately upon laying down the knife, but they’ve acquired the potential to achieve Buddhahood, just like us!"

The little novice monk, upon hearing Xuanzang’s words, showed a look of enlightenment.

"Thank you for resolving my doubts, master. I will go to worship the Buddha now!"

The little novice monk brought his palms together, chanted Amitabha Buddha, and turned to leave.

However, as the little novice monk departed, for some reason, Xuanzang felt a familiar sensation.

He seemed to have had the same question long ago, and someone had resolved it for him.

As he recalled this, his vision seemed to change, and a figure appeared before him.

He seemed to return to that inn, looking at a young man deeply versed in Buddhist Law, who had led him to an understanding of much about Buddhism.

"Senior..."

Xuanzang murmured, as if remembering that he had addressed that person as ’senior’.

The memory suddenly flooded back.

Three Paths of Heaven and Earth!

Xuanzang felt a sense of sorrow in his heart; as these memories returned, his conviction in Buddhist Law was no longer as firm.

"I wonder how much time has passed now, and where that senior is!"

Xuanzang’s face showed a trace of bitterness, as he understood that countless years had passed.

The senior he was thinking of had long disappeared, and it was nearly impossible to find him again.

He had wanted to seek out this senior, but he realized that everything was still under the watchful eyes of All Heavens’ Immortals and Buddhas.

He could not act rashly, for if they found out there was a problem with him, he would inevitably be affected.

Therefore, he could only decide to deal with this matter first and then consider the rest later.

Afterward, Xuanzang left the Meditation Room and went to the temple’s guest hall.

An envoy bearing an imperial decree had been waiting there for some time.

Upon seeing Xuanzang, the envoy quickly approached him.

He then informed Xuanzang about the King of Tang’s plans to hold the Water and Land Ceremony.

By now, the King of Tang’s intention to hold the Water and Land Ceremony was common knowledge, so the envoy did not hide anything.

He relayed all the information he knew.

Soon, Xuanzang was thoroughly briefed on the details of the Water and Land Ceremony that the King of Tang intended to hold.

However, after awakening his memories and considering the information he had received, Xuanzang couldn’t help feeling that there was a conspiracy afoot.

Perhaps others could not see anything amiss.

But Xuanzang had a slight understanding of the Calamities of Measurement within Buddhism, and considering that this matter related to him, he thought there must be formidable forces behind the scenes pushing for the Water and Land Ceremony.

If it had nothing to do with him, Xuanzang thought it would be impossible.

"You may return now, tell the Prime Minister that the poor monk will surely preside over the ceremony, and he can rest assured!"

"You tell the Prime Minister that when the Water and Land Ceremony begins, the poor monk will naturally go to preside!"

Xuanzang said politely to the person who had come to deliver the emperor’s command.

Although he was aware that it was all likely targeting him, Xuanzang also understood that even if he wanted to avoid it, there was no escape, so he did not show any immediate reaction.

Moreover, he feared he was still under surveillance, so he casually sent the messenger away, planning to see how things would unfold.

"Very well, I will surely convey the Master’s words!"

The envoy readily agreed, without suspecting anything else, and nodded in response.

After getting the reply, the envoy immediately returned to report to Wei Zheng.

As for what the envoy and Wei Zheng planned, Xuanzang did not know, nor did he want to know.

After waiting for that person to leave, he found an excuse to leave the temple as well.

Regardless, he still hoped to find that senior. If he could find him, he would naturally feel much more at ease.

Even if he did not find him, he would not regret trying.

Meanwhile, in the Prime Minister’s Residence, Wei Zheng received the message the envoy had brought back.

Upon hearing it, Wei Zheng also frowned slightly.

Xuanzang had not come immediately with the envoy, which Wei Zheng had not expected, but since it was so, he had to report the situation to the King of Tang.

"If this monk hesitates and makes excuses, then Chancellor Wei can simply find another," said the King of Tang, frowning upon hearing this.

Having recovered somewhat after his visit to the Underworld, the King of Tang’s demeanor had improved, but the horrific screams of the Underworld always troubled his mind.

Now all he hoped for was to quickly commence the Water and Land Ceremony.

If this high monk was unwilling to attend, then another would be found.

Although there were not many high monks, it was not possible that none could be found.

However, upon hearing the King of Tang’s words, Wei Zheng’s heart skipped a beat; he could not allow this to happen.

As the one appointed by Heaven, although he didn’t know the reasons, how could Wei Zheng dare to disregard it?

"Your Majesty, the Water and Land Ceremony is an urgent matter, how can we replace the monk now? This person speaks in such a manner precisely because he is acknowledged by the high monks. If we replace him, what if the new person cannot relieve Your Majesty of your troubles? That would be all for naught," Wei Zheng pleaded.

"Your Majesty, I also feel Chancellor Wei’s words are not without reason. Only one with real substance will have such confidence," another minister respectfully interjected.

The King of Tang nodded in agreement; although he was somewhat dissatisfied with Xuanzang’s actions, he partly believed in Xuanzang’s confidence.

He then decided to wait a little longer. If Xuanzang did not appear, he would certainly be charged with the crime of deceiving the emperor.

The court session ended.

In front of Donghua Gate, Chancellor Wei Zheng emerged, followed by guards who cleared away the commoners from the streets.

Many commoners hastily retreated to avoid obstruction and possible offense.

However, in the crowd, there were two monks who neither dodged nor avoided, almost getting struck by the carriage.

"You two monks, why aren’t you getting out of the way?"

The head guard shouted loudly. Chancellor Wei, hearing this, stepped out to see what was happening and saw two monks, one with a monk’s staff in hand, and the other holding a kasaya that radiated with brilliant light.

"If these two items could be given to Master Xuanzang, wouldn’t they add even more to his Buddha’s light?" Wei Zheng thought to himself and called out, "How much for this kasaya?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva, upon hearing this, replied, "The kasaya costs five thousand taels, and the staff two thousand."

Startled by such a high price, Wei Zheng exclaimed with surprise, "What use do this kasaya and staff have, to be valued so highly?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva didn’t dwell on it and simply said, "The kasaya has benefits, and drawbacks, it can cost money, or it may not."

Hearing the words of the monk—a transformation of Guanyin—Wei Zheng became even more curious.