Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 213 - 214: The Three Monsters Have Been Waiting for a Long Time

Chapter 213: Chapter 214: The Three Monsters Have Been Waiting for a Long Time

The words of Xuanzang directly stunned Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Originally, she was supposed to explain the uses of Mahayana Buddhism after mentioning it, then Wang Yang and Xuanzang would understand and naturally head towards Western Heaven.

However, now that Xuanzang had spoken thus, could it be that he did not wish to enter the Calamity of Measurement?

Even the nearby Merciful Shore Walker couldn’t help but show a face of surprise.

Some found it unbelievable.

"Since the master has said there is no Mahayana Buddhism, there should be no Mahayana Buddhism, you two..."

King of Tang naturally believed Xuanzang rather than the two monks selling kasayas and Zen staffs.

Before King of Tang could finish speaking, a strong glow radiated from the body of Guanyin Bodhisattva, enveloping her completely.

Buddha’s light illuminated all, and Guanyin Bodhisattva revealed her true form.

Her features were exquisite, her hair silky and black, her face immaculate white, and behind her head shone a Merit Golden Wheel, casting Buddha’s light and exuding a sense of mystique.

Clad in flowing white robes, she exuded otherworldliness and transcendence, her aura ethereal and calm, beyond words.

She sat cross-legged upon a blue lotus, holding the Jade Pure Bottle in her hand, with a verdant willow branch inserted.

She looked both solemn and compassionate.

Beside her, Merciful Shore Walker also revitalized his spirits.

Seeing this scene, everyone instinctively fell to their knees, even King of Tang bowed deeply in worship.

"The Bodhisattva has manifested!"

"The Bodhisattva has manifested!"

"It was unexpected that the Bodhisattva would manifest!"

"..."

"We pay our respects to Guanshiyin Bodhisattva, the savior from afflictions!"

Everyone cried out loudly.

Only Xuanzang did not react much.

Standing on the high platform, although he did not wish to be so calculated and to enter the Calamity of Measurement,

he did not expect that Guanyin Bodhisattva could not hold back anymore and manifested her true form just to prove her point.

If it had been just two wandering monks claiming there was Mahayana Buddhism, as long as he denied it, naturally, no one would believe them.

But now that Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared before them, people naturally believed her.

The gathering, although just a Buddhist assembly in the Mortal Realm for King Tang to redeem the wronged spirits,

was nevertheless the first time in the Tang Dynasty that Buddhism was promoted in such a way.

For Buddhism, this was naturally of extraordinary significance.

It was part of the Calamity of Measurement, marking the beginning of spreading Buddhism towards the west.

It initiated the momentum, the great revival of Buddhism, paving the way for the Journey to the West, and for all beings to believe in Buddhism.

It was a major step for the Western Direction to gather the fate of all beings.

After manifesting, Guanyin Bodhisattva looked at King of Tang and others kneeling on the ground, her face revealing a peculiar expression.

"Greetings, King of the Great Tang, the Western Direction has wondrous teachings, the journey is one hundred and eight thousand miles, follow diligently in Mahayana. This scripture, when returned to the nation, can transcend spirits and groups. If there is one willing to go, they may attain the True Golden Body of Enlightenment."

"Xuanzang, you are here, unaware of Mahayana, which is not unexpected. Do you now wish to go forth to seek the True Scriptures?"

As Guanyin Bodhisattva finished speaking, everyone’s gaze involuntarily turned towards Xuanzang.

Xuanzang was silent.

Originally, he did not want to go, but clearly, the Western Direction would not let him off easily, and manifesting in true form, clearly meant that he had no choice but to comply.

He could only silently hope that he could use this opportunity to propagate his Buddhist beliefs and persuade everyone towards goodness.

"Agreed!"

Xuanzang pressed his palms together and committed to the undertaking.

Hearing Xuanzang’s words, Guanyin Bodhisattva finally breathed a sigh of relief.

After hearing Xuanzang’s words, she feared there might be other unforeseen complications since she did not know why Xuanzang had spoken as he did earlier; however, she could not afford other changes in the Calamity, hence her actions.

And indeed, there had already been many changes in the Calamity of Measurement.

When Guanyin Bodhisattva sighed in relief, she was unaware that Xuanzang had already undergone some changes.

After the transformation in Wang Yang’s life, although he was reborn and continued to have a devoted heart to Buddhism, his understanding had already evolved differently from before.

The more he understood Buddhism, the more he saw its flaws and deepened his own understanding of the Dao.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, of course, was unaware of this. She only knew that now Golden Cicada was willing to enter the Calamity of Measurement, thus truly initiating it.

And the Brocaded Kasaya and Nine-Ringed Staff offered by Buddhism were part of their karma with him.

With this cause, the future Calamity of Measurement could be perfect, and Xuanzang’s attainment of the True Enlightenment would bring him closer to a faithful devotion to Buddhism.

"Master, are you willing to ascend to Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek the scriptures?"

King of Tang, unaware of the changes, only hoped someone could help him redeem those fierce ghosts and wronged spirits and relieve him from their suffering.

Xuanzang was silent; after looking at Guanyin, he then said, "Though unworthy, this humble monk is willing to exert the efforts of dogs and horses, along with Your Majesty, to seek the True Scriptures, praying to protect our king’s territory forever."

Since Guanyin had gone this far, Xuanzang had no other choice but to enter the Calamity.

King of Tang was overjoyed, coming forward to help Xuanzang up, saying, "The mage truly is loyal and wise, unafraid of the long and arduous journey through mountains and rivers. I am willing to consider you as a brother."

Upon hearing this, Xuanzang was deeply grateful.

King of Tang, being very virtuous, went to the temple in front of Buddha and took four bows with Xuanzang, calling him "Imperial Brother, Holy Monk."

Xuanzang expressed his endless gratitude, "Your Majesty, what merit or ability do I possess to deserve such divine favor? On this journey, I must sacrifice my body and exert all efforts, until I reach Western Heaven. If I do not reach Western Heaven and acquire the True Scriptures, even if it means death, I shall not return, and will forever fall into the abyss of Hell."

Seeing that all matters were settled, the Journey to the West was indeed beginning.

Guanyin Bodhisattva also breathed easily, leaving with Mu Zha, disappearing from the spot.

With everything complete, she had to return to the Great Thunderclap Monastery of the West to report to Sakyamuni Tathagata.

...

The next day.

Outside Chang’an City.

Civil and military officials, along with many citizens, saw Xuanzang off.

Emperor Li Shimin had prepared horses and two attendants for his Imperial Brother, but sadly, Xuanzang declined them all.

He left simply leading the horse away.

"The predecessors were ever so secretive about this matter, making it clear that the Journey to the West is fraught with hardships. I just don’t know if I will have the chance to see the predecessor in this lifetime!"

Golden Cicada remained silent, thinking thus as he headed westward.

He did not know what the outcome would be, but he was aware that the journey would be arduous and perilous.

...

Inside the Great Thunderclap Monastery of the West.

Many Bodhisattvas and Buddhas gathered, with Sakyamuni Tathagata still occupying the highest seat.

Guanyin Bodhisattva stood in the hall.

"Was your journey smooth, Bodhisattva?" asked Sakyamuni Tathagata slowly.

The many Buddhas and Bodhisattvas turned their heads to look at Guanyin.

The Journey to the West was a matter of great importance, concerning the grand prospering of their Western Heaven.

It naturally involved every Buddha and Bodhisattva.

"Informing the Buddha, Golden Cicada has already started his journey to the west!" Guanyin nodded.

The numerous Buddhas and Bodhisattvas breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing Guanyin’s words.

"Amitabha Buddha, it seems that the grand flourishing of the Western Heaven is imminent. Also, has Forked Ridge been properly arranged?"

Sakyamuni Tathagata nodded, his compassionate face showing satisfaction.

"Informing the Buddha, that checkpoint has been prepared. The Celestial Court has also dispatched Taibai Jinxing as the protector!" spoke a prominent figure in Buddhism slowly.

"That’s good!"

Sakyamuni Tathagata nodded, clearly very pleased with this news.

...

The way to the west was long and arduous.

A man and a horse moved toward the distant horizon.

Although after several Calamities of Measurement the Primordial Continent was shattered, reducing it to less than a tenth of its original size...

Even so, for ordinary mortals, each continent remained vast, and one might never find its edge in a lifetime.

This Journey to the West stretched for eighty-one thousand miles—an imprecise measure, merely indicating the extreme distance!

In the sky above, a figure slowly followed, none other than Taibai Jinxing.

Although Taibai Jinxing did not wish to be involved in this calamity, he could not defy the Jade Emperor’s orders.

He watched as Golden Cicada led the horse, walking neither swiftly nor slowly, and it took half a month to leave the Great Tang.

Next, he entered a dense jungle, where Golden Cicada soon noticed a strangely shaped large rock standing ahead.

It was convex on both sides and concave in the middle.

It looked like a fork.

Forked Ridge.

As Xuanzang saw this, he couldn’t help feeling some unease, a kind of instinctive reaction.

As Xuanzang’s memories returned, his cultivation level had also restored entirely.

And in the ravine...

Tiger Spirit General Yin, Bear Spirit Lord Xiongshan, and Bovine Spirit Special Hermit.

The three emitted dense monster energy, resembling thick smoke, which made their forms appear even more mysterious and their auras ancient and long-standing.

But within this thick demonic energy, there was a strange presence mixed in, surprisingly it was Buddha’s light.

If one looked closely, they would realize that this was not anything else but Buddha Power.

Certainly, these three demons were cultivating Buddhist Divine Skills, established by Buddhism as part of this calamity, forming a checkpoint.

The purpose of this checkpoint was naturally to stop Golden Cicada.

Thud, thud, thud!

At that moment, the sound of horse hooves started ringing, approaching from afar, obviously getting closer.

"Here he comes!"

The three demons smiled in anticipation.

Although the checkpoint was merely a formality, the necessary actions would still not be omitted.

As they heard the approaching horse hooves, they saw a monk mounted on a horse coming their way.

The monk’s presence was dignified, surrounded by Buddha’s light, encapsulating infinite Buddha Power.

Seeing Golden Cicada’s outfit, the three demons revealed joyous expressions.

And the face of Tiger Spirit General Yin showed ecstatic joy.

"Tang Dynasty monk, you have finally arrived, making us wait for so long. Today, once we capture you, we’ll feast on you alive!"

The three demons glanced at each other, then started walking toward Xuanzang.

These three had been instructed by Buddhism to wait here for the one seeking the scriptures, decades ago.

And they had received Buddhist Divine Skills, specifically to deal with some unforeseeable changes.

The three of them were the first trial in the Journey to the West, very special indeed.

Consequently, they took action together, causing massive changes in heaven and earth.