Journey to the West: Starting from Changing Sun Wukong’s fate
Chapter 214 - 215: Perhaps the Monk Should Return to His Abode

Chapter 214: Chapter 215: Perhaps the Monk Should Return to His Abode

As the Calamity of Measurement for the Journey to the West, although everything to Buddhism is but a formality, there are still transformations that they naturally must grasp to prevent further unforeseen changes.

The first Calamity of Measurement was both a test and a foundation.

In an instant, the Three Demons made their move, triggering changes between heaven and earth.

Endless red clouds converged as if dyeing the sky into a vast expanse of flame, making the heavens seem alight with fire.

Furthermore, countless Buddhist conch decorated with Sanskrit condensed, embodying powerful forces as if they had endured through the ages, everlasting.

In the next moment, a fiery red aura poured down from the sky.

Lord Taibai Jinxing, who had been observing this scene, was rendered speechless by the sight.

"Has the Western Direction lost its mind? To treat their own people of Buddhism like this?"

In their view, the Journey to the West’s Calamity of Measurement was merely a play, a formality before the grand rise of the Western Direction.

However, the attack of the Three Demons seriously seemed intent on destroying Xuanzang.

"Could it be that the Western Direction isn’t afraid that Golden Cicada might truly die at the hands of these Three Demons?"

Lord Taibai Jinxing was somewhat perplexed, but he knew that when Xuanzang could no longer hold on, he would naturally intervene, so everything seemed only to be expected.

"Giddy up!"

Just at that moment, Xuanzang turned his horse around and galloped back in the direction he had come from.

Seeing this, the Three Demons were all somewhat dumbfounded.

Wasn’t this Xuanzang supposed to pass the trial and then travel to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek the Scriptures? How could he turn tail and run even before they had made their move?

Xuanzang’s fleeing made the three of them seem somewhat foolish.

They were uncertain whether they should continue to exhibit their power.

Lord Taibai Jinxing, who had been watching this unfold, was once again dumbfounded. It was said that Golden Cicada was Buddha’s Disciple, with a faithful heart towards Buddhism, but now, faced with such a minor difficulty, he had turned tail and run?

Is this the Buddha’s Disciple spoken of in legends?

However, now was obviously not the time to think about these things. If Xuanzang fled, how would they carry on with the Journey to the West?

This hesitation grew among them.

Lord Taibai Jinxing frowned.

At that time, Xuanzang was galloping away on his horse.

He had never wanted to be part of the Calamity of the Journey to the West in the first place, and now confronted with such great danger, wasn’t going just seeking death?

Xuanzang naturally wouldn’t go. Although he now possessed great magical power, he had been told by his elders that he must not reveal his abilities unless it was absolutely necessary.

And this scene left all of Buddhism watching in dismay.

"Oh, Tathagata, this Xuanzang, after ten cycles of Reincarnation, seems to have changed!"

Guanyin Bodhisattva had felt something different about Xuanzang since seeing him but couldn’t quite put her finger on what had changed until now.

It seemed that Xuanzang no longer had such deep dedication to Buddhism. Otherwise, he should have pressed on despite the dangers instead of turning tail and running.

The sentiment wasn’t just with Guanyin Bodhisattva and others; even Sakyamuni Tathagata’s brows were deeply furrowed.

Ten cycles of reincarnation were only to make Xuanzang more loyal to Buddhism. Yet now, after ten cycles, he had become like this, running from the slightest trouble?

"Oh, Tathagata, what shall we do?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva was unsure of what to do.

After all, if things continued like this, how could they proceed with the Journey to the West?

Logically, such a Xuanzang was unsuitable for the Journey to the West, but everything was already set in motion and could not be stopped.

So they had no choice but to continue pressing forward.

Sakyamuni Tathagata’s brows gradually relaxed, as if he had thought of something.

"The Celestial Court will not stand idly by!"

Sakyamuni Tathagata slowly spoke as his fingers moved subtly.

At that time, within the Ninth Celestial Palace of the Celestial Court,

the civil and military officials were all buzzing with discussion.

Officials who favored Buddhism wore embarrassed expressions while the Daoist Sect reveled in schadenfreude.

"So much for the unwavering faith of Buddhism, what a joke!"

"It has barely begun, and they’ve already become deserters!"

"How is the Calamity of the Journey to the West supposed to continue now?"

"I reckon the grand rise of Buddhism is out of the question!"

"..."

The civil and military officials were abuzz with discussion, most taking delight in the spectacle since the majority of them were from the Daoist Sect and did not wish to see Buddhism thrive.

They were all too eager to watch the excitement.

Meanwhile, the Jade Emperor frowned.

"Silence!"

The Jade Emperor commanded coldly.

The bustling civil and military officials fell silent.

"Hear my decree, instruct Lord Taibai to re-engage Golden Cicada in the Calamity of Measurement. There must be no mistakes. This is the will of Heaven, not to be defied!"

The Jade Emperor decreed authoritatively.

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials fell into silence.

Though they were dissatisfied with the flourishing of Buddhism, what the Jade Emperor said was true—it was the will of Heaven and could not be defied.

At this moment, Lord Taibai Jinxing still didn’t know what to do when he immediately heard the command of the Jade Emperor.

He was told to let Golden Cicada re-enter the Calamity of Measurement.

"How can one re-enter the Calamity of Measurement?"

Lord Taibai Jinxing had already seen Xuanzang leave the gully, looking as if he was heading back home; nobody could stop him now.

Yet one cannot defy the imperial command, and if he failed, he reckoned he would be the one to take the blame.

"Indeed, one should not re-enter the Calamity of Measurement, for nothing good comes out of it every time!"

Lord Taibai Jinxing murmured to himself, the last time being for the macaque, and this time for this monk.

With a long sigh, Lord Taibai Jinxing twisted his form and dashed in the direction Xuanzang had gone.

After leaving Forked Ridge, Xuanzang’s white horse slowed down involuntarily.

"If I do not go to the Western Heaven, where else should I go?"

Xuanzang felt lost, but despite this, he was determined that it wouldn’t be a problem to bypass such a dreadful place, and moreover, he didn’t need to go to the Western Heaven to spread his Buddhist teachings.

"Elder, please wait a moment!"

Just when Xuanzang had made up his mind, he heard an anxious voice from behind.

Xuanzang was surprised, weren’t all the beings behind him demons? Who could be calling out to him now?

Could it be a demon that had transformed and wanted to devour him?

Thinking this, Xuanzang was about to spur his horse into a wild gallop.

"I’m not a demon, I’m not a demon, I have come specially to help the Elder through this calamity!"

Just then, the voice behind him rang out again.

Upon hearing these words, Xuanzang brought his white horse to a halt.

Turning his head, Xuanzang saw an old Daoist with a white beard approaching from a distance.

The old man then walked over.

"Who are you? Why would you help me through a calamity?"

Xuanzang squinted at the old Daoist.

He already understood that the figure before him must be from the celestial Court or Buddhism. The existence of such Calamities of Measurement was of extreme importance to both.

The one who came out must be either from Buddhism or the celestial Court.

"I am Lord Taibai from the celestial Court. It has come to my knowledge that you are a monk from the Great Tang, journeying to the Western Heaven to seek the True Scriptures, a great endeavor for the salvation of all beings. Since we are predestined to meet, it is only natural that I offer you some assistance!"

Lord Taibai Jinxing spoke slowly, pretending to have encountered Xuanzang by chance.

Xuanzang certainly did not believe it; if it wasn’t for the Journey to the West and the Calamity of Measurement, where would these demons come from? Surely, it must be the work of Buddhist beings, obstructing his path for the sake of the Calamity of Measurement.

It was sheer disregard for good and evil, indifference to the life and death of mortals, yet self-proclaimed as having compassionate hearts.

Originally, he wouldn’t have thought this way, but as his memories returned, his dissatisfaction with Buddhism grew.

For the sake of the Calamity of Measurement, they created demons to create obstacles for him, yet disregarded the lives and deaths of people along the way.

Both the Western Heaven and the celestial Court were far too hypocritical!

"Oh, could you tell me where we are?"

Xuanzang asked with an inward sneer, looking at Lord Taibai Jinxing.

After a moment of silence, Lord Taibai Jinxing replied, "This place is known as Forked Ridge, a den of dead tigers and wolves."

"The Holy Monk of the Great Tang is truly laudable in his quest for the Western Heaven’s True Scriptures!"

Lord Taibai Jinxing couldn’t help but express his admiration.

Xuanzang shook his head and said, "I simply hope to alleviate the worries of the King of Tang and save all beings for the sake of the people. But now with such mighty demons here, I fear I cannot pass. Perhaps it’s better to give up and return home!"

After all, Xuanzang was just a mortal, willing to strive for the Buddhist Law, but knowing death was certain, to still proceed would be the act of a fool, not a mortal.

Lord Taibai Jinxing nodded upon hearing this, quite content with Xuanzang’s words, for even he wouldn’t risk his life knowing the danger here.

Although Lord Taibai Jinxing initially thought Xuanzang was cowardly, when he heard Xuanzang say this, it seemed quite reasonable. He then said, "The recluse there is a buffalo spirit, Lord Xiongshan is a bear spirit, and General Yin is a tiger spirit."

"To your left and right, all are evil spirits, mountain spirits and tree ghosts, strange beasts and gray wolves. Follow me, and I will guide you on the road."

Lord Taibai Jinxing did not wish to delay any longer, quickly urging Xuanzang to get going. Once Xuanzang had entered the Calamity of Measurement, he could no longer turn back even if he wanted to.

This way, Lord Taibai Jinxing would also accomplish his task.

"Thank you, Old Star Lord!"

Xuanzang showed a look of gratitude. Following behind Lord Taibai Jinxing, they indeed encountered no demonic obstructions this time and smoothly passed through Forked Ridge.

"Now that we have crossed Forked Ridge, you may continue on your way. You shall encounter more opportune moments than before for the salvation of all beings!"

Having led Xuanzang past Forked Ridge, Lord Taibai Jinxing breathed a sigh of relief and was ready to leave.

"Wait, Old Star Lord!"

Just then, Xuanzang spoke up, stopping Lord Taibai Jinxing from leaving.

"What else is it?"

Lord Taibai Jinxing frowned slightly, looking at Xuanzang with some confusion.

"Since the Star Lord is an Immortal, and my journey is fraught with danger, could you possibly offer me a treasure for protection?"

Xuanzang hesitated as he spoke to Lord Taibai Jinxing, "If there is no treasure, it might be better for this poor monk to return home. While saving all beings is my duty, how can I do so without my life? How can I obtain the Mahayana Buddhist scriptures for the King of Tang?"

"If the heavens truly possess the virtue of cherishing life, should they not bestow a treasure upon the Great Tang?"

Upon hearing Xuanzang’s words, Lord Taibai Jinxing fell into a speechless daze, at a loss about what to do next.

Because he found Xuanzang’s reasoning quite sound and irrefutable.