The Battle in Journey to the West
Chapter 251 - 233: Implementing a Clever Plan to Achieve Great Success_2

Chapter 251: Chapter 233: Implementing a Clever Plan to Achieve Great Success_2

This messenger told the Jing River Dragon King that it would rain tomorrow, at the exact hour and with the exact number of raindrops. Yuan Shoucheng calculated it precisely without any discrepancy.

The Jing River Dragon King couldn’t help but exclaim in alarm, "Is there really such an extraordinary person in this world? Could it be that I am going to lose?"

An adjacent strategist then said, "Great King, there’s no need to worry. You are the Dragon King; if the Jade Emperor orders you to bring rain, you can just delay it a bit, or reduce the amount of rainfall. Wouldn’t it be Yuan Shoucheng who loses then? Afterwards, just go right to his door, drive him out of Chang’an, and protect our aquatic tribes."

After hearing this, the Dragon King joyfully agreed, thinking, "That’s right, I am the one in charge of rainfall. By withholding a bit and delaying, wouldn’t Yuan Shoucheng lose? Then I can simply smash his signboard to pieces!"

Overjoyed, the Dragon King threw a feast, inviting guests for a drink, preparing to spread clouds again at the hour of the snake, thunder at noon, and bring rain at the wei hour, raining precisely three feet and forty drops.

Guanyin laughed and said, "Look, this Jing River Dragon King is truly just a bear of a man, and his strategist is just a straw bag at that, coming up with such an idea! The act of raining is under the management of the Jade Emperor, and right now the Jade Emperor is consolidating power. By withholding rainfall and delaying the time, this is like slapping the Jade Emperor’s face. Would the Jade Emperor let him off that easily?"

Mu Zha couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing this, thinking there seemed to be some interesting developments ahead, and it was very likely that they would achieve great success!

The next day, the Dragon King ascended to bring rain, just as he had discussed with his strategist the day before, withholding the rain and delaying the time.

After the rain, the Dragon King went straight into Yuan Shoucheng’s divination hall, smashed his signboard as soon as he entered, and berated, "You rash Taoist, so ignorant of what is right! Your calculations are incorrect, but you stubbornly claim your predictions are faultless! There were only three feet and forty drops of rain, and it was much later than predicted. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Yuan Shoucheng was grabbed by the Dragon King and punched, his face left bruised and swollen. Panicking, he realized this person was no ordinary being but rather the Jing River Dragon King.

An idea suddenly struck him, and he burst out laughing.

The Dragon King was shocked and asked, "What are you laughing at?"

Yuan Shoucheng replied, "I am laughing at how you have violated the celestial laws without even knowing it, by withholding the rain and delaying the time!"

The Dragon King’s heart stirred and he said, "So what if I did?"

With a scoff, Yuan Shoucheng said, "I know you are the Jing River Dragon King in charge of rainfall, but since you have withheld the rain, you will naturally be punished by the Jade Emperor! I fear you will end up on the Dragon Slaying Platform, becoming a headless dragon! Ha ha, ha ha ha!"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King immediately felt a chill down his spine, his hair standing on end, goosebumps covering his body as he exclaimed, "Please don’t be angry, Sir!"

Yuan Shoucheng simply gave a cold laugh and remained silent.

The Dragon King knelt down in front of Yuan Shoucheng and pleaded, "Sir, your calculations are truly impeccable, please save me! Please save me!"

Seeing him pitiful, with tears and snot on his thighs, Yuan Shoucheng couldn’t bear it and said, "Dragon King, stand up. I will cast another divination for you."

The Dragon King expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Sir!"

Yuan Shoucheng cast another divination and calculated that the Jing River Dragon King would be executed under the supervision of the Chancellor of the Great Tang, Wei Zheng. He said, "You must go immediately to beseech Emperor Taizong of Tang, as tomorrow Wei Zheng is supposed to supervise your execution. Wei Zheng is the Chancellor of the Great Tang, a servant to Emperor Taizong. If you ask Emperor Taizong for help, you will naturally overcome this disaster!"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King was overjoyed and bowed, "Thank you, Sir, for saving me. If the little dragon preserves his life, I will certainly deliver a thousand taels of gold with a bowed head!"

After Yuan Shoucheng finished speaking, he said, "Dragon King, go on your way. Let’s put an end to this matter. If you manage to save your life, we can talk again. If not, it’s fate."

The Jing River Dragon King felt both destructive and resentful. How could he have been so blinded? By withholding the rainfall, he was in such a mess now that when the Jade Emperor would ask him to account for his actions, he couldn’t escape death! Hearing that he still had a sliver of hope, how could he dare to delay? He hurried back to the Jing River and only at night did his primordial spirit leave his body to enter the Imperial City of Chang’an to find Emperor Taizong of Tang.

When the Jing River Dragon King’s primordial spirit left his body and entered the Imperial Palace, he went straight to Emperor Taizong of Tang’s palace, crying, "Your Majesty, save me! Your Majesty, save me!"

Emperor Taizong of Tang, who had dreamt of stepping out of the palace gate, asked, "Who are you, and why do you seek my help?"

The Jing River Dragon King cried out, "The little dragon is the Jing River Dragon King. Your Majesty is a True Dragon, while I am a Karma Dragon. The little dragon has caused great trouble and violated the heavenly laws. Chancellor Wei Zheng is supposed to execute me, under your orders. I beg Your Majesty to save my life. The little dragon will be eternally grateful and will pray and chant for Your Majesty day and night."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Taizong of Tang nodded slightly, "Since Wei Zheng is to execute you, then I can save you. Rest assured and carry on."

The Dragon King was overjoyed and thanked him before leaving.

Guanyin, watching the event unfold with clarity, caused Mu Zha to anxiously exclaim, "What if Emperor Taizong of Tang truly spares Wei Zheng from executing the Dragon King; what should we do then?"

Guanyin, however, smiled and said, "Don’t worry. Everything is predestined, and the Dragon King is certain to die. I have calculated that the Dragon King’s fate is sealed and he is doomed to be executed! Rest assured, we will know by tomorrow."

Guanyin was confident in the outcome: if the Dragon King died, his restless spirit would seek out Emperor Taizong, and when that happened, she would intervene. Emperor Taizong would naturally be grateful and show her the utmost respect, which would ultimately help in accomplishing the Journey to the West!

Although Taoism and Buddhism had both signed the roster for the Journey to the West, Taoism was not the leader, so it was up to Buddhism to take action. If Buddhism could not even accomplish this, then the Journey to the West might as well not happen at all. Guanyin was already confident in her plans and had no worries. The Dragon King’s life was at its end, he had violated the celestial order, and the Jade Emperor would not tolerate him.