Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

"Saint Monk Longhai is looking for me, is there something important?" Jiang Liu asked after letting Longhai in.

Could it be that he came because he had learned of Jiang Liu mastering the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound?

"There's nothing particularly important, I just wanted to chat with you for a bit," Longhai said as he sat down on the chair next to Jiang Liu without much courtesy, poured himself a cup of tea, and took a gentle sip.

"Yeah right, I believe you," Jiang Liu thought to himself, rolling his eyes internally at Longhai's words.

Of course, no matter what he thought inside, Jiang Liu's exterior did not show any sign of it.

Jiang Liu also sat down in front of Longhai, poured himself a cup of tea, and was in even less of a hurry to speak. The room fell silent for a moment.

After waiting a little while, seeing that Jiang Liu had no intention of starting a conversation, Longhai had to take the initiative and said, "Xuanzang, you have grasped the first layer of the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound so quickly. I have come to understand your talents, but cultivation cannot be accomplished in isolation. It requires trial by fire and blood to fully master it.

You've been seeking out your fellow disciples in the afternoons to exchange martial arts, is that what you're thinking?"

Instead of answering Longhai's question, Jiang Liu just gazed steadily at him, indicating for him to continue speaking.

Seeing that Jiang Liu had no reaction, Longhai was not annoyed and continued, "Most temples are located deep in the mountains, in cave heavens and blessed lands, yet our Great Buddha Temple is built right within Chang'an City, enduring the city's clamor. Do you know why?"

"I do not know!" The topic had indeed piqued Jiang Liu's interest.

Indeed, it was quite strange that within Chang'an City the Great Buddha Temple occupied such a large area. After all, since ancient times, there has always been competition between royal authority and religious authority.

"That is because Chang'an City is not a place of solely good. Beneath it lies a Demon Cave, filled with demons. Our Great Buddha Temple is built right above this Demon Cave, securing the safety of Chang'an City," Saint Monk Longhai stated straightforwardly without any intention of keeping it a mystery.

"So that's how it is…" Jiang Liu nodded in realization and then looked at Longhai with further questions, "I wonder why the Holy Monk would tell me this?"

"There's a saying, 'It is better to dredge than to block.' Our Great Buddha Temple is suppressing the Demon Cave but has not sealed it entirely. Otherwise, the demons inside might grow strong enough to overthrow the temple one day, causing an even greater disaster. Therefore, there's a small gap left in the seal, through which we constructed the Demon-Suppressing Hall.

The demons that escape enter this hall, and the temple often arranges for disciples to train there," Longhai said.

Upon having said this, Longhai paused briefly and then added, "First, this is to eliminate the demons from the Demon Cave safely before their numbers become too overwhelming. Second, it also serves the purpose of training the temple's disciples."

"Isn't this just like a level-grinding dungeon!?" Jiang Liu's eyes lit up upon hearing about the existence of the Demon-Suppressing Hall.

This was indeed timely information. Having shown his prowess with the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound, Jiang Liu had been worrying because few disciples were willing to accept his challenges anymore. But now, he learned of the Demon-Suppressing Hall within the Great Buddha Temple.

To him, wasn't the Demon-Suppressing Hall the perfect place for grinding levels?

"So, the Holy Monk means to suggest that I should go there to train?" Jiang Liu asked excitedly, his eyes wide as he gazed at Saint Monk Longhai.

Seeing the changes in Jiang Liu's expression, Longhai could understand his thoughts. This was truly a martial arts fanatic.

However, Longhai still had to say what needed to be said, "I have simply informed you of the Demon-Suppressing Hall. Whether you choose to go or not is up to you."

"Willing? I am naturally willing to go," feeling as if he'd been given a pillow just as he'd gotten sleepy, how could Jiang Liu refuse?

Upon hearing Jiang Liu's response, Saint Monk Longhai nodded slightly, indicating that he understood and was not at all surprised.

Previously, knowing that Jiang Liu had a great passion for martial arts, it was Longhai that had brought out the Heavenly Dragon Zen Sound to steady his thoughts of returning to secular life. These past days, he had even been pulling the monastery's disciples together to spar daily. Therefore, Longhai was not surprised by his agreement to proceed.

"Very well, Daoji's cultivation level is also about to break through to the Body Tempering Realm. In another two days, the two of you can enter the Demon-Suppressing Hall together for training," Longhai spoke, solidifying the arrangement.

Although Longhai had said that he was just there for a casual chat with Jiang Liu, once the matter at hand had been discussed, Longhai did not intend to stay any longer, and he got up to leave.

"Ah, wait a moment..." However, as Longhai stood up, Jiang Liu spoke up to stop him.

Longhai turned back, looking at Jiang Liu with an inquiring gaze.

"I've been having a recurring dream lately, a very vivid one. Can the Holy Monk help me understand it?" Jiang Liu's face carried a troubled expression, as though he was tormented by the dream.

In modern society, it would not be a significant issue to simply have a dream, but in this mythical world, being one of the twelve incense scarred Buddhist Disciples and having the same dream for several days in a row was a serious matter. Saint Monk Longhai's expression grew solemn, and he sat back down: "What did you dream about?"

"It's quite strange. I dreamt of a monkey, a monkey that could ascend to the heavens and explore the earth. I dreamt of a monkey being suppressed under a great mountain, calling out daily, asking me to rescue it. Do you have any idea what that means?" Jiang Liu asked earnestly as he stared at Longhai.

The supposed dreams and cries for help were naturally fabricated; Jiang Liu was just using this excuse to inquire about the existence of Sun Wukong.

Being in the lands of Great Tang in this mythical world, his Dharma name being Xuanzang, and having twelve incense scars...

All of these details seemed to imply that he was indeed in the world of Journey to the West and that he was Tang Monk. However, Jiang Liu still wanted to investigate thoroughly.

"A monkey that can ascend to the heavens and plunge into the earth? Suppressed under a great mountain?"

A contemplative look crossed Longhai's brow and after a moment of thought, he said, "Speaking of which, there is a legend that during Wang Mang's usurpation of the Han Dynasty, a Divine Mountain known as Five Elements Mountain descended from the sky. Under this mountain was a Divine Monkey impervious to the cold and hunger.

Later, the Emperor of Great Tang established his rule in the west and renamed it Mount of the Two Realms. The monkey you speak of being suppressed, could it be related to the Divine Monkey under that mountain?"

There it was, confirmation!

Saint Monk Longhai's answer made it clear to Jiang Liu that he was correct. With Five Elements Mountain appearing and the Divine Monkey suppressed beneath it, wasn't that Sun Wukong?

"Indeed, is the world I've traveled to truly the one of Journey to the West? And my identity, is that of the scripture-seeking Tang Monk?" Having confirmed his presence in the world of Journey to the West and his identity as Tang Monk, Jiang Liu didn't feel joy but a sense of sinking.

He had no desire to be a monk; he only wanted to marry Gaoyang and be an ordinary couple. He didn't want to become entangled in the grand affair of journeying to the Western Heaven.

Moreover, modern interpretations of Journey to the West had long since suggested that the entire quest was a colossal setup.

The chessmasters were naturally the great Immortals and Buddhas, and the consequences of getting involved were unpredictable.

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