Journey to the West: Sun Wukong's Advice System
Chapter 203 The Perfect Man and Change

Chapter 203: Chapter 203 The Perfect Man and Change

Backyard of Baima Temple.

After paying his respects to the two esteemed monks of the Buddha Sect, Wang Mang made clear his intention for visiting.

He began with a sigh, "Now that the floods are raging, Heaven has eyes, yet I regret that I cannot suffer in place of the people."

Jia Ye and Ananda both chanted the Buddha’s name, "Amitābha, how commendable, how commendable."

Wang Mang then solemnly said, "One should not speak of the strange and chaotic spirits; were it not for the suffering of the people, I would never have come to seek an audience with the two of you.

But hearing that you possess methods to alleviate this disaster, I have come to offer a million of my family’s fortunes, with the sole request that you must relieve the common folk from this catastrophe."

Jia Ye, with his hands clasped together, said, "Benefactor, you are a person of great goodness. In future days, you will surely receive blessings."

Ananda, on the other hand, said with a smile, "Please rest assured, benefactor. Once we begin the scripture recitation and ceremonial prayer, the calamity will certainly be dispelled."

Wang Mang nodded his head, "Good!"

Afterward, the three of them discussed some matters related to the scripture recitation and ceremonial prayer, and then Wang Mang took his leave.

Jia Ye and Ananda accompanied him to the outside of the temple personally, a scene that did not escape the notice of the continual stream of devotees and believers, attracting much attention and prompting quite a few nobles and officials to take the initiative to converse with Wang Mang.

After quite some time, Wang Mang finally boarded his carriage and left Baima Temple.

"This Wang Mang is indeed a paragon, just as the rumors say," Ananda laughed.

"Observing his actions and words, he doesn’t seem to be pretentious," Jia Ye nodded slightly, "His dedication to doing good and accumulating virtue has been consistent for decades, truly a sincere man of goodness."

In their two years in Chang’an, the name they heard most often was Wang Mang’s.

This person could be considered the moral exemplar of the current Great Han, his every word and deed praised by all.

For instance, when Wang Mang assumed the position of Grand Marshal a few years back, having already reached an unsurpassed official rank, he remained humble and deferential, leading a life of thrift and frugality.

Later, when the new Emperor ascended to the throne and aimed to dismiss Wang Mang, he showed no clinginess to power and voluntarily resigned, retiring to the town of Xindu.

It was only after many officials and commoners protested on his behalf that the current Emperor of the Great Han recalled him to Chang’an, though he did not reinstate his official position.

In such circumstances, Wang Mang continued to remain untroubled whether receiving praise or disgrace, often engaged in acts of charity.

This time, in light of the flooding disaster in Chang’an, he had already donated plenty of farmland and wealth, and now he was donating a million of his family’s fortunes to the Baima Temple, with the sole wish that they must relieve the common people from this predicament.

"As the saying goes, ’You throw a peach to me, I give you a plum in return,’" said Jia Ye, "During the scripture recitation and ceremonial prayer, we may publicize his act of donation."

"That would be most excellent," Ananda praised with a laugh.

Although Wang Mang’s reputation was already illustrious and they needn’t help spread his fame, they still had to do what was required of them.

If they could form a good relationship with him, in the future he would surely be able to assist the Buddha Sect even more.

There are earthly rules for dealing with earthly matters; one cannot fully rely on spells and Divine Skills to solve them.

Returning to the backyard, the expressions of the two brothers became serious once again.

Jia Ye said, "This scripture recitation and ceremonial prayer is of utmost importance; we cannot afford any more mistakes."

Ananda nodded, "Rest assured, elder brother. The previous incident was because the Jinghe Dragon King was unaware of the times, which led to that little mishap, but Wude Xingjun and the Weihe Dragon King are both obedient. They wouldn’t dare leak even the slightest detail.

Just waiting for the scripture recitation and ceremonial prayer to end, the name of our Buddha Sect will surely spread throughout the land of Southern Jambudvipa."

...

A moth flew out of Baima Temple quietly, then found a spot to transform back into the Monkey King.

"The Jinghe Dragon King’s disappearance, as expected, is their doing!" Sun Wukong’s eyes flickered with a menacing light.

However, he was also clear that this investigation had only made him recognize the Buddha Sect’s true face of committing evil before doing good. To let the whole world know, he still needed solid evidence.

"Hehe, using the scripture recitation and ceremonial prayer to gain fame? Let’s see whether it’ll be a good name or a bad one they’ll amplify!" He laughed coldly, already forming a new plan in his mind.

Moreover, Wang Mang’s appearance just now surprised him because this man was actually destined for imperial fate.

Yet at this time, when the destiny of the human dynasty was nearly exhausted, this man was not the Emperor of the Great Han.

Sun Wukong recalled a netizen mentioning something about Wang Mang usurping the Han dynasty, and it seemed that this was the very man.

"Hmm, observing his words and actions, though he holds a high position, he’s indeed worried about the common people; he truly is a morally noble gentleman," his lively eyes swiveled, and he immediately set off back to the Dashi Street Earth God Temple to learn more about Wang Mang in detail.

Perhaps, the opportunity to upgrade the agricultural civilization lay with this man.

But after returning to the Earth God Temple, Sun Wukong had no interest in asking Earth God about Wang Mang, for both Ao Lie and Supreme One of Martial Virtue were unexpectedly absent from the Earth God Temple.

The small deity of Dashi Street Earth God Temple said cautiously, "Your Excellency, Supreme One of Martial Virtue said he had matters to attend to and left, and then Lord Ao Lie also went out."

"Oh?" Sun Wukong scratched his cheek, musing that this disciple of his was somewhat shrewd, although a bit lacking in the dealings of the world.

Of course, even without Ao Lie keeping watch, he could guess where the Supreme One of Martial Virtue had gone.

If he hadn’t gone to the White Horse Temple, he was certainly with the Weihe Dragon King.

Then he left the Earth God Temple once more, heading out to the Wei River outside of Chang’an City.

In the Southern Province Continent, there are four major rivers: the Yangtze, the Yellow, the Huai, and the Ji.

Among them, the Yellow River is the major river.

And the Jing River and Wei River are tributaries of the Yellow River.

The water of the Jing River is clear, while the water of the Wei River is turbid,

When the water of the Jing River flows into the Wei River, the clear and turbid water doesn’t mix, thus giving rise to the distinct separation known as the ’Jingwei demarcation’.

After Sun Wukong arrived at the Wei River, he first transformed into the image of the Supreme One Anan, then dived to the riverbed to locate the Wei River Dragon Palace.

Boom!

He had just reached the place and had yet to explore when suddenly a battle erupted.

Ao Lie was seen holding a longsword, breaking into the Dragon Palace, and fiercely fighting with the Supreme One of Martial Virtue and the Weihe Dragon King.

The formidable aura of a fully-realized Golden Immortal, unfurled with the swing of the sword light, pressed so hard on the two adversaries that they struggled to defend themselves.

"Ao Lie, have you gone mad?" the Supreme One of Martial Virtue shouted angrily.

"I’ve gone mad?" Ao Lie’s face was full of icy fierceness, not bothering to conceal the murderous intent in his heart, "The words you two just said, I heard everything clearly. So my uncle was harmed by you!

I advise you to surrender now, or else I will ensure your death here and now!"

The Supreme One of Martial Virtue’s face changed, aware that Ao Lie had even more powerful treasures. Having once, during the destruction of the Peach Garden, fought on equal terms with a disciple of the Chan Teaching, Qingxu Daode Zhenjun, with the help of a treasure.

"Split up and go!"

He decisively ordered the Weihe Dragon King in a low shout.

"Thinking of escaping?" Ao Lie showed no mercy, immediately taking out the premium innate Spiritual Treasure, the Sea Suppressing Pearl, ready to strike.

But just then, a Buddhist chant sounded, "Amitabha Buddha, the two benefactors need not hurry to leave."

A plump monk appeared above the Wei River Dragon Palace.

"Supreme One Anan!" the Supreme One of Martial Virtue and the inhabitants of the Wei River Dragon Palace exclaimed with joy, greatly relieved at heart.

Ao Lie, without hesitation, aimed the Sea Suppressing Pearl at Anan, and the terrifying power of sea suppression surged out, causing the Wei River to rise in tumultuous waves.

"Impudent young one." Anan extended a hand, forming a Supernatural Palm Imprint.

Crash!

The golden palm imprint, with its holy and intense aura, directly captured the Sea Suppressing Pearl in its grasp, then reached for Ao Lie.

"What?!" Ao Lie was shocked, the Sea Suppressing Pearl was a premium innate Spiritual Treasure, easily taken away just like that?

Clearly, this monk’s strength far surpassed his own.

He swiftly used the Traverse the Earth Golden Light, but in the next instant, found himself caught in that golden palm imprint, unable to escape.