Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 845 - 845: Jiang Liu: You want to go Scripture Seeking? I'll let you!

"Who are you!?"

Startled, the White Dragon Horse found itself pushed back significantly and stared gravely at the old monk before it, demanding sharply.

Though caught unprepared, even he had attained the stage of a Taiyi True Immortal. How could he be forced back? Clearly, this old monk was no ordinary person!

"Not bad strength!" The White Dragon Horse felt a weight in his heart. In truth, sensing the strength of the White Dragon Horse, the old monk was also silently astonished.

The team undertaking the Journey to the West, even the least conspicuous White Dragon Horse, had such cultivation?

This team on their pilgrimage to fetch scriptures truly shouldn't be underestimated!

...

Within the Exquisite Immortal Mansion, Jiang Liu sat calmly, while inwardly murmuring silently.

Why had Xiaobai been lured away this time? And who was the mastermind behind it? By the looks of it, their background was not ordinary!

No matter what, if it was someone from the ranks of immortals and buddhas, the higher their status, the less he could let it slide.

If an opportunity to kill them presented itself, all the better!

Even Ancestor Minghe, from the Netherworld Blood Sea, dared not face him and hid away.

If others fell at his hands, wouldn't he have ample justification with the Immeasurable Kalpa?

Given the capabilities of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team, with proper collaboration, there would be little threat below the level of a Quasi-Saint.

"Hmm? Is there a dispute?"

As Jiang Liu contemplated the mastermind and consequent strategies, he suddenly heard a shout from the White Dragon Horse outside.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liu's form flickered, and he walked towards the door.

As expected, the White Dragon Horse was there, visibly grave, confronting an old monk clad in a blood-red kasaya.

Character Profile!

Facing an unknown stranger, Jiang Liu instinctively murmured a chant and pulled up the character's profile.

Soon, a translucent profile appeared before Jiang Liu's eyes.

ID: Mysterious Old Monk (Blue).

Gender: Male.

Profession: Bodhisattva.

Level: 78.

Equipment: ...

"Bodhisattva?" Jiang Liu's attention naturally zeroed in on the profession and level first.

Level 78? That would be the late stage of Taiyi True Immortal cultivation. In the Buddhist Sect, such cultivation rightfully earned a Bodhisattva rank.

But looking at the ID, "Mysterious Old Monk"? It seemed this Bodhisattva was hiding his true identity.

Once he realized this, Jiang Liu's lips curled into a faint smile.

Since the opponent had deliberately concealed their identity, wasn't it all the better? If an opportunity arose, wouldn't it be best to kill them off directly?

Killing a Bodhisattva surely would bring considerable gains.

Moreover, if he had hidden his identity and got killed, who could blame Jiang Liu?

"Amitabha, a monk does not lie. Master Xuanzang is clearly here, yet you claim he is not..."

While Jiang Liu was scrutinizing the Mysterious Old Monk's profile information, the old monk also noticed Jiang Liu as he walked out. He chanted a Buddha's name before speaking gruffly to the White Dragon Horse.

After his statement, he ignored the White Dragon Horse and moved towards Jiang Liu.

"Greetings, venerable monk..." Despite mulling over how to dispose of the opponent, Jiang Liu outwardly maintained a respectful and courteous demeanor, taking the initiative to greet him with a bow.

"Hmm, as expected of a high monk from the Great Tang in Eastern Land, you have a remarkable demeanor!" The old monk accepted Jiang Liu's salute with a superior air, scrutinizing Jiang Liu from above.

"Master, he..." The nearby White Dragon Horse, displeased, approached Jiang Liu and shot the old monk a glance before speaking to Jiang Liu.

But Jiang Liu waved his hand, signaling the White Dragon Horse to stay silent.

"May I ask how to address you and your purpose for seeking me?" Jiang Liu's gaze settled once again on the old monk, getting straight to the point.

"Direct and straightforward!"

The old monk praised before replying to Jiang Liu, "I heard that the Great Tang has a high monk, chosen by Bodhisattva Guanyin to travel west to seek scriptures and meet the Tathagata. So I, the old monk, am not convinced!"

"Not convinced? What do you mean by that?" Jiang Liu's brow slightly arched as he asked the old monk.

"I, the old monk, have cultivated Buddhism for many years, my cultivation should be no less than any high monk, and I also possess demon-subduing skills. In both Buddhist law and methods, I can bear the responsibility of fetching scriptures from the West. So why wasn't I chosen, but you?"

"So, you're here to pick a fight?" Observing the old monk, Jiang Liu's heart stirred.

At level 78, he indeed had significant strength.

But picking a fight with Jiang Liu? His strength fell short.

Both Manjushri and Samantabhadra were defeated by Jiang Liu.

And Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing have all been lured away by the 'lure the tiger away from the mountain' stratagem?

Thinking of this, Jiang Liu inwardly laughed!

So this old monk thought that without the trio, his level 78 strength would be enough?

That's how it is!

"Venerable monk, what are your intentions?" Jiang Liu pondered briefly, grasping the situation roughly but maintained an unchanged exterior, asking softly.

"Very simple, I want to compete with you! To prove I am more suitable for the scripture-seeking mission!" The old monk declared to Jiang Liu.

"No need to compete, if you are willing to seek the scriptures, I am willing to withdraw!" Jiang Liu shook his head, with no intention to compete.

"Uh..." Jiang Liu's reply left the old monk stunned, speechless.

The Journey to the West to fetch scriptures promised immense merit, and upon reaching Spirit Mountain, surely a position of a Buddha. Xuanzang must've harbored personal ambitions?

That's why he made the challenge, wanting to compete for the mission.

But Xuanzang relinquished so easily?

This was unconventional!

"If I were exempt from fetching scriptures, nothing would be better!" In Jiang Liu's heart, he secretly scoffed.

His main purpose for fetching scriptures was to save Gaoyang.

But with Gaoyang possibly no longer in the Buddhist Sect, there was no need.

If someone else could replace him, Jiang Liu would gladly accept.

Furthermore!

The biggest crisis Jiang Liu foresaw was at Western Spirit Mountain, where he'd possibly disappear, replaced by Golden Cicada, to be appointed Sandalwood Merit Buddha.

Thus, he enhanced his cultivation desperately to save himself.

If Jiang Liu could avoid fetching, there'd be no crisis.

With the obligation removed and having consumed Ginseng Fruit, Jiang Liu could practice leisurely, occasionally fight monsters, and after decades or centuries, leveling up to reach level 100, becoming a significant figure...

Isn't that better?

If the opportunity arose, and with two saints from the Buddhist Sect falling, or Master Wuchao's Hongmeng Purple Qi emerging, at level 100, he could seize a Purple Qi.

Then, attaining Saintliness would not be impossible either!

Thus, leveling up leisurely, living a peaceful life, without urgent needs, who would want to journey west, constantly scheming against heaven and buddhas?

Toiling unnecessarily?

"You, you really wish for me to replace you in fetching scriptures from the West?" The old monk, incredulous, asked Jiang Liu after a pause.

"Yes, I am willing! If the Buddha were here, I would even say it to his face!" Jiang Liu nodded earnestly.

Alright! Seeing Jiang Liu's demeanor, the old monk knew Jiang Liu wasn't lying.

But the unpredictability left the old monk at a loss.

The scripture-seeking mission was divinely preordained; even the Tathagata couldn't change it!

"Hmph! Master Xuanzang, you are so cunning yet pretend to be loyal!" After a moment of silence, the old monk's expression turned angry, pointing at Jiang Liu.

"The merit from fetching scriptures is immense, how could you willingly yield it? Your words imply certainty about the irreplaceable chosen one, hence your generosity!"

"If it were indeed replaceable, you wouldn't be so accommodating!" The old monk glared angrily at Jiang Liu.

"Since the chosen one is not easily replaced, why come to me?" Jiang Liu remained calm, questioning the old monk.

"I…" The old monk was speechless again.

"Hmph, I'm just not reconciled! Even if it was impossible to replace, I'm still not convinced. I want to see what you've got to carry out the scripture-seeking mission!" Enraged, the old monk expressed his dissatisfaction.

After speaking, the old monk no longer allowed Jiang Liu to respond. Raising his hand, an iron stick appeared, aiming at Jiang Liu: "Xuanzang, fight me!"

"So when words fail, you resort to violence?" Watching the old monk's movements, Jiang Liu silently shook his head.

Level 78? Indeed impressive.

But Jiang Liu was now level 75, and Xiaobai had reached level 71, entering the Taiyi True Immortal stage.

Combining their strengths, the old monk might not be a match.

Since he attacked first, Jiang Liu was glad.

The desire to kill rose, but Jiang Liu suppressed it immediately.

No, it can't be right!

Level 78, just a Bodhisattva, yet he managed to lure Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing away?

Could it be? There's a higher power backing him!?