Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 860 - 860: Master Is Awesome

For Jiang Liu, if he could successfully take down Emperor Zhenwu and seize the True Martial Soap Carved Flag from him, he would definitely not hesitate.

However, the True Martial Soap Carved Flag's 1 billion defensive power was truly despair-inducing, so Jiang Liu was reluctant to engage in a fight with Emperor Zhenwu.

After all, knowing he couldn't win and still insisting on fighting, what else could that be but masochism? Jiang Liu didn't have such tendencies.

On one hand, he couldn't win; on the other hand, from what Emperor Zhenwu indicated, he didn't seem intent on killing him. Instead, he only seemed to want to delay him on his journey for scriptures, adding some tribulations?

What a good person!

If the circumstances weren't inappropriate, Jiang Liu would have even wanted to present Emperor Zhenwu with a banner to thank him.

He said he wanted me to stay on this journey to atone and repent, right?

Well then, I'll voluntarily request to stay here and repent for a century!

"Huh!?"

Emperor Zhenwu stared dumbfounded at Jiang Liu, completely at a loss for words.

Originally, Emperor Zhenwu had expected that when he said he wanted to block their journey, Xuanzang and his group would resist.

But now, Xuanzang had voluntarily agreed to stay, and even proposed to stay for a hundred years to reflect on his actions?

"Is it my illusion? Why does Xuanzang seem like he wants to stay?"

Emperor Zhenwu thought to himself, puzzled, as he looked at Jiang Liu.

"As the saying goes, a gentleman's word is as good as gold. Your Majesty, you wouldn't go back on your word, would you?" Noticing Emperor Zhenwu's strange gaze, Jiang Liu felt a pang of anxiety and asked.

"Wait, don't say anything. My mind is a bit jumbled right now; let me sort this out…"

At this moment, Emperor Zhenwu felt his mind was in chaos. Xuanzang's reaction was entirely unexpected, and his assumptions seemed completely contrary to what he was witnessing.

Logically speaking, it didn't make sense at all.

After a moment, Emperor Zhenwu seemed to have sorted his thoughts a bit, and his gaze fell on Jiang Liu. "Xuanzang, it seems like you really want to stay?"

"No, you're mistaken, that's nonsense!" Hearing Emperor Zhenwu's words, Jiang Liu quickly shook his head in denial.

"Xuanzang, do you think I'm a fool? Your thoughts are written all over your face. Do you think I can't see through them?" Emperor Zhenwu responded, annoyed at Jiang Liu's repeated denials.

This left Jiang Liu in silence.

Alright, since Emperor Zhenwu had seen through him, denying it any further was pointless.

But, should he really admit it?

Looking at Emperor Zhenwu, who was clearly here to make trouble, if he admitted he wanted to stay, would the Emperor agree?

Admitting or denying, neither seemed right.

Quickly contemplating, Jiang Liu's expression softened into one of deep guilt, "Your Majesty, you don't know. When I previously faced Empress Qinghua, somehow, by accident, I severed her arm!"

"At first, I didn't think much of it. But later, the more I thought about it, the more remorseful I felt. Recently, I've been tormented by my conscience, feeling very sorry for Empress Qinghua!"

"Today, your punishment for me, Your Majesty, actually brings me some relief. This way, I can alleviate my feelings of guilt!" Jiang Liu expressed with an emotionally charged performance.

Emperor Zhenwu frowned slightly as he watched Jiang Liu.

There was something exaggerated about Jiang Liu's performance. Was he pretending?

But if he was faking, what else besides this explanation made sense?

After thinking it through, nothing else seemed to add up.

Moreover, when Xuanzang had acted, had it seemed like something beyond his control? Feeling deep regret afterward?

This seemed like something that could happen if someone's spirit platform was obscured by a tribulation.

Could it be, apart from those like Qinghua who were destined to face tribulations, Xuanzang, a central figure in this immeasurable kalpa, also had his spirit platform clouded, acting in ways he later regretted?

Could it really be because of this?

Upon careful consideration, it seemed plausible.

Jiang Liu, with slightly exaggerated expression, continued to show his remorse. Seeing that Emperor Zhenwu had fallen silent, perhaps contemplating, Jiang Liu did not speak further.

Watching to see what Emperor Zhenwu's final decision would be: whether to believe him or not.

After a long silence, Emperor Zhenwu sighed slightly in his heart.

Although Jiang Liu's expression seemed exaggerated, his explanation seemed the most logical.

"Very well..."

After some thought, unable to find a more reasonable explanation, Emperor Zhenwu sighed and decided to take Jiang Liu at his word.

Still, the journey for scriptures was a great tribulation for the world. Stopping him here added to his trials, which was a good thing.

But letting him stay for a century would delay this grand tribulation for a century, wouldn't it?

"Xuanzang, if you have this mindset, I am comforted. So, you may stay for now," Emperor Zhenwu finally said to Jiang Liu after some deliberation.

Upon hearing this, a flicker of joy appeared in Jiang Liu's eyes!

So many had said they wanted to keep him—like Master Zhenyuan at Wuzhuang Temple and Wutian Buddha in the Demon Realm.

But only today had Emperor Zhenwu actually taken action, making Jiang Liu inwardly happy.

If he really stayed for a hundred years, he'd have time to level up to 100, right?

And with his team, Sun Wukong and the others, their power would surely grow too.

In that case, they'd all reach level 100, right?

If he could sever Good Corpse at 70, Evil Corpse at 80, and True Self Corpse at 90, what would they achieve in a hundred years?

Himself, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, Sha Wujing, White Dragon, plus three corpses—

The scripture-seeking team would become an eight-person team, everyone at level 100.

Reaching Spirit Mountain, challenging the Heavenly Court and Great Thunder Monastery would be much easier, right?

As long as Saints didn't intervene, their team could sweep through those places, right?

"By the way, Your Majesty..." Jiang Liu's thoughts were filled with anticipation. He quickly returned to reality and asked Emperor Zhenwu, "You mentioned reflection and repentance, but for how long?"

"Isn't it obvious? Until I accept and forgive you!" Emperor Zhenwu responded after briefly considering Jiang Liu's question.

To truly make him repent for a hundred years was out of the question. Emperor Zhenwu decided it was better to agree in principle and let him proceed when the timing was right.

"Huh!?"

Upon realizing Emperor Zhenwu hadn't specifically agreed to a century of repentance, Jiang Liu's face fell.

He urgently added, "Your Majesty, I think it's better for me to stay here and reflect for a hundred years! Not doing so can't alleviate my guilt!"

"I said I'm the one to decide!" Emperor Zhenwu, serious, cut him off.

"No!" Jiang Liu, growing desperate, said, "Disciple insists on a hundred years. Please allow it!"

"That's enough! My decision is final, no more to be said!" Emperor Zhenwu interrupted with a wave.

With that said, Emperor Zhenwu turned and flew off into the distance.

"Wait, Your Majesty, I'm genuinely remorseful, please permit me!" Jiang Liu called out urgently after him.

But Emperor Zhenwu quickly disappeared into the horizon, ignoring Jiang Liu's pleas.

"Sigh…" Watching Emperor Zhenwu leave without answering his request, Jiang Liu sighed deeply.

"Master, impressive!" Shortly after Empress Qinghua departed, Zhu Bajie praised Jiang Liu with a thumbs-up.

"Indeed, Master, you were remarkable!" said Sha Wujing and Little White Dragon in unison, admiring Jiang Liu.

"What have they seen?" Sun Wukong, confused, pondered over Zhu Bajie and the others' admiration.

But not wanting to appear less perceptive, Sun Wukong joined, "Yes, Master, very impressive! I, Old Sun, am in awe!"

"This? What's going on?"

Seeing their admiration, Jiang Liu was utterly perplexed.