Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 861 - 861: The Fright of Emperor Zhenwu

All along, his persona was always smarter than his disciples, and throughout the journey, the disciples were in awe of his wisdom.

But today, Sun Wukong and the others were all in such a state, while he himself was clueless?

Doesn't this mean his persona is collapsing?

"Ahem..."

Although he felt bewildered inside, Jiang Liu's face showed no sign of it. He coughed lightly and said, "Not bad, Bajie, you've grown up. Following me for so long, you've finally become a bit smarter. Good, very good, you can understand your master's intentions now?"

At this, Jiang Liu paused slightly, then with a look of testing Zhu Bajie, asked, "Bajie, tell me, what is the reason your master is so powerful?"

Sun Wukong didn't speak, but his eyes subtly scanned Zhu Bajie a few times.

Yes, what had Bajie discovered? Even Sun Wukong felt puzzled.

"Master, the strength of Emperor Zhenwu is the best among the Four Royals. By logic, we could defeat Empress Qinghua recently, Emperor Zhenwu should also be defeatable!"

"However, Master didn't want to fight him, I bet you knew Emperor Zhenwu had a supreme defensive treasure, right?" Zhu Bajie asked Jiang Liu.

"Are you referring to the True Martial Soap Carved Flag, one of the Innate Five-Directional Flags?" Zhu Bajie mentioned something Jiang Liu knew well, so Jiang Liu nodded and asked.

"Indeed!" Zhu Bajie said in admiration, "Master knew immediately about Emperor Zhenwu's treasure. Master, this is your first time meeting Emperor Zhenwu yet, you could instantly tell he had this True Martial Soap Carved Flag."

The Innate Five-Directional Flag is said to be indestructible by non-saintly power; having such a treasure meant Emperor Zhenwu was unbeatable in a fight.

Therefore, the Master didn't want to take action.

"Dummy, is that all you know?" Sun Wukong interrupted from the side.

Just because Master knew he had a treasure, you say Master is powerful?

"Of course not, Monkey Brother..." Zhu Bajie shook his head at Sun Wukong's words. "Master is powerful not just because he knew about Emperor Zhenwu's treasure, but despite not wanting to fight, we weren't pressured by Emperor Zhenwu as expected."

"Hmm, that makes sense!" Sun Wukong nodded in agreement.

Indeed, those who don't want to fight have a disadvantage; being suppressed is reasonable.

"But what was the result?"

Zhu Bajie continued, "In the end, despite Emperor Zhenwu's strength and treasures, he fled in panic! He should have been unbeatable, but he fled without daring to stay, doesn't that make Master powerful?"

"Huh!?" Zhu Bajie's analysis made Sun Wukong pause, then nod in agreement.

Indeed, despite Emperor Zhenwu's strength, he fled in panic? That shows Master is truly powerful!

"So that's how it is!" Hearing Zhu Bajie's explanation, Jiang Liu suddenly understood.

Indeed, from Zhu Bajie's perspective, he truly seemed powerful.

"Good, Bajie, you understood a portion of it, good!" Although understanding, Jiang Liu kept up his facade, nodding and said to Zhu Bajie with an appreciative look.

"Huh? Master, I just understood a portion?" Zhu Bajie asked with wide eyes.

Thinking it over, Zhu Bajie felt it made sense.

Master's wisdom can shake the heavens and make ghosts cry; attempting to fully grasp his intentions? Perhaps he was too arrogant.

"Master, what other intentions do you have?" Curious, Zhu Bajie asked Jiang Liu.

"Bajie, you have grown, you must learn to think for yourself about Master's intentions. Think deeply and you will gain understanding."

What other intentions? Jiang Liu naturally couldn't answer, but it didn't stop him from pretending.

Back in his previous life, in literature classes, passages often appeared with questions about the author's central thoughts.

Various answers, even high-sounding ones, were given, but in reality? Only the author knew their true thoughts then.

For example, a representative sentence from Lu Xun was, "My backyard has two trees, one is a jujube tree, and the other is also a jujube tree."

Then, asking what central thoughts this conveyed? What was the author's thoughts?

Analyses and explanations abounded.

Perhaps Lu Xun was simply filling space with words?

Hence, Jiang Liu found this method quite useful; presenting confidently while the true intentions were left for Zhu Bajie and others to interpret themselves.

Moreover, their self-interpretations would make them believe more strongly.

"You dummy, such a dummy!"

Without a grand view, but with ample cleverness, Sun Wukong spoke with a quick wit, "You forgot why we've been moving so slowly all along? Now, Master can rightfully pause our journey!"

"Right!" Sun Wukong's words brought understanding to Zhu Bajie and others; this might be their greatest gain.

Zhu Bajie understood some, Sun Wukong understood some, each felt Master's actions were deeply meaningful.

In their hearts, Master's wisdom seemed unfathomable.

"Master, what should we do next?" After discussing, Zhu Bajie asked Jiang Liu.

Yes, at this point they've stayed, what now? What's next?

"Next? Continue as usual," Jiang Liu replied to Zhu Bajie's question.

"Continue as usual?" Jiang Liu's words brought surprise to Sun Wukong and others.

Does this mean nothing changes?

"Yes, why not?" Jiang Liu nodded, asking back to Sun Wukong and others.

"Oh, I see! Understood!" Sun Wukong soon appeared enlightened.

"Master, you're adapting steadily, right? Like when we were at Wuzhuang Temple, and Immortal Zhenyuan once said he'd detain us, but ultimately, he nearly begged us to leave!"

"Observe and react as needed!" Jiang Liu replied ambiguously.

Without further words, Sun Wukong took out the Map of Mountains and Rivers, revealing a new Thunder Monastery quest. The disciples entered as usual to continue their monster hunting and leveling up.

After several attempts and spending considerable time, Jiang Liu and others exited the quest and brought out the Exquisite Immortal Mansion to prepare dinner.

...

Jiang Liu's situation aside for now, after Emperor Zhenwu left, he didn't immediately return to the Heavenly Court but paused on a cloud.

The little Taoist beside him transformed into the real figure of Bodhisattva Zhenli.

"You Buddhists are really cunning!" Emperor Zhenwu grumbled to Bodhisattva Zhenli on the cloud.

Before Bodhisattva Zhenli could respond, Emperor Zhenwu continued, "My visit to the Lower Realm seems to have done nothing substantial, merely exchanged a few words!"

Saying they must pause for reflection, and Xuanzang insisting on a hundred years? Isn't this pressing me via retreat?

Xuanzang, merely a Buddhist disciple, is already so cunning; truly there's no good ones among them!

"Well, Great Emperor…" Awkwardly hearing Emperor Zhenwu's direct complaints, Bodhisattva Zhenli didn't know what to say for a moment.

Thinking a bit, Bodhisattva Zhenli spoke, "Actually, this is quite beneficial to us!"

"Emperor, consider our purpose; creating a disaster for the Journey to the West team. Now, they're cooperating, isn't that good? Without fighting, we created a disaster successfully!"

"Hearing this, it seems logical, but still feels like a punch to cotton, very unsatisfying!" Emperor Zhenwu said after a moment of silence.

"So, Emperor, you truly wish to fight Xuanzang? Not fighting makes you uncomfortable?" Bodhisattva Zhenli asked.

"It seems so?" Emperor Zhenwu nodded internally.

If he could thrash Xuanzang's team, he'd feel much better.

"This also counts as avenging Qinghua!" Emperor Zhenwu added, finding an excuse.

"Actually, avoiding fights with the Journey to the West team is best. The Immeasurable Kalpa is terrifying, anything can happen!" After a moment of silence, Bodhisattva Zhenli expressed his view.

"This..."

Bodhisattva Zhenli's words made Emperor Zhenwu's heart skip, seeming quite sensible?

He kept thinking of fighting the Journey to the West team, feeling restless without action?

Since when did his mindset become like this?

This mindset matched someone about to face tribulations?

Gasp...

This realization made Emperor Zhenwu shiver, feeling deeply fearful.

True Martial Soap Carved Flag's defense is strong, but what if Xuanzang's team has means to break it? Either treasure or Divine Skills?

Anything is possible; the Five-Directional Flag is said to be indestructible by non-saintly powers.

Even Kong Xuan could ignore its power.

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