Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 869 - 869: Is Xuanzang Trying to Trick Me in Reverse?

Listening to Emperor Zhenwu's words, Jiang Liu's heart sank.

Nobody expected Emperor Zhenwu to suddenly appear in the Exquisite Immortal Mansion, and even more unexpected was the fact that he had witnessed their team's activities in the dungeon, which came as a complete surprise to Jiang Liu.

If this matter were to be leaked, it would be quite troublesome.

To put it simply, it's like being an imperial official in a feudal dynasty and trampling on the emperor's portrait.

If others saw this, what would the consequences be?

Although the world within the Map of Mountains and Rivers is virtual, the team on the Journey to the West for Scriptures wreaked havoc in the virtual Spirit Mountain and even killed Tathagata.

If this were to be spread around, how would the people of the Western Spirit Mountain react? How would Tathagata Buddha feel?

So, the best solution might be to kill all witnesses, right?

However, considering Emperor Zhenwu's possession of the True Martial Soap Carved Flag, one of the Innate Five-Directional Flags, with a defense value of 10 billion,

Jiang Liu's thoughts of eliminating witnesses instantly melted away like snow in the sunlight.

"Amitabha, Emperor, you misunderstood!" Although Jiang Liu's heart felt heavy upon hearing Emperor Zhenwu's words, he maintained a composed exterior as he said, "The Spirit Mountain scene in the Map of Mountains and Rivers was actually sketched by Randeng Buddha with the Heaven and Earth Inkstone and the Vermilion Pen of the Great Jade Emperor!"

As soon as Jiang Liu spoke, his tone, though polite and respectful, was pressing the advantage.

The painting was done by Randeng Buddha, the Vermilion Pen was borrowed from the Jade Emperor, and the Map of Mountains and Rivers is a treasure of the Empress.

All of this connects to three prominent figures, each at the Quasi-Saint level!

After a brief pause, Jiang Liu continued, "During our Journey to the West, my disciples and I have encountered numerous adversaries. For instance, at Lion Camel Ridge not long ago, we faced an attack by a hundred thousand members of the Demon Clan!"

"So, to protect ourselves, my disciples and I not only need to cultivate but also to develop our teamwork through real combat!"

"Given the treasure of the Map of Mountains and Rivers, it's only natural that we cultivate our teamwork within the world depicted in the map."

"As for confronting the Buddha, in my humble opinion, true respect isn't merely spoken but held in one's heart!"

"As long as I respect Tathagata Buddha in my heart, the actions themselves are of little significance. I believe the Buddha wouldn't be so narrow-minded as to take offense at appearances."

A series of profound arguments came out of Jiang Liu's mouth. Whether or not Emperor Zhenwu believed him, Jiang Liu knew he had to display conviction.

If Jiang Liu himself didn't believe it, how could Emperor Zhenwu be convinced?

"Really?"

Emperor Zhenwu found Jiang Liu's explanation seemingly coherent, yet he remained skeptical inside.

However, despite his doubts, Jiang Liu's confident demeanor made it hard to see it as mere sophistry.

"Emperor!"

After giving a plausible explanation, Jiang Liu didn't intend to dwell on the topic and continued, "May I ask why you have come today? Besides..."

Pausing briefly, Jiang Liu continued, "Besides, Emperor, you entered without notifying us!"

Jiang Liu's attempt to shift the topic also aimed at taking the initiative, clearly questioning Emperor Zhenwu's unannounced entry.

"It wasn't that I entered unannounced. I knocked for quite some time without a response and thus thought you had left secretly!" Emperor Zhenwu replied to Jiang Liu's almost accusatory words.

"I see!" Jiang Liu nodded in apparent understanding, not probing further.

After a brief silence, he asked, "Then, Emperor, why are you here? Could it be that our stay has displeased you?"

"No, I'm here to bring good news. You..."

Feeling a bit awkward, Emperor Zhenwu continued, "These past days, witnessing your sincere repentance, you are now free to continue your journey westward!"

"No!" Hearing Emperor Zhenwu's words, Jiang Liu immediately shook his head and said, "Emperor, that's not quite correct!"

With a look of guilt and regret, Jiang Liu said, "We stayed here intending to reflect and repent, yet we engaged in battles inside the Map of Mountains and Rivers to build teamwork. How can that be seen as sincere repentance? I feel deeply remorseful and unwilling to leave!"

Jiang Liu's argument made sense.

If the intention was to reflect and repent, being caught by Emperor Zhenwu engaging in dungeon raids doesn't qualify.

Emperor Zhenwu understood this point, much like a teacher catching a student reading a novel but insisting they were studying diligently.

Emperor Zhenwu had to force out his words.

"Repentance doesn't require confinement in a room! You haven't left for a single step all these days, which shows your sincerity! No need for further words. From now on, you are free!" Emperor Zhenwu stuck to his stance.

"Emperor!" Jiang Liu became more anxious.

What is this? He wanted to stay for a few decades, or at least a few years. Yet, after less than a month, he was being released.

Having said he should stay here as punishment, shouldn't the Emperor stick to his word?

Having severed Emperor Qinghua's arm, he was only detained for just over half a month?

If he confessed to killing Emperor Qinghua, would the detention period be extended?

After contemplating, Jiang Liu dismissed the tempting idea.

It's still too early to disclose Emperor Qinghua's death by his hands, at least until he reaches the Quasi-Saint realm.

"What?!"

Jiang Liu's reluctance made Emperor Zhenwu's face darken. It seemed to confirm his suspicion as he said, "You don't want to go west, so you're stalling?"

"Of course not! Attaining the true scriptures is my sincere wish! However, if my thoughts are unsettled, how can I deliver salvation to the masses?" Philosophical arguments flowed effortlessly from Jiang Liu.

"Since you are now free, attaining the true scriptures and providing salvation is the best form of repentance!" Emperor Zhenwu said earnestly.

"What the Emperor said is reasonable, I have been too fixated!" After a moment of silence, Jiang Liu accepted.

What else could he do? He couldn't win a fight.

Reasoning only works within the bounds of power.

Furthermore, Emperor Zhenwu already seemed suspicious of his stalling tactics. Continuing to linger would be futile.

Jiang Liu actually agreed?

Emperor Zhenwu was taken aback but quickly nodded and said, "Very well then!"

With that, Emperor Zhenwu said no more and turned to leave the Exquisite Immortal Mansion.

"Disciples, pack your things! We continue westward!" After Emperor Zhenwu left, Jiang Liu called to Sun Wukong and the others.

"How strange, Emperor Zhenwu only kept us here for about half a month!" Sun Wukong grumbled, though he had no objections to their master's decision.

"Come on, Monkey Brother. Not having to fight is the best outcome!" Zhū Bājiè interjected upon hearing Sun Wukong's complaints.

Turning to Jiang Liu, Zhū Bājiè asked, "Master, was this another calamity we just went through?"

Upon hearing Zhū Bājiè's question, Jiang Liu opened his storage space, took out the Calamity Book, and flipped through it.

The Forty-Second Calamity: Zhenwu Blocking the Way.

This calamity didn't surprise Jiang Liu.

However, the latest calamity wasn't this one, as there was another one recorded.

The Forty-Third Calamity: Wrath of the Golden Cicada.

"So, the nightmares I had count as a calamity? And it's not resolved yet?" Jiang Liu mused silently, his heart heavy.

Although he would need around four months to resolve the threat from Master Golden Cicada,

there's no telling how many times Master Golden Cicada would try to harm him within those four months!

Wouldn't there be any way to suppress Master Golden Cicada before that?

Unfortunately, the confrontation between him and Master Golden Cicada was something none could assist with, and it must remain undiscovered.

Thinking of this, Jiang Liu shook his head silently and sighed deeply.

…

After tidying up, Jiang Liu continued the westward journey, while Emperor Zhenwu watched from afar as the Exquisite Immortal Mansion disappeared, nodding secretly.

Though unaware of Jiang Liu's true intentions to stall, forcing them to leave was satisfactory.

"Wait a minute..."

Feeling pleased with himself for compelling Jiang Liu to depart, Emperor Zhenwu suddenly had a revelation.

Could it be that Xuanzang and his group were intentionally stalling?

Could Jiang Liu have pretended to stall just to make him push them onward?

If Jiang Liu asked outright, Emperor Zhenwu might have refused.

So, was this reverse psychology?

These Buddhists are known for their scheming!

Reflecting on this notion, it indeed seemed plausible…