Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 870 - 870: Biqiu Nation

The White Dragon Horse, its hooves still heading west.

Jiang Liu and his companions continued their journey to the west, moving slowly and leisurely, covering thirty to fifty miles a day without urgency.

After some more days of travel, they arrived at a majestic city.

On the city gate, two large characters could be seen: Biqiu.

"Master, we've reached a new city. Should we go in and replenish our supplies?" Sun Wukong asked Jiang Liu upon seeing the city's appearance.

"Is this the Biqiu Nation?" Seeing the characters "Biqiu", Jiang Liu murmured to himself.

Jiang Liu had some memory of the Biqiu Nation from the original text, where small children's hearts were used as an ingredient to refine the Elixir of Longevity?

But that's all Jiang Liu remembered.

He couldn't recall any other specifics.

"Hmm, we naturally need to go in and replenish our supplies!" Jiang Liu nodded in agreement.

If the Biqiu Nation here was indeed like in the original text, he should be able to trigger a task.

Following Jiang Liu's words, Sun Wukong and the others had no objections and they entered the royal city of the Biqiu Nation.

Having traveled through many royal cities like Black Chicken Country, Zhuzi Country, Women's Kingdom, etc.,

they found a stark contrast with the royal city of the Biqiu Nation.

Unlike other nations' cities, which were bustling despite their size,

this royal city seemed eerily deserted.

"Master? Something seems off here!" Walking on the main street, Sun Wukong noticed that every household kept its doors tightly closed, with large cages hanging by the doorways, giving a cold and sparse feeling.

"Indeed, has trouble struck the Biqiu Nation?" Jiang Liu murmured to himself, seeing the state of the royal city.

Since they encountered this, Jiang Liu knew that he could not turn a blind eye to the situation in the Biqiu Nation.

"Wukong, go knock on the door!"

To trigger a task, Jiang Liu needed someone to request his help for a more substantial reward, so he instructed Sun Wukong.

"Got it, master!" Sun Wukong nodded and approached a large household, knocking on the door vigorously.

"I'm coming!" A voice responded from inside after Sun Wukong's rough knocking.

Immediately, an old man opened a crack in the door and scrutinized Jiang Liu and his companions.

Seeing Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing, the old man was naturally startled.

"Old sir, greetings..."

Knowing his disciples' unappealing appearances, Jiang Liu stepped forward with his most polite and friendly demeanor.

"Who are you? Why knock on my door? What's your business?" Despite Jiang Liu's refined appearance, the old man remained wary, eyeing Jiang Liu closely.

He had no intention to open the door and invite them inside.

"Old sir, we are monks from the Great Tang in Eastern Land, journeying to the Western Heaven seeking Buddha..."

Jiang Liu began his sentence, familiar with these words after repeating them numerous times.

"What does that have to do with me!?" However, the old man interrupted before Jiang Liu could finish, rudely dismissing them.

Shaking his head, he closed the door, saying, "If you're heading to the Western Heaven, then move along! This is not the Western Heaven!"

"Wait!" Seeing the old man about to shut the door, Sun Wukong swiftly held it open.

No matter how hard the old man tried, he couldn't close the door.

"What, what are you doing?"

Futile attempts to close the door led the old man to anger, "You creatures may look scary, but I'm not afraid! Leave now, or else..."

"Amitabha!" Judging that reasoning would not work with the old man, Jiang Liu lowly chanted a Buddhist mantra, then lightly stomped his foot.

A great rumble ensued, the earth trembled, leaving a deep pit where Jiang Liu stood, with countless cracks spreading around it.

Seeing the pit, the old man stopped short, looking astonished as if his throat had been seized.

Staring at Jiang Liu and then at the pit, he could hardly believe his eyes.

This young monk, despite his age, possessed immense strength, managing to create such a large pit with just a stomp?

"Old sir, please grant us some convenience!" Jiang Liu's tone remained polite despite his display of strength.

"Master, please come inside!"

The old man's face changed drastically, almost ingratiatingly as he invited Jiang Liu and his companions inside.

"Thank you!" Seeing the old man's quick surrender, Jiang Liu inwardly chuckled but remained composed, nodding slightly.

Immediately, the group walked inside.

Jiang Liu was not surprised by the old man's reaction; the more aggressive people often feared the strong.

Thus, the old man's sudden change in attitude was entirely expected.

"Master, impressive!" Sun Wukong and the others felt pleased seeing their master make the old man yield instantly.

"Old woman, quickly prepare vegetarian dishes; we have esteemed guests..." the old man urged his wife to prepare food.

Soon, an elderly lady appeared, scrutinizing Jiang Liu and his companions with curiosity.

These people were strangers; what did the old man mean by esteemed guests?

"Old sir, no need for the trouble. We are not hungry and did not come to beg for alms," Jiang Liu explained.

"Oh? Not begging for alms? So master, what is your purpose?" questioned the old man.

"Sigh, why did you interrupt me before I finished?" Jiang Liu felt annoyed that the old man did not let him explain earlier.

"Well, old sir, we are monks heading to the Western Heaven seeking Buddha scriptures, passing through here. Seeing the lack of people and the cages at every door, we wonder, what has happened here?" Jiang Liu asked.

"Master, I advise you to leave soon..."

The old man contemplated for a moment before shaking his head, "Biqiu Nation is a place of trouble. As mere travelers, you should not stay!"

Jiang Liu, aiming to trigger the task, had no intention of leaving.

"Old sir, please be frank. If Biqiu Nation is in trouble, perhaps I can offer some help?" Jiang Liu persisted.

"Alright, since the master insists on knowing, I shall not hide..." The old man sighed and shook his head.

"Actually, the cages at every door contain our children."

The old man, distressed, continued, "Our king is obsessed with the path of longevity. A secret technique from the State Preceptor requires the hearts of 1,110 children as an ingredient for the Elixir of Longevity. Hence..."

The old man couldn't help but cry, clearly his family was also forced into providing children's hearts.

"What? This storyline in Biqiu Nation hasn't changed!" Jiang Liu was surprised.

Given his increased strength, many calamities and plots from the original text had altered.

Not to mention his ten-years earlier departure, original events had been reshaped.

Yet, the Biqiu Nation's plot remained unchanged.

"Master, Biqiu Nation is not a good place now. I advise you to leave; the king's orders cannot be countered!" the old man urged for Jiang Liu's safety.

"Old sir!"

Jiang Liu responded firmly, "If I can rescue these 1,100 children, would you want my help?"

"Ah? You can save them?" The old man looked at Jiang Liu in shock.

"Indeed! If I can, would you want me to help?" Jiang Liu asked.

"Master, do you intend to kill our king?" The old man looked wary.

"Of course not! With such evil tactics, the State Preceptor must be wicked! What if I expose his true nature?" Jiang Liu offered confidently.