Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 875 - 875: If I don't enter Hell, who will?

It's happening!

Almost everyone was waiting for Jiang Liu to speak, anticipating how he would persuade the King. Seeing Jiang Liu stand up, ready to speak, everyone present invigorated their spirits, their gazes naturally falling upon Jiang Liu.

"Oh? What does Master Xuanzang have to say? Feel free to speak!"

Even the King straightened his posture somewhat, nodding slightly and saying calmly.

"It's like this: While admiring the scenery in the Royal City today, the humble monk moved around a bit and discovered an unusual sight in the Royal City — that every household's doorway surprisingly hangs a goose cage!" Jiang Liu began without much ado, directly addressing the subject.

With these words, Jiang Liu paused slightly and then scanned the banquet attendees.

He continued: "Upon investigation by the humble monk, it was found that these goose cages house children who are to have their hearts and livers extracted as medicinal ingredients for the Great King to concoct the Elixir of Immortality. Dare I ask the Great King, is this true?"

With Jiang Liu's words, everyone's gaze fell upon the King.

In their view, speaking of this matter in front of the King should surely infuriate him, causing him to fly into a rage.

However, the King's expression remained calm, as if Jiang Liu were speaking of unrelated matters. He nodded candidly: "Indeed, this matter is true!"

"Amitabha, Heaven retains the virtue of mercy. Great King, in pursuing your immortality, you harm the lives of over a thousand children. This act wounds Heaven, and the humble monk wishes for the Great King to reconsider!" After chanting a Buddhist phrase, Jiang Liu spoke earnestly in persuasion.

"Master, this is a matter of our Biqiu Nation. Master, you should hurry along your Journey to the West and not intervene!" The King replied to Jiang Liu without displaying anger.

"Amitabha, to fear hurting ants while sweeping the floor, to cherish moths around the lamp — Great King, these over a thousand children are over a thousand young lives! Since ancient times, wise kings would never commit such acts!" Jiang Liu continued, undeterred.

"Silence!"

Upon hearing Jiang Liu's words, the King of Biqiu Nation feigned anger and shouted: "Master Xuanzang, I respect you as a high monk from Great Tang, which is why I have tolerated you repeatedly. But my patience has a limit!"

"Since ancient times, wise kings would never act thus? So, do you mean to say that I am an unwise king?"

"If you're calling me an unwise king, then I'll show you an unwise king. Guards, drag Master Xuanzang down and throw him into the Death Prison!"

The King's words hushed everyone at the banquet.

The purpose of this banquet was to welcome the high monk from Great Tang; unexpectedly, the banquet had yet to conclude and the high monk from Great Tang had already angered the King, potentially facing being thrown into the Death Prison?

Indeed, the matter of concocting the Elixir of Immortality keenly forbidden to mention in front of the King!

"Wait!" Seeing the King issuing orders and guards stepping forward, the State Preceptor quickly spoke.

Speaking, the State Preceptor bowed to the King, saying: "Great King, though Master Xuanzang's words are disrespectful to the royal authority, they were born from goodwill. Moreover, Master Xuanzang has traveled far from Great Tang in the Eastern Land; I hope the Great King shows leniency!"

"So, in the State Preceptor's opinion, what should be done?" Hearing the State Preceptor's words, the King's expression softened slightly as he asked.

The State Preceptor turned his gaze to Jiang Liu, saying: "Master Xuanzang is indeed a high monk from Great Tang, well-versed in the essence of Buddhist Law!"

"Amitabha, a humble monk cannot idly watch over a thousand children losing their lives! Otherwise, my practice of Buddhist Law would be in vain!" Jiang Liu answered sincerely, with his palms pressed together.

With an air of righteousness, it seemed Jiang Liu was willing to do whatever necessary to save over a thousand children.

"Indeed a high monk!" The State Preceptor's smile widened slightly upon Jiang Liu's response, nodding in admiration.

The State Preceptor then asked: "May I ask the master, if you were to use your own life to save over a thousand children's lives, would you be willing?"

"What do you mean? You want my master's life!" As the State Preceptor's words fell, Sun Wukong's expression changed drastically. He stepped forward, eyes gleaming with ferocity.

"Master, are you one to fear death? Although your words are grand, if it truly meant sacrificing your life to save others, you wouldn't be able to do it, right?"

Sun Wukong's ferocious appearance frightened the State Preceptor, making him retreat slightly. However, he still taunted Jiang Liu.

"Wukong, stand down!" Hearing the State Preceptor's words, Jiang Liu scolded Sun Wukong.

"Master, didn't you hear? He wants to harm you!" Sun Wukong turned his head urgently.

"I said, stand down!" Jiang Liu's expression was calm.

Yet amid his calmness, he exuded an air of determination, shaking his head as he spoke.

"Fine, alright then..." Seeing his master's insistence, Sun Wukong was silent for a moment, then shook his head with some reluctance, retreating.

"Great King..." Having made Sun Wukong retreat, Jiang Liu's gaze fell upon the King, asking: "Is it true, as the State Preceptor said, that the humble monk's life alone could exchange for the lives of over a thousand children?"

"Exactly!" The King nodded earnestly: "You, as a high monk from Great Tang, if you indeed possess a merciful heart and wish to save over a thousand children's lives, as long as you willingly offer your heart and liver, I will spare all the children's lives!"

"Amitabha..."

Hearing the King's words, Jiang Liu chanted another Buddhist phrase, then fell silent, seemingly contemplating.

The civil and military officials at the banquet exchanged looks, puzzled and unsure what to say.

Master Xuanzang indeed tried to persuade the King to spare the children, causing the King's anger, and even facing a sentencing to the Death Prison at the banquet.

If this banquet wasn't specifically prepared for Master Xuanzang's group, perhaps the King might have even ordered his execution.

Yet the officials had only guessed half the scenario.

The King unexpectedly proposed to use Master Xuanzang's heart and liver to replace the children's hearts and livers?

Not only did the King say this, but even the State Preceptor did?

All at once, the civil and military officials' eyes fell on Jiang Liu, anticipating his choice.

"Master, don't! Sacrificing your life for strangers is inappropriate…" Sun Wukong looked at Jiang Liu urgently, shaking his head.

"Indeed, Master, we have made it halfway through our Journey to the West. If you agree now, wouldn't it all be in vain!?" Zhu Bajie echoed Sun Wukong's sentiment.

"Master, both elder brother and second brother are correct!" Sha Wujing also spoke up.

...

Despite his disciples' objections, Jiang Liu remained contemplative, not responding.

"Hahaha..." Seeing Jiang Liu's hesitation, the State Preceptor couldn't help but laugh, as if discovering something amusing: "You Buddhists, every one speaks such grand words of mercy and compassion, but when it comes time to sacrifice your own lives, you..."

"I mean what I say!"

Before the State Preceptor could finish his sentence, Jiang Liu suddenly spoke earnestly.

Jiang Liu's answer left the State Preceptor speechless, staring at Jiang Liu in astonished disbelief.

He, he truly agreed?

To sacrifice himself for others!

This slogan, Buddhists often proclaim and the State Preceptor believed it.

As a mount of the Elder Immortal of the South Pole, the State Preceptor was well aware of Buddhists' hypocrisy.

Yet, at this critical moment, Master Xuanzang could indeed commit to this?

This completely surprised the State Preceptor, who watched Jiang Liu in disbelief, nearly questioning his hearing.

"Great King!"

Ignoring the State Preceptor's astonished expression, Jiang Liu's eyes fell on the King, saying: "You just mentioned, if the humble monk sacrifices his heart and liver, you would spare the lives of over a thousand children. Do you mean what you say!?"

"Naturally, my words are always reliable!" Hearing Jiang Liu's words, the King nodded earnestly.

"Master, you must not agree!" Seeing Jiang Liu's demeanor, seeming to agree, Sun Wukong and the others grew anxious.

"Cursed be they, I, Old Sun, will kill them all!" Meanwhile, Sun Wukong grimaced, glaring at the State Preceptor and the King.

Amid his shouting, he even pulled out the Jingu Bang.

Seeing Sun Wukong's stance, the State Preceptor was horrified, reflexively stepping back, well aware of Sun Wukong's might.

"Hold on, Wukong! If you still acknowledge me as your master, do not take action today!" Jiang Liu quickly admonished Sun Wukong.

"Master..." Sun Wukong yelled towards Jiang Liu.

"Amitabha, once Buddha cut his flesh to feed the eagle, sacrificing himself for others!"

"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva once said, 'If I do not enter Hell, who will enter Hell?' displaying a selfless spirit!"

"Although the humble monk dares not compare with Buddha or Bodhisattva, if sacrificing myself can save over a thousand children, I am willing!"

"Wukong, you all shall not act; this is my lifelong vow!"

"Your Majesty! Please keep to your words!"