Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 876 - 876: Holy Monk!

Jiang Liu's words moved everyone deeply.

For a long time, many have claimed they would sacrifice themselves for others, but such talk was cheap.

In reality, would others actually do this? Deep down, everyone knew it was unlikely.

Who would step down when duty calls in peril?

It's like officials complaining about how hard their jobs are, preferring to resign and return home, yet in truth, none ever do!

But today, Master Xuanzang is truly willing to do this?

To save those over a thousand children, he is willing to give his own heart?

At the banquet, all the officials looked at Jiang Liu with great admiration, and a solemn respect rose in their hearts.

A high monk, truly a high monk, worthy of being a holy monk from the Great Tang in the Eastern Land, possessing such great generosity.

"He, he really…" The State Preceptor looked at Jiang Liu in astonishment, muttering to himself, feeling somewhat out of control of the situation.

He had only intended to create another difficulty for Xuanzang by suggesting his heart be used as medicine, never actually thinking of killing Xuanzang.

If Xuanzang truly died, he would not only lose merit but have committed a great sin.

"Very well then!"

Though the King too was shocked by Jiang Liu's willingness to sacrifice, joy quickly overshadowed his heart.

"I stand by my word! If Master Xuanzang is truly willing to offer his heart, I will naturally spare all the children!" The King nodded seriously, joy filling his heart, as he spoke to Jiang Liu.

"Then let us begin! But I have one final request," Jiang Liu nodded and then spoke.

"Speak!" Joyful in his heart, the King signaled Jiang Liu to continue.

Since Jiang Liu had already agreed, if his request was harmless, he would fulfill it.

"I hope the act can be performed in public! Though I am willing to sacrifice, the people should understand the sacrifice I make for them," Jiang Liu stated his request.

"This…" Jiang Liu's request made the King's face show a hint of hesitation.

However, after thinking for a moment, the King nodded and said, "If that's your only request, I can grant it."

"Thank you, Great King!" Jiang Liu joined his palms together and nodded, making a gesture of submission.

"Someone, take Master Xuanzang away!" the King ordered after waving his hand.

Immediately, the guards stepped forward, shackled Jiang Liu with iron chains, and took him away.

"Master!" Sun Wukong and others nearby, seeing Jiang Liu being taken away in chains, were filled with anxiety.

But Master had forbidden actions, and despite their intense anxiety, they could not act.

...

The Holy Monk from the Eastern Land of Great Tang was to persuade the King to spare those children?

In the Royal City, the citizens were eagerly awaiting the result.

Although they felt there was little hope, there was still a glimmer of hope, wasn't there?

Jiang Liu's plea felt like a lifeline to these people struggling in fathomless despair.

The banquet ended quickly, guards spread out to knock on every door, informing families with hanging geese cages that they could now take them down, that the King would not use the hearts of children as ingredients for the Elixir of Longevity.

Initially, the people were stunned, almost unable to believe their ears.

However, soon they came to their senses and joyfully took down the cages, bringing their children out.

"Wonderful, child, my child…"

A woman tightly held her child, tears of joy streaming down her face.

"We owe it all to the Holy Monk from the Great Tang! Looks like he successfully persuaded the King!"

Some understood that the sudden change in the King's decision must be due to the Holy Monk, filling countless hearts with gratitude towards Jiang Liu.

"It worked, thanks to the Holy Monk!" Nearly all the people of Biqiu Nation cried out in their hearts.

Rejoicing, weeping with joy, singing, and dancing!

Since the King decreed the use of children's hearts for alchemy, the entire Biqiu Nation was shrouded in gloom, feeling nothing like a vibrant Royal City.

But today, with the cages removed, that gloom was immediately swept away.

The Royal City of Biqiu Nation felt joy for the first time in a long time.

...

Joy was indeed appropriate. For the people of Biqiu Nation, especially those who had to offer their children, today was certainly a day worth celebrating.

However, amidst the joy, countless hearts were filled with curiosity.

When the King decreed to use 1,110 children's hearts for the Elixir of Longevity, how many opposed?

Yet the King persisted stubbornly. How did Master Xuanzang manage to make the King give up?

While pondering this, the people naturally wanted to uncover the truth.

What occurred in the Royal Palace was bound to be investigated by the people by any means.

Especially many wanted to see Master Xuanzang and thank him in person.

As the saying goes, there's no secret that doesn't come out, and the events of the banquet were no exception.

All the attendants, palace maids, guards, and officials saw everything clearly. Naturally, the events of the banquet quickly spread.

Master Xuanzang was willing to offer his heart to save the children?

As officials leaked this news, the people of the Royal City were all shocked beyond words.

Unexpectedly, Master's Xuanzang would sacrifice himself to save the children?

The news spread, filling countless hearts with admiration and gratitude.

Learning that the King was about to cut open Master Xuanzang's chest, many people even prepared spirit tablets for him at home, offering daily incense to show their gratitude.

In the Royal Palace, after Jiang Liu was captured, the King was in high spirits and summoned the State Preceptor.

"State Preceptor, Xuanzang has agreed to sacrifice himself. When can the Elixir of Longevity be prepared?" The King, unable to contain his impatience, asked the State Preceptor.

"Great King, don't be too hasty. Now that Xuanzang is in our hands, there's no rush to worry about his escape. We need some time and two more ingredients for the Elixir," the State Preceptor replied.

"Wait a little longer? Okay, State Preceptor, I'll leave this to you!"

Though disappointed at having to wait, the King said no more.

Having received the King's authorization to fully oversee the Elixir preparation, the State Preceptor turned and left the King's palace, deep in thought.

The events had developed unexpectedly.

Master Xuanzang was now in the Death Prison. By this stage, he should have faced another ordeal, right?

But there was no reason to be happy just yet.

With Xuanzang in the Death Prison, how could he find an excuse to release him?

Yes, Jiang Liu had to be freed!

Since the ordeal was nearly complete, it was time to release him. Could they really let him die here?

"Hmm, surely Sun Wukong and the others won't stand by and let their master be killed? They will likely come to the rescue?" Reflecting, the State Preceptor mulled over this thought.

There was no need to worry. When Sun Wukong came to rescue, he could turn a blind eye, and the ordeal would end.

"Master, how are you? Are you well?" Inside the Death Prison, Jiang Liu was quietly cultivating the Green Lotus Taoist Scripture when Sun Wukong messaged him.

"I'm fine, no discomfort," Jiang Liu replied to Sun Wukong.

After pondering, he asked, "I'm fine here. Wukong, are you bored?"

"Well, Master, with nothing to do, I'm getting itchy hands!" Sun Wukong admitted honestly.

"Go on then, continue with cultivation quests. I'll send my good corpse to team up with you!" Jiang Liu suggested upon seeing Sun Wukong's response.

If they opened the Map of Mountains and Rivers alone, they wouldn't earn experience points, thus no leveling up.

Though he couldn't join them now, he had his good corpse.

After chatting, Jiang Liu summoned his good corpse when no one was around and let him join Zhu Bajie's team for leveling up.