Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 885 - 885: Cheeky Monkey

If at first the king still harbored trust in the State Preceptor, then after this so-called "fear of guilt and escape", he clearly had no trust left for him at all.

If it weren't for the need to have him help concoct the Elixir of Longevity, perhaps the king would have had him killed by now.

But even if he wanted the State Preceptor to concoct the Elixir of Longevity now, the king still did not trust him.

He summoned a few fierce warriors to follow the State Preceptor step by step, ready to act without mercy at any sign of abnormal behavior.

Seeing the two warriors wielding weapons beside him, the State Preceptor naturally understood what was going on and sighed inwardly but helplessly, submitting to the king's will.

If Master Xuanzang died at his hands, the consequences would be unimaginable, but if he didn't follow the king's orders now, he would meet his end immediately.

So, after the matters at the execution platform were settled, the State Preceptor appeared there with the king.

Because Jiang Liu's reputation had been rising lately, many people gathered at the execution site.

When the king and the State Preceptor appeared, many of the people started to plead for Jiang Liu's life.

"Great King, Master Xuanzang is a good man! Please show mercy and spare him!"

"Great King, please reconsider!"

"Great King, please don't!"

...

Sitting in his carriage, hearing the pleading voices outside, the king's mood grew increasingly heavy.

Unexpectedly, Master Xuanzang had gained such great prestige in Biqiu Nation in just a few days?

This was definitely no small threat to him as king.

On the execution platform, Xuanzang, dressed in a Great Mercy Buddha's Robe, knelt calmly with his head bowed, seemingly indifferent to life and death.

"Master Xuanzang, do you have any last words before your death?"

Seated on his throne at the platform, the king asked Jiang Liu.

"Amitabha, this humble monk has nothing to say. To save the lives of 1,110 children with my own life is a sweet sacrifice!" Jiang Liu shook his head and replied righteously.

"Holy Monk, Holy Monk…" Following Jiang Liu's righteous words, an old man in the crowd couldn't help kneeling, tears streaming down his face.

After the old man knelt, the crowd seemed to follow like dominos, with groups of people kneeling one after another, all bowing to Jiang Liu.

It's not just Jiang Liu's actions, but his righteous words indeed moved people.

Especially the parents whose children were saved, Jiang Liu's generous sacrifice made their gratitude peak.

"Master is truly incredible! Such a trick, I, Old Pig, admire!"

Sun Wukong and the other disciples, naturally hiding in the crowd, watched the masses kneel to Jiang Liu. Zhu Bajie quietly commented.

Whether or not the master could hear, Zhu Bajie, out of habit, praised him whenever possible.

"Really strange!"

Sun Wukong, standing beside Zhu Bajie, mumbled, "I, Old Sun, usually detest those in the Buddhist Sect who preach great mercy and compassion to deceive people, but I don't dislike it when master does it!"

"Perhaps because master is saving lives!" Wujing added, somewhat pensively.

"Mm, Junior Brother Sha is right!" Zhu Bajie agreed, nodding his head.

Other Buddhists might speak eloquently but act selfishly.

But master saved over a thousand children, right?

His intentions were good, not for personal gain.

Sun Wukong and the disciples quietly discussed without attracting attention.

Meanwhile, the king's face grew darker as he watched so many people kneel to Jiang Liu.

These people were his subjects, yet they knelt to the Tang Monk? What was happening?

"Since Master Xuanzang has said his piece, we can proceed!" The king spoke after a pause, looking displeased.

The two executioners hesitated briefly before approaching Jiang Liu, saying, "Holy Monk, forgive us!"

"No matter, everyone has their duty." Jiang Liu responded warmly despite facing death.

"Monkey, if you don't show up now, they'll really do it!"

While appearing calm, Jiang Liu sent a frustrated message to Sun Wukong.

"All right, master, sorry, I was just chatting with Bajie and lost track of time…" Sun Wukong quickly replied.

Reading Sun Wukong's message, Jiang Liu's mouth twitched.

He was about to be executed, and Sun Wukong and the others were chatting?

Even if his level 75 skill meant no real danger, their job was to protect him, right? Could they show some professionalism?

"Stop right there…" Sun Wukong's loud shout interrupted just as the executioners were about to act, and he jumped out.

"It's Elder Sun, Holy Monk Xuanzang's eldest disciple!" The anxious crowd exclaimed with delight.

At this critical moment, Elder Sun appeared to rescue his master?

"Elder Sun, do you intend to stop the execution? This was Master Xuanzang's choice!" The king asked upon seeing Sun Wukong.

"Yes, Wukong, leave, for I willingly sacrifice my life for the children without any regret. If you still regard me as your master, do not save me!"

Even while urging Sun Wukong to act, Jiang Liu maintained his righteous facade.

"What a noble person!"

The surrounding crowd's admiration grew even more upon hearing Jiang Liu's words. Such a compassionate high monk!

"Oh, master, if that's the case, I, Old Sun, will leave, then, back to Flower Fruit Mountain?" Sun Wukong replied, seemingly ready to depart.

Jiang Liu: "???"

Staring blankly at Sun Wukong, Jiang Liu was utterly confused, filled with questions. What was happening? Wukong deviated from the plan?

Was this monkey being cheeky again?

"Haha, my apologies, I misspoke!"

Seeing Jiang Liu's confused face, Sun Wukong laughed cheerfully, then added, "Master, if that's your choice, I won't interfere. But your sacrifice might be in vain!"

"Phew, this monkey finally follows the script!" Jiang Liu breathed a sigh of relief inwardly, then asked, "Wukong, what do you mean? How could sacrificing my life to save the children be in vain?"

"Master, I mean the Elixir of Longevity is fake, so your sacrifice isn't worth it!" Sun Wukong shook his head, explaining.

"What!?"

Hearing this, the king stood up, staring at Sun Wukong, "Elder Sun, are you saying the Elixir of Longevity is fake?"

Glancing at the State Preceptor, the king still didn't trust him, but if it was fake, then why had the State Preceptor really become young again?

"Great King, let me ask you, how does your Biqiu Nation's strength compare to Great Tang?" Sun Wukong asked the king.

"Well…"

It was awkward for the King of Biqiu Nation to be directly questioned about their national strength, but he replied, "Though far apart, I've heard of Great Tang's vast population and its exalted status in the Heavenly Empire."

"Exactly!" Sun Wukong nodded, then continued, "The Emperor of Tang never sought the Elixir of Longevity. Why? Wouldn't Great Tang, with its vast resources, be more capable of making it?"

The king found this question convincing, making him think deeply.

Could there really be no Elixir of Longevity?

After seeking it for so long, even at the cost of losing the people's faith, had he been chasing a mere illusion?

The king was reluctant to believe, unwilling to accept this truth!

"But, why has the State Preceptor become youthful?" The king asked unwillingly.

"The answer is simple; he's a demon!"