Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 895 - 895: The Person Favored by Wutian Buddha

"Amitabha, this elder, I am a monk from the Great Tang in Eastern Land, journeying to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek scriptures. Passing through your precious land, I learned of your great calamity, so I have come specifically to assist you!"

Jiang Liu, with a humble and courteous demeanor, clasped his palms together and spoke to the two old men.

When facing those Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the Buddhist Sect, Jiang Liu's humility was merely a façade.

But today, when facing these mortals, Jiang Liu's humility was genuinely heartfelt.

Throughout his journey to the West, Jiang Liu truly witnessed too much darkness.

Heartless demons; hypocritical immortals; deceitful Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!

One wonders, if even the immortals and Buddhas show such faces, is this what the world truly looks like?

Yet, it must be said, in this little village, Jiang Liu witnessed a beautiful scene of humanity!

As a child, Jiang Liu always believed that good people outnumbered bad in the world, that the world was beautiful.

But as he grew older, after being battered by society and witnessing its darkness, Jiang Liu's perspective gradually shifted.

Now, he felt that there seemed to be more bad people in the world!

But, even if bad people are numerous, it doesn't mean there are no good people!

Isn't this scene before him proof of that?

Although this village looks like a mortal purgatory, the hearts of its people are kind!

This deeply touched Jiang Liu's heart. In this purgatorial scene, to still have such kind hearts is indeed precious.

"A monk from the Great Tang in the Eastern Land, on a journey to the Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek scriptures?" The two old men looked at each other, exchanging a glance.

"Do you know where the Great Tang is?" One of the old men asked in a low voice.

"I don't know, but I understood the part about going to the Western Heaven to visit and seek scriptures. Isn't Tathagata in the Western Heaven?" The other old man shook his head and replied.

Alright, if he can go to the Western Heaven to see Tathagata, this monk must be extraordinary. Did he know of the trouble here and specifically came to help?

Could it be? He truly has abilities?

Looking at those beside him, seemingly like demons, could he have subdued demons to be by his side?

This, perhaps, further added to his credibility!

"Master, can you heal our plague?" Thinking for a moment, as if seeing a glimmer of hope in despair, the two old men asked.

"Amitabha, without trying, how would we know?"

Jiang Liu did not boast, but with his words, radiant Buddhist Light burst forth from his body.

At the same time, an eighteen-petaled lotus appeared, blooming with dazzling light behind him.

At a level of 77, Jiang Liu's cultivation was considered late-stage Taiyi True Immortal in terms of level.

This Buddhist Light was intentionally displayed, naturally brilliant, and the blooming eighteen-petaled lotus behind him appeared like a Bodhisattva descended to the mortal world.

"Greetings to the Bodhisattva! Greetings to the Bodhisattva!"

Seeing Jiang Liu's appearance, the two old men were extremely excited and immediately knelt down, kowtowing repeatedly.

Great!

In this despair, a Bodhisattva-like figure appeared, willing to help treat the illness, naturally filling those in despair with hope.

Here, the brilliant Buddhist Light naturally attracted the attention of everyone in the village.

Subsequently, seeing Jiang Liu sitting on a white horse, radiating Buddhist Light, countless villagers knelt down.

Healing Holy Hand!

Without saying much, Jiang Liu raised his hand, and a Holy Object filled with healing effects descended from the sky, landing directly.

Then, an invisible wave spread out.

Capable of instantly healing 30% of the maximum Life Value, although this Healing Holy Hand's effect couldn't cure the plague, it greatly alleviated the ailments of many suffering people whose health bars had significantly decreased.

With the effect of the Healing Holy Hand, they all felt their pain swiftly diminish, even giving an illusion of impending recovery.

The effect of this Healing Holy Hand coming down naturally further convinced people of Jiang Liu's identity.

The entire village, tens of thousands of people, all knelt before Jiang Liu.

"Everyone, please rise. I have come to help you!" Jiang Liu said to the villagers.

"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Holy Monk! Thank you, Bodhisattva!"

With Jiang Liu's words, the villagers naturally were immensely excited. Some called Jiang Liu Master, some called him Holy Monk, and others called him Bodhisattva.

After stating his intent, Jiang Liu didn't say much else, but urged his horse forward, heading to the northernmost part of the village.

At the northernmost point, an old monk in a gray monastic robe was sitting cross-legged.

As Jiang Liu arrived, the old monk knelt sincerely on the ground, exclaiming toward Jiang Liu, "Bodhisattva!"

Looking at the old monk, Jiang Liu raised his eyebrows slightly.

On the monk's bald head, there wasn't a single Scar of Precepts.

"Old Zen Master, please rise!" Jiang Liu dismounted his horse, walked forward personally, and helped the old monk up with both hands.

"Bodhisattva, you humble me!" Being personally supported by Jiang Liu, the old monk appeared flattered and amazed.

"Old Zen Master, I notice you have no Scar of Precepts. Have you never participated in the Incense Offering Ceremony?" Jiang Liu asked, voicing his inner confusion.

"Bodhisattva, forgive me!"

Hearing Jiang Liu first inquire about the Scar of Precepts, the old monk appeared fearful and said, "In my youth, I participated in the Incense Offering Ceremony but lacked the Buddhist destiny. Despite this, I have been absorbed in the essence of Buddhist Law for years, and thus have always regarded myself as a monk. I beg the Bodhisattva's forgiveness!"

The old monk's demeanor was fearful, clearly expecting Jiang Liu to accuse him!

"Old Zen Master, there is no need for fear. I have no ill intent. Although you lack the Scar of Precepts and the Buddhist fate, as long as there is Buddha in your heart, what matter the fate or lack thereof?" Seeing the monk's apprehension, Jiang Liu hurriedly spoke to comfort him.

Indeed, though he bore no Scar of Precepts, as a lifelong monk, he took such action during a critical moment, halting the spread of the epidemic.

Such actions, in Jiang Liu's eyes, were far superior to those of the Buddhas of the Western Heaven.

Jiang Liu had never had much affection for the Buddhist Sect, not out of disdain for the sect itself, but for those false Buddhists within it.

Throughout the journey, there were at least some people whom Jiang Liu respected.

For example, the abbot Faming of Jinshan Temple and several senior brothers who have cared for him considerably; for example, Bodhisattva Ksitigarbha refusing to associate with the Buddhist Sect; and for example, this old monk before him!

"Bodhisattva, the people here are in dire straits. I hope the Bodhisattva can show great mercy and save them…"

Seeing that Jiang Liu's words did not carry accusatory intent, the old monk secretly heaved a sigh of relief and promptly beseeched Jiang Liu.

"Rest assured, Old Zen Master, I came here precisely for this…" Jiang Liu responded to the old monk's plea.

Upon hearing Jiang Liu's answer, the old monk finally relaxed.

To cure the epidemic, one naturally needs to concoct medicinal remedies effective against it. For ordinary people, this epidemic is a terrifying thing, but for Immortals and Buddhas, it is not much.

Jiang Liu spoke to Sun Wukong, "Wukong, perhaps you should make a trip to Heaven!"

Though Jiang Liu had some achievement in alchemy, his expertise lay in concocting healing potions and not the demon creatures causing illness, so, after consideration, Jiang Liu thought it best to pay a visit to Heaven.

"Alright, Master. I, Old Sun, will go to find the Plague God!" Sun Wukong nodded, fully understanding the importance of consulting the expert.

After saying this, he leapt high, using the Somersault Cloud technique, and in the blink of an eye, went to the Heavenly Court to seek out the Plague God.

Hearing the conversation between Jiang Liu and Sun Wukong, where a trip to the Heavenly Court was spoken of as if returning home, the old monk, though startled, felt assured.

With such Supernatural Powers at work, resolving the epidemic seemed a much greater possibility?

...

Jiang Liu and the old monk were talking, but unbeknownst to them, a figure quietly hid in the darkness, watching all events unfold in the village.

This figure appeared to be merely a shadow, but from its shape, it could vaguely be discerned that it was a woman.

"Is this the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team? I didn't expect they'd come here!?" the woman stared at Jiang Liu and the rest, muttering lowly, her tone heavy.

Originally ordered to come, she arrived here to wait for the old monk's demise, seizing a little time for herself for a nap before intending to collect his lost soul.

But as she slept, a dazzling Buddhist Light startled her awake. As she looked over, she saw someone enveloped in brilliant Buddhist Light entering the village.

Upon further inspection, she realized it was the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team.

"Now things have become complicated!" Realizing that Jiang Liu and the others were part of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team, the woman's heart sank, feeling the situation had become much more troublesome.

If it had been ordinary people bringing trouble here, they could be simply slain.

Even if it were a Bodhisattva or Buddha, she could take action!

But this Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team was not so easy to handle.

In the center of the Immeasurable Kalpa, if she made a move, would it fulfill the calamity, resulting in her demise?

Complicated!

Now, things had truly become complicated!

Wutian Buddha placed significant importance on this obscure old monk.

Hence, there had long been a decree that if this old monk perished, his lost soul should be taken to the Great Nirvana Temple.

If this task were not completed well, what would happen if the Buddha laid blame?