Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 896 - 896: Bestowed Name: Fahai

The Giant Scorpion felt that things were really tricky at this moment.

If they act, the team on the Journey to the West would be too dangerous.

But if they don't act, how could they fulfill the task given by Wutian Buddha?

Although, with the appearance of Master Xuanzang and his team, this Old Monk might have a chance to be saved.

However, the Giant Scorpion could see that the Old Monk was already advanced in age, and now infected with the plague. Even if cured, he wouldn't have much time left.

"There's no need to rush this matter, it's better to observe and see. Perhaps this old man can hold on for a few more days, until Xuanzang and his team leave, then he'll pass away?"

After pondering silently for a moment, the Giant Scorpion decided that it should just wait and see, so they restrained their impulse and weren't in a hurry to take action.

It must be said, when a person sees hope in the midst of despair, the entire feeling is different.

Just like these villagers, after the Healing Holy Hand's skill greatly alleviated their ailments, they realized that Master Xuanzang's purpose was to help them.

Thus, they all began to anticipate, their eyes filled with rays of hope.

Over here, Jiang Liu continued chatting with the Old Monk, and after some inquiries, Jiang Liu's guess was confirmed.

Indeed, it was the Old Monk who persuaded everyone to stay and not spread further.

"Old Zen Master's action can be called a great kindness!" said Jiang Liu sincerely.

"Amitabha, it is precisely because they were willing to stay here and not spread out that they waited for Master Xuanzang to come, which can be considered self-rescue. This can be seen as planting a good cause to get a good result, otherwise, if they scattered everywhere, they were actually leading themselves to death!"

The Old Zen Master spoke, the reasoning was simple but intertwined with Zen principles.

"By the way, we've chatted for so long but I still don't know how to address you, Old Zen Master?" Suddenly, Jiang Liu appeared to realize and asked the Old Zen Master.

"Well, I didn't go through the Incense Offering Ceremony back then, so I haven't had a Dharma name all these years!" Hearing Jiang Liu's inquiry, the Old Zen Master shook his head and said.

Upon saying this, the Old Zen Master paused slightly and then said, "Master Xuanzang is an enlightened monk, if not too troublesome, could I ask Master Xuanzang to grant me a Dharma name?"

"Can I?" Hearing the Old Zen Master's request, Jiang Liu looked somewhat hesitant.

"As long as Master Xuanzang feels it's not a hassle!" Seriously staring at Jiang Liu, the Old Zen Master spoke.

"Not a bother, not at all..."

Alright, now I'm at level 77, in the Buddhist Sect, even getting the status of Bodhisattva is quite reasonable, granting a Dharma name to a mortal monk? I'm indeed qualified, right?

At the thought of this, Jiang Liu pondered silently, what Dharma name should he choose?

How about picking one that sounds rather impressive?

Who are the impressive monks in my past memories?

Well, Daoji counts as one, but there's already such a person.

"Amitabha..." Excluding Daoji as a Dharma name, Jiang Liu then had another mighty Dharma name flash in his mind. He then said, "If you don't mind, I, poor monk, grant you the Dharma name Fahai, how about it?"

"Fahai!?"

Upon hearing the Dharma name given by Jiang Liu, the Old Zen Master chewed over the name, then seriously nodded, "Good name, 'Fa' represents both righteousness and law, 'Hai' embraces vastness and depth."

"Insightful, a Dharma name alone can reflect such a layer of meaning!" Hearing Fahai's words, Jiang Liu secretly nodded, inwardly praising as well.

...

Meanwhile, without mentioning Jiang Liu and Fahai's quiet chat in the Mortal World, on the other side, Sun Wukong went to the Heavenly Court to find the Plague God.

In this world, almost all matters of plagues are overseen by the Plague God, so naturally with regards to plague issues, Sun Wukong directly sought him out, matching professional expertise.

"Great Sage, what wind blows you here today!?" The Plague God respectfully asked upon seeing Sun Wukong.

"Plague God, it's been a while, what have you been busy with lately?" Sun Wukong casually jumped onto a nearby chair, reaching out his monkey paw and familiarly grabbing a bunch of grapes.

"What else is there to do? Spread plagues in appropriate places, then withdraw plagues in appropriate places. It's just like that!" Answering Sun Wukong's inquiry, the Plague God hastily responded.

Though the plague is formidable, it is ultimately just a means to deal with ordinary folks. The Plague God's power in the Heavenly Court is not high, having only the cultivation level of a Heavenly Immortal. Hence, in the presence of someone like Sun Wukong, he is naturally very respectful, viewing Sun Wukong as a true bigshot.

"Oh, Plague God, if there's nothing pressing to do, please don't spread the plague randomly, alright? After all, those ordinary folk are not leading easy lives!" Nodding slightly, Sun Wukong spoke up to the Plague God.

"Huh!?" Sun Wukong's words made the Plague God look at him oddly.

Being the Plague God, spreading plagues is his duty, isn't it a bit difficult if the Great Sage asks him not to spread them?

With the Plague God's bewildered expression gazing at him, Sun Wukong sighed helplessly.

Alright, trying to speak in roundabout ways like his master is indeed unsuitable for him, and the Plague God clearly failed to grasp his true intent.

"It's like this, Plague God. Recently, Southern Dipper City has been flooded, several folks are displaced and some have even contracted plague. Was this your doing?" Sun Wukong asked the Plague God.

"Great Sage, I did indeed take action, but it was under a celestial decree!" Upon hearing Sun Wukong's words, the Plague God understood it was about the plague affecting the people of Southern Dipper City.

"A celestial decree? Can't there be some flexibility? You know, my master is a merciful being, he saw what happened in Southern Dipper City, so he's filled with compassion…" Sun Wukong questioned, hearing the Plague God.

"Well…" The Plague God showed an expression of dilemma, unsure how to respond.

On one hand, there's an explicit decree from the Heavenly Court, which he must follow.

Yet on the other hand, there's the face of the Great Sage. How could he dare not to comply?

Stuck between the Great Emperor and the Great Sage, he's just a minor deity, isn't this making things difficult for him?

"Great Sage, it's not that the minor god is disregarding your face, but this plague spreading mission was personally issued by the Emperor of Longevity!"

"If the Great Sage truly wishes to help the people of Southern Dipper City, perhaps consider requesting the Emperor of Longevity to retract the plague decree?" After a moment of silence, the Plague God cautiously suggested to Sun Wukong.

"Alright, alright, if it's difficult for you, I won't make it harder. I'll go talk to the Emperor of Longevity!"

Ultimately, the matter lies with the Emperor of Longevity, Sun Wukong understood the Plague God's predicament and didn't wish to make things difficult, hence nodded his head.

With those words, Sun Wukong opened his mouth, stuffing an entire bunch of grapes inside, then pulled it out.

The grapes remained within his mouth, while the branch was drawn out by Sun Wukong.

With water-laden grapes filling his mouth, Sun Wukong tossed the grape branch aside, and then grabbed a bright red apple from the fruit plate nearby, ready to take his leave.

"Great Sage, walk slow, the minor god awaits your return, to descend together to quell the plagues!" Watching Sun Wukong turn to leave, the Plague God nodded and bowed as he spoke from behind.

Having a good grasp of the Heavenly Court's affairs, Sun Wukong swiftly arrived at the Hall of Longevity after leaving the Plague God's presence.

"Great Sage, please wait a moment, I will report to the Great Emperor!" Naturally recognizing Sun Wukong, the divine general at the hall spoke when Sun Wukong arrived.

"What's there to report? I, Old Sun, will go directly to see the Emperor of Longevity! Even when seeing the Jade Emperor Old Man at Lingxiao Hall, I've never faced such hassle!" Sun Wukong replied, shaking his head.

With that, he forcibly entered the Hall of Longevity.

"Great Sage, wait…" Witnessing Sun Wukong's actions, the divine general guarding the hall changed his expression, hastening to shout after Sun Wukong.

Yet Sun Wukong ignored his cries entirely, quickly rushing into the hall and confronting the seated Emperor of Longevity.

"Great Emperor, the Great Sage himself intruded, the minor god couldn't stop him!" Arriving within the hall, before the Emperor of Longevity, the divine general hastily explained.

"Hmm, all is fine, you may withdraw!" The Emperor of Longevity sat calmly on his throne, diadem upon his head, calmly waving his hand.

Unperturbed by the scene before him, appearing accustomed.

Hearing the Emperor with no intention of blame, the divine general heaved a sigh of relief, nodded, bowed, and retreated from the hall.

"Emperor of Longevity, long time, long time!" Sun Wukong spoke, clasping hands before the Emperor of Longevity, displaying casual demeanor.

"Great Sage, as far as I know, aren't you escorting Tang Monk to the Western Heaven for scriptures? Why come to my Hall of Longevity? Is there a matter to handle?" The Emperor of Longevity fixed his gaze on Sun Wukong, inquiring knowingly.

Sun Wukong internally grumbled at the Emperor of Longevity's feigned ignorance but earnestly responded, saying, "Emperor of Longevity, indeed I have a matter to discuss with you!"

"The people of Southern Dipper City have contracted a plague. Seems the decree of plague spreading was issued by you? Can it be retracted?"