Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything
Chapter 915 - 915: Build a Temple for You

Regarding the issue of the Demon Clan being exterminated, Zen Master Longhai naturally recounted everything he saw to Li Shimin in full detail.

Of course, Jiang Liu, as the instigator, is the one who truly understands the matter best.

Therefore, Jiang Liu would occasionally interject to make some additions.

Thus, Li Shimin gained a relatively comprehensive understanding of the situation at Jinshan Temple.

"In that case, it is well; with your reputation here, surely those demons will not dare to invade again!" Hearing Jiang Liu and Longhai's explanations, understanding the fear Ancestor Qilin had for Jiang Liu, Li Shimin nodded slightly, feeling much more relieved.

"Your Majesty, Jinshan Temple has already been destroyed; I hope Your Majesty can support the rebuilding of a monastery!" Having briefly described the slaying of demons there, Jiang Liu opened up to Emperor Li Shimin.

"This matter will be discussed later!"

However, Li Shimin did not immediately agree to Jiang Liu's proposal but put it aside for the moment.

Soon after, Li Shimin's gaze fell upon Zen Master Longhai, saying: "After your journey to Jinshan Temple, you must be weary. Please go back and rest."

Weary? I'm not the one who fought; how could I be weary?

If anyone should be weary, it should be Xuanzang, right?

Li Shimin's words made Zen Master Longhai's heart stir slightly.

However, Longhai's reaction was swift; the Emperor is finding an excuse to send him away and wants to speak with Xuanzang alone, right?

Understanding this point, Zen Master Longhai nodded and said, "Your Majesty, indeed I feel a bit fatigued; I shall take my leave!"

After taking his leave, Zen Master Longhai turned and exited the main hall.

Next, Li Shimin addressed the attendants in the hall: "You may withdraw for now!"

Once they had been dismissed, only Jiang Liu remained in the hall.

"Jiang Liu..."

With only himself and Jiang Liu left, Li Shimin did not intend to use Jiang Liu's religious name, directly calling him by his real name: "You just mentioned you hope I can support the building of a monastery, not specifically the rebuilding of Jinshan Temple?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I wish to have Your Majesty's support to rebuild a monastery dedicated to me on the old site of Jinshan Temple!" Jiang Liu nodded slightly, replying.

"Dedicated to you?" Hearing Jiang Liu's words, Li Shimin glanced deeply at Jiang Liu.

After a brief silence, he said: "As the saying goes, man fights for breath, Buddha fights for incense; it seems your struggle with immortals and Buddhas has reached this point?"

"Indeed, my Journey to the West for Scriptures has been going on for six years; the journey is already mostly complete..." With Li Shimin able to guess some of his circumstances, Jiang Liu naturally did not hide much from him, nodding in acknowledgment.

"Since you have thoroughly considered this, I won't say much more." After a brief silence, Li Shimin nodded and responded, acknowledging his decision.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Hearing Li Shimin's response, Jiang Liu said.

"Alas..." Though Jiang Liu addressed him as 'Your Majesty', Li Shimin sighed secretly in his heart.

Gazing at Jiang Liu for a moment, he then said, "Jiang Liu, you seem to have matured quite a bit!"

Back before the Journey to the West for Scriptures, Jiang Liu was merely a fifteen-year-old youth, and now, having traveled most of the journey, he's in his twenties, naturally appearing more mature.

"Your Majesty, you seem..." Jiang Liu's gaze shifted to Li Shimin, speaking.

But at the mention of this, Jiang Liu paused and did not continue.

"I seem, to have gotten older, is that right?" Though Jiang Liu did not finish, Li Shimin picked up the thread.

"Yes, it's true; even a few more white hairs have appeared." Jiang Liu nodded in honest response.

"By the way, do you know about Gaoyang's situation?" After a simple chat between Jiang Liu and Li Shimin, Li Shimin suddenly asked Jiang Liu about Gaoyang's situation.

"Well, regarding Gaoyang, actually, I'm not quite sure..." At Li Shimin's words, Jiang Liu showed a somewhat troubled expression.

Indeed, upon meeting Li Shimin this time, Jiang Liu feared most that he would inquire about Gaoyang, unsure how to explain.

However, as Gaoyang's father, Li Shimin certainly has the right to ask.

Thus, despite the discomfort and difficulty, Jiang Liu frankly recounted all the specifics of Gaoyang's situation to Li Shimin.

Upon hearing Gaoyang had disappeared, Li Shimin's expression darkened somewhat.

But Li Shimin also realized that regarding Gaoyang, Jiang Liu had indeed done his best, even killing a Buddha to save Gaoyang from the Purple Bamboo Forest.

"Though Gaoyang's whereabouts are unknown now, from another perspective, this isn't considered bad news!" After a moment of silence, Li Shimin spoke to Jiang Liu.

"Oh? How can you tell?" Jiang Liu was taken aback by Li Shimin's words.

Gaoyang has disappeared, and he is completely unaware of her whereabouts; how can this not be bad news?

"Since there's no trace of Gaoyang, I suppose she's not in the hands of the Buddhist Sect."

"Previously, it was by using Gaoyang as leverage that they made you embark on the Journey to the West. If this leverage were still in their hands, they would naturally let you know!" Li Shimin analyzed and said.

"Eh? Seems reasonable!" Hearing Li Shimin's analysis, Jiang Liu's heart slightly moved as he nodded secretly.

He had to admit, Li Shimin's analysis indeed made sense.

"Secondly..."

After a brief pause, Li Shimin continued: "Just now you said that both Manjushri and Samantabhadra Bodhisattvas died at your hands. Presumably, your conflict with the Buddhist Sect has reached a rather intense level. If Gaoyang was still in their hands, they would certainly bring her out to make you comply obediently."

"Your Majesty's words are indeed logical; I am sincerely impressed!" After thinking it over, Jiang Liu nodded, feeling that Li Shimin's analysis indeed made sense.

Regarding this point, he seemed not to have considered it himself?

Indeed, an emperor remains an emperor, doesn't he? His way of thinking and vision are truly extraordinary.

"Alright then, you may go. Since you need believers to worship you, I will certainly provide strong support. Not only in Jinshan Temple but also throughout Chang'an City and even the whole nation, temples can be built for you!" Li Shimin had said almost everything necessary and then spoke to Jiang Liu.

"This, this..." Hearing Li Shimin's words, the level of support left Jiang Liu stunned, as if a pie had fallen from the sky, right?

Originally, he had only imagined having one temple, but now it seemed as if Li Shimin wanted to help him open them nationwide?

"The Buddhist Sect's purpose is to spread the Buddhist Law to the east, to promote it in my Great Tang. In that case, why should I go against the intention of the Buddhist Sect?"

"You are now a member of the Buddhist Sect; moreover, you've accomplished great deeds. To build temples for you is to honor the Buddhist Sect, isn't it? No one can say anything..." Seeing Jiang Liu's surprised expression, Li Shimin explained.

Alright, it must be said, his words do make sense.

More importantly, he carries out what he thinks, this kind of boldness truly befits a ruler of a nation.

Having discussed almost all that needed discussing, Li Shimin not only agreed to Jiang Liu's request for a temple, but also offered him even more, leading to a rather pleasant mood. After chatting about some household matters, Jiang Liu turned around and left the Imperial Palace.

Upon returning to the Great Buddha Temple, Jiang Liu was warmly welcomed by the temple's high monks.

Furthermore, Abbot Faming as well as his senior brothers Xuankong and their companions from Jinshan Temple were also lodging at the Great Buddha Temple at this time.

Seeing Jiang Liu, naturally, both sides couldn't help but engage in cordial conversations.

Following this, Jiang Liu stayed at the Great Buddha Temple for three days, getting along well with Abbot Faming and his senior brothers Xuankong, Xuanwu, and Xuanming.

He even personally cooked and prepared several days of delicious meals for them.

During these three days, although Jiang Liu remained at the Great Buddha Temple, he stayed informed about the happenings in Chang'an City and even the entire Great Tang.

These days, the news of his return and single-handedly eliminating the invading Demon Clan was officially announced by Li Shimin throughout the realm.

With Li Shimin's official promotion, Jiang Liu naturally gained a tremendous reputation boost, becoming a hero throughout Chang'an City and the Great Tang.

Promptly, Li Shimin issued an order to build a Holy Monk Temple for Jiang Liu on the original site of Jinshan Temple, in recognition of Jiang Liu's feat in saving the Great Tang from peril.

Moreover, Li Shimin also decreed that more temples dedicated to Jiang Liu could be built throughout the Great Tang territory.

All such Holy Monk Temples would receive one-third of their initial funding from the Imperial Court.

With Li Shimin's decree as a policy, coupled with Jiang Liu's prior fame from bearing the twelve Scar of Precepts, and having indeed slain countless members of the Demon Clan, saving the common people...

Thus, after Li Shimin's decree went out, construction work began on numerous temples across the Great Tang territory.

Many Buddhist disciples, witnessing this scene, naturally became excited.

With the Emperor's wholehearted support, Buddhist Law in the Great Tang territory was certainly poised to flourish; this was a sign of prosperity for the Buddhist Sect.

However, Jiang Liu didn't intend to remain in the Great Tang for long.

He only stayed for three days, not even waiting for the completion of the Holy Monk Temple before bidding farewell to Li Shimin and the others.

Despite his desire to linger for some time, he still had a year's punishment at the Illusionary Demon Cave, and it wouldn't do to stay too long.

Of course, most importantly, he was eager to go to the Illusionary Demon Cave to farm monsters and earn money.

Purchasing the Tai Chi Diagram sooner would truly allow him to solve his constant worries.