Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything-Chapter 560: Jiang Liu: I am burdened with heavy sins! Please let me enter the Illusionary Demon Cave!
No matter what, the Tathagata is currently the ruler of the Buddhist Sect. Since the Tathagata spoke and settled the matter, naturally, none in the Great Thunder Monastery would dare to oppose his will.
However, as the Tathagata's words ended, the entire Great Thunder Monastery fell silent for a time, quiet to the point of being somewhat awkward.
Some bowed their heads as if there was something interesting beneath their feet;
others looked up to the sky, murmuring something softly, their expressions sinking into deep contemplation;
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and still others simply closed their eyes, softly chanting the principles from the Buddhist Scriptures...
In any case, with what the Tathagata had said, about assigning an emissary to notify Jiang Liu, not a single person present was willing to go.
After all, the Tiger Conquering Arhat had just died, the terrifying nature of the Immeasurable Kalpa was close at hand, and even Buddha himself would avoid the scripture-seeking team as if they were snakes and scorpions, unwilling to get close.
Seeing the demeanor of those from the Great Thunder Monastery, so different from their passionate arguing and discussing just before, the corner of the Tathagata's mouth twitched slightly.
His gaze finally rested upon Bodhisattva Guanyin.
"Amitābha, Great Bodhisattva Guanyin, this journey to the West is under your coordination. Therefore, it is best that you go and notify Xuanzang," the Tathagata eventually spoke to Bodhisattva Guanyin.
As soon as the Tathagata's gaze fell upon her, a jolt ran through Guanyin's heart.
And upon hearing the Tathagata's words, Guanyin sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat like crying without tears, and murmured in her heart, "This is too hard for me!"
Of course, the Tathagata's dignity had to be considered. Buddha had spoken and settled the matter, handing it over to her—could she even refuse?
Though she sighed inwardly, on the surface, Bodhisattva Guanyin maintained her composure and quietly bowed her head, "I shall respectfully carry out the decree!"
With those words, the matter concerning the fall of the Tiger Conquering Arhat had been thoroughly discussed, and the Tathagata waved his hand.
The Buddhas and Bodhisattvas and the like each rose to their feet, paid their respects to the Tathagata, and left the Great Thunder Monastery one after another.
Naturally, Bodhisattva Guanyin stepped upon the Lotus Platform and flew toward where Jiang Liu and the others were.
...
At this time, Jiang Liu and his companions had already bid farewell to the Great Luo Temple and continued their westward Journey to the West.
For Jiang Liu, slaying the Tiger Conquering Arhat was something he did with ease.
Coming across Daoji in Mingji Nation was also a happy event for Jiang Liu.
Before leaving, Jiang Liu had a chat with Daoji, who then developed the idea of heading to the Great Buddha Temple in Chang'an City, while Master Puhui no longer entertained the idea of stopping him.
"Wrath of Vidyaraja... " Seated on the back of the White Dragon Horse, Jiang Liu's gaze landed on the skill list where Wrath of Vidyaraja was listed.
The Compassionate Bodhisattva's skill, which combines control and group damage into one, indeed, this skill is very powerful.
However, Jiang Liu somewhat wanted to criticize the name of this skill.
When transitioning into a new profession, one could become either a Compassionate Bodhisattva or an Immovable Ming King.
Yet, why does a skill named after the Immovable Ming King appear within the skillset of the Compassionate Bodhisattva? This didn't seem logical at all!
It reminded him of something from his previous life that Jiang Liu found strange—standing upright, they called it a refrigerator, while the one sitting on the floor resembling a chest was called a freezer.
Isn't that also the complete opposite?
Moreover, Silencing Zen, which should be a self-cultivating ascetic practice, somehow turned into a silencing skill?
And the Guanyin Mantra, seemingly depicting the compassionate heart of Bodhisattva Guanyin.
However, after traversing through this world of Journey to the West, what kind of nature Bodhisattva Guanyin has, Jiang Liu could say he understood rather well.
"Master, Bodhisattva Guanyin has come..." Just as Jiang Liu sat thinking a myriad of thoughts on the White Dragon Horse, internally criticizing the naming of skills, suddenly, Sun Wukong's voice beside him broke the silence.
When he came to his senses, Jiang Liu looked towards the horizon.
Indeed, under the brilliant Buddhist Light, a Lotus Platform approached swiftly from afar.
Standing atop the platform was none other than Bodhisattva Guanyin, right?
"Disciple pays respects to the Bodhisattva!"
Seeing that Bodhisattva Guanyin had arrived, Jiang Liu's brow furrowed slightly, suspecting that she had come regarding the matter of the Tiger Conquering Arhat's death. However, he maintained a respectful demeanor towards Bodhisattva Guanyin on the surface.
"Xuanzang, do you know your crime?" Bodhisattva Guanyin floated in mid-air, looking down at Jiang Liu with an attitude of questioning fault as soon as she spoke.
"Disciple is unaware of what the Bodhisattva is referring to. Please enlighten me!" Shaking his head, Jiang Liu feigned an expression of grave concern and spoke with his head lowered.
"Humph, a few days ago, you actually killed the Tiger Conquering Arhat. This matter has great implications!" Seeing Jiang Liu's clueless demeanor, Bodhisattva Guanyin let out a cold snort.
"Ah!?"
Widening his eyes in shock, Jiang Liu reacted, "A few days ago, the disciple indeed killed a man-eating tiger demon, and also a man impersonating the Tiger Conquering Arhat. But, Bodhisattva, are you saying that was truly the Tiger Conquering Arhat himself?"
"It's a wrongful accusation! Bodhisattva, I am truly wronged!"
Out of Jiang Liu's mouth came a loud cry of injustice, "Not only did that tiger demon eat people, but it also captured the reincarnated Daoji, the young monk who subdues dragons. With such evil, to claim it was the Dharma Protector Beast of the Tiger Conquering Arhat, the disciple naturally wouldn't believe it!"
"Similarly, when the tiger demon was slain, a person claiming to be the Tiger Conquering Arhat jumped out to protect the tiger demon. Surely, they must be in league with the demon! But the disciple truly didn't know he was the real Tiger Conquering Arhat!"
"I am really wronged!"
"Wukong, quickly speak up for me!" While crying out for justice, Jiang Liu also analyzed the situation. Both logically and in principle, his actions were entirely reasonable. At the same time, Jiang Liu sent a message to Sun Wukong through the social system.
"Bodhisattva, you're mistaken there. How could my master be at fault?"
Following Jiang Liu's prompt, Sun Wukong stepped forward and said to Bodhisattva Guanyin, "Even if my master mistook that Tiger Conquering Arhat for a fake, even if he was real, by condoning his protector beast to descend to the Lower Realm as a demon, consume humans, and even plot against the reincarnated body of the Dragon Subduing Arhat, the moral character of the Tiger Conquering Arhat is questionable. If my master killed him, it could be said that he was purifying the Buddhist Sect!"
"Exactly, Bodhisattva, my eldest brother is right. Please discern the truth, Bodhisattva!" Following Sun Wukong's words, Sha Wujing also chimed in.
"Amitabha Buddha..."
Hearing Jiang Liu loudly defending himself and Sun Wukong's argument, Bodhisattva Guanyin's expression eased slightly.
After some contemplation and a slight nod, Guanyin said, "Xuanzang, what you say is not without reason. Others at the Great Thunder Monastery might not understand you, but I certainly do."
"Recently, at Great Thunder Monastery, various Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, along with Arhats from all quarters, gathered to discuss your slaying of the Tiger Conquering Arhat. Originally, everyone deemed you guilty of a grave sin, even proposing to confine you in the Illusionary Demon Cave for a year to reflect upon your actions."
"Are you aware of what the Illusionary Demon Cave is? It is a place more terrible than Hell itself, where countless illusions arise, simultaneously true and false, solid and void. A myriad of enemies will overwhelm you, plunging you into endless battle day and night!"
"However, I understand your nature, Xuanzang, so risking the Tathagata's reprove and offending everyone, I pleaded on your behalf. Finally, the Tathagata relented, issuing you just a record of fault. When we reach Spirit Mountain in the Western Heaven, merits will be rewarded, and faults punished..."
Bodhisattva Guanyin narrated the affairs of the Great Thunder Monastery to Jiang Liu, blending truths with impressions.
Of course, while most of what she said was true, she cast herself in a particularly bright and noble light, making Jiang Liu owe her a huge favor.
"Ah! The Illusionary Demon Cave? Countless illusions both real and false leading to endless battles night and day!?" Bodhisattva Guanyin's words caused Jiang Liu's eyes to widen.
"Correct, a terrifying place indeed. And the demon creatures that manifest in the Illusionary Demon Cave are determined by one's own cultivation level. No matter how advanced a person's cultivation, they would find it difficult to handle!" Thinking Jiang Liu was fearful of the cave's existence, Bodhisattva Guanyin nodded seriously.
"Bodhisattva!" After confirming the news about the Illusionary Demon Cave, Jiang Liu's expression became earnest as he looked intently at Guanyin.
"Hmm, he must be about to thank me, right? While we're at it, I wonder if I can take back some treasures? The Lotus Platform? The circlet? Or perhaps the Mystical Mirror?" Guanyin thought to herself, still composed but inwardly pleased, as Jiang Liu stared at her earnestly.
Having been granted such a big favor, Jiang Liu would surely express his gratitude properly.
"Bodhisattva, please allow this disciple to enter the Illusionary Demon Cave for reflection," Jiang Liu said, staring intently at Guanyin.
"Ah!?"
Guanyin was still awaiting Jiang Liu's gratitude when, to her astonishment, he requested to enter the punishing cave. She stared at him, stunned and confused, momentarily unable to comprehend.
"Bodhisattva, please allow me to enter the Illusionary Demon Cave!"
"No, you! Why would you insist on this?"
"Since all the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas of the Great Thunder Monastery believe the disciple is guilty, how can I allow the Bodhisattva to offend everyone on my behalf? The disciple is willing to accept punishment!"
"Xuanzang, indeed you are noble, but since the matter has already been settled, you should..."
"Bodhisattva, I am determined to enter the Illusionary Demon Cave. Feeling deeply ashamed and burdened by heavy sins, if I do not enter, I will be troubled. Please allow me to seek enlightenment. Otherwise, how could I have the audacity to face the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats in the Western Heaven..." Jiang Liu implored.
Guanyin: "..."
