BXBX NOVEL Chapter 384 - 304: Wukong, would you like to listen to a story from me (Taoist)?
Tsk tsk~ As expected.
Sometimes, it can be more effective to first pose an excessive demand and then reveal one’s true purpose.
At this moment.
He noticed the questioning gaze from Guanyin.
Maitreya Buddha clasped his hands together, chanted a sutra, then slightly nodded to indicate the other party could agree.
Seeing this.
Guanyin finally breathed a sigh of relief and said in a deep voice to Xuanqing: “Master of the Primordial Beginning, on behalf of Shimen, I accept your request. After the Westward Journey is completed, I will hand over Ao Lie to you.”
“Hehe, good.”
Xuanqing laughed and nodded, then waved his hand to Qingwan, instructing
“My dear, now that Guanyin Bodhisattva and Maitreya Buddha from the Shimen have pleaded for mercy, you can remove the charges against Tang Xuanzang and Monkey King and set a date for their release.”
“However….”
Originally.
Upon hearing they were to be granted passage, Guanyin and Maitreya felt relieved, expecting a happy resolution, despite the turbulence they had faced.
But hearing the word “however” had their hearts hanging by a thread, cursing inwardly, wondering what tricks Xuanqing was playing now.
“However, while the lifetime of hard labor is spared, we cannot let them leave so easily; otherwise, where does it leave the laws of the Black Wind Country?” Xuanqing’s voice was calm.
Hearing this.
Guanyin couldn’t stand it anymore, saying: “Master of the Primordial
Beginning, are you reneging on your word?”
Xuanqing shook his head.
“I promised to let them pass, and I will let them pass, but… first, they must volunteer for five years in the Black Wind Country!”
Volunteer?
Guanyin paused lightly, what did he mean by that?
Immediately afterward,
she heard him continue: “By volunteer, I mean to voluntarily serve the people in order to do good deeds, and accumulate merits.”
Five years…
It cannot be denied.
This amount of time was just on the cusp of their acceptability. Any longer and they would never agree, however, it was exactly five years.
Guanyin showed hesitation on her face, not knowing if she should agree.
However,
just when she was hesitating, Tang Xuanzang took the initiative to step forward. He understood the predicaments facing his buddha and bodhisattva as their disciple, if there was something he could do, he should share their burden.
“Bodhisattva, the Buddha said: If it is able to transform the world, why don’t I
go to hell… besides, it is a good thing…”
Tang Xuanzang’s clear eyes carried an air of purity, as he firmly said, “I am willing to be a volunteer in the Black Wind Country for five years.”
Alright then.
Seeing the main character himself speaking, what else could Guanyin and Maitreya Buddha say? They had no choice but to nod and agree to these terms.
However.
Guanyin still had a vague feeling of unease, but she simply warned him:
Tang Xuanzang, you have a wholehearted zeal for the Buddha, I hope you remember your responsibility to fetch the scriptures while you spend five years in the Black Wind Country!”
“Amitabha, I dare not forget your words of wisdom, Bodhisattva!” Tang Xuanzang bowed respectfully to Guanyin Bodhisattva, and then to Maitreya Buddha.
When Tang Xuanzang lifted his head again, he found that the Imperial Study
Room was empty of the bodhisattva and Maitreya Buddha, leaving only him and the Monkey King, as well as the Empress of the Black Wind Country and the Master of the Primordial Beginning.
Having concluded matters,
Xuanqing waved to Qingwan, instructing her, “Qingwan, regarding Tang
Xuanzang’s volunteering, you can leave it to Dao Xuan to handle.”
“Yes, sir,” Qingwan stood up, bowed, and then watched her own master leave.
The next day.
In a double-bed dormitory,
Tang Xuanzang woke up, groped his way to the toilet, and after taking care of his business, fully woke up.
“Master, you’re awake!”
Monkey King, however, was already up earlier. More precisely, he had never gone to sleep, as he did not need it.
Then,
He pulled open the curtain.
swoosh-
Bright sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the simple single-room layout complete with a Simmons bed, a pressed wood wardrobe and other furnishings.
“Amitabha, people living in Black Wind Country are truly fortunate, I unknowingly slept till sunrise.”
Tang Xuanzang looked at the sky outside, clasped his hands together and muttered a few words in praise.
It was just too comfortable.
Previously, he had been detained in prison, sleeping on the cold cement floor, but now, he was sleeping on a soft Simmons bed.
“Hehe- If Master, you find it so comfortable, why not just stay in Black Wind country and be an ordinary citizen? Why bother fetching any scriptures?” The Monkey King scratched his chest, teasingly.
At this moment, he was in a very good mood, particularly considering Guanyin’s sour expression yesterday along with Maitreya’s frozen smile, making him even more cheerful.
“Wukong, there you go again with your absurd talks!”
Tang Xuanzang gave him a stem look, admonishing him absentmindedly.
“It’s no longer early, I wonder if there’s still breakfast. Wukong… go out and see if you can find something vegetarian for me.”
■Okay, stay here and don’t move. I will be back soon.” Monkey King nodded and then pushed the door to go out.
Even though the Monkey King was displeased with Shimen, he was straightforward… a monkey, by nature. Of course, he would not vent his anger on Tang Xuanzang.
Watching Monkey King’s departing figure,
Tang Xuanzang sat on the sofa, absent-mindedly caressing the soft materials. He pressed down lightly and the sofa gave away, once he released his hand, it bounced back immediately..