Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

The man clad in a white scholar's robe, his gaze fixated on the alchemy furnace before him, heard the words without shifting his gaze, as if the one who had died was not his subordinate, his expression serene, "I have said many times that although humans are born with an Innate Taoist Body, consuming them can greatly increase our Demon Clan's cultivation level, but they are not to be trifled with, especially Taoists and Monks.

I suppose he didn't heed my words, saw a human enter Wolf Dwelling Mountain, and wanted to try a fresh catch, only to be killed by someone instead?"

"Indeed, Great King, you foresee with divine precision... it is exactly as you said..." The wolf-headed Demon Marshal, bowing his head, dared not hide the truth.

"Since that is the case, if he is dead, then let him be dead. If one wishes to kill others, one must be prepared to be killed," he said softly, waving his hand, the man in the white scholar's robe.

Clearly, he did not take this matter to heart and motioned for the Demon Marshal to withdraw.

Since the Great King had already responded, the Wolf Demon naturally dared not say more, bowing his head and stepping back to leave.

"Wait..."

However, just as the Wolf Demon turned to leave, suddenly, the man in the scholar's robe seemed to recall something, saying, "You just said that the one who intruded upon our Wolf Dwelling Mountain is a Monk, right? And a Monk with cultivation level at that. In that case, observe the other party from a distance, do not alarm them.

Once I have completed this batch of elixir, I will meet him in person."

"As you decree, Great King," hearing the man in the white scholar's robe, the nearby Wolf Demon nodded and swiftly departed.

...

Jiang Liu walked forward with a calm demeanor, each step firm and steady, neither too fast nor too slow, with the White Dragon Horse bowing its head, following behind Jiang Liu, still shamelessly tagging along without title or claim.

And on the White Dragon Horse? Sun Wukong lay on the horse's back, completely at ease.

What was originally the Master's mount now seemed to have become Sun Wukong's own steed.

Having walked for the better part of the day, and since taking down that Wolf Demon General, no other demon had come looking for trouble. As the sky gradually darkened, Jiang Liu felt a quiet surprise.

Could it be that the Demon General was already the strongest demon creature in this area?

The initial encounters with some demons were merely patrols hunting, and Jiang Liu had knocked them out, selectively killing a few to provoke the anger of other demon creatures, waiting for them to seek him out.

However, after killing the Demon General and a long while passing without any demon creatures showing up, Jiang Liu felt some amazement.

"Wukong, it's getting late. Let's rest for the night and then continue on," Jiang Liu said, looking at the sky, which had indeed begun to turn dark.

"You got it!" Sun Wukong immediately somersaulted off the back of the White Dragon Horse at these words, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Jiang Liu, "Master, what's for dinner tonight?"

"Hmm, we've had rather greasy food these last few days. Let's have something light to cleanse the stomach," Jiang Liu said thoughtfully, knowing the gleam in Sun Wukong's eyes and what he was thinking.

Tonight, Jiang Liu planned to take some time to cook a pot of vegetable and lean meat porridge.

Fortunately, they had restocked on supplies back in Wu City. The vegetables were kept in a storage space, never rotting or spoiling.

"Great, great, as long as it's something you make, Master, I, Old Sun, will like it," Sun Wukong said, though Jiang Liu had mentioned having something light, he showed no objections, instead nodding agreeably.

With practiced ease, Jiang Liu set up the pots and pans, drew some fresh water, and began to cook the porridge.

However, when Jiang Liu looked at the salt container, he discovered it to be completely empty.

"It seems I need to refine some Snow Salt," Jiang Liu said upon seeing this, taking out some bottles and jars, along with some layers of cheesecloth.

Although they had also purchased salt during the resupply in Wu City, the salt from this era was quite coarse and had a bitter taste.

Thus, the salt that Jiang Liu used for himself was always purified by his own hands, removing all impurities. If the salt was finished, he would simply purify more salt purchased back.

All of this, Jiang Liu had long mastered, with the most important aspect being the technique of filtration.

Without a beaker, a jar could serve as a substitute; lacking filter paper, several layers of gauze could take its place—there were always more solutions than difficulties.

Tap, tap, tap!n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

However, just as Jiang Liu was cooking porridge and taking the opportunity to purify some table salt, under the dusk sunset, a figure approached from the west, backlighted by the orange-hued sun, casting a long shadow.

Glancing up at the figure approaching, the person was dressed in a white scholarly robe and flicking a fan between their fingers, presenting a scholarly and refined appearance, like that of a scholar.

"This great master, greetings. I go by the Taoist title of Master Lingxu," said the man dressed as a scholar, his curiosity apparent as he glanced at Jiang Liu's salt purification process, before he promptly bowed in greeting.

"A Taoist title? Is he a Taoist?" Jiang Liu wondered to himself, surprised that the man outfitted like a scholar had introduced himself with a Taoist title.

Nonetheless, Jiang Liu maintained his composure and stood up to return the bow, saying, "I am Monk Xuanzang returning the greeting."

"Xuanzang!?" The man who called himself Master Lingxu showed a flicker of movement in his expression upon hearing Jiang Liu's dharma name.

"Oh? Perhaps you have heard of me before?" Jiang Liu asked with curiosity, noting Master Lingxu's reaction.

"It is said that there is a Holy Monk in the Great Tang of the Eastern Land who journeyed to the Western Heaven to worship the Buddha and seek the True Scriptures, also bearing the dharma name Xuanzang. I wonder..." Master Lingxu asked directly, without any intention of concealment.

"Indeed, that is me," Jiang Liu admitted openly, as the other party had heard of his reputation.

He actually hoped for the Journey to the West to be long and drawn out; Jiang Liu would have loved to carry a banner through the streets, letting all demons know he had arrived, and then have them come to deliver experience points.

If possible, he might even want to advertise the special properties of his Flesh of Longevity...

"Truly the Holy Monk, I did not expect that on this Wolf Dwelling Mountain, where I have lived for a thousand years, I would have the fortune to meet the Holy Monk today, it is indeed a blessing of three lifetimes..." Master Lingxu was very pleased upon hearing Jiang Liu acknowledge his identity.

"Lived for a thousand years? Who are you?" Jiang Liu asked in wonder, hearing Master Lingxu's words.

"I do not wish to deceive the Holy Monk. I am originally a White Wolf from Wolf Dwelling Mountain. For a thousand years, I have diligently pursued the Immortal Path through cultivation, and have also engaged in discussions on the Tao with many eminent monks and Taoists, which has been greatly beneficial.

To see the Holy Monk today fills me with joy," Master Lingxu frankly confessed his identity as a demon creature when asked by Jiang Liu.

"Eh? This demon seems a bit different," Jiang Liu thought to himself, noting the other's humble and courteous demeanor and the fact that he openly disclosed his identity as a demon.

"The Holy Monk has graced Wolf Dwelling Mountain, which is a great karmic connection. It is my duty to fulfill the responsibilities of a host. Coincidentally, I have refined two Spirit Pills today, and I hope the Holy Monk will stay his Zen Step to share them. How does that sound?" Master Lingxu warmly invited Jiang Liu, after learning of his identity.

Since it was a demon, Jiang Liu naturally remained cautious of the prospect that the other party might harbor ill intentions toward him, but on his Journey to the Western Heaven, the eighty-one tribulations for Jiang Liu were seen as eighty-one opportunities.

Encountering a demon, Jiang Liu naturally wished to stay, to delay his journey as much as possible.

"In that case, I will take the liberty of imposing upon you," he said.

Without much hesitation, Jiang Liu pressed his palms together and humbly accepted the offer.

(PS: It seems our book is set to launch next Friday, the 6th...)