Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Inside Chang'an City, there were a few fortune-telling stalls, which normally were not something worth noting. However, the owner of this stall bore a striking resemblance to Yuan Tiangang—seven or eight points similar—and that made all the difference.

Another sight was an extraordinary middle-aged man making his way inside, and with his arrival in Chang'an City, there were omens of wind and thunder merging, which led Jiang Liu's heart to flash with the saying, "Dragon Following Cloud, Tiger Following Wind."

"Could it be? Really Yuan Shoucheng and the Dragon King of Jing River?", Jiang Liu mused with a slight stirring in his heart, also feeling a bit of surprise and urgency.

Based on the original text of Journey to the West, the start of the journey was actually marked by a bet between the Dragon King of Jing River and Yuan Shoucheng.

If that was really the case, could it be that the Journey to the West was going to start much earlier than expected?

Though he had come to understand through his understanding with Tathagata that the westward journey was inevitable, he was after all only fifteen years old now, wasn't he?

Although he did not remember exactly how old Tang Monk was when he set out in the original text, he was at least supposed to be in his twenties before starting, plus the journey westward on the road would take about ten years, so Jiang Liu had always thought that he only had around twenty years at most.

He needed to grow strong enough within those twenty years to wrestle with Tathagata.

But if it were to start now, wouldn't he be robbed of a significant portion of that time!?

Thinking of such consequences, Jiang Liu's heart tightened, and after a moment of hesitation, he too stepped inside.

Within the stall, the dialogue between the two men could be heard.

"Three chi, three cun and forty-eight points? Hahaha, very well. As you have said, I shall see if it will rain tomorrow and if the rainfall will match your prediction. If it's not accurate, don't blame me for flipping your stall over to teach you not to deceive the people," said the middle-aged man in a commanding tone, speaking with a confident laughter.

The old man sitting in front of the stall remained calm, seemingly unconcerned about the prospect of his stall being flipped.

However, as Jiang Liu set foot inside, he turned his head and took a glance at him.

"Has Master Xuanzang come here also looking to resolve his doubts?", Yuan Shoucheng greeted Jiang Liu upon his entrance.

After making the bet, the Dragon King of Jing River had originally planned to leave, but upon hearing the name of Master Xuanzang, he halted his steps and looked at Jiang Liu curiously.

Certainly, Master Xuanzang's reputation was now quite distinguished, and since Jing River was not too far from Chang'an, he obviously knew of Xuanzang's name.

"You are kind, sir. What should I call you?", With palms pressed together and displaying humble courtesy, Jiang Liu naturally pretended not to recognize Yuan Shoucheng.

The grand situation of Journey to the West had not formally begun yet; showing any advance knowledge of it could have unthinkable consequences.

"Master Xuanzang can call me Yuan Shoucheng," Yuan Shoucheng nodded slightly and performed a salute in return.

"Yuan? I once had the fortune of meeting Taoist Yuan Tiangang. Sharing the same surname and bearing a resemblance to him, could it be...?", speculated Jiang Liu with an air of curiosity.

"Indeed, I am the uncle of Yuan Tiangang," Yuan Shoucheng replied directly, without intent to hide the fact.

"I see. Taoist Yuan Tiangang has served His Majesty closely and possesses great divine skills. I have heard that his divination is particularly sublime. As his uncle, I imagine your mastery of divination is profound. There is a matter I wish to inquire about, and I hope you can dispel my doubts," Jiang Liu expressed politely but without mincing words.

Even though he had only met Yuan Tiangang once, Jiang Liu publicly heaped praise on him.

These words were not merely flattery for the listener. In fact, they were meant for the Dragon King of Jing River, who was within earshot—an implicit message to him.

Yuan Tiangang was an immensely famous Taoist in the whole of Great Tang. For instance, Li Shimin had requested him to perform several computations for the locust disaster. Since Yuan Shoucheng was his uncle, this was an indication for the Dragon King of Jing River not to take their betting lightly.

"Master Xuanzang, the Holy Monk of Great Tang, with twelve incense scars, has deep Buddha affinity. If you wish to know your future, it's clear at a glance, so why bother asking further?" Although Jiang Liu's words were flattering, Yuan Tiangang did not intend to divine for him.

"No, what I want to inquire about is not my own future," Jiang Liu shook his head and replied.

"Oh? If that's the case, please speak clearly, Mage," hearing that Jiang Liu's query was not for himself, Yuan Shoucheng nodded slightly.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I have heard that those with Divine Skills can foresee fate, avoid disasters, and seek fortune, but when a great catastrophe approaches, they become blinded and their hearts bewildered. As a Taoist well-versed in divination, may I ask if this is true?"

Jiang Liu joined his palms together, adopting a very humble stance, sincerely seeking enlightenment.

...

The Dragon King of Jing River, who already knew that Yuan Shoucheng's divination skills were extremely exquisite, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to guide the fishermen to return with a full catch each time they fished in the Jing River, didn't have much thought on Jiang Liu's implication that Yuan Shoucheng's divinatory skills were profound; he remained fully confident in his own wager.

However, the question that Jiang Liu posed afterward caused a tightness in the Dragon King's heart, as if a cup of cold water had suddenly been poured over his fiery spirit.

Indeed, across the ages, those with Divine Skills were mostly capable of predicting the heavens' will, avoiding misfortune, and attracting fortune, but why then did so many with Divine Skills, including the Immortals and Bodhisattvas in heaven, fell?

It was because when a great catastrophe descended, it clouded the wise vision, making things indistinct, and in their bewilderment amidst the disaster, they perished.

Facing Jiang Liu's question, Yuan Shoucheng was speechless for a moment, unable to answer, whether he couldn't respond or didn't know how to reply was uncertain.

As for Yuan Shoucheng's answer, Jiang Liu did not care much, but his eyes glanced imperceptibly at the Dragon King of Jing River beside him.

Seeing a touch of contemplation in his eyes, Jiang Liu knew that he had achieved his goal.

After bowing with palms together, Jiang Liu turned around and strode out of the stall, heading for the Imperial Palace.

In the grand scheme of Journey to the West, although he was a very important chess piece, even the Tathagata had agreed to allow him to rescue Gaoyang, his agitation did not impede the overall plan, which is why the Tathagata could tolerate his disturbances.

But if he deliberately stepped out and obstructed the crucial undertaking of Journey to the West, perhaps the Buddha would have to eliminate him, send someone else, or allow Master Golden Cicada to be reborn again...

So, although Jiang Liu very much wanted to obstruct, he could not openly step out. Having hinted to the Dragon King of Jing River to this extent, he considered that he had done his best, hoping that the Dragon King would be wise enough to buy him some more time.

In the grand scheme of Journey to the West, as a chess piece wanting to contend with the chess player, every move he made was like treading on thin ice.

After Jiang Liu left, the Dragon King of Jing River also departed from Chang'an City with a contemplative look. With his departure, the tumultuous anomalies in Chang'an City naturally dissipated.

However, Yuan Shoucheng frowned slightly as he watched Jiang Liu's retreating figure.

Were Master Xuanzang's words in front of the Dragon King of Jing River intentional or just a coincidence?

Not long after, Jiang Liu arrived at the Imperial Palace, where no one stopped him, and some guards even ran in to announce his arrival. Explore more at empire

Upon learning that Master Xuanzang had come, Li Shimin personally came out to welcome him.

Following close behind him was Yuan Tiangang.

After the greetings, Jiang Liu's gaze fell on Yuan Tiangang, and after pondering for a moment, he asked, "Taoist Yuan, do you happen to have an uncle named Yuan Shoucheng?"