I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

The Jade Emperor smiled and said, "Sun Wukong, you don't need to be so polite."

You are the core of the pilgrimage team, and it is our duty to protect you.

"It's truly remarkable that you managed to escape Jiang Wang's seal and even improve your cultivation."

The Buddha also said, "Sun Wukong, you are kind by nature, but you are unruly. After experiencing such a tribulation, you must have grown a lot."

"From now on, you must protect Tang Sanzang well, help him successfully travel west, complete his pilgrimage, and attain enlightenment as soon as possible."

Sun Wukong quickly bowed and said, "Disciple will remember the Buddha's teachings. In the future, disciple will protect Master well, no longer be unruly, and help Master to successfully travel west and complete the great task of obtaining the scriptures."

Tang Sanzang also stepped forward, bowed to the immortals and Buddhas, and said, "Thank you all, immortals and Buddhas, thank you the Jade Emperor, thank you the Buddha Tathagata, thank you Guanyin Bodhisattva."

If it weren't for everyone's help, my master and his three disciples would probably have met with misfortune long ago, and our journey to obtain the scriptures would not have been able to continue.

This humble monk will certainly live up to everyone's expectations, reach the Western Paradise as soon as possible, obtain the true scriptures, and save all sentient beings.

The Buddha nodded and said, "Excellent, excellent."

Tang Sanzang, with your compassionate heart and unwavering will, you will surely succeed in completing your pilgrimage.

Today, the crisis in the Three Realms has been resolved, and it is time for us to return. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, please feel free to summon us, and we will certainly come to your aid.

The Jade Emperor also said, "Yes, Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, take care on your journey. We'll head back now."

"Thank you all, immortals and Buddhas! Thank you, Jade Emperor! Thank you, Buddha Tathagata!"

Tang Sanzang, Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing bowed together in respect.

Subsequently, the Jade Emperor and the Buddha, along with all the immortals and Buddhas, transformed into streaks of golden light and gradually disappeared into the sky.

After all the immortals and Buddhas had left, Guanyin turned around and looked at Tang Sanzang and his disciples, saying, "Elder, Wukong, Bajie, Sha Wujing, Jiang Wang has been resealed. The crisis in the Three Realms has been resolved, and you can continue your journey to the West to obtain the scriptures."

Tang Sanzang nodded and said, "Thank you, Guanyin Bodhisattva. If it weren't for you, the four of us, master and disciples, would not have made it this far."

However, our thatched hut has been razed to the ground, and our belongings have been destroyed. It will likely take several more days to repack our belongings and rebuild our hut before we can continue our westward journey.

"It's alright."

Guanyin smiled and said, "I have some magical treasures and provisions here that can lend you a hand."

As she spoke, Guanyin took out some dry food and clothing from her vase, and then took out a storage bag, handing it to Tang Sanzang, saying, "Elder, this storage bag contains enough dry food and clothing, as well as some healing pills, to ensure you have a worry-free journey."

As for the thatched huts, I can use my supernatural powers to rebuild them for you; it won't take long.

Tang Sanzang quickly accepted the storage bag, bowed deeply, and said, "Thank you, Guanyin Bodhisattva! Thank you, Guanyin Bodhisattva!"

Bajie quickly said, "Thank you, Guanyin Bodhisattva! With these provisions and clothes, we no longer need to worry about going hungry or freezing!"

Guanyin smiled, raised her hand and waved it. A golden light flashed, and the grass hut that had been razed to the ground was instantly rebuilt. It was more spacious and sturdier than before, and the stable was restored to its original state. The white dragon horse was quietly grazing in the stable.

"Alright, the hay hut and stables have been restored to their original state."

Guanyin said, "Pack your luggage, rest for one night, and you can continue your journey west tomorrow."

"Wukong, you just escaped from Jiang Wang's seal and were injured. I have a healing pill here; take it, and you will recover quickly."

As she spoke, Guanyin took out a golden pill and handed it to Sun Wukong.

Sun Wukong accepted the elixir, bowed deeply, and said, "Thank you, Guanyin Bodhisattva!"

As he spoke, Sun Wukong swallowed the pill. The pill melted instantly in his mouth, and a warm current spread throughout his body. His injuries were quickly mostly healed, and he was filled with power.

"Thank you, Guanyin Bodhisattva! My injuries have healed considerably!"

Sun Wukong said.

"That's good."

Guanyin said, "I have important matters to attend to, so I will not stay with you any longer."

If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can silently recite my Dharma name, and I will sense it and come to your aid in time.

Tang Sanzang said, "Thank you, Guanyin Bodhisattva. Please take care, Guanyin Bodhisattva."

Guanyin nodded, turned around, mounted the donkey, and with a tap of its hoof, it transformed into a golden light and gradually disappeared into the distance.

Only after Guanyin left did Bajie breathe a sigh of relief, saying, "Finally, we've dealt with that old monster and sent Guanyin Bodhisattva away. I'm exhausted!"

Sha Wujing said, "Yes, this battle was truly thrilling. If it weren't for the help of all the immortals and Buddhas, we probably wouldn't have survived."

Sun Wukong looked at Tang Sanzang with a hint of guilt on his face and said, "Master, I am sorry for making you and your fellow disciples wait for fourteen years and suffer so much. I will never leave you again. I will protect you and help you to successfully travel west and obtain the true scriptures."

Tang Sanzang patted Sun Wukong on the shoulder and said, "Wukong, your master doesn't blame you. It's good that you've returned safely."

Over the years, your master knows that you must have encountered many difficulties. It is already very difficult for you to escape from Jiang Wang's seal.

From now on, the four of us, master and disciples, will work together wholeheartedly, traveling westward together, never to be separated again.

"Yes!" Sun Wukong nodded vigorously and said, "Master, fellow disciples, from now on, the four of us will work together to travel west and never be separated again!"

Pigsy added, "Yes, from now on, the four of us, master and disciples, will work together and journey westward, never to be separated again! I, Old Pig, will also work hard and no longer slack off, to help Master obtain the true scriptures!"

Sha Wujing also said, "Master, eldest brother, second brother, I will also protect you well and help you on your journey to the West. I will never hold you back!"

Tang Sanzang looked at his three disciples with a relieved smile and said, "Good, good, good! With you three disciples here, I can rest assured."

Let's pack our bags, rest for the night, and tomorrow morning, we'll continue our westward journey, heading westward towards the heavens!

"it is good!"

Afterwards, the four of them went into the thatched hut and began to pack their belongings.

While packing his luggage, Pigsy muttered, "I, Old Pig, need to bring more dry food so I won't go hungry on the road; I also need to bring some clothes so I won't get cold on the road."

For the past fourteen years, I, Old Pig, have truly suffered enough. I can never again treat myself like this!

Sun Wukong laughed and said, "Bajie, all you know is eating and dressing. Can't you have any ambition? We are on our journey to the West to obtain the scriptures to save all living beings and achieve enlightenment, not to enjoy ourselves!"

Bajie pouted and said, "I, Old Pig, just like to eat and wear clothes, so what? To save all living beings and attain enlightenment, I can't go hungry or freeze! Besides, I, Old Pig, am also trying my best to protect Master, which is also a contribution to the great cause of the journey to the West!"

Sha Wujing smiled and said, "What my second brother said makes sense. Our journey to the West to obtain the scriptures is long and fraught with difficulties. We do need to prepare more food and clothing so that we can better protect our master and complete our mission."

Tang Sanzang smiled and said, "Alright, stop arguing and pack your luggage properly."

"Wukong, go to the stables and check on the White Dragon Horse. Give it some hay; it's worked hard all these years."

"Alright, Master!"

Sun Wukong responded, turned around and walked out of the thatched hut, heading towards the stable.

Upon arriving at the stable, Sun Wukong looked at the white dragon horse with a hint of guilt on his face and said, "White dragon horse, I'm sorry. Over the years, you've suffered so much with your master and fellow disciples. From now on, I, Old Sun, will definitely take good care of you and won't let you suffer any more."

The white dragon horse seemed to understand Sun Wukong's words, raised its head, nuzzled Sun Wukong's hand, and let out a gentle neigh.

Sun Wukong smiled, picked up some fodder, handed it to the white dragon horse, and said, "Eat, eat, eat more. Tomorrow, we will continue our journey westward. Thank you for your hard work."

The white dragon horse lowered its head and began to eat the grass in large gulps.

Looking at the white dragon horse, Sun Wukong secretly vowed that from now on, he would protect his master, fellow disciples, and the white dragon horse, help his master successfully travel west, obtain the true scriptures, and achieve enlightenment, and never let them suffer any more grievances.

Back at the thatched hut, Pigsy and Sandy had already packed their luggage, and Tang Sanzang was sitting inside, meditating and chanting sutras.

Sun Wukong walked up to Tang Sanzang and said, "Master, the white dragon horse has been fed and our luggage has been packed. We can rest for one night and set off early tomorrow morning."

Tang Sanzang opened his eyes, nodded, and said, "Alright, Wukong."

Everyone has worked hard today. Get a good night's rest. Tomorrow, we will continue our westward journey, heading towards the Western Paradise!

"Yes, Master!"

As night fell, the thatched hut was brightly lit. Tang Sanzang was still meditating and chanting sutras, while Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing leaned against the corner of the wall and gradually fell asleep.

The moment Guanyin's divine sense touched Sun Wukong's body, it recoiled violently, her face contorting with even greater shock, her voice trembling slightly as she muttered to herself, "No, no! This isn't the residual energy of the Six-Eared Macaque. This is clearly... someone has tampered with it, using a strange restriction to trap Wukong's refining process!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a faint laugh suddenly came from the depths of the deserted island. It was neither loud nor soft, but it clearly entered Guanyin's ears, carrying a hint of mockery and sarcasm, as if it had been waiting for her for a long time: "Guanyin Bodhisattva has good eyesight. She saw through the clues so quickly. She is more perceptive than I expected."

Guanyin froze, turned her head sharply, her gaze like lightning, sweeping towards the direction from which the voice came. Her hands instinctively formed a mudra, and a phantom image of a jade bottle appeared in her palms. Her tone was extremely solemn: "Who? Come out! Hiding and showing your tail, what kind of skill is that!" The laughter rang out again, accompanied by a slow footstep, and a figure emerged from the depths of the dense forest in the center of the deserted island.

The man was dressed in black, with dark gold patterns embroidered on the hem of his clothes. The patterns twisted like serpents, and a faint light flowed around them as he moved.

He was tall and handsome, yet he carried an aloofness that kept people at arm's length, with a hint of nonchalant laziness hidden in his eyes. He was none other than Jiang Wang, whom Guanyin longed for day and night, and whom she feared immensely.

Jiang Wang stopped a hundred feet away from Guanyin, put his hands behind his back, and looked at Guanyin. A faint smile appeared on his lips, and he said in a flippant tone, "What, Guanyin Bodhisattva, it's only been fourteen years, and you don't recognize me anymore? Or is it that you subconsciously wish for my death, so you don't even dare to remember my voice or my appearance?"

Guanyin stared at Jiang Wang before her, her heart gripping as if by an invisible hand. Her breathing quickened, her face turned ashen, and her fingertips trembled slightly. Her voice was filled with barely concealed terror: "Jiang Wang! You...you really aren't dead! In the Ancestral Dragon Abyss, you were clearly severely injured by the leader of the alien dragon race. Everyone thought you had vanished into thin air. How could you still be alive?"

Jiang Wang scoffed, raised his eyelids, and said with disdain, "Soul scattered? Those otherworldly chickens and dogs dare to make me, Jiang Wang, scatter my soul? Guanyin Bodhisattva, you underestimate me too much, you underestimate the magic weapon in my hand, and you underestimate the cultivation technique I practice."

"Under the Ancestral Dragon Abyss, I merely feigned weakness to lure those alien dragons into lowering their guard, taking the opportunity to absorb a portion of their leader's primordial power, and incidentally, to conceal my true intentions and find a place to cultivate in seclusion."

Jiang Wang paused, his gaze sweeping over Sun Wukong, who was still in the refining process below. His tone became somewhat indifferent. "But you, Guanyin Bodhisattva, instead of guarding your Mount Putuo in the South China Sea and keeping an eye on Tang Sanzang and his fellow pilgrims, you came to my deserted island to meddle in my affairs. What kind of logic is that?"

Guanyin suppressed her fear and forced herself to calm down. She tightened her hand seals, and the nectar in her vase trembled slightly, emitting a faint golden light. Her tone carried a forced sense of authority: "Jiang Wang, don't talk nonsense! Wukong is the core of the pilgrimage team. Without him, the pilgrimage cannot be completed, and the merit cannot be perfected. This concerns the peace of the Three Realms, so naturally I have come to find him!"

"But you,"

Guanyin changed the subject, her gaze sharply fixed on Jiang Wang, "You are clearly not dead, yet you deliberately concealed your whereabouts and secretly tampered with things, trapping Wukong's refining process and disrupting the journey to the West. What is your purpose? Do you know that the journey to the West is ordained by Heaven? You dare to disrupt it without permission, aren't you afraid of being punished by Heaven?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang burst into laughter, a hearty laugh that carried a chilling aura that echoed across the entire deserted island, causing the surrounding trees to sway slightly and even disrupting the spiritual energy in the air: "The will of Heaven? Guanyin Bodhisattva, you dare to talk to me about the will of Heaven?"

"Back then, I, Jiang Wang, devoted myself to the Dao and cultivated diligently for a thousand years. I did not seek to be among the immortals, nor did I seek immortality. I only sought to protect those I wanted to protect. But what did Heaven give me?"

Jiang Wang's tone suddenly turned icy, the laziness in his eyes disappeared, replaced by a strong sense of hostility and resentment, "I was framed, hunted down by the immortal sects, and despised by the three realms. Even my closest relatives were used as pawns by the Heavenly Dao to control me, and in the end, they died tragically in front of me!"

"From that moment on, I stopped believing in predestination, in cause and effect, and in reincarnation!" (End of Chapter)