Simultaneous travel: My sons all have the qualities of an emperor

Chapter 369 Next up is Tang Sanzang
If it really is one of those three, then it's something you can't even think about, and you can't even curse at.

As everyone knows, of those three, one is extremely protective of his reputation, another is ruthless and has a deep connection with him, and the last one is unfathomable.

Although he is destined to be the restorer of Buddhism, if he were to recklessly utter a few curses, coupled with past karma, even the two Western saints might not be able to protect him.

Thinking of this, Qiao Ling'er couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat, and looked with even greater apprehension at the tin staff and cassock that were nailed to the ground like Mount Buzhou.

"No, that shouldn't be the case. The Journey to the West calamity is the inevitable trend of Heaven, and those three have been at odds since the Investiture of the Gods. Two of them even wanted to take advantage of this incident to settle their karmic debts, and the last one sealed himself off in Biyou Palace and never appeared in the world again."

"And even if the last one reappears in Biyou Palace, the other two will definitely not sit idly by."

Qiao Ling'er is an incarnation of Buddha, so she naturally knows a lot. During the great war of the gods, all living beings in the world faced calamities and needed to quell them.

During this battle, the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect, in order to avoid being caught in the great calamity and dying, took in disciples, intending to shield themselves from disaster.

But later they found that it wasn't enough, still not enough, and they needed more people to fill the gap, so they turned their attention to the Jie Sect.

Your sect is known for its pilgrimage of ten thousand immortals, and your third senior uncle and my master have a very good relationship. Now that your brother is in trouble, it's not too much for you to help him out, is it?

Thus, in this war of the gods, the Jie Sect, which taught without discrimination and had all immortals pay homage, was severely targeted, and its disciples died one by one.

And so, the Jie Sect was merely standing up for their fellow disciples, but seeing that no one from the Chan Sect could defeat them, the Primordial Heavenly Lord actually intervened personally.

Even in this situation, Tongtian could still tolerate it and directly set up the Immortal Slaughtering Sword Formation, which could not be broken by any but the Four Sages. So, Yuanshi, Laozi, Zhunti, and Jieyin, hey, exactly four people, isn't that a coincidence?

And so, Yuanshi, Laozi, one good brother after another, one friend after another, as if they had drunk strong liquor, and shattered the Dao heart of Tongtian Jiaozhu.

And so, the Three Pure Ones, who were once as close as family, broke apart, and Tongtian Jiaozhu was even traumatized and hid in Biyou Palace, feeling depressed all by himself.

So Qiao Ling'er thought about it and felt that it was unlikely that they were behind it.

"This is troublesome. If all else fails, we should wait and see. If things really change, then we'll have no choice but to ask the two sages for help." Qiao Ling'er thought to herself, feeling extremely troubled.

An impatient voice came from behind, telling him not to occupy the toilet if he wasn't going to poop, which pulled Qiao Ling'er back to reality.

Qiao Ling'er was preoccupied with her own thoughts and had no time to pay attention to anything else. She simply walked out of the street, found a secluded spot, and vanished from the spot.

Just then, a pig-like scream came from behind: "Which son of a bitch spat on the cassock?!"

Cheng Yaojin, feeling guilty, was walking out with an unchanged expression, but his steps unconsciously quickened.

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The story of the tin staff and the cassock spread throughout Chang'an, and few people were uninterested, among whom was Chen Jiangliu.

He was only interested in seeing the prosperity of Chang'an and didn't care about such things. His intuition made him instinctively avoid the streets where the tin staff was, as if he was afraid of being stuck with those Buddhist treasures.

“Xuanzang, oh no, Chen Jiangliu, why don’t you give it a try? That was left behind by the Bodhisattva. If we can pull it up, wouldn’t that prove that we are future famous monks?”

Rumors are circulating that this was left behind by a Bodhisattva and a highly powerful being during a conversation; wearing it grants immortality, Buddhahood, and the status of an ancestor.

Upon hearing this, Abbot Faming of Jinshan Temple recalled Chen Jiangliu's affinity with Buddhism and spoke in a persuasive tone.

Chen Jiangliu naturally shook his head in reluctance. As he listened to the rumors circulating about the monk Faming, his expression grew increasingly strange. How could he not know why the robe had been left behind? Yet, in just a few days, the rumors had spread like this.

Buddhism has so many online trolls; their public relations and media skills are simply amazing.

Seeing this, Monk Faming had no choice but to tell Chen Jiangliu that once he made a decision, he would never change it. He could only urge Chen Jiangliu to prepare well for the Water and Land Ritual.

The so-called Water and Land Assembly is the grandest and most solemn Buddhist ceremony, and this one was hosted by the Tang Emperor, the ruler of the world, which can be described as extremely grand.

It was the powerful forces of Buddhism that were pushing things forward, all for the purpose of setting the stage for a great calamity.

Time flowed by, and a few days later the day of the Water and Land Assembly arrived. Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, led his civil and military officials, concubines, and relatives to the temple.

At this moment, Guanyin Bodhisattva, who had transformed into an ordinary human form, was warming up when she heard the Buddha's instructions:
"This Chen Jiangliu is the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi. He is the destined person to go on the pilgrimage. You were the one who personally guided him back then. The burden of Buddhism rests on your shoulders."

"You must find a way to get Chen Jiangliu onto the journey to the West for this grand assembly of water and land rituals. The staff and cassock are minor matters; once Chen Jiangliu embarks on the journey, everything will be set right."

Thinking of this, even Guanyin Bodhisattva couldn't help but curse inwardly, thinking that the staff and robe were nothing but trivial matters.

You should know that every tribulation and every script on the journey to the West was rehearsed in advance, and every step had a set procedure. It was all predetermined.

Now that things have changed, everything is in chaos. Moreover, the staff and robe are Buddhist treasures, symbols of the pilgrim's identity, and a sign of the legitimacy of the pilgrimage, implying "transmitting the Dharma on behalf of the Buddha."

Without the staff and robe, what if the Buddhist community's fortune and merits are depleted? Where would she find this job?

As soon as Buddha opens his mouth, she has to run herself ragged. It's all just for fun.

Guanyin Bodhisattva felt a headache coming on, but then her gaze sharpened and she saw that the Water and Land Assembly had already begun. At the request of Abbot Faming, Chen Jiangliu was bringing a little bit of Buddhist teachings to the people of Chang'an.

Then, a young man with long hair, dressed in brocade robes, sat on a high platform, chanting countless Buddhist teachings, and for a moment he seemed like a real Buddha preaching the Dharma.

Chen Jiangliu recited the "Sutra of Rebirth and Salvation" for a while, talked about the "Tianbao Register of Peace and Treasure" for a while, and then recited the "Scroll of Encouraging Cultivation" for a while.

People of all ages were immersed in Chen Jiangliu's teachings and couldn't help but feel joyful.

Even Guanyin Bodhisattva couldn't help but nod. She thought to herself, "Chen Jiangliu's Buddhist teachings are quite remarkable. He must have put his heart into it. I will use Mahayana Buddhism to entice him and make him embark on the journey to the West on his own initiative."

Then the person who was Guanyin Bodhisattva in disguise suddenly stepped forward, pounded on the platform, and shouted sternly: "That monk, you can only talk about 'Hinayana' Buddhism, can you talk about 'Mahayana' Buddhism!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jiangliu looked at Guanyin Bodhisattva. Guanyin Bodhisattva was overjoyed and was about to explain the power of Mahayana Buddhism.

But then I heard:
"I can't, can you?"

For a moment, Guanyin Bodhisattva was dumbfounded. Why wasn't Chen Jiangliu playing by the rules? Shouldn't he be asking her what Mahayana Buddhism is at this time?

Then Guanyin Bodhisattva managed to utter a sentence: "Of course I can't either."

Of course, she couldn't say she knew it. If she did, and Chen Jiangliu asked her to perform it on the spot, how could she then persuade him to go on the pilgrimage?

"But I know where I can go..." Guanyin Bodhisattva hadn't even uttered the word "obtain" when she heard it.

"You don't know? Then why are you barking like a dog? Guards, drag her out!" Chen Jiangliu said without any politeness, completely unlike his previous profound Buddhist demeanor. To this, Guanyin Bodhisattva could only say: Buddhism is not the same as morality!

Buddhism places great emphasis on predestined relationships, so it takes a go-with-the-flow approach. Whether it's the deliberate encounter on Chang'an Street or the act of persuading the Buddha at the Water and Land Dharma Assembly, it's all for the sake of this concept of predestined relationships.

But now, for some unknown reason, the connection has ended. Guanyin Bodhisattva is helpless and can only appear in the Emperor of Tang's dream in the middle of the night, laying her cards on the table directly and simply:

Chen Jiangliu is needed to go to the Great Thunder Temple in the Western Paradise to obtain Buddhist scriptures. It is hoped that the Tang Emperor can think of the well-being of the people of the Tang Dynasty.

That night, Li Shimin woke up in his palace with a helpless expression. Although he was the ruler of the human world, he still had to obey the affairs of the heavens.

Even he himself had an unseen premonition that he could not stop this matter, as it was an inevitable trend.

The next day, Li Shimin summoned Chen Jiangliu to the court and granted him permission not to bow before the emperor before he entered the court.

Li Shimin looked at the young man in the court and said with a smile, "Last night, the Bodhisattva appeared in my dream and told me about the wonders of Mahayana Buddhism. After thinking about it, I felt that it is truly of great benefit to the world."

Then I couldn't help but recall the Master's dignified presence at the Water and Land Assembly yesterday, and I specially invited the Master here, hoping to ask him to go to the Western Paradise to retrieve the scriptures for the sake of all sentient beings.

Chen Jiangliu was somewhat bewildered upon hearing this, yet also suddenly realized why he had encountered so many troubles since entering Chang'an. It turned out that the Bodhisattva had taken a liking to him and wanted him to go on a pilgrimage to obtain the scriptures.

But at this moment, should he go or not? His father had received some favor from the current emperor, which was why he was able to take up a post in Jiangzhou.

At this moment, Gu Ming, who was enjoying the scenery with Wen Jiao, curled his lip and muttered, "What a load of rubbish about gratitude, it's all just a script."

After much thought, I realized that we were separated by thousands of mountains and rivers:

"If you want to see the scenery of other places, then go. If you don't want to, then just refuse. My requirement for you is to do what you want to do."

Chen Jiangliu remained unfazed in the imperial court, already accustomed to his father's extraordinary abilities.

"Since Your Majesty has given the order, I, though unworthy, am willing to serve Your Majesty with utmost loyalty and devotion, and pray that Your Majesty's empire may be secure forever."

Chen Jiangliu had always thought his father was very capable, but he didn't have a clear understanding of just how capable his father was.

Therefore, since this trip involved both a Bodhisattva and the current emperor, he figured it was just a pilgrimage to obtain scriptures, so he might as well treat it as a publicly funded trip.

Li Shimin laughed loudly and said, "Master, you are indeed loyal and virtuous. I am moved by your virtue and wish to become sworn brothers with you."

As he spoke, the emperor actually pulled Chen Jiangliu to bow three times to heaven and earth, and the bewildered Chen Jiangliu became the emperor's younger brother.

Holding Wen Jiao in his arms, Gu Ming looked at Li Shimin with amusement, having already guessed Li Shimin's thoughts.

This earthly emperor was a shrewd man. Although he was extremely ambitious, he was also flexible and adaptable. Seeing the power of Buddhism, he wanted to curry favor with them, and his sworn brotherhood with Tang Sanzang was for this purpose.

"So, I've ended up with an extra son. Oh well, I already have too many sons to take on another one. But I'm in a good mood, so I can give you some benefits."

Having reached Gu Ming's current level, the vastness of heaven and earth and the expanse of the four seas are nothing more than a free rein to roam. In his eyes, all things in the world are just a game, so he speaks without restraint and says whatever comes to mind.

With a flick of his finger, a flash of inspiration flew out and entered Li Shimin's mind. It was the law of humanity, which governs the aura of humanity and can bless oneself.

The emperor was immediately terrified in front of his officials and hastily dismissed the court.

But before Gu Ming could fully indulge in his fantasy of being a reclusive master, Wen Jiao, who was standing beside him, changed her usual gentle demeanor and grabbed Gu Ming's ear, scolding him angrily:
"Translate this for me! What do you mean by 'I already have many sons'? I only had this one with you!"

Instantly, Gu Ming's heart skipped a beat. When it came to this world, he didn't care about the Jade Emperor, Buddha, or the Three Pure Ones, but this person in front of him was different.

He immediately smiled obsequiously, "My lady, let me explain..."

"If you don't explain yourself properly, I'll chop off your dick!"

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On September 3rd of the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan era, Chen Jiangliu set off. Li Shimin, along with civil and military officials, personally saw him off outside Chang'an Pass. Afterwards, Chen Jiangliu traveled westward and first arrived at Famen Temple.

When the monks in the temple heard that Chen Jiangliu was going to the Western Paradise to obtain Buddhist scriptures, they all looked surprised and said that the journey would be fraught with difficulties.

Chen Jiangliu chuckled and said, "It's nothing."

The abbot discussed Buddhist teachings with Chen Jiangliu, showing him both respect and admiration. However, feeling that Chen Jiangliu was still too young, the abbot explained the difficulties involved:
"The journey to the Western Paradise is long and arduous, fraught with dangers, including tigers, leopards, demons, and monsters."

Chen Jiangliu remained silent, but his hand, hidden beneath his wide robe, tightened its grip slightly. Suddenly, a cracking sound rang out, startling all the monks who thought they were hallucinating.

After Chen Jiangliu left, they discovered a chaotic void in the distance, which seemed out of place with its surroundings. A monk mustered up his courage and threw a stone at it, which sank into the void and disappeared.

Immediately, all the monks rubbed their eyes in disbelief, but when they opened them again, the chaotic void had vanished.

At this moment, all the monks remained silent, simply gazing at each other.

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The next day, Chen Jiangliu traveled leisurely, enjoying the scenery and refusing to join others. He traveled light, passed Gongzhou, and arrived at the border of the Tang Dynasty. After traveling several dozen miles, he reached a mountain ridge.

It was the height of the moon, and normally people shouldn't be traveling at this time, but Chen Jiangliu didn't care at all. On the contrary, he was looking forward to encountering some strange and magical creatures.

After all, not long after he began practicing magic with his father, he was able to smash a tiger with his bare hands, and as for now, he didn't know how strong he was.

As they walked, a sudden gust of wind arose from all sides, accompanied by the roars of beasts, enough to terrify even the most timid.

In the blink of an eye, fifty or sixty figures appeared around Chen Jiangliu, most of them with beast heads and human bodies, making them awe-inspiring in the dark night.

The leader, a particularly burly man, glared at Chen Jiangliu with a ferocious look and said, "He's got delicate skin, though. Men, tie him up!"

"Oh? Then why did you tie me up?"

"That goes without saying, of course we ate it." General Yin laughed heartily.

But as he laughed, General Yin's laughter stopped, because he saw the person in front of him clench his fist.

That's not the point. The point is, why do this person's muscles swell up like a small mountain when they clench their fist?!

(End of this chapter)