From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 313 The Journey West Begins with Tumultuous Waves

Meanwhile, Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty, after being frightened by Ao Yan, wandered around the underworld again, reminisced with the brothers Jiancheng and Yuanji, and was granted twenty more years of life before returning to the world of the living. He then held a water and land ceremony, and was once again persuaded by Guanyin to become sworn brothers with Chen Xuanzang, thus completing his journey to the West.

In September of the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, Tang Sanzang bid farewell to the monks at Famen Temple and, accompanied by two attendants, headed straight west.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the Feng River, in the River God's palace, the dim candlelight flickered.

Tuo Jie knelt on the coral chair, her breathing somewhat rapid.

After the Feng River God was captured and taken to Heaven, the Jade Emperor allowed Ao Qian to continue to govern the eight rivers of Chang'an and did not send any other river gods. As a result, the Feng River Palace became vacant. Tuo Jie saw that the palace was luxurious and suited his taste, so he took it over.

Firstly, it would provide a place to stay, and secondly, it would keep me away from his lunatic father.

In his view, Ao Qian, who had lost his wife, had completely let himself go.

Although he received many benefits, standing with him also put a lot of pressure on one.

It's better to keep a distance; it will be more natural to get along with each other then.

Most importantly, living here gives him plenty of freedom to move around, which is much more comfortable than being under Ao Qian's watchful eye every day.

At this moment, he had just finished practicing martial arts and his breathing was a little unsteady. However, because he had gained a lot, he looked happy.

"Ninth Young Master, you've become even more dashing than before, several months have passed!"

A voice suddenly rang in her ears. Tuo Jie's expression changed, and she turned around abruptly, raising her steel whip and shouting in a low voice, "Who goes there?!"

"It's me!"

A thin layer of mist appeared in the water mansion. As the mist dissipated, a young man stood smiling three zhang away from him. "Now that Ninth Young Master has occupied this water mansion and has a place to stay, his future is limitless!"

"It is you……"

Upon seeing who it was, Tuo Jie put down the steel whip in her hand and beckoned her henchmen to come and entertain them. "You too, coming without a sound. What made you think of coming here today?!"

"What, Ninth Young Master, you're not welcome?"

This man was an acquaintance of his, a python that had become a spirit in the Qingjiang River, named Hu Mang, who was also a member of the aquatic tribe. When Ao Yan was alive, he had usurped Ao Qian's power and ruled over the aquatic tribes of the Eight Rivers. Although the Qingjiang River was not one of the Eight Rivers, it was located in the Guanzhong region, so he was naturally familiar with it.

Tuo Jie used to be a wanderer, so he knew many of the aquatic people in Guanzhong, and Hu Mang was one of them.

"It's not that I'm unwelcome, but my mother is in trouble now, and for some reason, my father seems to be very unfriendly to the demon race. He even asked me to clean up the monsters that are causing havoc in the Eight Waters. All my old friends are avoiding me now," Tuo Jie said with a bitter smile.

“I’ve heard of the Ninth Prince’s reputation!” A sharp glint flashed in Hu Mang’s eyes. “Alas, since the Empress’s incident, the King’s style of doing things has changed drastically. He even overthrew the Fengshui River Lord. Now the water tribes in Guanzhong are talking about it. They really can’t figure out what the King is thinking, so they sent me to sound him out.”

"Actually, it's nothing serious. I don't know the specific details, but judging from Father's actions, it seems that he has reached some kind of agreement with the Tang King, which is why he asked me to manage the Eight Rivers Aquatic Tribes and prevent them from causing trouble among the human race. But don't worry, it's limited to the Eight Rivers of Chang'an. Father won't interfere in matters outside the Eight Rivers."

"Oh? Why are you so sure, Ninth Young Master?"

"Because that's what my father said. He said that he is in charge of the Eight Rivers, and his jurisdiction is only over the affairs of the Eight Rivers. Anything outside the Eight Rivers is not within his jurisdiction. If he interferes, it would be overstepping his authority."

"I see!" Hu Mang nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Tuo Jie and smiled, "Bashui is not small anymore. Ninth Young Master has done quite a lot by being ordered to manage the aquatic tribes of Bashui!"

“Sigh, I don’t want to get involved either, but there’s nothing I can do. My father is much more powerful now than my mother. By the way, you’ve come at the right time. I just moved to the Water Mansion and was planning to invite a few of my old brothers to have a celebration. What do you think?” “That’s great!” Hu Mang’s eyes lit up and he smiled. “We haven’t gotten together in a while. Now that you have such a good place to stay, we should celebrate. We can also take the news you just received back and make everyone happy.”

Hu Mang smiled and said, then suddenly changed the subject, "There's something I don't know if you know about?"

"whats the matter?"

"The matter of the Tang emperor sending people to seek Buddhist scriptures."

"Everyone knows about this; it's all over Chang'an," Tuo Jie said. "I heard that the Tang Emperor was enlightened by Guanyin Bodhisattva, but I wonder if it's true or not?"

"Who knows? Where Guanyin Bodhisattva appears, how dare we little demons approach?" Hu Mang said. "But as soon as the pilgrim left Chang'an, news about him spread, but we don't know if it's true or false."

"what news?"

"I've heard that this Tripitaka Master who went on his pilgrimage is a reincarnation of a holy monk, and he has already reincarnated ten times. If one could eat a bite of the original body from those ten lifetimes of cultivation," he paused slightly, his voice becoming softer, "if one could eat a bite, one could live forever!"

"Really?" Tuo Jie's heart skipped a beat, and a greedy thought arose in her mind.

Immortality!
Even for a dragon like Tuo Jie, it was very attractive.

why?
Because he did not become an immortal.

Without achieving immortality, there is a limitation on lifespan; this applies to both humans and demons.

Even dragons only live a little longer than ordinary demons, and they will age as time goes by.

Just like Ao Yan in the original work, as well as the Bull Demon King's cheap father-in-law, the Fox King, and even the old dragon in the Green Wave Pool, they are all like this.

No matter how long one lives, if one doesn't become an immortal, there will be a time when one ages and dies.

Therefore, immortality is still extremely attractive to these demons who have not yet achieved the realm of true immortals.

However, after being taught by Ao Qian during this period, Tuo Jie is no longer the naive and impulsive person she used to be.

After the initial excitement, she came to her senses and looked at Hu Mang, saying, "What do you mean? Eating a bite grants immortality. What does that have to do with me?"

"What, is there any hope for Ninth Prince to become an immortal?"

"I..." Tuo Jie was about to tell Ao Qian about giving him a gourd of three-stage golden pills, but he swallowed the words back.

"Becoming an immortal? It's not that easy. Don't even mention me, look at my brothers. They're all quite successful, but only two of them have become immortals. I'm the youngest, so how could I possibly have any hope of becoming an immortal? Besides, Tang Sanzang is a human, so I'm afraid I won't have that kind of luck."

"What, Ninth Young Master, are you still having dietary restrictions?"

"My father is stricter now. He forbids me from eating any sentient beings, not just humans, but also demons and aquatic creatures," Tuo Jie said with a wry smile. "He says it reduces karma and helps me become an immortal, but I don't know if that's true or not."

"Hehe, Your Majesty has changed quite a bit since Her Majesty passed away!" Hu Mang chuckled. "Since Ninth Prince has no intention of getting involved, then so be it. However, Young Master, this matter concerns my brother's longevity, so please don't tell anyone."

"Of course, as long as it's not within the Eight Waters area, it has nothing to do with me," Tuo Jie said with a smile.

(End of this chapter)