From Joy of Life, the Tian Gang is reversed

Chapter 316 Using Cause to Reap Effect
"The journey to the Western Heaven is long and arduous, and these two travelers have run into trouble. If you are willing, Elder, I am willing to escort you for a while to atone for the karma of today!"

Ao Qian smiled.

"This...!" Elder Tang hesitated for a moment.

It wasn't that he doubted anything. He understood from Ao Qian's words that the reason he encountered the demon today was because someone wanted to deal with Ao Qian and used him as a raft. Therefore, today's disaster was caused by Ao Qian. In this matter, Ao Qian was the cause, and his encounter with the demon and the Monkey King's death were the effects. So Ao Qian's intention was to escort him for a while and repay this cause and effect.

Hearing that the Jinghe Dragon King wanted to escort him to the border of the Tang Dynasty, he was overjoyed. However, after the initial joy, he felt a sense of unease. If he accepted rashly, he feared it might lead to deeper trouble. After a moment's thought, he slowly spoke, "I appreciate the Dragon King's kindness. However, as the Buddha said, cause and effect are predetermined. Although today's events were caused by you, they are also a tribulation I must face on my journey west. How could I dare trouble the Dragon King? Moreover, this is, after all, the territory of the Tang Dynasty, where demons cannot roam freely. Today's events were for a reason, and I believe the rest of the journey will be safe."

Just then, the sound of horses' hooves came from afar. A troop of soldiers rode up, led by the local inspector. It turned out that the inspector had brought his soldiers to investigate after hearing that a monster was causing trouble in the area.

Ao Qian glanced at the troop of soldiers, smiled, cupped his hands in greeting, and vanished like a gentle breeze.

The inspector arrived before Tang Sanzang and, seeing the fate of the two pilgrims, turned pale with fright. Seeing that Tang Sanzang was unharmed, he quickly inquired in detail. Tang Sanzang then briefly recounted his encounter with the demon. The inspector listened with great amazement and finally felt relieved. He secretly felt grateful to Ao Qian, for no matter the reason, this monk was, after all, the emperor's nominal brother. If he had really been killed on his territory, his entire family would probably be doomed.

Next, they busied themselves arranging for officers and soldiers to escort Tang Sanzang to the nearest post station to rest, calming him down, and then submitting a memorial overnight, reporting the events without going into details.

A day later, the Tang Emperor frowned as he looked at the memorial. Before even leaving the Tang Dynasty, Sanzang had encountered demons. The two pilgrims had died at the hands of the demons. If it weren't for the timely rescue by the Jing River Dragon King, they would probably be dead by now, and the so-called journey to the West would have been in vain.

"Jing River Dragon King, Jing River Dragon King..."

Thinking of the Jing River Dragon King, the Heavenly Khan gently tapped his forehead. Recently, the relationship between the Tang Dynasty and this Jing River Dragon King had become somewhat complicated.

First, the Dragon Lady of Jinghe violated the heavenly rules. The Dragon King came to ask for a favor, and he agreed. However, things went wrong, and the Dragon Lady was beheaded. Later, the Dragon Lady's spirit came to claim his life, but he was frightened and took a trip to the underworld, which added twenty years to his lifespan. It is unknown whether this can be considered a blessing in disguise.

He thought he would never have anything to do with the Jing River Dragon King again, since humans and gods are different. But not long after, the Dragon King appeared in his dream again, saying that the Feng River God was using marriage as a pretext to perform a blood sacrifice, and that wicked people were using this as an excuse to sell countless women. He presented a lot of evidence. He was furious when he heard this and sent officials to investigate. A large number of corrupt officials and unscrupulous merchants were punished, and Chang'an was cleaned up. His reputation was elevated to a new level. In this respect, he owed the old dragon a favor.

But that Dragon King...

I still remember when the Dragon King came to deliver the message, I was still a little scared and puzzled. I asked him why he would repay evil with kindness when I had messed up the task he entrusted to me and caused his wife to be beheaded. The old dragon first complained about the hardships of being a live-in son-in-law, and then showed an expression that all men understand, and said a sentence.

"Promotion, wealth, and the death of my wife—Does Your Majesty think I should cry or laugh?!"

Upon hearing this, he immediately understood, smiled knowingly, and all past grievances were resolved!

Today, upon hearing that the Jinghe Dragon King had once again saved his imperial brother and even wanted to escort him to the border of the Tang Dynasty, his intention to curry favor was so obvious, how could he not understand?

Just, why?
Why would the Dragon King of the Jing River be so friendly to me? There must be a reason, right?
Unfortunately, he was just a mortal emperor and didn't really know much about immortals. However, after his trip to the underworld, his thoughts changed a lot, and he even had an impulse to seek immortality and ask questions.

He slowly put down the memorial and sighed softly. Although the inspector was not a high-ranking official, he was a reasonable man who had already calmed down his younger brother at the post station. The memorial he submitted had two purposes: first, to explain what had happened, and second, to suggest that he send a highly skilled martial artist to escort him along the way. Otherwise, it would be fine within the Tang Dynasty's borders, as they could keep an eye on him. But if they were to cross the borders and encounter any more demons, he was afraid... But who should he send?

Although there are great generals in my court, some of whom have the ability to slay demons and monsters, the current dynasty has been stable for more than ten years and still needs these great generals to guard it. Not a single one can be separated from them. Should I send a large army to protect them?

Even worse, if an army is mobilized, even if it's only a few hundred or a thousand people, logistics will be a huge problem. It's okay near the border, but it's a long way to the west. Which army can run that far?
Thinking of this, I felt a headache coming on. After pondering for a long time, I gradually felt tired and listless, and then I drifted into a dream.

"Ao Qian, the Dragon King of the Jing River, greets Your Majesty."

"So it was the Dragon King himself."

As soon as he entered the dream, he saw a man in green standing in front of him. Upon closer inspection, he realized that it was none other than the Jing River Dragon King.
The Tang Emperor quickly returned the greeting, saying, "My brother is in danger this time, and I thank the Dragon King for saving his life."

"Not at all, not at all. This matter was started by me, and I will settle it myself." Ao Qian laughed. "It's just that the journey to the Western Paradise is long and arduous, with demons running rampant. I think that the monk Sanzang is only a mortal, and he will probably encounter danger before he gets very far."

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm worried about!" King Tang shook his head and sighed. "I'd like to send a general to protect them, but that seems inappropriate. Sending troops would be even more troublesome. Alas..."

"Your Majesty need not worry, I have a perfect solution."

"Oh?" King Tang's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly asked, "What are your plans, Dragon King?"

“I have nine sons. The other eight sons all have their own duties. Only one son, Tuojie, is skilled in martial arts and knows some of the ability to move rivers and seas. Now he is idle in the Water Palace, holding the sinecure of the Water Dividing General. He does nothing all day long, which gives me a headache. Therefore, I have the audacity to ask His Majesty for a decree to let him guard the elders. In that time, he can also get a proper job and make a good living!”

"General of Dividing Waters? Is that the little alligator dragon who fought against the River God of Fengshui and killed the fish demon of Laohe River?" The Tang King's eyes lit up and he quickly asked.

“This is the kid.” Ao Qian smiled immediately.

Look, this kid has been appointed as the Water Divider General to guard the Eight Rivers Town and exorcise demons. He's gained a reputation, albeit only a small one, but he can still be of great use in crucial moments.

"Good, good, good! The Dragon King has solved a huge problem for me!" King Tang stroked his beard and laughed. "If the little alligator dragon can protect me, my younger brother can safely go on his journey to the West, and I can rest assured."

"Then, thank you very much, Your Majesty!" Ao Qian feigned great joy and bowed.

"Not at all, I should thank the Dragon King for rescuing me from my predicament!"

The two looked at each other and laughed, everything understood without a word.

(End of this chapter)