Journey to the West: Please Call Me the White Bone Demon

On the other hand, ever since Tang Sanzang and his disciples were brought into White Tiger City, the gods who secretly protected them in the heavens—the Five Directions Protectors, the Six Ding and Six Jia, and the Four Duty Officers—could no longer see his movements.

They were acting on the orders of the Great Heavenly Venerable and the Buddha, secretly protecting the pilgrims on their journey westward. Hidden in the clouds, their divine senses covered them, and they could see every move of Tang Sanzang and his disciples.

But ever since Tang Sanzang and his companions entered White Tiger City, their divine senses, when probed into it, have been like stones sinking into the sea, leaving no trace.

After all, Yun Zhao had set up an array around the entire White Tiger City.

Unless one's cultivation level surpasses that of a Great Luo Golden Immortal, or one possesses special supernatural abilities, one should not expect to see even a fraction of the scene within the city.

These divine generals are merely celestial beings; how could they possibly possess such abilities?

They hung suspended in the clouds, looking at each other, and couldn't help but feel anxious.

"What's going on?"

"Once the pilgrims entered that city, our divine senses could no longer detect them. Could something have gone wrong?"

One of the Five Directions Protectors frowned and said, "Although I saw them being bound by mortals before, the decree was that we should only protect them secretly and not interfere unless it was a matter of life and death."

"However, this city is also strange. Although I can't see its contents clearly, it has no trace of evil or demonic aura. On the contrary, it is auspicious and peaceful."

"Perhaps... nothing's wrong?"

Dingmao, one of the Six Ding and Six Jia deities, shook his head: "Peaceful as it may be, there's no one to be seen. How can we protect them?"

"If something truly happens to the pilgrims, how can we explain it to Buddha and the Jade Emperor?"

The duty officer among the four duty officers whispered, "Let's wait and see."

"Perhaps he will be out in a few days."

After waiting for several days without seeing Tang Sanzang and his disciples leave the city, the divine generals on the clouds became increasingly restless.

Someone suggested, "How about... we report this to the Heavenly Court?"

"Let those older folks make the decisions?"

"At least let Venus himself take a look?"

"The journey to the West is a vital undertaking; it cannot be delayed!"

As they discussed the matter, their voices grew louder.

Just then.

Suddenly, an invisible giant hand appeared from the void!

A massive hand covered the sky, its light flickering, carrying an immense pressure.

Before the gods could react, they felt the world spinning and their bodies becoming light.

In the blink of an eye, we were captured in a magnificent hall!

Inside the palace, it was as bright as day, with the throne hanging high above, where Yun Zhao sat alone.

As the gods descended to the ground, they took a closer look and were filled with horror!

What kind of magical power is this?

Without anyone noticing, they were captured from the clouds! They had no chance to resist at all!

The gods looked at each other in disbelief and fear.

Just as he was about to speak, he announced his identity—"We are guardian deities of the Heavenly Court, acting on the orders of the Jade Emperor and Buddha..."

Yun Zhao spoke first, his voice calm:

"I know who you are."

"They are divine generals who protect the pilgrims on their journey to the West."

"The Five Directions Protectors, the Six Ding and Six Jia, the Four Duty Officers... I recognize them all, they're old friends."

The gods were taken aback, not understanding the meaning of these words, as they had never seen Yun Zhao before.

His throat bobbed, but he couldn't utter a word.

Yun Zhao continued:

"However, the pilgrims have now committed a crime."

"They killed people and set fires."

"Be punished in my city."

"I hope you all... are sensible."

"Don't report everything."

Upon hearing this, the gods felt a chill in their hearts.

Having followed Tang Sanzang all the way, they naturally knew what Yun Zhao was referring to.

But... these are the officially appointed pilgrims, how can we delay them here?

The duty officer mustered his courage and stepped forward, saying:

"Immortal...this immortal."

"The one who goes on the pilgrimage is appointed by the Buddha himself, the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi."

"The journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures is a matter of great peril."

"How can I... be punished here and waste time?"

"We beg the immortal to show mercy and let them continue their journey west!"

The other divine generals also echoed this sentiment:

"Yes, Immortal! The journey to the West is of utmost importance and cannot be delayed!"

Upon hearing this, Yun Zhao remained silent, only offering a slight smile.

Immediately afterwards, his immense cultivation power was quietly released!

boom!

A terrifying aura, like a mountain pressing down!

Although only a trace was revealed, it made the gods hold their breath and break out in a cold sweat!

They are merely minor gods; how could they withstand such pressure?

A sense of shock washed over him: Who...who is this person?

When did such a powerful being emerge in the Three Realms, and even build a city here to dominate the land?

Yun Zhao withdrew his breath and said calmly:

"My request is simple: I swear to the heavens."

"When reporting, just selectively report what happened here."

"otherwise……"

He paused, his voice turning cold:

"I know that your souls are recorded in the Investiture of the Gods, so even if you die, you can be resurrected."

"But I can also make you wish you were dead."

These words were like a thunderclap!

The gods turned pale; the Investiture of the Gods could indeed bring them back to life.

He was torn between wanting to live and wanting to die...

What torture that must have been!

They fell silent.

To give in seems like a loss of face.

They refused to yield... but they couldn't afford to offend this wicked star.

Yun Zhao saw through their thoughts and smiled nonchalantly:

"Please don't be embarrassed."

"You can go and see Tang Sanzang."

"Listen to his thoughts, and you'll understand."

The gods were taken aback and exchanged glances.

Ultimately, one of the duty officers was chosen as the representative.

Yun Zhao waved his hand, sending a burst of magical power away.

late at night.

The latrine of the night soil collector in the southeast of the city.

Pigsy and Sandy were so exhausted that they fell into a deep sleep.

These days, I'm carrying manure and cleaning up filth. Although I'm gradually getting used to it, I still have to get up before dawn every day and don't return until night. The workload is enormous.

In addition, they are physically strong and have big appetites. They do heavy work every day and eat food that is not very oily. How can they endure it?

Pigsy was fast asleep, and there was a faint stench emanating from him.

Sha Wujing huddled in a corner.

Tang Sanzang, however, did not sleep.

He sat cross-legged, chanting scriptures softly. Even at this moment, he did not forget to review his lessons.

Suddenly, a golden light flashed.

The duty officer appeared.

He first cast a spell to shield Pigsy and Sandy.

Then, it revealed its true form to Tang Sanzang.

"Holy Monk!"

"I am the Duty Officer, appointed by the Buddha of Heaven to protect you on your journey west!"

"Now that I see you trapped here, I've come to rescue you!"

Tang Sanzang was startled and looked up.

Yet there was no joy.

Instead, he frowned.

He clasped his hands together and whispered:

"General... thank you for your kindness."

"But this humble monk... is a criminal, and is unworthy of being called a holy monk."

"Killing people is condoning murder."

"He deserves to be punished here."

"Thirty years of atonement."

"After my sentence is over, this humble monk will naturally return to the Western Paradise to retrieve the scriptures."

"Please, divine general... depart."

The duty officer was taken aback.

He had assumed that Tang Sanzang would be overjoyed and beg for help.

But I never expected... to have this attitude.

He thought for a moment and then advised, "Holy Monk! Have you thought this through? This journey to the West cannot be delayed."

Tang Sanzang shook his head, his voice calm:

"Divine General".

"If I do not atone for my sins, my heart will not be at peace."

"The journey to obtain the scriptures was originally for the purpose of universal salvation."

"If you harbor resentment in your heart, how can you help others?"

"Please leave."

The duty officer remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he sighed.

"good."

He vanished in a flash of light.

Back in the main hall.

He will repeat it to the gods.

The gods fell silent upon hearing this.

What could they do if the pilgrim himself didn't want to go? But it was just as well, because even if they were held accountable in the end, they would have an excuse to say that it was Tang Sanzang's own problem. Even if they were responsible, it would at most be a responsibility for failing to report properly, which wouldn't be a big deal.

In the end, they swore an oath to the heavens.

When reporting to the emperor, they said, "The pilgrims are all safe and sound. There is no danger."

However... we are stuck here and have been delayed for a while.

In short, he wasn't lying.

Tang Sanzang was indeed out of danger.

Yun Zhao watched them swear an oath and smiled with satisfaction.

"Everyone, you're all sensible."

"Go."

With a wave of his hand.

The gods will return to the clouds.