Chapter 97

In the Heavenly Palace, at the Lingxiao Hall.

After paying respects to the Jade Emperor, Guanyin Bodhisattva directly stated the purpose of her visit, without any reservations about Yang Zhen and Tai Bai Jin Xing standing to the side. Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "Your Majesty, there are some matters regarding the spread of our Buddhist teachings in the Southern Continent that require your assistance."

Journey to the West!

As soon as Guanyin Bodhisattva spoke, Yang Zhen understood her intentions. For the Journey to the West, Yang Zhen had been looking forward to it for a long time, yet he did not wish for it to come. It was a strange feeling, perhaps because after the Journey to the West ended, Yang Zhen would lose direction in his future.

But time would eventually pass, and the future would sooner or later become history.

The reason Guanyin Bodhisattva did not avoid Tai Bai Jin Xing was that he had long known about this matter. As the Jade Emperor's advisor, Tai Bai Jin Xing knew many secrets of the Heavenly Palace. As for why Guanyin Bodhisattva did not avoid Yang Zhen, Yang Zhen could not figure it out, perhaps because Guanyin Bodhisattva thought Yang Zhen was reliable!

Three hundred years ago, Sun Wukong wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace. Although there were various behind-the-scenes details, the result was that the Heavenly Palace owed the Buddhist realm a favor. Now that Guanyin Bodhisattva was asking for help, the Jade Emperor had no reason to refuse. After a moment of contemplation, the Jade Emperor nodded and said, "Bodhisattva, please speak your request."

"This time, in spreading the teachings in the Southern Continent, my disciples will descend to the mortal world and be reborn in the Tang Dynasty of the Southern Continent. Two hundred years later, this disciple will travel thousands of miles on foot to the Great Thunderclap Temple on Ling Mountain to seek the Mahayana teachings. However, this journey will involve eighty-one tribulations, and we need the Jade Emperor's assistance."

The Jade Emperor listened, thought for a moment, and found nothing troublesome about this matter, and it did not conflict with his interests. He nodded and agreed, "Bodhisattva, rest assured. There are many immortals in the Heavenly Palace who wish to descend to the mortal world. After some time, I will give them the opportunity to descend, which will also create difficulties for the pilgrim."

Guanyin Bodhisattva nodded and added, "Your Majesty, this time, my disciples will have their memories and cultivation sealed. They will surely encounter many tribulations on their journey west. We also need a few people with a connection to Buddhism to accompany and protect them."

"Does the Bodhisattva have any candidates in mind?" The Jade Emperor, upon hearing this, saw an opportunity for gain. Spreading the teachings in the Southern Continent was a way to enlighten the masses, and the merit from this would far surpass any position in the Heavenly Palace. If he could arrange for his own people to join the pilgrimage, when they returned, their cultivation and strength would surely increase significantly, and he could even use the merit to refine magical treasures.

No matter how he thought about it, the Jade Emperor felt this was a good deal. Since he had already agreed to help the Buddhist realm, it was not unreasonable for the Buddhist realm to give him a position in the pilgrimage.

However, before the Jade Emperor could speak, Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "The candidates have already been chosen."

"Who are they?" the Jade Emperor asked.

Guanyin Bodhisattva replied, "Sun Wukong under the Five Elements Mountain, the former Heavenly Marshal Tianpeng and the former General Juanlian, who were demoted to the mortal world, the Third Prince of the Western Sea, Bai Long Ma Ao Lie, and..."

Upon hearing these names, the Jade Emperor could only exclaim, "What the hell!" These people were indeed part of the Heavenly Palace hundreds of years ago, and even Sun Wukong had served as the Keeper of the Heavenly Horses and guarded the Peach Garden. But now, they had all been demoted to the mortal world and had no connection with the Heavenly Palace.

At this moment, the Jade Emperor felt a sense of disgust.

However, when he heard Guanyin Bodhisattva say "and," the Jade Emperor's heart stirred. Could the last person be chosen by me?

"And... Yang Zhen!" Guanyin Bodhisattva said.

"Me?" Yang Zhen was taken aback. What was going on? Why was he chosen as a pilgrim? He had not been demoted to the mortal world, nor was he in a desperate situation. He did not want to follow a monk, living a hard life, eating porridge, and being a vegetarian. So, without hesitation, he refused, "I won't go. Protecting a bald monk, are you kidding me?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and said, "Do you remember, at Luojia Mountain, you promised to help me with something?"

"Ah! Indeed, I did say that I would help with anything within my power." Yang Zhen recalled, but he did not want to accompany Tang僧 on the journey, so he said, "But I can't do this, so I won't help. If you have other matters for me to assist with, I'll consider it."

"There is indeed something you can do," Guanyin Bodhisattva said without forcing Yang Zhen.

Yang Zhen suddenly had a bad feeling and did not want to continue the conversation with Guanyin Bodhisattva. He looked up at the Jade Emperor and said with a forced smile, "Jade Emperor, I have a stomachache, so I'll take my leave. I'll see you at the morning assembly tomorrow..."

"You don't need to attend the morning assembly tomorrow. Come with me back to Luojia Mountain now," Guanyin Bodhisattva said.

Yang Zhen, dissatisfied, said, "Hmph! If you want to take me to Luojia Mountain, you'll have to show your skills. I'm not the same as I was three hundred years ago, and I won't be so easily caught."

Yang Zhen made up his mind that if Guanyin Bodhisattva really made a move, he would find an opportunity to use the Golden Dragon Scissors to sneak attack her. He would not be controlled by anyone again.

Guanyin Bodhisattva shook her head and said, "You still owe me a favor. Since you don't want to go on the pilgrimage, then stay with me at Luojia Mountain for forty years. How does that sound?"

What the heck! Are you a Bodhisattva or a little devil? Why do I see horns on your head and a tail on your behind!

At this moment, Yang Zhen deeply regretted agreeing to a favor for Guanyin Bodhisattva. He thought he would never meet her again in his life, but unexpectedly, he had such a connection with her. Truly, fate brings people together from afar!

"Is there anything wrong with assisting the Buddhist disciples on their pilgrimage? When the true scriptures are obtained, your merit will surely grant you a revered position on Ling Mountain," Guanyin Bodhisattva said.

"Right, the pilgrimage does grant merit!" Yang Zhen thought and was about to agree.

Considering that upgrading the store required so much merit, it would take thousands of years to accumulate enough if he stayed in the Heavenly Palace. After the pilgrimage, although he did not know how much merit he would receive, it would certainly be much faster than living in the Heavenly Palace.

However, Yang Zhen still had some concerns...

"Bodhisattva, protecting the monk on the pilgrimage is fine, but I don't want to become a monk. I still want to get married!" Yang Zhen said preemptively, "After the pilgrimage, can I not stay on Ling Mountain as a Buddha? I don't want to live a lonely life, always with my right hand!"

"..."

Upon hearing Yang Zhen's words, Guanyin Bodhisattva almost lost her temper. If it weren't for your master, I wouldn't have chosen you for the pilgrimage. You are taking advantage of the situation, and I hate people like you the most. In the Three Realms, countless people want to join the pilgrimage, and I haven't even considered them.

However, Yang Zhen's words made the Jade Emperor see an opportunity. He looked at Guanyin Bodhisattva and asked, "Bodhisattva, what do you think?"

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