Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything-Chapter 278: Curse

The Journey to the West involves traveling westward until reaching the Great Thunder Monastery to meet the Tathagata and to seek the True Scriptures from the Tathagata’s hands.

However, the Tathagata has now appeared before him on his own initiative. Naturally, Jiang Liu has to inquire whether the Tathagata has brought the True Scriptures with him, specially delivered to him!?

The expression on Buddha’s face remained very calm, giving no clue to his thoughts.

Still, in the face of Jiang Liu’s inquiry, the Tathagata remained silent for a moment, then shook his head and said, "The True Scriptures cannot be imparted lightly. Only if you spare no effort and travel the eighty thousand li, bringing the True Scriptures back to the Great Tang in the Eastern Land, will the countless populace truly cherish them!"

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"So, I still have to travel eighty thousand li, is that right?" Hearing the Tathagata’s words, Jiang Liu responded somewhat helplessly.

Although he remained respectful in the face of the Tathagata, his facial expression seemed to say, "You could easily bring it here, yet you insist on making me go through the trouble to fetch it."

After his words fell, Jiang Liu then looked at the Tathagata and continued, "I beseech Buddha, when my companions and I were passing Pingding Mountain, we encountered two demon creatures blocking the way, and these two demons even have a godfather who possesses the ability to use Samadhi True Fire. Even Wukong did not dare to confront them. I ask that you personally take action to subdue these demons, so that your disciple may continue his westward journey!"

"This..." The words of Jiang Liu made the Tathagata’s expression waver with hesitation.

Originally, from Jiang Liu’s perspective, since you did not bring the True Scriptures over, requiring me to travel eighty thousand li to retrieve them, then I shall go.

But since I happened to encounter formidable demons on the way, and you are here, it could not hurt to help me out while you’re at it, right?

Yet really, the Tathagata cannot interfere.

For one, this is one of the ordeals within the eighty-one tribulations.

Secondly, would he take action against the Supreme Elder Lord? Though both are of a Quasi-Saint cultivation level, in terms of status, he is certainly inferior!

"Buddha? Is this not possible either?" Seeing the Tathagata hesitating without speaking, Jiang Liu frowned slightly with a hint of helplessness in his voice.

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"Amitabha, the eighty thousand li westward journey is inherently fraught with hardship, and these tribulations are all a part of your quest to the West. Thus, you should not readily seek help from others. Of course, if you really cannot resolve an issue on your own, then it is acceptable to seek assistance from above!" After intoning a low chant, the Tathagata responded.

"But, I feel that I cannot resolve it now!" Assuming a manner of pressing the Tathagata, Jiang Liu verbally nudged the Tathagata, urging him to take action along with the Supreme Elder Lord.

"How do you know it cannot be resolved without even trying?" To Jiang Liu’s words, the Tathagata shook his head, equally determined not to intervene.

"Alright then, if that’s how it is, your disciple understands!" After pressing several times and seeing no change in the Tathagata’s stance, Jiang Liu shook his head helplessly, his demeanor one of great disappointment.

Looking at Jiang Liu’s disappointed face, the Tathagata also felt a bit awkward.

This Journey to the West is a great calamity destined by heaven and earth, and even he cannot overly intervene. But of course, Jiang Liu knows none of this.

From Jiang Liu’s perspective, the request he had just made was quite reasonable, right?

"By the way, Buddha, may I know the purpose of your visit?" After shaking his head in disappointment, Jiang Liu then turned his gaze back to the Tathagata, his tone casual as he spoke.

"This..." The question from Jiang Liu left the Tathagata uncertain of how to respond for a moment.

Originally, the purpose of the Tathagata had been to reprimand him properly. How could he go to the Doushuai Palace to drink? And even got drunk!

Being drunk was one thing, but he even consumed some elixirs in the Doushuai Palace!

And not only did he consume elixirs, he consumed very precious ones that had no effect on him!

But at this moment, after Jiang Liu’s continuous requests which he did not fulfill, he was to reprimand him again?

Even the Tathagata was at a loss for words at this time.

"It’s nothing major, just that after you became drunk at the Doushuai Palace, you consumed quite a number of elixirs. So, I went on your behalf to apologize to the Supreme Elder Lord," the Tathagata finally said, deciding not to scold Jiang Liu.

Of course, having done something on his behalf, the Tathagata naturally had to mention it, as if to curry favor.

"Your disciple is at fault, causing Buddha to apologize on my behalf!" Understanding what the Tathagata meant, Jiang Liu went along with the Tathagata’s words, expressing his gratitude profusely.

That was the response he wanted. Seeing Jiang Liu looking grateful, the Tathagata nodded slightly, saying, "To atone and compensate the Supreme Elder Lord, I have given away many precious treasures and brought shame upon myself. I hope you will remain undaunted and never give up on your westward quest!"

"Rest assured, Buddha, your disciple will surely bear your teachings in mind!"

What should have been a scolding turned into an encouragement. Jiang Liu nodded vigorously, as if eager to show his utmost devotion for the Tathagata.

Seeing Jiang Liu behaving this way, the Tathagata was finally satisfied. With a slight nod of his head, he then left with a swift movement of his figure.

Naturally, the scenery around them changed back to its original appearance.

"Phew, it’s a good thing I acted quickly, otherwise I would have been unable to avoid a scolding from Buddha today!" Watching Tathagata leave and the scenery change back, Jiang Liu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Just thinking about it, Jiang Liu knew that Tathagata, having had to clean up after him, must be in a bad mood, and coming to find him would certainly not bring good news.

However, fortunately, the mission of Journey to the West was of greater importance, and his own identity was also significant, so Tathagata was unwilling to press him too hard.

Therefore, after showing great disappointment, he had no intention of scolding him further.

"Ah, what a pity, I didn’t find the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill. The chances of stealing an Immortal Pill in the future are almost impossible, right?" Shaking his head, Jiang Liu put Tathagata’s concerns behind him and immediately felt a pang of regret.

Let’s not dwell on Jiang Liu’s thoughts for now; beside him, Sun Wukong, following Tathagata’s departure, slowly opened his eyes and looked around.

"Master, where are we?" Sun Wukong asked Jiang Liu, looking at the unfamiliar scenery around them.

"I’m not sure either; I woke up just a bit earlier than you!" replied Jiang Liu, shaking his head after hearing Sun Wukong’s question.

"Alright! It seems I, Old Sun, drank a bit too much Imperial Wine and passed out drunk, didn’t I?" After thinking for a moment, Sun Wukong, more or less recalling what had happened before, spoke.

While talking, Sun Wukong naturally prepared to return to the Exquisite Immortal Mansion with Jiang Liu.

However, Sun Wukong, attempting to use his Somersault Cloud Divine Skills, failed after trying, and to his surprise, fell from mid-air.

"What’s going on? Is the hangover from this wine really that strong!?" Watching Sun Wukong fail to perform his Somersault Cloud, Jiang Liu was taken aback.

Back in his past life, drunk driving was strictly prohibited. Could it be that the world of Journey to the West was the same?

After being drunk, Sun Wukong couldn’t even summon his Somersault Cloud!?

"Even a horse stumbles, heh, Master, I, Old Sun, will try again!" Sun Wukong said, scratching his head after tumbling to the ground, looking confused, then immediately spoke to Jiang Liu.

In the middle of speaking, he leaped up, flipped in mid-air, and tried to use his Somersault Cloud Divine Skills once more.

But, without exception, Sun Wukong fell from the sky again, landing prone on the ground in a face-first flop.

"Master, something’s wrong, it’s like all my mana has disappeared! Who could have done this to I, Old Sun!?" Sun Wukong, climbing up from the ground, looked upset and turned to speak to Jiang Liu.

"All your mana has disappeared!?" Hearing Sun Wukong’s words, Jiang Liu’s heart sank, and his eyes quickly fell on Sun Wukong, mentally commanding: Character Pane!

As Jiang Liu’s character pane appeared, a semi-transparent display surfaced in front of him.

No changes were apparent in the character’s level or other aspects, but Jiang Liu noticed an additional status behind Sun Wukong’s name.

As Jiang Liu’s gaze fell on this status, the corresponding information emerged before him.

"Cursed status: under this condition, all mana values cannot be mobilized, lasting 72 hours!"

"Cursed status!?" Seeing this status on Sun Wukong, Jiang Liu was momentarily stunned, feeling bewildered.

There was no reason for Sun Wukong to have such a status without cause.

Clearly, someone took advantage of Sun Wukong’s drunken sleep to inflict this status on him.

And since Tathagata had just appeared, with Sun Wukong passed out in front of him, he couldn’t possibly have missed it, could he?

"To give Sun Wukong such a status, only Tathagata, Great Jade Emperor, and Supreme Elder Lord have the power to do so, right? It seems that one of these three is behind this status, and each of them seems to have a motive to take action?"

After pondering for a while, Jiang Liu somewhat understood Sun Wukong’s situation.

Fortunately, the duration of this status wasn’t very long, just a mere 72 hours, so obviously, one of the bigwigs used this method to give Sun Wukong a warning.

"Sun Wukong!?"

Just as Sun Wukong was distracted by his own situation, suddenly a voice called out, shouting at Sun Wukong.

"Huh? Who is calling I, Old..." Sun Wukong began to respond reflexively.

However, before he could finish, his form rapidly shrank, then he was whisked aside and sucked into a Purple Gold Gourd.

A demon creature with a silver horn held the Purple Gold Gourd and laughed triumphantly.