Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything-Chapter 492: Underworld

Guanyin Bodhisattva had previously stealthily hidden for several days in Wansheng Dragon Palace. After she had gathered all the information she wanted to know, she transformed into the appearance of Benboba and offered a strategy to the Nine-Headed Serpent.

Therefore, the Nine-Headed Serpent had been preparing for so long and had been lying in wait all this while, all for the purpose of exacting revenge upon Little White Dragon. This was all orchestrated by Guanyin herself.

Indeed, just as she had anticipated, once Xuanzang and Little White Dragon were lured over, a fierce battle ensued, and one more tribulation was added to the Calamity Book.

However, before Guanyin Bodhisattva could rejoice, she suddenly discovered that not only was there an additional tribulation from the Nine-Headed Serpent’s scheme on the Calamity Book but another tribulation involving Little White Dragon’s calamity had suddenly appeared...

Under normal circumstances, seeing an extra tribulation in the Calamity Book would have been reason for Guanyin to be overjoyed.

But seeing Little White Dragon in trouble, the additional tribulation made Guanyin Bodhisattva’s expression extremely grim.

It was fated by the heavens that the members of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team could not be changed, but now, Little White Dragon had died? Wouldn’t this bring an unforeseeable impact on the great task of the Journey to the West for Scriptures?

"No, he must not die!" Growing intensely nervous within her heart, Guanyin Bodhisattva became increasingly anxious.

If the team of five on the Journey to the West truly became a group of four, wouldn’t that be a significant dereliction of duty on her part? How could she explain herself when she reported to the Buddha?

...

The volcano had already collapsed due to the impact of the Dragon Ball. Following the death of the Little White Dragon, Aolie, the Nine-Headed Serpent, Princess Wansheng, and Jiuying had no intention of attacking any further.

After all, the Nine-Headed Serpent’s goal for revenge was solely targeted at Little White Dragon, Aolie.

"What should we do?" With Little White Dragon, Aolie, having breathed his last, Princess Wansheng and the Nine-Headed Serpent looked at each other in dismay.

Although the Nine-Headed Serpent’s original intent had been to kill Little White Dragon for revenge, it did not rejoice over such a cause of death. In its heart, it found no joy at all.

As for Princess Wansheng? Her heart felt even more remorseful.

"Amitabha, evil demon..." At that moment, suddenly, a brilliant Buddhist Light shone, and seated upon the Lotus Platform, Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared.

The Lotus Platform slowly descended, and Guanyin’s gaze calmly fell upon the Nine-Headed Serpent and Princess Wansheng, a dangerous sparkle in her eyes.

"This is bad!" Seeing that Guanyin Bodhisattva appeared, the hearts of the Nine-Headed Serpent and Princess Wansheng tightened as they turned to flee for their lives.

However, Guanyin Bodhisattva didn’t waste words; she lifted the Jade Clean Bottle, and a powerful suction emerged, sweeping toward the Nine-Headed Serpent and Princess Wansheng.

How could the two of them resist the methods of Guanyin Bodhisattva?

Amidst their exclamations of alarm, in the end, the Nine-Headed Serpent and Princess Wansheng were embraced together and collected by the Jade Clean Bottle in Guanyin’s hand.

As for Jiuying? Seeing the emergence of Guanyin, it also decisively turned to flee for its life.

Glancing at the retreating form of Jiuying, capturing it – a being of Daluo Golden Immortal standing – would require who knows how much effort. Right now, resurrecting Little White Dragon was more pressing.

Therefore, Guanyin Bodhisattva made no effort to pursue and instead stepped down from the Lotus Platform.

Jiang Liu, cradling the corpse of Little White Dragon, held a Soul-Returning Pill in his hand and fed it into the mouth of Little White Dragon.

Back at Doushuai Palace, Jiang Liu had stolen some elixirs, among which were three Soul-Returning Pills.

He had given one to Sha Wujing, another to the perished villagers of Chen Family Village, and this last one was naturally intended for Little White Dragon to take.

"Xuanzang, this Soul-Returning Pill won’t work on Little White Dragon!" observed Guanyin, though surprised by the Soul-Returning Pill in his hands, she couldn’t help but speak out.

"The Soul-Returning Pill can only resurrect ordinary people whose allotted lifespan has not yet ended, calling back their lost souls from Yama. As the third Crown Prince of the Western Sea Dragon Palace, Little White Dragon has already entered the registry of immortals. After his death, his soul is not under Yama’s jurisdiction!"

Ignoring Guanyin Bodhisattva’s words, Jiang Liu stubbornly stuffed the Soul-Returning Pill into Little White Dragon’s mouth.

At this critical juncture, Guanyin Bodhisattva suddenly appeared. Could it really be just a coincidence? Jiang Liu did not believe it. Clearly, all of this was her scheming.

Although Little White Dragon’s death was his own choice, the responsibility of Guanyin Bodhisattva was equally significant.

If it weren’t for the fact that it wasn’t time to openly confront her, and that he was unable to defeat her at the moment, Jiang Liu would have already taken action in his anger.

Nevertheless, despite his rage and disregard for Guanyin Bodhisattva’s words, her words held truth. As the Soul-Returning Pill was ingested by Little White Dragon and its power diffused, the wound on Little White Dragon’s chest began to heal, yet there was no sign of awakening.

Clearly, Little White Dragon’s soul had not returned.

"Bodhisattva, if Aolie’s soul is not with Yama, then where is it?" Jiang Liu turned together with Guanyin Bodhisattva to look at her.

"Amitabha, all beings, after their death, their souls enter the Netherworld, where they are judged by the Ten Kings of Hell. Only after their sins are cleansed can they be reincarnated!"

"However, the souls of gods, immortals, saints, and Buddha, after death, are not judged by the Ten Kings of Hell, but by Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva!" After uttering a Buddhist chant softly, Guanyin Bodhisattva continued.

"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva? He presides over the souls of immortals and Bodhisattvas!?" Hearing Guanyin Bodhisattva’s words, Jiang Liu was secretly shocked.

If this were true, then the power held by the Buddhist Sect would be far more terrifying than what he had imagined! Even the Heavenly Court couldn’t possibly compare to the Buddhist Sect, right?

"If that’s the case, then that’s truly wonderful. If I seek Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s assistance, perhaps he would..."

Despite his shock, Jiang Liu felt a sense of relief thinking that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was also a member of the Buddhist Sect. In that case, the resurrection of Little White Dragon wouldn’t be an easy matter?

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"No, Xuanzang, you misunderstand..."

However, before Jiang Liu could finish his thought, Guanyin Bodhisattva shook her head with hesitation in her expression and said, "Though Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva is indeed part of our Buddhist Sect, his nature is that of impartiality! Therefore, it won’t be so simple to request Little White Dragon’s soul."

Guanyin Bodhisattva’s words left Jiang Liu stupefied and somewhat perplexed.

What’s the situation? Isn’t Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva a member of the Buddhist Sect? Logically speaking, since the Journey to the West is related to the entire sect, securing Little White Dragon’s soul should be an easy matter, right?

But Guanyin Bodhisattva says it is not easy?

"Could it be that Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva would not give face even to the Buddhist Sect? Or is it that the task of overseeing the souls of gods and Buddha is decreed by the Heavenly Dao, hence, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva cannot show favoritism?"

The words of Guanyin Bodhisattva sparked many thoughts in Jiang Liu’s mind, but of course, these were just his speculations.

"Xuanzang, I’ll take you to the Netherworld to meet Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva," Guanyin Bodhisattva said after a moment of silence.

"Ah!? Take me down there!?" Jiang Liu’s face changed slightly upon hearing the words of Guanyin.

The Netherworld was full of resentful spirits and fierce ghosts, wasn’t it!?

"Indeed, would you care to join me for this journey?" Guanyin Bodhisattva asked, nodding slightly.

"This..." Personally, Jiang Liu was reluctant to go, scared by the thought of countless resentful spirits and fierce ghosts in Hell.

However, Jiang Liu also knew that Guanyin Bodhisattva must have her considerations for inviting him along. Everything was probably for the purpose of maximizing the chances to retrieve Little White Dragon’s soul from Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva.

"Even Guanyin Bodhisattva can’t manage it, but she wants me to go too? Does she think I can do it? Could it be that I have some unknown capabilities?" Jiang Liu secretly criticized the invitation in his heart.

Of course, he maintained a calm demeanor on the surface. Considering all this was to save Little White Dragon, Jiang Liu pondered for a moment before gritting his teeth and nodding, "If that’s the case, then I am willing to accompany the Bodhisattva on this journey..."

"Good, let’s not delay. Let’s set off at once!" As soon as Jiang Liu nodded in agreement, Guanyin Bodhisattva raised her hand, collecting Little White Dragon’s body.

Then, with a light touch of her finger, the ground suddenly cracked open, forming a passage.

Sitting back on her Lotus Platform, Guanyin, with Jiang Liu, descended into the Netherworld.

"I’ve traveled through the Mortal World, visited the Demon Realm, and even ventured into the Immortal Realm; now, am I really going down to the Underworld?" Jiang Liu murmured to himself as they descended towards the Underworld.

The world of myths, each realm he seemed to have visited. However, regarding the appearance of the Netherworld, Jiang Liu held no anticipation.

Moreover, as they descended deeper, the air became increasingly cold and eerie, and Jiang Liu felt a chill running down his spine.

Soon after passing through the passage, Jiang Liu’s view suddenly cleared.

Looking around, he found that the Netherworld looked not much different from the Mortal World, except for the lack of sunlight. The entire Underworld appeared to be in a perpetual dusk, making it very dim.

Furthermore, the land of the Underworld was mainly of a deep color, thus giving it a gloomy and fearsome appearance.

Guanyin Bodhisattva was naturally familiar with the Underworld. After looking left and right to discern the direction, she prepared to head towards Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s abode.

Ah!

Just then, at that moment, a sudden scream of terror came from the side.

"Xuanzang? What’s wrong?" Turning her head, Guanyin Bodhisattva, having been startled by his shout, asked with curiosity.

"Bodhisattva, just now, I saw a ghost..." Jiang Liu’s face was pale, pointing to the distance as he spoke, his hand tightly grasping Guanyin Bodhisattva’s Lotus Platform.

Guanyin Bodhisattva: "..."