I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

The Jade Emperor nodded slightly, his tone softening: "Very well, your mission is accomplished, I will not pursue the matter further."

However, there is a matter that requires your immediate attention.

The dragon clans of the four seas have been making unusual movements recently, with dragon roars constantly heard at the Dragon Transformation Pool on Mount Ling, suggesting that some dragons may be seeking refuge in Buddhism.

If all the people of the world were to return to Mount Ling, the Heavenly Court would lose its power to ensure favorable weather and abundant harvests, which could lead to great chaos.

"You shall swiftly travel throughout the four seas and secretly investigate. If any dragons have already joined the Buddhist order, punish them according to the heavenly rules, thus intimidating the Dragon Kings of the four seas!"

Jiang Wang's heart skipped a beat, and he cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Your humble servant obeys!"

He turned to leave, but the Jade Emperor said again, "This journey is dangerous. Your primordial spirit has been damaged. Do not be careless."

Jiang Wang nodded and left Lingxiao Palace.

Outside the hall, he looked up at the sea of ​​clouds and murmured, "The Four Seas Dragon Clan... Mount Ling has such a grand vision!"

Inside the Lingxiao Palace, the Jade Emperor dismissed his attendants, and the Buddha Dipankara slowly entered.

The Jade Emperor laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist, you've come at the right time. Is there any progress on the merit I'm seeking?"

Dipankara Buddha clasped his hands together and smiled, saying, "Your Majesty, rest assured, Mount Ling will naturally help the Heavenly Court stabilize the four seas."

only……"

He paused, then tentatively asked, "Does Your Majesty have any other wishes these days?"

The Jade Emperor narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "I have heard that dragon liver has a unique taste and I miss it very much."

A glint of light flashed in the eyes of Dipankara Buddha, and he nodded, saying, "Since Your Majesty has this intention, this humble monk will make the arrangements."

Above the East China Sea, amidst swirling clouds and mist, Jiang Wang, clad in golden armor and wielding a long spear, patrolled the four seas, keeping watch for any disturbances.

Suddenly, the sea surface surged, and a golden light shot out from the seabed, transforming into a ribbonfish that shook its head and tail, speaking in human language: "Jiang Wang!"
"You have ruined my grand plan for the West; you will not leave today!"

Jiang Wang stared intently and sneered, "Bodhi old man, you've transformed into this filthy form again. You were fooled by my Righteous Shadowlessness and Spatial Shift last time, haven't you learned your lesson?"

With a cold snort, the ribbonfish transformed into the true form of Bodhi Patriarch in an instant, its body radiating great Buddhist light, and shouted: "Jiang Wang, stop trying to argue!"

Last time you fabricated supernatural powers to deceive me, this time I'll trap you with the Sumeru Boundless Formation and see how you escape!

Before he finished speaking, the surrounding space distorted, and layers of golden light transformed into an invisible cage, trapping Jiang Wang inside.

Jiang Wang tentatively swung his spear, but the spear's light was swallowed up by the golden light, leaving no ripple.

He frowned and said, "What a good formation!"

Bodhi, you've really gone all out!

Bodhi sat cross-legged on a cloud, closed his eyes, and said, "Jiang Wang, since you have ruined my grand plan, you shall stay in this formation until the end of the Great Tribulation!"

Jiang Wang sneered: "The Great Tribulation is over?"
Old man, you're far too confident!

He flickered and vanished into thin air.

Bodhi remained unmoved and said calmly, "A mere trick; I will not be fooled."

He sat in meditation with his eyes closed, as if he intended to wait for a long time.

Three days later, Jiang Wang reappeared, his face full of helplessness: "Bodhi, you old man are really troublesome!"

"I should have disobeyed the Jade Emperor's orders and left the Heavenly Court!"

Bodhi opened his eyes, a hint of smugness flashing in them, and laughed, "Jiang Wang, since you know that the Heavenly Court is not a place to stay for long, why not abandon darkness and embrace the light?"
Western doctrines are vast and profound. If you enter my sacred mountain, this humble Taoist will grant you the position of future Buddha!

Jiang Wang raised an eyebrow, a half-smile on his face, and said, "Future Buddha?"

"Old man, your terms are quite good. Tell me, what's so appealing about Western doctrines?"

Seeing that he was interested, Bodhi perked up and began to speak eloquently: "Our Western religion emphasizes universal salvation and liberation from the sea of ​​suffering."

If you join my sect, you can cultivate the supreme Buddha Dharma, attain the Bodhi fruit, and enjoy eternal bliss…

Meanwhile, in Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty in Jambudvipa, a bustling scene unfolded.

Three years later, the Tang Emperor held another imperial examination, and the newly appointed top scholar, Chen Zhengtao, was in the limelight. After parading through the streets for three days, he was chosen as the emperor's son-in-law by Yin Wenjiao, who threw her an embroidered ball at him.

Not long after their marriage, Yin Wenjiao became pregnant. The Tang King was overjoyed and appointed Chen Zhengtao as the governor of Jiangzhou, ordering him to take office immediately.

Outside the city, in a teahouse, Jiang Wang, disguised as a scholar in blue robes, sat by the window, watching the departing carriages and horses, and sighed, "Chen Zhengtao has a smooth life and has found a good marriage."

Unfortunately, my primordial spirit is not yet healed, so I can no longer change people's fates, otherwise..."

He shook his head, picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and a complex look flashed in his eyes.

Outside the teahouse, Bodhi's voice drifted from afar: "Jiang Wang, since you're interested, why not come with me for a trip to Mount Ling?"

Jiang Wang put down his teacup, stood up and laughed, "Old man, you've got a sharp tongue."

However, I, Jiang Wang, know my limits when it comes to doing things!

He vanished in a flash, leaving behind only a soft laugh: "Mount Ling is beautiful, but it is not my final destination!"

The night in Chang'an was as dark as ink, but the lights were like a sea of ​​stars. The city was bustling and noisy, with the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments mingling with the cries of street vendors. Jiang Wang, dressed in a green robe, strolled leisurely along Zhuque Street, gently waving a folding fan in his hand, a meaningful smile on his lips.

He was tall and slender with clear, bright eyes, and at first glance looked to be no more than twenty years old, yet he called himself "Xuanjizi".

Known for its feng shui and numerology skills, it had already gained a reputation in Chang'an.

As he approached, the street vendors greeted him warmly: "Master Xuanjizi!"

Come and see how my freshly baked sesame cakes are!

Jiang Wang smiled and waved his hand, his steps never stopping, but his gaze swept across the streets and alleys, as if savoring the grandeur of this prosperous era.

"Chang'an, what a wonderful place."

Jiang Wang muttered to himself, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery, "It has everything for eating, drinking, and having fun, much better than that monkey den on Flower Fruit Mountain."

He knew in his heart that this clone of himself was merely a wisp of spiritual consciousness from Flower Fruit Mountain, while his true body was still sleeping in the Sumeru Immeasurable Array. Even that old fox, Patriarch Bodhi, had not been able to see through his true nature.

Now in Chang'an, he is happy to be a carefree hermit, looking after the houses and graves of high-ranking officials and nobles, earning some money, and incidentally finding out about the world's affairs.

Just then, a group of imperial guards approached from the street corner. The eunuch in the lead said in a shrill voice, "Master Xuanji, His Majesty has decreed that you must enter the palace immediately for a discussion!"

Jiang Wang raised an eyebrow, closed his folding fan, and laughed, "Oh, even the old emperor has heard of my name?"
"Interesting! Lead the way!"

His tone was flippant, yet no one dared to rebuke him, for this Xuanjizi was incredibly accurate in predicting feng shui and fortune, and even the feng shui of the residence of Prime Minister Fang Xuanling was adjusted by him. He had long been regarded as a divine being.

After entering the palace, Jiang Wang was led to the outside of the Taiji Hall. The night breeze was cool, and the hall was brightly lit.

Li Shimin sat upright on the dragon throne, dressed in a bright yellow robe, his eyes piercing as he looked Jiang Wang up and down.

Inside the hall, civil and military officials lined up on both sides, all peering with curiosity at this renowned feng shui master who was famous throughout the capital.

"Xuanjizi, I have heard that you possess profound magical abilities, capable of discerning yin and yang, and predicting fortune and misfortune. Is this truly the case?"

Li Shimin's voice was deep and resonant, carrying the majesty of an emperor.

Jiang Wang cupped his hands, his smile undiminished: "Your Majesty flatters me."

"This humble Taoist priest has only a smattering of knowledge in geomancy, barely enough to make a living."

Li Shimin narrowed his eyes and said in a deep voice, "In that case, I ask you, is there a way to prolong life?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang smiled slightly and shook his head, saying, "Your Majesty, lifespan is determined by Heaven. How can a minor feng shui technique change one's destiny?"

but……"

He paused, looking directly at Li Shimin, and said, "This humble Taoist can guarantee that Your Majesty will not be harmed by ghosts or demons, will not be framed by monsters, will not suffer any undeserved disasters, will be free from illness and calamity, and will die a natural death."

These words caused an uproar throughout the hall. Fang Xuanling frowned and said in a low voice, "Xuanjizi, watch your words!"

Such an important matter cannot be promised lightly.

Li Shimin waved his hand to stop him, and asked with interest, "Oh?"

How will you protect me?
If you lack true ability, don't blame me for punishing you for deceiving the emperor!

Jiang Wang remained calm and unhurried, unfolded his folding fan, and said slowly, "If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may try it tonight."

"I, this humble Taoist, predict that tonight at the third quarter of the Yin hour (3:45 AM), there will be a heavy rain in Chang'an, with a rainfall of three and a half inches, lasting for half an hour. After the rain stops, a wisp of purple light will appear on the horizon."

Li Shimin's eyes flashed and he said in a deep voice, "Good!"

If what you say is true, I will reward you handsomely.

If there is even the slightest mistake, hmph!

Before he finished speaking, his murderous aura was already palpable.

Jiang Wang smiled without saying a word, only saying, "Your Majesty might as well stay with me until the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), and the outcome will be clear."

As night deepened, an incense table was set up outside the Taiji Hall. Jiang Wang and Li Shimin stood side by side, while the ministers behind them whispered among themselves.

Jiang Wang remained calm and composed, occasionally pointing to the stars in the sky and chatting with Li Shimin about feng shui and metaphysics.

Li Shimin was initially skeptical, but seeing Jiang Wang's extraordinary speech and quotations from classical texts, he gradually developed some respect for him.

"Xuanjizi, you say that celestial phenomena can predict good or bad fortune. I observe that the stars are dim tonight. Is this an ominous sign?"

Li Shimin asked tentatively.

Jiang Wang squinted at the sky, shook his head and said, "Your Majesty, although the starlight is dim, there is no ominous sign."

This is an omen of timely rain from heaven, signifying a bountiful harvest and peace, not a disaster.

At the third quarter of the hour of Yin (3:45 AM), the sky was indeed covered with dark clouds, and thunder rumbled faintly.

Jiang Wang did some quick calculations with his fingers and then smiled, "They've arrived."

No sooner had he finished speaking than large raindrops began to fall, and within moments a torrential downpour began.

The eunuch hurriedly opened an umbrella, but Li Shimin waved his hand, stood in the rain, and looked intently at Jiang Wang.

Half an hour later, the rain gradually stopped, and a purple aura, shaped like a dragon, appeared on the horizon and slowly dissipated.

"A divine being!"
"What an amazing person!"

Li Shimin was overjoyed and personally grabbed Jiang Wang's arm, exclaiming, "Sir, you truly possess extraordinary abilities!"

I believe you!
"Tell me quickly, how can you ensure my safety?"

Jiang Wang smiled slightly, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, please do not be hasty."

"This humble Taoist priest needs to set up a grand feng shui formation within the palace to draw upon the earth's energy and suppress any evil spirits within, thus ensuring His Majesty's safety."

Li Shimin immediately issued an edict, ordering people to prepare everything Jiang Wang needed.

Jiang Wang selected a place where the dragon veins converged in the back hall of Taiji Palace, picked up his brush and ink, drew a formation diagram, and ordered people to bring cinnabar, yellow paper, jade and other items, and personally set up the formation.

His movements were fluid and graceful, and he chanted incantations. When the formation was completed, a refreshing aura seemed to rise in the palace, and everyone felt their spirits lifted.

"Ding!

Congratulations, host, for completing the hidden quest 'Arranging Formations for the Emperor'! You are rewarded with an experience point scratch card!

The system's voice rang in Jiang Wang's ears. He remained calm and, taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, took out a scratch card and lightly scratched it. "5000 experience points in hand, tsk, not bad, not bad."

Upon seeing the battle completed, Li Shimin was overjoyed and bestowed upon the troops a hundred taels of gold and countless bolts of silk.

After Jiang Wang expressed his gratitude, he was about to take his leave when the system beeped again: "Ding!"

The imminent birth of Tang Sanzang has been detected. To postpone the Journey to the West, a new mission has been issued: Prevent Tang Sanzang from entering the Buddhist order.

Option 1: Possess Liu Hong and stop Yin Wenjiao from throwing Tang Sanzang into the river; Option 2: Possess the abbot of Jinshan Temple and refuse to pick up Tang Sanzang; Option 3: Transform into a Taoist priest and rescue Tang Sanzang from the river in advance, then guide him to cultivate Taoism.

Mission Reward: The method to control the Sumeru Boundless Array.

Jiang Wang's heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, "The method of controlling the Sumeru Boundless Array?"

nice one!
The third option is the easiest, and it'll also annoy those bald monks. Choose it!

He immediately bid farewell to Li Shimin, saying that he needed to travel around, but in reality he went straight to Jiangzhou.

Several days later, Jiang Wang transformed into a white-robed Taoist priest, wearing a star-studded crown and holding a whisk, standing by the river.

The river flowed swiftly, the night was deep, and a woman staggered towards them from afar; it was Yin Wenjiao.

She held an infant in her arms, tears streaming down her face, and murmured, "My child, I'm so sorry... If I hadn't done this, your father would have killed you..."

She placed the baby on a plank, pushed it into the river, and wept bitterly, covering her face.

Jiang Wang watched coldly as the plank drifted closer, then with a gentle flick of his whisk, the plank landed steadily in his hand.

The baby cried loudly. Jiang Wang looked down and laughed, "Little guy, you're tough. You should cultivate with me."

He lightly tapped his finger, concealing the baby's secrets, looked up at the sky, and murmured, "Guanyin, you're probably still in the dark, aren't you?"

In the distance, Abbot Faming of Jinshan Temple rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing Jiang Wang carrying away the baby, he exclaimed, "Fellow Daoist!"
This child has a karmic connection with Buddha; please return him!

Jiang Wang didn't even turn his head, and said loudly, "Monk, this boy has a connection with my Daoist sect. I'll take him away first!"

He moved with lightning speed, disappearing into the night in an instant.

Faming couldn't catch up and stood frozen by the riverbank, sighing, "Alas, this poor monk has failed in his duty. How can I explain this to Guanyin Bodhisattva?"

The next day, Faming reported to Guanyin Bodhisattva with trepidation: "Bodhisattva, the baby... was taken away by a Taoist priest. This humble monk was powerless and unable to retrieve him..."

Guanyin frowned, made a calculation with her fingers, but found that the heavenly secrets were not revealed. She wondered, "Strange, could it be that this child's fate has changed?"
"Never mind, I'll investigate further."

Jiang Wang had already taken the baby into a Taoist temple, where incense smoke curled and the atmosphere was serene and secluded.

He placed the baby on a prayer mat and said with a smile, "Little Tang Sanzang, from now on you will be called Chen Xuanqing, and you will follow me to cultivate Tao."

Buddhism?

"Hmph, don't even think about it!"

He sat down cross-legged and began to teach the infant the Taoist breathing method, but in his heart he thought: "Journey to the West?"
"Just watch how I, Jiang Wang, turn the world upside down!"

Above the East Sea, amidst swirling clouds and mist, within the immeasurable Sumeru Array, golden light flowed and chanting filled the air.

On a blue stone platform in the center of the formation, Jiang Wang sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed, his face serene, as if he were immersed in the boundless Buddhist teachings.

Bodhi Patriarch sat upright on a cloud, his hair and beard all white, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

He clasped his hands together, his voice deep and resonant, like a morning bell or evening drum: "Jiang Wang, your mind is clear. The teachings of the West are vast and boundless, saving all sentient beings and leading them to supreme enlightenment."

Would you be willing to travel west with me and together witness the Primordial Chaos?

Jiang Wang slowly opened his eyes, his eyes seemingly sparkling with starlight. The corners of his mouth turned up slightly, carrying a faint smile: "Master, you are compassionate, and the Buddha's teachings are boundless. I, Jiang Wang, am sincerely convinced and wish to follow you in cultivating Mahayana Buddhism to save all sentient beings."

His voice was clear and resonant, carrying a hint of respect, yet also subtly conveying a sense of mystery.

Upon hearing this, Bodhi stroked his beard and smiled, his eyes filled with anticipation: "Excellent!"

it is good!
it is good!
The great rise of Western religious teachings is just around the corner!
Jiang Wang, you are a genius of unparalleled talent. If you can wholeheartedly devote yourself to Buddhism and help my teachings flourish, you too will have a share in the position of Hunyuan one day! (End of this chapter)