Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons

"When the Monkey King caused havoc in the Heavenly Palace, he made 100,000 heavenly soldiers bow down to him and even made the Four Heavenly Kings pale in comparison. When it comes to subduing demons and monsters, the Monkey King is second to none and no one can be called number one." Wen Jiao gave Wukong a hug.

"As for my child, and I'm not bragging as a mother, he became a famous monk at a young age and was appointed a high-ranking monk. It wasn't just luck, but he was also quite smart in dealing with human relationships and the ways of the world." She treated everyone equally and praised Xuanzang in the same way.

"Since you two are destined to become master and disciple, how can you act like a pair of fighting cocks all day long? Why don't you each take a step back? Listen to Xuanzang in human affairs and listen to the Great Sage in demon matters. If there is something you can't handle, you will have to ask the other side for help. Then, you must not have any objection to how the other side handles it." She suggested.

It is better to clearly divide the powers and responsibilities in advance, and then if there is a dispute in the future, the accountability will be pursued according to the agreement, so as to avoid both parties crossing the line, being unwilling to accept each other, and causing the dispute to escalate.

She patted Xuanzang's shoulder with a smile and looked at Wukong: "Who will bear the consequences? If we lose half a step, we won't complain. How do you think?"

The pearl light was bright, and three figures were clearly painted on the wall. The master and the disciple looked at each other in silence for a while. Xuanzang looked at the monkey, and the monkey blinked and looked at Xuanzang. After a while, he said tentatively: "Master, I think what Master said makes sense."

Xuanzang couldn't find any reason to object. Although "half a step behind" was obviously referring to him, he couldn't get a say in the extermination of demons. Wen Jiao's actions gave him more breathing space in front of Wukong, the overly strong disciple. If you are not capable, you will always be at a disadvantage.

He now finally understood why Wen Jiao reminded him that "it is inevitable to have doubts, fears and anger" when they were about to leave Chang'an. He felt bad for having the status of a master but being inferior to others in everything.

Next time, don’t do something like letting the six thieves go, which would backfire and let Wukong catch you. Xuanzang warned himself secretly.

Seeing Xuanzang's misty eyes, which showed that he was obviously feeling bitter, Wen Jiao smiled and said to Wukong, "Great Sage, we have a few private words to say between mother and son. Could you please step aside for a moment?"

Wukong saw that she had calmed down Xuanzang, who had been stubborn to him, with just a few words, and saved him from the trouble of continuing to argue. He was so grateful that he said immediately, "I will go to the Dragon Palace in the East China Sea to play with my old friend again."

The Dragon King of the East Sea will probably be so surprised that he will be fluttering around, and he will also greet me, the "culprit", for several years. Wen Jiao smiled secretly.

Wukong's body movements were extremely light. With the sound of falling leaves, he somersaulted into the clouds and disappeared in the next moment. As soon as he left, Xuanzang sat down on the edge of the bed, as if he was crushed by some invisible pressure: "Mother, I am so tired."

It is really embarrassing to have someone who is better than you in everything, reminding you all the time that you are a useless person, and that everything you do seems stupid by him, and everything you do is wrong compared to him. Especially when this person is your disciple and you, as his teacher, should be his role model.

Kill him? I can't go against my conscience. Keeping him is really tormenting.

This invisible pressure is like a soft knife, slowly cutting you, but you still can't express the distress in your heart. After all, it sounds like you don't know how to appreciate your blessings.

It’s not that easy to be Liu Adou.

Wen Jiao patted his bald head, and she felt a rare sympathy for this cheap son. It is always difficult for a person who has been a favored child in the first half of his life to admit from the bottom of his heart that he is not as good as others. Haven't you seen how many top students who are proud of their peers entered the gates of Tsinghua University and Peking University, but found that a brick dropped could hit three top scorers, and finally made themselves depressed?

"Jiang Liu'er," she called him by his nickname, "You have your merits."

Xuanzang was unhappy, without even raising his eyelids: "Mother, please stop comforting me. I know my own worth. I have the courage to fight a tiger, but the tiger didn't even dare to raise its head in front of Wukong, and could only close its eyes and wait for death. I have read thousands of scriptures, but Wukong is a Taiyi Golden Immortal. Wukong can reach the Great Leiyin Temple in the West with a somersault, but I can only walk step by step, and I don't know when I can reach Lingshan. I am really exhausted serving this master."

Wen Jiao laughed softly after hearing this. Her laughter was like the mist floating between the lake and mountains at dawn, clear and hazy. Even if there was a hint of teasing, it would not irritate Xuanzang's poor nerves at the moment: "Jiang Liu'er, you are in a quarrelsome mood."

Xuanzang's face fell: "It's because I haven't practiced enough."

Wen Jiao said, "You don't understand. In terms of power to subdue demons and monsters, and various magical methods, there are only a few who can compare with Wukong in the nine heavens and ten earths. As for your martial arts, you should first surpass your uncle. Why do you have to be so ambitious and compete with Wukong?"

Xuanzong's neck slumped, his head almost buried in his chest: "It's the child who overestimates his own abilities."

Wen Jiao laughed: "What are you thinking about? I just said that you have your strengths. A teacher does not have to be better than his disciples in everything. Why do you have to compete with him on Wukong's strengths? Although Wukong is powerful, he is too strong and has a fierce temper. He is arrogant and tyrannical and does not understand the subtleties of human nature. He suffered a lot for this in the past, and finally ended up being imprisoned under the Five Elements Mountain for 500 years. And these are your strengths, aren't they?"

She tried her best to cheer up her adopted son, wishing she could even do cheerleading: "You are the master, what's wrong with teaching him? It's always boring to teach someone like Wukong who is timid and has great skills. Only by teaching him well can you show your ability, right? Bring out the same spirit that made you travel thousands of miles to Chang'an to deliver a message to your grandfather to avenge your parents!"

"Besides, you and Wukong have different identities, what are you fighting for? Among the three great men of the early Han Dynasty, Han Xin led the army and Zhang Liang made brilliant plans. Did Emperor Gaozu of Han really want to compete with Han Xin in military tactics and Zhang Liang in strategy? If they really compared, no matter how much effort he put in, it would not be enough, and he would not be able to become the founding emperor. Wukong wants to escort you to the west, and his high skills are what a guardian should have. And you are a person who seeks scriptures, and your high moral character is your true nature. Think about it, isn't this the truth?"

Xuanzang nodded involuntarily, feeling somewhat uneasy: "But sometimes the monkey is really naughty. I can tolerate him only for a little while if he doesn't agree with me. But he will fly away at any time if he doesn't agree with me. I can neither fly nor catch up with him. It is really difficult to control him."

The tight hoop that can restrain the monkey is still hidden in Wen Jiao's sleeve.

Wen Jiao pondered for a moment and said, "What did Liu Huangshu rely on to make Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhuge Kongming, who were far more capable than him, sincerely convinced?"

The ambition to restore the Han Dynasty is a lofty and noble goal.

The virtue of humility and kindness is personal charm.

For a virtuous person, sincere trust is the key. If you trust him, he will not have the heart to let you down.

Rewards and punishments are clearly defined. Merits must be rewarded, and faults must be punished, so that followers always have hope.

……

Xuanzang seemed to be thinking about something.

If there was a bullet screen above his head, at that moment four words would have popped up on it: "I have realized it!"