I'm Dreaming of a Journey to the West

Immersed in a moment of tenderness, Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, was quietly listening to his beloved daughter recount her adventures along the way, a loving smile on his face. However, at this moment, a sharp, piercing voice, neither male nor female, suddenly rang out, instantly shattering the peaceful atmosphere.

Li Shimin, who had been in a cheerful mood, suddenly turned grim, his anger erupting like a volcano. After all, Li Chen was someone he valued deeply. He had come back with his daughter after countless hardships, and the two had only been together for a few days, barely having time to reminisce about the past. He hadn't expected such a sudden change to happen.

First, Li Chen was inexplicably dragged into the underworld by the Black and White Impermanence, and then his precious daughter and those beautiful women also went to the underworld to rescue him. After finally waiting for their safe return, the family was about to enjoy their family happiness, but this tactless eunuch intervened and disrupted this rare and warm time.

"Come here! Bring that noisy fellow up here!" Li Shimin shouted, his eyes wide open and a chilling murderous intent emanating from his body. His roar echoed throughout the vast palace, deafening.

Upon hearing the Emperor's decree, the loyal and devoted eunuchs within the palace dared not delay. Each of them, as swift as lightning, rushed towards the direction of the voice. In a short time, they had captured the eunuch bearing the same name as "Li Chen" and brought him before Li Shimin.

The eunuch was terrified, trembling all over, his face as pale as paper, as if he would collapse at any moment. He trembled and knelt on the ground, begging for mercy, his voice trembling, "Your Majesty, please spare me! Your Majesty, please spare me! I just...just had a nightmare. I dreamed that I had arrived in the gloomy and terrifying underworld and met the Immortal Li Chen!"

"Oh? You actually went to that eerie and terrifying underworld? And you even met the Immortal Li Chen?" Li Shimin looked at the eunuch in front of him with suspicion, his mouth slightly open, and asked in disbelief.

The eunuch nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, his voice trembling with excitement. "Your Majesty, it is absolutely true! Not only did I go to the underworld, I also witnessed the grace of the immortal Li Chen with my own eyes!"

Then, as if afraid that Li Shimin would not believe it, the eunuch hurriedly added: "The immortal Li Chen has great magical powers and great supernatural powers. Seeing that I am pitiful, he mercifully revised the Book of Life and Death for me and added a full twenty years to my life!" After saying this, the eunuch could not help but laugh with joy.

However, after hearing these words, Li Chen's face instantly turned gloomy. He secretly cried out: Oh no! How could he have been so careless and forgotten to tell this eunuch to keep the secret! Now that he spoke so freely, given Li Shimin's temper, he would definitely rack his brains to beg him to go to the underworld again to tamper with his life and death book.

What's even more terrible is that once Li Shimin opens his mouth, his favorite disciple Li Zhaohuang will definitely not give up. She will definitely try every means to pester him and beg him to add a few more years to her father's life.

But who was Li Shimin? He was a pivotal figure who could influence the course of history and have a profound impact on future generations! If his lifespan were arbitrarily altered, it would inevitably bring unpredictable changes and shocks to the already established course of history. Thinking of this, Li Chen felt overwhelmed, unsure how to deal with this impending and thorny situation.

"Oh? So that's how it is. In that case, I will reward you with ten thousand taels of gold and allow you to retire and return home to enjoy your old age!" Li Shimin nodded slightly and spoke slowly and thoughtfully to the elderly eunuch in front of him.

Upon hearing this, the old eunuch was stunned for a moment, then his face filled with surprise, his body trembling uncontrollably. To receive such a generous reward from the Emperor, and to be allowed to return home and enjoy his retirement, was like a dream. He quickly knelt on his knees and kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace! I have no way to repay you in this lifetime. May Your Majesty live long and long! I also want to thank the Immortal Li Chen for his great kindness!"

At this moment, Li Chen, standing nearby, saw the old eunuch's expression of gratitude and couldn't help but smile with joy. He secretly congratulated himself, "Fortunately, Li Shimin didn't ask me to add a few more years to his life. Since ancient times, countless emperors have longed for immortality, but in the end, all was in vain."

At this moment, Li Chen said loudly: "In this case, I will also give you a generous gift!" Before he finished speaking, he gently waved his right hand, and a dazzling colorful light instantly shot out from his palm, falling straight on the eunuch's body like a meteor.

In an instant, a strange thing happened—a vital part of the eunuch's body that had been lost due to castration actually began to regrow at a speed visible to the naked eye! Before long, he was restored to a complete man!

"Thank you, Immortal Li Chen, for your great kindness! Thank you, Immortal Li Chen, for your great kindness!" The eunuch trembled with emotion and kowtowed to Li Chen once again. At this moment, his respect for Li Chen was like a torrent of water, because it was this Immortal Li Chen who had granted him the rights to be a man that he had longed for and had lost.

After packing his belongings, he reluctantly bid farewell to the palace, the place that had bound him for so many years, filled with joy and gratitude, and embarked on the journey home. Along the way, his mind raced, imagining the wonderful life he would have back home—freedom to enjoy family happiness, the freedom to live an upright life... Finally, he returned to his long-lost hometown, and from then on lived a peaceful and happy life in his later years.

"Well, my dear ministers, please return to your rooms and rest! I still have important matters to discuss with the Immortal Li Chen and Princess Fengyi." Li Shimin waved his hand, signaling everyone to disperse. He knew that some things could only be discussed privately with Li Chen and his beloved daughter.

Hearing this, Li Chen's heart tightened, his expression instantly becoming grave. He wondered, "I wonder what His Majesty is up to this time? Is he trying to convince my daughter to put pressure on me? If so, what should I do?" Li Chen's heart grew heavier at this thought, but he had no choice but to follow Li Shimin and his daughter towards the palace where he had been resting.

Seeing this, everyone understood and tactfully excused themselves. Soon, only Li Shimin, Li Chen, and Li Zhaohuang remained in the vast palace. Li Shimin led them into the palace with familiarity, closing the door tightly behind him, as if afraid that others might overhear the conversation that was about to unfold.

"Immortal Li Chen, I'm sure you must be wondering why I haven't asked you to return to the underworld and add a little more life to my life."

Li Shimin's face was as calm as water, and he spoke slowly. Li Chen was stunned when he heard this. He really didn't expect that Li Shimin could see through his inner thoughts so keenly.

Indeed, Li Shimin had experienced many vicissitudes of life and seen countless people during his reign, giving him a profound understanding of the human heart and human nature. In contrast, although Li Chen's own cultivation had reached the realm of a sage, his age was only twenty-one years.

"Your Majesty, please be aware that the lifespan of mortals is determined by heaven. Unless one becomes an immortal, it is difficult to escape the fate of reincarnation and immortality!" Li Chen shook his head lightly, sighed, and responded helplessly.

"I understand this principle. Back then, I once experienced the rewriting of the Book of Life and Death, which granted me twenty years of precious time."

Li Shimin remained composed, as if recounting a mundane incident. Li Chen, upon hearing this, naturally knew the reason behind it. In the popular novel Journey to the West, Judge Cui Jue, entrusted by Wei Zheng with a letter, aided Li Shimin's return to the human world. Li Chen was well-versed in this story.

"I am so pleased that I can live to this age and witness my beloved daughter excelling and achieving so much. " Li Shimin said with emotion. On his weathered face, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but rise, revealing a smile as bright as the sun.

Before he finished speaking, he walked forward with steady steps, extended his broad hand and gently patted Li Chen's shoulder. He fixed his eyes on the heroic young man before him and slowly said, "Today, I have the great honor of meeting and interacting with such an incredible hero like you. Moreover, you have taught my precious daughter so well that I would have no regrets even if I died at this moment."

After a brief pause, Li Shimin sighed slightly and continued in a low voice, "However, I know that you will be setting off again soon and embarking on a new journey. I have no further instructions for you. I only have one small hope: I hope that when you have time during your busy lives, you can return to Chang'an to visit me more often. If you do that, I will be satisfied."

After saying this, Li Shimin picked up the wine glass in his hand, raised it high, and toasted to Li Chen.