Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Once Xiao He chased Han Xin under the moon, now General Juanlian is chasing Master Xuanzang under the moonlight!

Seeing Jiang Liu turn and run, General Juanlian stood stunned for a moment, then came to his senses, stepped forward, and strode meteorically in the direction of Jiang Liu's escape.

He didn't actually want to drive him away with what he just said, it was just an excuse to make a move. He really ran away!?

If he really got away, where would he even begin to look for him?

Jiang Liu turned and ran, and General Juanlian panicked, chasing after him like a madman.

He was clear that having accidentally shattered the Colored Glaze Cup and being demoted to suffer in the Liusha River, sinking to the status of a demon, joining the scripture-seeking team heading west was his only way to shed his demon status; naturally, he couldn't let go now.

The White Dragon Horse, with the sound of its hooves clattering rapidly, galloped swiftly, while Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie naturally followed alongside.

From behind them, thudding footsteps rose. Sun Wukong glanced back and bared his teeth, "Master, that evil demon is catching up. Does he really think we are afraid of him? Let me, Old Sun, kill him with a single strike of my staff!"

Along the way, whenever they encountered a demon creature, Jiang Liu was always the first to rush up. If they could beat it, they would fight; if not, he would help out.

But this time, the reaction of Master Xuanzang to the demon met near the banks of the Liusha River was very abnormal.

This made Sun Wukong realize there must be something fishy in the Liusha River. So, despite his annoyance, he held back because of his trust in Jiang Liu.

But who is he? The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, Sun Wukong!

He could endure small grievances for Master Xuanzang's sake, but being chased by a demon? What was this? With Sun Wukong's temperament, how could he endure it?

Although Sun Wukong spoke in a consultative tone to Jiang Liu, he didn't wait for Jiang Liu's response. After taking out his Jingu Bang, he directly turned around and leaped at General Juanlian.

Sun Wukong was short in stature, while General Juanlian could string people's heads on his neck like necklaces; one could imagine his size.

As Sun Wukong charged, it felt like a mouse was rushing at a water buffalo, with a huge disparity in size.

When Sun Wukong's staff came smashing down, despite General Juanlian raising his Demon-Subduing Treasure Staff to block, how could he withstand it? He was sent flying by Sun Wukong's staff.

In Jiang Liu's eyes, he could see that although General Juanlian used the Demon-Subduing Treasure Staff to block the Golden Hoop, it didn't stop it at all. The health bar over his head dropped by about two or three-tenths in an instant.

The angry strike from Sun Wukong was indeed not light.

"Wait, wait, listen to me. I'm not an evil demon; I am...," after being sent flying, General Juanlian felt his injuries and hurriedly began speaking.

He had originally planned to fight for a few rounds and, if he couldn't win, then reveal his identity.

But just from this one move, General Juanlian realized if he didn't speak up now, he might not get a chance at all. The Great Sage Equal to Heaven, who wrought Havoc in Heaven, was truly terrifying!

"Sheep Transformation Technique!"Nôv(el)B\\jnn

However, as soon as General Juanlian began to speak, without letting him finish, Jiang Liu raised his hand, pointed at General Juanlian, and instantly activated the Sheep Transformation Technique, turning him into a harmless little lamb.

Jiang Liu had made up his mind to try bypassing the Liusha River if possible, so naturally, even though he knew General Juanlian was coming, he didn't want to acknowledge him and even turned to leave.

But since Sun Wukong had already taken action, there was no need to run anymore. First, they would 'farm' General Juanlian for experience points, meaning Jiang Liu had no intention of letting him reveal his identity.

Originally having taken action with a sense of cutting first and reporting afterward, Sun Wukong felt reassured seeing Jiang Liu also take action, as he lifted his iron rod again, striking it down at General Juanlian.

Strengthening Demon-Subduing Mantra!

As Sun Wukong made his move, Jiang Liu followed with a Strengthening Demon-Subduing Mantra, boosting Sun Wukong's attack power further.

Bang, bang, bang!

There was little need for other tactics. The 2-second control from the Sheep Transformation Technique was enough for Sun Wukong to act. A few more strikes of his staff landed on General Juanlian, who had no Demon-Subduing Treasure Staff to defend himself, so how could he withstand the Jingu Bang's attacks? His health bar was instantly emptied.

Notification: You've gained 18,500 Experience Points!

Since Jiang Liu had struck first, General Juanlian was only gravely injured and fell unconscious, and the system notification sounded in his mind, causing Jiang Liu to nod to himself while also curiously looking at General Juanlian, wondering what good loot he might have dropped!

"Hmph, not dead yet!?" Looking at the unconscious General Juanlian, Sun Wukong's remaining anger was apparent, his Jingu Bang lifted once more.

"Great Sage, show mercy!"

But just as Sun Wukong was about to act, an urgent cry rang out, and a young man swiftly flew towards them – it was Muzha, a follower of Guanyin.

However, upon hearing Muzha's cries, Sun Wukong merely glanced obliquely and paid no heed to his words, as the Jingu Bang slammed down ruthlessly.

This ferocious appearance startled Muzha.

Not daring to hesitate, Muzha lifted his hand, and a lotus appeared in his palm, flying out and transforming into a Lotus Platform to block in front of the Jingu Bang.

With this strike, the Lotus Platform was directly smashed and spun back.

Muzha caught the returning Lotus Platform in his hand, examined it, and noticed several cracks had appeared, feeling nothing but heartache.

However, now was not the time for him to feel sorry for his treasure, because Sun Wukong stood there with his iron rod, looking unsatisfied, and scolded Muzha, "What is the meaning of this? I, Old Sun, am subduing demons and eliminating evil, why are you interfering!?"

"Amitabha, Great Sage, please quell your anger..." Facing Sun Wukong's scolding, Muzha chanted a Buddha's name.

Helpless, Muzha put aside his concern for his damaged treasure and patiently explained, "In truth, he was once the General Juanlian beside the Jade Emperor. After accidentally shattering the Colored Glaze Cup, he was demoted to the Lower Realm.

It was Bodhisattva Guanyin who enlightened him, bidding him to become a disciple for the Scripture Seeker, to carry loads and lead the horse, on the westward journey!"

"Another disciple enlightened by Guanyin!?" Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong's eyebrows slightly lifted.

Including himself, Xiaobai, and Bajie, was this the fourth then?

"Master, this evil demon has been enlightened by Guanyin. She wanted him to become your disciple, to carry loads and lead the horse. What do you say?"

Since this was Guanyin's arrangement and it was related to Jiang Liu, Sun Wukong said no more but turned his head and called out to Jiang Liu.

Meanwhile, Jiang Liu was going through General Juanlian's body, inconspicuously collecting some items that had spilled out. After hearing Sun Wukong's inquiry, Jiang Liu shook his head and said, "No need!"

Yes, no need!

This General Juanlian, Sha Wujing, compared to Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie was clearly much weaker, why would he take him as a disciple?

Sun Wukong was a core teammate, the pair's goals aligned. And Zhu Bajie?

Although lazy, his strength was hardly weaker than Sun Wukong's, and with his past as Marshal Tianpeng, his understanding of Immortals and Buddhas was far deeper than that of the wild monkey, Sun Wukong; moreover, with his current fall from grace, he clearly harbored dissatisfaction with the Immortals and Buddhas, which gave Jiang Liu a chance to recruit him.

If they could unify the front in the future, he would be another capable assistant!

But what about Sha Wujing?

General Juanlian was close to the Jade Emperor. If one were to draw a more vivid comparison, he was like an eunuch attending closely to the Emperor. Isn't that the definition of a confidant?

Demoted to the Lower Realm just because he shattered the Colored Glaze Cup? Who knows if he is a pawn planted by the Jade Emperor's side?

Although Zhu Bajie's encounter was similar, would an Emperor make use of an excuse to demote an eunuch serving by his side as a spy, but would he use an excuse to demote a Marshal of great military might as a spy?

Jiang Liu saw it as highly likely that Sha Wujing was a spy placed by his side by the Jade Emperor, and with limited skills at that. In Jiang Liu's view, accepting him would be a losing proposition!

"Ah! No, you don't want him?" Jiang Liu's decisive words stunned Muzha, who for a moment, did not know how to respond.

The journey to the West had been meticulously planned in advance by Bodhisattva Guanyin, and General Juanlian was also a chosen candidate by the Bodhisattva. Yet the Scripture Seeker outright refused, and so assertively too!?

"Ma... Master Xuanzang... why, why do you refuse!?"

After being briefly stunned, Muzha collected himself and asked Jiang Liu.

"This demon creature is quite terrifying, just look at the skulls hanging from his neck, I, a humble monk, feel fear just from the sight. With him accompanying me, I am sure to have no peace of mind during my journey to the West!" Upon hearing Muzha's question, Jiang Liu looked at the unconscious General Juanlian nearby, his face colored with fear.

"Fear? Weren't you helping out when the Great Sage made his move just now!?" Jiang Liu's response caused Muzha's mouth to twitch slightly, as he muttered to himself in disapproval.

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Muzha opened his mouth, intending to say more.

But before he could speak, Jiang Liu continued, "Furthermore, please extend my thanks for the Bodhisattva's kindness. Bodhisattva instructed that this demon become my disciple, to carry loads and lead the horse for me, but look, do we have any loads? And Xiaobai, being the transformed White Dragon, how could he need someone to lead him?"

Jiang Liu's words left Muzha once again lost for words.

Indeed, would the White Dragon Horse need someone to lead him?

Plus, the loads? Almost all of Jiang Liu's supplies were kept in his inventory space; they were effectively traveling light, without luggage to be carried by anyone.

From this perspective, would there be any role for General Juanlian to play if he joined them?

Seeing that Jiang Liu was truly determined not to take General Juanlian, Muzha didn't know how to persuade him further. After a brief moment of silence, he could only sigh in resignation:

"In that case, Master Xuanzang, I suppose you should discuss this with General Juanlian when he awakens!"