The moment Guanyin arrived, she immediately used the willow leaf in her hand to revive Curtain Roller.
Xuanzang and the others also paid their respects to the Bodhisattva. Jinchi in particular—this old fellow had been Guanyin's believer all his life, so he knelt with even greater devotion.
Having finally caught his breath, Curtain Roller slowly came to. He rubbed his aching chest and said in a trembling voice,
"I... I'm not dead yet!"
Guanyin smiled. "Curtain-Rolling General, congratulations on enduring hardship and finally reaching the sweetness beyond. Now is the time for your deliverance. Why don't you quickly pay respects to your master?"
Upon hearing the command, Curtain Roller immediately knelt before Xuanzang again. This time, he even knocked his head against the ground several times, shattering the stones beneath him.
If this monk refused to take him in, wouldn't he have to suffer that same pain in the Flowing Sand River every day from now on?
Following them on the Journey to the West was already his last chance at survival. The Buddhist Sect could not openly offend the Heavenly Court. The so-called scripture journey was a path to redemption, so the Jade Emperor had nothing to say about it.
But if the pilgrimage party did not accept him, then the Flying Sword Piercing Heart he had just endured would surely become even more vicious, until his mind shattered completely!
With a gentle wave of Guanyin's finger, the red-haired demon who had once looked so ferocious transformed into a bearded man.
The string of skulls across his chest also became a strand of large black prayer beads, and the savage aura around him vanished.
With Guanyin present, Xuanzang naturally put on a performance right there.
"Very well. Since you are willing to turn over a new leaf, this humble