Xuanzang planted the Six-Ray Cicada Staff in the ground and curiously flipped open the Passage Document for a glance.
But that single glance made even Xuanzang, who had cultivated Buddhism since childhood and possessed a steady Chan heart, suck in a breath of cold air despite himself.
"What domineering characters!"
There, on the Passage Document, a line of large characters was written vertically in striking form.
[Either he comes over, or I bring men over.
—Emperor of the Great Tang. Heavenly Khan. General of Heavenly Strategy. Li Shimin.]
A brief line of words, the calligraphy vigorous and powerful, the brushwork like dragons and snakes, its momentum vast and majestic; the mighty imperial authority rushed straight into one's face.
Whoever saw it would have to say: Your Majesty was freaking awesome.
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Xuanzang closed the Passage Document and spoke.
"Eh." Li Shimin smiled. "Why call me Your Majesty? Call me imperial brother."
Xuanzang lowered his eyes and brows. "Imperial brother."
Li Shimin said, "It is said that on Mount Wuyi in the Western Heaven, there are the true scriptures of the Three Baskets. Why not take Sanzang as your Dharma name, imperial brother, and Tang as your lay surname?"
"Travel westward and spread the Buddhist teachings; you may appear before others by the name Tang Sanzang."
Xuanzang pressed his palms together and chanted the Buddha's name. "Amitabha. This humble monk thanks imperial brother for bestowing a name."
From then on, Xuanzang had a new name.
Tang Sanzang!
Jiang. Xuanzang. Liu. Tang Sanzang. Er.
After the Water and Land Dharma Assembly ended.
Xuanzang set off westward.
One man, one horse, and two attendants.
All the way west.
The white horse was very fast.
It was a Demonic Horse Li Shimin had specially chosen for Xuanzang.
Even the horses