Tang Sanzang's Twisted Interpretation of the Buddhist Eight Precepts

Liu Boqin led Tang Sanzang to the gate of his family courtyard.

It was a fairly spacious compound, its walls built of bluestone and its roof thatched with straw. Though not luxurious, it was clean and orderly. Liu Boqin's mother, Lady Liu, his wife, and several servants had already come out to greet them upon hearing the commotion.

Lady Liu was around sixty, with graying hair, though she remained quite spry. She wore plain cloth garments and fingered a string of old prayer beads. She appeared to be a devout follower of the Buddhist Sect.

At a glance, she spotted Tang Sanzang behind her son, as well as... that terrifying tiger carcass.

"Boqin... th-this elder is?"

Lady Liu's voice trembled slightly. Clearly, she had been frightened as well.

Liu Boqin hurriedly explained everything again, taking care to emphasize one point.

"Mother, Elder Tang has come from beneath the feet of the Great Tang Emperor in the Eastern Lands. He is a Holy Monk traveling to Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek the True Scripture! His Buddhist teachings are profound, and his virtue lofty!"

Upon hearing that he was a Scripture-Seeking Holy Monk from Great Tang, Lady Liu's eyes immediately lit up. Most of the fear left her face, replaced by heartfelt reverence. She quickly pressed her palms together and was about to bow.

"So it is a Holy Monk from the Eastern Lands! This old woman failed to welcome you properly—what a sin, what a sin! Please come in, quickly!"

Tang Sanzang returned the gesture, then tossed the tiger carcass he had been dragging onto the open ground before the Liu residence with a loud thud, sending dust flying.

He dusted off his hands and said to Liu Boqin.

"Benefactor Liu, please have someone prepare this 'ingredient.' Roast it