The next morning.
Tang Sanzang and his four disciples went to the palace to pay their respects to the King of Zhu Zi Kingdom.
"Holy Monk, your four disciples are mighty and surely can subdue that monster, Sai Taishui, then rescue my mother and the concubines and palace maids!"
The King of Zhu Zi Kingdom bowed slightly to Tang Sanzang, speaking with heartfelt gratitude and excitement.
Over the years, Sai Taishui had abducted no fewer than eight or nine hundred concubines and palace maids. Now this peerless great demon was coming to plunder again, and the king was deeply worried.
Fortunately, Tang Sanzang and his disciples were willing to step in and vanquish the demon.
"Your Majesty, my disciples can certainly rescue the people Sai Taishui abducted. But we cannot take the demon's life. Sai Taishui was originally Guanyin Buddha's mount, the Golden Mane Lion, and only descended to the mortal realm to wreak havoc because of the Journey to the West Tribulation."
"Even we masters and disciples cannot defy Guanyin Buddha and kill the demon!"
Tang Sanzang spoke to the King of Zhu Zi Kingdom with a kindly expression.
His words successfully turned the blame toward Guanyin Buddha.
At once,
the Imperial Court erupted in debate. The civil and military officials cursed furiously, insulting Guanyin Buddha's ancestors for eight generations.
"Your Majesty, it seems Guanyin Buddha failed to properly discipline her followers—or even instructed and indulged Sai Taishui in bullying our Zhu Zi Kingdom. Since the Demon Sect has shown us no mercy or loyalty, we must show them no mercy either."
"I wish to destroy every temple within our borders, topple the golden statues of all the Buddhas, and root out those treacherous monks. I beg Your Majesty to grant my request!"
A general clad in golden armor