Go Get Your Master Some Meat

"Not going to get the scriptures?"

"That won't do. If Tang Sanzang doesn't go, who will complete the Journey to the West Tribulation?"

"You could say that the Buddhist Sect can put everything else aside right now, except for the Tribulation. Tang Sanzang and his group are the top priority."

"If they just throw in the towel and quit, wouldn't that be the end of it all?"

"Tang Sanzang, this journey to the West will be difficult and fraught with peril. You absolutely must not give up because of minor setbacks."

Guanyin Bodhisattva's expression softened, as if she truly feared Tang Yu would abandon the mission.

"Once the Journey to the West is complete, you will all be meritorious officials of the Buddhist Sect, and achieving Buddhahood will be as easy as lifting a hand."

She began to appeal to his emotions and reason.

Although she was furious with Tang Yu, no matter how angry she became, she had to endure it.

Because the Buddhist Sect could not afford to be without him right now.

Seeing Tang Sanzang's indifferent demeanor, Guanyin felt an urge to strike him down and kill him on the spot.

However, once he completed the Journey to the West Tribulation, she'd see how he dared to act so smugly.

At that point, he would have no further use, and she could act with impunity.

Thinking of this, Guanyin Bodhisattva suddenly longed for them to reach the Western Heaven quickly.

Upon hearing this, Tang Yu sneered, "Becoming a Buddha? I'm not interested."

Elder Gao and the others gasped in unison.

The holy monk from the Great Tang was truly extraordinary, having no interest in becoming a Buddha.

Becoming a Buddha was something countless cultivators dreamed of.

What was the purpose of cultivating the Buddhist path?

Wasn't it to become a Buddha?

"Tang Sanzang, the journey to the West cannot be delayed. I have said all I can say. You must take care of yourself."

Guanyin Bodhisattva disappeared before their eyes.

She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she wouldn't be able to resist killing him.

Watching Guanyin leave, Tang Yu gave a disdainful smile, slowly finished his breakfast, and led Gao Cuilan back into the room.

A little exercise after a meal was good for the body.

Guanyin Bodhisattva, who hadn't gone far, nearly rushed back upon seeing this.

Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong exchanged glances. Zhu Bajie chuckled and said, "Monkey Brother, how can Master dare to talk back to Guanyin Bodhisattva?"

"Just follow Master properly. What's with all the nonsense?"

Monkey looked at the midday sun. He felt that the most beautiful times, when even the midday sun seemed to cast a golden glow, were now gone.

It seemed this scripture pilgrim was also at odds with the Buddhist Sect.

A faint, imperceptible smile touched Zhu Bajie's lips.

Although Zhu Bajie appeared dull on the surface, he was once Marshal Tianpeng, leading the Heavenly River's hundred thousand strong navy.

If he had truly been that simple and honest, how could he have become a marshal? How could his subordinates have trusted him?

Therefore, Zhu Bajie was not foolish; in fact, he knew more about some matters than Sun Wukong.

This pair of simpletons had also been dealt with.

No matter how much Tang Yu indulged in the pleasures of the flesh, he couldn't stay like this forever.

Most importantly, his body had been struggling the past couple of days.

He felt weak.

After bidding farewell to Elder Gao, he hurriedly set off on his donkey.

Gao Cuilan watched him leave, her eyes filled with tears. She stood there blankly, like a stone statue waiting for her husband.

Seeing Tang Yu finally on his way, the entire Buddhist Sect of the Western Heaven breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Especially Tathagata Buddha. Tang Yu's nightly indulgence in the pleasures of the flesh had made his expression even more ashen over the past few days.

The Buddhist Sect's reputation had been thoroughly disgraced.

If Tang Yu hadn't been tasked with the mission of fetching the scriptures, he would have personally sent him to reincarnation.

"Silver-headed Ketu, you will bring Gao Cuilan back later."

Tathagata Buddha gave the order. This Tang Sanzang was becoming more and more disobedient, even daring to contradict Guanyin Bodhisattva.

Things were increasingly spiraling out of control.

However, no matter what, they had to keep Tang Sanzang under control and ensure he completed the journey to the West.

Bringing Gao Cuilan back was also a contingency plan.

She might be useful at a critical moment.

"As you command, Buddha."

The Silver-headed Ketu responded and headed towards the lower realm.

Gao Cuilan watched Tang Yu leave. She desperately wanted to keep Tang Yu there, but she knew her man's heart was set on the world.

Where else could she find a man with such ambition?

So, she couldn't stop him. All she could do was wait here for Tang Yu to return.

With a flash of light, the Silver-headed Ketu appeared.

Elder Gao had lived his entire life without ever seeing any immortals or deities. Yet, in the past couple of days, these so-called divine beings had been appearing one after another.

"I am the Silver-headed Ketu from the Great Thunderclap Monastery in the Western Heaven."

After introducing himself, the Silver-headed Ketu explained his purpose.

"Our Buddha sees that Gao Cuilan has a root of wisdom and has specially sent me to bring her to the Western Heaven to reside temporarily and cultivate the supreme Buddhist Dharma."

The Silver-headed Ketu's words were very clever, directly stating that Gao Cuilan had a karmic connection to Buddhism and that he was there to take her for cultivation.

This showcased the compassion of the Buddhist Sect and was in line with the Buddha's intention to save all living beings.

Through their widespread propaganda, others would also learn of the Buddhist Sect's compassion.

As long as you have a heart for Buddhism and cultivate diligently and piously, we will save you.

Upon hearing the Silver-headed Ketu's words, Tathagata Buddha, far away in the Western Heaven, couldn't help but nod.

This old fellow certainly knew how to speak. It seemed there might be an opportunity to nurture and promote him in the future.

"This..."

Gao Cuilan hadn't quite registered what was happening.

However, from Elder Gao's perspective, this was a wonderful thing, something countless people dreamed of.

"Thank you, Bodhisattva."

Elder Gao quickly expressed his gratitude.

"Gao Cuilan, are you unwilling?"

Seeing that Gao Cuilan remained silent, the Silver-headed Ketu let out a low reprimand.

It was then that Gao Cuilan snapped back to reality.

Tang Yu and the others were going to the Great Thunderclap Monastery in the Western Heaven to retrieve scriptures. If she went, she could see Tang Yu sooner.

With this thought, Gao Cuilan readily agreed, "Disciple Gao Cuilan is willing to go with the Bodhisattva."

She then turned and bowed to her parents, "Father, Mother, please forgive your unfilial daughter."

After being abducted by Zhu Bajie for three years, she hadn't been able to fulfill her filial duties. She had originally planned to properly care for her parents and ensure they had a peaceful old age.

However, she hadn't expected to encounter such an opportunity. Gao Cuilan had considered refusing, but the thought of Tang Yu made her lose the courage to do so.

"Daughter, go. This is an opportunity, don't worry about us." Elder Gao's eyes welled up with tears.

Such an opportunity was something many people yearned for; how could she refuse?

The Silver-headed Ketu waved his hand and took Gao Cuilan away.

Elder Gao even began to widely publicize this fortunate turn of events, suggesting it was all because of Tang Yu. He spoke of the monk from the Great Tang who carried a heavy responsibility to seek scriptures in the Western Heaven, and even mentioned that this monk ate meat and drank alcohol.

Of course, what he publicized the most was the matter of his daughter, Gao Cuilan, having a karmic connection to Buddhism and being taken away by a Bodhisattva for salvation.

The news of the Great Tang monk eating meat and drinking alcohol quickly spread throughout every corner of Gao Family Village.

In a temple located in Gao Family Village, an abbot in his eighties, whose previously cloudy eyes now held a trace of clarity, tremblingly gave an instruction: "Go down the mountain and buy some meat for your master. Starting today, I will be eating meat."