Not going to fetch the scriptures?
That would not do. If Tang Sanzang did not go, who would complete the Journey to the West Tribulation?
It could be said that the Buddhist Sect could set every other matter aside now. The tribulation, and Tang Sanzang's party, were the utmost priority.
If they just quit now, wouldn't everything be ruined?
"Tang Sanzang, though the journey west may be fraught with hardship and obstacles, you must never give up over a minor setback."
Guanyin Bodhisattva's expression softened. She truly seemed afraid that Tang Yu would throw in the towel.
"Once the Journey to the West is complete, all of you will be meritorious servants of the Buddhist Sect. Attaining Buddhahood will be effortless."
She began appealing to his emotions and reasoning with him.
Though Tang Yu had angered her terribly, no matter how furious she was, she had to endure it.
Because the Buddhist Sect could not do without him now.
Yet when she saw Tang Sanzang's utterly indifferent expression, Guanyin felt the urge to strike and kill him on the spot.
But once he completed the Journey to the West Tribulation, she would see how he could keep acting smug before her.
By then, he would have no more value to exploit, and she could act without restraint.
At that thought, Guanyin Bodhisattva suddenly longed for them to reach Western Heaven as soon as possible.
Tang Yu gave a scornful laugh. "No interest in becoming a Buddha."
Elder Gao and the others immediately sucked in a cold breath.
The Holy Monk from the Great Tang truly was extraordinary. He was not even interested in becoming a Buddha.
Becoming a Buddha was the dream of countless Buddhist cultivators.
Why did people cultivate Buddhism?
Was it not all for the sake of becoming Buddhas?
"Tang Sanzang, the journey west must not be delayed. I have said all that I need to say. Take care of yourself."
After saying that, Guanyin Bodhisattva vanished before everyone's eyes.
She was afraid that if she stayed any longer, she would be unable to stop herself from killing the bastard.
Watching Guanyin leave, Tang Yu smiled disdainfully. He leisurely finished breakfast, took Gao Cuilan by the hand, and returned to the room.
A little exercise after eating was good for the body.
Guanyin Bodhisattva, who had not gone far, nearly turned back and killed him when she saw this.
Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong exchanged a glance. Zhu Bajie chuckled. "Monkey Brother, how does Master dare to talk back even to Guanyin Bodhisattva?"
"Just follow Master properly. Why do you have so much nonsense to say?"
The monkey looked at the midday sun. He felt that in the past, even the noon sun had seemed to carry rosy clouds, but how had they disappeared?
It seemed this scripture seeker was also at odds with the Buddhist Sect.
A barely noticeable smile curled Zhu Bajie's lips.
Zhu Bajie usually looked foolish and dim-witted, but he had once been Marshal Tianpeng, commanding a hundred thousand naval troops of the Heavenly River.
If he truly had been so simple and honest, how could he have become a marshal? How could he have won the trust of his subordinates?
Thus, Zhu Bajie was not stupid. In fact, he knew more than Sun Wukong about certain matters.
Er Daizi had joined them as well.
No matter how immersed Tang Yu was in tender pleasures, he could not remain there forever.
Most importantly, his body had been unable to take it these past two days.
He was feeling drained.
After bidding Elder Gao farewell, he hurriedly set off on his donkey.
Gao Cuilan watched him disappear into the distance, tears in her eyes. Like a wife-watching stone, she stood there blankly.
Seeing Tang Yu finally set off, the entire Buddhist Sect of Western Heaven could not help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Especially Tathagata Buddha. Tang Yu's nightly indulgence in tender pleasures these past few days had made his expression grow even more livid.
The Buddhist Sect's reputation had long since been utterly disgraced.
If Tang Yu had not borne the great duty of fetching the scriptures, he would have wanted to act personally and send him into reincarnation.
"Silver-headed Ketu, go bring Gao Cuilan back later."
Tathagata Buddha gave the order. Tang Sanzang was becoming more and more disobedient; he even dared to defy Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Things were increasingly slipping beyond control.
But no matter what, Tang Sanzang had to be kept in hand and made to complete the Journey to the West.
Bringing Gao Cuilan back was also a contingency plan.
She might prove useful at a crucial moment.
"As you command, Buddha."
Silver-headed Ketu answered and headed down to the mortal realm.
Gao Cuilan watched Tang Yu travel away. She dearly wished to keep him, but she knew that her man had the world in his heart.
Where else could she find such an ambitious man?
So she could not stop him. All she could do was wait here for Tang Yu to return.
With a flash of light, Silver-headed Ketu appeared.
Elder Gao had lived his entire life without ever seeing immortals or gods, yet over the past two days, these so-called immortals had appeared one after another.
"I am Silver-headed Ketu of the Great Thunderclap Monastery in Western Heaven."
After introducing himself, Silver-headed Ketu explained his purpose.
"My Buddha sees that Gao Cuilan possesses spiritual roots, so he has sent me to bring her to Western Heaven for a temporary stay, where she may cultivate the supreme Great Dao of Buddhist teachings."
Silver-headed Ketu's words were clever. He directly stated that Gao Cuilan had an affinity with Buddhism and that he was taking her away to cultivate.
This displayed the Buddhist Sect's compassion and aligned with Buddhist intent, with the original purpose of Buddhism to save all living beings.
After they spread word of it far and wide, others would learn of the Buddhist Sect's compassion as well.
As long as you possessed Buddhist intent and cultivated sincerely and devoutly, they would save you.
Hearing Silver-headed Ketu's words, Tathagata Buddha in distant Western Heaven could not help nodding.
The old fellow was quite good with words. It seemed that, given the chance, he could be groomed and entrusted with important duties.
"This..."
Gao Cuilan had yet to recover her senses.
But in Elder Gao's eyes, this was a good thing, something countless people could only dream of.
"Many thanks, Bodhisattva."
Elder Gao hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
"Gao Cuilan, are you unwilling?"
Seeing that Gao Cuilan remained silent, Silver-headed Ketu barked sharply.
Only then did Gao Cuilan come back to herself.
Little Tang and the others were going to the Great Thunderclap Monastery in Western Heaven to fetch scriptures. If she went there, she could see Little Tang sooner.
With that thought, Gao Cuilan repeatedly agreed. "This disciple, Gao Cuilan, is willing to accompany Bodhisattva."
She then knelt before her parents. "Father, Mother, forgive your unfilial daughter."
After Zhu Bajie abducted her for three years, she had been unable to fulfill her filial duties. This time, she had originally intended to care well for her parents and let them enjoy a peaceful old age.
Yet she had never expected such an opportunity to come her way. Gao Cuilan had considered refusing, but whenever she thought of Little Tang, she no longer had the courage to say no.
"My daughter, go. This is an opportunity. Do not worry about us." Tears streamed down Elder Gao's face.
Such an opportunity was what countless people dreamed of. How could she refuse it?
With a wave of his hand, Silver-headed Ketu took Gao Cuilan away.
This opportunity was likely connected to Tang Yu. Elder Gao even began spreading the news far and wide: the monk from the Tang Dynasty bore a great duty and was heading to Western Heaven to worship Buddha and seek scriptures, and this monk also ate meat and drank wine.
Of course, he spoke most often of his daughter Gao Cuilan—she had an affinity with Buddhism and had been taken away by a Bodhisattva to be saved.
The news that the Tang monk ate meat and drank wine quickly spread to every corner of Gao Village.
In a temple located within Gao Village, an elderly abbot of around eighty, whose eyes had once been clouded, now showed a trace of clarity. Trembling, he gave the order, "Go down the mountain and buy some meat for your master. Starting today, I will eat meat."
Before you continue