"Brother, are we really going to walk all the way to Spirit Mountain? That's too much trouble."
In the vast forest, a monkey, with a blade of grass dangling from its mouth, listlessly led the way.
"Yes, since we've accepted the Jade Emperor's orders, we must do our job properly; that's the rule." Xu Xiao shook his head; he wouldn't try to take shortcuts in this matter.
"Alright, I was thinking we could just build a cloud and send this Yamato to the Western Heaven in one somersault." Wukong sighed with some regret.
The Master Xuanzang was standing nearby, also heard their conversation, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he led his horse forward slowly.
As a holy monk who had already traveled the path to enlightenment, such things were commonplace and something he was used to in his memory.
During the few days he spent with Xu Xiao and the other two, he roughly understood that this was not his original world. The only thing that remained the same was that he still needed to seek the Western scriptures for the sake of all living beings in this world.
Looking at the lively monkeys ahead and the always silent Xu Xiao, Xuanzang often thought of his disciples, whose personalities were even more unpredictable.
'I wonder how Wukong and Bajie are doing?'
"Sigh~"
"Why is the Master sighing? Is there something troubling you?" Xu Xiao was standing nearby, noticed Xuanzang's sigh and immediately asked.
"This humble monk was thinking of my disciples and lost his composure. Please forgive me, celestial official." Xuanzang bowed.
Xu Xiao nodded, then used his Divine Sense to perceive the situation and used his speed-changing power to conceal his identity before speaking to Xuanzang:
"The monk has been with us for three days now. Logically, I should tell you more, but sometimes the more you say, the more mistakes you make, and knowing more only makes things worse."
"This humble monk knows, but I am inevitably troubled by it. I hope the celestial official can explain it to me clearly." Xuanzang nodded, but there was still a searching look in his eyes.
These past few days, Xuanzang would ask Xu Xiao whenever he had a spare moment. Although he wasn't forcing him, the unwavering look in his eyes was still hard to bear.
Sigh, whatever, I'll just tell him something anyway, he'll find out eventually.
Meeting Xuanzang's gaze, Xu Xiao slowly spoke:
"I have a question for the monk first."
"Does the Master believe that this quest for Buddhist scriptures is for the benefit of all people, or for the sake of Buddhism?"
Xuanzang paused for a moment, then clasped his hands together in a Buddhist gesture of respect. "Naturally, it is for the sake of saving all living beings that I seek the true scriptures. The Buddha is compassionate and willing to use the true scriptures to guide people, so that there will be less suffering in the world..."
"Stop, stop, stop. You don't need to tell me. I understand your Buddhist Sect theories better than you do." Xu Xiao interrupted Xuanzang's rambling, placing a hand on his shoulder and staring intently at him.
"You know, there really are immortals and Buddhas in this world. Your ability to seek the true scriptures on behalf of the people is not because of your profound Buddhist teachings. The most important thing is your birth, your background. You are the reincarnation of Jin Chanzi, the Buddha's chief disciple."
Everything about you was predetermined!
"As for your so-called true scriptures, can they really save the world?"
Xuanzang was speechless; he hadn't expected the Heavenly Court official before him to pose such a pointed question.
"I don't think so," Xu Xiao shook his head.
"In this world, there are Buddhas, immortals, and Daoists; there are demons, monsters, and Moryo. Above, there is the Heavenly Court that governs all things in the world; below, there is the Yellow Springs where reincarnation delivers all living beings. If it were truly possible to save the world with just one true scripture, then why don't all these Celestials simply spread this true scripture throughout the world?"
"If your Buddha is truly so compassionate and selfless, why would you need to seek out this sacred scripture?"
"This... the Dharma is not easily transmitted, let alone the true scriptures of the West. I am willing to use my own strength to bear the suffering of all beings seeking the true scriptures." Xuanzang's gaze was firm; this was not a pretense, but a promise from a virtuous and eminent monk.
"Good, very good. To be honest, I admire people like you with such unwavering faith. As for the story of Buddha cutting off his own flesh to feed an eagle, I don't know if Shakyamuni actually did. But you, Xuanzang, did indeed embark on the journey to the Journey to the West to seek the true scriptures for all sentient beings, and I greatly admire that."
Xu Xiao affirmed Xuanzang's spirit, then abruptly changed the subject.
"But have you ever considered that the quest for Western scriptures might just be a scam?"
"This... how could this be? Please, celestial official, do not joke. This is a promise made by the Bodhisattva and the Buddha himself. How could it be false?" Xuanzang argued excitedly.
"Why can't there be fake ones? You've seen those Buddhas and Bodhisattvas with your own eyes, but were they truly compassionate?"
"Have you forgotten? A few days ago, Guanyin unleashed her Three Lights Divine Water, sweeping across the land without regard for the lives of the common people below."
"All living beings in the world worship Buddha. But do Buddha and Bodhisattvas truly treat them as human beings?"
"Human beings suffer greatly, and how many can receive the personal help of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas? Tell me."
"This... all beings suffer, it is their destiny! Even Buddhas and Bodhisattvas with Magic Power cannot save all people, which is why this humble monk seeks the true scriptures. To do my part for this world and reduce its sins is this humble monk's lifelong wish."
Xuanzang was not immediately refuted by Xu Xiao; instead, he firmly countered.
Xu Xiao shook his head, not continuing the topic, and instead turned to say:
"Of course the Dharma Master doesn't believe it. You've been studying Buddhism since childhood, and your own roots are too deeply entangled with the Western Sect. You can't change this view in a short time. I won't force you to do anything. You just need to observe carefully and try to understand it with your heart."
"As for your concerns about the original timeline, I can tell you definitively that your departure will not have any impact. Even without Tang Xuanzang, there will naturally be others to carry on your journey to the West, and your disciples will continue along the established path."
"Having obtained the true scriptures, their merits were perfected. Arhat were made Arhat, others became Buddhas; everything seemed perfect."
Upon hearing this, Xuanzang's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed a little.
Although I am gone, someone will go to retrieve the scriptures for all living beings in my stead, and my disciples will also be able to attain enlightenment. This is undoubtedly good news.
"But do you really think this ending is right? Is it good?" Xu Xiao timely poured cold water on the idea.
"What makes you say such a thing, celestial official?" Xuanzang, who was usually very polite, rarely showed his displeasure.
"Seeking the true scriptures and saving all living beings is a virtuous deed for the world. Wukong and his companions can also atone for their sins and attain enlightenment. Isn't that a good thing?"
"Good thing, hehe." Xu Xiao sneered, then pointed a finger at Xuanzang's brow.
"Make amends for past mistakes? You should see if they're willing to do that first."