CHAPTER 792: CHAPTER 720, TANG SANZANG ARRIVES IN TIANZHU

On the other hand, Tang Sanzang and his disciples leisurely arrived at the borders of Tianzhu. Ever since they captured all the Demon Kings coming from the Northern Continent at Jilei Mountain, the subsequent journey could be described as relaxed and enjoyable. The Evil Spirits they encountered were either Buddha’s Children or the mounts of Bodhisattvas. They even encountered a monkey identical to Sun Wukong, who was then imprisoned by Sun Wukong in the Judicial Temple.

During the journey, Tang Sanzang also relied on his talisman Magic Treasure to demonstrate his divine might by subduing numerous little monsters, which he then bundled up and sold to the Three Realms Mall.

Everywhere Tang Sanzang went, he first sold products from the Three Realms Mall and then sold the mall itself. He plundered the treasures of a nation, inciting the King to collect the country’s Merit, all of which Tang Sanzang profited from, essentially becoming a middleman peddler.

...

Inside the Great Leiyin Temple of the Spiritual Mountain, the grand voice of The Buddha echoed: "Guanyin Bodhisattva, which realm has the Sutra Taker reached?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva smiled and replied: "I report to The Buddha, the Sutra Taker has already reached the foot of the Spiritual Mountain, the realm of Tianzhu Country."

The Buddha slightly nodded his head, expressing his difficulty. Finally, they had arrived.

...

Inside the Tianzhu Palace, the Tianzhu King was seated on the throne with several monks sitting below, and singing and dancing continued nonstop.

The aged voice of the Tianzhu King resonated: "Master Mahe Puti, the Eastern Land Scripture Acquisition Mission has already arrived. As a matter of etiquette, this humble King should send officials to welcome them. Does the esteemed monk wish to join the officials?"

An old monk on the left smiled and shook his head, saying: "Your Majesty, why lower yourself? It is they who beseech us for the scriptures."

The Tianzhu King hesitated, then said: "Master, they are emissaries from the Eastern Land after all."

A young monk boasted: "Your Majesty, we must suppress them a bit, so they understand their place. Coming here for the scriptures, they should have the attitude of seekers. Now, we are above, and they below."

Master Mahe Puti smiled and said: "The True Scriptures must not be transmitted lightly!"

The old King slightly nodded and said: "Then, we shall follow the Master’s wishes."

...

As Tang Sanzang and his disciples approached Tianzhu, they saw Qi Flowers, Yao Grass, Ancient Cypress, and Ancient Pines. Everywhere they went, households practiced goodness, and monks were offered alms. At the foot of every mountain, there were people cultivating, and in the woods, travelers were reading scriptures.

A beautiful horse carriage journeyed down the main road, a white horse pulling the floating carriage as it advanced, with Tang Sanzang inside, looking out of the window he lifted.

Tang Sanzang, frowning, asked: "Wukong, how many monks have we come across on our way?"

Sun Wukong shook his head and said: "Don’t know, don’t know~ Your disciple is getting a headache just seeing bald heads, I never kept count of the monks."

Sha Wujing laughed heartily: "Master, roadside, streets, in front of houses, everywhere there are monks. How could one keep count? Truly, Tianzhu is a land of Buddhism, it really is thriving!"

Tang Sanzang muttered softly: "Too many, there are!"

"What, little monk, what did you say?"

Tang Sanzang said with concern: "I said there are too many monks. Monks do not engage in production; with so many monks being supported entirely by the common people, it must be extremely difficult!

Just now, on the way here, I noticed that it’s largely women who labor in the fields, and also women cleaning the streets, ah~ A proud nation’s men all supported by women, this is definitely not right."

"Little monk, aren’t you Buddhist Disciples all wanting to see Buddhism flourish like this? Heh heh~ now why do you feel it’s not right?"

"Venerating Buddha is about sincere devotion, why the need for thousands of men to join the Buddha Sect?"

"Heh heh~ This time your disciple Sun Wukong agrees with you."

Sun Wukong’s eyes swiveled, and with a sly chuckle, he said: "Little monk, we’ve arrived at Tianzhu, yet Tianzhu Country has not sent envoys to greet us, such poor manners."

"Wukong, we as monastics, do not care for these empty courtesies."

"Little Monk, you’re not thinking correctly. You represent the Tang King on this quest for scriptures, which already bestows great honor upon them. But after arriving in Tianzhu, if Tianzhu responds indifferently, where does that leave the dignity of the Eastern Tang?!"

"Hey~ I’ve always felt something was off too. It turns out Tianzhu simply doesn’t take us seriously at all!" Zhu Bajie exclaimed.

Sha Wujing also shouted, "Master, Big Brother and Second Brother are right!"

"Stop the carriage!"

Tang Sanzang, sitting inside the horse carriage, looked serious. Wukong and the others were right. I am not just myself right now, I am representing the Great Tang. How can we tolerate such disrespect?!

"Whoa~" Zhu Bajie pulled the reins.

Tang Sanzang lifted the curtain, and said solemnly, "Wukong, go and find out which temple is the most famous in this city."

"Got it~" Sun Wukong immediately soared off on a cloud.

Moments later, Sun Wukong landed on top of the carriage and called out, "Little Monk, the most famous and largest temple in this city is the Maitreya Temple, where Maitreya Buddha is worshipped."

"Wukong, let’s go pay our respects at the temple!"

In the following days, wherever Tang Sanzang went, he made sure to visit the local temples for worship. After the ceremonies, he would debate with the monks inside. His reputation quickly spread far and wide.

Inside one temple, Master Mahe Puti was reading scriptures, his face ruddy and expression serene.

A little monk ran over in panic, yelling, "It’s terrible, Master, terrible!"

Master Mahe Puti opened his eyes, displeased, and said, "A monk should face blades and axes without changing color. Why such panic?"

The little monk entered the great hall, stood before Master Mahe Puti, breathing hard.

"What is the matter?"

Gasping, the little monk shouted, "Master, that envoy from the Eastern Land... he’s been debating Buddhism in every temple he visits. Hongfa Zen Master, Jiu Jie Zen Master, and Master Fazheng have all been defeated.

And he’s wealthy, paving his path with gold, lecturing on dharma so grandly that our country’s people are all discussing that Sutra Seeker."

"What?" Master Mahe Puti exclaimed, quickly asking, "Who has defeated him?"

The little monk hesitated before saying, "No one, all the Zen Masters who debated on Buddhism have been defeated. It has caused a sensation in Tianzhu already, and many Great Zen Masters are now enraged and converging on Tang Sanzang to debate him. This includes Master Yideng and Master Huarong."

Master Mahe Puti relaxed again, smiling, "Hongfa, Jiu Jie, Fazheng, they are not considered Great Zen Masters. Since Master Yideng and Master Huarong have left their temples, that Eastern Land Scripture Seeker is destined to fall, there is no need to worry."

The next day, the little monk ran into the great hall, yelling in panic, "Master, it’s terrible, terrible!"

Master Mahe Puti felt a bad feeling rising in his heart, and quickly asked, "What’s happened?"

"Master, Master Yideng and Master Huarong have both been defeated in their debates and conceded willingly."

Master Mahe Puti abruptly stood up, his face alternating between pallor and flush, looking very unsightly.

"Master, what do we do now?"

Master Mahe Puti quickly said, "You must go to the palace immediately and ask the King to send officials to welcome the Eastern Envoy. Stop them from engaging in any more debates."

"Yes!" The little monk hurriedly ran out, staggering.

Master Mahe Puti stood in the great hall, talking to himself, "How could this be? Wasn’t it said that Buddhist Scriptures are rare in the Eastern Land, and Buddhism is not flourishing there, which is why they came to obtain the scriptures? Why is this Sutra Seeker’s understanding of Buddhist principles so strong? If you are so powerful already, what need is there to seek scriptures anymore!"