CHAPTER 793: CHAPTER 721, RENTING COSTUMES

Even though King of Tianzhu dispatched officials to greet him, the Tianzhu Monks still flocked together, refusing to let Tang Sanzang leave gloriously. They rushed to debate Buddhist principles with him, but they were all defeated, and Tang Sanzang’s fame overshadowed Tianzhu, becoming exceptionally prominent for a time.

On the grand avenue outside the capital of Tianzhu, a luxurious hovering horse carriage departed, with Sun Wukong sitting cross-legged on top of it, playing with the Three Realms Mall.

Within the carriage, Tang Sanzang expressed some regret: "I originally thought that the monks of Tianzhu would be well-versed in Mahayana Buddhism, that there would be greatly virtuous monks, but now it seems I am disappointed."

Sun Wukong lifted his head, chuckling: "Little monk, your Old Sun could also render them speechless."

Zhu Bajie chuckled: "Master, if Emperor Tang knew that you have uplifted the prestige of Great Tang in Tianzhu, he would definitely be very pleased."

Tang Sanzang coughed and asked sternly: "Bajie, did you film it?"

"All recorded."

"Send it to me later, I want to show Da Ya and let her see her father’s elegance," Tang Sanzang said proudly.

Meanwhile, a tall tower with Buddha Light blooming from its top, seeing into the clouds, appeared in the distance, with golden bells hanging on its four corners. A gust of wind brought a tinkling, clear sound.

Sun Wukong joyfully exclaimed: "Master, we’ve arrived, we’ve arrived!"

Tang Sanzang lifted the carriage’s curtain, looking at the distant tower, somewhat excited he asked: "Is this the Great Leiyin Temple?"

"No, that ahead is a Taoist Temple. I saw it when I came to Spiritual Mountain, it’s called Yuzhen Temple."

"Ah~ Wukong, you are spouting nonsense again, that is clearly a pagoda, how could it be a Taoist Temple? How could there be a Taoist Temple at the foot of Spiritual Mountain?"

A gleam of coldness flashed in Zhu Bajie’s eyes, then he giggled and said: "Master, that indeed is a Taoist Temple. There’s a rumor from the Three Kingdoms that a Taoist named Yu Zhenzi journeyed west to inquire about the Tao, and he met Universal Virtue Bodhisattva at the foot of Spiritual Mountain. After debating the Tao, he was moved by the wisdom of Universal Virtue Bodhisattva and wished to become her disciple, but she declined saying there was no fate of master and disciple.

Yu Zhenzi, unwilling to accept this, often attended Universal Virtue Bodhisattva’s teachings and finally moved her. She accepted him as a secular disciple.

To express his devotion to Buddhism, Yu Zhenzi took the Buddhist name Golden Peak Immortal and served as a greeter at the foot of Spiritual Mountain," his tone carrying a hint of mockery.

Tang Sanzang joyfully said: "So, have we already reached the foot of Spiritual Mountain? Hurry, let’s pick up the pace."

Inside Great Leiyin Temple, all Buddha Bodhisattvas slightly nodded with smiles; Tang Sanzang’s heart towards Buddhism was indeed very steadfast.

Inside the carriage, Tang Sanzang thought after obtaining the scriptures, he could return to Great Tang, then bring Da Ya by his side, wondering if she would feel estranged from him.

The White Dragon Horse immediately sprinted towards the direction of the pagoda.

As they drew nearer to the pagoda, its majestic presence became more imposing—one hundred feet piercing the sky, bridge touching the clouds. Lowering the head to watch the setting sun, reaching out to pluck the flying stars. The wide-open windows swallowed the universe, lofty buildings touching the cloud screens, the autumn trees grew old with the delivery of yellow crane’s letter, colorful phoenix messages arrived with the evening wind clear.

As evening approached, Tang Sanzang and his entourage finally arrived in front of the pagoda. Three large characters written on the pagoda: Yuzhen Temple.

An old Taoist stood before the pagoda, laughing heartily: "Saint Monk, you have finally come, I was truly deceived by Guanyin Bodhisattva bitterly. Ten years ago she took a gold decree from Buddha, heading to Eastern Land to find the Sutra Taker, saying it would take two to three years to reach my place and instructing me to prepare.

I waited year by year, three more years, yet there was no news, did not expect that only today the Saint Monk arrived."

Zhu Bajie snorted and said: "Great Immortal, do not deceive us. Even if you weren’t waiting for us, you wouldn’t be squatting here guarding the door every day, would you?"

Guarding the door? Do you think I am the Howling Celestial Dog? Golden Peak Immortal’s smile stiffened, but he dared not say more. Previously, being a senior member in the Taoist community, he was most clear about Zhu Bajie’s identity—first disciple of the Human Sect, Daluo Golden Immortal Cultivation; both status and power far exceeded his own, thus he laughed heartily and said: "Marshal is right!"

Extending his hand, he said, "Saint Monk, Marshal, Great Saint, General, please follow me inside to rest."

"Many thanks to the Great Immortal’s hospitality."

They all walked towards the inside.

Golden Peak Immortal led the way while smiling cheerfully and said, "Saint Monk, how do you feel upon arriving in Tianzhu’s Buddhist land?"

"Feeling not so good, though there are many Buddhist followers, the common people’s lives are not happy.

With the limited strength of the people supporting endless monks, I feel as though I can see the pain of the populace."

Tang Sanzang worriedly said, "In Tianzhu, the status of monks is even above that of kings, which is incorrect.

When I went to exchange the passport, I even saw the king kissing the shoes of a monk, which was shocking and the excessive elevation of monks’ status will ultimately bring karmic retribution."

Golden Peak Immortal paused, then laughed heartily and responded, "Saint Monk, you worry too much. All Buddhas are looking down and watching over the followers, the concerns you mentioned will not happen."

"I hope so!" Tang Sanzang sighed. Throughout these years of the Westward Journey, frequently debating with Sun Wukong and keeping up with news of the Three Realms (playing Three Realms Mall), his horizons have broadened. Tang Sanzang is no longer the naive monk who only knew how to read scriptures.

Upon entering the grand hall, he ordered tea and vegetarian meals to be arranged and had young servants prepare an incense bath for the Saint Monk to ascend to the Buddhist land.

After the Master and disciples bathed, evening approached, and they rested at Yuzhen Temple.

At night, in a room, Tang Sanzang and his disciples gathered, leaning over a table.

Tang Sanzang, holding his Three Realms Mall app, worriedly said, "Wukong, now that we are in the Buddhist land, can deliveries still reach us?"

Sun Wukong laughed heartily and said, "Little monk, don’t worry! Heavenly Court’s delivery service, the mission must be achieved, and can be delivered anywhere."

"Then as your teacher, I’m starting to rent. Meeting the Buddha tomorrow, we must not lose our dignity."

"Hehe~ Little monk, I don’t need it, I have my Law Enforcement Heavenly God Set and a set of East Sea Cloaks, very impressive."

Zhu Bajie hastily called out, "Master, Old Pig doesn’t have any good clothes. I want that bright silver platinum suit!"

Sha Wujing laughed naively and said, "Master, I want that Luminous Golden Armor."

"Hisss~ these two pieces are so expensive!" Tang Sanzang felt heartache, his money was meant for his daughter’s upbringing.

Zhu Bajie quickly said, "Master, if we meet the Tathagata in such shabby clothes, he will definitely look down on us, and may even look down on Great Tang, perhaps the scriptures won’t even be passed on."

"Master, second elder brother is right," Sha Wujing nodded repeatedly.

Tang Sanzang clenched his teeth and said, "Alright! I’ll rent these two sets of clothes."

"Thank you, Master!"

Zhu Bajie and Sha Wujing joyfully thanked him.

Sun Wukong curiously asked, "Little monk, what are you renting?"

"I won’t rent a complete set, I assembled a few pieces myself."

Sha Wujing praised, "Master, you really are thrifty."

Tang Sanzang, with a gentle smile, said, "Monks don’t covet enjoyment."

"Little monk, do tell."

"Yes, Master, introduce your clothes as well."

Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and Sha Wujing curiously regarded Tang Sanzang.

"Actually, it’s nothing much, just Sky Wolf Silk Socks, Antarctic Bird Thermal Clothing, True Dragon Dragon Skin Shoes, Jinlan Kasaya, Nine Ringed Staff, and the same model of Sunshine Shining Vihara Hat as Ksitigarbha." Tang Sanzang, with a modest smile, said, "Really, it’s nothing much, just these items."