Honghuang: My understanding is beyond belief. I am the first immortal of Jiejiao.

"Lin Zhu is currently in Jambudvipa (the southern continent of Jambudvipa)."

The Buddha's voice resonated like a great bell.

"Within the territory of the Great Tang Dynasty, one can travel and enjoy the scenery."

In the scene, a man in blue is leaning against the second floor of a tavern in Chang'an, raising his cup to the moon.

His face was ordinary, but his eyes were unusually clear, as if they could see through the three realms.

Just as Guanyin was about to ask for instructions, Tathagata's expression suddenly changed drastically.

The scene shifts from the lotus flower to the shores of the East China Sea, where a goldfish struggles in a fishing net.

"not good!"

The Buddha's image trembled.

"Hurry to Haizhou! Lin Zhu wants to eat that fish!"

Before Guanyin could even ask, Tathagata had already opened a spatial passage with a wave of his sleeve.

"That's the future Inspiration King of the Tongtian River! If he eats it, one of the eighty-one tribulations will be missing!"

As the lotus platform passed through the golden light tunnel, Guanyin was horrified.

How could Lin Zhu know the importance of this ordinary goldfish? Unless he knew the entire Journey to the West script!
The fish market at Haizhou Wharf was bustling.

Guanyin, disguised as an old woman, hurried through the crowd and finally found her target at the Linhai Restaurant.

Lin Zhu was sitting by the window, with a charcoal stove bubbling in front of him, when the waiter came in carrying a plate of lively goldfish.

"Wait a minute!"

Guanyin revealed her true form, and with a sweep of her jade bottle and willow branch, the goldfish were captured inside.

The restaurant erupted in uproar.

Lin Zhu was not surprised and slowly put down her chopsticks.

"Even the Bodhisattva is trying something new?"

"You know perfectly well that this fish is of great importance."

Guanyin lowered her voice.

"Why."

"How do you know it's a monster from the future?"

Lin Zhu chuckled softly, then suddenly leaned closer and whispered.

"I also know the incantation for the golden headband on the monkey's head. Would you like to hear it?"

Guanyin was struck as if by lightning.

This is top secret! The jade bottle in her hand trembled slightly, and the goldfish inside swam restlessly.

Lin Zhu had already turned and gone downstairs, her voice carried on the wind.

"Tell Buddha, the game has only just begun."

At the same time, the Buddha on Mount Ling suddenly opened his eyes.

He tried to divine the secrets of heaven, but found that all the deductions about Lin Zhu were in a state of confusion.

Even more frightening is that the causal relationships at several key points along the journey to the West are becoming distorted.

There's a mole inside.

The golden body of the Buddha was shrouded in black mist.

"Who leaked the secret to Lin Zhu?"

He recalled the bet made five hundred years ago, the eerie smile of the Bodhi Patriarch, and the ever-burning flame in Laozi's alchemy furnace. It seemed that there were many more players making moves in the game of the Three Realms.

In the thirteenth year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers.

In the Taiji Hall, Wei Zheng stepped forward, holding a jade tablet.

"Your Majesty, the world is at peace now, and all nations come to pay tribute. I request that we follow ancient customs and establish a selection process to recruit virtuous and talented individuals, so as to demonstrate the prosperity of our Great Tang Dynasty's cultural achievements."

Emperor Taizong of Tang clapped his hands and laughed.

"Excellent! Immediately issue a proclamation to recruit talented individuals, and issue an edict to all prefectures, states, and counties, instructing all those with talent and learning to come to the capital to take the examination!"

Just as the imperial edict spread throughout the land, in Haizhou City, a scholar in a blue robe was leisurely strolling through the streets, fanning himself with a folding fan.

"Young master, these candied hawthorns from Haizhou are even sweeter than those from Chang'an!"

A young maid with her hair in two buns followed the scholar, carrying two strings of candied hawthorns.

"Xiao Qiong, eat less sweets, or you'll get cavities."

Lin Zhu smiled and shook his head, but his gaze was drawn to the noisy crowd in front of him.

A bright yellow imperial edict was posted at the city gate, and the area around it was crowded with scholars.

Someone read aloud.

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..."

"Young master, won't you go and take a look?"

Xiao Qiong stood on tiptoe to look around.

Lin Zhu gently waved his folding fan.

"No rush. There are still more than 20 years before the Journey to the West begins. Even Jin Chanzi hasn't been reincarnated yet."

Just then, an even louder commotion suddenly arose from ahead.

A crowd gathered in front of a decorated tower, and on the tower stood a woman in a bright red wedding dress, holding an embroidered ball, her face as beautiful as a peach blossom.

"This is."

Lin Zhu squinted.

Xiao Qiong tilted her head.

"Young master, why is that young lady throwing things downstairs? Isn't that throwing objects from a high-rise building?"

Lin Zhu couldn't help but chuckle.

"This is called 'throwing an embroidered ball to choose a husband,' is it?"

Before he could finish speaking, his smile suddenly froze.

The words "Yin Mansion" were clearly written on the plaque above the decorated building!
"Yin Wenjiao? Chen Guangrui?"

Lin Zhu abruptly closed his folding fan.

"Isn't this the scene where Tang Sanzang's parents met?"

He quickly looked around and, sure enough, heard the crowd talking amongst themselves.

"I've heard that she's the daughter of Prime Minister Yin, a woman of both beauty and talent!"

"Whoever catches the embroidered ball is truly blessed with good fortune!"

Suddenly, the sound of gongs and drums came from afar.

A procession slowly approached, led by a young man riding a tall horse, wearing a large red flower on his chest, with a handsome face and an extraordinary demeanor.

"It's the newly appointed top scholar, Chen Guangrui!"

Someone shouted.

"A famous filial son of Jiangzhou, and the top scholar personally selected by the Tang Emperor!"

Lin Zhu's pupils contracted slightly.

"It really is Chen Guangrui."

He thought to himself that, according to the original story, Yin Wenjiao should have thrown the embroidered ball to this top scholar, thus beginning the path to the birth of Tang Sanzang.

But Western religions probably didn't anticipate this unexpected variable.
On the decorated tower, Yin Wenjiao's beautiful eyes darted around, searching for her beloved in the crowd.

She had already set her sights on the dashing top scholar, but just as she raised her hand, she caught a glimpse of a scholar in a blue robe standing on the outskirts of the crowd, holding a fan.

That one glance was like a thunderbolt splitting the chaos.

"Such a person exists in the world."

Yin Wenjiao's heart pounded wildly.

Although the scholar was simply dressed, he possessed an otherworldly air about him, with handsome features and an elegant demeanor in every gesture.

In comparison, the top scholar seems rather vulgar.

"Miss, the time has come!"

The maid urged.

Yin Wenjiao bit her lip, then suddenly turned around and threw the embroidered ball towards the scholar with all her might!

"what?"

Just as Lin Zhu was about to leave this place of trouble, he suddenly saw a red shadow break through the air.

He instinctively reached out and caught it.
There was silence.

Everyone turned to look at the scholar who had appeared out of nowhere.

Lin Zhu stared blankly at the embroidered ball in her hand, which still carried a faint scent of perfume.

"This"

He looked up at the decorated building and met Yin Wenjiao's affectionate gaze.

Xiao Qiong tugged at his sleeve.

"Young master, you caught the ball."

Lin Zhu's lips twitched.

"I saw it."

The scene was very embarrassing.

The newly crowned champion, Chen Guangrui, reined in his horse and stopped, his expression shifting between anger and uncertainty.

The steward of the Yin family rushed over and looked Lin Zhu up and down.

"Young master, please come with me into the manor for a chat."

Lin Zhu was inwardly groaning.

He certainly knew what accepting the embroidered ball meant, and he also knew the karmic connection between this marriage and the Journey to the West.

Jin Chanzi reincarnated nine times, dying in the Flowing Sand River in each of his previous nine lives, all to accumulate enough merit for ten lifetimes so that Tang Sanzang could obtain the true scriptures.

The area in front of the Prime Minister's residence was bustling with noise.

"I heard that Miss Yin threw her embroidered ball today to choose a husband. I wonder which talented gentleman will be fortunate enough to receive such a gift!"

"Needless to say? It's none other than the newly appointed top scholar, Chen Guangrui! I heard that the Prime Minister has long had his eye on him."

"Shh, keep your voice down, Scholar Chen is over there!" The crowd parted to make way, and Chen Guangrui, dressed in a brocade robe, walked slowly with a smile on his face.

He was handsome with delicate features, and his every move exuded the refined elegance of a scholar.

People around him bowed to him, their eyes filled with envy.

Chen Guangrui nodded slightly, but his gaze remained fixed on the embroidered pavilion on the high platform.

Today, he is determined to win.

"Humph, pretending."

In the crowd, a girl with her hair in two buns pouted.

"Xiao Qiong hates hypocritical people the most."

A man in white stood beside her and chuckled softly upon hearing this.

"He's the newly appointed top scholar, after all. What if he hears you say that?"

"So what if I heard it!"

Xiao Qiong said, hands on her hips.

"Brother Lin Zhu is a hundred times more handsome than him!"

Lin Zhu shook his head helplessly and reached out to rub Xiao Qiong's head.

He was just passing by today, but Xiao Qiong dragged him here to watch the excitement.

He stood at the edge of the crowd, dressed in white, his face so handsome it seemed otherworldly, attracting many girls to secretly admire him.

"Look! Miss Yin is out!"

With a gasp, everyone's attention was drawn to the embroidered tower.

A young woman dressed in a bright red wedding gown walked out slowly. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains and her eyes were like autumn water. She was none other than Yin Wenjiao, the daughter of the Prime Minister.

Yin Wenjiao held an embroidered ball in her hand, her gaze sweeping across the crowd.

According to the rules, she only needs to toss the embroidered ball randomly, and whoever catches it will be her husband.

Her father had already hinted to her that Chen Guangrui, the newly appointed top scholar, was the right match for her.

"Miss, Scholar Chen is over there."

The maid beside him whispered a reminder.

Yin Wenjiao nodded, but her gaze was involuntarily drawn to a white figure.

He was a man standing on the edge of the crowd. He didn't try to stand out, but he was as conspicuous as a crane among chickens.

"Who is that?"

she asked softly.

"His name seems to be Lin Zhu. He's quite famous in the capital recently. It's said that even the Fairy of Rainbow Robes has taken a liking to him."

The maidservant gossiped.

Yin Wenjiao's heart skipped a beat.

She had never seen such a handsome man before; his features were exquisite, and his demeanor was otherworldly, as if he were untouched by worldly affairs.

In comparison, Chen Guangrui suddenly seemed mediocre and uninteresting.

"Miss, it's time to toss the embroidered ball."

The maid urged.

Yin Wenjiao suddenly made a decision that surprised everyone. She aimed at Lin Zhu and threw the embroidered ball out with all her might!

"what!"

A gasp erupted from the crowd.

The hydrangea drew a graceful arc in the air, heading straight for the bamboo grove.

Chen Guangrui, who had already opened his arms to catch the ball, suddenly changed his expression upon seeing this.

"careful!"

Xiao Qiong shouted.

Lin Zhu instinctively reached out and caught the embroidered ball, which landed steadily in his arms.

The entire room fell silent instantly, and everyone stared in disbelief at the scene.

Throwing objects from high-rise buildings shows a lack of public morality!

Xiao Qiong was the first to react, pointing at Yin Wenjiao and shouting angrily.

"What if it hits someone and injures them?"

Yin Wenjiao stood on the embroidered tower, her cheeks flushed, but her eyes shone with determination.

She knew what her throw meant, but she didn't regret it.

Lin Zhu looked down at the embroidered ball in her arms and fell into deep thought.

He was originally a celestial being from the Heavenly Court, who descended to the mortal realm by chance to travel, but unexpectedly got caught up in this kind of plot.

Yin Wenjiao. Isn't this Tang Seng's mother? He was startled, realizing that he seemed to have triggered some terrible cause and effect.

"This is against the rules!"

Chen Guangrui finally came to his senses and rushed to Lin Zhu with a livid face.

"The embroidered ball should be tossed again!"

The surrounding crowd then realized what was happening and began to murmur amongst themselves.

"My God, Lin Zhu actually caught the embroidered ball!"

"Scholar Chen was furious."

"Miss Yin, did you do this on purpose?"

"Young Master Lin Zhu is so handsome! If I were Miss Yin, I would choose him too!"

Several girls looked at Lin Zhu's stunning beauty and couldn't help but cover their cheeks, their eyes filled with heartbreak.

"Why should we throw it again?"

Xiao Qiong stood in front of Lin Zhu and made a face at Chen Guangrui.

"The rule for choosing a husband through a bridal bouquet is that whoever catches it wins; if you can't catch it, it's because you're not capable!"

Chen Guangrui was so angry that he was trembling all over.

"You guys"

"Scholar Chen, mind your manners."

An old man offered advice.

"Such a loss of composure in public is damaging to your reputation."

"Exactly, how can someone with such a narrow mind be worthy of Miss Yin?"

Others chimed in.

Chen Guangrui looked around and found that most people were looking at him with strange eyes, which made him even angrier.

He turned to Lin Zhu, gritting his teeth as he spoke.

“Young Master Lin, you already have Fairy Ni Chang by your side, why bother to cause trouble? Why not return the embroidered ball and let everyone end this gracefully?”

Lin Zhu then came to her senses.

Indeed, he already had several confidantes in Heaven, and this trip down to the mortal realm was merely for travel; he did not wish to be entangled in too much karma.

Moreover, Yin Wenjiao's identity is special, and getting involved with her would likely attract the attention of the Heavenly Court.

"Brother Chen is right."

Lin Zhu smiled slightly and raised the embroidered ball.

"This embroidered ball"

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly heard a gasp.

"Miss, no!"

Looking up, I saw that Yin Wenjiao had already climbed onto the railing of the embroidered tower, her eyes filled with tears, as if she was about to jump down!
"Miss Yin!"

Everyone exclaimed.

Yin Wenjiao felt as if her heart was being torn apart as she watched Lin Zhu raise the embroidered ball. From the moment the ball fell into his arms, her heart no longer belonged to her.

She knew she was unworthy of such a divine figure, but she would rather die than marry Chen Guangrui.

"Since Young Master Lin is unwilling to marry me, what's the point of Wen Jiao living?"

She smiled sadly, closed her eyes, and leaped into the air!
"not good!"

Lin Zhu's expression changed drastically. In a flash, everyone saw him appear in mid-air and catch the falling Yin Wenjiao.

The two landed slowly, and Yin Wenjiao kept her eyes tightly closed, thinking that she was already dead.

She only opened her eyes, trembling, when she felt a warm embrace.

What came into view was Lin Zhu's handsome face, which was right in front of me.

Those picturesque eyebrows, that straight nose, and those thin lips with a helpless expression... Yin Wenjiao felt her breath catch in her throat, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it was about to burst out of her chest.

"Young Master Linlin."

She called out softly, then fainted from excessive excitement.

Lin Zhu held the unconscious Yin Wenjiao and sighed helplessly.

This is a huge problem. He didn't want to get involved in this mess, but now...
"Miss Yin!"

Chen Guangrui rushed forward and reached out to grab the person.

"Give her to me!"

Lin Zhu stepped aside and gave Chen Guangrui a cold look.

“Scholar Chen, Miss Yin needs to rest now. Please have some self-respect.”

The oppressive aura contained in that single glance caused Chen Guangrui to involuntarily take two steps back, his face turning pale.

He then realized that the seemingly frail man in front of him was probably no ordinary person.

"Brother Lin Zhu."

Xiao Qiong tugged at Lin Zhu's sleeve worriedly.

"fine."

Lin Zhu shook his head and carried Yin Wenjiao towards the Prime Minister's residence. (End of Chapter)