I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

"Deposit?"

Yin Daqi sneered, "You old bastard, you really dare to ask for such an exorbitant amount!"
"Alright, here's ten taels of silver, is that enough?"

Jiang Wang shook his head and said slowly, "Ten taels?"
Young master, this is a matter of life and death, ten taels of silver is not enough.

It would cost at least a thousand taels of gold, plus a century-old lingzhi mushroom.

"A thousand taels of gold?!"

Yin Daqi's eyes widened as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world. "Old blind man, are you crazy?"

"A thousand taels of gold could buy half of Chang'an!"

Jiang Wang remained calm and said indifferently, "If you think it's too expensive, you don't have to force yourself."

This humble Taoist priest has set up his stall here, waiting for the right person to take the plunge.

"If you are not destined for this, then please leave."

Yin Daqi was so angry at his nonchalant attitude that he gritted his teeth and said fiercely, "Fine!"

You old fool, just you wait, I'll see what you're capable of!
"Brothers, let's go back and get the money. I refuse to believe we can't cure this old blind man!"

A group of people left, cursing and swearing. Jiang Wang leaned against his bamboo cane, a cold smile playing on his lips: "Yin Daqi, Yin Kaishan's nephew... Good, very good. Getting closer to Yin Wenjiao will make things easier."

He looked up at the tightly closed vermilion gate of the Yin residence, secretly calculating in his heart: "The Star-Shifting and Constellation-Changing Divine Power is now complete. Next, as long as I find an opportunity to get close to Yin Wenjiao and change the destiny of her marriage with Chen Guangrui, this mission will be accomplished."

Yin Daqi, you'd better give me more opportunities..."

As the sun set, the streets of Chang'an gradually quieted down. Jiang Wang remained seated at his stall, gently tapping the ground with his bamboo cane, a hint of anticipation flashing in his eyes.

The streets of Chang'an were bustling with traffic and noise.

Jiang Wang, dressed in a blue Taoist robe, sat upright in front of a dilapidated stall on a street corner. On the stall were a set of bamboo sticks and a few copper coins, with a small flag standing beside it that read, "A single calculation reveals the secrets of heaven, and destiny is understood."

Eight large characters.

His expression was calm, but his gaze was like a deep pool, as if he could see through the fates of passersby.

A few idlers gathered around the stall, whispering about the young Taoist's background.

"Hey, you little Taoist priest, all this charlatanry, how about you tell my fortune?"

A loud, arrogant laugh came from outside the crowd, drawing everyone's attention.

A young man dressed in fine clothes, with a jade pendant hanging from his waist, followed by several servants, arrogantly squeezed his way to the front of the stall.

He was Yin Daqi, the nephew of Prime Minister Yin Kaishan, who had been running rampant in Chang'an City because of his uncle's power.

Jiang Wang looked up, his gaze calmly sweeping over Yin Daqi, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Since this young master has spoken, I will naturally oblige."

"What business does the young master wish to discuss?"

Yin Daqi sneered, crossed his arms, and glanced sideways at Jiang Wang: "Fortune telling?"
Hmph, if you can predict what I'll eat tonight, I'll believe in your charlatan skills!

If you can't figure it out, hehe, I'll have your stall smashed and you kicked out of Chang'an!

Upon hearing this, the onlookers began to whisper among themselves, with some saying, "This young Taoist priest is probably in for trouble. Yin Daqi is not someone to be trifled with."

Some people were curious and stared at Jiang Wang to see how he would respond.

Jiang Wang, however, remained calm and composed. He picked up three copper coins, weighed them in his hand, closed his eyes for a moment, as if he were calculating the secrets of heaven.

After a while, he opened his eyes, his tone calm but with a hint of mockery: "Young Master Yin, I'm afraid you won't be able to eat any delicacies tonight. You'll only have to gnaw on half of last night's spoiled bread and drink a bowl of rice soup mixed with rat droppings."

Upon hearing this, the onlookers burst into laughter. Some clapped and cheered, while others covered their mouths and chuckled, thinking that the Taoist priest was incredibly audacious to dare to make fun of Yin Daqi like this.

Yin Daqi's face turned ashen, and he pointed at Jiang Wang, shouting angrily, "Insolence!"
You charlatan, how dare you curse this young master?

"Guards, smash this place up!"

"Wait!"

Just as the servants behind Yin Daqi were about to make their move, a group of constables rushed over from the street corner. The head constable had a grim face and the iron chains in his hands rattled.

He walked straight to Yin Daqi and said in a deep voice, "Yin Daqi, do you know your crime?"

Yin Daqi was taken aback, then angrily shouted, "How dare you!"
Who do you think you are, daring to be so disrespectful to me?
Do you know that my uncle is Yin Kaishan, the current prime minister?

The constable sneered and tossed out an official document: "Yin Daqi, you harassed the princess of the Tubo Kingdom outside Xuanwu Gate the day before yesterday. Today, the Tubo envoy has filed a complaint with the court!"
That princess came to the Tang Dynasty for a political marriage, to marry the fourth prince as his concubine. Your crime is so serious that even ten lives wouldn't be enough to atone for it!

"Guards, seize him!"

Upon hearing this, Yin Daqi's face turned deathly pale, his legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

Several constables stepped forward, and with a flick of their chains, they locked him up.

The onlookers gasped in surprise, and a murmur of discussion rose up like a tidal wave: "My God, flirting with the Tibetan princess!"

This is a capital offense!

"Tsk tsk, Yin Daqi is probably finished this time. Even the prime minister can't save him!"

As Yin Daqi was dragged away, he struggled to turn back, his gaze fixed on Jiang Wang, and he hissed, "Little Taoist, how... how did you know I would eat spoiled steamed buns and drink rice soup?"

Could it be that you really can tell fortunes?
Quick, help me!
I'll give you a hundred taels of gold, no, a thousand taels!

Jiang Wang merely shook his head slightly and sighed, "Young Master Yin, I'm afraid even the Emperor himself couldn't save you from this crime."

Today you are locked in a cell, eating that half-rotten steamed bun and drinking that rice soup mixed with rat droppings.

Three days later, you will be beheaded at the execution ground, your soul returning to the underworld and being reborn into your uncle's household... Unfortunately, you will be a pig's womb.

"you!"

Yin Daqi's eyes were bloodshot, as if he was about to pounce, but the constable grabbed him hard and dragged him to the street corner.

He struggled and cried out, "Uncle!"
"Uncle, save me!"

But the sound gradually faded away, drowned out by the noise of the crowd.

Jiang Wang withdrew his gaze, lightly dusted off his Taoist robe, seemingly unconcerned about the farce.

The onlookers erupted in excitement, crowding around and exclaiming, "The Taoist priest is a diviner!"

Yin Daqi has really been arrested!

"Master, please tell my fortune too!"

"Master, my wife lost a chicken yesterday. Can you tell me where it is?"

Jiang Wang waved his hand, signaling everyone to be quiet, but his gaze fell on a figure outside the crowd.

He was a young scholar dressed in a coarse cloth robe, carrying a bag, his face covered in dust, as if he had just arrived in Chang'an from another place.

He stood on the periphery of the crowd, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and hesitation.

Jiang Wang pointed at the scholar and said loudly, "This brother is surnamed Chen, named Guangrui, courtesy name Jingzhi. He is from Hongzhou. His elderly mother is still alive, and he has no children. He is here to take the imperial examination. Is that right?"

The scholar was startled upon hearing this, and hurriedly pushed through the crowd, stepped forward, and bowed, saying, "How does the Daoist know my name?"

"Could he truly be a deity descended to earth?" The onlookers, seeing Jiang Wang's words reveal the scholar's origins, gasped in amazement and urged, "Taoist Master, quickly divine this scholar's fate!"

"Yes, do you think he can pass the imperial examination?"

Jiang Wang smiled slightly, invited Chen Guangrui to sit down, took out a bamboo stick, closed his eyes and calculated for a moment, and slowly said: "Brother Chen, your literary talent is outstanding in this imperial examination. You will definitely be able to pass with top honors and become the top scholar of this year's examination."

Chen Guangrui was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly stood up to bow deeply: "Thank you for your guidance, Daoist Master!"
If what the Taoist priest says is true, Guangrui will surely be richly rewarded!

Jiang Wang waved his hand, sighed, and said with a complicated look in his eyes, "Brother Chen, don't be in such a hurry to thank me."

Although I see you passing the imperial examination with flying colors, I also see that your life has been full of hardships.

After you pass the imperial examination with top honors, you will marry a beautiful woman, and the couple will live happily ever after. However, not long after your marriage, you will be sent to take up a local post, but on the way, you will be killed, and your beloved wife will be taken by another man, leading to the destruction of your family.

These words caused an uproar among the surrounding crowd, with some exclaiming, "That's too tragic!"

Some people whispered among themselves: "So what if you're the top scholar?"

If you're unlucky, it's all for nothing.

Chen Guangrui showed no panic on his face. Instead, he bowed even more respectfully and said, "Since you are able to see through the secrets of heaven, could you tell me the details?"

Guangrui wishes to hear the details in order to find a solution.

Looking into Chen Guangrui's sincere eyes, Jiang Wang remained silent for a moment before finally shaking his head: "Brother Chen, fate is predetermined, and I cannot bear to speak of it directly."

If you are truly sincere, go back and take good care of your mother and cherish the people around you; perhaps that can ease your calamity.

As for the rest, alas, this poor monk is powerless to help.

Chen Guangrui wanted to ask more, but Jiang Wang had already stood up, put away the bamboo sticks and copper coins on the stall, and said indifferently, "The divination has been completed for today, please go back."

After saying that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd. His blue Taoist robe gradually disappeared into the sunset, leaving a group of people still discussing it on the street.

Chen Guangrui stood there, silent for a long time, his eyes filled with both longing for fame and fortune and worry about his unknown fate.

He tightened his pack on his back and muttered to himself, "Top scholar... a death sentence... Oh well, whatever fate has in store, I must try!"

He turned around and strode towards the Imperial Examination Hall deep within Chang'an City, his back view appearing particularly resolute in the twilight.

The night was as dark as ink, and the Milky Way shone brightly. In a desolate forest outside Jiangzhou City, Jiang Wang sat cross-legged, with a simple star altar in front of him.

On the altar, starlight swirled like a cascading Milky Way, while a dim natal star in the center moved slowly, its trajectory mysterious, as if defying the will of Heaven.

Chen Guangrui knelt to one side, his face full of piety, but his eyes held a mixture of fear and anticipation.

"Master Jiang, can you truly change my fate?"

Chen Guangrui's voice was low and trembling slightly, "I am just an ordinary mortal, destined to suffer the calamity of the water bandits, the destruction of my family and the death of my people. If it weren't for the immortal's guidance, I would still be in a daze."

"Please, immortal master, save my whole family!"

Jiang Wang opened his eyes, his gaze as bright as stars, deep and calm, but a mocking smile played on his lips: "Chen Guangrui, you're lucky to have met me."

Changing one's fate, though going against the will of Heaven, is nothing more than a matter of lifting a finger for me, Jiang Wang.

"Just watch, I have already moved this natal star for you. Once I push it into the orbit of the Emperor Star, your destiny will be rewritten, and from then on, your career will be smooth, and you will enjoy peace and happiness."

Upon hearing this, Chen Guangrui was so moved that he kowtowed repeatedly, tears welling up in his eyes: "Immortal, your great kindness is beyond my ability to repay!"

When I succeed in the imperial examinations, I will build a shrine in his honor, where I will worship him day and night, with incense burning without ceasing!

Jiang Wang waved his hand lazily and said, "Let's skip the shrine; it's too much trouble."

If you're truly grateful, then get the top score in the exam and make me proud.

With a light tap of his finger, the trajectory of the stars on the altar suddenly changed, emitting an obscure fluctuation that seemed to intertwine with the Heavenly Dao, yet also seemed to be resisting it.

Just then, the sky suddenly darkened, and two magnificent auras descended from the void, carrying boundless pressure, as if they were about to crush this desolate forest.

A golden light flashed, and Kong Xuan, draped in five-colored divine feathers, stared coldly at Jiang Wang with eyes as sharp as cold stars.

Another figure appeared with an air of otherworldly grace, his white beard flowing gracefully. It was none other than the Bodhi Patriarch, who lightly waved his whisk, yet exuded an undeniable majesty.

"Jiang Wang, how dare you!"

Bodhi's voice was like a booming bell, startling the birds in the forest. "You have arbitrarily altered the fate of mortals and defied the laws of Heaven. As a Heavenly Judge, you have knowingly broken the law. Do you know your crime?"

Jiang Wang raised his head, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes. He slowly stood up and patted off non-existent dust from his body: "Old Bodhi, aren't you meddling too much?"

What does Chen Guangrui's fate have to do with your Western religion?

"What's it to you if I change the fate of an ordinary person?"

Kong Xuan snorted coldly, and five-colored divine light flowed behind him, like a peacock spreading its tail, dazzling yet hiding murderous intent: "Jiang Wang, don't be so arrogant!"
There are rules in the way of Heaven, and the fate of mortals is predetermined. You have violated the laws of Heaven by moving the stars without permission.

"Today, Bodhi Patriarch and I are here to capture you and hand you over to the Heavenly Court for punishment!"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang burst into laughter, his laughter tinged with arrogance: "Take me?"
Just you, Kong Xuanhe, this old fellow?
Heavenly Laws?

Haha, I set the Heavenly Laws, and I am the Heavenly Laws!
"Is it any of your business in the West?"

His gaze shifted to Bodhi, and he said in a mocking tone, "Bodhi, isn't your Western Sect supposed to be the most devoted to saving all sentient beings?"

What, I'm saving a mortal, and you're stopping me?

Are you perhaps jealous that I'm better at helping people than you?

Bodhi's expression darkened slightly. He waved his whisk, causing the void to tremble: "Jiang Wang, stop your clever words and flattery!"

The workings of Heaven have their own logic. Your actions, though seemingly to save people, have actually disrupted cause and effect and ruined the grand plan of the Journey to the West!
"Do you know that if Chen Guangrui's fate is altered, the journey to the West will be subject to change? Do you truly intend to become an enemy of the West?"

Jiang Wang shrugged, nonchalantly: "Western religion?"

Hmph, I don't even consider those two old bald monks, Zhunti and Jieyin, a threat.

You talk about the grand plan of Journey to the West, but in my opinion, it's nothing more than your Western Religion trying to gain some merit.

"Bodhi, stop with the nonsense. If you're so capable, let's fight and see who can defeat whom!"

Kong Xuan could no longer contain himself and roared, "Arrogant!"

A sudden burst of five-colored divine light erupted behind him, with five rays of light—gold, cyan, black, red, and white—intertwining to form a towering pillar of light that shot straight toward Jiang Wang.

This Five-Colored Divine Light is Kong Xuan's signature technique, known for its ability to sweep away anything and its immense power, enough to terrify even a Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Chen Guangrui was already paralyzed with fear, trembling on the ground, while Jiang Wang didn't even lift his eyelids, standing there with his hands behind his back and a faint smile on his lips.

The five-colored divine light crashed down, carrying a world-destroying force, but when it touched Jiang Wang's body, it suddenly stopped, as if it had hit an invisible barrier, and crumbled inch by inch, turning into specks of light.

Kong Xuan's pupils contracted, and he exclaimed, "How is this possible?"

"You blocked my Five-Colored Divine Light without using any magical treasures?"

Jiang Wang chuckled lightly, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery: "Kong Xuan, your Five-Colored Divine Light is indeed remarkable, but unfortunately, it's still a bit lacking in its power to slap me."

"I haven't even activated the shimmering array yet. With your meager skills, you think you can make me use my full power?"

Bodhi's gaze sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, "Jiang Wang, your cultivation... has actually broken through from the mid-stage of the Great Luo realm to the late stage?" (End of Chapter)