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

Tang Sanzang and his disciples had been asleep for three days without waking up. Zhen Yuanzi finally couldn't hold back any longer and personally took action to investigate Mingyue's memories.

He used his supernatural powers to enter Mingyue's sea of ​​consciousness, only to discover a strange aura lurking within.

The aura did not belong to Mingyue, but rather was possessed by some external force that silently controlled Mingyue's behavior, replacing the sleeping powder with the Thousand-Day Sleeping Powder.

Zhen Yuanzi withdrew from his sea of ​​consciousness, his face grim, and said in a low voice, "Mingyue is innocent; there is someone else behind the scenes."

His gaze swept towards Guanyin, his tone tinged with a hint of probing: "Bodhisattva, tell me, has Jiang Wang truly been annihilated?"

Upon hearing this, Guanyin's expression stiffened, and a barely perceptible hint of fear flashed in her eyes.

She recalled Jiang Wang's various deeds. That man was cunning and resourceful, how could he have fallen so easily? Her heart tightened, and a sense of foreboding arose, as if that cold figure had never gone far away, but was hiding in the shadows, watching every step of the Journey to the West.

Seeing her silence, Zhen Yuanzi smiled gently, his expression meaningful: "If Jiang Wang had not died, the journey to the West would likely have been fraught with new challenges."

Jiang Wang stood in the wilderness outside Chang'an City, the autumn wind blowing, his clothes fluttering.

He looked up at the sky, his gaze deep and penetrating, as if it could pierce through the clouds and reach the highest heavens.

He was under the watchful eye of Heaven's will every step he took, but he was not afraid.

His 99% control over the laws of space has made him invincible.

He muttered to himself, "The journey to the West is not over yet, so why should I rush to attain enlightenment? It is not impossible to ascend to sainthood after this game is over."

His figure gradually blurred, merging into the void and disappearing into the autumn wind, leaving only a yellow leaf that slowly drifted to the ground.

Inside the magnificent hall of Lingshan, golden light flowed and Buddhist chants lingered, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere that enveloped every inch of space.

Guanyin Bodhisattva sat serenely on a lotus throne, her brows furrowed with worry, her gaze occasionally sweeping towards the holy man Zhunti, who sat high on the throne in the hall.

Inside the hall, the fragrance of sandalwood wafted, the smoke trailing faint mandala patterns in the air, reflecting on Zhunti's serene and tranquil face.

Guanyin clasped her hands together and spoke in a low voice, clear yet tinged with a hint of probing: "Holy One, this humble monk has been uneasy lately, feeling that there is something amiss with the Journey to the West."

Tang Sanzang and his disciples were in a deep sleep at Wuzhuang Temple. Although Zhen Yuanzi did not say it explicitly, his attitude was ambiguous, suggesting that there was something hidden.

This humble monk even suspects that Jiang Wang may not have truly perished, or perhaps... there is a mastermind behind everything manipulating things.

Upon hearing this, Zhunti narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as a still pool, as if he could see through all illusions.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the throne, producing a crisp "tap-tap" sound.

The sound, slow in rhythm, carried an invisible pressure.

The Buddha's light inside the hall seemed to tremble slightly at the sound, and Guanyin held her breath, waiting for the saint's response.

Zhunti remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, his voice low yet carrying an undeniable authority: "Jiang Wang has been poisoned by the Weak Water Poison, his body and soul have been eroded, there is no way he can survive."

"Guanyin, it's perfectly normal for you to have doubts, but the so-called 'mastermind' is nothing more than Zhen Yuanzi using this opportunity to stir up trouble."

Guanyin was taken aback, looked up at Zhunti, and a hint of doubt flashed in her eyes: "What do you mean by this, Sage?"

Zhunti raised the corners of his lips slightly, revealing a meaningful smile. He stopped tapping and slowly said, "Zhen Yuanzi harbored resentment because Sun Wukong destroyed most of the ginseng fruit, but he dared not directly attack Wukong."

Knowing that the Journey to the West was a grand plan for Buddhism, he secretly delayed it with the "Thousand-Day Sleeping Powder," hoping to create a rift between Buddhism and the Heavenly Court.

As for your speculation that the mastermind behind the scenes gifted Jiang Wang the Chaos Bell, that is pure nonsense.

Tell me, which mastermind would so casually bestow a supreme innate treasure upon their subordinate? Guanyin, you've been outmaneuvered by that old fox, Zhen Yuanzi.

Upon hearing this, Guanyin's expression changed slightly, and she quickly recalled the various details of the Wuzhuang Temple in her mind.

Zhen Yuanzi's lukewarm attitude, the hesitant expressions of the two boys, Qingfeng and Mingyue, and the strange phenomenon of Tang Sanzang and his disciples remaining unconscious for so long all point to some kind of secret scheme.

She was startled and suddenly realized what was going on. She quickly bowed and said, "Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. I was almost deceived by Zhen Yuanzi! In that case, I will go to Wuzhuang Temple and bring the Awakening Pill made by the Medicine Buddha to personally feed the Tang Monk and his disciples the medicine, so as to prevent Zhen Yuanzi from doing anything else."

Zhunti nodded slightly, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes: "That's very good."

The Awakening Pill was painstakingly crafted by the Medicine Master Buddha, and its effects are extraordinary. You must proceed with extreme caution when you go there personally.

Guanyin accepted the order, rose and transformed into a golden light, instantly leaving Mount Ling and heading straight for Wuzhuang Temple.

The main hall of Lingshan returned to silence, but Zhunti's gaze gradually deepened, as if he were pondering some deeper secret.

His fingers tapped the armrest again, the rhythm slow and heavy, as if questioning the workings of the universe.

Inside Wuzhuang Temple, a mystical aura lingers, and towering ancient trees sway gently in the breeze. A few ginseng fruits remaining on the branches emit a faint golden light, making the entire Taoist temple resemble a fairyland.

As Guanyin stepped into the temple, her gaze swept over the empty courtyard, yet a strange unease rose in her heart.

The two boys, Qingfeng and Mingyue, stepped forward, their faces showing some restraint. They bowed and said, "We are sorry for not welcoming you properly, Bodhisattva, with your presence in person. Please forgive us."

Guanyin waved her hand, but her gaze fell on the room where Tang Sanzang and his disciples were sleeping not far away.

She took out the Awakening Pill refined by the Medicine Master Wang Fo. The pill was turquoise in color and emitted a faint medicinal fragrance that invigorated anyone who smelled it.

With a solemn expression, she personally went into the room and fed the pills to Tang Sanzang and his disciples one by one.

Sun Wukong's monkey hair trembled slightly in his sleep, as if he was about to wake up, but he quickly returned to calm.

Guanyin frowned and observed carefully, but found that the medicine was slow to take effect, which made her even more uneasy.

Several days later, the effects of the Awakening Pill remained unchanged.

Guanyin sought medicine everywhere, visiting famous mountains and rivers, and even consulting Laozi and the Antarctic Immortal, but no one could cure the "Thousand-Day Sleep Powder".

The poison.

Helpless, she returned to Mount Ling and reported the matter to Zhunti.

Upon hearing this, Zhunti's expression darkened slightly, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes: "Zhen Yuanzi is indeed a man of deep cunning."

Since that's the case, and the Ullambana Festival is approaching, please invite him to the Lingshan Gathering on my behalf. I want to ask him personally what his true intentions are!

Inside the Wuzhuang Temple, Zhen Yuanzi sat upright on a futon, gently swaying his whisk, but his expression showed a hint of impatience.

Guanyin's actions a few days ago had made him quite unhappy.

Feeding him medicine personally? This is clearly a sign of their wariness and distrust of Wuzhuang Temple! He muttered to himself, "The Buddhist sect is truly domineering; they don't even put me, the ancestor of earth immortals, in their eyes."

He waved his hand to summon the gentle breeze and bright moon, and said in a deep voice, "Since Tang Sanzang and his disciples have occupied my Wuzhuang Temple's territory, once they wake up, please ask them to leave immediately and not cause any more trouble."

The gentle breeze and the bright moon exchanged a glance, hesitated to speak, and finally bowed their heads in agreement.

Zhen Yuanzi closed his eyes to rest, but a faint unease lingered in his heart.

The Buddhist sect's schemes were far more profound than he had imagined. The Ullambana Festival arrived as scheduled, and Mount Ling was decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, bathed in Buddhist light and surrounded by auspicious clouds.

Zhen Yuanzi arrived as invited, dressed in a blue Taoist robe, with a whisk lightly draped over his arm, his steps calm yet carrying a hint of coldness.

He had come to discuss compensation for the ginseng fruit, but he did not expect to be met with Zhunti's scrutinizing gaze as soon as he entered the main hall.

Zhunti sat upright on his throne, with a halo of Buddha light behind him, but his voice carried a hint of coldness: "Zhen Yuanzi, you hold a grudge over the ginseng fruit incident and have used the Thousand-Day Sleeping Powder to delay the journey to the West. What is your intention?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yuanzi's expression changed drastically. He swung his whisk sharply and angrily said, "Saint Zhunti, what do you mean by this? When did I ever use medicine to delay the journey to the West? Although the ginseng fruit was destroyed, I had already put this matter aside because of the grand plan of the journey to the West. How could I be so petty!"

Zhunti sneered, his gaze sharp as a knife: "If that's the case, do you dare to swear to the Heavenly Dao that Wuzhuang Temple has nothing to do with the drugging?"

Zhen Yuanzi, enraged, laughed coldly, flicked his whisk, and declared loudly, "Fine! I swear to Heaven today that if Wuzhuang Temple has even the slightest connection with the Thousand-Day Sleeping Powder, I am willing to accept the Heavenly Thunder Punishment!"

After speaking, he raised his hand and pointed to the sky. A golden light flew out from his fingertip and shot straight into the clouds.

The aura of Heaven descended, seemingly to confirm his vow, yet there was no unusual movement whatsoever.

Upon seeing this, Zhunti's expression changed slightly, and he thought to himself, "Could it be that I have truly misunderstood him?"

He considered Zhen Yuanzi's identity as the ancestor of earth immortals and his influence in the Three Realms. If he were to antagonize Buddhism over this matter, it would likely be a bad thing.

Zhunti softened his tone and bowed, saying, "I have misunderstood you, fellow Daoist. Please forgive me."

Zhen Yuanzi snorted coldly, his heart filled with resentment.

He stood up with a flick of his sleeve, tossed his whisk, and left Mount Ling without looking back.

A gentle breeze blew by, lifting the hem of his Taoist robe, as if to express his resentment and anger.

Inside the main hall of Mount Ling, Zhunti watched Zhen Yuanzi leave, his gaze gradually deepening.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest, lost in thought.

Zhen Yuanzi swore an oath to Heaven, but Heaven did not respond, clearly indicating that this matter had nothing to do with him.

That "Thousand-Day Sleeping Powder"

Who is behind this? And who is controlling Mingyue's possession? The image of Jiang Wang flashed through Zhunti's mind. Has that young man who once stirred up the winds and clouds of the Three Realms truly perished? The disappearance of Patriarch Bodhi, the strange movements of the Yellow Wind Ridge Mountain God, the repeated obstacles to the Journey to the West... all of this seems to be driven by an invisible hand in the dark.

A shadow fell over Zhunti's heart, and he murmured, "Jiang Wang, are you dead or alive?"

Meanwhile, outside Chang'an City, in a secluded valley, spiritual energy rose and swirled like mist.

Jiang Wang sat cross-legged in the center of the valley, his hands forming a hand seal, and a miniature world slowly took shape in front of him.

Within this small world, mountains, rivers, plants, insects, and fish are all lifelike, their spiritual energy so rich that they almost materialize.

The shimmering array he set up continuously channeled the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into the small world, making it an excellent place for cultivation.

Jiang Wang opened his eyes, a hint of satisfaction in his gaze, and murmured, "This place is so well hidden that even a saint might not be able to detect it at close range. Chang'e, you can now focus on your cultivation."

Chang'e stood to the side, her moon-white dress swaying gently in the wind, a faint smile in her eyes: "Jiang Lang, you have worked so hard to build this little world, it must have been very tiring."

Jiang Wang waved his hand, stood up, stretched, and laughed, "It's not that I'm tired, but I'm really exhausted from setting up the formation for days."

Let's go out for a walk and clear our heads, let's put our business aside for now."

The two left the valley and arrived at a bustling restaurant in Chang'an City.

The restaurant was bustling with noise and clinking glasses. Jiang Wang and Chang'e found a seat by the window, ordered some food and drinks, and quietly listened to the discussions around them.

Several young people at the next table were having a lively discussion, focusing on the achievements of the Tang Dynasty's Western Expeditionary Army and Li Shimin.

Jiang Wang heard this and smiled, but did not interrupt.

Suddenly, a young man dressed in white slammed his hand on the table and stood up. His voice was clear and resentful: "You all only know Li Shimin's achievements, but you have forgotten Jiang Wang! If it weren't for his efforts to turn the tide back then, how could the Tang Dynasty have such a prosperous era today?"

After the young man finished speaking, he picked up his brush, dipped it in ink, and with a flourish, a poem titled "Xianke Xing" appeared on the paper. The poem fully described Jiang Wang's achievements, and the brushstrokes were vigorous and spirited.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang's eyes lit up, and he turned to look at the young man.

He had clear and bright features, and his refined demeanor was tinged with a touch of boldness; it was none other than Li Bai.

Jiang Wang's heart stirred slightly, and he thought to himself, "This Li Bai is indeed extraordinary."

He stood up, approached, cupped his hands, and said with a smile, "Your poem is excellent! I am Jiang Wang, thank you for the poem."

Li Bai was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter, cupping his hands in return: "So it's you, Immortal Jiang! A pleasure to meet you!"

The restaurant erupted in commotion as everyone turned to look. Jiang Wang, however, merely smiled slightly, shared a drink with Li Bai, and a profound light flashed in his eyes.

As night deepened in Chang'an, Jiang Wang's thoughts grew increasingly distant, as if he were plotting something even grander.

Jiang Wang sat in a private room on the second floor of the restaurant. The hustle and bustle of Chang'an Street outside the window surged in like a tide, mixed with the shouts of vendors, the rumble of carriages and horses, and the faint sound of string and wind instruments in the distance.

He held a celadon wine cup lightly in his hand, the wine inside clear and cool, reflecting in his deep, unfathomable eyes.

Inside the private room, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. Several exquisite dishes were laid out on the wooden table, including emerald green bamboo shoots, dark brown braised pork, and a plate of brightly colored candied fruit, all exuding a faint sweet aroma.

Jiang Wang's gaze did not linger on these objects, but instead passed through the carved wooden window and fell upon the white-clad man on the high platform below—Li Bai.

Li Bai held a folding fan, its surface unfurled, revealing the ink flowing freely, which read: "I leave my country with my sword, bidding farewell to my family for a distant journey."

Eight large characters.

He recited poetry aloud, his voice clear and resonant like metal and stone, carrying a soaring spirit: "Have you not seen the Yellow River's waters come from the sky, rushing to the sea never to return! Have you not seen the bright mirror in the high hall reflecting white hair, black as silk in the morning, turning to snow by evening! When life is good, enjoy it to the fullest, lest the golden goblet stand empty before the moon!"

The poem resounded like thunder, and the scholars, literati, and even peddlers gathered below held their breath, their eyes filled with amazement.

The restaurant erupted in applause, with someone shouting, "The Li Bai scholar, a poetic immortal!"
Someone slammed their fist on the table and stood up, so excited that they forgot to put down their wine glass.

Jiang Wang raised the corners of his lips slightly, revealing a meaningful smile.

Chang'e beside him wore a moon-white long dress with wide sleeves hanging down, and her eyes and brows carried a hint of aloofness.

She took a small sip of tea, but her gaze remained fixed on Li Bai, as if scrutinizing him or sighing with emotion.

She whispered, "This person has amazing poetic talent and a chivalrous spirit; he's quite interesting."

only……"

She paused, then turned to look at Jiang Wang, "Compared to your feat of entering the Heavenly Court alone and slaying immortals with your sword, this poem is nothing more than empty talk on paper."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang gently shook his head, his gaze remaining fixed on Li Bai. (End of Chapter)