Journey to the West: Begins with Tiger Vanguard

Chapter 118 May Buddha bless you!

It was just past noon when Qi Hu left the imperial study.

When he arrived at the carriage parking place and asked the disciple who was driving the carriage, he learned that Tang Sanzang and his disciples had returned to the temple early without waiting for him.

Got on the spacious and exquisite carriage.

Listen to the rhythmic squeaking sound of the wheels.

Qi Hu then began to review everything that happened in the court today.

What the king said and did today gave him a big surprise.

It was Qi Hu who told Sun Wukong who came to ask for help to hold a method to pray for the souls of the people who were implicated and died by that group of monks in order to eliminate the resentment of the king and the people.

But he really didn't expect that the king would directly give Tang Sanzang this trick, asking him to save the souls of all those implicated in the entire country, and also to save the souls of all the people in all parts of the Chechi Kingdom.

The most important thing is to only provide a small amount of the most basic official funds needed for food, accommodation and lodging, and everything else must be raised by the team themselves.

This one move alone allowed Qi Hu to cancel all other measures against the pilgrim team.

That's enough!

Tang Sanzang has also agreed.

Never mind whether the next step is to fund it yourself or Sun Wukong finds a way to get the funds from somewhere else so that a large-scale Dharma Assembly can be held.

The time required to travel across the entire Chechi Kingdom would be at least half a year or a year.

It takes such a long time to complete the difficulty of Chechi Kingdom, not counting the difficulties and illness at the beginning. Therefore, this difficulty, although not the first among the 81 difficulties in the journey to the West, is definitely one of the most difficult.

Moreover, the King of Chechi Kingdom and the pilgrim team represented by Tang Sanzang have already verbally agreed, so the deal is already settled.

If there is no special accident, such as the king suddenly died. No, even if the king died, it would not work. Disliking Buddhist monks is the consensus of all the people in Chechi Kingdom. Only if Tang Sanzang died suddenly, the journey to the west would be cancelled.
No, no, from what Qi Hu knows, the journey to the west to obtain Buddhist scriptures seems to involve something like the spread of the Buddhist tradition to the east, which is the end of Tang Sanzang. It is estimated that there will be another one to replace him.
Of course, the above are just assumptions.

In short, unless there is some irresistible change and both parties agree, it is basically impossible to change it.

It is decided that the pilgrim team will travel all over Chechi Country to hold a national memorial service!
For Qi Hu, the mission he received from Zhang Tianshi to stop the pilgrim team has been completed by more than half. The remaining half is to wait for Tang Sanzang to return from the salvation ceremony and leave Chechi Kingdom, and then it will be completed.

I don’t know when that will happen.

What reward will Zhang Tianshi give me?

As Qi Hu was thinking about it, he couldn't help but think of the scene after completing this task.

But he quickly reacted: "Wait, the Heavenly Master rewarded me with the "Jiuhua Gold Seal" for my skills before, this should just be a deposit for doing the job, right?"

"After all, I completed this mission so well."

"As a Heavenly Master, you shouldn't be stingy with a little demon like me."

"I don't know what the Heavenly Master will reward me with."

"If the Heavenly Master lets me choose, what would I choose?"

"A treasure? Or a magical skill? Or a heavenly organization?"

"."

My mind was full of thoughts and imagination.

But then.

Qi Hu shook his head and forced down the chaotic thoughts in his mind.

In fact, he also knew that this was because he was under too much pressure, so when he was close to success, he could not help but fantasize about good results in the future in order to relax himself.

After all, when anyone is receiving and befriending Tang Sanzang and Sun Wukong, he must also be thinking about planning and dealing with the other party, the team that is seeking the scriptures, and especially he must not let the other party find out!
The most important thing is that the difference in cultivation strength between the two sides is too great.

No matter who takes over, it will probably be the same.

After all, Sun Wukong is not only extremely powerful, but also extremely intelligent, which puts too much pressure on Qi Hu.

After all, the so-called Sun Wukong can speak reason.
It’s okay to say that Sun Wukong, who has been suppressed for five hundred years, has a very clear Buddhist nature and will not kill people indiscriminately.

But no one dared to gamble with his life. After all, Sun Wukong was a monster, a big monster by nature. He dared to cause trouble in the Heavenly Palace five hundred years ago. How could he become a good boy after being suppressed for five hundred years?

Qi Hu didn't dare to gamble.

In fact, he has been worried day and night for the past ten days. What if Sun Wukong finds out that he was the one who was behind the conspiracy against his master and the team?

He was afraid that the furious Sun Wukong would directly take out his Ruyi Jingu Bang and hit him.

At that time, if Zhang Tianshi wanted to see him again, he would have to go to the underworld.
How could Qi Hu not be cautious, worried, and stressed?
"call"

He let out a long breath.

Qi Hu then recalled that the king had invited him to the imperial study not long ago.

In the imperial study.

The king asked Qi Hu in a roundabout way about what he had done before.

After receiving Qi Hu's indirect praise, the king couldn't help but ask Qi Hu tentatively about increasing and prolonging life.

Qi Hu certainly knew what the other party meant by that.

He was also satisfied with the Kings' assist this time, and also hinted subtly that there would be benefits for the other party later.

As to why not now.

Of course, that means the team hasn't started yet.

This difficulty has not yet been overcome!

Only after it's over will it be time for each other to reap the fruits of victory.

At the same time, Qi Hu was also worried that now that he had given the king some elixirs, the changes in him after taking the elixirs would attract the attention of Sun Wukong.

Although the possibility is small, he has to be on guard.

It's because Sun Wukong is too powerful and too smart.

He could only be as careful as possible.

When Qi Hu returned to the backyard of Jinshan Temple in a carriage.

The pilgrim team had just finished their lunch.

Walking into the large guest room, Qi Hu looked at Tang Sanzang who was coming to greet him and couldn't help but bow and sigh, "Elder, your righteousness is great. I admire you."

He had been complaining for a long time before. Just before he took a few breaths, he was still complaining about the group of people who had caused trouble for the monks of Chechi Kingdom many years ago. They were not worthy of being sons of men and were not worthy of entering Buddhism. Tang Sanzang, who had been dragged down by them, smiled immediately when he heard Qi Hu's compliment. He said frankly, "Amitabha, since it was caused by my disciples of Buddhism, it should be solved by my disciples of Buddhism. Taoist priest, don't mind it."

"I feel that I came too late, and as a result, the people of Chechi have a deep misunderstanding of my Buddhist sect. This is truly a sin."

Hearing Tang Sanzang's words.

Qi Hu smiled and said: "No matter what, the elder's actions this time are all righteous and kind, and I really admire you."

He was telling the truth.

No matter what Tang Sanzang did behind the scenes, he was willing to travel throughout the entire Chechi Kingdom to hold religious assemblies to pray for the souls of all the people who had died and for the souls who were still alive. This behavior is beyond reproach.

Because Qi Hu knew how hard it was, he had done it before.

Moreover, Tang Sanzang, the reincarnation of the Buddha's second disciple Jin Chanzi, a high monk who came to pray for the souls of the dead, was not a mere showpiece like what Qi Hu had seen in his previous life, just to save the scene.

Tang Sanzang's salvation and blessings can actually affect the people themselves.

With the help of a great monk of this level, the souls of the people suffering in the eighteen levels of hell in the underworld, those with light sentences, may be exempted from hell's punishment on the spot and go directly to queue up for reincarnation. Even the souls with longer sentences will definitely have their sentences greatly reduced.

The people who are prayed for will probably have much better luck. For example, those who are sick will get better from serious illnesses, and those who are minor illnesses will be cured directly. For example, those who are doing business will turn losses into profits and their business will get better. Those who are in danger of childbirth will be safe. Those who are traveling far away will not encounter dangers such as bandits or monsters, and so on.
[In the original novel, after the mountain guardian Liu Bochin rescued Tang Sanzang, he brought him home. It happened that the next day was the anniversary of Liu Bochin's father's death. Liu Bochin's mother asked Tang Sanzang to help him to transcend. As a result, that night, Liu Bochin's father appeared in his family's dream, saying that after the monks' help, his sins had been eliminated, and the King of Hell sent someone to reincarnate in a rich family in the world.]

In short, a Dharma Assembly held by a high monk like Tang Sanzang would definitely benefit the people of Chechi. "Wait until the elder has finished his tour of Chechi and returns."

Qi Hu continued, "At that time, I think the people of the entire capital will be very grateful to the elder, and they will definitely not discriminate against Buddhist monks in the future. The elder deserves this praise for changing the faith of a country with his own efforts!"

"Use your own strength to change the faith of a country."

Taoist Qi's words touched Tang Sanzang's heart. He could no longer pretend to be modest or postpone his words, because he could not suppress his smile and said, "Amitabha, I hope so."

At this time.

The disciples in the temple collected the empty bowls and plates in the guest room and brought tea.

Qi Hu took the teapot directly, asked Tang Sanzang to sit at the table beside him, poured five more cups of tea, handed one cup to Tang Sanzang, and then looked at the three demons sitting on the chairs on the bed and said, "Young elders, please have some tea too."

Sun Wukong, who was closest to him, stood up immediately, walked to the table, raised a glass and said, "Thank you, Taoist Priest."

"Old Pig, let me try it too"

Seeing his senior brother bringing tea, Zhu Bajie did not lag behind. He immediately came forward, picked up a cup, drank while walking, and only remembered to say to Qi Hu when he sat down on the bed: "Thank you, Taoist priest."

It is quite funny when Sha Seng, who is tall and has huge hands, holds a small cup of tea and sips it.

After half a cup of tea.

Tang Sanzang, who had been chatting for a while, put down the teacup in his hand, looked at Qi Hu and said, "Master, to be honest, I have an unwelcome request."

"Oh"

Seeing Tang Sanzang's face clearly showing confusion and embarrassment, Qi Hu said with a smile: "If Elder has anything to say, just say it."

Hearing Qi Hu's words.

Tang Sanzang's face became even more conflicted, thinking that since he came to Chechi Kingdom more than ten days ago, he had encountered the cold eyes and bad words of the people in this country. It was Taoist Qi who helped him and his disciples.

Later, he helped him meet the king several times, which gave them hope of completing the affairs of Chechi Kingdom. Now the king will not give them extra money and wants them to find a way to hold a ceremony on their own. How can he do it?

He never even took care of vegetarian meals, relying on his disciples to take care of it, not to mention money and other things.

Before, his eldest disciple Sun Wukong helped others, and they wanted to thank him with money, but he only accepted dry food and nothing else.

How could he have money?

Now the king has put forward the conditions. As long as they are fulfilled, we will be able to pass through the Chechi Kingdom smoothly and eliminate the ill will towards Buddhism in this country. This will be a great merit.

But the key point is that he has no money, and neither do his disciples. What else can he do? He can't just beg for alms.

But I have only heard of people begging for alms and vegetarian meals, but never for money. This is definitely not acceptable.

After thinking it over again and again, it was his second disciple Wuneng who gave him a solution: to borrow from Taoist Priest Qi. Taoist Priest Qi has a large family and a great fortune, and he is also the national teacher, so he must have money.

He thought about it carefully and it was true. To travel throughout the entire Chechi Kingdom, how many rituals would be needed to hold and how much money would be needed. Now only Taoist Qi could help him.

However, thinking that Taoist Qi had always been helping him, he now had to borrow such a large sum of money from him.

It was really difficult for Tang Sanzang to speak.

At the side, I looked at my master whose face turned red from holding back his words, but who still didn't say a word.

"Let Old Sun speak."

Sun Wukong couldn't bear it any longer, so he walked forward, picked up the teapot on the table, poured a cup for his master Tang Sanzang, then poured a cup for Qi Hu, and finally filled his own cup. Then he looked at Qi Hu and said, "To be honest, Taoist priest, the king has given Master Sun and me a difficult problem. Although holding a ceremony for the people of Chechi is complicated, it is not difficult for us. However, he doesn't give money, which is a bit troublesome."

"I have no choice but to borrow it from the Taoist priest. What do you think?"

Hear what Sun Wukong said.

Qi Hu immediately thought to himself, as expected.

He was just wondering what could have made Tang Sanzang so frustrated. After thinking about it carefully, he realized that the other party must have something to ask of him, which must be related to the next thing to do.

Just when I thought about money, Sun Wukong pointed it out directly.

And in this matter.

Rather than saying that it was an order given to them by the king, it would be more accurate to say that he was indirectly setting a trap and posing a difficult problem for the team.

This time the disaster is big enough.

Since Qi Hu wanted to make good friends with the team, he naturally had to make amends at this time, which was also what he had thought of before.

Before in the imperial hall, he had actually seen through Sun Wukong's thoughts.

He estimated that the other party would come to him tonight to discuss this matter.

I just didn’t expect that the pilgrims team would bring it up now, and it was Tang Sanzang who brought it up.

then.

Qi Hu looked at Tang Sanzang and said with a smile: "I thought it was something that could make the elder so embarrassed, but it turned out to be just this, a trivial matter."

"The elder is going to do such a righteous and benevolent thing this time. Although I am alone and weak, I would like to do my part."

"Even if the elders don't mention this matter, I will still contribute my part."

"I will make a big promise. During the time that the elder and the three younger elders are holding a Dharma Assembly in Chechi Country, I will take care of their food, lodging and transportation. The elder only needs to focus on presiding over the Dharma Assembly."

The voice just fell.

Then Zhu Bajie beside him couldn't help laughing and said, "That's good now."

Qi Hu smiled and glanced at Zhu Bajie, not caring at all. He continued to look at Sun Wukong and Tang Sanzang and said, "What do you think of my arrangement, elder?"

At this time, Tang Sanzang suddenly stood up, bowed to him, and said sincerely: "Amitabha, thank you for your help, Taoist priest, you are full of compassion. The Buddha sits high on Lingshan Mountain and sees through everything in the world. He will definitely bless you."

"Don't!"

Hearing Tang Sanzang's voice of thanks, Qi Hu was suddenly shocked.

After this incident, he might be able to get in touch with Zhang Tianshi and the Heavenly Palace!
He didn't want to become a monk, and he didn't want to be noticed by Lingshan Tathagata Buddha now.

So he immediately said: "Elder, you are being too formal. We are all outsiders. Moreover, I have a connection with you and several younger elders. If you continue to be so formal, I will be unhappy."

After much persuasion, both the host and the guests were happy.

At least Tang Sanzang didn't have to say the words of Buddha's blessing for the second time.

Farewell to the quest team.

When you walk out of the guest room courtyard.

Qi Hu couldn't help but pat his chest.

Tang Sanzang's words "May Buddha bless him" really scared him.

Tang Sanzang is a person of low status. If he asks Buddha to bless him, maybe Buddha will pay attention to this little tiger demon.

He has never been very interested in Western Buddhist concepts, and he doesn't want to be noticed by Lingshan.

He just wanted to get in touch with the Taoist priest and earn some money.

"call"

He let out a breath.

After recovering from his shock, Qi Hu immediately walked towards the quiet room in the highest corner tower of the backyard.

That night.

Midnight.

Qi Hu, who was meditating, suddenly woke up from his practice. When he opened his eyes, he saw a figure standing in front of the window. He was tall, had a single horn on his forehead, and had a majestic and ugly face. Who else could it be but the Green Bull Demon Unicorn from Jindou Mountain?
(End of this chapter)