Honghuang: Creation of the Green Lotus, the beginning of the Three Pure Ones

At this moment, the image of those carefree and joyful years on Flower Fruit Mountain appeared more clearly in General Curtain's mind.

Drinking wine from large bowls and eating large chunks of meat with Sun Wukong and the others, chatting freely about the world—what a joyful experience! Such friendship could never be bought with a mere Buddhist position.
At this moment, Guanyin Bodhisattva couldn't help but nod inwardly, because if the Curtain-Raising General agreed, then she would have no choice but to give him up.

In short, Guanyin Bodhisattva absolutely forbids any unpredictable factor that could disrupt Chen Xuan's plan. Even if that person is Jin Chanzi, it's unacceptable.

Therefore, Guanyin Bodhisattva had just used her mind-reading technique to know that what the Curtain-Raising General said came from the bottom of his heart and was not just a perfunctory response.

In fact, Guanyin Bodhisattva didn't need to act like that at all. After all, Sha Wujing didn't know Guanyin Bodhisattva's true identity, so there was no need for him to put on airs in front of her.

Therefore, refusing Guanyin Bodhisattva is equivalent to refusing the Buddha. Even if General Curtain-Raising regrets it in the future, there will be no turning back.

He then spoke to Marshal Tianpeng, saying, "Since you have made your decision, today I will bestow upon you the Dharma name Wujing, and you shall become a monk by Tang Sanzang's side."

After saying this, Guanyin Bodhisattva transformed into a stream of light and left the Flowing Sand River to return to her own South Sea.

At the same time, he also posted in the Journey to the West chat group: "General Curtain-Roller has resisted the temptation of Buddhism and now has the Dharma name Sha Wujing, and the nickname Sha the Monk."

As Guanyin Bodhisattva spoke, another person appeared in the Journey to the West chat group. It was none other than the newly named General Rolling Curtain, who had just acquired the name Sha Wujing.

This reassured Guanyin Bodhisattva even more, because only those who are of one mind with the pilgrimage team would be likely to appear in the chat group.

Otherwise, even if Sha Wujing followed Tang Sanzang all the way to the Great Thunder Temple in the Western Paradise, he would never have had the chance to enter the Journey to the West chat group.

After all, it was created by Chen Xuan himself, and even a saint would find it impossible to infiltrate it.

Sha Wujing's sudden appearance in the chat group was somewhat unexpected. However, he quickly learned the truth.

Because the moment he entered the Journey to the West chat group, the question of what a Journey to the West chat group was had already entered his mind.

He immediately spoke up: "Brother Monkey, are you here too?"

Sun Wukong: Roll up the curtain, it's been a long time.

Pigsy: You didn't disappoint me, kid.

Tang Sanzang: Brother Cihang, please tell the Buddhist sect that Sha Wujing has agreed.

Sha Wujing: Master, how could I, Sha Wujing, collude with the Buddhist sect? To betray our sect and our friends for the sake of a Buddha's position.

Cihang Daoren: Jin Chanzi, you really shouldn't have become a monk.

Sun Wukong: When this old monk gets ruthless, even demons can't compare to him.

Pigsy: Old Sandy, Master wants you to pretend to join the Buddhist sect and then spread false information.

Sha Wujing: You scared me! So that's what happened.

Nine-Headed Insect: I really feel sorry for Buddhism. We worked so hard to cultivate you, but in the end, you were all traitors.

As soon as the Nine-Headed Insect finished speaking, he suddenly felt that Tang Sanzang on his back weighed a thousand pounds. The pressure almost made him collapse.

Nine-Headed Insect: Junior Brother Jin Chanzi, I was just saying that, you can't take it seriously.

Nine-Headed Insect had already become a disciple of the Styx Ancestor, but Tang Sanzang had not yet performed the formal apprenticeship ceremony, so naturally he had to address Nine-Headed Insect as Senior Brother. However, this junior brother rode on his senior brother without the slightest embarrassment. He beat him when he needed to, kicked him when he needed to, truly treating him like a horse and a mount.

……

In an instant, the atmosphere in the Journey to the West chat group became incredibly relaxed, allowing Sha Wujing to rediscover the feeling he once had on Flower Fruit Mountain.

He walked directly to the cave entrance, looked at the dark riverbed, and thought to himself, "Brother Monkey, Tianpeng, and that master who has cultivated for ten lifetimes, I, Old Sha, have been waiting for you for a long time."

Meanwhile, Guanyin Bodhisattva had already changed course and gone to the Great Thunder Temple on Mount Ling in the Western Paradise. She informed the Buddha that Sha Wujing was willing to go undercover.

This prompted the Buddha to nod in approval, and the other Buddhas and Bodhisattvas were overjoyed. They finally felt that the Journey to the West could be put back on track.

Little did they know, Guanyin Bodhisattva had already informed the Buddha through a secret method. Sha Wujing was not truly defecting to Buddhism, but rather intending to become a double agent.

The Buddha Tathagata spoke without changing his expression: "The fact that we returned empty-handed from the Fire Cloud Cave last time means that the human race will be watching our journey to the West."

"This humble monk has already reported this matter to Amitabha Buddha and Cundi Buddha Mother. I just don't know if they can persuade the Holy Nuwa."

"Now, the only way to change the human race's view of Buddhism is to rely on Sha Wujing. So please, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, cooperate with Sha Wujing."

Everyone simultaneously bowed to the Buddha, promising to fully cooperate with Sha Wujing and ensure he wouldn't reveal any flaws.

As for the two true leaders of Buddhism, whether they could get Nuwa to give them face was a question even the original Western sect didn't think had a chance.

After all, before the Investiture of the Gods, the saints of Qinglian Island didn't take the Heavenly Dao Saints seriously. In particular, the two Buddhist monks from the West were looked down upon by them.

Now they're trying to get Nuwa to take back the Kunlun Mirror in order to preserve Buddhism's reputation. It's obvious to anyone that Nuwa wouldn't give them any face.

Therefore, this heavy responsibility fell on Sha Wujing's shoulders. How could they not cooperate? After all, they didn't want to become sinners against Buddhism.

……

On a hill a hundred miles away from the Liusha River, Tang Sanzang saw Cihang Daoren's message in the Journey to the West chat group: "It's done!" and a smile involuntarily appeared on his face.

He stood up abruptly and said, "Wukong, what place lies ahead? Will there be demons blocking our path?"

Sun Wukong readily agreed, saying, "I remember, a hundred miles ahead should be the Flowing Sand River. It's known as the Eight Hundred Flowing Sands, with a depth of three thousand Weak Waters. Even a goose feather can't float, and reeds will sink to the bottom."

Tang Sanzang's face instantly showed a look of worry, and he asked, "How should we get through such a dangerous place?"

Gao Cuilan, standing to the side, said with a smile, "If it were anywhere else, I wouldn't have any solutions. But this Flowing Sand River, with its three thousand weak waters, is like a small stream to me."

Everyone was talking at once, putting on an incredibly convincing performance. Although Gao Cuilan was unaware of the inside story, Liu Shahe was indeed like a small stream in her eyes.

So the group chatted as they set off for the Flowing Sand River. In just a few days, the Journey to the West team arrived at the banks of the Flowing Sand River.

Then, following the original plot, Pigsy fought Sandy twice. Sandy then hid at the bottom of the river and wouldn't come out.

Finally, Ruoshui intervened, directly separating the Liusha River. Sun Wukong then brought Sha Wujing before Tang Sanzang, completing the apprenticeship ceremony.

And just like that, the master and his disciples successfully crossed the Flowing Sand River and continued their journey to the West. (End of Chapter)