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

Now, Tang Sanzang left Jisaguo and rode on his escape light. In no time, he arrived at the Tang Dynasty territory in Jambudvipa.

But Chang'an City remained prosperous and bustling, with crowds thronging the city. A golden dragon, symbolizing good fortune, coiled above the imperial city, displaying a different kind of prosperity compared to Xiniu Hezhou.

Tang Sanzang descended from the clouds and entered the imperial city directly. The guards recognized him as the Holy Monk, the Emperor's younger brother, and dared not stop him, but hurriedly reported his arrival.

Before long, a palace attendant hurried over and led Tang Sanzang into the palace to meet the emperor.

Emperor Taizong of Tang was reviewing memorials in his study when he heard that Tang Sanzang had suddenly returned. He was surprised and immediately summoned him for an audience.

Tang Sanzang appeared travel-worn, yet his eyes were clear and bright, and a faint Buddhist light emanated from his body, giving him an even more transcendent air than before.

"Why did you suddenly turn back, Imperial Brother? Could something have happened on your journey to the west?" Li Shimin put down his vermilion brush and asked with concern.

Tang Sanzang clasped his hands in prayer and then recounted in detail the theft of Buddhist treasures in Jisai Kingdom and the unjust treatment of the monks of Jinguang Temple.

Finally, he added, "I have learned that this matter seems to be related to my elder brother and sister-in-law, so I have come to inquire."

In fact, Li Shimin understood everything the moment he heard the name Princess Wansheng. After all, the current Li Shimin had already regained his memories of his past life.

Every time I recall my wedding day, I still feel a lump in my throat. I've been waiting for this opportunity to finally resolve all the karmic entanglements.

Therefore, although Li Shimin was furious, he was also very excited. He immediately ordered someone to invite Empress Zhangsun Wugou.

Before long, Empress Zhangsun arrived gracefully. Upon seeing Tang Sanzang in the hall, she showed a slight look of surprise, bowed, and stood quietly to one side.

Li Shimin said gently, "Guanyinbi, my brother just mentioned the theft of the Buddhist treasures from Jisaguo, saying it was related to Princess Wansheng of Bibotan."

Empress Zhangsun's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and she sighed softly, saying, "It seems that it's time to settle the score for what happened back then."

Tang Sanzang already knew the whole story from the Nine-Headed Insect. Therefore, he was not surprised at all by Tang Sanzang and Changsun Wugou's reaction.

He spoke directly, saying, "Then I wonder how Your Majesty and Your Majesty intend to resolve this matter? Will you personally lead troops to raze Bibo Pool to the ground, or will this humble monk bring Princess Wansheng to Chang'an?"

Li Shimin said, "Originally, I was destined to be the chosen one of the Great Tribulation of the Journey to the West. I would become the white dragon horse of my imperial brother, carrying him to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and obtain scriptures."

"It was my grandfather who couldn't bear to see me being schemed against by the Buddhist sect, so he had the Taoist disciples on Qinglian Island defy fate for me and complete the harmonious union of dragon and phoenix with Guanyinbi's previous incarnation, Zhu Ling'er."

"That's how we came to have Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty and Empress Zhangsun Wugou. And my Uncle-Master Nine-Headed Insect took my place as the White Dragon Horse."

“At that time, I wanted to grind Princess Wansheng to dust, but my Uncle-Master Styx said that our karma had not yet come to an end, so he spared her life.”

"It seems that it is time to settle this karmic debt, so I will personally settle this debt. At the same time, I will also incorporate the Kingdom of Jisa into the territory of my Great Tang."

As he spoke, Li Shimin glanced at Empress Zhangsun. This glance, however, caused him to sigh repeatedly in resignation.

Because at this moment, Empress Zhangsun was no longer wearing the elegant and luxurious phoenix robe, but rather a set of Vermilion Bird armor.

"Guanyinbi, you are now the Empress of the Tang Dynasty, not Zhu Ling'er of the Phoenix Clan. Can't you be a little more composed?"

Empress Zhangsun glared at Li Shimin and said, "I have been too composed for too long. It is time to show my true nature."

"Second Brother, you should quickly summon the three dukes and have them lead troops to attack the Kingdom of Jisa. Then, while you're at it, flatten Bibo Pool and skin Princess Wansheng, who harmed you, alive." Li Shimin nodded helplessly, and then ordered someone to summon Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, and Yuchi Gong, the three dukes of the Tang Dynasty.

Seeing this, Tang Sanzang naturally understood how Li Shimin intended to resolve the matter. He then spoke to Li Shimin.

“Since Your Majesty has made your decision, I will return to Jisa Kingdom first. Tomorrow morning, I will go to see the King to exchange the travel documents and give Your Majesty an excuse to send troops.”

Li Shimin naturally understood the meaning behind Tang Sanzang's words, and immediately nodded and said, "Your Majesty, go ahead. Tomorrow morning, I will lead troops to cheer you on."

Tang Sanzang bowed to Li Shimin in Buddhist salutation, then rode a cloud away from Chang'an City, heading towards the Jin Guang Temple in Jisaguo.

At the same time, the Buddha also received a report from the Dharma protectors.

This news threw the entire Great Thunderclap Temple into chaos. After all, if Tang Sanzang really quit, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Manjushri Bodhisattva directly said, "My Buddha, it seems that we can only send Guanyin to Chang'an to bring Tang Sanzang back."

In fact, everyone knows that when Buddhist disciples go to Chang'an now, they are not worshipped by thousands of people, but are instead subjected to scorn and disdain.

That's why Manjushri Bodhisattva sent Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva instead of volunteering to personally go to Chang'an to bring Tang Sanzang back.

However, Guanyin Bodhisattva directly said, "There is no need for such trouble. I do know a little about the cause of this matter."

Then, Guanyin Bodhisattva briefly recounted the story of Princess Wansheng and the White Dragon.

This matter was originally a Buddhist scheme, and how could the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas not know about it? Now it's just that Guanyin Bodhisattva has brought it up again.

So everyone quickly remembered this matter, and their hearts, which had been hanging in suspense, were put back at ease. In an instant, the tension and worry they had felt vanished.

Just then, Guanyin Bodhisattva poured cold water on all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas.

Guanyin Bodhisattva said, "That is precisely why the Kingdom of Jisa is probably not as peaceful as the Kingdom of Women in Xiliang."

"Although it won't involve a saint, the human race will definitely get involved. Even the dragon races of the four seas won't stand idly by."

"And the consort that Princess Wansheng has chosen is no ordinary person. He is Jiu Hui, the son of the Crimson Spirit God, one of the Turtle and Snake Generals under the True Martial Emperor of the Heavenly Court."

"The True Martial Emperor is now a powerful force in the Heavenly Court. On the surface, he is the Jade Emperor's confidant, but in reality, he obeys orders but not summons."

"Therefore, the difficulties of the Jisa Kingdom may seem simple, but in reality, they may not be much worse than those of Wanshou Mountain and the Western Liang Women's Kingdom."

"Even the slightest mishandling could trigger a war between humanity and the Heavenly Court. And our Buddhist sect would also be implicated, hindering the eastward spread of Buddhism?"

As soon as Guanyin Bodhisattva uttered these words, all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the Great Thunder Temple couldn't help but gasp.

Little did they know, Guanyin Bodhisattva only knew one aspect of the matter, and not the other.

All that was known was that the Nine Serpents were the son of the Crimson Spirit God, but no one knew his true identity: the Chaos Demon God Wuxiang, whom Hongjun had sent from the depths of chaos to be summoned by Destruction and Calamity. (End of Chapter)