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Chapter 241 Lesser Yang Enters Greater Yin

The black bear spirit led the monk Xuanzang onto the wide stone path leading to the palace of the Women's Kingdom. The morning mist had not yet dissipated, casting shadows on the distant, majestic palace walls. Xuanzang's steps were somewhat heavy, and his brows were furrowed with deep worry.

“Master, don’t worry.” The black bear spirit walked beside him, his voice low and steady, trying to soothe him. “There’s always a way to solve things. We changed our travel permits today, and we can set off as early as noon.”

Xuanzang sighed softly, his fingers unconsciously twirling the prayer beads beneath his robe. "How can I not be anxious, Xiongpi? We've reached this point on our journey to the West, and then Wuneng appears... Alas."

He paused, his voice filled with confusion and heaviness, "Tell me, if he's really gone, when we reach the Thunderclap Temple on Mount Ling, will Buddha recognize our incomplete team? Will we still be able to obtain the scriptures?"

Upon hearing this, the black bear spirit swung its thick arm, appearing quite confident.

“Master, you’re overthinking it. I’ve carefully examined that travel document.”

He emphasized the words "travel permit".

“There is only your name on that list, clearly and explicitly. The rest of us are disciples you took in along the way. What Buddha wants is for you, the great Tang Dynasty monk, to go through hardships and personally reach the Western Paradise. Once you arrive, the mission will be accomplished. Losing Pigsy is no big deal, it won't hinder anything. Don't worry.”

These words were like a reassuring pill, easing Xuanzang's furrowed brows slightly. He murmured a Buddhist chant, feeling somewhat at ease, but the heavy feeling still lingered when he thought of Pigsy's resolute departure.

Before long, the two arrived at the heavily guarded outer gate of the palace. Beneath the tall, vermilion gate stood two squads of heavily armed female soldiers, their imposing presence commanding respect. The Black Bear Spirit gestured for Xuanzang to rest for a moment on a stone bench beside the gate.
"Master, please sit here for a moment while I go and inform him."

Xuanzang sat down as instructed, closed his eyes, and silently recited the scriptures, trying to calm his mind.

The black bear spirit strode towards the female general guarding him, about to ask her to announce his arrival. But as his gaze swept over the guards, a sudden chill ran through him. Behind several female soldiers stood a female official in a light scarlet robe, scrutinizing them with a critical eye. She was the same woman who had appeared suspicious and had shifty eyes outside the post station yesterday.

Black Bear's alarm bells blared, but he remained outwardly calm. He simply clasped his hands in a fist salute to the leading female general and said in a gruff voice,
"Please inform the general that the Venerable Xuanzang, who traveled from the Eastern Tang Dynasty to the Western Paradise to worship Buddha and seek Buddhist scriptures, requests an audience with your king. Please change his travel documents."

The female general looked the black bear spirit up and down. Seeing that he was humanoid but burly and strong with thick hair, a strange look flashed in her eyes, but she still nodded and assigned a personal guard to go and report.

Just then, the female official in light scarlet robes stepped forward from the crowd, a curious smile on her face, and walked straight toward Xuanzang, who was sitting on a stone stool.

"Is this the eminent monk from the Tang Dynasty? I have some questions I would like to ask the Venerable Master..."

Before she could finish speaking, a towering figure stepped forward, blocking her path completely between her and Xuanzang. It was Black Bear.

“My lord,” the black bear spirit’s voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable, deep power, and he even managed a polite smile.

“My master has had a long journey and is feeling a little unwell, so he is unable to answer questions. If you have any questions, just ask me, Lao Hei. I will answer them to the best of my ability.”

The female official, completely blocked by him, froze for a moment with a hint of displeasure, but quickly concealed it. She raised her head slightly, her tone clearly questioning.
"Oh? Fine, I'll ask you then. Tell me, where exactly do you come from? My Kingdom of Women is located in the western borderlands, and we've never heard of any Tang Dynasty in the East. Could you be... charlatans?"

As she spoke, her gaze tried to pass over the black bear spirit's broad shoulders and land on Xuanzang, who had his eyes closed.

Black Bear sneered inwardly, but his smile became even more "simple and honest" as he turned sideways, completely blocking her view.
"Your Excellency is mistaken. We are traveling to the Western Paradise to obtain the scriptures openly and legitimately on the orders of His Majesty the Tang Emperor. Our travel documents are here, bearing the seals and imperial seals of the rulers of the countries we will pass through. The evidence is irrefutable. If Your Excellency does not believe us, we can present them to the rulers for their perusal later. They will know the truth at a glance. There is no need to trouble my master."

Seeing the black bear demon's confident demeanor and the production of his travel permit, the female official's momentum weakened slightly, but she remained sharp-tongued. She curled her lip, her gaze sweeping over the black bear demon's unusual appearance with undisguised contempt.
"Hmph, that's easy for you to say. Look at you, you look like a black bear spirit, you're obviously not from a respectable background. How much of what you say is believable? My sovereign is wise, how can he listen to only your side of the story? I must ask that sorcerer myself before I feel at ease!" With that, she tried to walk around the black bear spirit again.

The last trace of politeness on the black bear demon's face vanished instantly, his eyes suddenly sharpening like blades. His massive body stood as firm as a rock, refusing to yield an inch, his voice deepening, carrying an invisible pressure.
“My lord! I respect you as an official here and have been trying to reason with you. You say I look like a monster, but I also see that your eyes are shifty and your actions are furtive; you don’t seem like a good person at all. If you dare to approach me again, you will disturb my master’s rest…”

He paused deliberately, and although the fierce aura of a great demon emanating from him was not fully released, it was enough to make the surrounding air suddenly chill a few degrees.

"...Don't blame me, Old Hei, for being ruthless and impolite!"

The female official, surprisingly, did not panic in the face of the black bear demon's transformation; she merely gave a cold snort.
"Rude, brute, you're clearly one of those uncivilized, ignorant bumpkins from a small country. Humph, just you wait and see!"

She threw down a few harsh words with a fierce but weak expression, then angrily flicked her sleeves and turned to walk quickly toward the palace gate, muttering curses under her breath as she went.

The black bear spirit stared coldly at her figure disappearing into the palace gates, his broad chest heaving slightly. He turned around and looked at Xuanzang, who was still chanting scriptures with his eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to the conflict that had just occurred to him. His rugged face regained its loyal and composed demeanor.

"Master, it's alright. The person has been sent away," he said in a low voice.

Xuanzang slowly opened his eyes, his gaze calm. He simply nodded slightly, but the prayer beads in his hand moved a fraction faster. Deep within the palace, the female official's figure disappeared into the shadows, her whereabouts unknown.

Inside the palace, the Queen was somewhat restless. She summoned the female general beside her and instructed, "Go to the neighboring country immediately and inquire whether the news that the Tang Dynasty monk Xuanzang had attained a pure yang body through nine lifetimes of cultivation is true. The sooner the better, and ideally you should return by noon to report back."

Then she said to the Prime Minister, "The Tang Dynasty monk will come to exchange the travel permit in a little while, and I will not see him. You go to receive him and tell him that it can definitely be done today, but it will have to wait until the afternoon. Make sure to delay it until the afternoon."

After giving these instructions, the Queen's anxiety did not lessen. She didn't know whether Chen Guangrui's words were true or false.

This person can fly and has driven away the demons who occupied the Abortion Spring; he must be an immortal. But are the abilities of an immortal necessarily great enough?
The Queen was uncertain. She worried that if the immortal's abilities were not great enough, and Xuanzang was indeed a nine-times-incarnated pure yang being, once Xuanzang was released and deceived by the immortal, wouldn't the Women's Kingdom's misfortune never end?

But what if the immortals were truly capable, and Xuanzang's side was fake? The more the Queen thought about it, the more uneasy she became.

Just then, a servant came to report that Chen Guangrui and his entourage requested an audience. The Queen composed herself and summoned them in.

Chen Guangrui and his companions entered the hall. The Queen's expression became somewhat uneasy upon seeing them, but she still mustered her courage and tentatively asked, "Has the immortal come to help my Western Liang Women's Kingdom resolve its thousand-year crisis?"

Chen Guangrui's gaze swept over the Queen, then quickly and discreetly scanned the female officials standing in the hall, but he did not find any trace of the Scorpion Demon. It seemed that Black Bear was right; the Scorpion Demon must be very well hidden in the palace.

He figured that the exchange of travel permits wasn't finished yet, and the Scorpion Demon probably wouldn't show up. Instead of directly answering the Queen's question, he asked, "Your Majesty, have the travel permits been exchanged yet?"

The Queen was startled, thinking that Chen Guangrui had seen through her delaying tactics, and quickly explained.
"We have already gone to invite Master Xuanzang. However, it is still early, and the Master's health does not seem to have fully recovered yet. We will definitely change his travel documents and allow him to pass through later."

Chen Guangrui frowned slightly. He was worried that things might change if the process dragged on, so he cut to the chase.
“There’s no need to wait any longer. I already understand the Yin energy of your Mother-Child River, and I have the missing bit of Yang energy. I can help your Western Liang Women’s Kingdom complete the Yin-Yang transformation and break this curse.”

Upon hearing this, the Queen's eyes flashed with disbelief, a mixture of immense joy and a hint of doubt.
"Is it true, Immortal Master? If so, then... what price will my Western Liang Women's Kingdom have to pay?" She remembered Chen Guangrui's repeated avoidance of discussing the price, and her heart tightened again.

Chen Guangrui looked at the Queen, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable power.
"There will naturally be a price, but I can't say it now. However, I can give you some Shao Yang energy first, so you can see the effects for yourself and put your mind at ease. If you agree to cooperate, I will tell you what you will need to give after it's done. Also,"

He paused, his tone now carrying an uncompromising undertone.

"Have you finished preparing the travel documents for that Tang Dynasty monk?"

The Queen was stunned. Chen Guangrui's words were too revealing. Why did he ask that? Did he already know about my arrangements just now? She was a little nervous.

The hall fell silent for a moment, with only the Queen's slightly rapid breathing audible. She knew a crucial choice lay before her. Should she continue cautiously probing and delaying, or gamble the fate of the nation and trust this unpredictable immortal before her? She looked at Chen Guangrui's resolute yet slightly impatient expression, her fingers subtly clenching within her wide sleeves.

Seeing the Queen hesitate, Chen Guangrui guessed what she was thinking and calmly said,
"I can help you solve this problem right now."

Upon hearing this, a look of disbelief flashed in the Queen's eyes, and she subconsciously leaned forward slightly.
"Is what you say true, Immortal? Can this curse that has plagued my Western Liang for thousands of years really be broken? What does my Western Liang Women's Kingdom need to prepare?" She knew that this matter concerned the fate of the nation, so she could not afford to be careless.

“No preparation is needed,” Chen Guangrui said calmly, as if he were talking about something trivial. “Just come with me to the Zimu River now.”

"How can this be?" the Queen blurted out, her face showing seriousness.
"Breaking the curse is of paramount importance to our country. How can we be so hasty? I should personally lead the civil and military officials, prepare the three sacrificial animals and six rites, burn incense and pray, with the most solemn ceremony..." Scenes of past kings exhausting their efforts for this matter flashed through her mind, and she felt that it must be done with utmost solemnity.

“Your Majesty,” Chen Guangrui interrupted her, his tone still steady, yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"Breaking the curse lies in the method, not in the pomp and circumstance. Red tape is a waste of time. Let's go to the river now, with a light entourage."

The Queen was taken aback by his certainty and composure. Though her doubts hadn't completely vanished, her intense desire overwhelmed her hesitation. She took a deep breath, abandoned her insistence, and decisively gave the order.

"Very well! As the immortal has said! Quickly prepare fast horses and select a team of elite guards to accompany us! Prime Minister, you will come with me." In the end, she still brought along her core ministers.

The order was carried out swiftly. Before long, the group arrived at the banks of the Zimu River, which exuded an ominous aura. The murky water churned, gleaming with a chilling, eerie light under the sunlight.

The Queen, the Prime Minister, and a group of guards stood on the shore, their eyes fixed on Chen Guangrui. The air was thick with tension and anticipation. The guards' palms were slightly sweaty as they gripped their weapons, while the Prime Minister nervously pursed her lips. Everyone held their breath, waiting for this immortal to perform a miracle.

Chen Guangrui walked to the riverbank, his gaze sweeping over the murky water. He reached into his robes, took out a warm, smooth jade bottle, and poured out a single, perfectly round elixir, about the size of a longan, faintly shimmering with golden-red light.

As soon as the elixir appeared, an indescribable warm aura quietly spread, dispelling some of the chill from the riverbank.

The Queen's pupils constricted sharply! A flash of memory from ancient texts instantly crossed her mind:
In the past, the entire nation offered sacrifices to the Supreme Dao Ancestor, seeking the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir, whose efficacy far surpassed that of any elixir in the world. The elixir before them, imbued with radiant light and innate Daoist charm, possessed a vast and boundless aura, far exceeding any description of the Nine-Turn Golden Elixir in ancient texts.

Could this be the legendary, even better one...?
The look in her eyes as she gazed at Chen Guangrui's retreating figure was instantly filled with unprecedented awe and shock, and she subconsciously straightened her clothes.

Chen Guangrui flicked his finger. The elixir, containing boundless vitality, transformed into a golden rainbow and silently disappeared into the center of the surging Mother-Child River.

"puff!"

A soft sound, like a drop of water falling into boiling oil.

In an instant, a strange change occurred!

Where the elixir landed, a golden-red light burst forth like a blazing ember thrown into water! The light was not violent, but rather carried a sacred, gentle, and neutral power, spreading instantly.

Under the golden light, the turbid river water seemed to be stirred and purified by an invisible giant hand, churning up a large amount of gray-black impurities. The river water, which was originally cold and chilling and filled with a strong yin aura, became visibly clearer under the golden-red light, and the unsettling eerie light receded like the tide.

Even more strangely, tiny specks of pale gold light, like stardust, began to appear on the surface of the river, as if scattered gold dust, and an extremely elegant fragrance, mixed with the sweet scent of warm sunshine and newly sprouted grass and trees, filled the air.

The wondrous sight of the Lesser Yang Essence entering the Greater Yin Water was like a reversal of Yin and Yang, a union of Heaven and Earth, filled with the profound mysteries of the Great Dao. The entire riverbank was illuminated by this soft yet powerful light, leaving everyone mesmerized.

The light lasted for about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea before gradually receding and dissipating. The river level returned to normal, the water became noticeably clearer, and the chilling aura diminished considerably.

However, the riverbank was silent. The Queen stared intently at the newly restored river, her initial awe replaced by immense uncertainty.

That's it? A curse that has plagued us for a thousand years has been broken by a single pill?

She looked at Chen Guangrui, then at the river, her eyes filled with deep doubt. The effect was too magical, making it hard to believe its authenticity.

Chen Guangrui seemed to see through her thoughts, turned around, and calmly said, "If Your Majesty does not believe me, you will know once you try."

"Try?" The Queen was taken aback, not immediately understanding. "How do we try?"

“It’s very simple,” Chen Guangrui pointed to the river, “Let someone drink a sip of this new Mother-Child River water and see if the pregnancy will still occur.”

The Queen suddenly realized, but then her heart tightened.

What if...it doesn't work? What would happen to the person who drank it...?

Her gaze swept over the loyal female guards and officials around her, and she found it difficult to utter the order. Her hesitation and struggle were clearly written on her face.

"Your Majesty, this humble servant is willing to give it a try."

A robust female general standing at the front noticed the Queen's predicament, stepped forward abruptly, knelt on one knee, and declared in a powerful voice, "I would gladly die to resolve the nation's doubts!"

The Queen looked at the female general who had followed her for many years, a hint of emotion and regret flashing in her eyes, before finally nodding heavily. Immediately, a guard carefully scooped up the freshly "purified" river water in a silver bowl and handed it to the female general.

The female general took the bowl, and without the slightest hesitation, tilted her head back and gulped down the entire bowl of river water. The bowl fell to the ground with a soft thud, and the riverbank fell silent once more.

All eyes were fixed on the female general, and even their breathing became shallow. The Queen clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white, her heart pounding in her throat. The Prime Minister also nervously gripped his sleeve.

Time ticked by, each moment feeling incredibly long. The female general was initially tense as she felt the changes in her abdomen, but gradually, the tension on her face relaxed, revealing a puzzled expression.

After a long while, amidst the almost suffocating wait of everyone, she finally spoke hesitantly, with an incredulous and delighted expression.
"Your Majesty, this humble servant...this humble servant feels no gestation in my womb?"

The moment she said those words, the deathly silence was instantly broken!

"Wow!"

Like a thunderclap from a clear sky, or like a dam bursting.

The guards around them were the first to react. They looked at each other, their eyes blazing with ecstatic joy. Some excitedly slapped their companions on the shoulder, some couldn't help but cheer, and some of these iron-blooded warriors were like children, their faces wet with tears of joy, embracing each other and weeping. Their cries were the release of fear that had been suppressed for generations!

The ladies-in-waiting could no longer maintain their composure and covered their faces as they wept, their shoulders trembling violently. It was tears of joy, a tremendous relief as the heavy burden that had been lifted from their hearts.

The female general who had risked her life to test the waters couldn't help but tear up, her face filled with immense joy at surviving a disaster and boundless anticipation for the future.

Where is the Queen?
The initial, immense shock left her frozen in place, as if she were immobilized. She looked at her ecstatic subjects, listened to the deafening cries and laughter, and then slowly looked down at the much clearer waters of the Mother-Child River.

Her tense body gradually relaxed, and her clenched fists loosened. A smile, like a stream breaking through the ice in early spring, spread with difficulty but with unwavering determination from the corners of her mouth.

The laughter grew wider and wider, eventually transforming into a hearty laugh that was both tearful and incredibly joyful and full of hope, echoing along the banks of the Zimu River and merging into this boiling ocean of joy.

"It's alright, it's really alright, the thousand-year curse is broken!" she murmured to herself, her voice trembling with tears, yet full of strength.

Chen Guangrui calmly observed the exciting scene before him, and only stepped forward after the Queen's emotions had subsided slightly, his tone still steady.

"Your Majesty, the curse has been broken. Shouldn't we change Master Xuanzang's travel permit?"

The Queen raised her hand and forcefully wiped away the tears of joy on her face with her magnificent sleeve. Her face was radiant with relief, and her voice was still hoarse from a sob, but it was incredibly clear and grateful: "Rest assured, Immortal, I have already ordered someone to replace it."

She was very glad that she had just made up her mind and secretly asked the guard to notify someone to change the travel permit for that Tang Dynasty monk; otherwise, she might have offended the immortal.

However, to her surprise, as soon as she uttered her words, she noticed that the immortal opposite her seemed a little off.

(End of this chapter)