I'll kill you after I finish this game!

After all, the fact that monks do not engage in productive labor is a major drawback.

Another point that Li Shimin could not tolerate was that it would impact imperial power.

If Buddhism were to be fully introduced into the Central Plains, it would inevitably become associated with mystical doctrines such as Yin-Yang and Five Elements, and fortune-telling, in order to adapt to the needs of popular dissemination and development.

When people believe in Buddha but do not revere the ruling class, it will inevitably hinder the interests and authority of the ruling class.

At the same time, those who became monks or nuns had the privilege of being exempt from taxes and corvée labor, as well as military service, which would also have an impact on the Tang Dynasty's army and territorial expansion.

These monks, who are exempt from taxes, still need the support of the lower classes. This privilege will lead to more and more people who are lazy and want to evade taxes entering the Buddhist order.

It brings few benefits and will instead destabilize the entire country. Should we introduce such a sect into the Tang Dynasty to wreak havoc on the world?

Moreover, Buddhism used Li Shimin as a tool in order to spread Buddhism to the east, so it would be strange if he didn't have any complaints.

Although he was just a mortal, he was also an emperor on earth.

Li Shimin had reverence for immortals and Buddhas, but for the sake of his country, he could set aside that reverence.

"Fairy, what should we do with the Buddhist sects that already exist in the Central Plains?"

In the imperial study, Li Shimin glanced at the memorial in his hand, then looked at Skadi, who was quietly drinking tea, and asked her a question.

He, as a mere mortal, could not stop the so-called westward journey, but as emperor, he had considerable room for maneuver when it came to matters within his own country.

Li Shimin, fearing that Buddhism might intervene again, was unsure whether to suppress the existing temples and monks within the Tang Dynasty.

So, I'd like to ask Skadi's opinion.

"It's better to guide than to suppress. Although Buddhism's overall influence on the country is more harmful than beneficial, some of its principles that guide people toward goodness still have an educational effect."

Skadi slowly set down her teacup, glanced at the memorial in Li Shimin's hand, and softly replied regarding the Buddhism that already existed within the Tang Dynasty:

"Treat temples and monks the same way Your Majesty treats your own people, just don't give them any privileges that could destabilize the grassroots."

Li Shimin nodded upon hearing this. Because he was wary of the Buddhist sect secretly targeting him, he believed that the best approach was to guide rather than block.

He did not suppress Buddhism; he simply did not allow monks any privileges that could cause unrest at the grassroots level of the country.

He had no jurisdiction over temples and monks outside the Tang Dynasty, but those within the Tang Dynasty's borders were subject to taxation and service.

At the very least, Li Shimin couldn't allow the common people to be too envious of the profession of monks.

To escape military service and taxes by becoming a monk, or to commit murder and claim "lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot" to escape punishment—all of these are unacceptable!

.........

After saying what she needed to say to Li Shimin, Skadi left the palace and secretly went to the Exorcism Hall in Chang'an.

Unlike the usual quiet and sparsely populated atmosphere of the exorcism hall, it is now bustling with activity.

Because recently, the Exorcist Hall has launched a high-reward bounty mission that has attracted many exorcists.

That was about the demon-slaying mission for Sun Wukong, the King of Demons, a mission secretly assigned by Skadi.

This task provides a detailed description of Sun Wukong's location, so that everyone who sees the task knows where he is.

If this mission is successfully completed, the reward is astonishingly high.

But at the same time, it also felt like it was only natural.

After all, Sun Wukong's reputation is well-known, not only to exorcists but also to many ordinary people.

Such a legendary monster naturally needs no further doubt about its strength.

Therefore, this task is also very difficult.

However, high risk also means high reward, because if someone can subdue the legendary demon king Sun Wukong, they will also become a legend.

He is hailed as the world's number one exorcist, and there is no exaggeration in his claim.

Fame and fortune have trapped countless people, and the idea of ​​defeating Sun Wukong would allow them to have both, so naturally, many people are tempted.

People die for money, birds die for food. Sun Wukong must be very powerful, but exorcists are people who risk their lives to make money, and there are definitely many who are willing to risk their lives.

Moreover, with so many exorcists going together to defeat the demon king Sun Wukong, even if they can't monopolize the honor, there are definitely many benefits.

After the mission was issued, many exorcists followed suit, including the Big Dipper Five Elements Fist and the Heavenly Crippled Kick who had originally gone to Five Finger Mountain.

Chen Xuanzang and Miss Duan were naturally aware of such a large-scale exorcism operation.

"I'm going to Wuzhi Mountain..."

Having spent some time with Miss Duan, Chen Xuanzang expressed his desire to travel to Wuzhi Mountain together.

"Are you crazy? Don't you value your life?"

When Miss Duan heard that Chen Xuanzang wanted to go to Wuzhi Mountain to join the fun, she was nearly driven mad with anger. With a furious expression, she slapped Chen Xuanzang hard on the head and shouted:

"Do you think you can turn any monster into a good one?! Subduing a fish demon and a pig demon wasn't enough, now you're going to provoke a monkey demon?!"

When Skadi warned the Empty Prince not to get involved, wasn't she also warning the two of them?

Skadi, who could easily subdue the boar demon, said that he was very strong, and that he could completely defeat the famous Void Prince Sun Wukong. How could he be defeated by sheer numbers?

Compared to Skadi back then, Miss Duan is well aware of her own abilities.

Seeing that Chen Xuanzang wanted to go to Wuzhi Mountain, Miss Duan, who was worried that something might happen to him, naturally wouldn't allow him to risk his life.

"...I have my own mission, and if I die halfway through, I will have no regrets."

Chen Xuanzang's expression was very serious, and his eyes were full of determination. Although he did have feelings for Miss Duan in front of him, he would not give up his love for all living beings.

Looking at the stubborn Chen Xuanzang in front of her, Miss Duan gritted her teeth in anger, sizing him up and down while also considering whether to tie him up.

"Hey, you stinky monk, I advise you not to go to Five Finger Mountain and risk your life. If those exorcists break the seal on that monkey, they will all die there."

Sitting with Sha Wujing by the fire, Zhu Wuneng, touching up his makeup with a powder compact, heard the arguing couple and spoke to Chen Xuanzang with a disdainful and annoyed expression:

"Besides, that Monkey King is lawless. If you try to persuade him to do good, he'll just happily send you to your death. If he could do good, why would Buddha have suppressed him instead of converting him?"

The former pig demon was transformed into Zhu Wuneng because of Chen Xuanzang.

However, he is not like Sha Wujing who has already regarded Chen Xuanzang as a friend; he was just traumatized by Skadi's attack back then.

Those blows from God's Hand that landed on him were undoubtedly the most painful injuries he had ever suffered.

His internal organs were turned inside out, and the power of pain invaded every part of his body and his entire spirit. If it weren't for Chen Xuanzang's meticulous care and guidance after he woke up, Zhu Wuneng would have definitely gone insane with a mental breakdown.

Chen Xuanzang was the one who dealt with him, but the other party chose to let him live to atone for his sins. Although his past was pitiful, he had harmed and eaten many innocent people.

"And... don't let down a woman who truly loves you."

Zhu Wuneng spoke to the silent Chen Xuanzang, then suddenly glanced at Miss Duan beside him, a hint of envy flashing in his eyes before quickly turning indifferent, and said:

“If you die, I won’t feel anything, but Sha Wujing will be heartbroken, and the woman who loves you will be in unbearable pain.”

He was a devoted lover. Although he was betrayed and killed by his wife and her lover before he became a monster, Zhu Wuneng still couldn't forget his wife and still loved her.

Even after transforming into a demon, her deep affection remained unchanged.

He saw the relationship between Miss Duan and Chen Xuanzang very clearly.

Chen Xuanzang was neither a handsome man nor an ugly man; his attire made him look like a beggar. Yet, even such a man had women who fell for him.

This made Zhu Wuneng very envious.

"......"

Upon hearing Zhu Wuneng's words, Miss Duan's face flushed, and Chen Xuanzang hesitated.

Although Zhu Wuneng spoke very bluntly, Chen Xuanzang knew that he was advising him not to meddle in other people's business and to cherish everything he had.

"To help others, you must first help yourself." This was the advice Skadi gave him.

Is he going to Wuzhishan now, or is he going to stay by Miss Duan's side?

Chen Xuanzang's intuition told him that different choices would have different consequences.

........

Countless exorcists rushed to the Five Fingers Mountain, and thanks to Skadi's reminder, they quickly found the place where Sun Wukong was sealed on the Five Fingers Mountain.

However, before they arrived, the North Star Five Elements Fist and the Heavenly Cripple Kick, which Skadi had warned them about, had already found Goku.

At this moment, they were hesitating in front of the lotus cave entrance.

Because Sun Wukong was a legendary demon king, neither of them was entirely confident of defeating him.

Just as they were discussing things in front of the cave entrance, Beidou Wuxingquan and Tiancanjiao heard a commotion approaching from afar. They turned around and their expressions changed.

Because all the people who came were exorcists, and there were a lot of them.

It seemed they were all there for the Demon King Sun Wukong, which made Beidou Five Elements Fist and Tiancan Kick realize that things were getting complicated. They knew they shouldn't have hesitated before and started fighting Sun Wukong directly.

This way, it won't drag on until someone else tries to steal the task.

"Found it! There really is a cave here! And two people!"

Upon seeing the lotus-shaped cave entrance next to the Big Dipper Five Elements Fist and the Heavenly Crippled Kick, the exorcist's expression immediately lit up with joy, and he shouted loudly, attracting the attention of all the exorcists.

Inside the cave, Sun Wukong scratched his ears and cheeks with a cold smile, but his eyes revealed an uncontrollable excitement.

How long has it been? He's been sealed here for a full five hundred years!

With so many people here today, there's finally a chance for Sun Wukong to see the light of day again. How could he not be excited?

Meanwhile, the exorcists who had found the location of Sun Wukong's seal outside the cave became excited and immediately surrounded the lotus cave entrance. Even when they saw the Big Dipper Five Elements Fist and the Heavenly Crippled Kick that had arrived first, they showed no intention of backing down or giving way.

They didn't argue or fight. No one present dared to say they could defeat the Demon King Sun Wukong on their own, and it would be unwise to start a conflict at this juncture.

Although they had found the location of the seal, they had not yet seen Sun Wukong. Several daring exorcists slid down the small cave entrance.

Without hearing any screams, the rest of the group immediately followed and crawled inside, leaving only a few people waiting at the cave entrance.

The exorcists who entered the cave surrounded the first person they saw, an unremarkable-looking man.

At this moment, Sun Wukong transformed into human form. Faced with the encirclement, he shrank into a corner, his eyes filled with panic.

"This is Sun Wukong?"

Looking at the trembling man in front of them, the group of exorcists were speechless and their expressions were also somewhat suspicious.

Who is Sun Wukong? He is the legendary King of Demons, the Great Sage Equal to Heaven who wreaked havoc in the Heavenly Palace.

But what does this man look like? Surrounded by them, huddled there trembling, it's really hard to imagine that he's Sun Wukong.

But there's no one else here, just this one person in front of me, so the only one I can suspect is him.