Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything-Chapter 524: Xuanzang is a Snitch!?

As a core member of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team, Xuanzang's information naturally received a great deal of attention within the Buddhist Sect.

However, the affairs of the Journey to the West were coordinated by Bodhisattva Guanyin, so there would be no interference from others.

But today, when Treasure Light Buddha looked at the newly emerged name on the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas, it turned out to be Jiang Liu's secular name, not Xuanzang's monastic name, which made Treasure Light Buddha silently ponder.

This matter could be significant or trivial.

If it had been an ordinary monk, Treasure Light Buddha wouldn't have bothered to pay much attention, but since it occurred with Xuanzang, Treasure Light Buddha naturally treated it with seriousness.

After thinking for a bit, Treasure Light Buddha put away the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas and went directly towards the Great Thunder Monastery.

"Amitabha, I wonder what matter has brought Treasure Light Buddha here?" Tathagata, with his eight-foot Golden Body, sat quietly on the Lotus Platform, looking at Treasure Light Buddha who had come to seek an audience, and asked.

"Greetings, Tathagata. Today, I have come due to an unusual matter!"

Treasure Light Buddha approached Tathagata without any intention of small talk, muttered a low Buddhist chant, and then handed over the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas, saying, "Tathagata, look, there is a new name on the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas!"

Tathagata's expression did not change, but his eyebrows slightly raised.

If it was just an ordinary addition to the list, it naturally wouldn't be noteworthy, but since Treasure Light Buddha saw fit to show him, Tathagata knew there must be something important.

Tathagata raised his hand, and the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas flew into his hands.

Suddenly, Tathagata turned to the last page of the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

Of course, Tathagata's gaze also fell on the last name listed on the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

"Jiang Liu!?"

Seeing the name, which was obviously a secular name and not a Dharma name, Tathagata was slightly moved and immediately began a Concentration Calculation.

However, even Tathagata found the secrets of fate to be obscure and was unable to discern anything.

Naturally, this confirmed Tathagata's guess that this Jiang Liu was indeed Xuanzang.

"Summon Great Bodhisattva Guanyin, please!"

After a moment of silence, Tathagata did not rush to express his opinion but spoke out.

It seemed like a simple statement, but with the wrapping of Buddhist Power, this phrase flew directly to the South Sea Purple Bamboo Forest.

Great Bodhisattva Guanyin, who was privately feeling envious due to Jiang Liu's warm and respectful attitude towards Maitreya Buddha, heard the call of Tathagata and knew she could not delay, immediately setting off and flying towards the Thunder Monastery.

"Greetings, Tathagata; greetings, Treasure Light Buddha!" Upon arriving at Thunder Monastery, Bodhisattva Guanyin saluted Tathagata and Namo Treasure Radiance Buddha respectively.

"Greetings, Great Bodhisattva!" Following Bodhisattva Guanyin's salute, Treasure Light Buddha returned the greeting.

After exchanging greetings, Bodhisattva Guanyin's gaze landed on Tathagata, obviously waiting for Tathagata to give instructions.

"Great Bodhisattva, let me ask you, along the Journey to the West, how has Master Golden Cicada's cultivation progressed?" Tathagata looked down at Guanyin from above and asked.

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"Cultivation Level!?" Bodhisattva Guanyin was inwardly surprised, her eyes subtly sweeping a glance at the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas Tathagata held in his hand.

She certainly hadn't expected that Tathagata and Treasure Light Buddha would specifically summon her here to inquire about Xuanzang's cultivation level.

However, despite being surprised, Bodhisattva Guanyin had no intention of hiding anything and answered, "Not long ago, Xuanzang has passed the Heavenly Thunder Tribulation and has reached the Arhat Realm."

"Indeed, it is him!" Hearing Bodhisattva Guanyin's words and understanding Jiang Liu's current cultivation realm, Tathagata inwardly nodded, confirming that the name on the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas was indeed Jiang Liu.

"What is it, Tathagata? Is there something amiss?" Seeing that Tathagata remained contemplative without speaking, Bodhisattva Guanyin thought for a moment and then asked.

As the one coordinating the entire Journey to the West for Scriptures, Bodhisattva Guanyin should be entitled to know, especially since the matter concerned Xuanzang.

And indeed, it was her duty to understand as much as possible about the Scripture Seeking Team's affairs.

"This name, Master Golden Cicada, has just appeared on the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas!"

Hearing Bodhisattva Guanyin's question, Tathagata did not conceal anything, slightly lifting the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas in his hands and answering.

"That, isn't that to be expected? What's so strange about that?" Bodhisattva Guanyin asked in surprise upon hearing Tathagata's words.

"Indeed, there is nothing strange about that. Master Golden Cicada is a member of the Buddhist Sect, and having reached the Arhat Realm, it is only right that his name appears on the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas."

"However, what's odd is that the name isn't Xuanzang's Dharma name but his secular birth name, Jiang Liu!" Tathagata spoke, explaining the reason behind this anomaly.

"The name on the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas is his secular name!?"

Hearing this, the countenance of Bodhisattva Guanyin also changed slightly, realizing that this matter was indeed no simple affair.

"Logically speaking, the names that appear in the Record of Ten Thousand Buddhas are generally the Dharma names of Buddhist disciples. Yet Master Golden Cicada's secular name appeared; does this not imply that, in his heart, Jiang Liu is actually his own name? That he does not acknowledge 'Xuanzang' as his Dharma name in his heart!?"

Seeing the slight change in Bodhisattva Guanyin's countenance and grasping the significance of this matter, Tathagata spoke.

These words rendered both Bodhisattva Guanyin and Treasure Light Buddha silent.

Xuanzang was a core member of the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team. As to whether he recognized his identity as a Buddhist disciple, she dared not jump to conclusions lightly.

The implications of this were far too great!

"Buddha, what you mean to say is, Xuanzang, although outwardly he believes himself to be a Buddhist disciple, does not actually think so?" After a moment of silence, although finding it hard to believe, Bodhisattva Guanyin still spoke up and voiced her guess.

"Apart from this explanation, I cannot think of any other possibility that would have led to the current situation!" Gazing down from on high, Tathagata's eyes fell on Bodhisattva Guanyin, and after a moment of contemplation, he nodded in agreement.

"Buddha, we must verify this matter carefully and must not jump to conclusions recklessly!"

Hearing Tathagata's words, which clearly matched her suspicions, the expression on Bodhisattva Guanyin's face grew grave.

If that were really the case, then the matter would indeed be troublesome.

The great venture of the Journey to the West for Scriptures was a matter of utmost importance for the prosperity of the entire Buddhist Sect, and from beginning to end, nearly every detail had been meticulously arranged by the Buddhist Sect.

Even to ensure the smooth proceeding of all this, Tathagata had deliberately found an excuse to cast his disciple Master Golden Cicada into the cycle of reincarnation.

But now, to say that Xuanzang's heart did not regard himself as part of the Buddhist Sect!?

"I recall that initially, even though Xuanzang partook in the Incense Offering Ceremony, he still eloped with Princess Gaoyang, indulging in worldly passions. Furthermore, the reason Xuanzang was willing to set out on the Journey to the West, seemed to be a trade? A deal with the Buddha?"

At this time, Namo Treasure Light Buddha, who had been quiet all along, spoke up, looking towards Tathagata.

"Indeed, it was so!" Hearing these words, Tathagata nodded slightly.

He also remembered how Xuanzang, holding Princess Gaoyang, had kowtowed before his Buddha image, begging him to save her.

Back then, it was indeed a trade. He had agreed to save Gaoyang, and Jiang Liu had agreed to set out on the Journey to the West for Scriptures.

Therefore, when Bodhisattva Guanyin later went to guide Jiang Liu onto the road to the Journey to the West for Scriptures, everything went exceptionally smoothly.

Now, looking back, did he ultimately regard it all just as a trade? Did he never consider himself a Buddhist disciple?

If the very beginning of the Journey to the West for Scriptures was merely based on a trade, then perhaps it isn't surprising that he didn't see himself as a Buddhist disciple!?

"All along the way, we heard that Xuanzang drank alcohol, ate meat, killed, and committed arson. Originally, I did not doubt his verse 'Wine and meat pass through the gut, but the Buddha stays in my heart,' but now it appears he does not see himself as a Buddhist disciple, hence from the beginning, he had no intention of abiding by the monastic precepts and disciplines?"

At this time, Bodhisattva Guanyin followed up by bringing in another viewpoint.

Sometimes, that's just how people are, when you like someone, even their faults can be overlooked, and you feel unconcerned.

But when you dislike someone, even their merits seem worthless in your eyes.

The same principle applies when you trust someone, even if there are apparent clues, you don't suspect them.

But if you truly begin to doubt a person, then every action and word seems questionable!

Now, that was what Bodhisattva Guanyin and the others were experiencing!

Feeling that Jiang Liu did not consider himself part of the Buddhist Sect, their suspicions led them to see many behaviors as deeply suspect.

"Amitabha Buddha!"

After discussing amongst themselves for a few sentences, Tathagata then declared a Buddha's name, evidently ready to draw a conclusion.

In front of Tathagata, both Treasure Light Buddha and Bodhisattva Guanyin remained silent, their eyes on Tathagata.

"Great Bodhisattva Guanyin, as the coordinator of this significant Journey to the West, this matter should be entrusted to you for verification," Tathagata's gaze rested upon Bodhisattva Guanyin as he spoke.

At that point, Tathagata paused slightly before continuing, "Moreover, you must remember one principle; no matter how much you doubt, you are free to do so boldly, but you must verify with the utmost caution, without the slightest error."

"I shall heed the law, I understand!" Hearing Tathagata's instructions, Bodhisattva Guanyin nodded heavily and responded.

Bodhisattva Guanyin certainly understood the importance of this matter; indeed, there was no room for error.

Otherwise, should she make a mistaken judgment, the consequences would be unimaginable!