Tang Monk Confronting the Tiger!

"Well, good. Since you've had a change of heart, it shows that your wisdom and Buddha nature are intact. Let's forget about the offense. Your journey west can be considered as making amends," Guanyin said with relief. She then added, "In that case, choose a date and set out promptly. I won't delay you any longer."

Finally, it's settled! Guanyin thought to herself. "Being a Bodhisattva is truly challenging."

"Bodhisattva, there's one thing I'm curious about. Why do you have hair instead of practicing with a shaved head?" Tang Monk asked with a curious expression.

As soon as Guanyin, who had just turned around and walked a short distance, heard this, she stumbled. Did he mean she should shave her head too?

Well... the mental image was too strange, and Guanyin didn't dare to think about it. With an exasperated glare at Tang Monk, she hurriedly increased her pace and disappeared, leaving behind the ministers and generals kneeling on the ground and Tang Monk, who was rubbing his shaved head.

As a born Buddhist, he was a novice from the moment he came into the world. Why couldn't he have a lush head of hair like everyone else?

His shiny bald head glistened in the sunlight.

...

In the Cloud Palace of the Heaven:

Jade Emperor, who held supreme position in the heaven, along with various Daoist immortals, wore serious expressions.

"As the mission of fetching the scriptures from the West is about to embark on the right track, how can we disrupt it and ensure that our Daoist sect's fortune remains intact?" Jade Emperor wore a troubled expression on his stern face.

As the supreme figure in the Heaven, he felt the bounden duty for the decline of the Daoist sect. However, due to the karmic debt with the Western region, both Daoist saints had to assist the Buddhist sect. Even the Dao Ancestor, Hong Jun, owed a substantial karmic debt to the West and couldn't intervene to help the Daoist sect.

With the heavenly decree favoring the rise of Buddhism, the two Daoist saints were obligated to assist Buddhism. This was the trend set by the heaven, but couldn't it be reversed?

The leaders of the Daoist sect, including the Lord Lao Zi, various Enlightened Ones, and those who were part of the Daoist, Jie and Chan sects, also pondered this issue with solemn expressions.

But ultimately, there seemed to be no solution.

For those involved, how could they break free from the situation and disrupt the overall game?

...

In Aparagodaniya, on Spirit Mountain:

As the Buddha radiance shimmered, the smiling Tathagata loosened the fingers he had been using to calculate.

He appeared even more sacred while speaking, and his words were filled with profound insights.

Indeed, it was the divine decree in action, unalterable.

No one in the entire chaotic universe could reverse such a great trend.

Buddhism was destined to be the protagonist in the world!

The listening Arhats were bewildered. Why did the discourse suddenly become so profound?

...

In the midst of endless chaos, there stood a magnificent palace that seemed to have existed since ancient times—the Purple Cloud Palace.

The Dao Ancestor, the Heavenly Dao Hong Jun, closed his eyes.

The Daoist sect was his legacy, and the Tong Monk’s journey to the West was also his doing—planned by the Heavenly Dao. He wouldn't show any bias. The Heavenly Dao would operate as it should.

With a closed eye, he paid no attention to anything.

How Buddhism planned and whether the Daoist sect would counterattack depended on their own methods.

Even Tang Monk, indeed a strange figure, couldn't be deciphered by him.

After all, as the Dao Ancestor, he was fused with the Heavenly Dao and often closed his eyes, pretending to be deep. How could he pay attention to the insignificant Tang Monk? Even if he was a protagonist in this karmic cycle, he still couldn't catch the eye of the Dao Ancestor.

However, among the fifty Dao, if one were to escape, leaving only the remaining forty-nine, perhaps unexpected events would occur?

...

After Guanyin left, Tang Monk politely declined Li Shimin's invitation and left the imperial palace. He wanted to bid farewell to someone and seek advice on some matters.

"Knock, knock, knock."

In front of Secular Residence.

Tang Monk gently knocked on the door.

He felt excited, because every visit here made him enlightened and spiritually refreshed.

"Come in." As the words fell, the door to Secular Residence opened automatically.

Tang Monk walked into the courtyard, looking at the quiet figure sitting on the stone bench. His feelings were profound.

This person changed everything for him and awakened him to life.

Mr. Li, the one who guided him out of ignorance!

Every time he came here, he felt that Mr. Li became both unfamiliar and familiar.

It had only been one night, and Tang Monk felt that Mr. Li had become even more unfathomable.

Shaking his head to clear the chaotic thoughts, he walked toward the person.

"Mr. Li."

Tang Monk stood beside him.

"I'll be heading to the West tomorrow."

Li You looked at Tang Monk, pointed at the chessboard in front of him, and smiled, "Take a look at this chess game."

Tang Monk, who had been immersed in Buddhism since childhood, had focused solely on Buddhism, with no other distractions. Since he accidentally came here a year ago and met Li You, receiving guidance, he devoted all his energy to body cultivation. What did he know about chess?

"Master, this..."

While Tang Monk was bold and unrestrained in front of Bodhisattva Guanyin, he appeared somewhat restrained at this moment.

Li You chuckled and didn't say much.

"Go on your journey with ease. You won't face any danger along the way. Just remember what I told you last night."

Pausing for a moment, he added, "You don't need to worry about the Daoist sect's struggle for human fortune. Just focus on heading west."

The Master is a sage of the human race. He must have arrangements of his own!

Tang Monk thought respectfully.

He then respectfully bid farewell and left.

Watching Tang Monk's departing figure, Li You's eyes sparkled even more brightly.

How many years had it been?

A new storm had appeared. How could it stop now?

Buddhism?

Who would be the final winner in this game?

Under the excitement, Li You's breathing became more rapid. In the small courtyard of Secular Residence, with the fluctuations of Li You's breath, the space quivered, time flickered, and the aura of chaos permeated the entire courtyard.

...

The next day, Li Shimin prepared the necessary documents for Tang Monk, along with some supplies, a horse, and two attendants. Tang Monk, joyfully riding the horse, holding the brocade cassock and the Nine-Ring Monk Staff given by Guanyin, set out in the direction indicated by Bodhisattva Guanyin.

Li Shimin watched Tang Monk's figure recede into the distance at the city gate, his eyes moist. This was for the millions of people in the Tang Empire!

...

As Tang Monk left the city gate, he encountered a calamity not far away. Due to the urgency of the journey, he accidentally fell into a cave.

"Roar!"

A deafening roar, accompanied by a foul wind, emerged from the depths of the cave. A gigantic tiger walked out, which was capable of speaking human language. It seemed to have become a spiritual being!

"The monk from the Tang Empire? I heard that eating you can grant immortality, equivalent to a thousand years of cultivation. Heavens are really helping Grandpa Tiger!" The tiger laughed heartily and pounced toward Tang Monk.

In the clouds above, a white auspicious cloud radiated celestial light, ready to descend to the mortal realm. Facing the attack of the tiger, Tang Monk remained calm, as steady as an old dog. Excitement appeared on his face, yes, excitement!

He quickly took off the Five-Buddha Crown on his head and placed it on the ground nearby. Although the tiger was puzzled, it thought the bald donkey had gone mad.

Muscles as thick as the right arm bulged with veins, gripping the Nine-Ring Monk Staff. As the tiger pounced, Tang Monk fiercely smashed it down.

"Bang!"

"Howl!"

The tiger let out a painful cry, collapsing on the ground. It couldn't get up, feeling dizzy and blurry in its vision.

In the sky, Great White Golden Star was already dumbfounded. He came to help Tang Monk overcome the calamity, and all of this had been arranged by the Heaven and the Buddhist sect. But now, it seemed like they didn't need him anymore?