What was Tang Monk up to in the Middle of the Night?

"Bodhisattva, you are an unparalleled beauty of this generation. May I inquire if the Bodhisattva has any marital arrangements or a beloved one?"

The countenance of Bodhisattva Guanyin instantly darkened, and through gritted teeth, she replied, "Tang Monk! Have you learned nothing about the commandments of Buddhism? Don't you know the precepts of Buddhism? Those who follow the Buddhist way must abstain from worldly desires!"

"The Bodhisattva's words are not entirely accurate. Marriage between men and women is a natural order of the world. How can it be considered a mere indulgence in desire?"

Veins bulged on Guanyin's exquisite forehead.

"I misspoke! Those who enter the Buddhist sect should sever all worldly attachments, forget the mundane, and wholeheartedly turn towards the Buddha! Only then can one traverse the hardships of the mortal realm, avoid the distractions of the mundane, and wholeheartedly pursue Buddhism. This is the true purpose of your pilgrimage!"

What a weighty and profound statement!

Truth be told, Guanyin seemed visibly angered, and Tang Monk was somewhat intimidated.

However, as Mr. Li had mentioned, no one in the Three Realms dared to harm him.

"If everyone were to embrace Buddhism, then no one would marry, and no one would bear children. Wouldn't the world be doomed to extinction?"

Tang Monk cautiously spoke.

"Moreover, if the Buddha seeks to alleviate the sufferings of the world, why not simply send someone to deliver the scriptures directly, without all this..."

Before he could finish, he was interrupted.

Tang Monk lowered his head and saw that it was none other than Li Shimin, Empire of the Tang Emperor, kneeling by his side and tugging at his robe.

Observing Li Shimin's frantic eye signals and the twitching of his eyebrows, Tang Monk was perplexed.

Had this fellow suddenly got crazy? But he never heard that this guy had mental illness.

Li Shimin: Damn it, I don’t care if you cherish your life or not, but we do!!!

"Your Majesty, have you got something in your eyes?"

Li Shimin rolled his eyes, stood up, and respectfully said, "Bodhisattva, this bald donkey..."

A tremor passed through Guanyin's lips.

"Oh, no, I misspoke. It's the Tripitaka Master. He may have some concerns. How about this, Bodhisattva, please deign to stay in my palace for the night. I will talk to him tonight and provide you with a satisfactory answer tomorrow. How does that sound?"

Li Shimin calculated in his mind. If Guanyin agreed to stay in the imperial palace, the prestige of the Tang Empire would rise immensely. With a divine being residing in the palace, who would dare to covet the Li family's reign! Future generations of the Tang Empire could use this to enhance their prestige.

At this moment, Guanyin's mind was in disarray. She had no intention of saying more. Seeing Tang Monk's firm stance, she knew that saying more today would be futile.

"Alright, there's no need to stay in the palace. Let's leave it at that for today. Tang Monk, give it some serious thought. Countless people in the world are suffering."

"I will come again tomorrow!"

With that, Guanyin swiftly departed on a cloud.

Tomorrow was another day!

Countless divine beings were surely paying attention to this, and losing face had already happened. That wasn't the issue. The crucial matter was that Tang Monk, who couldn't be persuaded or coerced, needed to be deceived into the Journey to the West!

Finally relieved, the ministers of the Tang Dynasty in the palace stood up comfortably. Tang Monk's earlier confrontation had frightened them.

"Tripitaka Master, come here."

Li Shimin looked at Tang Monk with a gaze containing resentment and disappointment.

Tang Monk shook his head, "No, I still have some matters to attend to. Yes, the laundry is still hanging and needs to be taken in."

Ignoring Tang Monk's resistance, Li Shimin forcibly led him back to the palace for ideological education.

After all, he had vouched for the Bodhisattva, and assisting a deity in achieving something could bring unimaginable benefits.

Midnight, all was silent, and the night sky was filled with stars.

Tang Monk opened his eyes.

"The Buddhist sect is indeed as Mr. Li described. People there are either gay or single, yet still make excuses for stuff. I see no future!"

With that, Tang Monk quietly slipped out of the room provided by Li Shimin, hunched in the imperial palace, and silently sneaked away.

"Master, it's late. Why are you here?"

The guards of the Tang Empire were still vigilant. Tang Monk was spotted just as he reached the gate of the imperial palace.

"Oh, nothing. I was awakened in the middle of the night and wanted to take a stroll."

"If you have no business, please return. His Majesty instructed that without his written order, no one is allowed to let you out."

The palace gate guards knew what Tang Monk wanted to do and were dutifully loyal.

Tang Monk turned back. This was just a test, but he didn't expect Li to be so unkind!

In no time, Tang Monk reached a dark, unoccupied area, took out the talisman gifted by Mr. Li, and stuck it on himself.

Staring at the towering, thick city wall stretching dozens of meters before him, Tang Monk's eye twitched.

Indeed, it was an imperial palace, essentially a city within a city!

Fortunately, he had the privilege of following Mr. Li for a few days...

Tang Monk formed his hands into claws, and with a push and a kick, he effortlessly scaled the city wall.

Upon reaching the top, his arm veins bulged, and with a forceful move, he ascended the wall.

Gracefully, he traversed the city wall and exited the imperial palace.

He walked briskly in a particular direction.

In the shadows.

Bodhisattva Guanyin quietly followed Tang Monk.

As a saint being with profound Buddhist powers, tailing him was a simple matter for her, and she could easily discern Tang Monk's movements.

To know the variables surrounding Tang Monk, and tonight, she would obtain answers.

What kind of person, what kind of event, had caused such a drastic change in Tang Monk within a mere year?

The answers were about to be revealed.

Externally calm, internally excited and nervous, Guanyin continued her silent pursuit!

...

In a tranquil alley, Tang Monk stopped in front of the gate of a courtyard.

"Knock, knock, knock."

Gently tapping the door a few times, Tang Monk opened it and entered.

Bodhisattva Guanyin's figure emerged from the shadows.

Looking at this seemingly ordinary and mundane courtyard, her eyes carried a sense of solemnity.

This place was anything but ordinary!

As a semi-saint, she couldn't deduce the slightest bit of celestial secret within, nor sense any aura within this place. Moreover, without Tang Monk guiding her, she wouldn't have found it!

This seemingly ordinary little courtyard seemed to transcend the Three Realms and exist beyond the Five Elements!

Taking a deep breath, her figure silently and seamlessly merged into the darkness, concealing all traces of her own aura.

Today, she must explore and witness the mystery within!

However, Tang Monk was still inside, so it wasn't appropriate to enter directly. Before completely breaking up the relationship with him, it was better to avoid Tang Monk in such matters.

...

An hour later, Tang Monk cheerfully pushed open the door and walked out of the courtyard.

His eyes were filled with reverence and understanding, as if he had gained some enlightenment.

After Tang Monk walked away, Bodhisattva Guanyin appeared out of thin air in front of the courtyard gate.

On the plaque, two words were written: “Secular Residence,” with intertwining principles, harboring an enigmatic charm that eluded understanding.

The two door panels had a very ancient style, one depicting mountains, rivers, and vegetation, while the other illustrated the sun, moon, and stars, exuding a grandeur.

However, they carried a strong sense of the passage of time. It seemed like countless epochs had passed, and the depictions on them had become blurred, gradually aging.

What kind of existence resided behind these doors?