1 I Refuse!

In Jambudvipa, the Tang Empire, within the Imperial Palace:

"Tang Monk, to rescue the multitude from disasters, to alleviate all worldly suffering, are you willing to step on the Journey to the Western Heaven to fetch the scriptures?" inquired Bodhisattva Guanyin, standing on a cloud with a benevolent smile.

Below, in front of the imperial palace, a vast assembly of people knelt on the ground.

Among them were Emperor Tang and his ministers, and... a certain robust monk...

In this era, who had ever witnessed real, living immortals?

Therefore, when Bodhisattva Guanyin suddenly manifested in the air, everyone present, including Li Shimin, Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, immediately prostrated before her.

Their faces displayed excitement and reverence, filled with profound adoration for her!

Not to mention Tang Monk, the reincarnation of the second disciple of the Buddha, with ten lifetimes of practice, devoted to the Buddhism.

At this moment, facing Guanyin's divine presence, he was even more devout.

Upon hearing Guanyin's inquiry, Tang Monk swiftly responded, "I refuse!"

Guanyin: "!!!???"

Li Shimin: "!!! Impressive, he even dares to refuse Bodhisattva Guanyin. That makes sense for his previous disrespect to me”

Onlookers: "The Bodhisattva appeared and was refused?"

Tang Monk's answer was not just resolute; the words "I refuse" instantly spilled out, without the slightest hesitation.

The gentle and beautiful Bodhisattva Guanyin had yet to fully comprehend the situation.

"Buddha? What's going on? This doesn't align with the script at all!" floating in mid-air, Bodhisattva Guanyin felt extremely awkward, and her mind was filled with shock and confusion.

Why would Tang Monk refuse?

Wasn't he known for his mastery and devotion to Buddhism, with unwavering determination to sacrifice for the sake of Buddhism?

The script didn't go like this!

However, those thoughts could wait for later. First, deal with this... this monk, who looked oddly muscular. Wasn't he a bit too robust?

After taking a deep breath, Guanyin calmed herself and spoke again.

"Tang Monk, do you know..."

"Bodhisattva, may I ask a question before answering?" The unconventional Tang Monk, with bulging muscles and a towering figure, interrupted.

Guanyin paused, and a hint of irritation flashed across her beautiful face. She bit her rosy lips and replied, "Go ahead."

Tang Monk, with his muscular arms, continued without courtesy.

"Bodhisattva, could you please tell me the distance I need to travel to fetch the scriptures, whether there are dangers along the way, when I can obtain the true scriptures, and why the Buddha, with the will to save all beings, doesn't directly help the common people or transmit the Buddhism directly? Why must his disciple go on such a distant journey, and who knows how many people will die during this period?"

"Enough, Tang Monk, no more questions!" Guanyin, truly astonished, couldn't believe that Tang Monk had mastered recitation even before the journey began!

This rapid-fire series of questions, without pauses, left her bewildered.

Judging by his unceasing momentum, his speech seemed far from over...

Li Shimin and others were dumbfounded.

Indeed, he truly lives up to the reputation of an enlightened high monk; words cannot adequately describe his eloquence!

Guanyin, after tidying her thoughts, spoke again, "Tang Monk, on your journey, there will undoubtedly be dangers, but many will come to your aid. Moreover, we have arranged several disciples with great powers to ensure your safety!”

“Nowadays, disasters and afflictions abound in the world. The Buddha, out of compassion, has provided scriptures. Don't you wish to bring these scriptures to alleviate the suffering of the world?" Guanyin's words were radiant with Buddhist light, carrying an aura of enlightening the world.

Tang Monk, rubbing his shiny head with his thick arm, thought to himself.

Bodhisattva Guanyin's words are just like what the mister said. The mister is truly extraordinary!

"Bodhisattva, those are external forces after all. I am but a mere novice, easily defeated!" Tang Monk replied with a calm heart.

Guanyin looked at Tang Monk, who was with a resolute and serious expression. She bit her lip again.

"I have two treasures here, which I can give to you!" Guanyin took out two treasures emitting a radiant Buddhist light.

"The Brocade Lotus Robe and the Nine-Ring Monk Staff, bestowed by the Buddha himself. With these two treasures, you can embark on your journey with peace of mind, right?" Guanyin seemed somewhat weary; originally, these were prepared treasures for Tang Monk, but now, giving them away felt a bit reluctant.

She was really getting a headache, truly baffled and unable to figure out where the problem lied. Why was this Tang Monk acting like this?

"Bodhisattva, can these two treasures be used to subdue demons and eliminate evil?"

"No, they can't..."

"Then they must be able to resist the attacks of demons, right?"

"Well, not exactly..."

Tiny beads of sweat appeared on the pure white forehead of Guanyin, and she felt a bit frantic.

Why is this brat so verbose? The task from the Buddha is so challenging!

Yet, Tang Monk remained calm in his heart. Every word spoken by Mr. Li had come true. The Buddhist sect wants me to go to my death!

In the Heaven, the Cloud Palace.

Jade Emperor and a multitude of immortals observed everything happening in the Tang Empire through the Sky Mirror.

Seeing Tang Monk in such a state, and Guanyin being left speechless by him, they all abandoned their divine decorum and burst into hearty laughter.

Was this the destined monk who deeply understood Buddhism, was devoted to its principles, and was determined to bring salvation to all living beings?

Was this the renowned Bodhisattva Guanyin, known throughout the Three Realms for her Buddhist prowess?

Let's get this Journey to the West ruined quickly!

...

In Aparagodaniya, on Spirit Mountain, within the Mahavira Hall:

Surrounded by boundless Buddha's light, the Tathagata was expounding the Dharma, elucidating the Buddhism.

Every word he said was like golden lotuses blooming and melodious sounds resonating.

All the Bodhisattvas, Arhats, messengers, and heavenly beings had smiles on their faces, listening as if enchanted.

Suddenly, the Tathagata stopped, and uncontrollable twitches appeared at the corners of his mouth.

He had impulsively calculated the matter of the journey for the scriptures and unintentionally learned about everything happening in the Tang Empire.

Isn’t Tang Monk supposed to be my disciple, a reincarnation of the Golden Cicada?

When he heard about the journey for the scriptures, shouldn’t he have embarked on it without hesitation?

For the first time, his eyes, brimming with wisdom, revealed a puzzled expression.

…

Back in the Tang Empire:

"Tang Monk, how can I persuade you to go on the journey for the scriptures?"

Bodhisattva Guanyin had nothing more to say, directly posing the question.

She couldn't understand. Tang Monk had been a devout Buddhist since childhood, and everything was normal even a year ago.

During this year, as the opportunity for the Journey to the West approached, they focused on preparations, neglecting to pay much attention to him. Could that one year have changed him so much?

Unable to fathom the situation and unwilling to dwell on it, the priority now was to coax Tang Monk into going on the journey!

However, Tang Monk did not respond directly to Guanyin.

Floating in the air, Bodhisattva Guanyin, with skin like condensed cream, a face exuding unmatched beauty, and a slender figure beneath the white robe, appeared graceful and elegant. The golden wheel of merit behind her accentuated her nobility and grace.

Tang Monk, looking at the beautiful Bodhisattva Guanyin, seemed to recall something...

He gazed at her with a solemn expression and asked, "Bodhisattva, there's one thing I don't understand. May you enlighten me?"

"What is it?"

"Bodhisattva, as a peerless beauty of our generation, do you have a marriage partner or someone you love?"