Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Inside the artificial hill, there was a small space, but Jiang Liu and Princess Gaoyang did not find it cramped as they hid there.

The tiny private space allowed them to be very close, almost as if they could clearly hear each other's breathing.

"Princess Gaoyang, I'm sorry, I..."

The light was dim, and the young girl in front of him looked weary and slightly thinner. Jiang Liu's longing over the past days had turned into a feeling of guilt, and he couldn't help but gently grab Princess Gaoyang's tender hand, whispering softly.

However, Jiang Liu had not finished speaking when Princess Gaoyang covered his lips with her other hand.

Princes Gaoyang's eyes shimmered as she slightly lifted her head, looking intently at Jiang Liu, "You don't need to apologize. Getting the Scar of Precepts wasn't your choice, and no one expected you to receive twelve of them."

"Had I known, I would have not participated in the Incense Offering Ceremony. Perhaps then, we both..." Thinking about the twelve Scars of Precepts on his head, Jiang Liu showed a regretful expression.

He had participated only to formally renounce secular life and give an explanation to Jinshan Temple, but who could have imagined this outcome?

If he hadn't attended, perhaps he and Princess Gaoyang would be together by now?

But with this thought, Jiang Liu gave a bitter smile and shook his head, "No, even if I hadn't participated, we couldn't be together now. Because I am just a mere man, unworthy of you."

"Now, it is I who am unworthy of you...", Princess Gaoyang softly gripped Jiang Liu's hand in return, whispering back.

The twelve Scars of Precepts indicated a reincarnation of a Bodhisattva from Spirit Mountain. If all went as expected, Jiang Liu was to become the spiritual leader of all monks in the Great Tang.

Although Princess Gaoyang's status was noble, it paled in comparison to Jiang Liu's.

Regrettably, despite Jiang Liu's distinguished status, he was a monk, unable to marry or have children. Otherwise, with his status now, he would be more than worthy of a princess.

Bowing her head, Princess Gaoyang kept silent for a moment before whispering, "Jiang Liu, if there's no chance for us to be together in the future, maybe we should stop here. You will undoubtedly become a renowned Holy Monk, more esteemed even than Saint Monk Longhai. I don't want to be a burden to you, or hinder your future..."

"Don't say that. I am a man who chooses love over power," Jiang Liu immediately interrupted Princess Gaoyang, his expression resolute.

Breaking up had never crossed Jiang Liu's mind.

Whether when he first learned of Gaoyang's royal status and felt unworthy of her; or when he received the twelve Scars of Precepts, realizing the difficulty of being together; or now, having realized his identity as the Tang Monk, Jiang Liu had never thought about parting ways with Princess Gaoyang.

Jiang Liu merely considered how difficult it was to be together and thought of ways to overcome these difficulties.

"I, I thought your entry into the palace was to..." Upon hearing Jiang Liu's definitive words, Gaoyang understood his feelings, and felt warmth in her heart as she whispered softly.

Hush!

But before Gaoyang could finish, Jiang Liu immediately gestured for her to be quiet.

Indeed, shortly after, footsteps approached; two palace maids talking as they passed by the artificial hill.

The two hid inside the hill, holding their breath, daring not to make any sound.

After a moment, once the palace maids passed by, they both exhaled deeply, smiled at each other, their hearts pounding loudly. Then, they gently embraced.

"What did you think I came to the palace for? Did you think I was here to cut off our bond? Did you think I wanted to establish boundaries with you to become a revered leader of the Buddhist sect, to become a saint admired by thousands? No, I came because I was worried about you. Look at you, how thin you've become."

"Indeed, as you said, given my identity, it is extremely difficult for us to be together, but no matter how difficult it is, I won't let go. Rest assured, I will strive to become stronger, strong enough that no one can stop us from being together...,"

...

Jiang Liu and Saint Monk Longhai left the Imperial Palace together, and as they reached the outside, Jiang Liu turned back for one last look.

Today's visit to the palace, where he whispered sweet nothings with Princess Gaoyang in the rockery, helped Jiang Liu resolve some of his inner conflicts.

Due to the twelve Scar of Precepts, Jiang Liu had been worried about Princess Gaoyang's condition these past days. Indeed, seeing her again, she had become more reticent and thinner. Today, having said all that needed to be said, he could see that her spirits had lifted quite a bit.

As Tang Monk, it was clear to him that the Buddha and Bodhisattvas of Western Heaven would never allow him to marry and forsake the great undertaking of the Journey to the West.

Therefore, Jiang Liu did not show any strong desire to renounce his monastic life.

Otherwise, who knows whether the Buddha and Bodhisattvas might harm Princess Gaoyang?

However, to be with Princess Gaoyang, he must grow quickly enough to take control of his own destiny and reach a point where he is no longer at the mercy of the Heavenly Deity.

Jiang Liu understood that all this was very, very difficult.

However, possessing a gaming system that allowed him to level up by defeating monsters, he had reached level 11 in just over half a month, a feat that would take others many years of hard cultivation.

At least, there was still hope, wasn't there?

From behind the battlements on top of the palace walls, Princess Gaoyang secretly watched the departing figures of Jiang Liu and Saint Monk Longhai. Thinking of the words Jiang Liu had said today, a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"In love's long-lasting bond, time does not matter, a truly good line of poetry. Although we cannot be together day and night now, at least he has not given up hope. He is willing to strive for our future...," Princess Gaoyang murmured softly, comforted by the poem Jiang Liu had recited to her in the rockery, feeling a sweet sensation in her heart.

Saint Monk Longhai walked alongside Jiang Liu, slightly turning his head to glance at him.

Although Jiang Liu had been silent throughout, Longhai could feel that Jiang Liu was much more relaxed than when they had arrived, suggesting that he and Princess Gaoyang had shared some very important words, but certainly not a farewell.

Longhai did not inquire about the specifics of their conversation.

"By the way, Holy Monk, there is still some time, may I visit Jinshan Temple tomorrow? It's been several days since I came to the Great Buddha Temple, and I haven't yet gone back to check on it," Jiang Liu asked as he walked alongside Longhai.

Although he had only been in this world for a short time, Jiang Liu had quite liked the days he initially spent at Jinshan Temple, where Senior Abbot Faming and the others had taken very good care of him—it felt like home in this world.

"Of course, I'll arrange for Master Huihai to accompany you tomorrow," Longhai nodded without any intention of refusal.

He knew that Jiang Liu had lived in Jinshan Temple from a young age, so his desire to go back and see it was only natural.

Perhaps it was to ensure his safety, since a monk with twelve Scar of Precepts could be targeted by someone, or even by demons.

Or perhaps it was the fear of him running away.

But Jiang Liu did not refuse the arrangement for Master Huihai to accompany him.

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