Capítulo 1310: Chapter 1308: Trust Between Master and Disciples
Comings and goings are swift.
This is the current situation of Jiang Liu.
After receiving a definite answer from the Empress, Jiang Liu showed no hesitation whatsoever and left with Sun Wukong and the others, walking away very decisively, as if he was afraid the Empress would regret her decision.
This situation left the Empress and Jade Emperor both stunned, exchanging confused glances on their faces.
“Yaoji, lending them the Map of Mountains and Rivers, could it have huge karmic implications?” After a brief moment of silence, the Jade Emperor couldn’t help but ask the Empress.
“I don’t think that’s possible,” the Empress replied, shaking her head in bewilderment upon hearing this.
Then, the Empress elaborated to the Jade Emperor how she had once adopted Fairy Zixia as her goddaughter, and how Fairy Zixia chose the Map of Mountains and Rivers over the Peach, and subsequently lent it to Jiang Liu and his party.
“That’s strange…” Listening to the Empress’ explanation, the Jade Emperor was completely bewildered, unable to comprehend.
Logically, if that’s the case, Xuanzang’s karmic debt to Fairy Zixia should be the larger part, right?
But he actually used this small portion of karma to make deals? This is completely contrary to the aggressive demeanor he and his disciples exhibited earlier!
It’s like an ordinary piece of clothing, considered to be worth only a few coins, hardly even silver at best, right?
Yet someone directly offers a thousand silver coins to buy it, and after leaving the thousand silver coins, they grab the clothes and run as if afraid that there’ll be a change of heart.
It’s inevitably puzzling, an utterly baffling situation.
“Forget it, if it’s impossible to understand, then don’t bother. Lending the Map of Mountains and Rivers for a while is just karma, and if he’s willing to trade for it like this, there’s nothing unworthy for us!”
After pondering deeply but failing to make sense of it, the Empress finally shook her head and said.
“Yes, indeed so!” Hearing the Empress’ words, the Jade Emperor also nodded in agreement.
Indeed, there’s no need to waste effort trying to understand, as for now, it doesn’t seem unworthy.
For the Jade Emperor, the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team came to Lingxiao Hall to demand fairness, even threatening to fight if he didn’t issue an Edict of Self-Accusation.
Yet in the end, they left so easily, feeling unresolved, like a tale abruptly ended.
…
Leaving aside what feelings they have, after leaving the palace, Jiang Liu and his party did not linger, flying straight out of the South Heavenly Gate.
Jiang Liu could somewhat guess the feelings of the Jade Emperor and Empress now, but precisely because of this, he felt he needed to hurry.
Otherwise, if the Empress, full of doubt and unrest, chased after them to get clarity, how could he respond?
Although the Empress had asked all immortals to leave before inviting Jiang Liu and his party to her palace, almost all the immortals’ eyes were focused on the Jade Emperor’s palace, unsure of the outcome of their secret meetings.
Unexpectedly, without waiting long, Jiang Liu and his party left, seeming calm, quickly heading toward the South Heavenly Gate.
From their faces, it seemed nothing unpleasant occurred; at least the expressions of the Journey to the West team showed no signs of unhappiness.
So, did the Jade Emperor really agree to Xuanzang’s demands by issuing an Edict of Self-Accusation?
Secretly astonished, these immortals awaited eagerly to see what the Jade Emperor would do next.
But after waiting for a long time, they found out that the Journey to the West team, having come aggressively to challenge him, left while Jade Emperor returned to tranquility.
Saying what is typically said, doing what is typically done, and as for the Edict of Self-Accusation? The Jade Emperor did not mention it, nor did he speak of resurrecting the Dragon King of Jing River.
This outcome left all the immortals somewhat puzzled.
Ultimately, what consensus had been reached between the Jade Emperor and Xuanzang? Why did they leave with calm expressions, and why did the Jade Emperor not issue the Edict nor mention resurrecting the Dragon King?
Leaving aside what those immortals’ thoughts might be, after crossing the South Heavenly Gate, Jiang Liu and his party naturally returned to their road in the Journey to the West for Scriptures, continuing toward the Great Thunder Monastery of the Western Heaven.
“Disciples, do you have anything you want to ask of your master?”
Sitting on the back of the White Dragon Horse, Jiang Liu waited for a long while, but Sun Wukong and the others said nothing, which surprised Jiang Liu. He curiously asked Sun Wukong and the others.
“Master, ask what?” Upon hearing this, Sun Wukong looked puzzled and asked Jiang Liu.
“Of course, ask why your master let the Jade Emperor off so easily. Don’t you find it strange?” Jiang Liu inwardly wondered and asked Sun Wukong back.
“Master, isn’t there no need to ask about this?” At that moment, Zhu Bajie spoke up next to Jiang Liu.
With these words, Zhu Bajie followed up, “We disciples absolutely trust master’s wisdom. Although we are indeed curious, since master chose this way, there must be a reason. We could not possibly distrust master, right, Xiaobai?”
Finally, Zhu Bajie also asked the White Dragon Horse.
“Yes, master, of course, I trust master. Since master chose this, there surely is a reason. If you wish to speak, disciple will be all ears. But if you do not wish to speak, disciple shall not pursue!” As Zhu Bajie inquired, the White Dragon Horse nodded earnestly and answered.
“You all…” Listening to the responses from the White Dragon Horse and others, Jiang Liu felt deeply moved for a moment.
Although everyone had long been grasshoppers tied to the same rope, Jiang Liu trusted these disciples very much. Yet, they chose to believe in him despite not understanding his actions.
This situation truly made Jiang Liu feel deeply touched.
“Alright, let your master explain why he did it this way!” Although Sun Wukong and the others trusted him, without intent to pursue further, Jiang Liu decided to explain his reasons clearly.
Due to the Map of Mountains and Rivers, they owed the Empress a favor. Then, having killed the Empress earlier, he encountered the Karmic Curse, causing both his and the Evil Corpse’s cultivation level to decline somewhat.
So, after the Empress’s resurrection, he dared not strike her down again, fearing the Karmic Curse would recur.
Now, if they could resolve their karma with the Empress, naturally, he wouldn’t need to worry when moving against her again in the future.
“I think it’s quite worthwhile to simply embarrass the Jade Emperor in exchange for another chance to kill the Empress, so this is the choice I made!” Jiang Liu concluded with his reasoning.
“So that’s how it is!” Hearing Jiang Liu’s explanation, Sun Wukong and the others were enlightened.
“All master’s actions indeed have deep meaning; I, Old Pig, am impressed!” Zhu Bajie, the dedicated flatterer, was the first to express admiration.
“Indeed, if it’s truly so, it really is worth it!” Even the Little White Dragon nodded in agreement hearing Jiang Liu’s words.
The main purpose of heaven is to redress the injustice for uncle.
Although the Jade Emperor hasn’t yet issued an Edict of Self-Accusation, with their questioning in the Lingxiao Hall, all the Immortal Gods understand what it’s about.
As justice lives in hearts, uncle’s grievance is considered redressed.
“So, master, what should we do next?” After Sun Wukong, Zhu Bajie, and others finished praising him, Sun Wukong curiously asked Jiang Liu.
“Next? We ought to strategize carefully on how to slay the Empress!” Hearing this, Jiang Liu smiled and said.
In terms of power, if he can kill the Empress once, naturally, he can kill her twice.
After her agreement, she might have thought she gained much, hadn’t she?
Little did she know that by agreeing, she shattered her own protective umbrella.
“Oh? Are we to strike at the Empress again? She has just been resurrected, and the Jade Emperor is surely closely guarding her, right? Is there really a good chance to act?” Sun Wukong puzzledly said.
“Monkey Brother, do you doubt master’s strategy? Since master has spoken, he surely has a plan!” Being the dedicated flatterer, Zhu Bajie naturally stood by Jiang Liu to speak.
“Can I confess that I indeed haven’t thought of such a plan yet?” Listening to Zhu Bajie’s blind loyalty, Jiang Liu felt a bit embarrassed, touching his nose and inwardly murmuring.
Of course, Jiang Liu wouldn’t say such things aloud.
He didn’t wish to dwell on it further and, pausing briefly, Jiang Liu spoke up, shifting the topic: “Right now, we should first talk about resurrecting the Dragon King of Jing River…”