63: Monk Bianji

“Have you remembered how to use this Magic Treasure? With the authentic Buddha Power I’ve given you, it should be enough to unleash this Magic Treasure’s power, and it should save your life in times of danger. But remember, if things become impossible, call out the name of Buddha of Sandalwood Merit, and I will come to save you!”

Tang Ku placed a sandalwood box in the Queen’s hand and earnestly instructed, “Also, you absolutely must protect yourself, especially that Lunar Star Lord; never trust her, understand?”

“Alright, alright, I think you’re even more long-winded than the old nannies who served me when I was young!” The Queen chuckled, “Don’t worry, I’ve been a King for a few years now, so I still have some discernment. And even though I am a woman, I’ve practiced archery and horsemanship since childhood! I can even draw a 200-jin Divine Arm Bow!”

Tang Ku nodded: “Only then can I rest assured… Hmm, remember, in times of danger, you must call out this Buddha name. I will rush over to save you as quickly as possible!”

“Alright, alright… Hmm, you’re leaving now… You must come back quickly…”

The Queen’s eyes held a hint of melancholy as she spoke.

“I know… Hmm… I… Poor Monk… Poor Monk will be leaving now… Take care!”

Tang Ku gently grasped her slender, fair hand, squeezing it firmly, “I will return, I definitely will…”

With that, Tang Ku had already taken two steps back, soared into the air, and headed towards the horizon… He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he wouldn’t want to leave.

The Queen gazed at her palm, lost in thought, then clenched her fist, as if cheering herself on: “I must take good care of myself and wait for you to return… Hmm, oh no, I forgot to tell him my name again… Hehe, that’s fine too, it’ll give him something to think about!”

The Buddha Power on Tang Ku had mostly recovered. In fact, he had lectured on scriptures for three days in Daughter’s Country, and deeply imprinted the image of his Buddha of Sandalwood Merit into the hearts of the people of Daughter’s Country. This was akin to leaving his mark here, and he would become the sole belief here, effectively making this place his territory.

And as for that Lunar Star Lord, if she truly intended to cause trouble, she would have to consider whether she could afford to offend this Buddha.

Tang Ku’s destination for this journey was Chang’an, the capital city of Datang. It had been a long time since he had seen Tang King Li Shimin, and he felt that he had truly been a somewhat unqualified Holy Monk of Datang.

Moreover, there was the most important point: he was going to Datang to await news from Yang Jian and Shi Jingmo.

Yang Jian was a clever man; when the news of him being struck down to the Lower Realm reached his ears, he would surely wonder where he would go. And the name Tang Sanzang originated from Datang, so he would surely know that he would return to Datang to wait for him.

Shi Jingmo possessed great wisdom. With his abilities, combined with Brick’s speed, he would surely be able to ascertain his whereabouts, especially since he had left such a divine miracle in Daughter’s Country. He would definitely follow this clue to find him.

Datang was currently his best destination!

Although the Somersault Cloud was an Elementary version, its speed was only slightly slower than Sun Wukong’s previous one, so he quickly arrived in Chang’an again.

However, he did not go directly to the imperial palace but instead found an inn to stay in. With the gold and silver gifted by Daughter’s Country, these expenses were not much.

The reason he did not enter the imperial city was that he wanted to inquire whether anything strange had happened recently in Chang’an.

On the second floor of the inn, Tang Ku picked up his teacup, quietly listening to the sounds around him. With his current perception abilities, no rustle of wind or movement of grass could escape him.

Due to his handsome appearance, coupled with his moon-white monk’s robe, he looked even more distinguished. The female diners in the restaurant were all attracted by his unique temperament, and even the men couldn’t help but glance at him a few more times, praising him as a fine, distinguished Young Master, but lamenting that it was a pity he had become a monk!

Suddenly, the street erupted with noise. Over there, a group of Dali Temple officials and soldiers were escorting a person wearing a masked iron helmet towards the imperial city.

It must be said that people are naturally fond of watching a spectacle, especially in the relatively open Datang, where such events were regarded as curious news by the common folk. So many people came to watch, but the Dali Temple group, with their fierce expressions and steel blades, absolutely forbade anyone from approaching.

Tang Ku glanced over and suddenly saw the figure of the person being escorted, and his heart stirred.

Although the clothes on that person were tattered from torture, it was very clear that it was a monk’s robe. And observing his figure and gait, the way he walked, Tang Ku couldn’t help but sigh, saying helplessly: “What was destined to come, has still come… Alas, good Disciple, why did you have to come to this?”

Besides Sun Wukong and the few Disciples Tang Sanzang took on the pilgrimage, he also had many Disciples in Chang’an, and the utterly miserable person before him was actually known by quite a few people.

Huichang Temple once produced a very famous monk named Bianji, and it was he who was taken as a Disciple in Tang Sanzang’s Jingtu Temple, assisting in translating scriptures. Both his scholarship and his cultivation could be called those of a grand master.

However, his fate and end were very tragic!

According to legend, Monk Bianji had an affair with Gao Yang Princess and was ultimately cut in half at the waist by Emperor Taizong. The tragic manner of his death was unparalleled in the Tang Dynasty!

Tang Ku knew that seeing this scene today meant that Bianji’s tribulation had arrived.

However, he saw something different on Bianji, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

“Perhaps… there’s still a turn of events in this matter?”

Tang Ku slightly frowned, and his figure flickered, already disappearing from the restaurant. Many people, seeing the monk suddenly vanish, thought it was divine. A scholar, looking in the direction where the monk had been, couldn’t help but secretly think: “Could it be that a True Buddha Arhat has appeared here? When Master Xuanzang traveled west, Guanyin Bodhisattva once manifested…”

Tang Ku’s figure was hidden among the crowd, subtly changing positions, following step by step towards the imperial palace. And until he entered Tang King’s bedchamber, no one discovered Tang Ku’s presence. After all, his current skill was not comparable to a Mortal. Unless another divine person appeared in the imperial palace, it would be impossible for anyone to discover him.

The guards escorted Monk Bianji to see Tang King Li Shimin. The Emperor’s wrath was truly feared by all, but after the iron helmet was removed, Monk Bianji’s gaunt face showed a hint of composure. He bowed and kowtowed to the Tang King, then clasped his hands together and said: “Poor Monk knows that today I will likely not escape death. Poor Monk’s death is not worth regretting, but Your Highness Princess is innocent. It was Poor Monk who seduced Your Highness Princess, which led to this disaster. Your Majesty, please understand, that Young Master Fang is dissolute and truly not a good match for the Princess. Your Majesty should let the Princess divorce him as soon as possible, so that she does not lose a lifetime of blessings!”

“Hmph, it’s come to this, and you’re still siding with Gao Yang? You truly are loyal and devoted… Good, I will have you die without a complete corpse…”

Emperor Taizong laughed in extreme anger, ordering his subordinates to drag Monk Bianji out and cut him in half at the waist!

“Amitabha, Your Majesty, wait, allow Poor Monk a word!”

A monk, dressed in a moon-white robe and incomparably elegant, appeared in the main hall.