Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

Yes, Jiang Liu understood that in the matter of the Scripture Seeking in the West, he was just a piece on the board, and the most important one at that.

With this, his desire to marry Princess Gaoyang and have children seemed more difficult than ascending to the heavens.

After all, the Buddha and Bodhisattvas of Western Heaven would surely not allow him to abandon the pursuit of Scripture Seeking to marry and have children, right?

"Xuanzang, what\'s wrong? Did you find out something? You look rather upset," asked Longhai, who was beside him, looking curiously at Jiang Liu\'s complexion.

"Oh, it\'s nothing. It seems this dream must be my own fate. If I ever get the chance, I really should visit the Five Elements Mountain," said Holy Monk Longhai, interrupting Jiang Liu\'s thoughts. After composing himself a bit, Jiang Liu shook his head and responded.

Hearing Jiang Liu say that this was his own fate, Holy Monk Longhai decided not to meddle in the matter of the Monkey under the mountain.

However, just as he was about to leave, he heard Jiang Liu make a difficult request of him.

"Holy Monk, I have a favor to ask. I wish to visit the Imperial Palace," Jiang Liu said earnestly, gazing at Holy Monk Longhai as he made his request.

"This..." Faced with such a request, Holy Monk Longhai appeared troubled.

Originally, Longhai was very pleased when Jiang Liu made a request, as the more he helped him, the more Jiang Liu would owe him in return.

But Jiang Liu wanting to go to the Imperial Palace, what could his intentions be? Longhai naturally understood.

"Holy Monk, it has been many days since the Incense Offering Ceremony, and Princess Gaoyang saw me with her own eyes insert twelve incense scars. These days, she must be living in agonizing uncertainty. I\'m not in a hurry to renounce my religious life, can you not allow me just one meeting with her?" asked Jiang Liu, his gaze firm, clearly showing his determination to go to the Imperial Palace.

Perhaps it was because Jiang Liu\'s unyielding attitude that Longhai was wary of provoking a strong adversarial reaction, or perhaps it was Jiang Liu\'s mention of not being in a hurry to renounce his religious life that reassured Longhai somewhat.

After pondering for a moment, Longhai said, "Only this once, never again."

"Thank you, Holy Monk!" Hearing Longhai agree, Jiang Liu was overjoyed and sincerely thanked Holy Monk Longhai.

...

Following beside Longhai, Jiang Liu entered the Imperial Palace, curiously looking around; this was his first time entering the Imperial Palace.

Seeing the interior, the vermilion high walls, the guards coming and going, and the eunuch bowing and leading the way in front of them.

With Holy Monk Longhai\'s arrival at the Imperial Palace, the people inside naturally treated him with utmost respect. Soon, a young eunuch quickly ran out to inform the Emperor.

By the time Jiang Liu and Longhai reached the entrance of the great hall, they could see Emperor of Tang Li Shimin had already come out to meet them personally.

After exchanging greetings, Li Shimin\'s gaze fell on Jiang Liu, and then he greeted Jiang Liu, "Master Xuanzang, welcome."

Jiang Liu was startled when Li Shimin greeted him, but soon remembered the incident of lighting twelve incense scars, which both Princess Gaoyang and Li Shimin had witnessed. Thus, it made sense that Li Shimin remembered him.

Jiang Liu pressed his palms together, bowed, and returned the greeting, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Please have a seat," Li Shimin said as he personally welcomed Jiang Liu and Longhai into the grand hall and motioned them to sit down. Without any further ado, he said, "Holy Monk, accompanied by Master Xuanzang, must have important matters to discuss, as one does not visit the Hall of Supreme Harmony without reason."

"Indeed, I have come today firstly to discuss with Your Majesty the friction between the Great River King of Flood Dragon and the Blood Tiger King, as their increasing conflicts have greatly stirred up the evil spirits within a hundred miles, causing significant distress to the surrounding residents.

Secondly, by coincidence, I have crafted several jade pendants for protection and ornamentation, which I would like to offer to your Princes and Princesses," the words flowed from Longhai.

As he spoke, Saint Monk Longhai produced several jade pendants from his robes.

"Thank you, Holy Monk," Li Shimin expressed his gratitude upon seeing that Longhai had brought gifts and then gave a few instructions to a nearby eunuch.

Soon after the eunuch left, he returned with several young men and women, among whom was Princess Gaoyang.

Having not seen her for many days, Jiang Liu\'s heart leapt with joy upon seeing Princess Gaoyang again. He could see she looked thinner than before, her expression solemn, no longer as carefree and merry as she once was.

Jiang Liu\'s gaze fell on Princess Gaoyang and naturally, as she stepped into the grand hall, she also noticed him.

Their eyes met, and it seemed as if everything else around them ceased to exist.

"Princess Gaoyang, won\'t you come over? This is the jade pendant given by Saint Monk Longhai for your protection," Li Shimin called out to her, breaking the gaze between her and Jiang Liu.

Coming back to herself, Princess Gaoyang no longer gazed at Jiang Liu, silently walked over to Li Shimin\'s side, took the jade pendant, and curtsied, "Thank you, Father, thank you, Holy Monk."

"Alright, you all may go now..." Li Shimin said with a fond look in his eyes for Princess Gaoyang, and after distributing the jade pendants, he waved his hand, dismissing the Princes and Princesses.

"Xuanzang, since I need to discuss some matters with His Majesty, if you find yourself at leisure, feel free to explore the Imperial Palace," Longhai turned slightly and suggested to Jiang Liu after the Princes and Princesses had left.

"Then I shall not disturb Your Majesty and the Holy Monk any further," Jiang Liu stood up to leave following Saint Monk Longhai\'s words and then turned to exit the grand hall.

Jiang Liu was well aware that Saint Monk Longhai\'s pretext of giving gifts was actually to let Princess Gaoyang know he was in the palace and then conveniently leaving him alone to create an opportunity for them to be alone.

Walking naturally, Jiang Liu left the grand hall and, just as he stepped outside, he happened to see the distant figure of Princess Gaoyang turning a corner and disappearing.

Quickening his pace, Jiang Liu jogged towards the direction where Princess Gaoyang had gone.

After a short chase, when he saw Princess Gaoyang disappear near a rocky hill, Jiang Liu ran up and searched around but saw no one.

"Hey, silly, I\'m here," just as Jiang Liu was at a loss, a light laugh sounded from nearby.

Turning towards the sound, Jiang Liu saw a cave beside the hill with Princess Gaoyang poking her head out, waving at him.

With a joyful smile, Jiang Liu followed Princess Gaoyang\'s direction, squeezed through a gap in the rocks, and followed her into the cave...

(PS: A new day, asking for recommendations and support...)