Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

"Master, what's this?" Sun Wukong, who was standing beside Jiang Liu, stared curiously as Jiang Liu took out a beautifully crafted treasure chest and leaned forward, his eyes widening as he peered inside.

Glancing at the monkey beside him, Jiang Liu smiled and shook his head, not just cats were curious, this monkey was equally curious.

Of course, Jiang Liu's heart was also filled with anticipation and curiosity.

As the epic-level treasure chest was opened, Jiang Liu looked inside and found that it wasn't any equipment, but just a palm-sized token.

Jiang Liu felt somewhat disappointed, but still he reached out and took the token out. As his gaze landed on the token, the related attribute information appeared before his eyes.

"Guild Creation Token (Consumable): This token allows the creation of a faction. Note: Can be used after unlocking the social function."

"A Guild Creation Token? What do I need this thing for?" Jiang Liu murmured quietly while playing with the token in his hand.

In online games, a token like this could be quite valuable, even eagerly awaited by many powers. It wasn't surprising to say it held epic-level value.

However, as he journeyed west, and wasn't operating any power structures, this Guild Creation Token seemed unnecessary...

"Wait," Jiang Liu contemplated the token in his hand, initially feeling it useless. Suddenly, something clicked in his mind.

This journey to Western Heaven wasn't just about seeking scriptures; more importantly, it was about self-preservation. Could he and Sun Wukong alone suffice?

If he could also command a faction of his own.

With this thought, Jiang Liu glanced at the Elder Jinchi flying mid-air and various Demon Kings. Although their power was nothing compared to the Immortals and Buddhas, wasn't having more allies equivalent to more strength? Perhaps he could strengthen it further in the future?

However, thinking about the token that needed the social function to be unlocked, Jiang Liu shook his head again; it seemed he wouldn't be able to use it anytime soon.

At level 10, he unlocked the inventory space function, at level 20 the mission system was unlocked. So, when would the social function be unlocked?

Level 30? Level 40? Or level 50?

After unlocking the social function, one could establish a faction. Could there also be a friends function that allows long-distance conversations between friends?

"Hey, Gaoyang, I've reached the foothills of Spirit Mountain. How are you doing over there with Guanyin?"

"Calling the Bodhisattva, calling the Bodhisattva, I've run into a very powerful Demon here. Could you come help?"

"Wukong, between these True and False Monkey Kings, which one is really you? Did you hear that? Twist your butt?"

... Explore new worlds at empire

Shaking his head, Jiang Liu cast aside these messy thoughts, feeling the situation was too fantastical to imagine.

However, whatever the case, this Guild Creation Token was a good item for Jiang Liu. To contend against the Immortals and Buddhas in the future, he'd undoubtedly need to gather his own forces, and this token would play a crucial role.

After entering Black Wind Cave, the Black Bear Demon, leading a group of Demons, once again expressed deep gratitude to Jiang Liu for saving their lives.

Compared to the Immortals and Buddhas, these Demon Kind had more straightforward personalities. If you are good to me, I am good to you, clear about gratitude and grudges, with no schemes of betrayal.

Naturally, seeing Master Lingxu, Jiang Liu also chatted with him for a bit.

Learning that he had been summoned by the Black Bear Demon but was unwilling to act against him, he had just been staying in Black Wind Cave, which made Jiang Liu silently nod in agreement.

It was getting late, so after a brief chat, everyone dispersed to rest.

In the following days, Jiang Liu stayed in Black Wind Cave. The Demon Kings courteously served Jiang Liu, and over several days, they became much more familiar with each other.

Similarly, it was evident that Jiang Liu, being a Holy Monk, did not hold any prejudice against these Demons, which made the Demon Kings even more grateful.

It's worth mentioning that during this period, having learned about the acquaintance between Jiang Liu and Master Lingxu, the Black Bear Demon took the initiative to fetch another Spirit Elixir for Jiang Liu.

Without any hesitation, after swallowing the second Spirit Elixir, 250,000 Experience Points were directly credited to his account.

After dawdling around for three days in Black Wind Cave, one day, Jiang Liu, riding the White Dragon Horse with Sun Wukong by his side, descended from Black Wind Mountain.

"Black Bear Demon, I have the Mystical Mirror in hand. If I see you commit any wrongdoings in the future, do not blame me for being ruthless," sitting on the White Dragon Horse, Jiang Liu turned around and addressed the group of Demons, led by the Black Bear Demon.

"Holy Monk, I understand. From now on, I will quietly cultivate here on Black Wind Mountain with Elder Jinchi and Brother Lingxu," hearing Jiang Liu's words, the Black Bear Demon reflexively covered his head and nodded hastily.

He didn't want to endure the pain of the Tight Hoop Spell a second time.

"That's good; diligently cultivate here in these mountains, as perhaps in the future I might need your help," Jiang Liu said with a nod.

"We will certainly give our all and help till death!" the Black Bear Demon and the other Demon Kings behind him declared in unison upon hearing Jiang Liu's words.

"Should the Holy Monk command it, I will readily sacrifice these old bones to repay your great kindness," Elder Jinchi added with a determined expression, assuring him.

If the Guild Creation Token could be used now, it would be perfect to establish a guild right away.

Indeed, now with their assurances, Jiang Liu felt quite satisfied. He nodded slightly, waved his hand, and turned to leave.

"Ah, Holy Monk, wait a moment..." Just as Jiang Liu turned around, it seemed the Black Bear Demon remembered something else and called out to him.

"What is it? Is there something else you wish to say?" Jiang Liu asked, turning to look at the Black Bear Demon, as the White Dragon Horse stopped without needing a tug at its reins.

"Holy Monk, as you travel westward, if you happen to pass by Fuling Mountain, there resides Second Ms. Luan. Please look after her," the Black Bear Demon said as he stepped forward, his expression hesitant and then continued.

"Fuling Mountain? Second Ms. Luan?" Jiang Liu was taken aback by the Black Bear Demon's words.

"Yes, initially I and Second Ms. Luan were sworn siblings. However, during my Heavenly Tribulation, I inadvertently involved her in an attack. I do not know how she has fared over these years. If you could look after her..." Scratching his head, the Black Bear Demon appeared somewhat embarrassed yet guilty.

Hint: Triggered the quest "Siblings' Affection." Fulfill Black Bear Demon's wish to receive 150,000 Experience Points and a Dragon Soul Bracelet; failure results in a deduction of 150,000 Experience Points. Accept/Reject?

As the Black Bear Demon pleaded, the system notification appeared, prompting Jiang Liu to nod silently.

Indeed, when someone sincerely seeks help, it passively triggers a quest. Although passive quests come with a penalty for failure, the rewards are significantly richer compared to active quests.

Quickly accepting the quest, Jiang Liu assured the Black Bear Demon, "Rest assured, I will surely not disappoint you in the matter you've entrusted to me."

"Thank you, Holy Monk, thank you so much!" The Black Bear Demon expressed his gratitude with a nod.

Being a demon is inherently difficult; the Black Bear Demon was well aware. Although humans fear demons for their misdeeds, likewise, demons fear the cultivators of the Human Clan and even the Immortals and Buddhas.

Master Xuanzang is a Holy Monk, and from the time Guanyin descended to the mortal realm, it was evident that his status was extraordinary. Even the Third Crown Prince of the Western Sea Dragon King merely serves as his mount. Therefore, with his protection, it is unlikely that any deities would trouble them; this was the real intent of the Black Bear Demon.

Like him and the Demon Kings he had gathered, with Master Xuanzang interceding on their behalf, even Guanyin had shown leniency.

As long as they did not initiate trouble in the future, they believed no deity would attack them—this was their ultimate assurance!

Waving his hand, Jiang Liu turned and continued his journey to the west. The White Dragon Horse lifted its hooves, and the sound of its galloping quickly faded, soon disappearing near Black Wind Mountain.

Sun Wukong hovered in mid-air, following beside Jiang Liu.

"Well, my brothers, it's time for you all to return. I appreciate your help this time, and I will remember this favor. However, I have promised the Holy Monk—please refrain from wrongdoing, or else do not blame me for being discourteous," the Black Bear Demon said, watching Jiang Liu and his party move farther away, then turned to address the Demon Kings.

"We naturally obey the commands of Brother Black Bear. Assisting him this time turned out to be a blessing in disguise for us, allowing us to avoid the threat of being slain by Immortals and Buddhas; we dare not cause unwarranted trouble," a Demon King stepped forward and stated as the rest of the Demon Kings nodded in agreement.

This response pleased the Black Bear Demon, who nodded satisfactorily.

Yet, turning towards the west, he sighed softly, "Ah, Master Xuanzang's grand kindness is too great to ever repay in this lifetime."

"Diligently cultivating is the best help we can offer the Holy Monk. Didn't he mention that he might need our help in the future? Those words weren't just said casually," Elder Jinchi spoke up, hearing the Black Bear Demon's sigh.

...

Below Black Wind Mountain, Jiang Liu sat astride the galloping White Dragon Horse, which ran so swiftly yet smoothly that he could afford to be lost in thought.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Second Ms. Luan of Fuling Mountain? Wasn't that Zhu Bajie's former wife? She never appeared in the original scripture but only mentioned by Zhu Bajie; apparently, she died about a year after they married.

In the original tale, Zhu Bajie was residing in Yunzhan Cave of Fuling Mountain, and this very cave was once Second Ms. Luan's.

In a way, Zhu Bajie seemed like he had moved into his wife's place.

After mulling over it briefly, Jiang Liu snapped back to reality, watching the scenery zip by and his expression darkened slightly.

"Right, Xiaobai, could we slow down a bit?" he asked.

(PS: Even if it's going poorly, I still have to politely ask for monthly votes...)