The Great Bandit of Journey to the West

Chapter 79 The Great Sui Dynasty

Having decided to go to the Western Paradise, Jiang Feng began making preparations in advance.

He entrusted his 300,000 tenant farmers to Yang Guang for care, and then began to purchase necessities such as elixirs, magic weapons, and talismans from all over the place.

Time flew by, and the day of the grand ceremony for the salvation of souls arrived.

After the morning court session concluded, Emperor Yang Jian and Empress Dugu led civil and military officials out of the palace in a phoenix-carriage and dragon-drawn carriage, and under the protection of a thousand imperial guards, arrived at the South Market.

The music stopped, and Yang Jian and Empress Dugu alighted from the carriage and looked up at the altar.

On the altar, banners fluttered and canopies shone brightly.

On one altar, eminent monks lined up, chanting scriptures in unison, guiding wandering souls away from this suffering world. On another altar, numerous Taoist priests, through methodical practices, led the spirits of the dead into the underworld.

At this moment, Jiang Feng, wearing a golden robe and holding a nine-ringed staff, ascended the altar.

He had a dignified appearance, radiating a peaceful Buddhist light, and wore a Vairocana hat, making him look very much like the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva enshrined in a temple.

Yang Guang stood at the front of the crowd, looking at Jiang Feng on the altar as if a Bodhisattva had descended to earth, and clicked his tongue in amazement, saying, "Jiang Feng's appearance is truly intimidating. If I didn't know him, I would probably think he was a highly accomplished monk!"

Zhao Ming'er gave him a disapproving look and retorted, "He is indeed a highly accomplished monk, as we all acknowledge!"

Cui Ying smiled and chimed in, "That's right, it's something Zhao Ming'er, Chen Huiru, and I all agree on. Don't ask who Chen Huiru is, she's Zhao Ming'er's niece, and she stopped wetting the bed last year."

Yang Guang: "..."

Zhao Ming'er snorted angrily after Cui Ying interrupted her, then focused intently on Jiang Feng on the altar, her bright eyes lighting up.

Jiang Feng faced the crowd, sat cross-legged on a futon, his nine-ringed staff resting on his lap, and began to chant scriptures.

"Thus have I heard: At one time, the Bhagavan was staying atop Vulture Peak in Rajagaha, together with a great assembly of twelve hundred and fifty Bhikkhus, all of whom were Arhats..."

As Jiang Feng chanted, ten thousand lotus flowers emerged, and colorful clouds descended from the sky, illuminating the entire city of Daxing as if it were a Buddhist paradise on earth.

Countless wandering souls were instantly delivered from suffering, the gates of the underworld opened wide, and countless wandering souls entered the underworld in an orderly manner.

Above the clouds, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva appeared beside Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, looking puzzled, and said, "He was reciting the complete 'Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra,' right? Why did you teach it to him in advance?"

"If he really reaches the Western Paradise, what scriptures would you ask Buddha to impart to him?"

Guanyin Bodhisattva said calmly, "That's a matter for Buddha to consider. What does it have to do with this humble monk? Anyway, it wasn't this humble monk who taught him. Let Buddha worry about it himself."

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva: "..."

Good heavens! Ksitigarbha thought to himself, "Good heavens!" After Jiang Feng agreed to go on the pilgrimage, Guanyin Bodhisattva completely gave up!

It has to be said that when Guanyin Bodhisattva is being lazy, even the number one non-stick pan in Buddhism has to admit defeat!

Jiang Feng chanted scriptures for an entire day, and soon it was evening. The auspicious clouds of merit in the sky gradually grew larger, covering the sky above Daxing City.

Immediately afterwards, thousands of golden rays shone on the monks and Taoists on the altar, bestowing upon them the power of merit, which filled them with joy, and the altar was instantly filled with jubilation.

As a large amount of merit flowed into Jiang Feng's body, all the lonely souls who had died in the war over the past three hundred years entered the underworld, and Jiang Feng stopped chanting the sutras.

[Your compassion has helped liberate the souls of those who perished in war over the past three hundred years. Your boundless love has moved Heaven, and you are hereby rewarded with mastery of the "Ksitigarbha Mantra for Repentance".]

After a burst of boisterous cheers, a eunuch stepped forward and read out the imperial edict, bestowing honors upon the monks and Taoists who participated in the memorial service.

Jiang Feng was conferred the title of Holy Monk, given the Dharma name Sui Sanzang, and also given a travel permit, allowing him to set off for the Western Paradise to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures the next day.

It was clear that Yang Jian genuinely disliked him, as he didn't even provide him with travel expenses or guards.

After Yang Jian led his court officials away, the people also dispersed, leaving only Yang Guang, Cui Ying, and a few others who were acquainted with Jiang Feng.

Zhang Guo said with a mournful expression, "We agreed to become holy sons together, but why do you always steal my thunder? Compared to you, a holy monk of Buddhism, my title of Tongxuan Zhenren is a bit insignificant."

Jiang Feng laughed and said, "How about we switch places? I'll go to Kunlun Mountain, and you go to the Western Paradise to retrieve the scriptures?"

Zhang Guo's expression changed: "There's no need for that. I suddenly realize that the title 'Master Tongxuan' sounds quite nice!"

Cui Ying looked around and asked curiously, "Why don't I see Ao Ying? Doesn't she know there's a feast today?"

Jiang Feng said, "She's the fastest among us, so I sent her ahead to find Five Elements Mountain."

Cui Ying suddenly realized: "I see. Then you go ahead. I'll come find you after I've finished dealing with the people's household registrations and land."

Zhao Ming'er stepped forward and pushed her aside, saying pitifully, "You can go on your journey in peace. I'll always be waiting for you. When you one day overturn the Three Realms, don't forget to marry me!"

Jiang Feng: "@#￥%￥#@……"

I'm just going to the Western Paradise to obtain Buddhist scriptures. When did I ever say I was going to overthrow the Three Realms? Don't accuse me of anything!

Wait, when did I agree to marry you?

While Jiang Feng was in a state of confusion, Yang Guang bypassed the crowd and came to stand in front of Jiang Feng.

With a look of reluctance and deep sorrow, he said, "My dear brother, why are you so foolish as to insist on going to the Western Paradise to obtain some sacred scriptures? Wouldn't it be better for us brothers to stay in Daxing and enjoy ourselves?"

After saying that, he sighed and handed a purple-gold alms bowl to Jiang Feng.

"This was specially made for you by your brother. Take it as a keepsake. He Louzigan, who guards the border of Tuyuhun, is also one of my men. I will have him escort you across the border."

If you suffer any injustice in any small country, write to me and I'll lead a million troops to avenge you!

Jiang Feng took the purple-gold alms bowl and examined it. He noticed a seal on the bottom of the bowl that read "By Imperial Decree, Begging for Alms".

There is also a line of smaller characters that reads: "Presented by Emperor Yang Guang of the Great Sui Dynasty to Jiang Feng, the Imperial Brother of the Great Sui Dynasty."

Jiang Feng gasped in shock after reading it, looking up at Yang Guang in astonishment: "You really dared to write that!"

Yang Guang smiled triumphantly: "The Crown Prince's deposition is a foregone conclusion. My father's health is also declining after this serious illness. It's only a matter of time before I ascend the throne."

"I have prepared a farewell banquet at the mansion for you, with all your favorite delicacies such as abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, and fish maw!"

You are setting off tomorrow, so it is not a good day to drink. Let's wait until you return from your pilgrimage, and then we brothers can drink and reminisce together!

With that, Yang Guang put his arm around Jiang Feng's shoulder and led a large group of people toward the Prince of Jin's residence.