High above the Ninefold Heavens, amidst swirling clouds and mist, a vast plaza stands crowded with Heavenly soldiers clad in silver armor, their banners fluttering in the wind.
In the rear garden of the High Sky Palace, streams flow gently.
Inside the Imperial Study, General Lee spoke softly.
"That demon monkey has neither contacted his old officers nor hurried back to Blossom Mountain, and he shows no sign of announcing his return to the Three Realms... Though he remains arrogant, it seems, as he claims, he truly does not intend to stir up conflict with Heaven again, nor to reclaim the Demon King title. Yet another matter I discovered on this trip leaves me quite uneasy."
"Previously, rumors spread through the Three Realms that the scripture seeker was actually the reincarnation of Golden Cicada, now named Tripitaka, a traveling monk from the Eastern Lands. It was said he carried a great treasure bestowed by the Buddha and journeyed to the Great Thunderclap Temple to retrieve the true scriptures, so that Buddhism might spread to the East. The tales were mysterious, but I see it differently."
"Golden Cicada was once the second disciple under the Buddha, but eight hundred years ago, troubled by doubt, he openly debated the Buddha at Spirit Mountain. Though defeated, his doubt remained unresolved, and so he lost his Buddha body and was cast into reincarnation, enduring ten lifetimes of hardship."
"It is well known that the Netherworld and the cycle of reincarnation are now under Buddhist control. Buddhist cultivation, unlike Daoist practice, depends entirely on a single moment of enlightenment. If one fails to awaken in a lifetime, and without the aid of Peaches of Immortality or ginseng fruit, longevity cannot be extended. When one's lifespan ends, one must begin anew in the next life—thus, achieving Buddhahood is extremely difficult. But if a high monk reincarnates and retains memories from a past life, that is another matter entirely. That is why, when the demon monkey caused chaos in the Netherworld, the Buddhists took the opportunity to seize control of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, and have held it ever since."
"By ordinary logic, Golden Cicada was the Buddha’s second disciple. Now, after ten lifetimes, if the Buddha wished to restore him to his former rank and have him journey west to attain Buddhahood, it would be only natural. Yet this Tripitaka—for ten lifetimes, always a monk—has never enjoyed the privilege of retaining past-life memories. This suggests that the West does not value Golden Cicada as much as outsiders claim."
"Moreover, overnight, rumors swept the Three Realms that eating his flesh grants immortality, and that he carries a treasure bestowed by the Buddha. Some even say that if he dies on the westward road, the Buddhist order will not pursue his killers. Clearly, someone wishes him dead."
"Consider this: apart from the debate over doctrine, Golden Cicada was always modest and kind, never offending anyone, and he was on good terms with the great Daoists. No one should wish him harm. Furthermore, if the Buddha truly ordered the westward journey, why not assign Buddhist disciples as his escorts? Why select Sun Wukong, who harbors deep resentment against the Buddha, to guard him along the way? Isn’t that odd?"
"Therefore, I believe there is more to this westward journey than meets the eye—it is not as simple as it appears."
As he spoke, General Lee bowed his head and cupped his hands, then looked up to study the Jade Emperor seated at the dragon desk.
The Jade Emperor slightly raised his head, his eyes narrowing to slits as he stroked his long beard and pondered deeply.
After a long pause, he quietly asked, "Do you know the source of Golden Cicada’s original confusion?"
"This..." General Lee hesitated, then bowed. "I know only part of it, Your Majesty. Allow me to explain in detail..."
...
In the grand hall of Mercy Abbey, under the gaze of all present, Tripitaka slowly rose to his feet.
"Why not skip the debate? I could just bash them all with my staff. It’s obvious this bunch is here to cause trouble. No need for more words—smash them and be done with it." A voice echoed in Tripitaka’s mind.
"Avoidance solves nothing. On the road west, the most crucial step for me as a monk is to face all suffering and hardship head-on. Only then can I truly unite knowing and doing. That is precisely why I choose to walk into danger, knowing full well what awaits. If I do otherwise, I am no different from the Buddha—and how could I talk of attaining the Way?"
"I’m just worried you’ll lose. That guy’s lived for two hundred seventy years—your age isn’t even a tenth of his, is it?"