Crack crack crack~ Cheng Yaojin flexed his fists and sneered, "Are they the ones selling kasayas and tin staffs? Catch them and beat them first before anything else."
The rest of the military generals also looked fierce and serious, unsure about the level of Cultivator this monk was.
"Alright, step back!" The voice of Li Shimin ca from above.
Cheng Yaojin paused his movents, turned his head towards Li Shimin, and couldn’t help saying, "Your Majesty, this monk is so ugly; he doesn’t look like a good guy at all."
The Jie Lai Monk’s mouth twitched, thinking that just because he’s ugly, he mustn’t be a good person—what kind of logic is that? Had he known the Human Clan was so shallow, he should have transford into sothing more handso.
Li Shimin smiled and said, "Although the old monk is ugly, his expression is kind; he should be a good person. All of you, stand down!"
Li Jing’s expression shifted as he moved to the side, returning to his original position, observing propriety without uttering a word.
The other generals also returned to their positions, but they all kept a vigilant eye on the old monk.
The Jie Lai Monk bowed with a smile and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Emperor Li Shimin, full of interest, asked, "What’s so special about your kasaya and tin staff that you demand such a high price for them?"
The Jie Lai Monk stood up, looked around at everyone proudly, and said, "This kasaya, with a strand from a dragon, prevents disaster from the Roc Silkworm; a thread from a crane contributes to transcending the mundane and becoming a saint. Wherever one sits, Ten Thousand Gods Bow; and with every movent, Seven Buddhas Accompanying.
...
The verse goes: Revered are the Three Treasures, supre is the Tao; all life within the Four Lives and Six Paths is under review. Understanding of the heart nurtures the human and heavenly thod; seeing nature transmits the Wisdom Lamp. Protecting Body Sacred Golden World covers the wearer, as pure in body and mind as jade ice. Since Buddha created the kasaya, who would dare cut off a monk’s ans for countless eons?
This tin staff is made with copper and iron nine rings, with the Nine-section Immortal Vine forever retaining its luster. In hand, despising the lean blue bones; descending the mountain, brining White Cloud back with ease. The Mahayana Five Ancestors wandered the Heavenly Que; Luobu seeking his mother broke earth barriers. Untainted by worldly dust, delighting in accompanying a divine monk up to Jade Mountain."
Li Shimin clapped his hands in admiration and said, "What a sacred treasure! I will purchase this kasaya and tin staff.
I am currently promoting good teachings and planting fields of blessings, seeing many monks gathered at the Huasheng Temple, spreading the Buddhist scriptures. Among them is a greatly virtuous one nad Xuanzang.
I wish to buy these two treasures for his use. What’s your price?"
The old monk couldn’t help showing a hint of a smile and said, "Those who do not follow the Buddhist Law, who do not respect the Three Treasures, and who forcefully buy kasayas and tin staffs—I wouldn’t sell even for ten thousand taels.
If you respect the Three Treasures, rejoice in goodness, convert to Buddhism and are able to receive it, I will willingly give them to you for free and form a good connection. Since Master Xuanzang is such a great monk, I shall give the kasaya and tin staff to him."
Xuanzang quickly gestured with his hands, saying, "That’s not necessary, absolutely not. Such precious treasures, I, a poor monk, dare not accept."
The old monk handed over the kasaya and tin staff with a smile, saying, "Your Majesty stated you are a high monk, so why not try them on to see? If you truly fit them, I’ll not take a single coin."
"This..." Xuanzang glanced unconsciously at the main seat of the Tang King.
On the Dragon Throne, Li Shimin also said, "Master Xuanzhuang, try them on for to see."
Xuanzang, unable to refuse, took the kasaya and tin staff and began to untie his own kasaya.
Standing nearby among the scholars and warriors, Cheng Yaojin muttered softly, "Old Black, why do I feel like His Majesty and this old monk are echoing each other?"
Wei Chigong glanced at him and whispered back, "Fatso, don’t call Old Black.
Actually, I also think His Majesty and he are echoing each other. Could it be that His Majesty knows this ugly monk? Or is His Majesty turning to Buddhism?"
Nearby, Qin Qiong whispered back, "You two stop talking nonsense. His Majesty is a descendent of Taiching Daozu Li Er from the Spring and Autumn Period; how could he follow Buddhism?"
"Cough cough~" Li Jing coughed twice in front, and the three instantly fell silent.
Xuanzang draped the kasaya over himself, holding the tin staff, standing before the stairs, shining brightly and glittering.
Emperor Li Shimin nodded in approval, "What an eminent monk, truly as if a Buddha’s son stands before us, with a dignified and elegant bearing. The Buddhist robe seems tailor-made, its radiance brilliantly filling heaven and earth, colorful adornnts densely filling the universe, bright pearls neatly arranged up and down, layers of golden thread linked front and back, brocade along all four edges, myriad exotic decorations spread across the tapestry.
Li Shimin laughed heartily and said, "Good, good, good! The master really is an eminent monk, I will buy this kasaya and tin staff, how much do they cost?"
The old monk said with a smile, "As I’ve said, wearing this kasaya doesn’t cost a cent."
"Truly not a single cent?"
The old monk nodded and said, "Truly not a single cent."
"In that case, this kasaya and tin staff, I hereby bestow upon Master Xuanxuanzang."
Xuanzang bowed deeply and hurriedly said, "Thank you, Your Majesty, and thank you, great monk."
The old monk also stroked his beard and laughed, saying, "Master Xuanzang, I saw you at the Law Conference discussing only Hinayana teachings; do you also speak of Mahayana?"
Xuanzang asked in confusion, "Great monk, what is Mahayana Buddhism?"
Since childhood, Xuanzang had practiced Buddhism and thought he thoroughly understood all Buddhist scriptures and Zen Enlightennt, but he had never heard of Mahayana Buddhism.
The old monk’s face turned solemn and he said, "Your Hinayana teachings cannot elevate the deceased to heaven, but can only ld with the secular world for enlightennt.
I have Three Treasures of Mahayana Buddhism that can elevate the deceased to heaven, can help troubled people escape suffering, can cultivate imasurable longevity, can achieve the state of neither coming nor going."
Xuanzang imdiately clasped the tin staff and bowed deeply, asking respectfully, "Great monk, where may one find Mahayana Buddhism? Please enlighten ."
"Mahayana Buddhism is sealed at the Great Leiyin Temple in Tianzhu Country of Western Heaven, where my Buddha Tathagata resides. It can solve a hundred grievances and eliminate calamities of baseless accusations."
Li Shimin asked, "Who is willing to go to the Western Heaven to seek Mahayana Buddhism?"
Xuanzang knelt on the ground and bowed towards the high seat, saying respectfully, "This humble monk is willing to go to Western Heaven to obtain Mahayana Buddhism, to ensure the everlasting foundation of our Great Tang."
Li Shimin was pleased and said, "Good! Very good!"
He stood up and strode down the stairs, extending his hand to help Tang Sanzang up, and said moved, "Master Xuanzang, you are willing to take on this arduous journey for our Great Tang to seek the True Scriptures, I am very touched. Today, I am willing to beco sworn brothers with the master."
Xuanzang, also moved, said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The old monk said solemnly, "The Great Leiyin Temple in Western Heaven is 108,000 miles from here. The journey is long and fraught with demons. Master Xuanzang, are you prepared?"
Li Shimin waved his sleeve decisively and said, "No need for more words. Since the master has already accepted, he will not go back on his word.
Not even demons could stop the master’s steps; without obtaining the True Scriptures, Master Xuanzang will not return."
Xuanzang opened his mouth, feeling that while he had thought the sa, it seed a bit awkward now that His Majesty had spoken it aloud; still, he nodded in agreent: "Just as Your Majesty has said, without reaching Western Heaven, this poor monk will not return."
The old monk said with satisfaction, "That is very good!"
The civil and military officials standing nearby all looked at Xuanzhuang with peculiar expressions. Now, one couldn’t even tell if he was a high-ranking official or not.
It’s clear that Your Majesty and this old monk are leading Master Xuanzang on a wild goose chase to the West; I wonder what offense Master Xuanzang has given Your Majesty that he should be sent off to a place 108,000 miles away. He probably won’t even make it to Tianzhu..
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