Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

"Many thanks to the Holy Monk for your compassion! Many thanks to the Holy Monk for your compassion!"

Upon hearing Jiang Liu agree to spare him and harboring no intent to kill, the Yellow Wind Monster wore a face of surprise and gratitude, ceaselessly thanking Jiang Liu.

Having originally stolen the clear oil from within the Tathagata Glazed Lamp, he had fled far to become a demon. Now encountering Jiang Liu and knowing he was part of the Scripture Seeking Team, the Yellow Wind Monster had intended to hide until they passed by.

After all, if the other party captured him, it would be a great merit in front of the Tathagata, would it not?

Plus, he had fooled them once, and for both public and private reasons there was no rationale to let him off. Unexpectedly, they were actually willing to spare him!

"You go and search for the chili peppers, growing on little trees about a foot tall, shaped like light bulbs, hollow inside with seeds, in both green and red, and another type resembling small red cow horns—a delicacy indeed, consuming it is as fiery as its spicy taste…"

Having Yellow Wind Monster search for chilies, Jiang Liu briefly described the characteristics of chilies to him.

"Understood! Memorized!" Responding to Jiang Liu's words, the Yellow Wind Monster nodded vigorously, committing the features of the chilies to memory.

"Very well, drop a bit of your heart's essence blood onto this! If you forget the task I've given you, don't blame us for being impolite in coming to claim your life!"

Following the Yellow Wind Monster's acknowledgement, Jiang Liu then took out a small, exquisite, and ornate mirror and spoke to the Yellow Wind Monster.

"This is... the Mystical Mirror!? Isn't this one of Bodhisattva Guanyin's treasures?" As a rat who had come from Spirit Mountain, the Yellow Wind Monster had sharp eyes and recognized the Dharma Treasure in Jiang Liu's hand at a glance.

"Yes, I obtained this treasure from Bodhisattva Guanyin's hands, ahem, asked for it from the Bodhisattva. Since you recognize it, that's good. I trust you wouldn't dare to deceive me, otherwise, no matter where you hide, I can find you!" Since the Yellow Wind Monster recognized it, Jiang Liu felt even more at ease.

Under someone else's roof, one has no choice but to bow one's head. Seeing Sun Wukong's unfriendly gaze upon him, the Yellow Wind Monster had no alternative but to extract a bit of his heart's essence blood and drip it onto the Mystical Mirror.

"So, I will be on my way. I will surely bring the chili peppers to the Holy Monk soon..."

As he spoke, his health bar had recovered somewhat, and the injury was subdued enough to be bearable. The Yellow Wind Monster struggled to his feet and said his farewells to Jiang Liu.

"Wait, you're badly injured. Rest for a moment before you go; sit down and have something to eat..."

After a big stick, one should offer a sweet date, right? Seeing the Yellow Wind Monster looking down as if he was about to leave, Jiang Liu spoke out to stop him.

In the middle of speaking, one hand held a kebab, and with the other hand raised, he waved at the Yellow Wind Monster and cast the Guanyin Mantra skill once.

The effect of 20% of the maximum life value instantly increased the Yellow Wind Monster's health by a significant margin.

Naturally, the Yellow Wind Monster could feel the recovery of his injuries. Although still severely wounded, there was no longer any danger to his life.

"Many thanks, Holy Monk!" Amazed at Jiang Liu's ability in healing through supernatural powers, and hearing Jiang Liu invite him to join in eating kebabs, the Yellow Wind Monster was surprised and delighted, even a bit overwhelmed with favor, continuously thanking Jiang Liu with gratitude all over his face.

Seeing the gratitude on the Yellow Wind Monster's face, Jiang Liu secretly smiled to himself but said nothing.

This rat from Spirit Mountain, possessing the ability of the Divine Wind, was quite powerful. However, Jiang Liu knew it would take time to determine and investigate whether he could be taken into confidence.

If the demon held a grudge against the Buddhist Sect, then bringing him into his own team would be no issue. The worry was whether the demon's descent to the Lower Realm to become a demon was simply following Guanyin's orders, and he was still loyal to the Buddhist Sect at heart.

If that was the case, recruiting him would mean inviting a spy for the Buddhist Sect into his fold.

Therefore, in light of these considerations, Jiang Liu merely sent the Yellow Wind Monster to find chilies for now, without revealing his intention to recruit a force.

It was not only for the Yellow Wind Monster but for any other demons with ties to the Immortals and Buddhas that he would have to observe them very strictly in the future.

...

"Mmm, delicious, delicious! I must find the chilies to taste what the Holy Monk describes as an even more perfect kebab!"

Soon after the kebabs were ready, the Yellow Wind Monster, holding a handful, savored the kebabs with emotion bordering on tears.

Apparently, kebabs were much tastier when hot rather than cold; even this flavor was enough to make one cry. He could only wonder how much more delicious kebabs would be with chili powder added as the Holy Monk had mentioned.

Were they to be so delicious that one could die?

Just one cold kebab had lingered in the Yellow Wind Monster's mind for a long time; now, he was finally able to rightfully enjoy several handfuls of kebabs, eating his fill. With his belly round and full, the Yellow Wind Monster patted his stomach, feeling this was truly the life to live.

After filling up on food and drink, the Yellow Wind Monster bid farewell and left, his expression solemn as he promised to find the chili powder and deliver it to the Holy Monk and his companions as soon as possible.

Jiang Liu nodded and watched the Yellow Wind Monster depart.

But just as he had taken only a few steps, the Yellow Wind Monster seemed to remember something and turned back around.

"What is it? Is there something else?" Seeing the Yellow Wind Monster's demeanor, Jiang Liu curiously asked.

"Right, Holy Monk, I remember once at Spirit Mountain, I heard the Tathagata and Bodhisattva talking about the Journey to the West for Scriptures. There are some things that I think should be conveyed to you, Holy Monk!" The Yellow Wind Monster suddenly seemed to recall something important and spoke to Jiang Liu.

"Oh? What's the matter?" Jiang Liu perked up at the mention from the Yellow Wind Monster.

The Yellow Wind Monster had been here for several years, that was to say, even before Jiang Liu had crossed into this world, but could it be that he had heard the Tathagata and Guanyin discuss the Journey to the West for Scriptures years ago?

"I remember the Bodhisattva mentioning that on the westward journey, the eighty-one trials are predestined. So, on your way to the Western Heaven, Holy Monk, I expect you'll face many disasters and difficulties. Please take care!"

A stick and a sweet jujube had left the Yellow Wind Monster feeling grateful towards Jiang Liu; therefore, he felt it necessary to offer a warning to Jiang Liu in advance.

Jiang Liu, of course, was already aware of the eighty-one trials, so this reminder did not seem crucial to him.

However, since it was well-intentioned, Jiang Liu nodded and said, "Alright, I'll remember this. Thank you for the warning!"

"With that, I shall take my leave! I hope on our next encounter, I can once again savor the spicy skewers crafted by the Holy Monk's own hands!"

Having said what he needed to say, the Yellow Wind Monster showed no intention of lingering. He rolled up a gust of yellow wind, and his figure quickly ascended into the sky, flying towards the distance.

"Hmph, that rat is lucky. I hope he finds the chili soon!" Watching the departing figure of the Yellow Wind Monster, Sun Wukong spoke.

Normally, Sun Wukong wouldn't let someone who tricked him go so easily, but after weighing his wrath against his craving for chili, he decided that the chili was more important.

"Master, Old Pig thinks that these roasted skewers are already delicious without chili. Is it really that big of a deal whether we have it or not?" Zhu Bajie, holding a handful of skewers, questioned as he spoke.

Having never tasted chili, Zhu Bajie felt that things were already quite good as they were.

"No, the role of chili isn't just for roasting meat!" Hearing Zhu Bajie's words, Jiang Liu shook his head.

In his previous life, two things from China were world-famous: Chinese Kung Fu and Chinese cuisine!

Among them, Sichuan cuisine was a very distinctive style of Chinese cooking. Spiciness was a very important flavor in Chinese cuisine, indispensable!

"Oh? Besides skewers, is there another use for chili?" Zhu Bajie paused in his actions, asking curiously.

"There are numerous uses, like all the dishes in the Sichuan cuisine series—Mapo Tofu, Spicy Chicken, Spicy Sliced Lungs, Chopped Chili Fish Head..."

In one breath, Jiang Liu listed over a dozen famous Sichuan dishes. Having never tasted them, just hearing the names made Zhu Bajie's mouth water. Continue your adventure with empire

After a brief pause, Jiang Liu continued, "For example, when the weather turns cold, during the frosty winter months, being able to enjoy a spicy hot pot is a real treat."

"Hot pot!? Master, what exactly is this hot pot you speak of?" Both Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie's eyes widened with curiosity, feeling an itch in their hearts as if a few kittens were scratching inside.

"I believe the best delicacy in winter is hot pot! A pot that keeps burning! Everyone gathered around it, filled with all kinds of seasonings—with chili being essential, of course. Add a rich broth, along with a variety of meats and vegetables mixed in, and that taste, well, it's indescribably delightful..."

Gulp!

As Jiang Liu described it, both Zhu Bajie and Sun Wukong swallowed hard, their faces filled with longing.

"Of course, if we could find some pepper, that'd be great too. I know a dish called pan-seared steak. Cook it to medium-rare, sprinkle some black pepper sauce on it, and the taste is just perfect..." As he mentioned chili, Jiang Liu naturally thought of pepper as well.

"Alright, Master, stop talking! If you go on, Old Pig here can't take it anymore!" Intently gobbling down a few skewers, Zhu Bajie was incredibly yearning for the delicacies Jiang Liu had described.

"Okay, you guys pack up, we should get moving!" Seeing the reactions from Sun Wukong and Zhu Bajie, Jiang Liu chuckled and halted his own train of thought.

He couldn't think about it anymore; even he couldn't resist it if he carried on.

Shaking his head, Jiang Liu forcibly shifted his thoughts away from those delicious foods and opened his bag space. His gaze landed on the items that the Yellow Wind Monster had just dropped.