Journey to the West: Tang Monk Conquers Everything

The sudden prompt that appeared in Jiang Liu's mind left him stunned.

Had he actually gained experience points for killing the small rabbit? Did he just imagine things?

However, as Jiang Liu looked down and noticed a copper coin next to the rabbit, he was certain he had not been hallucinating.

Besides gaining experience points, he had also received a bit of money—were these the items usually dropped after defeating monsters?

In modern society, the concept of traveling through time was a popular theme in novels, movies, TV shows, and even animations. Therefore, when Jiang Liu found himself in the Tang Dynasty, he took some time but was eventually able to accept it.

Naturally, according to the routine of novels, one typically received a "Golden Finger" after time traveling.

However, having been in this world for almost half a month without any sign, Jiang Liu had thought he lacked a Golden Finger.

Now, it appeared he did have one.

"When I initially traveled through time, I was playing a game in an internet cafe, so, does the Golden Finger I received give me abilities similar to those in a game? Like defeating monsters to level up?"

Picking up a copper coin from beside the rabbit, Jiang Liu started to form a rough idea of his abilities.

It was forbidden to kill living beings in the temple. No wonder he had not triggered the ability to upgrade by defeating monsters in nearly half a month.

Although his mind was flooded with thoughts, Jiang Liu's hands did not stop. He quickly dealt with the snow-white rabbit, spread his own prepared sauce on it, lit a bonfire, and began to barbecue the meat. He rotated it slowly on a wooden stick to evenly cook the rabbit meat.

Having arrived in the world of the Great Tang, regardless of whether this Tang Dynasty was the same as the one in his original timeline's history, at least after arriving in this world and gaining a Golden Finger, he had a means to establish himself.

However, the Golden Finger he possessed operated like a gaming system that required defeating monsters to become powerful.

Thus, was he really not suited to remain in the Buddhist Sect?

"Hmm, there's about half a month left until the so-called Incense Offering Ceremony. I've experienced a timeline shift and the gaming system's Golden Finger has appeared. Perhaps, this world truly is a fantastical one? I must check it out. After all, if I fail the Incense Offering Ceremony and then leave the monastery, it will all be justified…"

Holding a stick in one hand and fiddling with the copper coin that had just dropped in the other, Jiang Liu quietly planned his future path.

"Wow, you, Little Monk, dare to break your vows and secretly eat meat..."

Just as Jiang Liu was deeply immersed in his thoughts and contemplating his future path, suddenly, a crisp shout startled him.

Turning towards the voice, Jiang Liu saw a young lady quickly striding towards him, her demeanor aggressive as if she were chasing a thief.

Looking at the young lady, who appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a delicate face, dressed in a snug gown and dainty deerhide boots, and with a long leather whip coiled at her waist, she exuded the air of a heroine, dressed as if she were ready for adventure.

"You, Little Monk? You've been caught breaking your vows and you're not running away?" the young lady approached Jiang Liu, her face showing surprise as he just stared back at her without even trying to get up.

"I think you're trying to scare me away so you can enjoy my roasted rabbit," Jiang Liu responded, not very pleased.

A flash of embarrassment crossed the young lady's face when she realized her little scheme had been seen through.

Yet, despite feeling embarrassed, the young lady did not back down. She retorted, "You, Little Monk, sneaking around breaking vows by eating meat, and you still argue? Which temple's Little Monk are you? Don't believe I will go right now and complain to your superior."

"Sorry, I am still just a Novice Monk, not truly a monk yet," replied Jiang Liu unapologetically.

The young lady was momentarily speechless, glanced at Jiang Liu's bald head which indeed didn't bear any ceremonial scars, then huffed and said, "With your behavior, you're definitely going to fail the Incense Offering Ceremony."

"Thank you for your concern," Jiang Liu replied nonchalantly.

He had never truly thought he would pass the Incense Offering Ceremony, nor had he considered becoming a monk.

Seeing Jiang Liu's indifferent expression as if he were a pig not afraid of boiling water, the young girl felt angry yet helpless.

Just then, her stomach growled loudly, causing her pretty face to flush slightly.

"Well, this rabbit meat is at least two or three pounds. I can't finish it all by myself. Do you want to share some?" Jiang Liu asked, hearing the girl's stomach and looking up at her.

"I won't eat it. I've tasted all sorts of delicacies; why would I eat your crude wild food? I'm going to the Tianran Residence to order a feast of delicacies. It's the best restaurant in Chang'an City."

If it had been earlier, the girl thought she might have accepted Jiang Liu's offer gracefully. But now, after being humiliated twice and with her stomach betraying her at such an awkward moment, she felt it would be even more embarrassing to accept.

Even if she were to eat, the other party should invite her a few more times so that under the guise of politeness, she could reluctantly agree.

Shrugging his shoulders, Jiang Liu said no more.

Seeing the girl hungry and knowing he couldn't finish the entire rabbit himself, he had been willing to share some with her. Since she was ungrateful, Jiang Liu certainly had no intention of persuading her to eat.

After waiting a moment, Jiang Liu merely mentioned it once and did not continue to invite her after she refused. This caused the young girl to stomp her feet in frustration and turn to leave, feeling extremely annoyed by the young novice monk.

At this point, the girl was starting to regret her refusal.

Unfortunately, the words of refusal had already been spoken. To go back on her words now—would she have no pride left?

Even if it meant skipping a meal, she absolutely would not eat his rabbit meat!

However, just a few steps away, the girl's nose twitched slightly. A strange aroma directly entered her nostrils, causing her leaving steps to halt,

Half an hour later…

"Delicious."

The girl sat next to Jiang Liu, with half a piece of rabbit meat lying on a large leaf. She took out a small knife with a purple sandalwood handle and cut the rabbit meat into many small pieces.

Although she appeared to eat elegantly, she devoured the pieces quickly.

Compared to the girl, Jiang Liu was a lot less refined and directly bit into the half rabbit he was holding.

"It's a pity, even though I ground star anise and cinnamon bark to enhance the flavor, barbecued foods without cumin and pepper just lack soul," Jiang Liu murmured regretfully, tasting the rabbit meat.

"Little monk, your cooking skills are truly exquisite. Miss Gao has tasted various delicacies across the entire land, but the flavor of this rabbit meat is quite unique," the girl said elegantly yet rapidly eating, finding time to truly praise Jiang Liu.

In the middle of speaking, the girl formally introduced herself: "Hello, my name is Gaoyang."

"Miss Gao, hello, my name is Jiang Liu. I am not yet a fully fledged monk, so I do not have a monastic name yet," Jiang Liu responded, glancing at the girl as he introduced himself.

"You? You probably won't have a monastic name in this lifetime."

Though it's said that one who has been treated kindly is soft-spoken, the straightforward nature of Gaoyang seemed evident as she looked at Jiang Liu holding the half rabbit and doubted his ability to go through the Incense Offering Ceremony.

Jiang Liu did not mind her words; in fact, he felt a slight thrill inside.

If he were bound by formal vows, leaving the monkhood would indeed be troublesome.

"Hmm? Wait a second…"

Right then, Gaoyang's gaze sharpened as she noticed the white rabbit skin Jiang Liu had pulled off. Her pretty face changed: "Is, is that a snow rabbit?"