For the Empress, accepting Zixia was merely a means to control Sun Wukong by simply granting him a title, and even through him, to achieve the merit of collecting the great tribulations of the West. It was almost like getting something for nothing.
But now, Jiang Liu had already presented a Dharma Treasure to congratulate Zixia. If she, as the foster mother, didn't give anything in return, wouldn't she appear too stingy?
Without changing her expression, the Empress glanced at Jiang Liu and felt both amazed and impressed in her heart.
What surprised her was, could Xuanzang really be so different from other people in the Buddhist Sect? If it were anyone else from the Buddhist Sect, it would be nearly impossible to make them give anything up.
Yet Xuanzang had taken the initiative to give something up?
Of course, while she was surprised at Xuanzang's unprecedented generosity compared with others of the Buddhist Sect, the Empress could guess the motive behind his actions. Was this to force her to give something in return?
However, since Xuanzang had already made his move, even if the Empress wanted to get angry, she had no right to be upset.
After pondering for a moment, the Empress seemed to have understood the purpose of it all and immediately raised both hands.
In her left hand appeared an incomparably huge Peach, and in her right hand appeared a scroll—it was the previously mentioned Map of Mountains and Rivers.
"Zixia, now that I've taken you as my foster daughter, of course, I should give you something in celebration. Originally, I was planning to give them to you when we announced it to all the realms, but since Holy Monk Xuanzang has already presented his congratulatory gift, I'll give it to you ahead of time!" The Empress's gaze turned to Zixia as she spoke, providing herself an out.
"The Map of the Nation in my right hand was something my mother and I ought to have given to you, but this Map is a congratulatory gift given by Goddess Nvwa to celebrate my ascension to the position of Empress. If I were to give it to someone else, it could be disrespectful to Goddess Nvwa. Therefore, this Map can be lent to you for a hundred years' use!"
"I don't believe you for a second, you devious old thing, so stingy you can't bear to part with it!" Hearing the Empress's words, Jiang Liu secretly rolled his eyes and muttered internally. Of course, he maintained a composed expression on the surface.
"This Peach in my left hand is a Purple Pattern Peach that blooms and bears fruit once every nine thousand years. After eating it, one's lifespan will extend to be as long as the heavens and earth, shining alongside the sun and moon. Even during my Peach Banquet, only those of Daluo Golden Immortal and Buddha's status are qualified to partake!"
"Choose one of these two rewards!"
"Tch, Empress, aren't you being a bit too stingy? You've brought out both, yet you're only letting her choose one?" As the Empress finished speaking, Sun Wukong unapologetically sneered from the side.
"Rascal Monkey, stop spouting nonsense!" Hearing Sun Wukong's sneer, the Empress glared at him irritably and then turned her gaze to Zixia, waiting for her answer.
"This…" Looking at the items in the Empress's hands, Fairy Zixia naturally set her eyes on the Peach.
The Purple Pattern Peach from the Empress's Peach Garden was the finest growth there, a treasure capable of extending one's life, enough to make countless Immortals and Buddhas salivate in desire.
Being merely a Heavenly Immortal and receiving such a Peach was of course a tremendous help.
Being as enduring as the earth and as luminous as the sun and the moon equates to a Kaiyuan era's timespan, a lifespan of a whopping one hundred twenty-nine thousand six hundred years!
"Zixia, choose the Peach! Eating this Peach is the right thing to do!" Seeing that words were ineffective in teasing the Empress, Sun Wukong, noting Zixia's hesitation, urged her to make a decision.
The Peach once eaten would truly be her own, while the Map of Mountains and Rivers was merely being lent by the Empress; it would inevitably have to be returned.
"Wukong, how Fairy Zixia chooses is her own matter. You should refrain from commenting!"
However, Jiang Liu, who was next to them, had his eyes shining brightly staring at the Map of Mountains and Rivers. He couldn't help but chide Sun Wukong upon hearing his words.
While Jiang Liu's words were addressed to Sun Wukong, Zixia caught the hidden meaning in his words.
Turning to look at Jiang Liu, an ambivalent expression flashed across her face. "Holy Monk, both the Peach and the Map of Mountains and Rivers are wonderful treasures. I am unsure of which to choose. Do you have any suggestions?"
"Ahem, the choice is yours, Fairy. But since you've asked me, I believe the Map of Mountains and Rivers is an excellent choice…" Zixia's inquiry brightened Jiang Liu's eyes, and he quickly responded.
Having had to return the Map of Mountains and Rivers earlier, Jiang Liu was in deep remorse, knowing that without it, his leveling speed would greatly diminish.
But now, if there were a chance to regain it, that would be perfect.
A hundred years? If the Map of Mountains and Rivers could be used by himself for a hundred years, his leveling speed would certainly skyrocket!
"All right then!" Hearing Jiang Liu's advice, Zixia understood what was on his mind.
Looking down at the Seven-Colored Feather Coat she was wearing, then turning to the Empress, she said, "Foster mother, I choose the Map of Mountains and Rivers. Please, lend it to me for a hundred years!"
"Very well, since you have made your choice, I shall lend it to you!" With a nod, the Empress quickly reacted by taking back the Peach and handing the Map of Mountains and Rivers to Zixia.
Once the Map of Mountains and Rivers was handed over, the Empress did not mince words. After saying a few affectionate words as per the mother-daughter formalities, she turned and left.
For the Empress, being of such high rank, she seldom had the chance to take action herself, and even if she did, having myriad Dharma Treasures, the absence of the Map of Mountains and Rivers did not make much of a difference to her. Lending it out for a mere century was but the blink of an eye and not a substantial loss.
If Zixia had truly chosen a Purple Pattern Peach, it would have been a real loss of a Superior Grade Peach for the Empress.
Therefore, Zixia's choice was actually favorable for the Empress!
Of course, for Jiang Liu, this was also advantageous.
A Map of Mountains and Rivers lasting a hundred years? Even if it was only ten years, it would greatly accelerate the pace of my leveling up!
One could even say that even with the Golden Finger of the game system, whether or not I would have the ability to defend myself when reaching Spirit Mountain was something even I wasn't confident about.
Otherwise, I wouldn't have been so desperate to cultivate and try to delay time along the way.
However, with this Map of Mountains and Rivers, the likelihood of having the ability to protect myself would increase by at least thirty percent!
The Empress had already turned and left, but Jiang Liu? His gaze was naturally drawn to the Map of Mountains and Rivers in Fairy Zixia's hands, as if by a magnet!
"Holy Monk, I usually have to stay in the Moon Palace for a hundred years, and this map isn't of much use to me. I'll lend it to the Holy Monk for now, as a gesture to return the favor of this Seven-Colored Feather Coat," Fairy Zixia, having chosen the Map of Mountains and Rivers, naturally did it on behalf of Jiang Liu. She approached him, handed over the map, and said.
"If that's the case, I thank the Fairy. I will certainly not forget this kindness!" Without any pretense of refusal, Jiang Liu immediately reached out his hand and took the Map of Mountains and Rivers.
"Huuh..." This Map of Mountains and Rivers truly was regained, and a long sigh of relief escaped from Jiang Liu's mouth.
For Jiang Liu, the value of this Map of Mountains and Rivers was simply more important than any Dharma Treasure!
At the same time, Jiang Liu felt a profound sense of gratitude towards Fairy Zixia, indeed it came from the bottom of his heart.
To have refused the temptation of a Superior Grade Purple Pattern Peach to help me get the Map of Mountains and Rivers, such righteousness truly was touching.
"As long as the Holy Monk is pleased, that's what matters!" Seeing Jiang Liu's serious, grateful demeanor, Zixia also revealed a slight smile.
Gaining Jiang Liu's gratitude made Zixia feel that her choice was worthwhile.
She wanted to be together with the Monkey, and the Holy Monk was the Monkey's master. If she could win the Holy Monk's favor, perhaps her chances with the Monkey would improve by a bit as well?
"Hehehe, Zixia, you are truly someone of great loyalty. I, Old Sun, like that very much, and I wasn't wrong about you!" Sun Wukong looked at Zixia appreciatively, chuckling as he spoke. Explore more stories at Freewebnovel
"Not bad, Fairy Zixia's sense of loyalty is indeed admirable!" Following Sun Wukong's comment, Zhu Bajie, who was beside him, didn't argue and instead nodded in agreement.
"Big brother and Second brother are right!" Sha Wujing also nodded in agreement.
Zixia's action sacrificed her considerable interests for Jiang Liu to get the Map of Mountains and Rivers. Her loyalty instantly gained the recognition of everyone in the Journey to the West Pilgrimage Team.
Though Zixia wasn't a member of the Scripture Seeking Team, at this moment, the team's members treated her as one of their own.
Seeing all of Jiang Liu's group were satisfied with her, a smile blossomed on Zixia's face.
Zixia was very clever; in wanting to be with Sun Wukong, she now effectively won over Sun Wukong's 'family,' and she was very pleased with this result.
Then, her gaze fell on Sun Wukong, with a look of reluctance mixed with anticipation, she said, "Alright, Monkey, I've been down here for a while now, and I've done all I needed to do. I'll be going back first. Remember, when you have the chance, come visit me in the Moon Palace!"
"Yeah, you go back. If there's a chance, I, Old Sun, will come visit you!" However, Sun Wukong, being the straightforward Monkey that he was, completely missed the underlying meaning in Zixia's words and simply nodded firmly, waving goodbye to Zixia.
Sun Wukong didn't offer to escort her back, which left Zixia feeling a bit disappointed, but she didn't say anything more. After giving Sun Wukong a deep look, she turned and left.
"Wukong, is it safe for Fairy Zixia to go back alone? Could she encounter any dangers on the road? You should have offered to take her home. Have you forgotten the Nightmare incident from before?"
As the saying goes, one who takes must give back. Having accepted the Map of Mountains and Rivers from Zixia, I felt it necessary to help bring these two together.
"Oh? Master, you make a good point!" Reminded by Jiang Liu, Sun Wukong finally snapped back to reality and nodded.
"Sigh, this Monkey, he's just so dense when it comes to affection. I guess it's up to me as your master to worry about your love life!" Seeing Sun Wukong like this, Jiang Liu inwardly sighed.
"Wait a minute!" Just as Sun Wukong was about to follow her, Jiang Liu called out, stopping him.
As he spoke, Jiang Liu flipped his hand and produced a Spirit Fruit in the shape of a boy.
It was one of the three Ginseng Fruits that Jiang Liu had saved back at the Wuzhuang Temple.
"When you go, take this Ginseng Fruit to Fairy Zixia for me! Consuming this fruit, one can live as long as heaven and earth, shine as bright as the sun and the moon. I, as your master, am not someone who likes to take advantage without giving back!" Jiang Liu handed the Ginseng Fruit to Sun Wukong, saying.
For Zixia, exchanging a Superior Grade Purple Pattern Peach for a Ginseng Fruit was a fair deal, not a loss at all!
Although Zixia helped me, she didn't ask for any repayment, saying it was just returning the favor for the Seven-Colored Feather Coat, but I'm not the type to take advantage of others.
Besides, for me, a Ginseng Fruit in exchange for the Map of Mountains and Rivers was already a hugely profitable deal.
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