Final Volume "Tianzhu"

Gandhara is sooo biiiig♪ On the other side of Tianzhuuuu lies a mandalaaaa♪ Lalalaaa♪

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You're asking where "Tianzhu" is? It's India, of course.

India? Oh, at this pace I thought we were going to Rome or somewhere over there.

At the time Xuanzang Sanzang arrived in Tianzhu, Mahayana Buddhism had already perished and even the famous Jetavana Monastery had fallen into ruin.

It is said that what precious teachings survived were left in the hands of a few monasteries and rare scriptures...

What are you muttering about? Look!

A river! The Great Golden River! We're finally here! Oh, dear old Ganges!

!??

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...Ugh... What are we going to do?

...Are they gatekeepers? Those two look like trouble. They look like they don't care a thing about Buddhism.

More than anything, they can't take a joke. Well, in a way, Karna does have a sense of humor.

They. Underworld. Guardians.

Nezha. I knew you would come.

Understand now Xuanzang?

...

...Yes, I do. Nezha.

Those two are great heroes as well as demi-gods, the embodiments of my fear...

The fear of going to the outside world, the anxiety that I can't brush off.

I was summoned...as Chaldea's Servant.

But since I believed I had reached enlightenment and abandoned all earthly desires I refused the summon.

The Buddha will never concern himself with the extinction of humanity. To him, it is only one of the many ripples in existence.

If so, it is only my selfishness as a "human being."

？！

I don't want to leave my disciples anymore... I don't want to die alone anymore...

...Still. Even if I were on my own, as long as I can continue this journey, I would take that opportunity no matter what.

Sun Wukong is not here now, but

...Xuanzang. I too. Give assistance.

Nezha, you? No, there's no need for that!

You are the Buddha's messenger, sent to complete this broken scroll.

Or perhaps you're like a lens for me to perceive the Buddha in this hollow world.

Isn't that right, Nezha?

...Understood. Will. Withdraw.

Chat. Completed.

...Nezha's gone.

I wonder if it's possible to summon her as a Servant?

Hey, my outfit's slit is just as suggestive!

Huh? Well, even the Buddha himself doesn't know much about our Prince Nezha in a Chinese dress♪

？！

Well, our latest issue has been overcome! I will not stop, regardless of who my opponent is!

Guys, follow me to the end! Let's conquer the last trial, that great river!

Senpai... Senpai!

？！

Please answer, Senpai! I can't believe there's no reception over here, either!

Senpai, the anchor for Rayshifting has arrived! You can come back to Chaldea!

We can only supply magical energy for a few more minutes, though! So...please...

Come back! Master!

？！

This...must be the Buddha's guidance... No, maybe it's your own luck?

Or...

The right time.

Xuanzang Sanzang. You will remain here, on the other side, and depart again for the new land?

Yes. Thank you for your pointed advice. Sha Wujing Li Shuwen.

Your expertise with the spear was as great as that of the Sha Wujing I know.

Your levelheadedness kept me from crying my eyes out during this journey.

My turn. To tell you the truth, we believe in very different gods.

But people learn a lot from each other using the opportunities given to them by the gods.

So, even though I believe in a different god, this trip has been a valuable experience. Thank you for the rare experience.

Oh, and all the treasures I collected during this journey... I'll put them in a savings account under your name.

When we meet again, I will host a big party, oink.

I'm looking forward to it. Zhu Bajie Formidable King David.

Any dilemma, any situation we met, you faced with a light heart, without panicking or feeling discouraged.

I can't be like you, but I will remind myself of you when I'm in trouble.

Zhu Bajie, full of desire, who never lost that quirky personality.

☆

Umm? Y-Yes, right? Yes, yes! (I don't know what he's saying, but what a strong handshake.)

You were great to ride on! Next time, I'll have a saddle ready!

And lastly...

If I ever gain the Buddha's guidance again and manifest as a Servant in the future...

Fujimaru... I will take you as my disciple again.

Whaaaat? Isn't that a bit presumptuous? Hahaha.

You have many people dear to you waiting for you at Chaldea, right?

But for being a fantastic neophyte who plays a key role in the survival of humanity, I might give you that side benefit.

That's...um, well, that depends on the merits you will have accrued by that day.

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...That's why I won't say goodbye. Instead, I will recite a blissful sutra.

So you will have perfect health, okay? Ahem!

aryavalokitesvaro bodhisattvo gambhirayam prajnaparamitayam caryam caramano vyavalokayati...

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Senpai! Thank goodness!

Oops... Well, that was close. Very close.

If it hadn't gone well, Mash would have mashed me.

I wonder if the others embroiled in this accident have made their way back to Da Vinci's lab?

All right, I'm gonna go and complain to that painter.

(Sigh)... Shall we have some tea instead?

It seems like they found some precious Chinese tea along with the roll of scriptures.

Apparently it's called... "Records of the Journey to the Far West with Fujimaru."

I think the tea will be the perfect complement to a recounting of your adventure.

？！