Chapter 812: PS from the previous chapter

PS from the previous chapter

(PS: Though Tang Seng is rigid, his words are not entirely without reason.

Whether Sun Wukong’s killing of the bandits counts as self-defense, Tang the monk explained clearly enough.

Here are his exact words: “Though they are highway robbers, even if brought before the courts, they do not deserve death; you have the power, yet you should only drive them off—why kill them all?”

This is wantonly taking human lives—how can one be a monk?

A monk sweeps the ground lest he injure the lives of ants, and shields lanterns with gauze to protect moths.

How can you fail to distinguish right from wrong and beat them to death in one frenzy? You have not a trace of compassion or kindness!

Fortunately, this happened in the wilderness where no one would investigate; but if it had been in a city, and someone accidentally bumped into you, and you then went on a rampage, wielding your staff to beat and injure people, how could I, as your master, remain innocent? How could I escape blame?”

Hmm, the final line “How could I escape blame?” is likely the crux of this passage.

Tang the monk is simply afraid of taking responsibility—he is cowardly.

But Tang’s two arguments are sound: First, yes, they are bandits, but their crimes do not warrant death; even in court, they would not be sentenced to execution—you, with your immense power, could have injured them without killing, yet you deliberately slew them. Second, you are a monk, my disciple, the pupil of a “tenth-generation virtuous man,” and you must share my compassion and abstain from killing.

I, your master, rely on the reputation of being a “tenth-generation virtuous man” to survive—now you’ve shattered the Zhaopai , how can I still make my way in the world?

If Tang Seng had accidentally killed the bandits, it would have been self-defense—but Sun Wukong’s power is immense; he had long exceeded the bounds of self-defense.

Such behavior is a grave sin under both human law and karmic retribution in the netherworld—it accrues karmic debt.

A tenth-generation virtuous man must not be tainted by karmic debt.

Of course, Tang’s reasoning is sound, but that does not mean Xiao Yu learns from him.

Whether killing He Xuan in Tianmen Town or beheading Xiu Ge on the Great Wall, she follows the “Sun Wukong style.”

Tang Seng needs the “tenth-generation virtuous man” persona and reputation; Xiao Yu is no “virtuous female immortal.”)