Chapter 2443

Sun Wukong stepped forward, a look of confusion in his eyes, and said.

Before Tang Seng could answer, Fahai spoke first, "Wukong, His Majesty has discovered that the Buddha-light here has vanished and specifically requested that I come to investigate."

"On the way, I saw Master Xuanzang standing within the golden light circle you had set up, so I brought him along."

Sun Wukong looked at Fahai, frowned slightly, and said, "So that's it. It seems His Majesty has already discovered this as well."

At this time, Tang Seng also looked at Sun Wukong and asked anxiously, "Wukong, has the Buddha-Light Sarira really been stolen, as you said?"

Sun Wukong glanced at Tang Seng and nodded.

At this moment, Shi Jizhou walked up to Tang Seng, performed a Buddhist salute, and said, "This master must be from the Great Tang, right?"

"Indeed, this poor monk's dharma name is Tang Xuanzang, and this is Master Fahai."

Tang Seng nodded slightly and pointed to Fahai beside him as he spoke.

Shi Jizhou was, after all, a cultivator with decent cultivation; he saw at a glance that Tang Seng had no cultivation, and also saw that Fahai's cultivation was very high.

"This poor monk's dharma name is Shi Jizhou. Now that things have come to this, I cannot shirk my responsibility."

"I also know the consequences are extremely grave. I hope His Majesty will not hold my disciples responsible, and I am willing to face death."

Shi Jizhou's eyes suddenly revealed a desolate and helpless expression as he spoke resolutely.

Tang Seng stared fixedly at him. He suddenly remembered the saying often spoken by Buddhists: "If I do not enter hell, who will?"

This Buddha-Light Sarira had been stolen, and as the Abbot of the pagoda, he was willing to take all the blame upon himself. Such tragic righteousness could not help but command respect.

At this moment, a monk looked at Shi Jizhou and said, "Master, we also have responsibility; this cannot be blamed entirely on you!"

Then another monk said, "Yes, Master, if you are to face death, your disciples are willing to go with you!"

As they spoke, the crowd of monks knelt down one after another.

Tang Seng scanned the monks before him, sighed, and said, "Master Jizhou, you have done your best. This is not something human power could prevent, and the matter cannot be blamed on you."

"I believe His Majesty is merciful and should not order such slaughter."

As a monk, Tang Seng was naturally compassionate, especially toward those who were also of the Buddhist faith.

This matter indeed had very serious consequences. This was a treasure passed down for a thousand years; now that it was lost, how could His Majesty not be angry?

Fahai stood beside Tang Seng, his expression calm, and said, "Fellow brothers, please rise. I will plead for mercy with His Majesty regarding this matter."

"And since we have come to Jisaiguo and encountered such a thing, we will surely capture the thief and retrieve the Sarira!"

The monks looked at Fahai, then at Shi Jizhou. From their eyes, it was not hard to see fear and hesitation.

However, Shi Jizhou had long since seen that Fahai's cultivation was not below Sun Wukong's. These two could be said to be top-tier powerhouses in the entire cultivation world. ===== CHAPTER 2445 =====