Journey to the West

6. The Birth of Tang Sanzang

This volume is adapted and illustrated based on the appendix "Chen Guangrui Encounters Disaster on His Way to Office, Jiangliu Monk Avenges and Repays" from the classical literary masterpiece "Journey to the West." This volume depicts the story of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty holding an imperial examination to select scholars. The talented Chen Guangrui from Haizhou travels to the capital for the examination, achieving the top rank and winning the favor of Prime Minister Yin's daughter, Miss Yin, who chooses him as her husband. Chen Guangrui returns home with his wife and mother, Madam Zhang, to assume his post in Jiangzhou. Along the way, Madam Zhang falls gravely ill, and Chen Guangrui is murdered by Liu Hong and his accomplices. Liu Hong seizes Miss Yin and impersonates the top scholar to take office in Jiangzhou. Enduring humiliation, Miss Yin gives birth to a posthumous son, whom she sends down the river. The child drifts to Jinshan Temple, where he is raised by Elder Faming, who names him Xuanzang. To uncover his origins, Xuanzang eventually finds Miss Yin and Madam Zhang, and with the assistance of Prime Minister Yin, captures Liu Hong and his cohorts, rescuing his mother. Chen Guangrui, protected by the Dragon King, is resurrected and reunites with Madam Zhang and Miss Yin. Having avenged his family, Xuanzang devotes himself to Buddhism, studying its true essence, and ultimately achieves great enlightenment.